The Nation Newspaper

Tag: cooperation

  • Nigeria, Russia explore areas of mutual economic cooperation

    Nigeria, Russia explore areas of mutual economic cooperation

    A Russian Government delegation and the Lagos Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI) are exploring areas of possible cooperation.

    The Russian Government and its Trade Mission met their Nigerian counterparts at an event organised by the LCCI tagged RuNiTrade (Russia and Nigeria Trade launch), an e-commerce platform where areas of possible cooperation were discussed.

    LCCI President Mrs. Nike Akande said Nigerian and Russian economies are similar in some ways, saying that both are oil producing countries and rich in natural gas. She, however, noted that the Russian economy is much bigger and more advanced technologically.

    Stressing the need to diversify the Nigerian economy through increased global trade, Akande regretted the low level of trade between the countries. She pointed out that with closer cooperation between the private sector of both economies, the level of trade could be improved.

    “We can benefit a lot from Russian technology in many fields. There are also tremendous opportunities for cooperation and investment relations in infrastructure development, especially power and engineering infrastructure,” she said, adding that LCCI was excited by its collaboration with the Russian business on the e-commerce platform.

    She said the launching of the platform will further boost trade and investment relations between both countries. “There is great value in deploying technology to promote trade. Already, e-comerce has gained wide acceptance in our retail trade sector,” Akande said.

    She added that as a country, Nigeria has a lot to offer in business and economic ýrelations. She said, for instance, that the Nigerian economy offers the largest market on the African continent.

    “Our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of over $500 billion is the largest in the continent. We are richly endowed in natural resources. Our macroeconomic fundamentals are still strong despite the current global issues with commodity prices.

    “We have one of the most enterprising population in the world and our democracy is stable for the past 17 years,” she said, assuring that the Chamber would extend all necessary support toý improve trade and investment relations between both countries.

    “I believe there is a great deal of benefit in the promotion of trade relations between countries. It makes it possible for countries across the world to complement one another. No country of the world has ýcompetitive advantage in everything,” Akande added.

    The President, Russia Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Vladimir Zubov, said a platform such as RuNiTrade has been a long awaited and necessary tool, which the business community needs not only in Russia but also in other developing countries.

    He added that the project gives participants the opportunity to promote new products, which serves as a bold step forward for trade development, investments and international relationships between both countries.

    “We are ready to support Business to Business (B2B)-RuNiTrade project on its way to success. I have high hopes for this project and I believe that according to the recent events and agreements reached on political and economic issues, we will work towards organizing more trade missions between our countries. This will help us continue the development of mutually beneficial partnership and cooperation in the area of trade and investment,” Zubov said.

    Head, Russian Export Centre, Mr. Pavel Borisov, in his presentation encouraged Nigerian businesses especially those in banking and insurance to key into the programme. He said Russia has engaged smaller countries such as South Africa and Sudan in various segment of the economy. He said since his country shares certain similarities with Nigeria any partnership would be mutually beneficial.

     

  • Okunnu seeks couples’ cooperation on home affairs

    Former Lagos State Deputy Governor, Alhaja Latifat Okunnu has urged married women to join hands with their husband in running the home to reduce economic hardship.

    Okunnu spoke yesterday during the Ummahaat Day organised by the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Lagos State Area Unit at Tamroyal Hall, Ketu, Lagos.

    Some 2,000 married women were enlightened on health issues and how to balance home management with work and other challenges during the programme themed: The Neoteric Mother.

    She said women’s exhibition of good values would reduce the prevailing economic hardship on their husbands, adding: “We are in an unfavourable state. The economy is tough yet everyone wants to survive. As women, we have a great role to play. This is one of the times to show the good virtues that we are made of in our homes and society. We should instil good values and display cooperating attitudes in our homes.”

    Ummahaat (Married women) Coordinator Hajia Baseerah Gbadegesin lamented the prevailing economic hardship, saying: “Women should know that we have a great role to play as the nation’s asset. This is one of the periods that we are expected to show co-operating attitudes ýto our husbands. We cannot but assist them in this present situation. With positive and co-operating attitude, women are capable of reducing the pains experienced in various homes.

    “We need to prove to the world that we are blessed with industrious skills that are capable of ending the regrettable state of the nation.ý ýWe also need to train our children properly so that they will not be victims of the challenging moments and increasing ills in the society.”

    The guest speaker, Hajia Rasheedah  Odejayi-Olowonisaye, described a Neoteric mother as one who lives a sacrificial and balanced life, adding: “A Neoteric woman can get educated and get a good job but still lives a disoriented, hopeless life and in perpetual self-denial. She struggles to cope with marriage, pregnancy, child upbringing, in-laws and work among many other challenges she is faced with, including the challenge of discharging her religious duties as a Muslimah.”

  • Buhari seeks OPEC members’ cooperation to stabilise oil market

    Buhari seeks OPEC members’ cooperation to stabilise oil market

    President Muhammadu Buhari has said members of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and non-members should cooperate to find a solution to stabilise crude oil prices.

    Speaking at a bilateral meeting with the Sheikh Tamim Bin Hammad Al-Thani, the emir of the State of Qatar in Doha, Buhari described the market situation, which has seen oil prices plummet by 70 per cent since mid-2014, as “totally unacceptable”.

    Buhari, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said: “As members of OPEC and Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), our relations in the areas of oil and gas, which our two nations heavily rely on, need to be enhanced and coordinated for the benefit of our people.

    “The market situation in the oil industry is unsustainable and totally unacceptable.

    “We must cooperate both within and outside our respective organisations to find a common ground to stabilise the market, which will be beneficial to our nations,” the President said on the second day of his state visit to Qatar.

    He hailed the cordial relations between the countries and invited Qatari investors to take advantage of the opportunities in Nigeria and invest in energy, agriculture, real estate, banking and finance.

    The President assured investors of government protection.

    He noted that in the course of his visit, the delegation from Nigeria and Qatar would formalise at least two bilateral agreements to boost economic cooperation.

    He weighed-in on the situation in the Middle East, praising Qatar for resolving the Syrian crisis, the Palestinian cause and efforts in reconstructing Gaza.

    “The conflicts in Yemen and Syria with their attendant humanitarian crisis need genuine international effort to solve. Nigeria, as a peace loving country, identifies with the Qatar in its peace efforts to end terrorism.

    “Nigeria is a victim of terrorism. It is with heavy heart that I stand before you and say activities of Boko Haram have led to loss of lives and the displacement of innocent people in our nation.

    “We, however, take pride to inform you that since coming to power, Boko Haram has been systematically decimated and are in no position to cause threat to our development programmes.

    “I wish to reiterate that Nigeria rejects violence and extremism, and assure you that we are with Qatar in your efforts to fight terrorism and injustice in your region and in the world.”

    The President called for a lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, saying “we like Qatar, favour a ‘Two-State’ solution, with the State of Palestine living side by side with the State of Israel.”

     

    Nigeria, Qatar sign pact on bilateral relations

    Nigeria and Qatar yesterday in Doha signed Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) to pave the way for direct flights among their major cities.

    A statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said both countries also signed an agreement to avoid double taxation and tax evasion on the sideline of President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit.

    The Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, representing the President, signed the air services agreement on behalf of the country while Qatar’s Minister of Transportation and Communications, Jassim Bin Saif Alsulaiti, signed on behalf of the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hammad Al-Thani.

    The agreement, which was signed in the presence of both leaders, is expected to operate on the principle of reciprocity by the designated airlines on behalf of the countries.

    The Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, also signed the agreement to avoid double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes income with its Qatari counterpart, Ali Shareef Al Emadi.

    It is also expected that the agreement on bilateral air service will promote trade, commerce and tourism between the two countries just as Nigeria has commenced discussions on partnership towards establishing a national airline for Nigeria.

    The agreement to avoid double taxation, which had been negotiated since February 2015, will bring in more investments and businesses between Qatar and Nigeria.

  • Ila College of Education seeks workers’ cooperation

    The Governing Council of the Osun State College of Education, Ila- Orangun, is seeking workers’ cooperation in its task to further develop the profile of the college.

    The Chairman, Governing Council Mr. Niyi Akande, made the appeal at a meeting with extended management and the executives of the staff unions of the institution.

    According to Akande, the state government and the Council are committed to the welfare of the college staff. He expressed optimism that the ongoing crisis in the institution would soon be over as government is “passionately looking into all their requests.”

    Akande said the focus of the Council is to ensure the repositioning of academic standard of the college and also to ensure that there is sanity in its administrative system.

    Earlier, the Chairman Senior Staff Union in College of Education, Dr. Lai Oparinde, had pledged support for the Council.

    According to him, the union would not shield any staff who is guilty of corruption.

     

  • Provost seeks cooperation

    The Provost, Adeyei college of Education (ACE) Prof Olukoya Ogen, has assured members of staff of better times during his regime.

    He gave the assurance on Monday during the quadrennial delegate conference of the Non- Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), held at the Olusegun Obasanjo auditorium of the college.

    During the conference, members of the College chapter also elected new executives. Mr. Akinseye Dominic emerged as chairman, Mr Babatunde Reuben as secretary, while Mrs. Jumoke Obadofin became the treasurer.

    Addressing the conference before the election, Ogen said: “My administration would do everything as much as possible to better the lots of NASU members because we hold you in high esteem.”

    He reiterated his belief in democratic practice and urged members of the union to support the kind of leadership that inspires, encourages and has mutual respect for one another.

    “Management remains neutral as far as election of Executive Officers into Unions is concerned,” he stressed.

     

  • CJ: NDIC, judiciary cooperation paying off

    The cooperation between the Nigeria Deposit Insurance  Corporation (NDIC) and the judiciary is yielding result, Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta has said.

    The exclusive designation of judges to handle NDIC cases has resulted in timely dispensation of judgments and sustained the competence and specialisation of designated courts, he said.

    Speaking at a sensitisation seminar for Federal High Court Judges organised by NDIC in Abuja, Justice Auta said judges had been exclusively designated to handle NDIC cases.

    He pointed out the seminar had enlightened the bench on the mandate and activities of the corporation which, according to him, had resulted to more proactive and accurate adjudication of insolvency disputes.

    Also speaking during the conference, NDIC Chief Executive Officer, Umaru Ibrahim said the corporation will continue to collaborate with the judiciary in the discharge of its mandate to enhance financial system stability, , has said.

    In his keynote address with the theme: “The challenge to deposit insurance law and practice”, Ibrahim said NDIC observed that the public had a wrong perception of its statutory mandate.

    Hence, he said, time and valuable resources were invested to reverse the trend through effective and continuous public awareness and close collaboration with key stakeholders.

    Ibrahim recalled the corporation’s sponsorship of a similar seminar last year where about 53 judges of the Federal High Court participated.

    He said the corporation was not oblivious of the fact that some judges that benefited from the last seminar had been elevated to the Court of Appeal or had retired and new ones appointed.

    He said the second run of the seminar was organised by the corporation to consolidate on the gains of the previous edition and to strengthen its relationship with the courts in the interest of bank depositors and Nigeria’s financial system.

    Justice Auta added that the exclusive designation of judges to handle the NDIC cases had resulted in timely dispensation of judgments and sustained the competence and specialisation of designated courts.

  • Nigeria, China sign pact on financial cooperation

    President Goodluck Jonathan and President Xi Jinping of China yesterday in Beijing signed five agreements to boost financial, trade, economic, technical and cultural relations between Nigeria and China.

    The agreements, which were signed after bilateral talks between the two leaders and their delegation, include the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Financial Cooperation In Support of Nigeria’s Economic Development and a Preferential Buyer Credit Agreement for Nigeria’s Four Airports Expansion Project.

    Others are: a new Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation between Nigeria and China; an Agreement on Mutual Visa Exemption for Holders of Diplomatic and Official Passports from both countries and An Agreement for the Prevention of the Theft, Illicit Import and Export of Cultural Property.

    Speaking before the talks, Jonathan thanked Jinping and the people of China for the warm reception accorded him and the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, since their arrival in Beijing.

    He assured Jinping that the Federal Government was committed to sustaining and developing the strategic partnership between both countries for the mutual benefits of their people.

  • Ibadan Disco reinforces supply, seeks customers’ cooperation

    The Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (DISCO) of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) has built new power facilities and upgraded existing ones to improve power supply within its network.

    The company’s Principal Manager (Public Affairs), Tokunbo Peters, said the company has in the last six months commissioned five different injection substations and replaced some obsolete and problematic 11KV panels with modern ones, while also constructing new 11KV feeders and commissioning scores of distribution substations to deliver power to its customers.

    He said the projects are located at different parts of the company’s network, which include Gaa – Imam, 1×15 MVA 33/11KV injection sub-station in Ilorin, Kwara State. The project has relieved the existing 1×7.5 MVA transformer at Gaa – Imam, Ilorin. Other project commissioned include Ondo Road 2x15MVA 33/11KV injection substation in Ile-Ife, Ikirun Township 2x15MVA 33/11KV injection substation in Ikirun ,all in Osun State; Mokowa 1×2.5MVA 33/11KV substation in Niger State and Igbaja 1×2.5MVA 33/11KV substation in Kwara State.

    Other projects include the replacement of obsolete 11KV switchgear with a 7-panel board at Offa 2×7.5 MVA, 33/11KV injection substation in Kwara State, 11KV switchgear with a 7-panel board at Ibadan North 1x15MVA injection substation in Oyo State and replacement of obsolete 7-panel board at old Owode Road 3 x 15MVA 33/11KV injection substation in Abeokuta ,Ogun State with modern ABB 11KV switchgear with a 7 board panels; replacement of obsolete and problematic 11KV panels at Eleweran injection sub-station in Ogun State with modern ABB 11KV panels, and the replacement of obsolete 11KV panels at Abiola Way 1 x 15MVA 33/11KV injection sub-station in Abeokuta, Ogun State with modern panels and installation of 11KV Tarvida panel at Eleyele 2x15MVA 33/11KV injection substation for Ologuneru 11kV feeder in Oyo State .

    Peters said that in addition to injecting more power transformers to its network, the company also constructed scores of 11KV feeders in different locations within its network. Among these feeders are GRA and Baba Ode 11KV feeders in Ilorin, and Ologuneru 11KV overhead line to separate Ologuneru leg from the existing 11KV industrial feeder in Ibadan, Oyo state.

    He said: “These projects which are spread across Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Kwara and some parts of Niger, Kogi and Ekiti States have not only improved the quality of power supply to customers in the company’s network, but it has also increased the capacity of the company to evacuate more power from the Transmission Company of Nigeria to the Nigerian public. Thus, majority of the company’s customers now enjoy longer hours of power supply with very little interruptions.

    “Similar projects, which are at varying stages of completion, will be completed this year and this will bring a lot of improvement to areas still experiencing poor service delivery. Also, scores of distribution substations were commissioned in 2012 to relieve over loaded substations, which improved the quality of power delivered to the public. The company is presently allocating more distribution transformers for replacement and upgrading of failed ones to the 22 Business Units in its network.”

    The Chief Executive Officer of the company, Bolaji Oyesiku, stressed that the company is committed to ensuring quality service to all the nooks and crannies of its network but noted that the company needs the customers’ support and cooperation in order to achieve the set objectives. He enjoined the customers to reciprocate the company’s efforts by prompt and regular payment of electricity bills.

    The company sought customers to always cooperate with it especially during the execution of projects, in order to serve them better. The appeal, it noted, became necessary due to a recent incident in Ifeloju community in Ifo Local Government area of Ogun State where the community prevented its technicians from replacing a faulty 500KVA 11/0.415KV transformer with a new one.

     

    Rather, the community was insisting on being transferred from the 11KV network from where they were being serviced before the transformer became faulty, to a 33KV circuit.

     

     

    “As a matter of policy, PHCN does not encourage the connecting of distribution transformers on 33KV lines because the lines are supposed to be express feeder from 132/33KV transmission substations to PHCN Injection substations. Connecting public transformers on them will lead to reduced capacity availability at PHCN injection substation and make the 11KV customers to be subjected to very frequent load shedding. Connecting public transformers on the 33KV circuit will also lead to increase on the frequency of fault on the line while also increasing the occurrence of planned and forced outages.

    “In the light of the challenges associated with connecting public transformers on 33KV lines, PHCN hereby enjoins all communities in its network to allow the company execute its operations in line with prescribed statutory regulations, as that is the only way the company can sustain and even surpass the present improvement in service delivery.”

     

     

     

     

     

  • Amosun: we’ve received cooperation from our people

    Amosun: we’ve received cooperation from our people

    Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun has said his administration has enjoyed cooperation from the people in its development programmes.

    He noted that “contrary to speculations in some quarters that our people are averse to development, they have shown unparalleled and rare enthusiasm for positive change.”

    The governor said this in his New Year television and radio broadcast to the indigenes and residents.

    Amosun said: “We have seen people removing the roofs of their houses and breaking walls before the demolition team of the road construction firm gets to their areas. Till now, we have not received any news of confrontation on any of the sites.”

    He said his government has had “pleasant experiences” in its ongoing construction work in Sagamu, Sango Ota, Ijebu Ode, Abeokuta and other places, adding that “our people will support developmental efforts and make sacrifices where they see determination by the leadership to bring about improvement in their standard of living.”

    The governor said his administration has received requests for road projects from communities in the state, adding that due to limitation of resources, “it is not possible to build all the roads in Ogun State at the same time.”

    While calling for more sacrifices from the people, Amosun assured that his administration would reduce the pains of those affected through the payment of compensation.

    He said plans were on to build modern shopping malls to cater for displaced traders.

     

  • Amaechi urges patience, cooperation

    Rivers State Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has urged residents to remain patient and co-operate with his administration to facilitate development.

    Speaking at an Inter-denominational church service to mark the nation’s 52nd Independence anniversary at the Christ Church in Port Harcourt, Amaechi said the progress made by his administration so far was by the grace of God, as well as the support and understanding of well-meaning people.

    Amaechi said he had directed the executive council to liaise with the Chairman of Port Harcourt City Local Government to allocate the completed new layout market to traders.

    According to him,the government has begun the deduction of the Social Contributory levy established by law to meet the demands and well-being of the people, stating that his administration would give account of how the funds were spent to justify the commitment of his administration to transparency and good governance.

    “We have started deduction of the Social Contributory levy, this is to enable gthe overnment provide those basic things that the people need and I want you to demand an explanation and this is the reason I ask the Chief of Staff of Government House to call for town hall meetings across the 23 local government councils, we must ensure transparency and good governance.”