The Nation Newspaper

Category: Building & Properties

  • Lafarge’s CPTP: a boost to youth empowerment

    Lafarge’s CPTP: a boost to youth empowerment

    Youth unemployment is a major issue in the country. But experts say the solution to the problem, which hampers productivity and social harmony, ranges from entrepreneurship to technical apprenticeship. MUYIWA LUCAS writes on the Cement Professionals Training Programme (CPTP) by Lafarge Africa, which trains youths to acquire employable skills.

    The need to increase local content, especially in  multinationals, is one way to develop backward integration which the country  craves for.  Besides, such initiative has provided a safety net for operations of firms domiciled in hot areas in the country.

    It was for this that Lafarge Africa Plc, established the Cement Professionals Training Programme (CPTP), which began on June 8, to assist youths in its catchment areas.

    Under the scheme, over the next three years, 15 youths from Ogun, Gombe and Cross River states will be trained in mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, automation technology, cement manufacturing process and entrepreneurship at Lafarge’s facilities in Ashaka, Ewekoro, Mfamosing (in Calabar) and Sagamu.

    With this, stakeholders are convinced that the firm has repositioned its flagship technical training programme for young Nigerians as part of its corporate social responsibility, as well as adding value to the development of the country, especially its host communities in Southwest, Southsouth and Northeast.

    The CPTP Manager, Mr. Michael Shokunbi, said while its objective remains the same as previous programmes’,  the coverage  has expanded to include science-based young school leavers from the Northeast and Southsouth.

    He said to make the CPTP effective, Lafarge was partnering the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), the Nigeria Employers Consultative Assembly (NECA) and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE). The certificate awarded after the programme is accredited by NBTE and valid for admission into  universities.

    The Country Chief Executive Officer of Lafarge Africa, Michel Puchercos, said the CPTP was a national programme aimed at bringing about change in the society.

    He said: “Skills acquired through this programme will not only make these young men employable, but impact positively on our host communities,” adding that with more companies towing his firm’s example, host communities of companies will see a steep decline in youth restiveness.’’

    Communications, Public Affairs and Sustainable Development Director  Mrs. Folashade Ambrose-Medebem said the 15 youths in the CPTP would be trained to imbibe the culture of “safety first”.

    “We want to conduct business at zero harm to people and at zero cost to life. If we’re good in safety, then we’re good in business,” she said.

    In his message to the trainees, the Ogun State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Modupe Mujota, challenged them to ensure they put the training to good use for the benefit of their community.

    “To whom much is given, much is expected. You are not here by chance; you have a specific and important role to play in ensuring that the three-year intensive multi-skilling vocational training will bring about improved standard of living in our communities,” she said.

    The earlier version of CPTP—developed in partnership with the ITF and the Nigerian Employers Consultative Association (NECA)—was launched in 2012 with 12 youths and increased to 21 in 2014. Its graduates were trained in automation, electrical and mechanical skills and awarded a diploma after the 18-month programme.

    The skills addressed the dearth of professional artisans and technicians, allowed the youth to be self-sufficient and support their local economy, and thus, reinforced bonds between Lafarge and the community.

    Three-quarters of the first set got jobs with Lafarge while others were engaged by Lafarge contractors.

  • Developers mull change in land use

    •LASBCA insists on compliance

    If the Association of Real Estate Developers of Nigeria (AREDOLS), Lagos State chapter, have their way, setbacks on building sites may be reduced.

    AREDOLS, at a meeting aimed at  fostering better working relationship with the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LABSCA), asked the government to reduce the mandatory space to be left on plots underdevelopment

    Under the building regulations of the state, and depending on the location, a developer is expected to leave certain spaces on the land when building.

    AREDOLS Lagos chapter Chairman Mr. Nureni Olanrewaju, who led the body’s executive council and members to the meeting, said granting such request would further enhance more housing space for the people, especially now that there is a huge deficit in housing.

    “We would like you to consider this reduction in space. In Cotonou, (Benin Republic) building on fence wall is allowed,” he explained.

    Other issues Olanrewaju asked the government to look into, include  streamlining its several agencies involved in supervision of construction works; tax clearance issues and building approval timeframe, among others.

    But LABSCA General Manager, Mr. Olalekan Shodeinde, explained that conformity to building approval cannot be wished away. He said the conditions stipulated by the government were for the good of the people and the environment.

    “Our environment is hot, so we need space for proper cross ventilation; and other future development that the government may want to embark on,” he said.

    A senior Consultant architect with Advanced Engineering Consultants (AEC), Richard Ibilola, agreed with Shodeinde. He explained that when building on the Island or Lekki, for instance, it is mandatory to leave a space of nine meters in front of the building, and three meters by each side and behind; while on the mainland it is a mandatory six meters in front.

    He explained that the total built up area allowed on a plot of land is 36 percent, but can be allowed to stretch to 42 percent in some instances.

    “The reason for the mandatory allowances on a land is mainly for greening, parking, proper ventilation, good aesthetics, and other things to make living comfortable,” Ibilola said.

    Shodeinde, who rued the recurring building collapse in the state, vowed to enforce ‘no construction at night’ policy as part of the working strategies to minimise incidences of building collapse. He urged residents to raise the alarm over any suspected distressed building or those under construction with shoddy construction works.

    “Building collapse is not a normal phenomenon. It occurs as a result something left undone as far as due process is concerned. Once people get approval, ensure that God-fearing professionals are engaged in the development with the use of standard and adequate materials, the incidences of building collapse will be adequately minimised. Most tests on collapse site always show that materials used are of substandard. We are out to ensure everybody builds right and enforce compliant. But right now, we are thinking outside the box now to monitor 24/7 to ensure compliance.

    He called on all Lagosians, especially member of AREDOLS to embrace whistle blowing method regarding substandard structure being put in place by unscrupulous developers, saying that the current administration was committed to flushing out the bad eggs among the developers.

    “I want to encourage you to embrace the whistle blowing in this profession. Anyone who is putting up bad structure or building at night expose the person. Alert us, we will respond and stop such project ans possibly get the person arrested,” he appealed.

    Shodeinde also disclosed that going by Lagos State laws, henceforth, any collapse site involving the loss of human lives would be forfeited to government, especially when it is proved that the incident is as a result of negligence on the part of the owner or developer.

  • Niger partners Italian firm on housing

    To provide affordable houses for residents, the Niger State

    Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with an Italian firm, Italworks Nigeria Limited, for the construction of 1,000 housing units of two and three bedrooms.

    The project, to be executed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement, is valued at N8 billion. Already, more than 3,000 off-takers have bidded for the 1,000 units of the two and three bedrooms detached bungalows to be constructed.

    Niger State Housing Corporation General Manager Ahmed Abdullahi, at the MoU signing, said the government would provide 91 hectares of residential land along the Minna-Abuja express way in Paikoro Local Government area, while the Italian company, Italworks Nigeria Limited, would fund the project.

    According to him, Niger State is gradually becoming a haven for industrialists and civil servants, and the 1,000 housing units will reduce accommodation problem in the state.

    “This is part of the Governor Abubakar Sani Bello’s effort in providing affordable houses for Nigerlites. This project is one of the steps being taken by the state government to reduce the housing deficit in most towns in the state,” Abdullahi said.

    Italworks Managing Director, Mr. Gaetano Crisa, explained that the project will commence next month and it will have backward integration benefits as it is planned to create employment for thousands of youths in the state and enhance business opportunities, especially in the state’s building materials market sector.

    Crisa assured that his firm has executed 10 projects successfully in Nigeria, and that Italian engineers and architects would be brought in to ensure the construction of quality and affordable houses in record time as contained in the MoU.

  • LAGESC rolls out agenda, urges Lagosians to pay utility levies

    The newly formed Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), formerly the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI), has said its priority is to ensure that environmental infractions become a thing of the past.

    Its Executive Secretary, Mrs Idowu Mohammed, made this known in an interview.

    She said LAGESC would make sure that the environment is kept clean and in line with the mandate of Cleaner Lagos Initiative (CLI).

    Mohammed said the corps would  be used to police the highways to ensure that people do not dump refuse indiscriminately on the roads, and to prevent traders  from displaying their wares on the road.

    “The sanitation corps will clear the pathways and bridges and dislodge people selling on the road. They will make sure that the roads are clean and that there is no infraction. They will make sure that the Public Utility Levy (PUL) is paid by residents of Lagos State,” she explained.

    She assured residents that the new corps would carry out its responsibilities in line with international best practices, noting that gone were the days when KAI officials conducted their affairs with uncivily.

    “We are out to serve the residents with all civility and decorum. The government’s aim is to provide and promote a cleaner and healthy environment, devoid of indiscriminate dumping of refuse and drainage blockade,” she said.

    Mohammed said that the government would deploy motorised trucks to sweep highways, a reversal from the previous era where sweeping of roads is done by human beings and thereby exposing them to the danger of being knocked down by vehicles.

    The LAGESC chief said over 27,000 of the 30,000 sweepers that would be recruited would be made to sweep streets in their communities and be paid salaries above the N18,000 minimum wage.

    “Under the Cleaner Lagos Initiative, 30,000 jobs will be created for sweepers. We have an agreement backed up by the government. In the old waste management system, wastes were collected, but the disposal mechanism was the problem,” she said.

    The Managing Director, Solid Waste Management (SWM) Solutions, the consultant to the government, Mrs. Tolagbe Martins, assuring the public of better days ahead in waste management, said the CLI is incomplete without effective enforcement and total compliance, adding that this is where LAGESC will play dominant roles.

    “The aim of CLI is to create an enabling environment for investment. The passage of the law enabling private sector participation in waste management has made it a reality,” she said.

    Martins explained that the “PUL is a property-based charge applicable to all properties within the state. It has replaced all previous waste management levies.”

    She added that under the new dispensation, the Public Utilities Monitoring and Assurance Unit (PUMAU) has been created to coordinate PUL bill generation.

    Martins also disclosed that the  government had concessioned three Landfills under the Build, Own, Operate and Transfer (BOOT) for 25 years, adding that this would take effect from next year.

    But pending the readiness of the three landfills, the government, Martins explained, would make do with what is available now, noting that the Olusosun dumpsite would be closed immediately the landfills were ready.

  • Experts to govt: engage us in tackling disasters

    Experts to govt: engage us in tackling disasters

    •Lagos NIESV inaugurates exco

    Experts have called on the government to engage their services in tackling challenges confronting the nation. An instance is the flood that has ravaged some states.

    The professionals, who spoke at the investiture of officials of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), Lagos State branch in Ikeja, were unanimous that the flooding was not unsurmountable, urging the government to do the needful.

    A professor of Land Economics, Modupe Omirin, said the government should establish the office of the Valuer-General, like it is in Australia and other parts of the world. This, she noted, will serve the purpose of quality delivery, standardisation and improve the work of valuation within the government business.

    Besides, such issues as the recent flooding in the Lekki-Ajah axis, and across the country could be solved with mechanical engineering techniques, which would ensure that drainages are channelled in such a way that water will flow freely, she said.

    “Amsterdam is several measures below sea level. However, they have managed to use engineering expertise to control the flow of water in such a manner that they hardly experience flooding,” she said.

    Omirin, who was the Chairman at the event, therefore, charged the new executives, led by Mr. Olurogba Orimalade, to educate government officials on the need to consult estate surveyor and valuers on issues that are the exclusive preserve of the professional body as it affects valuation. “Valuation of properties is the exclusive preserve of NIESV; it is wrong for any government or anybody to hire a person that is not an Estate Surveyor & Valuers to carry out such duty. But because they (government) don’t have the understanding, they give it out to other professionals because everybody is competing to make money,” Omirin said.

    A past president of NIESV, Mr. Bode Adediji, advised the government to approach flooding from a professional perspective. He regretted that the problem had persisted for too long without any solution and called on the public to “hold the government responsible for the tax you have paid to them”.

    Adediji observed that the flooding in the island would have a dramatic impact on land value distribution.

    “I cannot imagine people now calling for higher value in an area already notorious for perennial flooding and those on the mainland will not be expected to keep the value of their properties cheap. So there will be a paradigm shift,” he explained.

    Vice President, International Real Estate Federation (FIABCI), Nigeria chapter, Mr. Adeniji Adele, urged government to review its master plan because most of the areas designated as residential has been turned to commercial area. He also advised the government to do a follow up check on approvals given for construction to ensure strict adherence and compliance to terms of approval. Drainages, he advised, must be cleared regularly to get rid of all blockades, while the activities of cart pushers and illegal dredgers must be stopped.

    Orimalade, in his welcome address, observed that the group had never witnessed a time like this where almost every aspect of the profession was being challenged by non-professionals.

    He noted that technology was shaping the way professionals do their business. For instance, the era of making use of measuring tape was gradually giving way to laser tapes, among other technological tools, he said.

    “From the days of the professional valuer making use of Parry’s valuation tables to aid his valuation, we now have valuation software, which gives you your values once the relevant data is imputed within seconds,” Orimalade said.

    The new Chairman, who is also the Principal Partner, Rogba Orimalade & Co., acknowledged the efforts of the Lagos State Government for gradually trying to make the state take its place among the most advanced cities in the world by the use of technology to effectively run the state’s operations and thereby increase the state’s internally generated revenue (IGR).

    “Just some days ago, I had the opportunity to grace the opening of the digitalised and upgraded Land Registry at Alausa. From a touch of a button on the computers at the Registry, you can now carry out searches easily for any property title in the state. The whole process now could take you less than five minutes,” he said.

    He reiterated that with the  advancement in the state’s information technology and developmental strides in urban renewal and infrastructure, it was critical for the NIESV Lagos Branch to quickly evolve to a more active stakeholder in the built environment because it is these rapid changes in technology and incessant encroachment by non-professionals in the profession that has given rise to his vision tagged “Contract with NIESV.’

    He said the “contract” which he categorised into five key areas- Branding, Strategic engagement (public and  private sector), Public Enlightenment, Membership expansion and training, will establish the right frame work and structures for a functional and effective branch that would be able to meet the yearnings of members.

  • N5b Silicon Valley coming to Ikeja

    N5b Silicon Valley coming to Ikeja

    The private sector is not relenting in contributing to the mega city status of Lagos State. Across the real estate sector, especially in the retail mall sub sector, it is a common sight to behold mega, ultra-modern plazas.

    In furtherance of this trend, a real estate firm, Messrs Masters Reality International Concepts Limited, has unveiled plans that will change the face of shopping malls in Ikeja.

    The firm hopes to replicate the American ‘Silicon Valley’ concept in Lagos with the construction of an Information Technology (IT) Mart within the central business district of Ikeja.

    The Mall, to be known as “Ikeja IT House”, is slated for completion within 18 months after securing approval from the Lagos State government.

    The IT mart is planned as a three-storey building, to be built on three acres of land situate at Simbiat Abiola Way, Ikeja, Lagos.

    It will also come with 1, 800 shops; a multi-storey car park for 280 vehicles, banking hall, and an IT laboratory, among other facilities.

    The IT laboratory will be a place where theoretical understanding of practical work is first understood. When completed, it will be a hub for IT needs in the country, including a research and development centre to provide solutions to IT problems.

    The Group Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Masters Reality International Concepts Limited, Mr. Lai Omotola, said the project, for which international funding has been secured, will cost N5 billion, noting that at this time of the country’s history, entrepreneurs that will come out with new projects to boost the economy is what is needed.

    “We have international funding for the project already; you are aware that local banks are no longer  lending money to developers. IT content is the nation’s  next crude oil; almost 10 billionaires in the world have something to do with IT,” he said.

    Already, Omotola explained, the project, had received comprehensive endorsement of all global brands, adding that both local and international brands have indicated interests to be part of the project.

    “Our company is pioneering the value chain end of IT. The initiative will bring Nigeria to global recognition as an IT power house. It is about building our own silicon valley. The mall will serve as a specialised operations of IT and compete globally. It will bring Nigeria to global recognition as IT power house,” he explained.

  • How to tackle problem of homelessness, others – EUC Homes chief

    How to tackle problem of homelessness, others – EUC Homes chief

    The problem of homelessness in Nigeria can be addressed as early next decade, the Chairman of EUC Homes Limited, Ben Uche Odunzeh, has said.

    EUC Homes Limited, a real estate company located in Lagos and recipient of the City People magazine award for “Most Promising Real Estate Company in 2017,” is already thinking outside the box to help finding lasting solutions to one of the biggest problems in the country.

    To achieve this, Odunzeh said he has established the EUC Homes Foundation; a foundation that would come up with guidelines, and publicize successful strategies that would inspire a sustained and strategic philanthropic response to homelessness, hunger, and illiteracy.

    Since the early 80s when the problem of homelessness first came into national consciousness, several concepts and ideas have put forward to address the problem.

    The EUC Homes chief said practical solutions would be required to tackle homelessness, hunger, and illiteracy in the country.

    He said: “It (Foundation) would execute recommendations from staff and experts on what philanthropy can do to help end homelessness, and provide concrete examples of involvement by foundation of all sizes in this issue.

    “It would also highlight renewed energy and plans that are fueling a growing consensus that problem of homelessness can be effectively addressed in the next decade.”

    Odunzeh noted that many foundations have launched important initiatives tailored toward specific homeless populations and their urgent needs.

    He commended other philanthropic individuals and organizations who are involved in this work and encouraged others to consider homelessness as a part of their grant-making.

    “Local and international efforts to end homelessness offer opportunities for any foundation involved in human services to make a difference.

    “We now know how to prevent and end homelessness and have an unprecedented opportunity for decisive action. We hope you will join us,” Odunzeh added.

     

  • Institute seeks financing option for infrastructure deficit

    With N3 trillion required yearly to meet Nigeria’s infrastructural deficit, the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS) has called for project financing as an option to develop  infrastructural projects.

    This option was mulled at the just-concluded two-day specialised workshop organised by the body in Lagos, with the theme: “Finance and development of capital projects-emerging solutions”.

    The institute’s President, Mrs. Mercy Iyortyer, condemned the tradition of government financing capital projects from allocations from fiscal budgets alone, without the contribution of finance from other sources like the private sector, as unsustainable especially in view of the present economic situation of the country, which she traced to falling oil prices, high exchange rate, double digit inflation rate, unstable foreign exchange rate, low budget performance and liquidity constraints on the fiscal budget.

    The situation, she further noted, has been compounded by commercial banks, who have made themselves short-term lenders- a development that is not suitable for long term investment projects. This is why it has become crucial that alternative sources of investments with larger and more patient pools of capital are incentivised to participate in infrastructure financing.

    “There is need for us as a people, especially as professionals, to consider emerging solutions to these challenges and to benchmark with other countries such as China and Dubai which have had success stories in this area. The private sector is expected to become increasingly involved in the creation of financing solutions to develop Nigeria’s frail infrastructure,” she said.

    Although Iyortyer noted that project finance in the country is still in its infancy, coupled with the attendant pressing challenges in this regard, positive trends, she said, are beginning to emerge. Notwithstanding, the NIQS boss observed that the progress made so far in this direction has provided a strong foundation for hope.

    Quantity surveyors, she explained, have an understanding of the measurement of cost and value, including the necessary combination of financial analytical skills and market knowledge to rise to the occasion required for capital project finance and development.

    In a communiqué signed by Iyortyer at the end of the workshop, the body said the approach of project financing is unsustainable given the present economic pressures, which was listed to include falling oil prices, high exchange rate, double digit inflation rate, unstable foreign exchange rate, low budget performance and liquidity constraints on the fiscal budget.

    The communiqué said there was the need for professionals to consider emerging solutions to these challenges and to benchmark other countries, such as China and Dubai who have had success stories in this area. It also urged the private sector to become increasingly involved in the creation of financing solutions to develop Nigeria’s frail infrastructure.

    The communiqué also noted that with the understanding of the measurement of cost and value among others, quantity surveyors would lead the way in the quest to ensure private sector financing of capital projects.

  • Flooding: Retention pond to the rescue

    • NIESV offers to help

    As Lagos residents continue to lament the losses suffered during the week-long downpour, the Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare, has said the government is working hard to ensure that the state is flood free.

    According to Adejare, while Lagos had experienced 475mm of rainfall in the last seven days up to last Monday, the downpour of last Saturday which stood at 178mm, was more than six months of rainfall in the city of California, USA.

    Adejare, who spoke at the sensitisation programme for the 2017 Water Technology and Environmental Control Exhibition and Conference (WATEC) held at Renaissance Hotel, GRA, Ikeja, on Monday, said to contain flooding, the government had resolved to be more stringent in the campaign against dumping of refuse in canals and drains, and would scale up the application of physical planning laws against the erection of buildings on canals, drainage channels and water courses.

    He attributed the flooding of some areas to the high tide of the lagoon, persistent rainfall and high volume of storm water, and consequent backflow from the lagoon to the drains instead of the drains discharging into the lagoon. He further said that upon the cessation of the rain, its water would have receded, and described such as a proof that it was flashflood.

    To further put such situation under control, Adejare revealed that the state is building a retention pond to assist in containing flooding. The retention pond is currently being built at Sangotedo area of the state. When completed, it will serve as a form of rainfall harvesting reservoir for storm water at the peak of the rainy season; the content will then be released into the Okota River after the rains subside.

    Adejare said the retention pond was essential as Lagos in recent times had been experiencing flash flooding due to the rise in sea level and persistent rainfall. He further expatiated that flooding all over the world was rated as the second biggest of all natural disasters.

    The retention pond is part of the state government’s response to  flooding, in addition to the existence of about 202 primary channels that also serve as storage for storm water, while also serving to drain storm water.

    In a related development, in a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer, Nigeria Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), Lagos Branch, Mr. Olurogba Orimalade,  the body regrets that in spite of the state’s investment in the development of infrastructure and urban renewal in the state, the lack of a functional maintenance policy, like managing and clearing the drains and canals, remains an albatross for having a flood free state.

    “In developed and developing nations, every local government area is supposed to have a drainage map. This map will show the drainage channels and canals. With the map, maintaining the drains becomes a much easier task. We, therefore, call on the state government as a matter of urgency, to put in place a maintenance policy which will immediately curtail any further incidence of flooding,” the statement read.

    NIESV noted that in the United Kingdom, for instance, before any new development is deemed fit for occupation, the appropriate regulatory agencies would inspect the property to confirm that such development has kept to certain standards. Such standards include environmental and sanitation standards.

    Sadly, the body noted, such checks are not carried out in Nigeria; a situation that has encouraged private developers building all sorts of structures. “Basic infrastructure like drains in and around the development therefore hardly conform to any standard, thereby giving room to scenarios where there is uneven flow within the drainage channels. This calls for a review of our approval processes during construction and before occupation, to limit the risk of houses being flooded,” NIESV said.

    The institution, therefore, offered to assist government in providing the necessary advisory towards preventing such flooding in the immediate and near future.

  • How Nigerians can own homes, by developer

    Nigerians waiting on the government for social housing may wait for a long time. This is because the economic reality does not leave room for the government to embark on such capital intensive venture. Nigerians should leverage the enabling environment being provided by the government to own homes.

    This was the submission of the Chief Executive  Officer of LASHONE Links Group of Companies, Dr. Lanre Shonekan, at the 7th Annual Stakeholders and Real Estate Investment Forum of the firm held in Lagos at the weekend.

    Shonekan, in a chat with The Nation, said with an efficient mortgage system, more Nigerians would be able to own homes. He, however, noted that many are not aware of the processes to getting a mortgage.

    Besides, he explained that because of the high cost of building, his firm has researched into how to build cheap and efficient houses, using different materials, and at the same time training people in real estate development and management.

    To achieve this, the firm, Shonekan said, has partnered with another  firm that specialises in a technology that allows building with containers; this technology makes it possible to own a two-bedroom apartment with about N1.5 million.

    “We are exploring ways of delivering quality houses at very affordable costs to our people; and we have partnered with a reputable mortgage bank to make this possible. The 18 estates we have is a testimony to our desire to make more Nigerians home owners at relative low cost,” Shonekan said.

    He explained that the firm is also into training and skills acquisition programme which cuts across all facets of human endeavour. This is because of its belief in equipping people for the future and also assists its trainees to get access to funds to start up their business. These include players in the real estate sector.

    Its mortgage partners, AG Mortgage Bank,  Plc, through its head of business development, Mr. Chibuzor Ifenkwe, explained that the way forward out of recession in the country is not for people to solely depend on the government alone but be meaningfully engaged in job creation through skills acquisition.

    “We know very much that government cannot  generate employment that would go round and when you see people that are ready to be supported, the bank is willing to do that,” Ifenkwe said, adding that the bank has been in the partnership for sometime, helping trainees and graduates of the school because of Lashone Links Business School’s outstanding record of training and meaningfully engaging people in skill acquisition.