A civil society organisation, The Osun Masterminds, TOM, has urged President Bola Tinubu to end the floatation of the Naira and revert to a Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, guided pricing that will be devoid of corruption and the sharp practices that characterised the apex bank under Godwin Emefiele. TOM also demanded a return of subsidy on petrol until a time in the future, when proper structures have been put in place to manage the consequences of total deregulation.

These demands formed part of the address of TOM’s September State of the State address on Saturday.Delivering these demands, the Executive Director of TOM, Prof Wasiu Oyedokun-Alli added that the Federal Government should “put more resources into strategic subsidies for common Nigerians instead of sharing more money to the States, which end up financing the reckless lifestyle of many of the Governors”.

The group held that before the removal of fuel subsidy on May 29, 2023, the government was expected to follow up with several proactive measures that will keep the possible implications in check.

“Part of the implications that we foresaw, was rising costs of commodities, due to rising costs of transportation, occasioned by rising costs of petrol. We expected that policies that would counteract these fall-outs would hastily be implemented, to protect Nigerians from the hardship we experience today.

“To make matters worse, the Federal Government, through the Central Bank of Nigeria, also decided to float the Naira, leaving it to the whims and caprices of market manipulators, speculators, and hawks. While a market-driven pricing of the Naira would be ideal, the peculiarities of our character as Nigerians, soon negated whatever possible good outcomes we could get.

“The Foreign Exchange rate dealt a huge blow on the common man, because Nigeria has remained as export dependent as it always was before the floating of the Naira.

“In fact, we dare say that Nigeria’s export dependence has worsened when we compare a 2.4% annual population growth, with a meagre 1.8% Agriculture value growth. This would simply mean that our numbers are increasing faster than our capacity to feed ourselves. This is a reality we are sure the Federal Government is aware of.

“Another fact that underscores the direct effect of the Foreign Exchange rate on the average Nigerian, is our heavy dependence on the warring states of Russia and Ukraine, for two major agricultural value chain inputs, that is Fertilizer, and Wheat.

“So, while we continue to depend more on the rest of the world to feed us, foreign exchange rates spiraled out of control with currency depreciation increasing import costs, while transportation costs locally, completed the pummeling of Nigerians and our economy,” the group added.

Source: Dailypost

Nigerian singer, Divine Ikubor, popularly known as Rema, has revealed the craziest rumour he has seen online about himself. The ‘Calm Down’ hitmaker said being tagged “a devil worshiper” was the craziest rumour ever peddled against him.

Rema featured in a recent episode of the ‘Kids Take Over’ podcast.The host asked: “What’s the most crazy, untrue thing that you’ve seen online about you?”

Rema replied: “They say worship the devil [laughs]. It’s crazy. I didn’t respond to it because it is not important. It’s a waste of time.”

The singer explained that the symbols he used in expressing his art were Edo culture and not satanic.

Rema also spoke about working with Canadian superstar, Drake in 2020 for his song ‘Mention Me’ which got leaked.

“I’m happy to work with a legend like Drake. I feel like we are going to make a very huge song if we take our time to build something very strong,” he said.

Source: dailypost

In other news – Traders blame high cost of food items in Nigeria on insecurity

Traders in Ose Okwodu Market in Onitsha, Anambra State, have blamed the rising cost of food items in Nigeria on the insecurity bedeviling the country.

The traders stated this through their market leaders on Thursday when the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Council (FCCPC) visited the market for a survey on the cause of the rising cost of food items in the country. Read more

Afrobeats star, David Adeleke, AKA Davido, has revealed a vision his dad, Deji Adeleke, told him he had about him. The ‘OBO’ crooner stated that his dad told him that he had a vision that he would end his music career up as a gospel singer. Davido disclosed this during a chat with some guests at his wedding on Tuesday.

In the morning, daddy would say, ‘Davido, I had a vision about you.’ I said, ‘What vision?’ He said, ‘I had a vision that you ended your music as a gospel singer’,” he said.  Davido’s wedding at the Eko Hotel and Suites attracted dignitaries from all walks of life, including his uncle, the Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, and his Lagos and Abia State counterparts, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Alex Otti.

Others are former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Akwa Ibom State governor, Udom Emmanuel, and the Ooni of Ife, HRH Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi. Also in attendance were Don Jazzy, Ini Edo, PSquare, Zlatan Ibile, Patoranking, Obi Cubana, Seyi Tinubu, Jay Jay Okocha, Victor Osimhen, Pocolee, and the host, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu.

Source: Dailpost

In other news – I lost opportunities over my support for Palestine – Kehlani

American singer-songwriter Kehlani Ashley Parrish, popularly known as “Kehlani,” has opened up about losing opportunities and deals due to her support for Palestine. The singer revealed this in an interview with ‘Breakfast Club’ released in the early hours of Tuesday. I have experienced a lot of pushback,” Kehlani said.

I’ve experienced a lot of loss. I’ve experienced a lot of things that were promised and set up for this rollout and album to happen, supposed to be a lot of ‘firsts. Read more