The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Chief Executive Officer

  • AXA Mansard sponsors Special Olympics Games in Abu Dhabi

    AXA Mansard, a member of the AXA Group, sponsored the just-concluded Special Olympics World Summer Games in Abu Dhabi, Chief Executive Officer, AXA Mansard Health Plc, Mr Tope Adeniyi has said.

    In a statement, Adeniyi said the  the Special Olympics World Games are held every two years.

    He said Austria hosted the Winter Games in 2017, where 22 athletes represented Nigeria, winning 12 Gold and 10 Silver medals.

    According to him, the Special Olympics World Summer Games  were the largest sports and humanitarian event in the world this year.

    He said: “The need to show our concern and support towards children and young adults that are physically challenged cannot be over-emphasised seeing they have very little opportunity to participate in organised athletic events. Sponsoring the iconic event is our way of ultimately contributing towards the mental and physical wellness of these children.

    “While the games serve to promote the concept of involvement in physical activity and other opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities, it also gives an opportunity for children and young adults all over the world to bond and create memories that will last a lifetime, while inspiring them to push beyond the barrier of intellectual disabilities.

    “At AXA Mansard, we remain resolute in making the world a healthier place, as such, we throw our weight behind initiatives that promotes mental and physical wellness in the society.”

  • ‘Mergers, acquisitions coming to downstream oil sector’

    Marketers should embrace mergers and acquisitions in the downstream oil sector to consolidate their operations the Chief Executive Officer, Enyo Retail and Supply Limited, Mr. Abayomi Awobokun, has said.

    He said this will boost their capacity to supply fuel effortlessly across the country by 2024,

    Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN), Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) and Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN), are the key operators of the oil marketing and distribution segment of the oil industry.

    Awobokun said the downstream subsector would experience mergers and acquisitions, which would bring about changes in its operation in the next five years. While explaining past and current developments in the subsector and projecting into its future, he said, mergers and acquisitions are inevitable in view of the conditions of operators in the sector.

    Awobokun stated this in during a press onference  in Lagos to intimate the public about the operation of Enyo Retail and Supply Limited.

    According to him, the development became necessary in order to bring out the essential changes in the downstream operation, which has for years been plagued with problems such as infrastructure, logistics and others.

    Awobokun said: “The next five years would witness new players in the downstream subsector of the Nigerian oil and gas industry. People would see new but bigger players and Enyo Retail and Supply Limited is one of them. The subsector would experience mergers and acquisitions in the next five years.

    Enyo Retail and Supply Limited, he said, has acquired new retail solutions as part of its expansion plans, adding that the firm would not stop at that.

    “We are entering into a contractual agreement with key dealers across the country with a view to fast-tracking rapid expansion of stations. We believe that the idea of having stations at strategic locations will help us drive our commitment to the provision of quality petroleum products in the country,” he added.

    Besides, he said Enyo would be providing technology-driven services to its customers, adding that the firm has concluded plans to set the pace for the innovation in fuel retailing.  He also said the company has a way of interfacing with their customers seeking redress by ensuring that customers lodge their complaints about the products offered to them.

    Enyo, Awobokun said, carries out thorough investigations upon acquiring fuel stations for improved growth.

    The firm, he said, finds out the topography of the area (s) where a vacant retail outlet is located in order to ascertain the strength of the structures erected there, find out whether the owner of the outlet obtained building permits/plans from the state government, whether the area (s) has commercial strength in order to ensure the marketability of the petroleum products, among meeting other requirements needed for the growth of the stations.

    However, MOMAN’s Executive Secretary, Mr. Clement Isong, refused to comment on the issue of mergers and acquisitions in the future among marketers, as he claimed that he was not aware of the issue.

    The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) is planning to increase its retail fuel market to 30 per cent from 14 per cent by 2020. The goal, NNPC’s Group Managing Director, Dr Maikantu Baru, said would be achieved before the set date.

  • Oil firm invests N8b in downstream

    The Chief Executive Officer, ENYO Retail and Supply Limited, an retail outlet,  Abayomi Awobokun, said the company has invested over N8 billion in the downstream retail business with eyes on expanding its market share in the petroleum sub-sector.

    Awobokun, in a press outing yesterday in Lagos, said set up the company to impact positively in the downstream subsector of the oil and gas industry, adding that despite the challenges confronting the petroleum industry, his team of investors is ready to expand beyond its present market share, going forward.

    He said Enyo is the first to offer customers what he termed loyalty scheme, which he said is an opportunity to reward its loyal buyers. “We want to use innovations and modern designs to our advantage to grow business in the downstream. Enyo doesn’t want to get involved in the business of importing products. We buy from those that import and then sell,” he said.

    He urged the government to look at issues such as supply shortages, customers distrust, congestion and poor road facilities.

    He said the firm is looking at delving into a 24-hour service in the future with a combination of pumps where customers can either serve themselves, or be served by attendants. He added that the firm is planning on buying over stations across the country for rapid growth.

    “There are negative stigmas affecting the downstream sector. Past events have given it a bad name. There is general distrust between the customers and the marketers. The economy is also another challenge. Nigerians don’t buy fuel for luxury like driving from Lagos to Akure just for sightseeing. They buy fuel for essentials and not pleasure.

    “There is also the challenge of lack of basic infrastructure. Moving of products from the depots to the filling stations is very challenging. But despite all these challenges, there is still room for growth,’’ he said.

  • Firm to provide one million houses

    An investment firm, Lifepage Group, is to build one million houses by 2041, translating to 40,000 houses yearly.

    Its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Oladipupo Clement, explained that the initiative would take care of the supply and demand of the market.

    According to him, the programme, to be launched in the second quarter, will be the first of its kind in the country as it will make the sector a major contributor to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

    Besides, he is convinced that the initiative will provide a long-term funding for housing development, leading ultimately to cheaper funds for the growth of the real estate sector.

    “We have a goal to provide one million houses by 2041. It will start with the launch of a housing investment fund, and we are giving it everything because we believe it will have a huge impact. By the time we break that down on yearly basis, it will be well over 40, 000. It will take care of both the supply and demand end,” he said.

    He explained that when housing issues were resolved and taken out of the concerns of any household, other things are easy to manage. He said many rich people do not really need houses but those at the bottom, making the deficit to be heavy.

    This, he further said, accounts for why there are several vacant houses in highbrow areas like Ikoyi, Asokoro, amongst others.

    Besides, Lifepage has introduced a scheme called “boot camps” targeted at training people on real estate potential, and to demonstrate that the real estate could offer better opportunities if well planned.

    At the moment, the firm has completed some urban regeneration schemes, with a landmark project called the Millennium Estate in Gbagada, Lagos State. It comprises Zeder Pavillion and terrace apartments, and is being developed in line with the urban renewal programme of the Lagos state government.

    The Millennium Estate comprises affordable luxury apartments of 12 units with four blocks, three in each block as well as eight units premium plots.

    “The urban regeneration option is geared to meet the middle class in environment with existing infrastructures rather than going to new areas with infrastructural challenges. The premium plots come with four bedroom duplex and studio apartments to accommodate the bigger class,” Clement explained.

    In its seventh year, Lifepage has invested in large expanse of estates in Lagos, Ogun, Rivers states and Federal Capital Territory (FCT). These include over 60 acres of land in FCT, over 100 acres in Lagos, over 400 acres in Ogun State and over 30 acres of land in River State.

    The Lifepage boss, however, lamented “the unstructured real estate environment’’, saying it is no affecting investment.

    Notwithstanding, the potential in the sector remains untapped, a situation, he said, calls for its re-organisation to enable it add more value to the economy.

    Hear him: “The sector is plagued with several challenges, which include lack of funding and infrastructure, which has made the deficit coming more from the base of the pyramid rather than from the top of the pyramid. The government should provide the infrastructure and cheap funds, while developers can come in with creative ways.”

    Clement added that the odds were against real estate developers because more often than not, they had to provide infrastructure, such as roads, water, electricity, to their estates, and yet, still try to build affordable houses.

  • I was honoured to be awarded alongside Bayelsa Deputy gov, Tonto Dike –Anita May Igoni

    Twenty two year old Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Miss Port Harcourt City Pageant, Anita May Igoni, has expressed joy as she was recently awarded alongside the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah and Nollywood actress Tonto Dike.

    The former beauty queen was given a special recognition award as the most outstanding model in Nigeria at the Nigeria Reliable Icon Award.

    “I felt honoured. Receiving an award makes you work harder! It’s a means of recognizing your effort so far, so it was a privilege being awarded alongside such personalities.

    “Well I wouldn’t know but the world is watching and if I was awarded based on what I do that goes a long way to say I am trying even if I feel I haven’t done enough. I don’t know how I achieve that! I wouldn’t know but I’ve been myself for the past years and am happy doing what I love. I feel privileged having such recognition at 22 is a wow! But am grateful,” she said.

    Anita was also named among the under-30 leaders in Port Harcourt by Mediaville magazine.

    However, while the third Miss Port Harcourt City holds tomorrow (Sunday) Port Harcourt, a Novelty match was held between CEOs in Port Harcourt and Miss Port Harcourt City contestants on Thursday.

    Anita who is passionate about the girl-child, disclosed that the Novelty match, which is tagged ‘Kick For A Cause’ is aimed at kicking out all the vices in society like black soot, domestic violence, child abuse, rape and others.

    On what has kept her going since she started the Miss Port Harcourt City Pageant, she said: “My passion and love for pageantry and modelling is what has kept me going. The drive to empower the girl child and give back to the society is what has been my goal.”

  • School environments should be interactive – CME boss

    The Chief Executive Officer of Creative Minded Educators, (CME) Odetola Ebenezer Israel has appealed to school managers to make their learning environment the third teacher for the child as that would go a long way in improving the child’s creativity, learning and overall development.
     
    Israel said this recently at a workshop organized by CME for teachers and school managers in Lagos.
    The event tagged: The Learning Environment; as the Third Teacher of a Child: Aesthetic Transformation of the Learning Environment brought together school teachers, school administrators and art enthusiasts.
     
    According to him, the environment is the context in which learning takes place as it mirrors the ideas, values, attitudes, and cultures of children in it”.
     
    “as a 21st century teacher, we should pay intention to the environment to make sure that their beliefs and values about children and learning are represented in the space because classroom that is functioning successfully as a third teacher will be responsive to the children interests and also provide opportunities to make their thinking visible and flexible”he said.
     
    “we believe that a well designed environment can support and enhance all areas of children’s development and learning, just as a poorly planned environment can distract from overall development and learning. In order to act as an educator for the child, the environment has to be flexible: It must undergo frequent modification by the children and the teachers in order to remain up to date and responsive to their need to be protagonists in constructing their knowledge”.
     
    “ All the things that surround people in the school and which they can use: the objects, the materials, and the structures  are not seen as passive elements, but on the contrary, are seen as elements that condition and are conditioned by the actions of the children and adults who are active in it”,
     
    “we need to put into consideration that the Children are consistently learning regardless of the involvement of an adult/teacher or their peers. Even when a child is alone they are learning. With this in mind, consideration of the environment should be taking into consideration when planning the curriculum”.
     
     He also said the effort and thought that goes into creating beautiful learning for children reflects the belief that children deserve the very best, and that their aesthetic senses need to be nurtured
     
    “We need to think about creating classroom environment that give children the opportunity for wonder, mystery and discovery; an environment that speaks to young children inherent curiosity and innate learning for exploration in a classroom where children are passionate about learning and love school”.
     
    “our classroom should accommodate some certain object from sight, touch, smell, taste and sound because the senses play a large role in children’s development, and that a carefully designed environment support children’s exploration through their senses. Children need a beautiful learning space, their aesthetic senses need to be nurtured in the early years”.
     
    He further said that the workshop aims to  teach today’s teachers to pay attention to the environment to make sure that their beliefs and values about children and learning are represented in the space because classroom that is functioning successfully as a third teacher will be responsive to the children interests and also provide opportunities to make their thinking visible and flexible.
     
    “the learning environment should be contents rich, provide feedback, support for knowledge, support learning through the senses, support play and the learning needs and preferences of each child, Support for the development of skills, include a wide variety of tools and opportunities to provide practice and acquire skills”.

  • ABUAD seeks to end medical tourism

    • Signs MoU with Dubai hospital

    Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Aster Group of Hospitals in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) to halt medical tourism by Nigerians abroad.

    ABUAD Founder, Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), said the partnership will see the Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital (ABUADTH) and Aster collaborating in the areas of training, consultancy, and technical expertise and in medical administration.

    The MoU was signed on Tuesday, where it was agreed that Aster will offer short and long terms as well as permanent partnership for smooth take off of ABUADTH.

    Speaking after the signing, Dr. Navin Pascal, who spoke on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Aster, said Aster had subsidiaries in nine countries and had been receiving patients from over 90 countries across the world.

    He said it was sad that Nigeria loses over 35,000 doctors to advanced countries due to poor remuneration, saying the trend has been affecting healthcare service in the country.

    “Aster has become a referral centre in the middle East. Our partnership with ABUAD will be in the areas of training, technical and administration.

    “What we will do is to train the doctors here so that ABUAD can be self sufficient in having experts that can perform critical operations that can make the rich and middle class Nigerians to see the hospitals as a better alternative.

    “We appreciate the fact that ABUAD is working hard for humanity and Aster partnering with it will bring a paradigm shift in Nigeria’s health sector”, he said.

    ABUAD Founder disclosed that a delegation will leave for Dubai in January 26 to perfect the MoU for enforcement.

    Babalola said: “In this partnership, ABUADTH and Aster are equal partners. Though, we agreed for long and short terms, but the memorandum may be forever depending on its workability.

    “Nigerians can’t afford to be spending so much on medical tourism and I have faith that this partnership will make the country a leading nation in healthcare services”.

    He said the breakdown of medical equipment in critical areas like dialysis, oncology and cardiology was becoming embarrassing,  urging Aster to bring in experts in biomedical engineering to train the experts in ABUADTH to prevent such from occurring in the hospital.

     

  • ‘Blogging is not a business for the feeble-minded’

    ‘Blogging is not a business for the feeble-minded’

    Aminat Olajumoke Ajibola is the Chief Executive Officer of Amiloaded Media World. She started blogging four years ago. In this interview with GBENGA ADERANTI, she talks about her passion among other issues. Excerpts:

    Why did you choose blogging?

    I am a social media addict. I am always online where I get my inspiration. It occurred to me that I could not  be spending long hours on the net without any gainful impact and engagement. I developed passion for information sourcing and sharing and I decided to get actively involved. Blogging was not my professional focus when starting out in life, but when I came across social media and discovered I loved it, it occurred to me that I could actually do what the social media and online journalists do.

    I must give credit to the CEO of Nairaland, Oluwaseun Osewa for providing credible mentoring. I can simply say, I got passionate and learned from the best.

    How long have you been a blogger?

    Before I started amiloaded.com about two years ago, I used to be very active on Nairaland. I am also active on Facebook, Whatsapp and other social media platforms. In all, I can say that my foray into the media world is almost 4 years now starting from my days in the university. But in almost two years, to the glory of God, I have been handling my personal platform.

    Have you ever encountered challenges?

    Whaooo! I don’t seriously want to go there.There are numerous challenges as regards this. It is very challenging to give a detailed account of them all. Initially, when I started, I was almost discouraged.But as I grew in encounters and experiences, my skin got thicker. I could remember a situation where some young men from a particular political party tagged me a spy. I initially got infuriated but when I reflected over it, I came to the  conclusion that nosing around for news and reports is so engaging and if I seek to excel in it, I should encounter more of this.

    Anyone who falls on the wrong side of the news sees you as an enemy or antagonist but when they fall on the right side of the news they may and may not even make any comment. Finance and other logistics too are challenging.You also need functional media tools.Bountiful data and connections to gather and verify your news are also challenging. Osun State is my catchment focus.This is because of the challenges of verification. I report from other places too, but must be from trusted sources. I hate rumour peddling.

    Is blogging a serious business?

    Yes it is.It is not a business for the feeble minded.It is time consuming, capital intensive and requires a lot of diligence. Blogging is not a quick win investment: you need consistency, perseverance and creativity to excel. It appears like a play or a serious challenge at the initial stage but as time goes   on and the venture develops, it becomes progressively and moderately rewarding. It may not be a gateway to sudden wealth, but if it is handled with due diligence and dedication, the sky is a starting point.

    Aside blogging, what else are you into?

    I run a  non-governmental organization – the Youth Reformers Initiative- which is social development in focus. Recently, we embarked on operation feed 1000 street kids across major cities in Osun State. I am a consultant to many online businesses and web pages. I am equally into web design and management.

    I am also the organizer of the Osun Youth Ambassadors Award which focuses on promoting excellence, dedication and service to humanity among the youths. We showcase youths from the State who have excelled in their various fields and have also impacted positively on the community. It is not a platform to celebrate politicians.

    Where do you see yourself soon?

    I will be launching, Amiloaded TV very soon.It’s a new online addition to the Amiloaded media platform. I look forward to building a sustainable media empire. I see myself excelling above  Linda Ikeji and other top bloggers by the grace of almighty God. I equally see myself as a social advocate for a better and just society where humanity will live most happily.

  • Institute advocates improved data collection in Nigeria

    Institute advocates improved data collection in Nigeria

    Dr Patrick Dakum, the Chief Executive Officer, Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria (IHVN), on Wednesday called for an improved data collection system in Nigeria.

    Making the call at the 3rd Annual Nigeria Implementation Science Alliance (NISA) Conference holding in Abuja, Dakum noted that the key objectives of the conference was to provide a forum for dissemination of research data.
    He said that data would make research and implementation easier and more effective.

    “Correct data at the correct time will give you correct result and correct impact of what you are doing.

    “IHVN will work with hospitals to change perspective on data especially how they use their data for programming at their own site level.

    “We will also harmonise our electronic platforms, so that we can have a uniform platform that fits data into the federal system.

    “There is a national data platform called the National Data Health Information System and stakeholders have agreed to key into it.

    “They have also agreed to upload data into it and to ensure that whatever data is available is put in the National repository, so that it can be used for planning, budgeting and for taking care of patients,” he added.

    Dakum also urged the government to take full responsibility and ownership of the different health programmes in Nigeria.

    The IHVN boss also cautioned that Nigeria could not continue to depend on foreign grants as 75 per cent of drugs consumed by people living with HIV and AIDS and TB in the country were paid for by funders.

    According to him, in the issue of funding and sustainability, Nigeria is below 28 per cent in terms of government responsibility in taking care of HIV and TB.

    “This is not right, we must push and advocate for better implementation and ownership of the different health programmes in Nigeria, not only HIV and TB but also the communicable diseases,” he said.

    NISA Conference Coordinator, Prof. Echezona Ezeanolue, highlighted the main objectives of the conference to include providing a forum for dissemination for researchers, implementers and policy makers, to review challenges and identify new strategies in implementation science.

    Ezeanolue said that other objectives of the conference were enhancing collaboration and creating opportunity for young investigators to identify mentors and and collaborators as part of their objectives and the provision of a forum for dissemination of research data generated from Nigeria to inform local policy changes.

    The Chief Executive Officer, AIDS Prevention Initiative in Nigeria, Prosper Okonkwo, said that there was need to increase awareness about research in the country.

    According to Okonkwo, the Nigerian government has the capability to fund and encourage research to improve scientific work.

  • Mohammed Gobir bounces back

    LIKE coastal residents rebuilding their town after a deadly hurricane, Mohammed Gobir has bounced back in a big way after his recent travails. After months of being haunted by the EFCC over an alleged fraud, the husband of beautiful Bolanle Gobir is set to bring back the good old days with his latest venture.

    The Chief Executive Officer of Lake Resources, Liquid Gold, and Stanmore Oil and Gas has launched an agricultural products export business. Taking advantage of the North’s vast potential in crops and livestock production, Gobir’s new company is set to bridge the gap between producers and end users.

    Before the EFCC came after him, Mohammed was a guy about town whose easy-going nature won him a place in the hearts of celebrity hostesses. With his new business off to a flying start, the good times should be returning very soon for the Kwara-born dude.