The Nation Newspaper

Tag: partners

  • NDDC partners with UN Agency in $60 million agric programme

    • To help reduce unemployment in Niger Delta

    The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is partnering the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) on a $60 million dollars (about N21 billion) job creation programme, which will help reduce youth unemployment in the Niger Delta.

    The Managing Director of NDDC, Nsima Ekere, disclosed this yesterday when IFAD officials paid a courtesy visit to management of the commission at its corporate headquarters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

    He said the commission would sustain and strengthen its partnership with the UN agency, as part of efforts to create wealth and transform the region.

    Ekere, who was represented by NDDC’s Executive Director, Projects, Samuel Adjogbe, an engineer, disclosed that the commission carried out a baseline study to gather data, which would help it to produce a good design for the new IFAD programme.

    He said: “If there is something I will really want to support, it is the collaboration that IFAD is bringing.

    “NDDC is ready to partner with IFAD in the new programme, because we need to diversify the mono economy of the country.

    “It is a thing of joy that IFAD is partnering with us to achieve this goal. We hope that what we have gathered as the base line survey will help us to produce a design that will give us something reliable when we get to the implementation stage.

    “NDDC is committed to getting many people, particularly our youths, back to work, because we need to get our people to be meaningfully engaged. This will help strengthen the process of our engagement with them, which we have begun in earnest.”

    Managing director of the interventionist agency also stated that the commission had always recognised agriculture as the way forward for Nigeria, adding that it would continue to support IFAD to integrate rural dwellers into agricultural entrepreneurship.

    He said: “Oil and gas have given us a take-off platform. Now, we must diversify.”

    The representative of the IFAD Rome and Country Director in Nigeria,  Dr. Rich Pitrine, stated that the new programme, which would run for seven years, would revolve around enterprise development for youths and women.

    Pitrine said: “We understand the lack of opportunities, which is an unfortunate disease for your region (Niger Delta). We understand very well that there are phenomenal things which can be done if proactive investments are done.”

    IFAD representative also stated that the programme would broaden the economic horizon of budding entrepreneurs and set the stage for the emergence of a sustainable system that would engage youths in enterprise-based jobs.

    He noted that IFAD was counting on NDDC to give the necessary support to build the new project.

    Pitrine said: “We have invested with NDDC in the past on community-based Natural Resource Management Programme (CBNRMP) that has helped to create wealth in the Niger Delta region. We have learnt some lessons from that and we have had some successes.

    “We are an investor and not a project implementing team. We are not coming to Nigeria or to the Niger Delta to take over. We are coming here to help you to invest in your vision and invest jointly with you to realise an outcome which will create employment for you in this region particularly.”

    NDDC Director, Agriculture and Fisheries,   Marcel Eshiogu, while also speaking, lauded the gains of the partnership with IFAD, noting that the commission had been working with the UN agency since 2005.

  • Akwa Ibom partners UNICEF to tackle malnutrition

    Akwa Ibom State government has expressed its readiness to partner the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to promote good nutritional regime for children.

    In line with this policy, N59million has been budgeted for micro-nutrient supplement under the Save One Million Lives (SOML) programme.

    The governor’s wife, Mrs. Martha Emmanuel, said she would soon launch a state-wide enlightenment and sensitisationprogrammein the 31 local governments, during which mothers would be educated and empowered to feed childrenproperly.

    She spoke in Uyo at the opening of a two-day advocacy meeting for women policy makers and wives of policy makers,organised by the government in partnership with UNICEF.

    Mrs. Emmanuel, who was inducted as the number one nutrition champion, said through her pet project, the Family Empowerment and Youths Re-orientation Programme (FEYREP), she would embark on mechanised farming for food sufficiency and affordability.

    She lamented that millions of children were prone to avoidable illnesses and deaths due to malnutrition and poor diet, and enjoined women to go into farming to increase food production.

    The governor’s wife said: “FEYREP is going into mechanised agriculture to enable mothers have enough food for children.”

    She said the government would ensure adequate budgetary provision and enforcement for the implementation of child feeding project.

    Health Commissioner Dr. Dominic Ukpong condemned low investment in nutrition.

    He stressed the need for an action plan to overcome malnutrition.

    His words: “Mobilisingthe resources needed to accelerate progress against malnutrition will require that countries, donors, businesses, innovative financing and even households must act in state’s solidarity to tackle the problem.”

    The UNICEF Nutrition Specialist, Mr. WilbroadNgambi, underscored the importance of scaling up funding of nutrition programmes for the young ones, to meet UNICEF’s standard.

    He enjoined stakeholders to be in the vanguard of addressing the problem.

    Prof. Henrietta Ene-Obong of the University ofCalabar (UNICAL), Cross River State, lamented that 60 percent of the population lived below poverty line and advocated improved budget for agriculture and feeding programmes, to enhance good nutritional regime.

  • Feed Nigeria partners govt on food production

    The   Feed Nigeria Summit, is partnering the Federal Government  to increase  the production of  foods – which have not kept pace with demand, its Director–General, Mr. Richard Mbaram has said.

    Mbaram  said a summit had been scheduled for between April 6 and 7 , at International Hotel,Victoria Island, Lagos to discuss strategies to drive progress in agriculture.

    He said there was a need to bring together producers and leading industry representatives to agree to boost future production and open up new export opportunities.

    He said the meeting would need to set new targets to turbo-charge exports, boost inward investment and support emerging agro  companies to export overseas.

    He  said  there is a significant opportunity for  Nigeria  to develop international sales and profile through exploration of new markets and opportunities opening up all the time,championing  regional food  growing local businesses and potentially creating more jobs.

    According to him, Nigeria must embrace agricultural innovations to better compete in an evolving global bio-economy, by   technologies to address challenges related to population, poverty, food insecurity and climate change.

    He  emphasised the underdevelopment of  Nigeria ’s trade in agriculture, especially intra-regional trade, in spite of the potential for its expansion.

    He said the mission of the summit was to work with development partners and the Federal Government  to implement innovative solutions that could not only bolster agricultural performance, but also promote agri-food trade and food security.

  • How to settle disputes between partners

    In my environment, I notice a particular couple who are always at each other necks, they quarrel most of the time, disturbing the peace of the neighborhood and I began to wonder what could be the cause of their almost every day fight.  Even on the pages of newspaper, there are cases of husbands beating up their wives, boyfriends assaulting their girlfriends and this prompted me to observe and engage in a discussion with few married people to know the causes of disputes and how it can be resolved.

    I got talking with a married woman; Mrs. Funmi Adebayo who stays in Lagos and she said one of things that causes dispute which also had one time happened to her is the issue of time taken to get ready for an outing with your partner.

    She said; “this is funny but the blame is usually on women because they would want to look all good for an occasion thereby taking a lot of time to dress up, make up and this sometimes sprouts up anger in the husband who doesn’t seem to understand. This then causes arguments between them.”

    Femi Williams; a student of Oduduwa University also stated the Ex factor as one of the causes of disputes, he said an issue came up one time in his relationship where he noticed his girlfriend was frequently talking with her Ex and he said he was uncomfortable with it in which he told his girlfriend but the lady misunderstood him thinking he was insecure, he said they later settled it after some weeks. He said; ‘’ keeping a good word with your ex might be a wise thing to do but might not get well with your present partner.

    Another issue which causes quarrels has to do with money – money has always played a crucial role in one’s life and also in the life of partners and argument might occur if the income gap is huge between partner; that is the wife might earn more than the husband and this reduces the ego of a man and so the husband might bring up unnecessary quarrel between them.

    Hygiene is another issue that causes frequent disputes among couples. For example the woman would want everything to be clean, neatly arranged and everything kept at a proper place, but the husband might be carefree about all this and would leave everything scattered around the house. This is the point when the argument starts and sometimes it becomes a daily routine.

    Having looked at some of the causes of disputes, how then can disputes be resolved?

    • SET BOUNDARIES;everyone deserves to be treated with respect – even during an argument. If your partner curses at you, calls you names or ridicules you, tell them to stop. If they don’t, walk away and tell them that you don’t want to continue arguing right now.
    • FIND THE REAL ISSUE;typically, arguments happen when one partner’s wants are not being met. Try to get to the heart of the matter. If your partner seems needy, maybe they are just feeling insecure and need your encouragement. If you’re angry that your partner isn’t taking out the trash, maybe you’re really upset because you feel like you do all the work around the house. Learn to talk about the real issue so you can avoid constant fighting.
    • AGREE TO DISAGREE;If you and your partner can’t resolve an issue, sometimes it’s best to drop it. You can’t agree on everything. Focus on what matters. If the issue is too important for you to drop and you can’t agree to disagree, then maybe you’re not really compatible.
    • COMPROMISE WHEN POSSIBLE;Easy to say but hard to do, compromising is a major part of conflict resolution and any successful relationship. So your partner wants Chinese food and you want Indian? Compromise and get Chinese tonight, but Indian next time you eat out. Find a middle ground that can allow both of you to feel satisfied with the outcome.
    • CONSIDER EVERYTHING;Is this issue really important? Does it change how the two of you feel about each other? Are you compromising your beliefs or morals? If yes, it’s important that you really stress your position. If not, maybe this is a time for compromise. Also, consider your partner’s arguments. Why are they upset? What does the issue look like from their point of view? It is unusual for your partner to get this upset? Does your partner usually compromise? Are you being inconsiderate?
  • Lawmaker partners NHIS, NGO on health care delivery

    Lawmaker partners NHIS, NGO on health care delivery

    Mindful of the United Nations (UN) stance that access to quality and affordable health care will solve most of health challenges confronting humankind, especially those dwelling at the rural areas, the member representing Ilaje Constituency 1 in the Ondo State House of Assembly, Mr. Abayomi Akinruntan, has provided quality health care services for members of his constituency.

    The gesture was in collaboration with the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). It was aimed at giving medical support to the people.

    Also involved in the collaboration is Equitable Health Access Initiative (EHAI), a non-governmental organisation (NGO).

    To this end, the representatives of the NGO and the NHIS in Ondo State had visited two out of the 18 health centres in the constituency in preparation for the commencement of the health insurance scheme.

    The two health centres visited were Ilowo Comprehensive Health Centre located on the riverside communities which serves the people residing at the riverside, and Ugbonla Basic Health Centre in Ugbonla.

    The team observed that the health centre in Ilowo community, which was built some years ago by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to provide quality health care to the people  and being managed by the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) on contract basis, was in a terrible shape.

    During the visit, the two members of staff on duty, who took the team round the facility, decried the level of neglect by OSOPADEC. They urged the state government to show more interest in the maintenance of the health centre.

    One of the workers said: “All the equipment here are obsolete as a result of which we can’t treat patients. I have been working here for over 10 years. This place was serving the people of the riverside area but since three years now, we’ve not been getting support again from OSOPADEC that is managing the facility.

    “The only thing we get is our salaries; no equipment, no drugs and the staff quarter is dilapidated. We now refer our patients from here to the upland in Ugbonla Basic Health Centre or Igbokoda General Hospital. It has not been easy for members of staff here.”

    However, the condition was somewhat better at the Ugbonla Basic Health Centre as the place had just been renovated by Consolidated Oil Company, (Conoil).

    The Head Nurse, who took the team round the health centre, appreciated the regular support of the local government, adding that even though they are still experiencing some challenges, with time they will overcome them.

    Speaking at the palace of Olugbo of Ugbo, Oba Fredrick Obateru Akinruntan, the lawmaker said he had decided to bring relief to his constituents after realising the challenges they face in accessing affordable and quality health care.

    His words: “Our people, especially in the riverside area, face a lot of problems before they access quality health care in their communities. It’s expensive and not easy moving pregnant women and emergency cases with boat or canoe from the riverside to the upland.

    “I realised the need for urgent intervention on their health facility in the riverside area and I have decided to take it upon myself to foot the bill of delivering quality health care for my people; not minding the harsh economic situation. This tour was for us to assess the level of readiness of the centres to provide such services.”

    Responding, the NHIS Director in Ondo State, Mr. Simon Adeniji, commended the lawmaker for giving them a platform to deliver the Federal Government’s initiative to the people of Ilaje Constituency 1.

    He said the aim of the NHIS was to ensure that communities, especially those at the rural areas, have direct access to quality health care across the country at no or low cost, adding that the purpose of their visit was to assess the infrastructure at the health centres and strategise on how to deliver good and quality health care to the people.

    The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of EHAI, Dr Akinmurele Timothy, admitted that Mr. Akinruntan has done a noble thing by caring about the welfare of his people. He added that only those who have their people in mind will decide to bear the cost which he put at N800 monthly per person.

    After the inspection of the facilities, the team visited the Olugbo of Ugbo land.

    The monarch said the state of the health centres in Ilaje is worrisome, even as he called on the state government to intervene for the benefit of people living in the riverside areas. He promised to collaborate with the team in achieving their goal of delivering better health care to his people.

     

  • Diamond partners FG on entrepreneurship programme

    Diamond partners FG on entrepreneurship programme

    Diamond Bank has thrown its weight behind the Federal Government’s entrepreneurship development programme tagged the “Aso Villa Demo Day”.

    The event, which is intended to encourage economic diversification and celebrate creativity and innovation by young Nigerians, took place at the Banquet Hall of the State House in Abuja.

    Diamond Bank, alongside other companies, was one of the key supporters of the event which was graced by a host of  personalities, including the Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, the Chairman of Diamond Bank, Dr. Chris Ogbechie, and the Founder of Facebook, Mr. Mark Zuckerberg.

    The Vice President, in his address, said the Federal Government was discussing the possibility of a partnership with Facebook in a bid to improve the Information Communication Technology connectivity in Africa and expressed the government’s resolve to anchor the country’s development around energy, innovation and creativity of its young people.

    Three of the 30 start-up businesses earlier shortlisted in Lagos, Port-Harcourt and Abuja were eventually selected and given a cash prize of N3 million each.

    Addressing the select start-ups, the Facebook founder  said it was inspiring to see what Nigerian youths have been able to do with technology.

    The Presidency created the platform of the “Aso Villa Demo Day” in order to boost technology and encourage innovative ideas and had previously selected the top 30 Nigerians among the hundreds that pitched at three different events in Lagos, Abuja and Port-Harcourt in June.

    The events were held in Lagos on June 23, Abuja June 25 and Port Harcourt June 29. The 30 selected Nigerians were finally hosted by the Presidency at the weekend, where three emerged finalists.

    During the pitch events, participating Nigerian youths presented their ideas and solutions for technology, agriculture, communications, power, fashion and entertainment which revealed their talents, skills and critical thinking.

  • Lagos seeks partners on housing deficit reduction

    Lagos State government has called for Public-Private Partnership (PPP) to reduce the state’s 2.5 million deficit in the housing sector.

    The Commissioner for Housing, Mr Gbolahan Lawal, said this in Lagos, during the Institute of Directors (IoD) induction at Eko Hotel and Suites.

    According to the Commissioner,  the government cannot make housing available because of the  others needs calling for the government’s attention.

    Lawal explained that to bridge the  housing gap, a lot has to be considered, including the reduction of infrastructural commission, construction financing and transportation cost.

    He however assured that the state government would continue to explore opportunities for low income earners to access homes through the many schemes it has put in place to make housing affordable.

    This, he said, include focus on the land, allocations, and location that will ensure that less amount is spent on infrastructure which will further reduce housing cost.

    “The government will continue to see that the cost of construction is drastically reduced by making sure that those houses are located where their infrastructure is affordable. We will remain committed to the housing policy, which is our developmental agenda,” he said.

  • Centre partners firm on skilled technicians

    To plug the shortfall in the supply of highly skilled technicians in Nigeria, the Educational Advancement Centre (EAC), Ibadan, has partnered with an Indian training institute, Orion Edutech, to offer world-class vocational training to willing youths and women.

    Unveiling the project in its Bodija, Ibadan, Oyo State headquarters last week, EAC Director, Mr Muyiwa Bamgbose, said the firm embarked on the initiative because of the alarming rate of unemployment and the acute shortage of skilled technicians in Nigeria which many times, create employment opportunities for skilled technicians who are nationals of neighboring countries.

    Besides, Bamgbose said many Nigerian graduates are unemployable due to the wide gap between the gown and town as well as lack of opportunities for graduates to acquire relevant experience in their chosen careers due to unemployment.

    But the project will offer quality and affordable vocational training to enrollees in several areas such as Catering, Mobile Phones and Computer Repair, Hotel and Hospitality Management, Beauty and Wellness, Apparel Manufacturing and Design, IT/ITES/Computing and Networking, BPO and Retail Management as well as Nursing.

    “You see a newly built house and find out that the plumbing work is terribly done or you see the mechanic doing trial-and-error on your car. That’s why I concluded that Nigeria needs a vocational skills programme.” he said.

    While addressing stakeholders at the launch, the Head, Global Alliance of the firm, Mr Rohit Venaik, explained that Orion Edutech’s programme is run from India, stressing that online learning is the firm’s greatest strength. He said it was the reason the firm has made deep penetration in India and countries across South East Asia and Africa with over 250 state-of-the-art training and counseling centres across the countries.

    He added that Orion’s methods combine traditional and modern teaching methods which include Computer Based Training, Blended training through Learning Management System (LMS) and face-to-face learning, Live Instructor-Led Online Training on desktops, laptops, tablets and smart devices, E-learning, M-learning and Educational e-governance

    Mr. Venaik explained that apart from teaching the actual skills, instructors equip the students with three other skills – Domain Knowledge (knowledge of the industry interested in), People Skills and Industry Experience.

    According Venaik, the online teaching method is very effective as the students learn through direct online communication with their tutors as well as videos for demonstration. He added that offline materials are also provided in case of internet network failures or fluctuations.

    An Indian based course, like other foreign courses, is ordinarily expected to be expensive but Venaik said that that pricing is the most important factor in the training. The courses cost as low as $200, according to him.

    Launching the project, Oyo State Governor,  Abiola Ajimobi, who was represented by the Executive Secretary of the Bureau for Investments Promotion and Public Private Partnerships, Mr. Yinka Fatoki, expressed government’s support for the new initiative.

    The governor said the firm came at the right time. He commended the EAC  for the initiative and disclosed that the introduction of the project in the state was in line with the government’s current promotion of self-employment and entrepreneurship as solutions to unemployment.

    He promised that graduates of the  EAC-Orion Edutech programme were welcome to explore the N2 billion funding for Small and Medium Enterprises.

    His  words: “Part of what the government is doing to encourage self employment is the creation of ‘Agri Oyo’ progrmme to encourage Agriculture. Also the government has created a N2 billion funding programme for SMEs in conjunction with the CBN and another N1 billion funding programme with the Bank of Industry (BoI) to support manufacturing-related enterprises. So, graduates of this programme will be welcome to tap into these windows.”

    The training involves live lectures from eminent professors from India, United Dtates of America (USA) and Canada, international placement assistance, opportunities for internships, 24/7 dedicated call centre helpline from India and certifications from diploma to PhD level.

    o plug the shortfall in the supply of highly skilled technicians in Nigeria, the Educational Advancement Centre (EAC), Ibadan, has partnered with an Indian training institute, Orion Edutech, to offer world-class vocational training to willing youths and women.

    Unveiling the project in its Bodija, Ibadan, Oyo State headquarters last week, EAC Director, Mr Muyiwa Bamgbose, said the firm embarked on the initiative because of the alarming rate of unemployment and the acute shortage of skilled technicians in Nigeria which many times, create employment opportunities for skilled technicians who are nationals of neighboring countries.

    Besides, Bamgbose said many Nigerian graduates are unemployable due to the wide gap between the gown and town as well as lack of opportunities for graduates to acquire relevant experience in their chosen careers due to unemployment.

    But the project will offer quality and affordable vocational training to enrollees in several areas such as Catering, Mobile Phones and Computer Repair, Hotel and Hospitality Management, Beauty and Wellness, Apparel Manufacturing and Design, IT/ITES/Computing and Networking, BPO and Retail Management as well as Nursing.

    “You see a newly built house and find out that the plumbing work is terribly done or you see the mechanic doing trial-and-error on your car. That’s why I concluded that Nigeria needs a vocational skills programme.” he said.

    While addressing stakeholders at the launch, the Head, Global Alliance of the firm, Mr Rohit Venaik, explained that Orion Edutech’s programme is run from India, stressing that online learning is the firm’s greatest strength. He said it was the reason the firm has made deep penetration in India and countries across South East Asia and Africa with over 250 state-of-the-art training and counseling centres across the countries.

    He added that Orion’s methods combine traditional and modern teaching methods which include Computer Based Training, Blended training through Learning Management System (LMS) and face-to-face learning, Live Instructor-Led Online Training on desktops, laptops, tablets and smart devices, E-learning, M-learning and Educational e-governance

    Mr. Venaik explained that apart from teaching the actual skills, instructors equip the students with three other skills – Domain Knowledge (knowledge of the industry interested in), People Skills and Industry Experience.

    According Venaik, the online teaching method is very effective as the students learn through direct online communication with their tutors as well as videos for demonstration. He added that offline materials are also provided in case of internet network failures or fluctuations.

    An Indian based course, like other foreign courses, is ordinarily expected to be expensive but Venaik said that that pricing is the most important factor in the training. The courses cost as low as $200, according to him.

    Launching the project, Oyo State Governor,  Abiola Ajimobi, who was represented by the Executive Secretary of the Bureau for Investments Promotion and Public Private Partnerships, Mr. Yinka Fatoki, expressed government’s support for the new initiative.

    The governor said the firm came at the right time. He commended the EAC  for the initiative and disclosed that the introduction of the project in the state was in line with the government’s current promotion of self-employment and entrepreneurship as solutions to unemployment.

    He promised that graduates of the  EAC-Orion Edutech programme were welcome to explore the N2 billion funding for Small and Medium Enterprises.

    His  words: “Part of what the government is doing to encourage self employment is the creation of ‘Agri Oyo’ progrmme to encourage Agriculture. Also the government has created a N2 billion funding programme for SMEs in conjunction with the CBN and another N1 billion funding programme with the Bank of Industry (BoI) to support manufacturing-related enterprises. So, graduates of this programme will be welcome to tap into these windows.”

    The training involves live lectures from eminent professors from India, United Dtates of America (USA) and Canada, international placement assistance, opportunities for internships, 24/7 dedicated call centre helpline from India and certifications from diploma to PhD level.

  • Centre partners firm on skilled technicians

    Centre partners firm on skilled technicians

    To plug the shortfall in the supply of highly skilled technicians in Nigeria, the Educational Advancement Centre (EAC), Ibadan, has partnered with an Indian training institute, Orion Edutech, to offer world-class vocational training to willing youths and women.
    Unveiling the project in its Bodija, Ibadan, Oyo State headquarters last week, EAC Director, Mr Muyiwa Bamgbose, said the firm embarked on the initiative because of the alarming rate of unemployment and the acute shortage of skilled technicians in Nigeria which many times, create employment opportunities for skilled technicians who are nationals of neighboring countries.
    Besides, Bamgbose said many Nigerian graduates are unemployable due to the wide gap between the gown and town as well as lack of opportunities for graduates to acquire relevant experience in their chosen careers due to unemployment.
    But the project will offer quality and affordable vocational training to enrollees in several areas such as Catering, Mobile Phones and Computer Repair, Hotel and Hospitality Management, Beauty and Wellness, Apparel Manufacturing and Design, IT/ITES/Computing and Networking, BPO and Retail Management as well as Nursing.
    “You see a newly built house and find out that the plumbing work is terribly done or you see the mechanic doing trial-and-error on your car. That’s why I concluded that Nigeria needs a vocational skills programme.” he said.
    While addressing stakeholders at the launch, the Head, Global Alliance of the firm, Mr Rohit Venaik, explained that Orion Edutech’s programme is run from India, stressing that online learning is the firm’s greatest strength. He said it was the reason the firm has made deep penetration in India and countries across South East Asia and Africa with over 250 state-of-the-art training and counseling centres across the countries.
    He added that Orion’s methods combine traditional and modern teaching methods which include Computer Based Training, Blended training through Learning Management System (LMS) and face-to-face learning, Live Instructor-Led Online Training on desktops, laptops, tablets and smart devices, E-learning, M-learning and Educational e-governance
    Mr. Venaik explained that apart from teaching the actual skills, instructors equip the students with three other skills – Domain Knowledge (knowledge of the industry interested in), People Skills and Industry Experience.
    According Venaik, the online teaching method is very effective as the students learn through direct online communication with their tutors as well as videos for demonstration. He added that offline materials are also provided in case of internet network failures or fluctuations.
    An Indian based course, like other foreign courses, is ordinarily expected to be expensive but Venaik said that that pricing is the most important factor in the training. The courses cost as low as $200, according to him.
    Launching the project, Oyo State Governor,  Abiola Ajimobi, who was represented by the Executive Secretary of the Bureau for Investments Promotion and Public Private Partnerships, Mr. Yinka Fatoki, expressed government’s support for the new initiative.
    The governor said the firm came at the right time. He commended the EAC  for the initiative and disclosed that the introduction of the project in the state was in line with the government’s current promotion of self-employment and entrepreneurship as solutions to unemployment.
    He promised that graduates of the  EAC-Orion Edutech programme were welcome to explore the N2 billion funding for Small and Medium Enterprises.
    His  words: “Part of what the government is doing to encourage self employment is the creation of ‘Agri Oyo’ progrmme to encourage Agriculture. Also the government has created a N2 billion funding programme for SMEs in conjunction with the CBN and another N1 billion funding programme with the Bank of Industry (BoI) to support manufacturing-related enterprises. So, graduates of this programme will be welcome to tap into these windows.”
    The training involves live lectures from eminent professors from India, United Dtates of America (USA) and Canada, international placement assistance, opportunities for internships, 24/7 dedicated call centre helpline from India and certifications from diploma to PhD level.

  • 76: Nigerian Army to partners Nollywood

    76: Nigerian Army to partners Nollywood

    In light of the new movie that is currently generating a buzz in Nigeria’s moviedom, 76, the Nigerian Army has sought to build ‘a collaborative relationship’ with the Nigerian movie industry, otherwise called Nollywood.

    A letter from the Headquarters, Nigeria Army, Department of Civil- Military Affairs signed by Major General R. I. Nicholas for the Chief of Army Staff disclosed why the military institution desires a collaboration with the creative industry.

    “This is in furtherance to a need to build a collaborative relationship between the Nigeria Army and the movie industry. We believe that the movie will assist in shaping the current effort at improving the civil-military relations and also educate our people on some of the historic values of the Nigeria Army.”

    With a large part of the movie shot at the Mokola Barracks in Ibadan, Oyo State the 200-member cast and crew are said to have stayed together for about seven months, bonding as a family was inevitable.

    Executive Producer of the flick, Tonye Princewill says that 76 is watershed of sorts in Nollywood.

    “It took seven years to make this movie. We were not in a hurry at all. At the end of the day, some of them had become so used to the character set in 1976 that it was difficult to bring them back to the present. Set designer, Pat Nebo, who also acted in the film did a marvelous job on set. You can see a One Naira note without it being copiously displayed. The table utensils, the walls, the cars were all set in 1976. This was not easy to achieve, but we did not settle for a substitute. For instance, it was difficult to get a 1976 Black Maria, but we persevered and finally we were able to get it,” he noted.