The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Managing Director

  • Buhari approves $186million to combat criminalities on waterways

    Buhari approves $186million to combat criminalities on waterways

    …Amaechi to use N100m to dredge River Niger

     

    President Muhammadu Buhari has approved $186million to combat and stem the cycle of criminalities on the Nigerian waters.

    The Federal Government has also approved N100m for the dredging of the River Niger.

    The Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi made the disclosure on Thursday, at a-Day National Conference on Fast-Tracking Port Reforms organised  by the Federal Ministry of Transportation in collaboration with The Nation Newspapers and Epsilon Limited in Lagos.

    Addressing over 800 participants at the forum, Amaechi said that $186m has been approved by President Buhari for the fight against piracy and other criminalities on the waterways.

    Part of the money, the Minister said, would be used to buy three helicopters and three aircrafts among others.

    His words: “Mr. President has approved $186million to fight piracy in our waters. The funds will be used to buy three helicopters, three aircrafts, 12 vessels stationed in the water. In the next 3 months, all of them would be deployed to fight piracy in our waters.

    “We promised change. Change is not talked about, it is felt. That is why we asked that the people should give us time.”

    On the dredging of the River Niger, Amaechi said that N100m has been budgeted for the dredging of the project against the N34b paid by the former administration of President Goodluck Jonathan for the same project.

    “When the River Niger was first approved for dredging by the previous administration, it was approved for N47billion and N34billion was paid to the contractor. Dancers were called in and there was a party.

    “We are not dredging the River Niger with billions of naira, we are dredging the River Niger with just N100m. When we flagged it off recently, did you see us dancing? Was there a party? I just went to see the Governor and told him that the project will start today and will be finished in one month.

    “The Governor said he will accompany me, and I said ok. So, I asked the Governor to flag it off since its located in his State.

    “People are wondering how on earth we are going to dredge the River Niger for N100m when the previous government awarded same contracts for N47billion. But we are going to dredge the River Niger using dredgers owned by the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).

    “NIWA has dredgers, but the previous government preferred to give contractors money to dredge the river with private dredgers while NIWA’s dredgers were lying idle somewhere in Port Harcourt.

    “The NIWA MD told me the agency has dredgers, but it’s been hired out to somebody in Port Harcourt. So we had dredgers, but the previous administration hired it out to some persons in Port Harcourt, while paying a contractor billions of naira to use privately owned dredgers at a very high coat.

    “I told the NIWA MD that I will look for money to fuel their dredgers, and work has started. That is why we are dredging the River Niger with just N100m,” Amaechi said.

    In her speech, the Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Ms Hadiza Bala Usman said are the  gateways to international trade and regarded as major accelerators of local economic development.

    “According to the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the Netherlands has been able to sustain a relatively high economic growth rate because of the Port of Rotterdam, in spite of the intensely competitive environment in Europe.  The success of Singapore is equally attributed to the Port of Singapore which has developed a transport logistic centre and has successfully been able to attract foreign investment.

    “It is thereby acknowledged that the maritime sector, an essential component of the transportation system is crucial for wealth creation.

    “However, a port becomes an active wheel of an economy only if it is run efficiently. One of the key areas of efficiency that our ports require is the national single window .I am pleased to announce that the Authority and the Nigerian Customs service have concluded the operational model for establishing the National single window and will in the next few months commence with the public tender process of selecting the vendors that will deploy the required information technology infrastructure.

    “Presently, the function of a port is not only limited to the traditional activities but has expanded to a logistical platform.  Ports not only perform the basic operations (embarking, disembarking and transferring of passengers and crew, loading, unloading and transshipment of cargo to and from the vessels, storage and warehousing of merchandise on land and stevedoring to and from vessels), they provide inland access and intermodal connections as well as complementary services to shipping carriers,” She said.

    Given the abundant mineral and agricultural resources available in most regions of Nigeria and the desire of the Federal Government to diversify the economy, Ms Usman said there was need to explore opportunities to boost economic development.

    The Federal Government under President Mohammadu Buhari, she said, has identified agriculture and Solid Minerals as upbeat and that the maritime Industry will play a major role in the movement of the produce and minerals to international market.

    “In February this year, all terminal operators and shipping companies were mandated by the Nigerian Ports Authority to set up fast-track desks for export of solid minerals and agricultural produce.  Process of review of associated existing procedures and protocols has been commenced to ensure efficiency and intended results are achieved.

    For the Nigerian ports to play this key role in the economy an efficient rail system will be needed  in moving agricultural produce and solid Mineral from the locations of production that are usually in the hinterlands  to the seaports for export.  The Federal Ministry of Transportation has embarked on a $2 billion concession rail project to be handled by General Electric which will provide the needed intermodal support.  It will cover about 3,500km (2,200 miles) of existing narrow gauge lines from the south western commercial capital, Lagos to Kano in the north and south Eastern oil hub, Port Harcourt, to Maiduguri in the North-East.

    “We are already recording increase in export of agricultural produce. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, in its Trade Intensity Index Report for the Q3, 2016, export of frozen shrimps and prawns for the period July to September were worth over N5billion; Sasame seed export was worth over N4.8billion in the same period; income from cashew export exceeded N2billion; Soya beans yielded over N4billion; Ginger contributed over US$30million

    Developing the ports is very crucial for realising the lofty but achievable development objectives of the Federal Government,” she said.

    In his speech, the Managing Director and Editor -in-Chief of The Nation Newspaper Mr Victor Ifijeh thanked Amaechi for acceding to the request to collaborate with the paper on the port reform summit.

    “This clearly attests to his willingness to make himself available for all initiatives that can move the maritime sector or ward and help fast-track the Nigerian economy.

    “We all know the problems of the Nigerian sea ports, they have been well documented. They have also been the subject of various talks. Nevertheless, until the problems are adequately addressed, the need for more engagements like we are having now cannot be over emphasized.”

    For the Federal Government’s plans for the sector to succeed, the Editor-in-Chief said the port agencies need to integrate their plans and carry along not only the stakeholders but the Nigetian public.

    He urged the forum to create  a peer-facilitated platform which can be used to make the agencies accountable to the goal jointly agreed.

    “Considering the presence of maritime experts at this forum, we are confident that lasting solutions will be provided to the challenges bedeviling smooth ports operation,” he said.

    Ifijeh thanked the Chief Executives of NPA, NIMASA, NIWA, the Nigerian Shippers Council, the participants and other stakeholders at the forum for their support.

  • Nigerian researchers win GSK’s OpenLab research grants

    Nigerian researchers win GSK’s OpenLab research grants

    Healthcare and pharmaceutical company, GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals Nigeria Ltd, has partnered with seasoned researchers and stakeholders in the nation’s healthcare sector to chart ways to improve the practice of research in Africa.

    This is in line with GlaxoSmithKline’s continuous effort to strengthen healthcare infrastructure and research capabilities across Nigeria and the African continent.

    The GSK Pharmaceuticals Nigeria’s forum on research and collaboration in Africa, which held in Abuja recently, had in attendance over 75 renowned researchers, scholars, scientists, healthcare professionals, regulators and Government representatives who presented and shared cutting-edge expertise and research experiences that will positively impact and improve the nation’s healthcare sector.

    Managing Director, GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals Nigeria Ltd, Bhushan Akshikar, while explaining the importance of the event, said that the forum provided an important opportunity to engage esteemed and seasoned researchers in Africa. He added that the engagement will help to chart a course for improved healthcare provision and posterity in the area of research and innovation.

    “Our mission at GSK is to improve the quality of human lives by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer. We can only continue to achieve this by ensuring that everything we do is based on science. This is underpinned by our over billions of pounds’ investment in Research and Development as well as our partnership with 1,500 scientific and academic organisations and other companies” he concluded.

    The forum also paraded winners of the GSK’s Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) Research Grant who shared both their experiences and expertise and also discussed future researches. Commending GSK for its immense commitment to improving the practice of research in Africa, British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Paul Arkwright, applauded the initiative describing it as laudable, “I am very pleased to be here at the GSK forum on research and collaboration in Africa and would like to offer my support to the continuing work of GSK in Nigeria. Africa is learning to cope with new medical diseases as well as major infections e.g. Malaria and HIV where GSK is recognized as a world leader.

    Arkwright also assured the Nigerian researchers of the support of the British High Commission “The United Kingdom has long been a supporter of investment in health in many countries overseas and will continue to be. I am greatly encouraged by events such as these for encouraging the development of research in the medical field.

    Two recipients of GSK Non- Communicable Disease Research Grant, Dr. Dike Ojji and Dr. Dennis Shatima presented their studies and shared their experiences with other researchers. While Dr. Ojji presented The CREOLE study which is the Comparison of three combination therapies in lowering blood pressure in black Africans, Dr. Shatima who is a member of the team researching “Pneumonia Hospitalizations and Mortality in Children 3 months to 2 Years Old in Nigeria 2014 to 2019: Impact of Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine Ten Valent (PHiD-CV-10)” presented the work done far on behalf of the lead Principal Investigators – Professor Falade and Professor W.N Ogala.

    The two researchers and winners of the research grant provided detailed and reasonable answers and clarifications to the numerous questions asked by the other researchers and delegates present at the event.

    The event was chaired by the Vice Chancellor, University of Abuja, Professor Michael Adikwu who commended GSK for its continued focus on local research in Africa. The Honorable Minister of Science and Technology who was represented at the event by the Director General of the Raw Material Research and Development Council, Dr. Hussaini Doko Ibrahim also buttressed the need for more local research especially in the areas of raw materials for drugs manufacture.

    Dr. Sally Gatsi, GSK’s Clinical Research Director who addressed researchers at the forum explained that the forum was borne out of GSK’s commitment to encourage innovation by sharing expertise resources, intellectual property and know-how with external researchers and the scientific community.

    The GSK Non- Communicable Disease Research Grant, sponsors high-quality research proposals from African scientists based in research institutions or universities with a scope covering Cardiovascular, Oncology, Chronic respiratory diseases, CKD and Diabetes.

    The Research focus includes Mechanisms, Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, Aetiology, Prevention & treatment together with associated complications.

  • How Lagos reflated economy to overcome recession – Ambode

    How Lagos reflated economy to overcome recession – Ambode

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday said that his administration took decisive steps, deployed workable strategies and judiciously utilised resources to cushion the effects of the economic recession witnessed across the nation in 2016.

    Ambode, who spoke at Lagos House in Ikeja when he received the management team of Unilever Nigeria plc led by its Managing Director, Mr Yaw Nsakor, explained that the State Government reflated the economy by embarking on more capital projects and also created a conducive environment for small and medium scale businesses to thrive during the period of recession.

    The Governor said: “We are aware that as at the time we are speaking the situation was deplorable and inflow from the Federal Government to the states were just not there with internally generated revenue dropping and a lot of companies were plugging down and taking people out of employment. Our government also applied judicious use of resources with our ability to appropriate as to where needs are”.

    “Technically our IGR was going down and nose diving and nothing was coming in. The only thing the government did was to reflate the economy and push more capital expenditure out and allow those at the fringe of low income level to earn something on a daily basis. That is what we have been doing.

    “That’s why you see people asking whether there was a recession in Lagos and where are they are getting money to do all those construction? You need to apply judicious use of resources and be able to appropriate as to where the needs are. Lagos stands on a threshold of history as the biggest economy in the country right now. The State has been able to create some level of happiness for the market to be able to buy products from Unilever and other companies doing business in the State”.

    Governor Ambode who also received the President and Chairman of Council, Prince Dapo Adelegan and Executives of the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce also on a courtesy visit said his administration among other things would continue to focus more on building the GDP of the State to serve as a role model to other states in the country to boost the economy.

    He said: “Like you mentioned this a year of celebration, you know Lagos is marking 50th anniversary but what matters is the future of Lagos in another 50 years. That’s something we should look at from your perspective and the perspective on investment; we should focus on how to grow the GDP of the state and create a vision where some years later we will be able to comment that our partnership today established an example of what a typical state should be for the rest of the country in terms of development and economy.

    “In the last two years we have tried as much as possible to increase our indices on the ease of doing businesses and make sure that we address the challenge of security. We have been working on that aspect and we started seeing results. Before you came in, I received the MD of Unilever and I was happy to know that in the last twelve month the numbers that they have got in terms of growth and profit has improved even in this present economy recession where people are not suppose to be buying.

    “We have created some infrastructure that have some convergence with their marketing potential. The city is safe, there is a 24/7 economy and the little money that goes around from our own capital expenditure, people are able to buy those basic things and it turns out to be a greater number that grows their GDP.

    “We are very excited about the things we have done in the last two years, it has inspired us also to continue to partner with structured platforms like yours so that we can take Nigeria out of the recession because the bottom line is we should continually reflate the economy in a way that everybody feels so comfortable to spend that little disposable income in their hands without actually feeling the pain, we are tired of suicide attempt”.

    Governor Ambode, who reiterated the government’s partnership with the NBCC, applauded their contribution to the growth and development of the state and the Nigeria economy also disclosed that investments in the state will no longer be centralized like before.

    Earlier, the Managing Director of Unilever, Mr. Yaw Nsarkoh said they were at the Lagos House to thank the Governor on the State’s 50 years anniversary as well as the developmental strides his administration has recorded since he assumed office.

    Nsarkoh specifically said his company recorded immense success in the previous year owning to the friendly business climate in the State.

    “I will like to thank you very much because without any doubt, you contributed immensely to our growth. Lagos is a big contributor to Unilever success story in 2016.  Without going further, let me congratulate all of you for the Golden Jubilee anniversary of the creation Lagos. Let me also commend Lagos for qualitative progress in public service, decongestion of roads, security, road rehabilitation, Light up Lagos etc,” he said.

     

  • Publisher urges Ndi Igbo to invest in South-East

    Mrs Nneka Ezeemo, Managing Director, Orient Magazines, Newspapers and Communications Ltd, has appealed to Igbo sons and daughters to endeavour to bring their investments back home in order to boost development of the South-East.

    “We do not have to do everything in Lagos. There is this movement and notion within Ndi Igbo that we should bring our investment home.

    “If we really mean it, I do not see reasons why people from here must go to Lagos before they get quality print; that is why we have established a world-class printing press in the South-East, precisely in Awka, the Anambra capital.

    “Today, we have experts from outside the South-East, working and running the world-class printing press.

    “They are currently transferring knowledge to our people and expanding our local market,’’ Ezeemo told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)on Monday in Enugu.

    The publisher, who also gave reasons why her firm participated in the ongoing 2017 Enugu International Trade Fair, said: “With this, we are doing what we are preaching; that is Ndi Igbo investing at home.

    “We want to focus in this region and have some national and international news to complement it.’’

    Ezeemo noted that the publishing company is aimed at capturing the South- East and South-South reading public.

    The Enugu International Trade Fair, which is being supported by the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment, is organised to showcase Nigeria’s non-oil products.

    The theme of the 28th edition is: “Promoting Nigeria’s Industrial Sector and SMEs for Inclusive and Robust Economy.”

    The fair which started on March 31 ends Monday, April 10.

  • Nigeria, Israel seek stronger bilateral trade ties

    Worried about the low volume of trade between Nigeria and Israel, the Bank of Industry (BOI) and the Israeli government have entered into ‎a partnership agreement to seek ways to deepen and strengthen the bilateral trade relationship between both economies.

    The acting Managing Director, BOI, Mr. Waheed Olagunju during a courtesy visit by Israel’s ambassador to BOI, said the ‎partnership is apt, coming at a time when Nigeria is trying to improve and increase its agro processing capacity, urging domestic and foreign investors to take advantage of the opportunity to invest in the nation’s vast agricultural sector.

    According to ‎the acting Managing Director, BOI boss, the partnership would also cover areas of possible collaboration in the recently launched Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) of the federal government, maintaining that there is a lot of money to be made by Isreali investors in Nigeria.

    “We believe if the Israeli business model is right, they can reap much more in the Nigerian economy because our vast natural and resource endowments,” he said.

    “There is no country as blessed as Nigeria in the world. The Bank of Industry (BOI) will be on ground to work with Israeli investors who wants to do business in Nigeria. Whoever wants to do business in Nigeria can always work with BOI and we will give them all our hands. We are on ground in Nigeria to hold the hands of both domestic and foreign investors who wants to do business in the country.”

    He said the Development Finance Institution (DFI) is looking forward to a very good time with its foreign and domestic development partners with Israeli investors  being one of the most outstanding.

    ‎”You are coming at the right time when the country is trying to ‎improve and increase its agro processing capacity because we have had bumper harvest last year and we are still going to have more in the coming years and if steps are not taken urgently to improve the agro processing industry, there could be post-harvest losses and this will serve as a disincentive to farmers.

    “So we are stepping up our agro processing capacity in the country to ensure that we preserve and add value to our agricultural produce while also preparing them for the export market as well,” he said.

    In his response, the Israel Ambassador ‎to Nigeria, Mr. Guy Feldman‎, said the Israeli government believes that there is much more both economies can do in terms of trade, stating that the partnership would identify areas on how to improve and strengthen bilateral trade agreements between Nigeria and Israel.

    ‎”Israel has ideas and innovations where Nigeria can tap from to drive any sector of the economy. The trade between the two countries is something which we have more with the smallest countries in Europe and other places and this shows that something is definitely wrong somewhere, because we believe Nigeria is a huge economy and we believe we can a whole lot more,” he said.

     

  • BRT operator to increase fares in February

    BRT operator to increase fares in February

    An operator of the Lagos State Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) scheme, Primero Transport Services, has announced plans to increase its fares on all routes in February.

    The company’s Managing Director, Mr Fola Tinubu, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ikorodu on Thursday.

    Tinubu said that the increase was as result of its increasing operational cost.

    The company has maintained a fare of N75, N120, and N195 from Ikorodu to Mile 12, Fadeyi, and CMS, respectively, since it started operations in November 2015.

    According to him, the company will introduce new fares which will take effect between the end of February and early March.

    Tinubu said: “we are going to increase our price because of the situation in the country, our cost has just gone through the roof.

    “At this time last year, we bought 1.2 million litres of diesel monthly at N120 per litre, we are now buying at N260; tyres that cost N70,000 each now go for N140,000.

    “All the parts used for the buses are imported so they’ve all doubled or tripled in price; and we have no choice but to continue to buy them.

    “So, in doing that we have to find a way to make it work because you all know that the buses were bought in China; so, we have a foreign dollar component in our debt portfolio.

    “When we bought the buses it was N168 to a US dollar and now we are talking of N470 and we still have to pay the dollar component back.

    “So, our debt has increased and our cost of operation has gone through the roof, and we have managed to keep the pricing same for now.

    “In fact, right now, we are subsidising every person we carry, and if you are running a business, you can only do that for so long.’’

    He said though the company was aware of its social responsibility, but the increase in fares was inevitable if its bus services were to be kept on a sustainable footing.

    “The airlines have increased their between 200 per cent and 300 per cent but we will not even do 100 per cent.

    “So, it is going to be something manageable for people. I will try not to put a figure to that now because the governor still has to approve it, and I don’t want to preempt him.

    “What I can say is that it’s going to be a marginal increase and not a drastic increase and still less than what the commercial bus operators are charging right now.

    “We are not even going to be close to that; but there is no other solution to it because if we do not, it is going to be recipe for disaster down the road,’’ Tinubu, said.

    NAN reports that operators of the yellow-painted commercial bus currently charge N150, N200, and N350 from Ikorodu to Mile 12, Fadeyi, and CMS, respectively.

    On the issue of delays caused during drivers changeover, Tinubu said the company had introduced the Early Riser System to check the menace.

    “We send a total of 75 buses out at 4.30 so that when majority of the busmen are changing over the early risers are still on the wheels.

    “As time goes on, we may increase to 100 buses so that that way it would completely eliminate 1.30 p.m – 2.30 p.m delay issue.

  • Domestic gas to increase to 3m tons per year-NLNG

    Domestic gas to increase to 3m tons per year-NLNG

    The Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG), has said that it will increase the use of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) or cooking gas to three million tonnes annually in five years.

    The Managing Director,Mr Tony Attah, disclosed this to newsmen during the Domestic LPG Implementation Stakeholders Workshop in Abuja with the theme “”Unlocking the Opportunities in Domestic LPG Value Chain’’.

    According to him domestic gas consumption in the country was low but said the situation would be changed in line with international operations.

    “”Before our interventions as NLNG, this country was consuming about 50,000 metric tonnes of gas per year but today we are at 400,000 tonnes.

    “”We have done a research working with our consultant; we believe that we can move up to more than three million metric tonnes per year within the next five years and you take it from there.

    “”The future we see is a vision that there is cooking gas in every home in Nigeria, helping to move the country forward and diversifying the economy,’’ he said.

    The NLNG boss dispelled the fears that use of domestic gas was risky, noting that the company would scale up awareness on proper handling of the product.

    He said there was the commercial risk but that the one that concerned the consumer was the safety risk, noting that government was in a position to initiate policies, fiscal positions and terms to mitigate the risks.

    Attah noted that the private sector could partner the public sector towards the use of domestic gas everywhere in the country.

    “”By far the biggest risk that most potential consumers would worry about is the safety risk, but I can say quite clearly that most of the safety risk will be tied to awareness.

    “”A huge campaign will follow this workshop to help Nigerians understand how to use LPG,’’ he said.

    Attah said NLNG was interested in unlocking the potential of gas utilization in the country, adding that the country had over 186 trillion cubic feet of gas reserves with scope for another 600 trillion standard cubic feet.

    “”We are a country that has so much gas and has started to do something with it which is why we at NLNG exist, but we believe that we can do much more.

    “”That is why we are contributing to opening up the LPG space and helping the country move forward on this platform,’’ he said.

    Also, Mr Gbite Adeniji, the Senior Technical Adviser to the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, said the workshop would be of immense benefit to the country.

    “”We are at a point now in the nation’s economy where we need to start getting LPG penetration into the wider society and into the wider economy.

    “”So this workshop will basically discuss where the government is, policy-wise, and also work with the private sector to bring out an implementation programme around the policy objectives of government for LPG penetration.’’

    He said that the government was keen on a very quick rollout of LPG in order to improve the per capita income of the citizens.

    According to him, the workshop will come up with measurable and actionable plans for rollout of LPG.

    Adeniji also said that “LPG is actually safer than all other forms of fuels; adding that it is healthier, cheaper and more available than any other fuel.

    “”If we are able to wipe out biomass, firewood and all other forms of fuels like kerosene and use LPG it will be of immense benefit to everybody at home.’’

    He said gas meant so much for people as it could be used for cooking, transportation and other industrial applications.

     

  • Apapa gridlock killing trade facilitation programme – NPA

    The Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Ms Hadiza Usman, said the traffic gridlock in Apapa had affected access into the ports and killing trade facilitation programme of government.

    According to a statement by NPA on Monday in Lagos, Usman said this at a stakeholders meeting held in her office.

    She said that the bad access roads into Apapa was killing the trade facilitation programme of the government and had affected the smooth delivery of cargoes to importers.

    “NPA is not happy that all modalities and measures adopted so far have not translated into quick cargo movement in and out of the ports,” the News Agency of Nigeria  (NAN)  quotes the managing director as saying.

    She told the stakeholders that a positive action would be taken by the NPA in the interest of all and the economy.

    Usman told the stakeholders that “the quick rehabilitation of the road remains a priority to her team to reposition the ports and salvage the economy’’.

    She received the report on traffic decongestion of Apapa and its environs.

    The managing director appealed to Messrs Dangote Construction Nig. Ltd and the Management of Flour Mills Nig Ltd. to expedite action toward an early reconstruction of Wharf Road.

    Usman also appealed to the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) and members of the National Assembly to include the reconstruction of Creek Road linking Tin-Can Island Port in the 2017 budget.

    She said the minister and the lawmakers should help to see to the quick completion of the trailer park opposite the Tin-Can Port to keep the trucks away from the road.

    Usman also called for synergy between the Federal and State Governments as well as the stakeholders to find a permanent solution to the perennial gridlock on the road.

    She urged port users to always subject themselves to security checks at the gates leading to the ports and warned that unauthorised persons intruding into the ports should stop or face sanctions.

    The managing director said that NPA would soon introduce measures that would make it impossible for those without genuine business to access the ports.

    Usman said NPA would continue to hold meetings with stakeholders to workout modalities on measures to be adopted to resolve the gridlock in the interest of all stakeholders and the nation’s economy.

    She said the Federal Government was determined to find a lasting solution to the chaotic traffic situation along Apapa axis.

    Usman said that efforts were being made by the Federal Government and the NPA to improve and sustain efficient road transport network within and around the ports.

    The managing director said that government would promote trade, improve cargo delivery and boost the economy.

    In another development, the Commandant, 9th Infantry Brigade, Nigerian Army, Brig.-Gen. Sani Mohammed has appealed to the managing director to visit the widows of the soldiers of the Brigade, who lost their lives in the on-going Nigerian military’s counter insurgency campaign in the North Eastern part of the country.

    Mohammed made the plea during a courtesy visit to the NPA managing director’s office in Lagos.

    He said there should be a visit by the NPA boss to see the widows to use her advocacy work to better the lots of the widows, whom their breadwinners died fighting to conquer the insurgents.

    “Considering all she did with the BringBackOurGirls Campaign, we would want her to come and see our widows and employ her advocacy initiative to better their lots,’’ Mohammed said.

    “I know the managing director when she was fighting for the abducted Chibok girls. Considering all she did with the BringBackOurGirls, we want her to come and see our widows,’’ he said.

    Mohammed said that the Brigade, having taken part in all Nigeria’s military campaigns at home and abroad, was also part of the security apparatus in Lagos tagged: ‘Operation Mensa’.

    He said that the Brigade was extending its hand of fellowship and relationship to the ports authority with a view to exploring ways it could add value to the security of the Nigerian ports industry.

    Responding, Usman, who was represented at the event by the Executive Director, Marine and Operations, Dr Sokonte Davies, said the advocacy works of the managing director, was a passion which she inherited from her parents.

    “The managing director’s advocacy works were not what she just learnt but what she saw her father doing, so it is in her.

    “I believe that she will really find time to visit the widows of the soldiers, who lost their lives in the counter-insurgency campaign,’’ Davies said.

     

  • Recare launches new corporate website

    Recare launches new corporate website

     

    Recare Limited, owner of Natures Gentle Touch has announced the launch of a new corporate website.

    The launch of the website represents the next step in the company’s overall digital strategy designed to strengthen it’s growing direct to consumer engagement.

    “Digital offers a strategic transformation of our business and the way we dialogue with our consumers” said the founder and Managing Director, Chika Ikenga over the weekend in Lagos, Nigeria.

    “We view our digital assets as important platforms to connect customers with knowledge and beauty solutions they require to express their personal style” he continued.

    The website tells the company’s story that has enabled it to build successful beauty brands. It also highlights Recare’s heritage that provides the company the foundation to keep the promise made to customers.

    Recare Limited has launched several successful digital initiatives to build consumer reach and engagement. The company has built up more than 1.4m Facebook followers for Natures Gentle Touch brand and 84,000 followers on Instagram. It recently launched a new website for her international South African hair care brand Hairsavvy.

  • ADVAN: Airtel’s CEO encourages practitioners on digital advertising

    ADVAN: Airtel’s CEO encourages practitioners on digital advertising

    Airtel Nigeria’s Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Segun Ogunsanya, has called on advertising practitioners to pay close attention to digital advertising as part of efforts to connect with the target audience and ensure maximum returns from advertising spend.

    Ogunsanya, who was speaking at the 2016 ADVAN Awards for marketing excellence held at the weekend in Lagos, noted that with the ubiquitous nature of mobile devices, digital advertising is the future of advertising.

    According to him, there are over 5 billion people with access to mobile phones; hence, a mobile device remains the easiest way to connect with people, especially the youths who are the leaders of tomorrow.

    He noted that Millennials are looking at many different screens for advertising. They are now concentrating on digital media, and advertising has to move to the digital space.

    We, the clients, can no longer rely on strategies counting on users to just watch our messages on TV or listen to the radio anymore. Nor can we be so sure that consumers will watch a prime time show at the prime time, or in their homes, or out of work hours, he said.

    While speaking on what brands should do differently, the Airtel CEO urged advertising practitioners to ensure that engagement with the targeted audience is personal and relevant just as he noted that brands must always adopt a two-way communication (conversation) with their target audience so as to get feedback.

    The Airtel helmsman also recommended that organisations must measure and evaluate their advertising campaigns in order to test the effectiveness, saying that this will aid the direction of future advertising campaigns.

    The event, which held on Saturday, October 29, 2016, at The Muson Centre, Lagos, was a night to celebrate brands that have done extremely well in the field of advertising.

    At the awards, Airtel’s Smart Connect 2.0 campaign was the co-first runner-up in the Campaign of the year category, an award they jointly won with Grand Oak Limited, makers of Lord’s Dry Gin.

    The President, Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN), David Okeme, who declared the event open, highlighted the importance of advertising to individuals and the economy.

    Okeme noted that Advertising unlocks economic activities, thus boosting a country’s GDP.

    ADVAN is the umbrella association for all advertisers (Corporate organisations that engage in major advertising) in Nigeria, established in 1992 as National Advertisers’ Association of Nigeria and in 1994 was renamed Advertisers’ Association of Nigeria (ADVAN)