OPTIMISMS about vast changes the appointment of Professor Attahiru Jega as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, would ensure, do not reflect an understanding of the challenges of Nigeria’s electoral process.

Following the need to build capacity in the microfinance banking sector, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), last Friday, concluded a three_week certification programme for the first batch of microfinance bank (MFB) operators.

The declining trend in the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) is expected to ease slightly this week, as investors take advantage of the decline recorded over the past days to take position in certain stocks that have recorded steady decline in the share prices.

The naira will depreciate further this week due to increasing excess demand in the market and speculations that the authorities might depreciate it to N150 per dollar, which is the budget benchmark, to counter the effect of dwindling revenue occasioned by the impact of the recent decline in crude oil prices on the nations export earnings from crude oil.

GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, has given an Excellent Performance Award, EPA, by the National Union of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employees, NUFBTE.

CHIEF John Odigie-Oyegun, first civilian governor of Edo State and member of All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) Board of Trustees is one of the prominent June 12 activist. In this interview with Vanguard he spoke on the importance of June 12 in the political history of Nigeria. According to him June 12 would not be resolved until late Chief MKO Abiola the acclaimed winner of the Presidential election is recognized as the President-elect that was never sworn-in. He also commented on other national issues. Excerpts:

THE two chambers of the National Assembly crossed a historical legislative milestone before embarking on a recess to end the Third Legislative Session when they passed the Constitution Amendment Bill.

BNP Paribas has announced plans to deepen Nigeria import sector with the provision of an improved structured finance programme for government and private sector projects in Nigeria.

Aggrieved insurance brokers and underwriters have ganged up against Hogg Robinson Insurance brokers over its consultancy services to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation’s Consolidated Insurance Package (NNPC-CIP) and the Federal Government Group Life.

As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Drive, Procter & Gamble Nigeria said 250 female will benefit from its Always care annual scholarship programme.

Over time, the noodles market had looked unattractive and companies never thought there was an economic benefit from that sector, until DUFIL Foods, manufacturers of Indomie noodles ventured into the market.

The rapid decline of the Euro prompted by the sovereign debt crisis in the Euro zone has occasioned apathy for the currency among foreign exchange operators.

The search for the 2010 Indomie Independence Day Award for Heroes of Nigeria, a Corporate Social Responsibility initiative of Dufil Prima Foods Plc, makers of Indomie Instant Noodles has began, giving thousands of Nigerian children the chance to be rewarded.

The new seasoning from the stable of Unilever Nigeria Plc said it embarked on consumer sampling experience to determine the true taste of it’s goat meat seasoning, the Royco brand.

Citibank Nigeria Limited (Citi Nigeria ), in conjunction with the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria , recently concluded a 2-day industry risk management workshop titled ‘Risk Management in Practice.’