Month: October 2023

By Ismail Abdulazeez

President Bola Tinubu says a sustained collaborative approach is significant in the fight against poverty in Nigeria and the world at large.

He said this at the commemoration of the international Day for the Eradication of Poverty and Launch of the Renewed Hope Conditional Cash transfer (CCT) on Tuesday in Abuja.

Tinubu, represented by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr  George Akume, urged Nigerians to key into all the programmes aimed at alleviating the pains of fuel subsidy removal.

The president said that the programmes were opportunities for Nigerians to enjoy the poverty alleviation of the administration as enshrined in the eight point agenda.

‘’Our objective is to lift millions of Nigerians out of poverty. Yet, this will only be possible with the cooperation of the people we seek to help. Let us continue to work together to achieve our collective goal of eradicating poverty in Nigeria.

‘’Our plans for food security, ending hunger, poverty eradication, economic growth and job creation are all means by which we shall fight poverty and help the most vulnerable members of our society. In this vital pursuit, we have already taken several important steps,’’ he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the steps included the restructuring of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to include Poverty Alleviation and providing the policy framework for an aggressive poverty alleviation drive.

Developing the Renewed Hope Agenda for Humanitarian Response and Poverty Alleviation which is a 7-Year roadmap for Poverty Alleviation and expanding the National Social Register to capture Nigerians living below one dollar per day, via a phased approach.

Restructuring the National Social Investment Programme and repositioning it for quick and efficient delivery that is transparent and accountable in line with the fight against corruption.

The others were partnering with the World Bank Group and other development partners to implement conditional cash transfers, business grants and other forms of support for the most vulnerable households via the National social safety net expansion programme.

Tinubu said that in line with the 2023 theme of the day, which was in tune with the Renewed Hope agenda, the administration would ensure that all Nigerians have opportunities decent for dignified work and sustained social protection.

‘’Today, my administration is launching the Renewed Hope Conditional Cash Transfer Programme for vulnerable groups as an immediate intervention to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal and other economic shocks. However, the government is working to develop and deploy several more solutions and interventions to help Nigerians of all walks of life.’’

The other interventions were investment of N100billion to purchase 3,000 units of 20-seater Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) powered buses for cheaper transportation and Investment of N200billion to cultivate 500,000 hectares of farmland to improve food security.

Also, the release of 2,000 metric tonnes of grains from the strategic grain reserves to households across the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory and distribution of 225,000 metric tons of fertilizer and seedlings to farmers committed to the nation’s food security.

The release of N75 billion to support 100,000 SMEs and start-ups and the Renewed Hope Shelter Programme for the Poor, Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons targeted at one million households.

The Renewed Hope Business Grants and Loans for Vulnerable Market women, farmers, and traders to expand their business (GEEP) targeted at 2 million beneficiaries and the Renewed Hope support to MSME to cover one million MSMEs.

The Renewed Hope Skill Acquisition Programmes for young Nigerians who express interest for different clusters targeted at 5 million Nigerians over 5 years and the Renewed Hope National Home Grown School Feeding Programme providing school meals for 10 million school children.

The Renewed Hope Alternate School Programme to provide transit learning education for 10 million out of school children who are out of school following internal displacement or issues of insecurity;

The Renewed Hope for At-Risk Children Programme, Renewed Hope Community and Social Development Programme for community grassroots projects and Renewed Hope Job Creation Scheme.

NAN

By Kingsley Okoye

Chief Whip of Senate, Sen.Ali Ndume on Tuesday left the plenary, after President of Senate, Godswill Akpabio ruled him out of order.

Ndume had raised a point of order citing Order 54 of Senate rule, saying that it was the responsibility of the Chief Whip to remind and guild Senate on procedure and processes of plenary.

Ndume through the order attempted to draw the attention of the Senate President to matters relating to proceedings of Senate.

But President of Senate, shortly after listening to Ndume’s point of order said the section quoted by Ndume was not the same with the content of Order 54 cited.

Akpabio consequently ruled him out of order.

At this point, Ndume left the plenary and went to his office, as Senate President called for a closed session.

However, Ndume on receiving a call from a colleague that the Senate resolved into close session returned back to join proceedings in the closed session.

NAN

By Hamza Suleiman

Borno Governor Babagana Zulum, on Tuesday ordered the demolition of illegal brothels and black spots in the state capital.

Zulum gave the directive during a visit to the scene at ‘Bayan Quarters’, a settlement around railway staff quarters, known for habouring criminals, prostitutes, and illicit drug traders among others.

The governor expressed concern over the rise in criminal activities associated with these illegal brothels and directed government agencies to dismantle them within 72 hours.

He noted that these activities not only pose a threat to the security of the state, but also perpetuate social vices that undermine the well-being of communities and the dignity of the individuals involved.

Zulum explained that while the settlement, which harbours criminals and minor girls in commercial sex activities will be demolished within 72 hours, the illegal brothels, however, have 12 hours to vacate.

“The government has been duly informed of the activities that are going on here, this settlement is completely illegal. People are killed here, this place serves as a breeding space for insurgents. Therefore, I have directed that everybody should vacate the place,” Zulum said.

Zulum also announced the revocation of the land titles where such criminal activities were perpetuated, which he said, was initially approved for use by the Nigerian Railway Corporation.

“I understand that this land was approved by Borno State Government to be used by the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), but unfortunately, it’s been rented out illegally with all forms of criminal activities taking place.

“For this reason, the government has revoked the earlier approval and henceforth, the land belongs to Borno State Government,” Zulum said.

NAN

By Sunday Bassey

Gov. Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom has approved additional N1.6 billion to clear some arrears owed retired teachers, local government workers and civil servants in the state.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Ekerete Udoh, said this in a release, made available to newsmen in Uyo, on Tuesday.

“In line with his promise to continue to pay the arrears to retired workers, Gov. Eno has approved the prompt release of an additional N1.6 billion,” Udoh said.

He said that the governor had previously released the sum of N3 billion for the same purpose, bringing the total amount so far released for this purpose to N4.6 billion.

Udoh said the amount was designed to continue to pay the arrears of gratuities of retired primary school teachers, local government workers and civil servants in the state.

He said the governor had promised organised labour in the state during their one-day national protest march, to regularly set aside funds for the payment of gratuities.

NAN

By Raji Rasak

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has commenced tracking of 111 constituency projects in Lagos.

The Resident Anti-corruption Commission Coordinator in Lagos, Mr Kabir Elelu, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Tuesday that the monitoring team commenced the exercise on Monday.

According to him, the team will visit all the local government offices in Lagos State for the exercise.

Elelu said that the tracking would focus on constituency projects, executive projects and captive funds.

NAN reports that the commission says it will commence tracking of 1,932 constituency projects, valued at N500 billion in 26 states.

Its spokesperson, Azuka Ogugua, made the disclosure in a statement in Abuja on Thursday.

She said the objectives of the exercise included improved service delivery to the people by investigating fraudulent procurement practices in the award of public contracts.

Others are to ensure full execution of all public funded projects; execution to specification of all projects funded by government and ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements.

“It is also to ensure that government gets value for monies spent on projects,” she said.

NAN

By Okeoghene Akubuike

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) says Nigeria’s headline inflation rate increased to 26.72 per cent in September 2023.

The NBS disclosed this in its Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Inflation Report for September, released in Abuja on Monday.

According to the report, the figure, which is 0.92 per cent points higher compared to the 25.80 per cent recorded in August 2023.

It said on a year-on-year basis, the headline inflation rate in September was 5.94 per cent higher than the rate recorded in September 2022 at 20.77 per cent.

The report said the increase in the headline index for September 2023 was attributed to the increase in some items in the basket of goods and services at the divisional level.

It said these increases were observed in food and non-alcoholic beverages at 13.84 per cent and housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuel at 4.47 per cent.

Others were clothing and footwear at 2.04 per cent; transport at 1.74 per cent; furnishings, household equipment and maintenance at 1.34 per cent, education at 1.05 per cent, and health at 0.80 per cent.

“Miscellaneous goods and services at 0.44 per cent; restaurant and hotels at 0.32 per cent; alcoholic beverage, tobacco and kola at 0.29 per cent; recreation and culture at 0.18 per cent, and communication at 0.18 per cent.”

In addition, the report said, on a month-on-month basis, the headline inflation rate in September 2023 was 2.10 per cent, which was 1.08 per cent lower than the rate recorded in August 2023 at 3.18 per cent.

“This means that in September 2023, the average price level decreased by 1.08 per cent compared to August 2023.”

It said the percentage change in the average CPI for the 12 months ending September 2023 over the average of the CPI for the previous corresponding 12-month period was 22.90 per cent.

“This indicates a 5.47 per cent increase compared to 17.43 per cent recorded in September 2022.”

The report said the food inflation rate in September increased to 30.64 per cent on a year-on-year basis, which was 7.30 per cent higher compared to the rate recorded in September 2022 at 23.34 per cent.

“The rise in food inflation is caused by increases in prices of oil and fats, bread and cereals, fish, potatoes, yams and other tubers, fruits, meat, vegetable, milk, cheese and eggs. ”

It said on a month-on-month basis, the food inflation rate in September was 2.45 per cent, which was a 1.41 per cent drop compared to the rate recorded in August 2023 at 3.87 per cent.

“The decline in food inflation on a month-on-month basis was caused by a decrease in the average prices of bread and cereals, potatoes, yam and other tubers, bread, and fruits and fish. ”

The report said the “All items less farm produce’’ or core inflation, which excludes the prices of volatile agricultural produce and petroleum motor spirit stood at 21.84 per cent in September on a year-on-year basis.

“This increased by 4.35 per cent compared to 17. 49per cent recorded in September 2022.’’

“The exclusion of the PMS is due to the deregulation of the commodity by removal of subsidy.”

It said the highest increases were recorded in prices of passenger transport by air and road, medical services, maintenance, and repair of personal transport equipment, etc.

The NBS said on a month-on-month basis, the core inflation rate was 2.22 per cent in September 2023.

“This indicates a 0.05 per cent rise compared to what was recorded in August 2023 at 2.18 per cent.”

“The average 12-month annual inflation rate was 19.55 per cent for the 12 months ending September 2023, this was 4.48 per cent points higher than the 15.07 per cent recorded in September 2022.”

The report said on a year-on-year basis in September, the urban inflation rate was 28.68 per cent, which was 7.43 per cent higher compared to the 21.25 per cent recorded in September 2022.

“On a month-on-month basis, the urban inflation rate was 2.24 per cent in September representing a 1.05 per cent decline compared to August 2023 at 3.29 per cent.’’

The report said on a year-on-year basis in September, the rural inflation rate was 24.94 per cent, which was 4.62 per cent higher compared to the 20.32 per cent recorded in September 2022.

“On a month-on-month basis, the rural inflation rate was 1.96 per cent, which decreased by 1.12 per cent compared to August 2023 at 3.08 per cent.’’

On states’ profile analysis, the report showed in September, all items inflation rate on a year-on-year basis was highest in Kogi at 32.95 per cent, followed by Rivers at 30.63 per cent, and Lagos at 30.04 per cent.

It, however, said the slowest rise in headline inflation on a year-on-year basis was recorded in Borno at 21.05 per cent, followed by Jigawa at 22.39 per cent, and Benue at 23.22 per cent.

The report, however, said in September 2023, all items inflation rate on a month-on-month basis was highest in Taraba at 3.39 per cent, Bauchi at 3.38 per cent, and Niger at 3.28 per cent.

“Borno at 0.71 per cent, followed by Ekiti at 1.05 per cent and Benue at 1.13 per cent recorded the slowest rise in month-on-month inflation.”

The report said on a year-on-year basis, food inflation was highest in Kogi at 39.37 per cent, followed by Rivers at 35.95 per cent and Lagos at 35.66 per cent.

“Jigawa at 23.41 per cent, followed by Borno at 25.29 per cent and Sokoto at 25.38 per cent recorded the slowest rise in food inflation on a year-on-year basis.’’

The report, however, said on a month-on-month basis, food inflation was highest in Akwa Ibom at 4.23 per cent, followed by Niger at 4.19 per cent and Ebonyi at 3.74 per cent.

“With Cross River at 0.31 per cent, followed by Borno at 0.62 per cent and Bayelsa at 0.73per cent recorded the slowest rise on month-on-month food inflation.’’

NAN