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Cost of living: Nigerians groan, set agenda for Tinubu

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Six months into the administration of President Bola Tinubu, the cost of living in Nigeria has experienced a significant and alarming rise. President Tinubu’s removal of the subsidy has exacerbated the existing hardship for many Nigerians, leading to increased challenges in their daily lives. According to the World Bank, the poverty rate in Nigeria surged to 46 percent in 2023, affecting 104 million individuals.

Inflation rates also witnessed a sharp increase, reaching 27.33% in October 2023 and 28.20% in November, as reported by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). This inflation had a substantial impact on household spending. The rise in food inflation on a year-on-year basis was attributed to increases in the prices of various food items, including oil and fat, bread and cereals, fish, potatoes, yam, fruits, meat, vegetables, milk, cheese, and eggs.

A review of foodstuff prices in Nigeria by DAILY POST in January revealed soaring costs. For instance, a 50kg bag of rice ranged from N45,000 to N60,000, while beans cost between N60,000 and N70,000 for a similar quantity. Yam prices varied from N800 to N3000 per tuber. Noodle prices, depending on the brand and size, ranged from N7000 to N9000. Garri, a staple made from cassava, was sold between N30,000 and N40,000 per 50kg bag. Potatoes in a 25kg bag cost between N6,000 and N9,000, and a 12-pack of spaghetti was priced at N13,000.

These surges in food commodity prices have raised serious concerns among Nigerians. Despite assurances from President Tinubu and his team regarding their capability to address the situation, many citizens feel that the expected improvements are taking longer than anticipated.

Residents expressed their concerns, linking the rising cost of petrol to the challenges faced by the masses. Some suggested that a review of the minimum wage for civil servants should be considered. Others emphasized that addressing insecurity is crucial, especially ensuring farmers can work without fear, facilitating the transportation of produce from farms to markets.

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Mr. Abdul Sani expressed frustration, stating that he doesn’t see any hope, and the continuous rise of the dollar is contributing to escalating prices of essential goods. Some voiced skepticism about the effectiveness of government interventions, citing corruption as a hindrance.

Economic expert Dr. Ayo Teriba emphasized the need to stabilize the foreign exchange market to promote economic growth and competitiveness. He highlighted the negative impact of exchange rate volatility on business decisions, inflation, and living standards. Teriba suggested that addressing the exchange rate volatility is crucial for achieving sustainable growth and mitigating the adverse effects of reforms on living costs.

While acknowledging the challenges, he noted that the direction of the 2024 budget indicates that the government is making adequate provisions to address the impact of its reforms on living costs.

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Hospital Board Suspends Doctor Over Negligence In Kano

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Dr. Mansur Nagoda, the Executive Secretary of the Kano State Hospitals Management Board, has sanctioned the immediate suspension of a medical officer at the Muhammad Abdullahi Wase Teaching Hospital. This action follows numerous complaints from patients and staff regarding the doctor’s unauthorized absence from duty.

Dr. Nagoda disclosed that the suspended doctor, whose identity is withheld, left the hospital without informing any authority or management personnel. Despite attempts to reach her, she claimed to be on the premises but failed to report to the doctors’ quarters or fulfill her duties, leaving a dialysis patient distressed.

Emphasizing the ethical responsibility of doctors to prioritize patient care, Dr. Nagoda stressed the need for accountability and professionalism within the healthcare system. He warned that proper arrangements must be made with another doctor when absent from duty, and negligence will not be tolerated.

The suspension will remain in effect pending the investigation’s outcome, demonstrating the board’s commitment to upholding standards of conduct among healthcare workers. Dr. Nagoda reiterated the board’s expectation for all personnel to fulfill their duties diligently, emphasizing consequences for those found derelict in their responsibilities.

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Oyebanji approves 50% subsidy on improved oil palm, cocoa, cashew seedlings for Ekiti farmers

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Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji of Ekiti State has authorized a 50 percent subsidy on oil palm, cocoa, and cashew seedlings for distribution to farmers in the state during this planting season. Mr. Ebenezer Boluwade, the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, conveyed this information in a statement released to the press in Ado-Ekiti.

He explained that this initiative is part of the strategic measures undertaken by the Oyebanji administration to generate employment, foster wealth creation, and revive Ekiti State’s agricultural sector to its former glory, particularly harking back to the prosperous era of the 1970s when it was renowned globally as a leading cocoa production hub in Nigeria.

Boluwade emphasized that the program aims to rejuvenate the state’s agricultural prowess by replacing aging trees in existing plantations and those lost to bushfires with high-quality seedlings possessing shorter gestation periods. Furthermore, concerted efforts are underway to attract enthusiastic young farmers into cocoa plantation farming.

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‘We’ve no hotel’ – Nigerian Correctional Service clears air

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The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) clarified that the Correctional Service Multi-Purpose Co-operative Society (COCOS) Hotel and Gardens Project was not financed by the Federal Government. Umar Abubakar, the agency’s Public Relations Officer, made this statement in Abuja on Wednesday, emphasizing that the hotel was an investment of the NCoS Cooperative Society.

Responding to concerns raised about the facility, Abubakar stressed that the hotel, featured on the Service’s official Facebook page, was solely aimed at enhancing staff welfare. He attributed its establishment to strategic planning and efficiency within the agency’s cooperative unit.

Abubakar expressed bewilderment at attempts to discourage meaningful investments, highlighting that the “COCOS Hotels and Gardens” was inaugurated on March 1, 2021, by former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola. He asserted that the report in question is not only deceptive but also aimed at spreading misinformation. Abubakar clarified that the hotel was constructed in 2021 and is exclusively owned by the Correctional Cooperative Society, established in 1996 for all personnel of the service.

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