Nigerian Times

Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Potential Benefits From Budget 2012 And Sure-P ~ By Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Against the backdrop of the recent debate on the removal of fuel subsidies , and the calculated misinformation being peddled by opponents of this policy, it is pertinent to highlight, in more tangible terms, some of the significant allocations that have been made to essential sectors of the economy, both in the 2012 budget as well as the recently-launched Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P). This programme is a 3—4 year programme designed to mitigate the immediate impact of the removal of fuel subsidy and accelerate economic growth through investments in critically-needed infrastructure. It is noteworthy that, while the 2012 budget allocated the best possible amounts to these critical projects, additional resources are allocated to the same projects in the SURE programme to ensure that they are completed at faster rates than envisioned in the 2012 budget. Some of the ...

The Friends Africa and Access Bank Plc organized a workshop on Workplace Policy Development on HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria for empowering companies to strengthen and develop workplace policies for the general health and welfare of workers. The workshop held on Friday December 2, 2011, at the Multi-Purpose Hall of the University of Lagos. The SMEs Workplace Policies Development program is an initiative of the Friends of the Global Fund Africa, delivered in partnership with Access Bank Plc. The program which was introduced in 2010 seeks to engage, train and assist African Small and Medium Enterprises in the development and implementation of Workplace Policies for HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. The program held its first successful series of workshop across Nigeria in the first quarter of 2010 reaching a target of over 250 SMEs spread across the North, East and South of Nigeria. The Workshops took place in Lagos (South), Enugu (East) and Minna (North). In 2011, the program is targeted ...

Nigeria is at the Bottom of 2011 Global Prosperity Index Nigeria is ranked 104th out of 110 countries in the 2011 Global Prosperity Index, a worldwide assessment of wealth and quality of life. Nigeria’s best ranking is at the 54th position in social capital and the worst is her 108th position in governance. BOTTOM 10 101 Zambia 102 Kenya 103 Mozambique 104 Nigeria 105 Sudan 106 Yemen 107 Pakistan 108 Ethopia 109 Zimbabwe 110 Central African Republic The Legatum Prosperity Index(TM) [http://www.prosperity.com/_ ]) provides the world's only global assessment of national prosperity based on both wealth and well-being. The Index assesses 110 countries (accounting for over 93% of the world's population and 97% of the world's GDP) and ranks them based on their performance in eight sub-indices, including Economy, Governance, Personal Freedom, and Social Capital. "We want to assess the long term drivers of prosperity," said Jeffrey ...

President Barack Obama may need more Champagne, because things are not so rosy for majority of Americans. Photo Credit: Redif . 2 Nov 2011 21:31 Africa/Lagos U.S. Ranks 10th In Global Prosperity Index - Falls Behind China In Economic Rankings U.S. scores high on measures of public health and entrepreneurial environment but falls behind China in economic rankings LONDON, November 2, 2011/PRNewswire/ -- A new study ranks the U.S. 10th out of 110 countries in a worldwide assessment of wealth and quality of life. Norway, Denmark, and Australia lead the rankings. China improved on economic indicators - moving ahead of the U.S. for the first time - and places 52nd overall. The Legatum Prosperity Index(TM) ( http://www.prosperity.com) provides the world's only global assessment of national prosperity based on both wealth and well-being. The Index assesses 110 countries (accounting for over 93% of the world's population and 97% of the world's GDP) and ranks them based on their perf...

More than Five Million Americans Abuse Painkillers Each Month During Medicine Abuse Awareness Month, BeSmartBeWell.com shares the story of Julie, who overcame a nearly fatal addiction to painkillers Chicago, October 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Drugs are everywhere. The use of prescription painkillers has increased dramatically in recent years, and prescription drug abuse is now the nation’s fastest-growing drug problem. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, more than 5 million Americans misuse painkillers each month. Opioid painkillers—a class of very powerful and potentially addicting pain relievers—are the most common source of drug overdose deaths, resulting in more unintentional deaths than cocaine and heroin combined. Who is taking all these drugs? Americans like Julie, a preschool teacher who suffered from back pain and became addicted to painkillers. “When you think of an addict, you think of the person laying in the street that’s addicted to heroin,” Julie ...

Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer of Antigua, Barbuda and Ambassador Francis Lorenzo, President of South-South News and Vivian Wang, Senior VP of South-South News recognized the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon with a South-South Award for Women's and Children's Health. NEW YORK, Oct. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- (South-South News): The Prime Minister Winston Baldwin Spencer of Antigua and Barbuda and Ambassador Francis Lorenzo, President of South-South News presented United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon with a recognition award at an official member state luncheon today in New York City for his commitment and leadership in promoting the Global Strategy for Women and Children's Health. "Thank you for choosing me to honor with this great award. I accept this award on behalf of the men and women working across the globe to save millions of women, new born infants, and children," said the United Nations Secretary-General during his remarks. (...

Safe Escape: Survivors and Experts Offer Advice for Fleeing Domestic Violence In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, BeSmartBeWell.com shares the hopeful story of one woman who successfully escaped domestic abuse. CHICAGO, October 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Each year, more than 4 million women and one in 10 men are harmed by their partners, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Tragically, the most dangerous time for victims of domestic violence is when they try to leave. In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, BeSmartBeWell.com, in collaboration with the National Domestic Violence Hotline, shares the story of Bessie, a domestic violence survivor, and provides practical tips and resources to help people break free from abusive relationships. Barriers to escape For years, Bessie hid the bruises. She lied to her friends and family, wore long sleeves and used make-up to cover the latest scars. She wanted to escape from her abusive husba...

Photo Credit: How To Stop Smoking Cigarettes Effortlessly ... 6 Sep 2011 18:07 Africa/Lagos Smokers Are Smoking Less PR Newswire ATLANTA, Sept. 6, 2011 Fewer heavy smokers while light smokers on the rise, but even occasional smoking can cause harm ATLANTA, Sept. 6, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Fewer American adults are smoking cigarettes, according to a new Vital Signs report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Also, daily smokers are smoking fewer cigarettes each day, it says. The report, which covers data from 2005 to 2010, shows an estimated 19.3 percent—or 45.3 million—of American adults, aged 18 and older, continue to smoke, a decline from 20.9 percent in 2005. Of those adults who smoke, 78.2 percent (35.4 million) smoke every day. The percent of U.S. adult daily smokers who smoke nine or fewer cigarettes per day rose to 21.8 percent in 2010, up from 16.4 percent in 2005. The percent who smoke 30 or more cigarettes per day fell from 12.7 percent to 8.3 percent...

Market women and their children prepare a meal at their slum settlement in Lagos, Nigeria June 10, 2006. The world's growing number of poor slum dwellers is a ticking time bomb that governments dare not ignore, the United Nations said on Friday. (George Esiri/Reuters) 4 Most Shocking Facts on Dirty Habits in Nigeria 1. 33 million Nigerians defecate in the open depositing 1.7 million tonnes of fæces in the environment annually. 2. 20% of Nigerians expect to be consoled for farting or belching without apologies. 3. 90% of Nigerian food vendors and cooks handle food immediately after blowing their noses. 4. 90% of Nigerians don’t wash their hands after urinating by the roadside. People defecating in the open in Nigeria The unhygienic ways of life in Nigeria have made life expectancy to drop below 48 years and may continue to drop until majority of Nigerians stop their unhygienic lifestyles. And the government should sack the stupid Minister of Healt...