Vivian Ihechu - NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

Vivian Ihechu
Jan, Tue, 2023

Association demands immediate end to fuel scarcity

28 total views today

By Yusuf Yunus

The National Association of Energy Correspondents (NAEC) have called on government agencies responsible for regulation and supply to immediately arrest the worsening fuel scarcity in the country.

This is to justify huge public expenditure on internal subsidy.

The association’s secretary, Mr John Meze, In a statement issued on Monday in Lagos said the body of energy editors in Nigeria, lamented that the development had brought untold hardship to Nigerians.

The association said the several hours, which ought to have been put into productive ventures, were wasted at filling stations.

The group which hosted writers from online, print and electronic media organisations specifically called for immediate supply liberalisation in the domestic market.

The association also called for joint management of the government sponsored fuel subsidy scheme, visible and transparent supply monitoring dashboard as well as effective regulation and monitoring of the internal fuel market.

The group condemned the prevailing chaos in the fuel market, challenging the regulators in the industry to come alive.

NAEC pointed out that while scarcity led to chaotic fuel queues across the country, marketers had taken advantage of the situation to profiteer by engaging in sharp market practices which currently manifested in product hoarding.

According to the association, the queues had caused the return of black market operations, diversions and breaking of regulated price ceilings.

The group observed that the sharp market practices cut across all marketing groups, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd. (NNPCL) where pump prices had surged from the official N165 per litre to over N300 per litre in some parts of the country despite the uniform pricing regime.

The development, according to the association, has serious implications for the already weakened purchasing power and income of the average Nigerian.

“Already the high cost of petrol is impacting the daily cost of living as seen in transportation costs, energy costs as many homes continue to rely on alternative sources of power due to the poor supply from the grid as well as in high cost of goods and services.

“The traffic situation across the metropolis is also worsening as a result of prolonged fuel queues, causing high loss of man hours that could have been deployed to productive activities,” the group stated.

The NAEC noted that the nation’s “distribution value-chain is broken and worsened by a weak regulatory system.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NNPCL has since the inception of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari hijacked both the national petroleum subsidy funds and petrol supply responsibility, leading to enthronement of public sector monopoly in the system.

Besides, the national oil company is also the sole manager of the country’s petroleum subsidy funds, with the Group Chief Executive Officer, Mallam Mele Kyari, telling the national legislators: “NNPCL dedcuted subsidy claims at source.”

Thus the role of NNPCL in the market has created linear supply channel that has rendered the domestic fuel market vulnerable to supply chain disruption.

NAEC stated that the nation’s distribution value-chain had been broken.

“It is bad enough that there is no one to hold to account, it is worse that the government has jeopardised the interest of the masses for politics, considering that elections are near,” the association declared.

NAEC described excuses often given by market players including logistics, price regulation and domestic energy subsidy as lame.

The association noted that energy subsidy remained a normal and effective economic growth stimulation strategy still employed by all developed countries of the world to tame the cost of production and guarantee the wellbeing of citizens.

It pointed out that, “the subsidy system in Nigeria has been enmeshed in gross opacity.”

In pushing its recommendations for healing the market, NAEC called on NNPCL to immediately enthrone a transparent subsidy system that would allow the supply figures and cost templates that would subsidy claims verifiable.

NAEC demands that all stakeholder groups should liaise with regulators to establish unassailable templates for subsidy management until the market is deregulated.

“We, therefore, call on government to immediately liberalise petrol supplies in the country in line with best practices.

“Also NAEC recommends that the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Regulatory Authority (NMDRA), which is responsible for operations compliance and resource accountability, needs to rise to its duty by holding market players accountable for open books, fair play and equal opportunity,” said the group.

It also called on the NMDRA not to fail in providing a public dashboard on the supply flow in the domestic fuel market to allow the public demand for accountable practice from players.

“As this will clear the air of suspicion that the prevailing fuel market crisis is not a political undertaking by managers of the system to siphon funds for political objectives.

The media group also challenged players and groups in the domestic fuel market to embark on self regulation by dealing with errant members that encourage sharp practices at their retail outlets. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by by Salif Atojoko

Vivian Ihechu
Jan, Tue, 2023

Politics

Prospective voters throng INEC office Umuahia to collect PVC

35 total views today

By Leonard Okachie

Scores of prospective voters on Monday thronged the Adelabu Street office of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Umuahia to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent who monitored the exercise reports that the people took advantage of the public holiday by the State Government to go for their PVCs.

While many stood in the queue under the scorching sun, many others took refuge under shades at the office complex.

Others also clustered around the different points of distribution of the cards, resulting in occasional pushing, shoving and shouting.

The INEC officials had hectic time trying to sort and distribute the cards.

Some of the electorate narrated their experiences at the venue to NAN.

Mr Eugene Egerue said he arrived at the office around 7:30 a.m., saying that he had not voted all his life but was determined to vote in the upcoming polls.

Egeruo said: “I chose not to go to my shop today so I came very early and I will not leave until I collect my card.
“The crowd is too much and it is quite frustrating, but I have already sacrificed today for it.”

Also, Mrs Gloria Maduekwe expressed sadness that she was not able to get hers, in spite waiting for hours.

According to her, this is my second time of coming to this place today but they have not been able to find my card.

A visibly excited lady, who identified herself simply as Mary, was seen displaying her PVC joyously.

“I got my card and I must thank INEC workers for their efforts, especially in managing this large crowd,” Mary said.

The Electoral Officer incharge of Umuahia North Local Government Area, Mrs Joan Onyeabo, said the collection centres were increased from 12 to 15 for the 12 wards in the area in order to accommodate the large population.

Onyeabo said that the commission put necessary crowd control measures in place to ensure orderliness.
She said, “We are prepared for the crowd.

“We started by 8:30 a.m. and we cannot close until we finish attending to all these people here.

“Our people like last minute rush and you can see that today, in spite of our appeals to them to come early and collect their PVCs.

“We have finished PVC distribution at the ward level, which lasted from Jan. 6 to Jan. 22.

“We are now at the local government level until Jan. 29,” Onyeabo said.

She appealed to those who had yet to collect theirs to be calm and patient.

She said that the commission was committed to ensure that every registrant got their cards.

NAN reports that the Abia Government declared Monday and Tuesday public holiday to enable workers collect their PVCs ahead of the elections. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Sam Oditah

Vivian Ihechu
Jan, Tue, 2023

General News

Chinese, ethnic groups celebrate Lunar New Year in NYC

39 total views today

The annual celebrations of the Lunar New Year in Chinatown of Lower Manhattan, New York City, attracted a big crowd from the Chinese community and other ethnic groups on Sunday.

As the 25th annual festival in celebration of the Lunar New Year, the two-hour-long event was staged in Sara D. Roosevelt Park at Grand Street and hosted by Better Chinatown USA.

A volunteer-based organisation dedicated this to the improvement of New York City’s Chinatown.

Basketball courts and playgrounds in the park, as well as sidewalks around it, were packed with people.

Loudspeakers and two giant lanterns at the entrance of the park made the celebrations heard and visible from afar.

Attractions of the free festival included dragon dances, lion dances, Chinese calligraphy and paintings, firecrackers, rabbit toys, party poppers, traditional Chinese costumes and others.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams, other officials and leaders of Chinatown attended the celebrations.

Adams, who was in traditional Chinese costumes at the event, also delivered a video message on his social media account to celebrate the Year of the Rabbit.

Emily, an African American who wears traditional Chinese costumes for the occasion, said she travelled for one and a half hours from New Jersey to participate in the festival for the first time.

In her last year of high school, Emily said, she was learning Chinese by herself and trying to write Chinese characters every day.

She extended wishes for the Lunar New Year in Chinese.

John Smagula, assistant dean of graduate and international programmes at Temple University, co-hosted the festival in Chinese.

Smagula, who has been studying Chinese since 1988 and had lived in China for about 10 years, said the festival demonstrated a spirit of unity and harmony.

It allowed people from various ethnic groups to celebrate the Lunar New Year together.

“It’s a good sign that many people linger on after the scheduled celebrations concluded. I hope today will be a turning point enabling more sharing among people,’’ said Smagula.

He also expressed the hope that his role as a co-host in the celebrations could encourage the youth to learn Chinese and take a dip into Chinese culture.

Some young people from other ethnic groups joined the dragon dance performers in a spirit of integration and solidarity.

Chinatown in Lower Manhattan has a history dating back to the 19th century and is home to around 100,000 residents.

It’s seen as an attraction among tourists.

A number of stores in Chinatown remained open on Sunday, which marked the start of the Year of the Rabbit, and many visitors purchased decorations or gifts for the Lunar New Year there.

Meanwhile, scores of artists and volunteers in New York City handed out thousands of calligraphy works of the Chinese character “Fu,’’ meaning fortune and luck in English.

Moreover, a number of celebration activities are scheduled in the coming days at museums, music halls, parks and other venues in New York City. (Xinhua/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Cecilia Odey/Ismail Abdulaziz

Vivian Ihechu
Jan, Tue, 2023

Economy/Business

Stockbrokers optimistic about Nigeria’s economic growth in 2023

41 total views today

By Olawunmi Ashafa

Some stockbrokers have assured the investing public that the economy has strong potential to bounce back in 2023.

They said this at an event organised by Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) on “The Nigerian Economic Review of 2022 and Outlook for 2023,” on Monday in Lagos.

The stockbrokers x-rayed the state of the Nigerian capital market in 2022 and forecast recovery in 2023 despite the headwinds and uncertainties associated with the economy.

The stockbrokers said the Nigerian economy was going through a tough period with headwinds, including imported inflation, huge debt service-to-revenue ratio, high exchanges rates, forex scarcity, currency depreciation, N12 trillion 2023 budget deficit, among others.

Prof. Uche Uwaleke, President of Association of Capital Market Academics, who spoke on the “Macroeconomic Performance and the Capital Market,” said contrary to projections in several quarters, government’s fiscal position was likely to improve in 2023.

Uwaleke said that would be based on the account that there would be improvement in crude oil revenue from increase in crude oil production.

He, however, said that would also be on the assumptions that crude oil price would not change and incidence of oil theft continued to go down.

“Savings from fuel subsidy removal will increase government revenue.

“Implementation of Finance Act 2022 and unification of exchange rates will boost economic growth and development,” said Uwaleke.

Also, Mr Ayo Ebo, Chairman, Research and Technical, CIS, who spoke on the Nigerian Economic Review of 2022 and Outlook for 2023 corroborated Uwaleke’s view.

Ebo said expected higher crude oil would increase government revenue in the year.

He said, “Goods account balance is expected to recover in 2022, due to higher crude oil prices.

“In 2023, the goods account is expected to benefit from reduced forex outflow on petroleum motor spirit (PMS).

“Importation, following the coming on stream of Dangote’s refinery and promotion of non-oil export.”

According to him, increased spread of working-class Nigerians in the diaspora is expected to continue supporting the strong performance of the transfers account, especially the remittance component.

“Political stability post-2022 and more market-oriented policies of the new administration are expected to drive a steady recovery in portfolio inflows over the medium term.

“An optimal growth rate for Nigeria is between five per cent and seven per cent per annum,” Ebo said.

Also, Mr Oluwole Adeosun, President and Chairman of Council, CIS, while presenting the CIS scorecard, explained that the Nigerian economy would experience growth during the year.

Adeosun, while listing the achievements of the institute in the reviewed period, stated that the institute would pursue its advocacy roles with renewed vigour.

“In 2023, we shall be working to increase the number of Nigerian universities offering both post-graduate and Bachelor’s degree courses in Securities and Investment/Capital Market Studies.

“We shall be pursuing more vigorously, activities to promote Capital Market Literacy across the entire geo-political zones of Nigeria,” he said.

According to him, in furtherance of CIS ‘Catch Them Young campaign,’ the institute shall make deliberate efforts to penetrate the university campuses more rigorously and effectively.

He noted that the CIS Academy would work harder to bring affordable world class training to its members in emerging areas like derivatives, among others. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Salif Atojoko

Vivian Ihechu
Jan, Tue, 2023

Economy/Business

President Buhari inaugurates 16.5 metres Lekki Deep Sea Port

35 total views today

By Chiazo Ogbolu/Florence Onuegbu

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday inaugurated the 16.5 metres Lekki Deep Sea Port in Lagos.

President Buhari, who arrived at the venue in an helicopter alongside Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu , cut the ceremonial tape at the port at 4.42 p.m.

The President, thereafter, proceeded on a brief drive-through inspection of the project.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Lekki Deep Sea Port is a multipurpose sea port at the heart of Lagos Free Zone, poised to be the most modern and deepest seaport in West Africa.

It offers critical support to flourishing commercial operations in Lagos state, across Nigeria and the entire West African region.

The port is ideally positioned to service the gateway for Nigeria and the surrounding West African region.

Speaking after President Buhari cut the tape, Sanwo-Olu said the multi-billion naira project was a collaboration between the Federal Government, the Lagos state government and the private sector stakeholders.

Sanwo-Olu described the project as the biggest infrastructure in the whole of West Africa, which would surely generate thousands of jobs in the country.

He said the execution of the project took off under Buhari’s administration and was completed during the President’s tenure, a milestone to be proud of.

The governor, therefore, thanked the President for his commitment to the development of the country and appreciated all those who contributed immensely to bringing the project to reality.

Prior to the arrival of the President, the State Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, Mrs Lola Akande, had in a speech said that the Deep Sea Port would complement other ports in the country.

Akande said that the port would further deepen Lagos’ position as an investment hub in Nigeria.

Speaking on behalf of the host communities, the Onilekki of Lekki, Oba Laisi Ogunbekun thanked the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Sen. Bola Tinubu for conceiving the Lekki Free Zone, where the port is situated.

Ogunbekun expressed continued support of all members of the Lekki community for development projects in the axis.

In a remark, the Managing Director of Lekki Port, LFTZ Enterprise, Mr Du Rougang thanked the host community for their cooperation.

Rougang said that the organisation would continue to work with relevant government agencies toward the growth of the economy.

Dignitaries at the event included the Minister of Transportation, Muazu Sambo, his Information and Culture counterpart, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, heads of government agencies in the transportation sector, traditional rulers in the Lekki community and top businessmen.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Dianabasi Effiong/Chioma Ugboma

Vivian Ihechu
Jan, Mon, 2023

Religious

Married Women’s Day: Muslim women express love

31 total views today

By Uchenna Eletuo

Some Muslim women on Sunday expressed love and care to one another to mark the annual Ummahaat (married women’s) Day.

The event organised by the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Lagos State Unit, included enlightenment on cancer prevention and treatment.

The event, held at Yaba College of Technology , Lagos State, had the theme: “Seasons and Anchors”.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a team of medical experts enlightened participants on early cancer detection, management and treatment.

Participants had an opportunity to hear from an oncologist and a cancer survivor.

The prevalence of the disease, especially in African, has become a huge concern to governments, individuals and organisations.

The guest lecturer and oncologist, Dr Balikis Mabadeje, said that upsurge of the disease and its increased human casualty index in the developing world, had become worrisome.

According to her, many people are unconscious of the risk factors.

“Use of contraceptives is a common cause of cancer in women. Pills contain agents that have the capacity to trigger a cancerous body system.

“An improperly-treated infection can inhibit the body system and cause hormonal disorder that can lead to cancer.

“Early and late menstrual periods can pre-dispose one to cancer.

“A girl that starts seeing her period before age 12 and a lady that, at age 62 still sees her monthly cycle, stand the risk of having cancer,” she said.

The expert said that massive body weight should be discouraged, adding that such should be reduced through light exercises in order to prevent one from being prone to cancer.

She advised women to embrace routine check-up for early detection and treatment of cancer.

She decried stigmatisation on cancer patients, saying that showing care and love to them would go a long way in helping them to recover.

A cancer survivour, Hajiah Adekoya Meslimat-Olamide, said that adherence to prescribed medication was important to survival.

Meslimat-Olamide encouraged women to maintain good life-styles.

She added that adequate relaxation and light exercises were helpful. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chidinma Agu/Ijeoma Popoola

Vivian Ihechu
Jan, Sun, 2023

Metro

First commercial vessel berths at Lekki Port

41 total views today

By Chiazo Ogbolu

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) says it successfully berthed the first commercial vessel at the Lekki Deep Sea Port on Sunday.

This is contained on the official Twitter handle of the authority.

It reads, ”Ahead of the President’s commissioning of @LekkiPort for commercial operations tomorrow, one of the largest container vessels, the CMA-CGM, has berthed at the port.

“Once more, @NigerianPorts has proven that it is prepared to offer marine services for seamless port operations. https://t.co/jEv99qwJdv,” it said.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that President Muhammed Buhari will officially inaugurate the $1.5 billion Lekki Deep Seaport, for commercial operations in Lagos State.

The Lekki Deep Seaport is a state-of-the-art facility, the largest seaport and one of the biggest in West Africa. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

Vivian Ihechu
Jan, Sun, 2023

Aviation

Aviation sector complaints 3rd highest in 2022 — FCCPC

32 total views today

By Oladele Eniola

The Federal Competition, Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) on Sunday said that complaints on Nigeria’s Aviation Industry ranked third in the list of those it received in 2022.

Dr Adams Abdullahu, Director of Operations, FCCPC, said this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

Abdullahu said that complaints on various incidents in the sector account for 674 of the 13,580 received by the commission in 2022.

He said that the aviation sector complaints came behind those on financial services — 5,709, and the Electricity and Power sector — 3,293.

The director said that complaints received about the aviation sector were on delays, cancellations, pilfered baggage, lost baggage and airport experience.

He said complaints were also received on the general condition of the terminals, cooling system and discourteous service, among others.

Abdullahi said that airlines did not communicate properly with their customers.

”Most times, if you explain to passengers what the problem is, they can understand, but operators don’t tell public what is actually going on with their operations.

“You buy a ticket, sit in the airport for unending hours, you don’t even get any sort of information on the status of your flight and that really angers passengers.

“If you usually carry them along and tell them, these are the challenges that you are facing, it brings down the tempers and that is always what we encourage our service providers to do and they should do that also”

The Operations Director noted that the commission was working on a Memorandum of Understanding with the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and all sectors of consumer protection to address the lapses in the sector.

Meanwhile, he listed other sectors on which fewer complaints received and the numbers.

They include Telecommunications, with 605; E-commerce with 508; Electrical electronics with 415; Food and Beverages with 222; Satellite and Cable services with 122.

Also listed are, Postal and Courier service with 71; Road transport with 69; Land and Construction with 65; Real estate with 63; Health services with 52: Education with 29, among others.

He said that 3,327 complaints were resolved out of the total number of complaints that that were received by the commission.

“In the corresponding year, which was 2021, the commission received 10,178 complaints and resolved 1,990

“Financial services also topped the list with 2,736 complaints followed by electricity/power with 3043, telecommunications with 510, Aviation with 459 and Electrical/Electronic with 502,” he said. (NAN)

Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

Vivian Ihechu
Jan, Sun, 2023

Health

NAFDAC warns against use of weight loss pill

32 total views today

By Aderogba George

The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has cautioned Nigerians against the use of the drug — Weight Rapid Loss Capsule.

The caution was contained in an alert with No. 049/2022, signed by NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, issued to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.

Adeyeye stated that the drug had potential to cause cancer.

The NAFDAC boss added that result of laboratory analysis showed that the drug, manufactured by Ingi Oman, contain banned substance “phenolphthalein”, which the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recognised as unsafe.

She added that the capsule, being marketed as “the most effective weight loss supplement” and sold through social media platforms like Instagram, also contain microbial growth above permissible limits.

She stated that “phenolphthalein has been found to be toxic to genes, as it can cause damage or mutations in the DNA. Studies have also shown its potential carcinogenic risks.

“NAFDAC implores consumers to stop the purchase and use of the product.

“Members of the public in possession of the product should discontinue use or sale, and submit stock to the nearest NAFDAC office.”

Adeyeye encouraged healthcare professionals and consumers to report any adverse effect experienced with the use of the product to the nearest NAFDAC office.

Consumers are also advised to report adverse effect via pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng or E-reporting platforms available at www.nafdac.gov.ng.

The director-general urged the public to also report any incident concerning the use of the drug via the Med-safety application, which can be downloaded on android and IOS stores. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abdulfatai Beki/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

Vivian Ihechu
Jan, Sun, 2023

Health

Lagos Govt, NPHCDA respond to polio outbreak

44 total views today

By Oluwafunke Ishola

The Lagos State Government, in collaboration with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), has started Polio Outbreak Response (OBR) Campaign following discovery of circulating poliovirus strains in the state.

The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Primary Health Care Board (LSPHCB), Dr Ibrahim Mustafa, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nigeria was certified Wild Polio Virus (WPV) free on Aug. 25, 2020, after three consecutive years of reporting no case of WPV.

Mustafa, however, said some countries still transmitted the wild polio variant, which had been on increase in some states across Nigeria due to low routine immunisation coverage.

He noted that the campaign was necessary to prevent a setback in the country’s laudable achievements, and critical to maintain the country’s polio-free status, following the certification received in August 2020.

According to him, the campaign will take place between Jan. 21 and 24 in all Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas of the state.

“The campaign aims to vaccinate all children, aged 0 to five years, with two drops of the oral polio vaccine, regardless of their previous vaccination status to prevent poliomyelitis that may result in paralysis of the limbs or death,” he said.

He said that vaccination teams would visit residential homes, schools, Churches, Mosques, gated estates, and all public places where eligible children could be found.

“In view of this, we solicit all parents, guardians, community leaders, pastors and imams to ensure that all eligible children are vaccinated during the campaign in all our communities,” he said.

Mustafa added that routine immunisation services would be available at the primary health centres during the campaign.

He advised that all children under the age of two years must complete their routine immunisation as scheduled, saying that immunisation was effective, safe and free. (NAN) (nannews.ng)

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman