The Nation Newspaper

Tag: shop

  • When next I visit the barber’s shop

    When next I visit the barber’s shop, I won’t be going for a haircut. I will go for tips on how to handle the human head. When next I’m at the barber’s, I won’t be there for gossip; I’ll be reaching him to educate me on how he manages to manipulate the head. When next you see me at the barber’s shop, I won’t be surrendering to the tic-tac of the scissors and clippers; I will be seeking the secrets of the barber’s trade: how does he completely dominate the one under his instruments? So lastly when next you see me head for the barber’s, I plead you join me; we shall be returning with sacksful of tricks we must deploy to turn the wilful heads of our leaders and rulers for truly salutary enterprise in nation-building. We shall look for ways to make them submit to the will of the people.

    My study of the “absolute” powers of the “lowly” barber over the head of the mighty began years ago when I was the editor of an evening newspaper in Lagos. The editor-in-chief brought me a weather-beaten sheet of paper wherein was some priceless handwritten information about the travails of then detained MKO Abiola, the undeclared winner of Nigeria’s presidential election in 1993.

    Held in Abuja by the military authorities for his insistence to be sworn in as president, Abiola was said to have been visited by a barber provided by his captors. According to the paper given me, the haircut revealed that MKO’s hair, full of dandruff, was falling off. The document said this condition suggested that the wealthy politician suffered from serious health challenges including anaemia. Deep in the anonymously done report was this claim: a man pulled a gun on Abiola as he rested in his ill-ventilated cell.

    After my hesitation over whether to publish or not, we ran the report with the caption: Gunman Rattles Abiola. The publication, needless to say, also rattled the military junta of Sani Abacha. It likewise rattled the intractable cat-and-mouse relationship between his government and our titles.

    I have since been fascinated by the deceptive dissembling mien of the barber. You’re at their mercy when they handle you. If you sink into their swivel chair or they visit you for a home affair, they take over your life even if momentarily. Whether it’s a low-cut you want or a mere trimming exercise, they remain in control. They are in total command of your head. Never mind if you’re the head of state or commander-in-chief of your nation’s armed forces, or if you’re a very important prisoner or the richest man in Nigeria or in the world.

    The barber’s comb, brush, scissors and clippers make him your boss since he is in charge of your exposed powerhouse. He pushes it as he wishes, not as you wish. If you swing left, he moves it to the right. That’s not where you want it; but at that moment you don’t own your own head; that’s the way it goes when the barber is at work.

    He may sometimes politely suffix his request with “Sir”. But irreverent thoughts about your deciduous hair or yam head may be staging a competition in his own head while his hands are on duty on your pate.

    For those of us who fall for the false lullaby of the barber’s instruments, our head carer has several options. If sleep attempts to wrest control of the head from him, he either rocks the chair hard to rouse you or (if he is impish) he drives the scissors into your skin without drawing blood. Others would push the decibel of their music system to the maximum volume. None of these has been known to fail. Either way, the barber would say after snatching you from slumber: sorry sir… no vex sir! Would you suspect mischief after such a patronizingly unctuous apology by someone going to great lengths to make you look fine for a low fee? Elsewhere in his mind he’d be charging you with the unpardonable offence of indiscipline, sleeping on duty!

    Now I think Nigerians need the skill and subtlety of the barber to tame our leaders. Don’t we, seeing these heads (public office holders, politicians and the great army of power wielders in the society) have moved us around aimlessly these scores of years since Independence in 1960?

    Those Asian countries with whom we started the race have left us far behind because our leaders (heads) at the centre, states and local governments never seriously thought of a prosperous life for the citizens after independence. We’ve not outgrown the pangs of war we fought to preserve the country. The battle to dislodge the British colonialists ended alright in 1960. But the decades following have seen us in more bitter conflicts with those who replaced the white lords. As I write, Nigeria is in utter dysphoria. There is distrust among the “federating” constituents. There is unhealthy scheming going on in the hot political atmosphere. The president’s health is “in the hands of God” according to members of his inner circle, suggesting rather despondently that it has defied what the human mind can attempt to understand. 2019 poll is the talking point in 2017 when there is little to show for the 2015 mandate. The arranged gyration towards a one-party state or disintegration frighteningly portends bad times. But the drums and the dance steps haven’t stopped. A predictive analysis turns in the verdict that the ordinary citizen is the stuff on the slaughter slab, as he has always been. And our heads’ barren policies are the architects of our woes.

    We need therefore to turn the heads of our leaders from their fixed gaze on the jejune philosophy that celebrates so-called development of infrastructure without a superior emphasis on the superstructure (human development) via mass education, inviolate social welfare programmes for the people, vocational training and support for the weak and vulnerable. This neglect is a recurring bad penny which has found its way again into the 2017 budget at the centre and in the states, to wit the paltry allocation to the education sector.

    We’ve stayed too long on the challenges we started with in 1960: poverty, ethnicity, corruption, divisive politics etc. Like bushy heads that require clipping, our leaders could do with an encounter with the barber. They need thorough primping that will result in a clean cut, completely shaved to the skin. The barber will rouse them from the deadly sleep that has kept us back while less endowed nations are light years ahead of us.

    So when next I visit the barber, please follow me, it is a mission to save the nation.

     

    • Ojewale is a writer in Ota, Ogun State.

  • Shop allocation: Kano anti-graft agency uncovers 1,108 fake traders

    The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission says it has uncovered 1,108 fake traders in allocation of shops at the Kwari market in Kano metropolis.

    The Chairman of the commission, Mr Muhuyi Rimingado, disclosed this yesterday at the unveiling of NIPOST Anti-corruption Stamps at the Coronation Hall, Government House, Kano.

    Rimingado said the commission undertook a biometric screening of the affected traders to ascertain the genuine owners of shops at the market.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the exercise followed the decision by the State Government to reconstruct the market in order to provide access roads and other facilities.

    He said the exercise which was conducted on the instruction of Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje was aimed at entrenching transparency and accountability in the allocation of shops to traders.

    The chairman said in the course of the exercise, 3,468 traders were initially submitted to the commission by the government for verification.

  • Chinese construction firm CGGC opens shop in Nigeria

    One of the Chinese construction giants, China Gezhouba Group Corporation (CGGC), has opened its North-West Africa headquarters in Abuja, in what is described as a major fillip to the Federal Government’s drive for foreign investment.

    The regional headquarters, meant to cover about 18 African countries (eight in Central Africa, seven in West and three in North), will serve as a semi-independent branch with power to take certain decisions without first seeking authorisation from the China-based parent company.

    CGGC President Lyu Zexiang said this in Abuja while speaking at the launch of the headquarters on October 26.

    Zexiang said his company’s decision to site a major headquarters in Nigeria was informed by its confidence in the nation’s economy’s growth potentials.

    He said his company, which is coordinating the construction of the multi-billion dollars Mambilla Power Project, will ensure its prompt completion with its best expertise and materials.

    He said CGGC was also planning to increase current local personnel strength of 5,000 to 20,000 within the next three years in the North-West region of the continent.

    Minister of State for Power Mustapha Shehuri said the Federal Government was committed to ensuring that the 3000mw Mambilla Power project was completed and deliver at record time. He said the government has authorised all its relevant agencies and ministries to provide all necessary supports for the successful execution of the project.

    “This project will cost about $6billion. It is being executed with 85 per cent loan from Chinese Export/Import Bank, while the Nigerian government is providing the remaining 15 per cent funding. We understand its importance for the nation’s energy requirement and by extension, the development of the economy. That is why the government is determined to ensure its prompt execution,” Shehuri said.

    An indigenous expert, Mohammed Mustapha of Hypertech Nigeria Limited, who is the project’s development consultant, said his main brief is to coordinate the local content input for the project.

    “This is an opportunity for Nigerian companies with the requisite expertise to tap into the huge business opportunity provided by this project. As a Nigeria, I am looking forward to having many Nigerian companies participate in this huge project.

    “I am leaving the door open to local companies with the requisite expertise to come on board. This is a challenge to everyone to come in and trade his/her expertise for profitable return. We are not limiting it to any particular part of the country or class. This is an opportunity for all Nigerians,” Mustapha said.

     

     

  • Nigerien arrested for shop burglary

    Operatives of the Anti-kidnapping Unit, Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) Zone II, Onikan, have arrested a Niger Republic national, Yakubu Adamu, 21, for allegedly breaking into shops at Lagos Island markets.

    Arrested alongside Adamu around 3:45pm on Thursday, was a father of five, Issa Musa, 48.

    The suspects were alleged to have been part of a seven-man gang that burgled shops at Idumota, Balogun and other markets, carting away people’s wares.

    According to the Zone II command’s spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi, their arrest was sequel to complaints from traders about regular burglary into their shops.

    He said the suspects have been in the business for many years before they were eventually caught at Obalende, while awaiting the receivers of the stolen items.

    Adejobi said: “More than 10 bags of under wears worth millions of naira and one unregistered Toyota Corolla – their operational vehicle – were recovered from them.

    “Two cutlasses, two chisels and a heavy cutter were recovered in the bonnet of the car where they were concealed after their operation.

    “The AIG, Abdulmajid Ali, has directed the Officer-in-Charge of Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Zone to effect the arrest of other fleeing members of the gang and their receivers so that the police can have proper investigation and prosecution of the case,” Adejobi said.

  • More firms to close shop over gas price, says MAN

    The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has  said more firms are set to close shops following  the the scarcity and high cost of gas.

    Speaking with reporters at the MAN House in Ikeja Lagos yesterday, its Chairman, Gas Users Group, Dr Micheal Ola Adebayo said the issue of high cost of natural gas has persisted for some time now and has reached a crisis point as most factories have stopped production and are about to shut down.

    He said: “Manufacturers are constrained to draw the attention of the Federal Government and the general public to the issue of persistent increase in the price of  natural gas used by manufacturers to power their plants and machinery by the gas franchisers.

    “ Some of our members are about to shut down their operation due to non-supply of gas to power their operations on the other hand, and the current exorbitant and dollarisation pricing of the available ones on the other.

    “Infact, some of our factories have been threatened with disconnection on account of their inability to pay for the increase price.“

    Adebayo said the growth of the manufacturing sector is currently being hampered by the huge cost of energy crisis occasioned by power outages and high cost of petroleum products in the country, adding that the incessant increase in the price of gas will not only be punitive but add to the woes of the sector.

    According to Adebayo, the high cost of gas has led to high  production cost with energy now accounting for over 45 per cent of total production cost. He added that it has constributed to low capacity utilisation in the factories and made locally produced goods to be uncompetitive.

  • Skye Bank launches online shop, YesMall

    Skye Bank launches online shop, YesMall

    Skye Bank Plc has unveiled an online store for the sale of mainly made in Nigeria products and services. The new online store, called YesMall, offers a unique experience for the bank’s current and prospective SME and retail customers, who can now buy and sell their products and services from the comfort of their homes.

    The transactions are done using electronic devices such as phones, tablets, laptops, or desktops. They can also do their transactions by using Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) nearest to them.

    Speaking during the unveiling of the new online mall in Lagos at the 8th Skye Bank SME seminar series, the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Skye Bank Plc, Timothy Oguntayo, said the lender came up with the platform after noticing that some SME operators find it difficult to sell their goods as most of the finished goods end up as items of inventory in the warehouses.

    Noting that e-commerce had gained recognition in both national and global trade, Oguntayo said the bank planned to facilitate the participation of Nigerian SME operators in the global e-commerce sales, which is currently estimated at $1.5 trillion.

    The Skye Bank boss described the YesMall as an e-commerce platform, which offers Nigerians cost-effective opportunities to buy and sell online from the comfort of their homes. The Mall will also provide opportunities for many indigenous entrepreneurs to showcase their products to a borderless market.

    “The introduction of YesMall is, therefore, a deliberate strategy to live the spirit of our mission statement, which is using technology to drive innovation and enable consumer lifestyle,”he said.

    Executive Director, Technology and Service Delivery Channels, Mrs. Markie Idowu, described the Yesmall as an electronic market for showcasing locally made products and services of Nigerian small and medium scale enterprises.

  • Ekiti hoteliers, shop owners groan over multiple taxes

    •CSOs set up tax justice panel to check fraud

    Hoteliers, shop owners and traders in Ekiti State are troubled by what they have described as multiple taxations by government agencies.

    They voiced their concerns at the inauguration of the State Tax Justice and Governance Platform by the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) in collaboration with the New Initiative for Social Development (NISD) in Ado Ekiti, the state capital on Friday.

    NISD’s Executive Director Abiodun Oyeleye emerged as the chairman of the state Tax Justice and Governance Platform, with members  from other civil society organisations, faith-based organisations, trade associations and trade unions.

    At the event, stakeholders  signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate and make representation to government agencies to ensure that citizens pay the right taxes.

    Chairman of the state Hoteliers Association of Nigeria Samuel Olakorede said hotel owners pay not less than seven taxes concurrently to federal, state and local governments agencies.

    Governmental organisations collecting taxes from hoteliers at the same time, according to Olakorede, include the State Signage Agency, the Federal Inland Revenue Service, the Tourism Board, Ministry of Commerce, Water Corporation, Ministry of Environment and  local governments.

    Some market women at the parley also complained that they pay taxes to multiple sources, saying that some tax officials refused to issue them valid receipts.

    Speaking shortly before the inauguration, CISLAC Senior Programmes Officer Kolawole Banwo said the move was not to challenge the government from collecting taxes but to ensure that citizens pay what is due to them.

    Banwo, who is the project coordinator of the Capacity for Research and Advocacy for Fair Taxation (CRAFT), said Ekiti was the eighth state where such platform would be inaugurated.

    He said CISLAC targets the 17 states in the South.

    “CRAFT is an offshoot of the global tax justice campaign. All over the world, there is no way to sustainable development other than tax because dependence on loans and aid has become a big problem to developing countries,” Banwo said.

    “What African countries lose is more than the aid they receive and a global campaign has commenced to ensure that the multinationals pay the right taxes.

    “While the government is after revenue, we are after tax justice and what we are advocating is that let people pay what they are due to pay

    “Every tax must be tied to a law because tax is a matter of law and the question to ask here is: what are the taxes that are legal in Ekiti State?

    “The law should stipulate who to collect tax, how to collect it and the frequency of the collection. People should have places where they can report tax injustice.”

    He also urged Nigerians to always hold governments  accountable on the taxes they pay and how they are spent.

     

  • Lucky escape for 25 as truck runs into shop

    Lucky escape for 25 as truck runs into shop

    More than 25 persons escaped death when a 911 truck skidded off the busy Aba-Owerri road, opposite MCC junction  and crashed into one of the shops located within the area.

    Though no life was lost, The Nation reliably gathered that a passenger in a commercial tricycle sustained serious injury when the truck rammed into it before skidding off the road.

    MCC junction is one of the populous newspaper stands in Aba where free readers and other members of the public gather to read papers from vendor’s stand, to discuss and debate national and local issues as it affects the country and the state in particular.

    Sources have it that the truck which was coming from the Osisioma axis into the commercial city lost control and destroyed a commercial tricycle before it finally ran into the fashion shop.

    “When we saw the truck coming towards towards this direction, people started shouting that the truck may have lost brakes. There were over 25 people at the newspaper stand. Even though, they all fled to safety, it is only by the grace of God that it didn’t hit the newspaper stand, not less than twenty people would have lost their lives. The people in the tricycle only sustained minor injuries and were rescued, a source narrated.”

    In a telephone interview, the Aba Unit Commander FRSC, Awassam attributed the cause of the accident to over speeding.

    She also confirmed that no life was lost and that the injured person who The Nation later identified as a policeman and the driver of the tricycle were receiving treatment in a nearby clinic.

  • Would you rather shop online on Children’s Day?

    Shopping websites are always looking for reasons to put up sales and Children’s Day is another opportunity. Come next week, there will be excitement in the air as government and schools go into short vacation to celebrate children.

    The same way shopping malls and fun places will be wearing new look to celebrate with children this season, e-commerce websites already seems to be trying their luck with increasing number of online shoppers, particularly children. Online stores seem to have opened their Children’s Day special discounted stores on their website. On the eve of Children’s Day websites such as Jumia, Konga, Kaymu and Dealdey will not only give away discounted products but also conduct some interesting contests online for the kids to have fun to catch the attention of young shoppers.

    Online stores in an attempt to amuse young readers have tied up with one organization or the other to run ‘toy story contest’ on their websites, also on Facebook. This is aimed at encouraging children to visit their website as well as the Facebook page and answer questions or write short stories as comments. Top Contestants with best stories will receive free vouchers to win gifts items. Exciting deals across categories such as  toys, colouring pencils, music book, dictionary, children diary, vocabulary cartoon, greeting cards, story book, cartoon book, Tablet for learning, Disney mini story book library and comprehension book for children.  All these are sold for minimum of 20 per cent off their prices and some 30 per cent.

    Some other online stores are running a ‘Big Dream’ competition where they conduct a contest for kids and give them an opportunity to meet their role models. These stores want parents to write in a line about their child’s dream profession and their plans for the same, afterwards, three entries will be selected, other than that, 50 entries is aid to win discount vouchers from the site.

    Some online stores are giving away gifts based on children’s talents and abilities and as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to the society, kids that are in need are given priority.

    These stores believe, childhood without fun and games is no childhood at all, they therefore, provide toys and games sections which they say will help children develop concentration and imagination from a very young age. “Be it puzzle games, plush toys or board games, toys are an integral part of the growing up years of a child. Toys and games positively impact the minds of children in learning new processes and taking up complex challenges,” said Afam Anyika, Offline Manager, Jumia.com.ng

    According to his colleague at Konga.com.ng, Tomiwa Akande, Public Relations Officer Konga, “A toy becomes a child’s most favourite companion and the two are usually inseparable. Here at Konga, children will find a wide assortment of toys and games that extend to products like a strollers and prams from popular brands.’’

    She added that parents could browse a various children items aside toys and games for their wards. She said: “Purchase products from popular brands such as Luv lap, Cuddles, Fisher-Price, among others, to give your child a happy childhood this season.”

    ‘’The huge range of toys and games, among others offer something for every child, they should be allowed this season to explore the world of toys and their games online,’’ she added.

  • Nexus opens shop in Ikeja

    Nexus opens shop in Ikeja

    Maker of home appliances, Nexus, has opened its first shop in Lagos as part of its plan to expand consumer touch points in the country and reaffirm its commitment to delivering quality customer service.

    The shop, which provides consumers with an exciting avenue to experience and interact with firm’ line-up of products is strategically located on the Allen Avenue, Ikeja.

    The launch witnessed a lot of fanfare, tour of the showroom, product trials and notable faces from the music and movie industry.

    Its Head, Brands and Corporate Communications, Deekay Group, Damilola Owolabi, said: “We are thrilled to unveil our first Nexus brand shop in Nigeria. Nexus is a dynamic brand that has over the years enjoyed a vibrant relationship with its customers and will not stop at brand shops to engage, but will initiate several consumer friendly activities and communications going forward to constantly thrill and delight its consumers. One of such initiative is the “Life has just begun” campaign with the sole objective of making home appliances a necessity for all. So, we are asking consumers to get ready for a journey with Nexus which will bring comfort, style, and pleasure to different homes across Nigeria.”

    Head, Sales Deekay Group, Christy Augustine, added: “With the opening of the brand shop, our customers can see our various range of affordable products. Consumers are also assured of genuine Nexus products and every purchase is backed up with a two year warranty and after sales service. This masterpiece is expected to foster a deeper and more meaningful connection between customers and the Nexus brand.”

    Nexus, a part of an ever-growing brand portfolio of Deekay Group; a premier mixed trading and manufacturing company with over 40 years’ rich legacy of launching business in the market, conceived the Nexus Home Appliances brand over two decades ago to demonstrate its belief in the seamless fusion of style, functionality and durability into the home appliances industry.

    Since the opening of the Nexus brand shop  in Ikeja, the store has become a hive of activities as lovers of quality from various parts of the Lagos metropolis have continued to throng the shop to purchase their household items.

    Brand Shop Manager, Mr. Oladosu Olalekan  said the patronage from customers have been wonderful since the shop was opened to the public few weeks ago.

    “Our customers have been coming to buy their favorite items. Some have been coming to make enquiries about the latest product from the Nexus range of quality products. So far, the responses are encouraging,” he said.

    He also enjoined customers to take advantage of the 15 per cent discount on all products. This special discount, however, will end by this month end.

    The well-stocked store parades the best in home appliances ranging from fridges of all sizes with elegant designs to meet the taste of its customers. Also in large quantities are: gas cookers, chest freezers, water dispenser, industrial fan, table top microwave, inverters and stabilisers.

    On display at the spacious showroom are: cookers – deep fryer, rice cooker, pressure cooker as well as ovens of various sizes and designs.

    With the opening of the brand shop, customers can seevarious ranges of affordable products. Consumers are also assured of genuine Nexus products and every purchase is backed up with a two year warranty and after sales service.