 Today on the breakfast, social, economic, right and accountability project, CERAP, condemns the 2023 budget of the National Assembly in strong terms, threatens lawsuit. Will these reduce the growing budget deficit? Also on the breakfast, despite growing concerns, Nigerian's education allocation is still below recommended benchmark. How do we make this sector a priority? And like all these, we will be reviewing all the top stories making headlines across national dailies. Welcome to the breakfast. I am Justin Akadirini. And I am Messier Boko. It's a beautiful Monday morning and it feels really great to be back on your screen. Yes, glad to be here. That's it once again. Messier, it's been like a minute. How are you doing? How was your weekend? Very great. We're just glowing though. Is this something you're not telling us? So I think that we had this conversation off-air but it's fine that we're having it on air now. Well, that's because I've actually been resting. You've been resting? And you've been frowning and having a great time. I have no idea what that means but you know I've been resting. It's very essential. You know how we say, does this, you know, freeze health as well? Okay, I thought you were going to say, oh, okay, no playing. No, no, no, no. It's mercy, a dog girl. You know, so it's important that you take out time, you know, to pay attention to your health and get some rest. It's very important. That's what I'm saying. This was more than just resting because the pictures I saw, I was seeing Gilly and the likes. I thought you have some explaining to do, right? No, so I think that you're exaggerating at this point in time. I'm exaggerating. Yes, you are exaggerating and you know how we came out. You know how you cannot understand what he's saying because I think he's exaggerating, right? You don't have all of the facts. So who believes you that there was a Gilly? It's only you that saw the Gilly. I don't know why you saw the Gilly. Ice cream grabbed your status, so I can show it to the people. Oh well, I'm not sure that was the case but to be very honest, you know, I needed some time out to rest there. It's good you had your rest and it actually is showing them a lot to you and that you were well rested and back at work. Yes. Yes, okay, much is not what's trending. A whole lot of them happened there in the social media space. Papa Jasko, I don't know if you followed that particular. I like how you said Papa Jasko. Yes, that's what it's called, right? Papa Jasko. Much more rested, right? Of course, I saw Papa Jasko. Is it the one I'm in print or the TV series? No, no. Do you want me to do one of that? Thank you, it was just joking. Okay, so Papa Jasko, the standing one, not the main one, has passed on. It was a mid-school, several tales on social media, because Nigerians were actually saying that the main Papa Jasko actually passed on. So a veteran actor and former music instructor with a national troupe of Nigeria, Fermi Ogome, is dead. He was a standing actor for the Wally Adinuga comic series, Papa Jasko. He was said to have died on Saturday evening. Now the sad news was disclosed in a post by Ryan Chan Theatre practitioner, Shai Bukhuzeni. Now the TV comic series Papa Jasko and Company, formerly the Ajasko family, is an Nigerian family television sitcom created by Wally Adinuga in 1996. The show is a spin-off of a feature film of the same title produced by Adinuga in 1984, which in 10 is based on the comic Ikibi Tsuba. Now the story revolves around the Ajasko family and their comedic interpretations of major societal issues. The main characters include womanizing patriarch Papa Jasko, his long-suffering wife Mama Jasko, their mischievous son, Papa Jasko. A local playboy, Boy Alinko, from the space girl Diga, Ms. MacMayer. Now the late Fermi Ogome took over the character of Papa Jasko when the former character, Richard Abyadun Ayo-Inka, proved out of the show and he carried the light very well while it lasted, or carried the weight very well while it lasted. Merci. Well, so as much as it's very saddening that Papa Jasko II has passed on, because yesterday, party yesterday, I mean there's a lot of conversation from Saturday even up until yesterday and up until this moment as to which of the Papa Jaskos we're talking about. But I think that he played a role, so he did very well with carrying out that particular character. He played the role very well. We're talking about Fermi now. Fermi did very well with the character and that's why I feel that Nigerians were finding it very difficult to differentiate between- One from the other. Yes, one from the other. That's Inka, Inka and Fermi at this point in time. Although yesterday, due to all of the discrepancies, there's a video from Inka saying, hey, I'm here. I'm not dead. I'm alive. And he did that. It's a lot, but it's unfortunate because I know that it's very saddening for someone to lose their life. The family would be thrown into mourning. And sometimes, you should also remember, he's lost his wife last year. Yes, and now he's gone. But it's a good thing that he took on that character. When the major character left, and he did very well, and that's why I think that we're grappling with who is who. We can't differentiate. If you look at this, he's ballheaded. Because he's wearing a cap now, if he takes the cap. So I think that it was also okay for the producers to look for someone who can actually leave the role and all of that. So yes, very unfortunate, but it's a natural incident that everyone must experience. Everyone would definitely go through that way. But he made it fun for us, for those who leave during that time, even when Papazasco left the original. Okay, so Papazasco won. Yes, he did very well. And it gave a lot of people a great time. It was quite entertaining for the while that he lasted. So we all pray, and that acts that he saw rest in peace, our condolences to the family. And we continue to pray that God will comfort them. Yes, we wish them the best at this particular time, because it's not really easy to lose a loved one. It's a very sad incident. Now I was going to just interject the name of Papazasco, Ayoyinka. It's really crazy when you start reading comments, people start posting pictures of you saying that you are dead. So he had to come all out to do a post on social media, you know, the blanket that he was not the actual Papazasco that passed on. But then I think it's been cleared because a lot of people were saying that it was fake news that Papazasco is not dead, but the one that actually died is the stand in Papazasco. Yes. Well, I'm glad that, you know, that clarification came in handy, yes, because I knew that, you know, I saw a lot of media outlets, what I print or, you know, the blogs and what have you, there were a lot of mix up of the picture. Yes, you put the right picture, how is that done? So a lot of persons put out the picture of Yinka. Yinka, with family's name. With family's name. So that's where, you know, all of that. But there were some prints that leave up to expectation. The likes of Punch had it right. I don't remember the author, what I think it was Nigerian Tribune that had it right as well. But I'm glad that that correction is, you know, right in front of us. And if you don't already know, Papazasco II is the one. So basically all we're trying to say for good journalism, just do the right thing. Don't try to confuse people the more with your stories. If you say someone is dead, get the right picture and don't use, could be very embarrassing, really, very sad for other people, you know, when they are not dead and their pictures are just slammed all over, you know, the media space. Well, we'll just have to move on. And I remember what you said this morning when you said standing. Okay, because I said I said, okay, I'll write a note. So Justin actually, he literally told me, you know, I'm standing, I'm standing, I'm standing this morning. But I'm not dead, I'm not dying. I'm not dead, I'm not dying. No, but okay, you're not dying, you know, definitely have more time to me. Yes. Moving away from that second on the top trending this morning is if you follow the news, I mean, if you follow the social media space and all that's been going on, a very popular Nigerian singer, he goes by the name Olawale Ashimene, if I got that correctly. He's very known by his stage name, you want to say his music name, Raimo, has tended an apology to citizens and Nigerians from the southeastern region over his anti Igbo remarks. Now the music star had stared, you know, several controversy when he went on Twitter rant against Igbos over their political affiliation and differences. Trust me, I don't even want to go verbatim with some of the things that I was really heartbroken. I was heartbroken because I remember when I used to be on the radio, Raimo used to make my playlist. You would wake up in the morning and want to play Raimo's song on the radio. I remember the thing that, you know, Raimo would understand the dynamics because he sang about, you know, reality. It wasn't just the contemporary singer or he's not just, you know, the regular singer who sings about everything. But he was, you know, you want to talk about conscious songs, Raimo, you give it to Raimo because that's what he does. And so one would expect that, you know, a person of that caliber should understand whether or not. But even though he's tended an apology, his comment is said that we get to that point where we talk about his apology. But what actually led to the apology was that a petition was launched on a platform called change.org for his Afrima nomination to be revoked with immediate effect. And we had over 600,000, you know, nomination and votes. Yes. And so I think that he felt the heat. Raimo felt the heat and backlash from Nigerians and decided to apologize during an Instagram live session. But let's even look at the apology. Raimo explained that the fracas started after he argued over the decision of award-winning actor Chimamanda Deichi, you remember, where she was, you know, giving a traditional title. And she said, oh, accepting the traditional title, chieftain C title and ignoring the national honours. Don't forget that, you know, when we had the national honours, Chimamanda Deichi was also a nominee, but she wasn't present. She didn't show up. And I don't think there was a representative. However, according to him, he said that that shouldn't have been the case, considering how the region is clamoring for presidency. So Raimo said that the statement was taken out of context because he only used it to refer to those who were championing the movement for his downfall and not the entire tribe itself. Well, he said, I did not insult the tribe. That's what he said. I would not do that. I apologize to anyone who is, you know, saddened by such a tweet. I was trying to weigh in on very important matters. I really don't know if that's the case. I mean, I can't begin to say the words that were tweeted. Those tweets are still there, except he has deleted it on Raimo's, you know, handle. He used the swear words. He used words that I can't even use, you know, on TV right now, not even on radio. So I'm just wondering if this apology is really earnest. But I really don't know what you make of this. I definitely come back to my thoughts. My thing is that it is really alarming when we say things and try to retract them or say that we were misinterpreted. You know, we should not just go out and say things just because, although when he made that statement, a lot of people were saying that he was trying to trend or chase clouds or something, you know, even whatever it is, you should know that Nigeria here, we are very sensitive people when it comes to tribal issues, you know, we've been having issues of this unity in the country for a long time. So I believe as public figures, as artists, as singers, entertainers, you should be aware that you have a very strong position in the society and the whole lot of people look up to you. So whatever you say can influence in a people's decision. And well, fine. It is really surprising that he's actually come out to make this apology. I'm thinking it's because of, like you said, all the backlash that followed, you know, with the awards and every other thing. But then each time I'm done, I decide to honor a national award or not. It is a personal right. It is a decision. So when you come out to say in unprintable things about a particular section of the country, it is really, really sad because I used to hold them brimel, you know, in high regard. I used to, like you said, love his songs. It was really very calm songs that you could just listen and you just forget about issues. They were very meaningful. They were impactful. So I would never have associated such comments about brimel. But it's really, really a sad one. Yes. Very unfortunate. And just to add as we coast away from this particular subject and move to another, it's that if you leave in Nigeria, if you were Nigerian, you would then know that, you know, this unity, you know, we're not united. It's a major issue. And, you know, this lack of unity has cost us a lot. And it's the reason why we're here today. And let's imagine that we pay attention to this because we need to be sensitive. A lot of people, experts will tell you that we have never been divided as we are today in 2023. We have been further divided. Major problem is that we haven't seen ourselves as one. And I say that even in our, you know, structures, there are structures that have enabled all of this kind of practice where you pick up a form. The first thing you begin to see is where you're from, state of origin, you know, nationality and all of that. These are some of the issues that constantly, you know, found the wings of this unity for us. So I hope that I leave in a country. I hope that I leave to see a Nigeria where it doesn't matter where you're from, whether you're Igbo, whether you're Yoba or your house, whether you're from any part of the country. It's not important. It's not significant. It's not even an issue why you should be nominated or elected for any office or whatsoever. It's not even a criteria for you to get a job. But it should be based on universal issues. For instance, do you marry the job? Do you have what it takes? That's the kind of Nigeria. And I think that, you know, people as artists and what have you should be sensitive enough to understand that we need to be very careful at this point. But I wouldn't really blame Brymo and their likes because those who are calling the shots, the political gladiators are not doing different from what he has said. You know, the comments and the remarks and the rhetorics that you want to see, that's quite not, it's not really different from what, you know, you have a more others putting out. So it's really unfortunate. Until we get to the point where we'll understand that, hey, we're one Nigeria and it doesn't really matter where you're from. As long as you're Niger, the most important thing that should concern me is that Justin, you're a Nigerian, and I'm a Nigerian. That's what it should be. And see, Justin, you also know that that has also affected economic policies and what have you. For instance, you look at some regions that are not developed via policies and the politics that have been played. You have resources. Let's even talk about, you know, deep seaport. Let's even talk about several issues. You have a region, for instance, we're talking about the lucky deep seaport in Nigos. You also want to talk about a deep seaport that's not functional. And so for cross-eversed or Calabar, you hear that, oh, there's need for us to dredge. So what's stopping the seaport from functioning? These are the issues. Until we get to the point where we understand that, hey, we're one, we're one nation, we do things. That's them, that's when we think we can solve, we have actually moved the way and solved one side of the problem. But we need to move away quickly because time is not on our side. No, it is not. We'll move on now to the last top trending for the day. It is about retired officers, police officers to be precise. It is really sad when I hear stories like this, but let me just get to the crux of the matter. Now, the retired officers of the Nigerian police force have threatened to embark on a nationwide protest at the National Pension Commission, PENCOM, fails to address issues surrounding the pension funds contributed by the retired officers. In a warning statement by the KB State Chapter of their Grieved Retired Police Officers, they called on the Inspector General of Police and the Ministry of Police Affairs to direct the Digi of PENCOM to refund their money immediately before it becomes too late. Now, the retired police officers therefore called on all its state chapters to get ready for the nationwide protest slated for the end of January. Let me just quote them at the bottom. They said, I'll stand as this. The federal government should immediately direct the Digi PENCOM to refund all the money contributed by the retirees of the police back to them. This is pure fraud and cheating. Also, they let robbery that you suffer both day and night and endanger your life with criminals, political crises, and after God protect your life for 35 years in service, somebody from nowhere, so-called PENCOM, will now control your benefit. It is only in Nigeria that such a thing happened to police retirees. Now, these chapters suggest to the National Headquarters of Reponds to immediately send a warning notice to the PENCOM and federal government for the proposed PENCOM and protest by the end of January. They want them to say many other things. Merci. It is really, really sad when you hear things like this. After dedicating your life in the police insecurity or security generally, it is a very high risk job. And after the voting, you know, so much, you've even contributed because pension contribution is actually your contribution plus your office. So you also contributed with the hope that when I retire, I should have some money to go, but when you retire and eventually someone is telling you you can't have your money, it's crazy. Merci. And that's not because we're the only ones that exist on planet Earth. We have others who exist. These things are not rocket science, right? It's really unfortunate that this is happening and you have to have people who have committed their lives, you know, 35 years, having to trunk to the street, take to the street to protest because they actually survive the cost of service. I mean, there are a lot of persons who go through the entire service and don't make it out. But this is what it is. Is it not shameful that we have constantly, you know, lived in a society where we have weak institutions and then we have strong men who are calling the shots? And that's not very encouraging. And these are the issues that contribute to insecurity. So if we begin to look at the insecurity that we're faced with, we talk about crimes and criminality and the fact that it's actually on the rise, then how do we explain it? So don't forget that these men have served in the system. If they feel very disgruntled, then it's also possible that they would have their grievances and then they would take several actions. What if, I'm not saying what if, these persons who are disgruntled decide to say, hey, we're going to also contribute to sabotaging the economy and then, you know, taking to crime and criminality, as much as that's not an excuse, but I'm saying what if. How do we even, you know, sleep and leave like this? It's not even, you know, very honorable thing to say this morning. It's despicable that we're talking about it. But we're calling on the, you know, the relevant authorities at this point in time. We're calling on PENCOM, the DJ of PENCOM, just like they have addressed. We're also calling on the president himself and everyone involved, the inspector general of police. Let's, you know, put our hands together, look at the drawing board and ensure that we have a better, you know, because if you look at it, Justin, the police, the police, they're really going through a lot. The night, please, are really not paid. I know that, you know, we are always on the other side of, oh yes, the police brutality and what have you, you know, the behavior of the police and what have you. But to really look at it, I don't think that the Niger police force is properly catered for. If you look at it, just look at the typical police officer. It doesn't even command respects from the, you know, and it's not good. We can't say that these are the persons we have handed over our lives. I mean, the protection of our lives, our safety. If their welfare is not guaranteed, like you said, they might just look the other way. And again, this is not, okay, aside from this, I think we should take it one step further. Yesterday was the armed forces remembrance day. You know, so aside from the police, security generally, those who have, you know, paid the supreme price and then the families left behind, who is catering to their needs? You know, when you hear the stories of, you know, those legionnaires and families of fallen heroes, you get so sad to know that sometimes they cannot even fend for themselves, since their loved ones who, you know, fought for the security of the country are not really being taken care of. It is really sad. So we're just appealing to the authorities, the Niger police, the armed forces generally, you know, we should protect and care and provide for the welfare of people in service, those who have retired, and those who have gone, their families should be taken care of. Well, this is the point where we take a break. And when we return, we'll be looking at the front pages of the National Daily. So we call it off the press. We ask that you stay with us. Good morning.