The Nation Newspaper

Tag: 50

  • 50,000 Nigerians visit South Africa annually- Envoy

    50,000 Nigerians visit South Africa annually- Envoy

    The South African High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Lulu Mnguni, on Wednesday said that about 50,000 Nigerians visited South Africa for tourism annually.

    Mnguni told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that Nigerians constituted about 50,000 of the recorded annual average of about 10 million foreign tourists.

    “South Africa has really been able to harness her tourism potentialto continue to attract internal and external tourists.

    “South Africa receives an average of about 10 million foreign tourists yearly, including about 50,000 Nigerian visitors,” he
    said.

    The high commissioner, who said that his government was ready to share its tourism development expertise with Nigeria, noted that Nigeria was endowed with potential that needed to be harnessed.

    According to him, Nigeria is blessed with a large population and rich tourism potential in favour its tourism development.

    Mnguni, who restated his government’s commitment to supporting Nigeria in making the sector viable, also enjoined Nigeria to encourage Public Private Partnership in the sector’s development.

    “We have always believed that when Nigeria is strong, South Africa also becomes strong.

    “Nigeria has all the attributes of becoming an enviable tourism destination. We will therefore, like to see Nigeria build her potential into a very strong economic pillar.

    “As South Africa, we do not want to be an island of prosperity in a sea of poverty. We really want to develop alongside with our strategic partners like Nigeria,’’ he said.

    Mnguni also expressed his government’s readiness to support Nigeria in addressing problems of poverty, unemployment, homelessness and marginalisation.

    He also said that his government would continue to sustain a mutually beneficial partnership with Nigeria as well as promote cordial relationship between the citizens of both countries.

  • Fun as SANs, others unite for Ogunba at 50

    Fun as SANs, others unite for Ogunba at 50

    It was billed to be a night of fun and so it proved last Saturday. The occasion was the 50th birthday celebration of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Adekunle Babatunde Ogunba, fondly called “ABO the Silk” by his friends.

    Shell Hall, Muson Centre, venue of the event, was filled to capacity with friends, colleagues, business associates and family members who were thrilled to rib-cracking jokes by leading comedians, including Basketmouth and Gordons. Frank Edoho (of the Who wants to be a Millionaire fame) was the master of ceremony.

    Outside the hall, a giant board was placed for those who wished to write their birthday wishes for the celebrator. Before 5pm when the event was billed to start, the board was filled with signatures. It lived up to its billing as a red carpet event.

    A live band entertained the guests, and a short documentary on Ogunba was shown on giant screen, in which his children and workers spoke on his virtues and wished him long life.

    Guests were also thrilled by Ogunba’s love for football when clips from a game he played with his “Lekki Strikers” team was shown. They clapped to Ogunba’s dribbling skills.

    Family and friends joined him to cut a giant cake with two others beside it, one designed in form of a law book and gavel, as well as one done in form of a cheque book.  Guests had plenty to eat and drink. Even drivers who brought the dignitaries had their meal vouchers.

    Ogunba, who became a SAN in 2009 at 43, owns the Insolvency Forte, a commercial law firm of insolvency experts.

    Quoting Marcel Proust, he said: “Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are they charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.”

    At the event was Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly matters, Senator Ita Enang.

    Among the SANs present were Olusina Sofola, Fabian Ajogwu, Anthony Idigbe, Kemi Pinheiro, Mike Igbokwe and Lawal Pedro, among others. Several banks which are Ogunba’s clients were represented, as well as members of the Bench.

  • Drums roll for FGC Warri at 50

    The final phase of the Golden Jubilee celebration of the Federal Government College (FGC), Warri, holding at the school this weekend promises to be exciting.

    The Federal Government College Warri Old Student’s Association (FEGOCOWOSA), has planned an array of activities to climax the week-long programme of events to celebrate their alma mater.

    On Saturday, the alumni are planning a special assembly, during which they would wear their old school uniforms alongside the present pupils.  There would also be road show carnival/sports fiesta, bon fire/ barbeque night, and a thanksgiving service on Sunday.

    Speaking at a briefing to announce the anniversary at BGL PLC, Lagos Island, the national vice president of the association, Mrs Maureen Akpofure-Awobokun said the celebration would also be a period of reflection and contemplation on the plight of Unity Schools in the country.

    Earlier this week, two programmes were held in Lagos and Abuja.  On Monday, at the Sheraton Hotel, Abuja, Gen Yakubu Gowon (rtd), who conceived the idea of Unity Schools in the 70s, delivered a lecture attended by many prominent old students of the college.

    On Wednesday, the association hosted old students to a grand ball at the MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos.

  • Nigerians’ consumption level to rise by 50% by 2019

    The consumption level of most Nigerians, especially for beverages and allied products, is expected to rise substantially by the year 2019.

    Making this projection at a public forum in Lagos was Dominique Martin, Regional Commercial Director of Africa at Sidel.

    The event tagged: ‘The Value Creation Day’ provided an opportunity for Sidel to meet and network with approximately 100 of its biggest customers in Nigeria and Ghana about the new technologies and services that the company is offering.

    Sidel, an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), is a leading global provider of complete PET packaging lines and solutions for liquids is a part of Tetra Laval Group and headquartered in Switzerland, with over 50 office locations, 13 production sites and 7 training centres worldwide.

    According to Martin, “Both Nigeria and Ghana in recent years have proven to be fast-growing markets in the beverage industry. Nigeria’s market today is at 27.2 billion liters with water leading future volume increase, with a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 11.1 per cent, and an expected annual growth rate of the beverage industry of 10.8 per cent by 2019. On the other hand, Ghana’s market stands at 675 million liters with CSD and bottled water leading future volume increase.

    “With the packaging industry gaining momentum in Nigeria and other neighboring countries, Sub-Saharan market has grown to become a very competitive market place with a strong consumer demand on value-added beverage products. With Nigeria being one of Africa’s most important economies with a huge population that is growing at a tremendous rate, innovation and technology are key to gaining that competitive edge.”

    Justifying the need for the forum, Martin said: “Through our ‘Value Creation Day’, we are able to showcase our understanding of the local environment and the global challenges that can arise in many aspects. Hence, our customers are always in need of a global partner but with deep local expertise.”

    In his remarks, Oliver Fraise, Managing Director, SBA Nigeria Limited, said SBA and Sidel partnership dates back to over 20 years. “SBA is an arm of Sidel, in most sub-Saharan Africa.”

    Speaking further, he said: “Sidel has over 160 years of industrial experience. At Sidel, we benchmark our operations against two competitors in Germany. At Sidel, we are known for creating value for packaging industry milk, nectar, beer, wine, spirit, beverages, drinkable and non drinkable beverage. Our customers in Nigeria and Ghana have the benefit of knowing about a lot ranging from industry trends to latest innovations in packaging solutions in water, carbonated soft drinks (CSD), and Hot Filling, as well as the after-sales services.”

    At separate presentation, Ramzi Ben Kheder, Business Analyst, Sidel and Samuel Gobbe gave an overview of the company’s bouquet of services.

    According to the duo, there is a huge market for beverage drinks, especially in PET packaging solutions.

    “Our six service areas are equipped with 80 decades of beverage industry expertise of filling, 50 years of blowing, 40 years of aseptic packaging and 30 years of PET packaging. With 3, 200 employees, and over 60 nationalities across five continents, represent a wide range of expertise and specialities,” Kheder said.

    Expatiating, Gobbe said: “Currently, we have 30, 000 machines installed in 191 countries where we have been helping producers fill beverage bottles for over 80 years, blow them for more than 50 and label them for more than 35. We have 300, 000 moulds across 26 locations worldwide with production facilities in 13 countries, with headquarters in Switzerland.”

  • New pricing rule: 50 firms may slip to one kobo

    New pricing rule: 50 firms may slip to one kobo

    At least a quarter of quoted companies may drop to as low as one kobo as the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) concludes a new pricing rule that will remove the stopgap that had supported the stocks at their nominal value of 50 kobo.

    The Nation’s check indicated that more than 50 companies, especially in the non-bank financial services subsectors, may be affected by the new pricing rule, which favours market forces to determine share price, irrespective of the nominal value of the company.

    Nearly all the 50 companies have been stagnant at their nominal value for more than a year and are currently on supply, a market euphemism for shares glut and sell pressure.

    Quoted companies on the main board of the Exchange are currently not allowed to trade below their nominal value or par value of 50 kobo. This had supported and stopped the share prices of the companies at their nominal values.

    But under a new amendment to the stock market rules, the management of the NSE has proposed a change in the minimum pricing level from 50 kobo to one kobo. The draft rule is undergoing the final-phase of the rule-making process at the NSE, upon which it will be sent to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for final approval.

    Many stakeholders have expressed supports for the new rule, which they said is in tandem with the market’s principle of demand and supply as price-determinant at the stock market.

    The companies that may initially be affected by the new rule include Unity Bank, UTC Nigeria, Mutual Benefits Assurance, Niger Insurance, Omatek Ventures, Japaul Oil Maritime & Services, Tantalizers, Daar Communication, Secure Electornic Technology, C & Leasing, Afromedia, Beco Petroleum, Multiverse, Stokvis Nigeria, Nigeria Sewing Machine Manufacturing Company, Nigerian Wire and Cable, IPWA, First Aluminium Nigeria, Mass telecommunication Innovation, Chams, Union Diagnostic & Clinical Services, Union Homes Savings and Loans, Resort Savings and Loans and Aso Savings and Loans Plc.

    Most insurance companies, which have so far stagnated at 50 kobo, will be affected. These include African Alliance Insurance, Cornerstone Insurance, Equity Assurance, Great Nigeria Insurance, Guinea Insurance, Consoldiated Hallmark Insurance, Investment and Allied Assurance, International Energy Insurance, Lasaco Assurance, Law Union & Rock Insurance, Linkage Assurance, Oasis Insurance, Prestige Assurance, Regency Alliance Insurance, Sovereign Trust Insurance, Standard Trust Assurance, Standard Alliance Insurance, Unic Insurance Unity Kapital Assurance and Universal Insurance Company.

    Other companies that are relying on the current stopgap included Multi-Trex Integrated Foods, DN Tyres & Rubber, Ellah Lakes, FTN Cocoa Processors, Rak Unity, Capital Oil, Anino and Afrik Pharmaceuticals.

    According to the new par value rule, notwithstanding the par value of a company, the price of every share listed on the Exchange shall be determined by the market, except that no share shall trade below a price floor of one Kobo per unit.

    Par value is the nominal value of a share as stated in the Memorandum of Association of an issuer while the price floor means the amount below which the price of one unit of a share shall not be permitted to trade, and the minimum amount which must be paid for a share in the event of a drop in the unit price of that share.

    The NSE had earlier institutionalised a dual pricing model that categorises and prices stocks according to their initial or subsisting share prices. It grouped stocks into “Group A” and “Group B” stocks. As        a “Group B” security, a trade of 10,000 shares will lead to a change in the published price of the stock.

     

  • British Council to host 50 UK institutions at fair

    British Council to host 50 UK institutions at fair

    The British Council has assured students of unique admission opportunities at the 12th annual Education UK Exhibition coming up on November 8 and 11 in Lagos and Abuja.

    In addition, participants will also be learning about how to make Nigeria a better place for studying.

    Project Manager at the British Council, Sephora Imomoh, explained at a press briefing last week that students would meet representatives of over 50 UK universities, colleges and schools who would provide them with relevant information at the event.

    The Lagos event holds on November 8 at the Intercontinental Hotel, Victoria Island, while, the Abuja event holds on November 11 at the Congress Hall, Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.

    Ms Imomoh said students would be admitted into the venues free once they register online.

    She added that Nigerian students are attracted to UK institutions because the country’s education system has evolved to meet modern-day challenges.

    “With a strong reputation for research, innovation and creativity, UK universities and colleges attract some of the world’s leading academics and industry professionals. Students are encouraged to express their own ideas and think for themselves. That is why the UK is irresistible for international students,” she said.

    Meanwhile, Director of Programmes, British Council, Nigeria, Louisa Waddingham, said during the exhibition, organisers would be talking to parents and students about what they can do in Nigeria.

    “It is a new development for us. There is an increasing interest from British institutions to work in Nigeria. We want to look at supporting as the years go by. We think that given how many people there are in Nigeria in addition to bringing students from Nigeria to the UK, we can do something for Nigeria in Nigeria in the education context to support people’s development,” she said.

    Others at the briefing were Regional Manager, CSFP, Adetomi Soyinka, COO/ Business Director, Cutler Communication Laura Oloyede, and another Project Manager, Anthony Chukwuma.

     

  • Mixed feelings for Lateef Belo -Osagie at 50

    The Managing Director of Hackett Nigeria Limited, an equipment supplier to leading telecommunication operators in Africa, Lateef Belo-Osagie, would have hosted many guests as he attained the golden age of 50 recently, but the tragic death of his son stood in the way. Celeb Watch gathered that the death of his 18-year-old son occurred a couple of weeks ago.

    The young Belo-Osagie was until his death a student at the prestigious Yale University in the United States, and had only returned to Nigeria the day before the tragic incident. As would be expected, Lateef has since been wearing a mournful look.

    The deceased was a product of the union between Lateef and another Lagos big girl, Aisha, but their marriage crashed many years ago. The late son was with her mother at the time he died.

  • Mo Abudu celebrates 50 in style

    Mo Abudu celebrates 50 in style

    The Grand Ball Room of Oriental Hotel, Lagos, on Saturday, witnessed an exceptional gathering of personalities, who joined popular TV entrepreneur, Mo Abudu to celebrate her 50 birthday.

    The presence of these men and women of class gave credence to the popularity of Abudu, CEO of EbonyLife TV, a station touted as Africa’s first global black entertainment and lifestyle network.

    Some of the guests at the event are, governor of Cross River State, Senator Liyel Imoke, his wife Obioma Imoke and his predecessor, Mr. Donald Duke.

    Others are, Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State, Chief Dele Momodu, Hon. Abike Dabiri, Genevieve Nnaji, Tiwa Savage, Funke Akindele, Basketmouth, Tonye Cole, Mai Atafo, Julius Agwu, Iyanya, Adesuwa Onyenokwe, Joseph Benjamin, Uti Nwachukwu, Bode Pedro, Uche Pedro, Niyola, Ebuka Obi Uchendu, Pastor Ituah and Olisa Adibua.

    Celebrated as a success story of African women in general, Abudu used the occasion to further inspire her folks, whom she said have got more to offer the society in their personal lives and businesses.

    Tagged “Mo@ 50…Celebrating Sisterhood”, Abudu, through the black tie event , gave awards to 10 categories of people she described as unsung heroes for their quiet but extraordinary and exemplary achievements.

    The event also witnessed resounding performances from music artistes such as Tiwa Savage, Chidinma, Seyi Shay, Yinka Davies, Ara, Waje and Ghanaian singer, Efya among others.

    No doubt, Abudu has created impact with her channel, which occupies the popular Tinapa Studios in Calabar, airing on DSTV Channel 165, as well as in the UK on the TalkTalk platform. The channel is known for providing premium home-grown programmes to its viewership.

    Abudu, for her outstanding work in the media and service to humanity, has been honoured with many laurels, including Forbes Media’s recognition as the first African woman to launch a Pan-African TV channel.

  • Still charming at 50

    Still charming at 50

    Wife of former Kwara State Governor Bukola Saraki, Toyin, marked her 50th birthday in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, last Saturday, reports ADEKUNLE JIMOH

    It was not a political gathering, yet it was packed full with politicians. They came from across party divide, with chieftains of All Progressives Congress (APC) leading the way.

    The 50th birthday of Mrs Toyin Saraki, was a fitting statement for the political status of her husband, the doctor turned politician Bukola Saraki, a two-term governor of Kwara State and a senator.

    Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, was agog last Saturday as the Sarakis hosted the high and mighty. Senator Saraki stood beside his charming wife receiving guests who thronged the open field of the Kwara Hotels, venue of the prayer organised to mark her birthday. The Chief Imam of Ilorin, Alhaji Mohammed Bashir, officiated.

    Many guests sporting the chosen Ankara fabrics with the celebrator’s portrait and name sat under the giant canopies on the open field.

    The Chief Imam of the University of Ilorin Mosque, Prof AbdulGaniyu Oladosu, in his sermon, enjoined those in power not to use their office to corruptly enrich themselves but to serve humanity.

    After the service, Mrs Saraki, who founded the Wellbeing Foundation while her husband was in office, presented empowerment tools to some people. She and her husband also cut her birthday cake.

    A reception followed at the Banquet Hall at the nearby Government House.

    An elated Mrs Saraki thanked God and the people of Kwara for the “wonderful” reception.

    Senator Saraki said his family never expected the large turnout.

    “We feel humbled for the large turnout of people and we are very grateful to God. It is a blessing to have this kind of ceremony and people come out to share their time with us. We thank the people of Kwara State and Nigerians for coming to share this special day with us,” he said.

    APC National Chairman Chief John Odigie-Oyegun congratulated the celebrator.

    “When I look at you, I see somebody of extreme excellence, as you have no excuse except to be excellent. A wonderful family yet married to another wonderful family and you look it in every way.

    “Simple but elegant; humble but respectable; as a matter of fact, I got close to your husband before I really got close to you. When you see a man behave the way he does, you know he comes from a home that allows men to behave the way he does, otherwise, he would not do the things he does.

    “Your husband is friendly, very humble and he is most helpful. He is one of the newest friends that I have made and one of those that I depend on most. Meeting you today is a joyful thing. I have met the other half, I don’t want to say the better half of a very great man. My wishes for you are that the happiness that this family brings to others, God will multiply it in your life. God will grant you long and healthy life,” Odigie-Oyegun said.

    At the ceremony were Speaker Aminu Tambuwal; Governors Abdulfatah Ahmed (host); Rochas Okorocha (Imo); Adams Oshiomhole (Edo) and Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun).

    Others are former governors of Ekiti, Osun, Ogun and Kogi states, Otunba Niyi Adebayo; Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola; Aremo Olusegun Osoba and Prince Abubakar Audu; business tycoons Alhaji Aliko Dangote and Femi Otedola.

    Also there were the celebrator’s parents, the industialist Otunba Adekunle Ojora and wife, Ojuolape; the Sarakis’ matriarch, Florence Morenike; House Minority Leader Femi Gbajabiamila; House Committee chairmen on Media and Judiciary, Alhaji Zakari Mohammed and Dr Ali Ahmad; their colleagues Dr Ibrahim Rafiu and Alhaji Mashood Mustapha and former member of the House and activist Dino Melaye.

  • Nigeria,Hungary pact yields 50 scholarships

    The Nigerian and Hungarian governments have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the award of scholarships to 50 Nigerians to study for undergraduate and post graduate degrees in Hungarian universities.

    The Minister of State for Education, Mr Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, signed the MoU on behalf of the Federal Government while Dr Lazlo Palkovics, Hungarian Minister of State for Higher Education in the Ministry of Human Resources, signed for the Hungarian government.

    A statement signed by Simeon Nwakaudu, Special Assistant (Media) to Wike noted that the MoU, which is between the Federal Ministry of Education and the Hungarian Ministry of Human Resources on Educational Cooperation, will last from 2014 to 2016.

    Speaking at the signing ceremony, Wike said the Jonathan administration is happy with the new scholarship window provided by the Hungarian government for Nigerian students.

    He assured that the government would ensure that only students who are academically sound get the scholarship.

    “The Federal Ministry of Education is happy for the scholarship which your government has extended to Nigeria and we commend you. For us as Nigerians, we pledge our commitment to the implementation of this MoU,” he said.

    Urging Nigerians to take advantage of the high quality Hungarian educational programme to empower themselves professionally, Dr Palkovics said the MoU would advance educational cooperation to higher levels that would benefit both countries.