A SUMMARY of Professor Sam Aluko’s interview, in February 2004, with TAYO ODUNLAMI of The News magazine was published, in this column last week. In the first part of that interview, the distinguished Professor of Economics, responded to questions on the potential impact of Naira devaluation, fuel pricing, privatization and foreign investment.

THE price of crude oil, yesterday, hovered around $57.00, after hitting $58.00 on Saturday in the international market, as Saudi Arabia cuts output by 500,000 barrel per day, bpd.

Developments in Nigeria’s banking industry in 2019 will be shaped by seven global and domestic factors which will work simultaneously to impact on banks’ profitability, earnings and non performing loans. They will come with likelihood of staff retrenchment and increased confrontation between shareholders and management of banks. The seven factors and how they will likely impact the industry are presented below.

DESPITE its 202 trillion standard cubic feet, scf, gas reserves, Nigeria has not been able to harness enough of its gas for power generation, as a result of many challenges, including low investment, inadequate funding of projects and huge indebtedness to gas suppliers.

THE Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC, world oil demand has been projected to rise by1.29 million barrels per day, bpd in 2019.