CSR News Summary Issue 34

FG to borrow $9.3bn in two years

The Federal Government has amended its borrowing plan for infrastructural development, reviewing its proposed debt profile up from $7.9bn to $9.3bn between 2012 and 2014.

Published in The Punch Newspaper on Monday, 5^th November, 2012

N’ Assembly dedicates N19bn constituency projects to MDGs

National Assembly has agreed to dedicate its members constituency projects allowance worth N19.6bn to the realisation of the Millemium Development Goals in the country.

Published in The Punch Newspaper on Monday, 5^th November, 2012

How to ensure universal access to safe medicines, by Akunyili

Former Information and Communications Minister and erstwhile Director General of the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Dora Nkem Akunyili, has proposed how to ensure universal access to safe medicines.

She spoke against the backdrop of increasing cases of fake and substandard medicines, unreported adverse drug reactions and abuse of prescription medicines in the country.

Published in The Guardian Newspaper on Tuesday, 6^th November, 2012

Ministry spends N6 billion on creek projects

The Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs said it has expended over N6 billion on three projects in the region. The projects, which are located in the creeks of Burutu local government area of Delta state, are the canalisation/river training of Foupolo-Bulou Ndoro creek, canalisation at Odoubou Ogbabagbene and Ogbabagbene land reclamation and shoreline protection.

The Minister, Godsday Orubebe gave this hint while taking journalists and some government officials on tour of the projects at the weekend.

Published in The Guardian Newspaper on Tuesday, 6^th November, 2012

EIB, UBA seal E50m regional financing pact for small businesses

The European Investment Bank (EIB)—Europe’s long-term lending institution—and United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, have agreed to strengthen small and medium businesses in Africa through a 50 million euro regional funding initiative.

The initiative was sealed on Wednesday in Lagos by the two financial institutions. The EIB loan will be used by UBA for on-lending to eligible customers in its countries of operation.

Published in The Guardian Newspaper on Tuesday, 6^th November, 2012

FG threatens to stop telecom firm’s promos

Federal Government has threatened to stop all promotions that tend to increase the subscriber base of telecommunications operators in the country.

Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, gave the warning in Abuja on Wednesday.

Published in The Guardian Newspaper on Wednesday, 7^th November, 2012

NSE places Stanbic IBTC shares on full suspension

Shares of Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc have been placed on full suspension by the Nigerian Stock Exchange after the bank informed the Exchange that it had adopted a holding company(HoldCo) structure.

In a statement made available to journalists on Wednesday, the bank said it adopted the new structure in compliance with the revised regulatory framework by the Central Bank of Nigeria, which requires banks to divest from non-core banking businesses or adopt a holding company structure.

Published in The Guardian Newspaper on Wednesday, 7^th November, 2012

Govt, Chinese firms sign MoU on power plants

Echoes of the neglect of the power industry reverberated on Tuesday night as the Federal Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding with two Chinese firms for the execution of two hydro power plants in Mambilla and Zungeru conceived in 1982.

Sino Hydro and the China National Electric Equipment Corporation will handle the contract, while a Nigerian firm, Sunrise Power and Transmission Company, which originally won the contract for Mambilla, will partner the Chinese firms to supply the local components of the contracts.

Published in Punch Newspaper on Thursday, 8^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

Philanthropy: Amosun’s wife empowers physically challenged

More than 1,000 physically challenged people from across the 20 local government areas of Ogun State on Tuesday benefitted from the UPLIFTing the Physically Challenged programme by the wife of the state governor, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun.

The programme, initiated by Mrs. Amosun, is designed to empower people with special needs across the state.
Hundreds of items such as free artificial limbs, wheel chairs, sewing machines and commercial items like giant coolers, umbrellas, packs of Indomie and other Dangote products and cash gifts were given to the physically challenged people to boost their personal and economic needs.

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

CSR News Summary Issue 33

Fire razes buildings in Cross River

An early morning fire on Sunday burnt down eight shops and six residential buildings including a law chamber at Nelson Mandela and Targets roads, in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.

This came just as a member of National Youth Service Corps, Ifeanyi Uche, escaped electrocution while trying to put the fire out.

The fire, according to an eyewitness, Mr. Etim Young, started from a hair dressing salon about 4.30 am as a result of power surge.

Published in The Punch Newspaper on Monday, 29^th October, 2012

Insecurity: Methodist church supports global arms trade treaty

Following the increasing level of insecurity in the country, the Methodist Church of Nigeria has pledged its support for a strong and effective global arms trade treaty.

This is just as the first global arms trade treaty is being negotiated by various governments worldwide.

The arms trade treaty is a trade policy that seeks to regulate movement of all conventional weapons across international borders.

The church said that insecurity in the country could be attributed to the ease at which persons procure arms.

Published in The Punch Newspaper on Monday, 29^th October, 2012

Ogun hosts UNICEF zonal network programme for children in 2013

The Ogun State Government is to host the 14th United Nations International Children Education Fund (UNICEF) Zonal Network for Children (ZNC) in Abeokuta next year.

To this end, it has inaugurated an 8-man Committee to guide the planning. Seven other States across the Country under the UNICEF B-Field Office in Lagos are expected to participate in the conference where they are expected to give account of all UNICEF activities in their respective States.

Published in Business Day Newspaper on Monday, 29^th October, 2012

Flooding: FG to construct dams in Upper Niger, Benue

The Federal Government has disclosed plans to construct dams in the Upper River Niger and Benue River.

This is in a bid to control future flooding and avert the present devastation visited on various parts of the country.

Published in Business Day Newspaper on Monday, 29^th October, 2012

NGO wants FG to deploy military to rescue flood victims

Social Action, a non governmental organisation (NGO), has appealed to the Federal Government to deploy military personnel to assist in the rescue of persons in areas affected by flood disaster in some parts of the country.

Published in Business Day Newspaper on Monday, 29^th October, 2012

Okonjo-Iweala: FG will borrow to Fund Infrastructure Development

The Federal Government is planning to borrow from international financing agencies to fund infrastructure development, Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-iwala, said in Tokya yesterday.

Published in Business Day Newspaper on Monday, 29^th October, 2012

Manufacturing Group tasks FG on Infrastructural Development

An industrialist and Chairman of Eteleson Group, Sir Alfred Nworah Etele, has said that the best approach to boost trade and commerce in the country was for all tiers of government to step up measures more than ever before to create a conducive environment for businesses to grow.

Published in Business Day Newspaper on Monday, 29^th October, 2012

Lagos to establish oil and gas corporation

Lagos State Government is seeking to pass into law, a bill for the establishment of the Lagos State Oil and Gas Corporation. This was discussed yesterday during a public hearing on the proposed executive bill, which was held in the Lagos State House of Assembly.

Published in Daily Sun Newspaper on Tuesday, 30^th October, 2012

We seek resettlement not new nation – Bakassi natives

Bakassi people’s General Assembly under the leadership of Senator Florence Ita-Giwa has dissociated itself from the call for Bakassi Efik natives to join other ethnic nationalities of Southern Cameroun to form a new sovereign state.

Published in Daily Sun Newspaper on Tuesday, 30^th October, 2012

Fayemi commissions multi-million naira ward, ambulances

Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi yesterday commissioned a multi-million naira accident and emergency ward, a laboratory and a male surgical ward at the state’s teaching hospital, Ado – Ekiti, with a promise to increase funding of health care services in the state.

Published in The Daily Sun Newspaper on Tuesday, 30^th October, 2012

Seven die in Delta camps, Senate to donate N201m

No fewer than seven persons have died in 18 relief camps in Delta State, according to Governor Emmanuel Uduagahan.

Also, the Senate yesterday resolved to donate about N201 million to flood disaster victims across the country as part of its contribution towards alleviating their suffering.

Published in The Guardian Newspaper on Tuesday, 30^th October, 2012

ITU rallies Nigeria, others on sustainable broadband policies

Nigeria and other developed nations’ quest for a robust broadband regime may be marred by lack of sustainable plans and policies, the Interational Telecommunicaton Union (ITU) has said.

Published in The Guardian Newspaper on Tuesday, 30^th October, 2012

Philanthropy: BAT donates cassava factory to Achoze community

The British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation has donated cassava processing cottage industry to the OgwozumoFadama Users Group, Achoze community of Okene Local Government Area of Kogi State.

Dr. Gbenga Ibikunle, who represented its chairman, Dr. Christopher Kolade, said the foundation, which is an independent arm of BATN, funded the cottage factory as part of its corporate social responsibility, focusing on four areas namely: agricultural, potable water supply, environmental protection and educational development.

Published in The Guardian Newspaper on Tuesday, 30^th October, 2012

 ‘Canada’s Confidence in Nigerian Economy is Stronger’

The Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Chris Cooter, has said Canada is currently working on strategies aimed at increasing its Foreign Direct Investment in Nigeria within the next few years due to enhanced confidence in the local economy.

Cooter disclosed this during a meeting with Nigeria’s Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, in Abuja.

Published in The Guardian Newspaper on Wednesday, 31^st October, 2012

Lifebuoy Moves to Tackle Diarrhea

This year marks the fifth birthday of Global Handwashing Day (GHD), a day co-founded by Unilever’s health soap brand Lifebuoy to raise awareness of handwashing with soap as a simple but lifesaving habit.

Published in The Guardian Newspaper on Wednesday, 31^st October, 2012

Jonathan makes minor cabinet reshuffle

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday effected a minor cabinet reshuffle with the directive that the Minister of State for Power, Darius Ishaku, swap position with the Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs, Hajia Zainab Kuchi.

The President, who gave the directive yesterday at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, said the two ministers should swap positions next week.

Published in The Guardian Newspaper on Wednesday, 31^st October, 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, 1^st 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, 1^st 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, 1^st November, 2012

Productive land favours Africa in fight against hunger

A new report suggests that Africa is progressing in combat against hunger,  thanks to availability of productive land. Notwithstanding the fears about possible food shortage both locally and internationally, a report by the British Broadcasting Corporation News Africa has said Africa is making headway in its desire to tackle hunger.

Published in Punch Newspaper on Thursday, 1^st November, 2012

ExxonMobil donates N80m to Flood Victims

Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited (MPN) and Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited (EEPNL), affiliates of Exxon Mobil Corporation have donated the sum of $500,000, about N80 million to victims of the recent flooding disaster in five of the worst hit states.

Lead Country Manager of ExxonMobil Affiliates in Nigeria, Mr. Mark Ward said in a statement on Tuesday that the company’s affiliates in Nigeria had partnered the Nigerian Red Cross to provide relief to Akwa Ibom, Rivers and three other states which have been severely affected by the disaster.

Published in Punch Newspaper on Thursday, 1^st November, 2012

NSE Woos Agric Firms to Stock Market for Funds

The Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Oscar Onyema, has called on entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector of the economy to access the nation’s capital market for long-term funds to finance their operations.

Onyema, who made the call during the recent presentation of facts behind the figures by Presco Plc, noted that despite the huge potentials in the agricultural sector, it has remained subsistent because of the huge funding requirements, which cannot be met through the money market.

Published in ThisDay Newspaper on Friday, 2^nd November, 2012

ESSPIN invests N35m in Kwara LG

An international education support agency, Education Sector Support Programme in Nigeria, said it expended over N35m in 2011 on educational development in Kaiama Local Government Council of Kwara State.

The Organisational Development and Management Specialist, ESSPIN, Mr. Taiye Fatoki, made this known on Thursday during the inauguration of some facilities at Nassaraawa-Ngatte Local Government Education Authority.

CSR News Summary Issue 31

We must sustain dream of free egalitarian society, says Imoke

As the nation celebrates her 52 independent anniversary Governor Liyel imoke of Cross River State has called on present generation of Nigerians and their leaders to sustain the dream of a free egalitarian society that the founding fathers fought for.

He said the country looks forward tothe centenary of our amalgamation in 2014, it was pertinent to take stock of how far we have come and how much further we can go.
Published on Tuesday, 2^nd October, 2012 in The Daily Sun Newspaper.

 Stakeholders to brainstorm on cash-less policy

The Central Bank of Nigeria, international and local institutions and stakeholders will converge on Lagos for a conference on the cash-less policy introduced by the CBN.

A statement made available TO OUR CORESPONDENT ON Tuesday said the experts would be drawn from various relevant sectors of the economy like banking, manufacturing, telecommunications, services, the informal sector outside Nigeria.

Published on Thursday, 4^thOctober, 2012 in The Punch Newspaper.

Ogoni Community decries exclusion from UNEP Report

The people of Goi community, Bodo in Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State have decried the exclusion of the community in the environmental assessment report carried out in the Ogoniland by the United Nations Environmental Programme.

Indigenes of the area who trooped out enmasse to welcome the Bukola Sarai-led Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology, described the area as the most impacted in terms of environmental degradation in Ogoniland.

Published on Thursday, 4^thOctober, 2012 in The Punch Newspaper.

 Turkey Projects N320 bn trade Volume with Nigeria in 2013.

The Bilateral trade between Nigeria and Turkey, which currency stands at $1.3 billion, is expected to rise to $2 billion (N320 billion) by the end of 2013.

The Commercial Counsellor, Embassy of Turkey in Nigeria, Bulent Ferik, disclosed this on Tuesday in Lagos, at the inauguration of the Nigerian-Turkish Business Council (NTBC).

Published on Thursday, 4^thOctober, 2012 in The Punch Newspaper.

Nigeria records 90 polio in nine months

Nigeria has continued to transmit the wild Polio Virus(WPV) with two new type one (WPV1) cases reported in the past week from Kaduna and jigawa states, bringing the total number of cases for 2012 to 90.

According to Weekly Polio Update, published by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), the case from Kaduna is the most recent in the country and had onset of paralysis on September, 2012, and the next subnational Immunization Plus Days (IPDs), which started yesterday, September 29, will run till Tuesday October 2, 2012.

Published on Thursday, 4^thOctober, 2012 in The Punch Newspaper.

Focus On Parastatal Under The Federal Ministry Of Education

President Goodluck jonathan has often stated that Education is at the heart of his administration’s Transformation Agenda, the Federal Ministry of Education (FME) which formulates policies for the sector, must have the right approach and answers to the multifaceted problems facing it.

However, to undertake this very vital task, the Ministry relies on its 21 parastatals, which must not only have competent hands, but must work together in a well-caculated manner.

Published on Thursday, 4^thOctober, 2012 in The Punch Newspaper.

LASU students take lectures under trees

Lagos State wears the toga as the nation’s Centre of Excellence. But the student of the Lagos University (LASU), Ojo have tales of woes on their lips.

For several days, some student of the Adebola Adegunwa School of Communication, studied under tree shades at the popular students’relaxation Centre popularly called Abe Igi.

Published on Tuesday, 2^nd October, 2012 in The Daily Sun Newspaper.

CBN reviews agric sector financing criteria

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has set new rules for lending to the agricultural sector of the economy.

The apex bank took the decision after reports from banks and discount houses indicated that lending to the subsector remains a high-risk, which should be followed with caution.

Published on Wednesday, 3^rd October, 2012 in The Nation Newspaper.

FirstBank backs cocoa transformation agenda.

First Bank of Nigeria Plc is committed to improving cocoa production and contribution to the economy.

The bank in a statement, said it will achieve this using its support for the Cocoa Investment Conference slated for October 4 to 5, in Ibadan.

Published on Wednesday, 3^rd October, 2012 in The Nation Newspaper.

Development agenda for Western Nigeria: Prospects and challenges.

Perhaps, it will suffice to say that the coming of the crude oil, while it may have done more harm than good to the western region, because since that time, (post-Awolowo era) successive governments from the region go to Abuja, at the end of every month with their ‘’begging bowls” to take crumbs from the national government in form of the federations account while neglecting out natural endowments that could have been ad-equate tapped for optimum advantage and growth.

The propriety or otherwise of such endeavor in a county laying claims to practicing federalism in an issue for another discuss.

Published on Wednesday, 3^rd October, 2012 in The Nation Newspaper.

NIMASA to train youth.

The Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), has concluded arrangement to train some youth from the southeast. Their conterparts from southsouth had enjoyed the priviledge.

Speaking with the Nation in his office last week, NIMASA’s Director-General, Mr Patrick Akpobolokemi said there are many job opportunities in the maritime sector, but unfortunately they are not open to Nigeria because they lack necessary training.

Published on Wednesday, 3^rd October, 2012 in The Nation Newspaper.

CBN, Banks partner.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and banks are implementing fresh measures aimed at empowering farmers financially and providing favourable fiscal policies for their operations.

It said it had granted zero tariffs for the importation of agricultural machinery and equipment. The bank said it took the action to create a robust agricultural sector and provide an enabling environment for investments.

Published on Wednesday, 3^rd October, 2012 in The Nation Newspaper.

 MfBs groan under huge tax burden

MICROFINACE banks are battling MfBs huge tax burdens and botched attempts to get tax holidays form the government, The Nation has learnt.

According to the annual reports of some of the banks, huge taxes is common to all the entities.
Published on Wednesday, 3^rd October, 2012 in The Nation Newspaper.

Govt, World Bank collaborate

THE Federal Government and the World bank are partnering to create a sustainable job funds. The initiative, which is expected to take over $80 million, will help in training graduates of tietary institutions in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), as well as related job skills.

The initiative is being implanted through science and Technology Education Post-Basic (Step-B) project under the Federal Ministry of Education.

Published on Wednesday, 3^rd October, 2012 in The Nation Newspaper.

 Organisation designs web to promote electricity

A website has been opened to showcase appraise Nigerian Leaders who pay attention to the suffering of the fellow Nigerians a result of the devastating effect of electricity on the economy.

According to the National Co-ordinator of Project Light-Up Nigeria, Mr. Frank Ukpabi, the step was taken to allow stakeholders in diaspora appraise Nigerian leaders with view to rewarding these set of concerned citizens according to their performances vis-à-vis generating power in November, 2012.

Published on Wednesday, 3^rd October, 2012 in The Guardian Newspaper.

Farm sues Unity Bank over agric loan

For acting in an alleged manner that denied it from assessing a N500 million loan unders the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Commercial Agriculture Credit Scheme (CACS), jigna farm has dragged Unity Bank to the Federal High Court Bwari, Abuja for adjudication.

A statement by the farm in Abuja on Monday blamed Unity Bank for not acting in a professional manner that frustrated it from obtaining the said loan for its expansion programme

Published on Wednesday, 3^rd October, 2012 in The Guardian Newspaper.

 Clamour for govt to appeal Bakassi ruling mounts

AGITATION by Nigerians and the people of the oil rich area for the federal government to appeal the International Court of justice (ICJ) decision ceding Bakassi Peninsula to the Cameroun has heightend.

For example a formal Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives (1999-2003), Chibudom Nwuche, and the Bakassi Peoples General Assembly have joined the clamour.

Published on Wednesday, 3^rdOctober, 2012 in The Guardian Newspaper.

 World Bank seeks public private partnership on job creation

The World Bank at the weekend release its World Development Report 2013 with a fresh mandate to developing countries to make job creation a cardinal point of their development agenda.

According to the bank, developing countries would need to make job creation a cornerstone development, with a pay off far beyond income alone, stressing they are critical for reducing poverty, making cities work, and providing youth with alternatives to violence.

Published on Tuesday, 2^ndOctober, 2012 in The Daily Sun Newspaper.

Women entrepreneurs to explore AGOA potentials

THE Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Business Women Group (NAWORG) has lamented the inability of the women entreprenurs to benefit from the opportunities available under the African Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA), due to poor access to fund.

The group also enjoined the Bank of Industry (BoI) to set up a special fund, which would assist women entrepreneurs explore international business environment such as AGOA.

Published on Wednesday, 3^rd October, 2012 in The Guardian Newspaper.

Group holds CSR seminar

DEPUTY High Commission of Canada, in partnership with CSR-in-Action, an indigenous social enterprise; has concluded plans to hold a seminar titled “Sustainability in the Extractive Industries: Managing Your Value Chain”.

According to the organizer, the event scheduled for 18th of October 2012, at the Oriental Hotel is geared towards bringing together practitioners in sustainability and heads of government and business within the extractive industries in both Nigeria and Canada, culminating in a series of powerfully orchestrated panels and presentations from experts.

Published on Wednesday, 3^rd October, 2012 in The Guardian Newspaper.

Govt inaugurates UNIDO country programme

THE Federal Government has Inaugurated Implementation Committees on the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) country programme for Nigeria.

The committees which comprises representatives from various relevant Ministries /Departments, Institutions and the Private Sector were inaugurated by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment, Mr. Dauda Kigbu at the Ministry’s Headquarters in Abuja.

Published on Wednesday, 3^rd October, 2012 in The Guardian Newspaper.

Military, others evacuate 76,000 Anambra flood victims

More than 76,000 victims of the devastating floods that hit about 200 communities in five local government areas of Anambra State are being evacuated from their homes to relief camps in Onitsha and Nteje.

The evacuation came as reports said two persons, a woman and a boy, died at Ogbaru following the flooding that submerged their homes on Sunday night.

Published on Wednesday, 2^nd October, 2012 in The Punch Newspaper.

Microsoft targets 300 million youths with YouthSpark

Microsoft Corporation has said its newly introduced global initiative, Microsoft YouthSpark, will create opportunities for 300 million youths in more than 100 countries in the next three years.

The company said the initiative would be implemented though a range of global programmes in partnership with governments, non-profit organisations and other businesses.

Published on Wednesday, 2^nd October, 2012 in The Punch Newspaper.

IBM tackles knowledge gap among Nigerian SMEs

Skills shortage, education and business management knowledge have been identified as the bane of Small and Medium-scale Enterprises in Nigeria and IBM has begun tackling the menace.

The company, during a recent training for 30 young entrepreneurs in a variety of industries in Lagos, said having the right knowledge, skills, tools and techniques would help deliver the right business results for SMEs in the country.

Published on Wednesday, 2^nd October, 2012 in The Punch Newspaper.

 We are making progress on many fronts – Jonathan

Beloved countrymen and women, on this day, fifty-two years ago, our founding fathers brought joy and hope to the hearts of our people when they won independence for our great country. Nigeria made a clean break with more than six decades of colonial rule, and emerged as a truly independent nation. That turning point was a new beginning for our nation.

Those who witnessed the lowering of the Union Jack and the emergence of the Green White Green flag continue to relish the memory, because that ceremony was not just about the destiny of a nation, but the future of a people.

Published on Wednesday, 2^nd October, 2012 in The Punch Newspaper.

 NMA advocates electoral reforms, good governance

Nigerian Medical Association has called on the Federal Government to be committed to the nation’s electoral reforms and the enthronement of good governance.
The association also flayed Nigeria’s health indices, saying the citizens are poorer than their counterparts in many African countries.

Published on Wednesday, 2^nd October, 2012 in The Punch Newspaper.

‘Climate change, poor planning caused flooding’

Chairman, National Planning Committee of the Nigeria Urban Summit, Mr. Onibokun Abimbola, has said climate change as well as lack of planning is responsible for the recent flooding in parts of the country.

Abimbola, a town planner, stated this in an interview with our correspondent in Abuja on Monday.

Abimbola said, “There have been incidents of ravaging flood, collapsed buildings and security challenges in many quarters.

Published on Wednesday, 2^nd October, 2012 in The Punch Newspaper.

Fayemi promises to expand social welfare scheme

Ekiti State Government said it was working on ways to widen the coverage of its social welfare scheme for the elderly to accommodate more aged people.

To achieve this, Governor Kayode Fayemi said he would increase the budgetary allocation to the scheme in the 2013 proposed appropriation bill.

Published on Friday, 5^th October, 2012 in The National Mirror Newspaper.

 

FG to train 30,000 Nigerians on cocoa production

The Federal Government yesterday stated its determination to train 30,000 entrepreneurs to boost cocoa production, processing and marketing.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, spoke at the opening ceremony of the first International Cocoa Conference held at the Jogor Events Centre, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

Published on Friday, 5^th October, 2012 in The National Mirror Newspaper.

 

Gaidam approves employment of 3,000 graduates, others

Governor Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe State has approved the employment of 3,000 degree, HND and NCE graduates as well as other professionals to be employed into the state civil service.

The Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Goni Fika, disclosed this yesterday after the State Executive Council meeting held at the Government House, Damaturu.

Published on Friday, 5^th October, 2012 in The National Mirror Newspaper.

 

Tutu wins Mo Ibrahim $1m award

Veteran peace campaigner Archbishop Desmond Tutu ha sbeen awarded $1 million by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation for "speaking truth to power".

The London-based Foundation called the cleric "one of Africa's great voices for justice, freedom, democracy and responsible, responsive government", BBC has reported.

Published on Friday, 5^th October, 2012 in The National Mirror Newspaper.

 

Gombe spends N11.7BN on schools, infrastructure

The Gombe State Government has awarded N11.7 billion contract for the construction of schols and provision of infrastructure for them

The Commissioner for Education, Mrs Aishatu Mohamed, and her Higher Education counterpart, Dr, Isa Wade, started this while addressing journalists after the state executive council meeting on Wednesday in Gombe.

Published on Friday, 5^th October, 2012 in The National Mirror Newspaper.