The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Stakeholders

  • Akwa Ibom stakeholders reject Nuclear power plant

    Akwa Ibom stakeholders reject Nuclear power plant

    Akwa Ibom State Leaders’ Caucus has called on the Federal Government to have a rethink on its decision to establish a nuclear power plant at Itu Local Government Area of the state.

    Briefing newsmen in Uyo, the state capital, Senator Anietie Okon, who spoke on behalf of the group, described the proposal as a “monumental disaster-in-waiting” for the people of the state.

    Okon explained that the plan to build the power plant did not conform to international standards guiding the implementation of civil nuclear programs across the globe.

    The project, he warned, will put several communities in the state and the lives of millions of people at risk in a country like Nigeria with a poor track record in the management of power infrastructure.

    The group also queried the insistence of the Federal Government to embark on the project when other energy sources available to the country have not been fully tapped or exhausted.

    Okon said: “Our opposition to the location of the plant in our state is not borne out of ignorance of the benefits of the project, but more because of the peculiar experiences in our country and the disastrous consequences that failure of nuclear plants have brought to even more discerning climes.

    “We ask ourselves what the fascination is with the Nuclear Power Plant project and what the intentions of the promoters are, precisely. In each question category, the answers that popped up did not add up on the scale of altruism.

    “These questions are asked bearing in mind that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) had warned that Nigeria does not possess the right competences to handle nuclear issues. Technical Impact Assessment at the international level also indicated that nuclear plant is not suitable for Nigeria for now for very obvious reasons.”

  • Anambra PDP Stakeholders meet over congress, factions

    Anambra PDP Stakeholders meet over congress, factions

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Anambra State has apologized to the members of the party in the state over its inability to win the last election in the state. The party chieftians also called on the party’s National Working committee  (NWC) to approve a congress for the state without delay so as to further strengthen its weak structures ahead of forthcoming elections.

    Rising from a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Marble–Arch Hotels in Awka, the state capital at the weekend, the governorship candidate of the party in the last election, Chief Tony Nwoye, said the meeting was called because they were tired of factions in the state. The meeting brought together most PDP’s eggheads in the state, including present and former lawmakers, former Secretaries to the State Government, former commissioners and former state chairmen of the party among others.

    Addressing the stakeholders, Tony Nwoye, told them that the time to get it right before any other election in the state was now.

    According to him, “the aim of this meeting is to tell you that our party is intact, Anambra is the heart beat of Igbo land, we should hold ourselves together for the journey ahead”

    “Since the members have decided that we should hold our congress in the state, from ward to local government to the state, of which our votes must count, we are going to liaise with the National Working Committee (NWC) for it”

    “What we want now is for our members, other stakeholders who feel aggrieved over the outcome of the 2015 elections to come back and embrace the party for us to move forward,” Nwoye said.

    Nwoye, said each local government area should nominate two persons as those who would be summoning the meetings for the PDP in the state.

    Speaking at the stakeholders meeting, former Deputy Speaker of Anambra State Assembly, Chief Kenneth Enemuo, declared that the members were tired of factions in the state.

    He suggested that if the party was organising a congress, it should be conducted in every local government or senatorial zone on a day instead of giving room for manipulation.

    Former secretary of the party, Dr. Tony Mcfoy, said PDP candidates were humiliated, disgraced during the election in the state because of disunity, adding that members were the architects of their woes.

  • Stakeholders differ on proposed corporate governance code

    The issue of propriety or otherwise of the proposed National Code of Corporate Governance was hotly debated yesterday with stakeholders picking it to pieces.

    The event was at the public hearing put together by the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRC) for private and public sector entities in Lagos.

    The public forum had representatives of other regulatory agencies namely: Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), shareholders’ associations, as well as some members of the private and public sector organisations, among others in attendance.

    Justifying the need for the new policy regime, the Chairman, FRC, Hajiya Maryam Ladi-Ibrahim, said the concept of corporate governance was an ideal aimed at protecting the overriding stakeholders in terms of investment and assets.

    She said: “As a matter of fact, the concept of good corporate governance is essential to the wellbeing of companies and their stakeholders. Until recently, corporate governance was not on the front burner in the public. Indeed, it was a phenomenally prominent in boardroom and academic environment.

    “However, recent events in some parts of the world including our country, have brought to the fore the need for sound corporate governance in modern society. This is the reason for the insight into the public sector and not-for-profit organisations hitherto not in the public purview.”

    The FRC boss, who confirmed that the Council received comments from 45 institutions including professional and regulatory bodies as well as relevant professionals, said the public hearing was expected to enhance discussions and acceptability of the document.

    The Chairman, Steering Committee, NCCG, Mr. Victor Odiase, said there was the need to move the country forward through the best practices that had been embraced round the globe.

    However, speakers after speakers sought for a restructuring of some of the grey areas of the draft National Code of Corporate Governance.

    In her presentation, Osaretin Oyewumi, a representative of the CBN, observed that: “There are existing, enabling and legal frameworks around corporate governance already. Specifically, for the CBN, you know there is the CBN Act. When you read that and read the FRC Act, that sounds like it is exclusive to all of corporate governance. The CBN Act already prescribes how many members of the board, how many directors you should have. So, take the enabling Act into consideration.”

  • Don tasks stakeholders on credible electoral system

    The Director-General of the Electoral Institute, Prof. Abubakar Momoh, has called on stakeholders in the electoral process to join hands with the INEC to evolve a credible electoral system for the country.

    Prof. Momoh made the call at the Special Democracy Week Interactive Seminar and presentation of the book, Cases and Materials on Election Petitions and appeals (post 2010). He lauded the INEC  for the progress made in the 2015 general elections  which  resulted in  far less number of election petitions than what we had in the country in the past years, let us rethink our our electoral process and engagements.

    He  said: “ I commend the INEC chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega for the successful conduct of the elections, but as you know, INEC alone cannot do it. INEC has laid the foundation, it is left for the stakeholders including the media to build thereupon, it is the responsibility of every Nigerian to collaborate with the commission to ensure that we consolidate on the gains made so far, we are not perfect yet and we have to aspire to perfection”  Prof. Momoh said.

    In his welcome address, the author of the book, Prof. Yemi  Akinseye-George thanked participants for making it to the occasion, he circulated a  notice from the National Judicial Council (NJC),  which frowned at the presentation of books in honour of serving Judges and Justices in the country. Prof.  Akinseye-George  informed his guests that  it was in response to this circular that he cancelled the presentation previously  scheduled in honour of the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa (JCA).

    “Our electoral system has began to improve, we  cannot leave politics for politicians alone. We are making progress though slowly”

  • Stakeholders canvass title documents’ perfection

    Stakeholders canvass title documents’ perfection

    In an effort  to identify the challenges associated with the perfection of titles and the way forward, a law firm, Tayo Tiwo and Co, in collaboration with a public affairs  consulting firm, SOFUNIX Investment and Communications, last weekend organised a one-day seminar in Lagos, with the theme: Perfection of titles in Nigeria: Issues and Resolutions.

    Resource persons and participants brainstorme discussed the following topics: “Perfection of Titles: Issues , resolutions and the role of Directorate of  Land Service “ anchored by the Lagos State Director of Land Service, Mr. Tunde Oyegbola; “Importance of Survey Plans in Perfection of Titles” by the Lagos Surveyor General and Permanent Secretary, Joseph Agbenla; “Tax Payable in Perfection of issues” anchored by the Chairman of Board of Inland Revenue, Mr. Babatunde Fowler; “Registration of Titles and Allied Matters,” by the Registrar of Titles Land Registry Directorate, Mrs. Modupe Osho-Adebiyi; “Rules and Procedures in Perfection Issues by General Counsel, United Bank for Africa Plc, Mr. Sam Adimkamkwu among others.

    The Managing Solicitor, Tayo Tiwo and Co, Mr. Tayo Tiwo, expressed satisfaction that the workshop  addressed many grey areas that has always posed challenges to effective and efficient perfection of titles. Tiwo explained that the workshop addressed many fundamental issues, especially, delays and queries in perfection of issues among others.

    Corroborating Tiwo, the Cheif Executive Officer, SOFUNIX Investment and Communications, Mr. Sola Oni, said  the workshop could not have come at a better time in view of the continuos demand for perfection of titles in Nigeria. Oni said that the workshop leveraged on the technical, professional and experiences of the participants to find a lasting solutions to the challenges of perfection of titles in Nigeria.

     

  • Stakeholders for talks on fuel subsidy

    Stakeholders and various professionals will converge on Lagos on Friday to discuss the controversial issue of fuel subsidy.

    The roundtable, tagged: “Fuel Subsidy: A Closer Look”, will be held at the Auditorium of the Centre for International Advanced and Professional Studies (CIAPS).

    Speakers and panelist will include Mobolaji Aluko, Henry Boyo, Tosin Adeyanju and Anthony Kila.

    Discussants at the event will analyse past and future of fuel subsidy, its effect on the country and its relation to fuel scarcity.

    Also expected to participate at the parley are legislators from various political parties, non-governmental organisations and the public.

    The roundtable is a CIAPS event managed by selected students of Media and Journalism led by Fatima Melissa Turay, Charity Azubike, Shimatever Sunday and Omolara Abioye as part of their professional training.

    In a statement by Fatima Melissa Turay, CIAPS Centre Director Prof. Anthony Kila stated that “the event is part of CIAPS’ effort to help understand and improve the country we live and operate in”.

  • Stakeholders canvass improved investment rules, regulations

    Stakeholders canvass improved investment rules, regulations

    Stakeholders have urged the government to emblace better legislations and regulators for Nigeria to step up its ranking in the World Bank’s ease of doing business index.

    This position was made known at the 9th annual Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Session on Business Law (SBL) conference, which began Sunday in Lagos and themed: “Regulators as Catalysts for Economic Growth”.

    Speakers at the three-day event highlighted the need to simplify and streamline the roles of regulators to avoid bottlenecks in investments that will grow the economy.

    Participants noted that asides providing security, government must ensure a level-playing field in its critical sector to create room for healthy competition.

    According to them, Nigeria’s 170th ranking suggests that the regulators were not doing their jobs effectively, just as they urged the current administration to liaise with the legislature to review and harmonise all investment laws to create an enabling environment for diversification.

    Participants also canvassed adequate funding for the regulators, just as they advised the regulatory agencies to take advantage of technology to fasten their processes.

    Among the participants were Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (SAN); Ghana’s Trade Minister, Dr. Ekwow Spio-Garbrah; former Interim President, Ernest Shonekan; NBA President, Augustine Alegeh (SAN); former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Bayo Ojo (SAN); Chairman, NBA SBL, Asue Ighodalo; former Executive Chair, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Ifueko Okauru and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) Mawuena Trebarh.

    Others include Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Bello Mahmud; CEO Nigerian Shippers Council, Hassan Bello; CEO, Central Securities Clearing System Plc. (CSCS), Kyari Bukar; Prof. Gbolahan Elias (SAN) and Wale Goodluck.

    Osinbajo who attended the opening dinner allayed fears that terrorist sect, Boko Haram ýwere resurfacing, just as he said the government was leaving no stone unturned towards containing them.

    He noted that the government was not all knowing, nor does it have all the solutions, ýbut promised that government will create a more investor-friendly environment.

    The Vice President said the problem in Nigeria was the absence of strong regulatory and enforcement mechanisms to ýhold the system accountable.

    He decried the absence of a composite market legislation that targets market abuses, just as he noted that the current administration would take steps to improve the situation.

    “Businesses look upon government to ensure they are treated fairly. Fair competition and enterprise, even among companies, is a basic requirement of an efficient and productive market economy.

    “Again, fair enterprise does ýnot come naturally to the market place, it has to be established with the right government policies within the regulatory environment,” Osinbajo said.

    Keynote speaker, Spio-Garbrah said Nigeria could become a huge power house if right investments were made in the energy sector.

    He said no country can become industrialised without meaningful improvement on power, advising Nigeria to invest in critical infrastructures.

    She said a national strategic decision on investment must be emplaced such that both Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) and domestic investments are given same priority.

    For Okauru, a lot is to be done in taxation, especially with respect to the existing laws, just as she noted that multiple taxation was still a major issue that needs political consensus of the Federal and state governments.

     

     

  • Stakeholders score Cassava Weed Project high

    Heads of implementing partner institutions comprising the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike; Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta(FUNAAB), and the University of Agriculture Makurdi (UAM) are proud over the progress made towards the implementation of the Cassava Weed Management Project (CWMP)—a project that is led by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA).

    In a briefing with the Project Coordinating team in Makurdi, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Agriculture Makurdi, Prof Emmanuel Kucha, thanked the team for a good job and reiterated the support of the University to the project. Kucha who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor of UAM, Prof John Ayoade, said the equipment donated to the University by the project were of great help to research. He praised the team for efficient and effective sharing of information on the activities of the project through the newsletter and social media, and also called on other projects to emulate the IITA-CWMP.

    At the NRCRI, the Executive Director, Dr Julius Okonkwo, also lauded the milestones and praised the capacity building efforts of the project.

    He promised that his institute would continue to provide the necessary support to ensure that the project attains its goals and impacts positively on the lives of farmers. Dr Okonkwo pledged to ensure that the project’s assets and research trials were protected and secured.

    Demonstrating his commitment to the Project, the NRCRI boss promised to release additional four hectares to the IITA-CWMP for trials this season at Utobi in Benue State.

    The Vice-Chancellor, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Prof. Olusola Oyewole, said his university was glad to be part of the IITA-CWMP.

    He emphasised that the results from the project would be useful to the society, and the advancement of the productivity of cassava in Nigeria.

    Earlier, the Principal Investigator of the IITA-CWMP, Prof Friday Ekeleme and the Communication & Knowledge Exchange Expert, Mr Godwin Atser, made oral presentations on the activities of the project in the outgoing year and plans for the year 2015.  Prof Ekeleme said the successful implementation of the activities of the project last year was a joint effort involving partners from NRCRI, FUNAAB, UAM and IITA under the leadership of the Project Coordinator, Dr Alfred Dixon.

    Prof Ekeleme called on partners not to rest on their oars but to redouble their efforts and commitment to attain the project’s milestones this year.

    The visiting team, which also had the Project Administrator, Mrs Ezinne Ibe, took time to visit experimental farms across the various partner institutions.

  • Stakeholders gather over Obaship crisis

    Stakeholders gather over Obaship crisis

    Members of Ikere, a foremost community in Ekiti State, under the aegis of Ikere Development Forum (IDF), met in Lagos to take a position on the lingering rumpus over an attempt to select a new monarch for the town. Assistant Editor DADA ALADELOKUN reports.

    They were bitter to the marrow – and it was obvious. Tempers rose; as speakers blew hot in turns. It was no moment for their customary exchange of banters in their local dialect. Someone described them as human volcanoes on the loose; she was damn right.

    It was an unusual outing for members of Ikere Development Forum (IDF), a foremost group committed to accelerating the prosperity of their town – Ikere, Ekiti State.

    The Wheatbaker on Onitolo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, was the theatre of the patriotic outbursts that lasted for five hours penultimate Saturday. Quite understandably, “item seven” was nowhere on the agenda at the moment.

    With copious practical illustrations, Guest Speaker Isaac Orolugbagbe had, with impressive delivery that provoked thoughts, flagged off the parley with an inspiring presentation on how members of the forum could explore the hidden opportunities in the daunting economic challenges facing the country for a forward leap.

    “Don’t be a victim. Embrace the challenges the economy has presented. You can still make success in a hostile environment; always look for solutions in problems,” he advised amid thunderous applause.

    Sobriety descended on the gathering when the forum’s National President, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) rose to unveil the crux of the meeting, among other issues. Some unsavoury newspaper publications by some princes over efforts to pick a new monarch for the town had proved unnerving for him and other members of the forum.

    For eight minutes equally concerned members hanged on his lips; same for elders of the group who are professionals in various fields. They included Mr. S.S. Omoyeni, Prof. Dele Olowokudejo (National Secretary); Mr. Femi Ekundayo (1st Vice-President), Mr. Olu Afolabi, (former Librarian, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) and Librarian, Federal University, Oye); Mrs. Yemisi Adefarati (National Treasurer), Dr Kola Adeyina (member, Board of Trustees, Mr. J. Olatunde Ayo (member, Board of Trustees), Prof. Dele Olowokudejo, Olu Abuila, Abiodun Bamidele and Hon. Funminiyi Afuye.

    Olanipekun, a former President, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), was visibly incensed because of the deepening crisis surrounding ongoing efforts to fill the vacant stool of the town’s departed monarch, coupled with an unfounded allegation that he is leading the IDF to impose an unqualified new king on the ancient community.

    Not a few were glued to their seats in total awe when he recalled a few of the sacrifices he had made to pull the town out of the morass of retrogression, coupled with his total support to the town’s departed monarch, Oba Adegboye Akayejo, the Ogoga of Ikere.

    One of them was how he committed his brain, brawn and financial resource to securing at the Supreme Court, a judgment against a ploy to reduce the population of the town in the last census.

    He said it would be unthinkable for him as well as others who had made contributions towards lifting the town to partake in anything that smacks of dragging it back

    See thing with exasperation, Olanipekun described the allegation as unfair, misleading and unfounded, emphasising that the forum is in unalloyed support of the choice of the kingmakers in the town since they were said to have scrupulously involved due processes.

    “From the information available to us, the kingmakers have been painstaking in the processes. They deserve commendation rather than condemnation. All the stakeholders must unite for the peace and progress of our dear town. It needs fervent prayers at the moment. The negative publicity about the town in recent times is worrisome as we have no other place we can call our home.

    “An Oba has immense roles to play in moving a town forward and the status of whoever occupies the seat is of paramount importance. We agree that a non-prince cannot be there. Our position is that since the kingmakers followed the processes involved honestly and religiously, we support the outcome for peace to reign in the town,” he said.

    Equally livid Afolabi’s voice quaked when he grabbed the microphone to speak more on the problems bedeviling the community, describing the latest one as “most unfortunate.”

    Corroborating Olanipekun’s view that the socio-economic clout of the town’s next king must be of pre-eminent consideration, he enjoined all indigenes of the community to be united and fight for the town.

    Olowokudejo said as major stakeholders in issues concerning the troubled community, “we are going to throw our weight behind the contestant chosen by the kingmakers in accordance with the sacred tradition of the land.

    Abuila, who is based in the town, said it would be most disastrous for the community to repeat the mistake of the past by turning deaf ears to the choice of Ifa Oracle in the matter. He urged caution, maintaining that the overall interest of the town must be allowed to over-ride individual desires in the vexed issue.

    That Afuye is equally worried by the retrogression of the town which was clear to everyone at the parley.

    He lamented various ways the vacuum created by the vacancy in the stool rubbed off negatively on the town while he was commissioner in the state recently.

    “Without leadership, a community will lack direction; that, sadly, has been our case. This is why we must give this matter the seriousness it deserves now,” he added.

    The same position was wholeheartedly shared by Adeyina, Ekundayo and Ayo, among others.

    A good number of other discussants urged Governor Ayodele Fayose to ratify and announce the choice of the kingmakers without delay.

    However, the forum, after further deliberations, constituted a three-man group to, within a week, meet with certain interested parties on the issue with a view to resolving the logjam.

    The princes, led by the reigning regent, were admonished to allow peace to reign in the town by desisting from fanning the embers of discord since all of them cannot become king at the same time.

  • Stakeholders divided over drug distribution guidelines

    Stakeholders divided over drug distribution guidelines

    Stakeholders are divided over when the new Mega Drug Distribution System (MDDS) guidelines implementation should begin.

    The implementation date was shifted to this year, following disagreement among key players last year.

    While some clamoured for the implementation, others said the guidelines should not be executed as  they might cripple the sector.

    The issue again came up at the bi-monthly meeting of the Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria (NAIP) in Lagos.

    The theme of the event was: New drug distribution policy implementation.

    The stakeholders said the system should be evolutionary and not revolutionary.

    The Chairman of the occasion, Mr Emma Ekunno, said there was the need to clean up the sector, adding that it should evolve with time.

    He, however, said this should be done cautiously, adding that those involved are stakeholders.

    Ekunno, who is the Managing Director, Neimeth Pharmaceuticals Limited, said if the new guidelines took effect this year as proposed by the government, it would boost the sector.

    He said though the guidelines are  good, they would only reduce counterfeiting, adding: “They can never extinguish it.”

    Ekunno said the implementation had to be right to clean up the value chain, which is the unwanted market.

    The chairman said the new drug distribution system was well-intended, adding that the stakeholders should make it work.

    Managing Director, Fidson Healthcare Plc, Dr Fidelis Ayebae, said the government and key players should address the problem of chaotic drug distribution before implementing the new guidelines.

    His words: “This is needful so that we don’t start speaking from both sides of the mouth and charlatans will take advantage of the situation.”

    He cautioned on disenfranchisement of charlatans, adding that it would only lead to the creation of new ones.

    Ayebae said 65 per cent of key players upon which the market is built are charlatans, adding that mega drug distribution companies should not revolutionise the sector by expunging the counterfeiters.

    Besides, the Federal Government needs to bring drug markets under regulation.

    “We need the charlatans to reach the interiors in the country because we cannot do it alone,” he said.

    He said the government owe the manufacturers a lot of money, adding that charlatans could pull their resources into the sector when they are brought into the fold by regulation. “Then, there will be growth in the sector and everybody can be better for it,” he said.

    Ayebae said charlatans should be encouraged to do their business legally because MDDS do not sell drugs, they only distribute.

    President, Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Group of the Manufacturing Association of Nigeria (PMGMAN), Steve Onya said his association has queried those who formulated the guidelines.

    “They are professionals, but they are not technically competent,” he said.

    He said fakers should be encouraged to do things rightly to regulate, adding: “There would not be a place for mega distributors to sell, if charlatans are expunged from the system.”

    He warned that the industry might lose about 150,000 jobs if the charlatans were forced out.

    Onya said the guidelines should not be implemented for now, adding: “If key players do something outside the regulated wholesale system, the market will die. A mega distributor cannot sell in a vacuum.”

    President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Mr Olumide Akintayo said the society did not draft the document, adding that it only appraised it.

    Akintayo, represented by Dr Lolu Ojo, described the drug distribution market as a tolerated illegality.

    He said everybody, including charlatans should be controlled.

    He said PSN had sensitised pharmacists that there would be a paradigm shift before the guidelines were recommended.

    MDDS, he said, is a good intention, which should be supported to sanitise the sector.

    “It will order the channel of distribution. The integrity of pharmacists will be at stake until this is achieved,” he said.

    Minister of State for Health, Fidelis Nwankwo, said  stakeholders were carried along  during the formulation of the guidelines.

    Nwankwo, represented by a Deputy Director, Federal Ministry of Health, Titus Tile, urged pharmacists to ensure appropriate implementation of the guidelines because it is in their interest.

    He urged them to take advantage of the potential, which abound in the sector, adding that investors may take over their sector.

    He told them not to entertain any fear as the document is renewable every two years.