(http://www.nigeria.gov.ng/images/Labaran.jpg)A statement released from the Office of the Minister of Information has refuted the reports in several print and social media have cited the African Development Bank (AfDB) in its 2013 African Economic Outlook as rating Nigeria's poverty reduction drive "low". We believe it is necessary to dispel the bogus claims and disingenuous innuendos contained in the report, and instead invite attention to the steady progress the country is making in creating wealth and reducing the ranks of the poor. The statement insists that "In the first place, the Nigerian economy is doing much better than any other of its size on the continent, and the poverty statistics which were rehashed by the media from the 1996–2010 figures on which the AfDB report is based have been overtaken by the various interventions by President Goodluck Jonathan's administration in the last two to three years." "The facts even in newspapers of Monday,12 August, 2013 including Businessday and the Nation Newspaper Editorial, speak of a Nigerian economy that is witnessing impressive growth and improvement in performances in our schools." The refutation further posited that, "It is pertinent to point out that we are growing the Nigerian economy faster than any other country's economy on the continent, with this year's GDP growth put at 6.7%." Maku said, that Nigeria remains the highest destination for Foreign Direct Investment inflows into Africa over and above South Africa and Egypt. This is the direct result of the fundamental reforms being implemented under President Jonathan's Transformation Agenda. Maku itemised that "The Nigerian Capital Market has fully recovered, recording impressive performance as reported in the front page lead story of Businessday today (Monday, 12 August 2013)." The Information Minister also said, "Our public schools are gradually recovering from decades of decline as WAEC performances have risen to 64.2% from 39.57% of students who pass with minimum of five credits (The Nation's Editorial Monday, 12 August 2013)." Maku reiterated that "The Trains are back on our railways from Lagos to Kano, while we fix the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri line in readiness for use by 2014. New standard gauge Rail-Lines are in the works from (Lagos-Ibadan; Abuja-Kaduna; Warri-Ajaokuta-Itakpe; Abuja City Light Rail; etc)." "Our Airports terminals now look like modern airports with space and beauty." "Reforms in the Power Sector and the new power projects being completed will stabilise power from next year." The statement from Maku also revealed that "Our Gas Master Plan has attracted huge investments by Chevron, Shell, Dangote Group and other investors who are now transforming our gas into major income earner for the country." And added that, "New Industrial City at Ogindingben in Delta State is unfolding with the construction of a petro-chemical industries complex in which about 100,000 workers will be employed for the construction phase." This, he said, has begun.
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