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Tag: introduced

  • ‘Why we introduced Ace110 motorbike’

    ‘Why we introduced Ace110 motorbike’

    Ace110 motorbike was developed with the sole aim of getting back Honda’s competitiveness in the domestic market space, Honda Manufacturing Nigeria Limited, has said.

    The motorbike was unveiled  at the company’s factory on Ota-Idiroko Road in Ogun State.

    Honda Manufacturing Nigeria Managing Director Katsuhiro Murooka, said with the introduction of Ace 110, many commercial motorcycle operators could afford to replace their old ‘worn-out’ Okada.

    Murooka said the new product was meant to support their business.

    The Chief Operating Officer, Global Motorcycle Operations at Honda, Noriaki Abe, said the company was expecting to sell 19 million motorcycles across the world in 2017.

    “We have the leading share of the global motorcycle market by an overwhelming margin; accounting for 35 per cent of all sales worldwide, in Africa, the story is different. We were late in entering the African market, and our products are felt by customers here to be comparatively expensive. Of a total 3.4 million motorcycles sold in Africa, sales of Honda stand at just 55,000. There is clearly substantial room for improvement,” he said.

    He added that the plan to substantially increase the share of Honda motorcycles in Nigeria and Africa informed the decision to introduce the ACE 110, which he noted as being affordable, high in quality, fuel efficient and low maintenance.

    Abe said: “Consequently, Honda very much regards Africa as a fast growing market, and understands it to be a vital market. And, from the perspective of population and the GDP, we see Nigeria as a key country.

    “We developed Ace110 (one-ten), as a strategic model targeted at the African market. It sells at a similar price to rival vehicles but, at the same time, it offers the enduring quality, class-leading fuel efficiency, and comfort that have become synonymous with Honda.

    “We believe it is the motorcycle that Nigerian customers have long been waiting for. Having completed the development of Ace110 (one-ten), Honda is currently in the process of developing a second and a third strategic motorcycle for Africa. It goes without saying that we are confident they will meet the expectations of our African customers.”

    The Director-General, National Automotive Design and Development Council, Mr. Jelani Aliyu, who was part of the ceremony, said Nigeria was fascinated by the progress of the Honda brand globally and expressed the country’s intention to work with the automaker to speed up the development of the automotive industry.

    The Sales Manager, Olawale Badejo, said the Ace110 motorcycle was a product of a three-year research development, adding, “It is a concept made in Nigeria coming after several years of painstaking research into what the Nigerian customer wants in a motorcycle.

    Apart from test drive of the new product, Badejo said adequate training had also been held for major motorcycle riders and mechanics for easy handling and maximum safety.

    He also gave the features of the motorbike such as the engine, seat, double spring rear suspension, passenger footstep, all front gear shift and its red & blue colour options.

  • ‘Why we introduced Homeowners’ Charter’

    ‘Why we introduced Homeowners’ Charter’

    The desire to save residents and home owners living in areas under government acquisition from hardship and loss of properties may have been the reason behind the introduction of the Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun’s HomeOwners’ Charter scheme.

    With this initiative, buildings in border town areas between the Ogun and Lagos states like Agbado, Akute, Mowe, Ibafo, have been saved from demolition.

    The Ogun state commissioner for Urban and Physical planning, Mr. Adebola Adeife, in a chat with The Nation, also revealed that most of the buildings in those areas had no title documents to their lands because of indiscriminate disregard for procedure on the part of builders as well as because the areas were under acquisition by the state government.

    “When you talk of the peripheral areas or slums, most people occupy them illegally. Agbado, Akute .Agbado, for instance, are completely under acquisition. The property owners there don’t have legal titles in the core areas, but for those houses that have titles, the Homeowners’ Charter has helped them as they will be accommodated in the envelopment system for development,” he explained.

    Adeife explained that while the Amosun administration embarked on urban renewal initiatives, it realised that the slum areas and acquisition areas already built up could not be overlooked, hence the resort of the administration to envelopment development. He explained ‘envelopment’ concept as a system in which a built up area is incorporated into an urban renewal scheme without demolishing existing structures, and yet provided with modern facilities to suit human habitation.

    He explained that the process of urban renewal is in two phases- the major roads, which have to be in their proper shape and proper urban regeneration. Adeife noted that the road aspect had almost been completed with all the major roads around the capital city widened and properly modernised to international standards.

    “It is partly to solve the issue of slums and it has to a large extent afforded people the opportunity to have legal rights on the land they occupy and to have building approvals. The Homeowners’ Charter has helped people to avoid the long, windy and probably corrupted previous process,” Adeife said, adding that the Homeowners charter had brought more benefits and succor to applicants than the normal process of getting Certificates of Occupancy.

    So far, he further revealed, the Homeowner Charter, introduced as a stop gap measure, will come to an end after all the applicants have receive their Cs-of-O. The volume of applications received under the scheme, Adeife said, surpassed the expectations of the government such that it was forced to extend the closing period.

    This, coupled with the desire to follow the proper procedure to the letter, has slowed down the issuance process. So far, between 20, 000 or 25, 000 Cs-of-O are ready for issuance, but they are being delayed to avoid probable litigation in the future. For instance, Adeife explained that names of those to be given the C-of-O must be published in national dailies for 21 days as required by the law and if there is no objection, it will be issued to the applicant.

  • Dangote: why we introduced 42.5 cement grade

    Dangote: why we introduced 42.5 cement grade

    President,  Dangote Group of Companies, Aliko Dangote said yesterday his company embarked on the production of the 42.5 grade cement to stem building collapses.

    Speaking in Kano at a Customers Forum organised for its distributors,  Dangote said the investment in the cement grade would enable Nigerians to have access to world class cement, which will ensure the durability of the houses that it is used to build.

    He said  before the latest move to invest in the new grade of cement, manufacturers of ement in the country were only involved in the production of 32.5 grade of cement, despite the fact that they have the capacity to step up to the production of the 42.5 grade.

    He added that the decision by most of the cement manufacturing companies, to limit themselves to the production of the 32.5 cement grade  was because of government’s policy which allowed massive importation of the commodity.

    He said: “What Nigerians need to know about our involvement in the manufacturing of our latest grade of cement is that it was driven out of our patriotic duty to save Nigeria from the national embarrassment associated with collapsed buildings in the country.

    “From what we know, the issues of building collapse which is on the rise before our initiative to go into the manufacturing of the 42.5 grade, has to do with the quality of the 32.5 grade of cement that is in use, particularly, those being imported which were much more inferior to what was being produced locally.”

  • My mother introduced my wife to me –Nollywood actor Kenneth Okonkwo

    My mother introduced my wife to me –Nollywood actor Kenneth Okonkwo

    Since he acted in Living in Bondage, Kenneth Okonkwo, famously called Andy, has stayed true to his craft. Though his career once suffered a lull following his crashed marriage and quest for more knowledge, the veteran actor came back bigger and better with Dumebi the Village Girl. Ever since, his profile has been on the rise. In 2013, he was honoured with the AMAA Recognition Award for his contribution to Nollywood.  In this interview with MERCY MICHAEL, he talks about his marital life and career, among other things.  

    You come across like a very blunt person, are you?    In my family, they would tell you that if I have a problem with anyone, they can pass judgment once they have heard my own side of the story. Anything you say that is contrary to what I say is a lie. That is the truth and I wouldn’t say anything that will favour me. I will say it just the way it is; and then, I will apologise where necessary. So, that is just the kind of person I am. The truth is the truth. Yes, it may hurt sometimes, but when you tell the truth, you have done your best. Even if someone gets mad at me for saying what I said, he or she will come around. But unfortunately, there are situations in which by the time they come around, you would have moved on.

    It is said that you charge as high as N2m per movie. Could you react to this?

    Well, I wouldn’t want to discuss my fee because you are being unfair to me. You don’t go and ask a civil servant how much he or she is earning. But the fact remains that from Living in Bondage Part 2, I have been earning what I love to earn. It is satisfying; it is just good enough because we are in Nigeria.

    By next month, I will be due to make a movie, Eye of the Eagle, in the United States. It is a very fantastic story and you will fall for it.

    Is it a Nigerian/Hollywood production?

    Yes, Nigerians are involved. Basically, it is by a Nigerian over there and he wants to do a collaboration work with Hollywood. So, that is why we are going to do it there.

    You’re one of the best actors in Nollywood. So, what are those qualities that stand you out?

    Should I not allow you to answer that (Laughs)? If you put it to me, I will say thank you for saying nice things about me. But I think it is basically the grace of God. There is this thing about charisma, which is a gift. I’ve seen a lot of actors and actresses who act very well, but are not being liked. You see, likeability is different from the acting and I think that’s a gift. I think the grace of God contributes a lot to entertainment. You see, before Living in Bondage, Nigerians would not even want to be patient enough to watch a local movie. I went to one video shop and the man had this inscription: “No local video is allowed here”. But immediately Living in Bondage came out, though we didn’t even advertise it, it was like there was an outcry. People were rushing to buy it. And with all due respect, it was the story of my character from beginning to the end. So, you can see the likeability. The real first one that came out was not subtitled. But Hausa and Yoruba people wanted it subtitled because they loved everything about it. So, we had to take it back to subtitle it. Likeability! So, that’s the grace of God, working in its highest form. And I’m grateful to God almighty for that. What can I do?  What can I say? I didn’t contribute anything to the way I look or the way I talk. I didn’t go to any school of Theatre Arts. But I always carry myself into any movie and I am just accepted. That’s the grace of God. Then, do you know the secret of my success? I read a lot, think a lot and work a lot! That’s what Henry Ford told the businessmen who wanted to be successful.

    So, when you are not on screen, what do you do?

    I read a lot and I’m a born-again Christian now. I wasn’t a good guy from birth. So, that helped me also to cut out a lot of frivolities and I keep praying to God that I fall not into temptation. Also, I pray that ladies do not lead me into temptation because the beautiful ones are coming out every day! You don’t just need prayers only, but you need to do the biblical injunction too.

    At what point did you become a born-again Christian?

    It was in 1994. You know, when you think that material things, fame and fortune will make you happy and God deposited all these things in you, yet you are not happy, then, you just know that there is a vacuum.  God must be interested in me. The story of my salvation is determined by the God Almighty. I just knew that truthfully without Him, I can’t do anything.

    Do you have any regrets regarding your past life?

    No! I don’t have any regrets about the things I did. When I was doing them then, I was enjoying it; so, I have no regrets. I thought I was having fun.

    You are very stylish. What informs your style?

    I think by nature, I’m just stylish.

    Though the way you walk is stylish, I think it is not natural…

    The truth is that, if not that people are saying it, and everybody is saying the same thing, I would have argued that it’s not true.  That is the way I’ve always walked from day one. As a matter of fact, at times, I try too hard not to walk that way. But once my mind gets off it, I just return to it.

    You must have a lot of admirers. How do you cope with your female fans? 

    What can I say? I just try to be nice to them.  I relate to some of them as very good friends.

    How do you handle the persistent female fans?

    How are you sure that there are persistent ones (laughs)? Hmm! One of the best things that God made on earth is the woman. There is something about them. They know more than we think. They know the sincerity of your heart. When you’re very honest to them, they will see the real thing God has deposited in them. Some of them may feel hurt when you say no, but they will understand, especially when they know that you mean it and your standard is the same for everybody. And that initial feeling of hurt will transform into big love, respect and truth. When you get your act right with women, you will know that they are the sweetest things on earth. If you start messing with women, you can only have one at a time and eventually it will limit a lot of things for you. But when you’re good to them, without asking for anything in return, you have all of them at a time. Women have a way of contributing to a man’s success, if they know you are genuine. And so, I’m having a very good relationship with them now. But, at the initial stage, it was bumpy. However, it later became beautiful.

    How has marriage helped to stabilise you?

    Since I got married, I have not had carnal knowledge of any other lady. But I have been very close to it. But with Jesus Christ helping me, it has not happened.

    Since when?

    2007.

    What do you love most about her?

    She’s very beautiful and very brilliant. She also understands me. And more importantly, she loves me very well.

    Sorry to take you back, you must be a strong man not to have played ‘side-betting’ since 2007…

    (Cuts in) For what ‘side-betting’ is (pauses)… But you know, as an actor, she understands. I don’t count the ‘peripheral’ thing that we even do publicly, but I mean the real thing.

    Are there not times that you guys act to things and you get some feelings for the person?

    You get used to what you are a professional in. It is like asking a doctor, ‘Don’t you get tickled?’ Doctors are even closer than us.

    Every chance you get, you celebrate your present marriage…

    (Cuts in)The only thing I’m going to say is that this is the real time that I have a privilege to settle down with a woman and marry her. This is really the first time that I can tell you that I settled down in a marriage made for two of us without any third party.  As a human being, I have very soft spot for women. That’s known. I have not brutalised any woman since my adult age and the facts are there. So, anybody telling you that I brutalised anybody is telling you a lie. But I’ve always told people that I am not going to put my neck for my enemy to cut it off. I have said it before and I am saying it again. If you leave at the mercy of your enemy, you are simply making your enemy merciless. So, the mere fact that I have not placed my neck for anybody to cut it off does not mean that I have anything against anybody.

    How do you reconcile the fact that you are born-again and you are divorced?

    I don’t want to go into that. But there is nothing contradictory about it. Any relationship that you get into that is made of more than one person, the destiny of that relationship does not lie in your hands alone. That’s why we are men. We are not God. And I’m not the kind of man who wants to live a lie or live in lie. A lot of people are separated and are doing certain things, but they will come out and pretend they are not doing anything. I know myself. I know the limit of what I can sustain and with my profession. So, I know I can’t stay alone for a long while without really messing up. You know the Bible says that it is not good for a man to be alone.

    So, how do you cope now, since you are always on locations?

    What does it take? If I’m in London and I feel so, I can fly in, see my babe and fly back to location (laughs). At times, I would be on location and after a while, I will scream, ‘Hey! Hey! I just have to go home. I don’t know how my body is feeling.’ I’m that straight forward. I will announce it in the public. And if I don’t run that time, something will happen.

    How did you meet her?

    She is from my place. You know what? This is the truth of how it happened. It was my mother who introduced her to me.  My mother sat down and said to some people: “If there is anybody who should have a problem in his marriage, it should not be this boy. I can vouch that this guy is a Christian and a born-again one.” So, when my mother saw this lady and she knows my ‘spec’, she called me and said she had seen a lady I would marry. My mother is a very fashionable and beautiful woman. I was like, ‘Me?’But she wasn’t aware of it. And I’m like, this one that my mother is talking like this. Then, she started enticing me, telling me about her physical attributes and so on. Then, I got interested. I called her and the rest is history. I talked to her in a manner that she just couldn’t let me go. She has been known in my town as a very decent lady. My mother has eagle eyes; and since I’ve been with her, it’s been bliss.

    But you were not born-again when you were married the first time?

    I was. I got born-again in 1994 and I got married 2000. I can tell you another thing: from the time I got born-again till I got married, I didn’t have a carnal knowledge of any woman. And that’s me. When I am here, I am here. That doesn’t mean I don’t get tempted; I do. But I have told you the secret. When I can’t hold my body, I run away.

     

  • NCAA: why we introduced new charges

    The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has said the need to comply with the new civil aviation regulations is among the reasons it introduced the general aviation charges for non-scheduled commercial operators.

    The new charges, it was learnt, would replace previous charges, such as the landing and parking fees, the en route navigational charges and the passenger service charge.

    The NCAA has also listed 26 airlines as those registered with Airline Operator Certificate (AOC).

    Among the airlines are: Aero Contractors Company Nigeria Limited, Allied Air Limited, Arik Air Limited, Associated Aviation Limited and Atlantic Aviation Limited.

    Others are: Bristow Helicopters Nigeria Limited, Caverton Helicopters, Chanchangi Airlines Limited, Dana Airlines, Dornier Aviation Nigeria AIEP Limited, First Nation Airways (SS) Limited and Hak Air Limited.

    This list also includes IRS Airlines Limited, Jed Air, Kabo Airlines Limited, King Airlines and Travel Limited, Max Air Limited, Med View Airlines Nigeria Limited and Odengene Air Shuttle Services Limited.

    Overland Airways Limited, Pan African Airlines Nigeria, Skybird Air, Skyjet Aviation Services Limited, Skypower Express Airways Nigeria Limited, Topbrass Aviation Limited and West Link Airways also made the list.

    The Coordinating General Manager, Corporate Communications for Aviation Agencies, Yakubu Dati, spoke yesterday in Lagos on the list and related matters.

    He said aircraft registered in Nigeria, in this category, would pay $3,000 (N480,000) per flight while airlines with foreign registered aircraft would pay $4,000 (N640,000) per flight.

    Dati said: “In addition to the charges they replace, the new charges cover the newly introduced niche services for the category of clients, such as the use of the new General Aviation Terminal (GAT) facilities, including luxury VIP lounges, pilot lounges and crew rest rooms as well as refreshments.”

    The manager said the charges are based on the tariffs charged by the operators for their services.

    He explained that this segment of the air transport industry “is one of the key focus areas of the Federal Ministry of Aviation in its industry transformation efforts”.

    Datti added: “Major investments have been and are still being made to provide appropriate infrastructural facilities for their service.s”

    The manager said the charges are not meant for everybody who has and operates private jets but for those who use such aircraft for commercial purposes, including those who use foreign registered and locally registered aircraft.

    Those who operate their jets for private business are exempted from these charges, he said.

    An advertorial in major dailies said those who operate non-scheduled commercial flights are eligible to pay the charges.

    Dati said the explanation was necessary because of the controversy caused by the introduction of the charges.