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“Saudi Arabia Should Build A Second National Grid For Us And Leave Reforms” – Shehu Sani
Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, recently expressed his opinion on Saudi Arabia’s support for Nigeria’s economic reforms, suggesting that the country focus on a more immediate and practical form of assistance.
Sani’s comment came in response to reports of Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed Al Saud, assuring Nigeria of support for its economic transformation.
This assurance was made during a meeting with President Bola Tinubu on the sidelines of the Arab-Islamic Summit in Riyadh, where the two leaders discussed various areas of collaboration.
A statement from Tinubu’s spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, revealed that the leaders talked about potential cooperation in sectors such as oil and gas, agriculture, infrastructure, and the creation of a Saudi-Nigeria Business Council.
One of the key items on the table was a proposed $5 billion bilateral trade facility aimed at enhancing economic ties between the two nations.
Additionally, it was noted that the Saudi Agricultural and Livestock Investment Company (SALIC) had already made a significant investment in Nigeria, acquiring a 35.43% stake in Olam Agri, one of the country’s largest agricultural firms, with a $1.24 billion investment in 2022.
In his reaction, Sani took to X (formerly Twitter), where he jokingly suggested that while Saudi Arabia’s support for Nigeria’s reforms is appreciated, a more pressing need for the country would be the construction of a second national power grid.
Sani’s statement underscored the challenges Nigeria faces in its energy sector, with frequent power outages and inadequate infrastructure hindering the country’s growth.
He humorously added that the issue of economic reforms could be dealt with later, implying that addressing Nigeria’s energy needs should be a priority
TV anchor Rufai Oseni makes headlines as he speaks on fuel subsidy in Nigeria. He shared that Nigeria can have fuel subsidy without the long queues at filling stations.
“When we were still paying subsidies, there were no long queues. We were subsidising. So you can still have a subsidy regime going on, and there will be no long queues because production was close by. Dangote had it. That’s just it. That argument also falls flat.
“The biggest beneficiaries of subsidy are not Nigerians. They are crony capitalists that have big infrastructure, and they do contracts. They have been the biggest beneficiaries of the subsidy,” he said.
Lagos State Governor, Sanwo-Olu, speaks to those in the electricity sector about the usual blackouts in the state.
He speaks on ways things can change in the state and how electricity can be provided.
“We need to drop corporate egos, abandon long-standing excuses, and confront the harsh realities obstructing progress in the power sector.”
“We, state governments, used to give excuses that everything is centralised, so the Federal Government has unbundled it now. What have we done in a year and a half?” Sanwo-Olu asked.
“We take two steps forward, we go five steps backward,” he said.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has declared Thursday, August 20, a work-free day for public servants in the state to mark the Isese Festival.
Speaking on the celebration, he said “Ìṣẹ̀ṣe is not a relic. It is a living expression of our traditions and a celebration of Yoruba spirituality as an important part of Nigeria’s cultural and religious landscape,” he said.
He added “When the drums sound in Lagos on Thursday, they answer drums in Havana, in Salvador, in Port of Spain. Fifty-five million people and counting. Lagos is not observing a local holiday. Lagos is standing at the centre of a global heritage,” Aregbe said.
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