“I reassure you that government is determined to bring succor to our people and the only way we can do this is by taking strong action to change, in a fundamental way, the current trajectory of the Nigerian economy.”

The Honourable Minister was speaking in Vienna after the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC, had voted to cut supplies for six months in order to firm up the price of crude oil globally. OPEC went further to exclude Nigeria from the widespread cut because the other members had long regarded this country as the “poor cousin” whose dependence on crude revenue is almost total – unlike others. So, Nigeria was allowed to keep its 2.2 million barrels per day quota.

Mr President, Sir, you probably don’t need a reminder that there is a recession on in the country. As a matter of fact, what we have is stagflation – a wicked combination of inflation (now 18.5%) and declining GDP (now -2.4%). Most economists and marketing professionals would testify that the two translate to low purchasing power and empty pockets. Permit me to confess that I am both a practitioner of the dismal science (economics), as well as Marketing.

Newly-elected Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State struck the right note in his maiden address to the people of Edo State when he declared that “there is more free lunch”. He has his reasons which the tables below will pertly explain. Contrary to what some consider an early rebuke of his immediate past predecessor, it was nothing more than a bow to reality. Facts remain the eternal enemies of illusions which still drive most of our politicians promising free everything under the sun.

ON Tuesday, November 15, 2016, several Nigerian news media carried the news of the Presidency raising alarm over imminent famine in Nigeria by January 2017 – which is a mere five weeks away. In fact, the word used was “Nigerians should brace themselves”.