Month: July 2024

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Mbumba describes Hanse-Himarwa as a fearless trailblazer

President Nangolo Mbumba has described the late Katrina Hanse-Himarwa as a fearless trailblazer who exuded enthusiasm and had an energetic approach to dealing with governance issues.

Mbumba said this in a tribute read on his behalf by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Works and Transport, John Mutorwa at a memorial service held in honour of the late Hanse-Himarwa at Mariental on Friday.

The president said her passing leaves behind a huge void in the talent pool of the Swapo Party and the Namibian Government at large.

‘In the wake of her tragic passing, we must now take up the challenge and pick up the baton where she left off by continuing with the noble objective of the second phase of the struggle, that of economic emancipation, to make Namibia a prosperous nation in which all its people can benefit from the wealth of its resources,’ Mbumba said.

Hanse-Himarwa, he noted, will be remembered for leading a delegation of Namibians to Germany to negotiate the repatriation of artifacts including the l
ate Captain Hendrik Witbooi’s whip, bible, and human remains to Namibia in 2019.

She will also be remembered for the implementation of the junior primary education diploma, which benefited and capacitated about 4 000 previously unqualified teachers, he said.

The former minister of education, arts, and culture succumbed to cancer on 14 July 2024 in a Windhoek hospital. She also served as governor of the Hardap Region.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

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Mbumba calls on commercial banks to look beyond profits


WINDHOEK: President Nangolo Mbumba has urged commercial banks to go beyond pursuing profit and instead actively contribute to the country’s development, including providing support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

The president met with executives of commercial banks in Windhoek on Friday where he encouraged the provision of funding to SMEs that often face challenges in obtaining loans due to a lack of collateral.

‘As government, we would like to see the local banks playing a more proactive role in terms of development particularly when it comes to funding SMEs through ways and means that can substantially lessen the collateral requirements and involve more equity-type instruments.

Similarly, the government would like to see banks become development partners whose sole motive should not be an exclusive focus on profit but also social inclusion and mainstreaming of the unbanked segments of our society through innovative banking instruments such as mobile banking,’ the president said.

The meeti
ng was aimed at exchanging ideas on issues of mutual and national interest. It further provided a platform for government officials to share public concerns with the banks, on things such as high interest rates and excessive bank charges.

‘Most importantly, we can listen not only to your concerns and complaints, but you too can also listen to ours, specifically what the Namibian people out there are saying on things such as high interest rates, excessive bank charges, and sometimes, services which leave much to be desired,’ Mbumba stressed.

Speaking on behalf of her peers, Nedbank Namibia Managing Director Martha Murorua said that the meeting marked a significant step ‘in our collective journey towards fostering economic resilience, financial inclusion, and sustainable growth. It is an opportunity for us to engage in meaningful dialogue, share insights, and explore collaborative pathways that will shape the future of our nation.’

The meeting was also attended by the Minister of Finance and Public Enterpris
es, Iipumbu Shiimi, as well as Johannes !Gawaxab, the Governor of the Bank of Namibia.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

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Food prices rise in June- NBS


The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) says prices of beans, tomatoes, irish potatoes, garri, yam and other food items witnessed significant price increases in June 2024.

The NBS said this in its Selected Food Prices Watch report for June 2024 released in Abuja on Tuesday.

The report said that the average price of 1kg of brown beans increased by 252.13 per cent from N651.12 recorded in June 2023 to N N2,292.76 in June 2024.

‘On a month-on-month basis, 1kg of brown beans increased by 14.11 per cent in June from the N2,009.23 recorded in May 2024.’

It said that the average price of 1kg of tomatoes increased by 320.67 per cent on a year-on-year basis from N547.28 recorded in June 2023 to N2,302.26 in June 2024.

‘On a month-on-month basis, 1kg of tomatoes increased by 55.97 per cent from the N1,479.69 recorded in May 2024.’

The report said that the average price of irish potatoes increased by 288.50 per cent on a year-on-year basis from N623.75 in June 2023 to N2,423.27 in June 2024.

‘On a month-on-month
basis, the price increased by 51.92 per cent from the N1,595.07 recorded in May 2024.’

The NBS said that the average price of 1kg of white garri rose by 181.66 per cent on a year-on-year basis from N403.15 in June 2023 to N1,135.51 in June 2024.

‘On a month-on-month basis, 1kg of white garri increased by 1.86 per cent from N1,114.72 recorded in May 2024.

In addition, the average price of 1kg of yam tuber rose by 295.79 per cent on a year-on-year basis from N510.77 recorded in June 2023 to N2,2021.55 in June 2024.

‘On a month-on-month basis, it increased by 52.87 per cent from N1, 322.36 recorded in May 2024 to 2,021.55 in June 2024.’

On state profile analysis, the report showed that in June 2024, the highest average price of 1kg of brown beans was recorded in Kogi at N 3,006.43, while the lowest was recorded in Adamawa at N 1,336.11.

It said that Abuja recorded the highest average price of 1kg of tomato at N3,992.61, while the lowest was recorded in Kebbi at N1,200.

The NBS said that the highest averag
e price of 1kg of yam tuber was recorded in Lagos at N3,376.54, while the lowest price was recorded in Adamawa at N1,100.

According to the report, Gombe recorded the highest average price of 1kg of white garri at N1,619.27, while the lowest was reported in Taraba at N900.

Analysis by zone showed that the average price of 1kg of brown beans was highest in the North-Central at N 2,923.45, followed by the South-South at N 2,630.03.

‘The lowest price was recorded in the North-West at N1,647.03.’

The South-West and South-East recorded the highest average price of 1kg of tomatoes at N3,261.84 and N2,852.59, respectively, while the lowest price was in the North-West at N1,411.16.

The report said that the South-West recorded the highest average price of 1kg of yam tuber a tN2,745.80, followed by the North-Central at N 2,440.35, while the North-West recorded the lowest price at N1,238.49.

The NBS said also that the South-West and the North-East recorded the highest average price of 1kg of white garri at N1,199.6
2 and N1,155.63, respectively.

‘The North-Central recorded the lowest price of 1kg of white garri at N1,055.87.’

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that the federal government in a bid to address the incessant increase in food prices and ensure food security recently granted a 150-day duty-free import window for food commodities.

The suspended duty tariffs and taxes will be on the importation of certain food items across the land and sea borders which include maize, cowpeas, wheat, and husked brown rice.

However, experts have suggested more sustainable measures such as addressing the issue of insecurity, foreign exchange and transportation costs to address the soaring food prices and ensure food security.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

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Reps pledge support to blood service delivery


The House of Representative Committee on Specialty Healthcare has pledged its support to advocate for increased budgetary allocation to improve blood service delivery in the country.

Lawan Ali-Shettima, Deputy Chairman of the committee, stated this during an oversight visit and roundtable discussion with the management of the National Blood Service Commission (NBSC), in Abuja.

Ali-Shettima said the visit was to discuss critical issues, especially their challenges with a view to address them and improve access to safe and quality blood service and products.

‘We are looking at the way people are willingly and voluntarily coming to donate blood in this establishment.

‘So, I believe with support they will acquire more equipment, more facilities to expand their offices to zonal levels.

‘This is what we are suggesting. So we will do our best to see that legislatively we intervene by providing more means of funding for them to get more equipment,’ he said.

On his part, Prof. Saleh Yuguda, Director-General, NBS
C, said that inadequate funding had affected their operations and access to safe blood services across the country.

According to Yuguda, with more funding, the commission will be able to enhance access to safe and affordable blood components to carter for the needs of the over 200 million Nigerians.

‘The major challenges we have across the country is that of equipment and other infrastructure in most of our centres, which are very old.

‘We are trying to see if we can liase with the National Assembly, to come to our aid, so that we can get more funding for the commission.

‘I believe that with their support, we will be able to achieve that,’ he said.

While noting the scarcity of blood during emergencies, led to several deaths, Yuguda encouraged the people to regularly and voluntarily donate blood to save more lives.

The NBSC relies on a pool of regular donations by voluntary, unpaid blood donors, it currently collects and screens approximately 25,000 units of blood from voluntary donors annually.

Less th
an five per cent of the total blood donation in Nigeria is being sourced from voluntary donors, with bulk of it on commercial, thus subjecting recipients to the risk of infections such as HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Syphilis among others.

An estimated 1.23 million units of blood are collected across several facilities each year, 90 per cent of which are from paid commercial donors.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

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Tinubu reiterates commitment to Nigerians welfare


President Bola Tinubu says the nation’s economy is on a gradual but steady path of recovery and assures citizens that his administration will do more to meet their needs.

At a meeting with traditional rulers in the country on Thursday in Abuja, the President said that the plight of citizens remained a concern and would receive more attention.

‘Yes, it is true that I asked for this job, and I approached some of you to support me. So, I have no excuse not to do the job with sincerity of purpose and honesty.

‘I have committed myself to it diligently, and I will never look backwards.

‘I have accepted the assets and the liabilities of my predecessor. How I will take Nigeria forward should be my concern, and that is my concern,’ he said.

He stated that the interventions to bring the government nearer to the people were already yielding results.

He added the results were the activation of the student loan programme, the consumer credit scheme, and the affirmation of fiscal autonomy for local government council
s.

He said the Ministry of Finance would continue to ensure that funds got to the grassroots for human and infrastructural development.

‘Today, the Bank of Agriculture is empty. We have to reactivate it. If they are not talking about flooding, they are talking of banditry. We have to start all over again. Yes, infrastructural decay is there.

‘The Lagos-Calabar coastal road is not being done without studies. It is an economic energiser.

‘From it, we can create infrastructure along the route to develop wind energy and generate power, and we can expand our irrigation network.

‘The economic viability of infrastructure had to be studied before we embarked on projects. How many dams are there on the corridors of Sokoto- Badagry?

‘From there, we can energise electricity. We can do irrigation and additional farms,’ said the President.

He said the project was situated on two million hectares of arable land, which would create opportunities for farmers on a small scale, and that the government would find capital
for them.

‘Nigeria is on the path of recovery. You have heard it from the Minister of Finance, Mr Wale Edun. We are not afraid of protests. Our concern is the ordinary people, and the damages that will be done.

‘Till today, I cannot forget the brand new 60 and 100 seater buses, down there in Lagos that were burnt down, and we are now complaining of transportation.

‘That is the problem. That is why I must say thank you for talking to the citizens,’ the President said.

He also said security was getting more attention and would be enhanced.

‘Security is getting better, but we cannot take our eyes off the camera because it takes one accident for things to flare up. We are managing it,” the President stated.

Tinubu urged the royal fathers to reach out to citizens on the genuine intentions of the government to deliver on its promises of Renewed Hope.

‘Now, we are sending money to the local governments. I addressed the governors today on that issue. I have been distributing fertiliser, rice, and other items
to support the recovery of citizens.

‘I assure you, Nigerians, we are looking at the light at the end of the tunnel. I can assure you, this economy will be revived, will survive, and prosper,’ Tinubu said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

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Tinubu calls for strengthening Nigeria-China relations


President Bola Tinubu on Thursday in Abuja commended the partnership between Nigeria and China.

The President gave the commendation when he received Mr Chen Xiaodong, the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China.

‘For us, it is a new beginning with you. A relationship that has lasted more than 50 years must be nourished, nurtured, and promoted.

‘Our mutual commitment to the values of labour, understanding, and development is very important.

‘I am very happy that President Xi Jinping is paying attention to Africa as a whole and our developmental needs,’ President Tinubu told the Chinese delegation at the State House.

The President welcomed the support of China for a more prominent position for Nigeria in the G20, UN Security Council, and the intergovernmental organisation of developing economies, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS).

‘We believe in ourselves. We are determined to enhance the values of our people. Over the years, China has gone through
phases of transformation and development.

‘I once visited Shanghai when it was a village, and to see the rapid transformation, the technological development, is worth more collaborative efforts,’ the President said.

President Tinubu commended President Xi Jinping for consistently strengthening relations with Nigeria and Africa.

‘We believe in our bilateral relations, and we want to strengthen that. I am glad you mentioned United Nations, BRICS, and the G20. This is the largest economy in Africa.

‘To classify us as a backwater economy, no matter how hungry we are, we will manage our hunger. We will be friends and partners with those who respect our values, and China is one of them.

‘I commend what President Xi Jinping is doing in Africa, helping with capital mobilization for projects that positively impact the lives and livelihoods of our people in Africa,’ said Tinubu.

He stated that the infrastructure need of Africa was monumental, particularly that of Nigeria.

‘You have good technology that you can t
ransfer. You have a good opportunity to make an indelible mark on Nigeria.

‘We have a very vibrant youth population, well-educated, and ready to learn. Skill development programme and transfer of knowledge is extremely important,’ President Tinubu added.

He also thanked President Xi Jinping for an invitation to visit China.

‘I am glad you appreciate my effort on Lekki Free Trade Zone, and we are doing very well. We need to establish more industrial parks across the country.

‘Nigeria is blessed with mineral resources, and we have a lot of Chinese nationals around. We need to discuss more on that and promote cordial relationship for mutual benefits,’ the President stated.

In his remarks, the Chinese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs said he was in Nigeria to brief the President on the invitation extended by Jinping and the itinerary of the state visit.

Xiaodong commended the President for his strategic vision, playing leading roles in ECOWAS and Africa.

‘You are an important leader and a strategist in Afr
ica. We believe that your meeting with President Jinping will open up more discussions and opportunities for Nigeria and Africa,’ the Chinese envoy said.

He also congratulated President Tinubu on his re-election as Chairman of ECOWAS Authority of Heads State and Government.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria