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Tag: Shut down

  • Hijab crisis: UI International school reopens one week after shutting down

    Hijab crisis: UI International school reopens one week after shutting down

    The management of the University of Ibadan International School has ordered the reopening of the school which was shut last week.

    The school, which has witnessed series of crises over the use of hijab by female Muslim students, was shut last week Monday after some Muslim parents insisted that the use of hijab is a constitutional right of their children.

    A visit to the school around 8.am on Monday, however, revealed that the school has been reopened.

    It was observed that security men have been stationed at the entrance that leads to the main gate of the school, to maintain law and order.

    Parents were asked to park their cars and allow their children walk into the school by themselves.

    It was not immediately clear whether academic activities had resumed as non-students were barred from entering the premises.

    The school principal, Phebean Olowe, declined comments when journalists, who were at the gate of the school, called her.

    However, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic) University of Ibadan, Yinka Aderinto, in a statement on Monday, maintained that the decision and outcome of the November 14 meeting of the Board of Governors of the School, should be respected by all, in the interest of the students and progress of the school.

    Mr Aderinto added that individuals or groups that may seek a change in the dress code, should follow the due process of requesting for such, adding that the final decision on any such change still lies with the Board of Governors.

    He said, “A meeting of the Expanded Management of the University of Ibadan was held on Friday, November 23, 2018, at 5pm. The meeting was presided over by the Vice Chancellor of the University and was called to discuss the lingering religious crisis affecting the International School of the University.

    “The meeting was attended by Principal Officers of the University, Deans, Directors of Academic Units and Council members. The Principal of the International School, and her three Vice Principals were also present at the meeting.

    “After consideration of all that had happened since the crisis started on November 12, 2018, including efforts at resolving the crisis, the meeting resolved as follows: There is a need to take a dispassionate look at the rules and regulations governing not only dress code but general conduct of students in the International School, Ibadan. Such perspective will enable a deeper understanding of the principles underlying the establishment of those rules.

    “The International School is a private school and is guided by its own policies, rules and regulations. The meeting also noted that there is a subsisting court judgement that has affirmed the private status of the school.

    “Following from the above, the meeting decided that: The decision and outcome of the November 14, 2018, meeting of the Board of Governors of the School should be respected by all in the interest of the children and progress of the school.

    “The status quo as regards students’ dress code as contained in the school rules and regulations should be maintained. Individuals or groups that may seek a change in the dress code, or any other aspect of the rules of the school should follow the due process of requesting for such but the final decision on any such change still lies with the Board of Governors.

    “Adequate measures should be put in place to forestall breakdown of law and order in the school. The Board of Governors be advised to reopen the school for academic activities on Monday, November 26, 2018”.

     

  • P&G Nigeria shuts down $300m Agbara plant one year after establishment, reveals why

    P&G Nigeria shuts down $300m Agbara plant one year after establishment, reveals why

    A Fast-moving Consumer goods (FMCG) company in the Nigerian market, Procter & Gamble (P&G) has formally shut down operations in its Agbara plant, Ogun State, Nigeria.

    The firm said the decision is to restructure its Nigerian operation.

    Recall that the company expanded its footprint in Nigeria in June 2017 with the commissioning of the state of the art production line by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and Governor of the state, Ibikunle Amosun.

    The plant reportedly cost the firm about $300 million to complete.

    The plant is for its ‘Always’ and Pampers brand of sanitary pads and diapers.

    The company in a statement released on Thursday morning said it will also strengthen its manufacturing operation plant in Ibadan, Oyo State.

    In a statement signed by Lola Adenuga of the company’s Communications Unit, P&G said it will scale up its contract operations and invest in local talents.

    “P&G is restructuring its Nigeria manufacturing operations to deliver a more effective business operation for now and sustainably for the future,” the statement read in part.

    “This will entail an exit from production in its Agbara plant. We will strengthen our manufacturing operations in the Ibadan plant, scale up our contract manufacturing operations as well as continue to invest in our local talents.

    “P&G is a foremost global consumer goods company providing world-class products sold in over 180 countries worldwide. This is purely a business decision for a sustainable and innovative business operation in Nigeria.”

    The statement said P&G is a model investor in Nigeria, investing in technology transfer in partnership with local suppliers, agencies, contract manufacturers and the government to deliver key development objectives of inclusive growth.

    “We have been operating with world class standards in Nigeria for over 25years,” the company said. “We believe in Nigeria’s potential and are here to stay for the long haul as a key player and part of Nigeria’s growth story.”

    However, concerning staff welfare after the shutdown, a top official of the company of spoke on condition of anonymity said: “About 30 staff will be left who may either be outsourced or deployed to our only remaining plant in Nigeria.”

     

  • Kaduna Refinery shut down operations

    The Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company has shut down operations.


    The operations was shut down on January 15.


    According to the Executive Director (Services) of KRPC, Dr. Abdullahi Idris, the refinery was shut down because of lack of crude oil.


    Idris disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria in Kaduna.


    He said the refinery, whose fuel plant was commissioned in 1980, was functioning at 60 per cent capacity “but shut down on January 15 due to unavailability of crude oil”.


    Idris responded to an e-mail NAN sent to him to provide details of the company’s operations as part of a national survey on the state of the country’s refineries operated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.


    The EDS said the Lubes Plant was commissioned in 1983 and the Petrochemical Plant in 1988.


    According to him, before it was shutdown, the KRPC produced four million litres of petrol (PMS) per day.


    Idris explained that the plant was also producing 2.5 million litres of (AGO) Diesel and 1.6 million litres of Kerosene per day.


    The official said the Plant had undergone a Turn Around Maintenance in 2013 and currently had a workforce of 1,004 staff.


    However, a source at the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company told NAN that it was incorporated in 1988

    following the merger of the Warri Refinery and Ekpan Petrochemical Plants.


    According to the source, WRPC, one of the subsidiaries of the NNPC, produces at installed capacity of 125,000 Barrel Per Stream Day.


    He said: “The WRPC was incorporated in 1988 following the merger of the Warri Refinery and Ekpan Petrochemical Plants which was producing a nameplate capacity of 100,000 BPSD


    “Following the merger, WRPC is now designed to produce installed capacity of 125,000 BPSD.”


    The source, however, declined comment as to whether the company was currently refining or not.

  • Apapa road to be shut for one year for reconstruction

    Apapa road to be shut for one year for reconstruction

    Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola says on Saturday that a section of the Apapa Wharf road will be shut down for one-year to enable its construction.

    He disclosed this at the official signing of Memorandum of Understanding and handing over of the project to the sponsors.

    The N4.34bn project is jointly sponsored by Dangote, Flour Mills companies and Federal Government.

    The two kilometres road construction between the Nigerian Port Authority and end of the bridge is expected to take one-year starting from Saturday.

    Fashola explained that the use of AG Dangote for the construction was to give the road a better outlook with the use of concrete, adding that the construction was to resolve the challenges usually encountered on the road.

    The minister, while commending the sponsors of the project, appealed to road users and stakeholders to persevere.

    “We are embarking on what will be the final solution to the massive inconvenience. Businesses and residents in Apapa and its environment have had to endure for a couple of years.

    “I like to acknowledge the leadership role of Dangote and Flour Mills who are operators and have also contributed to make this reality. They are doing this as a total Corporate Responsibility without asking for tax holiday or reduction. We are also working on how to ensure free access to Tin Can Island.

    “From today that we are handing over the project, the road will take one year to be completed. We need the cooperation of all the stakeholders. There will be some discomfort on the way but we appeal for tolerance and perseverance. It will continue to get better, people should please ensure more to solve the challenge,” he said.

    Engr Joseph Makoju from Dangote, said it was co-sponsoring the project to provide an enabling environment for businesses in the area.

    “This is part of our CSR. Businesses have to engage the community where they operate. Today’s CSR has gone to a higher level where we find ourselves embarking on a major infrastructural project,” he added.

    The Managing Director of Flour Mills, Paul Gbededo, urged the Federal Government to place priority on repairing other sections of Apapa.

    He also sought the cooperation of other stakeholders and road users during the construction period.

    “Apapa has become a very difficult place to work. With this project that the Federal Government has allowed to embark on, it will give succour to business. It has the biggest port in Nigeria and should not be taken with levity,” he said.