Category: News

JUST-IN: Nigeria’s Economy Records Sixth Consecutive Growth As GDP Rises By 3.11% In Q1

 

The Nigerian economy has continued to show resilience in the face of weak global outlook as the country’s Gross Domestic Product grew by 3.11 per cent in the first quarter of 2022.

The National Bureau of Statistics stated this on Monday in its GDP Report. The figure shows the sixth consecutive quarter of positive growth.

According to the report, the first quarter 2022 growth rate further represented gradual economic stability due to strong growth posted by the non-oil sector.

The first quarter 2022 growth rate was higher than the 0.51 per cent growth rate recorded in the first quarter of 2021 by 2.60 percentage points and lower than the 3.98 per cent recorded in the fourth quarter of 2021 by 0.88 percentage points.

The Report reads, “Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product grew by 3.11 per cent (year-on-year) in real terms in the first quarter of 2022, showing a sustained positive growth for the sixth consecutive quarter since the recession witnessed in 2020 when negative growth rates were recorded in quarter two and three of 2020.

“The first quarter 2022 growth rate further represents an improvement in economic performance. The observed trend since Q4 2020 is an indication of a gradual economic stability.

“The Q1 2022 growth rate was higher than the 0.51 per cent growth rate recorded in Q1 2021 by 2.60 per cent points and lower than 3.98 per cent recorded in Q4 2021 by 0.88 per cent points.

“Nevertheless, quarter-on-quarter, real GDP grew at -14.66 per cent in Q1 2022 compared to Q4 2021, reflecting a lower economic activity than the preceding quarter.

“In the quarter under review, aggregate GDP stood at N45,317,823.33 million in nominal terms. This performance is higher when compared to the first quarter of 2021 which recorded aggregate GDP of N40,014,482.74 million, indicating a year-on-year nominal growth rate of 13.25 per cent.

“The nominal GDP growth rate in Q1 2022 was higher relative to the 12.25 per cent growth recorded in the first quarter of 2021 and higher compared to the 13.11 per cent growth recorded in the preceding quarter.”

 

Subscribers Groan As FG Imposes N90.49bn New Tax On Phone Calls

 

Telecommunication subscribers are expressing their displeasure over the new Federal Government directive to impose a tax on telephone calls in the nation to fund free health care for the vulnerable.

According to the National Health Insurance Authority Bill 2021 signed by the President, Muhammadu Buhari weeks back notes that the new telecom tax in the equivalent of a minimum of one kobo per second for phone calls is a part of the sources of funds required to finance free healthcare for the Vulnerable Group in Nigeria.

A report by the Nigerian Communications Commission revealed that Nigerians in 2020 made 150.83 billion minutes of calls. This translates to 9.05 trillion seconds of calls, meaning the new tax will generate 9.05 trillion kobo, which converts to N90.49bn, yearly.

This new tax is coming despite moves by telecom companies to increase the price of calls, SMS, and data by 40 per cent as a result of an unfavorable operating environment.

The Health Insurance Act notes that the Vulnerable Group Fund is money budgeted to pay for healthcare services for vulnerable Nigerians who cannot pay for health insurance in a bid to subsidize the cost of provision of health care services to vulnerable people in the country.

According to the new Act, every resident in Nigeria is expected to obtain health insurance.

However, telecom subscribers under the aegis of National Association of Telecoms Subscribers, have said they will reject this new move by the government.

The President of the association, Adeolu Ogunbanjo, said, “It is quite unfortunate that the government is viewing telecoms as a cash cow. We are saying. There is a lot of corruption in the system, and rather than curb that they want to focus on the telecoms sector.

 

“What do they mean by vulnerable? Vulnerable people in the nation are probably about 80 per cent of the population, we are all vulnerable. What has happened to the health budget? Why should it touch telecoms again? The government should look elsewhere for money. This new action is only likely to impoverish more Nigerians and they are masquerading as helping the vulnerable. This is not right.”

Other sources of funding outlined in the Act include a basic healthcare provision fund to the authority; health insurance levy; telecommunications tax, not less than one kobo per second of GSM calls; money that may be allocated to the Vulnerable Group Fund by the government; motley that accrues to the Vulnerable Group Fund from investments made by the Council: and grants, donations, gifts, and any other voluntary contributions made to the Vulnerable Group Fund.

Recently, telecom companies wrote to the Federal Government, through the Nigerian Communications Commission, on the worsening conditions of the industry.

According to a source at the Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria, telecom companies cannot reject a directive of the government. The source said subscribers would pay more for calls once the tax is implemented.

He added that the NCC and ALTON would meet this week in order to discuss the issues disturbing the industry.

He said, “We are aware of the tax. We had been told before. It is the subscribers that would have to pay for this. This means subscribers will pay more for this service. Telcos cannot say no to this. It is a government directive; we can’t resist the government. I can’t say more about it.

“We are having a leadership summit with the NCC this week and we would discuss some of these issues with the NCC. Presently, telcos are paying more than 36 taxes. This is a law; we cannot reverse it. The president has signed it and before it can be changed, it must go back to the National Assembly.

“Also, we cannot give an implementation date, the government is to tell us that.”

 

No Plan To Replace Naira With Digital Currency, Says CBN

 

The central Bank of Nigeria on Saturday said it has no plan to withdraw the Naira from circulation and replace it with the digital currency, the eNaira.

The reaction is in connection to some media reports (not THE WHISTLER) that the apex bank will soon withdraw the Naira from circulation.

But speaking in a telephone interview on Saturday, the Director, Corporate Communications Department of the apex bank, Mr Osita Nwanisobi, disclaimed that the statement purportedly to have been made during a stakeholders’ engagement on eNaira adoption in Asaba, Delta state was misconstrued.

He, therefore, called on the general public to disregard such in it’s entirety.

According to Nwanisobi, the digital version of the Naira is meant to complement the existing currency notes and therefore, will circulate simultaneously as means of exchange and store of value.

On the benefits of adopting the eNaira, the spokesman hinted that the digital legal tender aside from the safety and speedy features, it will also ensure greater access to financial services by the underbanked and unbanked populace thereby enhance financial inclusion.

Nwanisobi urged members of the public and business owners to embrace the digital currency, the eNaira as it offers more possibilities.

The eNaira was formally launched into circulation by President Muhammadu Buhari in October last year.

 

JUST IN: Notorious drug baron, ‘O Lord Have Mercy’ nabbed by NDLEA [PHOTO]

 

A notorious drug baron, identified as ‘O Lord Have Mercy’, has been nabbed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), POLITICS NIGERIA reports.

Femi Babafemi, Director of Media, NDLEA, made this disclosure on Saturday morning, with a promise to provide comprehensive details on Sunday.

NDLEA

“Busted. Not even his using the name of God to conceal cocaine could make him escape scrutiny of officers. Details tomorrow #SayNoToDrugAbuseAndTrafficking,” Femi wrote on his known Facebook page.

Since the emergence of Buba Marwa as NDLEA Chairman in 2021, the agency has made lots of high-profile arrests.

In 2021 alone, NDLEA seized cash and illicit drugs worth over N130 billion.

The agency secured 1,400 convictions within the same period too.

Last year’s achievements by the NDLEA surpassed the records of any given year of the past 30 years.

 

Senator Ndume Escapes Unhurt As Supporters, Thugs Clash In Borno

 

Supporters of the Borno South Senatorial District Senator, Muhammadu Ali Ndume and some thugs clashed in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State.

It was gathered that trouble started after Senator Ali Ndume, who is the Director-General of Rotimi Amaechi Presidential Campaign, had a meeting with delegates at the local government ahead of the primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Borno.

“We started hearing people screaming and shouting. When we ran to the scene, the gate of the lodge was already down and a lot of women were injured. We also saw other thugs and supporters of the Senator being taken to the hospital in Biu,” Usman Miringa, an eyewitness told Daily post.

About 32 people who sustained various degrees of injuries after the clash were rushed to the General Hospital in Biu.

“Yes. We have received injured persons. They are 32 in number. We also learnt that there are 16 others taken to a private hospital in Biu,” a source said.

According to a Biu resident, clashes occur whenever Ndume, who is seeking to return to the senate for the third term, comes to Biu for political activities.

The resident said: “This is not the first time such clash is happening. It usually happens whenever Ndume comes around for political activities. We do not know why.”

 

BREAKING: Violent Clash Erupts In Lagos Between Police, Okada Riders Over Ban (Video)

 

There is tension in the Ojo Local Government Area of Lagos over an attempt by policemen to enforce the state government ban on the operation of commercial motorcycle operators also known as Okada riders.

Recall the state government on Wednesday issued a total ban on the activities of the Okada riders in six local government areas of the state over the killing of a sound engineer, David Imoh, at Lekki.

According to reports, trouble started when policemen from Onireke Police Station, Ojo impounded some commercial motorcycles for operating along the Mile 2 – Badagry expressway.
It gathered that the commercial motorcycle riders resisted, attempted to overrun the station and possibly set free some of their members who were arrested by the policemen.

According to Dailytrust, the riders set fire in the middle of the road, while the owners of vehicles abandoned them by the side of the road due to the chaos.

The crisis led to a stampede as pedestrians fled for fear of being caught up in the crossfire.

Moreso, the incident created heavy vehicular movement on both sides of the road.

While the policemen fired several shots into the air to disperse the commercial motorcycle operators, the riders themselves pelted the officers with stones, daring the policemen to come after them.

A yet to be ascertained number of persons sustained different wounds as they tried to run away from the trouble zone.

Presently, a combined team of anti-riot policemen and some soldiers have been deployed to return normalcy to the area.

 

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New Salary Package For Police Sent To Finance Ministry For Implementation—FG

 

The Minister of Police Affairs, Mohammed Dingyadi, has announced that all necessary computation to guide the new salary package have been concluded and forwarded to the Ministry of Finance for onward implementation.

The Minister disclosed this during a press briefing at the State House on Thursday where he spoke on the current state of policing and security in the country as well as the ongoing innovation been executed in the Police.

Dingyadi noted that the computation has been forwarded to the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning for implementation and it is expected to commence soon.

He said, “The newly approved emolument for the police personnel further proves the government commitment to the welfare which is a key component of police reforms under Buhari.

“All the necessary computation to guide the new salary package have been concluded and forwarded to the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning for implementation which is expected to commence very soon.”

The information comes five months after the minister approved a 20 per cent upward review of salary for the police expected to take effect from January 2022.

Speaking on the achievements of the Ministry of Police Affairs since the task to reform the police began in June 2019, Dingyadi said there has been the domestication of community policing, resuscitation of the police complaint committee, enhancement of police welfare and enactment of the police academy bill into law.

Other achievements, he highlighted include improve manpower requirements in Nigeria through police recruitment of constables, information technology for biometric data capturing and the establishment of the best West African police system for intelligence gathering in sub-Sahara, Africa.

On the state of insecurity across the geopolitical regions, the minister said there has been an onslaught on Boko Haram and affiliate groups in the North-East and North-West regions.

The Minister explained that this has degraded their capabilities through fierce military campaigns and police support.

He noted that the ugly trends of other isolated criminalities in the Middle-belt, South-South, and South-West, are currently receiving adequate attention through the deployment of human and operational asset to neutralise the menace.

Dingyadi added, “Security in the South East came under threat, following violent attacks on security formations and civilians by militant Biafran separatist group.

“Sustained security operations in this region have in recent times localised their operations to Imo and Anambra States while government continue to employ strategies to engender peace and security in the entire South East.

“Unlike the South East, the South-South region is relatively free from violent criminalities. However, there are isolated cases of kidnap for ransom and armed robbery and it’s been dealt with by the police and other security agencies.

“A special task force against oil theft set up by the IGP is operating in the zone to check illegal bunkering and related acts of economic sabotage.”

On insecurity in the South West, he added, “The security situation in this region is similar to that of the South-South. Instances of oil theft in this zone is also been reduced to the barest minimum.”

On the enactment of the Police Trust Fund into law, the minister disclosed that the Fund was successfully delivered on its 2020 budget with the purchase of operational vehicles, arms and ammunition, bulletproof vest and helmets for police operation.

“The fund also purchased medical items to meet the health need of policemen nationwide while offices and residential accommodation also received face-lift,” he added.

 

2023: Reverse Okada Ban In Lagos, Get Our Votes – Hausa Community Tells Sanwo-Olu

 

Leaders of the Hausa community in Lagos State have called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to reverse the ban on Okada operations in six local government areas of the state.

Recall that the Lagos State Government had on Wednesday announced a ban on the operation of commercial motorcycles popularly called Okada.

Naija News reports that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu made the announcement while briefing heads of security agencies in the state at a meeting at the State House, Ikeja.

The governor stated that the total ban on Okada in the six local councils takes effect from June 1, 2022, and would be fully enforced.

Sanwo-Olu pointed out that the ban in the six local councils is part of the phase banning okadas in the state.

The affected councils are Eti-Osa, Ikeja, Surulere, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland and Apapa.

Speaking to The PUNCH, Hausa community leaders stated Okada riders who hail from northern Nigeria contribute significantly to the voting population of Lagos.

They called on the state government not to economically strangulate them as they contribute to the voting population.

The Seriki of Obalende, Saliu Waziri, said that the government should get the data of Okada riders in Lagos to fish out criminals amongst them instead of a total ban.

He said, “This issue has taken us a long time and we have been trying to put our members on the line. I want to advise the government to rethink its decision because Lagos can’t operate without bikes because of traffic. Government should register Okada riders in each local government to know those working in any local government. By so doing, the government would know who to pick when any issue arises.

“Some of our members stay here in Lagos and vote during elections. That should count for something because we contribute to votes during elections. The government should change the system of Okada riders not stopping them.”

The Seriki Hausa of Ajah, Ibrahim Ngoma, urged the government to consider the voting population of Hausa Okada riders in Lagos.

“Truth be told, Governor Sanwo-Olu has been understanding with Okada people unlike Governor (Babatunde) Fashola. Okada members should obey the law while I appeal to Governor Sanwo-Olu to look into the matter and lift the ban before the election because the ban is affecting my people,” he said.

Another leader of the Hausa community in Lagos, Iliyasu Kira, pleaded with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to reverse the ban.

According to the Seriki Hausa in Shasha in the Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos, the governor should not joke with their voting population.

He said, “I appeal to the government to leave Okada riders to continue their operations. These Okada riders help the government during elections with votes. Our voting population in Lagos constitutes over 2.7 million because most of us vote here in Lagos. We are not all bad people.

“Many of our people are Okada riders in Lagos. If the government claims that robbers are rampant among Okada riders, then the government should sieve out the criminals. The government should provide replacement for our members affected by the ban.

“We don’t have the power to start any legal case with the government. This is why I am appealing with the government to reconsider the ban.”

 

Sanwo-Olu Imposes Total Ban On Okada In Six Local Councils [Full List]

 

The Lagos State Government has banned the operation of commercial motorcycles popularly called Okada, in six Local Government Areas of the state.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu made the announcement while briefing heads of security agencies in the state at a meeting at the State House, Ikeja on Wednesday.

The governor stated that the total ban on Okada in the six local councils takes effect from June 1, 2022, and would be fully enforced.

Sanwo-Olu pointed out that the ban in the six local councils is part of the phase banning okadas in the state.

According to Sanwo-Olu, the Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) under the six local government areas would also be affected.

The governor listed the six affected local councils as Ikeja, Surulere, Eti-Osa, Lagos Mainland, Lagos Island and Apapa.

He, however, charged all Divisional Police Officers (DPOs), Area Commanders and the Taskforce to enforce the total ban from June 1.

“This is the phase banning we are going to be embarking on so that others know that in a short while, either they get out or get something else to do.

“From the first of June, the LCDAs that are underneath them, we are going to publish them and list all of them, so we are giving the notice now.

“Begin to do your strategy now, from the first of June we want all the okadas to be completely off these major roads,” he said.

 

Ibadan Polytechnic Breaks Silence On Student Who Died During Marathon Romp

 

The Public Affairs Director of the Polytechnic Ibadan, Alhaji Soladoye Adewole has said that Daniel Igunnu who reportedly lost his life during marathon romp was an Higher National Diploma (HND) student of the institution.

Naija News reports that Adewole confirmed that the incident happened off-campus, precisely, Idi-Ito area.

According to the institution, it is yet to establish the identity of the lady involved in the incident.

It would be recalled that the two lovebirds, were engaged in marathon romp at the deceased apartment in Idi-Ito in the Ido local government area of Oyo State when he died.

The lifeless body of the deceased was seen on the floor while the lady whose identity could not be ascertained at the time of filing this report was met unconscious.

The lady, as reliably informed was rushed to the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan for medical attention.

 

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