America's Ongoing Pursuit of Justice and Democratic Values

 Tyranny thrives on fear, silence, and compliance. Democracy demands courage - Illinois Governor JB Pritzker.

Extremist ideologies, like Nazism, often begin with targeted oppression, and if left unchecked, they can escalate further. DOGE began as a campaign against DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) and minorities, and it was initially tolerated.

Now the purge has become colour-blind but class-focused, sometimes selective, targeting known and perceived enemies. Federal agencies have degenerated into caricatures of their once-strong and reliable selves. In this environment, no one is truly safe. Societies must protect vulnerable groups and uphold democratic values to ensure the safety and well-being of all.

The momentum of the emerging nationwide demand for justice and democratic values is still being defined, requiring the active participation of citizens, policymakers, and community leaders. I have faith in America's resilience; it will persevere, and the people will emerge victorious, even without a clear direction.

During the height of the attack on Capitol Hill, a remarkable act of courage took place. The President's official driver refused to drive him to the scene, effectively thwarting his attempt to empower the insurrection. When the President attempted to drive himself, a security agent intervened, restraining him. This bold move exemplifies courage under fire and a commitment to protecting democratic values.

We must also remember the patriots who resigned from the White House and the Justice Department during the President's first term in office. Their selfless acts demonstrate a strong moral compass and dedication to upholding the principles of democracy. We salute their bravery and conviction.

From the civil rights movement to the present day, the nation has grappled with systemic injustices, social inequalities, and threats to democratic institutions. And we always win. America will overcome the madness of the moment.

Finally, the partnership between DOGE, Elon Musk, and the Trump administration is a fleeting moment in history, much like a scene in a movie - it will eventually fade away. America has weathered turbulent times before, overcoming challenges posed by President Nixon. Similarly, it will overcome this moment.

"Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System" - @delefarotimi2813: WAYS EXCL...

The Fate of the Naira, Market Forces, and the Exigency of Government Intervention. Culled From My Facebook, September 28, 2023.

 Alex Ehi Aidaghese

"Market Forces Can't Stabilize the Naira the State Must Intervene." Senator Adam Oshiomhole - September 26, 2023, on the floor of the Nigerian Senate.

Before Senator Adam Oshiomhole, there was Mr. Alex Ehi Aidaghese on the same issue. Please, read "POLITICAL ECONOMY 101 - Purposeful Investment and Wealth Building: A Unique Model for the Nigerian Economy," published July 29, 2023. It is reproduced verbatim.

Active

Alex Ehi Aidaghese

 

 · 

Shared with Public

POLITICAL ECONOMY 101 - Purposeful Investment and Wealth Building: A Unique Model for the Nigerian Economy. By Barr Alex Ehi Aidaghese

"Spending on construction of manufacturing plants nearly doubled in the last two years ..." - President Joe Bidden of the United States of America.

On the other hand, in Nigeria and throughout the developing world, the World Bank and IMF are unrelenting in pushing and propagating a regime of disinvestment in the public sector, austerity measures, imposition of levies, fines, and hiking of school fees. And that's another term for stagnation. How can you revamp a crawling economy without spending?

What did President Obama do when the American economy was cascading precariously toward recession? He pumped money massively into Wall Street and bailed out the Mortgage industry. And in less than two years, the American economy expanded beyond human expectations. However, in Nigeria, they will tell us not to spend, but to levy.

By the way, no one is addressing or interested in discussing with the banks the importance of reducing astronomical increases in interest rates in Nigeria. How can you borrow to invest or grow the economy when investors can't approach the banks to source for loans?

The current interest rate in Nigeria is 18.75%. On the other hand, as of July 26, 2023, the current American Federal Reserve interest rate was 5.50%, the highest level in 22 years. Thus, making it easier for the American private sector and investors to borrow and spend massively, building manufacturing plants at an unprecedented scale.

And Washington is not left out. The Biden Administration is spending and revamping some of its archaic infrastructural facilities and, at the same time, fighting stridently to lessen the burden associated with financing college education by American families.

There is an unresolved contradiction here. The international financial institutions are pushing for privatization. How can you make sense of the privatization option when the banking industry is unwilling to jettison the theory of usury? And as always, Nigerian customers bear the cost, because the borrowers or investors must mitigate potential loss. (Please, the ills of privatization in Nigeria are left out of this discussion).

So, when you complain about how cheaper it is to make phone calls in Egypt and Ghana compared to Nigeria or how less expensive it is to fly to Turkey from Togo relative to flying from Nigeria, there are some underlying costs Nigerians are not seeing.

And only the Federal Government can manage those costs through its monetary policy. Don't be deceived; our inflationary epidemic or the value of the Naira has nothing to do with market forces. It is man-made. Regulate it and fix it. Period.

On the flip side, the strength of the British Pound has nothing to do with market forces, it is regulated by the Government. That, of course, is a socially objectionable (forbidden) discussion to be had in the global financial market. In other words, Aso Rock can intervene via the apex bank fix our interest rates, and regulate the Naira. Our banks cannot continue to go rogue.

Crude oil aside, we are predominantly an agrarian economy. Therefore, to fight inflation, strengthen the value of the Naira, and lower the interest rate, we must embrace diversification of the agricultural and service sectors, given that the banking industry is continuously dwelling on the existing hyperinflation that they created.

Can you name one CEO or MD of a Commercial or Investment Bank in Nigeria who is not a Billionaire? I am not against capitalism. I am vehemently and unequivocally against usury. It should be treated as a crime, because it is a sin and a crime against humanity.

We should focus on solutions and do away with the culture of rationalization. This government should develop a measure of gumption, rein in the bankers, and lower the interest rate drastically if we must amplify private investment and grow our economy.

Above all, if we stabilize our educational system and regularize the academic calendar to be in accord with global standards, we should ultimately checkmate the massive exodus of capital flight from Nigeria - capital needed for investment at home.

The wealthy middle-class Nigerians are no longer dreaming of investment at home, but how to save and send their children overseas for further education. And that comes with a massive repercussion. The money that should be going to the construction of new manufacturing plants and manufacturing endeavors, thus expanding the labor market is now in-flight mode - running overseas for payment of school fees.

In summary, growing the economy is not mechanical or rocket science. It requires lowering the interest rate drastically, making funds available for investment (manufacturing and provision of goods and services), and hiring more workers to run the plants and offices, thus creating further wealth and labor surge in the ancillary industries.

And with the expansion in the labor market and robustness in the buying power of the employed workers, you are creating new wealth and markets for more goods and services. It is cyclical. Right now, everybody is chasing money, not to invest, but to spend on school fees abroad and meet the runaway cost of goods and services on the domestic front.

It's only the Federal Government that can reverse the trend - stabilize our academic calendar by keeping students and lecturers on campus and intervene in the financial market by lowering the interest rate, to increase consumer spending, investment, and economic growth.

I write this essay, with a firm belief or conviction that the Federal Government of Nigeria is going to enforce zero tolerance for corruption and embezzlement of public funds and hold the management of the NNPC accountable for every drop of crude oil lifted from our soil and, above all, ethnic, religious, and geographical factors will cease to play a dominant role in our economic policy and recruitment exercises.

Barr Alex Ehi Aidaghese

NIGERIAN LEADERSHIP: WHEN THE YOUTHS ARE GETTING NOTICED.

     

Not quite long ago, it was the 41-year-old Mr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, appointed as the Federal Minister of Interior (Domestic Affairs). Today, 32-year-old Khalil Suleiman Halilu is the new Chief Executive Officer of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), following the termination of the appointment of Dr. Bashir Gwandu.

According to the presidential spokesman, the new CEO will serve for an initial term of five years by the relevant sections of the NASENI Act, 2014. Halilu was born on October 29, 1990, in Kano, Kano State.

According to numerous newspaper reports, Halilu obtained his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 2009 and a Master of Science in International Business in 2010 at the University of Hertfordshire, UK.

Before his tech journey started, Halilu once ventured into waste recycling.

He has founded several start-ups, including The CANs (an eco-friendly hub), OyaOya Strategic Services Ltd., and ShapShap Logistics Ltd.

He has served in various capacities in his career, including as co-founder and CEO of KSH Construction & Design LTD in 2014; creative director and business developer at Africa Infotech Consultancy in 2015; operations manager at ZCET Global Meter Services Ltd; and chief operating officer at Scirrocco International Limited, a company that specializes in the production of tea and cold beverages.

He has also served on various boards, including Africa Infotech Consultancy, JIGS Environmental Services, and Agro-Allied Ltd.

Before he was appointed NASENI boss, he was the chairperson of MACE Nigeria Ltd.

Like

Comment

President Tinubu Appoints 32 Years Old Khalil S Halilu as NASENI Boss

Here are nine things to know about the new NASENI boss.

Halilu was born on October 29, 1990, in Kano, to a lineage of traders.

He began his education at the Rainbow Primary School in Kano in 1996. His secondary school education was at St. Thomas Catholic School (2001–2003) before he completed his studies at Prime College in Kano in 2006.

Halilu obtained his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 2009 and a Master of Science in International Business in 2010 at the University of Hertfordshire, UK.

Before his journey into tech started, Halilu once ventured into waste recycling.

He has founded a number of start-ups, including The CANs (an eco-friendly hub), OyaOya Strategic Services Ltd., and ShapShap Logistics Ltd.

He has served in various capacities in his career, including as co-founder and CEO of KSH Construction & Design LTD in 2014; creative director and business developer at Africa Infotech Consultancy in 2015; operations manager at ZCET Global Meter Services Ltd; and chief operating officer at Scirrocco International Limited, a company that specializes in the production of tea and cold beverages.

He has also served on various boards, including Africa Infotech Consultancy, JIGS Environmental Services, and Agro-Allied Ltd. Before his appointment as NASENI boss, he was the chairperson of MACE Nigeria Ltd.

Golf and polo are two of his favorite sports among a wide range of hobbies he possesses. He belongs to the Lagos Polo Club, the Nigerian Polo Association, the Abuja Polo Club, and the Kano Golf Club.