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  • Ex-minister, others advocate workplace diversity

    Ex-minister, others advocate workplace diversity

    Gender advocates have urged businesses to integrate gender diversity and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations into their operations, saying it boosts business.

    They spoke at the maiden online event by a global conglomerate, Tropical General Investments (TGI) Group, tagged Women in TGI Webinar Series.

     The event had the theme: Building an inclusive and sustainable tomorrow: gender diversity & ESG.

     They said a more women-friendly work environment helps to promote a workplace free of prejudice and to unlock the full potential of diverse talents and perspectives.

    The webinar brought together internal and external experts including keynote speaker and former Minister of State for Industry Trade and Investment, Aisha Abubakar.

     The speakers facilitated a rich exchange of ideas on how to, among others, create a more women-friendly work environment.

    Abubakar, an Independent Non-Executive Director at Union Bank, emphasized the strategic importance of inclusion in the workplace.

     She commended TGI for incorporating gender diversity as a fundamental aspect of its operations and business practices, particularly the Women in TGI Committee, whose mandate is to actively pursue policies and initiatives that address the needs of the female workforce.

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     “In Nigeria, commendable strides have been made towards gender diversity in the private sector. Exploring gender diversity isn’t just a social initiative but a strategic move aligning with ethical business practices, protecting natural resources, and enhancing sustainability. We must create a work environment free from prejudice to truly champion inclusion. This cultural shift is essential in mitigating our current challenges and unlocking the full potential of diverse talents and perspectives,” Abubakar said.

     Onome Agomate, HR Director – Non-Agri-Business, TGI Group, and Chair of the Women in TGI Committee, expressed satisfaction with the event and highlighted its tangible benefits.

    “The Women in TGI Webinar has sparked important conversations and fueled our commitment to empowering women in TGI Group. True empowerment provides women the tools, support, and opportunities to lead, innovate, and contribute meaningfully,” Agomate said.

    Farouk Gumel, Vice Chairman, TGI Africa, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the belief that a workplace that empowers women is a workplace that thrives.

    “We believe that a workplace that empowers women is a workplace that thrives. This webinar series aligns with our vision of creating an inclusive environment where women are not just present but are key drivers of success at every level of our organization,” said Gumel.

  • Save us from untimely death, pensioners beg Tinubu

    Save us from untimely death, pensioners beg Tinubu

    The Nigerian Union of Pensioners Contributory Pension Scheme (NUPCPS) has cried out to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to save them from untimely death, following non-payment of their pensions.

     It said pensioners across the nation died daily as a result of the challenges they faced.

     NUPCPS cited the example of a 60-year-old pensioner who died on Tuesday, but looked like an 80-year-old man due to suffering.  

     Speaking during the inauguration of the Executive Committee of NUPCPS, PHCN Oyo State Contributory Unit, in Ibadan, NUPCPS Secretary General, Michael Borokini, said: ‘’I wish you could look at my people now;  we have some people that are not as old as me, but look as old as my father because they say money answers everything.

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    “I have somebody here today who left as a senior manager at the point of retirement. If he goes on a good day, his pay should be N400,000 in a month, yet he is earning N100,000 in a month. That is a great plight. We are being shortchanged and being denied our rights.

     ‘’The government should please rise to our challenges.”

     The Southwest Chairman of NUPCPS, Chief Joseph Oyadiran, urged the new leaders not to victimise those who did not support them but court their friendship, calling on members to have faith in their new leaders and pray for them in order to succeed in their new roles.

     Mr. Bola Adeyemi, trustee 1, PHCN Contributory Branch, said: “We have passed through a lot of travails, but we thank God that we have triumphed. Since we left in 2013, we were like orphans”.

     The new Chairman, Alhaji Mukaila Adedapo, said with God on their side, the new executives would work together and hard to achieve the desired goal.

  • Customer service sector gets technical support 

    Customer service sector gets technical support 

    The West Africa Association of Customer Service Professionals (WAACSP) has launched the support aspect of its mandate called “WAACSP for Business (W4B)” to improve service quality and delivery.

    In a statement issued in Accra, Ghana and signed by the Secretary, Christian Anozie, WAACSP said W4B covers administrative, management and technical assistance in service delivery and experience to businesses within the sub-region.

    The organisation said it is in alignment with the ECOWAS free movement of goods and services protocol and the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).

    The statement reads: “The W4B will offer admin, management and technical support services that cover but are not limited to the following services: customer service (CS) policy and procedural formulation, i.e., Standard Operating Policy and Procedures (SOPP), training, recruiting, operations, set-ups (call/contact centre, customer relationship management, etc), and internal and external outposts to improve and give businesses leverage to offer better service.

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    “The vision is for WAACSP to use this fulcrum to assist businesses in improving service quality and delivery, which ultimately will help grow brands and have citizens and customers receive good and quality customer experience.

    “West Africa is home to over 25 million MSMEs with customer service in the sub-region at a paltry 29.67 per cent index rating, a statistic we at WAACSP hope to improve upon with the W4B project.”

    WAACSP is the training, accreditation, and certification body of customer service practitioners in the ECOWAS sub-region.

    It was established in 2015 with four core mandates: training, certification, advocacy and support.

    It has over 100 trained and certified customer service professionals across major sub-regional cities covering over 11 key economic and social development sectors.

  • ‘Lagos to partner more investors’

    ‘Lagos to partner more investors’

    Special Adviser (Legal) to the Lagos State Governor on Public Private Partnership (PPP) Mrs. Bukola Odoe has assured of adequate partnership with stakeholders to further develop the state’s economy in 2024.

    Describing 2024 as a year of renewed impact and consolidation, Odoe said there is a need to look ahead and build on the achievements of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration in the last four years, particularly in the delivery of public infrastructure.

    Speaking at an interactive engagement with members of staff, Mrs. Odoe said 2024 is key to attaining numerous goals of the government, and ‘Office of PPP will ensure necessary support to actualise the THEMES + Agenda of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s government’.

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    She said: “The aim is to strengthen and renew partnerships to launch even more ambitious and impactful projects that align with the laid out plans in the THEMES+ development agenda of Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

    “The PPP office remains committed to fostering productive partnerships that promote the development of Lagos State, contribute to the well-being of its residents, and position Lagos as a leading city in public infrastructure development.”

    Mrs. Odoe maintained that her office will work assiduously to drive economic growth and development across the state by harnessing the expertise and efficiencies that the private sector can bring to the delivery of more public infrastructure.

  • Research key to security, says ex-VC

    Research key to security, says ex-VC

    The immediate past Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos(UNILAG), Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, has stressed the need to drive for internal security to boost economic development, ensure safety of investment, and protect welfare of citizens and resources.

     Ogundipe spoke in Ikeja, Lagos while delivering the keynote speech at the 2023 summit of the Education Writers Association of Nigeria (EWAN).

     The summit had as theme: “Research for national development: Nigeria’s internal security in focus”.

     He noted that internal insecurity leads to stunted economic growth, which negatively affects social cohesion and unity, infrastructural development and human capital development.

     “Nigeria has been contending with internal security in various forms since independence. Internal insecurity leads to stunted economic growth, which negatively affects social cohesion and unity.

     “Foreign relations and diplomacy is badly affected too. Foreign Direct Investment is hampered because insecurity that does not go away keeps foreign investors away. The ways that internal insecurity has hampered our national development are many, but i know that research, science and innovation can play pivotal roles to enhancing internal security,” he said.

     Ogundipe called for the deployment of drones, CCTV cameras to monitor situations, adding that with cyber threats, some universities can be asked  to set up centres that would curb cyber crimes and threats.

     Vice Chancellor of UNILAG, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education Tolani Ali-Balogun, who was represented by Director Education Resource Centre, Akinlade Omolayo and the Chairperson, Nigeria Labour Congress, Lagos State Chapter, Funmilayo Sessi asserted  that security is a collective responsibility and EWAN is frontrunner with proactive discussions and solutions towards the country’s  security.

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    Earlier, EWAN Chairman,  Mojeed Alabi, said the summit was avenue for researchers, policy makers and academia to brainstorm on the way forward with focus on national development and internal security.

    He  pledged the readiness of EWAN to continually contribute to the development of Nigeria.

    There three sessions at the summit.The first was  moderated by veteran broadcaster, Mrs Bimbo, with  representatives of the Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC and the Nigeria Security Civil Defense Corps, NSCDC, on the panel that discussed Ogundipe’s paper.

    The second session with the theme,”Financial security and future of banking in Nigeria, what needs from researchers,” was sponsored by UBA Plc.

    The third session had as theme: “Food security, health safety and environmental sustainability: What nexus? Researchers’ perspectives”, had Prof. Taibat Olaitan Lawanson presenting on paper on urban and regional planning.

  • Edoho is dental firm’s ambassador

    Edoho is dental firm’s ambassador

    Diplomat Oral Care has named Frank Edoho as its brand ambassador.

    Edoho is a broadcaster and television host, noted for a popular television programme, “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?”

     Diplomat Oral Care is a range of premier oral care solution that goes beyond just freshening breath, but also contributes to the overall health and vitality of the teeth.

     The unveiling, which took place in Lagos, during the week, had in attendance distributors of Diplomat Oral Care products, customers, media personalities, and prominent figures.

     Speaking, Edoho recalled how the CEO of the company, Grape Tree International Limited, Cyril Okoye, insisted on his choice as the brand ambassador over other shortlisted candidates, and expressed his deepest appreciation for that gesture.

     “The same way you accorded me that respect while looking for who will fit that role, I will make sure that my number one priority is to sell our product,” he said.

     Edoho noted the company’s commitment to providing Nigerians with a premier oral care solution and promoting the overall health and vitality of their teeth.

     He expressed delight with the number of variants of the products which is 66, and wished to be part of its progress.

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    During his speech, the CEO of the company, Okoye, expressed his confidence in the partnership between the brand and Edoho, saying he believes that it will result in increased brand loyalty and record-breaking sales.

     He noted that the company’s market share is expected to soar and reach new heights in the coming days.

     “Frank Edoho is a big shot in the industry, that’s why we were looking for you and we finally got you. We are happy to have you today and signing a contract with you to manage our advertising sector to ensure that trade is going on very well.

     “His infectious enthusiasm and unwavering dedication to his role made him an iconic figure in the world of advertising and entertainment,’’ Okoye said.

    Diplomat Toothbrush is a range of toothbrushes specially designed to clean teeth, gums, and tongue

  • Aiyedatiwa presents N384b budget proposal

    Aiyedatiwa presents N384b budget proposal

    Ondo State Acting Governor Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa has presented a budget proposal of N384,533,000,000 for 2024 fiscal year.

    This was against the N275,979,184,000.00 budgeted for the 2023 fiscal year.

    Tagged: ‘Budget of Economic Resilience’, Aiyedatiwa said the budget contained reasonable increase in the personnel estimates to cover the imminent wage increase for workers.

    According to the Ondo 2024 budget proposal, the infrastructural development sector has the highest allocation of N95,482,176,340.36, which represented 24.8 per cent,  while the education sector got N47,729,164,261.85, representing 12.4 per cent.

    Aiyedatiwa said granting highest allocation to infrastructural development was to stimulate the economy in 2024.

    “The current national and global economic realities point to reason why we must consciously and programmatically re-arrange our fiscal priorities to target the growth drivers of our economy, so as to quickly fix and reflate the economy, to keep it afloat.

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    “We are aware of the negative impacts of fuel subsidy removal and floating exchange rate on the people.  All these are put into consideration while projecting for expenditure in this budget.”

    Aiyedatiwa sought the continuous partnership of the citizens to make the state run smoothly in line with the mindset of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.

    “The challenges that lie ahead in the incoming year dictate that we should all work together, as we seek to create an enduring economy for our dear state, knowing that whatsoever we do today will be referenced tomorrow.”

    Speaker Olajidi Olamide said the Assembly would pass the budget before December 31.

    He said the accelerated passing of the budget was because it was expected to begin operation in January 2024.

  • Court bars two families from becoming king

    Court bars two families from becoming king

    An attempt by the Akinnadeju and Orilelu families of Alade Idanre to contest for the kingship of the town has been thwarted by an Ondo State High Court.

    The court ruled that the two families cannot present candidates to be nominated, presented or appointed to fill the vacant stool of Aladeokun of Alade-Idanre in Idanre Local Government.

    It said the families of Akinnadeju and Orilelu were not recognised as being part of the Lagokun Ruling House in the community as contained in the 1989 White Paper on Ajakaiye Chieftaincy Review Commission.

    Justice O. M.  Adejumo gave the judgment in a suit filed by some princes of Alade-Idanre, which sought to stop the kingmakers from nominating, presenting or appointing any member of Akinnadeju family from filling the vacant stool of Aladeokun Alade Idanre.

    The judge held that the Akinnadeju family could not be appointed as king even if the declaration contained in the White Paper was registered.

    Justice Adejumo ruled that the White Paper only recognised the families of Akinboro and Akinbola as the Lagokun Ruling House in the community.

    She, however, said both the Akinboro and Akinbola families could not nominate or present candidate to be appointed king until the Chieftaincy Declaration for Olu Alade Chieftaincy as contained in the White Paper is registered.

    “Since the Chieftaincy Declaration approved in the White Paper on Ajakaiye Chieftaincy Review Commission of June, 1989 was not registered, none of the applicants in this case can be validly nominated, presented and or appointed to fill the vacant stool of Aladeokun of Alade Idanre on the basis of the Chieftaincy Declaration approved in the said White Paper.

    “It therefore follows that it is only after the Chieftaincy Declaration has been registered that the family of the Applicants can be nominated, presented and or appointed to fill the vacant stool of Aladeokun of Alade Idanre.”

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    Ruling on the consent judgment earlier secured by the Akinnadeju and Bajulaye Orilelu families to be included as part of the Lagokun Ruling House, Justice Adejumo said the law barred him from interpreting or examining consent judgment.

    The judge said she could not interpret the two consent judgments, saying it does not conform to Ondo State Chief’s law and that it was a judgment delivered by a court of coordinate jurisdiction.

    Justice Adejumo further struck out the suit because the applicants failed to disclose a cause of action.

    The last king of Alade Idanre, Oba Olusegun Akinbola, died in 2020 and the process to install a new king began when officials of the state government asked the Akinnadeju family to present a candidate to be installed as king.

    But some princes in the kingdom and the Akinboro ruling house filed a suit at the court seeking to stop ‘a stranger’ from becoming king.

  • Abiodun advocates intelligence sharing

    Abiodun advocates intelligence sharing

    Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun has called for intelligence sharing among security agencies to enable them tackle the security challenges confronting the nation.

    Speaking at the 4th South West Conference of Directors of Security meeting held in Abeokuta yesterday, the governor said intelligence is one of the needed tools that will assist security agencies to perform their duties optimally.

    He noted that criminals have adopted new methods in carrying out their nefarious activities, hence the need for the security agencies, particularly those in the Southwest region, to up their game and share intelligence to nip crimes in the bud.

    He said: “It is important that as a region, we share intelligence and see how to better secure our region because there can never be any meaningful socio-economic development in an outmostphere of insecurity.

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    “Nobody will come and invest in your state no matter the amount of road you build, no matter the amount of infrastructure you provided. As long as there is an air or a feeling of insecurity, all that will amount to nothing.

    “It is important we understand that the socio-economic development that we all desire in our various states and zones can only be achieved when we have peace and security.”

    In a goodwill message, the Chairman, South West Directors of Security, Mr. Bolade Olori, said the meeting was to review the general security situation in the region with the aim of tackling it.

  • Ex-NURTW president urges moderation

    Ex-NURTW president urges moderation

    The former president of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Najeem Usman Yasin, has advised Nigerians, especially the motoring public, to be moderate in everything they do while celebrating during the Yuletide holidays.

    He said this as part of his end of the year goodwill message to Nigerians, especially members of the union.

    Yasin, a former deputy president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), said: “Moderation is the key word in everything we do. Excess of everything is bad. Hence I implore Nigerians to embrace moderation in everything they undertake.

    “As drivers on the wheel, be moderate in your speed. Over speeding kills. Our drivers should always be cautious and obey traffic rules and regulations so as to arrive safely.”

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    He also cautioned drivers, especially those on interstate routes, to ensure that their vehicles are in good conditions, to avoid unpleasant situation.

    Yasin hailed the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration for its efforts in revamping the economy

    “Considering what the government is doing, there hope that the economy will return to normalcy. I appeal to Nigerians to be patient with the Federal Government.”