By Muhammadu Sabiu 

Police in the Federal Capital Territory have Apprehended three suspects over the murder of a bolt driver, Obasi Okeke, in Abuja. 

According to the FCT Commissioner of Police, Haruna Garba, who was parading the suspects in Abuja, the victim was found on June 5 at Ngugu, near Area 11 Garki, Abuja, lying in a pool of blood with a cut throat. 

Obasieyene Inemesit Inem, Aaron Anthony, and Alasan Ayomide Olusegun, all Bingham University students who have been suspended from the university, were arrested after a rigorous investigation to identify the perpetrators of the crime. 

The Commissioner said it was found during the inquiry that the deceased was a bolt driver who had been hired by one of the suspects to drive them to the Guzape Area of Abuja, where they had gone to purchase Indian hemp. 

He said, “Back from Guzape, to their takeoff point, they discovered they had no money to pay for their trip. They decided to play a fast one by showing the deceased a fake debit alert on their phone, but the deceased insisted that he has not received any alert. 

“In the ensuing argument one of the suspect brought out a knife slit the deceased throat and fled from the scene. The three (3) suspects have since confessed to the crime and will be charge to court soon.”

By Muhammadu Sabiu

Former Liverpool star forward Sadio Mané appears to be open to negotiating a potential move to Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr.

Reports suggest that the player has expressed his willingness to explore this option despite his desire to remain with Bayern Munich for a fresh challenge.

Sources close to the situation reveal that while Sadio Mané had initially hoped to continue his career with Bayern Munich, the club has decided to part ways with the talented forward, prompting him to consider other opportunities.

During discussions, Sadio Mané has consistently expressed his preference to stay at Bayern Munich, but it seems the club is eager to move on and is actively seeking to sell him.

With this development, the door has opened for a potential transfer to Al Nassr in the Saudi Professional League.

By Uzair Adam Imam

Saudi Arabia, often described as the Middle East powerhouse, and Iran have summoned Swedish diplomats to denounce the Stockholm’s permission for protests that meant to desecrate Qur’an, the Muslims holy book, on free speech grounds.

The calls by the two majority-Muslim countries, which came separately, were in statements made available late Thursday.

This is coming amid heightened tensions between Sweden and Iraq over a Sweden-based Iraqi refugee, who last month burnt pages of Qur’an outside Stockholm’s main mosque.

The Daily Reality learned that, in the latest such incident on Thursday, the refugee, Salwan Momika, stepped on the Qur’an but did not burn it.

Monika’s action was considered to be the reason that triggered the renewed condemnations and calls for protest across the Muslim world.

According to a foreign ministry statement, Saudi Arabia, it would hand the Swedish charge d’affaires “a protest note that includes the kingdom’s request to the Swedish authorities to take all immediate and necessary measures to stop these disgraceful acts”

Nasser Kanani, the Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman, said Sweden’s ambassador to Tehran had been called in to censure the permit granted to Momika’s protest and to warn Stockholm of the consequences of such actions.

“We strongly condemn the repeated desecration of the holy Koran and Islamic sanctities in Sweden and hold the Swedish government fully responsible for the consequences of inciting the feelings of Muslims around the world,” Kanani said.

By Uzair Adam Imam

A Kaduna State Community, Kafanchan of Jema’a Local Government, was thrown into a sheer panic over the outbreak of an unknown disease that kills people.

Our reporters gathered that at least five people died and over ten were admitted at Sir Patrick Yakowa Memorial Hospital, Kafanchan, for medical treatment.

Speaking to journalists about the development, Ezra Joshua, the secretary of the hospital, said the hospital had taken samples to Kaduna to confirm the type of the disease with its treatment.

The Daily Reality learnt that all the nursery and primary schools in the community were locked by the schools’ authorities after sending their pupils back home as the outbreak was reported on Wednesday.

Joshua stated that, “Yes, we received the case of the new disease that starts with fever, headache, sore throat and general weakness of the body that affects zero to 13 years children.

“We learnt that four to five children have already died of the disease in Kafanchan town but we can’t confirm since it was not referred to our facility.

“What we have received now are 10 children that we have kept in isolation and their samples taken to Kaduna as of now,” he said.

Those reported to have died from the disease are, Zulaihat Abdurrasheed 13, Hussaina Aliyu 13, Maryam Mustapha 3, Aliyu Umar 4, and Abdulshakur Umar 2.

Muhamamad Suleiman Yobe

Jigawa State governor, Mallam Umar Namadi, has constituted a committee to retrieve pieces of land that were indiscriminately allocated to individuals and corporations without the approval of the government. 

At the Council Chamber of the Government House, the governor inaugurated the committee to be chaired by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mallam Bala Ibrahim (Mamser), in his bid to re-establish order and due process. 

Recall that Mallam Umar Namadi has promised to bring back sanity and run an administration based on the ethics of bureaucratic governance. 

He said the objective is to prevent the occurrences of farmer/herder clashes as a result of such encroachment around the state, especially during the rainy season. 

The land retrieval committee is part of Governor Umar Namadi’s effort to ensure that land designated as a cattle grazing route is not encroached on for selfish reasons and therefore reserved to serve its purpose.

The world is liveable

But this land is terrible

Releasing orders without sympathy

Where’s your instinct of empathy?

Abrupt removal of subsidy

Things loose out of custody

Prices go rocket higher

Traders nap having no buyer

We can’t secure aliments

Nor can we cure ailments

Schools have been deserted

After the increment exerted

Compatriots hover without refuge

Nobody can afford a mortgage

Even the fittest can’t survive

We’re not but corpses alive!

Vanguards of liberation

Become gladiators of domination

Not only a rare golden opportunity,

Seat is heavy responsibility!

– By Hashimu M Bala

By Mohammad Qaddam Sidq Isa (Daddy)

Now that Nigeria has finally embarked on the total implementation of the Washington Consensus package of neoliberal economic policies, what becomes of the country’s economy, in the long run, remains to be seen. 

As a product of consensus among the Washington-based World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the United States Department of the Treasury, the package was purportedly designed to guide developing countries bedevilled by protracted economic crises to recovery and achieve sustainable economic development. 

Also, as a capitalist template with inherent and unmistakable lopsidedness in favour of the rich and those with access to public resources, the package encourages governments to literally but gradually wash their hands of the critical economic sectors in favour of profit-oriented local and foreign investors.

Under pressure from neoliberal international financial institutions, successive Nigerian governments have gone to various extents in selective and partial implementation of the package, triggering rounds of controversy. 

However, now with the country going fully and irreversibly capitalist, there is no more time to waste in criticising capitalism and romanticising some obsolete socialist and populist ideas that are no longer realistic. After all, the reform policies can still work out if the federal government pursues requisite measures, which include, among other things, total transparency in governance, governance cost-cutting and prioritisation of the strategic sectors of the economy that have a direct bearing on people’s lives. 

In other words, for the reform to be effective, governance at all levels must be too transparent to accommodate any act of corruption; and anti-corruption measures, including appropriate punishments, must be in force and deterrent enough to deter any would-be perpetrator. 

Likewise, appropriate governance cost-cutting measures must be implemented judiciously to save resources without prejudice to productivity and efficacy.   

Equally, public spending must strictly follow the public’s priorities that entail appropriate investments in strategic sectors with clear short, medium and long-term goals measured not by mere figures but by their real effect on people’s living conditions. 

With these and other requisite measures in place, the investment atmosphere in the country will be transparent and competitive enough to attract local and foreign investors with appropriate job-creating investments that would facilitate real and sustainable economic development. 

That way, and with time, the local and foreign rent-seeking opportunists and profiteers, who have dominated the business sphere in the country, making hugely disproportionate returns compared to their real investments, will have to follow suit to remain relevant or simply lose out. 

Unless the Tinubu administration pursues these measures with appropriate commitment, the reform will end up counterproductive, thus making life even more unbearable to most Nigerians. At the same time, a tiny politico-business clique continue to wallow in abundance.

Interestingly, there has been conspicuous silence on the part of our local West-admiring Washington Consensus apologists, who have advocated total capitalist reform as the only panacea to the country’s persistent underdevelopment. Ordinarily, having passionately advocated it, they should now feel morally obliged to show some understanding, or at least fake it, over the ensuing escalating hardship in the country. 

Besides, though supposedly experts in economics and other related fields, none have developed a viable alternative economic recovery package or even introduced viable inputs to the Washington Consensus package to make it relevant to our peculiar circumstances and other underlying challenges.

Mohammad Qaddam Sidq Isa (Daddy) wrote from Dubai, UAE. He can be reached via mohammadsidq@gmail.com.

By Kasim Isa Muhammad

I was quite gobsmacked when I came across the news that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu plans to compassionately alleviate the burden of subsidy removal on 12 million impoverished households by providing them with a meagre sum of N8000 for a period of six months. Initially, I had to rub my eyes in scepticism, questioning the authenticity of what I had just read. However, to my surprise, it appears that numerous media outlets have indeed reported this astonishing news.

Struggling to recover from what I scanned earlier, I stumbled upon a startling piece of news that left me exceedingly in complete disbelief. The gravity of the situation rendered me speechless for several minutes as I pondered the implications for the future of our country. Now, dear reader, I sense your anticipation to learn what I read. Brace yourself, for I came across an incredibly disturbing article in The Sun newspaper last Saturday.

In the midst of the unprecedented sufferings experienced by our nation, it was reported that the Senate and House of Representatives are planning to allocate a staggering N40 billion for the purchase of vehicles intended solely for the lawmakers inhabiting the Red and Green Chambers of the National Assembly.

The report further disclosed that a mind-boggling number of vehicles would be procured: precisely 107 units of the 2023 model of the Toyota Landcruiser for the Senate and an astounding 358 units of the 2023 model of the Toyota Prado for the House of Representatives.

Of course, this disclosure left me contemplating the priorities of our elected representatives and the ostensibly vast disconnect between their actions and the dire needs of our nation. As our country wrestles with countless challenges and its citizens endure untold encumbrances, it is disheartening to witness such extravagant expenditures.

The immense amount of funds allotted for luxury vehicles raises valid concerns in my mind about the judicious utilization of our collective wealth and the overall commitment of our lawmakers to serve the people’s best interests.

It is at moments like these that one cannot help but question the future trajectory of our country. The glaring contrast between the exorbitant spending on lavish vehicles and the pressing issues that demand urgent attention sends a disconcerting message about the priorities of our leaders. As a concerned citizen, I cannot help but wonder if there are better ways to allocate these funds and address the genuine needs and aspirations of our nation.

However, let me not dwell excessively on the shenanigans of our lawmakers, for Nigeria is a country that never ceases to stun with its myriad shocks and surprises.

My dear reader, allow me to transport you back to the discussion surrounding Tinubu’s poverty alleviation scheme. It is frankly baffling to comprehend how a mere 8K could possibly ameliorate the devastating impact of fuel subsidy removal in a country where people are already burdened with exorbitant prices for essential food commodities.

The current petrol pump price alone stands at nothing less than N500, and the cost of education in our public universities has experienced a drastic surge. In light of these distressing circumstances, one cannot help but reflect upon the efficacy of allocating a slavish sum of 8K to 12 million poor Nigerians over a period of six months.

Perhaps it is necessary to remind our leaders, as it seems they may have forgotten, that according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), an overwhelming 84 million Nigerians are currently trapped in the clutches of extreme poverty, surviving on less than $1.9 per day. Instead of actively seeking lasting solutions to the multitude of challenges that plague us, it appears that Tinubu’s administration is perilously poised to repeat the mistakes of previous administrations.

We are all aware that the last government under former President Muhammadu Buhari implemented innumerable poverty mitigation programs, such as N-power, Survival Funds, and the National Youth Investment Fund (NYIF). However, it is worth questioning whether these initiatives have really succeeded in alleviating the pervasive poverty that plagues our country.

Similarly, the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) has also projected a distressing tide in unemployment, estimating it to reach a startling breathtaking 37 per cent this year. Is the N500 Billion not truly sufficient to empower our youth with viable and veritable skills?

Regrettably, it seems that our leaders have lost their ability to listen and empathize with the very people who entrusted them with power. Instead of prioritizing the well-being of those who elected them into office, they have chosen to inflict unnecessary hardships, seemingly oblivious to the devastating impact of their policies.

To illustrate, allow me, my admirable readers, to outline what N500 Billion can potentially achieve for our country.

First and foremost, education must be prioritized as it is essential for any nation’s progress. In Nigeria, the situation regarding education is particularly concerning.

According to a UNESCO report in 2023, approximately 20 million Nigerians, which accounts for 20 per cent of the country’s population, are not enrolled in school. This figure exceeds the total population of several African countries. In my opinion, by utilizing N500 Billion to build and renovate schools in both rural and urban areas, we can significantly reduce the number of out-of-school children in the country.

Furthermore, agriculture, being a vital sector of our economy, faces insurmountable challenges. By allocating a substantial portion of these funds to the agricultural sector, we can provide our farmers with adequate and affordable fertilizers, thereby enhancing the agricultural industry.

To incredibly uplift Nigeria, it is vital to focus on promoting rural infrastructure. By wisely directing the funds towards initiatives such as improving rural roads, ensuring a reliable electricity supply, and establishing cold storage facilities, we can also address issues of poor management, facilitate transportation of agricultural produce, and foster overall economic development in rural areas.

Additionally, our public universities are currently battling with insufficient funding, making education increasingly unaffordable for children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Will N500 Billion be sufficient to revamp many of these universities and address the pressing needs of students?

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to address our esteemed President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Nigerians have high expectations of you, Mr President, as we believe you possess valuable insights into the economy. We eagerly anticipate your visionary ideas and urge you to wear your thinking cap. It may be early to pass judgment, but please do not disappoint us.

Kasim Isa Muhammad is an investigative journalist who contributes as a full-time journalist at both Neptune Prime and The Citizen Reports newspapers.

By Muhammad Suleiman Yobe

Hadejia Emirate Council in Jigawa State has relieved one of its traditional title holders, Alhaji Abubakar Hussain Abubakar, known as Dan Lawan of Hadejia.

This is contained in a letter sent to The Daily Reality by Muhammad Garba Talaki, a Public Relations Officer of the Council, signed by Council Secretary Alhaji Muhammad Baffale Abbas.

Baffale said the dismissal was due to his engagement with illicit drugs.

He said the council confirmed the matter through a letter from National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Jigawa State intimating the council on the issue.

He added that the traditional title holder refused to honour an invitation letter sent by the Emirate Council to defend himself, which was found to be disrespectful to the council.

Consequently, Alhaji Abubakar Hussain Abubakar was dismissed and warned to avoid parading himself as Dan Lawan of Hadejia.

Secretary Alhaji Muhammad Baffale advised the general public, especially those interacting with him, to take note.

He said the strict measure was taken to serve as a deterrent to other traditional leaders and urged traditional leaders in the area to be sound moral.

By Uzair Adam Imam

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has slammed President Bola Ahmed Tintubu over the bitting economic hardship caused by the recent hike in the pump price of fuel from N534 to N617 per litre in Nigeria.

Mr. Debo Ologunagba, the National Publicity Secretary of PDP, mounted this challenge in a statement he made available to journalists.

Ologunagba also described the new price as provocative and extortionate, adding that the recent increment worsened the already suffocating economic situation under the leadership of the APC.

The statement read in part, “Our party insists that the N617 per litre of fuel is excessive, unacceptable and cannot be justified under any guise. This is especially given the economic potential and prospects within our country.

“It is appalling that instead of seeking ways to stabilise and grow the economy, the APC administration has abandoned the welfare of Nigerians which is the primary purpose of government under Section 14 (2)(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and left the citizens to the vagaries of market forces and exploitative cabal; a disposition that is characteristic of a government that is not accountable to the people.

“The PDP is alarmed that with its ill-thought out, badly planned and hurriedly-executed policies, the APC is running Nigeria’s economy aground with the value of naira rapidly plummeting, businesses and production shutting down; citizens losing their means of livelihood, commercial and social activities crippled, with millions of families no longer able to afford their daily needs as the costs of food, medication and other essential goods and services continue to skyrocket.

“Indeed, this is not the nation that Nigerians yearned for after the abysmal, harrowing and inhuman eight years of the Buhari-led APC administration as the situation has currently gone from a frightening bad to a terrifying worse with no hope in sight,” the statement said.

According to Ologunagba, “Even with the removal of subsidy on petroleum products, with a deft, transparent and innovative management of resources, economic potentials, national comparative advantage and expanded value chain in refining capacity, fuel should not sell for more than N150 per litre in Nigeria.”