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Atiku on NNPC: Buhari’s men display ignorance of modern economy – AASG

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6 years ago

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The All-Atiku Support Group has blamed the criticism by the Buhari Media Organisation of the proposal by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to privatize some aspects of the oil and gas sector as a display of poor knowledge about modern economic management. The AASG in a press statement signed by its Coordinator, Mr. Oladimeji Fabiyi said that the Buhari administration was least qualified to pass a remark about ideas geared towards modernizing and optimizing the operations of the Nigerian oil and gas sector, and indeed of any other sector of the economy.

“What the BMO has done by its criticism of Atiku’s proposal is to further expose its lack of knowledge in the ways modern economies are run. As it is today, the NNPC is unprofitable, unwieldy and not accountable. Compared to its contemporaries like Petronas of Malaysia and Petrobras of Brazil which have since liberalized and modernized its operations, the NNPC still riddles in inefficiency and obvious lack of capacity.”

Continuing, the group said: “There are clearly good examples of how liberalization of some sectors of the economy had benefitted Nigerians such as in the telecommunications industry and the banking industry. If the Obasanjo/Atiku administration had held on to NITEL, we wouldn’t have had the GSM revolution. If our commercial banks were not recapitalized, we still would be having failed banks. It is important to note that similar groups to the BMO had opposed the banking consolidation and telecoms revolution as anti-people, but history has shown that they were wrong.

“The trend the world over is for countries to liberalize the downstream sub-sector of the oil sector to improve efficiency and ensure product availability at all times. We are surprised that the BMO is ignorant of Saudi Arabia’s celebrated decision to privatize Aramco and raise needed cash to fund its social and economic services. We know exactly who the masquerades are: they are the very people who feed fat on the misfortune that has befallen the refineries – largely as a result of the inaction of the government.”

“What will happen when the NNPC is liberalized is that the company will be more transparent and accountable and Nigerians can actually buy into the shares of the NNPC. Maybe, by that time too, we could have energy revolution. “Tying the proposal for the liberalization of NNPC to ‘amplifying the long condemned IMF recommendation’ smacks of illiteracy and a poor attempt to hoodwink Nigerians about the shadiness in the operations of the NNPC,” the group said.

“For an administration that campaigned heavily about jettisoning subsidy regime and ‘stabilizing global oil prices’ coming out to criticize a workable idea to liberalize the country’s oil and gas sector is unfortunate to say the least,” the statement said. The group noted that while the operations and revenue of the Nigerian oil giant has been shrouded in secrecy for years past, it is worrisome that a group such as Buhari Media Organisation will employ cheap blackmail to cover up the operations of the NNPC, saying such tendencies isn’t in line with the change that Nigerians expected.

“Today, this administration pays over N1.4 Trillion annually on subsidy on fuel consumption in Nigeria, a staggering 386% when compared to the figure of N774 million daily given in March this year. Till this day, ordinary Nigerians have no idea how much revenue the NNPC makes in crude sales and the NNPC continues to drench in corruption without transparency and accountability.

“The contradiction inherent in the position of President Buhari on subsidy is evident for Nigerians to see. After saying there was no subsidy, to making Nigerians buy fuel at the highest price in the history of this country without palliative or cushioning effects to Nigerians and now paying over 1 trillion naira on subsidy. This same contradiction attendant upon by shallow understanding of economics is what leaves Nigeria with a jumbled compassless economy devoid of defined ideology. The world has moved beyond indecision.

“You can’t be going to the US to negotiate free market deals in the name of wooing investors while coming home to frustrate any genuine attempt to free the economy. The most fundamental question is what has the Buhari administration done to the refineries? Three years down the line, Nigeria still imports fuel. And some people want us stuck to a past that does not work. We need a present that can make Nigeria work again.”

Oladimeji stressed that if privatizing the refineries, and even providing the required incentives for the private sector to get competitively involved in owning and running modular refineries is what can make Nigeria wriggle out of the trap imposed on her by NNPC, the courage to say that, and the commitment to do it, should be commended not condemned.

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‘Did I flaunt your wife?’ — Yul Edochie fumes after brother’s advice

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22 hours ago

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November 7, 2024 9:59 am

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Yul Edochie, the Nollywood actor, appears to have responded to advice from his brother Linc over his constant online display of his second wife Judy Austin.

Yul unveiled Judy as his second wife in April 2022. He also announced their first child together — to the dissatisfaction of May, his first wife.

Linc, in a recent interview on Kanayo O. Kanayo’s podcast, shared his thoughts on Yul’s decision to constantly flaunt Judy on social media.

He cautioned that the people praising Yul would quickly turn against him if issues arose in his second marriage.

“What is done is done… My father always says, ‘Take your marriage off social media,” he said.

In an Instagram post, Yul questioned why people were concerned about his constant display of Judy online, asking if they had paid for his data or if he was posting their wives.

The movie star also rained abusive words at his critics. Although he did not mention names, Yul concluded with a stern warning: “If my post offends you, hug transformer”.

“Ndi keep your marriage off social media kwenu! Ndi ala. You wey hide your marriage inside house, you still no divorce? Your wife no leave you? Psychos,” he wrote.

“Everybody na adviser for social media, your own life go dey scattter, you no fit fix am. But you sabi advise other people. If I post my wife a million times on my page, how it take concern you?

“Na you buy me data or na your wife I post? Idiots. The one wey dey sweet una na to wear black gather for person burial. One minute silence, the person go turn to hero.

“But when that person is alive being happy, his happiness go dey pain una. Thunder fire you. If my post dey offend you, hug transformer.”

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‘I’m a daughter of two immigrants,’ Cardi B rants as Elon Musk calls her ‘puppet’

Published

4 days ago

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November 4, 2024 10:57 am

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Rapper Cardi B has responded to remarks made by Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who recently called her a “puppet” for the Kamala Harris campaign.

Musk shared a clip of Cardi B’s speech on X (formerly Twitter), writing, “Another puppet who can’t even talk without being fed the words. The Kamala campaign has no authenticity or true empathy.”

Cardi B fired back, saying, “I’m not a puppet, Elon. I’m a daughter of two immigrant parents that had to work their ass off to provide for me! I’m a product of welfare, I’m a product of section 8, I’m a product of poverty, and I’m a product of what happens when the system is set up against you… But you don’t know nothing about that. You don’t know not one thing about the American struggle… PS fix my algorithm.”

The exchange comes ahead of the U.S. presidential elections, scheduled for November 5, where Democratic candidate Kamala Harris is set to face Republican candidate Donald Trump.

Though Harris stands poised to potentially become the first Indian American president, a survey by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace suggests she may garner fewer votes from the community than President Joe Biden did in 2020.

In her rally speech, Cardi B spoke passionately about women’s rights, stating: “Just like Kamala Harris, I too have been the underdog, I’ve been underestimated, my success belittled and discredited. Let me tell you something: Women have to work ten times harder, perform ten times better, and still people question us, how we got to the top. I can’t stand a bully, but just like Kamala, I always stand up to one.”

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‘We’re not on same level’ | ‘Copy copy’ — Kcee, Flavour trade cryptic jabs on X

Published

1 week ago

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October 30, 2024 9:55 am

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Kcee appeared to have fired back at fellow singer Flavour for allegedly insinuating that he copied his music style.

“Copy copy akaria,’ Flavour had written via X without mentioning names.

Flavour’s subtle dig on Sunday sparked controversy, with many assuming Kcee was the target.

This was due to Kcee’s recent single mirroring Flavour’s signature sound.

Kcee responded with a series of intense posts, describing the tweet as “disrespectful” to his hard work and sweat.

He argued that no one has exclusive rights to the style, which celebrates Igbo culture and heritage.

He emphasized that his music authentically represents his heritage and refused to apologize for using the style.

“Stop trying to gatekeep Igbo culture. You’re not a Custodian. I’ve been in this game before you. It belongs to all. You don’t own this genre of music. My music celebrates our heritage, and I won’t apologize. In an ocean of things that matter. You’re like a needle. Get that right,” he wrote.

“People recognize authenticity. I’ll continue celebrating our culture unapologetically. Spend your energy on success, not diminishing mine.

“I’ve never been the type to go head to head, but I’m calling out this bullshit because I won’t be disrespected. No way. I’ve come too far for anyone to downplay my sweats and hard work.”

Although Flavour has yet to respond, the development has sparked reactions on X.

https://twitter.com/Kele_Chukwu/status/1851171584540569900?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1851171584540569900%7Ctwgr%5E0925c4588990b1131d40048d999cb464e751ecd3%7Ctwcon%5Es1&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Flifestyle.thecable.ng%2Fkcee-flavour-trade-cryptic-jab-on-x%2F

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Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others

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