Dear Subscriber,

Learn to confront the issue, not the individual!

Conflict is inevitable, but it doesn’t have to make relationships sour. With conflict, perspective matters. If most people view conflict as an opportunity to communicate meaningfully and understand others better, it’s safe to assume that the world will be a better place. Desmond Tutu tried to convey this message when he said, ‘Amidst conflict, remember not to raise your voice; instead, improve your argument.’ Hence, it is important to resolve conflict with respect and empathy rather than resorting to personal attacks. In this edition of the Unity Bank Digest, you will find practical strategies for resolving conflicts in the workplace when they arise.

Oil prices at $90pb: A rose in a thorny bush?

The Nigerian economy is distraught with multiple challenges, threatening stability and growth. In Q1’23, the government’s fiscal deficit rose by 7.22% to ₦1.43 trillion in Q1’23 from ₦765.61 billion in Q4’22. Meanwhile, inflation is still rabid, peaking at a worrisome 25.8% in August from 24.08% in July.

Worse, the government has made the tough call to increase prepaid electricity meter prices to ₦81,975.16 and ₦143,836.10 for single phase and three phase meters respectively. Higher electricity prices, combined with other recent reforms, have continued to leave Nigerians embattled as living costs skyrocket. But there could be a glimmer of hope, as oil revenue is likely to pick up, aiding external reserves and boosting the government’s coffers. Brent climbed to an 11-month high of $95.38 per barrel on September 19, with expectations of further price increases due to lingering supply shortage.

In this edition of the Unity Bank Digest, we analyze these economic issues, including lifestyle and entertainment stories, for your reading pleasure.

Please enjoy your read!