Strike: Patients Relieved as Doctors Resume in Lagos

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August 16, 2023

Patients seeking treatment at some public hospitals in Lagos State are relieved as they have been able to access medical care, days after Doctors under aegis of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) suspended the strike they embarked upon on July 26, 2023.

Recall that LN247 earlier reported the nation’s medical establishments had been destabilised by a series of industrial actions.

NARD had embarked on industrial action on July 26, following the failure of the Federal Government to meet their demands.

The strike had crippled health services in tertiary hospitals and Federal Medical Centres nationwide

The association had directed its members to resume on Aug. 12, after “A very fruitful meeting” with lawmakers, led by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio.”

Also, the Nigerian Medical Association, Lagos Zone, on August 2, had also directed medical doctors in three government hospitals on Lagos Island to embark on an indefinite strike following the death of Dr. Vwaere Diaso.

The NMA directive to doctors in all other government hospitals in the state to scale down activities and attend to only emergency cases for the next five days was as a mark of respect to the deceased.

Dr. Diaso, a medical house officer with the General Hospital, Odan, Lagos, died on August 1, as a result of injuries sustained when the elevator she was in crash-landed.

According to NAN, A visit to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital and the Igando General Hospital showed that normalcy had returned to clinical services at the facilities.

Some of the patients spoke in separate interviews with Newsmen in Lagos on Tuesday.

At the Igando a pregnant woman, Mrs. Oluwaseyi Odunayo, commended the truce reached by the doctors and FG, noting that patients suffered more any time there is industrial action.

She appealed to the Federal and state governments to ensure prompt resolution of issues leading to perennial strikes in the nation’s health sector.

“I came to the hospital on August 4, but couldn’t see the physician. I was told they were on strike and that those on the ground can only attend to emergency cases.

“More efforts should be put into improving the health sector as it will help people get timely, high-quality health care services that will promote well-being,” she said.

Mr. Vincent Akpan, a trader, also appealed for the acrimony to cease between doctors and the government, stressing that patients’ safety should be prioritised in healthcare delivery systems across the country.

He said constant strikes by health professionals affect access to healthcare, increase strain on remaining staff, disrupt appointments and worsens morbidity.

“My appointments at LASUTH in the last four months have been affected by various strikes. From the Association of Resident Doctors to NUAHP, and then the five days strike declared by Nigerian Medical Association to mourn the doctor that died in the elevator accident.

“All this time, I have been going to a private hospital in my area but the cost of accessing care there is higher. So, I am glad to see normalcy return to clinical operations at LASUTH,” he said.

Also, a retiree that came for treatment at the Diabetes Clinic, LASUTH, Mrs. Adenike Adenola, said that incessant strikes could erode public confidence in the healthcare system.

According to her, the government and medical professionals should find an amicable solution to perennial strikes in the interest of patients and the public

Among the demands of NARD is the immediate payment of the 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund.

They are also demanding an upward review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure and payment of all salary arrears owed its members since 2015.

Inflation Rate Hits 24.08% in July – NBS

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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August 16, 2023

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The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said Nigeria’s headline inflation rate increased to 24.08 per cent in July 2023.

The NBS disclosed this in its Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Inflation Report for July , which was released in Abuja on Tuesday.

According to the report, the figure is 1.29 per cent points higher compared to the 22.79 per cent recorded in June.

It said on a year-on-year basis, the headline inflation rate in July was 4.44 per cent higher than the rate recorded in July 2022 at 19.64 per cent.

It added:”This shows that the headline inflation rate (year-on-year basis) increased in July 2023 when compared to the same period in July 2022.”

The report said that the contributions of items on the divisional level to the increase in the headline index were food and non-alcoholic beverages at 12.47 per cent and housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuel at 4.03 per cent.

Others were; clothing and footwear at 1.84 per cent; transport at 1.57 per cent; furnishings, household equipment and maintenance at 1.21 per cent and education at 0.97 per cent, and health at 0.72 per cent.

The report said: “Miscellaneous goods and services at 0.40 per cent; restaurant and hotels at 0.29 per cent; alcoholic beverage, tobacco and kola nut at 0.26 per cent; recreation and culture at 0.17 per cent, and communication at 0.16 per cent.”

In addition, the report said , on a month-on-month basis, the headline inflation rate in July 2023 was 2.89 per cent, which was 0.76 per cent higher than the rate recorded in June 2023 at 2.13 per cent.

It added: ” This means that in July 2023, on average, the general price level was 0.76 per cent higher relative to June 2023.”

It said the percentage change in the average CPI for the 12 months ending July 2023 over the average of the CPI for the previous 12 months period was 21.92 per cent.

The report added: “This indicates a 5.17 per cent increase compared to 16.75 per cent recorded in July 2022.”

It said that the food inflation rate in July was 26.98 per cent on a year-on-year basis, which was 4.97 per cent higher compared to the rate recorded in July 2022 at 22. 02 per cent.

The report continued: “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 July was 3.45 per cent, which was a 1.06 per cent rise compared to the rate recorded in June at 2.40 per cent.

“The rise in food inflation on a month-on-month basis was caused by increases in prices of bread and cereals, potatoes, yam and other tubers, fish, oil, and fat,” the report said further.

It said: “The all items less farm produce or core inflation, which excludes the prices of volatile agricultural produce stood at 20.47 per cent in July on a year-on-year basis.

“This increased by 4.41 per cent compared to 16.06 per cent recorded in July 2022.’’

The report said the highest increases were recorded in prices of passenger transport by air and road, gas, vehicles spare parts, medical services, maintenance, and repair of personal transport, among others.

The NBS said on a month-on-month basis, the core inflation rate was 2.11 per cent in July 2023.

It added: “This indicates a 0.34 per cent rise compared to what was recorded in June 2023 at 1.77 per cent.

“The average 12-month annual inflation rate was 18.84 per cent for the 12 months ending July 2023.

“This was 4.31 per cent points higher than the 14.53 per cent recorded in July 2022.”

The report said on a year-on-year basis in July, the urban inflation rate was 25.83 per cent, which was 5.74 per cent higher compared to the 20.09 per cent recorded in July 2022.

It said: “On a month-on-month basis, the urban inflation rate was 3.05 per cent in July representing a 0.75 per cent rise compared to June 2023 at 2.31 per cent.’’

The report said on a year-on-year basis in July, the rural inflation rate was 22.49 per cent, which was 3.26 per cent higher compared to the 19.22 per cent recorded in July 2022.

It added: “On a month-on-month basis, the rural inflation rate in July was 2.74 per cent, which increased by 0.78 per cent compared to June 2023 at 1.96 per cent.’’

On states’ profile analysis, the report showed in July, all items inflation rate on a year-on-year basis was highest in Kogi at 28.45 per cent, followed by Lagos at 27.30 per cent, and Ondo at 26.83 per cent.

Nigeria’s Economy: Inflation Rate Hits 24.08% Amid Forex Scarcity

It, however, said the slowest rise in headline inflation on a year-on-year basis was recorded in Borno at 20.71 per cent, followed by Jigawa at 20.85 per cent, and Sokoto at 20.92 per cent.

The report, however, said in July 2023, all items inflation rate on a month-on-month basis was highest in Kogi at 4.99 per cent, Abia at 4.12 per cent, and Akwa Ibom at 4.07 per cent.

It added: “Jigawa at 0.16 per cent, followed by Taraba at 1.09 per cent and Yobe at 1.10 per cent recorded the slowest rise in month-on-month inflation.”

The report said food inflation in June, on a year-on-year basis, was highest in Kogi at 34.53 per cent, followed by Lagos at 32.52 per cent, and Bayelsa at 31.31 per cent.

It added: “Jigawa at 20.90 per cent, followed by Sokoto at 21.63 per cent and Kebbi at 22.45 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, in July, food inflation was highest in Kogi at 6.73 per cent, followed by Akwa Ibom at 5.64 per cent and Bayelsa at 4.59 per cent.

It said: “With Taraba at -0.21per cent, followed by Jigawa at 0.28 per cent and Yobe at 0.90 per cent recorded the slowest rise on month-on-month food inflation.”

Physical Money No Longer Accepted In Parts Of England

By

faith Jegede

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August 16, 2023

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In footage shared on social media controversial activist Piers Corbyn can be seen trying to make a purchase at the Aldi Shop and Go store in Greenwich, London.

The shop, which does not feature a traditional till, instead uses camera technology to track customers as they pick up items before charging them via an app upon their exit.

A person believed to be an Aldi worker can be heard telling him “police are on their way” as he tries to make payment with conventional cash and exits through the entrance gates, Corbyn continued to repeat that he has “paid by legal tender”. A small group that witnessed the incident then applaud and congratulate him when he walks out into the car park.

His praise has also been echoed by people online, who lauded him for standing up to the government’s new cashless policy, sweeping through the country. Others have however questioned the necessity of the stunt, as a Sainsbury’s with a normal cash and card till is located only a few feet away.

Some said the incident showed a misunderstanding of the concept of legal tender, as UK law leaves it at the discretion of individual businesses as to whether they accept specific notes, coins, or forms of payment.

Now physical cash is no longer accepted at Aldi in England with whole foods transitioning into to palm payments.

Palm payments are a biometric payment system that works by having the customer hover their palm above a reader device. The device then identifies the individual’s unique palm signature which is then associated with the customer’s payment card on file in order to charge them for their purchases.

Britain has been at the forefront of the switch to a cashless society – a trend which is even more pronounced in the capital, especially since the pandemic, Many believe that the only people who benefit are the governments and British banks

But with the shift has come growing concern about groups who still want to use cash – including many older people, those on low incomes and people who want to keep tight control over spending.

Nigeria’s F.G Arraigns Emefiele, Allies Over N6.9B Procurement Fraud

By

Elizabeth Williams

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August 16, 2023

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The Federal Government will on Thursday arraign suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, and his associates for N6.9 billion procurement fraud at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja Nigeria’s capital.

Emefiele will be arraigned alongside a female CBN employee, Sa’adatu Yaro and her company, April1616 Investment Limited on 20 charges of procurement fraud, conspiracy and conferring corrupt advantages on his associates.

The embattled apex bank chief, who has been in detention since he was suspended from office on June 9, 2023, was accused of conferring corrupt advantages on Yaro, a director in April 1616 Investment Ltd.

The offence is contrary to Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.

The section read, “Any public officer who uses his office or position to gratify or confer any corrupt or unfair advantage upon himself or any relation or associate of the public officer or any other public officer shall be guilty of an offence and shall on conviction be liable to imprisonment for five years without an option of fine.’’

In the charges signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Federal Ministry of Justice, Mohammed Abubakar; Deputy Director, Public Prosecution, Mrs Nkiru Jones-Nebo and eight other ministry officials, the three accused persons were alleged to have bought a fleet of over 98 exotic vehicles and armoured buses valued at about N6.9bn.

Some of the vehicles bought between 2018 and 2020 included 84 Toyota Hilux vehicles, 10 armoured Mercedes Benz buses, three Toyota Landcruisers and one Toyota Avalon car.

UK Inflation Falls To 17-Month Low Of 6.8%

By

Elizabeth Williams

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August 16, 2023

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The rate of inflation in the United Kingdom fell sharply in July to a 17-month low largely on the back of lower energy prices, official figures showed Wednesday, a welcome development for hard-pressed households struggling during the cost of living crisis.

The Office for National Statistics said the annual rate of inflation, as measured by the consumer price index, was 6.8% in July, its lowest level since February 2022, the month Russia invaded Ukraine and sent energy prices surging.

The decline from June’s 7.9% rate was in line with economists’ expectations.

The statistics agency said the fall was largely driven by lower energy prices as last year’s sharp increases fell out of the annual comparison. It said that food price inflation, which also spiked sharply in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, eased too.

Though the decline in the headline rate of inflation will be welcome news for hard-pressed households, it’s unlikely to derail market expectations that the Bank of England will raise interest rates again next month, especially as wages are rising at a record high. Wednesday’s figures also showed that the core rate of inflation, which strips out volatile items such as energy and food, remains high.

Earlier this month, the bank, which is tasked with achieving a 2% inflation rate, raised its benchmark interest rate to a fresh 15-year high of 5.25% and hinted that it would stay high for some time to bring down persistently high inflation.

Russia Hits Ukrainian Grain Depots Again

By

Elizabeth Williams

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August 16, 2023

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Russia strike hit a grain terminals in Ukraine’s southern Odesa region Wednesday, local officials said, damaging storage facilities and ports along the Danube River that Kyiv has increasingly used for grain transport to Europe after Moscow broke off a key wartime export deal through the Black Sea.

At the same time, a loaded container ship stuck at the port of Odesa since Russia’s full-scale invasion more than 17 months ago set sail and was heading through the Black Sea to the Bosporus along a temporary corridor established by Ukraine for merchant shipping.

Ukraine’s economy, crunched by the war, is heavily dependent on farming. Its agricultural exports, like those of Russia, are also crucial for world supplies of wheat, barley, sunflower oil and other food that developing nations rely on.

It was the latest attack amid weeks of aerial strikes as Russia has targeted the Danube delta ports, which are only about 15 kilometers (10 miles) from the Romanian border. The Danube is Europe’s second-longest river and a key transport route.

Meanwhile, the container ship departing Odesa was the first vessel to set sail since July 16, according to Oleksandr Kubrakov, Ukraine’s deputy prime minister. It had been stuck in Odesa since February 2022.

Global Stock Market: Shares Trading Mixed Amid Worries About China Economy

By

Elizabeth Williams

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August 16, 2023

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South Korea Financial Markets — A currency trader watches monitors at the foreign exchange dealing room of the KEB Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023. Asian shares declined Wednesday amid worries over discouraging data on China, as well as over the future of the U.S. economy. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Global shares were trading mixed Wednesday amid worries over discouraging data on China, as well as over the future of the U.S. economy.

Stock market report shows France’s CAC 40 edged up 0.4% in early trading to 7,292.89, while Germany’s DAX rose 0.2% to 15,799.93. Britain’s FTSE 100 was little changed, inching down less than 0.1% to 7,387.74.

U.S. shares were set to drift higher with Dow futures up 0.2% at 35,073.00. S&P 500 futures gained 0.2% to 4,463.00.

But benchmarks fell in Asia earlier in the day.

New Zealand’s central bank left its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 5.5% on Wednesday. The Reserve Bank of New Zealand’s monetary policy committee said the headline inflation rate had declined, but core inflation remained too high. The committee said it would take a prolonged period of subdued spending to reduce inflation pressure. The New Zealand dollar was little changed on the news, trading at around US $0.60.

“A recent set of disappointing economic data out of China has not been encouraging for the region,” said Yeap Jun Rong, market analyst at IG.

NNPCL Resumes Oil Production at Forcados Terminal

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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August 16, 2023

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The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has resumed operations at the Forcados Terminal, with oil production projected to rise by 350,000 barrels per day.

With this, NNPCL is getting close to the August target of 1.8 million barrel per day oil projection target.

This development is coming after a month of outage of the Trans Niger Pipelines System due to repairs at the Aleto section and loading systems leak at the Forcados export terminal.

Both terminals are operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC).

Pipeline shutdown on Forcados cost NNPC, partners $99.8m in one month

Exports from Forcados which was scheduled to ship about 225,000 barrels per day (bpd) in July, were halted on the evening of July 12 due to observed leaks on a single buoy mooring where oil was being loaded onto a vessel.

A single buoy mooring is essentially a floating loading facility, allowing huge tankers to dock offshore and discharge cargoes.

A source quoted NNPCL as saying that injections into the terminal were reduced following the report, but that no force majeure was announced.

According to NNPCL, the cause of the suspension was identified by a collaborative investigation involving the NNPCL Upstream Unit, SPDC, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission and representatives of relevant stakeholders as well as government agencies.

Report said that the disruption of Forcados loadings led to the deferment of about 250,000 barrels day production, which is responsible for Nigeria’s reduction in OPEC’s crude oil output in July.

Expectedly the 180,000 barrel per day pipeline is one of two conduits to export Bonny Light crude, while outage of the TNP was said to have led to deferment of over 120,000 barrel per day production from Nigeria.

It was learnt that the total crude oil production deferments from both Bonny and Forcados terminals are over 350, 000 barrels per day.

Shettima Lauds Google’s N1.2bn Grant Initiative For 1 Million Digital Jobs

By

Elizabeth Williams

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August 16, 2023

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The Vice President, Kashim Shettima has lauded Google’s N1.2 billion grant initiative for the Tinubu administration’s 1 million jobs scheme.

The Vice President stated this when he received in audience some executives of Google – a leading global technology company, at the Presidential Villa.

According to the Vice President, the announcement of a grant of N1.2 billion to support the Tinubu administration’s digital jobs initiative was commendable and worthy of emulation by other companies.

Earlier in his remark, the Director of Google West Africa, Olumide Balogun said the company was excited about the Tinubu administration’s vision of creating one million digital jobs and was committing over N1.2 billion in grants to support the initiative.

He said the company through the programme would provide digital skills to over 20,000 youths and women to enhance and improve their lives and livelihoods, and also enable several startups to grow and create thousands of jobs in the sector.

On his part, Google Africa’s Director of Government Relations and Public Policy, Charles Murito, said the company remains committed to investing in digital infrastructure across Africa, noting that digital transformation in the continent can be the driver of the targeted technology jobs.

The Google initiative is designed to train 20,000 Nigerian women and youth in digital skills. This initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to increasing the participation of young Nigerians in the digital economy by creating 1 million digital jobs.

The delegation from Google also includes Programme Manager, Google Africa, Ms Oluwatamilore Oni; the Government Affairs and Public Policy Manager, Adewolu Adene and Communications and Public Affairs Manager for Google West Africa, Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, among others

Aviation Workers Threaten Strike, Flights Disruption

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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August 16, 2023

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Aviation workers in the security and logistics segment of the sector have bowed to down tools on Wednesday over poor remunerations, among other welfare issues.

The workers under the aegis of the National Union of Air Transport Employees made the declaration in a letter addressed to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and other employers in the sector.

Employees in the security and logistics segment are responsible for protection of parked aircraft on the airport tarmac, processing of passengers including checking of visas and other travel documents.

If the unions begin the planned strike, it means international flights may be grounded.

Strike: Aviation Workers Reject Govt Plea, Threaten Total Shutdown

As of press time on Tuesday, representatives of National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and employers were still locked up in meetings in a last-minute effort to avert the strike.

The letter, signed by the General Secretary, National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Ocheme Aba, highlights alleged extreme impoverishment of workers, inadequate compensation and unfavorable employment contracts.

“The union asserts that despite attempts to negotiate with management across various aviation logistics companies, no meaningful progress has been made to secure fair compensation for workers.

“The managements of all the companies in the business have all failed to secure decent contracts that can avail fair remuneration for their workers,” the circular stated.

‘The upcoming service withdrawal, scheduled to commence on August 16, 2023, is intended to continue indefinitely until the demands for fair remuneration are met. The National Secretariat of NUATE has been designated as the sole authority to issue further directives on this matter,” it added

The circular also calls upon the state councils and branches of NUATE in Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Port Harcourt, and Enugu to ensure full compliance with the service withdrawal notice.

The circular further read in part, “As you are all aware, the union has done everything possible to resolve the lingering crisis of extreme impoverishment of employees of Aviation Security and logistics sub-sector of the aviation industry in Nigeria, but to no avail.

“The managements of all the companies in the business have all failed to secure decent contracts that can avail fair remuneration for their workers. With current salary levels as low as N30,000 a month for graduates, there is no gain saying that AvSec employment in Nigeria is nothing other than a slave labour camp; to call a spade a spade.”