Barring any unforeseen development, seasoned public health and nutrition professionals will meet on Thursday, November 26, 2020, to deliberate on the urgency of a protein-centred national nutrition policy for Nigeria. The forum is the Protein Challenge Webinar Series 6 via zoom with the theme – The Case for a Protein-Centered National Nutrition Policy.
The session seeks to draw attention to the urgent need for increased attention to the place of protein in the growing, but fragmented, efforts to combat and curtail the rising incidence of protein deficiency and general malnutritionacross the country.
The keynote address for the webinar will be delivered by Dr. Adepeju Adeniran, a clinical and public health physician. She is also the Co-founder and National Chair of the Nigerian Chapter of Women in Global Health, a multi-national movement of women in health care, devoted to global health improvement.
Other speakers on the panel include: Dr Omadeli Boyo, a public health practitioner and Medical Director, Pinecrest Specialist Hospital and Dr. Beatrice Oganah-Ikujenyo, Nutritionist and Chief Lecturer in the Department of Home Economics, Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, Oto/Ijanikin, Lagos.
The session will be moderated by Mrs. Louisa Olaniyi, a multiple award-winning Broadcast Journalist, Tech enthusiast, TV host, and Head of Presentation Unit at RAVETV.
Protein Challenge is the tag of the on-going Nigeria Protein Awareness Campaign, a Protein Pull media campaign that seeks to create awareness about the prevalence, status and impact of protein deficiency in Nigeria.
In Nigeria, protein deficiency poses not only a major health problem, but also an economic and a social burden. It is the most important risk factor for illness and death, with millions of pregnant women and young children particularly affected.The goal of the campaign is to encourage and indeed help Nigerians from all walks of life to embrace regular consumption of proteins.
The campaign aligns with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 – Zero Hunger – which seeks to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.
Experts to Deliberate on Protein-centered Nutrition Policy for Nigeria
Crown Flour Mill Reiterates Commitment to Food Security on World Whole Grain Day
As the global community celebrates the World Whole Grain Day on November 19, Crown Flour Mill Ltd has reiterated its unrelenting commitment to national food security through consistent focus on food safety, innovation and cost efficiencies especially along its wheat-milling value-chain.
The company which produces a wide range of quality flour, pasta noodles, biscuits, semolina and confectionery from wheat has made a major investment in milling plants and technical innovations across its subsidiaries. Crown Flour Mill’s product range comprises Mama Gold Flour, Crown Premium Pasta, Crown Pasta, Supreme Semolina and Crown Tuwovita.
Ashish Pande, Managing Director, Crown Flour Mill Ltd said that the companyis focused on meeting the Nigerian consumers’ yearning for consistent access to quality, healthy and affordable food staples. He said: “Based on a deep understanding of the Nigerian consumers, our food brands are produced under the highest safety standards; and we have developed a robust distribution and redistribution network that are tailored to the market landscape.These efforts ensure that our portfolio of wheat-based products such as flour used atbakeries and confectioneries; and packaged pasta and noodle brands which are consumed frequently in Nigerian households, are made available across retail shops andmarketplaces across Nigeria.”
The Crown Flour Mill Limited Managing Director further reiterated the company’s commitment to quality food standards and production models that add nutritional value to the consumers and economic benefits to the nation.
Pande further stated: “With our major investments in modern milling plants,we have been able to develop an efficient milling process. The investment in our production process is a further demonstration of our focus on food safety, consumer nutritional health and cost efficiencies.”
Ecobank Nigeria Holds Awareness Webinar on Diabetes
Ecobank Nigeria has concluded plans to step up awareness on non-communicable diseases particularly diabetes to commemorate this year Ecobank Day.
Ecobank Day is a special day set aside every year by Ecobank Group, for management and staff of the bank to embark on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities that impact its immediate environment and people.
This year’s theme is ‘Take Action Against Diabetes’ It is scheduled for Wednesday 18th November at 11am Join live event .
Two specialists on Diabetes, Dr. Mosunmoluwa Obafemi Adio, Consultant Endocrinologist, Presidential Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) at UCH, Ibadan, & currently a Consultant Endocrinologist With Evercare and Dr. Mazeedat Erinosho, Public Health Practitioner & Director, Saving One Million Lives Programme, Ministry of Health, Lagos State, who will speak on how best to maintain a healthy lifestyle as a Diabetic patient and new breaks on the dreaded disease.
Also, a survivor will share his life experience. 2020 Ecobank Day events are being held virtually, to ensure safety from Covid-19.
Patrick Akinwuntan, Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria, said: “At Ecobank we take great pride in our commitment to ‘giving back’ to our communities and since 2013 we have held our annual Ecobank Day as our flagship event to do so. It is a day on which Ecobankers voluntarily give up their free time to help deserving causes and is also a focus for the Bank to make donations. Each year, a specific cause is supported, and these include education, maternal healthcare, safe water supplies, malaria prevention and cancer screening.”
He noted that the pan African bank last year decided to focus on raising awareness and helping to prevent Non-Communicable Diseases as a three-year campaign with this year focusing on Diabetes.
Biyi Olagbami, Chief Risk Officer, Ecobank Nigeria, said: “We all need to do everything that we can to raise awareness to help prevent Diabetes and the other NCDs in Nigeria. Regrettably, most people don’t know that they have it. It can cause all sorts of complications, including kidney damage, sight loss, amputation of feet and even premature death.”
Olagbami, who also doubles as the lead CSR champion for Ecobank Nigeria, disclosed that planned activities aimed at raising awareness about Diabetes, include informational webinars and controlled screening in strict adherence to measures outlined by the government to combat the spread of Covid-19.
He added that donations will also be extended to credible organisations for training healthcare professional, equipping care structures, field monitoring and evaluation, advocacy.
African Energy Chamber Forecasts Increased Gas Monetisation in 2021 Outlook
In its latest Africa Energy Outlook 2021 released earlier this week, the African Energy Chamber forecasts increased gas monetization across the continent on the back of decarbonisation and industrialisation drive.
The African Energy Chamber has notably found that while not insulated to COVID-19, gas markets have been less exposed than that of oil to the shocks of 2020, notably because the transportation industry has been the most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and is more oil-demanding than gas. The global gas market was nevertheless already facing a glut of LNG before COVID-19, resulting in even more depressed prices as the pandemic’s impact on demand started to manifest in the spring of 2020. As a result, key reference prices in Europe, North America and Asia all have experienced negative pressure since the start of 2020.
Looking forward, the African Energy Chamber’s expectations for the global gas market fundamentals are to remain loose through 2021 on the back of weak COVID-19 induced demand and continued high supply of LNG before prices tighten significantly as LNG demand growth will outpace liquefaction capacity due to more delays in project sanctioning.
The forecast notably points to a tight LNG balance between 2023 and 2025, and along with it, a price spike. Following this period, there is a downside risk in prices for 2026 and 2027 driven by the potential of seeing a new wave of sanctioning activity during 2021 and 2022. Such future projects are expected to include ExxonMobil and Eni’s 15.2 mtpa Rovuma LNG terminal in Mozambique and expansions of BP and Kosmos Energy’s Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) FLNG project in Mauritania and Senegal.
Given the gas glut on global markets with corresponding depressed prices, the Chamber notes that there may now be an opportunity to stimulate to more domestic gas consumption in Africa. Expanding infrastructure to displace diesel, increased use of gas in the power mix and gas for industrial purposes are all initiatives that would benefit from the current low cost of gas. Thankfully, African officials and regulators have increasingly seized the importance of natural gas and pushing for its adoption across industries, especially in key hydrocarbons market in West, Central and Southern Africa. Nigeria for instance has declared 2020 the Year of Gas and adopted a new gas transportation network code this year, and Senegal embarked this year on a gas pipeline network project to construct a 155km national gas grid.
Monetizing gas makes even more sense in Africa given the continent’s very high flaring intensities. While Africa benefits from conventional and easy to extract hydrocarbons, the inability to prevent gas flaring nevertheless catapults the continent to the overall least carbon efficient continent at about 31 kilogram CO2 emitted per barrel of oil equivalent produced according to the Outlook.
While 2018 is currently the last year with high quality data, projections towards 2025 nevertheless points to Africa overall not improving its position with emissions remaining above 30 kilograms CO2 per barrel of oil equivalent. Only stronger monetization of gas at home could justify using Africa’s gas reserves for industrial and power generation purposes instead of burning and wasting them. In doing so, Africa would not only reduce its carbon intensity, but also become more attractive to global investors seeking to allocate capital to the least carbon intensive projects possible.
The Africa Energy Outlook 2021 gives a special focus on all such gas markets trends within the continent, providing stakeholders with unique insights into production and consumption forecasts.
Orange Strengthens Connectivity Leadership in Africa with Djoliba Network
At the AfricaTech Festival (international trade fair, Orange and its subsidiaries announced the commissioning and commercial launch of Djoliba, the first pan-African backbone. This infrastructure is based on a terrestrial fibre optic network, coupled with undersea cables, offering secure connectivity abroad from West Africa. This investment aims to support the digital ecosystem and meets the growing needs for connectivity in the region.
Djoliba is the first unified superfast broadband network that provides seamless connectivity, with better availability thanks to network redundancy and security, and excellent quality of service. Operated and maintained from Dakar for greater efficiency, responsiveness and proximity, it has a dedicated supervision centre.
This new backbone covers 8 countries: Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria and Senegal. Natively interconnected with the domestic networks within the countries, this broad coverage will generalise access to connectivity for operators and companies.
Until now, telecommunications networks in West Africa were built inside each country, up to its borders: there was no cross-border network. To provide a service between two capitals, operators had to integrate the offers of several providers and join several different networks which were interconnected at the borders. This new network is a true innovation that simplifies the interconnection processes between countries.
Djoliba is the first network that offers complete security in West Africa with more than 10,000 km of terrestrial fibre optic network, coupled with 10,000 km of undersea cables, superfast broadband provision (up to 100 Gbit/s) and a 99.99% availability rate. This network covers 16 points of presence with a grid of nearly 155 technical sites, and connects 300 points of presence in Europe, America and Asia.
It is based on Orange’s Tier 1 network and therefore provides a seamless connection to the Group’s international networks.
By using the Djoliba network’s superfast broadband transmission, the network’s new customers will be able to access the Group’s platforms and benefit from the whole range of offers marketed by Orange in Africa: IP transit, mobile service platforms, hosting in Orange datacentres in Africa, VPN, etc.
Thanks to Djoliba, Orange meets the needs of companies and telecoms players in West Africa, to serve a potential 330 million inhabitants. This network is a key factor of future internet growth in West Africa, because it will promote fair access to digital technology between West African countries and help stimulate the countries’ digital economy.
Alioune Ndiaye, CEO Orange Middle East and Africa: “Orange is actively contributing to the development of undersea and terrestrial infrastructure which enable the African continent’s digital transformation, by investing 1 billion euros each year. With Djoliba, local populations will be able to access healthcare or educational services more easily, as well as the applications offered by cloud computing. Development of access to digital technology is a key challenge for Africa and I would like to congratulate our teams in all the countries for their remarkable work that has enabled the Djoliba project to come to fruition.”
Jérôme Barré, CEO Orange Wholesale & International Networks: “With Djoliba, Orange is once again confirming its expertise and leadership in the deployment and operation of international terrestrial and undersea networks. Consequently, all the operators, companies and institutions in West Africa now benefit from seamless connectivity that is open to the whole world, thanks to a single customer point of contact and unparalleled service availability. Djoliba is the fruit of a group effort, and thanks to a fully mobilised cross-functional team, we have been able to meet this sizeable challenge. This human adventure illustrates the Orange Group’s strength, both due to its local presence through its subsidiaries and its capacity to build shared international assets.”
Orange is currently present in 18 African countries, and has more than 120 million customers. The Group is continuing its investment on the continent to offer reliable, secure and high-quality connectivity, and contribute to the populations’ digital inclusion.
P+ Measurement Services, PR Intelligence Firm Celebrates 5th Anniversary
P+ Measurement Services, Nigeria’s foremost Independent Public Relations (PR) measurement and evaluation agency, marks its fifth-year of successful operation in Nigeria with qualitative offerings that surpasses clients’ expectation.
The leading agency with expertise in Media Monitoring, PR Measurement and Audit, CEO Media Performance and Advisory, has offered services to over 45 brands and 15 Public Relations agencies in its five years of operation in the country.
As the only AMEC Member in Nigeria, P+ has strong partnerships with the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and Reelforge Media Monitoring; the biggest media monitoring agency in the East African region covering more than five countries.
Speaking on its business portfolio, the Chief Insights Officer, Philip Odiakose, said every client media data has a story to tell and it depends on how strategic you are in flogging the data to yield meaningful results.
He avowed that P+ services with state-of-the-art technology and highly skilled media analysts has greatly enhanced clients’ businesses to immeasurable heights, exceeding their expectations, thus making P+ unique in the industry it operates.
“Our Measurement and Evaluation report is in-depth, robust and flexible to accommodate valid metrics that brands desire to see reflected in their reports, and it is also based on the AMEC Standard in accordance with the Barcelona Principle 3.0. We deploy the P+MCA (media content analysis) methodology for media evaluation and analysis based on qualitative and quantitative metrics in analysing media exposure,” Odiakose affirmed.
On the agency’s portfolio, the Chief Operating Officer, Olufunke Mohammed, points out that P+ understands the value of valid PR metrics to its clients’ media performance audit report.
Since inception, the agency has been able to provide media monitoring, measurement, evaluation and performance audit services for brands, agencies and government bodies that operates in various industries and organisations ranging from Banking, Telecom, Insurance, Airlines, Tourism, Government, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Pensions, Health Management Organisations (HMOs), Tobacco and Lifestyle.
Attesting to P+ capabilities and unique offerings, the Regional Executive Head, Marketing and Corporate Communication, Standard Bank Group, Nkiru Olumide-Ojo, said they are strategic in their input, futuristic in their outlook, and that the agency is an amazing partner on managing upheavals in the media management value chain. “I would recommend them easily,” she said.
Also, the Principal Lead/ Chief Executive Officer, BudgIT Foundation, Gabriel Okeowo, put forward that P+ has been of great support to the Foundation, as it serves as a media crawler and auditor for its PR activities.
He further stated that P+ is relevant for impact tracking and more importantly for quickly identifying negative vibes around the work of BudgIT, thus giving the Foundation the opportunity of responding swiftly to issues. He therefore recommends the agency to other organisations for optimum efficiency.
Emirates Rated World’s Safest Airline on the Planet
Emirates which just resumed its daily flights to Lagos, has been rated the safest airline in the world in its response to the COVID-19 Pandemic according to the Safe Travel Barometer.
The airline, which has set industry-leading safety standards since the resumption of its operations back in May, has topped the ranks with a ‘Safe Travel Score’ of 4.4 out of 5.0 among 230+ airlines evaluated worldwide. The score is based on an independent audit of 26 health and safety parameters evaluating safety protocols, traveller convenience and service excellence announced by airlines.
Safe Travel Barometer is the world’s most comprehensive solution to monitor and benchmark supplier initiatives in the travel, tourism and hospitality industry for the post-COVID world. Its rating mechanism considers safety measures and hygiene standards across all touchpoints of a traveller’s journey which Emirates has consistently delivered on. At every step of the journey, Emirates has spared no effort to prioritise the care, health and safety of its customers, employees and communities.
Enhanced biosafety measures taken by the airline include the distribution of complimentary hygiene kits, protective barriers at check-in desks and immigration counters, personal protective equipment and new safety protocols for cabin crew and airport employees in customer facing roles, and elevated aircraft cleaning procedures including the frequent cleaning and disinfecting of aircraft lavatories every 45 minutes during flights, amongst many other measures.
Emirates has also led the way in traveller convenience which was another sub-category considered by the Safe Travel Barometer. The airline was first in the industry to offer its customers free Covid-19 cover to help them travel with more confidence, knowing that medical expenses of up to EUR 150,000 and quarantine costs of EUR 100 per day for 14 days will be covered if they are diagnosed with COVID-19 during their travel, while they are away from home. Emirates’ booking policies also offer customers great flexibility and confidence to plan their travel. Customers have options to change their travel dates, or extend their ticket validity for 2 years. In addition, the airline launched initiatives to help its loyal Emirates Skywards members retain their tier status and introduce new ways for them to earn and spend their Miles.
The Safe Travel Barometer was launched in 2020 to monitor global traveller health and safety measures, traveler convenience initiatives and overall traveler experience which influences traveler’s decision-making and the actual journey in the new normal. The Safe Travel Score is an industry-first COVID-19 rating initiative, created in the wake of recovery from the pandemic.
Safe Travel Barometer is a B2B solution by Safe Travel Technologies, an independent subsidiary of VIDEC, a travel industry advisory and consulting firm. The coverage includes more than 2,000 companies across 10 industry categories, 50 parameters, and traveller arrival information on more than 80 destinations.
Emirates resumed its daily service to Lagos from 1 November. The expanded schedule of daily services offers enhanced connectivity for Nigerian customers to Emirates’ growing destination network via Dubai of close to 100 destinations.
Ecobank Partners Ogun State on Agric, Empowerment, Health
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun (r) and Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria, Patrick Akinwuntan
The management of Ecobank Nigeria has made a firm commitment to partner and collaborate with Ogun state government in the various sectors of the economy. Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria, Patrick Akinwuntan made the pledge at the Executive Council chambers of the Governor’s office, Oke-mosan, Abeokuta during a courtesy visit on Governor Dapo Abiodun last week. At the event, the bank also donated rural health tricycle ambulances to the state, to assist in primary healthcare delivery.
Akinwuntan, who hinged the bank’s visit to the state on partnering with the state government on the policy thrust and developmental strides of the Dapo Abiodun led administration, said “For us as a bank,we appreciate what your government is doing. When we look at the specific components of your vision and strategy as encapsulated in ISEYA, which represents Infrastructure, Social welfare and health, Education, Youth empowerment and Agriculture, we decided to come over to explore areas of partnership and collaboration. Your government has not left the vision as an acronym but the execution is a testimony to the greatness of this state. We believe the outcome of this collaboration will benefit not just indigenes of Ogun state alone, but our dear country Nigeria and the Africa continent.”
Specifically, the Ecobank managing director reiterated that Ogun state is one of the leading lights in ease of doing business amongst all the states in the federation, assuring that the bank will help attract funding for long term projects. “I want to also commend your government in terms of peaceful environment of doing business. Ogun state is one of the leading lights in ease of doing business and a place to invest in.” “I will like to reiterate that we stand ready to support you in attracting investments to fund the long-term infrastructure projects that you have rightly embarked on.” “We understand that such projects will require long-term financing, the history and rating of Ogun state places it in a unique position to leverage on the capital market for long term instruments like bonds. We stand ready to collaborate and support you on this journey,” he said.
He commended the state government’s Private Public Partnership (PPP) approach of handling projects, assuring that the bank is ready to deploy its expertise and support in the areas of empowering women businesses, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSMEs), agriculture, health and other strategic sectors of the state’s economy.
The governor, His Excellency Prince Dapo Abiodun, in his remarks called on Ecobank and other financial institutions in the country to join hands with the state government to fix the Lagos/Agbara and Ota/ Abeokuta federal roads. He disclosed that his administration was on the verge of getting federal government’s approval to embark on the rehabilitation of the roads through the PPP model.
“Let’s see what you can do for us in terms affordable housing through mortgage schemes, advertising on our job portal, Infrastructure. I am sure you are aware of the Agbara corridor which is the biggest industrial hub in this country; the road leading from Lagos to Agbara is a nightmare; that road is a federal road, but we have decided to take on it as a State.” “We have decided to take it over and construct it under a PPP arrangement.” “We hope Ecobank will perhaps be interested in this PPP model in partnership with other banks. The same goes for the Ota-Abeokuta road,” the governor said.
Abiodun also noted that his administration was looking at supporting vulnerable groups in the society through the provision of single digit or zero interest loans. He called on Ecobank to partner with the state government in providing loans that would help the beneficiaries improve on their businesses.
“We are looking to support our vulnerable groups in the society, our women who are basically the strength of the society, they are very hard-working, and all they need is little capital.” “We aim to provide loans for them at single digit or zero interest rate and we know that they will pay back. They are religious about paying back. Let’s see how we can work with Ecobank to design a model that will allow us to support them,” he stated.
Other members of the bank’s visiting Executive Management Team include the Executive Director, Commercial Banking, Carol Oyedeji ; Head, Consumer Banking, Korede Demola- Adeniyi; Segment Head, Public Sector/AgriBusiness, Mojisola Oguntoyinbo; Regional Head, South West/Mid-West, Christopher Olusola; Regional Manager, Public Sector, South West/Mid-West, Victor Inyang and Business Manager, Abeokuta branch, Olusegun Makinde.
Top 10 Takeaways From Protein Challenge Webinar Series 5
Protein deficiency, the state of the relative or absolute shortage of body proteins or one or more of the essential amino acids, is emerging as a genuine health concern in Nigeria.
To effectively tackle the problem, experts concede that there is an urgent need to explore its true status in Nigeria, examine the possible reasons why it has lingered and then evaluate options for curtailing incidences.
This is precisely what the Protein Challenge Webinar Series 5, themed ‘Protein Deficiency: Bridging The Knowledge Gap’ sought to address. It was a platform to identify strategies to help in alleviating protein deficiency for individuals, families and the nation at large.
The keynoted address was delivered by Professor Henrietta Nkechi Ene-Obong, Nutritionist and Professor of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Calabar. Panelists on the webinar included Dr. Ifeoma Augustina Akeredolu, a member of the Nutrition Society of Nigeria and Chief Lecturer, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, YabaTech, and Dr. Bimbo Oyedokun, a medical expert and Managing Partner, QuePlus Health Services.
The session was moderated by Mrs Anwuli Ogbonnaya, aka Chef Wulis, healthy food expert and CEO/Founder, PartyParty Kitchen.
Here are the Top 10 takeaways from the webinar:
1. Food is one of the basic needs of life. We all need food to survive. However, the quality of food must be considered. The quality of food is essentially the nutrients in the food. Protein is a nutrient needed by the human body for growth and maintenance. Proteins are essential for good health. Protein food sources are therefore a premium. Many people realise this, that is why they always add protein to their diets.
2. Protein quality depends on three things:
a. The balance of essential amino acids (complete and incomplete protein)
b. Limiting amino acids and
c. Digestibility: the capacity of the protein to be broken down by the enzymes of the intestinal tract
3. Everybody needs protein. People with more physiological requirements, like pregnant and lactating mothers and children, need more proteins in their diets. People have to learn how to plan meals, to optimize the available food sources. Quality Information about foods and their nutrient classes must be gotten from nutrition experts and health practitioners. Variety, they say, is the spice of life. So, people need to develop exciting recipes for different food crops, to continually create variety.
4. Protein deficiency can manifest in different forms; anaemia, micronutrient deficiency, among others. Protein deficiency can lead to other nutrient-related illnesses, like anaemia, beriberi and wasting. Signs and symptoms of protein deficiency include water retention, reddish skin, pale skin, limp hair, fatty liver, etc. Children who have been malnourished are at risk of losing their hair and teeth.
5. Nutrition education is indeed a very important part of resolving malnutrition. Advocacy and proper implementation of nutrition policies must be done in Nigeria to checkmate protein deficiency. Proper funding must be allocated to ministries, NGOs and health centres nationwide. Breaking the language barriers in the nation can bridge the knowledge gap on protein deficiency. More knowledge needs to be imparted to all members of society through different media channels. Proper nutrition education must be conducted in all localities.
6. Changing behavioural communications in society can also lessen the burden of malnutrition. Nutrition should be included in the educational curriculum. Children are very good at sharing with parents what they learn. Improving nutrition education in communities and across the rural areas will go a long way to create awareness about protein deficiency.
7. Empowering health workers in rural communities with appropriate funding and tools will enable them to disseminate nutrition information. Health Care Practitioners in rural areas should also be involved in spreading the gospel of proper nutrition for healthy living. There must be deliberate efforts to create visible impacts against protein deficiency through policies.
8. Preventive measures are more preferable in tackling protein deficiency and malnutrition. It is crucial to increase our protein intake. Soybeans have been used in the eastern parts of Nigeria, like Nsukka, to better improve staple diets. People afflicted with protein deficiency need to speak with health experts, and not be afraid of the financial costs. Protein deficiency is treatable and preventable. If we follow our food-based dietary guidelines, we would make progress in curtailing protein deficiency
9. Protein deficiency lingers for many reasons, but largely because of monotonous diets and poor utilization of available food resources. Poverty and low levels of education in the rural areas have caused protein deficiency to linger in Nigeria. Lack of safe water and proper hygiene are also some of the environmental causative factors of protein deficiency. The upheavals in the country, insecurity and the pandemic have also contributed to making protein deficiency remain a national issue.
10. Protein complementation with plant-based, affordable proteins like soybeans, legumes, will help to reduce the scourge of malnutrition. Other indigenous legumes like the African yam beans, pigeon peas and Bambara are also very rich sources of protein. Cereals have a smaller amount of amino acids (lysine), compared to other leguminous peas and pods. In family meals, it is important to learn to mix carbohydrates with proteins. For example, rice & beans and yam & eggs.
In conclusion, bridging the protein deficiency knowledge gap and providing the capacity to bridge it puts the knowledge into action. Protein deficiency can become a thing of the past when all hands are on deck to address it.
Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers Highlight Unique Transfer Window Opportunity
Nigerian leading pension services provider, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers, a subsidiary of Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC, has said that the commencement of the Transfer Window programme is a positive development that democratises pension fund management in the country and gives pension fund contributors the freedom to choose their preferred pension fund administrator.
The Transfer Window, under the Pensions Reform Act of 2014, is an opportunity for Retirement Savings Account (RSA) holders to switch from one Pension Funds Administrator (PFA) to another. This window officially opens on November 16, 2020 as advised by the National Pension Commission (PenCom).
Eric Fajemisin, Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers Limited, said that as the premier pension fund administrator in the country, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers has remained efficient in delivering optimal client experience.
According to him: “Our leadership in the industry is a reflection of the continued delivery of quality service through dedicated, focused and professional staff, who have continued to set the standard for pension fund administration and contributor management in the country. Over the years, we have leveraged our deep understanding of corporate governance to build the trust of our stakeholders, and this has positioned us as the largest pension fund administrator in Nigeria by Assets under Management (AUM), worth over N3.5 trillion.”
Fajemisin added that Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers has a proven record of financing, tracking and protecting investments in the pension space. He said: “As managers of the largest Retirement Savings Account (RSA) Fund in Nigeria, our flagship fund which is the RSA Fund II has consistently outperformed industry peer average. This sustainable performance has also ensured our RSA Fund II has remained top three in the last ten years. Furthermore, our Retiree Fund (RSA Fund IV) has consistently maintained an ‘above industry’ performance year on year.
“We are the recipients of many awards, and most recently, were named the ‘2019 Best Asset/Fund Management Company in Wealth and Society in West Africa’ and ‘Most Active Buy-side Participant in the Fixed Income Market’ in the FMDQ 2019 & 2020 GOLD Awards,” he said.
The Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers’ Chief Executive urged RSA holders across the country to participate in the ongoing Data Recapture Exercise which will enable them take advantage of the Transfer Window and switch to Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers. He assured contributors of safety, transparency, convenience and quality service at all times.
PenCom: RSA Transfer Window to Open Nov 16
The National Pension Commission (the Commission) wishes to inform all
stakeholders and the general public, especially Retirement Savings Account
(RSA) holders under the Contributory Pension Scheme, that the Commission has
concluded arrangements for the take-off of RSA Transfers. Accordingly, RSA
holders may transfer their accounts from one Pension Fund Administrator (PFA)
to another once in a year, in line with Section 13 of the Pension Reform Act 2014.
The launch date for the RSA Transfer System is scheduled for Monday 16
November, 2020. This will signify the official opening of the RSA Transfer Window.
Prior to this launch, the Commission had successfully developed the RSA Transfer
Application, a robust electronic platform that would enable seamless RSA
transfers. In addition, the Commission had conducted extensive workshops for
licensed Pension Operators and State Pension Bureaus in readiness for this
epoch-making event.
The activation of the RSA transfer process will engender competition and improve
service delivery in the pension industry, while asserting the right of RSA holders to
determine which PFA manages their pension contributions and retirement
benefits.
NTITA: NCC, Danbatta Bag Fresh Awards for Broadband Development
L-R: Akin Naphtal, Chief Executive Officer, InstictWave; Prof. Umar Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC); Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, Director, Public Affairs, NCC and Olusola Teniola, President, Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) during the 2020 Nigeria Tech Innovation and Telecoms Awards held at the NAF Conference Centre in Abuja.
The critical role being played by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) under the leadership of its Executive Vice Chairman, Prof. Umar Danbatta, in advancing the frontiers of broadband development has been recognised at this year’s edition of the Nigeria Tech Innovation and Telecoms Awards (NTITA), 2020.
Regarded as the Oscars of Nigeria’s telecoms industry, the awards, powered by InstinctWave, Africa’s leading business-to-business event organizer in collaboration with the Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) in Abuja at the weekend, saw the Commission and other industry stakeholders, including the Hon. Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, carting away distinguished awards.
Danbatta was honoured with the “Broadband Oxygenator of the Year” for his remarkable role and commitment to the development of broadband infrastructure to support the country’s digital economy drive while NCC, as a corporate organisation received the “Outstanding Contribution to Driving Greater Broadband Penetration Award of the Year.”
Through the articulation of a Strategic Vision Plan (SVP) for the fiscal years 2015-2020, which symbolises the focused leadership Danbatta brought on board as the chief telecoms regulator in the country, broadband penetration increased from 6 percent in 2015 to 45.43 in September, 2020.
Also, basic active internet subscription grew from 90 million to 143.7 million while active voice subscription increased from 151 million to 205.25 percent during the same period with teledensity also reaching 107.53 percent as at end of September, 2020.
The last five years have seen the number of licensed Infrastructure Companies (InfraCo) increasing from two in 2015 to six currently. The InfraCos are to deploy broadband infrastructure, on a wholesale basis in the 774 Local Government Areas in Nigeria.
The Commission is currently reviewing the framework for the licensing of InfraCo to ensure sustainable funding options for effective implementation of the proposed national fibre project towards increasing broadband penetration to 70 percent target, as set in the new national broadband plan by 2025.
The on-going review of the InfraCo framework is to cater for the delays in take-off, change in exchange rate, supply chain and other challenges imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic with respect to InfraCo implementation.
NCC and Danbatta’s recognitions at the NTITA 2020 were also hinged on the increase in the contribution of the telecom sector the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from 8.5 percent in 2015 to 14.30 percent as of the second quarter of 2020, translating to N2.272 trillion in financial value.
In the last five years, under Danbatta leadership, telecoms investment grew from around $38 billion to over $70 billion currently with appreciable remittances in spectrum fees and operating surplus by the NCC into the Federal Government’s Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF).
Increased e-commerce services, other digital services and more access to financial inclusion were also enabled through increased deployment of broadband infrastructure being promoted by the telecoms regulator through a number of regulatory initiatives.
Speaking on the significance of the NTITA, President of ATCON, Olusola Teniola, said: “Our thinking is that if we decide to ignore the contribution that our sector has made to the development of Nigeria by not recognizing the actors that made it possible, what we are saying invariably is that we are unappreciative of their concerted efforts in changing the story of our industry.”
2020 FMDQ Gold Awards: Crown Flour Mill Most Active Corporate in FX Futures Market
Crown Flour Mill Limited an Olam Group company, has emerged the Most Active Corporate in the FX Futures Market, in the domestic (non-bank) category, at the 2020 Financial Market Dealer Quotation (FMDQ) Gold Awards announced on Friday, November 6, 2020. The wheat milling firm and makers of a rich portfolio of food brands beat two other contenders to the award.
Currently in its third year, the FMDQ Gold Awards recognises principal market participants who have demonstrated excellence and diversity in the fixed income, foreign exchange and derivatives markets; driving development through their activities and raising the standards of the domestic integrated financial market.
Kaodi Ugoji, Group Chief Operation Officer at FMDQ Group said: “The FMDQ has an agenda which is an acronym for global competitiveness, operational excellence, liquidity and diversity. Those four words are pretty much how FMDQ measures the work being done in the financial market, and how it intends its stakeholders approach the market to be able to compete in the international market.”
Speaking on the significance of the award, Sudhir Goenka, Chief Financial Officer, Crown Flour Mill said: “The FMDQ Gold award underlines our commitment to the Nigerian market and similarly, Crown Flour Mill’s commitment to operational excellence which is a key enabler delivering top quality and affordable food products for Nigerian households and the economy at large.”
He further stated: “We are truly honoured by this recognition and more so, for this award for excellence at the FMDQ Gold Awards. Such a noteworthy award will in no small measure motivate us to raise the bar even higher and trigger the appetite for more successes in the coming years.”
Niraj Shah, Head of Treasury, Olam Nigeria Limited also commenting on the feat said: “The award is a testament to the commitment of Olam Group to the Nigerian market and our intent of fostering development across the nation’s food and agricultural value chain, while also contributing to the growth of the economy.
Crown Flour Mill Limited is a subsidiary of the Olam Group, an agro-allied business. Through its wheat milling plants located in Apapa, Tincan Island, Beachland, Ikorodu, Ilorin, Warri, Calabar, Port Harcourt and Kano, the firm produces a rich portfolio of consumer food brands comprising Crown Premium Pasta, Supreme Semolina, Crown Tuwovita and Mama Gold Flour. It also supplies flour to bread bakeries, confectioneries, and noodle makers as part of its Business to Business portfolio.
‘Ecobank Has Best Digital Touch Points in Nigeria’ – Digital Jurist Awards
Ecobank Nigeria has once again proved itself to be a clear industry leader in the digital banking space amongst the commercial banks in the country as it emerged as the bank with “Best Digital Touchpoints” in Nigeria at the virtual Digital Jurists (formerly Web Jurist) 2020 awards, held during a breakfast session of the Nigeria – South Africa Chamber of Commerce Webinar last week in Lagos.
Ecobank also beat other nominees from among 22 commercial banks to win the “Best Web Portal” in the Commercial Banks category. The pan African bank website was also nominated for the “Best Website award.”
The annual prestigious awards which started in 2001 is being organized by Phillips Consulting. The Digital Touchpoints award which is a combination of Web Portal, Social Media and Mobile App are assessed against six criteria including User Interface, Performance, Security, Customer Experience, Customer Engagement and Content.
According to the organizers, the “Digital Jurist” is an assessment tool created by digital experts at Phillips Consulting to evaluate the effectiveness and performance of digital platforms. The criteria were developed by deep research into best practice and evolving user experiences on digital platforms in line with developments in digital technology and practices.
The tool establishes a barometer for assessing digital activities, aligning global best practices and digital standards. The assessment covers websites, web portals, mobile Apps and social media across commercial banks, investment banks, merchant banks, insurance companies, telecommunication, airlines, state governments and federal government parastatals.
Commenting, Dr. David Isiavwe, Group Head, Operations & Technology, Ecobank Nigeria, said the double awards are welcome, stressing that Ecobank is using its wide and versatile digital infrastructure to transform payments and collections in the country.
While commending the organizers of the awards, he submitted that digital banking is the new normal and must be embraced by all.
“As a bank, we are highly impressed with this award for the fact that it is coming from a trusted organization like Philips Consulting, which I have personally followed over the years. Digital Jurist has positioned itself for the future by transiting from Web Jurist to Digital Jurist. They are indeed, doing an excellent work. The reality is that digital banking is the new normal and the way of the future and Ecobank has long embraced that. We appreciate the fact that organizations across the world are looking at the way we do business. We will continue to focus on the key aspects of digital engagement with our clients and customers to give them the best experience.”
Further, Dr. Isiavwe disclosed that Ecobank has an array of digital products and services tailored to satisfy the diverse needs of our customers especially in the areas of convenience, affordability, accessibility and ease of use.
He further stated that the evolution of digital banking is expressed in various forms including the use of Automated Teller Machines (ATM), Point of Sales Services (PoS), Mobile banking services, Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) amongst several others.
He listed some of the digital products and services of the bank as Ecobank Mobile App, Ecobank Online, Ecobank Pay, Cards, *326#, Omni Lite and Omni Plus as well as Rapid Transfer among others.
NCC: Broadband Plan Key to Digital Economy
L-R: Abubakar Maina, Project Director, Broadband Implementation Steering Committee (BISC); Ubale Maska, Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and Chairman, BISC; Dr. Usman Abdullahi, Director, Information Technology (IT) Infrastructure, National IT Development Agency (NITDA) and Vice-Chairman, BISC; Kelechi Okonta, Managing Director, Zinox Technologies Limited; Ibrahim Dikko, Managing Director, Backbone Connectivity Limited at the stakeholder consultation forum
The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta, has said that government is putting greater emphasis on continuous engagement of different stakeholders to secure their buy-in towards achieving the targets of the Nigerian National Broadband Plan (NNBP), 2020-2025.
Danbatta stated this at the first stakeholder consultation with telecommunication industry players on the implementation of the new national broadband plan held at the NCC’s Communications & Digital Economy Complex in Abuja on Tuesday, November 3, 2020.
Represented by NCC’s Executive Commissioner, Technical Services and Chairman, Broadband Implementation Steering Committee (BISC), Engr. Ubale Maska, Danbatta said the Ministry and its agencies, as well as the industry must work together towards the attainment of the set goals.
At the event, which is the second of the multi-stakeholder consultation process by the BISC, Danbatta noted that the 30 percent broadband targets set in the previous NNBP 2013-2018 were met and surpassed due to “our collective efforts, policy direction, regulation and financial commitment by industry players.”
He said there were, however, some targets that were not met in the previous plan because of various challenges that are presently being addressed.
“The NNBP 2020-2025 has, once again, identified initiatives to be implemented by different stakeholders in order to achieve the set objectives of the plan. The importance of broadband to our Gross Domestic Product (GDP), socio-economic development, and especially the digital economy, cannot be over-emphasized,” he said.
In his welcome address, the Vice Chairman of BISC, Dr. Usman Abdullahi, said the forum was to avail the industry players and representatives of government a veritable platform to collaborate, and discuss ways to accelerate broadband implementation for sustainable development of the telecommunications sector and advancement of the digital economy.
Project Director, BISC, Abubakar Maina, made a presentation providing information to stakeholders on previous and new targets, timelines, milestones, strategic pillars, initiatives in the pillars, as well as governance structure in the new broadband plan.
The forum was well attended by industry operators, especially the Infrastructure Companies (InfraCos) both physically and virtually, who gave useful inputs for steering the course of implementation of the new broadband plan to success.
It would be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari unveiled the new broadband plan on March 19 2020, following the development of the plan by a committee, set up by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami on December 16, 2019.
As a follow-up, on July 9, 2020, the Minister inaugurated the BISC, which is primarily saddled with the responsibility of ensuring effective monitoring of the implementation of the new broadband plan.