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Nigeria’s VP Shettima admits hardship, poverty, pleads for patience

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Vice President Kashim Shettima of Nigeria has become the first official in the President Bola Tinubu’s administration to admit that majority of Nigerians are angry with government officials as a result of the rising cost of living and its attendant hardship and poverty.

Shettima, who made the admission in Abuja on Saturday at the graduation ceremony of the Executive Intelligence Management Course 16, however, pleaded with Nigerians to be patient and support Tinubu so that he could work to solve the problems.

In his keynote address at the occasion, Shettima said the Tinubu-led administration was aware that Nigerians were going through harrowing times, and was doing everything possible to ameliorate the pains as a result of the removal of fuel subsidy and the attendant inflation.

“All of us here belong to a tiny segment of the Nigerian population. And you don’t need a soothsayer to tell you that the poor are angry with us,” the VP said.

“The poor are the most neglected segment of our society. You can hardly differentiate between them and their animals. Even the animals they rear belong to those in the city. So, there have to be kinetic and non-kinetic solutions to all the problems.

“We have to improve the quality of governance. And what we have is a tiny window of not more than 10 to 20 years. Let’s improve the quality of governance.

“I want to ask you to give the President the benefit of the doubt. Let us be patient. Let us support him.

“Let us rally round him and be reassured that he is determined to redefine the meaning and concept of modern leadership, and is ever ready to reposition the Nigerian nation. But without the support of you and I, he can’t do much”, he just added.

Shettima also suggested that creating jobs and giving hope to the populace would go a long way in curbing insecurity in the country.

“Let’s create jobs; let’s give hope to the populace. And once we create jobs, all this madness of insecurity will disappear.

“There won’t be Boko Haram and banditry if this is done, especially for us from the North. We can blame the bandits, but we in leadership positions owe it to posterity to address this”, he said.

Metro

Zambia: President Hichilema urges traditional leaders to invoke rainmaking powers amid drought

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Zambian President, Hakainde Hichilema, has called on traditional leaders to call upon their rainmaking powers by praying for rain as the nation continues to face the menace of drought.

Hichilema, who made the plea while speaking during the Shikaumpa traditional ceremony of the Ila people in Namwala on Sunday, expressed hope for divine intervention and sufficient rains.

“We pray that this year, God will give us rains, sufficient rains, so we can grow more food, so we can take care of the things, the assets that we keep,” the President stated.

He noted that he was informed of certain chiefs known for their rainmaking abilities, including Senior Chief Mwamba of Northern Province, Chief Sailunga of North-Western Province and Mwami Monze from the Southern Province and urged them to use their powers to invoke rain, adding that the chiefs should continue their prayers for rain, believing that “God will hear our cry.”

The President also encouraged not only the chiefs but also the churches and the entire nation to join in prayers for rain.

“All of us, the churches, everybody, we must pray for rains so that we can take care of God’s people properly,” he said.

The head of state further urged farmers to intensify efforts at planting crops and maximizing their harvest for national food security once the rain comes.

The drought in Zambia in recent
seasons have left 84 districts severely impacted, leading to food shortages and a worsening electricity deficit due to low water levels.

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Tiinubu committed to easing hardship Nigerians are going through— Info Min, Idris

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Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has, once again, reiterated President Bola Tinubu’s dedication and commitment to easing the economic hardship of Nigerians as a result of the removal of fuel subsidies and other policies of the government.

Idris, who gave the assurance during a live radio programme on the Hausa service of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) titled, “Hannu Da Yawa,” said fuel subsidies primarily benefited a select few wealthy Nigerians to the detriment of the ordinary Nigerian masses.

The minister, however, emphasized that the Tinubu-led administration was working towards economic stability, even as the president had urged ministers to cut expenses by limiting official vehicles and personnel on assignments.

“President Tinubu is pointing out the need to change from the old ways of doing things in Nigeria,” Idris said.

He noted that the cost-saving measures, though seemingly small, are expected to make a significant impact.

He also stated that the recent renaming of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security reflects Tinubu’s commitment to addressing agricultural issues from multiple angles, particularly to improve food security.

On security, Idris said Tinubu’s administration has continued to acquire resources for security agencies and support personnel welfare, while consultations on establishing state police are ongoing.

Idris also urged Nigerians to responsibly use social media to portray the country positively, emphasizing collective responsibility in shaping Nigeria’s image.

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