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Tag: MAN

  • Pa Samuel Oni: exit of a good man

    Ile Oluji community in Ondo State has recorded the death of another community leader and a distinguished son, Pa Samuel Adeyemi Oni.

    The late community leader was born on June 6, 1926 to the late Chief John Johnson Oni, aka Baba Jay Jay, an eminent business tycoon by his second wife, Madam Esther Adeputi. Following the early demise of his father in 1938 the burden of his continuing education fell on his mother who was fortunately a successful trader. The brilliant young man was also encouraged by his maternal relations notable among whom were Late Chief Lisa Akingbadega and late Chief Lamikan Adelosoye.

    After completing his Standard Six education in Ile Oluji, he attended Ondo Boys’ High School, Ondo, one of the famous secondary schools in the region at that time. He completed his education there with distinction and was retained by the school as a teacher. Although he only taught for a few years he became known as Brother Teacher to a large number of people.

    Pa Oni also attended the School of Forestry, Jericho, Ibadan, where he got a trophy as an outstanding graduate. That marked the beginning of his distinguished career in Forestry. The career was marked by unrelented hardwork and transparent integrity. While serving in Ibadan, some people called him African Oyinbo as they watched his diligence to work. He related smoothly and intelligently with his Europen colleagues who were serving in the then Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources (MANR), Western Region.

    The community leadr, fondly called Baba Ibadan by relations, was a tender-hearted, humble and a highly dedicated man who could not hurt a fly. Rather than have issues or argument with anyone, Pa Oni would rather enter his room and pray for the person. He was a loving father and a commited family man who once turned down an overseas scholarship offer because it would seperate him from his young family. He spent all his days praying for his children and their spouses.

    He was well loved by his children, relations, neighbours and colleagues at work. He led an exemplary life of dedication, devotion, diligence, integirty, good neighbourliness and love to all. He was blessed with eight children and several grand-children. He shall be greatly missed.

    Pa Oni will buried in Ile Oluji, Ondo State on December 1 at his home at 57 Ajiferere Street. A thanksgiving service will be held same day at Christ Apostolic Church and a reception at the playground of Bapstist Primary School, Ile Oluji.

     

    •Oketunbi, the spokesman of Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), Lagos, is son-inlaw to the deceased.

  • MAN partners Imo, Abia

    The Manufacturers’ Association of Nigeria(MAN) Imo / Abia Branch has called for a synergy among Imo and Abia governments and the association to promote economic activities in the two states.

    It made the call in Aba,the Abia State capital during its 25th Annual General Meeting (AGM).

    It said without an understanding among them, economic activities will not thrive.

    They called for a level playing ground, which will help to promote the production capacity of manufacturers in the two states.

    The members of the group said to promote employment for job seekers, customers for local goods and dependency on imported goods, the government should support manufacturers to help keep youths off the streets and assist the government in creating job opportunities for undergraduates.

  • Man beheaded in Edo

    The headless body of a man was yesterday found at Agip Junction on the Sapele Road in Benin, the Edo State capital.

    The blood on the body was still fresh, suggesting that the killing must have occurred in the early hours of the day.

    The clothes on the victim indicated that he might be a commercial motorcyclist.

    The body has been evacuated and deposited at an undisclosed mortuary.

    Shop owners in the area have refused to open for businesses and might have fled to avoid being arrested by the police.

    Police spokesman Anthony Airhuoyo said they are working hard to establish the victim’s identity and apprehend his killers.

     

  • Man sentenced to 14 days imprisonment for beating wife

    An Agege Customary Court on Tuesday sentenced a 39-year-old man to 14 days imprisonment for contempt, following his disobedience to the court order to maintain the peace with his estrange wife.

    “The court hereby sentences you, Ibukun Oluwadamilare, to 14 days imprisonment for contempt of court for beating up your wife.

    “I believe that if you get there, you will learn one or two lessons and you will control your temper thereafter,’’ the Court President, Mr. Emmanuel Sokunle, said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the court, had at the last hearing, ordered the couple in the divorce suit to maintain the peace.

    However, the wife, the petitioner in the suit, informed the court a day later that the respondent beat her, in spite of the order.

    The petitioner, Adesewa, 33, had filed the suit in September, asking the court to dissolve her 12-year-old marriage to Oluwadamilare over battering and threat to life.

    Adesewa, who lives at No. 18b, Kayode Joseph St., Powerline, Oke- Ira, Ogba, told the court: “My husband had wanted to make love to me in the presence of our children but I refused.

    “He then beat me mercilessly to the extent of removing one of my teeth. If my husband has money, he won’t give me and the children.

    “He prefers to go to the club and declare surplus and when the money is finished, he comes home to steal my money,” she alleged.

    The mother of three children, aged between five and 10 years, also added that her husband often malign her before their children by making unsubstantiated allegation that she was promiscuous.

    “We live in one room but my husband won’t wait till midnight when our children will be asleep before drawing my pants.

    “My husband started going to a white garment church in April, and so, brings home different colours of candle.

    “He left the church we were both going because he accused me of going out with our pastor and I am fed up with all of his behaviour,” she said.

     

  • Man, 38, arraigned for N3.2m fraud

    A 38-year-old man, Chukwuma Eugen, has been arraigned, before an Ikeja magistrate court for allegedly stealing a truck-load of petroleum product worth N3,238,000.

    The offense  was allegedly committed at Rigid Park Nigeria Limited, Oba Akran Road, Ikeja on Saturday, July 7, 2012. Eugen is facing a four count charge bordering on stealing, obtaining goods by false pretense and fraud.

    The prosecutor, Samson Ekikere told the court presided by the Magistrate, Mrs. Taiwo Akanni that Eugen and others at large on July 27, 2012 “fraudulently obtained one truck of petroleum products worth N3,238,000 from one Dr. John Umude”.

    The defense was alleged to have issued a post-dated Fidelity Bank Plc. cheque serial number 07143917 of  Ellabam Nigeria Limited with the account number 4010550099 in the sum of N3,238,000, a representation said to be false.

    The alleged fake cheque

    was said to have been used to purchase the petroleum product, property of Dr. Umude. The prosecutor, Ekikere said that the offense is contrary and punishable under sections 285, 312(a)(b)(3), 314(b) and 409 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2011.

    The suspect pleaded not guilty to the four count charge of stealing preferred against him. The prosecutor Samson Ekekiri told Magistrate Taiwo Akanni that Eugen was slippery and that he had once escaped from the Investigative Police Officer(IPO),  Abiodun Saheed. He asked that Eugen be remanded in custody in prison custody throughout the course of trial. But the trial magistrate, Mrs. Taiwo Akanni granted the suspect bail in the sum of N200,000.00 with two sureties in the like sum.

    Magistrate Akanni adjourned the case to November 19, 2012.

     

  • I want a man I can feel safe with —Nse Etim Ikpe

    I want a man I can feel safe with —Nse Etim Ikpe

    Nollywood sensation, Nse Ikpe-Etim, is one actress that you can’t ignore. Whether it’s her impeccable diction or her sense of humour, Nse is a sweetheart that gets you cracked up each time you come across her. Witty and assertive, her profile continues to rise steadily in the midst of innumerable talents springing up in the highly competitive Nigerian movie industry. From Reloaded, which was her first movie, Nse has continued to endear herself to more fans and attract major nominations within the industry. In this interview with MERCY MICHAEL, the actress speaks on sundry issues. Excerpts:

     

    EGO Boyo named you as one of her favourite Nollywood personalities. Coming from a senior colleague, how does that make you feel?

    Can you see the smile on my face? It’s an honour for Ego to mention my name. I will tell you that much because it is not easy for your name to be dropped as anything. It means you did something right, even if it is in one scene. So I’m thankful. I don’t know what it is. Should I say it is the directors that bring out something in me? Apart from the grace of God, the director brings something out and then the people you play with as well matter. They help you and if that doesn’t happen then you just rely on the art itself. Honestly, with what you just told me, I’m going to be smiling for days.

    What is it you’re doing right?

    I always say that people should never rest on their oars. If you are told you cook well, you should know that you have to keeping making that food so that the recipe doesn’t change. You have to get use to it. And then you start adding little spices here and there. You learn to add these things to make your food stay sweet. It is not that you cannot cook but you need the staying power. I don’t know what it is but I cannot run away from the fact that I’ve got God’s grace on my life. I can’t run away from that. But as I said, you must learn not to rest on your oars. When I see something I’ve done before, I look at it, I find fault in the way I’ve reacted and I say I could have done this better. If I get a role that I think is similar, if this person was an Aquarian, I will make her a Libra the next time because everybody is different even if they live the same life. There is always a difference, even if they were born of the same mother.

    One thing will make the difference. For every role you play, you must find one little thing with which you connect. In The Meeting for instance, Bolarinwa, which was the role I played, was a cameo. When they give you that kind of thing, you know that it’s ok, you are trying. Looking at the character, I’m like this chic, she was stupid. She was a silly person. Everybody has stupidity somewhere in them so I brought it out. My director cannot get over it and with my co-actors, they brought it to forefront. She’s very silly. Honestly, it was stupid. I can’t even talk about it.

    Can you recall a particular scene you wish you had played differently?

    There is a scene in Reloaded where Femi, the character played by Ramsey Nouah, walks into the living room and I am with the girl. My character dropped for a second or two there. People might not notice but I saw it. These are things I’m trying to work on. Sometimes we just have to learn not to over heighten our emotions.

    Of the roles you’ve played, which will you say has challenged you the most?

    Everyone has been challenging but I think the most recent is the one I just shot in Abuja. It is called Broken. That broke me. Mr. and Mrs. broke me to a point. Phone Swap broke me physically. Bolarinwa, having to be stupid like that, even I kept asking, is this how I want people to know me? Broken made me; see the strength of a woman from a different stand point. Having a family, yet not having one; trying to look for love, being able to tie your love and yet you have abandoned others. It was crazy but I was thankful for the cast I played it with, Bimbo Manuel and Kalu Ikeagwu.

    What was it like acting alongside Bimbo Manuel?

    It was amazing. They were two people I always said I hoped I get to work with, so working with them, I liked it. Everyone had their breaking point in it because the movie will pull you and then you will break. A man cried on set and the camera wasn’t rolling. He will kill me if I say it but I will say it. Can you guess who it was? It wasn’t Bimbo. It was Kalu that broke. And he doesn’t look it.

    You’ve been off and on set in recent times. How do you cope?

    I always give myself a break, no matter what. I do not go from one set to the next. I don’t have the power. If I have a script, I dedicate everything to it. When I’m done I rest. I cannot do that because I won’t give you what you want. I cannot pretend. If I lie, directors like Mildred Okoh will catch me in myself.

    Do you hope to delve into other parts of the art like producing and directing in the latter part of your career?

    I’ve always said I’m predominantly an actor. I want to stay that way and milk this cow (laughs).

    So, are you saying it’s a no, no for you?

    Because change is constant, I don’t know; but for now, I am loving my work in terms of loving the people I’ve been working with and loving the directors I work with. I just love putting a smile on people’s faces because we need something to remind us of who we are. That is what the art does for you. Acting reminds you that things have happened and things can happen. It is a constant reminder. Sometimes, these are the only things that people have to put a smile on their faces. So for me, that’s it.

    Everyone has had one good thing to say about the movie, The Meeting. Let’s have your take on it?

    There have been romantic comedies but this one is satirical. There is no character you will not identify with because there is always a Makinde in someone’s office, there is always an Ejira, that girl that is very around. She’s playful, she’s almost innocent yet she knows what she wants. Then, there is always a Bolarinwa, check all these offices, there is always that Bolarinwa that will come in, there is always that Clara Ikemba, there is always that receptionist that will either make or mar your life. There is always a big man. The Meeting was like the man in the mirror. You look at it and you go like, ‘Oh! That’s me. I should change.’ It will make you laugh. It doesn’t condemn you because we are not saints, yet it says this is what we are doing. Let’s look into ourselves and make the right decision, make it right but with a laugh basically.

    Before now, you had your perception about up-comers. Did it change after working with Femi Jacobs and Linda Ejifor?

    I will be very honest with you, I saw Ejira as different from Bimbe, the role she plays in Tinsel. Makinde plays the psychedelic lawyer in Tinsel. I saw him then, I saw a guy play a 40’s role. He walked in a funny way, he reacted in a funny way and I said, ‘Aunty May, where did you get him from?’ I had to ask. I’d watched him literally just blow out of proportion. You see intensity and you are like wow! Good! Our industry needs it. We need faces. We need new people because work is coming. It’s a new Nollywood so there has to be a lot more than we have, because the truth is, we’ve got talents in Nigeria. The question is, do they have a platform to be recognised? Who is willing to take that risk? Rita took that risk and no matter what, I am thankful for them. I was given a chance literally in Reloaded but I was supported by all the A-listers. I came out and there it was, Reloaded. Now, they’ve come out. They have all the other actors, Basorge, Kate Henshaw, Rita Dominic, Chinedu Ikedieze, Chika Chukwu, and then there is poor me there. We all worked and it was amazing.

    Do you think that the fact that they had a platform like Tinsel did the magic?

    You will never lock talent up, no matter who you are. Talent will rise above everything. What makes it shine is attitude but you can’t lock talent up. You see it, you know it is talent. Even if they had not been in Tinsel, even if I had not seen them anywhere, I would have being wowed. For Linda, she’s willing to learn. She doesn’t think she knows it all. If people who have been there before don’t think they know all, then they will learn a lot more than they know. It is the same with Femi.

    So I’m happier than they are for what they have because I literally come from that kind of thing. I was born of that. I know what it is like. When you have the support of the cast, you have a support of the director and the producer, the sky is just your limit.

    Unlike TV, we don’t get to watch movies all the time. I’m sure your fans are waiting to see you on soap…

    One day, maybe one day, you will get to see more of me. There are talks but when the talk sweet we go do am.

    Tell us your experience in Phone Swap

    I played Mary (laughs). You know, you have these girls who come to school but you know they are local. They have a degree but they are local. They do not even know how to use fork and knife because that is not how they were brought up. You know those girls, Agaracha. They don’t know anything. That was Mary. Now, Mary now sees the other side. She’s now trying to form like I can use fork and knife. She was exposed to these things but she didn’t know it. It wasn’t her way of life. Yes, I liked it.

    On those days when you are stressed out, what calms you?

    Cooking calms me a lot. When I can’t sleep at night, I cook. I read a lot. I think that no knowledge is ever lost and reading brings a wealth of knowledge. If you constantly go there you can never lack. One thing I pray for is that our generation, the one after me actually, I’m hoping, will tell our kids to read.

    My parents did that. They helped me to do that. I remember someone saying that I speak well. Them no dash me. I read a lot. I see a word I don’t know, I mark it down. I say to myself what does it mean. What’s its origin? Is it Greek? Is it French? Those are the questions I ask myself. So when you know these things when you are pronouncing it, it’s as if your father is a professor. Sometimes, I hang out with my friends. It’s therapeutic when I talk to my friends and let go of my fears. I also like to be alone a lot of the time, which is funny. I can just lie on the bed and just stay there.

    What makes someone earn your friendship?

    Honestly, you know friendship is two ways but I always say for you to be able to be my friend and I your friend, I must be able to make excuses for you. It means I will not judge you ever. No matter what you do, I will see why you did it from your stand point. Even if it’s wrong, I will understand why you did it because you had told me. I will trust you for it. For instance, I might not see you all the time but we are very close. Some people will take offence; our friendship will cease to be. I have friends I don’t see, the day we see, we continue where we stopped.

    They do not judge. They do not feel bad. As my friend, if you feel I’ve done wrong, do not judge, call me to ask me and I will explain why I did it. That’s what I owe you and that’s what you owe me. Friendship is not about getting up and shouting, ha na my paddy then tomorrow I go away. I don’t like to have surface friendships. I like to have friends and if they are my friends I will keep the circle small. That’s fine! But I can have acquaintances. I have people I talk to. I can laugh with anybody. At the same time I don’t have to laugh because not every day is okay for laughter.

    As regards marriage, do you have reservations about certain tribes?

    No, I don’t. I just think a good man is a good man.

    There was a time you said it’s difficult to get a good man; do you still have that notion?

    Is it not hard? I’ve checked it; all the good ones are taken. All the ones that have light shining on them are not the ones I’m looking for. I’m just waiting for the one that God will pop up and I will just say, hey! I’m right here. I think a relationship starts with having a friend. It starts with friendship, you get to know someone eventually something can happen or will not happen. You cannot force anything. You cannot say because society says it, then I must be married. What dirty respect? What if the man doesn’t even respect me? I want the society to respect me. Which one is more important at this point in time?

    We know a lot of them are taken, but is that to say you haven’t seen any good one?

    So I should go and collect somebody’s boyfriend now?

    Exactly what are you looking for in a man?

    You know when I find that thing I will tell you. I’ve said all sorts in different interviews but I think over the years I just streamlined it, I want a man who I can feel safe with. It’s not about money. But a man that you know has your back. That’s enough.

    What about the biological clock…?

    My biological clock is not ticking anymore. I stopped it from ticking and when I want it I will tell it to start (laughs). I’m in control of this thing men.

  • Man arrested with huge cash, list of beneficiaries

    Man arrested with huge cash, list of beneficiaries

    A man was on Saturday arrested by a combination of police and soldiers in Ondo town with huge cash and list of beneficiaries.

    The man, who identified himself as Samuel Oni, was arrested at exactly 12:30pm at Oke- Itunu, Akure Motor Park, in the town.

    Voters waiting to cast their votes at the polling units raised the alarm after sighting the list, party agents brochure and the huge cash in his hands with suspicious moves.

    They alleged that he wanted to start distributing the cash to electorate to buy votes for a candidate.

    Policemen at the polling units as well as soldiers stationed at the Yaba Junction swooped on the suspects and arrested him.

    The suspect confessed to be an agent of the Peoples Democratic Party and explained that the huge cash was feeding allowance for party agents.

    He was beaten by the voters before security agents took him away.

    The crowd, however, rejected attempt by the police to take him away, expressing doubts that justice would be done in his case.

    He was later whisked away by gun-trotting soldiers in a Ford van marked NA 929BOS at about 1:00pm.

     

  • MAN, firm partner on IFRS

    Akintola Williams Deloitte (AWD) and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) have concluded a one-day seminar on assisting Small and Medium Enterprises to achieve the International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) implementation. The IFRS will take effect from January, next year.

    The IFRS are principles-based standards, interpretations and framework adopted by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) that requires disclosure on a range of issues including risk management measures and changes in accounting policy.

    The IFRS Leader for Deloitte West and Central Africa, Oduware Uwadiae, said there are benefits and challenges of IFRS reporting for SMES. He listed them to include IFRS conversion process and the need for early preparation.

    A statement said MAN has approached Akintola Williams Deloitte to take the seminar to other regions in Nigeria, where its other SME members, who could not attend, are Deloitte is also partnering with MAN after signing a Memorandun of Understanding (MoU) to organise elaborate training and assist in IFRS implementation for all SMEs under the platform of MAN.

    The seminar, which was hugely applauded by participants and stakeholders, was the third phase of the adoption of IFRS in Nigeria. It highlighted the need to create awareness and sensitise participants.

    According to the roadmap for IFRS adoption in Nigeria, this phase of the adoption, statutorily requires SMEs to issue financial statements based on the framework of IFRS for SMEs at the end of 31st December, 2014. This effectively means that the transition date to IFRS for all SMEs in Nigeria is January, 2013.

  • Adeosun: Nigeria has lost another patriotic man

    Prominent Nigerians gathered yesterday at Our Saviour’s Church for the Commendation Service held in honour of the Chairman of National Pension Commission, Chief Oluwole Alani Adeosun, who died on September 14 in India.

    The church’s vicar, Ven. Igein Isemede, said “Baba was a member of the 11’o clock service, which he attended promptly.”

    Many spoke about the late Adeosun’s patriotism and industrial spirit that propelled him to the top echelon of Nigeria’s financial sector.

    The vicar said the league of patriotic Nigerians was diminishing.

    At the Service of Songs held for the former President of Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi joined hundreds others to honour the deceased.

    As a former First Bank Managing Director credited with the bank’s auspicious period, it was not surprising the gathering was fairly a First Bank community, as many officials of the bank, led by the Managing Director, Bisi Onasanya, converged, at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island to honour him.

    A former First Bank official, Rev. Akpoghene Okoro of Our Saviours Church, who delivered the brief but poignant homily, reminded the congregation of their mortality.

  • MAN disputes NACCIMA’s claim on 800 shut firms

    MAN disputes NACCIMA’s claim on 800 shut firms

    ‘Real sector’s contribution to GDP about 4%’

    Did 800 companies close shop in the country between 2009 and last year?

    This puzzle remains unravelled as the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce , Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) are expressing divergent views on the issue.

    At a zonal workshop on economic diversification organised by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission(RMAFC) in Asaba, Delta State,on September 11, NACCIMA President, Dr Ademola Ajayi said the companies closed shop because of the harsh operating business environment .

    Ajayi said more than half of the surviving firms had been classified as ailing , thereby posing danger to the survival of the manufacturing industry.

    He blamed the continued decline in the manufacturing sector on political and economic factors, citing poor infrastructure and epileptic power supply as impediment to the industry.

    “The manufacturing industry as a whole operates on more than 70 per cent of energy it generates; using generators and operating these generators greatly increases the cost of manufacturing goods,” he said.

    Other problems in the sector , he said, include incessant increase in the price of petroleum products , multiple taxation , smuggling and inadequate access to finance, both local and abroad.

    But MAN President Mr Kola Jamodu said the association was not aware of the closure of the firms.

    Explaining at the presentation of the blueprint for “The accelerated development of manufacturing in Nigeria”, in Lagos, Jamodu said while the business environment could be said to be harsh, the government is supporting the manufacturing sector through reforms including intervention funds.

    According to him, government is committed to good governance and sustainability of the current reforms, which have improved the sector.

    Jamodu said manufacturing contributes a paltry four per cent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), adding that in other developed countries the sector’s contribution to the GDP averages 46 per cent.

    Transforming the sector to a dynamic and virile , he said, is part of the strategy of Vision 20:2020, which envisages long-term intensification of the industrialisation process and movement towards a knowledge- driven economy.

    According to MAN’s projection, the sector’s contribution to GDP can leap-frog to between 15 and18 per cent in three years if the recommendations in its blueprint are considered and implemented. The blueprint is based on an integrated approach that addresses sector-specific issues and recognises the important role of manufacturing, particularly Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in employment generation.

    He said: “The articulation of this blueprint is to provide government with proposals on policies that, if implemented, could help to position the manufacturing sector for greater performance and fast-track the realisation of the national vision of becoming one of the top 20 economies by 2020.”

    Jamodu said the sector still faced a number of challenges which had whittled down its productive capacity and hampered its job creation potential.

    Jamodu said although some critical aspects of the agenda had been adopted, the public presentation of the report was aimed at ensuring that the trend of positive activism is sustained in the implementation of all measures needed to restore manufacturing to its rightful position.

    He said actions that would enhance the productive capacity and capacity utilisation of the various sub-sectors of manufacturing needed to be taken to ensure that the sector played its role of job creation, poverty reduction and economic development.

    He said: “The current administration in the country is working on some of the addressed problems. We are all concerned about the fortune of manufacturing because it is the only sector, whose prospect can determine the fortunes of the people and the economy. A healthy manufacturing sector means more jobs for the people, and less poverty in the land.”

    A research economist with MAN, Mr Toyin Durowaye, in a presentation, said the imperative of a research-based analysis of the problems of the sector could not be overemphasised in view of the sector’s importance.

    He said manufacturing, as a critical sector, needed deserved attention because of its central role in economic repositioning.

    “The only way to solve problems in a sustainable way is to encourage manufacturing to thrive. Manufacturing is the only sector that has the capacity to generate the most jobs and ensure economic turnaround,” he said.