The Nation Newspaper

Tag: challenges

  • A sector’s many challenges

    A sector’s many challenges

    Maritime is supposed to be the country’s second major revenue earner, but it is not deriving much from the sector, ROTIMI BOLUWAJI writes.

    Developments, of late, in maritime appear to have reversed the popular adage that when the elephants fight the grass suffers, the Federal Government which is the elephant because it is supposed to call the shots in the sector and also reap the benefits therein courtesy of rules, regulations and supervision is the one losing out in terms of realisable revenue.

    Since April 2015, the unhealthy competitions among players in the industry, especially, terminal operators who handle maritime cargo have reached a feverish pitch following the pronouncement of former President Goodluck Jonathan which insists that vessels carrying oil and gas cargo discharge in designated ports or terminals.

    Soon after this circular was issued by the Nigerian Ports Authority, some private jetty operators, registered customs agents amongst others went to town with stories which insinuated that the policy was meant to favour a certain company. They never saw the merits of the directive in terms of revenue generation to the national purse.

    Over the years, efforts by the NPA to explain why vessels carrying oil and gas cargo should berth and discharge at agreed terminals have fallen on deaf ears.

    Shippers have seized the opportunity of the ensuing confusion and the impunity with which some terminal operators circumvent the rules and regulation guiding their operations to discharge cargo at the wrong terminals because it is cheaper, thereby robbing the government of the hundreds of millions of dollars that should have gone into its coffers.

    The impunity with which some terminal operators abuse government regulations was well captured in a story published on October 22, 2015 by the Nigerian Tribune. In the story, Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) was so bitter and had to raise the alarm over the illegal and unregulated discharge procedure of vessels that berth in Nigeria waters.

    In the Nigerian Tribune story, MWUN complained that the rising cases of unmonitored vessel discharge at Nigerian ports poses security dangers to the nation.

    As a testimony that even dockworkers have not been spared in the regime of impunity by the unscrupulous terminal operators, MWUN President General Tony Emmanuel said, “the law of this country is clear on who should discharge a vessel when it berthed at the ports. Can you imagine that when Industrial Chef (a vessel) called at a private terminal, its contents and all the cargo on board were discharged from the vessel by the crew of the ship? To make matters worse the crew of the vessel were mostly foreigners.

    “It’s an Act of parliament. It is statutory. It is the law of the Federal Government that said nobody other than a registered dockworker is allowed to work inside the port terminals, jetties and even in the bonded terminals. But today, many of the operators are violating these laws,” he said.

    MWAN President said that “after we protested, the operator agreed to pay our dockworkers their rightful due but the deed has been done. The vessel has been discharged. As I am talking to you, the same scenario is about repeating itself at Bonny Midstream”.

    In the same vein a group, ”Nigerians United Against Theft in the Maritime Sector,” has called on the Federal Government to stop what it called the on-going huge revenue loss incurred due to illegal and inappropriate discharge of cargo in Nigeria’s territorial waters.

    Chairman of the group, Dr. Jonas Bankole said at a meeting of the organisation in Abuja recently that hundreds of millions of dollars have been lost in recent weeks following the impunity with which some terminal operators engaged in the practice.

    He observed that a situation where operators of private jetties allow certain categories of ocean going vessels to discharge at their terminals is unacceptable and should be stopped henceforth in line with the new administration’s commitment to blocking leakages.

    Perhaps, the organisation worst hit by the agitations which have caused loss of revenue to government is Integrated Logistics Services (Intels). The bashing of the company for being a pioneer key player in the industry and a major revenue generator for the government has been disturbing.

    This calls for urgent intervention by the government to prevent the company from companies/competitors that have adopted the mafia style to run out of business. In the industry today, Intels remains the goose that lays the golden egg. Allowing it to die or to suffer the kind of distraction it is currently going through is to say the least, a manifestation of a deliberate desire of a few Nigerians to stunt the nation’s growth.

    From April till date campaigns against Intels have ranged from several suits in court over concession, blackmail that the company is enjoying the status of a monopoly, allegations that charges for its services are high coupled with accusations that it illegally collects dollars for its charges against the ‘non-dollarisation’ of the nation’s economy. There have also been rumours that importers/shippers have abandoned the terminals operated by the company.

    The company’s efforts to convince the government that it is all compaigns of calumny have received little attention.

    With further continuous delay, government will keep losing millions of dollars daily as illegal discharge of cargo continues unabated.

    If what the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo said a few weeks ago when he received a delegation from the Federal Ministry of Transport is anything to go by, then the government is beginning to realise the dangers inherent in the activities of some players in the maritime sector.

    Osinbajo said: “I think that we have an opportunity to do something that will radically transform all of the things we do especially revenues from cargoes coming into the country”.

    He said opportunity exists for the government to increase its revenue generation in the maritime industry and that there were plans in the works to ensure that it happens. The earlier this happens, the better.

    All said and done, the situation will get worse if the government continues to condone the rot in the sector.

     

    • Boluwaji writes from Abuja.

  • Labour productivity high despite challenges

    Despite the high unemployment rate prevailing and productivity challenges, the  labour productivity increased from N669.57 million in the first quarter to N730.8 million in the second quarter of this fiscal year.

    National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), which made this known in its 2015 Labour Force Surveys, also noted that the nominal Gross Domestic Product (GDP), rises year-in, year-out by 5.17 per cent..

    According to the survey, although, economic growth has been high and stable in recent years, however the constraints on productivity of labour and other factor inputs continues to put a drag on overall economic growth.

    Specifically, labour productivity refers to the quantity of labour input required to produce a unit of output.

    This is often the case, even though it is recognised that labour is not the only input utilised in the production process.

    Among key measures of the well-being of an economy is the level and growth of economic output, commonly known as the GDP. High labour productivity could be an important signal of the improvement in real incomes (wages of labour).

    It is recognised that labour productivity is not necessarily an indicator of the effort of each worker, but it still provides a useful measure of the rewards to labour as a factor in the production process.

  • Fowler: Challenges of increasing tax revenue

    Fowler: Challenges of increasing tax revenue

    Barely one month ago when his appointment as acting Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) was announced, not a few Nigerians who should know applauded the appointment. He had a rich background and antecedents in government revenue matters to flaunt. Mr. Babatunde Fowler, the legendary chairman of Lagos Inland Revenue Service (LIRS), thus assumed leadership of the FIRS almost immediately, pledging to work with state revenue agencies and relevant stakeholders to shore up tax revenue and improve on the country’s tax administration.

    While taking over the mantle of office from his predecessor,  Sunday Ogungbesan, on August 21,  Fowler told the staff of the service that the FIRS should be able to take the lead in tax revenue collection as well as share information and ideas with the states’ Boards of Internal Revenue to improve tax administration in the country. True to his character, he did not mince words when he assured of a new era at FIRS which would be predicated on the resolve of the presidency to ensure maximum increase in tax revenue to end the country’s absolute dependency on oil proceeds.

    Hear him: “My vision and mission is neither to alter the existing management organogram structure in FIRS nor lay off management staff from their duty posts, but to take FIRS as well as the nation’s tax system to an enviable height. This we cannot achieve all alone without a robust partnership and collaboration of all stakeholders within and outside the system. We must build a synergy for a healthy exchange of information between FIRS and SBIR.

    “This synergy will produce the best form of revenue generation in the FIRS and the states in general as well as ensuring that over dependency on oil revenue becomes a thing of the past.”

    Use of consultants for tax collection

    Against the backdrop of unending insinuations that the acting chairman would introduce consultants to help him in tax assessment and collection in the FIRS, Fowler debunked it all. The use of tax consultants to collect taxes, a practice that is prevalent among state governments, has been criticised as illegal and open to corruption between the consultants and state governors.

    At a meeting of the Joint Tax Board (JTB) in Abuja recently, Fowler said that the staff strength of the FIRS was not enough to undertake all that would be required in tax administration and as such, consultants would be engaged but their duties would be exclusive of tax assessment and collection.

    His words: “You can imagine a staff roster that can audit the books of well over 400, 000 corporate organisations.  It won’t work. Therefore to increase the level of transparency and accountability, we would engage consultants.  But these consultants will only gather data.  The law does not allow them to undertake assessment. The law does not allow them to collect revenue on behalf of government.

    “Consequently, they will collect data; they are to assist our staff.  We will do the assessment and issue the Demand Notice for the tax to be paid”.

    Compliance level

    On his view of the level of tax payers compliance, the chairman regrets that slightly over 30 per cent companies and other businesses pay tax in the country.  A situation, he said; must change.

    According to him, “there are about 450, 000 corporate organisations with only one out of every three paying tax. Based on our objectives, we want to have at least 99.9 percentage success level of compliance. Meaning that every individual at the state level and every corporate organisation at the federal level is in the tax net and pays the appropriate type of tax.

    “We have exchanged information with all states’ Internal Revenue Boards. We have all the information on the database.  We have given them out already and in case they need further information that they currently don’t have on their database, we will always collaborate with them.  With this development, we should have a growth in tax payers both at the state and federal levels within one week.”

    Fowler warned that organisations that evade taxes would be made to face the law in a civil suit in order to collect outstanding arrears and Chief Executive Officers of such organisations could face criminal charges.

    The meeting, according to Fowler, was to enable the JTB fashion out a roadmap to provide a workable tool for both the FIRS and the Internal Revenue Boards of the states with a view to raising the level of tax revenue in the country.

    Experts in the sector have been quick to align with the acting chairman on this note, positing that there are many stones left unturned as far as the country’s current tax administration processes are concerned.

    For example, they argue that it is common knowledge that the administration of the Value Added Tax (VAT) is greatly hindered by many factors, ranging from inadequate coverage of ‘VATable’ persons to non-remittances of VAT deductions. Tax revenue loss in this aspect can only be imagined.

    Fowler has so far been quick to respond to this obvious gap in revenue generation when he stated at a forum recently too, saying: “I have also identified the fact that there is deficiency on our part as tax administrators in terms of collaboration and cooperation in the areas of exchange of information for tax purposes.”

    He said that the FIRS and the state boards would have to work with greater synergy in the areas of conducting joint audit exercises by FIRS and SBIRs; carrying out joint tax enlightenment and enforcement exercises; sharing and exchanging of information concerning unremitted taxes identified by either side; embarking on joint training programmes and workshop; reviewing and amending tax laws and legislations from time to time.

    FIRS-Kogi State collaboration

    The acting FIRS chairman has no doubt sold his vision across the board for urgent implementation. Days ago, he caused a representative to spread the message of his war against tax evasion to Kogi State.

    At that event, the FIRS called for a unique collaboration with the state’s Inland Revenue Service against current and potential tax evaders. Disclosing that a new technology designed to checkmate such tax dodgers as being currently employed in the avaition and power sectors would be deployed to other sectors very soon, the FIRS under Fowler gave the five areas of envisaged collaboration with the states as follow:

    • Joint tax auditing
    • Information gathering and sharing
    • Joint training
    • Education and sensitisation and
    • Tax law review.

    Who’s Fowler?

    He was the Chief Executive Officer/Executive Chairman of the Lagos State Board of Internal Revenue from 2005 to 2014.

    He had his higher education in the United States where he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Wisconsin and a Masters of Business Administration degree from the California State University.

    Before joining the service of the Lagos State Government, Dr. Fowler worked in the banking sector for about 20 years with long stints at Credit Lyonnais Nigeria Limited and Chartered Bank.

    Under his leadership, the Lagos State Board of Internal Revenue reportedly achieved a sharp increase in internally generated revenue from an average of N3.6. billion per month in January 2006, to an average of about N20.5 billion per month in 2013.

    Fowler, who holds an Honorary Doctorate Degree of the Irish International University, is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria and the Business Management Association of the United Kingdom.

    With his coming to the FIRS, expectations are high that Fowler, who got the tax revenue generation right in Lagos, would in no time replicate his success in his current beat. Opinions too suggest that the Senate would in all wisdom confirm his appointment to enable him deliver with every authority of his office. Of note is the fact that the FIRS has not had a substantive chairman since the departure of Ifueko Omogui-Okauru in 2012.

     

    • Adegoke is an Abuja-based media consultant

  • How to deal with challenges of puberty

    The result is that the new young woman sees herself in  the same way that the young man sees himself as “grown up”. They tend to want to plan. All forms of known diseases (genetics, infection, chemical) must be eliminated and or prevented from interfering with the conception and pregnancy. The dangerous canal of birth and process of birth must be well guarded and secured to prevent any injuries to the child at birth. After birth, the child should be well defended, nourished, protected, guided, and instructed as may be appropriate for the age and should be schooled in knowledge and wisdom including the power of words, before puberty sets in from age of 10, on the average. If this foundation is not well laid in the child, the subsequent personality may suffer:  The child may not behave well.

    The Age of Rebellion and Mistakes: 11-18

    The surge in energy during puberty years needs to be properly channelled. Unknown to these young individuals that they are very vulnerable; they often proceed to take actions that are really dangerous to their health. The reasons for this are: 1)  There is less interaction with parents and guardians 2) They are now stepping out of family home/influence and are mixing with their peers outside. 3) They are likely to listen to their peers /school mates and thus ignore the instructions of parents 4)      They are more likely to experiment with their body and experiment with substances. 5) They are more likely to be lazy, want to be lazy but in need of or request for money they refused to work for. 6) They take more irrational risks than mature adults. 7)      They are full of energy.  8) They are more likely to be sexually and economically exploited.   Common Mistakes in Adolescent Years 1)      Substances Misuse:  In both boys and girls, substances (cannabis, cocaine, alcohol, heroin, cigarette and so forth) may be introduced to them by friends, school mates or rarely by family members at about the crucial age of 13 years or less!  Mental health problems (Psychosis, depression) may occur and schools may also suffer. The future is therefore in jeopardy.  The solution is to say “no” and to receive proper instruction from well meaning persons (good parents, religious entities, good schools, counsellors and so forth).  Children should avoid mind-bending substances at all cost. Substances interfere with workings of the mind. Substances could fuel anger, fuel violence and rape.  It is crucial to hang out with or be friends of good people who would obey the law. 2)      Pregnancy and early parenthood. By experimentation, early sex, peer pressure, unguarded access to TV and internet, lack of knowledge about how the body works and purpose of the puberty and reproduction may lead the girls to early pregnancy and parenthood. Early pregnancy and parenthood could mean an end to ones career or it may delay career for a long time resulting in financial hardship and unhappiness as well as abuse of the new born.

    Solution: The solution is to say “no” to pressure to have sex and to receive proper instruction from well meaning persons (good parents, religious establishments, good schools, and counsellors). This will also prevent rape incidents seen among the teens.

    3)      Poor nutrition: Distorted media images of “thin is good” may feed into the psyche of the young persons or for other reasons; they may not eat on balanced diets nor eat enough. This failure could impair the future reproduction and economic productive activities. Good and balanced meals are necessary for healthy living.

    Solution: The solution is to say “no” to media pull or pressure and to receive and follow proper instruction from well meaning persons (good parents, churches, good schools, counsellors etc).

    4)      Wrong career: A wrong step here could mean a lot in future. The young person should choose what he or she wants to do under proper guidance of parents, schools and career advisers.

    5)      General rebellion (with or without substance misuse, criminal damage to properties, harming others) is sure to land the youngster on the wrong side of the law. This could end the person’s future career. If he or she is sent to prison for offences committed, he or she or he/she could become worse in prison and miss the life’s purpose completely. There is no pleading of mistake in law.

    Solution: The solution is to receive and obey proper instruction from well meaning persons.  Say “no” to pressure. Hang out with good friends that obey the law. Work hard. Stay away from trouble.

    6)  Gender identity crisis. There are some who may be male genetically but appear as female when they were born.  This is due to failure of their hormones to cause them to develop properly. Such individuals are actually male. They may have been raised as a female and are thus seen as female even though they are male. Also, there are some who are female but when they were born may have appeared as male if the hormones had caused them to develop as male.  They may have been raised as a male even though they are female. How individuals such as these should be raised should be discussed within the family and doctors as soon as possible to avoid confusion later in life.

    7) Sexual orientation: This writer holds the view that social and peer influence has a strong impact on sexual orientation. Other influences on sexual orientation are: how the person was raised {see (6)} above. Other reasons are attempts to be rebellious against the society and religious rules, attempt to be or a claim to be biologically or socially different.  Lack of social ability skills and confidence to approach opposite gender may lead the individual to align, out of convenience, with his own gender—sexually.  Enticed with money and some other rewards, the teens are very vulnerable to manipulation by the adults and abusers and this manipulation and abuse may be responsible for tangential sexual orientation. The solution is to receive wise and proper guidance (from good parents, good religious organizations, good schools, good mentors and good counsellors or friends).

    Teenage years are vulnerable and perilous times.

  • How to deal with challenges of puberty

    The result is that the new young woman sees herself in  the same way that the young man sees himself as “grown up”. They tend to want to plan. All forms of known diseases (genetics, infection, chemical) must be eliminated and or prevented from interfering with the conception and pregnancy. The dangerous canal of birth and process of birth must be well guarded and secured to prevent any injuries to the child at birth. After birth, the child should be well defended, nourished, protected, guided, and instructed as may be appropriate for the age and should be schooled in knowledge and wisdom including the power of words, before puberty sets in from age of 10, on the average. If this foundation is not well laid in the child, the subsequent personality may suffer:  The child may not behave well.

    The Age of Rebellion and Mistakes: 11-18

    The surge in energy during puberty years needs to be properly channelled. Unknown to these young individuals that they are very vulnerable; they often proceed to take actions that are really dangerous to their health. The reasons for this are: 1)  There is less interaction with parents and guardians 2) They are now stepping out of family home/influence and are mixing with their peers outside. 3) They are likely to listen to their peers /school mates and thus ignore the instructions of parents 4)      They are more likely to experiment with their body and experiment with substances. 5) They are more likely to be lazy, want to be lazy but in need of or request for money they refused to work for. 6) They take more irrational risks than mature adults. 7)      They are full of energy.  8) They are more likely to be sexually and economically exploited.   Common Mistakes in Adolescent Years 1)      Substances Misuse:  In both boys and girls, substances (cannabis, cocaine, alcohol, heroin, cigarette and so forth) may be introduced to them by friends, school mates or rarely by family members at about the crucial age of 13 years or less!  Mental health problems (Psychosis, depression) may occur and schools may also suffer. The future is therefore in jeopardy.  The solution is to say “no” and to receive proper instruction from well meaning persons (good parents, religious entities, good schools, counsellors and so forth).  Children should avoid mind-bending substances at all cost. Substances interfere with workings of the mind. Substances could fuel anger, fuel violence and rape.  It is crucial to hang out with or be friends of good people who would obey the law. 2)      Pregnancy and early parenthood. By experimentation, early sex, peer pressure, unguarded access to TV and internet, lack of knowledge about how the body works and purpose of the puberty and reproduction may lead the girls to early pregnancy and parenthood. Early pregnancy and parenthood could mean an end to ones career or it may delay career for a long time resulting in financial hardship and unhappiness as well as abuse of the new born.

    Solution: The solution is to say “no” to pressure to have sex and to receive proper instruction from well meaning persons (good parents, religious establishments, good schools, and counsellors). This will also prevent rape incidents seen among the teens.

    3)      Poor nutrition: Distorted media images of “thin is good” may feed into the psyche of the young persons or for other reasons; they may not eat on balanced diets nor eat enough. This failure could impair the future reproduction and economic productive activities. Good and balanced meals are necessary for healthy living.

    Solution: The solution is to say “no” to media pull or pressure and to receive and follow proper instruction from well meaning persons (good parents, churches, good schools, counsellors etc).

    4)      Wrong career: A wrong step here could mean a lot in future. The young person should choose what he or she wants to do under proper guidance of parents, schools and career advisers.

    5)      General rebellion (with or without substance misuse, criminal damage to properties, harming others) is sure to land the youngster on the wrong side of the law. This could end the person’s future career. If he or she is sent to prison for offences committed, he or she or he/she could become worse in prison and miss the life’s purpose completely. There is no pleading of mistake in law.

    Solution: The solution is to receive and obey proper instruction from well meaning persons.  Say “no” to pressure. Hang out with good friends that obey the law. Work hard. Stay away from trouble.

    6)  Gender identity crisis. There are some who may be male genetically but appear as female when they were born.  This is due to failure of their hormones to cause them to develop properly. Such individuals are actually male. They may have been raised as a female and are thus seen as female even though they are male. Also, there are some who are female but when they were born may have appeared as male if the hormones had caused them to develop as male.  They may have been raised as a male even though they are female. How individuals such as these should be raised should be discussed within the family and doctors as soon as possible to avoid confusion later in life.

    7) Sexual orientation: This writer holds the view that social and peer influence has a strong impact on sexual orientation. Other influences on sexual orientation are: how the person was raised {see (6)} above. Other reasons are attempts to be rebellious against the society and religious rules, attempt to be or a claim to be biologically or socially different.  Lack of social ability skills and confidence to approach opposite gender may lead the individual to align, out of convenience, with his own gender—sexually.  Enticed with money and some other rewards, the teens are very vulnerable to manipulation by the adults and abusers and this manipulation and abuse may be responsible for tangential sexual orientation. The solution is to receive wise and proper guidance (from good parents, good religious organizations, good schools, good mentors and good counsellors or friends).

    Teenage years are vulnerable and perilous times.

  • Legal challenges of outdoor advertising

    Legal challenges of outdoor advertising

    It is indeed with excitement that I take advantage of this privilege to share with you certain issues that are of serious concern to members of the Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria, (OAAN).We really cherish this opportunity as it will enable us share some of the burden of our practice in our industry with this gathering with the expectation that this platform would be able to proffer solutions to some of the issues.

     

    Outdoor Advertising

    Association of Nigeria

     

    Brief introduction

    The Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria is a body of all firms that have been duly licensed to engage in the practice of Outdoor Advertising (or out-of- Home Media – asit is popularly known) by the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON). APCON as you all know is a creation of law, as it was established by Act No. 55 of 1988, as amended by Act No. 93 of 1992 and Act No. 116 of 1993 and is charged with the primary responsibilities of:

    • • Determining who are qualified advertising practitioners;
    • Setting the standard of knowledge and skills required of such practitioners;
    • Compiling, maintaining, and keeping the register of practitioners;
    • Regulating and controlling the practice of advertising in Nigeria;
    • Conducting qualifying examinations in the profession;
    • • Performing all such other functions as are incidental or conducive to the aboveresponsibilities or any of them.

    Where these responsibilities affect the practice of outdoor advertising, the Council has vested such powers in the Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN).

    Thus OAAN has been duly recognised in law to regulate and control the practice of Outdoor Advertising in Nigeria.It is therefore reasonable to conclude that the Outdoor Advertising Media industry is an important sub-sector of the economy as it is a major employer; and the members pay substantial part of their income as taxes to all the tiers of government. It is also reasonable to conclude that this very important sector of our economy should be given all the necessary assistance and encouragement to flourish.The reality however is that operators,especially members of my Association, are groaning under the burden of practice, most of which are unnecessary yokes placed on us by the powers that be.

    It is a well-known fact that the place of outdoor advertising to the success of all forms of marketing communications efforts cannot beover emphasised. As a matter of fact, its influence has continued to be on the increase.This is largely because of the dynamic nature of the platform .It is one that can always easily adapt to prevailing trends. It has consistently been influenced by and has benefited tremendously from prevailing technological advancements. Furthermore, outdoor advertising has also helped to light up and beautify our environment.It makes the skyline of our cities more beautiful.

    Above all, outdoor advertising is the most viewer- friendly platform when compared with other media platforms.It is the only platform from which the viewers get valuable information at no cost to them.

    As a group of highly responsible professionals, our association is committed to the highest ethical standards. We are also committed to making the practicebetter and to accommodate the desires and expectations of the advertisers to the extent that we continue to help  in the actualization of their visual communications objectives – there by further elevating their high level exposure in the market place. We are also committed to making our environment a great beneficiary of the beauty of outdoor advertising.

    There are within this gathering ladies and gentlemen that can attest to it that we are investing more than ever before in the business, and in the environment.

     

    Some of the challenges

     

    I am mindful of the fact that this opportunity you have given me may not allow me to present and discuss all the nagging issues in details, I crave your indulgence, however, to present and briefly discuss some of them here.

    Prominent among the industry’s headache arethe twin yokes of unrestricted government regulations and multiple taxations. Lack of appropriate and inadequate infrastructure (electricity) and influx of illegal operators are also issues that are of serious concern to us and a potential threat to the survival of the sector.

    There is also the issue of huge indebtedness, especially by the clients.Permit me distinguish ladies and gentlemen to briefly discuss some of this issues.

     

    Unrestricted govt regulation

     

    It is a common knowledge that a section of the laws of the land recognises the local government for the purposes of controlling and deriving revenue from Outdoor Advertising, by way of permit fees. Lately, however, a number of states have hijacked such powers from the local governments and have now warehoused, so to speak, the powers in a new creation (perhaps not known to the laws of the land) called Signage and Advertisement Agencies. In the Federal Capital Territory, it is known as the Department of Outdoor Advertisement and Signage, DOAS.

    And there is the issue of federal highwayshere both the respective states and the Department of Federal Highways have separate controls that the Outdoor operators have to cope with. There is so much Confusion; so much headache.

     

    Multiple Taxation

     

    Closely related to the issue of multi – level regulation is that of multiple taxation. Each level of government now arbitrarily fixes rates on the basis of which are largely – unknown. As it is, most states have identified Outdoor Advertising as a surer source of revenue after oil and gas.The effect of this on our business is that it has grossly discouraged our clients, who ultimately pick the bills from patronising us. Unfortunately they have other alternatives that they go to, to the detriment of our sector. The multipliers effect is the loss of business to us; the loss of employment to our staff; and the loss of lives in some cases.

     

    Lack of Appropriate

    infrastructure

     

    The dynamic nature of our media platform demands the availability of the relevant infrastructure, especially unhindered supply of power. It is a well-known fact even at this gathering that this has not been the experience in a long while now. Thus, it has become fashionable for operators to invest in alternative sources of energy.This has also added to the cost of doing the business.

     

    Influx of Illegal operators

     

    The relevant laws, especially the APCON Acts, forbid anyone who has not been approved and licensed by that body to practice advertising in any aspect for gain in the country. And for a firm to practice Outdoor Advertising, it must have been duly registered as a member of OAAN, or must have obtained the APCON’s license to practice without being a member of the Association. The experience however is that a number of individuals and firms are operating in the industry and they are neither legally registered by APCON to do so; nor are they registered with OAAN.

    This has been made possible by the Signage and Advertisement Agencies who allows anyone with the financial means to practice in their states, even when such violates the laws of the land.

     

    We need your help

     

    The list of our challenges is endless. But we, sincerely, believe the problems are not insurmountable. And that is why we are delighted at this opportunity to make this presentation. Our expectation is that you will help with the interpretation of the relevant laws and, beyond that, assist us in communicating it to the right places that the laws must be obeyed and respected and that illegal structures created by government (aka Signage Agencies ) should be dismantled anddouble taxation stopped forthwith. We do, honestly, think that the signage and advertisement agencies are an aberration, and unknown to the laws of the land. They are illegal structures that must be dismantled. But we need you to help us in this regards.

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • How to deal with challenges of puberty

    Later, from 14-16 years upward, the voice may break and the “Adam Apple” becomes more prominent. At this stage, the boy is virtually ready hormonally (but not mentally nor physically until about 18-20), for one of the tasks before him: reproduction! If he is unguided, he is at great risk indeed, from sexual abuse and early fatherhood.

    Perplexed as to what is happening to him, the teenager asks questions or refrain from asking questions but may attempt to experiment or succumb to peers pressure. If his questions are not honestly answered and in a friendly manner or he takes the advice of his peers or experiments, he may begin to follow the wrong path in life!

    In all, dismayed as to the rapid change in him, the young man resents events around him, becomes angry and rebellious. He needs counselling at this stage.

    Age of 14 – 18(Both Sexes). In general terms, no major changes occur here except that, the young woman and the now young man builds upon what they did until up to age of 14 years. Also, the body adjusts to these spectacular and rapid changes. In girls, the breast grows bigger, the menstruation regularises and the rapid growth slows down towards a permanent position. The ovaries become more active and ovulation synchronises with menstrual period.  Ovulation which is the release of egg from the ovaries in readiness for meeting the sperm from the male, is released 14 days or so from the start of the period. So, in 28 day cycle, the ovulation will take place about 14th day. This is the time that pregnancy is most likely to occur, though pregnancy occurrence can vary by 3-4 days before or after the ovulation. It is very rare that ovulation and menstrual period should occur at the same time though this is not impossible.

    In the young man, growth is still continuing at a rapid phase until about age 18 years when it stabilises. Night emission of sperms may now be more frequent. Early morning penis erection becomes a common event. He becomes “sensitive” and attracted to female pictures and other sexual appearances.

    In both sexes, there is increased awareness of the changes and transformation that has taken place in them, with the result that each now creates an identity to align their world views with mother/female or father/male and respective genders in larger society in line with their own identity. On the other hand, each of the boy or girl wants to be seen in association with the opposite gender of their age.

    All these changes that have taken place from 10 /11 years to 18 years is called puberty.

    Biological Implications of Puberty The main reason for the changes that occurs in puberty is simply for Productivity.  (a) These changes in boys and girls occur so that each individual can be ready for reproduction: that is be prepared to bear another person similar to the bearer (parent).  (b) The purpose of the changes is also to make each person, attractive and pleasant to the opposite gender so much that one would like to be in the presence of the opposite sex. The “icing on the cake” for this companionship is of course, sexual intercourse with sole aim of reproducing another person. This is biological productivity (c) Defence: The growth in all areas of the human body at puberty, the energy that came with the growth, the accompanying power of puberty, the increase in muscles (mainly in the male) and fat around the body (mainly in the female), the increase in mental capacity and capability are all meant to help in the defence against external attack. The aim of this defence is to

    secure the individuals and the couple and any children that the new couple may now have.  Thus, the new man (father), the new adult female (mother) and the new offspring of the man and his wife is called a family.

    Economic Implications of Puberty: Productivity. The individuals in ages of puberty and coming up to 20 years are immature yet they are very energetic. The growth in all areas, the energy, the accompanying power, the increase in muscles (mainly in the male) and fat around the body (mainly in the female), the increase in mental capacity and capability are meant to help them to be engage in economic productivity. The aim is to provide for the individuals and also for any children that the couple may have (family).  When one family joins with another and another and another, then a society is formed.

    The Legal Implications of Puberty While different countries will have different laws, in general, a child is by World Health Organisation definition is someone who is under 18 years. So, ideally, those that are under 18 are under the protection of their parents or guardian. The implication is that a child may not cause harm and thus escape legal punishment. That used to be the law, at least in Britain. How things have changed. We now know that 10-year-olds can kill, how much more 17 and 18 years old! Therefore, in Britain, the age of legal criminal responsibility is 10 years! The society and the law expect 10-year-old not to commit crimes. If they do, they would be charged and could have criminal records or go to juvenile prison.

    Also, by law children are not allowed to be employed. The exception to this is if the law permits such employment under certain conditions, otherwise, it would amount to child abuse.

    We do know that child labour is a form of abuse.

    Similarly, the law expects individuals to be responsible for their actions. No mistakes. If a child gets a girl pregnant, even the without intention to do so, he now becomes a father. The law does not respect or accept mistakes. If you miscalculated, you will be held responsible.

    So, on the other hands, someone who is a child can not undertake certain responsibilities such as entering into a contract, standing as surety for another and so forth.  This is designed to protect the child whose mind is immature, from exploitation.  The law in general expects that every member of our society should behave to maintain peace and not cause harm to anyone.

    The Psychological Implications of Puberty The growth spurt is a true rush of energy through the child, with result of an accelerated growth. This rapid growth is not matched by rapid growth in the mind and brain, knowledge and wisdom nor is it matched by volume of learning and experiences of life that is required to stay in the “straight and narrow lane.

    • To be continued
  • Overcoming challenges in sugar production

    Overcoming challenges in sugar production

    Following the Federal Government’s policy of increasing local production of sugar through mini plant technology,   the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) and other organs of government have taken steps to ensure compliance and delivery of incentives to address challenges, reports OKWY IROEGBU-CHIKEZIE.

    Despite  the huge potential for the production of sugar, Nigeria produces less than two per cent of its  requirement, estimated at 1.7 million tonnes, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

    Data obtained from the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) indicate that sugar consumption in 2012 was 1.1m tonnes against the domestic production of 10,843 tonnes.

    Within the period, 1.1m tonnes was imported at $517.2 million. To address the shortage, the Federal Government has come out with a policy to increase local production. The policy aims at instituting mini sugar plant technology and a package of incentives.

    But industry watchers, who applaud the policy, said with a landmass of over 500,000 hectares suitable for cane and capable of producing over five million metric tonnes of sugarcane, the nation had no business importing sugar.

    Nigeria produces two per cent of its requirement, importing 98 per cent of the commodity. This was attested to by AFDB President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina.

    The Nation checks revealed that  due to challenges faced by sugar cane farmers, which have made the commodity highly unexploited, key players have remained in the business by importing  from Brazil.

    There are five major players in the industry: Dangote Sugar Refinery (DSR), BUA Sugar Refinery, Savannah Sugar and Josepdam Sugar Company, and Flour Mills of Nigeria.  Dangote Sugar produces 1.44 million tonnes.  BUA adds 720,000 metric tonnes.

    Dangote Refinery, which supplies 70 per cent of the local market requirement, plans to spend $1.5 billion to increase output over the next five years.

    “In the next five years, we should be able to produce 1.5 million metric tonnes locally, from around 50,000 metric tonnes now,” Abdullahi Sule, Managing Director of DSR, told Reuters in Abuja.

    To revamp the sector, the Federal Government has initiated incentives for an enabling environment for investors.

    Among the incentives are zero per cent duty on machinery and spare parts by companies, as well as 10 per cent import duty and 50 per cent levy on imported raw sugar. There is equally a 20 per cent duty and 60 per cent levy on imported refined sugar.

    The government has also begun a credit support scheme for sugarcane growers through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and commercial banks; in addition to provision of infrastructure, such as access roads, boreholes, power lines, land acquisition, and health care facilities for new sugar estates.

    To reinforce its commitment, it has banned refined sugar in retail-ready packets into the country.

    According to industry watchers, privatisation of sugar estates has improved the subsector; it is now better managed. This, to them, can be attributed to the Nigerian Sugar Master Plan (NSMP) and the National Sugar Development Council.

    But the challenge remains evolving strategies to meet the demands of about 168 million consumers and prevent huge spending on imports.

    Industry players contend that there is an urgent need to establish mills where sugarcane can be crushed. They also add that sufficient portions of land should be made available to grow the plant. Sugar cane farmers complain of dearth of industrial buyers which leads to immense post-harvest wastage.

    Analysts believe that the establishment of a board to link buyers (companies) and sellers (farmers) could be a way out.

    Reacting to the development, the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) lauded the policy, describing it as a bold step which, if well implemented, will  have a multiplier effect on the sugar sector.

    “If we don’t want to move backward, we should take our destiny in our  hands to reduce importation, save the naira and the exchange rate and give jobs to our people,” said former NACCIMA Director-General, John Isemede.

    He said the private sector strongly believes that with these incentives, new investors will come into the sector while existing ones may expand their operations which would create jobs.

    “Those who are service providers, those who are into agro chemical and implements will have jobs,” he emphasised.

    However, he urged that priority should be given to companies and individuals in form of tax holidays, so that: ”We  do not leave our gates open for people to come in only to invest and after four-to- five years, because you have given them pioneer status, they will relocate to neighbouring countries.”

    “There should be a road map and it should be properly monitored so that we do not solve one problem and create multiple other problems. So, the position of NACCIMA, or the OPS, is that it is a welcome development because it will create jobs, it will reduce the price of sugar

    “In addition, it will help the country to move from its present level of the consumption of granulated sugar to cube and brown sugar, the one used for cake-making, so, it is a welcome development”.

    He noted that extant companies in the sector, such as Dangote Sugar Refinery and BUA Sugar Refinery, are into pack sizes now, and they have big sugar cane farms.

    “Dangote has a big farm in Numa, Adamawa State, which is the Savannah Sugar Company. So, they can now continue to invest more. You heard of Bacita Sugar, there is one in Hadejia and there is another one in Kwara. So, these are opportunities that we have to tap into to develop our economy,” he added.

    Managing Director, A &P Foods Limited, Sameer Vaswani, manufacturers of HAANSBRO brand of biscuits, chewing gums and sweets, also hailed the policy.

    Vaswani said: “The three main raw materials required for biscuit production are flour, sugar and palm oil. The long-term policy of encouraging local sugar cane plantations and growing of sugar cane locally is a fantastic policy but it needs time as sugarcane planting and harvesting cannot just start overnight.”

    In order to ensure availability of sugar cane, Executive Secretary, National Sugar Development Council, Abuja, Dr. Latif Busari, unveiled plans to cite 236,000 land banks in 17 states for sugarcane production.

    He listed the states as  Katsina, Zamafara, Jigawa, Imo, Ogun, Kwara, Kogi, Edo, Cross River, Benue, Taraba, Ogun, Plateau, Ondo, Anambra  and Adamawa.

    According to him, the industry is a promoter of investment, job and wealth creation and a tool for rapid rural development as it creates communities that are self-sufficient.

    As an example, he said that in India, the sugar industry employs one million people directly and six million indirectly, stressing that it is what it will do for Nigeria.

    He advised the Federal Government to encourage states to make land available to existing and prospective investors for the project. He said the expected cost of implementing the project to raise local sugar production for self-sufficiency as in the cement is about $3.1 billion. This will stem the tide of importation and enhance the production of ethanol and electricity generation.

    In an interview, former Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, said compared to other West African countries, Nigeria produces two per cent of the 2.5 million metric tonnes of sugar required for its 170 million population while over 75 per cent of raw sugar is imported and granulated by a few investors in the sugar sector. Thus, the country is the lowest producer in the region, in spite of abundant raw materials for sugar production across the country.

    For instance, Benin Republic produces 25.6 per cent of its sugar requirement; Burkina Faso, 47 per cent; Cote d’Ivoire 54 per cent; Senegal, 48 per cent and Mali, 28 per cent.

  • 80% of ad executives battle digital challenges

    About 65 per cent of marketing and advertising job roles are expected to change in the next five years while approximately 80 per cent of advertising and media executives are struggling to reinvent themselves in the digital marketing space, said Street Toolz Digital Centre (SDC).

    To remain relevant in the competitive market, the centre urged brands and agencies to hire more digital talents to excel in today’s competitive digital-driven economy.

    To help agencies overcome some of the challenges of migrating to digital space, the agency said it is offering Free Digital Marketing Masterclass in partnership with Digital Marketing Institute (DMI), Ireland all over Nigeria to help marketing firms, advertising agencies and brands reinvent themselves in today’s fast driven digital marketing economy.

    The Centre’s Director of Training, Babajide Alaka, said the centre’s commitment to a digital Nigeria and contribution to the Integrated Marketing Communications industry, in partnership with the world‘s leading digital training organisation DMI will be offering free the tailored Digital Marketing Masterclass to PR, media, advertising and marketing executives to enhance their understanding of digital marketing landscape, digital PR, digital strategy, digital trends, search marketing, mobile marketing, social media marketing, digital budgeting, content marketing, agency de-liverables and brand expectation among others.

    Alaka disclosed that all participants would also have the opportunity to take a practical digital diagnostic test to benchmark their current skills with global industry standards and to determine their individual digital skills level. Thereafter, custom training solutions will be advised and recommended for the agency or individual.

    He  further explained that already, agencies and brands, such as Dana Airlines; KIA Motors; Golden Lite; Property Mart; Renault Motors; Fuel Communications; Verdant Zeal; Eslia Communications; TBWA; Creative Xone; Mediacraft Associates and Brand Journalist Association of Nigeria (BJAN) amongst others have all benefited from the Centre’s Digital Marketing Agency Masterclass.

    The Business Director of TBWA, Mr. Osibo Imhoitsike, praised the effort of the centre, adding that the training has shown him and his agency that there needed to be a digital revolution in their midst instead of a digital culling.

    The Chief Marketing Officer of Street Toolz, Jerry Oche, however, said the centre aims to reinvent marketers and change the phase of marketing/advertising in Nigeria with the considerable digital talents and strategic insights of Street Toolz and the global teaching modules standard of Digital Marketing Institute.

    The Founder/President of the DMI,   Ian Dodson, said: “Street Toolz, with its knowledge of the industry and the numerous subject matter experts was a prime candidate for Digital Marketing Institute’s partnership.”

  • How to deal with challenges of puberty

    Later, from 14-16 years upward, the voice may break and the “Adam Apple” becomes more prominent. At this stage, the boy is virtually ready hormonally (but not mentally nor physically until about 18-20), for one of the tasks before him: reproduction! If he is unguided, he is at great risk indeed, from sexual abuse and early fatherhood.

    Perplexed as to what is happening to him, the teenager asks questions or refrain from asking questions but may attempt to experiment or succumb to peers pressure. If his questions are not honestly answered and in a friendly manner or he takes the advice of his peers or experiments, he may begin to follow the wrong path in life!

    In all, dismayed as to the rapid change in him, the young man resents events around him, becomes angry and rebellious. He needs counselling at this stage.

    Age of 14- 18 (Both Sexes) In general terms, no major changes occur here except that, the young woman and the now young man builds upon what they did until up to age of 14 years. Also, the body adjusts to these spectacular and rapid changes. In girls, the breast grows bigger, the menstruation regularises and the rapid growth slows down towards a permanent position. The ovaries become more active and ovulation synchronises with menstrual period.  Ovulation which is the release of egg from the ovaries in readiness for meeting the sperm from the male, is released 14 days or so from the start of the period. So, in 28 day cycle, the ovulation will take place about 14th day. This is the time that pregnancy is most likely to occur, though pregnancy occurrence can vary by 3-4 days before or after the ovulation. It is very rare that ovulation and menstrual period should occur at the same time though this is not impossible.

    In the young man, growth is still continuing at a rapid phase until about age 18 years when it stabilises. Night emission of sperms may now be more frequent. Early morning penis erection becomes a common event. He becomes “sensitive” and attracted to female pictures and other sexual appearances.

    In both sexes, there is increased awareness of the changes and transformation that has taken place in them, with the result that each now creates an identity to align their world views with mother/female or father/male and respective genders in larger society in line with their own identity. On the other hand, each of the boy or girl wants to be seen in association with the opposite gender of their age.

    All these changes that have taken place from 10 /11 years to 18 years is called puberty.

    Biological Implications of Puberty The main reason for the changes that occurs in puberty is simply for Productivity.  (a) These changes in boys and girls occur so that each individual can be ready for reproduction: that is be prepared to bear another person similar to the bearer (parent).  (b) The purpose of the changes is also to make each person, attractive and pleasant to the opposite gender so much that one would like to be in the presence of the opposite sex. The “icing on the cake” for this companionship is of course, sexual intercourse with sole aim of reproducing another person. This is biological productivity (c) Defence: The growth in all areas of the human body at puberty, the energy that came with the growth, the accompanying power of puberty, the increase in muscles (mainly in the male) and fat around the body (mainly in the female), the increase in mental capacity and capability are all meant to help in the defence against external attack. The aim of this defence is to

    secure the individuals and the couple and any children that the new couple may now have.  Thus, the new man (father), the new adult female (mother) and the new offspring of the man and his wife is called a family.

    Economic Implications of Puberty: Productivity. The individuals in ages of puberty and coming up to 20 years are immature yet they are very energetic. The growth in all areas, the energy, the accompanying power, the increase in muscles (mainly in the male) and fat around the body (mainly in the female), the increase in mental capacity and capability are meant to help them to be engage in economic productivity. The aim is to provide for the individuals and also for any children that the couple may have (family).  When one family joins with another and another and another, then a society is formed.

    The Legal Implications of Puberty While different countries will have different laws, in general, a child is by World Health Organisation definition is someone who is under 18 years. So, ideally, those that are under 18 are under the protection of their parents or guardian. The implication is that a child may not cause harm and thus escape legal punishment. That used to be the law, at least in Britain. How things have changed. We now know that 10-year olds can kill, how much more 17 and 18 years old! Therefore, in Britain, the age of legal criminal responsibility is 10years! The society and the law expect 10-year old not to commit crimes. If they do, they would be charged and could have criminal records or go to juvenile prison.

    Also, by law children are not allowed to be employed. The exception to this is if the law permits such employment under certain conditions, otherwise, it would amount to child abuse.

    We do know that child labour is a form of abuse.

    Similarly, the law expects individuals to be responsible for their actions. No mistakes. If a child gets a girl pregnant, even the without intention to do so, he now becomes a father. The law does not respect or accept mistakes. If you miscalculated, you will be held responsible.

    So, on the other hands, someone who is a child can not undertake certain responsibilities such as entering into a contract, standing as surety for another and so forth.  This is designed to protect the child whose mind is immature, from exploitation.  The law in general expects that every member of our society should behave to maintain peace and not cause harm to anyone.

    The Psychological Implications of Puberty The growth spurt is a true rush of energy through the child, with result of an accelerated growth. This rapid growth is not matched by rapid growth in the mind and brain, knowledge and wisdom nor is it matched by volume of learning and experiences of life that is required to stay in the “straight and narrow lane.

    • To be continued