The Nation Newspaper

Tag: attractive

  • Make yourself attractive without worry about your looks

    Make yourself attractive without worry about your looks

    Looking good is good business, but how do you make yourself attractive without worrying so much about the outward beauty?

    Vogue writer, Dulce Moncada tells it all in her article, 5 things that make you more attractive that have nothing to do with your looks.

    “Today we’re going to reveal a huge secret–the things that make you more attractive are found within you, in your personality, way of thinking and acting. And we know this is a little hard to believe since we live in a world that often overemphasizes physical appearance, but it’s essential to remember that true beauty goes far beyond what’s reflected in the mirror.

    Read Also; Japa couple crisis: Nigerian kills wife in UK over bills

    “The confidence you have in yourself and your charisma are attributes that are cultivated from within and are capable of illuminating any space you find yourself in. Don’t believe us yet? We reveal to you those aspects that make you look beautiful and that have nothing to do with physique so that you can put them to the test, empower your true essence and shine with your own light.

    ·               Sense of humour

    ·               Authenticity

    ·               Empathy

    ·               Generosity

    ·               Knowledge

     Remember, true beauty emanates from within, so it’s important that you feel good about yourself so you can project it and develop personally. Give it a try!

    • Culled from https://www.vogue.in/content/5-things-that-make-you-more-attractive-that-have-nothing-to-do-with-your-looks

  • ‘Make Kaduna dry port attractive’

    Importers and clearing agents  have urged promoters  of the Kaduna Dry Port to make it attractive for business.

    An importer, Alhaji Yahya Ibrahim, said  the move would enhance economic activities in the area.

    He praised the Federal Government for providing an enabling environment for the export of agricultural products and made-in-Nigeria goods. He said he would be happy if the state and the Federal Government could provide loans for importers, industrialists and farmers to boost the purchase of farming equipment and increase revenue generation.

    Ibrahim said: “Before the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government inaugurated the Kaduna Dry Port early this year, we depended largely on import and export of some of our goods.

    “After its commissioning, we expect the dry port to fast-track the importation and exportation of goods. And that is why we are calling on the operators of the facility to introduce incentives that will make it attractive to importers, exporters and clearing agents.

    A clearing agent, Mr. Segun Ogunsanu, said there are over 25 shippers’ associations in the country, which the promoters of the Kaduna dry port need to partner with to boost activities at the port.

    “It is pertinent to note that from our investigations, there are over 25 shippers’ associations  in the country and the operators of the dry port need to  meet the expectations of the Nigerian Shippers Council, the Federal Government and Nigerians,” he said.

    Ogunsanu said keeping the port empty after its commissioning would not be good  for the health of the economy.

    He urged the operators not to pursue a path that would not be in consonance with the objectives of the Federal Government and the NSC, urging the operators to be above board.

    Ogunsanu said the maritime industry remains a key gateway to the nation’s industrial growth and the pivot on which even the oil and gas industry stands.

    He said at the centre of operation in the industry are the shippers whose cargoes are the major attraction to both the shipping companies and the terminal operators.

    According to him, this  is why the promoters and the operators of the Kaduna dry port need to partner them.

    Another importer, Chief Samson Adegoroye, said the shippers’ associations were expected to play critical roles that would enhance economic activities at the dry  port  hence, the need to seek their support in boosting efficiency at the port.

    Adegoroye said the dry port would assist the NSC in its drive to restoring sanity and regulating the charges being imposed by the terminal operators at the seaports.

  • ‘Make Kaduna Dry Port attractive’

    Importers and clearing agents have urged the Kaduna Dry Port promoters to make it attractive for business.

    An importer, Alhaji Yahya Ibrahim, told The Nation that such  move would enhance economic activities in the area.

    He praised the Federal Government for providing an enabling environment for the export of agricultural products and made-in-Nigeria goods, saying he would be happy if the state and the Federal Government could provide loans for importers, industrialists and farmers, to boost the purchase of farming equipment and increase revenue generation.

    He said: “Before President Muhammadu Buhari-led government inaugurated the Kaduna Dry Port early this year, we depended largely on import and export of some of our goods.

    “After its commissioning, we expect the dry port to fast-track the importation and exportation of goods. And that is why we are calling on the operators of the facility to introduce incentives that will make it attractive to importers, exporters and clearing agents.

    A clearing agent, Mr Segun Ogunsanu said there are over 25 shippers’ associations in the country which the promoters of the Kaduna dry port need to partner with to boost activities at the port.

    “It is pertinent to note that from our investigations, there are over 25 shippers associations  in the country and the operators of the dry port need to live up to the expectation to meet the expectations of the Nigerian Shippers Council, the Federal Government and Nigerians.

    He said keeping the port empty after its commissioning is not appropriate for the health of the economy.

    He urged the operators not to pursue a path that would not be in consonance with the objectives of the Federal Government and the NSC, urging the operators to be above board.

    He said the maritime industry remains a key gateway to the nation’s industrial growth and the pivot on which even the oil and gas industry stands. At the centre of operation in the industry, are the shippers whose cargoes are the major attraction to both the shipping companies and the terminal operators. That is why the promoters and the operators of the Kaduna dry port need to partner them.

    Another importer, Chief Samson Adegoroye, said the shippers’ associations were expected to play critical roles that would enhance the economic activities at the dry  port  and seek their support in boosting efficiency at the port.

    Adegoroye said the dry port would assist the NSC its drive to restoring sanity and regulating the charges being imposed by the terminal operators at the seaports.

  • Is Dubai shopping attractive ?

    If there’s any city that takes shopping malls seriously, it is Dubai. Not only do global brands flock to this retail capital, but shoppers from across the Middle East and beyond go to Dubai to appreciate the grandiosity and beauty of its shopping centres.

    The city’s weather, always sunny and known to surpass 110 °F, and its economic climate, deeply rooted in property development to the point of experiencing hyper growth, create a unique mix of tropical and capitalistic energy rarely matched by other cities. Dubai builds with a panache seldom seen anywhere else around the world, so it’s no wonder that stepping into a Dubai shopping mall is an experience in itself.

    Known as the world’s first shopping resort, Mall of the Emirates has an amazing 2.4 million square feet of retail floor space. Not only does it boast of 630 high-end brands, but fashion designers from around the world are put on full display in the mall’s Fashion Dome and Luxury Wing. Tenants include Boutique 1, Centrepoint, Forever 21, Kate Spade New York, DKNY and an Apple store.

    If shoppers get tired of shopping, there are many things to do at Mall of the Emirates. People enjoy the games and are entertained at Magic Planet, a family theme park among other fun activities.

    The Nation Shopping spoke with some Nigerians about how they shop in Dubai.  Mr Emeka Obiama was seen at the mall of The Emirates sightseeing with his family. “Items are a bit expensive,” he said.

    “It’s not about the sales alone but the experience. I like my family spending time here particularly during the shopping festival. Though it cost me plenty of money, but it’s worth it. I can’t suffer to make money in Nigeria and suffer to spend it as well, hence my reason for coming here. I have also bought few things with great discounts apart for the flight ticket to come to Dubai, every Nigerian should be here.”

    Another Nigerian, Mrs Omowunmi Linda who was at The mall of Emirate was there for  sightseeing  and buy a few things for her friends back in Nigeria. “I reside here in Dubai and visit this mall only when the shopping festival is ongoing.  It is relatively cheap here because of the discounts attached.”

    “If you are coming to spoil yourself and take a tour, the malls are the right place to be but if you are coming to buy things to sell in Nigeria, Deira Market (an open traditional market) is the right place to be. There you can bid and negotiate for favourable bargains.”

    For Ms Patience Onuoha, a regular shopper to Dubai who buys her ticket early. “I travel yearly to shop in Dubai. I take my time to buy items i really want. I have  chosen to buy from Marks and Spencer shop because I like their underwears, particularly the sport braziers, they are strong and sell for  N175UAE. Those I bought last year still look good.”

    “Stores here would not compromise good quality or standard. There are stores and there are stores. I can’t imagine getting inferior items at Marks and Spencer, Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Gucci or Raff Lauren. Nigerians can only buy inferior items when they patronise unknown brands but brands that are known will not compromise standard and this is what is unique with the malls here.”

    Unlike Onuoha, Mr Badmus Ajibade lament that items are expensive. “I have come to sight see which is what most Nigerians who visit shopping malls here do. You sightsee and go to the traditional market to shop for same items. Items might not be same quality, but Nigerians can manage.

    Some items sold in the mall are not 100 percent good quality, he said. The finishing of some products is poor and is of mass production.  I don’t buy much when I come to Dubai particularly things I will use. I rather buy cheap things to sale and make huge profits.”

    “The malls here are better in terms of infrastructure but stock designers which are mainly mass product commonly found everywhere.  For example, I have seen inferior Hacket shirts which are not properly sown with bad finishing. I advise Nigerians to come for sightseeing but go back home to buy ‘Made in Nigeria’ products which are not mass products and are of good quality”.

  • Nigerian economy attractive to investors, says IMF

    Nigerian economy attractive to investors, says IMF

    The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said yesterday that Nigeria was still on international investors’ radar despite currency controls being implemented in the country. It however, said worries about repatriating funds out of Nigeria following currency controls last year still dominates investor fears.

    Miriam Tamene, an IMF senior financial sector expert, said there is interest in Nigeria’s securities market. However, investors were being careful because fears of getting trapped still exist.

    Nigeria introduced capital controls following dollar shortages triggered by a currency crisis last year. The naira hit a record of 520 to the dollar, prompting the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to restrict fund flows.

    In April the bank liberalised the market to allow investors trade the naira at market-determined rates in a bid to attract inflows into debt and stock markets.

    The stock market has gained 45 per cent so far this year, helped by demand for consumer goods and banking shares after the central bank lifted currency restrictions for investors.

    Tamene’s comments came after her team visited Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as part of consultations on developments covering the economy. The report of the consultation will presented to IMF board in February.

    “Investors are interested in Nigeria, but with difficulties they had in getting their money out recently, that confidence is not there yet,” Tamene said in a statement released by the SEC.

    Nigeria’s currency market for investors has traded $22.37 billion since it was launched, according to market operator FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange.

    On Wednesday traders said some foreign investors were booking profits from treasury bills and bidding to repatriate funds abroad, creating a liquidity squeeze on the currency market, after debt yields fell.

  • Why Nigeria’s power is not attractive to investors, by Nnaji

    Why Nigeria’s power is not attractive to investors, by Nnaji

    Harsh operational environment and regulatory challenges are the chief reasons why Nigeria’s power sector is not attractive to investors, former Power Minister Barth Nnaji, said yesterday.

    Nnaji, Chairman of Geometric Power Limited, was the keynote speaker at the Natural Gas Business Forum organised by the Nigerian Gas Association (NGA) in Lagos yesterday. The conference was with the theme: ‘Embracing new realities: Resetting our gas to power industry.’

    He said the Federal Government had not addressed major issues that would guarantee return on investment, citing non cost-reflective tariff as one.

    He said a power summit in Copenhagen, which attracted key industry operators and investors from across the world, the participants at a special session on Nigeria, said they were not willing to make investment in Nigeria’s power sector, citing several challenges.

    According to Nnaji, among the fears expressed by the international investors include lack of cost reflective tariff, gas supply constraints, poor transmission network, non-credit worthiness of distribution companies (DisCos) over leveraged power assets, value chain misalignment and lack of will to enforce agreements.

    Evaluating the issues, the former minister said many projects had been stalled due to finance constraints and tariff issues. He said tariff must reflect currency movement. “There must be attachment of tariff to currency movements and adjustments must be done, and tariff review will help DisCos to recover costs and pay for gas,” he said.

    He also noted that lack of industry deregulation and absence of proper legislation had discouraged investment because it is only deregulation that would allow investors to consider investment in gas production and transportation.

    Nnaji said government does not have the funds to put the transmission network in proper shape. He advised government to consider concessioning the transmission network, which he said should be broken into segments but properly interconnected, adding that the DisCos were facing serious challenges because the technical aspect of the system was still bad leading to 50 per cent of inefficiency in the sector.

    According to him, the investors in the distribution sector borrowed money to buy the assets but did not invest in other supporting infrastructure to make the chain function effectively. “We can reduce losses by investing in technical areas and also there is lack of commercial knowledge among government functionaries on how to do agreement, and again the country lacks the will to enforce agreements,” he said.

    The former Minister of Power also called for the overhaul of the country’s transmission network to address energy leakages. The overhaul would help to boost effective energy evacuation to distribution companies. According to him, transmission network is a major challenge as wheeling power out to distribution companies remains a constraint.

    He urged the government to ensure stable transmission infrastructure before expanding the national electricity generation capacity to 10,000 megawatts (mw). Building generation capacity on weak transmission infrastructure would result in total collapse or destruction of the whole structure. Currently, power generation oscillates between 2,500Mw and 3,500Mw, he said, adding that most of the generated power could not be evacuated due to weak transmission lines.

  • ‘Africa is world’s most attractive equity market’

    Africa  is still one of the world’s most attractive markets for private equity, Boston Consulting Group (BCG) has said.

    The Financial Group, in a statement signed by Associate Director and a co-author of the report, Marc Becker,  said Africa remains one of the world’s growth opportunities for private equity investors, though with some facing serious challenges of recent.

    To generate the high returns that investors expect, however, funds should consider more flexible investment strategies and new types of corporate targets, the report stated.

    The report, titled: Why Africa Remains Ripe for Private Equity, notes that since the early 1990s, the number of private equity funds active in Africa has swelled from about a dozen to more than 200, while funds under management have risen from some $1 billion to upwards of $30 billion. This rapid growth, combined with the recent downturn in Africa’s largest economies, has raised concerns among some analysts that a bubble is emerging, the statement said.

    The report said most private equity funds and principal investors tend to invest only in minority stakes, with the goal of better managing their risks by leveraging robust local partners. While they overwhelmingly focus on a limited pool of investment targets: profitable companies with annual revenue of more than $100 million and proven track records.

    The report advised that alternative investment approaches are particularly important if funds are to meet the rising expectations of their investors. It said: “Increasingly, development finance institutions are being joined by global institutional investors that are far more focused on high returns. As prices for stakes in large African companies rise, it will become more difficult for private equity funds to deliver high returns. To fully capture the opportunities in Africa and earn high returns, private equity funds must adapt to the rapidly evolving market and consider more flexible investment strategies.”

    The report recommended that private equity investors consider other investment approaches, such as majority stakes, strategic partnerships, and evergreen funds, rather than only funds with timing constraints for divestiture. It also suggested that funds look at a wider range of targets, such as Africa’s growing pool of dynamic smaller companies with significant growth potential.

    “Too many private equity investors are pursuing the same kind of target with the same kind of deal structure,” said Patrick Dupoux, a BCG Senior Partner and a co-author of the report who leads the firm’s activities in North Africa.

    He added: “But look beyond the narrow cohort of Africa’s corporate elite and you’ll see that the continent offers real opportunities. Some of the most promising targets in Africa are companies that are still off the radar of most funds.”

    On their optimism, he stated that despite the rapid growth in funds and a crash in global commodity prices that has hit a number of African economies, the following factors support a positive outlook for private equity.The factors he itemised is that the amount of private equity and principal investment capital under management in sub-Saharan Africa remains very low relative to world standards with a mere 0.1 per cent of GDP. That compares with approximately 1 per cent of GDP in western countries.

    Others are that despite recent setbacks, most economists expect that GDP growth in Africa will rebound over the medium term, driven by a swelling middle class, rising foreign investment in infrastructure, and a growing skilled labor force. The statement also hinted that the pool of investment targets is growing with nearly 11,000 African companies having revenue of $10million to $100million and assets of $20 million to $200million yearly.

  • Sultan to Muslims: make Islam attractive

    The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has appealed to Muslims to make Islam attractive by preaching love and peace.

    The Sultan, who inaugurated the Oluwo palace and the Wings School mosque at Iwo in Osun State, corroborated the submission of the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Adewale Akanbi, that Islamic preachers should desist from emphasising the punitive aspects of Sharia penal code, scaring people away from Islam.

    Abubakar said more efforts are needed to promote Islam in this “part of the world”, expressing delight at the large turnout of people for the two events which he described as “historic”.

    The monarch said religion should not be held responsible for people’s actions.

    The Sultan, who explained that human behaviour does not represent Islam’s doctrine, said Islam should not be held responsible for Muslims’ actions.

    He urged  Muslims to love their neighbours, irrespective of political or religion differences.

    In his welcome speech, Oba Akanbi said time has come for Muslims to do the “Jihad of love and peace” to promote Islam.

    He explained that arrangements have been concluded to equip the new hospital in Iwo with modern equipment from Canada, stressing that he is committed to bringing sport competition back to the town.

    The Oluwo said plans are ongoing to facilitate the study centre of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), noting that many successes have been recorded since his inception in the last two months.

    A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart, Chief Abiola Ogundokun, said the choice of the Sultan to inaugurate the mosque was to further cement the South / North relationship.

    Ogundokun said the coming of Sultan during this time of political differences, being preached unjustly by some people, will further explain the need for cooperation with the federal and state government.

    He appealed to Nigerians to develop the spirit of endurance and abandon tribal sentiments.

    The founder of the Wings Schools, Iwo, Prof. Lai Olurode, advocated the need for better understanding and promotion of knowledge as well as more dialogue between religions.

    Olurode, who was a federal commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), advised the people to show practical commitment to the promotion of cultural literacy, saying “humanity should transcend ethno-religious barrier while we struggle to retain our diverse identities”.

  • Sharks, Dolphins no longer attractive, says Eguma

    Sharks, Dolphins no longer attractive, says Eguma

    Dolphins manager Stanley Eguma insists the allure of playing for Sharks and Dolphins is fast disappearing as a result of recent financial troubles.

    The two clubs currently languish in the relegation zone of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) and Eguma reckons failure to strengthen both squads could prove costly in the long run.

    “When footballers hear that players of Sharks and Dolphins go as far as sleeping in front of the Government House (in Port Harcourt) before they get paid, it becomes almost impossible to convince them to join the clubs,” Eguma told supersport.com.

    The trainer however expressed belief that “things will change for the better” with a new administration in Rivers State; sponsors of Sharks and Dolphins.

    “Everybody knows that the new governor of Rivers State, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, is a fan of Sharks and Dolphins. I am sure that now that he’s in charge, things will change for the better and the two clubs will continue to climb out of the relegation zone,” he said.

    “I told my players in our last training session that if we are to escape relegation at the end of the season, drawing matches will not help us.”

  • ‘Why airport concessions are not attractive’

    Potential investors in airport infrastructure development and concession in Nigeria are scared of putting their money into such ventures because of poor regulatory framework, weak government policies and ignorance on the part of some parties involved in the business, the Chief Executive Officer of Bi – Courtney Aviation Services a Limited, Mr Christophe Pennick has said.

    He said the public-private partnership (PPP) would have been the best option for government in Nigeria to deliver airport infrastructure and its management, but the concept is grossly misunderstood by some interests in the aviation sector.

    Such interests he said rather than support what the private sector could deliver in airport infrastructure development and management are bent on erecting road blocks on the way of a few courageous investors by thwarting judicial processes to frus    still sees airport management as a supposed monopoly.

    He adduced ignorance, poor policy understanding, double standards and absence of level playing field as major challenges affecting the implementation of airport concessions in Nigeria.

    He since the last eight years that the first airport concession came to be in Nigeria, Bi- Courtney Aviation Services Limited has learnt how to navigate its way around such projects.

    He said the learning curve for the firm has put it in good stead on how to handle airport concessions if it is called upon to handle other airports.

    He said the firm would not relent if it is called upon to handle the concession of airports in Port Harcourt, Abuja and Kano other than Lagos where its domestic terminal is already a successful model.

    He said the firm would have to embark on the redesign of the terminals to enable it install the right technology in line with global standards.

    Pennick said: “Airport concessions are the best model for infrastructure development , especially when government cannot raise the money for such project. It is better to call on the private sector as is the practice in other parts of the world.

    “The concession model has worked better in other countries , but in Nigeria the parties involved are yet to have the right understanding of how to drive such process and project. But, in Nigeria, we have survived several attacks, what does not kill you makes you stronger.”

    “The challenges of airport concession in Nigeria are huge, we have learnt from a lot of experience , we are not aware of many things that we were not aware a few years ago . To succeed in this model we need experience and handle ignorance by some of the parties involved  The PPP model is good if the authority involved knows that the terms should be very clear .The players must stick to the rules of the agreement,”

    He said though the concession had been successful, it should not be a fight between the private sector and government, adding that not when government wants to reap the benefits of the concession and push aside the concessionaire.

    “It is sad that government is not giving enough encouragement to concessionaires. This concession has been interesting, but it had its fair share of challenges. Concession would do better if the parties involved consider dispute resolution mechanisms. The law courts are not the best places to resolve issues arising from concession disagreements.

    “Government must comply with its policies on concession and not try to change the terms of the agreement because it favours one party against the other,” he said.