Is it hot in here or is it the inflation?
Hi, <<First Name>>,
Is it hot in here or is it the rising inflation?
Welcome to Nigeria, where low-income earners have to pretend to the police to earn enough to feed their families.
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Why are ex-Governors always on trial?
(“Embezzle bitch?!”- Black Chyna)
On the 18th of February, the EFCC arrested Muhammed Audu, the son of former Kogi state governor, Abubakar Audu, after they discovered that he was linked to a multi-million, multi-currency (dollars and naira) fraud investigation (grand-theft) at the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF). Premium Times reports that his father has also been accused of using his businesses (hotels, leisure parks) to launder money. Our very own father-son crime duo. Love it.
Judges on the blast seat
The preamble: The ex-governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam, and his commissioner for finance have been on trial for embezzlement since 2015.
The initial judge, Justice Ahmed Mohammed removed himself from the case because he was accused of taking bribes to paddle his bias, and it was assigned to Justice Okon Abang. Suswam’s side didn’t like that, so his lawyer, Chinelo Ogbozor, challenged it in court.
The high court agreed and ordered Okon Abang to withdraw from the case. Balance has been restored to the world of grand theft.
Don’t save. And if you must, don’t save here
Do you have money in the bank? Have you got savings? Are you hoping that the value of your savings would either appreciate or remain the same when you’re ready to take it out?
If this (or any part of it) is as you as it is me, I’m so sorry for our loss.
Economy Confidential this week confirmed that Nigeria’s inflation as at January 2020 was 12.13%, an increase of almost 40% from the last calendar year. What this means is that our savings, as long as the interest rate is less than 12.14%, have less value and we may as well squander all the money now. I don’t know how to not save, so I am fucked.
People are cashing out from disease outbreaks
Lassa fever, our national viral disease, is still quite unrelenting. So far, WHO has confirmed 70 deaths and over 200 cases. In Kogi state, where there is a growing number of deaths by Lassa fever, the Government has intensified their action by funding medical aid. The state’s commissioner for health, Saka Audu, said that the additional funds would help reach their target to wipe out the disease within 21 days.
The EU has also pumped some money into eradicating Lassa Fever. The Vanguard reports that the European Union (not to be mistaken or associated with the UK) has donated N32 million towards efforts to identify and treat cases and to assist families that have been affected by this disease. They said their funds will go to the Nigerian Red Cross. We’re hoping this doesn’t become another issue like the plantain market leader defrauding traders.
So much for democracy...
Premium Times reports that last week, soldiers were attacked in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State. Two were killed and a few others were injured. To retaliate, the law appointed soldiers visited Gindin Akwati, the district where the alleged incident took place and, according to residents, accused them.
The residents claim that the soldiers invited them for a meeting and told them to “bring out miscreants” and after the meeting, they deployed soldiers (on taxpayers’ money) to the area and burnt down, residents estimate, 150 homes.
In Cross River, Agba Jalingo, a journalist who was arrested in August of 2019 for sharing (false?) news which stated that the State Governor, Ben Ayade, diverted N500 million belonging to the state. Since his arrest, Jalingo has applied for and been denied bail two times, before getting an approval last week.
Perhaps in an attempt to solve our many insecurity issues, the Nigerian government, has now partnered with Egypt and the Republic of Korea to tackle insurgency and foster regional peace. But what does peace mean over here?
Things we didn't get into
Nigerian farmers have been using a pesticide called Paraquat to manage weeds in their farms. Commissioners think the government should ban it because it is harmful when consumed by humans and Lassa Fever is evidence that cooking and heat do not remove the disease.
The Lagos State Government says they have NOT been harassing or authorised the harassment of Uber and private commercial drivers through operational fees - you people are dreaming apparently.
The Government is now worried about population control and excessive childbearing. Gather round, whores! let’s show them how educating women (and abortion) works.
The Federal Government is not done extending revenue avenues. This one is on tobacco products.
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