The Nation Newspaper

Tag: promises

  • NNPC’s boss promises to sustain transformation of sector

    NNPC’s boss promises to sustain transformation of sector

    The newly appointed Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Joeph Thlama Dawha yesterday said that the Corporation will sustain the ongoing transformation of the upstream, midstream and downstream sectors of the Nigerian Oil and Gas sector in order to impact positively on the economy.

    Dawha, gave the assurance  while taking over the baton of leadership from the former GMD, Andrew Laah Yakubu at the NNPC Towers, yesterday in Abuja.

    A statement by the Group Public Affairs Division, Ohi Alegbe, said the new GMD expressed gratitude to President Goodluck  Jonathan on his appointment and assured that the management under him, would find lasting solution to some of the knotty issues plaguing the petroleum sector.

    He praised Yakubu for his commitment and dedication to the service of the nation over the last thirty years, and wished him well in his future endeavor.

    Dr. Dawha solicited for maximum support from the members of staff, stressing that the moment has come for NNPC to impact more on the Nigerian society.

    Speaking earlier, Yakubu thanked the President for the opportunity given him to rise to the pinnacle of his career, and congratulated the Dawha on his well-deserved appointment.

    Yakubu described the new GMD  as a thorough-bred professional who has the intellectual capacity to navigate the NNPC and the entire oil industry to the next level.

    Before his appointment as GMD, Dr. Dawha was the Group Executive Director for Exploration and Production of the NNPC, where he was saddled with the onerous responsibility of repositioning and setting strategic direction for the upstream exploration and production activities of the Corporation.

    The new GMD joined the services of the NNPC in 1988 and by dint of hard work and dedication, rose to the rank of Executive Director, Commercial Services of Eleme Petrochemical Company Limited, (now Indorama) Port Harcourt in 2003, from where he was appointed the Managing Director of Integrated Data Services Limited, Benin in 2005.

  • LP candidate promises free medicare for expectant women

    Osun State Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate, Alhaji Fatai Akinbade, has promised to give “free medical treatment to pregnant women till date of delivery,” if he wins the August 9 election.

    Akinbade also assured that a state-of-the-art diagnostic centre would be constructed.

    The LP governorship candidate, in a statement by his Director of Media, Mr. Kayode Oladeji, gave the assurance while speaking with over 500 women in Osogbo under the aegis of Women for Positive Change, led by Dr. (Mrs.) Eunice Adedayo.

    Akinbade said in addition to provision of qualitative free health for the residents, pregnant women would be specially catered for.

    According to him, the priority attention for women would go a long way in reducing incidences related to pregnancies.

    He said: “We believe one of the surest ways of preserving our future is to pay solid attention to our present because, if we are able to take care of our pregnant women, this will not only reduce mortality rate, but will ensure the delivery of healthy children who will be leaders of tomorrow.

  • LP promises industrialisation

    LP promises industrialisation

    OSUN State Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate, Alhaji Fatai Akinbade, has promised to place a premium on industrialisation and mechanised agriculture if he wins the August election.

    Akinbade, in a statement by his Director of Media, Mr. Kayode Oladeji, said the industrialisation of Osun State would lead  to creation  of enduring jobs for thousands of job-seekers.

    He assured the people that during his tenure, the state would witness an unprecedented turnaround through industrialisation and massive agricultural development.

    “We shall use industrialisation and agriculture as the planks to turn around the fortunes of our state. The economy of this state that has clearly gone down will be rejuvenated. These two major programmes will lead to the provision of infrastructural facilities in our rural and urban centres.

    “On our quest to industrialise the state if given the mantle, I want to assure that I have done a thorough research on it and we already have what to take off with. There would be steady power supply for all related investors. By the grace of God, many will be surprised how we shall do it.”

    Akinbade promised to execute programmes that would improve the people’s living standard, adding  that if voted in, he would prioritise  infrastructural and rural development.

    He said: “These in turn, will have multiplier effect on education, health and civil service and other sectors. This is because there will be a synergy and nexus in our programmes, which will be human-centred and people-based.”

    The aspirant assured local entrepreneurs of support to expand their businesses to further create job opportunities for the young graduates through the private sector.

    “All this will lead to the reintroduction of middle class. Besides, our programmes will curb capital flight currently being witnessed in the state, a development that has left many living from hands to mouth,” he said.

    Akinbade, who expressed optimism that he would win the August 9 governorship election, pointed out that having served in different capacities in government and party levels, he was ready for the coming assignment.

  • Ekpoh dance competition: Waconzy promises five winners $1000 each

    Ekpoh dance competition: Waconzy promises five winners $1000 each

    Popular singer, Obinna Kelvin Anyanwu, popularly known as Waconzy, has offered to give five lucky winners $ 1000 each in the Ekpoh dance competition.

    It will be recalled that during the official release party for the song, Waconzy taught his fans how to dance the Ekpoh dance, following the popularity of the song by his fans.

    According to the organisers, an interested contestant will be expected to cover his or her face with his or her left hand and dance like he or she is going insane. “And when you hear the word “Knack am”,  act like you are holding a stick with your right hand and use it to hit your enemies. You can also add your own flavour. Do anything very entertaining to express the Ekpoh dance. But you must cover your face with your left hand.  However, a group dance drama will also be considered a plus.”

    To participate in the competition, participants are to download the “Ekpoh” Mp3, watch the Ekpoh dance instruction video by Waconzy, record and upload their best dance video on YouTube with the name: Waconzy Ekpoh dance by (yourname). They are also to tweet to @waconzy with the hashtag #waconzyekpohdancecompetition and email their Youtube video link to dv8@waconzy.com.

    The organisers further revealed that winners would be announced on August 10, on top websites/blogs and www.waconzy.com, the official website of the initiator.

    Wacozy shot to fame after his hit track, I Celebrate, which was released in 2008.  Due to his passion for music, he distinguished himself by carving a niche in the music industry, thereby resulting in his style of music, which is a blend of Western and African rhythm called Afro-soul.

    He has collaborated with Truth Hurts (USA), Banky W, Faze, Duncan Mighty, Naeto C and more.

  • Bamidele promises massive job creation

    Labour Party (LP) candidate, Mr. Opeyemi Bamidele has unveiled his programmes, if elected governor.

    Bamidele, at the presentation of his manifesto in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, promised to  develop in all aspects of the state economy.

    The LP candidate, who admitted that Governor Kayode Fayemi did his best, boasted he had the requisite experience to do better if given the opportunity.

    Bamidele promised “to improve he lives of the people through integrated and commercial agriculture, robust Infrastructural development to provide jobs for over 400,000 unemployed youths, regular water supply, low cost housing units, human capital development and other pivotal areas of the economy”.

    He said: “I concede to the fact that Governor Fayemi has done his best for Ekiti people. But the best one can do under any circumstance is his best. So, based on the extent of his understanding, experience and exposure, I want to say he has done his best.

    “But the reason why I am in this race to take over from Governor Fayemi in the June 21 election is simply because I know I can do much better. Today marks a turning-point in the history of this state.

    “Our manifesto, which involves massive agriculture, quality and affordable education, water supply to rural and urban centres and robust infrastructure will be implemented in a manner that will generate jobs for our youths.

    “I call this manifesto a blueprint for Ekiti Growth and Development because I know that this is a contract with Ekiti people and we will do our best to wipe away poverty  and raise the bar of governance to the admiration of all.”

    Earlier in his address, Chairman of the Elders’ Forum of LP Prof. Joseph Oluwasanmi urged the electorate to vote against those he regarded as lacking in dignity and honour.

    Oluwasanmi, former Commissioner for Health under the Otunba Niyi Adebayo-led administration, said: “Ekiti is known to be Land of Honour and

    Dignity and we have to live by this.

    “We should not allow those who cannot spell the names of their parties correctly or those who don’t worth being elected chairmen and are parading themselves as governorship candidates from taking over the reign of leadership in our land”.

     

  • Federation promises successful hosting

    Federation promises successful hosting

    The Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) on Wednesday promised a successful hosting of the International Badminton Classics in Lagos. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the competition is slated for June 4 to 7.

    Francis Orbih, the Vice-President of BFN, told NAN  that renovation work had commenced at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Hall after the hosting of the DAWN Games. He said that the classics was a world class event and assured that all hands were on deck to ensure its success.

    “We waited for the Badminton events at the DAWN Games to be concluded, before embarking on the renovation of the Indoor Sports Hall. The mats in the court will be changed, television sets will be put in the lounge and many more things,” he said.

    Orbih advised badminton players in the country to make full use of the advantage of the Classics and improve on their skills.

    “The competition is here; we do not require money for flight tickets and accommodation, so we have the privilege to present as many athletes as possible. The players should use the opportunity for self evaluation and strive to learn new things,” he said.

    Orbih said the country would be taking advantage of the competition as hosts to present not less than 50 athletes.

    NAN reports that the competition’s total prize money would be $15,000 , for all winners. No fewer than 15 countries are being expected at the competition.

    The countries include: USA, Austria, France, Israel, Canada, Slovenia, Czech Republic, New Zealand, Botswana and Uganda. Others are South Africa, Ghana, Italy, India and hosts, Nigeria.

  • OSMI promises sponsors, advertisers of delivery

    Optima Sports Management International (OSMI), the exclusive 2014 FIFA World Cup terrestrial broadcast rights owners in Nigeria, has promised advertisers and sponsors of returns on investment (ROI) if they partner with the firm for the World Cup matches broadcast on television and radio.

    OSMI signed an agreement with the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON). With it, BON, through its network of radio and television stations, will broadcast the 64 matches of the World Cup free.

    OSMI Chief Executive Officer Mr. Rotimi Pedro said the collaboration would not only benefit sport-loving Nigerians, it will also provide a window of commercial opportunities for corporate organisations.

    “Our vision as a company is to make premium sports programmes available to the majority of Nigerians, without them paying for it. The forthcoming World Cup in Brazil will not be an exception. It doesn’t matter where an average Nigerian resides, we plan to make the World Cup matches available to him.

    “We also plan to deliver commercial value to corporate bodies who will partner with us on the broadcast. We would connect their brand messages, products and services with the target market all over the country. That’s why we are working with BON on this project. Through their network of stations, OSMI plans to reach about 32 million TV households in Nigeria and extend the World Cup experience farther into the rural centres through radio transmission. The dual media of radio and television will synergise to deliver ultimate value to the sponsors and advertisers seeking to be part of the biggest sport event in the world,” he said.

    Pedro added: “For the 2010 World Cup, OSMI’s partnership with BON network was ranked in the Top three in the global average audience per live match by channel rating. With an average of 14.9 million for each live match, the OSMI network beat many popular European, Middle East and Asian television networks.”

    BON Chairman Alhaji Abubakar Jijiwa praised OSMI for its initiative to beam the World Cup matches free.

    He assured the rights owner of his organisation’s readiness to partner with it, enjoining BON members to abide by the regulations under which FIFA granted OSMI the rights.

  • UBA Capital promises good performance

    UBA Capital promises good performance

    UBA Capital Plc has assured shareholders and other stakeholders that it is poised to build on its strong fundamentals and expertise to deliver superior performance and enhance returns to investors.

    The assurance was given yesterday when the new chairman of board and chief executive officer of the company paid introductory visit to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) in Lagos. In January, UBA Capital had announced the appointment of Mrs Oluwatoyin Sanni as the new group chief executive officer and Mr. Chika Mordi as chairman.

    Addressing stockbrokers and investment journalists, Sanni said UBA Capital would continue to leverage on its formidable team of experts to continue to deliver world-class financial and investment services to its stakeholders.

    According to her, as a publicly-listed company on the NSE, shareholders of UBA Capital should be rest assured of high standards of disclosure and transparency, in addition to superior performance in investment banking, trusteeship, asset management and securities.

    “In the coming week, we will unveil a series of leading and industry shaping initiatives which will redefine the financial services landscape, deliver significant value to our stakeholders and clearly set UBA Capital apart from our competitors,” Sanni said.

    In his remarks, Mordi said the company would make great strides in the year.

    “It has been a privilege for us to be honoured in this way by the NSE. Our ringing of the bell at the NSE today is clearly symbolic, because we intend to make great, resonant sounds throughout this year,” Mordi said. Listed on January 11, 2013 at N1.16, UBA Capital closed yesterday at N2.50 per share.

    Meanwhile, the Nigerian stock market, which had witnessed sustained rally since Monday, suffered a major reversal yesterday as the announcement of the suspension of the CBN governor hit the market.

    Aggregate market value of all quoted equities dropped by N187 billion from N12.655 trillion to close at N12.468 trillion. The benchmark index- the All Share Index (ASI), indicated a daily average loss of 1.47 per cent to close at 38,816.19 points as against its opening index of 39,397.09. Most analysts blamed the downtrend at the stock market on the development at the central bank.

    Aggregate market value of all equities at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) had opened this week at N12.427 trillion and built up successively to N12.528 trillion, N12.530 trillion and N12.655 trillion on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday respectively. The ASI had also sustained steady rally prior to the reversal on Thursday. ASI opened at 38,767.29 points and built up to 38,964.75 points, 38,972.56 points and 39,397.09 points within the first three trading days.

  • Minister promises normal electricity supply

    Minister promises normal electricity supply

    The Minister of Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo has assured that everything necessary is being done to normalise electricity supply to parts of the country where shortage has been experienced in the past few days and weeks.

    Nebo expressed deep regret over the situation in parts of Lagos and other areas that have suffered reduced supply. He attributed the challenge to gas supply, already being squarely addressed by the Federal Government.

    Nebo explained that the deterioration in the quantity of supply in the Lagos area was a direct consequence of the compounded gas shortage, resulting from the recent vandalism of the Escravos Lagos (western axis) gas pipeline.

    In a statement, the Special Assistant on Communication/Media, Kande Daniel, said the repair work on the pipeline, earlier completed last week, was now taking a few more days due to the discovery of at least two additional leaks in the process of pressurising, prior to putting the pipeline back to use.

    He said the completion of repairs and re-commissioning of the pipeline, earlier planned for this week, is now expected to be achieved before the end of January.

    Nebo said although an increase in generation was recorded this week despite the unfavorable gas situation, Lagos received a maximum load of 816MW on Sunday 29th December, less than the required minimum of 1,000MW, describing this as inadequate and unacceptable for the nation’s commercial nerve centre.

    He said as part of the concerted efforts to sustain the recent gains made in power supply across the country, work by in-house engineers and technicians of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) is at an advanced stage to put back to use the 132kV transmission tower No. 69 which collapsed a few days ago.

    Prof. Nebo assured that the line would be on soak in a few days, following successful coupling and stringing by TCN engineers.

    With the 330kV Transmission Line from Afam to Alaoji functioning, and most industries shut for the end of year, the 330KV line is not carrying full load, and therefore, no area is badly affected by the collapse of the 132kV Transmission Tower No. 69. TCN is positive that both the reconstructed 132kV Transmission Tower No 69 and lines would soon be ready.

    The Minister also appealed to the media to continue to partner with the Ministry to speed up achievement of results in the power sector reforms, by enlightening the public on the real issues in the sector, as well as the imminent positive results of government’s bold steps at privatization. Dec 31 at 11:36 AM

  • Fayemi promises autonomy for more communities

    Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi has promised to give autonomy to communities that meet the requirements.

    Fayemi spoke at the weekend in Araromi-Ugbesi, Ekiti East Local Government Area, during his tour of the state.

    He said any town that “had a history of autonomy before it was subsumed by a larger community should send a paper to the relevant authorities for processing”.

    Other towns visited in the council include Ilasa, Araromi Oke, Omuo Oke, Eda Ile, Kota and Omuo Obadore.

    The governor was warmly welcomed by the people.

    Fayemi said he had no sole power to grant communities autonomy, adding that the Ekiti Council of Traditional Rulers, Bureau of Chieftaincy Affairs and House of Assembly had critical roles to play on autonomy requests by communities.

    He said his administration had spent N600 million on Community Self Help projects, otherwise known as “Grants-in-aid”, across the 16 councils of the state.

    Fayemi assured the people of improved conditions of living.

    He said: “To get autonomy, you have to send your memoranda to the Council of Traditional Rulers. If your case is considered important at that level, then the House of Assembly will approve it and I will ratify or do otherwise.

    “But I want to assure you that my government will not deprive any community the right to autonomy, particularly if such community has been an autonomous one by history.”