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World Diabetes Day: NASR advocates for 20% tax increase on sugar sweetened beverages
As Nigeria join the rest of the world to commemorate World Diabetes Day, the National Action on Sugar Reduction (NASR), is advocating for 20% tax increase on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) in the country.
The price increase, according to them, will discourage and reduce consumption of carbonated sweetened beverages which is contributory to the scourge of diabetes in Nigeria.
Recall, that the federal government commenced the implementation of the SSB tax, embedded in the 2021 Finance Act, which levies N10 tax on each litre of all non-alcoholic and sweetened beverages.
The NASR in a press conference on Monday in Abuja, posited that the current N10 per litre is unlikely to raise SSB prices by a margin high enough to discourage the purchase of sugary drinks.
They said prevention is key to tackling the high prevalence of diabetes in Nigeria, hence the need for reduction of sugar intake by individuals.
Speaking on behalf of NASR, Gloria Chinyere Okwu, recommends that for more substantial health effects, the SSB rate should be increased to at least N30 per litre, to make it difficult for an average Nigerian to purchase.
She said “The SSB tax will discourage consumption by raising the prises of SSBs.
“SSBs taxes also create a “signalling effect,” meaning that the introduction of the tax can “convey information about the health risks of consuming SSBs.” When people wonder why a tax has been introduced, they can seek and gain further information about the harmful effects of consuming SSBs.
“Another potential benefit of the SSB tax is that revenue can be directed towards the provision of healthcare to serve impoverished Nigerians living with diabetes”.
On her part, Medical expert, Prof Felicia Anumah, pointed out that about six million Nigerians are living with diabetes.
According to her, with the current situation of the country’s health system, the cheapest option Nigerians have to address this scourge, is prevention and not treatment.
Prof Anumah also noted that aging, over weight, family history and eating habits are risk factors to diabetes.
She adviced individuals to be conscious of their eating habits and consume only healthy diets. She also stressed the need for regular exercises.
“How do we prevent? It is by empowering people to know the risks factor and what to do to prevent this disease. The truth is, majority of diabetes cases we are talking about is type 2 diabetes and 90 percent of diabetes patients is type 2 and it is preventable.
“We need to empower, educate even healthcare professionals to be able to offer quality diagnosis care to our patients.
“We also need early screening because diabetes, when it dangerous, is that it can be there and you don’t know.
“People who have diabetes already, 90 percent of the time, they are taking care of themselves. They also need empowerment, so that they can be in charge of this disease rather than the other way round.
The medical expert also urged government to put in place policies and support that will reduce the suffering of diabetic patients in Nigeria.
The World Diabetes Day is marked November 14 every year. The day provides opportunity to raise awareness of diabetes as a global health issue and educate the people about what needs to be done for better prevention, diagnosis and management.
The theme of this year’s commemoration is ‘Education to promote tomorrow’.
Senator representing Kogi East Senatorial District, Jibrin Isah Echocho, has congratulated Muslim faithful for the successful completion of this year Ramadan fast, urging them to celebrate the Sallah in love, and unity across our communities.
Echocho in a statement madeavailable to CAPITALPOST in Lokoja o Sunday, described the Ramadan period as stressful, but deserving, because it is the only period for spiritual reflection on abstinence from immorality, sincere sacrifice and supplications to Allah.
He added that, Ramadan symbolises Allah’s way of teaching humanity on virtuous living, where people keep away from all forms of comfort to appreciate what the less privileged experience and deprivation they suffers daily.
He task Muslims to extend the lessons of Ramadan to the way we live with our neighbours.
“Let’s seek peace at all times and promote unity of purpose in our society” the Lawmaker demanded.
“May the celebration brings sustainable peace to our homes, my district, Kogi State and Nigeria, he concluded.
The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio has commended Senator Basheer Lado, for redefining the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, stating that, for the first time in a long while, the office is fully meeting its expectations.
Speaking during his visit to the office of the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters accompanied by distinguished senators, Akpabio described the visit as a significant step in strengthening Executive-Legislative relations.
He praised the Special Adviser and his team for maintaining the confidentiality of communications between the President and Senate, and also, ensuring a seamless flow of information. He further emphasized that the office is now more result-oriented.
Additionally, he acknowledged the office’s diligent efforts in tracking all Bills passed by the Senate and assented to by the President, underscoring its critical role in legislative efficiency.
Expressing his satisfaction, Akpabio noted that he and the Senate delegation were proud of the office’s achievements and looked forward to sustaining the existing cordial and productive relationship between the Executive and the Legislature throughout the administration.
In recognition of his exemplary leadership, Senator Lado presented an Award of Excellence to Senator Akpabio.
In his remarks, Senator Lado reaffirmed his commitment to fostering a harmonious working relationship between the Executive and the Legislature. He lauded Akpabio for his unwavering dedication to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda—defending it with clarity, articulating it with passion, and advancing it through legislative action.
Ahead of the 2025 political party Congresses, Plateau State Chapter of the Labour Party (LP) stakeholders has endorsed the defection of the candidate of the party in the 2023 general elections and the leader of Justice and Rebirth, Barr Gyang Zi SAN, to the All Progressive Congress (APC) with the view to key into the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
They made the call in a communique issued at the end of the enlarge meeting of the stakeholders from Plateau North senatorial zone at the residence of Barr. Gyang Zi in Rayfield Jos.
The communique which was jointly signed by Dr. Ayiki Sati Director General, Justice and Rebirth and
Barr. Samuel Galadima- 2024 Chairmanship candidate of Jos East LGA among others said the call became imperative on the sideline of the leadership tussle at the National Level which violates the core principles and values for the formation of the Party as an alternative for Nigeria for the protection, sustenance of democracy and Social Justice.
They regretted that the leadership tussle has also divided the party into factions leaving party loyalists and supporters in the state of despondency and confusion not knowing where they belong.
Our correspondent reports that the gathering included LP candidates from the 2023/2024 general elections, party executives, and support groups from the six local government areas of the Northern Senatorial District.
Besides, the focus of the discussions was centered on the state of the Labour Party at both national and state levels and the need for political realignment ahead of the 2025 party congresses and conventions.
The stakeholders further frowned at the structural weaknesses in LP and resolved to advise Barr Gyang Zi, to leave the party and join the APC while expressing confidence that the APC would provide him with a platform to advance good governance in the state .
The communique also emphasized the importance of political consultations, particularly with APC leaders at both state and national levels. It called for collaboration with Plateau State APC leaders, including Minister of Humanitarian Affairs Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe, Sen. Simon Bako Lalong, Sen. Diket Plang, and other party officials.
According to the communique, supporters of Barr Gyang Zi also pledged to mobilize grassroots support for the APC, stating that their leader’s defection would strengthen the party in the state.
They urged the APC leadership to formally receive Gyang Zi and his supporters into the party, marking their official transition from the Labour Party.
Stakeholders also reiterated the need for inclusive governance, ensuring that youths, women, and less privileged individuals are sidelined in the democratic process and accordingly officially denounced their membership in the Labour Party, declaring their support for the APC.
They assured that all LP structures aligned with Gyang Zi would follow suit, shifting their loyalty to the ruling party in the state and at the National level.
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