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

American singer, Lady Gaga has revealed why she chose to ignore rumours that she’s a transgender. Speaking in an interview with Variety, Gaga disclosed that she chose not to address the rumours because she didn’t want to make being transgender seem shameful.

“I didn’t feel like a victim with that lie and I thought: What about a kid who is being accused of that who would think that a public figure like me would feel shame?
I’ve been in situations where fixing a rumour was not in the best interest and the well-being of other people,” she explained.  Lady Gaga recently announced her engagement to her French boyfriend, Michael Polansky.

The singer revealed that it was her mom who introduced her to her fiancé.The Bad Romance singer mentioned how she “didn’t feel like a victim” amid the swirling claims and, therefore, didn’t feel the need to address the rumour until she finally cleared the air on the Netflix show that premiered on Wednesday.

Lady Gaga addresses ‘man’ rumours
“The reason I didn’t answer the question was because I didn’t feel like a victim with that lie,” Gaga told Gates in his new series as she made her way to the OTT stage. “But I thought about, what about a kid that’s being accused of that, that would think that a public figure like me would feel shame,” she continued.

The pop star recalled times when she was plagued by such claims and frequently questioned in press conferences about doctored pictures on the internet and rumours that she was a man. In 2011, she told CNN, “Why the hell am I going to waste my time and give a press release about whether or not I have a penis? My fans don’t care and neither do I.

Source: People

Famous Nollywood actor, Jim Iyke, has expressed comfort with public perceptions about him. The actor in a recent Instagram post on his page, noted that he will not compromise his principles, even if it means being misunderstood.

Jim Iyke explained that his decision to stand by his values has helped him shape his career. I have grown extremely comfortable being the villain in some people’s stories. Many times, the lines between wrong and right blur in these narratives. I am happy as always to dispense with my side of it. My recourse is to distance myself from the grandstanding and theatrics.

“Sometimes, I am quick to build a wall before compromising my ideologies and principles. It is what forged who I am. It’s what inspires what I am to become.

“One thing is certain: you must trust people to be who they are. The moon will turn red before I’m who I am not. I am light to many. Others, I am what their insecurities amplify. I’m hated for it. I’m loved for it.”

Source: Dailypost

In other news –

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. Read more