News
Inflation Rate Rises To 16.47%
The consumer price index, (CPI) which measures inflation increased by 16.47 percent (year-on-year) in January, 2021, according to latest data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), yesterday.
This is 0.71 percent points higher than the rate recorded in December, 2020 (15.75 percent).
Increases were recorded in all Classification of Individual Consumption According to Purpose (COICOP ) divisions that yielded the headline index.
On month-on-month basis, the headline index increased by 1.49 percent in January, 2021.
This is 0.12 percentage points lower than the rate recorded in December, 2020 (1.61 percent).
The percentage change in the average composite CPI for the twelve months period ending January, 2021 over the average of the CPI for the previous twelve months period was 13.62 percent, representing a 0.37 percentage point increase over 13.25 percent recorded in December, 2020.
The urban inflation rate increased by 17.03 percent (year-on-year) in January, 2021 from 16.33 percent recorded in December, 2020, while the rural inflation rate increased by 15.92 percent in January, 2021 from 15.20 percent in December, 2020.
On a month-on-month basis, the urban index rose by 1.52 percent in January, 2021, down by 0.13 percentage points when compared to the rate recorded in December, 2020, while the rural index also rose by 1.46 percent in January, 2021, down by 0.12 compared to the rate that was recorded in December, 2020 (1.58 percent).
The corresponding twelve-month year-on-year average percentage change for the urban index was 14.23 percent in January, 2021.
This is higher than the 13.86 percent reported in December, 2020, while the corresponding rural inflation rate in January, 2021 was 13.04 percent compared to 12.67 percent recorded in December, 2020.
The composite food index rose by 20.57 percent in January, 2021 compared to 19.56 percent in December, 2020.
This rise in the food index was caused by increases in prices of Bread and cereals, Potatoes, Yam and other tubers, Meat, Fruits, Vegetable, Fish and Oils and Fats.
On month-on-month basis, the food sub-index increased by 1.83 percent in January, 2021, down by 0.22 percent points from 2.05 percent recorded in December, 2020.
The average annual rate of change of the food sub-index for the twelve-month period ending January, 2021 over the previous twelve-month average was 16.66 percent, 0.49 percent points higher than the average annual rate of change recorded in December, 2020 (16.17 percent).
The “All items less farm produce” or Core inflation, which excludes the prices of volatile agricultural produce stood at 11.85 percent in January, 2021, up by 0.48 percent when compared with 11.37 percent recorded in December, 2020.
On month-on-month basis, the core sub-index increased by 1.26 percent in January, 2021.
This was up by 0.16 percent when compared with 1.10 percent recorded in December, 2020.
The highest increases were recorded in prices of passenger transport by air, medical services, hospital services, passenger transport by road, pharmaceutical products, paramedical services, repair of furniture, vehicle spare parts, motor cars, miscellaneous services relating to the dwelling, maintenance and repair of personal transport equipment,
The average 12-month annual rate of change of the index was 10.52 percent for the twelve-month period ending January, 2021.
This was 0.21 percent points higher than 10.31 percent recorded in December, 2020.
In analysing price movements under this section, note that the CPI is weighted by consumption expenditure patterns which differ across states.
Accordingly, the weight assigned to a particular food or non-food item may differ from state to state making interstate comparisons of consumption basket inadvisable and potentially misleading.
In January, 2021, all items inflation on year on year basis was highest in Kogi (21.38%), Oyo (20.17%) and Bauchi (19.52%), while Kwara (13.96%), Abuja (12.96%) and Cross River (12.22%) recorded the slowest rise in headline Year-on-Year inflation.
On month-on-month basis, however, January, 2021, all items inflation was highest in Oyo (4.28%), Ebonyi (3.95%) and Lagos (3.33%), while Abuja, Edo and Cross River recorded price deflation or negative inflation (general
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to expedite the prosecution of the Director of the now distressed MBA Forex Trading, Mr. Maxwell Odum, in the interest of justice.
The Rivers State NUJ made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the EFFC’s Ag. Zonal Director, ACE Hassan Saidu, in Port Harcourt, recently.
The council’s chairman, Comrade Paul Bazia, said the appeal became imperative after it considered the number of Nigerians and others involved in the financial misconduct.
According to him, it has caused hardship among many households in the country and should be given the attention it deserves.
He said that investors cannot come into a country or invest in an economy or nation ridden with fraud.
This, he said, has made it more imperative to arrest, prosecute and convict alleged fraudsters like the MBA Forex Director, who is alleged to have defrauded thousands of unsuspecting Nigerians, to serve as a deterrent to others.
The chairman also requested that while the trial lasts, part of the swindled funds should be given to the victims that suffered loss and trauma as a result of the fraud.
The NUJ reiterated its resolve to change the narrative of reportage from crisis to developmental communication.
According to him, the NUJ’s main focus is blue economy and tourism.
He expressed the readiness of the Council to partner the agency in the area of information dissemination.
“We believe you have a responsibility to fight financial crimes. We also know that you need the Press to publicize your activities and NUJ can provide that,” he said.
Responding, the Zonal EFFC’s boss commended the NUJ’s vision to change the narrative of reporting from crisis to developmental communication.
According to Saidu, the Western world have since imbibed such culture, hence the negative stories about them are carefully sifted to allow only positive ones to be released to the outside world.
As for the trapped funds to be released, the EFCC Zonal Director stated that only the court can authorize such action, stressing that the primary responsibility of the Commission is to arrest and prosecute.
He pledged to partner with the NUJ now that the leadership has visited the Commission.
The Head of the Legal & Prosecution Department, DCE Odiase Stephen, corroborated the Zonal Director’s position and stressed that it was only when the matter has been determined by the court that such funds can be released.
He further stated that once a matter is before a court of competent jurisdiction, it cannot be discussed outside.
By: King Onunwor
-
News4 days agoRSIPA Outlines Plans To Boost Investors’ Confidence …China Applauds Fubara As Listening Gov
-
Niger Delta2 days ago
Oborevwori Condoles Diri, Family, Bayelsans Over Passing Ewhrudjakpo’s Passing
-
Politics2 days ago
DEFECTION: FUBARA HAS ENDED SPECULATIONS ABOUT POLITICAL FUTURE — NWOGU
-
Politics2 days ago
Alleged Tax Law Changes Risk Eroding Public Trust — CISLAC
-
Maritime2 days agoImo Category C Victory: NIMASA Staff Host Executive Management Party
-
Politics2 days ago
HILDA DOKUBO ASSUMES CHAIRMANSHIP, DENIES FACTIONS IN RIVERS LP
-
Rivers2 days ago
Group Urges LGA Chairmen To Prioritise Accountability, People-Centred Governance
-
Sports2 days ago
New Four Yr Calendar For AFCON
