China, India, U.S. top list of Nigeria’s Foreign Trade

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has said that Nigeria’s total trade volume for first quarter of 2016(Q1 2016) is valued at N2.72 trillion.

According to Q1 Foreign Trade Statistics report made available to journalists in Abuja yesterday, the N2.72trillion Q1 total foreign trade value is 22.6% less than total trade volume recorded in Q4 2015 and 38.0% less than same quarter in 2015.

In the report, Nigeria’s largest import partners in Q1 2016 are: China, India, and the USA, while on the largest export table, India, Spain, and Netherland contributed the highest even as the United Kingdom was conspicuously missing in Nigeria’s top import or export table.

Total import from China, which is the highest in the period under review, is 23.8%, representing 6.7% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and-12.2% year-on-year import volume.

This is followed by India with a total of 6.5% volume of trade, with 7.30% contribution to the GDP, and -7.5% year-on-year.

This was then followed by United States of America (USA) which has 8.70% in total volume, 0.80% in GDP rate, and -7.1% in year-on-year import volume.

Whereas on the largest export destinations, Nigeria exported total of 12% of goods to India within the period under review, representing 7.30% of the GDP, and -12.8% year-on-year export volume.

No going back on Electricity Tariff Hike, say Government, NERC

The Federal Government and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) yesterday dashed the hope of many Nigerians as they said there is no going back on the 45 per cent increase in electricity tariff.

Senate, Labour kick

Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola and the Acting Chairman, NERC, Dr. Anthony Akah, disclosed this yesterday during a joint committee of Labour and Power public hearing on the electricity tariff hike as mandated by the Senate in February when a motion was moved to that effect by the Chairman, Committee on Labour, Employment and Productivity, Suleiman Nazif (APC, Bauchi North).

The Senate had in its resolutions on the motion, aside ordering for the public hearing, also ordered for reversal of the tariff hike by NERC which was however not complied with.

Explaining his refusal of obeying the directive, the NERC boss told the joint committee that obeying such directive would have created series of avoidable setbacks in the sector such as a market gap of about N575 billion, which would have compounded the initial market gap of N187 billion take-off tariff slammed on investors.

Supporting the submission of the NERC, Fashola, who stated that the sector needed the market reflective tariff to survive, said basket of indices led to the hike such as borrowing rate for the investors, exchange rate, availability and cost of gas and so on.

Fashola said: “One of the reasons why the tariff has to go up was that a major component, a significant number of our power plant, depends on gas and out of about 26 power plants that we have, only about three are hydro.

“We were heavily dependent on gas, people were exporting gas because gas was selling outside the country at $4 and it was selling for domestic use at $1.30. Government reviewed that price to $3.30 and it is the primary component for manufacturing.”

According to the minister, even with the recent hike in electricity tariff, Nigeria still ranks among countries with low tariffs in Africa and by extension, in the world.

He said that since 2005 when power privatisation process started till 2013 when the major generating companies (Gencos) and distribution companies (Discos) were handed over to investors, every segment of government was involved and if there is any failure now, it should be for all and not a particular group.

He, therefore, pleaded with the lawmakers and Nigerians to be more patient with government and investors on the process as three years are not enough to judge their success or failure.

Secretary-General, National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), Mr. Joe Ajaero, said the commission did not consult them before the increase in tariff.

Nigeria Remains a Top Gas Flaring Country, says EIA

Oil production drops to 20-year low

Despite recording significant decrease in the level of gas being flared per day, the U.S State Energy Information Administration (EIA) said that Nigeria remained one of the top five gas flaring countries in the world.

Besides, oil output has fallen to a 20-year low in the continent’s assessed economic super power, as militants renewed attacks on oil facilities in the Niger Delta.

EIA pointed out that although Nigeria flares a significant portion of its gross natural gas production, the amount being thrown up has reduced by more than 50 per cent over the past decade.

It disclosed that the country now ranks as the fifth-largest natural gas flaring country, down from the second position it held in 2011.

EIA said that a number of recently developed and upcoming natural gas projects that are focused on monetising previously flared natural gas are already in place.

According to EIA, a significant amount of Nigeria’s gross natural gas production is flared (burnt off) because some of the country’s oil fields lack the infrastructure needed to capture the natural gas produced with oil, known as associated gas.

In its brief on Nigeria’s oil and gas sector in 2015, the U.S. agency said that Nigeria flared 379 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of its associated gas production, or 12 per cent of gross production.

It stated: “The Nigerian government has been working to end natural gas flaring for several years, but the deadline to implement the policies and fine oil companies has been repeatedly postponed, with the most recent deadline being December 2012.

“In 2008, the Nigerian government developed a Gas Master Plan to promote investment in pipeline infrastructure and new gas-fired power plants to help reduce gas flaring and provide more gas to fuel much-needed electricity generation. However, progress is still limited because security risks in the Niger Delta have made it difficult for international oil companies to construct infrastructure that would support gas commercialisation”.

Meanwhile, Nigeria continued to record low oil output due to the constant attacks on production facilities in the county.

Before the new attacks at the weekend on major gas and crude pipelines belonging to Shell and Agip, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu said that the country’s oil production was down to 1.4 million barrels per day from 2.2 million bpd last year.

Analysts believed that crude oil production is now likely down by half to at least 1.2 million bpd.

Dwelling on Nigeria’s crude oil production decline, EIA said production in Nigeria peaked at 2.44 million bpd in 2005, but it began to decline significantly soon after as violence from militant groups surged, forcing many companies to withdraw staff and shut-in production.

It noted that the lack of transparency on oil revenues, tensions over revenue distribution, environmental damages from oil spills, and local ethnic and religious tensions created a fragile situation in the oil-rich Niger Delta.

The U.S agency noted that amnesty was declared in 2009 and the militants came to an agreement with the Federal Government whereby they handed over weapons in exchange for cash payments and training opportunities.

Get Paid to Read Ads with 3 Most Trusted PTC Sites

There are millions of people worldwide who are dependent on PTC sites or Paid to click websites when it comes to fulfil their extra earning requirements. But only a fraction of people are earning good money from these paid to click sites. There are many reason for this but one of the biggest reason is many of them join scam PTC sites.

So you don’t need to worry as we have tested hundreds of sites & after doing our research & receiving payments from some of the sites, we are able to recommend you to these PTC sites for extra earnings.

PTC sites are nothing but paid to click sites where you can join & get paid for viewing the ads. If you work 5-7 minutes on one website daily then you  can earn $200 monthly from these 3 sites.

Joining any PTC site is absolutely free.

There are some tips if you follow & do it properly then you can earn more than $200 a month from these sites by working 30 minutes to 1 hour on these sites. So don’t forget to read about these tips at the end of this article.

Top 3 PTC Sites in 2015

We have done a complete research & have received number of payments from these 3  PTC sites. So you can join them from the members of these top 3 PTC websites. Although we have found some more trusted sites but we thought of including only these top 3 sites.

1.  ClixSense

ClixSense undoubtedly is one of the most trusted PTC sites on internet. There are number of ways you can earn money from ClixSense. 

Members Benefit:

• Earn by viewing dozens of ads daily
• Multiply your earnings through referral or premium membership
• Earn money by doing complete offers & surveys
• Win Daily Prizes Up To $10.00
• Fast Payment through PayPal

Join ClixSense Now - http://csl.ink/1PVD

I have earned more than $200 till date from ClixSense. Check this to know more about ClixSense, how to start & see my payment proof.

2.Traffic Monsson

Traffic Monsoon is one of the most popular PTC site where people can earn big money. There are multiple ways to earn income as provided below-

1. By viewing Cashlink ads – First you need to get qualified by surfing 10 ads 2 times a day (from Start Surfing links). Once qualified, you will get Cashlink ads. Check Cashlink ads 2-3 times daily.
2. By referring members –  Earn 100% of referral income.
3. Earn from AdPack purchase – 1 AdPack of $50 will give you $55 ads + No. of other benefits.
4. Minimum payout is $2.

• Join TrafficMonsoon Here - https://trafficmonsoon.com/?ref=cobeleagu

3. NeoBux

NeoBux is another oldest and best PTC site to join. If you want to earn good income from NeoBux then you need to view all the ads on regular basis at a fixed time & refer more & more people in NeoBux. I have received many payment from this website & read lots of success stories on internet from the people who are earning more than $200 a month NeoBux. Minimum payout is $2.

You can check its FAQ section on NeoBux website to learn more about it.

Join NeoBux Now - https://www.neobux.com/?r=cobeleagu

Tips to earn more in PTC sites: So these are some of the top PTC sites where you can join, get assured of viewing hundreds of ads and other earning offers and regular payments. All these sites has got a great payment history with good feedback from their members.

1. Make it a habit to view all the ads daily at a fix time.
2. Go for a premium membership if you can.
3. Refer as many people as you can through email, Facebook, Whatsapp & other ways.

You can receive your earning through PayPal. 

I am sure if you work seriously on these 3 sites, you can earn a better extra income.

INTRODUCING FOREVER KIDS® CHEWABLE MULTIVITAMINS

Give your kids the nutrients they need each day with Forever Kids® Chewable Multivitamins. These fun and delicious multivitamins provide both adults and growing kids ages two and older with the vital vitamins, minerals, iron and phytonutrients they may be lacking.

Iron is a new addition to Forever Kids for its role in immune support and cognitive development. Iron, a commonly deficient nutrient, also supports overall health.

Phytonutrients are highly desirable plant nutrients found in vegetables and fruits. Our new and improved formula has more phytonutrients from a new, improved blend of fruits and vegetables. The result is a multivitamin that tastes great, is fun to eat and complements the range of other supplements that Forever Living offers!

Formulated without artificial colors or preservatives, the phytonutrient base is taken from such nutritious foods as carrots, beets, broccoli, spinach, blueberries, apples, cranberries, tomatoes and strawberries. You and your kids will love the natural grape flavor, and you’ll love the peace of mind!

- No artificial colors or preservatives
- Chewable tablets
- Phytonutrient base taken from the finest raw foods including broccoli, spinach, beets, and carrots

INTRODUCING ARGI+ FROM FOREVER LIVING PRODUCT

L-Arginine is a potent amino acid that helps to support what scientists refer to as the “Miracle Molecule” – nitric oxide. L-Arginine is converted into nitric oxide in the body, to help support circulation. L-Arginine supports many important systems in our body:

• Overall cardiovascular system
• Immune system
• Muscles
• Bone & skeletal system
• Male genitourinary system

New Argi+ Enhanced Formula provides all the power of L-Arginine, plus:

• Vitamin D – Research continues to show the benefits of vitamin D for immune, cardiovascular, skeletal, cognitive, and even weight support
• A full complement of B vitamins for their role in metabolism and because they are readily depleted by stress and exercise
•Pomegranate – well-known for its strong antioxidant properties
•Grape skin, Red Grape and berry extracts for cardiovascular and immune system support.

Together, these ingredients create a new generation of supplement – one that supports health throughout your entire body. Just a scoop of Argi+ mixed with Forever Natural Spring Water or your favorite Aloe drink helps provide a performance boost to every part of you. Add optimal health to your family’s diet with the power of L-Arginine!

• Arginine boosts nitric oxide production
• Proprietary fruit blend adds antioxidant power

Success Tip 10 - Design the Perfect Business Model

It seems so simple. You are a startup and you’re ready to disrupt the market with your idea. To do so, you create a business model that explains how you intend to make money and you’re ready to go. Easy enough right? Truth is, its a bit more complicated than that. At least if you really want to do it right. The people who can explain how to design the perfect business model, are the guys from Business Models Inc. That’s why Maaike Doyer, their Business Director, came for 2 days to help our startups with it. And together with her, we decided to share the basics of these sessions with you. Because we reckon that the content is valuable for all startups out there and we are confident that it will help you tremendously. So, thanks to Maaike and Business Models Inc, this post can get you started on business modeling.

Why is it so important?
Because business as usual is dead and it has been for quite a few years. The rules of the game have changed. Nowadays sustainability, new technologies, the financial crisis, and the so called Online Revolution are important influencers to take into consideration for every company. Our values are changing, as is the power distribution in the world. Due to the Internet, the power is with the consumers now and you have to stand out in order to survive. So what should you do? You should play the game by the new rules. It all comes down to a simple choice: adapt or die. And of course there’s only one right answer: you adapt and design your business based on the new important influencers. But this is easier said than done. That’s where Business Models Inc. comes in. They have built a toolset that can help you design a better business, a sustainable business, that just may survive and become successful. And this better business is based on a better business model, a business model that will function as a solid foundation and the infrastructure for your success.

The journey of business modeling
Discovering the best business model is a journey. You might have to take some side roads to find the right direction, and you have to invest some time in it. If you’re looking for one simple solution, we have to disappoint you. There is not one perfect business model for you for the rest of your life. Your company is a living and growing thing, and so is your business model. However, it is possible to find the perfect fit for now. To do so you first have to understand some things, and evaluate where you are now.
Maaike’s tips: When working with the Business Model Canvas, start with the Value Proposition, then move to the Customer Segment and from there work out the rest. Keep in mind that customers are not only the ones who pay, but also the ones that decide and receive. It helps to make a persona per customer segment and ask yourself “who is he/she, what does he/she want, what does he/she want to pay, and what can I do for him/her?” Make a Customer Empathy Map and think about the Customer Journey, this will allow you to see every step they go through and how you can make it easier for them. Ask yourself: Is your value proposition about a gain (something that is really nice to have for your customers, for example a holiday) or is it about solving a pain (solving something that they really hate, for instance providing a better medicine). Keep your ideas movable and use sticky notes, instead of writing directly on your business model. Keep it clear, write one item per sticky note in capital letters. And if you can, keep in mind that drawing is the new writing! You have to think like a designer, because they are the ones who can see things before they exists.

The Cover Story Vision
So now you know where you are at the moment as well as where you want to be, and you’re almost ready to connect these dots. There’s only one more thing you need to do, because in order to move forward you need to know where you want to go in the long run. You need to figure out your vision and ambition, what you have to offer the world and how will you change it. It’s time to create your own Cover Story Vision. Your goal: visualizing where you will be in 2017.

The Context Analysis
So you know where you are now and where you want to be in the future. You’re almost ready to create a Business Model Canvas that will allow you to make this vision happen, but first there is one more thing you need it to do, a Context Analysis. Look at the forces pressing on your business model from the outside world. Factors you need to consider are trends, rules & regulations, economic climate, competition, customer needs, uncertainties, and technologies. Visualize your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats based on your industry. Map them out and clarify for yourself which outside influences matter for you. At this point you have your Business Model Canvas, your Cover Story Vision, and your Context Analysis. These are your design criteria. The understanding phase is over, it is time to innovate your business model.

Innovation and ideation
Innovation is all about ideation, idea generation. Its a journey of exploration to where nobody has gone before. You have to create 6-8 Business Model Canvasses to find your perfect business model. This stage is about quantity, meaning you will have to draft multiple versions without spending too much time on them. Some will be too easy, some will be too hard, some will just be wrong, and hopefully one will hit bulls eye. To find the right business model you have to step outside of your comfort zone. Thinking outside of the box is not enough, you need to go into to space and think in extremes. Find your delusional business model. Ask yourself: “If I wouldn’t be doing what I do, what could I do with the skills and resources I have?” Let go of the “yes-but” attitude and just be open to all options. This allows you to end up with some rational ideas and some crazy ones. Exactly here, where these two overlap, is where the magic happens. This is where your X factor is, your real value. In each Business Model Canvas you make, try to find the hidden treasure, the unique point of this model. Take it with you to the next model and continue to draft until you hit jackpot.

Maaike’s tips & techniques to help you innovate: Look at successful business models from other companies and compare them with yours. What can you learn? Look at your industry, what things can you eliminate, reduce, raise or create? How do you improve your industry? Look at existing business model patterns, such as Bait & Hook, The Long Tail and Multi-Sided Platform. Ask yourself all possible ‘what if’ questions to think about every option.

For example: what if my product is free, what if I would only sell online, what if I would charge 10 times more? These fire-starters ought to help you generate a bunch of innovative ideas. But now you have to ask yourself; is there an idea amongst all these suggestions that can help me become successful?

Entrepreneurs Are The Current And Future Solution For Sustainable Global Economic Development

When drawing up plans to help stimulate the economic development of new and emerging economies, the United Nations previously looked to multinational operations that could open new plants and offices in specific countries. However, with the ongoing changes in the business environment, the realization is that these large corporations are no longer the source for job creation and have recently been focused on lean operations and downsizing staff.

However, a new and more viable solution has appeared on the world business stage in the form of entrepreneurs and startups that are popping up all over the world, including India and China, various countries across Africa and Latin America, and other more developed economies.

When the United Nations meets in late September to further define the current 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for the next 15 years as the pathway for ending absolute poverty by 2030, this is the time for entrepreneurs and those that support them to step up and make a case for more focus on these small businesses that have the potential for making a dent in the 600 million jobs that are necessary to support the global workforce of the near future.

Dell Founder and CEO Michael Dell noted, “Entrepreneurs, startups, and fast-growing, new businesses create 70 percent of the net new jobs in the world (up to 90 percent in some emerging economies).” In an article published on LinkedIn last year, Dell furthered his case for entrepreneurs as the leading solution for job generation and the end to poverty:

“From 1985 to 2005 – the exact period of time that the PC/server model for technology spread worldwide—the number of people living in poverty was cut in half.”
“Startups that use technology more effectively create on average twice as many jobs and are more productive and profitable than companies that don’t.”
“The Internet alone accounts for about 20 percent of the GDP in developed countries. That’s amazing when you consider e-commerce began in earnest only about 15 years ago.”

With this as the foundational logic for advocating entrepreneurship as a critical solution, Dell took on the role of the United Nation Foundation’s first Global Advocate for Entrepreneurship and has set the goal of uniting entrepreneurs and those that support them so that they can lead the goal of creating the next billion global jobs. At the 2014 Social Good Summit last year, Dell provided the strategy for achieving this through a program known as Goal 8, which has been suggested as a goal for the 2015 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) created by the United Nations.

Goal 8 is focused on achieving specific agenda items that will work toward ending poverty by increasing lending for small businesses, offering access to more technology, eliminating child and slave labor, enabling equal opportunity employment and pay, fostering green initiatives and improving working conditions. According to an article in Small Business Trends, there are four core pillars, which are access to markets, capital, technology and talent, to drive the success of this initiative.

Since the SDGs will be decided in the coming weeks by the UN General Assembly in September 2015, this is the time to rally around the effort to get Goal 8 written in as a key goal that will create these new jobs and standardize access to technology, funding, talent and target audiences that want to buy the products and services developed by these entrepreneurs and their startups. To help ensure that Goal 8 makes the final cut, Dell formed a community to champion it. The ‪#‎EntrepreneursUNite‬ campaign includes a global petition that is being used to get support from entrepreneurs, private sector leaders, and concerned citizens.

The goal is to get over 100,000 signatures. With over 32,000 signatures currently collected, there is a long way to go so it’s time to share this campaign with others to get the word out and increase the petition signatures. This petition is being delivered during the UN General Assembly, the week of September 28th. I’ve signed it already and so should you as Goal 8 has the realistic potential as a game changer for ending absolute poverty and putting the power to be economically independent in the hands of small business owners and entrepreneurs around the world.