Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey ongoing in Oyo State — NPC
By Oluwaseyi Oduneye-Ogunwomoju
The National Population Commission (NPC) says 2023/2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) is ongoing in Oyo State.
The NPC Federal Commissioner, Oyo State, Dr Eyitayo Oyetunji, said NPC had over three decades spearheaded the implementation of the NDHS in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and key partners.
Oyetunji, who was represented by Mr Akin Oyetunde, the NPC Oyo State Director, disclosed this at a news briefing in Ibadan.
The commissioner emphasised that the data collected and analysed would not merely be numerical values; they would represent the health, aspirations and challenges of communities.
He also thanked the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Global Fund, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, UNICEF and WHO for their contributions.
“This survey has been instrumental in providing invaluable insights that inform evidence-based policies, enhance public health interventions and contribute to the broader development agenda of our nation.
“Together, we have elevated this survey from a research initiative to a cornerstone of dependable demographic and health metrics for Nigeria.
“I express my gratitude for your commitment and dedication to this cause.
“Together, we are setting the stage for positive change and I am confident that the data we gather will guide us toward a healthier and more prosperous future,” Oyetunji said.
For his part, the South-West Zonal Coordinator, NDHS 2023/2024, Mr Rotimi Ilelaboye, said that the survey comes up every five years.
He explained that the last one was in 2018, and the one being conducted is the 8th edition of the exercise.
“The objective of this exercise is to update, to gather information about the population and the health situation in the country.
“This health situation is about indicators like reproduction, Malaria, Female Genital Mutilation, HIV and others.
“That is what we are trying to gather information on and at the end of the day when we have gathered the information, it will be useful for the government to plan for the health sector,” Ilelaboye said.
In her goodwill message, the State Director, National Orientation Agency, Mrs Olukemi Afolayan, said that globally, NDHS is very important for national development.
“The survey is important for women’s health, children and men’s health.
“To have good national planning on health, we must have correct data.
“I want to commend NPC and I want to plead with gentlemen of the press and other stakeholders to please support NPC in this exercise,” Afolayan said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
The current economic reforms in Nigeria are where the fortunes of the Africa’s largest economy will be unlocked, a Think Tank group, the Independent Media and Policy Initiative (IMPI), concludes after analysing the rudiments of the policies.
A policy analysis released on Tuesday in Abuja by the Chairman of IMPI, Mr Niyi Akinsiju, said it was crucial to keep eyes on the bright “spots in Nigeria’s economy’’ even as the reforms bite harder for now.
As one of the nation’s global economic entrepreneurs puts it, IMPI reports that
“while pessimism abounds, it is crucial to keep our eyes on the bright spots in Nigeria’s economy. We write off and ignore the country at our own peril; it could very well become a 22nd century superpower’’.
Akinsiju said it was to this end that we are unpretentious about the support and advocacy for the policies being advanced by President Bola Tinubu’s administration targeted at enabling a market-driven economy.
“This should be the big picture for every forward looking Nigerian. Our fate should not be about existing from one day to the other; it should be about accepting the generational responsibility of standing in the gap for future generations.
“To sacrifice our today to change the economic trend of our country where rather than have millions numbered in poverty, we will have millions counted in wealth,’’ Akinsiju said.
The Think Tank peeped into the history of the nation’s current economic milieu and the series of policies on foreign exchange market as well as the controversial subsidy in petrol and concluded that a free economy of the current administration was most ideal.
“We have to go back to June 15, 2016. Nigeria’s central bank announced it would abandon its currency’s dollar peg in preference for a free float of the Naira in an effort to alleviate the chronic foreign currency shortages choking growth in Africa’s biggest economy.
“Under one week after the announcement, the Naira slumped from the pegged rate of N197/$ to N287/$. Three months down the road, in August 2016, the rate had fallen by an aggregate 61 percent to the dollar.
“Expectedly, there was bedlam in the economic space with the din of the attendant noise becoming aggravated when Nestle Nigeria Plc, a multinational company renowned for its consistent profit outturn published its year end result with a depressing 94 percent drop in profits, a phenomenon blamed on the currency depreciation.
The depreciation also led to Nigeria losing its title as Africa’s largest economy — a symbolic downgrade that succinctly summarized the many challenges facing the country at that time.
For many followers of the national economy in that year and beyond, current happenings in the Nigerian economy are akin to walking through the same historical corridors.
Indeed, Nigerians had walked this path before and had experienced the same seeming awry economic assaults on their very existence as a people. The immediate reflex associated with such scenario was to capitulate. And capitulate, the country did.
Less than six months after the CBN’s free float policy adoption, inflation rates were skyrocketing in reflection of the vastly depreciated Naira. The CBN could not take the heat any longer. It dramatically announced a reversal to a currency pegged regime and a managed float of the Naira at the same time.
The country went back to its tradition of multi-tiers foreign exchange market. By May 2017, the country had five different forex rates. The interbank rate closed at N305.72/$ in second quarter 2017, the rate for government official transactions was N306/$, at the Investors and Exporters window, it was N360/$, and N366/$ at the parallel market.
This reversal to multiple exchange rate regime was accompanied with a capital control policy, the CBN restricted 43 items from accessing the official foreign exchange market.
In truth, the Nigerian economy had been buffeted from different sides by many domestic and global assailing factors between 2016 and 2020 which may provide an understanding of the Federal Government and CBN’s
insistence on state controlled and managed economy for the benefits of the poor and vulnerable. Yet, after many years of the control and managed options, we are left with an economy in stagnation; one that depends on the periodic boom in the oil and gas sector to deliver momentary economic prosperity.
He explained that by 2023, an economic template change had become inevitable.
“In our consideration, we believe that the Tinubu administration read the situation well by making overtures to the CBN to revert to the free float exchange policy.
Of course, the economy, like in 2016 has since responded to the policy with a volatility that is not only immediate but intense with macroeconomic rates flaring up disconcertingly. This had led to high cost of living uproar across different segments of the nation.
But rather than beat a retreat and embrace the populist option, the President has determinedly decided to walk the hard, lonely route of application of unpopular yet result oriented policy, by insisting on sustaining and driving the national economy on the wings of the already introduced policies, chief of which are the fuel subsidy removal and unification of Forex rates.
President Tinubu reinforced his commitment to going the whole hog with the implementation of these policies when he publicly declared during his visit to Qatar that: “This economy, we will grow it, and we will feed ourselves out of penury…if it’s corruption, we must exterminate it no matter how hard it is fighting back.”
We find this declaration instructive. It affirms the President’s unwavering commitment to seeing through the reforms he has undertaken to implement.
We also agree with the President’s call on Nigerians to persevere at this time because, according to him, nation-building requires perseverance and patriotism to succeed. It is to these two value orientations that we call the attention of Nigerians.
This country, by all possible evaluation metrics, is an economic giant waiting to take its position in the sun but it has remained stunted over the years because of policy misapplications, especially of such that emphasise today’s existence in opposition to creating wealth premised on delayed gratification.
We also agree with the President’s call on Nigerians to persevere at this time because, according to him, nation-building requires perseverance and patriotism to succeed.
It is to these two value orientations that we call the attention of Nigerians.
This country, by all possible evaluation metrics, is an economic giant waiting to take its position in the sun but it has remained stunted over the years because of policy misapplications, especially of such that emphasise today’s existence in opposition to creating wealth premised on delayed gratification.
With removal of subsidy in petrol, the daily consumption dropped by at almost 50 percent, a leakage that almost crippled Nigeria.
We also agree with the President’s call on Nigerians to persevere at this time because, according to him, nation-building requires perseverance and patriotism to succeed. It is to these two value orientations that we call the attention of Nigerians.
And also as we reference the robust optimism expressed by South African billionaire and Chairman of South Africa global grocer brand, Shoprite, Christo Wiese, who recently said that Nigeria’s large and growing population is impossible for businesses to ignore and that the recent exodus of companies from the country won’t last.
It is exhilarating to note that this sanguine description of the Nigerian economic state is coming from a foreigner who sat over a huge business concern that operates out of states across Nigeria. He definitely speaks from the point of knowledge and experience.
For him, Nigeria with over 200 million people, is the economic giant of Africa. This sizable consumer base presents an attractive investment hub for businesses and investors seeking opportunities in the region.
While no rational investor can ignore Nigeria, yet, economic makeovers such as the removal of fuel subsidy and floating of the naira aimed at revitalizing the economy, have yet to yield positive results.
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Nonetheless, we have observed the peculiar Nigerian spirit of adaptation in the face of challenges and vicissitudes at work as exchange rates become prohibitive and inflation rates continue to increase. Nigerian startups, for example, are beginning to explore local options for some of the foreign-denominated services their operations require. (Flowerbudnews)
Billionaire businessman, Aliko Dangote, has named the 120km road leading to his refinery in Lagos after the late Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings, Herbert Wigwe, in recognition of his exceptional contributions to the project.
The announcement was made on Monday during a special event held in honour of the late banker at Eko Hotel, Lagos, titled ‘Celebrating Herbert Wigwe – A Professional Legacy.’
Dangote paid tribute to the deceased, highlighting Wigwe’s dedication and expertise.
“To immoratalise my beloved friend, my brother, and mentee, I’ve actually decided to name our major refinery and petrochemical road-out of the 120km road, the biggest road will now be named Herbert Wigwe,” Dangote said.
The businessman described him as a dependable mentee who was willing to go the extra mile to support him, his business, and his family.
“I am proud to name it after him, my devoted friend, mentee, and supporter. I will forever cherish the warmth of his friendship”, Dangote said.
On February 9, Wigwe, his wife, Doreen; son Chizi; and a former Group Chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group, Abimbola Ogunbanjo, died in a helicopter crash that occurred near a border town between California and Nevada in the United States.
Some of the dignitaries at the event were the Minister of Finance, Wale Edu; President of African Development Bank, Akinwumi Adesina; Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo Olu; the Managing Director of Access Bank in Ghana, Dolapo Ogundimo, the Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria, Karl Toriola; the Central Bank of Nigeria Governor; Olayemi Cardoso.
The President of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, Ken Opara, expressed deep condolences on the passing of the late Wigwe.
shared his heartfelt reflections on the life and contributions of the departed industry stalwart.
He started, “Very difficult to talk about but also very important. It’s not about how long, it’s about the quality and impact. I have known him for over 36 years.
His words captured the essence of a relationship that spanned more than three decades, emphasizing the profound impact Wigwe had on those around him.
Opara continued, “He was very courageous and a top-notch banker. Worked tirelessly. He contributed immensely to the development of banking in Nigeria.”
The Group CEO of Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc, Segun Agbaje, said Wigwe packed into 57 years what most exceptional people will not pack into in two lifetimes.
Herbert was my colleague, friend, brother, and competitor, only Herbert could have been all those things at once,” Agbaje said.
The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, lauded his achievement in the banking sector.
The governor also recalled how Wigwe was instrumental with a few others to mitigate some of the risks that came with Covid 19.
The Bank of Ghana has suspended the Foreign Exchange Trading Licences of two Nigerian-owned banks, Guaranty Trust Bank Ghana Limited and FBNBank Ghana Limited.
The suspension takes effect from March 18, 2024, for one month.
The suspension was announced in a statement, on Monday, by the Ghanaian apex bank.
The suspension comes in response to various breaches of foreign exchange market regulations which include incidents of fraudulent documentation within their foreign exchange operations.
Bank of Ghana has suspended the Foreign Exchange Trading Licences of Guaranty Trust Bank Ghana Limited (GTB) and FBNBank Ghana Limited (FBN), effective 18th March 2024, for a period of one month, in accordance with Section 11 (2) of the Foreign Exchange Act 2006, (Act 723).
This is as a result of various breaches of the foreign exchange market regulations, including fraudulent documentation in their foreign exchange operations which have come to the attention of the Bank of Ghana.
“The licence will be restored at the end of the one-month suspension period once the Bank of Ghana is satisfied that they have put in place effective controls to ensure strict adherence to regulations to the foreign exchange market.” the statement read in part.
The Ghanaian apex bank said the development “is in strict accordance with Section 11 (2) of the Foreign Exchange Act 2006, (Act 723), underscoring the Bank of Ghana’s commitment to maintaining the integrity and stability of the foreign exchange market.
“The suspension serves as a direct consequence of the banks’ failure to comply with established regulations, highlighting the central bank’s zero-tolerance policy towards regulatory non-compliance,” the bank said
Cryptocurrency exchange, Binance, has announced plans to discontinue all services related to the Nigerian naira.
Binance, a cryptocurrency exchange platform, was accused of exploiting the Nigerian currency, Naira, leading to its free fall in value.
The company is, in addition, facing allegations of terrorism financing, money laundering and tax invasion, among others.
Nigeria is one of the largest peer-to-peer crypto markets in the world. Between July 2022 and June 2023, crypto transactions in the country reached $56.7bn, according to Chainalysis.
But the company, in a statement on Tuesday, advised users to withdraw NGN, trade their NGN assets or convert NGN into crypto.
The statement read, “Users are encouraged to withdraw NGN, trade their NGN assets or convert NGN into crypto prior to the discontinuation of these NGN services.
“From 2024-03-08 08:00 (UTC), any remaining NGN balances in users’ Binance accounts will be automatically converted to USDT based on the conversion rate below.
Binance will not support deposits of NGN after 2024-03-05 14:00 (UTC). Withdrawals of NGN will not be supported after 2024-03-08 06:00 (UTC).
“After 2024-03-08 08:00 (UTC), Binance will convert any remaining NGN balances in users’ Spot and Funding wallets into USDT on behalf of users at a ratio of 1 USDT = 1,515.13 NGN.
Please note that the conversion rate is calculated based on the average closing price of the USDT/NGN trading pair on Binance Spot in the last seven days.
“The conversion may take approximately up to 24 hours or longer. USDT tokens will be credited to users’ Spot wallets thereafter, and users can confirm receipt of the tokens via the Convert History page.
“If users hold less than 0.00000001 USDT worth of NGN in their Spot and Funding wallets, they will each receive 0.00000001 USDT in their Spot wallets after the conversion.”
The PUNCH had last week reported that the Federal Government allegedly detained at least two senior executives of Binance, a crypto currency exchange company.
According to a report by Financial Times, both executives flew into Nigeria last week following a ban on their website and were arrested by officials of the office of the National Security Adviser and their passports
seized.
The arrest came amidst efforts by the government to rein in speculation on the naira by cracking down on cryptocurrency exchanges.
Recently, the government through the Nigerian Communications Commission blocked the online platforms of Binance and other crypto firms to avert what it considers continuous manipulation of the forex market and illicit movement of funds.
It also sent operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to arrest Bureau De Change operators at the Popular Wuse Zone 4 in Abuja.
On Monday, the executives of the foreign firm were expected to appear before the House Committee on Financial Crimes but they instead sent their lawyers to represent them
Flowerbudnews
A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday, fixed March 13 to hear the motion filed by the detained President, Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Bello Bodejo, seeking his unconditional release from Defence Intelligence Agency (NIA)’s custody.
Justice Inyang Ekwo fixed the date following the Federal Government’s failure to produce Bodejo in court for arraignment after the expiration of the seven-day order directing the FG to file charges against him.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Justice Ekwo had, on Feb. 22, gave the Federal Government seven days to file a charge against the detained Bodejo.
The judge gave the order after the expiration of the earlier order granted the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) to remand Bodejo for 15 days in the custody of DIA pending conclusion of his investigation.
The court then adjourned until March 1 for Bodejo to take his plea, but on the adjourned date, the matter was not heard, and it was later shifted to today for plea.
When the matter was called on Tuesday, Bodejo was not in court.
AGF’s counsel, Y.A. Imana, told the court that though the matter was slated for arraignment, she said the investigating agency was yet to send Bodejo’s file to her office.
“This matter is slated for arraignment. Unfortunately, up till now, due to some problems the investigating agencies are encountering, they have not been able to send the file to us,” she said
Justice Ekwo then asked her what the problem was.
Responding, Imana said from the last date of adjournment, her office had written three letters to the investigating agency to send the duplicate case file to them but due to the complexity of the nature of the investigation, they were yet to avail them with the file.
But Bodejo’s lawyer, Mohammed Sheriff, told the court several efforts made to have his client release to them pending his arraignment.
“On the 6th of February when my lord graciously granted the application to keep him (Bodejo), we filed a motion and my lord said the motion would be heard on 22nd of February,” he said.
Sheriff said when the matter was adjourned on Feb. 22 and the prosecution was given seven days to produce his client for arraignment, they filed another motion on his behalf.
“Today, the defendant (Bodejo) has spent 43 days in detention and there is no charge filed before any court of competent jurisdiction,” he said
The lawyer argued that besides, the prosecution did not file any counter affidavit against their motion on notice, even though they gave impression that there were allegations against Bodejo.
He said their latest motion was dated Feb. 23 and filed Feb. 26, adding that the prosecution was served same date.
Justice Ekwo, therefore, said that since the prosecution had been given a date to be heard but they were not ready, the defendant would equally be given a date to be heard.
“Counsel for the prosecution, have you seen where you have placed yourself now,” the judge asked rhetorically, before adjourning the matter until March 13 for Bodejo’s motion on notice to be taken.
NAN reports that in the motion on notice filed by Sheriff, Bodejo sought an order directing the Federal Republic of Nigeria to release the defendant/applicant unconditionally or upon any condition as may be given by this honourable court pending his arraignment or trial before a court of competent jurisdiction.”
In a seven-ground of argument, the lawyer said even if there was any criminal allegation against Bodejo, that cannot operate to curtail and restrict his fundamental rights.
“The applicant was invited by the Nigerian Army on the 23 of January, 2024 and was later detained at DIA and has been in their custody since then.
The allegations, if any, the respondents cannot justify the unlawful arrest, detention, incarceration, humiliation, harassment, and intimidation of the applicant forever without presenting him before any competent court,” he said.
Sheriff described the prosecution’s action as “unconstitutional and flagrant abuse of the applicant’s constitutional rights, contrary to Section 34, 35 (1), (5) and (6) and 41 of the Constitution of The Federal Republic Of Nigeria, 1999.”(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has tasked senior commanders and senior military leaders on innovative ideas and being a catalyst for change within the Nigerian Army.
Lagbaja gave the task on Tuesday in Enugu while declaring open the 2024 First Senior Command and Leadership Seminar being held in 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu.
The five days seminar with the theme: “Enhancing Operational Level Command and Leadership within a Joint Environment“, would run from March 4 to March 8.
The COAS, represented by the Commander of Training and Doctrine Command, Maj.-Gen. Kelvin Aligbe, said that senior commanders and leaders must endeavour to lead by positive examples and be in the fore-front of activities within their formations and establishments.
The army boss noted that the seminar was designed to equip senior commanders and senior military leaders with requisite skills and competence to better preserve and protect the cherished image of the Nigerian Army.
Lagbaja said that it would provide opportunities to drive home his Command Philosophy, draw lessons and share experiences as well as sensitise field commanders on the need to manifestly uphold human right principles in their various commands.
According to him, the Nigerian Army is facing a highly complex security environment, even as modern warfare is no longer fought on the battlefield alone.
“The hybrid nature of conflicts; information and cyber warfare, increasing use of drones and robotics; and other skill-based assets have brought a paradigm shift to the battlefield.
“Therefore, we must all get abreast with the changes as we collectively focus on developing capabilities to deal with these emerging security issues and build a formidable future Force,” he said.
The COAS appreciated the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Tinubu, for providing the visionary leadership and support to Nigerian Army programmes and projects.
He thanked the facilitators and retired senior officers that are acting as resource persons in the seminar, while urging participants to take advantage of the seminar to gain wealth of learning and experience.
In a welcome address, Maj.-Gen. Hassan Dada, the General Officer Commanding of 82 Division, said that the theme of the seminar was apt considering the security challenges facing the country.
Dada also commended the COAS for his visionary leadership and support to the Division and its various formations and establishments.
“We appreciate the COAS for providing the needed financial support and logistics for hosting this seminar and other numerous support to the Division,” he said.
The participants for the seminar are drawn from Nigerian Army formations, establishments, schools and units within the South-East, South-South and South-West geo-political zone of the country. (Flowerbudnews)0
Alhaji, as I fondly called you, you’ll have clocked 74 years today being March 5, 2024, but because of your creator’s divine call, you left this world that is today becoming more and more uncertain so soon to receive the call in the evening of Monday August 16, 2020. Indeed, it is vanity upon vanity – Kullu nafsi za’ikatul mauti (all living things must taste death).
As believers, we accepted and mourned your peaceful departure, and since that day when you left us, we keep praying for your very gentle soul to remain in Aljannah Firdaus permanently by Allah’s grace. You were humane, a mentor to many, a provider of succour, and philanthropist to the core. In fact, the shades you provided to many people out of magnanimity and, for Allah’s sake, are still there.
Your name was and is still synonymous with the News Agency of Nigeria; this is because anywhere you go, Wada Maida is NAN, and NAN is Wada Maida. You were NAN Editor-in-Chief of the Africa’s largest news content provider for nine years, Managing Director for nine years, and its Chairman board of directors for three years. Perhaps that was why the almost 50-year Agency’s headquarters was renamed after your humble name. You deserved it!
You were shy, gentle, and a man of few words – I can attest to this, because I recall when you clocked 70 years on March 5, 2020, I called you while you were in Vienna, Austria participating in International Press Institute (lPI) meeting, and informed you that I had started writing a tribute on your 70th birthday, you outrightly rejected it…you told me, Lawal, there was no need for that, let it just come and pass. I obeyed and laid down my pen.
Alhaji, as you are peacefully resting in your permanent abode, know that the many good deeds you’ve done to humanity while you were alive are still being appreciated, we, the beneficiaries will continue to pray to Allah SWT to reward you immensely and rest your gentle soul permanently in Aljannah Firdaus. Ameen!
By Flowerbudnews
The Director-General (DG), National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig.-Gen. Yusha’u Ahmed, has made it known that the welfare and security of corps members in the nation is the topmost agenda of his administration.
The Director-General said this during his visit to the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Awgu in Enugu State on Monday, while assessing the structure of the camp and check on the welfare of the 2024 Batch ‘A’ Stream 1 corps members.
He said that to ensure the safety of corps members, the NYSC scheme is collaborating with various security agencies in the nation.
He reminded the corps members of the need to take an active role in ensuring their safety by avoiding unnecessary traveling from their State of posting.
Furthermore, he implored corps members to accept posting in good fate, obey the norms, culture and values of their host communities, make tangible contributions wherever they find themselves and adhere strictly to the dress regulations of the scheme at all times.
Speaking on the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme, the DG noted that the programme is put in place to make corps members independent and self-reliant.
He encouraged corps members to pick a skill and pursue it vigorously to enable them to benefit from up to #3 million zero-interest loans and other numerous funding options made available.
Speaking earlier, the Coordinator of NYSC Enugu State, Mrs Christaina Salmwang, while delivering her camp report, informed to the DG that the corps members have so far exhibited a high level of discipline, synergy, teamwork and leadership traits, which have allowed for the smooth running of the orientation exercise.
She briefed the D-G on the course activities and also highlighted the support received from the Enugu State Government so far.
The D-G inspected camp facilities, donated 3 cows and 15 OX fans, and offered prayers of success for the corps members before departing the camp.
In the D-G entourage were the Director of Special Duties, Lady Bona Fasakin, the Director, Press and Public Relations, Chief Eddy Megwa, the Acting Director South East Area Office, Olawale Chris Jimba and other dignitaries. (Flowerbudnews)
