News
Weak Naira Is Good, Many People Can’t Travel Again – Tinubu’s Aide
The Special Adviser to the President Bola Tinubu on Economic Matters, Tope Fasua, has said a weaker currency for the country was one of the best policies of the government.
Tope Fasua said the country’s currency’s low performance in comparison to other currencies has focused the attention of businesses on sourcing local raw materials.
In an interview with Arise TV on Monday night, Fasua noted that the current exchange rate has also stopped Nigerians from leaving the country for other countries.
Fasua argued that Nigeria has more students in the United States and the United Kingdom than most developed countries, not because the country’s education was totally bad but because of wrong choices. He said the weak Naira was also addressing it.
“I’m giving the advantage of making that currency weaker. Because now we’re focusing more on Naira and what Naira can do. We’re focusing more on what we can do ourselves. We’re focusing more on Nigerian raw materials. Many manufacturing companies have now started sourcing local raw materials rather than importing them.
“A lot of people aren’t traveling as many times as they would before. That’s one of the things, especially the middle class. And our middle class were special people. I mean, we assumed that we could travel five, six times on business class every year.
“How come Nigeria is the third or fourth country with the highest number of university students in the U.K. and the U.S. of all the countries in the world, we are rubbing shoulders with China with 1.4 or 1.5 billion people, we’re only 200 million people. That means that we’re putting so much money. It is not necessarily a failure of our education. It’s just aspiration. It’s aspiration,” he said.
The President’s Economic Adviser stressed that it was wrong for critics to assume the country would grow to be like Western nations that have been developing for years.
He emphasized that many Nigerians complaining of no work have decided not to work. According to him, the country has work for the citizens.
“The fact that we are rubbing shoulders and expecting that our economy and society will be at par with even the people that gave us colonization, who have had maybe 2,000 years of documented history. That means we have been preposterous. We’ve been preposterous, you know, because we can’t, your child cannot try and be you today. He has to learn and grow. And it’s also a matter of time.
“It’s good that the Naira has become weaker, but it has made us focus more. However, what we’re saying is that for those who are enterprising, for people who have work, who want to work, indeed, there’s work in this country. For those who want to work,” Fasua added.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Suspected Boko Haram terrorists have reportedly bombed a Nigerian military base in Wajiroko, located in the Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State.
The attack occurred on Christmas Eve December 24 2024, when multiple armed drones, carrying locally fabricated grenades, targeted the Forward Operating Base.
The strike injured no fewer than six soldiers, who were quickly given first aid at the scene and are awaiting further medical treatment.
The assault began with gunfire from the terrorists, who launched a brief attack that was repelled by the soldiers.
However, shortly afterward, drones carrying explosives struck the base again.
According to military sources, up to four different armed drones were observed during the attack.
A report also revealed that a military gun truck was damaged during the strike.
Boko Haram has been a persistent threat in Northeastern Nigeria for nearly two decades, causing loss of life and displacing millions.
The Nigerian military has repeatedly claimed success in combating the insurgents, though the group remains a formidable force, continuing to carry out attacks across the region.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Dozens have died after a passenger plane crashed on Christmas Day.
The scene of the crash in Kazakhstan. Emergency Situations of Kazakhstan/Anadolu via Getty
According to the BBC, the Azerbaijan Airlines flight had been travelling from the Azerbaijani capital Baku to Grozny in Russia when it caught fire as it made an emergency landing near Aktau in Kazakhstan.
The outlet, citing local officials, reported that dozens of people had been killed in the crash.
Per CNN, at least 28 people survived the crash, including two children. Authorities also told the outlet that the survivors had been taken to hospital.
The Associated Press reported that Kazakhstan’s Emergency Ministry confirmed in a Telegram statement that 67 people, including five crew, were on board the plane.
PEOPLE has contacted Kazakhstan’s Emergency Ministry, Azerbaijan Airlines and The Ministry of Digital Development and Transportation of the Republic of Azerbaijan for comment.
In an initial statement shared on X (formerly known as Twitter) and translated to English, the airline wrote, “According to preliminary information, the passengers included 37 Azerbaijani citizens, 16 Russian citizens, 6 Kazakh citizens, and 3 Kyrgyz citizens.”
“There were 67 people on board, including 62 passengers and 5 crew members. There were no children among the passengers, and information about the injured will be provided shortly,” they added.
“According to the information, there are survivors who are receiving initial medical assistance. Contacts are being established with the Kazakh authorities, and the necessary operational support is being provided by Kazakhstan’s emergency rescue agencies at the scene.
According to CNN and Reuters, a video showed the aircraft circling before hitting the ground and bursting into flames. Passengers covered in blood were also seen coming out of the wreckage shortly after.
In a statement obtained by PEOPLE, a spokesperson for the plane’s manufacturer Embraer said, “We are saddened to learn of the incident today near Aktau, Kazakhstan. Further updates will be provided as soon as more information is confirmed and Embraer is authorized to release. We stand ready to assist all relevant authorities. Our concerns and sympathy go to the families, friends, colleagues and loved ones affected by the accident.”
By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives has congratulated Nigerians for celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ and the timeless message of hope, peace, and love associated with the season.
in a statement by the House Spokesperson, Rep. Akin Rotimi, he said “Christmas serves as a reminder of values that bind us together as a nation: compassion, generosity, and forgiveness. These virtues, as demonstrated by Jesus Christ, are crucial not only for spiritual growth but also for promoting harmony and progress in our diverse society”.
Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, PhD, GCON, congratulated Christians on this special occasion, urging Nigerians to embrace unity, love, and peace, transcending religious and ethnic boundaries. He described the birth of Jesus Christ as a symbol of renewal and fulfillment, calling for a collective effort towards a national rebirth, especially in these challenging times. He encouraged prayers for a better Nigeria and support for the country’s leaders at all levels.
Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, emphasized the essence of Christmas as a time to reflect on the values of love, forgiveness, and selflessness embodied by Jesus Christ. He urged Nigerians to extend kindness and compassion to one another, particularly to those in need.
The 10th House of Representatives reaffirmed its commitment to the welfare of all Nigerians and prayed that the joy of Christmas would strengthen bonds of unity and love across the nation.
Wishing all Nigerians a Merry Christmas and a season filled with hope and happiness.
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