๐๐ข๐ ๐๐ซ๐ข๐โ๐ฌ ๐ก๐๐๐ฅ๐ญ๐ก, ๐๐๐ฎ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐ฌ๐ฉ๐๐ง๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ข๐ง๐ฌ๐ฎ๐๐๐ข๐๐ข๐๐ง๐ญ, ๐ฌ๐๐ฒ๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ฅ๐ ๐๐๐ง๐ค ๐ซ๐๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ
According to a new World Bank assessment, Nigeria’s public expenditure on education and health is woefully inadequate by any standard. The research titled ‘Human Capital Public Expenditure and Institutional Review’ examines finance and governance restrictions in Nigeria’s delivery of basic education and primary health care.
According to a report seen by our correspondent on Wednesday, overall public spending of only 12% of GDP falls short of the threshold required to support basic public services. “When compared to international standards, it is clear that this level of investment is insufficient to provide adequate essential public services.” As a result, a considerable share of spending, particularly health spending, is out of pocket, preventing a significant segment of society from getting health care.
๐โ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐๐ฆ๐๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐๐๐๐ซ๐ข๐๐ฌ ๐ฎ๐ง๐ฅ๐๐ฐ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ ๐๐๐ญ๐๐ง๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐จ๐ ๐ฃ๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ง๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐ฌ
“When compared to international standards, it is clear that this level of investment is insufficient to provide adequate essential public services.” As a result, a considerable share of spending, particularly health spending, is out of pocket, preventing a significant segment of society from getting health care.
Lawmakers in the House of Representatives decried on Thursday the country’s ongoing arrest and detention of journalists who are carrying out their legally mandated duties.
Coming under a motion of urgent public importance titled “Need to curtail the incessant and unlawful arrest and detention of journalists by law enforcement agencies,” sponsor of the motion and member representing Abak/Etomi Ekpon/Ika Federal Constituency, Akwa Ibom State, Clement Jimbo, lamented the spate of unlawful arrest of journalists in Nigeria, saying the development must be addressed to protect the Fourth Estate of the realm.
The Green Chamber emphasised the significance of a free press to the evolution and sustenance of democracy, and it admonished those who harass journalists to stop doing so. Following the adoption of the motion, the House urged the Nigerian Police Force and other law enforcement agencies “to cautiously and democratically rely on Section 24 of the Cybercrime Act 2015 as amended and/or charge anyone, including journalists, to court, if they have violated any law of the land, instead of depriving them of their constitutional right.”
I am devoted to a realistic salary for workers. Tinubu promises NLC and TUC
President Bola Tinubu has stated that Nigerian workers, the nation’s driving force, need improved benefits, higher pay, and safer and better working conditions.
President Tinubu spoke with the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), led by Comrade Joe Ajaero, and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), led by Comrade Festus Osifo, in Abuja, saying he is concerned about the welfare of Nigerian workers and that his administration is prioritising their concerns.
In a statement by his spokesman, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, the President said, “I pay attention to everything around me. A happy employee is a productive one. And society relies on the productivity of the contented employee.”
Nigerians spend N721 billion in cash bribes to government officials, according to an NBS poll
As Nigerians’ faith in the government’s anti-corruption efforts diminishes According to a study report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Nigerians paid N721 billion in cash bribes to public officials in 2023.
According to a survey report titled “Corruption in Nigeria: Patterns and Trends” issued yesterday, more than 95% of all bribes paid by Nigerians in 2023 were monetary. Meanwhile, the report revealed that Nigerians’ trust in the government’s anti-corruption efforts decreased during the review period.
The research stated: “Overall, it is anticipated that around N721 billion ($1.26 billion) was paid in cash bribes to public officials in Nigeria in 2023, equating to 0.35 per cent of Nigeria’s total GDP.
Executive Order: Drug manufacturers seek defined timelines and stable naira for 70% production
The Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, PMG-MAN, the Association of Community Pharmacists in Nigeria, ACPN, and the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists, AMLSN, have expressed dissatisfaction with the slow implementation of President Bola Tinubu’s recent Executive Order on pharmaceuticals and medicals.
Separately reacting to the development yesterday, the groups, which are important stakeholders in the pharmaceutical sector, stated that a clear period and commitment from the federal government were critical for implementing the executive order.
They argued that meeting the country’s aim of 70% local drug manufacturing would be impossible without a fixed naira value. Recall that President Tinubu recently signed an Executive Order to remove customs and fees on imported pharmaceuticals while also allowing for indigenous production of drugs and other pharmaceutical products.
PMG-MAN, speaking to journalists in Lagos about the upcoming 7th Edition of Nigeria Pharma Manufacturers Expo (NPME) in September, emphasised the importance of providing a deadline for executive orders, as delays could lead to drug shortages.
๐๐๐๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐จ๐จ๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐ข๐ ๐๐ซ ๐๐๐ฅ๐ญ๐ ๐๐๐ฏ๐๐ฅ๐จ๐ฉ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐๐.๐๐ญ๐ง ๐๐ฎ๐
The Niger Delta Development Commission has stated that early adoption of its 2024 budget will help to accelerate the Niger Delta’s development. Dr Samuel Ogbuku, NDDC Managing Director, revealed this while presenting the NDDC’s 2024 budget estimates of N1.9 trillion before the House of Representatives Committee on the NDDC in Abuja on Thursday, according to a statement from the NDDC Director of Corporate Affairs, Seledi-Wakama.
He added that great progress had been made in the region and that efforts were underway to complete all outstanding projects.
He explained that the 2024 budget, titled “Budget of Renewed Hope,” was designed to maintain a strong basis for long-term economic development and a greener future for the region.
The NDDC’s CEO stated that the proposed budget would be funded through Federal Government contributions, oil companies’ contributions, ecological funds, arrears owed to the NDDC by the Federal Government and recoveries by Federal Government agencies, revenue brought forward, borrowings, and internally realised incomes.