The Nation Newspaper

Tag: MoU

  • NAICOM workers back after signing MoU 

    NAICOM workers back after signing MoU 

    The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has said its members of staff, who went on strike last week have returned to work after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the management.

    Head, Corporate Affairs NAICOM, Rasaaq Salami, in a statement said the strike was called off following an agreement reached between the management and members of staff in a peace meeting brokered by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige.

    The workers protested over unpaid allowances, poor welfare, lack of promotion, working tools and capacity building.

    Other area of grievance include delay in the review of insurance Act 2003 by the National Assembly, claiming that the proposed insurance bill, when passed, would move the sector and the commission forward.

  • LASG, NMRC, others sign MoU for 20,000 housing units

    LASG, NMRC, others sign MoU for 20,000 housing units

    The efforts of the Lagos State government and other stakeholders in the built environment to tackle housing deficit, frontally, received a boost on Monday.

    This is coming on the heels of the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding among the Lagos State Government, the Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC) and a consortium of developers to build and deliver 20,000 housing units in Lagos.

    The MoU, signed by the parties, is in line with the Lagos Affordable Public Housing (L.A.P.H.) initiative of the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode-led administration, geared towards building 20,000 housing units through a joint venture initiative (JVI).

    At the signing at the state’s Ministry of Housing Secretariat, Alausa, Lagos, the Commissioner for Housing, Mr. Gbolahan Lawal, said that the ministry and the developers had initiated an arrangement with Primary Mortgage Institutions (PMI) and NMRC to facilitate the creation of mortgages for subscribers to the housing units under the LAPH initiative.

    This is because of  the prevailing economic downturn in the country which, he said, has affected the finances of most citizens and their ability to fund the purchase of a home,

    “The state government is a subscriber to NMRC by virtue of the registration of our Lagos Building Investment Corporation (LBIC) with the company and is therefore qualified to benefit from the mortgage loan refinancing roles of NMRC. The refinancing agreement will assist the supply side as well as the demand side of the value chain as it will set in motion a revolving pool of funds for mortgage origination which will assist developers and provide them access to construction finance and help scale up housing delivery,” he said.

    Gbolahan added that the LAPH home ownership initiative and the collaboration were an opportunity for the state and its residents to leverage the benefits under NMRC.

    Lawal said the refinancing agreement would also avail citizens of the affordability and accessibility the NMRC provides through the refinancing of long-term mortgages, thereby unlocking its multiplier effects on the state’s strong economy, including jobs and wealth creation.

    “Examples of the efforts include the effective re-positioning of housing provision institutions in the state and the successful implementation of the Rent-To-Own scheme which has driven the growth of the sector and enabled many Lagosians realise their dreams of affordable home ownership,” he added.

    He said the MoU would trigger a scheme that could be tagged: “Home Ownership Made Easy.”

    “I make bold to say that by this singular step, Lagos State under the administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has taken another giant step towards making housing readily available and accessible for the citizens of Lagos State,” he said.

    NMRC Managing Director Prof. Charles Inyangete described the MoU as a watershed that would lead to housing revolution in Lagos State. He praised Ambode for driving the initiative through the Ministry of Housing, saying the MoU would lead to the delivery of affordable houses through the mortgage system.

    The Chairman, Brain and Hammers, Mr. Adebola Sheidu, whose firm is one of the consortium of developers, said the signing of the MoU was a major breakthrough in the housing sector. He explained that most developers had been constrained by “exit strategy” after building a house, that is, how to recoup their investment after developing mass houses.

    He said with NMRC on this initiative, mortgage would be more accessible to more Nigerians, and  developers would be able to build more houses. Sheidu noted that the more developers build, the more jobs will be created.

    “For every house built, there are seven semi-skilled workers and minimum three labourers working there. So look at the multiplier effect of this on job creation. This is aside that more Nigerians will be able to own their home at an affordable rate,” Sheidu said.

  • Nigeria signs MoU with Ghana to boost blue economy

    The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) is collaborating with the  Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) to develop the blue economy and reduce criminalities on the oceans and seas.

    A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by the management of the two leading maritime agencies in Lagos yesterday..

    Addressing reporters after the signing of the MOU, NIMASA’s Director- General, Dr. Dakuku Peterside said the MoU would boost bilateral corporation between Nigeria and Ghana.

    The MOU, Peterside said, apart from allowing for joint effort to combat piracy and terrorism, would make oceans and seas unsafe for the criminal.

    ” Africans must come together to solve their own problems. Piracy attack is universal and that is why we need to come together. There are some areas where they are stronger than us, and there are other areas where we are stronger than them. Ghana has maritime university which we are yet to commence our own.

    “What we here to do, is to put our house together and ensure we maximize the potential of the blue economy. It is our dream that we become the giant of maritime administration in Africa,” he said.

    Peterside also called for joint responsibility to regulate seas and oceans.

    The Director-General of the GMA, Mr. Kwame Owusu, commended Peterside for his brilliant initiatives  in repositioning the Nigerian maritime sector and by extension the entire African continent.

    He said: “We are here to strengthen the bilateral relationships that exist between both countries and to learn international best practices from you.”

    He said the delegation from Ghana came to learn and share part of the experience of NIMASA so that they can replicate same in their country.

    The MoU focused  on knowledge sharing and knowledge transfer, capacity building initiatives and Cabotage implementation and enforcement processes among others.

  • Osun, American firm sign $450m MoU on environment

    The Osun State government and an American company, American Green Environmental Global Solutions Nigeria Limited, yesterday signed a $450 million partnership agreement on waste management.

    The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the government and American firm, which is on turning waste to consumables, took place at the Governor’s Office in Osogbo, the state capital.

    The partnership will create jobs, expand the economy, create a new era in tourism and keep the environment clean.

    President of Green Environmental Services of America (GESA) and America Green Environmental Solution Nigeria Limited (AGEGS) Patrick Onyeije said the machinery and building on the planned projects will take  between eight and 12 weeks to complete.

    The company chief noted that the first phase of the projects will cost $250 million, adding that the company will begin operation soon.

    Onyeije, who was represented by Major Samuel Adewumi (retd), said the partnership would help to improve the economy, as waste will be collected from tenants and recycled for valuable products, such as tissue papers, plastics and organic manure (fertiliser) for farmers.

    He said: ”Today marks a great and important historical beginning in the epilogue and annals of captivating history of our people in the State of Osun. Accepting the arduous but admirable responsibility to take care of our environment is a lofty ideal to behold and, as such, a new day is born.

    “We are here to change the story on the environment with the enunciation of these wonderful projects of garbage and sewage collection.

    “It is befitting that the State of Osun has been selected to lead the rest of the country towards an evolutionary approach of reclaiming our environment. One thing we all have taken for granted from the time we were born to the time we die is our environment.

    “Today marks a new beginning as we take the solemn commitment to protect our environment. We have to do our little best, not to litter the streets but to recycle everything coming out of our homes and work places. Every household will purchase various containers from AGEGS for different items from the household for which they can recycle.

    “These containers will be picked up from your homes on designated days of the week and may include weekends as the need may arise.

    “On behalf of Green Environmental Services of America (GESA) and America Green Environmental Global Solution Nigeria Limited (AGEGS), we say a big thank you to the government of the State of Osun.

    “It is with great pleasure and gratitude that we have accepted to begin these great projects here in Osun. This amazing state, though small but mighty, has the propensity and foresight to always lead the way in innovations as the cradle of ingenuity, making Osun the pioneering state for the America Green Environmental Global Solutions in Nigeria, West Africa and Africa.

    “We are here to create jobs, expand the economy, create a new dynamic economy in tourism and, above all, keep your environment clean. We reiterate our gratitude to all our stakeholders locally and abroad and, most especially, our worthy partners in government who have shown unparalleled commitment to the success of this project since inception.

    “With these projects, Osun has accepted to set an international standard in Nigeria for other states in the country to follow.”

    Governor Rauf Aregbesola said the partnership would complement his administration’s efforts at keeping the environment clean, safe, green and sustainable.

    The governor said his administration never failed in its responsibilities to making Osun the safest state in Nigeria through its consciousness to environmental preservation and maintenance.

    He noted that despite the economic challenges confronting the state, his administration remained committed to the environment.

    Aregbesola said: “We are not signing this MoU for fun but to ensure that our efforts at maintaining and keeping our environment safe remain non-negotiable.

    “It is on record that one thing one cannot take away from our administration is our commitment to the environment. There has been a tremendous improvement from what our environment was before with what we have now.

    “We have been very conscious and passionate about the wellbeing of our people and this made us to commit reasonable resources to environmental sanitation to advance the general wellbeing of our people, particularly to enhance healthy living.

    “It is evident that very few states could compete with us in environmental cleanliness as our state remains the reference point in avoiding opportunistic environmental and public health challenges.

    “We have maintained a remarkable standard in environmental sanitation and public health management.”

     

  • Group, Babcock varsity sign MoU on manpower

    The President, Church Administrators Society of Nigeria (CASON), Pastor Seyi Oladimeji, has said the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) the society signed with Babcock University, Ilishan, Ogun State, will bridge the managerial skills gap in church administration in Nigeria.

    Speaking with The Nation on the sideline of CASON’s fourth Annual Conference in Lagos, Oladimeji said with the deal, CASON and Babcock University will commence registration for 2017/2018 Executive Diploma in Church Administration, which could be used to study Masters in Business Administration (MBA) in church administration.

    He said CASON believes that those saddled with administering church resources, both human and material, needed the requisite knowledge that will help them do it better. “Because most of the people administering the churches in Nigeria are not trained, especially those in the Pentecostals,” he said.

  • Govt signs MoU with three firms on local products

    Towards boosting the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and close technological gaps in industries, the Federal Government, yesterday, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Tiger Foods Ltd, Lensof Konsult and Lashone Links Ltd.

    This is to ensure the commercialisation of indigenous research and development breakthroughs on food seasonings and ready to use traditional soups.

    Minister of  Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, who approved the MoU  in Abuja, assured the agencies of his ministry’s support to sustain the economy on a path of growth.

    Onu reiterated the commitment of the Buhari-led administration to strengthen the economy through promotion of innovative technologies that will reduce import dependence, enhance local content and strengthen self-sufficiency.

     Director General of FIIRO, Gloria Elemo, said the institute was poised to deliver on its vision to ensure effective commercialisation of indigenous research and development, in a bid to bail the nation out of economy recession.

    The DG said: “In the process of commercialisation of indigenous technologies, jobs will be created, wealth will be generated, foreign exchange will be conserved, national GDP will be enhanced through the productive sector of the economy.”

    Elemo added that the institute took advantage of the increasing need for convenient food products to upgrade its R&D and packaged them in forms ready for immediate commercialisation

  • NIMR, Paxherbal sign MoU

    NIMR, Paxherbal sign MoU

    How can the government enhance availability of indigenous natural medicine as answers to common health problems in Nigeria? It is by funding research institutes such as the Nigeria Insitute of Medical research (NIMR) to have them determine scientifically the safety and efficacy of natural medicine products.

    This was the common ground agreed upon by representatives of NIMR and Paxherbals at the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two bodies. They agreed to work on solutions to all diseases including HIV/AIDS, Malaria, Sickle-cell disorder, Diabetes and Hypertension, among others. It is a Joint venture.

    The groups, represented by NIMR Director-General (DG) , Dr Babatunde Salako and a Director, Reverend Anselm Adodo, agreed on working together to achieve the objective of research continuum in natural drug discovery, clinical verification, observation and analysis of paxherbal products, especially those registered with NAFDAC.

    The MoU has the following terms: “Both parties shall remain distinct and separate entities in the operation of the joint Venture; Paxherbals shall volunteer regular information to NIMR on various medicinal plants used locally in Edo State and other parts of the country, and indicate potentials for their cultivation. Paxherbal shall source raw materials as requied by the relevant section of NIMR for drug preparation and development. Paxherbal shall submit both her finished products and raw materials for any phytochemical and toxicity analysis that will give valuable information for drug discovery.

    “Also, NIMR shall contribute its technical and administrative expertise to Paxherbals in drug standardization and clinical trials of Paxherbals medicines. Both animal and human trials will be allowed, following laid down procedures. Both parties shall work out a format for exchange of staff for the purpose of knowledge acquisition and transfer of technology. Each party shal etain al its intellectual property rights.

    “Both parties shall engage in joint manufacturing, standardisation of some herbal medicines based on conditions agreed to by both parties. As both parties shall set up a herbal unit within the Institute premises under the supervision of a trained physician for the purpose of esearch into the clinical use of NAFDCA approved herbal products. And both parties shall engage in joint proposal writings to attract local and foreign funding for specific research projects.”

    Adodo said: ‘It is a challenge for us to proffer indigenous herbal solutions to diseases known to man. NIMR as a research institute is up to the task. We are like a middle-man that is ready to bring forward hidden herbal medicines to this institute for proper standardisation, and onward move to international scene. People have a great confidence and trust in Paxherbals. And I am personally saddened when a custodian of herbal solutions dies. It is like a whole library building going up in flames. We are on the right path. All should be free to bring their discoveries and herbal solutions to diseases forward and I can assure that their intellectual property will be protecyed.”

    Dr  Salako assured that there will be no hanky-panky with, “any organisation involved with NIMR. Trust is important to us and we will observe the rules to the letter. I want to state as well that NIMR will not hesitate to terminate any MoU once it suspects any under dealing. We will relate with every organisation on TM research on merits without fear or favour. We already have a partnership with the Nigerian Council of Physicians of Natural Medicine (NCPNM) headed by Arch Bishop Magnus Atilade. Each group stands on its merits with us. NIMR would abide by the details of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between it and the Pax Herbal,”he said.

  • Firms sign MoU with Fed Govt, states on construction of River Benue bridge

    Firms sign MoU with Fed Govt, states on construction of River Benue bridge

    The Digital Toll Company Limited, (DTCL) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with power China Houadong Engineering Corporation Ltd as a link for a smooth operation of a Public Private Partnership with the Federal Government, Kogi and Nassarawa states. The MoU will bring about the construction of a River Benue bridge at Bagana-Guto.

    The development will also involve two Eco-industrial Enterprise in the states.

    The Engineering, Procurement and Construction ( EPC) Technical Partnership Contract Agreement for the repackaged Bagana-Guto bridge under a Design, Build, Operate and Transfer concession(DBOT)  in tune with the original concession Agreement was  signed on  May 21, with the Federal Government and DTCL.

    Speaking during the signing of the contract in Abuja, Chairman DTCL, Elder Pual Thahal represented by Godwin Adeogba a managing director in the company, said after the completion of the bridge, it will not only serve as a shortest route from North to South  but will see to the creation of two eco industrial Enterprises in both states.

    He explained that the DTCL is a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), Public Private Partnership (PPP_, between Federal Government, Kogi and Nassarawa state Governments.

    “It is my privilege to invite you all to this happy ceremony of a Nigeria private company venturing into a major Nigerian national infrastructural development Project with many laudable ‘first-of-its-kind’ features, including not just being the shortest route from North to South in Nigeria but also a non-stop technologically-advanced tolling system. We are very happy because the project has had its travails and has now overcome a 9, year protracted Force Majeure.

    “The national infrastructural development project is the Design, Build, Operate and Transfer DBOT, of River Benue Bridge at Bagana-Guto with two Eco-industrial Enterprise Villages in the States, he said

    He further explained that upon completion of the Bridge, it will be concessioned for periods of 25years to enable the financier recover its money.

  • NRMC, Alpha Mead sign MoU on affordable housing

    To improve access to affordable homes and deepen the  mortgage market, the Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC) and Alpha Mead Development Company (AMDC), a subsidiary of Alpha Mead Group, in Abuja, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

    The  deal will allow AMDC and NMRC to work together on housing finance, training, research, advisory and project structuring to increase the stock of affordable housing in the country.

    It will also provide and permit technical support and advice to Alpha Mead in the  residential part of the estate market.

    It will make it easier and faster for customers pre-qualified by AMDC to access mortgage from the member- financial institutions of the NMRC.

    NMRC Managing Director/CEO Prof. Charles Inyangete described the MoU as remarkable.

    He explained that the NMRC decided to partner Alpha Mead because of its innovative and technology-driven approach to increase affordable housing stock in Nigeria and to leverage its expertise in facilities management which he believes will come in handy to maintain the projects after construction.

    “The combination of these capacities that Alpha Mead bring to the partnership will give the market the assurance that property prices can be sustained, going forward; and we can all deliver to the specific needs of the customers,” he said.

    Besides, he said the mortgage refinance firm chose the partnership because of the desire to see the Alpha Mead model succeed.

    This, Inyangete said, is because of the firm’s believe that the model will allow for increased transactions in the housing development value chain and providing its member institutions with more projects to finance.

    The Group Managing Director of Alpha Mead, Femi Akintunde, expressed delight at the partnership, which he described as a great demonstration of NMRC’s commitment to reduce housing deficit; and recognised Alpha Mead’s innovative approach to delivering quality and affordable housing to Nigerians.

    “It is becoming obvious that the conventional building methods cannot bridge Nigerian housing gap, especially in the face of the myriad of challenges that face the affordable housing value chain. So, what we bring to the market are the possibilities of addressing the challenges of affordability and quality; which are two critical issues that are inhibiting the nation’s affordable housing market,” Akintunde said.

    He noted that the structure of the market makes is a tall order for people in the middle-income bracket to own homes because of the high entry barrier.

    He listed other challenges as lack of skilled artisans,  high cost of building materials, and lack of standardised building and quality processes, which all combine to have adverse effects on the quality of building in the market.

    “So, on the one hand, we are addressing the issue of quality by using technology that guarantees repeated quality, straight edges and structural integrity; and on the other hand, we are addressing the challenges of affordability by using our technology to achieve up to 15 per cent savings for our customers,” Akintunde explained.

  • German varsity signs medical MoU with TGMU

    University of Hamburg (UKE), Germany will partner with the proposed Thompson & Grace Medical University (TGMU) in Uyo, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to “design and operate the medical facilities”.

    President/Chief Executive Officer of Thompson & Grace Investment Limited Dr. Isaac Thompson Amos, the promoter of the institution, stated this at the weekend.

    He spoke at a seminar titled: “How Education, Health, and Medicine can be transformed to benefit Nigeria and Africa”, at the Le Meridien, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

    He said the MoU was signed at the office of the German Ambassador to Nigeria Bernhard Schlagheck last Monday in Abuja to back the siting of the Thompson & Grace Medical University and the Thompson & Grace Specialty Hospital (TGSH) at Afahan Obong, Uyo.

    Prof. Uwe Koch-Gromus, Dean of the Medical Faculty of the University of Hamburg (UKE), signed on behalf of his institution and Dr. Amos signed on behalf of his group.

    It was witnessed by Ambassador Schlagheck; Prof. Ansgar Wilhelm Lohse, Vice Dean, Medical Faculty of the University of Hamburg (UKE); Prof. Frank Nobert Riedet, foremost Paediatrician and former Medical Director of the Altona Children’s Hospital, Hamburg, Germany; Mr. Armin Huttenlocher, CEO of RES Public Affairs, Corporate Affairs and Consultant to the project from Berlin, Germany; Mr. Ekemini Amos, Projects/Technical Services of TGIL; and Dr. Emmanuel Umoh, PMP, President/CEO of XEQ Solutions, Plano, Texas, USA, among others.

    The MOU document was formally presented to him at the seminar in Uyo by Prof. Koch-Gromus.

    Dr. Amos said the partnership would enable both parties to jointly “develop and provide structure, curriculum and practical programme as well as administrative and management processes for the Medical University and Specialty Hospital”.

    These medical facilities will also enjoy “training and support in capacity building in the areas of medical education, clinical research and healthcare delivery processes and procedures as well as healthcare management and administration,” Dr. Amos said.

    He noted that the partnership would enable the health facilities to benefit from “increased number of highly trained and competent physicians, other healthcare professionals and facilities to meet the health needs of a rapidly changing Nigerian society”.

    Also speaking at the seminar, Prof. Koch-Gromus noted that “the UKE, located in Hamburg, Germany and T&GIL, with head office in Lagos, signed the MOU for the development of academic cooperation in international education in areas of mutual interest and expertise.”

    He noted that the “collaboration established by this MOU will enhance the intellectual life and cultural development at both institutions, and will contribute to increased international cooperation.”

    In his presentation, a Professor of Paediatrics, Emmanuel E. Ekanem, of the University of Calabar, said Nigeria, like many parts of the developing world, is undergoing epidemiological transition from predominantly infectious diseases to non-communicable diseases (NCDs).