2 Kids Of Sacked Niger Republic Prime Minister, Smuggled Into Nigeria, Arrested In Sokoto

September 30, 2017

Two children of the 68 year old former Prime Minister of the Republic of Niger, Hama Amodou that were smuggled into Nigeria, have been picked up in Sokoto and are said to be in detention at the office of Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), in the nation’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The children were said to have been adopted by Amodou that had since fled and gone on exile in France, through his wife that is currently in detention in the Republic of Niger.

Information reaching us at Greenbarge Reporters indicated that the children, whose names have not been made public, were brought into Nigeria, through Sokoto, by the foreign diplomat of the sacked Prime Minister to Cameroon. The name of the diplomat was given as Alhaji Tati.

It was gathered that the idea of bringing the two adopted children of Amodou to Nigeria was to naturalize their nationality by obtaining Nigerian passports for them, and then enrolling them in schools in Nigeria.

Hama Amadou was Prime Minister of Niger from 1995 to 1996 and again from 2000 to 2007. He was also Secretary-General of the National Movement for the Development of Society (MNSD-Nassara) from 1991 to 2001 and President of the MNSD-Nassara from 2001 to 2009.

Amadou is from the Kurtey, a Fula sub-group, and was raised in the Tillaberi Region, in the Niger River valley, North of Niamey.

As a result of corruption allegations against his government, he was removed from office as Prime Minister through a 2007 no-confidence vote in the National Assembly.

In 2008, he became the target of a corruption investigation which saw him arrested to face criminal charges at the Nigerien High Court of Justice and removed from his post as MNSD President.

Amadou fled Niger in August 2014 to escape arrest on charges related to a baby-trafficking investigation. Upon those charges, Amadou was sentenced to one year in prison, in March 2017, by the Niamey Court of Appeals.

Amadou was tried in absentia, since he was exiled in France

Greenbarge Reporters gathered that the wife of the sacked Prime Minister was also sentenced to years of imprisonment which she is serving presently in the Republic of Niger.

As at the time of going to press, no statement has been made on the two children of the sacked Prime Minister of Niger that were intercepted in Sokoto, as officials of the Nigerian Immigration Service are keeping sealed lips.

Though it was learnt that the Nigerian minister of Interior, General Abdulrahman Dambazau has formally presented the matter to President Muhammadu Buhari for a diplomatic solution but, for proper clarifications, neither the Interior minister nor the Comptroller General of Nigerian Immigration Service, Babandede was forthcoming when our editors tried to contact them through their cell phones. They neither answered the call nor responded to text messages sent to them. [myad]

Many Igbos Lack Same Foresight Like Okorocha To Align With APC – Buhari

Greenbarge Reporters

September 30, 2017

President Muhammadu Buhari has commended the Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State for his foresight in aligning with the ruling All progressives Congress (APC) at the time many Igbo people from the South East were not comfortable identifying with it.

The President, in a message congratulating governor Okorocha on his 55th birthday today, Saturday, said: “Owelle Rochas Okorocha had the vision to look beyond ethnic bias and align his political interest and that of his people with that of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), even when many in his region did not have such foresight.”

In the message issued by his senior special assistant on media and publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, the President extolled Okorocha’s sterling leadership qualities, selfless philanthropy and commitment to the nation’s unity.

Buhari the Imo state governor many more years of service to his people and to the country.

The letter reads in part: ‘‘On this special occasion, I wish to commend Governor Okorocha’s leadership and commitment to the people of Imo State and the entire nation.

‘‘His philanthropy has touched many lives in states across the country, from the south to the north.

‘‘I also wish to express my deep appreciation to him for his support and commitment to the success of this administration.

‘‘Happy birthday, Owelle Rochas Okorocha!” [myad]

Nigeria Has No Reason To Be Backward, Governor Ortom Argues

Greenbarge Reporters

September 30, 2017

Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom has argued that Nigeria as a country, has no reason to be backward or to be poor.

The governor, who spoke to news men at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, shortly after a visit to President Muhammadu Buhari today, Saturday, said: “we (Nigerians) have no business having economic problems because God has given us enough in terms of Agriculture, solid minerals, culture and tourism, you can name them.

“As oil (economy) is no longer fashionable today, we are looking for other ways that God has given us for a very long time. In fact, Nigerians are the best people. Go outside the country, in Europe, Asia and America, you see Nigerians doing very well,

“it is just that people here don’t believe in getting it right and so it is a challenge, otherwise, Nigeria is a great country. For me, I have no other country than Nigeria. I an proud to be a Nigerian and I am happy that we are an independent nation.”

Governor, who spoke against the background of the nation’s 57 Independence celebration, said that Nigeria had great cause to celebrate.

According to him, this year’s Independence will ever remain memorable.

“Mr. President (Muhammadu Buhari) was sick, now he is well and has resumed and like I said, when you have a President and he is sick, the whole country is sick. Now that the President is well, the entire country is well, and so we appreciate God.

“We were in recession and we came out of it during this period again so we have every reason to celebrate Nigeria. Nigeria is a great country and I believe and trust God that with the leadership that we have now, we will come out of all the challenges we are facing today.”

On the current situation regarding the herdsmen and farmers’ conflicts in Benue, the governor said that his government had reduced the general insecurity to the barest minimum.

“We have less tension between herdsmen and farmers: we have signed the anti-open grazing bill into law not targeting any ethnic group or group of people. But we are saying that as a state, we have to provide security for lives and property. So we are providing security for farmers and herdsmen who want to stay in Benue state and do their ranching.”

Ortom said that the government is however, against cattle rustling for which the law had made provision for stiff penalties for cattle rustlers.

“So, anyone living in Benue state will be given protection under the law that we have signed. And I believe that we need understanding of this. Many people have misunderstood this that we are against the Fulani people; we are not against them. Some of the Fulani people were born and brought up in these places. They speak Tiv even more fluently than some of our children. So, we have no problem with them.

“I even have one of them as my special assistance on Fulani affairs. This is how we relate. “We have lived with Fulanis for ages and will continue to live with them. We are willing to provide the enabling environment for anyone who wants to stay in Benue state and engage in ranching of cattle.”

Governor Ortom said that there is presently no open grazing in the state because there is no land for open grazing.

“This is the point we have been making. You can still go there to see for yourself if there is one hectare that is empty for open grazing. After all, ranching remains the best option. I challenge anyone who think that there is a better policy that can restore peace between herdsmen and farmers to bring it up. I am ready to go with the person but for us in Benue, the law has been signed and that is it.”

On how he is handling the recent flood in the state, the governor said that the state is not having challenges now with the water but that the worry is the devastation that was caused: the destruction of roads, houses and how to rehabilitate the people to return to their homes that is the problem.

“Since the incidence, the last flood, we have not had any again but we are doing everything possible to see how we can support the people to go back to their homes to continue their normal businesses. As at now, others have no homes, we are looking forward that the Federal Government, other spirited individuals and international organizations will assist us so that we can rehabilitate the people. [myad]

Senator Tinubu To Nigerians: Don’t Give Up On NIgeria

Greenbarge Reporters

September 30, 2017

The Senator representing Lagos Central Senatorial District, Senator Oluremi Tinubu has called on Nigerians not to give up on the country and to continue on the path of unity devoid of all tendencies to break up the country.

In a statement to commemorate Nigeria’s 57th independence, the Senator said that in spite of the conflicts and rifts, including a 30-month civil war that plagued Nigeria, Nigerians have resolved to remain as one.

“We must continue on the path of oneness, putting national interests above ethnicity and self. We have set our hands on the plough; we cannot at this moment, give up. Thus, we must shun all attempts to cause disunity amongst us.

“Never again should we as a nation go through conflict like we did with the civil war. For us, the odds are too huge.”

In the statement entitled “Nigeria @57: One People,” Senator Tinubu said: “I celebrate with Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora on the occasion of our Great Nation’s fifty seventh (57th) independence anniversary. This day fifty seven (57) years ago, we received liberation from colonial rule, deciding like other Nations that self-governance is the way forward.

“In the years since then, we have dabbled in military rule, unitary system and now, democratic governance. We have had seasons of plenty as marked by the oil boom, and we have experienced lean years. We have also been besieged with a civil war, ethnic conflicts, and rifts; and we have enjoyed relative peace as a nation.

“Through it all and in spite of these, we have remained united and indivisible, pressing on to the Nigeria of our dreams. And for this, I must commend every Nigerian.

“We must however continue on the path of oneness, putting national interests above ethnicity and self. We have set our hands on the plough; we cannot at this moment, give up. “Thus, we must shun all attempts to cause disunity amongst us. Never again should we as a nation go through conflict like we did with the civil war. For us, the odds are too huge.

“Thus, I wish all the good people of Lagos Central Senatorial District, Lagos State and all Nigerians a happy celebration.” [myad]

Melaye, Fayose, Fani-Kayode: The 3 Nigerian Muckrakers, By Yusuf Ozi-Usman

Yusuf Ozi-Usman

September 29, 2017

At any given time in the life of a society, especially, as wide and diverse as Nigeria, there would always be one, two or a few individuals who can be described as completely anti-establishment.

In fact, it doesn’t matter immediately on what premise such characters take their anti-establishment from; all that matter is either that their emotional make ups disagree with certain system or personalities within the corridor of power or they are just plainly mischievous.

Looking at it from this angle, the social anti-establishment crusaders would therefore, not be amenable to conventional reasoning and or rational argument.

It is within this parametre that I locate the three characters – Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State; Senator Dino Melaye of the Kogi West Senatorial District and ex aviation minister Femi Fani-Kayode- that have occupied some aspects of the nation’s political space since, or even at the herald of the coming of President Muhammadu Buhari to power, and by extension, the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Of course, while Fayose and Fani-Kayode show a great deal of loathsomeness of Buhari/APC from the prism of opposition, as they belong to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that lost the Presidency in the 2015 election, Melaye is fighting specifically, his home state governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, from within the same APC.

Even though there is only one tread that runs through the characteristics of the three muckrakers, but each has a unique definition of what tickles his sense of revolt.

Fayose is likely fighting blindly, without recourse to any form of rational reasoning other than selfishness and machorism, if I may be permitted to use the word. As a matter of fact, Fayose presents a picture of a primitive Africa man’s show of strength and in particular, the average Yoruba man’s way of flexing muscle just when there is sign of quarrel simply to scare away the opponent…which late music maestro, Fela Anikulapo Kuti would call ‘SHAKARA.’

Those who know him testify to the fact that Fayose had had cause to insult former President Olusegun Obasanjo, a Yoruba elder by all standards, and at another time, he, the same Fayose, would go on his knees to beg Obasanjo to forgive him. Unconfirmed report had it that despite all the hateful comments he had made on President Muhammadu Buhari, including death wishes, he had looked for ways of getting to the President to beg for forgiveness.

Fayose, who had formally abused a hell out of Hausa Fulani, recently gathered the same Hausa Fulani in the government house at Ado Ekiti to assure them that he was very friendly.

In a nutshell, Fayose is a complete picture of the old order in the Yoruba circle, where barking was given more prominence over biting, believing that barking would keep the enemies or opponents at bay. And make them fall in line according to their wishes.

But, for Fani-Kayode, his hatred for anything Hausa Fulani is pathological. He has this complex around him that no one can do anything better than him, and, indeed, that Hausa Fulani are too uneducated (even if they have PhD), too unenlightened (even if they spend most part of their lives in advanced countries) and too archaic (even if they live more sophisticated than him) for them to rule this country.

Indeed, Fani-Kayode, and the drunken, deranged Niger Delta creek leader, Alhaji Mujahideen Dokubo, see and regard Hausa Fulani as other colonial masters simply because they have the number to determine who rule this country in democracy, which, of course, is a gift that no one can do anything about.

Fani-Kayode doesn’t believe that anyone from the North, anywhere in the North, has the requisite ability to be President of this country, an irony that he hates to live with: that an average Northerner is more politically matured than an average politician from other parts of the country.

His madness and hatefulness towards Hausa Fulani is so pronounced that he possibly could be going to bed daily, praying that he would wake up the following morning to find that they are all perished.

In all such mind setup, Fani-Kayode too has no tangible reason to turn himself into an ethnic hate in open market.

And for Dino Melaye, of course, everybody knows that he started well with governor Yahaya Bello, obviously, with the hope initially, that the old order, of God fatherism would be reinforced, where he would be consulted by the governor for every major governance decisions.

But when the governor appeared to have shoved him aside in matters concerning selecting government functionaries and governance general, Melaye turned violently to something else.

In other words, Dino Melaye embarks on public waltzes with the governor as a way of protesting against his being so dumped and rendered irrelevant.

Of course, because the governor himself is a green horn in the area of governance, he went down to his level to dig it out, engineering his recall from the senate by his people.

Of course, there are people like the three muckrakers across the country; people who see nothing right in any government headed by those they already have preconceived hatred for, either as individuals or as in ethnic group they (such leaders belong to). Those others are not as vocal as the three muckrakers.

In any case, if you remove the three muckrakers from their trade, and silent people of similar political standing with them from the political scene, things would go dull. The terrain would be populated only by what you may call praise-singers which can turn an average leader into a dowdy.

Their noise and tantrums in public space, therefore, can never be over quantified. They are even better than those who resign to the cocoons to carry out the same hateful political boil up, either alone or in group. [myad]

500 Year Old All Nigeria Anglican Communion Establishes Cable Network Television

Greenbarge Reporters

September 29, 2017

The All Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has established an Anglican Cable Network Nigeria Television (ACNN) to improve on its evangelizing and win souls into the kingdom of God.
inaugurating the Board Of Directors Of ACNN, headed by veteran Journalist, Chief Folu Olamiti at the church’s headquarters in Abuja at the weekend, the Primate, Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh said that the Church which clocks 500 years in October, deserved a strong megaphone for effective outreach.
The Primate charged the ACNN Board to work hard and register as a household name in Nigeria with appealing programmes, since according to him, It is a project after God’s heart.
“Our Lord Jesus Christ is not only in it, we are happy and confident too about the caliber of people that we now have in this new Board.”
Primate Okoh commended the philanthropy by the Mr and Mrs. Modupe Alakija towards the Church, recalling that the initial funds offered by the family led to the take off of ACNN.
He called on well meaning Anglican churches across Nigeria to rise in support of the TV project with funds meant to drive the success of the television project.
Responding, the Chairman of the newly inaugurated ACNN Board of Directors, Chief Folu Olamiti, thanked the Primate for his confidence in the Board, vowing that members would do their best to take the TV station to the next level of professional excellence.
Olamiti commended efforts by Primate Okoh at establishing ACNN, stating that the new Board of Directors was “Excited that ACNN has endured since it hit the airwaves in 2013 and has continued to broadcast 24\7 non-stop in spite of challenges naturally faced at the take-off stage.
“Undoubtedly, this progressive development is a testimony to the solid foundation laid for ACNN under your leadership and supervision and it is generally appreciated by the Anglican Communion and other Christian families that have been blessed by the ACNN programmes.
“The immediate past Board is also appreciated for diligently running with the vision and successfully creating pathways for the TV station to continue to blossom. Also, I have to commend the resourcefulness of the acting manager, Mr. Korede Akintunde, who in the past few months have moved the TV onto the platforms of social media namely; facebook, you tube, twitter and a functional web site.
“Obviously, all the efforts have given the TV a boost while viewership has literarily doubled.
“Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) cannot be big and the same time remain small,” promised that the vision of his Board in the project should reflect the size of Anglican communion and on behalf of the new board, assured that the assignment will be given “our best for the timely realization of the goal of establishing ACNN.”
The other members of the inaugurated Board of Directors of the ACNN include the Rt. Rev’d Blessing c. Enyindah (Deputy Chairman), the Rt. Rev’d Chidi c. Oparajiaku, dr. p.s nmadu, Mr. T.B Akinyeye, Dr. G.T.N Ajakpo, Ven. Dr. Dade Sadare, Mrs. Bisi Amagada And Mrs Ngozi Adighibe.[myad]

You Can Do Any Kind Of Restructuring But Don’t Touch Unity Of Nigeria, Niger State Gov Warns

Greenbarge Reporters

September 29, 2017

Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, has made it clear that Nigeria cannot be restructured in the best way to serve as rapid development, but insisted that its unity should not be part of such restructuring.
In a statement today, Friday, by his Chief Press Secretary, Jibrin Baba Ndace, the governor said that he supports the ongoing debates on restructuring that is geared towards a more peaceful, viable, prosperous and united Nigeria.
The statement, quoting
Governor Sani as having made the points at the 5th
Anniversary Celebration of News Express Media, an Online Media Platform in Lagos, on a topic: “National Unity and Demand for restructuring: A Governor’s Perspective.”
The Governor was quoted as saying that that the debates on restructuring should not lose sight of the one united, indivisible country.
Governor Sani said: “the amalgamation of Northern and Southern protectorates in 1914 took place in Niger state. “Indeed, the name Nigeria was coined from “Niger Area” by Mary Shaw. Niger state is, therefore, a precursor to modern Nigeria.
“We may have challenges as a nation, but we are certainly better off as one united, strong, virile, just and prosperous nation. Therefore, in
interrogation the structure of Nigeria, we must put Nigeria first”
Governor Sani made it clear that that there can be no perfect federalism or democracy, advising all stakeholders to discuss burning issues in the atmosphere of tolerance, respect for human dignity with the aim of `deepening democracy and building a more united country that carters for all citizens.
“I urge all advocates of restructuring to do so in atmosphere of tolerance, respect for human dignity, understanding, and abiding faith in Nigeria.Perhaps, it is not just what we discuss, but how we discuss it.”
Governor Sani supported President Muhammadu Buhari’s position on discourse on national issues, even as he advised that various proponents of restructuring should canvass their positions with decorum.
He described the discourse as the hallmark of democracy which affords people the right to have different views on any issue.
“I align with President Muhammadu Buhari on the need for all to be mindful of crossing the RED LINE on national discourse.
“Our comments should be measured; our concern should be national unity; our commitment should be Nigeria; our focus should be deepening democracy and building a progressive country for future generation.”
Governor Sani also agreed with the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu who said that dismembering Nigeria would not solve anybody’s problem.
“I agree with Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu that breaking Nigeria into small insignificant units would not solve our challenges. Rather, it will diminish our regional, continental and global profile. Nigeria is envy of all nations based on its size and huge potentials.”

[myad]

Soldiers Disperse Boko Haram Fighters Riding On Horses, Kill 2, Recover 8 Horses, Weapons

Greenbarge Reporters

September 29, 2017

File photo: Nigerian troops in sambisa forest |Credit: Buznigeria

Soldiers of 242 Battalion of 8 Task Force Division have dispersed a number of Boko Haram insurgents Malamti village, Guzamala Local Government Area of Borno State by dispossessing them of 14 horses on which they were riding.
A statement by the Deputy Director of thw Public Relations,
Colonel Timothy O. Antigha, said that in the processing of intercepting the horse-riding insurgents, a gun battle ensued between the two sides at the end of which two terrorists were killed, even as 2 AK 47 riffles, 3 magazines, 26 rounds of 7.26 ammunition and one hand grenade were recovered.
The statement said that other items recovered include 18 mobile phones, three mini solar panels, soap and detergents, bundles of assorted clothes and 8 horses.
“Unfortunately, 2 soldiers were wounded during the engagement and are currently receiving medical attention.”
The statement said that other terrorists who fled the fire fight were being pursued in the exploitation which followed the engagement.[myad]

Flash: Ex Vice President Namadi Observes Friday Prayer With President Buhari

Greenbarge Reporters

September 29, 2017

The immediate past Vice President of Nigeria, Architect Namadi Sambo observed Friday (Jum’at) prayer today, side by side with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa Mosque.
Also with the President to observe the special Friday prayer is the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki.
Namadi Sambo, who deputised for Dr. Goodlcuk Jonathan under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), arrived at the Aso Rock Villa at about 12.55 shortly before the prayer began.
Today’s Jum’at prayer was used as special session for the nation’s Independent celebration, which comes up on Sunday, October 1st. [myad]

Federal Government Admits That Unemployment Is Still A Challenge For Economy

Greenbarge Reporters

September 28, 2017

The Federal Government has admitted that the greatest challenge which the Muhammadu Buhari is still facing today in its efforts to the country out of the economic logjam is unemployment and underemployment.
Breifing the National Economic Council (NEC) members at a meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, minister of Budget and National planning, Udoma Udo Udoma said:”unemployment and underemployment remain a challenge for the economy.”
He stressed that despite that Nigeria had just came out of economic recession, the economy is still deemed vulnerable to shocks and that focused policy implementation is required to sustain the recovery.
The National Economic Council meeting was dominated by presentations and discussions on how Nigeria can significantly improve and drive its non-oil exports.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who presided over the meeting, directed the composition of a National Committee on Export Promotion to review several ideas and suggestions tabled at the meeting.
Professor Osinbajo expressed delight at “the robust discussions we have had today, and the many useful suggestions made” and that both the Federal and State governments would work together to promote non-oil Nigerian exports.
“Whatever the FG is required to do, will we do and States should also take ownership,” the VP stated, noting that both government levels must sit together, work together and assist each other.
He announced a Committee of NEC consisting of three State Governors: Jigawa, Lagos and Ebonyi and the federal ministers from Industry, Trade & Investment, Agriculture & Rural Development, Power, Works & Housing, Transportation and Finance.
Other members of the Export Promotion Committee of NEC are the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, NEPC, Nigerian Export Processing Zones Authority, NEPZA, NEXIM Bank, and the CBN. Jigawa State Governor Alhaji Mohammed B. Abubakar is the Chairman, and Industry, Trade & Investment Minister, Dr. Okey Enelamah is Co-Chair.
The Committee, which is expected to submit an initial report by November is expected to come up with a concise action plan on how to drive non-oil exports based on the presentations and discussions of Council at today’s meeting.
Highlights of the NEC are as follows:
PRESENTATION ON STRATEGIC EXPORT INITIATIVES BY HONOURABLE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
· The Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development briefed Council on “Strategic Export Initiatives – A framework and action plan to grow and diversify export of agro-products.
· The Minister listed exportable agro commodities to include; Coffee, Cashew Nuts, Rubber, Kolanuts, Palm Kennel, Coconuts, Cotton, Ogbonno, Ginger, Timber, Shrimps among others.
· He told Council that agricultural export had increased by 82% in the first quarters of 2017, while export earnings from agric goods stood at N30.0 billion for the same period.
· The Minister gave the breakdown of the export earnings from various crops as follows:
I. Sesame seeds’ export of N3.7 billion to Turkey; N1.6 billion to China; and N1.6 billion to India.
ii. Soya beans export of N3.4 billion to Russia; and N1.2 billion to Greece.
iii. Frozen shrimp export of N2.2billions to the Netherlands. iv. Cashew nuts export of N1.8billion to Vietnam.
v. Crude palm kernel oil export of N1.2 billion to the Netherlands.
vi. The total value agricultural goods’ trade in Q2 2017 was N261.92 billion representing 4.60% of total trade in Q2 (1.03% lower than N30.02 billion in Q1)
vii. Agriculture exports was 0.96% of total exports in Q2 2017
viii. Destination of Agriculture exports in Q2 2017 were Asia (66.38%); Europe (24.98%); Americas 4.37%; Africa 3.88%; and the Oceanic 0.39%.
ix. Agriculture exports in Q2 were driven by the export of Cashew nuts worth N13.5billion or 45.4% of the total agriculture exports and 1.37% of total exports.
x. Cashew nuts export to Vietnam was N12.16 billion; N1.4billion to India and N6.34 million to Kazakhstan.
xi. Sesame seed exports in Q2 was N7.0 billion or 23.6% of total agriculture exports.
xii. Sesame seeds export to Japan was N1.3 billion; India N0.9 billion; Turkey N0.9 billion; South Korea N0.8billion; and China N0.6 billion.
xiii. Frozen shrimps and prawns’ export was N1.6billion or 9.6% of total agriculture exports: Netherlands N1.5 billion; Belgium N0.67 billion; United States N0.22 billion; France N0.17 billion; and Spain N87 million.
xiv. Exports of soya bean flour and meals were N2.3 billion (7.8% of agricultural exports): N2.1 billion to Spain; N116.6 million to Ghana; N72.9 million to Senegal; N18.1million to Mauritania; and N2.0million to Germany.
xv Other agricultural exports: Ginger N663.7 million; flowers N568.5 million; Peanut kernels and other groundnuts N481.3 million; and Milk and cream powder N282.4 million.
B. PRESENTATION ON “THE ZERO OIL PLAN” BY THE NIGERIAN EXPORT PROMOTION COUNCIL
· The Nigerian Export Promotion Council made a presentation to the NEC, on a plan to restructure the Nigeria Economy to survive without Crude Oil. The Plan is called “The Zero Oil Plan.”
Council was informed that Nigeria is going through the sharpest falls of export revenues in her history, loosing over $100 billion US dollars (N30 trillion) of National export revenue between 2015 to 2017 due to the crash in oil prices, which resultant effect was recession.
·Council was informed that there was urgent need to rapidly ramp up non-oil exports as our future earnings from crude oil face significant headwinds.
·The “Zero oil Plan” aims at earning at least $30 billion from non-oil sources in the near to medium term as against the current earnings of about $5 billion.
·The objectives of the Zero Oil Plan is to add $150 billion to Nigeria foreign reserves over the next 10 years, create 500,000 jobs, lift 10 million Nigerians out of poverty and integrate each State of the Federation into the export value chain
·The focus of the plan is on the export of the following crops – Rice, Wheat, Corn, Palm Oil, Rubber, Hides and Skin, Sugar, Soyabeans and automotive parts among others.
·Destination countries for our exports include; Netherlands, China, Iran, Germany, United Kingdom, France, Spain, Italy, India, S/Arabia, among other.
C.PRESENTATION ON STATES EXPORT DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE BY THE NIGERIAN EXPORT-IMPORT BANK (NEXIM) NEXIM briefed Council on the “States Export Development Initiative” which is being pursued as a medium to long term strategic plan aimed at stimulating and increasing deliberate funding intervention to SMEs in the non-oil sector for the attainment of its objectives.
·Council was informed that one of the major objectives of the initiative is contributing to the implementation of economic policies of the country, like the ERGP and the Agricultural Promotion Policy among others. It added that the initiative is built on schematic transaction dynamics with key features like provision of a dedicated funding of a minimum of N5 billion as a pilot phase with window for other facilities and partnership for transactional support.
·Council was further informed that the initiative will also help to re-awaken the business consciousness of the States towards export and value added production, especially in the areas of manufacturing, agro-processing and solid minerals.
D.PRESENTATION ON SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONES AS TOOLS FOR RAPID ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BY NIGERIAN EXPORT PROCESSING ZONES AUTHORITY (NEPZA)
.The Managing Director of the Nigerian Export Processing Zones Authority briefed Council on the need to have more special economic zones in addition to the Calabar Free Trade Zone.
·He told Council that the major defect in the Calabar Free Trade Zone is that the zones has not been linked to the Calabar Port, and that there is urgent need to do so in order to make the zone a lot more effective.
.Partnership between the Federal and State Governments as well as the private sectors is needed.
·He urged Council to ensure that the location of Free Trade Zones should be done strictly on business consideration and not political considerations.
·He also asked Council to provide incentives for Free Trade Zones to include linkage to rail lines, express ways, close proximity to utilities, airports among others.
COUNCIL DECISION ON EXPORT PROMOTION RELATED PRESENTATIONS
·There is absolutely a need to promote export. It is also important to emphasize that the States should take ownership of the process. Federal Government and States will work together and collaborate on how to actualize the export promotion plan for the country.
·A National Committee on export promotion has been constituted. The members include:
-Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development
-Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment
-Federal Ministry of Transport
-Federal Ministry of Power Works and Housing
-Federal Ministry of Finance
– Three Governors (Jigawa, Lagos and Ebonyi States)
– Central Bank of Nigeria
-NNPC
-NEXIM.
The Committee will draw up a single plan based on the various templates that have been presented.
·The Committee should submit its report by November 2017.
·Committee will be chaired by the Governor of Jigawa State and co-chaired by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment
E.UPDATE ON THE STATE OF THE ECONOMY BY THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF BUDGET AND NATIONAL PLANNING (HMBNP)
·The HMBNP briefed Council on the State of the Economy, informing Council that the earlier projection was that the country will exit recession by the third quarter of 2017. He however noted that the exit from the recession came three month earlier i.e. in the second quarter of 2017.
·He gave Council a breakdown of sectoral performance of the economy, adding that Agriculture has the highest GDP growth.
·He told Council that inflation has come down to 16.01% in the second quarter from over 18% in the last quarter of 2016. Council was also informed that confidence is gradually returning to the economy.
·He invited Council to note as follows:
i.That the NBS has published the GDP for the economy for Q2 2017;
ii.That the economy has now recovered from recession growing 0.55% in the second quarter of 2017, with Agriculture growing at 3.01% in Q2 2017, Industry growing for the first time in nine quarters by 1.45%, while Services contracted by -0.85%;
iii.That the recovery was driven largely by growth in agriculture, manufacturing, crude oil and gas production, solid minerals, financial services, and electricity supply;
iv.That headline inflation has trended downwards every month since January, though further developments in food prices still need to be watched closely;
v. That the economy is sustaining the growth in capital imported into the country with improvement in foreign reserves and trade balance;
vi. That unemployment and underemployment remain a challenge for the economy;
vii. That despite these improvements, the economy is still deemed vulnerable to shocks and focused policy implementation is required to sustain the recovery; and
viii. The need to continue implementing the ERGP for sustainable development.
F. PRESENTATION ON SPECIAL ACCOUNT.
The Honourable Minister of Finance made presentations to Council on the status of the Special Accounts of the Federation. She told Council that the current balances in the Special Accounts of the Federation are as follows:
(i) Stabilization Account Balance as at 26th September, 2017 stand at N4,354,300,295.64
(ii) Development of Natural Resources Account Balance as at 26th September, 2017 stands at N84,693,588,214.54
(iii) Excess Crude Account balance as at 22nd September, 2017 stands at $2,309,577,899.02
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT BUDGET SUPPORT TO STATES
·With the N630 billion figure available for FAAC this month, exceeding the N600 billion threshold, Council was informed that the Budget Support Facility will be unnecessary this month. Council also urged for the continued compliance with the Fiscal Sustainability Plan by the States for continued eligibility for the Federal Government Support Loan Facility. 8 States of the Federation met the Fiscal Sustainability Plan criteria in July and therefore received the Budget Support for that month. About 22 other States are in the process of meeting the criteria.
AOB ISSUES:
ROAD COLLAPSE
·Council members expressed concern over issues of roads construction, damage and maintenance and suggested that the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing come up with strategies to regulate the weight of heavy duty vehicles plying the roads as this may be responsible for road damage and collapse.
TAKEOVER OF SOME ROADS BY STATES
·Council also resolved that interested States could write to the President requesting approval for States to take over some of the Federal Roads to ensure proper and efficient maintenance. NEC also expressed willingness to take a wholistic approach on the issue of such roads across the country.
NEW NEC SECRETARY INTRODUCED
·The HMBNP informed Council that a new Secretary to the National Economic Council, Mr. Leon L. Aliboh has resumed duty following the retirement from 35 years of service by the former Secretary to Council, Mrs. Nana Fatima Mede.
·Mr. Aliboh is Secretary to Council by virtue of his new position as Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Budget and National Planning.[myad]

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