THE Lagos Maritime Security zone of the Port Facility Security Officer Forum has concluded plans to hold a bomb detection training for port security officers following the recent security challenges in the country.

African countries are losing out on billions of dollars in potential trade earnings every year because of high trade barriers with neighbouring countries, says a new World Bank report.

Cargo throughput handled in the Nigerian Ports increased from 74,910,284 metric tones in 2010 to 82,763,384 metric tones in 2011 indicating a 10.5% increase while ship traffic also increased by 7.35 percent last year.

The Pharmaceuticals industry in the country currently contributes less than 5 percent to GDP (gross domestic product). In this interview, with Chioma Obinna, the President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, PSN, Pharm. Azubuike Okwor, says despite the injection of N200 billion Pharmaceutical Development Fund by the Federal Government, Nigeria is but only a spectator in the 41 billion naira global biotechnology industry.

MORE opposition groups have kicked against the concessioning of the security of the nation’s coastal waters to a private firm by the Federal Government through the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

Nigerian Institute of Builders, NIB, has thrown its full weight behind the enforcement drive of the National Insurance Commission, NAICOM, on compulsory insurance for building under construction and builders Liability Insurance.

The National Insurance Commission, NAICOM, for some time now has been going around the country trying to enforce implementation of the five compulsory insurance products encapsulated under the Market Development and Restructuring Initiative, MDRI.

Ashaka Cement Plc, a subsidiary of Lafarge Cement WAPCO Nigeria plc says it on the move to add an additional 300,000 metric tonnes to its current 1000,000 production capacity.

Four Nigerian banks have been ranked among the best 500 brands in the world. The ranking which was done by a London-based company and published in The Banker named FirstBank of Nigeria Plc as the number one bank brand in Nigeria in its current Top 500 World Bank Brands Ranking

The ongoing reforms in the nation’s petroleum sector and the uncertainty in the global financial landscape will adversely affect the Nigerian capital market, as the over 70 per cent foreign involvement in the market through Foreign Direct Investment, FDI, will be diverted to the energy and power sectors, according to a report by Resources and Trust Company, RTC, Limited.

Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) have been given about 400 acres of land by 100 communities in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Delta State for the establishment of a proposed maritime academy.

Tantalisers Plc, a Quick Service Restaurants (QSR) has engaged the services of Brand Futurz Consultants as its strategic marketing research partner in its continued effort at improving its service models to ensure consumer satisfaction and loyalty.

West African crude oil differentials were steady over the weekend as Asian demand for a variety of grades balanced ample supplies of most grades, particularly the lighter end of the sweet market.