In one of the most anticipated side events during the African Development Bank’s annual meetings, the AFC Debate, the conclusion drawn was that infrastructure is much more than just about money.
In a panel discussion which included Andrew Alli, President and CEO of the AFC, Dr Donald Kaberuka, President of the AfDB, Dr Ngozi Onkono-Iweala, Minister of Finance of Nigeria and also Dr Eleni Gabre-Madhin, Founder and CEO of the Ethiopian Commodities Exchange, there was general concession that if infrastructure development hasn’t taken place as quickly as one would desire, it’s because it’s a complex problem which needs reform and consensus at a government and regional level.
The $100bn Gap: Hard, Soft Infrastructure Key to Africa’s Development
Olusegun Agbaje: Celebrating ‘African Banker of the Year 2012’
Mr. Olusegun Agbaje, Group Managing Director/CEO of Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, was recently conferred with the 2012 African Banker of the Year Award by the African Banker Magazine at a colourful African Banker Awards ceremony at Arusha, Tanzania.
The African Banker Award recognizes key financial industry leaders across the continent, who through good vision and leadership, have led their institutions to become industry leaders and trend setters.
The FORGOTTEN DEBATE: Does Ex-Military Leaders Deserve State Pension?
For years, the controversy raged at the National Assembly, legion of human rights activist and ordinary Nigerians in the streets.
Some said yes they deserve state pension for their service while in office even though they were not elected into office. For others, no state pension should be paid to the past military leaders because they were never elected into office.
Aviation: The $7tr, 82m Jobs By 2030 in Global GDP Projection
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) called on governments to be stronger partners in maximizing aviation’s economic and social benefits.
“Our industry’s licence to grow is earned through working with governments to constantly make flying even safer, more secure, and more sustainable. Now we need an agenda to achieve tax regimes that do not kill growth, regulation that facilitates growth and infrastructure that can efficiently accommodate growth. Doing so will enable the substantial economic benefits—jobs and growth—that global connectivity provides,” said Tony Tyler, IATA’s Director General and CEO at the opening of the 68th IATA Annual General Meeting and World Air Transport Summit in Beljing, China.
PZ Cussons Redefines ‘Doing Good Business’ Concept
The CSR Committee of PZ Cussons has developed a Statement on Corporate Social Responsibility, called ‘Doing Good Business’, which sets out the Group’s key values and principles.
Recognising that doing the ‘right thing’ in business can sometimes seem to involve difficult decisions, the Statement is intended to provide everyone throughout the Group, at all levels within the business, with guidance on how to conduct their business activities and on what ‘good business’ looks like at PZ Cussons.
The Maggi Magic Nestlé Redressing Micronutrient Deficiency in Africa with New Maggi Cube
MAGGI CUBES: FORTIFIED SEASONING
Nestlé sells millions of Maggi cubes and tablets in Africa every day
Millions of consumers across Central and West Africa will be able to increase their iron intake at low cost with a new range of fortified bouillon cubes and tablets from Nestlé.
The company is adding iron to its popular Maggi brand seasonings with the aim of helping to address one of the region’s most widespread micronutrient deficiencies.
Unilever Nigeria Plc: Keeping Shareholders Smiling with N5.29bn Dividend
Following 2011’s impressive business results, Unilever Nigeria Plc’s shareholders received a dividend of N1.40 per share at the Company’s 87th Annual General Meeting held in May 2012.
The dividend payout amounted to N5.29billion (about €24million).
According to the Chairman of Unilever Nigeria Plc, His Majesty Nnaemeka Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha, he was pleased with the Company’s results despite the very challenging operating environment in 2011.
“I am pleased to announce that your company has fared well despite daunting global and local economic circumstances, which were further compounded by the resurgence of violence and insecurity, especially in the northern parts of Nigeria,” he stated at the occasion.
‘Stability is Key to Sustainable Global Energy Future’
When looking at the global energy scene, it is important to consider where we are today, where we might be going, and how we might get there. For OPEC, this is laid out every year in its World Oil Outlook.
The most recent version of this was published at the end of 2011. In its Reference Case, energy demand increases by more than 50% between 2010 and 2035. And over the same timeframe, world population is expected to expand from 6.9 billion to almost 8.6 billion.
IEA Report: ‘Golden Rules’ Needed to Usher in Golden Age of Gas
Exploiting the world’s vast resources of unconventional natural gas holds the key to a golden age of gas, but for that to happen governments, industry and other stakeholders must work together to address legitimate public concerns about the associated environmental and social impacts.
A special World Energy Outlook report on unconventional gas, Golden Rules for a Golden Age of Gas, released in London by the International Energy Agency, presents a set of “Golden Rules” to meet those concerns.
Olubayo Abiodun Named Managing Editor, AFRICA TELECOM & IT
The Management of Telecom & IT Business, publishers of Africa Telecom & IT, has announced the appointment of Mr. Olubayo Abiodun; a seasoned journalist and administrator, as Managing Editor.
The company said the appointment of Abiodun is part of on-going efforts to strengthen and reposition the magazine for more robust participation in the ever growing and dynamic Africa’s media space.
Multichoice Fined R10, 000 Over Nude Scene
Multichoice has been fined R10, 000 over an inappropriate age restriction for a comedy show with a full-frontal nude scene, the Broadcasting Complaints Commission of SA (BCCSA) said.
A viewer complained that a close shot of male genitalia had been shown in an episode of a comedy gambling show classified as PG13.
China 2012: The Emerging Largest Smartphone Market on Earth
China is set to become the world’s largest smartphone market in 2012 while Brazil and India are forecast to enter the top five markets by 2016, according to research firm, IDC.
IDC’s Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker forecasts that China will move ahead of the US in terms of overall smartphone shipments this year and extend its lead in the years ahead.
Starcomms: Baiting Air Travellers with Phone Rental Service
In a bid to ease communication challenges of international travellers into the country, Starcomms Plc has unveiled a phone rental service at Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos.
The service which covers both voice and data comes with customer-pocket friendly tariff. To benefit from this service, customers will have to pay a sum of N500 for a phone for voice only and N1, 000 for both voice and data.
It is service on-the-go and the registration process is simple and takes only few minutes to complete.
Mr. Logan Pather, the Chief Executive Officer of Starcomms said it is another service innovation to make travellers stay in touch with friends, family and their business partners around the world as seamlessly as possible.
Main One Upgrades Network Infrastructure for Superior Performance
Main One Cable Company has upgraded the lit capacity on its undersea fiber optic cable system with an additional 20 Gbps between Lagos, Nigeria and Seixal Portugal, and the deployment of an additional bank of multiple 10 Gbps wavelengths ready for implementation on demand.
Zinox Group and Imo State: A Partnership for Development
The Imo State Government has named its IT Centre,ImoCenterfor Advanced Professional (ICAP) after Zinox Computers in recognition of the company’s contribution to the development of information technology inNigeria. The announcement was made by Owelle Rochas Okorocha, Executive Governor ofImoStatewhile receiving the donation of four fully fitted security vans and equipment valued at over N50 million donated to the state government by the Zinox Group.