The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Business

  • Tension in Anambra as govt agency, business owners clash

    There was tension on the streets of Awka, capital of Anambra State yesterday, following a clash between operatives of the Anambra Traffic Management Agency (ATMA) and members of Aroma Traders Owners Association (ATOA).

    The government Agency officials defied the Federal Government public holidays to extort money from motorists.

    Some motorists who refused to play ball by refusing bribe the traffic officers had their vehicles towed away by the traffic officers.

    The action of the traffic officers angered some motorists and business owners, who protested the agency’s action.

    Following the resistance, the ATMA officials called for reinforcements, leading to exchange of blows by the parties.

    The traffic officers operated in an all yellow Hilux jeep, with the inscription: Anambra Traffic Management Agency 003.

    One of the agency’s official, who pleaded anonymity, accused members of the business owners association of breaking into the office of the traffic agency to retrieve a vehicle seized by the agency, describing such action as an offence.

    Spokesperson of the traders union told the The Nation that the traffic officials were fond of disrupting business activities in the area.

    The Agency was set up by former Governor Peter Obi as part of the efforts to decongest roads in towns in the state.

    As at the time of filling this report, the business owners, numbering over 150, had moved to the B- Division Police office in Awka to register their protest.

    The business owners are appealing to Governor Willie Obiano to provide a parking lot for their customers in order to end what they describes the continued harassments of the agency officials.

  • We take our business into the bedroom; it works better–Falana’s wife Funmi

    We take our business into the bedroom; it works better–Falana’s wife Funmi

    Notable activist and top legal practitioner, Mr Femi Falana (SAN), indeed has a true wife in Funmi Falana. She just fits into that maxim, ‘behind any successful man, there is a woman.’ Simple in looks but tough within, she fought her way through a polygamous home to the ivory tower, where she became a lecturer after studying Physics and then Law. In this interview with Paul Ukpabio, Mrs Falana reveals how true love and romance could inspire the success of a marriage through the trying period of a family, in the struggle for people’s emancipation through the practice of law.

     ‘While others go to parties to unwind, I party with Christ in church’

    Looking back, can you recall a reflection of your early days in your present life?

    I was brought up in a polygamous setting where it was believed that everyone had to aspire to the top. We grew up knowing that we had to compete between ourselves to be the best in the family. That indeed helped me later in life to aspire and be the best in whatever I do. It has been part of my life since then.

    Your father had two wives?

    (Laughs) It was a polygamous family with many children. And my early life was in several places not just in one place. But I am from Ondo state, Akure precisely. I attended St Louis Girls Grammar School, I studied Physics at the university; thereafter I read Law and went on to the Masters level and taught briefly at the University of Lagos before i came finally to active private law practice.

    Why did you decide to go into private practice?

    At that time, my husband had been in private practice. He was becoming more involved in the defence of human rights and was always in and out of prisons and the chambers was neglected and suffering. So I also discovered that it would be a better idea to leave the civil service and the university, to take up the management of the chambers because he was always in and out of the prison and the military regime was around then and he was being picked up incessantly. I needed to usually be at the chambers to take care of the place and ensure that the place was still running as a business office. I had to also combine that with taking care of the children.

    What motivated you into studying law, since you were already in the science line?

    I actually studied sciences and also worked in UNESCO for some time before I got married to a lawyer. Fortunately for me too, I am from a home where there also existed legal practitioners. Though I did not really think before then that I would one day go into the legal profession since I was in the sciences.

    But at a point in life, I suddenly realised that I needed the instrument of the law for the defence of the masses and also to press for my rights when I discovered the way the society was treating the masses and also the way that my husband was being picked up here and there. So I decided that I must also join in the struggle for the emancipation of the Nigerian people. I felt I needed such an instrument of law to fight for the right of the Nigerian people as well as for my own right as well as that of my family.

    You mean you were already a full-grown adult when you went back to school to study law?

    Oh yes, I was. I was married with children (laughs).

    How did you cope?

    Usually, when you are a science student, you can always cope in every field because you are already used to long reading time. I love reading. What would have been a problem and which was actually a problem was that while I was in school, I also had to contend with looking for, and searching for where my husband was, as the military government was always picking him up. It was a problem that was added to my being in school, taking care of the children, taking care of the home and then taking care of the office. But I thank God who saw me through.

    How do you describe that period?

    (Sighs) It was a difficult period. I managed to handle the situation at that time because, I also knew that it was a struggle for the emancipation of the Nigerian people. It was a struggle that was worth fighting for. Despite the fact that it was not easy, I sailed through.

    How about class work, attendance and your academics?

    Luckily and interestingly, I was one of those who came out of the school with good result. At the Law School, I had second class upper division in a particular year that there was no First Class. Only about five of us had that second class upper in that set.

    You would actually expect that I couldn’t have had enough time for studies. Even at that time, my friends abandoned me because i didn’t have time for them and they were always complaining that I was not the only one with excuses that my husband had been picked up. So I had little time to concentrate on my academics. But God was on my side.

    So you joined your husband in private practice, how has it been so far?

    It has been wonderful. Like I keep telling people that when a business is ‘our business’, it is fun because, there is a higher level of commitment. When I was not working in the chambers, there was no one to see to the active management of the chambers. But since I came in, there has been a big difference.

    Like I also tell people, your husband is the best business partner that you can ever have. That is because, both of you can carry the management of the office into your private lives, into the home, into the bedroom, into the dining place, into everywhere. you keep discussing, always having time to rub minds on issues about the office. So it is better when it is ‘our business’ than when it is ‘their business’.

    Do you just handle the administration of the chambers alone or you go to court as well?

    Oh, I am a lawyer, so I do go to the court as well. It is Falana and Falana Chambers, the chamber is ours. However, before I became a lawyer, it was Femi Falana Chambers, but about 20 years ago when I became a lawyer, we changed it to Falana and Falana Chambers. To God be the Glory, today, we have vibrant offices in Abuja, Ekiti and the one here in Lagos.

    Still, how do you cope?

    We have lawyers working with us and I move around the offices to ensure things are working well. I do cope especially with this era of internet and good communication network. When the need arises, we can send messages online, pass instructions, correct whatever is needed to be corrected online, ensure files and court process information that need to be attended to, are well attended to.

    Since you are always on the move, how do you cope with the children?

    My children are adults now; they are grown up and married. I don’t have that particular problem again. Our last born has even finished studying for her Master’s degree.

    Is any of your children in the legal profession too?

    Yes, two of our children are lawyers. But right now, they are not working in the chambers. It is usually better to go and learn and build up elsewhere before coming into the chambers. That is because if they come straight here into their parent’s chambers, they will be seeing themselves as owners, but when they go out and get the rudiments of training, pick up their skill and discipline, then they can come and join.

    But you joined the law firm from the top

    Yes, but at that time, I was already an adult. I knew what I wanted, I was a mother, the owner and I knew what I wanted to do. But they were just starting out in life after school. They need to go grasp the rudiments of practice and then come and join us.

    Thank God, your husband is not going to prisons these days

    Oh, he has paid his dues, though he is still very involved in the struggle of emancipation of the Nigerian citizen. I know you understand that, though there are democratic structures in the country now, we still need to do a lot about human rights. And in terms of managing the democracy that we now have in our hands, he is still running around, putting the politicians and the government on their toes. Most times, he is usually in Abuja, where we also have an office. We share the management activities. Sometimes if I have to go for cases in Abuja, he stays in Lagos. And same goes to the chamber we run in Ekiti state.

    Do you do more of litigation?

    Yes, we do more of litigation. I go to court. We actually do more of litigation, though we also do corporate practice. But we are more known for litigation.

    Are you personally into activism?

    I have an NGO that defends the rights of women and children. I have a television programme too on the same issues to sensitise the public on the rights of children and women. The NGO is called ‘Women Empowerment and Legal Aid.’ We also have a rehabilitation centre where we take people to. On a daily basis, we attend to about eight or nine women coming to give reports of one domestic violence or another.

    We are also in partnership with the Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs; we have been able to do some work for them to simplify the laws of domestic violence. We put the laws in a simple way for the ordinary citizen to understand. They also send people here for legal advice. Lagos State has a home for rehabilitating victims of domestic violence and because we partner with them, when we have victims, we send them to the home. They keep them for about three months, enough time to rehabilitate them before they return home.

    Do you think domestic violence is on the decrease?

    It is unfortunate because it is on the increase. When you talk of domestic violence, it is not a respecter of class. Recently, we had the story of a former governor that ended up beating his wife while abroad and he was arrested. Also, the story of an ambassador that beat up his wife some time ago, and he had to be recalled back home: Then again, a traditional ruler who did the same thing in Western Nigeria. So it is not limited to a particular class or race. It happens in civilised countries and they wage war against it.

    It is something that will continue for many years. So we are in here to fight against violence in the society, not just violence but rape too which has continued to increase in the society. There are children who are being molested, raped. These are issues that are connected with the developing society. It is a phase. We need to wage war against these ills in the society.

    It is increasing. Before now, people were not reporting rape because of stigmatisation but with a lot of publicity, it is now different. That I believe will continue to curb this terrible ill in the society. It will also deter those who may want to do such. We have also been teaching women to teach their girls how to comport themselves in the presence of the opposite sex and to note a dangerous man. It is usually read in the behaviour and disposition of the man.

    How about the immodesty of the ladies on the issue of rape?

    I disagree when people say ladies dress immodestly. Men too dress immodestly, are they raped? I see men sag their trousers, men who open their chest, leave their buttons open, why don’t they get raped? I think it has to do with chauvinism and discrimination against women and they think that women are instruments and articles to be molested. It has nothing to do with the way of dressing. However, albeit, we also encourage women to dress decently and comport themselves as responsible ladies in the society.

    How about socials, do lawyers do socials?

    Lawyers do socials. It depends on the individuals. For me, I may not do a lot of socials but I do take time to rest when I am on vacation. My socials are usually in the church. But there are lawyers who go to parties too, but I am not much of a party person. I party with Christ in the church. I do a lot of dancing, singing and praying in church. You need to see me dance in church.

    When are you happiest?

    I am happy when I am in church, when I am communicating with my God.

    Let’s talk about your style and your fashion

    I am not a fashion person like that because I am a lawyer, I am most often in black and white. But when I am not in court, I prefer to wear bright colours. Since our uniform is black and white, I usually want to get away from the normal black and white thing, so I wear yellow and such bright colours.

    It’s obvious you like fashion accessories since you are presently adorned with them. So what fashion accessories do you not do without?

    (Thought for a brief moment) There is nothing that I cannot do without.  I put on accessories when I think that I should. But sometimes, I do not even remember to put them on and at such times, I still move on with my life.

    How do you describe yourself?

    The eye sees not itself but by reflection. I am not the person to see myself, it’s people to tell me what they think of me. So I see myself from what people tell me that I am. If I say this is what I am, it could be a subjective judgment of me.

    What does success mean to you?

    Success to me means having a relationship with God and affecting positively the lives of people around you. So I think that one should think he or she has succeeded if the person has been able to touch lives. It is also when many people can raise up their hands and say that they have benefited from the legacy and life that you impacted to them. And that is what I aspire to do every day. I am actually at my happiest when I have been able to touch somebody’s life, when I put a smile, joy and laughter in the life of such person. It gladdens my heart when I do that because at that point I feel fulfilled. I feel God has given me the opportunity to do such and I feel really happy about doing it.

    It couldn’t have been easy to cross from one profession to another and still excel in the new profession or what do you think?

    It is the Lord’s doing; again, the study of law after physics is not so difficult because Lord Denning, a great legal luminary, was also a science student before he moved into law.

    Your most memorable holiday?

    I do take holidays regularly. One is always different from the other. I spend them as God wants me to spend them. We have had quite a number of holidays, usually memorable.

    Coming from a multiple marriage background, do you think polygamy should still be tenable in a modern society?

    (Suddenly alarmed) It is a terrible thing! Would you as a man want to go for it? It is a situation that one should not wish one’s enemy. No matter how successful a polygamous home is, it can never be a happy home. It cannot, because God did not ordain polygamy. Otherwise, when God created Adam, He would have created two women for him. When God was ordaining marriage, He ordained a man and a woman. That is why only Eve was created. Else God would have said, ‘Let us make women for him.’ But He didn’t say so.

    It’s not every day that one meets a woman who works under the same roof and within the same organisation with her husband, how has your marriage been over the years?

    (Relaxes and laughs heartily) I thank God for my marriage. My husband has been my friend, my lover, my partner, my brother, my best friend and a colleague. That is why it has also been easy to work with him. I cannot stop telling people that your husband is the best person to work with to ensure proper marriage because God said the wife should be a ‘helper and a partner’. A help-mate is your better half. It is when you are married to your friend, your brother, your partner, your confidante that you can say you have a marriage. It is also then that you can work together as partners and enjoy it. There is no stranger then because everything both of you do, is ‘our thing’ it is the best thing that can happen.

    Working with one’s husband as a partner in the same business is the best thing that can happen to the marriage because it helps in managing the finances of the couple because the money is ‘our money.’ You know women are more meticulous and are better managers when it comes to money management. When you as a man keep your business away from your wife or you put a line between your business and your wife’s business, separating things, marriage becomes difficult. But when you put a sense of belonging between both, it becomes ‘our thing,’ ‘our business’, a signal of total commitment between the two of you.

    Was it love at first sight?

    The marriage has been over 30 years. I can only say that it was something designed by God. And that is why we are still together till today.

    What do you like about your husband?

    (She laughed, re-adjusted herself; obviously this was her best mood throughout the interview) I love a lot of things about my husband, most especially because he is a compassionate person. He usually wants to touch people’s lives and see them being happy people. He is most often at his best when people around him are happy.

    Between teaching law and private practice, what’s the difference?

    Teaching law is telling the students about what the law is on paper, while the other one is the practical aspect. There are so many things you teach the students that go beyond what you see in practice. When we teach them, we let them know that you go beyond practice. But of course it is what we teach that we speak in the court room. But you need to perform in the practical aspects.

    Which do you enjoy most?

    Naturally I love teaching but I enjoy the practice more than teaching.

     

  • Customs chief urges Kano business community to embrace CET

    Customs chief urges Kano business community to embrace CET

    The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS),  Abdullahi Inde yesterday urged the business community in Kano to embrace the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Common External Tariff (CET) in order to boost economic growth in the state.

    The Customs Comptroller General, who was represented by the Customs Comptroller of Kano/Jigawa Command,  Mathias Abutu at the launch of the CET and sensitisation workshop for stakeholders in Kano, said the call was necessary in order to reduce the region’s dependence on customs revenue generation drive, as well as enhancing economic development among the member countries.

    In his words, ‘’this joint approach of setting tariffs leads to a more predictable and stable trade policy with less room for interference through special interest.

    ‘’A more predictable and stable trade policy will ultimately benefit the average ECOWAS citizen through better economic governance.”

    The Customs boss, who described the new policy as a working tool for NSC and stakeholders, said its importance to the business community in the North, particularly, could not be over-emphasized.

    In his remark, the Director, German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), Mr. Christian Wilmad urged stakeholders to be conversant with the new policy, adding that GIZ are supporting Nigeria in its effort to ensure full implementation of CET.

    Also speaking, the President of Kano Chamber of Commerce, Alhaji Umar Farouk Dansuleka expressed hope that the new policy will bring about synergy among member countries.

    He also urged the NCS to ensure that the policy was implemented to the core to ensure its success, pointing out that ‘’we will call on our members to abide by the rules and regulations guiding the new policy.”

    “I believe that the current position of Kano State and the country will improve since the approval of the kick-off of the programme started on April 1,” but noted that, “I am not sure whether the programme has started here because the borders have been closing for business. So, I urge that even though it has not started from today, we will urge our members to start the follow up and see that they abide by the rules concerning the ECOWAS Common External Tariff (CET).” Dansuleka said.

  • Insurers grow business to N319b

    Insurers grow business to N319b

    Estimated value of business underwritten by the insurance industry increased to N319 billion as against N285 billion posted in 2013, representing a 12 per cent increase.

    This is just as insurance companies settled claims amounting to N326.25 billion between 2011 and last year.

    A breakdown of the claims shows that N70.71 billion was paid in 2011; N72.20 billion in 2012; N92.95 billion in 2013 and N90.39 in 2014.

    The Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA) stated this in its 2014, 2015 annual report and accounts presented at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos.

    NIA Chairman, Godwin Wiggle, noted that the industry was plagued by some challenges.

    He said: “As we know, the insurance sector cannot be insulated from the vagaries and vicissitudes of the  economy.’’ He listed the challenges in the industry to include poor power supply, weak infrastructure and the insurgency in the North.

    “Northeast contributed to slow down the pace of growth of the industry. The introduction of innovative products, strategic business, models and improved service delivery, however, helped to up the ante for the industry.

    ‘’The enforcement of ‘No Premium No Cover,’ implementation of International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS), strict adherence to anti-money laundering guidelines, better corporate governance structures and tighter supervisory oversight and the shift to development oriented regulation by the National Insurance Commission contributed significantly to the improvement in quantum of premium that we are reporting today,’’ he added.

    Wiggle lauded the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) for its development-oriented regulations, saying it contributed significantly to the improvement in the quantum of premium recorded.

    On the achievements of the association, he said the association engaged in various activities aimed at enhancing the growth of the insurance industry in Nigeria during the year under review.

    “In the year under review, the association continued to make giant strides in the implementation of the Nigerian Insurance Industry Database (NIID).  Concerted efforts were made to extend the areas covered by the device to locations, such as Abuja, Nasarawa and Lagos.

    “More verification devices were distributed to member companies to enhance their marketing activities. As a fa1l-out of the public acceptance-of the device, the number of uploads has increased significantly from 778,928 in 2013 to 1,099,837 in 2014. As at April 2015, a total of 3.21 million vehicles have been uploaded by the 41 member companies underwriting motor insurance business,” he added.

    He enjoined member-companies to continue to take the issue of upload seriously to avoid embarrassment to the insured.

  • Business as usual

    I am not happy. And I am almost certain that most Nigerians are not happy. In fact, as for many Nigerians, they are not only sad but confused. Seriously confused. I am not confused but very sad.

    I really do not know what to make of our present circumstance in the face of a National Assembly that is poised to foist business as usual mantra on the country. And I must quickly exonerate members of the National Assembly on the excuse that whatever may be happening in the hallowed chambers is not entirely their own making. It is the game they met on ground that they are playing.

    Millions trooped out in March and April yearning for change. And the change they wanted was not just merely substituting Jonathan with Buhari. It was not just substituting the PDP with APC. As far as Nigerians are concerned, and this has been proved several times, it does not matter who is leading them. Nigerians do not care whether their leader wore a heavy turban, an abeti-aja, a bowler hat or feathered cap. What they are interested in are provision of security, electricity, quality education, robust health care delivery, jobs, good roads and enhanced transportation infrastructure. They want also transparent leaders who, by personal example, will stamp out corruption which has defaced the nation and has made Nigerians disrespected all over the world.

    This piece is not concerned about who the leader of the National Assembly is or the procedure that produced him or her. Political parties and key players in the parties know how they do their thing. What is however crucial and critical is that Nigerians can no longer tolerate or endure the character of the previous legislatures in the National Assembly. Nigerians no longer have stomach for the kind of legislators that would rush over a hundred bills in less than 10 minutes after fritting away four solid years.

    A National Assembly is sometimes more purposeful and more powerful than the executive arm of government. I dare say that no executive arm of government can succeed without a strong and articulate and knowledgeable legislature.

    What we have got in Nigeria has always been a mixture of the good, very good, the bad, very bad, and the ugly, extremely ugly characters populating the National Assembly and the legislatures in various states of the Federation.

    There is no way we can separate the characters in our legislatures from the many ills that have plagued and continue to plague our polity. The simple oversight function which is a key component of the duties of a legislative assembly is criminally ignored. All that we hear are squabbles over salaries and perquisites of office.

    If state assemblies and National Assembly had been thorough in the mandatory oversight functions, all the stealing, looting, brigandage and gross misappropriation by the executive arm of government could not have taken place. But alas! The legislature and the executive have been arms in glove in perpetuating frivolous fraud in government.

    The cry now is about lipstick and powder allowance, or money for agbada, babanriga, coat and tie with bowler hat to match. National Assembly members are up in arms about their so-called wardrobe allowance. It does not matter if the wardrobe allowance is N1,000. The truth of the matter is that a government that has not been able to pay the minimum wage of paltry N18,000 to its workers should not be talking of paying for the dresses of their legislators. Were the legislators going about naked before they were elected into the house? Is it now a sin that the poor masses that voted them into power should now be burdened with providing clothing for them? It is immoral and ridiculous to be talking of wardrobe allowance.

    Whoever put the clause of wardrobe allowance in whichever law that created it should expunge it today! Today, not tomorrow!

    We knew that unless the reputedly no-nonsense Buhari put in place machinery that will trim the huge salaries and benefits of the National Assembly members, his government would easily be overrun by the gluttony of the assembly. As I wrote in an earlier article titled The Shape of Things to Come, old members of the National Assembly are too wealthy and too powerful for the majority new comers. When it comes to Ghana-Must-Go politics, the old members in the assembly will overrun not only their Johnny-just-come colleagues but the executive, if care is not taken.

    It will just be business as usual!

    The thrust of this piece is actually about the so-called Constituency Allowance. Legislatures are given huge sums of money to provide amenities for their constituencies. We hear the legislators boasting about boreholes, motorcycles, sewing machines and sundry articles for their constituents. What is the business of the legislator providing transformers and generators? What is the business of legislators providing blocks of classrooms? Are legislators contractors? Are they elected to steal the functions of the executive or to replace the Minister of Works?

    It is the greed and confusion in the polity that created room for this serious money guzzling anomaly. And once the legislators are bribed with these huge sums, they invariably turn blind eye on the looting that goes on in the executive and in the agencies of government.

    The Constituency Allowance must be scrapped.

    Quite frankly, what Nigerians wanted were part-time legislators that would be entitled to sitting allowance. And such part-time legislators are not required to meet for more than once in a month and 12 times in a year unless there is an emergency situation. Nigerians wanted legislators that have their own careers and businesses. Not jobless men and women who have turned political jobbery into money making venture.

    Now we have legislators who even employ about four or five advisers/assistants/bag carriers! All these frivolities are paid for by citizens who can hardly feed their families.

    Something urgent must be done to radically change the face and texture of the National Assembly and its sisters in the 36 states of the federation. Unless this is done, and done very quickly, the Buhari government will just be a continuation of the Jonathanian continuity. I must add that it will just be the continuation of the 16 years of looting, looting and looting. 16 years of incomparable waste.

    May this government, voted in with the greatest enthusiasm not end up as a disappointment and betrayal!

    Uncle Sad Sam taught us how to be sad!

  • Buhari gets down to business

    Buhari gets down to business

    A month after his inauguration, President Muhammadu Buhari has put his hand to the plough. He is reinvigorating the anti-terror war. The President has also vowed to recover looted funds. Nigerians expect quick action in other sectors.Assistant Editor LEKE SALAUDEEN reports.

    President Muhammadu Buhari promised Nigerians that he will hit the ground running immediately he assumes office. Besides the steps he has taken towards tackling Boko Haram insurgency through regional and global support and the restoration of the country’s integrity in the international community, critics believe he has not done much in the past four weeks.

    But, on Tuesday, the President swung into action. He sent signals to corrupt public officials that there was no hiding place. He vowed to recover stolen funds and prosecute culprits. President Buhari said the days of theft and graft were over.

    But, the President has been criticised for the slow pace of work in other areas. He is yet to appoint ministers, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), the Chief of Staff and Special Advisers that will assist him in policy implementation. Social crusader Tunji Adedigba said there is no sign that the new administration has taken charge as expected. He was particularly concerned that the burning issues in the oil sector have not been addressed. Admitting that the task ahead of the government is monumental, he said the Nigerians are impatient because what they are looking for is real change.

    He said: “If we are to assess Buhari on the first few days of his administration, I’m afraid not much has been achieved.” Nevertheless, Adedigba said the predicament of the Buhari-led government is understandable, “because they got the transition report very late and there was no platform to work on.” He added: “I think the Jonathan administration deliberately put this obstacle to slow down the take-off of the Buhari government. But, even at that some people argued that the government should have formulated economic policies that would form the thrust of his administration to attract local and foreign investors.”

    Similarly, human rights activist and social critic, Femi Aborishade, is not impressed with the performance of the new government. He said: “I will say that I am disappointed in several ways. By now, the expectation is that one would have started feeling the impact of change the President promised Nigerians.

    “The only good thing he has demonstrated is his commitment to tackle the Boko Haram insurgency. Nobody can take that away from him. Nobody doubts that he means business and is set to flush the terrorists out of the country. But, in other areas, I expected much more. In the first place, I expected him to have tackled the fuel crisis. The crisis started before he came on board and Nigerians were hoping that once he assumes office, he would tackle the fuel crisis headlong. Unfortunately, the President has not done anything about the crisis. He has not even said a word about it. It is as if to say we don’t have a government in place yet on the fuel issue.”

    But, other observers disagree. They argue that Buhari is moving at the right pace and that reversing the tide in a country like Nigeria at a critical time like this demands care and diligence. Former governor of the old Anambra State, Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife asked Nigerians not to use the few days in government so far to assess Buhari’s performance.

    He said: “It is not too late to appoint ministers. Buhari needs time to structure his administration. For instance, he wants to prune down the number of ministries, plan to appoint only 19 ministers which I think is a right decision given the state of the economy.

    “I think God loves Nigeria and that is why Buhari was elected President. Nigerians should have positive minds because the President needs positive attitude of people to succeed. I am confident that Buhari will do his best to develop Nigeria, given his integrity, pedigree and track record. If he fails, we would have failed as a people. This is why we must all ensure that we support him to deliver on his campaign promises. The President needs the support of every Nigerian to succeed.”

    Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Media, Mallam Garba Shehu explained why Buhari has not hit the ground running. He said: “President Buhari did say he would hit the ground running, but he has not been given the chance to hit the ground running because the administration that he succeeded — the Jonathan administration — did not deliver the handover notes until two or three days to the inauguration; meaning that the handover notes were submitted at a time when everyone had been consumed by inauguration activities.

    “Unfortunately there was no time to look at them until after the President had been inaugurated. The President was left in the dark. He had to understand what the situation was and what was on ground. That was why he set up a different transition committee. It was only last week that the committee led by Dr. Ahmed Joda scrutinised the handover notes and handed over the report to President Buhari.

    “To be fair to him, he would have hit the ground running, if the previous government had handed over the notes early. However, the Jonathan government did not even permit any minister to interact in any way with the Buhari Transition Committee. Evidently, we had our hands tied behind our backs until we took over. Thus, there is nothing shady about it.”

    Shehu explained that the ministerial appointments had yet to be made because the committee needed to conclude its findings first. The committees 800-page report was presented to President Buhari only last Friday.

    A political analyst, Chidi Okoye, advised President Buhari on what he should do to sustain the confidence of the people who voted him into office. He said Buhari should pick areas of concentration. “The All Progressives Congress (APC) manifesto was excellent for securing votes, but it is time for it to be cast aside. It is highly doubtful that the country’s present economic situation would allow the President carry out all the promises contained in that document.”

    Okoye said: “Focusing on a core area or two (say fighting corruption and fixing power) for the next four years will enable the President achieve appreciable results. According to him, in the long run, Nigerians will begin to experience the real change. He noted that the system will fight back, “but that is the more reason why any committed reformer needs to concentrate on specific battles and win them. One battle at a time weakens the system. All we need to do is get leaders ready to keep fighting these battles until we have won enough for the system to collapse. Only then can we build a new system that consists of things working as they are supposed to.

    “President Buhari has made several promises to Nigerians and it is the duty of every true patriot to help him succeed. One gets the impression that Mr. President is overwhelmed with the level of decay that confronts him and the shackles of politicking that has been thrown around him. To free himself and get down to the work, Buhari needs to assert himself as a political leader and Head of State. If truly he desires to fix a few things, he would have to jettison political correctness and trample on many toes to push through his reforms. For example, his alleged disinterest in his party’s shenanigans in choosing principal officers of the National Assembly would have to be reversed.”

    To a public affairs analyst, Ezenwa Nzegwu, Nigerians are a people in a hurry for development; we expect things to start working very quickly, not minding the circumstance the new government found itself. He said the main reason why people are complaining about Buhari’s pace is because he has not made key appointments like Secretary to the Federal Government, ministers and Special Advisers, despite the approval granted him by the Seventh Senate to appoint 15 Special Advisers.

    Nzegwu agreed that if certain key appointments have not been made after three weeks of inauguration, nothing will happen. “It is important to make appointments now that the National Assembly has been inaugurated, so that the business of governance will start full blast,” he said. The public affairs analysts said Nigerians are not in the mood to tolerate excuses. “They want action; they want to feel change as promised by the President during the campaign,“ he added.

    He advised the ruling party to put its house in order. “The love lost relationship between the executive and the leadership of the National Assembly is not good for the party; it is not good for governance and it will not benefit the Nigerian people. The four- year tenure of Buhari has started reading. The performance of the APC government will determine its success at poll in 2019. You can’t voice excuses for too long. If the APC is able to deal with its internal crisis, the party will make a difference.

    But, the SSA insisted that the President has so far shown determination to fulfil his electoral promises to Nigerians. He contended that the administration is just coming on board and the President has been busy setting out suitable modalities on how to actualise his plan of restoring Nigeria as contained in the manifesto of the APC.

    Shehu cited the invitation of President Buhari to attend the G-7 summit in Germany recently as a sign that the international community is obviously acknowledging Nigeria’s significant role in global affairs’ especially with the recent change in government. He said the President would do all within his power to guarantee that the Nigerians would not regret entrusting him with national responsibility by electing him during the March 28 presidential poll.

    National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Alhaji Lai Muhammed is contended with the Buhari’s performance within few days he assumed office. According to him, the Buhari administration has invigorated the fight against Boko Haram by rallying a regional and global front against the terror group. A proof to this claim is the pledge of $5 million made by the United States to the fight against Boko Haram, in addition to other material support. This is apart from the G-7 promise to strengthen Nigeria’s efforts to quell the insurgency. The APC spokesman also mentioned that Buhari has been able to restore Nigeria’s integrity and that many countries were beginning to respect Nigeria again.

    Ezeife advised Buhari to overhaul the anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He said the body should be made up of people of high integrity, uncompromised individuals that have what it takes to fight corruption in the public and private sectors.

    “Buhari should ride rough shod over obstacles in his way in his anti-corruption crusade. If you are doing the right thing people will support you. I am sure given his age and his antecedent he will deal with corruption decisively and instil discipline in our public life. If he succeeds in his anti-corruption war, he will become a hero.”

  • Adeyemi: It won’t be business as usual for APC

    Adeyemi: It won’t be business as usual for APC

    Prince Akeem Adeyemi was recently elected into the House of Representatives on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to represent Oyo Federal Constituency. In this interview with TAYO JOHNSON and SIKIRU AKINOLA, the former chairman of Atiba Local Government and son of the Alaafin of Oyo talks about his expectations.

    You’ve just been elected into the House of Representatives after more than six years as council chairman. What would you miss most?

    As a grassroots man, definitely leaving the local government for Abuja to represent the people means many things to me. I would miss the gathering of people. As a council chairman, you’re the closest to the people and I must confess to you, the people will miss me too. There is no single day that I do not have one form of meeting or the other with them.

    Were you able to fulfill all your electoral promises as chairman?

    To God be the glory, we’ve done our best. But, remember that government is a continuum. There is no way one person can achieve everything. Only God is perfect. We tried our best and we’ve already passed the baton of leadership to another person. History, I believe, will put us on the right side.

    Do you think the House would be able to elect its principal officers without interference of godfathers?

    First of all, those who are not capable are not even jostling to lead the House. From the options before us, we have capable hands that have garnered the experiences required. We are certain that the 8th assembly will be piloted by a distinguished lawmaker that has served the House in various capacities and excelled. By and large, since our party is in control at the federal level, we are determined to bring the much-needed changes by deviating from the way things were done in the past.

    Don’t you think the election of principal officers will cause rancour within the APC?

    Even at the local level, everything is by zoning; to become a Baale (community leader), people jostle. So, there is always room for lobbying for any position. It is only something that is unattractive that won’t require lobbying. Somebody who was elected to represent his constituents and wants to lead the entire federation through a 360-member house must strategise, lobby and jostle to get the position. Why must we give it to somebody who doesn’t lobby or jostle for it. You contested to represent your constituents just like I did. For you to aspire to be my leader in that House, you must prove some points to me and I must be convinced. The party leaders in their own wisdom have learned from experience. If our party comes up with zoning today, we will abide by it. And if it is thrown open, we ’ll go to the field. Whichever way it goes, we are loyal party members. There is discipline in the APC; it is the only party that conducted primaries for all members that jostled for various elective positions. If there is any rancour, the leadership of the party would know how to manage it.

    What should your constituents expect from you?

    Having realised the show of love showered on me by the good people of Oyo Federal Constituency, the only way to repay them is to perform. At the time I was contesting, I had been relieved of my position as council helmsman. In fact, I contested four months after I left office as council chairman, facing an incumbent who is completing his second term in office, with a huge financial war chest. For my people to have voted for me, rather than an incumbent lawmaker, you’ll understand that they trust me; they know what I’ve done in the past and what I’m capable of doing. Records are there for everybody to check. I may not have done everything, but I left indelible footprints. I scored over 39, 000 votes, while my closest rival got 19, 000 plus votes. That is close to 20, 000 gap. So, you could imagine why the people reposed their confidence in me. I won in all the four local governments that make up my constituency. There is no better way to repay the good people of Oyo town than to give them good and proper representation. I will bring Federal Government presence to Oyo town. I will not only give them good representation, I will also make myself available to them just like I’ve been doing. I will also contribute to the socio-political upliftment of my people. It’s a challenge; I cannot afford to let the people down. They knew what they saw before they gave me this mandate. It was my performance at the local level. The significant role of His Royal Higness, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, the Alaafin of Oyo, a father figure not only to his biological children, but to the people of Oyo generally, will motivate me to do more. I can’t afford to fail; I can’t let the royal family down.

    Are you in support of the call for a reduction in the salaries and allowances of lawmakers?

    Yes; definitely something must be done in that regard to effect the desired change. If the remuneration of federal lawmakers is considered exorbitant, it should be reduced.

    In your own opinion, would you say Governor Abiola Ajimobi broke the second term jinx due to performance?

    Yes! No doubt. I’ve never seen a governor like him. There is no how you would work with people like him and you won’t succeed. He is a goal-getter. He was not the only governor I worked with and I can testify that what he has done, his predecessors combined did not do half of what he did in his first term. And we can all see the effect of performance. He has been re-elected; a feat no one has achieved in the state.

  • Nigeria is strategic to our business

    Nigeria is strategic to our business

    Executive Director, Mobile Business Group, Lenovo Technologies for Middle East and Africa, Mr. Shashank Sharma, says Nigeria is central to its business operations in Africa. He says management of electronic waste in the company’s host communities remains an important part of its corporate social responsibility strategy. He speaks about the industry and other issues with LUCAS AJANAKU.

    Electronic waste is a global challenge. What is Lenovo doing about this?

    You are right. We have a lot of initiative on environmental responsibility as well as social corporate responsibility. I don’t want to speak much about that now because details are sketchy.  Let me assure you that we are addressing the issue region by region.

    How is grey import affecting your business in the country?

    Grey market is something which happens when people outside your official channels try to import your products and the challenge with that is that the goods might not be properly taken to the consumers as they be buying them without the right warranty and service facilities. Again, the credibility of those devices is very difficult to ascertain. So we work closely with our local partners to make sure that we don’t allow such things to happen and partner community under retailers to try and ensure that they don’t sell products that are not coming from the official channel.

    What is the level of acceptability of your products?

    The acceptability of our smartphones has improved tremendously to the extent that we are thinking of raising the game. We have only four people on ground and we want to double that number in the next couple of months. That shows the confidence we have in the kind of response we got. Am very confident about Nigeria consumers appreciating the value this organization is giving to them the innovation, the scale and the quality promise we have

    Are your products region-specific or universal?

    We are a global company; it is a global scale and products of innovation. So our products are of global in nature so we try to design products for different people across the globe but then you also keep in mind the local customer in some countries. So there are countries such as Nigeria, India which their requirements are slightly different from other countries such as the United States (U.S) or Europe. You need to have a global scale but you also need to keep in specific local requirements so that the customers are fulfilled.

    What are your expectations in the short, medium and long term?

    See for any organisation especially as large as Lenovo, one has to look at responsibilities and survey carefully and be committed towards to their responsibility towards shareholders, your employers, your partners and your customers and your responsibility towards the ecosystem you operate. This is socio-economic environmental. Though I may not be able to answer you right now on Nigeria specifically but I will be very happy to give you the details on CSR activities which we do all over the world right now as Lenovo the kind of projects we have taken which are helping the local communities we work in

    What is your global market share?

    Our global market share in PCs is about 20 per cent; in Tablets, it is about 40.9 per cent and in phones we are number three I don’t remember our share right now .

    What percentage of the market are you looking at for smartphones?

     For the first two to four quarters, we want to be between 10 and 15 per cent market shares for smartphones.

    Lenovo is globally rated as the number one PC maker. What is your strategy to replicate this success with smartphones, especially in emerging markets?

    Yes Lenovo is the number one PC manufacturer in the world. We currently have 20 per cent market share and we are leading in that space, a position that we are very proud of. We are also one of the leading players in the smartphone segment, especially with our acquisition of Motorola. To lead in the smartphone segment it requires innovation and efficiency, and Lenovo has a great balance of these qualities. We possess the global scale that is required to compete and win in the smartphone segment. That, combined with the global supply chain, allows me to say that Lenovo is going to be a strong contender for the top spot in the world’s smartphone market. It is important to understand the market that one operates in. At Lenovo, we are coming up with products that have designs that are appealing to Nigerian consumers,as well as smartphones which have features that are required and used by Nigerians. We are making products with functionalities that are much in demand by Nigerian consumers, including flash and long battery life.

    Lenovo introduced three sets of smartphones into the market. What should customers expect from these devices in terms of quality?

    Recently, we launched three sets of quality phones from Lenovo, which include Lenovo S90, S70 and S 60.

    The Lenovo S90 is a product that we are very proud of. It is a very slim and stylish device. The S90 is a great phone for people who love taking selfies. It has an eight-megapixel front camera that is perfect for taking selfies, and I think this is an expression that will resonate with many people. The S90 also comes with Lenovo’s standard suite of applications including SHAREit, which allows users to share files and videos with others without an internet connection. The SECUREit also allows users to keep their data safe.

    The Lenovo P70 is a very lovely device for people who need to use their phone for extended periods of time. The battery of the device can last for up to three days. This is great for people who have a routine that does not allow them to charge their smartphone often. Also, in spite of the P70 smartphone having a 4,000mAh battery, it is not a heavy phone at all. It is slim and very light – much slimmer than smartphones with the same battery size. We are positive that our Nigerian consumers will really like this phone because a lot of people have this kind of requirement. Another unique feature of the P70 is that it can be used to charge other mobile phones. The S60 is a much slimmer device with an eye-catching form. It is easy to hold, light-weight and packed with features that showcase users’ fun and social sides.

    Wearable tech is the vogue. Any plans in this direction?

    Lenovo has been monitoring developments in the wearable technology segment very closely. We will be launching wearable bands this year. The devices will be able to track health and fitness parameters, among others. But the wearable technology segment is still evolving. There are innovations that we will see in the segment in the coming years but I believe that it is still in its nascent stage. We are yet to see the true dimensions of wearable technology.

    How do you intend to compete with established original equipment manufacturers?

    In every smartphone market, you will find other organisations that are already present and own percentages of market share. This has been our experience since we started expanding outside China in the last two years. We have gone into other markets with other brands already on ground so it is something that we are ready for and we believe that we are well equipped to compete and get mindshare and market share by providing Nigerians with products with the right kind of design, features and functionalities.

    In terms of sales, how has Lenovo performed in Nigeria since it began operations in the country last year?

    Without going into numbers, I would say that our targets and objectives for Nigeria in the last one year have been met and from this quarter onwards, we are already seeing exponential growth in demand for our products.

     What has the experience been like for Lenovo across African markets, especially here in Nigeria?

    The experience has been very good. We are happy with the response that our products have received till date in Nigeria, and based on the success we have had, we have actually invested more in this market. We now have more people on ground. We have strengthened our service network even more by investing in resources. The response we have received has been very good and we believe that Nigeria is right now in a good position to embrace the Lenovo brand even more, especially with the new products that we are coming out with.

    How will the recent acquisition of Motorola by Lenovo affect your smartphone business?

    Lenovo has always been a strong player in the global smartphone market, even before the acquisition of Motorola. With the acquisition, it has become even stronger. Motorola gives us a strong brand name, it gives us presence in major markets, it gives us a strong Information Technology (IT) portfolio and access to a huge pool of innovation engineers and researchers. For us, it is a great acquisition in every sense. With the help of Motorola, we are able to expand and have presence in markets where Lenovo products are not being sold today. In addition, our range of products for the customer, including wearables, have grown even bigger as a result of the acquisition

    How will you ensure that every mobile user group enjoy a great smartphone experience from Lenovo?

    There is a breadth of customers that are looking for suitable products in the smartphone segment. You will see that the products that we are coming out with in our ‘A’ series of smartphones, cater to individuals looking for devices that are affordable. We also have our ‘S’ series and premium vibe series smartphones that come with more features and more functionalities. We have a wide range of products at different price points that cater to the majority of users. Each product comes with its own unique functionality and the ability to deliver value while exceeding customer expectation.

    How affordable are your brand of smartphones?

    We consider affordability while design new products for manufacturing, even though we do not compromise quality with pricing. Our products have high qualities and at the same time affordable.

    In terms of smartphone market share, where do you see Lenovo Nigeria in the next one year?

    I believe that we will have captured between 10 and 15 per cent market share in the next one year. We have the right team, the right partners and the right kind of products to achieve this.

    What important factors that a buyer should consider when investing in smartphone?

    The smartphone buyer will always consider a reliable brand with a global scale that can protect the customers’ interest. This comes as a first point for me, and the second factor is the consideration of the kind of service that the brand is able to provide the consumer with and the third would be the features of the device, including display and battery life.

    Lenovo, as a major player in smartphone manufacturing and sales, always put these factors into consideration, when designing smartphones.

    What key trends do you see defining the mobile segment in 2016?

    The future is always difficult to predict, but I think that display technology will see some changes. We are already seeing a lot of innovation in this area and I expect that we will have more in the coming year. Also, we will see finger print security getting more acceptability. I think that we will see interesting things happening in these areas next year.

    Despite the ubiquity of smartphones, most consumers do not make optimal use of their mobile devices. Reports indicate that feature’s utilisation is at 30 per cent for the average consumer. What do you think can be done to help users integrate their smartphones more into their daily lives?

    Since the advent of smartphones, we have had increasing access to services that we did not have previously, from social media engagement to communication. People are using Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and other social websites to interact and communicate with one another. But there are a lot of areas where devices remain unexplored. I think it is just a matter of time before most people get exposed to what they can do with their phone and start utilising it in more facets of their lives than they do today.

    Do you still see the survival of feature phones across the world as smartphones take over?

    All over the world, we are seeing the migration from feature phones to smartphones where customers feel they can get more value in terms of what they want from their mobile device. That trend began in Nigeria in the last couple of years and is now accelerated. There would be a small number of feature phones around in the next two to three years in Africa, but majority of feature phone users are going to migrate to smartphones within this period

  • LCCI: ICT has revolutionalised business

    LCCI: ICT has revolutionalised business

    The growth in the Information Communication Technology (ICT) industry in the last 15 years has revolutionalised businesses, President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Alhaji Remi Bello, has said.

    He spoke at the ICT Expo (ICTEL EXPO) by the Trade Promotion Board of LCCI in Lagos, which  had its theme as ‘Connecting businesses and creating opportunities’.

    Bello said all sectors of the economy rely on ICT for their operations.

    “From the financial sector, where e-banking is now the vogue, the agricultural sector, where the government now sells fertiliser through mobile phones to the consumer goods sector where online stores are now all over, ICT and telecommunications have become the backbone of businesses,” he said.

    Bello explained that the expo was aimed at providing a credible platform to advance the opportunities and linkages in ICT.

    He reiterated the chamber’s optimism towards a great investment opportunity that would come from closer interactions and business integration among ICT players and their customers at the expo, pledging his support towards it.

    LCCI Vice President and Chairman, Trade Promotion Board, Dr. Michael Olawale-Cole, said the chamber chose the ICT sector because of its potential to revolutionalise business transformation, growth and improving the standard of living of people and communities through innovations.

    He added: “The expo gives a 360 degree view of the ICT industry and provides visibility to sweeping trends and innovations as well as providing an excellent networking opportunity for business decision makers, innovation managers, enterprise solution providers and start-ups.’’

    Others are ICT academics, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), investors, venture capitalists and other players in the ICT and telecom sectors,” he explained.

    Olawale-Cole said LCCI was aware of the revolutionary roles ICT and telecoms play in business relationship and development.

    He said with the incursion of ICT and telecoms, it would no longer be business as usual. “It has dawned on business people that you either embrace this technological evolution or ignore it at your own peril,” he said.

    Earlier, Executive Chairman, Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Eugune Juwah, said ICT  has grown such that it has moved into data and broadband.

    He said though there were challenges, the advantages of ICT in modern business could not be over emphasised.

    Juwah, who was represented by the Director, Special Duties of NCC, Ms Akiode Funlola, said with appropriate infrastructure the sector would grow the industrial sector.

  • Aviation: NAHCO, Egypt to improve business ties

    Aviation: NAHCO, Egypt to improve business ties

    The Nigeria Aviation Handling Company (nahco aviance) Plc and Egypt are to improve  their business relationship to the mutual benefit of both parties.

    The fresh move to grow the relationship was at the heart of the visit of the NAHCO’s chairman, Mallam Suleiman Yahyah to the Egyptian Ambassador in Nigeria, Ashraf Salama in Abuja last week.

    During the visit, Yahyah said there was an urgent need to upgrade the business ties between Nigerian investors and those from Egypt, while making reference to the current effort between Nigeria and Kenya.

    He said NAHCO is desirous of facilitating a round table for investors from both countries, expressing optimism that such talks may lead to fresh bilateral agreements.

    Replying, Egyptian Ambassador, Salama, praised NAHCO for its efforts at reviving business relations between the two countries.

    He said such efforts would help them grow their business relationship, adding that currently Egypt Air does a minimum of 16 flights per week to Nigeria.

    Ambassador Salama added that he would also want the relationship to consider the agriculture and the health sectors.

    Speaking at the meeting, Managing Director of NAHCO Nobert Bielderman said the aviation company is a member of the British-Nigerian Chamber of Commerce and does a lot of exports based on that relationship and would it  to be extended to Egypt.

    NAHCO provides a comprehensive handling of the ground operations for Egypt Air in Nigeria.