General News
The Economist Says President GEJ is “Bad luck for Nigeria”
The Economist, influential United Kingdom-based magazine, has returned a damning indictment on President Goodluck Jonathan and said his “discredited ruling party faces its greatest electoral test yet”.
This is coming on the heels of the endorsement of Muhammadu Buhari, presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), for the February 14 election by The Economist.
The newspaper said it was endorsing Buhari because a “former dictator is a better choice than a failed president”.
Although the newspaper does not have much influence on the majority of Nigerians, its views are highly respected among Western leaders.
In the latest report, the newspaper tore President Jonathan apart and poured every invective available to describe his incompetence.
Below is the text of the report: http://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21642236-discredited-ruling-party-faces-its-greatest-electoral-test-yet-bad-luck
A three car convoy is considered modest for leading Nigerian politicians, and modesty appeals to Muhammadu Buhari, the leading opposition candidate in the presidential election due to be held on February 14th.
From his rented house made of simple concrete with few windows, his cars drive into a busy street and are almost immediately stuck in traffic.
Without the armed outriders and flashing lights that ease the passage of officials in the ruling party he inches his way to the airport in Abuja, the capital, his aides glancing around nervously.
The aura of power catches up at the terminal building as he prepares to start the day’s campaigning. Courtiers, jobseekers and hangers-on in colourful garb and headgear rush in.
Shyly he shakes hands. Mr Buhari, a 72-year-old retired general who ruled Nigeria for 20 months in the mid-1980s (and then spent 40 months in detention), may be on the verge of triggering the first democratic change of power in the country’s modern history.
Polling and observers suggest the race between him and the incumbent, Goodluck Jonathan (pictured) is too close to call, with each commanding about 42% of the vote.
Ever since 1999, when the army relinquished power, Nigeria has been ruled by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), a sophisticated political machine greased by billions of dollars’ worth of oil money. Yet less cash is available these days.
A sharp decline in the oil price has coincided, unluckily for Mr Jonathan, with the election. Government revenues have halved in recent months and the currency has tumbled by a quarter. Civil servants are paid late, if at all. Infrastructure projects have stalled.
But the government’s biggest liabilities are the result of its own greed. Officials have never been shy about dipping into public troughs but the present lot is, by common consent, especially avaricious.
Last year the governor of the central bank said that $20 billion had gone missing. He was sacked for his trouble.
A report into his allegations is now on Mr Jonathan’s desk. Rampant theft has not only harmed the economy and exacerbated poverty but it has also contributed to public insecurity.
With corruption endemic even in the army, soldiers are sent to the front line short of ammunition and rations.
Demoralised and poorly led, they have failed to quell a jihadist insurgency in the north-east that has killed thousands.
Almost a year ago militants from Boko Haram, a jihadist group that claims to have established a “caliphate” over a chunk of the country, kidnapped more than 250 girls from the town of Chibok.
The government barely stirred until it was goaded into action by an international outcry.
With much of the north-east in flames—around 1.5m people have been forced to flee their homes—many voters believe Nigeria’s situation today is worse than at any time since the civil war in the late 1960s.
To be sure, large parts of the country remain secure and the economy has boomed in recent years, but insecurity is spilling southward. Left unchecked, the insurgency could tear Nigeria apart.
At rallies, Mr Jonathan encounters unenthusiastic supporters; many are paid to turn up and so leave before his speech ends.
Chairs are provided, perhaps to make the crowd seem larger. At a rally in Yola in late January they were thrown at him. Elsewhere his convoy has been stoned. Some election billboards are guarded by soldiers, giving rise to calls that the men should fight Boko Haram instead.
The candidates, and their parties, exhibit few ideological differences. The election revolves around questions of honesty and competence as well as ethnic and religious identity—unsurprisingly, given Nigeria’s diversity, with 500 languages spoken among its almost 200m people. Mr Jonathan is a Christian from the south whereas Mr Buhari is a northern Muslim.
The key to victory for either candidate may lie partly in whether people vote along religious lines. To win, Mr Buhari must convince Christian voters, predominantly in the south, that being Muslim is not synonymous with Islamism.
The atmosphere at Buhari rallies—even those held away from his northern heartland—suggest that momentum is on his side. Many attendees are euphoric with optimism that he can fix the country.
They also hope that, as a former military man, he knows “how to make soldiers fight, not run away.” He has some form.
Under his command in the early 1980s the Nigerian army drove out Chadian rebels from areas now held by Boko Haram (and which, ironically, are now being contested by Chadian soldiers who have been sent to assist Nigeria).
They also look at his record in fighting corruption. When he was head of state he, rather unusually for the office, kept his fingers out of the till.
He locked up hundreds during an anti-corruption campaign and launched a “war against indiscipline” in which he got whip-wielding soldiers to enforce orderly queuing. Civil servants who arrived at work late were forced to perform “frog jump” squats.
Yet, during this period thousands of political opponents were detained without trial, political meetings were banned and the press was tightly controlled. Hundreds of people were tried before secret military tribunals and many were executed for crimes that were not capital offences when they were committed.
Eager to play up his past the PDP has been publishing photos of him in military uniform with the headline, “Once a dictator, always a dictator”.
Activists and foreign diplomats are unworried by his past. His running mate, Yemi Osinbajo, is a lawyer and pastor with a strong record of championing human rights. Mr Buhari, for his part, told The Economist: “We have to stick to the constitution of the country. Once upon a time I was a military man. But I do not want to militarise democracy.”
If anything, Mr Buhari’s biggest flaw is the opposite of what the PDP alleges. He has never been a forceful character; he can be Reaganesque in his inclination to set the tone and direction of policy but leave the details to others.
His party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), is the product of a recent merger of the four main opposition groups. Ruling-party bigwigs dismiss it as a “party of candidates” squabbling for power.
Attempts to form a united opposition party at previous elections failed because the leaders could not agree on a joint candidate. This time they did, holding a credible primary before choosing Mr Buhari.
The APC has, moreover, already shown it can govern competently. It runs the two most populous urban areas, Kano and Lagos, and almost half the federal states. Supporters on both sides have threatened to protest violently against a loss.
Tempers will probably also flare if there are widespread irregularities in the conduct of the vote (see article).
Some fear a Buhari victory could lead to an eruption of violence in the Niger Delta, the home region of Mr Jonathan, where the government has bought a precarious peace by paying off former militants. A victory for Mr Jonathan could, meanwhile, spark unrest in the north.
The vote in 2011 was judged one of the country’s fairest, and yet almost a thousand people died in communal fighting.
This election could mark a permanent shift in Nigerian politics away from one-party rule. The powerful used to crowd around one big trough, awaiting their turn. Now they must choose between two troughs. That makes for potentially nastier politics. But if Nigeria can hold together, there is a hope of better government.
AfriStakes has launched a new capital platform in Nigeria aimed at linking African small- and medium-scale enterprises with a broad range of investors in a move to address persistent funding gaps across the continent.
In a statement, the firm said the platform would improve capital allocation by bridging the disconnect between available funds, investment-ready businesses, and viable opportunities.
The launch comes as many African businesses continue to face funding constraints despite the availability of capital within the financial system.
AfriStakes said structural barriers have limited access to funding, even as capital remains concentrated in traditional instruments such as fixed deposits, equities, and managed funds.
The platform enables businesses and investors to connect directly by creating profiles, listing funding needs, and identifying suitable investment partners.
According to the company, businesses can upload key documents and showcase their funding requirements, while investors can outline their interests and financial capacity.
Founder of AfriStakes, Henry Adebisi, said the initiative was designed to tackle inefficiencies on both sides of the investment market.
“In Africa, businesses suffer from low access to capital while investors suffer from low access to investable opportunities. With AfriStakes, we ensure businesses are properly prepared and positioned for investment, while investors gain the clarity and confidence needed to deploy capital effectively,” Adebisi said.
The company noted that a major challenge for many SMEs is not a lack of value but poor investment readiness, which affects their ability to attract funding.
AfriStakes said it addresses this gap by providing a structured framework that helps businesses present financial information, develop investment narratives, and prepare realistic projections.
The platform also offers support services such as due diligence, deal structuring, and preparation of investor-facing materials.
It added that the platform would facilitate capital inflow from local and international investors, including individuals, angel investors, diaspora investors, entrepreneurs, and institutional players.
Adebisi said the platform would promote efficient capital flow into businesses driving economic growth across Africa.
“Our vision is to build a system where capital flows more efficiently into real businesses that drive economic change. By positioning both businesses and investors for success, we enable stronger investment decisions and more impactful economic outcomes,” he said.
AfriStakes said it supports multiple funding pathways, including debt financing, equity investment, partnerships, and acquisitions.
The company added that the platform would promote transparency, inclusivity, and structured investment processes across the African business landscape, adding that the initiative positions AfriStakes as a key player in addressing the continent’s financing challenges by creating a bridge between capital and opportunity.
The modern kitchen is no longer just a place to cook, rather where families gather, conversations happen, and lifestyles are expressed. Today’s homeowners want appliances that don’t just work efficiently but also reflect their personality and enhance their living experience.
This is exactly where the LG MoodUP™ Refrigerator stands out. Designed to combine innovative technology, customizable design, and smart entertainment, the LG MoodUP Refrigerator transforms the kitchen into a vibrant, expressive, and connected space.
A Refrigerator That Matches Your Mood and Lifestyle
Traditional refrigerators focus solely on storage and cooling. The LG MoodUP Refrigerator takes a bold step further by redefining what a kitchen appliance can be.
At the heart of this innovation are colour‑changing LED door panels that allow users to personalise their refrigerator’s appearance. With just a few taps via a smartphone app, you can effortlessly change the colors of the refrigerator doors to match your mood, décor, or occasion.
Whether you prefer calm neutral tones, vibrant colours for entertaining guests, or subtle lighting for a relaxed evening at home, the LG MoodUP adapts seamlessly.
Customizable LED Panels: Design Meets Technology
One of the most striking features of the LG MoodUP Refrigerator is its customizable LED door panels. These panels offer multiple colour options and lighting combinations, helping you create a kitchen that truly reflects your personality.
Why This Matters for Modern Homes
- Enhance kitchen aesthetics without renovations
- Allows you to refresh your space instantly
- Creates a dynamic, stylish focal point in the kitchen
- Ideal for design‑conscious homeowners and young professionals
In Nigerian homes where kitchens are increasingly becoming open, social spaces, this feature adds a unique blend of style and innovation.
Built-In Bluetooth Speaker: Entertainment at the Heart of Your Home
The LG MoodUP Refrigerator goes beyond design by introducing entertainment into the kitchen. With a built‑in Bluetooth speaker, users can connect their smartphones directly to the refrigerator.
This allows you to:
- Play music while cooking
- Listen to podcasts or radio shows
- Enjoy audio while hosting family or friends
- Make daily kitchen routines more enjoyable
From meal prep to weekend gatherings, the kitchen becomes a more social and engaging environment.
Smart Technology for Smarter Living
LG is known globally for pioneering smart home solutions, and the MoodUP Refrigerator reflects this commitment. Using LG’s intuitive app interface – LG ThinQ, users can control lighting, sounds, and certain settings directly from their smartphones.
This smart connectivity ensures:
- Easy customization
- Seamless user control
- A modern, connected kitchen experience
For tech‑savvy Nigerian consumers looking to integrate smart appliances into their homes, the LG MoodUP Refrigerator fits perfectly into today’s digital lifestyle.
Designed for Style, Comfort and Everyday Use
Beyond its innovative features, the LG MoodUP Refrigerator remains a high‑performance refrigerator built for daily use. It delivers reliable cooling performance, efficient food preservation, and durable construction expected from LG appliances.
Key lifestyle benefits include:
- Elegant, premium design
- Reliable cooling efficiency
- Smart functionality without complexity
- A blend of practicality and visual appeal
This makes it ideal for homes that value both performance and style.
Why LG Continues to Lead in Home Innovation
LG’s approach to product development focuses on understanding how people live today and how technology can improve everyday moments. The MoodUP Refrigerator is a strong example of this philosophy, demonstrating that appliances can be both functional and expressive.
Rather than blending into the background, the LG MoodUP stands out as a lifestyle statement; one that reflects individuality, creativity, and modern living.
For anyone looking to upgrade their kitchen experience and embrace the future of smart living, the LG MoodUP Refrigerator delivers a bold and refreshing approach where your kitchen truly matches your mood.
For more information, kindly visit https://www.lg.com/africa/refrigerators/lg-gr-a24fdmmb
Kashifu Inuwa, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has emphasized the critical role of Nigeria’s human capital in driving national development and positioning the country for global competitiveness.
The DG of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, alongside the Executive Secretary of the Almajiri Commission, Dr. Muhammad Sani Idris, with management team of both organisations in a group photograph at the end of the visit held at NITDA’s headquarters in Abuja
Speaking while receiving a delegation from the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children’s Education at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja, Inuwa noted that Nigeria’s youthful and rapidly expanding population presents a unique opportunity at a time when many countries are facing ageing populations and declining workforces.
He explained that the global demand for technical talent is projected to significantly outstrip supply by 2030, creating a window for Nigeria to emerge as a major contributor to the global workforce.
According to him, “with the right investments in education and digital skills, Nigeria can transform its demographic advantage into a powerful engine for economic growth and global relevance.”
The NITDA boss stressed that the country has the potential to become a global talent hub and a net exporter of skilled professionals.
Reframing migration narratives, he described Nigerians in the diaspora as valuable national assets who contribute through remittances and knowledge transfer, noting that diaspora inflows remain one of Nigeria’s most stable sources of foreign exchange.
Drawing comparisons with India, Inuwa highlighted how sustained investments in human capital have enabled the Asian nation to produce top executives in leading global technology firms. He attributed this success to a deliberate system of talent development and global placement.
Addressing Nigeria’s out-of-school population, he said equipping millions of underserved individuals with digital skills could unlock vast economic opportunities and help bridge the global talent gap.
Central to this ambition, he said, is NITDA’s National Digital Literacy Framework, which targets achieving 95 per cent digital literacy nationwide by 2030.
The framework focuses on six key areas: device and software operation, information and data literacy, digital content creation, digital marketing, online safety, and problem-solving.
Inuwa further explained that digital skills could transform critical sectors such as agriculture and commerce.
Farmers, he said, can leverage digital tools and smartphones to improve productivity through data-driven decisions, while small-scale traders can expand their reach and boost income using online platforms.
On implementation, he unveiled the “Digital Literacy for All” initiative, which targets students, workers, and participants in the informal sector.
He also disclosed ongoing partnerships with global organisations aimed at training civil servants and strengthening institutional capacity.
The NITDA DG reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to collaborating with the Almajiri Commission to establish digital learning centres, develop training programmes in indigenous languages, and deploy instructors to Almajiri schools across the country.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary of the commission, Muhammad Sani Idris, commended NITDA’s efforts in promoting digital literacy, describing them as crucial to bridging Nigeria’s education gap.
He expressed concern over the growing number of out-of-school children, noting that the traditional Almajiri system—originally designed for Qur’anic education—has been weakened by years of neglect and socio-economic pressures.
According to him, many children are sent far from home without adequate care, exposing them to exploitation and insecurity.
Idris called for coordinated action among government, communities, and development partners to address the crisis, highlighting the trans-border nature of the Almajiri system and the need for strategic collaboration.
He also expressed optimism about deepening partnerships with NITDA to leverage digital innovation in expanding access to education and creating better opportunities for millions of Nigerian children.
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