The Nation Newspaper

Tag: deploy

  • 2019 elections: Customs to deploy scanners in ports

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has approved the deployment of scanners in the nation’s seaports to check the influx of dangerous items into the country ahead of the 2019 general elections, it was learnt.

    Speaking with The Nation, its Area Controller, Tin Can Command Mr Musa Baba Abdullahi said the Service has concluded arrangement to deploy the scanners in boosting 100 per cent cargo clearance at ports.

    He assured that the scanners would check importation of dangerous cargoes. “With regards to the 2019 elections, the Service is trying to commission the scanners. Some of them are not there now, but the Service is working seriously to ensure that the scanners are put in place.

    “As soon as the scanners are put in place, we are sure of 100 per cent cargo examination through the scanners. At least,  we would be sure of what is coming, compared to the physical examination that is there now,  sometimes, human element can come in, sometimes you might forget certain things, which might end up being a serious issue,”he said.

    On the involvement of foreigners in cargo clearance at the seaports, Musa said foreigners had taken over the clearing and forwarding jobs because most Nigerians are bad managers.

    He called for a law that would  spell it out that certain jobs must be reserved for Nigerians, especially areas where we have the capacity and comparative advantage.

    “Our people prefer foreigners than Nigerians. We need to ask ourselves why it is so; many of the bike riders are from Chad, Niger etc, while those doing tilling of houses are from Togo and Cotonou.

    “Nigerians have to change our attitude to work. Sincerely, we are not good managers. You can carry out an independent analysis of certain sectors; take note of the businesses, we work more, if we are controlled by foreigners.

    “For instance, if you give Nigerian companies, they run it aground. But if you bring in an expatriate from outside, they work hard for every seven days, you would find a Nigerian being engaged unofficially in some family issues and extended family issues. But for the expatriates, who is in the country for the job,  he would forget about those mundane things and focus on his job for 30 days,” he said.

    Meanwhile, the Customs Area Controller in charge of Seme border, Mohammed Aliyu has reclaimed the command’s land encroached upon by some individuals.

    Findings revealed that the command is ensuring that illegal structures are demolished and those with approval will update their status by routing their request to the Comptroller-General of Customs through the Customs Area Controller.

  • Accenture to CEOs: deploy intelligent technologies or die

    Accenture to CEOs: deploy intelligent technologies or die

    Businesses risk missing major growth opportunities unless their chief executive officers (CEOs) take immediate steps to pivot their workers and equip them to work with intelligent technologies, Accenture has warned.

    A new Accenture Strategy report titled: Reworking the revolution: Are you ready to compete as intelligent technology meets human ingenuity to create the future workforce? estimates that if businesses invest in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and human-machine collaboration at the same rate as top performing companies, they could boost revenue by 38 per cent by 2022 and raise employment levels by 10 per cent.

    Collectively, this would lift profits by $4.8 trillion globally over the same period. For the average S&P500 company, this equates to $7.5 billion of revenue and a $880 million lift to profitability.

    Impact of greater AI spending on revenue and employment growth, 2018-2022

    Both leaders and workers are optimistic about the potential of AI on business results and on work experiences, according to the study. Seventy-two per cent of the 1,200 senior executives surveyed said intelligent technology will be critical to their organisation’s market differentiation and 61 percent think the share of roles requiring collaboration with AI will rise in the next three years. More than two-thirds (69 per cent) of the 14,000 workers surveyed said it is important to develop skills to work with intelligent machines.

    Yet, disconnect between workers’ embrace of AI and their employers’efforts to prepare workers puts potential growth at risk. While a majority (54 per cent) of business leaders say that human-machine collaboration is important to their strategic priorities, only three percent say their organisation plans to significantly increase its investment in re-skilling their workers in the next three years.

    Group Chief Executive, Accenture Strategy, Mark Knickrehm, said: “To achieve higher rates of growth in the age of AI, companies need to invest more in equipping their people to work with machines in new ways. “Increasingly, businesses will be judged on their commitment to what we call Applied Intelligence – the ability to rapidly implement intelligent technology and human ingenuity across all parts of their core business to secure this growth.”

    The research suggests that there is a strong foundation on which to boost AI skills investment. Sixty-three per cent of senior executives think that their company will create net job gains in the next three years through AI. Meanwhile, the majority of workers (62 per cent) believe AI will have a positive impact on their work.

    The report shows how pioneers are using human-machine collaboration not just to improve efficiencies, but to drive growth through new customer experiences. An online clothing retailer’s AI helps its stylists learn more about customers’preferences so that they can offer a unique and highly personalsed service. And a sports shoe brand set a new bar in customisation and speed-to-market by aligning highly skilled tailors and process engineers with intelligent robots to design and manufacture in local markets.

    “Business leaders must take immediate steps to pivot their workforce to enter an entirely new world where human ingenuity meets intelligent technology to unlock new forms of growth,” said Ellyn Shook, Chief Leadership and Human Resources Officer, Accenture. “Workers are impatient to collaborate with AI, giving leaders the opportunity to demonstrate true Applied Intelligence within their organisation.”

    To help leaders shape the future workforce in the age of AI, Accenture urges CEOs to re-imagine work by reconfiguring work from the bottom up. Assess tasks, not jobs; then allocate tasks to machines and people, balancing the need to automate work and to elevate people’s capabilities. Nearly half (46 per cent) of business leaders agree that job descriptions are already obsolete; 29 per cent say they have redesigned jobs extensively.

    It seeks the pivot of the workforce to areas that unlock new forms of value. “Go beyond process efficiencies and prepare the workforce to create new customer experiences. Fuel new growth models by reinvesting the savings derived from automation into the future workforce. Foster a new leadership DNA that underpins the mindset, acumen and agility required to seize longer-term, transformational opportunities,” Accenture said.

    Scale up ‘new skilling.’ Measure the workforce’s level of skills and willingness to learn to work with AI. Using digital platforms, target programmes at these different segments of the workforce and personalise them to improve new skills adoption, it added. Accenture has developed a ‘new skilling’ framework based on a progression of skill level and using a suite of innovative digital learning methods that maximises training investment at speed and scale.

    Accenture combined quantitative and qualitative research techniques to analyse the attitudes and readiness of workers and business leaders with regards to collaborating with intelligent technologies. The research programme included a survey of 14,078 workers across skill levels and generations and a survey of 1,201 senior executives. These were carried out between September and November 2017 in 11 countries (Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Spain, UK and the USA) and the following industry sectors: Automotive, Consumer Goods & Services; Health& Life Sciences; Infrastructure & Transportation; Energy; Media & Entertainment; Software & Platforms; Banking (Retail & Investment); Insurance; retail; telecoms; utilities.

    The research also included economic modelling to determine the correlation between AI investment.

  • Eid-El-Kabir: FRSC to deploy 33,000 men, 859 patrol vehicles, others

    Eid-El-Kabir: FRSC to deploy 33,000 men, 859 patrol vehicles, others

    •NSCDC moves personnel in Oyo, Osun, Niger
    •TRACE positions officers in Ogun, Lagos/Ibadan road

    CORPS Marshal of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi has approved the deployment of 33,000 personnel – both regular and special marshals, 859 patrol vehicles and others to address wrong road usage by motorists during Eid-El-Kabir.

    For ease of operation and prompt rescue services, 859 patrol vans, 106 ambulances, 267 motorbikes and 22 tow trucks have been deployed to cover critical routes and crash prone areas

    A statement by Corps Public Education Officer Bisi Kazeem said the operation will focus on traffic control, excessive speeding, dangerous driving/overtaking, clearance of road obstructions, seatbelt use violation, zero tolerance for use of phone while driving, lane indiscipline and route violation among others.

    He added that the 2017 Eid-El-Kabir Sallah special patrol operation is scheduled to begin from tomorrow to September 6 and personnel have been briefed appropriately to perform their duties, which include public enlightenment, traffic calming, traffic control, enforcement and rescue services.

    The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) commands in Oyo, Osun and Niger states have also announced plans to deploy personnel to beef up security during the celebration.

    No fewer than 3,000 personnel will be on duty in Oyo State during the celebration.

    The state NSCDC Commandant, Mr. John Adewoye, spoke in Ibadan during the monthly recap of security situation for the month of August.

    Adewoye said the personnel would be deployed to the praying grounds to patrol all access roads and every part of the state for security coverage before, during, and after the Sallah.

    He implored the public to volunteer information to the corps in their neighborhood or calls these numbers; 09055533301, 09055533303, whenever they suspect any strange movement.

    NSCDC Osun Command said it had deployed 1,000 personnel to strategic places to ensure a hitch-free celebration.

    Mr. Philip Ayodele, the State Commandant of the corps, said this in a statement in Osogbo.

    Ayodele assured residents and visitors coming for the celebration of adequate security and safety, saying security would be provided by the corps, before, during and after the festival.

    The agency said it has deployed 1,550 personnel to provide security during and after the Eid-El Kabir  in Niger State.

    The Corps Commandant Mr. Philip Ayuba, in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna, said the officers will take care of the security at the praying grounds in the 25 local government areas.

    The Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE)  has also deployed over 350 personnel  to monitor vehicular movements on strategic routes in Ogun and on the Lagos /Ibadan Expressway during the  Eid-el-Kabir.

    The Corps Commander /Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Abdulfatai  Ogunyemi, said this yesterday in Abeokuta.

    He said the deployment of TRACE officials on the roads was necessary to check excesses of motorists during the festival.

    Ogunyemi said the Eid-El-Kabir Special Operation, which began on Monday, would ensure effective traffic management, timely clearance of obstruction, prompt rescue and emergency services along the roads.

  • NAF to deploy troops in Maiduguri for mop-up

    NAF to deploy troops in Maiduguri for mop-up

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) will deploy additional troops to the multinational Joint Task Force to complement military operations in the Northeast to rid the region of insurgency, Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadiq Baba Abubakar, has said.

    He said the Air force had deployed soldiers for internal security operations in the troubled Niger Delta to decimate the activities of the Niger Delta Avengers, stressing that the force will continue to discharge its constitutional responsibilities to secure the air space, as well as support ground operations.

    Speaking at the commissioning of the officers accommodation in Kano, Kano State, the Chief of Air Staff explained that the additional deployment of troops to the theater of war is to accelerate the mop-up of military operations on insurgency in the Northern part of Borno State.

    He hinted that the military was not taking chances to combat crime, noting that the Air Force had been repositioned to carry out the Federal Government’s mandate of ensuring maximum defence against internal and external aggression.

    Air Marshal Abubakar noted that the provision of befitting accommodation was part of the commitment of the Air Force towards improving the welfare of personnel and their families.

  • ‘Don’t deploy troops for elections’

    ‘Don’t deploy troops for elections’

    All Progressives Congress (APC) State Publicity Secretaries (CAPS) have reiterated their opposition to the deployment of troops for elections, urging the Federal Government to halt the politicisation of the military.

    Rising from their second summit in Lagos, the party officials also warmed against any last minute polls postponement, saying that it will create tension.

    In a communique by its chairman, Comrade Joe Igbokwe of Lagos State, CAPS advised the police and other security agencies to maintain neutrality during the general elections in the national interest.

    The group commended the military for its resounding success againstinsurgents, who had earlier seized 14 local governments in three states in the Northeast region. It also paid glowing tribute for the collaborative forces from Cameroun Chad and Niger for their support.

    CAPS urged the police, the Nigerian Civil Define Corps (NCDV), the State Security Service (SSS) and other civil authorities to be neutral, professional and unbiased in the discharge of their duties during the general elections.

    It also urged the police to arrest those allegedly involved in the purchase of voter’s cards from unsuspecting Nigerians.

    The group urged the law enforcement agencies to ensure that no money is shared to voters at voting centres during the elections to avoid election disruption, which may arise from the predictable resistance to the illegal act.

    According to the image makers, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) led by Prof. Attahiru Jega should conduct free, fair and credible elections.

    CAPS added: “We particularly commend the innovative spirit of INEC to introduce, nurture and sustain the use of card reader in the general elections so as to improve a process that has been badly bastardised in previous elections.

    “The analogue accreditation process has been proven to be fraught with manipulations and outright rigging of election, leading to litigations. The introduction of the card reader will halt this mischief and stem the falsification of results.

    “In the light of the prospects of this initiative for our ’democracy, we have  taken a considered stand that no elections without card readers will be supported by CAPS or the APC.

    “We urge INEC to take due cognizance and to halt the growing incidence of buying, snatching and destruction of PVCs in many parts of Nigeria and guard its self against sabotage of the beautiful card-reader initiative.

    “However, we place the umpire on red alert to set up counter checks for the bad eggs, in its midst, particularly the corrupt Resident Electoral Commissioners (REC) known to hold nocturnal meetings with partisans.”

    The group warned against any attempt to derail the electoral process in favour of any extra-constitutional option of Interim Government, It said any attempt to further postpone the exercise will be vehemently resisted by the people in defense of the constitution.

    CAPS called for an investigation into the use of the Army to subvert the will of the people in the Ekiti State governorship elections. It added: “We urge the leaders of the Southwest to advise the loquacious beneficiary of that soiled process, Mr. Ayo Fayose, against the undemocratic attitude of introducing brown-uniformed illegal security forces to intimidate the people at the polls.”

    Lamenting the devaluation of the currency, the group said: “The Naira, under the PDP economic management team, which has run out of steam and run aground. The PDP government, whose leaders and presidential candidate are happier to share dollars (USD) and pounds sterling to local groups to induce them, do not have an explanation for the latest Naira scourge.

    “The devaluation, which leaves the USD trading above N200, has affected every Nigerian businessman without exception, and taken every Nigerian citizen three notches deeper into poverty, irrespective of his location, ethnic group, religion, class or creed. Foreign investors are divesting in  droves from  the six zones, particularly the Niger Delta, where oil company giants have fled. The PDP Central Government has no answer to the massive capital flight.”

    The group condemned the recruitment of ethnic militias, including the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) and renegade Niger Delta  groups to intimidate the electorate. It said the move “is already sending wrong signals to Nigerians about the intention of the Federal Government during the general elections.”

    CAPS urged the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Union (AU), the European Union, the International  Criminal Court (ICC) and the United Nations (UN) to  beam their searchlight  on the country during the exercise. It also urged the civil society groups to be vigilant throughout the electoral process.

    The group added: “The media should not sleep on guard. They should effectively monitor the process from now till May 29 handover.”

  • Wema Bank to deploy N40b capital in loan expansion

    Wema Bank to deploy N40b capital in loan expansion

    Wema Bank Plc has said the N40 billion capital raised from shareholders will be channelled into growing its loan volume by over 60 per cent in the next few years.

    Its Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Tunde Mabawonku, said in an interview at the weekend that the lender is committed to growing its loan volume from N89 billion to between N150 billion and N160 billion over the next few years.

    He said managemnt is aware that the expectations of shareholders are extremely high, adding that management is committed to ensuring that such expectations are met. He disclosed that over 90 per cent of the new fund will be used as working capital.

    “We are not spending any money in terms of infrastructure or strengthening of Information Technology (IT) base because they are already in place. As we have got this money now, it will be strictly used for business. And in terms of business plan, our primary market simply remains the Southwest, South-south and the Federal Capital Teritory,” he said.

    He said last year was a challenging one for the lender as it was hampered by lack of capital and adverse effects of loan provisioning. “Those two factors affected our operations in 2012, we had very low capital and were unable to do as much business as we had wanted to,” he said.

    He explained that while that lasted, lending was slowed, but deposit mobilisation continued, adding that with the restrictions lifted, the lender is now on a path of growth.

    Mabawonku said while waiting for the new capital, the bank continued its aggressive deposit drive especially at the retail segment of the market. “Our idea is to go out and open as many accounts as possible and increase our deposit base,” he said.

    According to him, the bank has been able to clean up its loan book with its non-performing loans (NPLs) currently standing at three per cent from NPLs as high as 89 per cent three years ago. “We started pushing the NPLs down gradually, most importantly by putting in place proper structures of risk management. We are also interested in recoveries, but more so in good corporate governance. So, in 2010, we moved from 89 per cent to 56 per cent, to 18 per cent, 14 per cent and three per cent. And we believe we will not go above the three per cent mark in the nearest future,” he assured.

    He said the bank has strengthened its retail structure and workforce within the segment, adding that a customer could now walk into any branch of the bank and get loan approval within 24 hours.

    However, within such period, all the necessary credit checks on the account including the customer’s past loan history and credit rating will be analysed.

    The bank’s cost of funds, Mabawonku said is also impressive. “Our cost of funds in 2012 was 5.6 per cent and at the third quarter, it was 5.8 per cent. We believe that one of the ways to make profit is to reduce the cost of funds. We did not go into taking expensive funds, what we are doing is step by step retail growth,” he said.

    He reiterated the bank’s commitment to ensuring that its public sector deposit does not exceed 10 per cent of its deposit liability. “After the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) policy on public sector funds became effective, we began re-pricing our public sector funds. It hurts us that we lost some funds, but it is better to remain profitable than to be big and unprofitable. We intend to keep our public sector deposits below 10 per cent of our total liability,” he said.

    The CFO said the bank’s first priority remains providing superior returns to its shareholders, adding that in the last few years, the bank has been quiet, carrying out some internal restructuring on its processes, people and technology.

    He said the bank is not applying for national banking licence to operate in all parts of the country but in strategic areas, such as Kano, Kogi, Aba, Port Harcourt where its high-volume customers operate.