The Nation Newspaper

Category: Business

  • Gulder Ultimate Search 9: Expectations, suspense, surprise

    Gulder Ultimate Search 9: Expectations, suspense, surprise

    The Gulder Ultimate Search (GUS) train landed in Usaka hills and forest, Akwa Ibom State, this week. It is the ninth edition of the award-winning reality show from the stable of Nigerian Breweries Plc designed to empower young Nigerians as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR). This year’s edition will be full of surprises as captured in this preview by JIMI DAVID.

    The die is cast. The posturing is over. Now it’s time for the real thing. It will surely be the defining moment for the 12 finalists of the 2012 edition of Gulder Ultimate Search (GUS). By now, the chosen 12 will be sequestered in the belly of rugged Usaka hills and forest, Akwa Ibom State, venue of this year’s edition. They would surely have felt tremors running through their bodies when this year’s anchor, Nollywood hunk Chidi Mokeme was introduced to them during the final selection party recently in Lagos.

    After a seven-year hiatus from the reality TV show, Mokeme’s return will surely spell something different for GUS this year. The Anambra State-born actor did not mince words when he was officially introduced to the audience as well as the 12 contestants. For the 12 contestants, the journey to winning the ninth edition of GUS is far from over. If anything, the journey just got a whole lot harder.

    Indeed, the journey has certainly been an interesting one for the 12 finalists. The 12, who would be going to the jungle to slug it out for who becomes the Jungle King, or Queen, as it were, are: Ujam Emmanuel, Nuhu Haruna, Ogbuefi Michael, Ifet Aniobong, Ojezele Pascal and Adah James. The others are Kofya Brown, Bornford Patience, Ayo Ojueromi, Uzor Osimkpa, Udodi Onyinyechukwu and Ezeh Priscilla.

    They were a part of the thousands that made it from the regional screening held in Makurdi, Owerri, Benin and Lagos. Making it past the regional screening was anything but easy for them; they had to undergo strenuous physical tests, including, sprinting, swimming and others.

    Passing the physical test was just one step of the hurdle as they also had to go through oral interviews before a panel.

    Then the 30 qualifers were assembled in Lagos for psychological evaluation before they were whittled down to the final 12.

    Now that they have made it to the main stage of the competition, they must all be at their best to stave off competition.

    Exciting prizes await the winner. The cash prize is N9 million.

    The highest since the inception of GUS, a an SUV and N500,000 wardrobe (or swagga) allowance also await the winner. That is in addition to entering the GUS Hall of Fame reserved for only a few. There is also an additional incentive of N1 million for the best female in the competition.

    Apart from the winner, the other 11 participants will also be rewarded with cash pruzes ranging from N1 million for the 11th placed contestant to N3 million for the first runner- up.

    Last year’s edition was won by Christopher Okagbue who, against all odds beat 30 others to the top prize.

    This year’s edition will see Akwa- Ibom State hosting GUS for the first time since its inception. The competition has moved across some of the most rugged areas across the country from the Snake Islands, Lagos to Ososo Hills and Forests in Edo State, to Shere Hills in Plateau State, to NIFOR forest in Edo State, amongst others.

    For Chidi Mokeme, his return would surely be a welcome relief for followers of the TV reality show. While Tin Tin and more recently Bob Manuel Udokwu have performed as presenters in the GUS, many followers have still expressed preference for Chidi Mokeme. Now, that he is back as anchor, it remains to be seen whether he would pick up from where he left, and even do better than his performance in the first two editions or whether he has become rusty.

    Mokeme is not the only exciting addition to the GUS. This year’s edition has been tagged ‘The Gate Keeper’s Fortune. The Gate keeping role in this edition has been assigned to three former champions in GUS; Dominic Mudabai, Michael Nwachukwu and Christopher Okagbue – winners in the fourth, fifth and eight editions.

    The three ‘wise’ men, who were voted back by the public in a poll that involved all past winners would also put the contestants through their places in the competition. This is the first time past winners of GUS will be returning back to the show in that capacity and it certainly promises to be an exciting affair.

    With all of the excitement the GUS is generating, the exciting TV series has certainly entrenched itself in the hearts of followers.

    When it berthed on national television nine years ago, there was a deluge of reality television series. Yet GUS, Nigerian’s first and only 100 per cent local content reality television show, has managed to worm its way into the hearts of TV viewers across the country.

    Today, Gulder Utimate Search is one of the most followed reality TV shows across the country.

  • Boosting food production in Katsina

    Boosting food production in Katsina

    Agriculture is the backbone of Katsina state’s economy as 75per cent of the people are farmers. The state is blessed with abundant land and a wide range of crops are grown. These include guinea corn, millet, maize, cow pea, cotton and groundnut, to mention but a few.

    In addition, the state possesses a large livestock population mainly made up of cattle, goats and sheep. The government encourages agro livestock production by providing extension services, pesticide sprays, subsidised chemical fertiliser and veterinary services to contain plant and animal diseases. Public and private forestry abound in Katsina.

    These include: established plantations, orchards, woodlots, shelter belts and trees on farmlands. Supported by the European Union (EU) and the Federal Government, trees planted amongst others include acacia species, eucalyptus and azadirachta indica (Neem).

    Moreover, seedlings, cattle wire fencing and extension services are provided free to farmers in the more arid part of the state. Runka forest reserve in the north western part of the state is the largest reserve. People utilise the forest in various ways as sources of fuel wood, wild fruits/vegetables, pasture for livestock, herbs for treatment of diseases and for hunting.

    Livestock include cattle, sheep, goats and poultry. Apart from providing food and meat for human consumption, these agro livestock products have the potentials for providing raw materials that could serve a wide range of industries including food processing, animal and poultry food, textile, pharmaceutical as well as hides and skin industries.

    The agricultural sector is the second development priority of the current administration. The population boom, cost of commercialisation and advancements in modern agriculture have resulted to the need for increased government financial and technical support. In order to address these issues the state Government swiftly revived farm settlement centres with the aim of providing technical support in areas of crop production, livestock rearing, fisheries and bee keeping, amongst others.

    Several interventions have been provided in the sector. These include amongst others: 36, 000 metric tonnes of fertiliser in 2008 and 2009 farming season, estimated at N2.6 billion. In line with the administration’s efforts to address youth unemployment and revive year-round farming and irrigation systems, the government established four fertilizer blending plants across the state. Each of the plants has a capacity of 10,000 metric tonnes per year productin.

    To cut down on post-harvest losses, the Government rehabilitated the Katsina Grains Silo project. The government is concentrating its efforts in developing irrigation. For this reason, the government sought and was granted permission to conduct rehabilitation of the Jibia Federal Dam. Since the construction of the Dam 20 years ago, only an estimated 100 hectares was being cultivated. With the intervention of the current administration, 1500 hectares is now cultivated yearly and the effort, this, year, is to achieve 2000 hectares. The state government has also articulated holistic work plans for the systematic rehabilitation and upgrade of other dams. For Instance, the Ruwan Sanyi dam was recently rehabilitated to restore 30 hectares of irrigable land. Over N150 million was expended in the purchase of irrigation pumps, repairs and renovations of Kusa and Kusada dam. Recently, the Katsina State Government signed a multi million naira agricultural partnership agreements with a Benin Republic based Songhai farms as part of measures to boost food production in the state and ultimately stimulate food security and self sufficiency.

    According to Governor Ibrahim Shema, the multi-million naira agreement which covers diverse areas of food crop and animal production, is to serve as veritable source of employment generation to teeming youths and would run for four years.The agreement involves the provision of training in different fields of agriculture to youths running for a six months period.

    Essentially, the Songhai initiative is to provide training on modern techniques of both production and processing of cash crops and indeed other crops including maize, sorghum, millet, beans, cassava, rice, wheat and a host of others for which Katsina have comparative advantage in their production.

    The Songhai farming initiative which is an advanced farming technique that covers all areas of farming with the full utilisation of waste materials from the products for further agricultural purposes, many believed, would translate to enabling over 50,000 farming youths to earn a lawful living and to engage themselves in agriculture-related activities all year round.

    Songhai Farms is known the world over for its expertise in general land transformation and utilisation for three cultivations in a year and the waste products are then recycled or converted for other uses.Part of the package the Songhai farms is aimed at providing to farmers in Katsina State is the establishment of satellite farms from each of the three farms to be located near Sabke, Zobe and Mairuwa dams to widen the coverage for optimal utilisation of the vast agricultural resources/land in the state.

    The satellite farms are to pay attention mainly to honey production, honey processing, honey packaging, fisheries production, fishery management, poultry and livestock production, animal husbandry, crops and cereals production among many others.The Katsina State Commissioner for Agriculture, Musa Adamu Funtua stressed that the state government has accorded top most priority to agricultural revolution as part of measures to boost food production and enhance the state’s internally generated revenue.

  • PRCAN holds AGM, elects new exco

    The Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria (PRCAN) will hold its 2012 Annual General Meeting (AGM) today. A major highlight of the event, which will take place at Hotel 1960 Eagles Park, Ikeja, Lagos, is the election into the executive committee of the association.

    According to PRCAN Executive Secretary Victoria Bassey, election would be conducted by a two-member election committee made up of CEO Neo Media and Marketing Ehi Braimah, and CEO Winning Concepts Public Relations Mike Meze, while the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) will send observers.

    Offices to be contested for are President, Vice President, Secretary General, Assistant Secretary General, Publicity Secretary and Treasurer. By the provisions of PRCAN Memorandum and Articles of Association (Memart) every past president automatically becomes an ex-officio member.

    The outgoing officers include Dr Phil Osagie, President; Chido Nwakanma, Vice President; and John Ehiguese, Honourable Secretary General. The others are Muyiwa Akintunde, Assistant Secretary General; Yemi Odusote, Publicity Secretary and Alima Atta, Honourable Treasurer. Nn’emeka Maduegbuna, a past president, will retain his seat as Ex-Officio member.

    The AGM will also discuss the Presidential Address on the “Statement of Affairs of PRCAN 2010-12”, and the Financial Report for the same period.

     

    PRCAN, the consulting arm of the NIPR, is established by a bye-law. Membership is exclusively restricted to consulting firms whose key executives must be NIPR members and registered to practice public relations in Nigeria. PRCAN is incorporated as a company registered by guarantee.

     

    Its primary objective is to promote professional reputation management in Nigeria within the public and private sectors. It is also committed to maintaining professional standards and discipline among members and providing facilities/professional capacity for the public and private sectors to meet their PR consultancy needs.

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • What has name got to do with it?

    What has name got to do with it?

    To have this exclusive Gucci wallet, you will have to save money that is not in small budget to buy it. But if you get it, you won’t be disappointed because Gucci wallet designs are so good with the best materials from the best leather quality in the world. And imagine you will have one of the best wallets in the world. How does it feel? Exciting right?” The Nation Shopping stumbled on this caption of a promo on the sale of a Gucci branded wallet.

    For this particular brand of wallet, some would not hesitate to buy it no matter the price. Why would anyone spend so much? It is the brand and quality of the product. For some designer freaks, the brand name of an item determines its quality.

    Many social events always begin with the red carpet and people endeavour to look their best to walk the red carpet, knowing that it puts them on the spotlight.

    There, designer labels reign supreme. Many are proud to state that they are wearing a Gucci pair of glasses, a Prada bag, a Dolce and Gabbana shirt, Luis Vuitton shoes, and the list goes on. Some go to any length to obtain these famous designer items. Many online stores, such as Dress for Less and Amazon, always ensure they have them in stock.

    If you open such sites, they will not delay in showing you that they have suitable designer clothes for men, women and children. They will not just stop there. They go on to list some of the designers in question. Some highly rated brands include: Armani, Prada, Dolce&Gabbana, Fendi, Gucci, Givenchy, Pierre Cardin, Nike, DKNY, Versace, Hawks and Curtis, Calvin Klein, Luis Vuitton, Alexander McQueen, Burberry, Chloe, Christian Dior, Thierry Hermes, Hugo Boss, Jean Paul Gaultier and Christian Dior, among others.

    Several malls such as the Ikeja City Mall, The Palms, Mega Plaza and City Mall, Onikan stock designer label clothes and accessories for everyone. Some shops on Allen Avenue and Opebi, Ikeja also have them. You can also ask your favourite store to help you get them while sourcing for their goods.

    At various shopping malls, some stores are proud to sell clothes with these designer labels.

    Many of those who spoke to The Nation Shopping acknowledged that a designer label on one’s outfit boosts the person’s image. However, some would not be bothered. For this group, what matters is for the attire to fit perfectly.

    Ms Tonia Osagie, a business woman, said: “Designer wears are good. They give you prestige. To tell you the truth, if I have to go without food to save up for a designer outfit, I will certainly do so.”

    Donning a Prada skirt and a Marks and Spencer blouse, she said: “When I was an undergraduate at the University of Calabar, I did not have much money to purchase them because they were more expensive than a student of my calibre could afford. But do you know what my friends and I used to do? We would come all the way to Yaba to buy them at the second hand clothing section. Though Yaba Market has disintegrated now, it used to be a great place to shop for such items. We had customers who always prepared for our coming. So, they would select the good designer clothes and bags in their stock and we would choose from them.

    “Besides, the truth about designer labels is that people know they are worth a great deal so they rate you high and respect you. I actually went into the business of importing clothes, especially those from famous designers, because, like me, those who know their worth will always buy.”

    The Nation Shopping met Mr Raymond Ugoeze at the Nike shop at The Palms Mall, Lekki during a discount sale. He said: “I always look out for sales like this because it means the price will come down. Actually, I had always been indifferent to labels but a friend of mine, Paul, convinced me on how good it feels to wear them. I, particularly, observed that if you are with those people you could call ‘society people’, it matters. In fact, my eyes opened to the importance people attach to them when I was privileged to attend the Hip-hop-World Awards in 2008 at Planet One. It was amazing how people flaunted designer outfits on the red carpet. There, people took pride in stating the various designers whose wears they wore. I also noticed many took delight in the fact that they were imported.”

    A public relations practitioner, Mrs Silo Bankole, declared: “I love designer bags. I cannot carry a bag that has no name.”

    And some brands have a way with their style. For instance, the promoters of Rolex would rather have you simply call it Rolex and not Rolex wristwatch. For them, the brand is synonymous with style and quality. Among their slogan is ‘we do not build watches, we make history’.

    On why people go for items by international brands, a designer wristwatch collector, Mr Adamson Dike, noted: “Generally, the old adage, you get what you pay for is true. You pay for the brand name, but you also pay for the quality that particular company has worked so hard to attain, to earn writing that amount on the price tag.”

    The brand names have stood the test of time, distinguished themselves and outlived even their founders. They did not only carve a niche for themselves, but they continue imputing different flavours that keep them fresh and constantly endear them to shoppers.

    House of Gucci, a luxury Italian fashion and leather goods house, was founded in 1921 and has gone through various phases after the death of its founder, Guccio Gucci. It is the biggest-selling Italian brand with about 278 directly operated stores worldwide and it wholesales its products through franchisees and upscale department stores. Gucci distinguished itself as one of the world’s most successful manufacturers of high-end leather goods, clothing, and other fashion products. As an immigrant in Paris and London, working in exclusive hotels, young Guccio Gucci (1881–1953) was impressed with the luxury luggage he saw sophisticated guests bring with them. He created works with perfect finishing that would suit such sophisticated people. The Gucci brand may be found in luggage, handbags, sunglasses, as well as in perfumes.

    Gabrielle Coco Chanel (1883-1971) created feminine fashion that provided the feeling of luxury and combined traditional women’s clothing with styles, fabrics, and articles of clothing used by men. She felt comfortable wearing sports jackets and men’s ties in casual settings. Her fashion revolution liberated women to express their femininity with elegance and grace. Chanel’s logo is seen on perfumes, purses, shoes and jewellery.

    Prada was founded by Mario Prada and his brother in 1913 when they opened a luxurious boutique in Milan. The shop included imported silver, Austrian crystal, and exquisite leather handbags and luggage. Its tradition of high-quality distinctive goods continues today.

    Gianni Versace (1946-1997) became interested in fashion working in his mother’s small dress shop. His first commercial success was the design of a line of clothes for Florentine Flowers in 1972. Versace continued a successful clothing design career in Milan. By 1978, he had become a design leader of women’s and men’s fashions.

    Jean-Paul Gaultier (1952) is a French fashion designer who never received formal design training. He started sending sketches to famous couture stylists, and Pierre Cardin hired him as an assistant in 1970. His first individual collection was released in 1976. By 1981, he was known for irreverent, provocative designs, and for using unconventional models in his exhibitions, such as old and fat women, or tattooed and pierced models.

    Born in 1939, Ralph Lauren is a designer of affordable casual dress. In 1967, he purchased the Polo label and launched a world-wide fashion empire that includes clothing lines for men and women. His business ventures have also diversified to include home decor.

    Giorgio Armani gained fame and success with his streamlined tailoring, imaginative designs and sophisticated choice of materials for many Hollywood personalities. Some of his alluring couture creations use animal prints, satin, velvet, and sparkling Swarovski crystals which shimmer with every movement of the body.

    Tommy Hilfiger (1951- ) struggled when he started his business selling jeans and sportswear. The Hilfiger brand now is licensed for an extensive collection of men’s and women’s wear, children’s wear, footwears, eyeglasses, fragrances, and home furnishings.

    Domenico Dolce (1958- ) and Stefano Gabbana (1962- ) met while working as assistants in a studio in Milan. In 1985, they took part in a fashion show featuring “New Talent”, and the following year, they presented their first independent women’s ready-to-wear show. Dolce and Gabbana have expanded their line to include menswear and fragrances in shops across the world. D&G designs feature richly coloured fabrics, outrageous Mediterranean style, extravagantly embroidered coats, gangster boss pinstripe suits, and underwear-as-outerwear.

    Yves Saint Laurent (1936-2008) became notable for introducing trousers as business attire for women. He opened his Paris fashion house in 1961, featuring knitted turtlenecks, thigh-length boots and women’s broad-shouldered trouser suits. The Yves St. Laurent logo is synonymous with high fashion and it is featured on eyeglasses, purses, perfumes, shoes, and cosmetics.

  • Onitsha, a shopper’s delight

    Onitsha, a shopper’s delight

    Onitsha has become one of the busiest commercial centres in the country. Among other markets, it accommodates the Main Market, acclaimed to be the biggest in West Africa and attracts millions of shoppers from various parts of the world, especially West Africa. 

    If you refer to Onitsha in the heart of Anambra State as the home of all trades, it cannot be disputed. Possibly, due to its strategic position, close to the River Niger, the town attracts great commercial activities. Anyone leaving or going to the Southeast must pass through the town. It, therefore, boasts of several shopping destinations, but the local markets are the most patronised.

    Upper Iweka, known as the take-off point for most commercial vehicles leaving Onitsha, is a large market. The presence of travellers leaving and returning makes the place a shopper’s destination any day. From the massive motor park where commuter drivers pack to load their vehicles, travellers waiting for the take off of their vehicles could buy virtually everything they need. If hawkers are not able to locate you on time, you could dash into the market nearby to get anything you want. This makes the place a stop-over point for a lot of people.

    Away from Upper Iweka, if you are looking for a thriving market where you can shop, among the first to be mentioned is the Main Market, acclaimed the largest in West Africa. Many see it as a market with creative and proactive business men and women.

    It is mainly known for its ability to offer virtually all types of goods and services. There are different sections for retailers and whole sellers. Shoppers always troupe to the market to purchase their daily needs.

    Those who spoke to The Nation Shopping spoke on the stability and progress of the market. A marketer from Enugu, Mr Ogbonna Chibuzor, said: “Since I have been marketing my products I have not seen a place so friendly as the Main market, Onitsha. Business with the people here has been going so smoothly and they also know how to treat a customer. Here, they believe that once you treat a customer right he or she will come back again.

    A seller from the market, Mr Okonkwo Azublke, said: “Here prices are cheaper due to competitors all over the market. Everybody wants to sell even at the gain of one Naira. Every day we see different categories of people who come from far places, some are foreigners, while some come from neighbouring countries such as Ghana, Togo, Chad and Niger Republic. There is also no day that passes without shoppers patronsing us. Business here has been encouraging.”

    Another market that attracts a lot of shoppers is the popular Relief Market on Owerri Road where you can find most of the things you desire. The market also thrives at night.

    The Ose Main market by the river side is also one of the most fascinating places to shop because the traders deal in different kinds of edible things like fruits, yam, rice, onions, wheat and cassava, among others. Here people from different villages in Anambra assemble very early in the morning to showcase their goods.

    Mrs Chika Agu, a shopper from Awada, a suburb of Onitsha, said: “This is a very nice place. Life here is accommodating and the people are very hard working. They sell fresh fruits here and I like it. Prices are equally cheaper if you know how to bargain.

    A seller, Mr Nnamdi Okwudili, said: “Every day, we work hard to make sure that we come out with the best of our goods. We make early cultivation and the Lord God often blesses us with a bounty harvest so we are grateful to Him every day”.

    Other eye catching places are the Ochanja Main market, the Electrical market located on Owerri road; the Ogidi market, Ogidi; Ogbo tile, Nkpor where traders deal on all kinds of tiles. Ogbo Ogbu, at Head Bridge (by the River Niger) is where people go to buy drugs. At Mgbuka Obosi market, the traders sell motorcycles, tricycles and different vehicle spare parts.

     

  • Etisalat backs Lagos Governor’s Cup

    Etisalat backs Lagos Governor’s Cup

    As part of its commitment to support the development of sports in Nigeria, Etisalat has thrown its weight behind the 12th edition of Governor’s Cup Lagos Tennis tournament for the fourth consecutive year. The company has also restated its commitment to uplifting and share in the passion of Nigerians in the area of sports.

    Speaking at a press conference to kick start the tournament, Head, Events and Sponsorship, Etisalat Nigeria, Ms Modupe Thani, said the company was proud to be associated with the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the tournament, expressing the belief that the relationship will help to develop the game of tennis. She praised the LOC for organising the tournament, and described sports as a unifying factor which brings people together.

    “Etisalat Nigeria has been a supporter of the Governor’s Cup since 2008 and in doing so, aims to not only improve the quality, flare and passion for the game in Nigeria but also extend the reach of talented Nigerian players by exposure to their international counterparts. We are also committed to promoting and developing other sports activities in Nigeria including football, through our official partnership with FC Barcelona European football Club,” she said.

    She praised the planned participation of this year’s tournament which will involve 55 countries, saying that efforts in promoting the tournament so far have been effective. She also added that the company was ready to give its support in whatever measure to ensure the success of this year’s tournament.

    Chairman, Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the Governor’s Cup Lagos Tennis, Chief Pius Oluwole Akinyelure, noted that this year’s tournament will involve players from 55 countries as against 35 countries which played in last year’s tournament. The countries playing this year include; the United States, Spain, France, Russia, Britain, Slovakia, Poland, South Africa, Ukraine, Italy, Cameroon, Ghana, India, Sweden, Tunisia, Denmark, Bulgaria and Pakistan, amongst others.

    Speaking on behalf of the President of the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF), Sani Ndanusa, the Vice President, NTF, Mr Adeyemi Owoseni praised the efforts of the sponsors as well as the LOC. He said the championship has over the years provided a solid platform for tourism in Nigeria and an easy avenue for players to meet and contest with top tennis players from across the world.

     

  • Experts praise emergence of Discos

    Experts praise emergence of Discos

    More Nigerians, especially experts in power and financial sectors, have hailed the recent outcome of the financial bids for the privatisation of the Distribution Companies (Discos) unbundled from the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).

    The experts, who spoke yesterday on the results of the bids as announced by the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) on Wednesday, hailed the transparency of the exercise, saying it was in line with the global best practices.

    An engineer and former Executive Director of the PHCN, Mr Bisi Oyinloye, said the process for the selection of the Discos was transparent and urged the BPE to muster enough courage to follow through the process.

    “From what I saw on the television, the process could not have been more transparent than that. Guidelines were given to everybody and they also took a risk. Some quoted low loss rate, while other quoted high loss rate. So, I don’t know why the people that lost out are kicking against the process. Nigerians will always be critical but the truth is that everyone was given the guidelines and they all had equal opportunities.

    “The issue thereafter is if the selected distribution companies will be able to meet their loss rates,” he said.

  • DN Meyer,FRSC collaborate on traffic laws

    DN Meyer Plc, manufacturers and marketers of premium decorative paints, industrial and protective coatings, has reiterated its commitment to helping the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) safeguard lives and properties on Nigerian roads. The company partnered with FRSC to educate the public on the new traffic laws in Lagos State.

    The Human Resources Manager at DN Meyer, Mr Kunle Obadina noted that, Nigerians need training and proper education on traffic laws to support the FRSC’s efforts at safeguarding lives. He stated that the company is partnering with the organisation to ensure the public is strategically sensitised on the new traffic laws. “DN Meyer is a committed, responsible and caring corporate citizen. We are strategically constituted to improve the quality of human lives in our operating environments. We work to ensure the welfare of our employees as well as the educational and environmental safety of our host communities,” he said.

    The training was presented by the Ojota Unit Commander, Mr Leye Adegboyega, who took participants through the basics of the new traffic laws for Lagos State which consists of 59 traffic offences and penalties attached.

    Factors leading to accidents and loss of lives such as human factors, mechanical factors and environmental factors were looked into and it was advised to use the defensive driving techniques e.g application of seat belt, drive at comfortable speed, bear in mind that the aim of being of the road is to move for safety.

    Some of the laws and penalties include: failure to give way to traffic on the left at a roundabout attracts N20,000 for first offender and N30,000 for subsequent, vehicle licence violation N20,000 subsequent N30,000. Others, bribing of marshal on duty, assaulting of marshal, fire extinguisher, driver’s licence driving without spare tyre all attracts penalties.

    Adegboyega advised participants to cherish lives by driving with care and also considering other road users while driving to curb down the level of accidents. There were 50 participants in attendance

    He presented the new traffic laws manual to participants on behalf of the FRSC.

     

     

     

     

     

    The unit Commander further revealed that they would be embarking on an aggressive public enlightenment programme to enforce the new national licence system, which makes it possible for a user to be identified without encumbrances. He advised all applicants to log on to www.nigeriandriverslicence.org for further information.

     

    Mr. Bello Adewale, Fleet and Logistics Manager, DN Meyer Plc commended FRSC for their contributions towards road safety in Nigeria as a whole and promise on behalf of all participants to contribute their quota in ensuring a accident free nation at large

     

    DN Meyer Plc was incorporated in 1960 and converted to a Public Company in 1979. Its extensive range of products include Architectural Paints, Wood Paints, Auto refinishes, Industrial and Marine, Road lining Paints, Roof coatings, Tube coatings, HP coatings and Adhesives.

     

     

     

  • Poverty rate to fall below 15%, says NAPEP

    The National Coordinator, National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP), Mukhtar Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, said the global poverty rate would fall below 15 per cent by 2015.

    Balewa, who spoke at the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (IDEP) with the theme, ‘Ending the violence of extreme poverty; promoting empowerment and building peace,’ said the information is based on recently updated projection from the World Bank.

    He said:“As the transformation agenda of this administration gets underway and with improvements in our Gross Domestic Products (GDP) and the expansion of our domestic productivity, we shall achieve significant success in our fight against the scourge of poverty.

    He said the agency will ensure that the President’s agenda of transformation is carried out to the later, adding that NAPEP’s ultimate target is the eradication of poverty among Nigerians.

  • LCCI laments credit squeeze in economy

    LCCI laments credit squeeze in economy

    The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has said the economy is facing credit squeeze resulting in low consumer demand.

    In its third quarter review, the LCCI President, Dr Ademola Ajayi, said the economy is still characterised by weak consumer demand affecting all sectors.

    He said flooding in many parts of the country took its toll on the economy, especially in the agricultural sector and construction industry, adding that development has slowed down the economies of the affected states, with spill over effects on the rest of the country.

    He said this has made access to credit difficult and putting pressure on interest rate.

    Ajayi said the security situation remains a major issue, stating that this has worsened perception problems for the country and weakened investor confidence.

    He said incessant influx of cheap and substandard products continued to pose serious problems for domestic industries.

    The LCCI helmsman said funding remains a major problem for many investors in the period under review, adding that the cost of fund in the economy is high and access to credit appears to be an even more serious problem.

    His words: “The tight monetary policy of the CBN and the harsh economic conditions which is affecting the quality of loans are major factors in this regard. Let me stress that this economy cannot create the needed jobs if small businesses have no access to credit.”

    He listed other areas of concern as collateral cover requirements by banks, which he stated are beyond the capacity of many investors, saying that impeding access to credit is slowing down the tempo of economic activities and inhibiting intermediation in the financial system.

    Ajayi faulted government’s high cost borrowing which he put at between 14 and 16 per cent, saying it is one of the highest globally.

    He said this has reduced the attraction to lend to entrepreneurs.

    He said it is putting pressure on interest rates and increasing the outflow of funds from the banking system to government’s coffers, a scenario that is clearly not healthy for the economy, Ajayi added.