The Nation Newspaper

Tag: recognition

  • Global labour union seeks special recognition for Dangote

    Global labour union seeks special recognition for Dangote

    For his investments, which have created thousands of jobs across Africa, the African Industrial Global Union has hailed the President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote.

    The body, at a meeting in Lagos, called for a special recognition for the African entrepreneur, describing him as a success story from Africa who African countries must be proud of.

    At a network meeting on unionisation in Dangote Group, organised by the Industrial Global Union, Africa Region, in Lagos, the union leaders said Dangote has offered a relief to Africa from the negative narratives the western countries latched on to discredit the continent and her people.

    They stated that as Dangote is so patriotic as to dot African soil with billions of dollars investments, creating jobs and reducing poverty, he needs to be given special recognition to motivate others to toe similar line.

    Relishing the prospect of an African country hosting the largest refinery and petrochemicals project, the union leaders said they planned to bring the business mogul to address them at their next African meeting.

    The Regional Secretary, sub-Sahara Africa, Fabian Nkomo, said the body cherished Dangote’s business acumen and would like to work closely with him to ensure that job quality is maintained.

    He said no African has invested so much in Africa, so Dangote should be encouraged. “He has helped governments across African states to create vital jobs and reduce poverty among our people. The union is proud of him,” Nkomo stated.

    The Africa Regional Chairman of Industrial Global Union, Issa Aremu, who is also the General Secretary of Textile Workers Union, praised Dangote for leading industrialisation in the continent.

    Aremu acknowledged Dangote’s efforts at re-industrialisation of the continent, stimulating its growth and creating jobs for its huge population.

    The labour leader lauded Dangote’s commitment to sustainable industrial development, urging governments to provide favourable environment for investments and improve infrastructural development.

    He added that it was time Dangote Group entered into mutually-rewarding engagement with relevant unions even as he called on trade unions to support businesses through improved productivity.

    Aremu alluded to the $12b refinery, petrochemicals and fertilizer projects, which, he said, will be a revolution in the Nigerian industrial space when completed.

    As partners in progress, Aremu pledged  to ensure business-friendly unionisation of Dangote workers.

    He also cautioned the unions involved to be proactive and strategic in handling the exercise, saying, “We need to show that we are partners to improve on the businesses of Dangote. We are talking of unionization because there is an investment in which workers are engaged. If there are no businesses, we can’t be talking of unionism.”

    The Industrial Global Union, with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, represents 50 million workers in 140 countries in the cement, mining, energy and manufacturing sectors.

  • Union leaders seek special recognition for Dangote

    Union leaders seek special recognition for Dangote

    For his strategic investments across African countries and creation of thousands of jobs, the African Industrial Global Union has hailed the President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, for his investment patriotism in Africa.

    The body, at a meeting in Lagos, called for special recognition for the African entrepreneur, describing him as a success story from African soil for which African countries must be proud of.

    Speaking at a network meeting on unionisation in Dangote group, organised by Industrial Global Union Africa Region in Lagos, union leaders said Dangote offered a relief to Africa from the negative narratives the   Western countries latched on to discredit Africa and its people.

    They said as much as an African could be so patriotic to be dotting African soil with billion of dollars investments to create jobs and reduce poverty, he needs a special recognition to motivate others.

    Relishing on the prospective of an African country hosting the single largest refinery and petrochemicals train project, the union leaders said in their next African meeting, they would bring the business mogul to address global union leaders.

    Regional Secretary, Sub- Sahara Africa, Fabian Nkomo said the body cherished the  business acumen of Dangote and would work with him to ensure job quality is maintained.

    He said he moved round Africa and discovered no one else invested so much in Africa as an African like Dangote. “He has helped governments across African states to create jobs and reduce poverty among our people, the unions are proud of him”, Nkomo said.

    In his remark, the Africa Regional Chairman of Industrial Global Union, Issa Aremu who is also the general secretary of Textile Workers Union praised Dangote for leading industrialisation on the Africa continent.

  • N/Delta: Indigenous people’s clamour for recognition

    SIR: The renewed militant activity in the Niger Delta is an indication of hopelessness and desperation. It is a sign of rejection of whatever remediation agenda is on ground now.  The militants are not unaware of the good intentions of the Buhari’s government to ‘mend fences’ particularly the President’s willingness to forge ahead with the UNEP Report decisions and recommendations to clean up the devastation caused by years of environmental neglect from petroleum extraction in Ogoniland.  But, they are desperate for more. They want to be involved in decisions of matters that affect them. They are indigenous people, and they have rights.

    The agitations of the indigenous people of the Niger Delta region seem genuine with violent proclamation as the last option for their self-determination.  Suffice it to say that, the government should diligently manage the clamour for self-determination and protection of the rights of the indigenous peoples as being done in other parts of the world, and more so, as being encouraged by the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights.

    The desire for self-determination is a right. The right to self-determination has nothing to do with territorial integrity or secession.  It could be said that, self-determination grant a people numerous options such as, association, way of life, ownership of land and natural resources, development and healthy biodiversity.  Presently in Nigeria, this right could be tapped from the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (art.  1(1)) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (art. 1(1)) both derived from the Charter of the United Nations  principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples.  Apart from this, the indigenous people of the Niger Delta, and indeed Nigeria, are struggling for recognition and protection as vulnerable, marginalised and forgotten people. Added to self-determination is the right to land and natural resources, that is, claim of traditional ownership of their land and communities. The free, prior and informed consent of the indigenous people is essential for any development of these resources.

    However, the delay and political unwillingness of the government of Nigerian to attend to this matter might not be unconnected with the lack of cohesion among the indigenous peoples themselves. They have not harmonised their agenda. They have not availed themselves with the plethora of legal options being proffered by international and regional laws.

    The the people must come together. They must harness all their potentials and present a formidable national representation to fight the good course. Their ‘identity’ as ‘indigenous people’ must be promoted and propagated.  Awareness of this identity must be publicised locally and internationally.  Dialogue along the path of peace yields more meaningful gain than violence and war.  Those elements add up to the environmental issues causing devastation in the region.

     

    • Ebun Abolarin,

    Lagos.

  • ‘Urhobo deserve better recognition’

    A group, The Urhobo Arsenal for the Development of Niger Delta (TUADEND), has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to give the Urhobo a better recognition as the fifth largest ethnic nationality in the country.

    At a meeting in Ughelli, Delta State, after deliberations on the state of the nation, especially in Niger Delta as they ffected the Urhobo, TUADEND noted that despite Urhobo’s contributions to sustaining Nigeria, they had nothing to show for it.

    In a statement in Warri by its National President Lucky Demide, Secretary Festus Oyibo and Publicity Secretary Mark Odedede, the group said the Urhobo should be given their rightful place in the scheme of things as one of the largest ethnic natiionalities.

    TUADEND noted that in the last 16 years under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Urhobo experienced the worst neglect in federal appointments, developmental projects and other empowerment programmes.

    The statement said: “We, therefore, implore the Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government to show due consideration for the development of the Urhobo nation and make it paramount in its developmental master plan.

    “The Urhobo, as a peace-loving people, are always eager and poised towards supporting the developmental programmes/projects in Niger Delta and other parts of the country.

    “We, members of TUADEND, hope to work with organised development agencies and statutory security bodies to promote peace and harmony in Niger Delta to bring about a tranquil environment for Oil and Gas industries to thrive.”

     

  • I don’t live for recognition –Obiwon

    I don’t live for recognition –Obiwon

    Gifted RnB singer, Obiorah Nwokolobia-Agu, aka Obiwon, made headlines a couple of years ago when he delved into gospel music. Looking back now, he says he has not had cause to regret. He speaks with OVWE MEDEME about his career, the gospel, family and sundry issues.

    You started out as a secular artiste but ended up doing gospel music. How would you say you have fared so far?

    Life as an artiste, especially now as a gospel artiste and a minister of the gospel – it has been great. Gospel music is what I’m passionate about. It is what gets me up every morning and what keeps me going.

    Could you recount the experience that led to you taking that decision?

    I got born again in 2008. I had an experience, an encounter with Christ and that changed my life completely. I had a call to do what I’m doing right now, which is basically to use my music more directly for the kingdom of Christ and in all the other ways I’m applying it; but majorly for the kingdom of Christ.

    What was the particular experience that led to you going into gospel?

    It is a very long story. I’ve told it as much as I can in many interviews. After my first album, after I got my first hit song in the entertainment industry, I met a certain kind of lifestyle that made me reflect and think of life and how I want it to end up.

    Also, looking at other icons and musicians before me and the way they were ending up wasn’t something pleasant. That was scary and I felt there was something better for myself and my gift which I was searching for, which took me back to my initial faith from my parents. It made me query that faith and in the course of querying it, I found out how real it was. I encountered Christ and I gave my life to God.

    Along the line, I still wanted to be an RnB artiste but the deeper I got into God, the clearer it was that I had a calling that I had to use my gifts directly for his kingdom. I finally gave in, and that is where we are today.

     

    Have you ever had any cause to regret that decision?

    Absolutely not. When God is your friend, it is not like you won’t have challenges but if He is your friend and you fellowship with him, that is what makes life worth living.

    So far, how many gospel albums have you released?

    The album that had my second hit song, which is ObiMu o, was a gospel album. But because it is a love song, a lot of people don’t know it is a gospel album. I released Gold Water in late 2013 which had songs like Hail My King and For Your Love and which fetched me quite some gospel awards last year.

    How did the album fare?

    It did wonderfully well. Gospel music is something you grow into. Most times, if you make a transition like that, especially if you are going into Christendom, you start from the scratch and build it up. It is almost impossible to do a level to level move. The initial challenge is basically getting people to accept that I’m serious with what I’m talking about. When I first said I was doing gospel, a lot of people thought I was basically joking, but now the churches are taking me seriously. Christians are taking me seriously and we are moving on from there.

    Talking about awards, would you say the gospel music industry has given you the recognition you deserve?

    It depends on what you mean by recognition. I don’t live for recognition. I live to change lives, to bless souls and to win souls for the kingdom of God. And if the recognition comes, fine. If there is anything I look out for in the gospel community and in the Christian communities, it is just to be able to have the platform to share the gospel with fellow Christians or even share with unbelievers. But the recognition, in form of awards, has come and I am grateful for the people who have recognised the call of God in my life and have given to support my ministry

    Is your fan base as strong as it used to be when you were doing secular music?

    I have fans who support what I am doing. The essence of my call is to make them pay attention to the kind of music that I am doing now, especially considering where I am coming from. But as I said, when you do a transition, especially into the gospel genre, you will realise that there is still a lot to be done in the gospel music industry. I have basically come to this side to build and I’m building. It is my prayer that God will take us to where he called us to be.

    Since you made the transition, have you had any nasty experience from a fan?

    First of all, I am married. I have two children by God’s grace. Secondly, when you are a public figure, when you sing or when you have some level of talent that people appreciate, it does attract people but I treat my fans as my friends and my fans basically understand who I am and what I stand for. We relate to each other as brothers and sisters and that is basically it. If anybody tries to cross any boundary, I just nicely tell them that is not who I am. The important thing is knowing who you are and then falling on to God so that you don’t misstep.

    Would you encourage any of your children to go into music?

    Why not? If that is what God has called them to be, I don’t have an issue with it. The worst thing you can do for a child is to try to take them away from their God-given path. Everybody has come into the world with a gift and sometimes, as parents, we have an idea of the gift we want our children to have but the most important thing is the gift they are most passionate about and what we do is to give them direction. If one or both of my children have music as their gift, I am only their guardian here on earth. Who am I to say no?

    How much time do you get to spend with your family?

    Family is important. My family is my first ministry. I thank God for an understanding wife. Many times you have to balance; you have to know when to shut down. It is usually easier for the males, so to say. It is a little easier for the males than the females because most times females multitask. Motherhood is very difficult but fatherhood is not easy as well, but it hasn’t really affected much because God has given me grace to strike some balance and to have the most time with my family.

  • NIMN, IMM push for global recognition

    To boost marketing in Africa and make its certificates acceptable, Nigeria and South Africa are forming the African Marketing Confederation, writes ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI.

    THE National Institute of Marketing Nigeria (NIMN) and its South African counterpart, the Institute of Marketing Management (IMM) are to establish the African Marketing Confederation (AMC) to attain gbobal repute.

    NIMN President Mr Ganiyu Koledoye said: “The collaboration will promote and enhance marketing practice in Nigeria and bring it to global repute. We have had our challenges in the last 10 years but the collaboration will assist us and other African countries generally, who will be members of AMC too.”

    Koledoye noted that being a member of AMC, Nigerian professionals could travel to other African countries to practise. He stated further that once employers in host countries sight the AMC logo on any certificate issued by NIMN, it will give them the confidence to offer them jobs.

    “We want to tell members of NIMN and those pursuing our programmes that their NIMN certificates will, henceforth, bear the logo of AMC and this will give them opportunities to practise marketing in any country of Africa,” he said.

    Koledoye noted that the collaboration with IMM became imperative to enable the institute to build a new crop of marketing professionals by leveraging on the superior pedigree of the South African marketing body.

    According to him, as part of the plans, both bodies have concluded arrangements to develop a unified marketing syllabus.

    He said the institute decided to re-engineer the profession by collaborating with marketing bodies with rich pedigree to prepare the practitioners for the challenges of a re-based economy.

    “Nigeria, with a re-based economy, boasts of opportunities in commerce.  I think we should have the intelligence of playing in that market. If our marketers are not well equipped to cope with market trends, we will end up being a consuming nation and not making a maximum use of such opportunities,” he said.

    Also, the Group Sales and Marketing Manager, IMM, Mr. Kevin Mottram, said the collaboration was informed by the need to drive the profession in the continent.

    “We believe marketing should not be seen as secondary to any profession, hence, the need to infuse quality in it,” he said.

     

  • Diamond Bank gets recognition

    Diamond Bank gets recognition

    Diamond Bank Plc has been recognised for its market leadership in the Nigerian Banking industry. The lender was presented the award of the Best Issuing Partner Bank in the sub-Saharan African category by the International Finance Corporation.

    The award was presented to the bank’s officials at the inaugural Global Trade Partners Awards dinner held at the conclusion of the IFC Sixth Global Trade Partners Meeting. The meeting took place last week in Lisbon, Portugal and it attracted over 350 delegates from 56 countries.

    Portuguese Deputy Prime Minister, Paulo Portas delivered the opening keynote address, kicking off two days of insightful discussions on building cross-border banking networks, developing innovative solutions for agribusiness and commodity finance, and enhancing global value chains by financing small and medium enterprises.

    “Our annual conference provides an unparalleled opportunity for our partners to learn from global experts and develop business leads in all regions,” said Georgina Baker, Global Head of Trade and Supply Chain Solutions at IFC. “We are pleased to acknowledge those banks that innovated or worked extensively with IFC last year to support the growth of emerging market trade and help more countries and firms integrate into global supply chains.”

    The Global Trade and Supply Chain Solutions team at IFC was formed in 2010 to integrate working capital financing and trade facilitation initiatives with IFC’s award-winning Global Trade Finance Program and Global Trade Liquidity Program.

  • Akintola, Adekunle deserve centenary recognition

    SIR: The decision of the federal government led by Dr. Goodluck Jonathan to celebrate 100 years anniversary of Nigeria as a nation is worthwhile and the government deserves kudos for the feat. In spite of contrary views, the amalgamation of the various pre-colonial nations to form Nigeria by the British colonial overlord has more benefits than minuses. The population, landmass, human resources, peoples, and cultural diversity, if well harnessed, could have made the nation one of the most advanced in the world. Problems being grappled with are just teething ones which, with commitment and dedication on the part of our leaders, would soon fizzle out.

    While I do not know the criteria used in selecting the recipients of the centenary awards, I want to say that there were some omissions which the government has to consider in future. Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola and Brigadier General Benjamin Adekunle (retd) are two Nigerians who so much cherished the unity of Nigeria and paid dearly for its sustenance: Akintola with his life and Adekunle his health.

    Since the centenary celebration was premised mostly on the sustenance of the unity and corporate existence of this nation, the duo should have been given recognition. Ogbomoso people are some of the most travelled peoples in Nigeria; they so much cherish unity of this nation. This was exhibited by late S.L.A Akintola when contrary to the stand of his party – the Action Group on regional solidarity harped on national solidarity as a means of promoting unity and development in Nigeria. This later cost him his life. Also, Adekunle as commander 3rd Marine Commando of the Nigerian Army during the civil war contributed to the corporate existence of this nation by his exploits which was nationally acknowledged. The General is presently bedridden due to the effects of the war.

    Why the duo was left out of the centenary award is hard to conjecture. I believe that it was an oversight on the part of the centenary committee saddled with the selection. President Jonathan is implored to make some amendment by giving honour to whom honour is due.

    • Adewuyi Adegbite

    Apake, Ogbomoso.

  • Forbes award a recognition of what I stand for, says Agric Minister

    Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development Dr. Akinwumi Adesina has said the ‘Forbes 2013 African Man of the Year’ award he won was a recognition of what he stood for.

    Speaking with reporters yesterday in Abuja, Adesina said he was not a billionaire but has a mission to make billionaires from agriculture in the country.

    He said: “To have been selected for this award is quite humbling for me, knowing fully well that I am not a billionaire, but I have a vision and mission to turn others into millionaires and billionaires from agriculture.

    “For me, it was not a competition, but a recognition and that recognition is bigger than myself.

    “It is not just about me; it is about what I stand for and what I have tirelessly worked for all my life.’’

    Adesina said it was wrong to find poor farmers in a country like Nigeria that is blessed with a lot of rainfall, great sun shine and a large population to consume what is produced.

    He blamed the situation on the negative conception of some Nigerians, saying the President Goodluck Jonathan administration was changing the impression about agriculture to that of creating wealth.

    Adesina said: “We are shifting the mindset to agriculture as a sector to create wealth, not as a way of managing poverty, and I think that the recognition by Forbes is for the giant strides we are taking in that direction.

    “Taking agriculture out of the development realm, making agriculture a business where farmers, agro-businesses, seed companies, fertiliser companies and banks can all make money. Agriculture is not a development centre, it is a business.’’

    The 2013 Forbes Africa Man of the Year urged African countries to wake up and recognise that the future was not in oil but agriculture.

  • Alternative Medicine practitioners seek for recognition

    The Alternative Medicine Practitioners of Nigeria has re-emphasised its desire to be accorded the status of an independent body. It has therefore called on the Federal Government to do “what it is supposed to do in order to move this medical sector forward.”

    Professor Joseph Okoro Akpa made the call at the matriculation/graduation ceremony of the Luminar International Centre for Health and Alternative Medicine, Ndiulo Imeama, Mgbowo in Enugu State.

    Akpa, who is the founder of the centre said: “Lack of action by the government had been the greatest hindrance to the progress, promotion and efforts towards moving the practice of alternative medicine forward in this country.”

    He also blamed his colleagues and members of the public for lack of action in enhancing the development of the sub-sector.

    Continuing, he said: “The federal and state governments have failed to do what they are supposed to do to move this medical sector forward.

    “In the case of the public, they lack the drive to form themselves into pressure groups that could influence government to do something, considering that they have been benefiting immensely from our services.

    On the part of the practitioners he said: “Many of our alternative medical practitioners in Nigeria have failed to contribute positively towards the success of our struggle. Some of them have just relaxed in the comfort of their clinics busy making money without caring; so long as they are not harassed by the law enforcement agents.

    “Some form opposition groups against those who use their time, energy and resources in making spirited efforts to keep our medical practice going. Some others form themselves into betrayal party while others form themselves into intimidation and exploitation party to shortchange the uninformed practitioners.”

    Professor Akpa, however, expressed his happiness that crisis that engulfed the National Complementary and Alternative Medical Association (NACAMA) which, he said, nearly caused its disintegration has ended. The association, according to him, was able to handle the crisis that nearly brought extinction to the practice of alternative medicine practice in Nigeria.

    “It is my pleasure to inform you that all disagreements both in court and police have been resolved. Peace and unity have returned in our midst and in our association.”

    He enjoined the graduating students to uphold the ethics of the profession and enter the world to empower and mend souls.

    He urged them to regard themselves as disciples of God and see alternative medicine as a battle which will liberate them from the grip of orthodox practitioners.

    Prof. Akpa reminded the graduating students that they would be monitored wherever they are practising.

    The graduation and matriculation ceremony was preceded by seminars and lectures during which various papers were presented.

    The seminars and workshops were moderated by the spokesman of the alternative medicine practitioners, Dr. Bade Adewale.