The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Entrepreneurship Mentoring Programme Alumni Association, under the leadership of Mrs. Toyin Yusuf, has celebrated a milestone with its recent Meet, Greet, and Connect event held in Lagos.
The event, held to reunite members from various cohorts since its inception in 2013, was a resounding success, fostering an environment of entrepreneurship and collaboration for both business and personal growth.
The theme of the event, “Entrepreneurship and Collaboration for Business and Personal Growth,” resonated throughout the gathering, inspiring attendees to explore new opportunities and forge meaningful connections. Notably present was the founder Mrs. Toki Mabogunje, whose passion for entrepreneurship continues to drive the association forward.
The event commenced with insightful opening remarks by the Secretary of the Association, Mrs. Gladys Igbekele, setting a tone of enthusiasm and camaraderie for the proceedings.
A highlight of the event was the engaging panel session featuring distinguished members of the Chamber and alumni of the programme. The panelists included Ajani Oluwatoyin J, Seyi Abolaji, Abosede Yinka-Ogundimu, QueenIwo Akinyoyenu, and Olaide Shoetan.
The event was moderated by the Public Relations Officer, Oluwatobi Sola-Abiola and compered by Bunmi Osifeso, the Welfare Officer of the Association as the panel discussion delved into key topics on entrepreneurship, collaboration, and industry insights.
Providus Bank who sponsored the event had their representatives on hand to address the banking concerns of the entrepreneurs present. They stated that their support further underscores their commitment to nurturing and empowering the entrepreneurial community.
Food is not just for sustenance in Nigeria, it is a cultural cornerstone, a source of pride, and a way of life. From the northern plains to the southern shores, every region boasts of its signature dishes, each a testament to the rich display of Nigerian culinary heritage. In the mosaic of Nigerian cuisine, local and regional dishes serve as pillars of culinary tradition, passed down from generation to generation. From the aromatic spices of the North to the savoury delights of the South, each dish tells a story of heritage, culture, and community.
Probal Bhattacharya, Chief Marketing Officer, TGI Group, reflects on the importance of preserving Nigeria’s rich culinary heritage: “Local and regional Nigerian meals are the essence of our culinary identity, passed down from generation to generation. Terra Seasoning Cube is committed to preserving that heritage by adding rich flavour and aroma to these traditional dishes, ensuring that they continue to delight and inspire for years to come.”
Deepanjan Roy, Executive Director, TGI Group, echoes this sentiment, emphasising Terra Seasoning Cube’s role in enhancing the authenticity of local and regional cuisine: “At TGI Group, we understand the significance of local and regional Nigerian dishes in shaping our cultural identity. Beyond just seasoning, Terra Seasoning Cube is a tribute to the flavours and traditions that define us as a nation.”
Up in the North, dishes like Miyan Kuka stand as pillars of Hausa cuisine, crafted with powdered baobab leaves for a hearty and wholesome soup. With Terra Seasoning Cube’s subtle touch, Miyan Kuka takes on new dimensions, enriching its flavours and elevating its aroma to irresistible heights.
Venturing to the South-East, one encounters a treasure trove of culinary delights, from the velvety texture of Ofe Nsala to the indulgent flavours of Nkwobi, Ukwa & Ugba. Terra Seasoning Cube’s unique blend of natural ingredients enhances these dishes, bringing out the nuances of each ingredient and creating a fusion of taste and aroma that captivates the palate.
In the verdant beauty of the South-South, two culinary treasures reign supreme: Afang soup and Fisherman soup. They embody the region’s rich bounty of seafood and lush greens, transporting diners to the vibrant shores of the Niger Delta. With Terra Cube, these cherished dishes ascend to new culinary heights, tantalizing the senses with bursts of flavor and aroma. It’s an experience that ignites passion, inviting you to savor every moment as Terra Seasoning Cubes intertwine with the simmering pot, creating a symphony of taste that lingers long after the last spoonful.
Meanwhile, in the South-West, dishes like Egusi, Ewedu, Ewa Agoyin, Eforiro, and Ikokore showcase the region’s diverse culinary heritage. Terra Seasoning Cube’s infusion of flavour and aroma enhances the complexity of these dishes, turning every bite into a celebration of Yoruba culture and tradition.
Hon. Ejike Ezeh is the Federal Commissioner representing Enugu State in the National Population Commission (NPC). In this interview with Frank Ikpefan, the technocrat who had stints as the Commissioner for Special Duties, Agriculture and Rural Development, and Youths and Sports respectively, in Enugu State, gives interesting insights on the readiness of the Commission to conduct a credible and acceptable national population and housing census, importance of enumeration, among other related issues. Excerpts:
You were reappointed for a second tenure as the Federal Commissioner representing Enugu State in the National Population Commission (NPC). How do you feel about your reappointment?
We give all the glory to God. For me, it is an honour and privilege to be so reappointed. I thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who felt that the NPC needed the experience and institutional memory of some of us who have been around in the Commission for some time, to conduct a credible, transparent and acceptable national census for the country, as prescribed by Section 213 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). As you are aware, the NPC is one of the 14 “Federal Executive Bodies” established by Section 153 of the Constitution. As provided in the Third Schedule, Part 1 of the Constitution, the Commission is made up of the Chairman and a member from each state of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, of which I am privileged to be one of them.
The Commission has an uncompleted project in the postponed 2023 National Population Census. As an insider in the Commission, can you tell us why that exercise was put on hold after all the human and material investment committed to it?
First and foremost, I want you to understand that the 2023 Digital National Population and Housing Census was rescheduled and not postponed. You see, the census is a very important exercise. Conducting the exercise is not a serendipitous affair or one-off thing. It requires extensive and massive planning. The process of conducting census involves many events and stages, and is very capital intensive. And remember that Nigeria has been unable to conduct a census in the past 18 years. The last enumeration done in the country was in 2006, and like its predecessors, it was marred by many controversies. Don’t forget that the history of census in Nigeria has been characterised by incorrect and at times, unfounded narratives. So, we needed to get everything right this time around, hence our decision to hold a digital census, the first of such in the history of Nigeria.
How far did you go in the preparation before the rescheduling?
The preparation for the 2023 census started long ago. The NPC implemented all the necessary preparatory activities, such as the Enumeration Area Demarcation (EAD), conduct of pre-test and trial census, recruitment and training of census field staff, procurement and configuration of Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), and the establishment of Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
infrastructure across the country. We carried out advocacy and publicity campaigns across the country. In the preparation, efforts were channeled, not only towards addressing immediate needs, but also laying a solid foundation for future censuses in the country. For instance, the EAD, which involved the division of the country into small land areas, was meticulously undertaken in a way that only an update would be required for future censuses. Out of the 774 local government areas in the country, we couldn’t do EAD in only one local government area in Borno State because of the security challenges in that area. We were almost in the process of recruiting enumerators before the census was rescheduled in the course of the transition from the former government of President Muhammadu Buhari to the new government of President Bola Tinubu. In his wisdom, the former president deemed it fit and proper to allow the incoming president to make inputs and determine the date of the census, which was earlier scheduled to hold between May 3 and 7, 2023.
Some people saw the rescheduling of the census as a setback. Don’t you feel the same way?
No, I don’t. We lost nothing by the rescheduling of the census. Rather, it has afforded us more time to plan for the exercise to ensure that we bequeath to Nigerians credible and reliable census data. So, the census is not an uncompleted project. It is ongoing. We are hoping that President Tinubu, who we know as a man of data, will in the fairly near future make a proclamation on the new date for the census.
You harped on the controversies that trailed the conduct of the national census over the years in Nigeria. What makes this particular census different from previous ones?
The controversies over previous censuses were fuelled by politics. We now feel that if we can detach politics from it as much as possible this time around, the outcome will be different from others. That was why we resolved to make the coming exercise very credible and acceptable by digitalising the process. Like I said at the beginning of this interview, the national census is a very important exercise. That is why in all our activities, we try as much as possible to play down the issue of politics because population and housing census borders on development and not politics, even though there are some elements of politics.
You have stressed so much on the importance of the census. What are the benefits?
Quite frankly, it may take a whole book to enumerate all the benefits of the population census. Within the limited time that we have here, I will mention a few. The census is the backbone of the national statistical system. It provides information on the size, location and characteristics of the population. The uses are numerous. For example, planners need population information for all kinds of development work, including assessing demographic trends and analysing socio-economic trends and economic conditions. Census data are also vital for monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of policies. We need the data for tracking the progress towards national and international agreed development plans, such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), designing evidence-based poverty reduction strategies and empowering local communities with information to enable them to participate in decision making. In terms of effective representation in government, many people don’t know that census data is used for the creation of federal and state constituencies. Besides, data generated from the census are deployed for academic research and feasibility studies by Research and Development (R&D) departments of companies and corporate organisations, for promotions, programmes and projects. I can go on and on. In NPC, we fully appreciate the importance of the census and that is why we are not looking at the issue of politics. That is why we did not make ethnicity and religion part of our questionnaire. These issues are not relevant. In fact, they are combustible. If we can play them down, then we are ready to go.
You talked about the introduction of technology in the coming census. By implication, Nigeria will have its first Digital Population and Housing Census. Can you offer us an insight into the areas where the technology would be deployed?
The entire process is going to be technology driven. I earlier mentioned our Personal Data Assistants (PDAs), which the enumerators are going to use. As they are getting information from the field, it will be going directly from the system to the server. This is a remarkable difference between the current exercise and previous ones. We are confident that technology will give us 85 to 90 per cent assurance. Every process will go through the PDAs and as you are getting the information, you are processing it and it will be going through the server to the dashboard.
Insecurity is a major problem in the country today. To what extent are you collaborating with the relevant security agencies to ensure a hitch-free census?
If you take a critical look at the whole architecture of the census, you will discover that it is an exercise that involves virtually everyone in the country, including security agencies. You will also discover that at the peak of when we thought that the exercise would go on, there were already standing committees in place, of which security was one of them. This committee involved all the security agencies in the country. The staff of NPC are not security experts. So, we need to collaborate with the various security agencies. We work hand in hand with them. The security agencies are the ones to advise us on security issues. They are the ones who will handle the issue of secessionist agitations, insurgency and banditry. So, if the country must be conducive for us to have the census, we must involve the security agencies, including the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Department of State Security (DSS) and others. We bank on them because the entire country will be mobilised, including the President himself. Don’t forget that the President is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federation. Our concern is how we can give our people a credible and acceptable national population and housing census. That is what our people want. Our mandate is to conduct the census. When security issues arise, the security agencies will handle them.
Most times, the people of the South-East geopolitical zone complain of marginalisation in Nigeria. How do you think that we can address this problem?
The question that you should ask yourself is “Who is marginalising the South East?” Marginalisation is a thing of the mind. I hope and pray that we are not the ones marginalising ourselves. I remember that when other parts of the country were mobilising their people for the 2006 census, some secessionist agitators were threatening people not to present themselves for enumeration in Igboland. It is not hearsay. We all saw it happen. We (Igbos) contributed massively to building this very large political entity called Nigeria. Time is ripe for us to rise up and leave behind the ghost of the Nigeria-Biafra Civil War, to assume our rightful place in this country. There was one book we read when we were young. It was titled, “Battle For the Mind and Black Survival,” by Prof. Chimere Ikoku. We need to get out of the mindset that we were defeated at some point because these are the hangovers that are still trailing most people. It is very important that we integrate ourselves into national politics now. That is the only way of getting out of this mentality of marginalisation. We cannot just remain in one corner, believing that someone will come and give us something. No, things don’t happen that way in a large and complex country like Nigeria. We must come out and engage constructively with other sections of the country to get what we want. I heard the Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Professor Charles Esimone spoke at a colloquium in Nnewi, recently. He said that two things are marginalising the South East, the Nigerian 1999 Constitution and census. As we speak, there is an ongoing constitutional amendment at the National Assembly. The South East should take advantage of the constitutional amendment and the coming census, to get rid of this mindset of marginalisation.
In the last census, a lot of people alleged that animals were counted in some parts of the country. What are you doing to ensure that these kinds of stories do not come up in the coming census?
Some of us have heard such things, but there is no evidence. You need to have evidence before you start commenting. People bandy all those things around and when you ask them if they had any evidence to show that cows and goats were counted, you will see that they had none. Some even said that fishes were counted in the Niger Delta and some people believed it. How are you sure? If you don’t have any evidence, why are you saying such things? The way the coming census is planned, it will not even give room for such rumour to come out again.
There is always this mass migration of people during the census as everyone wants to be counted in his hometown and by extension, his state of origin. What is the Commission doing to discourage such movement?
We have been appealing to Nigerians to remain in their states of residency and be counted. Nigerians do not need to travel to their villages and state of origin to be counted as the questionnaire will capture their area of origin. If you look at the questionnaire, local government of origin and possibly, your language are provided for. Therefore, whatever you think you are benefitting from travelling, the person who did not travel will get the same benefit. If you want to get the population of your local government, the way the whole thing is designed is that by merely pressing a button, you will get the number. Whether the person is from Kano or Sokoto, once anybody from your local government clicks it, he will get all the information. That is why we are doing everything possible to discourage census migration because there won’t be any need for anybody to travel. Whether you are in Lagos or Kano, or from local government A or community Z, it is still the same thing. All we want is for Nigerians to trust us. With your support, we are going to do a credible and verifiable population and housing census devoid of politics, ethnic colouration and other divisive issues.
The organised labour and the federal government appear battle ready over irreconcilable differences, chief among which is the vexatious issue of the minimum wage. Thus, with the latter’s paltry N48K proposal as against the N615K minimum wage suggested by the labour unions, a collision between the two parties seems inevitable, reports Ibrahim Apekhade Yusu
One issue, albeit vexatious matter currently on the front burner of the public that has been hotly debated is the need for a review of the minimum wage with the organised labour and the federal government almost at dagger drawn as they raise their voices above the din.
Crux of the matter
In what may have been a prelude to the Wednesday meeting, Comrade Joe Ajaero who had paid a courtesy visit to the corporate headquarters of Vintage Press Limited, publishers of The Nation newspaper title last Thursday had given everything hint that the organised labour were already aware of the predetermined outcome of the scheduled Wednesday meeting.
Short dismissing the planned meeting with the wave of the hand, Ajaero during a chat with our tiop editorial staff had said matter-of-factly that the meeting was going to be deadlock.
Before now the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress had made their position known, by coming up with a rather ambitious minimum wage of N615, 000 and were awaiting a roundtable discussion with the Tripartite Committee on the National Minimum Wage which met last Wednesday.
Giving insights on how the negotiations started, Ajaero said, “We have done the necessary field work. There were consultations across the six geopolitical zones and then we brought out the factors. And the negotiating now said NLC, TUC, go and bring your position. That was when we went to harmonise our position and came up with N615K.
“From that time till date, they were not calling for a meeting. But after May Day, precisely last night (last Wednesday), they sent us messages for a Zoom meeting scheduled for May 15th. But I don’t know how we can negotiate real wages from a Zoom meeting? As some of you will remember that at some point a certain amount was being peddled either N1billion or N2billion or N800million for the committee to meet. So, you can see that if there is a Zoom meeting on this subject matter, the extent to which it is going to achieve our aim or target is another thing because I don’t want a situation whereby you will be in a Zoom meeting and somebody will shut you up and not allow you to contribute.”
Wednesday meeting deadlock
On Wednesday, a meeting called by the federal government to discuss the national minimum wage ended abruptly after leaders of organised labour staged a walk-out.
During the meeting, the federal government proposed N48,000 as the new minimum wage, while the organised private sector proposed N54,000.
Expectedly, leaders of the organised labour were furious that the federal government failed to provide a breakdown to support its proposal.
Labour has repeatedly proposed N615,000 as the acceptable minimum wage given current economic realities.
The Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress on Wednesday expressed deep disappointment as negotiations resumed at the Tripartite National Minimum Wage meeting.
Unfortunately, discussions hit an impasse due to what Organised Labour described as “the government’s apparent lack of seriousness in engaging in fair negotiations with Nigerian workers.”
Addressing a joint press conference in Abuja, the National President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero said, “Despite earnest efforts to reach an equitable agreement, the less than reasonable action of the Government and the Organised Private Sector has led to a breakdown in negotiations.”
According to Ajaero, the proposal of N48,000 by the Federal Government was an insult to Nigerian workers.
“Government’s proposal of a paltry N48,000 (forty-eight thousand Naira) as the Minimum Wage does not only insult the sensibilities of Nigerian workers but also falls significantly short of meeting our needs and aspirations.”
Ajaero noted that in contrast, the Organised Private Sector proposed an initial offer of N54,000.
“Though it is worth noting that even the least paid workers in the private sector receive N78,000 as clearly stated by the OPS, highlighting the stark disparity between the proposed minimum wage and prevailing standards further demonstrating the unwillingness of Employers and Government to faithfully negotiate a fair National Minimum Wage for Workers in Nigeria.
“Furthermore, the Government’s failure to provide any substantiated data to support their offer exacerbates the situation. This lack of transparency and good faith undermines the credibility of the negotiation process and erodes trust between the parties involved.
“As representatives of Nigerian workers, we cannot in good conscience accept a wage proposal that would result in a reduction in income for federal-level workers who are already receiving N30,000 (thirty thousand Naira) as mandated by law, augmented by Buhari’s 40% Peculiar allowance (N12,000) and the N35,000 wage award, totalling N77,000 only. Such a regressive step would undermine the economic well-being of workers and their families and is unacceptable in a National Minimum Wage Fixing process.”
According to an insider, Ajaero said that Labour had to walk out of negotiations but noted that the Congress remains committed to advocating for the rights and interests of Nigerian workers.
“In light of these developments, and to prevent the negotiation of a wage deduction, the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress have decided to walk out of the negotiation process. We remain committed to advocating for the rights and interests of Nigerian workers and will continue to engage in reasonable dialogue with the government if they show serious commitment to find a fair and sustainable resolution to this impasse.”
He also called upon the government to reconsider its position and come to the negotiation table with, “clear hands that reflect the true value of the contributions made by Nigerian workers to the nation’s development and the objective socioeconomic realities that confront not just Nigerian workers but Nigerians today as a result of the policies of the federal government.”
He further urged the government to work alongside Labour to finalise the N615,000 minimum wage as proposed by Labour.
Speaking in a monitored interview with Channels Television, Festus Osifo, president of the TUC, said N48,000 cannot buy a bag of rice in the market.
Speaking on the development, Osifo said the federal government is not serious with the negotiation.
The TUC president said the federal government failed to factor in inflation and other economic challenges confronting the citizenry.
He added that if the federal government failed to continue the negotiation on the new minimum wage, organised labour will no longer guarantee industrial harmony in the country.
“Before President Muhammadu Buhari left office, the least person in the federal ministry was actually earning N42,000,” he said.
“If you now factor in the wage award of N35,000 that was given, N42,000 plus N35,000 will give us N77,000. So, as of today, what the least federal government worker earns is N77,000.
“So, the question that we now ask is that if the least federal government worker is earning N77,000, why are you now coming to present N48,000? It does not just make any sense.
“If you look at the value of N48,000 today… when we negotiated N18,000 in 2011, it could buy more than two bags of rice. N30,000 in 2019 could buy at least one and a half bagof rice.
“N48,000 today cannot buy a bag of rice. How can a man survive with N48,000?
“We will communicate to Nigerians because what they have put on the table is completely abysmal in this era of inflation and economic challenges.”
A 50kg bag of rice currently sells for between N75,000 and N85,000, depending on the variety.
OPS wants labour, governors to tarry awhile
The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has called on the Organised Labour and governors to sheathe their swords and wait for the Tripartite Committee on the National Minimum Wage to finalise its assignment.
Speaking in Lagos, the Director-General, Adewale Smatt Oyerinde, who made the declaration following the media dispute between Organised Labour and some governors on the National Minimum Wage, said: “We are concerned with the ongoing worrisome pattern of accusations and counter-accusations between governors and organised labour on the issue of the National Minimum Wage. It is unfortunate.
“It is instructive to note that the Tripartite Committee that was constituted to negotiate the National Minimum Wage is yet to finalise its assignment and waging a war or negotiating on the pages of newspapers could be counterproductive for stakeholders.
“This seeming war of attrition on an issue that is programmed to be respectfully negotiated and consensus reached is not only unnecessary but also disrespectful to the entire Technical Committee.”
While expressing concerns at the slow pace of the National Minimum Wage negotiation, the NECA DG said the committee is worried over the recent adjournment of the meeting.
He said: “This protracted delay has the potential to further promote agitation and fester distrust among stakeholders.
“We urge the government to, without delay, recall the Tripartite Committee to continue its assignment as soon as practicable.”
On the recommendations of the Organised Private Sector of Nigeria, Oyerinde averred that employers were in support of a new National Minimum Wage, as an increase in wages could also promote economic activities, stimulate consumption and enhance the capacity utilisation of businesses.
“However, such an increase must take into cognizance of the parameters as enshrined in International Labour Organisation (ILO) Minimum Wage Fixing Convention 131 of 1970, which includes the needs of workers and their families and economic factors.
“An appropriate balance between these two sets of considerations is important to ensuring that minimum wages are adapted to the national context, and that the effective protection of workers, level of productivity, ability to pay and the development of sustainable enterprises are taken into account,” he said.
Whose interest is organised labour pursuing?
Members of the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage have been urged to approach the final stage of their assignment with honesty, patriotism, respect, and accommodation in the national interest.
Chairman of the Committee, Alhaji Bukar Goni Aji, who made the call during the fourth plenary meeting of the Tripartite Committee, also emphasised the need to move beyond emotional appeals and embrace rational thinking, considering the numerous competing demands from citizens.
He urged members to focus their minds on doing the right thing even when such a decision is difficult and goes against personal position.
According to a statement by the Head of Press, National Salaries Incomes and Wages Commission, Emmanuel Njoku, the Chairman, a former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, acknowledged the friendly, cordial, and informative nature of the assignment so far.
He expressed optimism that the remaining work will be completed with a sense of responsibility and love for the country.
He encouraged robust discussions, understanding, and acceptable recommendations for a new National Minimum Wage.
The chairman stressed the importance of prioritising the country’s interest, even when decisions are difficult and go against personal positions, emphasising that the committee’s guiding principle should be “country first” and national interest.
He said: “The build-up to Wednesday in undertaking this national assignment has been friendly, cordial, educative and informative, which gives me a safe comfort that we shall run the remaining part of this national duty with a sense of responsibility and love of country.
“I will crave the indulgence of each one of us and solicit a robust discussion with a greater understanding of each other’s position and put forward an acceptable recommendation for a new National Minimum Wage.
“No matter how difficult the decisions are for everyone, there must be a decision. In this drive, the philosophy of country first and National Interest should be our guiding principle.
“We are all gathered here as leaders with massive, wide knowledge and experience on this matter and are representing the interests of our various constituencies in this assignment but today as far as all of us are concerned we only have one constituency which is Nigeria.
“For this reason, we must muster the courage to take responsibility for our decisions based on available information, data, the state of the economy, our level of production, and the level of inflation so that our recommendations for a new National Minimum Wage will be fair, realistic, affordable, implementable, and sustainable.”
Aji expressed optimism that the spirit of give-and-take will prevail, leading to fair, realistic, affordable, implementable, and sustainable recommendations for a new National Minimum Wage.
He also referenced recent comments by former NLC President Comrade Adams Oshiomole and current President Comrade Joe Ajaero, who stressed the need for policies that improve the quality of life and general well-being of Nigerians.
Aji agreed that the committee’s final recommendations should include policies that diversify the economy, check inflation, and boost agriculture to increase production.
“I agree with them that our last phase of the conversation should not throw this out so that a strong recommendation can go forward along the line of their thoughts,” he noted.
The chairman urged members to focus on agreeing to a new minimum wage based on available knowledge, facts, figures, and data, aiming to conclude the assignment in the next few days.
As Seaman’s Schnapps, Nigeria’s top tier prayer drink from Grand Oak Limited, continues its homage of goodwill to royal stools across the country, the brand has literally been earning endorsements from the people that matter.
At the palaces of Oba Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan Lawal, Oniru of Iruland, and his counterpart at Epe, Oba Kamorudeen Ishola Animashaun, Oloja of Epeland, members of the top whiskey received royal blessings of sorts as the gesture underscores the brand’s ongoing appreciation for the crucial role of traditional rulers nationwide, especially in facilitating intercessions, prayers, and unlocking blessings.
The Seaman’s Schnapps delegation, led by Marketing Manager Gbemileke Lawal, Senior Brand Manager Nnenna Uche-Onyenacho, and Activation Manager Benson Oluwafiropo, were warmly received by Oba Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan Lawal.
Oba Lawal, who praised the brand’s dedication to upholding traditional values and fostering cultural unity, also offered prayers with Seaman’s Schnapps, unlocking the blessings of the Iruland and Lagos Ancestors for the advancement and prosperity of Lagos and Nigeria.
Also during their visit to the palace of the Oloja of Epeland, the team received warm hospitality from Oba Animasaun, as the monarch praised its dedication to preserving Nigeria’s cultural heritage and expressed optimism about the brand’s contribution to unity and progress.
Together, they offered prayers for the continued prosperity of Epe and the nation.
Responding, Mr. Gbemileke Lawal, Marketing Manager at Grand Oak Limited, conveyed gratitude to both monarchs for their kindness just as he underscored Seaman’s Schnapps’ profound regard for Lagos’ vibrant culture and traditions, highlighting the brand’s dedication to fostering unity and progress.
Mrs. Nnenna Uche-Onyenacho, Senior Brand Manager of Seaman’s Schnapps echoed these sentiments, stating, “Seaman’s Schnapps is honoured to have had the opportunity to visit the esteemed Oniru of Iruland and Oloja of Epeland. Our brand stands as a symbol of tradition, reverence, and unity in Nigeria. Through our continued dedication to preserving cultural heritage and fostering unity, we aim to inspire a prosperous future for generations to come.”
The visits to the Oniru of Iruland and the Oloja of Epeland symbolise Seaman’s Schnapps’ continuous dedication to respecting and honouring traditional institutions as well as promoting unity and progress in Nigeria. These visits were marked by vibrant cultural displays, including traditional songs and dances by the Seaman Schnapps cultural troupe.
Moniepoint Inc, parent company of Nigeria’s leading financial institutions, Moniepoint MFB and TeamApt Ltd has been ranked by the Financial Times, one of the world’s leading business news organisations, recognised internationally for its authority, integrity, and accuracy as Africa’s fastest-growing financial institution.
The world’s leading financial publication confirmed Moniepoint Inc’s accolade in its annual “Africa’s Fastest Growing Companies” survey, released on Tuesday, for the second consecutive year stated that Moniepoint has achieved both the fastest-growing fintech milestone, and, ranked in Africa’s top four fastest-growing companies overall.
The survey was compiled by Statista, a leading research company renowned for its insight into African companies’ actual performance, in a rigorous screening process. In this survey, companies are ranked based on 2019-2022 data by their absolute growth rate of revenues and their compound annual growth rate (CAGR). Moniepoint’s growth rates of 7,979% (absolute) and 332% (CAGR) ranked it ahead of hundreds of leading companies from diverse industries such as technology, telecoms, financial services, and healthcare.
Leadership of both unions in a statement signed by their General Secretaries, Comrade Afolabi Olawale and Comrade Lumumba Okugbawa in Abuja, expressed grave concerns over the new development, which they described as a threat to the nation’s economic growth and development.
The petroleum unions warned that should the Federal Government fail to swiftly withdraw the charges, they may not be able to guarantee industry harmony.
The statement reads: “We strongly condemn this decision by the Federal Ministry of Aviation to impose exorbitant fees on helicopter operators during this period of economic hardship on businesses and the citizenry.
“These new charges, which include a 4% charge on the gross revenue of helicopter operators, as well as additional levies and taxes, pose a grave threat to the sustainability and viability of the helicopter transport sector that is critical to Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
“We recall that a recent memo directed helicopter operators to compulsorily pay for helicopter landing fees at all Nigerian aerodromes’ helipads, airstrips, floating production storage, and offloading (FPSO) units, floating storage and offloading (FSO) units, and other oil platforms to generate more revenue to the Federal Government.
The Nigeria Red Cross (NRC) society plans to allocate $62.9 million for its interventions in part of the country in 2024, it emerged recently.
The breakdown indicates that $46.9m would be raised from the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC), $1.7m from participating national societies like the American Red Cross, British Red Cross, Canadian Red Cross, Norwegian Red Cross, Saudi Red Crescent, Italian Red Cross, among others, and $14.3m through host national societies in Nigeria.
The initiative aims to implement an emergency operational strategy primarily focusing on the affected States in the North East, North West, and North Central among other States, with a target of assisting millions of people from the most vulnerable groups in rural and urban areas facing acute food insecurity or crisis levels.
These details emerged during the launch of the 2024 Nigeria Red Cross Unified Plan for Nigeria in Abuja on Tuesday, where the National President, Oluyemisi Adeaga, emphasised the meticulous planning of interventions in the designated areas, underscoring the seriousness with which the execution preparations are being approached.
The primary focus areas of action revolve around livelihood enhancement, aiming to offer households opportunities for income generation through culturally sensitive initiatives accessible to individuals of all genders, ages, abilities, and backgrounds.
Additionally, the plan entails providing cash for work and temporary employment for unemployed youth, alongside enhancing beneficiaries’ skills through training in savings methodologies, business skills, and financial management.
Moreover, the plan incorporates multipurpose cash assistance, targeting vulnerable individuals who may not benefit from the aforementioned initiatives.
The assistance will be distributed in four installments to meet basic household needs.
Other key thematic areas for the year encompass health and nutrition, as well as water, sanitation, and hygiene.
●As envoy advises FG to headhunt for Nigerian experts abroad
The Nigerian, Taiwan trade volume has suffered a marginal decline with $500million loss within a space of two years, the Chief of Mission the Taiwan Government in Nigeria, Andy Liu has revealed.
Liu, who spoke on the sidelines of the 2024 Taiwan Business Forum in Nigeria in Lagos, recently, stated that the trade volume declined from $1 billion in 2021, to $500 million after imports from Nigeria matched Taiwan’s demand for imported agricultural products from Nigeria.
According to him, Taiwan was a net importer of Nigeria’s agricultural products especially sesame seeds, maintaining that despite the decline in trade volume, Nigeria still remained a destination for Taiwanese businesses.
He said: “The highest peak of trade reached about $1 billion in 2021. It was the peak of the COVID-19 with Nigerians enjoying a trade surplus trading with Taiwan. We imported more of Nigeria’s agricultural products such as sesame besides oil related products.
“In 2021, we had a huge demand for agriculture products for our food processing industries.”
Pressed further, he said, “In 2022, the trade declined because the provider of the Nigerian food products had already matched our demand, so from 2022 to 2023, we experienced a decline to about $500 million which is still a great value because the both countries are still trading so we might see some level of increase in the nearest future.”
The Taiwan envoy who expressed angst at the unprecedented spate of adulteration of Taiwanese products, lamented that the menace of product counterfeiting and piracy has continued to create upheavals in the global market, a development, he said had prompted his home-country to send delegates to different parts of the world to showcase the quality of Taiwanese products.
“We have been having our delegates visiting the world to prove that we are victims of piracy, but we are going to use the platform to show that we have good and quality products so as to let the world know who are true providers of these quality goods.
“We are very glad to come to Nigeria to demonstrate who is the true owner of quality brands, the most unfortunate thing is that counterfeiters always come to different countries and run away when they have made their profits, but our suppliers would stay to provide good quality products, but also provide after sale services,” he said.
Also speaking, President, Globe Industries Corporation, David Hwang, blamed the influx of counterfeited products from China for the decline of profit margins.
“Our businesses are going down because of counterfeited products. We found out that these adulterated products are cheaper than the original products and this is hitting deep into our profit margins.
“We are here to find partners so that we can do business in a different way that will benefit both international and local businesses,” he said.
On his part, the Director General, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Sola Obadimu, said one key attribute about Taiwan was that they were focused on African businesses, assuring that that the quality of their products was guaranteed.
He assured that NACCIMA would continue to work with Taiwanese companies to drive business growth for both countries.
“We will continue to interact with Taiwanese companies while we would also work behind the scenes,” he assured.
In a related development, Liu has charged the federal government to make an effort to bring back home the talented pool of Nigerians living across the globe.
Nigerians, he noted, are highly talented in all spheres of life but scattered all over the world. “I think Nigerian people should be very proud of yourself because you are one of the most creative, the most practical, and the most dynamic people in the world.
cccsays the company is targeting a billion-dollar investment as it announces an ambitious strategic plan to bring three marginal fields into production by 2025, with a target of 10,000 barrels of oil and at least 50 billion standard cubic feet of gas per day.
Speaking on the sidelines of the 2024 Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston, USA, Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs, Chairman of Platform Petroleum said that the company has scheduled a roadshow in London this June 2024 to raise extra funding to finance their ambitious expansion plans.
“The upcoming roadshow aims to attract equity partners and prepare for future opportunities, targeting a billion-dollar investment. We are seeking partners ready to invest in Nigeria’s oil and gas potential. Our goal is to showcase the country’s vast opportunities and its potential to international investors,” Lulu-Briggs said.
Platform Petroleum’s roadshow in London will highlight the company’s efficient production, upgraded flow stations, increased capacity, and achievements in nearly zero emissions.
With about one percent gas flare currently, Platform aims for zero gas flares by the last quarter.
“Nigeria is a vast market, and Platform Petroleum is thinking big. With the government’s ambitious plans, such as the Lagos-Calabar coastal line, Platform is poised for growth; pushing itself to the next level, building on a strong foundation and following Seplat’s successful precedent”, Lulu-Briggs said.
Despite being a small company, he emphasized that Platform Petroleum had demonstrated significant success and efficiency, showcasing that smaller oil and gas entities can indeed achieve remarkable feats adding that he believes that the company deserves recognition and more assets.
“Platform Petroleum is ambitious, aspiring to become a tier-1 company akin to international oil companies (IOCs) or a tier-2 company like Seplat. Seplat originated from Maurel & Prom, Shebah Petroleum, and Platform Petroleum, and today stands as a major player in the industry. This history underlines Platform’s potential for substantial growth”, Lulu-Briggs said.
Furthermore, the Platform Petroleum Chairman said that the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) is a crucial event for promoting Nigeria’s significant market potential.
“Partnering with the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) at OTC is key to attracting investment. The current proactive government understands the necessity for economic growth, and the Platform is prepared to leverage every opportunity in the oil and gas industry to contribute to this expansion,” he concluded.
