Friday 24 February 2012

CSR NEWS SUMMARY ISSUE 9


MINISTER INAUGURATES N8M WATER PROJECT

The Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Darah Ochekpe, on Saturday inaugurated a N8m water scheme undertaken by the Cross River Basin Development Authority as part of efforts in providing clean and safe water to communities in Cross River and Akwa Ibom States
Published in Punch Newspaper, on Monday, 20th Feb. 2012

SURE-P: FG TO COME UP WITH NEW DOCUMENT SOON - JONATHAN
President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday, directed that the document on Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme, SURE Programme, be withdrawn because as a government, it could not raise the amount indicated in the document of the current development
Published in Vanguard Newspaper, on Tuesday, 21st Feb. 2012

FG TO REGULARISE EGBIN POWER PLANT CASUAL WORKERS

The Federal Government has directed that casual workers at the Egbin Power Plant in Lagos be regularised immediately.

Minister of Power, Prof. Barth Nnaji, gave the directive, yesterday, when he commissioned the plant’s gymnasium centre in Lagos
Published in Vanguard Newspaper, on Tuesday, 21st Feb. 2012

NEWS IRDC BOSS DECRIES NEGLECT OF OIL PRODUCING COMMUNITIES

The Newly appointed Chairman of Itsekiri Oil and Gas Producing / Impacted Communities Development Committee, IRDC, Mr Ayirimi Emami has decried the neglect of 23 Itsekiri oil producing communities by the Ministry of Niger Delta, NDDC, delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission as well as other relevant government agencies.
Published in Vanguard Newspaper, on Tuesday, 21st Feb. 2012

DELTA EVOLVES MASTER PLAN FOR 24 HOUR ELECTRICITY SUPPLY

Delta State has produced an energy plan that will enable it provide 24 hour electricity to the people and also drive its industrialisation process

Chairman of Delta State Integrated Development Project, DIDP, a Public – Private Partnership Programme, Mr Godwin Akpobire said the state is planning an energy conference, tagged ‘Delta Electricity Conference’ to brainstorm on the electricity supply market that will soon emerge in the state.
Published in Vanguard Newspaper, on Tuesday, 21st Feb. 2012

SPDC GRANTS N20.8M MICRO CREDIT LOANS TO DELTA COMMUNITY

At least 960 indigent persons in Eruemukowharien community Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, weekend, benefitted from a N20.8m micro credit scheme under the Global Memorandum of Understanding, GMoU, model of the Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, operators of the NNPC / SHELL / TENP/ AGIP joint venture
Published in Vanguard Newspaper, on Tuesday, 21st Feb. 2012


CHEVRON IRDC SUMMONS DEFAULTING CONTRACTORS

Chairman of Chevron’s oil community development interventionist agency for the Itsekiri Regional Development, IRDC, Mr Ayiri Emami, has ordered all defaulting contractors to report to his office to explain why their contract should not be terminated
Published in Vanguard Newspaper, on Tuesday, 21st Feb. 2012

BPE MAY ANNOUCE NEW POWERBIDS IN JULY

Director – General of the Bureau for Public Enterprises, Mrs Bolanle Onagoruwa, has said that the Federal Government was going ahead with the full privatisation of the power sector as planned. She also said there was no going back on the transfer of all former staff of Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, to the successor companies.
Published in Vanguard Newspaper, on Tuesday, 21st Feb. 2012

UNEP YEAR BOOK HIGHLIGHTS EFFECTS OF UNSUSTAINABLE LAND - USE

Dramatic improvements in the way in the world manages its precious soil will be key to food, water and climate security in the 21st century. According to the United Nations Environment Programme’s UNEP Year Book 2012, 24 percent of the Global Land Area has already suffered declines in health and productivity over the past quarter century as a result of unsustainable land - use
Published in Vanguard Newspaper, on Tuesday, 21st Feb. 2012

HEALTHCARE UNDER-STAFFIG WORRIES FG

As part of measures to ensure that healthcare services reach rural communities, the federal government is considering a restructuring of the recruitment standards for health workers across the country
Published in ThisDay Newspaper, on Wednesday, 22nd Feb. 2012

RIVERS UNVEILS NEW TAX MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE

Rivers State Governor Chibuike Amaechi has unveiled the state’s new tax management software, a joint venture with Skye Bank that automates and modernises the internal revenue collection and generation process in the state

Amaechi who was represented at the event held at the offices of the state Board of Internal Revenue by the state’s commissioner for Finance, Chamberlain Peterside, said that “revenue from internal sources should form an integral part of our own financial system”.
Published in ThisDay Newspaper, on Wednesday, 22nd Feb. 2012

BRIDGE CLINIC TAKES ‘KISS’ TO VARSITIES

The Bridge Clinic Nigeria, in its bid to enlighten and educate young men and women about their fertility, has introduced ‘KISS’ to fight the alarming infertility rate in the country.

Quality Manager, Ms Onome Dibosa – Osadolor, said the number of men and women of productive age group who are suffering from infertility today is about one in four couples, which considering the population in Nigeria, is well over 200,000 people battling at a young age with infertility
Published in ThisDay Newspaper, on Wednesday, 22nd Feb. 2012

GLO CHAIRMAN URGES INCREASED WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

The Chairman of Globacom, Nigeria’s national telecoms operator, Dr Mike Adenuga Jnr. (CON) has said women empowerment is a necessity for the development of any nation.

Adenuga made the remarks in his goodwill message to the first National Retreat on Women Development, Peace and National Transformation sponsored by Globacom
Published in ThisDay Newspaper, on Wednesday, 22nd Feb. 2012

NIGERIA SECURES N34B AGRO INVESTMENTS

Nigeria secured about N34 billion investment commitments from 18 firms in the agriculture sector last year, the Minister of State for Trade and Investment, Dr. Samuel Ortom, has said.

Speaking at the launch of a book entitled: Agribusinesss for Africa’s prosperity, in Abuja, Ortom said the Federal Government will promote agricbusiness by incorporating it and agro-industry into the mainstream of its Economic Transformation Agenda.
Published in The Nation Newspaper, on Wednesday, 22nd Feb. 2012

CONSUMER COUNCIL BOSS LAMENTS 39% RISE IN PRICES

The Director General Consumer Protection Council (CPC) Mrs Ify Umenyi has lamented the rise in prices of commodities in the market.

She noted that there has been 39 percent increase in prices of commodities since fuel price was hiked by the government, adding that the prices do not match the jump in the price of fuel.
Published in The Nation Newspaper, on Wednesday, 22nd Feb. 2012

SURE TO FUND MAMBILLA HYDRO – POWER PROJECT

Minister of Water Resources, Mrs Sarah Ochekpe, has disclosed that the Mambilla Hydro – Power Project in Taraba state will be funded under the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE).
Published in The Guardian Newspaper, on Thursday, 23rd Feb. 2012

BELL OIL TO INVEST N30BN IN DRILLING OPERATIONS

In its efforts to take advantage of the local content programme in Nigeria, Bell Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited has concluded plans to invest about $200 million (N300 billion) in drilling operations and services within the next 18 months.

Managing Director of the company, Kayode Thomas, said in Lagos at the weekend during the 10th year anniversary of the company that the investment would come in form of acquisition of semi-submersible rig, adding that there was no indigenous company that provides semi –submersible rig in the country
Published in The Guardian Newspaper, on Thursday, 23rd Feb. 2012

ADENUGA CANVASSES WOMEN EMPOWERNMENT

The Chairman of Globacom, Nigeria’s national telecoms operator, Dr. Mike Adenuga jnr. has said that women empowernment was a necessity for the development of any nation.

Agenuga Jnr. made the remarks in his goodwill message to the first National Retreat, Peace and Transformation sponsored by Globacom
Published in The Guardian Newspaper, on Thursday, 23rd Feb. 2012

NIMASA RAISES TEAM AGAINST SHELL OVER BONGA OIL SPILL

The Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has assembled a team of lawyers and environmentalists to tackle Shell Petroleum Development Company over the recent oil spill from its Bonga facilities in Escravos.
Published in The Guardian Newspaper, on Thursday, 23rd Feb. 2012

LASSA FEVER: LAGOS WARNS RESIDENTS

In a statement on Wednesday, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris said although no cases of the disease had been reported to the state, Lagosians should ensure that they maintained personal and environment hygiene to prevent its outbreak.
Published in This Day Newspaper, on Friday, 24th Feb. 2012

UBA RECORDS HIGHEST NUMBER OF AGRICULTURAL LOAN DISBURSEMENT

In demonstration of its avid support to the agricultural sector of the National Economy, United Bank for Africa (UBA) plc has recorded the highest volume of loans disbursed to commercial agriculture and allied products and service companies across the country under the Commercial Agriculture Credit Scheme (CACS) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)
Published in This Day Newspaper, on Friday, 24th Feb. 2012

AFDB EXPLAINS DELAY IN DISBURSING $700M SMEs FUND

Resident Representative, of African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Ousmane Dore has said that African countries would succeed in addressing the problem of unemployment if they develop their small and medium scale enterprises.
Published in This Day Newspaper, on Friday, 24th Feb. 2012

CCB: NIGERIA MAY NOT ACHIEVE MDGs AT 100 YEARS

Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), Sam Saba, yesterday in Abuja said Nigeria may not achieve its millennium development goals one hundred years after almagation except drastic action was taken against corruption
Published in This Day Newspaper, on Friday, 24th Feb. 2012


The MultiChoice Story


When in 2004 MultiChoice Nigeria; the nation’s leading pay TV subscription management company, commenced the MultiChoice Resource Centre project as its major Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), some CSR pundits were skeptical about the success of the project in Nigeria.

The apprehension and doubts surrounding the MRC project by these pundits was not uncommon. Their argument was that untold number of well-thought-out CSR projects by some corporate bodies have come and gone without having a positive impact on their host community and with this development, the question on their lips was; “What is the credibility of the MultiChoice Nigeria MRC project?”

But the apprehension with which some CSR experts greeted the MRC project in Nigeria did not deter the management of MultiChoice Nigeria from embarking on the project. MultiChoice Nigeria, in conjunction with SchoolNet Nigeria; a non-governmental organisation in the nation’s educational sector committed to the effective use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) for enhancing teaching, learning and management processes in Nigerian education system, launched the first phase of the project in two major cities in Nigeria; namely Lagos and Abuja.

But contrary to the expectations of critics, authorities in the nation’s educational sector embraced the project which is aimed at introducing audio-visual learning technologies via digital satellite television and other equipment such as video recorders and DSTV decoders.

The MRC project is designed for beneficiary schools to have access to MultiChoice Education Bouquet with a view of integrating the programmes into their curriculum in order to enhance the teaching and learning processes in their schools. 
Presently, the MRC project has been successfully implemented in 201 schools in 21 States in the country and in each center, MultiChoice provides the following learning aid items to each of the beneficiary schools; one DStv decoder, one television, one DVD player, burglary proof for the equipment, education bouquet others include; one small generator, one whiteboard, 50 blank Video Cassettes, one stabilizer, one metal filing cabinet to mention but a few.

It is pertinent to note that the MRC project does not end with the installation of the facility in the schools; MultiChoice takes the project a step further by training teachers who man the facility. In September last year, MultiChoice Nigeria in collaboration with SchoolNet Nigeria organized a- three day training workshop for over 25 teachers from Nigeria and a Sierra Leonean teacher, Mr. Albert Kamara on the use of the MultiChoice Resource Center in class room teaching/ learning at Ansar-ud-een Girls College, Iteri, Surulere, Lagos State.

Speaking at the training programme, Head; Corporate Communications MultiChoice Nigeria, Segun Fayose while encouraging the teachers to embrace digital learning techniques in impacting knowledge in their students, maintained that MultiChoice through its Corporate Social Responsibility will continue to add value to families across the continent.

While addressing the teachers, Deputy National Coordinator of SchoolNet Mrs. Aderonke Ronke; who facilitated the programme urged the teachers to make adequate use the resource center equipment in their classes. “Practical learning exercises on how to use the DStv decoder in classroom teaching will be applied throughout the workshop thus it is necessary that we all give it our best” she commented. 

Mr. Albert Kamara; a Sierra Leonean teacher in attendance at the workshop said that the workshop took participants on a rigorous process of understanding the MRC and how it can be used to teach students class. “I am very happy to be a part of the training programme and I will certainly make use of the MRC in teaching not just my students but my fellow teachers” he remarked.

Prior to the training programme in Lagos, MultiChoice in partnership with SchoolNet organized the second edition of the MultiChoice Creative Teachers Awards on Thursday 26 May, 2011 at 3Js Hotel, FCT Abuja. The awards is designed to reward teachers involved in the use of the over 200 MultiChoice Resource Center Audio-visual learning aid across the country to teach students in their classes and in this second edition of the award, Mr. Olalekan Adeeko, a Secondary School Teacher with Baptist High School, Abeokuta, Ogun State emerged winner.

While giving insight on the criteria for selecting the winner of the awards which commenced in 2009, Deputy National Coordinator of SchoolNet Nigeria, Mrs. Ronke Bello, said that Mr. Adeeko came out tops in a keenly contested competition because his presentation on natural disaster with emphasis on flood, proved to be a very compelling presentation because of its local and global relevance.

However, Mrs. Hadiza Audu, a teacher with Ahmadu Bahago Secondary School, Minna, Niger State who focused her presentation on volcanic eruption emerged second at the Awards and Mrs. Onwumere Godgift Ezinwanne, a Social Studies teacher with Girls Secondary Junior School, Olokoro, Umuahia, Abia State emerged third as she used the audio-visual learning aid to focus on marriage and the types of marriages in Nigeria.

Even the School Principals were not left out in the awards as Lady Florence .M. Udok of West African Peoples Institute (WAPI) Calabar Cross River State emerged winner in the Principals challenge segment of the ward.

Since inception of the MRC project in Nigeria, MultiChoice Nigeria has spent over N100 million in training of teachers alone. Yet, the management of the company is still determined in ensuring that more students and teachers benefit from the initiative and recently, the company have started to see the benefit of their commitment when Master Chukwuka Ekweani of Zamani College, Kaduna; a beneficiary school of the MRC emerged the winner in the essay category of the DStv Eutelsat Star Awards in Nigeria while Miss Precious Ezea of Government Technical College, Enugu; another beneficiary of the MRC emerged runner up in the essay category in the same competition. 

Speaking about the MultiChoice Resource Center project, Mr. John Ugbe, Managing Director MultiChoice Choice Nigeria said beneficiary schools of the resource center project have access to the special MultiChoice Education Bouquet. “We have instructional channels such as Discovery, National Geographic, BBC Knowledge, BBC World, History Channel, Animal Planet and Mindset Learn at no cost to the schools”
Mr. Ugbe said that MultiChoice, in addition to its decoders, provides each school with a DVD recorder, a TV set, a power generating set, tables and chairs and other instructional materials.

“The Resource Center project is part of a broad based community development strategy designed to raise the standard of education in public schools on the African continent by leveraging on the assets and expertise of our digital satellite television for development and growth of African communities” he remarked.
MultiChoice helmsman stated that besides rolling out more Resource Centers this year, MultiChoice will also embark on an intensive unannounced on-the-spot assessment of the centers in the six geo-political zones. 

**Timothy Okwu is a staff of Multichoice Nigeria


Friday 17 February 2012

CSR NEW SUMMARY ISSUE 8

FG MOVES TO BOOST PRODUCTION OF NIGERIAN FABRICS FOR EXPORT MARKET

The Federal Government disclosed that they are working on the development of a local patronage policy that would enhance the production of made in Nigeria goods including fabrics as part of its strategic plans to grow the textile sector, create jobs and generate wealth for Nigerians.
Published in National Mirror Newspaper, on Monday, 13th Feb. 2012

INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT, BOOST TO ECONOMY
The Lagos State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Dr Kadri Hamzat said in line with the state policy thrust of Poverty Alleviation Eradication and Sustained Economic Growth, the ministry has initiated a number of projects designed to eradicate poverty through employment generation and promotion of an enabling environment.
Published in National Mirror, on Monday, 13th Feb. 2012

AfDB OFFERS $87M FOR WATER PROJECTS IN YOBE, OSUN STATES

African Development Bank (AfDB) has offered $87 million credit to support rural water projects in Yobe and Osun States.

Minister of Water Resources, Sarah Ochekpe, expressed delight on the offer when the Resident Representative of AfDB in Nigeria, Ousmane Dore, paid her a working visit in Abuja
Published in Daily Independent Newspaper, on Monday, 13th Feb. 2012

BONGA CLEANUP SUFFERS SETBACK AS COMMUNITIES TACKLE SHELL

Efforts by oil giant, Shell Petroleum Development Company, to mop-up a suspected third party oil spill in the Niger Delta may have suffered setback after some communities refused to grant the company access to the spill sites.

Shell’s Managing Director in Nigeria, Mr Mutiu Sunmonu, announced in December 2011, that the company had discovered a spill of about 40,000 barrels, from the failure of an export line during the transfer of oil from a floating storage facility to cargo tanker, MT Northia.
Published in Punch Newspaper, on Monday, 13th Feb. 2012

RIGHTS COMMISSION, UNICEF PARTNER ON CHILD PROTECTION

The United Nations Children’s Fund and the National Human Rights Commission have agreed to scale up partnership to promote and protect the rights of the Nigerian Child

According to the UNICEF Chief Protection Officer, Mrs Nosiro Izumi, said “UNICEF is working hard to improve on the existing child protection networks in the country and intends to build more partnerships to achieve the desired results”.
Published in Punch Newspaper, on Monday, 13th Feb. 2012

NCS PLANSIT SOULTIONS TO FIGHT INSECURITY

The leading professional IT association in the country said it was developing initiatives to make sure that IT played a significant role in the fight against insecurity in the land

The chairman, Publicity, Events and Trade Services Committee, NCS, Mr Jide Awe said “NCS and its members are therefore working on initiatives to ensure that IT is effectively deployed to improve security.
Published in Punch Newspaper, on Monday, 13th Feb. 2012

RIVERS MOVES TO BATTLE LASSA FEVER EPIDEMIC

Rivers State Government has commenced plans to tackle Lassa fever epidemic.  The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Sampson Parker, declared the epidemic during an interactive session with the medical staff of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) and representatives from the Federal Ministry of Health at the weekend
Published in Daily Independent Newspaper, on Tuesday, 14th Feb. 2012


REPS’ PROBE WILL ENSURE PROBITY IN OIL SECTOR

Vice Chairman of the Committee on Petroleum (upstream), in the House of Representatives, Mashood Mustapha, has said the on – going probe of the petroleum sector is a step that will ensure accountability and probity in the sector.

Mustapha, who stated this in an interview with newsmen in Illorin, alleged that there are rots in the sector, which over the years made the country to be deprived of the benefits being endowed with oil
Published in Daily Independent Newspaper, on Tuesday, 14th Feb. 2012

DON’T ATTACT PEACEFUL COMMUNITIES, ERA / FoEN WARNS MEND, JTF

Environmental Rights Action / Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA / FoEN) has warned the Joint Task Force (JTF) on the Niger Delta against attacking peaceful communities in executing its threat to crush the renewed attacks on oil facilities by Movement for Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND)
Published in Daily Independent Newspaper, on Tuesday, 14th Feb. 2012

EKITI IS POLIO FREE, SAYS FAYEMI

Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi has declared the state free of polio virus. He, however, lamented that some northern states still harbour the deadly paralytic virus.

Speaking at the Fajuyi Memorial Park, Ado Ekiti, venue of the stakeholders’ sensitisation forum on polio eradication, at the weekend, Dr Fayemi assured that his administration would leave no stone unturned towards maintaining the state’s current polio free status through immunisation.
Published in Daily Independent Newspaper, on Tuesday, 14th Feb. 2012

MIMIKO URGED TO SUSTAIN DEVELOPMENT

Governor Segun Mimiko of Ondo State has been admonished to sustain the rate of development in the state by ensuring a close monitoring of contractors handling the various road projects in the state.

The Ondo Progressive Youth Forum (OPYF), while commending Mimiko on what it called his giant strides at putting the state on the path of development, urged him not to let anybody to put paid to his second ambition
Published in Daily Independent Newspaper, on Tuesday, 14th Feb. 2012

NHIS PARTNERS WORLD BANK ON QUALITY HEALTH SCHEME

As part of measures to provide health coverage for all Nigerians, the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) has been granted membership of the Joint Leaning Network (JLN)

A statement by the Executive Secretary of NHIS, Waziri Dogo – Mohammed, explained that the country’s membership of JLN was as a sign that Nigeria could still attain universal coverage by 2015.
Published in Daily Independent Newspaper, on Tuesday, 14th Feb. 2012

FG, STATES TO GENERATE 370,000 JOBS IN 2012 - JONATHAN

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday launched the Public Works and Women / Youth Employment (PW/WYE) project targeted at generating 370,000 jobs across the country before the end of the year.

The project, which is a component of the Subsidy Re-investment and Empowerment Programme (SURE), WAS launched at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Vila
Published in Daily Sun Newspaper, on Wednesday, 15th Feb. 2012

GLOBACOM PARTNERS FG ON WOMEN DEVELOPMENT

Leading telecoms operator Globacom is partnering with the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in organizing the first National Retreat on Women Development, Peace and National Transformation.

The retreat, scheduled to hold from Wednesday, February 15 to Saturday, February 18, at the Le Meridien Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort, Ibom, Akwa Ibom State is being organized in partnership with the First Lady of Nigeria, Dame Patience Goodluck Jonathan
Published in Daily Sun Newspaper, on Wednesday, 15th Feb. 2012

ENDING PNEUMONIA WILL REDUCE INFACT MORTALITY

At a 5 day national conference organized by the Paediatric Association of Nigeria held at the Conference Hall of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile – Ife, Osun State, experts in infant care and nutrition gathered to discuss the way forward in search to a solution to the scourge facing children under the age of five in Nigeria.
Published in Daily Sun Newspaper, on Wednesday, 15th Feb. 2012

ESSO TRAINS 25 NIGERIAN VARSITY DONS

Esso Exploration Production Nigeria Limited (EEPNL), a subsidiary of ExxonMobil, has just finished training about 25 Nigerian lecturers on map making and interpretation, under the University Partnering Programme (UPP).

The participating universities in the scheme include, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Delta State University, Abraka, Nnamdi Azikwe University, Akwa, University of Benin, Benin City, University of Calabar, Calabar and University of Ibadan, Ibadan
Published in Daily Sun Newspaper, on Wednesday, 15th Feb. 2012

MULTICHOICE: CREATING VALUE WITH E – CENTRES

The programme was intended to enhance ICT education and other subjects in students as well as make learning easier.

Managing Director, MultiChoice, John Ugbe, noted that the “MultiChoice Resource Centre, MRC, is part of a broad based community development strategy designed to raise the standard of education”.
Published in Daily Sun Newspaper, on Wednesday, 15th Feb. 2012

BANKS GET MORE INCENTIVES FOR AGRICULTURAL FINANCING

Aside guaranteeing about 70 per cent agricultural loan principal payment, including various schemes aimed at encouraging banks to lend to farmers in the country, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has pledged its commitment to give yearly incentives to banks advancing loans to the agricultural sector
Published in Daily Sun Newspaper, on Wednesday, 15th Feb. 2012

352 FARMERS BENEFIT FROM CROSS RIVER CREDIT SCHEME

The Cross River Farm Credit Scheme, started a few years back, has continued to yield positive results, as 352 farmers have so far benefitted from the scheme.

The Scheme is expected to cover farmers, who are into fish farming, cassava, rice and oil palm production
Published in Daily Sun Newspaper, on Wednesday, 15th Feb. 2012

DIAMOND BANK EMPOWERS 14,000 MSMEs WITH N30bn

Diamond Bank Plc has disbursed N30 billion to 14,000 entrepreneurs across the country as parts of efforts aimed at boosting Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprise (MSME) sector in Nigeria.

Speaking at the First Business Clinic in the Diamond Business Xpress Enterprise Series, Mr Chima Nnadozie, Head, MSME Propositions, Diamond Bank, identified the absence of funding, human capacity, structures, the needed requisite knowledge and skills to operate as a critical factors leading to the collapse of small businesses.
Published in Daily Sun Newspaper, on Wednesday, 15th Feb. 2012

LADOL, SAMSUNG PARTNER ON CAPACITY BUILDING

Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics, LADOL, and Samsung Heavy Industries of Korea, have entered into partnership to boost human capacity and Nigerian content development in the oil and gas industry through the establishment of Samsung Nigeria Technology Academy.
Published in Daily Sun Newspaper, on Wednesday, 15th Feb. 2012

SILVETTI GROUP TO TRAIN NIGERIANS ON MARINE SURVEY

Speaking about the group’s plan in the country, the Managing Director of Silvetti Marine Surveys Nigeria Limited, Mr John Silvetti, told Vanguard on the sidelines of an offshore conference in Abuja that part of the plan  is to make Nigeria the support base for West Africa and beyond, after the services have been fully established in the country
Published in Guardian Newspaper, on Wednesday, 15th Feb. 2012

UNDP REP HARPS ON IMPORTANCE OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY

The Resident representative of United Nations Development Programme UNDP in Nigeria, Mr Thomas Hemistra has emphasized the importance of energy efficiency to meet the energy needs of Nigeria.

The UNDR rep said that the global body will assist the country to make energy efficiency real to the Nigerian people.
Published in Guardian Newspaper, on Wednesday, 15th Feb. 2012

KHF, CATHOLIC CHURCH HOLD FREE MEDICAL MISSION

A team of Cardiology and Orthopaedics experts from Columbia Asia hospital and India are coming for a two – day free medical treatment and screening for various illness including heart – related problems, orthopaedics, dental, ear, nose and eye problems among others

The free medical programme billed to hold February  16 – 17 is being organised in collaboration with Kanu Heart Foundation, KHF and Saint Michael, Raphael and Gabriel Catholic Church, Satellite] Town
Published in Guardian Newspaper, on Wednesday, 15th Feb. 2012

IMO EXTENDS FREE EDUCATION TO UNDERGRADUATES

Imo State Government has extended its free education programme to undergraduates of indigenes in its college of education, polytechnic and university.

Speaking in an address tagged “State – of – Imo Address” at the Heroes’ Square, New Owerri, Governor Rochas Okorocha said that the government would in the next academic session grant N100 bursary to students of the state university and N80,000 to students in the state – owned polytechnic
Published in Guardian Newspaper, on Wednesday, 15th Feb. 2012

GOVERNMENTS PLANS SOCIAL WELFARE POLICY

In a bid to curb the rising danger inherent in street begging perpetrated by destitute and Almajiris, street children and hawking by teenagers in the country and the Federal Government has concluded plans to evolve a social welfare  and development of persons with disability, orphans and vulnerable children, the elderly and other helpless Nigerians is to be developed for the country.
Published in Guardian Newspaper, on Wednesday, 15th Feb. 2012

N263.68M CREDIT FACILITY FOR RURAL POOR

In furtherance of its avowed commitment to reduce poverty and improve the dignity of the poor through the provision of micro-finance services and products to them, the Enugu Catholic Diocese – owned Umuchinemere Pro-credit Micro-Finance Bank (UPMFB) has given out a total of N263, 680,000 micro – credit funds to a total of 3860 people in the diocese
Published in Guardian Newspaper, on Wednesday, 15th Feb. 2012

JAPAN PLEDGES N2BN FOR WATER SUPPLY IN FIVE STATES

Japan has pledged to provide N2 billion grant for the construction of rigs and hand-pump borehole equipment in five states of the federation. The states are Niger, Kebbi, Enugu, Taraba and Ondo
Published in Guardian Newspaper, on Wednesday, 15th Feb. 2012

FG UNFOLDS NATIONAL PRODUCTIVITY POLICY, DEFENDS WORLD BANK LOAN REQUEST

Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday approved for Nigeria her first National Policy on Productivity midwifed by Minister of Minister of Labour, Emeka Wogu.

Minister of Information Labaran Maku, who briefed the press after the FEC meeting chaired by President Goodluck Jonathan, said the policy came after “decades of planning” and was exhaustively discussed and debated before approval.
Published in Daily Independent Newspaper, on Thursday, 16th Feb. 2012

PTDF UNVEILS FIRST INTERNATIONALLY CERTIFIED UNDERWATER WELDERS

Eleven youths who became the first set of Nigerians to be internationally certified under welders were on Wednesday unveiled by the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF)

Executive Secretary, PTDF, Muttaqha Darma noted that the certification enables the holders to work anywhere in the world and expressed the hope that the youths would make the best of the opportunity presented to them.
Published in Daily Independent Newspaper, on Thursday, 16th Feb. 2012

MATERNAL MORTAILITY RATE ABSENT IN NIGERIA’S REPORT TO GAMBIA CONFAB

The High Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) being recorded in Nigeria was conspicuously missing in the report presented on the country’s health at the 50th session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights (ACHPR) held in Gambia.
Published in Daily Independent Newspaper, on Thursday, 16th Feb. 2012

NIGERIA, FIVE OTHERS GENERATE 1M TONNES OF ELECTRONIC WASTE YEARLY

Nigeria and five other countries in West Africa are generating between 650,000 and 1,000,000 tons of domestic e-waste each year triggering fears of a negative impact on the environment and increased risk of health problems
Published in Daily Independent Newspaper, on Thursday, 16th Feb. 2012

AfDB YET TO DISBURSE N111B LOAN TO SUPPORT SMEs

The African Development Bank (AfDB), said it has not disbursed the N111 billion ($700 million) loans meant to support Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the country.

The AfDB approved the loans in 2009 and it was supposed to be disbursed through financial institutions, including the Nigeria Export / Import Bank (NEXIM) and the Bank of Industry (BOI) to SMEs.
Published in Punch Newspaper, on Thursday, 16th Feb. 2012

DELTA MONARCHS PETITION FG OVER BONGA OIL SPILL

The Traditional Council of Chiefs, who said they were acting on behalf of the paramount ruler, Godwin Bobenimibo, Ogeh Gbaruan III, Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom, maintained that their means of livelihood has been disrupted since the incident occurred in December last year.
Published in Punch Newspaper, on Friday, 17th Feb. 2012

ICRC, OTHERS TO ADDRESS $930BN INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING GAP

The Infrastructure Concession Regulation Commission on Wednesday said it would in partnership with other African countries galvanise resources to address the $930bn infrastructure deficit in the continent.
Published in Punch Newspaper, on Friday, 17th Feb. 2012

FIRST BANK BAGS THREE INTERNATIONAL CERTIFICATIONS

First Bank has blazed the trail as it emerged the first Nigerian company to be awarded the Business Continuity Management Certification, two years after it was conferred with the information security management systems certification.

The bank also bagged the Information Technology Governance Certification, ISON 38500 and the enhanced certification for the ISO27001.
Published in Punch Newspaper, on Friday, 17th Feb. 2012

GPI WINS MAC ARTHUR FOUNDATION AWARD

Nigerian Girls’ Power Initiative (GPI), Calabar, cross river state yesterday, won the prestigious Mac Arthur Awards as a Creative and Effective Institutions.

The initiative grabbed the award based on its work to empower and educate adolescent girls about their sexual and reproductive health and human rights
Published in Business World Newspaper, Friday, 17th Feb. 2012

RAINOIL TO PROMOTE LAWN TENNIS AT THE GRASSROOTS

Rain Oil Nigeria Limited has vowed to assist the nation in the discovery of new talents In the game of lawn tennis so as to contribute to its revival.

This pledge was made by the Managing Director of the company, Mr Gabriel Ogbechie, at the grand finale of the Lagos Country Club tennis section in Lagos recently
Published in Business World Newspaper, on Friday, 17th Feb. 2012


Friday 10 February 2012

CSR NEW SUMMARY ISSUE 7

WORLD BANK, KATSINA RAISE HOPE OF 270 COMMUNITIES
Community and Social Development Projects (CSDP) funded by the World Bank in collaboration with Katsina State Government is another way hundred of communities across the state are being moved from despair to hope this year. The Coordinator of the project, Salisu Musa Yar’Adua, spoke more on this initiative which had raised the hope of not less than 270 communities in Katsina.
Published in Daily Sun Newspaper, on Tuesday, 7th Feb. 2012 
JIM OVIA FOUNDATION PARTNERS IT COMPANYS TO BOOST SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT

Just as the world is moving towards a convergence, the Jim Ovia Foundation in its bi-annual programme yesterday in Lagos hopefully planned to empower 350 Nigerian youths through software development and applications. According to the former CEO Zenith Bank and Founder, Visafone Communications Ltd, Mr. Jim Ovia, the partnership with Google, Microsoft, QT and IBM was intentional to give a world class software training programme for 350 African youths that were trimmed from 1,000 who applied for the programme.
Published in Daily Sun Newspaper, on Tuesday, 7th Feb. 2012

NEW IBESE PLANT: DANGOTE SPINNING CEMENT INTO GOLD IN AFRICA

With the planned commissioning of the new Dangote’s new 6 million tonnes per annum Cement factory at Ibese, Ogun State on Thursday, February 9, 2012, by President Goodluck Jonathan, and the next stage is set for closing ceremony for cement importation. The coming on board of the new plant will ensure effective production to meet the national domestic consumption which hovers around 18 million tonnes per annum when added to the productions from Obajana, Gboko plants, equally belonging to Dangote Cement and of course those of other competitors.
Published in Daily Sun Newspaper, on Tuesday, 7th Feb. 2012
VANDALISATION MAY STALL DAILY EXPORT OF 140,000 BARRELS OF CRUDE OIL - SHELL

Shell Petroleum says an increase in the spate of crude oil theft from one of its facilities in the Niger Delta might hamper the export of 140,000 barrels of oil in the weeks ahead.

A statement by the company on Monday said its Nembe Creek Truckline has been subjected to ‘repeated sabotage attacks’ by crude oil thieves. And the oil firm said the attendant effect would not only hamper the export of 140,000 barrels of crude oil, being the production capacity of the facility, but have grave consequences on the environment
Published in Daily Sun Newspaper, on Tuesday, 7th Feb. 2012

ONDO VOTES N2 BILLION FOR HEALTH PROGRAMME

Ondo State Government has said extension of the Safe Motherhood (Abiye) programme in the 18 Local Government areas of the state will gulp N2 billion, even as more than 30,000 pregnant women will benefit yearly with the replication of the programme in the local government councils.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Dayo Adeyanju who spoke in Akure, said the success of the pilot scheme of the programme inaugurated in 2009 at Ifedore Local Government Area encouraged Governor Mimiko to replicate it in the remaining 18 councils areas.
Published in Vanguard Newspaper, on Tuesday, 7th Feb. 2012
AREGBESOLA ASSURES OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

Osun State Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, has restated his administration’s commitment to the development of rural areas in the state, particularly access roads to enhance massive food production and better living conditions for the people.

Speaking while receiving a team of World Bank and French Development Agency experts on Rural Access and Mobility Projects, RAMP, at the Government House in Osogbo, yesterday, the governor said: “Why are we this enthusiastic about this project? Right from the time we began the efforts to campaign and win the mantle of leadership, we had made it clear that food security would be our primary agenda.
Published in Vanguard Newspaper, on Tuesday, 7th Feb. 2012
SENATE COMMITTEE RAPS ENVIRONMENT MINISTRY

Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology has lambasted the Federal Ministry of Environment and its Parastatals for their inability to tackle environmental challenges in the country.

The Committee Chairman, Senator Bukola Saraki while speaking during its oversight function to the Ministry, noted that the Ministry lacks the capacity to coordinate agencies under it for effective service delivery.
Published in Vanguard Newspaper, on Tuesday, 7th Feb. 2012
IJAW OIL COMMUNITIES IN DELTA, BAYELSA, LAY SIEGE TO SHELL

Ijaw oil communities in Delta and Bayelsa states, Monday morning, stormed the Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company, SNEPC, office, at Edjeba, near Warri, Delta State, protesting alleged “insensitivity and neglect” by the oil firm following the December 21, 2011, Bonga oil spill.

The protesters, including men, women and youths, carried placards, bearing inscriptions such as, “Save Our Souls, send us relief materials”, “Stop discrimination/ intimidation on us”, “No small and or big communities treat all equal”, “Imminent violence by Oil spill, victims SPDC is adamant to their obligatory duties”, “SPDC Bonga (EA) Spill has damaged our Rivers”, “SPDC ignore Bonga Oil Spill victims now dying in silence”.
Published in Vanguard Newspaper, on Tuesday, 7th Feb. 2012
NDDC STEPS UP MANPOWER TRAINING

Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC has stepped up manpower for the oil and gas sector with the graduation of forty of its trainees in far away Turkey as International Welding Inspectors.  The programme was handled by its technical partner, the Nigerian Institute of Welding, NIW.

Commenting on the development, President of the NIW, Mr Solomon Edebiri said it would raise local participation in the oil and gas industry. According to him, as international welding inspectors they had been trained in construction, testing, formation and design.  They also adding that they would continue to be relevant to the economy on matters relating to exploration.
Published in Vanguard Newspaper, on Tuesday, 7th Feb. 2012
CHEVRON SENDS RELIEF MATERIALS TO BAYELSA COMMUNITIES

Community leaders in Bayelsa State under the auspices of the NNPC/Chevron’s Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) have lauded the efforts of the company in providing relief materials tagged “thank you” gift items to the people in appreciation of their assistance during the unfortunate gas rig fire incident that occurred in an offshore location.

Trucks load of rice, garri, beans and tubers of yam, were yesterday being loaded in mammy boats for onward transportation to the communities on the Atlantic fringe at the Yenagoa Government jetty.
Published in Vanguard Newspaper, on Tuesday, 7th Feb. 2012
FG COMMITS N1.44BN TO CANCER TREATMENT

The Federal Government   has paid US$9 million (N1.44 billion) counterpart funding in its collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for the treatment of cancer. Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi  Chukwu, who disclosed this weekend stated that “Three comprehensive cancer screening centers were established at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, UPTH, National Obstetric Fistula Centre, Abakaliki and Federal Medical Centre, FMC, Gusau and they are equipped with mammography machines, Cryoprobe systems and ultra sound.
Published in Vanguard Newspaper, on Tuesday, 7th Feb. 2012
MALARIA, BIGGER KILLER THAN ENVISAGED

Even though it is already established as one of the world’s leading killer disorders, the global death toll from malaria is much higher than envisaged, new data has revealed. A study funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation found that in 2010, malaria grossed a total of 1.2 million deaths worldwide, almost twice other estimates.

But what is significant in the new revelation is that although most malaria deaths occur in very young children, 42 percent of deaths occurred in children over age 5 and adults, according to a publication in The Lancet.
Published in Vanguard Newspaper, on Tuesday, 7th Feb. 2012
COUNCIL TO EMPOWER WOMEN, YOUTHS

The Gwiwa Local Government Council of Jigawa plans to release N1 million monthly as soft loan to support small – scale entrepreneurs, the Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Daurawa, has said.

Daurawa, who disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday, said that women and youths of the area would be beneficiaries of the programme.
Published in Nation Newspaper, on Wednesday, 8th Feb. 2012

FIDELITY BANK DONATES MEDICAL TOOLS TO CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

In a bid to reduce mortality rate among babies, Fidelity Helping Hand, a Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative of the Fidelity Bank Plc has donated medical equipment worth over a million naira to the children of Massey Children Hospital.

The equipment was two radiant warmers and an oxygen concentrator was donated through the funds contributed voluntarily by the staff of the bank, to save lives and to give back to the community.
Published in Nation Newspaper, on Wednesday, 8th Feb. 2012
WORLD BANK FRENCH AGENCY SPEND 370M DOLLARS INTO RURAL ROADS DEVELOPMENT

The World Bank and French Development Agency have injected 370 million US Dollars into rural roads development in the country as part of efforts to ensure sustainable rural development.  Dr Tunji Ahmed, Transport Specialist, World Bank, in Abuja on Tuesday said that the Bank was contributing 250 million US Dollars, while French Development Agency was offering 120 million US Dollars.

He said the programme was being implemented in conjunction with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, under the Federal Government’s Rural Access and Mobility Programme (RAMP).
Published in Guardian Newspaper, on Wednesday, 8th Feb. 2012
NIGERIA ENVIORNMENT IN JEOPARDY, SAYS NESREA

Director General and Chief Executive Officer of National Environmental Standard and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Ngeri Benebo, has said that the continued uncontrolled exploration and exploitation of the country’s natural resources has put the environment in serious jeopardy.

She said the country’s environment is in this situation through unsuitable activities that pollute the air, water and soil.
Published in Daily Independent Newspaper, on Thursday, 9th Feb. 2012
ERA / FOEN ASKS JONATHAN TO PASS TOBACCO BILL

As the world marks the World Cancer Day commemorated February 4 annually, the environmental rights action/friends of the earth Nigeria (ERA/FOEN) has asked President Goodluck Jonathan to append his signature to the national tobacco control bill (NTCB) passed by the senate and concurred by the house of representatives last year, to avoid needless deaths arising from tobacco use.

The World Cancer Day is a global observance that helps to raise people’s awareness of cancer and how to prevent, detect or treat it. The 2012 event has as its theme: “Together It Is Possible.”
Published in Daily Independent Newspaper, on Thursday, 9th Feb. 2012
ERNST & YOUNG HOLDS STRATEGIC FORUM FOR CEOS, INVESTORS

Ernst & Young, an integrated assurance and business advisory firm, is set to bring chief executive officers, chief financial officers, leading entrepreneurs, investors and industry experts together in a conference as part of efforts to ensure that Africa comes top among the fastest growing economies.

A statement made available to our correspondent on Tuesday, said that the conference tagged, ‘Strategic Growth Forum’ would provide leading entrepreneurs, investors and top executives the opportunity to share their innovative experiences and discuss challenges and leading management practices for high-growth businesses as well as zeroing in on how the continent could unlock the value to achieve its full potential.
Published in ThisDay Newspaper, on Friday, 10th Feb. 2012
NEW GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP TO COMBACT TROPICAL DISEASES
13 pharmaceutical companies; the U.S., U.K., and U.A.E governments; the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; the World Bank; and other global health organizations announced a new, coordinated push to accelerate progress toward eliminating or controlling 10 neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) by the end of the decade.

Uniting efforts with NTD-endemic countries, partners pledged to bring a unique focus to defeating these diseases and to work together to improve the lives of the 1.4 billion people worldwide affected by NTDs, most of whom are among the world’s poorest.
Published in ThisDay Newspaper, on Friday, 10th Feb. 2012