 Thank you for staying with us. You're still watching The Breakfast on plus TV Africa. It's time to take global stories making headlines in our national dailies and joining me to review the papers is Professor Kamilu Sani Fagge. It's from the Department of Political Science Bayero University, Kanu. Good morning, Prof. Thank you for joining us. Good morning and thank you very much. Well, I want to say congratulations to you because the Ramadan season is the holy month of Ramadan is almost over and so the federal government has declared tomorrow and next tomorrow a public holiday. How do you feel? Yeah, I feel very, I'm delighted. You know, it's a pleasant time for us and it's a very joyful day. I'm in time. So thank you very much for, you know, the compliments and wishing you all the best. Yes. Yes. Yes. Okay, so let's get straight into the papers and we'll be starting with the punch this morning. Now the punch leads with federal government plans three national ID cards for 104 million Nigerians will in June and the the writers on this one is NIMC a waste presidential approver for May launch says procurement will be seamless Nigerians to get different e cards for banking, social intervention, echo as activities. So I'm sure many people's questions will be why three and do we have to register for this again. I mean, we remember how going to NIMC was a little bit tedious. In fact, there were mistakes. Some people haven't gotten their cards yet. And now we're seeing about three national ID cards coming for 104 million Nigerians. So what is what is this what's going to happen and this is just for June we're in April. So in the next two months will they be able to execute this. What do you think about this even though they're saying it will be seamless but do you believe that. No, I don't believe in that. Given the Nigerian factor, it will take many years before they can be able to finish this. And in the past place, this I think is unnecessary. It's a call for if you go to any country in the world. We also have one national ID, you know, we already have a name that is also what is known as tax something is another system. And now you are having three is a waste of resources, especially at this time that we're in a very critical financial strength. So to now come up, we say another thing it is just going to, you know, chop a lot of money and nothing will happen. After all, if it is a security issue, just tighten the national identity card, that will be okay for everybody. But here we are now, beside about the 23 that we have we are now proposing to have another three things, which is going to go a lot of money and which is not going to serve any benefit. And above all, the deadline, they are not going to meet it. So I think it's a wasteful exercise. It's a call for to say that we are going to have additional ID cards in national cards, even if it is one, it is unnecessary. Talk less or have a 30 at a time. Right. I mean, if we're going to be having three national cards, the one that we have, what is being done with the data? I know that for, for you to, you know, have the national ID card, of rather for you to have your, your passport, your international passport in Nigeria, if you want to renew it, you need to have linked it with your national ID card number, right? Even they came with BVN for your mobile phone for you to be able to use your mobile phone, you need to link your national ID. So all of these things, I'm just wondering what they're even doing with the data, right? And then if we're looking at three national IDs, how are they going to be able to do it in less than three months? That's just what I'm wondering. And what is the, what is the essence of this? Is this what we're supposed to be talking about in Nigeria? We have a lot, a lot on our plates, you know, we have the security issues, we have the food crisis, we have the effects issue as well. So is this supposed to be what we're, what putting our monies into? Doesn't that seem like, you know, a misplaced priority in this case? Really it is a misplaced priority. You have forgotten we have tax identification also, which provide the same thing. So if you have one system, you can be able to have all the data that you need. Rather than, you know, start thinking now, by the time you waste resources on this, it will not be a successful. It is not likely going to be successful, even if it is going to be, it's going to be a waste of money. Because the data that you want to collect is already in other system that you have. So all you need to do is perhaps to clean up the system that you have, the previous one that we have, and see where are the loopholes and try to plug in here and there. But to have this one, I think it's a misplacement of priority. It is a waste of resources, especially given the condition that we are in. The money that is going to be pumped into that, if it is put in other social sectors, like education, like health, like food, I think it will affect Nigeria as well. You have a country where they are saying about 70% of the population have a multidimensional poverty. You don't address that. You now go to, you know, a necessary thing like ID card. And even if you are going to do that, you say you have worked up three at a time. No, I was what I've told you. So we are going to have six or seven of such numbers. Why do we need it? We don't need more than one. So I think it is a misplacement of priority, as you said, and it is a waste of national resources. And it just seems like they are duplicating data. So why duplicate data? If you already have it, then just put them in the system that is required to be instead of just asking people to come out again and have to register. But we are going to move over to another story. Now this one talks about the organized private sector, and it says OPS takes power tariff hikes to protest to Tinubu. So now a few days ago, I think that was last week, Thursday, we saw in the papers where the tariff for Band A customers is being increased. So from 68 naira per kilowatts is going up to 225 naira per kilowatts. And now the organized private sector is protesting against it against the tariff hikes. I mean, they are going to the president. What do you think about this? And the fact that we don't even have so much power. And then you are seeing a jump from 68 naira per kilowatts to 225. Isn't that too much? And do you think the protest that the organized private sector is having right now is kind of justified? Yeah, it's justified, really. I think here in Kano and other places, 230 naira per unit from 65. So I think this protest is justified because of the multiple effects that this race of tariff is going to have. You know, industries, their major source of energy is electricity. Or energy gas is untouchable, other sources are not available. Now what it means is that many industries are going to close shop. And we are going to have unemployment, additional things to compound that one. Now, even the little ones that will be able to stay up a lot, what they are going to do is to raise up their costs so that at least they'll recuperate what they spent on it. So at the end of it, inflation will be very high. So our leaders don't seem to look at what will be the effect of any policy. You know, there is a backward integration between electricity and other things. So by the time you now close your eyes and raise issues, just because I have told us to do. Remember, not more than two months when I have come out and said that there is need for Nigeria to look at the tariff, electricity tariff, raise it. It was in the papers, you know. I've seen within a week the minister come out and said they are going to do it. And now we are seeing them doing it. Now one begins to wonder, what government do we have? Is it Nigerian government for the people or is it an IMF government? Is it a democratic government or is it a dictatorial government? Because Nigerians are crying, already crying about harsh conditions. And now you keep on mounting issues that compound the challenges. So I think by the time they go that is arising that they should protest to the president. And if care is not taken, I think this will now launch the labor into it. And perhaps we don't want a situation where people will come out and protest. So by the time the people are pushed to the wall and they come out and take the laws into their hands or they take matters into their own hands, it will be too late for government. So it's rather time, it's better, it's a time now for the government to think that Nigerians are suffering. And you shouldn't be, you know, taking all the palliatives, all the directives given to us by IMF and pushing Nigerians down and down. Already we are Nigerians are crying about the harsh conditions. And now you have increased it and at the end of it, leaders will come out and start talking up. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. But I think that is a dangerous thing for our leaders to close their eyes. After all, we are a democratic government. We are supposed to be a government for Nigerians by Nigerians, not a government by the elite. Well, on the Guardian, it's also here and it says electricity tariff hike, FCCPC, others pressure federal government to revert decision. So, well, you know, there's one thing they say in Nigeria that when prices go up, they never really come down. So I wonder if the federal government is going to revert the decision back to 65 Naira per kilowatt. But, well, there might be some good news here on the punch. And it says $2.3 billion simons power projects, transformers, substations arrive Nigeria. Do you think this would ensure that we have more power, so more power to distribute one? And then maybe the prices would come down just a little bit. Oh, you see what will happen with all this and the pressure, perhaps even if the government wants to respond they may. Just maybe take a little percentage of that. But the issue of going back to 65, I don't think it is going to be a reality, given the fact that our leaders are not sensitive to the earnings and aspiration of the people. What they are going to do is just they will now come out as if it is a paper that they are doing to Nigerians and perhaps make it to like 180, 190 or perhaps 200 and say, okay, we have done that. We have seen this several times. And the arrival of all these things, I don't see it is going to do anything. You know, after what is the voltage that we are having in Nigeria. It is not significant. Okay, so we already have a very effective power supply. And so the corruption around it is going to increase. The arrival of this and the new tariff, all we do is to reach very few people who will go from smiling and then further push down Nigerians to poverty like what is happening now with the removal of subsidy. Okay, they have collected billions or trillions of Naira and Nigerians are suffering. Like I said the other time, it is time for our leaders to know that government is not a business enterprise. The purpose of government is to improve the welfare of Nigerians, to protect their lives and properties. You cannot be counting, you know, that you have saved this thing by removing subsidy. You have saved X amount while Nigerians are going down and down. So I think it is high time for the government and our leaders to come to their senses to know that the government is for people. And that is the past in our constitution, that it is the responsibility to protect the welfare and the security of Nigeria. By the time you impoverish them, you are destroying their welfare and their security. All right, so another story talks about a dollar video. And this one on the punch says release reports of Gandhi Jay's probe. Kanu tells EFCC and then on the Guardian it says Yusuf knocks Gandhi Jay over criticism of administration. What do you think? I mean you are in Kanu. So what do you think about this story and all that is happening in Kanu state? You see all that is happening in Kanu is that it is unfortunate that our politics has been, you know, relegated into personality conflict. Really there are problems with the previous government. And, you know, the issue of probe should have been done in such a way that the purpose is not to assure accountability of our leaders. So we should have to draw a line between, you know, trying to have a kind of accountability and optimization. So I think what we are having, what we are seeing now is a continuation of the long-term rivalry between the two camps. And we are not likely able to see the end of it. After all, I'm not saying that the government should not be probe. No, it should be probe, you know, for the purpose of accountability. But when you now take it to which hunting or something that is where you are now crossing the line. So let's EFCC come out with the report and then the appropriate action should be taken. After all, this is the purpose. You know, one of the problems with our system is that this issue of immunity of our leaders, you know, is taken to be a license by our politicians. So they do whatever they do. They will be reckless in their government and, you know, because they have immunity. But where we have such things that you cannot make people accountable at the end of it. I think this is a process of making the system better. But to me, I think the process we have to now draw a line between sanitizing the system and victimizing fellow politicians. Because by the time you do that, it is going to be a psychic. Tomorrow after this government, another person will come and will probe and so on and so forth. But to me, I want accountability. I want people who want accountability and that is what we are calling for. But like I said, let's draw a line between accountability and victimization. I think accountability is a no brainer, especially if you assume public office. You should be ready to be accountable. You should be ready to be transparent because that's the only way the constituents can trust you. So it's a no brainer. And like you've said, do not victimize these people, but they should, you know, give accountability so that no one is just probing into them and going into their private lives and, you know, just making a mess of the whole situation. So if you are accountable that way, you know, you're doing what is right and everyone can see it, you know. Okay, so still staying on political matters. There is one here that talks about Peter Obey and the Labour Party. Now this says I'm focused on fixing Nigeria's problems, not Labour Party's internal crisis says Obey. Now I'm sure that you know there's been a little rock house with the Labour Party and the NLC. And in fact, their headquarters was, you know, closed at some point. And there's just been a lot, right, with the leader of the Labour Party. And some people have come out to say, oh, why is Peter Obey not saying anything? Is he in support? Is he against? Well, he has made a statement now that says I'm focused on fixing Nigeria's problems, not Labour Party's internal crisis. So what do you think about this? What do you think about this statement from him? You see, one thing is we have to draw a line between the candidate and the party. Of course, the entrance of Peter Obey into Labour Party is what ginger the party and what makes it to have such impact that it has. But to me, I think one thing is that if care is not taken, by 2027 Labour Party will not be as relevant as it is going to be as it was in the previous election. The fact is this. One, in Nigeria, our politicians are such that they are always in government. So many of the big shots in Labour Party will now go into the ruling party. Secondly, the ruling party and the ruling and it will do everything to cripple any credible opposition. Look at, for example, PDP when it was in power. It said for 16 years and it was powerful. But since it lost power, PDP is no struggling to manage to survive internal crisis here and there. That is what is going to happen. And Peter Obey, given what he did in the election, telling you come 2027, even if it's relevant, the elite will do all they would to to cripple him to make sure that he just, even if he will get a ticket, he will not be as strong as he has. Look at the example of Atiku Abubakar. How many times did Atiku Abubakar contest and he lost? The people who are the power behind will make sure that it's not going to make it. But to me, I think, like all other things, Labour Party, PDP and all political parties, what they need to do is to put their house in order. Not to be thinking of women election. It is too early now. Put their house together and if possible, let's have two or three major political parties that will now contest. Among them, I give Nigerians options. But the way we are having it, I am afraid that if care is not taken, that at the end of it, it will be the same history like what happens to other major parties in Nigeria. I mean, I totally agree with you. I think three, maybe three is too small, five political parties. Instead of having so many and, you know, we're hearing different stories from them. And one thing that you said is separating the candidate and the party, which is so apt. I think it's important that, you know, we do that and not try to suck the candidate in into, you know, whatever rockers is happening in whatever political party it might be. Okay, so still staying on the Guardian, let's talk about this 500 billionaire recapitalization for the banks. And so that's the major headline on the Guardian. It says, road to 500 billionaire recapitalization. Bank owners lobby seek adjustment in share capital composition. What do you think about this? I mean, as of today, it stands at 25 billion. It was about 2 billion in 2005, and then there was a recapitalization to 25 billion. But from 25 billion, we're seeing it go up to 500 billion, which is a lot, right? And so the headline here says bank owners lobby and seek adjustment in share capital composition. So I know a lot of them would want to, you know, have mergers and acquisition, especially when it comes to raising the funds, because 500 billion is quite, you know, a huge chunk of money. But what do you think about this recapitalization and the figure going from 25 billion to 500 billion? You see, one major problem with us in Nigeria is that we don't live from history. You know, when it was pie 2, it was red to 20 pie. What happened to the industry? Many, many banks collapse, you know, and their acquisition here and there, merger and so on. So the whole problem around that merger and acquisition, the problem surrounding that kind of things, which has not been too far for us to forget. Now, by the time you are raising it from 25 to 500, I think it's too much, it's necessary that you have to raise it. We are going to see so many corruption will be, you know, very high in the industry. And then people don't know it. The poor man, the common man is going to be affected with that. Of course, by the time the owners of the bank try to put it, they are going to pass it on to the ordinary people. And this is what we are seeing. That is why in Nigeria today, we are one of the most taxed people in terms of banking. Anything that you do that will be taxier, account maintenance, that will be this and that. We are happy. So at the end of it, they are going to pass it on to the people. So I think these are some of the things that our leaders, especially the ones in the banking sector, they should look at. Whatever policy you are going to have, you have to look at what will be the consequence of, you know, in public policy, you call it irrational process. You look at the consequence of your policy and then what are the effects. And then you do not take them off. And you keep on thinking, you are comparing yourself with others and say that's, you know, that other countries in other clans, they have this. You don't compare yourself with this. Look at your own environment. Look at the resources. Look at the effect of the policy. Before you close eyes and say, we are going to do that. If care is not taken, if it goes through, maybe in the next few years, somebody will come and start talking of either one trillion or whatever. So you saw that it is something that is sensitive to Nigeria. So I think we should allow it. After all, small, small banks have an engine, of course, in countries where they have cottage banks and other things. These are the ones that promote grassroots development. No, not that huge banks that we are talking about. Say that, you know, they're just trying to ensure that only the big players are in the industry. So if you're a smaller bank and you cannot afford that, then it's best for you to merge with, you know, a bigger bank. It's okay for a bigger bank to acquire you. And that's where mergers and acquisition come in. So only the big players are supposed to be in the industry and that way they can provide better services to the people. Don't you think? But anyways, we're a little bit out of time. So I'm just going to take this other story that on the business engine talks about the Naira stability will attract more manufacturers to Nigeria. And then 45% of bank CEOs now women, which is great. I mean, women are taking a seat at the table. But before we leave, I want to take this one on Nature News. And it says, we hear lots C C E C C as Tinnaboo sets to flag off Abuja light rail. What do you think about this? So I know one thing we've really spoken about is the fact that we need better infrastructure in Nigeria. And Tinnaboo is about to set off or flag off the Abuja light rail. So what do you think about this project as we wrap up? Yeah, it says it's a good thing. You see the railway is the engine of growth in many countries in developed countries in developing countries. What they have is that they have a good rail system after all the huge, huge that they take and the passenger that these things. So I see it's a good thing. But the only thing is the Nigeria is not there goes alone. Our leaders would try to see that this thing, you concentrate on major other areas to follow. What is what you have written there and also I think it is a good thing we have to start with something. This thing should not be those in the car. So you allow the country to follow is an engine. This is a welcome idea. All right. Okay. Thank you so much. We want to say thank you for coming and sharing your valuable contributions. It's always a pleasure having you. Thank you so much. Thank you very much for having me. All right. That's where we wrap it up on this segment. We've been speaking with Professor Kamilu Sani Fagahius from the Department of Political Science by Euro University Canoe. And we've just been reviewing the papers taking global stories making headlines in our national dailies. We'll go on a short break and when we return we'll be looking at our first hot topic. Please stay with us.