Nigeria Times

Ajuri Ngelale, the spokesperson for President Bola Tinubu, announced an indefinite leave citing family health concerns, but insiders suggest his departure was influenced by internal conflicts and mounting pressure within the presidency. Ngelale, appointed in 2023, reportedly clashed with key officials, including Hakeem Muri-Okunola and George Akume, over his leadership style. His dual role as media adviser and climate envoy was also met with criticism, leading to growing dissent. Sources claim that Ngelale’s increasing isolation and missteps in communication made his position within Aso Rock untenable.

About 1000 Civil Society Organizations, CSOs, under the auspices of Coalition Of Civil Society Organisations, CCSOs, on Saturday Faults President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Economic Team and called for immediate reconstitution.

Expressing deep concern and worry over the state of the economy and escalating fuel prices compounding the hardship of Nigerians despite the recent protest, the groups said Tinubu must act now to avert disintegration.

The groups said the current situation across the country has cast doubt on the competence of the Tinubu economic team and called for urgent review.

The CCSOs in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Mallam Ibrahim Mohammed, pointed out that the plight of Nigerians is sinking low and their patience is wearing off following the deteriorating economy.

The statement reads in part, “The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) is deeply concerned about the deteriorating state of the Nigerian economy, which is becoming increasingly unbearable for millions of citizens.

“It is evident that the recent hike in fuel prices and the unstable exchange rate are the direct results of economic mismanagement by those responsible for overseeing our nation’s financial policies. The ripple effects of these failures are being felt in every household across the country, worsening poverty and crippling economic activity.

“The floating of the Naira, which was initially sold to Nigerians as a means of stabilizing our currency, has done little to prevent the continued devaluation of the Naira. In fact, the exchange rate disparity has widened significantly, with the Naira losing value daily, impacting the cost of living, basic commodities, and inflation.

“While this policy was expected to ease foreign exchange pressure, it has instead deepened economic challenges due to poor implementation and lack of strategic foresight.”

The coalition also expressed concern over what it described as death trap of indebtedness of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, which also they claimed had slowed down importation of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, hence the current shortage of PMS across the country.

“Of equal concern is the precarious position of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), which finds itself in a debt trap, with global suppliers of petroleum products losing confidence in Nigeria’s ability to honour its obligations.

“Reports have shown that NNPCL has accrued debts totalling over $6 billion, causing petrol supply shortages. International suppliers are now reluctant to continue providing fuel on credit, exacerbating supply chain issues and pushing up the price of petrol at the pump”, they claimed.

The CSOs also asserted that, “We hold the managers of the Nigerian economy responsible for these disturbing developments. Their inability to provide sound policies and long-term solutions has left the nation in this predicament.

“It is clear that there is no cohesive strategy to address the rising debt, the growing imbalance in the foreign exchange market, or the country’s heavy reliance on importation for petrol supply. The recent hike in fuel prices reflects the collapse of responsible economic management and accountability.

“Nigerians are left to bear the brunt of these failures. Businesses are shutting down, transportation costs have skyrocketed, and citizens are spending an increasingly larger percentage of their income on basic necessities. This state of affairs is unacceptable.”

The group therefore placed some demands; Immediate intervention from the government: There needs to be a comprehensive and transparent plan to stabilize the Naira, restore confidence in the petroleum supply chain, and negotiate a restructuring of NNPC’s debts to ensure continuous fuel supply.

“Accountability for economic mismanagement: Those responsible for the reckless management of our foreign exchange policies and NNPC’s debts must be held accountable. The government must also disclose its plan to mitigate the rising fuel costs and economic burden on Nigerians.

“A return to sound financial policy: The floating of the Naira has proven ineffective under current conditions. We call for a re-evaluation of monetary and fiscal policies to stabilize the economy, reduce inflation, and attract foreign investment.

“In conclusion, the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations reiterates that without immediate corrective measures, the economic situation will continue to deteriorate, leading to further hardship for the average Nigerian. The government must act decisively and responsibly to reverse this downward spiral”, they added

On Saturday, President Bola Tinubu, represented by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, announced a significant expansion of the Nigeria Police Force. At the graduation of 478 cadets from the Nigeria Police Academy in Wudil, Kano State, Tinubu pledged to enhance the force’s capabilities with modern equipment and resources.

He emphasized the need for integrity and professionalism among the new officers and urged them to prioritize the nation’s security interests. The government plans to undertake a major recruitment drive to involve more youth in national security efforts. Tinubu assured continued support for the academy, recognizing its role as a premier training institution for police officers in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Commandant AIG Sadiq Abubakar highlighted the academy’s high standards and accreditation of its programs, praising the government for its investment in the graduates.

The sudden deactivation of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) verification portal in February has left numerous Nigerian nurses abroad in a difficult situation. Many are unable to renew their licenses or meet the requirements of international regulatory bodies, leading to job losses and legal issues.

Some nurses, particularly in the UK and US, have been forced to return to Nigeria due to visa violations stemming from the delay. Despite the withdrawal of a court case on the matter, the portal remains closed, causing uncertainty for healthcare professionals. Efforts by the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) to resolve the issue continue, with hopes that the portal will be reopened soon.

Nurses affected by this delay are facing deportation risks and career stagnation, with many expressing frustration over the lack of progress. The situation has drawn criticism from civil society groups, calling on the government to support Nigerians pursuing better opportunities abroad.

The Nigerian presidency has distanced itself from a yacht seen in St-Tropez, France, flying the Nigerian flag. Social media reports suggested the yacht was a “presidential vessel” belonging to the Nigerian government.

Otega Ogra, Senior Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on digital and new media, refuted the claims in a post on X, stating that the yacht belongs to a private individual and has no ties to the government or the president. Ogra explained that the flag on the yacht, which featured the Nigerian coat of arms, is not the official flag used by the president or the armed forces.

He clarified that the yacht has been privately owned for about five years and it is common for such vessels to display the owner’s national flag, but the claims linking it to the Nigerian government are false.