The Nation Newspaper

Tag: MoU

  • CU, ILEPS sign MoU

    The Vice-Chancellor Covenant University (CU), Otta, Ogun State, Prof Charles K.Ayo, has said Indigenous solutions are the best measures for addressing myriad of challenges in Africa; therefore CU would open its door for collaboration with any institution that believes in the philosophy.

    Aside this, partnering not only with world-class universities but young and aspiring institutions towards joint research publications constitutes one of the numerous strategies in which CU hopes to achieve its mandate: ‘Vision 20-22: One of 10-in10’ (meaning being ranked as one of the best 10 universities globally by 2020), which it coined during her 10th anniversary in October 2012.

    Ayo made this known during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (Mou) between CU and the Institut Littoral Des Etudes Professionnelles Superierures Littoral University (ILEPS) at the CU Senate mini chamber.

    Backing his claims with some Biblical scriptures, Ayo said: “In Africa, we have a peculiar problem, and foreign solutions may not fit into this perfectly well. Then looking at both institutions located in Republic of Benin and Nigeria respectively, we can collaborate to address major challenges in Africa better that world-class universities in Europe or America.”

    The occasion had in attendance high profile members of both universities including the two registrars- Dr Olumiyiwa Oludayo (CU) and Mr Ayen kayoed Ezekiel (ILEPS) as well as its Vice-Chancellor Prof Ayeni Oyebode.

    Others in the CU team were: CU Coordinator (International Students); Dr Olujide Adekeye; Director Financial Services, Pastor Deji Okubanjo and Head Legal Team Mrs Ebe Oni. Ayeni was accompanied by his wife Mrs Stella, ILEPS’ Head, Legal Team Solomon Adigun Lawal, and some students of the university.

    Ayo said it might not be out of place to strike a deal with ILEPS regardless of several MoUs CU has signed with world-class universities. He added that it is neither about age nor size of the institution in question, but how its vision aligns with CU’s.

    “No one knows it all,” Ayo continued, “coming to the Biblical injunction that says one will chase a thousand and two would put 10,000 to flight. It is not really about the size of an institution, it is about the intention and aspiration of that institution.  This is a long envisaged collaboration. Ayeni has always been around so it’s like two minds coming together to solve a major problem in the black race and that is part of the mandate of CU.

    “One of the parameters considered for ranking world class universities, is looking at the international presence of faculty and staff. Even in publication, joint publications are rated higher than one within the university. So, we are hoping for a greater collaboration with Littoral University.

    Dr Olumuyiwa said though ILEPS is a young university in a French-speaking country; yet shares in the CU vision.

    “CU will be willing to partner with any university that shares her vision of raising a new generation of leaders. We will also subscribe to a relationship in which CU’s values-possibility, mentality, spirituality, sacrifice, Integrity, lifelong learning align with ours. So it’s not only about other universities spotting us; it is also about CU spotting those institutions that share in our ideals, values and principles. That is one striking features of this collaboration.”

    Expressing his joy, Ayeni described the link as a marriage of an eagle (CU) and an eaglet (ILEPS).

    “With this ILEPS can see far ahead. The cub of a lion is always a lion. We are sure of getting there. This great university will be our mentor. When you are down, you need somebody that is up to raise you.  You can see farther when you stand on the shoulder of somebody that is already on top. The move has been on for some years; but now it no longer matters how many years it has been. The journey of a million years begins with a step. Today, it has become a reality,” he said.

    Ezekiel said:“The journey has just started. We are also hoping to start flying like CU graduates.  We are hoping to share in the CU vision of rising fast. If CU mandate is to emerge one of the best 10 globally, then we should be hoping to rank as one of the best 20 by the target year,” he said.

     

  • Guinness Nigeria partners NGO on safe water

    Guinness Nigeria Foundation (GNF) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Concern Universal, a United Kingdom-based Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO).

    The MoU is meant to improve access to potable water in about 10 communities in Cross River State. The newly inaugurated GNF is the special purpose vehicle through which Guinness Nigeria Plc and Diageo implements its corporate social responsibility programmes in health, education and empowerment and job creation in the Nigerian market.

    Speaking at the signing, Country Director, Concern Universal, Mr. Tim Kellow, applauded Guinness Nigeria Foundation for supporting the Rural Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion in Nigeria (RUSHPIN) programme by providing access to potable water in villages and communities that have achieved open defecation free status in Cross River State.

    Kellow said: “This project is aimed at creating positive impact in Benue and Cross River states. The general unsanitary conditions of villages and communities across these two states often lead to a situation where human and animal faeces are carried into the only source of water in the community, a nearby stream or river. We are working with the local communities to enhance their understanding of the link between poor sanitation, hygiene behaviours and diseases like diarrhea, dysentery and cholera. However, the cycle of improved sanitation and hygiene behaviour will not be complete without access to safe water in villages and communities in Benue State and Cross River State.”

    Director, Corporate Relations, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Mr. Sesan Sobowale, said GNF was delighted to be associated with the initiative, as it resonated with the company’s ‘Water of Life’ programme, which is in line with the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to reduce the number of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water and sanitation by 2015.

    “I am quite delighted that we can sign this off today. We aim to commence work as soon as the project is commissioned in Calabar. We would also encourage other well-meaning multinational companies, that have deep rooted commitments to the development of host communities, to get involved in this initiative,”  Sobowale said.

    The Head, Sustainability and Responsibility also of Guinness Nigeria Plc, Mrs Adrianne Nwagwu, said: “Our involvement in providing clean water to communities has a remarkable history of its own. We presently have water projects of varying sizes in 15 states of the federation and we have maintained partnerships with other like-minded organisations to support the efforts of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources to attain the MDG goals on water.”

  • FG gets N4 billion for Civil Service reforms

    FG gets N4 billion for Civil Service reforms

    The reform process of the Nigeria public service received a boost with the European Union (EU) committing over N4.46billion towards the coordination of the programme reform process, policy development and civil service administration reforms in Nigeria

    The Supervising Minister of National Planning, Ambassador Bashir Yuguda made this known during the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and inauguration of the project steering committee for the EU Support to Federal Governance Reform Programme (SUFEGOR) in Nigeria.

    The minister identified the beneficiary agencies as the Office of Head of Service of the Federation, the Bureau of Public Service Reform, National Planning Commission, National Bureau of Statistics and the Federal Inland Revenue service.

    A statement by NPC’s Head of Information, Salisu Haiba, stated that the minister also noted that efforts would be made to ensure that the project is implemented as planned.

    Yuguda also recalled that the Federal Government has commenced the implementation of the National Strategy for Public Service Reform (NSPSR) in 2008 after recognising the weakness of the public service, which  has negatively impacted on its ability to deliver social services and achieve the objectives of its long-term policy framework.

    The minister stated it was on the basis of the aforementioned challenges that the EU under the 10th EDF Nigeria-EU Country Strategy Paper and National Indicative Programme (CSP/NIP) is providing Support to the Federal Governance Reform Programme (SUFEGOR) to support the implementation of the second phase of the NSPSR planned for 2012-2016.

    According to him: “SUFEGOR project will be implemented through a Technical Assistant Contract and the contractor will be providing technical assistance to the five beneficiary agencies for the management and implementation of the project including policy advisory services, transfer of knowledge and skills, building technical capacities of personnel in the beneficiary agencies through mentoring, coaching and training.”

  • Airlines sign MoU

    Etihad Airways and Philippine Airlines (PAL) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) marking a new era of cooperation between the two flag carriers.

    The MoU lays the foundation for a renewed partnership agreement that will deliver a comprehensive range of commercial benefits to the airlines and their customers.

    Included in its scope are codesharing, frequent flyer reciprocity, airport lounge access, air pass agreements and cargo cooperation.

    Etihad Airways President and Chief Executive Officer, James Hogan, said the MoU with Philippine Airlines was an important milestone in the long-standing relationship between the two flag carriers as well as the ties between Abu Dhabi and the Philippines.

    “Etihad Airways and Philippine Airlines have a history of successful cooperation on the Abu Dhabi-Manila route,” he said.

    PAL President and Chief Operating Officer (COO), Ramon S Ang, said: “We are very happy to seal this partnership with Etihad, a respected global carrier. This relationship will go a long way in providing our combined customer base a much more enhanced set of travel options. This also comes at an opportune time for PAL, which is in the thick of a fleet modernisation and expansion programme, that will see the flag carrier pushing further not only into the Middle East, but also on other parts of the globe using a modern fleet of aircraft.”

  • Ekiti Varsity to establish institute

    Ekiti Varsity to establish institute

    The Ekiti State University (EKSU) is set to establish an Institute of Medical Technology on its Ifaki-Ekiti campus.
    Medical Technology is a paramedical field where certified technologists can build careers as ultrasound technicians, radiologists, health informatics and cardiovascular technicians.
    The programme is globally relevant with jobs available in clinical laboratory, academic research, public health, teaching and the pharmaceutical industry.

    According to a statement by the University, the programme will attract over 2,000 students. They will join about 2,000 students studying Science Laboratory Technology and Pre-Degree programmes.
    A 1,500-seater lecture theatre has been built on the campus for the programme.
    Also, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed with an entrepreneur to establish a commercial farm on 400 hectares on the campus.

  • German govt launches training

    German government, under the auspices of the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Nigeria, will tomorrow, at the ITF/ISTC Centre, Ikeja, Lagos, launched its Dual Vocational Training Partnership with Nigeria (DVT-PWN).

    The Project Coordinator, Kehinde Stephen Awoyele, said the launch, which would also feature the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with training centres, would be attended by a team of German project organisations and other stakeholders.

  • Timtally, Benin varsities to sign MoU on programmes

    Plans are underway for Timtally University Langtang, Plateau State and the Complex Scolaire Et Universitaire dela Cite (CSC-EPS) Cotonou, Republic of Benin to have a Memorandum of Understanding in entrepreneurship programmes.

    Talks have reached an advanced stage between the two institutions which have agreed to visit each other for facility inspection before finalising modalities for the proposed MoU.

    At the weekend, delegates from Timtally University led by its Founder/Chairman, General Jeremiah Useni were guests at the formal inauguration of CSC-EPS’ entrepreneurship programme which held at Palais Congre (Congres Palace) Cotonou, featuring representatives from its two key partners-the Canadian Society for Molecular Sciences (CSMB) and the University of Massachusetts (UMASS) Boston.

    Others in the Timtally team include: the Vice Chancellor, Prof Bernard Matur Malau, Pro-Chancellor, Prof Ola Makinwa, Acting Registrar, Mrs Agbai Carolyn and the Minister Political/Education in Benin Nigerian Embassy Dankano Kakashak

    The Founder CSC-EPS, Dr Raufu Adedjouman hopes the proposed marriage would be beneficial particularly to CSC-EPS which he said draws an average of 1,500 students from her Nigeria neigbour yearly.

    He said the CSC-EPS which draws a pool of its studentship from across the West African sub-region has a key objective of liberating the African child from seeking white collar jobs after graduation or going cap in hand to the West for alms.

    However, what is peculiar about CSC-EPS entrepreneurship initiative, Dr Adedjouman explained, is the university’s establishment of a Conscious Entrepreneurship Bank (CEC) at Vankan in Contonou to support the initiative through an interest-free loan to only graduates with preference for one vocation or the other after their studies.

    “We also realised that some of our graduates who want to set up one vocation or the other have problems of capital. Therefore we set up CEC to offer soft interest-free loans to them.

    “The loan is determined by the size or scope of the enterprise in question and it has to be repaid over a given period of time. We not only offer loans but we further assist our graduates to draw up a business plan, teach them how to manage and sustain their businesses so they can pay back the loan at a specified period for others to enjoy same privileges.

    In his address, Gen Useni who was also the chairman of the occasion said he is particularly interested in CSC-EPS entrepreneurship programme, describing it as model other tertiary institutions in Africa can adapt. Though Africa is still far behind in entrepreneurship, Gen Useni is however hopeful that with much commitment, she can get her army youths off the streets to becoming self reliant.

    He said: “The importance of entrepreneurship in Africa today cannot be over-emphasised when compared with the development of the Western countries that are far ahead of us. Though, it is almost late for us to begin but it is better to be late than never. By this programme we are invited to witness, it is obvious that Africa is starting, and if this takes off successfully, I assure you that the benefits of entrepreneurship will be huge in Africa in terms of getting our youths out of unemployment, improving our productivity and economic buoyancy, making us self-reliant and becoming a dependable continent, rather than depending on others.”

    Useni therefore called on stakeholders in Republic of Benin to support CSC-EPS so it can live up to its mandate.

    Prof Makinwa urged Africa to return to real entrepreneurship which used to be the norm before Western education. He lamented that Western education has made many African too ‘bookish’ with preference for white collar jobs rather than vocations. Makinwa said today, science and technology seems to dictate almost all facets of African life, yet there is the need to go back to the basics.

    The Founder’s wife Mrs Mulikat Adedjouman who coordinates CSC-EPS, said the entrepreneurship programmes, offers vocations such as nursing, farming, ICT, fashion designing, music and painting among others.

     

  • Snow resort coming in Akwa Ibom

    Akwa Ibom State Government is to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with SnowValley Europe Limited for the building of a snow valley resort.

    Governor Godswill Akpabio announced this when the Chairman of Snowvalley Europe Limited, Thomas Alexander Stewart, visited him at the Governor’s Office, Uyo.

    Akapbio said: “This project is not only essential in Nigeria but also in West Africa. We want to move the country forward with this type of project.

    “The world is a global village and we need our children to compete with the rest of the world by creating quality facilities.

    “That is why you see in Akwa Ibom State, we build projects and we are into massive infrastructural development through road maps, housing schemes, building of the Ibom International Airport, among others.”

    Alexander said the resort is designed to introduce children to sports.

    He said the resort is a multi-million dollar project that includes an in-built artificial snow, water parks, cinema, shopping mall.”

     

  • CBN approves Aso Savings’ acquisition of Union Homes

    CBN approves Aso Savings’ acquisition of Union Homes

    The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has cleared Aso savings and Loans Plc to proceed with its acquisition of Union Homes Savings and Loans Plc, paving the way for the two quoted companies to conclude shares purchase and transfer side of the transaction.

    A regulatory filing by Aso Savings made available by the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) indicated that the CBN, which supervises the two financial services companies, has issued a “no objection letter” to the Transaction Implementation Agreement (TIA), which spelt how the acquisition transaction between Aso Savings and Union Bank of Nigeria (UBN) Plc, the parent company of Union Homes; Union Homes and Union Homes Investment Nigeria Limited.

    UHNL is the special purpose vehicle through which Aso Savings will acquire the UBN divestment shares and recapitalised UHSL.

    The “no objection” from the apex bank is required to enable Aso proceed with the signing of a share purchase agreement (SPA) between Aso and UBN.

    In furtherance of the acquisition, Aso Savings last week filed notice of intention to notify the NSE about the impending acquisition. Both Aso Savings and Union Homes are quoted on the NSE. As part of the listing requirements, NSE requires all quoted companies to inform it of any information ahead of its release to the public and before the party takes any action on it.

    As part of Central Bank Nigeria’s (CBN) approved restructuring exercise, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc decided to sell UHSL Plc. After a bidding process, Aso Savings was selected as the preferred bidder in October, 2013.

    Towards achieving this objective, Aso Savings proceeded to execute a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with UBN Plc under the supervision of the CBN.

    The board of Aso had approved and subsequently submitted the TIA to the CBN on December 31, 2013.

    UBN is divesting from its non-core-banking subsidiaries to comply with CBN’s regulatory regime which requires banks to either sell non-core-banking subsidiaries or form a holding company to hold such businesses.

    The Scope of Banking Activities and Ancillary Matters No 3, 2010 requires banks to fully concentrate on core banking functions. The new model requires banks to either sell all non-core banking businesses or form a holding company to hold such non-core banking businesses including activities such as insurance, asset management and capital market operations.

    Most other banks including Access Bank Plc, Diamond Bank Plc, Fidelity Bank Plc, Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) Plc, Skye Bank Plc, Sterling Bank, Zenith Bank, Unity Bank and Wema Bank have chosen to divest from non-banking subsidiaries. However, First Bank, Stanbic IBTC and FCMB have formed holding companies to sustain their non-core banking businesses.

     

     

     

  • Nigeria, Netherlands sign MoU on migration

    Nigeria, Netherlands sign MoU on migration

    The Federal Government and the Netherlands yesterday signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on migration matters.

    President Goodluck Jonathan is currently leading Nigeria’s delegation to Netherlands for the 2014 global Nuclear Security Summit.

    The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Aminu Wali, who signed the MoU on behalf of Nigeria yesterday, said the agreement will improve the cooperation between the two countries.

    He said: “I am pleased to note that the long outstanding Memorandum of Understanding on Migration matters between Nigeria and the Netherlands has at last been concluded and ready for signature after many years in abeyance.”

    “The objective of the MOU is to improve cooperation between our two countries with the aim of better implementation of provisions relating to migration of person and guarantee of their fundamental rights in conformity with international norms and best practices.”

    “The MOU deals with cooperation in combating irregular migration, human trafficking, readmission and reintegration of returnees, return assistance, document fraud detection, capacity building, identification and repatriation.”

    He went on: “We are, therefore, pleased to sign the MOU with the hope that it will guarantee the fundamental human right of our people and also create new areas of cooperation to further strengthen our relations.”

    “There is no doubt that migration and development play a big role in our bilateral relations in view of the large number of Nigerians in Diaspora working in the Netherlands and vice versa. This should be encouraged as a win win situation for both countries of origin and destination.”

    Netherlands Minister of Migration, Fred Teeven, who signed on behalf of his country said that the MoU is an area that affects both countries and therefore of mutual concern.

    He said: “The fight against illegal immigration is important for several reasons. First and foremost to prevent human tragedies that can occur when people risk their lives investing in an uncertain future in an unknown country. We know of the obvious risks involved with illegal border crossings, orchestrated by traffickers.”

    “But unfortunately we also know of too many examples of illegal migrants that are exposed to dangers living as illegally residing citizens in the countries of destination in Europe or elsewhere.”