The Nation Newspaper

Tag: MoU

  • Nissan, Stallion to build auto assembly plant

    Nissan, Stallion to build auto assembly plant

    Nissan and West African conglomerate Stallion Group yesterday announced plans to jointly build a vehicle assembly in Nigeria.

    Their plan is in anticipation of the Federal Government’s approval of a new Automobile Industrial Policy, designed to encourage development of the auto industry.

    A statement signed by Chairman, Stallion Group Sunil Vaswani said the partnership would see Nissan become the first major international manufacturer to start a vehicle assembly in the country following the legislation.

    “The parties have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which will result in Stallion – already Nissan’s exclusive distributor in Nigeria – increasing capacity at its existing plant, VON Automobile Ltd in Lagos,” the statement said, adding that Stallion currently produces commercial vehicles at the facility.

    According to Vaswani, the plant’s yearly capacity will be expanded to 45,000 units to assemble a range of cars, light duty trucks, pick-ups and vans.

    He said details of the product line-up would be confirmed at a later date. It is envisaged that the first product to be introduced will be the iconic Nissan Patrol SUV in spring 2014.

    Vaswani said the government initiative was aimed at making Nigeria the regional leader in the industry. He said capacity at the plant would also be opened to Nissan’s Alliance partner Renault, to be utilised according to future business needs.

    Nissan President and CEO Carlos Ghosn, said: “We welcome the proactive measures being taken by the government of Nigeria to encourage inward investment and job creation driven by local auto manufacturing.

    “Together with our local partner, Nissan is preparing to make Nigeria a significant manufacturing hub in Africa. As the first-mover in Nigeria, we are positioned for the long-term growth of this market and across the broader continent.”

  • Poly, others sign MoU on exchange programmes

    The management of the Rufus Giwa Ploytechnic, Owo in Ondo State, has signed a Memoradum of Understanding (MoU) with some higher institutions in Germany, Israel and South-Africa on exchange programmes for its students.

    Its Rector, Prof Igbekele Ajibefun, broke the news when the Director of National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, (NIPSS) in Kuru, Plateau State, Prof Olu Obafemi, visited the polytechnic.

    Obafemi was accompanied by Ondo State Commissioner for Technical and Vocational Education Remi Olatubora, Commissioner for Information Kayode Akinmade and Commissioner for Works Gboye Adegbenro.

    Ajibefun said the exchange programmes would provide an opportunity for staff and students to be trained in the partner-countries, adding that such exposure would boost lecturers’ productivity.

    He said the Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) and relevance of course of study would form the criteria for selection of qualified students for the programmes. Ajibefun said lecturers would be selected on the basis of their academic qualifications and experience.

    ‘’The selection would be highly competitive as the polytechnic would send only the best candidates for the programme and it runs annually,’’ he said.

    He commended the state government for its various development projects in the school and promised to make the institution globally competitive.

    Ajibefun said the polytechnic has transformed from a breeding ground of cultism to a citadel of academic excellence.

    Prof Obafemi praised the efforts of the Rector at creating what he described as a 21st century institution of higher learning, observing that the state government has improved the standard of education in the state.

     

  • Fed Govt signs $500m MoU for 20,000MW transmission grid projects

    Fed Govt signs $500m MoU for 20,000MW transmission grid projects

    The Ministry of Power yesterday signed a $500million Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a Chinese firm -Xian Electric for the strengthening of the components of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) projects.

    Speaking at the event in Abuja, the Permanent Secretary, Ambassador Godknows Igali, said the deal was struck when the President visited China.

    He said: “When the President visited China recently, the power sector was one of those that featured very prominently,” adding that it was on that occasion that the MoU was signed with the Chinese group for the development of 20,000MegaWatts of electricity.

    “Today, we are signing this MoU as a direct fallout from that visit for possible investments in the transmission grid of the country. “

    The MoU, which has taken effect, is for a two-year period.

    The Minister of Power, Prof Chinede Nebo, said the Chinese Exim Bank gave the Federal Government a concessionary loan at a very negligible interst for the implementation of the projects, adding that beside providing the fund, the Chinese firm is also billed to bring its technical experience to bear on the project.

    He said the government’s expectation was that the projects would have been concluded in two years.

    Nebo said the Minitoba Hydro International, the management contractor of the TCN, is designing the project, adding that details about the project would be provided to the Chinese firm.

    General Manager Xian Electric Engineering Company Limited Mr Ji Jun hua said the company would liaise with the agencies of the Federal Government to conduct feasibility studies required for successful execution of the projects.

    He said the firm is expected to execute the projects according to specifications and timelines.

    Hua said the contributions of the Ministry to the projects should include facilitation and acquisition of relevant data and reports towards the conduct of required technical and economic studies for the projects by TCN.

    He said the Ministry would be required to land and other things for the execution of the projects.

  • ESUT dons committed to ASUU strike

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) chapter has insisted on not compromising the ongoing strike by its members.

    It said the only way its members would backpedal is for the Federal Government to implement the 2009 FGN/ASUU agreement and the 2012 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

    During an interview with reporters in Enugu, Acting Chairman of ASUU- ESUT, Festus Omeje, blamed the government for reneging on its promise.

    The lecturers called on men of goodwill, to prevail on the Federal Government to respect the two agreements signed.

    He said: “ASUU and Nigerians are worried by the institutionalised falsehood, and lack of integrity exhibited by the Federal Government and hence condemns this perfidy in its entirety.”

    “One of the hallmarks of good governance is integrity; and this is an all important virtue of those who claim to superintend such an important sector as education.

    “The excuse that the government cannot afford to adequately fund university education is dishonest in the face of a situation in which government officials and politicians continue to engage in unconscionable pillaging of state funds.”

    Omeje said the face-off was beyond salaries and allowances for lecturers, pointing out that since the 2009 agreement, the government has set up fact-finding missions to ascertain the state of universities.

    “Panels of inquiries for need assessment for universities have been set up and reports have been submitted, yet the authorities in the education sector seem to have shunned implementation of the recommendations.

    “The needs assessment committee went round the country and what it found was shocking. First, it found that the students-teacher ratio was 1-400 on the average instead of one-40. It found that the classrooms were inadequate and could accommodate only about 30 per cent of the number of students and that education standard was on the decline.”

     

  • Nigeria, Chinese firm sign MoU on 1,000 MW from coal

    Nigeria, Chinese firm sign MoU on 1,000 MW from coal

    The nation inched closer to actualising its drive towards increased power supply with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a Chinese firm to generate additional 1,000 megawatts from coal.

    The MoU with the firm, HTG-Pacific Energy Consortium, is for the development of coal to power at Ezimo Coal Block in Enugu State.

    The event which took place at the Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja, followed a workshop on the Solid Minerals Sector organised by the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development.

    The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Musa Mohammed Sada signed the MoU on behalf of the government.

    President Goodluck Jonathan who presided at the workshop, said Nigeria will exploit its abundant coal reserves for quality power generation, adding that coal resources could provide 30 per cent of Nigeria’s electricity generation through environmentally friendly clean technology

    He said: “For instance, the coal resources presents an excellent opportunity for us to diversify our energy sources, to the extent that 30 per cent of our electricity generation could come from coal, using environmentally friendly clean technology.

    “Nigeria is endowed with abundant coal reserves of the required quality necessary for power generation. And so, there is no reason why we should not exploit that sector,” he added.

    He stressed the need for collaborative effort between the Ministries of Mines and Steel Development, and Power towards attracting investors to coal-fired generation opportunity, urging them to continue in that direction untill Nigeria gets to where it wants to be in terms of its power needs.

    He harped on the importance of the solid minerals sector and the need to harness it in order to create jobs, wealth and increase the foreign direct investments in the economy.

    Jonathan said although considerable progress has been made in terms of results and interest of the sector, the nation was yet to witness the kind of development it expects. He said the workshop was timely as it would help advance the sector and expose it to the public so that the nation attains the require.

    However, The President warned operators against re-occurrence of the lead poisoning in Zamfara State which led to the death of many children who were engaged in illegal extraction of minerals.

    He said: “The volatility of the solid mineral sector and the need for orderly development was clearly demonstrated in the lead poisoning incident in Zamfara State recently. While we applaud the efforts of all those who were involved in the issue of management and the remediation of the lead poisoning in Zamfara State, we must ensure that it does not repeat itself in the country any longer.”

    Jonathan was optimistic that the workshop would produce concrete ideas and recommendations that would unleash the economic and social potentials of the sector.

    He urged the participants to identify the barriers to the development of the sector including environmental, institutional and regulatory challenges and the policies that government must develop and implement to address them, saying they should focus on the beneficial explorations and exploitation of industrial minerals, such as Limestone, Kaolin, silica, gypsum, gemstones and ceramic clays, among others.

  • FIIRO, Foundation partner for senior citizens

    The Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO) and the Dave Omokaro Foundation (DOF) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the promotion of health and nutrition of older persons.

    Signing the agreement on behalf of the Institute, at a brief ceremony in Abuja, Director-General of FIIRO, Dr. Mrs. Gloria Elemo said when proper attention is paid to the nutritional needs of the elderly, less medical care would be needed to keep them healthy. She expressed regret that many shy away from the issues of the elderly, whereas old age is an inevitable phase of everyone’s life.

    FIIRO, she said had more than 250 technologies, no fewer than 50 of which had been developed.  The Institute, she added, had conducted research into food and agro-allied products, some of which would serve the partnership with DOF well.

    Dr. Elemo explained that the MoU would be operated as a Public-Private Partnership.  The scope of work is to include, conducting research and development projects towards empowering youths, identification and modification of commercialisable diets for the elderly to enrich their nutritive value, patenting of such projects in the name of the parties involved in the project and awareness creation through advertisements, among others.

    The parties to the agreement are also to organise training workshops and seminars as well as other promotional activities in Nigeria, liaise with government agencies, external organisations e.g. NAFDAC, Federal Ministry of Agriculture, elderly homes and hospitals etc. Funding of such projects are also to be clearly spelt out in an annexure or supplementary document to be executed by the parties.

    Executive Director of DOF, Dr. Emem Omokaro, who signed on behalf of the Foundation, thanked the DG of FIIRO for the partnership and for her keen interest in addressing the issues affecting the elderly. She noted that there was no telling how far the MoU could, recalling that a similar MoU, signed between DOF and the National Universities Commission (NUC), a few years ago, had led to the recently concluded training of experts in Applied Gerontology, in collaboration with the University of North Texas, Denton, United States of America and the development of the Benchmark Minimum Academic Standards (BMAS) in the field.

    A private trust and non-profit organisation, the Dave Omokaro Foundation partners with government, institutions, agencies, non governmental organisations, development partners and individuals to develop capacities for translating internationally agreed policy frameworks into strategies and programmes to ensure quality life and well-being of older persons.

  • NIHOTOUR signs MoU with ITP

    National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism Studies(NIHOTOUR), the apex manpower development parastatal of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, for human resources development for travel, hospitality and tourism Industry in Nigeria, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Institute for Tourism Professionals (ITP).

    The signing of the MOU is meant to promote the development of the industry, while recognising the need for collaboration in the discharge of their objectives as it relates to the professional sectors through articulation of awards, collaboration and complementary activities for the purpose of advancing the growth of the tourism and hospitality industry in Nigeria.

    The DG of the NIHOTOUR, Dr. Munzali Dantata, commented that agreement will further strengthen the relationship between the NIHOTOUR, as the skill council for the tourism and hospitality sector, and ITP, as an awarding body for the implementation of the National Vocational Qualifications Framework which was approved by the Federal Executive Council in April this year. It is in furtherance of the synergy already established during the three- week development of the National Occupations Standard organised by the National Board for Technical Education in Lagos in April this year in which the NIHOTOUR played a major role.

    Mr. Abiodun Odusanwo, the president of the Institute for Tourism Professionals reiterated that the MoU sets out the working relationships protocol between the two organisations, which will engender Professionalism at every level, provide support network which will enable the sharing of knowledge and ideas, resulting in a thriving and diverse range of quality, successful tourism businesses, and destinations throughout Nigeria.

    While expressing delight in signing of the MoU, the DG, affirmed that the expert knowledge that Mr. Odusanwo has in National Vocational Qualifications implementation and as one of the very few qualified external verifiers the country has, combined with the extensive experience of NIHOTOUR in the provision of training and manpower development for the hospitality and tourism industry in Nigeria, the industry and indeed the country will begin to witness systematic improvement and broadening of knowledge and skills that will enable the tourism sector to have the stock and flow of the appropriate skills that will keep it at a global level of service excellence.

    He concluded by saying that the decision to sign the MoU was because of the shared commitment of the leadership of NIHOTOUR and ITP to the Seven Principles of Public Life which they both believe will permeate throughout the implementation of this MoU, and guide the decision on future MoUs with other organisations. These are: Selflessness, Integrity, Objectivity, Accountability, Openness, Honesty, and good leadership.

  • Akwa Ibom, Hilton sign MoU

    The government of Akwa Ibom State and Hilton Worldwide Group yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the management of Uyo Hilton Garden.

    Governor Godswill Akpabio signed for the government while Vice President, Development, Hilton Worldwide Group, Sub-Saharan Africa, Michael Cooper, signed for the group.

    Speaking after the signing, Cooper said he was delighted to sign the management agreement of the hotel, which would be a model in Africa.

    Cooper was accompanied by Louis Misford and Mark Martin Volick, officers in-charge of Development, Technical Drawings, and Specification.

    He said Hilton Group has 3,999 hotels worldwide with Uyo Hilton Gardens making it 4,000.

    Akpabio said he was happy to sign the agreement, which according to him, was a symbolic opportunity for Hilton Group in the Gulf of Guinea.

    The governor observed that Hilton Group is a world brand, saying the group has never suffered any business loss.

    His words: “This is happening in Uyo and in our time. It marks a major step in our effort to bring about uncommon transformation to our state and also bring about transformation in Nigeria.

  • NAICOM, NAIC sign MoU on training

    NAICOM, NAIC sign MoU on training

    The National Insurance Commission of Nigeria, (NAICOM) and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) of the United States have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on training and technical assistance.

    In a statement, NAICOM’s Assistant Director, Corporate Communication, Mr. Rasaaq Salami, said the purpose of the memorandum is to help maintain efficient, safe, fair and stable insurance markets in Nigeria and the US for the benefit and protection of policyholders, by providing a framework for co-operation, increased mutual understanding, exchange of information and technical assistance to the extent permitted by respective laws, regulations and requirements.

    He said: “Both NAICOM and the NAIC believe such cooperation will enable them to effectively regulate the industry and entrench international best practices more than ever before.

    “Nigeria’s Commissioner for Insurance, Fola Daniel and the president of NAIC/Commissioner, Louisiana Department of Insurance, James Donelon signed the MoU on behalf of both parties at a well-attended ceremony at the Willard InterContinental Hotel, Washington, DC in the United States.

    “Under the agreement, the authorities will provide mutual assistance periodically through training held in the host country; participation in internships with specific educational focus; educational seminars held in the host country, provision of training manuals/materials and any other issues of common interest.

    “Similarly, both NAICOM and the NAIC have reiterated the importance of complying with the International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS) Core Principles for effective insurance supervision and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) recommendations on Anti-Money Laundering.”

    NAIC is a non-profit Delaware corporation comprising chief insurance regulatory officers in the 50 states, the District of Columbia and the US territories.

    NAICOM signed a similar MoU with the National Insurance Commission (NIC) of Ghana in August, last year.

  • IRS, Turkish Airlines sign pact

    As part of its expansion program and to ensure professionalism and quality service are woven deeper into the service offerings from IRS Airlines, especially at this crucial expansion phase, the company has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Turkish Airlines.

    The MoU, which has the support of the government of both countries agrees bilateral relationships between IRS Airlines and Turkish Airlines that will see Turkish airlines sharing its experience and cooperating with IRS Airlines in the following areas; training and personnel development, maintenance and repair, Cabin interior, bilateral interline traffic agreement and special proration agreement.

    Both companies agreed to promote economic relations between Nigeria and Turkey using Civil Aviation means.

    The MoU was signed at Istanbul Turkey by Alhaji Rabiu I. Rabiu, Chairman/CEO for IRS Airlines and by Dr Temel Kotil, President/Chief Executive Officer for Turkish Airlines.

    IRS Airlines is a Nigerian licensed domestic and regional airline with eight major destinations and hubs in Lagos and Abuja, Nigeria.

    Turkish Airlines is a major European Carrier and the world’s fifth largest airline with a worldwide network including 205 cities in 90 countries and over 200 aircraft in its fleet. Turkish Airline has been voted best airline in Europe for two consecutive years.