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  • Agencies unfold plans for 2019 elections

    Agencies unfold plans for 2019 elections

    All hands are on deck to ensure credible elections in 2019. Relevant government agencies, including electoral umpire – the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) – are unfolding their plans for the next general elections. ERIC IKHILAE, who was at a National Stakeholders’ Forum on Elections, in Abuja yesterday, reports.

    MORE plans were yesterday unfolded for the 2019 general elections by all the agencies involved in the conduct of national elections.

    The agencies are: the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Office of the Minister of Justice & Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), the Police and the National Assembly Committee on Electoral Matters.

    INEC Chairman Prof Mahmood Yakubu, AGF Abubakar Malami (SAN), Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris and Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters, Mrs. Aisha Dukku, represented the agencies.

    They all laid out their agencies’ plans for the next general elections. It was in Abuja at a National Stakeholders Forum on Elections, organised by a coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), under the aegis of the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, led by Clement Nwankwo.

    Their action came less than two weeks after the electoral umpire fixed February 16, 2019, as the possible date for the Presidential and National Assembly elections and March 2, 2019, for the governorship, State Assembly and the Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    At an induction retreat for Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on December 8, the INEC chair said it had become imperative to always remind the commission’s personnel of the dates and to regularly appraise their preparations.

    The INEC chief said: “All participants at this retreat should be aware that from today (December 8), the 2019 general elections begin with the Presidential and National Assembly elections on February 16, 2019, exactly 434 days away.

    “These will be followed by the Governorship, State Assembly and Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory on March 2, 2019.”

    Speaking yesterday, Yakubu assured that INEC was putting in place all the necessary measures to ensure a successful outing.

    Yakubu, who was represented by INEC’s National Commissioner Adekunle Ogunmola gave details of the commissions preparations so far and all that were being done to ensure an improved performance at the next general elections.

    Some of such measures, he said, included the early release of the time-table for the next presidential election and the registration of 21 new political parties.

    Yakubu spoke of plans by INEC to register more parties as long as they meet the legal requirements.

    According to him, the commission has on its table about 80 applications from associations seeking registration as political parties.

    He said: “We will continue to register parties as long as they comply with the legal requirements. Our hands are tied. There is no way we can stop registering parties. We will continue to register them until the time stipulated in the constitution.

    “By the time the issue of independent candidate takes off, there will be more problem for INEC. The highest number we have done in governorship election is in Anambra State, with 27 parties.”

    Yakubu ruled out the issues of electronic and diaspora voting, pointing out that both have no place in the constitution yet.

    The IGP said since Nigerians have hailed the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) for a job well-done during the last Anambra governorship election, it was working to improve on that in 2019.

    Idris, who was represented by Joshak Habila, a Deputy Inspector-General (DIG) of Police, said the input the police received from all stakeholders in the nation’s electoral process, including the CSOs, have assisted the agency a lot.

    He said: “In preparing for the 2019 elections, I can assure you that with this interaction, we will come out better. The Nigeria Police will do all within its powers to ensure successful elections.

    “I can assure you that our readiness is assured. But, our success depends on all the stakeholders, particularly the politicians.”

    The AGF said the executive, having identified the areas requiring reform in the electoral process, was working with the legislature to put the necessary legislation in place ahead of the general polls.

    Malami, who was represented by the Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Legal Matters, Juliet Ibekaku-Nwangwu, restated the Federal Government’s commitment to the reform of the electoral process to enhance its credibility.

    He said the government’s desire for a credible electoral process informed its establishment of the Constitution and Electoral Reform Committee (CERC), headed by former Senate President Ken Nnamani.

    The AGF explained that all the recommendations of the committee have been reduced into bills, which have been forwarded to the National Assembly for passage into law.

    Malami said: “This government believes that a credible electoral process provides a sustainable basis for the survival of democracy in Nigeria and will do everything possible to support the achievement of this.

    “As part of its effort, the government has given every support to INEC including support to retain its independence and financial autonomy.

    “In addition, the government has ensured that INEC is able to operate as an independent and credible. election umpire.”

    Also speaking, Mrs. Dukku said the House of Representatives was currently working on 12 bills intended to strengthen the electoral system.

    She assured that the bills would be passed into law, and hopefully, assented to by the President before the next general elections.

    Giving details of the electoral process reform-related bills in the lower chamber of the National Assembly, Mrs. Dukku said the bills would have remarkable effect on the process when passed.

    Some of the bills, she said, recommend increase in the maximum election expenses to be incurred by candidates; that a court or tribunal should declare the person with the second highest votes winner of an election if it finds that the winner was not qualified to contest; and to outline a procedure for the use of the smart card reader in elections.

    She said some of the bills are also for the establishment of the Nigerian Electoral Offences Commission and the Electoral Offences Tribunal in Abuja, with equal status as the High Court and with exclusive jurisdiction to try electoral offences.

    Mrs. Dukku also spoke of a Bill for an Act to Provide for time frame for the submission of the list of candidates, disclosure of source of funds contributed for political parties and to empower INEC to uphold party primaries where there is a change in the result and related matters.

    She said: “There is also a bill for an Act to further amend the Section 33 of the principal Act by inserting a provision to enable a party choose the running mate of a nominated candidate who dies before the conclusion of a gubernatorial election to replace the deceased governorship candidate.

    “As both the 1999 Constitution and the 2010 Electoral Act (as amended) regulate the conduct of elections in Nigeria, it is anticipated that the committee’s report on the aforesaid amendment bills, which is an infusion of its input and recommendations from various stakeholders, will further strengthen and deliver on such expectations.”

    Mrs. Dukku said her committee was also collaborating with the ad-hoc Committee for the Review of the Constitution to ensure that consequential amendments relating to elections are addressed to give effect to the affected provisions.

    In his opening remarks, Nwankwo, the Executive Director of the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), described d the gathering, an annual event of the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, is intended as a platform for stakeholders in the nation’s electoral process to evaluate their preparedness for the general elections.

    He noted that, like yesterday, those who came into office through the 2015 elections, could hardly believe that their tenure was months away, but have hardly performed to the satisfaction of the electorate.

    Nwanko said it appeared the country was already running late in its preparation for the next electoral season because, in the next seven months, candidates for the various offices would begin to emerge.

    He argued that the country could not afford to waste its precious time on frivolities and that elected leaders must learn to hit the ground running once they assume office.

  • NUJ condemns call for sales of Federal Government’s agencies

    NUJ condemns call for sales of Federal Government’s agencies

    The Nigeria Union of Journalists ( NUJ ), Lagos State Council, has condemned the call by a serving senator that some federal agencies should be sold.

    The union’s condemnation was contained in a communiqué it issued late Saturday night after its December monthly congress held at the Ladi Lawal Press Centre, Ikeja.

    The union during the congress deliberated on issues affecting its members as well as the state of the nation.

    In the communiqué signed by its chairman, Dr. Quaseem Akinreti said, “The Congress condemns in totality the call for the sales of some national commonwealth such as the Nigerian Television Authority( NTA) the National Theatre, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria(FRCN) and the Voice of Nigeria,(VON), as canvassed by a member of the National Assembly.

    “The congress calls for the appropriate funding of these National Assets and other MDAs so that they will continue to generate employment opportunities for the nation.’’

    On beat associations, it urged owners of media houses to pay their staff as and when due to ensure decorum in the journalism practice.

    It condemned situations whereby some media owners owned their staffers several months of unpaid salary arrears.

    The congress also called on the NUJ at the national and state levels to always monitor activities of beat associations with a view to sanctioning those found to be involved in unethical conducts.

    On issues affecting members, it advised that all relevant stakeholders in the media industry should always be involved in taking unanimous decisions before such decisions were implemented.
    “It calls for a reorientation of members on proper conduct at assignments and the remodeling of beat associations in the line of professionalism.’’

    The congress, however, kicked against corrupt tendencies among members, while calling for the enforcement of rules guiding against unethical behaviours within the profession.

    The congress also decried the abandoning of the pursuance of the minimum Wage/Media Enhancement Bill by the national body of the union.

    “It promises to take the lead by submitting to the Lagos State House of Assembly a Media Enhancement Bill that will stipulate the guidelines to be adhered to by intending media owners in the state regarding salaries for their would-be workers.’’

    The congress also frowned at the upsurge of fake journalists in Lagos State and planned a review of journalists’ biometrics in 2018 to curb the menace.

    It also decried the incessant harassments of journalists by security operatives while on lawful duty in the communique.
    The congress said that it would through its state executive inaugurate a security chapel for public relations officers from the armed forces and other security agencies to forge cordial relations between the two organisations.

  • ‘Importers, agencies should collaborate on ADR’

    Chairman, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb), Nigerian branch, Mrs Adedoyin Rhodes-Vivour, has urged importers, terminal operators and government agencies at the ports to collaborate and embrace the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) option in resolving maritime cases, and move the sector forward.

    She urged stakeholders and operators in the maritime sector and the youth in  other  fields, to seek and explore opportunities that abound in arbitration.

    Speaking at this year’s CIArb, Nigerian Branch Annual Conference in Lagos, themed: “Strengthening the Building Blocks of Arbitration in Africa”, Rhodes-Vivour said there was need for private and public institutions to collaborate in the interest of furthering arbitration and the ADR as the preferred means of dispute resolution.

    “We are committed to advocating a conducive environment in our jurisdiction for the practice of ADR. The institution provides education and training for arbitrators, mediators, and adjudicators. It also acts as a global hub for practioners, policy makers, academics and those in business supporting the global promotion, facilitation and development of all ADR methods,” she said.

    Rhodes-Vivour, who noted that there was a growing number of African  arbitration centres across the region, said visionary governments were developing their counties into arbitration hubs. This is because the realisation of an internationally-recognised arbitration hub sends the right message to investors.

    “A perception of political and legal stability, a stable and transparent judiciary, a secure and safe environment give investors the confidence to invest. We are committed to advocating a conducive environment in our jurisdiction for the practice of ADR,”she said.

    Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Adeniji Kazeem, said the state had embraced ADR by establishment of Citizens Mediation Centres (CMCs), Multi-Door Court House and Arbitration Court.

    He said Lagos was being made a Centre of Arbitration, as courts are not sufficient to  resolve all disputes.

    “We must look for other methods of resolving disputes; the platform, Lagos government has provided. Lagosians should use them – ADR. Lagos has been commended for ease of doing business; ease of doing business also means ease of resolving disputes,” Kazeem said.

    The Attorney-General, who noted that over 40,000 cases had been handled by the CMCs, said arbitration made dispute resolution faster.

    In her opening remarks, Chairperson of the Conference Planning Committee, Mrs Folashade Alli, said all factors militating against ADR must be removed.

    Alli, a Chartered Administrator, called for harmonisation for Arbitration bodies to make the country a hub, adding that issues of security and other logistics had to be taken care of. She said anybody, not just lawyers, can take on the role of an arbitrator.

  • NIOB seeks regulatory agencies unification

    NIOB seeks regulatory agencies unification

    • 2017 AGM/conference begins today

    The Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB), Lagos State Chapter, has reiterated the need to unify regulatory agencies in the built environment to enhance better co-ordination among various government agencies.

    The regulators include the Lagos State Land Bureau; Lagos State Survey General Office, the state’s Ministry for Physical Planning and Urban Development, the Building Control Agency, the Physical Planning Permit Authority and the state’s Safety Commission.

    This position of the NIOB, among others, will form the fulcrum of the institute’s 2017 annual general meeting (AGM)/Conference which begins today place at the Academy Inn and Multi-Purpose Hall, Lateef Jakande Road, Agidingbi, Lagos, with the theme: Regulatory Authorities: Panacea for Building ProjecAt Delivery in Lagos State.The Conference, which ends tomorrow, will address issues pertaining to problems encountered by the developers, investors and other stakeholders in the state.

    According to the Conference Committee Chairman, Mr. Adelaja Adekanbi, the NIOB, Lagos Chapter, deemed it necessary to bring together the end users and government officials saddled with the responsibility of regulating the various activities in the built environment to educate, fine tune and discuss best mode of their operations.

    He further explained that the designated agencies are not giving adequate information on their mode of operations, thus, the cause for many abberations encountered by the major players in the industry.

    “Their performances in their respective capacities tend to not only be contradictory, but filled with duplicity and in some cases, causing confusion by which developers, investors and private project owners become wary of their activities,” Adekanmbi said.

    In similar vein, the NIOB Chairman for the state, Mrs. Adenike said while regretting that the incidences of building collapse in the metropolis have become not only an embarrassment to government, but also to the professionals in the sector, observed that the regulatory agencies most times cause conflict, deliberately or otherwise, which needs to be addressed; hence, the convergence of all relevant stakeholders in the industry at the conference.

    For the Honourary Secretary of the NIOB Lagos chapter, Mr. Alani Adegoke, some of the laws put in place by the authority appear to be contradictory, a situation that has been a source of concern to the investors. This, he said, is why it is necessary to ensure that these agencies come open to clarify their roles and functions in clear terms so that the public would know every requirement, stage by stage, in the processing of their building documents.

  • Wike raising false alarm against security agencies, says APC

    Wike raising false alarm against security agencies, says APC

    The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused Governor Nyesom Wike of raising false alarm against security agencies.

    The governor, on Wednesday, claimed the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) operatives were behind kidnapping and robbery in the state.

    Rivers APC, at a news conference in Port Harcourt by its Publicity Secretary, Chief Chris Finebone,  Secretary Emeka Beke and other leaders of the party, accused the governor of having sewn police uniforms for thugs used by his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to rig the 2015 elections and rerun in Rivers.

    It stated that Wike ought to have emulated his Abia State counterpart, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, who was proactive by declaring three-day dusk-to-dawn curfew in Aba, the commercial nerve centre of Abia, with the curfew later extended to today, to prevent further breakdown of law and order.

    Rivers APC noted that the failure of Wike’s government to engage in productive ventures, was responsible for increase in the crime rate in Rivers, with hungry and angry youths returning to crime.

    Wike alleged that the SARS Commander in Rivers, Mr. Akin Fakorede, and operatives of the squad were indicted by an official police signal, which he claimed showed that they were responsible for the series of kidnapping and robbery across the state.

    The main opposition party said: “Ordinarily, the APC has no business involving in any matter between the Rivers governor and any other entity, but in the instant case and even in previous related cases, Wike has either alluded to or expressly stated that the APC benefited from whatever allegations he raised against the police or particularly the SARS. The APC has also been at the receiving end of the false alarms Wike had previously raised against the police, which, in all cases, turned out to be mere smokescreen by the governor to mask his real intentions.

    “From all indications, the Rivers governor’s accusation on Wednesday that members of SARS abducted some persons and forced them to withdraw N500,000, is manifestly cooked up to directly smear members of the SARS and the Commander, Akin Fakorede, who is known to have resisted advances made by Wike to compromise the officer.

    “Wike has never hidden his disdain for the SARS commander, due to the officer’s principled and professional stance in rejecting the governor’s bait in the past two years. Wike seems to have sworn to have Akin Fakorede compromised or transferred out of Rivers State, to pave the way for a replacement that may play ball with him.

    “Just before the killings in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA (ONELGA) of Rivers State assumed a frightening dimension, Wike had raised the alarm, accusing the military and police of invading ONELGA. Just after his blackmail of the Army and Police, his private army, led by Don Wannie, launched his massive killing and beheading in ONELGA. Same was the case when Wike sponsored a campaign of calumny against the military personnel that tried to normalise security in Ogoniland. He made all manner of accusations against the Army that had gone in search of Solomon Ndigbara, Wike’s private army general in Ogoni. Shortly after the sponsored campaign against the Army in Ogoni , Ndigbara launched his killings in Ogoniland.

    “Part of the concerns of the APC is that whenever Wike is about committing some security infractions, he diverts attention from himself, by raising false alarm against security agencies, especially the police. In the instant case, Rivers governor is raising these alarms to distract the police and pave the way for his killers to undertake further killings in Rivers State. Without doubt, we believe the security information in our kitty to that effect.”

    Rivers APC also called on Rivers people and Nigerians not to fall for the antics of Wike, stressing that they must remain vigilant.

    It admonished security agencies to refuse to be dismayed, demoralised or distracted by the antics of the Rivers governor, but must continue to work to secure the state from the grip of Wike’s killers, who it said were on a rampage across Rivers 23 councils.

    The party said: “Rivers State APC considers Wednesday’s accusation against the police, particularly against the SARS, as patently malevolent, mischievous and intended to mask the next phase of killings by Wike’s killers.

    “The police and other security agencies must remain focused and have their eyes on the ball, to forestall worsening security situation in the state, a situation that is already getting out of hand.”

    Rivers APC also urged the peace-loving people of the state to continue to endure Wike’s bad governance till 2019, when they would have the opportunity of effecting  change through their votes, asking them to prepare to vote wisely for all candidates of the main opposition party, to move forward.

     

     

    IGP Idris faults governor’s claim on SARS operatives

    Inspector-General of Police Ibrahim Idris has faulted the allegation by Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike that the police are behind criminal activities in the state.

    Idris said Wike was expressing a personal opinion on the security situation in his state.

    Idris explained that the display of a body purported to be that of the police in a crime scene did not indicate that the policeman was involved in the crime.

    He said: “That a policeman was killed in Rivers in connection with the IPOB issue is different from saying that the policeman was involved in a crime. You cannot say that the one attacked and killed is the one involved in the crime.”

    He described the governor’s comment as a sweeping allegation which “does not make sense to me”.

  • Union lauds private employment agencies for jobs enhancement

    The Human Capital Providers Association of Nigeria (HuCaPAN) has said private employment agencies have enhanced jobs and development of businesses.

    HuCaPAN Presdent Mr Remi Adegboyega said while addressing reporters in Lagos.

    HuCaPAN with 150 companies was established to provide an interface through which government and its relevant authorities can consult and relate with providers of outsourced personnel.

    According to Adegboyega, global economic challenges and the need for greater efficiency in businesses have led to increase in dynamic business models.

    He said employers believed that companies that would be sustained must be lean, efficient and responsive because rising wage bills and skills deficit are huge risks to investment.

    ‘’Many workers choose agency work because of their circumstances and the greater flexibility PEAs provide. For some workers, agencies act as a gateway to securing permanent work.

    ‘’While other workers choose temporary work because it allows them to best balance their work with commitments such as self-development, entrepreneurship interests, sports or farming,’’ Adegboyega said.

    He said the market of private employment agencies have grown significantly as business operators in a bid to face their core competencies have adopted the “do what you do best and outsource the rest” model.

    He, however, said employment agencies should recognise the right of workers to belong to a union and ensure that workers contributed to issues that affect their employment.

    ‘’An employers should ensure that he or she will not stop workers from joining the union. The employer must negotiate regularly with union leaders on how to improve workers condition of service,’’ he said.

    The HuCaPAN chief further said members were encouraged to pay the stipulated minimum wage to any person recruited, and tax and pension deducted must be remitted.

    “Every Nigerian irrespective of  their work should be proud of what they are doing and be treated fairly in their jobs. They should attain the basic rights of dignity at work.

    “It is in doing this that the economic value of each and every one of our teeming population would be shored up,’’ he said.

    HuCaPAN is a body that get owners of business of private employment together to enable them improve the operations and comply with statutory requirement.

  • Malami and anti-graft agencies

    Of all the vote-catching strategies laid out by the ruling All Progressives Congress in the lead up to the 2015 general elections, its promise to prosecute an all-out war against corruption was unquestionably the most compelling and believable. This is because its presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, is widely known as a man of integrity with very strong aversion for corrupt practices.

    And so, due largely to its promise to fight corruption to a standstill and the credibility of the personality behind the pledge, APC was able to seize the mantle from the old guards of corruption and form a new government. Therefore, to refer to Buhari’s government as one of anti-corruption – one hoping to hinge its success in governance on how well it performs in this specific assignment – would not be out of place.

    To this administration’s credit, the last two years, or at least since one doughty, no-nonsense police officer named Ibrahim Magu became acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the anti-corruption war has been waged in a manner that has never been seen in the history of Nigeria.

    Amazing loads upon loads of stolen public funds in various currencies are being recovered and returned to government coffers. Thanks to the whistle-blower initiative, more and more disclosures about the hidden loots are being made to the relevant agencies. And unlike what obtained in the past, the big guns of society, hitherto untouchable, are regularly being hauled to the law courts on account of fraudulent activities. But as yet, no conviction of note has been recorded.

    As can be seen, it’s not been an easy fight. Corruption is refusing to be subdued. Government has lost some high-profile cases, while some others are stalemated. Cynics contend that failure to secure notable convictions is proof that government is shoddy in the way it is prosecuting the war; government officials counter that corruption is fighting back in a virulent manner.

    In a way, both are correct. While those who have made corruption a lifetime occupation won’t give up easily, it is also true that this administration routinely shoots itself in the foot as far as the anti-corruption campaign is concerned. Take for example, the unhealthy relationship between the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, and anti-corruption agencies like the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

    Sensing that it is being overshadowed by the two agencies, the AGF is angling to show its muscle as the pre-eminent government department in all matters legal, and especially as far as prosecuting corruption cases is concerned. Okoi Obono-Obla, Special Assistant to the President on Prosecutions, man Friday and agent provocateur, is the arrowhead in this needless exercise of power that is clearly aimed at meeting some self-serving political ends. At every given opportunity, Obono-Obla does not fail to reiterate the fable that the anti-corruption agencies are not co-operating with the office of the AGF. But the more likely position, in the assessment of many observers, is that these agencies are not willing to compromise in some high-profile cases in which the office of the AGF might be interested.

    That is why it is widely believed that other than crude, selfish politics, there can be no legitimate reason for the AGF’s latest threat, as conveyed by Obono-Obla, to report the heads of EFCC and ICPC to the presidency for refusing to hand over the case files of more than 35 former governors and senators. It is important to ask why the AGF wants these files. Why won’t he simply invite these agencies to a meeting to update him on the cases, and then explore ways of assisting in achieving diligent prosecution?

    No one is disputing the AGF’s status as the numero uno in the circumstance, but he should refrain from bearing down on these agencies as though they don’t have a statutory mandate to perform certain roles corresponding with his. To paraphrase a local proverb, the sky is wide enough for every bird to flap its wings.

    Instead of requesting cases started by other agencies, the AGF should initiate his own high-profile cases too to show that it not only barks but bites as well. Obono-Obla has accused the agencies of slowing down the anti-corruption war. Well, he has to show concrete proof of how this is happening before the charge can hold water, not by merely pointing to a refusal of the agencies to turn in files of the corruption cases they initiated.

    In any case the last time anyone heard of one group of government official publicly expressing misgivings about the other, it was one prominent member of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC), also a senior Advocate of Nigeria, berating Obono-Obla’s boss for openly disagreeing with acting President Yemi Osinbajo on the retention of Magu as the chair of EFCC.

    This individual stopped short of calling for the AGF’s sack. Before then, this same member and another articulate colleague at a forum on corruption organized in Abuja by the Pyrates Confraternity, separately pronounced doubts about the commitment of the AGF to the anti-corruption efforts of the government on account of serial embarrassing defeats handed the government in key cases prosecuted by his office.

    The AGF should rather strive to allay the fears of the public and restore confidence in his office, not perpetually bicker with other agencies over cases he didn’t originate.

     

    • Onyeacholem is a journalist. He can be reached on gonyeacholem@gmail.com
  • Global rating agencies rate Dangote Cement high

    Global rating agencies rate Dangote Cement high

    Two global rating agencies-Moody’s Investors Service and Global Credit Ratings (GCR), have rated Dangote Cement high for its financial strength and corporate outlook. In Rating reports published yesterday, both global rating agencies described the outlook of the Africa’s largest cement producer as stable.

    Moody’s assigned three respective high ratings to the cement company including a first time Ba3 Local Currency Corporate Family Rating (CFR), Ba3-PD Probability of Default Rating and Aaa.ng National Scale Rating (NSR).

    Global Credit Ratings assigned long-term and short-term national scale issuer ratings of AA+ (NG) and A1+ (NG) respectively to Dangote Cement.

    Dangote Cement’s share price rose by N1.93 per share to close at N203.94 as the news filtered to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

    Assistant Vice President and Lead Analyst for Dangote Cement at Moody’s, Douglas Rowlings, said the ratings reflect Dangote Cement’s “strong standalone credit profile and track record of demonstrated financial support from a larger and more diversified parent Dangote Industries Limited”.

    Chief Executive Officer, Dangote Cement Plc, Onne van der Weijde noted that the ratings highlight the financial strength the company had achieved through unwavering focus on the profitable expansion of its business.

  • Agencies set new rules of engagement

    A lot is bound to give anytime soon, especially with the modus operandi of the Kayode Oluwasona-led Association of Advertising Agencies (AAAN) as the Association holds its next congress to elect new officers next month in Lagos.

    This is self-evidence in the carefully chosen theme of this year’s congress ‘Fresh Thinking’, which is to be delivered by Dr. Lekan Fadolapo, an advertising iconoclast.

    Interestingly, the theme of this year’s congress stakeholders agree will affect the much needed creativity in the execution of advertising briefs especially in the digital age.

    Last year at Uyo congress, members had reviewed the renewable tenure of Executive from one year to two years, a move described by most members as a strategic move by the Association to ensure that each administration to be put in place henceforth has reasonable time to birth and nurture landmark projects conceived by them, before yielding the stage for another.

    According to the members present in Uyo, “the association has several landmark developmental projects languishing at various stages of non-completion. It has often been argued by members that no meaningful development could be achieved by an Executive whose tenure is just one year or, if renewed, two years, since project design and implementation requires long gestation period.”

    From the theme of the 2016 edition of its Annual General Meeting, it was cleared that the AAAN gathered in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state to devise strategies that would enhance its relevance and aid its push for vantage space for the engagement of its services and those of its member agencies by government at various levels in the unfolding socio-political environment being created by the Muhammadu Buhari administration.

    While participants at the conference segment dissected government’s communications mechanism and proffered a way forward on how best to market Nigeria’s beautiful attributes and potential, the immediate past president of the Association, Kelechi Nwosu observed that the conference was organised to articulate options and identify strategies for addressing national issues, particularly those that relate to the advertising industry and the Nigerian economy, by suggesting clear ideas on how government can effectively engage the hearts and minds of Nigerians through the services of AAAN and its member agencies.

    “Our request is that the federal government and state governments should all employ the services of AAAN agencies because we have built solid brands in this country. We’re experts in strategic communication and most importantly the regulating law of APCON is clear that only licensed Agencies should practice advertising in the country,” he stated boldly.