"Until coming out of recession translates into meaningful improvement in people's lives, our work cannot be said to be done"- Muhammadu Buhari!

Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari, reacted to the nation's recent emergence from recession, stating that "Until coming out of recession translates into meaningful improvement in people's lives, our work cannot be said to be done".

Nigeria's economy experienced a significant growth for the first time in 25-years as the country's Gross Domestic Product increased by 0.55 percent (year-on-year) in real terms in the second quarter of 2017. 

Nigeria's National Bureau of Statistics revealed this Tuesday, August, 5, 2017. According to the NBS's report, the nation's GDP shrank by 0.25 year-on-year in real terms in the first quarter of 2017, representing the 5th successive quarter of contraction since the first quarter of 2017.  

The current 0.55 growth is reportedly higher than the -1.49 percent recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2016, and higher than the 1.46 percent points from the rate recorded in the preceding quarter, (revised to - 0.91 percent from -0.52 percent). 

The NBS further disclosed that quarter on quarter, the actual GDP growth was 3.23 percent. This development indicates a first emergence from a 25-year-old recession. 

President Buhari pledged that his administration will ensure that the ordinary Nigerian feels the impact of this recovery.

Duke And Duchess Of Cambridge Expecting Baby Number Three!

Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Kate Middleton expecting their third child. 

Benue Flood: First Patch Of Emergency Relief To Arrive Makurdi!

Disturbing photo of current flooding of Makurdi, Benue State capital city, central Nigeria, along River Benue. Information revealed that so far, the flood displaced over 100,000 persons.

View of an area affected by flood in Benue State, Nigeria

Following the development, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to immediately mobilise personnel and resources to aid affected persons and communities. 

Acting on the President's directive, a Humanitarian team from the Director Search and Rescue Headquarters in Abuja, led by Air Commodore Paul Ohemu, dispatched its first batch of emergency relief response of (7) 30 tons truck. The dispatch is expected to arrive the affected communities by Friday, September, 2017.

 The team will assess the situation for further supports.

Focus On The Real MVPs!

The journey into Africa's economic development can not be complete without mentioning the impact of the 'sometimes overlooked' small and medium scale enterprises. This edition on 'The Real MVPs', is focused on the Oluwo Fish Market, Epe, North of Lekki Lagoon, Lagos State, south-west Nigeria. 

 

                          

                                                   

From shrimps, lopsters, snails, crayfish, all kinds of sea food. This publication showcase a small/medium scale, but robust business which through the years have been a bedrock support to the nation's growing economy.

      

Dominated by women of the Epe community and environs, thanks to the Lagoon. Interestingly, women called the shots in fish farming and trading in most river-rine communities across Nigeria, and overtime have built a formidable business empire.

Baskets of Seafood on stand

                               

Some of these women do the fishing, storage, as well as smoking for preservation, and sell in both whole-sale and retail; while some buy the sea food off local fisher-men, and re-sell. 

                           

This age-long enterprise, has over time leveraged local women. One of the traders who spoke with our reporter, said she has been in the fish business for over 25-years and like other traders in the market, supports her family from the proceeds.

More pictures of some of the Sea Food sold at the Oluwo Market:

 

Entrance to Oluwo Market, Epe

These women, with little or no formal education, exposure or credit facilities, successfully called the shots in the fish-market, and immensely contributed to growing the nation's economy. 

They are the real MVPs.

Kidnap Kingpin Evans Pleads Guilty In Court!

Notorious kidnapper Chikwudumeme Onwuamadike, popularly known as  Evans pleaded guilty to a two count charges of conspiracy and kidnapping brought against him by the Lagos State government.

Kidnap Kingpin: Evans (extreme left) and some members of his gang before Ikeja High Court  on Wednesday, August 30th, 2017

The suspect Evans,  who was arraigned alongside five other suspected members of his gang, and was represented by his counsel, Olukoya Ogungbeje, pleaded guilty to the charges before a Judge, at Ikeja High Court, in Lagos State, Nigeria, on Wednesday, 30th August, 2017.

The kidnap kingpin was best known for his kidnap exploits and huge ransom amounting to millions of Dollars, collected from his victim's family especially around the Festac/ Amuwo Odofin axis of Lagos state.

Evans and the four males arraigned were afterwards remanded at the Kirikiri Maximum Prison, while the female suspect was remanded at the Kirikiri Female Prisons. 

Further hearing on the case was adjourned to October 19, 2017.

Rivers State Ritual-Story Update: Arrested Divisional Police Officer Escapes!

A Rivers State, Nigeria, Police officer arrested in connection to the escape of a 23-year-old suspected ritualist, identified as Ifeanyi Maxwell Dike, recently paraded for raping and ritual killing of an eight-year-old girl, has escaped from Police custody.

The suspected ritualist, Ifeanyi Maxwell Dike, during parade  

The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) whose arrest was ordered on Monday, August 28, 2017, by the Rivers State Police Command, was suspected to be involved in telephone calls with John-bosco Okoroeze, a Police Sargent dismissed for allowing the escape of the suspected ritualist, Ifeanyi Maxwell Dike. 

The suspected ritualist, Ifeanyi Dike, reportedly confessed to the crime during Police interrogation, and stated that he was not the only one involved in the ritual killing. 

What is the Rivers State Police Commissioner doing about these "series of escapes" development?

The public is counting on the Police Authority for Justice on this case.

Find link to a previous publication on this story below:

https://rovinginformant.blogspot.com/2017/08/man-hunt-for-ritualist-ifeanyi-maxwell.html 

Houston's Catastrophic Flooding Expected To Continue For Days!

The devastating effect of Hurricane Harvey that swept through the gulf coast of Texas continues Sunday, August 27, 1017, as the entire Metropolitan Houston, the fourth largest populated city in the United States is flooded. About five people have been so far reported dead, and a dozen others injured.

The National Weather Service earlier issued a direct warning that "catastrophic flooding in the Houston metropolitan area is expected to worsen and could become historic".

The National Hurricane Center reported that the torrential rain, which started on Sunday, is expected to continue for days. 

President Donald Trump is scheduled to visit Texas on Tuesday, August 29th, 2017.

Rescue operators are working round the clock to save lives, emergency lines have been opened for distress calls.