Today's Headlines: Nigeria Will Rise Under Tinubu –Lawal, Trump’s Truckloads Of Trouble By Chido
Nigeria will rise under Tinubu – President’s ex-adviser
Photo Credit: Punch paper
A former Senior Special Assistant on Policy Formulation and Programmes to President Bola Tinubu when he served as the governor of Lagos State between 1999 and 2007, Dr Dapo Thomas, shares with MUHAMMED LAWAL his expectations from the Tinubu presidency
Many Nigerians have described some of Tinubu’s economic policies since assuming office as inflicting hardship on the people, do you agree with those who said things could have been done differently?
If you go through the history of subsidy under the military and civilian administrations, it has never gone well with the people. They were always against it. There was never a time an attempt was made to remove subsidy that did not result in rioting. Surprisingly, people have given him the necessary support, hoping that things will get better and based on his credibility when he was in Lagos. It is in his character to always take care of the poor. There is no way we can start seeing the results now. He has suspended the five per cent excise tax on telecoms and others. This means we are approaching a level where we will begin to see the effect of this policy.
Trump’s Truckloads Of Trouble, By Chido Nwangwu
Photo Credit: Sahara Reporters
On August 1, 2023, Trump’s former Vice President of the United States, Mike Pence, issued one of his surprisingly bold statements since the news of Trump’s previous and latest (third) indictments.
Pence, a Republican, Christian conservative from Indiana stated that “Today’s indictment serves as an important reminder: Anyone who puts himself over the Constitution should never be president of the United States.”
Pence noted that while former president Trump “is entitled to the presumption of innocence but with this indictment, his candidacy means more talk about January 6th and more distractions.” Trump has since declared he wears the indictments “as a badge of honor.”
Pence does not agree, arguing that “As Americans, his (Trump) candidacy means less attention paid to Joe Biden’s disastrous economic policies afflicting millions across the United States and to the pattern of corruption with Hunter (Biden).”
The Senate Majority Leader, a Democrat from New York, Chuck Schumer and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, also from New York, took a a more harsh characterization and criticism, insisting that “The third indictment of Mr. Trump illustrates in shocking detail that the violence of that day (January 6) was the culmination of a months-long criminal plot led by the former president to defy democracy to overturn the will of the American people.”
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President ‘s Broadcast And Matters Arising
Photo Credit: Leadership
Undoubtedly, the removal of fuel subsidy has led to a significant increase in the prices of goods and services. To address the concerns, the federal government has engaged in discussions with organized Labour to provide palliatives and raise the minimum wage.
Despite this, organized Labour announced a protest on August 2nd to express their grievances.
On Monday, President Bola Tinubu, in an effort to ease the burden of fuel subsidy removal on students of higher institutions, approved the provision of buses to student bodies in universities, polytechnics, and colleges across the country.
His goal is to enable students to access campuses more easily despite higher transportation costs, thereby relieving parents and guardians of additional commuting expenses.
Additionally, the President removed all restrictions on students’ loans to ensure that any student or household in need can access financial support for their education.
In a nationwide broadcast that same Monday, President Tinubu urged Nigerians to be patient with the economic challenges the country is facing.
Nigerian Roads Freer As Fuel Consumption Drops Drastically
Photo Credit: Leadership
The volume of Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol, which according to the federal government, was consumed by motorists in the month of June reduced by at least 18.5 million litres daily.
Survey by LEADERSHIP Sunday however suggest that the official data for the month of July and the coming months, will likely show a further reduction in PMS consumption as Nigerians are buying even less, while the number of cars on the roads are also reducing.
LEADERSHIP Sunday also spoke to fuel station attendants on their volume of sales compared to previous months and to motorists who have chosen to park their vehicles because of the high cost of petrol.
The volume of PMS that was consumed across the country in the first half of 2023 is 11.26 billion litres, the Federal Government has said.
It was, however, observed that after the removal of subsidy on petrol, following the pronouncement by President Bola Tinubu on May 29, 2023, PMS consumption reduced by an average of about 18.5 million litres daily in June.
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