Local Schools Get Mixed Bag MEAP Results

When it comes to some of our local school districts, it's a mixed bag.With all of the philliplimhandbags sales rampant.

For two of our area's largest school districts, Lansing Public Schools and Jackson Public Schools there was improvement overall.

But Lansing's students continue to struggle in math in a big way. Fewer than 15 percent of all students grades 3-9 are proficient in math. That's a drop from the previous year of more than 16Most replicahandbags can ship the same day FREE via Ground shipping. percent.

In Jackson there's better news, math numbers improved from some 24 percent in 2010 to a little more than 27 percent in 2011.The reliable Aquatimer cheapchaneljewellery.

But it was good news for both districts in the subject of reading.What are some new authenticsunglasses coming out in 2009? It was nearly a 3 percent jump in Lansing when you compare 2010 to 2011 and another 3 percent hike in Jackson from more than 47 percent to nearly 51 percent.Market canadagoosesalecheap feedback Forum Talk.

State officials say making the grade was tougher this year because higher standards were put in place for districts when it comes to what's considered proficient.

Man of the Year: A Giant in the Sun

For his role as a leader in manufacturing and distribution trade, Aliko Dangote is voted first runner-up as Newswatch Man of the Year, 2011

When Aliko Dangote, president and chief executive officer of Dangote Group mounted the rostrum to receive the prestigious Grand Commander of the Order of Niger, GCON, from President Goodluck Jonathan at International Conference Centre, Abuja, on November 14, 2011, there was spontaneous clapping. The applause was instructive. It was a measure of the acceptability that the Kano-born business mogul, more than any other recipient of the awards, deserved the GCON which is the second highest after the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic, GCFR. On record, Dangote is the first individual outside government to bag the GCON which is preserved for the Vice President, the Senate President, Chief Justice of the Federation and service chiefs among others.

To many Nigerians, there could never have been a better choice. Kola Jamodu, president Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN, spoke the minds of many Nigerians on the eligibility of Dangote for the esteemed honour. “Our response to the decision of the Federal Government to confer the esteemed GCON honour on Dangote can only be positive, we believe the recognition is well deserved and we know that it is a signal that the government has its eyes on the real sector”.

The honour for Dangote, which came in the last quarter of the year,See the top parkajackets from the best brands in the industry. was the icing on the cake of achievements recorded by Dangote in 2011 and which led to his nomination and eventual emergence as first runner-up Newswatch Man of the Year.

Before the state honour, Dangote had earlier in the year bagged several meritorious awards from reputable local and international organisations in recognition of his business and entrepreneurial exploits.

For instance, the African Business Magazine of London, in conjunction with the Commonwealth Business Council, had awarded him the African Business Leader of the Year 2011. Dangote also won the African Entrepreneur of the Year and African Business Leader of the Year 2011 from the All Africa Business Leaders Award group. He was also bestowed with the Honorary Doctorate Degree from Crescent University, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Dangote has had a long record of achievements and had won uncountable number of awards in the past. But 2011 stands out as a year the federal government truly acknowledged his importance and contributions to the country's development.

His appointment into the 29- man National Economic Management Team set up by the Federal Government to fast-track the achievement of the economic vision of the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan was lauded by many Nigerians as the fruits of his huge investment in the economy and his reputation as one of the highest employers of labour in Nigeria.

Dangote's business empire also experienced immense growth in 2011. On Monday, September 19, 2011, his Group signed a $115 million Investment Agreement with The Republic of Cameroun for the construction of a 1.5 million metric tonnes composite cement production plant in Douala, Cameroun.

Dangote's projection is to import one million tonnes of clinker a year when the plant which is to be completed in 18 months begins production. “From our projections, this $115 million project with an installed capacity of 1.5 million metric tonnes per annum will take between 14 and 18 months to complete. We project that we will import one million tonnes of clinker per year, we hope to use up to 30 percent of local raw material in line with our business philosophy of adding value to the economy everywhere we operate”, he said.

In Nigeria, Dangote owns four cement plants. The group currently has the largest investment in cement in Nigeria. These are the Obajana Cement Plant in Kogi State, Benue Cement Company, Gboko, Benue State, and two cement plants in Ibese, Ogun State and Odukpani in Cross River State.

The deal in Cameroon is one of the many investments in cement the Dangote Group has outside the shores of Nigeria. In April 2008, the industrialist acquired 45 percent stake in Sephaku Cement, a South African firm, for three billion Rand (N44.75 billion). The deal with the South African cement company came on the heels of an earlier deal in February 2008 in China. The deal is worth $1.2 billion and it is with China's Sinoma International to build cement plants in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Equitorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Tanzania and Zambia. Dangote also has two cement plants in Ghana.

During the year, Dangote also distinguished himself in the area of corporate social responsibilty using his foundation which he set up in 1993 as a vehicle to impact on the lives of people. In 2011 alone, his foundation spent N15 billion in donations as part of its corporate social responsibility. Some of the donations included N10 billion to Bank of Industries, N2 billion to support the housing sector in the country, N364 million to assist persons displaced by the April post –election crisis in Kaduna, Gombe and Bauchi states, N600 million to the Kano State Poverty Reduction Trust Fund and financial supports to Bayero University, Kano; Otuoke University, Bayelsa; University of Port Harcourt, Crescent University, Abeokuta, and Ubayyu Bin Ka'Ab Islamiyya School, Kano.

In recognition of these achievements, Dangote also got listed in the Forbes Magazine as one of the top entrepreneurs and richest men in the world. He seats atop Dangote Industries Limited, a conglomerate with interests across a range of sectors in Nigeria and across Africa. With an annual turnover of three billion dollars, the core business interest of the group include production and distribution of cement, sugar, salt, flour, fruit juice, pasta, real estate, oil and gas, fertliser, telecoms and steel. There are 13 subsidiaries in the group, and together, they employ over 20,000 workers.

Its core business focus is to provide local, value-added products and services that meet the basic needs of the populace. Its current business interest include cement, sugar, salt, pasta, beverages, real estate, port operations, poly products, haulage services and packaging with an eye on oil and gas, steel and telecommunications.

Dangote recently disclosed that his group's investment in cement and fertiliser would hit $9 billion with Nigeria alone accounting for $6 billion and the remaining $3 billion spread to other West African countries.

His foray into the business frontiers of Africa easily makes him a merchant of repute who cannot be taken for granted. Dangote may be described as a shrewd businessman and a consummate entrepreneur. He has dominated many business sectors, bought over and turned around several ailing companies and corporations into profit making ventures.We need the Department of hermeshandbags green to decorate our line of sight.

The Dangote Group started business as a small trading firm in 1977. He has also diversified into shipping, energy development, solid minerals, steel, banking, land transportation and property. Dangote is running the conglomerate so efficiently that his chains of companies like Dangote Salt, Dangote Sugar Refinery, Dangote Flour Mills and many others within the group have become beautiful brides sought after in the stock market.,womenhandbags cartier mens pasha seatimer watches.

Some of the corporate entities that he acquired and restructured into profit making ventures include Benue Cement Company of Gboko, Savannah Sugar in Numan, Adamawa State, and Calabar Cement Company.

Today, his 950 million dollars state-of -art Obajana Cement factory which was commissioned in 2007 remains the largest indigenous and private sector driven cement company in Nigeria.

Dangote Cement PLC, one of the Group's four listed companies on the Nigerian Stock Exchange,Find a chloehandbags Manufacturer and Supplier. NSE, is the only Nigerian company listed on the Forbes' Global 2000 companies.This privacy statement discloses the privacy practices for cosmeticbagfactory. It is also currently the biggest quoted company in West Africa according to a survey by London- based IC Publications, publishers of Africa Business Magazine.

Just as Dangote dominates the cement market, he equally leads in sugar business in Nigeria. He began with the acquisition of 75 percent equity in Savannah Sugar Company in Numan, Adamawa State, at a cost of N1.35 billion in 2003. As at 2007, he had invested five billion Naira to turn around the hitherto ailing company. Today the sugar firm is not only one of the major manufacturers of sugar but is making profit. The Group which boasts of the largest sugar refinery in Africa has set for itself the target to produce one million metric tonnes of sugar per annum while employing 50,000 people by year 2015 to meet 70 percent of Nigeria's sugar demand from local production.

Dangote's investment in consumables has also made his conglomerate a market leader in salt, rice, spaghetti and macaroni. The Dangote Salt Refinery is reputed to be the largest of such enterprises in Nigeria with a production capacity of 400,000 tonnes daily.

At 53, Dangote has made tremendous contributions to the growth of the Nigerian economy, Dangote Group is today a testimony of successful and rewarding private entrepreneurship.

For his leading role in the business which has given hope to thousands of Nigerians through employment and business opportunities, and his achievements and accolades last year, it was not a difficult task for the editorial board of Newswatch to pick him as first runner-up, Newswatch Man of the Year.

Trio of firms win way to accelerate their business

Three Wiltshire companies have been selected by the Swindon Advertiser to represent the county in a business competition which has the backing of the Prime Minister.

More than 3,000 firms took part in the Local Business Accelerators competition across the UK which offered the winning business a chance to be mentored by Deborah Meaden, of Dragon's Den fame.

Businesses entered the competition up and down the country through their local newspapers, including the Advertiser.Buy cheap high quality hermeshandbags Watches,

And the search has been on for the nation's most promising young businesses to help them accelerate their success.

There were dozens of entries in the Wiltshire competition.IWC watches are warranted by our bestvalentinohandbags for a period of one year from the original date of purchase. Ten companies were shortlisted and the winning three are: Frankly Recruitment of Commercial Road, Swindon; All Angles Ltd, furniture and paint sprayers, of Lushill Farm, Hannington and Peony And Moore of Rode, Frome.

Frankly Recruitment is run by Amanda Franks, and has been in business for two years.,monclerouterwear and water purifier sales environment search. It will break its 1m turnover barrier in its third year.

The business started with two people and now employs seven,New diorhandbags at discount prices from SwissLuxury. plus an apprentice.

All Angles Ltd is run by Mark Lee and Gary Peart. They have been in business for three years and provide a bespoke service which involves painting and polishing furniture for a variety of customers.

On their books are the Dorchester group and Anne Robinson, the TV celebrity, who lives in the Cotswolds.

Peony And Moore has launched its own label handbags. Since it started in business two years ago, it has secured wholesale listing with various websites, among national magazines and its own website achieved 15,000 a month from a standing start.

Those winners will get the best professional advice from local business mentors, plus an allocation of free advertising space in the Swindon Advertiser and its sister papers.Most valentinoreplicahandbags can ship the same day FREE via Ground shipping.

The three companies will also go through to the national final where one business picked from the hundreds of regional winners will get individual mentoring sessions from Deborah Meaden.

She will become a consultant and mentor to that business for one year.

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contributor and model is giving away a snakeskin, purple clutch bag by Angel Jackson for the cause, which raises funds for breast cancer research. Other names to participate in the auction include jewellery designer Amber Atherton and model Noelle Reno. Shop from House of Harlow necklaces, Chloe bracelets and designer dresses - with prices starting at just 99p.

OccupyMaine lawsuit to cost city $10,000 or more

With a legal battle looming between City Hall and OccupyMaine, city officials are admitting for the first time that the anti-Wall Street group is starting to cost some serious money.

The city estimates taxpayers will pay between $10,000 and $15,000 for outside legal counsel in response to the lawsuit filed by protesters. The dollar amount, which is only an estimate and will ultimately be determined by the length of the legal battle, marks the first significant expenses the city incurred as result of OccupyMaine, officials said.

"That's what we're estimating," said Nicole Clegg, a city spokeswoman, referring to the initial cost estimate.

"But there's only so much predictability," she said, explaining the the final cost could be higher or lower than the estimate.

OccupyMaine filed a lawsuit against the city in Cumberland County Superior Court on Dec. 19 claiming that city officials are infringing on their First Amendment rights by ordering them to leave Lincoln Park. The lawsuit asks a judge to decide the fate of the encampment.

Unlike other cities, the Portland Police Department has largely avoided overtime expenditures in response to the local Occupy movement, according to officials.,uhrenwatchesstore fittedcaps newyorkyankees ladodgers buffalonewyork.

Police overtime has been a significant cost incurred by other U.S. cities, which have reportedly spent upwards of $13 million in response to Occupy protests around the country, according to a November poll taken by the Associated Press.

However, the first costs incurred by the city of Portland came from police patrols after the group's first protest at Monument Square, officials said.

The Portland Police Department spent about $350 to pay officers because police were "completely unaware of the scope of the event," said Michael Sauschuck,, bestvalentinohandbags offer a wide selection of Replica Watches of all popular Replica Watches brands including Replica Bell & Ross Watches, Portland's acting police chief.

"But since then,Essential-Watches.com sells only 100% laptopbagfactory , all of the walk throughs (at Lincoln Park) have been during regular duty tours," he added.

Clegg says in response to the lawsuit, the city has already started using the services of outside counsel. They hired Mark Dunlap, of the firm Norman Hanson & DeTroy, she said.

Dunlap will work with city attorneys already assigned to the lawsuit, including Portland's corporation counsel and the Portland Police Department's legal representatives, Clegg said.

Dunlap has been hired by the city for outside counsel in other legal matters, though Clegg said she could not immediately recall the specific cases.

Dunlap specializes in civil rights matters, according to his firm's website.

Clegg says the only other expenses expected to emerge as result of the protesters is maintenance work to Lincoln Park if the protesters leave.

However, Clegg noted, OccupyMaine has promised to pay any expenses related to upkeep at the site of the group's encampment.

John Branson, an attorney representing OccupyMaine, confirmed Tuesday the group intends to be good stewards of the park.

"We have always insured them that we would do that," Branson said, adding, "That doesn't depend on the outcome of the litigation. Win or lose, we're going to restore the park."

Outside counsel is paid for by money from Portland's general fund and the cost varies from year to year.We need the Department of monclerouterwear green to decorate our line of sight.

"It depends on the year," she said. "It depends on what we're facing."

The city budgeted $15,000 for outside counsel in its current fiscal year, which runs from July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012.,cosmeticbagfactory full lines of this brand you can find at our store, During the last FY budget, the city spent $40,000 on outside counsel. The costs were largely related to legal fees related to Portland's charter commission, Clegg said.

"We always have some amount budgeted because, by and large, they'll be needed," she said, adding the base amount budgeted — unless the city knows ahead of time of any pending litigation — is $15,000.

In the current budget, the city officials budgeted $428,000 for Portland's corporation counsel, Clegg said, with about $385,000 going toward salaries for the four city attorneys and two administrative staff and one part-time employee.

The next step in the legal battle over use of Lincoln Park will be the city's response to the group's initial filing of the lawsuit.

The city has less than a week to submit a response to the lawsuit, and then Branson will have seven days to respond before any date in court is set by a judge.