The Nation Newspaper

Tag: MANAGEMENT

  • Firm unveils training programme for records and archives management

    Firm unveils training programme for records and archives management

    Dorato Global Services, a renowned leader in professional training, has  announced its 2024 international high-impact training programme tailored for Records, Archives and Information Management Professionals. 

    This year’s theme: “Innovation and Trends for Records, Archives, and Information Management: Accountable AI for Records and Archives Management,” showcases  the firm’s commitment to staying at the forefront of industry advancements.

    Building on the success of previous training sessions held in Iceland and the United Kingdom since 2016, it is set to host the programme at the prestigious National Archives in the United Kingdom.

    The training will feature two comprehensive runs in 2024, the first is May 27– May 31,  while the second is from  June 17– June 21.

    Distinguished facilitators from globally acclaimed institutions, including the National Archives (UK), Canada, the United States of America, and Nigeria, would lead the sessions. 

    Read Also: Firm sponsors workers’ training  

    The esteemed panel of experts include, Prof. Luciana Duranti of University of British Columbia, Canada; Prof. Austine Ohwobete of Cryptoforensics, USA; Prof. Elvis Otobo of Dorato Global Services; Dr  Anna Sexton of University College, London;

    Ms Margaret Crocket, Director, Margaret Crocket Ltd,UK and Dr  Monday Ashibogwu, CEO Billsbox Services, Nigeria.

    Participants can anticipate an enriching experience encompassing innovations and trends in Records and Information Management, the incorporation of Accountable AI in Records, Library, and Archives Management, advanced knowledge and skills in Archives and records management, efficient management of electronic records, and a global perspective on handling records, archives and library post-pandemic.

    The programme comprehensive curriculum covers a wide array of topics, including,corporate governance’s pivotal role in archives, records, and information management, mastery of archives and records management laws,utilising records and archives management for enhanced service delivery,digitisation best practices,disaster management and conservation, information security.

    With the training sessions, participants would benefit from immersive study tours to esteemed institutions such as the British Library, British Museum, University College London, London Municipal Archives, Tower Hamlet Local History, Library and Archives and The Box.

  • No babies stolen at UCTH, says management

    The management of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) has debunked news that three babies were abducted on Sunday night from the hospital by robbers.

    The Chief Medical Director (CMD), Dr. Thomas Agan, described the reports as “false, fabricated and frivolous” and aimed at discrediting the efforts of the institution in providing quality healthcare.

    According to him, it was sad and disheartening for reputable media organisations to carry such a sensitive story without proper investigation and fact checks.

    He said: “I have been sad since the beginning of today, I cannot believe that reputable media organisations can publish unverified report of that magnitude to the detriment of a health institution of our standing without fact checks.

    “No incident like that happened in the hospital. It is complete falsehood, fabricated and the figment of the imagination of the reporters who cooked up such unfounded stories to discredit the hospital’s effort in delivering quality healthcare to the people.

    “No armed robber or bandit invaded the hospital, no baby was stolen or abducted from UCTH. The report is inimical and at no time has such an incident happened in the hospital.”

    Dr. Agan reiterated that appropriate actions will be taken against all the media outfits that published the report at the appropriate time.

    President, Association of Resident Doctors, UCTH Chapter, Dr. Antigha Cobham said the report was “heartbreaking, unfortunate and emanated from the figment of the writer’s imagination as no such incident happened”.

    He said: “I was on call on Sunday November 25 and nothing of that nature happened. I left the hospital about 11pm that day, and I really wonder where the reporters got such information, and how why they generated such a malicious and frivolous report. It is quite sickening and unbelievable.

    “Our records are open, our books are there for all to see, and our records are very open for anyone to verify. No mother, parent or person has reported the loss of their child or baby. And from our end, every baby that was delivered in the hospital is intact and with us except those who have been discharged.

    “We use this medium to appeal to media houses to always verify their information before going public with it, because this place belongs to Nigerians and such information is very sensitive and capable of causing panic and trepidation to patients.”

    When The Nation made independent inquiries at the hospital, no one could confirm that the incident happened.

    Some mothers, who spent the weekend at the hospital, as well as workers of the pediatric unit where the incident allegedly happened, said they did not hear of such.

     

  • Lagos Wastewater Management Office gets GM

    The Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, has  appointed  Maroof Adebola Matanmi, an engineer, the general manager of the Lagos Wastewater Management Office.

    Until his appointment, Matanmi was the acting coordinator of the office after the elevation of the immediate past coordinator, Abdul to permanent secretary.

    In a statement, Assistant Director, Public Affairs, Mrs Grace Alo, said Matanmi  is a “well-rounded professional who has worked as the Council Engineer and head of the Engineering department in various local government areas across the state”.

    He joined the civil service in 2006 and had a stint at the sewage department of the Ministry of Environment before he was deployed to the Ministry of Transportation as director,  Transport Operations.

    Last year, he was redeployed to the Wastewater Office until his appointment on February 7.

  • Driver recruitment and management

    Drivers are among the most critical and vital workers in any organisation.

    They are most often the closest to their principals even more than their wives or husbands as the case may be.

    They more often know the secrets that even the spouses and children of their principals do not know. Drivers have many opportunities to terminate the lives of their principals at will.There have been reports of drivers who arranged the robbery, kidnap or killing of their principals.

    Why on earth then should anyone or any organisation employ or engage the service of a driver without due diligence or background checks?

    Sometimes ago, the Human Resources Manager of a company spoke with me that my organisation should help them recruit drivers, I told him “NO’’. When he requested to know the reason, I told him that the process I would like to go through before recruiting each driver will cost money which they won’t be willing to pay.

    We stopped the conversation at that point and he opted for the usual method. His experience with two of the drivers almost cost him his job in less than three months after their recruitment.

    Consequent upon the sensitive and critical nature of a driver’s job, it behoves on every employer to carry out a comprehensive background security checks; know the driver’s place of birth and engage his parents or close relations; Investigate his lifestyle in at least one of schools he attended lately; the last house he lived; the last place he worked; investigate to know if he had any criminal record in the past; investigate his health status before he starts the job and know his history of alcohol or drug use.

    Right from the first day of his resumption of the driving job, a result-oriented monitoring must be embarked upon to determine his need, attitude, taste or lifestyle, trend of his conversation and looks, his truthfulness, diligence, faithfulness in the handling of money particularly in the areas of fuelling and maintenance of the vehicle.

    There are several other pre-recruitment and on the job investigations and monitoring that must be embarked upon to prevent the atrocities being perpetrated by some drivers against their employers and/or principals. Motivation and discipline (carrot and stick approach) should be appropriately used to prevent counter-productive consequences.

    I want to reiterate here that driving is the most complex job of all the professions in the whole world. It is the only job that requires the simultaneous use of the highest number of body organs in a continuously changing environment.

    Drivers, therefore, must not be used or treated as animals or slaves.

    Efficient and effective management of drivers will go a long way to get the best out of them for the safety of lives and valuable properties.

    If employers or supervisors of drivers don’t do the needful, some drivers will outsmart them and cause the organisations great losses.

    In addition, all employers of drivers must make sure they are subjected to relevant and comprehensive capacity building training programmes{Theory and Practical} in Standard Professional Driving Schools before commencing the driving job. There should also be regular on the job refresher training for the Drivers as well to enable them meet up the changes in vehicle technology and traffic regulations, among others.

     

  • Towards efficient airport management

    Towards efficient airport management

    Managing airports in 2017 had its many challenges. Efforts by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to address some of these sore points, including the shortage of technical manpower and redesigning of airport security architecture, may, however, signal better days ahead for the industry, writes KELVIN OSA OKUNBOR reports. 

    Taking stock of developments in aviation in the last one year has become difficult.This is predicated on the inability of operators, regulators and officials of the airport authority to agree on the modalities for running an effective airport system.

    Besides the challenge of reaching  an agreement on how to run effective  airport systems, dearth of technical manpower has remained on the burner.

    With ageing workers in technical areas, experts said unless urgent steps were taken, airport management systems might be in dire straits.

    Consistently, the industry continue to  navigate around intrigues, controversies and scandals over the state of security at airports.

    As aviation authorities struggle to keep the airport security running, allegation of infractions to air safety continue to rear its ugly head in the face of alleged reports over vandalism of aircaft parked on the tarmac of the Lagos Airport.

    But, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) said it is navigating around critical safety  and security issues that emanate  from the airports.

    The authority said it is working hard to ensure it complies with all statutory requirements prescribed by the global regulator, International Civil Aviation Organisation ( ICAO), in ensuring that it addresses shortcomings in airport operations.

    Specifically, its Managing Director, Saleh Dunoma, an engineer, said the authority in the last one year has taken bold steps to address shortage of technical personnel by embarking on aggressive recruitment and training of aviation security personnel as well as airport rescue and fire fighting officers.

     

    Steps Taken

    In the last few years, Dunoma said over 300 aviation security officers have been recruited.

    Beyond recruitment, he said FAAN ensured that the officers underwent mandatory standard aviation  training courses  to equip them with the knowledge and trends of handling threats to aviation security.

    He said the safety officials had been sent abroad for tarining on airports’security.

    Dunoma said: “Over 300 aviation security and airports rescue and fire fighting officers were recruited in  2016 to address shortage of manpower and ageing work force.

    ‘’Key operational officers, especially from aviation security and fire department were trained both locally and internationally, to enhance operational efficiency at the airports.”

     

    ICAO safety regulations programmes 

    Last year, Nigeria underwent a safety audit conducted by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) officials aimed at ensuring that the airports are run in line with the standards and recommended practices of the global body.

    Ahead of the audit, FAAN organised trainings for its aerodrome personnel on runway markings, aerodrome design and management.

    The robust preparation for the audit assisted Nigeria to emerge  winner in the ICAO universal safety programme, scoring over 96 per cent.

    A thinktank group, Aviation Roundtable Safety Initiative (ART) Secretary-General, Group Captain John Ojikutu (rtd), called on FAAN to fix all sore points involving runway operations.

    The group called on the regulatory authority to call FAAN to order by ensuring that threat to air safety was not compromised.

     

    Airports reconstruction

    Last year, the airport was subjected to intense strain following the temporary closure and reconstruction of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja for six weeks.

    Earlier, some groups, including the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), led by Captain Nogie Meggison, challenged FAAN.

    But, the airport authority said it was acting in the best safety interest by shutting for the agreed time to enable it fix many challenges at the terminal.

    According to Dunoma, the relocation of flights from Abuja to Kaduna Airport also provided an opportuniy for FAAN to fix critical safety infrastructure at both airports.

    Describing it as a trying time, Dunoma said FAAN stepped up efforts to upgrade facilities at the Kaduna Airport, designated the alternate aerodrome. He said the airport was upgraded to Category 9 in terms of air field lighting and runway capacity. Dunoma said: “2017 was a very challenging year for airport managers, because we had to ensure that the reconstruction of Abuja Airport runway was completed in record time.

    Though stakeholders are not excited over the slow pace of work at the five international airport terminals in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano and Enugu, the FAAN boss assured that the projects would soon be completed.

    He said when completed, these terminals would enable the airports handle more passenger traffic.

    Dunoma said: “I’m okay with the state of our airports, as far as the management and running of the airports are concerned.

    “But we need to develop them further and this has to do with additional infrastructure that we require. Right now, if you look at the airports, there is congestion in terms of the traffic. These terminals were built a long time ago. For example, Lagos airport (Murtala Muhammed International Airport) is about 40 years old, Abuja airport (Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport) is over 20 years old and Kano airport (Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport) was built even before I was born; it’s about 60 years old.

    “So, we need to expand these airports to meet with the growth in traffic and this is where we have a problem.

    “If we develop in accordance with the pace of traffic growth, we would not have issues. In Lagos airport, the terminal was built originally to handle 120,000 passengers per annum. But today, it’s handling seven million passengers per year. How do we reconcile that?”

     

    Engagement with private sector

    In the last few years, the airport authority has been struggling to source funds to build facilities at airports.

    To resolve this hurdle, it has adopted  the concession model, which last year brought about the construction of an ultra-modern five-storey car park at the Lagos International Airport.

    But, this has come with a challenge as the security architecture had to be reworked to cater to the need of airport users.

    Dunoma said: “Airport security architecture has been restructured to contain emerging airport security challenges.

    “FAAN has continued discussions on Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mechanism to inject new life to our airports.

    “Cargo airports have been strengthened to encourage agro-allied businesses.

    ”We continue to work on the provision and maintenance of general airport infrastructure.

    “We have created   business friendly  environment for enduring partnerships with aviation investors.”

     

    Certification of airports

    Though  it was received  with mixed reactions by stakeholders, the certification of Lagos and Abuja airports by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) was a major feat for FAAN in 2017.

    Ojikutu said FAAN should have a mandatory runway and airport maintenance programme rather than engage infrivolous certification of other airports.

    But, Dunoma described it as a feat that should not be wished away, because it took over 20 years to accomplish.

    He said: ”Above all, we are excited over the certification of Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

    “The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has continued to drive the nation’s airports to success through robust engagements with critical airport stakeholders to ensure that its mandates are continually being delivered to the public. FAAN’s doors are open for potential investors who may wish to take advantage of the various investment opportunities at our airports nationwide as it repositions to serve you better.”

     

    Addressing epileptic power supply 

    Aside the strides accomplished by FAAN, the Lagos Airport continues to grapple with the challenge of disruption in power supply to the terminals.

    Many passengers in 2017 complained about the Lagos Airport Terminal being thrown into darkness.

    But, Dunoma said the challenge was being addressed. He said:  “FAAN fully commenced the process of migrating to a brand new independent power source, with the acquisition of six brand new generators with a capacity of 29.1 MVA at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, thereby resolving the power challenges at the airport.

    Installation and inauguration  three  brand new Carousels at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport to speed up baggage facilitation, enhancing passenger comfort and convenience.

     

    Global recognition 

    Last year, Nigeria maintained her regional leadership in African aviation when Dunoma was elected the President of Airports Council International (ACI) Africa.

    His is saddled  with coordinating  and ensuring  the entrenchment of safety and security as core values in airport organisations in Africa.

    Also last year, Nigeria hosted the ICAO global conference of aviation finance in Abuja, where players across the globe designed the blueprint for accelerated development of air transport in Africa.

  • Shareholders support Oando management

    Shareholders support Oando management

    Shareholders’ groups, yesterday, passed a vote of confidence on the management of Oando Plc for improving the fortunes of the company.

    The groups include Shareholders United Front Association (SUFA), the National Committee of Shareholders Association (SCSA), and others.

    The groups in a statement, pledged supports for Oando’s management, amid the investigation even as the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) carries out investigation on the activities of the company.

    A member of the National Coordinating Committee of Shareholders Association, Mrs Oludewa Thorpe said the company has shown the ability to provide returns on  investments (RoI) to investors.

    She said: ‘’Having worked tirelessly to bring the company back from a loss position two years ago to four quarters of profitability, it is evident that the management team is interested in truly turning the company around.’’

    Another shareholder, Mr Gbenga Idowu, said he and his colleagues have confidence in the current management of Oando, having performed creditably for the shareholders.

    He said the recent attack on the management of Oando, by shareholders under the aegis of  Oando Shareholders Solidarity Group (OSSG) was baseless.

    Another shareholder, Alhaji Kabiru Tambari, said “I am a 100 per cent with Oando Plc. I have been a shareholder since 1991 when the company was Unipetrol.  “The current management team is truly trying its best and this is evidenced with the company’s return to profit after a period of losses.”

    He said the recent attack on the management of Oando, by shareholders under the aegis of  Oando Shareholders Solidarity Group(OSSG) is uncalled for.

  • UNIDO urges govt on solid waste management policy

    UNIDO urges govt on solid waste management policy

    The United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) has advised the Federal Government to implement the National Policy on Solid Waste Management in the country.

    Its Country Representative, Mr Jean Bakole, made the appeal at the National Stakeholders’ Workshop on the Review and Validation of Draft National Policy on Solid Waste Management in Nigeria at the weekend in Lagos.

    Represented by UNIDO National Programme Officer, Dr Chuma Ezedimma, he said that Nigeria, as a leader in Africa, must demonstrate its leadership through the effective implementation of the policy.

    According to him, solid waste is a global problem which needs an effective and economical management strategy.

    He said countries were facing increasing challenges of solid waste management, adding that with an increasing global population, solid waste generation was bound to be on the increase.

    “According to a United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report, bulk density of residential waste in some countries was taken and compared, and Nigeria recorded 250kg, as against 330kg for Egypt.

    “The U.S. recorded 100kg, as against 150kg for UK; 400kg to 600kg for India and 400kg for Indonesia,’’ he said.

    Bakole said the review and validation of the draft policy on national solid waste management was, therefore, essential because it would help to guide relevant stakeholders on specific areas of investments in solid waste management.

    “This draft will also identify the key stakeholders and build an effective institutional structure, while facilitating incentives, job creation and linkages to global environment treaties.

    “To ensure the success of this policy, there must be political will and private sector involvement; efforts should be made to encourage research and development, aggressive awareness drive, realistic action and effective enforcement drive,’’ he said.

    The Minister of State for Environment, Alhaji Ibrahim Jibril, who declared the workshop open, urged participants to contribute meaningfully to the policy document, which was aimed at ensuring sustainable solid waste management in the country.

    Also represented by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Environment, Alhaji Shehu Ahmed, he expressed delight at the number of the workshop participants who were drawn from different waste management organisations.

    He urged the participants to produce a critical document that would safeguard the environment and human health against unwholesome disposal and handling of solid waste.

  • Cash flow management

    CASH flow is the lifeblood of a business and critical to the growth of any business. Businesses are highly dependent on their cash flow and must either cut cost or look for alternative funding to meet due obligations when there is delay in cash inflow. With money being tight and bank loans hard to get, company can be pushed to the brink.

    Cash flow impacts on a company’s liquidity. Liquidity means cash-in-hand and convertibility of assets into cash. A company is said to be liquid if it’s able to pay up its obligations in the near future.

    Access to cash gives company the confidence to take expenditure decisions whenever it wishes to without bordering of how to source for funds. Healthy cash flow and cash availability put companies in a strong position to make some decisions.

    Understanding cash flow focuses on the cash going in and out of your business.

    Cash management should have an organizational framework that clearly defines who is to be responsible for:

    1. Cash Collection
    2. Authorizing Payments
    3. Cash Surplus Investments

    Ways to manage cash flow:

    Effective cash flow management is important to the survival of any business. The following ways must be combined together to achieve the best in cash flow management.

    Measuring cash flow

    Preparing cash flow projections for a period (monthly, quarterly or yearly) is the first step in managing your cash flow. It is also called cash budget. An accurate projection can alert you of trouble before it strikes.

    Understand that cash flow projection is based on a number of factors, including your customer’s payment histories, finance, operations and administrative expenses. You can prepare the cash flow on the assumption that receivables will continue coming in at the same rate they have recently, and payables can be extended as they have in the past. Ensure you have included expenses such as fixed assets, loan interest and principal repayment and also account for seasonal sales fluctuations.

    Improving receivables

    Instant payment for sales made will never have a cash flow problem. Unfortunately, credit sales are inevitable but your cash flow can be improved on by managing your receivable.

    The basic idea is to improve the speed with which materials and supplies are turn into products, inventory into receivable and receivable into cash.

    Here are some techniques to use:

    • Offer discounts to customers who pay their bills rapidly
    • Prompt issuance of invoice and immediate follow-up if payment is slow in coming.
    • Ask customers to make deposit payments at the time orders are taken.
    • Get rid of old, outdated inventory for whatever you can get
    • Track account receivable to identify and avoid slow-paying customers, by instituting a policy of cash on delivery as an alternative to do business with slow-paying customers.
    • Have a credit policy in place. This policy will include items like credit terms, credit limits, credit approval, recovery method etc.

    Managing Payables

    When managing a growing company, expenses should be carefully watched in order to avoid complacency by simply expanding sales. Whenever expenses are growing faster than sales, examine cost carefully in order to cut or control them.

  • OAU PG students accuse management of dismissing colleagues

    •VC: we’ll resolve issue 

    Some postgraduate students of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) at Ile-Ife in Osun State have accused the management of victimisation.

    Addressing reporters at the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Osogbo, Osun State capital, leader of the students Andrew Segun Oguma said four members of the students’ committee who spearheaded the agitation against an alleged exploitation were terminated on the excuse of late payment of their last semester tuition fees.

    According to them, while other students, who had not paid ay their school fees were given till December to do so, members of the committee were dismissed.

    The students noted that despite several meetings and apology letters to the management and the PG College, the Provost of the College, Prof. Gbenga Alebiowu, insisted that “the apologies were not in conformity with his dictates”.

    They said: “The postgraduate students, on two different occasions, (aside other countless individual attempts) met with the provost of the college in interactive sessions within the hall of residence to extensively discuss our challenges.

    “After series of communications with the provost, which all proved abortive, an official letter on our demands, dated September 12, was sent to the vice chancellor and this was also ignored.

    “On September 26, there was a meeting of postgraduate students’ committee and the provost, which ended in a stalemate. Yet, he requested that the matter be rerouted and addressed to his office, rather than through the vice chancellor.

    “On September 27, postgraduate students collectively submitted the requested letter to the provost with a week timeline for response. During the one-week timeline, the responses we got were decision extract that addressed nothing in our requests but put the students in more frustrating conditions.

    “Directives were tailored towards putting undue pressure on students by compelling them to pay all outstanding fees, else the termination of studentship; termination of four committee members studentship among whom are students who have done final oral examination and another who the Senate had sat on his result.

    “All this response emerged just because we appealed that students should no longer be charged fees after the final oral examination.

    “Putting all of these efforts together, it is glaring that we, postgraduate students, have exhausted all meaningful internal mechanisms which have unfortunately yielded no positive result.

    “However, it has become a truth that the provost is not ready to critically consider our demands nor yield to appeals coming from different quarters but hell-bent on ensuring that students are continually exploited and made to unsparingly suffer.”

    Contacted, Prof. Alebiowu refused to comment on the matter.

    He advised our correspondent to speak with the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the university.

    Also, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Eyitope Ogunbodede, in a text message on the matter, said: “Sorry, I am presently outside the country attending a summit on higher education. The termination was because the students did not pay their fees and were also insulting.

    “However, the issue is now being resolved as the students have written a letter of apology. The PG College board will meet next week.”

  • Identity management solution coming

    A leading provider of identity management solutions, SEAMFIX,  plans to unveil an innovative data management solution named BioRegistra.

    It said the solution is a state of the art Know Your Customer (KYC) as a service online platform developed primarily for individuals and business owners with the aim of ensuring they are able to capture data, store the data, and have access to the data at any time.

    The solution allows a fully automated process that ensures seamless execution of all KYC business processes, thus enabling faster customer on-boarding and increasing customer satisfaction.

    Its Managing Director, Chimezie Emewulu, described solution as a game changer in data capture and management. He said: “With BioRegistra, the difficulty associated with knowing and identifying your customers is a thing of the past. The platform enables you to capture and store your customer’s KYC details and allows you access and to view the captured information or data whenever required. Your customer in this context is not limited to any sector.”

    According to him, the solution has an intelligent quarantine engine designed to detect fraudulent and fictitious records and prevents them from being processed by running the records through security and inbuilt validation checks.