The Nation Newspaper

Tag: partnership

  • ‘Private, public partnership vital for sea time training’

    Private and governmentowned organisations have been urged to invest in indigenous cadets’ sea time training.

    Some experts gave the advice at conference titled: “A Day with Nigerian Maritime Students”.

    At the conference, organised by Platforms Communications in Lagos, the expertss lamented that lack of sea time portend negative future for cadets in Nigerian-owned maritime academies. They are convinced that training of cadets aboard tugboats and smaller crafts would not bring out the best.

    Conference Chairman and Shipowners Association of Nigeria (SOAN President, Dr. McGeorge Onyung, urged the government and the private sector to invest in the  industry to boost youths’ capacity.

    The SOAN chief urged the students to take their studies very serious and forget about the challenges they might encounter.

    “You have capacities as adults to do exploit. So, I say to you, people don’t go to Olympics to try; You go there to get a gold medal. Don’t say, I went to school, I have tried, I want you to go and get a gold medal,” Onyung said.

    Similarly, Nigerian Association of Master Mariners (NAMMS) former president, Ade Olopoeniyan, a Captain, called on government agencies, maritime colleges as well as maritime stakeholders to fashion out better ways of providing sea time experience for cadets to have proper practical training onboard ships.

    Olopoeniyan admonished the students that the fact remained that most of them would not have the opportunity to practical training on a ship even though the conference was themed “beyond sea time”.

    “I know that a lot of cadets here, when you finish, you will not be able to get that mandatory 12- month on a ship or if the ship is not trading, you are not getting enough practical training. If the ship will just be at anchorage for about six or nine months, you won’t get any training, you are just on a ship, you are not getting enough experience,” he said.

    He, therefore, charged the government agencies, ship owners, stakeholders, maritime colleges, among others, to fashion out better ways of getting sea time for cadets so that they can have proper practical training onboard ships and not just on a ship staying at anchorage for twelve months then you.

    He agreed with Onyung that several vessels on the Nigerian waters were being manned by foreigners. He was confident that if more Nigerians qualify as seafarers, there wouldn’t be need for foreigners on indigenous ships.

    Olopoeniyan used the opportunity offered by the occasion to encourage the students that it is important for them to get certified as this would ensure that they didn’t  only operate on coastal vessels, but also could be on foreign going vessels, which will afford them. The requisite experience and exposure.

    “Then, beyond sea time, maybe after you have gotten your classified by universal certificate or classified by Nigeria certificate, you can decide to come to your second career at shore which was what I did. After I became a captain on a ship, I came down to work ashore, which was my second career and I worked in the Ministry of Transport; I worked in NIMASA and I have retired now. And I am actually into my third career now by just doing consultancy services.

    “I have had three careers as a seafarer, which if you are serious, you can emulate what I have done by actually having first, second and third career as seafarers”, he stated.

    Similarly, the Finance and Administration, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Executive Director Bashir Jamoh, stressed the need for the ferry business to be utilised effectively.

    He called on the government to invest on shipping building which would serve as an alternative for cadets and seafarers to be gainfully employed.

  • Investment, partnership lift top brands, says report

    Building top brands in banking, insurance, Fast Moving Consumer Goods  (FMCG) among others  requires  partnership, investment and great insight, an industry report has said.

    Such brand building was seen in Access Bank sponsorship of the Lagos City Marathon since its inception in 2016, and in 2018, over 100,000 runners and fitness enthusiasts participated in the marathon had over 100,000 runners. Since its inception, the event has successfully reiterated the need for a healthy lifestyle and woken a spirit of sportsmanship in the lives of many.

    Johnnie Walker recently did a thing with Game of Thrones. The liquor brand, in collaboration with HBO and Game of Thrones, and energised by the overwhelming passionate following for the TV drama series, launched a line-up of GOT-themed Scotch blends, including White Walker, the Game of Thrones Single Malt Scotch Whisky Collection and others.

    The brand also put together a massive GOT movie premiere for fans and collaborated with MultiChoice Nigeria to have the Game of Thrones shown on DSTV for Nigerians without access to the HBO screening service.

    Comedian Ayo Makun is a good example of personalities that have invested wisely, turning his premier comedy event, into prime gold. He is now an institution that constantly challenges the boundaries of comedy, incorporating contemporary elements into one single genre of entertainment.

    For the last three years, AY has found that partner in Peak Milk, Nigeria’s premier dairy brand. This is not totally new, as other brands have leveraged on partnerships with events and incredible stories that validate the essence of their brand.

    What makes Peak Milk exceptional  is how it relentlessly champions the Nigerian populace and entrepreneurs, partnering with enterprising creatives as an integral part of the Peak Milk ethos. Going beyond producing excellent products, the brand is giving back to communities through charitable organisations and routinely supporting growing industries such as entertainment, education, nutrition advocacy or sports. With Peak Milk’s support, people like AY Makun can dream bigger, execute more ambitiously, and take more risks.

    The pay-off for Peak Milk, and for the nation at large, is when the men and women reach their full potential, even those with limited access, opportunities and have largely been dismissed by the wider public.

    An admirable example is the Peak brand partnership with the Nigerian Paralympic Foundation last year. In many cases, the Foundation and its athletes have consistently achieved success through grit and determination in spite of widespread ignorance, poor funding and mismanagement. Realising the need to encourage them, it made sense to take on the honour of backing the paralympic team with nutritional support, funding for a refurbished gym, new equipment and custom mechanized vehicles to promote their stories.

    In the same year, the Nigerian Paralympic team won 10 medals at the World Para Powerlifting championships in Mexico and an incredible 42 medals at the 2019 World Para Powerlifting championships, beating out teams from more developed countries. Our Paralympic team have become the most decorated group of athletes in the country and a true source of pride for Nigerians everywhere. The team was always given to greatness, but with Peak’s support, they have become juggernauts.

    Such sponsorships can be the difference between middling success and excellence for individuals and mutually-beneficial partnerships — as seen with AY and Peak Milk; or the blooming partnership between the Peak brand and the Nigeria Paralympic Federation.

    This trajectory could determine a new level of success for the common Nigerian and by extension, the African continent. If more brands could be this exemplary by commitment to doing more – more partnerships, more sponsorships, then we could soar like the eagle and remain unstoppable.

  • Foreign investors discuss partnership, investment in luxury goods

    nigeria’s luxury goods company and authorized retailer of the Cartier Brand, Polo Luxury Group has hosted the executive team of Cartier from Geneva, Switzerland led by its Managing Director, Africa and Israel, Alessandro Patti.

    The team was on the official visit of the brand to Nigeria in a bid to further boost the business relationships between both brands.

    Known for its giant strides in delivering artistic and creative pieces which has stood the test of time, the Cartier brand has a history of over 171 years of timeless and consistent delivery of quality and antique pieces, which has positioned the brand as one of the most important jewelry and luxurious timepieces brand in the world.

    Welcoming the team to Nigeria, the Group Managing Director, Polo Luxury Group, John Obayuwana, expressed delight at the visit of the Cartier executive team, stating that such visit by a strategic partner of the Polo Luxury group further highlights the key importance of the Nigerian luxury market in the African continent.

    He further stated that the visit further solidifies business relationship between both Polo luxury group and the Cartier brand whilst also praising the efforts of the Cartier brand in pioneering creativity, innovation and uniqueness in the manufacturing of high-end timepieces.

    Speaking during the Visit, the Managing Director, Africa and Israel, Alessandro Patti, thanked the Polo Luxury Group for the success of the Cartier brand since it came into the Nigerian market over 15 years ago as the partnership with Polo Luxury Group in Nigeria is one which was born out of shared values of creativity, art and passion for luxury goods.

    Patti stated that, “The Cartier brand has maintained its strong positioning due to its unique timeless pieces, creativity and innovation in meeting client’s needs all over the world and ensuring they are satisfied when they wear their unique Cartier timepiece with a sense of pride and fulfillment at any time.”

    Speaking on the viability of the Nigerian Luxury Market in recent years, Alessandro Patti stated that “the partnership with Polo luxury group is one anchored on a long term shared vision of growth which has been evident over the years with Polo Limited’s experience of the Nigerian Luxury Market as well as its passion for creativity, immense sense of luxury and business strategy which has been vital for navigating the Nigerian market with huge opportunities and potentials”

    Unveiling the Santos de Cartier watch, Alessandro Patti reiterated that, what differentiates the Cartier brand from other luxury brands, is its promise of timeless pieces, as despite the fact that the Santos watch is over a 110 years old, the brand has maintained its unique style as Cartier creations of today are treasures of tomorrow.

     

  • ‘Partnership critical to acheiving SDGs’

    Partnerships are crucial for acheiving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations (UN), a group, Aspire Coronation Trust (ACT) Foundation, has said.

    Its CEO, Osayi Alile, who spoke earlier this week during the call for application for 2019 grant cylce for non profit in Lagos, said the organisation remained committed to leveraging relationships to foster African development in line with the SDGs of the UN.

    According to a statement, Ms. Alile said: “Development is not a day’s job, and neither is it one man’s task alone. As a result, we believe that partnerships are crucial to accelerating growth and sustaining impact locally, regionally and globally. Thus we are unwavering in our commitment to leveraging on relationships to foster African development in line with the sustainable development goals (of the UN).”

    Ms. Alile also said the 2019 ACT Foundation grant will be extending its partnerships to countries on the continent. She said: “A particularly interesting element in the 2019 grant cycle is our launch into other parts of Africa. We are excited about exploring new grounds after successfully implementing two impactful grant cycles.

    She said application for the 2019 ACT Foundation grant cycle which commenced on November 1, 2018 would close November 30, 2018, adding that it is opened to nonprofits, community based organisations (CBOs) and social enterprises who proffer innovative solutions to the continent’s socio-economic problems.

  • IPMAN suspends partnership with refiners, others

    The Independent Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has suspended talks with foreign oil refining companies until after the resolution of its crisis in December this year, its Controller of Operation, Mr. Mike Osatuyi, has said.

    He also said IPMAN will not seek lending from international financial institutions in order to boost its operation, discuss the possibility of importing premium motor spirit (PMS) into the country, among other issues that are germane to the downstream sub-sector of the oil and gas industry.

    In a telephone interview with The Nation, he said the development is aimed at ensuring that IPMAN has a clearer issue of happenings to the sub-sector, operates in line with the constitution, which guides activities of individuals and organisations in the country.

    Osatuyi said: “IPMAN, like any other, is subject to the law of the land, therefore, ensures that it operates within the confines of the law. The Supreme Court has fixed December for the hearing and judgement on the case that borders on leadership tussle in the union. The case is being presented for hearing and judgment in order to find a lasting solution to the crisis. The issue is decisive, as it will enable IPMAN to know and take the next line of action needed to move the union forward.”

    He said IPMAN would get better and stronger after the resolution of its leadership crisis, noting that such issues are tests of the viabilities of any organisation that is determined to be progressive in the society.

    Osatuyi said the  leadership crisis might be a major reason, why IPMAN is not enjoying the support of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC),  stressing that NNPC would love to see all the stakeholders living in peace in order to be able to promote the corporate existence of the industry.

    He said the role of IPMAN is central to the growth of the downstream sub-sector of the nation’s oil industry as it controls larger percentage of the fuel distribution market.

    “IPMAN is controlling more than 70 per cent the retail outlets nationwide. Its outlets are visible and have also helped in ensuring seamless distribution of petroleum products across the country,” he added

    He noted that IPMAN has concluded plans to set up its own refineries, in order improve local consumption of fuel. He said when IPMAN’s refineries come on stream, they would help Nigeria to export fuel to other countries in the West African sub-region and beyond.

    Similarly, IPMAN’s southwest Chairman, AlhajiDebo Ahmed, urged the Federal Government to provide an enabling environment for investors that want to go into processing of crude oil in Nigeria, adding the idea would help in contributing to the growth of the economy.

     

  • Buhari seeks partnership to fight human trafficking, smuggling

    PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has called for collaboration among nations to fight human trafficking and smuggling of persons.

    Buhari made the call at the 16th INTERPOL Conference on Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling yesterday in Abuja.

    He was represented by Permanent Secretary, General Service Office, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation Mr. Olusegun Adekunle.

    “Human trafficking, which is destroying the future of our youths, requires our collective efforts to eradicate,” he said.

    The President said Nigeria was among the first set of countries to domesticate United Nations (UN) relevant protocols on trafficking in persons and smuggling of persons.

    Buhari said the protocols were at various times domesticated, resulting in the country’s enactment of the trafficking in persons prohibition law enforcement Act and eradication Act 2003 and the 1963 Immigration Act.

    The Immigration Act, the President said, empowered the service to combat the smuggling of migrants.

    He added that the country had recorded a landmark in the fight against trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants.

    Buhari noted that the collaborative efforts of the country’s security agencies had resulted in several interceptions, arrest and prosecution and conviction of 359 traffickers and smugglers.

    He urged the INTERPOL and relevant agencies to deepen already established collaboration in order to combat this modern day slavery to a standstill.

    Inspector-General Ibrahim Idris said the force was at the forefront in the fight against the ugly trend.

    Idris, who was represented by DIG Agboola Oshodi-Glover, said trafficking and smuggling in persons posed a threat to both the victims and the world.

    Secretary General of INTERPOL Mr. Jurgen Stock said trafficking in human beings and smuggling remained a prominent challenge for law enforcement.

    He noted that the trend had opened the door for the exploitation of those simply seeking improved well-being and opportunities.

  • ‘Partnership vital to broadband’s realisation’

    Partnership and strategic collaboration are key to the realisation of Federal Government’s National Broadband Policy (NBP), the United States (U.S.) and Backbone Connectivity Network (BCN) Limited of Nigeria have said.

    The U.S, through the United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), is partnering  BCN to bridge broadband access gaps in the country, touching on how cost-effective technology and infrastructure can be deployed to accelerate and surpass the 30 per cent target set in the NBP.

    The deal was unveiled at a reception in Lagos in honour of participants of the November 2017 USTDA Reverse Trade Mission, by US Consul-General F. John Bray and visiting USTDA Country Manager for Nigeria, Ms. Shannon M. Roe.

    USTDA said the award of a USTDA-funded grant to BCN was  for the development of a feasibility study and business plan to support the deployment of a broadband fiber network across the Northwest region, including the building of a Tier III data centre in Kaduna State.

    BCN’s CEO, Mr. Ibrahim Dikko, expressed gratitude to the USTDA team for the support and stated that it was timely as it coincided with BCN’s corporate and broadband infrastructure network expansion and deepening of its product and services portfolio.

    The feasibility study and business plan being funded by USTDA would cover the assessment of the BCN-led Consortium’s plan to build about 10,000 km of fibre linking about 500 Points of Access (PoA) across the local government areas in the seven Northwestern States integrated with the Tier III Data and Co-location Centre deployment plan for Kaduna.This is in furtherance of the National Broadband Plan to increase broadband access in Nigeria from its present 22 per cent to over 30 per cent by end 2018.

    BCN is a leading unified data communication service provider that operates a metropolitan broadband network in Abuja and has deployed over 1,000 km of fiber in Northcentral and Northeastern Nigeria. BCN has a National Long-Distance Operator License, a National Metropolitan Operator License and an Internet Service Provider Licence, allowing it to provide client centric data management solutions. BCN provides high capacity scalable internet bandwidth, carrier connectivity services, MPLS solutions to enterprises, data center colocation, cloud-based services and tailor-made data management solutions to clients across the country.

    BCN is the lead in the consortium recently awarded Infraco licence for Northwest Nigeria by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to build fibre broadband infrastructure across the seven Northwest states of; Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara.

    BCN was also selected by the Kaduna State government to build fibre metropolitan broadband communications networks in the three key economic zones of Kaduna, Zaria and Kafanchan, including Northern Nigeria’s first Tier III Data and Co-location Centre in Kaduna town.

    Dikko further reiterated BCN’s commitment to its partnership with USTDA in promoting increased broadband network footprint and Internet penetration in Nigeria for improved socio-economic development across Northern Nigeria in particular and Nigeria in general.

  • Council chair seeks partnership on healthcare

    The Executive Chairman Yaba Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Kayode Adejare Omiyale, has appealed to philanthropic organisations to partner the council on free health programmes.

    He made the appeal while opening the free cancer screening.

    According to him, the government alone cannot provide healthcare services to the people.

    He said: “We seek the assistance of kind-hearted organisations like the Sahara Foundations. The scourge of cancer is prevalent in our society today; the only solution to this deadly scourge is early detection so that appropriate actions could be taken.”

    Omiyale also appealed to mothers to get their children immunised against measles. “Measles is deadly but it is preventable when our children, between nine months and five years, are immunised appropriately,” he said.

  • Alaba Market’s new leader seeks partnership with govt

    The Alaba International Amalgamated Trades Association (AIATA) has elected Uchenna Nnadozie as its President.

    The new leadership is expected to help union members speak with one voice and work together for their collective success.

    Nnadozie said his administration would partner appropriate authorities at the local, state and federal levels to ensure that the union is properly represented.

    Also elected are: Chairman of Olojo Drive Traders’ Association, Nathaniel Anigbogu (AIATA Vice President); Chairman, Sariki Muktar Allied Traders Association, Mohammed Buba (Public Relations Officer) and Chairman, Industrial Materials Traders’ Association, Partrick Iwuagwu (Treasurer).

    Others are: Ifeanyi Egbujwo (Secretary); Yusuf Nurudeen (Assistant Secretary) and Fabian Ezeladi (Co-ordinator). Nnadozie, who is also the Executive Chairman of Electronics at Alaba International, said he would continue from where his predecessors stopped and ensure that members’ interests are protected.

    The new president assured members of a favourable business environment that will promote peace and unity among traders.

    He said: “Any society without peace cannot progress. Progress only thrives where there is peace and unity. Members are here to make progress and do their businesses in a peaceful atmosphere. I will ensure that peace reigns in the market for the progress of our members.

    “The local government, state government and federal governments should always remember Alaba in the provision of basic infrastructure, like roads, motor park, refuse disposal, fire station and sanitation because the government generates revenue from this market. So, we are open at all times for invitation by the governments for discussions on issues concerning the market and the polity.

    “We don’t have the presence of the government in this market. We don’t have good roads, we don’t have infrastructure. When Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo visited us during their campaign, they made promises to us. We want them to remember and keep those promises.”

     

  • Lagos, Kano sign MoU on economic partnership, investment

    Lagos, Kano sign MoU on economic partnership, investment

    THE Lagos and Kano State governments yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for economic partnership and investment opportunities to create jobs for growth and development.

    The MoU was signed by Governors Akinwunmi Ambode and Abdullahi Umar Ganduje at the closing of the inaugural Lagos-Kano Economic and Investment Summit at the Jubilee Chalets in Epe.

    It will create a platform for exploring, expanding and developing areas of economic development and investment.

    According to the MoU, the two states agreed to expand their economic and investment cooperation, especially in governance, security, revenue (IGR), agricultural value chain, tourism, education, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and skill development.

    Other areas include commerce – with focus on ease of doing business – as well as infrastructure in power, transportation and urban waste management.

    The objectives of the MoU include establishing a formal and flexible framework to expand trade and investment cooperation; fostering scientific and technological collaboration in emerging key sectors; strengthening communication; enhancing trust; boosting economic development and creating jobs.

    Under the agreement, the two states also set up a technical working group to oversee implementation of the MoU.

    Lagos State Deputy Governor Dr Idiat Adebule said the signing by Ambode and Ganduje was a testament to their commitment to collaborate in the best interest of residents.

    She said the two governors “are telling the entire world that collaboration, cooperation, partnership can always work to bring about economic sufficiency in our states and, of course, the entire nation”.

    The deputy governor described the summit as historic and successful.

    She said the programme witnessed presentations from experts, erudite minds, scholars from public and organised private sectors.

    Mrs Adebule said: “In this process, our minds have been availed with torrents of ideas, information, statistics, interpretation and above all vision and collaboration, leading to economic sufficiency.

    “I am convinced that the most valuable outcome of this engagement is the fact that we have governors who have vision and have the opportunity of sharing this vision. Today, we are not just sharing the vision but providing an enabling environment for this vision to be actualised.

    “Today, we have the political will; today, the political will has been demonstrated and it signifies the fact that we are ready for business. Lagos and Kano mean business and we are ready for business.”