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Dangote refinery to employ 8,000 engineers, create jobs for 85,000 Nigerians

 The President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, said about 8,000 engineers would be needed for the smooth take off of the nine- billion- dollar Dangote Refinery/Fertiliser plant in Ondo. Dangote told State House correspondents on Wednesday in Abuja that the project, when completed, would provide direct and indirect jobs for 85,000 Nigerians. He said the group had secured a 3.3 billion-dollar credit facility from a consortium of banks for the project. According to him, importation of petroleum products will end by 2016 as the plant will commence production in the next three years. He said his plan was to make the country self-reliant in petrochemical and petroleum products, as well as make it an industrial giant. “Now, Nigeria is going to be taken out of the list of countries that import petroleum products. We will produce 20 million metric tonnes which is equivalent to what Nigeria consumes currently. “Today, we did the signing ceremony, the vice-pr...

Tracking your income and expenses

Determine your overall income Are you on a fixed salary where you know for certain how much you’re taking home each week? Are you a freelancer whose salary varies each month? Having a rough idea of how much money you can expect to earn is key in creating a successful budget. •If you an independent contractor or freelancer, understand that what you bring home is not the same thing as what you earn. For example, you may bring home $2,500 every month, but that’s pre-tax. Figure out how much you’re likely to need to pay in taxes and subtract that from your monthly income to arrive at a more accurate number. • If you are a salaried employee, don’t factor in a possible tax refund into your overall income. Your monthly income should reflect only what you bring home after taxes. If you do get a tax refund, you’ll get to do with it as you please; if you don’t, you won’t be screwed. Identify how you’re spending money What are the bills that you have to pay every month?...

Foods that naturally whiten your teeth

We’ve all been told to avoid red wine, dark berries, and black coffee in our quests for pearly whites; but what about foods that actually brighten your smile? Try these natural solutions for a brilliant beam. Strawberries They may be bright red, but malic acid, a chief component of this summery fruit, acts as a natural astringent to remove surface tooth discoloration, says Dr. Irwin Smigel, president of the American Society for Dental Aesthetics. Seeds and nuts Chewing these lightly abrasive, hard foods rubs plaque and stains off the surface of teeth, says Dr. Matthew Messina, a spokesperson for the American Dental Association. Onions Although they may not be the ideal pre-date snack, the notoriously bad-for-breath alliums could be beneficial to teeth. Because they’re colourless, they won’t cause surface stains, says Messina, adding that after eating them, you’re more likely to brush, which is a surefire way to get whiter teeth Apples Apples’ crispiness s...

Foods likely to ruin your sex life

It is common knowledge that there’s a definite link between what you eat and how you feel; which probably means you also know that there’s a link between your nutrition and your sex life. Foods rich in saturated fats: The saturated fats you’ll find in most cheeses and fatty meats clog your arteries…not exactly news to you. But did you know that the first arteries usually affected are the penal and vaginal arteries? They’re small, which means they quickly collect plaque. So, even if you’re still looking svelte despite your close personal relationship with foods rich in saturated fats, your sex life might be suffering. Foods heavy on trans fats: Let’s face it, you’ve probably never heard a good word about trans fats…and processed baked goods are loaded with them. In addition to clogging arteries, trans fats have also been linked to reduced testosterone levels (which means lower sex drive). Other foods that contain trans fats include French fries, pancakes, fried...

Avoid these top causes of death, live longer

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| credits: WHO Every normal human being loves life — and rightly so. Many of us will do all that is necessary to keep alive by eating good food, living in clean environment, observing good hygiene habit and the like. Yet, many people are ignorant of certain causes of death which, when known and avoided, will not only save you from untimely death but also make living worthwhile for you. Experts say knowing these causes of death can make the difference between staying alive in sound health and experiencing morbidity even while alive. What are some of these top causes of death? Please, read on. Ischaemic heart disease This is a disease that is characterised by reduced blood supply to the heart, and scientists say it is the most common cause of death in most western countries. Physicians say most ischaemic heart disease is caused by atherosclerosis — a condition in which an artery wall thickens as a result of the accumulation of fatty materials such...

Traits young entrepreneurs need to succeed

It is true that limited access to funds has been a major setback for businesses in Nigeria. The situation is particularly bad for small-sized firms. “Nigerian small and medium-sized enterprises’ access to finance is low compared to other African countries like Kenya. Most working capital is financed through internal funds,” the Head, Finance and Private Sector Development, World Bank, Michael Wong, said at a meeting organised by the Nigerian Association of Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises in Lagos on Wednesday. Several entrepreneurs with tales of failure have often blamed their inability to transform their business ideas to thriving companies on this. Experts are, however, quick to note that access to funds and a great business idea are not all it takes for a business to succeed. Successful entrepreneurs admit that such things as hard work and passion are equally important. According to the Chief Executive Officer, Zanibal On-Demand Business Solutions, an ...

Be kind to your heart

The holy book says, “Guard your heart jealously, because out of it comes the good things of life.” Medical experts agree with this golden advice. They say these words of wisdom apply literally and figuratively to how we should protect our heart from danger in our day-to-day activities. They note that protecting your heart goes beyond avoiding heartbreak or running away from sin and Satan; and stress that a healthy lifestyle is the ultimate way to reduce one’s chances of developing heart-related diseases.  A cardiologist (heart specialist) with the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, Dr. Jane Ajuluchukwu, says what an individual does daily would determine whether he/she would develop health complications like diabetes, stroke or kidney failure in future. She notes that protecting your heart involves reducing your risks for cardiovascular diseases that could kill you before your time. Doctors on WebMD.com say if you want to enjoy your pension allow...