Senator praises President Tinubu’s de-Dollarisation of Nigerian economy Initiative
Senator praises President Tinubu’s de-Dollarisation of Nigerian economy Initiative
Past Senate Leader and Borno South Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume has praised the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration for its initiative to de-dollarise the economy, calling it a courageous step forward.
In a statement released to the media on Saturday, Ndume emphasized that if the policy is effectively implemented, it could enhance the naira’s strength and facilitate trade with countries that are not reliant on the US dollar.
De-dollarisation refers to significantly reducing the use of the dollar in global trade and financial transactions, thereby lowering national, institutional, and corporate reliance on the currency.
Ndume urged President Tinubu to pursue this initiative to its full potential, suggesting that Nigeria should align itself with the BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa), which have successfully diminished the dollar’s influence in their cross-border financial activities.
He stated that this policy would benefit Nigerian entrepreneurs, especially those importing goods from countries like China, by reducing dependence on the US dollar and alleviating pressure on the naira.
“The policy introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu deserves recognition. If fully executed, it will significantly ease the strain on the naira, allowing our international traders to operate without relying heavily on the US dollar,” he said. “This will lead to a substantial appreciation of the naira, benefitting the country in various ways. I commend the President for taking such bold economic measures at this crucial time.”
Ndume also called for a National Economic Conference, to be organized by the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning along with the National Economic Adviser and prominent Nigerian economists. He believes this summit should focus on developing home-grown solutions to revitalize the economy.
He named several respected figures, including Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Oby Ezekwesili, Mansur Muktar, Akinwumi Adesina, Aruma Oteh, and Tope Fasua, as potential leaders of this economic summit.
“This national economic summit should be led by these distinguished Nigerians, who can provide recommendations that are more suitable for our situation than the often harsh prescriptions from the IMF and World Bank. If the recommendations are sound, I believe President Tinubu will implement them, benefiting the country immensely.”
On security issues, Ndume, who previously proposed hiring military contractors to combat Boko Haram in Borno State, commended the federal government for acquiring military aircraft and helicopters to bolster the Air Force’s capabilities against bandits and insurgents.
He said: “I must commend the President for approving the purchase of military planes to help in the ongoing war against insurgents. I’m also urging that we buy more attack helicopters to help in this fight.” More troops need to be recruited into the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies. In addition to this, the security forces need to be trained, equipped, armed, and motivated.”
The lawmaker, in the statement, described as masterstroke , President Tinubu rejigging of the Federal Cabinet, and particularly hailed the establishment of the Ministry of Regional Development to oversee all regional commissions in the country.
“More needs to be done because some ministers are still missing in action,” he added.
Ndume hailed the move by President Tinubu to reduce the cost of governance in the face of economic difficulties and urge other arms of government to do the same.
“We saw what President Tinubu did during the week when he rejigged the Federal Cabinet. It was a masterstroke. I’m particularly happy about the establishment of the Regional Development Ministry to oversee and supervise all the various regional development commissions.
“The President also scrapped some Ministries he felt were no longer useful and this is a way of reducing the cost of governance, and President Tinubu is demonstrating that through these bold actions,” he said.
The approval is contained in a statement issued by Alhaji Awwal Manu-Dogondaji, the Commissioner for Establishment, Pension and Training in Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday.
According to the statement, civil servants in the state will now work from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. from Monday to Thursday, and from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Fridays.
It added that normal working hours would resume after Ramadan.
Manu-Dogondaji urged citizens to remain steadfast in prayers for lasting peace and stability in Kebbi and Nigeria.
Gov. Umar Namadi of Jigawa has also approved reduction of working hours for state civil servants to honour the 2025 Ramadan fast.
The approval is in a statement signed by the state’s Head of Service, Mr Muhammad Dagaceri, on Tuesday in Dutse.
He stated that “civil servants in the state will report to the office at 9 a.m. and close at 3 p.m. from Mondays to Thursdays, throughout the Ramadan period.
“On Fridays, the civil servants will report at 9 a.m. and close at 1 p.m.’’
The head of service explained that the gesture is to provide opportunities for civil servants to fully engage in spiritual activities associated with the holy month.
“It is hoped that civil servants in the state will use the Ramadan period to pray for God’s guidance and blessings for our state and the country in general,” Dagaceri added.
Muslims worldwide have started observing the 29 or 30 days of the fasting month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Lunar calendar.
While observing the dawn-to-dusk fast, Muslims are to refrain from eating, drinking and intimate activities throughout the period.
Ramadan is the month when the first verses of the Holy Qur’an were revealed to Prophet Muhammad, more than 1,400 years ago.(NAN)
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7 armed robbery suspects arrested by Police operatives,firearms, ammunitions recovered
7 armed robbery suspects arrested by Police operatives,firearms, ammunitions recovered
The Police Command in Enugu State, says it has arrested seven suspects for alleged armed robbery and conspiracy.
The Command’s Spokesman, SP Daniel Ndukwe, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Enugu.
Ndukwe said that the suspects were apprehended by detectives attached to the command’s Criminal Investigation Department.
He explained that the arrest of the suspects followed credible intelligence and response to a report received at the Unity Police Division.
He added that exhibits which include firearms, ammunition, machetes and other alleged stolen items were recovered from the suspects.
According to him, on Feb. 3 and Feb. 6 respectively, the Unity Police Division received a report that suspected armed robbers invaded and robbed some residents of Ibagwa-Nike community in Enugu of their valuables.
“Upon the transfer of the case, detective from the state’s CID attached to the Anti-Robbery (D9) Section immediately launched an intelligence-guided investigation, leading to the apprehension of the seven suspects.
”One pump-action gun, two locally-made pistols, two live cartridges and two machetes, were recovered from the suspects.
”Also recovered were SIM cards, Identity cards, clothes, supplement drugs and other robbed items, which the owners have identified.”
The spokesman said that the suspects had confessed to the crime and would be arraigned in court once investigations were concluded.
Ndukwe quoted the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Kanayo Uzuegbu, as reiterating the command’s determination to significantly reduce crime in the state.
Uzuegbu said this however required the continuous contribution and unwavering support of residents.
He urged residents to remain law-abiding, vigilant and steadfast in supporting the police. (NAN)
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Demonstrators hit the Streets as Husband allegedly murders pregnant Wife
Demonstrators hit the Streets as Husband allegedly murders pregnant Wife
A group of women, united under the banner of Concerned Market Women, took to the streets of Benin City on Monday to stage a peaceful protest, voicing their outrage over the brutal killing of 38-year-old housewife, Success Izekor.
The rally, held in the heart of the city, condemned the tragic death of Izekor, who was allegedly murdered by her husband, Kelvin Izekor, in an act of domestic violence.
Success Izekor, who was four months pregnant, met her untimely death on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at their home on No. 50, Upper Mission Road, Benin City.
Reports suggest she was fatally stabbed by her husband in what has been described as a senseless and violent act.
The women, armed with placards bearing powerful messages, gathered in solidarity to raise awareness about the rising tide of domestic violence and to demand justice for Success.
Their slogans echoed across the streets, decrying the growing menace of abuse faced by women within their homes.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Odion Asemota, a representative of the group, made a passionate appeal to the government and the judicial system to ensure that justice is served for the late Success Izekor.
According to Asemota although Success’s husband is currently being probed, his mother is reportedly boasting that she will be freed on the grounds of mental illness.
“We cannot allow the life of a woman to be discounted simply because of a potential legal loophole,” Asemota stated.
“We are demanding justice, and we will continue to stand for it until Success Izekor’s death is rightfully addressed.”
“This was a man who married Success in June last year, and just eight months later, he stabbed her to death while she was four months pregnant.
“After killing her on Saturday night, he went to her store on Sunday and took the money she used for her Point of Sale (POS) business.
“He even attempted to secretly dispose of her body on Sunday, but neighbours caught him,” she alleged.
The Edo State Police Command had before now confirmed the murder of Success Izekor, with a statement issued by its Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu.
Yamu disclosed that authorities were alerted to the tragic incident involving Kelvin Izekor, who had reportedly killed his wife, Success Izekor.
He further revealed that the suspect was on the verge of being attacked by an angry mob before police intervention.