CSR News Summary Issue 118

Governance; CBN: Nigeria Banks, the Most Regulated in the World

The Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in charge of the economic policy, Mrs. Sarah Alade, has said banks operating in Nigeria are one of the most regulated in the world and expressed optimism that the era of bank failure was gone.

Published in the Thisday Newspaper Friday, September 18, 2015

Taxation: Alakija; Onshore Oil Taxation Too High

Nigeria’s 85 percent tax on onshore crude oil production is dissuading local investors from taking over assets from international oil companies, Folrunsho Alakija, an energy tycoon and the nation’s richest woman.

Published in the Thisday Newspaper Friday, September 18, 2015

Investment: BUA Group Chairman Hails FG for Resuscitating Local Refineries

The Chairman of BUA Group, Alhaji Abdulsamad Rabiu has hailed the federal government for the resuscitating of the local refineries, saying it has led to increased supply of Low Pour Fuel Oil (LPFO) to many industries.

Published in the Thisday Newspaper Friday, September 18, 2015

Environment: Bayelsa Government Warns Erring Firms on Oil Spills

The Bayelsa State Government has warned business operators, especially oil firms operating in the state to strictly comply with guidelines for oil spill response to avert further environmental degradation.

Published in the Thisday Newspaper Friday, September 18, 2015

SDGs: UNWTO,ICAO Support UN Sustainable Development Goals  

United Nations World Trade Organisation (UNWTO) and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) have announced a new joint strategic statement on tourism and air transport for development.

Published in the Thisday Newspaper Friday, September 18, 2015

Trade: Nigeria’s N630bn Annual Food Import Bill Worries Emefiele

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, has reiterated his concern over the country’s position as a net importer of agricultural produce with import above N630 billion.

Published in the Thisday Newspaper Friday, September 18, 2015

Industry Pulse: Nigerians Emerge as C’ Wealth telecoms Body’s Chairman, Secretary-General

The 54-member nations of the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO) rose from its yearly forum and council meeting yesterday in Nairobi, Kenya with the election of Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta as the new chairman.

Published in the The Guardian Newspaper Friday, September 18, 2015

Education: Kaduna’s Free Education, Feeding in Public Schools to Cost N9b Yearly

Kaduna State Governor Malam Nasir EL-Rufai, has disclosed that his administration would spend about N9 billion yearly on free education and feeding of the over one million primary school pupils in the state.

Published in the The Guardian Newspaper Friday, September 18, 2015

Education: Ekiti Spends N12b Yearly on Primary Education

Ekiti State Government yesterday disclosed that over N12 billion is expended yearly on an average of 176,000 pupils in 863 public primary schools in the state. The Chairman of the Ekiti State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Senator Bode Ola made this known in Ado Ekiti while monitoring resumption of students for a new session in public schools.

Published in the The Guardian Newspaper Friday, September 18, 2015

Industry Pulse: Oramah Takes Over as New Afreximbank Boss on Monday

Top African Government Officials, Heads of international organisations, members of the diplomatic community and leaders of international financial institutions, will converge on Cairo, Egypt for the investiture of a Nigerian and the new African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) President, Dr. Benedict Oramah, on Monday.

Published in the The Guardian Newspaper Friday, September 18, 2015

Consumer: CPC To Prosecute Benin, Enugu DISCOs

The Consumer Protection Council (CPC) has said it is to commence prosecution procedure against Benin and Enugu Distribution Companies for violating its enabling Act in the on-going investigation of the activities of the country’s distribution companies (DISCOs), following the consumer complaints.

Published in the The Guardian Newspaper Friday, September 18, 2015

Event: UN Holds Summit on Sustainable Development Sept. 25-27

The United Nations (UN) Information Centre (UNIC), Lagos in conjunction with the UN Department of Public Information has planned to hold a summit on sustainable development between September 25 and 27, 2015 in New York.

Published in the The Guardian Newspaper Friday, September 18, 2015

SMEs: Boost for SMEs as BoI Secures AfDB’s $100m Export Facility

The Bank of Industry (BoI) has added another feather to its cap by securing a $100 million credit from the African Development Bank (AfDB) for the micro, small and medium enterprises.

Published in the Business day Newspaper Monday, September 21, 2015.

Investment: BoI’s Intervention in Creative Industry Hits N2bn

The Bank of Industry’s (BoI) intervention in Nigeria’s creative industry has hit N2 billion. Seven projects are currently accessing the bank’s facilities while another 10 are at different stages of loan approval, Boi has said.

Published in the Business day Newspaper Monday, September 21, 2015.

PPP: Emir Backs Social Infrastructure PPP Summit

The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II has given his support for the forthcoming 2015 Nigeria Infrastructure Public Summit scheduled to hold in the last quarter of this year. The Emir, a former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, expressed interest in the event while addressing the summit panning team, who paid him a courtesy visit.

Published in the This day Newspaper Monday, September 21, 2015.

Environment: Flood Destroys 2,000 Houses, Displaces 30,000 in Kaduna

Over 2,000 houses and 30,000 residents were displaced by a massive flood which ravaged by a massive flood which ravaged Kaduna State on Monday. One death was recorded in Lere Local Government Area of the State.

Published in the Punch Newspaper Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Industry Pulse: 37 Commissioners, Special Advisers to Work With Ambode

A former Managing Director, National Mirror, Steve Ayorinde and a former Chairman of the Ejigbo Local Council Development Area, Kehinde Bamigbetan, were among the 37 names submitted by the Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, on Monday to the state House of Assembly for screening.

Published in the Punch Newspaper Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Labour: Lagos Advises Employers on Six-Month Maternity Leave

The Lagos State Government has urged employers in the private sector to adopt the six month maternity leave for female workers in their companies. The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Modele Oshunkeyisi, who spoke at a lecture of the faculty of public health, National Post Graduate Medical College of Nigeria in Lagos said the adoption would allow nursing mothers in their employ practice exclusive breast feeding.

Published in the Punch Newspaper Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Industry Pulse: World Bank Appoints New Country Director For Nigeria

The World Bank has announced the appointment of a new Country Director for Nigeria and Coordinating Director for West Africa Regional Integration. A statement issued by the bank in Abuja on Monday named the new director as Rachid Benmessaoud.

Published in the Punch Newspaper Tuesday, September 22, 2015

 SMEs: 50% of SMEs don’t survive five years- Google

Google Nigeria has said that more than 50 per cent of small and medium-sized start-ups do not survive beyond five years. The company stated this when it hosted Small and Medium Business entrepreneurs to the GrowwithGoogle event, which demonstrated how the web and its Internet-based products were positively Influencing local businesses.

Published in the Punch Newspaper Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Education: TETFUND to Spend N10bn on FUTO’s Research

The tertiary Education Trust Fund says it will spend over N10bn on the Research and Technology Park project at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State. The FUTO Vice Chancellor, Prof. Chigozie Asiabaka, who stated this in an interview with journalists, said TETFund had released the initial N1bn for the park project.

Published in the Punch Newspaper Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Agriculture: IFAD Partners Agric Bank to Enhance Nigeria’s Rural Poor

International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and Bank of Agriculture (BoA) are collaborating on a rural business initiative as part of efforts to deepen financial inclusion for rural households in Nigeria.

Published in the Dailysun Newspaper Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Capacity Building: UNIC Trains 210 Girls in Skills Acquisition

The United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) recently engaged 210 girls in a summer camp skills acquisition programme. The programme was aimed at developing their skills acquisition programme.

Published in the Dailysun Newspaper Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Investment: SMEs Need N9.6Trn To Close Funding Gap -CBN

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has disclosed that the nation’s financing gap in the Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) sector currently stands at about N9.6 trillion. Director of Communications, Ibrahim Muazu, stated this at the one-day Finance Correspondents Association of Nigeria (FICAN) 2015 Annual Conference.

Published in the Dailysun Newspaper Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Economy: CBN Reduces CRR To 25% Warns Of Economic Recession in 2016

As the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) continued with its tightening stance to check inflation by retaining most of the key rates like the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) at 13 per cent and the liquidity ratio at 30 per cent, it has however reduced the Cash Reserve Requirement (CRR) to 25 percent from its former level.

Published in the Guardian Newspaper Wednesday, September 23, 2015

ICT: UN Laments Slow Internet Growth, Says Most People Still Offline

The United Nations Broadband Commission, an arm of the United Nations has said that growth in the number of people with access to the Internet is slowing and that more than half the world’s population is still offline.

Published in the Guardian Newspaper Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Stakeholder: Excess Billing; Benin, Enugu Discos to face CPC Prosecution

The Consumer Protection Council, CPC, has said it would commence prosecution procedures against the Benin and Enugu distribution companies, Discos, for violating its enabling act in the on-going investigation of the activities of the country’s electricity distribution companies following consumer complains.

Published in the Guardian Newspaper Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Industry Pulse: New Chair for LIRS

Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has appointed Mr. Olufolarin Ogunsanwo as the Chairman, State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS). Ogunsanwo’s appointment was confirmed by the House of Assembly yesterday, on the governor’s request.

Published in the Nation Newspaper Wednesday, September 23, 2015

ICT: Jack Urges DEMO Africa on Value Sustainability

The Director-general of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA,  Mr Peter Jack has urged the organisers of this year’s DEMO Africa event: LIONS@frica to ensure the event sustains its established brand value as the platform for investors to meet innovative and 

budding technology entrepreneurs in Africa.

Published in the Nation Newspaper Wednesday, September 23, 2015

SME: CBN Okays N120n SME Fund for Women

About N120 billion of the N220 billion Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) fund approved for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) will go to businesswomen, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said.

Published in the Nation Newspaper Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Energy: AfDB Unveils Continental Energy Plan

The African Development Bank Group has unveiled its plan for solving Africa’s energy problem by 2025.At a high level stakeholder consultative meeting attended by business and political leaders at its headquarters in Abidjan.

Published in the Nation Newspaper Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Investment: OPIC Invests $400m in SA’s Solar Plant

Overseas Private Investment Corp (OPIC), the United States government’s development bank, will invest up to $400 million in a solar thermal plant in South Africa. The Redstone solar project is being developed by Santa Monica, California-based Solar Reserve and ACWA power, a Saudi Arabian Electricity producer.

Published in the Nation Newspaper Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Industry Pulse: FITC Appoints New Head of Consulting

Financial Institutions Training Centre (FITC), a special purpose not for profit professional services organisation, based in Nigeria and extending its borders in the West African sub-region, has appointed the Head of FITC Consulting, Ms. Bimpe Olufemi.

Published in the Nation Newspaper Wednesday, September 23, 2015

CSR News Summary Issue 117

Investment: GE in $1billion Nigeria Technology Transfer Bid

Traditionally, General electric (GE), as the name suggests, has huge interests in the power sector. The multinational has a subsidiary (GE Power and Water) wholly devoted to power generation, transmission and distribution around the world.

Published in the Vanguard Newspaper Sunday, September 13, 2015.

Industry Pulse: 47 Corporate Bodies for SERA Awards

Organisers of the annual Nigeria CSR awards otherwise known as The SERAs said they have received a total of forty-seven entries from participating organisations for the 2015 Awards. The award is an initiative of TruContact CSR Nigeria.

Published in the Thisday Newspaper Monday, September 14, 2015.

Industry Pulse: NCS Recognises Aderounmu At 13^th Investiture

Following the election of Professor Adesola Aderoumu as the new President of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), he was formerly recognised as the 13^th national president of NCS, during an investiture ceremony organised by NCS in his honour in Lagos at the weekend.

Published in the Thisday Newspaper Monday, September 14, 2015

Industry Pulse: Institute of Directors Honours Joda, Alele-Williams, Others

The Institute of Directors (IoD) has conferred the Outstanding Corporate Leadership Excellence Awards on the former Chairman of the Board of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Alhaji Ahmed Joda, and the former Vice Chancellor, University of Benin, Professor Grace Alele-Williams.

Published in the Thisday Newspaper Monday, September 14, 2015

Health: Ecobank Partners Group on Disease Group on Disease Control

The Ecobank Foundation, along with two of its partners, the West African College of Physicians and the Royal College of Physicians (London), have launched the second year of a strategic partnership to reduce the impact of HIV, tuberculosis and malaria.

Published in the Thisday Newspaper Monday, September 14, 2015

Industry Pulse: GTB Appoints Musa Executive Director

The board of Directors of Guaranty Trust Bank Plc has announced the appointment of Mr. Haruna Musa, as an Executive Director of the bank. In a signed document, it explained that the appointment of Musa followed a thorough selection process by its Human Resources and Nominations Committee of the board.

Published in the Thisday Newspaper Monday, September 14, 2015

Standards: SON; We will Defy Blackmailers by Intensifying Punishment of Counterfeiters

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) at the weekend said it was prepared to sustain the fight against propagators of fake and substandard goods in the country in defiance of the many stage-managed protests organised by unscrupulous businessmen to blackmail the agency.

Published in the Thisday Newspaper Monday, September 14, 2015

Environment: Why we delay contribution to $1bn Ogoni Restoration Fund- Shell

Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) has explained that the lack of structure on ground for effective allocation of resources for the cleaning up of Ogoniland has been the reason for the delay of its own contribution to $1 billion Ogoni Restoration Fund (ORP), as recommended by the United National Environmental Protection Report (UNEP).

Published in the Business day Newspaper Monday, September 14, 2015

New media: Facebook’s Mobile Momentum Grows in Africa as Nigerian Users Soar

Facebook has shared new statistics revealing that 7.1 million Nigerians use Facebook daily and 15 million are active every month. Almost all these people are coming to Facebook on a mobile device: 100 percent of Nigerian monthly users are active on mobile as are 95 percent of Kenya’s monthly users.

Published in the Business day Newspaper Monday, September 14, 2015

Employment: GE Calabar Facility to provide over 3,000 jobs

General Electric’s Calabar facility in Southern Nigeria is set to provide over 3,000 jobs upon completion, the firm said last week. “We are investing over $1bn dollars in our Calabar facility over 5 years and we have already trained 15 Nigerian engineers who will be at the vanguard at the cost of about $3.6 mn.

Published in the Business day Newspaper Monday, September 14, 2015

Corporate Governance: IFC and FITC partner to Strengthen Corporate Governance among Business in West Africa

IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, and Nigeria’s leading financial training organization, FITC, today announced the signing of a three –year cooperation agreement to advance corporate governance training and practices among West African businesses.

Published in the Business day Newspaper Monday, September 14, 2015

Industry Pulse: UNICAL Gets New VC

The Governing Council of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) in Cross River State, has announced Professor Zana Itiunbe Akpagu as the new Vice Chancellor of the institution. Akpagu, who is the current Deputy Vice chancellor of the university, succeeds Prof. James Epoke as the institution’s 10^th vice chancellor and second to emerge from university’s Faculty of Arts.

Published in the Dailysun Newspaper Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Investment: Ambode Backs Establishment of N14bn German Company

Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday, threw his weight behind the establishment of a $70million (N14billion) building, construction tools manufacturing company in the state.

Published in the Dailysun Newspaper Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Agriculture: Graduates Embrace Farming In Cross River

Over 100 youths and women in Cross River State would soon become employers of labour in agriculture. They are currently receiving training in different agricultural value chains such as, cocoa, rice, poultry, oil palm, among others.

Published in the Dailysun Newspaper Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Capacity Building: ExxonMobil Launches University Lecture Series on Geosciences

ExxonMobil, which, under its University Assistant Programme (UAP) has been assisting, in cash and in kind, the Departments of Geosciences/Geology/Earth Science, across Nigerian universities, has moved to new level with the recent launch, its subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Ltd (EEPNL).

Published in the Dailysun Newspaper Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Taxation: FG Dispenses Consultants From Collecting Taxes

Federal Government has suspended the engagement of consultants for purposes of collecting tax revenues. Acting Chairman of Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr. Babatunde Fowler, disclosed this when he met with the Joint Tax Board (JTB) in Abuja, yesterday.

Published in the Dailysun Newspaper Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Labour: Labour Pickets Lacasera Over Sack Of 1300 Workers

Workers in the food sector of the economy, yesterday, besieged Lacasera Company Plc in protest over its unfair disengagement of over 1,300 staff earlier in the day.

Published in the Dailysun Newspaper Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Women: GTB, She Leads Empower African Female Entrepreneurs with $10,000

Guaranty Trust Bank in partnership with She Leads Africa is geared towards spotlighting women driving Africa’s growth through leadership, commerce and innovation by providing a veritable platform for young female entrepreneurs to grow their businesses across Africa.

Published in the Dailysun Newspaper Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Labour: More Bank Workers to go as MDAs close 20,000 accounts

Nigeria’s banking industry may soon begin another round of retrenchment following the expiration of the September 15 deadline for compliance with its Treasury Single Account (TSA) by its Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

Published in the Dailysun Newspaper Tuesday, September 15, 2015

SME: UBN Emerges Top SME Supporting Bank

Union Bank Plc has been adjudged the “best SMEs supporting bank’ in the country. The award was presented to the bank during the annual banking award organised by Business Day Newspapers in Lagos.

Published in the Dailysun Newspaper Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Consumer Rights: CPC Investigates FCMB over Alleged N1.86bn Excess Interest Charges

The Consumer Protection Council (CPC) has summoned the management of First City Monument Bank Plc (FCMB) for an investigation into allegation by the Bauchi State government, accusing it of 

charging N1.86 billion excess interest In its account.

Published in the Dailysun Newspaper Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Investment: Infrastructure bank Establishes $500m Fund

The Infrastructure Bank Plc has announced the establishment of a $500m “Nigeria-focused Infrastructure Fund” to attract co-investors into key developmental projects. The Managing Director, TIB, Mr. Adekunle Oyinloye, who stated this during the bank’s Annual General Meeting in Calabar on Saturday.

Published in the Punch Newspaper Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Insecurity: Shell, Insecurity, Others Inhibiting Gas Flare Out

Insecurity, inadequate funding and lack of commitment from joint venture (JV) partners stalling the plan to end gas flaring in Nigeria, Shell Petroleum Development Company Limited (SPDC) has said.

Published in the Nation Newspaper Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Human Rights: UNIC Condemns Domestic Violence

In recent times, there has a growing concern over the rice in number of crimes spring from domestic violence. The United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) Lagos, has decried the rise in domestic violence, while reiterated that domestic violence is a criminal offence and a breach in fundamental human rights.

Published in the Nation Newspaper Wednesday, September 16, 2015

MDGs: Nigeria Achieves Food Component of MDGs

The federal Government said it produced 15 million metric tonnes of food in 2013, adding that the success recorded in increased food production ensured Nigeria achieved the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of halving the number of hungry people in two years ahead of its deadline.

Published in the Nation Newspaper Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Human Rights: UN Appeals to Nigeria on Human Trafficking

The Head of the United Nation Office on drug and Crime (UNODC) in Nigeria, Mr Tunde Atere, has urged Nigerians to avoid being deceived by traffickers, individuals or groups to foreign land in search for greener pastures.

Published in the Nation Newspaper Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Human Rights: UNICEF Launches Action to End Violence Against Children

Citing the National Survey on violence Against Children, this shows that millions of Nigerian children have suffered violence in terms of physical, emotional and sexual abuse before the age of 18 years, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) yesterday announced an Action to End Violence Against Children in Abuja.

Published in the Guardian Newspaper Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Energy: Operators Differ Over Real Performance of $5b NIPP Plants

Major stakeholders in the power sector have disagreed sharply over the functionality of the over $5 billion power plants built under National Integrated Power Project (NIPP). While some said poor gas supply is hampering their operations, the management of the NIPP said though the plants have not been running at full capacity because of gas, the situation was not as bad as being painted.

Published in the Guardian Newspaper Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Power: EU Donates €512m for Electricity, Others in Nigeria

In its renewed commitment to Nigeria’s development the European Union (EU), has earmarked the sum of €512m to improve the provision of electricity, healthcare delivery system, promotion and protection of rule of law, governance and democracy.

Published in the Guardian Newspaper Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Civil Society: On Democracy Day, UN Seeks More Roles for Civil Society

In commemoration of this year’s international Day for Democracy, the United Nations Secretary General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, has called on governments to provide enabling environments for the smooth operations and contributions of civil society groups in deepening democracy, even as the world governing body again praises Nigeria for the smooth transition from a ruling party to the opposition.

Published in the Guardian Newspaper Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Budget: Government Mulls Zero-Budgeting For 2016

The Federal Government may adopt a zero-based format for its 2016 budget planning, going by the hint from the Vice president Yemi Osinbajo in Abuja, yesterday.

Published in the Guardian Newspaper Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Capacity Building: NDE trains 600 IDP Women in Borno

National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has said that no fewer than 600 vulnerable women are being trained under NDE 2015 various skills acquisition and vocational training programme in Borno State.

Published in the Guardian Newspaper Wednesday, September 16, 2015

CSR: Shell Invests $14.8m on CSR Projects in Niger Delta

The Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) a sister company of Shell Petroleum Development Company has invested about $14.8 million in scholarships and other education programmes in 2014.

Published in the Guardian Newspaper Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Energy: Africa Needs 54,000mw Of Electricity To Fight Poverty

A report from the World Bank, “Enhancing the Climate Resilience of Africa’s Infrastructure,” said that Africa needs an expansion of hydroelectric power generation capacity by over 54,000MW to fight poverty in the continent.

Published in the Guardian Newspaper Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Environment: Mobil, Total, Others Record Oil Spill Cases in August

Five Oil companies, namely Mobil Producing Nigeria, MPN; Total Exploration and Production Company, Addax Petroleum, Aiteo and the Pipelines an product Marketing Company, PPMC, all recorded cases of oil spills last month (August), according to spills data from the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, NOSDRA.

Published in the Guardian Newspaper Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Environment: Group Offers NNPC Award Winning Gas Flare-Out Technology

Calvert Group Belgium NV and Galileo Argentina have signed a formal partnership to provide the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, the technology and equipment to convert flared gas to Liquefied Natural Gas, LNG, and Compressed clean and affordable gas.

Published in the Guardian Newspaper Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Environment: Shell Restates Commitment to Ogoni Clean Up

The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria, SPDC, has restated its commitment to clean up of Ogoniland in accordance with the recommendations of the UNEP Report. But it warned that a critical aspect of the UNEP report which emphasizes complete stoppage of pipeline vandalism and illegal refining of petroleum products in the area must be tackled by the Federal Government if the planned clean-up must succeed.

Published in the Guardian Newspaper Wednesday, September 16, 2015

ICT: Digital Switchover, Nigeria’s Economy To Gain N320bn Annually

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has said the planned switchover from analogue to digital television will add N320 billion yearly to the economy, creating over 55,000 direct and indirect jobs.

Published in the Leadership Newspaper Thursday, September 17, 2015

Environment: Water From Kainji, Jebba Dams Affecting Sugar Investments

The Special Adviser (Technical) to the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) Mr Chris Mbamalu, has stated that flood induced by constant release of water from Kainji and Jebba Dams has made investments by Flour Mills of Nigeria at the Sunti Golden Sugar Estate, Sunti Niger State vulnerable to risk.

Published in the Leadership Newspaper Thursday, September 17, 2015

Agriculture: Jigawa To Recruit 600 Agric Extension Workers

 Jigawa State government has concluded arrangements for the recruitment of over 600 agricultural extension workers in its bid to improve the state’s agricultural sector. The state commissioner for agriculture and natural resources, Alhaji Kabiru Ali, revealed this while speaking to newsmen in Dutse.

Published in the Leadership Newspaper Thursday, September 17, 2015

Community: Oil Communities Halt Hostilities, Write PMB

The aggrieved oil and gas producing host communities in Urhobo and Isoko areas in Delta State, yesterday halt hostilities pending the intervention of the Niger Delta Progressive Forum, NDPF, a non-government organisation in the region.

Published in the Leadership Newspaper Thursday, September 17, 2015

Philanthropy: Intels Donates N11m To Charity

Intels Nigeria Ltd has donated N11 million for upkeep of children of Women Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication Foundation (WOTCLEF) and Hope House Initiative for Children with special Needs.

Published in the Leadership Newspaper Thursday, September 17, 2015

SMEs: Sterling bank’s ‘Get Ready For Work’ Gives N5.5m Grant To Start-Ups

As part of efforts to help Nigeria youths, they have been advised to identify their skills, stir up their zeal for entrepreneurship and kick start their careers, Sterling Bank Plc has given a grant of N5.5 million to start up entrepreneurs under its Get Ready For Work Initiative.

Published in the Leadership Newspaper Thursday, September 17, 2015

Environment: UNEP Report, SPDC Sustains Remediation Project In Ogoni

Oil giant, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), has intensified measures in the clean-up exercise currently going on in Ogoni land in response to the recommendation of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP).

Published in the Leadership Newspaper Thursday, September 17, 2015

Philanthropy: 5,423 Students Benefit From Over N1bn MTNF Scholarships

Over the last six years, the (MTNF) has given out over N1 billion in scholarships to 5,423 students in various public tertiary institutions nationwide. The MTNF director, Mr Dennis Okoro, dropped this hint this week during an interview in Lagos.

Published in the Leadership Newspaper Thursday, September 17, 2015

Trade: LCCI Calls For Trade Policy Review To Boost Investment

The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has said that the federal government should review some trade policy measures to boost investments and customs revenue. The LCCI’s president, Remi Bello, said this at the third quarter review press conference organised by the chamber in Lagos.

Published in the Leadership Newspaper Thursday, September 17, 2015

Standards: SON Grants Control Services ISO Certification

Risk Control Services Limited (RCS) said that it has achieved the most stringent global standard for screening service, the ISO 9001:2008 Certification. The award which was received from the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) according to the company wa subsequent to a series of rigorous and extensive audit of its information management systems and processes.

Published in the Leadership Newspaper Thursday, September 17, 2015

Environment: Communities Lament Mining Degradation

Three communities in Osun State- Igun Atakumosa, Iperindo, and Itagumodi- have lamented the deep environmental degradation and poverty mining is causing to their communities. The communities cried out when LEADERSHIP, in collaboration with Global Rights Foundation, Nigeria, paid a visit to the state to access the impact of mining therein.

Published in the Leadership Newspaper Thursday, September 17, 2015

Philanthropy: China To Give 40 scholarships To Nigerian students

The People’s Republic of China is planning to increase the number of scholarship for Nigerian students from 25 to 40 by 2016, the Chinese Embassy has said. Cultural Councillor of the embassy Yan Xiangdong, who stated this while addressing journalist at the embassy in Abuja.

Published in the Leadership Newspaper Thursday, September 17, 2015

Philanthropy: 2 Law School Students Win Saraki’s Scholarship

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on Monday presented scholarships to two Nigerian Law School Students. Saraki while giving out cheques to the beneficiaries said the gesture was in fulfilment of his electioneering promise to channel his pensions as former Governor of Kwara State into a scholarship fund for the benefit of brilliant but indigent students in the country.

Published in the Leadership Newspaper Thursday, September 17, 2015

Philanthropy: Senator Tinubu Gives N2.6 Million Scholarship To PSSS

As of her effort to support education in the state, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who is representing Lagos Central Senatorial District, will be spending N2.6 million annually as scholarship awards to students in students in her constituency for the next four years.

Published in the Leadership Newspaper Thursday, September 17, 2015

Philanthropy: 5 Corps Members Donate 700 Copies Of health Books 

To Schools

Five serving members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Batch ‘C Bawa Ishaya, Ogunyemi Kehinde, Rindap Yankat, Ogunleye Afolabi and Ilebani Olubunmi- have donated no less than 700 books on health and environment to seven schools in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Published in the Leadership Newspaper Thursday, September 17, 2015

Security: AU, Others Meet In Nairobi Over regional Security

Top officials from the African Union (AU), the institute for Security Studies, and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) met in Nairobi for a two-day summit to discuss security in East Africa.

Published in the Leadership Newspaper Thursday, September 17, 2015

Security: African Leaders Okays $70m To Fight Insurgency

In swift response to combat insurgency and terrorism in African Union (AU) yesterday ranked in $70 million to fight insurgency in the continent. The AU leaders also commended President Muhammadu Buhari for redeeming the country’s pledge of $21m.

Published in the Leadership Newspaper Thursday, September 17, 2015

Labour: HP To Cut To 33,300 Jobs Over Next Three Years

Hewlett-Packard Co (HPQ.N), which plans to split into two listed companies this year, said it expected to cut about 33,300 jobs over three years as the tech pioneer adjusts to falling demand.

Published in the Leadership Newspaper Thursday, September 17, 2015

MDGs: Nigeria Was Not Statistically Ready For MDGs- Kale

The Statistician-General of the Federation, Dr Yemi Kale, yesterday disclosed that Nigeria was not statistically ready for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Speaking at the stakeholders’ workshop on data mapping for Sustainable Development Goals held in Abuja yesterday.

Published in the Daily Trust Newspaper Thursday, September 17, 2015

SMEs: BOI Approves N903.4m Loan For SMEs in Gombe

The Bank of Industry (BoI) has approved a total of N903.4 million for the development of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Gombe state.

Published in the Daily Trust Newspaper Thursday, September 17, 2015

SME: SME MarketHub Empowers Female Entrepreneurs In Africa

She Leads Africa has announced the top six finalists to contest for $10,000 2015 She Leads Africa Entrepreneur Showcase. The initiative, sponsored by GTBank, was geared towards highlighting Africa’s women leaders’ commerce and innovation.

Published in the Daily Trust Newspaper Thursday, September 17, 2015

Agriculture: Chevron Builds Agro Processing centre In Kastina

Chevron Nigeria Limited and its partners in the Agbamioil field are set to boost the capacity of farmers in Kastina State with the handover of a modern Agro-Based Economic Empowerment Development Project.

Published in the Daily Trust Newspaper Thursday, September 17, 2015

Health: Malaria ‘700m Cases’ Stopped in Africa

Nearly 700 million cases of malaria have been prevented in Africa as a result of concentrated efforts to tackle the disease since 2000, a study shows. The report published in the journal Nature showed that overall the number of infections fell by 50% across the continent.

Published in the Daily Trust Newspaper Thursday, September 17, 2015

  

Lagos to host Prof. King, continent-wide conference on Corporate Governance

The Board of Trustees, Strategic Partners and Convening organisations are pleased to announce that the fifth edition of the Africa CEO Round-table & Conference on Corporate Sustainability & Responsibility (AR-CSR™) will hold on November 19-20, 2015 at the Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria.

This edition is particularly significant because it marks the fifth anniversary of the The AR-CSR™ which has become the biggest platform for discussing issues of Sustainability, Corporate Social Responsibility, as well as the enhancement of a public-private synergy for the attainment of a credible business environment in Africa.

As previously announced, Prof. Mervyn King, former Justice, Supreme Court of South Africa, Chairman of the King Committee on Corporate Governance (responsible for the renowned King Codes I, II and III on Corporate Governance), and current Chairman, International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC) has been confirmed as Key note speaker for the 2015 Africa CEO Round-table & Conference on Corporate Sustainability & Responsibility (AR-CSR™).

This year’s conference will discuss the theme: ‘From Corporate Governance to Sustainable Governance,” and during the conference, speakers and participants alike will seek to discuss exhaustively and proffer solutions to issues such as: the role of corporate governance in relation to sustainability, relationship between the individual pillars of sustainable development and corporate governance, possible nexus between the economic, environmental performance, social performance and corporate governance within organisations, across supply chains and capital markets in Africa.

Other confirmed speakers aside Professor King are: Dr. Nat Ofo, Lecturer, College Of Law, Igbinedion University, Nigeria; Eric Hensel, Partner, Sustainable Square, Middle East & North Africa; Reana Rossouw, CEO, Next Generation Consultants South Africa; Prof. Shyaka Anastase, CEO, Rwanda Governance Board; Audrey Joe-Ezigbo, Director, Falcon Corporation, Nigeria; Monaem Ben Lellahom, Partner, Sustainable Square, India, Middle East & North Africa; H.E. Dr. John Kayode Fayemi, Former Governor, Ekiti State, Nigeria; Dwayne Baraka, CEO, Value CSR, United Kingdom; Douglas Kativu, Director, GRI Africa; Tsitsti Mutasa, Managing Consultant, ZIMLEF Corporate Governance Centre, Zimbabwe; ‘Tagbo Agbazue, Executive Chairman, Influence Africa and Derrick Ohemeng-Mensah, Head, Legal Issues, GIMPA Centre for Impact Investing, Ghana.

A statement by the conveners underscores the choice of Speaker and theme: “We have chosen Prof. King as our Keynote Speaker because he is the pre-eminent expert on the subject on the continent and beyond. We are confident that his participation will provide thought leadership, explore public concerns and practical issues deeply on Corporate Governance challenges and best practices.”

Also, Chantal Uwimana, Regional Director – Africa & Middle East, Transparency International; Ibrahim Dikko, Vice President, Regulatory & Corporate Affairs, Etisalat Nigeria; Jacob Saah, Founder & Director, Saah Partners, Ghana; Ambassador Joe Keshi, Director General, BRACED Commission, Nigeria; Dr. Rachel Ntongho, Lecturer, University of Bolton, UK; Dr. Kenneth Amaeshi, Director, Sustainable Business Initiative, Edinburgh Business School, UK; and Bisi Adeyemi, Managing Director, DCSL Corporate Services, Nigeria and Dr. Ashraf Gamal El Din, CEO, Hawkamah Institute for Corporate Governance will participate as speakers.

In addition to the conference sessions, an exclusive closed-door session for chief executives of leading institutions is being planned. The AR-CSR™ 2015 will feature other activities such as: Sustainability Master Class, Gala Dinner, Exhibition and Sustainable Solutions Showcase Challenge – a competition for SMEs in the sustainability industry.

Hosted by the Lagos State Government, Shell Nigeria has joined the growing list of sponsors for this foremost continent-wide discourse. Others include: Diamond Bank, Heritage Bank, Nigeria LNG Limited, Falcon Petroleum and Nigeria Info FM.

The 2015 edition of the AR-CSR™ is presented in partnership with: Enterprise Development Centre, Pan-Atlantic University, Chartered Institute of Taxation (CITN), Fate Foundation, Connect Nigeria, Stears.ng, Hawkamah Institute for Corporate Governance Middle East and The Guardian Newspapers. These organisations join the Global Reporting Initiative and Africa Consortium for Sustainability Trainings (ACST).

NOTE TO EDITORS:

ABOUT THE KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Professor Mervyn King is a globally respected authority on corporate governance. He is a lawyer and former judge of the South African Supreme Court as well as an academic. He is also a renowned corporate attorney, arbitrator, mediator, corporate director, commission chair, author and speaker. Mervyn King is currently the Chairman of the IIRC and Chairman emeritus of the Global Reporting Initiative as well as Director, Association of Business Administrators of Southern Africa.

Prof. King is known globally for his thorough and ground breaking work as Chair of the King Committee on Corporate Governance, which issued three comprehensive reports in 1994, 2002 and 2009 which provided an integrated and inclusive approach to corporate governance in South Africa.

ABOUT THISTLEPRAXIS CONSULTING

ThistlePraxis Consulting Limited is the preferred Management Consultancy firm in advising corporations, government agencies, and multilateral and non-governmental organizations on the integration of international principles of social responsibility and sustainability to be operational and profitable in the long term.

In a summarized focus through a six-point portfolio (Strategy & Performance, Assessment & Audits, Research & Reporting, Public Sector Effectiveness, Advocacy & Thought Leadership and Competence Development), our committed teams and seasoned faculty of experts advocate standards, responsibility and sustainability as key elements for ensuring profitability and tangible impact.

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