Vice President Kashim Shettima has taken a swipe at former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi over his economic proposals, describing him as “the master of bogus statistics and incoherent economic prescriptions.”....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Shettima accused Obi, an opposition presidential hopeful, of relying heavily on foreign economic models without adequately considering Nigeria’s unique circumstances and challenges.

The Vice President made the remarks on Wednesday during the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council at the State House Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Although Shettima referred to Obi as his “very good friend,” he questioned the former governor’s tendency to compare Nigeria’s economic situation with that of countries such as Bangladesh.

He said Obi appeared convinced that economic policies designed for other countries could be applied directly to Nigeria without taking local realities into account.

“He seems convinced that a size 36 shirt tailored for Bangladesh will somehow fit Nigeria’s size 52 frame,” Shettima stated.

The Vice President argued that such comparisons failed to recognise the distinct characteristics that shape the economic and political realities of different nations.

According to him, effective governance requires an understanding of a country’s social, economic, political and institutional environment.

Shettima maintained that policies that work in Bangladesh cannot automatically deliver the same results in Nigeria without considering differences in population, economic structures, institutions and national circumstances.

He further argued that Nigeria, with a population exceeding 250 million, could not be effectively governed using borrowed statistics and economic recommendations that ignored the country’s peculiar challenges.

Despite expressing respect for Obi, Shettima also challenged the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) over his position on the outcome of the 2023 presidential election.

The Vice President accused Obi of making what he described as a bogus claim about winning the election, arguing that the former governor had no evidence to substantiate the assertion.

Shettima described the position as a “delusion of grandeur,” adding that the political contest was against what he characterised as “the politics of yesterday dressed as tomorrow’s deliverance.”

The Chief Executive Officer of Best of Nollywood (BON), Seun Oloketuyi, has revealed details surrounding the death of Nigerian gospel singer Olayemi Bayonile Bolaji, popularly known as Toluwanisings, who reportedly slumped before his death.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The singer’s death was first announced on Wednesday by Pelumi Olajengbesi, convener of the Coalition of Public Interest Lawyers and Advocates (COPA), in a post on his Instagram page.

While praying for God to grant the deceased eternal rest, Olajengbesi expressed concern over the increasing number of young Nigerians losing their lives.

Toluwanisings’ family later confirmed his death in a statement published on the singer’s Instagram page, following confusion surrounding reports of his demise.

In a separate Instagram post, Oloketuyi disclosed that the gospel musician slumped on a staircase and was subsequently taken to different hospitals in search of medical assistance.

According to him, two hospitals reportedly turned the singer away before he was taken to a third medical facility, where he was pronounced dead.

Expressing grief over the tragic incident, Oloketuyi described the singer’s death as painful and difficult to accept.

He wrote, “How Toluwanisings died. Death, shame on you: You slumped on the stairs, and they began rushing you from one hospital to another. The first hospital rejected you, the second hospital rejected you, and by the time you got to the third hospital, they said you were gone.

“This is too painful to believe. A gospel musician whose voice once blessed souls, gone just like that?

“Death, why are you so cruel?

“Rest in peace, Toluwanisings. Your voice may be silent here on earth, but the songs you left behind will continue to speak.”

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has told the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, that referring to President Bola Tinubu by his first name does not diminish his position as Nigeria’s leader.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Shettima made the remarks on Wednesday during the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign council at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

He maintained that Tinubu remained the president and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, irrespective of how Atiku chose to address him.

“Those who come to equity must come with clean hands. You can call him Bola. If you like, you can call him Adekunle. But the truth is that he is the president and commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Shettima said.

The vice-president also criticised Atiku’s repeated bids for the presidency, comparing the former vice-president to Kenya’s former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, who contested the country’s presidential election several times without winning.

Despite his criticism, Shettima said he would continue to accord Atiku respect because of his previous position as vice-president.

“Atiku Abubakar, I will still respect him and call him a former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.

“I will not follow suit with Lawal and call him Kachalla. No. But believe me, Atiku Abubakar, who has contested for the presidency of this country for the eighth time, is no Abraham Lincoln. He is more of Odinga Odinga,” he said.

Shettima further argued that political ambition should be accompanied by good character, discipline and a clear understanding of the responsibilities that come with public office.