General
Low Confidence, Uncertainty as President Tinubu Marks One Year in Office
By Adedapo Adesanya
On May 29, 2o23, President Bola Tinubu mounted the rostrum at Eagle Square in Abuja and took the oath of office to become Nigeria’s 16th president making a promise of renewed hope; now one year later, food, energy, and transportation prices among others are up.
Part of his first office duties was the elimination of a long-standing petrol subsidy. He announced that “subsidy is gone” noting that his predecessor, Mr Muhammadu Buhari did not accommodate for the payment beyond June 2023 but some months down the line, it was revealed that the government continued to pay since prices didn’t fluctuate as it should.
Meanwhile, the decision led to a double in prices of food, transportation, energy, and shelter, among others.
To cushion the ripple effect of this, President Tinubu announced some palliative measures but to date, there is no clear evidence that Nigerians have benefitted from the relief he announced on live television.
The Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration announced in August 2023 that it would spend N100 billion between then and March 2024 to buy 3,000 compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered 20-seater buses. As of right now, neither the buses nor any other infrastructure needed to power them are available. Remarks made in the last several days seem to suggest that measures are in place to make this happen. However, the delay has negatively impacted the masses, given that the buses were intended to mitigate the impact of the high fuel cost on the general public.
President Tinubu also promised to stabilise the Naira but comparatively, the country’s currency continues to perform below expectations (down 60 per cent) compared to the Dollar and other foreign currencies. After declining to a new low following two devaluations, the Naira strengthened due to reforms of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). This made the Naira the best-performing currency for a while but the momentum was short-lived as underlying factors like supply constraints remained.
The effort of the central bank to stabilise the FX market has not been matched on the fiscal front by policies on trade, security, and agriculture.
President Tinubu also said his administration would lead the drive to cultivate 500,000 hectares of farmlands across the country to grow maize, rice, wheat, millet and other staple crops to tackle the high cost of food items across the country.
Nigeria’s inflation has also climbed to a three-decade high of 33.69 per cent from 22 per cent over the past year while food inflation remains above 40.5 per cent.
Oil production has also been on a steady decline, erasing some gains last year, as the issues of oil theft, underinvestment, and infrastructure hamper one of Nigeria’s major sources of revenue.
Security-wise, nothing has changed in that area a year later. The same security issue that Nigerians faced during Buhari’s administration remains with kidnaps soaring while bandits keep robbing villages, neighbourhoods, and even towns.
As he commences the second year of his four-year term presidency before the next election cycle in 2027, many Nigerians wonder what the remaining years of the Tinubu administration hold.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, has disclosed that the state government has not restricted the movement of people during the re-introduced monthly environmental sanitation exercise.
Responding to an enquiry by an X user, Faveo Autos, on Saturday, he said the exercise was not brought back to restrict the movement of residents, noting that arresting anyone during the sanitation was unlawful and not backed by law.
However, he encouraged Lagosians to use the period to keep their surroundings clean.
“What is the fine for movement during environmental [sanitation]?” Mr Wahab was asked by Faveo Autos today.
In his response, the Commissioner said, “For clarity, there is no restriction on movement during the monthly environmental sanitation exercise. Consequently, arresting anyone on the basis of movement during the exercise is unlawful and does not represent the position or policy of the Lagos State Government.
“The monthly environmental sanitation exercise was reintroduced primarily to restore and strengthen the culture of environmental cleanliness across the state.
“The initiative is backed by the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law, 2017. However, the law does not provide for any restriction on movement during the exercise.
“Our focus is on encouraging Lagosians to embrace environmental sanitation as a civic responsibility and a shared commitment to maintaining a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable Lagos, rather than relying on enforcement measures.”
Life is full of unexpected moments that test our patience, strength, and perspective. Everyone experiences setbacks, disappointments, and periods of uncertainty. While these moments can feel overwhelming, they also provide opportunities for personal growth and self-discovery.
One of the most valuable lessons we learn is that difficult situations rarely last forever. Time, reflection, and a willingness to adapt often help us move beyond even the toughest circumstances. Maintaining a positive outlook and focusing on practical solutions can make a significant difference.
Relationships also play an important role in overcoming hardships. Support from family, friends, or mentors reminds us that we are not alone. At the same time, learning to let go of anger and resentment can free us from emotional burdens that prevent us from moving forward.
The only way out of the labyrinth of suffering is to forgive. It is nothing to die. It is frightful not to live. Everything was beautiful and nothing hurt.
Personal growth is not about avoiding challenges but about responding to them with resilience and wisdom. Every experience, whether positive or negative, contributes to the person we become. By embracing change and practicing gratitude, we can create a more meaningful and fulfilling life.
In the end, moving forward requires courage, forgiveness, and hope. When we choose to focus on what we can control instead of dwelling on the past, we open ourselves to new opportunities and a brighter future.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The establishment of four new army divisions has been approved by President Bola Tinubu, bringing the total to 12.
In a statement on Thursday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, it was stated that the President also authorised the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel to strengthen national security.
The new divisions created include 5 Division, with the headquarters in Makurdi covering Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi States; 9 Division, with the headquarters in Ilorin covering Kwara and Niger States; 10 Division, with the headquarters in Jalingo covering Taraba and Adamawa States; and 83 Division, with the headquarters in Benin City covering Edo, Delta and Bayelsa States.
It was disclosed that the establishment of the new Divisions in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City will significantly improve command and control, decentralise operational decision-making, strengthen border security, enhance the protection of critical national infrastructure, improve counter-insurgency and internal security operations, and ensure faster military response to emerging threats nationwide.
Implementation of the new force structure will be done in two phases. The first phase, covering the establishment of the 5, 9, and 10 Divisions and the reorganisation of existing formations, will be completed by September 2026. The second phase, involving the establishment of the 83 Division and further reorganisation, is expected to be completed by December 2026.
The statement said the expansion of the Nigerian Army’s structure from eight to twelve divisions will improve the operational effectiveness of the security agency and strengthen national defence capabilities further.
Before now, the Nigerian Army operated 1 Division, with the headquarters in Kaduna covering Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa States; 2 Division, with the headquarters in Ibadan covering Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo States; 3 Division, with the headquarters in Jos covering Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe States; 6 Division, with the headquarters in Port Harcourt covering Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States; 7 Division, with the headquarters in Maiduguri covering Borno and Yobe States; 8 Division, with the headquarters in Sokoto covering Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States; 81 Division, with the headquarters in Lagos covering Lagos and Ogun States; and 82 Division, with the headquarters in Enugu covering Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo States.
Mr Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s determination to continue investing in the Armed Forces, ensuring they remain adequately equipped, highly motivated, and fully capable of protecting the nation and guaranteeing the safety and security of all Nigerians.
He lauded the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu, and all officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army for their dedication, professionalism, and steadfast commitment to defending Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
