CSR NEWS SUMMARY ISSUE 156

B description#Oil: Oil Marketers Want Preferential FX Rate for Petrol Extended to Aviation Fuel

Despite the preferential foreign exchange rate given to oil marketing firms by the international oil companies (IOCs), aimed at sustaining the importation of petrol into the country, the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) has decried the non-allocation of the same preferential FX rate for the importation of aviation fuel.

Published by the This Day Newspaper on Monday, 3rd October, 2016

#Infrastructure: U.S. Invests $50m in Niger Drone Base for Counter-Terrorism

The United States is investing at least $50 million in a military air base in Nigeria’s northern neighbour, Niger Republic that will be capable of deploying drones. The U.S. already has a presence in the capital Niamey, where it shares an airbase with France’s anti-Islamist force, Operation Barkhane. MQ-9 Reaper drones are stationed there, according to the BBC.

Published by the This Day Newspaper on Monday, 3rd October, 2016

#Economy: Stakeholders List Public Hearing, Expenditure Tracking, Others as Solutions

Subjecting the budget process in the National Assembly to public hearings to provide for an all-encompassing multi-stakeholder involvement has been identified as one of the key solutions to reforming the country’s public finance and ensures equitable nationwide development.

Published by the This Day Newspaper on Monday, 3rd October, 2016

#StakeholdersAction: Again, NLC Warns FG, Says Nigeria is Not for Sale

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday reiterated its position against the sale of national assets, warning the federal government that ‘Nigeria is not for sale.’ While stating the position of organised labour on the independence anniversary, NLC President, Ayuba Wabba argued that government should rather focus on strengthening the economy and ensuring a sustainable society than making attempt to place Nigeria on sale.

Published by the This Day Newspaper on Monday, 3rd October, 2016

#IndustryPulse: FG Calls for Lifting of Suspension on Nigeria’s Cocoa Exports to US Market

The federal government at the weekend officially made a case for the lifting of the suspension placed on Nigeria’s export of cocoa to the United States’ market. The Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, made the call during the Labour and Trade Ministerial Roundtable of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) forum at the State Department, Washington D.C.

Published by the This Day Newspaper on Monday, 3rd October, 2016

#Health: British Scientists Discover Possible HIV Cure

A British man could become the first person in the world to be cured of HIV using a new therapy designed by a team of scientists from five United Kingdom universities. The unnamed 44-year-old is the first of 50 people to complete a trial of the ambitious treatment, designed by scientists and doctors from five of Britain’s leading universities.

Published by Punch Newspaper on Tuesday, 4th October, 2016

#Education: Foreign Varsities to Offer Easier Payment Plans

The Regional Manager Africa, United Kingdom Education Advisory Service, Bukky Awofisayo, has said that the recession and foreign exchange challenge being experienced in the country has propelled over 50 foreign universities to give prospective Nigerian students an easier payment plan and the possibility of fee reduction.

Published by Punch Newspaper on Tuesday, 4th October, 2016

#StakeholdersAction: World Bank Demands More Reforms from Nigeria

Plans by the Federal Government to borrow billions of dollars from the World Bank to plug its budget deficit have run into delays as the international lender is demanding for further reforms from the government as a condition for any loan. This came barely one month after the Presidency gave the Ministry of Finance its seal of approval to obtain the loan.

Published by Punch Newspaper on Tuesday, 4th October, 2016

#StakeholdersAction: Obi of Onitsha Backs Calls for Restructuring

The Obi of Onitsha and the Chairman of Anambra State Council of Traditional Rulers, Igwe Alfred Achebe, on Monday renewed the call for the restructuring of the country. He said Nigeria would be directionless without it being restructured. The monarch maintained that the prevailing challenges in the country had necessitated a review of the nation’s governance structure.

Published by Punch Newspaper on Tuesday, 4th October, 2016

#Economy: New Revenue Formula Lingers Three Years after Draft

Three years after the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission had completed work on a new revenue formula for the country and ratified the draft, the Federal Government has not implemented it. Investigation by our correspondent showed that the consequence of the Federal Government losing its fat allocation from the federation account could be responsible for the delay in completing the process for the implementation of the new revenue formula.

Published by Punch Newspaper on Tuesday, 4th October, 2016

#StakeholdersAction: Ambode Seeks Traders’ Opinion on Govt Policies

The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has concluded plans to visit markets around the state to interact with traders and obtain their views on his achievements. The governor, who spoke through his Special Adviser on Community and Communications, Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan, said expectations of traders from his administration would also be gathered during the visit.

Published by Punch Newspaper on Tuesday, 4th October, 2016

#IndustryPulse: Bayelsa Schools Remain Shut Over Unpaid Salaries

Public primary and secondary schools in Bayelsa have yet to resume for the 2016/2017 session due to the failure of the state government to settle seven months’ salary arrears of teachers. The teachers had embarked on a strike at the end of the 2015/2016 long vacation, which ended in the first week of September.

Published by Punch Newspaper on Tuesday, 4th October, 2016

#IndustryPulse: NAF Destroys Illegal Refineries in Rivers

The Nigerian Air Force has destroyed illegal refineries and barges in the Niger Delta, its spokesman, Group Capt. Ayodele Famuyiwa, said in a statement in Abuja on Monday. Famuyiwa, who is the Director of Public Relations and Information of NAF, said,  “In its concerted efforts to stop illegal bunkering and criminal activities in the Niger Delta region, NAF today destroyed illegal oil refineries and barges filled with petroleum products.

Published by Punch Newspaper on Tuesday, 4th October, 2016

#Agric: Price of Maize Bows to Harvest in Nasarawa

Few months ago, the prices of grains like maize, reached a record high of N320 per measure and N16,000 per 100kg bag.   This raised a lot of concerns among poultry farmers who rely heavily on the product to produce their feeds and forced some farms to shut.  This month, many farmers who cultivated the grain are already in the market, forcing the price to drop from 300 to N100 per measure in Nasarawa State.

Published by the Daily Trust Newspaper on Wednesday, 5th October, 2016

#Agric: Lagos Moves to Develop Coconut Farming

 

The Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture has revealed plans to expand structure for coconut production and processing in the state through Public Private Partnership arrangement. The Special Adviser to the Governor on Food Security, Mr. Ganiyu Sanni Okanlawon, who made this known, expressed optimism that the collaboration between the state, the private sector and all stakeholders in the agriculture sector, would result in a win-win situation in such a way that food sufficiency and safety would be guaranteed.

Published by the Daily Trust Newspaper on Wednesday, 5th October, 2016

#Agric: Quelea Invasion Threatens 12 Adamawa LGAs

Adamawa has launched an emergency pest control programme after declaring threat of quela bird invasion across 12 council areas. Adamawa state governor Muhammadu Bindow launched the emergency programme to control migratory pests on Tuesday by aerial spray. The emergency control is planned for the entire country, but only some states have started it.

Published by the Daily Trust Newspaper on Wednesday, 5th October, 2016

#Agric: Anambra to Begin Exportation of Vegetables To U.S.

 

Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State has disclosed plans by his government to commence exportation of vegetables to the United States of America soon.  Obiano, who made the disclosure while playing host to the executive members of the National Council of Women Societies, described the development as a milestone in view of the current naira to dollar exchange rate, adding that it is a sure way of coming out of the economic recession.

Published by the Daily Trust Newspaper on Wednesday, 5th October, 2016

#Agric: Chili Pepper Farmers Frustrated by Market

 

Chili pepper, though harsh in the mouth, could bring cool cash into farmers pocket as some graduate farmers in Alwaza town have found out.
That, however, depends on finding the right price and market for the produce. Otherwise, farmers can be left frustrated, as in the present situation.

Published by the Daily Trust Newspaper on Wednesday, 5th October, 2016

#Empowerment: AEA Partners SMEDAN on Training of Artisans

 

The MD/CEO of the Abuja Enterprise Agency (AEA), Malam Arabi Muhammed Tukur, has called for renewed partnership in the area of capacity building and training of artisans with the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN). Malam Tukur made this known when his team paid a courtesy visit to the Director-General of SMEDAN, Dr Dikko Umar Radda.

Published by the Daily Trust Newspaper on Wednesday, 5th October, 2016

#Power: Benue Meets NERC over 10MW Power Plant

 

The Benue State government met with the leadership of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) yesterday as it plans to build 10mw-embedded power plant. Governor Samuel Ortom who led the team of investors, Contec Global said the $18m project would be dedicated to industrial layouts in the state to grow economic activities.

Published by the Daily Trust Newspaper on Wednesday, 5th October, 2016

#Innovation: Glo Unveils 4G LTE Network

 

Globacom has fired up Nigeria’s first nationwide mobile 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) network. Subscribers in parts of several cities across the country including Lagos, Port Harcourt, Abuja as well as Jos in Plateau State, Warri in Delta State, Eket in Akwa Ibom State, Benin City in Edo State, Yola in Adamawa State and Zaria in Kaduna State have the opportunity to connect to Glo 4G LTE network immediately.

Published by the Daily Trust Newspaper on Wednesday, 5th October, 2016

#StakeholdersAction: Accountants Want FG to Redistribute Recovered Funds

 

The President of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), Mr Anthony Nzom, has advised the Federal Government to ensure that the recovered looted funds are effectively redistributed to all sectors of the economy. Nzom stated this yesterday in Abuja in a welcome address at the opening of the 21st Annual Conference of Certified National Accountants

Published by the Daily Trust Newspaper on Wednesday, 5th October, 2016

#Oil: Commercial Oil Production at Otakikpo Begins This Month

 

Lekoil is to commence commercial oil production this month from Otakipo marginal field, located in Oil Mining Lease (OML) 11 in Rivers State, following the completion of the Otakikpo-003 well. Following the successful re-entry of the Otakikpo-002 well, first oil from Otakikpo flowed to surface September last year.

Published by the Daily Trust Newspaper on Wednesday, 5th October, 2016

#Education: Lagos Records 50.41% Pass in 2016 WASSCE

The Lagos State Government has attributed the 50.14 per cent credit pass and above in five subjects and above including English language and mathematics recorded by the state’s public schools in the recently released results of the 2016 Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination conducted by WAEC to it huge investment in the education sector.

Published by the National Mirror Newspaper on Thursday, 6th October, 2016

#Empowerment: Sesema Grooms Young Graduates on PR, Digital Communication

As a way of investing in youths and grooming creative minds, an integrated marketing communications firm, Sesema PR, has held the maiden edition of its Corporate Communications Interactive Forum (CCIF) in Lagos. The one-day event brought together undergraduates and graduates who have an interest in the corporate communications sector of the economy to give them a practical introduction into the field.

Published by the National Mirror Newspaper on Thursday, 6th October, 2016

#Environment: Alumna Tasks UNILAG Mgt, Students on Waste to Wealth

A graduate of University of Lagos, Mrs Temitope Okunnu has triggered her alma mater on converting waste to wealth as she organised a special cleaning project for the lagoon front of the university through her pet project FABE in collaboration with the management and students of the institution.

Published by the National Mirror Newspaper on Thursday, 6th October, 2016

#IndustryPulse: NOUN Admits 442,000 Students in 6 Years

The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has said there had been a massive increase of students’ enrolment into the institution within the last six years. The Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences of the university, Dr. Jane Agbu, made the disclosure during the 2nd international public health conference with the theme, “Trending Issues in Public Health Services Delivery,”

Published by the National Mirror Newspaper on Thursday, 6th October, 2016

#Economy: IMF Cautions On Global Financial Stability Risks

Against the backdrop of sustained depressive trends in developed and emerging economies over the past months, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) yesterday cautioned managers of global economies on the increasing risks to financial stability, describing it as medium term dangers.

Published by the National Mirror Newspaper on Thursday, 6th October, 2016

#Agric: Nigeria’s Livestock Market Value to Hit N2trn

Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL) has projected its current efforts to create a structured market for the livestock business in the country, through a bankable standard business model, have the potential of increasing the value of Nigeria’s livestock market to about N2 trillion yearly.

Published by the National Mirror Newspaper on Thursday, 6th October, 2016

Investment; Profit Taking Dips Market By 0.95%

The Nigerian Equities market continued on a downward trend as lead key indicator the Nigerian Stock Exchange All-Share Index (NSE ASI) depreciated 0.95 per cent to close at 28,009.40 basis points yesterday in comparison to 0.20 per cent lost in previous session.

Published by the National Mirror Newspaper on Thursday, 6th October, 2016

#Empowerment: FG Flags off 4-Day Training Programme For SSE

The Federal Government has flagged off a four-day entrepreneurial training programme for Small Scale Enterprises, SSE, as part of efforts towards tackling the economic recession in the country.

Published by the Vanguard Newspaper on Friday, 7th October, 2016

#Infrastructure: No Potable Water for 57m

Oxfam Head of Programme in Nigeria, Constant Tchona, yesterday, disclosed that over 57 million Nigerians lacked access to safe or clean water.

Published by the Vanguard Newspaper on Friday, 7th October, 2016

#StakeholdersAction: FG Warns Employers against Lowering Labour Standards

THE Federal Government has said that it was considering strategies to reflate the economy and place it on the path of sustainable growth and development and as such, will not tolerate the lowering of labour standards by employers in the country.

Published by the Vanguard Newspaper on Friday, 7th October, 2016

#StakeholdersAction: Prioritise Teachers’ Welfare, NANS Urges FG

As Nigeria, yesterday, joined the rest of the world to mark the 2016 International Teachers’ Day, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has felicitated with all the Teachers in Nigeria, even as it urged the Federal Government to prioritize teachers’ welfare.

Published by the Vanguard Newspaper on Friday, 7th October, 2016