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Philips Backs Action to Save 98% Energy From Wastages

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The ‘2015 Energy Productivity and Economic Prosperity Index’ launched on Tuesday revealed the huge potential for societies to raise economic performance and extend significant environmental and social benefits through improved energy productivity.

The Index, authored by The Lisbon Council, Ecofys and Quintel Intelligence and commissioned by Royal Philips, is the first global report to rank countries by their energy productivity, based on their economic output per unit of energy consumed.

The report warns that the current rate of energy productivity improvement, around 1.3% worldwide each year, is too slow to keep pace with the rising energy demand.

The report finds that most energy productivity gains will need to come from improvements to residential and non-residential buildings.

A simple illustration of energy productivity is boiling an egg, where only 2% of the energy consumed goes into producing the boiled egg.

Similarly, nearly 98% of all energy we use in the process of production is being wasted.

Just by increasing the use of technology today, such as energy-efficient appliances, LED lighting and insulation, European households could reduce their energy bills by a third.

Furthermore, overall energy consumption in the EU could be cut by 35% by more than doubling the rate of the region’s energy productivity improvement from close to 1.5% to 3% per year by 2030.

“Within the range of energy efficiency opportunities, LED lighting is a key contributor in addressing the soaring energy demand of the future as it already can deliver a 500% energy productivity improvement in average households. And by connecting LED lighting to sensors, apps and controls, even greater efficiencies may be realized. It is dramatically changing the way people experience and interact with light at home, at work and in their cities”, said Harry Verhaar, head, Global Public and Government Affairs at Philips Lighting.

According to the High-Energy Productivity Growth Scenario presented in the report, nearly 12 European households could be lit with a 1000 KWh of electricity, which is roughly what it takes to light two households today.

Miguel Arias Cañete, European Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy, added: “Energy efficiency is a powerful instrument for job creation with great potential for stimulating economic growth and EU competitiveness. Energy productivity provides us with an excellent framework to harness underutilized resources. I welcome the publication of this report. It will help us in coming years in using innovation to drive efficiency and improving Europe’s performance in this key area.”

The report urges policymakers to set more ambitious targets to improve energy productivity.

It demonstrates that high levels of energy efficiency will contribute to global economic growth: doubling energy productivity could create more than 6 million jobs globally by 2020 and reduce the global fossil fuel bill by more than EUR 2 trillion by 2030.

To achieve this, further progress in the world’s six largest economies – the US, Russia, China, Japan, India and the EU – is most important as they account for 60% of global GDP and 65% of global energy demand.

“World leaders are convinced that energy is the golden thread connecting economic growth, increased social equity and a healthy environment, but we still need to enforce more ambitious goals to improve energy productivity”, said Kandeh Yumkella, UN Under-Secretary-General and CEO of Sustainable Energy for All. “This report helps to focus minds on these goals and their benefits. Doubling of the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency by 2030 is our shared objective, underpinned by the Global Energy Efficiency Accelerator Platform launched by the UN last year.”

Global Energy Productivity Highlights:

•       The Index ranks countries by the amount of GDP they produce for every unit of energy they consume. This differs from energy efficiency which means using less energy to deliver the same service.

•       Hong Kong topped the list with an energy productivity of EUR 456 billion of GDP per exajoule (one quintillion – 1018 – joules) consumed. Cuba came second, boasting EUR 365 billion GDP per exajoule. Columbia, Singapore and Switzerland made up the top five.

•       The United Kingdom is ranked 26th, behind countries such as Sri Lanka, Dominican Republic, Gabon, Philippines, and Albania. Other leading nations trailed further behind with Germany placed 35th, the Netherlands 40th, Japan 51st, France 56th and India 72nd.

•       The United States, which has pledged to double its energy productivity by 2030, comes 87th. China placed 111th and Russia 114th– both countries with energy productivity well below the world average of EUR 143 billion.

The 2015 Energy Productivity and Economic Prosperity Index was published at The 2015 Energy Union Summit convened by the Lisbon Council on 17 February in Brussels, a week before the launch of the EU’s Energy Union.

The project, highlighted as a priority by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker – aims to ensure security of supply for Europe, create deeper integration of EU national energy markets, reduce energy demand, and cut carbon emissions.

The 2015 Energy Productivity and Economic Prosperity Index is an effort to gauge the efficiency and effectiveness with which energy resources are being used worldwide.

Energy productivity is defined as the volume of services or products that can be generated per unit of energy and different from energy efficiency, which measures the inverse – i.e. how much energy is needed to produce a given level of output

Royal Philips is a diversified health and well-being company, focused on improving people’s lives through meaningful innovation in the areas of Healthcare, Consumer Lifestyle and Lighting.

Also Ecofys, established in 1984 with the mission of achieving “sustainable energy for everyone,” has become the leading expert in renewable energy, energy and carbon efficiency, energy systems and markets as well as energy and climate policies.

And Lisbon Council for Economic Competitiveness and Social Renewal is a Brussels-based think tank and policy network. Established in Belgium in 2003 as a non-profit, non-partisan association, the group is dedicated to making a positive contribution through cutting-edge research and by engaging politicians and the public at large in a constructive exchange about Europe’s economic and social future.

Quintel Intelligence is an Amsterdam-based energy modelling and research firm that assists governments, companies and institutions around the world in determining and quantifying their long-term energy strategies.

Quintel believes that a better understanding of energy systems and connected food and water systems will help society deal with current and future challenges.

 

 

 


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NDIC Reinforces Full Oversight Compliance to Safeguard Depositors

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Mr. Thompson Sunday, the Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), has reaffirmed the Corporation’s strict compliance with fiscal and financial regulations, including the provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) 2007, noting that the NDIC has consistently remitted the required percentage of its earnings to the Federal Government.

Mr. Sunday made this known during a courtesy visit to the Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), Dr. Armstrong Takang, as part of NDIC’s ongoing engagement with key stakeholders following his formal assumption of office in July 2025.

According to him, NDIC takes financial accountability and transparency seriously, stressing that the Corporation complies fully with statutory remittance obligations, including the payment of 20 per cent of gross earnings or 80 per cent of net surplus to the Federal Government, as applicable. He added that NDIC also submits its financial statements ahead of statutory deadlines.

The NDIC MD/CE explained that this culture of compliance aligns with the Corporation’s role as a key institution within Nigeria’s financial safety-net, charged with protecting depositors and promoting confidence in the banking system. He emphasized that adherence to fiscal discipline remains central to NDIC’s credibility and effectiveness.

Mr. Sunday further disclosed that NDIC also complies with the Federal Government’s 50 per cent cost-to-income ratio policy, although he noted that the policy poses operational constraints. He explained that the deductions affect NDIC’s ability to build a strong Deposit Insurance Fund, which is needed to respond effectively to bank failures.

He stressed that international best practices under the Core Principles for Effective Deposit Insurance issued by the International Association of Deposit Insurers (IADI) require deposit insurers to maintain adequate funds to reimburse depositors when banks fail without recourse to government, adding that the NDIC is seeking an exemption to strengthen its capacity in this regard.

Mr. Sunday described MOFI as a critical stakeholder, noting that the Federal Government, through MOFI, holds a 40 per cent equity stake in NDIC. He said sustained collaboration with MOFI is essential to ensuring that NDIC continues to meet its obligations to government while effectively safeguarding depositors’ funds.

In his remarks, Dr. Takang commended the NDIC for its exemplary collaborative spirit and acknowledged the Corporation’s compliance with fiscal regulations. He assured that MOFI would continue to engage the Federal Ministry of Finance on NDIC’s behalf, noting that a strong NDIC is vital to sustaining confidence in Nigeria’s financial system.

Both institutions reaffirmed their commitment to continued cooperation, transparency and accountability, with Mr. Sunday reiterating that NDIC remains focused on balancing regulatory compliance with its overriding mandate of depositor protection and financial system stability.


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T2 Backs Youth Excellence as NCBC Wins Bosun Tijani Foundation Basketball Tournament

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T2 has reaffirmed its commitment to youth development and excellence through sport as the NCBC basketball team, adopted by the brand, emerged champions of the Bosun Tijani Foundation Youth Basketball Tournament held at the Alake Sports Complex, Ijeja, Abeokuta.

The tournament, organised by the Bosun Tijani Foundation in collaboration with the Ogun State Government and supported by several partners including T2, brought together 12 competitive teams from across Nigeria, positioning basketball as a powerful platform for youth engagement, discipline, and opportunity.

NCBC’s championship run reflected the values T2 seeks to champion, work ethic, intelligence, teamwork, and resilience. The team recorded commanding victories over Team Vision, Warlords, and Elevate before defeating the Ilupjeu Raiders 66–52 in a gripping final.

Commenting on the adoption of the team, Seni Ogunkola, Vice President, Brands and Communication, T2 stated “NCBC embodies the qualities we believe in, exceptional work rate, intelligence on the ball, discipline, and a hunger to excel. By supporting them, T2 is investing in potential, purpose, and the next generation of leaders on and off the court.”

The climax of the event saw His Royal Highness, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, the Alake of Egbaland, alongside Nigeria’s Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, present the trophy to the victorious team, drawing rapturous applause from spectators. The event was also attended by the Chief of Staff to Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, Mr. Lere Olayinka, and the Ogun State Commissioner for Sports, Honourable Wasiu Isiaka, underscoring strong institutional support for youth-focused initiatives.

Through its participation in the tournament, T2 continues to position itself as a brand that goes beyond sponsorship, championing platforms that unlock talent, inspire ambition, and create lasting social impact for Nigerian youth.


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Ecobank Guarantees Seamless Digital Banking Services Throughout the Christmas and Year-End Period

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Ecobank Nigeria, a member of Africa’s leading pan-African banking group, has assured customers of uninterrupted access to banking services throughout the year-end holiday period via its secure and robust digital platforms. The Bank also urged customers to remain vigilant against fraud and scams during the festive season.

Ecobank Guarantees Seamless Digital Banking Services Throughout the Christmas and Year-End Period

Ecobank Bank

Speaking on the development, Victor Yalokwu, Head, Products & Analytics, Consumer & Commercial Banking, Ecobank Nigeria, said the Bank’s digital channels – including the Ecobank Mobile App, Ecobank Business App, USSD *326#, Ecobank Online, OmniPlus, Omnilite, EcobankPay, RapidTransfer, Ecobank Cards, ATMs, PoS terminals, and over 35,000 Ecobank Xpress Point (Agent Banking) locations nationwide – will remain fully available to support customers throughout the yuletide and year-end holiday period.

He noted that customers will continue to enjoy a wide range of services during the period, including local and international funds transfers, bill payments and airtime top-ups, merchant payments, balance inquiries and account statements, as well as cardless cash withdrawals via ATMs.

According to Yalokwu, “Ecobank encourages customers to leverage these digital solutions for safe, fast, and efficient banking, especially during the festive season when convenience and reliability are essential.

“While physical branch operations may be subject to adjusted working hours in line with public holidays, customers can be assured that Ecobank’s digital platforms are designed to deliver uninterrupted service and enhanced security at all times.

“Ecobank remains committed to providing innovative financial solutions and exceptional customer service, and we wish all our customers a joyful festive season and a prosperous New Year.”

Yalokwu also cautioned customers to remain vigilant against fraudsters and scammers during the period. “Before you wrap up the year, tighten your security. December brings online sales, travel, and year-end distractions—this is exactly when scammers are most active. From fake festive deals to cloned merchant sites and suspicious messages, staying vigilant helps keep your money safe.”

He advised customers to shop only on trusted websites, never share their PINs, passwords, or one-time passwords (OTPs), avoid banking on public Wi-Fi networks, be cautious of urgent or emotionally charged messages, and regularly review their account activity.


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