The Nation Newspaper

Tag: partner

  • Ghana varsity to partner

    The Food Safety and Nutrition Centre, Department of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Ghana, Legon has indicated interest in partnering the College of Food Science and Human Ecology (COLFHEC), Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (FUNAAB) in the areas of Food Safety and Nutrition Training.

    At a meeting with the Dean of COLFHEC Prof Folake Henshaw, Prof Kwaku Tano-Debra of the university of Ghana said the Food Safety and Nutrition Centre was sponsored by the Industry Development Council (IDC), a United Kingdom-based non-governmental organisation, to address the challenges of food safety through the promotion of food safety trainings.

    Tano-Debra said their visit of the team was to explore the possibility of collaboration with COLFHEC to host a similar centre, which would develop database for food safety issues and reduce the problems of food safety.  He said FUNAAB was chosen for the collaboration because it has the required departments, workforce and facilities needed to host the training.

    Responding, Prof Henshaw, said the centre has not only addressed food safety issues but also proffered solutions to nutritional problems.

    She added that the Departments of Food Science and Technology; Nutrition and Dietetics and Hospitality and Tourism can work with the centre on the project.

  • Adibba.com, Smile partner for improved services

    Adibba.com, Smile partner for improved services

    TO evolve innovative ways of solving consumer challenges and provide convenience, Adibba.com, one of the fastest growing online retail stores in the country, has partnered Smile Communication to provide increased access to Smile products and services.

    The deal, described as a technical partnership, would ensure that users of Adibba.com services have access to Smile products and services at home via Adibba.com site.

    By placing its products online, Smile now adds the convenience of door-to-door delivery and same-day activation to the list of customer services its offers. The service will be coordinated by adibba.com’s professional delivery network.

    According to the Chief Executive Officer, adibba.com, Chris Udeji, “this partnership is one designed to create convenience for our customers and other consumers willing to join the growing consumer base of the business. Customers would have Smile products delivered to them wherever they so desire as long as Smile service coverage is in that area. This partnership will fulfil both companies’ desire to make access to Smile services easy, convenient and worry-free”.

    Explaining the mechanics, Udeji said a consumer needs to log on to adibba.com, search for the Smile icon and click on it and select the device they want to purchase. “If you already have a Smile Subscriber Identification Module (SIM), you can purchase airtime using your debit card and once the purchase is confirmed, the product will be delivered. The SIM card will be automatically registered and activated for Smile customers,” he explained.

    On the partnership, the General Manager-Sales & Distribution, Smile Communications, Ken Esenwah, said: “Adibba.com was picked after a painstaking screening procedure. We found out that Adibba.com possesses the capacity and technicality Smile requires to venture into this type of partnership and we are very excited to announce that consumers would find this offer irresistible.”

    He added that Adibba.com customers, who purchase Smile products from Adibba.com, would have their products activated and would also receive free delivery of the products.

    Other benefits attached to the partnership, he said, are that customers will receive the products at home or office.

    There is also hassle-free registration and activation of the products. Besides, Adibba.com is an online shopping platform that provides its customer base with an ever-growing variety of products at competitive prices.

    Smile provides a super-reliable, high-quality and affordable 4 G LTE broadband Internet. It also offers high-speed connections of 6Megabutes per second (Mbps) on average up to 21Mbps. In addition, Smile’s products are easy to use and offer multi-user access.

    Apart from offering Smile products and services, Adibba.com product offering include power solutions, such as inverters, inverter batteries, and mobile phones; top brands and accessories, such as computers, electronics, laptops, tablets, and electronics accessories.

    Other products include fashion – men’s and ladies’ clothing and accessories, Ankara style, shoes; beauty and personal care, body skincare, fragrances, hair centre, makeup; home and living: home appliances, kitchen and dining, kitchen appliances, home safety, and home décor; food and drink, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and food (cereal, beverages, etc.).

  • NSIA, GuarantCo partner to bridge infrastructure gap

    NSIA, GuarantCo partner to bridge infrastructure gap

    The Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) and GuarantCo, a development finance fund are partnering to explore the potential creation of a Nigerian Credit Enhancement Facility (NCEF).

    The project is expected to attract a pool of capital for which safety is paramount such as pension funds, insurance firms and Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWF).

    It said a key barrier preventing these forms of capital from investing in infrastructure projects is the absence of an appropriate credit enhancement mechanism that helps bring infrastructure projects up to a credit quality that represents appropriate investments for their stakeholders.

    “To address this gap, GuarantCo is partnering with the NSIA to explore the potential for establishing a Nigerian Credit Enhancement Facility that would provide credit enhancement for critical infrastructure projects by improving their credit ratings to investment grade. Such a vehicle could also potentially attract international capital.

    NSIA and GuarantCo see this partnership as a potential catalyst for unlocking long-term patient capital, typically required by infrastructure projects to be commercially successful. It is expected to have positive effects on the Nigerian economy given the strong correlation between critical infrastructure and accelerated economic growth,” NSIA statement read in part.

    NSIAManaging Director and CEO, Mr. Uche Orji, said enhaning the infrastructure of the country is one of its statutory duties. He said: “One of the statutory mandates of the NSIA is the enhancement of Nigeria’s infrastructure and in fulfilling this mandate we are desirous of establishing the necessary institutional frameworks and sustainable enablers that will attract long term capital necessary for this purpose. We are excited about the potential role this partnership can play in revolutionising the extant model of infrastructure development in Nigeria; now and into the future.”

    Head, GuarantCo at FMFM (Frontier Markets Fund Managers) Mr. Chris Vermont, said his firm shares the vsion of NSIA.  “GuarantCo shares NSIA’s vision for mobilising new sources of finance for infrastructure through creating a Nigerian Credit Enhancement Facility. “We are proud to be partnering NSIA as they map out a prudent but ambitious pathway for Nigeria. We hope our experience of best practice across many markets can be combined with NSIA’s local expertise in the service of the country,” he said.

  • Ecobank, Akwa Ibom partner on fund disbursement

    Ecobank, Akwa Ibom partner on fund disbursement

    Ecobank has partnered the Federal Government and Akwa Ibom State on the disbursement of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)/Family Life Conditional Cash Transfer Scheme.

    Its Managing Director,  Jibril Aku made this known while delivering a goodwill message at the disbursement of a total sum of N375 million to 2,275 benefiting households in Uyo. He said the bank will consolidate on its existing partnership with the federal and state governments in all parts of the country.

    According to him, the scheme allows beneficiaries to have equal opportunity to financial services such as micro-savings and micro-loans.

    Represented by the Executive Director, Southsouth/Southeast, Mr. Kingsley Umadia, he further stated that ‘the partnership is clearly in line with the mission of the lender to provide customers with financial products and services that are convenient, reliable and accessible.

    He said the bank is running the programme on the Ecobank MobileMoney platform, noting that wallets have been created for the beneficiaries and disbursement of funds into their wallets monthly on instructions from the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on MDGs will be effected.

    The state’s Deputy Governor, Valerie Ebe, said the participation of the state in the scheme was targeted at eradicating poverty.

    She restated the state government’s commitment and determination to improve maternal health and reduce child mortality rate in all the nooks and crannies of the state.

    Senior Special Assistant to the President on MDGs, Dr. Precious Gbeneol, said the scheme is a component of the social safety net of the Federal Government that is aimed at improving the lives of the extreme poor in the country.

  • He does not look good enough

    He does not look good enough

    For about four years I could not find a good partner. Then early this year I met a guy who has a great heart and I like everything about him. The only problem I have is that he is not handsome and I have been hiding him from my friends. What do you think I can do about this? Omowunmi

     

    Response

    Do you need a man for the runway or a man with a genuine heart? What really makes a great person is not how they look on the outside but how they are on the inside. Even if he looks trendy and attractive and you are not satisfied with his attitude, then you can’t go far together. It is actually the inner beauty that lasts forever. So, appreciate what you have and take good care of him.

     

    She is dating my boss

    I met and fell for a girl in my office. The relationship went on well for about three months and then suddenly I realised that she was dating my boss simultaneously. My friends had warned me not have a serious relationship in the office. Now I know better. Yomi

     

    Response

    When the trials come, the most important thing is to hold your head up high and be happy. You definitely deserve something better than this from her. I would advise you to leave her immediately. A lady who is seeing someone else in the same office has betrayed the trust you gave her. Luckily, she is still your girlfriend and not your wife. It is better to leave now that things are not complicated.

     

    Raped by cousin

    My cousin moved in with my parents a few years ago. Everyone liked and admired him, and then one day he raped me. It was the saddest moment of my life and I am really hurt. Unfortunately, I don’t know how to tell anybody about what I am going through at the moment.

     

    Response

    It is normal to feel this way about what is going on. Being betrayed by someone who should protect you can be truly devastating. However, you need to talk to someone about it so that he would not do the same thing to you or another person.

     

    He is unstable

    I am in love with a guy who appears to be unstable about everything he does. He quarrels about almost everything and he had told me he was quitting the relationship twice. Now, he has apologised but I am worried that he may still do something crazy soon. Tina

     

    Response

    Sorry about the way he is behaving. All relationships have their ups and downs. I don’t think you should get too worried about this because it may just be his own way of adjusting to the other person in his life. Interestingly, some of the strongest ties today came from shaky beginnings as well as initial heartaches and pain.

  • Airtel, Thuraya partner on mobile satellite connectivity

    Airtel, Thuraya partner on mobile satellite connectivity

    Leading mobile satellite services (MSS) operator, Thuraya Telecommunications Company, and Bharti Airtel International, have signed an agreement to provide the telco’s customers mobile satellite products and services in Nigeria and 16 other African countries.

    According to a statement, the partnership will provide the telco’s customers voice and broadband connectivity through Thuraya’s satellite network across the continent’s most remote areas, adding that with effect from next month, Airtel will sell Thuraya’s products and airtime packages at their retail outlets and through their enterprise account team.

    Extending mobile networks into remote or rural areas presents both geographical obstacles and business challenges for connecting people in Africa. Thuraya’s satellite network helps bridge the digital divide by providing an immediate and cost-effective way for Airtel Africa to extend its coverage, while generating new revenue streams and providing vital connectivity. Thuraya’s mobile satellite service can address the diverse voice and data communication needs of Airtel Africa enterprise users across the mining, energy, media, government and humanitarian NGO sectors.

    Chief Executive Officer, Thuraya, Samer Halawi, said: “Thuraya’s partnership with Airtel Africa is a very positive development in bridging the digital divide in Africa. We recognise the massive impact that access to reliable communications can have on the lives of ordinary people. Thuraya’s robust satellite network will enable Airtel Africa to provide its consumer and enterprise users with reliable, high quality voice and broadband services. Thuraya is well-positioned to support customer-centric mobile operators like Airtel Africa that are looking to extend their network and services with satellite-based solutions.”

    Commenting on the deal, Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Africa, Christian de Faria, said: “Providing reliable connectivity in many remote parts of Africa can be challenging. This partnership enables us to further extend our coverage and services for businesses and general consumers who live or work in very remote areas. Thuraya’s satellite services will be combined with the reliable, high-quality voice calls and broadband access that our customers are accustomed to experiencing in our urban centers.”

     

  • Govt, labour partner on capacity building

    Trade Union Congress (TUC), has called on the Federal Government to partner with the trade union on human capacity building so as to transform the nation’s economy. Speaking at the triennial delegates’ conference of the Senior Staff Association of Communications, Transport and Corporations (SSACTAC) in Abuja, Bobboi Kaigama called on both parties to complement each other to deliver on job creation opportunities for Nigerians:”Human capacity building is not just about today, but more importantly it is an investment in the future. We call for a glorious lasting era of fruitful partnership between the trade union movement and various tiers of government in Nigeria in human capacity building for unprecedented transformation of our nation,” he said.

    On how trade union movement in partnership with government can build human capacity as the best strategy for national transformation, Kaigama said; “It is in our mutual best interest to ensure that this happens.” The labour leader emphasized that the much needed capacity building has to do with strengthening of skills, competencies, and abilities of workers so as to overcome exclusion and sufferings, while making optimal input to the economy.”The new skills acquisition trend is a conceptual approach to development that focuses on understanding the obstacles that inhibit people, governments, international organisations and non-governmental organisations from realizing their developmental goals or set objective.

    Kaigama further explained: “For the purpose of clarity, it is vital that we understand that human capacity building involves equipping individuals with the information, knowledge; training and understanding that would enable them perform tasks better and more effectively. Our concern is that through capacity building individual workers and groups are empowered to expand their abilities to fully participate in the development process that would boost the ability to appraise and address issues that bother on policy choices and mechanisms of implementation among development options, based on an understanding of critical variables such as environment and the needs of the people concerned.”

    According to Kaigama, there is no doubt that applying the concept of human capacity building holds true in every nation and has positive impact on national economy and transformation. What is more important to the nation’s organized labour, he stressed, is a workforce that is capable of operating industries at a level where it holds a competitive advantage over the economies of other countries.

  • Fed Govt, IBM partner on technology development

    Fed Govt, IBM partner on technology development

    The Ministry of Communication Technology and IBM Corporation yesterday sealed a partnership deal that will enable the technology giant provide solutions that will help resolve challenges in key sectors of the economy.

    Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs Omobola Johnson during a minsterial roundtable emphasised the place of technology in the development of the economy, a statement endorsed by Special Assistant, Media, to her, Efem Nkanga stated.

    Mrs Johnson said: “Technology is a key driver of economic and social development that should be adopted to facilitate the development of key sectors of the economy for the benefit of Nigerians. “The ministry is committed to ensuring that ICT is leveraged to enhance and facilitate the transformation of Nigeria in critical sectors of the economy such as power, health, education, agriculture, interior to enable inclusive development, job creation, transparency of governance and economic growth.”

    IBM’s Chairman and CEO, Ginny Rometty pledged to support the country.

    She said: “Technology innovation is a key ingredient for social and economic transformation and critical for crossing the innovation divide.

    “IBM will partner with the government, businesses, academia and innovators to aid the adoption of new technologies which will tangibly support efforts to spur development in Nigeria.”

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • First Bank to partner Ekiti on education

    The First Bank of Nigeria plc (FBN) has offered to collaborate with the Ekiti State Government to enable it realise its education and human capital development agenda.

    This development followed the visit of the Deputy Governor, Prof Modupe Adelabu to the bank’s Group Managing Director (GMD) Mr. Olabisi Onasanya in Lagos recently.

    Prof. Adelabu said the administration of Governor Kayode Fayemi will need the support of a reputable and long standing financial institution like the First Bank to enable it accomplish its education and human capital development agenda which informed her visit to the bank headquarters.

    She said: “I know First Bank has a stake in Ekiti and has been supporting Ekiti State in many ways before now, but this time around, the visit is specifically to solicit collaboration with the financial institution to enable us fully achieve the education and human capital development agenda, especially in our higher institutions in the state.”

    She expressed her delight at the outcome of the discussion which she said was very successful. “I’m happy I’ve been able to convince the bank of the need to partner with the Fayemi administration in this regard and get its full assurance of support and we can rely on their promise.”

    Mr. Onasanya described the visit as a welcome development that will enhance the partnership that has existed between the Ekiti State government and the bank.

    He said that the First Bank and Ekiti State were already in partnership and that the Deputy Governor’s visit was just to solicit that the bank gives more support to the state than what they have been doing before in term of some specific initiatives which they have discussed in detail.

    According to Mr. Onosanya, “ She is going away with the assurances that we would support the state in the venture and the specific areas she has asked us to support them and I can assure you that that promise we’ve made to her and to the people of Ekiti will be met.”

    In his brief comment on Governor Kayode Fayemi, the GMD of the First Bank who described him as a fantastic and humble governor lauded governor Fayemi as a performer and one of the most hardworking and yet silent governor in the country.

    “We can only do something for him and that is to support him and continue to support him in his good work because with the meagre resources at his disposal, he has been able to do wonders in Ekiti State”, Onasanya concluded.

    Earlier, the Deputy Governor had also visited the British Deputy High Commissioner in Nigeria, Mr. Peter Carter at the British Embassy in Lagos for another diplomatic discussion that will further sregntened the bi-lateral relationship between Ekiti State and the British government.

  • IFC, Financial Times partner

    The Financial Times and International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, have launched an awards programme to showcase business initiatives that can create long-term, transformative solutions to environmental, social, and corporate governance challenges, particularly in developing nations.

    The FT/IFC Transformational Business Awards: Sustainable Solutions to Today’s Development Challenges expand the FT/IFC Sustainable Finance Awards, which established themselves over eight years as the leading global awards for environmentally and socially responsible banking and investment. The 2013 Sustainable Finance Awards attracted a record 254 entries from 221 organizations in 61 countries.

    The new programme will highlight innovative, commercially viable, and replicable products and services that address development needs in areas such as infrastructure, energy, food and water, education and health. It also recognizes the use of technology to empower the poor and efforts to reverse environmental and social degradation.

    Martin Dickson, U.S. managing editor of the Financial Times and co-chair of the Transformational Business Awards judging panel, said: “We’ve made the Transformational Business Awards open to all organizations – financial and non-financial – across both the private and public sectors. They focus on specific projects and transactions and the impact those initiatives have on the problems they are targeting.”

    Nena Stoiljkovic, IFC Vice President, Business Advisory Services, and fellow judging panel co-chair, said: “We want to recognize financial institutions and companies that have developed innovative solutions that can work in many markets with a focus on long-term value creation for businesses”.

    In conjunction with the awards, IFC will be hosting a series of Transformational Business Days in cities around the world from December 2013 to February 2014 to provide more information about the new awards program and to promote best practice in transformational business and finance.