Certainly, the Naira will continue its free fall unless the market supply equilibrium between Naira supply and the dollar is redressed in favor of the Naira. If however, excess Naira supply continues to be driven by CBN’s substitution of Naira allocations for dollar derived revenue, then a Naira rate of N300/$ would soon evolve to drive fuel prices well above N200/litre with disastrous consequences for inflation and consumer demand, and ultimately on manufacturing capacity and employment opportunities.

Over the years, both the Legislative and the Executive arms of government have consistently demonstrated their faith in the popular axiom that “he who fails to plan, plans to fail”; consequently, they have, always ensured that an Income and Expenditure plan is passed into law annually; nonetheless, inspite of their apparent loyalty to the concept of planning, public expectation for improved infrastructure and enhanced social welfare has, ironically remained unfulfilled, such that some cynics may suggest that our economic and social welfare couldn’t be worse even if we ignored the need for a formal plan of action.

I am afraid the ordinary citizen will not like to be told that the banks can and do create money. And they who control the credit of the nation direct the policy of Governments and hold in the hollow of their hand the destiny of the people.” Reginald McKenna, Chairman of the Midland Bank, 1924.

“The report of the 14 Nigerian banks which were appointed as Asset Managers of Nigeria’s reserves was carried on the back page of The Guardian Newspaper of the 5th of October 2006. The report confirmed that “already deposits worth $7bn representing part of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s share of foreign reserves estimated at about $38bn had been released to the consortium of bankers”, according to CBN’s Head of Corporate Affairs, Mr. Festus Odoko.

”Media reports at the end of July 2007 confirmed that the Presidential Committee which probed the $480 million which the CBN invested in the African Finance Corporation (AFC), has completed its investigations. After what appeared to be a painstaking audit exercise, over three months, and spanning three continents, the Committee Chairman, Tunde Ogunshakin, disclosed that CBN’s equity contribution was actually $462.923 million.

If Soludo wants to regain respect, he should return to the path of professionalism. He certainly needs something to improve his image from that of someone whose sojourn into national economic management ended in disaster for the banking sector.”

In the wake of the steady decline in crude oil prices in recent months, Nigerians anticipated the good news of a drop in pump price of petrol. Sadly, however, last week’s announcement of a new price of N87/litre quickly deflated the high public expectation for a price well below the existing, previously subsidized N97/litre.

“In the medium to long-term, addressing truly economic transformation becomes imperative. “—Tella

“In the medium to long-term, addressing truly economic transformation becomes imperative.”—Tella

The federal government saved about N500 billion in unutilized funds last year through the implementation of the Single Treasury Account (TSA).