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Manufacturing Trade Deficit Hits N9.4tn In Nine Months

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Nigeria’s trade balance of manufactured goods hit a deficit of N9.4tn in the first nine months of 2023, findings by The PUNCH reveal.

This is according to analysis of various Foreign Trade Statistics reports published by the National Bureau of Statistics.

According to the data, in the first quarter of 2023, Nigeria’s imports of manufactured goods stood at N2.5tn. In the second quarter, it increased to N3.2tn and N4.1tn in the third quarter.

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Cumulatively, manufactured goods imports in the first nine months of 2023 stood at N9.9tn.

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On the other hand, exports recorded in this category were N131bn, N212bn and N200bn in the first, second and third quarters, respectively, totalling N543bn.

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This means that the difference between imports and exports during the period in review stood at a negative, as imports exceeded exports to the tune of N9.37tn.

Major items imported during the period included ‘Used Vehicles, with diesel or semi-diesel engines from the United States and United Arab Emirates, ‘Machines for reception, conversion and transmission … of voice, images or data’ imported from China and ‘Other medicaments not elsewhere specified’ from India.

The major exports in this sector were ‘Unwrought aluminium alloys’ exported to Japan, ‘Oilcake and other solid residues, resulting from the extraction of soyabean oil,’ and Cathodes and sections of cathodes’ exported to Japan.

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The data revealed that manufactured goods exports by region were mainly exported to Asia, Africa and Europe.

According to a report by the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, the highest non-oil export volume done by Nigerian businesses in recent times was $9.13bn and that was just before COVID-19.

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The report said Nigeria had not done well in global export trade as it ranked 52nd among nations.

The report, titled ‘Emerging Issues Disrupting Nigeria’s Non-Oil Export And Innovative Solutions,’ cited production, port administration and operating environment as some of the primary impediments to non-oil exports in the country.

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Also, a recent World Bank ‘Nigeria Development Update noted that non-oil revenues also need to be increased even with oil benefits being secured.

In an interview with Sunday PUNCH, the President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Francis Meshioye, said exporting manufacturers were usually unable to compete with their international counterparts due to factors bordering on high production costs.

According to him, Nigerian manufacturers are saddled with high production costs, which ultimately push up the prices of manufactured goods.

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Meshioye said, “We tell our members to export more, but all these things are based on competitive advantages. If you want to export a product, it is fine, but at what cost are you going to export it? What will be your price? If the cost is astronomically high, it will be difficult to export. It is a circle.

“The export base should be good enough to support the floating exchange rate, but we need to have a good economic base to do that.”

 

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Migration Agency Warns Migrants Against Irregular Travel Routes

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The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with Giving is Healing Foundation, has sensitised residents of Ayobo in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State on the dangers of irregular migration and the need to embrace legal travel procedures.

Speaking during a sensitisation programme held at Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association in Ayobo, the founder of Giving is Healing Foundation, Mr. Gbolahan Ayediran, warned intending migrants against using illegal travel routes.

Ayediran said many Nigerians desire to migrate abroad in search of better opportunities but often ignore proper procedures, thereby exposing themselves to several dangers.

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“Lots of people want to migrate and most of them do it in the wrong direction. The reason for the programme is for us to advise people on how they can migrate in the right way. As much as migration is their right, they should do it correctly,” he said.

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He advised intending travellers to obtain the necessary travel documents before embarking on any journey, noting that such documents include international passports, visas, flight tickets and yellow cards, depending on the destination country.

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According to him, migrants should also gather adequate information about their destination countries to enable them make informed decisions before travelling.

Ayediran further highlighted some of the dangers associated with irregular migration, including abuse, exploitation, discrimination and forced labour.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association, Elder Mathews Amusan, commended the organisers for enlightening members of the community on safe migration practices.

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He urged residents planning to travel abroad to always follow legal migration procedures to avoid falling victim to human trafficking and other migration-related challenges.

One of the participants, Mr. Kolawole Adenoko, said the programme enlightened him on the dangers of irregular migration and the importance of travelling through the proper channels.

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He added that he would also educate his relatives and friends on the risks associated with illegal migration.

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Shatta Wale Bailed Burna Boy From Ghana Prison After Arrest For Smoking Weed – Captan

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Ghanian singer, Captan, has claimed that his former record label boss, Shatta Wale, once bailed Nigerian singer Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana after he was allegedly arrested for smoking weed.

Speaking in a recent podcast interview, Captan claimed that Shatta Wale sent him and others to free Burna Boy from police custody.

He also claimed that Shatta Wale and his group once accommodated Burna Boy when he was being hunted by some dangerous men.

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Captan said, “I once bailed Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana when he was arrested for smoking weed. Shatta Wale sent me and some guys to go and free him from police custody.

“There was a time we also accommodated him when some people were after his life. We helped him settle the case.”

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He added that he and Burna Boy are no longer in good terms after the Nigerian artist’s fallout with his mentor, Shatta Wale.

He, however, said he and Shatta Wale are open to reconciling with Burna Boy if he asks for it.

Watch the video here

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Children’s Day: Chaos At Ogbe Stadium As Dozens Faint

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Chaos erupted on Wednesday during the Children’s Day celebration as dozens of students reportedly collapsed following a stampede triggered by the use of pepper spray.

The event,
organised by the Edo State Ministry of Education at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium was disrupted after some male students of Ihogbe College allegedly made uncompromising advances towards female students at the venue.

‎ A parent who identified himself as Oboh Emmanuel said, “the behaviour of those uncultured students attracted the attention of bouncers stationed at the stadium as they rebuked the male students.”

‎Oboh said the affected students later regrouped and attacked the bouncers, leading to a confrontation within the crowded arena.

READ ALSO:Children’s Day: Edo Commits To Child Protection

It was gathered that in the ensuing confusion, the bouncers were reported to have deployed pepper spray in an area occupied by a large number of students.

‎Several students, particularly female students, reportedly fainted after inhaling the substance, while others sustained injuries after being stepped on during the ensuing melee.

‎The panic was said to have spread across the stadium as students, teachers and parents scampered for safety.

‎Many of the affected students were reportedly rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for medical attention.

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Reacting to the incident, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr Patrick Ebojele, said the security personnel that fired the tear gas had been detained.

He said all the students, except two, that were rushed to the hospital have been discharged.

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Ebojele stated that doctors wanted to observe the students till tomorrow before allowing them to go home.

The two students are not seriously injured. Doctors want to observe them overnight. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education is still at the hospital. The man who used pepper spray has been detained.

“The incident did not happen the way it is being exaggerated. All modalities were put in place to ensure the children enjoyed their day.”

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