The Nation Newspaper

Tag: perception

  • ‘Property Square is changing real estate perception’

    The Executive Producer and Main Anchor of Property Square, a radio programme on real estate, Mr. Ambrose Igboke, has said the programme, which began transmission in February, has transformed real estate, redefining its concept in the process.

    Igboke said the show was not confined to construction but covered  the entire value chain of professionals that constitute the real estate sector.

    He explained that Property Square is an engaging and lively radio programme with the main objective to address the knowledge gap between stakeholders in the real estate sector and the vast majority of Nigerians. Igbokwe also assured that Property Square will deliver quality information, discussions, reports, profiles, and other issues in the real estate sector in Nigeria and beyond.

    “The uniqueness and strength of the programme is that it discusses everything real estate,” he added.

    Property Square, a 30-minute radio programme, is divided into four major segments, each, dealing with issues on safety, security and legal constituents of the sector as well as an interview segment which features the critical stakeholders in real estate.

    Igboke further revealed that  Property Square will ultimately emerge as the number one real estate programme on radio due to its versatility; where everything in real estate is discussed.

  • Firm changes perception on real estate

    An indigenous firm, Homework Development and Properties Limited has helped in changing the erroneous perception of foreign investors about the Nigerian real estate sector.

    This is the major outcome of the recent conference organised by the Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas (ANPA) in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. The Lagos real estate company showcased its affordable products and promoted positive developments in real estate in Nigeria.

    Reflecting on the conference attended by physicians and other professionals, the Director of Homework Development and Properties Limited, Mr. Jide Adekola said it provided a platform, which helped to change the perception that foreign investors would not get value for money or might get scammed in Nigeria. It also created the awareness that there are professionals in the sector who are able to provide quality products locally.

    “The change in perception, which we have created, would in no small measure boost businesses and increase the volume of foreign direct investments that can engender increase in gross domestic product of the country,” Adekola said.

    He said that the event has exposed Homework to ANPA’s publications, increased networking and sales leads, the needs of customers and the property market, increased trust in foreign investors in the Nigerian real estate market.

    Adekola explained that the real estate sector, which is inundated with issues of trust, lack of finance and presence of charlatan, can be saved if government subsidises the cost of land for credible developers who have the capacity to provide affordable housing.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Osinbajo, minister, others to Nigerians: change your corruption perception

    Osinbajo, minister, others to Nigerians: change your corruption perception

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has urged Nigerians to change their perception about corruption toward developing a positive nation.

    Osinbajo spoke at the launch of Corruption Busters by Creative Youth Initiative Against Corruption (CYIAC), a non-governmental organisation (NGO) in Lekki, Lagos State.

    The event, according to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), was organised by the civil society group to commemorate the 2017 International Anti-Corruption day.

    The Vice President shared the same view with Minister of Information and Culture Alhaji Lai Mohammed; Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) acting Chairman Ibrahim Magu, diplomats and civil society organisations at the event.

    Osinbajo said: “We should re-examine ourselves  and move toward changing our perception and our country will one day, overcome this menace known as corruption.’’

    According to him, the president has always reinstated severally that, “if we don’t kill corruption, corruption will definitely kill us”, which is why he had given strict instructions on tackling corruption.

    He said no nation could survive with the presence of corruption in its system, adding: “Corruption is one thing that will kill us if we don’t fight it hard indeed”.

    “We need strong willed men and women who are  committed to fighting corruption, though we have had notable committed persons but we need more people who are crusaders and zealous,” he said.

    Osinbajo said one of the very important resources in tackling corruption was not just arresting victims and detaining them, but having to reform them.

    The Vice President lauded the CYIAC group for taking a bold step in complimenting the efforts of the government by reaching out to the youths to join in the fight against corruption.

    “I have not lost my zeal in this commitment to fight corruption, especially with the involvement of the young people who are vulnerable targets in building or losing integrity,” he said.

    Mohammed hailed Foluke Michael, the project director, CYIAC and her team, for focusing their attention on the youths.

    The minister said the move was the best step in tackling corruption.

    “Targeting the youths is the best way to fight corruption because they are the future hope of our country and that is why the CYIAC group must be commended for taking this right step.

    “The fight against corruption is the toughest task but can be much easier if we have the Nigerian youths because they represent a large chunk of the society,” he said.

    Expressing his disappointment, the minister said the resources which would have been used to take care of the youths had been stolen by the “fat cats”.

    “It is so unfortunate that billions and trillions of dollars that would have been used in providing good and necessary amenities were stolen by looters.

    “But I want to reassure everyone that we are already driving corruption under the table by recovering billions of naira monthly, saving monies from ghost workers and raising our foreign reserve,” he said.

    The minister said the Buhari administration would take the initiative to every nook and cranny of the country, stressing: “If we don’t fight it, it will overwhelm us.”

    Also, United Nations Project Director Mr. Glen Prichard said the success of tackling corruption was to have a coalition of all arms in the struggle.

    Consul-General of the Federal Republic of Germany Mr. Ingo Herbert hailed the Federal Government for waging war against corruption.

    Herbert, however, said it existed everywhere in the world.

    “Corruption is like a disease which exists everywhere but it becomes epidemic when it is too high and so should be vaccinated through anti-corruption groups as CYIAC,” he said.

    Magu said the present administration had zero-tolerance to corruption because it was a setback to growth.

    “The best strategy is to have all organs, young and old, coming together to fight corruption.

    “It is a major force for underdevelopment and we are almost chasing it out,” he said.

    A civil rights activist, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, said if Nigerians did not kill corruption, corruption would kill them.

    The CYIAC group, comprising of school children and adults, displayed art exhibitions and animated clips on corruption busters in musical slides.

  • ‘Perception created by #AnambraDebates’

    Channels TV recently organised a debate for few governorship candidates in Anambra State, ahead of the coming election. Only candidates of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP); the ruling All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA); the United Progressive Party (UPP); the All Progressives Congress (APC); and the People’s Progressive Alliance (PPA) were invited for the televised debate tagged #AnambraDebates.

    The debates introduced the antecedence and ideology of each of the candidates. Most importantly, it highlighted the personality brands of each of them. Perception played a big role in the traction received by each of the candidates during and after the debate.

    Godwin Ezeemo of PPA lost the interest of viewers when it became clear that he only moved to Anambra five years ago. He looked like a nascent politician but sounded promising.

    Tony Nwoye of APC put up a dull appearance in terms of dressing and delivery. His demeanor was devoid of executive confidence and intellectual facade. He sounded like the victim.

    Oseloka Obaze of PDP stole the show. His elocution and delivery was outstanding. He sounded like the major challenger.

    Osita Chidoka of UPP has always been popular among the elites. His dressing, composure and candour delivered the excellence he has always been known for. His programmes were spectacularly themed in Igbo language. He seems to be creating a political niche for himself.

    Incumbent Governor Willie Obiano did so well in explaining how he has been driving development in the state. Obiano was obviously tensed as he came face-to-face with his challengers and launched vitriolic attacks on their personalities. He sounded like the opposition.

    However, we look forward to see if perception and personality brand have influence on elections. This election is a referendum, says Osita Chidoka. Perhaps a referendum on the kind of personality widely accepted by the people; this Saturday shall reveal.

  • Dangote, others seek change in perception on doing business in Africa

    Dangote, others seek change in perception on doing business in Africa

     • ‘The continent has best RoI, long term growth potential’

    Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote and other seasoned industrialists have sought a change in perception about doing business on the continent.

    They took exception to the gloomy pictures painted about doing business in Africa.

    Dangote and members of a McKinsey Private Breakfast discussion Panel agreed that Africa’s long-term growth potential should be a subject of emphasis to gradually change the  perception.  They also agreed that since Africa offers the best returns on investment on any venture, it is indeed the best place to invest in the world.

    Other business leaders who joined Dangote to review the McKinsey report titled: “Lions on the Move 2.0: The Continuing Progress of Africa’s Economies”, include CEO, Global McKinsey, Dominic Barton; Executive Chairman of Mara Sokoni, Ashish Thakkar; Vice-President for Africa, the World Bank, Makhtar Diop; and General Executive-Secretary, Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Carlos Lopez.

    Dangote emphasized that there are positive events and stories on Africa but “we have to get rid of perception risk. The fragility of perception drives away investors. We need to change the mind set because good things are happening in Africa. Sometimes the old and existing investors paint a gloomy picture of doing business in Africa to avoid competition and scare away potential investors. You have to act big and bold.”

    He said, for instance, that the cement segment of his Group’s businesses has invested over $4 billion in the continent and that the returns are quite good. “We are bullish about investing in Nigeria, devaluation or no devaluation,” Dangote said.

    In response to how African entrepreneurs can have wider access to finance, Dangote advised that there should be a robust policy that encourages banks especially locally owned ones to finance local entrepreneurs.

    He pointed out that 90 per cent of Nigerian banks are owned locally and that perhaps correlates with why Nigeria has the highest number of entrepreneurs in Africa. He, however, said one of the biggest challenges to investing in Africa is lack of credible data to work with. While encouraging that Africans should stand up and tell their stories, he expressed optimism that his group, in the next five years, will be the first African company to feature on Fortune 500 list of companies.

    Barton spoke about the fact that Africa could boast of young population and good talent poll which would aid her industrial efforts. He called for collaboration between the private sector and government to enhance the capacity building of the young population and build efficient tax system.

    The CEO of Global McKinsey also posited that the democratic dividends occasioned by the stable governance should be harnessed to strengthen quality education for the young population.

    Also, Thakkar harped on the development of e-commerce as the emerging market and that young entrepreneurs should be inspired and mentored to keep on track.

    The McKinsey report expressed belief in Africa’s long-term growth prospects which it described as being very strong but powered by four factors. It gave the factors as the working age population, which will be world’s largest by 2034 at 1.1billon with stable jobs now growing faster than the labour force.

    The second factor, the report indicated, is that Africa has continued to urbanize rapidly: “Another 190 million moving to urban regions by 2025 and urban areas have 2.5x higher productivity than rural areas”

    The third propeller factor is the “technology creating opportunities to leapfrog in key sectors e.g. financial services, education and retail/wholesale”

    The last factor for long term growth in Africa is the level of infrastructure investment, which the report claimed had risen to 30 per cent over the last five years. The infrastructure investment stood at $80b in 2015, or 3.6 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), up from 3.2 per cent in 2010.

    The World Economic Forum on Africa in Rwanda focused on connecting Africa’s digital transformation. Convening under the theme, ”Connecting Africa’s Resources through Digital Transformation,” the discussion in Kigali came after the Forum’s Annual Meeting in Davos-Klosters in January.

    The Forum is seeking to identify priorities and actions for Africa’s leaders as they look to build economies resilient to today’s challenges and able to flourish in the increasingly digital, convergent marketplaces of tomorrow.

    Participating in the discussions in Kigali are over 1,200 leaders from government, business, civil society, academia, media and the arts.

  • NBCC to lead positive perception campaign for Nigeria

    NBCC to lead positive perception campaign for Nigeria

    Worried by the continued negative perception of Nigeria abroad, in spite of some unfolding positive strides by the new administration, the Nigerian British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) has promised to engage Nigerians in Diaspora towards correcting the wrong perception, especially in the British society and its media.

    At the inauguration dinner of the 14th Executive Council of the chamber in Lagos, last weekend, newly-installed NBCC President/Chairman Prince Adedapo Adelegan decried the way global attention on Nigeria, Africa’s biggest economy, is promoting pessimistic beliefs of wars, strife, low return on investment, unfriendly business environment and scams.

    He said NBCC would soon unfold a programme aimed at deploying various platforms of engagement that would include commissioned documentaries, cultural road shows and establishment of legacy economic activities to re-create Nigeria’s image.

    Adelegan noted that the Chamber was established in 1977 to promote trade and investment between Nigeria and Britain, with particular emphasis on enhancing relationships towards building critical infrastructure that would support Nigeria’s economic growth, especially in agriculture.

    Calling on the country’s political leadership to chart a progressive path for the future, Prince Adelegan observed that India remained a good example for Nigeria to emulate. He said India has continued to make strategic investment in critical areas of its economy, thereby securing superior design and engineering know-how that has supported the local manufacturing industry and transformed the country into a major industrial nation.

    He added that for Nigeria to achieve her dream of economic transformation, all critical stakeholders must pool efforts to install technology that is important as a foundation for the future of the economy. “We will need Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from UK, but will also encourage Nigerian investment in that country because the vibrancy of our entrepreneurial spirit will ultimately define the place of Nigeria as the next frontier of global economy”, he said.

    Adelegan also revealed that the Chamber has concluded arrangements for the establishment of an academy and SME support centre in partnership with a leading vocational training centre in the UK.

    Congratulating the new president and his team, Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, who was represented by his deputy, Dr Oluranti Adebule, said the trade relationship between Britain and Nigeria has been greatly beneficial over the years.

    His words, “With increase in trade volume from £1.42 billion in 2010 to over £7 billion in 2012, Nigeria ranks high as UK’s second trade partner on the continent after South Africa. The role of NBCC in the growth of this bilateral trade cannot be over emphasised”.

    He said Lagos has always been the greatest beneficiary of the trade relations between Nigeria and UK, which has contributed to the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $136 billion as well as her rising profile as a globally acknowledged mega city.

    Ambode expressed the hope that the new NBCC executive council would help attract more business to Lagos. He assured the business community of  doing business  with ease, adding that his efforts in the last few months have been focused on improving infrastructural development and strengthening the capacity of security agencies to guarantee safety.