Although the guidelines clearly state the investment criteria, Financial Vanguard’s findings showed that the National Pension Commission, (PenCom) ensures that interested investors abide strictly by the law. PenCom ensures that in the case of infrastructural investment, there must be a competitive bidding process for any contract, the bidders must be qualified to carry out the contract, there must be a time limit for completion of the contract, there must be a monitoring team to monitor the progress or otherwise of the contract, there must be experts to ascertain that the quality of products the investors purport to buy are up to standard.

lagos—Following the recent mayhem at Mile 12 where some people lost their lives and properties destroyed, Lagos State House of Assembly yesterday, during plenary, called for the relocation of both Mile 12 and Owode Onirin markets from their current locations.

HOPE has been rekindled for provision of holistic cancer care and management in Nigeria following the coming together of eminient Nigerian philanthropists to tackle the menace of the disorder.

THE Nigerian female wrestlers have continued to give a good account of themselves in far away Alexandria, Egypyt as they have won the female team title at the 2016 Senior African Wrestling Championship which was concluded yesterday in Egypt.

I am quite happy with the outcome of events. In terms of technical content, I think it was successful. The different units and organisations that made presentations at the conference demonstrated a clear understanding of the different sectors of agriculture. They also proposed adopted and tested solutions to challenges in agriculture in the country. I am really impressed with the presentations made at the conference, particularly the way the Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh, tackled the issues in the agricultural sector. I am quite convinced that the minister has a good idea of the direction the agricultural sector in Nigeria is headed.

The respected economist, Mr. Henry Boyo has never ceased to amuse me with his numerous commentaries in both electronic and print media. He has taken so much pleasure and relish in every opportunity given to him by the media to unleash his acerbic commentaries on the Nigeria’s apex bank – the CBN. As if it was orchestrated media appearance, the above titled caption at the back of The Punch and Vanguard newspapers edition of Monday, February 29, 2016 and on the popular Sunrise Daily broadcast programme of the Channels Television of same day, the renowned economist and characteristic of him since I have been reading his opposing views of virtually every of the CBN monetary policies dated back to Chief Joseph Sanusi’s days as the Governor of the Bank to the present leadership sounded as a rehash of his usual playing of the broken record of excess liquidity in the system as the intractable problem of the fate of the naira and the economy.

In the early 1970’s through to the 1990’s, the Nigerian industrial horizon was dotted with textile manufacturing industries. In the Kaduna-Kano axis, one recalls with nostalgia several large textile companies employing thousands of Nigerians. It used to be an intriguing experience to be close to a textile mill. At the close of business, several employees will be trooping out of the premises of a textile company. It was like a market that has sold out all its wares.

Most of our Fellow Countrymen (“How many fools make up Fellow Countrymen”, asked Thomas Carlyle, 1795-1881, in despair) are emotional and unrealistic. Less than one tenth of one per cent understands the basic principles of economics. Most of the leaders, drawn from the same pool of people, are not different. Even those among the leaders who understand the principles of economics lack the moral courage to tell the truth when issues pertaining to economics become contentious. They choose to play to gallery by telling the “masses” what they prefer to be told instead of telling the truth which might be unpopular.

The National Judicial Council, NJC, has queried the Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice I. A. Umezulike over an allegation that he accepted N10 million donation from a litigant before his court.

Inflation targeting encompasses a monetary policy framework in which the central bank sets an explicit target for future inflation, usually low inflation rate, and work towards achieving this goal. Consequently, the inflation rate serves as the nominal anchor on which the central bank relies to maintain price stability. Since the first adoption of inflation targeting by New Zealand in 1990, several countries from developed and emerging market economies as well as developing countries including Nigeria have adopted the framework.

Africa Internet Group, AIG has received additional investments totalling $245 million, about N48 billion, from South African telecoms group, MTN, American investment banking firm, Goldman Sachs and Rocket Internet. Recall that MTN had bought 33 per cent in AIG in 2014 to join other AIG shareholders including Rocket Internet. AIG, founded in Nigeria in 2012 as an e-commerce conglomerate has leveraged deepening internet penetration in emerging markets including growing middle class to meet increasing demands for online products.

Niger Delta Exploration & Production (NDE&P) Plc listed on NASD OTC Plc, an over-the-counter securities exchange, has assured its shareholders of enhanced dividend payment in the coming years, even as it has revealed plans to raise $400 million from the domestic capital market. Speaking at NASD OTC Market analysts forum and conference call in Lagos, the Managing Director/CEO, Dr. Layi Fatona, said the company has consistently paid dividend in the last eight years, in addition to enjoying 10 years of uninterrupted oil and gas production in the country.

As the economy of the country continues to witness challenges due to the fluctuations in foreign exchange rate, insurance practitioners have said that the situation is having adverse effects on insurance business. Managing Director of Universal Insurance Plc, Mr. Ben Ujoatuonu said that insurance is an international business as such the marine aspect of insurance business is being affected because importation is at its lowest ebb.

Ahead of the make or mar 2017 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier againsta the Pharaohs of Egypt, the caretaker coach of the Super Eagles, Samson Siasia, over the weekend inspected and certified the Ahmadu Bello stadium in Kaduna fit to host the crucial tie billed for March 25.

The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, yesterday welcomed the statement credited to President Muhammadu Buhari to the effect that Nigeria would not tolerate Biafra, pointing out that Biafra would also not tolerate Nigeria.