Dubai Tourism Storms Abuja, PH, Lagos, Set to Begin Multi-City Road Show in Nigeria

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Dubai Tourism Storms Abuja, PH, Lagos, set to kick off a multi-city roadshow. Dubai Tourism is joined by 33 partners across hospitality, medical, and entertainment sectors to interact with key trade partners in Nigeria. Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (Dubai Tourism) will be kicking off its annual roadshow across key cities in Nigeria. This road show further increases DET’s promotional efforts in showcasing Dubai’s ever-evolving tourism proposition to African tourists.

Experiencing strong growth in tourism numbers from Africa, Dubai Tourism is looking to sustain its momentum by strengthening relationships with all industry stakeholders in the region.

Accompanied by 32 Dubai-based partners, Dubai Tourism will begin the 2022 roadshow in Abuja on June 7, followed by Port Harcourt on June 9 and Lagos on June 14. The roadshow will highlight Dubai’s affordable experiences and the diversity of the city’s offerings to key travel partners in Nigeria.

Things to be showcased at the roadshow, span across travel, accommodation, entertainment and

citywide events, with a focus on family travel and medical tourism. Key elements of the event will include breakout network sessions, partner presentations, one-on-one meetings, and Medical facilities updates.

Speaking on the growing relationship between Dubai and Nigeria, Tareq Binbrek, Assistant Manager, International Relations (Africa) for Dubai Tourism said: “Nigeria is of significant importance to Dubai and we will continue strengthening our relationships and developing strategic activities in this fast growing market. The upcoming road show gives us the opportunity to reach out to all of our partners, to align on future trade opportunities and ensure Dubai remains front of mind for Nigerian travellers.We will continue to be present throughout the year and aim to steadily increase the number of partners we bring with us each year to this landmark road show.

In 2019, Nigeria was one of our top-performing source markets with a year-on-year increase of 33% in visitor numbers, supported by the increase in seat capacity from Emirates Airline between Dubai and Nigeria in the summer”

Dubai Tourism will be joined by the following partners: Hotels – Al Khoory Hotel, Atlantis The Palm Hotel & Resort, Copthorne Hotel, Emaar Hospitality (Address hotels, Vida, Rove, Armani), Ghaya Grand Hotel, Golden Sands Hotel Apartments, Hilton Garden Inn, Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates, La Ville Hotel & Suites, Jumeirah Group, Mandarin Oriental, Millennium Airport Hotel, Palazzo Versace, SLS Hotel and Residences, Sheraton Mall of the

Emirates,

Healthcare – Dubai Healthcare Authority, American Hospital, Canadian Specialist Hospital, Kings College Hospital, Neuro Spine Hospital, and Thumbay Hospital.

 

Destination Management Company – Dusk Travel & Tourism, Golden Treasure Tourism, Mida Tourism, Pacific Destination Tourism, Rayna Tourism, Red Apple Middle East Tourism, The Tour Designers, and White Sands Tours & Travel.

Attractions – Dubai Parks & Resorts

Airlines – Emirates Airline

 

About Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism):

With the ultimate vision of positioning Dubai as the world’s leading tourism destination and commercial hub, Dubai Tourism’s mission is to increase the awareness of Dubai among global audiences and to attract tourists and inward investment into the emirate. Dubai Tourism is the principal authority for the planning, supervision, development and marketing of Dubai’s tourism sector. It markets and promotes the Emirate’s commerce sector, and is responsible for the licensing and classification of all tourism services, including hotels, tour operators and travel agents. Brands and departments within the Dubai Tourism portfolio include Dubai Business Events, Dubai Calendar, and Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Nwaokolo, Iwu Jeff to Headline Webinar On Digital Book Marketing

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Ife Book Club

Ife Book Club, a literary organization based in Ile Ile, Osun State has set aside May 25th, 2022 to host a certified digital marketer, Nwaokolo Stephen Awele and a creative writer, Iwu Jeff. They will be lecturing on Digital Book Marketing and germane issues bordering Nigerian Literature.

A statement issued by the Coordinator of the Club, Misturah Shittu said the event would take place via WhatsApp by 8:00 PM.

According to the statement, Ife Digital Book Marketing and Creative Writing Webinar is a day event designed for writers and freelance publishers who are new to Digital Book Marketing and to give intending participants a real digital book marketing experience.

The Webinar offers the opportunity to learn from a faculty of certified Digital Marketer and an award-winning author, and to meet fellow writers/publishers who share common interests.

PROFILES OF OUR GUEST INSTRUCTORS

*NWAOKOLO STEPHEN AWELE *

Nwaokolo Stephen Awele is a certified digital marketer and voice over artist. He has worked in the independent and commercial sectors of the audio industry.

IWU JEFF

Iwu Jeff is a creative writer who writes the three genres of literature and a teacher of English and Literature-in-English, with a Nigerian Certificate in Education and Bachelor of Arts Education (B.A Ed), both in English from Federal College of Education, Kontagora and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, respectively. He presently lives and writes from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where he studies for a Master’s degree in the department of English and Literary studies. His works have been published in different local and international anthologies and magazines, and few have garnered awards.

He is the author of the critically acclaimed play, Verdict of the gods, and the novel, Files of the Heart (Winner of WRR Publishers Green Author Prize, 2017). His play, The Consignment, was published by The Shallow Tales Review.

In the June edition of The Year of the Poet Anthology 2019, he was featured as one of the global poets by Inner Child Press, USA and the same year appointed the editor-in-chief of The Ogene Magazine (a publication of Igbo Student’s Association, FCE, Kontagora, Niger state). He is also the fiction and non-fiction editor of Poemify online Magazine.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Kenyans abroad are the biggest senders of mobile to mobile remittances

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Read Time:3 Minute, 18 Second

Transfers to mobile money accounts make up 93% of WorldRemit transactions to Kenya now – showing that Kenyans continue to be early adopters of innovative technology, even when abroad

NAIROBI, Kenya, March 28, 2017/ — To mark the 10th anniversary of ground-breaking mobile money service M-PESA, WorldRemit (www.WorldRemit.com) has released new data showing that the Kenyan diaspora is the biggest sender of digital remittances to mobile accounts.

Transfers to mobile money accounts make up 93% of WorldRemit transactions to Kenya now – showing that Kenyans continue to be early adopters of innovative technology, even when abroad.

Mobile money has played a key role in the growth of WorldRemit’s Kenyan customer base, attracted by the low price, speed and convenience of sending instant remittances from the app or website directly to a mobile phone in Kenya.

    In January 2017, WorldRemit customers transferred more than $140m (at annualised rate) to Kenya, making WorldRemit one of the largest remittance companies serving the Kenyan diaspora.
    Top remittance-sending countries are the UK, Australia, US, Germany, Canada and Nordic countries.
    Around three million Kenyans live abroad, with large communities in North America, Europe and Australia.
    Remittances play an important role in Kenya’s economy – inward remittances reached a record value of just under $161m in November 2016, according to the Central Bank of Kenya, making it one of the nation’s top earners.
    WorldRemit is now connected to over a fifth of all mobile money accounts – 112 million of 500 million mobile money accounts around the world.
    74% of all international remittances to mobile money accounts coming from money transfer operators are sent via WorldRemit.

The company has pioneered mobile to mobile remittances, sending to 32 mobile money services in 24 countries – more than any other money transfer service.

Globally, WorldRemit customers send more than 580,000 transfers every month to over 140 destinations. WorldRemit makes sending money as easy as sending an instant message.

Ismail Ahmed, Founder and CEO at WorldRemit, comments: “Kenya is famed for leading Africa’s digital transformation, and today it’s Kenyans abroad who are at the forefront of digitising international money transfers. Most of our Kenyan customers use our mobile app, demonstrating the strong demand for convenience when sending to friends and family.

“With half a billion registered accounts worldwide, mobile money continues to transform lives by allowing people to access financial services for the first time. WorldRemit customers now send more than 65,000 transfers to the country every month from the WorldRemit app and website with over 90% going to M-PESA”.

Distributed by APO on behalf of WorldRemit.

More information:
●    WorldRemit – Lucas Germanos, PR Manager – LGermanos@WorldRemit.com and +44 7951940671 (also WhatsApp)
●    RedHouse PR – Wangui Maina, Account Manager – Wangui.Maina@RedHouseKe.com and +254 722 761 217

Photos and videos:
Please see below for WorldRemit case studies, photos and videos, including users of mobile money:
●    Photos including users and product shots in Kenya – here (http://APO.af/qtj8Xl).
●    Videoclips or users in Kenya – here (http://APO.af/ft0oHS).

About Worldremit:
WorldRemit (www.WorldRemit.com) is changing the way people send money.  

It’s easy – just open the app or visit the website – no more agents.

●    Transfers to most countries are instant – send money like an instant message.
●    More ways to receive (mobile money, bank transfer, cash pickup).
●    Available in over 50 countries and 140+ destinations.
●    Backed by Accel Partners and TCV – investors in Facebook, Spotify, Netflix and Slack.

WorldRemit’s global headquarters are in London, UK with regional offices in the United States, Canada, South Africa, Singapore, the Philippines, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Understanding the Current Naira’s Appreciation Against The Dollar And Its Implications

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Read Time:4 Minute, 42 Second

The simple reasons why Naira has appreciated against US Dollar in the past few days are not far fetched. The main reason is the FG's increased earnings of dollars from the sale of increased volume of crude oil following its successful mediation efforts in the Nigeria's delta region.

Continue reading

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Call for candidates for the 7th Orange Social Venture Prize in Africa and the Middle East

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As in previous years, the OSVPAM will be awarded to innovative projects which make use of information and communication technologies to improve living conditions for the peoples of Africa and the Middle East in fields such as health, finance, education and agriculture

PARIS, France, February 28, 2017/ — Applications for the 7th edition of the Orange (www.Orange.com) Social Venture Prize in Africa and the Middle East (OSVPAM) are being accepted until 6 June 2017 21:00 GMT in the “Orange Social Venture Prize” pages of the website www.EntrepreneurClub.orange.com.

As in previous years, the OSVPAM will be awarded to innovative projects which make use of information and communication technologies to improve living conditions for the peoples of Africa and the Middle East in fields such as health, finance, education and agriculture.

New for this 7th edition, the competition will start with a national phase during which each of Orange’s 17 participating subsidiaries will examine projects submitted in its country and will designate three winners. The next phase will be an international one in which the winners of each country – 51 in all – will compete before an international panel of judges for the OSVPAM Grand Prize, with three winners receiving their awards during the AfricaCom Awards Ceremony in Cape Town, South Africa, on 8 November 2017. In addition to national prizes, the three international winners will receive 25,000 euros, 15,000 euros and 10,000 euros respectively, along with support from professionals in start-up creation and funding.

OSVPAM is open to any student, employee or entrepreneur over the age of 21 whose initiative is less than 3 years old and who lives in Botswana, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea-Conakry, Madagascar, Mali, Morocco, Niger, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Senegal, Tunisia, Jordan, Liberia or Burkina Faso.

Bruno Mettling, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Orange group and CEO of Orange Middle East and Africa, commented “With a record 750 candidates in 2016, the success of the OSVPAM prize with entrepreneurs in Africa and the Middle East speaks for itself. This year, 17 countries in which we operate will recognize 3 winners, the better to promote the local start-up ecosystem, in addition to the winners at the international level. This is our way of reaffirming our ambition of becoming a major partner, in particular by showcasing innovation that serves people.”

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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I charge you to have an entrepreneurial mindset

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Read Time:2 Minute, 21 Second

Listen up! Having an entrepreneurial mindset is not an issue; I guess the foundation should be about having a good understanding of who entrepreneurs are and what entrepreneurship is.

Entrepreneurs come in all shapes and sizes, some with amazing inventions and impeccable innovations others with tweaked ideas or variations on existing inventions as the case may be.

Entrepreneurs are everything from a Doctor, Lawyer, Barber, Cobbler etc. A few get into entrepreneurship accidentally after losing their job and some others have decided to follow their passion, build a system around it and garner profit through that means, some others don’t want to do corporate anymore, they want to be their own boss and dictate the way their day turns out.

Generally speaking, many entrepreneurs start small with little or no capital and some others get supports from Angel Investors, Venture Capitalist even before they launch their business.

The good news is that anyone can be an entrepreneur, I mean someone who has discovered a lacuna in the society and has decided to bring up an innovative idea to bridge this gap, anyone! From a school-drop-out to a maverick manager, all that is of paramount importance is passion, determination, networking and more work.

Please note that, you do not need to go through a business school, read the best books and blogs to succeed in business even though they are important, you need to invest in perspiration, get to work, take action, learn on the job, make your mistakes, learn fast, brace up and win.

Always endeavour to do something new or tackle something old, sometimes it might be difficult to introduce a novel idea but however difficult, it could be best to tweak an existing innovation and you smile to the bank as a result.

Do you yourself the pleasure of chasing a passion rather than cash. Let the love of what you do consume you because wanting to be rich doesn’t guarantee wealth.

Ask the right questions today and always. Make Google your best companion, heap quality mentors around you and when things seem difficult, always seek out alternatives. You cannot be outdated that way.

Understand that business is all about people and relationships so Network as if your life is dependent on it. Forge social connections with people.

Broaden your perspective, never be limited in any way, get inspiration from everything you do, everyone you speak to and anything you engage with, expand your scope by every means possible.

This is just the kind of mindset that celebrated Entrepreneurs embrace and you would do yourself the pleasure of personalising this article such that it permeates through your heart and mind, the resultant effect is such that, you and your conceived idea inevitably grows and attain the height of greatness.

 
‘Femi-Royal​

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Here’s all you need to know about Nigeria’s 2017 budget of recovery

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Read Time:24 Minute, 40 Second

Recently, President Muhammadu Buhari presented to the joint sessions of Nigeria’s National Assembly the 2017 Appropriation Bill christened ‘Budget of Recovery’. Here is a detail of the content of the bill as analysed.

The budget is based on a crude oil benchmark price of $42.50 per barrel, with an output of 2.2 million barrels per day.

Government’s expenditure is to be funded with the sum of 4.94 trillion Naira while oil is to contribute 1.98 trillion Naira of the amount.

The breakdown was made on Monday by the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udo Udoma, at the National Assembly in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.

He assured Nigerians that the government had no plans to increase the Value Added Tax which is set at 5% in 2017.

The breakdown of the budget, as presented by the Budget Minister, is contained in the statement below:

PROTOCOLS

I am pleased to welcome you to the presentation of the 2017 Federal Government’s Budget proposal christened Budget of Recovery and Growth – the second full year Budget of this Administration, which was recently presented by the President to the National Assembly.

1.0  BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT

  1. As you are aware, the 2016 Budget was presented to the National Assembly (NASS) by Mr. President on 22ndDecember, 2015. The budget was however not signed into law until May 6, 2016; effectively therefore, the 2016 budget has only been operated for about 7 months.  Nevertheless, as will be evident from the review of the 2016 budget performance that I will get to shortly, we have made reasonable progress on its implementation.
  2. The 2017 Budget was presented to the National Assembly by His Excellency, Mr. President on 14thDecember, 2016. The budget reflects our commitment to restore the economy to the path of sustainable and inclusive growth.  Efforts have been made to ensure that the budget aligns with Nigerian’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (NERGP).
  3. My profound appreciation goes to His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari and His Excellency, the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo under whose leadership the 2017 Budget was prepared. I also wish to thank my Cabinet colleagues for their understanding, especially as we all had to work within very tight schedules in the preparation of this budget.
  • REVIEW OF 2016 BUDGET PERFORMANCE
  1. The 2016 Budget, christened the Budget of Change was the first full year budget of the Buhari Administration. It was prepared against the background of general slowdown in global economic growth and massive decline in crude oil prices. It was based on the Zero Base Budgeting (ZBB) principle which requires that Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) justify every item of revenue and expense, as well as projects/programmes in the budget, a departure from the traditional incremental Budgeting approach that simply adjusts (usually upwards) amounts included in the previous budget. The 2016 Federal Government Budget was predicated on certain key parameters, including:

(i)       Benchmark oil price                  –        US$38/b

(ii)        Oil production                          –        2.2mbpd

(iii)       Exchange rate                          –        N197/USD

(iv)       Deficit (Fiscal Deficit to GDP ratio) – N2.20 trillion (2.14% of GDP)

(v)        Inflation                                   –        N9.81%

(vi)       GDP Growth Rate                      –        4.3%

 

2.1   2016 Budget Performance Against Set Target

  1. With respect to the 2016 Budget set targets, the performance as at Q3 of 2016 is as follows:
2016 Budget Performance against Set Targets
S/No Description (FY 2016 Budget) Q3 Target Actual (as at Q3 2016)
1 Real GDP Growth (%, YoY) 4.37   -1.55
2. Oil Production (mbpd) 2.2   1.81
3. Oil Price ($pb) 38   42.09
4. Inflation Rate (%) 9.81   17.85
5. Exchange Rate (N/$) 197   305
6. Revenue (N’trillion) 3.86 2.89 2.17 (75%)
7. Expenditure (N’trillion) out of which;

(a) Capital Expenditure     N’trillion)

6.06

 

1.77

 

4.55

 

1.33

3.58 (79%)

 

0.75.6*(56%)

8 Fiscal Deficit/GDP (%) -2.14   -1.44

SOURCES: NBS Report: OAGF, Appropriation Act

*Capital spending as at end of October 2016 was N753.6 billion

2.2   Oil Revenue Performance in 2016

  1. The FGN’s oil revenues decreased sharply in 2015 and 2016 because of oil production shut-ins and sharp decline in oil price since 2014. The oil price steadied at an average of $110 per barrel from 2012 to 2014, but dropped to a record low of $29 per barrel in February 2016, a drop of  70%.  Although for most part of the year crude oil prices exceeded the 2016 benchmark price of US$38 per barrel, there has been a significant shortfall in projected revenue caused by the disruptions in crude oil production as a result of militant activity in the Niger Delta.

2.3   Revenue Performance As At Q3 2016

  1. The FGN’s 2016 revenues have been low because of the sharp decline in oil-production. In particular, the revenue target for January to September 2016 was N2.8 trillion as against the sum of N2.2 trillion realised during the period.  The projected independent revenue was N1.1 trillion as against N0.2 trillion realised during the period.  The projected revenue for Custom was N0.3 trillion as against N0.2 trillion realised, while the projected non-oil tax receipts for the 1st– Q3 of 2016 is N0.8 trillion as against N0.5 trillion realised during the period.

3.0   BACKGROUND TO THE 2017 BUDGET

  1. Global economic activities remained sluggish in 2016. In particular, Global GDP growth rate is projected at 3.1% for 2016 from 3.2% in 2015. Due to:

(i)     Lower-than-expected economic activity in the U.S

  • Uncertain economic, political and institutional implications of BREXIT
  • Slowdown in China’s growth
  • Weak demand in advanced economies and its spill-over effects
  • Geopolitical tensions in several countries
  1. In spite of the foregoing developments, the Global outlook remains bright. In this regard, global GDP growth rate is expected to rise to 3.4% in 2017.

3.2   The Domestic Environment in 2016

  1. The Challenges in the domestic environment include:

(i)     Crude oil production shut-ins resulting from vandalism of oil facilities.   In particular, 4 strategic oil fields affected including Trans-Niger Pipeline and Nembe Creek Trunkline axis as well as the Qua – Iboe Terminal

  • Insurgency in parts of the North East
  • Fuel shortages and increase in electricity tariffs, kerosene and PMS prices in the first half of the year
  • Foreign Exchange (FX) scarcity

 

  1. The foregoing factors have constrained fiscal operations, real sector activities, and the external accounts. Other challenges in the domestic economy included:

(i)     Contraction in growth         (-2.24% in Q3)

  • High unemployment rate (13.9% as at Q3)
  • Higher inflation rate (18.5% as at November 2016)
  • Pressures on foreign reserves ($25.04 billion as at 14th December)
  • Slow down in corporate sector resulting in lower credit quality and rising non-performing loans.

4.0    THE NIGERIAN ECONOMIC RECOVERY AND GROWTH PLAN (NERGP)

  1. A Medium Term Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP 2017 – 2020) is being finalised which addresses the current economic challenges and is aimed at restoring growth. The Plan builds on the existing Strategic Implementation Plan (SIP), and contains strategic objectives and enablers required to revive the economy.  The strategic objectives of the NERGP are: (i) Pulling the economy out of recession; (ii)        Investing in our people (iii) Laying the foundation of diversified, inclusive and sustainable growth.
  2. The NERGP focuses on 5 broad areas namely:

(i)     Macroeconomic Stability

(ii)    Competitiveness

(iii)   Growth and Diversification

(iv)   Social Inclusion

(v)    Governance & Enablers

 

  1. The 2017 Budget proposal reflects many of the reforms and initiatives in the SIP and NERGP and in the 2017-2019 Medium Term Sector Strategies (MTSS), as well as the 2017-2019 Medium Term Fiscal Framework. A Multi-criteria analysis (MCA) approach was adopted to prioritize and select 2017 capital projects for 14 large capital spending MDAs involved in the MTSS.  Projects were linked to government policies and strategic priorities.  MDAs that were not involved in the MTSS process used the Rapid Appraisal Project Identification and Prioritization System (RAPIPS). Zero-Base Budget (ZBB) principles were used in preparing the Budget. ZBB ensured that expenditures in the 2017 Budget are linked to government’s strategic reforms and initiatives for economic recovery.
  • APPROACH TO THE 2017 BUDGET
  1. The 2017 Budget is designed to expand partnership between public and private sectors, including development capital to leverage and catalyse resources for growth. Other key objectives of the 2017 Budget include:
    • focusing on critical on-going infrastructure projects such as roads, railways, power, ICT, etc., that have quick positive effects on the economy;
    • utilizing Special Economic Zones and Industrial Parks as vehicles to accelerate domestic economic activity for innovation and wealth creation;
    • contributing to food security and creating platform for agro-business in agriculture supply chains through the Agriculture Green Alternative Plan;
    • establishing a Social Housing Fund to deepen the mortgage system and expand its availability across all states of the Federation;
    • encouraging and stimulating the growth of small and medium scale industries for innovation, job creation, productivity and wealth creation; and
    • providing social safety nets for poor and vulnerable Nigerians.

 

  • KEY ASSUMPTIONS AND MACROFRAMEWORK FOR THE 2017 BUDGET

 

  1. The key assumptions and macro-framework for the 2017 Budget are:

(i)     Oil production                            – 2.2mbpd

(ii)    Benchmark oil price                    – US$42.5/b,

(iii)   Exchange rate                            – N305/US$

(iv)   Inflation rate                              – 15.74%

(v)    GDP Growth Rate                       – 2.5%

(vi)   Nominal Consumption (N’trillion)  – 87.95

(vii)   Nominal GDP (N’trillion)              -107.96

  

6.1   Key Budgetary Reform Initiatives

 

  1. The Key Budgetary Reform Initiatives to improve the revenue base of the country include:

 

  • Subjecting the JV operations to a new funding mechanism, which will allow for Cost Recovery. Additional oil-related revenue include: Royalty Recoveries, Marginal Field Licenses, Early licensing renewals, etc;
  • Sustaining the use of TSA to monitor the financial activities of over 900 MDAs from a single platform;
  • Broadening the tax base, improve effectiveness of revenue collecting agencies, improve tax compliance etc;
  • Reducing leakages by tacking trade mis-invoicing and introducing the single window to drive customs efficiencies;
  • Improving the performance of independent revenue of government by ensuring that all MDAs (particularly revenue generating MDAs) present their budget in advance, and remit their operating surpluses as required by the FRA;
  • Extension of the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (IPPIS) to all MDAs.

7.0   2017 Budget Revenue Proposals – Where the Money is Coming    From?

(a)    An Overview of the Revenue framework

  1. Based on the key assumptions and budgetary reform initiatives, the 2017 Budget envisages a total FGN revenue of N4.94 trillion, exceeding FY 2016 projection by 28%. The Projected revenue receipt from oil is N1.985 trillion and Non-oil is N1.373 trillion.  The contribution of oil revenue is 40.2% compared to 19% in FY 2016 driven mainly by JVC cost reduction, higher price, exchange rate and additional oil related revenues.
  2. The details of the revenue as summarised below:

7.1   2017 Budget Expenditure Proposals – Where The Money is Going

  1. The 2017 Budget has an outlay of N7.298 trillion. This represents an increase of 20.4% over the 2017 budget provision of N6.06 trillion.  The details are:
  • Statutory transfers of N419.02 billion
  • Debt service of N1.66 trillion (22%);
  • Sinking fund of N177.46 billion (2.4%) to retire certain maturing bonds;
  • Non-debt recurrent expenditure of N2.98trillion (40.8%); and
  • Capital expenditure of N2.24 trillion (30.7%) inclusive of statutory transfers.

 

7.2   Financing the Deficit

 

  1. The overall projected budget fiscal deficit of N2.36 trillion for 2017, which is about 2.18% of GDP. This is within the threshold stipulated in FRA.  The budget deficit is to be financed mainly by borrowings which have been projected at N2.32 trillion.  Of this amount, N1.067 trillion (46% of this borrowing) is intended to be sourced externally, while N1.25 trillion will be sourced domestically. The debt service to revenue ratio is projected to be about 33.7% in FY2017.

7.3   Break down of Recurrent (Non-Debt) Expenditure

  1. The Recurrent non-debt expenditure of N2.98 trillion is made up of:
  2. Personnel costs – N1.86 trillion    (63%)
  3. Overhead – N229.81 billion (7%)
  • Service-Wide Vote pensions                 – N89.98 billion   (3%)
  1. Consolidated Revenue Fund Pensions – N191.63 billion (6%)
  2. Other Service-Wide Votes – N116.50 billion         (5%)
  3. Presidential Amnesty Programme         – N65 billion       (2%)
  • Refund to Special Accounts – N50 billion, and (2%)
  • Special Intervention Prog. (recurrent) – N350 billion     (12%)
  1. The largest recurrent allocations are for the following four MDA’s namely:
  2. Ministry of Interior                 – N482.37 billion;
  3. Ministry of Education                 – N398.01 billion;
  • Ministry of Defence                 – N325.87 billion;
  1. Ministry of Health                 – N252.86 billion.

 

  1. These four MDAs collectively take up about N1.46 trillion (about 70% of the combined provision for personnel and overhead). They have the largest share because of the size of their personnel. Some of the agencies and parastatals under these MDAs are yet to be captured on the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (IPPIS) platform. The sum of N2 billion has been provided in the 2017 Budget for the capturing to ensure all personnel that are not enrolled on the platform are captured.

7.5   Capital Expenditure in the Proposed 2017 Budget

  1. The Administration has committed to allocating at least 30% of the Budget to Capital from 16% allocation in 2015. In dollar terms, the 2017 budget proposal at ($23.80bn) is lower than 2016 estimates ($30.76bn).  As a % of GDP, we have grown the size of the Budget from 4.7% in 2015 to 5.9% in 2016 and to 6.7% in 2017.  Compared with South Africa (20.7%) and Ghana (19.2%) as at 2015, this is very low.  The ratio of capital spending in total increased from 16% in 2015 to 30% in 2016 and 30.7% in 2017.  The increase in infrastructure spending is expected to enhance revenue generation opportunities and over time significantly reduce deficit.

 

7.6   MDAs Capital Allocations by Pillar

  1. A significant part of the budgeting provision was allocated to reflect the Administration’s development priorities. This is aimed at engendering good governance practices and providing enablers for economic recovery and growth. Some of the key sectoral capital allocations in the 2017 Budget are as follows:

(i)         Infrastructure                                     56%

(ii)        Governance and Security                     20%

(iii)       Economic Reforms/Growth                  12%

(iv)       Social Development                             7%

(v)                States and Regional Development         4%

(vi)       Environment                                       1%

 

7.7.  Major MDA Capital Allocations

  1. There is a need to emphasize that the thrust of the 2017 Budget is to partner with private and development capital to leverage and catalyse resources for growth. By setting aside N2.24 trillion (inclusive of capital in statutory transfers), which is 30.7% of the total budget for capital expenditure, the objective, as set out in the SIP, of devoting at least 30% of the budget to capital expenditure has been achieved. Much of the capital provision is directed at those projects which will facilitate economic growth, diversification, competitiveness, ease of doing business, social inclusion, jobs as well as governance. This will ultimately engender the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In this regard, focus will be on initiatives in sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, solid minerals, and services. Consequently, capital allocations to MDAs within these sectors were significantly enhanced.
  2. The largest capital allocation goes to FederalMinistry of Power, Works and Housing – N564 billion (7.7%) (25% increase over 2016 estimate). To address contractors’ liabilities the Federal Government intends to issue over N2 trillion worth of bonds to clear outstanding contractors’ liabilities. These bonds would have a 10-year maturity and the amortisation is expected to begin in 2018. With regard to existing liabilities on bonds which were issued to contractors by past administration, we have set aside the sum of N177.46 billion in the 2017 budget as a sinking fund to retire the maturing bonds. The second largest capital allocation is for the Ministry of Transportation which has the sum of N277 billion.
  3. The 2017 Budget is an Infrastructure Budget. A total of N1.047 trillion is dedicated to key infrastructural spending, made up as follows:
  4. Power, Works and Housing:                 – N529billion;
  5. Transportation: – N262 billion;
  • Special Intervention Programmes: – N150 billion.
  1. Defence: – N140 billion;
  2. Water Resources: – N85 billion;
  3. Industry, Trade and Investment:      – N81 billion;
  • Interior: – N63 billion;
  • Education – N50 billion
  1. Universal Basic Education Commission – N92 billion
  2. Health:         – N51 billion
  3. Federal Capital Territory: – N37 billion;
  • Niger Delta Ministry:                          – N33 billion;
  • Niger Delta Development Commission – N61 billion
  • Agriculture – N91 billion

 

8.0   Strategic Focus of the 2017 Budget

  1. The thrust of the 2017 Budget is to partner with private and development capital to leverage and catalyse resources for growth. Much of the capital provision is directed at those projects which will facilitate:

(i)     economic growth

(ii)    diversification

(iii)   competitiveness

  • ease of doing business
  • jobs and social inclusion
  • improved governance and security
  1. The spending focus will be on critical economic sectors that have quick transformative potentials such as infrastructure, agriculture, manufacturing, solid minerals, services and social development.

8.1    New Initiatives in the 2017 Budget

  1. Some of the new initiatives introduced in the 2017 Budget are:
  • A new Social Housing Programme
    • N100 billion provisioned for a new Social Housing Programme towards a N1 trillion fund

 

  • Special Economic Zone Projects
    • N50 billion for Special Economic Zone Projects to be set up in each of the geo-political zones to drive manufacturing/exports

 

  • Export-Expansion Grant (EEG)
    • N20 billion voted for the revival of EEG in the form of tax credit

 

  • Recapitalization of Bank of Industry (BOI) and Bank of Agriculture (BOA)
    • N15 billion provisioned to support these development finance institutions to support Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMEs)

 

  1. These new initiatives will support economic diversification and inclusion in our growth-drive.

8.2. Some Projects in the 2017 Budget

  1. The highlight of some of the projects in the 2017 Budget are as follows:
  • Power
  • N20bn Rural Electrification projects in Federal Universities
  • 7bn as counterpart funding for the construction of 3,050mw Mambilla hydropower project
  • 12bn for the completion of power evacuation facility for 400mw Kashimbila hydropower plant.
  • Housing
  • N41bn federal government National Housing Programme nationwide.

 

  • Works
  • Over 65 roads & bridges construction and rehabilitation projects across the 6 geo-political zones of the country.
  • N20bn nationwide intervention fund for roads.
  • 5bn for the rehabilitation/reconstruction and expansion of Lagos – Shagamu – Ibadan dual carriageway sections I & II in Lagos and Oyo states.

 

  • Education
  • N5 billion for the provision of security infrastructure in 104 colleges (Perimeter fencing, Solar Street light, solar powered motorised borehole & CCTV).

 

  • Transportation
  • 14bn for various railway projects (Lagos-Kano, Calabar-Lagos, Kano- Kaduna, Ajaokuta-Itakpe-Warri, Kaduna-Idu) / counterpart funds and other rail projects
  • 03bn for the construction of terminal building at Enugu airport.
  • 08bn for airside rehabilitation of Abuja airport.
  • 47bn for the construction of an inland river port and supply of cargo handling equipment at Baro, Niger State.

      Health

  • 72 billion for joint venture investments in tertiary institutions with Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority.
  • 65 billion for procurement of vaccines and devices.
  • 46 billion for Global Fund and GAVI counterpart funding.

 

  • Water Resources
  • 86 billion for water supply schemes nationwide.
  • 3 billion for construction and rehabilitation of dams nationwide.

 

  • Agriculture & Rural Development
  • 5bn Rural Roads and Water Sanitation programme
  • 61bn Promotion and Development Of Wheat Value Chain
  • 13bn Guaranteed Minimum Price payment.

 

 

  • Mines & Steel Development
  • 0 billion for the establishment of mega regulatory agency for the sector
  • N 2.58 billion for detail mineral resources evaluation, equipping national geo-science laboratories and other projects.

 

  • Communications
  • N1 billion for extension of government service portal and deployment of additional National Spectrum Management System.

 

  • Niger Delta
  • 55 billion for dualization of East-West Road {Sections 1 to 5 covering Warri – Kiama – Ahaoda – Port Harcourt – Eket – Oron – Calabar}.
  • N8 billion counterpart fund contribution for East-West road

 

  • Social Intervention Programmes
  • N500 billion for FGN Special Intervention Programme (including Home Grown School Feeding Programme, Government Economic Empowerment Programme, N-Power Job Creation Programme, Conditional Cash Transfers and Social Housing Fund).

 

  • Regional Interventions.
  • N65 billion for reintegration of transformed ex-militants under the Presidential Amnesty Programme.
  • N45 billion North East intervention fund.

 

  • SDGs
  • N20 billion for SDGs conditional grants and social safety nets.

 

9.0   CONCLUSION

  1. Nigeria is in recession. Inflation and unemployment have been rising. As a Government, we are determined to bring succour to our people. The only way we can do this is by taking strong action to change, in a fundamental way, the current trajectory of the Nigerian economy. This is not the time for a timid and cautious approach. This is a time for bold and focussed action. To get out of this recession and back on the path of growth, Government must find the resources to spend on infrastructure, and to spend to reflate the economy. This spending will help to stimulate and attract private sector capital and private sector spending. This is what the 2017 Budget proposals seek to do.
  2. We should not allow ourselves to be discouraged by those who say we can’t find the money to fund the spending required to implement this budget. We must, and we can, find the resources. We will challenge our revenue generating agencies, particularly the FIRS and Customs to improve their efficiencies and broaden their reach so as to achieve the targets set for them in the 2017 Budget. They must be tasked to leverage technology to drive revenue collection. We will be issuing new guidelines and templates for computing the operating surpluses of the various Government Agencies so that we can achieve the targets we have set for independent revenues.
  3. Most importantly, we must maximize the revenues we can generate from the oil and gas sector. We cannot determine the price of crude oil but we can engage more extensively with the communities and people of the Niger Delta to minimize disruptions to oil production. We can introduce creative measures to improve on the efficiencies in that sector so as to increase the Government take. Indeed, a Cabinet Committee has been set up by President Muhammadu Buhari to come up with innovative and creative ways to raise additional revenues from the oil sector, and other sectors, to support the funding of the 2017 Budget. The report of this committee will be ready in time for the National Assembly to take this into account in considering the Budget in the New Year, when they return from their Christmas recess.
  4. Finally, our experience this year shows clearly that we have not just a revenue problem, but specifically, a foreign exchange problem. We must find ways of solving our foreign exchange shortages. 95% of our foreign exchange comes from the oil sector so the work we are doing on improving the level of our oil sector receipts will certainly help.
  5. However, we need to do more than this. Much more. We must reduce the demand for foreign exchange by producing as much as possible of what we need in Nigeria. From refined petroleum products to textiles, clothing and most of our food items. But we will continue to need imported items so we must increase the supply of foreign exchange by tweaking some of our policies to make them more investor friendly, and by creating the right incentives for non-oil exports. Ultimately, the sustained growth of our economy must be on the back of an export led revival. The proposals in the 2017 Budget are aimed at creating the right incentives for Nigerians to achieve all these. The 2017 Budget proposals are therefore also a call to action.
  6. These are difficult times, no doubt. But with the indomitable spirit of the Nigerian we can turn these difficulties into opportunities. It is to that indomitable spirit that this Government now appeals. I am confident that Nigerians will respond to this call to action. To truly revive this economy, we must turn Nigeria into a nation of producers.
  7. I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a better New Year during which we shall get out of recession.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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GTBank to Reward Mobile Banking Customers with 100k

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Foremost financial Institution; Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank), has launched the #GTBankMobileWin100k competition to reward its mobile banking customers by availing them a chance to win N100,000 weekly in the mBank January rewards. The competition will run throughout the month of January 2016 and ten lucky customers will win N100,000 weekly during the period.

To participate in the competition, customers are required to perform two banking transactions weekly on the GTBank Mobile App, such transactions include funds transfers, airtime purchases, bills payments and purchases on the SME MarketHub. Multiple entries are allowed and winners will be notified by telephone or email.

The GTBank Mobile App is a versatile mobile application that merges the bank’s internet banking and mobile money service offerings to allow customers enjoy 24/7 flexibility in carrying out banking transactions without having to visit the Bank’s offices. Using the mobile app, customers can confirm transactions, transfer funds, pay bills and check balances from the comfort of their mobile devices.

The app also host other amazing features such as the SME MarketHub; an online e-commerce platform that allows businesses owners create online stores to sell and promote their offerings to millions of buyers online.

Commenting on the launch, Segun Agbaje, Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer of GTBank said: “Understanding that customers are always on the go; mobile banking puts us in the palm of our customers and provides a unique opportunity to offer quick and more efficient ways of providing banking services. As a Bank, we remain firm on our objective to deliver value adding services that are tailored to meet the diverse needs of our ever-growing customer base by leveraging technology to make banking more convenient for all our customers.”

GTBank has consistently played a leading role in Africa’s banking industry. The GTBank brand is regarded by industry watchers as one of the best run financial institutions across its subsidiary countries and serves as a role model within the financial service industry due to its bias for world class corporate governance standards, excellent service quality and innovation.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Online Transaction Is Safer In Nigeria Says Supermart.ng Co-founder

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The Co-CEO of Supermart.ng, Gbolahan Fagbure has said that Nigeria is one of the safest place in the world to shop online. Fagbure who spoke recently with journalists in an interview said that it is only in Nigeria that online transactions are secured with three step authentication. Most nations of the world according to him are gradually moving towards touchless payment system where people don’t have to put in any authentication in the course of their online transactions but Nigeria still secures transaction with three step authentication system.
He went further to say that the fear that Nigerians are currently nurturing about online shopping came as an offshoot of the 419 era in Nigeria. He noted that the 419 era is now largely gone and that people do not have to deny themselves of the many privileges of online shopping for the fear of being defrauded.
Speaking further on the privileges that online shopping has to offer, Fagbure stated that the many advantages of online shopping are not just for Nigerians as individuals but also for the growth of the Nigeria economy. He explained that the online market is one place where an average person can get a wide range of assortments of whatever they want to buy in one place. Fagbure who used his company, Supermart.ng as a case study said that Supermart.ng has partnered with leading supermarkets and local markets to put up a one stop shop online with over 60,000 items including Fresh food, foreign products, Nigerian ingredients, general groceries and baby products among others.
While stressing further on how e-commerce will impart the economy, he explained that the more convenient shopping becomes, the higher the sales that businesses will make because customers will be willing to buy more.
He also encouraged entrepreneurs to seek possible partnerships with local markets as currently being practiced by Supermart.ng such that the sellers at the local markets are able to reach sophisticated consumers with their products without necessarily meeting the buyer in person. “The people selling at the local market may not be able to have access to some kind of customers that we have access to, through partnerships, we are able to sell their products to these customers and help them increase their sales” he added.
He however advised businesses that are looking forward to greater growth to embrace the use of the internet in reaching a wider audience even if they already have an established offline presence.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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MoneyGram Launches Account Deposit into Nigeria’s $21 Billion Annual Remittance Market

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Customers in key European countries can send money in minutes* directly to most bank accounts in Nigeria

LAGOS, Nigeria, December 22, 2015/ — MoneyGram (NASDAQ: MGI) (http://Global.MoneyGram.com) today announced it is the first money transfer company to offer customers in France, Germany, Ireland, Italy and Spain a way to send money to most personal Nigerian Naira bank accounts within minutes*.

“This is a significant milestone for us. With the addition of Nigeria, MoneyGram now offers bank account deposits through our network into five of the world’s largest remittance receive markets — Nigeria, China, India, Mexico and the Philippines,” says Herve Chomel, MoneyGram’s regional vice president for Africa. “Account deposit is a fast and secure way to send and receive funds between loved ones and we are proud to offer the service for our customers in Europe and Nigeria.”

Customers can send money to most of the personal accounts held at banks that are members of the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System network including First Bank, UBA, Ecobank, Fidelity, and Zenith Bank from MoneyGram agent locations in France, Germany, Ireland, Italy and Spain.

This marks an important innovation for the remittance industry in Nigeria. By integrating into the Nigerian Inter-Bank Payment System, MoneyGram customers are able to send money into most bank accounts in Nigeria, almost in real time*. Receivers do not have to undertake any action as the funds are automatically deposited into their account and can be accessed via ATM’s or online, without the constraint of a physical over-the-counter visit.

* Timing of funds availability depends on destination country and is subject to banking hours and compliance with regulatory requirements.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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