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President Muhammadu Buhari TAKING it from the regime’s three-point agenda: revival of the economy, securing the country and fighting corruption, it can be safely said that nothing has really changed (except in many cases for the worse). The economy was sagging when he took over in 2015. It went into recession later that year and marginally broke the surface in late 2018. The nation has gone back to the debt trap under this regime, and more borrowing is likely to continue in the post-COVID-19 pandemic economy. Perhaps the area the Buhari government has made some impact is the anti-graft war. Though corruption is still very endemic in government, there is a great awareness of an ongoing anti-graft war, with many former governors jailed and lots of stolen funds recovered. The regime has failed to tackle the nation’s security challenges. Before Buhari took over, Boko Haram Islamic terror was the main problem facing the nation. Today, the Islamists are still active. More armed group...

President Muhammadu Buhari By Owei Lakemfa THE Buhari Presidency last  Friday, May 29, composed songs of praise to mark its fifth year in office. In a child-like manner, its image-makers taunted perceived enemies and insulted Nigerians who do not think the administration should be celebrated. I am one of those who see no reason for any celebration in this season of global health crisis, lockdowns, mass job and income losses, economic meltdown with death lurking our hospitals and isolation centres. Our case is worsened by massive local and foreign loans for mainly non-tangible things; debts this administration is piling up for future generations to pay, or upon which they will be enslaved. I do not want to waste precious time debating corruption in this government. At least not in this lockdown when Nigerians are told billions of naira have been spent on the School Feeding Programme even before the child at home saw a grain of rice. I may be more willing to discuss insecuri...

By Adewale Kupoluyi IN the last one month, it has been tales of agony, pain and regrets for many people who lost their relatives and loved ones not to the coronavirus, COVID-19, pandemic but rather, what the novel virus has triggered off in terms of mismanagement and poor response to public health across the country. There is hardly any part of the country that is free from the tales and cries brought about by the deadly disease. For a long time to come, the pandemic would remain a nightmare considering the economic loss and devastation to the entire world. To date, nobody or authority can speak with certainty on what can be done to curtail coronavirus or when an effective remedy can be found for the pandemic that knows no age, race, status, gender and religion. It is natural to accord great priority and attention to ending COVID-19 and pushing it into the dustbin of history. It is no surprise that globally, all hands have been on deck to combat our common enemy within the availab...

By Chike Anyaonu I got to know about this name, Bruce Mayrock, some four years ago through Barrister CHUDI Ofodile’s book titled The Politics of Biafra: and The Future Of Nigeria and published by Safari Books Limited, Ibadan in 2016. Ever since then, I have been trying to dig deeper and deeper into the archives to learn more about this young altruistic, dynamic and benevolent personality. An enigma of sorts, for that matter. Ofodile had, in chapter seven of his book, cited Bruce as one of “Biafra’s non- Igbo actors”, those who participated in one way or the other to fight the cause of the ill-fated Republic of Biafra that were not of Igbo origin. One of them who is still alive today is Wole Shoyinka. Though this write up is a kind of joint tribute to all of them, Bruce Mayrock, for me, deserves a special and everlasting mention. He was not an African, but a citizen of the United States of America. So what concerned a 20-year-old university student   in America with what ...

Liverpool could win their first Premier League title at Wembley after the national stadium emerged as ‘the most likely venue’ for the Merseyside derby and their meeting with Manchester City. It was reported on Friday morning that Liverpool ‘almost certainly’ won’t win their first English championship in 30 years at their Anfield home due to fears over social distancing and policing. South Yorkshire Police later confirmed the “small number of fixtures” they would prefer to be held at neutral venues, as well as Everton against Liverpool at Goodison Park and Manchester City versus Liverpool at the Etihad. ALSO READ:  Chicharito slams Moyes over ‘error’ that ‘still haunts’ Man United They also highlighted “the game in which Liverpool could secure the league title” as another that could pose a risk with fans congregating outside. The Daily Mirror report that Liverpool would oppose plans to hold fixtures at any stadium other than the one they were scheduled at purely ‘because they...

May 31, 2020 updates. By Olasunkanmi Akoni The Lagos State Government has discharged 21 more coronavirus patients, after they tested negative twice to the virus. In a statement on Sunday, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said: “21 COVID-19 Lagos patients— six females and 15 males — including a foreign national have been discharged from our isolation facilities to reunite with society. ALSO READ: Senegal to continue chloroquine virus treatment “The patients, six from the Mainland infectious disease hospital, Yaba; 11 from Onikan; three from Agidingbi and one from Gbagada isolation centres — were discharged today (Saturday) having fully recovered and tested negative to COVID-19. “This brings to 875, the number of COVID-19 confirmed cases that have been successfully managed and discharged in Lagos,’’ Sanwo-Olu added. Vanguard The post Lagos govt discharges 21 COVID-19 patients appeared first on Vanguard News . by Oboh via Vanguard News https://ift.tt/3gG3swl Best Known Member of t...

By Peter Egwuatu, Michael Eboh & Naomi Uzor Against the backdrop of COVID-19 pandemic that has crippled economic activities in the country, economists and industry chieftains across key sectors of the economy want Nigerian government to drive an economic stimulus process to prevent the collapse of businesses. They maintained that injection of liquidity and introduction of policy measures that facilitate economic recovery are key. To save the economy from collapse, the experts stated the need for government to salvage investments across all levels – micro, small, medium, and large enterprises. Tax revenue They told Sunday Vanguard that without investment, Nigerians cannot have jobs, aggregate demand would remain weak, government revenue would be in jeopardy as tax revenue plummets and economic sustainability will be at risk. In the light of the foregoing, they urged policymakers and the organised private sector to come together to rescue the economy from collapse at this cri...