The Nation Newspaper

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  • LASEPA partners firm

    LASEPA partners firm

    The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) has collaborated with ROTIMAX Integrated Services Ltd to hold a one-day seminar for hoteliers, representatives of organisations and pest control professionals.

    The programme, which is part of efforts by the agency to promote a pest and rodent-free environment and contribute to eco-friendly environment for Lagosians and suburbs alike, held at the NUT Pavilion Alausa, Lagos..

    General Manager of LASEPA Adebola Shabi said the seminar was organised to deliberate on principles of fumigation and integrated pest management. Participants were educated on what to look out for in a professional pest control company as regards LASEPA’s standard.

    He warned that people against substituting agro-allied pesticides for public health pesticide and avoid patronising quacks.

    Managing Director of Rotimax Tolulope Caleb said the seminar, which is a public enlightenment campaign, is the first of its kind in Lagos State.

    The convener said efforts are on to enure the organisation partners relevant bodies to continuously promote healthy environment via awareness programme.

     

  • Firm harps on local content

    Tranos Contracting, an indigenous diversified technology company, has said it is producing innovative solutions that will satisfy the needs of its consumers, using about 90 per cent of locally-sourced materials.

    Its Managing Director, Jude Abalaka, stated this during a tour of their factory.

    He said in an attempt to  domesticate the firm’s production processes without devaluing its outputs, quality materials are sourced from other indigenous companies, such as West Africa Metal Product Company.

    He said: “We are looking internally, our philosophy is to build an organisation based on knowledge that gives us a lot of flexibility. We are a Nigerian diversified technology company and we focus on adding value to people by coming up with innovative solutions either to existing problems or even trying to improve on what already exists.

    “I would put our local content somewhere around 90 per cent. Our major production material which is the sheet metal is sourced locally and our major sheet supplier is WEMCO, they have a factory in Ibadan. I think these sheets would probably account for 60 or 70 percent of the materials we use.’’

    And for our electrical assemblies, such as cables, we get them from indigenous firms like Coleman Wires and Cable metal. The only major things we import are accessories such as engines and locks or minor electrical components such as fuses but everything else is locally sourced.”

    He said the company produces energy distribution devices and accessories, power generators, changeover switches and isolators, protection devices, power distribution boards, control and automation panels, as well as steel and plastic enclosures.

    “On an ongoing basis, we are always thinking and trying to develop new products. Even as we speak, we have a number of products that are at various stages of development. And we are looking to build things that would not only be comparable to some of the things you find anywhere in the world but even surpass them.

    “The reason behind our efforts is to build ourselves to a point where if you take what we have built and compare with what someone else has imported, you would find out that ours would actually be better. That is our focus. On some levels, maybe we have not gotten there yet but it’s a continuous drive, it is not a destination.

     

  • Firm advises NBC to review business model

    Firm advises NBC to review business model

    The General Manager of Integrated Television Services (ITS), one of the signal distribution companies for the Digital Switch Over (DSO) and handlers of the Ilorin switch over project, Mr. Musbau Rotimi Salami, has called for the review of the business model put in place by the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC).

    Salami, who spoke in Ilorin, Kwara State capital, during the visit of the National Assembly Ad-Hoc committee on DSO to inspect the progress of digital installation work on the NTA premises, said the review of the existing business model was imperative to allow for equitable benefits for operators and stakeholders.

    He said: “Already the Minister of Information and Culture has called for a review of it. We are eagerly awaiting the review as this will discourage the current situation where those who operate at the fringes and contribute minimally from reaping so much at the detriment of the major stakeholders.”

    The ITS boss added that the equipment used at the Ilorin centre was not substandard. He said such complaints were misplaced and a lack of understanding of the technology behind the equipment used. “Everything used for the Ilorin switch over installation have met standard as specified by Digiteam / NBC for dvbt2,” he said, adding that technology  in the broadcast industry is dynamic.

    Salam appealled to Nigerians to put the nation first in every aspect of business relationship. “We must ensure that national interests come first above personal and parochial interests. Integrated Television Services is conscious of the history behind it and will work to protect the interest of the Nigerian television consumers and the entire broadcasting industry in Nigeria”.

    The Kaduna State-born and trained transmitter installation and maintenance engineer expressed confidence that the Ad-Hoc Committee‘s visit to Ilorin would shape the future of digital broadcasting in Nigeria.

    Speaking further on the digital revolution happening in Ilorin through the launch, Salami said the launch would herald a new era of television viewing experience.

    “The Integrated Television Services welcomes the people of Kwara to this digital television service for all. The excitement is just beginning.  It is expected that in the near future, other value added services would commence and we will all be fully integrated to the new world.

    “One of the advantages of digital broadcasting is that it opens up the terrain. You will observe that in Ilorin presently there are only two players available yet for the six places earmarked for local broadcasters.  The onus is now on interested local players with adequate content and pedigree to step up the plate.  The opportunity is there for the taking,”’ he said.

    When fully operational, the ITS will have on its platform over 30 channels on its Free TV bouquet, thus delivering unbeatable state of the art quality television experience and pocket friendly plan to the people of kwara state.

  • Firm initiates campaign, rewards Nigerians

    Lipton, is a brand of tea, owned by Unilever is carrying out a campaign tagged ThinkLessDoMore meant to reward hard working people within the society.

    The company had announced, for the second consecutive year, its plan to celebrate with Nigerians  through its #Don’tJustThinkDo campaign. This campaign which was aimed at promoting the values that Ramadan stands for was to get Nigerians to imbibe the habit of doing good.

    According to the company, the campaign promotes the essence of doing good. “Lipton didn’t just stop at telling people to do good, it actually went to several cities in the country including; Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Kaduna to search for people who are doing good in their communities so as to reward them with gifts,” it said.

    Some of the beneficiaries in the campaign are Hassan Black, who helps keep a popular market in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city, clean; Florence Okeme, a dedicated traffic warden in Yaba, Lagos; and Bimbo Akinsanya, the founder of a non-governmental organization (NGO) which is committed to ensuring that young less-privileged ladies in public secondary school and local communities have access to hygiene materials, educational talks and mentorship opportunities, among others.

    “If more Nigerians, as a result of this campaign, start doing more good, there is no doubt that the country will be better, peaceful, safer and more prosperous. The positive effect it will have on various sectors of the economy will be massive,” the company said.

    Brand Manager, Lipton, Adetayo Adesokan  said: “Don’t Just Think Do isn’t just another campaign, but a well thought out approach to promote the virtues of doing good acts in the country, it was launched in order to drastically improve the number of good deeds that are done by Nigerians daily.”

    “We are trying to paint the picture that shows how Nigerians should strive to relate with one another, we are sharing with Nigerians of all backgrounds and from any of the six political zones, what they can do to improve their societies,” he concluded.

    Giving, showing love, and caring for one another, sowing seeds of kindness, are all necessary activities that we all need to do in order to achieve our goal of creating the society we dream of.

    Lipton has paved the way and set the pace for Nigerians to emulate through its #Don’tJustThinkDo campaign. We all have a duty to make a commitment to ramp up the good deeds we do on a daily basis in order to make the society a better place.

    “The brand’s goal was to get more Nigerians to start taking positive actions. Lipton wanted to show more Nigerians the positive ripple effects that doing good will have on themselves, and the nation in extension. To achieve this, it embarked on a series of activities to win more people into its army of “do good-ers” including engaging with Nigerians on conversations surrounding the topic across various media platforms, and embarking on a nationwide tour to reward and celebrate Nigerians who are doing selfless acts in their respective communities,” the firm said.

    Continuing, the firm said: “Nigeria is full of pleasant people, resilient individuals who are filled with enthusiasm and passion regardless of whatever they might be going through, regardless of the impediments, obstacles or challenges they might be facing. This spirit of Nigerians can be seen across the nation and beyond. Most people in Nigeria, irrespective of their region, tribe or religion are warm and kind individuals, however, most times, in their quest to earn a living and better their lives, they forget to look out for the next person as actively as they normally would”.

    “Lipton is leveraging on the ideals that Ramadan stands for this season to get more Nigerians to tap into the beauty of giving, of sharing love and care to their neighbours. Ramadan has always been a period of introspection, a period of discipline, a time to show love, a time to share, to sow the seeds of kindness, and through the ‘Don’t Just Think Do’ campaign, Lipton aims to get more people to move from just thinking, to actually taking doing these good deeds”.

  • Firm promotes choice properties

    A real estate firm, Duchaza International Limited, in collaboration with Revolution Plus Properties Limited, has commenced a promotional programme on its prime properties scattered across different estates at Lekki, Ibeju-Lekki and the Lagos Free Trade Zone environ. The promo began on June 10.

    Speaking at the promo launch, the Managing Director of Duchaza International, Mrs Joy Nwosu, explained that the proximity of the estates to the LFTZ has huge benefits for prospective investors.

    She further explained that one of the prime estates, Arium Estate, is conceived to be a sophisticated and luxurious land space with fast and speedy developments, which reflect magical merging of inspiration and architecture. The estate, Nwosu said, is expected to appreciate by over 100 per cent in 12 months because of its location and excellent neighbourhood. Other locations include the Arium Estate, in the vicinity of the Lagos Business School, Ajah; Emperor Estate, Sangotedo; Abijo GRA; Nicon Town II, amongst others.

    Investors, Nwosu said, have additional benefit of choosing the payment plan that best suits their cash flow, either outright payment or instalments. All the properties are covered by recognised documents, including Certificate of Occupancy (C of O), Excision, Registered Survey and Deed of Assignment.

    “This promo is part of our modest contribution to the growth of the economy by making these properties available to Nigerians at a highly subsidised, affordable and suitable payment plan. Price range is from N700, 000 to N5 million per plot,” Nwosu said.

  • Firm launches animation

    A leading Edtech start-up, Edusko, has launched a still animated series titled: ‘Family and school matters’.

    The platform connects parents and students with good and affordable schools within and outside Africa. It also helps Nigerian parents and educators understand parenting, child education, school issues and other related matters in a fun, illustrative and educative way.

    Its founder, Jide Ayegbusi, said the start-up is committed to helping families and educators understand critical issues that hover around child rearing, child development, education, parent-teacher relationship, sex education, discipline, financial literacy and many more.

    Ayegbusi said: “We’ve discovered that a lot of parents don’t have the time to read thousand-word articles to learn better ways of parenting. We want to help these parents learn more ,using still animation that can convey the narrative in less than 30 seconds. We also want to help the schools learn and understand better what’s going on within their students’ families.

    “We’ve chosen the characters that reflect the lives of many busy parents in the city. These parents are faced with the challenges of excelling in their careers while also trying to be the best parents to their lovely kids,” he said while emphasising on the animated characters.

    “Each season of the Family and School Matters shall last for three months. We would sponsor each weekly episode on social media and members of the public would have the opportunity to share their thoughts.” added  Edusko  content  manager Bukola Bello.

    Edusko was launched in 2015 to help parents and pupils find and apply to good schools amid thousands jostling for their attention.

     

  • Firm sues Hyundai for allegedly selling defective car

    Firm sues Hyundai for allegedly selling defective car

    A firm, Starcom Media, has sued Korean automobile giant, Hyundai Motors, at a Lagos High Court for allegedly selling a defective car to it.

    The firm said it bought a brand new Hyundai Grand Santa Fe Luxury car on October 5,  last year.

    Six days after purchase, the vehicle allegedly developed brake failure, an ‘auto hold’ light kept blinking on the dashboard, while there was a loose bolt on the rear left wheel.

    Starcom Media’s counsel, Wale Ogunade of Wale Ogunade Chambers, said his clients became suspicious on noticing that the mileage on the dashboard read 1,800km, suggesting that the vehicle might have been previously used by a third party in Nigeria.

    Following Hyundai Motors’s alleged refusal to accept responsibility, Starcom Media opted for legal action.

    It approached the Lagos Multi-Door Courthouse, demanding a refund.

    Hyundai Motors initially denied culpability, claiming to have conducted extensive pre-delivery assessment on every component of the vehicle and certifying it okay before delivery.

    The company, however, accepted to service the vehicle for two years or upon it attaining 40,000km. The agreement was signed by parties on March 23.

    Contrary to the terms of agreement, Starcom Media alleged that the vehicle was delivered on April 19, 20 days after the promised delivery date.

    The plaintiff said less than a month after the delivery, the brake problem reoccurred on May 17.

    Ogunade said the development was symptomatic of how Nigerians are ripped off by foreign companies operating in the country. “That category of vehicles has been rejected even in South Korea but somehow, they found their way into Nigeria. A vehicle of this price attracts at least six months warranty or a refund if found defective.

    “Unfortunately, in this case, all attempts by our client to get a refund, replacement or total repair has proved abortive. The vehicle has since been parked with its value depreciating by the day,” the lawyer said.

     

  • Enugu council, firm equip youths for business

    The Enugu State Youth Council (ESYC) and a firm Softran Systems Enterprise Nig. Ltd have provided 20 youths in the state with grants and soft loans so they can start off their businesses.

    The gesture was an aftermath of the promise made by the CEO of Softran Systems Enterprise Nig. Limited, Chief Chris Onyekachi, at a youth empowerment summit organised by the Enugu State Youth Council in February. Onyekachi at the summit asked the youths to submit any business proposal of their choice, from which the best 20 proposals would be given a start-up capital.

    After screening the entries, 20 proposals were approved. Five of them were given grants of N200,000 each, while the other 15 youths received cheques for interest-free loans of N500,000 to start up or expand their businesses.

    Onyekachi admonished the beneficiaries to stick to their business proposals. He pledged his continued support to the development of youths and admonished those who could not benefit from the grants to be hopeful.

    He said, “I will continue giving my support for the youths, to make them better persons and Enugu a better state. And if you do not get anything today, have it in mind that something big is coming your way. I still have a plan underway with the Special Adviser to the state government on youth matters.”

    He said that the soft loan when repaid will be kept in the purse of the Enugu State Youth Council and used to empower other youths.

    He added, “I advise the recipient is to be serious, focused and determined and above all pray to Almighty God, who blesses every human being.” He encouraged the youths to be inspired by great achievers and to work hard toward achieving their own greatness.

    In his welcome address, the Vice President of the Enugu State Youth Council, Barr. Samuel Udenta, on behalf of the President of the council, Comrade Nnaemeka Agada, said that one of the key objectives of the group is initiating youth development projects and activities with the aim of encouraging the active participation of the youth in the processes of their own empowerment. He thanked the state governor for his efforts toward empowering the youths of the state. He then applauded Chief Chris Onyekachi for his giant strides towards empowering the youths of Enugu and described him as “One of the strong sponsors and supporters of this association.” He however called for more supports, “we appeal on the governor, other stakeholders, private individuals and well-meaning Nigerians to partner with ESYC towards the empowerment of Enugu youths.”

    One of the N200,000 grant beneficiaries, Chika Nwamu, a 200L Geography student of University of Nigeria, Nsukka, thanked the philanthropist as she expressed her joy. She looks forward to becoming the best fresh fruit juice producer in Enugu. She said, “I really appreciate Chief Chris for this grant, I am surprised and overwhelmed. What I have in mind is to be the best fresh juice producer in Enugu state and to employ other youths.” She has been in the business on a smaller scale and will expand it with this grant.

    Another grant beneficiary, who proposed a phone accessories marketing business, thanked the benefactor for the wonderful gesture. “I wish to thank the benefactor for putting smiles on our faces and making our lives colorful. With this kind of gestures, the youth will no longer be wasting away.  With this grant, I will start up my phone accessories business. And I wish to make it to make it different from what other people do.”

    Tony Eneje, one of the beneficiaries of the five hundred thousand naira worth of soft loans, also expressed his gratitude. His proposal is on expanding his fish processing business. He said, “Honestly it’s so amazing. We are so happy. And I commend the benefactor. I am into fish processing business. My expectation with this grant is a boom in the business, more production. It will enable us process more fishes to satisfy the demands of our customers and of course more profits.”

    Another high point of the event was when the philanthropist also awarded an additional Two hundred thousand naira grant to a visually impaired man who attended the event with his products. The grant was to help him expand his laundry soap production business.

    Chief Chris Onyekachi was later presented with the Philanthropist of the Year award by the Enugu state youth council. The programme was attended by dignitaries, including the Special Adviser to the Governor on youth affairs and some other state government officials.

  • Firm introduces early cancer detection machine

    Firm introduces early cancer detection machine

    The Houston Holistic Health Company Limited, a promoter of medical equipment for early cancer detection, has announced the availability of a biological risk marker called Breast Thermography in response to the cancer epidemic, which consumes about 80,000 lives annually in Nigeria.

    Breast Thermography is an imaging technology that uses advanced computerised infrared camera systems to detect heat patterns in the breast and other parts of the body. Thermography is a change from sole dependence upon procedures that only provide detection of existing cancers to technologies that reflect early cancerous process that provide true screening test.

    The firm’s Managing Director, Dr. Gracie Chukwu  qouting the World Health Organisation (WHO)  said: “Nigerian cancer death ratio of 4 in 5 is one of the most alarming in the world. For a country like Nigeria with a challenging health sector, the available records are truly troubling: over 100,000 Nigerians are diagnosed with cancer annually, about 80,000 die from this disease, that is, on the average 240 Nigerians die daily and 10 Nigerians every hour from this scourge. If a significant change in breast cancer mortality is to be realized, we must rethink what screening tests. “

    She said Thermography will detect this abnormal heat patterns by scanning the breasts with a specialised infrared camera and analyse the information, using sophisticated computer programmes. “These abnormal heat patterns are among the earliest known signs of a forming cancer. The machine can warn a woman of imminent cancer and other health problems within the body up to 10 years before any other test can detect it. Breast Thermography is a high tech non-invasive screening procedure designed to be used by women of all ages. The technology has been thoroughly researched for over 30 years and is USA-FDA approved for use in breast cancer screening in hospitals and private areas.

    “Its unique ability to play a significant role I n prevention of cancer is an impressive added benefit. The number of women who die from this disease will continue to increase if nothing is done to provide them with a true early warning system. With breast Thermography, women of all ages are given hope and a true early detection edge in the battle against breast cancer,” she said.

    She added:“Thermography medical infrared imaging is very safe – no radiation – unlike mammogram. It’s even safe for pregnant and nursing women. It is merely an image of the heat of the body unlike a mammogram, it doesn’t hurt.”

    WHO, she said, has urged health sector players to pay special attention to early diagnosis of cancer as most oncological disease are curable when identified early to stem the ugly tide and reverse the tragic trend, stressing that many cancer cases are diagnosed too late.

  • Firm launches EduCheck

    A firm, Background Check International (BCI), has launched EduCheck, an online education credential verification platform that links those who need verification services with institutions or bodies that possess the data that will aid them.

    The firm’s Chief Executive Officer Mr. Kola Olugbodi, at a briefing in Lagos, said the platform was created to improve verification and help eliminate fraud among individuals and organisations processing certificate’ verification.

    Olugbodi recalled the once-tedious process of verifying  credentials, a development that compelled the firm to switch gear.

    “When we started 12 years ago,” Olugbodi began, “we realised that to verify education credentials in tertiary institutions and even some professional bodies took almost forever. It might interest you to know that it used to take up to six months or more; and in some instances, some will even tell us they are still investigating.

    “Therefore, the launch of this new platform is phenomenal because it is going to help solve several bottlenecks usually encountered in conducting physical verification of credentials and certifications. The platform saves time as the process now takes between one and 48 hours at most,” he added.

    He continued: ‘’It is a way of conforming with global best practice. To carry out credential verification, you don’t need to be there. It’s an online-based verification platform that makes the process a lot easier for organisations.

    “We also ascertain studentship status! For instance, we realised some youths would deceive their parents by claiming they are in a particular institution; and would continue to fraudulently collect tuition and money for upkeeps from their unsuspecting parents. With EduCheck, we can help track the data and other details of such student.

    BCI’s Chief Operating Officer Seun Olugbodi said beyond providing institutions with a source of income, the platform would eliminate fraud  perpetrated by some officials as payments are made to the institutions’ account.

    “What we do is link people that want to do verification from any part of the world. They place their verification order and we link the user and the institution that need the information.”

    He noted that such innovation had come at a time institutions and corporate bodies were often suspicious of their employees’ details. With Educheck however, Olugbedi, was optimistic that users would enjoy value, quicker job opportunities as well as convenience in getting desired information.