News
Okonjo-Iweala Tells Country “Don’t Touch CBN, Economic Policies That’s Working “
But where things are working to the good, we ask, why fix what is not broken?
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Director-General, of World Trade Organisation (WTO) has advised Nigerian governments not to tamper with the economic and social policies that are working.
She gave the advise during the Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) themed ‘Pressing forward: A National Posture for Rebuilding Nigeria.’
In a keynote address, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, said : “I’m here to speak to all governments of my country, all political parties, all Nigerians, about a positive way forward for the country.
We all understand that where policies are bad and not working, of course politics should intervene.
“But where things are working to the good, we ask, why fix what is not broken?
“No one should tamper with the Central Bank asking for the manipulation of interest rates or exchange rates.
Do not use the Central Bank as a fiscal agent asking for the printing of naira beyond agreed Ways and Means limits as this can fuel inflation.
At the event in Lagos, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, decried a phenomenon among the political leaders she labelled as the “not-in-my-administration syndrome” of jettisoning policies.
The economist believes certain sacrosanct policies should not be changed whenever there is a change in administration.
The former finance minister said: “Nigeria today is not where it should be, and our country has not progressed as it should have.
“That is why, more than 60 years after independence, we are still discussing nation-building.
“But we must shift our focus from blame games to concrete actions that tackle present and emerging challenges.
I said this not in recrimination or even in futile regret, but rather as part of moving our country and advancing its interests.
I’m not here to castigate or blame anyone.
“By social contract, I mean a fundamental cross-party, cross-society agreement that certain things in the economy, in the country, in policy and society are sacrosanct and shall not be touched or changed when administrations change.”
A four-storey building has collapsed in Ojodu-Berger area of Lagos, with occupants trapped, and some feared dead.
Panic gripped residents when the uncompleted building suddenly collapsed on Saturday.
The building houses the popular Equal Right Restaurant.
The incident happened at about 11a.m., today.
As of press time, men of Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, as well as the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, who had been contacted have arrived at the scene.
See photos below:
An unspecific number of people are believed to be trapped under an uncompleted storey building which collapsed in Lagos.
The building housing Equal Rights restaurant located at Oremeta Street, Ojodu Lagos, went down on Saturday morning.
It is believed, however, that some people are still trapped underneath the rubble.
Details later….
Edo State Police Command says it has rescued 10 University of Benin, UNIBEN, students abducted by suspected kidnappers at Ofosu area along the Benin-Ore expressway.
It was gathered that the students were on their way to Babcock University for Annual GYC Africa Conference when they were kidnapped on April 16 at the community bordering Edo and Ondo States.
The Public Relations Officer of the Command, Moses Yamu disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen.
Yamu said the rescued students are eight males and two females.
He said during the rescue operation, one of the suspected kidnappers was killed, while other escaped with bullet wounds.
He also disclosed that one of the Police officers, an Inspector sustained gunshot injury and is currently responding to treatment in an undisclosed hospital.
The statement read: “The Command wishes to update the general public of the unfortunate kidnap of some students who were on their way to Babcock University for Annual GYC Africa Conference on 16/04/2025 at a location bordering Edo and Ondo States.
“On receipt of this information, the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, immediately deployed operatives of the Ohosu Division, IRT, tactical teams alongside vigilantes and hunters into the bushes for possible rescue of the victims and arrest of suspects.
“During the operation, operatives engaged in a gun duel with these kidnappers. In the process, one of the kidnappers was neutralised, while others escaped with bullet wounds.
“The operatives were cautious to avoid collateral damages as the kidnappers used the victims as human shields. Unfortunately, an Inspector of Police sustained a gunshot injury and is currently responding to treatment.
“This rescue effort eventually paid off as the ten (10) kidnapped students comprising eight (8) male and (2) females were released due to intense pressure mounted on them.”
UPDATE: Four-storey building collapses in Lagos (Photos)
BREAKING: Many feared trapped, as Building collapses in Ojodu Lagos
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