CSR NEWS SUMMARY ISSUE 169

#Economy: CBN to Mop up N310bn through Treasury Bills

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will this week mop up N310 billion through sales of treasury bills. Meanwhile, Demand for Nigeria’s Eurobond on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) persisted last week translating to price appreciation across tenors.

Published by the Guardian Newspaper on Monday, February 27, 2017

#Investment: Banks’ Stocks Account for N1.5trn Investment

Despite sustained negative impacts of economy headwind on the banking industry, banking sector index has led performance in the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE ,  accounting for N1.484 trillion or 9.3 per cent of total investment value on the NSE from Year to Date, YtD.

Published by the Guardian Newspaper on Monday, February 27, 2017

#IndustryPulse: FG Appoints Sanusi, Oyo-Ita, Others New Directors for NCAA

The Federal Government on Monday appointed five new Directors and one General Manager for the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). NCAA made the announcement in a statement by its General Manager, Public Affairs, Mr Sam Adurogboye, in Lagos.

Published by the Guardian Newspaper on Monday, February 27, 2017

#Economy: UK To Strengthen Economic Relations with Nigeria – John Howell

The UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Nigeria John Howell  on Monday said UK would strengthen and promote its existing relations with Nigeria and also assist the country to achieve its huge economic potential.

Published by the Guardian Newspaper on Monday, February 27, 2017

#StakeholdersAction: Nasarawa Deputy Gov. Decries Poor Reportage of Governments Achievement by Reporters

Mr Silas Agara, the Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State, has advised newsmen to focus more on developmental journalism to help Nigeria’s search for a diversified economy.

Published by the Guardian Newspaper on Monday, February 27, 2017

#StakeholdersAction: Lagos IPMAN Threatens Two-Week Strike Over Extortion by DPR

Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has threatened two weeks warning strike over Depot owners exorbitant prices of fuel products and extortions by Department of Petroleum Resources’ (DPR).

Published by the Guardian Newspaper on Monday, February 27, 2017

#Economy: FG To Enforce Buying Of ‘Made In Nigeria’ Products

The Federal Government says it has put plans in motion to enforce the buying of Nigerian products by government agencies. The Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said that the Act establishing the Bureau of Public Procurements would be reviewed to enforce the buying of Nigerian products which would, in turn, boost the economy.

Published by the Punch Newspaper on Tuesday, February 28, 2017

#Economy: Naira Appreciates Further, Sells at N425/Dollar in Parallel Market

The naira continued to regain strength and appreciate in value in the parallel market on Tuesday as it was sold for N425 to a dollar. However, it was N450 to a dollar at the close of transactions on Monday.

Published by the Punch Newspaper on Tuesday, February 28, 2017

#IndustryPulse: Ban on Okada, Keke Will Affect Nigeria’s Economy – Amaechi

The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has said that motorcycles and tricycles should not be banned nationwide because doing so would affect the nation’s economy negatively.

Published by the Punch Newspaper on Tuesday, February 28, 2017

#IndustryPulse: Lagos Beefs Up Security in Epe

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode on Tuesday assured farmers in the state, especially in Epe axis, of adequate measures to protect them against incessant kidnappings. The governor vowed to pursue vigorously and sustain the renewed enforcement of the ban on commercial motorcycles popularly called Okada plying restricted routes.

Published by the Punch Newspaper on Tuesday, February 28, 2017

#Agric: Dangote Tomato Signs Deal with Farmers in Sokoto, Gombe

The Dangote Tomato Processing Company, Kadawa, Kano state has concluded arrangement to purchase fresh tomatoes from farmers in Gombe and Sokoto States. The company had already signed an agreement with Tomato Growers Association for the procurement of the commodity from the two states.

Published by the Punch Newspaper on Tuesday, February 28, 2017

#Agric: AfDB to Inaugurate $850m Agric Transformation Programme

The African Development Bank will launch an $850m agriculture programme to transform the sector and reduce food imports in Africa. The Director of Agriculture in the bank, Dr Chiji Ojukwu, said, on the sideline of the International Conference on Wheat in Abuja on Tuesday, that the project, to be called Technology for African Agricultural Transformation, would ensure the generation, sustainable dissemination and adoption of agricultural technologies and innovations.

Published by the Punch Newspaper on Tuesday, February 28, 2017

#IndustryPulse: Buhari Approves New Investment Model For NNPC’s Refineries

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) on Wednesday disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari has approved its implementation of a new commercial model that would lead to investors’ interest in the restoration of the efficiency levels of its refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna.

Published on This Day Newspaper on Wednesday, March 1, 2017

#Agric: Bauchi Committed To Agricultural Development, Says Gov

Bauchi State Governor Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar has reiterated the state government’s commitment to the development of agricultur‎e to fight poverty, hunger and unemployment.

Published on This Day Newspaper on Wednesday, March 1, 2017

#MSMEs: BOI, Benue Govt Increase SME Funding To N4bn

The Benue State Government and the Bank of Industry (BoI) have agreed to increase the base lending fund to small medium enterprises (SMEs) to N4billion in order to spur rapid economic development in the state. The federal government has been advised to implement policies that would help strengthen domestic production of goods and services.

Published on This Day Newspaper on Wednesday, March 1, 2017

#IndustryPulse: Dangote Ends Nigeria’s Dependence on Imported Cement

Having ramped up cement output from its factories within Nigeria to nearly 30 million tonnes per annum, the Dangote Group on Tuesday announced that it had officially ended the nation dependence on imported cement.
The company also hinted that it exported 400,000 tonnes of the product to other nations in 2016.

Published on This Day Newspaper on Wednesday, March 1, 2017

#Power: Eko Disco to Install 11,000 Pre-Paid Meters in Festac Town

Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) said it would install additional 11,000 pre-paid meters to customers in Festac Town, Lagos, to end estimation billing in the area.

Published by the Punch Newspaper on Thursday March 2, 2017

#Health: WHO Lists Bacteria That Need New Antibiotics To Treat

The World Health Organisation has published its first ever list of antibiotic-resistant “priority pathogens” – a catalogue of 12 families of bacteria that pose the greatest threat to human health.

Published by the Punch Newspaper on Thursday March 2, 2017

#Economy: FG Records N1tn Revenue Loss In 2016

The National Assembly, on Thursday, scored the Federal Government low on the performance of the capital expenditure in the 2016 budget. The Federal Government, however, blamed the shortage on revenue shortfall. It said while the total revenue target was N1.506tn, only N398bn had so far been generated in the 2016 fiscal year, with a revenue shortfall of about N1.15tn.

Published by the Punch Newspaper on Thursday March 2, 2017

#StakeholdersAction: ASUU Threatens Strike Over Payment Shortfall

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, University of Ibadan chapter, on Friday said it would embark on an industrial action if the shortfall in the payment of salaries and allowances of its members continued.

Published by the Punch Newspaper on Thursday March 2, 2017

#Business: MTN Targets 8.3 Million New Users

South Africa’s MTN expects to add 8.3 million new users in the 2017 financial year, a document handed out at the firm’s results presentation showed on Thursday. MTN reported that its subscribers increased by 3.3 per cent or 7.7 million to 240 million in the year to ended December.

Published by the Punch Newspaper on Thursday March 2, 2017

#IndustryPulse: World Food Prices Rise Slightly In February – FAO

World food prices rose slightly in February, boosted in particular by cereals, the United Nations food agency said on Thursday. The Food and Agriculture Organization’s food price index, which measures monthly changes for a basket of cereals, oilseeds, dairy products, meat and sugar, averaged 175.5 points in February, up 0.5 percent from January levels.

Published by the Punch Newspaper on Thursday March 2, 2017

#Power: IBEDC Restores Electricity to 52 Communities

Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company said it invested over N120m to replace a faulty 15 MVA transformer in Odigbo Ota in Ogun State that enabled it to restore electricity to 52 communities.

Published by the Punch Newspaper on Thursday March 2, 2017

#Oil: Investments in Gas, LNG Declining – NLNG MD

The Managing Director of the Nigerian LNG Limited, Mr. Tony Attah, has said investments in gas and the Liquefied Natural Gas are declining, and the proposed amendment to the NLNG Act poses further threat.

Published by the Punch Newspaper on Thursday March 2, 2017

#Economy: FG Seeks Increased Flow of Foreign Investment

The federal government has stated that it is working towards increased foreign direct investments ( FDIs) in flow in the country, noting that with the current state of the economy, all hands are on deck to seek areas where Nigeria can attract the much needed foreign exchange to carry out developmental projects for economic prosperity and sustainability.

Published by This Day Newspaper on Friday, March 3, 2017

#Awards: GTBank Wins Six EPIS Awards

Guaranty Trust Bank Plc (GTBank) said it reaffirmed its position as Nigeria’s leading financial institution on e-payments with its emergence as a multiple award winner during the 2017 Electronic Payment Incentive Scheme (EPIS) awards organised by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigeria Inter-bank Settlement System (NIBSS) recently.

Published by This Day Newspaper on Friday, March 3, 2017

#Infrastructure: NCC, Telecoms Firms Collaborate In Rebuilding Facilities Lost To Boko Haram Insurgency in N’East

The National Communications Commission (NCC) is working with telecommunications firms to rebuild facilities worth billions of naira lost to Boko Haram insurgency in the North-east. One of the major facilities attacked by the insurgents in a siege that lasted about five years in parts of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States were telecommunications facilities leading to the loss of signal in many areas.

Published by This Day Newspaper on Friday, March 3, 2017

CSR NEWS SUMMARY ISSUE 168

#Economy: Nigeria Has No Record of Its Oil, Non-Oil Export Activities since June 2015

The Senate was on Monday told that Nigeria has since June 2015, been exporting its oil and non-oil products without documentation. This was just as it heard that the development has made the country lost over N23.6 billion expected to be repatriated proceeds of the export within the period.

Published by the Vanguard Newspaper on Monday, February 20, 2017

#StakeholdersAction: Expert Decries Unexplored 230 Million Tonnes of Iron Ore

Following the upward trend in global price of mineral commodities for the past two years as oil prices went down, a mining expert and Director of Exploration at Orbitwaves Geosciences Ltd, Jerry Solomon, has decried the unexplored 230 million tonnes of iron ore deposit in Nigeria.

Published by the Vanguard Newspaper on Monday, February 20, 2017

#MSMEs: Osinbajo to Open MSMEs Clinic in Ilorin

The Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo will on Thursday in Ilorin declare open a-three day Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Clinic for viable enterprises. The Chief Operating Officer, Kwara State MSMEs Bureau, Mr Segun Soewu said this in Ilorin on Monday.

Published by the Vanguard Newspaper on Monday, February 20, 2017

#Award: Sen. Sirika Receives Kwame Nkrumah Award for Exemplary Leadership

The Minister of State for Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, has received “The Kwame Nkrumah Award” from the All African Students Union (AASU), for outstanding performance in office and exemplary leadership.

Published by the Vanguard Newspaper on Monday, February 20, 2017

#IndustryPulse: JAMB Receives 11. 7m Applications in 6 Years – NBS

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has said the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) data reflected that 11,703,709 applications were received between 2010 and 2016.

Published by the Vanguard Newspaper on Monday, February 20, 2017

#Economy: Nigeria’s Debt Profile Now $57.39bn —DMO DG

The Debt Management Office, DMO, said yesterday that the nation’s total debt profile currently stood at $57.39 billion. Director-General of DMO, Dr. Abraham Nwankwo, who disclosed this when he appeared before the Senator Shehu Sani’s Committee on Foreign and Local Debts to defend his agency’s budget proposal, said the total debt stock comprised external and domestic debts of the federal government, those of the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, as at December 31, 2016

Published by the Vanguard Newspaper on Monday, February 20, 2017

#IndustryPulse: Nigeria Highly Prepared For Nuclear, Radiation Emergencies — FG

The Federal Government, weekend, disclosed that Nigeria currently has strong emergency preparedness for any form of nuclear and radiation incident or accident anywhere in the country.

Published by the Vanguard Newspaper on Monday, February 20, 2017

#IndustryPulse: Guinness Nigeria Unveils 2016 Sustainability Report, Outlines Future Goals

Guinness Nigeria Plc, a foremost total beverage alcohol company in the country, has released its Sustainability Report for 2016, indicating its performance on various aspects of its operations, while outlining its sustainability targets for the future.

Published by the Vanguard Newspaper on Monday, February 20, 2017

#IndustryPulse: CBN, Banks To Verify Tax Clearance Certificates, Flight Tickets

As part of measures to implement the new foreign exchange measures to address the depreciation of the naira in the parallel market, the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and commercial banks will collaborate with state governments to verify tax clearance certificates.

Published by the Vanguard Newspaper on Monday, February 20, 2017

#IndustryPulse: FG Retirees Face N63bn Shortfall in Budgeted Benefits

The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has requested for N113.0 billion for Federal Government retirees in 2017. This figure indicates a huge shortfall of N62.8 billion, or 55.6 per cent gap, in allocation provided by the Federal Government in the 2017 budget estimates.

Published by the Vanguard Newspaper on Monday, February 20, 2017

#Infrastructure: Lagos State to Renovate National Stadium

The Lagos state government has expressed interest in the renovation of the National Stadium in Surulere Lagos. Governor Akinwunmi Ambode made the state’s intent known when he paid a condolence and courtesy visit  on the Minister of Youth and Sports Barrister Solomon Dalung at his residence in Abuja at the weekend.

Published by the Vanguard Newspaper on Monday, February 20, 2017

#Health: FG Launches N/East Health Sector Humanitarian Crisis Response Plan

The   Federal   Government has officially launched the North East Health Sector Humanitarian Crisis response plan. The document was launched last week by the Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole during the opening session of the National Council of Health meeting in Abia State.

Published by the Vanguard Newspaper on Monday, February 20, 2017

#Infrastructure: Niger Govt to Establish another School Of Nursing in Kontagora

In an effort to boost the standard of education in Niger State, the state government has said that it will establish another school of nursing in Kontagora, to bring the number of such educational institutions in the state to three.

Published by This Day Newspaper on Tuesday, February 21, 2017

#Empowerment: GOC Organises Training for Army Formations

As part of efforts to curtail the numerous security challenges facing the nation such as insurgency, cattle rustling, ethnic crises in the north and kidnappings, militancy, and pipeline vandalism among others in the south, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Nigerian army, Division 3 Jos, Major General Peter Dauke, has organised a special operational planning cadre course for soldiers drawn from about 10 army formations under the division.

Published by This Day Newspaper on Tuesday, February 21, 2017

#Business: Wema Bank Takes Savings Products to LASU

Wema Bank Plc is promoting savings culture and digital banking experiences among the newly admitted students of Lagos State University (LASU). Speaking during the LASU 2017 orientation programme, held at its Ojo campus, Wema Bank Regional Manager, Apapa, Femi Olowoyeye, said the lender had been participating in institution’s orientation programme for the past two years, with the aim of boosting students’ digital banking experience and offering quality services.

Published by This Day Newspaper on Tuesday, February 21, 2017

#Business: NB Plc Records 25% Profit Decline, Recommends N20bn Final Dividend

Nigerian Breweries Plc on Monday announced its audited results for the year ended December 31, 2016, showing a decline of 25 per cent in profit after tax (PAT), reflecting the challenging operating environment.

Published by This Day Newspaper on Tuesday, February 21, 2017

#Economy: Naira Firms on Black Market After Central Bank Action - BDC Traders

Nigeria's Naira firmed 1.1 percent to 510 on the black market on Wednesday, bureau de change (BDC) traders said, after the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) started to supply dollars for retail transactions in a bid to narrow the spread with the official exchange rate.

Published by the Daily Trust on Wednesday, February 22, 2017

#Award: Nigerian Students Win DSTV Award

Emmanuel Ochenjele, a Nigerian student, has been announced the winner (Poster Category), 6th Edition of DStv Eutelsat Star Awards, 2017. Ochenjele won the start prize for his depiction of a constellation of diverse satellites, all contributing towards the advancement of solutions to challenges such as global warming, conservation of biodiversity, as well as stable energy supply

Published by the Daily Trust on Wednesday, February 22, 2017

#CSR #Health: Etisalat Donates To Healthcare

Etisalat Nigeria, has again affirmed its commitment to the improvement of healthcare in Nigeria, by donating computers to General Hospital, Gbagada, Lagos. Speaking at the handover ceremony, Director, Regulatory and CSR, Etisalat Nigeria, Ikenna Ikeme, said the move is in furtherance of the company’s commitment to continuously support efforts that improve access to good quality healthcare for Nigerians.

Published by the Daily Trust on Wednesday, February 22, 2017

#IndustryPulse: Union Bank Parades Transformation Drive @ 100

Union Bank, one of the leading banks in Nigeria is 100 years old in business, and its management is celebrating the 100th Anniversary in grand style.  Union Bank was established in 1917 as Colonial Bank and in 1922, Barclays Bank acquired it, changing the name to Barclays Bank DCO (Dominion, Colonial and Overseas). Over the years, the bank has evolved to become one of Nigeria’s leading financial institutions.

Published by the Daily Trust on Wednesday, February 22, 2017

#Agric: Tomato Growers Demand Price Review From Dangote

Ahead of its planned resumption of production by the end of this month, the Kano State Tomato Growers Association of Nigeria (TOGAN), has asked Dangote Tomato Factory in Kano to review its pricing ceiling for tomato per basket.

Published by the Daily Trust on Wednesday, February 22, 2017

#Economy: CBN Floods FX Market with $500m

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday intervened in the interbank Foreign Exchange (FOREX) market with $500 million to meet the requests of customers. A statement from the bank said that the qualified bids for the United States dollars ranged from N315 to N360, adding that seven banks received full allotments of their respective bids valued at $37,500,000 each. Other banks received allotments ranging from $46, 512.50 to $15,578,081.51. The total sum transacted was $370,810,810.79 to 23 banks.

Published by the Daily Trust on Wednesday, February 22, 2017

#IndustryPulse: FCMB Offers Free Banking Services To SMEs

First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited has introduced free banking transactions for a period of three months for new-to-FCMB customers operating in the Small and Medium Scale Enterprises, SMEs, segment.

Published by the Daily Trust on Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Economy: Nigeria’s $732m Trade with Cameroon Threatened as Crises Linger

Current crises in the English speaking part of Cameroon, which accounts for about 19 percent of the population clustered around the South-West and North-West of the country, violate fundamental human rights and have the potential to cost Nigeria over $732 million in foreign exchange

Published in the Business Day Newspaper on Thursday, February 23, 2017

#Health #IndustryPulse: African Pharma Industry Sees $40bn Prospects In Non-Communicable Diseases

African pharmaceutical industry stands to benefit from business opportunity in drugs manufacture valued at $40.8 billion in 2019, on the back of growing incidence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) across sub-Saharan Africa, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes and respiratory disease, in addition to infectious and parasitic illness, according to a new study.

Published in the Business Day Newspaper on Thursday, February 23, 2017

#Investment: FG, Investors Meet Over Issuance Of Sovereign Green Bonds

Nigeria’s aspiration to become a green economy has further advanced towards fruition, as the federal government on Wednesday met with investors and capital markets operators in Lagos for the first ever Green Bonds Conference in the country. 

Published in the Business Day Newspaper on Thursday, February 23, 2017

#Empowerment: Shell LiveWIRE Doles Out another N40m to 100 Young Entrepreneurs

Shell LiveWIRE Nigeria says it has awarded a total of N40m (US $126k) in funding to 100 young entrepreneurs who have successfully completed the 2016 enterprise development programme. Each received N400k (US $1,260) to enable them start-up and grow their own businesses.

Published in the Business Day Newspaper on Thursday, February 23, 2017

#IndustryPulse: Air Peace Receives 12th Aircraft, Opens Lekki Office

One of Nigeria’s domestic airlines, Air Peace, has taken delivery of its 12th aircraft, a 114-capacity Boeing 737-500. Its Chief Operating Officer, Mrs Oluwatoyin Olajide, told newsmen on Wednesday in Lagos that the aircraft landed at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos at about 2.15p.m. on Tuesday. 

Published in the Business Day Newspaper on Thursday, February 23, 2017

#Investment: NSE Indices Depreciate By 0.01%

The market indices of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), on Wednesday dropped by 0.01 per cent after a two-day marginal growth. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the market capitalisation, which opened at N8.739, trillion lost one billion naira or 0.01 per cent to close at N8.738 trillion due to price losses.

Published in the Business Day Newspaper on Thursday, February 23, 2017

New CBN FX Policy to Ease Liquidity for Banks – Fitch

International credit rating firm, Fitch has said that measures announced on 20 February by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) may ease some of the severe foreign currency liquidity pressure faced by the Nigerian banks.

Published in the Business Day Newspaper on Thursday, February 23, 2017

StakeholdersAction: MAN Advises CBN to Sustain New Forex Directive

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) on Friday advised CBN to sustain its current directive on forex sales to rebound output by manufacturers. The President of MAN, Mr Frank Jacobs, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the advice became necessary because the directive would help in strengthening the naira for production purposes.

Published by the Guardian Newspaper on Friday, February 24, 2017

#Health: WHO Says 300 Million People Suffer Depression, 800,000 Commit Suicide Yearly

More than 300 million people of all ages suffer from depression, which is the leading cause of disability worldwide, and is a major contributor to the overall global burden of disease, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Published by the Guardian Newspaper on Friday, February 24, 2017

#Investment: Nigeria Plans $64m Green Bond Issue by April

The Federal Government plans to launch a N20 billion ($64 million) green bond in April to fund projects and enhance sustainable development. Acting President Yemi Osinbajo stated this yesterday while addressing participants at the Green Bonds Capital Market & Investors Conference organised by the Federal Ministry of the Environment and the Debt Management Office (DMO) at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) in Lagos.

Published by the Guardian Newspaper on Friday, February 24, 2017

#IndustryPulse: NBA Urges Government to Roll out Anti-Graft War in MDAs

As part of efforts at mitigating high level of corruption in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Abubakar Mahmoud has advocated the establishment of a secret agency to monitor the activities of officials with the view to prosecuting them.

Published by the Guardian Newspaper on Friday, February 24, 2017

CSR NEWS SUMMARY ISSUE 167

#Health: Medical Practitioner Advises Diabetic Patients to Avoid Pebbles in Their Feet

Dr Salihu Mohammed of General Hospital, Minna, Niger, has advised diabetic patients to avoid pebbles or other objects from being stuck in their feet to avoid infections. He said that most problems relating to feet infection with the people living with diabetes arose from lack of care. The medical practitioner also said that daily inspection of the feet was essential to the general health of diabetic patients.

Published by the Nation Newspaper on Monday, February 13, 2017

#IndustryPulse: Niger Signs N300m Contract to Digitise Radio

The acting General Manager, Radio Niger, Mr Andrew Achanya, has said that the state government had signed N300million contract to ensure the digitilisation of the station. Achanya disclosed this on Monday, in commemoration of ‎World Radio Day with the theme for 2017 edition, “Radio is You”‎.

Published by the Nation Newspaper on Monday, February 13, 2017

#Agric: Dangote to Launch 25,000 Hectares of Rice Outgrowers Scheme in Sokoto

Dangote Rice, a subsidiary of Dangote Group, is to launch in Sokoto, Sokoto State, its multi-million naira 25, 000 hectares of rice outgrowers scheme, with a prospect of hundreds of thousands of jobs for rural communities’ residents.

Published by the Nation Newspaper on Monday, February 13, 2017

#Infrastructure: NCDMB Votes $100m for Contractor Finance, Others

The Nigerian Content Development Monitoring Board (NCDMB) is to set aside $100 million for Project Finance, Asset Acquisition & Contractor Finance under its Nigerian Content Intervention Fund (NCIF).

Published by the Nation Newspaper on Monday, February 13, 2017

#IndustryPulse: Firm Buys Paints and Coatings Manufacturers from AMCON

The Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) has sold the fourth largest equity stake in Paints and Coatings Manufacturers Nigeria (PCMN) Plc to Bizfeat Ventures Limited. Details obtained by The Nation indicated that AMCON, the bad-debt resolution corporation floated by the government, transferred its 7.4 per cent equity stake in PCMN to Bizfeat Ventures through a negotiated cross deal at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), where PCMN is quoted.

Published by the Nation Newspaper on Monday, February 13, 2017

#IndustryPulse: School Feeding – FG Releases N844.7m to Seven States

The Federal Government has so far released N844,360,550 for the commencement of the Homegrown School Feeding, a component of its Social Investment Programme, in seven states across the country. The states that have received funding to begin the scheme include Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Oyo, Osun, Ogun and Zamfara.

Published in the Punch Newspaper on Tuesday, February 14, 2017

#StakeholdersAction: S’West Govs in Ekiti, Brainstorm On Agric, Security, Education

Governors from all the states in the South-West geopolitical zone on Monday met in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, and agreed to give quality education to the youths to ensure moral standards are maintained in order to enhance the zone’s development.

Published in the Punch Newspaper on Tuesday, February 14, 2017

#Economy: FG Targets N5tn from Asset Sales

The Federal Government is looking at generating as much as $16.4bn (N5tn at N305 to the dollar) through asset sales in the next four years to reduce the burden on the public budget.

Published in the Punch Newspaper on Tuesday, February 14, 2017

#Economy: Reps to Inaugurate Tactical Committee to End Recession

The House of Representatives will on Tuesday inaugurate a tactical committee to arrest the country’s current economic recession. The Committee would liaise with relevant stakeholders in the sector to achieve this goal.

Published in the Punch Newspaper on Tuesday, February 14, 2017

#Power: Power Firms Owe Consumers Explanation for Estimated Billing – Fashola

The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, has said that the power distribution firms should explain to consumers the basis for estimated billing, which they subject them (consumers) to and when it will end.

Published in the Punch Newspaper on Tuesday, February 14, 2017

#Oil: NNPC Increases Petroleum Products Importation

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation on Monday announced measures to sustain the nationwide supply of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol), Automotive Gas Oil (diesel), and Dual Purpose Kerosene.

Published in the Punch Newspaper on Tuesday, February 14, 2017

#Oil: Angola Overtakes Nigeria as Africa’s Top Oil Producer

Despite recording the biggest increase in output among its peers in the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, Nigeria has again lost its Africa’s top oil producer status to Angola after it regained it in November last year.

Published in the Punch Newspaper on Tuesday, February 14, 2017

#Environment: P’Harcourt Pollution – FG Declares Emergency, Shuts Firm

The Federal Government on Monday declared the air pollution problem in Port Harcourt and its environs as an emergency that needed to be addressed urgently. As a result, it issued a notice to temporarily shut down an asphalt processing plant in Port Harcourt that was oozing out thick smoke in a bid to bring the situation under control.

Published in the Punch Newspaper on Tuesday, February 14, 2017

#Agric: Bauchi to Revive Moribund Fertiliser Blending Company

The Bauchi State government on Monday said that it will soon revive its fertiliser blending company so as to make the commodity available to farmers in the state and beyond. Speaking during a tour of the company in Bauchi, the newly appointed chairman‎ of the firm, Bappah Aliyu Musa, promised to make it profitable.

Published by This Day Newspaper on Wednesday, February 15, 2017

#Economy: Success of Eurobond is Proof the Economy is Recovering

The federal government has said that the massive demand for its $1 billion Eurobond, which was oversubscribed by 780 per cent, was a demonstration of the strong market appetite for Nigeria and indicative of the confidence by the international investment community in Nigeria’s economic reform agenda.

Published by This Day Newspaper on Wednesday, February 15, 2017

#Empowerment: FG Begins Disbursement of Social Intervention Funds

The federal government has commenced disbursement of interest-free loans to the latest accredited beneficiaries of Market Moni, the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP) targeting market women, traders, artisans, youth and farmers.

Published by This Day Newspaper on Wednesday, February 15, 2017

#IndustryPulse: Union Bank Commences Activities to Mark 100th Year Anniversary

Activities heralding the commemoraton of the 100th year anniversary of Union Bank of Nigeria commenced yesterday in Lagos. The anniversary is being marked five years after the bank was acquired by a new international investor group in 2012. Following this, the new management team led by Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Emeka Emuwa, embarked on a transformation programme to reposition the financial institution with the objective of becoming a leading provider of quality financial services in Nigeria.

Published by This Day Newspaper on Wednesday, February 15, 2017

#Empowerment: FG Doles out N70m to 56 Local Inventors

The federal government yesterday rewarded Mr. Ezekiel Izuogu with N10million and 55 other inventors with N60million for their efforts in the manufacture of unique scientific inventions and innovations.

Published by This Day Newspaper on Wednesday, February 15, 2017

#Economy: FG to Float Savings Bond for Nigerians, Says DMO DG

The Director General of the Debt Management Office (DMO), Dr.  Abraham Nwankwo, yesterday disclosed plans by the federal government to float the Savings Bond before the end of the first quarter.

Published by This Day Newspaper on Wednesday, February 15, 2017

#IndustryPulse: NIRSAL, Nigeria Railways Begin Movement of Grains by Rail

The Nigerian Incentive Based Risk Sharing for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL) in collaboration with the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) yesterday inaugurated a unique scheme to move grains from the northern part of the country to markets, industrial zones and ports in the South.

Published by This Day Newspaper on Wednesday, February 15, 2017

#Power: US Announces Fresh Grant of N241.6m to Support Nigeria’s Power Sector

The United States of America has reiterated her commitment to the development of Nigeria’s power sector with the announcement of a fresh grant of $767,512 (N241.6million) to support the development of renewable energy in Nigeria.

Published by This Day Newspaper on Wednesday, February 15, 2017

#Environment: FCT Minister Tasked On Abaji Gully Erosion

Residents of Wadata community in Abaji Area Council have appealed to the Minister of the FCT, Muhammad Musa Bello, to come to their aid in tackling a gully erosion that has been threatening their houses in the area.

Published in the Daily Trust Newspaper on Thursday, February 16, 2017

#Agric: Dangote to Launch 25,000ha Rice Project in Sokoto

Dangote Rice, a subsidiary of Dangote Group is set to launch on Wednesday 25,000 hectares of rice outgrower programme in Sokoto. The project is expected to provide hundreds of thousands of employment opportunities for inhabitants of the rural communities, according to a press release from the African Press Organisation. A pilot is set to begin with 500 hectares by Gonroyo dam, in Goronyo community.

Published in the Daily Trust Newspaper on Thursday, February 16, 2017

#IndustryPulse: NIOB To Proffer Solution To Building Challenges

The Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) has said the association would work in finding lasting solutions to building challenges in the country. The Chairman of the institute’s FCT Chapter, James Ogbagha said the institute’s forthcoming annual general meeting billed to hold in Abuja in April is tailored to provide the techniques of business development, but it is not just about developing our businesses alone, it also has patriotic commitment to national development.

Published in the Daily Trust Newspaper on Thursday, February 16, 2017

#Agric: 36 Jigawa Communities Lose Farms to Chinese Plantation

Thirty six communities in Jigawa state have lost their farmlands covering 12,000 hectares to a Chinese company for sugarcane plantation. The state government gave the farmlands to Messrs Lee Group- based in Kano for N2.1 billion.

Published in the Daily Trust Newspaper on Thursday, February 16, 2017

#Empowerment: Group Empowers 600 Women To Start Business In Nasarawa

A total of 600 women, including widows in Nasarawa received various cash donations to start businesses of their own to enable them become self-reliant. The national chairman of the Board of Trustees (BOT) of Buhari Charity Organisation (BCO), Abuja, Suleiman Modibbo Masaka, who made this known yesterday in Keffi while briefing newsmen on the year 2017 plan of the group, said the organisation has disbursed N6 million to empower widows, orphans and the needy to enable them to be self-reliant and to contribute their quota to national development.

Published in the Daily Trust Newspaper on Thursday, February 16, 2017

#IndustryPulse #Technology: E-Payment Transactions Hit N51.8trn –CBN

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says   the value of electronic payment transaction had increased from N27.56 trillion in 2012 to N51.8 trillion in 2016, indicating 88 per cent increase.

Published in the Daily Trust Newspaper on Thursday, February 16, 2017

#IndustryPulse: FCTA to Eliminate Multiple Taxes – Minister

The FCT Administration has put machinery in motion to harmonize taxes in the Federal Capital Territory to reduce cases of multiple taxation. The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, stated this yesterday while receiving members of the Hotel Owners Forum, FCT chapter in Abuja.

Published in the Daily Trust Newspaper on Thursday, February 16, 2017

#Health: New Malaria Vaccine Provides 100% Protection in Clinical Trial

Scientists have discovered an effective vaccine that offers up to 100 per cent protection from malaria. German researchers at the University of Tübingen in collaboration with the biotech company, Sanaria Incorporated, have demonstrated in a clinical trial that a new vaccine for malaria called Sanaria PfSPZ-CVac has been up to 100 per cent effective when assessed at 10 weeks after last dose of vaccine.

Published by the Guardian Newspaper on Friday, February 17, 2017

#StakeholdersAction: Ambode, Ikpeazu, Obaseki Decry High Unemployment Rate

Prominent Nigerians, which include governors of Lagos, Abia and Edo states, Akinwunmi Ambode, Okezie Ikpeazu and Godwin Obaseki, have decried the high rate of unemployment in the country. They warned that unless something urgent and decisive in terms of right government policies, collective responsibilities and strict anti-graft measures are taken, the country may be heading for disaster.

Published by the Guardian Newspaper on Friday, February 17, 2017

#StakeholdersAction: Health Workers Protest In Lagos, Threaten Strike

Health workers under the umbrella body of National Union of Allied Health Professionals yesterday at the Governor’s Office in Alausa, Lagos, protested over corruption and what they described as continued discrimination among the medical professionals and dichotomy in medical laboratory services across the country.

Published by the Guardian Newspaper on Friday, February 17, 2017