The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Business

  • German business confidence falls

    German business confidence has fallen to its lowest level in almost two years, a survey suggests, raising concerns about the strength of Europe’s largest economy.

    The Ifo think tank’s closely-watched Business Climate Index fell to 103.2 in October, down from 104.7 in the previous month.

    “The outlook for the German economy deteriorated once again,” Ifo said.

    The country’s economy contracted by 0.2 per cent between April and June this year.

    There are growing concerns about Germany’s ability to bounce back in the second half of the year.

    Earlier this month, the government sharply cut its growth forecast for this year and next, following weak export and industrial output figures.

    “Things have not gone well for German industry and there are no bright spots for industry,” said Ifo economist Klaus Wohlrabe.

    Following the latest Ifo survey, which showed confidence at its lowest point since December 2012, analysts said the recent slew of weak data was compounding fears about wider issues outside of Germany.

    “We’re in a downward spiral in terms of mood,” said Andreas Scheuerle, an economist at Dekabank.

    “The original mood killers – geopolitics, eurozone weakness, German economic policy and deflation concerns – have led to big downward revisions of forecasts and the weaker economic expectations are now weighing on sentiment.”

  • IBA publishes ‘principles’ on business, rights

    The International Bar Association (IBA) Business and Human Rights Working Group has published guidlines for bar associations and business lawyers on the implementation of the United Nations (UN) Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

    It is the first of its kind since the UN Human Rights Council endorsed the Guiding Principles in 2011 and was released in Tokyo, Japan at IBA’s Annual General Conference last week.

    It is divided into two working documents, one for bar associations (11 pages) and the other for business lawyers practising as in-house counsel and law firms (60 pages).

    Its aims are: to encourage bar associations to improve the understanding of the relevance and applicability of business and human rights principles; urge bar associations to develop an overall strategy for integrating the guiding principles into the practice of law; provide information to heighten awareness of the implications of the guiding principles; and to serve as a training tool for current and future legal professionals.

    For business lawyers, the principles explores the ways in which the guiding principles may be relevant to the advice they provide clients, consistent with their professional ethical responsibility as lawyers to uphold the law, to act in their clients’ best interests and to preserve clients’ confidences; reviews potential implications of the guiding principles for law firms as business enterprises with their own responsibility to respect human rights, focusing on services rendered to clients; and will assist the representation of the legal profession in the design of business and human rights policies before policy makers, governments and legislatures.

    The culmination of a six-month consultation and drafting process, working in collaboration with the IBA Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Committee and facilitated by the IBA Legal Projects Team, the IBA Working Group Guidance reviewed the implications of the guiding principles for the global legal profession and provides practical support for their implementation.

    Commenting on the release, IBA President Michael Reynolds said: “In recognising the essential role that lawyers play in upholding the rule of law, and that they can provide advice on human rights in client business transactions in a manner that greatly enhances the value of their legal services, the IBA Guidance aims to support the development of a global strategy for the integration of the principles into legal practice.

    “The Guiding Principles recognise that the responsibility to respect human rights is a global standard of expected conduct for all businesses, and that measures are required to address the impact of human rights on commercial practices and enterprises. The promotion of integrity standards and the rule of law are at the core of the work of the IBA, and through our leadership we intend to mobilise the legal profession to take affirmative steps to integrate the Guiding Principles in the services they provide to their clients”

    The Chairman, IBA Business and Human Rights Working Group, John F Sherman III said: “Since the endorsement of the Guiding Principles, businesses are increasingly turning to their legal advisors for assistance on their implementation. This guidance is designed to support those bar associations and business lawyers to understand the implications of the Guiding Principles to effectively counsel their clients and ultimately help business enterprises to fulfil their responsibility to respect human rights.”

    Over the next 12 months, the IBA Business and Human Rights Working Group said it would solicit feedback from several national bar associations, including the  Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Spanish National Bar, the Law Society of Namibia, and the Costa Rican Bar Association.

  • NCC arrests nine for illegal business

    NCC arrests nine for illegal business

    The Nigeria Copyright Commission (NCC) has arrested nine persons in Onitsha for infringement of protected musical works, using MP3, MP4, memory cards among others.

    The commission, in alliance with armed security operatives, yesterday stormed Emeka Offor Plaza in the city to carry out the operation.

    NCC Director-General Mr. Afam Ezekude in a statement said the suspects would be arraigned as soon as investigations were completed.

  • Nigeria’s ranking on ease of doing business, others rise

    Nigeria’s ranking on ease of doing business, others rise

    The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment,  Mr. Olusegun Aganga said Nigeria has measured 2.81 out of the overall logistic performance index (LPI),  with one out of five being the worst performance and ranking 75 out of 160 countries.

    This, according to him, makes Nigeria one of the top 10 lower middle income LPI performance in terms of its efficiency of customs clearance process, quality of trade and transport related infrastructure,  ease of arranging competitively priced shipment, quality of logistic services, ability to track and trace consignments,  and frequency with which shipments reach the consignee within the scheduled time.

    Represented by the Ambassador of Trade, Geneva,  David Adejwon, Aganga spoke at National Workshop on Implementating the World Trade Organisation (WTO) trade facilitation agreement in Abuja. He said the trade facilitation needs assessment held in 2008, 2013 and this year in Abuja provided detailed information on technical assistance requirements and a valuable basis for the eventual implementation of the result on the WTO negotiations.

    He said: “We cannot overemphasise the need for Nigeria to take issues bordering her seriously if we are to realise our dream of becoming one of the top 20 economies by 2020 which is barely six years away.

    “A very important step in this direction is to periodically conduct the needs assessment as we have been doing  and utilise the outcome to take advantage of the resources provided at the WTO  to develop the technical skills for favourable and profitable negotiation with Nigeria’s trading partners as well as improve the climate for doing business in Nigeria.

    “Iam aware of the discussion you have held to fine tune the country’s commitment in the TFA categories and efforts are being made by the Ministry to follow up with the Federal Executive Council (FEC), on the category. A commitment that have been concluded on, and I assure you that a positive response from government will soon be obtained.

    “In our globalised world,  no nation is self-sufficient as there is an increasing interdependence of national economies International trade is critical to the economic development of any nation as it enables the nation to expand its market and earn the much needed foreign exchange.”

    Aganga said the conclusion of the World Bank is that the phenomenon of globalisation has no doubt created new opportunities for countries to harness global markets for economic growth and development.

    The resulting expanded supply chains and global production network has put a new premium on moving goods in a predictable,  timely,  and cost effective way,  which has led to the need for trade facilitation activities at our air, land and border post.

  • AfriHeritage begins business survey

    AfriHeritage begins business survey

    THE African Heritage Institution (AfriHeritage) has started the third cycle of the Business Environment and Competitiveness, BECANS III in what it said is an attempt to produce an indigenous independent business environment survey in the country.

    It had conducted the first two cycles, BECANS I and II, in 2007 and 2010, respectively, when it was known as African Institute for Applied Economics (AIAE).

    Its Executive Director, Ifediora Amobi, said the institution would be collaborating with the organised private sector (OPS), researchers from different universities as well as the think- tank across the federation to conduct the study.

    Amobi said the logic behind BECANS was that Nigeria’s sub-national jurisdictions (state and local governments) were crucial in ensuring good business environment and enhancing Nigeria’s global economic competitiveness ratings.

    According to him, like every federation, business environment in Nigeria was the shared responsibility of the central and sub-national governments – federal, state and local. Hence, the overall business environment would depend upon the synergies existing between these levels of government.

    The policy economist added that, in particular, state governments were responsible for the bulk of the infrastructural, regulatory and administrative services needed by private enterprises.

    He said: “So, without commensurate business environment reforms by state and local governments, the macroeconomic and institutional reforms of the federal government would not be able to produce the desired impact on employment and poverty.”

    Speaking on the purpose of the study, the AfriHeritage averred that the survey would serve as barometer to measure the performance of different units of the federation and would help the OPS to mount up economic advocacy. He added that BECANS was an initiative that attempted to assess measure and promote evidence-based reforms of the business environment in Nigeria, focusing primarily on the states.

    “The BECANS model defines business environment along four benchmarks; infrastructure and utilities, regulatory services, business development support and investment promotion; and Security,” he said, adding that BECANS ran in successive cycles of research, survey, dissemination and policy dialogue.

    The AfriHeritage boss disclosed that the Institution had consulted and deliberated with all the critical stakeholders including the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Finance, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, National Bureau of Statistics, National Planning Commission, and others to ensure their buy-in. He also said The Organised Private Sector, the relevant civil society organisations; the Non- Governmental Organisations would be involved at different stages of the BECANS III project.

     

  • The rise of plantain chips business

    The rise of plantain chips business

    The transformation of plantain chips from a mere product into a money spinner, is  drawing  a lot of entrepreneurs. More Nigerians are showing interest. With income and consumption on the rise, plantain chips production is a perfect business option. DANIEL ESSIET reports.

    Plantain chips business is returning huge incomes as demand is  increasing .This  is because  the market  is  expanding  as   major highways have become top spots for the sale of plantain chips. Apart from sachet water, plantain chips occupy a special spot in the minds of the travelers in particular, and the general public.

    The transformation of plantain chips  from a humble product  into      a money spinner,  is  drawing  a lot  of  entrepreneurs. More Nigerians  are  showing  interest. Investors say the plantain chip business is one investment that is profit oriented.

    The Chief Executive, Farm Biz Set, Opeyemi Lawson, a plantain  farmer,   said  with  less than N20,000, one can start the business. This for one, starting small.

    The Managing Director, Spectra Foods, Chief Duro Kuteyi, fame is  traced to plantain chips packaging.

    Kuteyi, who is Vice President, National Association of Small and Medium Scale Industrialists, resigned from the Federal Ministry of Health in the ‘80s to establish a plantain chips manufacturing factory. His success  is traced to a plantain chips factory he established years back in 1982. He started the industry with N1,500.

    “His father in-law offered him a room from where he started the business. Kuteyi’’s plaintain chips industry grew and gave rise to Spectra Foods. Today, Spectra  has become a multi-product company , suco cocoa drink,cocoa beverage, frute pineapple juice,frute pineapple/ginger juice,soya instant drink,soya bakes and sesame oil

    But the secrets of investing in plantain chips have not changed significantly.“The equipment is  the same except that the costs have risen significantly.“For  a big  start  up ,according  to him,   one  requires a fryer, which costs between N100, 000 and N300, 000; sealing machine that costs between N500, 000 and N2m and a vehicle for distribution of the products, “Returns are in the region of N5m annually.

    For  those who  cant  afford this ,they  can  start  by  selling  packaged plantain chips.

    As   passionate  as  he is about  the business that   has  given  several youths employment, he  stated that processing of plantain chips is not devoid of challenges.“Sourcing for raw materials is a major challenge,” the quality of raw plantain affects the final product,the packaging and source of energy are very critical,then   the epileptic power supply and rising cost of gas are major factors that affect the cost of production. Apart from epileptic power supply, he  said the perishable nature of plantain requires that care be taken during post harvest processing.

    Howver, the  opportunities  are   limitless and, with right resources and management, it is not tough to attain success.

    To  bring  more Nigerians into the business, Kuteyi  said  his   organisation, Spectra Industries Limited Lagos is  hosting  a cluster  for   plantain chips production with an installed capacity of five tonnes per month. He explained that the cluster will  help farmers  benefit  from collective marketing and high quality machines to process chips.

    Under the scheme, his  organisation  will  help  Nigerians  establish  micro plantain chips  business   industries. They  can  rent the machines  if they  have money  to  buy the raw materials.

    Kuteyi, said  entrepreneurs will be enabled to have production facilities for less than five per cent of actual cost, while equity investors will be entitled to profit/dividend sharing.

    According to Kuteyi, “It is just a matter of providing industrial facility access, one of the benefits of this arrangement is that for someone who wants to set up a plantain chips plant instead of looking for about N10million to set up, all you need is a minimum of N100, 000 and you become a part owner of an already established plantain chips plant.” He explained that the plantain chips which comes in a unique variant to what is common in the market, can be consumed in novel ways never before heard of like the use of ketchup and peanuts.

    “It is a far upgrade from what plantain chips are generally known to be in the country. The chips are also of exportable quality in terms of packaging and standards with a shelve life of 12 months, the product is packed in 380gm containers and 70gm sachets,” he explained.

    He expounded that while Spectra has provided the equipment and factory space, financial contributions from cluster members will be used as working capital to sustain the expanded scope of production and cater for more employees that will be recruited.

  • ‘Niger’s business climate, among Nigeria’s best’

    Niger State Government has held an Investment Summit aimed at transforming the state into an investment giant. Danladi Ndayebo, the state’s Commissioner for Information, speaks with JIDE ORINTUNSIN on the outcome of the summit, among other issues.  Excerpts

    The first Niger State Investment Climate Summit has just ended. How would you assess the summit?

    The summit was a huge success. First, it recorded the kind of attendance that was unprecedented in the history of economic summits in this part of the country. Secondly, we were able to excite investors with business potential in the state and valuable tips on how they can take advantage of these opportunities.

    Specifically, we emphasised our competitive advantage in terms of land mass and the huge employment opportunities embedded in agriculture.

    So, it was on the strength of what we presented to the investors that they tabled actionable plans that would accelerate economic development in the state in the areas of agriculture/agro-allied businesses, infrastructure, roads, housing, manufacturing, employment generation and wealth creation.

    For instance, investors who have their eyes on agriculture were happy to know that the state has about 10 per cent of Nigeria’s entire land mass, of which appreciable percentage is arable. They are also aware that we have people who are friendly, hospitable and welcoming. The peaceful nature of our state also makes it an attractive investment destination.

    Why did the summit come at the twilight of your administration?

    Many have asked this question, but my answer is: Why not now?  In the last seven years, we have worked tirelessly to create a favourable climate for doing business. We have repositioned land administration in a way that has fast-tracked the processes leading to the issuance of Certificates of Occupancy. We have also improved on the way we administer taxes as they concern investors.

    What this means is that big-time businessmen who come to Niger State would enjoy tax incentives which may sometimes include outright waivers, depending on the volume of the investment. Contract enforcement and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) centres have also been established so that good investments are not frustrated by unnecessary litigations.

    So, these are some of the deliberate steps that we took in order to increase the flow of investments into the state. Without the kind of foundation that we have laid down, all our competitive advantages that we have such as intimidating land mass will amount to nothing.

    What major policy reforms has the state embarked upon in order to build the kind of business environment that would attract the multi-billion Naira investments you have talked about?

    I have just listed some of the incentives to include the repositioning of land administration which has made issuance of C of O very easy. I have also mentioned another area which has to do with tax administration. Apart from those, the state has a comprehensive package which has made Niger State one of the best investment destinations in the country.

    Currently, we have all the laws that encourage private sector participation in the development of the state’s economy. We now have the Fiscal Responsibility Law and the Public Procurement Law which are a set of rules which ensures sound financial management, greater transparency and accountability in public finance.

    Also, we have the Small and Medium Enterprises/Micro-finance Agency Law which has ensured a smooth beginning of micro-finance banks and small businesses in the state.

    Our Commodity and Export Promotion Agency, which we created through an Act of the Niger State House of Assembly, is also doing excellently well. But the Niger State One Stop Investment Centre is the icing on the cake. We have been able to use the agency to put forward our investment potential in our priority areas of agriculture, solid minerals, tourism, transportation and energy.

    Before now, various agencies of government had made efforts to attract businesses to the state. How would you assess those investment drives?

    Recall that Niger State is among the five states where Nigeria’s foremost industrialist Aliko Dangote has acquired farmlands for commercial production of rice. I am sure you have not forgotten that part of the agreement requires that Dangote Group would establish two modern rice mills in Niger State, each with a capacity to mill 120,000 metric tons of rice. One of the implications of this is that thousands of jobs will be provided for our young people.

    Only recently, a private company indicated interest in investing over N1.6 billion in the establishment of shear butter factory in Mokwa Local Government Area. We have since met our own part of the bargain, which is the provision of 20 hectares of land for the firm.

    On completion, the factory would engage about 10,000 people and would generate an average of N10 million monthly. So, no one needs to be told that these and other businesses that would soon take off in the state will be of immense benefit to the people of Niger State.

    Does that indicate that the state is giving impetus to agriculture only where it has competitive advantage?

    Agriculture is being given priority attention because it is our competitive advantage. But we have other priority sectors where the state government has made huge investments in order to attract the right kind of businesses.

    In the area of tourism for instance, the state has 65 tourist sites which if properly harnessed, will spin a lot of money for the state. Popular among our tourist sites are Zuma Rock, Kainji Lake National Park, Gurara Waterfalls, Baro Empire Hills, Mungo Park Cenotaph and the Zungeru Colonial Ruins.

    In the area of energy, it is common knowledge that Niger State houses the three hydro-electric power stations in the country, with the fourth under construction in Zungeru. We have several other opportunities in the areas of mini-hydro power projects, municipal waste-to-power projects and rural electrification/ distribution projects.

    Niger State also has huge investment potential in the area of solid minerals. We have gold, beryl (light blue honey), amethyst, tourmalines, quartz and other minerals in commercial quantities.

    How do you intend to consolidate on these achievements in order to further move the state forward?

    The Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu administration has done a lot to better the lot of its people and this cut across all the critical sectors of the state’s economy. We shall continue to do all the things that have made Niger State a home for all. We shall continue to stamp our seal of excellence in all spheres of human endeavour so that whoever comes to the state would want to live here forever.

    For instance, we will consolidate on our landmark achievements in the area of agriculture. From 2007 to date, we procured 400 units of tractors which we distributed to the Tractor Hiring Units Implementation Programme in the 25 local government areas to boost agricultural production and revitalised agricultural extension infrastructure by renovating nine centres across the state. We have also distributed 100 motorcycles to extension workers in order to facilitate their movements. This has given meaning to the lives of our rural farmers and would be sustained.

    We also established the Niger Rice Investment Consortium (NSRIC) Project to boost rice production and position Niger State as the major producer of high quality rice in the country. To get the project started, we established and equipped five Agricultural Equipment Hiring Centres of the NSRIC Project in the rice producing communities of Doko, Jima, Mambe, Ndaloke and Gaba.

    Irrigation programme has also enjoyed a boost with the reactivation of 16 schemes across the state to boost all-year-farming. We have also registered over 270,000 farmers under the Growth Enhancement Support (GES).

    It is because of our modest efforts that the state was selected as one of four additional phase II states for the implementation of the Rural Access and Mobility Project (RAMP II) in collaboration with the World Bank and French Development Agency.

    Our healthcare delivery services are also among the best. In the past seven-and-a-half years, we have made tremendous progress in the area of healthcare delivery. We have been providing free medical services for children under five, pregnant women (up to 40 days post-delivery) and the aged over 70 years of age.

    We have constructed and equipped three modern, hi-tech general hospitals in the three senatorial zones located at Gulu, Sabon Wuse and Nasko. Government has also embarked on the construction of 134-bed neo-natal and maternity wings as part of the expansion of Minna General Hospital (with funding support from SURE-P Special Projects Directorate).

    Between 2007 and now, we have constructed over 200 primary health care centres in partnership with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) office, aside the renovation of all existing general hospitals and primary health care centres.

    Some rural health centres were also upgraded to the status of general hospitals. They are General Hospital Kutigi, General Hospital Agaie and Lemu General Hospital.

    The current administration has also introduced Ward Development Project. It is a novel initiative which has since become iconic and a model to other states.

    Under the project, funds are allocated to the 274 wards on a monthly basis and a committee of selected persons superintend over a forum where the entire community agreed on projects of their choice. This has given a huge sense of belonging to the people at the grassroots.

  • ‘Security is everybody’s business’

    Mr. Sabastine Ubua Anyia is the chairman, Nigerian Bar Association ( NBA) Aguata Branch. He is a graduate of the University of Maiduguri and holds a Masters of Law from the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. In this interview with the Legal Editor, John Austin Unachukwu, he speaks on his plans for his branch and insecurity.

    Give us an insight into your activities at the Bar. How would you appraise the current leadership of the Bar?

    I have been an active Bar man from the day I was called to the Bar. I have attended all National Conferences of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA)  from day one till date. I have been a NEC member. I am also a strong member of the Eastern Bar Forum (EBF). I am a committed member of the NBA, Aguata Branch. I have worked assiduously for the growth and achievement of the Bar goals and objectives all this time. I am by nature a goal-getter and in recognition of my contributions to the branch, the branch honoured me with an award of “The foot Soldier of Aguata Bar”.

    So, how do you feel about the award?

    I am humbled by this award. I have watched closely leaders of the NBA  from the days of  Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN)  till date. They have all contributed their quotas to the growth of this great Association. Do not forget that being a leader of the NBA is like a wise man leading millions of wise men. It is always not easy because every person you are leading knows what you know, if not even more than you. So my brother, it is not always easy to please wise people.

    The NBA President has taken a few actions since his inauguration, what are your expectations from the current leadership of the Bar?

    Having said the above, the current leadership of the NBA, by Augustine Alegeh (SAN)  from the very first foot he placed forward, I have no doubt that he is going to be the Messiah of the NBA. If you listened  to his inaugural speech on August  29, you will agree with me that it was a bombshell.  He left no one in doubt that he is an agent of change; the one members of the Bar had yearned for years now.

    In which areas are you expecting the changes?

    His administration will encourage members, who have before now, refused to pay their practicing fees because of the style and manner the previous leadership of NBA have piloted the affairs of the Association to start paying because of the benefits attached to the payment of the  fees. For instance, if you pay your practicing fees (which he promised to reduce) as at when due, you are entitled to NBA Welfare Scheme without any further payment or additional fees. You will be issued with free Identification Card. The card, he disclosed, would also function as a payment card for ATM, PoS and other online transactions. The card also entitles the bearer to a menu of discounts and other packages negotiated by the association. He has also opened the gate for observers to attend NEC meetings unlike his predecessor. What is more, Augustine Alegeh  has reduced drastically conference fees.

    So, back to your question, the present leadership led by Alegeh will lead the NBA to the Promised Land.

    How do you feel about your election as the Chairman of NBA, Aguata Branch?

    I thank God for making it possible for me to emerge winner of the election. Indeed, I am exceedingly grateful to God and good people of NBA, Aguata Branch. The people have spoken through their votes and I assure  them that I will not disappoint them. I believe in the concept of servant-leadership and this has been my guiding principle. Do not forget that though I practice my profession in Anambra State, I am from Cross River State, while my opponent,  Sir Izu Nwankwo is an indigene of the state,  the son of the soil and also a very senior member of the Bar.

    Therefore,  for members to choose me shows the confidence and trust they have in me. I give them my solemn undertaken that I will not disappoint them. I told the members of this great Bar in my acceptance speech that: “Words of mouth are grossly inadequate to say thank you. God Almighty will reward you all and your families. Nobody won and nobody lost. We all won, NBA, Aguata Branch is the winner. Unity is strength … When there is team work and collaboration wonderful things can be achieved. We shall work like one united happy family. Once again, thank you all for your support. I shall not disappoint you”. This is my bound with the good people of Aguata Bar. Let me also use this opportunity to thank the leadership and members of other branches of NBA in Anambra State for their support and encouragement. To them I say Imela ooo! Chukwu gozie unu ooo!

    What examples did this set for other branches?

    During my campaign, I discovered that in Anambra State, the people are not interested in where you come from, but in your track record and your ability to deliver. The support I have received from members of the NBA, Aguata Branch and the encouragement from lawyers of the other six (6) branches of NBA in Anambra State has been amazingly wonderful. The issue of none indigene was never a factor in my campaign. My acceptability cut across senior and junior members of the Bar.

    What is your track record of activities at the branch?

    I have been a member of the NBA, Aguata Branch since 2004. I came to Anambra State as a Youth Corper and I remain thereafter. Since then, I have served the branch assiduously that Chairmen of other NBA braches in Nigeria call me Aguata. I have been the Public Relation Officer (PRO) of the branch, I have been voted as the Financial Secretary of the branch. I have also contested and won the Secretary of the branch. I have been the Secretary of Committee of Chairmen and Secretaries of NBA, Anambra Chapter. I have served as the Secretary of NBA, Aguata Law Week Planning Committee in 2012, Chairman Law Week Contact Committee 2014, Chairman Bar Dinner 2010 to 2012, Member Aguata Bar Center Project. Chairman Aguata Branch Conference Committee for lodging and/or accommodation from 2010 to 2014, Chairman Young Lawyers Forum. In all these offices I have performed to the satisfaction of my branch members. This explains why they are full of praises for me. Apart from my branch, my relationship with other branches of the NBA in Anambra State has been simply fantastic.

    Why do you think you are the man for the job?

    I think that I am the man for the job because of my upbringing and training from my family, the church, school and the training in this bar. During my secondary school days I was the youngest student in the class and the smallest, yet, when the senior class handed over power to us; the school authority made me the senior prefect in spite of my age and size. My success story as the youngest senior prefect of the school is there for everyone to see. In my university days, I was the Secretary of National Federation of Catholic Students, Secretary of Rotary Club, Secretary of University of Maiduguri Sport, Secretary of Cross River Students and President of Wula Students Worldwide.

    In NBA, Aguata Branch, I received training and tutelage from Chief  C.O. Ezeanowai-Obiezi (now late), worked so closely with him that I knew the problems of the branch and the best way to solve them. During the tenure of Sir Emeka Umejiaku, I was the Financial Secretary of the branch and his strong anchor man. Also, during the tenure of Hon. M.C.Z Aniazoka, I was the Public Relation Officer (PRO) of the branch, I worked so closely with him that the branch members called him my mentor. Again, during the period of D.U. Umeobika, a man known by every person as a perfect gentleman, I was the Secretary of NBA, Aguata Branch. I learned from him the real teaching of life and how to manage people. I am the only member of the branch, who knows all branch members by name and their houses and offices. I also have members’ phone lines. I know the problems of members and the problems of the branch in general. I have received training, tutelage and blessings from past chairmen that have equipped me for the job. I have the magic touch to solve the problems and take the branch to the next level.

    What are your plans for the branch, how do you hope to actualise them?

    My administration shall introduce loan scheme for members, who are in financial difficulties, especially for young lawyers. My plan is to change the mind set of lawyers in Aguata Branch to be achievers, to encourage them to take up the ranks of Senior Advocates, to look beyond the locality where they live and practice. To attract businessmen and incorporate bodies to identify with the branch, to complete the branch Bar centre  and to reduce or remove unnecessary levies placed on members.

    I shall make members see NBA meetings as a place to confide in; a place to solve your legal problems and a place for protection of members. I shall resolve all branch problems, especially the land problem. My administration shall focus on human development and each member shall be his brother’s keeper.

    What are your expectations from the current leadership of NBA?

    Good governance and/or leadership. I have no doubt that Augustine Alegeh will lead the bar to the Promised Land. He has started the fight to free NBA from the iron grip of the powerful few, who have hijacked it. I pray God to stand by him.

    What roles do you expect of the Bar in a pre-election year and how do you think the Bar can make significant contributions to the forthcoming general elections?

    I expect the bar to focus primarily on the welfare of her members, the legal profession – the state of our judiciary, the conditions under which our judges are working, their productivity, the conditions under which lawyers are working, the conditions under which they are being trained. I also expect the bar to focus on the Bar and Bench relationship, where one will not see himself or herself as the king and the others as slaves. The Bar should take a clear and firm position on the politics of the nation without necessarily taken side with any of the political parties. I also expect the Bar to preach peace and tolerance in the forthcoming general elections. This is because peace is also a form of justice

    How would you appraise the speed of justice delivery in the country, how can we improve on this?

    Our Judges have been doing their best in justice delivery taken into consideration their conditions of work. However, they have to improve as their best is not good enough. With the signing into law the judicial autonomy by some states of the Federations and to my mind before the end of this year all the states will sign it. Once that is done, our court shall have better electronic gazettes to help them in speedy dispensation of justice. The bar can also play a role by imposing sanctions on her members who are frustrating the court from speedy trail of cases.

    It is widely believed that the standard of legal education on the decline, how do you think this can be improved?

    There is no gain emphasising it. But who do we blame for the decline? Is it the students or the lecturers? Until the NBA and NEC members take a serious position on this, the saying will only be a recurring decimal. Compare the number of universities offering medicine and the one offering law, you will know the cause. Today 80 per cent of the students in the Open Universities are studying law; at the end what do you expect? Until we stamp out these programmes and reduce schools offering law to a manageable level, we will not see any change. For the lawyers, I encourage a more committed and serious continuous legal education.

    Insecurity of lives is one of the greatest challenges facing the country, how do you think this  can be resolved within the internationally accepted best practices?

    The issue of insecurity as a matter of fact is worrisome. Whenever the issue of insecurity is discussed I always advise people to look back and by their sides and be sure if the next person is not one of them or their agent. For me, insecurity is not caused by the terrorists in the forest, who occasionally come to the town and villages to attack and kidnap innocent citizens. Rather, their agents, who live with us, give them information on how and when to attack. These informants and/or agents are in the Army, schools, Police, markets, government institutions and above all, there are the politicians who sponsor them. The truth is that these sponsors and/or agents of these cowards called Boko Haram are known by people, who out of fear or other primordial interest, will not want to report them to the government.

    The insecurity will come to an end when we all sincerely decide to become informants to government. There is so much betrayal in the military that the junior officers do not trust their commanders and their GOCs. They complained of not having modern equipment to confront the insurgents, yet, the Federal Government spends millions on the military as shown in the nation’s budget every year. Why has the insurgent not be able to penetrate Cameroon? It is simply because they are committed and sincere to themselves. They look at it as war against the enemy of their state. We must forget about tribe and religion and see the terrorists as the enemy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    That is the only way we can win this war. I read in Vanguard of September 26, that Shekau has become a brand name for the terrorist leader. What that means is that Shekau has been killed since. The recent person acting Shekau is Mohammed Bashir, who was recently killed. I expect the military to scrutinise and interview the 135 terrorists that have surrendered to get information on how to end this insurgency once and for all in conformity with the dictates of standard best practices.

     

  • In Ibadan, beautification is serious business

    Beautiful sceneries are emerging daily in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital to replace old, filthy sites that formerly characterized the city as one of the dirtiest in the country, writes BISI OLADELE

    Beautified roundabouts, walkways, mini parks, modern water fountains and street lights, among others are fast becoming the yardsticks redefining the once rustic city of Ibadan.

    The city surrounded by seven hills, according to the renowned poet, John Pepper Clark, is the largest in sub-Saharan Africa. It boasts of over five million people, foremost institutions, research institutes and media organizations. The key organizations, some of which have acquired the status of national monuments and the city’s central location have always marked Ibadan out in the entire country.

    But filthy environment characterized by dumb sites along main roads and dirty drainages had made the same city infamous for decades.

    However, the filthy sites have since given way to beautiful sceneries due to the efforts of the Governor Abiola Ajimobi administration to change the view and rewrite the city’s profile.

    Today, a move around Ibadan would offer insights to the efforts of the state government since January, 2012. Beautification has become a core aspect of the government’s urban renewal project which is attracting more people to the city for business and other purposes. While green sites add to the allure of the environment at daytime, well-illuminated roundabouts and sites glitter in the night to beautify the city.

    The major firm handling the beautification project, Ershaw Limited, has been busier than any other firm working for the Ajimobi administration since January, 2012.

    It has worked on sites including the Agodi Government House Park, Parliament Road to Mokola Roundabout, Gate, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway (old) Toll Gate where a mural design on the rock-fence embankment and the inscription, “welcome to Ibadan” as well as the uplifted approach and green ambience seemed to tell those entering the historical city of the “new development and complete renewal” of Ibadan.

    The company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Arc. Olumide Eso, described the project as laudable as it elevates Ibadan from the abyss to a true city.

    The permeable blocks on the State High Court embankment at Ring Road remind one of how grass used to overgrow the place few years ago while the Gangan drum icons at the some of the roundabouts along the axis speak of the state’s rich cultural heritage. Another highlight at Ring Road, which Eso said highlighted the wholesomeness of the beautification package, is the customized branded container, which he said would be allocated to former roadside traders.

    One of the affected traders who said she used to sell her wares opposite the Mobil Filling Station around Oluyole Area of the city, Mrs Ajoke Lawal, commended the government’s effort on the branded containers, saying they would ease the pressure off the displaced traders; some of who she said had nowhere to go.

    At different areas of the city such as Ojoo, Yemetu, Challenge and Bodija, among others, the construction and branding of bus stop sheds have given beauty to the city’s landscape as well as provide succour for motorists and pedestrians.

    Apart from the branded bus stops, the drastic change at Gate, where the median that used to be home to sellers of different items has given way to a beautiful green area, is a mark of the good effort. Not only are the median and sidewalks wearing a new look, many residents expressed disbelief at the success of the beautification.

    Eso disclosed that Oyo State was voted the “Most Improved State in Nigeria at the 2013 Environmental Summit” for its urban renewal programme.

    He said this was made possible because of the government’s commitment to the programme and “the ingenuity of Ershaw’s holistic approach and design strategies of incorporating the beautification and greening of roads, interchanges and medians.”

    Relating the company’s experience on the field, Eso said his company met resistance from the former occupants of most of the beautification sites, pointing out that it took a little while for them to overcome the resistance.

    ”Though the Ministry of Environment handled the demolition of the sites we wanted to beautify, there was stiff resistance from the occupants when we moved to sites in some of the places. At a point, the ministry provided us with YES-O cadets who provided security.

    “But soon after the beautification efforts were completed, there was a change of attitude from most of the former occupants. Some of them commended the transformation, especially with the building of Customised Branded Containers at Ring Road, to house traders who were once by the roadside. The advantage of the containers is that they are movable, so the government can take them to anywhere it wants.”

    On whether the project was well-funded, he said: “In terms of funding, the state government’s commitment to the project was 100 per cent as it funded the project in order for us to achieve the desired goal of renewing and transforming the landscape of Ibadan.”

    A few of the residents who spoke to The Nation on beautification of the city commended government for the project. They said the sites give Ibadan a much better look and enhance the beauty of the environment.

  • Abia plans business summit

    As part of its contributions towards rekindling the interest of investors in Nigeria and the world at large to invest in Aba and help the city regain its pride of place in the economic map of the world, Abia State has concluded plans for the the first Aba Business Summit.  The summit is coming four years after investors fled the once economic pride of Abia State because of insecurity challenges.

    Organisers of the Summit comprising a group of intellectuals from different professional backgrounds known as Abia Think Tank Association said all was set for the second edition of the programme.

    At a press conference in Aba, the President of the group, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa (OFR), said that the two-day interactive programme with the theme, “Aba as the Centerpiece of Abia Economic Renaissance”, was to consolidate and deepen the gains of the maiden summit.

    According to Ohuabunwa, the summit scheduled to hold on Thursday, October 23 and Friday October 24 is aimed at helping private and public sector business managers that have interest in the restoration and transformation process of  Aba, Enyimba City into a modern industrial and commercial city with global influence “which entails building a strong partnership in terms of robust  synergies of financial and sundry support to strategic developmental goals for the transformation of the economy of Abia State, Nigeria and the West African sub-region.”

    Mazi Ohuabunwa, who is also National President, Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce, revealed that the event was going to provide opportunities for business owners in Aba to have a one-on-one chat with investors, entrepreneurs and financial experts who will take them round on how best they (traders) can develop their businesses, source loans to fund their businesses, how to get about getting loans that they can repay at a stipulated time with a subsidised interest rate.

    He expressed his hope that the outcome of the two-day summit was going to engender meaning development in business and economic activities in the state and the country in general, adding that they have already started working collaboratively with higher institutions on how traders and businessmen and women with no or less educational background could be incorporated into their institution’s programmes in order to expose them to the best and acceptable practices of doing businesses.

    Prominent dignitaries that are expected to present speeches at the event are Governor Theodore A. Orji, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Emeka Wogu (Labour Minister, Ms. Arunne Ote, Director-General, Security and Exchange Commission, Dr. Alex Otti, GMD/CEO Diamond Bank and Prof. Barth Nnaji, among others.