 We're back with the breakfast and plus TV Africa time for us to go through the pages of a national dailies We call it off the press Chris came in one to join us this morning Chris. I was going to say Merry Christmas, but of course it's a happy new year Thank you for joining us Thank you very much. I think we've seen this year So many new year Wishes cannot be enough. So it's nice to see you again this morning. Good morning More than Chris. Welcome. All right then We just start off with a punch new sweep of us morning the punch talks about a methily DSS running battle post as CBN governor resumes Let's not forget that it's been on the news that the CBN governor has been wanted by the DSS I mean there's several stories and report Well, however hasn't been around but according to the news yesterday who was at the office Underneath it says confusion as secret service the bonds claim of arrest Another writer says governor vows to work on the president's direction and methily will chair next MPC meeting That's according to your spokesperson Now moving away from that all blocks licensing to end in April That's what the federal government is saying inflation drops slightly and production costs romantic States local government meets our MAFC and wants higher revenue Now just before we move away DPO warned us hours before Vandy killed lawyer. That's according to the inspector as soon as the federal government over with health salaries Ionic office attackers kill policemen guards Defend facility. That's really unfortunate. I mean the constant attack On you know the office of Ionic offices of Ionic across the country another Headline just before move away to the blue PCC demands articles persecution and PDP protests Now as according to the grats video, but that's the much we can take this morning on the punch newspaper Away from the punch to the nation newspaper the main headline there this morning a PC PCC six aticus probe for fraud within 72 hours with the rider there petitions EFCC ICPC CDB the ex VP unfit to contest PDP fires back Above the must-have so who does short he proposed or splits canals family iPop Then slain Catholic press survived Madela woman kidnapped him. I killed One rather not I one killed in Ionic office attack NBS is saying inflation rates dropped from 21 point four seven to 21 point three four percent in December as 18 die in road accident Most stories on the nation this morning World Economic Forum predicts global recession interest rates hike Boller Rahim kill us police suspect plates not guilty Why new revenue formula plan can't walk by I am EFC those are the major stories on the front page of the nation newspaper Well, we have the Guardian in front of us this morning at turning attention from the nation the Guardian newspaper says Subsidy stop hundred percent fuel importation Label charges the government. Well, how can this be when we don't have functional refineries? And it's very I mean it's rocket science to have a refineries working So we will continue to import now underneath local refinery is way out says Pengasin look a refinery is way out government issuing or using subsidy to blindfold masses says Okon which of the cones I'm sure you want to find out the class state of emergency probe on subsidy and Labor to resist presidential candidates calling for removal says NLC Now these are some of the riders you find underneath the board caption of the Guardian newspaper this morning CBN confirms the Mayfield is resumption silent on alleged planned arrest However, you have on the court is saying that the DSS had you know said we had no intention of arresting Or invading his office because I will report that DSS are invaded the CBN's headquarters, you know to arrest them What have you well? Let's see how all of that, you know pants out 25 million Nigerians are wreaks of severe hunger in 2023 FAO warrants. That's a lot 25 million Nigerians had wreaks of severe hunger in 2023. That's so much Kogi government rejects monarchs reply to query and adjust before we move away You also have another article be fought about leadership when states plans to salvage my jury and 30 days to polls APC demands articles quits as PDP six jinnables arrests so there's a back-and-forth You know what this part is and cost them the Christ killing of officers by smugglers These are the headlines of the Guardian newspaper this morning And the final one we're reviewing is the leadership newspaper The major story this morning a Tico tinnable renew war over alleged corruption with several riders Ashiwaju asks EFCC to probe arrest ex vice president You are distracting Nigerians from core issues a Tico replies or be a Chatham house vast dismantle the cabal Other stories on the leadership military kills two wanted terrorists commanders 40 others in Niger liquidity crunch threatens federal government six million mass metering deployment Above the mastheads 2023 election a fight to the finish that attributed to Weakie Jonathan wants politicians against hate Campaigns are the stories new oil build rounds to advance energy security Sustainability that's according to the nuprc Stop brain drain now medical directors tell federal government and of course bolander ahim Officer van de blitz not guilty. Those are the stories on the front page of the leadership newspaper Um, Chris came there one. Thank you once again for being part of the show. We do appreciate your time. By the way, uh came to one do is executive director african governance and leadership. Good morning Leadership Yes, please Which of the headlines would you like to start off with this morning that in trustiers went through The front pages of a national dailies I like how you said the return How do you say that was a just jara the many many He got me a new place to return when most of us thought that the man has chopper finally with property yesterday and and Should we with so much controversy on whether he was a dss Begging his office to arrest him or not. But that was a eventually be pumped by the dss Golden and never let it turn to night by yesterday after several weeks outside the country Let's he was a qk and also in the united states and while he was away. There was a lot of issues that popped up. What was the The suit by dss to get him arrested for alleged terrorism Funding that was one. Then there was also the issue of the controversial Repainting I call it repainting because when the people say redesigned as not like design repainting of an element and in various Narratives that was issued by the central bank Directive and counter directives on on the new narrow nodes And they would draw of all old narrow nodes would be large in about 13 days time In Nigeria and the issues surrounding the Of the new narrow nodes Uh, you have to understand you have to understand that for several days Most of the time we were talking on the program We'll be talking about the issue of not getting this new narrow nodes so The math analysis surface yesterday And we learned that why he was coming back. He had about six senior brokers of men waiting for him acts the airport that escorted him to his office Probably in ways for the bigger firework And that the fact is that he's back and everybody could actually be back to handle this issue of ready design or new narrow nodes to a logical conclusion and make sure that all these controversies surrounding it He started that once and for all. So it's me that is back and we also learned from the Central Bank by chairing the Finance committee That is today and that's coming up today And that that is what it is whether This way as rich gss What is this restructuring rising on arresting him whether he'll be arrested prosecuted For adelaide for some of the alleged offenses that gss says can came up with is just the same But let us make this clear If they are certain impression um The governor of central bank can be summoned by the governor arrested the only person Only people that are assisted from the constitution from being prosecuted by the constitution 1999 constitution Are the president the vice president Governor and deputy governor and one of me governors. I miss the governor not central bank Any other person can be arrested and prosecuted in the state funding wanting Or certain impressions and that is what it is for All right, i'm chris. Let's look at some other papers this morning Let's slide on to the leadership newspaper. The main story is the war of words At them on the ledge corruption between artiku and of course tinnable We also have um stories are concerning uh a fight to the finish. That's the 2023 election Which is attributed to the governor of uh reverse state Here's a weekend of course for my governor or former president Good luck. Jonathan is one of politicians against hate campaigns When can we get to a situation to a place when our electioneering process would be devoid of um, you know uh, maybe Unheld the rivalry hate speeches hate campaigns and all of that It was always like that If you remember in the united states election that a burden dropped the natural There were lots and lots of mostly between the natural and the former Secretary of state Secretary of state For the united states in the reclaiming if you remember Up to the point where even then some people it's women came out to say that They arrived by Donald Trump and so many other allegations that of ilary was the the review that um classical classical information um, we are allegedly um found uh Our personal food and which is not supposed to use a letter. So when it came to the last election Also, you saw the mostly between mostly between a combat president Dividing and also the natural and how that went. So it's part of politicking But the problem between what they do there is that why is why they focus on the message and what they They are people Here in Nigeria, we have issues where our leaders just don't focus on issues The what ninjas are much more interested in what these people can do that is what are you going to tackle the issue of insecurity? Are you going to tackle the issue of economy? Are you going to tackle the? issue of petroleum That has become a problem For everybody despite all the effort we made people still skew for about two three hours to get everything The problem of unemployment is very key. We have about 130 million Nigeria out of um, uh, you know Under the poverty benchmark and so many other issues that is what's supposed to Be the cardinal point of the campaign and that is what we want to hear from the two that want We are not just focusing on the issues as they are just necessarily distracting us And and I believe that this will deliberate on the part of politicians just to distract Nigeria And move away from the focus and the basic focus and you can understand I understand what is going on. Remember in 2015. There are so many promises that was made by Muhammad Uwari To Nigerian people where he made so many promises of food Nigerians When they started holding my country between He said he said I didn't say that. I'm sure most of them are trying to avoid that because whatever they say He used to hold them accountable when they elected. They are trying to shy away that and just A man that has his own fire is running after that they're talking about that of the APC they are talking about article That should be prosecuted by EFCC Somebody came out and alleged that it threw some poison in that article was a It was corrupt that he stole some money and rest of them without any substantial evidence and I'm very very surprised that Somebody in the life of Mr. Peselsky. I'm most opposed to this It's even at the head of this We cannot just sue somebody based on mere addictions. It is not even possible. You must have enough evidence to be able to start Is there evidence we have? Substantial evidence to prove that or just somebody will go I can just wake up and just put anything on social media and just record and say you are a thief Does that make it right? Does that make that you a thief? so That is just distracted. I also It's also we didn't want to ask him that Think we should be arrested over the age involvement in things that In the United States of America That was made an online Influencer or whatever you call it These are not the issues for me. We're here late 39 days to 39 to 38 days to be general election What Nigerians want to know is that's what you do and how you go Going about it How you can take Nigeria out of the current problem we're having a country that have a debt portfolio of over 77 trillion Naira, how are you going to make this work? Are you going to chop up the currency that we don't depend only on Pro or in and source other avenues or What's our level infrastructure? Those are the issues that They are they are just trying to distract us and I don't think that Nigeria should take their eyes out of the ball They don't use us blend And I think it's high time we shine our eyes make sure that we'll be able to use that would come to be February And March this year to be able to make the necessary change We have over 90 million Nigerians that period is that let all of them come out and make sure that they put And surely they would make definitely can't disturb our because of resort papers Well, um, I'd like to show you a thought also on another headline on the Guardian newspaper this morning It talks about it's a report. Uh, you know, that was put out on January the 16 2023 that nearly 25 million Nigerians Chris, can you hear me now? Yeah Okay, so I'm hoping that you know the technical team would take pay attention to that Consent that you have raised I'm asking to show your thoughts on the Guardian newspaper now The Guardian newspaper has a headline that talks about Nearly 25 million Nigerians at risk of facing hunger between June and august 2023 That's a lean season and if urgent action is not taken according to, you know, the october 2022 report We'll probably might just be headed towards this and this is just the projected increase from estimated 17 million people currently at risk of food security Chris, how do you respond to this? Chris came there. Can you hear us? Okay, so I think that we probably have been disconnected Hopefully we're able to you know, have that reconnection with Chris Gay and I want to Who is the executive director of african governance and leadership initiative right here He's been sharing his thoughts on the papers, but um, justin, you know, let's get back to the studio Justin I remember vividly does the program of government research program. I think it's the uh, when I remember that program it's it's Been put out to end food insecurity and here there's a concern that You know, 25 million patients not also to forget the fact that we have currently 17 million Who are faced with you know food insecurity and that's not, you know, rocket science You can't begin to argue if you look at the issue of the continued violence and Insecurity and the nothing just know they turn out of the country. They held it on the head Yeah, so so so these are the issues and it's it's really worrisome That this number of persons will be faced with Food shortage It's sad. Like you like I said, you've Hit the nail on the head If you search the issue of insecurity, it will go a very long way I had a talk with some gospel or belly and economists who were projecting for the year 2023 I asked that what should be the immediate Consent of the incoming administration as it is and the first thing he said was um, they have to fix Insecurity if you fix insecurity it will actually in so many ways Sort all of the issues concerning our economic challenges. For instance food security If you fix the issue of insecurity farmers can go back to their farms You know Nigerians can actually go to the north to bring food down to the south These days most people are scared of using the roots So I think we have i'm chris back. Yes. Yes. I'm told that we have chris back chris Thank you for joining us once again Thank you very much. I'm back. All right, then quickly I was asking about your thoughts on the recent report that's been put out that you know 25 million Nigerians might just be facing hunger You know june to august. That's going to be hunger Yes, if you remember really if I I talked about about I just like to And that to me is a very huge one and So this report coming out I'm sure that we have more than that. We're going to have more than that There are so many reason for this one is the level of insecurity across Nigeria Which has made food production very very low and people are not going to their farms any longer The farms are not secured the farmers and this Are being kidnapped on any basis and for ransom If you go to the most part of the notice and not worse and the tree and the lights We come to let no central and Benia, the urban like the same problem Is beef is then the start is as well So you can see that food production is on the decline and that is going to have a A serious input on the food chain supply across Nigeria. That is one the second one We have to see we have serious Flood flooding across Nigeria It was the end of last year and so many Farms and we are destroyed but I remember with me Of a particular company that lost A 100 million Naira is one million or one billion Naira Rice farm and to flooding It devastated a lot of the farms across the north and some other parts of the south That in this episode is going to have a very good effect To this year. So those are the challenges but which is what I said Our politicians to focus on how they're going to be Bring us prosperity How Nigerians are going to get out of the poverty level? It used to be about 101 in those days. You remember? I wish to say it now people are going to bed 000 People don't even eat at all You know the whole day and those are the issues we are talking about and life is not becoming is not getting easier You see the level of japa everybody practically even the skilled our so our very skilled People are skilled Nigerians Are living in droves teachers are living doctors are living even bankers that are early So whether you think that they look they are all they are moving even our own sector You know how many of your colleagues if you look back in the past few months However, we've gone to canada To us or uk For the greener pastures. Those are the issues. I think that's what we're doing our leaders How we're going to get out of this? This is a country with so much potential We call ourselves giants in africa This is an elephant with a clay feet and that is the problem we're having and it's not that lack of But I like to I like to come in there now Especially where you mentioned that it's not like we don't have the capacity because The triggers for all of this have been mentioned. For instance the issue of climate change continued conflicts inflation rising food prices These are you know the Drivers if you want to talk about and the fact that food access has been affected by Continuous violence, which you have also mentioned So how come we haven't because this is not new. It's not like we're just getting to hear this today for the first time These are conversations that have been happening in different spaces and in different fora. So how why haven't we been able to Neap the issue in the bond That's what I'm saying. So we don't have the leaders that have any political will and work with that to be able to do in a day So you're talking of climate. It is climate change the problem of Nigeria Other countries raising climate change and they're going about it. I know how to find a way around it. So It is all boils down to leadership If we have a leader we have leaders that are so focused and know what to do Even in African countries, there are so many African countries that Nigeria is so far better than bigger than you What about and better than Look at you go and see what is happening. We want and some other countries for Africa That is leaders. That is a in a wonderful world as a country that has several A civil war that claims about one million lives And you can see the way they bounce because they have somebody that was good to me Be able to be on top of the game and be able to turn things around and today They are one of the most advanced countries in Africa. So we used to be there used to be a time that Nigeria When Nigeria sneezes every other part of Africa catches cold But that is not easy. So it's all boils down to leadership That is what I say We have all the potentials go to material and human resources to be a great country That's what we're able to get leaders that can be able to harness these opportunities And make a good meal of it then we're going to find our self where we are. So We have to make sure that the area of yes, we'll deal with insecurity Is a big challenge, but if you can lead a bit of pain security and also be in Kind of genuity Ingenuity on how we handle issues. I think that some of these problems will be reduced drastically All right, Chris. Let's stay with the guardian for one minute And look at another issue Which is sounding like a broken record every other time subsidy payment Label is charging government to stop 100% fuel importation This is coming in the wake of the 3.36 trillion The federal government has earmarked to spend on budget for the first time six months of this year also Pengasin is saying that a local refining is the way out. Do you think maybe maybe some It's a bit of a missed place Uh, budgeting or financing specifically Would you say if the federal government spends the 3.36 trillion and subsidy per se and Channel that funds to uh, local refining. I will be sinking a different turn right now Those are foremost it to be very personal and possibility For government to stop 100% importation of fuel if they do that, how do we run the economy? How are we going to run our vehicles? How are we going to run the generators? We don't have power You remember that that by one parking business where I say very soon vehicles will run on water. I'm sure I'm sure you still remember that I'm looking out today when the vehicles will start running on water but vehicles have not started on water What other countries other countries are being at is moving away from use of fuel and um um Using electricity to power back some countries have decided that in the last 10 years they will Is out completely the use of Um vehicles that consume fuel that is those are countries that are looking forward And how for sites and what they want to do but coming back home We cannot even do that because we don't none of the refineries are working over 99 percent of fuel consumption Nigeria is It's been It's been imported and because of the corruption within the endemic corruption within the system Some people are benefiting from this importation, which is why they have made it near impossible for the refineries to work If you want that we have are practically dead We're going to budget billions and billions of naira for turn around methanol that we don't turn around anything And on a daily basis we continue to see Influence of fuel importation Our refineries and we ourselves sufficient in Production of petroleum we cannot The subsidy the fact amazed that even in 2015 this government promised to please several refineries Not single one has built it now What they have been looking forward to is the dangote Petroleum petroleum that is coming on stream. We are letting that that petroleum Refineries will be opened this month that information reaching me is that it was a fake news that that refineries will not be opened this month So what are shown don't we have to go now? We have Yes We have to go but I would leave you to think about this Maybe I don't know if you're going to answer. Do you think that we would get to a point where we want to use Water to run our vehicles when My point is do you think that we'll get to a point where we want to use water to run our vehicles or move away from the use of Sofya when we know that that's where we're eating from Right, because we haven't been great, you know on diversifying other means. I mean oil still remains You know a main stain Men stay for our revenue So I'm wondering do you think that we're thinking towards that direction? I don't know Let's see. Nothing is impossible. Nothing is impossible. Okay. I'm sure those of our forefathers That grew up in 16 something 15 something never ever believed that that would be a day that people be flying You understand what I mean? You understand what I mean? There was no aeroplane There was no car. They were moving in cameras at the rest of them. I know that there's a possibility Don't forget as I said remember the advert of bank ph in those days So how how will we now share the national cake now if oil is taken? That's the issue. That's exactly what I'm asking Let me pause your bobo a bit Well, this is what I'm talking about the electric cars. The problem is that even we start those there Actually, you saw one particular one that was trading on on Twitter one time a particular electric car That break down on that mainland bridge Because I was not You need to go get power bank for that So until we do what needs to be done, I want to put I know that this thing is possible for goodness sake Moving us from four thousand megawatts of electricity to 20 20 thousand and 40 thousands is something we can do But the problem is that do you know how much we spend on on in that sector since 1999 That alone can be able to give us about 50,000 megawatts of electricity even more than what South Africa have All right, we have to go down Chris. Thank you so much for being part of the show this morning I mean, it's always a delight, you know to have you share your thoughts on this issue And we always enjoy your company Thank you much. Even if the electricity car come now, we're not the part of it All right, Chris So messy if you were the one driving an EV You'll stop and thought me like that, but I will not lend you my power bank to push your car That's all we can take off the press. We're right back in a minute. Don't go away