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Nigeria’s Inflation Rate Increases To 21.09%
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has said that Nigeria’s headline inflation rate increased to 21.09per cent on a year-on-year basis in October, 2022.
Nigeria’s headline inflation rate stood at 20.77per cent on a year-on-year basis in September, 2022.
The NBS made this known via its Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Inflation Report for October released on Wednesday.
According to the report, the figure is 5.09per cent points higher compared to 15.99per cent recorded in October, 2021.
“This shows that the general price level for the headline inflation rate increased in October, 2022 when compared to the same month in the preceding year.
“Meaning that in October, 2022, the general price level was 5.09per cent higher relative to October, 2021,” it said.
According to the report, factors responsible for the increase in annual inflation rate include disruption in the supply of food products.
It said other factors were increased in import cost due to the persistent currency depreciation and a general increase in the cost of production such as the increase in energy cost.
The report said on a month-on-month basis, the Headline inflation rate in October, 2022 was 1.24per cent, which was 0.11per cent lower than the rate recorded in September, 2022 at 1.36per cent.
“This means that in October, 2022, the general price level for the headline inflation rate on a month–on–month basis declined by 0.11per cent,” the report.
According to the report, the factor responsible for the decline in the monthly inflation rate is a decline in the current month’s food index relative to the reference month index, which is due to the harvest season.
The report said the percentage change in the average CPI for the 12 months ending October, 2022 over the average of the CPI for the previous 12 months period was 17.86per cent
“This indicates a 0.91per cent increase compared to the 16.96per cent recorded in October, 2021,” the report noted.
It said increases were recorded in all Classification of Individual Consumption by Purpose (COICOP) divisions that yielded the headline index.
The report said the food inflation rate in October, 2022 was 23.72per cent on a year-on-year basis, which was 5.39per cent higher compared to the rate recorded in October, 2021 at 18.34per cent.
“The rise in food inflation is caused by increases in prices of bread and cereals, food products, potatoes, yams and other tubers, oil and fat.”
It said on a month-on-month basis, the food inflation rate in October was 1.23per cent, which was a 0.21per cent decline compared to the rate recorded in September, 2022 at 1.43per cent.
“This decline was attributed to the reduction in prices of some food items like tubers, palm oil, maize, beans, and vegetables.
“The average annual rate of food inflation for the 12-months ending October, 2022 was 19.83per cent , which was a 0.92per cent points decline from the average annual rate of change recorded in October, 2021 at 20.75per cent,” it stated.
The report said on a year-on-year basis in October, 2022, the urban inflation rate was 21.63per cent, which was 5.11per cent higher compared to the 16.52per cent recorded in October, 2021.
“On a month-on-month basis, the urban inflation rate was 1.33per cent in October, 2022, this was a 0.12per cent decline compared toSeptember, 2022 at 1.46per cent,” the report noted.
It said the corresponding 12-month average for the urban inflationrate was 18.38per cent in October, 2022.
“This was 0.85per cent higher compared to the 17.53per cent reported in October, 2021,” it said.
The report said on a year-on-year basis in October, 2022, the rural inflation rate was 20.57per cent, which was 5.09per cent higher compared to the 15.48per cent recorded in October, 2021.
“On a month-on-month basis, the rural inflation rate in October, 2022 was 1.16per cent, which declined by 0.11per cent compared to September, 2022 at 1.27per cent,” it stated.
It said the corresponding 12-month average for the rural inflation rate inOctober, 2022 was 17.38per cent, which was 0.98per cent higher compared to the 16.39per cent recorded in October, 2021.
On states’ profile analysis, the report showed in October, 2022, all items inflation rate on a year-on-year basis was highest in Kogi at 25.15per cent, followed by Bauchi at 23.45per cent, and Ondo at 23.45per cent.
It, however, said the slowest rise in headline year-on-year inflation was recorded in Plateau at 19.02per cent followed by Borno at 19.31per cent and Nasarawa at 19.39per cent.
The report, however said in October, 2022, all items inflation rate on a month-on-month basis was highest in Abuja at 3.18per cent, followed by Kebbi at 2.80per cent, and Sokoto at 2.57per cent.
“Kwara at -0.14per cent, followed by Kogi at 0.06per cent and Oyo at 0.30per cent recorded the slowest rise on month-on-month inflation,” it added.
The report said food inflation in October, 2022, on a year-on-year basis was highest in Kwara by 30.79per cent, followed by Kogi at 28.74per cent and Imo at 28.64per cent.
“Kaduna at 19.96per cent, followed by Plateau at 20.17per cent and Jigawa at 20.42per cent recorded the slowest rise on year-on-year food inflation,” it said.
It, however, said on a month-on-month basis in October, 2022, food inflation was highest in Sokoto at 3.55per cent followed by Yobe by 3.31per cent and Kebbi at 3.16per cent.
“Kwara at -0.76per cent, followed by Kogi at -0.55per cent and Akwa-Ibom at -0.21per cent recorded the slowest rise on month-on-month inflation,” it noted.
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Arson: Those Behind It’ll Account For Atrocities -Fubara …Swears In Bipi, Three Others As Commissioners
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that his administration will not fold its hands and watch sponsored political thugs run berserk, committing arson in the State.
The Governor, therefore, assured that, working with the Nigerian Police Force and the Directorate of State Services (DSS), measures will be taken to unravel those behind the recent burning of council Secretariats at Ikwerre, Emohua and Eleme Local Government areas, with a view to making them account for their atrocities.
Governor Fubara gave the assurance while swearing in four new commissioners into the Rivers State Executive Council at Government House in Port Harcourt yestersday.
Those sworn in are Hon. Israel Lebura Ngbuelu, PhD; Hon. Evans Bapakaye Bipi; Barrister Otamiri John Ngubo; and Hon. Barrister Benibo Anabraba.
Governor Fubara recalled mentioning when he sworn-in newly elected Local Government Councils’ Chairmen on 6th October, 2024, that there was intelligence on planned mayhem by misguided persons, who had threatened to prevent the elected officers from resuming duties.
True to it, Governor Fubara said, the sponsored political thugs hatched their plans, and burnt valued buildings at some council secretariats.
He said, “I said it before it happened. I knew because they were unhappy, they would go extra miles to create disaffection in the minds and hearts of the good people of Rivers State.
“We want to also let the people know that what has happened (arson) after the election, we are not going to allow it to go uninvestigated.
“A similar event had happened in this manner before, and after some weeks, some of our supporters were declared wanted in order to turn the story around.
“But this time around, I strongly believe, with the support and cooperation of the Nigerian Police and the Directorate of State Services (DSS), we will unravel those behind the assault and make sure that they account for their atrocities.”
Governor Fubara expressed appreciation for the show of patience and calmness by majority of Rivers people despite the fact that they are angry with the reckless acts of the misguided miscreants.
The Governor said he has continued to show leadership, provided the climate that has engendered productive endeavours, and will not mislead those he is leading.
“As your leader; the one steering the ship, I assure you I will not mislead anyone of you. I still stand on the path of peace. We have cases of arson in some local government areas.
“But, I appreciate your calmness. I have always maintained that we are going to be the greatest losers, if we meet them force-for-force. We need to go with peace.
“So, I will encourage everyone of you not to follow them with violence. We are carrying a basket of precious eggs in our hands. So, we need to follow them with carefulness and wisdom.”
Governor Fubara reiterated what he said the previous day on what should matter most for Rivers State, which is a firm support to ensure that the progress of Nigeria is sustained.
He said, if oil theft is not checked, the country’s economy will be badly impacted, and there will not be funds to address critical issues.
“We are in a situation where the fund that is being generated from oil production is not sufficient to tackle the challenges of Nigeria, and every hand has to be on deck to make sure that there is increase in production.
“Our focus here, not minding the distractions, will be how to provide support. You have to work with us to make sure that we curb this issue of oil theft and pipeline vandalisation.
“This is the only way that the allowances (revenue) will increase and more will also come to our State, and more progress will also be achieved in this State.”
Governor Fubara explained that his administration is doing a lot for the good people of the State, that are not being seen because of the political drama that takes their attention away.
He, however, said that his administration is working out modalities, and will soon choose a day, which could probably be before the end of October, 2024, to showcase a few projects and services that have positively impacted lives in the State.
Governor Fubara congratulated the newly sworn-in commissioners for making it into the Rivers State Executive Council.
He explained that more persons whose loyalty are for Rivers people and the administration needed to be admitted into the Rivers State Executive Council to help drive the policy of government because they will not resign their appointment.
Governor Fubara said: “We want to be sure, at this point, who we are adding into the Council, so that we will not wake up one morning and see resignation letter. So, we are taking our time.
“And usually, after a normal political period, there used to be what we call balancing. So, I can also say that the new Commissioners that are coming in are coming from their zones to also balance the political equation.”
Governor Fubara charged them to be dedicated, forthright, diligent and productive while rendering quality services to the State.
The Governor said he believed in their capacity to deliver because of their exposure to the workings of government, and expressed the hope that they will contribute positively to the success of the administration.
He said, “So, let me thank everyone of you. Let me also use this opportunity to thank the good people of Rivers State for their support, and to assure them that we will continue to defend, protect the interest of Rivers people.
“I want to thank everyone of you for your support, more especially before, during and after the elections. I appreciate your doggedness, your belief in our course to salvage this State, to protect the integrity of this State,” he added.
Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HoCSF), Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, has sought media support to fast-track the implementation of the ongoing reforms in the civil service sector.
Walson-Jack made the request during a cocktail organised by her office for media executives from different organisations in Abuja.
The event, according to her, aimed at interacting with the media men one-on-one, appreciate them and implore them to continue to strengthen the bond with the office.
“I want to start by thanking each and everyone of you for honouring this invitation. I want to say that we purposely designed this grail cocktail so that we can have one-on-one interactions.
“Let me also go ahead to thank you for all the supports you have given to the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF) in the years past I know that the Fourth Estate of the realm has always supported this office.
“I will also go ahead to thank you for your support, especially at my announcement as the HoCSF and that support has continued, up till date.
“We, therefore, thought it fit that we should organise this event just to interact with you to strengthen the bond that this office has with the media, “ she said.
The HoCSF recalled that her office had continued with programmes she met on ground upon assumption of office, especially the ongoing reforms on Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP- 2022 to 2025).
She, therefore, appealed to the media for continuous reportage on the initiative, so as to give it the necessary publicity for proper dissemination to the citizens.
“You will recall that the office has the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP- 2022 to 2025) and that is the plan that we are still driving.
“We want to request that you collaborate more with us, we are asking that the friendship, the partnership go beyond what it is now to ensure that the reforms which this office is driving get the full publicity it requires,” she said.
Walson-Jack used the medium to announce the preparation to re-introduce the civil service national anthem officially for the entire civil servants to recite at every national programme.
“The anthem has been re-introduced to drive the reforms and it’s expected that the anthem will be sung by all federal civil/public servants and indeed Nigerians.
“And it will be an anthem that will encourage every public servants to be efficient, productive, incorruptible and citizen-centred, “ she added.
Participants at the event congratulated Mrs Walson-Jack for her uplifting to the position of the HoCSF and pledged to continue in the relationship.
In a response, Mr Ephraims Sheyin, Editor-in-Chief, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), pledged the agency’s readiness to give the HoCSF the needed support.
According to him, supporting government policies has always been NAN’ priority as government’s owned media organisation.
“You can take it for granted that we are going to give the Office total support. It is part of our own mandates to support Federal Government policies, so we are going to do that fully for the head of service.
“As she said, she has her policies which are in tandem with the federal government policies, she is asking for the support in implementation of the Federal Government policies.
“She has very lofty ideas, she has lofty things that she believes that we should do. Our job is to make sure that whatever government wants to do, we have to support such policies, “ he said.
Speaking in the same vein, Mrs Halima Musa, Director News, NTA, assured her office’s partnership with the Head of service towards ensuring communicating the needed values on excellence, incorruptibility and new culture of efficiency to the public.
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LG Polls: Rogue Policemen Break RSIEC Gate, Strong Room To Steal Electoral Materials …Fubara Foils Attempt To Cart Away Materials
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara has foiled an attempt by the Nigerian Police, led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), to take over the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) at 1am on Friday, 4th October, 2024.
The rogue policemen were said to have attempted to scale through the gates and strong room of the Commission to cart away sensitive Electoral materials meant for the conduct of Saturday’s local government election in the State.
The deployment was said to have been ordered by the Inspector-General of Police.
However, the evil plots of the rogue policemen and DC Ops were botched when vigilant security officials alerted principal officers of the Commission and relevant government authorities, who immediately informed the Governor of the development.
The Governor immediately led a team of government officials, lawmakers from the National Assembly and State House of Assembly, top political stakeholders, and other leaders to storm the facility.
Addressing newsmen in front of RSIEC Office on Aba Road in Port Harcourt, after an encounter with the rogue policemen, the State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara condemned the conduct of the policemen on illegal duty, saying that the IGP was taking his friendship with some Abuja-based politicians too far.
He restated the position that the attempt to surreptitiously withdraw policemen already deployed to protect the facility, and replace them with a detachment from a neighbouring State was unacceptable.
He reminded the IGP that local government election was the internal affairs of states, and advised him to allow the federation unit conduct its affairs without interference.
At present, the Chief of Staff, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, and State and National Assembly members, alongside other stakeholders, are manning the RSIEC office to ensure that the rogur policemen in two trucks and two Hilux vehicles do not return and that elections will go ahead as scheduled on Saturday.