On the morning after last month’s presidential election, Americans woke up into sharply divided camps of strong emotions. Some felt joy, a giddiness that the nation’s Democratic political elite had been swept away in one giant stroke, by a candidate they deemed a hero. Others awoke to a deep sense of dread, a fear that the nation had just taken a turn that might destroy democracy itself. A lot of other Americans just went about their lives and didn’t really think much about it at all. After more than a year of nonstop campaigning, the American voters have spoken. Donald Trump has won the presidency (though with a popular majority half that of Joe Biden’s four years ago). But what have we really said? Some things seem clear. Huge numbers of working class Americans wanted Joe Biden, Kamala Harris and the Democrats out of power. Despite the hesitations many of them had about Donald Trump’s relentless lies, criminal convictions and instabilities, the hope for lower prices took on a higher priority. As my wife observed afterward, the vote was a giant scream of anger at an economy that is not working for millions of Americans. People are angry about inflation — about high rent, gas and grocery prices. No lofty Democratic arguments about how great the economy is doing were going to convince people otherwise. Many voters are also angry at Democrats for spending their tax money on things like housing immigrants in hotels and doling out billions of dollars to cancel other people’s student loans. The truth about presidential elections in the U.S. is actually pretty simple. Nearly every election for the past century has been a pass-fail exam on how people see their economic lives. If people think times are good, they vote for the party in power. If they think times are bad, the voters boot them out. Last week was no different. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, a Democratic Congresswoman from Washington state, has it right. Before she was elected two years ago, she worked in a family-owned auto repair shop. On Nov. 5, she won a second term in a deeply conservative district. She said afterward, “People are putting their groceries on their credit card. No one is listening to anything else you say if you try to talk them out of their lived experiences with data points from some economists.” There are few forces in a democracy more powerful than public anger channeled in a common direction. Donald Trump made himself the voice of that anger, in both word and style. Kamala Harris and her politics of joy never stood a chance. What is less clear is whether everyone who cast their vote for Donald Trump really supports every part of his plans. A vote for president is like a Thanksgiving dinner. We come for the turkey, the dressing and the mashed potatoes. But we may not care at all for that ambrosia and Jell-O casserole. Americans voted for Donald Trump last week for the main course, his promises to bring economic prosperity and to stop the flow of immigrants into the country. But his political agenda also comes with some huge side dishes that many who voted for him might not like the taste of much at all. I don’t think that the Americans who voted for Trump’s promise to fix inflation also signed on to repeal the Affordable Care Act, and return us to a time when insurance companies could refuse to cover people with pre-existing health conditions. I don’t think that everyone who voted for Trump’s tighter controls at the border are eager for Trump’s big plans to hunt down undocumented immigrants in their workplaces and homes, forcibly deporting millions of people who have been here for years, including mothers and fathers supporting their families and paying taxes. It also seems doubtful that all those Americans who like Trump’s promises to drain the swamp are just fine with his plans to let corporate polluters run wild. Mr. Trump and his blind loyalists will insist that Americans voted for all these things when they voted for him — the whole meal. But there are many who voted for Trump who aren’t going to like all the trimmings. For those readers who woke up Nov. 6 with a feeling of dread, I understand that. My advice is move through it as quickly as you can, to a place of determination. We have a lot of work to do, as American citizens, to prevent the worst of what might be ahead. Americans did vote for Donald Trump to be president. But they did not vote to give him a blank check to now do whatever he pleases. Jim Shultz is the founder and executive director of the Democracy Center and an occasional CNHI columnist. Reach him at jimshultzthewriter@gmail.com .10jili app 。

NEW YORK (AP) — Brian Thompson led one of the biggest health insurers in the U.S. but was unknown to millions of people his decisions affected. Then Wednesday's targeted fatal shooting of the UnitedHealthcare CEO on a midtown Manhattan sidewalk thrust the executive and his business into the national spotlight. Thompson, who was 50, had worked at the giant UnitedHealth Group Inc for 20 years and run the insurance arm since 2021 after running its Medicare and retirement business. As CEO, Thompson led a firm that provides health coverage to more than 49 million Americans — more than the population of Spain. United is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans, the privately run versions of the U.S. government’s Medicare program for people age 65 and older. The company also sells individual insurance and administers health-insurance coverage for thousands of employers and state-and federally funded Medicaid programs. The business run by Thompson brought in $281 billion in revenue last year, making it the largest subsidiary of the Minnetonka, Minnesota-based UnitedHealth Group. His $10.2 million annual pay package, including salary, bonus and stock options awards, made him one of the company's highest-paid executives. The University of Iowa graduate began his career as a certified public accountant at PwC and had little name recognition beyond the health care industry. Even to investors who own its stock, the parent company's face belonged to CEO Andrew Witty, a knighted British triathlete who has testified before Congress. When Thompson did occasionally draw attention, it was because of his role in shaping the way Americans get health care. At an investor meeting last year, he outlined his company's shift to “value-based care,” paying doctors and other caregivers to keep patients healthy rather than focusing on treating them once sick. “Health care should be easier for people,” Thompson said at the time. “We are cognizant of the challenges. But navigating a future through value-based care unlocks a situation where the ... family doesn’t have to make the decisions on their own.” Thompson also drew attention in 2021 when the insurer, like its competitors, was widely criticized for a plan to start denying payment for what it deemed non-critical visits to hospital emergency rooms. “Patients are not medical experts and should not be expected to self-diagnose during what they believe is a medical emergency,” the chief executive of the American Hospital Association wrote in an open letter addressed to Thompson. “Threatening patients with a financial penalty for making the wrong decision could have a chilling effect on seeking emergency care.” United Healthcare responded by delaying rollout of the change. Thompson, who lived in a Minneapolis suburb and was the married father of two sons in high school, was set to speak at an investor meeting in a midtown New York hotel. He was on his own and about to enter the building when he was shot in the back by a masked assailant who fled on foot before pedaling an e-bike into Central Park a few blocks away, the New York Police Department said. Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said investigators were looking at Thompson's social media accounts and interviewing employees and family members. “Didn’t seem like he had any issues at all,” Kenny said. "He did not have a security detail.” AP reporters Michael R. Sisak and Steve Karnowski contributed to this report. Murphy reported from Indianapolis. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email.

Bongani Zungu has loads of ability but there are issues with the rumoured Kaizer Chiefs midfield maestro target and ex-Bafana Bafana star. Bongani Zungu is a skilled, flawed operator Bongani Zungu did what any sane, ambitious and rational young footballer would do early in his career. He travelled at his peak to maximise his earning potential and experience different countries and cultures in the process. That came to the detriment of his Bafana career, even though that’s not his fault. His tally of 29 caps for South Africa should be far, far greater. Are South African technical staff not doing enough to include overseas-based players in their squads? Undoubtedly gifted, Zungu should have played more of a part for his country. Is that partially down to him? In a nutshell Bongani Zungu, nicknamed Ben10, has 29 Bafana Bafana caps and experience across Europe. He’s strutted his stuff in the top tiers of Scotland, France and Portugal with Glasgow Rangers, Amiens and Vitoria Guimaraes. According to transfermarkt , his stock peaked in January 2018 when he was valued at €3.5m (R67 million). However, it’s been a steady decline since. Zungu departed for Europe in 2026 and jumped around clubs until 2022 when he returned to Sundowns. He made his Bafana debut in 2013 which feels like a long time ago. A step backwards for Zungu at Kaizer Chiefs? Zungu courted controversy during his short spell with Glasgow Rangers under then-manager Steven Gerrard. He was one of five players who breached coronavirus lockdown rules. Zungu was duly dropped and heavily fined. More recently, in October 2023, Zungu was shown red for an awful tackle against TS Galaxy while still a Sundowns player. Off the pitch, Ben10 has never been able to shake a reported ‘Party Boy’ image. Every time we thought Zungu had grown up and was ready to show us his undoubted ability, he mildly disappointed us. At 32, he’s also not getting any younger and his motivation at this stage of his career would have to be a mild concern. Would the signing of Zungu be sending out a dangerous message to the likes of 22-year-old Samkelo Zwane? Let us know by clicking on the comment tab below this article or emailing info@thesouthafrican.com . You can also send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Follow @TheSAnews on X and The South African on Facebook for your social fix.

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WASHINGTON , Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA has selected Sierra Lobo , Inc. of Fremont, Ohio , to provide for test operations, test support, and technical system maintenance activities at NASA's Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, Mississippi . The NASA Stennis Test Operations Contract is fixed-price, level-of-effort contract that has a value of approximately $47 million . The performance period begins July 1, 2025 , and extends three years, with a one-year base period and two one-year option periods. The contract will provide test operations support for customers in the NASA Stennis test complex. It also will cover the operation and technical systems maintenance of the high-pressure industrial water, high-pressure gas, and cryogenic propellant storage support areas, as well as providing welding, fabrication, machining, and component processing capabilities. NASA Stennis is the nation's largest propulsion test site, with infrastructure to support projects ranging from component and subscale testing to large engine hot fires. Researchers from NASA, other government agencies, and private industry utilize NASA Stennis test facilities for technology and propulsion research and developmental projects. For information about NASA and other agency programs, visit: https://www.nasa.gov SOURCE NASA

Meta to build $10 billion AI data center in Louisiana as Elon Musk expands his Tennessee AI facilityIPS Anupama James has been appointed as NIA (National Investigation Agency) SP. She was Vigilance SP in Odisha. The Home Department of the Government of Odisha notified this on Saturday. The services of Ms. Anupama James, IPS at present SP, Vigilance, Odisha are placed at the disposal of the Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs for her appointment as Superintendent of Police in National Investigation Agency (NIA) in deputation basis and she is relieved of her duties in order to take up her new assignment at the Centre, said the notification.

How NNPCR Is Revolutionising Wealth RedistributionUnitedHealthcare CEO kept a low public profile. Then he was shot to death in New York

"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum." Section 1.10.32 of "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum", written by Cicero in 45 BC "Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" To keep reading, please log in to your account, create a free account, or simply fill out the form below.

Derrick Henry on verge of NFL history by accomplishing a feat only he has been able to pull off beforeNone

PRIVATE tourism stakeholders on Boracay hailed the recent implementation of a unified entry and payment system to the island, which is seen increasing its chances of attracting more foreign guests. This developed as Aklan Gov. Jose Enrique “Joen” Miraflores announced on December 19 on his Facebook page, the launch of the “digital Boracay Tourist Pass where travelers can pay the Terminal, Environmental and Boat Fees in just One-Time payment...Online! For a more convenient and efficient Boracay experience!” The system is being handled by PisoPay, a financial technology company. The unified fees payment system comes amid the usual surge in tourists during the holiday season. Both local and foreign visitors are encouraged to register at www.boracayipass.ph where upon completion of their registration, they will receive a QR code. At the onset, they will be asked for their tour details and a valid email address, which will be verified, and where a six-digit one time pass (OTP) code will be sent. The OTP will be used to process the iPass tourist registration and the payment for the fees required to enter Boracay. ‘Positive development’ Dindo Salazar, chairman of the Boracay Foundation Inc., told the BusinessMirror, “The Boracay iPass system is a positive development that improves the entry process to the island. Its integration of all necessary fees—port fees [provincial government], environmental fees [local government unit], and optional boat fare—is convenient and user-friendly. We also appreciate the absence of convenience fees for online transactions, including credit card payments, and hope this remains the standard.” The separate charging of fees to enter Boracay and the confusing long queues to pay for these were among the reasons cited by local tourism groups and destination management companies for why foreign tourists no longer like visiting the island, known around the world as one of the best for its powdery and creamy-white sand beaches. (See, “WTM travel buyers not so keen on Boracay now,” in the BusinessMirror, November 22, 2024.) The charges, which should be paid at the jetty port, include: a terminal fee of P150, environmental fee of P150 (domestic visitors) and P300 (foreign visitors), and boat fee of P50. There is also a separate transfer fee so visitors can travel from the Kalibo or Caticlan airport to the jetty port, and from the jetty port to the hotel or resort, where they are booked. These transfer fees, which range from P200 to P600 one way, are exclusive of the terminal, environmental, and boat fees, and paid to private tour transfers companies. Simplify further The BFI official suggested, however, that the registration system needs to be further simplified as there seemed to be too many requirements asked of each visitor. “The system offers multiple payment options, such as cash payments at outlets like 7-Eleven, which adds to its accessibility. However, the requirement to input detailed information for each individual, such as specific addresses, seems excessive. Simplifying this to broader regional data would be more efficient. Additionally, group travelers may find the current process tedious, as each person’s details must be entered manually. Introducing features for group or batch registration would greatly enhance its usability,” said Salazar. However, he underscored that, “Overall, the Boracay iPass system is a much-needed initiative to address long-standing issues such as long queues at the jetty port. We commend the provincial government for this effort and encourage ongoing refinements to optimize the user experience.” A local stakeholder, who spoke on background, explained that the project was “properly presented to concerned stakeholders including the local government unit and the province. There was another group which also made a presentation but PisoPay had the lowest offer.” Data from the Malay Tourism Office some 1.96 million visitors in Boracay from January to December 15 this year, of whom 402,091 were foreigners, while 1.55 million were Filipinos. The island was recently recognized as the World’s Leading Luxury Island Destination at the World Travel Awards (WTA) in Portugal. (See, “‘Risky’ Manila gets Leading City Destination tag at WTA,” in the BusinessMirror, December 2, 2024.)Government agencies had multiple clashes with the private sector in 2024, some of which remain unresolved and could further detract from or present a growth opportunity, depending on how both parties approach them, writes ARINZE NWAFOR Economic experts have called on regulatory agencies and industry operators to address the tensions that plagued the business landscape in 2024, including tariff disagreements, urging better collaboration to foster growth in 2025. In 2024, there were disagreements between the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, the Advertisers Association of Nigeria and the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria, and sustained calls for intervention on key issues between the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of MAN and the bureaucracy, including the Federal Ministry of Health, as between the MAN Export Promotion Group and the Federal Inland Revenue Service. These groups form a bulk of the organised private sector, representative of hundreds of thousands of businesses, including Small and Medium Enterprises. Their clashes have indirectly hurt productivity and groups that have tension simmering between them and government apparatuses reflect a discontent, which is yet to be resolved or has been addressed albeit unsatisfactorily. The calls for improved engagement suggests an examination of the significant tensions between regulators and industry players in 2024. MAN vs NERC In 2024, MAN and NERC were embroiled in a dispute over a 230 per cent electricity tariff hike. Earlier, NERC approved an increase in tariffs for Band A customers from N68/kWh to approximately N224–N225/kWh. MAN contended that such a steep increase would severely impact manufacturers, proposing instead a more manageable 100 per cent hike. The Director-General of MAN, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, told The PUNCH, “We have indicated that a 100 per cent increase will have been tolerable. And this is for power that is inefficiently generated and run.” MAN argued that the regulatory procedures for tariff reviews were not properly followed before NERC issued the Supplementary Order on April 3, 2024, and the revised rate on May 6, 2024. In response, MAN filed a lawsuit against NERC and the electricity distribution companies, challenging the implementation of the new tariffs and alleging discriminatory practices, as the increase applied solely to Band A feeders. However, on October 7, 2024, a Federal High Court in Lagos dismissed MAN’s case, ruling it premature and an abuse of the court process, citing MAN’s failure to exhaust the dispute resolution mechanisms outlined in the Electricity Act 2023. Despite the legal setback, MAN maintained its opposition on the tariff hike, expressing concerns about the sustainability of manufacturing operations under the new rates. The association emphasised that no manufacturer could competitively produce under such conditions and called for government intervention, including financial relief and incentives, to support the sector. MAN’s Director-General, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, stated that the battle against the tariff increase was far from over, indicating the association’s intent to continue advocating a more reasonable adjustment. PMG-MAN vs FG The Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria expressed significant concerns over the delayed implementation of the Federal Government’s zero-value-added tax policy on pharmaceutical inputs, which appears to be unresolved as 2024 gives way to the new year. Despite President Bola Tinubu’s executive order on June 28, 2024, to eliminate tariffs, excise duties, and VAT on imported pharmaceutical raw materials and equipment, the policy had not been actualised due to bureaucratic delays. The PUNCH had reported in October that the executive order has yet to be adopted by the Nigerian Customs Service due to bureaucratic delays, which the PMG-MAN’s Chairman, Oluwatosin Jolayemi, explained would require coordination among government ministries, departments, agencies, and the NCS to take effect. Jolayemi told The PUNCH that this postponement resulted in revenue losses of up to 8 per cent for manufacturers, as they were compelled to reduce product prices in anticipation of the tax relief that had yet to materialise. Jolayemi lamented this delay, stressing, “How long is it going to take for the implementation guidelines to come out? And even after the implementation guideline comes out, for the letter to go from the Ministry of Finance to the Comptroller-General of Customs? And for the Comptroller-General of Customs to write a letter to his commands. Now, that is one question.” The delay in implementing the zero-VAT policy exacerbated current challenges within Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector, including foreign exchange scarcity and rising operational costs. These issues have led to the exit of multinational pharmaceutical companies like GlaxoSmithKline and Sanofi Nigeria Ltd from the Nigerian market. PMG-MAN emphasised that without the anticipated reductions in import costs, local manufacturers struggled to maintain profitability and competitiveness. The association called for prompt government action to establish and communicate clear implementation protocols to relevant agencies, ensuring the policy’s benefits reach the industry without further delay. Further, PMG-MAN underscored the broader implications of the delay on Nigeria’s healthcare system. The postponement hindered the availability and affordability of essential medicines, adversely affecting patient care nationwide. The association urged the government to prioritise the pharmaceutical industry, recognising its critical role in safeguarding public health. They advocated open dialogue between government bodies and industry stakeholders to address challenges and implement effective solutions, thereby enhancing the sector’s contribution to national health and economic development. MANEG vs FIRS By the fourth quarter of 2024, The PUNCH reported the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria Export Group was raising concerns over the Federal Inland Revenue Service’s taxation of the Export Expansion Grant money exporters received to boost their businesses. The EEG, administered by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, is a post-shipment incentive designed to bolster the competitiveness of exporters by providing grants ranging from 5 per cent to 15 per cent of annual export value, depending on the product category. These grants are issued as export credit certificates, which can be utilised to settle federal taxes, purchase government bonds, or repay government credit facilities. MANEG Chairperson, Odiri Erewa-Meggison, raised the alarm, contending that the FIRS’s decision to tax the EEG contradicted the scheme’s objective of promoting non-oil exports. The group argued that subjecting these incentives to taxation diminishes their value and effectiveness, thereby undermining the government’s efforts to diversify the economy through export promotion. “FIRS wants to tax the grants that exporters receive,” Erewa-Meggison told The PUNCH in an interview. “This reduces the value of the money exporters get because the credit certificates or promissory notes are already issued in arrears, often discounted. To now add an additional level of tax defeats the purpose of having an incentive in the first place.” MANEG called for a review of the FIRS’ taxation policy regarding EEG benefits. They urged the Federal Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, to help provide clarity on the tax-exempt status of the grants to ensure that exporters can fully benefit from the scheme without additional tax burdens. ADVAN vs ARCON Much earlier in the year, the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria intensified its regulatory measures within the advertising industry, leading to significant friction with key stakeholders, notably the Advertisers Association of Nigeria. ARCON’s initiatives included enforcing the Advertising Industry Standard of Practice, which introduced stringent guidelines on payment terms, engagement protocols, and copyright protections. ADVAN and other industry players perceived these measures as overreaching and detrimental to the flexibility required for effective business operations. Following a National Assembly assent to its transition in status in 2022 from the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria to ARCON, the regulatory council morphed into a “powerful apex regulator for the industry.” Related News No French military presence in Nigeria, FG replies Niger president Tchiani Tinubu condoles Jigawa gov over mother’s death I’m optimistic about Nigeria’s future, says Shettima ARCON embarked on rewriting the law guiding advertising practice in Nigeria. The PUNCH reported thus, “The new law seeks to comprehensively upend the ecosystem and rid it of certain practices the council considers sharp and potentially injurious to the industry. It also prescribes jarring penalties for offenders, including jail terms.” ADVAN did not receive ARCON’s new laws well. It expressed concerns that ARCON’s regulatory approach was excessively restrictive, potentially stifling creativity and innovation within the sector. The association reckoned that certain mandates, such as the prohibition of foreign models in advertisements, could limit advertisers’ creative choices and adversely affect the industry’s global competitiveness. The President of ADVAN denounced ARCON’s new powers, insisting, “A regulatory body for advertising cannot set up a tribunal with powers to hear, try, deliver judgement, and sentence, as such is clearly a violation of the Constitution of the nation.” ADVAN advocated a more collaborative regulatory framework that balances oversight with the operational realities of advertisers, emphasising the need for regulations that support, rather than hinder, industry growth. It had earlier accused ARCON of not carrying it along in its deliberations before coming up with the new advertising laws. The PUNCH reported that ARCON Director-General, Olalekan Fadolapo, denied not carrying ADVAN along, maintaining, “There are two levels of consultation. There is legislation that we do in our own office, which is a sub-law. What the National Assembly does is the enabling Act. When we wanted to do the ISOP, we set up a committee of all the sectoral groups, including ADVAN. “The committee met several times and concluded its report. They brought their report to us; we reviewed it and sent it out. The Director of Legal Services of the Ministry (of Information) made some alterations to the report. After a series of meetings, we came back and made a pronouncement. “They (ADVAN) claimed that they made submissions that were not captured. Other times, they had said they were not engaged. There was no time that we had an industry pronouncement that ADVAN was not part of it. We had a code review meeting, and they were part of that meeting. So, at what point did we not involve them?” Economists react These elements of industry friction present an opportunity to drive growth if operators and regulators engage more with themselves to settle disputes and create a more enabling business environment, according to experts who spoke with The PUNCH in separate interviews over the phone. A former president of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, Prof. Segun Ajibola, harped on the need for regulators to quit taking an authoritarian approach that undermines industry operators’ input and urged operators to shun distrust of the government agencies. He called for more mutually respectable meetings between both parties instead of what he described as “a master-servant relationship,” which typifies the current regulator-operator relationship, which eventually leads to coercion or punitive actions by regulators upon disagreements. “One major requirement is to forge an understanding and a meeting of the minds between regulators and operators across all the industries. Most of the time what we have is like that of a master-servant relationship,” Ajibola said. “When regulators speak, however right or wrong, operators are not in a position to counter whatever they say. “And it has degenerated into a situation where when operators openly disagree with regulators, it could even lead to witch-hunting, if not knocking heads to show who has the power. At times, the power of coercion is deployed to deal with any operators that disagree with regulators. “However sound or reasonable the points of disagreement may be. So that is why I say that at times it is the relationship of master-servant. But we all know that cannot deliver the best dividend for the bigger picture, which is the economy as a whole.” The former CIBN president urged regulators to engage operators, who he described as “the foot soldiers closer to the people and users of services,” to craft more effective policies: “There is need for that understanding, a need for regulators in particular, to create platforms to hear operators out. Operators are the ones who know where the shoes pinch. “They are on the pitch; they are the foot soldiers; they are closer to the people and the users of their services. They know the complaints, gaps, and areas of weakness, so they should be able to carry the message of the masses representing the economy to the regulators for a better regulator-operator relationship and a better resource for the economy as a whole.” Ajibola further advised industry actors on growth in the new year, stating, “What will come first in 2025 is a better working relationship between operators and regulators where regulators will competently, carefully look at issues and roll out regulations that will help protect all the stakeholders in each of the industries that you have mentioned. “We will also expect operators to play the game according to the rules. Not operators who will be looking for opportunities to cut corners. Not operators who will be disrespectful and lawless in carrying out their activities. Regulators should have their ears on the ground to listen to what the people are saying. And use that as a basis for forming regulations across the board. “Operators (need) to also shun what we can call a sort of mutual suspicion, distrust, and mistrust all over. If we can eliminate some of this, we will be able to deliver more on the mandate of each of the industries that you’ve mentioned to be able to move better in each of the industries that you have identified.” The Director of the Centre for Promotion of Private Enterprise, Dr. Muda Yusuf, shared similar sentiments with Ajibola as he submitted that operators need better engagement with the relevant authorities. However, Yusuf called for more caution on the regulators’ part, stressing that the country’s regulatory environment imposes significant risks and burdens on businesses that exacerbate existing economic challenges. He said, “The government should encourage government agencies, especially regulatory agencies, to engage better in 2025 with their respective constituencies. The whole objective of government is to create an enabling environment for businesses. The macroeconomic challenges and headwinds are enough trouble for many of these investors. We don’t want to add regulatory challenges to it. “I’m not saying that there should be no regulation, but there should be a minimum regulatory burden. Regulators should not be predatory in their approach.” Yusuf reiterated his calls for regulatory agencies to lay less emphasis on revenue generation, noting businesses are not obligated to fund regulators but the government. “(Regulators) need to also minimise the pressure on regulators to go and be generating revenue because these companies are already paying taxes, the CPPE director remarked. “We don’t want the regulators to become another source of taxation in a way, because many of the regulators claim that they need to generate revenue, claiming they are not being properly funded from the budget. All that needs to be reviewed in 2025. It is not the duty of the businesses to be funding the regulators. “The regulators are supposed to be funded from the budget. Whatever they are charging, the business should be maybe an administrative fee and not something that should be burdensome on them because many of the regulators are too revenue-focused, and it is not good for the development of business.” Also, Yusuf called for a review of regulatory practices in ARCON to address the tension with ADVAN, adding, “As for the Advertising Council, I think that it is good to ensure checks and balances to ensure that you do not have absolute power in the advertising environment. I think that argument is valid so that there can be a fair regulatory environment. “I hope the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment will look into that. One of the major issues we have in business is the quality of the regulatory environment and what you call regulatory risk. It is very high in Nigeria, and we need to reduce regulatory risk.” Looking ahead to 2025 Experts have clarified that the industry needs both regulators and operators to function optimally, emphasising dialogue, fairness, and mutual respect. Nigeria’s economy faces multiple challenges, and stakeholders agree that fostering a more harmonious regulatory environment will be crucial for achieving sustainable growth in the coming year.