CSR News Summary Issue 37

Nigeria loses N105bn annually to pipeline vandalism

The Presidency weekend revealed that the nation loses an average of 105 billion worth of petroleum products annually to pipeline vandalism.

Published in BusinessDay Newspaper on Monday, 26^th November, 2012

MSME funds managed by BoI for states hit N8bn

The cumulative MSME Development Funds being managed by Bank of Industry (BoI) on behalf of the state governments are now in the region of N8 billion.

Published in BusinessDay Newspaper on Monday, 26^th November, 2012

Budget implementation figures mere statistics – Mark

Senate President David Mark yesterday said budget implementation figures bandied by the Federal Government were mere statistics.

The Senate president also fingered heads of ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) as culprits in poor implementation of national budgets.

Published in Daily Sun Newspaper on Monday, 26^th November, 2012

Senators uncovers N7.938bn phantom border projects

Senate has uncovered whooping N3.966 billion phantom border projects in the 2013 Appropriation Bill. The projects are allegedly domiciled in the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation in the Ministry of Works.

Last year, N3,971,797,886 was allocated for the same projects submitted to the National Assembly for consideration. The border projects were listed on pages 1738-1739 of the 2012 Appropriation Act as: 2013 FGN Budget: Capital Expenditure Details under the Ministry of Works.

Published in Daily Sun Newspaper on Monday, 26^th November, 2012

Boko Haram have committed crimes against humanity – ICC

The Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has accused Boko Haram of engaging in crimes against humanity.

The ICC, in its report of preliminary examination activities dated November 2012, a copy of which THISDAY obtained at the weekend, said its investigations had shown that the Islamic sect was involved in murder and persecution.

Published in Daily Sun Newspaper on Tuesday, 27^th November, 2012

FG introduces Oral Health Policy

The Federal Government has launched a new Oral Health Policy with the introduction of new standards in medical check-ups for Nigerians.

Towards this end, a multinational service provider, Unilever Nigeria Plc, has pledged to develop new technologies to promote and protect oral hygiene of Nigerians.

Published in Daily Sun Newspaper on Tuesday, 27^th November, 2012

NUPENG shuts down Shell offices nationwide over casualisation

Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), yesterday commenced a nationwide picketing of Shell offices, barricading all roads with petroleum tankers to protest what it described as unfair labour practices of the company in Nigeria

Published in Daily Sun Newspaper on Tuesday, 27^th November, 2012

FG begins work on first gas industrial plant by 2013

The Federal Government said it is set to commence construction of Nigeria’s first gas industrial park in the second quarter of 2013.

Published in Daily Sun Newspaper on Tuesday, 27^th November, 2012

Government frustrated me in ICPC – Akanbi

The pioneer chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other offences Commission (ICPC) retired Justice Mustapha Akanbi has said his days in the anti-corruption agency were those of frustration and backstabbing.

Published in Daily Sun Newspaper on Tuesday, 27^th November, 2012

Ondo plans to check Cholera spread from Osun

Ondo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Dayo Adeyanju, said on Monday that medical officers in his ministry had begun surveillance in Owena, the border twon between the state and Osun State to check the outbreak of cholera.

Published in Daily Sun Newspaper on Tuesday, 27^th November, 2012

One Million HIV victims can’t access drug - NACA

Federal Government on Monday in Abuja said over one million Nigerians out of the 1.5 million persons who had been confirmed to be infected with HIV/AIDS did not have access to Anti-Retroviral Drugs.

Published in Daily Sun Newspaper on Tuesday, 27^th November, 2012

Cross River to build 284 housing units for civil servants

Cross River State and the UACN Property Development Company Plc (UPDC) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to build 284 housing units in Calabar, the state capital. 

The 284 housing units that would be completed in 30 months, in two phases, would be known as Golf Estate; and would acquired by residents on a mortgage arrangement.

Published in The Nation Newspaper on Wednesday, 28^th November, 2012

My commitment to eradication of polio irreversible – Dangote

With Nigeria accounting for 77 per cent of cases of polio, foremost entrepreneur, Aliko Dangote, has vowed that he will deploy all in his power to partner the government at all levels to stem the scourge.

Speaking against the background of collaboration of his charity organisation, the Dangote Foundation, with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to tackle the menace, Dangote expressed worry over the image of Nigeria in the  comity of nations on account of the rising profile of polio cases, especially in Kano State as the epicentre of the world fastest growing outbreak of the disease.

Published in The Nation Newspaper on Wednesday, 28^th November, 2012

Cross River agency speeds up community growth

Things are looking up in rural parts of Cross River State, thanks to its Community, Social Development Agency (CRSCSDA).

New roads are being built. Water is running where it never did. Facilities are springing up in neighbourhoods. The people are smiling.

Published in The Nation Newspaper on Wednesday, 28^th November, 2012

DFIs provide N600b for agric financing

Developmental Financial Institutions (DFIs) have pooled about N600 billion to finance agriculture. The institutions, drawn from the developed economies in Europe and United States have made the funds available to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Under the agreement reached with the foreign donors, the CBN is expected to make the funds available to qualified microfinance banks for lending to farmers and other stakeholders in the agriculture.

Published in The Nation Newspaper on Wednesday, 28^th November, 2012

Commission to spend N600b on biometric census in 2016

The National Population Commission on Tuesday in Abuja said the national biometric data capture for the 2016 census would gulp N600bn.

The Chairman, NPC, Chief Festus Odimegwu, made the disclosure during the unveiling of the United Nations State of the World Population Report 2012.

Published in The Guardian Newspaper on Wednesday, 28^th November, 2012

Nigeria loses N97 billion in forex yearly to fish importation

The Federal Government may in the next fiscal year,  add fish products to the import prohibition list, as the country was said to have recorded yearly loss of N97 billion in foreign exchange to fish products’ importation.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, gave the hint on the planned ban of foreign fish products, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State’s capital, Tuesday.

Published in The Guardian Newspaper on Wednesday, 28^th November, 2012

FDI will help in developing countries’ potential. Says UNIDO official

The Regional Director and Country Representative, of UNIDO, Dr. Patrick Kormawa, has stressed the need for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), saying it will enable countries to explore and develop their potential.

Kormawa made this remark at the 2012 Dinner and the unveiling of  ``ICC Guidelines for International Trade,’’ organised by the International Chamber of Commerce Nigeria (ICCN) in Lagos on Friday.

Published in The Guardian Newspaper on Wednesday, 28^th November, 2012

PETAN, NCDMB sign MoU on content development

Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) and the Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the NCDMB-PETAN Capacity Building Internship Programme.

Under the MOU, PETAN companies and the NCDMB will recruit qualified Nigerian graduates as trainees for the contract, in order to build technical skills and experience for an initial period of one year.

Published in The Guardian Newspaper on Wednesday, 28^th November, 2012

South Korea pledges support to Nigeria in achieving MDGs, others

The Consul-General of South Korea in Lagos, Pilcheen Pak and the Chief Resident Representative, Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), Nigerian Office, Abuja, Mr. Jung Sang-Hoon, have pledged their country’s commitment to the Federal Government in the areas of contributing to alleviation of poverty and achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Pak and Sang-Hoon spoke in Lagos during the meeting of KOICA Alumni Association (KAAN), South-West Branch, in Lagos.

Published in The Guardian Newspaper on Wednesday, 28^th November, 2012

Banks recorded N28bn fraud cases in 2011

The Banking sector recorded N28.4bn cases of fraud and forgeries last year, a report by the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Scheme.

The amount contained in the 2011 annual report and statements of accounts of the NDIC, represents an increase of 33.4 per cent over the N21.29bn recorded in 2010..

Published in Punch Newspaper on Thursday, 29^th November, 2012

Groups plan assessment of 200 police stations

Human rights organisations will between 3 and 9, visit 200 police staions in 14 states    to assess among other things the detention centres and quality of services in them.

Published in Punch Newspaper on Thursday, 29^th November, 2012

Ondo communities flay oil firm over neglect

Residents of oil producing communities in Ondo State on Wednesday alleged that Esso Exploration Production Nigeria Limited had deliberately ignored its social responsibilities to them.

They therefore threatened to embark on a peaceful protest if the company management continued with its alleged lukewarm attitude towards their plight.

Published in Daily Sun Newspaper on Thursday, 29^th November, 2012

Tackle Challenges, Impeding Economic Growth, FG Urged

Manufacturers in the country have cried out to the Federal Government to rise up to the various challenges impeding the socio-economic growth of the nation, which have continued to affect profit maximisation in the vital sector.

The Executive Director, Commercial of LUBCON International, (the producer of lubricants oil), Ilorin, Kwara state, Mr. Fatai Woli, made the call during the first draw of LUBCON oil promo held in Ilorin, the state capital.

Published in This Day Newspaper on Friday, 30^th November, 2012

Reducing the scourge of Poverty, Creating New Economic Spaces

Many say poverty is a curse, if this is the case then quite a number of Nigerians are living under a great burden.

Nigeria is a country blessed with abundant natural resources; while agriculture is said to contribute over 45 per cent of Nigeria’s GDP and provide employment for 90 per cent of the rural population, it is oil that tops the list of these largely untapped resources andaccounts for a large part of the country’s income. The agriculture sector is still largely undeveloped.

Published in This Day Newspaper on Friday, 30^th November, 2012

CSR News Summary Issue 36

Health, Agric get Priority in Ogun

Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun , has expressed the determination of his administration to give priority attention to effective health care delivery, agriculture and infrastructure development in the 2013 fiscal year.

Published in ThisDay Sun Newspaper on Monday, 19^th November, 2012

Lagos State to generate 3,000 megawatts from IPPs

The Lagos State Government says it is planning to generate of 3,000 megawatts of electricity in the state in the next two years.

Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Taofiq Tijani says government intended to realise this through continuing partnership with private sector investors in the state power sector.

Published in BusinessDay Newspaper on Monday, 19^th November, 2012

Omotosho power plant adds 500 megawatts to national grid December

The Management of Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) Limited has assured Nigerians that Omotosho Power Plant Phase ll is ready to contribute additional 500 megawatts to the national grid by December.

Mr. James Olotu, the Managing Director of the company, owners of the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP), disclosed this to news men in Ondo State during an inspection visit to some NIPP power plants in the South-West.

Published in BusinessDay Newspaper on Monday, 19^th November, 2012

Philanthropy: Brewery donates toilets to police

International Breweries Plc has donated a block of toilets to the Osun State Police Command.

Chief Operating Officer of the Ilesa, Osun State – based brewery, Mr. Carlos Gomez, who handed over the toilets to police authorities, said IBL would continue to perform its social responsibilities.

Published in Punch Newspaper on Tuesday, 20^th November, 2012

Medical Guild laments doctors’ exodus from Lagos hospitals

Members of the Lagos State Medical Guild have raised the alarm over  the mass exodus of doctors from public hospitals in the state.

The Chairman of the Guild, Dr. Olumuyiwa Odusote, who stated this at a press briefing in Lagos on Monday, said many doctors in public hospitals in the state, especially those at the State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja had resigned their appointments.

Published in Punch Newspaper on Tuesday, 20^th November, 2012

Lagos plans free maternal, infant healthcare

Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Public Health, Dr. Yewande Adeshina, has said the state government will offer free maternal and child care services in 727 prominent locations in the state.

Adeshina, in a statement in Lagos on Monday, said the week – long programme would focus on exposing mothers and their children to high impact, low cost material, and newborn health interventions.

Published in Punch Newspaper on Tuesday, 20^th November, 2012

Reps panel queries MDAs for not remitting N4tn

The House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts on Monday summoned the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke and heads of many ministries, departments and agencies of the Federal Government over the alleged non – remittance of revenues totalling N4tn to the Federation Account.

Published in Punch Newspaper on Tuesday, 20^th November, 2012

‘No cover – up for misdeeds revealed in NEITI reports’

President Goodluck Jonathan has assured Nigerians that his administration will not cover up any misdeed revealed in the reports of audit exercises by the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative.

Published in Punch Newspaper on Tuesday, 20^th November, 2012

Why Nigeria will continue to borrow – DMO

The Director – General Debt Management Office, Mr Abraham Nwankwo, has said the country will continue to borrow to close the infrastructural gap.

Nwankwo said the nation needed an inflow of $10bn (N1.6tn) annually for the next 10 years to fix its infrastructural deficits.

Published in Punch Newspaper on Tuesday, 20^th November, 2012

FG distributes food to flood victims

The Federal Government yesterday commenced free distribution of 40,000 metric tonnes of food items to flood victims nationwide.

Areas mostly hit by the flood included, Oyo, Jos, Ogoja, Gombe, Makurdi, Illorin, Akure, Minna, Jahun and Irrua.

Published in Punch Newspaper on Tuesday, 20^th November, 2012

Singaporean firm to create 20,000 jobs in Cross River

A Singaporean firm, Wilmer International has inaugurated 50,000 hectare ultra modern oil palm plantations with the capacity to employ over 20,000 person’s equivalent to the work force of the Cross River State Government.

Published in Daily Sun Newspaper on Tuesday, 20^th November, 2012

2013 Budget: Senate Deplores Allocation of N427.5bn to Education

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Education, Senator Uche Chukwumerije, yesterday deplored the allocation of N427.5 billion to the education sector in the 2013 budget proposal as a far cry and grossly inadequate from  what the Ministry needs to implement its programme

Published in This Day Newspaper on Tuesday, 20^th November, 2012

FG Pledges Commitment in Transparency in Extractive Sector

The Federal Government has expressed its commitment to strengthen the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative in line with its objective of enthroning transparency and accountability in the management of Nigeria’s extractive sector.

Published in This Day Newspaper on Tuesday, 20^th November, 2012

NDE Graduates 2,990 from Agric Devt Scheme

The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) is set to graduate 2,990 unemployed youths from the Rural Agricultural Development Training Scheme (RADTS) by the end of this month.

Published in This Day Newspaper on Tuesday, 20^th November, 2012

Reps call for minister’s sack over N396b Ecological Fund shortage

Tempers flared yesterday at a proposed hearing by the Uche Ekwunife-led House Committee on Environment as the members agreed that the Minister of Environment, Hajiya Hadiza Mailafia, should be sacked by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Ms Mailafia’s absence yesterday stalled investigations into the shortfall of almost N400 billion in the Ecological Fund deductions.

The committee, which was to have conducted a hearing on the operation of the Ecological Fund, postponed the hearing following the minister’s absence.

Published in Guardian Newspaper on Wednesday, 21^th November, 2012

5,800 benefit from Ekiti free health mission

No fewer than 5,800 people have benefited from the Free Health Mission initiated by Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi. 

According to a statement made available to our correspondent in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, by the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Olusola Fasubaa, over 3,000 people benefited from the sixth edition of Governor Kayode Fayemi’s Free Health Mission in Ikere-Ekiti. 

Published in Guardian Newspaper on Wednesday, 21^th November, 2012

CBN to sponsor SOS children for five years

The Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN) has promised to sponsor the children of the SOS Children’s Village in the next five years.

CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, disclosed this at the inauguration of the CBN House at the SOS Children’s Village Gwagwalada, Abuja.

He said the apex bank has “a long standing commitment to humanitarian support and educational development, which is carried out without prejudice to race, creed, gender or religion.”

Published in Guardian Newspaper on Wednesday, 21^th November, 2012

Agric earnings for Africa hit $20b

Africa will realize extra $20billion in yearly earnings if its leaders can dismantle trade barriers hindering regional dynamism, a World Bank report have said.

The report was released on the eve of an African Union (AU) Ministerial summit on agriculture and trade in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

In a statement, the bank said Africa’s farmers can grow enough food to feed the continent and avert future food crises if countries remove cross-border restrictions on the food trade within the region.

Published in The Nation Newspaper on Wednesday, 21^th November, 2012

IBM picks Lagos for $50m smarter cities challenge

IBM has named Lagos amongst 31other cities globally selected for its Smarter Cities Challenge grant for 2013.

Launched in 2011, the IBM Smarter Cities Challenge is a three-year, 100-city, $50 million competitive grant programme.

The initiative is IBM’s single-largest philanthropic initiative globally, where the leading technology and business consulting company assigns a team of six top IBM experts to each winning city to study a key issue identified by the city’s leadership.

Published in The Guardian Newspaper on Wednesday, 21^th November, 2012

Lagosians waste N20.3b on energy mismanagement, says LSEB

Poor power utilization by residents of Lagos State may be resulting into wastage of about N20.3 billion yearly, the Lagos State Electricity Board  (LSEB) has said.

The board, which made this known during the Youth Energy Career Programme (YECP) organized in collaboration with Senator Gbenga Ashafa and Siemens Nigeria, advocates energy conservation in order to reduce unnecessary spending.

The board, in its campaign against energy wastage, said Lagosians waste over N1.5 billion yearly by leaving their computers on standby; N8 billion yearly by using high wattage conventional bulbs; N5.6 billion yearly by boiling more water than they require; waste N4 billion yearly by leaving appliances on standby; and  N1.2 billion yearly from dripping taps.

Published in The Guardian Newspaper on Wednesday, 21^th November, 2012

AIDS officials distribute 1 million condoms at Obudu Mountain Race

About a million pieces of condoms were distributed at the just concluded eighth Obudu International Mountain Race at the Ranch Resort, Cross River State.

This was disclosed by the Director-General, Cross River State Action Committee on HIV and AIDS (SACA), Irene Aniyom, in an interview with some newsmen at the resort.

She said SACA’s presence at the mountain race was to carry out HIV and AIDS tests and counseling just as it did at major festivals, including the yearly Leboku and Calabar Carnivals in Cross River.

Published in The Guardian Newspaper on Wednesday, 21^th November, 2012

Africa can avert food crises via regional trade

The belief that Africa has the potential to prosper has been rekindled through a new World Bank report which indicates that the continent’s farmers can grow enough food to feed the continent and prevent food crises.

Published in The Punch Newspaper on Thursday, 22^nd November, 2012

Ondo flood victims get 900 tonnes of food

Food items of 900 metric tons were distributed to the flood victims of Ondo State origin by the Federal Government Wednesday.

The development was part of the palliative measure put in place by the federal government to ameliorate the effects of the recent flood disaster in some states of the federation, on the people and the economy.

Published in The Punch Newspaper on Thursday, 22^nd November, 2012

Global Fund, UNDP to fight HIV in Mali

Non-Governmental Organisation, Global Fund, on Wednesday, signed an agreement with the United Nations Development Programme to fight the scourge of HIV/AIDS in Mali.

The move will ensure the delivery of life-saving HIV treatment to thousands of people in the country where about 50,000 people are said to be currently living with the virus.

Published in The Punch Newspaper on Thursday, 22^nd November, 2012

FG Introduces Oral Health Policy, Unilever Pledges Support

As the federal government launched the new oral health policy with the introduction of new standards in medical check-ups for Nigerians, multinational service provider, Unilever has pledged to develop new technologies to promote and protect oral hygiene of Nigerians.

Health Minister, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu announced during the launch of the new policy that the National Council on Health has approved that henceforth there should be standard operational guidelines for medical check-ups to include dental records of every individual alongside other relevant medical data.

Published in ThisDay Newspaper on Thursday, 22^nd November, 2012

Health Workers Assure of Peace

In a statement seemingly indicating a permanent peace in the health sector among the various professionals, the National Vice President of the Health Workers Union of Nigeria Mr. Olalekan Ishola has appealed to members to put the past behind them and work towards the development of the sector.

Published in ThisDay Newspaper on Thursday, 22^nd November, 2012

UN suspends demarcation of Nigeria, Cameroun boundary

The United Nations’ (UN) agency charged with demarcating the maritime bundary between Nigeria and Cameroon following the ceding of the oil-rich Bakassi peninsula to Cameroon was to suspend the exercise Thursday, only a day it started.

Published in Business Day Newspaper on Friday, 23^rd November, 2012

Reps pass NDDC 2012 N250bn budget

The House of Representatives on Thursday passed the 2012 budget of N250 billion for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

The breakdown of the budget revealed that N17 billion was approved for recurrent expenditure, while capital expenditure got N233 billion.

Published in Business Day Newspaper on Friday, 23^rd November, 2012

NEXIM finance project creates 1600 jobs

Not less than 1,600 Nigerian youths have benefited from the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM) financed project at Agbara in Ogun State

Published in Business Day Newspaper on Friday, 23^rd November, 2012

FG distributes 900 tons of food items to Ondo flood victims

Food items of 900 metric tons were distributed to the flood victims of Ondo State origin by the Federal Government Wednesday.

The development was part of the palliative measure put in place by the federal government to ameliorate the effects of the recent flood disaster in some states of the federation, on the people and the economy.

Published in Business Day Newspaper on Friday, 23^rd November, 2012

Philanthropy: NIMASA Donates Materials to Rivers, Anambra Flood Victims

The Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) had donated relief materials worth over N22 million to those affected by floods in River State. The donation of the relief materials is in continuation of the agency’s delivery on its corporate social responsibility to the society and community relations.

Published in ThisDay Newspaper on Friday, 23^rd November, 2012

Nigeria, Pakistan to partner on Sugar Production, SME Financing

Nigeria and Pakistan have reached an agreement to collaborate in the areas of sugar production, textile and the financing of Small and Medium Scales Enterprises (SMEs).

Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga, stated this yesterday, noting that the agreement was reached during a meeting he had with his Pakistani counterpart, Munir Qureshi; and the deputy governor of the country’s central bank, Kazi Muktadir.

Published in ThisDay Newspaper on Friday, 23^rd November, 2012

Nigeria Loses N1trn Annually to Sub-standard Imports

Director General of the Standard Organisations of Nigeria (SON), Mr Joseph Odumodu, yesterday painted an unpalatable picture of the damage sub-standard and fake  products importation into the country had caused the nation, adding that Nigeria losses in the excess of N1 trillion yearly basis.
He described the average Nigerian importer as a killer and unscrupulous due to the illicit business.

Published in ThisDay Newspaper on Friday, 23^rd November, 2012

1.2m Farmers Get Seed, Fertilizers

The Federal Government has said that it has provided seeds and fertiliser to 1.2 million farmers using the e-wallet of the Growth Enhancement Scheme.

Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwuwi Adesina, made this known yesterday during the distribution of food items to four states and the FCT in Minna, Niger State.
The states are Niger, Kebbi, Zamfara and Sokoto.

Published in ThisDay Newspaper on Friday, 23^rd November, 2012

Environment ministry extorts money from contractors - Reps

House of Representatives Committee on Environment on Thursday accused top officials of the Ministry of Environment of allegedly extorting money from contractors before they were given their contract documents.

The committee stated that many complainants had blamed the poor implementation of capital projects by the ministry on the alleged extortion, as contractors who objected to paying the money were reportedly delayed.

Published in Punch Newspaper on Friday, 23^rd November, 2012

CBN to issue agency banking framework in December

The Central Bank of Nigeria has said it will issue the draft framework of agency banking in December in a bid to increase the growth of financial inclusion.

The CBN Governor, Mr. Lamido Sanusi, stated this on Thursday, at the EfINA workshop.

Published in Punch Newspaper on Friday, 23^rd November, 2012

World Bank wants FRSC replicated in other countries

The World Bank has urged other African countries to set up a road safety agency similar to the Nigeria’s model.

The bank and the Sub-Saharan African Transport Programme at the 2012 road safety workshop held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, singled out the FRSC as a role model, which other African countries should emulate.

Published in Punch Newspaper on Friday, 23^rd November, 2012

Euro zone faces deepest downturn since 2009

The euro zone economy is on course for its weakest quarter since the dark days of early 2009, according to business surveys that showed companies toiling against shrinking order books in November.

Service sector firms like banks and hotels that comprise the bulk of the economy fared particularly badly this month, and laid off staff at a faster pace.

Published in Punch Newspaper on Friday, 23^rd November, 2012

CSR News Summary Issue 35

Shelter Afrique Supports Housing Projects In Nigeria With $100m

Shelter Afrique, a Kenyan-based Pan-African Housing Institution, on Monday announced a donation of N100 million dollars to support housing projects in Nigeria.

President Goodluck Jonathan disclosed this at the end of a one-day ``Presidential Stakeholders’ Retreat on Housing and Urban Development’’ held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Published in ThisDay Sun Newspaper on Monday, 12^th November, 2012

Meningitis Vaccine Breaks Barrier, Gains Approval ToTravel Outside Cold Chain

Signalling a potential breakthrough for immunization programs in resource-poor countries, researchers in a statement obtained by LEADERSHIP today announced at the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH) conference that regulatory authorities after conducting a rigorous review of stability data, will for the first time allow a vaccine in Africa to be transported and stored for as long as four days without refrigeration or even an icepack.

Published in ThisDay Sun Newspaper on Monday, 12^th November, 2012

Philanthropy: ECOWAS donates $382,000 to flood victims

President of the Commission, Mr Kadré Désiré Ouedraogo, who made the donation on behalf of the commission noted that the donation is in line with ECOWAS mandate to support and show solidarity with people of the sub-region who are going through a disaster.

According to him ECOWAS is the only sub-regional body with a comprehensive Disaster Risk Response strategy and the gesture is an expression of solidarity and goodwill from the rest of the people of the sub-region.

Published in Daily Sun Newspaper on Tuesday, 13^th November, 2012

NOSDRA, Mobil confirm oil spill at Mobil facilities

The Director, National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), Mr. Idris Musa, has confirmed the receipt of a report of the oil spill from the facility of Mobil Producing Nigeria (MPN), a subsidiary of the American oil giant, ExxonMobil.

Musa, who is in charge of oil spills in NOSDRA said: “We received a report from Mobil that there was a spill at their field and we have dispatched our officers from our Uyo office to the spill site to access the impact.

Published in Daily Sun Newspaper on Tuesday, 13^th November, 2012

Kano to spend N750m on boreholes, public toilets

A Kano based Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), Women Farmers Advancement Network (WOFAN), has constructed about 40 modern toilets in schools and primary health care facilities across the state.

Disclosing this on the occasion of commissioning the toilets as part of activities to mark the International Women Day at Gabasawa Local Government of Kano state, the Director of WOFAN, Hajiya Salamatu Garba, said the gesture was to ensure good environment of the schools and the health centers.

Published in The Nation Newspaper on Wednesday, 14^th November, 2012

‘CBN won’t force mobile money firms to merge’

The 15 licensed mobile money operators will not be forced into mergers and acquisition because of their weak capital base, an  official of the Shared Services Department of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Chidi Umeano, has said.

He was reacting to speculations that the firms may merge and acquisition to improve efficiency and speed up the reduction of the unbanked population from 65 per cent to 25 per cent by 2015.

Published in The Nation Newspaper on Wednesday, 14^th November, 2012

Investors dump Ibadan, other ICDs, six years after successful concession

Investors may have dumped their initial investment plan in the six Inland Container Depots (ICDs) and freight stations being established in each of the country’s geo-political zones as the government has hitherto failed to declare them port of destination for imported items.

Investigations revealed that many of the investors have not  moved to site in their location at Ibadan, Kano, Isialangua, Funtua, Maiduguri and Gombe.

Published in The Nation Newspaper on Wednesday, 14^th November, 2012

Govt. loses N1.7bn monthly to rice smuggling

Local rice millers have raised an alarm that the Nigerian government loses over N1.7 billion worth of revenue every month to smuggling activities in the rice sector.

The millers, under the aegis of Rice Millers, Importers & Distributors Association of Nigeria, (RiMIDAN) called on the government to ensure a level playing field in the sector and remove waivers.

Published in Vanguard Newspaper on Thursday, 15^th November, 2012

Local content implementation retains $4b, says Nwapa

The implementation of Nigeria local content initiative in the oil and gas industry has ensure the spending of about $4 billion out of $20 billion in-country, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Ernest Nwapa has said.

Speaking on the arrangements for the hosting of the 2012 edition of the Practical Nigerian Content in Yenegoa, Bayelsa State, slated for November 21 and 22, Nwapa explained that the event which was earlier scheduled to hold in October was postponed due to the flooding.

Published in Vanguard Newspaper on Thursday, 15^th November, 2012

’32 of 606 oil wells in Nigeria are abandoned’.

The state of abandoned oil wells in the country has become a source of concern to stakeholders in the oil industry.

For instance, Shell, is said to have abandoned 32 of their oil wells in Akwa Ibom State axis of Nigeria.  Currently, there are abandoned oil wells in three communities in Eastern Obolo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State for increased daily oil production

Published in Vanguard Newspaper on Thursday, 15^th November, 2012

World Bank proposes African Centres of Excellence in Nigeria varsities

The World Bank has sent a team to Nigeria to discuss the proposal to support the emergence of centres of excellence in some universities in seven African countries, as part of its mandate in the region, with key stakeholders.

Welcoming participants to a consultative meeting, organised by the National Universities Commission (NUC), to discuss the modalities for the project, last Tuesday, the Executive Secretary, Prof Julius Okojie, said centres of excellence (CoEx) must be relevant to the needs of the country, if their objectives were to be achieved. He advised that an institution hosting a centre of excellence must have human and material resources required to sustain it.

Published in Vanguard Newspaper on Thursday, 15^th November, 2012

LASG trains 15 youths on energy, power

Lagos State Government on Wednesday said the 15 selected candidates of its Youth Energy Career Program, undergoing course on power/energy generation and management would receive a world-class training

A statement by the state Electricity Board said the LSEB General Manager, Mrs. Damilola Ogunbiyi, stated this while disclosing the intention of the government to host a career breakfast for the YECP pioneering candidates on Friday.

Published in Vanguard Newspaper on Thursday, 15^th November, 2012

FG approves National Policy on Public-Private Partnership

The Federal Government has approved a National Policy on Public-Private Partnership (PPP) to complement the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) Act of 2005.

The policy is aimed to provide  legislative, regulatory and institutional framework for PPP to thrive. Vice-President Namadi Sambo stated this Thursday while declaring open the fourth annual African Public-Private Partnership Conference in Abuja.

Published in The Punch Newspaper on Friday, 16^th November, 2012

EDC, Etisalat float entrepreneurial programme

The Enterprise Development Centre of the Pan African University and Etisalat Nigeria have partnered to host the 2012 Global Entrepreneurship Week in Nigeria, as part of a continuous support to the growth and development of Small and Medium-scale Enterprises.

Published in The Punch Newspaper on Friday, 16^th November, 2012

Philanthropy: Nestle donates relief material to flood victims

Nestle has donated relief materials to Nigerian Red Cross Society for distribution to flood victims in all affected states in the country.

The presentation of the items, which included table water and food products, was made, on behalf of the company, by its Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Manager, Dr. Samuel Adenekan.

Published in The Punch Newspaper on Friday, 16^th November, 2012

Philanthropy: NGO distributes uniform, books to pupils

As part of efforts to provide opportunities to the less-privileged children, a non-governmental organisation, The Rhythm of His Grace, has distributed 72 sets of school uniforms and more than 200 branded exercise books to the pupils of Tokunbo Alli Primary School, Ikeja, Lagos.

Published in The Punch Newspaper on Friday, 16^th November, 2012

Yobe to Train 400 Youths

As part of efforts to tackle youth unemployment and insecurity in the state, the Yobe State Government has concluded plans to send 400 youth across the state to Kano for skills acquisition.

The state Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Aji Yerima Bularafa, disclosed that the youths would be sent to the General Sani Abacha Training Institute Kano during a meeting of all the 17 local government caretaker chairmen in his office. Bularafa said he convened the meeting in order to finalise the arrangement for the movement of the 400 youths to Kano.

Published in ThisDay Newspaper on Thursday, 8^th November, 2012

Nigerians in Diaspora Plan to Double $10bn Yearly Remittance

The All Nigerian Nationals in Diaspora (ANNID) has expressed its desire to double its yearly $10 billion remittance to the country in the coming years.

Its National President, Dr. Peter Mozie, disclosed this yesterday in Abuja, while addressing a press conference on the forthcoming Diaspora convention that will take place in California, United States from November 29 to December 2.

Published in ThisDay Newspaper on Thursday, 8^th November, 2012

Development of Local Software excites FG

The Federal Government has expressed delight that efforts at encouraging the development of locally made software that would address the peculiar needs and support the growth of the information and communication sector of the nation is beginning to yield desired results.

Published in ThisDay Newspaper on Thursday, 8^th November, 2012

Climate Change: Lagos earmarks N40bn to protect coastal areas

To mitigate the recurring ocean surge and negative impact of climate change on Lagos State, Governor Babatunde Fashola yesterday said his administration had designed coastal protection plan that would cost about N40 billion.

The project, which will stretch for about seven kilometres to protect coastline areas in the state, is expected to be implemented in two budgetary cycles.

Published in National Mirror  Newspaper on Thursday, 8^th November, 2012

Abia govts shuts 100 illegal schools

The state government has sealed the premises of the affected schools while it has set up a tribunal to try the operators of the school.

Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Monica Philips, who disclosed this to newsmen at a briefing in Umuahia yesterday, said the illegal schools were used to perpetrate examination malpractices in the state.

Published in National Mirror  Newspaper on Thursday, 8^th November, 2012

Afren boosts national’s production capacity with 5,000 bpd

Nigeria’s 2.7 million barrels per day (BPD) production capacity has been boosted by additional 5, 000 bpd as Afren, a major oil exploration and production firm has stated oil production in the country.

Confirming the development, Afren stated that the additional output would come from the Okoro Field Extension, offshore south east Nigeria, at a stabilised rate of 5,000 bopd of 38° API oil, increasing total output from the Okoro area to approximately 21,500 bopd. The firm stated in a statement that: “The Okoro-14 (Okoro Field Extension) development well was drilled by Afren and partner Amni International Petroleum Development Company Ltd.

Published in National Mirror  Newspaper on Thursday, 8^th November, 2012

CBN reviews criteria on power, aviation intervention funds

The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has revised guidelines on the N300bn Power and Airline Intervention Fund, PAIF.

In a circular signed by Director , Development Finance Department, Mr. Paul Eluhaiwe, the apex bank said that power projects by any corporate entity, duly registered in Nigeria, involved in electricity power supply value chain, including power generation, transmission, distribution, gas-to-power projects and associated services, are eligible to apply for the fund.

Published in National Mirror Newspaper on Friday, 9^th November, 2012

FG targets $16bn FDI in 2013 – Aganga

The Federal Government on Thursday said that it was targeting 16 billion dollars in foreign direct investment, (FDI) into Nigeria in 2013 to further create jobs and wealth for the nation.

Dr Olusegun Aganga, Minister of Trade and Investment, said this in Abuja at the closing ceremony of the 8th National Conference on Investment (NCI) organised by the Nigerian Investment Promotion commission (NIPC).

Published in National Mirror Newspaper on Friday, 9^th November, 2012

Philanthropy: Omu-Aran spends N30m on schools’ rehabilitation

Projects in Omu-Aran, Kwara State, executed through the N2 billion Omu- Aran Development Fund to which Dr. Jimoh Ibrahim contributed last May, have been completed.

Under the fund, N30 million was spent on rehabilitation of science buildings and construction of laboratories, purchase of science materials, equipment, computer sets, floor tiles and other items in four community secondary schools.

Published in National Mirror Newspaper on Friday, 9^th November, 2012