SUBSCRIBE
SUBSCRIBE
Try "researchers"
Home Blog Page 2087

Internet Subscriptions hit 154.28m in 2022

Dominica Ijeoma Nwabufo
-
0

Internet access in Nigeria grew in 2022 as mobile Internet subscriptions rose to 154.28 million, new industry statistics from the Nigerian Communications Commission have revealed.

This was an 8.94 percent growth from 141.62 million mobile Internet subscriptions as of December 2022, showing a sustained growth in Internet usage through mobile devices in the country.

In the period under review, MTN Nigeria recorded the highest mobile Internet subscription growth, up by 11.57 percent to 65.62 million from 58.81 million in the previous year. It was followed by Airtel which grew by 9.72 percent to 41.18 million from 37.53 million and Globacom grew by 8.92 percent from 39.53 million to 43.05 million.

However, 9mobile was the only GSM operator that witnessed a decline in the period under review. Its mobile Internet subscription declined by 22.94 percent to 4.43 million from 5.75 million in 2021.

Mobile devices are the primary gateway to the Internet for many Nigerians. These devices increase digital inclusion.

The global association for telcos, in its report: ‘The Mobile Economy Sub-Saharan Africa 2022,’ recently said, “As the primary way most people access the internet in Sub-Saharan Africa, mobile is driving digital inclusion.

“This delivers significant economic benefits, reduces poverty, and transforms lives by providing people with access to a range of life-enhancing services.

“By the end of 2021, around 40 percent of the adult population in Sub-Saharan Africa subscribed to mobile internet services. Although this figure is a marked increase from the 35 percent at the start of the pandemic, it still lags behind the global average of 70 percent by a considerable margin.”

According to the association, mobile technologies and services generated about $140bn, around eight per cent of GDP across Sub-Saharan Africa.

 

NP/Dominica Nwabufo

FCTA Takes Pre-Emptive Measures Against Diphtheria Disease

Mercy Chukwudiebere
-
0

The Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Executive Committee has directed that all necessary preemptive measures be taken against the emergence of the deadly childhood disease known as Diphtheria by all relevant health agencies.

The Health and Human Services Secretariat of the FCT Administration is further directed to ensure increased surveillance and awareness creation and sensitisation by all relevant agencies, to curb the risk of the disease spreading within the territory.

In a statement signed by the Director Information and Communication of the FCTA, Mohammed Hazat, the FCT committee gave this directive in its meeting held on Monday in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.

It urged the FCT Health and Human Services Secretariat to liaise with the Area Council Services Secretariat, as well as the Chairmen of the six Area Councils in the Territory to immediately convene an emergency meeting with relevant technical Partners and work out modalities to effectively confront the disease.

Diphtheria is a bacterial infection caused by the organism referred to as Corynebacterium diphtheria which affects the throat, nose, and sometimes, skin of unvaccinated children and rarely adults with poor immunity. The symptoms of the disease also include fever, runny nose, sore throat, cough, red eyes, neck swelling, and difficulty in breathing.

Diphtheria spreads easily between people through direct contact with infected people, droplets from coughing or sneezing, and contact with contaminated clothing and objects, thereby underscoring the importance of hygiene and environmental sanitation in the prevention. The people most at risk are the unvaccinated and those who live in crowded areas and/or where there is poor sanitation.

To reduce the risk of contracting the disease, children are expected to get fully vaccinated with three doses of the Pentavalent vaccine as recommended in the National childhood immunization schedule. The FCT immunisation coverage currently stands at 83%, against the national average of 57%, though at least 95% of all children are expected to be vaccinated, thereby preventing spread.

The meeting enjoined the Health and Human Services Secretariat to galvanise the support of all stakeholders and ensure massive sensitisation of all residents to further minimise the risk of contracting the ailment as cases have been reported in some states around the FCT.

The EXCO also directed the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC) to restrict the activities of the Point of Sales (POS) operators scattered around the Federal Capital City to only commercial areas because of security concerns.

It observed that “POS is a commercial enterprise, and, therefore, should be conducted only in the designated commercial areas.”

Aside from the security implications, the activities of POS operators also create environmental nuisances as they serve to attract other commercial activities, thereby generating uncontrolled waste.

The EXCO re-emphasised the importance that the present leadership of the FCT Administration places on the security and well-being of the residents. It vowed that it would take every necessary measure to protect all Nigerians and visitors residing in Abuja.

The FCT EXCO meeting, which was presided over by the FCT Minister, Mallam Muhammad Bello was attended by the FCT Permanent Secretary, Olusade Adesola, Chief of Staff to the FCT Minister, Mallam Muhammad Mai-Borno, Secretaries of FCT Mandate Secretariats and other Directors.

 

 

Mercy Chukwudiebere

House of Reps Invites CBN And Bank Bosses

Confidence Okwuchi
-
0

The House of Representatives has invited the Bankers Committee and the management of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to meet with the leadership of the house on Wednesday January 25, 2023, to explain why the newly designed naira notes are not fully in circulation.

The House also call for the extension of implementation of the swap to six months and make the new notes available.

It also called on President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene on the deadline issues by the CBN.

The resolutions was sequel to a motion of Urgent Importance by Honourable Sada Soli on the Need For the CBN to Review and Extend Timeline for Currency Swap.

The lawmaker also called for the review of the cashless policy.

He noted that the CBN was to ensure price stability and that the banks are places where people keep their money for safety.

He agreed that the cashless policy was in tandem with global best practices but the deposit money banks in Nigeria do not have what it take to achieve the policy.

He lamented that the CBN has refused to listen to the cry of people to extend the timeline of the currency swap.

Decline in Economy

“Also worried that as a result of the rigidity in the implementation of the policy, there is a tendency of decline in the economy if cash withdrawals are delayed due to short supply of the new Naira notes; Cognizant that in order for the policy to be successful and acceptable, the should keep their relationship closer to reality, rather than theorized assumptions; Disturbed that coercing the people to accept the new CBN policy within such a timeframe will pose serious monetary challenges and impact negatively on micro economic activities across the country,” the motion said.

That the House also urged the CBN to extend the implementation of the Cashless Policy to at least one year as well as review the daily withdrawal Limit and the charges therefrom.

It also urged the CBN to expedite action on making the redesigned N200, N500
and N1,000 notes available to Nigerians.

According to Honourable Soli, “the rigidity of the policy may affect the economy and therefore the apex bank should keep their policy closer to reality. The policy though good will not be fair on the new government and will impact negatively on Macro economy,”Honourable Soli added.

Confidence Okwuchi

Lagos State Assembly Seeks Upgrade Of Five General Hospitals

Mercy Chukwudiebere
-
0

The Lagos State House of Assembly in its proceedings has sought the upgrade of five general hospitals to tertiary level in the five divisions of the state.

The five general hospitals include; Badagry, Alimosho, Ikorodu, Epe and Lagos Island General hospitals.

The House made the resolution on the report presented by the Chairman House Committee on Health Services, Olusola Sokunle, representing Oshodi/Isolo Constituency 2.

In the report, the Chairman said that “the committee went on an investigation to the general hospitals across the state to know the suitable hospitals that could be upgraded.”

Sokunle said that “the upgrading of the general hospitals would reduce the pressure witnessed by the facilities of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, calling for the establishment of the Renal and Neuro Department in the proposed five general hospitals.”

The lawmaker also called for the overhauling of the Primary Health Centres (PHCs) by the state government, stressing that Local governments should intensify awareness and sensitisation about the usefulness of the centres in the Councils.

Sokunle explained that the land mass, high-tech equipment and quality of the medical personnel were part of the considerations for choosing the five general hospitals.

Debating the report, Wahab Jimoh (Apapa 2), observed that there was need to consider other general hospitals within the Lagos Island Division, saying that general hospitals within the Lagos Mainland axis should be considered.

Jimoh argued that Lagos Island has been saturated with general hospitals that could attend to the medical needs of the people on the Island, adding that general hospitals in Surulere and Lagos Mainland could be considered for an upgrade.

The Chief Whip, Mojisola Meirada (Apapa 1), argued that aside from the establishment of renal departments in the upgraded general hospitals, there should be a trauma and bone department in each of them.

He said that it would help in reducing the pressure on the Gbagada hospital trauma facility.

Meanwhile, Moshood Oshun ( Lagos Mainland 2), made case for the establishment of more general hospitals across the state, saying instead of converting the five hospitals to a tertiary level more could be established to allow easy accessibility by the residents.

Oshun argued that the funds that could be used to upgrade the hospitals could be used to establish new general hospitals in the local governments.

The Speaker of the House, Mudashiru Obasa, said that “there was need to sustain the glory of the five general hospitals by upgrading them to the tertiary level.”

Obasa said that there was also need to create synergy among general hospitals and collate data to know whether there is a need to establish a Renal Specialist hospital to address renal diseases.

 

 

Mercy Chukwudiebere

Minister Commends President Buhari’s Efforts on Lekki Deep Seaport

Dominica Ijeoma Nwabufo
-
0

The Honourable Minister Of Transportation, Mu’azu Jaji Sambo has described the Lekki Deep Seaport as one of the major legacies of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

 The Minister revealed this at the state banquet in honour of President Muhammadu Buhari by the Lagos State Government on the commissioning of the Lekki Deep Seaport.

 Sambo said the commissioning was made possible by the expedited manner Mr President handled all requests made by the Federal Ministry of Transportation concerning Lekki Deep Seaport.

 “This project will go down as one of the major legacies of this administration. In addition, this project will make an immense impact on the nation’s economy, generating about 350 billion dollars in revenue.

 “I, therefore, say big congratulations to Mr President, the Federal Ministry of Transportation, the Nigerian Ports Authority, the investors and all stakeholders on the accomplishment of this milestone,” he said.

 He added that the very fact that the letter of intent between the proponents of Lekki Deep Seaport and its financial partners was signed as recently as April 2019 and by January 2023 the wide-ranging impact project is already being commissioned is a testament to the tenacity of the purpose of the Federal Ministry of Transportation through the Nigerian Ports Authority.

 “Added to these was the unprecedented promptness with which the President approved the Ministry’s extraordinary request to designate Lekki Deep Seaport as Customs Port & approved Wharf and its publication in the Federal Government Official Gazette in record time.

 “With Seaports being under the exclusive legislative list, the Nigerian Ports Authority’s provision of a sinking fund for Lekki Deep Seaport Federal Government’s equity contribution gave this project the necessary statutory cover and financial guarantee in line with the law.

 “Completing a project of the magnitude and impact of a deep seaport in a record time of 45 months shows the effectiveness of tenacious ministerial supervision, strict regulatory oversight and strong presidential backing,” he said.

 The Minister also said that the Lekki Deep Seaport would be generating 170,000 jobs going on the number of direct and indirect labour employed since the project commenced.

 He said one of the features of Lekki Deep Seaport is its full automation which would enhance the competitiveness of Nigeria’s exports in the international marketplace.

 “Given the thousands of direct and indirect jobs that Lekki Deep Seaports has generated from the commencement of construction to date and the over 170,000 jobs, it is set to create as operations commence.

 “The distinctive features of Lekki Deep Seaport such as full automation which positions it for quick cargo and vessel turn around will greatly enhance the competitiveness of Nigeria’s exports especially agro-allied products in the international marketplace and position Nigeria to maximize the opportunities inherent in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)Agreement.

 

 “Your Excellencies, very distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I am very delighted to be a part of this epoch-making occasion and I want to join the rest of Nigeria to commend Mr President for placing Nigeria on the global list of nations with deep seaports.

 “God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria, God bless President Muhammadu Buhari, God bless you,” he said.

 

Dominica Nwabufo

PDP Presidential Candidate Promises Unity and Improved Economy

Dominica Ijeoma Nwabufo
-
0

The Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar has made five promises to Nigerians if they vote for him and his Party as President in the February 25 Presidential and National Assembly elections.

Speaking at the Bayelsa State Presidential campaign rally at Ox Bow Centre in Yenagoa the state capital the former Vice President said he is committed to implementing five key programmes starting from the unification of Nigeria, “I am going to give every part of this country a sense of belonging in the next PDP Government, I promise to tackle insecurity. Here in Bayelsa state, you have faced several security challenges, you have lost so many people, due to breach of law and order, and I promise to restore security in this country”.

Atiku told the crowd of supporters that providing quality education and improving lives will be given due attention, especially improving the economy which will also be a major priority of his government, “we promised that we are going to tackle the economy and make sure that we provide jobs and other opportunities for our young men and women to be gainfully employed either in the private sector or public sector”.

On restructuring, he said the people of Bayelsa will benefit more from restructuring, “People in the Niger Delta need more restructuring than any other part of this country, we would give you more resources and power to deal with your problems, you don’t need to always beg the federal government for everything when you are producing the resources of the country, so we will devolve more power and resources to you in the Niger Delta”.

                                                             

Atiku reminded them that as a state that has been PDP and produced a President, Goodluck Jonathan, under the party’s banner they should remain in the party to reap the fruits of their dedication, “I want to remind you since the beginning of democracy, Bayelsa has been PDP and PDP has been Bayelsa, everything you see in Bayelsa today was provided by the PDP government, everything, therefore I am calling on you, the people of Bayelsa not to leave PDP, don’t make the mistake of leaving PDP”.

The Vice Presidential Candidate Ifeanyi Okowa repeated his call for the house-to-house, market to market and community-to-community campaign model for personal contact and greater reach by supporters to all people of Bayelsa State to vote massively for the PDP, “this time, we want to come out with the vote that will make Nigerians respect the South-south. 

I know that you can do it because in every election, the winning vote has always come from the South-South zone and we believe that this time, the winning vote will come from the South-South geopolitical zone”.

Okowa noted that this is the best opportunity they have as a party to reclaim the presidency and he believes PDP supporters in Bayelsa state are ready to go out and ensure that they deliver a minimum of 700,000 votes and the South-South zone a minimum of 5 million votes for the PDP to win. “We must reunify Nigeria; we must ensure that we restore peace in Nigeria. We must ensure that we grow the economy”, he said.

On his part, the National Chairman of the PDP Senator Iyorchia Ayu paid tribute to all governors of the PDP in Bayelsa State and promised that the party will always stand with the people and if Atiku and Okowa win the presidential election in 4 weeks they will make the votes count, “You promised to vote for PDP and PDP promised to look after your welfare. We know your problems, and we will stand by you. The PDP when we take power will seat with you and discuss all those things that make Bayelsa not develop. Do not abandon this party, this is the party of the people and with the people, we shall stand by”.

Ayu said the PDP with the votes of the people of Bayelsa will do its best to rebuild the economy, and restore and reform the economy for the collective good of all citizens and expressed gratitude over the return of four members of the House of Representatives and their supporters to the PDP.

Governor Aminu Tambuwal, Director General of the PDP Campaign Council said their candidates are concerned about the progress and development of the Niger Delta and will rise to the occasion in making a difference in the region, especially in Bayelsa state “Atiku/Okowa is very familiar with the issues in the South-South, Atiku is very familiar with the issue of insecurity in the South-South. Atiku is the only candidate in this election that has a clear pathway for restructuring Nigeria and not only that, he picked Sen. Seriake Dickson as his technical adviser on restructuring. You should know that Atiku means restructuring and he will do it and by the grace of God, there will be a better Nigeria where life will be more meaningful to all of us especially our women in Bayelsa, our farmers in Bayelsa, our fishermen in Bayelsa, our youths in Bayelsa and every Nigerian. Atiku will reposition Nigeria and will rescue it”. 

The PDP Presidential rally in Bayelsa State, situated in the Niger Delta of Nigeria, surrounded by the sea, was a real spectacle as supporters showed their love for the party in their colourful attires, songs and dance on land and on the sea through boat regatta waving the PDP red, white and green flags. 

Dominica Nwabufo

Doma United coach decries absence of VAR in NPFL

Emmanuel Ukoh
-
0

The Technical Adviser of Doma United Football Club of Gombe, Akinade Onigbinde, says the absence of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) is not good.

Onigbinde said it was very bad VAR was non-existent during his team’s match against Dakkada FC of Uyo on Sunday at the Pantami Township Stadium in Gombe.

“The absence of VAR affected the outcome of the match,” he lamented after the Match Day 3 fixture in the abridged 2022/2023 (NPFL) season.

The coach said his newly-promoted side would have had more goals recorded in their favour if VAR had been used during the match.

He, therefore, urged the NPFL’s Interim Management Committee (IMC), organisers of the league, to consider introducing VAR in the Nigerian top tier of the domestic league.

“The goal that was not given to us was a good goal. Now is the time to call for VAR in our football too, because we had a goal there.

“After that, we had a clean handball situation against our opponents and it was supposed to be a good penalty kick.

“We were supposed to make use of the advantage because it passed through the line I saw the ball which is a goal,” the coach said.

He commended the improvement made by referees in terms of officiating matches in the NPFL.

“Nowadays, you can go to an away ground and win, which we have seen this season, and it is good for our football development.”

Doma United beat Dakkada FC after an Ogwuche Emmanuel 59th-minute goal.

 

 

 

 

NAN/Emmanuel Ukoh

Anambra State To Hold First Environmental Sanitation Exercise

Oluwasola Akintonde
-
0

Anambra State Waste Management Authority, (ASWAMA) has stated that the first environmental sanitation exercise for the year 2023 will hold on Saturday, January, 28.

This is very crucial, coming shortly after the yuletide and new year celebrations that witnessed a high influx of people into the state with the consequent increase in commercial as well as other circular activities.

The exercise as it is a usual practice, will hold in all the communities of the state between the hours of 7 am to 10 am, and no form of vehicular or human movement will be tolerated within these hours.

Full compliance

The Managing Director, Mr. Mike Ozoemena, enjoins Transition Committee Chairmen (TCC), of the various Local Government Areas to ensure proper mobilization and compliance in their areas.

The statement further enjoins Anambra people to participate fully in the exercise; clean their surroundings, desilt water channels and properly bag their wastes which should be deposited in front of their homes for adequate collection and disposal by the waste management agency.

Civic responsibility

The MD also urged the people to perform their civic responsibilities by promptly paying their ASWAMA levies to enable the Prof. ChukwuSoludo-led administration to deliver on its promise of a clean, green and livable Anambra State.

 

Olusola Akintonde

Portugal Announces Debt Swap In Cape Verde

Christopher Ojilere
-
0

Portugal has announced that all debt repayments it receives from its former colony of Cape Verde will be fully reinvested into the African country.

Report says the reinvestment is aimed at driving Cape Verde’s transition to a greener and more sustainable future.

The archipelago of 10 small islands, off Africa’s west coast, owes Portugal more than $650m of which $13m is due to be repaid by 2025.

While speaking in Cape Verde, Portugal’s Prime Minister, António Costa said that money will now be ploughed back into Cape Verde to support renewable energy and other green projects.

 

BBC/Christopher Ojilere

New Zealand’s PM Bids Emotional Farewell

Shakirat Sadiq
-
0

Jacinda Ardern on Tuesday bid an emotional farewell on her last day as prime minister, speaking of the kindness and empathy New Zealanders have shown her, but said she was ready to be a sister and a mother.

Days after stunning the world by announcing she had “no more in the tank” to lead the country and would step down, the 42-year-old arrived at a gathering of politicians and Maori elders in the small town of Ratana, north of the capital Wellington, and was instantly surrounded by supporters seeking photographs.

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the greatest privilege of my life,” Ardern told the gathering in a speech.

She will resign on Wednesday and be replaced by the new Labour party leader, Chris Hipkins.

Ardern, along with Hipkins and opposition politicians, were making an annual visit to Ratana, where a weeklong celebration is held for the birth of Maori prophet Tahupotiki Wiremu Ratana.

Wearing a black dress with her shoulders covered in a traditional Maori cloak, called korowai, she led members of her party onto the community grounds as a brass band played. The speeches and accompanying songs and dances that followed saw elders speak with humour and warmth about Ardern.

“Thanks so much for teaching us to love quickly,” one elder told Ardern.

Ardern responded, saying she that hadn’t planned to speak but that those there refused to give her an out.

“My overall experience in this job of New Zealand and New Zealanders in this job has been one of love, empathy and kindness,” she said.

The left-leaning global icon gained attention for bringing her baby to a United Nations meeting and wearing a hijab after a massacre targeting Muslims. Although she became a target for hate and online abuse by right-wing extremists on social media, she said she was leaving the job with love in her heart.

“I want you to know I leave with a greater love and affection for Aotearoa New Zealand and its people than when I started.”

Before heading onto the grounds, Ardern faced the media for possibly the last time as prime minister, smiling broadly as declining to answer political questions, saying they were now the responsibility of her successor.

“I am ready to be lots of things. I’m ready to be a back bench MP (member of parliament). I’m ready to be a sister and a mum,” she said.

Her daughter Neve is 4 years old and starts school in June.

 

 

 

Reuters /Shakirat Sadiq

1...2,0862,0872,088...3,621Page 2,087 of 3,621

HEALTH

ENTERTAINMENT & TOURISM

WORLD

NEWS COMMENTARY

NEWS FEATURE

Voice Of Nigeria Mission is “Reflecting Nigerian and African perspectives in our broadcasts, winning and sustaining the attention, respect and goodwill of listeners worldwide, particularly Nigerians and Africans in the Diaspora … making Nigeria’s voice to be heard more positively in the shaping of our world.”

More from CN

Contact

© Voice of Nigeria Broadcasting Service