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  • AFCON shortlist excites ‘man made by God’ Christian

    AFCON shortlist excites ‘man made by God’ Christian

    The Sporting Lagos goaltender, Christian Nwoke,  is  one of the  surprise  names in the 40 man Super Eagles provisional list  submitted  to CAF by Jose Peseiro  ahead of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)  due in Cote d’Ivoire in January. He might be the  youngest  face in the list but  Nwoke  here

    Expresses happiness over  his selection  amid sundry issues.

    By Tunde Liadi

    Christian Nwoke, the Sporting Lagos lanky goalkeeper, has expressed his delight over being named  in the  Super Eagles’  40-man provisional list for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire next year.

    The rookie  goalkeeper  who  has been making waves  with Sporting Lagos in only their first season in the Nigeria Professional Football League(NPFL)  reckoned  being invited to the Super Eagles  is an opportunity  for him to learn and use the  acquired knowledge to improve his career.

    “I feel very excited being  on the list for the Super Eagles for  the  preparation towards  the  2023 AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire,”  the 23-yer-old Nwoke told NationSport. “I’m very excited and it’s a welcome development for me in my career and also it grants me a room for me to work harder.

    “It also provides the platform for me to improve as a goalkeeper and for me to be better than the way I am presently. It’s a very welcome development for me and I’m very, very grateful to God for this great opportunity.”

    For  Nwoke, what is indeed is in a name?

    “Well, Nwoke means a man,” he volunteered. “It  motivates me each time I’ve been called Nwoke.

    “ I’m popularly known as Nwoke and the full meaning is Nwokechukwu and  Nwokechukwu means  a ‘ ‘man created by God’ and indeed, my invitation  is by the grace of God.”

    Yet  the former Golden Eaglets recruit  stressed that he is calm about his invitation to join the Super Eagles  big boys ahead of the AFCON , adding he is keeping a low profile so as not to be overwhelmed by it.

    He continued: “Certainly it’s a big news and to be the youngest goalkeeper in the list makes it even so special for me. It’s also a boost for me to play among the big boys. It’s football also, it’s normal and it’s also an experience for me.

    “It’s a big deal for me because I’ve not  been in such a situation before but football speaks one language and I have programmed myself not to be under pressure. I am calm and okay by it.

    “I had similar experience playing for the Golden Eaglets some years ago. Having that opportunity at the time helped me to grow as a professional player and it gave me more courage to know that there is more to play for in the game and for the country. So it helped me grow.”

    Read Also: 2023 AFCON: Nwabali excited over Super Eagles prospects

    Meanwhile, the  Super Eagles goalkeeping prospect said his happiest day was when Sporting Lagos got promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League in Asaba during the NNL Super Eight  as well as winning the  inaugural Naija Super 8 after beating Remo Stars in the final.

    He also shared his experience in his debut campaign in the NPFL with Sporting Lagos insisting that the his side  can overcome their recent slide and finish the season strongly.

    He offered: “The happiest day of my career is promoting with Sporting Lagos from NNL to NPFL and also winning the Naija Super 8.Those were great moments of my career and I can never forget them no matter what.

    “Getting the Promotion from NNL to NPFL was a very great experience. It wasn’t easy at all. We have found it even tougher to play in the NPFL in our debut season. It has been a very great outing for me and for Sporting Lagos and we hope and believe that we are going to do more in the ongoing season.”

    Nwoke picked former Atletico Madrid and Chelsea goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois, currently with  Real Madrid,  as his role model whom he has been trying to mirror his professional career after.

    “My role model is a Thibaut Courtois who is the current Real Madrid goalkeeper,” he said.“I like his personality on the pitch, off the pitch and in the dressing room.

    “ He’s calm, he’s decisive and also very ruthless. I watch him a lot and also watch his highlights, his training and everything about him fascinates me.”

  • Organisers pledges adequate Security  for GOtv Boxing Night 30

    Organisers pledges adequate Security  for GOtv Boxing Night 30

    Ahead of the 30th   edition of the premier boxing show, GOtv Boxing Night, Flykite Productions, the organisers, have stated that the event is one of wholesome fun designed for the family.

     GOtv Boxing Night 30, which will be held at Lagos’ Tafawa Balewa Square on 26 December, is a marriage between boxing and music with adequate security arrangements have been made to ensure that fans’ minds are at rest in and around the venue.

    “The event is conceived as one for the family. There is the boxing part and there is the other element of live musical performances. We understand that fans need to feel safe and we have made arrangements to ensure this. We will have both private and public security operatives in and around the venue. We have always had. In almost ten years of this event, we have not recorded a single breach,” the organisers said in a statement.  

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    The event will feature six boxing bouts, with the biggest being the West African Boxing Union (WABU) super welterweight title bout between Nigeria’s Taiwo Olowu and Ghana’s Alidu Sulemana. The Ghanaian is a replacement for compatriot, Michael Ansah, who pulled out for personal reasons.

    Also on the cards are the national super flyweight title bout between Sifon “Best” Iwatt and Saheed Azeez as well as the national female cruiserweight duel between Bolatito “Black Tito” Oluwole, will face Blessing Abisoye.

    Other fights include the national bantamweight challenge duel between Arabambi Ojo and Ibrahim “Golden Boy” Opeyemi; the light welterweight clash between Ayanfe Adeoye and will face Ahmed Ganiyu, the super welterweight challenge due between Abdulafeez “Big Name” Osoba and Christopher Ucheji.

    The event will also feature live musical performances by Teni da Entertainer, 9ice and Nasboi.

  • Joshua, Wilder mull two-fight deal next year 

    Joshua, Wilder mull two-fight deal next year 

    Representatives of Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder are in talks over a two-fight deal next year.

    Joshua and Wilder are both fighting in separate bouts on the same bill this weekend.

    While the heavyweights will have to concentrate on Saturday’s contests, Joshua against Otto Wallin and Wilder against Joseph Parker, their teams will continue discussions about two prospective bouts for 2024, with the first potentially taking place in March.

    Shelly Finkel, Wilder’s manager, confirmed to Sky Sports that a deal is not yet done.

    “Things can move very quickly,” Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn told Sky Sports. “To lock in  fighters’ plans for 10 to 12 months is a really good position for him, especially if it comes with the lucrativeness of a Wilder fight in the Middle East. So two fights is definitely being discussed.

    “March is probably the time we can strike for that mega-fight obviously for the financial rewards that you’d look for a fight with that kind of risk and danger.

    “I think there’s a lot of things that need to happen. Of course they both need to win. They both need to come out unscathed really. If there are any niggles or any injuries or any cuts, it’s very difficult to go back into a March fight.

    “It’s going to be a very quick turnaround if we were to go on that date but of course if AJ doesn’t win, if Wilder doesn’t win, it’s all irrelevant anyway.”

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    Joshua will have other options. Beating Wallin would put him in line to challenge for the IBF heavyweight title, which is likely to become vacant after Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk box in February.

    Fury and Usyk are expected to have a rematch later in 2024 too and so the winner of their fight would not be able to meet mandatory challenger Filip Hrgovic.

    In that case the Joshua-Wallin victor could be mandated to box Hrgovic for the vacant belt.

    Then for Joshua, Hearn said: “It’s a toss-up really between trying to become a three-time world heavyweight champion or taking arguably the biggest fight in boxing which is what he’s always been about.

    “Although he wants to become a three-time heavyweight champion, the lure and the excitement of the Deontay Wilder fight is very difficult to ignore.

    “Our aim, our vision, and I can see it, is he beats Deontay Wilder and then he beats Tyson Fury. And if he does that he probably goes down as the greatest heavyweight of our generation.”

  • Financial interventions in solid minerals’ sector for probe

    Financial interventions in solid minerals’ sector for probe

    The House of Representatives yesterday resolved to investigate the Natural Resources Development Fund, and the utilisation of all financial interventions to the Solid Minerals sector in the country from 2013–2023.

    This followed a motion by Hon. Awaji-Inombek Abiante alleging under utilisation of interventions to the sector running into several trillions of naira.

    Hon. Abiante said the National Resources Development Fund was established in 2002 to diversify resources and reduce petroleum reliance, using revenue sources such as excess crude oil allocation, exchange gain, nonoil revenue, contractual obligations, and refunds.

    He alleged that between 2002 and the present, trillions of naira have been deposited into the fund, but the actual allocation for the solid minerals sector remains unclear.

    He said financial records from 2007 to 2011 reveal a misappropriation of N365 billion in fund allocations, while audit report indicates that the fund’s proceeds were utilized as a borrowing purse by the federal government from 2012 to 2016.

    Hon. Abiante said that in the last quarter of 2016, 30 million dollars intervention fund was approved from the fund and released for the facilitation of exploration operations and the formalization of Artisanal Miners.

    He said further that in 2019, the Presidency directed the Federal Ministry of Finance to allocate funds to the Solid Minerals Development Fund to manage the Presidential Artisanal Gold Mining Development Initiative to formalize and institutionalize the artisanal gold mining industry.

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    Also in 2017, he said, the World Bank-assisted Mineral Sector for Economic Development Project (MINDIVER), under the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, gave the country’s solid mineral sector a facility of 150 million dollars to enhance the mining sector’s contribution to the Nigerian economy.

    The Rivers lawmaker alleged that in July 2020, the Federal Ministry of Finance disclosed to the public a credit balance of 131.59 billion Naira in the fund, but between 2007 to 2020, records of its contributions to the solid minerals sector remain unclear.

    He disclosed that in 2019, an audit report revealed that the Nigerian government allegedly diverted a substantial amount of 903.63 billion naira allocated to the fund in ten years, from 2007 to 2011 and 2012 to 2016.

    He said that the 8th House of Representatives mandated an Ad-hoc Committee to investigate the alleged diversion of 350 billion naira in Natural Resources Funds to areas outside its core mandate and to ascertain the status of utilization.

    He expressed concern that the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) stated in its 2019 audit report that the federal government continues to exploit the growth of the fund through misappropriation, despite regular inquiries by the National Assembly.

    This, he said underscores the need to ascertain the present credit balance of the fund, the proportion of interventions from the fund to the solid minerals sector of the economy and its utilization status.

  • NBS: Petrol price up by 220 per cent in one year

    NBS: Petrol price up by 220 per cent in one year

    The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), says the average retail price of a litre of petrol increased from N202.48 in November 2022 to N648.93 in November 2023.

    NBS said this in its Petrol Price Watch for November 2023 released in Abuja on Thursday.

    It stated that the November 2023 price of N648.93 represented a 220.49 per cent increase over the price of N202.48 recorded in November 2022.

    “Comparing the average price value with the previous month of October 2023, the average retail price increased by 2.90 per cent from N630.63.

    “On state profiles analysis, Kebbi paid the highest average retail price of N691.00 per litre, followed by Jigawa and Akwa Ibom at N677.67 and N675.00, respectively.

    “Conversely, Taraba, Kaduna and Lagos paid the lowest average retail price at N618.00, N620.29 and N623.12, respectively,’’ it stated.

    Analysis by zones showed that the South-South recorded the highest average retail price in November 2023 at N663.59, while the North-East recorded the lowest price of N632.75 per litre.

    The NBS also stated in its Diesel Price Watch Report for November 2023 that the average retail price was N1055.57 per litre.

    It said that the November 2023 price of N1055.57 per litre amounted to a 30.50 per cent increase over the N808.87 per litre paid in November 2022.

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    “On a month-on-month basis, the price increased by 5.03 per cent from the N1004.98

    per litre recorded in October 2023,’’ it added.

    On state profile analysis, the report said the highest average price of diesel in November 2023 was recorded in Benue at N1280.00 per litre, followed by Kaduna at N1183.45 and Sokoto at N1183.33.

    On the other hand, the lowest price was recorded in Rivers at N875.00 per litre, followed by Abia at N900.77 and Bayelsa at N920.00 per litre.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that in addition, the analysis by zones showed that the North-Central Zone has the highest price of N1123.75 per litre, while the South-East recorded the lowest price at N959.69 per litre.

  • ‘Gas leakage detector factory to generate 400 jobs’

    ‘Gas leakage detector factory to generate 400 jobs’

    The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, yesterday commissioned the Amal Technologies Limited factory for gas leakage and smoke detection device in Abuja.

    The facility which can generate employment for 400 people can also yield $22 million revenue annually.

     Director, Upstream, Engr. Kamaru Busari, who represented him said  the facility was formally established to produce gas leak detection devices and Printed Circuit Boards (PCB).

    According to him, the ceremony represents a significant landmark in the administration’s quest to promote a Research culture in the oil and gas industry, through the nurturing of innovation-driven startup companies.

    He added that it also represents a breakthrough in local manufacturing of electronic circuitry and devices.

    The minister said the establishment is in line with Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB’s) mandate to drive indigenous technology development in the Nigerian oil and gas industry, the Governing Council of the Board approved the Research and Development roadmap, with a particular focus on providing institutional and funding support for market-driven Research and commercialization of breakthrough innovations with high market prospects.

    He called on the private sector, especially the Nigerian oil and gas service providers to follow the lead of NCDMB by funding research and development programs with the capability to develop homegrown technology and reduce capital flight associated with the importation of foreign hardware and software solutions.

    Lokpobiri noted that one of the proposals that have benefited from the NCDMB Research and Innovation intervention is the Amal Technology gas leak device, “which adopted the Internet of Things (IOT) to introduce into the market a device that generates a short message system (SMS) and calls on phones of homeowners in the event of a gas leak.”

    He added that the facility also has the capability for Printed Circuit Board (PCB) manufacturing.

    According to him, a major plank under the renewed hope Agenda of Mr. President is the commitment to deepen Gas penetration and gas-based industrialization anchored on the penetration of Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG), adoption of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles, and gas conversion for power generation, fertilizer production, among so many other uses of gas.

    The minister noted that the deployment of the flagship Amal technology gas leak detection device provides a significant safety tool that will accelerate the adoption of gas as a preferred source of energy for homes, transportation, and industry.

    Lokpobiri revealed that the NCDMB Innovation process has led to the establishment of PCB production capability in Nigeria.

    The Federal government at COP26 in August 2022, he recalled committed to a net-zero target by 2060 and Nigeria has chosen Natural gas as its transition fuel.

    He stressed that to support this initiative, projects are underway to establish fuel-to-gas conversion centers and CNG refuel stations nationally.

    The minister said the Federal Government expects that the deployment of the Amal Technology safety device will also complement our efforts to accelerate the net-zero pathway.

    He further noted that  the Job creation potential of start-up companies such as Amal Technologies is critical to the creation of a circular economy and aligns with Mr. President’s 8-point agenda for economic recovery.

    He said the signing into law of the Start-up Act of 2022 aims to provide the institutional and legal framework for the establishment and sustainable growth of innovation-driven start-up companies.

    Lokpobiri noted that the Act also seeks to position Nigeria’s startup ecosystem, as the leading digital technology Centre in Africa, with global outreach.

    He said the ministry has intention of  extending the benefits contained in the Start-up Act and any other Research-related policies to the oil and gas industry.

    He encouraged the ministry and its agencies to adopt a collaborative approach to supporting Research in line with our commitment to develop homegrown technology for the oil and gas industry and its linkage sectors.

    In his goodwill message, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Group Chief Executive Officer, Malam Mele Kyari, noted that the $22million annual revenue Amal Technologies Limited has projected from the facility can be increased to $100million.

    Represented by the Head, Strategic Development & Partnership, Research and Technology,  Engr. Mudil Abubakar, he said “When the Director mentioned the finance being projected at $22million annually as revenue, we look forward to coming here, where we look forward to applaud increase and not just $22 million, $50millon or $100million.”

    Speaking, the NCDMB Executive Secretary, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, recalled that the smart gas leak detector research was just a proposal submitted to the Board in 2018.

    He added that the idea was nurtured through the NCDMB incubation process hosted in TIIC.

    He added that the “recurring menace of gas leaks and explosions leading to heavy losses in human lives,  property damage, and pollution of the environment is the problem statement that the device seeks to address.

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    “We may recall that in 2020, a gas explosion in Lagos took over 20 lives including students, injuring over 200, and displaced over 500 Nigerians. 2021 also saw  record six deadly gas explosions claiming scores of human lives and more recently in 2022 and 2023 preventable gas explosions in Kano, and various parts of Lagos claimed many lives and property.”

    Meanwhile, the Amal Technologies Limited Chief Executive Officer, Shehu Tijiani Abdullahi, disclosed that exactly five years ago, he approached the NCDMB with an idea for a product, the IoT smart gas leak detector.

    Continuing, he said “I made my presentation first to the Mr Malik Halilu and him team, the R&D department, at that time he was the GM.

    “He was so impressed with the presentation that he quickly took it up with the then director of R&D Mr Patrick Oba.

    “Subsequently they scheduled a formal presentation to the R&D council which was headed at the time by the former ES, Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote, including the then director of finance and planning Mr Isaac Yalah and well as other members of the council.

    “These are all individuals that I had never had a prior relationship or encounter with.

    “They simply believed in the Amal technologies vision and by December of 2021, Amal Tech signed an official partnership with the board.

    “ That, that is indeed proof that the NCDMB is not about having connections or knowing someone at the top.

    “It is about a team of people that are dedicated to the success and progress of local content in Nigeria…

    “Today, we witness the realization of that vision as we unveil this first of its kind ultramodern facility, equipped with cutting-edge technology and staffed by a team of talented professionals.”

  • NSE elects first female President

    NSE elects first female President

    • Confers FNSE on Obuebite, others

    The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) has elected Margaret Aina Oguntala as its first female President.   The body has also conferred its Fellowship status (FNSE) on Dr. Amalate Ann Jonathan Obuebite and other accomplished engineers.

    Mrs. Obuebite is a Senior Lecturer at the Bayelsa State-owned Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island. She becomes the second woman in the state to be conferred with the prestigious Fellowship.

    The Conferment ceremony which had in attendance the immediate past governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, serving and former members of the House of Representatives, including Rodney Ambaowei,  Oforji Oboku,  Prof. Lilian Orogbo, Israel Sunny Goli, Karibo Nadu, Francis Otta Agbo and several others held at the International Conference Centre, Abuja on Wednesday.

    The outgoing president, Tasiu Saad Gidari-Wudil, in his address, said he is thrilled to be handing over to the first-ever female president of the association, Mrs. Margarett Aina Oguntala (FNSE) after 65 years of its existence.

    He said the world over revolves around technology advancement, hence the need for the engineers to take the lead, adding that the Nigerian Society of Engineers has a critical role to play in the rebuilding process being championed by the present administration.

    On the election of a female engineer as the President of the NSE, the outgoing president said it is a further confirmation that the engineering profession believes in diversity and inclusivity.

    He urged the incoming president and all the conferees to bring their wealth of experience to bear in reshaping the economy of the country with a focus on the engineering sector.

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    Speaking shortly after her conferment, Dr. Obuebite attributed the height she has attained in the profession to the unfailing mercies of God and dint of hard work.

    She also thanked her loving, ever-supportive husband,  Dr. Jonathan Robinson Obuebite, their children, Dickson and the National Assembly members for their support.

    She described her conferment as a Fellow as a further confirmation that women have a critical role to play in the nation rebuilding process and everyone, regardless of their gender has a voice that must be heard.

    Also, in his congratulatory message, Senator Dickson said Mrs. Obuebite has further put Bayelsa in the global technological radar, saying he is proud to be associated with her for being the second woman from the state to be conferred with the fellowship.

    He stressed the need for other women to follow her footpath in bringing honour to the state.

  • UBA’s food bank lifts less privileged

    UBA’s food bank lifts less privileged

    UBA Foundation, the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc,  yesterday, hosted the 2023 edition of its annual Food Bank initiative as part of its line-up of activities to mark the festive season.

    The UBA Foundation Food Bank serves as a charitable event dedicated to supporting the less privileged and individuals in need, around the bank’s community or operation.

    This year, the bank, through the foundation, generously reached out to thousands of individuals in need, extending its community service commitment.

    In Nigeria, the event took place at the UBA Foundation Garden and Roundabout located in Marina, Lagos. Concurrently, similar events were conducted across all countries where UBA operates.

    Several UBA staff actively participated in the event, volunteering their time and resources. Many contributed food items and other essentials, amplifying the Foundation’s mission during this festive period to give back and touch lives.

    UBA’s Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of UBA, Oliver Alawuba, who was on ground to personally share hope to people, emphasized the bank’s commitment to its communities through this initiative.

    He said, “Here at UBA, giving back is embedded in our core values. Over the years, we’ve consistently shown our appreciation to the communities across Africa and in countries of our operation. This initiative underscores our dedication to making a meaningful impact and resonates with our core belief that our success is intertwined with the well-being of our communities.”

    Managing Director, UBA Foundation, Bola Atta, highlighted the Foundation’s focus on empowerment, education, environment and special projects.

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    She said, “The UBA Foundation has been doing this for the past five years now. We remain steadfast in fostering sustainable development within our host communities. As part of our corporate social responsibility, we’re set to provide sustenance to tens of thousands across Africa this festive season. Through our Food Bank initiative, we distribute essential items, including food and hygiene products, to those in need.”

    The event witnessed a substantial turnout, with eager individuals forming long queues, awaiting the Foundation’s charitable offerings. Gratitude and smiles were abundant among recipients.

    One of the beneficiaries, Iya Basit, shared her heartfelt appreciation, to the UBA Foundation, saying, “I am very happy and grateful. Earlier today, I didn’t know what I was going to eat, but I and my children have benefitted from this gifts. This gesture is truly remarkable. You’ve made a significant difference.”

    UBA Foundation, the CSR arm of the UBA Group, is committed to the socio-economic betterment of the communities in which the bank operates, focusing on development in the areas of Education, the Environment, Economic Empowerment and other Special Projects.

  • Nigeria’s unemployment rate rises to 4.2% in Q2

    Nigeria’s unemployment rate rises to 4.2% in Q2

    The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) yesterday stated that Nigeria’s unemployment rate soared to 4.2 per cent in the second quarter of 2023.

    This was contained in the bureau’s document tagged: “Nigeria Labour Force Statistics Report 2023.”

    The NLFS report indicated that the unemployment rate in second quarter 2023 was 4.2 per cent, this was an increase of 0.1 per cent on 4.1 per cent recorded in first quarter 2023.

    Other highlights of the report are that the labour force participation rate among the working-age population remained high at 80.4 per cent in second quarter 2023.

    NBS also noted that the employment-to-population ratio was 77.1 per cent in second quarter 2023.

    According to the report, the combined rate of unemployment and time-related underemployment as a share of the labour force population (LU2) was 15.5 per cent in second quarter 2023.

    Most workers, about 88.0 per cent were in self-employment in second quarter 2023 while the proportion of workers in wage employment in second quarter 2023 was 12 per cent.

    According to the Bureau, the rate of unemployment among persons with post-secondary education was 8.0 per cent in Q2 2023.

    NBS further said the Unemployment rate among youth aged (15-24 years) in Q2 2023 was

    7.2% having been at 6.9% in Q1 2023.

    It noted that the  Unemployment rate in urban areas was 5.9% in Q2 2023, an increase

    from 5.4% in Q1 2023.

    NBS said time-related underemployment in Q2 2023 was 11.8%.

     4.8% of the working-age population were in subsistence agriculture.

    • Informal employment rate in Q2 2023 was 92.7%, according to the report.

    It said the percentage of youth Not in Employment, Education nor Training (NEET Rate) was 13.8%.

    The report explained that the “employment-to-population ratio is the proportion of the working-age population that is employed.”

    NBS stressed that in Q2 2023, 77.1% of Nigeria’s working-age population was in employment.

    Disaggregating by sex, the employment-to-population ratio was 79.3% for men and

    74.9% for women respectively.

    NBS noted that the employment-to-population ratio in urban areas

    was 73.8% compared to 80.5% in rural areas.

    NBS noted that the aggregate status in employment comprises two broad categories; employees and the self-employed.

    It added that those working for pay in the form of salaries and wages in cash or in-kind, including paid apprentices, are referred to as employees. Own-account

    workers, contributing family workers, and employers are referred to as self-employed.

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    In Q2 2023, according to NBS, 88.0% of employed Nigerians were primarily self-employed with the

    remaining 12.0% being primarily engaged as employees.

     On disaggregation by sex, the Bureau said, 85.2% of employed men were self-employed compared to 91.0% of employed women.

    In terms of disaggregation by location, the report revealed that 80.5% of employed people in urban areas were self-employed compared with 95.3% of employed people in rural areas.

    NBS noted that the labour force participation rate measures the share of a country’s working-age

    population that is in the labour force.

    The labour force, said the Bureau, is the combination of those

    individuals who are employed and those who are unemployed.

    In Q2 2023, the report noted that the labour force participation rate in Nigeria was 80.4%, having been

    79.9% in Q1 2023.

    It further stressed that the Q2 2023 participation rate among men was 82.1% while for women the participation rate was 78.8%.

    It added that the participation rate was 78.4% in urban areas and 82.6% in rural areas.

  • I won’t be distracted despite challenges, says Fubara

    I won’t be distracted despite challenges, says Fubara

    Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara yesterday said that he would not permit any distraction from the huge task of defending the interests of the people, despite the prevailing challenges.

    The governor spoke at Ngo, headquarters of Andoni Local Government Area, shortly after he  inspected the Andoni section of the Ogoni-Andoni-Opobo Unity road project.

    Fubara recalled that during the electioneering campaigns, the Andoni section of the road was in horrible condition, adding that months after the decision was  taken to re-award the contract, the road was being fixed.

    He said: “I have to say that the contractor has done a very good job. Although, we observed that about one kilometres of road that will lead to the council secretariat was somehow not captured in the scope and I think it will be proper that we do that alongside. 

    “So, we will continue to do our best, not minding the challenges we are facing. The most important thing is that we have taken our oath to defend our people and protect their interest, and we are not going back on that.”

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    Fubara said he was determined to complete the road project that had lingered for over 20 years as part of his commitment to bequeath an enduring legacy that would serve the needs of the people for years.

    He said: “What I keep saying to everyone is, what are we bequeathing to our people? Their interest is the most important thing and governance is about the protection of lives and property. 

    “These include providing quality services and one of those things is like this road. Posterity has just blessed me with this project. It is something that they couldn’t achieve for over twenty years but within the space of six months, and I have been able to sort it out. It is a credit and a big one to our administration.”

    A youth leader, Mr Dick Nkakeek,  who appealed to the  governor to construct Andoni internal roads, including that of Oyorokoto town.

    Fubara, who urged the residents to exercise patience,  assured that his administration will consider the internal roads in  Andoni once the Andoni section of the Ogoni-Andoni-Opobo Unity road had been completed.