The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Performance

  • 110 expelled for poor performance

    The University of Ibadan (UI) has expelled 110 students for poor academic performance. Their expulsion is coming weeks after the institution expelled 12 students and suspended 23 others for  examination malpractice and other offences.

    In a statement, the Registrar, O.I. Olukoya, said Senate approved the students’ withdrawal at its March 9 meeting.

    The students, it was learnt, failed to maintain minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) after two sessions. Some of the affected students’ CGPA did not go beyond 0.5 on a 7.0 scale after two years in the university. The Faculty of Agriculture is worst hit as 27 students were advised to withdraw.

     

  • Oboabona happy with Rizespor’s performance

    Oboabona happy with Rizespor’s performance

    Super Eagles and Rizespor defender Godfrey Oboabona thinks fairly about his season’s exploit so far in Turkey.The bullish defender said his season has been a good one but wouldn’t have been without the help of his creator who he said is responsible for the eye-catching performances

    Though Oboabona may have given himself a pass mark, the club’s performance this season has been nothing short of disappointing with the Turkish outfit sitting just eight points from the drop zone.

    “I have to give thanks to almighty God for making it possible for me; I can’t imagine all the good things people keep saying about my performances in the league and because of that I am very happy and thank God that everything is fine with me,” the former Sunshine Stars FC of Akure defender told footballlive.ng.

    The 24-year-old Nigerian joined Rizespor in 2013 signing a four year deal after earlier reports had linked him with a move to Premier league side Arsenal.

    Since joining the Turkish outfit, the Akure-born defender has made well over 33 appearances scoring three goals in the process.

    “I am playing in every game and I am so much very happy with myself,” Oboabona said.

  • Firm attributes performance to operational excellence

    Firm attributes performance to operational excellence

    The impressive performance of Afriland Properties Plc in the immediate past business year was due to its operational excellence, commitments to customers and high corporate governance standards, its Chairperson,  Erelu Angela Adebayo has said.

    Key extracts of the audited report and accounts of Afriland Properties for the year ended December 31, 2014 showed a profit before tax of N1.74 billion, representing 311 per cent increase on the previous year. The company’s total assets increased to N8.1 billion in 2014 as against N4.2 billion in 2013. The company is paying a total dividend payment of N499.6 million to shareholders, representing a dividend per share of 40 kobo.

    Addressing shareholders at its annual general meeting in Lagos, Erelu Adebayo said the upturn in the company’s net earnings is attributable to improved operational efficiency and focus on value creation.

    She said the company is prepared to further strengthen its balance sheet and business model this year by tapping into the opportunities that will be created in the building and construction sector.

    “We are equally poised to take advantage of other structural reforms of the federal government, which hopefully will impact the housing sector,” Adebayo said.

    Its Managing Director, Mrs. Uzo Oshogwe said the company’s financial performance is an evidence of its operational excellence, a customer centric culture and high corporate governance standards.

    “Our deliberate focus on excellent delivery has prompted increase in our full-year performance,” Oshogwe said.

    According to her, Afriland Properties as a property development and management company, offers end-to-end services along the real estate value chain, from management to joint-venture investments.

    According to her, with a portfolio size of over N8 billion and one of the largest land banks in Nigeria, Afriland Properties is pioneering the opportunities presented by an institutional approach to real estate, serving niche markets throughout Africa.

    Afriland Properties was spun off from United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc and merged with Heirs Real Estate Limited in December 2013. The merger aligned the long-term interests of both companies and leveraged on their complementary strengths to expand operations and expertise.

    At its first AGM in Lagos, the company had distributed N100 million to shareholders, representing a dividend of 10 kobo per share for the 2013 financial year.

  • Workers score NECO Registrar low on performance

    Workers score NECO Registrar low on performance

    The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) members have given knocks to the outgoing Registrar of the National Examinations Council (NECO) Prof. Promise Okpala describing his tenure as the worst since the inception of the Council.

    The Chairman of NECO chapter of NASU, Comrade Abdulrasheed Rabana, who stated this at  a briefing in Minna, said: “The hallmark of Okpala’s administration was the promotion of nepotism and bulkanisation of workers along ethnicity.”

    The union berated Okpala for giving an exaggerated assessment of himself last Friday at a Valedictory  he organised at the council headquarters.

    “The Registrar contrary to what he told his listeners at the self-organised valedictory has bedevilled NECO with an untidy staff strength from about 1,400 in 2007 to 4000 through appointments that flagrantly violated due process and succeeded in killing staff morale and discipline,” Rabana alleged.

    He said Okpala’s tenure was only famous for postings characterised by nepotism and directed at staff considered as opposing his administration.

    The Registrar was also accused of reducing staff ‘Duty Tour Allowance’ (DTA) to as low as 40 per cent of the approved entitlement.

    Rabana alleged that the misfortune of the council in the last eight years also reflected in the fall in enrolment figures of candidates for NECO exams.

    According to the union leader, “the figures for the school-based Senior Secondary School Examination (SSCE) had dropped from 1.6 million candidates in 2007, when he took over to 900,000, while that of external examination fell to 60,000 from 600,000 at the time of his exit.”

    The union then suggested that Federal Government should stop the outsourcing of registrar for NECO, saying its leadership should be someone who is a staff member as it obtains in other exam bodies, such as West African Examinations Council (WAEC).

  • Yoruba ‘ll vote for performance, says Akinrinade

    Yoruba ‘ll vote for performance, says Akinrinade

    The Convener of Yoruba Peoples’ Assembly Lt-Gen. Alani Akinrinade (rtd) has said that Yoruba will always vote for performance in general elections.

    He said the purported endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan by selected Southwest leaders may not achieve the desired result because the people are educated, sophisticated and politically conscious.

    Akinriande lamented that the ‘Yoruba Agenda,’ which encompassed the legitimate demands of the Yoruba in the six Southwest states, Kwara, Kogi, Edo and Kwara, was rejected at last year’s National Conference.

    Giving reason for the collapse of the agenda, the former Chief of Army Staff said many delegates could not comprehend great ideas.

    The elder statesman, who spoke with our correspondent in Lagos on the state of the nation, said selected Yoruba leaders in the pan-Yoruba socio-political group, who have endorsed President for a second term because of his promise to implement the conference report, have misled Yorubaland.

    He said, while the Afenifere leaders have the right to  personally endorse the President, they cannot speak for Yorubaland at this critical time.

    The civil war hero reflected on the proposed deployment of troops for election purpose, saying that it is counter-productive. He said soldiers are needed more in the Northeast region to fight terror and liberate the abducted Chibok girls.

    Akinrinade also reflected on the challenges that will face the winner of the presidential election. He said the next President will inherit a divided country, a comatose economy, soaring unemployment, grave security challenges and corruption in the corridor of power.

    The former Minister of Agriculture said the warning by Americans on disintegration should not be discarded by wise Nigerians. He said the doomsday can only be averted by a leadership that can rise to the occasion.

    Flaying Yoruba leaders for misleading the people on the outcome of the National Conference, he said the conference did not favour the Southwest region.

    Akinriade also lamented that the region is still being marginalised by the Federal Government,  adding that nothing has changed, except the appointment of Brig-Gen. Jones Arogbofa as the Chief of Staff to the President.

    On the conference report, he said: “There are certain things that are sacrosanct to the Yoruba people. For instance, when we talk about true federalism, you don’t just do it on paper. All the elements that go with it like derivation, fiscal federalism, you must have responsibilities. Where are the powers which will be used to discharge the responsibilities? You don’t give me a state police and say that there is a national police being paid for by the central government, which people are free to use. But, if I want a state police, that I must pay for it myself. That is not a fair way to organize federalism.

    “The major issue is that we wanted a government that is more accountable to the people, a government that is close to the people. It is the parliamentary system that gives that kind of atmosphere. There was no reasonable discussion, not to talk about the merit of it. It was not the kind of assembly that I like; when you are given three minutes to talk.”

    Akinriade said the Yoruba Assembly will remain committed to the Yoruba Agenda and continue to raise public consciousness about its objectives.

    He said the Ibadan meeting has led to a re-awakening in the Southwest.

    Akinrinade said Afenifere chieftains were not speaking the mind of Yoruba when they endorsed the President for a second term. He said:” It is difficult to explain in a non-offensive way. There are challenges in Yorubaland. There are group of people who sold us for pittance. They misled us by trying to move us into what they call mainstream politics. All those who stood against it became their enemies. “There are all sorts of things going on around town about some of our eminent politicians, which people don’t want to recognise. But, I believe during this hours of need in Yorubaland, some people stood up and did very well. If not for them, we should have been in the mainstream politics of Nigeria and that is not a very good idea. It is full of corruption, almost brigandage and we cannot accept that for the Yoruba people.

    “There is this group that says they endorsed the Presidency of Jonathan for another four years. You can do that anytime, but you cannot do it on behalf of the Yoruba people. You don’t have to do that for me. I don’t believe that everybody in Yorubaland would like to support Jonathan. We have always been broad minded people who can think and decide what they want. You have to convince them about it. I am not convinced that the so-called elders were now looking at the Yoruba agenda viz-aviz what we went to do in Abuja and what the results are.”

  • Advocating for peace through performance

    Advocating for peace through performance

    Jelili Atiku, an international renowned Nigerian multimedia artist organised a performance titled Kill Not this Country (Manifesto II) against the actions of Boko Haram. It was held recently in Ejigbo, Lagos state.

    The performance was based on the activities of Boko Haram.  Since 2009, Boko Haram, a terrorist group that has been creating horror, terror and amplified-pervasive fears of protracted violence by bombing, maiming, killing and abducting ordinary citizens of the country.

    This terrifying group which have claimed  numerous lives and injuries, paralysis and chronic pains, emotional distress and acute stress, fright and dread, horror and panic, anxiety, anger, and have created so much panicking in the act of Nigerian citizens.

    The event was pungent in a way as Jelili queried the rationale behind the Boko Haram insurgency. By using imageries such as gas-mask, compilation of letters to Boko Haram, cart filled with skulls and others visual forms Jelili created “body image accounts” of the ugly experience which Nigerians are currently undergoing.

    Through drawing, installation sculpture, photography, video and performance (live art); he strives to help viewers understand the world and expanding their understanding and experiences, so that they can activate and renew their lives and environments.

    Prior to the enactment of the performance, Jelili Atiku requested for participation of the public all over the world through sending a personal letter address to the members of Boko Haram imploring them to stop the killings, the maiming and the terrorization of the people.  He also asked people for plastic skulls in order to indicate lives that have lost for no reasons, which real make the performance look more realistic to the audience.

    One of the outstanding achievements of the performance was the pushing of the skull-cart with inscription Show Me Boko Haram on the streets of Ejigbo and distributing the letters to Boko Haram booklet.

    There was no doubt that the performance was a campaign against the obnoxious actions of Boko Haram; and it became ‘bodily knowledge’ by which the people (audience)” become aware and possess an immediate knowledge of the realities of Boko Haram. Thus, there was a kind of involuntary and receptive anticipatory mobilisation of the body in relation to the action of Boko Haram.

     

  • Lagos records 83 per cent budget performance

    Lagos records 83 per cent budget performance

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, yesterday took a retrospective look at the performance of the state’s 2014 budget, revealing that it recorded an impressive 83 per cent cumulative performance.

    Fashola, who spoke to journalists after a budget review meeting held at the Lagos House, Ikeja, noted that the fourth quarter performance was 77 percent and the cumulative percent was 83 percent.

    According to him, “We have started work on 2015 budget while some people are still unable to present their budget for 2015. That is the difference between us and them.

    “Our budget is all about service and some of the impact of the fourth quarter performance would be seen in the completed court buildings in Epe, Ikeja and the solar powered projects in the primary schools and PHCs. Also, progress made on Road construction across the state-Agiliti, Isheri-Oshun and others.”

    Fashola said the Gbagada Cardiac and Renal Centre has been completed and would be commissioned very soon, assuring that the state government will strive to complete many of the on-going projects.

  • Ogun HoS lauds TUC on performance

    The Ogun State Head of Service, Mrs. Modupe Adekunle, has lauded the performance of the state chapter of Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) by promoting and protecting the interest of its members nation-wide.

    She made this statement while declaring open the 5th Triennial delegates’ conference of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, Ogun State Chapter held recently at the Academic Staff Union of Secondary School (ASSUS) Hall, Leme in Abeokuta.

    The Head of Service who was represented by the Consultant to the Governor on Labour, Comrade Julius Ogundipe, said the TUC has been able to meet the demand of workers for better insight into the management of the different unions, adding that it is becoming increasingly clear in the public and private sectors that the economic growth and advancement of the country required the inputs of not just properly trained workers and professionals, but also union leaders who represent the true and collective aspirations of their members.

    Mrs. Adekunle urged the TUC members not to sit on the fence even as the general election is at hand,  noting that the conference must demonstrate the truth democratic structure and maturity of the different unions during their election.

    ‘’The conduct of this delegates conference must demonstrate the democratic structure of our different unions and maturity of our members. I need not remind you that this congress must be held devoid of violence, we must eschew bitterness, and ensure that the process does not produce a victor nor a vanquished. It is a process to move the congress forward and put it at a vantage position to represent the collective aspiration of your principals and make your voice heard’’ Hos said.

  • ‘We’re performance -driven’

    ‘We’re performance -driven’

    Mr. Adedeji David Ajadi was appointed Registrar/Chief Executive of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, the umbrella body for training and certification of professionals operating in the nation’s capital market, effective 13th of March, 2014. Prior to his appointment, he was Acting Registrar/CEO between 1st of March, 2013 and 12th of March 2014, and Assistant Director, Education and Training between May 2010 and February 2013. In this interview with Ibrahim Apekhade Yusuf, he shares his experience on managing men and material resources

    MR Adedeji Ajadi, can be easily described as a man who has literally gone through the mill. A thoroughbred professional, Ajadi’s journey into the world of financial services began over two decades ago.

    “I have been around,” he says with a sense of modesty.

    Ajadi holds Bachelor’s degrees in Agricultural Extension and Rural Sociology from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife (1991) and in Applied Accounting from Oxford Brookes University, United Kingdom.

    He also obtained a Master of Science degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Ibadan (1998).

    He is an Associate member of both the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers. He is also the first Nigerian Certified International Investment Analyst (CIIA Diploma holder).

    “I started my career in consulting. I was involved in professional accountancy training first between 1994-1997 preparing people for ICAN exams, among others. I also worked with Excel Professional Centre in Ibadan before I moved on to an audit firm, Anenih Dairo and Co, also in Ibadan from 1998-1999.”

    Determined to build his skills set in his chosen field, from 1999-2005, he moved into the banking sub-sector, where he put in over seven years.

    His over 23 years post-graduate experience cuts across banking, management and finance consulting, accounting and auditing.

    He garnered extensive domestic banking operations experience while with Chartered Bank Plc between 1999 and 2005.

    He pioneered the operations of Ile-Ife branch of the bank in 2003 and ultimately led the branch to win the award of best performing branch in 2004.

    From 2005 to 2006, he held the position of Head of Research and Training at B. Adedipe Associates Limited, a Finance and Management Consultancy firm. He was a key member of consulting teams that handled a number of training, business strategy and recruitment projects for top Nigerian financial institutions including Central Bank of Nigeria, First Bank of Nigeria Plc, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, Associated Discount House, NPF Community Bank, First City Monument Bank Plc, Chartered Bank Plc, Diamond Bank Plc and Wema Bank Plc.

    For over 18 years, Ajadi has been actively involved in training professional students of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS).

    He regularly facilitates training courses in Finance, Accounting, Securities and Investment.

    Expectedly, as someone who has spent most of his productive years in the financial service sector, Ajadi easily beats his chest that here is a sector that holds a lot of promises for the economy.

    “My background in the banking and financial sector has placed me in good stead, I must say.”

    According to him, the finance sector is a major driver of the real sector, he says, adding: “Whether banking or capital market, these are the major sources of funding for the real sector.”

    Little wonder, he says, “If anything untoward happens in the sector, the ripple effect on the economy is usually massive. In the short and long term, the financial sector is very key. Once something goes wrong, all hell is let loose.”

    On what it takes to achieve success as a professional, training is of necessity, he admits as a matter of fact.

    “To succeed in the financial service sector, you need requisite training. In Nigeria today, the CIS certification is the benchmark of the capital market. Above all, to succeed in the sector, you must have interest and passion.”

    The CIS occupies a strategic platform within the structure of the Nigeria capital market with the pre-occupation of training and certification of stockbrokers, he emphasised.

    According to him, membership of the Institute is widely spread, cutting across a wide spectrum of the economy including: stockbroking firms, issuing houses, pension fund management institutions, banking, finance houses and insurance companies, among others.

    Speaking on the benefits of CIS membership, he said members are entitled to the following benefits: diverse employment opportunities in various sectors of the economy globally; flexibility of examination in terms of when to write it and number of courses; opportunity for  foreign professional certification in investment advisory services; lucrative and rewarding career; prestigious profession and  self- employment with minimum capital among others.

    The CIS boss explained that the Institute’s functions include conducting stockbroking professional examinations, regulating the practice and conduct of stockbroking by regulating its members, organising seminars, workshops and symposia for members to keep them abreast of new developments in the market, as well as maintaining professional standard and discipline for the members.

    Thankfully, Ajadi says in order to encourage a great many youths desirous of building a career in the stock market, the Institute in 2012, introduced the new qualification of registration, which is the CIS Professional Diploma in Securities and Investment.

    He noted that the professional diploma in securities is open to those with Ordinary Level Certificates, CIS approved diplomas, university degree and Higher National Diploma holders without strong background in numerate subjects and other CIS qualifications.

    “It is for young people who don’t have the opportunity of running a degree programme. We look for young people, who are vibrant, with O level, five credits including English and Mathematics. There are two stages in the exams.

    “It is all geared towards building a large pool of young Nigerians, to support the federal government strategy of financial inclusion. And I can tell you it’s been very encouraging. In the last two years, we  have  got    good response.    So, I believe we are on the right   cause. Currently, we take the exams every other month now just to  be able to encourage them.”

    While ventilating his views on how one can build a successful career and rise to the pinnacle of his profession, especially in the finance service sector, Ajadi said, “It is a function of your drive and performance. You have to be able to demonstrate the capacity to deliver on assignments.”

    Speaking further, he said: “To enjoy rapid growth and promotion, you must show the needed determination to succeed. Your focus must be on performance. You really cannot enjoy the same progression. It differs from individuals to individuals. For some people, they can rise on the job within a few years. But I can tell you most CEOs today must have put in between 15-20 years.”

    The measure of a successful leader, according to Ajadi, is the ability to impact positively on his team; hence, he sets stores by living the ideals of exemplary leadership at all times.

    Talking of his management style, he said, he tries to lead by example.

    “We place a lot of premium on our human resources. We try as much as possible to encourage our staff.”

    Expatiating, he said: “I have a system that is accommodating. I believe the way you treat your people is the same way they would treat their customers. So to excel as an organisation and deliver on service, you must be conscious of the way you relate with your staff lest they can carryover any bad experience to the customers as well.”

    “It is my bit to manage human and material resources. The Governing Council of the CIS set the strategic direction, which we implement to the letter.”

    Like every organisation, Ajadi says the CIS sets store on performance. “Again, in every organisation there are performance indices to determine who is doing what. We do staff appraisal from time to time. We’re a performance-driven organisation and we reward our staff based on their performance.”

    Pressed further, he said: “Normally, if you can’t fit into the organisation after all the necessary incentives have been given you may just find your way out, just as it is done elsewhere.”

    Asked to recall his most difficult decision as CEO, he was noncommittal. “I can’t really place my hand on it. Of course, as a manager, you cannot shy away from taking decisions however tough it seems.”

    On what legacy he hopes to bequeath to the CIS, Ajadi waxed philosophical.

    “What I would want to be remembered for is someone who came here and did his level best, added my own value. I want the CIS to grow bigger and stronger. It is not about me. I want to be able to contribute my own quota to the system because presidents or CEOs would come and go but the Institute will remain, hence, we cannot afford to treat our jobs with levity while we have the opportunity to ensure change for the better in our own modest way.”

     

  • ‘This campaign is about my performance’

    Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi has predicted victory for the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the general elections.

    He said the party will win the elections in Rivers State because he has performed creditably in the last seven and half years.

    The governor described his performance in education, health care, agriculture, human capital development and the provision of first-rate infrastructure as the issues that will shape the governorship election.

    He said the search for his successor will be based on his achievements and the ability of the candidates.

    Amaechi said his success is the success of the APC in Rivers State. He described the APC governorship candidate, Dakuku Peterside, as the most educated, competent and acceptable candidate. He said Peterside will surpass his record of performance.

    However, Amaechi declared that the performance President  Goodluck Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will also influence the choice of many voters in the oil-rich region.

    The governor, who spoke at Okehi, Etche Local Government Area, urged the people to reject Dr. Jonathan at the poll, saying that he has not performed.

    Amaechi said: “This election is all about me and my performance. It is also about President Goodluck Jonathan and our small friend, Nyesome Wike. I built schools. I employed teachers. I built health centres and we worked on some federal roads. When I started the Igbo Etche Road, the Federal Government stopped me. Now, I will be stubborn. I will start the road again because Igbo Etche is very important to us.

    “Let the President show us one small project in Etche Local Government. All the Federal Government projects that are in Rivers State were initiated by Yoruba and Hausa-Fulani Presidents. The Bodo Bonny Road project, for instance ,was started by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.

    “Jonathan does not like us. I had to start a battle with them before the East-West Road was started again. He did not attract anything here. Onne Sea Port, Eleme Petrochemical, the refinery, all of them. Our so-called brother has spent six years. Why does he say he loves us? He only loves our votes, but this time around, we are going to reject him. Etche oil well has been taken to Abia, yet they want our votes”.

    Amaechi urged the people to shun sentiment during the elections, adding that  performance and character are very vital. He said the country needed a new direction, which only the APC can give.