CSR News Summary Issue 116

Industry Pulse: Adeduntan To Succeed Onasanya As First Bank GMD

First Bank of Nigeria Limited on Monday announced that it’s Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director, Dr Adeduntan, would replace Mr. Bisi Onasanya as the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive officer.

Published in the Punch Newspaper Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Environment: Oil Spill Victims Protest In Warri Over Non-Payment Of N3b Compensation

Victims of Bonga oil spill protest non-payment of over N3b compensation. Victims of Bonga oil spill in Delta and Bayelsa States recently took to the street to protest, non-payment of Compensation to them, by the oil company involved in the spillage.

Published in the Daily Sun Newspaper Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Industry Pulse: Immigration Appoints New Spokesman

An imminent shake-up in the Nigeria Immigration service (NIS) has commenced with the return of Ekpedeme king as the new public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Service. A statement issued yesterday in Abuja from the Public Relations Unit of the Service said the Deputy Controller Immigration (DCI), King, is to take over from the erstwhile Chukwuemeka Obua, who had been redeployed to Lagos State.

Published in the Guardian Newspaper Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Capacity Building: Kano To Sponsor 100 Herdsmen For Training In Turkey

About one hundred herdsmen are to be sponsored to Turkey for training on modern rearing techniques and artificial insemination by the Kano State government. This was disclosed by the state governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, at the weekend during an event marking his 100 days in office.

Published in the Guardian Newspaper Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Environment: Bagudu Orders Construction Of Waterways To Alleviate Flooding

The Kebbi State Government has directed its Ministry of Works and a private construction company, Habibu Engineering, to construct emergency water ways in areas affected by flood.

Published in the Guardian Newspaper Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Reporting: Nigeria hits 1m mark on UNICEF SMS-based U-report platform

Through a United Nations Children Fund global innovation, Nigeria has achieved a milestone as the first country to reach one million responders on the Short Message Service (SMS) based U-report platform, designed to strengthen community-led development and citizen engagement.

Published in the Guardian Newspaper Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Health And Safety: NIMASA Steps Up Maritime Safety

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, says it has implemented measures to keep maritime activities safe through better operations of the Regional Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre with effective incident management, search and rescue capabilities.

Published in the Guardian Newspaper Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Community Development: NDDC Fast-Tracks Projects, Debunks Allegation Of Missing N183bn

The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has restated its commitment to completing all its on-going projects across the Niger Delta region. Making this commitment while inspecting three projects in Abua-Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Published in the Guardian Newspaper Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Environment: Terminal Operators Unveil ‘Go Green’ Initiative

As part of measures to promote environmental awareness and make a sustainable difference in the communities in which they operate, leading container terminal and port operators have teamed up to launch the ‘Go Green,’ described as the first ever joint industry initiative.

Published in the Guardian Newspaper Wednesday, September 9, 2015

SMEs: Ikorodu Chamber Partners Boi On Funding For SMEs

To aid the realisation of equitable development among Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), Ikorodu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) has expressed readiness to partner with the Bank of Industry (BOI) in accessing funds for its businesses.

Published in the Guardian Newspaper Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Standards: SON Seizes N150 Million Fake Phones

The Standards organization of Nigeria (SON) has confiscated over 1000 cartons of phones in Kano and arrested an alleged owner of the fake phone warehouse, Yi Fang Communication located in Kano.

Published in the Guardian Newspaper Wednesday, September 9, 2015

MDGs: MDGs Contractors Get N145m

Following the approval of the Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, the Ekiti State Office of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) has disbursed a sum of N145.2 million to 25 contractors handling 2011, 2012 and 2013 projects.

Published in the Nation Newspaper Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Investment: Ease Of Doing Business, World Bank Ranks Nigeria 170th

The World Bank has ranked Nigeria 170^th among 189 countries in a survey on how easy to do business. It shows an improvement of 2.9 per cent on the 175^th position the country occupied last year.

Published in the Nation Newspaper Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Climate Change: UN Tackle Climate Change, Others In Nigeria

To tackle climate change and its effect on the environment and agriculture in the continent, the United Nation’s arm, Eco-system Based Adaptation for Food Security Assembly (EBAFOSA), has launched an arm in Nigeria.

Published in the Nation Newspaper Wednesday, September 9, 2015

SDGs: United Nations To Adopt 17 Sustainable Development Goals

The United Nations Member States is preparing to adopt a new set of Sustainable Development Goals with a ground breaking collaboration of campaigners, public figures, companies and civil society groups with one message “it’s time to change the world.”

Published in the Nation Newspaper Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Industry Pulse: UI Names Olayinka As New VC

Professor Abel Idowu Olayinka, a former Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics) has been named the new vice chancellor of the University of Ibadan. Olayinka was also the Dean of the Faculty of Science and former Head of Department of Geology at the university.

Published in the Daily Trust Newspaper Thursday, September 10, 2015

Health: Study To Decide Best HIV Treatment Strategy

A study by the National Agency for Control of AIDS (NACA) is to help decide whether health workers choose to administer the anti retro-viral drug, Truvada as a prevention or treatment for HIV/AIDS.

Published in the Daily Trust Newspaper Thursday, September 10, 2015

Agriculture: WACOT Partners USAID, Others On Agricultural Productivity

The West African Cotton Company Limited (WACOT), an agricultural input company in Nigeria, has said that, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and other agencies, it developed programmes that would increase farmers’ income.

Published in the Daily Trust Newspaper Thursday, September 10, 2015

Agriculture: BoA To Empower Niger Delta Youth

The Bank of Agriculture (BoA) will empower 130 Niger Delta youths trained in various aspects of agricultural enterprises in Israel in 2014. A statement signed by Stephen Kilebi, the Ministry of Niger Delta head of information.

Published in the Daily Trust Newspaper Thursday, September 10, 2015

Agriculture: FAO Donates Equipment To NASC, Invests $4m in Nigeria

The Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations has donated agricultural equipment worth millions of naira to the National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC). The event, which held at Sheda in Abuja recently, was attended by agricultural experts, farmers, and seed experts.

Published in the Daily Trust Newspaper Thursday, September 10, 2015

Philanthropy: Chevron Partners Donate Science Lab To Benue School

Chevron Nigeria Limited and its partners in the Agbami oil field have handed over a science laboratory complex, worth millions of naira, to Government College, Makurdi, Benue State. The state-of-the-art science laboratory was funded by star Deepwater Petroleum Nigeria Limited, a Chevron company, and Co-venturers in the Agbami oil field project.

Published in the Daily Trust Newspaper Thursday, September 10, 2015

Health: Child Mortality Falls by 50% Since 1990- Report

Child mortality has fallen by more than 50% since 1990, a report by the World Health Organization and UN children’s agency UNICEF says. It says that 25 years ago 12.7 million children under five died, but this year the figure is projected to drop below six million for the first time.

Published in the Daily Trust Newspaper Thursday, September 10, 2015

Industry Pulse: World Economic Forum selects Waltersmith As Global Growth Firm

The World Economic Forum (WEF) has announced the selection of Waltersmith Petroman Oil Limited, a wholly indigenous Nigerian oil exploration and production company as a member of the Forum’s Global Growth Companies (GGC).

Published in the Leadership Newspaper Thursday, September 10, 2015

Investment: Exclusion From GBI-EM, Nigeria Disagrees With JP Morgan’s Criteria

The Nigerian Federal Ministry of Finance (FMF), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Debt Management Office (DMO) has responded to the exclusion saying while they respect JP Morgan they “strongly disagree with the premise and conclusions upon which the decision rests”.

Published in the Leadership Newspaper Thursday, September 10, 2015

Philanthropy: CSR, MTN Foundation Spends N11.5bn On 344 Projects

The Chairman of MTN Foundation (MTNF), Mr Pascal Dozie, has disclosed that since inception, the MTNF has spent a whopping N11.5 billion on hugely impactful social investments in education, health, and economic empowerment.

Published in the Leadership Newspaper Thursday, September 10, 2015

Industry Pulse: Pan Ocean Corporation (Nigeria) Limited & Newcross Group Appoint Sunmonu, Ex-Shell Chair as Executive Consultant

The boards of Pan Ocean Oil Corporation (Nigeria) Limited (“Pan Ocean”) and Newcross Group of Companies (“Newcross “), have announced the appointment of Mr. Mutiu Sunmonu, immediate past Managing Director & Nigeria Country Chair for Shell in Nigeria as Executive Consultant to the Board.

Published in the Leadership Newspaper Thursday, September 10, 2015

Education: Literacy Day And The Burden Of EFA 2015

The National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Formal Education (NMEC) in 2012, during a summit on education which hosted several African countries in Nigeria, was saddled with the responsibility of ensuring that the over 40 million Nigerian illiterate adults get educated.

Published in the Leadership Newspaper Thursday, September 10, 2015

Industry Pulse: Fidelity Bank Appoints Two Executive Directors

The Board of Directors of Fidelity Bank Plc has announced the appointment of two new Executive Directors as part of efforts aimed at restructuring and strengthening its executive management team.

Published in the This day Newspaper Friday, September 11, 2015

CSR News Summary Issue 115

Investment: Finally, 450MW Azura IPP Gets FG, World Bank $237m Partial Risk Guarantee

The federal government has finally signed off its backing of a $237 million World Bank Partial Risk Guarantees (PRG) for the construction of the 450 megawatts (MW) Azura-Edo Independent Power Plant (IPP).

Published in the This Day Newspaper, Monday, August 24, 2015

Industry Pulse: FAAN MD Receives National Order of Merit Award

The Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Saleh Dunoma has been honored with the National Productivity Order of Merit Award.

Published in the This Day Newspaper, Monday, August 24, 2015

Investment: Investor Apathy Greets Flour Mills’ N30 Billion Rights Issue

As Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc prepares to raise fresh capital from existing shareholders through a rights issue, THISDAY checks revealed that some of the shareholders would not take up their rights. Some of the shareholders who spoke to THISDAY said they were yet to get value for the Rights Issue the company made in 2011.

Published in the This Day Newspaper, Monday, August 24, 2015

Agriculture: Sokoto to Generate N10bn from Export of Agricultural Products

Chairman, Caretaker Committee of the Sokoto State Traders Association, Alhaji Muazu Bello Rafi has said the state can generate over N10 billion annually from export of Agricultural products to neighboring African Countries.

Published in the This Day Newspaper, Monday, August 24, 2015

SMEs: Heritage Bank, EDC Collaborate to Boost SMEs

Heritage Bank Limited and the Entrepreneurship Development Centre (EDC) of the Pan African University (PAU) have gone into a partnership to bring together top chief executive officers to strengthen the activities of small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) in the country.

Published in the This Day Newspaper, Monday, August 24, 2015

Environment: Nigeria Losing Up To $5 Billion To Gas Flaring Annually

Nigeria is said to be losing between $3.5 billion to $5 billion to gas flaring annually, despite current efforts at achieving flare out. The problem of gas flaring has remained unresolved in Nigeria for many decades.

Published in the Business Day Newspaper, Monday, August 24, 2015

Environment: Ogoni youths block East-West Road over UNEP Report

Hundreds of Ogoni youths on Monday barricaded the Akpajo-Eleme axis of the East-West Road that leads to the Port Harcourt Refinery, Indorama Petrochemicals and the Onne Free Trade Zone.

Published in the Punch Newspaper, Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Industry Pulse: Deap Capital Names Esan MD

Deap Capital Management and Trust Plc has appointed Mr. Jacob Esan as its new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer as part of the company’s efforts to return to profitability.

Published in the Punch Newspaper, Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Philanthropy: ExxonMobil Trains Lecturers From 30 Varsities

ExxonMobil alongside the American Association of petroleum Geologists, Africa Region, has exposed Geology lecturers from 30 Nigerian universities to what has been described as the latest technology in the profession.

Published in the Punch Newspaper, Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Philanthropy: UN hails Dangote for humanitarian service to mankind

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon yesterday commended the Dangote Foundation for its contributions to the improvement of human condition in Africa and the rest of the world. Ki-moon urged the Foundations chairman; Aliko Dangote not to relent in philanthropic activities, stressing that posterity will be kind to him.

Published in the Dailysun Newspaper, Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Philanthropy: 7UP/Harvard Business School Scholarship aims at growing future leaders

The General Manager, Human Resources, 7UP Bottling Company, Mr Adeyinka Adesina has said that the aim of the Harvard Business School scholarship is to develop strong leaders who would in turn develop others.

Published in the Dailysun Newspaper, Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Environment: Unemployment looms as erosion ravages Delta fish farm

Camp 74 Fish Farm, located at Anwai Road in Asaba, Delta State, is very vital to the economy of the state. Its contributions to the agric sub-sector over the years cannot easily be waved aside, with over 500 fish ponds, employing no fewer than 800 workers.

Published in the Dailysun Newspaper, Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Development: Population Explosion Threatens Nigeria

With Nigerians set to become world’s third largest nation by 2050, experts worry over uncontrolled birth rates.

Published in the Dailysun Newspaper, Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Education: Technocrats Vote TVE For National Development

Intellectuals converged on the Yaba College of Technology, Yaba Lagos recently where they identified skills acquisition as lifeline for teeming youths and graduates in the country. It was an event organized by the Nigerian Vocational Association.

Published in the Dailysun Newspaper, Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Ecommerce: Cybercrimes Act 2015, NEFF, Judiciary collaborate against  bank fraudsters

The menace of electronic fraud threatening the existence of the financial sector may soon be reduced to its barest level, as the Nigerian Electronic Fraud Forum (NEFF) is now enlisting the support of the judiciary in its fight against all banking sector related frauds in the country, especially with the coming of Cybercrimes Act 2015.

Published in the Dailysun Newspaper, Tuesday, August 25, 2015

MSMEs: CBN Partners MFB on SMEs Development

In its drive to assist small businesses, particularly in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has entered into a partnership with an Abuja based Micro-finance Bank (MFB), Visa Microfinance Bank Ltd to further improve access to finance.

Published in the Dailysun Newspaper, Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Community Development: MultiChoice Trains 500 Dstv Installers

With the rate of unemployment increasing yearly in Nigeria, MultiChoice, owners of DSTV, pay TV has introduced a palliative measure by training 500 installers, who in turn, would employ others.

Published in the Dailysun Newspaper, Tuesday, August 25, 2015

SDGs: UN To Adopt SDGs September 21

The United Nations (UN) will adopt the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the successor programme to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) on September 21, Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General on MDGs, Hajiya Amina Al-Zubair, said yesterday.

Published in The Nation Newspaper, Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Charity: Touching Lives Entries still on, says Airtel

Two weeks after the launch of Touching Lives Season 2, leading telecoms operator, Airtel Nigeria has said entry is still open for well-meaning Nigerians to nominate beneficiaries in the revolutionary CSR intervention, until August 27 when entries will close.

Published in The Nation Newspaper, Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Financial Literacy: Skye Bank Empowers Youths

Skye Bank Plc has concluded its financial training for the youth. It was designed to empower them with the necessary entrepreneurial and financial planning skills.

Published in The Nation Newspaper, Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Philanthropy: UBA Endows N53m Finance Professional Chair

United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has resuscitated the UBA Professional Chair of Finance at the University of Lagos with an endowment sum of the N52.9 million.

Published in The Nation Newspaper, Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Energy: Ekiti Communities Protest Power Outage

Residents of Aramoko-Ekiti and Erio-Ekiti, both in Ekiti West Local Government Area of Ekiti State showed their fury penultimate week over a six-month black-out occasioned by their disconnection from power source by Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC).

Published in The Nation Newspaper, Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Health And Safety: Lagos To Clamp Down On Safety Defaulters

The Lagos State Government has stepped up its efforts to ensure residents imbibe safety culture in their homes and places of work. In the circumstances, therefore the government will embark on massive awareness campaigns to residents of the grassroots in a bid to sensitize them on safety regulations of the state, which are aimed at securing lives and properties.

Published in The Nation Newspaper, Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Civil Society: UNODC Trains Anti-Corruption Agencies, Civil Society Groups Officials

The United Nations on Drugs and Crime (UNDOC) has trained some officials of anti-corruption agencies and civil organizations (CSQs). According to the agency, UNDOC Country Representative Koli Kuoma, represented by the project officer, Mrs Horsheth Virk, the training was to assist states in dealing with corruption.

Published in The Nation Newspaper, Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Agriculture: Nigeria Spends N16bn Yearly Importing Tomatoes

The Federal Government yesterday said Nigeria spends N16 billion yearly on importing tomatoes. Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Sonny Echono, who puts the country’s domestic demand for tomatoes at 2.3 million tonnes, said the country only produces 1.8 million tones yearly.

Published in The Nation Newspaper, Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Environment: World Bank Plans to End Gas Flaring By 2030

The World Bank has unveiled plans to set a global standard to stop gas flaring. In an attempt to end the pollution and waste of resources that it creates. Nigeria is one of the top gas flaring countries in the world, throwing about 22.3 billion standard cubic feet (scf) of gas in a month.

Published in the Guardian Newspaper, Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Energy: Lagos Lists Benefits of Energy Conservation

The Lagos State government has emphasized the need for customers to adopt the practice of energy conservation to promote efficiency. Energy conservation is simply the practice of reducing energy consumption via efficient energy practices.

Published in the Guardian Newspaper, Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Environment: Bonga Oil Spill, NOSDRA Orders Shell to Pay $3.6bn to Affected Communities

The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, NOSDRA, has directed Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company, SNEPCO, to pay $3.6 billion to affected communities of the Bonga oil spill.

Published in the Guardian Newspaper, Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Education: Nigeria Needs An Education Fund For Students

The Executive Secretary, National University Commission (NUC) Prof. Julius Okojie has said that government should establish an education fund where students can obtain loans to carter for their education.

Published in the Daily Trust Newspaper, Thursday, August 27, 2015

Environment: Erosion Threatens Gombe Communities

Five communities in Akko and Nafada Local Government Areas of Gombe State are being threatened by erosion. The affected communities include Arawa in Akko LGA and Tilde Cilehi and Tongo communities in Nafada.

Published in the Daily Trust Newspaper, Thursday, August 27, 2015

Standards: Importation of Fake Products to reduce by10% in Dec-SON

The Director-General of Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON), Dr Joseph Odumodu, has vowed to ensure that importation of fake and substandard products into the country is reduced by 10 percent by December 2015.

Published in the Daily Trust Newspaper, Thursday, August 27, 2015

Investment: World Bank to Disburse N30bn to 26 States, FCT

The World Bank assisted Community and Social Development Project (CSDP) will soon start disbursing additional $140 million (about 30 billion naira) to 26 states and FCT for community driven projects.

Published in the Daily Trust Newspaper, Thursday, August 27, 2015

Agriculture: NIFOR Raises Alarm over Adulteration Of Palm Oil

Director of research at Nigeria Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) Dr Celestine Ikwuenobi is alarmed that palm oil widely used for food has been adulterated with chemicals used in the dyeing of clothes.

Published in the Daily Trust Newspaper, Thursday, August 27, 2015

Standards: Why Europe, Others reject Nigerian farm produce

Nigerian exporters of agricultural produce are finding it difficult to penetrate the international market because our produce are often rejected. Why are we having this reoccurring situation? Nigeria is not an isolated country. We are signatories to World Trade Organization (WTO). Being a member, we are duty- bound to observe the rules and regulations of trade which WTO has set.

Published in the Daily Trust Newspaper, Thursday, August 27, 2015

Agriculture: Cotton Farmers to Benefit from Reviving Textile Industry

In 1980, cotton turnover in Nigeria was worth N8.9 billion, which represented 25% of the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Sadly, it slumped to only N300 million in 2012. The textile industries in 1980 employed 700,000 skilled and unskilled workers.

Published in the Daily Trust Newspaper, Thursday, August 27, 2015

Philanthropy: Dangote, others offer N230 million support to IDPs

About N230 million was raised at the advocacy and fund raising event organized by the management of Daily Trust for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the North East, in Abuja yesterday.

Published in the Guardian Newspaper, Friday, August 28, 2015

Climate: UNDP launches storytelling contest on climate

For a better public awareness on negative impacts of climate change, as well as the opportunities and solutions from individuals and governments across vulnerable developing countries, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) yesterday launched a global storytelling contest, Voices2paris.

Published in the Guardian Newspaper, Friday, August 28, 2015

Investment: World Bank to disburse $140m for Nigeria’s community projects

The World Bank may commence disbursement of additional $140 million (about N30 billion) to 26 states and Federal Capital Territory, under its Community and Social Development Project (CSDP).For community driven projects.

Published in the Guardian Newspaper, Friday, August 28, 2015

Standards: SON targets 10% reduction in substandard goods by 2016

Hinging its new agenda on the strength of its ‘operation flush campaign’ and integration of its online platform with other stake-holders, the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) has announced plans to reduce the level of sub-standard goods in the country by 10 per cent before end of 2016.

Published in the Guardian Newspaper, Friday, August 28, 2015

Investment: Dangote, China’s Sinoma To Sign $4.34 Bln Africa Cement Plant Deals

Nigeria’s Dangote Cement will sign $4.34 billion worth of contracts with China’s Sinoma International Engineering Co. on Wednesday to build cement plants across Africa, Nigeria’s largest listed firm said.

Published in the Guardian Newspaper, Friday, August 28, 2015

Education: FG Bans 57 Universities, Sanctions Others

In its drive to rid the country of illegal universities, the National Universities Commission (NUC) has released a list of 57 illegal degree-awarding institutions operating in Nigeria and other campuses in the country.

Published in the This day Newspaper, Friday, August 28, 2015

MSMEs: Abuja Chamber Wants Buhari to Prioritize SMEs Development

The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry Ltd. (ABUCCI), has enjoined President Muhammadu Buhari to make the development of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) sector, a top priority in his government policies.

Published in the This day Newspaper, Friday, August 28, 2015

CSR News Summary Issue 114

Charity: Lion’s Club To Expend N200m on Less Privileged

As part of its humanitarian activities, the lion’s club, District 404-2 Nigeria has earmarked N200m to be expended on the less privileged and some communities, as disclosed by the District Governor, Dr Christine Funke Adebajo at a press briefing in Lagos.

Published in the Guardian Newspaper Sunday, August 16, 2015

Governance: FG Set to Unveil National E-Governance Framework

The Director General, National Information Technology Agency (NITDA), Mr. Peter Jack, has said the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Communications Technology, will soon unveil the national e-governance master plan developed in the twilight of the last administration.

Published in the This day Newspaper Sunday, August 16, 2015

Philanthropy: Dufil Donates Cash, Products to Visually Impaired

As part of its CRS activities, Dufil Prima Plc, maker of indomie noodles has thrown its weight behind ‘’Fitness Work for Sight’’, a rally organized by the Nigerian Society for the blind In celebration of 10^th White Cane Day. With the initiative, the company has thus demonstrated is passion, care and commitment to the welfare for blind and visually impaired persons in the country. Beyond the moral support, Dufil also donated cash and products to the association.

Published in the This day Newspaper Monday, August 17, 2015

Standards Industry Pulse: Aero Bags Award for Exceptional Safety Culture

 Aero Contractors, Nigeria’s leading regional airline, has received an ambulance from Nigerian Employers Consultative Association (NECA) and Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) for winning the Exceptional Safety Culture Award.

Published in the This day Newspaper Monday, August 17, 2015

MSMEs: Diamond Bank Harps on High Financial Standards for MSMEs

Head, Retail Directorate of the Bank Diamond Bank Plc, Aisha Ahmad has urged entrepreneurs of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to imbibe the values of financial discipline and strict corporate financial management in the running of their companies so as to sustain the rapid growth and development of the sector.

Published in the This day Newspaper Monday, August 17, 2015

Charity: Nominations for Airtel Touching Lives 2 Begins

Airtel Nigeria has thrown open nominations for Airtel Touching Lives Season Two. The initiative, according to the company is aimed at supporting thousands of less privileged lives on the streets.

Published in the This day Newspaper Monday, August 17, 2015

Philanthropy: Rivers Leads as Lafarage, Foundation Begins Literacy Competition

In its quest to further inspire Nigerian children towards academic excellence and promote quality education in Nigeria, Lafarage Africa Plc, in partnership with ovie Brume Foundation, has commenced the 2^nd edition of Lafarage-Ovie Brume Literacy Competition.

Published in the This day Newspaper Monday, August 17, 2015

MSME: NGBA to Hold Workshops on Growth Opportunities for SMEs

Nigerian-German Business Association (NGBA) has announced plans to hold a series of capacity building workshops for small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria.

Published in the This day Newspaper Monday, August 17, 2015

MSME: Sterling Bank Launches MSME Academy

Sterling Bank Plc has introduced the sterling MSME (micro, small and medium enterprise) Academy, as part of its value-added offering for its SUPA Business Account holders.

Published in the This day Newspaper Monday, August 17, 2015

Capacity Building: UN Sponsors Training Of 500 Boko Haram Victims

The UN said on Monday in Abuja that it had sponsored 500 victims of Boko Haram violence from three North-East states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe to acquire vocational skills. Mr. Matthew Alao , UN Conflict Prevention and Peace Building Analyst, told the News Agency of Nigeria that the programme was under the UNDP Livelihood Support Scheme for the zone.

Published in the Punch Newspaper Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Standards: SON Seeks Law Against Exportation Of Uncertified Products

The Standards organization of Nigeria on Monday said there was a need to put in place a law that would prohibit the exportation of products not duly certified by the appropriate authorities.

Published in the Punch Newspaper Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Energy: Experts Canvass Gas Master Plan Review, Licensing Round

The Nigerian Gas Master Plan, which came on stream seven years ago, should be amended and licensing round should be carried out to expand access to gas reserves for development, industry operators and experts have said.

Published in the Punch Newspaper Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Philanthropy: Weco Takes ICT Development To Grassroots

WECO Systems International has donated information and Communication Technology equipment to selected primary schools in Lagos and Anambra states.

Published in the Punch Newspaper Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Education Capacity Building: TETFund sponsors 12,000 lecturers for further studies

The Executive Secretary of Tertiary Education Trust Fund, Prof. Suleiman Bogoro, on Monday, said that the organization had sponsored the training of no fewer than 12,000 lecturers within and outside the country.

Published in the Punch Newspaper Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Industry Pulse: Etsu Nupe becomes OAU chancellor

The Feeral Government has appointed Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, as the new Chancellor of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State. The Etsu Nupe takes over from the Emir of Kastina, Alhaji Abdul-Mumin Usman.

Published in the Punch Newspaper Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Security: FG to recruit 10,000 policemen for terrorism war- Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has disclosed that his administration will recruit 10,000 police officers to fight the terrorism war. President Buhari made the disclosure in his remarks at the National Security Summit organized by the Nigeria Police.

Published in the Punch Newspaper Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Economy: Buhari Orders Review Of Economic Policies Before 2016 Budget

President Muhammadu Buhari has directed a review of some economic policies that hamper job creation. He gave the directive, when the Executive Members of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), led by its president, Dr Frank Udemba Jacobs, Visited him at the presidential Villa.

Published in the Punch Newspaper Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Capacity Building: ExxonMobil sponsors Advanced Geology Course

Geology lecturer’s from30 Nigerian universities were recently exposed to the latest advances in Sequence Stratigraphy, a key aspect of Geology, in a weeklong course organized by American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG), Africa Region and sponsored by ExxonMobil in Lagos.

Published in the Punch Newspaper Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Environment: Gully Erosion Threatens Cross River Community

Residents of Ikot Enebong, Satelite Town, Calabar Municipality Local Government Area of Cross River State, are now living in fear. And the reason? Gully erosion is eating their land, houses and threatening their existence. Members of the community say their pleas have been neglected by past administrations.

Published in the Punch Newspaper Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Industry Pulse: Banker Kuru replaces Chike-Obi as AMCON boss

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday dissolved the management team of the Assets Management team of the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) led by Mustafa Chike-Obi.

Published in the Nation Newspaper Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Development: Lagos Development Plan On Course, Says Ambode

Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday restated his administration’s commitment to implement the state’s development plan. He said his administration had fashioned out a framework to begin its implementation.

Published in the Nation Newspaper Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Corporate Governance: Stock Exchange Sanctions 21 Firms Over Delayed Results

The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has imposed monetary sanctions on 21 quoted companies over their failure to meet the extended deadline for the submission of their audited repots and accounts for their business year.

Published in the Nation Newspaper Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Environment: President Buhari Approves New Governance Framework to kickstart Ogoni Cleanup

Only months into his presidency, Muhammadu Buhari has shown that he intends to fast-track the implementation of the recommendation of the United Nations Environmental Programme Report (UNEP) report on the devastation that has been wreaked on Ogoniland in the Niger Delta.

Published in the Guardian Newspaper Wednesday, August 19, 2015 

Industry Pulse: Total Nigeria Gets New DMD

Total Exploration and Production Company in Nigeria has appointed Mr. Ahmadu-Kida Musa as Deputy Managing Director, DeepWater District, based in Lagos. He replaces Mr. Charles Ngoka, who has proceeded on retirement.

Published in the Guardian Newspaper Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Energy: Government Requires N453bn To Achieve Gas Masterplan

The Federal Government would require a total amount of $2.3 billion (N453.1 billion) for the 2,300 kilometers of pipelines identified under the Nigeria Gas Master Plan, NGMP, a study conducted by the Centre for social justice, CSJ, has revealed.

Published in the Guardian Newspaper Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Green Business: Firm Gets N50m CBN Facility For Clean Energy Projects

A social enterprise company, SMEFUNDS, has secured a N50 million facility from the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN for expansion of its Cellulosic Bio Ethanol Gel for clean cook stoves as well as Pay-As-You-Go Smart Mini-Grid Electricity projects.

Published in the Guardian Newspaper Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Industry Pulse: APM Terminals Apapa Gets Deputy Managing Director

 APM Terminals Apapa has announced the appointment of Olufemi Ransom-Kuti as its Deputy Managing Director. A statement issued by the company explained that Olufemi brings to this role 14 years of experience in supply chain operations and project management.

Published in the Guardian Newspaper Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Standards: SON Partners Civil Society Groups To Rid Nation Of Substandard Goods

In a bid to intensify its war on substandard goods in the country, the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) has solicited the cooperation of civil society organizations (CSOs) within the country to assist the agency’s determination to rid Nigeria of activities of producers of fake and substandard goods and importers of same.

Published in the Guardian Newspaper Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Industry Pulse: Gusau Appointed DG Of Budget Office

President Muhhammadu Buhari has appointed Mr Aliyu Yahaya Gasau as director-general Budget Office of the Federation. Until his appointment, Gusau was the director, fiscal policy, budget monitoring and evaluation and acting director –general, Budget Office of the federation at the exit of the former Director-General, Dr Bright Okogu.

Published in the Daily Trust Newspaper Thursday, August 20, 2015

Opportunity: Nigerian Conservation Foundation

The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) with the support from chevron Nigeria Limited offers research grants to Nigerian citizens wishing to undertake research work in fields related to nature conservation and sustainable livelihood. The grant shall be to support a PhD programme.

Published in the Daily Trust Newspaper Thursday, August 20, 2015

Environment: Shell Confirms Multiple Spills At Ikarama Oil Fields In Bayelsa

The Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) yesterday confirmed multiple spills from its pipeline network at Ikarama oil fields in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. Mr Joseph Obari, the SPDC spokesman, told newsmen in Yenegoa that the seven spill incidents were reported on Aug 12.

Published in the Daily Trust Newspaper Thursday, August 20, 2015

Environment: Flood 10,000 Villagers To Be Evacuated In Sokoto LG

Over 10,000 people are to be evacuated from 20 villages that are prone to flood in Wunro Local Government Area in Sokoto State. The affected villages include Tunga, Lahodu, Barayara, zaki, Arba, Koliyal Gidan-Kamba, Gidan-Bango, Yar-Wurnoni and Gidan-Modu.

Published in the Daily Trust Newspaper Thursday, August 20, 2015

Environment: Erosion Destroys 500 buildings in Delta Community

Over 500 buildings have been reportedly destroyed by erosion currently ravaging the agrarian coastal Agbari-Patani community in Delta State. Residents of the community are seeking help from the state government and well-meaning individuals, especially because of the destruction of their school buildings, hospitals and graveyards.

Published in the Leadership Newspaper Thursday, August 20, 2015

Industry Pulse: DEAP Capital Appoints Jacob Esan As MD/CEO

DEAP Capital Management & Trust Plc has appointed Mr Jacob Oyebola Esan III, s its new managing director/chief executive officer (MD/CEO). Esan until his recent appointment was the executive director, Investment Banking and Public Sector.

Published in the Leadership Newspaper Thursday, August 20, 2015

Investment: Ericsson Deploys $5bn Fund To Grow African Tech Start-ups

Ericsson is set to deploy $5 billion annual research and development fund to support the acceleration of mobile technology innovations across the African continent. The telecom equipment maker has created an incubation station, Ericsson AHUB, to bring technology start-ups together in Africa.

Published in the Leadership Newspaper Thursday, August 20, 2015

Stakeholder: CPC Begins Consumer Voice On TV

The Consumer Protection Council (CPC) will begin a consumer education television programme today to equip consumers with the necessary skills for their market interactions.

Published in the Leadership Newspaper Thursday, August 20, 2015

Human Development: 1.5m Nigerians Currently Displaced- UN

As part of the commemoration of the World Humanitarian Day, the United Nations has revealed that Nigeria currently has the highest number of displaced persons in the world, with about 1.5 million persons affected by the Boko Haram insurgency, who are in dire need of assistance.

Published in the Leadership Newspaper Thursday, August 20, 2015

Health: NAF To Establish Hospital For IDPs

The Nigeria Air Force has announced that a second-level hospital will be established at the largest internally displaced persons’ (IPPs) camp in Maiduguri, Borno State. The Chief of Air Staff, Sadiq Abubakar, stated this in Abuja adding that the establishment of the hospital is a part of the strategy to tackle the Boko Haram sect in the north east.

Published in the Leadership Newspaper Thursday, August 20, 2015

Environment: NIMET Assures Of Data Sharing With NESREA

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) has said that it was ready to share data with the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) in order to strengthen environment standards and ensure proper environmental control to reduce the spread of diseases.

Published in the Leadership Newspaper Thursday, August 20, 2015

Industry Pulse: Coe Elected IAAF President

Former Olympic 1500m champion Lord Coe is the new president of the IAAF, the body that governs world athletics. The 58-year-old Briton beat rival Sergey Bubka, a former Olympic pole vault champion, by 115 votes to 92.

Published in the Leadership Newspaper Thursday, August 20, 2015

Industry Pulse: Buhari Appoints Fowler, Gusau Heads of FIRS, Budget Office

President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed Dr. William Babatunde Fowler as the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). A statement by the special Adviser to the President, Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said Buhari also appointed Mr. Aliyu Yahaya Gusau as Director General (DG), Budget Office of the Federation.

Published in the This Day Newspaper Friday, August 21, 2015

Development: Governors to Hold Talks with Ban Ki-Moon on MDGs

The 36 state governors under the auspices of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) will on Sunday meet with the United Nations Secretary General, Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, to discuss issues relating to sustainable development.

Published in the This Day Newspaper Friday, August 21, 2015

Health: Neimeth, Foundation Fight Hypertension

Neimeth, International Pharmaceuticals Plc and a Lagos-base non-governmental organisation (NGO), Dan Ogechi Akujobi Memorial Foundation (DOAM) have agreed to work together to fight hypertension scourge ravaging our society under the Good Fight Against Hypertension (FITGAH).

Published in the This Day Newspaper Friday, August 21, 2015

Health: Fidson Calls for Increased Breastfeeding Culture amongst Women

Fidson Healthcare Plc has called on all Nigerians to embrace exclusive breastfeeding of their babies for the first six months of birth, in commemoration of the world breastfeeding week, which commenced on the 1^st of August 2015.

Published in the This Day Newspaper Friday, August 21, 2015

Industry Pulse: FIFA Appoints Pinnick Organising Committee Member

Nigeria football recorded a huge applause yesterday after world football-governing body, FIFA, announced the appointment of the president of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Mr Amaju Melvin Pinnick as a member of the FIFA U-20 World Cup Organising Committee.

Published in the This Day Newspaper Friday, August 21, 2015

Education: Obayan Is Landmark Varsity’s New VC

The Executive Council Living Faith Church Worldwide, led by the Chancellor and chairman Board of Regents, Landmark University, Dr. David Oyedepo, has confirmed and approved the appointment of Prof. Aize Obayan as the second substantive vice-chancellor of the university.

Published in the Guardian Newspaper Friday, August 21, 2015

Industry Pulse: Court Okays Probe Of Amaechi’s Administration

Former Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has lost his suit challenging the constitution of the Justice Odedeji- led judicial commission of inquiry to probe the sale of Rivers State assets by his administration.

Published in the Guardian Newspaper Friday, August 21, 2015

Development: FG Pledges Commitment To MDGs In Post- 2015 Agenda

The Federal Government has pledged to tackle the unfinished business of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in the next post-2015 development agenda. Speaking at the Validation Workshop for the adoption of the final draft of the endpoint Nigeria MDGs reports.

Published in the Guardian Newspaper Friday, August 21, 2015

Local Content: Bayelsa Community Protest Against Plan To Relocate NCMDB Project

Youths and communities in Ogbia Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, have protested an alleged plot by the Nigerian Content Management Development Board (NCMDB) to relocate a project sited in one of their communities.

Published in the Guardian Newspaper Friday, August 21, 2015

Taxation: Cross River Abolishes Taxes For Low-Income Earners

Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State has abolished all forms of taxes for low-income earners in the state. The governor, who disclosed this during a media chat in Calabar, said a bill to that effect had been sent to the house of Assembly.

Published in the Guardian Newspaper Friday, August 21, 2015

Health: Four Million Nigerians Are Diabetic, Says Don

A university teacher, Professor Olayinka Akinwusi has alerted that about four million Nigerians are diabetic with half of the population not knowing their health status.

Published in the Guardian Newspaper Friday, August 21, 2015

Development: UN Seeks Global Help For 1.5 Million IDPs In Nigeria

As the world marks Humanitarian Day, the United Nations (UN) Resident Co-ordinator, Dauda Toure, has urged the international community to brace up to the plights and sufferings of the internally-displaced persons (IDPs) in the North-East, especially against the backdrop of their high number.

Published in the Guardian Newspaper Friday, August 21, 2015

Development: MDG Executes 1,800 Projects In Gombe

No less than 1,800 projects worth n10.4 billion were executed by the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) between 2007 and date in 11 local councils of Gombe State.

Published in the Guardian Newspaper Friday, August 21, 2015

Investment: China Plans To Invest $1b In Nasarawa

Chinese government through Tongyi Group is to invest $1 billion to boost power generation, mining, job creation and road construction in Nasarawa State in the next five years.

Published in the Guardian Newspaper Friday, August 21, 2015

Agriculture: AL Makura Distributes Subsidized Fertilizers To Farmers

Nasarawa State Government has commenced the distribution of fertilizers to farmers at \ subsidized rate of N3,360 per bag. This was contained in a statement issued in Lafia by Mr. Naphthali Dachor, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources.

Published in the Guardian Newspaper Friday, August 21, 2015

Standards: SON Seizes N20m Substandard Automobile Parts

Apparently not relenting on its efforts to reduce the influx of substandard goods in the country, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has seized substandard automobile spare part for heavy duty trucks and trailers worth over N20 million.

Published in the Guardian Newspaper Friday, August 21, 2015

Technology: Google Records First 10m Internet Users In Nigeria

Google has disclosed the geometric progressions in the number of internet users in Nigeria, as about 10million visited the internet for the first time in 2014.

Published in the Guardian Newspaper Friday, August 21, 2015

Communication: NCC Says Defective SIM Cards Threaten National Security

Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) has said that it has blocked about 10.7 million telephone lines in the last two weeks in the on-going de-activation of pre-registered Subscribers Identification Modules (SIM) cards of mobile network operators in Nigeria.

Published in the Guardian Newspapler Friday, August 21, 2015