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  • South Africa Rebased Economy, Falls $62.29bn Below Nigeria’s GDP

    South Africa Rebased Economy, Falls $62.29bn Below Nigeria’s GDP

    South Africa’ rebased economy, falls $62.29bn below Nigeria’s GDP

    Nigeria’s economy remains the largest in Africa after South Africa rebased its economy to include new sectors that sprang out in recent years within the country.

    The country recalculated its economic growth in the last nine years, which showed that South Africa’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 9.6 percent between 2011 to 2020.

    During the period within 2014 and 2020, the Statistics South Africa (SSA) said in its report that the economy grew by 11 percent. The rebase pushed the country’s GDP value to $370 billion.

    This is $62.29 billion below Nigeria’s GDP of $432.29 billion, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the World Bank.

    The rebase by South Africa comes at a period Nigeria’s economy grew by 5.01 percent in the second quarter of 2021. Nigeria had conducted it’s own rebasing in 2014, which edged the country’s GDP ahead of SA.

    Rebasing of the economy is done every five years, but when Nigeria last did it, the country calculated from 1999 to 2013. Note that rebasing of the economy enables the adoption of new economic realities, which includes inflation and new sectors.

    In the case of Nigeria, the country added the growth of the Nollywood industry and the telecommunications industry. Ripples Nigeria had reported that the Federal Government plans to conduct another rebase exercise, which will cover 2015 to 2018/2019.

    Note that the new rebase of South Africa, put their economy in third place, below Egypt and Nigeria respectively.

  • Court Orders Forfeiture Of House, Funds Belonging To Gov Abiodun’s Ex-aide

    Court Orders Forfeiture Of House, Funds Belonging To Gov Abiodun’s Ex-aide

    Court orders forfeiture of house, funds belonging to Gov Abiodun’s ex-aide, Rufai, over $350k fraud

    A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has ordered the interim forfeiture of the funds and properties traced to Abidemi Ganiyu Rufai, the suspended aide of the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, who is currently facing charges of fraud in the United States.

    The order, given by Justice Tijjani Ringim on Tuesday, was sequel to an ex parte motion filed by a counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes (EFCC), Ebuka Okongwu.

    According to the order, Rufai’s property located at House 11, Omodayo Awotuga Street, Bera Estate, Chevy View, Lekki, Lagos, and funds in his accounts domiciled in two banks, are to be forfeited to the Federal Government.

    In the suit filed by EFCC, the anti-graft agency joined Rufai, his firm Omo Mayodele Global Investment and one commercial bank as 1st, 2nd and third respondents.

    Okongwu furnished the judge with an affidavit sworn to by an EFCC investigator, Usman Abdulhamid, detailing the agency’s investigation of Rufai in collaboration with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

    According to the affidavit, the investigator stated that Rufai had already debauched a suspicious N29.37million in tranches of N5,000,000, N5,000,000, N2,730,000, N1,100,000, N2,040,000, N2,000,000, N2,000,000 and N5,000,000, into his accounts, warehoused in three banks.

    Ripples Nigeria reported that Rufai was arrested by the FBI at the John F. Kennedy (JFK) Airport in New York on May 14, over his alleged involvement in a $350,000 COVID-19 unemployment fraud from Washington State Employment Security Department, in the United States.

    He was indicted for alleged conspiracy, wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.

    Justice Ringim in a bench ruling granted the EFCC’s order as prayed in the motion ex parte.

  • Naira Ends Losing Streak Against U.S Dollar

    Naira Ends Losing Streak Against U.S Dollar

    Naira Ends Losing Streak Against U.S Dollar

    After consecutive devaluation, the Naira posted a gain against the US dollar at both the official and unofficial market windows of the forex market on Tuesday.

    According to abokiFX, Naira closed at N526.00 per $1 at the black market on a N1.00 or 0.20 percent appreciation from the N527.00 it exchanged hands on Monday.

    But the local currency closed flat against the Pound Sterling at the black market at N715/£1 and appreciated by N4 against the Euro to N612/€1 from N616/€1.

    Similarly, data posted on the FMDQ Security Exchange window where forex is officially traded showed that the naira closed at N411.08 per $1 at the official market on Tuesday.

    This translates to a N0.55 or 0.13 percent rise from the N411.63 rate recorded in the previous session on Monday

    A low turnover, which resulted in ease in pressure, was one of the reasons for the gains posted by the local currency yesterday at the market segment

    The Forex turnover recorded at the market segment was pegged at $72.50 million against the $81.81 million achieved at the preceding session, indicating a $9.31 million or 11.4 per cent decrease in the market turnover.

     

  • Khafi Shares Five Things About Breastfeeding As A First-Time Mum

    Khafi Shares Five Things About Breastfeeding As A First-Time Mum

    Khafi Shares Five Things She Didn’t Know About Breastfeeding As A First-Time Mum

    Khafi aka ‘A Cup of Khafi’ is back!

    Reality TV star, Khafi Kareem-Ekpata, has shared everything she feels her fans and followers should know about breastfeeding in this episode of her Youtube channel.

    In the video, the new mum revealed that among other things, she discovered that nursing helps new moms lose weight, the size of breast do not matter, there is something known as breastfeeding craving, and that as a new mother, breast might leak at any time.

    “This is my reality right now guys, spending most days breastfeeding this cutie pie!! You guys know I try to be as real as possible on social media, not just showing glitz & glamour but hoping to inspire! On this journey of parenthood, it won’t be any different!

    “But to be honest I’ve been undecided as to how much I should share (I was going to leave this on stories only!) as I realise a lot of women become mothers and are then seen as ONLY mums and people assume certain things don’t interest them anymore, when in fact our own dreams pre-motherhood are STILL valid! I’m STILL an actress and STILL on a mission to change the world a cup at a time! So there are different sides of my reality and here is one of them 🤗

    I’m a momma!!! And I am so blessed to be able to breastfeed my baby boy. There is so much I didn’t know about breastfeeding and seeing as it was #blackbreastfeedingweek recently I thought I would do a video sharing some of these things.” She wrote in Instagram.

    Kahfi and her husband, Gedoni recently welcomed their first child.

  • Akon Says Freedom Of Speech Does Not Protect From It’s Consequences

    Akon Says Freedom Of Speech Does Not Protect From It’s Consequences

    Senegalese-American recording artiste, Akon has cautioned individuals who express their opinions under the coverage of “freedom of speech”.

    The “Ghetto” singer stated in his Twitter post that freedom of speech does not guarantee the speaker from facing possible consequences should they say something heinous.

     

    The singer stated;
    “Freedom of speech does not protect you from the consequeces of saying stupid sh!t”

    Recall several days ago, veteran Nollywood actor, Jim Iyke confronted his colleague, Uche Maduagwu for making rash comments about him.

  • Edo Govt Gives Workers Seven-Day Ultimatum To Take COVID-19 Vaccine

    Edo Govt Gives Workers Seven-Day Ultimatum To Take COVID-19 Vaccine

    Edo govt gives workers seven-day ultimatum to take COVID-19 vaccine

    The Edo State government has given staff in the state’s Ministry of Heath a seven-day ultimatum to get vaccinated against the COVID-19.

    The Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr. Patrick Irabor, who gave the directive in a memo dated August 30, 2021, said any staff who fails to comply with the directive would not be allowed into office.

    The memo read: “I am directed to refer to the above subject and to notify all Staff of the Ministry of Health to get vaccinated against the deadly COVID-19 within the week.

    “I am further directed to inform all that from Monday, September 6, 2021, any staff who has not taken the COVID-19 vaccine will not be allowed into the office premises.”

  • Akeredolu Signs Anti-Grazing Bill Into Law in Ondo

    Akeredolu Signs Anti-Grazing Bill Into Law in Ondo

    Akeredolu signs anti-grazing bill into law in Ondo

    The Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu has signed the Anti-Grazing Bill passed by the House of Assembly into law.

    This approval by Akeredolu came in the wake of a mandate by President Muhammadu Buhari over the review of 368 grazing sites across 25 states of the country.

    Ripples Nigeria had reported that the Southern Governors Forum at its last meeting in Lagos on July 5, 2021, unanimously adopted September 1, 2021, as the deadline for the signing of the bill.

    This stance by Akeredolu was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation in Ondo State, Donald Ojogo.

    The statement reads, “The move is in line with the resolution of the Southern Governors’ Forum at its last meeting in Lagos where September 1st was set as the deadline for Governors in Southern Nigeria to sign the Anti-Open Grazing Bill into law.

    “This is worthwhile and a very laudable development aimed at stemming needless instances of skirmishes, conflicts as well as infractions on the enviably peaceful disposition of the good people of Ondo State.

    “It is very pertinent to aver and indeed, reiterate that the Law shall rather, engender a more cordial, mutually benefiting relationship amongst residents of the State irrespective of ethnicity, religion or creed. For emphasis, no particular group of persons is the target.

    “While it is the hope of Government that all residents would take ample advantage of this Law to enhance our socio-economic well being in Ondo State, compliance of same shall be given the utmost attention. Government shall pursue with vigour, through lawful means, to ensure strict compliance.

    “In this regard, details of the new Law shall be made available to the public for proper information, more depth of understanding on contents as well as other relevant areas.”

  • JAMB Scraps General Cut-off Marks For Admission

    JAMB Scraps General Cut-off Marks For Admission

    JAMB scraps general cut-off marks for admission into varsities, polytechnics, others

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has cancelled the general cut-off marks for admission into tertiary institutions in the country.

    The Board took the decision at the 2021 policy meeting presided over by the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu.

    The stakeholders agreed to give institutions the freedom to set their individual minimum cut-off marks for admission.

    In his address at the meeting, the JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, said some universities had proposed their cut-off marks for admission in the academic session.

    The universities are – University of Maiduguri (150), Usman Dan Fodio University (140), Pan Atlantic University (210), University of Lagos (200), Lagos State University (190) Covenant University (190) and Bayero University, Kano, (180).

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has cancelled the general cut-off marks for admission into tertiary institutions in the country.

    The Board took the decision at the 2021 policy meeting presided over by the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu.

    The stakeholders agreed to give institutions the freedom to set their individual minimum cut-off marks for admission.

    In his address at the meeting, the JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, said some universities had proposed their cut-off marks for admission in the academic session.

    The universities are – University of Maiduguri (150), Usman Dan Fodio University (140), Pan Atlantic University (210), University of Lagos (200), Lagos State University (190) Covenant University (190) and Bayero University, Kano, (180).

    Oloyede said: “Institutions have now been given the liberty to decide cut-off marks; there will be no cut-off marks from JAMB.

    “The stakeholders resolved to allow the Ministry of Education to decide on the conclusion of the admission process as they could not agree on the December 31, 2021, deadline for all public institutions and January 31, 2022, for all private institutions to complete the exercise.

    “Stakeholders also adopted the 2021 admission guidelines, which provide that all applications for part-time or full-time programmes for degrees, NCE, OND, and others must be posted only through JAMB.

    “The meeting approved that for Direct Entry, the maximum score a candidate could present is six and the minimum is two or an E, as required by law.”

  • Tokyo: Oluwafemiayo Wins Gold In Powerlifting

    Tokyo: Oluwafemiayo Wins Gold In Powerlifting

    Tokyo: Oluwafemiayo wins gold in powerlifting; breaks world, paralympic records

    Nigeria’s Folashade Oluwafemiayo has clinched another gold for Team Nigeria at the ongoing Paralympics in Tokyo.

    Her triumph adds to Nigeria’s success in the powerlifting event at the rescheduled Tokyo Games, as all medals won have been from the sport.

    Oluwafemiayo broke the world and Paralympic records to win gold on Monday morning.

    Featuring in the -86kg, she made her intent known with her first lift of 147kg, shattering the Paralympic record of 135kg.

    Her subsequent three attempts (149kg, 151kg and 152kg) either broke the Paralympic record or set a new world record. China’s Feifei Zheng won Silver lifting 139kg.

    She is the third athlete and also third powerlifter to win gold for Team Nigeria, emulating the feat of Bose Omolayo and Latifat Tijani.

    Team Nigeria now has three gold medals and two bronze medals at the ongoing games.

    The West African giants are now in the 21st position on the medal table.

  • Nigerian Govt To Meet With Health Workers Over Payment Of Hazard Allowances

    The Federal Government has disclosed that it will meet with representatives of health sector workers in a fortnight to harmonise their proposals on new hazard allowance for workers in government health establishments.

    The Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige, said this while addressing newsmen at the end of a meeting on Wednesday in Abuja.

    The meeting was between the Presidential Committee on Salaries (PCS) relevant Federal Government stakeholders and health sector professional associations and trade unions to discuss the proposed new hazard allowance for health workers in government establishments.

    According to Ngige, progress has been made in the discussions between the government and the two umbrella bodies of the health workers — the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU).

    He added that “the meeting succeeded in making the health workers to appreciate the plight of the government, caused by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the country’s crude oil-based mono economy.

    “We are making progress. At least one of the parties has agreed to the government recommendation. We urged the other party to go and dot the i’s, and cross the t’s in their own recommendation.

    “Government will also go back and see what we can do within the ambit of the proposals being given by them. We have agreed to reconvene in a fortnight to harmonise the proposals.”

    He explained that even those in agreement with the government proposal, still had a little problem with compartmentalisation of their health workers into junior and senior workers.

    “We need to leave them to get back to their constituents and agree on that one, so that we can harmonise our proposals. We are discussing two associations.

    “So, in the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), you allow them to give their own position as it suits their members. The members are not the same. The only thing is that you have both workers in the hospital,” he said.