The Nation Newspaper

Tag: firm

  • Firm praised for selfless service

    Hajj Mabrur Ventures Limited (HMV) has been described as the best in Hajj and Umrah services.This is sequel to its performance last year.

    The encomium came from new pilgrims during the get-together organised by HMV recently. It featured presentation of certificates.

    The operator, incorporated as a limited liability company in 2001, was licensed by The Directorate of Pilgrims Affairs (DPA) now National Hajj Commission (NAHCOM) under the auspices of the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to airlift Pilgrims.

    It started airlifting pilgrims from in 2002.

    One of the pilgrims, Alhaji Abdul-Wasi Adedeji praised the operator for well-packaged and spiritually-fulfilling hajj operations.

    Adedeji enjoined intending pilgrims to go with Hajj Mabrur.

    “We were given thorough spiritual enlightenment and education in terms of what the Hajj entails and we are better for it. We only urge them to ensure that in future, pilgrims do not spend more than the allotted days,” he said.

    HMV General Manager Alhaji Abdulhameed Solate said the operator is set up to assist Muslims perform their Hajj rites in the right manner as prescribed by the Prophet.

    “The main objective of establishing the company is to make it possible for Muslims to perform Hajj as directed by Allah and His Apostle without any fuss or hassle. We are equally working to curb the various problems faced by Nigerian Hujjaj both at home and in the Holy Land,” he said.

    According to him, HMV has been successfully airlifting Pilgrims on both Umrah and Hajj and has a wealth of experience and impeccable track record.

    He said: “Our services also extend to groups or organisations who wish to perform Hajj jointly. HMV will provide necessary services to facilitate their group airlift, accommodation, transportation and observance of Hajj rites as may be required.”

     

  • Tompolo security firm may sack 4,000

    •Oil firms, NNPC jittery 

    Oil companies in the Niger Delta are getting worried over the Federal Government’s refusal to renew pipeline surveillance contracts awarded to former militant leaders.

    It was gathered that only Oil Field Surveillance Limited (OFSL), owned by Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, is not operating.

    Sources told our reporter that the company is to lay off over 4,000 workers in the New Year owing to the latest development.

    Oil industry experts said attacks on oil facilities and illegal bunkering activities could spike this year, if OFSL lays off its workers.

    A source at an oil multinational in Warri said: “The situation is really dicey at the moment because of this situation.

    “We know that staff of the surveillance companies are those responsible for a large chunk of attacks on our facilities.

    “In the past two years since the award of this contract there have been a semblance of sanity, especially in the Bayelsa/Delta axis where Tompolo’s boys are working.

    “While it is not our place to tell the Federal Government what to do in this regard, a lot of us (oil industry operators) feel that it is better to maintain the balance because of the success we are seeing in Delta State.”

    When contacted, Tompolo’s media aide Paul Bebenimibo neither confirmed nor denied report of the mass retrenchment.

    He said: “The handwriting is on the wall for all to see, OFSL has been paying thousands of workers for several months without receiving money from the Federal Government and you do not expect the management of the company to continue to lose money.”

    Comrade Rex Anighoro, spokesman of Alhaji Asari Dokubor, one of the contract beneficiaries, said he was on the road when our reporter contacted him.

    The Federal Government had recently slammed Dokubor, blaming his scatting criticism of President Goodluck Jonathan on the non renewal of his contract.

    But a Presidential source said the Federal Government may yet renew the contract, at least for the contractor handling the Delta end.

    “There’s no doubt that the contract was a success in Delta State, oil companies and Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan have confirmed this to the President at various times.

    “The problem is the failure of the contracts in Rivers and Bayelsa states.

    The President doesn’t want to be seen as favouring one side over the other. But at the end of the day something has to be done about it,” our source said.

     

  • ‘Labour Minister Wogu has no link with firm’

    ‘Labour Minister Wogu has no link with firm’

    Messrs Masters Energy yesterday clarified the ownership of Pinnacle Contractors. It said the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emaka Wogu, has no link with the firm.

    Its clarification followed speculations that the minister’s relationship with the company has compromised the ongoing probe of oil subsidy.

    But the company, in a statement, described the claim as a falsehood, which it blamed on detractors

    The statement reads: “In recent times there appears to be a sustained media campaign to smear the image of our company Masters Energy and its subsidiary, Pinnacle Contractors on one hand, and that of the Honourable Minister of Labour & Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, on the other hand.

    “It is not in our policy to join issues with our detractors on the pages of the newspapers.

    “In keeping with the spirit of our policy, we have maintained a dignified silence on the assumption that the facts will speak for itself.

    “However, we have now decided to break from our usual tradition of silence and speak up in order to lay the facts out to the public, lest falsehood will be dished to unsuspecting members of the public as facts.

    “We are somewhat amused that Mr. Dino Maleye, who after his failed re-election bid, has suddenly become the new crusader against corruption in Nigeria. Who is fooling who? How interesting? Well, there is actually nothing wrong if an idle mind tries to engage himself. But there is everything wrong when a man who cannot take personal responsibility for his action attempts to take on a moral high ground to launch attacks against others who clearly stand shoulder above him on the moral pedestal.

    “The Management of Masters Energy Oil & Gas Limited wishes to, and hereby refutes the false, misguided, malicious and misleading reports in the media linking the Wogu family with Pinnacle Contractors Ltd and state that we duly acquired Pinnacle Contractors Ltd from the Wogu family on March 23, 2010. The business sales/takeover agreement between Masters Energy Oil and Gas Ltd and Pinnacle Contractors Ltd is hereby attached.

    “The Honourable Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, has no stake in Pinnacle Contractors. For the avoidance of doubt, let us restate here that he has NO HAND in the company and he is NOT a signatory to Pinnacle Contractors’ account.

    “The political opportunist and perpetual election losers, who have joined the fray to call for the minister’s resignation without checking the facts should look for credible issues to use against the minister and not the issue of ownership of Pinnacle Contractors.

    “All those making desperate efforts to smear his name and drag him down, using the so-called subsidy scam, should understand that using the issue of alleged subsidy scam to attack Pinnacle Contractors or the Minister cannot withstand elementary scrutiny in the face of hard facts. It is unfortunate that some people will do anything to smear other people’s reputation without even considering the implication on their businesses.

    “The Presidential Committee on the Verification of Subsidy payment deems this clarification necessary in view of the public interest generated by the false reports and the purported indictment of the company.

    “While we will not join issues with the committee, it will also be of public interest to note that the attached extract of the report of Ernst & Young, a reputable audit firm hired by the committee, did not indict Pinnacle Contractors Ltd.

    “We also wish to state further that contrary to the reports you may have read, our company Pinnacle Contractors Limited is a registered company with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) with RC No: 419968

    “The petroleum products for which the subsidy claim was made was actually imported into the country and sold in the country as evident in the bill of lading, certificate of clearance and reports of the various regulatory agencies.

    “Pinnacle Contractors is not a faceless organisation. It has employees; it pays its taxes; it pays VAT and also has its own bank account. You cannot have all these in place if your company is not registered. You cannot have a tax number if you are not a registered company; you cannot have a VAT number if you are not a registered company. Except our detractors would want Nigerians to believe that it is possible to do all these without having the appropriate registration in place.

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • South African firm pays $335m for MTN Nigeria shares

    South African firm pays $335m for MTN Nigeria shares

    A South Africa firm, Shanduka Group, yesterday purchased a R2.96 billion (about $335million), minority stake in MTN Nigeria, the company said.

    The stake was purchased through the company’s subsidiary, Shanduka Telecommunication, based in Mauritius.

    It is the largest investment the company has made outside South Africa, Shanduka Group said in a statement.

    “This is Shanduka’s most significant investment in another African country.

    “It is a business that is well established within a market that has great potential for further growth.

    “Shanduka will continue to pursue opportunities in other parts of Africa,” said CEO Phuti Mahanyele.

    The stake was purchased from three private investors.

    MTN Nigeria is the largest mobile operator in Nigeria with over 45 million subscribers and an estimated market share of 48 per cent.

    The company is an indirect subsidiary of MTN Group, which holds a 78.8 per cent stake.

    Reacting to the transaction, former president, Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) Emmanuel Ekuwem said the development portends danger to the future of telco in Nigeria.

    According to him, Shanduka Group could not be blamed for the transaction because a buyer buys from a willing seller.

    “If the investors had made their intention to sell open, there would be Nigerians who will buy the shares.

    President of the National Association of Telecoms Subscribers of Nigeria (NATCOM)Deolu Ogunbanjo said it is sad that Nigerians can sell their shares to South Africans.

    “Why did they make the transaction secret?

    “Do they think there are no corporate and individual Nigerians that can buy the shares at the price Shanduka bought the shares?

    “It is very sad and I will recommend that if the transaction is reversible, it should be reversed immediately,” he said.

  • Firm to create 20,000 jobs in C’River

    a Singaporean firm, Wilmar International, has inaugurated 50,000-hectare Oil Palm plantations in Cross River State.

    The plantation has the capacity to employ over 20,000 persons, which is equivalent to the state’s work force.

    Inaugurating the Calaro, Ibiae and Biase oil palm plantations, jointly owned by Wilmar International Limited and PZ Cussons, at Mbarakom in Akamkpa Local Government Governor Liyel Imoke said the investment would transform the communities and make Cross River the biggest oil palm producer in Nigeria.

    Imoke said the plantations would be managed by the people of Cross River and two expatriates, adding that Wilmar International plans to establish an oil palm refinery in the state.

    He said his administration intends to boost the state’s economy through commercial agriculture.

    Imoke said there is a global demand for oil palm and Nigeria is a major importer of the product.

    He urged the Federal Government to partner the state in oil palm production.

  • Oyo, UK firm sign MoU on N4b Soya milk firm

    The Oyo State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a United Kingdom (UK) milk producing company, Kama Milk Industry, for the production of Soya milk.

    The establishment of the company will cost N4 billion.

    The company is expected to produce about 750,000 metric tons of soya milk annually and provide 100,000 jobs when it becomes operational.

    At the signing of the MoU in his office in Ibadan, the state capital, Governor Abiola Ajimobi said the company’s decision to invest in Oyo was the product of his many foreign trips.

    He said: “The MoU is one of the products of our promotion. We are now having a company involved in the large manufacturing of Soya milk, which will be the second largest in Africa.”

    Assuring the firm’s management of an enabling environment, Ajimobi said: “We are ready to partner you and provide an enabling environment for you to succeed.”

    He said the company would be provided with 25 hectares of land for the production of soya beans for animal feeds.

    The governor said apart from the land being provided at the Industrial Park on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, the company would also be given a large farmland in Oke-Ogun, which would serve as a feeder.

    He urged the management to ensure that the company begins operation within three months.

    Ajimobi said: “I expect that in the next three months, we will be able to turn the sod in Oyo State and have that factory. I will like to open the factory by September next year.”

    The Managing Director of Kama Milk Industry, Mr. Dipak Mirchandani, assured the governor that the company would boost the state’s economy.

  • Firm creates result-processing program for schools

    Better days are here for primary and secondary schools interested in computer programming. A new application has been developed by Think First Technology Ltd. It is called Remarks.

    The application processes results in primary and secondary schools and can adapt to any grading system.

    Speaking with journalists recently in Lagos, its Chief Executive Officer, Mr Akinyele Victor Olubodun said what distinguishes the application from others was that any school can just log on to it. Besides, there is a trial period interested partners can use before paying.

    Akinyele, a 2007 graduate of Pure and Applied Mathematics,at the University of Lagos, said he had a bias for programming while in school. He said another feature the application has is the back-up.

    “Our server is in three countries and can be replicated. If one fails, another one can replicate it”.

    Speaking on the unique features of the application, Akinyele who won the World Youth Summit award in November last year, said: “There is free registration and instant setup, you can start using it from the very first day, it has graphical result rules with definition setup and cheapest student result access rate; it has customised report and access areas; it enables schools to create a detailed debtors list; it has easy to read and understand user manual or guide; you can choose your student access mode; you can pay for only the number of students you want to access the result.”

    On the mode of usage, he said the schools will determine whether they want to use scratch cards for the results of their students or be given pin to log in.

    “The school sends notification to parents after publishing the results of their wards.

    They will check the link and follow instruction and after that, they can access the results of their children.

    “The inherent advantage is that they don’t have to visit the school of these children before knowing their level of performance”

    Akinyele has plans to develop another application for tertiary institutions as well.”

     

  • Firm launches website for teachers

    A Website to boost professionalism among teachers has been launched by the Standard Mandate International (SMI), an organisation that focuses on capacity building for all cadres of workers and pupils.

    SMI Chief Executive Officer, Pastor Nelson Ayodele, said the website, which made its debut on October 5, World Teachers Day, would showcase Nigerian teachers to the outside world, in addition to providing them a platform to share their experiences and exchange ideas.

    In an interview with The Nation, Ayodele said over 1,000 teachers have registered on the website-www.nigerianteachers.com.

    He said SMI would partner with local and foreign organistaions to provide content and other professional development opportunities for teachers.

    Urging teachers to register on the site, he spoke of the importance of teachers uploading content to contribute to the world knowledge pool and tell African stories.

    “We are trying to partner with organisations across the country to promote our own breed of teachers. You can upload your own stories and photographs on the website. There is no effort to put together stories of African teachers. Most of the books in existence contain stories of foreign teachers. We need to start writing our own stories. If you impact on a child, you can tell your story and post it on the website,” he said.

    Ayodele also said the desire to enhance the pedagogical skills of teachers, was what informed the organisation of a symposium by SMI to commemorate the World Teachers Day.

    Held at the main auditorium of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), the symposium discussed the theme: The Facilitation of Learning: Strategies, Risks and Opportunities.

    Lead Paper presenter Chief Kaoli Olusanya, who runs Kith and Kin Educational Schools, Ikorodu, told the teachers that they should disabuse the thought that they are more knowledgeable than their students. On the contrary, he urged them to facilitate learning, which entails helping learners to explore rather than forcing concepts on them.

    “Teaching is defined in terms of the facilitation of a lasting process of meaningful learning which is deep and pervades the learners’ life and behaviour. The teacher’s role is defined as facilitator of learning. Facilitation is about helping people to explore, learn and change,” he said.

    Other speakers, including Mrs M Malaka, Administrator of Deeper Life School; Dr Femi Ogunsanya, CEO of Oxbridge College, Ikeja, who was represented by Mrs Akin Ajayi, made contributions to the topic.

  • Firm holds seminar for students

    Firm holds seminar for students

    Government’s efforts towards improving the literacy level of the society received a boost last week when Julius Berger Nigeria Plc held a literacy seminar at the Surulere Senior Secondary School for senior students. The event was to encourage future writers and authors.

    At the event, Mrs Chinyere Obi-Obasi, author of The Great Fall, spoke on the secrets of good writing.

    Reeling off some of the qualities of a good writer, she said: “Some of the factors that make one become a good writer are being observant, being creative, having deep thought on issues, competence, reading voraciously, being inspired by some role models, being disciplined, having interest, being ambitious, developing critical ear, being a good listener, among others.

    She further said that to be a good leader, one should develop deep interest in writing, even as she added that the best time to write is in the night when the environment is less noisy.

    Continuing, she said: “Nigerians are so eager to sow today and reap tomorrow. Writing requires patience.”

    The Public Affairs Advisor of Julius Berger, Mr Clement Iloba said the event was part of the company’s corporate social responsibilities for communities across Nigeria.

    Beneficiaries of the initiative are public secondary schools with record of excellence and a strong focus on achieving progress.

    The Principal of the school, Mrs Folashade Arinola Ogunbekun thanked Julius Berger and Mrs Obi-Obasi for their contributions to the school. She prayed that God will continue to increase their knowledge. She advised students to study hard after the seminar.

  • Firm tasks designers on customised carpets

    Firm tasks designers on customised carpets

    Manufacturer of Nobel rugs and carpets, Lucky Fibre Plc., has urged professionals in the home furniture, office, and interior design industry to improve on their skills to propel the sector.

    The call was made during the annual specialised exposition and workshop on building, construction and infrastructural development held in Abuja.

    According to the General Manager, Lucky Fibres Plc, Mr Kunal Malhotra, the building, construction and infrastructural development sector demands professionalism to thrive; and customisation has become the rule of the game.

    “In today’s highly competitive business environment where the consumer has become sophisticated, customisation and specification has become the rule of the game for budding players in the Home, Office, and Interior Design business landscape. There has been an increasing focus on customising products to specification of consumers demand. Only professionals who pay attention to specific details and constantly offer innovative products will continue to thrive in the industry,” he said.

    Lucky Fibres also offered its clients and prospective customers a stage-by-stage demonstration of the processes involved in the manufacture of their world class Nobel Carpets and Rugs range.

    “We pride ourselves on the high quality of products being manufactured by Lucky Fibres as the production facilitiesare world class and have received many awards.It was quite delightful taking customers through the painstaking process involved to manufacture our rugs and customised contract products,” Malhotra said.