WOW! NIGERIA NOW HAS MORE 'ACTIVE' MOBILE LINES THAN HUMAN POPULATION IN STATES

Nine out of the 36 states in Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja now have more phone lines in active use than the total population in each of the states. This is according to the 2019 Third Quarter Telecoms Data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

Lagos leads the pack with a population of 12,100,616 using 23,565,388 active mobile lines followed by Ogun with a population of 5,024,191 and 10,635,901
active phone lines. There is the FCT with a population of 3,130,694 and 8,114,446 phone line subscriptions and then Oyo with 7,540,300 people and 9,188,863 mobile lines in use.

Others are Edo with 4,109,499 population and 5,951,116 active mobile lines; Delta has 5,460,311 people with 5,930,227 mobile line subscription; and then Niger with 5,343,326 people and 5,633,276 active phone lines. The rest include Kwara with a population of 3,086,249 operating 3,989,916 mobile lines and Nasarawa that has 2,439,113 people with 3,720,406 active phone lines.

The telecoms data which is one of the last report to be released by the NBS in 2019 show that the total number of active voice subscription in the country rose by 2.96 percent from the Second Quarter of 2019 to hit 179,176,930 in the Third Quarter of 2019. The country however recorded 10.58 percent rise Year-on-Year from 162,032,481 active voice subscriptions in the Third Quarter of 2018.

In the state-by-state breadown, Lagos besides leading eight other states which their populations outnumber the phone lines that are in use also has the single highest number of subscribers in terms of active voice per State in Third Quarter of 2019. It is closely followed by Ogun with 10,635,901 subscribers and Kano 10,519,187 subscribers while Bayelsa with 1,305,327 and Ebonyi with 1,630,080 have the least
number of subscribers in the country.

For data services, though Nigeria in the Third Quarter of 2019 recorded just a marginal 0.40 percent growth from the Second Quarter of the year, the total of 123,163,027 active subscribers represent 18.98 percent Year-on-Year from the 103,514,997 subscribers in the Third Quarter of 2018. The ranking of the states is however not any different from the statistics in the active voice service subscription.

The NBS report did not indicate any reason for the figures released but it is not far-fetched that with unreliable services, some subscribers carry multiple lines to be able to have access to their contacts at all times. This is most likely the reason why there would be more active lines especially in commercially viable states in addition to the official lines used in organisations and call or customer service centres.

Analysts however say the prevalence of telecoms services also shows the country’s growing digital economy. They explain that targeting the mobile population through their phones and online is as effective as reaching out to target audience and the publics in a given state and the country at large.

 

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POLICE GUN DOWN ONE AT AN ATTEMTED ABUJA BANK ROBBERY

As if the Christmas day tragedy was not enough traumer for Abuja residents  two days later Armed Robbers stormed a bank to worsen the state of mind of the people this festive season

Unfortunately , the robbery attempt failed as one suspect gun down by combine police and army rescue teams

One dead and four others arrested at a gun duel particularly between the police and the armed robbers during the attack on First Bank branch in Mpape, a satellite town in the Federal Capital Territory.

 In a statement by the FCT Police command and signed by the Acting police public Relations officer Mariam Yusuf said it responded to distress call from Mpape at about 12 00hours on Saturday to foil an attempted robbery attack at a First Bank branch in Mpape.

The statement said the Police Operatives were immediately deployed to the scene and engaged in crossfire with the robbers thereby foiling the attack on the bank with the back up of the Military. 

The statement added that the Commissioner of Police has ordered a discreet investigation of the incident, while reaffirming its commitment to nip crime in the bud and ensure safety of lives and property in the FCT.

The FCT Police Command used the opportunity to call on residents to remain calm as normalcy has been restored to the Mpape area.

REPORT EXPOSES $20 BILLION ANNUAL FUNDING GAP FOR WATER, SANITATION AND HYGIENE IN NIGERIA!

With recent efforts to improve access to clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene, tackling widespread water and sanitation poverty in Nigeria requires an urgent and substantial increase in financing according to new report from WaterAid published in November 2019.

The Nigeria financing report, highlights the significant funding gap that currently exists in providing water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services in the country and calls for action from the Government, donors and the private sector. In 2018, Nigeria’s Federal Government declared a state of emergency for WASH and launched a National Action Plan to revitalise the sector, following strong calls by WaterAid Nigeria and other stakeholders.

Although Nigeria has made some progress in reaching people with safely-managed drinking water services, over 150 million have been left behind. Similarly, those with access to safely-managed sanitation grew from 25% to only 27% of the population between 2000 and 2017. With open defecation still practised by over 40 million in 2019, Nigeria has a big task ahead in ensuring sustainable clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene services are accessible and available to all.

The report, based on research and analysis by DESCRIPTOR Development Initiatives, provides a new assessment of the level of financing that is required to achieve universal access to water and sanitation in Nigeria by 2030. As it stands, the financing gap is around $20 billion (about 7.2 trillion naira) of investment annually. There will need to be a significant upscaling of resourcing over the next decade if the National WASH Action Plan is going to create real results for the people of Nigeria.

Adebayo Alao, Head of WASH Service Delivery, WaterAid Nigeria, says:
“Nigeria faces huge challenges over the next decade – from a growing population and power outages, to rapid urbanisation and climate change. Closing the major funding gap that exists in the provision of clean water, decent toilets and hygiene services is essential to future-proofing Nigeria and building a more equal, resilient and prosperous nation. This new report highlights ways that Governments, donors and civil society groups must act to bring about a ten-fold increase in investment and bring these basic services to everyone by 2030.”

The Nigeria financing report also highlights the need to ensure that all new investments can withstand the impacts of climate change. Without climate-resilient WASH services, climate change will place more pressure on already stretched resources and cause the funding gap to increase every year.

WaterAid states that to ensure effective resourcing of WASH services in Nigeria, there is need for increasing the level of civil society involvement, a focus on providing long-lasting, sustainable services, and calls for Nigeria to receive support for climate-resilient finance

NIGERIAN RAILWAY CORPORATION TO BEGIN E-TICKETING FOR RAIL TRANSPORT; HOW EXACTLY WILL IT WORK?

Rail transportation is a popular means of commuting for countries with massive population. As part of its drive to make rail transport popular again, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has announced its plan to introduce e-ticketing into rail transportation across Nigeria.

According to a publication on Dotunroy.com, this comes after months of pressure from well-meaning Nigerians who bemoaned the stress of booking tickets offline at train stations.

While it isn’t clear when the corporation intends to commence implementation of the scheme, NRC managing director, Fidet Okhiria provided an insight into how it would work.

MD of NRC, Fidet Okhiria

“It (tickets) can be sold through phones,” the MD said. “And also in designated outlets hence there will be franchising and it will still be sold at the stations.”

Thus, it might be safe to conclude that there will be three main points of purchase: you can buy it yourself via your mobile device, or via an agent at designated outlets, and at train stations.

Rail transport is becoming popular again in Nigeria

The nature of purchase via mobile phone is, however, unclear. Does the NRC intend to launch an app as part of this scheme? Would it equip its website (www.nrc.gov.ng) to accommodate e-ticketing, booking, tracking and other specialised features? Or is it going the USSD route?

The Indian model

NRC’s e-ticketing model appears to mirror the Indian model for trains which relies on the IRCTC (Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation) app for bookings, reservations, payments and other activities.

IRCTC Rail Connect app

Both systems adopt the use of mobile devices to make ticketing convenient. Both systems also encourage the use of agents and franchises to bring ticket purchase outlets closer to their teeming population as well as cater to folks who aren’t digitally savvy.

The slight difference between the Nigerian and Indian systems is this: while India’s IRCTC does not seem to encourage ticket buying at the station as they are going fully digital, its Nigerian counterpart makes provisions for it. Also, while there’s an app with the IRCTC, there’s none that we know of with the NRC.

The Bangladeshi system

Another country which has adopted the use of phone apps for e-ticketing is Bangladesh. Famous for its large population and extreme poverty, rail transportation is the most popular form of movement in the country. The country however figured out ways to make train bookings easier for its population.

USSD is a popular form of e-ticketing in Bangladesh

First is the website booking which requires users to register with necessary details at the Bangladesh Railway website. A profile is then generated with which users can carry out any activity including purchase of tickets. The second system is the mobile system which involves the use of USSD codes.

The final and least popular system is the mobile app which a lot of Bangladeshis couldn’t quite access. The system still retains the tedious process of offline booking at the station which, because of mass poverty and illiteracy, remains popular.

The Nigerian system

The NRC is obviously taking a step in the right direction. I would however advice that it also considers apps and website registration soon enough. App or website bookings would involve a form of registration and data capturing.

School children enjoy an excursion in a train

This is very important as it would make the website a source of valuable information about train operations, popularity, the social class of people who use it etc. Security-wise too, it would be pretty easy to trace users.

CHRISTMAS DAY ACCIDENT: FAMILY OF 5 WHO DIED ALONG KUBWA ROAD, BURIED IN ABUJA

The burial photo of the family of five killed in auto crash on Christmas Day has emerged on social media.

The photos were shared by Nigerians closed to the family and sympathisers who expressed deep sorrow over the death of The man, Samson Alowe his wife, Opeyemi Alowe and their three Children, Angel, Fortune and Prosper Alow

The accident occurred on Kubwa-Abuja Expressway on Christmas Day, December, 25, 2019

Betty Abah, the Cee-Hope Coordinator wrote on her Facebook page as follows; 

"The death of this entire family (couple and their three children) in Abuja on Christmas day via auto crash is so tragically sad. Too sad. #RIPTheAdetunjis, " 

News has it that the family had visited their parents outside the Abuja city centre to share the love at Christmas before the unfortunate incident

 Many Other persons have been commenting on the death which has turned the various social media platforms into a mourning space.

The Federal Road Saftey Commission, FRSC is yet to release any statement concerning the accident which wiped out an entire family on christmas day.

NLC WORRIED, EMPLOYMENT IN NIGERIA NOT ON MERIT

Nepotism May not exactly be the word, but the leading Labour centre in Nigeria is concerned about the yardstick for recruitment n the country

It was the presentation of Nigeria's future of work Dialogue document , but the Nigeria Labour Congress used the occassion to raise an alarm of  Cultural, religion and regional influences in public service employment

The NLC president Ayuba Wabba in a message to the Launch of the future of work document by the Nigerian Government Decried the lack of consideration for merit in employment in various ministries, Departments and agencies.

The NLC President, Ayuba Wabba who was represented by the president of the Amalgamated union of public coorperation civil service and recreational Services Employees, AUPTRE, Benjamin Anthony said employment must be by merit, to avoid mediocrity in public service

Presenting the document for the Future of work, Minister of labour and employment, Chris Ngige, represented by the permanent secretary, William Alo challenged workers to take advantage of every opportunity provided by government to develop themselves, especially in this era of advanced technology

For The international Labour Organisation, ILO, the launch of the future of work document provides  better opportunity for Nigerian workers to be more Competetive  globally

As campaigns heighten to develop the capacity of the Nigerian worker to be globally inclined, Labour continues to insist that the work environment must be made conducive as well.

FCTA RETURNS 136 SEIZED TRICYCLES TO OWNERS, MINISTER SAYS RELEASE IS UNCONDITIONAL

As a gesture of goodwill as well as in appreciation for compliance to the rule of law by commercial tricycle operators, the Honourable Minister, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, has directed the release of 136 impounded tricycles to their owners.

In a statement by ANTHONY OGUNLEYE, 

CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY

In a symbolic ceremony at the FCT Department of Road Transport Services (DRTS) office in Mabushi, various unions of the tricycle operators gathered to receive the tricycles on behalf of their members.

Addressing the gathering on behalf of the FCT Minister, the resource person on traffic management in the FCT, Alhaji Ahmed Sajoh, said the administration recognizes the peaceful conduct of the operators in its efforts to ensure a safe and efficient traffic management system in the FCT, hence the return of the tricycles as a sign of goodwill.

Alhaji Sajoh however, explained that although the release was unconditional, the FCTA expects that all concerned will abide by laid down rules and regulations or face the full wrath of the law.

He said: “Let me say this for the benefit of everybody here…violation of traffic rules is still an offence and can attract sanctions by security agencies. This gesture by the Honourable Minister does not mean it’s a free for all situation and people can continue to violate traffic regulations. It is the responsibility of the security agencies, the DRTS, Road safety, the Police and Department of State Services, to make sure that traffic rules are obeyed in the FCT”.

He added that sensitization has been going on with a lot of interfacing between the FCTA and the various unions and operators with a view to ensure that all parties were on the same page on the issue of traffic management.

Sajoh expressed the hope that the unions and the operators will take the Minister’s magnanimity as an incentive to continue to cooperate with the Administration and behave well on the roads.

Speaking at the event, the Director, Department of Road Traffic Services, Alh. Wadata Boringa, said the gesture by the Honourable Minister would sustain the cooperation security operatives were getting from the unions and the riders in enforcing the restriction of movement of the tricycles.

He called on representatives of the tricycle owners and riders to take the message of the Minister’s kind gesture to all their members while impressing on them that an abuse of the gesture will not augur well for them, stressing that any tricycle operator caught violating the restriction order will be dealt with accordingly.

Mr. Boringa also stated that his agency would continue to arrest erring road users, be it tricycles, commercial motorcycles, rickety vehicles and unpainted taxis, advising them to the leave the Federal Capital City (FCC) on their own accord to avoid arrest as the exercise is going to be continuous with the possibility of an increase in tempo to achieve result.

Also speaking, representative of the Director, Department of Security Services, Mr. Peter Olumuji, observed that most tricycles used to perpetrate crime were not registered with the union. He therefore advised the union to register all riders, ensure their biodata is captured and have a side code on their tricycle to indicate the area where they are allowed to operate.

He said: “Any Tricycle operator without the side code and not captured properly will be apprehended henceforth. This is one of the security measures taken by the FCTA to ensure that the FCT is secured at all times”.

Responding to the gesture by the Honourable Minister, a representative of the tricycle operators Unions, Comrade Musa Ibrahim Anchau expressed his gratitude and commended the Minister for the unconditional release of the 136 tricycles.

He prayed that the almighty continue to guide the Minister and his team while assuring the FCTA that their members will continue to be educated on the need to obey all rules and regulations.

 

Death: Kanu Nwankwo loses 'daughter'

Former Super Eagles star, Nwankwo Kanu, has been plunged into mourning following the death of Eniton, one of the beneficiaries of his philanthropy-based NGO, Kanu Heart Foundation.

According To an online publishers, Legit.ng, the former Nigerian international made the tragic announcement through his verified Twitter account on the eve of Christmas, Tuesday, December 24.

Kanu, who referred the deceased as his "daughter," was overtly left heartbroken by the sudden passing of the promising young girl.

Although the Arsenal legend did not disclose the cause of the death, there are insinuations that Eniton might have hearkened to the last call through a heart-related ailment.

Meanwhile, friends and fans have been sending heartfelt condolences to the Super Eagles legend upon the incident.

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that former Nigerian youth international Philip Osondu has been confirmed dead in Belgium at the age of 48.

The ex-Anderlecht attacker was said to have taken himself to a hospital in the European country for cross-examination but where he eventually met his death.

As at the time this report was gathered, the cause of his death is still unknown but he was said to have felt uncomfortable while at work and decided to drive himself to the health center.

Minimum wage hikes hit 21 states in 2019—and more are on the way in 2020

Copied from CNBC

KEY POINTS

• Nearly half of U.S. states raised their minimum wages in 2019.
• Despite concerns about the negative impacts of minimum wage hikes, hiring remained robust.
• Restaurant companies are learning to cope with the additional wage pressure as more increases go into effect. 

People gather together to ask the McDonald’s corporation to raise workers wages to a $15 minimum wage as well as demanding the right to a union on May 23, 2019 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Joe Raedle / Getty Images

The move toward a $15 minimum wage is gaining steam, with 21 states raising minimum wages in 2019 and more increases on the way in 2020.

Restaurant workers and Democratic presidential candidates are among those leading the charge for higher wages.

Critics have argued that minimum wage hikes can hurt small businesses and cause job losses, yet hiring remained robust in 2019's tight labor market. The lack of catastrophe could bolster Democrats' arguments for higher federal wages heading into the election year, some say.

"In 2019, pay growth has been sluggish, but the fastest for low-wage workers," Glassdoor senior economist Daniel Zhao said.

That's largely due to minimum wage increases that went into effect in nearly half of U.S. states this year, affecting millions of workers across industries, including baristas and restaurant servers.

Seven states and Washington, D.C., have passed laws that will eventually bring their wage floors to $15 an hour. Some municipalities, like New York and Seattle, have already succeeded in raising their minimum wages to $15 an hour.

The movement for an hourly wage of $15 took off in 2012 when New York fast-food workers began striking and eventually formed the Fight for $15 and a union.

In 2020, even more wage increases are slated to go into effect. Nearly 7 million workers will be getting a pay raise starting Jan. 1, thanks to new minimum wage hikes going into effect, according to the Economic Policy Institute.

Restaurant operators have coped with the changes by raising menu prices and cutting worker hours, according to a Harri survey of 173 restaurants.

The federal minimum wage has remained unchanged since 2009, when it rose to $7.25 an hour. Since then, it has failed to keep up with inflation.

Democrats tried to change that earlier this year. In July, the Democratic-controlled House passed a bill that would make $15 the minimum wage. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell refused to take up the issue in the Senate.

Analysis from the Congressional Budget Office found that raising the minimum wage to $15 by 2024 would benefit up to 27 million workers — but 1.3 million people would lose their jobs.

Democratic presidential candidates have largely supported a $15 minimum wage, although proposals differ about how to implement a higher federal minimum wage.

Some companies aren't waiting for the federal government. Amazon and Bank of America are among the companies that announced hourly wages of $15 or more for workers. In addition to generating positive headlines, higher internal wages can also help those firms recruit employees more easily.

"That really signals the key underlying point about minimum wage hikes: the labor market is historically tight right now," Zhao said.

In November, the unemployment rate sank to half-century low of 3.5% and job growth soared.

While McDonald's has not committed to raising its internal minimum wage, the fast-food giant sent a letter to the National Restaurant Association earlier this year, telling the trade organization it will no longer participate in lobbying against minimum wage increases.

While labor costs are putting pressure on profits, some restaurants have also been trying to get creative to keep employees sticking around longer. The restaurant industry has high employee turnover rates, and hiring and training new workers is expensive. For example, in 2019, Papa John's joined the growing number of companies that pay for employees' college tuition. Chipotle Mexican Grill began offering quarterly bonuses to crew members based on the performance of their restaurants.

Still, compared with retail, the restaurant industry has a smaller concentration of large employers. Franchisees and local restaurants that lack the scale of a global fast-food chain may struggle more under the pressure of higher labor costs caused by minimum wage increases.

"Some low-performing or low-margin restaurants are pushed out by high costs. But in a healthy economy, new restaurants should move in to replace them," Zhao said.

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AID WORKER ABDUCTED IN NORTH-CENTRAL NIGERIA

      

Horrific, another Aid Worker has been kidnapped in Nigeria's North, this time in the North-central State of Plateau state

While assuring of prompt efforts to rescue the aid worker, the Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong says his administration

 is working closely with the Federal Government and Security Agencies to secure the release of Miss Jennifer Ukambong Samuel and her colleagues.

Governor who is also the chairman of the Northern Governors Forum in a statement signed  by plateau State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Dan Manjang, said the  the Administration is interested in the welfare of Plateau citizens anywhere in the world.  

       

Miss Jennifer Samuel who works with Alliance for International Medical Action, a humanitarian organisation in the North East were recently abducted in Borno state by suspected Boko Haram terrorists.   

 

Governor Simon Lalong while encouraging the family of Jennifer, said channels of communication have been openned with relevant authorities to secure the release of not only Jennifer, but other citizens in the captivity of the terrorists.