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Tag: forum

  • Grants from China should be tied to projects, says Forum

    The Abuja Forum Series on China-Africa Cooperation yesterday advised that grants from Chinese Government should be tied to projects.

    It said that there should be better bi-lateral arrangements to enhance military capabilities in Africa.

    It also said China can assist Africa by sponsoring investment that can steer poverty reduction and rural development.

    These are some of the highlights in the communiqué of the first conference of the Abuja Forum Series with the theme “New Era for China-Africa Cooperation: Partnership for Peace, Security and Development”.

    The conference was jointly organised by the Gusau Institute (GI), Nigeria and the Centre for Nigerian Studies at the Institute of African Studies, Zhejiang Normal University (ZJNU), China.

    The communiqué highlighted some of the recommendations of the conference including the need for a memorandum of understanding between Chinese and Nigerian universities to promote capacity building.

    The Forum said: “Money and grants from China should be tied to projects not as loans, so as to reduce corruption and promote accountability.

    “China does not have a Defence Pact with any African country: therefore, rather than having military cooperation extending to arms sales only, there should be better bi-lateral arrangements to enhance military capabilities in Africa.

    “China’s successful activities in the Gulf of Aden should be extended to the Gulf of Guinea to assist Africa in securing more of her coastline.”

    The Forum also suggested ways on how to facilitate industrialization in Africa.

    It added: “There is a need for Africa to meaningfully engage China by leveraging the opportunities in industrialisation.

    “There is a need to strengthen policies on research and development to drive industrialisation in Africa.

    “Africa’s economic reform should accommodate industrialisation and it should seek experience and guidance from other countries, the way China did with Singapore when establishing the Suzhou industrial park.

    “The use of a Pre-emptive Peace and Security Approach (PPSA) to enhance infrastructural development, trade and security in Africa should be the core of China-Africa cooperation. As such, PPSA is vital for addressing the root causes of security threats through the provision of aid.”

    The Forum also made recommendations on how to achieve good governance in Africa and enhance security on the continent.

    It said: “The governance system in Nigeria should provide the right policies and incentives that will effectively drive the economy by attracting investment.

    “An African Renaissance could be achieved by focusing on active engagement with China so that Africa can gain optimal advantage.

    ”Africa should take advantage of China’s willingness to build training institutions as part of capacity building that stressed development of the mind as human growth, and not just provision of training without replicating the knowledge acquired.

    “Acquisition of technology to drive the process of enhancing security in Africa should be based on what China and Africa can offer and learn from each other.

    “Africa should engage China on how the country has been able to curb some of her security challenges.”

  • Forum makes U-turn on tenure extension

    The Forum of All Progressives Congress (APC) Non-NWC members yesterday made a U-turn on its support for tenure extension for members of the National Working Committee (NWC).

    It is now supporting President Muhammadu Buhari’s stand that tenure elongation is undemocratic.

    The group also dismissed reports that some governors were planning to use state chairmen to extend the NWC’s tenure.

    The Forum was one of the groups that first publicly canvassed tenure elongation for the NWC.

    Its spokesman, Jock Alamba, told a news conference in Abuja that after due consultation with stakeholders: “We the Forum of All Progressives Congress (APC) Non-NWC members wish to state clearly and unambiguously that we stand with our dear President Buhari  on his position that election to party offices, starting from ward, local government and state congresses to national convention be conducted unencumbered, with free and fair elections.

    “We share Mr President’s unalloyed commitment to the rule of law and fine tenets of internal democracy and the firm beacons he is laying to deepen our fledgling democracy.

    “He has, at different fora, as a converted democrat demonstrated his commitment to democracy as exemplified in the gubernatorial and senatorial elections which opposition political parties won in states like Anambra and Rivers under his watch which is a stark difference from mid-term and other election results under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) 16 years of do or die politics.

    “President Buhari’s concern for due process is legendary and we could not underrate his concern that since the law is an ass, our most likely 2019 presidential and other electoral victories should not be toyed with or placed in jeopardy with legal niceties or put in harm’s way of fortune hunters.

     

  • Forum adopts Ambode for second term

    Forum adopts Ambode for second term

    The Forum of 57 Secretaries to Local Governments in Lagos State has adopted Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for a second term.

    The basis for adopting him, the group said, is due to the governor’s performance in the areas of security, health, education, infrastructure and agriculture.

    Their spokesman, who is the Secretary to Apapa Local Government, Mr Olalekan Bakare said the governor has excel in office.

    Bakare said: “I believe the inauguration of our forum is timely and highly imperative to have fortified and formidable platform which would be a think tank to brain storm on critical issues and challenges for good governance. Our responsibilities are enormous and germane to effective and efficient functioning and operations of the councils such as ensuring follow up actions on implementation of government decisions and policies, attending to political matters, protocol issues, networking with other departments/units. My dear colleagues it behoves on us to have unalloyed loyalty to our chairmen, strike equilibrium of harmony among other executive members, maintain cordial relationship with both management team and general staff. We must not exclude our primary constituency.”

  • Northern Elders’ Forum seeks end to killings

    Northern Elders’ Forum seeks end to killings

    The Northern Elders’ Forum has demanded an end to killings in the country.

    The forum has appointed former Presidential Adviser on Food Security, Prof. Ango Abdullahi, as chairman following the resignation of Chief Paul Unongo.

    A statement yesterday by the Chairman, Implementation Committee Mahammed Bello Kirfi, said Prof. Abdullahi will chair the Board of Trustees.

    The statement added that the decision was taken at Wednesday’s meeting in Abuja, which deliberated on critical issues, approved the structure proposed by its Think Tank, and appointed new officers.

    The forum, which lamented the insecurity in the country, condemned the “horrifying carnage and bloodletting in the North and other parts of Nigeria”.

    The statement reads: “NEF wants an end to these unfortunate happenings, and will work with the government, community and civil society organisations, traditional rulers, political leaders and the clergy, to ensure that peace returns to the North and Nigeria.

    “NEF also wants the introduction and application of modern livestock management practices to protect herdsmen and farmers, their families and communities, and enhance their quality of life.”

    Other leaders of the forum are Sani Zangon Daura (Deputy Chairman Northwest); Gen. Paul C. Tarfa (rtd) (Deputy Chairman Northeast) and Amb. Yahaya Kwande (Deputy Chairman North Central).

  • Kale, Coker for ATTWON forum

    Former Statistician General of the Federation and Chief Executive Officer of the National Bureau’s of Statistics (NBS), Dr. Yemi Kale, is one of the key speakers theAssociation of Travel and Tourism Writers of Nigeria’s (ATTWON) Capacity Building Initiative Series.

    Tagged: ‘Finding the Nexus between the Stats and Travel’, the event is billed for ATTWON Creative Hub in Lagos tomorrow.

    Other speakers are Mr Folorunsho Coker, DG Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) and Soji Odedina, CEO, First Catalyst Marketing Agency.

    Tourism contributed 1.7 per cent to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2016, with an expectation of an increase between this year and 2025.

    Dr. Kale will be explaining this alongside the projection by the Institute of Directors (IOD) of N1.56trillion from tourism by 2025.

    He will be taking relevant and latest statistics from across five sectors of the economy and establishing baseline statistics for tourism.

    The expert will more especially, attempt to educate journalists on how to report travel and tourism, using statistics.

    This is particularly a landmark event for travel and tourism as key stakeholders will be present to respond to the presentation, especially against the backdrop of the newly passed NTDC law.

    A son  of a retired Army General, Kale was born  on October 7, 1975 in Ogun State.

    Some of his achievements include the rebasing of the outdated base year of Gross Domestic Products (GDP), which made Nigeria the largest economy in Africa and the 26th largest economy in the world.

    The rebasing captured the structural changes in the economy especially in banking, telecommunication  and entertainment sector where Nigeria recorded dramatic growth in recent years.

    The results were validated by a panel of local academic experts, which include Professors Olu Ajakaiye, Akpan Ekpo, Ganiyu Garba, Ayo Teriba, Yemi Fajingbesi, Doyin Salami and Adeola Adenikiju.

    Kale’s achievements also include the finalisation of the broad national census of commercial and industrial businesses, use of CAPI device and established data release calendar

  • Surulere Council workers hold forum

    Surulere Council workers hold forum

    The National Union of Local Government Workers (NULGE) in Surelere, Lagos State, has held its quarterly forum. The event coincided with the birthday of the council Chairman, Hon Tajudeen Yussuf Ajide, who attended the event.

    The workers praised the chairman for the progress recorded so far in the council, especially for his welfarist policies. They listed them as: approval of financial assistance to workers; renovation and furnishing of offices; equipping the clinic; provision of a staff bus and making the premises clean, among others.

    Ajide thanked the workers for the honour done him by celebrating with him. He promised to meet the workers’ demands and make their welfare paramount. He urged revenue officers to discharge their duties without fear or favour, and promised to employ more street sweepers and address drivers and guards shortage.

  • Forum blames opposition for panic on medical outreach

    The APGA Media Warriors Forum has condemned the panic created by the Army’s medical outreach in Ozubulu Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State. It blamed the state’s opposition parties for the confusion.

    National Co-ordinator Evang Chinedu Obigwe described it as “well-orchestrated blackmail”.

    A statement by Obigwe reads: “The opposition parties are responsible for the false alarm that created panic in the minds of people of the state on the military medical outreach exercise. Anambra opposition parties are only interested in using the security agents to rig the November 18 election, hence the reason why they don’t want them to be seen as harmless friends of the people. I commend the swift response of Governor Obiano’s administration that helped to douse tension. The governor lived up to the expectations of the people with his swift response.

    “The medical outreach initiated by the military in fulfilment of its social responsibility deserves commendations. We call for thorough investigation to unmask those behind the story that the military medical outreach exercise is to spread the dreaded monkey pox disease in the state and that two pupils died from the exercise.

    ‘’Fishing the culprits out and prosecuting them before the law court will serve as a deterrent to false rumour peddlers. In view of the November 18 election, security measures should be put in place to checkmate false alarm in the state, so that the people will troop out to exercise their franchise without fear of molestation.

    “The problem in Anambra State is that opposition parties in the state are playing irresponsible opposition politics by resorting to incessant blackmail of the working administration of Governor Obiano to score cheap political points against him.

    “What the opposition wants to achieve with its latest blackmail is to create fear in the minds of the electorate, so that on election day the people will be afraid to resist its rigging plot.

    “We advise law abiding  people of the state to see security agents as their friends saddled with the responsibility of protecting them and not to harm them.

    “We also advise them to get ready to troop out on November 18 to use their voter cards to appreciate the good work of Governor Obiano, who is the good shepherd taking good care of his sheep.”

  • Reps, NCDMB back Shell’s Global Nigeria Forum

    Reps, NCDMB back Shell’s Global Nigeria Forum

    The House of Representatives Committee on Local Content and the Nigeria Content Develop-ment and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) have  supported the yearly Global Nigeria Forum (GNF), an initiative of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo), the deepwater arm of Shell companies in Nigeria.

    Leaders of the two organisations with other public and private sector players in the oil and gas industry, spoke at the fourth edition of the forum in Aberdeen, Scotland. The theme of the forum was “Enabling competitive local content through sustainable partnerships.’ They described the annual event as worthy of emulation by the country’s local content regulator.

    The forum, Shell spokesperson Bamidele Odugbesan said, is the brainchild of SNEPCo, which aims to strengthen local content in offshore exploration, by opening the opportunity space to Nigerian professionals in Europe, particularly in the United Kingdom (UK).

    NCDMB Executive Secretary Mr. Simbi Wabote, who delivered the keynote address, described the annual event as a huge success. “I am happy to see growth in a partnership that has continued to build capacity without compromising standards.”

    House Committee Chairman on Local Content, Mr. Emmanuel Ekong, who led some other members of the national assembly to the forum, proposed the takeover of the organisation of the forum by the NCDMB. According to Ekong, saddling the local content agency with the ownership of GNF will ensure ‘inclusion of other international oil companies for greater impact and access support from the Nigerian parliament’.

    Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Exploration Manager,  Mr. Marcel Amu, said: “This forum is unique and germane, particularly at this time of the low oil price regime, and it aligns with the recent NNPC policy to increase participation of the private sector while attracting the right people with the right technology into the Nigerian oil and gas industry.”

    Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) President, Mr. Kashim Ali, pledged his organisation’s continued support to the forum and asked participants to take advantage of COREN’s new accreditation procedure for Nigerian professionals outside the country.

    Reacting to the forum’s endorsement and the successes of the initiative in the last four years, SNEPCo’s Managing Director, Mr. Bayo Ojulari, acknowledged the support of NNPC, NCDMB, National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), and the co-venture partners – Total, NAE and Esso – in the strides by SNEPCo.  He called for continued support and collaboration to further unleash the country’s huge deepwater potential to build a better Nigeria with stronger economy for now and the future.

    Ojulari, who was represented by SNEPCo’s Acting General Manager, Nigerian Content Development, Mr. Austin Uzoka, said: “Nigeria’s deepwater outlook indicates a high volume of activity in the building of FPSOs and drilling of new high performance wells with cutting edge sixth and seventh generation drilling rigs, delivering unprecedented schedule optimisation. SNEPCo obviously has blazed the trail here and would continue its strive to be the best-in-class deep-water energy company generating top-end employment and boosting local capabilities.

    “As a Nigerian engineer, nothing makes me happier than seeing indigenous vendors and service providers break new grounds and play up to the international stage in engineering and other seemingly complex jobs.”

    At the forum were House Committee Chairman on Finance, Mr. Jones Onyereri; Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora (NIDOE) North UK, Dr. Paul Eke; General Manager for Contracting and Procurement, Shell Nigeria and Gabon, Mr. Antony Ellis; and his counterpart for the UK, Mr. Anthony Makenna

  • Almond to hold consumers’ forum

    Almond to hold consumers’ forum

    The Insurance Consumers Forum (ICF) will hold on Wednesday, October 25, at the Central Business District (CBD), Alausa, Ikeja. The event, sponsored by Almond Production Limited, is a platform for interaction between insurers and the insuring public to promote excellence in customer service delivery.

    The theme for the forum is: Insurance penetration in Nigeria: Shifting focus from policies to providing value for the customers.

    The forum will be chaired by former Group Managing Director, Royal Exchange Plc, Mr. Chike Mokwunye.

    The guest speakers is Prof. Festus Epetimehin, first professor of Insurance and Risk Management in Nigeria and Dean College of Management Sciences, Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU) in Osun State, while the discussant is Mr. Valentine Ojumah, managing director, FBN Insurance Limited.

    A highlight of the event is the open forum.

    Almond Managing Director Faith Ughwode said the forum is bigger and better this year because of the participants who are drawn from trade groups formal and informal as well as officers of the various law enforcement agencies who have dealings with the enforcement of insurance, mechanic associations, drivers’ associations, the maritime sector, among others.

  • CIBN plans forum on Collateral Registry Act

    CIBN plans forum on Collateral Registry Act

    The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria Centre for Financial Studies (CIBNCFS), a subsidiary of The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), has concluded plans to organize a breakfast session on Collateral Registry Act: Pros and Cons for the Nigerian Banking Industry and Other Stakeholders.

    The programme planned for Thursday, September 28, at the Bankers House, PC 19, Adeola Hopewell Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    Due to the imperative of addressing the financing gap in Nigeria’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Sector, the National Assembly and the House of Representatives passed into law the Secured Transactions in Movable Assets Act, 2017 (otherwise known as the Collateral Registry Act) in May, 2017. The Act, already signed by the executive, is designed to afford MSMEs the opportunity of acquiring loans using movable assets as collateral from financial institutions.

    While this is indeed a welcome development, apprehensions among stakeholders are rife regarding the implications of this Act on the current high level of Non-Performing Loans (NPLs) in the industry amongst all other risks financial institutions are exposed to in the country.