Nana Addo lands in Abuja to attend the inauguration
Ghana President, Nana Akufo-Addo, has joined prominent dignitaries to attend the inauguration of the President-elect, Bola Tinubu which held on Monday, May 29 at the Eagle Square in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
Among them is the President of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi; African Development Bank President, Dr Akinwumi Adesina; Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele; Anambra State Governor, Prof Charles Soludo.
Aliko Dangote, Jim Ovia, Lai Mohammed, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora, Festus Keyamo, Akinwumi Adesina, Femi Otedola, Abdul Samad Rabiu, traditional rulers, and other dignitaries are already at Eagle Square.
Tinubu (middle) been sworn in by the Chief justice
President Bola Tinubu has appealed to Nigerians to bury political differences and join him in a new journey of healing, nation-building and economic prosperity.
In his inaugural address after taking the oaths of office and allegiance administered by the Chief Justice of Nigeria Kayode Ariwoola, at the Eagles Square, Abuja, Mr Tinubu pledged to be a president for all, irrespective of the circumstances of history and political differences.
Tinubu swearing in ceremony
As he took the oath and signed the dotted lines, former President Muhammadu Buhari and his wife Aisha and Oluremi Tinubu, the new First Lady and other family members stood by, watching with admiration.
Before Mr Tinubu took the stage for the oath of office, the CJN had administered similar oaths on Vice President Kashim Shettima, a statement from the office of the president signed by a member of the presidential media team, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz said.
The president, who was symbolically dressed in the national colours of green and white, charged Nigerians not to allow the opportunity for greater development of the country to slip away.
“Our constitution and laws give us a nation on paper. We must work harder at bringing these noble documents to life by strengthening the bonds of economic collaboration, social cohesion, and cultural understanding. Let us develop a shared sense of fairness and equity.
“The South must not only seek good for itself but must understand that its interests are served when good comes to the North. The North must see the South likewise.
“Whether from the winding creeks of the Niger Delta, the vastness of the northern savannah, the boardrooms of Lagos, the bustling capital of Abuja, or the busy markets of Onitsha, you are all my people. As your president, I shall serve with prejudice toward none but compassion and amity towards all,” Mr Tinubu said.
He said in its over 60 years of history, Nigeria has endured hardships that would have made other societies crumble, but for its resilience and strength of its diversity, the country has remained intact.
“To the surprise of many but not to ourselves, we have more firmly established this land as a democracy in both word and deed,” he said.
Military march past
“This handover symbolises our trust in God, our enduring faith in representative governance and our belief in our ability to reshape this nation into the society it was always meant to be.
To advance the common vision of a better Nigeria, the president solicited the support of all Nigerians “to join me in making Nigeria a more perfect nation and democracy such that the Nigerian ideal becomes and forever remains the Nigerian reality”.
Mr Tinubu explained that though he fought hard to win the February 2023 election, the win does not make him any more Nigerian than his opponents, who he pledged to relate to as compatriots.
“The outcome reflected the will of the people. However, my victory does not render me any more Nigerian than my opponents. Nor does it render them any less patriotic.
“They shall forever be my fellow compatriots. And I will treat them as such. They represent important constituencies and concerns that wisdom dare not ignore,” he said.
He described the election that brought him to power as tough but fairly won, and dedicated his victory to the country with a promise to do his all to advance its progress.
“This is the proudest day of my life. But this day does not belong to me. It belongs to you, the people of Nigeria,” he said.
On the economy, Mr Tinubu said his administration would target a higher GDP growth and significantly reduce unemployment.
He promised to offer budgetary reform to stimulate the economy without engendering inflation.
“Second, industrial policy will utilise the full range of fiscal measures to promote domestic manufacturing and lessen import dependency.
“Third, electricity will become more accessible and affordable to businesses and homes alike. Power generation should nearly double, and transmission and distribution networks improved. We will encourage states to develop local sources as well.”
Dignitaries arrive for the inauguration
He said his administration would review all investor complaints about multiple taxations and “various anti-investment inhibitions.
“We shall ensure that investors and foreign businesses repatriate their hard-earned dividends and profits home.”
Mr Tinubu said, “Security shall be the top priority of our administration because neither prosperity nor justice can prevail amidst insecurity and violence”
To tackle unemployment, Mr Tinubu reiterated the salience of creating “meaningful opportunities for our youth” as he pledged to honour his campaign commitment of one million new jobs in the digital economy.
“Our government also shall work with the National Assembly to fashion an omnibus Jobs and Prosperity bill. This bill will give our administration the policy space to embark on labour-intensive infrastructural improvements, encourage light industry and improve social services for the poor, elderly and vulnerable.”
The President commended the action of the Buhari administration to phase out fuel subsidies, which he said would save the country at a time of drying resources.
“We shall instead re-channel the funds into better investment in public infrastructure, education, health care and jobs that will materially improve the lives of millions.”
Mr Tinubu said Nigeria’s monetary policy needs thorough housecleaning as he charged the Central Bank of Nigeria to work towards a unified exchange rate.
“This will direct funds away from arbitrage into meaningful investment in the plant, equipment and jobs that power the real economy.”
Mr Tinubu said his administration would treat both new and old naira notes as legal tender, saying despite its intended merits, the controversial currency swap policy of the CBN “was too harshly applied” given the number of unbanked Nigerians”.
The president said his “primary foreign policy objective must be the peace and stability of the West African sub-region and the African continent,” promising to work with ECOWAS, the AU and willing partners in the international community to end extant conflicts and to resolve new ones.
President Nana Akufo-Addo has urged Ghanaians to manage their economic expectations as access to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will not spell the immediate end of their economic difficulties.
He disclosed that going to the IMF was a painful decision to make, as it was not part of his government’s economic transformation plan.
The IMF deal, however, would send a positive message to trading partners, creditors and investors, as well see a resumption in infrastructure projects, he said.
“A positive message that will be underpinned by discipline, hard work and enterprise with which we execute the programme, should lead to the restoration of confidence of avenues close to us this past year and half,” he said during his COVID-19 public address.
The President said he was counting on the resolute mindset and attitude of citizens to help the country overcome the economic challenge soon.
“I have no doubt that we are on the right path and we soon start to see significant improvement in the economy and in the living standards of Ghanaians,” he added.
Speaking on the COVID-19 situation, he said the pandemic was over and in that regard he had ended the COVID- 19 update address.
The public addresses have been delivered 29 times over the past three years.
He also announced dissolving the COVID-19 Trust Fund, instrumental in helping government raise additional funds from the public and private entities to fight the pandemic.
On Friday July 1, 2022 President Akufo-Addo instructed the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta to commence formal engagements with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
After almost a year of negotiations, the IMF on May 17, 2023 announced that its Executive Board has approved a 36-month arrangement under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF).
The amount was equivalent to Special Drawing Rights (SDR) 2.242 billion valued at US$3 billion, or 304 per cent of quota.
The programme was based on the government’s Post COVID-19 Programme for Economic Growth (PC-PEG), which sought to restore macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability with wide ranging reforms for inclusive growth.
The Executive Board’s decision enabled an immediate disbursement to Ghana US$600 million, equivalent to SDR 451.4 million.
Large external shocks in recent years have exacerbated Ghana’s pre-existing fiscal and debt vulnerabilities, resulting in a loss of international market access, increasingly constrained domestic financing, and reliance on monetary financing of the government.
Challenges of decreasing international reserves, Cedi depreciation, rising inflation and plummeting domestic investor confidence eventually triggered an acute crisis.
The Government has, through the Ministry of Finance, taken bold steps to tackle challenges, by measures such as accelerating fiscal adjustment.
The Government also launched a comprehensive debt restructuring to address severe financing constraints and the unsustainable public debt.
The IMF has, however, indicated that securing a timely debt restructuring agreements with external creditors will be essential for the successful implementation of the new ECF arrangement.
Key policies under the IMF programme include large and frontloaded fiscal consolidation to bring public finances back on a sustainable path, complemented by efforts to protect the vulnerable.
The adjustment effort will be supported by ambitious structural reforms in the areas of tax policy, revenue administration, and public financial management, as well as steps to address weaknesses in the energy and cocoa sectors.
Appropriately tight monetary and flexible exchange rate policies are expected to bring inflation back to single digits and rebuild international reserves.
The programme also has a strong focus on preserving financial stability and encouraging private investment and growth.
“The programme will help Ghana overcome immediate policy and financing challenges, including through its catalytic effect in mobilising external financing from development partners and providing a framework for the successful completion of the ongoing debt restructuring,” the IMF said in a statement on May 17, 2023.
Daughter of Afrobeat Pioneer Fela Kuti has revealed that her uncle, Dr Olikoye Ransome-Kuti’s decision to announce that the late singer died of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) was initially rejected by the legend’s children.
YeniKuti, says they later agreed for their uncle to make the announcement after a series of persuasions from family members.
In a chat with media personality, Chude Jideonwo, the dancer said she later discovered that her uncle’s decision was the best because it put speculations about the cause of the death of the legendary musician to rest permanently.
She said, “Then, I didn’t think the decision by his brother [Dr. Olikoye Ransome Kuti] to announce that he [Fela] died of AIDS was the best.I remember we [Fela’s children] had a big fight with my uncle at a time. They had already diagnosed Fela with AIDS at the hospital.”
“Uncle Koye wasn’t in town when the diagnosis came. And he came maybe about two days later. Then he called us, Femi, Shola and I, ‘you know what has happened, I’m going to announce to the press that he has AIDS.”
“We said, No, way. At that time, we still thought Fela would survive. We said, look, it’s not your place to announce that Fela has AIDS, if Fela survives, let him. And he said, ‘Okay, you have a point.”
“But then, Fela now died. And he [Dr. Olikoye Ransome-Kuti] said he is going to announce that Fela had AIDS.We quarreled with him. The whole family started talking to us. It’s not good to lie, people are still going to discover. So, reluctantly, we agreed.”
“But I have to say it now, I think it was the best decision that my uncle made. If he had not announced it, till now they [journalists] will still be doing underground what killed Fela?” she ended.
A Radio Presenter with Spice FM in Takoradi who also doubles as Master of Ceremony (MC), Yoofi Eyeson is advocating for better treatment for Masters of Ceremonies in Western Region.
The Radio Presenter who has hosted over 50 ceremonies mentioned to The Chronicle that; “it is difficult to even have this conversation with colleague MCs in other part of Ghana, especially Accra. When you have the conservation with them and they mention how much they charge for hosting an event, you are just embarrassed, knowing how much you are paid in this part of the country.”
“It is even embarrassing to mention how much most MCs are paid in Sekondi-Takoradi. They are not paid their worth, because most of the organisers have not seen their value yet” Mr. Eyeson added.
“Whether your event will be memorable or not is solely dependent on the MC who will host your event. Most events that are listed as memorable are as a result of the type of MCs they had. It is only fair to treat the MCs well to have the best out of your event.”
“Most people in Sekondi-Takoradi are yet to understand this well because when you are booked for an event and you mention how much you will charge, they receive it with shock, asking a lot of questions as to why this amount of money should be paid to an MC” Yoofi Eyeson added.
The Drive Time Host says he is currently on a campaign for better treatment of MCs in the Metropolis because, “if we leave it the way it is and do not advocate for better treatment of MCs, the younger generation will suffer this same predicament. I am, therefore, pushing for better remuneration for MCs so that those after us will have a better treatment.”
Nollywood Actress turned Politician, Tonto Dikeh, has opened up about the condition of her heart, adding that she is determined to live a long and healthy life.
On her Instagram account, the Actress made it known that she wants to live long, adding that her primary purpose in life is to ensure that she can be there for her son.
Tonto wrote: “As part of my birthday gift to myself, I have decided to LIVE A LONG LIFE by gifting me a membership to a gym.”
“I am a 38 years old woman with a bad heart. This is not fun, nor do I like it here, but it’s my third day, and I can only say I breathe better, my pulse is open, my blood is pumping, and I am overall in pain. But I have a goal.”
“I have a dream “To live a long and healthy life for my son,” stating that, she will always be a surgery girl.
“I am and will always be a surgery girl (Lipo and all) but I realize also that all the millions I put into making my body will be a waste without Exercise and Waist trainers, Faha etc.
“If you are looking for motivation today, let me be yours. I am the laziest woman on earth when it comes to fitness, but what I have is extreme strength. I love being lazy. It’s my comfort zone. But I am here today” she ended.
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has extended his two decades in power, securing victory over his rival Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu after an unprecedented presidential runoff election, in a vote that reflected Turkey’s stark and persistent political polarisation.
With 99.43% of the vote counted, Turkey’s supreme election authority announced late on Sunday that Erdoğan had won 52.14% of the votes, while Kılıçdaroğlu received 47.86%. With a gap of more than 2m votes between candidates, the votes yet to be counted would not change the result, said Ahmet Yener, the head of the election board.
Even before the result was called, a triumphant Erdoğan stood on top of a bus near his residence in Istanbul to once again sing a campaign song to his adherents and pronounce victory.
Both candidates encouraged their supporters to show up and vote in a run-off election where turnout was high.
The victory for Turkey’s longest-serving leader affords him both another term in office as president, and an endorsement of his populist style of politics
Pakistan’s government has restricted former Prime Minister Imran Khan, his wife and hundreds of political aides from travelling abroad amid a standoff with the country’s powerful military, officials said.
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), responsible for immigration and border control, put Khan’s name on the no-fly list, at least two officials confirmed to dpa news agency on Friday.
Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, and more than 500 leaders and members of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party have also been added to the list, officials said.
“It is a standard practice in every case. All those who face court cases are barred from leaving the country,” one of the officials told dpa.
Khan on Friday “thanked” the government for putting him on the no-fly list.
“I have no plans to travel abroad, because I neither have any properties or businesses abroad nor even a bank account outside the country,” he tweeted in an apparent dig at politicians belonging to Pakistan’s ruling alliance who allegedly own homes abroad.
Khan’s government, between 2018 and 2022, also barred several opposition leaders from flying abroad.
Pedro Sanchez, Spain’s prime minister, has called an early general election for July 23 after his party suffered a significant setback in local and regional polls.
In a televised address to the nation on Monday, Sanchez said he had informed King Felipe VI of his decision to dissolve parliament.
It came a day after his Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) and its junior ally, Podemos, lost ground in the elections while its rivals, the conservative People’s Party (PP) and far-right Vox party outperformed.
“I took the decision when looking at the results of the elections of yesterday,” Sanchez said.
“Although yesterday’s elections had a local and regional scope, the meaning of the vote conveys a message that goes beyond that,” he said. “That is why, as both prime minister and PSOE’s secretary general, I personally assume the results.”
Sanchez had previously said he would complete his four-year term. The regional polls were widely seen as a dress rehearsal for a general election that was expected to occur at the end of the year.
Four people have died after a boat carrying more than 20 passengers, including tourists, sank in strong winds on Lake Maggiore in northern Italy. The boat overturned on Sunday evening between the towns of Sesto Calende and Arona, Italian media say.
Five people were rescued and taken to hospital. Unconfirmed reports in Italian media say the victims are Italian, Israeli and Russian. One of the them, a Russian woman, is said to have been the partner of the boat’s skipper.
Attilio Fontana, president of the Lombardy region, said the “very serious incident” was due to bad weather.
According to Italian news outlets, the boat had been carrying about 25 people who were celebrating a birthday when a storm developed over the lake, later turning into a “small hurricane”. The boat capsized and sank soon afterwards.
Everyone onboard went into the water, but many of the passengers swam ashore or were rescued by other boats.
