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Tag: Major

  • ‘Cost a major disparity between high street, mall’

    The disparity between the high street and malls topped discussions at the West Africa Property Investment Summit (WAPI)  in Lagos.

    Participants agreed that the choice of the high street or mall for retailers is determined by cost.

    For long, the debate on high street or retail malls has been a burning issue for retailers as it impacts profitability.

    Retail Portfolio Executive/Head of Property Management, Broll Nigeria, Mr. Gavin Cox, in a paper titled: “High street versus mall,” noted that the retail environment has changed.

    “Starting with two malls that existed in Lagos and Abuja, that covered only 30,000sq metres, there has been an exponential increase in the retail industry. This has resulted in competition between high street and the mall. Retail is once again competing with the high street due to cost. Cost is significant and important. That is why high street challenges the mall,” he noted, adding that the increase in mall square meterage in stands at 1000 percent in the last 12 years.

    Cox noted further that rent service is higher in the malls and that justifies why some retailers don’t want to be in the malls, making indigenous retailers to want to operate from the high street to save cost.

    “The debate on high street and the mall has always been an interesting one and this is a good platform to talk about it where we have experts giving their perspectives on the topic. I believe that the insights given will help stakeholders from all sides get more on the issue,” the CEO Broll Nigeria, Bolaji Edu, added.

  • Major, soldier killed in Rivers’ shootout

    Major, soldier killed in Rivers’ shootout

    AN army officer simply identified as Major Luke and a soldier were yesterday shot dead on the waterways of Abonnema-Kalabari, the headquarters of Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State by people described as thugs.

    The thugs reportedly opened fire on the soldiers, injuring five others. The attack came ahead of tomorrow’s legislative rerun across the 23 local government areas of the volatile Niger Delta state.

    The Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 2 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, Capt. Eli Lazarus, who confirmed the “barbaric act”, which heightened tension in the state, revealed that the soldiers were in pursuit of the criminals, who he said would surely be apprehended.

    Capt. Lazarus said: “At 11 am on March 17, 2016, troops on patrol along the waterways in the general area of Abonnema had a fierce encounter with a group of unknown gunmen, suspected to be sea pirates.

    “Our men displayed extraordinary gallantry during the encounter. Unfortunately, an officer and a soldier, who sustained various degree of injury, lost their lives.

    “We are in pursuit of the criminals and we will surely get them. All law-abiding citizens are urged to go about their lawful activities. The army will continue to make necessary sacrifices to ensure sustainable peace, security of lives and property of all.”

    Also yesterday, gunmen stormed Mgbuitanwo in Emohua, Emohua Local Government Area of the state, where the Rivers East senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Andrew Uchendu, hails from, killing and beheading a 28-year-old man, identified as Ukeoma.

    The gunmen, who laid siege to the community, according to sources, abducted another resident.

    In a broadcast in Port Harcourt yesterday, the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, declared that the reign of terror across Rivers State, leading to senseless killings, would no longer be tolerated, admonishing the electorate to vote for all the APC’s candidates.

    Amaechi, a former Rivers State Governor, noted that the security agencies had been directed to ensure the safety of everybody before, during and after the elections. He urged residents to come out and exercise their rights to vote.

    He reiterated that the last time the elections were held,  members of the APC were “brazenly, crudely and violently” prevented from exercising their inalienable right to elect the persons they wanted.

    The minister said: “The same characters and forces that stole our votes, by violently denying us the right to vote the last time, are at it again. In the months and weeks leading to this Saturday’s elections, they have employed the use of violence and threats to lives as tools of intimidation and harassment, all aimed at preventing us from coming out to vote.

    “They have turned our hitherto peaceful state into a haven of brazen criminality, culminating in killings and maiming of innocent citizens.

    “It is gratifying to note that the Commander-In-Chief, President Muhammadu Buhari, has assured the security of lives and property in the state before, during and after the elections. Mr. President has graciously provided adequate security through the length and breadth of the state.”

     Amaechi, a former Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), described as “illegal”, the public holidays declared by the administration of Governor Nyesom Wike on yesterday and today, which also affected banks and schools, both private and public.

     The minister called on all Rivers people not to submit to any form of intimidation and threat, maintaining that coming out to elect candidates of their choice on March 19 is their constitutional right and civic responsibility.

    The former governor declared that no one could stop the people from exercising their right to vote, assuring them that their safety would be guaranteed.

    The Rivers APC Publicity Secretary Chris Finebone, said Wike, a former Minister of State for Education, declared the work-free/non-banking days for the polls, to deceive members of his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Finebone said: “As part of Wike’s ploy to woo voters across Rivers State, he had repeatedly announced that N2 billion had been set aside for disbursement to beneficiaries of the state’s microfinance loans, in support of PDP candidates in the rerun elections.

    “With no fund available for the purpose, the Rivers governor ordered the 23 local government caretaker chairmen to deposit N4.5 million each to the Chairman of Rivers State Microfinance Agency last week.

    “Considering the paltry nature of the total amount collected, compared to what is required, the governor and his men instead decided to announce Thursday and Friday as work-free days, going into Saturday rerun elections.

    “The idea is that prospective beneficiaries of the loans, who already have been notified, will be persuaded to still vote for PDP candidates, believing that after the elections, they will begin to collect their loans from Monday.

    “However, the government of Nyesom Wike has other plans for them. There will be no loan to be disbursed to anyone, as fresh stories will be advanced after Saturday’s elections and that will be the end of the loan arrangement.”

    The APC’s spokesman also asked all the PDP members and others, who had been promised the loans to forget the deceit and massively vote for candidates of the APC.

    Wike raised the alarm about alleged attempt by the police to arrest the state’s Chairman of the PDP, Chief Felix Obuah, before the rerun, which he described as politically motivated and aimed at giving advantage to the APC. This, he said, would be resisted.

    Wike said by declaring wanted the caretaker chairman of  Asari-Toru Local Government Area, Sabomabo Jackrich, aka Egberipapa, who is a militant “General”  the police might have  been influenced  by  political considerations.

    The ex-minister of state for Education claimed that his  administration  had uncovered  plans by some politically-motivated  individuals  to ensure  that  card readers fail in parts of the state, especially  in  his Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.

  • SEC trims staff, offices in major restructuring

    SEC trims staff, offices in major restructuring

    Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has undertaken a major restructuring exercise that cuts its operations, workers and technology with a view to improving service delivery to all stakeholders.

    The restructuring entails both a review of the organisational structure as well as a voluntary retirement scheme to trim down the wage bill of the regulator.

    Under the restructuring exercise, SEC is closing four of its existing seven zonal offices. Under the previous organisational structure, SEC operated with a head office in Abuja and seven zonal offices in Kaduna, Kano, Ibadan, Lagos, Maiduguri, Onitsha and Port Harcourt. Under the new arrangement, SEC has decided to close down four of its zonal offices in Kaduna, Ibadan, Maiduguri and Onitsha in order to allocate both human and material resources to strengthen the remaining three in Kano, Lagos and Port Harcourt.

    In a statement yesterday, SEC said the decision to close the zonal offices was arrived at because it could leverage on technology and shift resources to the use of both print and electronic media for public enlightenment to achieve the primary objective of investors’ education.

    The Commission stated that its new complaints management framework will delegate first stages of complaints management to the operators and trade groups, which implies that less and less complaints will be handled by the SEC, further reducing the need for multiple zonal offices.

    “In essence, by closing the four zonal offices and strengthening the remaining three, SEC can do more at a lower cost, this will free up resources to be allocated to critical areas of the Commission’s mandate like investor protection and investor education,” SEC noted.

    It also noted that it intends to strengthen functions such as monitoring, investigation and registration at the Lagos zonal office which will enable operators to reduce their overhead cost.

    According to the Commission, the move to shift more roles and functions to the Lagos office will boost institutional capacity and increase efficiency while improving service delivery by reducing turnaround time for processing applications. In addition, SEC can reduce its overhead cost as well while taking full advantage of proximity to operators to discharge its responsibilities in a timelier manner.

    Another aspect of the structural reform at SEC as an institution is the composition of workers by ranking. The Commission had been operating at an unsustainably top-heavy structure with a lot more senior level staff and junior level ones. For example, as at January this year, there were over 30 Deputy Directors, more than 40 Assistant Directors and upward of 80 Senior Managers. This issue had direct effect on workers’ morale as well as motivation because it inhibited career progression.

    To address this situation, the SEC Board approved a voluntary retirement scheme proposed by the Executive Management to incentivise top-level staff above the age of 45 who had served the Commission for more than 10 years and a nearing their retirement to voluntarily retire. Through this exercise, at the end of July 2015, 43 very senior staff exited the Commission, some of whom had served for more than 20 years and had stagnated for up to 11 years on the same position due to the non-availability of vacancies.

  • Missing WTF Grand Prix, a major setback, says Chukwumerije

    After missing out from the last World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) Grand Prix in China, three-time Olympian, Chika Chukwumerije admits  this might affect the country’s chance of qualifying for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil. Excerpts:

    What does missing the WTF Grand Prix mean to you personally?

    Irrevocable loss of funds, time and hard work – with the first two being very limited resources.

    What impact will it have on the country’s chances of qualifying for the Rio Olympics?

    Missing a G4 tournament is not funny at all, because winning it will send one up the charts by as much as 10 – 15 slots. It means we would have to invest more to win back those ranking points – that means more competitions to attend, extension of training time, increase in the mental and emotional stress that it takes to be focused.

    We cannot afford for our National Taekwondo athletes to miss the majors. Don’t miss the Africa Games, the World Championships, the Grand Prix, and do not miss the G-2s. If we do that and do relatively well, we will have two or three people automatically in the Olympics. It is that straightforward.

    What is the implication of this on your career?

    After a decade of this up-hill battle, one feels like giving up. Probably Thomas Edison would frown and remind me of his words that, “many of life’s failures are people who did not realise how close they were to success when they gave up”, but it does not change how frustrating it gets to work so hard and feel like one’s efforts are being emptied into a black hole.

    It is demoralising to compete against opponents who have committed resources – dedicated funds, dedicated training spaces, dedicated support training staff etc. We might be just as talented, but it is definitely not a level playing field.

    Nonetheless, I have shaken off the disappointment. There is a whole new generation of young taekwondo athletes coming up and being inspired. We must keep showing them the way through our examples, and the first example would be “never to give up even though the going is always tough”. We will keep working towards set goals one step at a time.

    What is the response of WTF to your complaints?

    The WTF did everything right – sent info on time, got Nigeria registered once we acknowledged on time, and provided the platform to engage the host organisers in order to participate. Thus, it was not an issue for the WTF. It was a mistake from the official representative of the China Taekwondo Association, and it won’t be fair to bring the WTF in on this. What has happened has happened; we can only learn from it and ensure it does not happen again.

  • EU exit would be dreadful for Britain, says former PM Major

    EU exit would be dreadful for Britain, says former PM Major

    A British exit from the European Union would be a dreadful decision that would cost billions of pounds and leave the world’s sixth largest economy isolated; former Prime Minister John Major was quoted as saying over the weekend

    Prime Minister David Cameron has promised to try to renegotiate the terms of his country’s EU membership before holding an “in-out” referendum if re-elected in 2015, which could lead to Britain dropping out of a club it joined in 1973.

    Major, who served as prime minister from 1990 to 1997, backed attempts to renegotiate Britain’s EU ties but said the government needed to be realistic about what it could achieve.

    In a speech to business leaders at the Institute of Directors, Major said Britain would pay a severe price if it left the EU.

    “In a world of seven billion people, our island would be moving further apart from our closest and largest trading partners, at the very time when they, themselves, are drawing closer together. This makes no sense at all,” he said.

    “The EU would be diminished. The UK would be isolated. I am no starry-eyed Europhile but it would be a lose/lose scenario: a truly dreadful outcome for everyone,” he was quoted as saying in the Daily Telegraph newspaper.

    Rows over Europe convulsed the Conservative Party in recent decades and played a part in the downfall of both of Cameron’s Conservative predecessors, Major and Margaret Thatcher.

    Last month Major said the Conservative Party could lose the next election if they continued to argue about EU membership.

    In the speech to business leaders, Major said if Britain left the EU, it would lose foreign investment, jobs and prestige. Outside the EU, it might have to pay for access to the single market and have to implement EU regulations without any ability to influence them, he said.

    “Of course, we would survive, but there would be a severe price to pay in economic well-being, in jobs and in international prestige,” Major said.

    Culled from Reuters

     

  • Retired major buried in Ibadan

    After a well attended funeral service at the Christ Apotolic Church (CAC) Eleyele, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, the remains of the late Major Samuel Moronfolu Abiodun (rtd.) were interred last Saturday at his Mercy Land Estate home in Ibadan, with full military honor conducted by men and officers of the Nigerian Army.

    The late Major Abiodun died on May 6 at the Unity Hospital, Ibadan, after a brief illness.

    He was 69.

    The late Major Abiodun was born on December 26, 1944, to the late Pa James Abiodun and the late Madam Mabel Ekundayo Abiodun in Owo, Ondo State.

    In a statement in Ibadan by Mr. Joseph Abiodun, the deceased’s younger brother, the late Major Abiodun had his primary education at St Michael’s African Church Primary School, Owo.

    He attended L.A Secondary Modern School, where he obtained modern 3 certificates.

    He proceeded to the Yaba College of Technology in 1962 and obtained a Technological Certificate in Automobile Engineering in 1964 .

    He joined the Army in 1967 and was posted to the Nigeria Army Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Corp Technical Group (NAEME), Yaba, Lagos in 1972.

    He attended Royal School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Bordon Hants, England, from 1977–1979. There, he obtained the British Artificer Certificate and Higher Technician Diploma.

    Major Abiodun was baptised by the Bishop of Canterbury, England in 1978.

    He returned to Nigeria in 1979 and proceeded to the National Technical Teachers College, Akoka, Lagos, where he obtained the National Technical Teachers Certificate in 1982.

    He was inaugurated as 2nd lieutenant in 1983 and promoted to full lieutenant in 1984.

    He was promoted to the rank of Captain in 1987 and became a Major in 1993.

    He retired in 2000. During his military career, he attended military courses such as: Young Technical Military Course (YOTC-5), Advanced Mechanical & Engineering Course, Engineering Inspections Ford Motors (America), Workshop Commanders Course and Junior Staff Duties Course (command & staff college Jaji).

     

     

     

     

  • ‘At ease Major, at ease’

    ‘At ease Major, at ease’

    Many are yet to overcome the passage of Major Akinloye Akinyemi, an officer par excellence, who stood head and shoulders above his peers. Many believe that he was done in by the substance injected into his body while in prison during the late Gen Sani Abacha’s regime. Last Friday, family, friends and colleagues eulogised the late officer at his funeral in Lagos. ABIKE ADEGBULEHIN AND OMOLOLA OLAOLUWA were there.

     

    THE tears are yet to dry for the late major Akinloye Akinyemi despite the burial of his remains in Lagos last Friday. Those who knew him are still mourning the loss of this outstanding office, who stood out among his peers. He is being mourned more by his colleagues in the Army, some of who are generals today. Akinyemi’s remains were buried at the Victoria Court Cemetery, Lagos, after a funeral service at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, The Lord Central Parish, Lekki.

    The body was conveyed in a brown casket; part of it was covered with the Nigerian flag, a symbol of last respect for the retired soldier. His pair of shoes; cap and sword were on the casket.

    A military ovation was done by the National Chairman, Association 13Reg/SS5 intake 1973, Major Gen Abdul Malik Halidu-Giwa. This was followed by another by the Commandant of the Nigerian Army School of Signals, Brig Gen Donald Oji.

    The body was lowered into the grave at 1:45pm.

    An achiever, the late Akinyemi was the Best Army Cadet at the Nigerian Defence Academy, leading to his nomination to complete his training at the Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst, Surrey, United Kingdom (UK). There, he won the Cane of Honour as the Best Overseas Cadet. He proceeded to the Royal Military College of Science at Shrivenham in Swindon, UK, where he graduated with a First Class.

    At the church, decorated in brown and peach, the choir, dressed in black and blue suit, rendered solemn songs.

    A bevy of beautiful women ushered guests to their seats.

    Suddenly, military salutations drew the guests’ attention to the entrance.

    That signalled the arrival of Akinyemi’s remains borne by six uniformed men, who marched into the church and carefully placed the casket on the table.

    The late Akinyemi’s profile was read by Gen Halidu-Giwa. In his biography, the late Akinyemi, was described as an achiever.

    “He was a man of integrity, professionalism, thoroughness, selfless in service, a patriot who sacrificed his life, his marriage and all for a course he believed in. Indeed your name has been carved in the history of Nigeria and the Nigerian Army,” Gen Halidu Giwa read.

    The late Akinyemi was a product of the Government College, Ibadan. He later joined the cadet unit; he went to the Nigerian Military School Bush Camp before joining the Nigerian Army.

    The officiating minister, Pastor Olu Olusakin, sympathised with the bereaved family.

    The cleric spoke on Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled – John 14: 1.

    The late Akinyemi, Pastor Olusakin said, was a diligent man who worked for God.

    “He has definitely left a vacuum in our hearts and I pray that God shall help fill this vacuum, especially in the life of his family,” he said.

    He urged all to emulate the Akinyemi’s virtue.

    After the sermon, Pastor Kunle Ajayi sang Amazing Grace and It is well with my soul.

    The deceased’s elder brother, Prof Bolaji Akinyemi, described his exit as painful.

    Prof Akinyemi, a former Minister of External Affairs, wrote: “It is natural in schools for seniors to write character profile on their juniors. In real life, it is only natural for a younger brother to write an obituary- tribute on an older brother and not the other way around. But, since your death, so much has happened from unexpected sources that as unnatural and painful as it is, I just have to write this. I have been visited by retired and some serving Generals who had just broke down for reasons which I cannot fathom. For some, it probably was atonement for what happened to you, for some, it was the agony of what might have been not necessarily for you but for the nation. For some, I just don’t know. What I know is that your death has been a very painful experience for many and for me. And now, it’s time for me to say goodbye. At ease major, at ease. I will miss you and your indomitable spirit. If you, with all you went through, did not give up, why should I?”

    The late Akinyemi’s first son described his father as a role model.

    “My father was a great man; I’m honoured and proud to be his son,” the younger Akinyemi, a retailer with Game Store, Ogun State, said.

    The immediate younger brother, deceased’s Mr Akin Akinyemi, a businessman, said: “It is difficult today to say anything about my brother because it was when he died and I listened to what people said about him that I knew how great he was. There lies a man of integrity, a man that loved his country; he fought for his nation and believed in his country. He was candid and outspoken and will be greatly missed.”

    A friend of the late Akinyemi, Mr Olusegun Olubowale, the manager of K&K Event Management, Sagamu, Ogun State, described him as a fine officer and gentleman.

    “He was my school grandfather at the Government College, Ibadan. Nigeria has lost a very competent soldier and what more can I say. He was a very gentle and amiable man,” he said.

    Lt Col G.F. Majekodumi of the 13 Regular Course met the late Akinyemi, whom he fondly called ‘Bobbylenge’ in 1972 when in Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna.

    “The then Commandant in NDA, Major Gen Adeyinka Adebayo, asked who was candidate Akinyemi? Hearing the commandant asking of a candidate, I thought he wanted to influence your selection. Whereas, I never knew you were a self-made cadet right from the time you started attending the Nigerian Military School (NMS). I could remember when you would collect machine gun weapon from any of our course mates who got tired, additional load to your own, during rigorous routine march and endurance training. I will miss your deep knowledge and lecture on the British conquest of Nigeria and various inter-tribal wars. Your relentless struggle for justice for the inhuman treatment meted out to you by agents of darkness in uniform made you to cry out for justice. This led to your appearance at the Oputa Panel with me.

    “Your ideas and desires to promote justice, fair play, equity, productivity and national development in Nigeria were far ahead this generation. You were a star that was located but was not utilised. The feat you could not make in the military was made and manifested in the Kingdom. Adieu, my four-star general,” Majekodunmi wrote.