The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Director

  • 26 Professors battle for Unijos VC post

    26 Professors battle for Unijos VC post

    26 professors from various disciplines have been invited for interview between 19th and 21st April for the post of University of Jos, Vice Chancellor.

    The out going V.C, Prof. Hayward Babale Mafuyai’s tenure will end on the 20th June 2016.

    Prominent on list of the candidates are Prof. Ezekiel Best, Dean social sciences, Prof Dung Pam Sha, Director, Office of Research, Prof Audu Nanven Gambo, immediate Past Director, Centre for conflict management and peace studies, Prof Yilkur N. Lohdip, Director Academic Planning, and Prof Sebastian Maimako, dean , Management Sciences.

    Other strong contenders are Prof Isaac Lar of English Dept, Prof Umar Danfulani, immediate past Dean of Arts, Prof G. O. Akpa, former V.C, Kwararafa University, Wukari,Prof. Thomas Baba Bingel of History, Prof Andrew Haruna, current vice chancellor, Federal University Gashua, Prof Francis Ojaide of Accounting, Prof H.A Lar of Geosciences, Prof Dimis Mailafia of Economics, Prof Abraham Mallum of Education, prof Daniel Dabi of Geography and Planning, Prof N.K. Dakum , former  Dean of Medical Sciences, and a female candidate, prof Naomi James Rugu, Director of SIWES.

     

    Seven Candidates from other universities made up of Prof Ashom Musa of Abuja University, Prof Bala Dogo of NDA University, Prof J.S.Rabo, Prof. E.J Nwana, Prof D.I Jaja, Prof. Rasheed Jimoh Ijodda and Dr. Joseph Maangut are also in for the hot battle.

     

    Members of the University of Jos community are worried about the high number of those wanting to be the Vice Chancellor. This is the highest in the history of the 40 years old institution, and probably in Nigeria. No one is sure of who would emerge as the Vice Chancellor, as the autonomy granted federal universities, made the appointment of vice chancellors sole of affairs of each university, without direct interference by the Visitor (president).

     

    The University of Jos governing council, under the chairmanship of Chief Dr. Don Etiebet, with representatives from the university senate will conduct the interview, and announce the winner within 24 hours. The candidates would be expected to unfold their dream plans for the University, at the interview, and panel members will ask them questions from their presentations, and issues relating to the University administration, with emphasis on the university of Jos peculiarities.

     

    The candidates’ interaction with ASUU, was very fruitful, helping members of the University community present at the Thursday 15th April interaction to know what the candidates are made of.Prof. Ezekiel Best, dean of social sciences, was seen as a good material, considering his staff-students relationship, making his office as dean accessible to all, and for transforming the centre for continuing education when he was the director as some of his achievements. Best was also praised for always taking his lectures.

     

    Prof Pam Dung Sha, whose inaugural lecture drew the whole University population to the Multi-purpose Auditorium, was seen as an excellent academic and administrator. As head of Political Science, he introduced many new professional courses; ensure discipline among staff and students. He was acknowledged as a man of vision when he served as Deputy Dean of Social Sciences, and later of Post Graduate School, before his current appointment as Director, office of the Research.

     

    Prof. Audu Nanven Gambo won the students heart, when he was Deputy Dean of Students Affairs. He was said to battle the cult activities, sanitize hostel allocation, and ensured welfare of students.  His success at student affairs, probably led to his appointment as Director, Centre for conflict management and peace studies and his election by the senate to the University Council along with Prof Sha.

     

    Another candidate that may spring surprise is Prof Sebastian Maimako, dean of Management Sciences. He is a core academician, one time deputy dean of social sciences and the pioneer Deputy Dean of Management Sciences. He has served in various senate committees, known for his passion for the University of Jos and his desire to see the university grow may be his driving force.

     

    Also to make in road is Prof Yilkur Lohdip, a former Dean of Natural Sciences, and current Director of Academic Planning. This is his second attempt to the office of the V.C. Lohdip’s experience in Academic Planning would no doubt add value to his outing and performance in office, if appointed.

     

    Prof. Isaac of English Dept is man to watch. He is highly principled, disciplined, with a clear vision for the University. A former chairman, Board of Elders of the chapel of Faith, in the University, his integrity and dedication to duty will work in his favour.

    Prof. Umar Danfulani was said to get the second position in the interview that brought the out going V.C. to the office. An international scholar, who has mentored younger scholars outside his faculty, he is a person that can attract various grants to the university. Prof Andrew Haruna, who is currently the vice chancellor of Federal University, Gashua, was a leading contender before his appointment. It is not certain if he will attend the interview or hold to the new appointment.

     

    Two weeks ago, 52 years old Monday Danjem, emerged as the new Registrar of the University. He came top of four other candidates, in a keenly contested interview.

    Chief Monday Danjem had his first degree from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria and Master Degree in Public Administration, at the University of Jos. He was Deputy Registrar, Senior staff establishment, and later Deputy Registrar, V.C‘s office. He will assume office on 21st June, 2016.

  • ‘Africans capable of world class innovations’

    ‘Africans capable of world class innovations’

     

    The African Innovation Prize for Africa  initiated by the African Innovation Foundation now  in its fifth year brings together innovators from all over Africa to network, share knowledge, and compete for a prize. This prize has attracted winners and nominees from all parts of Africa, including South Africa.

    In this interview, Jean-Claude Bastos de Morais, (JC),  Innovation Influencer, Founder of African Innovation Foundation  and Pauline Mujawamariya Koelbl, (PMK), Director, Innovation Prize for Africa speak on the programme.

     

    What has been the impact of the African Innovation Foundation (AIF) in the past 5 years?

    JC: I founded the AIF in 2009 with the aim of supporting sustainable and innovation-led socio economic growth in Africa. Its key focus has been to enable Africans to create homegrown solutions for local challenges. Then, in 2011 we launched the Innovation Prize for Africa (IPA) in partnership with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). This proved to be the catalyst for unlocking the dormant African innovation spirit.

    In 2012, at the joint Africa Union (AU) and UNECA conference, the IPA was endorsed by the ministers in attendance, and a resolution was passed, calling for member states to work with the AIF to promote innovation-based societies in Africa.

    To me, this will always remain one of the greatest achievements of the AIF because it led to important beginnings. Many African governments have since begun to see the real value in investing in innovation economies and have been increasingly putting innovation ahead on their development agenda.

    Today, from seeding the African innovation spirit across the continent to enabling the emergence of African innovation ecosystems through creative and strategic collaborations, the AIF has become one of the most respected and credible innovation-led platforms for African innovators.

     

    Can you elaborate more on the innovation ecosystems in Africa?

    JC: African innovation ecosystems are fledgling and simultaneously reflective of and dependent on the continent’s economic strength. They exist because of the incredible growth that Africa has witnessed in the past five years, yet in order to be sustainable they need to be integrated into the economic diversification mix from policy to grassroots.

     

    Innovation ecosystems are a work in progress and unique to each industry, country and continent. One of the key aspects of innovation ecosystems is the circulation of knowledge between co-existing systems*. They cannot succeed in isolation and therefore must be aligned with business and education ecosystems that can support and perpetuate parallel innovation.

     

    Its players must include innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers, academia, venture capitalists, investors, as well as training consultants, legal consultants, business and professional development experts, and marketing gurus amongst others. The ability for these components to effectively come together rests on sound government policies, ethical practices and African cultural understanding.

     

    This is very much the focus of what we do at the AIF – connecting African innovators with innovation influencers and enablers to build stronger, more sophisticated innovation ecosystems that will ultimately become the backbone of African innovation economies.

     

    Is the concept of co-working spaces across Africa on the rise and why? 

    JC: Yes they are but not necessarily in the traditional sense, and this is fine. Africa doesn’t need to do things the way the rest of the world has. It has all the right variables to chart its own course and establish its own models of ecosystems that support innovation and entrepreneurship. The continent’s innovation ecosystems landscape is being shaped by a very young demographic** – one that is less resistant to change, quick to adopt technology and therefore very innovation driven.

     

    Coworking spaces, or hybrids of them, are cropping up across Africa and reshaping how African entrepreneurs learn, share ideas and co-create solutions that work for Africa. They are becoming hives for colonies of new tech start-ups, and small businesses who are creating the scope for more innovation-led jobs.

     

    In more technologically developed African countries, the concept of coworking spaces has truly taken off. South Africa’s Innovation Hub and Open Innovation, Kenya’s iHUB and 88mph Garage Nairobi and Senegal’s Jokkolabs are all great examples that have set the stage for many other African nations to learn from.

     

    In Angola, I was inspired to conceptualize a hybrid version of all the various facets of innovation ecosystems under one hub. Fábrica de Sabão (Soap Factory), although still in development, is a hybrid innovation hub designed to include marginalized communities in Angola. It comprises of incubator and accelerator hubs, co-working and maker spaces, a cultural exchange platform, local radio station and a residence program for visiting mentors and artists. The AIF, due to its experience and connections in the innovation space, will pay a key role in driving some of the hub’s programs.

     

    So as you can see, Africa’s innovation ecosystems do not follow a certain mold. They aren’t spaces that are inaccessible to the masses. They are there for practical purposes and to drive socioeconomic development opportunities.

     

    How has the IPA changed the innovation landscape across the continent?

    pauli mujawamariyaPMK: IPA has spurred change in Africa through actively mobilizing, rewarding, and promoting African ingenuity, by Africans for Africans. For the past 5 years, we have mobilized more than 6000 innovators from 50 African countries, unlocking innovation talent through offering more than US$800 000 in cash to promote outstanding innovations in multi-disciplinary sectors that include agriculture and agri-business, healthcare and well-being, ICTs, manufacturing and industry, and environment, energy and water.

    Through IPA, strong inroads have been made to affirm that Africans have the creativity and can innovate – not only for themselves – but for their communities and the nation at large. Our results touch the length of breadth of Africa, from a team of researchers and entrepreneurs in Cape Town, AgriProtein who won the IPA 2013 first prize of US$100 000 for their innovative approach to nutrient recycling – a method that uses waste and fly larvae to produce natural animal feed. The AgriProtein solution collects bio-degradable waste, feeds it to flies that in turn produce larvae that are ground into protein to provide a more ecologically friendly, naturally occurring type of animal feed. This approach improves the nutritional value of meat and lowers the cost of animal feed for African processors and farmers. After winning IPA, they attracted many investors and were able to raise US$11 million in less than a year!

    In Cairo, IPA 2012 Grand Prize winner Professor Mohamed Sanad, an engineering professor, created a new in-phone and mobile antennae that operates on all frequency bands and addresses challenges faced by the existing antennas. This innovation helps people stay connected, ensuring improved cellular access and productivity across Africa and around the world. Professor Sanad’s antennae will be the first to operate across carriers and borders. His innovation exemplifies the kind of leapfrog solutions with practical market potential that inspire AIF and investors.  He was able to sign a contract with Vodaphone after winning IPA!

    More recently, in 2015, Prof Adnane Remmal of Morocco, and Grand Prize winner of IPA 2015 received US$100 000 for his patented alternative to livestock antibiotics. This is a composition of natural phenolic molecules with anti-microbial (anti-bacterial, anti-parasitic, anti-fungal) properties. This natural and innovative formula reduces the health hazard to cattle and humans, and prevents the transmission of multi-resistant germs and possible carcinogens through meat, eggs and milk to humans at no extra cost to farmers. Prof Remmal is now talking to investors to explore possibilities of scaling up his innovation to other African markets!

    As these few examples demonstrate, IPA has been able to confirm that Africans are capable of coming up with world class innovations which solve African problems and the rest of the world. It has also helped attract the necessary investments for these innovators who are creating jobs and solving pressing African challenges.

     

    Will you be introducing any new components into the IPA Awards going forward and if so, what will these be?

    PMK: Innovation is dynamic and as our work at IPA continues to turn wheels, we embrace new ideas, strategies and opportunities to enhance our mission to script Africa’s growth story. Our work in Africa is important, and we are now confident of our role in strengthening innovation ecosystems in the continent. We will continue to work with IPA champions and networks to pull resources together and respond to identified needs innovatively.

    One addition to our activities is the launch of our new online platform to connect African innovators and innovation enablers with resources to be launched at IPA 2016 event in Gaborone. We will also plan to put more emphasis on mobilizing young people and women to join our innovation movement. Lastly, collaboration will remain a key focus area. We will continue to work with established innovation enablers, and movers and shakers across the continent to support home-grown solutions that can make it to the market.

    Besides the three winners, IPA is extending support to all nominees with a support voucher of US$5000 and will promote leading young people and women through mentorship, training, and opportunities for boosting their great ideas.

    Going forward, our team will expand, to meet the growing needs of our program and increased our post-prize activities which will include capacity building through skills training, organizing pitching opportunities to attract the right investors and working with WIPO to ensure African innovations are protected.

    What does the AIF aim to achieve on a continental level in the future?

    JC: The AIF has always prioritized supporting sustainable projects that improve the lives and the future of people in Africa. We will continue to drive access to technologies and innovations, law and governance and social impact development.

    Of course, in the innovation space, the IPA will remain a key driver in building innovation societies in Africa. And through it we will continue to support the development of African innovation ecosystems by building synergies, collaborations, and partnerships with innovation enablers committed to Africa.

    Additionally, through the African Law Library (ALL), another important AIF program, we aim to support knowledge transfer in vital areas such as access to legal information. This is especially important in a continent like Africa with such diverse legal realities, both customary and colonial, because it can impact how things get done. The ALL will continue to provide free online public access to legal information from all over Africa. We now have over 50 partner entities in 20 African countries, and we will continue to empower African citizens with freedom of information through increased partnerships across the region.

    The third and newest program is the Social Impact Program (SIPA) in Angola. SIPA is focused on addressing social challenges through innovation. It looks at providing solutions to specific issues that impact rural communities. Here the focus will remain on building partnerships to support basic access to medical diagnostics, low-cost services in health, water and sanitation or energy provision, education and rural development in Angola.

    Clearly we have our work cut out for us but what keeps us going is desire to elevate need-based innovation and ramp up economic diversification across the continent.

    What are some of the success stories of the previous winners?

    Alex Mwaura Muriu, who developed the Farm Capital Africa, a risk sharing agri-business funding model that draws in investors for a share of farming profits was invited to showcase his innovation to the Kenyan president at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in 2015 in Nairobi, which is a lifetime opportunity for him. In terms of tangible growth, he has raise US$100,000/- from investors, increased partnership base, expanded his operational reach with cultivation increase to 20 acres from 8.

     

    Hassine Labaied and Anis Aouini from Saphon Energy received USD 25 000 for creating a bladeless wind converto in IPA 2013. Since then, due to IPA, their credibility and exposure has been increased substantially, thus leading to building strategic partnerships with Microsoft 4 Africa and further scaling their reach. They have also enhanced their technology by moving from version 2 to 5.

     

    Logou Minsob, from Togo, won the runner-up for the FoufouMix machine, seen as the innovation with the best business potential. The Foufou Mix is a food processor designed to replace the mortar and pestles used to prepare foufou, a popular dish in West Africa. Due to the win, Logou received recognition from Head of State at Togo leading to increased funding with increased media exposure thus creating more awareness around the FoufouMix.

     

    Do you have offices in Africa?

    JC: Yes, in addition to our headquarters in Zurich we are set up in Luanda, Angola. It runs the SIPA program and the programs for the hybrid innovation hub, Fábrica de Sabão. However we don’t believe in the necessity to maintain a physical premise in order to accomplish our goals. Our focus is innovation and our work is to build innovation ecosystems and connect innovation enablers to support African innovators.

    We do this by tapping into our influencer networks across the African continent, including governments, innovation hubs, and other key stakeholders in countries that have hosted the IPA in the past or that have strong focus on innovation-led development. This approach has been fundamental to our achievements in supporting African innovation on a pan-African level.  Innovation thrives when people are connected, and by supporting innovation ecosystems, we are collectively contributing towards building African innovation economies.

     

  • Navy foils vessel hijack, destroy several illegal refineries

    Navy foils vessel hijack, destroy several illegal refineries

    The Nigerian Navy (NN) has foiled attempts by suspected pirates to hijack an oil vessel, MT NORDIC FREEDOM around the Agbami oil field in the Niger Delta.
    This is just as several illegal refineries, boats and stolen Premium Motor Spirit  (PMS) and AGO hidden in the creeks by illegal bunkerers were destroyed by naval forces in the south-south region.
    It was learnt that operatives of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) OKPABANA while on patrol at the weekend, were contacted by the BAHAMAS flagged vessel, which was being trailed by pirates.
    Other naval patrol teams also raided Ugborodo Itsekiri area in Warri, Ogbonga, Egbelema and adjoining creeks, as well as better land communities, where illegal refined products and illegal refineries were discovered.
    According to Director, Naval Information, Commodore Chris Ezekobe, the recent operations dealt thr vandals big blow.
    He stated that an illegal refinery with large storage pits containing liquid suspected to be crude oil was discovered at Ugborodo Itsekiri, adding that the team also found a large Cotonou boat laden with 37 drums of suspected illegally refined AGO.
    “The refinery facilities were destroyed as the owners fled the scene before the arrival of NN team. Additionally, a raid conducted in the general areas of Ogbonga, Egbelema and adjoining creeks dealt a devastating blow on the activities of the illegal crude oil thieves.
    “Patrol team of the NN in that raid discovered two co-located active illegal refineries in Ogbonga creek. Further search led to the discovery and destruction of three suspected crude oil storage tanks and four suspected AGO storage tanks.
    “In the Egbelema axis, an active illegal refinery was discovered with two storage tanks. The refinery site and other facilities used for the illicit business were destroyed as the operators of the facilities fled the site in an apparent effort to evade arrest and prosecution.
    “Based on a tip off, the Naval patrol team conducted a raid at better land community. The team discovered an illegal refinery site with eight storage tanks.
    “Four of the eight tanks contained approximately 20,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil, while the other four had about 10,000 litres of suspected illegally refined AGO each.
    “Other items discovered and destroyed by the naval patrol team at the site include two Cotonou boats laden with large quantities of suspected crude oil, three fibre speed boats as well as one electric power generator.
    “However, the operators of the illegal refinery deserted the site before the arrival of the naval patrol team,” he said

  • Access Bank appoints non-executive director

    Access Bank appoints non-executive director

    Access Bank has announced the appointment of Abba Mamman Tor Habib, as Non-Executive Director (ED).

    In a statement, the bank described the new ED as an outstanding banker with 20 years’ experience 15 of which were spent with Guaranty Trust Bank Plc where he retired in 2008 as an ED.

    His experience in GTBank spanned  corporate banking and risk management.

    Habib has since 2008 been the Managing Director of Gremcoh Services Limited, his family owned agriculture and real estate enterprise. He holds a First Class Bachelor of Science degree in Agric Economics from University of Maiduguri (1986) and Master of Science in Banking and Finance from Bayero University Kano (1997).

    He has attended several Executive Development programmes in leading institutions including African Development Bank, Harvard, IMD, D.C Gardner London and Insead.

    His appointment is subject to the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Bank’s shareholders. Commenting on the appointment, Mrs. Mosun Belo-Olusoga the Chairman of Access Bank said: “We are very delighted to welcome Abba on the Board of Access Bank.

    ‘’He brings on board a very rich professional and board level experience relevant to our Bank and our industry. These skills will no doubt support our bank’s quest to become the World’s Most Respected African Bank.”

  • UACN appoints new chairman, director

    UACN appoints new chairman, director

    UAC of Nigeria (UACN) Plc at the weekend announced the appointments of Mr Dan Agbor as the new chairman of the board of directors of the conglomerate and Engineer Okechukwu Mbonu as a non – executive director.

    The two appointments followed the resignation of the former chairman, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma and a non-executive director, Dr Okechukwu Enelamah, who were both recently appointed Ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    Agbor, 55, is the managing partner of one of the leading commercial law firms in the country – Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie. A seasoned lawyer, Agbor, who joined the firm in September 1990 until date, has had a distinguished practice in areas covering banking, mergers and acquisitions, private equity, finance, tax, and the laws relating to foreign investment.

    A former company secretary/legal adviser of Gulf Bank of Nigeria Limited, he worked variously at the corporate finance and legal departments of Citibank and as a Solicitor in the firm of Ajumogobia, Okeke & Oyebode, a Lagos-based firm of legal practitioners engaged in the general commercial practice of law.

    Agbor currently serves on the board of FSDH Securities Limited, FSDH Merchant Bank Limited; Pensions Alliance Limited and Swift Network Services Limited.

    Mbonu is a registered engineer, a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (FNSE), a Fellow of the Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers and a Fellow of the Sierra Leone Institute of Engineers. He is a Founding Partner of Execution Edge Limited, a company noted for the provision of management advisory services to medium and large scale business enterprises.

    Mbonu worked with Shell Petroleum Development Company Limited, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Heineken International and PricewaterhouseCoopers. While at Nigerian Breweries, he was appointed the Human Resource Director in 1999 and the Customer Service Director in 2001.

    In March 2005, he was posted to Heineken International and then to Sierra Leone Brewery Limited, Freetown as the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the company.

    Mbonu attended Mayflower School, Ikenne where he obtained his West African School Certificate (WASC) with seven alpha distinctions and was awarded a Shell-BP Overseas scholarship to study Mechanical Engineering at the University of Manchester, UK, where he graduated in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree, with first class honours and four academic prizes.

    In 1978, on completion of his National Youth Service with Shell-BP, he was awarded the prestigious Manchester University Noel Philip Bedson Research Scholarship which in 1982 led to the award of a Ph.D. degree in Mechanical Engineering from Manchester University, UK.

    As part of his career development, Mbonu attended several local and international learning events including courses at Insead France; London School of Economics, UK; Stanford USA; Wharton School USA; IMD Switzerland and Heineken University, The Netherlands.

  • UACN appoints new chairman, director

    •Agbor
    •Agbor

    UAC of Nigeria (UACN) Plc at the weekend announced the appointments of Mr Dan Agbor as the new chairman of the board of directors of the conglomerate and Engineer Okechukwu Mbonu as a non – executive director.

    The two appointments followed the resignation of the former chairman, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma and a non-executive director, Dr Okechukwu Enelamah, who were both recently appointed Ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    Agbor, 55, is the managing partner of one of the leading commercial law firms in the country – Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie. A seasoned lawyer, Agbor, who joined the firm in September 1990 until date, has had a distinguished practice in areas covering banking, mergers and acquisitions, private equity, finance, tax, and the laws relating to foreign investment.

    A former company secretary/legal adviser of Gulf Bank of Nigeria Limited, he worked variously at the corporate finance and legal departments of Citibank and as a Solicitor in the firm of Ajumogobia, Okeke & Oyebode, a Lagos-based firm of legal practitioners engaged in the general commercial practice of law.

    Agbor currently serves on the board of FSDH Securities Limited, FSDH Merchant Bank Limited; Pensions Alliance Limited and Swift Network Services Limited.

    Mbonu is a registered engineer, a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (FNSE), a Fellow of the Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers and a Fellow of the Sierra Leone Institute of Engineers. He is a Founding Partner of Execution Edge Limited, a company noted for the provision of management advisory services to medium and large scale business enterprises.

    Mbonu worked with Shell Petroleum Development Company Limited, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Heineken International and PricewaterhouseCoopers. While at Nigerian Breweries, he was appointed the Human Resource Director in 1999 and the Customer Service Director in 2001.

    •Enalamah
    •Enalamah

    In March 2005, he was posted to Heineken International and then to Sierra Leone Brewery Limited, Freetown as the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the company.

    Mbonu attended Mayflower School, Ikenne where he obtained his West African School Certificate (WASC) with seven alpha distinctions and was awarded a Shell-BP Overseas scholarship to study Mechanical Engineering at the University of Manchester, UK, where he graduated in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree, with first class honours and four academic prizes.

    In 1978, on completion of his National Youth Service with Shell-BP, he was awarded the prestigious Manchester University Noel Philip Bedson Research Scholarship which in 1982 led to the award of a Ph.D. degree in Mechanical Engineering from Manchester University, UK.

    As part of his career development, Mbonu attended several local and international learning events including courses at Insead France; London School of Economics, UK; Stanford USA; Wharton School USA; IMD Switzerland and Heineken University, The Netherlands.

     

  • Director denies withholding workers’ pay

    The Executive Director of the National Root Crop Research Institute (NRCRI) Umudike, Abia State, Dr Julius Okonkwo, has denied withholding workers’ allowances. He said the allowances were consolidated, added to the basic salary and paid in lump sum as consolidated tertiary institutions salary.

    Okonkwo said the leadership of the NRCRI NASU was misled into demanding an allowance already built into their basic salary.

    He said: “No money is sent to NRCRI for payment of salaries and allowances. Salary is paid by the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (IPPIS Dept) directly into workers’ bank accounts. The executive director does not determine what the Federal Government pays each worker.

    “On August 24, the chairman of NASU, NRCRI Umudike branch, Mrs. Obi Nwakaego, and the executive members issued a ten-point ultimatum to the Institute’s management, requesting the management to address the issues before 14 days from the date of issue. The management sent a reply on August 25.”

    Okonkwo said the points raised by the Mrs. Obi Nwakaego-led NASU have been treated but she has refused to meet with the management to discuss her grievances on four different occasions.

  • UN celebrates International Widows’ Day

    UN celebrates International Widows’ Day

    The United Nations (UN) Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon has advocated for measures to erase the social stigmatisation and economic deprivation that confronts widows.

    The Secretary-General, represented by Mr Ronald Kayanja, Director, United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) Lagos, made the statement in his message during the International Widows’ Day celebration on Tuesday.

    He stressed the need for creating a world with greater equality for generations to come which according to him ‘is the defining challenge of our time’.

    “International Widows’ Day is an opportunity to assert the rights of those whose bereavement is followed by exclusion, abuse or the loss of homes, livelihoods and social standing.

    “Without the economic and social protection of their husbands, many widows are treated as financial burdens by their families. They may lose their rights to inheritance and property, or even be forced out of their communities,’ Mr Ki-moon noted.

    He further said that age, income, ethnicity, disabilities and other factors can put women at greater risk of injustice saying: “These human rights violations stem from the unjust view that women have diminished value. On International Widows’ Day, we reassert the equality of men and women.”

    Similarly, Honourble Abike Dabiri, representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency, who lamented various inhuman treatment which widows often suffer, assured the widows on the position of the law regarding violence against persons – widows inclusive.

    Dabiri maintained that it is punishable under Session 15(1), Constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria (As reviewed) for anyone to harass, maltreat or abuse a widow.

    According to her, the law which was passed and signed by former President Goodluck Jonathan on 28 May, 2015, states that such offender is liable to a 2-year jail term or pay a fine of N500,000 or be subjected to both forms of punishment depending on the gravity of offence.

    She therefore urged the widows to seek education at all cost stressing that: “If you are educated, you cannot be maltreated or abused.”

    In her speech, Professor Grace Alele Williams advised the widows to endeavour to explore all means available to them including writing to the Ministry of Women Affairs.

    According to her, widows could write letters to the ministry requesting for assistance adding that: “You can also ask the ministry what they have been doing for widows.

    “You can write through agencies like Hope For Life Initiative or any other NGOs around who can help forward and follow up on your case.”

    Prof. Alele warned that there are some widows who often abscond with the money in order not to repay the loan. To this she said: “Those who do such should desist from such act. You can also expose dubious NGOs when you come across them.”

    She also noted that one of the reasons help hardly get to those who needed it most is because some widows prefer to fill in family members who are not widows to benefit from widows-targetted-projects.

    “The United Nations is working on specific measures that can help widows, and I urge other partners to join these efforts,” Mr Ki-moon summed.

  • FirstBank director advises women entrepreneurs

    FirstBank director advises women entrepreneurs

    A Director of First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Mrs. Ibukun Awosika at the weekend taught women entrepreneurs the skills and knowledge needed to grow their businesses while keeping their homes.

    Speaking during the second in the series workshop for women-led Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) organied by FirstBank Sustainability Centre at the Lagos Business School, she said  the lender  promotes empowerment, entrepreneurship and financial inclusion among women through the event.

    She said aside having a good financial statement and cash flow, women-led SMEs can run into trouble when the husband is not carried along. “It is a big challenge where the woman entrepreneur fails to carry her husband along. Make your husband a stakeholder in your business and he will protect your interest,” she said.

    Mrs. Awosika who is the Founder of The Chair Centre Ltd, a market leader in the office furniture and banking security systems industries, said there must be a diplomatic balance between the home and business as none should suffer. “You can make business decisions but don’t lose sight of your home,” she told the participants.

    She encouraged women entrepreneurs to borrow from banks for the running of their businesses, but ensure that the funds are not put into other uses. “Women should be encouraged to borrow but must utilise the funds equitably. The banks want to ensure that the loan is repaid because it is depositors’ funds. Women entrepreneurs should learn how to keep proper records as such will help banks in granting them access to more loans,” she said.

  • UNILORIN director shines at international conference

    UNILORIN director shines at international conference

    The Indian Institute of Mineral Engineers (IIME) has honoured the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) Deputy Director of Central Research Laboratory, Dr. Baba Alafara, for his research on processing of chalcopyrite ore using hydrometallurgical method, which involves leaching, solvent extraction and precipitation.

    The research was carried out to recover copper from its ore and use it for the production of high grade copper oxide. The organisers described the research as excellent and brilliant, praising the work as knowledge-based. They said the product obtained (copper oxide) could find applicable as pigment in ceramic industries, cuprammonium hydroxide solution for rayon, p-type semi-conductor, dry cell batteries production and as safety disposal of hazardous materials.

    Alafara attended the 2015 edition of International Conference on Mineral Processing Technology (MPT) in Visakhapatnam, India between March 12 and 14, where he presented a paper on the research.

    Other authors of the work include Prof. Folahan Adekola, Dr. Rafiu Bale and Mr. Kuranga Ayinla.

    After Alafara presented the paper, the organisers adjudged the paper as the best in Electro- and Hydro-Bio processing session. He was presented with MISRA Award of excellence in Electro- and Hydro-Bio processing research.

    It would be recalled that Alafara recently won MTN’s prize for best lecturer award, where students voted for a lecturer who they believed imparted knowledge on them in a unique method.

    The MISRA Award is another laurel to Alafara’s shelf of honours, as the feat was seen as an improvement in UNILORIN’s rating in through research and academic excellence.

    Scholars from other countries also presented papers in areas, such as Agri-mineral, pytoremediation and Green Belts, Coal preparation and flotation, mineralogical characterisation, comminution, agglomeration and sintering, and waste utilisation, among others.

    Over 650 participants from various countries, including United Kingdom, Germany and Australia, attended the event.