Meet the militants in the Niger Delta, to them its a fight for equity, to the Nigerian government they are militant outlaws. Meet them only on THIS WEEK with Dan Austin

Episode featuring Hon. Frank Nweke, Minister for the Federal Ministry of Information, on the efforts of the government of Nigeria to improve the image of the country in the international community and attract a more business friendly climate into the country. Blurbs also on the Calabar Marina Project with George Duke and Larry Esin. For Schedule of TV Stations in US, UK and Africa, click African edition on top left of front page.

Dr Cynthia Austin, OB/GYN Fairfax Virginia and Dr Okundaye an Atlanta base Cardiologist, talks to TTimes about health care and how to improve it.

The Weekly Magazine program takes a look at elections, its history and what to expect in 2007

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Cignet Health Consultants and Agency Trainning Symposium Scheduled for August, 2nd, 2007 At the beautiful Eko Meridian Hotel, Lagos Nigeria Earn more than 2million Naira a month, to participate Email: Cignethealth@cignethealth.com Visit www.cignethealth.com In Lagos, Call: 01-2706697 USA: 800-7305914

Meet the militants in the Niger Delta, to them its a fight for equity, to the Nigerian government they are militant outlaws. Meet them only on THIS WEEK with Dan Austin

Watch the interview with the Chairman of the Association of Movie producers of Nollywood Mr. Madu by Dan Austin currently showing on This week on Transatlantic Times. Dont miss the episodes on part one and two of Nollywood on This week on Transatlantic Times with Dan Austin. Hear Mr. Madu talk about the history of Nollywood, the progress and the challanges facing the third largest movie producers group in the world. Second only to Hollywood and India in yearly production size. Watch this week on Transatlantic Times. Email: sales@transatlantictimes.com

Watch the interview with the Chairman of the Association of Movie producers of Nollywood Mr. Madu by Dan Austin currently showing on This week on Transatlantic Times. Dont miss the episodes on part one and two of Nollywood on This week on Transatlantic Times with Dan Austin. Hear Mr. Madu talk about the history of Nollywood, the progress and the challanges facing the third largest movie producers group in the world. Second only to Hollywood and India in yearly production size. Watch this week on Transatlantic Times. Email: sales@transatlantictimes.com

The Green Passport Project, a review of life of Nigerian migrants in search for green pastures. Is it really true that pastures turn green for them or it turns blue. Listen to the migrants tell their stories, stay tune to This week on Transatlantic Times.

Get your copy today of the first ever comprehensive medical providers, doctors, hospital listing in Nigeria, of accredited medical providers by Cignet Health a certified National Health Insurance Scheme (HMO) in Nigeria for public use. A complete listing of Health Providers in Nigeria, with hospitals, doctors offices, and facilities you can use while visiting Nigeria or on a business trip. One of the most dreadful problems you can have in a developing society is health problem, it is even worse when you can not locate the facilities nearest to you in time of emergency. Get a copy of your Cignet Health Provider book, designed for use by Cignet Health members in Nigeria but excellent for anyone in Nigeria or intending to visit Nigeria. Get your copy today. In the US call 1-800-730-5914 or call 301-4234551 (US$18, plus postage and handling fees). In Nigeria call 01-270-6697, or get a copy at This day Store, The palms, Lekki-Epe Express Way, Lekki, Victoria Island, Lagos (Suggested Price N750) Email: cignethealth@cignethealth.com This provider book is free to all Cignet Health Plan members in good standing. (1 year participation).

The foreign contractor was first awarded the job of repairing the Chanomi Creek Channel pipeline that supplies crude oil to the Warri and Kaduna refineries of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). The Cost The foreign company initially contracted for repair of the Chanomi Creek had secured the job based on a quotation of $187 million (about N22 billion), however, the local contractor eventually carried out the repair work at half the cost. The Alternative NNPC’s boss, Alhaji Lawal Yar'Adua had to resort to use of the local contractor when he learnt that militants were demanding $1 million for each of the 23 leaking spots on the pipeline.

Two women have been killed by angry youths in Warri, after being accused of causing the death of a two- year old girl by witchcraft. A large and wild mob stormed homes of the two women, dragged them out and later beat them to death. One of the women bled to death, after being stabbed in the breast, while the second was burnt alive. The attack and killing followed an alarm raised by father of the dead child that witches killed his daughter, and he accussed the victims. The girl reportedly died during a brief illness, and the father solicited the assistance of the community youths. A witch-doctor had earlier claimed that the suspects were planning to kill the little girl by witchcraft. Many people have reportedly deserted the town as law enforcement agents stormed the place, at the request of an influential politician who is also a relation of one of the women. Five persons have been arrested including the father of the deceased.

DIETARY PROTEIN AND KIDNEY FAILURE Protein is an essential nutrient, which enables the body to build muscles, and to repair itself. The main sources of protein in the diet are meat, fish, dairy products and pulses (such as beans and lentils). Everyone - including people with kidney failure, must eat appropriate amounts of protein if they are to avoid serious nutritional problems. When protein is digested, waste product are formed and enter the blood. One of these wastes is called urea. Normal healthy kidneys are quite good at getting rid of urea and other waste from the blood. However, as kidney failure develops, the kidney become less and less able to remove wastes from the blood. Even so, this does not mean that people with kidney failure should stop eating protein.

Record melting in the Arctic this summer for the first time cleared a direct route through the Arctic along the fabled North West Passage - a potentially vital waterway linking the Atlantic and the Pacific, a Holy Grail for explorers for many centuries. Now the route has become an international flashpoint as the Arctic powers scramble for control. David Shukman and a BBC team join a Canadian icebreaker as it makes a 600 mile journey of scientific discovery through these disputed waters.

“I like what the state governments in some specific states are doing in assisting the Nigeria Police. For instance, I like what is happening in Zones 7, 8 and 4. It is what is expected because policing and security should not be left in the hand of the police alone, though it is a federal institution. Policing is the responsibility of everybody; it is not an exclusive of the Nigeria Police Force.” he added. “So far, I have in place measures to ensure the promotion of officers as and at when due. The payment of the consolidated police salary structure which now allows the constable to earn N26,000 per month; the expansion of police Insurance Scheme to include supernumerary services; traffic wardens and teachers in police primary and secondary schools and the establishment of Police Housing Scheme nationwide.”

The Presidency said it would only intervene in the N3.5bn power project contracts controversy involving Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello if the Federal Government was defrauded. The firm, M. Schneider, had written a petition to the Presidency and the EFCC, accussing Obasanjo-Bello of travelling to Austria to sign contract papers in a different name, Mrs. Damilola Akinlawon, in order to ‘shield her father from being perceived as having breached relevant laws in the award of power projects.’ The Presidency source said, “I do not think that the government will dabble in the matter, especially when it is in court. “We think it is a business gone awry. We can only intervene if there is a proof that the government was defrauded.” The source also said that the Austrian firm was encouraged to write the petition due to the current wave of reversal of Obasanjo administration‘s policies and review of contracts.

The global campaign to wipe out polio is getting a $200 million donation from Rotary International and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, at a time when some worry the effort will fail in the final stages. Monday's announcement by both organizations came after nearly two decades of work against polio, an infectious disease that can paralyze and sometimes kill. "This investment is precisely the catalyst we need as we intensify the push to finish polio," Dr. Margaret Chan, director-general of the World Health Organization, said in a statement. Though polio incidence has been slashed by more than 99 percent worldwide since the eradication effort began in 1988, the virus remains entrenched in Afghanistan, India, Nigeria and Pakistan.

n October 2007, a middle-aged man was found dead in the garage of his home in the suburbs of Washington DC. The dead man was Charles Riechers, the US Air Force official responsible for buying many of America's most sophisticated new aircraft and weapons systems. Only days before, he'd been criticised for taking employment with a defence contractor while waiting for confirmation of his Air Force post. The apparent suicide is just the latest in a series of problems and scandals which have bedevilled defence procurement in the United States. As the US defence budget spirals to more than half a trillion dollars, reporter Allan Urry investigates links between the Pentagon, politicians and weapons manufacturers -the so-called 'Iron Triangle'- unravelling a story of bribery, prostitutes, cronyism and waste.

Six French nationals accused of trying to kidnap 103 children in Chad are to going on trial in Chad. The six French nationals have gone on hunger strike and could face 20-year sentences with hard labourif found guilty but the French government has appealed for leniency. The six were stopped when they went to catch a flight from Chad to France in late October with the children. The judge will want to know why, when none of the children was injured, they were bandaged and caked in fake blood ahead of their flight. The French Justice Minister said that if convicted the six might be able to serve their sentences in France because of a bilateral judicial agreement. But an unnamed Chadian government official said "Have you ever seen an African sent back home after committing a crime as serious as the one allegedly committed by the members of Zoe's Ark?"

The detained ex-governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori, who is being held in the Kaduna Prison’s “Special Class Detainee Cell,” is using a generator, an air conditioning unit and other household appliances. However, the National Public Relations of Officer of the Nigerian Prison Service said no prison authoriy would allow that. “But if he does it now, he is only doing what he should have done as governor,” he said. He added, however, that any officer that allowed it from an inmate “is gone!” Reports also say that an ex-governor of one of the northern states has volunteered to feed Ibori throughout his detention in the prison.

"It's really horrendous. Believe me, it's freezing," he says. "You go to bed freezing and you wake up shaking in the morning. And that's even with a sleeping bag. And you see people without sleeping bags, and they're just shaking all night. They don't sleep." "When you see 50 to 80 people waiting for a soup run, they are not homeless people by and large" "The majority will not be rough sleepers... you see them going off with large carrier bags stuffed full of food which is for them and their house mates. We know they are in work and housed."

Water boarding: prisoner bound to a board with feet raised, and cellophane wrapped round his head. Water is poured onto his face and is said to produce a fear of drowning Cold cell: prisoner made to stand naked in a cold, though not freezing, cell and doused with water Standing: Prisoners stand for 40 hours and more, shackled to the floor Belly slap: a hard slap to the stomach with an open hand. This is designed to be painful but not to cause injury

The Jackson Five are to reunite for a tour, with Michael Jackson set to take part, Jermaine Jackson said. Concert dates have been discussed and could take place "sometime in 2008". "Michael will be involved," Jermaineconfirmed. "We feel we have to do it one more time. We owe that to the fans and to the public. " "But we are stronger than ever. I'm gonna say thank you, thank you, thank you so much to all the fans and the supporters of my family all over Europe, all over the UK especially, who came out to show their love and their support." Jermaine, who sang lead vocals for the band until his younger brother took over, added that Michael would definitely be part of the reunion. "He has to be," he said. "He is a Jackson." "He was at the meetings. Michael will be involved." The star also hinted at new material, saying that the band was "in the studio at the moment".

We, the Mediport Alumni [graduate doctors of University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria] residing in Europe and America are shocked to hear that our teacher and academic mentor, Professor Nimi Briggs has been kidnapped from his University home in Choba, Port Harcourt, Nigeria. With his many years of selfless service in health, academics as well as the political struggle of the people of the Niger Delta, it is simply unbelievable that anyone will kidnap him for financial gain, political leverage or whatever reason. Mediport Alumni joins all well-meaning people in Nigeria and abroad to appeal to his kidnappers to release him unharmed. We appeal to the kidnappers, please release Prof. Briggs now for the sake of the medical community, his students, his patients, pregnant mothers, tertiary education and the struggle for the development of the Niger Delta. He is your flesh and blood and truly cares for all of us. Finally, we pray that his wife and family are comforted during this unfortunate ordeal. We remain assured once he regains his freedom, he will as usual, tackle the challenges before him head-on and with dogged determination. Signed: for Medical Graduates of University of Port Harcourt , Abiye Hector-Goma Chima Ohuabunwa

Breast of Duck with Gooseberry Sauce, Spring Greens and Sautéed New Potatoes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 4x 175g duck breasts with skin on 2 tbsp Szechwan peppercorns 1/2 cup caster sugar zest of 1 lemon 200g gooseberries 300ml (about half a bottle) dry red wine 300ml brown chicken (or duck) stock (see below) 1-2 tbsp honey 25g butter, cut into cubes 400g spring greens, cored and finely shredded 8 large charlotte potatoes 2 cloves garlic, sliced Sprig thyme Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper Olive oil Method: Heat the oven to 200°c. Score the skin of the duck breasts in a criss cross pattern. Toast the Szechwan peppercorns in a dry pan until fragrant, then tip into a pestle and mortar with a little salt and pepper. Lightly crush the mixture and use to generously coat the duck breasts. Place the duck breasts, skin-side down, on a dry ovenproof pan and cook over very low heat to render down most of the fat. This may take 10-15 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fat. Place the sugar in a small saucepan with a cup of water. Gently heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved. Add the lemon zest and mix through. Increase the heat and boil the liquid for a few minutes until slightly thickened. Tip in the gooseberries and gently poach for 2-3 minutes. Leave to cool in the syrup. For the sauce, place the red wine in a pan, season with a little salt and pepper, and boil for 7-8 minutes until reduced by half. Pour in the stock and reduce again by half. Drain off most of the fat from the duck, then turn up the heat fry until the skin is crisp. Add a touch of olive oil, turn them over and cook the flesh side for 1-2 minutes. Place the pan into the hot oven for 8-10 minutes for medium-cooked duck, which should be slightly springy when pressed. Stir the honey into the sauce. Take the pan off the heat and add a few knobs of butter for shine, swirling the liquid to melt the butter. Transfer the gooseberries to the sauce to warm through, adding the syrup according to taste. (If you prefer a smooth sauce, press the gooseberries through a fine sieve and mix the purée with the sauce). Taste and adjust the seasoning. Parboil the potatoes, drain and slice thickly while still warm. Sauté the garlic in pan of hot olive oil, add the potatoes and cook until brown and crisped on the outside. When ready, rest the duck on a warm plate for a few minutes. Wilt the spring greens with a few knobs of butter in a hot pan. Season well then divide among warm serving plates. Slice the duck breasts thickly on the diagonal and fan out over the spring greens. Spoon over the sauce and serve with the sautéed potatoes.

The most proper British lady or "the head of a dysfunctional family"? Elizabeth is Britain's monarch, but she was never meant to be Queen. Her royal right was born out of her uncle's scandal and her preparatory years were filled with the unprecedented violence of World War II. Between the elaborate tradition of the monarchy and the demands of a modern government state, Elizabeth II balances a jewel-encrusted crown atop her strong, sensible shoulders. Royals don't have much of a private life. Everything they do is of interest to their public, and the job of a monarch often comes before the needs of their family and friends.

The Nigerian Government has selected seven sites for the construction of nuclear power stations for the purposes of generating electricity in seven states . The Need The Minister of Science and Technology, Mrs. Grace Ekpiwhre, said the energy targets would be met if the nation stuck to the Nuclear Energy Road Map. Partnership Experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency, approved preliminary reports on the seven sites in parnership with some Nigerian scientists.IAEA is the global body that regulates atomic energy use. “this partnership will also ensure that our programme is properly guided within the safety, safeguards and framework of the international community, as well as avoid mistakes with possible negative consequences.”

Forty-five victims of a pipeline explosion, including a woman and her 14-year-old daughter and two men thought to be brothers, at Abogun village in Lagos on Tuesday were yesterday given a mass burial at the site of the incident. Most of the victims were women and children, who had gone there with fuel containers, The traditional head of Abogun community said it was the first time the village would experience that kind of tragedy and in the early hours of Tuesday, a loud explosion was heard and by the time his people got to the scene, a wild fire was raging with charred remains and burning bodies lying all around it. “Since I have been serving my people as the Baale of this community, nothing of this sort has ever been recorded. Immediately we heard the explosion, we quickly moved to inform the NNPC officials in charge of the pipeline. It is sad! No member of this community was recorded to be among them as all those involved were strangers from outside this community,” he said. But indications show that activities of the vandals might have been ongoing for a while as thousands of jerry-cans and high powered equipment for vandalism were seen around the scene of the incident.

New BodyJordanian UN peacekeepers at Rokel Bridge, some 63 km northeast of Freetown, repulsed three attempts by some 200 RUF fighters to cross the Rokel creek by canoe toward their unit, UN spokesman Fred Eckhard reported on Monday. The Jordanians came under fire but suffered no casualties. Jordan is one of at least nine countries that have contributed troops to the UN Mission in Sierra Leone, which now numbers over 12,000, including some military observers.

Revolutionary United Front (RUF) rebels attacked UN peacekeepers from Nigeria on Thursday in Port Loko, northeast of Freetown, but retreated into the bush after an exchange of fire lasting some 45 minutes, UN Spokesman Fred Eckhard said. The attack coincided with the withdrawal of the last British troops sent in May to Sierra Leone. UN Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) Spokesman David Wimhurst said the withdrawal would not adversely affect the security situation in the country. However, a humanitarian source told IRIN: "The vacuum created by the departure of the British troops will be filled by the RUF unless something is done." Other, newly arrived, British troops on Thursday began training the 1000 recruits who will form the core of Sierra Leone’s new army.

Critics say donors at a recent high-level meeting failed to make firm funding commitments for improving education, particularly in impoverished, fragile and war-torn countries, making it highly unlikely the world will meet ambitious education goals by the 2015 deadline. "I cannot be very optimistic," Koichiro Matsuura, director-general of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), said at a press conference on 13 December in the Senegalese capital, Dakar, at the close of the three-day meeting of the High-Level Group on Education for All, which brought together education ministers, donors and development partners. While developing countries agreed to allocate 10 percent of budgets to education, donor countries could not agree to include a specific percentage of budgets for education aid, instead pledging "to work to maintain and increase levels of funding to education" and to prioritise low-income, fragile and emergency and conflict-affected states. "Obviously it's a major disappointment that we don't have a commitment to achieve a particular amount," said Nicholas Burnett, director of the 2008 Education for All Global Monitoring Report, which identified an annual US$11 billion funding gap in external aid for education in order to reach the goals in time.

Nigerien army and rebels in the country have yet to formally respond to charges by rights groups that both sides are committing abuses against civilians. "To my knowledge, there have been no crimes," said Oumarou Boubacar, an army commander in Agadez in northern Niger where the crimes are alleged to have taken place. "We are an evolved army. We respect humanitarian law," he told IRIN by phone on 20 December. Human Rights Watch (HRW) and Amnesty International released statements on 19 December accusing the Nigerien army of extrajudicial killings, mostly in reaction to rebel raids. HRW said the rebels have used landmines and robbed civilians. The rebel Nigerien Movement for Justice (MNJ) has attacked government outposts in the isolated north, purportedly to seek a greater portion of Niger's uranium revenues and more equitable treatment for the ethnic Touareg living in the area.

Manchester United have confirmed that Gary Neville will not play in the FA Cup final because of an ankle injury. The 32-year-old United captain has been out of action since 17 March and the club have confirmed he will not play again this season. A club statement said: "Gary Neville has undergone an exploratory operation on his right ankle and he will miss the FA Cup final." Ryan Giggs is set to lead out United in the first final at the new Wembley.

The photographer who took images of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto moments before her assassination Thursday said he was "surprised" to see her rise through the sunroof of her vehicle to wave to supporters after delivering her speech. "I ran up, got as close as I got, made a few pictures of her waving to the crowd," "And then suddenly, there were a few gunshots that rang out, and she went down, she went down through the sunroof," he said. "And just at that moment I raised my camera up and the blast happened. ... And then, of course, there was chaos." Watch Moore describe Bhutto's final moments

On the campus of Cheikh Anta Diop University in the Senegal capital Dakar, physically handicapped students can often be seen crawling unaided up concrete staircases or across dirty bathroom floors.With a few exceptions - such as the main library and a new amphitheatre - buildings on the sprawling, sandy campus have no handicap accessibility."Users of hand-powered or motorised wheelchairs have to crawl to access certain buildings," the disabled students association said in a recent letter to the authorities. The association compiled a list of their grievances and proposed solutions and presented it to university officials at the beginning of the school year.

Nigerien army and rebels in the country have yet to formally respond to charges by rights groups that both sides are committing abuses against civilians."To my knowledge, there have been no crimes," said Oumarou Boubacar, an army commander in Agadez in northern Niger where the crimes are alleged to have taken place."We are an evolved army. We respect humanitarian law," he told IRIN by phone on 20 December.

"I cannot be very optimistic," Koichiro Matsuura, director-general of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), said at a press conference on 13 December in the Senegalese capital, Dakar, at the close of the three-day meeting of the High-Level Group on Education for All, which brought together education ministers, donors and development partners.

"There is less of a malnutrition crisis this year but [structural] problems of food security are still a serious concern," Herve Ludovic de Lys the regional head of the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs told IRIN at the launch of the 2008 CAP which called on donors to provide funds for projects costing a total of $312 million. "The good news is that improving food security is cheaper than treating malnutrition,"

The rebel Nigerien Movement for Justice (MNJ) has attacked government outposts in the isolated north, purportedly to seek a greater portion of Niger's uranium revenues and more equitable treatment for the ethnic Touareg living in the area.

Obviously it's a major disappointment that we don't have a commitment to achieve a particular amount," said Nicholas Burnett, director of the 2008 Education for All Global Monitoring Report, which identified an annual US$11 billion funding gap in external aid for education in order to reach the goals in time.

"There is less of a malnutrition crisis this year but [structural] problems of food security are still a serious concern," Herve Ludovic de Lys the regional head of the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs told IRIN at the launch of the 2008 CAP which called on donors to provide funds for projects costing a total of $312 million. "The good news is that improving food security is cheaper than treating malnutrition," he said.

For nearly seven years Melina Salazar did her best to put on a smile and tend to the every need of her most loyal and cantankerous customer. She made sure his food was as hot as he wanted, even if it meant he burned his mouth. And she smiled through his demands and curses. The 89-year-old Walter "Buck" Swords obviously appreciated it, leaving the waitress $50,000 and a 2000 Buick when he died.

Nigeria’s External reserve has increased to $52.40 billion dollars as the year runs to an end, due to the high crude oil prices on the international market. According to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s Economic Indicators Report, External reserve grew by 2.73 billion dollars or 5.5 percent, from the 49.67 billion dollars.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Com-mission (EFCC) , Nigeria’s anti graft agency, is now set to arrest four more ex– state governors who vacated office in May 29,2007. The ex-governors are to subsequently face trial on allegations of corrupt practices. Sources at the EFCC Office indicated that “some of these former governors will not spend the new year in their respective homes. This is the time to just put their cases before the courts and let the court determine whether they are culpable or not on the charges of corruption that we will level against them.”

he Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN), has directed directors of the 145 Community Banks that failed to meet the recapitalisation directive to forward the list of their depositors within 21 working days. According to the apex bank, “the move was part continued efforts of promoting the financial system soundness and to confirm the cessation of operations by some Community Banks (CBs) that had consistently failed to render statutory returns to the CBN before and after the launch of the Microfinance Policy for Nigeria in December 2005.”

Nigerian President Umar Yar Adua has sent his condolences to the Bhutto’s family, people and government of Pakistan, over the assignation of Benazir Bhutto on Thursday. He described the death of as a wanton act of mindless political violence "which has taken the life of a very brave woman, true democrat and great leader of her people."

Nigerian President Umar Yar Adua has sent his condolences to the Bhutto’s family, people and government of Pakistan, over the assignation of Benazir Bhutto on Thursday. He described the death of as a wanton act of mindless political violence "which has taken the life of a very brave woman, true democrat and great leader of her people."

The Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN), has directed directors of the 145 Community Banks that failed to meet the recapitalisation directive to forward the list of their depositors within 21 working days. According to the apex bank, “the move was part continued efforts of promoting the financial system soundness and to confirm the cessation of operations by some Community Banks (CBs) that had consistently failed to render statutory returns to the CBN before and after the launch of the Microfinance Policy for Nigeria in December 2005.”

The Economic and Financial Crimes Com-mission (EFCC) , Nigeria’s anti graft agency, is now set to arrest four more ex– state governors who vacated office in May 29,2007. The ex-governors are to subsequently face trial on allegations of corrupt practices. Sources at the EFCC Office indicated that “some of these former governors will not spend the new year in their respective homes. This is the time to just put their cases before the courts and let the court determine whether they are culpable or not on the charges of corruption that we will level against them.”

Nigeria’s External reserve has increased to $52.40 billion dollars as the year runs to an end, due to the high crude oil prices on the international market. According to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s Economic Indicators Report, External reserve grew by 2.73 billion dollars or 5.5 percent, from the 49.67 billion dollars.