News

Nigerian Economy Shrinks By N63bn, 28 Sectors Struggle

Published

3 years ago

August 31, 2022

No fewer than 28 sectors of the economy declined in the second quarter of 2022 as real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) shrunk by N63.49billion quarter-on-quarter.
While real GDP grew by 3.54per cent year-on-year in Q2 2022, it declined by 0.37per cent from the N17.35trillion that was recorded in the first quarter of 2021 to N17.29trillion in Q2, 2022, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS)data revealed.
The NBS blamed this decline on lower economic activity that was witnessed in Q1 2021.
The analysis of real GDP data revealed that only 18 of the 46 NBS captured economic activity sectors experienced growth in the quarter under review.
According to the data from the statistics body, the agriculture sector witnessed mixed positives, with two sub-sectors witnessing growth and the other two recording a decline.
Crop production grew from N3.39trillion to N3.59trillion; livestock declined from N318.49billion to N282.02billion; forestry grew from N44.14billion to N51.28billion; while fishing declined from N125.46billion to N88.3billion.
In the mining and quarrying sector, crude petroleum and natural gas declined from N1.15trillion to N1.09trillion; coal mining grew from N1.61billion to N4.79billion; metal ores declined from N4.87billion to N1.26billion; and quarrying other minerals grew from N363.29million to N25.51billion.
The 2022 has been a tough year for the manufacturing sector with inflation and foreign exchange scarcity negatively impacting growth.
Only three of the 13 subsectors in the manufacturing sector recorded any growth in the quarter under review.
Oil refining grew from N1.66billion to N2.82billion; cement declined from N188.81billion to N143.74billion; food, beverage and tobacco declined from N875.94billion to N760.08billion; textile, apparel, and footwear declined from N342.48billion to N283.34billion; wood and wood products declined from N53.81billion to N44.41billion; whereas pulp, paper, and paper products declined from N13.38billion to N9.70billion.
Chemical and pharmaceutical products grew from N42.75billion to N47.37billion; non-metallic products declined from N63.52billion to N49.24billion; plastic and rubber products declined from N60.12billion to N53.01billion; electrical and electronics increased from N839.34million to N921.50million; basic metal, iron and steel declined from N39.93billion to N37.31billion; motor vehicles and assembly declined from N9.53billion to N7.63billion; and other manufacturing declined from N76.07billion to N55.55billion.
The electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply sector grew from N32.72billion to N118.79billion.
The water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation sector grew from N39.06billion to N61.12billion.
Construction declined from N725.99billion to N554.11billion.
The trade sector grew from N2.79trillion to N2.91trillion.
Accommodation and food services also recorded a decline from N173.41billion to N68.17billion.
Under the transportation and storage sector, road transport grew from N151.97billion to N293.85billion; rail transport and pipelines declined from N40.96million to 19.92million; water transport increased from N802,77million to N1.04billion; air transport declined from N25.26billion to N9.69billion; transport services grew from N7.11billion to N11.14billion; and post and courier services declined from N6.26billion to N2.42billion.
Seen as one of the bright spots of the economy, telecommunications and information services under the information and communication sector grew from N2.25trillion to N2.59trillion; publishing declined from N5.45billion to N4.66billion; motion pictures, sound recording and music production declined from N229.67billion to N157.57billion; and broadcasting grew from N330.47billion to N433.43billion.
The arts, entertainment and recreation sector declined from N35.69billion to N51.85billion.
In the financial and insurance sector, the financial institutions subsector declined and insurance declined from N85.11billion to N80.18billion.
The real estate sector was one of the sectors that shrunk, declining from N927.32billion to N920.49billion.
The professional, scientific and technical services sector fell from N560.47billion to N525.94billion; administrative and support services grew from N3.39billion to N3.54billion; public administration also grew from N283.59billion to N375.59billion, but education fell from N333.06billion to N231.85billion.
While the other services sector declined from N702.74billion to N473.72billion, the human health and social services sector increased from N126.01billion to N131.28billion.
In a statement addressing the general GDP, the Founder/Chief Executive Officer, Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise, Dr Muda Yusuf, disclosed that productivity and competitiveness issues had continued to negatively impact performance across sectors of the economy.
He stated that the general operating environment of the nation was also very challenging for most investors, with SMEs particularly more vulnerable to prevailing macroeconomic shocks, resulting in high mortality rate for small businesses.
He said, “Many businesses are struggling to cope with the numerous challenges and shocks to the economy. On the welfare front, the citizens are also experiencing serious economic hardship as a result of the galloping inflation and the impact on purchasing power.”

News

Group Doles out N13m To Market Women In Isiama

Published

24 hours ago

September 22, 2025

Uchechukwu Okwum

The peaceful Town of Isiama in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State was at the weekend agog with activities following the donation of over N13million to market women by Engr. Justus Ngerebara in partnership with Fast Track Development Initiatives, a non-governmental organization, as part of its first phase empowerment programme.

According to Justus Ngerebara, who is also the Executive Director of the organization, the women, numbering 108, will receive various sums based on their business proposal.

He stated that the organization will carry out an annual review of the performances of the beneficiaries, with a view to rewarding those who put the money into good use.

According to him, the initiative was a collaborative effort between himself and his wife, Dr. Unyime Ngerebara, in partnership with Fast Track Development Initiative (FDI), an organization committed to youth capacity building and community development.

He said the family believe deeply in the transformative power of women’s empowerment as a catalyst for economic growth, especially in rural communities.

“As the saying goes, when you empower a woman, you empower a community. This truth resonate strongly with us, knowing that empowered women uplift households and inspire generational change”, he stated.

Ngerebara described the programme as the beginning of more things to come and urged the beneficiaries to view the gesture “as a reflection of our deep love for the community and our commitment to easing the burdens of economic hardship.

“We encourage you to invest wisely, channel these resources into your business not frivolities.

“We will continue to follow up with each participant to monitor progress and Offer guidance.

“It is our goal to see thriving business, creative solutions to households hunger and a ripple effect of prosperity through Isiama.

“We also call on the men to stand beside their spouses, offering support and encouragement to ensure these resources are maximized for growth”, he said.

In an interview, Ngerebara said the second phase of the empowerment programme will start very soon, stressing that since inception the organization has done so much for the community.

He listed some of the programmes carried out by the group in the community to include the installation of solar powered lights, and solar powered water.

While declaring the event open, a former coymmissioner for Works in Rivers State, Engr. Sampson Ngerebara, described the event as the first of its kind in the community.

Engr. Ngerebara said the programme will go a long way to improve the conditions of not only the beneficiaries, but also the entire Isiama Community.

He also charged them against wasting the resources on frivolities, adding that their success will attract more of such empowerment programme to Isiama community

Giving a brief talk on women empowerment, a lecturer at the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Dr. Awajimogobo Felix MacLean, warned the beneficiaries to justify the effort of the donor by avoiding wastages.

Dr. MacLean also urged them to be consistent in their line of business as well as avoid unnecessary competition.

She also stressed the need for them to network among themselves, while working out ways of helping the community to develop.

Guest of Honour at the occasion, Professor Uriah Oboada Alafonye, said Engr Justus Ngerebara, the initiator of the programme, has set a standard for present and future generations of leaders both in the community and the rest of Andoni to follow.

Prof Alafonye who is of the department of Arts Education, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, also appealed to the beneficiaries to seize the opportunity provided by the programme to reduce poverty in the community.

Speaking, one of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Hebron Mercy Fyneface, a crayfish seller and an interior designer, said it was the first time she was receiving such gesture from any organization or government.

She thanked Engr Justus Ngerebara for remembering the women of Isiama and urged others to emulate him.

By: John Bibor

News

Fubara’s Return Excites NCSU … As Hope Rises For Civil Servants

Published

24 hours ago

September 22, 2025

Uchechukwu Okwum

The umbrella body of civil servants in Rivers State, the Nigeria Civil Service Union(NCSU) has expressed delight over the lifting of emergency rule in the State and the return to office of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Prof Ngozi Nma Odu and members of the State House of Assembly, saying, the development portends good omen for workers, the people and the State.

The Rivers State Chairman of NCSU, Comrade Chukwuka Richman Osumah, who gave the indication in an interview in Port Harcourt, said the return of the Governor to office portends good omen and better days for civil servants in particular, stressing that the union heartily welcomes the Governor back to office, to resume his good works in the State, after six months of the emergency rule, as well as his deputy and members of the House of Assembly.

He noted that civil servants in the State are not only elated over the development but are also full of hope that the Governor would start from where he stopped in attending to their welfare needs.

He contended that the political crisis that recently engulfed the State and the six-month emergency rule had for over one year pulled the State backwards, but expressed delight that a permanent solution has been found to stem further political upheavals in the State, and thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for making this possible; the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and leader of the State, Chief Nyesom Wike; Governor Fubara; Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Martin Amaewhule; members of the House; and other stakeholders for agreeing to amicably resolve all contending issues.

The labour leader said this is the right time for all political gladiators in the State to bury the hatchet, work together and embrace peace and genuine reconciliation in the overall interest of the State.

He described as too hasty the resolution of the House, mandating the Governor to present a supplementary budget to it, and pleaded with members of the House to be calm, to tread with caution, and harmoniously work with the Governor.

He said the return of democratic governance in the State would fast-track progress and development in the State, and enjoined the people of the State, particularly civil servants to continue to give their support and cooperation to the Fubara administration.

Osumah expressed optimism that Governor Fubara would give prompt attention to challenges facing civil servants in the State, being a former civil servant himself, stressing that the workers truly have hope, now that the Governor has returned to office, and knowing the kind of Governor he is.

According to him, he is going to look into the controversial and contentious contributory pension scheme; rehabilitation of the State Secretariat Complex; recruitment into the state civil service; extension of service and retirement years for civil servants; provision of vehicles to industrial unions; as well as provision of befitting staff quarters for civil servants; among others.

News

NDDC Organizes ADR Capacity Building for Staff

Published

24 hours ago

September 22, 2025

Uchechukwu Okwum

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has organized a one-day sensitization program for its personnel on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) approaches to promote workplace compliance on transparency and due process.

The workshop, themed “Promoting Transparency and Due Process in the Workplace using ADR Approaches in Building a Culture of Accountability and Integrity,” aimed to equip staff with the skills to resolve disputes effectively.

Declaring the event open on thursday in port Harcourt,The NDDC Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, emphasized the importance of using ADR mechanisms to resolve conflicts in the workplace.

Dr. Ogbuku represented by his chief of staff,Rev Omeya Oworibo,noted that ADR approaches can encourage a culture of honesty, fairness, transparency, trust, and reduce conflicts among staff, ultimately promoting efficiency and productivity.

He averred that those disputes and quarrels if not proper resolved can derail the vision and objectives of the commission to the people, noting that the commission must as a team and unity as service provider in order to render a profitable service delivery to the people.

“ADR approach will encourage culture of honesty,fairness, transparency ,trust and reduce back bitting and the workforce, noting that such tendency would in turns promote efficiency and increase results in workplace.

when integrity and honesty becomes the operandi of an organisation and employees begins to trust that their matters will be handled with fairness it will breed team work and increase in productivity.”he stated

He commended the department of DCR for organising the workshop and urged the participants to make good use of the opportunity and imbibe the culture of tolerance, integrity and teamwork in workplace.

Also speaking,the NDDC acting director of DCR ,Mr Godwin Ayewumi Ogedegbe noted that the theme of the captures the core of what the commission seeks to achieve a workplace where every action is expected to be guided by openness, fairness, and a steadfastness commitment to due process, where conflicts are not merely resolved, but prevented through structured,principled processes , and where accountability and integrity are not aspirational ideals but every day practice.

In his keynote presentation on the theme “workplace Ethics and alternative Dispute Resolution Correlation,

Prof. Sylvester Odion Akhaine of the Department of Political Science, University of Lagos, delivered a keynote presentation on “Workplace Ethics and Alternative Dispute Resolution Correlation.” He stressed the importance of due process, transparency, integrity, and accountability in the workplace, noting that these values are essential for productivity and organizational goals.

The workshop aimed to promote a culture of accountability and integrity in the NDDC workplace. By equipping staff with ADR skills and promoting transparency and due process, the commission can build a more efficient and productive work environment.

By: Akujobi Amadi