Nigerian businessman Aliko Dangote has donated $2 million to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to help the survivors of the devastating floods in Pakistan.

Importers and their agents are now diverting their consignment to the facility at Lilypond Terminal in Ijora, Lagos following the prompt manner with which cargoes are released by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) command in the area.

The courier giant, DHL has announced that it has become the official logistics partner to Rugby World Cup 2011 (RWC 2011).

In a move that underscores its capacity to fund big ticket transactions across Africa, United Bank for Africa has secured a multi-million oil and gas financing deal with SAR (Société Africaine de Raffinage) of Senegal. Under the financing deal, secured after a rigorous bid process involving other financial institutions, UBA Senegal will avail SAR, the National Refinery of Sénégal a total facility of EUR 234 million in three parts.

Tech-savvy young Nigerians are gearing up to use BlackBerries, mobile phones and social networking services such as Twitter and Facebook to monitor polls in January, in an effort to stamp out electoral fraud.

An index of the Nigeria’s 30 biggest companies is poised to rise by a further 18 per cent, citing “attractive” valuations, Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc said.

Vitafoam Nigeria Plc, the leading foam manufacturer, has launched a promo tagged “Good Time Reward Promo” in celebration of Nigeria’s Golden Jubilee Anniversary (Nigeria@ 50).

About half of the global container ships currently in service are operating on a slow steaming basis. The shipping analyst, Dynamar has alerted in its report.

IN line with the 50 years Anniversary of Nigeria, Vitafoam Nigeria Plc, the leading foam and allied company in the country, has unveiled its “Vitafoam Good time Reward,” to the general public.

Nigeria and other 69 countries have resolved to participate in the third annual World Medical Tourism and Global Healthcare Congress in Los Angeles, California in USA.

International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the United Nations (UN) labour agency are urging advanced economies not to cut government spending before 2011, warning that a move to tighten fiscal policies could hurt the global recovery.

Organised labour has kicked against the plan by the Rivers State government to introduce another tax on their income the proposed Social Service Levy Bill.

The International Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, has announced a record investment of $2.4 billion in Nigeria and other 30 countries as part of its regional investments for its own account.

MTN Nigeria has announced the introduction of the MTN Internet Netbook Bundle to the Nigerian market. The novel product, said MTN’s Chief Enterprise Solutions Officer, Derek Appiah, will further deepen access to the mobile broadband internet, and serve as a catalyst for economic growth and development in the country.

Standard Bank Plc has affirmed its commitment to financing agriculture in Africa over a long term with $100million investment on the sector.

There is move by the  Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to raise the minimum capital base for new Microfinance Banks (MFBs) in the country to N40 million among other options being considered in the on-going reforms in the banking sector. It was learnt that the past chief executives of the comatose micro finance banks may also face prosecution for insider-related abuses.

The new inductees of the Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) have been urged to uphold highest standards and ethical conduct in all their professional engagements and also place high premium on continuous learning as a means of enjoying public confidence that is required in the banking sector.

Equipment Leasing Association of Nigeria (ELAN) has urged the lease practitioners in the country have to brace up with the challenges posed by the Nigeria Content Law.

German incorporated consulting firm, Micro Investment Consult Limited has begun discussions with umbrella bodies of the micro finance institutions with a view to collaborating with them on key areas that would help in leveraging their efficiency in micro financing in the country.

Despite the enactment of the Cabotage Act that places maritime business squarely on the laps of Nigerians, no indigenous shipping line has lifted a barrel of the nation’s crude oil. More than five decades after the commercial discovery of crude oil, indigenous ship owners have blamed the