CSR News Summary Issue 95

Health: Lagos set to end mother-to-child HIV transmission

The Lagos State Government is set for another round of campaign to accelerate the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and to reduce maternal deaths in the state.

Published in TheNiche Newspaper on Sunday, 26^th October 2014

Power: FG signs more deals to boost Power Supply

The Federal Government has signed Memoranda of Understanding, MoU, with three power firms – 3D Hitech System Ltd, SEPCOIII Electric Power Construction Corporation, and CGC Nigeria Ltd, with a view to boosting generation, distribution, and supply in Nigeria.

Published in TheNiche Newspaper on Sunday, 26^th October 2014

Forte Oil adopts global best practices on Health, Safety

Forte Oil has joined the British Safety Council (BSC) as part of its efforts to strengthen the company’s Health, Safety and Environ­mental (HSE) management systems through industry benchmarking and adoption of global best practices.

Published in ThisDay Newspaper on Monday, 27^th October 2014

Partnership: FirstBank partners LBS on International Sustainability Forum Tomorrow

FirstBank Sustainability Centre has again taken the business of sustainability further through its sponsorship of the International Sustainability conference scheduled for October 30, 2014 at the Honeywell Auditorium, Lagos Business School, Ajah, Lagos. The conference themed “Leading a Sustainable Business” is designed to stimulate sustainability principles as key components of business development and continuity.

Published in ThisDay Newspaper on Monday, 27^th October 2014

Sterling Bank raises hope on Sector – Wide Partnership

Sterling Bank Plc said it would continue to contribute to the growth of the nation’s economy by extending its partnership to all the economic sectors.

Published in ThisDay Newspaper on Monday, 27^th October 2014

Industry Pulse: Adetu steps down as Guinness Nigeria MD

The helmsman at brewery company, Guinness Nigeria Mr Seni Adetu leaves his office at the end of the month- October 2014.

Published in The Punch Newspaper on Tuesday, 28^th October 2014

Health: EU seeks $1.27 billion in Ebola aid for West Africa

The European Union committed itself Monday to step up efforts toward getting 1 billion euros ($1.27 billion) in aid to fight Ebola in West Africa and rejected the idea of halting direct flights.

Published in The Punch Newspaper on Tuesday, 28^th October 2014

Event: Women to hold maiden entrepreneurship forum in Lagos

To further promote entrepreneurship among women and youth in Nigeria, the Network of Entrepreneurial Women (NNEW), a platform under the aegis of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), has concluded arrangement to hold its  maiden annual conference from Thursday,  October 30 to Friday, October 31, 2014  in Lagos.

Published in The Guardian Newspaper on Tuesday, 28^h October 2014

Power: Ministry, Nnaji make case for Chief Electrical Inspector for Power Sector

Former Minister of Power, Prof Barth Nnaji and top officials of the Ministry of Power Tuesday, made a strong case for a Chief Electrical Inspector for the power sector.

Published in The Guardian Newspaper on Tuesday, 28^th October 2014

NSE joins World Federation of Exchanges

The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Tuesday, announced that it received a vote to become a full member of the World Federation of Exchanges.

Published in The Guardian Newspaper on Tuesday, 28^th October 2014

Power: FG flags off employee Training Scheme

Minister of Power Prof Chinedu Nebo has disclosed Federal Government’s plan to grow the Nigerian middle manpower on power sector by creating a National Power Sector Apprentice Scheme, NAPSAS for training of young Nigerians power sector.

Published in The Guardian Newspaper on Wednesday, 29^th October 2014

Health: 110 Women die daily of Pregnancy Complications

The United Nations Fund for Population Activitites, UNPF, has said that 110 Nigerian women die from pregnancy and childbirth related complications on a daily basis.

Published in The Guardian Newspaper on Wednesday, 29^th October 2014

Infrastructure: AFC secures N16bn Facility for Infrastructure Development in Nigeria, others

The Africa Finance Corporation, AFC, has secured a $100 million, about N16 billion, long term loan facility from the United States of America’s (USA) development finance institution, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), and the global investment banking leader, J.P. Morgan to support infrastructural development in Nigeria and other countries in the African continent.

Published in Vanguard Newspaper on Thursday, 30^th October 2014 

Infrastructure: 80% of Nigeria Pipeline Network has Collapsed

Respite seems not to be in sight for the chaotic traffic situation across the country, especially on roads to the country’s ports, as the Federal Government, yesterday, disclosed that 80 per cent of the country’s 5,120 kilometers pipeline network for petroleum product distribution have been vandalised.

Published in Vanguard Newspaper on Thursday, 30^th October 2014 

Industry Pulse: NIMASA DG Gets Tenure Extension

The Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) has put the total investment in Nigeria’s telecommunications sector at $40 billion (N6.4 trillion).

The BPE’s Director-General, Benjamin Dikki, identified the deregulation of the telecommunications sector and the participation of private telecoms firmss like MTN, Glo, Airtel, Etisalat, Visafone as some of the country’s achievements in the last few years.

Published in The Guardian Newspaper on Friday, 31^st October 2014

Nigeria Ranked 170^th in World Bank’s ‘Doing Business’ Index

The World Bank has ranked Nigeria 170th among 189 countries in terms of the ease of doing business.

In a report released on Wednesday, Singapore emerged the best country in the world to do business, while Mauritius was the best in Africa with a ranking of 28.

Published in The Guardian Newspaper on Friday, 31^st October 2014

CSR News Summary Issue 94

Health: Diamond Bank supports Health Sector

Diamond Bank has demonstrated its commitment to the total health and wellbeing of women in Nigeria by sponsoring medical surgeries for 15 young women suffering from Vesico Vagina Fistula (VVF) as it donates medical equipment to selected fistula centres across the country.

Published in ThisDay Newspaper on Monday, 20^th October 2014

Philanthropy: SOS Village Nigeria commends Ecobank’s Support

The National Director, SOS Children’s Villages in Nigeria, Mr. Erhumwunse Eghosa, has commended Ecobank Nigeria’s continued support and commitment to the welfare of less privileged children in the SOS homes across Nigeria. 

Published in ThisDay Newspaper on Monday, 20^th October 2014

Power: Jonathan wants Mambila Power Plant contract signed

President Goodluck Jonathan has given a marching order to authorities in the power sector to conclude all necessary arrangements to sign the contract for the construction of the Mambila hydro-power plant in Taraba State.

Published in The Punch Newspaper on Tuesday, 21^st October 2014

Philanthropy: CoolWorld splashes N5.6m scholarships on 10 Students

In its desire to contribute to the development of education in Nigeria, Cool World, a subsidiary of PZ Cussons, in Lagos, gave five grant winners during the weekend N200,000 each.

Published in The Punch Newspaper on Tuesday, 21^st October 2014

Education: Gowon tasks Stakeholders on Falling Education Standard

Former Military Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd), has blamed illiteracy and lack of quality education for Boko Haram insurgency, which has led to several Nigerians being killed and maimed in the northern part of the country.

Published in The Punch Newspaper on Tuesday, 21^st October 2014

Industry Pulse: Berger Paints Appoints New Directors

Berger Paints Nigeria Plc has announced the appointment of three new non-executive directors to its board to replace those who recently retired. The new directors are Mr. Raj Mangtani, Adekunle Olowokande and Engr. Patrick Nnamdi Buruche.

Published in The Guardian Newspaper on Wednesday, 22^nd October 2014

 

Reporting: Experts canvass support for Sustainability Reporting

Experts on sustainability reporting at a workshop organised by Access Bank were unanimous in their call for concerted efforts towards entrenching the principles of the Nigerian Sustainability Banking Principles reporting in Nigeria

Published in The Guardian Newspaper on Wednesday, 22^nd October 2014

Award: Stanbic IBTC wins three awards at Euromoney Awards

Stanbic IBTC’s leading role in the financial services industry and the real estate sector in particular has once again been affirmed at the Euromoney Real Estate Survey Awards 2014, where the bank won three awards.

Published in The Guardian Newspaper on Wednesday, 22^nd October 2014

Industry Pulse: UnityKapital appoints Olasogba acting MD

The Board of Directors of Unitykapital Assurance Plc has appointed Gbenga Olasogba as the acting Managing Director/Chief Executive of the insurance company. He was until this new appointment the Head of Finance and Accounts department in the oraganisation.

Published in The Guardian Newspaper on Wednesday, 22^nd October 2014

Lagos begins traffic impact analysis on Eko Atlantic City

Lagos State Government has commenced traffic impact study on the Eko Atlantic City project and has completed the public transport system designed for the Victoria Island axis of the state.

Published in Vanguard Newspaper on Thursday, 23^rd October 2014 

Taxation: NGOs must pay Tax

The Acting Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Alhaji Kabiru Marshi, has clarified that contrary to widespread assumptions, NOAN-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) are to some extent not exempted from tax obligation.

Published in Vanguard Newspaper on Thursday, 23^rd October 2014 

Environment: Flood submerges Benue community, residents flee

Floods occasioned by torrential rains have continued to wreak havoc in many more communities across the federation with devastating effects despite measures being taken by appropriate authorities following different warnings by experts and other related agencies

Published in The Guardian Newspaper on Friday, 24^th October 2014

Environment: Bayelsa Community threatens to resume hostilities with Chevron

Angry youths of Koluama in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State have threatened to resume hostilities with Chevron over the company’s refusal to pay compensation for the devastating January 2012 rig explosion in the area.

The massive explosion, which resulted from equipment failure, sparked off a huge inferno which raged consistently for over 50 days, destroying aquatic lives.

Published in The Guardian Newspaper on Friday, 24^th October 2014

ICT: BPE puts Nigeria’s telecoms sector Investment at N6.4tr

The Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) has put the total investment in Nigeria’s telecommunications sector at $40 billion (N6.4 trillion).

The BPE’s Director-General, Benjamin Dikki, identified the deregulation of the telecommunications sector and the participation of private telecoms firmss like MTN, Glo, Airtel, Etisalat, Visafone as some of the country’s achievements in the last few years.

Published in The Guardian Newspaper on Friday, 24^th October 2014

Empowerment: Tetfund trains 10,000 lectures in Nigeria

The Executive Secretary, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (Tetfund), Prof. Suleiman Elias Bogoro has disclosed that funds intervention on academic and staff training and development in Africa is among the best in the world.

Published in The Guardian Newspaper on Friday, 24^th October 2014

Happy Birthday!

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Happy Birthday to our Social Media Officer, Chinwendu Onwughara. We wish you the best that life has to offer!  

CSR News Summary Issue 93

ICT: Over 50% of global population to have internet access by 2017

Going by the surge of mobile broadband over smartphones and tablets globally, indications have emerged that in another three years, over 50 per cent of the world’s population will have Internet access.

Published in The Vanguard Newspaper on Sunday, 28^th September 2014

 

Award: MDG wins best African Mobile App 2014

At the weekend, the World Summit Award (WSA), African Content Award Jury has selected Malaria Destroy Game, (MDG) project as the best African mobile solution in the mobile category of the World Summit Award. With development, MDG solution is one of the winners of the African content award 2014.

Published in The Vanguard Newspaper on Sunday, 28^th September 2014

 

Education: 12m Nigerian girls out of School - Report

A United States based online newspaper, has said there are about 12 million Nigerian girls that are out of school, representing 20 per cent of girls out of school in the world.

Published in The Vanguard Newspaper on Sunday, 28^th September 2014

 

Education: Borno Earmarks N71.4 Million to Educate 51 Chibok Girls

The Borno State government has completed plans of educating 51out of 57 escaped abducted Chibok girls at the total cost of N71.4 million per annum in two different secondary schools in the Kaduna-Jos-Zaria axis of the country, Governor Kashim Shettima has stated.

Published in ThisDay Newspaper on Monday, 29th September 2014

Agribusiness: BoI targets 1000 cottage industries with N5bn Fund

The Bank of Industry, BoI, has announced the take-off of a N5billion Cottage Agro Processing, CAP, Fund targeted at financing 1,000 cottage industries engaged in processing activities across the country.

Published in ThisDay Newspaper on Monday, 29th September 2014

Power: Jonathan wants Mambila Power Plant contract signed

President Goodluck Jonathan has given a marching order to authorities in the power sector to conclude all necessary arrangements to sign the contract for the construction of the Mambila hydro-power plant in Taraba State.

Published in The Punch Newspaper on Tuesday, 30^th September 2014

ICT: IT Firm to train 100 young entrepreneurs

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Oficer of Upperlink, an indigenous Information Technology firm, Mr. Segun Akano, says the company has put plans in place to train and mentor 100 savvy entrepreneurs nationwide.

Published in The Punch Newspaper on Tuesday, 30^th September 2014

Investment: Unilever’s E150m Investments in 3 years underline FMCG potential

Paul Polman, global CEO, Unilever, revealed that a total of investments worth €150 million were made in the country by his 91-year-old firm, formerly known as Lever Brothers.

According to him, this is a demonstration of the firm’s confidence in the country’s economic prospects and an indication that it would continue to contribute to the economy by creating jobs and wealth.

Published in The Guardian Newspaper on Wednesday, 1^st October 2014

Revenue: Nigeria earns $40b from Oil Exports in Six Month

Nigeria has been estimated to have realised about $40 billion (N6.4 trillion) from crude oil exports in the first half of this year, according to the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

Published in The Guardian Newspaper on Wednesday, 1^st October 2014

Agribusiness: Nigeria’s Oil Exports To Climb to 14-month High in November

Nigeria’s oil export in November will climb to a 14 month high of 1.91 million barrels per day (bpd) in November, says international news agency Reuters.

Published in The Guardian Newspaper on Thursday, 2^nd October 2014

Aid: French aid agency to finance transport, energy projects in Nigeria

The Country Director of the French Agency for Development (AFD), a public development finance institution, Mr. Hubert Dognin, has said that his agency has approved €400 million as grant to finance transport and energy projects in Nigeria. 

Published in The Niche Newspaper on Thursday, 2^nd October 2014

Award: UBA Sponsors ICT Contest for Students

The competition, held recently in Anaheim, California , United States of America (USA), involved participants from different countries who were tested on their proficiency in the use of Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint and Microsoft Excel.

Published in ThisDay Newspaper on Friday, 3^rd October 2014

Economy: NSE ranks among top 10 globally

All Share Index of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has been ranked among the top 10 best performing indices in the world in 2013.

Outgoing President of the NSE, Aliko Dangote, disclosed this on Wednesday at the 2013 Annual General Meting (AGM) of the Exchange in Lagos.

Published in National Mirror Newspaper on Friday, 3rd October 2014

CSR News Summary Issue 92

Power: Tackling the Last Stumbling Block to Nigeria’s Power Progress

Nigeria, with its privatisation of the Power Generation and Distribution companies and the massive private investments that have followed suit, is on the right path to cutting ties with chequered past of epileptic power supply.

Published in ThisDay Newspaper on Monday, 15^th September 2014

Health: Ebola is Nigeria’s Biggest Economic Threat

In the first week of July, Nigeria’s Finance Minister Okonjo Iweala disclosed that Boko Haram’s five year insurgency had knocked off 0.5 percent from Nigeria’s GDP growth rate; an Ebola epidemic the scale of Guinea, Liberia, or Sierra Leone would in a fraction of that time reduce Africa’s largest economy to its knees, thus the need for the country to avoid such a scenario at all cost.

Published in ThisDay Newspaper on Monday, 15^th September 2014

Bilateral Trade: Nigeria to Double $40bn Trade with Asia By 2016

Nigeria is keen to bolster economic ties with the world’s most populated and fastest growing region Asia, as has agreed to double its bilateral trade volumes with the region’s countries from $40 billion to over $80 billion within the next to two years.

Published in The Punch Newspaper on Tuesday, 16^th September 2014

Energy: Lagos Moves to Explore Nuclear Energy for Electricity

Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, on Tuesday, said the state government is looking towards exploring nuclear energy as an alternative source of power supply in the state.

Published in The Nation Newspaper on Wednesday, 17^th September 2014

Energy: Nigeria Plans 20,000MW Generation From Renewable Sources

The Nigerian Federal Government has presented a draft of its Renewable Energy and Efficiency Policy to stakeholders, a successful Implementation of which will see the addition of 2,483 megawatts (MW) of electricity to the national grid by 2015.

Published in The Nation Newspaper on Wednesday, 17^th September 2014

Environment: Bayelsa shuts Agip Facility over Oil Spill

Following an oil spillage in its facilities in Ayarabele and Kalaba communities in the Orkordia Clan of Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa, the state government has ordered the closure of an oil facility belonging to the Nigeria AGIP Oil Company, a subsidiary of the Italian oil giant, ENI Spa.

Published in ThisDay Newspaper on Wednesday, 17^th September 2014

Power: NACCIMA calls for cancellation of Fixed Electricity Charge

The Nigerian Association of Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) has called for the cancellation of electricity tariff fixed charge to consumers in the country.

Published in The Niche Newspaper on Thursday, 18^th September 2014

Economy: FG targets 30m Jobs, 70% GDP by 2043

The Minister of National Planning Commission, NPC, Dr. Abubakar Sulaiman says the proposed implementation of the newly approved National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan, NIIMP would generate about 30 million jobs in 30 years across all sectors of the economy.

Published in The Niche Newspaper on Thursday, 18^th September 2014

Environment: Chevron gets ultimatum to quit communities if…

The Gbaramatu, Egbema and Ogulagha Coastal Communities Front have issued a 21-day ultimatum to Chevron Nigeria Limited to stop all contracts, award/dealings with the Communities’ former Chairman, George Timinimi, or move out of their communities.

Published in ThisDay Newspaper on Friday, 19th September 2014

Investment: BoI targets 1000 cottage industries with N5bn Fund

The Bank of Industry, BoI , has announced the take-off of a N5billion Cottage Agro Processing, CAP, Fund targeted at financing 1,000 cottage industries engaged in processing activities across the country.

Published in National Mirror Newspaper on Friday, 19th September 2014

CSR News Summary Issue 91

Health: How Africa is losing the Ebola Battle

A combination of fear of the Ebola virus, weak public infrastructures in three of the world's poorest countries, and a slow response by the international public health community and world governments is reversing real progress in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea.

Published in ThisDay Newspaper on Monday, 8th September 2014

Power: Firms plan Gradual Increase in Tariff

Nigerians may continue to pay more for electricity following the recent upward review of gas price.

Published in ThisDay Newspaper on Monday, 8th September 2014

Climate Change: African farmers urged to adopt ‘Climate-smart Approach’

Nigeria was able to avert major food crisis aftermath of the 2012 flood in major parts of the country that affected many farms, but countries in the horn of Africa are not that lucky with the ravaging droughts with devastating effects on crops and livestock production.

Published in The Punch Newspaper on Tuesday, 9th September 2014

Capacity Building: World Bank partners Ibadan Business School on Capacity

There is need for vigilance by health authorities across the nation. While giving an update on the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Nigeria last Thursday, Health Minister, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu, said the total number of EVD cases so far reported in our country stands at 15 while the total number of cases treated at the isolation ward stands at 13.

Published in The Nation Newspaper on Wednesday, 10th September 2014

Health: Still on the Ebola Virus Challenge in Nigeria

There is need for vigilance by health authorities across the nation. While giving an update on the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Nigeria last Thursday, Health Minister, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu, said the total number of EVD cases so far reported in our country stands at 15 while the total number of cases treated at the isolation ward stands at 13.

Published in The Nation Newspaper on Wednesday, 10th September 2014

Power: 57% of West African Population lacks Electricity

African Development Bank, AfDB has said that more than 57 per cent of the people in West Africa were without access to electricity. 

Published in The Nation Newspaper on Wednesday, 10th September 2014

Investment: IFC invests $17b on SMEs, Health, Education in Africa

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, on Wednesday said its activities across Africa impacted 1.1 million farmers, in addition to training 130,000 small businesses and farmers on management practices. This is besides providing $17 billion to finance entrepreneurs.

Published in The Nation Newspaper on Thursday, 11th September 2014

Power: Nigeria Power Generation Hits 2-Year High

Nigeria’s electricity generation is getting a steady climb reaching a two-year high of 4,044 megawatts (MW), though it is still below the peak generation level achieved two years ago.

Published in The Nation Newspaper on Thursday, 11th September 2014

ICT: MasterCard makes mobile payment easier with Apple Pay

Paying with mobile devices is about to become even more Priceless as Apple unveiled Apple Pay, an application that will enable MasterCard cardholders to use their iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus and Apple Watch for everyday purchases.

Published in ThisDay Newspaper on Friday, 12th September 2014

CSR: The household flame for both Starts up and large businesses

Some call it Corporate Social Responsibility; others deride at the archaic term and prefer to name it Sustainability or even Shared Value.  A few dispense with the “R” altogether and call it Corporate Responsibility; perhaps those still undecided about jumping onto the bandwagon simply call it Social Responsibility. No matter what the label, the fact is we have yet to find a simple explanation of a term that is increasingly becoming a mainstream business practice. This is very surprising for a field that has shot to fame so quickly from a mere triviality to highly recommended prerequisite for the high rise of any business.

In the 21st century, business sustainability needs to be understood in terms of the environment, economic development, human rights, women’s empowerment, and rule of law. Smart businesses are incorporating these broader principles of sustainability into their business decisions, and developing practical standards and metrics to help apply these principles in practice. These measures work to maximize opportunity and minimize the negative impact their core businesses have on the environment, the community and the economy in places where they operate

For a small business to grow into an empire and be in the right standing with global best practice, the checklist below must be addressed and in clear terms: Read more...