Why President Tinubu is big on Policy Coordination

By Temitope Ajayi

One thing that has become a refrain in Nigeria for decades is that our country has never been in short supply of beautiful policies. What seems to be preponderance of views is that our national development was short-circuited as a result of policy inconsistencies and poor coordination.

President Tinubu wants to address serious governance issues that have combined to stunt and distort economic growth for many years with the appointment of Hadiza Bala-Usman, former Managing Director of the Nigeria Ports Authority, as the Special Adviser on Policy Coordination. Usman is a very competent and strong-willed woman, who has already set out to deliver on the core objectives of her mandate – to ensure that government and governance deliver value to the citizens.

There is no doubt that the policy environment is fragmented due to many reasons. One of them is that senior government officials fight for turf, instead of working together in synergy.

The other reasons are corruption, personal interest at the expense of public good, misalignment of priorities and lack of effective monitoring and coordination. The office of the Special Adviser will now strengthen the presidency to ensure clarity on all President Tinubu’s priorities areas across MDAs and also set performance benchmarks for quarterly reviews for ministers. President Tinubu, at the inauguration of his Ministers, was emphatic when he told them that his administration carries the burden of expectations of over 200 million Nigerians, who will not accept any reason for failure.

The government has embarked on economic reforms that have been hailed across the world, even when it also brought some initial pains to the people. The task before the office of the Policy Coordination is to now ensure that through efficient service delivery, Nigerians get the gains of the economic reforms.

In separate interviews with Bloomberg and TVC, Usman revealed that all Ministers in President Tinubu’s administration have a shared understanding that they will sign a performance bond with the President, which will be their social contract, on the basis of which they will be appraised every quarter. She also stated that the Ministers will have to take full responsibility for the optimal performance of the government agencies under their supervision because there will be Key Performance Indicators and consequence management framework for all appointees who fail to deliver.

Essentially, the role of the Special Adviser on Policy Coordination is to ensure that government policies and programmes run seamlessly across Ministries, Departments and Agencies. The Special Adviser has started her work with tripartite engagements and briefing sessions with every Minister to let them understand that while there are policy deployments across MDAs, the Ministers must ensure expected deliverables are met. In her interview with TVC, Hadiza revealed that the assessment of ministers will commence in January 2024.

She said: “We are going to have a cabinet retreat in November with Mr. President. In the end, this would culminate in the performance bond that will be signed by each ministry. Every Minister and the Permanent Secretary would sign a performance bond with the President, which would detail what they are expected to do within the one-year 2024 budget cycle. One thing we are keen to ensure and Mr. President has clearly given us that directive is that performance is a very important thing. He has made a commitment to Nigerians and that commitment is what he is going to ensure is delivered by his respective appointees.”

In his address on June 15, during the inauguration of the National Economic Council, which is constitutionally chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, President Tinubu succinctly captured the philosophy that will drive his administration.
This he summed up in his mission to “improving the lives of Nigerians in a manner that not just reflects our humanity but encourages compassion towards one another and duly rewards our collective efforts to resolve social ills that seek to divide us.”

In the next four years and possibly beyond, the Tinubu administration’s eight priorities will be food security, ending poverty, economic growth and job creation, access to capital, security, fairness and rule of law, fight against corruption and social inclusion.

-Ajayi is the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity

National Association of Seadogs – Nigeria is Bleeding: Open Letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Independence Day, 1st Oct 2023

Dear President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR,

The National Association of Seadogs, Pyrates Confraternity, NAS/PC, wishes to, on the occasion of your first Independence Day Anniversary as President, interrogate early steps of your administration in the face of the electioneering promises you made to Nigerians and suggest improvements to make life better for Nigerians.

We have taken note of the policies, programmes and pronouncements of your administration since assumption of office as President. We are aware of the inherited economic challenges from your predecessor, as well as the steps taken by your government to revive the comatose economy you met from the previous government of your party, to inspire hope by making economic and political adjustments to revive the ailing economy.

However, in spite of your best efforts so far to convince Nigerians that your administration means well for this country, the truth remains Nigeria on your watch is bleeding profusely. As an international human rights and social advocacy organization, we must bring to your attention some observations pertinent to the survival of this country, on this Independence Day celebration.

Firstly, the general insecurity which you vowed to end still persists. Before your assumption of office, you had promised a “secure, prosperous and united Nigeria”, but so far this promise has been a mirage. On your watch, the insecurity that ravaged Nigeria under your predecessor has continued unabated. The hope rekindled in Nigerians with the change of the Service Chiefs has not been sustained. Insurgents and other non-state actors are operating unchecked across the country.

Data from SBM Intelligence and the Council on Foreign Relations National Security Tracker (NST) indicated that in just three months of your administration between May 29 and July, 2023 over 600 Nigerians have been killed while over 276 have been kidnapped. In August, 22 soldiers including officers were ambushed by bandits in Niger State. Reports in Nigeria media indicate that insurgents are in control of 23 local government areas in Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi states. In August eight prospective Corps members travelling from Uyo, Akwa-Ibom to Sokoto State for national service were abducted by kidnappers. These young Nigerians are still with their abductors over a month after their kidnap leaving their parents and family members in utter anguish. On September 22, bandits breached the security of the Federal University Gusau, Zamfara State and kidnapped 30 female students, who were rescued a few days later.

In the South- East, terrorists are on the loose, wreaking havoc on lives and property. A combined team of security personnel were on September 20 ambushed at Umualuku, Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State. They were killed and their bodies burnt. On September 21, gunmen attacked and killed two Mobile Policemen at Udi-Ozalla Road in Enugu State. The situation is no better in the South- South where oil theft is still rampant. Criminal gangs operating in Rivers State recently beheaded a Divisional Police Officer (DPO). Kidnappings are rife in South-West, while the campaign of terror by Fulani herdsmen is active in Benue and Plateau States.

Mr President, your economic policies so far have been catastrophic. Your decision to implement the fuel subsidy removal initiated by your predecessor without any clear-cut strategy to cushion the effects on Nigerians has been disastrous, pushing more Nigerians into poverty and destitution, adding to the 133 million Nigerians already in multidimensional poverty. Worse still, unification of the naira exchange rate has failed to stem the fall of the naira. While we acknowledge that the Central Bank of Nigeria you inherited was inefficient and tainted with messy politics, your hasty exchange rate unification policy has been ineffective. The double effect of high petrol prices and the free fall of Naira has pushed inflation up to an alarming level.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) latest data on inflation from the Consumer Price Index indicates that it is now 25.8%. According to the NBS, food inflation is 29.34%, unemployment stands at 33.3% while it is 53.4% among the youth. Hunger and poverty stalk the land; Nigerians are suffering.

In the midst of these woes, an agency under your administration, the Revenue Allocation Mobilisation and Fiscal Commission (RAMFC) is proposing salary increments for yourself, the Vice-President, lawmakers, and other public officers. Aside from being unjustifiable, this is certainly insensitive, irresponsible and reckless. Salary increments for the political leadership of a country, who should lead by example in receiving pay cuts, showcases a gross dereliction of duty and poor leadership vision.

Mr President, National Association of Seadogs/Pyrates confraternity recommends that you take deliberate steps to crush insecurity. The unbridled insecurity ravaging the country especially in North-West and North-East has contributed to the worsening inflation in the country with many fleeing their farms.

We reiterate our previous demand for a decentralised policing system to tackle insecurity in Nigeria. The majority of Nigeria’s Police personnel are away from core police duty and guarding political leaders and other VIPs, leaving hapless Nigerians at the mercy of criminal elements. We believe it is imperative now that you summon the political will, mobilise the State governors and the National Assembly to amend the 1999 constitution for the creation of State Police.

NLC, TUC Suspend Planned Strike For 30 Days

It is crystal clear that extant strategies are not working therefore now is the time for the security agencies to drop their petty rivalry and work for the collective good of Nigerians by adopting new strategies to combat insecurity. The Department of State Security (DSS) should pay less action to ‘so called enemies’ of the government and provide the much-needed intelligence to smoke terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements, and their sponsors, from their hideouts. The new security strategy should involve personnel of the security agencies winning over the hearts and minds of locals in the bid to flush out undesirable elements tormenting innocent Nigerians. No security will work if it does to inspire confidence in the people prompting them to volunteer information. Nigerians have become weary of ineffective directives to security agencies, they demand protection from the onslaught of criminal gangs.

National Association of Seadogs/Pyrates confraternity believes with the appointment of Mr Yemi Cardoso as the new CBN Governor, there is no more excuse for failing to rescue the naira and save the economy. We ask that the CBN Governor be given the necessary independence to restore the autonomy of the apex bank which is the cornerstone of central banking. Nigeria needs a CBN that is free of corruption and truly politically independent and efficiently professional. He should strike a balance between the fiscal and monetary policies which are needed to accelerate productive activities to help save the Naira.

More importantly, you need to galvanise the National Economic Council (NEC) to urgently seek ways to invest in Small Medium Scale industries, agriculture and manufacturing. This is why we are of the considered view that you need to unveil your plan to boost power supply in the country. Increased electricity supply is one of the missing links to stimulate growth in Nigeria’s economy.

Mr, President, these are urgent observations that require your swift action if indeed you are serious about hitting the ground running. We wish you all the best as you aim to surmount the onerous task before you..

Happy Independence Day Celebration!

Abiola Owoaje
NAS Capoon,
Abuja

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Sam Larry Fathered Mohbad’s Son

Dr. Kemi Olunloyo is reporting that Mohbad’s son, Liam, may not be his biological child and could be fathered by Sam Larry. This comes shortly after activist VeryDarkBlackMan announced that Mohbad’s partner should be the main suspect in the investigation into his death.

Dr. Kemi Olunloyo wrote:

“A BREAK IN THE MOHBAD CASE FROM DUBAI, UAE: SAM LARRY REPORTEDLY FATHERED MOHBAD’S SON.

What was the motive behind Mohbad’s death? Was there a plan to elimin*te Mohbad and transfer his music assets to his wife and baby, who allegedly belongs to Sam? If Sam is the biological father, he could inherit all of Mohbad’s assets, which is why I caution against donations to the mother and son. The N30M should be frozen by the bank since technically he didn’t lose his father.

Where were Mohbad’s phones last seen with Wunmi after he was transported to and from the hospital?

Was Mohbad buried alive while being injected with Midolazam, a long-acting benzodiazepine that was discussed to have rendered him unconscious and possibly strangled? His neck appeared broken in the coffin.

Why did Naira Marley remain silent about the DNA test conducted in Dubai when he has a copy?

Why was Sam Larry fighting Mohbad for his son, and why did Mohbad refuse to hand him over?

Why did Wunmi’s family threaten VDBM with a N300M lawsuit?

Why did Cubana Chiefpriest give N4M to Mohbad’s dad days before his suspected murd*r, as indicated by my UBA bank records? Why did he initially claim that only Davido gave him N2M, but later said it was only N1M?

Why was Sanusi, the boy with dreads, immediately flown to Dubai after Mohbad was allegedly murd*red? He is described as a Dubai-based crypto yahoo boy. Sanusi was also seen in the car with Mohbad’s body, at the car dealership, and near Lyabo Ojo signing the condolence register.

My name is Kemi Olunloyo, #DrKemi, an investigative journalist. I have submitted my findings to the Lagos State Police Command. 9/25/23 1:20 pm.”