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Tag: General Manager

  • Oyetola appoints SSG, Chief of Staff

    Osun State Governor Adegboyega Oyetola yesterday made three major appointments.

    The appointments are: Prince Oluwole Oyebamiji as Secretary to the State Government (SSG); Dr. Charles Diji Akinola as Chief of Staff (CoS) to the Governor and Mr. Adeyanju Abdullah Binuyo as Deputy Chief of Staff.

    A statement by Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Adeniyi Adesina, said the appointments take immediate effect.

    Prince Oyebamiji is a 1987 graduate of Theatre Arts of the University of Ibadan.

    He is a former Permanent Secretary, one-time General Manager, Osun State Broadcasting Corporation (OSBC) and erstwhile full-time Commissioner in the Osun State Civil Service Commission.

    Read also: Oyetola, Makinde pledge support for LAUTECH

    Dr. Akinola is an alumnus of the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and a Fellow of the Weatherhead Centre for International Affairs, Harvard University. He has a wealth of experience in international development, public policy and cross-sector partnerships.

    Binuyo obtained a B.Sc. and MSc. from the University of Lagos. He attended several trainings at the University of Reading in the United Kingdom, Tias University in the Netherlands and the National University of Ireland.

    Binuyo has a deep experience in development finance, project and human management in the public and private sectors.

  • Buhari to commission Baro River Port

    President Mohammadu Buhari GCFR will on Saturday, inaugurate the just completed Baro River Port in Niger State.

    The river port project which was undertaken by the Chinese firm, CGCC Global Project Nigeria Limited, at the cost of N6 billion, is equipped with a mobile harbour crane, a transit shed, an administrative block, fire hydrant system, water treatment plant, reach stacker, 100KVA power generating set and three forklifts of various tonnages, among others.

    The General Manager, Corporate Affairs, National Inland Waterways (NIWA), Tayo Fadile, in a statement issued in Lokoja, Kogi State, said that the Baro River Port is among those built to support the dredging of the Lower River Niger project.

    “The Onitsha River Port has already been rehabilitated, while Oguta and Lokoja River Ports are nearing completion,” he added.

    Read Also: It won’t be first time, if I lose February Polls – Buhari

    According to him, the Baro River Port, will aside helping to keep off the road several heavy duty trailers and trucks, thereby extending the life span of our roads, is expected to create at least two thousand direct jobs and hundreds of thousands indirect jobs.

    “During the colonial era, Baro used to have a thriving river port and a railway line which were used for evacuation of farm produce and mineral resources. It was a trading point between Nigeria and neighbouring countries through the inland waterways transportation mode. Here is hope that the old rail lines used in the colonial days will be revived and the road network linking the port is already being upgraded,” he said.

  • Indiscriminate waste disposal: Edo begins arrest of culprits

    The Edo State government is set to commence the arrest of persons who dump refuse indiscriminately across the state, in her renewed effort to rid the state of refuse.

    The decision is contained in a statement issued by the state’s waste management board.

    A statement issued by the General Manager, Edo State Waste Management Board, Osadebamen Charles Imariagbe, warned residents who dump refuse indiscriminately around Benin City and other parts of the state to desist from the practice or risk arrest.

    He frowned at the practice of dumping refuse in public places, on median separator, walkways and road setbacks in Benin City.

    Read Also:Edo SEEFOR concludes orientation for 9,000 new beneficiaries

    Imariagbe said the Obaseki administration prohibits the indiscriminate dumping of refuse in the state and warned members of the public to desist forthwith or face arrest.

    “Edo State Government will be apprehending persons caught in this uncivilized act,” he warned.

    “Members of the public, shop owners, market women and households are hereby advised to give their wastes to government-accredited Waste managers to avoid being caught and prosecuted,” the general manager said.

    Recall that the state government undertook an overhaul of its waste management structures after hitches between cleaners and contractors got to a head, which led to the ouster of the then Commissioner of Environment and Sustainability, and the General Manager of the State Waste Management Board.

  • Insufficient fuel causes flight delay, cancellation at MMA

    Insufficient fuel causes flight delay, cancellation at MMA

    Flight delay and cancellation affected many passengers at the Lagos airport on Monday, with domestic airline operators blaming it on insufficient aviation fuel.

    A News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent, who monitored the situation at the Murtala Muhammed Airport 2 and the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) observed that only few flights operated on schedule.

    A reliable airline source told NAN that the problem was caused by the inability of petroleum tanker drivers to lift aviation fuel from Apapa as a result of gridlock on that axis.

    The source noted that the problem, which was more pronounced on Sunday, was, however, gradually abating as some marketers had been able to start trucking products to the airport.

    Confirming the development, the media consultant to Med-View Airline, Mr Obuke Oyibhota, said it was a general problem faced by the airlines.

    “There is a general scarcity of aviation fuel. We have gotten a way around it to enable us continue our operations during the period, but we don’t know how long it will last,” Obuke said.

    Mr Chris Iwarah, General Manager, Corporate Communication, Air Peace, said the airline had put plans in place to continue operations in spite of the problem.

    He said:”The scarcity is affecting flights to some extent at the moment, but we are still relying on our stock and the arrangement we made with the suppliers.

    “However, nobody knows whether it may become more difficult, but for now we are trying to see how we can manage the plans we have on ground to ensure that the impact is only minimal.

    Two passengers, Mr John Olateru and Mr Donatus Eze, told NAN that the situation was unfortunate and appealed to the authorities to find a lasting solution to the problem. (NAN)

  • Bayelsa: Why GM flogged four union leaders

    Bayelsa: Why GM flogged four union leaders

    Mr John Idumange, the General Manager, Radio Bayelsa “Glory FM”, on Friday confirmed that he flogged four union leaders of the station in self-defence.

    Idumange told newsmen on Friday in Yenagoa that the incident happened on Monday after the unions shut down the FM station operated by the state government.

    The Radio Bayelsa Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and Radio Television and Theatre Arts Workers Union (RATTAWU) had alleged that Idumange was running the station outside public service rules.

    Idumange, who explained the details of the incident to NAN, alleged that the unions in the station were working against his reforms aimed at repositioning the broadcast outfit.

    “At about 7.20 p.m on Monday, the day RATTAWU and NUJ embarked on a strike, I heard voices near my window.

    “So I went out to see what was happening. I saw four persons, one of them a lady.

    “I could recognise Tonye Yemoleigha, one of the union leaders, who was on a white shirt. I asked why they were there after chasing away all the workers,” he said.

    According to him, “Tonye stood up and asked if the compound belonged to me. At that point, I discovered he was ready for a fight but I did not bulge.

    “He brought his hands near my eyes so I blocked it. I had learnt Karate years back. One of them threw a chair at me and they all rushed to fight me. I had to fight back in self-defence.

    “They could have beaten me up but my Karate skills rescued me,” he said.

    Idumange, who was appointed on December 6, 2016, claimed that he recently uncovered N5.7 million fraud and redeployed some staff.

    “The transferred workers have been meeting with them at NUJ Centre, they benefitted from the corruption and are fighting back,” Idumange said.

    Reacting, Mr Tonye Yemoleigha, the NUJ Chairman in Radio Bayelsa, said that the unions had reported the incident at Ekeki Police Division.

    “Four of us, myself and three staff were flogged by Idumange himself. The report that it was thugs is inaccurate. It was the general manager himself that attacked and beat us up.

    “We have reported the matter to the Ekeki Police Division and sought medical attention at the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa.

    “Workers have been constantly intimidated and threatened for no just cause.

    “Mr John Angese, Bayelsa Council Chairman of NUJ who is a staff of Radio Bayelsa, has also been threatened with a sack.

    “We are all being victimised for insisting that the General Manager complies with Public Service Rules.

    “We have been under siege since he was appointed on December 6, 2016. We are not opposed to repositioning the station which is in our interest, but we want the procedure to follow due process,” Yemoleigha said.

    The station went off air, the management mobilised armed security men and few employees who rebuffed the strike and reopened the station.

    Yemoleigha said that workers of the station were not opposed to staff redeployment.

    “But we are insisting that the unions should also be part of the process to ensure that the best hands are not sacrificed on the altar of nepotism, sentiment or witch-hunt.

    “We are also aware of the alleged N5 million payroll fraud which Idumange claimed to have uncovered which has been referred to the Police for investigation.

    “Ordinarily, in line with established procedures, an investigative panel should have been instituted to look into the matter and come up with a report with which management would act.

    “All these are expressly spelt out in the Public Service Rules; however, we are also requesting a copy of the police report after their investigation,” Yemoleigha said.

  • Nobel carpets partners Vconnect on SME  

    Nobel carpets partners Vconnect on SME  

    Nobel Carpets and floors has once again shown its commitment to the development of small and medium scale enterprises in Nigeria, as it recently partnered VConnect Global Services to host the first of its kind SME conference 1.0 held recently in Lagos.

    The event which brought together diverse budding entrepreneurs from different parts of the country had facilitators from Paga, Businessday, Seedvest, and other small and medium scale entrepreneurs in attendance, and they spoke on topics ranging from essentials of starting a business to growing your business, accessing funds, business partnerships etc.

    The General Manager, Nobel Carpets and Floors, Mr Jitesh Pamnani who spoke at the event, said that the SME conference 1.0 is a platform through which the firm seeks to support and grow small scale businesses within the country through knowledge acquisition and mentoring from established entrepreneurs.

    “As an organization, we desire to eradicate the challenge of unemployment and business failure ravaging our society and this we plan to achieve through training and information gathering platforms such as this where young minds and start-ups can have the opportunity to interact with business leaders, thereby gain knowledge and strength needed to keep pursuing their ideas and growing their businesses no matter the challenges that may erupt over time” stated Pamnani.

    Pamnani further added that “with as little as Thirty thousand naira, individuals can also become partners with Nobel Carpets and Floors; and this is no doubt a viable business opportunity, as the brand is known, trusted and accepted across West Africa.”

    A partnership with Nobel Carpets and Floors is one opportunity you should embrace this year, as the brand’s leadership status in the interior design segment, product acceptability and recognition are some brand attributes which guarantee swift success.

    Pamnani, therefore, urged the budding entrepreneurs to remain focused and open-minded to ideas, information and opportunities which are essential for growth and success in the competitive world of entrepreneurship.

    Also speaking at the event, The Founder, VConnect Global Services, Mr Deepankar Rustagi, stated that the conference was organised to teach small and medium scale enterprise owners on how to have an effective online presence and how to grow their businesses online to yield great returns on investment.

  • Indomie is Africa’s top noodle brand

    Indomie is Africa’s top noodle brand

    Produced by Dufil Prima Foods Plc, Indomie Noodles has topped Africa’s most chosen noodle brand in Kantar Worldpanel’s Brand Footprint ranking for 2016.

    The research firm’s latest Brand Footprint study covering 15,000 brands, 200 categories, 44 countries and five continents, representing 74% of the global population said Indomie attained the number one position in FMCG category across Africa.

    It achieved the report’s highest number of Consumer Reach Points (CRPs), a metric that measures brand penetration and buying frequency, based on 1bn household decisions made by consumers in the FMCG category all over West, East and Central Africa for the year 2016.

    The annual report based on consumer behaviour data collected from over 300 billion shopper decisions, also ranked Indomie as number 8 most purchased brand in the world.

    The Brand Footprint ranking reveals the brands that are being bought by the most people, the most often in 35 countries around the world, across the food, beverage, health and beauty and homecare sectors. The report outlines the winning strategies that most successful global FMCG brands are employing as well as key global industry trends.

    This announcement came after Indomie recently bagged 2016 Brand of the Year awards from Advertising Association of Nigeria (ADVAN) and also ‘The Best Consumer Brand of the Year’ (FMCG category) in the popular City People’s Awards in 2016 among others.

    Speaking on the ranking, the Managing Director/CEO, Dufil Prima Foods Plc, elated Deepak Singhal, expressed Indomie’s satisfaction and appreciation to Kantar Worldpanel for making the top spot in the FMCG CATEGORY ACROSS AFRICA.

    “Being top in Africa in the FMCG category was no mean achievement for us especially considering this came from over 20 brands in the diaspora. This speaks to the tremendous work that has gone behind building this great global brand. It is credit to the entire team at DUFIL and our policies that we have made the top spots. I was also happy to see some strong African groups competing with the more established names. I’m sure that more brands will reach the Top 100 in this new year,” noted Deepak.

    A visibly elated Girish Sharma, the General Manager, Dufil Prima Foods Plc, thanked the research group, saying 2016 is no doubt an eventful year of hard work and dedication to utmost quality, which earned the brand a good number of quality awards, based on constant innovations and unwavering quality. This feat has since given the company a firm control of the Africa’s noodles market.

    “Ranking as number 1 in FMCG category across Africa and 8 in the world is a very significant honor as this reflects Dufil’s commitment to global manufacturing best practices and world class quality control; dependability and reliability that ultimately add up to great value,” said Girish. “Dufil will continue to deliver the best products consumers have come to know us for over the years.”

    Josep Montserrat, Global CEO of Kantar Worldpanel, says: “This year’s Brand Footprint builds on the simple rule that growth is all about penetration, and demonstrates how brands have grown against a challenging economic backdrop.

    “Growth is top of the agenda for all FMCG companies, but there is no single path to prosperity. They are looking for new consumers, new occasions and new markets, and are investing in the creation of innovative new products. The Brand Footprint report highlights the opportunities that exist for every brand with global aspirations to expand its customer base. It provides an essential guide for FMCG manufacturers on their journey to increase the dominance of their brands in the world’s fastest-growing markets,” he said.

    Kantar Worldpanel is an international company dealing in consumer knowledge and insights based on continuous consumer panels. Kantar Worldpanel is part of the Kantar Group the Data Investment management Division of WPP.

  • MTN business launches easy accounting for SMEs

    MTN business launches easy accounting for SMEs

    MTN Business has launched its Easy Accounting for SMEs, as part of its commitment towards enabling Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) with the right business tools for sustainable growth.

    The Easy Accounting is a bespoke solution that drives smarter operations for SMEs across Nigeria.

    According to the Chief Enterprise Business Officer, Enterprise Business at MTN Nigeria, Lynda Saint-Nwafor, Easy Accounting is an online business management and accounting system for small businesses that is specifically designed for people who may not understand or are having challenges with their accounting processes.

    “You do not need any accounting knowledge to use it. This is another tailor-made solution that helps SMEs run their businesses seamlessly under MTN Cloud Services. It’s easy to understand and use. You capture simple information and the system converts it automatically into accounting entries. It provides everything your accountant needs to produce your financials,” she said.

    On the essence of this new solution in transforming SMEs businesses Saint-Nwafor said “this is a must-have for every smart business as it is specially designed to take away all obstacles and barriers SME owners experience on a daily basis while trying to run their businesses. The solution reaffirms our commitment towards supporting small businesses and our recognition of the critical role they play in every economy.”

    In addition, Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, General Manager, Enterprise Marketing, MTN Nigeria, stated that the new solution provides everything you need in one convenient, easy-to-use system.

    “It helps to manage your contacts, does your quotes and invoices; tracks all your money including any personal money used in the business. It provides simple reports so you can see who you owe and who owes you. It also does your payroll and so much more.”

    Easy Accounting for SMEs has been launched in Kenya and can be purchased either by airtime deduction, credit cards or debit cards, which makes it very easy to purchase.

  • Chisco goes digital, gives brand new car to loyal customers

    Chisco goes digital, gives brand new car to loyal customers

    CHISCO, a foremost luxury bus and fleet operator in Nigeria on Thursday unveiled the digitisation of bookings for her
    transport/logistics business and flagged off a rides and rewards promotion for loyal customers who patronises the online platform.

    Speaking at a press conference in Lagos, the Executive Director, CHISCO Group of Companies Mr Obinna Anyaegbu said the new booking solution is to promote contactless ticketing, improve operational efficiency and create better experiences for its customers.

    Anyaegbu said the pervading influence of digitisation which has put the power of choice amidst diverse options of available transport operators on the customers necessitated the 35 year-old company to raise the bar and meet customers on their turf.

    He added that CHISCO’s choice of partners – Cosharis Motors, Zenith Bank, Interswitch and Tecno Mobile is spurred by their commitments to pioneering real time smart mobility services that takes care of the future generation’s needs.

    According to him the promo, to be done quarterly and exclusive to online bookings, comes with a brand new 2016 MG3 series car as star prize and several consolation prizes worth millions of Naira.

    “As a brand we are spurred to tow this direction, knowing that digitisation is cutting across all layers of our society,” he said.

    ChiscoAnyaegbu said apart purchasing the tickets and booking from the company’s portal, the CHISCO has also entered into partnership with agabah.com a transport digitisation platform that manages its reseller’s platform. The platform, he said is another opportunity for unemployed youths who would register with Agabah to become its reseller for commission.
    Explaining further on the star prize, CHISCO’s Group Management Consultant Mrs Obiageli Obi said the rewards is part of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) concept of the company to give back to loyal customers, adding that the more a customer patronises its services through the online platform, the more they stand a choice of winning.

    The General Manager, Marketing Coscharis Motors Mr Abiona Babarinde, said the digitisation process would not only create new jobs, but redefine transportation/logistics businesses in Nigeria.

    He said Coscharis is proud of the partnership a fact which he said explained why it is giving an iconic Morris Garages cars, exclusively marketed by Coscharis as its contribution to the promo.

    Babarinde who lauded CHISCO’s initiative said by just booking online, customers stands a chance of becoming a car owner.

    General Manager Zenith Bank Plc’s E-business and Card Services Mrs Wunmi Ogunbiyi who praised CHISCO for always pioneering innovations in the transportation industry said the company has removed all inhibitions on the path of any customer who wishes to buy tickets, book a seat and enjoy a pleasurable travel with it.

    “With this initiative, time, space, location are no longer a constraint. From your handset or any other devices, a prospective customer looking for better services could be served and even confirm his payments online”, Ogunbiyi said, adding that Zenith Bank is delighted to be part of the history making event that would revolutionise transportation and logistics business in the country.

    Group Head Interswitch Ltd Mrs Titilola Solaru lauded CHISCO for bringing convenience into the transportation industry. She said her company will continue to create more innovations in payments options in the country.

  •  NLNG gets new CEO as Omotowa bows out

     NLNG gets new CEO as Omotowa bows out

    The Board of Directors of the Nigeria LNG Limited on Thursday approved the appointment of Mr. Tony Attah as the new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the company.

    Mr. Babs Omotowa, who has held the position for nearly five years, will be returning to Shell International in Hague, ‎Netherlands, according to a statement signed by the company’s General Manager, External Relations, Kudo Eresia-Eke.

    The NLNG said Omotowa, who was appointed CEO by the board in December 2011, would be sorely missed for his uncommon vision, professionalism, compassion and commitment.

    It said Attah, a former managing director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company, would be taking over from him after returning from an assignment at Shell’s Group Integrated Gas business as senior projects advisor, working on projects in the Netherlands and Singapore.

    Attah comes to the NLNG with a 28-year experience in the Nigerian oil and gas industry, the statement said.

    At NLNG, he will be responsible for sustaining NLNG’s top quartile performance in supplying liquefied natural gas to the global energy market and advancing the company’s expansion programmes, according to the statement.

    NLNG is owned by four shareholders, namely, the Federal Government, represented by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (49 per cent), Shell Gas BV, (25.6 per cent), Total LNG Nigeria Limited (15 per cent), and Eni International (N.A,) N. V. S. a. r. l (10.4 per cent).