All Posts in "Day: June 14, 2021"

Coronavirus:Japan Gives UNICEF $39m For Nigeria’s Vaccine Cold Chains, Others

Japan gives UNICEF $39m for COVID-19 vaccine cold-chains in Nigeria, 31 others - Yara.ng
 Japan has  disclosed  that it will provide approximately US$39 million in emergency funds to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) for the development of vaccine cold chains in Nigeria and 31 countries in Africa and Latin America affected by COVID-19.
A statement on Monday, signed by Dr Geoffrey Njoku, Communications Specialist, UNICEF Nigeria, said the fund would aid storage capacity for vaccines and facilitate monitoring of the vaccine potency.
It added that the support from Japan complements the work of the COVAX Facility, an international vaccine procurement mechanism working to ensure that people in all countries have quick and equitable access to vaccines
It added: “With these funds, UNICEF will work with the government to provide cold chain equipment in priority storage sites based on gap analyses, to improve storage capacity for vaccines and facilitate monitoring of the vaccine potency.This has a far-reaching impact on the overall goal of the COVID-19 prevention strategy in the country through vaccination, as well as the entire immunization program for child survival.
“A walk-in freezer room will be installed in each of the selected six states. This includes solar vaccine refrigerators to be installed in 175 wards that have a gap in vaccine storage capacity. Temperature monitoring devices will be installed across 18 state cold stores, and technical assistance will be provided to carry out the setting up and maintenance of the equipment and devices. These supplies will ensure the quality of the vaccines”
Rushnan Murtaza, Officer in Charge, Representative, UNICEF Nigeria said:“We welcome the generous support of the Government and the people of Japan to Nigeria, as we continue to grapple with the impact of COVID-19. These funds will allow us to more effectively implement the strategy to ensure as many Nigerians as possible receive COVID-19 vaccinations, ensuring timeliness and efficacy of the vaccines, so that we can work towards a better future for all. UNICEF will continue to work with the Government of Nigeria, Government of Japan and other partners to support the COVID-19 response and to deliver positive outcomes for child survival and promote equitable access to vaccines for all.”
Online Editor by — June 14, 2021 in Health 0

The G7 DFIs, the IFC, the private sector arm of the African Development Bank, EBRD and the European Investment Bank today announced that they were committed to investing $80 billion in the private sector over the next five years to support sustainable economic recovery and growth in Africa.
The IMF estimates that sub-Saharan Africa needs additional financing of around $425 billion between now and 2025 to help strengthen the pandemic response spending and reduce poverty in the region.
The UK Minister for Africa, James Duddridge, said: “The UK is proud to back this commitment by world leaders at the G7 Summit to invest more than $80 billion in Africa’s private sector over the next 5 years.
“This investment will create jobs, boost economic growth, help tackle climate change and fight poverty. It comes at a crucial time as the continent rebuilds its economies, severely impacted by Covid-19.”
Nick O’Donohoe, the CEO of CDC Group, said: “The patient, high quality capital that DFIs provide is urgently needed if African economies are to start to rebuild quickly from the impact of the pandemic. CDC is committed to building long term investment partnerships in Africa that fuel sustainable private sector growth in support of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.”
Werner Hoyer, President of the European Investment Bank, said: “The EIB welcomes G7 leadership to enhance support for high-impact investment across Africa during and after the pandemic. Last year the EU Bank’s engagement in Africa, as part of Team Europe, represented the largest ever support for climate action and investment in fragile states in 55 years of EIB operations on the continent. We stand ready to cooperate further with African and multilateral partners to tackle both COVID-19 and accelerate the green transition in Africa.”
Makhtar Diop, IFC’s Managing Director, said: “Ensuring an inclusive and sustainable recovery for people, businesses and economies across Africa in coordination with our development partners, is at the core of IFC’s development mandate today. We know that the private sector will play a major role in financing Africa’s future by creating millions of jobs that are essential to ensuring sustained economic growth and poverty reduction. We therefore welcome this important partnership and are proud to provide financing and to work with partners to help create the right conditions to bring more private investment to Africa.”
David Marchick, Chief Operating Officer of U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), said: “Under President Biden’s leadership, investing more in Africa is a top priority for DFC in fulfilling our development mandate. DFC is proud to be doubling down on our commitment to Africa alongside our G7 and multilateral partners and will continue to prioritize investments in vaccine manufacturing, COVID-19 response, climate mitigation and adaptation, and gender equity on the African continent.”
Dario Scannapieco, Chief Executive Officer of Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP), said: “Closer collaboration among Development Finance Institutions and multilateral partners is an essential factor in fostering sustainable economic recovery and growth in Africa. CDP looks forward to contributing to this strategic partnership, supporting the African continent in developing its entrepreneurial and financial private sector, to unlock its vast, untapped potential.”
Solomon Quaynor, African Development Bank VP, Private Sector, Infrastructure & Industrialization said: “We welcome this global partnership and the opportunity to provide the African voice, as Africa builds back better and boldly.  The opportunity to create jobs particularly for youth and women, from a focus on industrializing Africa underpinned by the African Continental Free Trade Area, will be our priority. Given the gap between the IMF estimates and what this partnership is committing to, we will seek to crowd-in African development partners, as well as African savings from SWFs, pensions, and insurance pools, estimated to have US$1.8 trillion AUM.”
Heike Harmgart, EBRD Managing Director, Southern and  Eastern Mediterranean, said: “Harnessing the potential of the private sector is essential to supporting prosperity in Africa and meeting the continent’s development needs. In the North African countries where we work – Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia – we have invested over €11.5 billion in only 9 years, focused on boosting the private sector, developing green sustainable infrastructure and promoting youth and women participation in the economy. We will pursue our efforts to expand private sector investment opportunities at scale in the region in close cooperation with other development actors.”
Monika Beck, member of the DEG-Management Board, said: „Many of our African partner countries have been hit hard by the pandemic. We quickly developed new services to support private sector SME and to help protecting jobs and livelihoods. In Africa, DEG has always been specifically committed to creating prospects for the young, growing population. In addition to the continuing massive impact of Covid-19 we expect a further acceleration of the challenges connected to developments such as digitization and climate change. Therefore DEG welcomes and is proud to be part of the G7 DFI Africa initiative”.
Online Editor by — June 14, 2021 in Business 0
JAMB Urges UTME Candidates To Print Notification Slip

JAMB Urges Candidates To Print Result Notifications - Oriental News Nigeria
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), today,  announced that examination notification slips for the 2021 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) is ready for candidates to print.
The examination body urged all candidates, who had registered for the examination scheduled to take between Saturday, June 19, 2021, and July 3, 2021, to begin printing the 2021 UTME notification slip from Monday, 14th June 2021.
It explained that the examination notification was necessary to enable candidates know the location of their examination centres which include time, date and venue of the examination within their chosen examination town.
It added: “Candidates are advised to take the printing directive seriously for them to prepare all necessary logistics of being at the centre on time as excuses would not be entertained.
“Candidates need not visit CBT centres for the printing of their slips as slips can be printed at any available internet point.
“To print the slip, candidates are to visit https://www.jamb.gov.ng then click on e-facility and print their slips. The slip contains the candidates’ details such as registration number and most importantly the centre to which they are to sit the examination within their chosen examination town and the expected time to be at the centre. It is important to note that no examination would be rescheduled for any reason.
“Also, candidates are to ensure that they are verified using the Biometric Verification Machine (BVM) which serves as attendance before entering the hall. No biometric verification, no examination.The board is reminding all candidates that the ban on prohibited items is still in force and warned candidates not to run foul of the law as ignorance is not an excuse”.
Online Editor by — June 14, 2021 in Education 0
Access Bank Boosts  Digital Loan With New Initiative

Access Bank recognized as 'best digital lender in Africa' - Businessday NG

Access Bank Plc, unveiled  ‘Diamond Business Advantage, DBA, lite’ aimed at  increasing its digital loans and enhance access to finance for young entrepreneurs in Nigeria

The bank said the product which is targeted at the youths was designed to add value to micro, small and medium scale enterprises, MSMEs in the country.

At its launch,he bank’s Executive Director, Victor Etuokwu, stated entrepreneurship was essential for the growth of any nation,including Nigeria.

He explained : “DBA Lite is a product of the erstwhile Diamond bank via the Diamond Business Account, DBA, and that was one of the best products in the market but after the merger, we renamed it as DBA but this innovation; DBA Lite is targeted for the youths who are start-ups, established or growing. This innovation will bring access to digital loans for the youths because that is what we want to do with this innovation.”

He noted that the digital loan would be in the form of N50,000 to N5 million, adding that entrepreneurs can only access the loan once they meet the requirements.

According to him, Access Bank accounts for over 50 per cent of digital loans in the industry because it is gives such loans at an average of N18,000-N20,000 daily.

“Last year, four million people accessed N100 billion and we are targeting more in 2021. We are growing and we will keep growing because our digital loans are not for the youths only but for small business owners, employees and the rest of them and I am assuring you that we will do double digit this year as that is the plan.

“As we speak, we are averaging N12 billion to N13 billion every month and so we should be somewhere around N60 billion to N70 billion and clearly, we will do more than we did last year,” he said.

Online Editor by — June 14, 2021 in Banking&Finance 0
JAMB Offers  Candidates With Profile Codes 24 Hours Registration Opportunity 

The  Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), today  announced final registration opportunity for candidates to accommodate  those with  issues related with newly introduced pre-requisite of National Identification Number(NIN) could not register.
JAMB explained that the  offer  is  only  for  candidates who have not registered but have secured the profile codes and initiated the registration process.
The deadline is Tuesday June 15, 2021,according to a statement signed by Fabian Benjamin, Fabian Benjamin
,Head of Media,JAMB,who also said candidates in this category are expected to visit specially designated registration centres to complete the registration on Tuesday, 15th of June, 2021.
He  added: “At the end of the period originally scheduled for the 2021/2022 UTME/DE registration on the 15th May,2021, the registration period was extended by another two weeks up to the 29th of May, 2021 to accommodate candidates who, largely due to issues related with newly introduced pre-requisite of National Identification Number(NIN) could not register.
“Additional extension of two weeks was made to compile the list of all prospective candidates who for any reason were unable to register.The candidates who have not registered but have secured the profile codes and initiated the registration process are expected to visit specially designated registration centres to complete the registration on Tuesday, 15th of June, 2021.
“Designated registration centre for each candidate is being forwarded to him/her through the GSM text(SMS) messages and available on the web-site of the Board ( www.jamb.gov.ng) from 12 noon on Monday 14th June, 2021.The identification number on each form given to the candidates has been used to assign the candidates to their registration centres.
He added that only candidates who have secured their profile codes are expected to visit the centres while the few who have not yet obtained their NIN or profile codes have been forwarded to NIMC and would be contacted as soon as they are cleared by NIMC.
He said each candidate posted to any non- JAMB owned CBT centre is expected to pay the registration fee of N1000 to such CBT centre.
Online Editor by — June 14, 2021 in Education 0
GIG Launches Electric Vehicles In Nigeria

GIGL partners JET Motor to launch Nigeria's first electric vehicle for deliveries
GIG Logistics Limited, has  launched electric vehicles to run its operations in Nigeria.
The vans named Jet Mover Electric Vehicle were delivered to the company by indigenous vehicle assembly company, Jet Motor Company,  during an unveiling ceremony at the weekend, Mr. Wemimo Joseph, the Head of Strategy Jet Motor Company, confirmed.
He said :“We are extremely proud to be a disruptor in Africa’s transportation sector .At JET, we believe the future of automobiles is electric, and not internal combustion engine. To this end, we have committed resources to a future-forward strategy that includes building an ecosystem that will help with the production and deployment of electric vehicles (EVs).
“These challenges cannot be the norm if Nigeria is to replicate what its counterparts are doing to support the mainstreaming of electric vehicles”, Mr. Joseph added.
Speaking, Mr. Ocholi Etu, the Director of Operations, GIG Logistics, said:“it is our esteemed honour to announce another significant step forward for Africa’s fastest-growing e-commerce logistics company— GIG Logistics.
“GIG Logistics is committed to a sustainable future for our environment, people and businesses we support.The launch of these Electric Vans is the first practical step in our journey towards carbon neutrality which is a core strategy for us.
“We are the first Nigerian and, perhaps, African company in the logistics space to be able to deploy Electric Vans for operations.We are able to achieve this feat due to our partnership with JET Motor Company, also a futuristic player in the automotive space, with focus on sustainability, the Director of Operations, GIG Logistics said.
The Jet Mover Electric Vehicle has tremendous advantages ranging from zero-emission to significantly lower operating cost in the long run due to minimal components in the powertrain.
Online Editor by — June 14, 2021 in Motoring 0
Gunmen Kidnap Woman Rev Sister in Imo

Two women, including a Reverend sister, were kidnapped at various points in Imo State .
In the first incident, a reverend sister was abducted at Dim na Nume, Isu in Nwangele Council Area of the state few minutes after a kidnap incident took place at Ohii.
It was gathered the Reverend Sister, whose identity is not known, was driving when the kidnappers crossed and forced her to stop.
A witness  said the kidnappers forced her into their get-away car while one entered and drove her car behind.
In the second incident, worshippers at St Philip’s Anglican Church, Ohii Parish in Owerri West Local Government Area of the state were stunned when some men stormed the church at about 7:45 am and kidnapped one Mrs. lkenna Onwusoroaka.
The kidnappers were said to have driven out with her in their car leaving the woman’s vehicle behind.
Youth of Orogwe Archdeaconry who were holding their camp/conference at the church premises had to scamper for safety.
The two incidents came at a time relatives of one Chimezie Okpara, who was kidnapped on Friday at his Umudurunna home, are in quandary over his continued abduction.
Okpara was kidnapped while returning to his house from the market where he had gone to buy things for the burial ceremony of his brother’s father-in-law.
Sources in the family told our correspondent more than 48 hours after the incident, the kidnappers are yet to make contacts with the family.
The Police Public Relations Officer SP Bala Elkana, could not be reached as his phone was switched off.
Online Editor by — June 14, 2021 in Crime/Metro 0
Chevron Workers  Begin Strike Wednesday

Chevron May Shut down Oil Production as Workers Begin StrikeTHISDAYLIVE
The Joint Executive Council (JEC) of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) as well as the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has fixed Wednesday, June 16 to embark on an industrial action against Chevron Nigeria limited (CNL).
The union,NUPENGASSAN said that the planned strike was rescheduled to the new date because of the Democracy Day holiday on Monday, June 14 as well as the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment’s scheduled meeting for Tuesday June 15 to address the issues raised by the body.
It noted that the strike will commence as scheduled unless CNL management signs a communique or agreement with the unions by tomorrow.
The  joint union said a ruling by the ministry is not sufficient to stop the strike from going ahead on Wednesday as planned because the CNL management had not respected previous decisions of the ministry.
The joint union noted that it expected the communique to be signed to resolve all the pending issues and not a case of alleged cherry-picking as is the custom of management.
Among the issues tabled by the labour unions are the recent arbitrary and unlawful disengagement of three Nigerian workers: Bukola Sola-Adebawo, James Ukachukwu and John Ayeni and what it said is the legal deductions of workers’ benefits since 2012 and failure to refund excess deductions in terminal benefits.
The labour unions further stated that the 2018 annual vacation not taken and vacation allowance for contract employees rolled over to new contracts, including those personnel that were optimised from service since June 2019 should be paid.
According to the aggrieved workers, the refusal to negotiate collective bargaining agreements for manpower contracts’ employees and new contract as well as refusal to onboard contract workers in staff buses also formed part of the pending issues.
NUPENGASSAN stated that the failure to open redundancy discussions for affected contract employees since May 2020 and the payment of 2.5 per cent salary arrears for 2019 optimised staff and Elper Oilfield Engineering Nig. Ltd. 2013 EOC are still outstanding issues yet to be resolved.
Besides, it listed the alleged victimisation of Ykish and Muyideen manpower contract personnel for joining the union and apprehension that IEME contracts are to be closed out in March 2021 without following due process or engaging the unions to reach agreement as reasons the union is aggrieved.
“In view of the adjustment in the commencement date of strike, all members are hereby directed to be on red alert on Monday and Tuesday June 14 and 15.All members working in the field, offices or from home are to put on red shirts or red hand bands where red coveralls are not readily available, especially for those in the fields,” NUPENGASSAN said
But a statement by its General Manager (Policy, Government and Public Affairs), Esimaje Brikinn, while acknowledging the notice, denied complicity in the decision of its third party contractors to disengage the affected workers.
He  said: “Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), operator of the joint venture between the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and CNL (NNPC/CNL JV), confirms that, it has received a notice of threat to embark on industrial action (Notice) jointly signed by officials of the CNL Branch of The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN). The Notice is in respect of some alleged unresolved industrial relations issues, including termination of employment of some employees of independent, third party contractors by their employers”
Online Editor by — June 14, 2021 in Labour/Human Resources 0
 Glo  Launches ‘Always On’

Glo introduces ALWAYS ON to retain subscribers' lines | Marketing Edge Magazine
Globacom, has announced the introduction of ‘Always On’, a new prepaid tariff, which allows subscribers to retain their phone numbers for one full year even if they do not use the lines during the period.
The telecommunication said its subscribers no longer need to worry about their lines getting suspended or disconnected even if they have not made or received calls, used data or sent or received SMS in one year.
It said  with a token payment of just N500, “the customer will enjoy the assurance of 365 days of continued service, even if the customer does not make or receive calls, text or browse.
“Always On is available to all existing and new prepaid Glo subscribers and is especially beneficial to customers who travel out of the country for long periods of time without access to the network or customers whose handsets get stolen or whose SIMs get damaged but do not have immediate means of replacement. They can now be rest assured that their lines will not be disconnected due to inactivity
To enjoy the offering, subscribers are required to simply dial*777# and select ‘Always On’ from the menu. “Upon confirmation, a one-time fee of N500 will be deducted from the customer’s main account after which he or she will be subscribed to the plan and given 365 days of uninterrupted access to the network”
It explained that the customer can make and receive calls at any time during the 365 days as long as he or she has sufficient airtime balance in the account. There is no need to visit any Glo world or to contact customer care for the line to be reactivated.
‘Always On’ customers can still purchase any Glo products and services they wish and they can also subscribe to any other GLO tariff plan at any time via *777# or via Glo Café.
Towards the expiration of the ALWAYS ON subscription, Globacom explained, the subscriber will receive SMS and email reminders (where applicable) forhim or her to re-subscribe to the ALWAYS ON plan.
“With this new and exciting value proposition, we have again established ourselves as the brand that gives customers the most value for money”, Globacom stated.
Online Editor by — June 14, 2021 in IT&Telecoms 0
FIRS Moves Against  Issuance Of Fake Tax Certificates

FIRS launches online portal to check fake tax certificates | Nairametrics
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has deployed an online portal to address fake Tax Clearance Certificates (TCC) issued by fraudsters.
Dr Abdullahi Ahmad, Director, Communications and Liaison Department of FIRS,who  disclosed this in Abuja,explained that  effort was part of measures to check the activities of fraudsters who specialise in producing and selling fake TCC.
He  added that it had unveiled a state-of-the-art and user-friendly online portal that detects any TCC not duly issued by the FIRS.
Ahmad quoted the Executive Chairman, FIRS, Muhammad Nami, as saying this in Abuja, while receiving the management of the Federal Capital Territory (FCTA) Land Administration.
Nami said: “We are not unmindful of the activities of fraudsters who specialise in producing and selling fake TCCs to tax evaders.The FIRS has now gone ahead of them as it has launched an online portal through which Ministries, Departments and Agencies, corporates and individuals could confirm the genuineness of TCCs issued to them.
“The moment anyone presents a TCC to transact any business with you, we want you to visit www.tcc.firs.gov.ng.The moment you put the Taxpayer Identification Number of the company, its RC number and the name of the company in the portal, the actual Tax Clearance Certificate of the company.
“If it has any, will come up. If the TCC presented to you is fake, you will know. When you come across such cases, you should immediately inform us so that we prosecute such people.The only way we can collaborate as government agencies is to share information,” he said.
He urged the FCTA Land Administration authorities and other public and private organisations to henceforth fact-check any TCC presented to them before transacting any business.
Nami also enjoined the FCTA Land Administration management to make it mandatory for anyone registering any property in Abuja to present a tax clearance certificate.
Online Editor by — June 14, 2021 in News 0