ONE: The Nigerian Government’s youth ministry has just launched an initiative to encourage entrepreneurship among the young people of the country. The business plan competition that is funded by the government’s vast resources might possibly lead to a reduction in the atrocious unemployment rate of this population. While most young people are in support of this, we are certainly with them, we must point out the need for systemic changes so that all young Nigerian who wants a job will be able to secure one, no matter the entrepreneur skills. This competition is a move towards economic justice, but it certainly isn’t the only path. The rule of the competition can be found HERE. Also there are numerous tools for small business enterprises HERE.
TWO: The former governor of Ogun State was indicted with 16 counts of corruption by the EFCC last Thursday. He is charged with embezzlement and the mismanagement of his state’s funds. In response, Mr. Daniel has said an emphatic NO to all food. While we are strong supporters of the idea of innocence until proven guilty, we wonder if the good governor might have avoided this ordeal if he had also said NO to corruption.
THREE: The President of Nigeria through the Ministry of Finance and the Economic Tzarina has sacked 10 agencies from intervening in the business of the Nigerian port. These agencies have been given an ultimatum to improve their process within a time frame. The agencies that made the cut were the Nigeria Customs Service (NSC), Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Ports Police, State Security Service (SSS) and Ports Health.
FOUR: It was reported this week that 86% of all federal government contracts between March and August have been given to firms in the Niger Delta region. The total cost of the contracts stands at approximately N760 billion out of N883 billion. Historically, the region has consistently scored low in most developmental outcomes. However one cannot help but wonder if the president bases his economic strategy for the entire country on the simple fact that he is from this region. It is curious indeed.
FIVE: A recent report has indicted former military dictator, and recent presidential candidate, General Buhari as slightly responsible for the post election violence in Northern Nigeria. The report was released and created by a committee set by his rival in the recent election, the current president. This report while in line with a small percentage of public sentiments in the country should be taken with a bit of healthy skepticism. It might have done the nation a great deal of good if a truly bipartisan and representative committee had been set up to by the government.
SIX: It seems that the brief honeymoon period for the president has come and gone. The President Goodluck is facing a terrifying crash in poll numbers. A Guardian poll conducted between September 7 and 18, 2011 shows over 60% of those polled in some geopolitical zones were dissatisfied with the President’s performance. The full report can be found HERE. We wonder if this might actually lead to a change in strategy by his team.
SEVEN: The recently released Ibrahim Index report ranks the Nigerian governance system as the 41st out of 53 countries analyzed. The Nigerian health system was also rated 51of 53. This is a wake up call for those taxed with the responsibility to make Nigeria work.
EIGHT: 4 editors of The Nation newspaper were arrested and detained last week by the Nigerian Police Force for unknown reasons. The arrests are connected to the magazine’s recent publication concerning a “secret letter” written by former president Olusegun Obasanjo. The letter allegedly urged this current president to sack some top Northern officials currently serving in his administration. The former president denied the existence of such a letter immediately after the magazine’s report. He accuses the Nation magazine of criminal maligning of character using false and forged document. The Nigerian Police force spokesperson reported on Friday that most of the Editors have been set free.
NINE: The Federal Government of Nigeria has decided to inject N100 billion to mitigate the effects of the impending increase in the cost of electricity among Nigeria’s low-income earners. The move to privatize the energy sector is not without its cost and this is the government’s way of bridging the big gap and enforcing economic justice into the country. However, it is pertinent to ask if N100 billion will ever be enough.
TEN: The winner of the Nigeria Prize for Literature this year was Adeyemi Adeleke. His children’s book entitled The Missing Clock won him the prestigious prize. He gets to take home a sum of $100,000. Congratulations to him. We wish him the very best.
