The Nation Newspaper

Tag: good

  • Great people, good nation

    •A vulnerable Nigerian receives abundant assistance 

    In spite of the spreading moral decay into which Nigeria appears to have fallen, it is heartwarming to see unambiguous demonstrations of love, empathy and generosity by distinguished corporate bodies and ordinary people to fellow-citizens in desperate need.

    This was the case of Owolabi Oladunjoye, a 17-year-old bus conductor who was one of 14 victims involved in an accident on the Third Mainland Bridge on January 23, 2015. Having fallen unconscious, he and another victim of the crash were taken to St. Nicholas Hospital on Lagos Island by a Good Samaritan, where he was admitted and treated until he regained consciousness several days later.

    After identifying himself and admitting that he did not have a fixed address, Mr. Razak Yusuf, a housekeeper in the hospital, undertook to locate Owolabi’s relations in Lagos. After a great deal of effort, they were traced and his mother in Ede, Osun State, was contacted. The management of St. Nicholas Hospital presented the convalescing Owolabi with a monetary gift to aid him in paying for his West African Senior School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE), which had caused him to abscond from home.

    This tale is significant for the way in which it reveals a happy convergence of corporate social responsibility and a strong sense of moral obligation. St. Nicholas must be commended for the manner in which it chose to live up to its ideals by admitting two accident victims and treating them without demanding any money from the person who brought them in. Both were given comprehensive treatment free of charge, including intensive care for Owolabi, who was also given financial assistance and a commitment to further medical checks. The hospital found a suitable confederate in Mr. Yusuf, who went above and beyond the call of duty in tracing Owolabi’s relations across two states and the nooks and crannies of inner-city Lagos.

    When corporate organisations and individuals act with such selflessness, with no other thought than that of the wellbeing of their compatriots, it becomes evident that there is some hope for the prospect of Nigeria becoming a true home for all its citizens. St. Nicholas did not behave with the notorious indifference of many Nigerian healthcare institutions which usually demand the payment of hefty admission fees before treatment, even in emergency cases. It did not seek to simply stabilise the patients and then get rid of them. Mr. Yusuf was not tasked with the assignment of locating Owolabi’s relations, but he did it as if he had a personal interest in the outcome.

    These are the institutions and people of whom Nigeria can justly be proud. Unlike the greed, corruption and selfishness with which the nation is only too familiar, they reveal an admirable capacity to rise above the predatory instincts that abound in contemporary society.

    Owolabi’s predicament throws up several issues whose resolution could help to mitigate the occurrence of similar situations in future. His inability to pay his WASSCE fees would not have arisen if they had been covered by government. It would not have been so easy for a minor to get employment as a bus-conductor if there had been a proper process of training and registration in place. He might not have remained unidentified for so long if the interminably-delayed national identification system had been set up. The actions of St. Nicholas would not have been so unusual if the federal and state governments had ensured that hospitals obeyed laid-down regulations regarding the mandatory admission of all emergency cases.

    It is clear that Nigeria is full of organisations and individuals who are willing and able to make sacrifices for the progress of their nation. Such sacrifices must become the rule rather than the exception if the country is to attain its true potential for greatness.

  • I need a good coach, Quadri cries out

    I need a good coach, Quadri cries out

    To avert his continued poor run in the 2015  International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) World Tour, ITTF Star Player, Nigeria’s Aruna Quadri has said that he requires a good coach to compete favourably with his counterparts in the world.

    Within 10 days Quadri suffered successive loss in the first round of the Kuwait and Qatar Opens to begin his campaigns for a place in the end-of-year World Tour Finals.

    A dejected Quadri told SportingLife yesterday from Qatar that he would require the service of a good coach as most of his opponents play with their coaches as he had to act as coach as well as player in most of his matches.

    “It is really painful that I am losing some easy matches because most of my opponents are not better than I but the edge they have over me is that they are most times supported by their coaches. This alone has given them a psychological edge over me even before the match. It was not that I played badly but there was nobody to assist me in watching my game in order to know my weaknesses as well as my opponent’s shortcomings. I think having a coach sitting behind you in any competition matters and this has really affected me at the Kuwait and Qatar Opens,” Quadri said.

    At the 2014 ITTF World Cup in Dusseldorf, Germany, Quadri was assisted by former German national coach, Martin Adomeit, who was instrumental to his excellent performance at the tournament.

    “I still have more competitions to attend this year and for me getting this coach is very important and I am appealing to those in charge of Nigerian sports – National Sports Commission (NSC) to assist me because I need this to maintain my status as well as build up to the next All Africa Games in Congo Brazzaville,” he added.

    At the just concluded Qatar Open, Quadri was shown the exit in the first round by Slovenia’s Bojan Tokic and the Oyo State-born athlete will return to action in Lagos next month for the ITTF World Tour.

  • ‘Monarchs‘ll get good deal’

    ‘Monarchs‘ll get good deal’

    The governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has assured monarchs that he will pay them five per cent statutory allowance from the local government allocation.

    He said, if elected, his administration will conduct local government elections within its first six months.

    The SDP candidate made this promise at the palace of the Sabiganna of Iganna, Oba Saliu Oyemonla Azeez, in Iwajowa Local Government Area.

    Makinde solicited the monarch’s support and prayer for the actualisation of the SDP’s “laudable and life-changing programmes”, stressing that his party “is committed to poverty eradication through job creation and women empowerment”.

    The monarch requested  the multiplication of the campuses of Oke-Ogun Polytechnic, Saki, to engender development in the Oke-Ogun area.

    Former Saki Campus of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, was recently upgraded to a full-fledged institution and renamed Oke-Ogun Polytechnic.

  • Farewell to ‘a good man’

    Farewell to ‘a good man’

    The funeral of Dr Joseph Singapore Adaba, a businessman, who died on December 26, last year has been held in Lagos, reports WALE AJETUNMOBI

    Lafiaji, the popular neighbourhood in Obalende area of Lagos, was agog penultimate Friday. It throbbed, as usual, with commercial activities. But trading on the narrow street leading to St. Michael Catholic Church in the neighbourhood was suspended for a two-hour funeral programme.

    At 9:45am, the hearse conveying the body of Dr Joseph Singapore Adaba, arrived in the church, accompanied by soldiers. There was no stunt by the pallbearers, who were clad in black and white suits. The pallbearers were trailed by the grief-stricken family members and associates of the deceased as the remains were being moved into the church auditorium.

    The officiating priest, Reverend Father Vincent Udoye, came in from the pulpit entrance; then, the funeral mass for the late Dr  Adaba started.

    The widow, Mrs Amina Adaba, who was clad in black attire, sobbed endlessly as the priest began the homily. She was consoled by a group of sympathisers also dressed in black clothes.

    Taking the first Bible reading from the Daniel 12: 2-3, Rev. Father Udoye said all the dead shall be awaken on the Day of Judgment. He  said the righteous among them shall wake into everlasting life, while the wicked would be in shame.

    The priest urged the congregation to always leave their loved ones with good deeds each day because they would never know their last hour on earth.

    He said: “We all must prepare for our final moment because the son of man can come at any time. We must pray for long life but whether we like it or not, the son of man will leave this earth one day and our deeds would determine if we are going to rise among the righteous or the wicked.”

    Describing the deceased as a good man, Rev. Father Udoye urged the bereaved family members not to mourn, but to reflect on the good deeds of their breadwinner and move close to God in their trying period. The priest told the widow not to cry but to remain in prayers at all times.

    While taking the second Bible reading from Job 17-22, the clergyman noted that there had been no human being without weakness.

    He read: “Can a mortal be more righteous than God? Can a man be more pure than his Maker? If God places no trust in his servants; if he charges his angels with errors, how much more those who live in houses of clay whose foundations are in the dust, who are crushed more readily than a moth?”

    After the sermon, the priest prayed for the bereaved family and led a processional hymn with the theme: Hark, Hark, My Soul.

    Afterwards, the body was moved out of the church for interment at Ikoyi Cemetery in Obalende. After the priest said a short prayer, the body was lowered into a concrete grave by the pallbearers, while the widow and family members of the deceased performed dust-to-dust rite.

    In tribute to her late husband, Amina wrote: “My love, my confidant, my friend and motivator. You left me so sudden and it is still like a dream … I will not mourn but celebrate you, because that is what you deserve. Although my heart bleeds with pain, but for you I will be strong. Will forever miss you.”

    Adaba died last December 26, last year. He was 67. He worked in Nigerian Immigration Service before he gained admission to study Pharmacology up to doctoral degree at the University of Brooklyn, New York in United States from 1974 to 1977.

    After he returned to the country, he established business conglomerate in Nigeria and abroad.

    He is survived by wife, a son and five grandchildren.

     

  • The good and bad stocks of 2014

    The good and bad stocks of 2014

    The immediate past year saw a major reversal for the stock market. With average return of -16.14 per cent, quoted equities loss a whooping N1.75 trillion during the year.  Aggregate market value of all quoted equities closed 2014 at N13.226 trillion as against its opening value of N11.477 trillion for the year.

    The All Share Index (ASI), the value-based common index that tracks prices of all quoted equities on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), indicated average full-year return of -16.14 per cent, implying that an average investor lost some 16 per cent of the opening value of his portfolio.

    Sectoral review indicated that most investors recorded higher losses than the average benchmark. All the major group indices at the Exchange, with the exception of the NSE Oil and Gas Index, closed on the negative. The NSE 30 Index, which tracks the 30 most capitalised companies, recorded a full-year return of -18.03 per cent. The NSE Banking Index, which tracks the most active sector, recorded average loss of 21.53 per cent. The NSE Consumer Goods Index, which tracks large manufacturers of fast moving consuming goods, recorded above-average return of -17.88 per cent.

    The NSE Lotus Islamic Index, which tracks Islamic compliant ethical stocks, recorded average loss of 21.63 per cent. Meanwhile, NSE Insurance Index recorded the lowest loss of -2.11 per cent while the NSE Industrial Goods Index posted average return of -15.98 per cent. The Oil and Gas Index rode on the back of gains by Forte Oil and Seplat Petroleum Development Company to retain a positive average return of 11.84 per cent.

    The performance in 2014 contrasted sharply against the exceedingly bullish performance in 2013. Investors pocketed some N4.25 trillion in capital gains in 2013. The 2013 business year set the stock market on a new high with average full-year return of 47.19 per cent, its best performance since 2007.

    Aggregate market capitalisation of all quoted equities on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) closed 2013 at N13.226 trillion as against its opening value of N8.974 trillion for the year. This represented a whooping increase of N4.252 trillion.

    The main index at the NSE, the ASI recorded full-year return of 47.19 per cent rising from its opening index for the year of 28,078.81 points to close the year at 41,329.19 points.  The performance in 2013 significantly surpassed the much applauded return in 2012 when equities posted average return of 35.45 per cent, equivalent to capital gains of N2.44 trillion.

    Stock-by-stock analysis of the 2014 pricing trend showed that Caverton Offshore Support Group, upstream oil and gas services company that was listed during the year, recorded the highest loss of 63.26 per cent. Champion Breweries followed with a loss of 58.7 per cent while National Salt Company of Nigeria placed third with a loss of 58.51 per cent.

    Other top losers included UACN Property Development Company, with a loss of 50 per cent; Jos International Breweries, -53.91 per cent; Dangote Flour Mills, -55.61 per cent; Flour Mills of Nigeria, -54.94 per cent; United Bank for Africa, -51.69 per cent, Academy Press, -53.73 per cent and UAC of Nigeria, which recorded full-year return of -49.25 per cent.

    The Nation’s check indicated there were 61 stocks with above-average loss. Meanwhile, 18 stocks recorded double-digit positive return during the period. Premier Breweries recorded the highest capital appreciation of 392.2 per cent. It was followed by Ikeja Hotel with a gain of 374.36 per cent. Forte Oil placed third with a gain of 133.15 per cent. Seven-Up Bottling Company trailed with full-year return of 131.65 per cent while Beta Glass recorded a gain of 92.52 per cent.

    With the New Year starting with a loss of N241 billion on Monday, the market is still suffering from the hangover of the previous year. Analysts were less optimistic about the prospects of the stock market in 2015. Analysts said equities will remain on the downtrend in the months ahead as quoted companies grapple with macroeconomic challenges and investors gauge the continuing impact of the declining crude oil price and political transition on the economic outlook.

    Investment pundits said quoted equities would in the immediate months continue on the downward trend, although share prices may recover in the latter months of the year.

    Analysts at Bismarck Rewane’s Financial Derivatives Company (FDC) in their latest review stated that quoted equities would struggle with local and global challenges this year, leaving the market mostly on the negative in the first half.

    “The stock market may be in for a prolonged stay in the bear territory due to mounting global and domestic uncertainties. In 2015, a lower return trajectory is anticipated since the market is in for a bumpy ride and some companies would be left behind,” FDC stated.

    According to analysts, the stock market is expected to dwindle further all through the first half and subsequently bounce back in the second half of the year.

    Analysts noted that the likely increases in the United States and euro zone interest rates raises the threats of capital flow reversal and erosion of funds from the equity markets, which, in addition to growing macroeconomic risks, may result in a series of adjustments and prompt a cohesive movement of sectors and stocks prices.

    “The year 2015 is expected to be a mixed year for the equities market as the outcome of a plethora of external and internal events unfold. A possible interest rate hike in the United States and the possibility of a sustained period of low oil prices are significant risks. The outcome of the 2015 elections would also determine investors’ participation and sentiments. The anticipated loosening monetary stance of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) post elections will also have its impact on price and currency stability,” FDC stated.

    They pointed out that returns in 2015 will depend on selecting the right companies in the right sectors, rather than relying on a broad-based approach that depends on the gathering momentum of the overall market position.

    They said the performance of the market might be coloured by the general elections starting on February 14.

    According to analysts, in addition to the global oil market dynamics, the prospects of the Nigerian economy in 2015 hinges on the electoral calendar, and this will mainly determine the macroeconomic outlook during the year.

    “With stocks currently trading at their multi-year lows, we expect an upward trend in the beginning of the year. The anticipated loose monetary stance will be expected to channel additional liquidity to the stock market. However, Investors sentiment will be weighed down by political tensions leading to the 2015 general elections. The tension between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its major opposition All Progressive Congress (APC) is expected to lead to a lull in the equities market as investors, mostly foreign evaluate the electoral process and outcome whilst fearing post-election violence. Foreign portfolio investors are expected to remain wary of the local bourse until the elections are concluded and possible violent fallouts curbed,” analysts pointed out.

    They noted that with oil prices projected to trend between $50-$70, the global crude price will be negative for the Nigerian economy and in turn the capital market, with the oil stocks expected to bear the brunt of declining oil prices given the thinning out of the sectors profitability.

    Besides, analysts noted that as the US economy gains traction, there could be an increase in interest rates in 2015, which is expected to have a negative effect on emerging and frontier economies. This will lead to heavy portfolio reversals, as investors will opt for safety and security in a much developed market. This may lead to a selloff in local equities as foreign investors exit. However, this may be cushioned by increased participation of local investors as stocks become increasingly attractive.

    “The state of security in the country especially in the north eastern part of Nigeria continues to be worrying. Its effect continues to weigh on the profitability of consumer goods companies as consumer spending in these areas remains weak. It has also in-creased the cost of doing business in these areas. Profits that will be declared, if any, in the financial year 2014 by most companies are likely to be below investors expectation. Most sectors; banking, consumers, oil and gas, conglomerates will not be insulated,” analysts said.

    Analysts said the macroeconomic outlook will likely change significantly depending on the outcome of the general elections pointing out that 2015 will be distinctly divided into different phases including pre-election phase, handover phase and post-election phase.

    In the pre-election phase, policymaking will be overshadowed by political campaigns and the elections in this period. As a result, most macroeconomic indicators are likely to be influenced by speculative market activities to hedge any unfavourable outcome. The intensity of political activities towards the election could increase security concerns and result in the hike of consumer prices, dampen economic output as well as growth. This is likely to have negative impact on investors’ confidence and increase dollar demand pressure.

    Analysts noted that the immediate period after the elections would still be overshadowed by concerns as parties debate the election results. These challenges will likely affect the macro environment and policies options while the level and intensity of uncertainties will heighten the level of insecurity in most part of the country. Hence, movement and transport of goods and services become difficult leading to an uptick in the inflation rate to above 10 per cent and poor economic output. Investors’ confidence is likely to also decline and lead to an increase in currency pressures as the naira slides to N190-195/$ at the interbank market.

    “In general, the Nigerian macroeconomic environment is expected to be mixed and highly influenced by developments in the global oil and financial markets. However, the medium and long term prospects of the Nigerian economy depend on developments in the oil section, political events as well as enforcement of tax compliance to boost revenue,” analysts stated.

    One of the positives apart from the obvious that the Nigerian economy has to be less dependent on oil is that prices in the stock market may have hit rock bottom. Current stock prices appear attractive at the moment, but we advise cautious investing with a focus on long term value as opposed to speculating and searching for short term gains. We also expect some volatility over the coming months until after elections. A return to normalcy, the stability in oil prices and the Naira will return some calm to the markets.

  • ‘We want good roads’

    Residents of Dukwal Community in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) have called on the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to support the community by building accessible roads to enable residents move their farm produce to the markets easily.

    The village head of the community, Mallam Dauda Sam made this call when he received a delegation of women media professionals under the auspices of Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) and the Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN), during the Strengthening Women’s Empowerment to Deepen Girl Child Education (SWEDGE) project organized by the Society For Community Development (SCD) in collaboration with Action Aide Nigeria in Abuja, yesterday.

    Sam who lamented the absence of access roads in the community for residents, who are predominantly farmers to transport their produce to markets around the area, said it has made life difficult for the people.

    He also revealed that members of his community were yet to benefit from the federal government’s fertilizer scheme and seed distribution plan since its inception, after collecting and filling the forms for the 2013/2014 farming season.

    He said, “We have never benefited from the federal government’s Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) or the Growth Enhancement Scheme (GES), even though we are a farming community with a population of almost one million inhabitants.

    “The greatest challenge of the community is the poor road infrastructure which does not allow farmers easy access to markets after harvest, lack of a secondary school which denies the children better education and the lack of power supply to pump the only working borehole in the community provided by AMAC.”

    Also speaking, a member of the MWAN, Dr Chioma Iheanacho, said the service was for the community to see the essence of educating the girl child while also offering their services as women professionals.

    “As a woman medical doctor, when they see me rendering this service, they know their children can also be educated to better their lives and that of their communities,” she pointed out.

  • Obuh: I stand for good governance in Delta

    Obuh: I stand for good governance in Delta

    Delta State Peoples Democratic Party  (PDP) governorship aspirant Sir Felix Obuh spoke with  Southsouth Regional Editor SOLA O’ NEIL on his chances at the primaries.

    How do you rate your chances in the PDP primaries, considering that there are 18 aspirants?

    For me, I will say the more the merrier. But, the essential ingredient is what each of us is bringing to the table. What are you offering to the people? What are your antecedents? What do people perceive you to be? I believe that each and every one of us has to answer to our names. How much of you do the people know? I think I stand a very good chance. The people of Delta State know me in and out of public service; whether in the political class, the civil services or whatever. They know me enough and they know what I stand for – good governance, diligence and service to the people. I believe that I have a very great chance of emerging as the candidate of the the PDP on December 8 (today).

    There is a perceived gang-up of other aspirants against your quest to become governor of Delta State. What’s your reaction to this?

    It is very unfortunate because I thought everybody was going to market himself, rather than going about castigating other people and building animosity in a community that is supposed to be peaceful and united. Notwithstanding the fact that it may appear negative on the part of those who conceived it, for me they have succeeded in making me more popular and giving me publicity that I did not pay for. But, ironically, they were not able to raise even one issue against my suitability for the office I am seeking. For me, that is good enough. I am fully qualified and ready to run the race. They did not say I am not qualified. I understand what Delta State is and I know what the people require and I know what it is to run a good government that can deliver service; they did not deny that.

    Are you worried by the implication of this negative campaign?

    I would be worried if the allegation levelled against me is serious or significant. They have not said anything that can be damaging to me. Indeed, they raised allegations about certain leaders trying to take possession of the state, as if to say they are condemning those leaders. Unfortunately, those are the people who have been in government, benefitted and are still benefiting from the same leaders they indicted in that publication. I believe that they just did it momentarily because they thought they have something unifying them, but in the course of time, as has already been proven, they will begin to find out that they have great differences between them as candidates, than with me as another candidate in the race.

    Delta State PDP has a history of acrimonious primaries that usually lead to defeated aspirants defecting to other parties. Are you worried about this?

    I have decided to build my tent within the PDP and for me that is where I will remain. Anybody who believes that he has something to offer to the people of Delta State on the platform of the PDP should be bold enough to run the primaries and if he loses let him donate whatever idea he has to the candidate that emerges, so that we can build a strong and vibrant state of our dream. You don’t need to run somewhere else as if you are desperate for power. When you believe in the party, you should be sufficiently patriotic to give whatever idea you have to whoever emerges. I will not encourage defection and I will seriously discourage anybody who wants to do that. But if they wish to go, whoever will emerge will emerge. For me, if God blesses me with the ticket of the PDP, let them go elsewhere to combine forces, but I intend to carry everybody along.

    Will you make overtures to your opponents to remain in the party?

    I have always said that nobody is a champion. I have always said that we should stay within the party and build a strong and vibrant political party so that we can continue to win elections. There is enough ground for everybody to contribute one way or the other; there is no Mr Know-all in any field. What I think we can always do to be on top in Delta State is for us to bring to the table all our talents, all our ideas; what we need and what we have to contribute to the growth of the state so that we can harness them for the betterment of our society. We do not need to dissipate our energy.

    After the screening, we are into the last stretch of the primaries campaign, what is your position with the delegates? Are you satisfied with the delegates list?

    A couple of weeks ago, we had the election for delegates and since then we have been trying to reach out to delegates that have been so elected. The process of canvassing for support/votes is a continuous one. We know that there are a good number of them (delegate) that believe in us. We are not giving up on anybody; we are accessing and trying to approach anybody who has been elected as delegate to make them understand why they should give us their votes. We are doing our best to win over as many of them as possible and we are doing that by trying to spell out to them what our philosophy is for government and what our position is in the PDP.

  • Good, ugly faces of Lagos International Trade Fair

    Good, ugly faces of Lagos International Trade Fair

    As the Lagos international Trade Fair gradually winds up on Sunday, TONIA ‘DIYAN in this report captures the highpoint and low moments of the week-long event.

    IT is no longer news that human and vehicular traffic is, as usual, at its peak at the ongoing Lagos International Trade Fair. But the news is that among shoppers, the growing concern this year is that items which usually sell at rock-bottom prices are not just expensive but have been priced away from the reach of the common man – quite uncharacteristic of a fair.

    The foregoing narrative is what characterised the Lagos International Trade Fair, which began a fortnight ago with the theme: ‘Promoting the Nigerian economy as a preferred investment destination.’

    As it has been over the years, the atmosphere at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) Lagos Island, venue of the Fair, thronged with busy shoppers and exhibitors, either striking good bargains or showcasing their wares.

    The unusual human and vehicular traffic from the entrance readily announced the Fair. From Tafawa Balewa Square bus terminal and farther down to Broad Street, on Lagos Island, cars literally formed a crisscross on the roads and kerbs, just as the unfriendly car park and gate fee of N1, 500 and N2, 000 respectively caused serious arguments at the entrance with shoppers anxious to get in.

    Perhaps, the anticipation that the Fair would attract about 500,000 visitors from within and outside the country since Nigeria is seen as a viable market because of its vast population appeared to be a reality when The Nation shopping visited the Fair. There was noticeable presence of exhibitors from Kenya, Japan, China and other foreign nationals.

    Chairman, Trade Promotion Board, who is also the Vice-President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Dr. Michael Olawale-Cole, expressed assurance that the event would ensure a better business environment for Lagos in particular and Nigeria as a whole.

    While praising corporate organisations that had extended their support for the hosting of this year’s trade fair, he also assured all and sundry that the ambassadors and corporate organisations would team up with the chamber to promote Nigeria as the preferred investment destination.

    The main objectives of the fair include the revitalisation and diversification of the Nigerian economy as well as Nigeria’s non-oil exports. It also seeks to accelerate the development of commerce and industry while promoting made-in-Nigeria products, agriculture and agro-based industry.

    On the other hand, the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry described the fair as a veritable tourist centre for all, saying, it will boost the nation’s economy. LCCI said this idea is gradually puncturing the country’s lingering problem of unemployment among youths, apart from the fact that it is growing the economy.

    The Fair stocks all kinds of products and services. From edibles to household items, toiletries, clothing, financial houses, electrical appliances, fashion and hair accessories, health products and what have you. Companies offering good shopping experiences in sundry items include: Multichoice, Lo’lavita hair, Whispering Palms, Organo- sells herbal items made with Ganoderma Lucidum, Tyre Armour, Bliss- an outfit that sells women artificial hair, Tropical naturals and Trevo. Others include: Panasonic, CFAO motors, Isuzu, Suzuki, Toyota Nigeria Limited, Ajinomoto, Koncept Autocentre Limited, etc.

    Besides, foreigners from different countries also had their stands. Some of the products on display were cars, electronics, household appliances, furniture, arts and crafts, clothing, babies’ wears and accessories, fabrics, generators, inverters, solar lights among other nondescript items.

    Sharing his experience with The Nation Shopping, Stanley Agbator, a shopper, said before he got to the arena the day he visited the fair, he was ushered in by people showcasing different products and he said to himself that if you are not patient enough to get to the main pavilion, you might end up outside as many sellers would pester you to buy their products. But those outside are nothing compared to the huge exhibition of goods inside.

    “Perhaps the only item you won’t find on sale at the ongoing Lagos International Trade fair is a human being. No doubts, it’s an ideal place for shoppers to prepare for the festivities. Everything seems to be on display and both human and vehicular traffic cannot be overemphasised, but the challenge of buying at twice or sometimes three times a regular price of an item is a great concern to the shopper,” said Tunde Olawale, somewhat jocularly.

    But while narrating her experience at the fair, a first-time shopper, who simply gave her name as Angela was emphatic about the poor showing of the fair in a snappy encounter with The Nation Shopping. Wiping sweat from her brow as she packed her purchased items into her waiting car in preparation for a journey to only God knows where, her countenance was obviously one of disappointment as she cursed the organisers under her breathe while finding her way out of the sprawling Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) Lagos Island, venue of the exhibition.

    “This Fair is just hype. In fact, I regret coming here at all. If this is how fairs are, I would be the last person to come here. From what I have seen here, all the media hype about the fair were empty promises,” said Angela, as she zoomed off in her car, happy to keep a distance between her and the venue.

    Unlike Angela, who probably didn’t get her money’s worth, to another shopper, who simply gave his name as Mr. Bankole, a teacher, “This is more of a tourist centre than a typical fair. From my observations, it lacks the sales promotion characteristic of an exhibition which I think is the most important to the masses, I mean the end-users,” he said.

    Bankole, however, suggested that exhibitors at the Fair should imbibe the sales promotion strategy and do less of massive stage-set and presentation of their products.

    According to him, sales promotions include; free gifts, discounted prices, joint promotions, free samples, free vouchers, competitions and prize draws, as well as finance deals.

    No doubt, both Angela and Bankole are right with their observations and views. Right from the two gates leading to the straddling construction, legs and cars competed for space and the first two stalls visited by our reporter, showed that items are indeed more expensive than they are in the regular market.

    Like every other year, lively atmosphere; people in their multitude, inviting lightings, colourful costumes, music, dances and all kinds of entertainment are attributes easily ascribed to the yearly Lagos International trade fair.

    This year, the case was not different as concerted efforts at enticing prospective shoppers, was accentuated by music and other forms of entertainment.

    A stroll through either of the two entrances leading into the fair and a stand-by parking kiosk brings a shopper to the pavilion and tent in the structure’s belly.

    Besides security agents, managers of the commodious car park were on hand for serious business. “You can pay N1, 500 for the ten days the Fair will hold,” one of them told The Nation Shopping.

    From the exterior of the imposing setting, various sizes of signposts welcome prospective customers into both the fair and its compartments. Strategically placed within the neat premises were mascots and large speakers for music.

    It is a sight to behold as many visited for genuine shopping, some others stood transfixed to behold the delight. However, while many window-shopped, others were busy with genuine transactions with impressive attention from polite sales persons of various companies and brands.

    Parading neatly dressed, sprightly-looking attendants, all the exhibitors transacting business there appeared to have keyed into the seemingly inviolate culture of cleanliness.

    Shoppers need not burden themselves with loads of cash from their homes as banks made available functioning ATM services within the fair.

    Asked from a sales representative of a beauty company why one should patronise their shop rather than elsewhere, she said: “Our products are affordable to the commoner. If you buy anything from us, and it does not suit your taste, maybe by reason of colour or texture, so far it is in good form, we take it back and either refund your money or get you your preferred item. Essentially, with us here, our customer is king.”

    An exhibitor who identified simply as Mr Chuks, a dealer on security gadgets and close circuit television, said: “The trade fair is a major opportunity to advertise our products and that is what we are doing. So, we believe it will go well.”

    The China stand was booming as people went back and forth. This seems normal, judging from the influx of many Chinese traders in different markets, many of who have essentially conformed to the Nigerian system of trading. Many of them speak the popular Pidgin English, which makes it easy for them to make headway. The Lebanese were also visible in their acts.

    The Fair, according to LCCI, is the biggest discount fair and Exhibition in Nigeria and, indeed, Africa. It continues to live up to its billing of the biggest trade fair in Nigeria and the Lagos Chamber has been organising the premier Lagos International Trade Fair in Nigeria since 1986 when it took over from the Federal Government of Nigeria which started it in 1981. It offers a unique exposition for manufacturers, suppliers, buyers and users of a wide range of goods and services as well as opportunities for investment and trade promotion.

    A household exhibitor simply called Charles said his outing is impressive as visitors to his stand and patronage in terms of sales and prospective investors are encouraging.

    A Kenyan exhibitor who gave his name as Roy, whose company manufactures local beverages, said visitors had been enlightened on the efficacy of herbal products from the entrance by his team of sales representatives and are patronizsing his products. “Our products are made with Ganoderma Lucidium which is good for regulating blood level in the body.”

    He added that the population in the country attracted him to the fair. “Nigerian is highly populated and some of them who live in my country are sophisticated. I am privileged today to be here seeing them in their home town and transacting business with them. Indeed, Nigeria is number one in Africa’s economy.’’

    Some exhibitors, however, complained of small spaces given to them to exhibit their goods; some said their stalls were not constructed until the second day and while their colleagues were busy making money, they were waiting to set up their stands.

    At the Japanese pavilion, there was a beehive of activities with visitors and prospective investors trooping in and out.

    An upbeat Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria Ryuichi Shoji said he was experiencing patronage from individuals and establishments who know good products.

  • The president is a good man

    President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is a good man.  Look at his gentle mien and unassuming carriage in spite of being the President of the most populous black nation on planet earth.   Look at how he is transforming Nigeria; the news media; the tabloids, tubes and online publications are awash with the benevolent achievements of the President.  Look at the roads, the airports, railways, power sector to name but a few.  Forget about the facts that there are no physical evidence on the ground; just tune to the Nigerian Television Authorities (NTA) and paid adverts in other media houses.  Recall the 2011 General Elections, the President had an overwhelming majority across the geopolitical zone because the Nigerian people love him as a good man.   Even though the baboons and the dogs were soaked in blood when the result was out, the election was relatively free and fair and the President genuinely won that election fair and square.

    His transformation programme commenced shortly after he was sworn.   First, he removed the controversial subsidy on petroleum products and hiked fuel prices as a reward to the people and kerosene became out of the reach of ordinary Nigerians.   When Nigerians went to the street in protest, the security forces and police fired live ammunition and killed scores of people. The President would rather hurt the poor masses than take on the corrupt officials responsible for the failure of the subsidy regime.   It was easier and better for the government to make the poor masses bear the burden and subsidize the ineptitude of government officials and rogue elements in the petroleum industry.   Everybody can attest to the fact that the President is a good man.  Look at those officials fingered for grafts of monumental proportions in his cabinet; aviation, petroleum and the interior.  Rather than bring them to book, the President rose stoutly to proselyte in their defence giving us presidential distinction between official corruption and stealing.

    Again, look at the mega seizure of $9 million and $5 million respectively by the South African government on a botched arms deal to tackle insecurity and the insurgency in the North-east.  Driven by patriotism, the President maintained golden silence while the South African authorities found it exciting to bathe the nation in the murky water of corruption in the market square.   Only his garrulous and loquacious Special Assistants (SAs) took the air waves to insult the intelligence of the people and expose their puerile logic.

    The President is a good man; look at those felons of yesterday and political fugitives who even disguised as women to escape arrest in UK.   He not only pardoned them, he also honoured them with Nigeria’s National Merit award.   Can you beat that?   He is all over the churches and recently he declared for the Anglicans and bagged the highest ecclesiastical Anglican award, the first of its kind.   His detractors and political enemies want him to be like a Pharaoh or a General.   As a good man he even forgot that he is the Commander-in-Chief and indeed, that all the Generals are supposed to be under him.

    His detractors wanted him to visit Chibok after the abduction and kidnapping of over 200 school girls by the Boko Haram.   The President would rather act the statesman that he is; the imperial majesty.  It is not statesmanlike for a ruler to visit indigent people struck by misfortune.  It is the bereaved that should rather pay homage to their king in the moment of calamity. Critics and opposition who would not understand keep pestering the Chief Executive of Nigeria to perform.   The sins of the President’s traducers and opposition are legion.   They want him to be a performing President.   They want him to take charge and be in control and make Nigeria take its rightful place among the comity of nations.

    The President is a good man that is why people fight for him in all things.   Look at those perceived irritant governors who had the audacity to stand to his authority, ordinary police commissioners fought for him and caged the lion in them while the state House of Assembly members sack the others as many more sit on edge.  His Excellency, President Goodluck Jonathan is a good man.   This is not because he has goodluck attached to his name.     As if that was not enough, he had no shoes when he was growing up which also showed a quintessential Nigerian grassroots man.  He is an academic doctor of a fine breed by dint of hard work.   I understand he was even a teacher in a College of Education somewhere in Rivers State; I am not sure now.    He is soft-spoken and an introvert.

    He was loyal to his principals and political masters and subservient to a fault.   When he was the Deputy Governor in Bayelsa State, he was seen but rarely heard until his boss caught a tiger by the tail, and was impeached.   As a good man, he was sworn in as the substantive governor of Bayelsa State.   Mother luck shone on him again when former President Obasanjo handpicked him to be President Yar’Adua’s running mate.   When the Nigerian power cabal tried to scheme him out of the power equation, he watched the bizarre drama go into melodramatic fever pitch.

    Nigerians rose up in their numbers and fought for him, and the doctrine of necessity was invoked which brought him in as President of the Federal Republic.   This broke the broke the jinx of monopoly of power by the so-called majority ethnic groups and gave hope that any Nigerian can aspire to the highest office in the land.    This was how the reluctant good man became President.   He has all the attributes of a gentleman notwithstanding his remote humble background and upbringing.   When the President served out the tenure of his late former boss, some political hawks wanted to fence him off from further serving Nigeria because of mere gentleman’s agreement his political platform had which he found convenient to ignore, breach, disregard and broke.    Nigerians should not leave the adoption and endorsement of the President as the only qualified candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the card carrying members and the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) only.     Those who think he is not a good leader or under- performing should not forget that Nigerians have not chosen a good or performing leader yet.   When we make up our mind, we can do it and get the leader that will see himself as commander-in-chief and take bold and courageous decisions.   Good men do not make history, courageous people do.  Good men do not bring about historical change in the life of a nation but brave men do. True, visible physical transformation will only come from a brave and courageous leadership not from a good man.   Look around the world today; the people bring about the change they want: Burkina Faso, Egypt, Indonesia and even the just concluded Mid-term Elections in the United States of America where the Republicans now hold sway in both houses.  Rise up and bring about the change you want; The President is a good man.

    • Kebonkwu Esq. writes from Abuja
  • ‘We’ll pick good candidates’

    ‘We’ll pick good candidates’

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman in Ondo State, Isaac Kekemeke, has said the party will pick credible candidates acceptable to the public.

    Kekemeke spoke when a National Assembly aspirant,  Olayato Aribo, came to pick his nomination form at the party secretariat in Akure.

    The chairman also received the former Ose Local Government Caretaker Chairman, Afolabi Mabogunje, who picked the nomination form for Ose State Constituency.

    Kekemeke denied that some party elders endorsed some aspirants, saying the primaries would be free and fair.

    He said: “By election time, I want my work to be easy and this can only be easy by picking credible candidates so that anywhere we get to for campaign, the people will accept us.

    “Nobody has endorsed any aspirant and we are going to give a level-playing field for all aspirants.”

    Aribo said he picked the nomination form because of the pressure from his people.

    He urged party leaders to unite and work for success in the  election