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Tag: crucial

  • Why Tinubu’s assignment is crucial, by APC chiefs

    Why Tinubu’s assignment is crucial, by APC chiefs

    Senator representing Kaduna Central Shehu Sani has warned that avoidable doom awaits the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the 2019 polls,  should Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu fail to reconcile aggrieved members.

    This came as Kaduna State APC governorship aspirant Alhaji Sani Sha’aban said the strength of any political party depends on its mechanism for resolving internal crisis.

    Sha’aban hailed President Muhammadu Buhari for appointing Tinubu to chair the reconciliation committee.

    Sani, a chieftain of APC and chairman of Senate Committee on Foreign and Local Debt, spoke yesterday with reporters in Abuja.

    It was his own reaction to Tinubu’s appointment by Buhari to lead the APC team of consultation, reconciliation and confidence-building.

    Tinubu’s assignment, among others, is to forge cohesion within the APC ahead of the 2019 general election. It involves resolving disagreements among party members and leaders.

    It also involves reconciling political office holders in some APC-controlled states and addressing crises in the party’s chapters in Kano, Kogi, Kaduna, Bauchi and other states.

    “It is going to be a tragedy if he fails. This is what I know and I can speak in parables,” said Sani, who has not been in a good relationship with his Governor Ahmed Nasir El-Rufai.

    According to him, the Kaduna State governor has pocketed the party and wants to impose his will and unleash terror on members, by exploiting his proximity to the President.

    He said Tinubu´s appointment has halted, for now, the defection of most APC members to other political parties.

    Sani said it was no more news that the APC was faced with crises in some states where it holds sway, adding that the crises have defied solutions for over two years.

    The senator noted that efforts made in the past have failed to address the multi-state crises.

    Sani while confirming that the Kaduna State chapter of the party is now having a parallel executive, said it was left for the Tinubu team to address the situation before it gets out of hand.

    “It is left for Asiwaju to build the bridges. Lagos is known for bridges; therefore, we hope that there will be Seventh Mainland Bridge to connect the divide, but we are not sure of this.

    “Right now, the party is already divided in Kaduna and it is for the national secretariat to note this and we have said it in clear terms,” he said.

    Sani advised the Tinubu reconciliation team not to take sides but to give equal treatment, especially as far as Kaduna state is concerned, in the interest of the party and its members.

    He noted that the PDP was not destroyed from the outside, but from the inside, adding that it was the marginalised and oppressed elements within the party that became the final nail on its coffin.

    Sha’aban, an ex-member of the House of Representatives, who spoke in Zaria, Kaduna State, said crisis in a political party was an ingredient of democracy, adding that politics was all about solving crisis.

    “Therefore, crisis in political parties is normal but it all depends on how best a party resolves such crisis,” he said.

    He said:  “Chief Tinubu is capable and suitable for the post. I am confident that he will definitely deliver the goods successfully.”

    On his political ambition, Sha’aban said his politics always incline toward the masses, identifying their needs and devising measures to address such problems.

  • Workers’ effectiveness crucial to Lagos transformation, says Ambode

    It is important for the Lagos State Civil Service to be as effective and  productive as it can be, much more than ever before, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has said.

    He said this is because  his administration has gone to implement, on the largest scale imaginable, series of programmes that are designed to transform state for the better.

    The governor, represented by Commissioner, Lagos State Ministry of Establishments, Training and Pensions, Dr. Akintola, Benson, spoke at the opening session of a training programme Tagged: Management And Execution Of Projects organised by the Public Service Staff Development Centre (PSSDC) held in Lagos.

    He said, as we all know, in order to execute these programmes, the input and support of the civil service is required, thus the need for the state to continue to train officers of the civil service.

    He added that the training which is designed to ensure that officers of the civil service are effectively managing their time and are being productive is  very important.

    He said: “Good time management enables people to work smarter, not harder so that they get more done in less time, even when time is tight and pressures are high. Failing to manage time damages effectiveness and causes stress. The focus of this training is the management and execution of projects.Project management includes identifying requirements, establishing clear and achievable objectives, balancing the competing demands from the different stakeholders and ensuring that a commonality of purpose is achieved.

    “It is clear that unless there is a structured and scientific approach to the practice of management, organisations would find themselves adrift and hence would be unable to meet the  challenges that the modern era throws at them. Hence, the importance of project management to organisations.

  • ‘Why money management skill is crucial’

    Renowned author and publisher of the daily devotional, Our Daily Manna (ODM) Bishop (Dr.) Chris Kwakpovwe, has called on  the Federal Government to find ways of creating incentives to stimulate the informal sector so as to reduce the hardship that Nigerians are exposed to in the face of a tottering economy.

    Speaking last Sunday at a Roundtable with the theme: ‘Financial Intelligence: Basic Money Management Skills to Create Wealth’ he  said the informal sector should be positioned as the engine of economic growth in the face of dwindling oil earnings and low capacity utilisation by the manufacturing sector; factors that have literally crippled the economy.

    Kwakpovwe said there was urgent need for government to address the twin issues of basic infrastructure such as electricity and funding for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) so as to encourage more Nigerians to embark on self-employment rather than continue to search for non-existent jobs in an economy where the otherwise vibrant sector such as banking, is already throwing thousands of Nigerians into the streets.

    The bishop urged Nigerians to rise to the challenge of contemporary economic realities and acquire basic financial intelligence and management skills that would enable them set up and manage small businesses successfully, which he insists, holds the key to earning a decent living in the face of a shrinking economy.

  • ‘Why service delivery in pension plan is crucial in Africa’

    Service delivery in pension plan will drive growth in the African pension industry, strategy development and implementation expert, Muibat Ijaiya has said.

    Ijaiya who is a partner with Strategy Management Partners, spoke on service delivery in pension plans at a pension forum in Abuja.

    She said customer experience has  direct impact on growth, noting that in a connected digital world, it pays to get the customer experience right.

    According to her, there is need to design a service delivery model and in doing this, it is essential to consider a desired customer experience for  pension participants at each point of interaction.

    She stressed that this include a true combination of a blue-print and best practice, where the administrative and operational essentials linked to the needs of the participants is showcased.

    She said: “Ideas on communications tools and concepts, can be adopted to realise the participants’ best understanding of pensions and control of their financial wellbeing. This would be key components, essential information blocks and new ways of participant’s involvement.

    “On service delivery, a set of integrated activities, processes, procedure, teams and systems among others should be combined to provide services to customers. It is much broader than customer service; which is a component of it. It is also not a one-size fit all.”

    She noted that in designing a service delivery model with customer experience at its heart, the experience must reflect the brand promise consistently.

    “We must develop strong understanding of the different segments of current and potential participants; their needs, limitations, challenges and desired outcomes. Define a service delivery model and structure the interactions. Be clear about the customer experience to be delivered at each stage of pathway, how and by whom.

    “Delivery location should be defined by participants’ needs and not that of the provider. Their role should not be passive. Use appropriate tools & forums to continuously engage, gather feedback and co-create experience solutions that delight.

    “Identify and address the root causes of problems that have high potential to undermine customer experience. Service boundaries will evolve. Periodically review and align the structure, operations, systems, teams and processes that are critical for delivering on the customer experience,” she added.

  • Constitution amendment crucial to anti-graft war, says EFCC

    Constitution amendment crucial to anti-graft war, says EFCC

    The Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Ibrahim Lamorde, has said the amendment of the 1999 Constitution is important in the anti-corruption battle.

    He made the submission at a one-day meeting of heads of anti-graft agencies on the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) Review, Recommendations and the Draft National Anti-Corruption Strategy at Barcelona Hotel, Abuja

    He said some relevant laws in the Constitution needed to be amended before the adoption of an action plan towards the fight against corruption.

    He also said the effectiveness of any anti-graft activity could only be judged by the number of convictions recorded

    Lamorde said: “The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria should be considered in whatever strategies being developed.

    ‘’The challenge my colleagues and I are facing, especially in the EFCC and ICPC, is the issue of prosecution of corruption and economic and financial crimes cases in regular courts.

    ‘’All these include making new laws, amending existing ones and improving on the efficiency of adjudication and sanctioning.

    He commended the efforts of the European Union (EU), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and other agencies.

    A former Secretary to the EFCC, Emmanuel Akomaye, who spoke on the outcome of the Country Review Report and Follow-up Actions by National Partners, advocated better inter-agency coordination, building institutional capacity and legal reform.

    On his part, the ICPC Chairman Mr. Ekpo Nta, advocated better funding for anti-graft agencies.

    The Director-General, Bureau of Public Service Reforms, Dr. Joe Abah, said both the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and the Code of Conduct Tribunal needed to be strengthened in order to be more effective in the fight against corruption.

    But Lilian Ekeanyanwu, representing the Technical Unit on Governance and Anti-Corruption Reforms (TUGAR), said the implementation of the strategy document would be the responsibility of the Presidency.

    Other participants at the meeting included the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), National Planning Commission (NPC) and Public Complaints Commission.

    Also yesterday, the EFCC said the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) had donated a forensic work station to it.

    It said the donation of the equipment was a way of enhancing the collaboration between the EFCC and the U.S. in the fight against economic and financial crimes.

    A statement by the Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said: “The equipment, technically referred to as FRED (Forensic Recovery of Evidence Device) was presented to the Head of Operations, Lagos Zonal office of the EFCC, Iliyasu Kwarbai by the U.S. acting Consul General, Dehab Ghereab.

    Ghereab on her part praised the long-term partnership between the FBI and EFCC which has existed for more than a decade. She commended the EFCC for its professionalism and encouraged it to keep up the good work.

    She said the equipment will enhance the EFCC’s effort in the fight against cyber crime and standardise its operations.

    She said: “As we engage in these practices, we needed our counterparts. So, the FBI office made an assessment of the prevailing cases of cyber-based crimes which are not unique to Nigeria.

    “In the views of Fritz Kennely, a technical personnel with the FBI, the device will help the EFCC in analysing, processing and preservation of digital evidence which can be presented in court in a clear, concise and understandable manner, thereby aiding judges to adjudicate effectively.”

    After receiving the device, Kwarbai thanked the FBI for their support to the Commission in the areas of manpower development and investigation.

  • Warri Wolves’ mgt, coaches for crucial talks on Monday

    Warri Wolves’ mgt, coaches for crucial talks on Monday

    Warri Wolves’ management will on Monday meet with the technical crew of the Seasiders where crucial matters pertaining to the club’s activities in the CAF Confederation Cup, premier league and others next year.

    Wolves ended last season in third position with 61 points from 38 matches and this ensured their qualification for the Confederation Cup for the third straight season.

    The Seasiders have failed to get to the group stages of the second tier African club competition in their last two year’s participation and a top official of the club revealed to NationSport that the club would make adequate preparations for the 2015 outing.

    The official noted that top of the agenda would be for the coaches to submit their plans for the new season and to also prune down on the 37 players  under the payroll of the Seasiders.

    He also added that at least 10 players would be shown the exit doors while quality players  spotted from Sunshine Stars, Dolphins and northern clubs would be brought in to fill the void left by those departing.

    The source said:” We are going to meet on Monday to deliberate on the way forward. The coaches have been invited to submit their programmes and they have been told to prune down on the list of players we presently have. Imagine some players that didn’t play up to two games for the club last season still want the club to retain them for the new season.

    “The club has been told in clear terms that if they fail to perform on the continent next year, no one will take them seriously and that they will be considered just like the politicians that change parties every year because of what they would get.

    “It is the sole reason we have decided to hold a meeting where many issues would be unearthed for us to have a good season in the league and also on the continent,”the source said.

  • DAWN Games crucial to Oyo’s plans for NSF

    DAWN Games crucial to Oyo’s plans for NSF

    The Oyo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Farouk Alao, said on Sunday that the recently-concluded DAWN Games was crucial to the state’s preparations for the National Sports Festival (NSF).

    The maiden edition of the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Games was held from May 16 to 24 in Lagos to discover talents from secondary schools in the South-West Zone.

    Alao told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the Games created a platform for assessing the fitness of some of the state’s athletes that would be competing at the festival.

    NAN reports that the 19th edition of the NSF tagged, “Paradise Games” will hold from November 23 to December 7 in Calabar, Cross River.

    “Understanding that the NSF is just at the end of the year, we used the DAWN Games as a platform to assess how far we have gone with our preparations. From what we have seen at the DAWN Games, we have really come a long way in terms of competing strongly for medals when the festival begins,’’ Alao said.

    The commissioner said the state, which finished ninth on the medals table at the Eko 2012 festival, was aiming toward an improved outing in Calabar.

    NAN reports that Oyo State won 12 gold, 13 silver and 17 bronze medals at the Eko 2012 fiesta.

    “The target of the state is to train and bring out its best athletes to compete beyond our previous performance. However, it isn’t all about winning medals. What is also important is the participation and the mindset of our athletes during the competition,’’ he said.

    According to Alao, Oyo State is prepared for the festival and has been holding state trials in the past five months to gain competitive edge over other states.

  • Infrastructure crucial to development, says Amosun

    Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun yesterday said solid infrastructure is crucial to economic development.

    He said businesses would flourish when there are good roads, stable power supply, potable water, excellent transport system, security of life and property and respect for the rule of law, among others.

    Amosun spoke in his office in Abeokuta, the state capital, while hosting the management of LAFARGE Cement, WAPCO Nigeria Plc, led by the Chairman of the company’s Board of Directors, Chief Olusegun Osunkeye and the Managing Director Mr. Joe Hudson.

    He said the relevance of infrastructure to economic development propelled his administration to invest massively in infrastructure, which he said is “already impacting positively on the state’s economy”.

    Amosun said: “We are not just building for today, but tomorrow as well. That is why the roads we are building are of international standard. We are also building modern bridges. We are investing a lot of resources in transportation, security and power to accelerate development.”

    He called for collaboration between the public and private sectors and explained that bottlenecks had being removed in government transactions.

    Amosun praised the company for performing its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), especially for building a Trailer Bay in Ogun. He urged companies operating in the state to partner the government on improving roads in their areas of operation.

    Osunkeye lauded the governor’s achievements on infrastructural development.

    He said the visit was “in continuation of the successful Investors’ Forum organised by the government earlier in the year”, adding that it is already yielding fruits.

    Osunkeye pledged the company’s commitment to partnering the government. He said the company has set up an Elephant Superset Block-making Empowerment Scheme and Technical Support Project for its host communities.