Shettima urges fleeing villagers to return, as military provides security
Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State has urged fleeing residents of attacked Zabarmari and Hadamari villages to return, as troops will provide protection against any Boko Haram attacks or bombings on the affected farming and herding communities in the state.
Over 200 Chinese firms eye business in mining, agric sectors
“We are moving away from the oil sector and hoping that these investors can fit into these areas mentioned because some of these areas are the priority of the government especially the agricultural sector. The agriculture sector as you know, is the one that provides the most jobs.” The investments, according to the leader of the Nigerian consortium coordinating the Chinese firms, Gen Chiemeka Egbemena are mainly companies involved in petroleum, iron and steel, agricultural and manufacturing sectors, as well as free trade zone.
Nigeria, time to try new ideas
Nigerians’ expectation from the new government at all levels is that the idea of sharing will be shelved and a new thinking of baking a larger cake for the nation will emerge. But Governors are already at it, talking of excess crude account that is to be shared. They have dragged as usual the yet-to- settle down president into setting up a committee to look into what the governors know too well has been shared. If this government were ready to replace old ways of thinking with the new, the Federal Government would have ignored these jobless governors.
New report projects steady decline in food prices over next decade
A new report issued by the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) said the real prices for global agricultural products would continue their gradual decline over the coming decade. The report, “OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2015-2024” indicated that decline in prices would be as a result of a combination of strong crop yields, higher productivity and slower growth in global demand.
N480bn spent annually on malaria treatment
“Advocacy, communication, social mobilisation is critical in promoting the malaria strategies of government. State governments to take up full responsibility for malaria control and Public-private partnership to fight malaria critical.”
Financial Derivatives predicts 9.1% inflation for June
“At its next Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting on July 20 to 21, the Central Bank of Nigeria would have to proffer solutions to address inflation, depleting external reserves and determine an efficient exchange rate price mechanism. This is a significant development given the apex institution’s decision to restrict access to the interbank currency market on 41 select items, including staples, rice, cement, tomato products and poultry. This pushes the pressure towards the parallel market.
