The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Development

  • Buildcon begins estate development

    Basking in the euphoria of the success of its earlier project, Buildcon Global Services Limited, a real estate firm, has begun work on its new project, the Pracht Court located in Ajah, Lagos. Pracht Court is in a serene environment, and will offer top-notch luxury, comfort, and maximum security.

    The estate, upon completion, will consist   of four-bedroom terrace houses, which incorporate advanced automation systems to provide residents with sophisticated monitoring and control over the building’s functions. It is being constructed by highly-skilled architects and engineers with vast knowledge in critical innovations required in a dream home.

    The Chief Executive Officer of Buildcon Global Services Limited, Mrs. Bukunola Gadzama explained that the success recorded at the company’s Pracht Gardens Estate, located in Ikota, Lagos, motivated the company to embark on Pracht Court.

    She assured that the estate will boast of such features as home automation system, central water system and treatment plant, 24 hours world-class security, a swimming pool, a club house, a table tennis court, beautiful landscape and underground electricity.

    Gadzama revealed that as part of the exclusive benefits, subscribers to the estate will be allowed to determine the internal finishing of their homes. They are also entitled to six months liability period with the developer responsible for all repairs.

    The company is also giving opportunities to subscribers to own landed property in the Lekki Free Trade Zone (LFTZ), the fast-growing business hub of Lagos State.

  • GCF, AFC to drive low-emission development in Africa

    The Green Climate Fund (GCF) will help African countries ramp up their economic growth in ways that do not exacerbate climate change.

    This was said during the signing of an agreement with the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), last week.

    The two organisations signed an Accreditation Master Agreement (AMA), a prerequisite for all GCF Accredited Entities to implement GCF-approved projects. AFC intends to leverage its partnership with GCF to further its low carbon emission investments in four key sectors: power, transport, heavy industries and telecommunications.

    The Chief Investment Officer of AFC, Oliver Andrews, said during the AMA signing that the consequences of climate change impacts may seriously affect the successful development of Africa’s economy.

    “AFC is, therefore, highly committed to this partnership with GCF. Not only does AFC and the GCF have shared goals, we also have shared values. For example, AFC is committed to investing in post-conflict countries and those that face structural developmental challenges. Equally, the GCF also prioritises societies that are highly vulnerable, in particular the Least Developed Countries (LDCs). As AFC is also driven by a belief in sustainable economic growth, in every sense this synergy is an excellent recipe for success,” Andrews said.

    The Director of GCF’s Country Programming Division, Pa Ousman Jarju, said AFC is well placed to support African entrepreneurs explore the vast potential for economic growth across the continent in ways that do not harm the global environment.

    “GCF activities are aligned with the priorities of developing countries through the principle of country ownership in climate finance. For instance, with the strategic injection of capital, African companies could one day lead the way in generating non-polluting energy for industry and local communities,” he said.

    AFC is financing and managing key infrastructure projects across Africa. It has invested approximately $4 billion in projects across 28 countries in a wide range of sectors including power, telecommunications, transport and logistics, natural resources and heavy industries.

  • ‘Good nutrition vital for child development’

    ‘Good nutrition vital for child development’

    A child’s nutrition and safety, especially in school, should never be compromised, the Founder/Chairman of Avi Cenna International School, Ikeja, Lagos, Mr. Darwish Foudeh,, has said.

    He spoke when a safety compliance certificate was conferred on the school by the Lagos State Safety Commission Director-General, Hon. Hakeem Dickson,  and Principal Consultant of InSiGHt, Dr. Nnenna Mba-Oduwusi.

    This is in recognition of the merit of a Star-Two (on a 3-star ranking) safety compliance standard of the Commission and a level three (of a five-tier ranking) of SafeZoneTM  obtained by the school.

    Foudeh said good nutrition plays a huge role in child’s optimal development. Explainng this, he said: “Nutrition is important. Eating a balanced diet is vital for good health and wellbeing. Food provides our bodies with the energy, protein, essential fats, vitamins and minerals to live, grow and function properly. We need a wide variety of different foods to provide the right amounts of nutrients for good health and that are why the school go extra mile in providing quality food to our pupils and students.”

    He added that in order for children to grow properly, they must eat a well-balanced diet. “A well-balanced diet incorporates all of the food groups represented in the food guide pyramid. Having a healthy diet and focusing on nutrition are some of the simplest and most important ways to prevent the onset of disease. Healthy eating can help prevent many chronic diseases. These include obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, and type 2-diabetes. And that dovetailed into the high level of safety as observed in the school. There are no sharp edges but blunt or round poles, including the staircases.”

    The School Safety project is a programme embarked by the Lagos State Safety Commission is geared towards ensuring the safety of every child and student in Lagos State. One major component of the project involves an assessment of the systems that educational institutions have in place to ensure that risks to the safety and health of pupils, staff and parents are as minimal as possible.

    The assessment process provides a day of practical advice and guidance from the safety audit team. Although, some schools regularly self-assess and undertake regular safety inspections, but an annual audit ensures that the schools’ health and safety practices are as robust as possible and also an essential requirement for safety certification by the Lagos State Safety Commission.

    InSiGHt health consulting Ltd is an accredited Safety Agent for the Lagos State School Safety Project. In collaboration with the Royal Society of the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) InSiGHt implements SafeZone, which is an accreditation system that provides a vehicle for assessing the level of compliance of health and safety standards in schools? InSiGHt Health has exclusivity with ROSPA for school safety audits in Nigeria.

    The recognition of safety compliance of schools by the Lagos State Safety Commission continues and would get to all the schools that have achieved a feat in making safety a priority in their schools.

    Dr. Mba-Oduwusi said: “We congratulate Avi Cenna International School for demonstrating such interest and zeal to ensuring safety in the institution; we are pleased to recognise their achievements as a level 3 school. We encourage other schools to follow the same path.’’

  • Lakowe Lakes ups the ante in real estate development

    A firm, Mixta Africa, a subsidiary of ARM Limited, has upped the ante in real estate development with its 308-hectare Lakowe Lakes Golf and Country Estate in Lagos.

    The estate, a gated community with an 18-hole golf course, guest cottages, corporate lodges, spa facilities, hotel and a clubhouse, offers a distinctive lifestyle in a serene and luxurious environment. The development, its promoters claimed, is unmatched by any in West Africa.

    According to the firm’s Head, Business Development, Sales and marketing, Mr. Korede Lawrence-Salu, the estate is divided into three communities – the Village, which is the luxury residential community within the estate. This consists of 18 residential homes, offering two distinct styles and specially designed to cater for a select few.

    He explained that each of the homes has amenities adaptable to residents’ requirements, with wide doorways, ramp access, handrails, lighting and security features. Home owners will also enjoy the exclusive use of a dedicated gym, mini-club house, swimming pool, landscaped gardens, bike rails, and walkways.

    “No future expansion is planned within the Village beyond these 18 unique homes,” Lawrence-Salu explained.

    The “Enclave”, which is the second community in the estate, is a premium residential community featuring a range of houses that are themed around some of the spectacular and renowned natural landforms in the country. The Enclave comprises 206 homes, delivered with roads, water, and sewage treatment plants. This section, according to the Marketing Manager, provides a unique Lakowe Lakes experience.

    “Here, residential units are offered in a range of styles to meet the diverse requirements of homeowners, including palatial retreats for executives, cozy homes for couples, corporate clients, and larger units for families,” he said.

    The third section is serviced residential plots that are delivered with facilities. In this section, intending clients are offered 10 house designs to choose from and they will be completed by only approved contractors by the firm. This, Lawrence-Salu said, is to ensure that standards are not compromised while the designs are also not altered.

    Mixta Africa Hospitality and Retail Managing Director, Mrs. Sade Hughes, said the estate was set up with as a corporate lodge facility, as well as a nature-inspired spa resort that promotes wellness, relaxation and recreation.

    Hughes said this was why it offers a perfect setting for corporate bodies looking for residential conference and retreat venues; leisure groups looking for weekend or holiday getaways; spa and wellness enthusiasts looking for one of a kind upscale experience or social parties and other celebratory events requiring a unique destination venue.

    The 18-hole championship golf course, she noted, takes advantage of the coastal forest with fairways surrounded by natural ecosystem. The golf course became functional in 2011 and had set new standards for golf courses in West Africa.

    Other golfing benefits include a gold academy, pro-shop, a 9-hole par-3 course, driving range, short game practice facility as well as a clubhouse, offering an extensive array of food and beverage to golfers and guests.

    “Lakowe Lakes Golf and Country Estate continues to offer the promise of an unrivalled lifestyle of luxurious living and security. The estate has proven itself to be more than just a place for living and playing golf; it coexists with nature; it is a place for those, who know how to define their personality,” she submitted.

  • Don: increase funding for cancer research, development

    Don: increase funding for cancer research, development

    •Academy of Pharmacy inducts six new fellows

    How can the rise in cancer cases be halted?

    It is by providing quality treatment, affordable  drugs and proper funding of research and development (R&D) into indigenous local herbs for treating cancer,  Isa Marte Hussaini, a professor of Pharmacology at the University of Maiduguri, has said.

    He also said inadequate funding, lack of constant power supply and non-availability of reagents from United States and United Kingdom remained challenges.

    “We need more research grants; it is not about the personnel but the tools to work with. All over the world, there are Nigerians who have distinguished themselves in the field of medicine,’’ Hussaini said.

    Hussaini spoke at the investiture of six fellows by the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy (NAP).

    They were Director-General, Nigerian Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), Prof. Karniyus Gamaniel, former deputy provost, University of Lagos, Prof. Herbert Coker; former national pharmaceutical advisor, World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr. Ogori Taylor; first African woman to bag the fellowship of American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) in the United States Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye; Pharmacy Residency Director, Mercer University College at Atlanta Medical Center, Dr. Teresa Pounds and Communications Management consultant and Chief Executive Officer, XLR8, Calixthus Okoruwa.

    Hussaini sought government’s   assistance to research funding, saying it would lead to the quick eradication of the epidemic.

    Hussaini, whose cancer research is on the use of local herbs for cancer treatment, said: “Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, the first being cardiovascular diseases with 8.2 million deaths reported worldwide as at 2012. Sadly, a lot of the research grants in Nigeria are focused on deaths arising from preventable diseases like malaria, TB when we should really be funding ground breaking research on cancer. We have seen fruitful evidence of the use of local herbs in the management of cancer in Nigeria.”

    NAP President, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, said the inductees have a strong passion for  research. They are professionals who appreciate the value of research in fast-tracking the social and economic progress of societies, he said.

    He described pharmacy as the bedrock of effective healthcare delivery, the best healthcare provider and force behind the discovery of new drugs.

    Adelusi-Adeluyi  said pharmacy is the key that unlocks medical knowledge.

    Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) President, Ahmed Yakasai, said the body was committed to making Nigeria the hub of pharmaceutical production and research on the continent.

    “Through a well-tailored plan, which we have broken down to short, medium and long-term plan, we are looking to promoting pharmaceutical manufacturing in Nigeria and examining the possibilities of producing about 70 percent  of what the industry needs, especially the active pharmaceutical ingredients while importing the remaining 30 percent,” Yakassa stated.

    Yakassai announced the launch of the PSN Foundation, in Abuja on October 17.

    He said the 90th celebration of the PSN had been billed for Umuahia.

    The event was attended by the PCN’s Registrar, Elijah Mohammed, Senator Olusola Adeyeye, General Secretary of the Academy, Prof. Fola Tayo, Vice President, Sir Ifeanyi Atueyi, Chairman, Merit Pharmaceuticals, Dr Lolu Ojo, Nnamdi Obi.

    Others were former managing director, Neimeth Pharmaceuticals, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa;  founder, Alpha Pharmacy, Sir Ike Onyechi, Prof. Kemi Odukoya, former dean, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lagos (UNILAG); Prof. Mbang Femi-Oyewo, former dean, Faculty of Pharmacy, Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) and Prof. Cecelia Igwillo of the University of Lagos.

  • ‘Corporate governance key to economic development’

    If a country does not have a reputation for strong corporate governance, capital will flow elsewhere,” the Director, Society for Corporate Governance in Niger (SCGN), Prof. Fabian Ajogwu, has said.

    Ajogwu, who spoke at the 10th edition of the society’s annual corporate governance, at Oriental Hotel, Lagos, said if investors were not confident about the level of disclosure, capital would flow elsewhere, “and if a country opts for a lax accounting and reporting standard, capital will also flow.”

    The theme of the conference is: “Institutionalisation of corporate governance as a tool for national economic development.”

    According to Ajogwu, corporate governance has moved from a “good-to- have” system to a “must have” because it defines the health, growth and sustainability of the enterprise.

    He said corporate governance also stimulates transparency, quality, accountability and integrity.

    The guest speaker, ex-Justice of Supreme Court of South Africa Prof. Mervyn King, said corporate governance should not only be practised by the private sector, but also by the public sector and  non-government organisations.

    King, who said a business that made nothing but money was a poor business, added that a shareholder was not the owner of the company as erroneously believed, but just the owner of his/her share certificate, which gave them the right to appoint and remove directors.

  • Scavengers and Niger Delta’s development

    Scavengers and Niger Delta’s development

    NIGER -DELTA is a region with several languages and cultures, rich in natural resources and agricultural potentials but its people live in poverty and squalor with Pidgin English as a common denominator. Crude oil and gasflare is common but does not reflect on standard of living, unemployment is common and scavengers feed on disunity, perpetuate crisis to feed fat in collaboration with external bats. This is inimical to development. In devouring trade by batter, they defecate on unity of purpose to fortify themselves with reactionary forces that retard good purpose. Traditional rulers abandon sacred spiritual roles as intermediaries between gods, ancestors and people for politics and contracts, chiefdoms become kingdoms and villages without kingdoms become kingdoms in scrambling for resources, historical stools are trampled for greed. This loquacious greed brought memory of dark ages  where the weak were slaughtered, moles and conspirators exploited poor for avarice. Nigerians must question pedigree of characters challenging Clark’s leadership, their public records apart from putting beads round necks with beaded crowns, parading flashy cars despite poverty around subjects. Can they summon a meeting of the Niger-Delta to get support and legitimacy?

    The PNDPC face-off with PANDEF brings conspiracy. When hyenas look after goats and sheep, the result is catastrophic. Niger-Delta consists of independent ethnic groups. Edwin Clark is the summation of the ethnic nationalities in unity. There is no living or dead Ijaw leader who commands the respect, acceptance and leadership Edwin Clark commands in the region. PANDEF is a collection of statesmen, youths, intellectuals, politicians, traditional and common persons from the Niger Delta. Leadership is earned not bought, nationalities in the Niger-Delta cannot place their heritage on stomach scavengers who pride themselves in mischief to drain solidarity. PANDEF is not Ijaw podium, its Niger-Delta ethnic nationalities in demonstrating collective voice devoid of divisions, its dialogue against arms conflict that destroy and cause human and environmental catastrophe.

    Clark’s leadership is not from PANDEF, it started since 1960s as an erudite scholar in public service that is still counting. He is a voice of reason, caution and wisdom, Clark’s nationalism for Nigeria’s minorities is likened to John the Baptist crying in the wilderness. He acquired leadership in a family known for public service, as student in London under West African students union and after graduation sustained family tradition in several cadres of education, law and advocacy, politics and economy, administration, social crusade and as Senator of the federal republic of Nigeria. Clark’s voice against decade’s of injustices sustains stability, redresses injustices of multinational oil companies and his heart of accommodation, irrespective of tribe is rare. He has paid his dues but can Ijaw produce another Edwin Clark? It’s difficult seeing Clark’s selfless disposition, building people without prejudice.

    When military invaded Gbaramatu in Delta, in search of Tompolo, there was no voice heard that pricked the conscience of the nation like Chief Clark. He wept, refused food and his health worsened, neglecting self for his people. We must restrict scavengers from polluting legitimate struggle, reaping where they did not sow. What is PNDPC bringing that PANDEF is not  doing excellently? What pedigree have  these characters shown to demand the burden of leadership? We must restrict political rodents from defacing identity, leadership is not tea sessions but commitment, not harem of wives or fleet of cars but burning night candles for solutions. Clark’s accusers are blackmailers; fit and intellectually stable at 90 years, he tackled President Yar’Adua privately for calling him father and restrained from criticising him publicly.  Clark’s effort led to creation of ministry of Niger Delta and nominated the pioneer minister.

    Clark’s demand led to Niger-Delta master plan and construction of the South-east uncompleted road, the amnesty programme and reconciliatory efforts were Clark’s statesmanship, oil production was stable under Yar’Adua and Jonathan because of Clark. President Jonathan followed Yar’Adua footsteps by calling Clark his father. Clark never criticised Jonathan publicly but engaged him privately. Mischief makers claim Clark was a beneficiary of Jonathan but was it Jonathan who made Clark relevant under Col. Ogbemudia, Gen. Gowon, President Shagari and subsequent Nigerian leaders?

    Those who lack knowledge are ignorant. Clark was frustrated by some Jonathan’s policies but either  invited him or visited the villa to counsel but some were unheeded. Jonathan’s beneficiaries in Niger-Delta today heap present frustrations on Clark but they forge tleadership is not stomach activism. Clark’s leadership is incontrovertible, wisdom in old age built on merit, and we must differentiate Niger-Delta leadership from Ijaw leadership as Clark towers above all. Niger-Delta is raped economically, the struggle for leadership is self-egoism. They don’t shoulder burden like Isaac Adaka Boro, Ken Saro Wiwa and Clark because understanding of leadership is not tears, tribulation, suffering but pleasure. This is bane of miscreants destroying region’s development. Clark a unifying voice since 1970s is not wealthy but lives on good name. During the civil war, he was a voice of unity and reconciliation.  At over 90 years, Clark does not desire material gains or fame, rather bequeathing good legacy. His children are standing tall on their feet because he made them understand they do not have him for patronages.  Clark did not use public service to benefit family because it negates his principles. Clark his father, Fuludu his grandfather and Ambakaderemo his great grandfather whose big compound was compared to Oba of Benin palace by British intelligence did same.  When envy drives a greedy servant to take his master’s sit for want of glory, honour is sacrificed. Rebellion against Clark’s leadership is sacrilege.

    *Abugo is SA, Social Advocacy/Director of Orientation, Delta State.

  • Akoko monarchs task Akeredolu on development

    Traditional rulers in Akoko Southwest Local Government Area of Ondo State have urged Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) to assist their communities in infrastructural development and security.

    They pledged to support his administration in its effort to develop the state.

    The monarchs spoke at the weekend when they hosted the Commissioner for Agriculture, Adegboyega Adefarati.

    The commissioner was on gratitude visits to the monarchs for their support.

    The Olubaka of Oka-Akoko, Oba Yusuf Adeleye, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, hailed Akeredolu for embarking on laudable projects since his assumption of office in February.

    The projects, the monarch said, included the six blocks of classrooms at St. Peter’s Primary School at Oba-Akoko and construction of roads from Supare to Ayegunle Oka.

    He expressed delight at the news that the state governor had awarded the contract for the construction of the Iwaro-Okeoka Road.

    They also expressed appreciation for the appointment of Adefarati and other indigenes of the local government into the State Executive Council (Exco).

    The royal fathers urged the administration to pay more attention to the area, particularly in infrastructural development.

    The monarchs described the commissioner as a replica of his father and former Governor Adebayo Adefarati, who they said had passion for the development of his community and other parts of the state.

    On the entourage of the commissioner were the Caretaker Chairman of Akoko Southwest, Augustine Oloruntogbe; All Progressives Congress (APC) leader, Akogun Gbenga Omole; ward chairmen, supervisors and other APC leaders in Akoko Southwest.

  • Ganduje boosts agric development with N344.33m

    Ganduje boosts agric development with N344.33m

    Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has awarded N344. 33million contract for the supply of 100 units of tractors, to revamp agriculture.

    The tractors will be delivered in two consignments, within 30 days, as contained in a Memorandum of Understanding between the government and an indigenous contractor, Messrs. Hello Nigeria Ltd.

    The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Binta Rabi’u, signed on behalf of the government.

    She said: “The move is a demonstration of Governor Ganduje’s commitment to revamp food production and make our economy thriving, in line with the vision of the Federal government.

    “The government’s determination is manifested in key interventions, including revitalisation of our agricultural input company, KASCO, resulting in bumper food production in Kano, in the last two years.”

    A director of Hello Nigeria Ltd., Dr. Bashir Muhammad, promised to abide by the construal obligation, which he noted, would contribute towards attaining the government’s vision and mission.

    The government would procure agricultural implements, such as combined harvesters, threshers and other simple modern farming equipment for farmers, from China, Ganduje said.

    The governor, who is on an official trip to Hunan Province, China, spoke after a meeting with officials of Hunan Sunfeild Machinery Ltd, a leading manufacturer of mechanised faming equipment and components, in China.

    He said: “Apart from this, we have asked the company to consider establishing an assembly plant for its products, in Kano, to serve as an outlet for Nigeria and West Africa, and their response was positive.”

    Ganduje said if established, the investment would not only enhance agricultural mechanisation and improve yields, but would also facilitate job creation and technology transfer.

  • ‘Regular trainings essential for development’

    ‘Regular trainings essential for development’

    Ogun State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Jide Ojuko, has urged the state’s Vigilante Service (VSO) to get more training for better and effective security services.

    Ojuko spoke at the kick-off of a five-day training for vigilantes, organised by the State Police Command at the Vigilante Academy at Ilaro.

    The commissioner noted that regular trainings were essential for development and improved attitudes, skills and knowledge.

    Ojuko, who was represented by the Director of Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Dolapo Adewumi, reiterated Governor Ibikunle Amosun’s commitment to security of lives and property.

    The commissioner said the state government had distributed over 150 Toyota pick-up patrol vans with modern security gadgets and 13 Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) to support security organisations across the state.

    He said this was an indication that the present administration would not rest until its citizens were well protected.