 And we're here with the breakfast and plus TV Africa time for us to go through the pages of the national dailies We call it off the press and this morning open a boat in Quataria joins us Quataria is good to have you join us Merry Christmas and happy Boxing Day Thanks, I hope you got boxes that you you probably would have unveiled or will unveil You know sometime later today All right then let's take a quick look at the nation news paper this morning and Find out what's big in the nation on the nation expats x-ray to nervous plan on exchange rates and subsidy Unified rate will support growth says Analysts and local refineries must work. These are the riders that you find Vice-president Yamio Shiba Joe governor's to Nigerians less unite Muslims pray with Christians in church. Well, it goes beyond the act and a lot is expected to be Behind or you know more than all of that shenanigans like some people would describe that It's important that there's tolerance and unity G5 struggle beyond 2023 MDAs lawmakers behind delay in budget passage and Just before we move away. I'm sure that that's the much we can take at this point on the nation Not so much to read this morning I'll quickly turn our attention from the nation to the punch newspaper on the punch newspaper PDP APC clash as cocker slums Buhari Matthew cocker the bishop We bear scars deep sorrow our children are still in forests says Matthew cocker Cleric statement on godly not objective Buhari deserves credit. That's what the APC is saying Now another rider says PDP backs cocker Lampoon's APC says everything Buhari did was wrong federal government plans tax weaver suspension for rural firms There's only 5.4 percent Irrigated fam land in Nigeria. That's what the federal government is saying Nigeria missed 2022 poverty reduction target The world bank is quoted to say And field scarcity and in PC marketers to begin mass supply Double registration the voters wouldn't be disenfranchised says Inek Woman ex-homes ex-husband cops fight son over property. That's too dramatic That's the much we could take this morning on the punch newspaper. We quickly turn our attention this morning to the sun Now the sun I won't leave in Abuja after office Buhari is quoted, but of course That's exactly what should happen. Can the president get over his tenure? I mean His tenure is over. Can the president still leave in asorok when his tenure is over? There's no need stating the obvious. He would definitely leave So his reason is to avoid problems Thanks nigerian for supporting fairware christian message things that will improve asorok Share plea and promises well Remain hopeful for better nation will be tells nigerians akere dolu ugunwaii zulum ikpoyazu orders tax citizen-on-love Tolerance unity hitch-free election In security its nationals Shame to have ungoverned spaces Anglican bishop escorted to say that's matthew coca matthew coca right there We draw limit currency management costs increasing by 100 beg your pardon currency management costs increasing by 10 billion annually. That's what the cbm is saying And this is quite unfortunate There's a lot of person celebrate christmas nine die Scores injured in lego's e-badon But she wrote crashes Again, you find bishop coca laments state of the nation says nigerians more valuable more than in 20 I take that again bishop coca laments state of the nation says nigerians more vulnerable more than In 2015 mbf Others back cleric Christmas Calcule's biasa ex-youth president really Very unfortunate Umahi sanctions apc for contravening executive order Muslim groups attend christian services and present gifts in zarya. These are some of the headlines we uh Stories you can take this morning on the daily song newspaper Open up on cotaria. Thank you once again for joining us. Let's quickly share your thoughts on this one It's big on the daily song newspaper. I won't leave in a budja after office. The president has spoken His plan is not to stay in asorok. He's going to leave For several reasons. What are your thoughts? Well, basically, um First I cannot pass on the rossomal behind our statement Because it is obvious I mean this is pretty stressful. We are packing up a loop of a passenger Who relocated to outer Terrarium we located to a state um Jonathan is shopping between The abuja and the biasa So it's expected that he's definitely going to relocate. That does not mean He'll have to relocate into katsuna. He will never leave katsuna again So I really can't rationalize that statement. Why did he make that statement? I think there's a rider to that when he said To avoid What about what the fact it's not about it. It is rationally inexplicable. That's all I have to say Because katsuna is his own state Daraa, this is from Daraa. Daraa is the local community If you're in office and you're in office You are expected to relocate to your home state If you want to also remain in abuja, it is with the exclusive preserve to so do As a president before my president So I don't think that should not be I don't think that should be contemporized by The media is a non-issue for that to be A headline on the national newspaper. It simply means There is information for mine In other words, probably they don't have anything to publish and they just wanted to and they must be out The paper must be put to bed. So they just added something. Otherwise, it should it is not what should make the news I mean, it's it's not working. Why we already relocate to katsuna So if I have to buy a paper today, I will not buy a paper because we already said we were going to relocate to katsuna That's no news It's a second of it. Wherever you look history doesn't it doesn't matter. Nobody cares as a president what we want the delivery of The dividends of democracy and good governance. That's all we want It is the business of you and members of your family. It's as simple as that So why should the paper want to make it a headline and you expect me to use my hard-earned money? No, but should it shouldn't should it should it should it should not be of a major concern You know, this is not trying to hold brief on the paper But you know when you have the president making such statement that when he leaves office He would leave asorak. I mean, is he supposed to stay in asorak when he leaves office? It's quite contradictory Why would he say that? He should leave what does what is there is there any lord has stated that when the president quits office or leaves office, he has to stay in Asarok for a time. Maybe that's what we don't know because he's saying that he would have to quit Asarok and that's because he doesn't want trouble. Is it expected to stay in Asarok? What we heard was a Buddha. No, he said he would leave Asarok. That's what the paper is saying. Then the president shouldn't have said that. That's why I said it is rational in a speakable. You've been listening to me. So that shouldn't form a headline. So it makes no sense. Why are you telling us? When you leave office, wherever you go to is the business of your family. You So why should the paper, that's why I said maybe it's far mine of information, news. They don't have news. But why should the paper carry? It makes no sense. Every governor says this. All presidents say, oh, by the time I leave office, I retire to my home. By the time I do this, I do that. I mean, it's no news. We shouldn't even be discussing that. That's the point I'm making. If you will leave, will you leave? Whether you like it or not, you're going to leave Asarok. If you remain in Asarok, you're remaining in Asarok as a guest of the sitting president. And that is also the prince of the sitting president. He can decide to say, no, please, be my own official advisor. I want you to remain in Asarok. So it's not an issue. That's the point I'm making. It's not what would be discussed with the president that is going to exit Asarok when he leaves office. I have to have news. Is that news? You ought to, it is a must that you exit. If you want to write, now it is a right that he says as a sitting president. But if you exit, if it comes in privilege, if your successor wants you to remain, that's the point I'm making. So we shouldn't even be dissipating energy, discussing these amenities. These are trifles. There are other burning issues that would be addressing whenever we come on air. Not to talk, tell us, discuss who Mr. President said is going to leave. But even if you like, nothing goes to America. Wherever he goes to, it is bloody health business. It's nobody's business. Oh, well, we have to be careful with the choices of what's this morning, Okunabor. Bloody health is not a negative thing. Oh, well, it's not so friendly at the same time. It is also not antagonistic. It is also not antagonistic. When you say it's your bloody health business, it's your business. That's what somebody's telling you. It's also not a new land. That's the point I'm making. That's his business. So we shouldn't be discussing that on air. Okunabor, Kataria. What I'm saying is this, is that- Yes, Mr. President, we retire to. Shagaree left and went back to the state. Or passing down left and went back to Ota. Jonathan has shot me. He retired to Biasa. But he's shot me between Biasa and Abuja because he has an international engagement. So why should we stay down here? We have to stay present. I will leave Biasa raw. It's not about where Mr. President, Okunabor, is not about why Mr. President or where Mr. President will be going to. It's about the fact that he said he would quit. Just like you have stated. I mean, it's so complex to understand that why would you, I mean, why would you talk about what is obvious naturally? And that's why we're talking about it. And that's why it's a news element. That's where this argument is coming from. Excuse me now. That is the fault of the media. That's why I said the media, probably because it's on a Monday, they have news stories. What is complex about that? And if probably you were even quoted as a content, maybe you were even discussing with a friend that I'm tired of. Well, I'm not sure we want to go into, I'm not sure, I'm not sure we want to go into the classification of why that should be a conversation. But you see, the reason why you think that that shouldn't be a conversation is the reason why it should be a conversation. It's not, okay, why is why he said he's tired, he wants to leave. Why didn't he contemporize that last week? No, it was talked about. Because he was somebody to say, but because he's coming from the President, oh, this will sell my paper. I want to ask you, what is the rationale behind that? Because it's very, I said, I have left my house. I'm operating from my house. Let's move forward. Let's move forward, you know, for the want of time and that we're able to look at other papers. But I also hope that you understand that the fact that it's very unusual to say that you would not stay in Aso Rock is the reason why that's, you know, making the rounds. Because why would you stay in Aso Rock? That's the point. I don't know if, you know, Barack Obama woke up and said, I would leave, you know, when I leave office, I would have to stay in Aso Rock. I mean, what's that? That's why we're talking about it. It's very, it's very shocking. Maybe it's not supposed to be. That's why it's been talked about. Whether I leave office, I must remain in Aso. Even if you say that, it's not what we should discuss, because because you don't allow it. Because even if you son, eventually becomes the president, which is not possible because the son is not on the ballot. Even if the son is better because the president, I am going to remain in Aso. It is not what we should discuss. Probably what he's telling you is that because my son is going to be the president, I will remain here. He's not going to send me. So where is he going to participate in the discussion? Let's look at the punch. So I have a feeling that you're just trying to blame the media. But I have been trying to let you know how these things actually work. But but you are refusing to see see points. You know, it's not because it's the president that said it. Because it makes no sense. Let's look, mostly there are burning issues in this country that would be discussed. There are issues that if you go, a lot of people did not travel for Christmas as a result of the economic conflict. These are the issues, the papers, the media should be analyzed and the journalists as well. Not to get up, if we cannot get up and say, I will not stay at which has left my house long ago. And he has said it. So now, if I have to headline my paper, now the media leaves government health, relocates to personal abuse, I don't understand it. I can't get it. I can't get it. When pensioners are not paid, no promotion and civil service, I do not know those things are now for which has left government health. I don't, I don't get it. That's why they do rational and speaking. I don't get it. I don't get it. So we should discuss boiling issues. Issues, okay, Mr. President will not leave Asorro. How does that affect the average man here? What is the business of the average man here with that? These are not the issues which should be discussed. Unless you are telling me that Mr. President is not going to leave Asorro because he's going to fight with his successor, which is also not possible. That's the point I'm making, which is also not possible. It is not possible. Because God made it tonight, he has lost the powers of the president and the successor will immediately have all the party. He even if he says no, he will be forced out of Asorro. So what can we discuss here? That's the point I'm making. Why do we discuss those trifles? When there are other issues to be, burning and best issues to be addressed, it's completely unnecessary. Completely unnecessary. If they say Christ will come tomorrow, then they'll start as we. Let's wait till that happens. Let's wait till that happens. So let's discuss major burning issues. Issues that affect the lives of river Nigeria. Those are things we should be discussing. Not one Mr. President will look into. Is it the first president? Is it going to be the last president? It's not the first, it's not the last. Good luck. Let's Asorro. Has he not been visited in Asorro? He has been visited in Asorro. He has no way as a former president, you remain in Asorro. If you remain there, it's a matter of privilege and the instance of the sitting president. So why would we discuss it? We should be worried. We should be worried that he's thinking that he can stay there. That's why we're talking about it. Okunabua, we need to move away. We have the punch newspaper. Of course, we know that he cannot. Okunabua, let's move on please. We need to just move on. We need to move on. The punch says PDP APC clash as cocker slams Buhari. I'd like to show your thoughts on the back and forth. I mean Matthew Cocker is one bishop that seemed to be head on. He says the things, the way it is, and how it affects the masses, the public. And there's been a back and forth with it. And some people are saying that the APC is quoted to say that Buhari deserves credit. The cleric statement is ungodly and not objective. What are your thoughts, power venture, you have, you know, right through all of this comment and back and forth? I don't, I've not gone through any comment. I'm not bothered to go through that. But one thing is you understand, Matthew, the church which Cocker represents, one is a denouncing, and somebody whose words cannot be tutored with nothing. And the church which Cocker represents is not just a thermometer to record events and stories and so on as we have in the Bible. The church is also a thermostat to transform the morals of society. And so any cleric who divorces himself from politics is abdicating his role as a cleric. So when Cocker comes up to say or to criticize the government, it's expected, yes, that the presidents, officials such as the ministers and so on, the spokesperson who, whether they like it or not, will have to defend their principle, will come up to counter. It's expected because they can just sit back and allow it to go. They're not also, they're also not going to be doing that job. That's why most times you find out that those in charge of the information machinery of a government, especially when the government aspect of that bismarie, find themselves in a very difficult position. Because whether you like it or not, you have an option of either resigning or you remain there to defend a bad policy, even when such a policy cannot be determined. So it is agreed. And don't forget, this is also an electioneering period. Therefore, you have the APC, which Cocker represents, you also have the PDP and other political parties. So any time you criticize work, especially when it is in the negative, the political parties will have to rise because it rose up from the political party and at the same time affect the outcome of the election, the elect before coming election. So APC is also expected to defend it. No doubt about that. But then let us go into what Cocker says. You see, I always tell people, messy as you are there, nobody can come and tell you messy you're a man. Nobody, no matter how, in fact, let the man, let that person tell you he's coming from heaven. God just sent in that you're a man. You just dismiss him. He will even think he has some mental issues. What is going on in this country is far more favorable and fabulous. There is hunger in the land. We are not saying worry in all aspects. So when they come to infrastructure development, let's just say you can give them credit. Stop a railroad, rails and so on and so on. But when it comes to the economy, when it comes to security, and these are the two major things any government should address, they have failed at this matter. They have performed at this matter. And so whatever Cocker says, the Cooker does not even need to sing. Nigerians are singing. So whether you criticize Cook or not, let's create a problem now to tomorrow. It doesn't change anything. Like I said, nobody can come and tell me you're a woman. I'll just say you're mad. At the point I'm not even talking to you, because I think you have a mental problem. And engaging you will mean you also have that mental problem. Why can't you come and tell me I'm a woman or messy you're a man? These things are there, evidential proof. We are bound. This is a failed government in all aspects. The failed government. And Cooker is just voicing the opinion of majority of Nigeria. So criticizing from now to tomorrow, you say, hey, bloody business. That's your business. But the fact remained. It was the late Muslim Church who said truth is incontrovertible. Panic may be righted. Malice may be distorted. But we are in peace. And this is the case here. You cannot tell any Nigerian how much we're sleeping going for today in Nigeria. The ram, the goats, a bag of rice. People can't celebrate Christmas, the first period anymore. And you come to tell Nigeria that you performed well. On the paper, we saw, yes, I did them credit. But we saw how the security situation as faster. And that is very regime. So what are you going to talk about? People are just scared of traveling to the East, especially. It has never been this bad in this country. So what are you coming to tell me? What defense are you going to put up? The truth about it is that, yes, these are APC members. These are friends of Mr. President. And these are managers of his information machinery. So, of course, it is incumbent of them to defend, especially now that the political hostings have started. Because it's going to rub up negatively on the parties and the challenges. These things have subliminal effects. And so they really have to do a damage control. And that is why they come up with a defense. Even though who are defending the government, how you ask them, how much did they buy a bubble price seven years ago, eight years ago, and how much is the bubble price now? But probably they don't have the pinch. They are not feeling the pinch because they are spending government money. When they leave office, they don't feel the pinch. But within them, I believe when they are fucking in their closet, they also admit that the government has failed. I don't know security, I don't know the economy, it has failed. Well, you know that one of the gains, as it's probably been stated, is that we have been very big in terms of the production of rice. Since you have mentioned rice and the costs of this conversation, we have been great on it. And Nigeria has been reported to be the largest producer of rice in Africa, producing about 8,433,000 metric tons, if I'm not mistaken, followed by Egypt, Madagascar and Tanzania. Okay, okay, okay, okay, okay. Let me quickly address this now. First and foremost, we said Nigeria is not a producer of rice. Okay, fine, no problem. You know like when the economists will come up to say the GDP and the data, you see, the truth is GDP, GDPW, GDPS, GDP, all kind of GDP, the truth is how much, how does it affect the common man? The largest producer of rice. Yet, when we are not the largest producer of rice, rice sold at the cheaper rates. It's a paradox. Today, we are the largest producer. It's selling at the higher rates. How do you reconcile that? That is number one. Number two, the producers of rice do not depend on rice to loom. They depend on every other thing. So, they go to the market. They buy tomatoes. They buy onions. They pay rents. They are by generators. So, even if you are the largest producer of rice, what of the domino effect? You can't buy petro from your plant to produce the rice. You are going to pay for your office rent. You are going to pay to raise food. So, we are talking of economy. That's why I say that is not the past one. You are talking of economy in general. So, it's like when you increase the price of petro, it can't have domino effect on everything. Some people ask, petro, okay, the woman in the market, what is our business with petro? And I say what are you talking about? She goes home. To run a generator. Her source of income is the tomatoes. If it's on the tomatoes, you will have to cut up for her family. The family members will go to school. They will run generators. They will buy fish. If you sell the tomatoes, they will buy fish. They will buy rice. So, it's a hook. Come on. Now, I ask again, the largest producers of rice. Yes, the price of a bag of rice in 2015 is almost half, if not less than the price of a bag of rice in 2022. How do you reconcile it? How do you reconcile it? What is the economy? Another term of just one side of the economy? No. How do you reconcile it? So, when you come to tell me the truth, it makes no sense to me. If I buy rice, you're not going to cook the rice. Will I eat the rice again? What's the sense to limit it? You say, I'm a producer of rice. Meanwhile, I cannot even afford the rice. I cannot even afford it. What do we are not the health producers? I have to buy bags, buy for my family and jeep to others. Now that we are the health producers, I cannot. It reminds us of the oil industry. What are the life producers of oil? Yes, look at the cost of the two. How do you reconcile it? So, if you are the life producers of rice and the price of rice of soar, then there is a problem. Which is the same problem we are facing in the oil industry? The same problem we are facing in the right. Then there's a factor. Because are the life producers of rice, rice should go for $10,000 per bag, or at least $15,000 per bag. Because you are talking of comparative advantage at this point now, as we say in the economy, comparative advantage. But remember, my second wish to the economy is very well. So, it doesn't make any sense coming to tell me that we are the health producers of rice. It makes no sense. No sense at all. Okay. Well, I mean, these are statistics from the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations. Uponabong Katara, thank you so much. We have to leave it at this point, and we have to go. We hope that we have more time to talk about these very critical issues that are of major concern for our economy and our democracy. Thank you. All right, then. Uponabong Katara is a public affairs analyst. He joined us this morning from River State. Thank you so much, and have yourself a Merry Christmas. We take a break, and when we return, we'll be looking at our first conversation. Please stay with us.