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Tag: agencies

  • NECA decries agencies’ attitude over tax

    NECA decries agencies’ attitude over tax

    The Nigerian Employers Consultative Association (NECA) has decried the  overbearing attitude of some revenue generating government agencies. This, the association said, has negative effects on their performance.

    Speaking on the forthcoming 60th anniversary of the Association, NECCA’s Director- General, Olusegun Oshinowo explained that there was every reason for the employers’ body to celebrate the anniversary.

    He argued that regulatory agencies’activities were threatening the survival of businesses despite employers’ efforts to function in a harsh operating environment.

    “Businesses are confronted by regulatory issues, chief among is multiple taxations. The various demands from the agencies are expected to be met by one company without the agencies being concerned as to the cash flow of that company. The effects of the challenges faced by the companies or the fact that the demands are from different agencies of government on companies are the redundancy exercise experienced in the country and closing down of businesses, among others,”he said.

    He mentioned lack of access to foreign exchange by the real sector, lack of raw materials for manufacturing companies, volatile exchange rates, high interest rates and the fall in crude oil price as some factors adversely affecting employers across the country.

    According to Oshinowo, NECA was in consultation with the Lagos Inland Revenue Service (LIRS) against restraining any of its member companies on tax issues without first consulting with it, adding that NECA was equally institutionalising the same understanding with other state boards of internal revenue services.

    While reiterating the employers’ body support for a new minimum wage, he explain that such negotiations must not be done without considerating the survival of businesses.

    His words: “It is within the rights of labour and anybody or institution to clamour for increment in the national minimum wage. However, certain factors must be taken into consideration before arriving at a new national minimum wage for the country.

  • Buhari appoints chief executives, directors for 23 agencies

    Buhari appoints chief executives, directors for 23 agencies

    President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointments of Chief Executives and Directors  for twenty three Federal Government Agencies.

    S/N ORGANIZATION APPOINTEE DESIGNATION
    1 National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP)

     

    		 Barrister Julie Okah-Donli Director-General
    2 National Centre for Women Development (NCWD)

     

    		 Barrister Mary Ikpere-Eta Director-General
    3 Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) Bayo Somefun

     

    Tijani Suleiman

     

    Mr. Jasper Azuatalam

     

    Kemi Nelson

     

    		 Managing Director

     

    Executive Director

     

    Executive Director

     

    Executive Director
    4 Federal Mortgage Bank (FMB) Arc. Ahmed Dangiwa

     

    Melvin Eboh

     

     

    Hajiya Rahimatu Aliyu

     

     

     

     

    Umaru Abdullahi Dankane

    		 Managing Director

     

    Executive Director (Org. Resourcing)

     

    Executive Director (Loans Department, Securities Issuance and Market Development)

     

    Executive Director (Policy and Strategy Loans Set-Up and Pay Off)

     
    5 Bureau of Public Enterprises

    (BPE)

    		 Alex Okoh Director General
    6 Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA)

     

    		 Abdulkadir Saidu Umar Executive Secretary
    7 National Park Service (NPS) Ibrahim Musa Goni Conservator-General/Chief

    Executive Officer (CEO)
    8 Service Compact (SERVICOM)

     

    		 Nnenna A. Akajemeli National Coordinator/CEO
    9 National Directorate of Employment (NDE) Dr. Nasiru Mohammed Ladan

     

    		 Director General
    10 Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies

    (MINILS)

    		 Saliu Dada Alabi Director General
    11 National Research Institute for Chemical Technology

     

    		 Professor Jef. T. Barminas Director General
    12 Nigeria Institute for Social and Economic Research (NISER)

     

    		 Dr. Haruna Yerima Director General
    13 Nigeria Insurance Commission (NAICOM)

     

    		 Sunday Thomas Deputy Commissioner
    14 Consumer Protection Council

     

    		 Tunde Erukera Executive Secretary
    15 Federal Character

    Commission

    		 Barr. Mohammed Bello

    Tukur

    		 Secretary
    16 National Pension Commission (PENCOM) Dikko Aliyu Abdulrahman

     

     

    Funso Doherty

     

    Akin Akinwale

     

    Abubakar Zaki Magawata

     

    Ben Oviosun

     

    Nyerere Ayim

     

    		 Director-General (Subject to Senate Confirmation)

     

    Chairman

     

    Executive Commissioner

     

    Executive Commissioner

     

    Executive Commissioner

     

    Executive Commissioner
    17 Federal Capital Development

    Authority

    		 Engr. Umar Gambo Jibrin Executive Secretary
    18 Nigeria Agriculture Insurance Corporation

     

    		 Mrs. Folashade Joseph Managing Director
    19 Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON)

     

    		 Cecilia Umaru Gaya, mni Director General
    20 Lagos International Trade Fair Management Board

     

    		 Mrs. Luci Ajayi Executive Secretary
    21 Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority

     

    		 Barrister Emmanuel Jimme Managing Director
    22 Nigeria Lottery Regulatory Commission

     

    		 Lanre Gbajabiamila Director General
    23 Nigeria Automotive Design and Development Council

     

    		 Jalani Aliyu Director General
  • APC to heads of govt agencies: don’t disrespect National Assembly

    APC to heads of govt agencies: don’t disrespect National Assembly

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has warned its members, who are appointees of government, not to disrespect the National Assembly.

    The party said the National Assembly is the institution at the heart of the nation’s democracy, noting that any form of denigration of that institution was “like flirting with suicide”.

    The National Assembly has had running battles with government appointees following their refusal to honour invitations to answer questions on certain issues affecting Nigerians and the day-to-day running of government – the latest being the refusal of the Comptroller General of Customs, Hameed Ali, to honour an invitation from the Senate.

    Speaking with reporters at the weekend after a meeting of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) with the APC caucus in the House of Representatives, the APC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, said the party did not intervene early enough on the face-off between the Senate and the Comptroller General of Customs because the matter was not strictly a party affair.

    He added that the party believed both parties will  see reasons to amicably resolve the matter.

    He explained that taking the matter to court had further complicated the issue at stake.

    But he assured the citizenry that the party will ensure the matter is resolved within the shortest possible time.

    Abdullahi said: “Yes, you are right. The issue came up. The House of Representatives expressed these concerns.

    “They believe that the party has being shielding some people from the Executive arm of government, who are also members of the party and that is why they are able to, in their own words, disrespect the National Assembly.

    “Don’t forget that the meeting we had was with the House of Representatives and not the Senate. But I think they felt equally affected by what is going on with the individuals you have mentioned. But the assurance that we gave them is that the party will not do that.

    “The party will not support any member, who is an appointed official of government to disrespect the National Assembly because we recognise that the National Assembly is the very meaning of our democracy.

    “The difference between dictatorship and democracy is that you have a National Assembly. In military rule, you have the executive and the judiciary. The only institution you don’t have under military rule is the National Assembly or the House of Assembly in the state.

    “So, that is the very foundation of our democracy and we believe as a party that every single citizen, regardless of what we feel about some actions or inactions of that institution or some individuals in that institution or the perception we have about some people in that institution, the most important thing is that it is the very institution at the heart of our democracy and any form of denigration of that institution is like flirting with suicide.

    “So, as a political party, we are not going to do that. We are not going to support anybody to disrespect our National Assembly and I believe that some of these issues that are coming up will very soon be resolved.

    “As you have learnt, the party said we are going to intervene on some of these issues and try to resolve them. I don’t think trying to intervene to resolve the issues should be interpreted to mean that we are protecting some of the individuals that are involved.

    “We are not protecting anyone to disrespect the National Assembly. Our desire will be to see that there is stability in the system and the polity is not unnecessarily overheated by issues that can be resolved amicably.”

    Abdullahi said the party did not intervene early in the matter because it was not strictly a party affair.

  • Rotary, agencies seek end to road crashes

    Rotary, agencies seek end to road crashes

    How to end road crashes topped discussions at a seminar held by Rotary Club of Gbagada South at the weekend in Lagos. It was titled: The role of the community in maintaining peace on our roads.
    The event, which held at the General Hospital, Gbagada drew participants from relevant stakeholders – the government roads agencies, drivers unions, tricycle union, Community Development Association (CDA) and others.
    The hospital’s Deputy Medical Director Dr Lateef Keshiro, who was Rotary’s Planning Committee chairman, said the seminar was aimed at educating the public on the need for peace on the roads.
    Babatunde Jeje, the club’s President, said one of the aims of Rotary is to bring good to the world and that the seminar, which objective was to reduce conflict on the roads, was one of them. He added that this was the second edition of its peace resolution and prevention seminar series.
    Assistant Corps Commander, Federal Roads Safety Commission (FRSC), Mr Adeyemi Bashiru, who kicked off the discussions, said all hands must be on deck to end the menace. He said where there was no peace, there would be no development, urging communities to play a role in the issue. The rate of crashes in the country, he said, was alarmingly high, adding that about three million people are killed yearly in crashes and several others injured.
    Bashiru attributed the cause of crashes mainly to human error. He said there was the need to examine ourselves to know where we got it wrong.‘’We have a poor driving culture. This variable contributes to crashes. Driving requires 100 per cent concentration; non-concentration leads to fatalities. For example, it is only when we are on the wheels that we remember to receive calls or fiddle with our radio. Don’t receive calls when you drive,’’ he warned.
    Other risk factors in crashes, he added, were over speeding, non-adherence to traffic rules and regulations, and failure to use zebra crossings and pedestrian bridges. He called for attitudinal change on the part of drivers as well as learning before getting a licence and driving.
    About 80 per cent of this generation, he bemoaned, did not go to a school to learn driving. ‘’If you do not attend a driving school, how do you identify traffic signs?’’ he asked.
    Mr Kayode Oladosu, the Assistant Director and Head of Operations, Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS), harped on safety, saying it is the slogan of his organisation. He said it should be the watchword of not only enforcement agents but also every one. He said to ensure peace on the roads, there must be sanity, and that this included having worthy vehicles with genuine licences.
    “Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIOs) are everywhere in the country to sanitise the roads to ensure that the vehicles are road worthy and that driver’s have valid and genuine drivers licence. Though Nigerians decry the fines, they are meant to enforce sanctions. The government wants voluntary compliance from road users,’’ he added.
    Assistant Chief Traffic Officer Lagos State Transport Management Authority (LASTMA) Kayode Olotu, who assessed the roads, gave one verdict: they are in a state of chaos. ‘’There is disregard for traffic rules,’’ he said. He said despite the efforts of the road agencies to restore sanity to the roads, ‘’many still see LASTMA as a terror group’’. But Olotu gave the agency a pass mark, decrying the harrassment by the public. ‘’LASTMA is your friend, not an enemy,’’ he emphasised. This drew laughter from the audience.
    Divisional Police Officer Oworonshoki Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) M. E. Okon, praised the seminar, calling for public-private partnership (PPP) to build and repair the bad roads, adding that until the roads are good condition we can’t restore peace to them. He said his call became necessary because the government could not do everything, especially in view of the recession.
    In all, the participants, praised the seminar.They asked questions which ranged from poor road agents relations to government’s non-challant attitude to road users.
    Hon Segun Babatunde, General Secretary, Community Development Council (CDC), blamed drivers and their conductors for chaos on the roads. He suggested that any driver caught removing his shirt while on the wheels should be arrested and sent to a psychiatric hospital.
    Also, Mr Babatunde Salami, who said he got his Drivers’ Licence in 1976, asked if there was still a Highway Code. He asked if a learner was still tested, issued Learners Permit before given a licence.

  • Lawmaker decries low allocation to employment-creating agencies

    The Chairman, Senate Committee on Labour and Employment, Senator Sulaiman Nazif, has said it is worrisome that agencies created to stimulate employment are only getting three percent of their annual budget.

    Sulaiman stated this during the Senate Committee’s visit to the National Directorate of Employment (NDE). The committee also visited the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), and National Productivity Centre.

    He called for improved allocation for the ministry‘s agencies, stressing that job creation is paramount as people are in dire need of employment.

    He expressed the committee’s readiness to support the NDE in its drive to create employment for the teeming unemployed youths.

    “If there is any area you need some amendments to the Act that established NDE, we are here to assist you in that regard for maximum performance,” he assured.

    He  commended parastatals under the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment for prudent use of limited resources at their disposal for maximal service delivery.

  • Agencies lack capacity to deliver PPP projects, says Osinbajo

    Agencies lack capacity to deliver PPP projects, says Osinbajo

    The Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo yesterday said Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) lacked the required capacity to deliver Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects.

    Represented by the Special Adviser on Economic Matters to the President, Dr. Adeyemi Dipeolu, the Prof Osinbajo spoke at the Knowledge Sharing Forum on PPP jointly organised by the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group and the Ministry of Finance held at the old Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    For the PPP programme to be effective, he said MDAs needed to have in-house workers with requisite skills in financial, legal, technical, procurement and project management areas to be able to deliver on projects.

    He said: “As things stand, there is very limited capacity within MDAs to deliver PPP projects. Yet at the minimum MDAs should have in-house staff with requisite skills in financial, legal, technical, procurement and project management areas to be able to deliver on such projects.

    “Capacity building efforts including training and availability of resource materials would be inevitable.

    “In the short run however, one tried and tested way is learning by doing which can be achieved by contracting consultants to assist but in a manner that ensures eventual transfer of knowledge to the public sector.  In particular, public servants have to be involved in actual transactions and negotiations.”

    Key factor for attracting private sector finance, he said, was a predictable and enabling policy, legal and institutional environment.

    He said the forum was another opportunity for a thorough analysis of policy, legal and institutional framework for PPPs, including assessing whether the current framework provides enough incentive for local and foreign investors alike.

    According to him, Nigeria clearly requires a PPP regime that matches its ambitions.

    “A closely related issue is whether we have the appropriate framework to enable the use of our very large and growing public pension assets estimated at about N5.3 trillion for the provision of infrastructure without putting these assets at risk,” he said.

    Noting that the number of PPP projects that have been concluded in the country so far was quite low, he said it was partly because of unwieldy project appraisal and approval processes.

    Prof Osinbajo said: “We have to find ways to help reduce the time frame for delivering projects while still ensuring that only those of very high quality are delivered. One obvious solution is improved coordination between the different parties and institutions involved in project delivery.”

  • Agencies adopt new media to stay afloat

    Agencies adopt new media to stay afloat

    To remain afloat, marketing communication agencies are opting for digital media, writes ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI

    The changing media consumption patterns of consumers and corporate organisations is forcing advertising, public relations (PR), experiential and outdoor agencies to reconfigure their business models.

    Tired with the practice, which fails to avail clients with data-driven strategy, poor return-on investment,  the need to account for every spend in the face of dwindling marketing budget, agencies are adopting digital marketing and media strategy to grow their businesses.

    The paradigm shift has led some to lose businesses to digital-compliant agencies. As a result, many operators are desperate to change their business models to meet new market realities.

    At a digital PR summit in Lagos, stakeholders noted that digital adoption would redefine PR business in digital communities.

    Zinox Technologies Ltd Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mr. Leo Stan-Ekeh, said PR practitioners needed to deepen their knowledge of new media because they offer opportunities for their practice.

    He said: “The new media offer public relations practitioners a unique opportunity to expand the scope of their work and tie strategic activities back to bottom line and it is easier to evaluate the outcome of campaigns than traditional media. New media is an effective communication tool with global reach and a resource to garner consumer and competitor intelligence.”

    Airtel Nigeria Chief Executive Officer/Managing Director Segun Ogunsanya called on advertising practitioners to adopt digital advertising to connect with target audience and ensure maximum returns from spend.

    In a keynote address at the ADVAN Awards for marketing excellence in Nigeria last Saturday, he noted that with the ubiquitous nature of mobile devices, digital advertising was the future of advertising.

    “There are over five billion people with access to mobile phones; hence, a mobile device remains the easiest way to connect with people, especially the youth who are the leaders of tomorrow. The Millennials are looking at many different screens for advertising. They are now concentrating on digital media, and advertising has to move to the digital space.

    “We, the clients, can no longer rely on strategies counting on users to just watch our messages on TV or listen to radio anymore. Nor can we be so sure that consumers will watch a prime time show at a prime time, or in their homes, or out-of-work hours,” he said.

    Recently, Chain Reactions Nigeria, one of Nigeria’s PR firms, announced a major re-design of its business architecture in line with global industry trends.

    Its Managing Director and Chief Strategist, Mr. Israel Jaiye Opayemi, said the repositioning was a  response to changes in the business, technology and media landscape.

    He said:  “The first thing we did was to shut  what used to be our client service arm and converted it to a strategy and business group populated by business analysts, strategists, pop culture specialists, trends analysts, research analysts, experiential specialists and so on.’’

    He explained that under the new business model, it takes more than having the traditional skills for any executive who desires to work in the agency to do client service.

    Also, CMC Connect Burson Marsteller Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Yomi Badejo-Okusanya, said a key challenge in the PR industry had been how to determine its contribution to the bottom-line, as practitioners need to justify their budgets in the face of dwindling resources.

    Black House Media (BHM) Chief Executive Officer Mr. Adekunle Ayeni early in the year predicted the death of PR.

  • ‘Global partnership vital to agencies’growth’

    It is  necessary for agencies to look for other global  counter-parts to enable them attain their vision, the Group Managing Director of Noah’s Ark, Mr Lanre Adisa, has said.

    Citing the decision of Noah’s Ark to partner Dentsu Aegies Network (DAN), a leading global advertising firm, he said it was pertinent for agencies yearning for growth and global recognition to get out of local market through affiliation whose partnership would enable them attain the vision for which such local agencies were set up.

    Speaking at the signing of a partnership agreement between Noah’s Ark Communications and Dentsu Aegis Network (DAN) in Lagos, Adisa said the decision of Noah’s Ark to go into partnership was informed by the need to further widen its horizon and entrench the young creative agency in the global advertising space.

    Adisa said the partnership would see Noah’s Ark being the creative partner to Media Fuse Dentsu Aegis Network (MFDAN), consisting of the  global agency, DAN and its local media affiliate, the Media Fuse.

    He explained that the agency had been able to achieve milestones since it was set up eight years ago, one of  which was being the first agency in the country and West African sub-region to be featured in the renowned Lurzer’s Archive, in 2012.

    He, however, expressed the belief that the agency’s partnership with DAN, would go a long way in enhancing the global status of the agency and help DAN establish its presence in the local advertising space.

    “Dentsu is one of the top global holding companies in the advertising world. It is on record that it is the fastest growing of our top players today. Right from our first contact, we were humbled by their respect for our brand.

    “With this affiliation, we will be having Media Fuse Dentsu Aegis Network (MFDAN) as our media partners while we also become their creative partner in this market. For our clients, this amounts to having the best of both worlds,” he added.

    Chief Executive Director, Sub-Saharan Africa, Dentsu Aegis, Mrs. Dawn Rowlands, said the choice of Noah’s Ark Communications was informed by the level of energy of the Noah’s Ark’s team, its cohesiveness and the availability of an environment that drives creativity.

     

  • Council chief hails Ambode, security agencies

    The Sole Administrator of Iba Local Council Development Area, Hon. Yisa Abiola Jubril has commended the efforts of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and the security agencies on the successful rescue of the Oniba of Iba, Oba Goriola Oseni.

    Speaking in his office, the council chief said the governor’s effort was exemplary, saying it gave hope to the residents that their security is guaranteed.

    While thanking Governor Ambode, Jubril said the security apparatus of the state had been fortified with modern technology to track down kidnappers and wage total war against criminals anywhere they hide.

    ‘‘When Oba was kidnapped, nobody knew his health condition until when he was released.

    We thank God for sparing the life of Oba Oniba who was kidnapped. We are grateful to Ambode, the Commissioner of Police, the State Security Service (SSS) and the entire Nigerians for the valuable information given to the police who led to the successful operation that led to the rescue of our Oba,” he said. Jubril assured the residents that efforts were being made to improve the living standard of the people.

  • ‘Agencies should collaborate’

    The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) Hassan Bello, has urged maritime agencies to collaborate so as to move the sector forward.

    Speaking when he received the ‘Most Effective Agency in the Maritime Industry’ award from management of Global Business Edge Magazine in Lagos, he observed that for meaningful development to be achieved, all agencies in the sector must collaborate.

    “As agencies of government, we must work together. If this is done, a lot of good things will happen.”

    Bello urged institutions and individuals in the industry to use the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), so as to resolve some issues outside the Court.

    “Due to legal processes, NSC has not been able to perform some functions. We can settle some issues outside the Court of law as soon as possible so as to not only facilitate trade seamlessly, but also to move the sector forward. If this is done, changes will take place in the industry.”

    Bello also hinted that the Council is working towards professionali-sing the industry.

    “With the way the Minister for Transportation is going, in the next two years or less, human contact at the Nigerian ports would be totally eliminated so as to do away with corruption which is dwarfing the Sector.

    “The Council is developing truck transit parks that will streamline the country’s transport industry in line with international best practices. I call on freight forwarding bodies, truckers and critical stakeholders in the supply chain to come together and form consortium so as to achieve the best the sector can offer. I also call on all to embrace this change that is coming,” he said.