### Key Developments and Funding of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF)

The Federal Government of Nigeria has approved the disbursement of ₦12.9 billion through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) for the third quarter of 2024. This disbursement, part of ongoing efforts to enhance healthcare services across the country, is in line with the 2020 BHCPF guideline pending the review of the new guideline.

#### Overview of BHCPF Disbursements:
– **2019-2022**: Approximately ₦89 billion was disbursed.
– **2023**: ₦25 billion was allocated for the first two quarters.
– **2024 Q3**: An additional ₦12.9 billion has been approved.

#### Utilization of Funds:
The disbursed funds are aimed at:
– Direct facility financing.
– Workforce incentives across states.
– Supporting primary healthcare centers (PHCs).

#### Scope of BHCPF Coverage:
– Only 7,250 out of the 35,514 PHCs in Nigeria are currently benefiting from the BHCPF.

#### Recent and Upcoming Reforms:
– **Comprehensive Review**: The BHCPF guideline is under review to address significant flaws and improve implementation.
– **Sector-Wide Approach**: President Bola Tinubu’s administration is pushing for a sector-wide approach to align resources and improve health outcomes.
– **Corrective Measures**: All 36 states and the FCT are committed to immediate corrective measures based on a thorough assessment of the BHCPF’s implementation flaws.

#### Key Reforms:
– **National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) and NPHCDA**: Proposed reforms approved in March 2024 to enhance the operational efficiency of these agencies.
– **Funding Assurance**: The MOC has approved the release of ₦25 billion to key health agencies to ensure continuity of services pending the new guideline.

#### Health Outcomes and Goals:
– **Increase in Antenatal Coverage**.
– **Improved Skilled Birth Attendance**.
– **Enhanced Immunisation Rates**.
– **Expansion of Overall Health Insurance Coverage**.

#### Collaborative Efforts:
– **Assessments and Prioritization**: Conducting facility assessments to identify gaps and prioritize improvements.
– **State and Federal Collaboration**: States are increasingly contributing their own resources and implementing health insurance funds to support the poor and vulnerable.

#### Impact on Healthcare Access:
– Approximately 2.7 million Nigerians are now insured under the BHCPF, providing them with access to a basic minimum package of healthcare services at PHCs without out-of-pocket expenses.
– **State Participation**: 25 states have initiated their own health insurance programs, further expanding healthcare coverage.

### Conclusion
The BHCPF is a crucial initiative aimed at improving healthcare access and quality in Nigeria. The recent approval of ₦12.9 billion for the third quarter of 2024, along with ongoing reforms and collaborative efforts between federal and state entities, underscores the government’s commitment to enhancing healthcare services for all Nigerians.

Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), recently criticized lawyer and human rights activist Mike Ozekhome (SAN) and former Senator Shehu Sani for their remarks on Nigeria’s democratic progress over the last 25 years.

### Key Points from Wike’s Critique:

1. **Recognition of Democratic Gains**:
– Wike expressed disappointment that Ozekhome and Sani did not acknowledge the positive strides made in Nigeria’s democracy. He emphasized that while challenges remain, there have been significant advancements that should be recognized.

2. **Balanced Critique**:
– Wike argued that the speakers focused too much on criticisms without acknowledging the progress made. He suggested that a balanced view would highlight both achievements and areas needing improvement.

3. **Progress in Governance**:
– Wike highlighted the efforts of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, particularly the “Renewed Hope Agenda,” which aims to restore hope among Nigerians. He pointed out that significant efforts are being made to address the country’s challenges.

4. **Infrastructure and Development**:
– He mentioned the infrastructural improvements in the FCT as an example of progress, attributing these achievements to the current administration’s effective governance.

5. **Activists and Practical Governance**:
– Wike criticized activists, including Ozekhome and Sani, for their theoretical approach to issues. He questioned their effectiveness in practical governance and pointed out instances where activists in government roles did not perform well.

6. **Election Rigging and Legal Defense**:
– Wike also took a jab at Ozekhome for defending election riggers in court, suggesting that this undermines his stance as an activist against electoral malpractices.

### Overall Message:
Wike’s response was a call for a more balanced and constructive approach to discussing Nigeria’s democratic journey, emphasizing the need to recognize and build on the progress made while addressing ongoing challenges.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed strong confidence in its chances of winning the upcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states. Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum emphasized that the PDP will not allow itself to be deprived of victory in these elections.

### Key Points from PDP’s Strategy and Confidence:

1. **Leadership and Campaign Councils**:
– The PDP National Campaign Councils for the Edo and Ondo elections have been inaugurated. The Edo council is chaired by Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa, with 148 members, while the Ondo council is chaired by Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun, with 177 members.

2. **Confidence in Edo**:
– The PDP is confident in retaining Edo, citing the strong performance and foundation laid by Gov. Godwin Obaseki. Obaseki has been praised for his governance, including the notable increase of the basic salary to ₦70,000.
– The party’s candidate in Edo, Asue Ighodalo, is seen as a capable leader who can continue the state’s development.

3. **Focus on Ondo**:
– The PDP is optimistic about its chances in Ondo, recognizing past mistakes and emphasizing renewed commitment. The new candidate, Agboola Ajayi, is supported by united party leaders and stakeholders.
– The PDP aims to leverage the dissatisfaction with the current administration and present a viable alternative to the electorate.

4. **Strategic Preparedness**:
– Damagum urged the campaign councils to be vigilant and proactive, ensuring that the elections are free from manipulation and fraud. He emphasized the need to be “battle-ready” and to counter any attempts to undermine the PDP’s success.

5. **Support and Commitment**:
– The party has pledged full support to the campaign efforts in both states, ensuring that all necessary resources are available to secure victory.
– Key figures like Gov. Fintiri and Chief Tom Ikimi expressed strong confidence in the PDP’s prospects, highlighting the solid groundwork and performance of their candidates.

The PDP’s strategy involves a combination of highlighting past achievements, uniting party members, and preparing to counter any electoral malpractice, with a strong focus on ensuring that their candidates in Edo and Ondo states emerge victorious.

The debate over the minimum wage in Nigeria has been intensifying, with the Southern Governors advocating for the decentralization of minimum wage negotiations to allow each state to set wages based on their financial capabilities. This proposal aims to address the diverse economic realities across Nigeria’s states, where some can afford higher wages while others struggle with basic salary obligations.

### Key Points of the Proposal:
1. **Decentralization of Minimum Wage**:
– Southern Governors, under the Southern Governors’ Forum led by Governor Dapo Abiodun, suggest that states should individually negotiate minimum wages with labor unions based on their financial capacity.
– This move is intended to create a more realistic and sustainable wage structure that reflects the cost of living and economic conditions in each state.

2. **Current National Minimum Wage**:
– The national minimum wage was ₦30,000 under the Minimum Wage Act of 2019, which expired in April 2024.
– The Federal Government, supported by the organized private sector, has proposed a new minimum wage of ₦62,000, which is still below the labor unions’ demand of ₦250,000.

3. **Governors’ Concerns**:
– Governors argue that a uniform minimum wage would strain the finances of many states, forcing them to spend most of their revenue on salaries and leaving little for developmental projects.
– They highlight the issue of consequential adjustments, which would require raising wages across all levels of employment, including pensions.

4. **Financial Viability**:
– States like Lagos, Rivers, Edo, and Kano are financially robust enough to meet higher wage demands and continue developmental projects.
– Other states, such as Zamfara and Yobe, face significant financial challenges and may struggle to meet even the current minimum wage requirements.

5. **Implications of Decoupling**:
– If the proposal to allow states to set their minimum wages is accepted, it could lead to significant disparities in government workers’ earnings across different states.
– States with stronger economies might set higher minimum wages, while less economically viable states could set lower wages based on their financial capacity.
– The organized private sector would still be bound by the National Minimum Wage Act, ensuring some level of wage standardization.

The proposal by the Southern Governors reflects a broader debate on how to balance fair wages with economic sustainability, aiming to create a wage system that acknowledges the economic diversity of Nigeria’s states.

Femi Fani-Kayode, Nigeria’s former minister of aviation and a vocal commentator on American politics, recently expressed strong opinions about President Joe Biden and the upcoming US presidential election. Fani-Kayode criticized Biden’s performance in a recent debate with former President Donald Trump, describing Biden as “confused, bungling, fumbling,” and “unaware of his words and actions.” He predicted that Trump’s performance has made him the favorite in the upcoming election, while Biden’s health concerns and debate performance have put him at a significant disadvantage. Fani-Kayode also suggested that Biden needs medical attention and that the Democratic Party should consider finding a new candidate.

Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has initiated legal proceedings against the Kaduna State House of Assembly, disputing allegations that his eight-year tenure embezzled ₦432 billion and left the state with significant debt. El-Rufai’s lawsuit, filed at the Federal High Court in Kaduna by his lawyer Abdulhakeem Mustapha (SAN), challenges the findings of the Assembly’s committee that accused him of corruption.

El-Rufai’s legal action seeks a court declaration that the Assembly’s report is invalid, arguing that he was not afforded a fair hearing regarding the allegations against him and his administration. The lawsuit names the Kaduna State House of Assembly, the state Attorney General, and the Commissioner of Justice as respondents.

The controversy stems from findings presented earlier in June by an ad hoc committee of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, which examined the finances, loans, and contracts under El-Rufai’s administration. The committee’s chairman, Henry Zacharia, reported that many loans acquired during El-Rufai’s tenure were misappropriated, and proper procedures were often ignored when securing these loans. Speaker Yusuf Liman revealed that El-Rufai’s administration had misappropriated ₦423 billion, leaving the state with substantial debt.

The committee recommended that security and anti-corruption agencies investigate and prosecute El-Rufai and other implicated cabinet members for abuses, including improper contract awards, diversion of public funds, money laundering, and burdening Kaduna State with significant debt. Additionally, the committee advised the immediate suspension of Shizer Badda, the Kaduna State Commissioner of Finance during El-Rufai’s administration, and the chairman of the state universal basic education board.

This legal battle highlights the ongoing tension between El-Rufai and the current Kaduna State House of Assembly, as both parties seek to address the serious allegations of financial mismanagement and corruption during El-Rufai’s tenure.

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Pope Amaefuna, has expressed concerns about the internal and strategic challenges the party faces regarding the zoning principle ahead of the 2025 gubernatorial elections. Amaefuna highlighted the significance of zoning in promoting equity and stability in Nigerian politics, stressing that it is a crucial principle for inclusive governance.

He referenced Article 20(IV) (e) of the APC Constitution, which mandates the equitable rotation of political offices to ensure regional balance and fairness. Amaefuna also recalled the historical context of zoning in Anambra State, crediting Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu for initially proposing the idea to shift power to Anambra North in 2010, which helped steer the state toward equity.

Amaefuna emphasized that adhering to zoning norms has contributed to political stability and fairness in Anambra State’s governance over the past decade. He warned that deviating from these established norms could alienate voters and jeopardize the party’s chances in the upcoming election. He pointed out that ignoring zoning could result in a loss of electoral support, particularly from Anambra South, which is vital for APC’s success in 2025.

Addressing criticisms that zoning fosters mediocrity, Amaefuna dismissed such claims, noting that corruption in leadership has occurred irrespective of zoning. He asserted that there are many capable leaders in Anambra South who can govern effectively.

Amaefuna also called for unity within the APC and condemned members who allegedly undermine the party by colluding with opposition parties. He urged disciplinary action against saboteurs and stressed the importance of presenting a strong candidate from Anambra South to effectively challenge the ruling party.

His remarks underscore the ongoing internal debates within the APC regarding strategic decisions for the upcoming elections amidst broader political dynamics in Anambra State.

The wife of the Kogi State Governor, Hajiya Safinat Ododo, has announced plans to build a rehabilitation center for drug addicts in the state. This initiative aims to address the growing issue of drug abuse and its impact on the youth.

In addition to the rehabilitation center, Hajiya Ododo also promised to establish a skill acquisition center. This facility will train youths, including those undergoing rehabilitation, in various skills to help them become productive members of society.

Eunice Achimugu, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, revealed these plans while addressing the media in Lokoja. She emphasized the state’s commitment to collaborating with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to combat illicit drug abuse and trafficking in Kogi State.

Achimugu highlighted the importance of proactive measures to protect the youth, stating, “It’ll be wrong if we just sit and watch our youths being destroyed by illicit drugs. The youths are the leaders of tomorrow and must be protected.” She also mentioned that part of the state’s strategy includes educational campaigns in schools to raise awareness about the dangers of illicit drugs.

The government’s efforts align with the theme of the United Nations Day Against Drug Abuse and Trafficking, “Addressing Drug Challenges In Health And Humanitarian Crisis.” The state plans to continue its partnership with the NDLEA to fight drug abuse and save the youth from its harmful effects.

In a significant move, President William Ruto has declined to ratify the controversial Finance Bill 2024 amidst widespread public pressure and violent protests. The bill, which proposed new tax hikes, faced severe backlash from Kenyans who argued that it would worsen the already high cost of living.

President Ruto announced the government’s decision to withdraw the bill entirely, emphasizing the need for a national conversation on managing the country’s affairs and debt situation. He proposed engaging with the youth and called for budget cuts across all government sectors to help the country live within its means.

The protests, initially peaceful, escalated into violent clashes with police, resulting in casualties and extensive property damage, including the storming of the Parliament building. In response, the President condemned the violence and assured that measures would be taken to thwart any further attempts by criminals to undermine the country’s security and stability.

President Ruto’s decision has been met with mixed reactions. Many Kenyans expressed relief and hope for more inclusive and responsive governance, while others remain skeptical about the government’s commitment to addressing the underlying issues fueling the unrest. The President’s upcoming address is highly anticipated, with citizens and political analysts eager to hear the government’s plans for navigating this challenging period.

In his statement, President Ruto acknowledged the public’s concerns and emphasized the administration’s dedication to finding solutions that balance fiscal responsibility with the needs of the citizens. He also condemned the criminal elements within the protests and committed to continuing the national conversation on pertinent issues in a respectful and constitutional manner.

A section of the Dangote Refinery in the Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos State caught fire following an explosion on Wednesday, June 26, 2024. The incident occurred at the effluent treatment plant (ETP), as confirmed by Anthony Chiejina, a spokesperson for Dangote Industries Limited. He assured the public that the fire was swiftly contained and that there were no injuries or harm to the staff on duty. The refinery continues to operate without interruption.

Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man, had previously disclosed facing significant opposition from local and foreign interests before establishing the $19 billion refinery.

### Update on Petrol Supply
Earlier in June, the Dangote Refinery announced that it would begin supplying Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) by mid-July. Aliko Dangote explained that the delay was minor and assured that the fuel would be available in the market by the second or third week of July. This statement was made during a tour of the facility by a Senate delegation led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

### Key Points:
– **Incident Location:** Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) at Dangote Refinery.
– **Incident Date:** Wednesday, June 26, 2024.
– **Response:** Fire swiftly contained; no injuries reported.
– **Operational Status:** Refinery continues to operate normally.
– **Petrol Supply Update:** PMS supply to commence by mid-July, with market availability by the third week of July.