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Senator Ndume: In Nigeria, You Can Steal and Still Be Celebrated
In a striking revelation, Senator Ali Ndume, who represents Borno South in the National Assembly, has raised alarms about the pervasive issue of corruption in Nigeria.
Speaking at an interactive session with journalists in Kano on Sunday, Ndume highlighted the serious challenges the nation faces due to widespread corrupt practices.
“Our greatest hurdle as a country is corruption,” he stated emphatically.
“Despite numerous discussions, we still lack effective laws that can either prevent or respond to this crisis.”
Ndume contrasted Nigeria’s situation with that of developed countries, where citizens often question the origins of individuals’ wealth.
In Nigeria, he argued, those who flaunt ill-gotten riches are frequently admired rather than scrutinized.
He pointed out, “In our political and governmental systems if you find someone who is not corrupt, consider them fortunate or God-fearing.
Unfortunately, it seems that in Nigeria, those who steal money often do so without facing consequences and are instead celebrated for their ill-gotten gains.”
Ndume further illustrated this point by describing a common scenario in Nigerian society.
“It’s not unusual for someone who was struggling financially just a week ago to suddenly acquire a fleet of luxury cars and even private jets.
Their family members are then seen accompanying them, all while people claim, ‘Allah has blessed our son.’”
Highlighting the gravity of the situation, Ndume lamented that various attempts to introduce a law targeting unexplained wealth have consistently been blocked.
He recounted a specific instance where he urged a former president to sign an Executive Bill aimed at tackling this issue, but unfortunately, the president refused.
“There is still no Unexplained Wealth Act in Nigeria,” Ndume noted, stressing the absence of any Executive Orders that could address this pressing concern.
His statements underscore the urgent need for comprehensive reforms to combat corruption and promote accountability in the nation.
As discussions around corruption gain momentum, Ndume’s remarks may catalyze a renewed focus on integrity and ethical governance in Nigeria, emphasizing the importance of addressing these systemic issues for the nation’s future.
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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