The Nation Newspaper

Tag: charcoal

  • ‘No sale of charcoal, firewood on Borno streets’

    The Borno State government has banned sale of charcoal and firewood on major streets to prevent pollution.

    Commissioner for Justice Kakashehu Lawan stated this in a statement to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday.

    Lawan said sellers were expected to relocate to a new market on Damboa Road.

    “Sale of charcoal and firewood along major streets is hereby banned. Those engaged in the business should relocate to the Charcoal and Firewood market along Damboa Road in Maiduguri.

    “Government action is based on the fact that the sale of these items on our streets has become a source of pollution, as well as constitute health hazard to the public,” Lawan said.

    He said the traders have two weeks to either relocate or face prosecution.

    The commissioner hinted that government planned to demolish illegal structures and shanties in markets across the state.

    “All illegal markets are hereby banned and owners advised to relocate to recognised markets like Bolori, Abbaganaram, Gamboru among others.

    “They have two weeks to relocate as such structures will be demolished in the next two weeks,” Lawan said.

    He explained that government action was based on the fact that such places were used as hideouts for criminals.

    “Such places not only deface the environment but often serve as hideouts for criminals and their activities,” he said.

  • ‘Lift ban on charcoal exportation’

    ‘Lift ban on charcoal exportation’

    CHARCOAL Development Dealers Association of Nigeria (CDDA) has pleaded with  the Federal Government to  rescind the ban on exportation of charcoal.

    Its President,  Alhaji Ibrahim Ayeriyina, spoke with reporters  after an emergency meeting at Malaba Oyo town , Oyo State.

    He added that the association had written to the Minister of Environment  detailing its activities.

    He said: “Our association had willingly embarked on free planting in several zones of Oyo state and part of Ogun state. In year 2009, we established five hectares plantation each at Osho Forestry reserve in Ijaye, Ido Local Government, Olaseinde in Surulere Local Government, Opapa forestry reserve, Saki west Local Government and Alawonpala village in Iseyin Local Government; all these 20 hectares of teak plantation in Oyo State government reserve.

    “In the free areas of Oyo State, our association had planted in the three zones of Oyo State- 15 hectares in Idi-Iyin plantation at Ilero, which was commissioned by the former commissioner for Agriculture in Oyo State, Bimbo Kolade precisely on October 17,2012. We also had another 15 hectares of tree planted at Agbakoba village in Atiba Local Government while we planted species of trees in Oshee village at Igangan, Ibarapa North Local Government Area to further encourage afforestation.”

  • Here comes the charcoal merchant

    Here comes the charcoal merchant

    This is the story of a young entrepreneur, who is making it big because of his courage and determination, Daniel Essiet reports.

    Chief Executive, The Thy Global Investment Limited, Ismail AbdulAzeez, owns  a thriving agro export business in Sango Ota in Ogun State. The business started in 1999.

    About 15 years later, it has become a multi-million naira enterprise, employing no fewer than 50 Nigerians working as pickers, quality controllers and helpers.

    The story of AbdulAzeez is that of a man that rose from rags-to-riches story.

    An accountant by training, life was indeed difficult for him when he  first started. He began by strutting the streets of Lagos in  search of a job.

    When his efforts did not pay off, he, resorted to  picking  snails  on  the roads to eke out a living.

    He never had a dream of starting a   business that would grow in a short time.

    From picking snails, he   started a new business  changed the course of his life. The demand for snails  helped him to tap into a market  capable of generating high profit even with little financial outlay.

    With market insight, AbdulAzeez reared giant African snails, which could grow up to 20 cm (7.9 inches).  At  harvest, he  sold to a number of luxury hotels and high-class restaurants  making  good  money. Gradually, the  business of   snails farming  appeared  to him  a venture  that  could help young entrepreneurs climb their way out of poverty. From snails,  his dream of becoming a successful businessman was realised.

    At the small business grew, he sought and found additional training on different sustainable small and medium enterprises, this time  in grass cutter farming. This  became  his  next  destination. He eventually moved into  beekeeping and then food stuff exports.

    So far, it has been a very long journey, working on different business  ventures.  But  in all,  the   success  of  his  agro exports  business  has helped him  to  address the big hurdle of  securing capital.  His   story of success is unusual. But his struggle is common to many of Nigeria’s entrepreneurs.  Chiefly, agro exports has given him a giant leap.   Thanks to trade liberalisation and  the  spiralling  demand for  agro exports  which  are  sourced  from most  parts  of the country.

    As  his  business empire grew, he  was  attracted to  the  lucrative  business of charcoal export.

    According to him, the huge demand for charcoal is informed by  its used in food grilling and bakery.

    Europeans and Americans, he  explained,  generally look forward to having family picnics and on-site barbeques adding that this trend has contributed to the demand for charcoal.

    As a result, he takes advantage of  this  to export to meet the needs of the coming spring and summer seasons.

    Today, the venture is  his  biggest money spinner  and  he is one of the country’s leading exporters of charcoal.

    Within the last few months,  foreign buyers  have  come  to  trust the quality of his products, convinced that he offers them nothing but the best. He   advises Nigerians   to use the opportunity of increasing charcoal import to make money.  For him, charcoal is not  a business that requires more time to make profit.With an investment of N800, 000, one   could make  a profit of N300,000 within 40 days.

    The initial challenge for  new exporters is how to source charcoal because supplies come from as far as Mokwa in Niger State.

    Using his own resources, AbdulAzeez has  established a central depot at  Sango Otta  where suppliers bring in charcoal in large  quantities. There, the raw charcoal are separated, graded and packaged for export.

    That takes a big burden  for those who don’t have time to travel to as far as Kogi State to source  for the commodity.

    He  has taken his business to the next level by engaging farmers and other Nigerians to produce charcoal at various forests, one initiative to help to increase and enhance economic growth within the forest zones.

    While he has resorted  to training more Nigerians  to become charcoal exporters, AbdulAzeez is happy to see the business blossom.

    He said the project  with a vision of improving the livelihood of Nigerians has come this far, increasing  hope for young  people seeking  empowerment through business opportunities.

     

     

  • LG launches light wave charcoal microwave oven

    LG launches light wave charcoal microwave oven

    Home cooking has no doubt been transformed by the arrival of microwave ovens. This trusty heat-and-eat device in our kitchens has come a long way since being used mainly to heat up milk and frozen dinners.  Despite the fact that it makes cooking easier and healthier, many of the conventional versions sacrifice that gourmet taste in the process which informed the introduction of the Lightwave Charcoal Microwave oven by LG Electronics.

    With capabilities such as Charcoal Lighting Heater, Grill Temp Control and Multifunctional cooking, LG Lightwave Oven is revolutionary.

    The charcoal lighting heater enables users cook with a revolutionary charcoal filament for tastier, all natural, deep even cooking in a shorter time. Charcoal heating is the world’s first heating grill that enhances water heat absorption, cooking more naturally and efficiently compared to conventional sheath, like real charcoal grilling.

    Speaking at the unveiling of the new product at the company’s complex at Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, the General Manager, Home Appliances Division, LG Electronics West Africa operations, Mr. Hyunwoo Jung, said: “On first glance, it may appear to resemble a microwave oven, but it outperforms both microwave and conventional ovens through its advanced technology. This ground-breaking appliance takes cooking to the next level of innovation, with a range of unique features to complement any cooking experience.”

    Addressing journalists, Jung explained that the Lightwave Charcoal Oven enables users enjoy the speed (and energy-saving) offering of a microwave, without forfeiting the taste, texture and flavour of traditional cooking in conventional ovens.  Tasty and even cooking is brought about by four strategically located heaters. Two are placed at the top of the oven, while a further two heaters are situated at the rear, creating a powerful and consistent flow of heat. Energy saving is also ensured as the speed of the convection fan and heat of the grills are adjustable, enabling heat to penetrate food more deep and evenly for better cooked and deliciously tasting food.

    The Charcoal Lighting Heater uses a charcoal filament to maintain a more even heat-flow that gives food that healthy, natural flavour. With the Charcoal Lighting Heater, dishes such as chicken or lamb become delectably crispy on the outside and irresistibly juicy on the inside. The Lightwave Oven also produces meals that are healthier than those cooked in conventional ovens by allowing food retain its natural flavours.