Friday 23 March 2012

CSR NEWS SUMMARY (1)

FG TO PARTNER DANGOTE ON MINES DEVELOPMENT

The Federal Government has expressed its readiness to partner with the Dangote Group in the Development of the Mines and Steel Sector of the economy.

Minister of Mines and Steel, Musa Mohammed Sada said the Government did not view Dangote Group as just a stakeholder in the economic rejuvenation of the country but as a development partner whose giant strides in entrepreneurship has helped in shaping  government’s economic agenda.
Published in Daily Independent Newspaper, on Monday, 19th March 2012

STAKEHOLDERS TO MEET ON WAY FORWARD FOR FOOD EXPO

Stakeholders in the agricultural sector of the country will on Wednesday meet to deliberate on making AGRIKEPO, an agricultural forum impactful to all and sundry.
Published in Daily Independent Newspaper, on Monday, 19th March 2012

1,850 SMEs TO BENEFIT FROM NERFUND LOAN FACILITY

About 1,850 entrepreneurs across the federation are to benefit from a loan facility to be available through the National Economic Reconstruction Fund (NERFUND).
Published in Business Day Newspaper, on Monday, 19th March 2012

NOTORE’S INNOVATIVE SUPPLY CHAIN GETS THUMBS UP

Largest fertilizer producers in Sub – Saharan Africa, Notore Chemical Industries Limited (Notore), has received accolades for its innovation and effectiveness, at the Ernst Young‘s Strategic Growth Forum in Africa, which was held at Cape Town, South Africa last week.
Published in Business Day Newspaper, on Monday, 19th March 2012

WIMBIZ LAUNCHES TAXATION DOCUMENT FOR WOMEN DEVELOPMENT

An advisory document prepared by Women in Management and Business (WIMBIZ) and sponsored bya a grant from Vital Voices Global Partnership has been launched to help build the knowledge and capacity of women entrepreneurs in taxation.
Published in Business Day Newspaper, on Monday, 19th March 2012

UBA SUPPORTS BATTLE AGAINST PROSTRATE CANCER

UBA Foundation the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of United Bank for Africa, has continued its prostrate cancer awareness campaign, using the bank’s quarterly staff healthy living initiative known as joggling to Bond.
Published in Punch Newspaper, on Monday, 19th March 2012

SEADOGS INITIATES SCHOLARSHIP IN CROSS RIVER

National Association of Seadogs, Jokaina Deck, in Cross River State, has concluded arrangement for a scholarship scheme for 30 indigent secondary school pupils from the three senatorial districts of the state.
Published in Punch Newspaper, on Monday, 19th March 2012
CONTINENTAL RESTATES COMMITMENT TO CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT

The Managing Director, Continental Reinsurance Plc, Dr Femi Oyetunji, has said the company will continue to support the insurance market in developing the required capacity for the industry
Published in Punch Newspaper, on Monday, 19th March 2012

SPDC COMMISSIONS 11 MONO – PUMPS IN DELTA

In Ughelli, eleven mono – pumps have been commissioned by the Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, at Oghior, Udu Local Government Area, Delta State under the company’s Global Memorandum of Understanding, GMoU.
Published in Vanguard Newspaper, on Tuesday, 20th March 2012

FG LAUDS DANGOTE’S ROLE IN INVESTMENT

The Federal Government has expressed its readiness to partner with the Dangote Group in the development of the mines and steel sector of the economy.

Minister of Mines and Steel, Musa Mohammed Sada disclosed this when he led a delegation of his ministry official to the Ibese Plant of Dangote Cement in Ogun State.
Published in Vanguard Newspaper, on Tuesday, 20th March 2012

INTERNATIONAL ENERGY INSURANCE EXTENDS KINDNESS TO ORPHANAGES

The company presented the items including provisions, food and other commodities to the beneficiaries including the Little Saints Orphanage at Palm Groove, the Red Cross and the Orphanage Home at Ajah.
Published in Vanguard Newspaper, on Tuesday, 20th March 2012

ONDO DISTRIBUTES 1.6M INSECTICIDAL NETS

No fewer than 1.6 million free Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) are being distributed to all house holds in Ondo Sate by the Olusegun Mimiko government

Published in Vanguard Newspaper, on Wednesday, 21st March 2012

NIGERIA MARKS WORLD WATER DAY

Nigeria is joining the rest of the globe today to mark World Water Day, held annually to draw the attention to the importance of water as a global resource, as well as to the future problems that the scarcity of water will cause in the years ahead.

Published in Vanguard Newspaper, on Wednesday, 21st March 2012

STAKEHOLDERS TASK GOVERNMENTS ON GIRL-CHILD DEVELOPMENT

An International Conference has ended in New York, the United States (U.S), with the resource persons urging governments at all levels, non-governmental groups and international bodies to focus and increase contributions to the development and welfare of the girl-child in Nigeria
Published in The Guardian Newspaper, on Wednesday, 21st March 2012

JICA STAKES 20M YEN TO IMPROVE RICE PRODUCTION IN NIGERIA

The Japan International Corporation (JICA) is providing 20 million yen to boost production of rice in Niger and Nassarawa states.

The Chief Advisor, Rice Post-Harvesting Processing and Marketing Pilot Project (RIPMAPP), Ikuo Yamamoto said the support would be used to procure equipment and train farmers on improved technology in rice
Published in The Guardian Newspaper, on Wednesday, 21st March 2012
NIGERIA GETS N1.24B TO FIGHT POLIO, OTHERS

The Federal Government has received a grant of 600 million yens (about 1.24 billion) from the Japanese government through the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) for child survival programmes including polio.
Published in The Guardian Newspaper, on Wednesday, 21st March 2012

IFAD RELEASES N1.9M TO BUJI COMMUNITIES

International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has distributed funds worth over N1.9 million to the three communities in Buji Local Government Area of Jigawa State, says the Programme Officer, Mallam Isiyaku Kukuma
Published in Daily Independent Newspaper, on Thursday, 22nd March 2012

ECOBANK DONATES N75m TO OGUN SECURITY TRUST FUND

In order to reduce the crime rate in Ogun State, the management of Ecobank Plc has donated N75 million to the state’s Security Trust Fund.

Governor Amosun disclosed that about N4 billion had been spent on security in order to provide an enabling environment for business to thrive.
Published in Daily Independent Newspaper, on Thursday, 22nd March 2012

SWEETS SENSATION RESTATES COMMITMENT TO VALUE PROPOSITION

Executive Director and Strategic Adviser to the Board of Directors, Sweet Sensation, Mr Olutunji Kamson, explained that the company’s decision to introduce the culinaries was informed by the need to continually improve so as to enhance customers experience in its outlets, spread all over the country.
Published in This Day Newspaper, on Friday, 23rd March 2012

NIGERIA-BRITAIN ASSOCIATION PARTNERS SHUGA LIMB FOUNDATION

The Nigeria – Britain Association has joined forces with the Shuga Limb Foundation, (SLF), led by Akin Tofowomo. The reason behind this is the seeming increase in the number of people who are living without limbs in the society.
Published in This Day Newspaper, on Friday, 23rd March 2012.

WORLD BANK TO PARTNER EKITI ON DEVELOPMENT

The Bank’s Country Director, Mrs Marie Francoise Marie-Nelly, said during a visit to the state and inspection of projects that the Governor Kayode Fayemi-administration had taken giant strides in the areas of execution of its eight-point development agenda.
Published in National Mirror Newspaper, on Friday, 23rd March 2012

EMEDITH COMMITS TO CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT OF YOUTHS

The growing notion that the challenge of unemployment in the country owes more to the un-employability of Nigerian youths than the lack of employment opportunities has attracted opportunities has attracted the concern of human development consulting firm ‘Emedith’.

For this reason, the firm said it is committing to providing professional and personal development training for teens and youths in the country                                                                                                                                
Published in National Mirror Newspaper, on Friday, 23rd March 2012


NBS TO CONDUCT NATIONAL AGRICULTURE SAMPLE SURVEY

The Statistician General of the Federation, Dr Yemi Kale, yesterday unveiled plans by the Bureau to conduct the National Agricultural Sample Survey as part of its ongoing efforts to provide baseline indicators for the sector and by implication boost agricultural productivity in the country.
Published in National Mirror Newspaper, on Friday, 23rd March 2012

AGENCY DISBURSES FUND FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

World Bank assisted agency, Community and Social Development Project, CSDP in Katsina State, says it has disbursed N39.7 million to 13 communities in six council areas for the execution of various projects.
Published in National Mirror Newspaper, on Friday, 23rd March 2012

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   


Monday 19 March 2012

CSR NEW SUMMARY ISSUE 11

20 MILLION FARMERS HAVE POTENTIAL TO ACCESS FINANCE

Twenty four per cent of Nigeria’s population or 20.3 million adults derive their main livelihood from agiculture; but only 1.9m of them are backed while six million of the remaining own mobile phones thereby revealig  the potential for increased access to finance in the sector

Ms Modupe Ladipo, Chief Executive Officer, Enhancing Financial Innovation & Access (EFInA), revealed this in a release announcing the 2012 Agriculture exhibition scheduled for the City Hall Lagos, on the 29th and 30th March, 2012.
Published in The Guardian Newspaper, on Monday, 12th March. 2012

BATN ESTABLISHES SKILLS ACQUISITION CENTRE FOR FARMERS

According to the Demand Chain Managing Director, BAT Nigeria, Mr Hugo Norman, the company is supporting the government’s initiative on agriculture in order to re-position the sector for increased revenue generation by setting up an agricultural skills acquisition centre at Ago Are.
Published in Punch Newspaper, on Monday, 12th March 2012

AMOSUN EMPOWERS WOMEN

As part of the activities marking the 2012 International Women’s Day Celebration, wife of Ogun State Governor, Mrs Olufunso Amosun, has distributed items to some women in the state at prices lower than the market rates.
Published in Punch Newspaper, on Monday, 12th March 2012

BPP GIVES FRESH CONDITION TO MDAs FOR CONTRACT APPROVAL

The Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP) has given fresh conditions to all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), mandating them to comply with the Industrial Training Act of remitting one percent of its personnel cost for Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) fund, for getting contract approval.
Published in Daily Sun Newspaper, on Tuesday, 13th March 2012

UNDP TRAINS JOURNALISTS IN DEMOCRACY, GOOD GOVERANCE REPORTING

A personal development outfit, Democratic Governance for Development (DGD), of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), at a two – day workshop in Lagos trained media personnel on the need for capacity to report democracy with a view to leading to growth and development.
Published in Daily Sun Newspaper, on Tuesday, 13th March 2012

ENVOY URGES NIGERIAN BUSINESSMEN TO INVEST IN GHANA

The Consul General of Ghana in Lagos urged Nigeria’s captain of industries to invest in Ghana, describing that country as their next destination.

He made the announcement while calling for the consolidation of NigeriaGhana friendship during the 55th independence anniversary of the country organised by the National Association of Ghanaian Communities in Nigeria (NAGHACON).
Published in Daily Sun Newspaper, on Tuesday, 13th March 2012

HUAWEI AWARDS ICT SCHOLARSHIP TO 15 UNILAG STUDENTS

Huawei Technologies Company Nigeria has awarded ICT scholarship to 15 students of the University of Lagos. Each of the students will receive N200, 000 each under the Huawei ICT Scholarship Scheme, with targets full-time undergraduate students, who are committed to a career in ICT related fields.

The Scholarship covers tuition fee, accommodation, study materials and upkeeps.
Published in Daily Sun Newspaper, on Tuesday, 13th March 2012

UNICAL TO BUILD HYDRO-POWER PLANT

The authorities of the University of Calabar have concluded plans to build a hydro – power plant through private sector partnership.

The Vice Chancellor, Prof. James Epoke, who disclosed this in an interactive session with newsmen in Calabar, said his administration embarked on the project because of the importance of water and electricity to the university community and human life in general.
Published in Daily Sun Newspaper, on Tuesday, 13th March 2012

LEKKI CONCESSION COMPANY OFFERS FREE HEALTH CARE TO ETI-OSA RESIDENTS

In further demonstration of its commitment to robust community support and social responsibility, Lekki Concession Company Limited (LCC) in conjunction with the National Council of Muslim Youth Organisation (NACOMYO), took free healthcare services to the residents of Jakande Estate and neighbouring communities in the Eti Osa area of Lagos State.
Published in Daily Sun Newspaper, on Wednesday, 14th March 2012

40M RURAL NIGERIANS TO ENJOY FINANCIAL SERVICES BY 2015

Pagatech Limited which only last week announced it received US$2 million grant from EFInA to develop and deliver low cost financial services and products through its agency network nationwide to millions of Nigeria excluded from formal banking services, said in Lagos that part of its objective was to deploy resources available to strengthen financial literacy and public education required to bring financial services to an estimate 40 million Nigerians by 2015.
Published in Vanguard Newspaper, on Wednesday, 14th March 2012

FG COMMITTED TO INVESTING IN RENEWABLE ENERGY

The Federal Government said it was very committed to investing in the development of renewable energy as alternative source of power to compliment the existing thermal and hydro power plants in energy generation in the country, even as efforts are on to resuscitate ailing power infrastructure and bring them to operate at installed capacities.
Published in Vanguard Newspaper, on Wednesday, 14th March 2012

ENVIRONMENTALIST CANVASSES PROACTIVE USE OF RAINFALL PREDICTIONS

An environmentalist, Mr Leslie Adogame has described the recent consistent rainfall predictions by the Nigeria Metrological Agency (NIMET) as a very welcome development because rainfall is the key factor that determines yields and success of the other socio – economic activities.
Published in Vanguard Newspaper, on Wednesday, 14th March 2012

DSAN SEEKS BETTER FORTUNES FOR CHILDREN LIVING WITH DOWN SYNDROME

In pursuit of its goal to ensure the survival of children living with Down Syndrome, the Down Syndrome Association of Nigeria, DSA, has urged government to provide medical and educational facilities that will cater for needs of such children.
Published in Vanguard Newspaper, on Wednesday, 14th March 2012

ZENITH BANK DONATES INCUBATOR TO UCH

Zenith Bank Plc has donated infant incubator worth millions of naira to the management of University of Calabar Teaching Hospital to tackle the challenges of premature births.
Published in Vanguard Newspaper, on Wednesday, 14th March 2012

CHILDREN LIVING IN URBAN AREAS LACK ADEQUATE WELFARE – UNICEF

According to UNICEF Executive Director, Anthony Lake, the spotlight was hitherto on Africa where it is estimated that six in every ten children live in urban slums, but in recent times the reverse is the case.

Similarly, UNICEF Nigeria in collaboration with other development partners this week organised a round table towards generating a rapid urbanization aimed at protecting the rights of children.
Published in Punch Newspaper, on Thursday, 15th March 2012

EKITI DISTRIBUTES FREE LAPTOPS

Ekiti State Government on Wednesday commenced the distribution of laptops to pupils in secondary schools across the states.

Governor Kayode Fayemi, said human development could not be achieved in this age without Information and Communication Technology.
Published in Punch Newspaper, on Thursday, 15th March 2012

SENATES MOVES TO GRANT LGs FINANCIAL AUTONOMY

The Senate on Wednesday admitted for second reading a bill to amend the 1999 Constitution to provide for financial autonomy for local governments.

Leading the debate on the first bill, Senator Nurudeen Abatemi – Usman, said the local governments had been prevented from functioning as they should because of lack of funds
Published in Punch Newspaper, on Thursday, 15th March 2012

GENDER IMBALANCE, THREAT TO DEMOCRACY – UN ENVOY

United Nations Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons, Dr Joy Ezeilo, has warned that Nigeria’s democracy is under threat from gender imbalance.

She also fears Nigeria’s goal to be listed among the 20 leading nations in the world by 2020 may not be attained if women are not given their pride of place.
Published in Punch Newspaper, on Thursday, 15th March 2012
GERMANY PLEDGES TO SUPPORT SMEs IN NIGERIA

The German Economic Cooperation and International Development Affairs has pledged its continued support and promotion of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises in Nigeria as part of its poverty eradication drive around developing economies
Published in Vanguard Newspaper, on Thursday, 15th March 2012

PARTNERSHIP TO CREATE 50,000 JOBS IN ABIA

Abia State is set to create new jobs in the nest one year following an agreement it reached with an organisation based in California, United States of America for the production of fuel using bio-diesel.
Published in Vanguard Newspaper, on Thursday, 15th March 2012

AGRIC DEVELOPMENT: NESG CONSULTS US, FG, OTHERS

The Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) made in a statement made available to THISDAY said in line with its strategic partnership with its strategic partnership with the US Corporate Council for Africa, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and the Nigerian Embassy in the US, it has started consulting with commissioners of Agriculture and commerce from the nation’s 36 states towards the objective of moving the nation’s agriculture forward.
Published in ThisDay Newspaper, on Friday, 16th March 2012

ACCESS TO WATER, HYGIENE BOOSTS GIRL CHILD OPPORTUNITIES

According to Hajia Garba, who was represented by Taiwo Olawale, WOFAN’s Development Manager, when access to safe drinking water and sanitation facilities is difficult, the girl-child is often at the highest disadvantage.
Published in ThisDay Newspaper, on Friday, 16th March 2012

NIGERIA, IDB SIGN $98M BILINGUAL EDUCATION PROGRAMME

The Federal Government and Islamic Development Bank (IDB) yesterday signed $98 million deal for the implementation of the Bilingual Education Programme (BEP) in Nigeria.

Minister of State for Finance and Governor of IDB in Nigeria, Mr Yerima Lawani Ngama, signed on behalf of the country, while the president of IDB Group, Dr Ahmad Muhammad Ali Al-Madani, signed for the bank.
Published in ThisDay Newspaper, on Friday, 16th March 2012

FOUNDATION FETES CHILDREN WITH DOWN SYNDROME

Children with Down Syndrome in Nigeria will be given a swell time as the Down Syndrome Foundation Nigeria (DSFN), a registered charity, has lined up special activities to mark the day.
Published in ThisDay Newspaper, on Friday, 16th March 2012




Friday 9 March 2012

Firm Harps on Utilisation of CNG as Alternative Auto Fuel


By Sulaimon Salau

Effective utilisation of the abundant gas resources in the country will be further boosted if more motorists embrace the use of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as vehicular fuel, the Director, Green Grass Limited (GGL), Venkataraman Venkatapathy has said.

CNG, which is fast becoming the preferred auto fuel in developed and developing countries in view of its attendant benefits, is currently being packaged in Nigeria by Green Grass Limited (GGL), a joint venture company of Nigerian Gas Company (NGC) a subsidiary of Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) and Nipco Plc.
GGL has already built six CNG stations in Benin, Edo State and two kits fitment workshop, while six other stations are under constructions in other states of the federation.

Venkatapathy said that the interest and enthusiasm shown by vehicle owners at this year expo was a pointer to the fact that CNG campaign was eliciting positive response. Already, in anticipation of more motorists converting their vehicles to use CNG, GGL has embarked on building more outlets to meet the expected high demand and that soonest some of the stations will begin operation.

He noted that with over 14 million vehicles running on CNG worldwide and the projection of 20 million by the year 2020, Nigeria could also use her existing natural gas resources in the CNG programme. According to him, the CNG schemes offered dual fuel option to users by providing flexibility of running a vehicle either on CNG or on petrol simply by flicking a switch installed on the dashboard.

He explained that at the workshops, experienced fitment personal works diligently to ensure a seamless conversion of liquid fuels vehicles to CNG powered ones. The GGL director informed that the company, which afforded major opportunities to taxis currently plying the chary of Benin to convert their cars free of cost, was poised to create an enduring opportunity for motorists to benefit from the benefits of running their vehicles on CNG.

The GGL director pointed out that the company, which had participated in several exhibitions to promote the use of CNG would continue to harness all avenues to ensure that Nigeria joined the countries using CNG as auto fuel. He said that GGL exhibited pick up Hilux vehicle at the event as part of our genuine desire at creating more awareness for the CNG programme.

“Our CNG team has also successfully converted Edo State government busses to run on CNG and diesel on a hybrid saving 50 per cent of the fuel cost for the state run company,” the GGL director affirmed.

According to him, the company aside from constructing stations, he had also completed laying of over 40 kilometres of gas pipeline to supply piped natural gas (PNG) to commercial and industrial companies along the Benin-Warri highway.
Venkatapathy explained that apart from the national benefits of the system, individuals as well got relieved as it lowered operating cost as CNG was cheaper than petrol by over 60 per cent and by over 70 per cent in the case of diesel. The foregoing is based on the prevailing pump price of petrol at N97, diesel at N165 per litre and CNG at N55 per SCM.

He noted that CNG powered vehicles also had a lower maintenance cost due to the absence of any lead in the product thus eliminating the need for frequent cleaning of spark plugs.

Refuelling, he affirmed was very safe as the cylinder was made from a special steel alloy with no wielded joints and at the workshop every cylinder was tested as per international standards before being installed.
The nation, the director noted could confidently join the league of countries using this clean fuel and reduce significantly carbon emission via vehicular exhaust especially in view of the abundant natural gas, which the country possessed.
*** Published in The Guardian Newspaper on 8th March 2012

Friday 2 March 2012

CSR NEW SUMMARY ISSUE 10

ENUGU LGs SEEK N250m LOAN FROM BoI

Enugu State government is collaborating with councils in the state to raise N250 million for the state’s Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) loan scheme from the Bank of Industry (BoI)

According to Commissioner for Information, Mr Chuks Ugwoke, the state government had contributed its counterpart fund of N125 million, while the commission at the meeting approved that all the 17 local government areas in the state will collectively contribute N125 million for the loan scheme
Published in Daily Independent Newspaper, on Monday, 27th Feb. 2012

NIGERIA WINS UNEP AWARDS
A radio journalist from Nigeria has won the United Nations Environment Programme’s Young Environmental Journalist Award (YEJA), beating over 120 entries from reporters across Africa.
Published in Daily Independent Newspaper, on Monday, 27th Feb. 2012

LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT ADOPTS FLOOD – FREE STRATEGIES AHEAD OF RAINY SEASON

Lagos State Government has promised to ensure completion of all ongoing construction, dredging and maintenance of drainage projects scattered across its 57 councils in an apparent move to ensure that drains are cleared before the rainy season.
Published in Daily Independent Newspaper, on Monday, 27th Feb. 2012

PFIZER NURTRITION LAUNCHES NUTRIENT PRODUCT FOR PICKY EATERS

Children aged 3 – 10 years who are selective in their eating habits and those with nutrition-based challenges can now re-coup lost nutrients simply by taking Promise PE-Gold – a complete milk-based nutritional supplement from the Pfizer Nutrition stable.
Published in Daily Independent Newspaper, on Monday, 27th Feb. 2012

ETISALAT GETS NCC’s BEST QUALITY AWARD

Etisalat Nigeria has been rated the best telecommunications service provider for good Quality of Service (QoS) by the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) based on the quality of Service Key Performance Indicator (KPI) audit report recently released by the regulator.
Published in Daily Independent Newspaper, on Monday, 27th Feb. 2012

NIGERIA CSR AWARD SET TO EXPLORE VALUE CREATION

Social Enterprise Report and Awards (SERAs), an annual Nigeria CSR awards organised by Tru-Contact Limited have announced the theme for the 2012 edition, which is to Create Shared Value in a New Economy: Pushing Back the Frontiers.
Published in Daily Independent Newspaper, on Monday, 27th Feb. 2012

IITA OFFERS RECIPE FOR FOOD INSECURITY AND UNEMPLOYMENT

Tapping research outputs from International Agricultural Research Centers could help national and state governments to tackle the twin problems of food insecurity and the rising wave of unemployment, says the Director General of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Dr Nteranya Sanginga
Published in Punch Newspaper, on Tuesday, 28th Feb. 2012

NESREA TO ADOPT BEST PRACTICES IN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency has begun capacity building in the area of environmental risk assessment for the agency.

The move, according to the Director – General of the agency, Mrs. Ngeri Benebo, is geared towards reducing the environmental hazards caused by chemicals and waste.
Published in Punch Newspaper, on Tuesday, 28th Feb. 2012

McCULLEY ADVOCATES GREATER PRIVATE SECTOR INVOLVEMENT IN FAMILY PLANNING

A call has been made for greater private sector involvement towards providing quality family planning and reproductive health in the country.

United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Terrence McCulley, who made the call in Lagos at the launch of a USAID project entitled Strengthening Private Sector Family Planning and Reproductive Health (SPSFP/RH), said Nigeria’s maternal mortality rate is at unacceptably high level.
Published in Punch Newspaper, on Tuesday, 28th Feb. 2012

BUSINESS GROUP EXPLAINS MSSION IN NIGERIA

Persianas Retail Limited, a member of the Persianas Group, has stated that it is in Nigeria to boost the country’s fashion industry. A statement on Friday said the company planned to open its outlet, Max Fashion, soon at the Polo Mall in Enugu.
Published in Punch Newspaper, on Tuesday, 28th Feb. 2012

NIGERIA LOSES N132bn ANNUALLY ON MALARIA

Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, yesterday said Nigeria lost about N132 billion ($1.3 billion) in the treatment, prevention cost of man-hours in malaria related areas.

Speaking at the inauguration of the 2012 National Malaria Indicator Survey (NMIS) report and the kick-off of the bi-annual states programme managers’ meeting, Chukwu decried the high rate of mosquito induced diseases, which also “puts pressure on the already strained health system.”
Published in ThisDay Newspaper, on Wednesday, 29th Feb. 2012

BILL GATES BOOST AFRICA’S FOOD CROPS DRIVE WITH $56m

The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) yesterday received a $56 million grant in funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to assist small holder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa to increase productivity and address poverty and hunger.
Published in ThisDay Newspaper, on Wednesday, 29th Feb. 2012

WOMEN’S SEARCH FOR PEACE, SECURITY AND NATIONAL TRANSFORMATION

The gathering was a meeting point for Nigerian women from all ethnic groups and religious background to find a common ground as one people with a common purpose and destiny. It was the first National Retreat on Women Development, Peace and National Transformation inspired by the First lady, Dame Patience Good-luck Jonathan.
Published in ThisDay Newspaper, on Wednesday, 29th Feb. 2012

NEITI ADOPTS TEMPLATE FOR PLANNED SOLID MINERALS AUDIT

Ahead of its planned comprehensive financial and process audit of Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) has unveiled a hands-on template to be employed in obtaining valid information and data for key operators in the sector
Published in ThisDay Newspaper, on Wednesday, 29th Feb. 2012

N888bn SUBSIDY MONEY WILL CREATE NEW BILLIONAIRES, SAYS NECA

Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association, NECA, has called on Small and Medium Enterprises. SMES, in Nigeria to tap into the business opportunities in the Oil and Gas Sector, saying from the N888 billion provision made by the Federal Government to subsidize importation of fuel, a new set of billionaires will emerge in the country.
Published in Vanguard Newspaper, on Wednesday, 29th Feb. 2012

NESREA WARNS ON DANGERS OF DOMESTIC CHEMICALS

As part of effort to build a safe environment through effective implementation of the various national environmental regulations, the National Environmental Standards Regulations Enforcement Agency, NESREA, last week warned that chemicals commonly used for industrial, domestic and agricultural purposes can negatively impact on human health and the environment if uncontrolled.
Published in Vanguard Newspaper, on Wednesday, 29th Feb. 2012

PRIORITISE MATERNAL, CHILD NUTRITION TO ACHIEVE MDGs, PRESIDENCY TOLD

The Federal government has been enjoined to, as a matter of urgency, position issues concerning maternal and child nutrition high on the nation’s social and economic development agenda by upgrading nutrition to a full department with the light complement of staff and dedicated budget in the Presidency, through creation of the Ministry of Food and Nutrition or the Ministry of Health and Nutrition.
Published in Vanguard Newspaper, on Wednesday, 29th Feb. 2012


UN AGENCY RESTATES COMMITMENT TO NIGERIA’S MDGs

The Nigeria Office of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) has restated its commitment to the country’s attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) through capacity building and human development of young people.
Published in Vanguard Newspaper, on Wednesday, 29th Feb. 2012

KWARA SOLICITS FEDERAL GOVERNMENT’S HELP ON WATER SUPPLY

Kogi state Governor Idris Wada has solicited the assistance of the Federal Government in the expansion and reticulation of the Greater Lokoja Water Scheme.
Published in Vanguard Newspaper, on Wednesday, 29th Feb. 2012

NHRC PLANS NEW STRATEGY TO CHECK HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATION

To stem the tide of multiplicity of human rights abuses in the country, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is to create a Human Rights and Atrocity Unit with the mandate of bringing violations to book.

Chairperson of the commission’s Governing Council, Dr Chidi Anselem Odinkalu, disclosed this in an interview with The Guardian in Lagos after a two – day national dialogue on the state of human rights in Nigeria.
Published in Guardian Newspaper, on Thursday, 1st March 2012

IJAW ARTISANS THREATEN TO SHUT DOWN CHEVRON’S OPERATIONS IN DELTA

Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) may have its oil exploration activities in Delta State disrupted as artisans of Ijaw stock yesterday, again threatened to shut down all Chevron’s flow stations in Gbaramatu kingdom over alleged neglect.
Published in Guardian Newspaper, on Thursday, 1st March 2012

PETROL SUBSIDY: FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SACKS 98 IMPORTERS

The Federal Government’s action implies that only 42 companies will benefit from the N656bn provided in the 2012 budget for subsidy payment.

The spokesman of the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency, Dr Wole Adamolekun, confirmed the removal of the fuel importers from the 2012 operations in an interview.
Published in Guardian Newspaper, on Thursday, 1st March 2012

SHELL ASKS US COURT TO STOP OGONI SUIT

Royal Dutch Shell Plc has asked the United States Supreme Court to rule that it cannot be sued by Nigerians seeking damages for torture and murders committed by their government in the early 1990S, according to a Bloomer report on Wednesday.
Published in Guardian Newspaper, on Thursday, 1st March 2012

WORLD BANK TO PARTNER EKITI STATE ON DEVELOPMENT, SAYS COUNTRY DIRECTOR

World Bank is set to engage in a strategic partnership with Ekiti State government in a bid to contribute to the developmental efforts of the Dr. Kayode Fayemi – led administration in the state.

Country Director, World Bank Nigeria, Mrs Marie Francoise Marie-Nelly, gave the assurance during a meeting with Fayemi at the bank’s office in Abuja on Monday.
Published in Daily Independence Newspaper, on Friday, 2nd March 2012

JONATHAN CHARGES SHELL ON OIL SPILLS

President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed deep concern over environmental pollution in the Niger Delta owing to oil exploration and asked Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) to urgently take measures to ensure integrity of pipelines.
Published in ThisDay Newspaper, on Friday, 2nd March 2012

EXPERTS CHALLENGE FG, PRIVATE SECTOR ON MDGs

Development experts and speakers at a forum in Lagos have tasked the Federal Government and the country’s private sector to step up efforts and do much more towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Nigeria.

The experts spoke at the third Posterity Media Forum (PMBF) themed “Three Years to 2015: The Imperative Roles of Nigerian Businesses in Achieving the MDGs,” which was held at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island on Tuesday.
Published in ThisDay Newspaper, on Friday, 2nd March 2012

OYO STATE EMPLOYS 7,000 YOUTH UNDER EMPLOYMENT SCHEME

The Oyo State government yesterday formally flagged off its Youth Empowerment Scheme, tagged ‘YES – O’, with the deployment of 7,000 benefeciaries out of the 20,000 targeted by the scheme.
Published in the National Mirror Newspaper on Friday, 2nd March 2012.

NECA CHARGES SMEs ON OIL, GAS INDUSTRY OPPORTUNITIES

Vast opportunities exist in the oil and gas sector for Small and Medium Enterprises to take advantage of, and by doing so, boost the country’s economy and support government’s job creation effort.

The Director – General of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), Dr. Olusegun Oshinowo, said this on Wednesday, while also advising Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the country to tap into the business opportunities in the oil and gas industry.
Published in National Mirror Newspaper, on Friday, 2nd

Bamboo Can Replace Iron Rods as Reinforcement in Beams

Government's dream of providing housing for all may become reality sooner than later following research work by some researchers in the Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Lagos.
In this chat with Dr Efe Ikponmwosa, a senior lecturer in the Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Lagos, he speaks on the efforts so far made in bringing down the cost of building by using locally and readily available materials. Excerpts:
Substitutes for Iron and Steel Reinforcements:

Dr. Efe Ikponmwosa said they have done a lot of research into innovative local materials that could be used as substitutes either for reinforcements in concrete structures or as pozzolans for partial replacement of cement. "We concentrate more on agricultural wastes and also work on industrial wastes that constitute problems in the environment.
We (I and my mentors - Prof. M.A. Salau, Dean, and Prof. Funso Falade, former HoD, Department of Civil Engineering) have concentrated on a material like bamboo. We have done lots of work on bamboo and I can assure you today that I can build a house in such a way that I can use bamboo as my reinforcement instead of iron rods for all my beams.
We have also investigated the use of the same bamboo reinforcement for columns (pillars), although investigation has revealed that for very critical constructions like multi-storey buildings, it is not advisable to use bamboo in the columns."
Low cost housing scheme
According to Ikponmwosa, these materials are good for low-cost houses. "For the so-called low-cost housing schemes, especially those that are outside the central business districts; may be rural communities and outskirts of town where bamboos are readily available, you can use bamboo as reinforcing bars in your beams.
We have tested it and we know that up to about four metres of beam can be handled with bamboo. What it means is that I can construct all my beams in a three-bedroom low-cost house without using reinforcing bars, rather, I will use treated bamboo, dried, well seasoned, mature bamboo," he stated.
Describing the process involved, the Russia-trained engineer who specialises in Materials & Structures stated that the bamboo is first of all sliced into strips like the size of a rod but in this case, it will be square (10mm x 10mm or 10mm x 12mm). They are then dried and treated with bitumen or some other things. This has given up to 20 per cent savings.
"Apart from bamboo, we have other materials in that family. They are called natural fibre reinforcements. Examples are coconut tree trunk and palm tree trunk. For instance, if a coconut or palm tree gets too tall, it is usually cut down.
In this case, the trunks can be cut into lumps and you slice out your reinforcements. These can be used in rural communities. If someone is putting up a small house, the research centres can help them season the fibre reinforcements to build their little bungalows. All they need do is to come into town and buy the links (metal rings) to hold the reinforcements together," he said.
Partial replacement for cement:
"We have also looked at pozzolanic materials. These are non-cementitious materials on their own but when they are in a medium that makes them wet, like water and with cement around them, they tend to exhibit cementitious properties. So in that case, we can have partial replacement of cement with pozzolans in order to cut cost.
We have been able to see that in rice-producing areas, rice husks are burnt into fine ash because they are agricultural waste. We can have some quantity of it as partial replacement for cement. It does not endanger your structure in any way and that could also help in cutting costs," he stated.
Waste to Wealth: "We look for industrial wastes which abound and tend to constitute problems. Their handling costs a lot of money so we look at ways of recycling them by having them used as partial replacement for either cement or the fillers. We are working on Nigerite roofing sheet waste right now. We have always known that they constitute problems in the industry.
They will heap them and after some time, they spend about N5, 000 - N10, 000 per truck and also pay the Lagos State Waste Management Agency (LAWMA) to dump it at the dump site. So we are investigating if they could be recycled into production of building components, may be even in concretes.

If the results are reasonably positive, all the company will require is to have a small milling machine and periodically, they will just mill the waste into fine powder, mix with other building components like sand and you can mould them into blocks or whatever, for housing panels.
It all depends on how people think it out. That way, you are minimising waste to be handled by the waste management agency and at the same time, creating value from the waste.
"We have worked over the years on slags from the steel industry. They are wastes that constitute problems. If you go to Acme Road in Ikeja, you see that they keep on having that slag and after sometime, they have to pay people to break them into lumps, and carry them to the dump site. Again, we are looking at ways they could be recycled.
***SOURCE: Vanguard Newspaper dated 1st March. 2012