The Nation Newspaper

Tag: firm

  • Firm urges Nigerians to embrace health insurance

    Beep Healthcare President Gilead Okolonkwo has said health insurance is one of the major ways to address challenges faced by the health sector.

    Okolonkwo spoke during the launch of Beep Healthcare Insurance Scheme in Lagos yesterday.

    He said that the health insurance would cover many categories, noting that those without money will access free services.

    Okolonkwo fear many health challenges in future due to increase in population, pollution, lack of improved sanitation, unexpected occurrence, such as  accidents, among others.

    He called on well-meaning Nigerians to invest in health insurance for the sake of the poor in the society.

    “If anybody access the health insurance policy, you may not fall sick to use it, but someone else can benefit from it at any hospitals connected to our scheme.

    “Sometimes, when you or a family member is sick, you may not have cash to go to the hospital, but your health insurance policy will take care of everything.

    “Unfortunately, many Nigerians are ignorant of health insurance policies. Only few, about five to six per cent enjoy such policies. There is the need for more awareness. More Nigerians should invest in the scheme,” he said.

    The president said that Beep Health Insurance was connected with reputable Health Management Organisations (HMOs) in different parts of Nigeria, stressing that their policies cover individual and family plans.

     

     

  • Firm empowers women commercial tricycle riders

    Women involved in commercial tricycle operations received a big boost at the weekend following an empowerment scheme by the Simba Group.

    Justifying the need for the scheme, Business Head of Simba Group, Minish Rohtagi who announced the programme as part of celebration of the 2018 Women’s Day, said his company hopes to provide baby centre and scholarship for tricycle riders.

    According to him, a governor of a northern state has promised that fifty tricycle drivers will be given to the group.

    “We are reaching out to other states too, apart from Lagos, and these also include the northern states. We already have the word of one of the northern governor that we will have fifty female tricycle drivers. This is heartwarming, because we would have assumed that it would have been difficult to get female drivers in northern states.

    “We give free services to women riders.  We are thinking of more packages like a baby center for women tricycle riders for example, and we also intend giving out scholarships.”

    Speaking on the contributions of Simba Group on the society, the Marketing Head, El Hadj Seck said many tricycles have been produced for Lagos drivers and more will still b produced.

    “More than 60% of tricycles used all around Lagos come from Simba group, and they are standard tricycles. Our tricycles have features like dashboard, in-built music players and so on and a very strong chassis. We test our products day by day to see that it is working well.”

    “We have been doing women empowerment over the years, and we hope to do more to better the lives of women in the society.

    One of the female riders, Ada Jesus, told The Nation that the scheme has been very helpful to her. “I am thankful to Simba group, I have benefitted from them, and I am able to feed myself and family.”

  • Kogi, firm set to implement MoU on 3000mw deal

    The President, PowerChina International Group Ltd, Mr Song Dongsheng has said  his company is set to begin the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed with Kogi State government for the establishment of 3000 megawatts of electricity in the state.

    Dongsheng, who visited    Governor  Yahaya Bello in Abuja to discuss  the implementation of the  MoU, which was signed during the just- concluded Kogi Economic and Investment Summit,

    said the meeting was a followup to the projects.

    He requested that a technical team on the side of the Kogi State Government be set up  before the arrival of PowerChina’s Technical Team, scheduled to arrive in the state in two weeks time.

    The President of the company who explained that the MOU comprises two projects; a 2,400MW coal-fired power generating plant and a 600MW hydro-powered plant , urged the state government to identify the two sites.

    Bello said his government was ready to safeguard the lives of the personnel , equipment and investment of the company within the state’s borders.

    He said the technical team had  been set up and the sites  identified in readiness for the work, stressing that electricity is key to his plans to make Kogi  an economic hub.

    At the meeting were Dr. Zhang Nianmu, President Central and West Africa; Tian Haihua, Executive Vice President Central and West Africa; Wang XinHuai, Vice President Central and West Africa; Samuel Fayemi, Nigerian representative; Mr Shola Arifayan the Executive Director of Energy Consultant Consortium; and Asiwaju Asiru Idris, Head of Economic Team/Commissioner of Finance.

    T `he 3,000 megawatts MOU was one of the seven that the state government signed with  investors over the two-day economic and political investment summit held recently in the state.

     

  • FBNInsurance: Fastest growing firm

    FBNInsurance: Fastest growing firm

    • Pays claims promptly

    That FBNInsurance is the fastest-growing insurance company in Nigeria is not in doubt. This much has been confirmed by available indices in the industry.

    Established in September 2010 with 14 staff members, many expected it to do well. Despite of the prevalent apathy towards insurance, industry watchers felt that as a scion of the country’s hugely successful financial services powerhouse, FBNHoldings, they would benefit from the parent company’s time- tested formula for success.

    For over a century, FBNHoldings, through FirstBank, has been a major player in the financial services industry. With investments in banking, asset management, pension funds, among others, FBNHoldings bestrides the financial landscape.

    However, no sooner had it started business than the management of FBNInsurance realised that success does not come on the basis of a great heritage. Getting business was a challenge. The famed apathy of the insuring public apart, the pioneer teams at the company were entering a territory angels feared to tread.

    To endear itself to the target audience, the management of the company had to dig in really deep and carve a niche for itself. The pioneer staff members worked days on end to ensure the business survived infancy. Today, their hardwork has paid off.

    While many have praised Val Ojumah, the company’s Managing Director since inception, for his glowing leadership qualities, the man himself is quick to put the adulations at the feet of those who he believes deserves it: the Board, Management and staff. “We have been able to achieve so much in so short a period because we have been blessed with visionary and relentless Boards at various times, and a selfless members of staff since inception,” he says.

    Indeed, Ojumah has overseen a management team that has steered the ship of the young company to heights established players can only dream of.

    Within its first three years of operation, the company bought over a general insurance firm, Oasis Insurance, and rebranded it FBN General Insurance, a subsidiary of FBNInsurance, and overturned the acquired company’s loss position in the first year of operation and has subsequently maintained FBN General Insurance’s growth momentum.

    With regards to its financial performance, FBNInsurance has continued on an upward swing that impresses even the most cynical financial analysts. In 2016, the company made N9.9billion and declared a profit after tax of N2.23bilion while total assets stood at a whooping N29.5billion. In a country gradually easing out of a recession and with a low insurance penetration, the figures are a wonder.

    It is easy to see the basis of this success: a strong retail presence. With over 2,000 financial advisors combing the nooks and crannies of the country selling insurance, little wonder that an approximate 70 per cent of the company’s total income in the past year comes from the retail team. This is a solid endorsement of the trust the people have in the brand.

    Indeed, the company has not only won the peoples’ trust, it has also garnered many accolades from other stakeholders along the way. In 2013, the company won Sanlam Emerging Markets (SEM) Cup of Nations award in the Rising Star category based on high premium posted.

    According to the competition rules, “the SEM Cup of Nations is designed to motivate the staff members of the various country operations to overachieve and exceed the set targets/budgets, to deliver sustainable growth over the previous year’s results, and to foster a spirit of competition between the various businesses in the Sanlam Emerging Markets (SEM) cluster.”

    The company would repeat the feat in 2016, making it a double in three years. Also, thrice over the past four years, FBNInsurance has been awarded the best life insurance company in Nigeria by the prestigious World Finance Awards.

    But is FBNInsurance all about growing her customer base, making profits and delivering on set targets? Elizabeth Agugoh, Head of the company’s Marketing and Corporate Communications department, disagrees.

    “We are a peoples’ company committed to doing business by all ethical means while also impacting on our host communities through our corporate responsibility and sustainability exertions,” she said.

    Over the years, she revealed, the company has made significant impacts in education, health and community development. Some of these include the donation of a brand new dialysis machine to a Lagos General Hospital in 2015; providing screening and  immunisation for Breast and Cervical cancer for 750 girls and women in collaboration with a local Rotary Club; supporting Jakins NGO in providing back-to-school kits for vulnerable and disadvantaged students; providing scholarships to 250 indigent students of a rural community in Southsouth Nigeria so they could enjoy uninterrupted education; sinking of a borehole at Umuahia amongst others.

    For a company that has grown its own reputation away from its founders, it is delightful to note that FBNInsurance is not resting on its oars. With 136 permanent staff, 74 temporary officers and over 2000 retail agents across 42 sales outlets pan Nigeria on its books, the company has truly come of age. “We will continue to deepen our retail footprints until every insurable Nigerian has an FBNInsurance policy,” Ojumah added.

  • Ogun engages firm to manage waste

    The Ogun State Government has engaged Solous MRF 1 Limited, a subsidiary of West Africa Engineering, to manage waste, as part of measures to promote a cleaner, safer and healthier environment.

    According to a statement by the Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Bolaji Oyeleye, the service provider, which specialises in waste management, recycling and conversion of waste to revisable energy, is expected to manage municipal solid waste cycle, including waste collection, processing and disposal.

    The statement noted that the partnership would enhance effectiveness, efficiency and optimal performance in solid waste management in the state, with the goal of creating an outstanding waste management sector.

    It stated that the government had on February 12, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the service provider,  followed by a joint technical meeting on February 20.

    The statement added that the ministry would provide the technical support to ensure that the service provider achieve its mandates as stated in the MoU, noting that the partnership reiterates the government’s commitment to actualising its plan for an enviable environmental and infrastructural development of the state.

  • Firm to curb aflatoxin in maize, groundnut

    A firm, Harvestfield Industries Limited, has moved to curb aflatoxin in maize that forced regulators to confiscate grain and prevent its entrance into the market.

    Aflatoxins are poisonous and cancer-causing molds that can lead to stunting in children and severe health problems in adults.

    They are found in improperly stored commodities, such as maize, cassava, millet, rice, sorghum, and wheat.

    According to experts, aflatoxin, a toxin caused by fungi, Aspergillusflavus, and Parasiticus Fungus, is produced as a by-product of the metabolism of the fungi that thrives in farm produce because of high moisture content.

    Maize and groundnut are particularly susceptible to aflatoxin accumulation, but crops such as oilseeds, cassava, yam, rice and others can be affected as well.

    It has been a major challenge to the  cereals production value chain and affects the fortunes of farmers.

    A statement from Harvestfield Industries Limited said it has embarked on a nationwide farmers sensitisation on how to apply aflasafe® product for effective control of aflatoxin in maize and groundnut .

    To create national impact, the company has  constituted  seven technical teams which comprise scientists from the  International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Federal Department of Agriculture (FDA), National Agricultural Quarantine Services (NAQS),  and Partnership for Aflatoxin Control in Africa (PACA)  as well as  agricultural extension officers from states and local government areas in the six geo-political regions.

  • Rating firm names best dry cleaning firms in Lagos

    Nabioet Eagle Limited, a business consultancy firm in Lagos, has released the report of its survey on the topnotch companies in dry cleaning business in Lagos State.

    The result of the exercise,  conducted in the fourth quarter of last year, showcased the best professional dry cleaners on a league table from thousands of quacks, whose ill-structured services only cause pain to customers.

    According to the report, leading the dry cleaning companies with aggregate score include Garment Care Limited; Clean Ace and Snow Flakes and Laundry by Time Signature Limited. Others that made it to top 11 on the table include, West Man Quest Limited; Nathan’s Superior Dry Cleaners; The Laundry Box Limited; Laundry House Co.; Discount Dry Cleaners; Safi.ng and Laundry King Limited.

    The report, which is commendable as the first of its kind in the dry-cleaning sub-sector of Lagos State, is well-researched to discourage those who may continue patronising dry-cleaning outfits in the non-professional category.

    According to the report, the dry cleaning industry like every other unregulated sector has hundreds, if not thousands of service providers playing both in the professional and non-professional category. In line with the fundamental goal of the assessment, the report, according to the agency would help foster healthy competition in the industry and encourage better service quality delivery to customers.

    One interesting thing about the report is the methodology employed and deployed by the research firm, which enabled them to arrive at the their decision.

    A closer look at the report showed that key attributes considered were directly derived through the use of direct  experience, customer survey, review of critical impressions points, mystery shopping, assessment through online professional tools and assessment of platforms.

  • US, firm empower techpreneurs in fisheries

    The United States Embassy in collaboration with Andela, a global training organisation, has gathered designers, developers and other experts in Lagos, Benin, Ibadan and Abuja for training in fishery, DANIEL ESSIET reports.

    Techpreneurs are successful because they bridge the gap between businesses and consumers with innovative solutions. One way to get these solutions is through hackathon, a forum where people come together and use technology to transform ideas into reality.

    Fishackathon is a public-private partnership, which uses digital solutions to address fishery challenges.

    The United States government in collaboration with Andela, a global trainer, assembled designers, developers, and experts to provide tech solutions to fisheries’ problems.

    The event was held in Lagos, Abuja, Benin, Lagos and Ibadan.

    Fishackathon organiser, West Africa Andela, Anuoluwapo Onifade, said the event was organised by the US Embassy to inspire the creation of digital solutions to address sustainable fisheries and marine challenges.

    According to him, the challenges involved providing solutions to problems in areas, such as overfishing, pollution, and other hazards threatening the extinction of marine species.

    He said mentors help teams bring their ideas into execution that will solve problems.

    The winning team, he explained, would receive $5000 and top teams would move on to the regional and global finals.

    HackerNest is the Managing Partner for Fishackathon, a global hackathon series, launched in 2014 by the U.S. Department of State that advises the president and leads the country in foreign policy issues.

  • Ex-manager sues firm for N1.062m

    Ex-manager sues firm for N1.062m

    A former CIG Motors Company Limited employee Akeem Adebiyi Adeyemi has filed a N1.062 million suit before the National Industrial Court (NIC), Lagos Division, against the management of the company for alleged wrongful termination of appointment.

    In the suit, with reference No: NICN/LA/35/2018 filed through his counsel, Olawale Fapohunda, the claimant is seeking a declaration  that the termination of his employment with the defendant through a letter dated August 31, 2017 based on protest against certain racial comments by the chairperson of the company, Mrs Chen Xuixia is illegal, malicious and wrongful.

    The claimant sought the court’s declaration that the defendant breached his right to freedom from discrimination as provided for under Section 42 of the Constitution.

    He asked the court to declare that the deliberate refusal of the defendant to remit his pension contribution from April 2017 to August 2017 is unlawful and a violation of the provisionhs of the Pension Reforms Act 2014.

    He is also seeking a declaration that the refusal of the defendant to remit the Personal Income Tax monthly deduction made from him to the Lagos State Internal Revenue Services is unlawful  and a violation of the provisions of the Personal Income Tax Act Cap P8 LFN 2004.

    The claimant seeks the court’s declaration that he is entitled to N208,000 being his outstanding entitlements and another order compelling the defendant to pay N104,000 being 25 per cent of his salary for July and August  2017 and an award of N750,000 as cost of the action.

    He also seeks the court’s order compelling the defendant to remit the claimant’s pension contribution from April to August 2017 to his retirement savings account and his monthly tax deductions for the same period to the Lagos State Internal Revenue Services.

    In his 16-paragraph statement on oath, the claimant averred that aside from being the sales manager of the defendant’s company, it was also in line with his official duties to prepare monthly sales report and present it at the official monthly meeting.

    He averred that he constantly interacted with the chairman, Xuixia and that during most of his dealings with her, “she was always complaining and murmuring racial comments against him”.

    “The claimant averred that between July and August 2017, for no justifiable reasons, the defendant illegally deducted  N104,000 from the claimant’s salaries contrary to the spirit and letters of the claimant’s employment contract.”

    He further averred that at the monthly meeting of August 31, 2017, after making his presentation, “the Chairman of the company, Mrs Chen Xuixia, a Chinese, expressed total disgust in what she referred to as “ shabby” presentation and stated: “Nigerians are not good for anything” and that “that is why most of my workers here are Chinese”.

    He claimed that when this statement was made, he protested and stated that it was unfair to make such a generalised statements about Nigerians.

    He averred that  that Xuixia got angry as a result of the claimant’s protest and  there and then terminated the claimant’s employment unfairly and unjustly.

    He claimed that his employment was terminated without recourse to the notice period stated in his contract of employment.

    He said his disengagement was unfair and unlawful.

    The court is yet to fix a date for commencement of trial.

  • Firm begins pro bono challenge

    The law firm of Paul Usoro & Co (PUC) has started receiving entries for the second edition of its pro bono challenge.

    According to the firm, the initiative is aimed at rewarding the selfless and sacrificial efforts of lawyers who go the extra mile to defend the defenseless.

    The term pro bono denotes work undertaken without charge, especially legal work for a client on low income.

    Abasiodiong Ekpeyong won maiden edition following an assessment by an external evaluation committee comprising Prof Fabian Ajogwu (SAN), Mrs. Abimbola Akeredolu (SAN) and Mr. Essien Udom.

    PUC’s head of chambers Mr Munirudeen Liadi said: “The decision was made to give a chance to more lawyers between one to 15 years at the Bar to showcase and inspire colleagues with their touching pro bono cases.”

    The firm said the second edition would focus on humanitarian issues, especially law enforcement agents’ brutality, gender related issues, and child abuse.

    The six most compelling cases will be rewarded with N100,000 each, PUC said.

    According to the organisers, each participant is expected to create a short video (maximum of two minutes) which could be shared via Instagram, Facebook or via email (puchallenge@gmail.com).

    All video entries via Instagram and Facebook are required to use the hash-tag #PAULUSOROCHALLENGE for the videos to be discovered.

    The firm said there would be extra points for law enforcement agents’ brutality, gender related cases, child abuse and humanitarian matters.

    Past and present PUC lawyers and participants in the maiden edition are not allowed to participate.