Monday, October 31, 2016
Hillary Clinton Had A Bad Week, Then It Became Worse
Hillary Clinton Had A Bad Week, Then It Became Worse
The FBI turned Hillary Clinton's campaign into a scary movie for the Halloween.
President Muhammadu Buhari and the Raised Fist Salute
Why does President Muhammadu Buhari like the clenched raised fist salute?
It is like his political symbol which he used during his presidential campaign for the 2015 presidential election and he used it again at his swearing in ceremony on May 29, 2015.
It is like his political symbol which he used during his presidential campaign for the 2015 presidential election and he used it again at his swearing in ceremony on May 29, 2015.
Friday, October 28, 2016
Automotive Lubricants Market in Nigeria and South Africa Receives A Boost
Automotive Lubricants Market in Nigeria and South Africa Receives A Boost
CAPE TOWN, South Africa, Oct. 27, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Nigeria and South Africa rely heavily on imported raw materials for automotive lubricants. However, the volatility of oil prices and the devaluating currencies in both countries is set to provide a huge boost to the local production of automotive lubricants. A combined market of $2.14 billion is driven mainly by the demand for engine oils, but there has been a perceptible rise in end-user demand for other lubricants like transmission oil, gear oil and coolants.
CAPE TOWN, South Africa, Oct. 27, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Nigeria and South Africa rely heavily on imported raw materials for automotive lubricants. However, the volatility of oil prices and the devaluating currencies in both countries is set to provide a huge boost to the local production of automotive lubricants. A combined market of $2.14 billion is driven mainly by the demand for engine oils, but there has been a perceptible rise in end-user demand for other lubricants like transmission oil, gear oil and coolants.
Come, Let's Play Bubble Soccer!
Come, Let's Play Bubble Soccer!
Bubble soccer are the latest craze bestowing more fun than soccer.
They are safer than football and much lighter than any other sports equipment. Bubble soccer makes you spin,bounce and have a hearty laugh all the way.
Wednesday, October 26, 2016
81% of Young Italians Live with Their Parents - Statista
Photo Credit: ClaimFame.
81% Of Young Italians Live With Their Parents
~ By Niall McCarthy, Oct 26, 2016.
In many countries around the world, a huge proportion of young people still live at home with their parents. According to an OECD report, that trend is most pronounced in countries badly hit by the global financial crisis, particularly in Italy, Greece and Spain. 8 out of every 10 Italians aged between 15 and 29 still lived at home with their parents in 2014. In Scandinavia, youth living at home is a rarer phenomenon. In 2014, only 35 percent of young Swedish people still lived with their parents.
Source STATISTA.
81% Of Young Italians Live With Their Parents
~ By Niall McCarthy, Oct 26, 2016.
In many countries around the world, a huge proportion of young people still live at home with their parents. According to an OECD report, that trend is most pronounced in countries badly hit by the global financial crisis, particularly in Italy, Greece and Spain. 8 out of every 10 Italians aged between 15 and 29 still lived at home with their parents in 2014. In Scandinavia, youth living at home is a rarer phenomenon. In 2014, only 35 percent of young Swedish people still lived with their parents.
Source STATISTA.
Tuesday, October 25, 2016
Harvard Tops 2017 Overall Best Global Universities Rankings
Overall Best Global Universities
1. Harvard University (U.S.)
2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (U.S.)
3. Stanford University (U.S.)
4. University of California—Berkeley (U.S.)
5. California Institute of Technology (U.S.)
6. University of Oxford (U.K.)
7. University of Cambridge (U.K.)
8. Princeton University (U.S.)
9. Columbia University (U.S.)
10. University of California—Los Angeles (U.S.)
Africa
1. University of Cape Town (South Africa)
2. University of Witwatersrand (South Africa)
3. University of Kwazulu Natal (South Africa)
4. Stellenbosch University (South Africa)
5. Cairo University (Egypt)
Asia
1. University of Tokyo (Japan)
2. National University of Singapore
3. Peking University (China)
4. Tsinghua University (China)
5. Nanyang Technological University (Singapore)
Australia/New Zealand
1. University of Melbourne (Australia)
2. University of Sydney
3. University of Queensland (Australia)
4. Monash University (Australia)
5. Australian National University (tie)
5. University of New South Wales (Australia) (tie)
Europe
1. University of Oxford (U.K.)
2. University of Cambridge (U.K.)
3. Imperial College London
4. University College London
5. Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (Switzerland)
Latin America
1. Universidade de Sao Paulo (Brazil)
2. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)
3. University of Buenos Aires (Argentina)
4. Universidade Estadual de Campinas (Brazil)
5. Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile
U.S. News & World Report Announces 2017 Best Global Universities Rankings.
Monday, October 24, 2016
Americans' Top Fears In 2016
Americans' Top Fears In 2016
The explosion of “creepy clown” sightings across the United States has made people look over their shoulder just a little bit more often over the past few months. Even though those clowns have the potential to cause even more mayhem in the run up to Halloween, they don’t rank particularly high on Americans’ top fears of 2016.
The recently published Chapman University Survey of American Fears reveals that corruption of government officials is actually the top fear among U.S. adults in 2016. 60.6 percent of respondents said that they were afraid or very afraid of top-level corruption. Terrorism is still a considerable fear factor for Americans, with 41 percent afraid of an attack on the nation and 39.5 percent afraid of becoming a victim.
A survey recently revealed that 69 percent of Americans have less than $1,000 in their savings accounts so it comes as little surprise that personal finance is high on the long list of fears. 39.9 percent of U.S. adults are afraid of having inadequate funds for the future, an increase on last year’s 37.4 percent.
Source
STATISTA.
The explosion of “creepy clown” sightings across the United States has made people look over their shoulder just a little bit more often over the past few months. Even though those clowns have the potential to cause even more mayhem in the run up to Halloween, they don’t rank particularly high on Americans’ top fears of 2016.
The recently published Chapman University Survey of American Fears reveals that corruption of government officials is actually the top fear among U.S. adults in 2016. 60.6 percent of respondents said that they were afraid or very afraid of top-level corruption. Terrorism is still a considerable fear factor for Americans, with 41 percent afraid of an attack on the nation and 39.5 percent afraid of becoming a victim.
A survey recently revealed that 69 percent of Americans have less than $1,000 in their savings accounts so it comes as little surprise that personal finance is high on the long list of fears. 39.9 percent of U.S. adults are afraid of having inadequate funds for the future, an increase on last year’s 37.4 percent.
Source
STATISTA.
Saturday, October 22, 2016
The Future of Africa Fuel Oil Supply and Demand, 2005-2025: Fuel Oil Production and Consumption
The Future of Africa Fuel Oil Supply and Demand, 2005-2025: Fuel Oil Production and Consumption
DUBLIN, October 21, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --
Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "The Future of Africa Fuel Oil Supply and Demand, 2005- 2025: Trends, Drivers, Challenges and Forecasts of Fuel Oil Production and Consumption under Current Market Dynamics" report to their offering.
Friday, October 21, 2016
Nobody is Fighting for the Masses Since Fela and Gani Passed Away
Nobody is Fighting for the Masses Since Fela and Gani Passed Away
Nobody is fighting for the welfare of Nigerian masses since their human rights champions and heroes, Fela Kuti (15 October 1938 – 2 August 1997) , the legendary King of Afrobeat music and Gani Fawehinmi (22 April 1938 – 5 September 2009), Senior Advocate of the Masses passed away.
Gani Fawehinmi, human rights lawyer and political activist.
Nigerian masses at a political rally.
Their survivors and successors have failed to speak out against the violations of the rights of the suffering poor masses who live at the mercy of the greedy and wicked oppressors in the corridors of power from Lagos to Abuja and from the Niger Delta to Lake Chad.
Nobody is fighting for the welfare of Nigerian masses since their human rights champions and heroes, Fela Kuti (15 October 1938 – 2 August 1997) , the legendary King of Afrobeat music and Gani Fawehinmi (22 April 1938 – 5 September 2009), Senior Advocate of the Masses passed away.
Gani Fawehinmi, human rights lawyer and political activist.
Nigerian masses at a political rally.
Wednesday, October 19, 2016
10 Takeaways from President Buhari's Visit To Germany
TEN TAKEAWAYS FROM PRESIDENT BUHARI'S VISIT TO GERMANY
PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI returned to the country after a three-day intensely busy State Visit to Germany which, as is usual with his foreign engagements, was characterized by punishing schedules.
PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI returned to the country after a three-day intensely busy State Visit to Germany which, as is usual with his foreign engagements, was characterized by punishing schedules.
Chart: 2016 Winners and Losers Against the Dollar
The value of the British pound against the U.S. dollar is at a 31 year low. With some economists not writing off the chances of sterling reaching parity with the dollar, the infographic below shows the company with which the UK currency is now sharing. In the wake of the pro-Brexit EU referendum vote in June, the pound has seen its rate against the dollar drop, year-to-date, by over 17 percent. Of the thirty currencies monitored by Thomson Reuter's Datastream, only the Nigerian naira has performed more poorly. On the flip side, the Brazilian real saw gains of almost 24 percent alongside the buoyant ruble at 16 percent.
Source Statista.
Tuesday, October 18, 2016
Over 3500 African Migrants Died Crossing the Mediterranean Sea in 2016
Over 3500 African Migrants Died Crossing the Mediterranean Sea in 2016
LAGOS, Nigeria, October 18, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- T.B. Joshua's Church Provides Assistance and Advice As the world grapples to handle Europe's worst migrant crisis, over 3,500 have died attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea in 2016.
Click here to read the full report.
Monday, October 17, 2016
We Have Not Lost Faith in President Muhammadu Buhari ~ Muritala
We Have Not Lost Faith in President Muhammadu Buhari.
Muritala is from the same Katsina State with His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari. He is a proud member, supporter and voter of the current national ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a short impromptu interview with Nigerians Report Online, he says even though the people in Katsina are complaining about the economic hardship and inflation, they still expect positive change in Nigeria and they have not lost faith in the administration of President Buhari.
Sunday, October 16, 2016
Toro, Bauchi State, the Location of "Palaver" First Film Made in Nigeria in 1926
Toro, Bauchi State, the Location of "Palaver" First Film Made in Nigeria in 1926
A tourist at the site of the ancient caves in Bauchi State.
Geoffrey Barkas in his military uniform during World War 1 in 1915.
"Palaver" a romance of Northern Nigeria was the first film made in Nigeria. It was made in Toro in Bauchi state of Nigeria in 1926 by English man Geoffrey de Gruchy Barkas.
He used the local villagers and gave them speaking roles for the major characters. They became the first Nigerian movie stars and also among the first black actors in the history of cinema. Film critics praised their outstanding acting after the screening of the film in the UK. But "Palaver" has never been shown in Nigeria. The grand children and great grandchildren of these actors should see this film as a legacy of their cultural heritage and the Bauchi State government should make Toro a film tourist site with photographs from "Palaver" for the education of the public on the history of the Nigerian cinema and for the promotion of local and international tourism.
A tourist at the site of the ancient caves in Bauchi State.
Geoffrey Barkas in his military uniform during World War 1 in 1915.
"Palaver" a romance of Northern Nigeria was the first film made in Nigeria. It was made in Toro in Bauchi state of Nigeria in 1926 by English man Geoffrey de Gruchy Barkas.
He used the local villagers and gave them speaking roles for the major characters. They became the first Nigerian movie stars and also among the first black actors in the history of cinema. Film critics praised their outstanding acting after the screening of the film in the UK. But "Palaver" has never been shown in Nigeria. The grand children and great grandchildren of these actors should see this film as a legacy of their cultural heritage and the Bauchi State government should make Toro a film tourist site with photographs from "Palaver" for the education of the public on the history of the Nigerian cinema and for the promotion of local and international tourism.
Saturday, October 15, 2016
One Girl under 15 Married Every 7 Seconds
One Girl under 15 Married Every 7 Seconds
FAIRFIELD, Conn., Oct. 10, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- One girl under 15 is married every seven seconds, according to new analysis by Save the Children that reveals the scale of the threat posed by child marriage to education, health and children's safety.
Girls as young as 10 are marrying – to much older men - in countries like Afghanistan, Yemen, India and Somalia.
FAIRFIELD, Conn., Oct. 10, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- One girl under 15 is married every seven seconds, according to new analysis by Save the Children that reveals the scale of the threat posed by child marriage to education, health and children's safety.
Girls as young as 10 are marrying – to much older men - in countries like Afghanistan, Yemen, India and Somalia.
Friday, October 14, 2016
All the Winners of Awards at the 13th Abuja International Film Festival
Press Release: Dateline 10th October 2016. 13th ABUJA INTERNATIONAL FIM FESTIVAL
The 13th Abuja International took place from 4th to 7th of October 2016 at the Silverbird cinemas Abuja. The festival witnessed the screening of 65 films from 37 countries from the over seven hundred entries received from 57 countries. The Film market witnessed the attendance of 30 exhibitors who came to exhibit their product and services during the 4 day event.
Tuesday, October 11, 2016
Happy International Day of the Girl!
Happy International Day of the Girl!
International Day of the Girl was first recognized in 2011, when the United Nations general assembly voted to set aside Oct. 11 as a day to honor girls and work to improve their lives. It's a day for sharing inspiration and spreading awareness. This year's celebration centers on the theme "Girls' Progress = Goals' Progress: What Counts for Girls."
You're invited to the global premiere of a new CNN Films documentary:
WE WILL RISE: Michelle Obama’s Mission to Educate Girls Around the World.
This October 11th and 12th, join First Lady Michelle Obama, Meryl Streep, Freida Pinto, and CNN's Isha Sesay on a journey to Morocco and Liberia to meet revolutionary young women overcoming incredible odds to pursue an education.
Tuesday October 11
6:00 am, 12:00 pm and 3:00 pm - Asia, Europe, Africa on CNN International
Wednesday October 12
9:00 pm - CNN U.S. and CNN International
Thursday October 13
12:00 am - CNN International
Saturday October 15
12:00 pm - HLN
Saturday November 5
Timing to come - CNN en Español
All times in Eastern time zones. For channel numbers, check your local listings.
International Day of the Girl was first recognized in 2011, when the United Nations general assembly voted to set aside Oct. 11 as a day to honor girls and work to improve their lives. It's a day for sharing inspiration and spreading awareness. This year's celebration centers on the theme "Girls' Progress = Goals' Progress: What Counts for Girls."
You're invited to the global premiere of a new CNN Films documentary:
WE WILL RISE: Michelle Obama’s Mission to Educate Girls Around the World.
This October 11th and 12th, join First Lady Michelle Obama, Meryl Streep, Freida Pinto, and CNN's Isha Sesay on a journey to Morocco and Liberia to meet revolutionary young women overcoming incredible odds to pursue an education.
Tuesday October 11
6:00 am, 12:00 pm and 3:00 pm - Asia, Europe, Africa on CNN International
Wednesday October 12
9:00 pm - CNN U.S. and CNN International
Thursday October 13
12:00 am - CNN International
Saturday October 15
12:00 pm - HLN
Saturday November 5
Timing to come - CNN en Español
All times in Eastern time zones. For channel numbers, check your local listings.
Sunday, October 9, 2016
Publish NWC Minutes Instead of Lies, APC Spokesman Challenges Oyegun
PUBLISH NWC MINUTES INSTEAD OF LIES, APC SPOKESMAN CHALLENGES OYEGUN
The Acting National Publicity Secretary of All Progressives Congress (APC) Comrade Timi Frank, has challenged the National Chairman of his party, Chief John Oyegun, to publish the original minutes of the meeting of the National Working Committee (NWC) where it was agreed to throw away the reports of Ondo Primary Appeal Panel.
Chief John Oyegun.
The APC spokesman also faulted the statements credited to Chief John Oyegun against the party's National Leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, asking the chairman "why it took him two weeks to prepare lies as responses."
The Acting National Publicity Secretary of All Progressives Congress (APC) Comrade Timi Frank, has challenged the National Chairman of his party, Chief John Oyegun, to publish the original minutes of the meeting of the National Working Committee (NWC) where it was agreed to throw away the reports of Ondo Primary Appeal Panel.
Chief John Oyegun.
The APC spokesman also faulted the statements credited to Chief John Oyegun against the party's National Leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, asking the chairman "why it took him two weeks to prepare lies as responses."
Saturday, October 8, 2016
No Federal Road in the South East Was Motorable Under Jonathan- Ekwueme
From Left; Deputy Speaker, House of Reps, Emeka Ihedioha; Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah; Former Vice-President Alex Ekwueme; Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu Welcoming President Goodluck Jonathan to the foundation laying of the New International Terminal and the Inauguration of the remodelled Terminal of Akanu Ibiam International Airport Enugu on Saturday (18/5/13).
"He told me this himself. So, he had every reason to be fair-minded and equitable in his distribution of resources. But we could not go from Enugu to Onitsha on a federal road, you couldn’t go from Enugu to Port-Harcourt on a federal road, we couldn’t go from Aba to Okigwe on a federal road; you couldn’t go from Owerri on the federal road. None of the federal roads in the Southeast was motorable".
~ Dr. Alex Ekwueme, Vice President of Nigeria from 1979-1983. http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/10/jonathan-didnt-treat-igbo-well-ekwueme/
"He told me this himself. So, he had every reason to be fair-minded and equitable in his distribution of resources. But we could not go from Enugu to Onitsha on a federal road, you couldn’t go from Enugu to Port-Harcourt on a federal road, we couldn’t go from Aba to Okigwe on a federal road; you couldn’t go from Owerri on the federal road. None of the federal roads in the Southeast was motorable".
~ Dr. Alex Ekwueme, Vice President of Nigeria from 1979-1983. http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/10/jonathan-didnt-treat-igbo-well-ekwueme/
Friday, October 7, 2016
Top Best 10 Countries for Nigerian Students to Study Abroad
Top Best 10 Countries for Nigerian Students to Study Abroad
~ Alyssa Johnson.
There are far more graduates from Nigerian schools determined to enter University than public and private universities can admit. So Study Abroad is a great possibility for many young students. The destination they choose influences all their life. There are a number of factors that young people should consider: tuition fee, work opportunities, language policy, living conditions.
~ Alyssa Johnson.
There are far more graduates from Nigerian schools determined to enter University than public and private universities can admit. So Study Abroad is a great possibility for many young students. The destination they choose influences all their life. There are a number of factors that young people should consider: tuition fee, work opportunities, language policy, living conditions.
Thursday, October 6, 2016
Creativity and the Role of the Leader
Creativity and the Role of the Leader
~ By Alyssa Johnson
Being a team leader does not mean doing everything yourself. One of the main functions of the team leader is to encourage participation: team leader collects notes, draws graphics, collects data and the main thing- inspires creative work and gives an impetus to a creative potential of each of the participants of the team!
~ By Alyssa Johnson
Being a team leader does not mean doing everything yourself. One of the main functions of the team leader is to encourage participation: team leader collects notes, draws graphics, collects data and the main thing- inspires creative work and gives an impetus to a creative potential of each of the participants of the team!
From Poor Shepherd Girl in Morocco To Minister of Education in France
Meet Najat Belkacem, a young shepherd from a poor family in Morocco - now the minister of Education of France at age 36 - RAW Africa
Click here to read more.
Wednesday, October 5, 2016
The APC and the Problem of Islamic Bigotry in Political Leadership
The new ruling party in Africa's largest democracy, All Progressives Congress (APC ) cannot win the presidential election in 2019 without the south west and the north is not ready to handover to Yoruba man or Igbo man.
The majority of Hausa and Fulani voters will vote for a fellow northern presidential candidate no matter which political party he belongs to, even if it is a satanic political party. They are the most bigoted people in Nigeria.
They handed over to the first Yoruba Head of State, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo in 1999, because he was the one who handed over to Alhaji Shehu Shagari in 1979 and then he handed it back to them in 2007 and they only allowed former President Goodluck Jonathan, because he was going to handover to an Hausa man.
They hate accepting the political leadership of a non northerner and non Muslim.
To them it is tantamount to bowing to an infidel.
For more details, read "The Victory of Muhammadu Buhari and the Nigerian Dream" sold on Amazon, Lulu and by other booksellers worldwide.
Tuesday, October 4, 2016
Monday, October 3, 2016
President Obama Presents South by South Lawn Festival at The White House
President Obama Presents South by South Lawn Festival at The White House
Whenever I hear people make gloomy claims about how America is on the downswing, they're either out to promote themselves, or talking about some alternate reality. Think about it -- if you had to choose any time in the course of human history to be alive, you'd choose this one. Right here, right now, right in America.
Sunday, October 2, 2016
13th Abuja International Festival Festival Opens on Tuesday
13th Abuja International Festival Festival opens on Tuesday, October 4 at the Silverbird Cinemas in Abuja.
The four-day highly esteemed film festival has in the last 13 years hosted top filmmakers and distinguished delegates from all over the world with over 3, 000 stakeholders in the film and video broadcast industry for the promotion of modern arts and culture in Africa and the rest of the world.
The four-day highly esteemed film festival has in the last 13 years hosted top filmmakers and distinguished delegates from all over the world with over 3, 000 stakeholders in the film and video broadcast industry for the promotion of modern arts and culture in Africa and the rest of the world.
Again, APC Spokesman Writes Buhari, Demands Oyegun's Resignation
President, Federal Republic of Nigeria,
Aso Rock, Abuja.
OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI:
AN URGENT APPEAL TO SAVE OUR PARTY NOW!
Mr President sir, it is with great enthusiasm and patriotism that I've decided to write you once again through this open letter to intimate you on the impending danger lurking to befall our great party and I'm optimistic that this letter will serve its urgency and purpose of reaching you and our leaders and elders of our great party.
Saturday, October 1, 2016
President Muhammadu Buhari's 56th Independence Day Speech
President Muhammadu Buhari's 56th Independence Day Speech
(Full Text)
Today – 1st October is a day of celebration for us Nigerians. On this day, 56 years ago our people achieved the most important of all human desires – freedom and independence. We should all therefore give thanks and pray for our founding fathers without whose efforts and toil we would not reap the bounties of today.
2. I know that uppermost in your minds today is the economic crisis. The recession for many individuals and families is real. For some It means not being able to pay school fees, for others it’s not being able to afford the high cost of food (rice and millet) or the high cost of local or international travel, and for many of our young people the recession means joblessness, sometimes after graduating from university or polytechnic.
3. I know how difficult things are, and how rough business is. All my adult life I have always earned a salary and I know what it is like when your salary simply is not enough. In every part of our nation people are making incredible sacrifices.
4. But let me say to all Nigerians today, I ran for office four times to make the point that we can rule this nation with honesty and transparency, that we can stop the stealing of Nigeria’s resources so that the resources could be used to provide jobs for our young people, security, infrastructure for commerce, education and healthcare.
5. I ran for office because I know that good government is the only way to ensure prosperity and abundance for all. I remain resolutely committed to this objective.
6. I believe that this recession will not last.
7. Temporary problems should not blind or divert us from the corrective course this government has charted for our nation. We have identified the country’s salient problems and we are working hard at lasting solutions.
8. To re-cap what I have been saying since the inception of this administration, our problems are security, corruption and the economy, especially unemployment and the alarming level of poverty.
9. On Security, we have made progress. Boko Haram was defeated by last December – only resorting to cowardly attacks on soft targets, killing innocent men, women and children.
10. Nigerians should thank our gallant men of the Armed Forces and Police for rescuing large areas of the country captured by insurgents. Now, residents in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States, as well as several neighbouring states go about their daily business in relative safety. People can go to mosques, churches, market places in reasonable safety.
11. Commuters can travel between cities, towns and villages without fear. Credit for this remarkable turn-round should go to our Armed Forces, the Police, various sponsored and private vigilante groups, the local traditional leaders. Security is a top to bottom concern and responsibility.
12. Besides Boko Haram, we are confronting other long-running security issues, namely herdsmen vs farmers, cattle rustling, kidnappings. This Administration is firmly resolved to tackle these challenges and to defeat them.
13. A new insurgency has reared up its head in the shape of blowing up gas and oil pipelines by groups of Niger Delta Militants. This Administration will not allow these mindless groups to hold the country to ransom.
14. What sense is there to damage a gas line as a result of which many towns in the country including their own town or village is put in darkness as a result? What logic is there in blowing up an export pipeline and as a result income to your state and local governments and consequently their ability to provide services to your own people is reduced?
15. No group can unlawfully challenge the authority of the Federal Government and succeed. Our Administration is fully sympathetic to the plight of the good people of Niger Delta and we are in touch with the State Governments and leaderships of the region. It is known that the clean-up of the Ogoniland has started. Infrastructural projects financed by the Federal Government and post amnesty programme financing will continue.
16. We have however, continued to dialogue with all groups and leaders of thought in the region to bring lasting peace.
17. Corruption is a cancer which must be fought with all the weapons at our disposal. It corrodes the very fabric of government and destroys society. Fighting corruption is Key, not only to restoring the moral health of the nation, but also to freeing our enormous resources for urgent socio-economic development.
18. In fighting corruption, however, the government would adhere strictly by the rule of law. Not for the first time I am appealing to the judiciary to join the fight against corruption.
19. The Third Plank in this Administration’s drive to CHANGE Nigeria is re-structuring the economy. Economies behaviour is cyclical. All countries face ups and downs. Our own recession has been brought about by a critical shortage of foreign exchange. Oil price dropped from an average of hundred USD per barrel over the last decade to an average of forty USD per barrel this year and last.
20. Worse still, the damage perpetrated by Niger Delta thugs on pipelines sometimes reduced Nigeria’s production to below One million barrels per day against the normal two point two million barrels per day. Consequently, the naira is at its weakest, but the situation will stabilize.
21. But this is only temporary. Historically about half our dollar export earnings go to importation of petroleum and food products! Nothing was saved for the rainy days during the periods of prosperity. We are now reaping the whirlwinds of corruption, recklessness and impunity.
22. There are no easy solutions, but there are solutions nonetheless and Government is pursuing them in earnest. We are to repair our four refineries so that Nigeria can produce most of our petrol requirements locally, pending the coming on stream of new refineries. That way we will save ten billion USD yearly in importing fuel.
23. At the same time, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and the Central Bank have been mobilized to encourage local production of rice, maize, sorghum, millet and soya beans. Our target is to achieve domestic self-sufficiency in these staples by 2018.
24. Already farmers in thirteen out of thirty six states are receiving credit support through the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Anchor Borrowers Programme. Kebbi state alone this year is expected to produce one million tonnes of locally grown rice, thanks to a favourable harvest this year. As part of the 13 states, Lagos and Ogun are also starting this programme. Rice alone for example costs Nigeria two billion USD to import.
25. The country should be self-sufficient in basic staples by 2019. Foreign exchange thus saved can go to industrial revival requirements for retooling, essential raw materials and spare parts. It is in recognition of the need to re-invigorate agriculture in our rural communities that we are introducing the LIFE programme.
26. Government recognises that irrigation is key to modern agriculture: that is why the Ministries of Agriculture and Water Resources are embarking on a huge programme of development of lakes, earth dams and water harvesting schemes throughout the country to ensure that we are no longer dependent on rain-fed agriculture for our food requirements.
27. In addition, government is introducing Water Resources Bill encompassing the National Water Resources Policy and National Irrigation and Drainage Policy to improve management of water and irrigation development in the country. We are reviving all the twelve River Basin Authorities, namely;
I. Anambra – Imo
II. Benin – Owena
III. Chad Basin
IV. Cross River
V. Hadejia – Jama’are
VI. Lower Benue
VII. Lower Niger
VIII. Niger Delta
IX. Ogun – Osun
X. Sokoto – Rima
XI. Upper Benue
XII. Upper Niger
28. The intention is eventually to fully commercialise them to better support crop production, aqua –culture and accelerated rural development.
29. This Administration is committed to the revival of Lake Chad and improvement of the hydrology and ecology of the basin. This will tune in with efforts to rehabilitate the thirty million people affected by the Boko Haram insurgency in the Lake Chad basin countries.
30. The second plank in our economic revival strategy is centred on the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing. The Ministry will lead and oversee the provision of critical infrastructure of power, road transport network and housing development.
31. Power generation has steadily risen since our Administration came on board from three thousand three hundred and twenty four megawatts in June 2015, rising to a peak of five thousand and seventy four megawatts in February 2016.
32. For the first time in our history the country was producing five thousand megawatts. However, renewed militancy and destruction of gas pipelines caused acute shortage of gas and constant drop in electricity output available on the grid.
33. There has been during the period June 2015 to September 2016 big improvement in transmission capacity from five thousand five hundred megawatts to the present seven thousand three hundred megawatts.
34. There were only two system collapses between June and December 2015, but due to vandalism by Niger Delta militants the over-all system suffered 16 system collapses between March and July 2016 alone. As I have said earlier, we are engaging with responsible leadership in the region to find lasting solutions to genuine grievances of the area but we will not allow a tiny minority of thugs to cripple the country’s economy.
35. In the meantime, government is going ahead with projects utilizing alternate technologies such as hydro, wind, and solar to contribute to our energy mix. In this respect, the Mambilla Hydro project, after many years of delay is taking off this year. Contract negotiations are nearing completion with Chinese firms for technical and financial commitments.
36. The project is to be jointly financed by Nigeria and the Chinese-Export-Import Bank. In addition, fourteen Solar Power Projects have had their power purchase agreements concluded. Hence the plan to produce one thousand two hundred megawatts of solar electricity for the country would be realized on schedule.
37. And in line with the objective of government to complete all abandoned projects across the country, the Rural Electrification Agency’s projects needing completion are provided for in the 2016 Budget. Bringing electricity to rural areas will help farmers, small scale and cottage industries to integrate with the national economy.
38. Roads Construction and Rehabilitation has taken off. The sum of twelve billion naira was allocated to this sector in the 2015 Budget, not enough even to pay interest on outstanding unpaid claims.
39. Notwithstanding the budgetary constraints, the current budget allocated two hundred and forty billion naira for highway projects against twelve billion naira in 2015. Many contractors who have not been paid for three years have now remobilized to sites. Seven hundred and twenty point five billion naira has so far been released this budget year to capital projects.
40. The Ministry of Power, Works and Housing has received one hundred and ninety seven point five billion naira. Work on the following highways has now resumed.
1. Dualization of Calabar – Itu Road in Cross River/Akwa Ibom States.
2. Dualization of Lokoja – Benin Road, Ehor – Benin city, Edo State.
3. Re-construction of outstanding sections of Benin – Shagamu Express way, Edo/Ogun States.
4. Expansion works on Lagos – Ibadan Dual carriageway, Ogun/Oyo States
5. Rehabilitation of Onitsha – Enugu Expressway, Anambra/Enugu States.
6. Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of Enugu – Port Harcourt Dual carriageway, Abia/Rivers States.
7. Rehabilitation of Hadejia – Nguru Road, Jigawa State.
8. Dualization of Kano – Katsina Road, Kano State.
9. Dualization of Kano – Maiduguri Road, Borno State.
10. Dualization of Azare – Potiskum Road, Azare – Sharuri Road, Bauchi State.
11. Rehabilitation of Ilorin – Jebba – Mokwa – Birnin Gwari Road, Kwara State.
12. Construction of Oju/Lokoja – Oweto Bridge over River Benue, Benue State.
41. Other major highways are in the queue for rehabilitation or new construction.
42. Already contractors have recalled about nine thousand workers laid off and Government expects that several hundreds of thousands of workers will be reengaged in the next few months as our public works programme gains momentum.
43. On railways, we have provided our counterpart funding to China for the building of our standard gauge Lagos -Kano railway. Meanwhile, General Electric is investing two point two billion USD in a concession to revamp, provide rolling stock, and manage the existing lines, including the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri Line. The Lagos-Calabar railway will also be on stream soon.
44. We have initiated the National Housing Programme. In 2014 four hundred million naira was voted for Housing. In 2015 nothing. Our first budget this year is devoting thirty five point six billion naira. Much of the house building will be private – sector led but Government is initiating a pilot housing scheme of two thousand eight hundred and thirty eight units uniformly spread across the 36 states and FCT.
45. We expect these units to be completed within 4 – 6 months. These experimental Nigeria House model Units will be constructed using only made in Nigeria building materials and components. This initiative is expected to reactivate the building materials manufacturing sector, generate massive employment opportunities and develop sector capacity and expertise.
46. The programmes I have outlined will revive the economy, restore the value of the naira and drive hunger from our land.
47. Abroad, Nigeria’s standing has changed beyond belief in the last 18 months. We are no longer a pariah state. Wherever I go, I have been received with un-accustomed hospitality. Investors from all over the world are falling over themselves to come and do business in Nigeria. This government intends to make business environment more friendly because we can not develop ourselves alone.
48. All countries, no matter how advanced, welcome foreign investments to their economy. This is the essence of globalization and no country in the 21st century can be an island. Our reforms are therefore designed to prepare Nigeria for the 21st century.
49. Finally, let me commend Nigerians for your patience, steadfastness and perseverance. You know that I am trying to do the right things for our country.
50. Thank you and may God bless our country.
(Full Text)
Today – 1st October is a day of celebration for us Nigerians. On this day, 56 years ago our people achieved the most important of all human desires – freedom and independence. We should all therefore give thanks and pray for our founding fathers without whose efforts and toil we would not reap the bounties of today.
2. I know that uppermost in your minds today is the economic crisis. The recession for many individuals and families is real. For some It means not being able to pay school fees, for others it’s not being able to afford the high cost of food (rice and millet) or the high cost of local or international travel, and for many of our young people the recession means joblessness, sometimes after graduating from university or polytechnic.
3. I know how difficult things are, and how rough business is. All my adult life I have always earned a salary and I know what it is like when your salary simply is not enough. In every part of our nation people are making incredible sacrifices.
4. But let me say to all Nigerians today, I ran for office four times to make the point that we can rule this nation with honesty and transparency, that we can stop the stealing of Nigeria’s resources so that the resources could be used to provide jobs for our young people, security, infrastructure for commerce, education and healthcare.
5. I ran for office because I know that good government is the only way to ensure prosperity and abundance for all. I remain resolutely committed to this objective.
6. I believe that this recession will not last.
7. Temporary problems should not blind or divert us from the corrective course this government has charted for our nation. We have identified the country’s salient problems and we are working hard at lasting solutions.
8. To re-cap what I have been saying since the inception of this administration, our problems are security, corruption and the economy, especially unemployment and the alarming level of poverty.
9. On Security, we have made progress. Boko Haram was defeated by last December – only resorting to cowardly attacks on soft targets, killing innocent men, women and children.
10. Nigerians should thank our gallant men of the Armed Forces and Police for rescuing large areas of the country captured by insurgents. Now, residents in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States, as well as several neighbouring states go about their daily business in relative safety. People can go to mosques, churches, market places in reasonable safety.
11. Commuters can travel between cities, towns and villages without fear. Credit for this remarkable turn-round should go to our Armed Forces, the Police, various sponsored and private vigilante groups, the local traditional leaders. Security is a top to bottom concern and responsibility.
12. Besides Boko Haram, we are confronting other long-running security issues, namely herdsmen vs farmers, cattle rustling, kidnappings. This Administration is firmly resolved to tackle these challenges and to defeat them.
13. A new insurgency has reared up its head in the shape of blowing up gas and oil pipelines by groups of Niger Delta Militants. This Administration will not allow these mindless groups to hold the country to ransom.
14. What sense is there to damage a gas line as a result of which many towns in the country including their own town or village is put in darkness as a result? What logic is there in blowing up an export pipeline and as a result income to your state and local governments and consequently their ability to provide services to your own people is reduced?
15. No group can unlawfully challenge the authority of the Federal Government and succeed. Our Administration is fully sympathetic to the plight of the good people of Niger Delta and we are in touch with the State Governments and leaderships of the region. It is known that the clean-up of the Ogoniland has started. Infrastructural projects financed by the Federal Government and post amnesty programme financing will continue.
16. We have however, continued to dialogue with all groups and leaders of thought in the region to bring lasting peace.
17. Corruption is a cancer which must be fought with all the weapons at our disposal. It corrodes the very fabric of government and destroys society. Fighting corruption is Key, not only to restoring the moral health of the nation, but also to freeing our enormous resources for urgent socio-economic development.
18. In fighting corruption, however, the government would adhere strictly by the rule of law. Not for the first time I am appealing to the judiciary to join the fight against corruption.
19. The Third Plank in this Administration’s drive to CHANGE Nigeria is re-structuring the economy. Economies behaviour is cyclical. All countries face ups and downs. Our own recession has been brought about by a critical shortage of foreign exchange. Oil price dropped from an average of hundred USD per barrel over the last decade to an average of forty USD per barrel this year and last.
20. Worse still, the damage perpetrated by Niger Delta thugs on pipelines sometimes reduced Nigeria’s production to below One million barrels per day against the normal two point two million barrels per day. Consequently, the naira is at its weakest, but the situation will stabilize.
21. But this is only temporary. Historically about half our dollar export earnings go to importation of petroleum and food products! Nothing was saved for the rainy days during the periods of prosperity. We are now reaping the whirlwinds of corruption, recklessness and impunity.
22. There are no easy solutions, but there are solutions nonetheless and Government is pursuing them in earnest. We are to repair our four refineries so that Nigeria can produce most of our petrol requirements locally, pending the coming on stream of new refineries. That way we will save ten billion USD yearly in importing fuel.
23. At the same time, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and the Central Bank have been mobilized to encourage local production of rice, maize, sorghum, millet and soya beans. Our target is to achieve domestic self-sufficiency in these staples by 2018.
24. Already farmers in thirteen out of thirty six states are receiving credit support through the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Anchor Borrowers Programme. Kebbi state alone this year is expected to produce one million tonnes of locally grown rice, thanks to a favourable harvest this year. As part of the 13 states, Lagos and Ogun are also starting this programme. Rice alone for example costs Nigeria two billion USD to import.
25. The country should be self-sufficient in basic staples by 2019. Foreign exchange thus saved can go to industrial revival requirements for retooling, essential raw materials and spare parts. It is in recognition of the need to re-invigorate agriculture in our rural communities that we are introducing the LIFE programme.
26. Government recognises that irrigation is key to modern agriculture: that is why the Ministries of Agriculture and Water Resources are embarking on a huge programme of development of lakes, earth dams and water harvesting schemes throughout the country to ensure that we are no longer dependent on rain-fed agriculture for our food requirements.
27. In addition, government is introducing Water Resources Bill encompassing the National Water Resources Policy and National Irrigation and Drainage Policy to improve management of water and irrigation development in the country. We are reviving all the twelve River Basin Authorities, namely;
I. Anambra – Imo
II. Benin – Owena
III. Chad Basin
IV. Cross River
V. Hadejia – Jama’are
VI. Lower Benue
VII. Lower Niger
VIII. Niger Delta
IX. Ogun – Osun
X. Sokoto – Rima
XI. Upper Benue
XII. Upper Niger
28. The intention is eventually to fully commercialise them to better support crop production, aqua –culture and accelerated rural development.
29. This Administration is committed to the revival of Lake Chad and improvement of the hydrology and ecology of the basin. This will tune in with efforts to rehabilitate the thirty million people affected by the Boko Haram insurgency in the Lake Chad basin countries.
30. The second plank in our economic revival strategy is centred on the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing. The Ministry will lead and oversee the provision of critical infrastructure of power, road transport network and housing development.
31. Power generation has steadily risen since our Administration came on board from three thousand three hundred and twenty four megawatts in June 2015, rising to a peak of five thousand and seventy four megawatts in February 2016.
32. For the first time in our history the country was producing five thousand megawatts. However, renewed militancy and destruction of gas pipelines caused acute shortage of gas and constant drop in electricity output available on the grid.
33. There has been during the period June 2015 to September 2016 big improvement in transmission capacity from five thousand five hundred megawatts to the present seven thousand three hundred megawatts.
34. There were only two system collapses between June and December 2015, but due to vandalism by Niger Delta militants the over-all system suffered 16 system collapses between March and July 2016 alone. As I have said earlier, we are engaging with responsible leadership in the region to find lasting solutions to genuine grievances of the area but we will not allow a tiny minority of thugs to cripple the country’s economy.
35. In the meantime, government is going ahead with projects utilizing alternate technologies such as hydro, wind, and solar to contribute to our energy mix. In this respect, the Mambilla Hydro project, after many years of delay is taking off this year. Contract negotiations are nearing completion with Chinese firms for technical and financial commitments.
36. The project is to be jointly financed by Nigeria and the Chinese-Export-Import Bank. In addition, fourteen Solar Power Projects have had their power purchase agreements concluded. Hence the plan to produce one thousand two hundred megawatts of solar electricity for the country would be realized on schedule.
37. And in line with the objective of government to complete all abandoned projects across the country, the Rural Electrification Agency’s projects needing completion are provided for in the 2016 Budget. Bringing electricity to rural areas will help farmers, small scale and cottage industries to integrate with the national economy.
38. Roads Construction and Rehabilitation has taken off. The sum of twelve billion naira was allocated to this sector in the 2015 Budget, not enough even to pay interest on outstanding unpaid claims.
39. Notwithstanding the budgetary constraints, the current budget allocated two hundred and forty billion naira for highway projects against twelve billion naira in 2015. Many contractors who have not been paid for three years have now remobilized to sites. Seven hundred and twenty point five billion naira has so far been released this budget year to capital projects.
40. The Ministry of Power, Works and Housing has received one hundred and ninety seven point five billion naira. Work on the following highways has now resumed.
1. Dualization of Calabar – Itu Road in Cross River/Akwa Ibom States.
2. Dualization of Lokoja – Benin Road, Ehor – Benin city, Edo State.
3. Re-construction of outstanding sections of Benin – Shagamu Express way, Edo/Ogun States.
4. Expansion works on Lagos – Ibadan Dual carriageway, Ogun/Oyo States
5. Rehabilitation of Onitsha – Enugu Expressway, Anambra/Enugu States.
6. Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of Enugu – Port Harcourt Dual carriageway, Abia/Rivers States.
7. Rehabilitation of Hadejia – Nguru Road, Jigawa State.
8. Dualization of Kano – Katsina Road, Kano State.
9. Dualization of Kano – Maiduguri Road, Borno State.
10. Dualization of Azare – Potiskum Road, Azare – Sharuri Road, Bauchi State.
11. Rehabilitation of Ilorin – Jebba – Mokwa – Birnin Gwari Road, Kwara State.
12. Construction of Oju/Lokoja – Oweto Bridge over River Benue, Benue State.
41. Other major highways are in the queue for rehabilitation or new construction.
42. Already contractors have recalled about nine thousand workers laid off and Government expects that several hundreds of thousands of workers will be reengaged in the next few months as our public works programme gains momentum.
43. On railways, we have provided our counterpart funding to China for the building of our standard gauge Lagos -Kano railway. Meanwhile, General Electric is investing two point two billion USD in a concession to revamp, provide rolling stock, and manage the existing lines, including the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri Line. The Lagos-Calabar railway will also be on stream soon.
44. We have initiated the National Housing Programme. In 2014 four hundred million naira was voted for Housing. In 2015 nothing. Our first budget this year is devoting thirty five point six billion naira. Much of the house building will be private – sector led but Government is initiating a pilot housing scheme of two thousand eight hundred and thirty eight units uniformly spread across the 36 states and FCT.
45. We expect these units to be completed within 4 – 6 months. These experimental Nigeria House model Units will be constructed using only made in Nigeria building materials and components. This initiative is expected to reactivate the building materials manufacturing sector, generate massive employment opportunities and develop sector capacity and expertise.
46. The programmes I have outlined will revive the economy, restore the value of the naira and drive hunger from our land.
47. Abroad, Nigeria’s standing has changed beyond belief in the last 18 months. We are no longer a pariah state. Wherever I go, I have been received with un-accustomed hospitality. Investors from all over the world are falling over themselves to come and do business in Nigeria. This government intends to make business environment more friendly because we can not develop ourselves alone.
48. All countries, no matter how advanced, welcome foreign investments to their economy. This is the essence of globalization and no country in the 21st century can be an island. Our reforms are therefore designed to prepare Nigeria for the 21st century.
49. Finally, let me commend Nigerians for your patience, steadfastness and perseverance. You know that I am trying to do the right things for our country.
50. Thank you and may God bless our country.
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