The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has granted a one-month moratorium to traders and other market stakeholders involved in exploitative pricing, urging them to reduce the prices of goods.
Mr. Tunji Bello, the newly appointed Executive Vice Chairman of the FCCPC, made this announcement during a one-day stakeholders’ engagement on exploitative pricing held on Thursday in Abuja.
Bello stated that the Commission would begin enforcement actions once the moratorium period ends.
He explained that the meeting was convened to address the increasing trend of unreasonable pricing of consumer goods and services, as well as the unethical practices by market associations.
What the FCCPC is saying
In his remarks, Bello cited a finding by the Commission, highlighting that a fruit blender known as Ninja, priced at $89 (N140,000) in a popular supermarket in Texas, was being sold for N944,999 in a supermarket located in Victoria Island, Lagos.
Bello wondered about the basis for the arbitrary hike in the price of the blender compared to Texas, United States of America.
He said the unwholesome practices including price fixing were threatening the stability of the economy.
”Under Section 155, violators whether individuals or corporate entities face severe penalties including substantial fines and imprisonment if found guilty by the court.
”This is intended to deter all parties involved in such illicit activities.
”However, our approach today is not punitive. I, therefore, call on all stakeholders to embrace the spirit of patriotism and cooperation.
”It is in this spirit that we are giving a moratorium of one month before the Commission will start firm enforcement,” he said.
More Insights
On his part, Ifeanyi Okonkwo, the Chairman of the National Association of Nigerian Traders, FCT Chapter, noted that the charges on imported goods at the ports have also played a significant role in the surge in prices.
He urged the Commission to establish a task force and include the association in its enforcement efforts.
Meanwhile, the FCCPC boss said the government was aware of most of the problems raised by the market stakeholders.
“We have heard and you have genuine issues and the government has the responsibility to address the problems but generally, let us talk to ourselves too.
”There are also gang-ups to exploit consumers by traders,” he added.
Moreover, other market stakeholders who spoke at the engagement said that the high cost of transportation, insecurity, and multiple taxation among others were reasons for the continuous increase in prices of goods and services.
Residents of Owerri, the capital city of Imo State, have lamented the continuous rise in the pump price of premium motor spirit as the price of the product continues to skyrocket daily.
Residents were seen trekking to work as commercial bus drivers, especially Keke bus drivers, temporarily halted their services within the metropolis in protest over the continuous rise in the price of fuel in the country.
The development came on the heels of the further hike in fuel prices in parts of the state from N850 to between N900 and N1000 per litre as of Monday this week.
People were seen in the rush hours of yesterday morning trekking to work in their numbers along some of the popular roads in the metropolis, as only a few commercial buses were seen plying the road.
This was the case along the busy Owerri-Okigwe Road and Wetheral Road, among others.
DAILY POST learnt that the high price of fuel compelled commercial bus drivers to further hike fares for various destinations in the city of Owerri and parts of the state.
Some residents who spoke with DAILY POST revealed that the hardship caused by the hike in fuel pump price is affecting every sector in the state.
Chinedu Ofoha, a bus driver, said that they don’t feel happy increasing the price of transportation but that it became inevitable due to the increase in the price of petroleum products.
“It became worrisome when the fuel price started rising on a daily basis. Some filling stations are selling between N850 and N900 and some are selling at the price of N1000. Still when you go to some of the stations,
they will tell you that they are not selling,” he lamented.
DAILY POST learnt that it is only NNPC filling stations that are selling at N600 per litre. As a result, there are always long queues of motorists at every NNPC station.
“Sometimes we sleep at the station to be the first person to attend to when they reopen the next day,” Ofoha further said.
A fruit seller at World Bank Market, Rosemary Emenike, said that fruit sellers are experiencing low patronage from buyers because of the changes in their prices as a result of the increase in transport fares.
“When we go to the rural markets to purchase the fruits, conveying them to town becomes a problem as drivers charge us beyond what we can afford. When you ask why, they will tell you, are you not in the country? So for us to meet up, we increase the prices of the fruits,” she said.
DAILY POST recalls that fuel price has risen astronomically since President Bola Tinubu announced the removal of subsidy on fuel on May 29, 2023, during his inaugural speech as president.
Many Nigerians have blamed the persistent rise in fuel price and high cost of goods and services in the country on the president’s hasty removal of subsidy on fuel, given the country’s dependence on imported fuel.
[DailyPost]
- President has given approval, says minister
Relief is on the way for tertiary institutions and teaching hospitals reeling under huge electricity bills.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a 50 per cent subsidy for electricity used by these institutions.
To benefit are Federal universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.
The various teaching hospitals will also enjoy the subsidy regime.
Minister of State for Health, Dr. Tunji Alausa, broke the news yesterday in Kaduna.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has magnanimously approved 50 per cent electricity subsidy to all public hospitals and universities, polytechnic and colleges of education,” he said.
Dr. Alausa said the Ministry of Power is already working out the subsidy payment modalities.
Tertiary institutions have been complaining about astronomical electricity bill increases.
The rise in power costs followed subsidy reduction in the sector.
Some of them have been disconnected by the Distribution Companies (DisCos).
In some instances, students have protested against the attempt by the authorities to alternate electricity supply to reduce costs.
The University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan disagreed with the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) over an accumulated N400 million bill.
Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria cried out over a monthly bill of N300 million which will make it indebted to the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KADCO) to the tune of N3.6 billion annually.
Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) disconnected the University of Lagos this week for owing over N1 billion. The varsity said it had paid N180 million.
The annual electricity budget for 10 varsities is estimated at N247.7 billion.
The 10 public institutions with the highest budgets for this year, according to a publication by the Electricity Hub, are University of Nigeria Nsukka (N36.6 billion), University of Calabar (N29.5 billion), ABU (N29.2 billion), Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka (N26.3 billion), University of Benin (N24.2 billion), University of Ibadan (N23.4 billion), University of Maiduguri (N22.3 billion), University of Port Harcourt (N19.6 billion), University of Lagos (N19.4 billion) and Obafemi Awolowo University (N17.1 billion).
However, analysts are asking many questions, such as: “Why can’t the experts and professors in relevant disciplines in the universities develop alternative power supply?
“Instead of relying on power supply by the DisCos, why can’t the experts develop other sources of power generation, such solar, wind and hydro, among others?
“What has happened to the initiative for power supply to some of the leading universities during the Muhammadu Buhari Administration as launched at different times by then Minister for Power Mr. Babatunde Fashola?
“How relevant is the research in the universities to the society at large if the institutions cannot generate power?”
Minister inaugurates medical facilities in Kaduna
Dr. Alausa, who spoke during the inauguration of the National Ear Care Centre and other critical health sector projects in Kaduna, said they align with the Renewed Hope Agenda (RHA) to provide affordable and comprehensive healthcare to Nigerians.
He described the newly-launched facilities, including an auditorium, student hostel, oxygen plant, molecular laboratory and others as crucial.
The minister also addressed the ongoing challenges in the healthcare sector, particularly the impact of the Japa syndrome.
He spoke of the ongoing efforts to increase training quotas and improve remuneration for healthcare workers to discourage them from jetting out in search of better welfare.
Dr. Alausa further outlined the Federal Ministry of Health’s plans to implement a national electronic medical system to revolutionise patient care and data management.
He said: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to revamping all the sectors of our economy, especially in the health sector where he is giving us all we want.
“Our country is in the right direction and I want to implore the citizens to be patient with this president. He knows what he is doing.
“Every promise he made to Nigerians, he will fulfil them and he’s already fulfilling a lot of his promises.
“Our country is on the right trajectory now and I want to implore fellow citizens to be positive about our country.
“This is the only country we have and this negativity must stop.”
Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, represented by Deputy Governor Hadiza Balarabe, commended the leadership of the President in the provision of the National Ear Care Centre.
She assured the Centre of continued support from the Kaduna State Government to maintain its status as a leading institution in ENT care and research.
Dr. Balarabe said: “Together, we can work towards ensuring that all Nigerians have access to high-quality healthcare services and that the National Ear Care Centre remains a beacon of excellence in the field of ENT.”
The Centre’s Medical Director, Dr. Mustapha Yaro, outlined the newly completed projects, which are part of a broader effort to enhance healthcare infrastructure and services.
He added that among the key projects unveiled were a 200-capacity auditorium and a one-storey student hostel for the School of Post-Basic ORL Nursing.
[TheNation]
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, FCCPC, gave a month’s notice to traders and other market stakeholders involved in exploitative pricing to crash the prices of goods.
The Executive Vice-Chairman of the FCCPC, Mr. Tunji Bello, gave the order at a one-day stakeholders’ engagement on exploitative pricing yesterday in Abuja.
According to Bello, the commission will begin enforcement after the expiration of the notice.
He said the meeting was to address the growing trend of unreasonable pricing of consumer goods and services and unwholesome practices of market associations.
Bello said: “The issue of critical national importance of the day is the growing trend of unreasonable pricing of consumer goods and services across the country, and the unwholesome practice of market associations engaged in price fixing.
‘’As a responsive organization, we have carried out discreet market surveys extensively across the country in the past few weeks. Our findings are quite disturbing, to put it mildly. Therefore, our gathering here today (yesterday) is to underscore the gravity of the situation and the urgency of the need to work together to check this unwholesome development.
“As a statutory body whose mandate is to cater to consumer rights, we cannot allow this unhealthy trend to continue. To be sure, we quite recognize that an unfavourable exchange rate has negatively impacted the cost of production in local currency. However, the margin in pricing goods and services is unreasonable or excessive in a few cases.
‘’We have observed, for instance, that the margin in the prices of imported goods are very disproportionate in many cases; and in the case of locally produced goods, excessively inflated. This is an untenable situation, particularly in the retail segment, where we have identified patterns of price fixing perpetrated by some market associations, price gouging, and other anti-consumer practices.
Widespread price fixing
‘’For proper understanding, price fixing refers to an unholy agreement between competing businesses to set prices at a certain level. This can be done either explicitly or implicitly, and it prevents healthy competition that is otherwise expected to drive prices down and improve quality.
‘’Price gouging on the other hand occurs when sellers significantly increase the price of goods or services during a crisis or a period of economic challenge. This practice takes undue advantage of consumers.
‘’To illustrate, let me give you some glimpses of our findings. For instance, our check just two days ago at a popular supermarket chain in Texas, United States, revealed that a fruit blender called Ninja, is displayed on the shelf at $89 (roughly N140,000), just two days ago.
‘’Meanwhile, the same product was displayed at a popular supermarket on Victoria Island in Lagos for N944,999 on the same day and at the same hour. This represents more than 500 per cent inflation of the cost.
‘’Interestingly, when our undercover officer visited the same supermarket two weeks earlier, this same blender was on display with the price tag of N750,000.
‘’The question then arises: what is the basis for this arbitrary hike in the price of the blender, compared to the United States? What business principle can justify this level of profiteering?
‘’Perhaps, I should cite a few more of the unpleasant discoveries we made during our investigation. In some notable supermarkets surveyed discreetly in Abuja, Kano, Port Harcourt and Lagos, we also found that prices were arbitrarily jerked up from time to time without any justifiable reason.
‘’In one particular big supermarket in Abuja, for instance, consumers were being charged N2,600 for an imported toilet soap at the payment point as the price tag was not displayed as earlier mandated by FCCPC. The same toilet soap was displayed for sale at N1,950 at a popular supermarket in Lekki, Lagos, the same day. That already constitutes a double offence.
“From our findings, the penchant to hike prices arbitrarily is also common among sellers of food items and transport operators. When the foodstuff sellers were engaged, their common response was that the cost of transportation had increased.
‘’But how justifiable is it for the tomato seller to double the price of a basket of tomatoes simply because they paid higher transport fare? Whereas the price of the same basket of tomatoes was far cheaper at another market within the same jurisdiction surveyed by our field officers. Now, the question: did the seller who sold at a lower price not also pay the transport fare?
‘How price-fixing happens’
‘’In a typical foodstuff market environment, this is how price fixing happens. A trailer-load of yam tubers arrives at Wuse market in Abuja from, say, Benue State. Rather than allow free trade, the market cartel then inserts themselves between the produce farmers and the retailers.
‘’They buy in large quantities from the producer at cheap rate and, in turn, sell to market retailers at much higher price. And the retailers, in turn, sell to consumers at cut-throat rate.
‘’Such price fixing is no longer acceptable and FCCPC will, henceforth, crack down on those involved in this profiteering scheme.
‘’In the case of public transportation, again how justifiable is it for the bus driver to double their fare simply because they paid slightly higher for petrol? Of course, this will only result in a spiral of arbitrary hike in the prices of other services.
‘’The landlord who pays more for transport will probably seek to double their rent as a survival strategy. The school-owner asked to pay higher rent will also likely increase fees they charge students. That way, we all end up being losers with the cost of living becoming unbearable for everyone.
‘’In view of the current situation in Nigeria, let me, however, be very unequivocal. Price gouging and price fixing are not only unethical, but patently illegal under the FCCPA. As such, the FCCPC has the will and the capacity to invoke the full weight of the law against those found culpable of exploiting consumers.
“However, our approach today is not punitive or adversarial. To start with, we intentionally resolved to withhold the names of the aforementioned errant supermarkets, believing that, after this exposition, they will turn a new leaf and adjust their prices downward to a reasonable level.
‘’This approach is borne out of our conviction that dialogue and collaboration are equally important tools in fostering a fair marketplace. We believe that through constructive engagement, we can establish a framework for reasonable pricing that benefits all stakeholders, particularly the consumers who are the backbone of our economy.
‘’Please note that this new initiative by the FCCPC aligns with the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which prioritises the welfare of the Nigerian people in all economic activities. We are determined to uphold this agenda by ensuring that market practices do not exacerbate the economic challenges faced by our citizens at this time.
‘’Good enough, as a sensitive leader who cares for the welfare of the citizens, President Bola Tinubu has already graciously taken some pragmatic steps to ease food security in the country, including the provision of fertilizer to farmers as well as removal of tariffs on the importation of selected staple food items.
‘’It is only just and reasonable that distributors and traders pass down the gains to Nigerian consumers by reducing prices in the coming weeks.
‘’As we move forward, I therefore call on all stakeholders to embrace the spirit of patriotism and cooperation. Let us talk to ourselves. The law empowers the commission to impose heavy fine for breaches and also prosecute offenders which could lead to jail terms.
‘’For instance, Section 107 (4a.) of FCCPA clearly states: “Where the undertaking is a natural person, is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or to payment of a fine not exceeding N10,000,000.00 (N10m) or to both the fine and imprisonment.
‘’Section 107 (4b.) also states that, “Where the undertaking is a body corporate, is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding 10% of its turnover in the preceding business year.
“But in the spirit of democracy, we are first exploring the option of dialogue. It is also in this spirit that we are giving a moratorium of one month (that is, September) before the commission will start firm enforcement. Let us work together to create a marketplace that is not only competitive but also fair and just.
‘’The FCCPC is committed to continuing these dialogues, monitoring compliance, and taking decisive action where necessary.’’
Why prices go up, by sellers
Some of the market stakeholders who spoke at the engagement, said high cost of transportation, insecurity, multiple taxation, among others, were reasons for the continuous increase in prices of goods and services.
Mr Ifeanyi Okonkwo, the Chairman, National Association of Nigerian Traders, FCT chapter, said charges on imported goods at the ports had also contributed to the hike in prices.
Okonkwo appealed to the commission to set up a taskforce and involve the association in its enforcement.
Mr Emmanuel Odugwu from Kugbo Spare Parts market, said the initial cost of transportation of a trailer load of tyres from Lagos to Abuja was N450,000, noting it now cost over one million naira to transport same.
Ms Kemi Ashiri, the Liaison Manager, Flour Mills, said fines by regulators need to be harmonised for businesses to thrive.
Ikenna Ubaka, who spoke on behalf of supermarket owners, alleged that banks’ interest rates to them were over 30 per cent, and that rent increments and hike in prices by distribution/ supply chains were reasons for the high cost of goods.
Ubaka also alleged that electricity distribution companies were charging supermarkets exorbitantly.
Mr Solomon Ukeme, who represented Master Bakers Association, said rapid increment of major ingredients such as flour, sugar and butter, contributed to the high cost of confectioneries.
He said a bag of flour formerly sold for N34,000, was now being sold for N74,000, noting also that multiple taxation remained the major cause for the high cost of bread.
Price reduction, a mirage unless insecurity, high transportation costs are reduced — TUC
Reacting to the development yesterday, 1st Deputy President, Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, Dr. Tommy Okon, said until the issue of insecurity and high cost of transportation of goods and services were addressed, any talk of reduction of price within a month or more would be a mirage.
‘’Farmers pay to access their farms and also pay for transportation as well as extortion by security agencies and touts along the highways. All these are factored into the prices of goods. Until all the variables are addresed by government, there is no way prices of goods will come down..’’
‘Direct price control can create shortages’
Reacting, Clifford Egbomeade, Public Analyst and Communications Expert, said: “The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission’s initiative to force traders to lower prices, amid inflation and economic hardship, while well-intentioned, could have unintended consequences.
‘’Direct price controls often disrupt the natural balance of supply and demand, leading to potential shortages as traders might find it unprofitable to sell at the mandated prices. This kind of intervention risks distorting the market and may not address the root causes of inflation.
“For small and medium-sized enterprises, SMEs, which typically operate with slim profit margins, such controls could be particularly damaging. Many SMEs might struggle to sustain their businesses under enforced price reductions, leading to closures and job losses, which would have a broader negative impact on the economy.
‘’The informal sector, a significant part of the Nigerian economy, could be disproportionately affected by these measures.“A more sustainable approach might involve strengthening social safety nets and improving supply chains to reduce costs naturally. Supporting local production and implementing targeted subsidies for essential goods could also help mitigate the impact of inflation without distorting market dynamics.
‘’Ultimately, while the FCCPC’s efforts may provide temporary relief, addressing the underlying economic factors driving inflation would lead to more lasting solutions.”
FG has no right to force traders to crash prices- Barr Onwuka
In her reaction, a human rights activist, Barrister Charity Onwuka, said: “This is very appalling really, another mess up by the APC-led administration.
The federal government has no right whatsoever to force traders to crash prices because the traders bought the commodities or items at a very high rate. According to her, this will lead to artificial scarcity because traders will rather hoard their goods than sell at a very low rate to their detriment.
She said: ‘’The government should rather have a more practical and pragmatic approach to resolve the inflation in the economy.
‘’As a citizen of Nigeria, I suggest, as is being widely advocated, that the cost of governance should be crashed to the barest minimum and experienced economic experts should be consulted to advise on the way forward, rather than compensating political faithful and family members by giving them key positions wherein they can’t make positive impacts for the good of everyone in the country!”
[Vanguard]
Waheed Ayilara, Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State, is dead.
Ayilara, who took over the State Command of Nigeria Police Force in February, died while undergoing surgery at a popular hospital in Lagos State.
He was said to have died hours after attending a retirement and birthday ceremony of some senior police officers held in Lagos on Wednesday.
It was gathered that Ayilara died in the early hours of Thursday at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, where doctors are on strike.
The deceased was said to have had prostate cancer surgery on Wednesday before he died hours later.
Lagos State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, was unavailable for comment at the time of filing this report.
Late last year, Ayilara had a stint as acting Commissioner of Police in Lagos.
The former Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department,0 took over from AIG Idowu Owohunwa.
It was after acting as head of Lagos Police Command that he was deployed to Akwa Ibom.
[DailyTrust]
Vice-President Kashim Shettima has appealed to his fellow compatriots and associates and numerous well-wishers across the country not to place congratulatory ads on his 58th birthday.
He made the appeal in a statement issued by Mr Stanley Nkwocha, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and
Communications (Office of The Vice President), on Thursday in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the vice-president will turn 58 years old on Monday, Sept. 2.
Shettima, therefore, implored friends and associates who may wish to place goodwill messages as advertisements to
kindly donate the funds to charity organisations and vulnerable citizens instead.
The vice-president insisted that he would not want an elaborate pomp marking the day.
“As this auspicious moment draws closer, V-P Shettima fervently implores family members, friends, and associates who may wish to place goodwill messages as advertisements to kindly donate the funds to charity organisations and vulnerable citizens instead.
“This aligns with the commitment of the Renewed Hope Administration of President Bola Tinubu to address issues of development and economic growth, as well as improving the living conditions of Nigerians.
“The vice president remains ever grateful for the goodwill he enjoys from Nigerians and the best wishes a great number of his well-wishers have demonstrated towards him over the years.”
[Nigeria Tribune]
A former Presidential Spokesperson, Dr Doyin Okupe, says the present economic indicators show that the nation’s economy is beginning to make a recovery and an obvious turnaround is now clearly observable.
Okupe, a former Director-General of Peter Obi Presidential Campaign Organisation, made this remark in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos.
He was reacting to the criticism of President Bola Tinubu by Afenifere, a pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, over the socio-economic challenges in the country.
NAN reports that Afenifere had on Wednesday expressed concern over what it described as the near collapse of the economy.
The Yoruba group expressed the concern in a communique issued at the the end of its quarterly meeting held in Ogun .
In the communique, signed by its Deputy Leader, Chief Oladipo Olaitan ,and Deputy Secretary -General, Mr Alade Rotimi-John ,the group said that the state of the economy had left the people perplexed with hardship.
Reacting, Okupe said that Afenifere spoke well about the current socio-economic challenges ,but its response was belated.
“It is commendable that Afenifere, a pan- Yoruba socio- cultural organisation and now political group,has always lived to its nationalistic stance.
“This it does by criticising the government of the day in spite of the fact that a Yoruba man , Asiwaju Tinubu, is the current President of the country.
“This is one of the outstanding and commendable attributes of the Yoruba people as a race and Afenifere has been consistent in this patriotic display of true nationalism.
“However, while it is true that the country and its citizens are undergoing very harsh socio-economic conditions, principally because of strong and brave economic policies put in place to correct the economic quagmire brought on the country by the previous administration.economic indicators show that the economy is begining to make a recovery and an obvious turn around is now clearly observable,” Okupe said.
According to him, all hands must now be on deck to support the administration to succeed in its efforts to revamp the economy.
(NAN)
Abdullahi Ganduje, national chair of All Progressives Congress (APC), says the party will win the forthcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states.
Ganduje said a “political machinery” has been put in place to pave the way for a landslide victory of the party’s candidate in Edo.
Speaking during a visit by the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kano correspondents’ chapel, Ganduje said the APC is ready to recover the state from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
“I believe our campaign is in high spirit, we are getting ready for that election and we believe we will be able to recover our state,” he said.
“If we win Edo, we will be getting an additional state for the party. It will be 21 states out of 36.
“This is because it was an APC state but because of internal bubbles, we lost it to PDP but we are sure we will recover that state.
”For Ondo state, it’s already an APC state and when the former governor died, he left a number of problems,but we were able to resolve those issues.
”We conducted primaries, we succeeded in getting the person that they wanted.”
Ganduje said that the party is also getting ready for the governorship election in Anambra.
He said the APC has been putting measures in place to take control of the states in the south-east geopolitical zone.
“Next year, there will be Anambra, which has been a state governed by APGA for many years, but we have introduced a new scheme,” he said.
”The north, south-east political zones are all claiming that they have been marginalised. The south-east geopolitical zone is saying the same thing. But what we are telling them is that the marginalisation has been created by them.
“How can you have five states ruled by four political parties? What will be your political bargain?
“We want to start with Anambra. Already, we have Ebonyi and Imo. Now we are encroaching into that zone to ensure that we capture most of the states. And if we get what we want, we capture all the states.”
[TheCable]
The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, has declared that the union will not be intimidated by external pressures, following his appearance at the Intelligence Response Team headquarters in Abuja on Thursday.
Ajaero, who was invited by the police to address allegations of terrorism financing, cybercrime, subversion, criminal conspiracy, and treasonable felony, arrived at the IRT office at 10:17 a.m. and left shortly after 11:15 a.m.
Speaking to journalists at the Labour House after leaving the police headquarters, Ajaero asserted that the NLC remains committed to defending the rights of Nigerian workers and will not be cowed by any form of intimidation.
“We can’t be intimidated,” he stated emphatically. “The allegations against us are baseless, and we have nothing to hide.”
Reflecting on the challenges faced by labour leaders, Ajaero shared, “You can’t do this job we’re doing without this type of hazard. Even at the unit level, some of us experienced it, as far back as 1997/1998 with Femi Falana, we were equally together in the cell during the time of Abacha… but whatever the case is, we’re out to continue the struggle, we’ve gotten minimum wage but we can’t be intimidated, we have to press for its implementation as soon as possible.
“Every other thing that will make the welfare of the Nigerian workers worthwhile, we will be involved in it,” he noted.
Ajaero further explained that his appearance before the police was in the interest of transparency and to clear the air on the unfounded accusations levelled against him and the NLC.
He noted that the union would continue to fight for the welfare of workers and stand firm in the face of challenges.
Despite the seriousness of the allegations, Ajaero maintained a confident stance, dismissing the claims as an attempt to weaken the labour movement.
“Our resolve is stronger than ever,” he added. “We will continue to champion the cause of workers across the nation, no matter the obstacles.”
The NLC president’s appearance at the IRT headquarters followed his initial invitation by the police on August 20, which he was unable to attend due to unforeseen circumstances.
Hundreds of Nigerian nurses are stranded following the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, NMCN, continuous closure of its portal for verification of nurses’ certificates.
It was gathered that while many nurses are currently stranded in different countries abroad, others are on the verge of being deported.
Nursing boards in the US, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and the UK are said to have stopped accepting nursing certificates from Nigerian nurses because they can’t verify their authenticity.
DAILY POST reports that the National Assembly had twice urged the NMCN to open its site and commence verification of Nurses and Midwives based on its former guidelines pending the conclusion of an investigation by the House Committee on Health Institutions.
However, the council has yet to heed the resolution of the House.
The latest directive sighted by DAILY POST is a letter dated 13th August 2024, titled “Negative Portrayal of the House’s Resolution” and signed by the Clerk of the National Assembly, Mr. Sani Magaji Tambuwal, to the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria.
The letter came after Hon. Patrick Umoh had raised a motion of urgent national importance on the need to safeguard institutional integrity and address any misinterpretation of the previous House’s Resolution by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria.
DAILY POST recalls that the House also had previously urged the NMCN through a resolution on Tuesday, 26th, February 2024, not to implement the revised Guidelines for Verification dated February 7, 2023, pending investigation by the House.
This came after some stakeholders in the health sector had raised their concerns over the new circular by the NMCN, revising the guidelines for requesting verification of certificates for nurses and midwives to foreign nursing boards or councils.
Many also called for a review of the circular’s contents to avoid a situation where nurses’ progress and development are subject to other professionals’ determination.
How it all started
In February 2024, the NMCN expressed worry that over 42,000 nurses left the country in the last three years to seek greener pastures in foreign countries.
According to the council, over 15,000 nurses left Nigeria in 2023 alone.
DAILY POST reports that the development is coming on the heels of poor healthcare infrastructure, inadequate funding, poor welfare, and working conditions in the health sector.
Seemingly worried by the imminent threat of brain drain in the nation’s health sector, the Council introduced revised guidelines for verifying nursing certificates to address the crisis.
DAILY POST reported that the NMCN, in the memo dated February 7, 2024, outlined the revised guidelines and requirements to be met by all applicants seeking the verification of certificate(s) to foreign nursing boards/councils.
It stated that applicants seeking verification of certificates to foreign nursing boards and councils must have two years of qualification experience and pay a non-refundable application fee.
The memo signed by the Registrar/Secretary General of NMCN, Dr. Faruk Umar Abubakar, was sent to the Commissioners/Secretary of Health Services; Chief Medical Directors/ Medical Directors; National President; Directors of Nursing Services; Heads of Department; Provosts & Principals; Coordinators; Zonal Officers; All States Ministry of Health & Federal Capital Territory, Abuja; University Teaching Hospitals/Specialist & Federal Medical Centre and National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, National Headquarters, Abuja.
The circular was also sent to the Ministries of Health, Hospitals Management Boards, All States & Federal Capital Territory; All Universities Offering Nursing Programmes; Colleges of Nursing Sciences, Schools of Nursing & Midwifery, All Post-Basic Nursing Programmes; All Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria Zonal Offices.
It provided that, “Eligible applicants must have a minimum of two (2) years post qualification experience from the date of issuance of the permanent practising licence. Any application with a provisional licence shall be rejected outrightly.
“The Council shall request a letter of Good Standing from the Chief Executive Officer of the applicant’s place(s) of work and the last nursing training institution attended, and responses on these shall be addressed directly to the Registrar/CEO, Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria. Please note that the Council shall not accept such letter(s) through the applicant.
“Applicants must have an active practising licence with a minimum of six months to the expiration date. Applicants must upload Certificate(s) of Registration only. Notification of Registration is not acceptable.
“The applicant shall receive prompt notice via his/her email and dashboard on the status of the verification application.
“Please note: Processing of verification application takes a minimum of six (6) months. All applicants shall ensure that complete requirements are met before initiating verification application as incomplete documentation shall not be processed.”
Nurses kick against policy
However, nurses and other health workers kicked against the policy, insisting the guidelines and requirements were typical of a denial of human rights.
The health workers stressed that there had never been any occasion where regulatory bodies asked for work experience or mandated years of service as a condition for verification.
They are particularly uncomfortable with the provision in the guidelines which stated that a nurse seeking NMCN certification must have a minimum of two years post-qualification experience.
They are also opposed to the requirement that a nurse applying for NMCN’s certification must obtain a letter of good standing from the Chief Executive Officer of their place of work and the last training institution attended while the processing of application shall take a minimum of six months.
As a protest against the policy, the nurses, under the aegis of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, NANNM, Abuja, and Lagos chapters, took to the streets to express their disapproval of the new circular.
The nurses converged on the NMCN’s offices in Abuja and Lagos to express their dissatisfaction.
They also threatened a nationwide strike, describing the new guidelines as an effort to hamper their freedom.
Meanwhile, some others took to social networks to protest against the policy.
A group of nurses also took legal action against the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria and the Minister of Health, among others, challenging the recent revisions to certificate verification guidelines.
However, DAILY POST learnt that the litigation has since been withdrawn.
Reactions
A nurse in one of the nation’s foremost university teaching hospitals, who spoke anonymously to DAILY POST, for fear of victimisation, expressed worry that the controversy is taking so long to end despite the resolution of the House of Representatives on the matter.
“The portal is not yet open despite the order from the National Assembly that it should be opened.
“The excuse that the secretary of the NMCN is giving to us is that they are working with the IT people so that they can reset the portal to its previous setting.
“You know there’s a previous setting where you just did your verification with a few requirements until they brought this new policy that caused all those problems.
“We are also worried why it’s taking so long. The information I have just given you is what I saw on our platform. The secretary admitted he has received the letter from the clerk of the National Assembly, and that they are working with the IT people to reset the portal, that’s what he said.
“You know NMCN claimed that it was the National Assembly that told them to shut the portal, which was the controversy, but the lawmakers wrote back to the council saying that wasn’t their resolution.
“The lawmakers wrote clarifying that they asked NMCN to revert to the old verification guidelines, pending when all the parties involved will sit to look at the issue.
“Now it is just for them ( NMCN) to go back to the old verification guidelines but the secretary is claiming that they are working with the IT people,” she stated.
She said it was sad that health workers are leaving the country in droves, which according to her, was being caused by poor working conditions in Nigeria’s health sector.
The health worker urged the government to make a deliberate effort to fix the country’s health care system.
“We are not happy that people are leaving the country but the working conditions in Nigeria are crazy. I work in an institution where we are not sure of a 10-hour energy supply.
“In a teaching hospital, there’s no light, there’s no water, nothing to work with.
“Emergency comes and people just die like that. Not that you haven’t done your part but there’s nothing to work with. We are just stranded. Patients go out to buy everything that we use to work for them. And the hospital pharmacy doesn’t have everything that they need. So most of the time, the patients’ relatives go outside to buy what they need.
“I work in the maternity section. A mother may come to the hospital by 2am and she’s bleeding profusely. The laboratory people will be telling you there’s no light; of course there’s no light; they cannot work without light. They can’t do grouping and cross matching, they can’t give you blood.
“You go to the pharmacy, they will tell you they can’t work because there’s no light to power their system. You see patients’ relatives going outside the hospital at 2am, you just lose patients. It’s painful.
“It’s not that we are enjoying all these. Nigerian nurses are still overworking themselves outside the country but it’s still better.
“The working condition and the pay too is far higher than what we are receiving in Nigeria. In Nigeria, they only pay attention to one particular profession. Until they do something, people will keep traveling.
“Just like I have explained, the government should make a deliberate effort to fix our health care system. If you go to the rural areas you will see what people are passing through.
“The experience I have just shared with you is where I work. Nigeria is tough for everybody. If I tell you my salary, you will just smile. I can’t buy a bag of rice. Let them see how they can reduce inflation. Even if they increase our salary, things are so expensive, we can no longer meet up with our basic needs,” she lamented.
She also lamented the inability of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, NANNM, to fight for the interest of its members.
“Personally, I am so disappointed with the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives because they didn’t handle this matter the way they ought to.
“If this kind of thing happens in our sister organization, they won’t take it likely. NMCN infringed on our fundamental human rights and we were so pissed.
“That’s even what led to the young nurses taking the matter to the court. NANNM didn’t come up as an organization to fight for us. And by the time we went to court, just like the ‘Nigerian system’, they kept adjourning the case.
“Another group also went to the NANNM to find out why they weren’t doing anything about the matter, and they said they will meet the registrar and all that. At the end of the day, they said they can only intervene if we withdraw the case from the court. That’s what led to the withdrawal of the case from the court.
“You know a lot of Nigerian nurses are stuck because you can’t travel without verification, you can’t do anything. A lot of people were already on their way out before the portal was shut down,” the concerned nurse further stated.
Graduate Nurses Association of Nigeria – GNAN
Also speaking to DAILY POST about the matter, the President of Graduate Nurses Association of Nigeria, GNAN, Mr Ojo Opeyemi said his association has been working underground to ensure the issue is resolved amicably.
Opeyemi said the stalemate in verification of nurses’ certificates is having a serious effect on their members as some people are stranded abroad.
According to him, GNAN formed a coalition with other groups under the Director of nursing services in Abuja following the total shutdown of the portal to negotiate with the registrar of the nursing council.
He said he’s extremely positive they will have good feedback because the coalition had honoured its own part of the agreement earlier reached with the registrar.
Opeyemi said the deal saw the withdrawal of their case against NMCN and the registrar from the court.
He said: “When it was initially suspended, our association went to court to sue the NMCN, including the registrar. Then after the total shutdown of the portal, a coalition was formed when it was really having negative effects on our people.
“We decided to form a coalition under the Director of nursing services in Abuja. We formed a coalition that negotiated with the registrar.
“Well, last month, we had a meeting in his office in Abuja. And part of the agreement we reached from the meeting is to withdraw the case from the court. Then we will come back for another meeting, where those issues causing controversy will be sorted out in-house.
“We have played our own part. Fortunately during the time of withdrawing the case from the court, another group went to the National Assembly. The National Assembly deliberated upon it and said the NMCN should revert to the old guidelines for verification of nurses and open the portal.
“The letter has been sent to the nursing council as I read online and some people have also informed me that the letter has been delivered to the NMCN.
“Those at the nursing group administration, we are working together. We believe that we have honoured our own part in all honesty. As I speak to you, one of our representatives in Abuja is going to meet the registrar today to chart the way forward on our agreement.
“Actually the agreement wasn’t signed but we believe that they are the government and we are an association, so based on mutual understanding, we will resolve the issue in-house. We believe that the registrar will also honour his own part of the deal.
“So by the close of the day, (Tuesday) we are actually anxious to get feedback if we are going to go for a meeting or there will be automatic reopening of the portals, since the National Assembly has passed a resolution for them to reopen the portal.
“That’s why we ensured the complete withdrawal of the case from the court so that the House resolution would not be stepped down. We have done our own part.
“At the end of today, when our representative meets the registrar, we are going to know if our initial understanding and agreement is honoured or otherwise.
“I am extremely positive we will have good feedback being that we have been the one championing the coalition under the director of nursing services at the federal Ministry of health because she is the one mediating between the group, the registrar and the nursing council.
“I don’t want to say anything negative or be pessimistic. We are believing that today we shall have feedback. And I also believe that the registrar is making contact with necessary people at the Ministry of health for the portal to be reopened.
“Many of the people don’t know about these negotiations because they are extremely anxious. We are working underground to make sure that this thing gets resolved amicably so everybody could move forward. That is the position of things at the present.
“We are extremely worried. In fact, we had wanted to pursue the case to a logical conclusion, because of the excruciating pains on our people and the effects the total lockdown of the portal was having on our people.
“Let me correct one wrong impression, verification does not mean that everyone wants to ‘japa’ or seek greener pastures. We have people who want their certificates verified because they want to further their education.
“We also have people who are outside who want to move to other countries, they will still ask them to get verification from where they studied, where they originally practised or got their license to practice as a nurse. So they will also refer them back again to Nigeria.
“There are many that are stranded and I also have a report that next month, some people will be deported massively from Saudi Arabia, UK, Canada, etc.
“So because of this, it is having a serious effect on our members and we have decided after our SWOT analysis of the whole scenario to remove the case from the court and have a negotiation to solve the issue in-house.
“As I speak to you some people are already stranded in the US, UK and others.”
Efforts to hear from the NMCN, as well the President of the NANNM didn’t yield any result as they didn’t respond to calls put to them.
However, DAILY POST did contact the Rivers State chairman of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, Mr Madonna Wichendu.
Wichendu on getting to know the subject of the interview said he was in a meeting and not disposed to comment on the matter.
[DailyPost]
More...
![[PRESS RELEASE] Great Comrades of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ](/media/k2/items/cache/8314e95b69bafe644a3397d3ca54ab34_XS.jpg)
We have been watching with trepidation, great angst and baited breath, the unfathonable macabre dance exhibited by the nation's Police Force against the leadership of Nigerian workers, most notably, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Joe Ajaero.
Our seeming silence was observed in the hope that the Police would beat a hasty retreat from their actions and tread the path of caution and civility.
We have no bones to grind with the Police authorities and as citizens of this greatly beloved but much beleguered country, we are ever willing to cooperate with the authorities whenever demanded by national imperatives and exigencies, the Police included, but it must never be at the expense of our Union, our people and our country.
The importance of fighting for and defending our nation state, Nigeria, cannot be over-emphasized. We are patriots, we are Nigerians and we love our country, inspite of deeply inherent socio-economic contradictions that are threatening our very existence as a nation.
Let it be very clear to all, that the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, is in full solidary with the national President of Nigeria Labour Congress, its entire leadership structures and affiliates nationwide at all times, especially at these trying moments.
We urge the Police and security forces to exercise maximun restraint in their engagements and interactions with Nigerians, who hold views that are different from those of the status quo; free speech and the right to hold opinion are fundamental to our liberty as a free people.
We are in this wise, putting all our Councils and members across the federation on notice, over the unfortunate attacks on the labour leadership.
Be prepared!
The NUJ FCT Council is by this wise, especially enjoined and directed to fully mobilize in concert with other affiliates of the NLC to accompany the NLC President as he goes to honour the invitation of the Police by 8a.m. tomorrow, Thursday, August 29, 2024.
Achike Chude
National Secretary, NUJ.
Nigerian businesses and households expect the inflation rate to rise in the next one to six months.
This is according to the Central Bank of Nigeria’s July Inflation Expectations Survey Report released on Tuesday.
The survey showed that respondents expect inflation to rise in the review months with indices of 37.4 for the next month, -26.3 for the next two months and -15.8 for the next six months.
However, the report showed respondents expect the inflation rate to gradually reduce over the next six months.
A further analysis indicated that businesses anticipate that the inflation rate will drop compared to households, with indices of -33.4 and -11.0 points for the next month and next six months respectively.
“Overall, both businesses and households believe that the inflation rate will rise further in the periods”, the survey stated.
It added that the expected inflation rate hike will be driven primarily by changes in energy prices, exchange rates and transportation costs.
The reports come weeks after Nigeria’s inflation declined to 33.40 percent in July, from 34.19 percent in June.
In the past months, the apex bank had continued to tighten Monetary policy measures such as the interest rate which stood at 26.75 percent to tame the inflation rate.
The Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has approved the appointment of 12 new Permanent Secretaries (PMs).
The appointees were chosen from their respective constituencies to fill the available vacancies in the Kogi State Public Service.
A statement released on Wednesday by the Head of Service, Elijah Evinemi, indicated that the governor highlighted the careful selection of permanent secretaries based on merit, fairness, and justice principles.
In a congratulatory meeting with the successful candidates, Mr. Evinemi urged the newly appointed permanent secretaries to meet expectations in their roles and demonstrate utmost loyalty, dedication, and integrity.
The newly appointed permanent secretaries are as follows: Momoh Aziz from Ajaokuta LGA, Negedu Muhammed Bala from Ankpa 1 Constituency, Haruna Jibo Muhammed from Bassa LGA, Ejigbo Akoji from Dekina-Biraidu Constituency, Enimola Enimola A. from Kabba-Bunu LGA, Fashoba Ayo-Sunday from Mopa-Amuro LGA, Adurodija Ebenezer O. from Ogori-Magongo LGA, Enehe Dorcas Omeneke from Okehi LGA, Sanni Haruna Muhammed from Okene 1 Constituency, Ochu Philips Omeiza from Okene 2 Constituency, Shaibu Danjuma Fabian from Olamaboro LGA, and Baiyegunsi Taiwo S. from Yagba-East LGA.
Appointment Of 1,192 Additional Aides
Naija News reports that Governor Ododo’s latest appointment comes days after controversies over his appointment of 1,192 additional aides to his government.
These appointments were confirmed in a statement issued last Monday by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Folashde Ayoade.
However, the development has not settled well with opposition camps and other concerns of the state’s citizens.
SDP Reacts To Ododo’s Additional Appointments
The Kogi State chapter of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has criticized Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo
Reacting, the Director of Media for the SDP campaign organisation in Kogi State, David Ijele, faulted the incumbent administration, describing the appointment as a misplaced priority.
“They haven’t paid those who laboured for the state, yet they are employing youths to be used as thugs,” Ijele said.
The SDP chieftain stated that Governor Ododo’s days in office were numbered.
Speaking further on the party’s legal battle against the incumbent administration, Ijele insisted that the Supreme Court would rule in favour of the SDP candidate, Yakubu Ajaka.
“The Constitution is very clear on the BVAS, and we believe the Supreme Court will give justice to the people of Kogi State and chase these charlatans out of Lugard House,” Ijele announced.
A Nigerian Navy officer, Abdul Rasheed Muhammad, has been arrested for the murder of Aminu Ibrahim, the son of former Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral I. I. Ibrahim (retd).
During a press briefing on Wednesday in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory Commissioner of Police, Bennett Igweh, revealed that Muhammad killed Aminu and stole his car two weeks ago. Igweh confirmed that the vehicle, a Prado SUV, has since been recovered.
“About two weeks ago, Aminu Ibrahim, the son of Vice Admiral I. I. Ibrahim (retd), was robbed and killed in the Maitama area of Abuja, and his Prado SUV was stolen. I want to inform you that Abdul Rasheed Muhammad, a serving Nigerian Navy personnel, committed the murder. He has confessed to the crime, and we have recovered the Prado Jeep,” Igweh stated.
Speaking to journalists, Muhammad, a seaman in the Navy, admitted to the crime. He explained that he was assigned to the former Naval Chief’s residence as a security guard.
“I work at the house. He wanted to go out at night, around 11:30. He said he needed security, so I followed him with my gun. Along the way, he stopped to check his ATM, as if he was going to buy something. I thought maybe I was going to escort him to a market or somewhere. Then, when I came out through the other door, I shot him, took the car, and left. He did not do anything to me; I killed him to steal his car,” Muhammad confessed.
In a related development, 94 members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria were also paraded for their involvement in the death of two police officers on Sunday.