Nigeria needs new technology for environmental management

The National Biotechnology Development Agency said it is working on a new technology that will help Nigeria protect and conserve its environment through re-vegetation and remediation. Solomon Bamidele, Director General of NABDA said on Wednesday in Abuja at a sensitisation workshop on management of non degradable wastes that the project entitled “Establishment of Centers of Excellence on Environmental Protection and…

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Corporate culture is important in attracting foreign investors

Nigerian businesses seeking to attract foreign investors must begin to pay attention to how it treats its employees. According to studies conducted by Corporate Initiatives Group (CIG), an affiliate of the Great Place to Work Institute based in the United States, the way companies take care of employees is indicative of how well an organisation is run. “Making your organisation…

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Breweries, other sectors hold investors interest

As the level of confidence in the Nigerian capital market builds up in the banking subsector this year following government’s intervention in the industry, trading activities in other sectors as well have shown that investors are also seeking safe haven in Breweries and Food/Beverages sectors. Analysis of trading activities in the two sectors, in terms of traded volume, since transaction…

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The cost of the voter registration exercise

When some four years back, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) threatened to deploy digital data capture machines as part of the review of the voters’ roll, a frisson of excitement ran through certain sections of the country. The possibilities for change was in the air! After all, many recalled, a central aspect of the reforms in Mexico that led…

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PERSONAL FINANCE: Why not organise your finances electronically?

One of the biggest pitfalls in personal finances is being disorganised. Have you ever thought of organising your finances electronically? If you are comfortable with technology, and are fortunate enough to have access to it, one of the easiest ways to maintain your records, is to use technology and personal finance software. Advances in personal finance software have made it…

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Investors affirm confidence in Nigeria’s economy

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PERSONAL FINANCE: Are you still sitting on the sidelines?

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Men (and women) without ears

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Taking mischief to higher levels

Earlier this month, there were text messages alerting people to leave the Motorway Centre, Ikeja, Lagos. The message said there was a bomb ready to explode any moment in the area and this caused a lot of panic among Lagos residents. In a season of bombs, many took the text seriously and the Police Anti Bomb Squad actually moved to…

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Fiery China growth worries stock investors

Stronger-than-expected Chinese growth data spurred concern on Thursday about tighter monetary policy, prompting a sell-off in equities led by emerging markets. The euro dipped on profit-taking after reaching two-month highs in the previous session but then trimmed losses as speculation grew that the euro zone's rescue mechanism for fiscally troubled peripheral states might be strengthened. Chinese growth soared past forecasts…

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Kenya wind power plan gets government’s support letters

Plans for a delayed 300 MW wind farm in Kenya can now proceed after lenders agreed to rely on the government's assurance that it backed the plan, instead of proper guarantees, the chairman of the project said. "Guarantees, we are not being given. What we are getting is a letter of comfort, or support, from the ministry of finance. This…

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South Africa’s rand slightly firmer

South Africa's rand gained slightly against the dollar on Thursday, coming off six week lows ahead of the central bank's interest rate decision later in the session. A Reuters poll forecast the Reserve Bank will keep its key repo rate at 5.5 per cent, taking the view that 650 basis points of cuts since December 2008 is sufficient stimulus to…

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BRAND MATTERS: Protecting consumers right

Some years ago, I read about the pathetic story of a young man in the South Eastern part of the country. He had participated in the promotion of a drinks company. He had a winning number and he approached the company representatives. However to his chagrin, he was told the winning number was a fake. Through this, he suffered several…

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Rescued banks silent on subsidiaries’ fate

Some of the rescued banks are silent on how far they have gone with their recapitalisation effort and the fate of their subsidiaries, especially those outside the country. Oceanic Bank, one of the banks closed down its outlet in The Gambia last week, citing inability to meet the capital requirements of 150 million dalasi (about US$ 5.6 million) demanded by…

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