Nigeria plans $25bn fund to stave off recession

The country plans to create a $25bn fund with public and private financing to modernise infrastructure and avoid a recession, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said.

The halving of oil prices since last year has forced Nigeria, Africa’s largest producer of crude, to slash its budget, and contributed to a weaker currency. Standard & Poor’s downgraded the country’s credit rating, while JPMorgan Chase & Co. removed Nigeria from its local-currency emerging market indexes.

“We think that the way out of this, what some have described as an impending recession, is actually to spend rather than to cut back in any way,” Osinbajo, said in an interview with Bloomberg on Tuesday in Abuja.
Economic growth slowed to 2.35 per cent in the second quarter of 2015, according to the National Bureau of Statistics, the lowest this decade, as falling income from crude exports and foreign exchange shortages hit businesses.

The nation relies on oil for about two-thirds of government spending and 90 per cent of its export income.
Osinbajo said the President Muhammadu Buhari administration planned to target investment toward improving a power supply system that leaves tens of millions of households without grid electricity for hours each day, as well as modernising roads, rail transport and agriculture.

The government, according to him, is looking to make the country self-sufficient in rice production in about 24 months, adding that boosting agricultural output in a fertile nation that has become one of the world’s biggest importers of rice would both save foreign exchange outlays and create jobs.

“A lot of those projects will be bankable projects, because we’re looking at projects that will interest private sector investors as well, but they are strategic for us,” Osinbajo said.
In the face of declining oil revenue, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, has resisted pressure from investors and fellow policymakers to devalue the naira.
Instead, he imposed exchange rate controls in February that Osinbajo described as “largely successful” and “inevitable in the short term” in an effort to stem the outflow of reserves.

The reserves have dropped to about $30bn, down from almost $40bn a year ago, while the naira has weakened by about eight per cent against the dollar since the start of the year.
Osinbajo says he understands that portfolio investors are not pleased with the trading restrictions on the currency, which have led to a slowdown in capital market inflows.

“The government is mindful that we maintain foreign exchange reserves so at least that we are able to keep investor confidence high, especially direct investment,” he said.

‘Tourism is the greatest employer’

Director-General Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Mrs Sally Mbanefo, has described tourism as the greatest employer. She said the corporation under her would ensure practical development and promotion of domestic tourism, which will propel job creation, develop the nation’s economy and raise social awareness on cultural preservation and environmental protection.

Mbanefo spoke at this year’s World Tourism Day, with the theme, 1 Billion Tourists, 1 Billion Opportunities, held in Enugu State which underscored the role of tourism  sector as a valuable  and sustainable source of livelihood for  millions of people.

“Nigeria has a better advantage over so many other countries to benefit from tourism. We have the advantage of population. Tourism contributes 10% to the global GDP but as at now, Nigerian is not fully benefiting from tourism like other countries. For instance, 4,333,000 tourism visited Nigeria in 2013, which contributed about 4 per cent to our GDP, while tourism contributes 17.7 per cent to the GDP of Gambia; 13 per cent to Egypt; 12 per cent to Kenya; 11.9 per cent to Mexico; 9 per cent to South Africa, and 6 per cent to Cuba.

“We need to know that Nigeria should focus more on tourism as the best alternative to oil, with domestic tourism as the catalyst. I need to emphasise that Nigeria has the best of the ingredient of tourism. We have fascinating tourist sites, enviable cultural festivals, good weather, good and hospitable people. Have you ever wondered why most diplomats, after serving their terms chose to stay back in Nigeria? It is because of the warmth and friendliness of our people, environment and potentials,” she said.

Mbanefo, who emphasised that the potential of tourism in Nigeria is N4billion prayed that government should take privatisation to the next level, which according to her will facilitate further facilitate an enabling environment for tourism to thrive in Nigeria.

The NTDC boss lauded the Enugu State government for making tourism alive in the state, describing the state as a hub of eco-tourism.

Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Mrs Nkechi Ejele, described tourism as the way forward for Nigeria. She noted that the Ministry is, on a daily basis, intensifying efforts at ensuring the money spinning sector is well developed and promoted in Nigeria, to ensure Nigerians, among the people of other countries, maximally benefit from the potentials of tourism.

The Group Managing Director, Viko Nigeria Group of Companies Limited, Mr Lucky Kanu, expressed the readiness of his company to further support NTDC in promoting domestic tourism, thereby creating more jobs and wealth in Nigeria.
“Our partnership with NTDC could be best described as demonstration of a successful practice of public private partnership in Nigeria, as the partnership has yielded opening of information desks in about six states in Nigeria, while we are working on a new project that will create over 500,000 jobs for the youth in every state of Nigeria,” Kanu said.

Chris Rock Will be Hosting the 88th Academy Awards Next Year!

Veteran comedian Chris Rock is going to host the Oscars in 2016!

The 88th Academy Awards will be broadcast live from the Hollywood & Highland Centre in Hollywood on Feb. 28th 2016.
The star is very excited to be back hosting as he commented on the news via Twitter – “ I’m so glad to be hosting the Oscars. I’s great to be back “. This is not his first rodeo with the prestigious awards as he hosted the Oscars in 2005 and is coming back for Oscar hosting duties.

Producers of the prestigious awards ceremony stated in a press release – “ Chris Rock is truly the MVP of the entertainment industry. Comedian, actor, writer, producer, director, documentarian – he’s done it all! He’s going to be a phenomenal Oscar host! “

We are definitely in support of Chris hosting – he’s never shy to speak his mind, and we are sure he’s going to have loads to say when the time comes. And be sure that Biggieblog.com will have all the scoop!

Herbal Medicine Specialist Urges Government To Promote Use Of Roots, Herbs

A herbal medicine specialist, Dr Umaru Ndagi, has urged government at all levels to promote the use of roots and herbs as alternative medicine for prevention and treatment of diseases.
Ndagi made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday.

“Our government should see it as a business that needs to be done; they should push for laws that will help to develop the business.
“For example, the Federal College of Alternative Medicine is in Utako; it has not functioned for a few years now.

“The Federal College of Alternative Medicine could have words with the Federal Institute of Industrial Research (FIIRO) in Oshodi and the Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA) to really make this herbal medicine go a long way.

“So I think government has a lot to do in this area and I think the only difficulty is the will power; if they have the will power they can do everything else they want in this thing I very much believe so.

“ Let me quote the former INEC Chairman, Maurice Iwu; some time last month there was a newspaper publication that said that herbal medicine alone can bring in as much revenue as oil.

“I am behind him 100 per cent on that postulation, he is 100 per cent right.’’
He urged government to initiate policies and laws that would make the sector attractive to potential investors and the unemployed youths.
On collaborating with foreign investors to raise standards in the sector, Ndagi said that Africans as a people had the capacity to achieve a lot without involving foreigners.

“We don’t have to involve foreigners in everything we are doing.
“If they see what we are doing they will see the benefit in it and they will come and say `please can we take part?’ It is not we that will go and beg them and say `please come and take part’.

“When they see it, there will be pharmaceutical companies coming to buy intellectual property, the knowledge of how you do this, `we will pay you to do research in this, will pay you to buy this tree from you’.

“It is going on at a very low scale. If government was really interested in investing more in this area the foreign companies such as Pfitzer, Marc, GSK, they will come and be begging us to get the knowledge we have.

“So I think we just have to do the right thing and I am sure that everything else will follow.’’
The herbal medical practitioner, therefore, urged stakeholders in the health sector to work closely with the government to take advantage of the opportunities offered by alternative medicine. (NAN)

Why Women Should stop wearing Bra

October 13th was set aside as the ‘National No Bra Day’. It is a day set aside for women to let off their bras at home in order to raise awareness for brea st cancer.

Since the emergence of bras, it has come in handy for women across the world. While majority of them use it as a tool to look ‘firm’ and shield the bo obs from dangling all around unnecessarily, a smaller divide of the woman race wear bra for other different purposes, all best known them. However, a notorious research on bras and breasts came out a couple of years ago.

According to iflscience, a sport science researcher and a professor, Jean-Denis Rouillon, conducted a 15-year research on the effect of bras on 330 women aged 18 to 35 and the outcome was mind boggling! The research was geared towards knowing the changes that occur to the brea sts yearly when a bra is worn regularly and otherwise, using a slide rule and a caliper.

The research opined that when a young girl wears a bra from an early age, it does not help support the chest, reduce back pain or prevent breast sagging, as against popular belief. “Medically, physiologically, anatomically – breasts gain no benefit from being denied gravity. On the contrary, they get saggier with a bra,” Professor Rouillon told France Info in an interview. According to the research, young women get toned breasts and supporting breast tissue if no bra were used. Women who did not wear wear in the research experienced a 7-millimeter (0.3-inch) lift in their nipples compared with their other counterparts. This is because it is claimed that bras have a way of slowing down circulation and reduce breast tone with time.

However, a doctor who was not a part of the research, Stafford Broumand, also confirmed the research, saying: “For younger women, not wearing a bra will lead to increased collagen production and elasticity, which improves lift in a developing breast.”

However, the research team cautioned on drawing general conclusions from the research, saying that the women in the study are not a representative of the population as a whole.

Nigerian Military Gives Final Warning To Boko Haram

In a statement on Tuesday, October 20, the Nigerian military gave what it described as “Final Warning” to the Boko Haram insurgents to desist from acts of terrorism, surrender themselves and face the law, Premium Times reports.

The acting director of army public relations, Sani Usman, signed the warning which is said not to be different from similar warnings issued in the past.

Reports have it that due to the dateline President Mohammadu Buhari gave to rid the country of insurgents’ approaches, the Nigerian military has given the third in the series of their final warnings.

Usman said: “This is to finally warn all Boko Haram terrorists wherever they are, to desist from all acts of terrorism, surrender themselves and face the law now,” the Tuesday warning reads in part.
“We wish to inform them that we are aware of all their hideouts, camps and enclaves.
“They should follow their colleagues who have so far surrendered. Failure to surrender will result in serious consequences as our troops have closed up with them.
“We equally appeal to members of the international community and the world at large, to kindly persuade Boko Haram terrorists and their international collaborators to desist from acts of terrorism and renounce their membership of the terrorist organization forthwith.
“They should also immediately and unconditionally release all abducted persons in their custody including the Chibok school girls.”

Before today’s warning, the force had also warned on October 11 which was signed by Usman.
   It read: “This is to once again warn all Boko Haram terrorists wherever they are, to desist from all acts of terrorism, surrender themselves and face the law now.
“We wish to inform them that we are aware of all their hideouts, camps and enclaves. They should follow their colleagues who have so far surrendered.

“Failure to surrender will result in serious consequences as the troops are fast closing up on them.”

Meanwhile, the spokesman of the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Consular, Ahmed Abo-Zeid expressed Egypt’s support to Nigerian government in the fight against Boko Haram and terrorism.

A Nigerian Owned Digital Company In The UK Is Changing The Lives Of Nigerians In Diaspora & At Home

Over the last 10 years, Career Insights, a subsidiary of Digital Bananas Technology limited (www.digitalbananas.co.uk) in the UK has been adding extreme value to the lives of Nigerians in Diaspora.

With over 330 success stories being rolled out each year, Nigerians in the UK, Canada and even in Nigeria have been securing life changing digital project management and business analysis roles paying up to £132,000 a year, that’s an equivalent of N48m a year in Nigeria. This year, on the 14th of November 2015, Digital Bananas will be hosting the their 2nd DBT Awards ceremony (Digital Bananas Technology Awards Ceremony). Watch the 2014 award ceremony

Career Insights ( www.careerinsights.tv ) is the brain child of Keji Giwa, founder and CEO of Digital Bananas Technology and each year all successful candidates are celebrated at the DBT Awards ceremony (www.dbtawards.co.uk ). The award was introduced in 2014 to reward excellence, innovation and hard work. Since the launch of the first award ceremony, Digital Bananas Technology has gained recognition among employers and recruiters as the go-to place for hiring the best digital project management and business analysis professionals.

This year 2015, they have received a record number of high-quality entries seeing an increase in success stories by 65% percent above the 2014 entries! Digital Bananas Technology also became an accredited digital training company by the Digital Marketing Institute in UK and they are licensed to train and award candidates at diploma & masters level in digital marketing coupled with practical work experience in delivering digital solutions in Nigeria. Through the prowess of the digital medium, they now have over 2,600+ plus professionals within our ecosystem and support groups, adding value through group and personal mentoring. With over 100,000 fans on Facebook, they share all their candidates’ success stories on their page (https://www.facebook.com/careerinsightstv ). Their candidates have secured life changing roles with companies like Shell, HSBC, Barclays, Accenture, Oracle, Microsoft, Royal Bank of Scotland and so much more. As they prepare to set up their work based learning centre in Nigeria in 2016, we felt it was appropriate to showcase the immense value they have added to the lives of Nigerians in diaspora and prepare for their launch in Nigeria pretty soon.

Digital Bananas Technology offers an ideal first step into the digital hemisphere by providing a work based learning environment which includes, hands on training, practical work experience, application of industry standard tools and daily mentoring programs while working on live innovative tech projects. With intensive hands on training and practical work experience from Digital Bananas Technology, you can apply for high paying roles in Nigeria or anywhere in the world. Check out their long list of success stories (http://www.careerinsights.tv/success-stories/ ). They deliver a complete overview of the essential digital marketing disciplines, giving its candidates a competitive edge over their peers when it comes to securing project management and business analysis roles globally.
The best part of the Digital Bananas platform is that you can gain practical work experience from anywhere in the world and in your own time. The platform bridges the gap between qualification and expertise. A great deal of people have the knowledge gained from a degree or masters but lack the applicable understanding and work experience required to be hired by top blue chip companies.

Digital Bananas leverages your time and energy as well as amplify your impact so as to unlock your true income potential! Their popular training arm Career Insights ( careerinsights.tv ), offers a fully comprehensive and well blended work based learning environment with senior leadership workshops, innovative projects to work on, inspirational sessions, as well as 1-to-1 mentoring to help over 30 candidate secure life changing roles each month. At Career Insights they are not just trainers but also passionate researchers, analysts, consultants and most importantly, practitioners. Meaning, the insight and advice you get is completely up to date and relevant to your chosen industry so you can be confident what you are learning is cutting edge.

The best thing about what Digital Bananas Technology does is the ability to empower its candidates to take the big leap and launch their own start-up companies regardless of the industry. This year we saw Nadine Wright launch her own fashion clothing line, Boastie (boastie.com) at the London fashion week house of Ikons show with a follow up of immediate orders from major high street stores and fashion buyers. She was able to do this through the work experience gained from project managing and business analysing of our own digital projects. For the first time ever, we will be showcasing Boastie’s 2015 high quality Collection at the DBT Awards to celebrate her success.
For more enquiries call their London office on: 0203 793 7731 OR 0203 793 7732
Or register FREE at: http://www.careerinsights.tv/contact/

Virgin Mary Appeared In Mexico

‘Virgin Mary’ has reportedly appeared on the freshly-painted living room wall of a family in Coahuila, Mexico.

The image appeared on a freshly painted wall.
Devout Catholics have been flocking to the family’s home, amid claims that the image bears a resemblance to the Virgin of Guadalupe, an iconic picture housed in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, in Mexico City, Mexico.
The basilica holds the record of the most visited Catholic pilgrimage site in the world, and the world’s third most-visited sacred landmark.

Mirror UK reports that the image appeared in the home of Luis Alberto Montelongo Reyes, in the Loma Linda area of Saltillo, a town in Coahuila city.

Many said they could feel the holy presence as they entered the house situated at the Loma Linda of Saltillo

Witnesses claim that the silhouette of a woman, said to be the Virgin of Guadalupe (Virgin Mary) appeared after the wall had been painted bright orange.

Residents within the impoverished district believe it is a “miracle” and a sign from God their poverty will be alleviated.

Many of those who visited could be seen lighting candles and stroking the image, asking for benediction and hoping for a blessing.
Lupita Trevino who visited the site said that as soon as she entered the house she felt a shiver through her body, adding that afterwards she turned up to pray for help with dealing with the pain of a bad back.

The image was said to bear a resemblance to the Virgin of Guadalupe.

Lupita said: “When I saw her on the wall I felt very emotional. I wanted to shout but I contained myself.
“I have always been a believer of the Virgin and now that she is here in our neighbourhood, she gives us hope that things can get better.”

Mr Montelongo, the householder, said he had an open door policy which entails that anyone could come to see the image.
He stressed that for him, the rare occurrence was a blessing from God.
Meanwhile, Christians have been flocking to a village where a clergyman allegedly photographed an unusual phenomenon having a strong semblance to the silhouette of the mother of God flying above a forest
which was being devastated by fire.

How To Get That Perfect 6 Pack (Guys)

There’s nothing sexier than seeing a man with great abs and just wondering “oh my, look at that six pack”, effing sexy as hell especially for women. Those finely formed 6-pack can make a woman imagine so many things and can make another man feel insecure about his body if he doesn’t have one.

Although men don’t really compliment each other for having a great body (leave that for the women), some secretly wish they can get one. Spending exorbitantly to have a chiseled bod but still not seeing any result.

Reasons for not having a 6-pack according to some men range from stress, no time, and too expensive amongst other excuses. This ”ab-less” men use this excuses to hide their insecurity of not having a great body adorned with the perfectly sexy 6 pack.
What many don’t know is the two secrets to having that great bod, which is, one, strict dieting and two, a precise work-out plan which focuses on the abdominals.

Well take a quick read on how to get that sexy pack and the best part is, you can do it in the comfort of your home, stress free, and timed to suit your busy schedule.

Here are 3 quick ways to get those sexy abs in 30 days:

1 FLUTTER KICKS – Begin by laying flat on your back with both arms by your side. Lift legs slightly above the ground. Start by making small up and down movements with one leg then do the same on the other leg. (at least 20 counts, see image).

2 CRUNCHES – Lay with you back flat on the ground, your feet on the floor while bending knees. Place your hand behind your head to lift it, and raise your upper body while ensuring your knee doesn’t move.

3 PLANK – Lay front face flat. Using your elbow and knees, straighten your legs and raise your body so you are supported by your toes and elbows.

For the most effective results it’s important to take 30 minutes everyday to practice these moves while alternating work-out styles. Time yourself properly so it doesn’t seem stressful and tiring. Also eat lots of fruits and stay away from excess fatty foods. And always take lots of water.

If you do all this, you will definitely get those 6-packs and have your share of women yearn for your bod too.

Dino Melaye Explains Why The Senate Did Not Screen Amaechi

In an interview with NTA, Senator Dino Melaye explained why former Governor Amaechi was not screened by the Nigerian Senate today. He says it will still happen.

“The reason why we reduced the number of nominees is because we responded to the agitations and yearnings and the aspirations of Nigerians.

We have monitored the reactions of Nigerians on the issue of the ministerial screening and we found out that Nigerians believed that we are rushing the process and it was not as thorough as they would desire. We have agreed that we reduce to three or four per day so that the interaction and screening exercise will be more thorough and Nigerians will appreciate who is going to be their minister,” he said

2Face Idibia launches biography 'A Very Good Bad Guy'

A biography about Nigerian music star 2Face Idibia has been launched at a public presentation in Lagos today, October 20.
‘A Very Good Bad Guy: The Story of ‘2Face’ Idibia ' reveals personal details about the singer. Nigerian journalist and PR executive Ayeni Adekunle edited the publication.
“ The book should be called ‘The Dynamics and Challenges of Being A Super Sta r,’” said Ali Baba who reviewed the book.
“ It’s a book every artist who is looking at becoming a star must have ”, the comedian said at the event.
The book published by the NET NG explores Idibia’s life as a celebrity, family man and musician. Adekunle said the idea for this book came to him in May while he was in London.
“ What you find in the book is a very honest account from my personal encounters and from the encounters of those who have practised journalism at NET for the past five years ”, he said.
'A Very Good Bad Guy' was initially set to hit the shelves on September 18.
The book launch at the Terra Kulture in Lagos was hosted by comedian Tee A. Annie Idibia was by her husband’s side at the event with their daughter Olivia.
The event was also attended by DJ Jimmy Jatt , Tiwa Savage , Tee Billz, Tunde and Wunmi Obe , Segun Arinze ,
Richard Mofe Damijo , Teju Babyface, IllBliss and Adesua Etomi.

'Empire' : 5 things to expect from next episode of show 'Be True'

The second season of FOX's 'Empire' is back with lots of drama, feuds, back stabs, murder, and unfortunately, falling ratings.

The 5th episode of show is set to air on Wednesday, October 21, 2015(today).

Titled 'Be True,' check out five things to expect from episode;

1. Andrea is back to Lucious' good graces and Empire. After Lucious caught Andre and Rhoda digging up Vernon's body in the previous episode, he thanked them for saving his life.
"Welcome back to the Empire, son," Lucious tells Andre at the start of the promo which can be watched below.

2. Tomorrow's episode will feature Ne-Yo as himself, and he will work on a music with Jamal.

3. Hakeem begins a relationship with the lead singer of his girl group.

4. Cookie and Anika work with Laz to throw an event to launch their company, showcase their artists, and premiere a song written by Hakeem.

5. Andre takes steps to rid his soul of past sins . Before his baptism in upcoming episode, Andre says to Cookie,
"I'm not a good person, mom. I've done horrible things."
Cookie replies "So have I, Dre. God knows your heart."

'Empire' stars Terrence Howard, Taraji P. Henson, Jussie Smollett, Grace Gealey, Ta’Rhonda Jones, Kaitlin Doubleday, Bryshere Y. Gray among others.

The show has added a long list of entertaining and exciting Guest stars which include Marisa Tomei, Chris Rock, Alicia Keys, Tyrese , Kelly Rowland,  Lenny Kravitz, Ludacris and Becky Gomez.

'Empire 's ratings have been declining since its season 3 return, and according to rapper 50 Cent, the show’s ratings are declining as a result of too much ‘gay stuff’ on show.