Category: Uncategorized

By Olaitan Ganew

 

A leading manufacturing company in the ceramics production in Nigeria, CDK Integrated Industries has won the Best Porcelain Manufacturer of the Year award.

The Fourth Nigeria Housing Awards, organised by the Housing Development Advocacy Network (HDAN), held at the Abuja International Conference Centere, where personalities and firms who distinguished themselves in the housing sector in the past one year were honoured.

According to the organisers, the company has over the years supported local raw materials of which 85 per cent is sourced.

Head, Brand and Marketing Communications of CDK, Abimbola Onagbade dedicated the award to its clients and customers.

“This award won’t have been possible without its clients and customers who believe in the company’s products in terms of quality and living up to regulatory standards,” Onagbade said.

He emphasised that CDK Integrated Industries is committed to achieving customer satisfaction through innovation and continuous improvement of its brand and product quality.

 

By Kelvin Osa-Okunbor

 

Guinness at the weekend  donated hundreds of bags of maize and sorghum as well as cartons of its product Malta to communities in Rigasa and Kudanda communities in Igbabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The programme was part of the 30th Anniversary celebrations of the brand – Malta Guinness.

In a statement, the company said the items were received by households in the two communities by Chief Bagudu Galadiman, the Sarkin Kudandan and Jarman Gbagyi, who is also from Kudandan.

Architect Mahammed Aminu Idris, who is Dangakadiman  Zazzau, District Head from Rigasa received on behalf of the community.

The firm’s Area Manager Kaduna, Danjuma Bigun, emphasised that the brand   was committed to the development of our communities.

He said:  “We believe that our contribution will, in no small way, make a difference in the lives of the members of the community as we approach the festive season.”

According to Penni Vakkai, Head of North Division, Guinness Nigeria, Penni Vakkai, Malta Guinness is celebrating 30 years of touching lives.

He said the company in the spirit of that celebration is determined to share goodness with as many people.

The leaders of Rigasa and Kudanda communities expressed gratitude to the brand for living up to its commitment to spreading goodness and impacting the lives of the community residents.

From Franca Ochigbo,  Abuja

 

The Minister of Industry Trade and investment,  Otunba Adebayo  Adeniyi has assured that the country will benefit from African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA’s) $3.4 trillion economic bloc as it takes off in  January  2021.

In a statement by the Special Assistant to the minister, Ifedayo Sayo, the country must play a leading role as AfCFTA Offers New Opportunities For Nigeria’s Industrial Growth.

According to the Minister, industrialists should take advantage of these opportunities to promote Made-in-Nigeria goods. Nigeria cannot afford to be left out of the emerging African economic bloc.

He added that AfCFTA, the world’s largest free trade area in terms of 54 participating countries, would start on January 1, 2021.

This date would signal the beginning of the implementation of a single continental market for goods and services, with free movement of business persons and investments across Africa.

Read Also: ‘AfCFTA opens new windows for industrial growth’

 

Adebayo pointed that the journey started on July 7, 2019 when Nigeria became the 53rd African country to sign the AfCFTA treaty. Long before then, it had always been the dream of Nigeria and Africa’s founding fathers to unite the continent in one, shared prosperity.

The country has worked tirelessly to ensure that Nigeria not only partake as a signatory in name, but becomes a major trade and economic power house, even more than it has been within the ECOWAS sub-region.

Also speaking on readiness measures taken by government towards the effective implementation of AfCFTA, the Secretary, National Action Committee on AfCFTA, Francis Anatogu said, “We are effectively coordinating with all critical stakeholders to ensure a smooth playing field for Nigerian traders and business men to explore the vast markets that will be opened up come January 1st 2021.

“We are set to commence a major communication campaign and have tagged January 2021 as AfCFTA Awareness and Sensitization month, which will take place across the six geopolitical zones, and will involve various stakeholder groups in public, private and civil society sectors, as well as other critical traditional institutions.”

Kebbi State Governor, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu has commended WACOT Rice Limited, a subsidiary of TGI Group, for its  efforts in boosting the drive towards food security in Nigeria.

He spoke on the heels of a $10.5 million (about N4.99 billion) co-investment partnership which WACOT Rice Limited signed with the USAID-funded West Africa Trade and Investment Hub (WATIH).

The company, which has an Outgrower Expansion Project in Argungu, Kebbi State, aspires to be West Africa’s leading rice producer.

Through the new partnership, WACOT Rice will register more 5,143 farmers to complement its already existing outgrower network in the state. The new farmers are expected to cultivate over 5,000 additional hectares of land thereby producing over 20,000 tons of paddy, which will be utilised at the company’s 120,000-ton rice mill.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo commissioned the mill in 2017. It produces premium household brands of parboiled rice Big Bull and Patriot.

Governor Bagudu, who is the Vice Chairman of the National Food Security Council and also National Champion on Nigeria Rice Revolution, said the state government was pleased that the efforts of the Federal Government in agricultural revolution was being recognised by international bodies like USAID and WATIH.

“WACOT Rice Limited is the first major rice mill commissioned under the President Muhammadu Buhari administration and the support by both globally reputable organisations is a big boost for private sector investment in the Nigerian agriculture sector,” he said.

It is expected that this project will improve the lives and livelihoods of smallholder farmers in the region while addressing Nigeria’s food security concerns.

The average smallholder farmer in Argungu, Kebbi State cultivates about half a hectare of land and earns less than $200 (N95,000) net income annually, barely sufficient to cover the needs of a household.

The Emir of Argungu, HRH Alhaji Samaila Muhammad Mera described the partnership and the investment by WACOT Rice as a welcome development. “It is a win-win situation for our farmers, the state government and the people of the state generally,” he said.

He said that the WACOT Rice project was timely coming shortly after the farmers experienced devastating floods that wiped out their farmlands.

On the partnership with USAID and its benefits, Strategy and Business Development Manager of TGI Group, parent company of WACOT Rice, Habiba Suleiman, said: “The overall impact is to enhance yield per hectare and help farmers better their livelihoods. In terms of their earnings, this project will help them to be able to send their kids to school, access better livelihoods, access better healthcare and to have better nutrition, and quality of life”.

On her part, USAID Mission Director, Anne E. Patterson said: “The US government is pleased to partner with the private sector in Nigeria to develop market-driven solutions and sustainably improve food security by supporting local rice production”.

She added that, “with this new co-investment partnership, smallholder farmers in Kebbi State can increase yields and improve the livelihoods of their families”.

Working in partnership with USAID its Feed the Future strategy, the Federal Government has prioritised local production of rice, a major staple in the country. By supporting smallholder rice farmers to increase their yields by 50 to 100 per cent, the co-investment will help farmers earn more and lift themselves out of poverty, create thousands of jobs, and attract further private investments in the agriculture sector.

WACOT Rice disclosed that it would be placing a strong emphasis on women and youth, with at least 50 per cent of the new farmers trained to be women and 70 per cent of all the farmers under 30 years old.

Commending the team for the laudable feat, Group Managing Director of TGI Group, Rahul Savara laid emphasis on the Group’s mission to always add value to its communities. “No doubt, this project not only supports our drive to support the government in achieving food security in Nigeria, it also allows us to support our community, Kebbi, which was ravaged by flood just a few months ago. For us, sustainability is a way of life. Therefore, we will continue to explore avenues to grow sustainably, while supporting others”.

WACOT Rice Limited operates a state-of-the-art rice mill in Argungu where it produces Big Bull Rice. It is one of the largest rice mills in Africa and sources paddy from various paddy producing states across Nigeria. WACOT Rice also engages in out-grower farming programmes with paddy farmers to boost their yields and guarantees off-take of paddy from farmers through buyback arrangements. WACOT Rice is a subsidiary of TGI Group.

Tropical General Investments (TGI) Group is a global conglomerate with a majority of its investments based in emerging markets. TGI’s investments focus on driving inclusivity and value addition using locally sourced raw materials, state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities and a highly skilled workforce to produce world class products that are consumed both locally and exported to global markets.

By Collins Nweze

 

Prudential Zenith Life Insurance has raised its authorised share capital to N5 billion.

The capital position surpasses the new minimum capital requirement of N4 billion set by the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) with a deadline of December 31, 2020.

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Chuks Igumbor, said: “We have met and exceeded the minimum requirement of the December 31, 2020 deadline set by NAICOM and we are positioned to meet the additional capital requirement of N8 billion well ahead of the September 30, 2021 deadline.

“This seamless recapitalisation effort is hinged on the enormous financial strength and support from our key shareholders. With this, the firm is poised to emerge stronger with greater capability to serve our esteemed customers and to continue to grow the business.”

Prudential Zenith Life Insurance Limited is part of Prudential Plc, one of the oldest and most strongly capitalised life insurance companies in the world. It provides a range of insurance and investment-linked savings products designed to suit corporate and individual customers’ budgets.

The company seeks to remove uncertainty from life’s big events, providing customers with the freedom to face the future with greater confidence. It is also committed to meeting the long-term savings and protection needs of families and businesses in Nigeria.

Whether someone is starting a family, saving for a child’s education, or planning for old age, Prudential Zenith Life provides customers with financial “peace of mind”.

African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has raised a $1billion facility for  the Bank of Industry (BoI).

The facility, it said, will provide the much-needed support to businesses across key sectors and is the largest international syndicated loan to a financial institution since the onset of the pandemic-induced economic difficulties.

The transaction was arranged with Credit Suisse and it involved a syndicate of 27 investors.

President of Afreximbank, Prof. Benedict Oramah, said: “Afreximbank is pleased to have once again worked with its partners to facilitate access to international finance at a time it is most needed. The Bank of Industry is a pivotal development finance institution in Nigeria under able leadership. We are proud to have been given the opportunity once again”.

Afreximbank, along with Credit Suisse, acted as Joint Coordinating Mandated Lead Arrangers (MLAs), Underwriters and Bookrunners.

Afreximbank was the facility agent and security trustee. The Africa Finance Corporation, Rand Merchant Bank, SMBC, and the Export Import Bank of China also joined the deal as Mandated Lead Arrangers and Bookrunners. This transaction follows a previous EUR 1 billion syndicated facility for BoI, which closed in March 2020.

Given the current adverse market conditions, the transaction constitutes a significant achievement for the parties involved.

Importantly, the deal demonstrates the capacity of financial institutions to continue their vital activities during the pandemic and their positive attitude to African risks. The $750million underwriting provided by Afreximbank and Credit Suisse, which provided the Bank of Industry with certainty of funds, distinguishes this transaction as amongst the few debt financings to be underwritten since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

From Grace Obike, Abuja

 

The National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS) yesterday in Abuja urged the Federal Government to set up a committee to document genuine traders’ goods and containers worth N840billion seized since border closure for compensation.

Its President, Dr Ken Ukaoha, noted with concern that some genuine traders’ goods, worth billions of naira with expiry dates were impounded alongside smuggled goods.

The trade expert noted that the genuine traders and manufacturers had about N240 billion worth of seized goods on the Nigerian side alone while on the Benin Republic side, there were over N600 billion worth of goods.

In terms of number of trucks, he said there were over 1,185 trucks also stranded at the border.

Nigeria shut its land borders on August 20, 2019 to curb smuggling and worsening insecurity.

President Muhammadu Buhari, however, approved immediate reopening of four critical land borders namely, Seme in the Southwest, Illela and Maigatari in the Northwest and Mfun in the Southsouth.

“On the goods that were stranded since Augost 20, 2019 when the borders were shut down, we are sadly noting and perhaps calling on the government to see ways of looking into some of the recommendations that we made.

“That the government should come up with a committee that will document in a proper manner the list of goods and items and the containers (vessels) as well as haulage vehicles carrying those goods that have been stranded since the border was closed.

“The committee should also document the number and the names of those vehicles, true owners of those wares and commodities seized, then the appropriate locations.

“These documentations will help us and everyone to see transparency and help government so that everybody will see how transparent the government is, in her dealings.

“The reason why we are seeking for this proper documentation is that there is need for government to consider the owners of goods that were stranded especially where these goods are genuine goods under genuine transactions,” he said.

Ukaoha said it would make these genuine traders and operators including manufacturers as well as the transporters not to be treated like smugglers.

He expressed concern that there was possibility that most seized goods might have expired because over 70 per cent of the goods were agro products especially those going out of the country.

“Out of the borders that were shut down, four had been ordered to be reopened by the President

“But sadly for us, out of the four borders ordered to be reopened Mfun border in Cross River is still not fully opened to the public.

“The other ones are still partially opened. Our members in Mfun informed us that the border officials, immigration essentially complained that they were yet to receive signals from their headquarters. So, that place remains shut down.

“The two in the Northern axis and the one in Seme have partial opening in the sense that activities have not picked up and movement of goods and services have not been lifted the way they used to be.

“But we are hoping and believing that perhaps preparations are on top gear,” he said.

Ukaoha, therefore, urged the government to consider the traders and manufacturers adding that many of them who had borrowed money from various banks to transact businesses were being held presently by the banks.

“So we want to know how government will come in to assist and compensate them,” he appealed.

From Blessing Olaifa, Abuja

 

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has adopted booking for the National Identity Numbers (NIN) to avoid the spread of COVID-19 pandemic at registration centres across the country.

According to a statement  by its spokesman, Kayode Adegoke,  personal information would be collected for scheduling an enrolment appointment.

The statement warned citizens not to give personal information other than what is required by the booking register.

Adegoke explained that the recent Federal Government’s policy which requires mobile network subscribers to update their SIM registration with a valid National Identification Number (NIN) has occasioned a huge demand for the NIN with a crowd visiting the NIMC Enrolment Centres nationwide.

Mindful of the second wave of the COVID-19, which continues to severely affect public health and cause unprecedented disruptions, the Commission wishes to announce that it has adopted a couple of measures to contain the spread of the virus while ensuring its services to Nigerians are not entirely interrupted, Adegoke stated.

The NIMC spokesman said: “Effective December 30, 2020, attending to applicants would be based on Booking System. For bookings, applicants are to visit any of the NIMC Offices closest to them during stipulated business hours (9 am – 1 pm).

“Although the policy has been in place since 4th February 2020 applicants are now crowding all the centres. Personal Information would be collected for the sole purpose of scheduling an enrolment appointment. Please do not include any personal information other than what is required by the booking register.

“Once admitted into the office, a Number-Issuing queue management system will be in place to ensure orderliness and strict adherence to COVID-19 Protocols.

“As a responsible Commission, we fully understand that safety comes first, as such, only individuals with facemask would be allowed entrance into our premises.

“We urge the general public to cooperate with us as we work assiduously to respond to the new normal.”

By Emma Elekwa, Onitsha

 

A GROUP of millionaires in Anambra State called Anambra Progressives yesterday donated an ultra-modern medical centre to the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State.

Speaking during the event, the convener of the group, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, said the choice of the fully-equipped medical facility was occasioned by the importance the group attached to health, stressing that “health is wealth”.

He said the project was part of the group’s strategic implementation mechanism focused on world-class healthcare delivery for improved medical tourism and health insurance with qualitative and affordable health services.

Ubah regret that that of Anambra North earlier started at Nsugbe with about N10 million already committed was stalled following state government interference, but stressed the group would not be deterred by such action.

Read Also: Brain drain: Diri appeals for patriotism from medical doctors

 

The senator said: “The project was accomplished through the positive response of progressive-minded noble citizens of Anambra, including those in the Diaspora, who raised the sum of N479 million for the building of world-class medical centre in three zones of Anambra North, South and Central.

“That of Nnewi Medical Centre had earlier been commissioned while this one at UNIZIK will take care of any emergency situation and at the same time handle effectively any case of COVID-19 infection in Anambra.

“We are also embarking on other projects geared towards creating a strong economy in Anambra and agricultural revolution through the setting up of industrial clusters, inland ports and large-scale farming in different parts of the state.”

Vice-Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka Prof. Charles Esimone expressed appreciation to the sponsors of the project for the gesture, promising judicious utilisation of the facility.

“We must commend your team spirit and progressive minds, which is instrumental to the actualisation of the project. We encourage you to continue in the path of greater future for the state and the benefit of its citizens,” he added.