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Someone called me 30 times to beg for N3k — Ex-minister decries alarming poverty rate

Published

1 month ago

February 4, 2025

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Ex- Communication Minister Adebayo Shittu has decried the high poverty rate in the country, saying many Nigerians have become beggars.

Shittu, while appearing on an AIT programme, Focus Nigeria, cited examples of how Nigeria’s economic condition has turned citizens into beggars.

The ex-minister, who lives in Ibadan, said a Nigerian called him from Bauchi to beg for N1,000 to feed, adding that another woman called him 30 times to beg for N3,000.

He said, “Yesterday, before I left Ibadan, somebody phoned me from Bauchi and begged me for N1,000.

He said he had not eaten for two days. Again, about a week ago, somebody also called me, a woman who wanted N3,000. At the time she wanted that morning, unbelievably, I myself didn’t have that money, and the woman called me 30 times in one day.”

He maintained that poverty had been weaponized in the country to the extent that when politicians go to the people for votes, they tend to be more interested in what the politicians can give them rather than what they are capable of doing.

Shittu said, “It’s not my business to douse the poverty of such people calling. So when you go to such people to ask for their votes or support, they don’t care what you’re capable of doing. What they are interested in is what they can get out of you today.”

However, contrary to Nigerians’ beliefs about political appointees, the ex-minister, who served under the Muhammadu Buhari administration from 2015 to 2019, said he currently doesn’t have money because he didn’t steal while in office.

Shittu said he survives on the monthly resources his 10 graduate children give him for upkeep.

Related Topics:business Nigeria Nigerian Nigerians woman

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Nigeria and Brazil Deepen Bilateral Ties in Key Sectors

Published

10 minutes ago

March 15, 2025

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

Nigeria and Brazil has taken a bold step to strengthen bilateral relationship, focusing on cooperation in agriculture, energy, and infrastructure development.

This was as a high-level Brazilian delegation, led by Foreign Affairs Minister Mauro Vieira, met with Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, on Wednesday in Abuja.

The discussions aimed to explore mutual opportunities, with both countries expected to formalize several agreements.

In his welcome address, Amb. Tuggar highlighted Brazil’s longstanding relationship with Nigeria, and noted that it was the only Latin American country to attend Nigeria’s independence celebrations.

He described the visit as a natural step in deepening cooperation and building on past engagements.

The Minister also referenced President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s visit to Brazil last year, during which he participated in the G20 summit and pursued initiatives to enhance diplomatic and economic ties.

He said: “We welcome you and your delegation warmly, and we’re happy to see you here in Abuja.

“We share a lot in common, from our size and economies to our population and culture. This visit is a natural progression of our partnership,” he stated.

In reponse, Brazil’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Mauro Vieira, reaffirmed his country’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Nigeria, building on previous engagements since President Lula took office in January 2023.

Vieira eemphasised he need for strategic dialogue and deeper collaboration in areas such as culture, economics, education, and cooperation.

He acknowledged the strong historical and cultural ties between Brazilians and Nigerians, highlighting the significant Nigerian influence in Brazilian society.

The envoy recalled his first meeting with Nigerian officials in Dubai in 2023, followed by the high-level discussions between President Lula and President Tinubu in Addis Ababa in 2024.

Vieira also commended President Tinubu’s participation in the G20 summit in Brazil last November, recognizing Nigeria’s contributions to global discussions.

Expressing appreciation for the warm reception in Abuja, Vieira lauded the Nigerian government for hosting the Brazilian delegation and looked forward to productive engagements to advance mutual interests.

News

Nigeria Debunk Allegations of Targeted Killings of Christians

Published

14 minutes ago

March 15, 2025

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The Nigerian government has strongly refuted claims suggesting that Christians are being deliberately targeted in the country, describing such reports as misleading and aimed at influencing foreign governments, particularly the United States, to designate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC).

In a statement issued by the Acting Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, emphasised that while Nigeria faces significant security challenges, these issues are not motivated by religious bias.

He clarified that incidents of insurgency and banditry, particularly in northern Nigeria, are not directed at any specific religious group.

The statement reaffirmed Nigeria’s status as a multi-ethnic and multi-religious nation, with the government committed to protecting all citizens, regardless of faith, ethnicity, or gender. The ministry stressed that the country’s security issues stem from criminal activities, terrorism, and communal clashes—including farmer-herder disputes—rather than religious persecution.

The statement reads: “The government of Nigeria, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has taken significant steps to address these security concerns, including the deployment of security forces, intelligence gathering and community engagement initiatives. Indeed, the military has recorded substantial gains in curtailing the activities of bandits and insurgents. To bring an end to such security challenges, both the Federal and State authorities have embarked on kinetic and non-kinetic methods and expedited the implementation of the national livestock plan.

“To this end, a Ministry of Livestock Development has been established while a Special Adviser and Coordinator of Livestock Reforms, has been appointed to find sustainable solutions to pastoral farming, with a view to end contestations over land, between farmers and pastoral herders.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, therefore, urges the international community to exercise caution and verify information before drawing conclusions or making statements that could exacerbate tensions within Nigeria. We call on all stakeholders, including the media, civil society organizations and foreign partners, to refrain from spreading unverified claims that could undermine national unity and stability.

“Nigeria remains a beacon of religious tolerance and coexistence in Africa and is committed to preserving this heritage. We welcome constructive dialogue and support from the international community in addressing our security challenges. However, we strongly reject any attempts to wrongly designate the country, distort the narrative, or sow seeds of discord among our people”.

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Tinubu will be removed from office in 2027, SDP’s Adebayo boasts

Published

3 hours ago

March 14, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party, Adewole Adebayo, has said President Bola Tinubu will be defeated in the 2027 elections.

The SDP chieftain also claimed that his party will produce the next Nigerian President.

Adewale stated this on Friday while appearing on Arise Television’s The Morning Show.

“Tinubu is going to be removed from power, that one is sure, and there would be an SDP president,” he said.

Speaking further, Adebayo vowed to run for the number seat in the country in the 2027 elections.

He expressed confidence that he would be the party’s presidential candidate in 2027 regardless of the political stature of politicians defecting to the party.

The politician said he is not afraid or threatened by the defectors, adding that every party member knows he will contest again.

He said, “Let us understand something. I don’t worry about that; everybody who is coming in knows I will run in 2027.

“Any coward who will feel threatened by people coming to his party can not be president.”

Adewole’s comment follows the defection of the immediate past Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, to the party on Monday.

Following his defection, El-Rufai has been making political moves to woo some politicians to the SDP.

Adebayo also described El-Rufai as a hard-working and patriotic Nigerian, adding that the ex-governor is very effective in an area where there are no effective people in government.

He said, “The reason why I welcome El-Rufai to my party is that I see him as a patriotic Nigerian, hard working, very effective in an area where we don’t have effective people in government, that’s all.”