The Unknown Nigeria Launches New Website

The Unknown Nigeria has launched its new website for better reach. 

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Lagos and the defining moments of 2016

A major highlight of 2016 in the state and, indeed, the country at large, is the grand entrance of LAKE Rice, the product of a joint agro venture between Lagos and Kebbi states, into the market. The product currently sells at designated points across the state. Considering the current harsh economic reality in the country, its roll out, no doubt, offers good tidings to Lagosians as it is believed that it would cushion the effect of economic recession to a great extent. The price is equally largely reasonable and moderate when compared with that of imported rice of same quantity.

Aside providing succour for local consumers, one major goal of the LAKE Rice project is economic diversification. Presently, the need for economic diversification in our country cannot be over-emphasized. Faced with a bleak economic prospect brought about by an agonising economic recession, this, indeed, is the exact time for governments at all levels to embrace every creative strategy that would fast track economic emancipation. It is, therefore, quite commendable that the Lagos and Kebbi state governments are already leading the way in this direction.

Looking Into Nigeria's Future By Pastor Tunde Bakare - Full Text

Full Text of  Pastor Bakare's sermon on the state of the nation delivered on Sunday, 8 January 2017 with the theme: ‘Looking into the future with the eyes of faith’. Pastor Tunde Bakare is the Pastor of the Latter Rain Assembly, Ikeja Lagos.

SCRIPTURAL TEXT: Isaiah 32:1–8; 15–20 and 33:10–16 (MSG).

Introduction

Fellow citizens of our great country, we are gathered here again at the turn of the year, as has become customary, to take a timely look at our nation – to examine its social, economic and political landscapes, to test the solidity of its value pillars, to interrogate its spiritual foundations, and to envision its future. We do this, first of all, in keeping with the obligations of that high office, the Office of the Citizen[1], then as patriots and nation builders, and ultimately as watchmen who understand the times and know what the nations ought to do, having been commissioned by God to bring direction to Nigeria, our primary place of assignment. This address, which I have titled “Looking into the Future with the Eyes of Faith”, will begin with a brief overview of the year 2016 vis-à-vis the word we received, then I will discuss the centrality of vision to development, the inherent flaws in Nigeria’s structure, and sustainable solutions to our social, economic and political challenges.

A Review of the Year 2016

At the beginning of the year 2016, God gave us spiritual leverage to see into the year and understand the nature of the year. We had insights into the events that were to unfold in the nations. During our Watchnight Service and subsequently during a State of the Nation address on Sunday, April 3, 2016, I stood on this platform to unveil the year in the following words:

The year 2016 is a year of global upheavals characterised by extreme uncertainties, intense political suspense, accelerated global terror, and mounting economic pressure due to dwindling resources that will drive nations to the precipice and activate the rage of the poor.[2]

For the keen observer, barely had these declarations been made when the world began to see events unfold as revealed. Permit me to highlight a few of such occurrences that defined the year 2016 as unveiled. This prophecy-guided panoramic tour of the year has become necessary in order to remind our nation and other nations of the earth that God cannot be crowded out of history.

Extreme Uncertainties

The year 2016 turned out to be a year of miscalculations by pundits. From projected economic outputs to election results, forecasts and polls were met with shocking realities.

Intense Political Suspense

Similarly, the year 2016 saw the sudden rise of populist movements, the shaking of establishments, the defeat of incumbents, and victory for underdogs. Political outcomes in Britain, the United States, France, Italy, Gambia, Ghana, South Africa, to mention just a few, left the world in intense suspense.

Accelerated Global Terror

A June 2016 USA Today headline reads: “2016 already marred by nearly daily terror attacks”[3], while a December 2016 headline from the same newspaper describes 2016 as a “year of terror, war and political turbulence.”[4] From Burkina Faso to Cameroon, and from Brussels to the United States, to name but a few, the axis of terror widened, deepened and spread its tentacles of horror.

Here in Nigeria, despite the laudable gains made against Boko Haram by the Buhari administration last year, the later part of 2016 saw a resurgence of attacks[5], one of which resulted in the killing of a great hero of the Nigerian army, Lt. Col. Muhammad Abu Ali, whose legendary courage had helped reclaim several Boko Haram held territories. (May I please request that we observe one minute of silence in honour of Lt. Col. Abu Ali and all gallant soldiers who paid the ultimate price for our collective security, as well as fellow citizens who lost their lives.) May the good Lord comfort and strengthen the families left behind, and may the sacrifices of the departed not be in vain, in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen.

Rice production in Kano increases by 95 percent

Rice produced by farmers in Kano State, north western Nigeria rose from 692, 481 tonnes in 2015 to 1, 551, 720 tonnes last year, reflecting an increase of about 95.2 percent.

The state governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje who announced this also said “wheat production in the state increased from 9, 495, 024 tonnes in 2015 to 17, 717, 000 tonnes in 2016, showing a swell of 84 percent”.

Mystery Trees in Ogun State Attract Thousands

Thousands of people have thronged the houses of two Christians in Ogun State where the inscription of an Arabic word appeared on two trees.

The inscription is believed to be the name of Allah.

The Moringa trees were located at 6 and 9, Unity Street, Ire-akari Estate, Iloye, Abule Iroko, Ado-Odo Ota, Ogun state.

Balanced scorecard for Nigerian football

By Omagbitse Barrow FCA 

As the African Nations Cup finals commences this January, and Nigeria is absent for the second time in a row, it is a good time to reflect on our football and as we always say go back to the “drawing board”. This time, I suggest that instead of going back to the drawing board, we should be going back to the Scorecard. While we would have all loved to see our darling Super Eagles in the Nations Cup, I am at least gratified that what has been a very busy and hectic January at my School and Office, can remain so, without the distractions of those pulsating matches of the Super Eagles that I will not be watching.

Nigerian Air Force Creates New Unit In Zamfara State

The Honourable Minister of Defence, Mansur Muhammad Dan-Ali today laid the foundation stone for the establishment of a unit of the Nigerian Air Force in Gusau, the capital of Zamfara State. The new unit is named 207 Quick Response Group (QRG) and was established about two months ago under the Special Operations Command with Headquarters in Bauchi. 

John Mikel Obi: A decade of success

A Tribute Written By Chelsea FC

John Mikel Obi possessed the happy knack of saving his very best performances for when it mattered most. His big-game ability was never more evident than in May 2012 when we lifted the Champions League for the first time in our history. His outstanding display in the final against Bayern Munich was a key factor in our success that year, and he produced similarly titanic performances in many European and domestic cup finals and semi-finals during his 10-and-a-half seasons at the Bridge.

Signed in the summer of 2006 by Jose Mourinho, the 19-year-old Mikel moved to west London from Norwegian club Lyn Oslo as a talented, raw, powerfully-built attacking midfielder. Mourinho quickly outlined his desire to play the Nigerian in a holding midfield role, however, and it was in that position that he would be deployed in the years to come.

Nollywood defies recession as The Wedding Party breaks record in 2016

Nigerian cinema has best-ever box office returns, thanks to a new generation of quality films and savvy marketing

Despite a gloomy economy and an uncertain outlook, the Nigerian movie industry has just enjoyed its best year at the box-office with an amazing N1 billion from a record 50 locally-produced titles. After years of predictions, it seems that Nollywood is finally delivering on its promise and putting quality before quantity.

As a result, movie-goers have rewarded the industry with a massive increase in cinema ticket sales. The N1 billion bonanza, represents nearly 30 per cent of the N3.5 billion generated from just 28 cinemas across Nigeria, which includes movies from Hollywood and around the world.

The Wedding Party, Nigeria’s latest blockbuster movie, has broken box-office records at every milestone since it was released nationwide to critical acclaim on December 16. It took just two weeks to eclipse the record of N176 million held by AY’s A Trip to Jamaica, emerging with a staggering N200 million before the New Year weekend was over. Both films led a strong lineup of popular Nigerian films in 2016, including Wives on Strike, The CEO, 93 Days and ‘76.

SS 3 Student Builds Nigeria's First Solar Powered Grinder

Oyo State has created Nigeria’s First Solar Powered Mower and Grinder and TOBI AYANWOYE is the inventor of this machine.

A student of Federal Government College (FGC), Ogbomoso, 18-year old Tobi has demonstrated the Nigerian spirit with his creativity.

In addition to this, Tobi has also created an alarm powered Foot Mat and it was exhibited during the School Project Showcase Event recently.

Nigeria Could Teach the West a Few Things

By Tyler Cowen

A trip is often defined by its surprises, so here are my biggest revelations from six days in Lagos, Nigeria.

Most of all, I found Lagos to be much safer than advertised. It is frequently described as one of the most dangerous cities on earth. Many people told me I was crazy to go there, and some Nigerian expats warned me I might not get out of the airport alive.

The reality is that I walked around freely and in many parts of town. I didn’t try to go everywhere or at all hours, and I may have been lucky. Yet not once did I feel threatened, and I strongly suspect that a trip to Lagos is safer than a trip to Rio de Janeiro, a major tourist destination. (In my first trip to Rio I was attacked by children with pointed sticks. In my second I found myself caught in a gunfight between drug lords). Many Lagos residents credit the advent of closed-circuit television cameras for their safety improvements.

So if you’re an experienced traveler, and tempted to visit Africa’s largest and arguably most dynamic city, don’t let safety concerns be a deal killer.

Nigeria economy in 2017... will we bounce back? By Andrew S Nevin

By Andrew S. Nevin PhD

According to Moody's, Nigeria's economy is set to grow at 2.5% in 2017. Some are calling this an improvement (here is Punch's take, for example: http://punchng.com/topmost-global-rating-body-nigerias-economy-will-improve-2017/). And after a year where the economy actually contracted, this can feel like progress. But it is simply not good enough.

To begin with, Nigeria's population is growing at 2.8% per year. Our working age population is growing even faster. So 2.5% economic growth means we are still going backwards, with GDP per capita declining and unemployment increasing, as the growth rate is not enough to absorb all the young people who need to work.

Meet The Youngest Special Adviser In Nigeria

           

By Eval Asikong

Youth have always hoped for the birth of an era where they will be allowed to control the affairs of their own generation. Today, the successful birth of that era has been midwifed by a veteran, an inventor and a professor, as amongst other youth, the youngest Special Adviser, ever, in Nigeria has been appointed by a governor christened, “digital governor”.