The popular Ponzi scheme suspended last year 13th of December is back.Many thought it was gone for good, but reports reaching TheNewsGuru, says its back.
The scheme which was meant to resume tomorrow, has officially resumed today, January 13th 2017.
Apparently MMM is not just ready to say good bye just yet.
Details soon.
The presidency on Thursday refuted media reports suggesting that Nigerian government has cut ties with Taiwan.
It said the relationship between Nigeria and Taiwan had been at the level of trade representation and that had not changed.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said this in a statement.
The statement read, “The Presidency dismisses incorrect media reports to the effect that Nigeria has cut ties with Taiwan.
“The correct position is that the official relationship between Nigeria and Taiwan has been at the level of trade representation and this has not changed from what it used to be.
“Taiwan trade office is the only Taiwanese representation in Nigeria and Nigeria’s trade office in Taipei is our only representation in Taiwan.
“Nigeria recognises and will sustain the ‘One China’ policy and nothing has happened so far to change that level of relationship.”
Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has said if the country must move forward, it must double check its obvious fanaticism with religion.
Soyinka said religion is killing many in Nigeria today than anticipated.
The Nobel Prize winner made this known on Thursday in Abuja at a book launch of renowned professor and author, Olufemi Vaughan.
He noted that he was not canvassing for religious studies but the study of religion, adding that the innocent ones were the ones who often pay the ultimate price in religious crisis.
He, however, called for religion to be critically taught in schools in Nigeria.
He said, “If we do not tame religion in Nigeria, religion will kill us.
“Many Nigerians have paid the ultimate price because of religion and religion is now embedded in our society.
“The innocent ones are the ones who often pay the ultimate price in religious crisis. Even religious leaders cannot denounce the murdering acts of religion.
“Religion now induce trauma and anxiety instead of solace that it claims to give. Religion is the ironic product of human inadequacy.
“There is a monster always waiting to pounce on innocent Nigerians under the name of religion,” he added.
Soyinka said this in the heat of the recent killings of Christians in Southern Kaduna, an incident which has continued to fuel mutual mistrust among the diverse ethnic and religious groups in the country.
Singer, Mr Eazi has been slammed by Nigerians on Twitter for stating that contemporary Nigerian sounds was influenced by Ghanaian music. The award winning singer tried to make his fans see the issue from his own point of view, but he was greeted with insults and condemnations
According to him:“Ghana’s influence on present day “Naija Sound” cannot be over emphasized. Naija music is and has been a major force affecting the entire African scene. Quality, riddim, business,” said Eazi
Eazi also added that Ghanaian music is the new bounce in Africa.
” Nigerian music is a major force in Africa, the new bounce is Ghana”.
Ghanaian actress, Juliet Ibrahim decided to explain further and she got further bashing from Eazi’s fans
What do you think?
Ibadan-born Comedian, Kenneth Ehalaiye, popularly called ‘Papyken’ on
Wednesday said he is one of the finest in the Nigerian comedy
industry.
Papyken, who studied Mathematics and Statistics at the Federal
University of Technology, Minna, Niger state, made the disclosure on
his official Instagram page, @comedianpapyken.
The talented comedian shared a comparative photograph of himself and
some of the most famous comedian in Nigeria and added “I just realized
I am the finest in Nigeria’s comedy industry…and there is no doubt
about it, ask @akpororo,@omobabacomedian…”
When asked what other career he would have chosen apart from comedy,
Papyken replied, “I would probably be acting or modelling”
Speaking on his experience, the budding comedian who excitedly named
Basketmouth as his role model in the industry said he gathered lots of
experience from handling small events which prepared him for some of
the big shows that are now coming his ways.
“For me, comedy is a way of life, from free shows to small ones and
the very big ones that are now coming my way, I value all the insights
I gained at every stage of my career growth.
“Today, I’m glad to state that I have worked with MTN project, Night
of a thousand laughs among others”
Amidst the current economic challenges facing the country, the world bank has offered some hope as it predicted a better economy for the year.
The bank noted that the nation will grow its Gross Domestic Product, GDP by one percent and move past the recession timeline.
This was revealed in a statement by the bank on Wednesday.
The statement reads in part: “Sub-Saharan African growth is expected to pick up modestly to 2.9 per cent in 2017 as the region continues to adjust to lower commodity prices.
“Growth in South Africa and oil exporters is expected to be weaker, while growth in economies that are not natural-resource intensive should remain robust.
“Growth in South Africa is expected to edge up to a 1.1 per cent pace this year. Nigeria is forecast to rebound from recession and grow at a 1 per cent pace. Angola is projected to expand at a 1.2 per cent pace.”
The World Bank’s January 2017 Global Economic Prospects report also projected that growth in the advanced economies would edge up to 1.8 per cent in the current year.
It stated that fiscal stimulus in major economies, particularly in the United States, could generate faster domestic and global growth than projected, although rising trade protection could have adverse effects.
The statement also categorically stated that growth in emerging market and developing economies as a whole should pick up to 4.2 per cent this year from 3.4 per cent in the year just ended amid modestly rising commodity prices.
Moving forward, the bank said emerging market and developing economy commodity exporters are expected to expand by 2.3 per cent in 2017 after an almost negligible 0.3 per cent pace in 2016 as commodity prices gradually recover and as Russia and Brazil resume growing after recessions.
It, however, added that the outlook was clouded by uncertainty about policy direction in major economies.
Commenting on the report, the President, World Bank Group, Jim Yong Kim, stated that “After years of disappointing global growth, we are encouraged to see stronger economic prospects on the horizon.
“Now is the time to take advantage of this momentum and increase investments in infrastructure and people. This is vital to accelerating the sustainable and inclusive economic growth required to end extreme poverty.”
The bank’s chief economist Paul Romer, also said “We can help governments offer the private sector more opportunities to invest with confidence that the new capital it produces can plug into the infrastructure of global connectivity.
“Without new streets, the private sector has no incentive to invest in the physical capital of new buildings. Without new work space connected to new living space, the billions of people who want to join the modern economy will lose the chance to invest in the human capital that comes from learning on the job.”
The World Bank has predicted that Nigeria will get out of recession and grow its Gross Domestic Product by one per cent this year after plunging into its worst recession in over two decades.
The bank said in a statement on Wednesday, “Sub-Saharan African growth is expected to pick up modestly to 2.9 per cent in 2017 as the region continues to adjust to lower commodity prices.
“Growth in South Africa and oil exporters is expected to be weaker, while growth in economies that are not natural-resource intensive should remain robust.
“Growth in South Africa is expected to edge up to a 1.1 per cent pace this year. Nigeria is forecast to rebound from recession and grow at a 1 per cent pace. Angola is projected to expand at a 1.2 per cent pace.”
The World Bank’s January 2017 Global Economic Prospects report also projected that growth in the advanced economies would edge up to 1.8 per cent in the current year.
It stated that fiscal stimulus in major economies, particularly in the United States, could generate faster domestic and global growth than projected, although rising trade protection could have adverse effects.
Growth in emerging market and developing economies as a whole should pick up to 4.2 per cent this year from 3.4 per cent in the year just ended amid modestly rising commodity prices, the bank stated.
Emerging market and developing economy commodity exporters are expected to expand by 2.3 per cent in 2017 after an almost negligible 0.3 per cent pace in 2016 as commodity prices gradually recover and as Russia and Brazil resume growing after recessions.
It, however, added that the outlook was clouded by uncertainty about policy direction in major economies.
Commenting on the report, the President, World Bank Group, Jim Yong Kim, stated, “After years of disappointing global growth, we are encouraged to see stronger economic prospects on the horizon.
“Now is the time to take advantage of this momentum and increase investments in infrastructure and people. This is vital to accelerating the sustainable and inclusive economic growth required to end extreme poverty.”
The report noted the worrisome recent weakening of investment growth in the emerging markets and developing economies, which account for one-third of the global GDP and about three quarter of the world’s population and the poor.
The World Bank’s Chief Economist, Paul Romer, said “We can help governments offer the private sector more opportunities to invest with confidence that the new capital it produces can plug into the infrastructure of global connectivity.
“Without new streets, the private sector has no incentive to invest in the physical capital of new buildings. Without new work space connected to new living space, the billions of people who want to join the modern economy will lose the chance to invest in the human capital that comes from learning on the job.”
China is investing additional $40 billion in Nigerian economy, its Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr Wang Yi, said on Wednesday at a bilateral meeting with his Nigerian counterpart, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, in Abuja.
Now: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is visiting President @MBuhari. ?? ?? pic.twitter.com/F3hBucjXbc
— Presidency Nigeria (@NGRPresident) January 11, 2017
The Minister said China had already invested up to the tune of $45 billion in the Nigerian economy.
“ Nigeria and China are strategic partners; our relations have been developing well China has already invested or financed a total number of $22billion projects here in Nigeria, another $23billion projects are on-going.
“In addition, we are also following up another over $40billion of investments which is in the pipeline.
“Compare with the size, population and market of our two countries, our cooperation still have large potential to be deepened,” he said.
According to him, in order to achieve further development and prosperity of the two countries, we need to strengthen our political mutual trust, deep complementary between our developments.
He stressed on the need to further expand practical cooperation and deepen strategic partnership between the two countries.
He expressed confidence that his visit would be a successful one and play a dual role in further strengthening the strategic partnership between China and Nigeria.
Yi said the purpose of his visit to Nigeria was to implement the important agreements and cooperation reached between the Chinese and Nigerian presidents.
He said the visit was also to help work closely with Nigeria to ensure that the outcome of the Forum for China Africa Cooperation summit are well implemented here in Nigeria.
Onyeama had earlier commended the existing relationship between Nigeria and China noting that the relationship had been strong for many years.
“I think the level of cooperation with China is extremely high and Chinese government is investing amount of money in Nigeria and probably is going up to $60 to $80 billion and we are extremely happy for that
He said that at the last meeting in South Africa and the government of China made available the total of $60 billon for Africa and a number of countries including Nigeria.
The Minister said that he would want to key in and see how much of that could be used to assist in the various projects that we have in this country.
He explained that President Muhammadu Buhari was in China in 2016 and had a discussion with Chinese Government on various cooperation.
“We know that in the area of infrastructure which is one of the priority areas and diversification the Programme of this government from oil .
“Chinese government has been showing a lot of cooperation with us in this area especially in the area of transportation,” he said
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Minister of Transport, Mr Rotimi Amechi was part of the meeting.
ABUJA- Nigeria has granted her citizenship to more than 335 foreign national, the Federal Government said on Wednesday.
At the end of Wednesday meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential Villa, Abuja, the Minister of Interior, Abdulraman Danbazzua stated that a total of 500 persons applied for Nigerian citizens and 335 persons were granted.
Minister of Interior: About 500 persons applied for the Citizenship of #Nigeria, 335 were granted. FEC approved today. https://t.co/hrL8D6Pubw
— Govt of Nigeria (@AsoRock) January 11, 2017
Minister of Interior: 335 applicants for citizenship of #Nigeria (245 by naturalization and 90 by registration) approved by FEC.
— Govt of Nigeria (@AsoRock) January 11, 2017
Details soon…
The Federal Government has confirmed a new strain of Avian Influenza virus, known as bird flu in Nigeria has affected over 3.5 million birds in 26 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
According to the government, in a bid to prevent the entry of the disease into their respective countries, Nigeria’s neighbours have proposed a ban on poultry and poultry products from Nigeria.
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, disclosed this in Abuja on Tuesday at a consultative meeting with commissioners for agriculture/livestock, states directors of veterinary services and major stakeholders in the poultry industry.
Ogbeh explained that the first outbreak of bird flu in Nigeria was reported in 2006 and spanned through 2008, but was controlled and eradicated through concerted efforts facilitated by the availability of resources from a World Bank-sponsored project and support from the country’s development partners.
In Ogbeh’s words: “The current status of the disease in the country is quite alarming; it has now affected 26 states and the FCT, with over 3.5 million birds culled so far.
“Recently, a new strain of the bird flu virus (H5N8) was reported in Kano. The new strain is believed to be very pathogenic and more devastating to poultry species and, therefore, it may further add to the burden of the H5N1 strain that is currently circulating in the country.
“The disease is transboundary in nature and also trade-limiting; some of our neighbouring countries have proposed to ban poultry and poultry products from Nigeria. This may undesirably lead to an egg glut in the country.”
Ogbeh stated that there were already huge and unacceptable losses in the poultry industry and the nation as a whole, and urged the agriculture commissioners of the various states to retrace their steps in order to provide safe food for Nigerians as well as ensure national self-sufficiency in food production.
He noted that aside from paucity of funds, other challenges that led to the outbreak of the disease included lack of compliance with on-farm quarantine measures and movement restriction; violation of biosafety measures leading to rapid spread of the disease; and clustering of poultry farmers with limited adherence to hygienic measures.
Others, according to the minister, are reluctance of poultry farmers to register with the state directors of veterinary services for easy monitoring and regulation; and unregulated activities of egg and manure merchants.
To help address the challenges, Ogbeh said the Federal Government had provided disease containment materials, reviewed the national emergency preparedness plan on Avian Influenza, enhanced the laboratory diagnostics capacity at the National Veterinary Research Institute in Plateau State, and created awareness and advocacy on the disease.
He stated that other measures put in place to address the situation were the allocation of quality grains to the Poultry Farmers Association to support its members across the country, and the payment of N707.67m to 276 farmers as compensation.
“The Federal Government is determined to continue to work with state governments, PAN and other stakeholders in the poultry industry to come up with sustainable measures to prevent, control and eradicate this disease from our country within the shortest time possible. This is the major reason for our meeting here today,” Ogbeh said.