World News

Nigerian consulate in New York unveils 2023 programmes, to hold Adire exhibition

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The Consulate General of Nigeria in New York has informed diasporans that it will be holding Adire textile Exhibition in New York as part of its programmes for 2023.

Originating from Abeokuta in Southwestern Nigeria, Adire textile is an indigenous indigo-dyed cloth made by using different wax resist methods to create dazzling designs.

The Consul General of Nigeria in New York, Amb. Lot Egopija, said this at the virtual 8th Town Hall Meeting with the Nigerian Community within New York Jurisdiction.

“We’ll be having a joint exhibition in this regard with the Consulate General of Indonesia to see how we can exhibit our national product – the Adire fabric.

“We are in talks with the Government of Indonesia to see the better time to execute it. We will be informing you when to undertake this exhibition.

“Also, we will be exhibiting with the Indian Consulate this year. We will be observing the International Year of Millet. You will agree with me that Nigeria is one the largest producers of Millet in the world,’’ he said.

“So, in this regard, the Indian Consulate and Nigerian Consulate in New York will explore possibility of celebrating the Day and we will inform you through our communication channel,’’ he said.

Nigeria is the third largest millet producing country in the world after India and China, and the leading producer in Africa.

Recall that the UN General Assembly adopted by consensus a resolution sponsored by India and supported by over 70 countries declaring 2023 as the International Year of Millets.

The resolution is aimed at raising awareness about the health benefits of the grain and their suitability for cultivation under changing climatic conditions.

The resolution titled ‘International Year of Millets 2023’ was initiated by India with Bangladesh, Kenya, Nepal, Nigeria, Russia and Senegal and was co-sponsored by over 70 nations.

Mr Egopija said the Consulate, as part of its programmes in 2023, would be reviving sister city relationship with some boroughs and cities in New York.

“We have come to the realisation that before now we were part of sister city relationship between some cities in New York and some cities in Nigeria and most of these relations have gone moribund.

“We want to see how we can explore, revive some of them and to see how through this sister city relations, our people back home can enjoy educational exchange and enjoy medical facilities,’’ he said.

The envoy further said the Consulate would be collaborating with the management of Lincoln Hospital in the Bronx to reach out to Nigerians in New York to provide medical services for them.

He also thanked the Nigerian Nurses in New York for their commitment to its quarterly medical outreach at the Nigeria House, noting the outreach now holds monthly to reach out to nationals coming for consular services.

“We are more than appreciative, and we will continue to work with them to ensure that we improve the health and wellness of Nigerians.

“I want to assure you that we will continue to do what we have to do to make sure that we give better service,’’ Mr Egopija said.

A representative of Lincoln Hospital was invited to brief the nationals on its healthcare programme and how Nigerians in New York could benefit from it.

Lifestyle

Naira Scarcity- Nigerians attacking banks will be treated as armed robbers, police warn

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The Nigeria Police Force has warned that citizens caught attacking banks in protest against cash scarcity will be treated as armed robbers.

Force Spokesman Olumuyiwa Adejobi said this in a video posted on the NPF’s Facebook page Friday.

“We complain banks don’t attend to us yet we go to their facilities and set them ablaze, destroy ATMs. How do you want them to serve you better if you have destroyed their facilities?” Mr Adejobi said.

“I think we need to educate ourselves on what the law says about this. You don’t go to any bank, ATM, or financial institution to attack. It is criminal and tantamount to armed robbery. If you are caught in the act, you will be treated as an armed robber.”

The police warning comes as angry citizens across many major Nigerian cities attack banks in protest against naira scarcity in the country.

In October 2022, the Buhari regime through the Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele announced the redesign of N200, N500 and N1000 notes.

With old notes mopped out of circulation and new notes unavailable in banks, citizens have been left to suffer untold hardship, queuing in banks without getting cash for their businesses and personal use.

Lifestyle

Naira Scarcity- Nigerians beg CBN, banks to dispense N100, N50 notes

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As the effects of the current cash crunch bite harder, Nigerians have called on the Central Bank of Nigeria to prevail on commercial banks to dispense N100 and N50 notes to Nigerians.

They made the call in separate interviews on Thursday in Lagos.

Benedict Chukwuweike, an accountant, said dispensing the N100 and N50 notes would help solve the immediate challenge of access to the new naira notes.

Mr Chukwuweike noted that in countries like the United States, the highest denomination in circulation is $100 and that Nigeria could imitate the U.S. as issuing more N500, N1,000 banknotes becomes a problem.

According to him, the development will help to curb inflation and attract more value to the nation’s currency.

Eniola Gbadamosi, a teacher, said dispensing the N100 and N50 notes should have been the alternative until issues surrounding the new naira notes were resolved.

According to her, the N100 and N50 banknotes have become valuable to her.

“I started gathering the N100 and N50 notes since January when the heat of the January 31 deadline enveloped the nation,” stated Ms Gbadamosi.

“Little did I know then that the crunch would degenerate into what it is now. Today, my N100 and N50 notes have been very useful.”

Catherine Lawson, an unemployed youth, said she boarded a bus on Wednesday using N100 and N50 notes.

Judith Chukwukadibia, a lawyer, said that since the crisis started and those in the urban areas were crying for cash, she knew it would be worse in the rural areas.

“So, what I quickly did was to change my money into N50 notes which I sent to my parents in the village. The aim was to avoid (the) pressure my parents would go through. I didn’t want them to be stranded,” Ms Chukwukadibia explained.

“I am happy that the step has proved very helpful. I even did (the) same to myself and have been very comfortable since the naira crunch started.”

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has said old N200 notes remain legal tender until April 10.

In a nationwide broadcast on Thursday, he said the old and new N200 bills would exist side by side to ease the cash scarcity.

Lifestyle

Nigerians anticipate peaceful power transfer regardless of tension

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Some Nigerians on Saturday expressed optimism about a peaceful 2023 election and smooth power transfer to another administration.

A cross-section of Nigerians in Lagos said the electioneering campaign bar had been raised for people to vote for the best candidate in all elective positions.

Despite the constraining variables like the subsisting cashless policy and the artificial fuel scarcity, people are optimistic about a good transition in May.

Wale Adewale, a political scientist and a lecturer at the Lagos State University (LASU), said Nigerians have become more politically conscious and enthused by fierce competition in the polity.

According to him, the campaigns across parties have been encouraging but lacked desirable agreement between the people, political parties, and candidates.

“Nigerians are patiently discarding those disturbing variables in the system with high hopes of attaining a better society after the election,” he said.

Gab Ireaku, director, Social Re-engineering Network, said hard times had awoken people from slumber to begin to pursue an improved system through the forthcoming election.

The social justice crusader described people’s participation in voting as one that confers legitimacy to the process.

Mr Ireaku dismissed any possibility of an election-induced fracas in the society, noting that Nigerians are tired of hard times and ready to overturn the nation’s misfortunes through the election.

Anglia Orji, a businesswoman at the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex, said everyone who wished to vote must have their voters’ card by now.She said the masses were ready to change the system that has held them disadvantaged.

She said, unlike previous elections, the coming polls would be devoid of violence; instead, there would be mass turnout.

The Lagos chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Stephen Adegbite, called on the faithful to present Nigeria’s election as a supplication to God for a smooth process.

Meanwhile, the electoral body has indicated its readiness to conduct the polls to ensure that Nigerians decide who leads them.

In the same vein, President Muhammadu Buhari inaugurated the Presidential Transition Council to oversee a smooth transition after the polls.

Lifestyle

NiDCOM condemns massacre of 16 Nigerians in Burkina Faso

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The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has condemned the massacre of 16 Nigerians travelling in Burkina Faso as unjustifiable, callous and criminal.

NiDCOM chairwoman Abike Dabiri-Erewa condemned the killing in a statement on Tuesday.

The NiDCOM chair called on the Burkinabe authorities to fish out the perpetrators and prosecute them.

Ms Dabiri-Erewa, who reiterated President Muhammadu Buhari‘s resolve to ensure “appropriate sanction” through diplomacy to those involved in the wicked killing, said it was a condemnable and barbaric act.

The NIDCOM boss joined others in condoling the families and friends of the deceased and prayed for the safety of other stranded Nigerians in the country.

“To those who were unjustifiably killed, especially as they were on spiritual pilgrimage, may Allah accept them into His martyrdom and quicken the pace of recovery of those injured survivors,” she prayed.

According to the statement, some Muslim pilgrims, including 16 Nigerians, were allegedly shot and killed by Burkinabe soldiers on patrol.

At a news conference on Sunday in Abuja, the Jam’iyyatu Ansariddeen Attijaniyya of Nigeria revealed that 16 of its members were shot dead by the Burkinabe soldiers.

They were reportedly on their way to the home country of their leader, Sheikhul-Islam Ibrahim Niasse, in Senegal, when they were killed.

The national secretary of the Islamic group, Sayyidi Yahaya, said the Ansariddeen members were “randomly selected and cold-bloodedly shot to death in a most horrendous display of bestiality” after being stopped by the Burkinabe soldiers.

Politics

Nobody can say what will happen to Nigeria if I don’t become president- Peter Obi

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Peter Obi, the presidential flag bearer on the platform of the Labour Party, says he wishes Nigeria well but expresses concern about what will happen next to Nigeria if he loses the February 25 presidential election.

A large turnout of voters at the poll would pave the way for Mr Obi’s victory, said a poll conducted by Nigeria’s data intelligence provider, Stears, describing the Labour Party standard-bearer as “Nigeria’s most popular presidential candidate.”

New Nextier, an Africa-focused consulting firm, also predicted that the ex-Anambra governor would win in February.

According to the Labour Party standard-bearer, the presidential poll is an existential election, and he urged everyone to be involved.

“If we get it wrong, nobody can tell what next will happen. In all I am doing, I will always wish Nigeria the best,” Mr Obi stressed.

“I know you will, too and in doing that, I urge you to be part of the new Nigeria Datti, and I are fighting for.”

Mr Obi stated this at a public presentation of the book, ‘Peter Obi: Many Voices, One Perspective’ in Abuja.

He thanked the organisers of the book launch for believing in him and for choosing to be part of his efforts to see that a new Nigeria is possible and appealed to Nigerians to support him in turning Nigeria around by voting for him in the February 25 presidential election.

“We are committed to it; as I told all the supporters, we need people. We need all of you to support us, especially in these final days to reach the end of this phase. Nigeria has suffered a lot. This is a great country that can be turned around,” the former Anambra governor explained.

Mr Obi added,

“We cannot succeed without your intervention, so as you launch this book, please be part of what we are doing to change Nigeria.”

Lifestyle

Protesters storm Oyo governor’s office over lingering fuel, naira scarcity

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Angry youths in Oyo have broken into the State Secretariat in Ibadan to protest the lingering fuel and currency scarcity that has crippled businesses and the economy nationwide.

It was gathered that an armed police officer attached to the governor’s office was injured by the angry protesters.

The crowd was said to have forced other security operatives on the ground to take cover.

The protesters were said to have stormed the secretariat with sticks, wood, and other dangerous weapons while forcing the two main gates open.

The youths had earlier in the morning stormed the streets to express dissatisfaction over the scarcity.

Armed with placards bearing different inscriptions, they protesters blocked the ever busy Iwo road, lamenting the current situation in the country.

They decried the stress Nigerians were passing through in getting the newly redesigned naira notes.

The ongoing protest has caused gridlock along the axis with many commuters and motorists being stranded.

A spokesperson for the Oyo governor was unreachable for comment at the time of filing this report .

The situation is coming few weeks to the presidential election and a few hours after President Muhammadu Buhari met with governors of the ruling All Progressives Congress party over the fuel and naira scarcity.

Politics

Tinubu promises to double four-year university education to eight years

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Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, on Thursday promised to double the duration of university education in the country from the current four years to eight years, saying Nigerians should elect him to be able to actualise his intention.

“Those of you in school, write it down,” Mr Tinubu said to Nigerian youth during a campaign stop in Osogbo on Thursday afternoon.

“Call me a bastard if you spend more than eight years in school. You will be in school for eight years.”

Mr Tinubu’s comments could be deemed insensitive in a country plagued by unnecessary delays in academic years due to persistent strikes by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other tertiary education bodies.

Mr Tinubu’s promise marks a breakaway from longstanding academic programmes in Nigerian universities that run typically four years with the exception of highly specialised studies such as law and medicine, which last five and six years of university study, respectively.

The comment has further fueled criticism from Nigerians on social media, who maintain that Mr Tinubu’s worsening physical health has diminished his mental awareness and should be disqualified from seeking the country’s highest office.

A spokesperson for Mr Tinubu’s campaign did not return comments seeking clarification of his comments.

Mr Tinubu has made comments that seemed to disparage Nigerian youth in recent months.

While seeking the ruling party’s ticket for president, he vowed to conscript 50 million Nigerian youth into the military, saying they would do well feeding on corn, cassava and other farm produce while protecting the country.

He, however, failed to say how his idea would help modernise the country’s military infrastructure, which has been deemed among the most backward globally.

World News

Two Nigerians arrested over $500,000 fraud in Canada

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Two Nigerians, Gbemisola Akinrinade and Adebowale Adiatu, have been arrested by the Canadian police for allegedly enriching themselves with the proceeds from the sales of valid flight tickets to unsuspecting customers.

According to Canada Today, the suspects fraudulently sold more than 250 airline tickets at a value of more than $500,000 in the racket scheme.

The majority of the customers who purchased the tickets were from the Calgary area and the flights were primarily to Africa, a press release by the Peel Regional Police on January 26, 2023, stated.

The suspects are facing charges which include fraud, conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, possession of property obtained by crime, obtaining by false pretences, and unlawful use of a computer.

According to the police authorities, in many fraud-related cases, people in vulnerable situations are coerced, manipulated and taken advantage of for the profit of the fraudster.

However, they urged individuals to properly source the website they are dealing with and verify its legitimacy. Peel Regional Police said;

“Anyone who recognises or has information about this type of case is asked to contact the 21 Division C.I.B or Fraud Bureau at (905) 453–2121, ext. 2133 or 3335 or to your local police service.

Information may also be left anonymously by calling Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or by visiting peelcrimestoppers.”

Politics

I have not disappointed Nigerians – President Buhari

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President Buhari has said that he has not disappointed Nigerians in fulfilling all of the campaign promises he made in the 2015 and 2019 elections.

A statement released by presidential aide, Femi Adesina, says the President stated this during his visit to the Emir of Bauchi, Dr Rilwanu Adamu, on Monday, January 23.

“I normally call on Emirs and Chiefs, whether on political or personal tours to states to show my gratitude.

I like to mention that between 2003 and 2011, I visited all the local governments, and in 2019, when I was seeking my re-election for a second term, I visited all the states of the Federation and the people that turned out to see me were more than what anyone could buy or force and there, I made a promise and pledge that I will serve Nigeria and Nigerians to the best of my ability and so far, I have not disappointed anybody.”

Lifestyle

FG advises undocumented Nigerians to leave Equatorial Guinea

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Undocumented Nigerians in Equatorial Guinea have been advised by the federal government to leave the country.

In a statement signed by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Head, Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, and released on Friday, January 6, the Commission said its attention was drawn to a report by the Government of Equatorial Guinea on October 17, 2022, advising undocumented foreigners in their country to leave voluntarily or face government sanction.

The Government of Equatorial Guinea had said that the move will help create stability in the country.

Making an appeal to undocumented Nigerians to leave the country, NIDCOM said in its statement;

“The attention of the Management of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, has been drawn to a letter from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation on the above-mentioned subject matter.

“A report by the Government of Equatorial Guinea on October 17, 2022, was issued, advising undocumented foreigners in their country to leave voluntarily or face government sanction.

“According to the report, this is aimed at curbing elements of sabotage and creating stability in the country of Equatorial Guinea.

“The letter also stated that obtaining a one or two-year residence permit by foreigners goes between $410 and $620.

“As a Commission committed to the welfare of its citizens, we advise that Nigerians in Equatorial Guinea should renew their permit if possible, or apply to come back home to Nigeria, if undocumented, to avoid sanctions by the Government of Equatorial Guinea.”

Politics

INEC warns Nigerians about fake ad hoc staff recruitment portal

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned Nigerians about a fake portal purportedly used for the recruitment of ad hoc staff for 2023 general election.

According to the Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Mr Rotimi Oyekanmi, the portal is fake as the commission is no longer recruiting for the election.

The statement read;

“The website/blog below is advertising ad hoc staff positions for the 2023 general election.

“However, the commission is no longer recruiting ad hoc staff for the 2023 general election.“The INEC ad hoc staff recruitment portal was officially shut down on December 14 2022.

“Therefore, the site, with the URL –http://www.yournewclaims.com/Inec-Recriutment/ is fake. It is intended to defraud unsuspecting members of the public. Nigerians should disregard it.”

Lifestyle

Photos from the mass burial of 40 victims of Southern Kaduna terrorist attacks

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A mass burial has been held for 40 victims killed in last Sunday’s attack by suspected terrorists in Malagum 1 and Sokwong communities in Kagoro chiefdom, Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The Inter-denomination burial service of the victims was held on Thursday, December 22, 2022.

The Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan posted photos from the burial on its official Facebook page.

“The Inter- denomination burial Mass/ service of the victims of Fulani herders attack at Mallagum, Kagoro, Kaura Local Government Area, Kaduna State, Nigeria, on this day Thursday, 22nd December, 2022. May their Souls Rest in Peace with the Lord.” the post read.

Meanwhile, the people of Southern Kaduna have cried out against the government’s inability to arrest and bring to book the perpetrators of several attacks on the area since 2014.

A statement issued by the spokesman of Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU), Mr Luka Binniyat, said,

“Let it be put on record that in the hundreds of attacks that have put many parts of Southern Kaduna into ruins and thousands killed since 2014, we have not seen anyone arrested and brought to book over these heinous crimes against humanity.”

The union lamented what it called “the gruesome mass murder of not less than 38 harmless, armless villagers in Malagum 1 and Abun (Broni Prono) villages, Kaura Local Government Area (LGA) in Southern Kaduna”.

The statement regretted that the killings, which lasted for long, started around 11pm Sunday night simultaneously in the two villages.

“Not only were these poor innocent citizens killed, not less than 100 houses were razed, with some victims burnt alive,” the forum explained.

According to the statement, volunteers are still combing surrounding bushes in search of missing persons and more corpses following the attacks by the gunmen on the two communities.

He disclosed that the villagers had noticed the gathering of strange herdsmen coming from different directions on motorbikes to set camp in a nearby bush some days back.

He further lamented that the security forces deployed in the area did nothing when the villagers noticed the gathering, adding that the dastardly act is coming five days after armed herdsmen herded their cattle into a farm owned by Cletus Dunia, 45, in Kpak village, a sub-unit of Kagoro, in Kaura LGA and shot him dead at close range before mutilating his corpse and fleeing with their cows.

The statement stated that the rampaging herdsmen also shot and killed Levi Zakaria, 19, as he was harvesting yams on a farm that was by the fleeing path of the killer herdsmen, saying that on the same day, the same herdsmen killed Ezra Sunday 16, about 2km from where Zakaria was killed.

It explained that the same herdsmen caused the death of Gaje Habila, 31, when he fell and died of exhaustion while escaping, leaving behind a widow and a six-month-old baby, his only child, pointing out that between Tuesday and Wednesday last week, armed men described as herdsmen, invaded some homes in Kamuru village, Ikulu Ward in Zangon Kataf LGA in Southern Kaduna and killed four (4) persons.

The statement explained that forty-six (46) persons were killed in the attacks in Southern Kaduna in the past five days.

“We believe that the aim is to further destabilise Southern Kaduna and give excuse to the Federal Government to stop election in the area.

Already there are thousands who have been chased out from their ancestral homes as a result of similar violence unleashed on them, between 2019 and this year as the attacks are coming close to the 2023 general elections,” he added.

Lifestyle

Some navy personnel are colluding with criminals to steal crude oil – Naval Chief

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The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo has raised an alarm of some navy personnel colluding with criminals to steal crude oil.

Speaking at the decoration of the newly promoted Rear Admirals in Abuja, Gambo warned that those trying to sabotage efforts of the Nigeria Navy at curbing illegal bunkering and crude oil theft in the country will be made to face stiff penalties.

He also warned that any personnel caught sabotaging the measures that have been put in place by the navy will meet a stiff penalty and the wrath of the law.

Lifestyle

NEMA receives 105 stranded Nigerians from Chad

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The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has announced that it received 105 stranded Nigerians from Chad (N’djamena) who arrived at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano on Monday, December 12.

Kano State territorial coordinator of the agency, Dr Nuradeen Abdullahi who made the announcement, said the stranded Nigerians arrived at the international wing of the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport at about 10pm onboard a Boeing 737-7k9 ASKY Airlines plane operated by Ethiopian Airlines KP9401 with registration number ET-ANH.

They were brought back to Kano under the care of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) through a voluntary repatriation programme.

He said;

“The programme was meant for the distressed Nigerians who had left the country to seek greener pastures in various European countries but could not afford to return when their journey became frustrating.

“Those received included 24 male adults, 23 female adults and 58 children (33 females and 25 males). They are from Katsina, Kano, Adamawa, Borno, Yobe and Taraba states among others.”

Abdullahi further disclosed that the returnees would be trained for four days on vocational skills and would be given the grant to become self-reliant.

He urged them to join in the advocacy and sensitisation against irregular migration. The NEMA chief further revealed that the agency, between May and October 2022, received 560 Nigerians stranded from Niger Republic and Sudan.

Business, Lifestyle

There’s no Nigerian that needs more than N100K cash weekly — Reno Omokri

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Former presidential aide, Reno Omokri has spoken in favour of the recently imposed cash withdrawal limit by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Recall that the CBN recently restricted the maximum cash withdrawal over-the-counter (OTC) by individuals and corporate organizations per week to N100,000 and N500,000, respectively.

Reacting to criticisms that have trailed the policy, Omokri stated that there is no Nigerian that needs more than N100K cash weekly.

He added that other than paying for transport fares or buying groceries, everything can be done cashless.

Politics

Oil can no longer feed Nigeria’s growing population – Obasanjo

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Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said the oil and gas sector can no longer feed the growing population of Nigerians.

Obasanjo spoke at the weekend when the leadership of the apex socio-cultural group in Tiv land of Benue State, Mzough U Tiv (MUT) paid him appreciation and friendship visit at his Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) Penthouse residence in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.

He said only farming and agribusiness could tackle the nation’s growing population.

He called on people to focus on farming and agribusiness as an alternative to Nigeria’s oil-dependent economy.

“If Nigeria is ready to get it right, the 2023 election should be a turning point. We should not go for emotion that will destroy us” Obasanjo said

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