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Tag: AGM

  • NACCIMA to hold 57th AGM 

    NACCIMA to hold 57th AGM 

    The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) has concluded arrangements to hold its 57th Annual General Meeting (AGM) next month in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

    The AGM will be a platform to elect a new president and national officers to run the affairs of the Association for the next two years.

    The theme of the AGM is: “Ease of doing business in Nigeria: An impetus to economic recovery.”

    NACCIMA Director-General- Emmanuel Cobham, in a statement, said the highlight of the event would be the investiture of Iyalode Alaba Lawson as the 19th and first female National President of NACCIMA.

    Lawson will take over from Chief Bassey Edem.

    Cobham said the AGM would receive the last year’s National President’s Annual Report, consider the National Treasurer’s report and the audited accounts for the year ended December 31, 2016, elect officers for 2017/2018 and appoint auditors.

    The event will climax on Thursday, May 25, with the Association’s Annual Conference to be declared open by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The Representative to Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and Regional Director, United Nation Development Organisation (UNIDO), Mr. Jean Bakole, will deliver a paper on the theme of the AGM.

    Former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo will preside over the Technical Session.

  • Price of cement may go up if… – Manufacturers

    Price of cement may go up if… – Manufacturers

    Cement manufacturers have warned that if the Naira is further devalued, the price of cement will be increased further.
    Cement manufacturers need a substantial amount of forex to pay expatriates, buy diesel, fuel, spare parts and mining machinery. It has also been disclosed that it is easier to import gypsum than to use local gypsum because of the poor quality and high price of local gypsum.

    Addressing shareholders at the 37th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Cement Company of Northern Nigeria (CCNN) in Abuja yesterday, the chairman of the company Alhaji Abdulsamad Rabiu said “times are tough and difficult, and the availability of forex is a big problem. If the Naira devalues further, the cost of anything that is imported will go up. Hanging in there to remain in business.”

    Defending the recent increase in the price of cement to N2,000, Abdulsamad Rabiu said CCNN will continue with production and make a little bit of money even if it is not much, to keep running. He told shareholders that a competitor has posted N30 billion loss for this year.

    Abdulsamad Rabiu tied the increase in the price of cement to what he called “the cost of energy doubling.” Describing the current economic environment as dire, Abdulsamad Rabiu said the cost of procuring LPFO, diesel, fuel etc, have gone up because of the difficulty in accessing forex.

    According to him, “the situation is dire, but going forward we pray it gets better. Forex now is for oil production. The price of oil that has come down is also affecting forex and without forex it is not easy to do business. CCNN will continue to do its best, shareholders should be patient as the company is making efforts to access coal which is cheaper. The price of cement has not gone up as it should have been. It could have been worse at N2,000/bag. The price of cement in Nigeria compared to surrounding countries is reasonable.”

    The CCNN chairman revealed that “LPFO which is the main energy used by the company has not been supplied by the Kaduna refinery since August 2014, hence it has to rely on other sources, mostly importers as supply from other refineries was also epileptic. The company had to, at intermittent periods during the last quarter of 2015, shut down the plant due to scarcity and cost of energy.”

    He also disclosed that “there is quite a lot of talk on providing forex for manufacturers and assisting them with forex involving the CBN. But we are waiting for modalities on the planned initiative to make forex easily accessible to manufacturers, a lot of manufacturers are suffering and it is not an easy situation at all,” he said.

    During the year, the company recorded a turnover of N13,037,847,294 compared to N15,119,050,874 in 2014. The profit after tax was N1,201,108,049 compared to N1,918,361,854 in 2014. Weak demand for cement particularly in the second half of the year, mainly contributed to the low turnover and lower profits compared to 2014.

    The board approved the payment of a gross dividend of 10k per share, compared to last year’s 35k per share.

  • OAAN holds AGM

    The Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN) will hold this year’s Annual General Meeting (AGM)  July 29 at the Transcorp Hotel, Calabar.

    According to a statement released endorsed by its publicity secretary, Mr. Obi Nnaobi, the Governor of Cross River State, Prof. Ben Ayade is expected to declare the AGM open.

    Coming on the heels of a  successful 10th Poster Awards in Lagos, the AGM is expected to consider the financial reports and audited account for last year.  The AGM according to Mr. Nnaobi will also discuss issues affecting the out-of-home advertising industry in Nigeria.

    There will be no election as the tenure of the current executive led by Mr. BabatundeAdedoyin has not expired.

  • EXMAN to hold third AGM

    The Experiential Marketers Association of Nigeria (EXMAN) is set to hold its Third Annual General Meeting in Abuja.

    According to the association, the theme for this year’s meeting is “Building Nigeria through meaningful experiences; the role of the experiential marketing industry in building brand Nigeria.”

    EXMAN President, Dr Rotimi Olaniyan, explained that this year’s AGM was moved to Abuja to enable the association establish a presence within government circles as well as showcase the significant contributions that the industry sector was able to make in the area of community and citizens engagement on behalf of policy makers and implementers in the public sector.

    The event will hold today and tomorrow.

    During the period, the EXMAN executives will visit the House Committee on Commerce, Trade and Investment and host an eminent speaker.

    The highpoint of the conference is the launch and kick off of EXMAN’s Certified Brand Ambassadors Program (ECBAP), an initiative designed to re-organise the operating structure of the activation industry by establishing a central register of Field activation personnel across the country.

  • NATOP unveils plans for AGM

    NATOP unveils plans for AGM

    The Nigerian Association of Tour Operators, NATOP, has unveiled plans for  its  annual general meeting, in Calabar, Cross River State.

    The event slated for February 11 in Calabar  with the theme, “Nigerian Tourism: The missing link in a diversified economy” is set to re-position and restore the Nigerian tourism industry by taking it to a greater height.

    Speaking during a press briefing in Lagos, the president of NATOP and chairman of Remlords Tours and Car Hire Services, Mr Nkereuweng Onung, disclosed that NATOP wants to give the tour operators a new direction by getting them also to  market the destination Nigeria at the AGM in Calabar.

    Mr Onung stated that NATOP is inviting the owners of tourism products to come and meet with the tour operators so as to create a synergy.

    He observed that Nigerian tour operators have been at the forefront of supplying tourists to other countries, stressing that the development has to change.

    According to him, “Nigerian tour operators are the biggest suppliers of tourists on the continent. In 2015, Africa suffered a 3percent loss on arrivals down from a 4 percent annual growth in the past years. Yet despite a shrinking spending power due to failing oil prices, a lot of Nigerians still travelled abroad. The interim figure from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA showed that more than $1.5billion was spent on international flight tickets last year”.

    The chairman of Remlords explained further that NATOP chose Calabar for the rebirth because it was in the state in the year 2000 that NATOP through the support of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, ADC, British Airways and Mrs Onari Duke helped to drive the rise of Cross River as a tourism destination.

    ”At this  AGM, NATOP will honour those visionary members and supporters who worked hard to create the tourism vision that Cross River implemented and delivered. Outside Cross River State, NATOP has partnered with 7 Wonders of Nigeria to promote the destination Nigeria. For the first time in Nigeria in 2012, the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, NTDC involved Nigeria tour operators in the World Travel Market, WTM, NATOP also partnered annually with Akwaaba African Travel Market to bring people to Nigeria”, the NATOP President said.

  • Town planners for AGM October 27

    The Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) has started a campaign to address the failure of the cities to promote a sustainable environment.

    The body, which holds its 46th Conference and Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Ilorin, Kwara State October 27 to 30 has fixed “Making cities in Nigeria functional” as its conference theme.

    It is aimed at using the conference to create awareness on the issue.

    Organising Committee Chairman and First National Vice-President of the NITP, Mr. Luka Achi, explained that the focus of this year’s theme is on making settlements functional.

    He however regrets that this dream has continued to be an illusion for Nigerians, as settlements of various sizes and characteristics exhibit elements of disjointed and dysfunctional space use and inter-relationship.

    “The impact of this can be observed in the absence of physical plans, poor transportation and related services, absence of social amenities and services and a general neglect of the socially disadvantaged group of the society. Where these plans exist, they are either distorted or not complied with,” Achi said.

  • Courteville unveils strategy at AGM

    The Chairman of Courteville Business Solutions Plc., Group Capt Murtala Salami (rtd) has reiterated the firm’s determination to diversify revenue base to enhance better returns for investors.

    He spoke yesterday at the company’s 10th annual general meeting (AGM) held in Lagos. He explained that it was imperative that the firm reduces its concentration risk on AutoReg while it has a wide lead over competitors.

    Salami said last year, Courteville, in compliance with the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC’s) Code of Corporate Governance, inaugurated a Corporate Governance and Remuneration Committee, and adopted a formal Risk Management Framework. A new Risk Management department reporting directly to the board’s risk management committee was also created.

    The chairman commended the management team led by Adebola Akindele, the group managing director, for successfully navigating the company through a challenging economic cycle brought on by the depreciated naira, falling oil prices, and tensions that arose in the run-up to general elections. Last year, Courteville’s profit before tax rose 13 percent to N457.03 million. Earnings per share leapt up 22 percent to 8.67 kobo.

    Salami said under Akindele, who has been at the helm for 10 years, Courteville ‘adopted strategies, which helped to stabilise its operations in the midst of economic uncertainties and fast depleting disposable income of consumers.’

  • NIPR holds AGM

    NIPR holds AGM

    In line with its ongoing reform programmes, the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, NIPR, is set to engage its members in a number of activities in the coming weeks, beginning with a conference on February 4 and then the Annual General Meeting (AGM) on February 5, at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

    According to a release by the Deputy Registrar, Mrs. DayoBuluro, the AGM will start at 9.00 a.m. with the theme: “Building a Sustainable Non- oil Economy for Nigeria: The stake of Public Relations.”

    Other programmes include: Re-certification of Members, February 1- May 31; Convocation, April 9; Window of Opportunity/ Master Class 2, April 13-17; Induction of New Members, April 17 and Unveiling of New NIPR Certificate, June 16.

  • Capital, infrastructure bane of business ideas, says Otti

    Capital, infrastructure bane of business ideas, says Otti

    Lack of access to finance is the bane of implementing new business ideas in Nigeria. Even when financed, it is only when requisite infrastructure exists that business ideas can be transformed into profit generating ventures, Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Diamond Bank Plc, Dr. Alex Otti, has said.

    Otti, who was guest speaker at the public session lecture of the 47th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Manufacturing Association of Nigeria (MAN), Ikeja branch, held in Lagos at the weekend, said financial institutions must therefore develop more products that would adequately provide capital to entrepreneurs.

    At the public session with the theme, ‘Creating a Vibrant Economy Through Sustainable Entrepreneurial Development,’ the bank chief said: “The banking sector has a critical role in sustaining the tempo of entrepreneurship growth in the country through Small and Medium Enterprise, SME banking.”

    He noted that there was need to improve SMEs access to finance was necessary because of their role as catalysts to economic growth.

    According to him: “Entrepreneurs organise, manage and assume the risks of a business or enterprise. They start businesses and are willing to risk loss in order to make profit. The entrepreneur is always willing to apply new ideas to elements that already exist in the socio-economic terrain by identifying a need and developing mechanisms to satisfy such.”

    The Diamond Bank boss identified self-employment as one of the issues addressed by entrepreneurship. He said: “Unemployment and poverty are among the major economic challenges the country faces today. However, the good news is that there is unarguably a direct positive relationship between job creation and poverty reduction. Therefore, poverty in Nigeria can be significantly reduced by entrepreneurship through financial independence and opportunity it offers entrepreneurs to make profit and provide employment to others.”

    He also said entrepreneurs nurse and develop innovations that ultimately lead to the development of new products and services. He said the development of new products, in turn, equally opens the economy for more employment opportunities, increased consumer spending, an added opportunity for the government to generate income through tax.

    Dr. Otti noted that because of the critical role of SMEs as growth catalysts, there is need to address the challenge of infrastructure, which has hampered the growth of the sector. Every business thrives on an efficient infrastructural system. It is only when requisite infrastructure exists that business ideas, even when financed, can be transformed into profit generating ventures,” he said.

    He however, said potential entrepreneurs should take advantage of the various government initiatives such as the Youth Enterprise with Innovation in Nigeria (YouWiN), as well as some intervention funds instituted by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) targeted at developing entrepreneurship in Nigeria.

    Earlier in his welcome address, Chairman MAN Ikeja branch, Prince Oba Okojie, said manufacturers’ inability to access funds with ease has led to the closure of many factories. “In last few years, a large number of manufacturing companies closed shops nationwide. The ever busy industrial estates are now shadows of their past glory,” he lamented, adding that this has made young people who have been gainfully employed to contribute meaningfully to the growth of the economy idle and exposed to all kinds of vices.

     

  • Doctors urged to improve healthcare

    Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi has called on resident doctors across Nigeria to give their best always to improve the healthcare delivery system.

    He spoke during the 34th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) held at University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH). The theme was Postgraduate medical training and national development, challenges of the past, present and future.

    The governor charged them not to depend on government for everything, rather they should look outside the medical book to improve the system.

    Amechi, represented the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Sampson Parker, said NARD has become a force in the fight to restore the dignity of the sector, adding that this is owing to the demand for a better healthcare.

    The governor enjoined doctors to embrace best practices to develop the sector.

    He said NARD can achieve the needed result without resorting to strike, adding that a conducive environment must be created to improve the system for the good of all rather than embarking on a strike.

    He said the country has what it takes to operate a healthy system if the demands of doctors are met.

    “We must think strongly of private sector participation in healthcare system.  This is the time to think how we can improve ourselves because we must think of policies that will make us be in charge of the medical sector,” Amechi noted.

    He further said, “I cannot use the words “Port Harcourt is free of Ebola,” but we have been able to contain it and whenever it comes up we are ready to tackle it. We have made the people have confidence in the system. Ebola is still ravaging other African countries, so we have to be careful.”

    Responding, NARD President, Dr. Jibril Abdullahi, said many issues relating to professional calling of doctors have been politicised, adding that this was why they embarked on a strike.

    He said doctors invest in themselves to improve in their profession rather than the government. Abdullahi regretted the decision to continue the strike during Ebola outbreak, adding: “This is when the country needed us the most.”

    He said over 90 percent of resident doctors leave outside hospitals, due to lack of accommodation, adding that this should not be because they need to live closer to the environment where they work.

    Abdullahi called for good working environment, adding that people will have confidence in the doctor and over-dependence on health tourism will be reduced.”

    NARD chairman, UPTH chapter, Dr. Dan-Jumbo Prince said resident doctors are affected by factors, such as poor quality tools and working environment, among others.