The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • SON generates N85m in Rivers

    SON generates N85m in Rivers

     Mike Odiegwu, Port Harcourt

     

    THE Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) generated N85 million in 2020 for the Federal Government through service charges in Rivers State.

    SON also vowed to beam its searchlight on the petroleum industry to ensure maintenance of global standards in the sector.

    The state’s SON stated this when the Director-General and Chief Executive of the organisation, Mallam Faruk Salim, visited the Rivers/Bayelsa State Office on Port Harcourt, Port and Boarder Operations, Onne.

    Read Also: Pope’s personal doctor dies of COVID-19

    The Coordinator,  Samuel Ayuba,  in charge of SON in the two states, said despite the challenge posed on their operations by the dreaded COVID-19 that the organisation  was able to generate about N85million.

    Ayuba said: “Within the year 2020, we generated N85million despite the COVID-19 pandemic. This is against the performance of N19million generated in 2019.

    “We are requesting that the National office support our operations with LGP testing van. This will help our operations and increase of revenue generation.‘’

     

  • ‘CAC raked in N19b revenue in 2020’

    ‘CAC raked in N19b revenue in 2020’

    Our Reporter

     

    REGISTRAR-GENERAL, Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Alhaji Garba Abubakar, has said the organisation raked in more than N19 billion as Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) last year.

    Abubakar made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Abuja.

    According to him, in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic that affected economic activities, the commission recorded increase in the registration of businesses and other corporate entities during the year.

    “The year 2020 was one of our best years in terms of revenue generation as we recorded a surge in registration above the previous year.

    “We had a revenue target of N18.2 billion, but we closed here with over N19 billion.

    “For the first time in the last 10 years, we are able to give more money to the Federal Government in terms of operation surplus.

    “We are hoping that we will meet our target for 2021 because where there is increased compliance by customers, there will be an increase in the revenue for government,’’ he added.

  • AXA: Data analytics, others vital to business growth

    AXA: Data analytics, others vital to business growth

    Lucas Ajanaku

     

    INCREASED adoption of machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions in business organisations will bring more value to the organisations, AXA Mansard said on Wednesday in Lagos.

    Nigeria arm Chief Financial Officer & Chief Data Officer, Ngozi Ola-Israel, who spoke along with nine speakers from three continents at its just-concluded Data Science Week 2020 Hackathon event, explained that the challenge was geared towards driving productivity by empowering the employees of AXA Nigeria with relevant data analytics and machine learning skills needed for them to be more effective in their daily task, thereby bringing more value to the business.

    Read Also: AXA Mansard among Top 50 brands

    Supported by Zindi Africa, the hackaton  is a private challenge event on data analytics opened to only AXA Mansard employees.The challenge, which lasted for four days had 21 data scientists enrolled and four on the leader-board. Three winners were announced by Tekedia Institute, a United States-based institution with focus on business management and leadership development.

    While thanking the participants, organisers, and leaders on board, she said the company will continue to take active steps to use data analysis to make a sustainable impact in the insurance space.

    The Hackathon Challenge aimed to see how a hypothetical company could use her employees’ data between the first three years to give insight into why employees were leaving the company.

     

  • Ardova to acquire Enyo Retail and Supply

    Ardova to acquire Enyo Retail and Supply

     Taofik Salako, Deputy Group Business Editor

     

    ARDOVA Plc (AP) and Enyo Retail and Supply Limited (Enyo) have entered discussions on possible acquisition of Enyo by Ardova.

    Ardova’s share price rose by 1.52 per cent or 30 kobo to N20 per share yesterday at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) as investors received preliminary briefing on the acquisition.

    Chief Executive Officer, Ardova Plc, Mr Olumide Adeosun, said the parties have advanced in discussions and are committed to concluding the deal by the end of first quarter 2021.

    According to him, after the completion of the deal, Ardova will retain the Enyo branded stations which will operate side by side with the AP brand while leveraging the strengths of AP and its group companies.

    He said Ardova Plc and Enyo Retail & Supply Limited will provide further information on progress made on the proposed acquisition.

    Ardova on Wednesday stated that shareholders of Enyo have accepted in principle AP’s offer and acquisition framework, though the conclusion of the deal is subject to the successful completion of a due diligence exercise and the receipt of all required regulatory approvals.

    Enyo is one of the newest and fastest growing retail and supply companies in the downstream sector.

    Enyo is a technologically driven player and operates over 90 stations across Nigeria attending to over 100,000 retail customers daily across 15 states of the country.

    Ardova is a Nigerian leading indigenous and integrated energy company involved in the distribution of petroleum products.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Lagos community seeks Sanwo-Olu’s reversal of demolition order

    Lagos community seeks Sanwo-Olu’s reversal of demolition order

    Tajudeen Adebanjo

     

    THE Wasimi Community Development Association (CDA), Mile 12 in Ikosi-Isheri Local Council Development Area of Lagos State has appealed to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to reverse the approval of the demolition of 90 properties in the community.

    The CDA said a suit on the matter is before Justice L.A.M. Folami of Court 34, General Civil Division, Ikeja Division, Lagos State.

    The community urged the governor to investigate officials of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development and the Lagos State Building Control Agency over a planned conspiracy with a property developer on the matter.

    Its Chairman, Mr. Kingsley Afinjuomo, refuted allegation by the ministry that the area is fraught with defective structures, lack of building plan approval and a den for criminals for which they hoodwinked the governor into signing the obnoxious demolition order.

    The community, he said, was populated by civil servants and retirees who bought land validly and were law-abiding for more than 50 years.

    According to him, officials of the ministry stormed the area on March 15, 2018 and last July 24 to paste demolition notices on properties within the community, citing lack of evidence of planning permit from the state government and the nullification of the title authority upon which the buildings and structures were erected.

    Read Also: Addressing flooding issues in Lagos

    Afinjuomo explained that no single property owner has had his or her title to land challenged by anybody in court since they bought the land.

    He said the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development in 2018 requested that property owners without building plan permits should begin immediately the process of obtaining same, while it informed those with building plan permits that they had nothing to fear.  The CDA chief said those who heeded the instruction of MPP & UD in 2018, as regards the building plan permit processing, are yet to be given their approvals despite paying the MPP & UD assessed fees in 2018.

    According to him, officials of the ministry conspired with a property developer to rely on a court judgment the community has no knowledge of.

     

  • Madam Olajubu for burial

    Madam Olajubu for burial

    Our Reporter

     

    THE  Asiwaju Oyedeji  Olajubu family of Ilare Kingdom,  Ibokun Local Council Development Area, Ilesa, Osun State has  announced the   death of   its  wife, mother, daughter and aunt,   Yeye Olufunke Mercy Olajubu   (nee Ogunyebi).

    Madam Olajubu died on January 7.

    Funeral  arrangements are as follows:

    Wake keep holds today at Lowinrin Avenue, Ilare Ijesa,Ibokun East Local Council Development Area at 4pm.

    Funeral Service will take place at St Francis Primary School, Oke Eyindi Street, Ilare Ijesa, Osun State. Time is 10am.

  • Funeral for Banjo

    Funeral for Banjo

    THE funeral of Mr Olatunde Banjo, a media executive begins today with a wake at Celestial Church of Christ, Oluwajebe Ire Akari Parish, 34/40, Alhaji Azeez Ajibola Street, Ire Akari Orile, Iloye 2, Damilola Block, Sango Ota, Ogun State.

    The time is 3pm.

    The funeral service will hold tomorrow at Ijebu Isonyin Christian Burial Ground at 10.am. The late Banjo is survived by his widow, children, grandchildren, aunties and uncles.

     

     

  • FIFA enlists Oshoala for music project

    FIFA enlists Oshoala for music project

     Julius Okorie

     

    Super Falcons striker Asisat Oshoala and singer  Tiwa Savage are two Nigerians  to feature in a new FIFA initiative to marry sports and music.

    The World soccer ruling body on Wednesday  launched  what it dubbed ‘FIFA Sound’-a strategy to connect with audiences worldwide through shared passions of football and music jointly identified as universal language.

    The project according to FIFA includes a new podcast series featuring Liam Payne and world’s leading football players and musicians with such as Ivan Rakitic, Carli Lloyd, Asisat Oshoala, Lele Pons, Tiwa Savage, Wretch 32 and Morat, among others.

    Read Also: Oshoala listed for UEFA award

    “FIFA’s vision is to make football truly global, accessible and inclusive. The crossover between football and music underscores this wider cultural relevance. Both are universal languages and have the power to create unrivalled emotions. It’s a natural fit to bring them together,” Jean-François Pathy, FIFA’s Director of Marketing.

    “It’s been fantastic to see the enthusiasm around the launch of this strategy, and we are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead to connect people through inspiring human stories.”

    FIFA Sound is kicking off with the launch of an eight-episode podcast series.

    Hosted by Universal Music Group’s global chart-topping artist Liam Payne and co-hosted by sports broadcaster Jaydee Dyer, the FIFA PlayOn Podcast pairs star football players with award-winning musicians for unforgettable conversations.

  • Osimhen’s return now fixed for February

    Osimhen’s return now fixed for February

    Our Reporter

     

    Victor Osimhen is set to return to action for Napoli before the end of February.

    The Nigeria international has not been on the pitch since his injury in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Sierra Leone in November.

    The 22-year-old tested positive again after a new coronavirus test on Monday and is expected to still be out for 20 to 30 days..

    Osimhen had tested positive for the virus after returning from a trip to Nigeria and has been self-isolating since then.

    The striker’s first test which returned positive on arrival in Naples kicked off a chain of events that landed him in trouble with Napoli.

    Read Also: Osimhen misses out again

    The Serie A club giants were unhappy to see a video of Osimhen dancing and spraying money at a party in Lagos with complete disregard to COVID-19 protocols.

    Although Osimhen apologised, Napoli manager Gennaro Gattuso said Osimhen would pay for the ‘silly mistake’.

    This latest development continues Osimhen’s frustrating spell at Napoli so far where he has just played six league games, scoring two goals and providing one assist.

  • Iwobi earns praises from Everton boss

    Iwobi earns praises from Everton boss

    Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti has expressed his delight with the productive partnership between Alex Iwobi and Lucas Digne in their 2-1 Premier League victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Tuesday.

    The Nigeria international has been delivering eye-catching performances for the Goodison Park outfit recently and against Wolves, he scored his first league goal of the season.

    The 24-year-old forward opened the scoring only six minutes into the encounter after a fine combination with Digne to end a 15-game drought in the division.

    Ruben Neves then levelled for the Toffees before Michael Keane scored the match-winning goal as Everton clinched their second consecutive victory.

    Read Also: Iwobi shines as Everton hold Burnley

    Ancelotti is delighted with the performances of his team and praised the partnership between the Super Eagles star and the 27-year-old.

    “We had a different approach without Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin. We played more to attack the flanks with Iwobi and Digne and it worked well because the first goal was a fantastic combination,” Ancelotti told  BBC Sport.

    “Michael Keane is unbelievable with his head. His goal helped us to stay in a good position at the table.”

    Iwobi has now scored two goals and provided three assists in 19 appearances across all competitions this season to help Everton move to the fourth spot on the Premier League table.

    The forward has taken to social media to express his joy with the impressive performances of the Goodison Park outfit.