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Tag: chairman

  • Bayelsa NLC, government reacts to plight of civil servants

    In his reaction, the Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Bayelsa State, Mr. Ndiomu George-Diepre, said the congress was not happy with the development.

    Regretting the econonic situation in Nigeria, he begged the governor to pay the workers to enable them meet their personal and family obligations.

    He disclosed that the workers’ strength was about 45,000.

    George-Diepre said: “The Congress as usual is still on the struggle. Right now,  we are on the air, calling on the government to pay the unpaid salaries.

    “While we understand the economic situation in the country and how it also affects the states, we are still asking that the government should pay all the outstanding salaries of workers, particularly the pensioners and of course, the local government workers.

    There are also a lot of scams and ghost workers suspected in those areas, and the governor is saying he wants to do verification  and after that they will pay. But the Labour is saying that they should be paid because they have suffered for a long time.”

    But an official in the Governor’s office said Bayelsa State was not the only state that was owing salaries, saying that there are states owing between seven and eight months.

    The official,  who spoke in confidence said: “So, why is Bayelsa State so peculiar that journalists want to do a report on it.

    “The Federal Government is owing. You heard the Secretary to the Government of the Federation saying the FG is owing N6bn every month. Is that not scandalous for a nation like Nigeria? Is it no more newsworthy than workers resorting to begging? Check the fact, we are owing just three months.”

  • Regular exercise improves sleep, sex life, says Physiotherapist

    Dr Rufai Ahmad, Chairman, Education Committee, Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy, on Wednesday said regular exercise could improve sleep, sex life, reduce depression, anxiety and prevent diseases.
    Ahmad told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that 150 minutes of exercise in a week was necessary to stay healthy.

     

    According to him, exercise helps to manage body weight as it helps in burning calories and reduces body fat when done adequately.

     

    “Exercise will also reduce depression and anxiety, as it helps in the release of chemicals such as endorphin that helps with relaxation and makes the individual happy.

     

    “Regular exercise can help you to manage or prevent diseases and health problems like heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer and stroke.

     

    “It increases the amount of blood circulating throughout the body and improves coronary artery flexibility, preventing inadequate blood flow to the heart that causes heart attacks.

     

    “Short bursts of exercise in the morning or afternoon can help regulate sleep pattern; an increase in core body temperature that results from exercise increases slow wave sleep which enhances sleep quality.

     

    “Exercise improves sex life, because it causes the release of endorphins which stimulates the release of sex hormones; it gives a positive image for better sexual performance.

     

    “Sex itself is a physical activity and burns calories and increases fitness,’’ he said.

     

    Ahmad identified lack of time due to work, support, motivation and ignorance as some of the reasons why many people did not exercise regularly.

     

    According to him, such people will have the tendency to remain physically inactive and that can pose serious health risks.
    “People do not exercise due to the nature of their jobs or other responsibilities and also lack of support from family members and friends can make people not to exercise.
    “Some people have cultural beliefs that attribute exercise to signs of problems in their lives and so they do not attempt to exercise.

     

    “Other challenges deterring people from exercise are lack of safe neighbourhood to exercise, access to facilities for exercise and health conditions,’’ Ahmad said.

     

    He said that there was need to educate members of the public on the importance and benefits of exercise to health.

     

    The expert urged government at all levels to provide adequate recreational and sport facilities in different local governments to encourage more people to exercise.

     

    “The governments and heads of schools need to lay more emphasis on physical and health educations in both primary and secondary school curriculums.

     

    “The government need to construct roads in such a way that they will be safe for pedestrians and cyclists as obtained in developed countries.

     

    “Also, we need to encourage different workplaces to have exercise facilities for their employees,’’ Ahmad said.

  • We are ready to play any match -Akwa United Chairman

    We are ready to play any match -Akwa United Chairman

    Akwa United are no doubt the form team of the moment in the Nigerian ProfessionaI Football League (NPFL).

    They finished last season as the Federations Cup champions defeating Lobi Stars 2-1 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, they have replaced Coach Zakary Baraje with renowned Nigerian League coach Morris Cooreman and all seems to smooth sailing for the team.

    Smooth sailing indeed as they travelled away in the preliminary stage of the CAF Confederations Cup and got a 1-0 away win in Congo against Club Vita de Mokanda, a feat not common amongst teams in the country, they then followed it up with a 4-3 penalty Charity Cup win against league champions Enyimba, following a goalless encounter in regulation time.

    The NPFL is in full swing this weekend and club Chairman Mr Nse Ubeh, has laid emphasis on the road ahead for the team.

    In a chat with Footballlive.ng he said: ”I have told the boys to put the victory behind them. We have a team of 35 and we are ready to play, any match they bring we would succeed.”

    When further pressed on the depth and not just the size on the Akwa United team, he gave the statement, “Sure we would succeed”.

  • Konga board appoints Shagaya as chairman

    Konga board appoints Shagaya as chairman

    The Board of Directors of Konga Online Shopping Limited has announced the appointment of Sim Shagaya as its Chairman, effective immediately. Shagaya is the Founder & CEO of Konga Online Shopping Limited, the leading online retailer and marketplace in Nigeria. He is also the Founder and Executive Chairman of DealDey Limited.

    Shagaya has over 13 years’ experience in New Media and Investment Banking and has worked with leaders such as Micro Strategy, Lucent Technologies and Real Networks before he founded his first venture E-motion Advertising Limited; a leading out of home advertising company with assets in cities of Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt. He also served as the Africa lead for the search and internet advertising leader Google Inc. He is a graduate of George Washington University, Dartmouth College and holds an MBA from Harvard Business School.

    As the Board searches for a new CEO, Shola Adekoya will serve as interim CEO. He joined Konga as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in July 2013 and currently holds the position of Chief Operating Officer (COO). Shola holds an MBA from Cranfield University and is a fellow of the Association of Certified Chartered Accountant (ACCA). Adekoya holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Studies from London South Bank University.

    As chairman, Shagaya will bring on board an extensive managerial and entrepreneurial experience and this appointment will see him drive the long term vision and strategy of Nigeria’s largest online mall.

    Konga.com is Nigeria’s largest online mall. The company launched in July 2012 with a mission, ‘To Become the Engine of Commerce and Trade in Africa’. The company has recorded very rapid growth and in just three years, konga.com has built an operation that leads the market in customer satisfaction, merchandise shipped and innovation.

  • PDP chairman, 14 others defect to APC in Akwa Ibom

    PDP chairman, 14 others defect to APC in Akwa Ibom

    The rank and file of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)  top political  heavyweights in Akwa Ibom State was decimated at the weekend. Fifteen of the heavyweights led by the former Chairman, Mr Ita Toyo, who was also the Chairman of thePDP Chairmen, decamped from the Party and embraced the All Progressive Congress ( APC). The occasion was the prayer summit and reception organised by the APC and the supporters of Umana Okon Umana, the APC governorship candidate in the April 11,2015 general elections.

    The defectors include: Senator Aloysius Etuk, Hon. Eseme Eyibo ( former PDP House of Representatives member), Chief Ita Toyo former PDP State Chairman and former Chairman of of PDP Chairmen, Hon. Ita Udosen, Hon Okon Osung, Hon Mike Etim, Dr. Friday Etuk, former Chairmen of Okobo, Itu, Uyo, Ibesikpo/Asutan, Eket, Okobo Local government areas and others.

    The party members and supporters of the Obong Umana estimated at over a hundred thousand people, from 31 local government areas trooped out to give a resounding welcome to a man they referred to as ‘Governor’ and ‘symbol of freedom’.

    The prayer meeting was held by the party to give back to God all the glory for His manifold blessings upon the Nation, the State, the Party, victory won so far by APC in the State and generally for God’s benevolence on the Akwa Ibom people.

    The only Bible reading for the prayer summit, taken from the Book of Psalm chapter  62 verses 1 to 12, was taken by Obong Umana while the opening and closing hymns were: ‘Oh God our help in ages past and Through the love of God our Saviour’.

    At a short exhortation, Pastor  Daniel K. Ebong, noted that God had already completed what He had started by ensuring the governorship election of April 16, 2015 was completely cancelled. He likened Umana’s case to that of the Biblical Moses who was divinely guided until he was finally used by God to accomplish the task of delivering the people of Israel from the powers of Egypt. He said the battle for the deliverance of Akwa Ibom has been fought and that God was about completing His work of deliverance using Obong Umana as He did for Israel using Moses.

    Prayer sessions were  held led by eminent servants of God.

    Umana, who started his speech with a song of praise, said God has given the Akwa Ibom people victory at the election tribunal and the Appeal Court. He also called for prayers for victory at the Supreme Court and called on the people to prepare to vote APC at the incoming governorship re-run to produce a governor of their choice and no longer an imposition.

    “The victories at both the Tribunal and the Court of Appeal, respectively on October 21, 2015 and December 18, 2015, were not just for me as a person. They were victories for the people of Akwa Ibom State.

    ‘As a people and a state you have proven to be unconquerable; you have shown that no weapon or amount of money can break you spirit or bend your resolve. May God bless you all.

    “My special appreciation goes to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, for his able leadership that is stabilising the polity, and to the Judiciary for upholding the truth and confirming the verdict of international election monitors, including the US Government, the European Union and the African Union, all of who held unanimously in their reports last year that there were no elections in Akwa Ibom State.

    “I pay tribute to our great Party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), under the able leadership of His Excellency John Odigie-Oyegun, which has stood firm and unbowed through all the challenges of our political odyssey. I equally salute the courage of our numerous members who have braved all the odds and faced the bullets because they prefer freedom to slavery”, he said.

    Umana said the battle is between freedom and slavery, adding that  the  people have chosen freedom and we  walked away from slavery and rejected enslavement to godfatherism. He thanked the people for insisting on freedom to decide who their governor should be.

    The APC National Vice Chairman for Southsouth, Prince Hilliard Ettah, who received the new members on behalf of the National  Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun,  presented broom, the party’s symbol to them. He urged them to make use of the platform before them to bring about the change much needed in Akwa Ibom State.

    Senator Aloysius Etuk thanked the leadership of APC for making the platform available for the emancipation of the people.

    Chief Ita Toyo  said by their mass movement, the PDP in Akwa Ibom is now history, while APC has now become the official state party.

    Hon. Eseme Eyibo said ,”never again will the Akwa Ibom people allow their destiny to be taken for granted”.

    One of the G22 governorship aspirants, who were schemed out by the PDP, Barr. Asuquo Asuquo noted that since the State did not allow former governor Victor Attah to impose a successor on the people, Senator Akpabio will not be allowed to do same. He said Governor Udom will leave government house for the governor the people will chose for themselves in the governorship re-run.

    Senator Ita Enang, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters, said the year of jubilee has come for the people and their deliverance is assured.

  • Lagos Security: APC Diaspora calls for citizens participation

    Lagos Security: APC Diaspora calls for citizens participation

    The Chairman, National Coordinator of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Scandinavia Chapter, Mr. Ayoola Lawal has commended the governor of Lagos state, Akinwunmi Ambode for being a man of his words by making the security of life and property of the people of Lagos state a top priority of his administration and delivering on his campaign promises.

    According to Lawal in a statement, the recent generous gesture of donating security equipment and vehicles to the state police command and the Rapid Response Squad worth millions of dollars deserves a great commendation.

    “It is undoubted that Lagos state is now on par with modern cities in the developed world in terms of security equipment.

    “The equipment donated include three helicopters, two gun boats, 10 Toyota land cruiser pick-ups, 15 BMW power bikes,100 4-door salon cars, 55 Ford Ranger pick-ups, 100 power bikes, Isuzu trucks,15 armored personnel carriers, revolving lights, siren and public address system, vehicular radio communicators, security gadgets including helmets, handcuffs, bullet proof vests, uniforms, kits and improved insurance and death benefit schemes for officers.

    “This is a great development that Nigeria now has a state, which its security operations can be driven by equipment that can match the sophistication of crime in the contemporary time,” the Coordinator observed.

    He further noted that now that Lagos state is in par with modern cities in terms of equipment, it is imperative that the people of Lagos state support the government in the fight against insecurity by making use of the security lines and report any suspicious activities and people to the appropriate security authority.

    “No state can be investor-friendly without proper and adequate security but special thanks to Governor Akinwumi Ambode for making Lagos state a better haven for investors and tourist,” Lawal maintained.

  • Abia APC chairman buries mum

    The vicar in-charge of Saint Paul’s Anglican Church, Abayi Ariaria, Osisioma, Diocese of Aba, Ven. John U Amaraonye has charged Christians to live a godly life.

    Ven. Ahuruonye in a homily at the commendation service for late Madam Emily Nwangalasi Nwankpa (Bembe), mother of Abia APC chairman, Hon Donatus Nwankpa, titled “where will you spend your eternity” also enjoined politicians to use their riches to serve God and humanity, stressing that everyone must give account of his deeds on earth on the last day.

    Abia State governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, who came in the company of other state officials, described late Emily Nwankpa as a mother who lived an exemplary life worthy of emulation.

    Ikpeazu went ahead to charge the bereaved family to take consolation in the woman’s death at a very old age of 103 and to stop weeping.

     

     

  • Union Bank appoints chairman

    Union Bank appoints chairman

    Union Bank of Nigeria Plc (Union Bank) has appointed Cyril Odu as Chairman of the Board of Directors. His appointment followed the resignation of previous Chairman, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, who was recently appointed Minister of Budget and National Planning by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Odu joined the Board of Union Bank in 2012 following a $500 million investment in the Bank from Union Global Partners Limited, a private equity consortium.

    “The Board and Management of Union Bank thank Senator Udoma for his astute leadership and support over the past three years. Under Senator Udoma’s guidance, the Bank defined its strategic direction, outlined its transformation roadmap, and has made significant strides executing its priorities as is evident in our achievement of critical operational and financial milestones.

    We wish him success as he is called to serve our countryin a higher capacity and to assist the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari in the transformation of the Nigerian economy,” says Emeka Emuwa, Group Managing Director and CEO of Union Bank.

    Emuwa said as a non-executive Director since 2012, Odu has brought his extensive knowledge and experience to bear and has provided critical input and direction to support the lender’s transformation.  “His appointment brings continuity and ensures that the Bank will continue to execute its defined strategic initiatives over the next few years.”

  • UACN appoints new chairman, director

    UACN appoints new chairman, director

    UAC of Nigeria (UACN) Plc at the weekend announced the appointments of Mr Dan Agbor as the new chairman of the board of directors of the conglomerate and Engineer Okechukwu Mbonu as a non – executive director.

    The two appointments followed the resignation of the former chairman, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma and a non-executive director, Dr Okechukwu Enelamah, who were both recently appointed Ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    Agbor, 55, is the managing partner of one of the leading commercial law firms in the country – Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie. A seasoned lawyer, Agbor, who joined the firm in September 1990 until date, has had a distinguished practice in areas covering banking, mergers and acquisitions, private equity, finance, tax, and the laws relating to foreign investment.

    A former company secretary/legal adviser of Gulf Bank of Nigeria Limited, he worked variously at the corporate finance and legal departments of Citibank and as a Solicitor in the firm of Ajumogobia, Okeke & Oyebode, a Lagos-based firm of legal practitioners engaged in the general commercial practice of law.

    Agbor currently serves on the board of FSDH Securities Limited, FSDH Merchant Bank Limited; Pensions Alliance Limited and Swift Network Services Limited.

    Mbonu is a registered engineer, a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (FNSE), a Fellow of the Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers and a Fellow of the Sierra Leone Institute of Engineers. He is a Founding Partner of Execution Edge Limited, a company noted for the provision of management advisory services to medium and large scale business enterprises.

    Mbonu worked with Shell Petroleum Development Company Limited, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Heineken International and PricewaterhouseCoopers. While at Nigerian Breweries, he was appointed the Human Resource Director in 1999 and the Customer Service Director in 2001.

    In March 2005, he was posted to Heineken International and then to Sierra Leone Brewery Limited, Freetown as the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the company.

    Mbonu attended Mayflower School, Ikenne where he obtained his West African School Certificate (WASC) with seven alpha distinctions and was awarded a Shell-BP Overseas scholarship to study Mechanical Engineering at the University of Manchester, UK, where he graduated in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree, with first class honours and four academic prizes.

    In 1978, on completion of his National Youth Service with Shell-BP, he was awarded the prestigious Manchester University Noel Philip Bedson Research Scholarship which in 1982 led to the award of a Ph.D. degree in Mechanical Engineering from Manchester University, UK.

    As part of his career development, Mbonu attended several local and international learning events including courses at Insead France; London School of Economics, UK; Stanford USA; Wharton School USA; IMD Switzerland and Heineken University, The Netherlands.

  • UACN appoints new chairman, director

    •Agbor
    •Agbor

    UAC of Nigeria (UACN) Plc at the weekend announced the appointments of Mr Dan Agbor as the new chairman of the board of directors of the conglomerate and Engineer Okechukwu Mbonu as a non – executive director.

    The two appointments followed the resignation of the former chairman, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma and a non-executive director, Dr Okechukwu Enelamah, who were both recently appointed Ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    Agbor, 55, is the managing partner of one of the leading commercial law firms in the country – Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie. A seasoned lawyer, Agbor, who joined the firm in September 1990 until date, has had a distinguished practice in areas covering banking, mergers and acquisitions, private equity, finance, tax, and the laws relating to foreign investment.

    A former company secretary/legal adviser of Gulf Bank of Nigeria Limited, he worked variously at the corporate finance and legal departments of Citibank and as a Solicitor in the firm of Ajumogobia, Okeke & Oyebode, a Lagos-based firm of legal practitioners engaged in the general commercial practice of law.

    Agbor currently serves on the board of FSDH Securities Limited, FSDH Merchant Bank Limited; Pensions Alliance Limited and Swift Network Services Limited.

    Mbonu is a registered engineer, a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (FNSE), a Fellow of the Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers and a Fellow of the Sierra Leone Institute of Engineers. He is a Founding Partner of Execution Edge Limited, a company noted for the provision of management advisory services to medium and large scale business enterprises.

    Mbonu worked with Shell Petroleum Development Company Limited, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Heineken International and PricewaterhouseCoopers. While at Nigerian Breweries, he was appointed the Human Resource Director in 1999 and the Customer Service Director in 2001.

    •Enalamah
    •Enalamah

    In March 2005, he was posted to Heineken International and then to Sierra Leone Brewery Limited, Freetown as the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the company.

    Mbonu attended Mayflower School, Ikenne where he obtained his West African School Certificate (WASC) with seven alpha distinctions and was awarded a Shell-BP Overseas scholarship to study Mechanical Engineering at the University of Manchester, UK, where he graduated in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree, with first class honours and four academic prizes.

    In 1978, on completion of his National Youth Service with Shell-BP, he was awarded the prestigious Manchester University Noel Philip Bedson Research Scholarship which in 1982 led to the award of a Ph.D. degree in Mechanical Engineering from Manchester University, UK.

    As part of his career development, Mbonu attended several local and international learning events including courses at Insead France; London School of Economics, UK; Stanford USA; Wharton School USA; IMD Switzerland and Heineken University, The Netherlands.