GOOD NEWS: Dangote Tells FG what to do to get us out of recession by December.....See details

Dangote Tells FG what to do to get us out of recession by December.....See details

Aliko Dangote has prescribed ways through which Nigeria can get out of recession before the end of 2016.

In an interview with CNBC Africa, the billionaire said: “The only way for us to get out of this recession is to make sure we move into action quickly; action by diversifying the economy quickly.

Here  are the details of Dangote’s prescription:

SELL STAKE IN NLNG AND AFRICAN FINANCE CORPORATION

“If I had challenges in my company, I would not hesitate to sell assets, to remain afloat, to get to the better times, because it doesn’t make any sense for me to keep any assets and then suffocate the whole organisation.

“What we need to do now in my own thinking… we have a lot of assets to sell. We can sell part of the joint venture; part of the shares. You know government normally owns 60 percent.

“We can sell in an open tender be it Chinese. We can change the term and make it an operating one, just like what we have in NLNG. We also have another asset I think we don’t really need.

“The African finance corporation; it can fetch them $800million easily. My own suggestion before was that they should even sell 100 percent of NLNG. I don’t think government should be in any business of investing in sectors of LNG.

“A company like that, with earnings of $1.5 billion on the average, they should get anywhere between $12 billion and $15 billion.”

SHORE UP RESERVES WITH NLNG SALE PROCEEDS

“You will not believe that the crisis that we have today, if we have $15 billion, adding it to our $25 billion, that is $40 billion reserves. That will give confidence, confidence will come back, then government will back it up with proper economic policy, where people can see the roadmap.

“Latest by fourth quarter we will be out of recession. It should be a partnership between government and private sector. We have all the answers, Nigeria falling into recession does not really scare me, if we take action.”

NAIRA AT 250 TO THE DOLLAR

The businessman said if the government boosts reserves as suggested, the naira may fall to 250 to the dollar and help the economy.

“Once we can sell assets, and put $15 billion together, you’d be very shocked at how much the dollar will actually drop, you can easily see 250. What is happening today is mere speculation.

“To currency, everybody will speculate, banks will speculate, companies will speculate,  individuals will speculate, because if you have money you want to send in from abroad you will keep sending in trickles.

“If you know that CBN has $40 billion in reserves today, if you have $100,000, you might even sell it forward because you know that this rate is going to crash and you must quickly sell it.”

OTHER THINGS WE LEARNT FROM DANGOTE’S INTERVIEW

√India has no oil, yet has over 2 billion tonnes in refining capacity

√Nigeria imports poverty and export jobs

√We do not produce up to five percent of the clothes we wear

√Government should not be in the business of building factories, but just collecting taxes

√China has more than 500 billionaires on the Forbes list and over three million millionaires

√If I have to build a road of 1,000 kilometres in Nigeria, I don’t have to waste years talking about it. I raise money and build it, and hand over to government after 20 to 25 years.

√If not for Dangote Cement, government will have to put down $2.5 billion dollars in 2016 to import cement.

√We need 65 million cubic metres of sand for Dangote refinery.

√Dangote Refinery mechanical completion will finish by 2018, but oil will flow into the refinery by first quarter of 2019.

Anambra: It is a sin to owe workers in this recession – Obiano tells fellow Governors (ManofThePeople)

Governor Obiano

Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, has affirmed that it is totally wrong and callous for any government to owe its workers salaries, especially now that Nigeria is in recession.
Obiano made this remark during the commencement of the Anambra State Fire and Safety Summit in Awka on Wednesday.
The governor, who expressed fear that the dollar would continue to rise against the naira, predicted that it would take no fewer than 18 months for the economic downturn in the country to subside.
He said, “A state that does not pay its workers is inviting calamity. Payment of workers’ salaries energises the economy.
“We saw this recession early and made agriculture one of the pillars of our administration. This is why we have been paying our workers. It is wicked to owe workers at a time like this.
“People should embrace risk management. That is the solution to disaster, especially in a recession.
“No recession lasts less than 18 months, so we need to wake up. The naira is moving to N500 per dollar.
“We need to secure our certificates and other valuables of ours so that nothing will happen to them overnight. That’s the way to survive in a recession.”

The governor, however, observed that the people of the South-East geopolitical zone had not been paying attention to insurance.
“My expectation is that our people will be better informed about disaster and its management after listening to the various speakers at this summit,” Obiano said.

Winning Wisdom: Laziness (GET INSPIRED)

Winning Wisdom: Laziness

Topic: Laziness [17/9/2016]

Text: Proverbs 13:4

Laziness is a terrible  illness amongst youngsters. It is a syndrome that has killed and is still killing many potentials. It has become so endemic among young people and manifests itself as procrastination or vacillation, decreased level of motivation, lack of interest and lack of self confidence. And it has resulted to starvation, rejection, backwardness, stagnancy, and many other adverse effects. Proverbs 15:19 says "the way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain."

Scriptures refer to a lazy man as one who is slothful and a sluggard. God does not approve of us being lazy, instead He wants us to work (2 Thessalonians 3:10). Romans 12:11 says: "not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord." A slothful man can not please God, because he does not have the willpower to do God's will. He is always at the mercy of others. Proverbs 20:4 says: "the sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing."

But does the 'Laziness Syndrome' have a cure? Yes, it does. Proverbs 6:6 says: "go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise." The cure is in your action. You are asked to first 'GO'. So move out of your comfort zone, take a step up. Secondly, 'CONSIDER', which is to think. Deliberate on issues that can make you better. The "I cannot" mentality should be altered. Finally, 'BE WISE'- Take wise actions. Christ, our Example was not lazy at all. In John 9:4, He said: "I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work." Be like Jesus. Work!

Keep winning daily.

Prayer:
Dear Lord, I know that You are not happy with the sluggards and You do not approve that I should be slothful. I take up the willpower to work, by Your grace and help. Let every syndrome of laziness be terminated from my life in Jesus' name. Amen.

By Precious Amayanvbo

Sign of End Time: South African Universities to offer Bsc Witchcraft

South African Universities to offer Bsc Witchcraft.

The South African Minister of Higher Education and Training, Blade Nzimande has announced plans to have witchcraft included in the curriculum from 2018.

Speaking to representatives from student unions around the country, the minister announced the shocking move and urged future university entrees to consider taking Witchcraft. “There is a lot we can learn from witchcraft, like how they fly in that winnowing basket. Imagine if we learn that skill. It will eradicate traffic jams and everyone will just get in their basket and fly. It also means we will not be importing fuel anymore.” Blade said.
The announcement was met with boos and bottle throws from the packed auditorium who had gone to the meeting hoping the minister would announce a 0% fee increase for the coming year. The unperturbed minister also invited renowned witches to make an appointment with his office so they can have their skills tested and those outstanding would then be hired as lecturers.
He also invited witches from across the border, promising them permanent residents permits. “I spoke to Gibs (Minister of Home affairs Malusi Gigaba) and he agreed to issue witches from outside South Africa with permanent residence permits. I heard Malawi and Zimbabwe have an impressive collection of witches. We are hoping they will heed the call”, he added.
Applications is said to be closing on the 30th of September at midnight, after which an appointed panel with conduct interviews. There currently is an opening for 109 witches.

INTERESTING: Obasanjo says, Buhari didn't meet an empty treasury, he inherited $30 billion from Jonathan

Obasanjo says, Buhari didn't meet an empty treasury, he inherited $30 billion from Jonathan

Former president of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has faulted incumbent President Buhari for claiming he received nothing from the previous administrations.

In an Interview with Frisky Larr, Obasanjo said, “When I assumed office in 1999, I inherited $3.7 billion in reserve, while Buhari met $30 billion, almost 10 times of what I met then, and the price of oil then was $9. When it got to $20, I was dancing.

“I know the price is down now and with time, it will jump up again. What Buhari is doing currently is preparing ground for Nigeria to take advantage when it goes up again,” he maintained.

Several media reports had previously quoted President Buhari saying he inherited an empty treasury.

TEACHING: Handling Sexual Perversion (3)by Pastor Faith Oyedepo

Handling Sexual Perversion (3)
by Pastor Faith Oyedepo

Hello Reader,

A very warm welcome to this wonderful edition of “Family Life”. few days ago, I examined adultery as one of the sexual perversions. I said that adultery is any sexual intercourse by a married person other than his lawful spouse. I equally said that adulterer is simply a man or woman who goes into sexual relationship as a married man or woman, but does it outside of wedlock. Today, I will be talking on God’s view on homosexuality and His prescribed remedy.

The dictionary defines a homosexual as one who is sexually attracted only to people of the same sex as oneself. God defines it as an abomination. The Word of God says: “Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination” (Leviticus 18:22 ).Yet the world is teeming with homosexuals; some churches even conduct marriages for homosexuals! They are fighting for the right to be regarded as a nuclear family. They are everywhere: in government, on the streets, in institutions of learning.

 Watching CBN’S 700 club one day, I saw a Christian woman who had been ensnared by the spirit of homosexuality (it’s a spirit you know) and who required help to break the habit. She had suffered in secret for many years and now needed deliverance. See Also: Handling Sexual Perversion (2)

In secondary schools, youngsters are drawn into homosexual practices by cruel seniors, and their own lust. But for whatever reason, homosexuality is of the devil. The Word of God says, “Because they do this, God has given them over to shameful passions, Even the women pervert the natural use of their sex by unnatural acts ( Romans 1:26-27).(Good News Bible) In the same way the men give up natural sexual relations with women and burn with passion for each other. Men do shameful things with each other, and as a result they bring upon themselves the punishment they deserve for their wrongdoing.”

ORIGIN
Where did the problem emanate’ From the fall. After man fell and handed the government of the world over to the devil, the devil tried to pervert every good and perfect thing God had made. God created a means of procreation between the man and his wife. After the fall, man wondered what it will feel like to mate with animals and with people of like sex. What God created to be enjoyed between the man and his wife became marred. Man began to seek other women outside marriage; he began to crave for intercourse with men. Unregenerated man keeps searching for new ways of living in “excitement”. Because homosexuality is a spirit, they become chained to it and are unable to escape. When a man becomes born-again, something happens: sin has no dominion over him any longer (Rom.6:14). He is free to walk away, and as a matter of fact is advised to flee from every appearance of evil.
REMEDY
What is the remedy for anyone caught in the web of homosexuality’
A. Become Born-Again
Only Christ has the remedy. When He died on the cross, He paid the price for all sins, once and for all (Rom.6: 6). God loves you, and wants to deliver you from every trap of the devil. Homosexuality is a trap and its only recompense or reward is AIDS. Do not toy with it, come to Jesus today and He will free you from its hold.
B Receive a New Mind
Believe that now you are in Christ, old things have indeed passed away (II Cor.5:17). Believe that God has forgiven you and forgive yourself!
Read the Bible and spend time meditating on God’s Word. Memorize scriptures, and let them be a part of you (Ps.119:11).
Pray: There is no situation that prayer cannot change. Continue to ‘wash’ your thoughts on your knees. For effectual prayer, you need the Holy Spirit. Receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Rom.-8:26).
Fast: Set time aside to wait upon the Lord in a fast and consolidate your freedom.
Make Christian friends and spend time discussing edifying things. Do not engage in idle talk.
Attend a Bible Believing Church where the mind of God is made known in unequivocal terms.
Literature: keep away from dirty novels (as long as Christ is not glorified, it is deadly), which propagate inordinate sexual acts. Keep yourself busy in the kingdom and discipline yourself. No one can reach your thoughts; so you, by yourself, must consciously guard your heart with all diligence. Philippians 4:8 has an all-purpose drug. It reads:
“Finally, brethren whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest...just...pure... lovely...of good report...If there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
If the steps discussed above are followed, you will receive total freedom from these deadly diseases of homosexuality and sexual perversions.
The first and important step you need to take to be free from this immoral act of sin is to receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour. If this is your desire, then pray this prayer with me:
“Dear Lord Jesus, I come to you today as a sinner. I believe you died for my sins and rose on the third day. Forgive me my sins. I accept you as my Lord and Saviour. Make me a child of God today”.
Congratulations! I break the hold of sin over your life by the power in the name of Jesus. I decree your total freedom in Jesus mighty name!
Write and share your testimonies with:
Pastor (Mrs.) Faith David-Oyedepo
P.O. Box 3459, Ikeja, Lagos. Tel. No: 7747546-8;
E-mail: faithdavid@yahoo.com
For more insight, these books by Faith Oyedepo are available on sale:
Marriage Covenant
Building A Successful Family
Success in Marriage (Co-authored)

UNVEILING: McKinsey research shows big opportunities ahead in Africa

McKinsey research shows big opportunities ahead in Africa

Although Africa's growth has slowed, the long term fundamentals are strong, big business opportunities lie ahead and the overall outlook is positive. These facts are contained in the latest McKinseyGlobal Institute Report just released today titled, Lions On The Move II: Realizing The Potentials of Africa's Economy.

According to the MGI’S new report, four fundamentals are likely to underpin Africa's economic growth.  Firstly, Africa has the fastest urbanization rate in the world. Over the next ten years, 187 million more Africans will live in cities—equivalent to half the US population today.Secondly, it has the biggest working-age population in the world of 1.1 billion in 2034—larger than in either China or India. Thirdly, it has the largest reserves in the world of many key natural resources (e.g., 60 percent of the world’s unutilized but potentially available cropland, and the largest global reserves of vanadium, manganese, and many others). Additionally, Africa has the chance to leapfrog old technologies using mobile and digital (e.g., penetration of smartphones expected to hit 50 percent in 2020 vs. 18 percent in 2015).

The new MGI report confirmed that spending by consumers and businesses in Africa today totals $4 Trillion. By 2025, the total could be $5.6 Trillion. Household consumption is expected to grow by 3.3% a year and reach $2.1 Trillion by 2025. The total could be $5.6 Trillion, reflecting an expanding African consuming class. Business spending is expected to grow from $2.6 Trillion in 2015 to $3.5 Trillion by 2025, and Africa has an opportunity to nearly double manufacturing output from $500 Billion today to $930 Billion in 2025. AFRICA’S economies are no longer a story about exporting commodities- but about tapping into vibrant domestic demand. Accelerated industrialization could lead to a steep change  in productivity and and the creation of 6-14 million stable jobs over the next 10 years.

AchaLeke, a McKinsey Senior Partner and Report Co-author, said:“Our new research shows how in coming years Africa will benefit from strong fundamentals including a young and growing population, the world’s fastest urbanization rate, and accelerating technological change. These will help drive rapid growth in consumer markets and business supply chains, and will offer opportunities to build large, profitable industrial and services companies. "Tapping Africa’s consumer markets will require companies to have a detailed understanding of income, demographic, and category trends. Thriving in business markets will require businesses to offer products and develop sales forces able to target the relatively fragmented private sector. But what our research also shows is how much work needs to be done both by companies themselves and by Africa’s governments to translate opportunity into tangible economic benefits.”To make the most of the opportunities, Africa needs more large companies. MGI’S new database of Corporate Africa, shows that the continent has 700 companies with revenues of more than $500 million, of which 400 companies have revenues of more than $1 Billion. AFRICA’S companies are growing faster and are generally more profitable than their global peers. "Africa’s top 100 companies have achieved success by developing strong positions at home, staying the course to build their businesses over decades, integrating what other companies would usually outsource, and investing in building and retaining talent. Further success is possible in six high-potential sectors with high growth, high profitability, and low consolidation. These are: wholesale and retail, food and agro-processing, health care, financial services, light manufacturing, and construction."

Governments need to play a stronger role in unleashing renewed dynamism. Six priorities emerge from this research.  Firstly, mobilize more domestic resources, taking bold steps to mobilize more of its own funding to finance development. Secondly, aggressively diversify economies, encouraging growth in high-potential sectors in close cooperation with business, based on a clear understanding of their countries’ comparative advantages. Then accelerate infrastructure development and deepen regional integration.

Additionally, create tomorrow's talent, ensuring that educational and training systems build work-relevant skills, and that students are aware of, and encouraged to enter, these vocations and that the private sector builds on best practice. Finally, ensure “healthy” urbanization, so that cities grow with the infrastructure required to make the biggest positive economic and social impact possible. Delivering on these six priorities will require the vision and determination to drive far-reaching reforms in many areas of public life—and capable public administration with the skill and commitment to implement such reforms.