Authors Darrell Bricker and John Ibbitson, in their 2019 book ‘Empty Planet: The Shock of Global Population Decline,’ challenged the conventional view of overpopulation, predicting a decline in global population. However, the narrative shifts when examining Africa’s population growth, which is expected to double by 2050, with an estimated annual growth rate of 2.5% in 2021. Despite the positive potential in harnessing Africa’s youthful population for economic growth, caution is warranted. While the relationship between population growth and economic growth in Africa appears positive but weak, challenges persist. The continent’s labour force growth lags behind its overall population increase, resulting…
Author: Editor Francis
Amid renewed hostilities in the Gaza Strip on Friday morning, the Israeli army has declared new safe zones for Palestinian residents. The military issued an interactive map in Arabic, delineating evacuation zones “in preparation for the next phase of the war.” The strip has been divided into zones to help residents orient themselves, follow instructions, and move to safety from specific locations if necessary. The escalation follows the initiation of military operations against Hamas by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), as a week-long ceasefire failed to be restored for the third time. Rockets were reportedly fired from Gaza into Israel…
Minister of Labour and Employment (State), Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, made a decisive visit to Ogun State on Friday, ordering the immediate closure of Metal Manufacturing Company in Gbara, near Sotubo, Sagamu Local Government. The shutdown came in response to numerous petitions highlighting hazardous working conditions faced by the company’s employees. The manufacturing firm, specializing in battery production, had caught the minister’s attention for its repeated failure to supply necessary protective gear to its workforce, despite warnings from the Occupational Safety and Health Department of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment. Expressing her concern, Minister Onyejeocha criticized the company’s management for…
After prolonged negotiations, the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has finalized Nigeria’s 2024 oil output target at 1.5 million barrels per day, a considerable reduction from the Federal Government’s initial projection of 1.78 million bpd. The decision, reached after extensive discussions, follows a complex deal established in June by OPEC+ that aimed to revise production targets for several member countries. During the week, the Federal Government had proposed a crude oil output goal of 1.78 million bpd for the upcoming year. However, OPEC’s officially assigned target for Nigeria reflects a significant cut in the expected production. The adjustment in…
In a recent development, the National Salaries, Incomes, and Wages Commission (NSIWC) has hinted at a potential increase in pensions for retirees next year. During a courtesy visit by the Nigeria Union of Pensioners Nationwide, led by Chairman Samuel Adewale, NSIWC Chairman Ekpo Nta addressed their queries. According to a statement from the commission’s Head of Press Unit, Emmanuel Njoku, Nta disclosed that the commission had submitted a report to the Federal Government in May 2023, outlining pension harmonization recommendations. Nta assured the pensioners that the commission is actively pursuing the matter, taking into account stakeholder inputs and financial considerations.…
Mohammed Idris, Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, has revealed plans to implement transformative reforms aimed at revitalizing the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), and the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN). During his working visit to the two iconic media establishments in Kaduna, the minister acknowledged their historical significance but emphasized their decline due to neglect, poor work attitudes, and outdated infrastructure. Minister Idris assured that the administration of President Tinubu would rejuvenate NTA and FRCN, positioning them as trailblazers in Nigeria’s broadcasting sector. Addressing the challenges faced by these institutions, he stressed the need to explore realistic approaches…
The Nigerian Senate has called on the Federal Government to suspend statutory allocations to local government councils lacking democratic elections. The unanimous resolution aims to curb dictatorial tendencies exhibited by some state Governors. The Senate’s decision follows a motion by Senator Abba Moro, highlighting the urgent need to address the erosion of democracy, particularly the dissolution of elected Councils in Benue State. Lawmakers argued that the replacement of Elected Councils with Caretaker Committees is undemocratic, constitutes an aberration, and violates the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). Senator Victor Umeh, representing Anambra Senatorial district, seconded the motion,…
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has announced plans to freeze accounts lacking a Bank Verification Number (BVN), or National Identification Number (NIN), starting from April 2024. In a circular issued on Friday, the apex bank instructed banks to impose a “Post No Debit” restriction on existing Tier-1 accounts or wallets without BVN or NIN. Effective immediately, unfunded accounts or wallets will face a “Post No Debit or Credit” restriction until the necessary processes are completed. Furthermore, as of March 1, 2024, funded accounts or wallets will also be subject to the same restriction, with no further transactions permitted. The…
*December 2, 2023* — A prominent U.S. delegation comprising senior officials from over 20 U.S. Departments, Agencies, and organizations is set to attend the 2023 UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from November 30 to December 12, 2023. The delegation aims to advance U.S. climate goals and contribute to a robust outcome at the global event. Headed by Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry, the U.S. delegation includes key figures such as Vice President Kamala Harris (attending from December 1-2), Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development…
Ambassador Jessye Lapenn, Senior Coordinator for Atlantic Cooperation, presided over the first virtual meeting of senior representatives from 31 member countries of the Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation on November 29. Launched on September 18, the partnership aims to foster collective problem-solving and uphold shared principles for Atlantic cooperation. All member nations have endorsed the Declaration on Atlantic Cooperation, signifying a collective commitment to a peaceful, prosperous, open, and cooperative Atlantic region. Additionally, the declaration emphasizes the protection of the ocean as a healthy, sustainable, and resilient resource for future generations. During the virtual meeting, members built on the Plan of…
Brazil, set to become a member of the OPEC+ alliance from January 2024, has clarified that it will not be assigned any production quotas and will not participate in oil production cuts. Jean Paul Prates, the Chief Executive of Brazil’s state-controlled oil company, Petrobras, emphasized in an interview with Reuters that Brazil would not accept production quotas. He stated, “We would never be part of an organization that imposes (production) quotas to Brazil; Petrobras is a publicly-traded company, and we cannot have quotas.” The unexpected announcement of Brazil’s inclusion in the OPEC+ alliance was made during the OPEC+ meeting on…
As Nigeria’s foreign debt reaches $43.2 billion in the second quarter of June 2023, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is exploring the possibility of implementing a debt-to-climate swap deal to assist indebted nations in reducing their debt while contributing to ecosystem protection. . Kristalina Georgieva, the Managing Director of the IMF, revealed this during an interview at COP28, highlighting the challenges faced by heavily indebted countries in pursuing decarbonization efforts. “Decarbonization is very difficult for countries with high levels of debt. Climate is one problem, and debt is another problem for the same countries. We are very interested in debt-for-climate…