Home Blog Page 1961

Inflation hits all time high of 13.71 per cent in 31 months

Admin Admin
-
0
Inflation hits all time high of 13.71 per cent in 31 months

By Isah Abdul-Azeez

NIGERIA’s inflation rate for September has peaked at an all-time high rate of 13.71 percent in 31 months, according to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Thursday.

The CPI measures the average change over time in the prices of goods and services consumed by people for day-to-day living.

The inflation rate for September (13.71) is 0.49 percent points higher than the rate recorded in August 2020 (13.22) percent.

Inflation rate, March 2018- September 2020

According to the NBS report, the urban inflation rate increased by 14.31 percent year-on-year in September from 13.83 percent recorded in August, while the rural inflation rate increased by 13.14 percent in September from 12.65 percent in August.

The report also showed that the highest increases were recorded in the prices of passenger transport by air, medical services, hospital services, pharmaceutical products, passenger transport by road, motor cars, vehicle spare parts, maintenance and repair of personal transport equipment, repair of furniture and paramedical services.

Food Inflation

The composite food index rose by 16.66 percent in September compared to 16 percent in August. According to the report, the rise in food inflation was caused by increases in prices of bread and cereals, potatoes, yam, and other tubers, meat, fish, fruits and oils, and fats.

In September 2020, food inflation on a year-on-year basis was highest in Zamfara-20.94 percent, Kogi-19.06 percent, and Plateau/Yobe-18.90 percent, while Nasarawa 13.94 percent, Lagos -13.87 percent, and Ondo 13.59 percent recorded the slowest rise.

On a month-on-month basis, however, September 2020 food inflation was highest in Zamfara-3.65 percent, Anambra-3.19 percent, and Kaduna-3.15 percent, while Nasarawa-0.51 percent and Abuja-0.15 percent recorded the slowest rise with Ondo recording price deflation or negative inflation (general decrease in the general price level of food or a negative food inflation rate).

Seyi Kolawole, a Finance and Research Analyst with the NASD Security emphasised that the primary cause of inflation could be related to the border closure.

“The shutting down of international borders which has made us rely on only the goods we have internally is the major cause. This is due to an increase in demand which outweighs supply,” Kolawole said in an interview with The ICIR.

He added that fuel price is one of the key metrics for Nigeria’s growth and increased fuel price will definitely impact the common man.

Kolawole said the fuel price influences transportation cost and as such, an increase in the cost of transported items.

The Federal Government on October 14, 2020, placed a full ban on the importation of goods through land borders. Consequently, this made the local demand for goods that come in through the land borders to outweigh the supply.

Obiano sacks aide accused of extra-judicial killings during his reins as OC SARS Anambra State

Vincent Ufuoma
-
0
Obiano sacks aide accused of extra-judicial killings during his reins as OC SARS Anambra State

WILLIE Obiano, Governor of Anambra State, has sacked James Nwafor, his Senior Special Assistant on Security, over alleged extra-judicial killings while he served as Officer Commanding (OC) of Anambra State Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

While announcing Nwafor’s sack in a statement on Twitter, the Governor said Nwafor will be prosecuted for his crimes.

“James Nwafor, former OC SARS in Anambra State is sacked and will be prosecuted,” Obiano said.

The Governor, who spoke to protesting youths in the state on Thursday, further noted that he was in support of the ongoing protest by youths across the country demanding an end to police brutality and excesses.

He said he would personally visit all SARS offices across the state to ensure that anyone being held is released immediately, as he promised to communicate with the Federal Government to do the needful to ensure a better life for the youths, for Anambra, and for the nation.

“Today, I joined youths of our dear State to say #EndPoliceBrutality and I support them because they did not only vote and defend their votes in my 21-over-21 victory but all their requests are genuine and germane, and I obliged to honour them all,” the Governor said.

“I felt honoured being in their midst to share in their feelings, and I made it clear that the Federal Government has disbanded SARS but I will personally visit all SARS offices in Anambra State to ensure that anyone being held is released immediately.”

Mohammed Adamu, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) had on Sunday, in response to the continuous protest to end police excesses and brutality in the country had announced the disbandment of the dreaded police unit.

Also, President Muhammadu Buhari had also issued a directive, calling for a reform of the police force.
However, the protests have continued, with the protesters issuing a five-point demand which includes the release of all persons arrested and justice for victims of police brutality.

Other demands are “setting up an independent body to oversee the investigation and prosecution of all reports of police misconduct (within 10 days), psychological evaluation of all disbanded SARS officers before they can be redeployed, and increase in police salary so that they can be adequately compensated for protecting lives and property of citizens.”

Lagos Governor, Sanwo-Olu names policemen involved in Surulere protester’s death after initially denying police involvement

Amos ABBA
-
0
Lagos Governor, Sanwo-Olu names policemen involved in Surulere protester’s death after initially denying police involvement

BABAJIDE Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State on Thursday revealed the identities of suspected police officers involved in the death of an #EndSARS protester in Area C, Surulere.

The Governor after admitting the police were culpable for the death of a bystander during the protest, according to a report, said the four officers have been arrested. The officers, according to him were two inspectors and two sergeants.

The victim, a 55-year-old Ikechukwu Iloamauzor driver was allegedly killed by a stray bullet on Monday during the #EndSARS protest in Surulere.

The deceased driver was conveying his boss to an event and was stuck in a traffic gridlock when the incident happened.

He stated that the Lagos State Government is taking the issue of police misconduct very seriously, saying “earlier this week, we all recall the incident that happened at the Area C command in Surulere.”

“All the four erring officers whose name I will also mention have also been apprehended and are going through an orderly trial. They are Inspector Bagou Michael, Inspector Ekpoudom Etop, – Sergent Nnamdi Madura, and Sergent Akinyemi Benson,” Sanwo-Olu said.

“We have also set up a panel to look into all cases of police brutality and fatality and have set up an N200 million compensation fund. I will make all announcements shortly. Once again, I apologise to any protester that has faced brutality during any of the protests days.”.

However, this contradicts the earlier statement by the Lagos State Government on its Twitter handle claiming hoodlums stormed the Anti-Kidnapping Unit at Hogan Bassey Street, Surulere, during the protests and shot three officers during their escape including Iloamauzor, a bystander who was hit by a stray bullet.

 

Alausa #EndSARS attack: Lagos State government, Obasa deny sending thugs

Olayinka SHEHU
-
0
Alausa #EndSARS attack: Lagos State government, Obasa deny sending thugs

THE Lagos State Government has denied the claim that it hired and sponsored thugs to attack Nigerians protesting against human rights abuse carried out by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in Alausa, Lagos.

A large number of thugs had today attacked protesters stationed at Alausa, injuring scores as they tried to disperse the protesters.

Nigerians across the country had since last week been protesting police brutality perpetrated especially by the SARS unit, calling for a reform of the Nigerian Police Force.

The Lagos State government had in a statement posted on its official Twitter handle said it is untrue the government-sponsored thugs to attack protesters.

It said such wild allegations were obviously concocted by enemies of peace and orderliness to whip up sentiments against the government, which has been doing everything possible to resolve the crisis by identifying with youths fighting for police reforms.

According to the statement, “Governor  Sanwo-Olu has been preaching peace, so has the Deputy Governor, who addressed the protesters last Friday. The Governor has addressed them twice – at the Lekki Toll Gate and at the House of Assembly.

“Besides, the governor visited the president to tender their five-point demand, assuring that all the protesters arrested by the police were released unconditionally.

“The enemies of progress, who are not happy that Lagos is not on fire, are the ones fueling the infernal lies that the government was sponsoring thugs to attack our protesting youths.

It also said the claim that the thugs were transported by a bus belongs to the Lagos Bus Service Ltd. (LBSL), was incorrect.

“They have been posting on the social media pictures suggesting that a Lagos Bus Service Ltd. (LBSL) vehicle was conveying thugs. The bus in question was on its normal operation when it ran into a group of protesters. The passengers, who felt endangered, rushed out of the bus. They returned to continue their journey after the charging crowd had left,” the statement further read.

“As a government, we will never encourage thuggery or any act of violence that may put the lives and businesses of Lagosians at risk. We are strongly committed to ensuring that our youths, who have taken to the streets to air their views, are well protected.”

Also, Mudashiru Obasa, the Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly denied the claim that he was behind the action of the thugs.

Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore had earlier tweeted that the thugs were brought from Agege and sponsored by the Lagos Speaker.

He said, “Large contingent of armed thugs brought in from Agege, sponsored by Lagos Speaker, Obasa and @OfficialAPCNg operatives are attacking #EndSWAT protesters at the Lagos State Assembly’s premises. Many have been injured!”

But Obasa, in response to a tweet by Oby Ezekwesili, Nigeria’s former Minister of Education who condemned the attack, said he supports the #EndSARS movement and did not send thugs to disrupt the peaceful protest.

Multiple times Lauretta Onochie, Buhari’s aide declared she is APC member

Lukman ABOLADE
-
0
Multiple times Lauretta Onochie, Buhari’s aide declared she is APC member

AS debate continues over the controversial nomination of Lauretta Onochie, the Special Assistant to Nigerian President on Social Media as a commissioner of the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), The ICIR shares posts where she demonstrated partisanship and her affiliation for All Progressives Congress (APC).

Before the emergence of Buhari as Nigerian President in 2015, Onochie has been a regular campaigner and supporter of the APC and the President.

On January 13th, 2015, Onochie tweeted: “issues in Nigeria. hope is here. vote Buhari/Osinbajo. vote APC. improved infrastructure, reduce poverty, equip school.”

Two days later, she dissociated herself from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) while campaigning for Buhari to emerge as president.

In a response to the tweet, she added that she has spent many years campaigning for an opposition party against the PDP.

“We’re not pleased that the elections were postponed, but no matter how long we have to wait, we will still vote Buhari, Atiku had hoped that his agony would end yesterday. Now there’s still one more week of excruciating pain for him and PDP before they go into oblivion. #SaiBaba,” Onochie posted.

On the same day, she also tweeted that, “There is nothing that has a beginning that has no end including PDP. The end of PDP is here. But more important (sic), change is here. Vote Buhari.”

On June 6th, 2018, while campaigning for Buhari’s second term, Onochie declared on her verified Twitter profile that she is a ‘Buharist’.

In Nigeria, the term ‘Buharist’ is used to qualify an ardent supporter of Muhammad Buhari or his political ideology.

“For once, since 2010, I’m speechless. I feel like My vote on June 12, 1993, has just been validated. If I wasn’t already a Buharist, I would become one today. What is there not to like about President Buhari and his commitment to do what’s right. Our MKO can now rest peacefully,” Onochie posted.

In multiple tweets, Onochie also campaigned for the re-election of Buhari seeking Nigerians to vote for the president and the party.

Apart from her tweets campaigning for the APC and Buhari, Onochie on June 24, 2020 declared that she belongs to APC.

Onochie said this while the APC was facing an internal crisis before the intervention of Buhari. “There is definitely an APC e-NEC meeting tomorrow. We are going through a growth process. Thank you, everyone,” she posted with the APC flag.

According to the Cambridge dictionary, the word ‘we’ is a pronoun ‘used as the subject of a verb to refer to a group including the speaker and at least one other person’.

Though the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Paragraph 14 of Part 1 of the Third Schedule as amended by Section 30, Act No 1 of 2010, clearly stated that a member of the Independent National Electoral Commission “shall be non-partisan,” the president nominated a loyal party member to be a member of the election umpire.

#ENDSARS: Northern Governors Forum rejects dissolution of SARS

Vincent Ufuoma
-
0
#ENDSARS: Northern Governors Forum rejects dissolution of SARS

THE nineteen governors of the northern part of the country have expressed their decision to reject the recent dissolution of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigerian Police Force.

Their rejection was communicated to newsmen on Friday in Abuja by Simon Lalong, Plateau State Governor, who also serves as their chairman, shortly after a with President Muhammadu Buhari.

“SARS is not made up of bad elements alone as it also includes personnel who are doing their work diligently,” he said.

While noting that the police need reforms to enable it to discharge its duty optimally, Lalong added the dissolved unit of the police has been useful in the fight against insecurity in the region.

The rejection by the governors comes at a time when Nigerian youths are staging protests across major cities in the country to demand an end to police brutality being perpetrated by the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) unit of the Nigeria Police Force.

In response to the agitation which has also claimed the lives of some of the protesters, Mohammed Adamu, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) announced the disbandment of the dreaded unit. The Police Chief also announced the formation of a new unit that would replace SARS. 

President Muhammadu Buhari had also issued a directive, calling for a reform of the police force.

However, the protests have continued, with the protesters issuing a five-point demand which includes the release of all persons arrested and justice for victims of police brutality.

Other demands are “setting up an independent body to oversee the investigation and prosecution of all reports of police misconduct (within 10 days), psychological evaluation of all disbanded SARS officers before they can be redeployed, and increase in police salary so that they can be adequately compensated for protecting lives and property of citizens.”

How true are viral claims on Nigeria’s unemployment rate, extreme poverty and debt profile?

Niyi OYEDEJI
-
0
How true are viral claims on Nigeria’s unemployment rate, extreme poverty and debt profile?

A viral post on Twitter claimed that Nigeria has 28 percent unemployment rate, 49 percent poverty rate and $89.5billion debt profile.

The claims were made by a Twitter influencer Adetutu Balogun with the handle @Tutsy22 on October 5.

Balogun is currently having over 230,000 followers on her Twitter account where these claims were made.

Read Also:

She also stated in the tweet that  Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari has approved N10 billion for population census which was reported by several mainstream media organisations.

The tweet read: “* 28% unemployment rate, * 49% in extreme poverty, * $85.9Bn debt and counting, Buhari just approved N10 billion for census. Extreme irresponsible behavior is main crisis facing leadership in Nigeria.”

THE CLAIMS:

A screenshot of the tweet.

From the tweet, these claims were established:

  1. That Nigeria has 28 percent unemployment rate.
  2. That 49 percent of Nigerians are in extreme poverty.
  3. That Nigeria has $89.5bn debt profile.

 

THE FINDINGS:

Claim 1:

The FactCheckHub first checked the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) website for the data on Nigeria’s labour statistics to determine the total percentage of unemployment rate in the country.

According to the statistics  on Nigeria’s labour force released by the NBS for 2nd quarter (Q2) of 2020, Nigeria currently has 21,764,617 unemployed people. The data also stated that 27.1% people are unemployed in the country.

The NBS also stated in the labour force report that “The unemployment rate during the reference period, Q2, 2020 was 27.1%, up from the 23.1% recorded in Q3, 2018.”

From the data, it is obvious that the Nigeria’s unemployment rate stands at 27.1% and not 28%, which makes the claim FALSE.

Claim 2:

According to the United Nations, Extreme poverty, also known as Absolute or Abject poverty is known as “a condition characterised by severe deprivation of basic human needs, including food, safe drinking water, sanitation facilities, health, shelter, education and information. It depends not only on income but also on access to services.”

The World Bank in collaboration with the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) in a 2019 report stated that those living in extreme poverty are  those living on less than $1.90 per day

In a bid to check if 49 percent of Nigerians are in extreme poverty, The FactCheckHub checked the World Poverty Clock,  a web tool produced by World Data Lab. The World Poverty Clock on October 13, 2020 revealed that 105,097,856 people equating 52 percent of Nigerian are living in extreme poverty in Nigeria based on the $1.90 benchmark.

The result stated further that 53,133,553 of the total people living in extreme poverty in Nigeria are males while 51,964,303 are females.

From the data, it is evident that 51 percent and not 49 percent of Nigerians are living in extreme poverty, thereby making the claim FALSE.

Claim 3

In a bid to check if Nigeria’s total debt profile stands at $89.5bn, The FactCheckHub checked the Nigeria’s Debt Management Office (DMO) ― the office in charge of keeping record of the country’s debt.

From the data gotten from the DMO, as at June 30, 2020, Nigeria’s external debt stands at $31,477.13M, while the total domestic debt was $54,419.39 making Nigeria’s total debt $85,896.52M.

THE VERDICT:

Based on the information presented above the first two claims are FALSE while the third claim is TRUE.

#EndSARS: Over N62m raised by Nigerian youths in support of protest in a week

Seun DUROJAIYE
-
0
#EndSARS: Over N62m raised by Nigerian youths in support of protest in a week

IN one week, Feminist Coalition, a pro #EndSARS women group has raised over N62 million through donations by Nigerian youths to support the on-going #EndSARS protests across the country. 

The group of feminists formed in July 2020 has been at the forefront of raising funds for victims of the #EndSARS protests, providing legal and medical aid, refreshments, and supplies for protestors who have taken to the streets to demand an end to police brutality.

As a form of accountability, the group has also published detailed progress reports of disbursements of funds on a daily basis, promoting transparency and gaining the trust of Nigerian youths who have come to rely on the donations to organise and sustain the protests.

As of October 15, the group disclosed that it had raised a total of N62,643,663.05 and has provided funds for the set up of 100 peaceful protests in 25 states across the country.

It also disclosed that it has paid N759,080 in medical bills for injured protestors, donated N400,000 to the families of victims murdered by police officers while protesting peacefully.

The group has also paid N500,000 in legal aid and spent N11,367,500 on supplies including food, water, mask among other requirements for the protestors.

As part of its mission, the group said it is fighting injustice through peaceful protests, fundraising, and social media organisation.

While the group is ensuring an effective funds management system, it has faced some bottleneck.

On Tuesday, the Feminist Coalition via its Twitter page announced that its account had come under attack, disclosing that the bank account linked to the donation fund had been deactivated and the donation link severed.

“For demanding an end to police brutality we are now under attack! Our bank account has been deactivated and so has the Flutterwave donation link. Our members’ lives are also being threatened! #SARSMustEnd,” the tweet read. 

Flutterwave, a payment technology company provided a platform to gather donations for the #EndSARS protesters across the country.

However, The ICIR earlier reported that Tunde Lemo, a former deputy governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Chairman of Flutterwave said he ordered the suspension of the fintech firm’s payment platform, to prevent illicit financial flow.

The restriction has since been lifted.

Japheth Omojuwa, a Nigerian youth and Chevening scholar in a tweet, stated that the donation link would be reset, noting that the government was not attacking Flutterwave.

“I have now been informed that the government isn’t shutting Flutterwave down. So we are clear on that. No one is shutting Flutterwave down. They will reset the donation link and get things going again. We are good,” he tweeted.

Nigerian musician, Falz writes Buhari to constitute NHRC Governing Council

Lukman ABOLADE
-
0
Nigerian musician, Falz writes Buhari to constitute NHRC Governing Council

FOLARIN Falana, a Nigerian musician popularly known as FALZ, has written an open letter to the Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari over the non-existence of a governing council for the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

The open letter shared on his official Twitter page was titled ‘Request For Reconstitution Of The Governing Council Of The National Human Rights Commission For The Discharge Of Its Functions With Respect To Cases Of Human Rights Violations In Nigeria’.

According to FALZ, the letter was in line with the statement of Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Nigerian President who had said that the Federal Government has accepted the 5-point request of the #ENDSARS protesters.

The letter read that Adesina in his statement said “the Forum agrees to the setting up of this independent panel by the National Human Rights Commission within the next one week’.

FALZ said in the letter that the Section 5 of the National Human Rights Commission (Amendment) Act 2010 empowers the Commission itself to receive complaints and investigate all alleged cases of human rights violations in Nigeria and make appropriate recommendations to the President while section 2 of the amended act provides for the constitution of the Commission’s governing council.

He further stated that the absence of the Governing Council can be attributed to the aggravation of human rights abuses across the country.

“As it stands now, the National Human Rights Commission has remained without the Governing Council since 2015 and still remains without it The unfortunate circumstance has led to the aggravation of human rights abuse,” FALZ stated.

The Nigerian singer added that the Governing Council is provisioned to consist of a chairman who shall be a retired Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria or the Court of Appeal or a retired judge of the High Court of a State, a representative of each of the following: Federal Ministries of Justice, Foreign Affairs, and Internal Affairs.

He added that the Act also provides that the Council should consist of three representatives of registered human rights organisations in Nigeria, two legal practitioners who shall not have less than ten years post qualification experience, three representatives of the media, at least, two of whom shall be from the private sector, three other persons to represent a variety of interests, and the executive secretary of the Commission.

While quoting Section 7(3) of the National Human Rights Commission Act, FALZ noted that the Executive Secretary of the Commission does not have the power to act without a Governing Council.

Stating the importance of reconstituting the governing council, he said the action must be taken in order to restore the confidence of young Nigerians in the proposed police reform process.

“Failure to do this would force young Nigerians to believe that the continuous refusal to re-constitute the Governing Council of the National Human Rights Commission is a deliberate attempt to mislead us into thinking genuine efforts are being made at reforming the Nigeria Police when in truth the opposite is the case,” the letter further read.

He also stated that due to the provision of the Act that vests the power to investigate cases of human rights abuses on the NHRC, the government needs not to constitute another committee to investigate misconduct by operatives of the defunct SARS.

CAN faults Onochie’s nomination as INEC Commissioner, asks Senate to stop executive recklessness

Niyi OYEDEJI
-
0
CAN faults Onochie’s nomination as INEC Commissioner, asks Senate to stop executive recklessness

THE leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has condemned the nomination of  Lauretta Onochie, a Presidential aide, as a commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The Christain umbrella body described Onochie’s nomination for the INEC position by President Muhammadu Buhari as an executive recklessness, a dirty slap on the populace, and a gross violation of the 1999 Constitution.

Samson Ayokunle, CAN President stated in a statement on Thursday that Nigerians were happy when President  Buhari said he wanted to leave a legacy of the free, fair, and credible election behind not knowing he was deceiving the citizens.

Ayokunle added that the nomination of his personal aide to such a sensitive position has revealed the type of electoral legacy the President is working on.

“When President Muhammadu Buhari said he wanted to leave a legacy of free, fair and credible election behind, all right-thinking Nigerians were happy and CAN have been praying for God to grant him the grace to do so. But the nomination of his personal aide to such a sensitive position may have revealed the type of electoral legacy the President is working on,” the CAN president said.

He called on the Senate to reject the nomination, stating that Onochie’s nomination clearly violated Section 156 (1) (a) of the 1999 constitution.

“According to Section 156 (1) (a) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) Act No 1, 2010,  a member of the INEC “shall not be a member of a political party.” Whereas Onochie is reportedly said to be a card-carrying member of the ruling party, that disqualifies her from being nominated and appointed to serve in INEC,” he said.

The CAN President also stated that Onochie lacks objectivity, justice, and fairness that are mandatory for every member of INEC as a result of her partisan membership of a political party and by being an appointee of the ruling party.

“As far as CAN is concerned, Onochie suffers objectivity, justice and fairness that are mandatory for every member of INEC as a result of her partisan membership of a political party and by being an appointee of the ruling party,” Ayokunle said.

“We are equally opposed to her nomination because of her unguarded remarks, public insults on credible individuals and the use of vulgar language and unprintable words against people who express their displeasure to some actions and policies of the government of the day, especially, her principal.”

He noted that the association and her leadership had been a victim of her unguarded statements since her appointment as the Special Assistant to the President on Social Media.

“A person like her by her utterances does not have the character to occupy a position of unbiased umpire in national elections in Nigeria,” he said.

He called on Senate to do a thorough investigation of the other three nominees to ensure that they are truly qualified and competent for the appointment and that they do not belong to any political party.

1...1,9601,9611,962...3,440Page 1,961 of 3,440