NTA News Summary: President Buhari Mourns Dr Alex Ekwueme

NTA News Summary:21 November,2017

 

President Buhari Mourns Dr Alex Ekwueme

President Muhammadu Buhari sends condolences to Nigerians,and  to the government and people of Anambra, on the passing away of elder statesman and former vice president , Dr Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme(Gcon), on Sunday November 19, 2017. president Buhari commiserates with the entire Oko kingdom, the Aguata council of traditional rulers, and the Ekwueme family, over the loss of the family’s patriarch, whose regular counsel on national issues and mediations for peaceful co-existence would be sorely missed. the president affirms that Dr ekwueme’s unwavering commitment to the unity of Nigeria had been a major encouragement to many governments, recalling the personal sacrifices he made in helping to lay the foundation for sustainable democracy in Nigeria. president Buhari believes Dr Ekwueme worked assiduously to improve the livelihood of many poor and underprivileged people through the Alex Ekwueme foundation, describing him as a man who served  his country and humanity. the president prays that the almighty god will receive the soul of the former vice president, and grant his family the fortitude to bear the loss.

 

Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product Grew

Nigeria’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew in the third quarter of 2017 by 1.40% in real terms, making it the second consecutive positive growth since the emergence of the economy from recession in the last quarter. this growth is 3.74% points higher than the rate recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2016 and higher by 0.68% points from the rate recorded in the preceding quarter, which was revised to 0.72% from 0.55%. the second quarter was revised following revisions by NNPC to oil output and hence led to revisions to oil GDP.  quarter on quarter, real GDP growth was 8.97%. in the period under review, oil production is estimated to have averaged 2.03million barrels per day, 0.15million barrels higher than the revised daily average production recorded in the second quarter of 2017. as a share of the economy, the oil sector contributed 10.04% of total real GDP in q3 2017, up from figures recorded in the corresponding period of 2016 and up from the preceding quarter, where it contributed 8.09% and 9.04%  to GDP.  the non-oil sector grew by –0.76% in real terms during the reference quarter.  this sector was driven this quarter mainly by agriculture precisely crop, other services  and electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply. in real terms, the non-oil sector contributed 89.96% to the nation’s GDP, lower than the share recorded in the third quarter of 2016.

 

Dogara Leads Nigerian Delegation To Italy On Human Trafficking.

Speaker, House of representatives Yakubu Dogara, is leading Nigerian delegation to Italy to discuss women empowerment and the fight against human trafficking. the visit is coming on the heels of the death of 26 Nigerian women in the Mediterranean sea who lost their lives while trying to cross to Europe. the Italian government had extended invitation to the speaker to attend an international conference on “women empowerment and the fight against trafficking in persons. a statement by his special adviser on media and publicity Turaki Hassan says the invitation is sequel to the official visit of the president of Italian chamber of deputies, Mrs. Laura Boldrini, to the speaker in may 2017.

 

FG Hails Global endorsement of Nigeria’s Fight

Against Terrorism The federal government of Nigeria has hailed the recent global endorsement of its fight against terrorism, as contained in the 2017

global terrorism index of the institute for economics and peace. in a statement issued in Abuja, the minister of information and culture, Lai Mohammed, expressed delight at the report, which shows that the largest decrease in terrorism deaths globally occurred in Nigeria, where terrorism deaths attributed to Boko haram fell by 80% in 2016. The minister said it was also encouraging that for the second consecutive year, the total number of deaths is down with a 13% year-on-year reduction compared to 2015, with four of the five countries most affected by terrorism – Syria, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria – recording 33% fewer deaths.He congratulated the Nigerian military for its patriotism and sacrifice that have once again made the country a proud member of the comity of nations. Alhaji Mohammed said the 20127 global terrorism index will provide a fresh shot in the arm for the administration to continue its efforts to wipe out the vestige of Boko haram, and to tackle all other forms of insecurity facing the nation.

 

President Buhari’s Interaction With The Judiciary

President Muhammadu Buhari’s attendance of the 2017 all Nigerian judges conference opened the door for both formal and informal interaction with personalities of the third arm of government. judiciary correspondent, Femi Okeowo reports that while the president is not completely strange to this constituency his attendance for the first time of the biennial judges conference turned out to be healthy for both the executive and the judiciary arm of government.

 

Buhari Congratulates Goodluck Jonathan At 60

President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated former president Goodluck Jonathan on his sixtieth birthday. the Bayelsa born former leader will clock a new age on monday 20th November 2017. Femi Adeshina, special adviser to the president on media, in a statement, said president Buhari joins members of the PDP, professional colleagues and associates of Dr. Jonathan in celebrating the unique history of the former Nigerian leader who within a short period rose from being a deputy governor to becoming a Nigeria’s president for 6 years. president Buhari prays that the almighty god will bless dr. Jonathan with good health, wisdom and strength to continue serving the country.

 

NNPC To Increase Crude Oil Production

Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and chevron Nigeria limited have executed the second and final phase of an alternative financing agreement that would increase crude oil production in the country by about 39,000 barrels per day.the agreement signed in London at the weekend is expected to achieve an incremental peak production of about 283 million standard cubic feet per day of gas. group managing director of the NNPC, Maikanti Baru who signed on behalf of the corporation said the increment to be achieved by the agreement would spread over the remaining life of the asset and the project about ninety-two percent completed at the cost of 1.7 billion dollars has 780 million dollars to be funded by third party. in carrying out the project the NNPC and chevron adopted a 2 staged financing approach.

 

Religious Leaders Against Hate Speech

Religious leaders across the country have been enjoined to preach more messages of peace and unity in order to contain the onslaught of hate speeches. general overseer of the redeemed peoples mission Rev.Nwosu Chibuike Thomson gave the advice at the annual apostolic gathering of the church in Jalingo.

 

Africa Industrialization Round Table

The need for African leaders to imbibe the political will and courage to drive industrialization in Africa is at the center of deliberations aimed at charting for Africa a sustainable industrialization plan.the platform is an assemblage of union leaders from Africa with a common passion for Africa to be industrialized and less dependent on Europe, America and china.  describing African industrial development as a pre-condition for effective and sustainable continental free trade area, vice president industrial global union Issa Aremu said African governments must work the talk.to state governors in Nigeria who have toed the path of industrialization members of the industrial global union commended their ability to industrialize. un remembrance service for accident victims third sunday of every november is set aside by the united nations to remember victims of road traffic crashes, their families and those involved in rescue services. the initiative is to create awareness on how to scale down the epidemic of road traffic violence and their potential risks to all road users.

 

Minister Of Foreign Affairs Meets Finland’s Minister

Minister of foreign affairs Geoffery Onyeama says migration still remains a great concern that needs to be addressed urgently by Africa and Europe. to this end, the minister said the only option is for the two continents to strategically partner to create jobs through investments. the minister was speaking when he received Finland’s diplomatic adviser to minister for foreign investment and development.

 

Kaduna State Government Refutes Allegation

kaduna state government has described as totally untrue, malicious and mischievous an allegation recently by the Nigeria labour congress that it owes some workers under her payroll as well as pensioners, their entitlement for five years.

 

Zuma Rock Myths And Potential

Myth tellers have often preyed on the gullibility of people to create a cloak of mysticism around natural bodies such as mountains, rocks and sometimes animals. one of such stories is that told about the Zuma rock. a combination of fallacies rumours and clandestine human activities have turned attention away from it as a potential tourist destination. Ahmad Ambali visited the rock and its adjoining communities and came back with a different tale where the people say Zuma is no more than a rock.