 Welcome to the breakfast. It's time for off the press. I set off with the punch newspaper this morning. Now looking at the front page of the punch newspaper, INEC awaits Bohari's nod on e-transmission of result. Now that's quite interesting. It's been making the rounds since yesterday. INEC awaits Bohari's nod on e-transmission of result. You've got several riders underneath the boat caption. Existing loss-tipulates manual collision. Existing loss-tipulates manual collision. Amendment requires Bohari's assent. That's what INEC is saying. Direct primaries will end. Got fadarism. Says House of Representatives chairman. And you also have another ride of reading. APC-led National Assembly has subjected wishes of Nigerians to money bags. Alleges the PDP. That's all on page two of the punch newspaper. I mean, if you flip through the pages. You also have another caption here. Quite interesting. Eight-month fuel import gobs. 690 million amide forex scarcity. That's what you have. All right. Let's move away from the punch and see what we can find on the daily independent newspapers. It says here, Senate gets kudos over U-turn on e-transmission of results. Attracts thumbs down on direct primaries for political parties. Experts say Naira devaluation will push inflation to 25%. The vice president says here, I didn't advocate Naira devaluation. Reps OK creation of Southwest and Southeast Development Commissions. And also our reforms have stabilized banks as a CBN governor. Bandits attack Catholic Church in Kaduna abduct three students. And gunmen invade Abgar Raleen, Anambra, Obeano escapes unhurt. Police recover AK-47 rifle, ammunition and four vehicles. Those are the stories that we can find. Very few of them on the daily independent newspapers this morning. All right. Let's move on to the nation newspaper this morning. Looking at the front page, the board caption reads, Senate, we bow to public on e-transmission of results. That's what's boldly written. You also have VK, Ikorimadu, Lord Decision. You also have another writer reading, INEC. We will wait for President Ascent. It's underneath the board caption on the nation newspaper. Reps OK Southwest Development Commission. That's also another one on page six. And custom duties, 91 private jets, wreaks for feature. That's also on page five, agency class 57. OK, quickly just before we move away from the nation newspaper this morning, you have this caption saying, soldiers short, many injured in Abgar Ralee shooting. That's it on page three. I think it was one of the things, that was in Nanambra. That was also an attack on one of the things that I shared on daily independent and a gunman invading an Abgar Ralee Nanambra. Well, let's move now to the daily trust newspapers. Big one there says, despite bead disqualification, federal government moves to award intels, multi-billion-dollar boat service contract. It says also, BPP NPA kick as the company demand 25 years and 25% commission. President passes buck, ministry mom. Side one, it says here, 1,153 civilians, 176 security personnel killed in three months. And also Nigerian railway, a moribund sector Roars, insecurity, 62 private jet owners, Sean customs verification, and abducted Kebby students freed over, rather after over 100 days in captivity. Those are the big ones on the daily trust newspapers this morning. We'll say good morning to our guest, Mr. Femi Lawson. Thanks for joining us. All right, let's start with the big one on the daily trust newspapers this morning on one of the stories there that says 1,153 civilians, 176 security personnel killed in three months here in Nigeria. Let's get your thoughts on that one. You would only see these figures in a country that is at a full blown war, I believe. But what exactly is going on in Nigeria? The truth is that whether anybody likes it or not, the country seems to be at war with itself because not even during the civil war, it will record this number of people being killed within just 90 days. Between July and September, just like you said, we've lost over 1,000 Nigerians. We've lost once about 60 security personnel in just 90 days, just three months. He tells you that something is very, very wrong. The truth is that even for societies that are fighting no physical war, would not have imagined that 1,000 of the citizens would get killed in just 90 days. But unfortunately, we keep moving on. I see nothing exactly wrong. It is frightening that life has become so brutish that it does not really make me need to in Nigeria stay any longer that in 90 days, over 1,000 citizens have been killed and the country seems to be moving on like much of the city. It is alarming. And if you also notice on the Daily Post, it says that abducted KB students freed after over 100 days in captivity. I'm very sure that a lot of Nigerians even forgot that there were students in captivity from KB state in the past 100 days. And that's also included in the Nigerian government, who basically left, I believe, students in captivity for 100 days. It's sad. It's sad because we were held here in 2014 when the unfortunate incident in Chibokapu where school girls were abducted. But today, the manner of silence that has greeted the abduction of KB students, not only that, remember the delta of artists, you know, students in Kadriwa. Remember those children who were also kidnapped in Niger state. Our government seems to keep moving on. Even those who were vokers in 2014 when Chibokapu became KB silent, except for the media, media organizations like yours and a few persons within the human society who have continued to demand the release of these abducted children, nothing seems to be happening. Even you could hear parents of these children accusing government of abandoning them to their fate. So we should be glad that these children are being released. But we should also be worried that a whole number of our children can be adopted and the state keep acting as if nothing really is wrong. It is worrisome. It's really worrisome. But we should be glad that at least these children are being free. And remember that why these children are being free when someone has been abducted, like the report we received from Kadriwa yesterday. I think it's really cause for threat concern. Okay. But if you also remember when all of these issues actually started, I mean there was an introduction of the safe school initiative program to ensure that there is perimeter fencing. I mean the school is actually protected. All of the schools, especially in the northern region, has got all of this protection to ensure that that doesn't, there's no reputation of all of these kidnaps. The safe school initiative program that was introduced, I mean shortly after the Boko Haram, the Chibok students were kidnapped. So what do you really make of this? Because it's not about the fact that this has been occurring over and over again. And this program was introduced to ensure that that does not repeat itself and that students are protected in this particular region. But with the safe school initiative program, nothing seemed to have changed. Is it nothing has changed because these policies are mere policies that are formulated in Mahouda and does not exceed the desk of the policy makers whenever these policies are made. The truth is that for all the recorded incidences of school, kidnap, attacks on schools that have been witnessed over the last couple of years, as in any resistance, as in any time that we have reports of one school not being successfully invaded when these attempts are made, the school safe initiative was a mere declaration, a mere former policy of government that does not follow down with any practical steps. Today you can have, and you can have from people from all over the country, if there is actually any school anywhere, apart from the private institution that enjoys special security or have dedicated security network, the way the country protects pipeline, the way the country protects Christchurch infrastructures. So the schools have been left with their faith, the school children have been left with their faith, and it's very unfortunate that the initiative was merely a declaration that has not been followed up with any practical enforcement. Okay, so let's look at the punch newspaper now. One of the big stories saying that INEC awaits Bohari's nod on e-transmission of result. A lot of Nigerians are quite excited with the fact that yes, you know, the lawmakers have actually yielded to the cry of the public and are saying, okay, yes, now we're handing over powers who are saying that INEC should be able to decide whether or not they are going to transmit the result electronically. What do you make of this festival? Well, it is one thing that the Senate finally is calling to an agreement that the INEC can actually go ahead and conduct electronic transition of results during elections. But we have insisted that it is not to the first place, even within the power of INEC, to determine how INEC will conduct its election because the Constitution has given INEC the power to determine the mode of elections, how it conducts its elections in Nigeria. What the National Assembly was attempting to do before was to interfere in a process that does not have any role to play in. It was only trying to smuggle itself in as an umpire in the electoral process, but we are glad that reasoning has been allowed to prevail because the INEC transition of results is one, you know, process that has enjoyed the support of the judges of Nigeria going by the reactions that failed, you know, the earlier rejection of the electoral transition of results by the armed groups and the National Assembly should be put in. So I think it's a good one. Why then are they waiting for non-Foreign Presidents? I don't think there should be any debate further on this, other than, you know, the President himself also emphasizing the fact that it is within the power of INEC, you know, to conduct elections the way it may desire as empowered by the Constitution. Yeah, but Mr. Lawson, why then is INEC saying they're waiting for a go-ahead from President Muhammad Abu A'are? Come again please. I'm asking why then is INEC saying that they're waiting for a go-ahead from the President? Well, INEC itself must understand that it is an establishment of the law and the past are clearly stated in the law. So waiting for the President's nod on each transmission does not sound properly correct and I don't really want to even agree with that headline when I read it because I would not want to imagine when it becomes, you know, the power of the President to decide our elections are conducted. Especially, even if it's an election that the President himself may likely be participated in. So I don't completely want to agree with that headline that please, you make a wish, go ahead and nod on each transmission of results. If the amendment has been done on the electoral act, of course, it's inevitable for the President to accent the electoral act when amended. But I don't think it is basically because the President will have to go ahead or nod on the introduction of results. I don't want to think that is correct. Alright. Well, Femi Lawson, let's move over to something on the daily independence. It says REPS, OK, Creation of Southwest and Southeast Development Commissions. You know, quickly share your thoughts on that one. Of course, we are aware that there's Nigel Delta Development Commission. There's also one in the north. Does it seem okay that we are spreading development commissions across different regions in the country? We'll continue to create, after the creation of the Southwest Development Commission, we'll wake up tomorrow again, you know, for similar demands from the North Central. Already, we have the Northeast Development Commission and you'll come to us yourself while we keep, you know, mechanizing the entity that we claim to be united. It tells us that all this now will, when each region of the country continue to think that it needs, you know, for special attention to their region, the truth is that what has been lost, you know, in the development commission is able to do, as far as addressing the issue of the crisis in the Northeast region of the country, today's concerns, other than the fact that it has become, you know, another of the multiple contracts awarding, you know, establishments treated by the government to make very few ideas become, you know, sudden, you know, an emergency, you know, millionaires and billionaires. But the real essence of facing this commission is, you know, it's not been met. And I don't think, rather than creating, you know, development commissions and all these, you know, funny bodies that are moving to create, you know, again, we should be moving towards a proper restructuring of the country in order to make this region and our state the way they should. No number of establishments, like any DC, any DC, that's where DC or whatever you call it, can address the fundamental needs that have made our regions, our states not to be efficient until we properly address, you know, the problem itself. And that is very simple. When you restructure the country and, you know, the regions become empowered, DC become empowered. And I don't think there'll be any need for this kind of agitation that are only meant to create, you know, some unnecessary commissions to begin to raise in this set of the millionaires among the political class. I don't think it's a, I don't think that's what you do. Okay. So let's also look at the nation newspaper this morning. Another big story here says, custom duties, 91 private jets rigged for feature for a country that it's been reported that we're topping three, well, number three, I mean, on that board for those who own private jets, 91 private jets might just, those who own them might just rigs losing them. What do you make of this headline? Well, it's a, it reduces of the customs who evaluate, you know, and of course, when necessary, you know, prescribe duties for jets, people or whatever you call that are imported to the country. And if you understand the fact that most of these private jets are owned by people so close to power, none of them do not only evade duty permits on their private jets, none of them also evade duty permits on the position of vehicles and other, you know, routes into the country because of their access to power and those in authority. If the custom has been really found out that people are evading the payment of duty or that declaring the words, you know, of these vehicles, these aircraft that have been brought into the country, it is within the power of the customs to make the necessary sanctions available and get those who have violated, you know, the custom and excise law pay or get the aircraft in some days. That is, that is a straightforward thing. And I don't think any police car interpretation should be attached to them. All right. There's also something on the Daily Independent this morning talking about devaluation of the Naira. It says there, experts say Naira devaluation will push inflation to 25 percent. And of course, the vice president is also speaking, saying he did not advocate for further devaluation. We should be worried. We should be worried that inflation is simply dictated, you know, to rise as much as 25 percent. You want to, whether you like it or some goods or services, inflation is already at that point. But I think by now the economic theme of the federal government should have been seen to be engaged in seek and emergency, you know, measures to address this, you know, unprecedented manner that our currency is falling and inflation is affecting virtually all goods and services in the country. It costs a national emergency, but it seems that nobody's actually doing anything, apart from the few policies that we are witnessing the central bank, you know, embarking upon. But where we are now, it's beyond what can be left for the central bank alone to address the entire economic policy theme of the government, you know, stakeholders within the sector must be brought together at this time to, you know, find a way out of this. It is no longer a time for rhetoric, no longer a time for assumptions. It is time for practical steps to be taken. And if we don't do this, we are pushing our people to the point where, you know, our currencies become so even useless for daily, you know, to address daily needs. And that is a serious crisis for the country. I think a national emergency has to be declared on this and something drastic has to be done. Okay. I also want you to speak on something on the punch. It's on the bottom left corner of the punch. And that's with regards to the end SARS. I spoke about it yesterday briefly. It says the end SARS, Lagos loses 9.7 billion naira to the tour gates closure as it plans reopening of the tour gate. So I want you to get your thoughts on that. And of course, if you've noticed, well, if you've, you know, heard about the tour gate lately, you must see that there is some has been some police presence in the last few days at the tour gate, maybe expecting another protest and maybe expecting that there might be people gathered there to do a memorial of the end SARS protest one year after the end SARS protest began. So I want you to get, share your thoughts on, you know, the drama concerning the tour gate and, you know, the loss that the Lagos state government has also incurred. Well, as much as the state government or whoever, we try to remind us of how much has been lost to the closure of the Lekitogi. I think it's also important that they keep reminding Nigeria of the value of the lives of the innocent Nigerians that were murdered at that tour gate, you know, by agents of the government. It is not enough to attach a value to the monitoring losses being recorded, you know, at the tour gate just because you cannot collect those from vehicles. I've been able to value the lives of those innocent Nigerians, those young Nigerians that were murdered in their cold blood at the tour gate. I've just been served on those victims. I've been able to bring perpetrators of those heinous killings to book one year after. These are the issues. It is insulting when you find government so particular about making money, making money, making money. Not minding what become the fate of the citizens that is claimed to be government. The Nigerians state, you know, have questions to answer about the killings in Lekit. The state government has various plans, you know, plans of enquiries, and we are here to turn in their reports, including Lagos state, where the report is expected to be. So why is it so unsure of reopening tour gates or turning us how much it has lost, when it has not actually told us the value of lives that were lost in future governments, future ministers, future presidents that were killed at Lekit today. I think we have to be sensitive to some of these issues and, you know, taking one million mobile policemen or soldiers to Lekit would not stop, you know, Nigerians of peacefully, you know, remembering those who were killed currently on October 20 last year. It's a civil protest. People have rights and the law has said it at whatever time to peacefully protest and express themselves. You cannot begin to roll out plans as people are in the military state, like Lagos state government and the police are currently doing. It's going to be resistant. All right. Femi Lawson, thank you very much, as always for joining us and for sharing your views. And I hope that these conversations will always come up and we'll get you to also share your thoughts on them as quickly as possible. Good morning once again. All right, seems we have lost them. And that's all we have for you today on Off the Press. We'll take a short break. When we come back, we'll tell you a little bit of what happened today in history. And we're going to Chile to share with you about how some people were rescued after just 100 days on the ground. Then right after that, off the press media conversation for today comes up. Good morning once again.