The Nation Newspaper

Tag: MoU

  • Govt, stakeholders sign MoU on sugar

    The Federal Government yesterday signed a five-year Backward Integration Programme (BIP) deal with stakeholders in the sugar sectors, even as the BIP of the refineries remains a mojor strategy for achieving the objective of the National Sugar Master Plan (NSMP).

    National Sugar Development Council Executive Secretary, Latif Busari, disclosed this at the signing of the revised Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on BIP of refineries in Abuja, assuring that the sugar council has already developed a template for the next phase of the NSMP.

    He said: “During the mid term review meeting, the scorecard of achievement in the BIP by the refineries in the first five years shows the performance was below expectations. It was the view of most participants at that event that much more needed to be done in the second phase.

    “The BIP plans for the second phase 2018-2023 submitted by the refineries were scrutinised.’’

  • Nollywood to sign MoU with HMO

    The Nigerian Creative industry comprising 11 guilds and association is set to launch a health policy for its members with the signing of an MOU with an HMO in Lagos.

    Tagged NollyHeathCare, the health insurance scheme is expected be launched on Friday, June 30, 2017 at NAN Media Centre, National Theatre Annex, Iganmu, Lagos.

    The event is expected to be chaired by the Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, while the acting Lagos State Commissioner of Culture, Arts and Tourism, Mrs. Akinsola Adebimpe, MD of Nigerian Film Corporation, Dr. Chidia Maduekwe and Executive Director of National Film and Video Censors Board, Alhaji Adedayo Thomas, will be speakers.

    The Creative Industry which include National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP), Independent Television Producers Association of Nigeria (ITPAN), Motion Picture Practitioners Association of Nigeria (MOPPAN), Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN), Film Video Producers and Marketers Association of Nigeria (FVPMAN), Script Writers Guild of Nigeria (SWGN), United Movie Practitioners Association of Nigeria (UMPAN), Association of Motion Picture & Entertainment Editors of Nigeria (AMPEEN) and others.

  • RUN, Lagos sign MoU on infectious disease surveillance, control

    RUN, Lagos sign MoU on infectious disease surveillance, control

    The Redeemer’s University ‘s African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases (ACEGID) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on infectious disease surveillance and control with the Lagos State government.

    Major objectives of the collaboration include  building the state’s capacity in genomics, especially as it applies to infectious disease diagnostics and strengthening the state’s capability to curtail outbreaks and epidemics .

    Commissioner for Health Dr. Jide Idris said the state’s need to build its research capability in disease surveillance, diagnosis, prevention, control and elimination of infectious diseases, led to the signing of the MoU. He said the university was chosen because it is a centre of excellence for genomics of infectious diseases.

    He said the long-standing relationship between Ikorodu General Hospital (IGH) and Redeemer’s University’s ACEGID was a major impetus in the signing of the MoU.

    Responding, Redeemer’s University Vice-Chancellor,  Prof Debo Adeyewa, recounted the university’s timely and central role in the 2014 Ebola virus epidemic, which led to the successful containment of the disease. He noted with satisfaction that Redeemer’s University, through the efforts of Prof Christian Happi and his research team, diagonised and confirmed the first index case of the disease. In addition, the university, he said, provided all the needed laboratory diagnosis support for EVD in all other suspected cases during the epidemic and thereafter.

    Prof Adeyewa acknowledged that ACEGID has successfully established a network of pathogens hunters in Nigeria, and Africa by training scientists in the field of genomics and establishing infrastructures in various countries.  He said though the achievements of the university were under reported, its contributions, he said, could no longer be undermined in the field of health sciences with major pathogens discovered and innovative diagnostics tools developed in the past three years.

  • Kano, 10 firms sign $3.98b MoU

    The Kano State government yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with 10 reputable local and foreign companies for various contracts valued at over $3.98 billion as part of the state government’s investment drive.

    The companies include Brains and Harmers (N165 billion), Multivision Nigeria Limited (N2billion), Milestone International ($630 million), Blackrihino and Dangote Consulting ($150 million), Broadbased Nigeria Limited ($200 million), Eighteenth Engineering Company ($1.8 billion), Arewa Solar PV Synergy  ($150 million), SharaDukiya Nigeria Limited ($100 million), Dangote Rice  ($830 million), and Qingdao St Meer Solar Energy International ($120 million).

    Speaking shortly after the signing ceremony to mark the end of the two-day Kano Economic and Investment Summit, Governor Abdulahi Ganduje said: “Kano used to be a city, but we want it to become a mega city, a place where things are working, where services are working, electricity available without interruption and is adequate for industries; and adequate for private consumption. A mega city is a city where transportation system is efficient, a mega city is a place where industrial development is optimum so that there will be minimum level of unemployment.

  • FG begins N-power Non-graduates Scheme in July

    FG begins N-power Non-graduates Scheme in July

    The Presidency says the Federal Government will begin the non-graduates scheme component of the N-Power programme in July.

    Mr. Afolabi Imoukhuede, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Job Creation (N-Power Scheme) disclosed this at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum in Abuja.

    He said N-Power had two broad components, namely: graduate and non-graduate schemes.

    “We are hopeful that by June/July we should deploy those ones in different batches across the country and FCT.

    “So it is worthy of note that those who applied for that programme (non-graduates) should just stay rested.

    “The fact that we have not deployed you doesn’t mean that we have forgotten you.

    “We have all your details, we have all your contacts and we will deal with them.’’

    Imoukhuede explained that the non-graduate component of the programme was designed to empower the beneficiaries with vocational skills.

    “The non-graduate component is more of skills development and vocation programme.

    “For vocational training, we have construction work, automobile technicians, technology, which is hardware and software.

    “They will come in for a programme and three months they will go and (also do) apprenticeship for nine months.

    “It is like one year engagement for them; while they are undergoing training they will get some stipends and they we will also provide them with necessary tools and consumables.’’

    Imoukhuede added that the scheme would also partner with employers for the apprenticeship programme and also give the volunteers some stipends.

    According to him, that type of programme will not only be empowering the trainees, but transferring skills to them for life as well.

    The presidential aide said the office had been working with relevant stakeholders to ensure successful implementation of the scheme.

    “We have been working behind the scene; we have signed MoU with our partners, Automotive Development Council of Nigeria, for the automotive training.

    “We have got quite some big partners and we are just finalising all our arrangements. ‘’

    He said while the process of procurement of the needed goods and consumables were going on in the office, the fast-track process was also going on in the Ministry of Budget and National Planning as well.

    According to him, N- power is the job creation component of the Social Investment Programme (SIP) of the current administration.

    He said the office started working on the implementation as soon as the present administration was inaugurated on May 29, 2015.

    He said by December 2015, the administration had come up with a blueprint on how to keep the promise it made to implement the scheme.

    Imoukhuede described SIP as the most ambitious programme of the Federal Government, adding that so far, government had committed N500 billion to the programme.

    “The programme received N500 billion in 2016, but unfortunately, it came at the time when the economy was grappling with low revenue,’’ he said.

    NAN reports that the social investment programme has five components.

    They include the N-Power, being the job creation component; Home Grown School Feeding; the Conditional Cash Transfer; and the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP).

    The last component is the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Junior.

     

  • NUJ, China sign MOU on training, others

    The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the All China Journalists Association (ACJA) yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance technical support and training.

    NUJ President, Abdulwaheed Odusile after signing the MoU with the leader of ACJA delegation, Zhang Mingxin in Abuja said the development signals the reviving of the NUJ/ ACJA cooperation which had gone dormant for years.

    Explaining the importance of the partnership, Odusile said:

    “The bilateral cooperation will in addition promote the development of our two unions as skill shared and knowledge acquired will be deployed to meet our development goals in research and training.”

    Initiated around 2000/2001 with an exchanged of visits by both unions, he said the cooperation did not last due to some teething problems encountered.

    His words: “It is therefore a happy moment for me that I have this singular honor of superintending over this reawakening.

    “Last year, both unions took the bold initiative of reviving this bond which today is culminating into signing this historic document, an agreement which, for the first instance will last for four years and may subsequently be reviewed and endorsed for another mutually agreed term.

    “It is also instructive to add that this cooperation will open more channels of communication for both of us and help promote and strengthen integration.

    “It will also enable us to achieve greater degree of participation in international activities and expand such activities for growth.”

    The leader of ACJA delegation, Zhang Mingxin, said the signing of the Mou is a welcome development because it will help foster growth.

    Mingxin appreciated media houses visited so far adding that ACJA will establish regular relationship with media houses.

    Several benefits, he noted have been recorded between Nigeria and China.

    His words: “Signing the MoU can only generate and foster good will between the two countries. It is an important step.”

    The Chinese delegation was made up of a lady and four other men.

  • Community,institution sign MoU on project

    The Akure community and the Federal College of Agriculture (FECA) Akure, the Ondo State capital, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the location of a new civic centre for the community within the premises of the institution.

    The project tagged “Akure Civic and Outreach Centre”, is being funded by the Federal Government and would be handed over to the Akure community upon completion.

    According to a statement signed by the Secretary, Civic Centre Committee (CCC), Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, the project was included in last year’s budget of the Federal Government and was facilitated by a lawmaker representing Akure South/Akure North Federal Constituency, Afe Olowookere.

    The modern Civic and Outreach Centre will be located on the western corridor of the premises of the expansive college which adjourns two major roads (the Akure-Owo highway and the Agbogbo-Okeijebu Road).

    The Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, had set up a committee to secure a befitting location for the project, with the committee later recommending that particular portion of the FECA land.

    The approval of the part of the land for the project was conveyed to the school authority and the Akure community by the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria, (ARCN), which supervises the institution.

    Consequently, the community and the management of the school endorsed an MoU to signal the beginning of the construction of the centre.

    The Legal Adviser of the ARCN, Barrister Ibrahim Nduku, led the team of the college, while the Akure community was represented by the Chairman and Secretary of its Civic Centre Committee, Hon Patrick Ojo and Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, respectively.

    Oba Aladetoyinbo thanked the Provost of the institution, Dr. Samson Odedina, for his co-operation and support for the project and his various achievements in the college.

  • Community seeks quick implementation of MOU

    Three years after receiving Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) from the Lagos State government, some communities in Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos State have appealed to the state government to expedite actions in the implementation of its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with them, to enable the people enjoy the benefit of investments the area is attracting as a new commercial hub.
    It would be recalled that the communities, under the auspice of Lekki Coastal Area Development Association (Resettlement Committee) received a C of O for 375.03 hectares in 2014 after they relinquished their ownership of 7,500 hectares of land for the development of Lekki Free Trade Zone (LFTZ).
    Speaking during a courtesy visit to announce the official takeover of the land at the weekend, chairman of the association, Wasiu Ayeola, applauded efforts of the state government for bringing investments to the communities, stating that the essence of free trade zone is to develop humanity. He added that land is a major factor of production and has the potential of generating investments.
    “Now that we have donated our lands for investments of multi billion dollars, we want to enjoin the state government and companies coming on board to ensure the benefits of the investments are firstly given to the communities before spreading to other areas. This is part of the MOU we want the government to implement quickly,” he said.
    Speaking during the event, the Onibeju of Ibeju, Oba Olumuyiwa Ogunbekun, said the community serves as the economic hub of the country and indeed the West African sub region.
    He said there is a MoU which states clearly, the benefits to the communities. The monarch also lent his voice to the call for quick implementation of the MOU.

  • Ondo, NDDC sign MOU

    Ondo, NDDC sign MOU

    The Ondo State government and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the abandoned Araromi-Akodo//Ibeju-Lekki Road.

    The 50km road will link Ondo and Lagos states and shorten travel time by more than half.

    The MOU was signed by  Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Ifedayo Abegunde and NDDC’s Managing Director Nsima Ekere.

    Speaking before the signing at the Cocoa Conference Hall, Governor’s Office, Akure, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) lamented the plight of residents of the southern senatorial district.

    Akeredolu said the road would be delivered before the expiration of the tenure of the NDDC Board Chairman, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba.

    Ndoma-Egba said the commission had reviewed all NDDC projects in Ondo State to ensure impactful delivery.

    He said of the NDDC’s 785 projects in the state, 381 are ongoing; 266 had been neglected; 96 stalled or abandoned and 42 awarded.

    The Chairman said the commission would focus on projects to integrate the Niger Delta.

  • Chinese agency signs MOU with Nigerian businessmen

    Chinese agency signs MOU with Nigerian businessmen

    The Shanghai Plutuo Federation of Industry and Commerce has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Nigeria-China Friendship Association (NICAF).

    A NICAF trustee and former Director, Asia and Pacific in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Adegboyega Ariwo, said the MoU was in furtherance of the Strategic Partnership Agreement signed by Nigeria and China in January 2006.

    “It is to translate the Strategic Partnership Agreement into more meaningful, people-to-people interaction.

    “So, the business people and the industrialists are using this forum to put into effect the ideas of the Federal Government that there should be deeper economic engagement between Nigeria and China.

    “This MoU is part of the people-to-people engagement,” he said.

    Leader of the Chinese delegation Huang Haiping said through the MoU, Nigerian and Chinese businessmen can collaborate on areas of investment, such as agriculture and small-scale industries.

    “We’ll get more Chinese investors, who have funds to invest, to come to Nigeria. The MoU will further strengthen the economic ties between Nigeria and China,” he said.

    NICAF Chairman Jacob Wood said Nigeria needs more investment in food production, adding that more investment in agriculture will create employment.