The Nation Newspaper

Tag: West Africa

  • Treat money laundering, with zero tolerance, Osinbajo advises W/Africa

    Treat money laundering, with zero tolerance, Osinbajo advises W/Africa

    The Federal Government on Saturday through Vice President Yemi Osinbajo called on countries in the West African sub-region to treat money laundering and other illicit financial crimes with zero tolerance.

    Osinbajo made the call at the opening of the 18th Ministerial Committee Meeting of the Intergovernmental Action Group Against Money Laundering in West Africa in Abuja.

    Osinbajo said that governments in the sub-region had “for long affirmed our commitment to fighting money laundering and terrorist financing”.

    The vice president reiterated that criminal syndicates had utilised technologies to bypass “conventional financial systems checkpoints and safeguards”, making them “ahead of government and the law”.

    He said that it was mandatory governments to take “lethal action” against illicit financial crimes to curb corruption and terrorism and also enhance development.

    “What this means is that we are dealing with an existential threat; it is either we wipe it out or it wipes us out.

    “This should spur us to treat money laundering and other financial crimes with zero tolerance; we must now back this intent with forceful action and visible results.

    “While we acknowledge the steps we have taken individually and collectively in recent years, we cannot afford complacency at this time.

    “It is actually the moment for us to redouble our efforts to show up the political will required to apply and implement the laws and framework that we have worked so hard to develop.

    He further urge countries to enhance collaboration in the areas of information sharing and develop mutual trust for one another.

    “This means that on the one hand we should rise above the temptations of secretiveness and mutual suspicion and on the other hand we must do everything in our power to sustain trust and confidence.

    He said this could be done by safeguarding every piece of information being shared across national databases.

    “We must also strive to work beyond barriers imposed by the differences in our various legal systems, bearing in mind that criminals that we are tackling have never allowed themselves to be held back by these obstacles.”

    He also called for enhanced international collaboration to tackle the menace of illicit financial crimes in the sub-region.

    NAN

  • Propak West Africa exhibition opens Sept 19

    Propak West Africa, organised by Afrocet Montgomery, will open September 19, at the Landmark Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    In a statement, Emma Hooper, the firm’s Business Development Director, said this year’s exhibition is the fifth edition, and that no fewer than over 3,000 visitors were expected. He said there would be 22 conference sessions with over 30 experts who had confirmed their participation.

    He said the event is a global platform for packaging, plastics and print industry, where professionals and leading brands share market insights, cutting-edge technology developments and expertise.

    Hooper said: “We are extremely pleased to welcome a variety of respected industry speakers to the Propak podium this year who will be divulging observations, experience and topical case studies to attendees. Each session has been selected to reflect a broad range of themes within the industry such as business strategy, efficiency, sustainability as well as sessions focused on different vertical sectors like food processing, print, pharmaceuticals and many more.”

    Among the experts is Tetra Pak’s Managing Director, Phillipe De Louche who will discuss ‘Breakthrough packaging technology to boost efficiency for food producers’ and Ishida Europe’s Managing Director, Steve Jones.

    With the launch of the brand new ‘Print & Digital Expo’ pavilion, a key focus of the conference will be on the print industry with a day dedicated to it.

    “As a sector that holds a great deal of potential, print is something we are very interested in promoting at this year’s show. With the increased cross-over between print and packaging, many of the companies attending this year will be able to discover opportunities for growth and expansion at the dedicated print technical and Conference sessions, Hooper said. The conference is free.

     

  • Cocoa in a world of global environmental changes

    Cocoa in a world of global environmental changes

    The cocoa sector in West Africa is facing many well-known problems. That is a fact. And we all acknowledge those problems. Only by joining forces can we solve the challenges and contribute to sustainable growth and development of the cocoa sector. Succeeding in this, will result in increased farmer profitability, economic growth in West-Africa and reduced negative environmental impact.

    About 70% of global Cocoa supply is produced in West Africa by smallholder farmers. Productivity is low, trees are old and farmers are using old-fashioned methods. Farming efficiency is a huge issue. Agriculture with low productivity is a very important driver of deforestation. Production areas need to be replanted with improved varieties. There is a lack of availability of proper fertilizers and other inputs, knowledge on cocoa agronomy and best management practices is lacking. Climate change threatens production, but we can also say that production threatens to contribute to more climate change, through for instance illegal deforestation. And if you look at it this way, the future can look quite grim. However, I am an optimist – and I believe in knowledge sharing and collaboration.

    In Yara, we have put sustainability and farmers at the centre of our business strategy. Not just because it is the nice thing to do, but because it is the wise thing to do. For example, if farmers improve productivity in a manner which destroys the natural resources base, it will not be sustainable over time neither for them nor for us as an input provider. So let us create growth and cocoa sustainability– in a responsible and inclusive way – for our businesses, the farmers and for society at large.

    To succeed in doing this, however, we need to work together. Government buy-in and leadership is absolutely vital. Progress will not be sufficient if companies along the value chain continue to work individually in pursuit of parallel but separate strategies. Real and transformative change will require what Howard Shapiro from Mars has coined “uncommon collaboration” between academia, government, non-government, industry players and farmers in tackling global challenges- and where the cocoa farmer is put first.

    On the picture below, is cocoa farmer Konfe Sidy from Côte d’Ivoire. Through more modern and sustainable methods, he has been able to increase the yields almost ten times. This has enabled him to create a small business, feed his wife and 3 year old daughter as well as his extended family who live with him. He has even build a new house. Of course, this is small scale. But imagine what the impact could be if we aggregate this to thousands of cocoa farmers.

    Cocoa farmer during harvest
    Cocoa farmer

    We must make production of cocoa more efficient. Producing more with less, meaning more output based on less input. Increased efficiency will improve forests, diversity and cocoa farmer livelihoods in West Africa. I believe we can succeed if there is a sufficient will and we put ourselves in the correct frame of mind. The chocolate industry has already paved the way with CocoaAction. In Yara, we have for a long time recognized that we need look beyond our own sector, broaden our perspective and find ways of working with a range of different partners. We have decided to engage beyond our own interests and contribute to the sustainable cocoa productivity challenge by bringing our unique crop nutrition competence and to form alliances involving partners ranging from UN Environment the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to key companies and organisations in the chocolate industry.

    The result so far is a public-private research and development partnership which aims to address critical gaps in the knowledge base required to close cocoa yield gaps and deliver this knowledge to cocoa farmers. I truly believe that this partnership can bring the best of science to tackle the major problems to the service of the smallholders and the cocoa producing countries.

    The time to make cocoa production more sustainable is now. Some of the tools and strategies already exist. Through “uncommon collaboration” we can not only turn cocoa around but also lead the way.

    This week representatives from national agricultural research and extension organizations of the major cocoa producing countries in Africa together with key companies and organizations in the cocoa industry will be gathered in Abidjan. The main purpose is to discuss how science can work together with the chocolate industry players to bring the best science to tackle major problems to the service of the smallholders and the cocoa producing countries. It is all happening in the context of the 7th African Green Revolution Forum. Under the leadership of the Government of Cote d’Ivoire, the 2017 AGRF is shaping up to be the most important agricultural platform on the continent for 2017.

    As Yara, we are ready and prepared to work with others to improve the knowledge base required to close cocoa yield gaps and deliver this knowledge to cocoa farmers – and we know we cannot crack that nut alone.

  • Minister woos Polish investors

    The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello has urged visiting a delegation from Poland to make Abuja the hub for Polish investment in West Africa.

    The FCT Minister made this call when organisers of the Polish-Nigeria Business and Investment Summit (PONBIS) paid him a courtesy visit.

    The Minister expressed concern that the commercial relationship between Nigeria and Poland has been so skeletal even though the country is one of the fastest growing economies in Europe today.

    The Minister cited Poland’s proficiency in the construction and heavy steel industries. His words “I think this is the right time for you to come fully into Nigeria because the government is serious about encouraging trade between Nigeria and countries like yours. I am therefore very happy that you are already liaising with the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council (NIPC), which is the right organization for you to deal with because they have the expertise.”

    He unveiled the various investment opportunities in the medical field especially in equipment and medical diagnostic services while advising that Poland should facilitate cultural exchanges between them and Nigeria. Other areas, the Minister mentioned include; educational exchanges between lecturers and students, saying “You can encourage your scholars to come here on sabbatical leaves, maybe to undertake  some aspects of their studies.”

    Malam Bello highlighted the attractiveness of Abuja as an investment destination enumerating its qualities such as being the capital of a great country, its central location, well developed infrastructure and enabling investment climate.

    He informed the visitors that the Abuja’s International Airport right now operates four international flights to Europe, namely; France, Britain,  Germany and Istanbul.

    Malam Bello invited Polish Companies to come into Nigeria and to take necessary steps to generate the needed awareness especially by establishing a trade office here in conjunction with the NIPC. He urged the commercial department of the Polish Embassy to create forums for the enlightenment of interested Nigerian business men on Polish businesses.

  • Fascinating African Cultures To Know

    Fascinating African Cultures To Know

    Africa boasts of some of the world’s most fascinating cultures and traditions that dates back to hundred of years. There a couple of fascinating African cultures that you probably don’t know or might not even have heard of. Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency, shares four fascinating African cultures to know.

    Living With Their Mothers

    In the Gio tribe int, Ivory Coast children never live with their fathers. The women of the tribe have their own houses (typically small huts), where they live with their children until the children are old enough to move out.

    Sons are Raised by Uncles

    In the Northern Angolan Songo tribe, when male children reach the age 5 or 6 years, they are sent to live with their uncles on the mother’s side. This is because, in their society, chiefs inherit their titles and positions through matrilineal lines.

    Preserving Wild Animals

    The Massai people of Kenya and Tanzania are averse to killing wild animals. They freely keep cattle and livestock, but wild animals are left untouched. This is largely because they consider these wild animals clan members, and each clan is associated with a specific species which they often keep close to them and treat as a clan member.

    Beating the Suitor

    In the Fulani tribe in West Africa, the custom of beating the suitor is followed as part of the Sharo tradition. The custom is followed when two men are vying for the same woman. To determine the eventual suitor of the woman, the men are asked to compete for the hand of the woman by beating themselves up. The man who is able to take the beating while showing the least or no sign of pain, can take the woman as a wife. The people of the tribe might not practice the tradition as strictly as they once did, but there are still some parts of the tribe that practice it to the letter.

  • German firm appoints agent for West Africa

    IKA Germany (IKA Industrie- und Kraftfahrzeugausrüstung GmbH), a leading global player in the automotive spare parts, has appointed the Pan-Africa automotive media agency, Auto Report Africa, as an Authorised GeBe Trader and its agent for Nigeria and Ghana with oversight for the rest of West Africa.

    IKa supplies customers in over 70 countries across five continents.

    The appointment is part of the move by the German company to fully launch into the West African markets with GeBe range of products, including its newly-introduced made-in-Germany GeBe premium water pumps for a wide range of vehicles. It is also coming at a time many German companies are planning to return to Nigeria because of the current administration’s hard stance on corruption.

    Promising to bring to Nigeria, Ghana and the larger West African markets, highest quality GEBE range of products at very competitive prices, IKA Germany Head of Sales Sebastian Hoff, said his company had been missing a representation in Nigeria and other West African markets despite its popularity in other parts of Africa.

    “We are set for a solid partnership. Our MD just signed your certificate, all other information, we will take step by step,” Hoff was quoted in a letter sent to the Managing Editor, Auto Report Africa, Olaolu Olusina.

    “The appointment is not only an expression of confidence in what we are doing, but also an attestation to our total commitment to the automotive industry in Africa. We see this as an opportunity to bring quality and original European standard  automotive spare parts to our market and rid the industry of fake and substandard products. We promise not to betray the trust IKA Germany has reposed in us.”

    The GeBe range includes automotive electronics and accessories; high-quality engine management components; spare parts for starters and alternators; advanced automotive lighting solutions as well as automotive filters. Recently, the made-in Germany GeBe premium water pumps were added to the range.

     

     

     

  • Rhodes scholarship for West Africa begins June

    The Rhodes Trust, has announced  the Rhodes Scholarship for West Africa.

    The Chief  Executive  Officer of  Rhodes Trust, Charles Conn, expressed happiness at the re-launch of the scholarship, which was once suspended in Nigeria.

    Speaking at Southern Sun, Ikoyi, Lagos, venue of the event last Thursday, Conn recalled that the scholarship was suspended in Nigeria in the early 90s, owing to nation’s political upheavals. Nonetheless, he said the re-launch was anchored on the fact that Nigeria’s young graduates could not be underestimated in view of their enormous intellectual deposits.

    He said: “Our aspiration is to identify and support innovative, energetic and ethical young leaders in West Africa. We see the value of additional cultural diversity in our cohorts of scholars every day and they learn from each other in profound ways. The new Rhodes Scholars from West Africa will contribute significantly through sharing their skills, experiences and energy with their peers at Oxford and we look forward to welcoming them to Rhodes House in October 2018.”

    According to Conn, this year would witness an increase in number of awardees from 83 to 95 across China, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Palestine, Syria, the United Arab Emirates and West Africa

    “This increases the number of Rhodes Scholars studying at the University of Oxford at any one time to approximately 250. The expansion into these regions marks a historic moment for the Rhodes Trust, and further strengthens the international Rhodes community,” Conn added.

    The scholarships valued at $45000 is open to only a Nigerian for now said Rhodes National Secretary for West Africa Ike Chioke, while appealing for more funding from Nigerian philanthropist so that more young graduates from the country could benefit.

    Identifying criteria for the scholarship, Chioke, noted that a prospective scholar must not be less than 26years at the time of applying. He said such applicant must be outstanding, intellectual, possess leadership qualities and have concern for community.

    “We are looking for those who have concern for communities. We have met potential scholars in Nigeria who have worked as teachers in IDPs in the North-eastern Nigeria. To think that young people could volunteer to go into different area to teach shows some sterling character,’’he said.

    Chioke said the selection window would open in July through to September and would be conducted by Rhodes selection team as well as the advisory group that has worked tirelessly to revive the scholarship in Nigeria. Interested candidates,he advised, could log on to www.rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk/apply.

    The Rhodes Trust is one of the oldest and perhaps the most prestigious international graduate scholarship programme in the world.

  • Google plans to train 6,000 media practitioners in 2017

    Google plans to train 6,000 media practitioners in 2017

    West Africa Google says it  plans to equip more than 6, 000 media professionals in the region on the appropriate use of Google tools in 2017.

    Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, the Head of Communications of West Africa Google made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Wednesday.

    He said that Google had already trained more than 300 media professionals in West Africa in the first quarter of the year.

    “We are currently working on a programme where we can train thousands of media people across West Africa.

    “Every discovery usually starts with a search. People usually go online and search for ideas, innovations and what is trending in the global world.

    “Google has provided a platform for young people who are seeking to bridge the knowledge gap by connecting with people of like-minds in order to make their innovation a reality,” he said.

    The communication officer explained that the focus on media was because of the extreme important influence as a primary mode of communication of informing the public on new developments.

    “When the media knows most other people know. Helping the media to tell stories more interesting and also helping to ensure the media has the right tools to inform others is important to Google.

    “That is why we have decided to embark on a massive training procedure to equip the media with the appropriate use of utilising the Google tools to their benefits,” he said.

    Kola-Ogunlade said that basic data tools for media such as web basics, advanced search, trends, news verification and other social media search techniques were taught at the workshop.

    He said that other tools such as storytelling with geography tools, web-stripping and data visualisation were also added to make the workshop more informative and educative.

  • Fire kills 20 in Senegalese religious gathering

    No fewer than 20 people were killed when a fire broke out in a Muslim spiritual retreat in eastern Senegal, local media reported on Thursday.

    About 50 others were injured when the fire broke out in the village of Medina Gounass, according to newspaper L’Observateur.

    The village holds an annual retreat attended by thousands of Muslims from across West Africa each year.

    The gathering, called “Daaka”, is a spiritual retreat that attracts thousands of pilgrims every year from Senegal and several countries of the sub region.

    It took place in the middle of the bush, under the temporary shelters of straw.

    The cause of the fire which also ravaged sheds where goods and vehicles were parked has not been determined.

    The 2017 edition of Daaka kicked off on Saturday and will continue until April 17.

    It is scheduled to receive Friday the visit of the Senegalese head of state.

    The cause of the fire remained unknown on Thursday.

  • ConMin West Africa exhibition gets new date

    The ConMin West Africa Exhibition and the National Mining Summit planned for April have been shifted to June 13 to15.

    According to its organisers, the planned closure of Abuja Airport  next month necessitated the postponement. It said with the huge number of expected attendees and speakers, who would be travelling from Lagos and abroad, the event could not hold without the airport.

    In a statement, Jamie Pearson of Afrocet Montgomery, the organisers, said ConMin West Africa was aimed at serving the rapidly-growing construction machinery and mining industries in West Africa. ”It is organised by Afrocet Montgomery, which runs Africa’s largest mining show, Electra Mining’ in Johannesburg. The event is rnning with full endorsement from the Ministry of Solid Minerals, Deloitte and IMAG, which owns the global construction brand “Bauma”,” he said.

    He added that the event, billed to hold at the International Conference Centre in Abuja, would act as a platform for stakeholders to discuss business prospects and display leading technologies and equipment in the construction and mining sectors.

    He said the event could attract over 150 firms and 3,000 visitors from the West African sub-region.

    The National Mining Summit, which runs alongside the exhibition, he said, would see top-level participants from the government and the country’s mining industry converge on the federal capital.