The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) is a global effort aimed at improving the management of oil, gas and mining revenues in resource-rich countries. The initiative effectively took off in 2002 during the World Summit on Sustainable Development, which held in Johannesburg, South Africa.

National Union of Banks, Insurance and other Financial Institutions Employees, NUBIFIE, has called on the governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Malam Lamido Sanusi, to initiate monetary polices that would create jobs in the banking industry, rather than reforms capable of increasing unemployment in the economy.

To encourage de-congestion of the ports caused by containers undergoing physical examination, APM Terminals Apapa has said that all containers classified as Fast Track (blue channel) would no longer attract the general customs inspection charge, but a minimal administrative and operational charge.

Apparently, after the September 30, deadline for weak banks to recapitalise, the country will be experiencing a new era in the banking industry.

Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar, has commended Inter-Bau Construction Limited on the completion of the N4.1billion River Port project, in Onitsha, Anambra State, saying the port will be commissioned soon to facilitate trade in the maritime sector of the economy.

THE Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, said that plans are underway to extend the non-interest banking or Islamic banking principles to non-banking financial services. Some non-bank financial institutions, such as insurance companies, fund managers stockbroking firms have already introduced to the market products designed after the Islamic banking model.

ALHAJI Bello Galoji, the Youth Wing Chairman, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) in Bauchi, has suggested that the distribution of fertilisers should be handled by agriculture extension officers to minimise diversion of the commodity.

THE National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS) has told the Federal Government to ensure that small-scale farmers benefited from the N300 billion, earmarked for agriculture under the Agricultural Transformation Action Plan (ATAP).

Risk managers of banks in the country have been called upon to put in place measures to forestall a reoccurrence of issues that led to the crisis in the financial sector.

GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo says investment in agriculture will provide 25,000 jobs for youths in the state.