The Nation Newspaper

Tag: commitment

  • Firm reiterates commitment to food production

    Firm reiterates commitment to food production

    Elephant Group Plc, one of the leading agro-allied companies, has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring adequate food production and sufficiency, in line with the Federal Government’s mission of self sufficiency in food.

    The group restated that it was determined to support the agriculture sector and boost incomes and job-led growth.

    Its Group Managing Director, Mr. Tunji Owoeye,  said, in a statement, signed by the company’s Media Consultant, Mr. Babatunde Ajibola,  that:  “Our mission is to offer the best of our experience in agriculture , garnered over the years into planting and producing adequate food for the people in order for the nation to be self-sufficient in food production, since as we all know, the goverment is striving to make agriculture the main stay of the economy; we are all out in ensuring this becomes a reality.”

    Its Executive Director, Mr. Akin Ogunbiyi, restated the group’s commitment to making food sufficiency a reality within the shortest time. He enjoined the people to join hands with the government to make the vision a reality.

  • Goldberg reiterates commitment to cultural development

    Goldberg reiterates commitment to cultural development

    As part of efforts aimed at a continuous promotion of the culture and traditions of the people of Southwest Nigeria, Goldberg, Nigeria’s leading culture-centric beer brand, has announced plans to sponsor various cultural festivals across the region. The festivals, which include Osun Osogbo, Udiroko, Oranyan, Ojude Oba, Olojo and Oyemekun, are scheduled to hold between the months of August and November.

    Commenting on the plans for the sponsorship, the Portfolio Manager, Mainstream Lager and Stout Brands, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Emmanuel Agu, said with the sponsorships, the brand is reiterating its commitment to supporting the promotion of Yoruba culture and traditions, in line with its three-point agenda of culture, respect and enjoyment. These age-old festivals are among the elements that bind the Yoruba together, and they represent the norms and values which are highly cherished in Yorubaland.

    Agu recalled that Goldberg has been a lead sponsor of cultural festivals in the Southwest, which was the brand’s way of displaying respect for the people. Across the different cities of the Southwest where these festivals hold, Goldberg’s sponsorship positively impacts economic activities, apart from the colour, grandeur and enjoyment it adds to the festivals.

  • Nigeria restates commitment to digital switchover

    Nigeria restates commitment to digital switchover

    •Minister: we are ready for nationwide roll-out

    Nigeria’s switchover from analogue to digital television viewing is “irreversible”, Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed has said.

    The minister, who restates the country’s commitment to the Digital Switch Over (DSO), announced that it will be rolled out in the six geo-political zones in the next few weeks as a practical demonstration of its commitment to the DSO project.

    Mohammed spoke in Quincy, United States (U.S.), on Tuesday during a meeting with the executives of Gates Air, a market leader in transmission solutions for broadcast network operators.

    In a statement by his media aide, Segun Adeyemi, the minister said the DSO, which was first launched in Jos in April 2016, is ready to be rolled out in six states – Kaduna, Kwara, Delta, Enugu, Gombe and Osun – covering the six geo-political zones.

    He said the switch over from analogue to digital television is “irreversible” because the DSO is a “game changer” that will bring immense benefits to Nigerians and help the government to achieve one of its cardinal goals, which is economic diversification.

    Mohammed said the meeting with the U.S. company, which is a key player in the DSO process, confirmed government’s commitment to the project, which has also been launched in Abuja.

    “The DSO is very important to this administration, because of the limitless potentials that it represents. For us as a government, DSO goes beyond just receiving digital transmission but an avenue to create jobs and ignite the huge creative potentials of our youths. It is also a solution to some of the intractable problems affecting the creative industry, including piracy and distribution,’’ he said.

    The minister, who led a team that includes the Chairman of the House of Representatives’ Committee on DSO, Sunday Katung and Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) Malam Ishaq Kawu Modibbo, inspected the facilities at the company’s sprawling factory, where several equipment meant for the DSO roll-out are being manufactured.

  • Shoprite reaffirms commitment to made-in-Nigeria products

    Shoprite reaffirms commitment to made-in-Nigeria products

    Shoprite Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to local products with its ‘Made- in-Nigeria’initiative, which has benefited producers and customers.

    The majority of products sold by Shoprite are sourced within the country. By pledging to stock more local produce across its 23 stores, Shoprite is highlighting its commitment to the economic  growth.

    The ‘Made-in-Nigeria’ initiative includes quarterly gatherings where local manufacturers can network and showcase their goods. These  have helped strengthen the relationship between Shoprite and local manufacturers, and have enabled manufacturers to identify new markets for their products.

    Integrated Factory Foods Managing Partner, Akhibi Onoke, said the benefits of selling Naija Sweet Rice in Shoprite stores had been evident.

    Onoke, who started supplying to Shoprite four months ago, said: “The big advantage for us is that our products are available in 23 stores nationwide, which increases our market and provides us with growth opportunities. The fact that people see the goods in Shoprite gives us a level of credibility. We are gaining a lot of mileage from that and the exposure to the retailers customer base is definitely working for us.”

    Pally Agro Products Managing Director, Anwuli Onyeagu, who makes  fresh palm fruit extracts, has been a part of the Shoprite ‘Made-in-Nigeria’ initiative for over three months. She said sales volumes of her products increased by over 40 per cent during the period.

    Shoprite is confident that ‘Made- in-Nigeria’ initiative is the boost that local suppliers need to grow the economy. Entrepreneurs and small businesses are encouraged to work with Shoprite.

    Local suppliers are subjected to the same stringent quality standards and demanding targets expected of Shoprite’s international suppliers. The ‘Made-in-Nigeria’ initiative provides more support to local manufacturers to ensure consistency of supply.

    In the past 11 years, the retailer has sourced products locally and has kept to its promise of lower prices.

  • Governor declares commitment to projects delivery

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has declared that his administration will continue to deliver projects that will improve  the living condition of the Rivers people.

    In a live interview  on Rhythm FM Port Harcourt yesterday, Wike assured the people that he would never disappoint them.

    The governor said that he would never make empty promises  to the people because  his administration is built on transparency, accountability and commitment  to the welfare of the people.

    The governor described as unfortunate  the statements  made by the immediate past governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi on projects and programmes across the state.

    He said: “It is unfortunate that someone  who was celebrating his 52nd Birthday would tell Rivers people what is not correct. The immediate past administration abandoned projects by previous administrations.  But we chose to complete projects that they abandoned.  We completed all the projects  that will positively  impact the lives of our people.

    “We inherited N14.7billion as salaries and pensions from the Amaechi administration, which we cleared. N23.2billion loan from Zenith Bank  was also inherited and cleared by us. Another agriculture loan obtained by that administration was cleared by my administration “.

    On the abandoned projects inherited by his administration, Wike said contrary to claims by Amaechi, his administration paid the contractors  N6billion to complete the Epirikom-Rumuolumeni Road which was awarded in 2012 at the cost of N10.3billion. He said that road was less than 25 percent completed at the time his administration took over.

    He said  the  Nkpogu Bridges was awarded by the  immediate past administration, but were not constructed because of  a dispute between the contractor and that administration.

    He stressed that his administration  inherited the contractors, negotiated  and paid the contractors  for the bridges, which have been delivered and commissioned.

    The governor said that Amaechi merely returned to the state  to launder his image, in view of the collapsed APC  structure in the state.

    He pointed out that the administration  paid for and completed the abandoned  Ozuoba-Ogbogoro-Rumuolumini Road and is already working on the abandoned Garrison-Trans Amadi -Elelenwo which will be completed in December.

    He also  stated that the administration is working on the Elelenwo -Akpajo road and Ochigba road in Ahoada East Local Government Area, which was abandoned by the previous administration due to political consideration.

    Wike  said  his administration initiated  new projects that have  impacted  the lives of the people, positively.

    He listed the 42 roads in Diobu, roads in Borikiri, Ogbunabali Internal Roads, Isiokpo Internal Roads, Elele-Alimini internal roads, Omoku Internal Roads, Igwuruta-Chokocho road, Chokocho-Rumukrusi road, Ulakwo II-Afara-Nihi Road, Eneka-Rukpokwu road, Rukpokwu-Aluu among other road projects.

    The governor added that his administration has revived  the state’s secondary healthcare sector by totally rehabilitating  13 General Hospitals, while over 300 primary schools are being renovated and equipped under the state universal basic education programme.

    Wike explained: “His (Amaechi) anger is that I  have been given  the name , Mr Projects.  I came to serve the people.  You are comparing your eight years with my two years”

    He said the administration  has improved security  through  the funding of the operations of security agencies and the regular  payment  of  monthly allowances. He informed that his administration inherited  six months unpaid monthly allowances  to security agencies, which has been cleared.

    The governor said APC  is dead in Rivers and the plot to use security agencies to rig in 2019 would not work.

    He explained  that the administration was addressing environmental sanitation challenges as part of its urban renewal programme.

  • ZTE renews commitment to workers’ welfare

    Despite the economic downturn, ZTE Nigeria Limited has expressed its commitment to continue investing in the economy, particularly in the development of local human capital.

    ZTE Nigeria is the subsidiary of ZTE Corporation, one of the leading multinational ICT solution and service providers in the world.   It is listed on the Hong Kong and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges.

    Its Head of Administration, Yawei Yang, said in Lagos that the company, which started operations in 2002 and  has over 100 employees, has impacted positively on  economy through its viable projects.

    ”We recognised the situation in Nigeria but are going to maintain our high standard in terms of service delivery and our commitment to good welfare package  for our staff. We are among the few telecoms firms that allow all our staff to unionise, we have generous welfare packages that include training and sundry allowances, mobile phone allowance because of our belief in the development of the local workforce,” she said.

    Reeling out the company’s labour profile, she said: “We have not outsourced any of our operations outside Nigeria as some telecoms firms are doing to cut costs. Only 17 per cent of our entire workforce are foreigners and we have   operated  within the ambit of the Extant Immigration laws and Regulations of Nigeria 2015 and all other administrative directives.”

    On allegation that the company overshot its expatriate quota, Yang explained: “Our ZTE China staff routinely visit Nigeria for discussions with other telecoms operators to have good business prospects, leading to the signing of agreement, which, unfortunately, has not been successful since 2014.

  • Lagos renews commitment to friendly policies

    Lagos renews commitment to friendly policies

    •Governor tasks social organisations on economy

    There was renewal of commitment at the weekend from the Lagos State Government to the implementation of more friendly policies for businesses to thrive.

    Governor Akinwunmi Ambode made the renewal after striking a deal with social clubs on a strategic partnership in building a dream smart city for all.

    It was at the Lagos @ 50 Event – Celebrating Social Clubs – staged at the Island Club on Lagos Island. The governor was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Tunji Bello.

    He said the desire to forge such partnership informed why social clubs enjoy a pride of place in the Centre of Excellence.

    According to the governor, the state will remain steadfast in making Lagos work for all through the formulation of people-oriented policies.

    He said social clubs should be viewed beyond their philanthropic gestures and as tools for socialisation but seen as veritable channels meant for the protection, promotion and popularisation of government programmes to deepen the state’s economy.

    Ambode told his audience that Lagos, despite being the smallest in size, remains the most prosperous in the country and the fifth largest economy in Africa.

    The governor stated that the occasion was organised in recognition and appreciation of the contributions of social clubs to the success recorded by the state in its first 50 years.

    He said the government had a reason to celebrate the state’s achievements, adding that it would have been difficult to attain such without the sacrifice and commitment of individuals and organisations, including social clubs.

    Ambode said: “Seated amongst us here today are great men and women, who have rendered selfless services in public and private capacities to move Lagos State forward.

    “Some had supported previous administrations with great and lofty ideas that assisted in developing solutions to our challenges in different sectors.”

    The governor urged members of social clubs not to lose focus on the future by reflecting on the height they envisage for the state in the next 50 years.

    He expressed his appreciation for the immense support the administration enjoyed in the last two years.

    Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the Island Club, Mr. Banji Oladapo, commended the giant strides made by Lagos in the last 50 years.

    He praised the governor for the infrastructural transformation of the state.

    The President of Eko Club, Chief Tunde Fanimokun, lauded the Ambode-led administration for the remarkable progress witnessed in the state in the last two years.

    Fanimokun said the projects implemented had demonstrated the government’s commitment to the interest and well-being of Lagosians.

    Bello presented a plaque in appreciation of Island Club’s supportive role to the government.

    Finance Commissioner Akinyemi Ashade and prominent leaders of the club, including All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Prince Rabiu Oluwa, were among the dignitaries at the event.

  • Ambode restates commitment to job creation

    Ambode restates commitment to job creation

    •Commissions AfriOne manufacturing plant

    Lagos State governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has restated his commitment to job creation and wealth generation.

    He gave this assurance at the weekend in Lagos at the formal commissioning of the manufacturing and assembly plant AfriOne Ltd., a technology-driven enterprise, for Made in Nigeria phones and other technological devices.

    The governor who was represented by his Senior Adviser on Commerce, Industry and Cooperative, Benjamin A. Olabinjo said ICT remains a vital instrument being used by the government to enhance service delivery across the board, hence it is committed to the growth of the sector and development.

    “AfriOne is a company in the business of promoting Made in Nigeria goods, job creation. It has a huge potential for job creation and wealth generation and its operations ties in with the vision of running a 24 hours economy in the state,” he said.

    Ambode who hinted that the state has since signed a memorandum of understanding with the company to set up a technology incubation centre in Lagos state polytechnic, where youths would be productively engaged, said such efforts will be supported with funding from the Employment Trust Fund (ETF).

    Briefing newsmen, the Chief Executive Officer of AfriOne, Mr Sahir Berry said the plant was a technological breakthrough and precedent for the company and for Nigeria.

    Berry said that with the inauguration of the plant served as a pioneer in the manufacture and assembly of high-end communication technology in the African space.

    He said that the company’s state of the art facility was spread out over 20,000 square feet including Research and Development (R&D) and testing laboratories.

    According to him, the facility will be able to produce 300,000 products in a month on its four production lines.

    He said that the company’s brands of Smartphone would soon be unveiled into the Nigerian market.

    “The company models products that utilise cutting-edge technology reflect a modern, sleek design and integrate the latest and arguably necessary financial technology such as mobile health, mobile education and mobile banking.

    “This is all with the goal of facilitating connectivity among Nigerians and the rest of the world,” Berry said.

    The co-founder of AfriOne, Mr Hemang Kapur said that the products of the company were proudly and smartly crafted in Nigeria by Nigerians.

    Kapur said that AfriOne served Africa’s largest socioeconomic power player with integrity.

    He said that the company was hosting cutting-edge technology, stylish design, affordable price points and particularly, an inherent commitment to financial integration.

    According to him, the financial integration was through the automatically installed mobile banking and financial technology, through the NowNow application.

    “AfriOne aims to democratise technology by offering affordable innovations through our product offerings and removing barriers for large scale adoption of advanced technologies in Nigeria, hence our motto AfriOne – one for everyone.

    “We offer a wide range of feature-rich and technologically loaded product lines from dual SIM mobile phones to educational tablet PCs and even android smart watches,” Kapur said.

    The Chief Operating Officer of AfriOne, Mr Sandeep Natu, said that the company presently employed approximately 500 staff, who worked at its state-of-the-art product and testing facilities.

    The Managing Director of Contec Global, Mr Roheen Berry, said that in addition to the production of contemporary ICT devices and accessories, AfriOne was dedicated to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

  • Fed Govt restates commitment to food security

    The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to use agriculture to ensure food security and provide more employment for Nigerians.

    The Director, Department of Agriculture and Extension Services, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr. Alphonsus Onwuemeka, spoke during a training organised for Agricultural Extension Officers at the head office of Ekiti State Agricultural Development Programme  in Ikole-Ekiti.

    Onwuemeka said out that the Federal Government was working towards using agriculture to generate export and support sustainable income and jobgrowth.

    According to him, Nigeria is the world’s largest producer of cassava which is handled only by small farmers in southern, central and lately northern Nigeria. He regretted that the country still imports starch, flour and sweeteners that can be made from cassava.

    In his remarks, the Acting Programme Manager of Ekiti State Agricultural Development Programme, Mr. Oladele Yakubu, said Nigeria is presently facing shortages in staple crops because of dependence on imported food.

  • Schneider restates commitment to quality service

    Schneider restates commitment to quality service

    Schneider Electric Nigeria, the global specialist in energy management and automation, is rolling out service centres for solar solutions for its customers in order to provide optimum after-sales services and grow local intimacy with its customers.

    To buttress the commitment, the Conext Hybrid Inverter Service Training Programme was held from 28th March to 30th March, 2017, at Schneider Electric Engineering and Solutions Centre in Lagos.

    Selected partners were invited to the training, which was conducted by L3 Solar Expert, Dr Gerry Paz, from Schneider Electric Australia. Participants were trained on how to install and service Schneider Electric Solar solutions. The Training also presented participants with the skills to carry out hands-on troubleshooting as well as Inverter assembly and testing that will enable them provide end users with direct competent after-sales support.