FrieslandCampina WAMCO receives National Productivity Merit Award

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FrieslandCampina WAMCO receives National Productivity Merit Award

Nigeria’s foremost dairy nutrition company, FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria PLC, has been conferred with the illustrious National Productivity Merit Award.

This recognition by the Federal Ministry of Labour was made during the National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM) awards, which held at the conference hall, NICON Luxury Hotels, Abuja on 21st February, 2017.

The National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM) is an award of honour, excellence and dignity instituted for the most productive organizations or individuals drawn from all sectors of the Nigerian economy.

Upon receiving the award on behalf of his company, the Human Resources Director of FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria, Mr. Tomi Oni said that the award of excellence is a motivation for the company to strive even harder in upholding its mission of nourishing Nigerians with quality dairy nutrition.

“In times as this when the economy is sensitive and industries are struggling to stay up and break even, it is a lot of effort to keep staff motivated and more so earning a national recognition. It’s a great honour to be awarded with the National Productivity Order of Merit.”, said Oni.


Acting President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo SAN GCON, Human Resource Director FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria PLC, Tominiyi Oni, and Minister for Labour and Productivity, Dr. Chris Ngige At the 16th National Productivity Day (NPD)/ and Conferment of National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM) Award Tues. 21Feb2017 at Conference Hall, Nicon Luxury Hotel Abuja

Dangote Tomato resumes production March 19

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Dangote Tomato resumes production March 19

The Managing Director, Dangote Tomato Processing Company, Alhaji Abdulkarim Kaita, on Monday said the factory would resume production on Sunday, March 19.

Kaita said the company, located in Kadawa, Kano State, was expecting a team of engineers from Italy on Friday as part of the preparation to resume production.

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“As part of preparations to resume production on Sunday, we are expecting a team of engineers from Italy on Friday.

“The machines are under guarantee and we are not able to operate last year due to the scarcity of fresh tomato in Kano and other neighbouring states,” he said.

Kaita said the engineers would assess the quality parameters as well as the installed capacity of the machines before they could finally hand them over to the company.

“Our engineers are ready to begin work and as soon as the other team of engineers arrive, we hope to resume operation on Sunday.”

He said the company had decided to resume production following the availability of the commodity and the recent crash of its prices in the market.

“The price of the commodity has come down as a big basket, which was selling at N4,000, now cost between N1,200 and N1,400,” Kaita said.

The company had last year stopped production due to the scarcity of fresh tomato as a result of pest that ravaged farms in Kano and other tomato-producing states.

However, to ensure sufficient supply of the commodity, the company recently signed an agreement with farmers in Gombe and Sokoto State on how to boost production of tomato for use in the factory.

(NAN)

Consuming Fanta, Sprite With Vitamin C Is Poisonous, Court Orders NAFDAC To Compel NBC To Warn Consumers

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Consuming Fanta, Sprite With Vitamin C Is Poisonous, Court Orders NAFDAC To Compel NBC To Warn Consumers

A Lagos High Court at Igbosere has ordered the National Agency For Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to order the Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Plc to put a written warning on Fanta and Sprite bottles stating that both soft drinks are poisonous when consumed along with Vitamin C.

The court also held that NAFDAC failed Nigerians by declaring, as fit for human consumption, products discovered by tests in the United Kingdom as turning poisonous when mixed with ascorbic acid (popularly known as Vitamin C).

In the judgment given by Justice Adedayo Oyebanji, the court awarded a cost of N2 million against NAFDAC. The judgment was the outcome of a suit filed by a Lagos-based businessman, Dr. Emmanuel Fijabi Adebo, and his company, Fijabi Adebo Holdings Limited, against NBC Plc and NAFDAC.

Mr. Adebo, in the suit, urged the court to declare that NBC was negligent to its consumers by bottling Fanta and Sprite with excessive levels of benzoic acid and sunset additives.

The businessman also urged the court to order NAFDAC to carry out routine laboratory tests on all the soft drinks and related products NBC bottles to ensure their safety for consumption.

In the amended statement of claims filed before the court by Mr. Abiodun Onidare on behalf of Mr. Adebo and his company,  it was alleged that in March 2007, Fijabi Adebo Holdings Company bought large quantities of Coca-Cola, Fanta Orange, Sprite, Fanta Lemon, Fanta Pineapple and soda water from NBC for export to and subsequent retail in the United Kingdom.

But when the consignment arrived in the United Kingdom, health authorities in that country, precisely the Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council’s Trading Standard, Department of Environment and Economy Directorate, raised fundamental health issues on the contents and composition of Fanta and Sprite.

Findings by the United Kingdom health authorities were also corroborated by other agencies in European Union countries, which found the products to contain excessive levels of sunset yellow and benzoic acid, which are known to be carcinogenic.

On account of the irregularities and carcinogenic substances present in the drinks, Mr. Adebo and his company could not sell the Fanta and Sprite. This caused huge losses for the company, as the products were seized and destroyed by the United Kingdom health authorities.

The claimants equally alleged that NAFDAC did not carry out requisite tests to determine the safety of the drinks for human consumption. They averred that being registered as exporters with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, they could legally export NBC products to any part of the world and that the bottling company was aware that the products purchased were meant for export.

In addition to other reliefs, Mr. Adebo and his company sought the sum of N15,119,619.37 as special damages and N1,622,000 being the money NBC admitted receiving from the claimants.

In its amended statement of defense, filed before the court by Mr. T. O. Busari, NBC admitted supplying the products, but contended that they are meant for local distribution and consumption, as it does not produce for export. It argued that Coca-Cola is manufactured and bottled by various Coca-Cola franchise holders in most countries of the world, including the United Kingdom.

The company denied that it was negligent, as it has stringent quality control procedures to ensure that its products are safe for end-user consumption.

NBC also rejected the allegation that the damages claimed by the businessman and his firm were caused by negligence or any fault on its part.  It argued that the levels of the chemical components in its soft drinks are safe for consumption in Nigeria and that the claimants are not entitled to the recovery of damages arising from their illegal exportation of products meant for local distribution.

NBC further contended that the  claims made by Mr. Adebo and his company were speculative, frivolous and vexatious and should be dismissed with substantial cost. NAFDAC did not file any defense.

To prove his case, Mr. Adebo personally testified. While being led in evidence by Mr. Onidare, he tendered 12 exhibits. NBC’s Sales Operation Manager, Mr. Micheal Nwosu China, and its Head of Central Laboratory, Mr. Abiodun Adeola Falana, both testified on the bottling company’s behalf and also tendered 12 exhibits.

In her judgment, Justice Oyebanji said: “It is imperative to state that the knowledge of the Nigeria Bottling Company that the products were to be exported is immaterial to its being fit for human consumption. The court is in absolute agreement with the learned counsel for the claimants that soft drinks manufactured by Nigeria bottling company ought to be fit for human consumption irrespective of color or creed.

“It is manifest that NAFDAC has been grossly irresponsible in its regulatory duties to the consumers of Fanta and Sprite manufactured by Nigeria Bottling Company. In my respective view, NAFDAC has failed the citizens of this great nation by its certification as satisfactory for human consumption products, which in the United Kingdom failed sample test for human consumption, and which become poisonous in the presence of Ascorbic Acid ordinarily known as Vitamin C, which can be freely taken by the unsuspecting public with the company’s Fanta or Sprite.

“As earlier stated, the court is in absolute agreement with the learned counsel for the claimants that consumable products ought to be fit for human consumption irrespective of race, colour or creed.”

Justice Oyebanji also held that by its certification as satisfactory, Fanta and Sprite, without any written warning on the products that it cannot be taken with Vitamin C, NAFDAC would have caused great harm to the health of unsuspecting Nigerians.

“The court, in the light of the damning evidence before it showing that NAFDAC has failed to live up to expectation, cannot close its eyes to the grievous implication of allowing the status quo to continue as it is.

“For the reasons herein adumbrated in this judgment, the court hereby orders as follows :

“That NAFDAC shall forthwith mandate Nigeria bottling company to, within 90 days hereof, include on all the bottles of Fanta and Sprite soft drinks manufactured by the company, a written warning that the content of the said bottles of Fanta and Sprite soft drinks cannot be taken with Vitamin C as same becomes poisonous if taken with Vitamin C.

“In consideration of the fact that this case was filed in 2008 and that it has been in court for nine years, costs of N2 million is awarded against NAFDAC. Interest shall be paid on the costs awarded at the rate of 10% per annum until liquidation of the said sum,” ruled Justice Oyebanji.

(Newsheadlines)

Aiteo Emerges Nigeria’s Leading Oil & Gas Firm With Record 90kpod Output In A Year

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Aiteo Emerges Nigeria’s Leading Oil & Gas Firm With Record 90kpod Output In A Year

Integrated energy group Aiteo  has announced a peak production of 90kpod just one year after its acquisition of sub-Saharan Africa’s reputedly largest onshore oil bloc OML 29.

Aiteo acquired OML 29 in September, 2015 when oil major Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) fully exited the facility. At the time of the divestment, average production was 23Kbpod. But Aiteo, one of the frontline sponsors of the justconcluded 16th Oil and Gas (NOG) Conference held in the country’s capital Abuja, says it has tripled this figure leveraging the diversity and skills of its work force and bona fides as a dynamic international energy conglomerate.

Its CEO and Vice Chairman Benedict Peters said the company grew production from 23kbbl/d upon takeover of operations to a peak of 90Kbbl/d in one year. He also highlighted several existing and developing projects that could potentially grow Aiteo’s asset production to over 150 kbopd and 200mmscf/d. He said: “Our outlook is bright with 3 producing oil fields and viable crude exports via Bonny terminal. We also have contingent resources to appraise and prospective ones to explore in the medium-to-long term, including full 3D coverage and 2P NNS reserves at 1.6bn bbl. Put simply, we have a clear vision for the future with the experience and assets crucial to providing oil and gas consistently on a regional and global scale.”

Aiteo’s ambitious five-year objectives include tackling the power challenges in Nigeria head-on through its legacy investments in the gas-to-power value chain. “This is a testament to our commitment to the transformation of the entire oil & gas value chain into a world-class landscape,” Peters added.

The company’s main subsidiary Aiteo Eastern E&P is also a major infrastructure provider for Nigeria’s oil industry as the operator of the 97km Nembe Creek Trunk Line, an industry-wide evacuation pipeline for produced fluids covering much of the country’s Eastern Delta region.

Aiteo’s Group Managing Director Mr. Chike Onyejekwe said: “Our growth drivers remain strong leadership, high commitment and motivation, technical and commercial excellence and superior asset base. In the next five years, our operations will continue to be guided by these qualities as we leverage our capabilities comparable to oil majors elsewhere in the world. Indeed, the future is Aiteo.”

In the interim, Aiteo says it is developing a pipeline of power generation projects across Nigeria. The company is confident that its significant gas resources at OML 29 will transform the country’s oil rich Niger Delta region into a power generation hub of repute before long.

(Proshareng)

Dangote Salt, NAFDAC collaborate to sanitize food market

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Dangote Salt, NAFDAC collaborate to sanitize food market

The management of Dangote Salt and the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) have expressed their readiness to collaborate and corroborate efforts to rid the food market of unwholesome practices by unscrupulous traders.

The two managements resolved to work together closely to monitor the quality of products that are delivered to the market after ascertaining that the right quality of products are taken out of the factory.

The management of NASCON Allied Industries Plc led by the Managing Director, Mr. Paul Ferrer and the Dangote Group’s Chief Corporate Communication Officer, Mr. Anthony Chiejina had paid the Agency Director-General, Mrs Yetunde Oni a courtesy visit in her office in Lagos.

Mr. Ferrer had expressed satisfaction at the efforts of the Agency leadership to sanitise the food market by getting rid of fake and substandard products and turning the heat on the perpetrators, adding that the efforts had paid off.

He however explained that he observed an infringement on the directives of the Agency on the packaging of industrial salts by some undesired elements.

According to him, contrary to the directives of the NAFDAC that industrial salt should only be packaged in 50kg, his organization observed the existence of the industrial salt in small sizes as 5kg, 10kg, 15kg, and 20kg.

He reasoned that someone somewhere has been has been repackaging the 50kg size to smaller sizes and supplying to the markets, a development he said is dangerous as people may be misled to be buying the industrial salt in place of the table salt which comes in the smaller sizes.

The Dangote Salt boss therefore enjoined NAFDAC to help see to the development as the unsuspecting consumers might not know the difference between the iodised table salt and the industrial salt.

In her response, Mrs. Oni thanked the NASCON management for the confidence reposed in her Agency. She said the observation was one of the many infringements the her agency has been battling tooth and nail and that the NAFDAC management would not relent in the fight against every infringement to see that the people have access to right quality products always.

(Newtelegraphonline)

Nigeria to crack down on frozen food importers

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Nigeria to crack down on frozen food importers

The Federal Government says it will henceforth arrest, prosecute and fine illegal importers of frozen foods into the country through the land borders and seal cold rooms where it is sold.

Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, the Minister of state for Agriculture and Rural Development, announced this while speaking with newsmen in Abuja on Thursday.

Image result for frozen fish nigeria customs

Lokpobiri said the government would also set up a taskforce to seal and prosecute operators of cold room, who deal on those illegally imported produce.

The minister said the ministry was working in collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Marine Police to actualise the plan.

He said the offenders would pay a fine of $250,000 or attract five years imprisonment or both in addition to the forfeiture and destruction of the produce as stipulated by the law.

He listed some of the fishes usually being imported to include tilapia, red pacus, river bream, pangassius, horse mackerel, sardine and croaker, among others.

Lokpobiri said the illegal venture had resulted to huge loss of revenue, decrease in local production and loss of jobs, as well as discouragement by farmers.

The minister, who said that the move was to encourage local production and exports, disclosed that the country’s annual demand on fish was currently at 3.2 million tonnes and deficit at 1.9 million tonnes.

According to him, the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture in the ministry is the only competent authority empowered by the Nigeria Sea Fisheries Act to issue distant water fishing licence for the importation of frozen fish into Nigeria.

“The department does not issue licence for the importation of frozen farmed fish into Nigeria through the land borders.

“The smuggling of unhealthy frozen fish into the country is detrimental to the progress being made toward guaranteeing the good health and nutrition of Nigerians.

“We will continue to partner with the Nigeria Customs Service, the Navy, marine policy to see how we can clamp down on the offenders.

“Even those that have brought the produce into the country, we are setting up a taskforce that will go round different cold rooms, like what Customs is doing to rice.

“Any cold room that we find these fishes, we will seal them up, ensure you pay the $250,000 fine because laws are meant to be obeyed,’’ he said.

The minister said that consumption of those imported frozen foods were major cause of some health challenges being experienced in the country.

Lokpobiri, who frowned at the rising cases of kidney disease among children between the ages of five and seven, assured that the government would fight the menace to a halt.

In an interview, Mr. Lamina Rasheed, the National Chairman, Association of Indigenous Seafood Stakeholders, appealed to the Federal Government to release foreign exchange (FOREX) for the importation of fish.

He said that getting FOREX at a cheaper rate would ensure reduction in the price of the produce and make it affordable.

The chairman said the illegal importation of fishes was detrimental to their business.

Rasheed said that members of the association paid import duty of 14 per cent, which amounted to millions of naira to the Federal Government while the illegal importers pay next to nothing through the land borders.

According to him, it is difficult to compete with them in the market because they slash their prices.

He attributed the high cost of fish to the current exchange rate, adding that the frozen fish did not enjoy FOREX from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

“Before, we were getting FOREX from the government but now, we are buying from the open market.

“When you pay 14 per cent and somebody is paying zero per cent, how do you sell your commodity?

“Therefore, all the fishes we brought legally into the country are currently stocked in the cold room because we cannot afford to lose our money or bank’s money.

“We have a lot of stocks in the cold room, which are unsold,’’ Rasheed said.

(thenationonlineng)

British American Tobacco Releases 2016 Annual Report

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British American Tobacco Releases 2016 Annual Report

British American Tobacco’s annual report for the year 2016 highlights significant progress Next Generation Products, a category called by the company “outstanding next generation tobacco and nicotine products” which includes the Cigalike Vype, the starter kit Vype Pebble and the HNB cigarette Glo.

The Group confirms its strategy to expand their activities in the category of Next Generation Tobacco and Nicotine Products as combustible tobacco sales decreased but less than for the rest of the industry.

Follow the link (www.bat.com/annualreport) to the interactive report and PDF file.

 

Hotel fitness centres, a new gold in the hospitality industry

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Hotel fitness centres, a new gold in the hospitality industry
Fitness centres have become the new ‘gold’ in the hospitality industry, with a recently published Hospitality Report Nigeria by Jumia Travel showing the gym as one of the most sought after amenities by customers booking a hotel stay.
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The growing trend from home based fitness programmes to local fitness memberships now includes the need for travellers to keep fit even when on their trips, be it leisure or business. In this regard, most hotels have adopted to the trend and incorporated gym/fitness facilities in their properties, while those with existing ones have gone a notch higher to renovate in a bid to create a better impression.
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As the head of customer service for Jumia Travel Nigeria, Omolara Adagunodo ascertains: “The percentage of our customers often inquire the inclusion of a gym or fitness facility is overwhelmingly high. Some are concerned about keeping up with their workout routine while on the road, while others are purely on a wellness trip and, therefore, have a fitness facility as a priority. We have but to refer and recommend only hotels that have the capacity to meet their needs.”

An untapped revenue stream

Whether running a luxury hotel or a budget lodge, it is no doubt a fact that not having an onsite fitness facility is a big time untapped revenue stream. In a 2016 survey conducted by MMGY Global, a travel and hospitality firm, a premium fitness center with options for on- or off-site exercise classes was a major influence for almost 50% of millennials when choosing a hotel.
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A group of travellers aggressively disrupting the hospitality sector, the millennial, unlike their Generation X counterparts, are often keeping hotel owners on their toes, requiring them to flexibly meet them at their point of need. The good news is, they are willing to part with the extra dollar, for the extra attention and satisfaction.

However, it is important to also note that a high number of guests are yet to integrate wellness into their travel plans, and may require a little push to get them to workout. Going a step further to include fitness zones in the hotel rooms, and simple workout gears may just compel them to get on the mats, which is a win-win solution for both the hotel and the guests.

(Bizcommunity.)

Ringier, Silvertree end JV; Silvertree gets DealDey

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Ringier, Silvertree end JV; Silvertree gets DealDey
Switzerland’s Ringier Africa has exited its recently formed joint venture with South Africa’s Silvertree Internet Holdings, with Silvertree taking full ownership of Nigerian discount online shopping platform DealDey.
Ringier, Silvertree end JV; Silvertree gets DealDey
Disrupt Africa reported in March last year DealDey was acquired by the Ringier Africa Deals Group, a newly formed joint venture between Ringier Africa and Silvertree Internet Holdings.

The joint venture was created by a carve out of the leading Kenyan online deals business Rupu out of Ringier Kenya, and of the leading Ghanaian online deals platform Tisu out of Ringer Ghana; with the aim of leading the group of online deals businesses to continued success based on a long-term, joint plan.

A year later, Ringier has exited the Ringier Africa Deals Group, in order to focus on the company’s classifieds, content and marketing plays.

As of last week, DealDey is now fully owned by Silvertree, continuing with its deal-based e-commerce model.

Rupu and Tisu became part of PPromos earlier this year, which is part of Ringier Digital Publishing; with these companies focusing on content-driven deals.

“We’re super excited to have 100 per cent of such an icon of the African online space, and have lots of exciting projects underway, plus good synergies realised and coming with the rest of the Silvertree portfolio,” said Paul Cook, founder and managing director of Silvertree Capital.

(Bizcommunity)

GFK NAMES PETER FELD AS CEO

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GFK NAMES PETER FELD AS CEO
Peter Feld has been named as GfK’s new chief executive officer, following the sudden departure of Matthias Hartmann last year. 

Feld (pictured) most recently served as CEO of cookware company WMF. Prior to that he was a member of the executive board at Beiersdorf AG.

“With the appointment of Peter Feld as CEO we have not only found an excellent and highly experienced manager, but also someone who knows how to deal with the challenges our company is faced with,” said Ralf Klein-Bölting, chairman of the supervisory board of GfK.

“Mr. Feld has great expertise in the strategic development of global companies. He is a proven expert in understanding customer needs, as well as in helping companies to expand internationally, and strategically drive digitalisation across the business. The supervisory board is convinced that he is the ideal person to lead GfK SE into a successful future.”

Matthias Hartmann had been CEO since 2011, before agreeing with the supervisory board to leave the company. Gerhard Hausruckinger had assumed the role of speaker of the management board in addition to his role as management board member responsible for the consumer choices sector.

(research-live)

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