The Nation Newspaper

Category: Business

  • Miners move against licences revocation

    The notice of non-compliance, with which the Mining Cadastre Office (MCO) planned to revoke licenses of mineral title holders for failure to submit periodic/quarterly report, has been described as an aberration of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act of 2007, by the National President, Progressive Miners Empowerment Association, Sunday Ekozin, has said.

    Following the notice, the mineral title is under obligation to use it or loose it.

    MCO, which is a department of the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, had on September 18 in a newspaper advertorial, given the title holders 30 days to submit their reports or face revocation of licenses.

    But Ekozin, who spoke with The Nation in Abuja yesterday, said: “The provision is before you revoke any mining title, whether it is exploration license or quarry leases. You must as a matter of duty notify the holders with a letter of the period within which such defect is remedied. Failure to do that you are operating illegally.And you cannot want to enforce legality when you operate under illegality.

  • Kero decentralisation Bill suffers setback

    A Bill to make provision for direct lifting of kerosene by peddlers was thrown out by the Senate yesterday.

    The Bill entitled, “A Bill for an Act to amend the Petroleum Act (Cap P10 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and for other matters connected thereto” was sponsored by Senator Nkechi Nwaogu (Abia Central).

    Most senators, who opposed the bill noted that the word ‘peddlers’ was demeaning to Nigerians.

    Senator Nwaogu had in her lead debate explained that the Bill is seeking the direct bulk allocation of kerosene from PPMC/NNPC to kerosene peddlers.

    She said this was against the current practice of grant of bulk allocation of kerosene only to major marketers.

    She noted that the need for direct allocation of kerosene to kerosene peddlers from PPMC/NNPC depot is timely when the hardship occasioned by inability of the peddlers to lift directly from the depot is taken into consideration.

    Nwaogu said: “This Bill if passed into law will go a long a way to ameliorating the difficulty kerosene consumers in the hinterland encounter before having access to kerosene.

    “It will stabilise the price and reduce the chain of middleman-ship in the business of kerosene from depot to final users.

    “The direct allocation of kerosene to the peddlers for distribution will put smiles on the faces of kerosene consumers who constitute 80 per cent of Nigerian population and consume about 104,000,000 litres of kerosene monthly.

    “Kerosene peddlers also have the capacity to pay and distribute up to 104,000,000 litres monthly to consumers which will go a long way to enhancing the social responsibility of the Federal Government to the hinterland dwellers.”

  • Infrastructure Bank seeks N2.7tr pension fund utilisation

    Following the housing deficit in the country, the Infrastructure Bank of Nigeria, yesterday sought support from stakeholders for an approval to utilise the N2.7 trillion pension fund on housing and other infrastructure.

    Speaking at the 2nd National Conference on Shelter and Urban Renewal for the commemoration of World Habitat Day, 2012, in Abuja, the Managing Director of the Bank, Adekunle Oyinioye, said the contributory pension fund, “is a veritable source for solving our housing problem.”

    He said a new group of investors would soon come from France, stressing that “before 2013, the bank would have cranked the nut of social housing in Nigeria.”

    He revealed that during the week a President of the Real Estate visited the bank for partnership on housing matter.

    The Chairman, Jaiz Bank, Umar Mutallab, said providing adequate shelter for the citizenry has been on the front burner in recent years. According to him, the concern resulted in the target of houses for all by 2000, which could not yield the expected results. He added that the country is faced with housing deficit , which was part of the reason for the establishment of the infrastructure bank.

    He urged the participants to make recommendations to improve on urban shelter from the conference.

    In his remark, the Managing Director, Media Trust Limited claimed that only 10 per cent of Nigerians own houses.

  • Reps chide NNPC over secrecy in oil production

    Reps chide NNPC over secrecy in oil production

    The House of Representatives yesterday expressed displeasure over the secrecy shrouding the oil production data in the country.

    The House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream) headed Ajibola Muraina disclosed this while on an oversight visit to the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR).

    They charged the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to be transparent in the daily crude production in the country by making public the data.

    The committee added that a situation where that nation’s daily crude production data are shrouded in secrecy is detrimental to the developmental effort of the nation. Muraina said that a situation where discordant figures on production were being given by the officials of the NNPC and the DPR was unacceptable.

    The lawmaker said the agency should ensure daily reports of the volume of crude produced and lifted out of country are made available to the public.  Austin Olorunsola, DPR Managing Director assured the committee members that within the next two weeks, he would ensure the posting of the daily crude production data on the agency’s website in order to make it available to Nigerians.

    While explaining the differences in the pump price of petroleum products across the country, he said there should not have been any discrepancies as the official price of PMS stands at N97 per litre across the country. He however, revealed that there were reports that some filling stations sell above the recommended price. Olorunsola said it would soon become a thing of the past as he had ordered his directors and inspectors across the country to sanction any station that engages in unethical practices.

  • ‘Postal sector reforms ’ll attract investment’

    The Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) has concluded plans to embark on comprehensive reform of the postal sector.

    This is geared towards strengthening the efficiency and quality of services offered to public.

    The new postal sector policy reform would see the separation of the roles of policy making sector regulation and operations.

    Director General, BPE, Bolanle Onagoruwa, gave this hint in her paper titled: Sustaining the Postal Sector: Postal Bill and Reform,” presented at the 4th Bowill Errands public lecture held in Lagos.

    She said the new policy has been approved by the National Council on Privatization (NCP) and currently awaiting the approval of the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

    According to Onagoruwa, who was represented by the Director, Information and Communication, Mr. Allwell Ibeh, the postal sector is a critical part of the country’s information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure and crucial in the new economy.

    The BPE boss said that declining mail volumes and increasing competition from private sector operators have rendered core postal services financially unsustainable. She disclosed that the reform encompasses policy review and formulation of sector policy, development and adaptation of a new legislative and regulatory framework, and restructuring of Public Postal Operator (NIPOST).

  • Behold, the CSR compliant brands

    Globally, corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a tool used to grow brands in an ever-expanding competitive market. The Nigeria Social Enterprise Report and CSR Awards for 2012 were recently unveiled in Lagos. WALE ALABI, reviews the awards and the report.

    Guaranty Trust Bank won the coveted SERA crown as the most socially responsible company in the country this year at the sixth season of the Nigeria CSR Awards. The event, which drew a large audience, witnessed the presentation of awards to companies (and individuals) who have contributed significantly to the socio economic development of Nigeria through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

    The event which took place at the Shell Hall, MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos, at 5: 30pm, with a red-carpet and cocktail segment. The highlight of the event was the unveiling of the Nigeria Social Enterprise Report 2012—the premier journal on CSR and Sustainability in Nigeria by the Secretary to the Cross River State Government, Mr Mike Aniah, who was joined by Ken Egbas, Managing Partner, TruContact and Steve Akonni, Senior Pastor, First Assembly Ministries.

    A project of TruContact in collaboration with the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), the SERAs — Nigeria CSR Awards, is the biggest and most credible corporate awards for unveiling Nigeria’s finest corporate citizens. It presents a very unique and strategic platform for corporations who participate to demonstrate to stakeholders that they care about people (community) and the environment even as they rake in the profits. It is designed to promote growth, sustainable development and livelihoods in Nigeria by rewarding Corporate Organisations as well as individuals who have contributed to social giving and social transformation of Nigeria.

    While welcoming guests to the event, Egbas traced the history of the SERAs this way: “it’s been six years now since we began the race… today, of the leading 100 companies,92 of them have documented policies on CSR or sustainability and (or) stakeholder engagement”.

    “We at TruContact”, he continued, “are pleased to establish that we have provided the required technical capacity building and training to about three quarters of the stated number”.

    Like the 2011 edition, organisations and individuals who emerged winners in all 20 categories of Awards on the day were assessed in line with the ISO 26000 set of standards which provides guidance on how businesses and organizations can operate in a socially responsible way.

    “We can confirm that the awards that will be handed out tonight represent our views on all the companies who will be receiving The SERA statuettes and plaques. The winners were reached after due deliberations and in accordance with the ISO 26000,” enthused Jide Ologun a member of the SERA jury.

    He went on to declare that the judges struck out the Human Rights and Gender category because organisations had not done enough in this regard, and added that more work needed to be done by corporate Nigeria. In conclusion, he revealed that “the decision to choose winners in different categories, was closely allied with the theme: Creating Shared Value in a New Economy: Pushing Back The Frontiers”, which examines ways that business can create and share in what it terms a “New Economy” which thrives on doing business with minimal harm to the economy, the people and the environment.

    Guests were treated to enthralling entertainment. The soulful music of talented Sewa was on display to serenade the audience intermittently, as she performed the SERA theme song and a host of delightful melodies. This was followed by the encompassing and masterful performance from the ensemble of Nitche entertainment group; who masterfully wove the tapestry of dance, drama and music into a rich blend as they creatively interpreted the concept of creating shared value. The act wouldn’t have been so enjoyable without the lighting and set design adding to the ambience.

    The atmosphere was thus set for the awards, as the first set of awards was in recognition of individuals who are contributing positively to society based on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Senator Liyel Imoke, Executive Governor, Cross River State was recognised for strides achieved in the development of Cross River State in the areas of Education (MDG 2); Health (MDGs 4 & 5); and Infrastructural / Community Development.

    Otto Orondaam was recognised for the”SLUM-2-School project”, which is helping to bridge the gap in the health and educational sector, while Access Bank and its Group Managing Director/CEO, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede were recognised, for Institutional Leadership Role in the Strategic Sustainability Working Group (SSWG) and the Development of Nigerian Sustainable Banking Principles. Attention quickly riveted on the organisations as the winners began to emerge thick and fast to the resounding applause of the audience.

    Aside carting home the most lucrative prize of all— the most Socially Responsible Company, GTBank also won two more statuettes as the best company in Corporate Governance and the Environment due to its entrenchment and functionality in its system and the consistency in the sustainability journey and prevention of pollution Sustainable resource use (Innovative solar-powered ATMs) respectively.

    Guinness won the Labor Practices category because of the conditions of its work place in addition to the social protection, health and safety it afforded its staff. Access Bank ran home with the Fair Operating Practices prize for promoting social responsibility in its sphere of influence (strong institutional standard and partnership to build capacity).

    FirstBank brushed off other contenders to cart home the statuette for the best company in consumer Issues because of its strong consumer data protection and privacy which has witnessed consistent improvements over the years. Promasidor brushed off stiff competition in its category to emerge the best company in Child Focused CSR due to its strong commitment spanning a decade in which it has promoted the love of the sciences and allied disciplines in young people through its National Secondary Schools Mathematics Competition (NASSMAC).

    Fidelity Bank were deserved winners in Youth-Focused CSR after half a decade of promoting the International Creative Writing Workshops which have built the capacity of Nigerian youth in an area of cultural and social development that is often neglected.

    Telecommunications giant, MTN scooped two awards: Community Infrastructure for its consistency in strategic and critical interventions in sectors important to the Nigerian economy – health, education, environment and community infrastructural development, nationwide. It also walked away with the award for Partnerships for Development for fostering a unique partnership between a telecommunication operator and a recognised environment-focused NGO (FADE) to create awareness on an important environmental concern to Nigeria – Desert encroachment. It also emerged as the first runner up for the ‘most socially responsible company’.

    Oil major Chevron, won in the Health category for bringing healthcare and critical health personnel closer to the riverine communities through the use of speedboats and other innovative tools. Etisalat won the prize as the best company in education for its CSR Centre which was found to have Unique and long term Impact in raising awareness on social, economic and environmental impact of business on lives; and consistent interventions in Nigeria’s education. Its CSR Manager, Ismail Omamegbe emerged as CSR Practitioner for 2012 due to the ground breaking and unique strategic partnership with the Lagos Business School – The Etisalat CSR Centre.

    Debutants, Nestle and Total Nigeria made a strong showing as they took home the coveted SERA statuettes. In what could be called the icing on the cake, Nestle won the creating shared value category which was the theme of the 2012 Nigeria CSR Awards for its investment in research work that has led to better yielding and resistant strains of cassava; building capacity and supporting farming communities to produce more and improve own livelihoods. It also emerged as second runner up in the most socially responsible company category.

    Total Nigeria won the Sustainability Reporting category. Its 2011 Report was specific to Nigeria covering key areas of Total’s environmental and other impact on Nigeria and includes transportation safety, economic and community contributions. Moreover, it was found to enjoy buy-in from the highest level of its organizational structure, by the SERA Jury.

    BATN continued its winning streak by grabbing the sustainable agricultural development category. It has been providing improved farming techniques for Nigerian farmers especially in the northern part of the country and for sustained and innovative agricultural interventions for many years.

    Nigerian Breweries clinched best company in supply chain value creation, as it enhanced the volume of sorghum production in the country throughout its supply chain, thereby empowering and aiding local farmers with new techniques and improved species. It is also improving livelihoods of the farming communities.

    Multinational, Shell, was not left out, as it won the wealth and income generation category for providing support to community vendors to grow their business. Due to its easy-to-use recycling equipment for paper, cans and plastics, used car tyres, batteries, bottles amongst others, it also bagged awards for Most Innovative CSR.

    Ella Olamiju, the business correspondent of National Mirror grabbed the Tunmise Adekunle Award for CSR Reporting which was sponsored by Fidelity Bank. She won as a result of consistently writing stories with refreshing angles that interrogate the engagement of Nigerian businesses with stakeholders and that challenge businesses to step-up to the challenge of building sustainable businesses.

  • From my mail box

    We greatly appreciate those of you who make it a point to read us and especially to those who respond by sending their comments. Indeed, we are poised to serve you more and give you every valuable pieces of information on our finger tips.

    In the spirit of independence celebration, some people sent comments congratulating Nigerians on their doggedness in the midst of challenges. They also commented on other pressing issues, such as the stalled printing of N5000 note. Their concern is understandable; after all, everyone would have to shop with the money, right? Here are some of them as space would enable us. Keep faith with us and please do not be offended if your remark is not published in this edition.

    Thanks a million,

    Janice.

    Dear Janice, Please help me congratulate Nigeria at 52. We have really come a long way. I always admire your presentations. Most of the time, I cannot shop as much as I would love to because the country is hard. You know what they say, cutting my coat according to my cloth. We need the government to provide a conducive economic environment for us so that we can shop right. I like the fact that State governments are supporting the establishment of malls. Governor Fashola’s assistance with the Ikeja City Mall is commendable. But I feel that it will bring greater development if these malls are built in remote places rather than already developed areas. I think shopping should be moved to different localities. That is what I call development.

    Benjamin Okeke, University of Benin

    I congratulate Naija at 52. But those who are aspiring to rule this nation should understand that we need a good product that can move the market. Many of them are busy shopping for votes instead of shopping for good legacy. Imagine, this is 2012 and rather than do what they have been voted into office to do, they are already counting down to 2015. All I am saying is that, with the commemoration of independence like this, incumbent leaders should emulate the examples of our political fathers such as the great Zik of Africa who sought the good of all; the Late Chief Obafefemi Awolowo who worked positively for the Yorubas and Ahmadu Bello. These men were true Nigerians. We should not let them lament in their graves, seeing that today’s politicians are only going into it for their greed. Thank you.

    Ebele Onuka, Kano.

    Janice, thanks for giving us the opportunity to speak our minds on this platform. For me, I consider my Independence gift to be the stalling of the printing of N5000 notes and the transformation of the smaller notes to coins. That would have been the worst thing to have happened to this country. Thank God for those who made sure the policy did not see the light of day. Muhammed Adamu, Ilorin.

    Janice, please help me thank the National Assembly for the debate that quashed the minting of coins. They proved their importance once again. Just before that relief came, I was already getting sick about the whole thing. Have you imagined what it would have been if those notes were turned to coins? I am happy that Nigerians spoke out because it would have been our doom if we had allowed it to happen. Otunne Ifediorah, Benin.

    Janice, I am angry at the way some of our leaders reason. Sometimes, people who occupy sensitive position affecting the lives of people directly, reason as if they are not living in the same country with us. How could Mr Sanusi Lamido Sanusi ever conceive changing those notes to coins? That was insensitive of him. What did he hope to achieve? Actually, you know this people would always find ways to do whatever they want to do. It is possible that they may still come up with the minting of the N5000, which is extremely unnecessary and definitely not what we need now. But please tell them; whatever they do, they must not tamper with those notes in the name of turning them to coins. I truly pray that people in power will begin to think reasonably. Just imagine the Central bank governor coming up with such an idea. That is really absurd. Thank you.

    Mr Yomi Akinyemi, Accountant, Abuja.

    Janice, your column, Shopping Right is apt. I wish our leaders will learn to shop right. If they do, they will understand that our market is different from those of other countries, including African countries. They should consider our market before bringing up any funny policy. I am only commenting on the issue of the new notes. Every policy should bring value to the people and not hardship.

    Chika Okoye, Enugu.

    When I first heard about the translation of some notes to coins, I started wondering what would happen at Shoprite where they love to tag prices by kobo kobo. We must understand that coins do not agree with us that way. Once the notes are changed to coins, they will automatically be reduced to the value of kobo. Please at no time should Nigerians ever accept that. Thanks,

    Yemi Oduyemi, Ajah, Lagos.

  • Bead works, big business

    When you think of female jewelleries, the first thing that comes to mind are gold, silver, diamond and others. Right now, beads are in vogue. Apart from gracing the outfits of  style conscious people at ceremonies, they are used to make  any item that appeals to the maker. OLAJUMOKE AZZAN writes on the beauty of beads.

    It is a fact that 95 out of 100 women would spend a lot of their time shopping for jewellery, especially beads and then move on to other accessories. A pair of beads made from Nassariuss, snail shell, approximately 100,000 years old, is thought to be the earliest known jewellery.

    A bead is a small, decorative object that is usually pierced for threading or stringing. Beads range in size from under one millimeter (0.039 in) to over one centimeter (0.39 in) in diameter. Beadwork is the art or craft of making things with beads. Beads can be woven together with specialised thread, strung onto thread or soft, flexible wire, or adhered to a surface.

    Some years back, gold necklaces, pendants and gold earrings were predominant. All of that has already seen a big change. Gold was quickly replaced by diamonds, which fervently got the nickname of being a woman’s best friend. A lot of that is still changing. With the introduction of inspirational charms and sterling silver charms by a lot of jewellery stores, people are increasingly looking forward to these options.

    But the innovation and creativity to which beads are put these days have made it the toast of many women’s wardrobes. More women are falling in love with the various patterns of beads on display nowadays.

    Bead work was discovered by the Igbo Ukwu citizens in the ninth century but through the years, the trade has flourished. Beads were popularly used by the Benin people for fashion and it is also part of their culture. Most people make it their choice jewelry for traditional marriages, especially in the South east and South south. But nowadays, it is commonly used for beautification.

    There are major places where beads are produced like the G-Label Jewelleries and accessories, Jewel by Lisa, located at 11, Ribadu Street, off Awolowo Road, Ikeja, Lagos; Tumazzan Jewelleries located at Adedoyin Shopping Complex, Kosofe, Mile 12 and many more. They produce several types of bead works and materials at cheap and affordable prices. They produce different types of beads such as the bracelet, waist chain, necklace and flower vase. There are very expensive beads, such as the Pearl bead as well as the economical ones, like the rubber.

    Bead jewellery has become an integral portion of most women’s outfits. Not only does it add to the beauty of a woman, the style conscious woman of today will carefully select a perfect and outstanding bead to blend beautifully with today’s demands. Most women with high taste and those who can afford them buy them because they believe it makes them stand out.

    Asides specialised bead stores, beads are sold in virtually all the markets. Due to its increased demand, most markets have created sections for bead trading. The prices of bead differ in different places. A simple waist bead costs N1,500 at G label jewelleries. A full well arranged red and gold bead goes for N9,000 at Tumazzan jewelleries while a pearl bead is sold for N17,000.

  • Kaduna’s untapped agric potentials

    Kaduna’s untapped agric potentials

    Agriculture accounts for an estimated 56 per cent of Kaduna’s Gross Domestic product (GDP) and employs approximately four million people. Kaduna produces 22 per cent of the country’s maize, 69 per cent of soya bean, 36 per cent of cotton and 10 per cent of ground nuts (peanuts) and the state trades’ agricultural produce to neighbouring states. The sector is dominated by wet season planting and an irrigated dry season planting. Most farmers currently produce cereal crops such as maize, sorghum, millet and rice during the rainy season. Cereal crops are exported to surrounding states and are an important source of cash. Kaduna is one of the largest producers of rice in Nigeria and it exports substantial quantities to other Nigerian states and other neighbouring African countries. The state is also an important producer of fruits and vegetables. The government of Kaduna State has laudable polices geared towards intense agricultural activities ostensibly as a means for reducing the level of youth unemployment, giving impetus to the factors that bring rapid socio-economic transformation and the provision of strong base for the take-off of industrial revolution.

    Governor Patrick Yakowa is committed to addressing the relative lack of investment in agriculture by reactivating the extension services to open more opportunities to the teeming unemployed youth and the farmers locked in medieval agricultural practice. This is aimed at stimulating growth. Since the inception of the administration, both the peasant and the medium scale farmers have been the major focus of the Kaduna State Agricultural Development Project(KADP). Some of the yearly activities being pursued vigorously by the KADP, include sales and supply of agricultural inputs such as seeds, irrigation pumps, knapsack sprayers and agricultural chemicals at government approved subsidy of between 40 and 60 per cent to support the farmers. To ensure good quality seeds, the state government in collaboration with the Institute of Agricultural Research (IAR) and Agricultural Seeds Council, sells improved varieties of seeds during the planting season. Fadama III Project, a World Bank Assisted Project is being implemented in Kaduna in collaboration with the Federal Government in all the 23 local government areas. The development objective of the Fadama III Project is to increase the incomes of users of rural land and water resources on a sustainable basis. The state government is committing N45 million yearly while the 23 LGAs pays N2 million each to ensure effective implementation of the project in the state. Significant achievements have been made in the area of improvement of rural infrastructure, which includes construction of eight Fadama roads of over 30 kilometres and 100 market stalls as demanded by the project beneficiaries. The government is prosecuting its mandate of achieving incremental food and cash crop production through rain-fed and dry season agriculture, as well as livestock, fisheries and honey production, which has undoubtedly increased the farmers lot and improved the their overall standard of living. To this end, the state government has called on investors and entrepreneurs to take advantage of the agro business opportunities that abound and the business climate to come and invest. Concerted efforts have also been made to boost infrastructural facilities.

  • How to curb hunger, by governor

    Governor Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa State has called on all tiers of government to be committed towards improving agriculture to avert hunger.

    He spoke in Lafia, the state capital, while opening a one-day meeting organised by UNICEF D-Field office in Bauchi for stakeholders from 10 states of the federation.

    Al-Makura said the only panacea to eliminate hunger that was threatening more than one million children in the Sahel region was for Nigerians to utilise the nation’s vast agricultural potentials.

    He noted that the most vulnerable groups to the threats of disease, illiteracy, ignorance and poverty were women and children.”It is, therefore, a clarion call on all and sundry to come together to explore the possibilities of saving our people from imminent hunger.

    “The only panacea to the threat of hunger is our will to utilise the huge agricultural potentials which nature has endowed us with.

    ‘’To this end, we must overcome the lip service syndrome to realise our dream of achieving food sufficiency, security and, indeed, other development needs.”

    Al-Makura said his administration placed a high premium on the provision of basic social amenities to the people.

    He said since he assumed office in 2011, he had shown keen interest in synergising with UNICEF and other development partners with a view to meeting the development aspirations of the people.

    ”It is pertinent to reiterate that improvement in the living conditions of the citizenry requires collaborative efforts at all times.’’This means UNICEF alone should not be left with this enormous responsibility.

    ‘’Similarly, Government alone cannot shoulder the burden; it is, therefore, necessary that all hands are on deck to achieve the desired goals.“

    Al-Makura said the state government had already signed the Programme Implementation Agreement (PIA) with UNICEF, remaking that the agreement was aimed at actualising the objectives of the fund for 2012.

    “Accordingly, efforts are being completed to ensure the release of the Nasarawa state counterpart contribution to facilitate the replication of projects of the fund so that additional communities would benefit in the state.” The governor noted that this year’s theme; “The Sahelian Nutrition Crisis -A call for Collective Action” was apt.

    Al-Makura said the theme was a reflection of the prevailing food situation in the Sahel region, among which were many African countries, including parts of Nigeria comprising some States in zone ‘D.’Earlier, the UNICEF Nigeria Representative, Mr Ibrahima Fall, emphasised an integrated approach, in which all relevant sectors should work collaboratively to address the nutrition situation in the country.