There are a lot of accusations on the air about a possible interim government if President Muhammadu Buhari leaves office.
You can call it a rumour. But the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday said there is a plan to form an interim government.
The Southern and Middle Belt leaders on the same day, Friday, said there was a plan to form an interim government.
The Nigerian Senate is yet to say anything concerning the allegation of an interim government. In fact, the Senate is on recess to return on the 28 of February, 2023.
The Senate will be resuming three days after the presidential and the national assembly elections.
But what will be the position of the Senate if some people push for an interim government? What will an interim government look like under a democracy?
When President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua was ill and incapable of ruling, the National Assembly invoked a doctrine of necessity to allow his vice, President Godluck Jonathan acting President.
But with this new debate concerning the plan for an interim government, will it be possible under democracy?
Nigerians are ready to vote, but the fuel price increment, scarcity of fuel and naira is causing a lot of problems.
Some people are saying that power must shift to the South after Buhari. Others are saying that it doesn’t matter who emerge President in 2023, all they want is who will better the lives of the people.
One of the people pushing for power to move to the South among the Nigerian Senators is Smart Adeyemi who is representing the people of Kogi West.
“Anything short of power going to the south, you are causing problems. Those who are causing the currency problem, bare this that we are in a global world.
“Let those who are pushing this country to war should be warned. This election is for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Peter Obi,” Adeyemi said.
Adeyemi said the constitution of Nigeria emphasizes on federal character adding that the society is dynamic.
“Situation changed. If people say this is the law, we want power to rotate, honour it. The APC is committed to National Unity Progress,” Adeyemi said but couldn’t comment on the issue of an interim government.
While Nigerians are waiting to hear the position of the Senate over the issue of the interim government, Sen Smart Adeyemi described it as a mere rumour and can’t comment on it.
Naira Scarcity: Traders, Buyers Adopt Cashless Transactions
Traders and buyers in Lagos have resorted to the use of electronic payment channels amid the lingering scarcity of cash.
New Agency of Nigeria reports that most sellers and customers conducted their transactions through online money transfers.
While expressing worries over the cash crunch, they said online transfers were convenient compared to the endless wait in banks to collect cash.
At the Iyanoba food stuff market, items such as oranges, plantain, yams and vegetables were sold through cash transfers on mobile phones.
Isa Ibrahim, an inter-state produce dealer at the market, said that the current hardship in getting cash had made people embrace cashless means of transaction.
Ibrahim, who brought yams from Lafia, Nasarawa, to Lagos, said the new trading trend removed the burden and risk of carrying cash.
“Now that people are getting used to trading without the cash, it is important the authorities advance the service network so that people do not get disappointed,” NAN quoted Ibrahim as saying.
Also speaking, Harriet Otuonye, tool and hardware seller at the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex market, said over the past couple of weeks, most of her customers hardly came with cash to purchase goods.
Otuonye said online transfers would eliminate issues of fake money, manhandling and mutilation of currency notes, especially by market women.
On her part, Jane Akuro, a school teacher, said she was comfortable with paying for her purchases via online transfers.
She said that the security benefits of not carrying large amounts of cash were numerous.
“It will drastically reduce incidents of robbery because when robbers see that people do not carry cash, attacking them for money would be discouraged,” Akuro said.
“Today I have made several purchases without handling cash.
“It’s a pity the government has to force people to adapt to this system. With time, everyone will be used to it.”
Stakeholder Faults Lifting Of Ban On Charcoal
The Wood and Wood/Furniture group, under the auspices of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), has described the recent lifting of ban on wood and charcoal by the Federal Government as anti-manufacturing, saying “it will aggravate the depletion of the forestry reserves.”
The lifting of ban on wood and charcoal for export was announced recently by the Minister of Environment, Alhaji Muhammed Abdullahi.
In a communiqué signed by the Chairman of Wood/Furniture group, MAN, Mrs. Ngozi Oyewole, the group affirmed that the ban would further aggravate the depletion of the forestry reserves thus compounding the deforestation situation and climate crisis in the country.
They also stated that the ban will lead to supply shortages in wood and allied products as well as result in sharp and astronomical price increases in wood and wood based products
In addition, the group noted that the cost of production would further increase, thereby multiplying operating challenges for manufacturers and leading to business closure in the wood manufacturing sector.
The group, therefore, advocated the introduction of policy on wood, where only locally semi processed wood could be exported, adding that such would attract higher foreign inflow
The communiqué read: “Government should create the enabling environment for new technology adoption in the wood processing industry.
“There should be establishment of technical institute which will be solely dedicated to wood and allied products to train and equip human capital for the expansive wood industry.
“Revamping of the tree planting policy of government to mitigate and counter balance the effect of continuous forest degradation.
“Government to create the enablers and incentives to encourage private sector and individuals participation in establishing tree plantations’’.
Tingo Foods Plan To Revolutionise African Food Industry
Tingo Foods a wholly owned subsidiary of Tingo International Holdings Inc is set to revolutionise the African food industry with the planned foundation laying ceremony of its state of the art food processing facility.
The facility with a project cost of 1 6 billion USD aims to save Africa from paying foreign exchange to import finished food products export made in Africa foods to the world enhance inter Africa trade via the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement and sell high quality and nutritious food products in Nigeria.
The project is expected to begin operations in the next 18 to 24 months The facility will be located in Ishiekpe village Onicha Ugbo Aniocha North local government area of Delta State Nigeria and will initially produce a range of products including rice tea coffee chocolate biscuits edible oil cashew milk millet based cereal beer mineral water fizzy drinks pasta and noodles The facility will also serve as a hub for the development and distribution of new products in the future Founder of Tingo International Holdings Dozy Mmobuosi stated that the facility is the first phase of a multi billion dollar investment that Tingo International Holdings plans to make in the African food industry.
The bulk of the cost is primarily machinery which will be imported from some of the world s leading manufacturers Mmobuosi said As the founder of Tingo International Holdings I am thrilled to be a part of this project which I believe will play a significant role in helping Africa feed itself.
This facility represents a major step towards building a sustainable future for Africa and creating a food secure world The facility will create 12 000 direct jobs providing a significant boost to the Nigerian economy and contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals SDGs.
The SDGs aim to end poverty protect the planet and ensure peace and prosperity for all The facility s job creation and wealth creation will help support SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth and SDG 2 Zero Hunger CEO of Tingo Foods Neha Mehta who will be introducing at the foundation laying ceremony for the facility scheduled for the 9th of this month said Tingo Foods new food processing facility is more than just a business venture It is a symbol of hope and a catalyst for change.
We are committed to using this facility to drive economic growth and create a better future for Africa Mehta added At Tingo Foods we understand the importance of human capital in the food processing industry and we are committed to investing in the skills and development of our employees We believe that by providing high quality training and education we can unlock the full potential of our workforce and create a thriving sustainable industry In recent years the African food industry has struggled with a lack of productivity and poor usage of human capital However Tingo Foods aims to change that by creating jobs generating wealth and contributing to sustainable development in Africa Despite the challenges there are also many strengths in this space For example the African food industry has a large and growing market with a population of over 1 3 billion people and a rapidly expanding middle class There is also a growing demand for African food products both locally and internationally as consumers become more health conscious and seek out high quality nutritious options Tingo Foods processing facility will not only revolutionise the African food industry but will also serve as a model for other companies to follow The facility will use the latest technologies in food processing and will also be environmentally sustainable reducing its carbon footprint and ensuring that waste is managed in an environmentally responsible manner The company is committed to being a responsible corporate citizen and will be working with local communities to support education and healthcare initiatives Tingo Foods commitment to corporate social responsibility combined with its focus on high quality nutritious food products and the use of state of the art technology will have a lasting impact on the African food industry and on the lives of those in the local community The foundation laying ceremony of the new food processing facility is a landmark moment in the company s journey and marks the beginning of a new era of growth and innovation in the African food industry
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