The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Service

  •  Service to Nature

    •An unusual award for a Nigerian in the field of science

    Nature and its numerous forms of life came into sharp focus as a Nigerian scientist, Dr. Shiluwa Manu, received The Marsh Award for International Ornithology at the Mall Gallery in London. He was praised for his exceptional work in advancing the knowledge of birds in Nigeria. The scale and significance of the event were evident from the presentation of the award by The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Phillip, and the involvement of the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) and the Society of Wildlife Artists.

    Manu’s glorious international recognition in the area of the scientific study of birds deserves reflection, especially considering that he comes from a country where the field is possibly regarded as unimportant. It is a testimony to the power and value of unconventional thinking that Manu was able to do his unusual work at a relevant base created and sustained by those who put a high premium on ornithological studies. Manu, who called the honour “humbling”, is head of the A.P. Leventis Ornithological Research Institute (APLORI), the Biological Conservatory of the University of Jos, Plateau State. It is interesting to note that APLORI is reportedly the only field station dedicated to ornithological research and conservation training in West Africa, and contributes to ornithological knowledge in countries in the sub-region.

    Given this background, it is unsurprising that Manu, who described the award ceremony also as a “propitious and wonderfully exhilarating occasion”, acknowledged the advantages he enjoyed. He said: “The APLORI, University of Jos, Nigeria, provided me the enabling environment for achieving this recognition. All my colleagues in APLORI as well as the Laminga community (our host), from where we operate, contributed immensely to this recognition.”

    It is instructive to note that the Marsh Trust, the platform for the prestigious award, according to the BTO Director, Andy Clemens, “seeks to recognise unsung heroes who all aim to improve the world we live in.” Recipients of The Marsh Awards, he said, include scientists working in conservation biology and ecology, authors and sculptors from the arts world, and those who give unselfishly to work with the young, the elderly, people with mental health issues “and for our heritage”.

    This context is not only clarifying, it also underlines the import of the prize. It is a flattering award, no doubt, but not only for Manu. By extension, his country can understandably bask in the glory too, for it may well be a sign of hope and the possibility of renaissance for a country struggling to counter the undesirable image of failure. An inspiring implication of Manu’s recognition is that competent and devoted specialists can still be found in the country’s knowledge industry, despite the crisis in its education sector.

    In this connection, it is impressive that Manu’s contribution to the advancement of knowledge in his area is further highlighted by the information that, under his guidance, up to eight West African students enroll yearly in a Master’s degree programme in Conservation Biology, towards building the necessary biodiversity conservation capacity in the sub-region. It goes without saying that in an age of increasing environmental concerns and conservation anxieties, Manu’s work is of immeasurable importance. Interestingly, the list of birds of Nigeria includes 940 species; and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list published last year indicates that 19 bird species are threatened in the country.  The IUCN publication, which presents a “useful snapshot of what is happening to species today and highlights the urgent need for conservation action”, helps to more properly situate and appreciate the work of scientists like Manu. In a profound sense, he represents the mostly understated guardians of the country’s biological diversity, if not the biodiversity of the planet.

  • Chidoka advises airport managers on service delivery

    Chidoka advises airport managers on service delivery

    The  Minister of Aviation, Mr. Osita Chidoka has urged managers of airport to improve on service delivery in line with the transformation in the aviation sector.

    Special Assistant to the Minister on Performance Monitoring, Chidi Nkwonta stated this at the opening of the Ministerial Performance Management System Orientation for Regional and Airport managers in Lagos.

    He stated that the training was a follow up to the meeting held by the Minister of Aviation with Airport Managers where key performance indicators were introduced.

    Earlier, the Managing Director of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN),  Saleh Dunoma commended the initiative and charged airport managers to improve on service delivery and performance.

    He also challenged them to remain faithful to the vision and  mission of the authority.

    He said:, “We must pursue our mission

    “To develop and profitably manage customer centric airport facilities for safe, secure and efficient carriage of passengers and goods at world class standards.”

    He said measures had been put into place to assess the performance of airport managers through their services to customers.

    “Users of our airports must be given priority in service delivery,” he said.

    FAAN’s Director of Airports Operations, Capt. Henry Omeogu said improved performance by airport managers was key to the actualisation of the Authority’s vision of being among the best airport groups.

    The Director of a Human Resources, Hajia Salamatu Umar-Eluma pledged the commitment of the workers to the success of the initiative.

  • Let’s rededicate ourselves to the service of Nigeria

    Let’s rededicate ourselves to the service of Nigeria

    Independence Day address by Lagos State Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola (San), on October 1, 2014, at the National Day Parade, Police College Ground, Ikeja, Lagos.

    Dear Lagosians, today, October 1, 2014, we are once again celebrating the anniversary of our independence from British colonial rule.

    Today marks 54 years since Nigeria became an independent sovereign nation, following the germination of a seed that had been sown seven years earlier, when in 1953, Anthony Eromosele Enahoro introduced a private member’s bill demanding self-government.

    For emphasis and clarity, let me repeat that by records and history Nigeria is 54 years old irrespective of what the centenary revisionists say.

    We have never celebrated amalgamation day. We have only celebrated Independence day.

    When our first Prime Minister mounted the podium on the October 1, 1960 he spoke to an independent and a newly born nation. That happened 54 years ago, not 100 years ago.

    We can only imagine the exultant joy felt by our Prime Minister, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa when he said in his Independence Day Speech:-

    “This is a wonderful day, and it is all the more wonderful because we have awaited it with increasing impatience, compelled to watch one country after another overtaking us … when we had so nearly reached our goal.”

    Indeed he mirrored the views of millions of Nigerians and echoed their thoughts.

    When the British “Union Jack” flag was lowered for the last time and the green-white-green Nigerian flag was hoisted in its stead, the crowd went wild with jubilation, filled with high expectations of a greater tomorrow.

    Independence Day soon became easily the most significant day in our national life, accorded a pride of place that was difficult to surpass.

    Independence day became synonymous with the Governor or President in open-top cars inspecting Guards of Honour; beautiful parades; exciting fireworks and National Day Award ceremonies.

    As a school boy, I remember struggling hard to get selected to march for my school in the National Day Parade, the endless rehearsals, and the keen anticipation of waiting to see if I would be picked.

    There was no prize given and none was expected. It was enough that your school had participated. Bursting with pride, we would milk our success for weeks and months afterwards, wearing our school uniform with pride, basking in the recognition as we went to and from school in public transportation and displaying a sense of superiority over other less fortunate schools.

    October 1also became the day on which political batons changed, and elected officials handed over to their successors. A day for inspiring speeches and sober reflection on our growth as a nation.

    Such was the depth of our civic pride.

    Today, sadly, the excitement has waned. October 1appears to have now become a hollow ritual. The flame of national pride seems to flicker.

    October 1 has regrettably become no more than just another work and school-free day.

    This is not how it should be.

    I know that our teeming youths and children, who now form a sizeable proportion of our population, expect more from Nigeria on a day like this. And so it is to you that I dedicate my remarks on this 54th Independence Day.

    What is the importance of a day like this? What does it mean to you? What should it mean to you?

    All over the world, Independence Day anniversaries are celebrated with great fanfare, splendour, respect for the nation and a deep sense of patriotism.

    In some countries, festivities leading up to Independence Day start up to three weeks earlier. Some hold Independence Day beauty pageants; some re-enact their independence, others play the National Anthem on the dot of midnight on all radio and TV stations.  All put country before self, at least for that day.

    We should not be any different.

    As I said on Independence Day in 2007; my first Independence Day address as governor:

    “Irrespective of our varied political temperaments, the occasion of our nation’s independence should serve as a rallying point for renewing faith in her capacity for greatness and a platform for the rededication of those of us privileged to exercise authority to the most important responsibility of the sacred mandate bestowed on us – SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE.”

    These are the values that inspired and motivated our founding fathers. In his historic Independence Day speech, Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa also said:

    “Words cannot adequately express my joy and pride at being the Nigerian citizen privileged to accept from Her Royal Highness, these Constitutional Instruments which are the symbols of Nigeria’s independence. It is a unique privilege, which I shall remember forever, and it gives me strength and courage as I dedicate my life to the service of our country.”

    Service to our country. Noble words indeed and the words upon which the foundation of our nation was built.

    It seems to me that there is no better time to rekindle the flame of Nigeria’s promise than now.

    We should reflect on Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa’s words and re-dedicate ourselves to the service of Nigeria.

    We ought to see October 1 as a day to rekindle our national pride.

    Being young Nigerians, you may well ask, how do I serve my country?

    Let me answer by telling you about the Spirit of Lagos.

    The Spirit of Lagos embodies all the values that should make us good citizens of this wonderful country called Nigeria.

    The Spirit of Lagos is the embodiment of all things good about Lagos and Nigeria, and the lifeline that connects our glorious past with the bright future we all desire.

    Having the Spirit of Lagos means having the understanding that we all have a part to play in the wellbeing of our country, by doing the right thing in every and any little way we can.

    For example: by disposing of waste properly and observing basic rules of sanitation and hygiene, by obeying traffic rules and using pedestrian bridges, by offering a helping hand to the elderly, the young and the less able, by being honest and acting with integrity, by being safety-and-security-conscious, by protecting public property because it is your own property, by being courageous and law-abiding, and setting good examples and by being considerate and looking out for one another  – one for all and all for one.

    That is the spirit of Lagos.

    These were some of the values that coursed through our veins in Lagos and by extension, Nigeria, in what we commonly refer to as “the good old days”.

    Nigeria of those “good old days” has not changed. It is us who have changed, and it is us who must again change.

    Some of the changes that we need has already started happening. And this is why one of the things I would like to do today is to publicly acknowledge the heroic efforts of our health workers in the management of the Ebola epidemic.

    Because of their service and heroism, we were able to declare Lagos State Ebola-free on  September 18, 2014.

    I have heard some stories emanating from campaign podiums with claims of conquering Ebola.

    The question we must ask is whether those who make these claims saw Ebola?

    It is women like Stella Ameyo Adedavoh to whom such a claim rightly belongs.

    It is young Nigerians like Dr. Morris Ibeawuchi, who first made contact with the index case patient and continued to treat him who saw and conquered Ebola.

    He got infected, from doing his job, got sick, survived and is back to his job.

    It is first responders from the Lagos State Ministry of Health like Dr. Jide Idris, Dr. Yewande Adesina, Dr. Wale Ahmed, Dr. Kayode Oguntimehin who saw Ebola.

    They responded to the call from First Consultant Hospital. They spent 12 hours daily in the early days supervising the construction of Ebola containment facility when the epidemic broke.

    The Lagos State Infectious Disease Hospital which later became the epicentre of Ebola management used to house tuberculosis patients and patients with infectious diseases.

    Those patients vented their anger on these people when they had to be moved to create room for the Ebola centre. I know they spat at Dr. Adesina for doing her job.

    Dr. Abdul-Salam Nasidi of the National Disease Control Centre in Abuja saw and conquered Ebola. He helped in no small way to co-ordinate the containment.

    Dr. David Brett-Mayor of the World Health Organisation saw and conquered Ebola. He single- handedly started the Ebola isolation ward having cleared and cleaned the room. He admitted and cared for the patients before any Nigerian doctor joined him.

    Professor S. A. Omilabu, the dedicated virologist at LUTH, saw Ebola and conquered it. He coordinated the fault-free testing for Ebola and managed all the samples professionally.

    Peter Adewuyi saw Ebola and conquered it. He led the contact tracing team of many dedicated officers for the first two weeks.

    Mrs. Funmi Lagbokun, Mrs. Modupe Aiyedun Davies, Mrs. Basirat Adeoye, Ms F. O. Bamgboye, Mrs. K. O. Oshisanya, Mrs. Kazeem Abioye, Mrs. Abiola Lasaki and Mrs. K. Adeshina all saw and conquered Ebola.

    They were the dedicated team of nurses, nursing aid, care giver, health assistant and hygienist who commenced work voluntarily in the Ebola containment ward without any demand other than the sense of duty.

    Yemi Gbadegesin and Abdulsalam saw and conquered Ebola.

    They coordinated the de-contamination, removal and burial of the index case and other cases, and it is because of them that First Consultant can reopen for business.

    Dear Lagosians, these were the people who saw and defeated Ebola. Let no person tell you otherwise.

    These men and women, who showed courage, who risked their lives are our true champions and heroes.

    They showed the spirit of service, the spirit of Lagos and the spirit of our “good old days”.

    Nobody should take this credit away from them.

    They are not celebrating because they know that the work is not finished. They are already working with our people and planning to volunteer to go and give help in Sierra Leone and Liberia.

    Their reward for hard work will be more work and they tell me that they are ready.

    You and I also know that Dr. Adaora Igonoh, Dr. Akinniyi Fadipe, Mr. Dennis Echelonu and Mrs. Kelechi Enemuo also saw Ebola and conquered it.

    They are the survivors whose stories you have read about. Whose anxiety we saw live, when they agreed to visit me in the office at the risk of stigmatisation.

    At great personal discomfort, they stepped out and forward, to help you and I find our feet. To re-assure us that all was well.

    They saw and conquered Ebola.

    Businesses such as First Consultant Hospital, and hotels that have suffered cancellations and yet have not laid off their staff are the heroes of our Ebola experience, and we all must rally round them in the spirit of Lagos to help them get back on their feet.

    Words will never be enough but bringing back those values they represent, will.  This is the spirit that used to course through our veins; the spirit that made us the great nation that we are. And we can bring that spirit back. By changing our thinking.

    How can you serve your country? I say, take the spirit of Lagos everywhere you go. From Badagry to Bayelsa; from Somolu to Sokoto; from Epe to Ebonyi; Alimosho to Adamawa; from Lekki to Lafia; From Ikeja to Ijebu-Ode, all of us, Nigerians all should serve our country by changing our thinking and striving to give our best for collective benefit.

    By making a conscious determination to changing the way we act. We can serve our country by doing something good and positive in our homes, in our schools and in our communities.

    It doesn’t matter how little it is. Together it makes a whole. We can serve our country by pledging in our hearts to restore, share and protect our communities, our states and our nation.

    In the weeks and months ahead, we will begin to celebrate ordinary Nigerians doing extraordinary things.  And on a dedicated day in the near future we will come together to celebrate and honour our heroes, and hold them up as shining examples. Heroes recognised and chosen by you and I for the things they are doing for the benefit of others and the society at large without expectation of reward.

    Let the arm bands you are wearing be a constant reminder to change your thinking. We will distribute wrist bands all over Lagos and beyond. Wear them with pride but more importantly, let them remind you to act with integrity.

    As I have said before, I know that the temptation to focus on our failures and lament our national deficiencies is great. I know that the temptation to compare our achievements with our potential and conclude that we could have done much better is perhaps inevitable. But I say to you the Nigerian youth, choose to take on a more positive attitude. It is a choice and that choice is yours.

    Let us see the cup as half full rather than half empty. Let us thank God even for the mistakes of the past, from which we can learn invaluable lessons to face the future with hope. Let us count our blessings, address our weaknesses and harness our strengths, so that we can courageously turn yesterday’s shortcomings into tomorrow’s successes. Let us change our thinking.

    Fellow Nigerians, next October 1, I will not have this opportunity to address you. The lot will fall on my successor. So while I have this opportunity, let us thank God for endowing us with undying faith in our innate capacity to fulfil our divine destiny as a people.

    Let us patriotically reaffirm in our hearts that Christian or Muslim, we are one nation under God; that North or South, we are one indivisible nation; that PDP or APC we are all Nigerians and that what binds us together far outweighs what little divides us.

    We will yet attain those great lofty heights we sing so gustily about in the second stanza of our National Anthem. And it will happen in my lifetime. So help us God.

  • Capacity expansion, key to service quality, says DBI chief

    Capacity expansion, key to service quality, says DBI chief

    Vice President of the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI), Dr Okechukwu Ugweje has said expansion of the current capacities of the telcos, compelling them to do more and addressing the problem through the top bottom approach are some of the solutions to the persistent poor telecoms service quality.

    DBI is the manpower training institution of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). It is located in Abuja with campuses in Lagos and Kano.

    Ugweje lamented that poor service quality is real arguing that anybody who thinks it is not an issue in the industry is being economical with the truth. He identified network congestion as one major cause of poor service quality, adding that unless massive investment is carried out to strengthen the network, the issue will remain with the industry.

    “Qualty of service is a problem and anybody that tells you it is not a problem is being economical with the truth. One of the problems that cause quality of service issue is network congestion and the only way you can solve it is to expand the network. There are other issues in quality of service. Most of the telcos are aware that they do not have good quality service,” he said.

    He said the recent sealing of mega billion deals with both local and international finance houses is one of the efforts being made by the operators to correct the obvious disequilibrium between infrastructure and subscribers. According to him, the NCC is also not resting on its oars as it recently sanctions operators that failed to live up to the key performance indicators (KPIs) entered into with the NCC.

  • Boroffice: In the service of fatherland

    Boroffice: In the service of fatherland

    No other touchstone
    Can test the heart of a man,
    The temper of his mind and spirit,
    Till he be tried
    In the practice of authority and rule
    -Sophocles (Antigone)

    Nigerians, ever curious about the vibrant polity are always curious when an academic, and a world-renowned, erudite one at that moves from the confines of the four walls of the Ivory tower to throw his hat into the highly competitive ring of party politics. To them, the art of politicking itself can best be situated within the matrix of the murky waters peopled by sharks of greed. To them, the Nigerian variant of politics is meant for only the conscienceless clique whose main driving passion is to serve the self at the expense of the state.

    That sordid scenario throws up the million-naira question: who would make the paradigm shift? Who would up the ante and make politics more civil, more responsive and more accountable to the people; who have invested their sacred trust in their elected leaders? Who is that one man to come with a breath of fresh air by sweeping the Augean stable with the broom of change?

    To the good people of Ondo North Senatorial District, the answer was not far-fetched. They saw in their worthy son, Ajayi Boroffice, the sterling qualities of a true leader. Talk about vision, wealth of experience, candour, compassion and the courage to do right and he has it all in quantum. That explains why he faced little opposition in his bid to become Labour Party candidate for their Senatorial District back in 2011. Before long, he gained the needed support of traditional rulers in the Akoko area of Ondo State.

    In that election, the man (Boroffice) with the magic wand, garnered 84,290 votes to beat the incumbent Senator, Bode Olajumoke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with 51,112 votes and Olu Agunloye of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) with 36,601 votes. Surely, there must have been some subtle factors to earn him such electoral victory. And that is all because, in Nigeria it would take a miracle to dust an incumbent politician who is still interested in holding on to the plum post. So, what clinched it for Boroffice?

    First, he had always been known to publicly criticise politicians who lacked integrity and honour, especially those who take obscene interest in making flowery promises they could not keep in order to get elected. And once they mount the pedestal of political power.

    On what inspired him, an accomplished academic to go into politics, he had this to say in a media chat back in 2012: “It is in line with my personal philosophy to serve my people, and my country as long as I am alive. I want to serve my nation because my country, my community and my state have invested in me. They have made me what I am today.”

    Politics to him is a veritable platform for selfless service and for gratitude. He wants to give back to the society that has nurtured him to greatness. He went further to throw more light on his guiding philosophy. “So, while I was a lecturer at various universities, I was serving the nation. As a public servant, at the NASRDA I was serving the nation in my own way. Now that I am a legislator at the National Assembly, it is the same push to contribute to the growth of the country that has been my inspiration. I believe that it is that same urge to serve my people that is behind it all. I have looked round and seen that there are other communities that are not as rich as my state that are doing better, so I want to use my wealth of experience to improve on the quality of life of the people.”

    But on December 28, 2011, Boroffice officially dumped the Labour Party, the platform that got him the Senatorial ticket for the ACN (now defunct) to pursue his ambition of becoming the governor of Ondo State. As expected there was a lot of hue and cry from the opposition. As usual the man who has his reasons kept his cool.

    He must have learnt from another brilliant scientist, Albert Einstein who said that: “Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.” It is interesting, if not curious that his traducers, who attempted but vainly then to rubbish his hard-earned reputation have similarly left the same Labour Party today!

    So, why did he leave the Labour Party at that time? He had his salient reasons. He explained it thus: “The Labour Party started in Ondo State on a very prosperous and progressive note, with the support of the ACN. But with time it was veering off the trajectory. I believe we have to be in the mainstream, as it has been the trend from the Action Group, UPN, SDP, AD to the ACN. So, it has a long political lineage and it is a party with ideology.”

    He added: “The South West has always been the reference point for the progressives. With what I have seen in Lagos State, I believe that we can benefit more in terms of infrastructural development of roads and rail, by the regional integration, in the economy and politics as we have in ECOWAS to foster unity. If there is unity then we can achieve more.”

    He sees those who are driving the party as seasoned politicians who believe in the welfare of the people. He reiterates that it was during the era of the Action Group, that the Western Region was very prosperous. He also believes that Ondo State needs to be reintegrated into the mainstream of the Yoruba politics. That informed his preference for CAN (now APC) instead of PDP.

    There is another reason for his choice of the progressives. According to him they are people who at one point or the other, made a lot of sacrifice for democracy in this country. They fought against the military under (the late General Sani) Abacha and they also made sure that good governance is ensured even in this civilian administration. He specifically points to the heroes of democracy such as Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Dr. Akingba, Professor Adeyeye of the NADECO (National Democratic Coalition) era, who fought very hard. “They made a lot of sacrifice to ensure that we have this stable and united Nigeria. We are the beneficiaries of their sacrifices and their efforts.”

    Now that the party of progressives he joined has expanded from the regional ACN to the national All Progressives Congress (APC), Boroffice is being hailed from across the country as the man who saw tomorrow-the Nostradamus of Nigeria’s polity. And why not! Not a few of his colleagues at the Senate have similarly jumped ship into the APC.

    Though he never clinched the gubernatorial ticket of the ACN, Boroffice stood out as the man whose influence saw to it that his party won in the governorship election in his own Senatorial District. His vision is to take the state, nay Nigeria from an agrarian to an industrial hub. As a scientist he wants his people to go beyond the pedestrian politics of building market stalls to that of shopping malls, from two lanes to the construction of 10- lane dual carriage lanes.

    In his words: “As a scientist I do a lot of planning and I have observed that political leaders and governors in the progressive states do a lot planning before embarking on their projects. They start with the management, then the facilities and incorporate all of this. That is why you do not have the incident of abandoned projects because there was serious thinking through in terms of planning. Planning is the key to sustainable development.”

    As the 2015 general elections inch closer, Nigerians should be on the lookout for visionary, committed, courageous and progressive politicians and those who are well prepared for the onerous task of governance. Professor Ajayi Boroffice is surely one of the leading lights of our current democratic dispensation.

    Ademola Johnson, a public analyst writes from Lagos.

  • Service quality has reduced, says Lamido

    Service quality has reduced, says Lamido

    Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido has said since 1999 when the country returned to democracy, the quality of service in government has reduced, due to high level of nepotism.

    He was fielding questions from reporters after collecting his permanent voter card at his home town, Bamaina.

    The governor said Nigerians loved democracy, following the way they participated in the voter registration and other democratic activities.

    According to him, they vote for leaders to protect them and improve their standard of living by executing good programmes, “but unfortunately they have disappointed the electorate.”

    Lamido said: “Leaders execute projects based on nepotism. They are not carrying out programmes to satisfy people’s needs or perform their duties to fulfil their campaign promises.”

    He said it is unfortunate that people cannot benefit from the government unless they know somebody or someone knows them.

    His words: “Nigerians have been patient. A time will come when they will forward their demands to the leaders and stand by them.”

    Lamido urged people to endure the difficulties and collect their permanent voter cards.

    He said they could only vote for their candidate of choice or vote out a politician who failed to perform if they possessed voter cards, adding that it was necessary to collect the cards.

  • Firm promises prompt service delivery

    Multichoice, owner of DStv, has assured subscribers that it will continue to provide access to premium content and advance broadcast technology to boost its services.

    During a MultiChoice Customer forum in Ibadan, Oyo State, DStv Public Relations Manager, Caroline Oghuma, said the objective of the forum is to thank subscribers for their loyalty and listen to their suggestions, advice and complaints as part of efforts to enhance the firm’s effective operation.

    “This forum is equally designed to bring customers closer to the DStv brand for our esteemed subscribers to know and meet some of the people behind their pay-TV of choice,” she said.

    The Chief Monitoring Officer, National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) Mrs. Pauline Ehusani lauded MultiChoice for the forum initiative. She advised that the engagement be sustained because it is an important strategy in customer relations.

    Issues raised at the forum included how to resolve the challenge of rain-fade, migration from one bouquet to another, payment channels for DStv subscription, introduction of toll-free customer line and pay-per-view services.

    The MultiChoice’s Regional Sales Manager Southwest, Adekunle Adenuga advised subscribers to engage DStv-accredited installers when setting up their decoders and for other after-sales services.

  • David Mark backs One Service, One Medal (OSOM) game

    David Mark backs One Service, One Medal (OSOM) game

    SENATE President David Mark has given his support to the upcoming One Service, One Medal(OSOM) games set to come up in August.

    The event, expected to be contested for between military personell and Para military establishments is aimed at taking Nigeria back to the days where Olympics and International meets medal winners were discovered from the military and Para military.

    David Mark praised the initiative when the game’s organising committee headed by Nigeria Olympic Committee boss, Sani Ndanusa paid him a visit to seek his endorsement of the game.

    Ndanusa, in his presentation to Mark, decried the low level involvement of men of the  military and para military in sports in comparism to the past which he claimed is having an effect on Nigeria’s showing in continental and global sports challenge.

    Ndanusa is however optimistic that the OSOM games will help rekindle interest in the hearts of military and para military personnel as talent abound in them which the nation can use to good effect in the world of sports.

    Speaking to Sportinglife after the visit, deputy director of Institutional Sports, Dr Ademola Are who is the secretary to the organising committee, praised the idea and the effort of  Ndanusa in making the idea work.

    “Firstly, we have to say a big thank you to the Nigeria Olympic Committee Chairman, Sani Ndanusa for his tireless effort in making sure this idea works and Nigeria picks medal at the next Olympic in Rio using a system that has served us well in the past.”

    “The Sports Minister Tamuno Danagogo and the NOC chairman are firmly focused on increasing Nigeria’s medal prospect at the Olympics in Rio come 2016 and the OSOM games will brighten our chances of discovering talents to make us proud.”

    The games is scheduled to take place in the mainbowl of the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna and is a collaboration between the National Sports Commission(NSC) and the Nigeria Olympic Committee(NOC).

    The idea is to bring back the glory days of Nigeria military and para military men who won laurels for the country despite being service men.

    Two Olympic medallists – Chioma Ajunwa and the late Sunday Bada – were men of the Nigeria Police Force who did Nigeria proud in the past.

    The game will be contested for by men of the Nigeria Army, AirForce, Navy, Police Force, Civil Defence, DSS and other military and para military institutions in the country.

  • Samsung’s free service train lands in Lagos

    Samsung’s free service train lands in Lagos

    Dr. Samsung Free Service Campaign train has landed in Lagos and is calling on all consumers of Samsung to bring their devices such as mobile phones, television, audio visuals, digital cameras, IT products and home appliances for Free Servicing or Upgrade at the The Palms, Lekki and Ikeja City Mall in Lagos.

    According to a statement, any customer can walk into any of the special centres with his/her device and Samsung Smart Care engineers will be waiting to service or upgrade your devices free of charge in the special Dr. Samsung Free Service Campaign that started in Abuja and moved to Port Harcourt.

    Larger products such as refrigerators, washing machines, room air conditioners and colour TVs over 22’’ screen size will be service at the customers’ homes. Other products such as audio systems, DVDs, microwave ovens and 22’’ TVs should be brought to these special Samsung Smart Care centers for servicing or upgrade.

    On the campaign, its Managing Director, Mr. Brovo Kim, said: “Dr. Samsung is a reaffirmation of our commitment to providing our customers with the latest, top quality products backed by superior service and a widespread after sales service network. Samsung is committed to showing our customer appreciation by providing follow up servicing on all of our products.”

    Dr. Samsung offers free service or upgrade of all products bought in Nigeria which are under warranty and 50 per cent discount for spare parts on out of warranty items.

  • LASAA chief promises quality service

    LASAA chief promises quality service

    Managing Director of the  Lagos State Signage and Advertising Agency (LASAA) Mr George Noah, has assured members of the Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN) of quality services. This, he said, would ensure that stakeholders operate in a healthy environment in the state.

    Speaking when OAAN executives hosted him at the association’s secretariat in Lagos, Noah said: “I want to assure you that any decision we take at LASAA, is in your best interest. We want to reduce the burden on practitioners. Our job is to create an enabling environment for any practitioners.’’

    He said the formation of Outdoor Advertising Regulatory Association of Nigeria (OARAN) is to solve the problem, adding that beyond rate reduction, there is the problem of mobile adverts across the states, which could be better resolved through the OARAN platform. “We want you to see our collaboration with other states as being a good step for the outdoor advertising industry,” Noah said.

    On the forthcoming conference slated to hold from June 25 – 27, Noah said: “It is in our best interest to host the conference regardless of whether you or LASAA organises it. What is important is for our industry to provide a platform to resolve the myriad of industry issues facing us through effective dialogue.”

    He promised to look into the discount to be offered OAAN members to attend the exhibition. At the end of the meeting, it was agreed that a working committee be established between OAAN and LASAA foster harmonious relationship.

    Earlier, OAAN President, Mr. Charles Chijide,praised the LASAA team for delivering on its mandate.

    Chijide, however, decried some of the agency’s activities, saying: “My members are concerned that there is a plan by LASAA to increase rates. We also understand that the cost of attending the forthcoming exhibition is high for our members.”

    He noted that OAAN members had also expressed fear that OARAN would do more harm than good.