The Industrial Training Fund (ITF), has signed a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) with the Nigerian Employees Consultative Association (NECA) to train Nigerians in technical and vocational education.

Standards Organisation of Nigeria(SON) has approved 133 Nigerian Industrial Standards(NIS) for Chemical, Food, and Leather Technology as well as for Mechanical Engineering and Textile Technology

Industrialists have said that they are not excited by the proposed N500 billion Industrial Revival Fund (IRF) by the Federal Government, as it may yet be another dud cheque.

The prices of foodstuffs in Lagos metropolis are still on the high side, some eight months into the year.According to a market survey conducted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos, the prices rice, beans and garri are now beyond the reach of the ordinary consumers.For instance, at the Oyingbo, Ketu, Mile-12, Daleko, Agboju, Suru/Alaba, Ajao Estate and Iddo markets, a bag of rice is sold for between N7, 500 and N10,000, depending on the brand.

The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Mr Ernest Ndukwe, says the interconnect rates will be ready next month. Interconnect rates are the rates which service providers pay to each other for terminating calls on their fixed or mobile networks.

Activities at the Open Market Operation (OMO) wing of the money market showed that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) withdrew N110.5 billion from circulation last week. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the CBN also raked in N35.39 billion from the OMO and N75.11 billion on bills at the Primary Market Auction (PMA) respectively.

There are indications that the Federal Government is set to deregulate the oil and gas sector.A statement issued by the Ministry of Finance on Sunday in Abuja quoted the Minister of State in the Ministry Mr Remi Babalola as saying that full deregulation of the oil and gas sector had become necessary.

Customs Area Controller (CAC) of Kirikiri Lighter Terminal Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Iya Abubakar Umar, has charged recently promoted officers in the command to justify management’s confidence on them by putting in their best and providing leadership in the discharge of their duties.

The new Group Managing Director/Chief Executive of Union Bank of Nigeria PLC, Mrs. Funke Osibodu resumed office over the weekend with assurances to all stakeholders especially customers that the Bank will not compromise their interests and expectations, and stressed the need for them to remain steadfast with the Bank.

As part of efforts to improve dredging industry in the country, a Nigerian firm, Dredge Skills and Marine Training Centre Ltd has packaged an international dredging summit that would bring into the country renowned dredging equipment manufacturer and vendors from the US and Europe .

The new Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Alhaji Abdullahi Dikko, has been urged to dismantle some units at the seaports to facilitate cargo clearance.

The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has blamed the troubled banks for their woes, especially for their failure to lend to the real sector that is supposed to act as catalyst to the development and growth of the country.

The World Bank in collaboration with he Kogi government is to spend N850 million on the execution of some community projects in different parts of the state. Mr James Odeba, General Manager, Kogi State Community and Social Development Agency (KGCSDA) disclosed this on Sunday in Lokoja.

Ghanaian Vice President John Dramani Mahama has admonished insurance companies operating in that country against over dependence on third party insurance business

Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers has unfolded plans to expand its operations in the country.Speaking on the mission of the company at a press briefing in Lagos recently, Mr. Chris Newton, CEO of Stanbic IBTC Bank se said that Stanbic IBTC Pension has mapped out plans to make retirees enjoy their retirements.