Sanusi

The currency of any independent country which is the legal tender symbolizes its nationhood. That is what the Naira and Kobo mean to Nigeria. But over the years, they have been subjected to different forms of abuses including mutilations, defacing and even outright sale in open markets. Often times, the currencies-Naira notes and coins-are conspicuously displayed for sale in such unholy places as motor parks, party venues, event centres etc.

Seriki

The local computer software and applications industry is one of Nigeria's most ignored but ironically acknowledged sector. There is no doubt that the Nigerian ICT market is heavily dominated by foreign companies who have gained both financially and in terms of brand acceptance. In January this year, the Federal Government through the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), sought to put in place a National Software Policy “that can stand the test of time and adequately position softwares made in Nigeria at the forefront of global ICT market” as emphasised by Professor Cleopas Angaye, Director General NITDA. Even in the face of this daunting challenge, an ICT firm in Nigeria has proved its worth and stood the test of time.

The autonomy of the Central Bank of Nigeria {CBN}should be strengthened to enable it effectively and efficiently perform its core mandate and ensure a meaningful development of the economy.

“The customer is king,” is the popular saying that justifies the superiority of consumers in the market place. A consumer is anybody who buys products or services where it is expected that such a person gets the best from the product or services paid for. Among other things, a consumer is naturally entitled to some basic rights, which include the right to Satisfaction of Basic Needs, the right to safety, the right to information, the right to choose, the right to redress, the right to consumer education, the right to consumer representation and the right to a healthy environment.

The Nigerian Stock Exchange was not the only stock market that was affected by the economic crash that has been obvious since 2006. Other stock exchanges, especially Asian stocks, fell and headed for the first two-day decline recently since January, while the yen strengthened and treasuries rose after data from the U.S. and Europe signaled slowing economic growth. In retreating European equity futures, the MSCI Asia Pacific Index (MXAP) declined to 1.1 per cent as at last week (Wednesday).

Standard bank group limited has increased profit for the 2011 financial year by 22 per cent, after the company cut costs and increased lending.

Last year, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) came up with the idea of cashless economy, with the aim of reducing the cost of producing cash, reducing the cost of transporting and securing cash, opening door for International marketing in Nigeria and bringing the unbanked and under-banked Nigerians into the banking system. The CBN also frowned at the high usage of cash for settlements, which it said results in high costs for banks and other stakeholders. The policy is to begin as from June 2012; however, a pilot implementation was slated for Lagos much earlier, code-named "Cash-less Lagos," which eventually took off in January.

As part of efforts to promote Nigeria's socio economic development, the British American Tobacco Foundation (BATNF) has built and handed over a Poultry Enterprise Development Project to the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) for management and sustainability.