The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Institute

  • 2020 deadline on gas flaring unrealistic, says Institute

    The Institute of Oil and Gas Research and Hydrocarbon Studies (IOGRHS) yesterday said the 2020 deadline to end gas flaring recently projected by the Federal government was not realisable.

    Chairman, IOGRHS Council Prof. Akin Akindoyeni stated this during an interview with reporters at the Oil and Gas Production Forum held in Lagos.

    Akindoyeni said nothing has been done since the inception of the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) authorities to make the 2020 deadline a reality.

    He said: “When you set goals, you have to be sure the goals are realisable. We have asked the same question on the feasibility of the 2020 deadline to end gas flaring.

    “But so far, we have not seen much progress. No action has been taken to make that deadline realisable.”

    Akindoyeni also spoke on the importance of the Petroleum Industry Bill and the need to encourage local refining of crude oil so as to sustain industries that utilise its bi-products.

    According to him, Nigeria gains nothing by the continuous exportation of crude oil meant for local consumption, noting that it has led to the importation of products such disinfectants, fertilisers and plastics, all bi-products of crude oil.

    “As an institute, there are other research areas we have looked into. It is on the influence of exploitation of crude oil on the environment, for instance, to what extent has it increased employment for the young people? To what extent has it enhanced their economic development? We found out that it has not.

    “If you go to the riverine in Ondo or Bayelsa State, you will find out that these areas have been so polluted that some villages have been vacated. For us, it is not just about cleaning up the oil spill. We want to know if these people can return to their normal means of livelihood after the clean-up. Would they be able to farm on the affected lands? Can they get fish from the water?

    “It is a research that will cost hundreds of millions in naira. Any organisation that is ready to back this research project is welcome,” he said.

    The Nation reports that the event featured presentation of papers, exhibition as well as awards to industry players who have distinguished themselves in the sector.

    Among those honoured was the Chairman, Sea Horse Industries Limited Ebuka Onunkwo for locally producing lubricants with high quality.

    Dedicating the award to members of his staff, Onunkwo said their target was to be the best in Africa, adding that they currently produce 24 million litres per year.

    He said: “We have our mega plant in Nigeria and it is not just that we produce the best quality. We have also provided jobs for youths and have ensured that our quality surpasses those that are being imported. That was why the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) publicly endorsed our product and commended us.

    “This award for us is inspiration to do more. We have the mega plant in Nigeria, we have experts working for us. If everyone can respect the standard set by SON, Nigeria will be free of recycled old oil. SON is doing a marvelous job in sanitising the industry.”

  • Interference in arbitral proceedings can affect growth, says institute

    The Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators (NICARB) has warned that spurious resort to judicial intervention by parties to arbitration proceedings and awards could hurt economic growth.

    It said this also tasks the confidence and reliance on arbitration as a viable and potent option for settlement of commercial and investment disputes.

    NICARB’s Registrar/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Shola Oshodi-John stated this at  a briefing in Lagos to announce the institute’s Annual Conference, which will hold on October 24 and 25 at the Oriental Hotel in Lagos.

    The conference themed, “Enforcement of arbitral awards and economic growth in West Africa,”will discuss topics, including ‘Incidents of setting aside arbitral awards and its implication’; ‘Enforcement of Arbitral Awards: Challenges and prospects’; and the ‘Role and impact of ICT in Arbitration and enforcement of Awards.’

    Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu and Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President, Mr. Paul Usoro (SAN) will deliver the keynote address.

    Oshodi-John said: “Recent judicial decisions on arbitration related proceedings and awards present a very disturbing trend that is unfavourable and producing negative impact on the economic viability

    and growth of West Africa’s Economy.

    “This trend places Arbitration and other ADR mechanism on a balance as most awards become subject of litigation in courts. Parties and practitioners are largely disadvantaged by this development and as such, the need to charting a path to address these challenges.”

    She noted that the conference will provide an opportunity for business owners, legal practitioners and other professionals to discuss the current mode of enforcing arbitral awards and its impact on West

    Africa.

    “More specifically, the conference will serve as a platform for positioning West Africa as a preferred seat for arbitration proceedings and also ameliorating the drawbacks associated with delay in enforcement of arbitral awards,” Oshodi-John said.

    According to her seasoned experts, including the President, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) Mr. Abimbola Ogunbanjo; Statistician-General, National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Mr. Yomi Kale; Federal High Court

    Judge, Justice Binta Nyako and Dr. Paul Ananaba (SAN), among others, will dissect the subject.

    Oshodi-John said they will propose reforms that will “enhance the desired change and promote our region as a viable destination for Arbitration processes in creating a fertile environment for economic advancement.”

  • Heritage Africa, institute, UniAbuja sign MoU on programme exchange

    Heritage Africa-China Research Institute, Institute of African Studies, Zhejiang Normal University, China and the University of Abuja, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to exchange programmes on culture.

    The Director, Heritage Africa-China Research Institute, Mr. Moses Ayom, said the MoU would allow the institutions involved to collaborate in areas of interest for the benefit of the three institutions.

    Mr. Ayom, in a statement  yesterday  in Abuja, said the MoU would allow the three institutions to exchange programmes in the next five years.

    He said: “In order to encourage closer academic ties, after cordial consultations and negotiations among the three parties, the Institute of African Studies at Zhejiang Normal University, University of Abuja and Heritage Africa-China Research Institute, intend to establish programmes of exchange and collaboration in areas of interest and benefit to the three institutions.

    “The three parties shall actively cooperate and pursue academic research in areas of interest and benefits to the various institutions.”

    The Director, Institute of African Studies at Zhejiang Normal University, Liu Hongwu expressed joy at pioneering the programmes.

    He described the programmes as necessary preliminary platforms for development in Nigeria and Africa.

    “The purpose of coming to Nigeria for the conference is to develop a programme whereby scholars and experts from both countries can brainstorm ideas to promote peace and development in the country.

    “There is a huge gap in the language difference between our countries. This hinders both parties from being able to work together.

    “This partnership will help to close that gap and allow for scholarly networking and interaction.”

    He dwelt on whilethe Chinese and African scholars should share ideas and gain in-depth knowledge about one another’s cultural differences to foster peace and economic growth.

    He said one of the key factors missing in most African countries is industrialisation.

    “We have diverse perspectives and diverse modes of development, therefore we must interact with each other in order to understand each other.

    “Forming this partnership will promote cultural understanding which is a prerequisite for exchange.

    ”The Chinese economy has grown rapidly because we urge our investors to invest in foreign lands, such as the African continent.

    “China is transforming from a manufacturing base to an innovative one, and moving this to Africa will enable African countries to become leaders in economic development.”

  • Institute holds graduation ceremony

    Victory Institute of Catering and Hotel Management, Ikeja, Lagos, has held its 28th graduation ceremony.

    Thirty-five students graduated and 48 matriculated in 2017/2018 academic session.

    Addressing outgoing and matriculating students, Managing Proprietor and Director of Studies Chief Christian Francis Olaniyan advised them to practise what they have learnt.

    He said catering was a lucrative profession.

    The proprietor enjoined matriculating students to be  be of good behaviour, adding that they should set a good example for others to emulate.

    The Principal, Mrs. Modupe Ojo, delivering a speech titled: “Building A New Nigeria”, spoke about skill acquisition, workers’ welfare, job creation, moderate taxation, adequate security and academic excellence.

    Present at the ceremony are Mr. Bamidele Shodeke, chairman; Mrs. Abimbola Oseni and others.

  • ACCA signs MoU with institute

    The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Chartered Institute of Taxation (CITN).

    Through the partnership, ACCA would provide local tax variants to incorporate Nigerian tax in the ACCA curriculum.

    ACCA Nigeria team led by the global accountant body’s chief executive Helen Brand also visited the Minister of Trade and Investment Mr Okechukwu Enelamah and his special adviser Ms. Dara Owoyemi.

    Brand expounded on ACCA’s role in developing the accounting profession globally.

    She highlighted the work done, with the qualification changes to prepare its members to deliver more value, including engagements in the public sector.

    “ACCA is commitment to developing the accountancy profession through its work on ethics and professional skills development & partnerships with key stakeholders to build capacities among others,” Brand said.

    Also present at the meeting was ACCA council member and fellow Taiwo Oyedele.

    ACCA is the global body for professional accountants, offering business-relevant, first-choice qualifications to people of application, ability and ambition around the world who seek a rewarding career in accountancy, finance and management.

    ACCA supports its 200,000 members and 486,000 students in 180 countries, helping them to develop successful careers in accounting and business, with the skills required by employers.

    It works through a network of 101 offices and centres and more than 7,200 Approved Employers worldwide, who provide high standards of employee learning and development.

    Through its public interest remit, ACCA promotes appropriate regulation of accounting and conducts relevant research to ensure accountancy continues to grow in reputation and influence.

    ACCA is currently introducing major innovations to its flagship qualification to ensure its members and future members continue to be the most valued, up to date and sought-after accountancy professionals globally.

    Founded in 1904, ACCA has consistently held unique core values: opportunity, diversity, innovation, integrity and accountability.

  • Institute develops blueprint to meet housing needs

    The Nigeria Institute of Architects (NIA) has developed a blueprint in partnership with state to meet housing needs, the president, Adibe Njoku, has said.

    He said one of the solutions to the housing problem was involvement of the private sector as a leading driver.

    Njoku, who spoke in Abuja, on the institute’s efforts to reduce the housing deficit, said the government could intervene by strengthening the capacity of the institute toward building an efficient market.

    He said NIA has begun a campaign “on this new initiative, meeting the government as part of an enlightenment programmes toward ensuring the success of the innovation geared towards making houses accessible.

    The NIA president said the initiative was informed by the need to initiate new measures of housing delivery and create jobs for youths.

    Presenting the blueprint to reporters, Njoku said the geometric growth of cities, fast growth of towns, availability of housing raw materials and rising population of employable professionals in construction, were conditions favouring mass housing development.

    According to him, NIA has delivered models, such as architectural social housing, architectural commercial housing and public private partnership on which a successful partnership can be built with the Federal Government.

    Njoku said NIA was promoting a new concept in mass housing with a template  based on mass production to build houses.

    “This will create an architectural chain in the production process and open access to an array of small and medium enterprises’ (SMEs’) funding at single digit interest rate for component fabrication that will culminate in housing development.”

    The NIA president urged the Federal Government to collaborate with architects and other professionals to fashion out strategies toward solving the housing shortfall.

  • Institute seeks cooperation at members’ induction

    President/Chairman of Council, Institute of Information Management, Dr. Oyedokun Ayodeji Oyewole, has enjoined members not to derail from the pace it built, but work together for the growth of the institute.

    He spoke at the 10th lecture, induction and awards of the institute at the University of Lagos (UNILAG).

    He said: “Coming together is the beginning, keeping together is progress, and working together is success.’’

    He said his priority remained a focal point for giving the institute a purposeful leadership by dwelling more on the legislative agenda for a better and restructured Governing Council.

    ‘’Part of my dream and mission on this new mantra of leadership bestowed on me is to make the Institute more centric, open and closer to every member, irrespective of race or gender,” he added.

    He said there would be challenges, but that the ‘’challenges are positively inclined as it will spur us to achieve our desired result.’He therefore sought the cooperation of all members,’’ saying: “I know we’re all blessed with different intellectual and ideological gift by the Almighty, but the most important thing for us is to see ourselves as a team, out to achieve a common goal.’’

    Mrs. Aisha Iyabo Ogeiriakhi was awarded the Outstanding Contribution to the Information Management Industry, for her selfless service to the information management industry in Africa.

    The special award by Records and Information Management Awareness (RIMA) Foundation was given to her in memorial of late Abiola Juliana Oyedokun.

    She was also awarded the Best IIM Coordinator of the Year, for organising and hosting the first IMM Africa International Programme and induction in the United Kingdom last year.

    The Best International IIM Fellow of the Year award went to Ngwanaphalama Margaret More, a South African, for consistency in membership obligation since 2015.

    Other awardees included Princess Tiwalade Owho (the Most Outstanding Member of the Year) and Olukayode Adeniyi – the Best IIM Social Media Group Administrator of the Year.

    In his lecture titled: Blockchain and the future of Information Managements, Computer Warehouse Group Plc Vice Chairman Mr. Austin Okere said blockchain went beyond financial application. It is expected to disrupt global supply chain by boosting transaction speed across borders and transparency. “Practically, the key to this revolution lies in currencies such as bitcoin,” he said.

    Okere added that block chain is a shared virtual public ledger where encrypted transactions are confirmed by outside parties, noting that it is this technology that the Fintechs are leveraging to disrupt the traditional banks while confirmed transactions are placed in a block and added to the chain.

    The institute also inducted new members into various IIM Memberships ranging from graduate, associate professional, senior professional, fellow Hon. Fellow and Corporate.

    Among the new governing council members inducted were Oyedokun Oyewole, Mrs. Soyebi Oluwakemi Abiodun, Alhaji  Fatai Oyewole Salahudeen and the Director, Digital Asset, Leadership, Mr. Tayo Adelaja, among others.

  • NBA, institute partner on pro bono services

    The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has partnered with the Justice Research Institute (JRI) to promote access to pro bono services.

    It signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the institute in Abuja.

    NBA President Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN) said  promoting pro bono services was a strategy in building confidence in the courts.

    He said: “We have in the last year and a half pursued aggressive public interest engagements in a number of areas and  this entirely falls within that broad framework.

    “We have prioritised the Northeast and the Niger Delta regions,  but we are mindful of other regions because we are interested in access to justice, human rights protection and provision of pro bono legal services.

    “We recognise that there is serious demand for these services and we are very delighted to encourage lawyers to show interest and commitment to these services to members of the public,” he said.

    The MoU signed with the institute, Mahmoud said, was one of many by the association.

    “The NBA entered into some MoUs with some partners, some of which are related to training for our members while others were on the provision of pro bono services.

    “I believe that this partnership would wax strong and translate to putting smiles on the face of Nigerians who benefit from the services,” Mahmoud said.

    JRI Executive Director Mr Ikem Isiekwene,who signed for his organisation, said the MoU was borne out of the realisation that societal structures were full of inequalities and that many Nigerians were ignorant of their rights.

    He said: “We live in demanding times with an increasing population and a significant number of the populace impoverished, who also do not know their rights or how to access these rights.

    “So, we can only expect that the interaction within this space will lead to the need to protect rights were there are obvious violations.

    ‘’The objective is to deepen pro bono practice within the legal profession across Nigeria by establishing a system that leveraged private sector resources to help increase access to legal resources for more disadvantaged individuals and groups.’’

    He said the institute and the NBA, with the support of the Open Society For West Africa (OSIWA), intended to institutionalise a pro bono initiative that connected demand and supply for free legal services.

  • China not here to colonise Nigeria — Institute

    A non-profit educational organization, Confucius Institute, affiliated with the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China has stated that China presence in Nigeria and Africa as a whole is not a new form of modern colonialism. The declaration was made at a One Day Symposium organized by the institute.

    The event which was themed “Belt and Road and Confucius Institute” had in attendance dignitaries such as Prof. Wang, Prof. Chimbi Maduagwu, Director Confucius Institute University fo Lagos (UNILAG), Chief Jacob C. K. Wood, Amb. Sola Onadipe, former Ambassador of Nigeria to China; Prof. Duro Oni, former Vice chancellor, University of Lagos and a host of other important people.

    While delivering her address, Prof. Wang observed that the aim of the One Belt One Road Initiative (OBOR) is to promote free trade zones to connect production, distribution and the markets.  She said, “The purpose is to bring about share economic prosperity and to promote political stability and one road security one belt one goal is equal to common prosperity.

    Combination of the Chinese dream with the global dream. It is a win-win situation. When we talk about the belt and road what we are looking at the fact is not Africa will always follow this principle.

  • Ekiti to upgrade staff development centre to institute

    Ekiti to upgrade staff development centre to institute

    The Ekiti State government is set to upgrade the in-house Staff Development Centre to a full-fledged institute for public servants.

    The Head of Service (HOS), Dr. Olugbenga Faseluka, broke the news yesterday in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, during the second convocation ceremony of the centre.

    The HOS said Governor Ayodele Fayose had approved the advancement of officers in the secretarial cadre from their previous cadre bar to a more advanced level.

    The gesture, according to Faseluka, is a display of the commitment of the current administration to making public service more proficient while prioritising the welfare of workers.

    Faseluka said the development centre, which caters for the training of the secretary cadre only, would be upgraded to become a vibrant citadel of learning that can handle the training of all cadres in public service.

    Emphasising that the government was aware that training was key to a better, more professional public service, Faseluka said Fayose relocated the centre to its present site with state-of-the-art Information and Communication Technology (ICT) equipment during his first term in office.

    He said: “There is no gainsaying the fact that the centre has contributed tremendously to the manpower needs in the secretarial cadres of public service and private/corporate sector of Ekiti State and sister-states.

    “I congratulate the workers and students for maintaining the quality and standard the centre is known for.”

    The Permanent Secretary in the Office of Establishments and Training, Mr. Olusesan Alabi, noted that the centre was established to build human capacity and ensure career progression of workers in the service of Ekiti State government.

    He stressed the importance of exposing the public service to regular training to achieve effective service delivery.

    The centre’s principal, Mrs. Mercy Ipinmoroti, acknowledged the support of the DAWN Commission and the Department for International Development (DFID) for the proposed upgrade of the centre.

    He said the establishment was known for its consistent pursuit of excellence, adding that it performed well in the last national secretariat examination with an overall aggregate of 97 per cent.