…Nigerians Unimpressed By French, SA Agreements
…Worry Over Antecedents Of French Government
…See Benefits In SA Visas For Businessmen, Tourists
LAGOS – Some Nigerians have expressed scepticism over the potential benefits of President Bola Tinubu’s recent diplomatic trips, especially the bilateral agreements with France and South Africa, the countries he visited recently.
It would be recalled that President Tinubu and French President Emmanuel Macron signed two key agreements in Paris during the visit to that country.
The agreements, it was reported, were meant to cement a partnership to develop critical infrastructure and sustain long-term agriculture and food security.
Also, while in South Africa, President Tinubu called for the Nigeria-South Africa strategic partnership to become a model of leadership, economic integration, and shared prosperity for the African continent.
Tinubu also urged both countries to overcome what he called ‘irritants’ that hinder their collaboration and focus on transforming Africa’s global image.
Reacting to the development in an interview with Sunday Independent on Saturday, Lagos lawyer, Barrister Emeka Iheonu, expressed scepticism over whatever agreements were reportedly signed between Nigeria and France on one hand and between Nigeria and South Africa on the other.
Iheonu stated: “I am sceptical about whatever agreements he has signed with France due to the antecedents of the French government.
“Even their former African colonies are gradually pulling away from their economic strangleholds.
“The one with South Africa, I believe, will be of benefit to Nigerians willing to travel to the country for business or pleasure, though South Africans are benefitting and will continue to benefit more from Nigeria economically than Nigerians and the Nigerian government.”
Osatohamhen Obhohon, the Publicity Secretary of the African Action Congress (AAC), Lagos State chapter, lamented that in an era when West African countries are breaking parasitic ties with France, it is disheartening to see Nigeria’s Chicago State University Accounting graduate, known for his background with Deloitte, choosing instead to deepen relations with Emmanuel Macron’s France.
Ebhohon added: “Beyond the shameless entourage that bowed before Macron in Paris, it is disgraceful that over 60 years after independence, Nigeria continues to depend on the West to exploit the abundant natural resources with which we are blessed.
“Let us briefly examine the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by Tinubu with France. This agreement invites France, a country notorious for its brutal history of exploitation, even in recent years, to gain access to Nigeria’s critical minerals, such as copper, lithium, nickel, cobalt, and rare earth elements, essential for clean energy technologies, smartphones, and electric vehicles.
“With its influence waning in francophone West Africa, France appears to have set its sights on Nigeria as its next target for exploitation.
“Conveniently, Nigeria’s current president seems to share an unhealthy attachment to France. Recall how Tinubu nearly dragged Nigeria into war when the Nigerien junta expelled French influence from Niger.
“It is not far-fetched to consider that Nigeria, under Tinubu, may serve as a proxy for France to regain control over francophone West Africa.
“One cannot ignore the recent video, authentic or not, showing French military training alongside the Nigerian Navy.
“It begs the question: why is France collaborating so closely with Nigeria’s military? Time, no doubt, will reveal the larger agenda at play.
“From a historical and dialectical perspective, this MoU is designed to benefit the colonial West, Tinubu, and his cronies in Nigeria.
“There is no mention of establishing a battery research institute for electric vehicles and smartphones, or supporting local processing of these rare materials.
“Instead, it appears solely focused on the extraction of resources from Nigeria to the West. This is the pattern we have seen repeatedly throughout history.
“The supposed diplomatic gains of this agreement will benefit only Tinubu’s cabinet, his cronies, and his family, leaving the Nigerian people with nothing.
“As for South Africa, whether or not it advocates for Nigeria’s admission into the G20 is irrelevant to the Nigerian people.
“The G20 is simply a congregation of imperialist powers strategising on how best to continue exploiting the Global South.
“What tangible benefits has South Africa itself gained from its G20 membership? The South African working class fares no better than their Nigerian coun
President Bola Tinubu has expressed optimism over his policies despite the difficulties that have caused for Nigerians, noting that positive changes are taking place in the economy.
The President said progress was being made amid the dauting challenges so far.
This was the message delivered by National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, who represented Tinubu at the graduation ceremony for the Executive Intelligence Management Course 17 at the National Institute for Security Studies in Abuja on Saturday,
“Things are happening in our country today. People may not like us. They probably will disagree with one or two. But fundamentally, things are changing. And Nigeria will change,” he said.
The President conceded that it was tough addressing Nigeria’s economic challenges but insisted that the outcome would be great.
“The economy is changing. Very tough, very difficult, very huge challenges we are facing. But I can assure you, better days are ahead of us,” he stated.
Tinubu also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring security and stability in the country.
He warned bad actors, both within and outside Nigeria, that they would face justice.
“If you are a bad man, whether you are inside Nigeria or outside, you are in trouble. We will go after you. We will bring you to justice,” he declared.
Former governor of Niger State and ex-chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, Babaginda Aliyu, who was also present at the event, slammed opponents of the Tax Reform Bills.
He argued that they had not thoroughly studied the bills to be able to see the gems in them.
Recall that the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2024, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, 2024, and the Nigeria Tax Bill, 2024, have put the Presidency and the National Assembly under intense pressure lately.
Governors of the 19 northern states under the platform of the Northern Governors Forum, on October 28, rejected the new derivation-based model for Value Added Tax distribution outlined in the tax reform bills.
The National Economic Council also called for the bills’ withdrawal, urging the president to allow more consultations.
Speaking on Saturday, Aliyu faulted the government for poor communication about the policy, and explained that the citizens need to understand that no policy benefits everyone equally.
“I was speaking to the NSA when we were in the common room, and I said to him, look, many of the people debating the tax bill have not read it. But again, there is the problem of communication, the government should speak.
“Moreso, when the majority of the people are not literate. You should be the first to speak on any major policy, particularly a policy that will bring changes so that the people can understand.
“People can know that there is no policy that will come to somebody, if the majority comes and one person is disturbed, you can only tell him. But you cannot say because of one person, the policy cannot be taken. So communication is very, very important,” he said.
Aliyu also recommended the death sentence for any criminal who kills any personnel of the military, police or any other uniformed officer.
He called on relevant authorities charged with the responsibility of making policies to consider his recommendation in order to have deterrence on the rising cases of security officers’ killings.
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