Economy & Politics

CBN offers N1.1 trillion intervention fund to support real, health sectors

Central Bank of Nigeria has disclosed that the apex bank would support critical sectors of the economy with N1.1 trillion intervention fund. This was stated by the Godwin Emefiele, Governor of the apex bank on Wednesday in a statement.

Published

7 months ago

March 18, 2020

Abiola Odutola

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In the statement, Emefiele explained that out of the N1.1trillion, about N1trillion would be used to support the local manufacturing sector as well as boost import substitution.

He added that the balance of N100 billion would be used to support the Health Authorities to ensure laboratories, researchers and innovators work with global scientists to patent and produce vaccines and test kits in Nigeria.

This, he said, was imperative following the Coronavirus pandemic, adding that the N100bn would enable the country prepare for any major crises ahead.

He said given the continuing impact of the disease on global supply chains, the CBN will increase its intervention in boosting the economy.

He said, “First the CBN is directing all Deposit Money Banks to increase their support to the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries.

“In local drug manufacturing, in increased bed count in hospitals across Nigeria, in funding intensive care as well as in training, laboratory testing, equipment and R&D.

“In addition to the N50bn soft loans to small businesses already announced, the CBN will increase its intervention by another N100bn in loans this year to support health authorities.

“Secondly, given the continuing impact of the disease on global supply chains, the CBN will increase its intervention in boosting local manufacturing and import substitution by another N1tn across all critical sectors of the economy.”

He said the management of the apex bank will meet with the Bankers Committee this Saturday at 10.00 am to work out the modalities for the intervention.

Abiola Odutola

Abiola has spent about 14 years in journalism. His career has covered some top local print media like TELL Magazine, Broad Street Journal, The Point Newspaper. The Bloomberg MEI alumni has interviewed some of the most influential figures of the IMF, G-20 Summit, Pre-G20 Central Bank Governors and Finance Ministers, Critical Communication World Conference. The multiple award winner is variously trained in business and markets journalism at Lagos Business School, and Pan-Atlantic University. You may contact him via email - [email protected]

2 Comments

Barriga Bello

March 19, 2020 at 3:12 pm

“Central Bank of Nigeria has disclosed that the apex bank would support critical sectors of the economy with N1.1 trillion intervention fund. This was stated by the Godwin Emefiele, Governor of the apex bank on Wednesday in a statement.“

N1.1 trillion intervention fund without good road infrastructure will not make any difference in the critical sectors of the economy.
What will support critical sectors of the economy are:-
< Good road connectivity
< Security of person and property
< Working institutions, for example, the judiciary.

Reply
Lilian Nwaneri

April 1, 2020 at 8:20 pm

A very good development

Reply

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Economy & Politics

Buhari in crucial meeting with Obasanjo, other former heads of state

President Buhari is presiding over a National Security Council meeting with some former heads of state and some security chiefs.

Published

1 day ago

October 23, 2020

Chike Olisah

Buhari in crucial meeting with Obasanjo, other former heads of state

President Muhammadu Buhari is currently presiding over a National Security Council meeting with some former heads of state and some security chiefs.

READ: Obasanjo opens garment factory, competes with Nike Art Gallery, Sam & Sara

Although the agenda of the meeting is not made public, issues bothering on the current security situation in the country are believed to top the agenda. This follows the outbreak of violence across the country during the protest against police brutality and extra-judicial killings, which has led to the loss of lives and destruction of public assets and private properties.

READ: Update: Buhari seeks power to freeze accounts, clamp down on money launderers

According to media reports, the meeting which is coordinated from the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, has in virtual attendance General Yakubu Gowon (rtd.), former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd.), former President Goodluck Jonathan and former head of interim national government, Chief Ernest Shonekan.

READ: #EndSARS: Feminist Coalition raise Cryptos worth $126,000

Others who are physically present at the council chambers are Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Monguno (rtd.); Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Olanisakin; Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu; Director-General, Department of State Services, Yusuf Bichi; and Director-General, National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Rufai, among others are attending with the President.

READ: #EndSARS: Buhari holds National Security Council meeting with Osinbajo, IGP, others

This meeting is coming a day after President Buhari’s national broadcast on the security situation in the country calling for an end to the #EndSARS protests as their voices have been loudly heard.

Explore Data on the Nairametrics Research Website

Details later…

Economy & Politics

Senatorial, State House of Assembly bye-elections postponed – INEC

Senatorial and State House of Assembly bye-elections slated to hold on October 31 in 11 states have been postponed by INEC.

Published

2 days ago

October 22, 2020

Johnson Uche

The 6 Senatorial and 9 State House of Assembly bye-elections slated to hold on October 31 in 11 states of the Federation has been postponed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The vacancies were as a result of death and resignation of previous members.

According to the statement issued by its National Commissioner & Chairman, Information and Voter Education, Festus Okoye Esq., INEC said the decision was taken after meeting with the 37 Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) on Thursday.

Breaking News: #INEC Postpones Bye Elections in 6 Senatorial Districts, 9 State Constituencies. pic.twitter.com/RWiUomBsC6

— INEC Nigeria (@inecnigeria) October 22, 2020

Though the commission did not categorically state the reason for the postponement, feelers are that it may not be unconnected with the raging #EndSARS protests across the nation.

Details shortly…

Economy & Politics

Some Nigerians mistook promptness of FG response as sign of weakness – Buhari

President Buhari has said that FG’s promptness to consent to the demands of the protesters was taken as a sign of weakness.

Published

2 days ago

October 22, 2020

Chike Olisah

Buhari says large proportions of new COVID-19 infections now occur in communities

President Muhammadu Buhari has pointed out that the promptness with which the Federal Government acted in meeting the demands of the #EndSARS protesters seemed to have been misconstrued as a sign of weakness and twisted by some for their selfish unpatriotic interests.

This was disclosed by the president in his national broadcast on Thursday, October 22, 2020, on the current widespread violence which has engulfed the country following the protest against police brutality and extrajudicial killings.

The president said that the government listened to the protesters and after evaluating their five-point demands, they were accepted and some of them implemented, which includes the disbandment of SARS.

In his address to Nigerians, President Buhari said, “As a democratic government, we listened to, and carefully evaluated the five-point demands of the protesters. And, having accepted them, we immediately scrapped SARS and put measures in place to address the other demands of our youth.

“On approving the termination of SARS, I already made it clear that it was in line with our commitment to the implementation of extensive Police reforms.

“Sadly, the promptness with which we have acted seemed to have been misconstrued as a sign of weakness and twisted by some for their selfish unpatriotic interests.

The president said the actions of these elements has caused serious violence which has led to the loss of human lives, attack on correctional facilities, destruction and vandalization of public and private properties, attack on the palace of Oba of Lagos, invasion of International Airport and so on.

While acknowledging that the choice to demonstrate peacefully is a fundamental right of every citizen as enshrined in the constitution, the president pointed out that this right to protest also imposes on the demonstrators the responsibility to respect the rights of other citizens and the necessity to operate within the law.

Details later…