CSR News Summary Issue 19

Lagos begins 2012 Household Survey

As part of its efforts to sustain economic development in Lagos, the state Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget has commenced a welfare and service delivery survey to provide the government with information on the basic nature of economic activity, impact of government programmes / projects on various communities and the perceived constraints to growth and productivity in the state.

Published in The Business Day Newspaper, on Monday, 14th May, 2012

Food Security: Int’l Community scores FADAMA high

The Gambian Agency for the Management of Public Works (Gam Works) has given kudos to the efforts by the Third National Fadama Development Project (FADAMA III) in ensuring sufficient of food to the Nigerian populace as well as exporting to other countries.

Published in The Business Day Newspaper, on Monday, 14th May, 2012

MTN Foundation invests N510M in Education in 3 years

As part of her corporate social responsibilities, the MTN Foundation has invested the sum of N510 million in three years for the promotion of education especially among brilliant Nigerian students and visually – impaired students in tertiary institutions across the country.

Published in The Business Day Newspaper, on Monday, 14th May, 2012

Firm to invest over N775m on food services in Nigeria

A fast food company in the United States of America, Domino’s Pizza, has reiterated its commitment to transforming the food services in Nigeria by investing over N775 million as the first phase of its investment projects in the next two years.

Published in Daily Independent Newspaper, on Monday, 14th May, 2012

Ondo disburses N215.4m to Farmers

Ondo State Government has disbursed N215.4 million to farmers in the state under Fadama III programme in the last three years.

Published in The Business Day Newspaper, on Monday, 14th May, 2012

FG to build trailer parks with PPP arrangement

The Minister for State for Works, Alhaji Bashir Yuguda, has said the Federal Governmnet will opt for Public – Private Partnership to fast track the establishment of trailer parks in the country.

Published in The Punch Newspaper, on Tuesday, 15th May, 2012

Foundation sensitizes asthmatics to prevention, control

Worried by the alarming rate of deaths through asthma and other respiratory diseases, Elias Nelson Oyedokun Foundation has organized a workshop to sensitize asthmatics to prevention and control of the ailment.

Published in The Punch Newspaper, on Tuesday, 15th May, 2012

Lagos begins rice production to promote Food Security

With the inauguration of a 20,000 metric tonnes capacity rice factory, the Lagos State Government yesterday took a bold step towards food security.

Governor Babatunde Fashola reiterated his commitment to reinvigorating agriculture, saying, it is only through such step that the nation can surmount its economic challenges.

Published in The Nation Newspaper, on Wednesday, 16th May, 2012

Canada donates $18m for research

Canada has donated $18.45m (N2.86 billion) to boost research in health, the environment and agriculture.

According to the President of Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Mr David Malone, the researchers are aimed at improving the health of mothers and babies in Nigeria, to provide information in Nigeria climate change and to reduce the risk of flooding in the country.

Published in The Nation Newspaper, on Wednesday, 16th May, 2012

Kebbi to sink 2,000 boreholes

The Kebbi State government has voted N100 million for the drilling of 2,000 additional boreholes to improve water supply in the state’s rural areas and schools.

Published in The Nation Newspaper, on Wednesday, 16th May, 2012

Kaduna spends N27b on water

The Kaduna State government said it has sunk N27 billion into the supply of portable drinking water to the residents of the state while the multi billion naira Zaria water supply scheme has been reviewed from N15 billion to N24 billion.

Published in The Nation Newspaper, on Wednesday, 16th May, 2012

SMEDAN to partner NEPAD on SMEs development

Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) Director – General, Alhaji Mohammed Nadada Umar, said that the agency would support New Economic Partnership for African Development (NEPAD) in its upcoming Global Partnership week and other activities as they relate to the development of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria.

Published in The Guardian Newspaper, on Wednesday, 16th May, 2012

FG, UNIDO seal pact on Job Creation

The Federal Government on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation on job creation and poverty reduction.

Published in Punch Newspaper, on Thursday, 17th May, 2012

Diamond Bank, Keystone to partner Kwara on empowerment

Keystone Bank Limited and Diamond Bank Plc have expressed readiness to partner the Kwara State Government on the achievement of the state’s programme of shared prosperity.

Published in Punch Newspaper, on Thursday, 17th May, 2012

Golden Penny provides laptops for teachers, pupils

Golden  Penny has in partnership with other stakeholders, boosted its “Laptop4Learning” (L4L) initiative, with the official opening of a dedicated classroom at the Kuramo Primary School, Victoria Island, Lagos for the exclusive use of pupils and teachers, for an initial period of three years.

Published in The Guardian Newspaper, on Thursday, 17th May, 2012

Ajimobi tasks US Partners over development of Oyo

Oyo State Governor, Mr Abiola Ajimobi has called on investors and agencies from the United States of America to help his administration develop the state with US technology.

Published in Leadership Newspaper, on Friday, 18th May, 2012

World Bank commits $10m to Road Safety Projects

The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Commission, Osita Chidoka, on Friday stated that the World Bank was committing $10 million towards FRSC’s Road Safety projects with a view to improving its capacity in road traffic crashes (RTC), reducing by 50 percent.

Published in This Day Newspaper, on Friday, 18th May, 2012

CSR News Summary Issue 18

Fidelity Bank’s CSR Project Excites Wamakko

The Managing Director of the Bank, Mr Reginald Ihejiahi, who was represented by the Executive Director, North Directorate of the Bank, Mr Balarabe Mohammed expressed happiness that the bank is touching the lives of people through the Fidelity Helping Hands Programme.

Published in This Day Newspaper, on Monday, 7th May, 2012

China Partners with Nigeria on Youth Development

For the development of youths in skill acquisition and vocational training, China yesterday said it would partner with Nigeria to impact more knowledge on Nigeria youths in the country.

Published in This Day Newspaper, on Monday, 7th May, 2012

Dangote Group spends N20bn on CSR

Dangote Group has expended about N20 billion on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and charity programmes across Africa from the beginning of 2011 and the first quarter of 2012.

Published in This Day Newspaper, on Monday, 7th May, 2012

BATN donates N5.6m Palm Oil Processing Plant

British American Tobacco Nigeria (BATN) Foundation has donated a Palm Oil Processing Cottage industry to the people of Aragba – Orogun community, in Ughelli – North Local Government Area of Delta State.

Published in This Day Newspaper, on Monday, 7th May, 2012

First lady commissions HIV Call Centre

As she commissioned the National Call Centre on HIV/AIDS and Related Diseases of the National Agency for Control of AIDS (NACA), First Lady, Patience Jonathan said the growth of telephony in Nigeria provides a strong platform for increasing information dissemination on health challenges such as HIV/AIDS.

She commended Airtel Networks Limited for its lead role in providing toll free lines for subscribers to call the Centre and access information on HIV/AIDS.

Published in Daily Sun Newspaper, on Tuesday, 8th May, 2012

Mortein partners with Lagos State to eradicate Malaria

Mortein, the multipurpose cockroach / insect killer partnered with Lagos State Ministry of Health to enlighten Nigerians on the scourge of Malaria and ways of preventing it.

Published in Daily Sun Newspaper, on Tuesday, 8th May, 2012

IFC, MasterCard boost Microfinance with $37bn

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) and MasterCard Foundation, launched a partnership to increase access to financial services for an estimated 5.3 million poor people in Nigeria and the entire sub-Saharan Africa.

Published in Daily Sun Newspaper, on Tuesday, 8th May, 2012

FG to develop girl-child education

Minister of State for Education Ezenwo Nyesom Wike stated that the Federal Government is commited to achieving universal primary and junior secondary education to eliminate gender disparity.

Published in Nation Newspaper, on Wednesday, 9th May, 2012

MDG releases N100M for pilot projects in three Ekiti Councils

Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi has said his administration would focus on combating poverty and hunger, improving school enrolment and facilitating access to health care and fostering gender equality, among others.

Published in Nation Newspaper, on Wednesday, 9th May, 2012

Joy as community finds water, 300 years after

After a tortuous search spanning centuries, Gumshi, a community in Yobe State, has found the most precious liquid in life: water. And they have the administration of Governor Ibrahim Gaidam to thank for it.

Published in Nation Newspaper, on Wednesday, 9th May, 2012

Fidelity Bank donates to underprivileged

Staff of Fidelity Bank Plc, have donated television sets, DVD players, washing machine, fans and food items to the student of Modupe Cole School for the Mentally and Physically – Challenged Children in Akoka, Lagos Satte.

Published in Nation Newspaper, on Wednesday, 9th May, 2012

MTN Foundation donates equipment to 45 disabled persons

MTN Foundation has presented tools and equipment to no fewer than 45 diabled persons after they had completed a two – year skills training (tailoring, shoemaking and welding) sponsored by the foundation.

Published in Punch Newspaper, on Thursday, 10th May, 2012

Israel boosts Nigerian agriculture with drip irrigation

The Nigeria – Israel Joint Agricultural Project, better known as Irrigation is Life, which aims to promote dry season farming, has been inaugurated in Minna, Niger State.

Published in Punch Newspaper, on Thursday, 10th May, 2012

Akwa Ibom committed to HIV/AIDS eradication

The speaker of House of Assembly, Mr Samuel Ikon, has assured the people of the state that the fifth assembly was committed to pass laws that will help in eradicating HIV/AIDS control agency.

Published in Punch Newspaper, on Thursday, 10th May, 2012

Foundation fetes Less Privileged Children

The Pastor Eskor Mfon Foundation recently paid a visit to the children at Little Saints Orphanage, Palmgrove Estate, Lagos where items were donated to the children.

The group also spent some quality time with orphans during which the Founder, Mrs Dele George, conducted them around the home.

Published in ThisDay Newspaper, on Friday, 11th May, 2012

 FG to position SMEs as growth drivers

The Federal Government has commenced moves to position the Small and Medium Enterprise sub sector in Nigeria as growth drivers for the economy.

The Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr Olusegun Aganga, who disclosed this on Thursday, said with this move, SMEs in Nigeria would soon become vibrant enough to drive the required level of growth in the economy.

Published in ThisDay Newspaper, on Friday, 11th May, 2012

CSR News Summary Issue 17

FG Urged to Sustain Agric. Transformation Agenda

The Federal Government has been advised to sustain the tempo of its agricultural transformation agenda in order to achieve the desired goals of food security and economic empowerment as well as job creation.

Published in This Day Newspaper, on Monday, 30^th April, 2012

Bankers partners IFC on Corporate Governance

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), said it has signed an agreement with the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) on how to improve training and knowledge on corporate governance in the Nigerian financial industry.

Published in This Day Newspaper, on Monday, 30^th April, 2012

Ernst & Young moves to promote public, private partnership

Financial experts in Ernst & Young has said it will bring key stakeholders together to brainstorm in what it believes will help drive infrastructural development in Nigeria through public private partnership agreement.

Published in Punch Newspaper, on Wednesday, 3^rd May, 2012

FG moves to tackle Unemployment

The Federal Government is planning to conduct a national job creation survey that seeks to track employment generation and losses to ascertaining the number of jobs available.

Published in Daily Independent Newspaper, on Thursday, 4^th May, 2012

IFC, CIBN to partner for Improved Corporate Governance in Banks

As part of the agreement, International Finance Corporation (IFC) will give assistance and institutional support to the institute, in the area of its corporate governance curriculum offered to its banking – sector members.

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) is a key component of its strategy to increase impact and improve private.

Published in Daily Independent Newspaper, on Thursday, 4^th May, 2012

Honeywell Empowers Widows

The Executive Vice Chairman of Honeywell Flower Mills Plc, Mr Babatunde Odunayo, said Honeywell was delighted to be part of the empowerment programme where about 50 widows went through rigorous training on soap making and basic skills required to succeed in business.

Published in This Day Newspaper, on Friday, 4^th May, 2012

C’River Partner Poland to Provide Social Services

According to the Polish Ambassador to Nigeria, Przemystaw Niesiotowski, Poland has special interest in Cross River because of its peaceful environment and investment friendly.

Published in This Day Newspaper, on Friday, 4^th May, 2012

CSR News Summary Issue 16

CBN cedes more Directorship Position to Women

According to the CBN governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the on-going quest to empower women, could be successful if women are allowed to play active role in the banking sector, which is a critical segment of the nation’s economy

Published in Punch Newspaper, on Monday, 24^th April, 2012

UBA partners Benin Republic on $40m Projects

UBA Benin Limited, a subsidiary of the Pan African Banking Group, the United Bank of Africa Plc, recently facilitated the grant of $40m syndicated loan towards economic development of the West African country.

Managing Director, UBA Benin, Mrs Gwen Abiola Oloke, said the transactions underscored UBA’s commitment to supporting the growth and development of the economy of Benin Republic especially by financing large ticket transactions for corporate customers, thus stimulating economic activities.

Published in Punch Newspaper, on Monday, 24^th April, 2012

BDA seeks partnership with CBN, NDIC on reforms

The Bank Directors Association of Nigeria has offered to work with the Central Bank of Nigeria and Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation in a strategic partnership for the implementation of reforms in the banking sector.

Published in Punch Newspaper, on Monday, 23^rd April, 2012

Honeywell empowers Widows

Honeywell Flour Mills Plc is collaborating with the Oasis Association to improve the standard of the widows through skills acquisition.

The Executive Vice Chairman, Honeywell Flour Mills Plc, Mr Babatunde Odunayo stated that cash donation was also offered to assist the widows in their businesses.

Published in Punch Newspaper, on Monday, 24^th April, 2012

Abia Government to disburse N1bn Loans to Farmers

Abia state government would soon begin disbursement of N1 billion agricultural loan secured from the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN to farmers in the state.

Published in Vanguard Newspaper, on Tuesday, 24^th April, 2012

NGO to hold Investment Forum for Entrepreneurs

The Nigeria Internet Group, NIG, a non – governmental organisation is organising an internet forum for jobs investors; where entrepreneurs would present their proposals to potential investor thereby creating jobs for the people and transforming the nation into a knowledge – driven society.

Published in Vanguard Newspaper, on Tuesday, 24^th April, 2012

PAFPI holds Free Breast Cancer Screening in Port Harcourt

To curb the menace of breast cancer among Nigerian women, Poverty Alleviation for the Poor Initiative (PAFPI) recently organised a seminar and screening on breast cancer in Port Harcourt.

Executive Director, PAFPI, Kejekpo Omonade stated that the seminar was held to help communicate and educate the public on current information, research outcomes and evidence-based practices in cancer awareness.

Published in Vanguard Newspaper, on Tuesday, 24^th April, 2012

Oshiomole Commissions Portable Water Rig in Etsako

Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomole recently commissioned a brand new 2,500 metre capacity water borehole drilling rig acquired by the state government at Agbede in Etsako West Local Government Area with a promise to use the resources of the state for the people’s welfare.

Published in Vanguard Newspaper, on Tuesday, 24^th April, 2012

Agbakoba tasks Government on Entrepreneurship

Former National President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Chief Olisa Agbakoba has called on the government to, as a matter of urgency, fashion policies that would encourage crafts and entrepreneurship to stem the tide of rising unemployment in the country.

Published in Guardian Newspaper, on Tuesday, 24^th April, 2012

Disaster victims to get free Health Care

The Managing Director, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr Olufemi Osanyintolu, says the state is set to treat victims of any natural disasters in the state free of charge within 24 hours of occurrence in order to reduce the impact of disasters on people.

Published in Punch Newspaper, on Wednesday, 25^th April, 2012

Ondo fights Malaria with Abiye programme

Commissioner for Health, Dr. Dayo Adeyanju stated that it had packaged part of its malaria control strategy into its Safe Motherhood Abiye programme to further reduce maternal and infant mortality rate in the state.

He explained that under the new arrangement, health care givers on the Abiye programme would now monitor the use of Insecticide Treated Nets distributed to all pregnant women and nursing mothers.

Published in Punch Newspaper, on Wednesday, 25^th April, 2012

Niger trains 4,000 youths in Skills Acquisition

The Commissioner for Youth Development, Mrs. Victoria Jummai Jiya stated that the Aliyu administration has initiated a number of programmes aimed at engaging youths, especially graduates in useful venture with a view to discouraging them from indulging in acts capable of undermining the state.

Published in Daily Independent Newspaper, on Thursday, 26^th April, 2012

NGO distributes tricycles, buses to youths in Abia

As part of its efforts to reduce the rate of unemployment and criminality among the youths, Ochendo Youth foundation has disbursed not less than 20 tricycles and four brand new buses to youths.

Published in Daily Independent Newspaper, on Thursday, 26^th April, 2012

Bayelsa Communities, ERA raise the alarm over Shell Pipeline Spillage

Natives of Otuasega community in Ogbia Local Government area of Bayelsa State and the environment advocacy group, Environmental Rights Action (ERA), have raised the alarm over an oil spill from a facility belonging to Shell Petroleum Development Company (SDPC), warning that if urgent remedial steps are not taken to contain the spill, it could spread and devastate community farmland and creek

Published in Leadership Newspaper, on Friday, 27^th April, 2012

ExxonMobil, other highlight Anti-Malaria Initiatives

Family Care Association (FCA) and Exxon Mobil plan to train 300 medical personnel and community health workers on current issues on malaria diagnosis, treatment and control in Plateau, Kogi and Lagos state in the month of April

Published in This Day Newspaper, on Friday, 27^th April, 2012

CSR News Summary 15

World Bank grants Nigeria $900m to Boost Agriculture

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Akinwunmi Adesina, said the World Bank had granted a $900 million facility to Nigeria as part of its assistance towards food security in the country.

Published in Daily Independent Newspaper, on Monday, 16^th April, 2012

Aregbesola assures of Rural Development

Osun State Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, has restated his administration’s commitment to the development of rural areas in the state, particularly access roads to enhance massive food production and better living conditions for the people.

Published in Vanguard Newspaper, on Tuesday, 17^th April 2012

World Bank hails Mimiko on Health Programme

The World Bank has commended Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, for his initiatives and vigorous drive at actualising the United Nation’s Millennium Development Goal, targeting drastic reduction in maternal deaths.

Published in Vanguard Newspaper, on Tuesday, 17^th April 2012

FG targets N1.25BN Fish Feed Per Annum

Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Bukar Tijani, has said that the Agricultural Transformation Agenda of the ministry would produce N1.25 billion worth of fish feed per annum.

Published in Vanguard Newspaper, on Tuesday, 17^th April 2012

Government to spend N6b on Vaccines in 2012

As part of its efforts to tackle the shortage of routine vaccines at health centers and introduce new ones against child – killer diseases, the Federal Government has voted N6 billion for procurement of the drugs against pneumonia.

Published in Vanguard Newspaper, on Tuesday, 17^th April 2012

Nigeria Seeks Australia’s investment in Agriculture, Mining

Nigeria has urged Australian investors to take advantage of the country’s potentials in the agriculture and mining sectors especially now that the country has renewed its efforts to develop them.

Published in The Guardian Newspaper, on Wednesday, 18^thApril, 2012

Fashola, minister, others strategise to check Climate Change

Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola, Minister of the Environment Hajia Hadiza Mailafia and other stakeholders yesterday, pondered on strategies to tackle the devastating impact of climate change in the country.

Published in The Guardian Newspaper, on Wednesday, 18^thApril, 2012

Mortein Flags off anti-malaria Campaign Today

As part of its efforts at eradicating the scourge of malaria in Nigeria, Mortein, one of the brands in the stable of Reckitt Benckiser, has announced its intention to commence an enlightment campaign, aimed at educating the public, especially expectant mothers and children on malaria and the need for stakeholders to join hands in fighting the scourge.

Published in The Guardian Newspaper, on Wednesday, 18^thApril, 2012

Agric Expert task World’s Leaders on Malnutrition

An expert in agriculture, Dr Howarth Bouis, has called on world leaders to employ bio-fortification and other available options to fight the menace of vitamin A and mineral deficiencies among the poor world over.

Published in National Mirror Newspaper, on Thursday, 20th  April, 2012

FG to build Water Laboratories in six States

The water laboratory project, which is being handled by the Federal Government of Water Resources, would on completion ensure distribution of quality water to people in six states of the federation.

The Director, Water Quality and Sanitation, Dr. O.A Agada, said the six water laboratories under construction are Maiduguri, Sokoto, Makurdi, Umuahia, Asaba and Port Harcourt.

Published in National Mirror Newspaper, on Thursday, 20^th April, 2012

Niger to Partner CBN in Rice Production

Niger State Governor, Dr Babangida Aliyu, has set up a committee to look into the possibility of the state partnering with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in the production of rice.

He said the decision was part of its measures to ensure food security in the state.

Published in National Mirror Newspaper, on Friday, 21^st April, 2012      

IFC, Notore, SARO Group, others for Thought Leadership on sustainability in Agriculture…

Representatives of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), Notore Chemicals, SARO Group and a non-profit initiative, Idea Builders Initiative will constitute a panel of discussants on sustainability in agriculture sat a Thought Leadership Breakfast Series on Sustainable Development tagged, Sustainable Conversations™. The theme for the second in this series is: Driving Sustainable Agriculture for National Development. A bold attempt to bring Nigeria’s agricultural sector under the spotlight; this event will critically review past successes in agriculture through comparative analysis with modern innovations with emphasis on economic, social and environmental sustainability.

Sustainable Conversations™ is a Thought Leadership series on Sustainable Development and seeks to significantly access the roadmap to this auspicious revival by creating a platform for promoting discussions and thought leadership for national development through sustainable agriculture. Also expected in attendance are policy makers, experts and stakeholders in the sector and allied industries with an underlying aim of engaging, understanding, interrogating and supporting the road-map towards achieving the current national policies on Agriculture.

Confirmed discussants include:  Zano Mataruka, Head Agribusiness, International Finance Corporation; Onajite Okoloko, Group Managing Director/CEO, Notore Chemical Industries; Larry Umuna, West Africa Representative, Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition; Lucy Kanu, Executive Director of Idea Builders Initiative and Mr. Rasheed Sarumi, Founder of SARO Group. The discussions will be moderated by an International Agric Expert, Mr. Alex Aligbe.

Sustainable agriculture describes systems in which the farmer reaches the goal of producing adequate yields and good profits following production practices that minimize any negative short-and long-term side effects on the environment and the well-being of the community. The major goals of this approach are thus to develop economically viable agro-ecosystems as well as enhance the quality of the environment, so that farmlands will remain productive indefinitely. Sustainable agriculture has become a necessity in a world with increasingly limited resources.

At the end of the event, a resource document will be produced and forwarded to the Federal Government through the Ministry for Agriculture and also widely circulated for concerted efforts at achieving the discussed objectives for National development.

This edition is facilitated by ThistlePraxis Consulting Limited, in partnership with the Etisalat CSR Centre at the Lagos Business School. Attendance and participation at Sustainable Conversations™ is strictly by invitation and subject to confirmation.

The Concept Note for this event issued by the organisers puts forward that, ‘Agriculture was once the main stay and key driver of the Nigerian economy. Virtually, all regions of Nigeria were noted for commercial scale production of one main agricultural product or cash crop. From the cotton industry and the groundnut pyramids of the North, to the cocoa plantations in the South-west and oil palm products and rubber plantations of the South; Nigeria’s agricultural potential and yield attracted trade, growth and development from the rest of the continent and beyond whilst strengthening the economy and providing employment to a majority of the population. However, with increased modernization, industrialization and the discovery of crude oil in commercial quantities in Nigeria, the focus shifted away from agriculture and a gradual yet steady deterioration followed in line with the neglect of the sector in search of oil-based revenue.

The current administration has through the Transformation Agenda placed priority on reviving the Agriculture sector towards repositioning and substantial investment to attain sustainable development.  There has been an increased consciousness about the need to revive Nigeria’s agricultural sector and this can be seen as a response to the increased awareness of the non-renewability of our fast-depleting petroleum resources’.

For more information, send a mail to: sustainableconvos@thistlepraxisconsulting.com or cokeke@lbs.edu.ng.

Experts converge to discuss Sustainable Development in Agriculture…

Experts drawn from the local, continental and international agricultural industry will converge in Lagos to discuss sustainability in agriculture for national development in a Thought Leadership Breakfast Series on Sustainable Development tagged, Sustainable Conversations™. The theme for the second in this series is: Driving Sustainable Agriculture for National Development; and it will bring Nigeria’s agricultural sector under the spotlight with a critical review of past successes in agriculture through comparative analysis with modern innovations with emphasis on economic, social and environmental sustainability.

Sustainable Conversations™ is a Thought Leadership series on Sustainable Development and seeks to significantly access the roadmap to this auspicious revival by creating a platform for promoting discussions and thought leadership for national development through sustainable agriculture. Also expected in attendance are policy makers, experts and stakeholders in the sector and allied industries with an underlying aim of engaging, understanding, interrogating and supporting the road-map towards achieving the current national policies on Agriculture.

Confirmed discussants include:  Zano Mataruka, Head Agribusiness, International Finance Corporation; Onajite Okoloko, Group Managing Director/CEO, Notore Chemical Industries; Larry Umuna, West Africa Representative, Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition; Lucy Kanu, Executive Director of Idea Builders Initiative and Mr. Rasheed Sarumi, Founder of SARO Group. The discussions will be moderated by an International Agric Expert, Mr. Alex Aligbe.

Sustainable agriculture describes systems in which the farmer reaches the goal of producing adequate yields and good profits following production practices that minimize any negative short-and long-term side effects on the environment and the well-being of the community. The major goals of this approach are thus to develop economically viable agro-ecosystems as well as enhance the quality of the environment, so that farmlands will remain productive indefinitely. Sustainable agriculture has become a necessity in a world with increasingly limited resources.

At the end of the event, a resource document will be produced and forwarded to the Federal Government through the Ministry for Agriculture and also widely circulated for concerted efforts at achieving the discussed objectives for National development.

This edition is facilitated by ThistlePraxis Consulting Limited, in partnership with the Etisalat CSR Centre at the Lagos Business School. Attendance and participation at Sustainable Conversations™ is strictly by invitation and subject to confirmation.

The Concept Note for this event issued by the organisers puts forward that, ‘Agriculture was once the main stay and key driver of the Nigerian economy. Virtually, all regions of Nigeria were noted for commercial scale production of one main agricultural product or cash crop. From the cotton industry and the groundnut pyramids of the North, to the cocoa plantations in the South-west and oil palm products and rubber plantations of the South; Nigeria’s agricultural potential and yield attracted trade, growth and development from the rest of the continent and beyond whilst strengthening the economy and providing employment to a majority of the population. However, with increased modernization, industrialization and the discovery of crude oil in commercial quantities in Nigeria, the focus shifted away from agriculture and a gradual yet steady deterioration followed in line with the neglect of the sector in search of oil-based revenue.

The current administration has through the Transformation Agenda placed priority on reviving the Agriculture sector towards repositioning and substantial investment to attain sustainable development.  There has been an increased consciousness about the need to revive Nigeria’s agricultural sector and this can be seen as a response to the increased awareness of the non-renewability of our fast-depleting petroleum resources’.

For more information, send a mail to: sustainableconvos@thistlepraxisconsulting.com or cokeke@lbs.edu.ng.