The Nation Newspaper

Tag: challenges

  • Key challenges of Nigerian Pension Industry and possible solutions (1)

    Nigerian Pensioners have high expectations on the new Government to ensure an effective implementation of pension regulations existing in the country. These expectations arise from the need to have sustainable standard of living in retirement and their benefits paid as at when due.

    The different pension regimes operating in Nigeria, Defined Benefit (DB) and Contributory Pension (CPS) Schemes, give rise to varying set of problems that limit the capacity of key stakeholders within the Nigerian pension industry to meet pensioners’ expectations.

    This paper highlights the key challenges facing the stakeholders in the pension industry and the possible solutions from an actuarial perspective. In broad terms, the challenges arising from different areas of pension management include but not limited to the following: Transitional Pension Management, Guaranteed Minimum Pension, Additional Voluntary Contributions, Pension Protection Fund, Investment Guidelines, Public Education and Enlightenment.

    Transitional Pension Management

    Key Challenges

    The current problems that beleaguered pensioners from Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG) defined benefit (DB) scheme in Nigeria (which have always been to the fore) include, inter alia:

    • Delayed or non-payment of pension entitlements and misappropriation of existing pension funds.
    • Low standard of living (or high poverty incidence) among pensioners due to pension increases not in line with salary inflationor no pension increase at all.
    • Too frequent verification of pensioners by Pension Transitional Arrangements Directorate (PTAD)(section 42 of PRA 2014) leading to pensioners dying during verification exercises.
    • Inadequate Enforcement of Pension Regulation– Over 10 years of existence of CPS, not all State Governments had enacted their pension Laws to establish CPS which is a sign of regulatory weakness. The actuarial valuations of the old DB schemes required by PENCOM at the point of implementation of the new CPS have not been carried out even for those State Governments that have already established their CPS.

    Possible Solutions

    The establishment of PTAD and various penalties for pension funds mismanagement introduced by PRA 2014 would address some of the lingering challenges of pensioners in the public service pension administration in the country.

    However, below are other ways to address the problems described above:

    • Create pensioners’ biometric database that is suitable for future actuarial valuation, demographic and financial projections, which would also eliminate ghost pensioners.
    • Adopt a pragmatic approach to pensioners’ biometric verification process (a system of self-verification by pensioners capable of automatically updating the pensioners’ database) having conducted an initial face-to-face verification in order to minimize the frequency of subsequent face-to-face verification exercise.
    • An automation of pension/gratuity calculation and payment system to ensure that pension increases are implemented on a timely basis relative to increase in workers’ salaries and also allowing pensioners to receive their pensions/gratuities as at when due. The Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) for the Federal public service should be emulated at the State and local Government levels,
    • A periodic actuarial valuation of the old DB pension scheme as required by law needs to be carried out in order to ascertain the value of the pensioners’ liabilities at a given date as the scheme runs off. This will enable a realistic annual pension budget estimate to be made for the Government(s) which will reduce the insufficient funds being allocated for pension payment. This would help in the administration of PTAD in minimizing the delays and arrears in pension payment.
    • PTAD should set up a realistic pension stabilization fund (to be invested) with the primary aim to stabilize the pension/gratuity payment system which is always in arrears. This will ensure that money is readily available to pay the arrears of pension liability.

    In summary, the relevance of professional actuaries and information technology experts cannot be ignored in the implementation of the above suggested solutions.

    Guaranteed Minimum Pension (GMP)

    Key Challenges

    The guaranteed minimum pension (GMP), which will be specified from time to time by PENCOM, is a provision for protecting all retirees who have not accumulated enough to have a decent standard of living in retirement (Section 84(1) of PRA 2014). Thus, it is anincome support from the government, which can act as a safety net for pensioners.

    The modalities for implementing GMP are yet to be finalized by PENCOM for more than 10 years of its existence. This may be due to the computational complexities involved in determining the GM that require actuarial techniques which might not have been considered important.

    Possible Solutions

    The assessment of the level of GMP including the cost of guarantee requires stochastic modelling techniques, a task under the control of an actuary whose services PENCOM should obtain on a regular basis.

    Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVC)

    Key Challenges

    There is lack of valuation of an individual member’s DC plan (individual projectionsof likely pension benefit at retirement) by PFAs with a clear objective to measure sustainable retirement income (using metrics such as replacement ratio which represents a sensible estimate of the standard of living in retirement) before allowing an individual to make his/her choice of AVC. The concept of replacement ratio provides an effective connection between the accumulation and de-accumulation phases of a DC plan member’s life cycle.

    With the exception of tax benefit, there is also no incentive for additional savings (AVC) towards retirement, particularly where there is a GMPto be funded by the Government. Thus, there are relatively small RSA balances of some retirees pending the implementation of GMP. This results in a growing sense of disenchantment with the token monthly pension benefit being received by pensioners under the new CPS relative to the huge gains (from investment returns and dividends) the Pension Fund Administrator (PFAs) are currently making.

    The above arises from the expectation that all returns on invested funds belong to contributors (employees) except for the minimal fees/chargesexpected for the pension operators. The lack of frequent review of fees/charging structure (including the stipulated fees by PENCOM representing the maximum amounts) chargeable by operators and possible non-disclosure of hidden charges, interests and commissions accruable to pension assets might also be the cause of above dissatisfaction.

    Possible Solutions

    The fees/charging structure needs to be constantly reviewed by PENCOM in order to eliminate any hidden charges in order to increase the RSA balances.

    There is also a need for sensitization of potential benefits to workers in making AVC having considered the expected living standard in retirement.

    • Dr. Pius Apere (PhD / FCII) is Deputy Managing Director

    Linkage Assurance Company PLC

  • How to deal with challenges of puberty

    These messages and information being passed to the new and growing person may be through human beings or through machines such as computer, books, newspapers and television. Similarly, any major event such as death or divorce between the parents within the family or arrival of a new birth may cause major influence on the growing child.

    In all, this is the stage of great curiosity when the child could easily master any appropriate skill that may aid future conducts and productivity. At this stage, the child is defenceless, has no sense of risks or dangers. The child could not say “no” to illegal approaches, or discern what is morally good from what is bad. The vulnerability is huge. He believes all and trusts in practically everyone. Yet, his or her memory of these individuals and events around him or her cannot be so erased when he/she becomes adult.   Years 6-10:  A couple of events would prepare the child for her future role: good or bad. a)      The child is a great learner even if academically poor. He or she learns in other ways: thinking or asking questions about his body and environment. He wonders why things are in the way they are. He or she would like to change things or see things done in certain ways.  b)      The hormones that will later in life, affect the child’s future will gradually but in some unpredictable ways, increase in their activities including the hormones that dictate physical growth (growth hormone) and overall appearance either  transforming as a male or female. c)      The child’s sexual identity is by now almost irreversible. The private part (genitals) is now well defined. d)     The child has great enquiring mind, trying to understand his environments. He or she wonders aloud often asking embarrassing questions from the adults. He or she dreams what the adult found impossible or even found ridiculous which to the child, may not be a major issue. The child has very limited sense of danger and risks. He or she could undertake a potentially dangerous task. The ability to discern good from bad is clearly present in this age group. However, depending on what he has been taught, the child is vulnerable to abuse from peers and adults. He believes all and trusts in practically everyone. Therefore, the future behaviour

    of the child could considerably be influenced at this point in life—forever even unto the next generation! Yet, his or her memory of events at this age preserved.

    Age of 10 to 13 Years. “From here, we go our different ways” is perhaps the best way to describe the changes at this age range.  These are crucial years for the child, the parent or guardian, teachers and the society. This age range is the age in which visible differences occur between male and female: in which a girl will be a girl, later a woman and a boy will be boy, later a man. This is a vulnerable and perilous time. Some changes take place in the child (see below for more) and so many questions are asked by the growing teen: Those questions deserve credible answers to such an extent that, a wrong answer could affect the child’s world view permanently.  Presumably, the child, boy or girl is in school at this stage, tutored by the parents (or not influenced at all), the school teachers and the peers. This is the age group that the law and the larger society begins to expect some social and legal responsibility from the child. As we shall see later, this is the age when rebellion at home and rebellion against the law might begin to appear. Welcome to teenage years.

    The Girl and the Young Woman The girl, at this age is hugely at advantage: hormonally speaking. The girl’s body (under effect of estrogens and progesterone, as well as moderate effect of testosterone hormones) begins to be increasingly active with dramatic effects. This is the time when due to the increased hormones (follicle stimulating hormone and luteinising hormone) from the brain (pituitary), estrogens, progesterone from the ovaries begin to affect the rest of her body. Also, due to the hormones and in particular, testosterone, the skin may be greasy due to increased oil production under the skin, pimples may appear on the face and in some girls, and pimples may be troublesome.

    Thus: (a) The breasts begin to be enlarged steadily and even dramatically. (b)  Hairs appear in the armpits and gradually in the private area (pubic hair) and other areas of the skin. (c) Growth/height is accelerated faster than similar age group in boys (d)  Size/girth/waist increases  (e) Finally at about 13years (or sooner in some girls),  of age in most girls, though may be delayed in others, menstruation sets in, first irregularly which may later settle down in most girls to regular periods at about 17-18 years of age. This is what is called “period” or “monthly” events.

    The yesteryears baby may now have the appearance of a young pretty woman though she is very immature in every other way. She becomes conscious of herself and boys or even men may begin, to her surprise, to show interest in her!  (f)   At this stage of 13, the girl is virtually ready hormonally (but not mentally nor physically until about 18-20 years), for one of the tasks before her: reproduction! If she is unguided, she is at great risk indeed from sexual abuse and early pregnancy.

    The Boy and the Young Man In general, the boys lag behind the girls in the growth spurt race even though, on balance, most boys will catch up and exceed the girls later— in height. This occurs, because of the slight delay in production of hormone, testosterone, in boys. Unlike in girls, the major active hormone in boys is testosterone which is produced by the testes. With this exception, the growth in boys takes the same pattern as girls in that: (a) Testosterone begin to be increased in active amount from age of nine-years and reach high levels at about 14-16 when the growth of the boy is accelerated. (b) From 11-14, there is increased in amount and length of hairs in the face, armpit, and private part (genitals), and other areas of the boy.  (c)  The testes and penis is enlarged and there is on-going preparation for reproduction. d)     At about 14-16, the boy may have the first involuntary production of semen, often at night, to his amazement! This involuntary emission of semen or sperm is called “wet-dream.” The emission and experience is perfectly normal.  There is also a rapid increase in height and girth. The young man will need counselling to be well informed about what is happening to his body at this stage. His sperm may be fertile enough to get a girl pregnant! Unguided, he may become a father too soon.

    • To be continued

  • How to deal with challenges of puberty

    Teen children and their erratic behaviour are every parent’s nightmare. Perhaps, one of the most perplexing and in fact, challenging areas of family and society’s life, in modern time, is how to deal with children in an age with growing gap between discipline of children on one hand and the right of parents and children on the other.  Increasing liberal laws in some countries and independent minded children makes dealing with children very delicate. On the other hands, the challenges of biological changes in adolescent make rebellion very likely.

    Similarly, it’s the desire of parents to raise responsible children. This article will help the youth and their parents or guardians to achieve the above desires. This article will cover two areas: the biological changes in children up to the age of 20, for both boys and girls. It would also cover restrictive demands of the law as well as the society’s expectation that these young minds should behave in certain way. The idea is to guide the parents and children to live a healthy lifestyle free from criminal behaviour.

    Before Birth: The idea that growing up starts from before birth might appear laughable to some readers. Yet this is the starting point for a future healthy living. Starting here will also aid the understanding of issue relating to growing up.

    What a person is, the way he/she will behave in future, the gender, the height, and the other physical appearances are all determined even before conception, as some readers might appreciate. The genes in each parent will combine to form the new individual. Therefore, the mental and physical character of this new person (baby) is in part made at the time of this combination of parental genes. If each or any of the genes is out of order or carries a particular disease, it may be passed to the new person. In the same way, if the genes carry excellent personality, it will also show up in the new individual.

    From Conception to Birth: At formation, the choice of the baby’s sexual category (that is the gender of the baby) is determined by the parents but importantly by the man as well as the environment, and timing (day and month and of the year) of the pregnancy.  At conception, the new baby that is growing is being prepared to achieve one thing later in life: to be productive biologically (reproduction) and to be productive economically. Now that the character of the new individual has, partially, been made up by both parents, the future personality of the new person that is being formed will be influenced by the environment in the womb.

    For example, taking alcohol, cigarette (nicotine), heroin, cocaine or exposure to radiations, absence of good food and vitamins, exposure to infections such as rubella, HIV, hepatitis, syphilis and so forth may all combined or  act alone  to affect the behaviour, appearance (and future productivity) of the new person. Stiffening the growing person of oxygen by say anaemia in the mother, may affect the future well-being of the new individual. It should be remembered that the sex (gender) of the new person will from the time of conception affect his/her future character.

    Right from before birth, the hormones, that influences children at puberty (growing-up changes) begins to be active at very low level. If for example, the baby is a boy, the male hormones will direct that the baby should appear as a boy as we know it when he is born. If the parents had passed a female character to the new baby, then she will by default failed to develop as a boy but  rather develop as a girl.

    Unpleasant as this may seems to some, a girl develops for failure of boy to grow as a boy, even if the parents had passed to the baby the instruction to develop as boy. If he failed to show up as a boy, then he will appear as a girl. This will have a lot of future legal and social as well as productive (biological) implications for the future, as we shall see later.

    Birth: The destiny, so to speak, of the new person would depend to a great extent, on the circumstances of his or her birth. A stressful birth such as if the baby is too big for the birth canal or if he was distressed by instruments used by the delivery team, a prolonged birth, a pregnancy that went on for too long or just about anything that may stiffen the child of oxygen could equally damage the brain.

    In future, this brain damage may lead to bad behaviour (criminal behaviour), and low productivity (reproduction and economic productivity). The bad behaviour and appearance could be made worse if the new person, as stated above had inherited from both or either parents, bad characters. It could similarly be made worse, if the child had been exposed to any of those agents, as stated above, that he/she came across while in the womb. All these could affect the person’s lifestyle and shorten his/her life.

    Day 1 to 5 years: Contrary to some opinions, this age is not the formative years of any child. As I have explained above, the formative years started years back and is going through further stages. Now that the structure, appearance and gender of the new person is known, it should be remembered that the hormones and chemicals that will continue to shape the life of this individual will continue to act though at a low level. Except through adornment, naming, or social identification as a girl or boys, neither of the gender can easily be classified as a boy or girl from appearance. That is to say, if the private (genitals) areas are covered and there is no clothing and adornment appearance, it would be difficult to say if a person is a  boy or girl.

    Nonetheless, the formative years continue.  Nurture: The continued appearance and behaviour of the new baby to the world will now be under the influences that he/she receives from parents, guardian, friends, peers, and the society.

    These influences will include food taken and how nutritious it is and how appropriate for the age. Other influences include the graphics and images that he/she sees, the type of words, morality, home and society norms and messages or education he hears, the kind of touch he feels, (whether brute, gentle, lovely or not), the nature of activities he/she is exposed to will radically influence how the baby and the future adult behaves.

    • To be continued
  • ‘Converting challenges to opportunities’

    ‘Converting challenges to opportunities’

    Irene Ochem studied Archaeology and History for first degree at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. She also holds a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of London and a diploma in translation from the University of Trieste, Italy. After working in Europe for over two decades, she is back in Nigeria, helping female entrepreneurs as CEO of the African Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF). In this interview with Yetunde Oladeinde, she talks about investing in women and organising conferences across Africa and more.

    WHAT inspired you to work with women?

    It all started from my upbringing. I was raised by a widowed mother. She struggled to train us and see us through our education. Then, I’ve lived in different countries and continents, and in all the places where I’ve lived and travelled to, I have also observed the lack of recognition of women’s contribution to the economic development of the society. Then there are the obstacles most of these women have to go through. Maybe the situation is not very bad in the west, but in Africa it is.

    Also, across the world, it has become a global agenda that women must be empowered economically. It makes good economic sense because women have a natural instinct to do certain things. If you empower a woman, she tends to invest her earnings into the household, into the education of her children, and they go out to contribute to their communities, the nation and the African continent. So, why not give women the same opportunities men have?

    Women in Africa encounter a lot of challenges trying to start a business. Access to finance is one major problem, but having access to economic opportunities is where it starts. Then there are cultural obstacles. For example, in some communities, a woman cannot source for a loan without acquiring the signature of either her husband or a male figure, even though the person is not bringing anything into that business. In some societies, women don’t have rights to land, even in the Igbo community I come from.

    Then, across Africa, there is a lot of economic growth. Everybody is talking about Africa rising, Africa growing and Africa moving on. The Global Entrepreneurship Summit just ended in Nairobi and Barrack Obama identified some of the problems. There, it was general entrepreneurship that they were talking about but he identified the problem in Africa that women represented 50 per cent of the population but they do not have access to equal opportunities. There he put it aptly that if half of your team is not playing, then you have a problem. So Africa is rising, Africa is the new investment frontier because you have people coming from China, America, Europe and all over the world wanting to grab a piece from what’s happening in Africa. So, why can’t we Africans do it ourselves or why not empower our women? So these are part of the motivation for me. Haven seen all of this, I saw there was need to create awareness; there is need to make our government see the importance of economic empowerment. There is need to empower the African woman because she represents the potential for Africa’s socio-economic development.

    What are some of the things you learnt from your mother?

    My mother was widowed at a very tender age, and seeing how hard she had to work, juggling children and several jobs, in order to make sure we had food in the house, quality education. After finishing high school, I went to study at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. I graduated, did my youth service, taught, worked for one year in Nigeria, before leaving for Europe. That inspiration was good and being her only daughter, she instilled in me that as a woman, you make the difference.

    Who are your targets?

    We are bringing together established, successful businesswomen, and, also, young, emerging and aspiring female businesswomen. We are bringing together policymakers, the government, non-governmental organisations, and also the academia. Being a pan-Africa event, we are trying to create a platform for networking and learning across borders, and also for potential business partnerships and mentorship.

    There will be a small fee to pay. But we have two very high-level training workshops for delegates. One will be on leadership and ethics, and will be presented by Leap Africa, and the facilitators are top-notch. Then the second one will be presented by the Business School Netherlands, and this is a school people go to get their MBA.

    This is one of the reasons why we are looking for sponsorships. Because if we are able to raise enough sponsorships, then we will be able to make the participation free for all young and emerging entrepreneurs. So, we are working very hard to ensure that happens.

    Apart from the pre-conference workshop, there will be an exhibition. So, companies and industries can come to showcase their products, services, technology. Being an entrepreneur event, the exhibition is not sector-specific. So, any product a woman can consume is welcome.

    Most of the businesses owned by women are SMEs. How do you intend to empower them?

    A lot of the businesses we are talking about are MSMEs. Many of the female businesswomen entrepreneurs are operating in that arena. We also want to bring focus on the challenges faced by women in the rural area. We are not leaving them behind. We are bringing the grassroots to this conference, and to help us do this, we are partnering with the Quintessential Businesswomen Association. They have members in every local government in the country and they are empowering women in the agricultural sector, teaching them how to do things and manufacture local products like honey. So, we are bringing some of these women to participate.

    One of the problems female entrepreneurs face is access to credit. How can this be solved?

    We have a section dedicated to access to finance. We have experts who will make presentations on the topic. One of them is our speaker from Tanzania, Mrs. Sabeta Mawenja, who is the Director-General of the first purpose-built bank to empower women entrepreneurs. She’s coming to present a case-study on how we can innovate in the banking sector, just like they have done in Tanzania. Maybe after the event, a bank can come up and decide to open a bank dedicated for women. They’ve done the same in Ethiopia.

    Then we will have a panel discussion with experts from the banking and business sectors. They will help us explore the problem and find solutions.

    Oby Ezekwesili will be making a presentation titled Securing the Future: The Imperative of Girl-Child Education. So, we have to educate the girl-child, keep her safe; that’s where it all starts. That’s why you have low ratio of women participating in entrepreneurship schemes. We have been able to engage, at very high level, relevant stakeholders like social entrepreneurs like Leap Africa, nongovernmental organisations, the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs. So, our expectation is that, at the end of this conference, we would have created a more enhanced awareness and more informed approach to the challenges that women encounter in their businesses. Then we hope to be able to proffer solutions.

    What are some of the challenges encountered?

    Of course, I’m also an entrepreneur. There have been challenges with finance, finding a skilled workforce, and all the regular challenges. Putting up an initiative like this is far from simple, but when you are passionate about something, it appears seamless.

    What motivated you to start a business around conferences and events?

    I’ve a lot of experience with conferencing. My second university degree was as a translator. So, when I finished, instead of going to work as an interpreter, I went into conferencing. Why? The nearest opportunity was to work for the European Union, but I wasn’t an EU citizen at the time. So, I started organising conferences across Europe. From there, I joined UNIDO, where I worked for ten years. So, I’ve had to organise very high profile conferences. Then I worked in Cape Town, South Africa, as a research manager, before going to Ethiopia.

    My love for professional and international conferencing started in 1996 when I organised the 16th General Meeting of the European Grassland Federation (EGF 1996), September 15  19, in Grado, Italy. Not only was I employed to organise the conference, but it turned out that I was the only black head in the crowd during the event. Instead of being intimidated, I felt rather motivated to go on, and today I am glad I did.

    How many languages do you speak?

    I speak Igbo, English, Italian and French.

    You still look smart and fit. What is the secret?

    I eat healthy, do exercises, and practise yoga, essentially.That is what I do to unwind. Then I read a lot when I have the time.

    My family motivates me. I’m passionate about Africa. After working for decades in Europe, I realised that with all of our resources, Africa can be better. I’m one of those people who believe in Africa.

    What are some of your memorable moments in life?

    It’s connected to my family life. My marriage and the birth of my children.

    My husband is a retired scientist, Dr Alex Ochem.  We met in Nigeria while he was on holiday.

    If you had to advise female entrepreneurs, what would you tell them?

    They should stick in there. It’s not easy, but it’s worth trying. They shouldn’t give up.

  • ‘Entrepreneurs resolute despite challenges

    President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Alhaji Remi Bello, has said entrepreneurs are undeterred despite the various challenges they face.

    He spoke at the LCCI awards in Lagos at the weekend.

    He said: “The business environment is replete with all manner of difficulties in the area of infrastructure, funding, policy, corruption, insecurity and weak institutions, hence investors that have remained resolute deserve to be celebrated.”

    The firms were rewarded at the Second Awards by LCCI held over the weekend in Lagos.

    Bello said the awards were conceived to celebrate deserving corporate organisations for their input to the advancement of the economy.

    He said the awards were not aimed at diminishing the importance of an enabling environment for the progress of the economy and the prosperity of enterprises, but to remind the government of what it must do to the economy.

    The president, who will step down later this year, said: “We are celebrating excellence, best practices in corporate governance, value addition, backward integration achievements, innovations and good corporate social responsibility practices.’’

    A former Minister of Health and a honorary life president of LCCI, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, said getting the awards was special as all the awardees deserved the accolades.

     

     

     

    He said the first edition of the awards was a challenge for other organisations to work harder.

    First Consultants Medical Centre was the winner in the Global Best Practice in Medical Services for curtailing the impact of the Ebola disease in Nigeria,with the late Dr Stella Adadevoh, Dr Amos Abaniwo, Nurse Justina. Ejelonu and Nurse Aide Evelyn Uko remembered for their efforts.

  • NAF will surmount challenges, Air Chief assures

    NAF will surmount challenges, Air Chief assures

    The Chief of Air Staff Vice, Marshal Sadiq Abubakar, yesterday said the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) will take steps to tackle challenges facing it.

    He added that the force was restrategising to win the war against the Boko Haram insurgents in the Northeast.

    Abubakar spoke during his maiden working visit to the Nigerian Air Force Base in Kaduna.

    According to him: “I agree with you that there are some challenges but with the help of the federal government, they are going to get sorted out.

    “We are working round the clock to ensure that we build the capacity of personnel to be able to deal with the challenges that the Nigerian nation is faced with.”

    The Air Chief added: “We are going to look inwards; we have the research development centre and we have partnership or MoU with fifteen Nigerian universities and we have highly qualified professors in these universities that we can partner with to deal with some of our problems while relying on whatever support we get from the outside.

    “We are reassessing what we have done so far, what do we need to do additionally to make NAF more effective in dealing with the problems in the North-eastern?”

     

  • Challenges of travel business, by operator

    The Chief Executive Officer, Sesby’s Travel and Tours Limited, Adeola Sesby–Banjoh, has  identified  infiltration into the business by people not trained to handle travel planning as one of the major challenges facing the sub-sector.

    She lamented that this has led to poor service delivery.

    Speaking during the  launch of the company’s online portal and services in Lagos, she said the company made a turnover of N1 billion last year, in spite of the several challenges in the sub-sector.

    She explained that the major functions of banks are to accept deposits and lend money to customers, wondering why they should dabble into an area they don’t have core competencies.

    The travel chief described as abnormal, the sale of airline tickets by banks, adding that it does not happen in the United States and Britain.

    She stated that in these countries, the business of selling airlines tickets was restricted to travel agencies.

    “One of our major challenges is that some commercial banks have infiltrated into the travel business by selling airlines’ tickets.It is only in Nigeria that it is done. It is not done in Britain and in the United States,” she said.

    Another challenge, she said, is dearth of funds.

    On the travel agency’s relationship with other stakeholders, such as airlines and the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Sesby-Banjoh said it has been cordial, adding that the firm became IATA travel agent n June 4, 2003.

    She added that Sesby also has good working relations with airlines across the globe, noting that the major aim of the agency is to take off stress from customers.

     

  • Access to justice: The challenges

    Access to justice: The challenges

    Access to justice in any society is critical and fundamental. Indeed it is not only the most basic requirement of any system of justice or the most basic human rights of any system that purports to guarantee legal rights but also the hallmark of any sane and civilised society.

    In recent times I have had cause to reflect on not just access to justice in our country but on the quality of justice available to litigants or persons seeking any justifiable remedies in our justice delivery system. My concern is borne out of my conviction that officers in the temple of justice, the constituency to which I belong whether functioning as judicial officers or law officers including legal practitioners ought to strive not only at delivering their services in their capacity as Judges and Lawyers or any such nomenclature but ensuring always that they remain jurists. The distinction between a judge/lawyer and a jurist is fundamental and critical in the search for not only access to justice but access to quality justice; the end result of any result oriented and civilised society.

    But first of all, we must be clear about what we mean by the concept of ‘Access to Justice’ in the context of our own environment. Access to justice will not mean just access to lawyers and courts. It is much more broader than this as it encompasses a recognition that everyone is entitled to the protection of the law and that whatever rights we seek to protect are meaningless unless those rights can be enforced with minimal constraints to the aggrieved persons and under circumstances ensuring that all manner of people are treated fairly according to the law and are able to get appropriate redress in circumstances when they are treated unfairly. It is in this context that one would say that there is no access to justice where citizens especially the marginalized groups not only conceive the system as frightening, or alien or in circumstances where citizens have no lawyers either because of inadequate resources to access them, or where individuals lack access to information or knowledge of their rights or where the system is fundamentally weak in delivering justice to the citizens.

    Consequently, access to justice entails normative legal protection, legal awareness, legal aid and counsel, adjudication, enforcement and civil society oversight amongst others.

    Fundamental rights, civil liberties and supremacy of the rule of law prescribing vital checks and balances in any society are realistic ideals but would in themselves be meaningless without access to justice or the practical means of understanding and enforcing the laws of the land without strings.

    There is however the argument that the major challenge in Nigeria today is not just access to justice but what learned Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Queens Counsel, Prof Fidelis Oditah described in another forum as ‘exit from justice’. I cannot agree more with this cerebral scholar given the constraints and obstacles confronting the justice delivery system in our country today. These include long delays in the adjudicatory process, long adjournments of proceedings, over reliance on technicalities, collapsing infrastructure, corruption in the system, congestion in courts and prisons, poverty of knowledge, culture of impunity and declining confidence of the citizenry in the efficacy and efficiency of the administration of justice.

    The foregoing raises grave concern for all stakeholders in the administration of justice imposing grave responsibilities on all to do something before the system collapses on our heads leading to anarchy and lawlessness. What therefore needs to be done? I propose the following:

    The system should guarantee equal access to justice and ensure that the quality of justice satisfies the aspirations of our people in the context of civilized norms and practices including international standards and models.

    We need to address barriers to both quantity and quality of justice.

    We need to strengthen the capacity of our justice delivery system including address issues of welfare packages and conditions in which justice is delivered in our country.

    We need to enhance physical access to justice including guaranteeing the luxury of justice to citizens through provision of legal aid to the citizens.

    We need to fund the justice delivery system by ensuring the independence and autonomy of the judiciary.

    We need to strengthen and promote legal awareness to the citizens.

    We need to strengthen civil society organisation as the foundation of promoting access to justice.

    We need to recognise that increase access to justice depends on public confidence which should not be allowed to wane or else anarchy looms.

    We need to support the enforcement of remedies and ensure that such remedies are adequate and commensurate with the nature of the offence.

    We need to encourage procedural fairness and equal application of the law to all manner of people without discrimination including facilitating transparency in all judicial processes.

    We need to increase the knowledge and professionalisation of justice personnel to dispense justice.

    These and more need to be done very quickly to guarantee access to justice and forestall exit from justice: where necessary, reforms must be undertaken. There is no excuse whatsoever why any litigant cannot be assured of justice within six months. There is also no reason why trials in some cases cannot take place from day to day. Punitive actions should be visited on all categories of professionals who by acts or omission are engaged in the subversion of justice in our land.

    Today, public confidence in the justice delivery system is waning. Trust is in gross deficit. Indiscipline is everywhere, corruption now rules our land. Integrity is a scarce commodity; truth is becoming a major casualty in all of these. We need to do something to arrest this decay and the culture of impunity that seems to have been promoted in our country as an article of faith.

    The time to do that is now and every stakeholder in the administration of justice must come on board. It is either you ship in or you ship out.

    Our country is bigger than any other interests.

  • Access to justice: The challenges

    Access to justice: The challenges

    Access to justice in any society is critical and fundamental. Indeed it is not only the most basic requirement of any system of justice or the most basic human rights of any system that purports to guarantee legal rights but also the hallmark of any sane and civilised society.

    In recent times I have had cause to reflect on not just access to justice in our country but on the quality of justice available to litigants or persons seeking any justifiable remedies in our justice delivery system. My concern is borne out of my conviction that officers in the temple of justice, the constituency to which I belong whether functioning as judicial officers or law officers including legal practitioners ought to strive not only at delivering their services in their capacity as Judges and Lawyers or any such nomenclature but ensuring always that they remain jurists. The distinction between a judge/lawyer and a jurist is fundamental and critical in the search for not only access to justice but access to quality justice; the end result of any result oriented and civilised society.

    But first of all, we must be clear about what we mean by the concept of ‘Access to Justice’ in the context of our own environment. Access to justice will not mean just access to lawyers and courts. It is much more broader than this as it encompasses a recognition that everyone is entitled to the protection of the law and that whatever rights we seek to protect are meaningless unless those rights can be enforced with minimal constraints to the aggrieved persons and under circumstances ensuring that all manner of people are treated fairly according to the law and are able to get appropriate redress in circumstances when they are treated unfairly. It is in this context that one would say that there is no access to justice where citizens especially the marginalized groups not only conceive the system as frightening, or alien or in circumstances where citizens have no lawyers either because of inadequate resources to access them, or where individuals lack access to information or knowledge of their rights or where the system is fundamentally weak in delivering justice to the citizens.

    Consequently, access to justice entails normative legal protection, legal awareness, legal aid and counsel, adjudication, enforcement and civil society oversight amongst others.

    Fundamental rights, civil liberties and supremacy of the rule of law prescribing vital checks and balances in any society are realistic ideals but would in themselves be meaningless without access to justice or the practical means of understanding and enforcing the laws of the land without strings.

    There is however the argument that the major challenge in Nigeria today is not just access to justice but what learned Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Queens Counsel, Prof Fidelis Oditah described in another forum as ‘exit from justice’. I cannot agree more with this cerebral scholar given the constraints and obstacles confronting the justice delivery system in our country today. These include long delays in the adjudicatory process, long adjournments of proceedings, over reliance on technicalities, collapsing infrastructure, corruption in the system, congestion in courts and prisons, poverty of knowledge, culture of impunity and declining confidence of the citizenry in the efficacy and efficiency of the administration of justice.

    The foregoing raises grave concern for all stakeholders in the administration of justice imposing grave responsibilities on all to do something before the system collapses on our heads leading to anarchy and lawlessness. What therefore needs to be done? I propose the following:

    The system should guarantee equal access to justice and ensure that the quality of justice satisfies the aspirations of our people in the context of civilized norms and practices including international standards and models.

    We need to address barriers to both quantity and quality of justice.

    We need to strengthen the capacity of our justice delivery system including address issues of welfare packages and conditions in which justice is delivered in our country.

    We need to enhance physical access to justice including guaranteeing the luxury of justice to citizens through provision of legal aid to the citizens.

    We need to fund the justice delivery system by ensuring the independence and autonomy of the judiciary.

    We need to strengthen and promote legal awareness to the citizens.

    We need to strengthen civil society organisation as the foundation of promoting access to justice.

    We need to recognise that increase access to justice depends on public confidence which should not be allowed to wane or else anarchy looms.

    We need to support the enforcement of remedies and ensure that such remedies are adequate and commensurate with the nature of the offence.

    We need to encourage procedural fairness and equal application of the law to all manner of people without discrimination including facilitating transparency in all judicial processes.

    We need to increase the knowledge and professionalisation of justice personnel to dispense justice.

    These and more need to be done very quickly to guarantee access to justice and forestall exit from justice: where necessary, reforms must be undertaken. There is no excuse whatsoever why any litigant cannot be assured of justice within six months. There is also no reason why trials in some cases cannot take place from day to day. Punitive actions should be visited on all categories of professionals who by acts or omission are engaged in the subversion of justice in our land.

    Today, public confidence in the justice delivery system is waning. Trust is in gross deficit. Indiscipline is everywhere, corruption now rules our land. Integrity is a scarce commodity; truth is becoming a major casualty in all of these. We need to do something to arrest this decay and the culture of impunity that seems to have been promoted in our country as an article of faith.

    The time to do that is now and every stakeholder in the administration of justice must come on board. It is either you ship in or you ship out.

    Our country is bigger than any other interests.

  • Challenges in power distribution over soon- MD Ibom Power

    Challenges in power distribution over soon- MD Ibom Power

    The Managing Director of Ibom Power Plc, Dr. Victor Udo, has said existing challenges in the operation of power distribution infrastructure in Akwa Ibom State will soon be over, as the incoming governor is resolved to revisit and resolved the challenge.

    He said though the outgoing administration  made significant investments in gas generation, transmission and power distribution infrastructure, it was unfortunate that the distribution infrastructure was not being properly managed by Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC).

    The Ibom Power managing director, in a statement made available to reporters, said the outgoing governor, Chief Goodswill Akpabio, has laid the foundation for the industrialisation of Akwa-Ibom State, adding that through the industralisation of the state, the psyche of every Akwa-Ibom person has now been positively changed.

    Udo, who is also the Senior Special Assistant to the governor on power, noted that indigenes of the state are now proud of their heritage because of what the outgoing governor has accomplished.

    He expressed confidence in the Governor-elect, Mr. Udom Emmanuel’s ability to positively transform the state’s economic outlook, pointing out that the outgoing governor enabled a fair and equitable process for the emergence of his successor. Akpabio, he added, deserves full credit for the good position that state attained economically.

    “The governor-elect’s landslide victory at the April 11governorship elections is proof of the people’s confidence in the succession process that Akpabio has initiated. Udom Emmanuel’s experience as an investment banker will ensure continuity, consolidation and sustainable development across all sectors of the state,” he said.

    According to him, “the enormous infrastructural development and the extensive urban electrification across the state have made Akwa-Ibom State a destination for investors. From the splendor and scenery that welcomes travelers upon arrival at the international airport at night; it is easy to appreciate that Akwa-Ibom State can be seen from outer space in contrast to the ‘dark continent’ perspective of Africa.

    “During the outgoing administration we said let God’s will be done, and it was done. Now with the incoming administration we are confident that God is with us – Emmanuel. Akwa-Ibom is on the Right Hand of God,” the statement read.