The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA)

  • ‘Online marketing is the new normal in business’

    ‘Online marketing is the new normal in business’

    Online marketing is the new normal in the business world today. We live in a world that is fast paced with rapid change, overwhelming complexities and tremendous competition.

    The concept of entrepreneurship and its other appurtenances seems to have taken centre stage in major discussions bordering on economic empowerment and solving the recurring problems of unemployment.

    With the rapid change in social and economic technologies, online platforms and other available social media channels offer a ubiquitous means to take ones business to the next level due to the increasing number of people available online.

    Engineer Azeez Tobi, who is the co-founder of NeedMyService – an online platform that brings artisans, businesses and interested customers under a common umbrella and also provides support services for them, is a Programmer/Digital analyst, and a graduate of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering from the Federal University of Technology, Akure ( FUTA ).

    In an interview with THE NATION reporter, Moses Emorinken, Azeez let us in into the sundry benefits of latching upon the online and social space to publicise and populate your business.

    Can we meet you?

    My name is Azeez Tobi, A Metallurgical and Materials Graduate of The Federal University Of Technology, Akure.

    I’m passionate about communication, Human Behaviour, Societal Well-Being, Alleviating Technology, and girl child support.

    I am the Creative Director (& Co-Founder) of NeedMyService. I’m also the lead strategist of Mitigate Technologist, PILL and 9jascores, but the primary way I earn money is being a Programmer/Digital analyst for Cyborg Nigeria Limited. I also help organizations and individuals create/deliver messages, build stronger teams, manage conflict and design website or app.

    I do this by developing and delivering workshops, keynotes, and working one-on-one with executives.

    In my free time I like to take pictures, challenge minds, sleep, read a little and argue about politics.

    What are the prospects and benefits for businesses positioned online?

    Internet marketing is becoming more and more popular among companies around the world, as they discover the benefits of promoting their product or services online. Same applies to small scale businesses owned by artisans around the world.

    Unlike mass marketing, which succeeds in piquing the interest of local audiences through ads in newspapers, radio spots and billboards, internet marketing allows you to cultivate a more personal connection with consumers around the world generally, delivering valuable content through low-cost, personalized communication.

    By developing a professional online marketing campaign, you can ultimately draw more customers to your business or product, and help your company experience unprecedented growth.

    You can work – and sell – from the comfort of your own home.

    You can start selling for an extremely low initial cost.

    It is convenient, reduces cost and reaches a larger audience.

    Can you tell us about your business?

    NeedMyService offers a simple way to connect with potential customers in your neighborhood, allowing you to take a step back from marketing your business so you can focus on your service or products. Elegant, simple and easy to use, NeedMyService offers a way to generate revenue without the headaches.

    What would you describe as the core competence and value proposition of your business?

    NeedMyService is a social initiative born out of a deep desire to enhance the business prospects of gifted artisans and promising small and micro businesses.

    It is driven by a mission to provide skilled artisans and business owners the opportunity to be showcased to the world by giving them both traditional and online presence as well as frequent brand promotional campaign across multiple digital channels. Beyond publicity, NeedMyService assists entrepreneurs and artisans with the requisite business tools and training needed to boost their chances of success.

    What benefits will subscribers to your platform enjoy?

    Subscribers will enjoy frequent brand promotion, Traditional and Online Presence, Google Business Listing, Email Marketing, Training & Consulting, Business Development, Seminars & Conferences, Free web page(portfolio) to showcase businesses/services render, Discounts cards to swap services or buy at certain reduced cost.

    Do you think the government is doing enough to encourage entrepreneurship among the youths?

    In a way, YES. But they can do better by easing process of registration of business(es), opening of corporate account, and creating more hubs and platform for SMEs to showcase their ideas, services or businesses to investors.

    Seems like the majority of those subscribed to your platform are from the informal sector, what do you think the government should do to regularise and standardise the informal sector?

    I always tell people on the platform, the first thing that makes you an entrepreneur is for you to own a legal and registered business.

    The government must provide enabling environments to develop and implement appropriate policies to bring about change. Government at all levels must connect with key stakeholders, harness local knowledge, enact policies and plans and manage incremental infrastructure development.

    Long-term financial investment and inclusive financing options. Sustained investment in affordable business and upgrading programmes is critical. This includes SME plans and financing support for all tiers of government.

    Also, government needs to develop and coordinate broader integrated frameworks that are underpinned by necessary bodies, legislation and finance arrangements, supported by interconnected institutional arrangements, and one that ensure the inclusion of marginalised groups and key stakeholders.

    Participation must be at the heart of this approach, ensuring an understanding of economic and social community dynamics.

    Peer learning platforms that draw on stakeholders’ knowledge should be prioritised to facilitate peer learning. These platforms may include a range of communication strategies and multimedia mechanisms.

    The government must adopt rights-based policies and integrated governance creates prosperous, sustainable and inclusive cities.

    They should address the rampant problem of child labour.

    Government should sensitize the Small and Medium Scale Enterprises ( SMEs ) on the need to pay their taxes to date and in time.

    What should we expect from your organisation in the next five years?

    We hope to have establish a long-term contract with Private sectors/investors and the Federal Government of Nigeria.

    With the increasing number of subscribers on our online platform, we should have over 100,000 registered businesses on our platforms.

    Since the satisfaction of our clients is paramount to us, we are working assiduously to establish a minimum of 95% customer satisfaction rate to cement long-term relationships with our artisans/users and create word-of-mouth marketing.

    Also, we hope to have built resource and training centers around the country; this way the common man can learn a skill or two for a minimal fee.

    What would be your advice to young Nigerians contemplating their foray into entrepreneurship?

    Starting a business at any age is tough, but being a young entrepreneur can be especially tricky.

    “Don’t ever let other people use your age as an excuse to not take you seriously,”

    Start Early. Learn to work with yourself before rushing into partnerships. Learn to manage your expectations, and remember, people don’t buy what you do… they buy why you do it.

  • Two FUTA students drown while taking selfie

    Two FUTA students drown while taking selfie

    Two students of the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) drowned on Saturday  evening while  reportedly taking selfie pictures on a canoe inside a river in the town.

    The two students whose names were were both 300 level students of the university.

    One was said to be a student of the department of Agriculture  and Environmental Engineering, while the other was a student of the department of Project Management Technology.

    The President, Students Union Government of the university, Adeyinka Olasehinde who confirmed the incident, said the death of the two students had thrown the university into mourning.

    Olasehinde explained that four students went to a river close to the university and took pictures on a canoe stationed at the river.

    He added that the canoe capsized while the students were taking the pictures.

    Olasehinde hinted that two of the students narrowly escaped death because they knew how to swim, while two others were unfortunate.

    He said the students who lost their lives were at the venue of their
    entrepreneuship training at the laboratory of the department of
    fishery and aquaculture behinde great hall in Obakekere area of Akure.

    He said the ugly incident occurred after the students had finished their training for the day

  • One feared dead as FUTA workers protest in Ondo

    One feared dead as FUTA workers protest in Ondo

    One person Monday lost his life during a protest by some workers of the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA).

    The protesters who were said to be members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) were demanding the sack of the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Adebiyi Daramola who was alleged of financial impropriety.

    Prof Daramola had since September appeared before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) following a petition which indicted him.

    Workers in the institution had protested on several occasions against the retention of the VC, claiming that his services should be suspended pending the conclusion of investigations by the anti-graft agency.

    The protesters who converged on the entrance to the Vice Chancellor’s office as early as 7.00 am prevented the VC and his aides from entering the office.

    It was learnt that the driver of one of the vehicles in the entourage of the VC hit one of the protesters while making attempt to reverse the vehicle.

    He was said to have been rushed to the hospital, but reportedly died few minutes after.

    Although the identity of the deceased could not be ascertained as at press time, it was gathered that the deceased was one of the staff of the University Staff secondary school recently sacked by the management of the university.

    The incident reportedly triggered violence in the university campus as many individuals joined them to protest against the incident.

    However, the Public Relations Officer of the university, Mr. Adegbenro Adebanjo said he was not aware of the development, saying he was out of the university campus as at the time he was called for reaction.

    Also, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the state Police command, Mr. Femi Joseph said the matter was a vehicular accident, adding that the Police are still investigating the matter.

  • SSANU demands immediate removal of three VC’s

    SSANU demands immediate removal of three VC’s

    The Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU), has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to sack the Vice-Chancellors of three universities in the country over alleged abuse of office, gross misconduct and corrupt practices.

    The Vice-Chancellor are: Prof Olusola Oyewole, Federal University of  Agriculture Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Prof Biyi Daramola, Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA), Prof. Michael Adikwu, University of Ibadan (UNIABUJA).

    The National Vice-President of the union, Western Zone, Comrade Alfred Jimoh made the call Friday while addressing journalist at University of Ibadan, Ibadan.

    He accused Prof Oyewole of sacking their members when he discovered that they were the ones that exposed his alleged high level corruption and abuse of office alleged to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    “As at the last count, he has sacked twenty three (23) members of SSANU in FUNAAB without following due process and he is still threatening to sack more, yet he has not been able to disprove any of the allegations against him.

    “Also in FUTA, similar scenario is happening and Prof Daramola has been accused of corrupt practices and should be placed on suspension. At UNIABUJA, the Vice Chancellor, Prof Adikwu has suspended the Chairman and Secretary of SSANU without even half salary, for daring to ask question about the ongoing maladministration in the university of Abuja.

    “To the best of our knowledge, Nigerians voted President Muhamadu Buhari into power for three major reasons out of which are: Fight Against Corruption, which had become a very deadly cancer that had eaten deep into the fiber of the Nigerian society is among. It is with this in mind that SSANU as a responsible Union in the highest echelon of Nigerian education sector, has chosen to exercise a lot of constraints and understanding with the government thus far, even in the face of serious pressure from its members at the branch levels, believing that President Buhari and his government meant well with this well thought out Three-Points-Agenda.

    “This was what made SSANU to openly key into the Anti-corruption war of the Buhari Administration vide its Communique issued at the end of its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at the Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma, Edo State, between 11th-12th August, 2016″.

    SSANU’s demands to  President Buhari includes;” The immediate and unconditional recall and protection of all SSANU members sacked by the rampaging Vice Chancellors (FUNAAB and UNIABUJA), Adequate protection for the lives, properties and job of all SSANU members particularly, the whistle blowers. The immediate removal of the following Vice Chancellors: (Prof. Olusola Oyewole-FUNAAB, Prof. Biyi Daramola-FUTA, Prof. Michael Adikwu-UNIABUJA). Reversal of all impunities committed by these Vice Chancellors against our members, including the ones which they use their compromised Councils to do under the guise of University autonomy. Autonomy does not include protection for impunity and thieves.

    “Immediate arraignment of the Vice Chancellors by the EFCC and ICPC. Immediate setting up of a special Visitation Panel to visit these Universities (FUNAAB, FUTA and UNIABUJA) and indeed any other universities where such infractions are found henceforth. The recovery of all the looted funds of the Universities and the prosecution of all the Vice Chancellors and individuals fingered for corruption.”