For the 3rd Sustainability in the Extractive Industries Conference
Are you an innovative or aspiring entrepreneur operating, especially, in the extractive industries (oil, gas and mining)? Or do you simply have a vision of an economically prosperous Nigeria, propelled by a high number of resourceful local entrepreneurs? Do you think that dream is often hampered by real and imagined obstacles that discourage local players in the industry?
Activate that vision now and be a part of the solution by entering in an essay and logo design competition for the 3rd Sustainability in the Extractive Industries (SITEI) conference.
The competition is in two categories: Essay and Logo Design. You can enter for either of the categories.
The title of the essay is: “Driving Local Content in the Extractive Industry: Opportunities and Challenges.”
Entries for the logo competition must creatively reflect relevant themes like the ‘extractive industry,’ ‘local participation’ and the ‘economy.’
The winner of the essay competition will win a brand new laptop, in addition to an opportunity to speak at the conference holding on October 24 at Intercontinental Hotel, Victoria Island. The runner up wins a laptop and a chance to attend the conference, while the third-placed entrant will go home with a laptop.
The best three logo designers will win laptops and special invitations to the conference.
BACKGROUND
Entrepreneurs are the backbone of a nation’s economic growth, as they are key to the employment rate, per capita income and state of socio-infrastructural development, especially in transitional economies like Nigeria.
The Nigerian business environment, particularly the extractive industries which account for 90 percent of national revenue has often been described as limiting for local entrepreneurs, contractors and vendors. Activities in the sector are still dominated by foreign firms. This scenario is largely because of low access to loan facilities and public funds by local players, in addition to industry practices which places them at a disadvantage despite publicised regulations.
As part of attempts to increase local content and empower local entrepreneurs in the extractive industries, the Nigerian government set up organisations like the Bank of Industry (BOI) and the Bank of Infrastructure to help indigenous players in the industry secure necessary financial and technical support.
The government recently released – through the CBN – N220 Billion for small businesses, plus an additional N150 Billion for interested entrepreneurs in the extractive industries. These initiatives are complemented by a huge $350 million loan fund made available by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), through its Nigerian Content Fund, to entrepreneurs and managed by BOI.
Despite these efforts, it is still very difficult – if not impossible – for the larger number of Nigeria current and aspiring entrepreneurs to do and sustain competitive businesses in the extractive sector of the economy.
THE ESSAY AND LOGO DESIGN COMPETITION
The essay is an opportunity for interested members of the public who have a burning desire to see increased local content in the extractive industry to provide a precise overview of the sector and proffer lasting panacea for all stakeholders.
Entrants are expected to analytically and concisely review the effectiveness of current government initiatives, the challenges and the prospects in addressing the issue of increasing local participation in the sector.
The essay and logo design competition is organised by CSR-in-Action, a non-profit organisation devoted to the advancement of social ethics, social responsibility and corporate governance in Africa. The competition is in view of the 3rd Sustainability in the Extractive Industries (SITEI), holding on October 24, 2014 at Intercontinental Hotel, Victoria Island.
Expected at the event are industry captains, community advocators and heads of relevant government agencies, ministries and parastatals, including the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Ernest Nwapa; Raymond Wilcox, General Manager, Nigerian Content Development; Lara Banjoko, Chief Executive Officer, Zone 4 Energy; Niyi Yusuf, Managing Director, Accenture Nigeria; Christine K, Director, Heinrich Boell Foundation Nigeria; Jeffrey Corey, COO, Seven Energy; Fidel Pepple, Immediate Past General Manager, NAPIMS; Taofiq Tijani, Hon. Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Lagos State; Owanari Duke, Country Director, Empretech Foundation; Innocent Lagi, Attorney General, Nasarawa State, among other dignitaries.
COMPETITION GUIDELINES
Both essay and logo design entries must incorporate and reflect the theme of the SITEI conference, which is: “Local Content Participation, Accountability and Transparency.”
Essay entries must have a minimum word count of 1000 and maximum of 2000 words (excluding relevant citations and bibliographic references). It should be set in Calibri 12pt, double spaced format and justified with one inch margins to left and right of paper.
All submissions must not have been previously published or broadcast online or on any offline format, including newspapers, books, magazines, radio or television. The author must have full copyright ownership of the work.
All entries must have a cover page indicating the title of the essay and the author’s contact details, including email address and phone number(s).
All entries should be submitted to workshops@csr-in-action.org or uploaded to our matchmaking page here
Winners will be announced on October 18 and contacted via their given GSM numbers and emails. The final results will be posted on CSR-in-Action website and leading social media platforms and blog sites. Prizes will be presented at the conference venue.
Authors and designers of winning entries will be required to complete, sign and return a Release Agreement with regard to the transfer of copyright to CSR-in-Action. Unclaimed prizes will not be awarded. If prize notification is returned as undeliverable, prize will be forfeited.
Employees and volunteers of CSR-in-Action and their immediate families are not eligible to participate.
