Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2011 - 21
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John Holt unveils new safety' equipment' ohn Holt Pic has unveiled its latest security/safety technologies targeted at improving operational efficiency of both private organizations and government in the Nigerian economy. The company said the array of firefighting equipment exhibited at the recently concluded IFSEC West Africa's security, fire and safety exhibition in Lagos. are set to improve home and offices safety measures in the country. Speaking at the exhibition, Manager, Fire and Safety Solutions, John Holt Nigeria, Mr. Gabriel Aina, said for over 20 years, the company has remained a key distributor of firefighting and safety equipment made by its two partners - Angus Fire of the United Kingdom and Rosenbauer of Austria, who are. world leaders in safety equipment manufacturing. "We help individuals and organizations to examine the kind of risk they are exposed to and with this we are able to know exactly what kind of equipment, either from Augus or Rosenbauer, to deploy in order to meet their specific needs. Angus products are mostly portable and fixed fire-fighting equipment such as fire extinguishers, mini fire tenderstorm brce, foam concentrates, portable diesel fire pumps, fire fittings and accessories, water delivery fire hoses, among others. "We market Rosenbauer fire trucks of different kinds. We have the one for oil and gas, aviation, and we have others for industrial concerns and municipals. These are the things we exhibited to Nigerians to help improve safety in the country," Aina said . Senior Executive, Holt Properties and Group Marketing, Dr. Chris Ezeh, explained that the partnerships with Augus Fire and Rosenbauer are strategic. He said the two companies offer very high quality products which align with the John Holt brand image and customers' expectations of John Holt products. "Rosenbauer and Angus products are accepted all over the world; but you know, similar to the purchase of insurance, some of._ • our people here in Nigeria ar .. a bit" '.. reluctant to stock up on these products; they tend to wait until things go wrong before they start scrambling for solutions. Our participation in this exhibition is part of our wider plan to promote awareness and enlightenment," he said.
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From right; Mr. Ernest Akinlola, Director of Marketing Segments and Strategy, Mr. Ammar, Etisalat, and Mr. Lucas Dada, Director Products and Service, During the Launch of Etisalat Homezone BOIC Campaign, Press Conference, held at Southern Sun Hotell, Ikoyi, Lagos. Photo by Bunmi Azeez
Edo threatens to revoke sale of Okpella cement factory do State Government has threatened E to revoke the sale of Edo Cement factory, Okpella to private investors by
explanation as to when they will start production we will revoke the sale of the cement factory and Edo state will take it over ", he noted. The governor maintained that: "We will find the resources to recapitaliee it and putit back to production. We have had enough of explanations. It is irresponsible for people who do not have the knowhow to take over businesses and shut them down. That is part of the things compounding the problem of unemployment in Nigeria". While assuring the traditional ruler that Edo state government will make a difference under his reign in the socioeconomic life of the people, Comrade Oshiomhole observed that traditional rulers should take. steps to canvass for
past administrations if the factory does not bounce back to production in the next two weeks. The Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole gave the indication when the Okuokpellagbe of Okpella, His Royal Majesty, A1haji (Dr.) A.Y.E Dirisu and a team of eminent Okpella indigenes paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House iIi Benin City. "The Edo Cement factory has become an embarrassment. I will direct the Attorney-General of the state to look at the terms of the contract and if they cannot operate it or give convincing
Nigeria, 11 others earmarked for World Bank Agric· Project ... To
get~$
51m aSSistance for 1.5 m farmers
BY FAVOUR NNABUGWU enhance agricultural productivity in the West Africa sub-region. Many of the participating West African countries are igeria and 11 other have been earmarked to benefit from a World 'looking up to Nigeria for leadership in the project". Bank's West Africa Agricultural Toure said that the p.rojett has started Productivity Programme (WAAPP) assisted regional agricultural project just yielding results in som" participating African countries such as Mali where as 1.5million Nigerian farmers are to technologies developed for rice has benefit from the project. increased farm productivity from 2 to g The other countries include Ghana, tons per hectare while Nigeria's farm Mali. Senegal, Cote d'Ivoire, Burkina productivity currently'stands at 2.5 tons Faso, Sierra Leone, Uberia, Togo, Benin, per hectare. Gambia and Niger. The WAAPP project is expected to assist farmers in agIo-processing and value addition lor agricultural products. The first phase of the project was approved in 2007. and has since provided Ghana, GlObal food prices hit a record high in Senegal and Mali with agricultural February, the United Nations said on research systems and regional research Thursday, warning that surprise oil price coordination and Monitoring through spikes induced by Middle East unrest the West African Council for Agricultural would impact already volatile cereal Research and Development. markets. Mr AbdoulayeToure, WAAPPTaskTeam Rising food prices are a fast-growing Leader said "Nigeria is expected to play global concern, partly fuelling the a key role in championing this regional protests which toppled the rulers of agricultural programme to scale up Tunisia and Egypt in January and research and teChnology adoption 10 . F,eb~uar¥, whichiti tutti \lIj.1eashe\iuJ}r~s\"
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good governance in the state. According to him, the traditional rulers are abreast with the problems confronting their people therefore they should be concerned about those who are elected into political offices. The governor promised that two schools will be completely rebuilt in Okpella, as well as the provision of water, health centres and roads. "We need vigilante to complement the efforts of the police. We will support them with vehicles and they will be on monthly stipends to fuel and maintain the vehicles," he said, adding that, the construction of roads will also be embarked upon but it will be in the next budget. The Okuokpellagbe of Okpella .Kingdom, A1haji A Y.E Dirisu commended the courage of the governor which has enabled him to continue to govern the state effectively in spiteof the irreparable loss of his wife, the first lady. "True to type and prediction, I am delighted to assert without contradiction that just as facts speak for themselves, you have by your various developmental projects in various parts of the state in past two years, sent signals of your desire to positively transform the state in its entire ramification," he noted. He said this range from construction of rpads, resuscitation of decayed and dilapidated infrastructure in schools and hospitals, provision of sale drinking water, reversal of unemployment situation in the state, adding that "I therefore make bold to state unequivocally that, these are commendable landmark achievements worthy of attention.
FAO warns on oil as world food prices hit record
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in North Africa and the Middle Eastirom food markets, which have seen Algeria to Yemen, benchmark U.S. wheat prices surge 60 The U.N. Food and Agriculture percent in the year to March. Organisation's Food Price Index hit its "Unexpected oil price spikes could second straight record last month, further further exacerbate an already precarious passing peaks seen in 2008 when prices situation in food markets," Hallam, said sparked riots in several countries, driven in a statement. Oil prices recently hit 2~ 1/ by rising grain costs and tighter supply. 2 year highs, nearing records set in 2008, David Hallam, Director of FAO's Trade with markets spooked on concern that and Market Division said further jumps North African and Middle East unrest \~~ ~e; o.~l.prip;:~<!uld hay;~ a;n,i¥,;patt ~:q_,.j-,WO,!~9~c;~?ke key supplies.