Lexy Blog

It’s often said that Nigeria produces the best annual budget in the whole of sub-Saharan Africa. This assertion cannot be doubted given an intimidating array of top class financial experts in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and ministries in charge of Finance, Planning, and Budget and renowned analysts the country has produced. However, over the years, poor budget implementation by the executive arm of government at the local, state, and federal levels has sabotaged key public infrastructures such as transport, power, and communication among others. This sad development has unfortunately led to a steady increase in the cost of doing business in the country. Little wonder some school of thought believe that Nigeria has painfully missed several opportunities of being a preferred country of destination for international investors. A very close observation of the state of the nation could lead to the bitter conclusion that the political class has not been able to appreciate the relati

In what can be described as a response to the Federal Ministry of Health’s call to increase awareness level of optimal oral health in the country, Unilever Nigeria Plc has championed this crusade against oral cavities with its new brand of toothpaste ‘Pepsodent’ cavity fighter. Making this known to newsmen at the weekend during its walk from Jibowu to national stadium, Lagos, David Okeme, Brand Director Unilever, is aimed at creating the desired awareness for oral health which will lead to gradual reduction in oral cavities among the consumers. Okeme disclosed that the introduction of   Pepsodent anti-cavity toothpaste that not only gives fluoride but also deliver 50 percent more calcium with its break through active ‘micro-calcium’ technology that fills tiny invisible holes before they become large painful cavities. Lending her view, Bimpe Adebiyi, Head, Dentistry Division & Chief Dental Officer, Federal Ministry of Health regretted the low level of awareness of oral health among

As the world marks ‘World AIDS Day’, the global community reassesses efforts to reduce the transmission of HIV infections two decades after the virus was first reported, writes ALEXANDER CHIEJINA  Since the HIV virus was first discovered in Lagos, Nigeria in 1986, the fight against the scourge has gulped billions of naira. Nigeria, the most populous nation in Africa with an estimated population of over 150 million people, is said to have more than 3.2 million adults and children living with the virus and receiving care to support quality of life, including TB/HIV care services - even as about 723,000 children are orphaned by the disease.  Globally, an estimated 34 million people (31.6 million – 35.2 million) lived with HIV in 2010, and since 2005, AIDS-related deaths are said to have decreased from 2.2 million (2.1 million – 2.5 million) to 1.8 million (1.6 million – 1.9 million) in 2010. Furthermore, around 2.5 million deaths are estimated to have been averted in low- and middle-in

Recently, the Federal Government announced its preparedness to become self sufficient in cement production as manufacturers are expected to begin production in their respective expansion projects. While this has received applause, Nigerians are on the lookout for cheaper product, writes Alexander Chiejina If policy pronouncements alone could translate into good governance, the present administration would have been riding on high public approval rating. One of such pronouncements is the recent promise by President Goodluck Jonathan to stop the importation of cement into the country by the first quarter of 2012. This statement is in several quarters as a move towards making the nation self-sufficient in cement production for export to countries within the West African sub region, given the incentives in place to encourage trading and the African continent at large. With worldwide cement consumption projected to reach a record 3859 metric tonnes by 2012, China dominates world cement