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Nigeria’s Inflation Rate Increases To 21.09%
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has said that Nigeria’s headline inflation rate increased to 21.09per cent on a year-on-year basis in October, 2022.
Nigeria’s headline inflation rate stood at 20.77per cent on a year-on-year basis in September, 2022.
The NBS made this known via its Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Inflation Report for October released on Wednesday.
According to the report, the figure is 5.09per cent points higher compared to 15.99per cent recorded in October, 2021.
“This shows that the general price level for the headline inflation rate increased in October, 2022 when compared to the same month in the preceding year.
“Meaning that in October, 2022, the general price level was 5.09per cent higher relative to October, 2021,” it said.
According to the report, factors responsible for the increase in annual inflation rate include disruption in the supply of food products.
It said other factors were increased in import cost due to the persistent currency depreciation and a general increase in the cost of production such as the increase in energy cost.
The report said on a month-on-month basis, the Headline inflation rate in October, 2022 was 1.24per cent, which was 0.11per cent lower than the rate recorded in September, 2022 at 1.36per cent.
“This means that in October, 2022, the general price level for the headline inflation rate on a month–on–month basis declined by 0.11per cent,” the report.
According to the report, the factor responsible for the decline in the monthly inflation rate is a decline in the current month’s food index relative to the reference month index, which is due to the harvest season.
The report said the percentage change in the average CPI for the 12 months ending October, 2022 over the average of the CPI for the previous 12 months period was 17.86per cent
“This indicates a 0.91per cent increase compared to the 16.96per cent recorded in October, 2021,” the report noted.
It said increases were recorded in all Classification of Individual Consumption by Purpose (COICOP) divisions that yielded the headline index.
The report said the food inflation rate in October, 2022 was 23.72per cent on a year-on-year basis, which was 5.39per cent higher compared to the rate recorded in October, 2021 at 18.34per cent.
“The rise in food inflation is caused by increases in prices of bread and cereals, food products, potatoes, yams and other tubers, oil and fat.”
It said on a month-on-month basis, the food inflation rate in October was 1.23per cent, which was a 0.21per cent decline compared to the rate recorded in September, 2022 at 1.43per cent.
“This decline was attributed to the reduction in prices of some food items like tubers, palm oil, maize, beans, and vegetables.
“The average annual rate of food inflation for the 12-months ending October, 2022 was 19.83per cent , which was a 0.92per cent points decline from the average annual rate of change recorded in October, 2021 at 20.75per cent,” it stated.
The report said on a year-on-year basis in October, 2022, the urban inflation rate was 21.63per cent, which was 5.11per cent higher compared to the 16.52per cent recorded in October, 2021.
“On a month-on-month basis, the urban inflation rate was 1.33per cent in October, 2022, this was a 0.12per cent decline compared toSeptember, 2022 at 1.46per cent,” the report noted.
It said the corresponding 12-month average for the urban inflationrate was 18.38per cent in October, 2022.
“This was 0.85per cent higher compared to the 17.53per cent reported in October, 2021,” it said.
The report said on a year-on-year basis in October, 2022, the rural inflation rate was 20.57per cent, which was 5.09per cent higher compared to the 15.48per cent recorded in October, 2021.
“On a month-on-month basis, the rural inflation rate in October, 2022 was 1.16per cent, which declined by 0.11per cent compared to September, 2022 at 1.27per cent,” it stated.
It said the corresponding 12-month average for the rural inflation rate inOctober, 2022 was 17.38per cent, which was 0.98per cent higher compared to the 16.39per cent recorded in October, 2021.
On states’ profile analysis, the report showed in October, 2022, all items inflation rate on a year-on-year basis was highest in Kogi at 25.15per cent, followed by Bauchi at 23.45per cent, and Ondo at 23.45per cent.
It, however, said the slowest rise in headline year-on-year inflation was recorded in Plateau at 19.02per cent followed by Borno at 19.31per cent and Nasarawa at 19.39per cent.
The report, however said in October, 2022, all items inflation rate on a month-on-month basis was highest in Abuja at 3.18per cent, followed by Kebbi at 2.80per cent, and Sokoto at 2.57per cent.
“Kwara at -0.14per cent, followed by Kogi at 0.06per cent and Oyo at 0.30per cent recorded the slowest rise on month-on-month inflation,” it added.
The report said food inflation in October, 2022, on a year-on-year basis was highest in Kwara by 30.79per cent, followed by Kogi at 28.74per cent and Imo at 28.64per cent.
“Kaduna at 19.96per cent, followed by Plateau at 20.17per cent and Jigawa at 20.42per cent recorded the slowest rise on year-on-year food inflation,” it said.
It, however, said on a month-on-month basis in October, 2022, food inflation was highest in Sokoto at 3.55per cent followed by Yobe by 3.31per cent and Kebbi at 3.16per cent.
“Kwara at -0.76per cent, followed by Kogi at -0.55per cent and Akwa-Ibom at -0.21per cent recorded the slowest rise on month-on-month inflation,” it noted.
Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, says Nigeria needs God-fearing leaders for the nation to move in the right direction and make meaningful progress.
The Governor stated this yesterday when he received in audience, the World President of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Pastor Erton Kohler; his wife, Andriene Marques Kohler; daughter Mariana Marques Kohler and a retinue of ministers of the church at Government House, Port Harcourt.
Fubara who hailed the Seventh Day Adventist Church for its contributions to education and the grooming of future leaders in Nigeria, expressed delight that the Church had over the years, been investing in education at various levels and currently runs two universities in the country.
He commended the church for not only using its institutions to spread the gospel of Christianity but to groom future leaders for the country.
According to him, religion should not be just about defending one’s faith, but also making meaningful impact on the lives of the people.
He said that by floating these educational institutions, the church has demonstrated capacity to support Nigeria in the task of producing not only educated people but a breed of God-fearing leaders.
“Our country is where it is today because we lack the fear of God. If you have the fear of God, there should be a limit to what you can do because you understand the supremacy of God. But when God is not in your equation, you’ll go beyond the line and that is what has brought us to where we are today.
“So, I feel very happy that you are contributing to the development of our future leaders in this country. We need the right people being in the right place; prepared properly with good minds; that is what we need, not just in Nigeria but round the whole world.,” he said.
Governor Fubara further observed that the absence of God-fearing people in high places to take the right decisions that could impact positively on the society, has also given rise to other problems such as social inequality, poverty, corruption and criminality. According to him, Nigeria needs a system where the average parent could afford quality education for their children and a guarantee that upon graduation, the average child will have the capacity to compete favourably with anybody, anywhere in the world.
“If we have a situation where the little money that you’re being paid as wage can also afford you quality healthcare and after working at least for 15-20 years, you have a roof over your head, tell me why you should be involved in any kind of crime? At that point, you’ll feel secured and this attitude of insecurity about the future that leads to all the social vices we have today won’t be there,” he said.
Governor Fubara expressed appreciation to the delegation for the visit and for their prayers for Rivers State, assuring them of his continued support for their programmes in the state.
Leader of the delegation and World President of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Pastor Erton Kohler said he was in Nigeria for a special conference of the church during which thousands of the church’s ministers will be undergoing an empowerment programme to further equip them for the task of herding their flocks and serving the society.
He expressed gratitude to the Governor for the warm reception accorded his entourage, saying the memory of the visit will linger in his mind for a lifetime.
Kohler disclosed that the Church has over twenty -four million (24,000,000) members and more than 182,000 places of worship, spread across 212 countries of the world.
The Rivers State House of Assembly has approved the 2026–2028 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) submitted by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
This reaffirms the lawmakers’ commitment to enacting laws and taking legislative actions geared towards the overall development of the State.
The Assembly gave the approval during its Second Legislative Sitting of the Fourth Session held last Friday.
Speaking on the MTEF document during plenary, the House Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule, noted that by the provision of Section 10(1)(b) of the Rivers State Fiscal Responsibility Law No. 8 of 2010, the MTEF ought to have been laid before the House in September 2025.
Amaewhule explained that traditionally, the document is expected to be presented four months before the commencement of the next financial year and immediately after the expiration of every three-year fiscal cycle.
He, however, stated that in the interest of the State and its people, the House considered it necessary to deliberate on the document, describing it as a precursor to the 2026 Budget Estimates.
The Speaker expressed concern that the year had already progressed significantly before the presentation of the framework.
During deliberations on the document, members examined the assumptions and projections contained in the MTEF and observed that strict adherence to the outlined fiscal parameters would ultimately serve the interest of Rivers people.
The lawmakers maintained that effective implementation of the framework would promote prudent financial management and enhance developmental planning across the State.
Following the debate and positive consideration by members, the Speaker put the question to the House and members voted overwhelmingly in support of the approval of the MTEF.
Meanwhile, during the same sitting last Friday, the House also received a petition from the Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Dr. Gift Worlu.
The petition was presented by the member representing Obio/Akpor Constituency II, Hon. Emilia Amadi.
According to the petition, concerns were raised over an imminent security breach, threats to lives, destruction of property and alleged forceful takeover of property by some lawless persons within parts of the Local Government Area.
Presenting the petition before the House, Hon. Amadi appealed to the lawmakers to revisit the matter and take necessary steps aimed at safeguarding lives and property in the affected communities.
The House is expected to further deliberate on the petition and consider measures to address the concerns raised in order to sustain peace and security in the area.
King Onunwor
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JUNE 12: Democracy Remains Nigeria’s Strongest Path To Unity, Progress, Says Fubara ….Extols Abiola, Wife
Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has reaffirmed that democracy remains the most effective system of government for Nigeria, given the country’s rich diversity of ethnic, religious, and cultural identities.
In a goodwill message to Nigerians on the occasion of the 2026 Democracy Day celebration, Governor Fubara said June 12 represents far more than a historic date; as it embodies the enduring struggle, sacrifice, and collective aspiration of Nigerians for freedom, justice, and representative governance.
The Governor extended warm felicitations to Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora, paying tribute to the heroes and heroines of the democratic struggle, particularly Chief MKO Abiola, his wife, Kudirat Abiola, and countless others whose courage and sacrifices helped secure the democratic freedoms Nigerians enjoy today.
According to him, “June 12 is a reminder of the price paid for the democracy we enjoy today. The sacrifices made by Chief MKO Abiola, Kudirat Abiola, and many other patriots who laid the foundation for the democratic journey we continue to enjoy today. Their commitment to the principle that power must ultimately reside with the people remains a source of inspiration for every generation of Nigerians.”
Governor Fubara noted that thirty-three years after the historic June 12, 1993 election, Nigeria’s democratic experiment has continued to evolve despite challenges and setbacks.
“Our democratic journey has not been without difficulties, but the resilience of our institutions and the determination of our people have kept the nation moving forward. The ability to express differing opinions, engage in constructive debate, and peacefully choose leaders through the ballot remains one of the greatest achievements of our nation,” he said.
Governor Fubara stressed that democracy provides the best framework for managing Nigeria’s diversity and transforming it into a source of national strength.
“Nigeria’s diversity should never be seen as a weakness. Properly harnessed, it is our greatest asset. Democracy offers us the opportunity to build consensus, promote inclusion, strengthen national unity, and create the conditions for sustainable development and shared prosperity,” he said.
Governor Fubara commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda and ongoing efforts aimed at economic revitalization, strengthening security, and deepening democratic institutions across the country.
He reiterated the readiness of Rivers State to continue partnering with the Federal Government in advancing policies and programmes that improve the lives of citizens through infrastructure development, job creation, enhanced security, quality education, healthcare delivery, and good governance.
The Governor further called on Nigerians, regardless of political affiliation, ethnic background, or religious belief, to use the occasion of Democracy Day to renew their commitment to the Nigerian project and the ideals that underpin democratic governance.
“Democracy must not be viewed merely as a periodic electoral exercise. It must be reflected in our daily commitment to accountability, transparency, tolerance, justice, respect for the rule of law, and responsible leadership. As citizens and leaders, we all share a collective responsibility to strengthen our democracy and build a nation that future generations will be proud to inherit,” he said.
Governor Fubara expressed optimism about Nigeria’s future, urging citizens to remain united, hopeful, and committed to the values of peace, dialogue, and national development.
“Together, we can build a stronger, more inclusive, and more prosperous Nigeria where every citizen has the opportunity to thrive and contribute meaningfully to national progress,” he said.