Lexy Blog

Alex Stories: Lagos sacked doctors: Patients at the receiving en... : When two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers. Right from the day members of the Medical Guide, an umbrella of doctors under the...

When two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers. Right from the day members of the Medical Guide, an umbrella of doctors under the employ of Lagos State, commenced a three-day warning strike, it was evident that crisis was looming in the state's health sector. The warning strike, which brought healthcare services in the state to its knees, set off a chain reaction. Intended to be followed by an indefinite strike to press for the doctors' demands, the warning strike was called off on schedule, but as people would heave a sigh of relief, the uncertainty in the sector worsened as the striking doctors were queried and summoned to appear before a disciplinary panel, this move the doctors did not respond to. Investigations by BusinessDay reveal that the beehive of activities that is often associated with health institutions in the state thinned out. The state teaching hospital and its satellites have become ghost towns. This same scenario is visible in virtually

Alex Stories: Right step towards improving power supply in Niger... : The growth, prosperity and security of any country depend, to a large extent, on the adequacy, efficiency and functionality of its electri...

In recent times, developing nations, some of who are now the fastest growing economies in the world have become attractive partners to Western nations. While Africa’s economy has been booming following exports such as oil and gas, ALEXANDER CHIEJINA calls for strengthening of the continent’s economy for sustainable development. Africa is on the brink of a major transformation. In the last decade, the continent is home to six of the world’s 10 fastest growing economies, and the number is expected to rise to seven in the next five years, according to projections by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). These projections are coming on the heels of the outlook for the region, which remains bright at a time when the rest of the world is facing political and economic challenges. Developing nations, most of who are now the fastest growing economies in the world have become attractive partners for growth-hungry western nations. Powered by exports such as oil and gas to the rest of

The growth, prosperity and security of any country depend, to a large extent, on the adequacy, efficiency and functionality of its electricity industry. Unreliable power supply constitutes a major challenge to Nigeria’s economic growth and development, hence solving the lingering electricity problem is critical to realizing the nation’s quest to become one of the 20 largest economies of the world by 2020 and also becoming a preferred investment destination in Africa. Over the past two decades, the stalled expansion of the national grid coupled with the high cost of diesel and petrol have affected growth of the nation’s productive and commercial industries. While erratic and unpredictable nature of electricity supply have engendered a deep and bitter sense of frustration across the country, especially in the urban centres, electricity consumers have continued to crave for a fundamental reversal of the long and debilitating malaise which has blighted the sector and, in doing so

Reactions have continued to trail the 2012 budget proposal presented at a joint session of the National Assembly by President Goodluck Jonathan recently. In the face of economic uncertainty, having a budget that would boost economic growth and development is pertinent, writes ALEXANDER CHIEJINA During the military regimes and up until 1999, when the country transited to democratic rule and beyond, Nigerians have been greeted by impressive budget speeches, eloquently delivered in past Head of states and President. Unfortunately, the implementation has not matched the words, as economic policies often lack continuity and projects are needlessly discarded or abandoned. Remarks like “We have what it takes to be a great nation or a world power. But we have never challenged ourselves sufficiently over the years to attain this desired goal. It is our hope and sincere belief that this budget will challenge us; and to take the challenge, we must tighten our belts. To do so, we must ens

Proposed ban on cement import: In whose interest? The Federal Government’s proposed ban on cement importation has generated divergent views from industry experts. ALEXANDER CHIEJINA in this piece wonders whose interest the ban will serve. Nigerians woke up to herald the New Year with pomp and ceremony only to be greeted with the news of the Federal Government’s intention to withdraw the subsidy from Premium Motor Spirit (PMS). Following Federal Government’s withdrawal of petrol, massive protests across various parts of the country rented the air given the socio-economic implications the removal will have on Nigerians. Besides, the withdrawal generated heated debates by Nigerians from all walks of life, including the civil society groups and the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC). Bearing in mind that fuel subsidy hasn’t benefited most Nigerians, several economists see the subsidy regime as hugely corrupt, wasteful and a drain pipe from the treasury into the pockets of ri