CSR News Summary Issue 30

FG set to train 100,000 farmers on cocoa expansion system

As part of Federal Government’s drive to sustain its agricultural transformation agenda (ATA), especially on cocoa production, processing and marketing, it has resolved to train 100,000 cocoa farmers on cocoa expansion system and strengthen 100 farmer groups through the support of Cocoa Livelihood Programme of the World Cocoa Foundation (WCF).

The initiative, which was introduced as a follow-up to the production of 3.6 million hybrid pods set to be distributed free of charge to farmers and investors, would professionalise cocoa production and build the producers’ capacity in good agricultural practices, business and entrepreneurial skills and aid farmer groups and cooperatives.

Published on Monday, 17^th September, 2012 in The Guardian Newspaper

How Abia plans 4,000 jobs through mega farms

Abia State is regarded as the food basket of the South East geopolitical zone. The state has a highly diversified agro-ecological condition, which makes the production of a wide-range of agricultural products possible.
The state produces cash crops such as cocoa, rubber, cashew, palm oil, rice, maize and cassava in commercial quantities.

Agriculture is one of the most potentially viable sectors of the state’s economy, particularly in terms of its employment generation potentials as well as its contribution to the state’s internally generated revenue (IGR).

Published on Monday, 17^th September, 2012 in The Guardian Newspaper

World Bank resumes funding of HIV/AIDS programme in A/Ibom

The World Bank is set to resume funding of HIV/AIDS intervention programme in Akwa Ibom State five years after it withheld support demanding the transformation of the state action committee into an agency as one of the conditions for continued assistance.

The state House of Assembly has since passed a bill establishing the state agency for the control of HIV/AIDS though it has yet to be signed into law by Governor Godswill Akpabio, but officials are optimistic that it would soon become law adding that the World Bank has given indications of resuming funding to the state.

Published on Monday, 17^th September, 2012 in ThisDay Newspaper

Cameroon dam water destroys 49 communities in C’River

Over 49 coastal communities in seven local governments in Cross River State have been destroyed in the last one week by water from the Lagdo Dam, Cameroon.

A similar discharge of water from the dam destroyed communities in Adamawa State in August.

Hundreds of houses were also swept away by floods in Yala, Ogoja, Ikom, Obubra, Abi, Biase and Odukpani in Cross River.

Published on Monday, 17^th September, 2012 in The Punch Newspaper

Ekiti to build mega hotel in Ikogosi

Ekiti State Government has said it is planning to build a three-star hotel at the Ikogosi Warm Springs to boost the capacity of the tourist resort to generate fund.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism, Mr. Segun Ologunleko, who said this at a press conference in Ado-Ekiti on Friday, said the state government had acquired 116 hectares of land around the site for the construction of the hotel which would begin in the second phase of the development of the site.

Published on Monday, 17^th September, 2012 in The Punch Newspaper

NLNG Train 7 to attract N1.89tn FDI

Nigeria will attract fresh Foreign Direct Investment worth $12bn (N1.89tn) within the next four years through the proposed Train 7 of the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas project.

The project is also expected to generate additional $3bn revenue for the Federal Government annually and create about 13,000 new jobs.

Published on Tuesday, 18^th September, 2012 in The Punch Newspaper

Coin dispensing ATMs coming – CBN

The Central Bank of Nigeria has said it will facilitate the introduction of Automated Teller Machines that can dispense coins to encourage the citizens imbibe the culture of spending them.

The Head of Shared Services, CBN, Mr. Chidi Umeano, told the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday in Lagos that the plan was in tune with the currency restructuring exercise.

Published on Tuesday, 18^th September, 2012 in The Punch Newspaper

MoneyGram CSR Initiative Supports Schools

As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative in Nigeria, MoneyGram International has concluded arrangements to launch the 2012 edition of its ‘Gear Up for School’ consumer reward programme.

According to a statement issued by the company, through the CSR initiative, MoneyGram would distribute learning materials to thousands of public school students drawn from the South-west and South-south regions of the country.

Published on Wednesday, 19^th September, 2012 in BusinessDay Newspaper

Experts take renewable energy to front burner

The search for sustainable energy development took a centre stage at a workshop organised by Environmental right Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) in Benin, as industry experts canvassed for renewable sources of energy.

The need for renewable energy for the country is now being placed at the front burner, as experts, at the Community Energy Access Training Workshop, which was organised by Environmental Right Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN), posited that there is no other better way to tackle Nigeria’s energy crisis.

Published on Wednesday, 19^th September, 2012 in BusinessDay Newspaper

World Bank resumes funding of HIV/AIDS programme in A/Ibom

The World Bank is set to resume funding of HIV/AIDS intervention programme in Akwa Ibom State five years after it withheld support demanding the transformation of the state action committee into an agency as one of the conditions for continued assistance.

The state House of Assembly has since passed a bill establishing the state agency for the control of HIV/AIDS though it has yet to be signed into law by Governor Godswill Akpabio, but officials are optimistic that it would soon become law adding that the World Bank has given indications of resuming funding to the state.

Published on Wednesday, 19^th September, 2012 in BusinessDay Newspaper

Group advocates increased funding for malaria, others

The African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development has asked Bayelsa State Government to increase its budget for malaria, tuberculosis, physically-challenged persons and HIV/AIDS.

The centre, which organised a training on budget advocacy in Yenagoa, also requested incremental budgeting for women, children, the elderly and the youths.

Published on Thursday, 20^th September, 2012 in BusinessDay Newspaper

Agric trade group seeks reviews of GES

The Agricultural Trade Group has advised the Federal Government  to fine-tune the implementation of the Growth Enhancement Scheme (GES) under its Agricultural Transformation Agenda.
 
Members of the group told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos that the review was necessary because commercial farmers were not benefiting from the scheme.
Published on Thursday, 20^th September, 2012 in Guardian Newspaper

Terrorism, a threat to economy, says ICSAN President

THE President of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN), Teslim Olatunde Busari, has described terrorism or any form of insurgency as a threat to the growth and development of the country’s economy.

Busari stated this in Lagos while speaking with newsmen on the yearly Conference and Award Dinner of the Institute slated for September 27 and 28 in Abuja.

Published on Thursday, 20^th September, 2012 in Guardian Newspaper

Artequick promises 24-hr treatment for malaria, elimination in 20 years

CHINESE researchers say with Artequick, a fixed-dose combination of artemisinin and piperaquine, malaria can be effectively treated within 24 hours and possibly eliminated from human population in 20 years.

Clinical trails of Artequick presented, to the media, last week in Lagos by the General Manager of Artepharm Company Limited, China, Dr. Pan Longhua, concluded that Artequick is an ideal drug for the treatment of malaria, especially for drug resistant Plasmodium falciparum.

Published on Thursday, 20^th September, 2012 in Guardian Newspaper

Global fund adopts new funding model for greater impact

A new model unveiled by the Board of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund) will focus on making greater impacts in countries where the Fund operate.

The new funding model is expected to change the way implementers apply for financing, get approval of their proposals and then manage their grants. Countries are now to be grouped in bands, which will enable the Fund to ensure focus is placed on countries with the highest disease burden and least ability to pay, among other factors.

Published on Thursday, 20^th September, 2012 in Guardian Newspaper

NEMA DG, doctors urge state govts on disaster management plan

National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and doctors in the country have urged state governments and general public on improved disaster management plan and awareness.

Assessing the state of emergency preparedness in the country, NEMA blamed poor emergency response to disaster on inadequate planning and awareness among the public.

Published on Thursday, 20^th September, 2012 in Guardian Newspaper

Govt to involve 1m youths in agric

Efforts by the Federal Government to involve youths in commercial agriculture yesterday received a major boost as it unfolded plans to engage one million of them in it.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, explained that the government would collaborate with the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to empower 10,000 youths in each state. The youths are also expected to employ three more persons.

Published on Friday, 21^st September, 2012 in Guardian Newspaper

How to grow agric sector’s potential, by Minister

Collaborative initiatives by the public and private sectors of the economy could lift the fortunes of the agricultural sector as a mega-earning industry for the nation.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwunmi Adeshina, who stated this Abuja on Wednesday, pointed out the agricultural sector could have its growth potential lifted to $263 billion by 2030, from the present $99 billion.

Published on Friday, 21^st September, 2012 in Guardian Newspaper

President insensitiveness for comments on subsidy protest

Action Congress of Nigeria has accused President Goodluck Jonathan of insensitivity to the suffering of the masses.

The party, which reacted to the President’s condemnation of the January fuel price hike protests, stated this in a statement on Thursday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

Published on Friday, 21^st September, 2012 in Guardian Newspaper

ITF trains 140,000 in vocational skills

The Industrial Training Fund said on Wednesday in Abeokuta that it had trained over 140,000 Nigerians in various technical skills since the beginning of this year.

It said that the people trained so far represented part of its target to train 250,000 Nigerians in different employable skills by the end of 2012.

Published on Friday, 21^st September, 2012 in Punch Newspaper

CSR News Summary Issue 29

Lagos alerts public on possible outbreak of Lassa fever

Following outbreak of Lassa fever in some parts of the country, Lagos State government, at the weekend, alerted residents on the need to maintain adequate personal and environmental hygiene at all times as part of the precautionary measures to prevent the outbreak of the Lassa fever in the State.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, who disclosed this in Lagos, explained that the message to the residents became necessary to stem a possible outbreak of the disease in the state in the wake of reported cases in parts of the country.

Published in Business Day Newspaper on Monday, 10^th September, 2012

NIPP projects add 1,150 megawatts to national grid

About 1,150 megawatts have been added to the national grid from new power projects executed under the National Integrated Power Project, NIPP, the Niger Delta Power Holding Company, NDPHC.

Mr James Olotu, NDPHC’s Managing Director, made the disclosure yesterday in Lagos in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria.

Published in Business Day Newspaper on Monday, 10^th September, 2012

Stable electricity supply to create over 30 million vocational jobs

BusinessDay investigation has revealed that millions of employment opportunities would be created in the informal sector when the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) is successfully privatised.

The recent data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on unemployment rate based on educational level show that 28.7 percent of Nigerians with vocational and commercial educational certificates are unemployed and this represents 47 million of the total population who could have been engaged in a vocational jobs, but can not due to irregular power supply.

Published in The Guardian Newspaper on Monday, 10^th September, 2012

IITA, Jigawa Sign Agreement on Agric

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and Jigawa State government have formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), opening a fresh chapter of transfer of agricultural innovations from IITA to that state.

The agreement aims to facilitate collaboration between the Jigawa State government and the Institute towards rapidly improving food production, food security, and value addition and marketing of agricultural products in that North-eastern state.

Published in The Guardian Newspaper on Monday, 10^th September, 2012

Contractors tackle police on N7.4bn debt

Contractors under the aegis of   the Association of Police Contractors have threatened to take to streets in protest against the N7.4bn allegedly owed them by the police since 2008/2009.

The group, in a letter signed by its Chairman, Patrick Ojo,  and Secretary, Aloysius Okonkwo, asked both  the National Assembly and the Ministry of Finance to prevail on the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar,  and the Ministry of Police Affairs to use their quarterly allocations to offset the debt.

Published in The Guardian Newspaper on Monday, 10^th September, 2012

Imoke laments inability of police to check insecurity

Cross River State Governor Liyel Imoke has lamented the inability of the police to check insecurity in the country.

Imoke said this at an interactive session with journalists in Calabar on Saturday.

The governor said the inefficiency of the police forced the government to   deploy soldiers in troubled states.

Published in The Guardian Newspaper on Monday, 10^th September, 2012

Nigeria can earn N360bn form lottery annually

Nigeria has the potential to earn at least N36obn from lottery per annum, Director-General of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission, Mr. Peter Igho, said in Abuja on Sunday.

He made the declaration when he told the News Agency of Nigeria that the revenue would be earned if lottery was run properly.

Published in The Punch Newspaper on Monday, 10^th September, 2012

Govt partners Iran on power supply, agriculture, others

The Federal Government and the Islamic Republic of Iran have agreed to partner in the area of electricity supply, agriculture, science and education.

The agreement was reached when Vice-President Namadi Sambo met with the Iranian President, Mhamoud Ahmadinejad, on the sidelines of the 16th summit of the Non-Aligned Movement in Tehran.

Published in The Punch Newspaper on Monday, 10^th September, 2012

Palm oil plantation owners lament crude palm oil import tariff conspiracy

The Palm Oil Plantation Owners of Nigeria (POFON) has cried out against the scheming of some interest groups in the country to make the Economic Management Team (EMT)   endorse their failed move to effect a reduction of the current tariff on the importation of Crude Palm Oil (CPO) from 35 percent to 10 percent.

A statement from POFON, made available to BusinessDay, said this botched move is very worrisome as it has exposed the desperation and “do or die” disposition of the promoters of Malaysian companies in Nigeria. “These ‘agents’ are clearly hell-bent on making our country a dumping ground for “cheap” foreign palm oil,” the statement said.

Published in The BusinessDay Newspaper on Monday, 10^th September, 2012

Failed road: 8 pregnant women stranded on Calabar-Itu road

No fewer than eight pregnant women, who were rushing to keep their appointments at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital and the General Hospital, Calabar, Cross River State, were trapped on the Calabar-Itu highway as a result of the failed road which had been impassable for five days.

Besides, ambulances carrying five corpses to various destinations for burial could not pass through the failed road. Relatives of the deceased persons had to resort to carrying the corpses on their shoulders and trekking close to three kilometres to transfer them to other vehicles after spending about two days on the road.

Published in Vanguard Newspaper on Tuesday, 11^th September, 2012

Nigeria targets 150% increase in FDI

The Federal Government has indicated its willingness to increase the country’s Foreign Direct (FDI) investment by 150 percent by 2015.

The planned increase in FDI was made known by the Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr Olusegun Aganga, at a forum organised by the Institute of Directors, (IoD) in Lagos.

Published in Daily Sun Newspaper on Tuesday, 11^th September, 2012

Flood alert in Lagos communities

In order to avoid a possible flood disaster, Lagos residents will do well to listen to the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NIMET, which had predicted a 2012 high prospect of intense rains in the state to be accompanied by heavy flooding.

Published in Vanguard Newspaper on Tuesday, 11^th September, 2012

Imo spends N19.4b on Health Sector tackles erosion

To boost health care services delivery, the Imo State government has earmarked N19.4 billion for building, equipping and furnishing of General Hospitals and ancillary health projects in its 27 local councils.

Meanwhile, Governor Rochas Okorocha has urged the Federal Government to immediately come to the aid of people of Mgbe Umuchima in Ideato South to tackle the gully erosion which had cut the road connecting the area to the rest of Anambra State.

Published in Guardian Newspaper on Wednesday, 12^th September, 2012

National Primary Health Care Development Agency Recruits 170 Ekiti Indigenes

Health care delivery at the grassroots will further receive a boost in Ekiti State as the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPCDA) has recruited 170 health workers of Ekiti State origin under the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P).]

A statement from the Ekiti State Primary Health Care Development Agency indicates that 20 Midwives and 150 Community Health Extension Workers (CHEW) were recruited under the programme.

Published in Guardian Newspaper on Wednesday, 12^th September, 2012

FG to improve Nigeria’s doing business ranking by 2015

The Federal Government has announced plans to improve Nigeria’s ranking on ease of doing business and global competitiveness by 2015.

Speaking at the Institute of Directors’ (IoD) Roundtable Forum on Cost of Doing Business in Nigeria, Minister for Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, disclosed that the government is committed to achieving a higher ranking and help reduce the cost of doing business in Nigeria, disclosing that its goal is to improve Nigeria’s Ease of Doing Business ranking by a minimum 103 points by 2015 and improve Nigeria’s global competitiveness ranking by 75 points by 2015.

Published in Guardian Newspaper on Wednesday, 12^th September, 2012

Lagos targets increased fish production, donates N17m equipment to stakeholders

The Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of agriculture and cooperatives in collaboration with Lagos State Agricultural Inputs and Supply Authority, has flagged-off Artisanal Fishing Inputs Service Delivery Programme at Orimedu Beach, Ibeju Lekki, where fishing inputs worth over N17 million were presented to five registered fishermen cooperative societies in Orimedu Beach.

On the occasion, the Federal government said is presently making arrangement with the state government to engage in massive fish production as part of measure to boost local production in the country.

Published in Guardian Newspaper on Wednesday, 12^th September, 2012

FG approves 44 projects for oil producing states

Federal Executive Council on Wednesday approved 44 infrastructural projects for the nine oil producing states. The projects will be sited in Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Abia, Imo and Ondo states.

Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, said this at the end of the weekly FEC meeting presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Published in Punch Newspaper on Thursday, 13^th September, 2012

FG secures $600m from China Exim Bank for Abuja light rail

Federal Government, yesterday, obtained a $600 million loan from China Exim Bank, to finance the construction of Abuja Light Rail and Galaxy backbone, billed for completion in 2015. While the Abuja Light Rail project will cost $500 million, the Galaxy Backbone ICT infrastructure will  be financed with $100 million.

At the agreement signing ceremony, the Chinese bank also expressed willingness to finance a third project – the construction of four state-of-the-art airport terminals in four cities across the country, which agreement is expected to be signed within the next few weeks. According to the statement the terminals, which will cost $500 million, will be located in Abuja, Kano, Port Harcourt and Enugu.

Published in Daily Sun Newspaper on Thursday, 13^th September, 2012

800 firms closed in two years, says NACCIMA

No fewer than 800 companies in Nigeria closed shop between 2009 and 2011 due to harsh operating business environment, the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) has said.

President, NACCIMA, Dr Herbert Ajayi disclosed this yesterday in Asaba at a zonal workshop on economic diversification organised by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).

Published in The Nation Newspaper on Thursday, 13^th September, 2012

250,000 jobs coming from Livestock Production

About 250,000 jobs are expected to be created from the livestock agricultural development value chain, the Federal Government has said.

The Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Bukar Tijani disclosed this yesterday at the maiden Joint Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Institute of Animal Science (NIAS) in Abuja. 

Published in National Mirror Newspaper on Thursday, 13^th September, 2012

Give the Poor Access to Justice, Nigeria others urged

Nigeria and other Member States of the United Nations (UN) have been urged to commit themselves to improve access to justice for the poor, as a crucial human right that is the key to combat poverty.

The call was made by a UN independent expert Special Reporter on extreme poverty, Ms. Magdalena Sepulveda, who said “The rule of law is meaningless for people living in poverty without effective access to justice, which is a human right in itself, and essential for tackling poverty”.

Published in This Day Newspaper on Thursday, 13^th September, 2012

Hold Public Officials Accountable on Resources, Citizens Urged

Nigerians across all sectors and spheres of the society have been enjoined to hold public officials accountable for the resources entrusted in their hands, in a bid to ensure fiscal responsibility and spur good governance in the country.

Published in This Day Newspaper on Thursday, 13^th September, 2012

Bill Gates foundation commits $400m to projects in Nigeria

The Federal Government yesterday sealed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to strengthen the participation of the non-governmental organisation and other development actors in an effort to reduce poverty and improve agriculture in Nigeria.

This is even as the foundation’s funding commitment to various development projects in the country, either directly through partners or organisations like WHO, UNICEF, Rotary International and World Bank, has increased to over $400 million.

Published in National Mirror Newspaper on Friday, 14^th September, 2012

FG boost technical education with N15bn facilities

Minister of Education Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufa’I yesterday revealed that the Federal Government had equipped tertiary institutions with necessary tools and facilities to improve technical and vocational education.

The facilities, according to the minister, worth N15bn. They are being installed in the various institutions and would soon be commissioned.

Published in National Mirror Newspaper on Friday, 14^th September, 2012

 Imoke wants free zone status for Calabar port

Cross River State Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke, has called on the Federal Government to grant Calabar Port a Free Zone Status.

The governor also solicited the assistance of the Ministry of Transport on the request of the businessmen using the Calabar Port for the granting of special concessions on port charges.

Published in Business Day Newspaper on Friday, 14^th September, 2012

CSR News Summary Issue 28

Nigeria Gets Additional $225m to Fight Malaria

The Federal Government has signed an agreement for a $225m grant with Global Fund to eradicate malaria in Nigeria.

The money would be disbursed as follows: Society for Family Health ($99m); National Malaria and Vector Control Programme and additional ($68m); $50m for bed nets, while the Federal Government will provide $10m counterpart funding for the project.

In his speech late Friday, in Abuja, during the signing ceremony, the Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, said the Global Fund interventions over the years had reversed the large number of morbidity and mortality previously recorded for malaria in Nigeria.

Published in the Punch Newspaper, on Monday, August 27th, 2012

AEPB to commence waste recycling

The Abuja Environmental Protection Board has concluded arrangements to commence the recycling of solid waste in the Federal Capital Territory.

The Director, Mr. Isa Shuaibu, said this in Abuja on Friday while supervising work at the Landfill site facility for waste disposal located at Mpape District in the FCT.

Shuaibu said the procurement of the vehicles marked the beginning of the waste recycling programme as well as the “Waste-to-Power” initiative in the FCT.

Published in the Punch Newspaper, on Monday, August 27th, 2012

Shell commends SoDA for injury free operation

The Country Chair, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC), Mr Mutiu Sunmonu has expressed deep satisfaction over five million injury free operations achieved by SoDA.

Published in the Vanguard Newspaper, on Tuesday, August 28^th, 2012

FBN sponsors NLI parley on leadership

First Bank of Nigeria, FBN, Plc is sponsoring the Nigerian Leadership Initiative, NLI forum, which will feature Olusegun Obasanjo addressing associates of the NLI and other key stakeholders in the Nigerian economy on leadership challenges confronting Nigeria.

Mr. Yinka Oyinlola, Chief Executive Officer, NLI, said “Through the series, future leaders gain experiences from seasoned guest speakers who have had to tackle critical issues and take tough decisions in their past leadership roles.

Published in the Vanguard Newspaper, on Tuesday, August 28^th, 2012

Tanzanian Minister of Agriculture, AGRA President task African leaders on food security

Tanzania’s Minister of Agriculture, Food and Cooperatives, Honourable Christopher Chiza and President of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) (agra) Jane Karuku ahs announced that Tanzania will host the African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF) from September 26 to 28, 2012. The meeting is the next milestone in developing African-led food security solutions.

Published in the Vanguard Newspaper, on Tuesday, August 28^th, 2012

Rural women graduate from NDDC/Shell Training Programme

1,620 women have graduated from a partnership training programme organised by Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC and Shell Petroleum Company.

Speaking at the weekend, in Port Harcourt at the graduation ceremony, Managing Director of NDDC, Dr Christian Oboh, said the programme was aimed at building capacity among rural women in the nine member states of the commission.

Published in the Guardian Newspaper, on Wednesday, August 29^th, 2012

Total lifts unemployed youths in A’Ibom

It was all smiles for the 250 persons, who graduated from the NNPC/Total E&P skills acquisition programme in Akwa Ibom State last Friday.

The Deputy General Manager (unsustainable development) of Total E&P, Mr Cyprian Ojum, said on the occasion that the reduction in youth unemployment, poverty and youth restiveness in the Niger Delta region could be traced to the company’s skills acquisition programme.

Published in the Guardian Newspaper, on Wednesday, August 29^th, 2012

World Bank to spend N45b on jobs in Nigeria

President Goodluck Jonathan has called on economic experts in Nigeria to develop approaches that will fast-tract the country towards overcoming poverty and unemployment, as the World Bank is investing about N45 billion ($300m) for skills development, poverty reduction in 20 states of the federation.

The President at the opening of the 53rd annual conference of the Nigerian Economic Society (NES), themed “Youth Employment and Poverty Reduction in Nigeria” said, the inconsistency in the “education outcomes and skill demand” was worrisome so the need “to devise practical solutions that could strengthen government’s drive to overcoming poverty and unemployment.

Published in the Guardian Newspaper, on Wednesday, August 29th, 2012

N198.2bn agricultural loans disbursed so far, says CBN

The Central Bank of Nigeria has said about N198.2bn has been released so far to banks and state government out of the N200bn agricultural intervention fund since inception in 2009. It is said in a release on Wednesday that the balance of CACS funds as at July 2012 is N1.826bn while the balance of repayment account in the same month under review stands at N7.534bn respect of 16 expired facilities.

“Since inception in 2009, the CBN has released the sum of N198.173bn for disbursement to 258 beneficiaries made up of 228 private promoters and 30 state governments that accessed the sum of N38.0 billion,” CBN stated.

Published in National Mirror Newspaper, on Thursday, August 30^th, 2012

Sierra Leone, Tanzania seek Nigeria’s Assistance over TETFUND Implementation

The governments of Tanzania and Sierra Leone have asked Nigeria to assist them in the establishment of tertiary education trust funds in their respective countries. Representatives of the two countries made the appeal during a joint courtesy visit to the Senate Committee on Education in Abuja on Wednesday.

Sierra Leone was represented by David Koromah, the Executive Secretary, Tertiary Education Commission (TEC); while the Tanzanian team was led by Rose Labuka, the Director-General, Tanzania Education Authority (TEA).

Published in ThisDay Newspaper, on Thursday, August 30^th, 2012

Philanthropy: French, Canadian Embassies Donates Books to Kwara

Franco-Canadian government yesterday donated academic books worth several thousands of naira to the Kwara state government.

The donation according to THISDAY, checks was meant to support the state government in a bid to enhance educational growth of the state.

Published in ThisDay Newspaper, on Thursday, August 30^th, 2012

UNICEF Partners Religious Schools to Fight Polio

To address the current upsurge of polio cases in Nigeria, UNICEF, with the support of the Centre for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC), and partners, is set to join hands with Koranic school teachers in September.

According to the UNICEF Chief of Polio Communication, Paryss Kouta, the Tsangaya School Strategy will be piloted in 10 high-risk local government areas of Jigawa and Zamfara States, to reduce the number of missed children during polio campaigns and help build community ownership of immunization.

Published in ThisDay Newspaper, on Friday, August 31st, 2012

USAID to Fund Sanitation Projects in Bauchi

A two days workshop on implementation of institutional, regulatory and legal framework for urban water and sanitation sector for Bauchi State commenced in Abuja yesterday.

Team leader of the USAID funded project, Sustainable Water and Sanitation in Africa (SUWASA) Bauchi office, Engineer Hossana Dajan, in his speech said the objective of the workshop was to build on past consultation that had been ongoing for some months now with a view to finding an acceptable legal framework for Bauchi state urban water and sanitation sector through extensive consultations.

Published in ThisDay Newspaper, on Friday, August 31st, 2012

US Supports Nigeria with $500m to fight HIV/AIDS

The U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Terence McCulley, on Monday in Abuja said his country had supported Nigeria with a grant of 500 million dollars in the fight against HIV/AIDS and other related diseases since 2005.

McCulley said this at the inauguration of the Defence Reference Laboratory by Mrs Olusola Obada, the Minister of State for Defence, at the Mogadishu Cantonment.

Published in ThisDay Newspaper, on Friday, August 31st, 2012

Published in ThisDay Newspaper, on Friday, August 31st, 2012

FG Targets $8bn from palm oil export

The Federal Government has said that it was targeting eight billion dollars revenue from palm oil export under the Agriculture Transformation Agenda (ATA).

Dr Akinwumi Adesina, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, announced the plan in Abuja at the signing of the agreement for Estate Participation in the Oil Palm Nursery and Field planting activity.

Published in ThisDay Newspaper, on Friday, August 31st, 2012