Address Fiscal Challenges, Despite GDP Growth, World Bank Tells Nigeria Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja The World Bank has stated that notwithstanding Nigeria’s positive economic growth in the third quarter (Q3) of 2017, the country needs to address what it
identified as the many fiscal challenges at the different levels of government. The World Bank’s Nigeria Economic Update, released yesterday noted that Nigeria’s GDP expanded by 1.4 per cent in the third
quarter of 2017 (year-onyear), the second quarter of growth after the recession of 2016, reflecting recovery in oil production, good performance in agriculture, and stronger non-oil industry growth due to the easing of
foreign exchange constraints. “Yet, many fiscal challenges remain at different levels of government, and effort is needed to successfully address those,” it said. The new Nigeria BiAnnual Economic Update
has a special focus on the analysis of fiscal performance of Nigerian states. With the shortfall in revenue, fiscal pressure persists at subnational government levels, putting a strain on service delivery.
The special focus shows that the fiscal deficit of states increased significantly from an estimated 0.2 per cent of GDP in 2014, to one per cent in 2015 and 2016. Continued on page 6
Fidelity Bank Partners Africa’s Young Entrepreneurs on Youth Empowerment… Page 10 Thursday 23 November, 2017 Vol 22. No 8253. Price: N250
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Tinubu: APC Has Not Endorsed Anyone for 2019 Presidential Ticket Reaches out to Afenifere for reconciliation James Sowole in Akure Contrary to the impression created by the governor of
Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Bola Ahmed
Tinubu yesterday said his party has not endorsed any person as the sole candidate of the party for the 2019
presidential election. Okorocha on Monday had stated that 34 governors in the country had endorsed
President Muhammadu Buhari to contest the 2019 election, but did not name the governors, some of
whom are not even members of the APC. Continued on page 6
Citing Gaps in Management of Recovered Assets, Buhari Inaugurates Audit Panel Approves new measures to curb terrorism No going back on arrest of Ekpeyong, Oke, Magu insists Senate asks president to wade into DSS, EFCC face-off, to probe clash Omololu Ogunmade and Damilola Oyedele in Abuja Citing gaps in the management of recovered assets from looters of the treasury, President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday inaugurated a three-man committee to audit all accounts containing recovered assets by agencies of the federal government. Members of the committee are Mr. Olufemi Lijadu, Mrs. Gloria Bibigha and Mr. Mohammed Nami. The president also approved the setting up of an intelligence fusion centre in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, for the purpose of gathering and sharing intelligence among the security agencies in the country and bolstering efforts to eliminate Boko Haram terrorists in the North-east. Continued on page 6
MENDING FENCES…
R-L: Mr. Femi Aluko; former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bisi Akande; Leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, Chief Reuben Fasoranti; National Leader of the APC, Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Chief Sehinde Arogbofa; and Ondo State Governor. Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, when Tinubu led some APC and Yoruba leaders to visit Fasoranti, at his residence in Akure, Ondo State… yesterday taiwo okalawon