₦airaland Forum

Dear Sir,

Time to become Political ‘Born Again’, is now, next month may be too late
Good day Sir, Prince Uche Secondus, I hope this letter meets you in sound health and high political spirit.
I consider this open letter to be very expedient for a number of reasons.

One, because of the unfolding incidences in the Nigeria’s new main opposition party, PDP that culminated into the resignation of your party National Chairman and the Chairman of Board of Trustees is disconcerting.

Two, the likelihood of your party not being able to manage this post-2015 election fiasco, based on the first point, is unsettling and the possible problems might leave in our body polity, if not properly handled, may not be too palatable for Nigeria as a nation.

Thirdly, the possibility of your party fading quickly into oblivion or at best becoming a regional party, dictates that well-meaning Nigerians should call you and your party members to reason so as to encourage a dynamic opposition party, just as the then opposition party provided Nigerians and your party led government.

Without doubt, anyone who follows my postings on social media write-ups will realise that I naturally lean toward APC in the build-up to presidential election particularly during electioneering campaign.

This is not necessarily because I am a lover of partisan politics but because I was and still fed up with the way the PDP-led government, especially under President Goodluck Jonathan has been directing the affairs of this nation. But, I am afraid my hope may be dashed and expectations thwarted if your party do not provide a credible opposition. For the sake of our collective national interest and your teaming party members, you need to get your house in order.

Else, your party must, as a matter of urgency, give Nigerians a hint that it will not be able to perform the role of the leading opposition party commendably, so we could look elsewhere.

The 2015 elections may have come and gone but the fact the supposedly largest party in Africa, which was expected to remain in power unchallenged for sixty years lost dejectedly in the elections. This calls for serious concern.


Read more https://barometerng.com/its-time-to-be-political-born-agains-open-letter-to-the-new-pdp-chairman/

Nigeria sets to become World’s Third Most Populous Nation by 2050 according to a new report from the United Nations. Nigeria is currently posting the fastest rate of population growth worldwide. Within the next seven years, India is expected to surpass China as the most populous nation. The United States is also going to be overtaken by Nigeria by 2050 to become the world’s third most populous nation.

Nigeria is said to be among the ten countries that are expected to account collectively for over half the world’s projected population increase between now and 2050. The other countries are India, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Pakistan, Ethiopia, Tanzania, the United States, Uganda, Indonesia and Egypt.



Read more https://barometerng.com/nigeria-sets-become-3rd-populous-nation-2050/

A renowned security analyst, Ambassador Abayomi Nurain Mumuni has expressed concerns over what he called ‘uncoordinated utterances from many Nigerians’ regarding the eviction of the Igbos from Northern Nigeria.
Ambassador Mumuni also called on the South East elders (Ohaneze Ndigbo), including South East Governor’s Forum to be bold enough to come out openly to redress the IPOB’s agitation of Biafra Republic and declaration of cessation from Nigeria.

The author of “the two most read books globally on terrorism, Global Terrorism and its Effects on Humanity and Demand by Terror” described the developments as very disturbing and unpatriotic, calling on government at all levels to take proactive measures before it gets out of hands.

He similarly faulted the actions of the Arewa Youths Forum as well as the pan-Yoruba group who are also calling for the Oduduwa Republic.

Mumuni said Nigerians must not vilify or punish the entire Igbos who have contributed to the development of Nigerian communities, including the Northern states because of a single man, ‘who is obviously championing a sponsored and unwarranted cause’.



Read more https://barometerng.com/biafra-stop-keeping-criminal-silence-mumuni-calls-out-south-east-governors/

Corruption seems to have fully regained its composure with every rustic arsenal currently being revamped and deployed by pro-corruption crack-team for a decisive counter onslaught. ‬‬‬‬
Taking the full advantage of executive ineptitude as well as its naivety that makes it seem incapable of winning high profile cases, pro-corruption team unabashedly and boldfacedly added to its arsenal with a recent book launch which brought to the public glare, virtually all the foot-soldiers and mercenaries of corruption without no iota of reservation. The news from Code of Conduct Tribunal about the highly celebrated and publicised case against Senate President Bukola Saraki leave not much to hope for.

The resolve of the pro-corruption team is further strengthened by the judicial collusion particularly, with humongous conspiracy from the NJC, typified by its incredible recall into the already battered judicial system, the Judges accused of corruption charges.

Then, one is quick to ask: where is the much-touted body language? It must have been decoded right? May God heal Buhari…,you probably pray? But this anti-corruption war is fatally sick and may not recover.

Consequently, the question on the lips of many is: ‘even if Mr Integrity is indisposed, don’t we still have an ‘incorruptible’ cleric who believes in the anti-corruption project in the saddle?’, they queried.

With the recent developments in the National Assembly, CCT, EFCC, DSS and the Judicial circles, one can alone conclude that the final nail has been hammered into the coffin of the President Muhammadu Bihari’s anti-corruption war.



Read more https://barometerng.com/opinion-triumph-of-corruption-and-presidency-inertia-ola-balogun/

The diplomatic row that recently engulfed the Gulf region is rapidly taking a worrisome dimension. The escalation that trailed the unfolding scenario is indeed giving keen observers another sleepless night, fearing the consequences of any breakout of hostilities or war in the most peaceful part of the world.
Turkey disapproves of the sanctions on Qatar as the crisis continues to deepen and new countries get on the bandwagon to freeze diplomatic ties with the … This unfortunate development has thus put the Muslims in a fix. Some simply got confused on what to do, finding it exceedingly difficult to determine on which side of the divide to pitch their tent of justice.

I, therefore, offer to submit the following to guide our position and judgment regarding the escalating scenarios. First, the Quran says: “And if two parties among the believers quarrel, make peace between them; but if one of them acts wrongfully towards the other, fight that which acts wrongfully until it returns to Allah’s command; then if it returns, make peace between them with justice and act equitably; indeed Allah loves those who act equitably.” (Al-Hujurat, 49/9) When two Muslims fight, the responsibility of other Muslims is to mediate and ensure it is settled.



Read more https://barometerng.com/gulf-conflicts-and-the-muslims-dilemma-sheikh-dhikrullah-shafii/

One of the All Progressives Congress, APC Youth leaders and Party Executive Hon. Prince Kazeem Oluwaseun Balogun has congratulated Mayor Dele Oshinowo on winning the party Chairmanship ticket of Agboyi-Ketu Local Development Area.
Kazeem, who had earlier step down for the Councillorship candidate of the party at Ward A, made the statement while addressing some group of Party youths on the reason why Agboyi-Ketu needs to vote for the APC candidates in a bid to get more of the good work of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

He also congratulates all Councillorship candidates of the party especially Prince Adeleke Adewusi of Ward A and encourages all party loyalists to support and campaign for them vigorously ahead of July 22nd Council election.



Read more https://barometerng.com/prince-kazeem-congratulates-mayor-dele-oshinowo-on-winning-apc-chairmanship-ticket/

With the explosion of internet sites and social media that has made it easy for anyone to publish something and call it “news” like I said early this year that the rumoured death of President Buhari will not be the only one we are going to be coming across this year. Stories like one that claimed President Buhari dead while holidaying in London went viral on social media sites like Facebook, Twitter and Whatsapp are just one of the many to expect in the year 2017.

With the Federal Government urging Nigerians to be extra vigilant in view of the worsening cases of fake news being spread by unscrupulous persons, who are bent on destabilizing the polity and causing disunity among the country’s various ethnic and religious groups, one is obliged to guide the unsuspecting citizens to how to detect and fight fake News for the sake of us all.

Facebook came under criticism for not doing enough to weed out Fake News; though it decline to provide a listing of the banned sites, Google has banned more than 200 publishers since it passed a new policy against fake news but the fight against the fake news must be holistic and all individuals with access to the internet should be vaccinated against fake news.

A few months back when a person drops a post in one of the Whatsapp groups saying President Buhari is dead. I was quick to respond that it was a lie that can only be promoted by faceless clowns and haters.

From an unanticipated quarter, someone asked are you sure and how do you know that the post is fake? Because and many other that usually ask that same question, and now to enlighten innocent Nigerians, here is how to tell the difference between a fake news or rumour and genuine ones.



Read more https://barometerng.com/detect-support-fg-fight-worsening-cases-fake-news/

Mark Zuckerberg the CEO of Facebook has said that the organisation is still committed to Paris climate Agreement despite the fact that President Donald Trump has made an announcement yesterday that the country is withdrawing from the accord.
Zuckerberg in his post earlier today maintained that “Withdrawing from the Paris climate agreement is bad for the environment, bad for the economy, and it puts our children’s future at risk.”

“For our part, we’ve committed that every new data center we build will be powered by 100% renewable energy,” he said.

He went further to assert that “Stopping climate change is something we can only do as a global community, and we have to act together before it’s too late.”



Read more https://barometerng.com/mark-zuckerberg-facebook-committed-to-paris-climate-agreement/

Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, on Tuesday like his Oyo State Counterpart who declared that he will soon name his successor, declared his intention to support and actively campaign for a Governorship candidate from the Ogun West Senatorial District as his successor in 2019. However, he got his fans and friends on social media when he warned against ‘Imported’ Candidates.
A statement that was allegedly referring to Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, a Senator currently representing Lagos West at the Senate who hails from Yewa of Ogun West Senatorial District and believed to be perfecting all plans to contest in the Ogun 2019 governorship race.

The Senator who has never hide his ambition and has garnered the support of some groups and individuals and his supporter would not be shocked by the statement of the Governor which is one of the series of hostility towards Yayi according to one of them.


The opinion of an ‘Imported’ Candidates was discounted by these people that there is nothing like imported politician in a democracy. And Governor Amosun was encouraged to create a level play ground let the will of people prevail if he is a true believer in democracy. One of them insisted that the governor statement showed he is jittery of Yayi’s popularity.

“This is the most ignorant statement I have come across in recent times. If typical Ogun State Indigenes suffer from short memory, I take exception. The same Amosun that imposed Imported politician like Gbenga Daniel on us a little over 8 years back. Shame” Tobiloba Abayomi Ogunbayo said.
Osinowo Ibrahim was quick to remind the governor that his Deputy by that definition is also an ‘Imported’ Candidate. The governor is a joker and deceptive human being… He picked his deputy from Lagos civil servant, sponsored OGD (Otunba Gbenga Daniel) from the same imported city, he was protected by the same Lagos when OGD almost killed him…. He should mention anyone he has empowered his present appointees or previous once like me…. He should just wait for the time.



Read more https://barometerng.com/nigerians-blast-amosun-for-the-imported-candidates-remark/

For those who have visited, lived and studied in the small and homogeneous country known as Finland will not remember the country for its cold weather alone but also for its quality, affordable and accessible education system.

And for those who have followed keenly it education success stories will appreciate that its repeated success in national education rankings means there are at least a few lessons that stakeholders in the Nigeria Education Sector can actually learn.

Unlike in Nigeria that a baby in the cradle is regular nurture with that familiar sound A B C D E F G….the tiny Nordic country that also places considerable weight on early education ensures that before Finnish kids learn their times tables, they learn simply how to be kids — how to play with one another, how to mend emotional wounds.

As kids grow up, the country makes a concerted effort to put them on a track for success, thus it won’t be out of place to call the attention of the Stakeholder in the education sector of Nigeria to access the factors aiding Finland topping and winning in global education.



Read more https://barometerng.com/7-things-nigeria-can-learn-from-finlands-famous-education-system/

It could not be said that Islam met a vacuum upon its entrance into the area known today as Yorùbáland. The Yorùbá; an ethnolinguistic group, comprising individuals located primarily in South-West Nigeria and Benin with further populations in Togo, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoîre and the global diaspora already had some beliefs.
The people of Yorùbáland had beliefs in the likes of Ifa (Oracle) Ogun (god of iron) Sango (god of thunder) Oya (goddess of River) Esu (Devil) among others.

Although the definite date of the contact of Islam with the Yorùbáland of southwestern Nigeria depends relatively on whom you ask, it is nevertheless agreed that the Muslim empires in West Africa knew of Yorùbáland long before introduction to Islam.

The scholars, S.U. Balogun, W.O.A. Nasiru, and A.A. Al-Iluri asserted that Islam had spread in the Yorùbáland long before the jihad of Shaykh Uthman Dan Fodiyo in 1804 C.E.

Al-Iluri in his book Al-Islam fi Naijiriyyah wa Shaykh Uthman ibn Fudi Al-Fulani traced the emergence of Islam in Yorùbáland to the time of Mansa (‘King’) Musa of Mali Empire in the 13th century.



Read more https://barometerng.com/yorubaland-initial-contact-with-islam-1/

The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole has informed global leaders of Nigeria’s response to the outbreak of the 4 cases of Wild Polio Virus (WPV) in areas affected by the Boko Haram insurgency last year. The Minister announced that Nigeria is yet to record any new case in over 270 days, since August 21st 2016.
Adewole, who delivered an address on behalf of Nigeria at the 70th World Health Assembly at the United Nations building in Geneva, explained that the country immediately declared the polio outbreak a national public health emergency. In his words, “In curtailing the spread of WPV1 across our borders, there has been a robust international outbreak response and enhanced surveillance activities which include high level coordination with countries of the Lake Chad Region, implementation of high quality rounds and vaccination of high risk populations during in-between rounds activities and re-activation of RI services in newly liberated areas”



Read more https://barometerng.com/nigeria-yet-record-new-case-polio-270-days/


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At about 9:00 AM on October 15th 2006 in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State at the state house of Assembly, 24 out of 26 lawmakers, impeached Governor Peter Ayodele Fayose and his deputy, Mrs. Biodun Olujimi on corruption charges. That was after many twists and turns, intrigues, manipulations, blackmails and threats.

Amidst palpable tension and tight security, the members of the state house assembly led by the then Speaker, Mr. Friday Aderemi convened an emergency session just after they returned to Ado Ekiti from a neighbouring town where they were hiding since their prior sitting was attacked by hoodlums.

The sitting was precise and concise and passed a guilty judgment on the Gov. Ayo Fayose who they have earlier accused of embezzling state funds, particularly the Ekiti State Poultry Project which was handled by his childhood friend and contractor, Gbenga James. The said Mr. Gbenga James was a star witness against Gov. Ayo Fayose.

Investigations revealed that instead of spending the money on the project, James used N9.25million to build a house in Ibadan, Oyo State for Fayose and bought a Mercedes Benz worth N2.1million for Fayose’s mother among other things.

BarometerNG also recall that the plots to impeached him had been sealed and were going on as planned before the then President Obasanjo received more pressures from his personal lawyer, Chief Afe Bablola to “do something” about Fayose in Ekiti State especially as all allegations pointed to the direction of Gov. Ayo Fayose as the killer of PDP gubernatorial candidate, Ayo Daramola.



Read more https://barometerng.com/how-fayose-was-impeached/

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Most young people around the world are happy, but the happiest places are not where you’d think as Nigeria Youths emerged as the second happiest youths in the World. Nearly seven out of ten (68%) young people across the world said that they were happy with their lives, but there are wide variations between countries.
The findings come as a result of a new study, Generation Z: Global Citizenship Survey – What the World’s Young People



Read more https://barometerng.com/nigeria-youths-second-happiest-world/

Popular Yoruba actor, Moji Olaiya dead in Canada early Thursday she successful gave birth to her second child after 18 years of her first childbirth. Her name tops google trend search as family, celebrities, her fans and fans of the industries mourn her both offline and across social media platforms.

She recently celebrated her 42 birthday. The death has been linked to postpartum preeclampsia that stemmed from her childbirth in March. Moji Olaiya was a daughter of music legend, Victor Olaiya



Read more https://barometerng.com/family-celebs-fans-mourn-moji-olaiyas-death-two-months-after-childbirth/

The Minister of Interior, Lt Gen. (Rtd) Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau has presented certificates of citizenship to to Mrs Iara Adams Oshiomhole, wife of the former governor of Edo State, Mr Adams Oshiomhole and 334 others naturalized/registered citizens with the promise that henceforth Nigeria would grant approval for citizenship to deserving persons annually.

Gen. Dambazau spoke on the occasion of the formal conferment of citizenship and presentation of Certificates to those who became citizens of Nigeria either by Naturalization or Registration, in Abuja.

According to the Minister, “In line with Mr President’s ‘CHANGE’ Policy hinged on the three cardinal principles of anti-corruption, security and job creation, the Ministry of Interior ensured that all deserving persons were recommended to Mr President for approval.”



Read more https://barometerng.com/fg-presents-certificates-of-citizenship-to-mrs-oshiomhole-334-others/

Nigeria is among the 20 countries with the lowest National Debt in relation to the Gross Domestic Product, GDP according to a report by the Statistia, the portal for statistics that provide immediate access to over one million statistics and facts. In 2016, Nigeria’s estimated level of national debt reached about 14.69 percent of the GDP, ranking 9th of the countries with the lowest national debt.

In its statistic that shows the 20 countries with the lowest national debt in 2016 in relation to the gross domestic product (GDP). The debt in question refers to the debts of the entire country, including the Federal government, State and any other arms or agencies of the government.



Read more https://barometerng.com/nigeria-among-20-countries-lowest-national-debt-relation-gdp/

The fallout from an unprecedented Ransomware global cyber attack which has hit more than 200,000 victims could worsen Monday as people return to work, European and British policing and security agencies warned.
An international manhunt was under way for the plotters behind the world’s biggest-ever computer ransom assault which has affected more than 150 countries.


The indiscriminate attack, which began Friday, struck banks, hospitals and government agencies, exploiting known vulnerabilities in old Microsoft computer operating systems.



Read more https://barometerng.com/ransomware-global-cyberattack-could-worsen-as-affected-countries-return-to-work/

Nigeria remains the biggest economy in Africa in 2017, followed closely by South Africa and Egypt. Nigeria Economy represents 0.65 percent of the size of the global economy while that of Egypt and South Africa represent 0.45 percent and 0.42 percent respectively according to the latest World Bank figures.
The chart above shows the world’s 40 biggest economies individually but grouped by colour into continents.

The economy of the United States is the largest in the world. At $18 trillion, it represents a quarter share of the global economy (24.3%), according to the same report. China follows, with $11 trillion, or 14.8% of the world economy. Japan is in third place with an economy of $4.4 trillion, which represents almost 6% of the world economy.



European countries take the next three places on the list: Germany in fourth position, with a $3.3 trillion economy; the United Kingdom in fifth with $2.9 trillion; and France in sixth with $2.4 trillion.



Read more https://barometerng.com/nigeria-remain-the-biggest-economy-in-africa-in-2017-as-us-maintains-global-status/

On 14 April 2014 276 Chibok Schoolgirls were kidnapped from the Government Secondary School in the town of Chibok in Borno State, Nigeria. Responsibility for the kidnappings was claimed by Boko Haram, an extremist and terrorist organization based in Northeastern Nigeria.
57 of the schoolgirls managed to escape over the next few months and some have described their capture in appearances at international human rights conferences.

19 April 2014

Nigeria’s military announced that most of the girls managed to escape or were freed and released a statement saying that only eight girls were still unaccounted for.

Major General Chris Olukolade, a military spokesman, later withdrew the statement that most of the girls and state that the earlier announcement was “not intended to deceive the public.”



Read more https://barometerng.com/infograph-chibokgirls-kidnapping-timeline/

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President Muhammadu Buhari shows up at the Friday prayer (Juma’at) at the State House Mosque today Friday. He was sighted in the company of his Chief of Staff Abba Kyari and National Security Adviser Babagana Monguno this afternoon at the mosque. This has dispels the rumour of terminal illness.

Those who prayed with him in the State House mosque confirmed that he is okay just that he need to rest as he had earlier hinted.

Read more https://barometerng.com/president-buhari-shows-up-at-friday-prayer-dispels-rumour-of-terminal-illness/

The reason why Oba Of Lagos Snubbed Ooni Of Ife has been revealed. The Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi have been trending on social media after a video clip where Oba Akiolu responded to the Ooni with a somewhat dismissive wave of hand after the later approached him to give him a handshake and his refusal to acknowledge the Ooni while addressing the gathering. Many Nigerians have reacted to the ‘unkingly’ action, yet many are still curious of the reason that could warrant such blameworthy display.
This same curiosity has made many to dismiss Chief Lateef Aderibigbe Ajose, the Opeluwa Onido of Lagos, one of the white cap chiefs in Oba Akiolu’s Palace explanation where he claimed that the monarch did not snub the Ooni. According to His claim in a video which was broadcasted on Primetime News of TVC yesterday.

“The sign by Oba Akiolu signifies, ‘inu mi, inu e’, the culture of greeting in Lagos. if Oba Akiolu wanted to ignore, he would have turned his face away from Ooni. There is no misunderstanding between both highly revered Monarchs in Yoruba Land. Oba Akiolu was well represented at the coronation of Ooni of Ife, which attested to the fact that he does not disregard the office of Ooni Adeyeye. There is no sentiment in the culture of Lagos. As we met it that is the way we are doing it. Kabiesi Oba Akiolu is trying to bring back the old pattern, the old culture we have left behind.”

However, the argument which is currently a subject of research is further contested with the second incident at the event.

Though, And as seen in the video that went viral, when the Ooni arrived the event where the Obi of Onitsha (Nnayelugo Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe) and the Oba of Lagos were already seated, he greeted them respectfully but Akiolu snubbed him.



Read more https://barometerng.com/revealed-oba-of-lagos-allegedly-snubbed-ooni-of-ife-because-of-commonwealth-day-ceremony-trip/

Nigeria’s Finance minister Mrs Kemi Adeosun at a media parley at the just concluded World Bank, IMF meetings in Washington said the country now has a single account for reconciling recovered funds, to avoid re-looting.
“We have a recovery account. All the recovered monies go into the recovery account which we reconcile,” Adeosun said.

She reassured Nigerians that the cash recoveries being made by agencies of government in the anti-corruption drive are well accounted for and will not be re-looted.

“Now, in the budget, there was the provision that some recovered monies would go into it and that goes into specific projects in the budget. Any excess recoveries we have to wait and take some decisions. So far, we have recovered up to the amount we are expecting in the budget.



Read more https://barometerng.com/adeosun-talks-about-n146-4-billion-217-3-million-and-2-074-million-recovered-loots/

The Lagos State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has released guidelines for the nomination of candidates for June 22, 2017, Local government elections.
The party in the release made available to the public has stated the for the post of Chairmanship, the aspirants will have to pay Expression Interest 2,000 Naira and Nomination of 555,000 Naira while the for the post of Councillorship will have to pay Expression Interest 2,000 Naira and Nomination 155,000 Naira. Both categories will equally pay 5,000 Naira for administration fee.

However, in line with the party manifesto that promises to ”Guarantee that women are adequately represented in government appointments and provide greater opportunities in education, job creation, and economic empowerment”, Lagos APC has stated that female aspirants will be exempted from the fees



Read more https://barometerng.com/lagos-apc-releases-nomination-guidelines-ahead-local-govt-election/

It’s A Big Loss For South West Region – Ambode
Adeleke Death shocking, Sad – Ajimobi
Isiaka Adeleke death is a Rude Shock – Amosun
Death has robbed off the state of its grassroot experienced politician and a philanthropist – Osun Assembly
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, his counterparts in Oyo and Ogun, Senator Abiola Ajimobi and Senator Ibikunle Amosun have all expressed shock, sadness and mourn with the people of Osun State and family of Senator Isiaka Adeleke, the first civilian Governor of Osun State and a serving Senator representing Osun West senatorial district who passed on in Osun on Sunday morning at the age of 62.


Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Monday expressed shock and sadness over the death of former Governor of Osun State, Senator Isiaka Adeleke. Governor Ambode, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, said Adeleke’s death was a huge loss to the entire Southwest region and the Yoruba nation across the world.

“I was deeply shocked to learn of his death this morning. Only last month, he was in Lagos to join us celebrate our party leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He made his mark first as the first civilian Governor of Osun State and then as a Senator, he was one of the most prominent lawmakers who did not shy away from issues that affected Nigerians in general.” Ambode said.



Read more https://barometerng.com/ambode-ajimobi-amosunsaraki-dogara-mourn-senator-isiaka-adeleke/

Energy Architecture Performance Index 2017 report shows that Nigeria ranked 110th of the 127 countries ranked on their ability to deliver secure, affordable, sustainable energy. The country ranked 114th on the index of the Global Energy Architecture Performance Index Report 2015’, which ranks 125 countries on their ability to deliver secure, affordable and sustainable energy.

Top performers come in all shapes and sizes.This year’s list of top performers remains fairly stable against the 2016 cohort. Ireland (16th), Germany (19th) and the Slovak Republic (20th) are the only new entrants in the top 20.



Read more https://barometerng.com/energy-architecture-performance-index-2017-nigeria-ranked-110th-in-the-world/

With buoyant financial markets and a long-awaited cyclical recovery in manufacturing and trade, world growth is projected to rise from 3.1 percent in 2016 to 3.5 percent in 2017 and 3.6 percent in 2018. This was revealed in the International Monetary Fund, IMF report titled the World Economic Outlook, April 2017: Gaining Momentum?
The report also revealed that binding structural impediments continue to hold back a stronger recovery, and the balance of risks remains tilted to the downside, especially over the medium term.

The world economy gained speed in the fourth quarter of 2016 and the momentum is expected to persist. Global growth is projected to increase from an estimated 3.1 percent in 2016 to 3.5 percent in 2017 and 3.6 percent in 2018. Activity is projected to pick up markedly in emerging market and developing economies because conditions in commodity exporters experiencing macroeconomic strains are gradually expected to improve, supported by the partial recovery in commodity prices, while growth is projected to remain strong in China and many other commodity importers.



Read more https://barometerng.com/world-economic-outlook/

Overview of the global crisis shows that in the month of March 2017 fighting intensified in Libya over oil installations and in the capital Tripoli, an assault on Hodeida city by the Saudi-led coalition and allied Yemeni forces looks imminent in Yemen and violence spiked in Kasai Central province and uncertainty grew over talks to establish interim governing arrangements in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Ethnic fighting worsened in Kenya driven partly by drought. Macedonia and Paraguay witnessed heightened political tensions, while Venezuela’s political standoff took another dangerous turn.


Libya
In Libya, the Benghazi Defence Brigade (BDB), a coalition comprising mostly fighters from Benghazi opposed to strongman General Khalifa Haftar and including members of jihadist group Ansar Sharia, took over key oil terminals at Sidra and Ras Lanuf in early March. But by mid-month General Haftar’s Libyan National Army had taken them back and pushed the BDB back to Jufra to the south-west.

Meanwhile, in Tripoli in the west, rival armed factions clashed in several neighbourhoods and fighting could escalate if forces from Misrata step in to confront local groups. As Crisis Group warned, fighting over oil facilities risks reducing oil exports at a time when the country is in dire need of cash flow. It also threatens to undermine efforts to knit back together the western and eastern halves of Libya around the internationally recognised Government of National Accord.

Making agreements on who is in charge of securing oil fields and terminals will be a crucial first step to stabilise the frail economy.



Read more https://barometerng.com/crisis-watch-global-overview-of-crisis-trends-for-march-2017/

Nigerians and other Africans trying to reach Europe are being sold by their captors in “slave markets” in Libya, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) says.
Victims told IOM that after being detained by people smugglers or militia groups, they were taken to town squares or car parks to be sold.

Migrants with skills like painting or tiling would fetch higher prices, the head of the IOM in Libya told the BBC.

Libya has been in chaos since the 2011 Nato-backed ousting of Muammar Gaddafi.



Read more https://barometerng.com/nigerian-african-migrants-sold-in-libya-slave-markets-iom-says/

Nigerian banks prosper as United Bank for Africa (UBA), Access Bank and Zenith Bank have all registered big increases in revenues and profits, while the national economy continues to struggle. UBA’s financial report, which was released on 27 March, revealed a 22% increase in gross earnings from N315bn ($991m) in 2015 to N384bn ($1.2bn) last year. The bank’s pre-tax profits jumped 32% to N91bn ($286m).
The bank has successfully expanded outside of its domestic market, with operations in 19 African countries, plus the UK, US and France, all contributing to the positive financial results. UBA has 11m customers worldwide.

A spokesperson said: “UBA’s subsidiaries outside Nigeria are increasingly gaining market share, reinforcing the strong and impressive subsidiary contribution to the Group, estimated at one-third of profit in 2016, from a quarter in 2015 financial year.”

The contribution of UBA’s non-Nigerian operations have contributed to the 20% rise in the company’s share price in the twelve weeks between 1 January and the announcement of its financial results. Nigerian banks are now beginning to join those from South Africa, Kenya, Morocco, the UK and France in establishing operations in many different African markets. None as yet, however, can genuinely claim to be Pan-African banks.

http://africanbusinessmagazine.com/african-banker/nigerian-banks-prosper-economy-stalls/

Africa has seen impressive double digit economic growth in the past 20 years, but this slowed to 3% in 2015, due mainly to sluggish growth and/or challenging economic conditions in the region’s largest economies and commodity exporters – Angola, Nigeria, and South Africa.
During the economic downturn, African brands have regressed against non-African brands, with their share declining from 24%, 25% and 23% in 2013, 2014 and 2015 respectively to only 16% this year. Non-African brands now represent an all-time high of 84% of the Top 100 most Admired Brands and account for 99.25% of the value of the Top 100 most Valuable Brands in Africa.

Despite the challenges that the leading non-African brands have had globally – most notably Samsung’s Galaxy Note 7 recall challenge and Apple’s declining or stagnant franchise – non-African brands have entrenched their market position in Africa.



Read more https://barometerng.com/africa-brands-100-global-brands-entrench-their-positions-in-africa-research-and-reports/