Creating A Business That Takes Social Value Seriously

Sustainable development is in the spotlight as governments around the world meet in Paris this month to discuss action against climate change. GE’s mission is to help its partners to solve some of the world’s biggest challenges, to minimise environmental impact and to advance social development.

Here are just a few ways in which GE is partnering with customers to make a difference.

Expanding renewable energy capacity
GE now has a global footprint of 30 000 wind turbines, and is expanding into the production of offshore wind farms. By 2020, half of all new electric power capacity will be renewable.
A sustainability strategy focused on social value
GE is a partner in building Africa’s sustainable future, with strategic direction provided by GE Kujenga, helping to ensure that GE’s business and operations create value for societies and make a difference, while also creating a return on financial investment.

Umahi Distributes Made-In-Ebonyi Rice To Workers For Christmas (pics)

Ebonyi state governor not only paid in time december salary for workers but also distributed made in Ebonyi rice for workers...

see pics below
cc: lalasticlala seun mynd44 benedictnsi ....this deserves front page..we need to encourage local production of rice in Nigeria

Use a Business Plant Service to Improve Your Office This New Year

In the New Year, why not let a business plant service help improve your office - and your bottom line?

Did you know that plants are a great way to elevate employee productivity and happiness? Well, it's true! A splash of greenery in an office environment has been found to improve performance in a way that expensive desks and chairs cannot compete with, all at a fraction of the cost.

Adding lush, healthy plants to the office actually can increase your profits in the coming year.

How Plants Help

Aside from looking festive and breaking up the monotony of a sterile office environment, plants have practical uses too. They naturally purify indoor air without the use of chemicals or an increase in energy consumption. They help provide employees a connection to nature, giving them positive feelings and increased motivation.

Plants also help to soften the environment and make both staff and customers feel more comfortable.

They offer mental benefits too. Studies have shown that green spaces in the workplace help people to recover faster from stress, increase their patience and give their overall job satisfaction a lift. This, quite simply, provides for a happier and healthier environment. That ultimately leads to higher productivity and financial gain for the company.

How an Onion Seed Business Can Change the World

Originating in central Asia, onions are one of the three well-being crops enjoyed by people everywhere along with tomato and garlic. And the demand for this kitchen staple is increasing each year. Thinking about the onion seed business, it certainly appears to be one that can change the world. Onions are so popular we've even developed sayings about them. There's nothing quite like "knowing your onions".

Seeds Essential for Our Future

Three main varieties of onion are cultivated and these are easily recognized by color: red, yellow and white. These can be categorized into cold-resistant seeds, heat-resistant seeds and functional seeds. Cold resistant seeds can survive the harshest winters. Heat resistant seeds thrive in hot and humid regions, and functional seeds are those with higher yields and resistance to diseases.

Stable Seed Raising Fields

As all shareholders of a thriving onion seed business have learnt, onions will need two years before developing seeds. This is because onions are biennial plants. Cultivating stable seed raising fields can take years of dedication and commitment. Onions must be planted and left in the ground for two years. Flowers and seed-bearing heads form during the late summer of the second season. Dry weather is preferable during the seed raising season to ensure seeds of good quality.

The Benefits Of Buying Second Hand Equipment For Dairy Processing

For dairy manufacturers around the world, purchasing high quality dairy equipment can make the difference between a mediocre product and an exceptional one. As a result, there are constantly new models of equipment on the market aiming to provide even more efficient processing and a superior finished product.

Despite this, there is a high demand for secondhand dairy processing equipment, and this is not without good reason. In fact, there are several advantages to investing in used machines rather that splashing out on entirely new equipment; here are some of those benefits.

One of the main factors that comes into play when buying equipment - whether a brand new GEA Westfalia separator or Trepko butter packing machine - is cost. The reality is, despite how professional and reputable the company may be, and how fantastic their finished products are, that there is often a strict budget to adhere to.

This is especially applicable when it comes to dairy processing machines, which can be particularly costly when it comes to buying brand new equipment. As new models appear on a relatively regular basis, it is only the companies with the largest budgets that can afford to update their equipment so frequently.

Is this the World's most expensive meat?

The 2000 vintage rib steak can command €3,000 ($3,200) in the market according to breeder and meat farmer Alexandre Polmard. The breed of cattle in question, rivaling the most expensive and exclusive global names in beef such as Black Angus and Kobe, is called Blonde Aquitaine.

The World's Food Supply Is In Jeopardy But Here's How We Can Save It

As the world warms, we lose arable land to grow the food we all need to survive. But although our changing climate is one big problem our food supply faces, it’s certainly not the only one—and even fixing the effects of climate change might not generate enough food to feed future generations.

Nigerian catfish pepper soup may harbour cancer, killer fats – experts

Bukola Adebayo

Catfish is one of the most popular and readily available fish in Nigeria. In fact, its delicacy – irresistible to many people – is very common at social gatherings.

It tastes great and is affordable when compared to other varieties of fresh fish in the market.

But do you know that the omega 6 fatty acids in catfish can increase your risk of getting blood clots, arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and some cancers?

Though doctors say fish is a better and healthier option than meat, they quickly add that not all types of fish are good for the heart.

Fulani herdsmen destroyed my over 20 hectares of palmoil plantation in enugu' Man laments

The man, Rev Celestine Ikechukwu Odogwu, a farmer based in Ogor-Affa in Udi LGA of Enugu State writes in

My palm plantation was recently attacked by fulani herdsmen about two weeks ago (precisely 17 Nov), they destroyed my plants with their cows and set my farm ablaze. Some time last year this same thing happened on my farm and when confronted they pulled out their gun and threatened to shoot my co-farmer if he does not leave.

China to build massive cow cloning facility

The company behind China's newly proposed cattle cloning factory, set to be the largest of its kind in the world, says it expects to one day expand its work to include cloning humans as well.
China is not the only country working on producing cloned beef to enhance food supplies for the world's growing population. While European Union leaders have expressed concerns about the practice and moved to ban the sale of cloned meat products, the US FDA in 2008 declared that "meat and milk from cow, pig, and goat clones and the offspring of any animal clones are as safe as food we eat every day." The possibility of creating human clones, however, is highly contested throughout the world.

Senate seeks re-imposition of ban on rice

Senate has asked the Federal Gov­ernment to restore the ban earlier placed on importation of rice through land borders by the immediate past gov­ernment.

The lawmakers made the appeal following se­ries of abuse currently carried out by rice im­porters who bring rice into the country through neighbouring countries.

The appeal for resto­ration of the ban on rice importation through our land borders by the lawmakers followed the presentation and adop­tion of the report of Sen­ate ad-hoc committee on import duty waivers, concessions and grants to importers.

The committee in its report said lifting the ban on land importation of rice as recently directed by the Comptroller – Gen­eral of Nigeria Customs Service, Col. Hammed Ali (retd), will lead to evasion of custom duty and reve­nue losses to the Nigerian maritime industry.

Flour Mills Nigeria: One step away from loss

By Mike Uzor

Flour Mills Nigeria showed an exceptional rise in profit at the end of its second quarter trading yet it is facing operating pressure that leaves it just one step away from a loss. The company’s 450% rise in after tax profit in the second quarter is an exceptional earnings record in a year of a general corporate earnings lull. With an after tax profit of N24.02 billion at half year, the company has already made about three times the full year profit figure it posted at the end of the preceding financial year.

The company’s impressive profit show however came almost exclusively from profit realised from disposal of investment in associates. Without the windfall, Flour Mills would have reported a meager profit of N287 million in the second quarter. That is the only contribution from the company’s normal operations to the otherwise robust bottom line picture displayed at the end of the second quarter. That was all the company saved for shareholders out of sales revenue of N177.58 billion generated at the end of the second quarter.

Agric workers threaten strike over allowance

By Oboh Agbonkhese

LAGOS — Workers in the agricultural sector, on the platform of Nigerian Council of the International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurants, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers’ Association, IUF, have threatened industrial unrest if efforts at making the Federal Government extend the benefits of hazard allowance to them failed.

They lamented that while their counterparts in the livestock and veterinary sub-sector, categorised as health workers, had been enjoying the allowance, the Agricultural and Allied Employees’ Union of Nigeria, AAEUN, had been negotiating for same benefit for the past 15 years without success.

At a briefing in Lagos, Chairman of Nigerian Council of IUF, Mr. Leke Success, said if President Muhammadu Buhari was really interested in diversifying the economy and making agriculture the pillar of national growth and development as he promised, there was need to implement hazard allowance for agricultural workers to motivate the workforce and drive policy implementation.

APC chieftain advises Cross River govt. to prioritise agriculture

Calabar – Mr Hillard Etta, the National Vice Chairman (South-South), All Progressives Congress (APC), has advised the Cross River Government to prioritise agriculture.

Etta, who gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Calabar on Sunday, said that prioritisng agriculture would lead to increased government revenue and job availability for the youth.

According to him, Cross River can produce the food the country needs if the available agricultural resources in the state can be harnessed.

“Rice, oil palm, and cocoa grow well in this state. If government focuses on the production and processing of these crops, it can change the fortunes of the state.’

“Cross River is the second largest producer of cocoa in the country and can produce all the rice and cocoa needed in this country, if the right thing is done.”

The Golden Living: Therapeutic And Non-therapeutic Fruit/Vegetable Pulp Blends and Dietetic Consultancy

The Golden Living applies the knowledge of Nutrition (nutrients in food) in targetting and treating ailments and health anomalies  such as diabetes, obessity, cardiovascular diseases, skin/hair disorders  or mere formulations to prevent diseases, maintain and promote optimum health! 

There are very valid reasons the WHO recommends 2-5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day for everyone!

1.) Regular intake of fruits and vegetables facilitate in weight loss and helps keep away lost weight.

2.) The vitamin and mineral rich fruits and vegetables are essential in daily function of the organs.

3.) The fiber rich fruits and vegetables "scrub" your digestive system of adherents that may cause colon cancer among other diseases (detoxification of the kidneys, liver and system) 

4.) Phytochemicals and bioactive component rich fruits and vegetables PREVENT  stroke, cancers, hypertension, diabetes and other diseases.

5.) Certain fruits and vegetables keep your skin and hair naturally glossy, healthy and smoothe!

Among many other benefits.

Stallion Group wins Fish Farmer of the year Award

Multinational conglomerate, Stallion Group has won the prestigious award “fish farmer of the year 2015”,at the Nigeria Agriculture Awards event held this week in Lagos.

Stallion Group was accorded the hon­our for its investments and extensive ac­tivities in Nigeria’s aquaculture industry, aimed at increasing local production of fish and thereby making Nigeria self suf­ficient in the sector. Stallion also operates a nation-wide cold chain network that assures consumers of the highest quality fish meeting international standards.

Meet - Cocoa Gardener For Your Cocoa Farm Solutions - Agriculture

Good day,

Our expanding farm is opening up our cocoa plantain in weeks time.

We grow biologically and organically, which means our operations are slow and it depends on the frequency of money inflow.

It is still thesame person, thesame company and thesame location, Akure, Nigeria.