The Nation Newspaper

Tag: MANAGEMENT

  • NPA re-deploys top management staff

    NPA re-deploys top management staff

    Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Managing Director Habib Abdullahi has re-deployed the top management staff, in a bid to reposition the organisation for effective performance.

    The reorganisation cuts across Assistant General Managers and Port Managers.

    General Manager, Public Affairs, Chief Michael Kayode Ajayi now heads the administrative department. The former General Manager, Marine, Capt. Iheanacho Ebubeogu, takes over from him.

    Abdullahi also approved the creation of a new department – New Business and Joint Ventures – to be headed by Mrs Ugo Madubuike. Mrs Madubuike was the former General Manager, Audit.

    The former General Manager, Procurement, Mallam Abdullahi Bashir, is now in-charge of Servicom department.

    But the General Manager, Board/Legal Adviser, Mrs Obiageli Anubi, retains her position. She was re-designated as Board Secretary/General Manager Board.

    Also affected are Mr. Sotonye Etomi of Eastern Ports, who is now General Manager, Special Duties. Mallam Nasri Kuliya, former General Manager Finance’s new portfolio is General Manager Audit, Mr Musa Danhassan, formerly Health Safety and Environment now takes charge of Physical Planning and Development.

    The exercise also affected the former General Manager, Western Port, Mallam Muhammed Bulangu, who is now in charge of Marine and Operations. The former General Manager, Human Resources, Miss. Adenike Sonaike, takes over from him

    Mr. Sunday Nwobi, the former General Manager, Physical Planning and Development, was moved to Eastern Ports. The former General Manager, Special Duties is now General Manager in-charge of Human Resources.

     

     

     

     

  • Insurers advise govt on disaster management

    Insurers have asked the government to mitigate losses arising from human and natural disasters in the country.

    Managing Director, Royal Exchange Prudential Life, Mr Wale Banmore, said one way to do this is for the government to ensure that Nigerians embrace appropriate insurance.

    Banmore said it was wrong for the government to raise money to compensate victims of disasters while insurance companies, whose responsibilities are to indemnify people would have done that without taking a kobo from the government.

    He said the government should ensure that everyone are insured.

    He said the government should help its citizens to ensure that insurance firms pay appropriate claims to the citizens when disasters occur and not compensate those who suffer losses.

    Banmore said despite the damages that the Hurricane Sandy brought upon Americans, the government did not use public funds to compensate victims because the insurance companies are there to do that. He said if government stopped this practice all parties would benefit.

    Also, Chief Executive Officer, Custodian and Allied Insurance Plc, Mr Wole Oshin, said to mitigate losses arising from disasters, the government should put in place insurance schemes and other processes that would protect the citizens against such disasters.

    He argued that nobody expected crisis human and natural witnessed in the country in recent times.

    He said such crises have started happening, and that the government should put in place structures and processes to mitigate the risks.

    He explained that the government should not continue to fund the disasters caused by climate change or man.

    He said: “Some years ago, we never thought some of the disasters we are seeing in Nigeria could happen. We do not know when it would happen next and when it happens,” adding:’ “Will we go through this process again of raising funds, donating materials and so on? “

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Iyanya: a case of management or stardom?

    Iyanya: a case of management or stardom?

    A smear of questionable character is at the moment hovering over the young career of famed Project Fame West Africa winner, Iyanya Onoyom. The artiste, who has become popular on the continent after hitting the music scene as the first winner of the reality show in 2008, began this year with news that he is being trailed by the police.

    Iyanya, who made the scorecards of rave reviews as one of the top artistes of 2012, was unfortunately enmeshed in tales of unprofessional conduct over a contract he entered with comedy big wig, Opa Williams.

    Reports say Iyanya was paid N1.7 million to perform at ‘Nite of a Thousand Laughs’, but refused to show up. And although the singer was at large, his manager was arrested and detained at the Mile 3 Police Division, Port Harcourt.

    It was gathered that Iyanya was reported to the police for allegedly collecting N1.7 million from Williams to perform at Nite of a Thousand Laughs shows in Benin and Port Harcourt/Bonny which held on December 26 and January 2 respectively. The artiste was said to be absent at both shows.

    “What infuriated Williams,” a source said, “was the fact that Iyanya actually arrived Port Harcourt on Monday, and everyone thought he came to play at the show, only for him to vanish into thin air with his mobile phone switched off.”

    In the statement written by Williams in his report to the police; “Iyanya has caused me a lot of embarrassment, as people who paid to come and watch him went home disappointed. For 17 years, we have been organising Nite of A Thousand Laughs and we have built a large followership, I will not allow anybody to come destroy the credibility we have as people who deliver on their promises, that is why we are going to pursue this case legally, and see it to a logical conclusion and ensure this is the last time Iyanya would do this to anybody.”

    It was said that when Iyanya failed to show up at the Benin edition of the show which held on December 26, he called Opa Williams and pleaded for days, promising that he would make it up with Port Harcourt/Bonny show and any other show Williams would organise this year. But again, he reneged.

    Reports say although Opa Williams wanted to seek redress in court, there are indications that the matter may soon be resolved amicably.

    Fans of the Afro Hip hop singer have continued to react to the news in the social media, with indications that this is not the first time that the Kukere crooner would be disappointing the producer of the show. It was said that last October, when a similar situation happened in Lagos, the crowd was asking for a refund of their gate takings from the show’s organisers.

    He was said to have also failed to show up at one of City People’s events.

    Many agreed that the artiste is truly talented, but that attitude goes a long way in boosting career in the creative industry. It was recalled that 9ice did a similar thing to Nigerian Breweries Plc, and despite his pleas afterwards, and subsequent refund and promise of free gig at the company’s events, the artiste is yet to regain the company’s friendship.

    “I pity Iyanya,” said a fan. “He has forgotten where he was before Project Fame, and how shortly after that he squandered all his money and had N1, 000 on him when he recorded ‘Kukere’. At a point in time, he had an accident with his CRV and was jumping into cabs,” he added. “It’s a bad management problem,” said another. “Right now, the guy is probably looking at all the money he made within two years. He is not thinking about his image in the next five years.”

  • Surprise from Kogi on information management

    Surprise from Kogi on information management

    All Kogites, long depressed by the nearly absolute lack of progress in their state, will certainly hope that the world has not failed to notice the salutary example Kogi is setting in information management. A day after ferrying Governor Idris Wada to Cedar Crest Hospital in Abuja as a result of a car crash last Friday on the Ajaokuta- Lokoja highway, the governor’s information managers addressed a press conference in which the hospital’s Chief Medical Director, Dr Felix Ogedengbe, fully and frankly explained the governor’s medical condition. He hid nothing, and he was actually believable. On the day of the crash itself, the state’s information managers also put out what turned out to be a sensible press release detailing what they knew about the crash and the effort to get the governor medical relief. This admirable sort of information management is top grade. But it is coming from the most unexpected quarters.

    Kogi State, as many analysts know, has been ruled by very uninspiring governors. And that is an understatement. The first Fourth Republic governor, Prince Abubakar Audu, carried himself regally and with such panache that he seemed a grotesque exaggeration in a dramatic piece, in fact close to a burlesque. He was active, indeed hyperactive, and he actually managed to exhibit some flashes of brilliance in project enunciation and execution. But he was also jadedly ordinary. He never really rose beyond the humdrum level, beyond what Nigerians were used to in the 1960s and 1970s. As a matter of fact, he had no concise and coherent development programme for the state which the rest of Nigeria could notice. However, his successors, Ibrahim Idris and now Idris Wada, make Audu look like a whiz kid.

    Idris, to put it mildly, wasted eight years as governor and made those years very loathsome. For his appalling efforts, he even got improbable judicial help to extend his tenure. Audu’s sin was that he didn’t create a template for the state’s social, political and economic development; and Idris’ crime was that he had no idea what a template looked like. Wada, in nearly one year, has built only a roundabout on the access road to Government House. Under him, too, local governments owe salaries, and, like the melodramatic Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, he has accumulated aides by the dozens as if his life depends on it. In addition, he grovels sickeningly at the feet of Idris, the former governor who continues to cast a long shadow over the hapless state.

    So, imagine how surprising it was that in a country so incompetent in information management, it is still this same laggard Kogi that appears to be setting the pace. This can only mean that no one is so absolutely bad as not to have even one redeeming feature. Hurrah, then, to the laggard. To properly weigh Kogi’s achievement in this regard, recall that three governors – Sullivan Chime of Enugu, Danbaba Suntai of Taraba, and Liyel Imoke of Cross River – are currently on hospital beds abroad. Chime’s people have gone to great lengths to hide information on the governor’s condition, and the other two states have made an ass of themselves by keeping everyone in the dark. Recall also that the late Umaru Yar’Adua made the country look stupid considering the way his family and the selfish crowd around him managed his hospitalisation. Then, of course, who can forget the extraordinary lengths presidential aides went to in concealing Dame Patience’s recent hospitalisation?

    Hardball wishes Wada speedy recovery. It is hoped the crash and his time in hospital have enabled him to do some reflections on his purpose in life and the weight of responsibility the office he occupies has thrust on his shoulders. Perhaps we should expect he will return from Abuja freed from any instinct to grovel before his predecessor, and that he will prune the burdensome number of aides he has saddled himself with, rejigger his uninspiring cabinet, and get the state’s abundant talents to help him draft a development template. If he has the discipline and know-how to utilise the template, and there is nothing to show he is capable of both, the state may yet become a model, assuming we are not too vicariously ambitious for the sleepy state.

     

  • Nigeria needs improved identity management systems

    Nigeria needs improved identity management systems

    SIR: May I use this medium to express my concern over the worrisome dearth of records and the dangers it portends for our dear country, Nigeria.

    Many IT professionals have always advocated that government should create an integrated national database which will feature information about all its citizenry. A database from where public and private organizations can pull information, with needed data to tackle issues of security such as criminality and terrorism is essential. Instead of doing this, government has either completely ignored the calls. For example, billions of the country’s resources have been wasted on printing of national identity cards, registration of voters especially during elections, conducting population census and many other resources-wasting programmes.

    It is befuddling that the various agencies of government such as the defunct Directorate of National Civic Registration (DNCR), Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), and the National Population Commission (NPC) saddled with these responsibilities create different databases to achieve their goals. This would have been unnecessary if a national database exists. Same data, such as name, date and place of birth; local government area, state of origin, occupation, etc are repeatedly being sourced from individual citizens during the course of his/her lifetime. Examples include enrolment in schools, opening of bank accounts, application for employment and others.

    In 2007, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) was established by the federal government as the only recognized, regulatory and institutional mechanism for implementing government’s reform initiatives in the identity sector, but unfortunately not much has been heard about the agency.

    As a regulatory and institution for implementing government’s reform initiatives, the objectives of NIMC as regards the National Identity Management Systems (NIMS)are to carry out the registration of citizens and legal residents as provided for in the Act; create and operate a National Identity Database, issue unique National Identification Numbers (NIN) to qualified citizens and legal residents; issue a multipurpose (Smart) Card to every registered person who is 16 years and above and provide a secured means to access the National Identity Database so that an individual can irrefutably assert his/her identity.

    Others include harmonizing and integrating Identity Databases in Government Agencies to achieve resource optimization and shared services facilities, collaborating with private sector and/or public sector institutions to deliver on the NIMS and register births and deaths in collaboration with the National Population Commission.

    It is however a sorry case that the assets which NIMC took over from the Directorate of National Civic Registration (DNCR) “could not be re-used” according to the former. The implication of this is that NIMC have to start all over. Nothing to show at all for the existence of our nationhood since 1960 when we got independence, no data!

    It is interesting that NIMC has, however, taken the bull by the horns by initiating the NIMS programme in 2009. The NIMS comprises the National Identity Database also known as a Central Identity Repository or Register (CIDR), a chip-based, secure identity card and a network of access and means to irrefutably prove or assert the identity of an individual among other things.

    Most importantly, what NIMC needs to look at critically is the clause that NIN will only be issued to every citizen from the age of 16 years and above. Does it mean that those under 16 are not Nigerians? NIMC should ensure that there should be no age restriction in obtaining NIN. Once a child is born into a hospital, he/she should be registered and enrolled into the NIMS and issued a NIN immediately to reduce the accumulation of those that are supposed to register and would help in monitoring each citizen, right from birth.

     

    • Olatunde Tijani,

    IT Consultant, CEO, Leo6 Technologies.

  • ‘Micro insurance useful for risks management’

    ‘Micro insurance useful for risks management’

    The Commissioner for insurance, Mr Fola Daniel, has advised low income earners to use micro insurance products to manage their risks.

    He gave the advice at a workshop organised by the commission for stakeholders on developing micro insurance in Nigeria in Abuja.

    NAICOM has identified micro insurance as one of the financial instruments that could help in taking the challenges of poverty and other socio-economic burdens facing millions of Nigerians off them.

    Daniel described micro insurance as a market-based mechanism that promised to support sustainable livelihood by empowering people to adapt and withstand the stress.

    According to him, the Vision 20: 2020 described the insurance sector as ‘grossly untapped opportunity with low attendant of market penetration’.

    He attributed the development to sundry reasons, such as the nation’s peculiar environment, limited awareness and the prescriptive nature of the insurance Act 2003 as well as negative public perception by those who are unaware of insurance.

    The Commissioner said: “From empirical findings, it has been proved that low income earners can use micro insurance where it is available, as one of several tools to manage their risks.

    “It is, therefore, expected that the insurance industry would leverage and key into this sector by developing the needed micro insurance products and services tailored to support, protect and assist the low income populace to alleviate poverty.

    “Let me state clearly that micro insurance has been specifically designed for the protection of low income earners against specific perils in exchange for regular premium payments proportionate to the likelihood and cost of the risk involved.

    On the purpose of the workshop, which was organised with the commission’s partners, including GIZ of Germany, Access to insurance Initiative, Making Finance work for Africa and International Labour Organisation, the insurance expert said the objectives of the workshop were to access the findings and recommendations of the country-wide diagnostic research on micro insurance and to provide a platform for further in depth discussion among various stakeholders.

  • Kudos to LAMATA management

    SIR: It is commendable when leaders listen to the concerns of the led, and take positive action to address and attend to these concerns. It shows a leadership that is empathetic and focused.

    True leadership in Nigeria has always been a misfortune. With the bountiful resources, a proactive leadership cadre in this country can indeed take up its place of pride in the comity of nations. Until we are fortunate with such, we may be like a rudderless ship on the ocean of life and nationhood.

    Dr. Dayo Mobereola, the managing director of Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) has shown to be such a listening leader, at least from my own experience. I ride in the BRT bus for obvious reasons. It is faster and far more convenient than the regular ‘Danfo’ buses that serve the many Lagos routes.

    Some weeks back, I had laid before him, a complaint, concern and observation directly to his email. He responded with the promise to see that the issue raised will be resolved. The BRT corridor along the CMS route had these huge pot holes that made it difficult for the buses to use. Rather than drive along the corridor, the drivers resort to using the regular lanes. The drive down this bad spot when used creates a discomforting experience for the passengers and also impacts on the shocks of the bus.

    Recently when we passed the route, I noticed that the spot had been filled and the ride smoother. I will like to commend the office of the CEO, LAMATA, Dr. Mobereola for demonstrating insightful and responsive leadership.

    •Stephen Ipalibo Lawson,

    NTA, Lagos

  • Management changes at LCC

    The Managing Director/CEO of Lekki Concession Company Ltd (LCC), Mr Opuiyo Oforiokuma, has been appointed Managing Director of the Asset & Resource Management Company Ltd (“ARM”) Infrastructure Fund (ARM Infrastructure), with effect from October 1, 2012.

    In a statement, MD/CEO of ARM, Mr Deji Alli, said Oforiokuma’s move was an important step to ARM’s infrastructure strategy,
    “Developing and managing infrastructure in West Africa, and in Nigeria in particular, have long been an integral part of ARM’s vision and long-term strategic plan. We have steadily and purposefully pursued our infrastructure strategy from as far back as 2000, evidence of which is our successful achievement of financial close of the Lekki Toll Road transaction in 2008″, he said.

    Alli added: “Establishing LCC, and demonstrating the possibilities in the infrastructure space, was the first stage of implementing our vision and strategic plan. We believe that we have done this over the last six years with Opuiyo Oforiokuma at the helm of LCC.

    “The next stages for us now are to develop a broader infrastructure platform, with a focus that goes beyond Toll Roads. The vehicle for that is ARM Infrastructure.

    We already have a number of new infrastructure deals under development within the ARM Infrastructure pipeline, and are observing an increasing momentum in the pace of development in the infrastructure sector within our target geographical zone.

    We, therefore, believe that it is the right time to ask Mr Oforiokuma, who has 25 years of international experience and a proven track record in infrastructure development and management, to take on the responsibility for leading the next stage of implementation of our vision and strategy in this space.”

    Reacting to the announcement, Mr Oforiokuma said: “It has been my privilege to have led the multi-talented, passionate, and highly committed group of individuals that have made LCC what it is today, and to have enjoyed tremendous support from our PPP partner, Lagos State government, our bankers, shareholders, and various key stakeholder groups interested in the project, these past six years.”

    He noted: “ While there were challenges at times, and that there are some still to overcome, we are pleased that we have made visible progress to date.

    Being in a position to now develop a broader range of Infrastructure opportunities through a credible group such as ARM, is a tremendous opportunity and natural next step. There’s a lot more to do in the infrastructure space in Nigeria and West Africa, and we believe that ARM has a lot to offer.”

    Mr Oforiokuma was appointed by ARM as LCC’s first Managing Director/CEO, in 2006, and has led the Company from inception to the present time, steering the Company along its pioneering journey as Nigeria’s first-ever Public-Private-Partnership (“PPP”) Toll Road Concession.

    This journey according to the statement, has included the achievement of financial close of LCC’s N50 billion long-term financing package, on ground-breaking terms for Nigeria; gaining several prestigious local and international awards; execution and delivery of the first two road sections of the new Eti-Osa Lekki-Epe Expressway; and building strong brand name recognition for LCC locally and internationally; amongst several other notable achievements.

    ARM’s shareholding in LCC according to the statement now falls within the ARM Infrastructure portfolio.

    “Therefore, Mr Oforiokuma, who will remain on the Board of LCC as a non-executive Director, will continue to provide advice to the Company, as well as exercise oversight over ARM’s investment in LCC. Furthermore, to assist with the Company’s transition to new management, and to ensure continuity while new developments such as the commencement of the next stage of direct tolling of the expressway are implemented, Mr Oforiokuma will remain the Company’s chief media and public relations spokesman for some time,” the statement added.

    While recruitment of LCC’s next substantive Managing Director/CEO is ongoing, the statement said Mr Mike Edington, currently Head of Asset Management at African Infrastructure Investment Managers (“AIIM”), and a Board Director of LCC, will take on responsibility for the day-to-day running of all aspects of LCC in the capacity of Acting Managing Director/CEO. AIIM, the official representative of the foreign shareholder in LCC, is a 50:50 Joint Venture between Macquarie Bank Group of Australia and Old Mutual of South Africa. Mr Edington has a long and distinguished career spanning more than 40 years in infrastructure development and management.

    His previous roles include Head of Project Finance at Nedbank, one of South Africa’s largest and most reputable banking institutions, and Head of Concessions at Aveng Grinaker LTA, one of South Africa’s largest multi-disciplinary civil engineering and construction contracting companies.

    Further changes that are being implemented at LCC include the appointment of Mr Benson Ajayi and Mr Jobalo Oshikanlu, currently LCC Head of Finance and LCC Head of Legal, respectively, and both of whom have been members of LCC’s senior management team for the last six years, as Acting Executive Directors on the Board of LCC.

    ARM Infrastructure is set up to manage the new US$250 Million specialist infrastructure equity fund being established by ARM, with a focus on developing and managing a broader portfolio of infrastructure assets throughout Nigeria and West Africa, including power, transport, and water.

    ARM, a leading diversified financial services institution with businesses focusing on Traditional Asset Management and Specialised Funds, within which various products and bespoke asset management services are offered to its diverse clients, is LCC’s founding shareholder and co-sponsor of the pioneering Lekki Toll Road Concession, currently being implemented by LCC under a 30-year mandate from Lagos State Government.