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Tag: inaugurates

  • Ayorinde inaugurates PRCAN secretariat

    The Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria (PRCAN) has opened its national secretariat office in Lagos.

    The office, on Moshood Abiola Crescent, Ikeja, was inaugurated by the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Steve Ayorinde.

    The event, which took place last week, was witnessed by top echelon of Nigeria’s Integrated Marketing Communications sector, including egg-heads of sectorial regulatory bodies, the media and member firms of PRCAN.

    Ayorinde, who was the special guest at the commissioning, said the current level of integration and cooperation among the marketing communications sectorial bodies would further deepen professionalism in the industry to the greater benefit of the society.

    “What can I say today than to congratulate PRCAN. Everyone here is a friend or colleague. One of the great things that one can hope to accomplish as an association is to have integrity, unity and focus. I am glad that you (PRCAN) now have a place called home, though we are not there yet; but this is close to home; and I believe at no time, you will soon have a permanent place you can call your home. The state government is proud of you and we wish you all the very best,” Ayorinde expressed.

    The various groups were led by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) whose president, Dr Rotimi Oladele, was the chief host.

  • School inaugurates Computer lab at Xmas party

    School inaugurates Computer lab at Xmas party

    ST Peter & Paul Nursery and Primary School, Ikate-Elegushi, Lekki, Lagos hosted about 360 pupils and their families at the school ground to celebrate her Christmas party. The event also featured the inauguration of a computer laboratory centre donated by General Electric Oil and Gas is.

    The event was marked by fun and festivity as the beneficiaries also showed their appreciation by showcasing their proficiency on power point, word and corel draw to their benefactor.

    GE Oil and Gas is a blue-chip firmn with over 40 years of operation in Nigeria with interest cutting across aviation, power generation, oil and gas, healthcare, and transportation.

    GEs Head of Communications for West Africa, Mr Osagie Ogunbor, said the firm is proud to be associated with providing technology for the education of the less privileged.

    One of the GE Volunteers, Miss Yvonne Allomah, who was at the event, said: “At GE we believe that love forms the foundation on which the organisation and employees work towards success daily. Another is empowering and inspiring each other. It is truly a great privilege to have the opportunity to drive this outside the organisation by donating these computers to this school.”

    Loving Gaze General Manager, Barbara Pepoli, described the donation as a lifeline to opening the beneficiaries’ minds to the  opportunities to be explored in Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

    “We thank GE and AVSI, the Italian NGO which facilitated the kind donation made by GE in Nigeria. The new computer laboratory is a big development in the school’s quest to impart knowledge and education as a way of life in our pupils. Several educational applications and programs have been installed in each system to encourage pupils to learn with fun using technologically advanced means,” she added.

     

  • PDP inaugurates 53-member rebrand committee

    PDP inaugurates 53-member rebrand committee

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday inaugurated a 53-member committee to rebrand and refocus the party for the 2019 general elections.

    The committee, headed by media mogul, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, is charged with the responsibility of organising stakeholders’ conference with participants from the six geopolitical zones.

    The conference was earlier put on hold to allow the party leadership to receive the report of its post-election assessment committee headed by the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu.

    Speaking at the inauguration of the committee at the party’s Abuja secretariat, the Acting National Chairman, Chief Uche Secondus, said the move was aimed at checkmating the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Secondus said the conference became imperative because events in the last six months of the APC administration have raised fears that the gains of democracy achieved by the PDP were seriously under threat.

    “This national conference is meant to fashion out strategy that would help PDP sustain democratic ideals while in opposition, hence the choice of the conference theme, ‘PDP and the sustenance of democratic ideals in Nigeria.”

    The party chair explained that the idea behind the conference was derived from the party’s constitution, noting that the objective was to ensure reconciliation, mobilization.

    He added that it is also meant to educate critical stakeholders of the party on the reform programmes being pursued by the party leadership.

    Secondus reiterated the determination of the PDP to put forward its best hands in an effort to ensure the sustenance of the gains of democracy, which he said were recorded by the party in the 16 years it held power at the centre.

    “The conference can be used to re-engineer the ideals, core values and principles of the PDP as bequeathed to us by our founding fathers,” he said.

    Other members of the committee include Senator Ben Obi, Alhaji Ibrahim Mantu, Senator Ken Nnamani, Senator Ahmed Markrafi, Alhaji Mukhtar Shagari, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, Senators Joy Emordi, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, among others

     

  • Firm inaugurates school infrastructure

    Nigerian Breweries has officially inaugurated the infrastructural facilities it re-constructed at Dedeke Memorial Girls’ Primary School in Surulere, Lagos State, even as Surulere Local government Area also donated stationery to the school.

    According to the Managing Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr Nicolas Vervelde, the gesture aimed at improving education infrastructure in Nigeria. He added that the company’s investment in education is not mere charity but a pragmatic action designed to create a rich pool of human capital.

    Mr Vervelde, who was represented by the Group Affairs Adviser, Mr Kufre Ekanem said the infrastructural facilities donated would not only provide an environment conducive enough to teaching and learning but would also compete among the best infrastructure in public schools. He urged the school management and students to deploy care and proper management in the use of the facility in order to sustain it for future generation.

    He said the company has, over the years, been active in supporting Nigeria’s development aspirations in line with its vision of ‘Winning with Nigeria’; be it in the market place, product offer, infrastructure development or foot prints. He said the country has a lot of benefits to derive from the initiative because as Nigeria wins, the organisation wins also.

    He further said the gesture was about contributing to infrastructural progress in the country through its innovative platform, adding that the organisation’s relationship with the state is a long journey and they will continue to make contributions to support the development of the state.

    The Executive Secretary, Surulere Local Government, Mrs Bamidele Hussain said the inauguration of the facility serves as a turning point in the efforts of the local government to partner with corporate organisations to ensure the provision of basic social services as well as infrastructural needs of her citizens.

    She noted that public schools have suffered neglect over the years, despite the roll call of achievers that have passed through them. She commended Nigerian Breweries for never shirking away from its corporate social responsibility role to the community.

    Mrs Hussain added that the local government had formally delivered to the school authority one hundred dual desks and chairs for the students and 10 tables and chairs for the teachers.

    She said each student will be entitled to school bag, note books and writing materials, all geared towards facilitating and enhancing teaching and learning processes.

    The council chief added that the local government will continue to support the school as well as other schools in its environment.

    A Director in the State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Segun Osifeko thanked Nigerian Breweries for the gesture and its continual support to the state government in every area of human endeavour.

    Mr Osifeko, who said education is the bedrock of every society, noted that with the gesture by Nigerian Breweries, the state government would be able to confront the challenge in the education sector head on.

     

     

     

     

  • Council inaugurates projects

    Council inaugurates projects

    On Saturday, October 10, 2015, joy and excitement enveloped the Onigbongbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA), as some people-oriented projects were inaugurated by the Office of Auditor-General for Local Government, Mr. M. O. Jimoh.

    Though residents of the council area were in festive mood for experiencing what some of them described as unprecedented development programmes being executed by the leadership of the council that aim at making life easier for them, the Executive Secretary of the council, Hon. Moshood Mustapha Abiola’s euphoria was indescribable.

    When he assumed office as the Executive Secretary of the council a couple of months ago, Hon. Abiola vowed to deploy all his energy towards making life meaningful for residents of the council. He had promised that he would evolve people-oriented policies and programmes as well as execute projects that would have direct impact on the lives of the people. These he pursued religiously.

    Any wonder he was exceedingly excited while receiving the Auditor-General for Local Governments at the Onigbongbo LCDA.

    Mr. Jimoh visited the LCDA for the 7th edition of capital projects inspection.

    The programme, which is an annual event, takes the Auditor-General round local governments and LCDAs to inspect some projects being embarked on. After the inspection and assessment, the local government area or LCDA that executed not only best capital projects and programmes but also people-oriented projects, is chosen for the inauguration ceremony. His visit was an indication that the Onigbongbo LCDA has performed creditably well.

    Hon. Abiola expressed his gratitude to the people of Onigbongbo for their co-operation, even as he remained obliged to the Auditor-General for local government for appreciating the efforts of his administration.

    •One of the roads inaugurated
    •One of the roads inaugurated

    He further explained that in addition to the construction of the two roads, Allen Lane, Folawewo, Esugbayi and Akerele streets, among others, have been rehabilitated to ease people’s movement.

    The council chief noted that the council has started some programmes such as vocational training for youths and adults where hairdressing, vulcanizing, video and photography, catering, soap making, bead making and other skills were imparted to them, adding that the aim was to make the residents to be self-reliant in order to contribute their quota to the growth of the council’s economy.

    Responding, Mr. Jimoh praised the council chief for his commitment to the people’s welfare. He later inaugurated the construction and rehabilitation of Alhaji Muili and Ayinde Sanni streets in Oregun.

    Dignitaries present at the inauguration ceremony were the Executive Secretary for the LCDA caretaker committee, Hon. Moshood Mustapha Abiola; Head of Administrations, Mrs. B. A. Dalumo, Local Government Area Chairperson, Alhaja Iyabo Akerele; party chieftain, Chief Akingbolade; Obas, Baales and other prominent personalities.

  • Fed Govt inaugurates stroke reference group

    Fed Govt inaugurates stroke reference group

    Moved by the need to ensure an improved stroke prevention and care in the country, the Federal Government has inaugurated the first Nigeria Stroke Reference Group (NSRG) at the Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja.

    Founder, Stroke Action Nigeria, Mrs. Rita Melifonwu, said the group will assist the development and sustenance of quality stroke care in Nigeria. “This is  in line with the Federal Government’s strategy on ‘Diaspora and Nigeria Change Agenda’, which is aimed at engaging Nigerians in the Diaspora as important stakeholders in national development,” she said.

    NSRG was convened as part of the Stroke Action Alliance partnership between the Medical Association of Nigerians Across Great Britain (MANSAG), Stroke Action UK and Nigeria and is expected to develop and implement a stroke strategy for Nigeria as contained in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Stroke Action Nigeria (SAN) and the Federal Ministry of Health.

    The composition of the NSRG, according to her, is made up of stroke management experts in Nigeria and in the Diaspora; a stroke survivor and key stakeholders in the management of stroke and its effects.

    MANSAG President,  Jacob A Akoh, welcomed the formation of the group, saying it is a key development in the fight against stroke in Nigeria.

    He said: “The Joint Technical Committee (overseeing an MoU between MANSAG, Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas, Canadian Association of Nigerian Physicians and Dentists and FMOH) is in support of this development as it is in line with MANSAG’s strategy for improving healthcare delivery in Nigeria.”

    Akoh said stroke afflicts one in every six persons across the world, adding that the incidence in Nigeria, though estimated to be about 168,000 cases per annum, may be higher.

    “No one has adequate information about the prevalence or economic and social ramifications of this non communicable disease in Nigeria and that is why the MANSAG forged a partnership deal with Stroke Action UK and Nigeria in order to support the development of stroke services, education and training,” he added.

  • Lawmaker inaugurates community projects

    Lawmaker inaugurates community projects

    In fulfilment of his promises during the electioneering campaigns to enhance the living standard of members of his constituency, the member representing Akure North/South Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Hon. Afe Olowookere has embarked on several projects that will alleviate the suffering of the people.

    One of the projects is the construction of one- kilometer concrete drainage and erosion control along Faparusi Layout, off Ijoka Road, Akure the Ondo State capital.

    Solely sponsored by Olowookere, the project would cost between N3.5 million and N5 million.

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker said it was part of his Akure North/South Community ýDevelopment Project (ACDP), promising to execute more projects in order to reduce the suffering of the people in his constituency.

    Expressing sadness over the deplorable state of roads in Akure, Olowookere said: “I’ve gone round the state capital and discovered that the roads within my constituency are in deplorable condition. I am not happy with the state of these roads. I have identified some roads that should have been fixed by the government which have been neglected. I have made up my mind to reconstruct some of these roads.”

    The chairman of the Landlords’ Association of Faparusi community, Tolani Ologun, commended Olowookere’s gesture.

    He said the construction of the drainage system would help to reduce the plight of the residents.

    He said: “We can hardly bring our cars into the community. Even okada riders no longer ply our area because of the state of the road, especially during rainy season. Erosion has sacked some people from their homes. This has been our nasty experience. This project is one of the best gifts any community can get from its representative.

    “The road has been abandoned for years. The erosion that has seriously affected the community is caused by the flow of current from Abusoro area of the town. It has rendered so many residents homeless.

    All efforts made in the past to address the problem did not yield any fruit.”

    Ologun said representatives of the community have visited the chairman of Akure South Local Government Area several times to officially register their plight without any tangible result.

    Hon. Olowookere has also commenced the construction of town hall for Emiloro community  near Oda in Akure South Local Government Area.

    The laying of the foundation of the modern town hall was performed by the lawmaker amid jubilation.

    The town hall project estimated by the site engineer, Dele Bello to cost N10 million would boast modern facilities for the convenience of members of the community.

    According to the chairman of Emiloro Community Development Forum (ECDF) Dare Olowookere, the sons and daughters of the community must emulate the lawmaker, saying he had not forgotten his roots.

    He urged the people to embrace peace and unity, noting that without unity, there would be no development.

    The Olu of Emiloro, Chief Tayo Alake, commended Hon. Olowookere for the gesture, saying the lawmaker was a patriotic son who had the interest of the community at heart.

    Chief Alake also called on the people of Emiloro to emulate the lawmaker’s example in order to help in the development of the community.

    The chairman of the APC in Akure South, Elder Ayo Alogba, ascribed the intervention of Olowookere in Emiloro to the love he has for his people.

    Alogba lamented that some people who represented the constituency in the past had nothing to show for their representation.

    He commended Olowookere for the giant strides which he said are lasting legacy he will bequeath the community.

    The lawmaker said he decided to construct the town hall because the old one where the community holds important events had collapsed.

    Olowookere said he made the project a priority because it was in fulfilment of his promise to the people of the community during his electioneering campaigns.

     

  • Dangote inaugurates $250m plant in Cameroon

    Dangote inaugurates $250m plant in Cameroon

    Dangote Cement Plc, yesterday, achieved another feat with the inauguration of $250 million (N48.75 billion) cement grinding plant in Douala, Cameroon.

    Dangote Group also laid the foundation stone for a 200 metre jetty in Douala.

    Speaking on the occasion, President/ Chief Executive, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote said  the plant, with a capacity of 1.5 million metric tonnes per annum (mmtpa), was a great feat in the operations of the company.

    He said: “The plant is our largest greenfield project in a neighbouring country with which we not only share a boundary but also a long history of brotherly relationship dating from our colonial days.”

    He said the company signed the investment agreement for the development and operation of a quarry and cement grinding with the government of Cameroon on Sept. 19, 2011.

    He said massive economic revolution of the Cameroonian government in the power sector, infrastructural development, industrial development and  transportation industry had impacted positively on businesses.

    “We can attest to this as we have been one of the major beneficiaries,” Dangote said.

    He said Dangote Cement first came into Cameroon in 2008 but signed an Investment Agreement with the government in 2011.

    Dangote said the investment had increased the country’s economic value through creation of thousands of jobs; supported the government’s aggressive infrastructural development.

    Its other benefits include; conservation of scarce foreign resources through drastic reduction of importation of cement; creation of revenue for the government through payment of value added tax (VAT), royalties and taxes.

    Dangote said plans were on the way to commence the second phase of the plant which would double its capacity from the current 1.5mmtpa to 3.0 mmtpa.

    He said the company would soon open an additional quarry in the country and inaugurate more than 200 new trucks to enhance service delivery to its customers.

    “Our desire to increase our investment with the Phase 2 project is based on not only the fast growth rate of the Cameroonian economy but also the warm welcome extended to us and the enabling environment created by its government.

    “Our choice of Cameroon for this multi-million dollar investment is strategic because it is the largest economy in Central Africa and well endowed with abundant natural resources,” he said.

    He said the country enjoyed political stability, adequate security and growing development of infrastructure.

    Dangote also said the investment would further strengthen the bilateral ties between Nigeria and Cameroon and fast-track Africa’s economic integration.

    “Africa has the lowest per capita consumption of cement, an important index in measuring development, and only deliberate efforts by Africans to produce more than current requirements to force down prices can remedy the situation,” Dangote said.

    According to him, the company had on Aug. 26, signed a $4.34 billion contract with Sinoma International Engineering Company Ltd., a Chinese construction giant, for the construction of 11 new cement plants in 10 African countries, and Nepal in Asia.

    Dangote said the total capacity of the proposed plants would be 25 mmtpa, projecting that the company’s combined capacity within Africa and outside the continent would hit 100 mmtpa by 2020.

    “In Nigeria, we contributed to the successful transformation of the country from being the biggest importer to a major producer and net exporter of cement,” he added.

    He commended the Nigerian government for the encouragement and nurturing of the company from inception.

    Dangote said  the company owed its existence to the favourable investment policies of the government which encouraged the growth of import substitution industries, especially in areas with comparative advantage like in cement.

    Also speaking, President Paul Biya of Cameroon, lauded Dangote for contributing to the country’s development.

    Biya, who was represented by Mr Philemon Yang, the Prime Minister, said that the company had contributed massively to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) through the investment.

  • Access Bank inaugurates PayWithCapture

    Access Bank inaugurates PayWithCapture

    Access Bank yesterday boosted its digital banking solutions with the launch of a new multi-banking payment solution, PayWithCapture.

    The platform, a mobile payment solution allows customers to make payments by scanning a merchant’s pre-generated code using the camera of their mobile device.

    The product, the lender explained, can be linked with different payment cards, giving users options on payment instrument of their choice.

    For instance, with PayWithCapture, a user can add as many cards or payment instruments like bank accounts and mobile money wallets as desired. “This journey of inclusiveness is based on the belief that inclusiveness is the first step in the journey of innovation and the biggest players in the mobile space have been those who opened up their platforms to other players,” the bank said.

    The mobile payment solution has in-built loyalty points and coupon rewards. “PayWithCapture Beacon-NFC Pay allows Merchants to push Ads & content to consumers which helps to look beyond traditional value chains for new opportunities,” it said.

    The bank’s Group Managing Director, Mr Herbert Wigwe said: “Forging growth in mobile payment solutions requires inclusiveness. For the potential of mobile payment technologies to truly explode, it is important that we begin to see it as more than a bank initiative but more of a consumer initiative. That is where inclusiveness comes in”.

    He added that, Access Bank introduced PayWithCapture because it is a solution that allows for a combination of payment solutions and support financial inclusion.

    The bank’s Head of Product Management and Innovation, Gbenga Agboola said PayWithCapture supports financial inclusion. “We realized that the average Nigerian is multi-banked and this brings unique case scenarios; like cash being spread around different accounts/cards and the inconvenience of lugging around so many cards. PayWithCapture solves that problem.

    According to him, Access Bank has entered into a partnership with merchants in all market categories to offer unique discounts for users of the PayWithCapture application.

  • Wike inaugurates panel to probe Amaechi

    Wike inaugurates panel to probe Amaechi

    •We’ll respond at the appropriate time –Ex-Rivers gov’s camp

    Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has charged the seven-man judicial commission he set up to probe his predecessor in office, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, to find out how the four gas turbines belonging to the state were sold.

    The four gas turbines are: Omoku 150 MW Gas Turbine; Afam 360 MW Gas Turbine; Trans Amadi 136 MW Gas Turbine and Eleme 75 MW Gas Turbine.

    The commission was also charged to find out how Olympia Hotel was sold; the cost and feasibility of the completion of the Mono-Rail project.

    Constituting the panel, titled, “A Judicial Commission of Inquiry for the Investigation of the Administration of Governor Chibuike Amaechi with Respect to the Sale of Valued Assets of Rivers State and other Related Matters” yesterday in Port Harcourt, Wike gave the commission 23 terms of reference and asked it to ascertain why the proposed Justice Adolphus Karibi-Whyte Specialist Hospital, Port Harcourt, was not executed after the payment of the sum of $39.2 Million(dollars) to the supposed contractor.

    The governor also told the seven –man panel, to be chaired by Justice George Omereji, to find out if the sum of two billion naira under the Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme was disbursed by the state Ministry of Agriculture in accordance with the terms of the Agricultural Credit Guarantee Loan Scheme.

    Another major area the commission is to look in is the withdrawal and expenditure of the accrued N96 Billion from the state’s Reserve Fund without compliance with the Reserve Fund Law No 2, 2008 of the state.

    Apart from Omereji, other members of the commission are Dr Edith Chukwu; Chief Monday Ekekenta; Rev. Canon Alex Usifo and Elder Ignatius Piegbara.

    Other members of the commission are Mrs Florence Fiberesima, who is to be the Secretary, while Dr. Zaccheaus Adango will be the Counsel to the commission.

    The governor, who further charged the commission to carry out other findings and recommendations as it might deem appropriate from its investigation, also gave the panel one month from the date of its first sitting to submit its report to him.

    Meanwhile, reacting to the development, former Commissioner for Information and Communications in Rivers State, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, said the former governor’s camp would wait for the commission to start work before reacting.

    She said: “Like everyone else, we will await the commission’s commencement.”