The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Performance

  • Guinness Nigeria predicts better performance

    Guinness Nigeria predicts better performance

    •Shareholders approve N4.8b dividend

    Guinness Nigeria Plc has assured shareholders that it would work to create better returns in the years ahead as the brewing company reiterated its commitments to global best practices and the Nigerian economy.

    At the annual general meeting of the company in Abuja yesterday, shareholders approved gross dividend of N4.8 billion, representing a dividend per share of N3.20. The dividend will be paid today.

    Chairman, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Babatunde Savage, said the board and management of the company would maintain sustainable growth by implementing good business strategies and sustaining the top-end quality of its products.

    He noted that although the operating environment remained daunting, the company recorded a credible performance in its full year results and is now poised for better performance in the 2016 financial year and beyond.

    “Going into the 2016 financial year, the board and management are resolute in their commitment to improve the performance of the company and deliver greater value and return on investments to shareholders,” Savage said.

    He reiterated the commitment of Guinness Nigeria and its parent company, Diageo to supporting Nigeria’s developmental aspirations by strengthening the country’s manufacturing base, employment creation, manpower development and fuelling overall economic growth.

    He added that in the area of corporate social responsibility, the company has continued to maintain a strong focus on impactful projects across its host communities in the areas of health, water provision, environmental protection and road safety.

    Responding to questions on the issue of sanctions on the company announced by the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) over alleged infractions, Savage emphasized that Guinness would continue to explore every path for a fair resolution of the matter.

    “We have had very robust relationship with NAFDAC for as long as I can remember. We intend to maintain that relationship. Discussions are ongoing. I believe the issues will be amicably resolved,” Savage said.

    He reiterated Guinness’ commitment to continuously entrench the highest standards of good manufacturing practices and to ensure its products are top quality, noting that many of the company’s brands have been in existence for very many years, which is made possible by its focus on quality and customer satisfaction.

    Managing director, Guinness Nigeria, Mr. Peter Ndegwa, assured that Guinness Nigeria will continue to strengthen its business through significant investments in manufacturing processes, local content development, product innovation, cutting-edge technology and capacity building.

    “Our strategy of maintaining a franchise that continues to generate sustainable returns to our stakeholders remains unshaken. Our continued investment in staff training, technology, innovation and system upgrades is to accelerate sustainable value creation for our customers and shareholders, as well as ensure that products rolling out of our plants are comparable to the best in quality in any part of the world,” Ndegwa said.

  • Qualifications minus performance

    SIR: Nigeria never lacks politicians with long educational credentials.  The problem is that the fantastic qualifications never amount to the nation’s growth.  I was glued to my television set watching the Senate screening of ministerial appointees by President Muhammad Buhari.  The erudite and zealous articulation of these masters of drivel was impressive to me.  The running of their academic achievements was like a sea flowing with brilliance from the best of our institutions to across the globe.  Folks with advanced degrees from Harvard to Columbia to Oxford to such like elite universities display their excellence.

    An open-minded analysis of their performance will raise one’s hope to the sky irrespective of one’s political leaning.  It is another debate altogether whether President Buhari went to heaven to bring down ascending angels or that he dug down to earth to recycle the usual suspects.  In my view, the argument will not dim the shine of these ministerial appointees.  They took the questions thrown to them during screening and chewed them to digestible bits and spat them out for the relish of the Senate.

    I was jolted to consciousness by the unbelievably razzmatazz of this marvellous concert of intellectual opera, a show that is repeated on the floor of the Senate every four years since our recent democracy.  I can cynically posit that time has proven this exercise to be another dance of fools’ in the rain.  Politicians leave us to perish in the cold after the glorious shower of loquacious fantasy.  They dazzle their fabulous qualifications before our eyes to win our trust.  Their action in office does not resonate to brightness of our society.  Jackals employ their wicked ingenuity to sort brilliant minds without morality from among us to blind us from their evil scheme.  It always works.  We see faces we respect and we trust that they will serve our interest.  Masterminds sit in the reserved balconies and laugh at our excitement.

    Our country stays in the dark at the end of each administration.  The crops of illustrious citizens that dumbfound us with their qualifications during screening become a mirage once they are sworn in to office only to resurface again in their grandiose opulence as our statesmen. I think it is absurd.

    We must wake up from this state of mindlessness and seek our true leaders.  The sun has shone on us with a glowing destiny.  It is in our field to endeavour to select thoroughbred horses to lead the race to our success.  I cherish the oratory of our ministerial appointees.  I pray that their action matches the force of their eloquence.  Now that they have been sworn in as the executors of the hope of the masses, let them perform.  For to uplift the people is the sole objective of their mission, I hope that is the vision of the president.

     

    • Pius Okaneme,

    Umuoji, Anambra State.

     

  • TETFund ranks BUK second in grant performance

    TETFund ranks BUK second in grant performance

    Executive Secretary, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Prof Sulieman Bogoro, has said Bayero University, Kano (BUK) ranks second among universities that had performed creditably in the use of its grants.

    Speaking at the inauguration of some projects funded by TETFund at the old and permanent sites of the university in Kano, Bogoro said the Federal Government was inspired to pay good attention to the institution considering the giant strides it had accomplished within a short spell.

    He praised the management of the institution for collaborating to ensure that the grants were well utilised and the projects well executed.

    He said the university had proven its academic prowess under the purposeful leadership of its immediate past Vice Chancellor, Prof Abubakar Rasheed, expressing optimism that his successor, Prof Muhammad Bello, would  sustain the tempo.

    Also speaking, Prof Bello lauded the establishment of the Centre for Renewable Energy Research and the department of Petro-chemical engineering, which were among the projects inaugurated, as monumental edifices that would support research especially now that the country was in need of superb technological innovations.

    He noted that the university was effectively competing to meet the challenges of academic excellence and added that with the steps taken so far, nothing would stand as a clog in the wheel of realising such a goal.

    He thanked the federal government for according BUK the academic leverage to forge ahead, stressing that without decisive government intervention the effort would have come to naught.

     

  • School celebrates pupils’ performance

    Not less than four pupils of Stella Marris Schools from among 1,874 candidates across the country scaled through the rigorous yearly entrance test of the Federal Government Academy, Suleja, Niger State.

    The pupils are: Nwike Emmanuel (Primary 5), Essien Ibok (Primary 6), as well as Obia Anozie and Michael Obinna both in Primary four.

    Ibok had 83 per cent. The best two results in the rest were 85 and 83.7 per cent.

    The Federal Government Academy, one of the 104 Unity Schools nationwide, was established in 1991 by the former head of state, Gen. Ibrahim Babaginda solely for talented and gifted children in the country. The school operates no tuition, except for Parent Teachers Association (PTA) funds.

    “Four of our children who wrote that exam all passed. There are states that could not even provide any representative. If you look at the percentage of scores of the examination nationwide, our pupil here scored the third highest score,” said the head teacher Mr. Raheem Alade.

    He continued: “The school is a special school for those who are highly intelligent. Before you can be offered admission, you must pass an entrance examination to their satisfied grade. You must pass it beyond just excelling to secure an admission into any of the government schools.

    “The students there are people that have very high IQs. That is why it is called gifted school.”

     

  • Team Nigeria’s performance has been good so far, says Yakmut

    Team Nigeria’s performance has been good so far, says Yakmut

    Alhassan Yakmut, Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), on Tuesday in Brazzaville said Team Nigeria’s performance at the ongoing 11th African Games in Congo had been good so far.

    Yakmut, who was at the Makelekele Gymnasium to watch the Nigerian women beat their Gabonese counterparts in basketball, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that Nigeria’s current standing was expected.

    NAN reports that Egypt and South Africa now appear to be out of sight for Nigeria on the medals table, in terms of position and number of medals won.

    “Team Nigeria has maintained its character, that of always coming up in the last few days of the competition.

    “Most of our best events are always held toward the end of the Games. So, right now, our medals haul has been improving, and it is `so far, so good’,” Yakmut said.

    He, however, acknowledged that Team Nigeria was out of contention for the first two places on the medals table.

    “First or second position is no longer possible for us, even though we are winning many medals now and we are going to win more.

    “The problem is in the fact that we didn’t take advantage of some areas, such as fencing, while badminton didn’t give us what we expected.

    “Athletics, particularly, has not given us what we should have and that has been disappointing,’’ the NSC D-G said.

    He, however, praised the efforts of Team Nigeria in cycling and boxing, saying boxing had been the best for the Nigerian team so far.

    Yakmut also pointed out that the country has a future in cycling with the Games’ performance.

    The Games will end on Saturday.

  • Range Rover Sport HST: Unique chassis, higher performance

    Range Rover Sport HST: Unique chassis, higher performance

    The 2016 model Range Rover Sport brings customers more choices when it comes to performance and technology. Additionally, Land Rover’s most dynamic model gains a new variant in the Range Rover Sport HST, writes TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO

    The HST enhances the high performance Range Rover Sport driving experience, thanks to its up-rated 3.0-litre supercharged V6 petrol engine that produces 280kW and 450Nm – 30kW more than the current supercharged V6 model. Unique chassis settings and bespoke design features complement its higher performance.

    The bold new Range Rover Sport HST is identified by its unique exterior design – with a striking black theme – and interior enhancements, all of which give the high performance luxury Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) a distinctive and dynamic appearance.

    The HST is fitted with Stealth Pack lamps front and rear, which feature non-reflective surrounds and combine with a Santorini Black contrast roof and a new spoiler to give the luxury SUV a purposeful profile.Distinctive21-inch alloy wheels feature an exclusive dark satin grey finish, highlighting the up-rated 20-inch brake discs and eye-catching red brake callipers. Larger 22-inch Stealth alloy wheels are available as an option.

    The bonnet and front wing vents, grille and fog lamp bezels – all feature a glossy black finish, echoed by the ‘Range Rover’ lettering on the leading edge of the bonnet and rear tailgate. Sculpted body-coloured lower door panels and additional vent detailing on the bumpers are also fitted.

    In common with other Dynamic Range Rover Sport variants, the HST wears a red Sport badge at the rear, complemented by unique HST badging on the front wing vents.

    Unique chassis settings deliver an even more focused driving experience and sharper responses, without compromising the vehicle’s trademark comfort and refinement. Detail changes to the suspension reduce body roll and deliver enhanced agility.

    To highlight the HST’s high performance capabilities, Land Rover’s engineers have devised a unique Terrain Response set-up for the vehicle. It features a Dynamic mode that optimises the suspension, Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) and other electronic systems to suit on-road driving. This feature provides more controlled electronic damping and a more responsive throttle pedal, while enhancing gearshifts and steering response to match the change in vehicle character.

    Inside, the HST is finished with a duo tone seats trimmed in luxurious Oxford Leather. In combination with a contrast fascia, all-Ebony door trims and centre console and standard Ebony headlining, they create a unique environment. The high quality leather upholstery is available in four Ebony/colour combinations, along with an all-Ebony option.

    Bespoke HST badging on the dashboard, carpet mats and the TFT instrument panel highlight the luxury model’s high performance focus. The sporty cues extend to Noble-plated paddle shift gear levers on the steering wheel and distinctive bright ‘Sports’ pedals, while the aluminium interior trim features a textured ‘Sports’ finish.

    Upgrades across the range

    The Range Rover Sport line-up continues to offer breadth of capability, with dynamic on-road capabilities and Land Rover’s renowned off-road abilities. Customers wishing to take their Range Rover Sport off beaten track can now do so with more confidence, with the availability of Land Rover’s innovative All Terrain Progress Control (ATPC) system, on all SDV8 variants.

    Dubbed ‘cruise control for off road’, this system lets drivers set a speed with which they are comfortable – ranging from 1.8km/h to 30km/h – while they only need to provide steering input. The vehicle’s systems will optimise traction and drivetrain settings, allowing for effortless progress on difficult terrain.

    ATPC joins host of new and improved convenience features that also come to other models in the line-up. These include a new, improved Surround Camera System that utilises a high-resolution camera for crisper graphics and enhanced clarity. This also introduces Rear Junction View, which uses the Surround Camera System to significantly improve rearward visibility when reversing out of parking spots. An integrated washer jet for the rear camera ensures clarity at all times and in all conditions.

    The new Gesture Tailgate provides hands-free access to the luggage area. Sensors in the rear bumper let customers use their feet to gesture and open the rear tailgate. Placement of the sensors allows this to be achieved from either side of the vehicle when approaching from the kerbside.

    Further automation includes Automatic Access Height. While previously controlled manually, the new system automatically lowers the vehicle once parked. Depending on conditions the system will lower the vehicle by as much as 50mm, for improved entry, exit and loading items in the rear.

    Customers will also benefit from an increased range of personalisation options and an extended range of accessories. The Range Rover Sport will be available with three new paint options, and a total of seven interior colour-ways. Extended leather is now an option, and HSE, HST and SVR models will be fitted with climate seats as standard. A new Carbon Fibre Pack is also available, offering a sporty finish on side vents, tailgate trim, door mirror covers, a front grille surround, and fog lamp bezels, with bonnet vents finished in high-gloss lacquer.

  • Jonathan’s performance will haunt Niger Delta, says Obasanjo

    Jonathan’s performance will haunt Niger Delta, says Obasanjo

    Former President of Nigeria, General Olusegun Obasanjo, has said that the Niger Delta region will suffer for the actions and inactions of his successor, Goodluck Jonathan.

    Jonathan, who lost to President Mohammadu Buhari hails from Bayelsa State in the Niger Delta.

    Obasanjo spoke yesterday while responding to questions shortly after he delivered the convocation lecture of the Benson Idahosa University in Benin City.

    He explained that he couldn’t have helped Jonathan do his job as Nigeria’s President after helping him secured the presidency.

    According to him, “To become Head of State was because of my performance in the war front. If General Gowon had not sent me the war front, he would not know whether I could perform or could not perform. He sent me to the war front and because I performed, we both shared the credit but if I had failed, he would not have shared the condemnation with me. I would have been alone.

    “I believe that the opportunity that availed itself in 2010 was for somebody from the minority to become the President of Nigeria. We should never lose such opportunity. What he did with it is entire up to him. What he did or did not do with it will reflect for a long time in that part of the country. There is no particular person who got there without the people.”

    Meanwhile, the former President has said that educating the masses is the right tool to defeat the Boko Haram insurgency.

    According to him, even if Nigeria wins the war against Boko haram insurgency on the military front, it still needs proper education of the masses to sustain the victory.

    He said Nigeria must give education the priority it deserves or the dream to have a great Nigeria would remain a pipe dream.

    The former President noted that the Nigerian government needs to combine the power of education and military in its fight against Boko Haram.

    Former President Obasanjo spoke in Benin City, Edo State, while delivering the 11th convocation lecture of the Benson Idahosa University.

    Speaking on the lecture, titled ‘Effective Educational System: A Panacea for Societal Development and Transformation’, Obasanjo said education remained the most powerful tool against the indoctrination of Boko Haram group.

    Obasanjo urged the government to be more truthful and appealing, as well as promote literacy in the North East.

    He said Boko Haram thrived in the North East because it is backwardness in education.

    According to him, “Do the needful to exterminate the scourge and social economic development of the area concern and talk with the group that is ready to talk.

    “Boko Haram thrives on indoctrination. Spreading hate messages to propagate its messages through popular media. If we are able to counter Boko Haram hate messages with education in our schools and the social media to dilute such messages and prevent people from being swayed by Boko Haram. The Nigeria airwaves and social media should also be accentuated with positive messages.”

     

    “We have to reverse the trend of educational backwardness of the North East because Boko Haram was a menace waiting to happen. Empowering the youth with skills and taking them off the yoke of unemployment and the promises of Boko Haram.”

    Obasanjo, who also blamed poor educational system for the massive youth unemployment in the country, said moulding of character was completely ignored by Nigerian tutors, noting that Nigeria depends on the power of education to resolve the massive youth unemployment, corruption, insecurity, infrastructural decay, as well as the poor state of the economy.

    Obasanjo was later honored with the Change Nigeria award of the university.

    Chancellor of the institution, Arch Bishop Margret Idahosa, praised President Obasanjo for honoring the school’s invitation, and described the former president as a close family member

  • ‘How to boost small businesses’ performance’

    In order to boost the efficiency and performance of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs), the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) recommended the introduction of a flexible corporate governance framework.

    The group in its report titled Governance for All: the implementation challenge for SMEs, noted that the one-size-fits-all approach to corporate governance will not work for small businesses because their needs are vastly different from bigger corporations.

    It stated that corporate governance in larger organisation ensures that management acts as shareholders’ agents, for SMEs , it entails improving business performance and managing risks.

    The findings of the report include clear reporting lines and clarity on decision making and ?risks control, as well as on other matters that need to be brought to the board’s attention for review or approval.

    It added that the framework should promote understanding of roles, responsibilities and limits of each person’s job, and show board the balance of an organisation such as risk and reward.

    The report further noted the need for clear communication by board to management and staff about issues such as strategic goals and expected behaviours, adding that any incentives for staff need to be supportive of board strategies.

    The Chair, Global Forum for SMES, Rosanna Choi while reacting to the report said the framework of corporate governance needs to consider the diverse needs of SMEs in order to work for small businesses.

    “SMEs need to realise the potential benefits of implementing corporate governance within their businesses.

    “But equally, governments, advisors and other stakeholders need to realise the challenge for SMEs is that established corporate governance frameworks have been developed with large, listed companies primarily in mind. Such frameworks and codes may not reflect the realities of running a small business.

    “Governance issues are nevertheless of critical concern to small businesses, where owners may often be its managers as well, or where company ownership may be shared across family members.

    “Sometimes the line between business and personal interest can be blurred. Corporate governance should establish clear roles and responsibilities for each individual and as such is relevant to businesses of all sizes.

    ”For corporate governance to work in small businesses the framework needs to take into account the diverse needs for them-they are not all run in the same way.

    “Advisers and international institutions such as ACCA, need to also help by campaigning for the cause of why corporate governance matters to SMEs-this is vital for creating a receptive environment and overcoming barriers to action,” the reort quoted her to have said.

  • LMC fines club officials, performance of 4 referees, 8 assistants for review

    LMC fines club officials, performance of 4 referees, 8 assistants for review

    •Ladan Bosso also fined

    Two senior club officials, a coach and 12 match officials including four Referees and eight Assistant Referees have been charged under the NPFL Rulebook by the League Management Company (LMC) for various acts considered inimical to the good of the game.

    General Manager of FC Taraba, Mr. Tijani Babangida and that of Heartland, Mr. Okechukwu Ibe who is also a Director of LMC have been fined N50, 000 and N200, 000 respectively for comments and behaviours that were in breach of some sections of the Code of Conduct for Club Officials under the NPFL rules. Similarly, Abia Warriors Head Coach, Ladan Bosso was fined N50, 000 for comments, the LMC ruled to be in breach of Article 14 of the Code of Conduct for Coaches and Managers and Article C1 of the Framework and Rules of the Nigeria Professional Football League.

    Babangida and Bosso were cited for public comments against referees considered capable of bringing the league to disrepute while Ibe was charged for acts capable of bringing the league to disrepute including excessive complaints against the Referee during the Match Day 11 Enyimba vs Heartland. Babangida’s charge followed his comments to the media on the Match Day 11 fixture between El-Kanemi Warriors and FC Taraba even after he had followed the official channels to lay a complaint about the officiating and is aware it’s bring dealt with.

    Bosso’s charge is in relation to comments he made to the media against the Referee after the Match Day 12 fixture between Rangers and Abia Warriors for which the LMC said he “failed to act in an ethical and professional manner, in the best interest of the game, and you made statements capable of bringing the game to disrepute”.

    They were asked to within 48 hours accept the respective sanctions imposed or elect to defend themselves before a commission and they have all accepted the charges and apologized.

    The LMC also forwarded the cases of the Match Officials to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Referees Appointment Committee requesting that the listed officials performances be reviewed and dropped from further officiating NPFL games pending the conclusion of the review of their performance in some matches.

    In referring the case to the Committee, the LMC expressed dissatisfaction with their performances in some fixtures of Match Day 11 and 12.

    Referee Jerry Akure from Benue State and his assistants, Aliyu Jingi (Bauchi) and Garba Musa from Yobe State were charged for below par handling the Match Day 11 fixture in Umuahia between Abia Warriors and Sunshine Stars while Referee Maaji Mohammed and his assistants Abbas J and Alfa Gimba, all of Niger State Referees Council were charged for poor officiating in the fixture between El-Kanemi Warriors and FC Taraba also in Match day 11.

    Two other cases from Match Day 12 involved Referee Sam Agba from Ogun State Council and his two assistants from the Oyo State Council on a charge of poor performance in the match between Enyimba International and Heartland. The last case of poor performance listed by the LMC involved Referee Mohammed D. Sule and his assistants, Suleiman Jimeta and Sani Mohammed all from Adamawa State Referees’ Council who officiated in the match between Kano Pillars and Giwa FC.

    NFF referees committee have already commenced review of the listed match officials performances upon receipt  of the necessary details and visuals from the LMC.

  • China’s firms improve performance

    China’s factories struggled to expand in May despite recent interest rate cuts and other policy stimulus, a Reuters poll showed, suggesting the government may have to do more to halt a protracted slowdown in the economy.

    The official manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index, is forecast to inch up to 50.2 from April’s 50.1, according to the median forecast of 14 economists in the poll.

    A reading above 50 points indicates an expansion in activity while one below that shows a contraction on a monthly basis.

    “Although the government has unveiled a series of policy stimulus measures, the effect has yet to show up,” said Nie Wen, an economist at Hwabao Trust in Shanghai.

    The flash HSBC/Markit PMI released last week showed factory activity contracted for a third month in May and output shrank at the fastest rate in just over a year, indicating persistent weakness in the world’s second-largest economy that requires increased policy support.

    The private survey focuses on small and mid-sized firms, while the official one looks at larger, state-owned companies.

    China’s annual economic growth slowed to a six-year-low of seven percent in the first quarter, and recent data showed a further loss of momentum heading into the second quarter.

    Economists at HSBC lowered their forecast this week for China’s 2015 GDP growth to 7.1 percent from 7.3 percent, and cut their export growth forecast to 4.2 percent from 7.1 percent.

    “Weaker exports will weigh on corporate spending and sentiment. Meanwhile, policy easing is behind the curve, further cutting into investment growth,” they said in a research note. Given weak conditions, HSBC has doubled down on its projections for further policy easing this year.

    It now expects the central bank to cut interest rates two more times this year, by a total of 50 basis points (bps), and slash banks’ required reserve ratio by a total of 250 bps in cuts to encourage more lending.

    HSBC had previously forecast a further 25 bp cut in interest rates and 100 bps of RRR cuts for the rest of the year.

    In a bid to spur growth and reduce borrowing costs, the central bank already has delivered three interest rate cuts since November, lowering the benchmark lending rate by 90 basis points, and cut bank reserve ratio by 150 bps this year.

    Weighed down by a property downturn, factory overcapacity and high levels of local debt, China’s economic growth is expected to slow to a quarter-century low of around seven percent this year from 7.4 percent in 2014.

    The PMI factory numbers will be released today alongside the official services PMI and the final HSBC/Markit PMI.