Revenues from Nigeria’s oil sales declined by over two-thirds between September last year and July this year with “dire consequences” for Africa’s largest economy, the country’s state-run oil giant said Sunday.
“The receipts witnessed a sharp decline of more than 67 percent from September 2014, when the receipt was at its peak, to July 2015 with dire consequences to the federation,” a report by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) said in a statement.
The fall in global oil prices over the last year has affected the revenue of the oil-dependent nation, which derives more than 90 percent of its foreign exchange earnings from crude sales.
The NNPC’s monthly publication of provisional financial and operational data is an innovation introduced by the new boss of the organisation, Ibe Kachikwu, aimed at opening its books to public scrutiny, the statement said.
Over the decades, critics have accused the NNPC of being opaque in its operations, while corruption and mismanagement allegations have also dogged the company.
Shortly after he came into office, President Muhammadu Buhari sacked the top management of the NPPC and appointed Kachikwu — a former Exxon executive — in July as part of his administration’s crackdown on corruption in the agency.
The NNPC report indicated that total receipts for crude oil and gas exports between January and August 2015 were $3.4 billion.
Of the total receipts from oil and gas sales, $608 million was remitted to the federation account — the pool into which all federal revenues are deposited.
Most of the 36 states of the Nigerian federation owe workers several months of unpaid salaries, attributing the situation to dwindling allocations to them from the federation account.
Kachikwu, a lawyer, is expected to be appointed as the junior oil minister who will oversee the day-to-day running of the crucial industry.
Vanguard
Monday, October 12, 2015
Friday, October 9, 2015
Vincent Enyeama retires from International Football
The 33-year-old's decision came after coach Sunday Oliseh replaced him as captain with Ahmed Musa - only hours before the match in Verviers, Belgium.
"I am no longer Nigeria captain or goalkeeper nor available for Nigeria duty," he said on Instagram.
"I fought a good fight for 13 years, but now I have finished my course".
Enyeama is the Super Eagles most capped player with 101 appearances and became the captain following the retirement of Joseph Yobo after the 2014 World Cup.
The Lille stopper refused to confirm that the decision to strip him of the skipper's armband hastened his retirement but he admitted it was a difficult time to leave.
"It's been the most difficult period of my life, losing my mother and the emotion," he told BBC Sport.
"After playing for the Super Eagles for 13 years, you never think that it would end like this but the time [to retire from international football] has come.
"There is never a good time to leave but I will always be a fan of the Super Eagles and Nigerian football."
Enyeama made his debut against Kenya in May 2002 in Lagos and during his international career he helped Nigeria win the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa, where he emerged as the tournament's best goalkeeper.
He played in five Nations Cup tournaments - in 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2013 - and was part of the Nigeria squad at the 2002, 2010 and 2014 World Cup tournaments.
"I just want to say thanks to my family and friends and all the fans who have supported me all these years," he added to BBC Sport.
"I played at three World Cups, won the Africa Cup of Nations and fought alongside brave compatriots so I am leaving on a high."
BBC
Death toll of Nigerians in Hajj stampede confirmed to be 99
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) on Thursday said 355 Nigerians were involved in the Mina Stampede, out of whom 99 were confirmed dead.
More than 769 pilgrims from across the world died and 1000 others injured in the Sept. 24 stampede in one of the roads leading to Jamarat Complex (stone throwing site) in Mina, Saudi Arabia.
Saleh Okenwa, the Commissioner in charge of Information, Research and Library Service, NAHCON, confirmed the new casualty figures to journalists in Mecca.
Okenwa also said 214 pilgrims were still missing, adding that investigation was ongoing to ascertain their whereabout.
He said out of the 355 pilgrims involved, 99 were confirmed dead, 42 injured and 214 were still missing as at October 7.
He also said that of the 99 deceased pilgrims, 73 were transported by state pilgrims welfare agencies, and 26 by tour operators.
Okenwa also said the 42 injured pilgrims comprised 41 transported by state pilgrims’ welfare boards and one by tour operators.
The commissioner said 194 Nigerians of the 214 pilgrims missing were airlifted by the state pilgrims’ welfare agencies, and 20 by tour operators.
Okenwa said only seven of the 42 injured pilgrims were still on admission.
News24
More than 769 pilgrims from across the world died and 1000 others injured in the Sept. 24 stampede in one of the roads leading to Jamarat Complex (stone throwing site) in Mina, Saudi Arabia.
Saleh Okenwa, the Commissioner in charge of Information, Research and Library Service, NAHCON, confirmed the new casualty figures to journalists in Mecca.
Okenwa also said 214 pilgrims were still missing, adding that investigation was ongoing to ascertain their whereabout.
He said out of the 355 pilgrims involved, 99 were confirmed dead, 42 injured and 214 were still missing as at October 7.
He also said that of the 99 deceased pilgrims, 73 were transported by state pilgrims welfare agencies, and 26 by tour operators.
Okenwa also said the 42 injured pilgrims comprised 41 transported by state pilgrims’ welfare boards and one by tour operators.
The commissioner said 194 Nigerians of the 214 pilgrims missing were airlifted by the state pilgrims’ welfare agencies, and 20 by tour operators.
Okenwa said only seven of the 42 injured pilgrims were still on admission.
News24
Congo beat Nigeria 2-0 in football friendly
DR Congo won 2-0 against Nigeria in Thursday evening's friendly to inflict a first defeat on new coach Sunday Oliseh. However, the build-up to the game was overshadowed by reports of a rift with goalkeeper and captain Vincent Enyeama, leading to the retirement of the country's record appearance holder.
New coaches usually enjoy a post-appointment honeymoon period with fans and media and Oliseh has been enjoying his -- until now.
This week's highly publicised spat with Enyeama, who enjoys massive fan support, has left Oliseh treading water. Reaction on social media, on radio and even on the streets of Nigeria have, for the most part, been pretty caustic.
Losing to Congo DR in a poor display that saw them ship goals from Dieumerci Mbokani and Jordan Nkololo, simply exacerbated issues for Oliseh, who will now have to ensure his team get back on track to keep the fans on side.
Armband farce
An immediate, if indirect fallout, was the armband farce that took place in the second half. As one Twitter user put it, the Nigerian armband was being passed around "like the Olympic torch." That captured the situation perfectly.
On being substituted, Ahmed Musa handed the armband to John Obi Mikel, who promptly passed it to Ogenyi Onazi. When it came to Onazi's turn to make way, he handed it to Elderson Echiejile.
In light of the current circumstances surrounding the loss of Enyeama, it painted an unflattering picture of the dressing room situation. Who is the leader? Who will step up?
Mikel steps up
On a day when the team looked dire, Mikel was the surprising shining star. Played in an advanced role, he looked very much the opposite of his lacklustre alter ego at Chelsea.
He drove the team forward, took on players, linked play and even tested the goalkeeper on occasion.
What to do with Mikel is a conundrum that many Nigerian coaches have tried and failed to find a solution to. It is a solution that Oliseh will need to find quickly.
No margin for Ikeme error
Carl Ikeme came in to the squad with expectations of being an understudy, but a combination of circumstances in light of Enyeama's decision have thrust him into the spotlight and made him the first-choice goalkeeper.
Exhilarating as this may be, filling the huge gloves of the last occupant puts an additional burden on him. Where he may have been forgiven for the odd mistake, the circumstances of his ascent mean his margin for error has been significantly shaved.
Diaspora takeover
Most of the controversy in the last few weeks has centred on Nigeria's chase for players born in the diaspora.
The high profile decision of Jordon Ibe to pick England ahead of Nigeria has left a sour taste in many mouths.
But the case for players who choose to represent Nigeria, despite not having been born in the country, was strongly made by three of the back five. Leon Balogun, William Troost-Ekong and Ikeme all performed relatively well and have done since their debuts. Perhaps, there is some method to the madness.
ESPN
New coaches usually enjoy a post-appointment honeymoon period with fans and media and Oliseh has been enjoying his -- until now.
This week's highly publicised spat with Enyeama, who enjoys massive fan support, has left Oliseh treading water. Reaction on social media, on radio and even on the streets of Nigeria have, for the most part, been pretty caustic.
Losing to Congo DR in a poor display that saw them ship goals from Dieumerci Mbokani and Jordan Nkololo, simply exacerbated issues for Oliseh, who will now have to ensure his team get back on track to keep the fans on side.
Armband farce
An immediate, if indirect fallout, was the armband farce that took place in the second half. As one Twitter user put it, the Nigerian armband was being passed around "like the Olympic torch." That captured the situation perfectly.
On being substituted, Ahmed Musa handed the armband to John Obi Mikel, who promptly passed it to Ogenyi Onazi. When it came to Onazi's turn to make way, he handed it to Elderson Echiejile.
In light of the current circumstances surrounding the loss of Enyeama, it painted an unflattering picture of the dressing room situation. Who is the leader? Who will step up?
Mikel steps up
On a day when the team looked dire, Mikel was the surprising shining star. Played in an advanced role, he looked very much the opposite of his lacklustre alter ego at Chelsea.
He drove the team forward, took on players, linked play and even tested the goalkeeper on occasion.
What to do with Mikel is a conundrum that many Nigerian coaches have tried and failed to find a solution to. It is a solution that Oliseh will need to find quickly.
No margin for Ikeme error
Carl Ikeme came in to the squad with expectations of being an understudy, but a combination of circumstances in light of Enyeama's decision have thrust him into the spotlight and made him the first-choice goalkeeper.
Exhilarating as this may be, filling the huge gloves of the last occupant puts an additional burden on him. Where he may have been forgiven for the odd mistake, the circumstances of his ascent mean his margin for error has been significantly shaved.
Diaspora takeover
Most of the controversy in the last few weeks has centred on Nigeria's chase for players born in the diaspora.
The high profile decision of Jordon Ibe to pick England ahead of Nigeria has left a sour taste in many mouths.
But the case for players who choose to represent Nigeria, despite not having been born in the country, was strongly made by three of the back five. Leon Balogun, William Troost-Ekong and Ikeme all performed relatively well and have done since their debuts. Perhaps, there is some method to the madness.
ESPN
Ebola scare in Nigeria after man dies in Calabar
An Ebola scare has been reported in southern Nigeria, a year after the country was declared free of the virus.
Ten people have been quarantined after coming into contact with a man showing Ebola-like symptoms, officials said.
The man reportedly died shortly after being admitted to hospital in Calabar.
On Wednesday, the three countries worst affected by Ebola - Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia - recorded their first week with no new cases since the outbreak began in March 2014.
More than 11,000 people died in the West African Ebola outbreak, the worst known occurrence of the disease in history.
New cases have fallen sharply in 2015, but the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the disease could break out again.
The latest scare happened when a patient arrived at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital on Wednesday.
"We have sent blood samples for testing and quarantined identified contacts," said Queeneth Kalu, the hospital's chief medical director.
Those quarantined included nurses who had attended to the patient, he added.
Ebola arrived in Nigeria in July 2014 when a Liberian businessman collapsed at Lagos airport.
But the outbreak was contained with seven deaths - far fewer cases than in the worst-hit countries.
BBC
Ten people have been quarantined after coming into contact with a man showing Ebola-like symptoms, officials said.
The man reportedly died shortly after being admitted to hospital in Calabar.
On Wednesday, the three countries worst affected by Ebola - Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia - recorded their first week with no new cases since the outbreak began in March 2014.
More than 11,000 people died in the West African Ebola outbreak, the worst known occurrence of the disease in history.
New cases have fallen sharply in 2015, but the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the disease could break out again.
The latest scare happened when a patient arrived at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital on Wednesday.
"We have sent blood samples for testing and quarantined identified contacts," said Queeneth Kalu, the hospital's chief medical director.
Those quarantined included nurses who had attended to the patient, he added.
Ebola arrived in Nigeria in July 2014 when a Liberian businessman collapsed at Lagos airport.
But the outbreak was contained with seven deaths - far fewer cases than in the worst-hit countries.
BBC
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