Author: The Nation

Professional Decorators operating in Nigeria’s growing event industry have been urged to embrace creativity and innovation as part of their business culture in order to be relevant and sustainable.

This advice came recently on the heels of the just concluded third edition of the annual Decorators Summit, with the theme “Innovation: A key to business sustainability’ hosted by Agatha Adesigbin, CEO of Jedidiahs Grand Services.

In her opening remarks, the Convener, Adesigbin, said it is very expedient for professional decorators to be intentional about their personal and business growth.

She stated that a summit like this affords participants an opportunity to glean knowledge from those with experience and have been in the industry for years.

“The path to success in any endeavour requires that you learn from those ahead of you. So, we have chosen this year’s theme to be innovation which is not farfetched having come to realise that innovation is one of the most crucial elements to remain relevant in any industry.

“When we gather like this, it’s expected that we come with an open mind to learn, unlearn and relearn. For me, a summit like this should be an opportunity to network and promote collaborations among industry colleagues,” she added.

In her keynote address, Mrs. Funke Kuyoro, Past President, Association of Professional Party Organizers and Event Managers of Nigeria (APPOEMN), said innovation is inevitable as a player in the industry.

“For me being innovative is to go over and beyond for clients as this has been her secret having spent about 11years in the event industry.

Some of the facilitators also spoke along the theme.

Onye Ubanatu, an Event Content Producer urged the decorators to make travel a priority and not a luxury as it helps to spark their creative juices. Mrs. Ozoemezie Adeyeye CEO of flowerplus, and an experienced florist tasked the participants to always think out of the box and stay abreast of trends.

Pastor Akinboye Odeku, CEO of Classicus Rentals, emphasised the need for decor entrepreneurs to be tenacious and train their workforce to also have that innovative mindset.

Juliet Obijiaku, founder Social Polish Academy, in her session told the participants to develop great communication skills and ensure professionalism in their dealings in order to attract and retain premium clients.

An Integrated Deprived Area Mapping System (IDEAMAPS) Network in partnership with the University of Lagos and other organisations has launched a three-year project to develop a data-sharing ecosystem of informal settlements and other deprived urban areas routinely and accurately at scale in Lagos, Kano, Abuja, and Nairobi.

Speaking at the event, the Urban Big Data Centre Deputy Director and Team Lead of the project, Professor João Porto de Albuquerque, said the project will enable us to make a step change in participatory urban analytics platforms and methods.

“By connecting cutting-edge analytics from satellite imagery – using Artificial Intelligence (AI) – with community-based participatory research methods, we will be able to place disadvantaged communities at the driving seat of urban data innovations towards equitable and just transformations to sustainable development,” he said.

Albuquerque stated further that the project features a multidisciplinary and international consortium with partners at the African Population and Health Research Centre (Kenya), University of Lagos (Nigeria), University of Twente/ITC Faculty (Netherlands), George Washington University (United States), University of York (UK) and University of Glasgow (UK).

He noted that more than 10 million people are added to African cities each year, roughly two-thirds of whom live in slums, informal settlements, or other deprived areas.

He added that the network is ready to work with different stakeholders including slum dwellers, local governments, researchers, and academia, and use this data for actual slum improvement and upgrade.

“It will be a collaborative process with residents in slum areas, policymakers, and government and academic research. It is to create a one-stop platform, a technology platform that enables people to exchange data in a way that preserves and enables them to do precise policies and actions to improve slums,” he said.

Speaking on the choice of destinations for the project, he said “Lagos is a powerful metropolis, and Nigeria is one of the highest urbanisation growths, it is growing a lot and the problem of the informal sector and slums is a particular challenge.

“With this in Nairobi, Kenya, more East Africa perspective and learning from these three, we expect to engage a much larger number of cities worldwide. For example, we are looking in context for India with other Asian cities to expand our network there and to other cities, which face other similar challenges around the world,” he said.

In his words, the Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos on Enterprise Geographic Information System (eGIS) and Physical Planning, Dr. Olajide Babatunde, said the government also realises that there are silos of automated information, which are not having a handshake or speaking to each other. So one of the things we want to do as a government is to provide a special data infrastructure where all layers can be plugged into.

Also, the Team Lead, of Lagos Urban Studies Group (LUSG) and Senior Lecturer, at the Department of Geography, University of Lagos, Dr. Peter Elias said that slum communities are complex, and because of that, there is a need for all kinds of data from all sources and in getting the data, there is the need for collaboration of all stakeholders.

The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) has partnered a leading renewable energy service provider, GreenPower Overseas Ltd, to develop and implement an energy transition strategy that resulted in the installation of a 60KW solar hybrid system for its laboratory.

Speaking during the partnership parley in Lagos recently, the Director Laboratory Service Department, LASEPA, Mr. Lewis Gregory Adeyemi noted the laboratory department being an engine room of the agency requires uninterrupted power to warehouse all the data and information upon which the state of environment in Lagos State is determined.

Adeyemi advised more Nigerians to go solar, saying solar cannot be wished away.

He said, “Because of the greenness and newness of solar, though it’s a bit expensive, anybody that can afford it I will encourage them to go for it.”

In his own remarks, the Managing Director of GreenPower Overseas Ltd, Engr. Bamidele Faparusi said the 60KW hybrid solar solution designed, procured and installed by his firm into LASEPA laboratory, will save the agency over 90 percent on diesel and maintenance of generators.

He also noted that stable and uninterrupted electricity supply will allow LASEPA to focus on its core mission of enforcing environmental complaints throughout the State.

Faparusi who was visibly happy about the results his firm achieved in partnership with LASEPA, saying the gesture will reduce manpower lost due to power failure.

Manufactures across the country has commended the Standards Organisation of Nigeria [SON] for striving to boost export and consumer’s confidence in goods by the provision of doorstep mobile calibration vehicles and measurement equipment.

Speaking at the event recently in Lagos, President, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria [MAN] Otunba Frank Meshionye, who was represented by the Director G, Segun Ajayi-Kadir said that this latest move by SON has marked a milestone in the quality infrastructure programme in Nigeria.

“What we are seeing here today answers even more to our needs. African Continental Free Trade Agreement [ACFTA] offers a unique opportunity for Nigeria to excel. Market penetration is key and without market penetration all the 1.4 billion people’s market in Africa will be there for you to just gaze at,” he stated.

He said that it has been acknowledged all over the world that people do not value what you cannot measure, “SON has blazed the trail in ensuring that not only our big companies that are located in centre that you can access but that vehicles can move to far places in Nigeria to deliver this measurement service.

“For us it is important because we are not only going to ensure the quality and the right quantum of our product but for the buyer, he knows what he is buying, for the seller, you know what you are selling and it is good for us not to even over supply and the customer not to be under supplied so for us it is a win-win situation.”

Reiterating that Public Private Partnership [PPP] was the surest path to attain an enduring economy, the DG, assured SON of MAN’s partnership as a top priority. “This is because politicians come and go but institutions have to be strong to be able to maintain what we need and so all of us have a responsibility to support and encourage SON.”

While calling on support for the Agency, the DG of MAN, impressed on the federal government the need to support with the allocation of the right level of funding, adding that it is in the interest of the private sector to also lend their support “so we do not lose our competitiveness in the African world.”

Engr. Chinonso Manafa, Head of Quality Department, Nigerian Ropes Plc, said the doorstep mobile calibration vehicles and measurement equipment will guarantee accurate and reliable measurements for the country. “We manufacture lifting equipment, any mistake or usage of substandard products by us can destroy lives and property. We commend SON because they have helped us to standardize our services.’’

Lauding SON’s efforts in addressing the concerns of Small and Medium Enterprises, [SME], the Chief Executive Officer, Lydin Ltd, Mrs. Regina Imoisili said the launch of the equipment would make SMEs more standard compliant and charged businesses to take advantage of the equipment.

In her own remarks, Dr. Oluwole of the Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi [FIRRO], while commending SON said the Agency has been making giant strides to ensure that quality products are available to Nigerians. “FIRRO is proud to be associated with SON and we pledge our full support,” added the representative of the FIRRO DG, Dr. Adamu Tutuwa.

Malam Farouk Salim, Director General, SON, said the state-of-the-art mobile equipment meant that remote areas would be served, leading to a more inclusive and enhanced economic growth.

Salim stated that the calibrations would ensure compliance, monitor the control of substandard products across the country and promote mass production for industries and businesses.

He added that it would facilitate transactions in business, trade and commerce as well as fast track overall industrial growth, especially development of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across the country.

Salim said that the agency would embark on public awareness programme to promote and protect safety and highlight the importance of calibration.

“As we are all aware, the plague caused by substandard products to our nation cannot be over emphasised, as seen in declining foreign exchange, surging unemployment and closing of some factories,” noted.

“To address these challenges, we have set out to strengthen available measures to fight substandard products across the country. Some of the measures include establishing six new offices in more locations for better coverage, provision of testing facilities across the various regions and the establishment of SON special task force to serve as a third eye.

“I, therefore, invite you to join hands with us to fight the influx of substandard goods and create a healthy nation by patronising our calibration services,” he urged.

Meanwhile the Director, Nigeria Metrology Institute [NMI], SON, Engr. Bede Obayi said the journey to taking calibration services to MSMEs and other valuable stakeholders in their locations, has been a long but continual one starting from 2008 to date in SON’s quest to enhance the metrology value chain in Nigeria.

He said the NMI has been for the dissemination of measurement standards and providing traceability and accuracy of measurements to the industries, laboratories, trade and commerce, aviation, oil and gas, agriculture, health, education, automotive, mining, power and others.

“This means that metrology is life and life begets all developments and advancements in technology towards better living. The scope of NMI of SON is varied and significant as the sole representative of Nigeria at the International Bureau for Weights and Measures [BIPM] situated in France, for all world metrology matters [scientific and industrial],” said Obayi.

President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Alvaro Lario has impressed on world leaders the need to accelerate action for food security by stepping up investments in rural communities and the small-scale farmers who produce one-third of the world’s food.

He spoke at IFAD’s 46th Governing Council meeting in Rome recently.

“Think how much more rural people could contribute to global food security, peace and stability if they had the resources to improve their farms and businesses and to prosper, not just survive,” Lario told heads of state, government leaders and representatives from IFAD’s 177 Member States.

Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, in her statement to delegates said: “This is a moment for the world to recognise that we need to invest right now in securing food and nutrition for citizens across the planet, especially poor people. To invest in small holder agriculture. To invest in diversified local production and food systems transformation. To invest in ending the world’s hunger and nutrition crisis.”

As IFAD sets out on the 13th replenishment of its resources, a year-long consultative process during which Member States come together to agree on strategic directions and mobilize the funds IFAD provides as concessional loans and grants to developing countries, Lario stressed the unprecedented challenges and dire circumstances now facing the world.

“The world is in permanent crisis. And it will continue to be as long as we respond to each emergency in isolation, without complementary investments in holistic, longer-term solutions,” said Lario. “It costs less to fix a problem than it does to respond to an emergency. And the more we delay, the higher the costs.”

Multiple crises, including climate change, conflict and global inflation are combining to create a food crisis of epic proportions, as progress in achieving Zero Hunger moves backwards. Currently, more than 1 in 10 people suffer from hunger and over 3 billion people cannot afford a healthy diet.

The President of Somalia Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, in his keynote address, emphasized the real impacts of hunger being felt in his country.

“In Somalia, we are taking food security very seriously,” said Hassan Mohamud. “In fact, I have stated many times before that food security is a fundamental part of national security for my government. In this sense the old saying that ‘a hungry person is an angry person’ is correct.”

He added: “We have the challenge of rebuilding a hopeful future for a truly resilient and deserving people with a strong innovative base to address food security and sustainable development.”  

According to latest IPC statistics, parts of Somalia are extremely food insecure, just as millions more are suffering catastrophic hunger around the world.

Investments in agriculture are effective in reducing both hunger and poverty. GDP generated by agriculture, for example, is 2 to 3 times more effective in reducing poverty than growth in any other sector. “But beyond the numbers are the people,” stressed IFAD’s President, “the 3 billion people who rely on small-scale farming for their food and livelihoods.”

At a launch event for IFAD’s 13th replenishment (IFAD13), IFAD Goodwill Ambassador, Sabrina Dhowre Elba addressed governors in a video message. “I don’t need to tell you how urgent the need is. Eight hundred million women, children and men are too hungry to live normal and productive lives. The people who grow our food do not have enough to feed themselves,” she said.

IFAD is aiming to achieve a substantial real increase in Member State contributions to extend its impact around the world. IFAD13 commitments present an opportunity to define the path towards improved food security and reduced poverty after decades of under-investment in small-scale agriculture.

“IFAD is dedicated to ensuring the populations we serve, who produce so much of our food, get the support they need to take the lead in building their livelihoods and resilience,” said Lario. “They are not passive victims but a powerful force for change,” he added.

By Afolabi Idowu

The former Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, Sir Steve Bamidele Omojafor, chairman Audience Measurement Board, Mr. Tolu Ogunkoya and Mr. Ekuma Eze, Sustainability Director Coca-Cola Bottling Company and a host of others have been confirmed as eminent speakers at the fourth edition of ‘The Industry Summit/Awards.

The event tagged, ‘How Marketers Should Handle 2023,’ is scheduled to hold on Friday, March 31st, in Lagos and will be chaired by Sir Omojafor.

The two keynote speakers such as Mr. Tolu Ogunkoya, Regional GMD, OMG West & Central Africa (WeCA)/Chairman, Audience Measurement Board would ventilate their views on “Turn Data to Action: How Marketers Can Rationalize Performance Measurement & Drive Efficiencies with Intelligence” and Mr. Ekuma Eze, Corporate Affairs & Sustainability Director at Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company to speak on “FMCG: Impact of Government Policy Shift on the Industry.”

According to the Editor-in-Chief of The Industry Newspaper, Goddie Ofose, the annual event will bring together professionals in marketing, communications, technology, banking, manufacturing, advertising, public relations, government agencies, students among others with the aim of sharing ideas and networking.

By Funke Cole

The socioeconomic development strides recorded within the public health sector in Lagos state thus far is worthy of emulation, the management of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) has said.

Specifically, the management of the tertiary institution lauded the former Lagos State governor Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the current Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for their support and contribution to tertiary health service provision in Lagos State.

The giant strides recorded by both leaders have helped in no small measure to improve the health sector in the state, the management of the tertiary institution stressed.

Making these remarks on Wednesday was Prof. Adetokunbo O. Fabamwo, the Chief Medical Director of LASUTH.

He spoke at a speciality medical screening event held at the Ojokoro Local Council Development Area, LCDA. The screening was particularly for two common potentially blindness causing eye conditions, cataract and glaucoma. The LASUTH team mounted screening points both within the premises of the LCDA Secretariat as well as the Oba of Ojokoro’s palace grounds.

According to Fabamwo, the efforts and contributions of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate as Lagos State Governor (1999/2007) towards promoting the health status of Lagosians was unprecedented.

The LASUTH boss recalled that “In 2001, the Asiwaju Bola Tinubu administration established the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital and ensured significant infrastructural and manpower development to make it attain a prime status among other similar institutions.”

Prof. Fabamwo further reiterated that even though subsequent administrations contributed their quota towards the development of the hospital, the current administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu brought about an unprecedented exponential upgrade.

He gave the example, among many others, of the approval and support for the establishment of a Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory, the first in a public state owned teaching hospital in Nigeria.

The well trained interventional cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons in the hospital are able to perform many lifesaving procedures in the laboratory and indeed, many of such procedures have been successfully carried out in the recent past, he stressed.

“Recently, a well-known public figure was referred from a hospital in South East Nigeria for an advanced interventional cardiology procedure. Mr Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu sponsored the cost of the surgery.

The Chief Medical Director then declared that this specialised screening programme was to showcase the contribution of the teaching hospital towards the full achievement of a segment of the THEMES agenda of Mr. Governor and give something back to one of the communities in Lagos State.

He pledged that the hospital will make the advanced skills and knowledge residing within its health personnel available to other communities in the future. He also disclosed that the exercise is fully sponsored by some friends of the hospital.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Ojokoro LCDA, Hon. Ahmed Idowu Daniel Tijani lauded the achievements of the hospital in the last 20 years and appreciated its kind gesture in bringing the specialised screening exercise to Ojokoro LCDA. 

He said it would go a long way in easing the health burden of the people of the area.

He added that since the objective of the programme is the detection and subsequent treatment of people suffering from glaucoma and cataract, citizens who would not ordinarily have known that they have such eye conditions will be better informed.

Also commenting on the programme, the paramount ruler of Ojokoro Land, Ìba Rilwan Oluwalambe Taiwo said he was very grateful to LASUTH for bringing the programme to his domain, stressing that members of the community welcomed the opportunity to get free eye screening.

He said: “We appreciate LASUTH and indeed the local council. We wish to assure Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his entire team that we shall reciprocate their kind gestures by mobilising the community in his second term bid by casting our votes for him.”

The highpoints of the occasion was the screening of over 500 indigent members for eye conditions, especially glaucoma and cataract.

The CMD of LASUTH, Professor Fabamwo also hinted that there would be aftercare services for patients in whom these conditions are detected.

One of the beneficiaries, Adewale Francis, a 65 year old retiree said he was happy to be a part of the medical outreach, especially the eye screening. Francis, who noted that he heard about the exercise from his church, confirmed that a lot of people welcomed the timely intervention as it enabled the indigent members of the community to benefit from a programme capable of improving their health status.