The Nation Newspaper

Tag: materials

  • Fire victims get relief materials

    Fire victims get relief materials

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has donated relief materials to the Iwaya, Yaba, Lagos Mainland fire victims.

    General Manager, Lagos State Emergency Agency (LASEMA)  Dr Femi Oke-Osayintolu, who presented the materials to the about 507 Internally Displaced Persons (IDP), expressed government’s determination to return them to their homes.

    The items included clothes, mattresses, foodstuffs, beverages, among others.

    While thanking NEMA’s coordinator, Southwest Zone Dr Bandele Onimode, Oke-Osayintolu promised that the victims would be given vocational training so as to start living a decent life.

    He said: “We appreciate the gesture shown by NEMA to complement the efforts of the state government. Of the 653 persons that were affected, 507 are in the camp and we have been taking care of their needs. We have doctors who are taking care of them.

    “We provide transportation to take those who are working among them to their work places in Iwaya and they are brought back in the evening. Before we could harvest them back to the society, we would have trained them on some vocational training and given them some financial assistance.

    “We are collaborating with general hospitals to attend to those who need specialised treatment. The state’s ministry of education will assist us in placing the children to schools that are not far from the camp.”

    Some of the IDPs appealed to government to provide transportation for their children, who had stopped attending schools since the incident happened on January 14.

    One of them, Mr Israel Olori, said he and his family would have turned destitute but for the timely intervention of the state government.

    “We thank Fashola for providing this place for us. We were moved here on January 17. Some of us might have been sleeping on the streets if not for this gesture.

    “Some of our challenges here include prompt medical assistance for our sick children. We also need buses that will be taking them to and from school. This requires a lot of expenses which we cannot afford for now,” he said.

    Oluwo Oladiji (54) said the camp accommodated his two wives and five children, adding that its ambience was relatively conducive for them.

    “We came here with only dresses we were putting on. All my property was lost to the fire but I thank God this camp takes care of us to some extent,” he said.

  • Dangote vows to make cement cheapest materials

    Dangote vows to make cement cheapest materials

    • Unveils 32. 5 cement for plastering

    Largest producer of cement in Nigeria, Dangote Cement Plc., has vowed to make cement one of the cheapest construction materials in the country to enable more Nigerians own their houses.

    Its Group Managing Director, Mr. Edwin Devakumar, who spoke at the unveiling of the 32.5 and 3X cement in Lagos, said the company is working assiduously to increase cement production from the current 29 million tons to 42 million tons from its factories across sub-Saharan Africa.

    He said it was part of efforts to meet the aspiration of consumers that made the company to crash ex-factory price of cement to N1,000.

    To ensure that the N1000 price is sustained in the market, the company delivers the product to dealers with its enhanced transportation system. The decision, according to the company, will ensure reduced retail price.

    Devakumar said: “We have also drastically reduced the price of 42.5, which is our premium to N1,150 per bag ex-factory, ex-VAT, for the benefits to trickle down to the consumers. We have enough trucks to deliver cement at the door steps of dealers and consumers.”

    He said the products would henceforth, be delivered at the door steps of consumers in the Southsouth, Southeast and Southwest at N1000 per bag because of the proximity of the factories to these regions, while they will charge N150 per bag in other parts of the country.

    Devakumar said its major priority is to ensure that customers are protected in the distribution chain, assuring that it would put mechanism in place to monitor the sale of the product.

    He expressed optimism that the price reduction will increase per capita consumption of cement in the country, which he noted is currently lower compared to other African countries.

    He said the company is poised to make housing affordable to the majority of Nigerians by not only making cement cheap but accessible to the people.

    He debunked the allegation of monopoly against them by competitors, but rather charged them to put the interest of consumers at heart.

    The Director-General of Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Dr. Joseph Odumodu, urged cement manufacturers to key into the Nigeria Industrial Standard (NIS), on cement standardisation as they are determined to pursue quality standards as a regulator in the manufacturing sector.

    Harping on the essence of adhering to the ongoing cement standardisation in the country, Dangote’s Chief Marketing Officer, Mr. Oare Ojiekere said the 32.5 is meant for plastering only and it is lower in grade and quality compared to 42.5 and 52. 5 cement grades.

    He advised consumers to look at the grade and usage inscription on the bags of cement before purchasing them, noting that there are grave consequences of using cement meant for plastering on casting and concrete work.

  • Students donate materials to poly

    The Association of Applied Sciences Students (AASS), Rufus Giwa Polytechnic in Owo (RUGIPO), Ondo State chapter, has to the polytechnic’s Faculty of Science. The donated materials include millennium signpost, laboratory wears and computer accessories.

    While receiving the materials, the Rector, Prof Igbekele Ajibefun, praised the students’ thoughtfulness, saying the donated materials would aid learning. He hailed the efforts of the Dean of the faculty, Mr G.A. Ogundahunsi, the association Adviser, Mr I.O. Ajigbo and Faculty Officer Mr Akintan Akinyemi, who supervised the affairs of the students’ group.

    The Rector promised the students that the equipment would be used judiciously.

    The president of the association, Joel Tafa, said the donation was the group’s capital project for the year, saying the materials were students’ contributions to management’s efforts to improve state of infrastructure on the campus. “This donation would not be possible without the support of members of the ýexecutive,” he said.

    At the presentation of the materials were heads of departments in the faculty

  • Ekiti tribunal refuses PDP’s application on materials’ inspection

    Ekiti tribunal refuses PDP’s application on materials’ inspection

    The three-man Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, declined yesterday the request of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the presence of security agencies while inspecting  voting materials used in the June 21 governorship election.

    Justice Mohammad Sirajo granted the party’s relief to conduct the inspection but without security men’s presence.

    Justice Sirajo noted that “such order is not within the purview of this tribunal since it is the duty of INEC (Independent National Electoral Commission) to provide same during such exercise. So, no order of tribunal is needed for this”.

    PDP’s counsel Kolapo Kolade sought the relief of the tribunal for the inspection of all materials used for the conduct of the election.

    According to the counsel, the motion was important “in view of the serious allegation made by the petitioner to the effect that the ballot papers used for the election were programmed in favour of the 1st and 2nd respondents”.

    He added: “In order to defend our position , we need to inspect the materials and we need he leave of the court to do so unless the INEC will not allow us.”

  • Govt urged to examine packaging materials

    Govt urged to examine packaging materials

    A don, Dr. Ademola Adeyemo  has called on the government  to enforce the policy on the examination of packaging materials to avoid contamination.

    Adeyemo,who is Deputy Director, Directorate of General Administration, Agricultural and Rural Management Institute (ARMTI), said the migration of chemicals from packaging materials into food has highlighted a gap in the nation’s food safety regulation.

    He said authorities should focus  on the regulation on packaging, with particular attention to the migration of chemicals from packaging and food contact materials, adding that  there are possibilities of contaminated chemicals in plastics used in food and food packaging affecting  consumers.

    Adeyemo said there should be advice on how to use materials that are in contact with foods.

    Specifically, Adeyemo said the government  should  spelt out standards  on new packaging and recycled ones, adding that companies should step up technologies that they are using and demonstrate their  readiness to ensure  safe of production process.

    He said regulatory agencies  should explore avenues to address the issue, ranging from the provisions that are in place under the food standards code, to regulatory, co-regulatory and self-regulatory options.

    According to him, the firms  should demonstrate to consumers that they can be trusted.

  • Election materials being delivered, says REC

    The Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr. Olusegun Agbaje, said yesterday  that non-sensitive materials to be used for the August 9 governorship election have started arriving.

    In a telephone interview with The Nation, he said the materials would soon be distributed to the 30 local governments.

    Agbaje said the sensitive materials to be used, except the ballot papers, would soon arrive in the state.

    He said the materials, particularly the ballot papers, would arrive three days to the election and stakeholders, parties’ representatives, reporters, rights activists and others would join the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to check the materials, which would be kept with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) before distribution to the local governments.

    He said the commission was prepared for the poll, adding that it would be free and fair.

    INEC’s National Commissioner supervising the Southwest, Prof. Lai Olurode, has denied the allegation that the Ekiti State governorship election was rigged.

    Speaking with reporters in Iwo, Osun State, yesterday, he said about 10,000 votes were voided, saying the figure was less than three per cent of the total votes cast.

    Olurode, who described the INEC officials and ad hoc workers as essential for the success of an election, said the commission had extended the training of its workforce for three days from two days.

    He said those working for INEC operated from the police guideline of the electoral process, to ensure a credible poll.

  • Corps member donates relief materials

    Corps member donates relief materials

    The Etioro Community of Akoko Southwest, Ondo State, Nigeria, has praised a corps member serving at AAUA Mr. Godwin Afiene, for providing the community with relief materials.

    Mr. Afiene, a 2013 Batch ‘B’ corps member, among other services, organised skills acquisition programme on carpentry (PVC ceiling fixing) for youths in the community, distributed domestic materials to widows, donated two first-aid boxes to the community and gave exercise books to some indigent pupils.

    Speaking after the presentation of the materials, the Head of the community, Chief P. A. Adewumi, who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, said: “Many corps members had served in this community, but this is the first time a corps member has done these remarkable things. Mr. Afiene has impacted our community positively. We are happy and we appreciate you.”

  • Airtel donates borehole, materials to school

    Airtel donates borehole, materials to school

    Telecoms firm, Airtel Nigeria, has donated a borehole and learning materials to one of its adopted schools, Presbyterian Primary School 2, Ediba in Abi Local Government Area of Cross Rivers State.

    This is coming about six months after the telecoms operator donated a block of classrooms to the school under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative tagged ‘Adopt-a-School.’

    The learning materials distributed to pupils at the event included exercise books, note books, school bags and uniforms.

    Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya, who was represented by the company’s Zonal Business Manager, South East Region, Onyekwucha Ikezu, presented the items to the workers and pupils of the school in the presence of the Permanent Secretary, Cross River State Ministry of Education, Mrs Anna Odey, who represented the Commissioner of Education, Prof Effiong E. Effiong.

    The traditional ruler of Ediba HRH, Ovai George Egbe, OvaiOsai 1 of Ediba and senior officials from the ministry also witnessed the hand over.

    Ogunsanya said Airtel is committed to its strategic partnerships with governments and organisations to improve teaching and learning in primary schools across the country.

    “A great environment is also critical to the development of a sound mind. It is, therefore, in recognition of the importance of education and as part our Corporate Social Responsibility initiative that we have committed to the adoption of public primary schools across Nigeria,” he said.

    On his part, Prof Offiong expressed great appreciation for the support the state has been receiving from Airtel Nigeria and urged other corporate organisations to take a cue from the company and join in the development of their operating environment.

    The Head Teacher of the school, whose address was read by Master Flavour Johnson, a primary four pupil, told of how Airtel made the school the first of its kind in Abi Local Government with modern facilities which have stimulated effective learning. She said one of the pupils came second position in the 2012 Read and Write competition in the state.

    Master Johnson’s excellent delivery of the speech earned him a resounding applause.

    Ogunsanya presented him N100,000 scholarship from the Staff Philanthropic initiative of the company.

    The Airtel’s initiative is part of its contribution to the development of education in Nigeria.

     

  • Council chief donates school materials

    The chairman of Owan-East Local Government Area of Edo State, Mr. Jimoh Ijegbai has started the inauguration of 51 classrooms in 16 schools in the area.

    He flagged off the inauguration at the Uhanmi Primary School, Uhanmi in the council area.

    Ijegbai said with the exception of six classrooms provided for a secondary school in the area, the other 15 were provided with a block of three classrooms each.

    He said each of the classrooms was fitted with modern furniture, conveniences and environment conducive to learning.

    He noted that about 4,000 modern desks and chairs have been distributed to the newly constructed school and others.

    Ijegbai reiterated desire of his administration to continue to invest in the future of every child in the council through proper investment in education.

    As part of this effort, the council boss said every pupil of all public primary schools in the council area have been given six exercise books each.

    “As I have said on several occasions, our priority is that of education because we believe that to build a better and secure future for our children, the education sector needs to have the proper investment.

    “This is why immediately after I was sworn in as the council boss, we immediately commenced action by awarding contracts for construction and furnishing of these schools we are inaugurating today.

    “All the schools we are inaugurating are built with the same specification like those of the state government. We are keying into the complete revolution of the sector the Adams Oshiomhole-led administration has brought to the state.

    “What we have done in these schools is all-embracing which includes ceiling fans and white boards.

    “Coupled with the 90,000 exercise books that we have distributed to pupils, we are definitely making the right investment in education sector,” he said.

    Ijegbai, however, noted that while according education priority, other sectors are also receiving serious attention by the administration.

    The Owan-East council chief explained that drugs worth N6.5m were recently distributed to all health centres in the area.

    While disclosing that some of the health centres are being renovated, he noted that two or more have been completed.

    “The transport sector among others is also receiving attention,” he stated.

  • Nigeria to save N2tr in raw materials devt

    The development of Nigeria’s intermediate raw materials will save it over N2 trillion in the next 25 years, the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), has said.

    Speaking in Abuja, its Director-General, Prof. Peter Onwualu, said since the council’s inception 25 years ago, it has promoted the exploitation, development and use of local raw materials.

    “Little wonder that after 25 years experience in value addition to local raw materials, the council has emerged as Nigeria’s focal point for the development of Nigeria’s vast industrial raw materials.

    “Our target is to increase the percentage of local content in industrial raw materials utilisation in Nigeria from the 25 per cent to 60 per cent in the next 25 years.

    “This, by our estimation, can save Nigeria over N2 trillion in foreign exchange for the importation of intermediate raw materials, process equipment and impact skills,’’ Onwualu said.

    According to the him, Nigeria is expending foreign exchange to import raw materials and products, which can be sourced from the country, because of lack of awareness.

    Onwualu said the country is processing about 25 per cent of its local cocoa production before the council was born.

    He said because of the council’s efforts over the years, the figure moved to 75 per cent, adding that another 2,000 jobs were created.

    He said over 100 research projects had been funded by the council, and about 50 per cent of research results had been commercialised, while 30 per cent were at various stages of commercialisation through pilot plants and joint venture with SMEs.

    He expressed the council’s belief on the development of the nation’s natural raw materials and investment in people, saying that both were possible and sustainable.

    He said to ensure that both remained a socio-economic vehicle for sustainable national growth and development, the council has embarked on intensive investment promotion campaigns across the country.

    He said the next 25 years, over two million jobs would be created in the area of raw materials production, processing, distribution and final processing of goods and services.

    “We hope to achieve these by consolidating on the council’s information generation, research grants scheme, commercialisation of research results and promotion of investment in resource based industries,’’ he said.

    Onwualu said the council would work with other relevant organisations to see to the emergence of about 5,000 SMEs, adding that this would be done by using research results and technologies developed by the council research institution, universities and other higher institutions.