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IIHS signs landmark MoU supporting UK’s NHS with high quality Sri Lankan nursing care

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The International Institute of Health Science (IIHS), Sri Lanka’s premier and leading healthcare

education institute renowned for producing an eminent and qualified nursing workforce has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NHS Improvement East England, to provide qualified nurses from Sri Lanka.

Nurses who have completed the University of Coventry, Bachelor of Science (Hons) Nursing Studies and the Open University of Malaysia, Bachelor of Nursing Science (Hons), courses at IIHS are eligible to apply for this programme to support the NHS in delivering quality health and social care services.

NHS Improvement East England is one of seven regional teams commissioned to ensure improved care for patients and provide leadership and support to the wider NHS. In its role, IIHS will ensure nurses are provided high-quality clinical training, required according to NHS standards, including meeting the vital English language competency standards which are necessary as a pre-requisite for the recruitment of overseas nurses.

IIHS together with NHS Improvement East of England will also provide mental health development for nurses, as both institutes strongly believe in the the physical and mental health well-being of recruited nurses. 

To-date, IIHS has already directed 70 nurses to the NHS, with further plans to provide approximately 500 nurses in 2022. Additionally, IIHS has begun work on a programme to provide professional care assistants to UK. Recruited overseas nurses upon confirmation have the exciting opportunity to bring their family to the UK as well.

Speaking at the signing of the MoU, Dr. Kithsiri Edirisinghe, Founder CEO of IIHS said, “We are extremely proud of the status that we have achieved today. It has been a difficult journey from inception as we are part of a regulated industry. Despite many challenges, we began a training school for nursing together with support from the Ministry of Health and industry professionals. We have created demand, created value and even trade unions requested that we train their nursing cadre. Beginning with four students, we have now well over 3000 nursing professionals who have advanced from a diploma to graduate level.”

Dr. Edirisinghe added, “We have been working with NHS and have understood the current needs and standards and within a short time have been able to sign this agreement with NHS East of England. We aim to train Sri Lankan nursing professionals while securing job opportunities for them at NHS UK, while also focusing on mental health nursing development and improving this component in Sri Lanka. By providing training, skills and employment opportunities for nurses overseas we are helping to bring much needed revenue to the country.”

In ensuring qualified students pursue satisfying careers and lucrative employment opportunities, IIHS aims to secure the recruitment of 100,000 health care professionals.

Paul Morris, Director of Nursing, James Paget University Hospital and Senior Responsible Officer for International Recruitment in Norfolk and Waveney, said, “It is a great privilege to be here. We represent a wide community of mental health and social enterprises all come together in recruitment of international nurses. What is really impressive since joining and working together with IIHS is although the NHS and IIHS are separated by thousands of miles, our fundamental values are exactly the same. The high quality education and training are outstanding. I am really privileged to be welcomed by you all and excited to begin the next chapter as we start to see Sri Lanka nurses and unregistered professionals working in our care system.”

Notably, despite most internationally affiliated universities increasing their fees due to the dollar depreciation, IIHS reiterating its commitment to the Sri Lankan education sector offers programmes with a massive 80% reduction in course fee.

IIHS reached a milestone this year with the graduation of 2000 healthcare professionals including 500 nurses in 2022 alone. The IIHS Nursing programme has thus far successfully supported and strengthened the Sri Lankan healthcare sector, contributing over 1350 nursing graduates entering the healthcare industry both local and overseas. Moreover, IIHS’s partnership with UK’s Coventry University, offering high quality nursing education provides Sri Lankan and international students multiple study or career opportunities in the United Kingdom and beyond.

For more information on IIHS visit https://iihsciences.edu.lk/

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Golar Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG),Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) Joins Invest in African Energy (IAE) 2025 Speaker Lineup

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Federico Petersen, Chief Commercial Officer of Golar LNG, will share his expertise on the future of LNG in Africa and the role of floating LNG solutions in driving the continent’s energy transformation at the Invest in African Energy Forum in Paris next month

PARIS, France, April 25, 2025/APO Group/ –Federico Petersen, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) of Golar LNG, will join the upcoming Invest in African Energy (IAE) 2025 Forum in Paris to discuss scaling LNG in Africa, overcoming infrastructure challenges and attracting investment. With Africa rapidly expanding its gas infrastructure, Petersen’s insights are expected to showcase how innovative LNG solutions can support sustainable energy growth across the continent.

As a global leader in floating LNG (FLNG) solutions, Golar LNG is advancing gas monetization across Africa. The company is actively involved in several key projects, including the Hilli Episeyo FLNG facility off the coast of Cameroon, operational since 2018, which plays a crucial role in unlocking regional gas resources with cost-effective, scalable LNG production. Golar LNG is also a key player in the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim project offshore Senegal and Mauritania, where it owns and operates the Gimi FLNG, which received its first feed gas in January 2025, marking a major milestone in LNG export operations.

IAE 2025 (https://apo-opa.co/3ECl25bis an exclusive forum designed to facilitate investment between African energy markets and global investors. Taking place May 13-14, 2025 in Paris, the event offers delegates two days of intensive engagement with industry experts, project developers, investors and policymakers. For more information, please visit www.Invest-Africa-Energy.com. To sponsor or participate as a delegate, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com.

Additionally, Golar LNG is exploring further opportunities across the continent, including ventures in the Republic of Congo and Nigeria. In June 2024, the company signed an agreement with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation to deploy an FLNG vessel in the Niger Delta, utilizing 500 million cubic feet of gas per day to generate LNG, propane and condensate, with a final investment decision expected later this year.

The growth of LNG in Africa is set to accelerate in the coming years as key markets seek to tap into their vast natural gas reserves. As such, Petersen’s participation at IAE 2025 is poised to showcase the pivotal role of FLNG in enhancing energy security, driving economic growth and fostering regional cooperation.

As the global energy landscape shifts toward cleaner, more sustainable sources, LNG will remain crucial in powering Africa’s future, offering a reliable transition fuel to support the continent’s ambitious energy goals. With IAE 2025 as a platform for high-level dialogue and partnerships, the forum will provide an invaluable opportunity for stakeholders to explore the latest LNG developments, deepen collaboration and drive investments that will shape the future of African energy.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power

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VFD Group Plc Reports Remarkable Growth in Audited Financial Statement for 2024 Financial Year

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Net investment income surged by 95% to N59.0 billion, despite a spike in investment expenses to N15.5 billion from N7.4 billion in 2023

LAGOS, Nigeria, April 25, 2025/APO Group/ –In a stunning turnaround, VFD Group Plc (https://VFDGroup.com), a proprietary Investment firm, has announced its audited financial results for the year ended December 31, 2024, showcasing exceptional growth. The journey to this milestone was paved with strategic initiatives and a relentless pursuit of innovation.

Just a year ago, businesses globally struggled with macroeconomic headwinds, and VFD Group, not an exception, reported a pre-tax loss of N1 billion in 2023. However, the team’s dedication and forward-thinking approach yielded impressive results. The Group reported a pre-tax profit of N11.2 billion, representing a 1202% year-on-year growth.

Net investment income surged by 95% to N59.0 billion, despite a spike in investment expenses to N15.5 billion from N7.4 billion in 2023. Net revenue increased by 90% to N71.0 billion, while operating profit grew by an impressive 104% to N48.8 billion.

The company’s financial performance was nothing short of remarkable, with notable achievements including:

– Investment and similar income: N74.6 billion, up 98% YoY

– Net investment income: N59.0 billion, up 95% YoY

– Net revenue: N71.0 billion, up 90% YoY

– Operating profit: N48.8 billion, up 104% YoY

– Pre-tax profit: N11.2 billion, a significant turnaround from a N1 billion loss in 2023

As of April 22, 2025, VFD Group’s market capitalisation surged by 116% to hit N121.6 billion from N56.2 billion year to date.

These outstanding results reflect the success of our team’s efforts. As VFD Group looks to the future, it remains committed to delivering exceptional value to its customers and stakeholders.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VFD Group Plc.

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African Energy Chamber (AEC) Champions Smart Policy, Strategic Partnerships to Advance Namibia’s Oil & Gas Discoveries

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The African Energy Chamber is a strategic partner of the Namibia International Energy Conference, which kicked off today in Windhoek

WINDHOEK, Namibia, April 24, 2025/APO Group/ –As a strategic partner of the Namibia International Energy Conference (NIEC), the African Energy Chamber (AEC) (www.EnergyChamber.org) is calling for a deliberate and accelerated approach to moving Namibia’s recent oil and gas discoveries into production – emphasizing the importance of speed, investor confidence and strategic collaboration.

Speaking during a high-level panel at NIEC 2025, AEC Executive Chairman NJ Ayuk urged Namibia to seize the momentum of its frontier discoveries, while avoiding the pitfalls that have stalled progress in other hydrocarbon-rich African nations. He emphasized that Namibia’s path to becoming a regional energy hub hinges on its ability to learn from international case studies and execute deals that ensure long-term national benefit.

“Namibia needs to move fast, produce quickly and negotiate the best deals with its partners to ensure the rapid development of its oil discoveries,” Ayuk stated. He pointed to Guyana as a prime example, noting how the South American country developed a robust strategy focused on national benefit and successfully attracted billions in investments to fast-track its energy projects.

Namibia needs to move fast, produce quickly and negotiate the best deals with its partners to ensure the rapid development of its oil discoveries

In contrast, Ayuk cautioned against the delays experienced by countries like Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda and South Africa, where production was significantly postponed, leading to rising project costs and lost opportunities. “There is a growing movement trying to discourage Africa – and Namibia – from producing its oil and gas. We must resist that,” he added.

Reinforcing the need for investor-friendly terms, Justin Cochrane, Africa Upstream Regional Research Director at S&P Global Commodity Insights, highlighted the necessity of contract stability, transparent data-sharing and a balanced approach to fiscal negotiations. “It’s natural that Namibia wants to maximize its benefits, but pushing too hard on IOCs can result in getting 100% of nothing… The first milestone must be achieving first oil,” said Cochrane.

Representing Namibia’s national oil company, Victoria Sibeya, Interim Managing Director of NAMCOR, stressed that the company is actively engaged in every phase of the industry, from data acquisition and exploration to shaping the downstream and midstream vision. “We are not just bystanders,” said Sibeya. “NAMCOR is deeply involved in data acquisition, exploration and the exchange of knowledge and technology with our partners. We are also preparing to invest in downstream and midstream sectors to ensure that we can add value once production begins.”

Echoing the call for local development, Adriano Bastos, Head of Upstream at Galp, underscored the need for early and continuous skills development – proposing that Namibians be trained abroad in specialized areas like FPSO operations to ensure they are prepared to lead once production begins at home. “Namibia has capabilities that are rare in the region, but more collaboration with international partners is essential to build the local skills base,” he said.

Bastos noted that Namibians make up 25% of Galp’s workforce in the country, including its first female offshore base manager. “We are proud of the strides we have made. Our nationalization plans are aggressive, and we work closely with [the Namibian Ports Authority] and other local entities to implement meaningful capacity-building projects.”

As Namibia stands on the cusp of transforming exploration success into production, the message from industry leaders is clear: time, trust and talent will determine the country’s trajectory. Through cross-border collaboration, pragmatic deal-making and a strong national vision, Namibia can emerge not just as an oil producer – but as a continental model for inclusive, forward-thinking energy development.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber

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