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Nigeria seeks World Bank’s approval to restructure $650m health loan

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Nigeria seeks World Bank’s approval to restructure $650m health loan

The Federal Republic of Nigeria is seeking the World Bank’s approval to restructure a $650 million loan allocated to the Nigeria Improved Child Survival Program for Human Capital (ICSPHC). 

This is according to the “Restructuring Paper” on the program, which was seen by Nairametrics. 

The program is a critical component of Nigeria’s broader health sector reform efforts, designed to reduce the under-five mortality rate from 132 per 1,000 births in 2018 to 79 per 1,000 by 2030. 

According to the restructuring paper, this request follows the mid-term review of the project, which highlighted the need for strategic adjustments to better align with the government’s evolving approach to health sector reform, particularly in child and maternal health. 

The document read: “This Restructuring Paper seeks the approval of the Country Director to carry out a Level-two restructuring of the Immunization Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services Project (IMPACT P167156), the first phase of the Nigeria Improved Child Survival Program for Human Capital Multiphase Programmatic Approach (MPA). 

“This Level 2 restructuring proposes to (a) revise the components and costs; (b) reallocate funds across disbursement categories; and (c) modify the Results Framework. This is the second restructuring of the IMPACT Project as it was restructured once in July 2021 and revised Component 2 to include financing the construction of the Lagos vaccine Hub.” 

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It added: “The proposed restructuring is based on the outcome of the October 2023 Mid-Term Review (MTR) and agreements reached as detailed in a letter of request dated March 26, 2024 (Reference No. LF466: FMOFIER-240328) and extensive discussions between the Government and the World Bank regarding the shift in the Government’s approach in the health sector.” 

Proposed Changes 

Although the project has been described as moderately satisfactory, the proposed restructuring involves several key changes to the project’s design and implementation strategy. 

The Nigerian government intends to reallocate funds across disbursement categories, freeing up resources to expand the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) to additional states. This expansion will enhance access to essential health services, particularly in regions lagging in key health indicators. Also, the government plans to revise the project’s results framework, incorporating alternative data sources such as the Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS) to address gaps in monitoring and evaluation. 

The restructuring will also involve the deletion of specific activities, such as the centralized procurement of Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) and other malaria commodities. Instead, participating states will manage their own procurement processes, ensuring timely delivery of malaria prevention tools. This shift is expected to improve the efficiency of malaria control efforts and support the broader goal of reducing under-five mortality. 

Moreover, the restructuring includes the addition of a new sub-component focused on improving secondary health facilities and training institutions for healthcare workers. 

Nigeria seeks World Bank’s approval to restructure $650m health loan

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Tinubu extremely wealthy, can’t loot Nigeria’s treasury, says minister

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Tinubu extremely wealthy, can’t loot Nigeria’s treasury, says minister

The Minister of State for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, has described President Bola Tinubu as an epitome of wealth with no interest to loot Nigeria’s resources.

Olawande stated this while speaking at the Joint Union Negotiating Council’s week of the Federal Ministry of Youth Development branch in Abuja.

The minister also appealed to Nigerians to be patient with the president, noting that in no distant time there will be positive changes.

He said, “I urge you to be patient with this administration. In no distant time, the country will take good shape and the lives of the citizens will be transformed.

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“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is not a pauper; he is an acknowledged epitome of wealth and so it cannot be said of him that he desires to loot the treasury of Nigeria.”

Olawande continued, “He has seen money and as a result of this, he is not interested in looting the nation’s treasury.”

He emphasized that the administration is putting in efforts to transform the lives of Nigerians through various policies of the federal government.

Olawande thanked the staff of the ministry for being supportive of the government policies and assured them that their welfare will not be compromised.

Tinubu extremely wealthy, can’t loot Nigeria’s treasury, says minister

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BREAKING: Nigeria’s inflation rate slows for second consecutive month to 32.15% – NBS

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BREAKING: Nigeria’s inflation rate slows for second consecutive month to 32.15% – NBS

Nigeria’s headline inflation rate eased to 32.15% in August 2024 down from the 33.40% recorded in July 2024, reflecting a decrease of 1.25 percentage points.

This represents the second consecutive monthly slowdown in inflation after easing in the previous month.

This is according to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) report published by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

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However, on a year-on-year basis, the August 2024 inflation rate was 6.35 percentage points higher than the 25.80% rate recorded in August 2023, indicating a significant increase over the past year.

On a month-on-month basis, the inflation rate in August 2024 stood at 2.22%, slightly lower than July’s rate of 2.28%, signaling a slower pace in the increase of the average price level compared to the previous month.

BREAKING: Nigeria’s inflation rate slows for second consecutive month to 32.15% – NBS

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Edo poll: Six persons arrested in Benin hotel with fake PDP letterheads, forged signatures

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Edo poll: Six persons arrested in Benin hotel with fake PDP letterheads, forged signatures

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have arrested six young men in a hotel located in the Government Reserved Area (GRA) of Benin City with fake letterheads, stamps, and forged signatures belonging to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its chieftains.

The young men, who were apprehended with incriminating materials such as printers, mobile phones, power banks, laptops, and a photocopy machine, are believed to have been involved in drafting and circulating fake PDP letters and statements.

Their objective was to paint the PDP as instigators of unrest ahead of the forthcoming Edo governorship election, scheduled for Saturday, September 21, 2024.

The arrest, which was made following a tip-off, uncovered an elaborate scheme allegedly designed to discredit the PDP and its leaders by sending fabricated documents to unsuspecting journalists.

These fake letters and statements, according to police sources, were intended to portray the party as warmongers and troublemakers in the run-up to the critical election.

A police officer involved in the operation, who asked to remain anonymous, revealed that the suspects had been using the hotel as their base of operations for weeks.

“We found that these individuals were using forged PDP letterheads, stamps, and signatures to create fake documents.

“Their goal was to send out these documents to journalists in an attempt to misrepresent the PDP and create an atmosphere of tension ahead of the elections,” the officer said.

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In addition to the counterfeit materials, the police discovered that the young men had several technological devices, including laptops and printers, which they used to produce and disseminate the fraudulent documents.

“Their setup was sophisticated. They had everything they needed to make the documents appear legitimate, from forged letterheads to printers.

“We also found power banks, mobile phones, and a photocopy machine, which they used to mass-produce the fake letters,” the officer added.

Further investigation has revealed that the six young men were funded by a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

Meanwhile, another police source disclosed that the Nigeria Police Force, Edo State Command, has come under intense pressure from senior APC figures, who are reportedly pushing for the release of the arrested men.

“Since the arrest, there has been immense pressure on us from certain chieftains within the APC, urging the command to release these individuals.

“We believe that their involvement with these young men is being covered up, and they are worried about the potential fallout from this arrest,” the source noted.

A journalist with one of the prominent national newspapers, who had been unknowingly receiving fake statements from the group, expressed shock upon hearing about the arrests.

“It’s alarming to think that we’ve been receiving statements from people who were impersonating the PDP. This shows how low some people will go to try and sabotage the other party. The integrity of this election is now under serious question,” the journalist stated.

The Edo State Police Command has yet to issue an official statement on the matter, but sources within the command say investigations are ongoing, and the suspects remain in custody.

Edo poll: Six persons arrested in Benin hotel with fake PDP letterheads, forged signatures

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