Sound policies and strategies are required if Mr President is to succeed in his bid to transform the Nigerian economy. One of the strategies the President can adopt is Economic diplomacy. Economic diplomacy is traditionally defined as the decision-making, policy-making and advocating of the state’s business interests.

Crude oil futures fell onFriday, paring earlier gains after Brent rose to a five-week high of $120 a barrel as Saudi Arabia began offering more oil to Asian refiners. This has eased worries about supplies following an inconclusive OPEC meeting.

SUPPLY Chain Executive of Tiger Brands Limited, TBL, of South Africa, Dr Tawanda Mushuku, has been appointed Managing Director of UAC food Limited.

Multichoice Nigeria, owner of the Digital Satellite Television (DSTV) platform may be at the verge of introducing the Pay-As -You -Go (PAYG) recharge card system if realities on ground turn into possibilities.

In a bid to bring the Knorr brand closer to its consumers, Unilever Nigeria Plc, manufacturer of the product said it’s introducing into the seasoning market the 1927 rice festival riding on the back of the existing campaign, the Mealtimes Bonding.

Investors who participated in private placements of some private companies a couple of years ago, are in dire strait as their funds, put at about N300 billion by analysts, is in jeopardy following the failure of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) to implement its plan to accommodate such companies in the stock market through the Alternative Securities Market/Private Placement Exchange (ASEM/PRIPEX) window.

Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc has announced a total asset base of N8.7billion for the financial year ended December 2010. The palm oil company’s shareholders’ fund increased to N5.87billion in the same period under review from N4.35billion posted in 2009 with a turnover of N6.1billion in 2010 from N4.74billion recorded in 2009.

Longman Nigeria Plc has announced plans to become a wholly owned Nigerian business, following a mutually agreed divestment programme by Pearson Education UK, which holds 51% stake in the company.

Some financial experts have said that the enforcement of International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) on Nigerian companies would reduce manipulation of their audited financial reports. They said in Lagos that enforcement of IFRS in Nigeria would enhance ethical practices in preparation of financial reports.

There is indeed hope for Nigeria in the area of agriculture and food security, one of President Goodluck Jonathan’s five-point agenda; thanks to the efforts of an agricultural scientist, Dr Lanre Talabi, the Chief Executive Officer of Talon Nigeria Limited, an agro-based research and development company involved mainly in bringing cost-effective, sustainable and appropriate technology and management know-how to bear upon food, agriculture, fisheries and the environment in Nigeria.