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Tag: MAN

  • MAN seeks stable exchange rate window

    Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has urged government to create an exchange rate window that is less volatile than the current inter-bank, through which manufacturers source foreign exchange (forex).

    The group said this should be continued until the economy is diversified to a level where it can provide the needed industrial raw-materials, adding that there should also be collaboration between the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and MAN to identify items excluded from the market which are material inputs for manufacturers. This is to ensure continuous existence of factories and their social benefits of employment generation and improvement in the wellbeing of the citizens.

    Its President, Dr. Franks Udemba Jacobs who spoke in Lagos also canvassed the imposition of Import Adjustment Tax of 20 per cent for imported finished pharmaceutical products with HS Code 3003 and 3004 as local manufacturers have the capacity to produce them.

    He criticised the cumbersome access procedure of the CBN on the N220billion Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Fund (MSMED) and the N300 billion Real Sector Support Facility (RSSF) which he said is a disincentive to manufacturers.

    Jacobs said manufacturers are daily confronted with the effects of smuggling as a result of the porous and unmanned borders in the country.

    He said: “Smuggling along our border is yet to abate and it is affecting the domestic economy as our members are confronted daily with unhealthy competition from cheap and substandard goods from Asian countries. The commencement of the operational phase of the ECOWAS Common External Tariff (CET) was applauded by MAN as it was considered to be an antidote to curtailing the challenges of cross border smuggling that has been the bane of industrial development in the country. However, the initial stage was almost marred with difficulty in clearing processes and unnecessary delay of goods at the Ports resulting in attendant high demurrage.”

    MAN president said he hopes that as the Nigerian Custom Service (NCS) gets accustomed with, and proficient on the CET procedures, the delay in clearing the process will be greatly reduced.

    Government should revisit the implementation of the power sector reform with a view to easing out the current stagnation and making the sector functional.

    He said: “It was observed that within the CET framework, imported finished pharmaceutical products attract zero per cent duty while imported pharmaceutical input materials attract between five and 20 per cent duty. The implication of this tariff arrangement is that locally produced medicines will be more expensive than imported ones.”

    He said if this is not addressed, it could lead to the closure of pharmaceutical industries and retrenchment of workers.

    Furthermore, he called for deliberate policy to encourage more investment on electricity generation as daily output still hovers around a meagre 4000 megawatts (Mw), which is rather abysmal within the context of the huge electricity demand of the economy.

    There is need to move the economy away from dependence on oil in order to make the economy overcome its current vulnerability to oil in order to make the Nigerian economy overcome its current vulnerability to oil export price volatility. It is, therefore, necessary to pursue rigorously the key objectives of the diversification of the economy, he added.

     

  • One man’s meat

    … Could be everybody’s poison, so Nigeria must respond appropriately

    The recent declaration that processed meat and red meat are linked to the occurrence of cancer is a stark reminder of the need for Nigeria to fully enforce its regulations regarding the importation of processed foods, nutritional and dietary standards, and consumer protection laws.

    The International Agency for Research in Cancer (IARC), an agency of the World Health Organisation (WHO), claims that processed meats like ham, bacon, sausages and hot dogs can increase the risk of colorectal cancer. The agency also stated that the consumption of red meat such as beef, lamb and pork is linked to the development of pancreatic cancer and prostate cancer.

    As a result of these findings, IARC has put processed meats in its Group 1 category, where substances like alcohol, asbestos and tobacco smoke are also found, although they have different levels of risk. Red meat was put in the Group’s 2a category.

    Nigeria must respond to this warning with all the seriousness that it deserves. Once upon a time, cancer used to be identified mainly with industrialized nations, reflecting their more sedentary and indulgent lifestyles. That is no longer the case.

    There are an estimated two million cases of cancer in the country at present, with 100,000 new cases developing annually. Breast cancer is the most prevalent, with prostate cancer, cervical cancer, colorectal cancer and oral cancer also becoming increasingly common.

    While most of these cancers are treatable if discovered early, they are very expensive to treat, and Nigeria lacks the facilities required to do this effectively. The result is that wealthy citizens seek treatment abroad, while their poorer compatriots content themselves with whatever is available at home.

    Given the country’s manifest inability to cope with a rise in cancer cases, it is obvious that preventive strategies are the most appropriate response to IRAC’s warnings.

    In the immediate short-term, Nigeria must step up its surveillance of imported processed meat. At present, the country is a virtual dumping-ground for all kinds of food items, a significant proportion of which are either expired, uncertified or deemed unfit for human consumption elsewhere.

    To this end, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) must ensure that unwholesome food items are no longer allowed easy passage into the country. NAFDAC has an ally in the Consumer Protection Council (CPC), whose remit is that of ensuring that consumers are not exploited or victimized by firms doing business in the country.

    Increased enlightenment campaigns should complement the enhanced surveillance of processed meat. Nigerians must be educated on the connections between specific lifestyle and dietary practices and the likelihood of contracting cancer. For example, it should be continuously stressed that smoking still has the highest risk factor for cancer, while those of processed meat and red meat are far less.

    In the absence of the comprehensive scientific information on cancer in Nigeria, rumours and anecdotes abound, with the result that the citizenry are at the mercy of quacks, faith healers and scammers whose ruthless exploitation of the situation only worsens matters.

    Nigerians themselves must undertake a comprehensive review of their own lifestyle and consumption patterns. Decades of aping western lifestyles has put them in the paradoxical situation of enduring western ailments without enjoying western standards of medical care. Apart from the explosion of cancer cases, steep rises in diabetes, heart disease and childhood obesity show how over-indulgence has had disastrous consequences for the nation.

    It is time to cut down on the consumption of fast foods that are replete with sugar, salt and fat. Meat should be consumed in moderate quantities, whether it is processed or not. The intake of carbonated soft drinks, beer and spirits must be reduced. Nigerians should exercise more. Those who live to eat often discover that what they consume ultimately turns around to consume them.

  • Man kills brother over fowl

    One Mr Paul Unegu of Hausa quarters in Izzi Unuphu community, Abakaliki Local Government Area of Ebonyi State has been arrested for killing his elder brother, Sunday Unegu.

    Paul, who killed his elder brother in a scuffle, was arrested on Thursday.

    The victim, Sunday, was said to have accused Paul of stealing his fowls and has been warning him to desist from the act.

    The victim’s wife, Ifeoma, told sympathizers that Paul continued to steal the husband’s fowls, which she said led to a fight between the two brothers.

    She said: ’I told my husband not to go to Paul’s house because of the matter, because I know how he behaves, but he did not listen to my advice.

    ‘’Look at what it has resulted to; I am now a widow at this early stage of my life.’

    An eyewitness said the victim confronted Paul with a bottle during the fight, but later went for a cutlass.

    ‘’So, when Sunday came back with the cutlass, Paul confronted him and the two of them started struggling with the cutlass.

    ‘’In the process, the cutlass cut his throat and he fell down, while blood started gushing out seriously.’’

    Police spokesman, ASP George Okafor, who confirmed the incident, said the suspect has been arrested.

    He noted that the state police command received a distress call on the matter, and that by the time policemen arrived the scene, the victim was all ready in a pool of his  blood.

    Okafor said the victim was taken to hospital where he was confirmed dead.

  • Man hospitalised after sleeping with friend’s wife

    A 21- year- old man in Ugbona village, Ishieke community, Ebonyi local government area of Ebonyi State, Orima Onyebuchi has been hospitalised after having sex with his friend’s wife.

    Our correspondent gathered that Onyebuchi has been having affairs with the woman until the incident that resulted in his hospitalization.

    A day after having sex with his friend’s wife, Onyebuchi complained of serious pain on his manhood and was rushed to some local hospitals and a prayer house for treatment.  But the sickness persisted.

    At the prayer house, where he confessed to having an  affair with his friend’s wife, the pastor advised him to confess the act to his friend, Friday Nwankwo, following the deterioration of his health.

    He later confessed to his friend on Tuesday and was asked to provide N250, 000 to enable the friend destroy the charm that caused his sickness.

    The friend (Nwankwo) said he had been suspecting Onyebuchi and his wife’s relationship and contacted a native doctor to help him stop the unholy relationship between the duo.

    He  insisted on collecting the N250,000 before freeing his friend  from the illness.

     

  • Richard Arisco Osemwengie: The man who dared the Oba

    The Bini people in Edo State consider the holder of the title ‘Oba of Benin’, as a king that is not only to be revered, but also feared. Appellations such as Aisiokuoba, Obaisiagbon, Obayantor, Aisagbonrioba, Obaretin, are among many used to elevate him over and above other humans and his subjects. Stories abound about how Obas dealt with errant subjects, chiefs and others, who dare to question his authority or refused to obey his directive.

    It was therefore shocking to the Binis when Richard Arisco Osemwengie, a businessman and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state recently dared the Oba by carving the ‘Utantan Kingdom’ out of the ancient Benin Kingdom, after he was installed as Chief Ogiamien.

    Arisco thereafter named part of Oredo, Uhunmwode, Orhionmwon and Ikpoba-Okha, which are part of the old Benin Kingdom, as his domain. He further went ahead to set up his Utantan Traditional Council. He made some persons Chiefs and Enogies (Dukes) in his effort to consolidate his ‘kingdom’, after his controversial coronation that took place at 3:00 a.m., ostensibly to prevent attacks.

    The action of Arisco was premised on the belief by some members of the Ogiamien family that they are the original owners and rulers of Benin Kingdom. Arisco promised to provide the leadership since the incumbent Ogiamien Osarobo Okunghae was not around.

    Ogiamien Osarobo has not been seen since 1998. He was said to have left in a mysterious circumstances and did not tell any family member where he went. A Master Degree holder in History, Osarobo was 13 when his father died and as at the time he left, he was not married and had no child. He only has a sister.

    Before the ‘coronation’ of Arisco, a section of the family placed a newspaper advertorial declaring Osarobo missing. This happened barely few months after Oba Erediauwa II was declared indisposed. What, perhaps, a prompted supporter of Arisco was who will lead the Ekiokpagha battle in the absence of Ogiamien Osarobo.

    The Ekiokpagha mock battle is an integral ceremony in the activities leading to the coronation of a new Oba. It is symbolic and reminiscence of the defeat of Ogiamien by Oba Ewedo on his way to Benin in the 13th Century. The Ogiamiens claimed there was a treaty after the battle, which led to their eventual parting of Benin Kingdom to Oba Ewedo; but others said the treaty was a well-kept secret between the Oba and Ogiamien.

    It, however, appeared that a price tag has been placed on the next Ekiokpagha battle, as Arisco, in letter to the Crown Prince of Benin Kingdom, Prince Eheneden Erediauwa, demanded the establishment of a separate traditional council for the Ogiamien Kingdom, total refund of money due to the Ogiamiens from three-and-a- half local government council areas and the payment of N350 million.

    How the face-off between Arisco and the Oba will end is what has heightened tension in the ancient kingdom. Now, Arisco appeared to have been left in the lurch even by some members of his family, as some members of the family have allegedly written a petition denouncing his membership of the Ogiamien family.

    Arisco has remained in prison custody since September 29 when he was granted bail by Magistrate O.C Ojobo, after his arrest. A six-count charge of unlawful coronation and conspiracy to commit misdemeanour was preferred against him and one Patrick Osabuohien.

    Each count carried a punishment of two years imprisonment without an option of fine.

    In granting him bail, Magistrate Ojobo set condition that Arisco considered stringent and almost impossible to meet. The demand of two sureties, who must be traditional rulers in Benin Kingdom and a serving Permanent Secretary in the Edo State Civil Service, are seen as tall orders, considering that nobody in the kingdom would want to be declared an Oghionoba (enemy of the Oba).

    Arisco’s and his co-accused travails appeared to have just begun as nobody knows the next move of the Benin Traditional Council.

    During his first appearance in court, he was dressed in full regalia of a traditional ruler but at his next appearance, he did not wear cap or traditional beads.

    The case was adjourned to October 26 and there are ample indications that Arisco may remain behind bars.

     

  • Consumers, MAN, CSO reject electricity tariff hike

    Consumers, MAN, CSO reject electricity tariff hike

    Electricity consumers, acting under the aegis of Nigeria Electricity Consumer Advocacy Network (NECAN), the  Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and a group,  Say No Campaign-Civil Society Organisation (CSO), yesterday rejected attempts by the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to hike electricity tariff.

    Representatives of the groups, who spoke during public consultation on  Extra-Ordinary Tariff of the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) in Abuja, urged the power firms to first work on efficient power supply before tinkering with tariff hike.

    The commission had presented the distribution companies (Discos’) proposed new tariff, which indicated that R2 customers of Abuja Disco will have 79 per cent increase, Benin Disco 63 percent and EKo Disco, 25 per cent.

    Similarly, the R2 customers of Enugu would get 103 per cent increase, Jos, 55per cent, Ibadan, 28 per cent among others.

    But the opponents of the tariff hike complained about the refusal of the Discos to provide meters for their customers and lack of power supply.

    An official of MAN, who spoke during the meeting, said NERC was putting cart before the horse by thinking of tariff hike at a time there was no electricity to supply.

    NECAN’s Assistant Secretary, Mr. Oboma Ekoh said: “NECAN is totally opposed to any tariff increase at this moment.”

    According to him, the association did a survey in all the states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, adding that the response was very clear. “There is an outcry from Nigerians that any increase in electricity tariff will amount to very serious consequences, especially to the micro, small enterprises,” he said.

    He said the businesses of his members are sustained by electricity, warning that any hike will send them to to the labour market.

    CSO convener, Mr. Ezenwa Nwagwu   accused the regulator of colluding with the power firms at the detriment of the citizens.

    According to him, the customers supplied cables, transformers and other electricity components, lamenting that   what they get in return is tariff hike instead of power supply.

    Asked to comment on alleged inefficiency of  the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company and whether the firm still deserves any hike, NERC Chairman Dr. Sam Amadi, said there is a level of inefficiency caused by lack of effectiveness of the distribution companies.

    He however noted that “tariff is not a means of punishment. A tariff is something you are entitled to.”

    Amadi said  the firms need cost-reflective tariff to be efficient.

  • MAN prays Buhari for policies to grow manufacturing sector

    The Chairman, Ikeja Branch, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, (MAN), Prince Felix Oba Okoje, has said the manufacturing sector will  flourish if there are good policies, to support manufacturing.

    He therefore urged President Muhammadu Buhari to put long-term policies in place, adding that manufacturing cannot thrive with short term planning. “Manufacturing should be at the forefront of the economy, with a consistent, tested and lasting policy. Until we learn to do that, the sector and the economy will remain as it is now,” he said.

    Okoje said the problems facing the manufacturing sector in the country go beyond power supply. According to him, the situation in the sector has become so critical because of the harsh operating environment. Therefore, he said, operators in the sector now have to come up with good initiative to be creative and also to study the intricacies of market via the intuition of supply and demand.

    He identified the industry’s challenges to include double digit interest rate, rising cost of foreign exchange as the naira continue to depreciate against major currencies of the world, among others.

    Okoje regrets that the unpalatable experience of the sector in the area of electricity supply is now panning out in that of gas supply to the sector. This, he explained, is because the gas suppliers or the franchise owners, at the moment have the absolute monopoly.

    To ameliorate the sufferings, the former President Goodluck Jonathan, in 2010, was said to have set up a committee to deliberate on a national gas plan. This plan, Okoje believed, would have brought about the diversification of gas supplies and other associated issues by putting infrastructure in place. However, the outcome of the committee’s deliberations cumulated into a national gas price which was a little bit higher than any other price that existed around that time. Under the arrangement, he said each year, there would be some percentage increase, such that at the end of last year, manufacturers were paying between N38 and N40; a price regime he said was reluctantly accepted because it was meant to be used for four years. Today, manufacturers are being asked to pay N50 and N60 per cubit of gas, he lamented.

    He asked rhetorically: “How can we pay that? Why do they want to price Nigerian manufacturers out of market? Where is that done?”

     

  • Man docked over visa fraud

    The Police on Tuesday arraigned 46-year-old Isaac Oloyede in Ile-Ife Magistrate’s Court, for alleged N1.9 million visa fraud.

    The Police Prosecutor, Insp. John Idoko told the court that the accused committed the offence between June 20, July 1 and Oct. 15, 2014, respectively around 12.30 a.m. at Parakin Area, in Ile-Ife.

    Idoko said that the accused fraudulently obtained the sum of N1.4m and N500, 000 under false pretence from Mrs Comfort Taiwo and one Rebecca Orisatoberu respectively, and converted it to his personal use.

    He said that the accused had promised Taiwo and Orisatoberu that he would procure visa for their daughters to study in the UK, which was false.

    According to him, the offence was contrary to section 383 (1) and punishable under section 390 (8), (b), (9) and 419 of the Criminal Code Cap 34 Vol. 11, Laws of Osun, 2003.

    The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the four-count charge of conspiracy, obtaining money under false presence, conversion of N1.9 million to personal use and stealing.

    The Defence Counsel, Mr Michael Koyejo, pleaded for the bail of his client, saying that the accused would provide reliable sureties and pledged that he would not jump bail.

    Magistrate Adedotun Ayeni granted the accused bail in the sum of N250, 000 with two sureties each in like sum.

    Ayeni added that the sureties must swear to affidavit of means, produce two recent passport photographs with three years tax clearance certificate.

    He adjourned the case to Nov. 17, for hearing.

  • The Nation man buries father

    The Nation man buries father

    The remains of Deacon Daniel Adejo Akor, father of The Nation photojournalist, David Adejo, who died aged 83, have been buried. 

    The funeral of Deacon Daniel Adejo Akor was like a political rally because of the huge crowd it attracted.

    A patron of the Idoma Development Association and Igala Development Association,  members of both organisations as well as that of United Evangelical Church (UEC),  where he was an Elder, attended the event.

    Also present were members of the Nigerian Legion in Kogi State as well as staff of Federal Ministry of Work and Housing, Lokoja. They came in large numbers to honour the man they fondly called ‘Baba Lokoja ‘.

    They were gorgeously dressed in ankara, though   a few other others wore lace. The dorminant colour was green.

    The last journey of  the late Akor began from the Kogi State Specialist Hospital, Lokoja to his home town Ofante Olamaboro.

    Though the town is in remote area with a rough road, guests and well wishers were not deterred from paying their last respects.

    Exotic cars of various sizes meadered their way to the family compound. An indegne of the town quipped that the premises looked like a car dealer’s shop.

    They came from far and wide – Lokoja, Lagos, Ikom in Cross River State, Nasarawa State, Federal Capital, and the neigbouring Benue State, among others. Also, colleagues of his son David Adejo  came from The Nation. His friends also came from far away London, where he lived for years before joining the newspaper.

    The weather was friendly during the ceremony despite the rainy season.

    Caretaker Chairman, Olamaboro Local Government, Dr. Simon Onuche, described the late Akor as a man of integrity, who loved people, both old and young.

    Onuche, who chaired the event, said: “He was my late father’s friend. Baba Daniel Akor’s loved and created good relationship wherever he was. He welcomed us to his house and would not discriminate against any one. That was why even when he was from Idoma land, he asked his family to bury him here where he was born. I think that would further strengthened our relationship with the family.’’

    Chairman, United Evangelical Church in Gadumo, Lokoja, Elder Peter Atabo, said: “The life Deacon Daniel Akor lived created a strong appeal for the young, the old and all Christians. Baba lived a committed, humble and dedicated life. He loved the young and the elderly; everybody that came in contact with him commented on his godly life and good relationship with people. We will miss Deacon Akor very much if not for anything but for his intelligence and ability to recite memory verses of the bible up to one hundred at a time.’’

    The children of the deceased were not left out of the praises for their father. His first son  James described him as “a man who loved and feared God; a crusader among men and the brethren”.

    David said: “My father was my friend and my role model. He made me what I am today. He asked me to respect men, and to love and fear God. ‘Dan’ as I usually called him was a brave and God-fearing man, who never compromised his faith. If there is another world to come, I will like to be his son again.”

    One of the late Akor’s best friends, Moses Oguche, who  was the last to speak with him before he died, described the late deacon as “a brave soldier, a great hunter and a committed Christian.”

    Also at the funeral were the Idoma Youth Cultural Group, a popular Disc Jockey (DJ) who thrilled the crowd. There were folk tales and recitation of bible verses.

    Pastor of Otukpo branch of the Dunamis Gospel International Church, Sunday Onoja, called the late Akor a great man.

    “He accommodated everyone that came to him. He was an extra-generous person. Before I married his daughter 23 years ago, I had known him.

    “Since I became his son in-law. I never had any misunderstanding with him or his daughter. Pa Akor was a disciplinarian and a true Christian until he passed on peacefully in his sleep,” Onoja said.

    The burial rites were later moved to Adupi-Orokam Ogbadibo in Benue State, where the late Akor hailed from.

  • MAN requires N2.5b for simulator complex

    MAN requires N2.5b for simulator complex

    The Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, Akwa Ibom State, yesterday said it would require N2.5 billion for the construction of Simulator Complex in order to meet the training requirements approved by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

    Its Rector, Mr Joshua Okpo, who spoke with reporters in Oron, Akwa Ibom State, said MAN  is expecting IMO audit team in January 2016. He therefore appealed to the Federal Government to assist it so that Nigeria could remain on IMO white list.

    The rector said the money would go into providing Global Maritime Distress Signal System (GMDSS), Radar Arpa Simulator and Engine Simulator.

    He said: “We must try very hard to remain on the IMO white list; we appeal to the Federal Government to help buy the equipment.

    “Without the equipment for simulators training and certification, we will not likely pass the test.”

    He said the installation of these simulators would make the Academy self-sufficient in training and certification without going to the Regional Maritime University in Ghana.