The Nation Newspaper

Tag: urges

  • LCCI urges CBN governor to reduce interest rate

    The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), has called on the new Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, to focus on the reduction of the high interest rate to stimulate growth and job creation.

    Commending the governor on his appointment, LCCI President, Alhaji Remi Bello noted that the adverse consequences of persistent credit squeeze and high interest rate on private sector performance cannot be over-emphasised.

    In a release by the Director-General of LCCI, Mr. Muda Yusuf the chamber asked for the adoption of employment numbers as a key parameter in determining the direction of monetary policy and the deepening of the role of the apex bank in development finance to promote the development of agriculture, industry, Small and medium Enterprises (SMEs), and the power sector.

    The LCCI Council urged the CBN to unveil its implementation guidelines on new policy direction to allow for a more robust conversation and engagement.

    LCCI, however, expressed concern at the slow pace of the power sector reform and stressed the need to manage expectations.

    “We acknowledged the progress so far in the power sector reform, but the weak links in the power delivery chain should be identified and fixed.  Where necessary, the Federal Government should support the power sector investors to tackle the current challenges. This has become necessary because of the strategic nature of the power sector in the economy,” the release said.

    The chamber welcomed the global coalition against insurgency and advised the Federal Government and security agencies to take maximum advantage of the backing to put an end to the menace of terrorism in the country, noting that if not contained, it would have dire consequences on the economy and job creation.

  • FCMB urges youth to embrace financial literacy

    FCMB urges youth to embrace financial literacy

    First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited has donated 30 new computer systems to Community Secondary School (CSS), Aka-Offot in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State to promote financial literacy.

    The donation was done to fulfil the pledge the bank made during the financial literacy lecture series organised in three months ago, in commemoration of the 2014 Global Money Week and Financial Literacy Day, and also as part of activities celebrating Children’s Day held on May 27.

    The school was adopted by FCMB for a full year as part of the financial literacy programme and initiative. The programme, an initiative of the Bankers’ Committee in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), is focused on educating  youth about their economic environment, impressing upon them the importance of saving, entrepreneurship and wealth creation. During the year, FCMB will mentor the students, teach them about the banking, finances and how they can save and grow their money.

    Speaking during the presentation of the computers, the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive of FCMB, Mr. Ladi Balogun, said the gesture is aimed at building the capacity of the students to facilitate knowledge and skill, particularly on the use of information technology devices.

    This, he said “can effectively motivate them to understand and key into the financial literacy and inclusion agenda’’ of the apex bank.

  • Live by example, HOD urges students’ leaders

    Live by example, HOD urges students’ leaders

    The Head of the Department of Business Administration of the Adekunle Ajasin University in Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), Ondo State, Dr Timothy Ihinmoyan, has advised students’ leaders in the department to live by example and provide good leadership for their fellow students.

    Dr Ihinmoyan, who was represented by Mr Idowu Owoeye, gave the advice at the swearing-in ceremony of the elected officials of the National Association of Business Administration Students (NABAMS).

    He said: “I enjoin you to exhibit great leadership qualities as students’ leaders. You must be of good conduct and embrace the ethical values, including transparency, probity, honesty and integrity. These values are sacrosanct to have a successful tenure.”

    The incoming president, Ifeoluwa Osanyintuyi, thanked students for electing him, promising to take the association to a greater height. He solicited for the support of members to actualise his promises.

    Other members of the executive included Funmilola Animasaun, Vice-President, Taiwo Otiko, General Secretary, Oluwatobi Olufodun, Treasurer, Opeyemi Akinyode, Sport Director, Oluwakemi Akinmoju, Social Director, Babatunde Akindeji, Welfare Director, Bukola Ojodun, Financial Secretary, Tope Ologunore, Public Relations Officer, Adeyemi Arogbokun, Librarian and Idowu Akinyosoye, Assistant General Secretary.

  • IBM chief urges banks on efficient software

    IBM chief urges banks on efficient software

    The Vice President IBM Tivoli Storage Software Development, Software Group, Steve  Wojtoweecz has advised banks to adopt efficient and quality banking software despite high cost of acquisition.

    Wojtowwecz, who spoke on the benefits of the Edge 2014 conference held in Las Vegas, said the event was meant to show the clients and associates, IBM’s technological inputs in today’s world. He said banks should ensure that people responsible for data applications are highly efficient to achieve maximum protection.

    He said the cost for acquiring software will be upset in a matter of months from efficiency adding that securing efficient and seamless software remains the best option for banks, telecommunication firms and other operators remains the best way to maximise output.

    “Efficient banking software is costly but data storage is also very important. Buying software is relatively inexpensive compared to the benefit one gets,” he said.

    He said banks should have several layers of security and authentication so that should one layer fail, the other can continue.

    Wojtowwecz said fraud prevention and detection can be for different reasons. “There are many mechanisms a bank can implement to limit fraud, because preventing it is very difficult. Limiting fraud is the best case option at the moment. What they are trying to do is that there is authentication, taking the multifunctional applications to where you can. Anything from fingerprints, to extremely strong password  are very important,” he said.

    He said: “I think banks change their applications because as the business changes, the software has to change to support the users. So, it might be because of the person working in the bank, or the person who is putting his money inside the bank.”

    He explained that a change of application can also be to support a bank employee, the consumer of the commercial bank, or maybe financial institutions for real estate, or stock exchange. “So, when companies change their applications, they do so for the user to meet a particular need. Despite the reason for such action, I know it is very hard to throw away an application,” he said.

    Ingul said when developing banking software, it is important to think of certain things.

    He said companies can sometimes create a level of software, with many smaller software, depending on the level of virtualisation needed.

  • Labour urges repeal of Akpabio’s pension law

    The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) has urged Akwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio, to bow to public opinion and abrogate its new pension law instead of seeking its review.

    ASCSN Secretary-General, Comrade Alade Bashir Lawal, regretted that majority of the citizens live below poverty line.

    “We demand that the pension law should be repealed entirely because the whopping pension benefits for the government officials would wreck the economy of the state,” he said in a statement.

    The ASCSN contended that it was bad enough that the law is designed for the benefit of few privileged individuals.

    ASCSN posited that Akpabio’s pension law is not only obscene but offends the sensibility of right-thinking members of the society.

    According to the union, record from the National Bureau of Statistics showed that Akwa Ibom State generates about N1 billion internally monthly and wondered where Governor Akpabio would expect the state to generate funds to pay the huge benefits and meet other financial commitment of the state if there is a drop in federal allocation to the state.

    “The main argument for jumbo pay of political office holders was that they are not entitled to pension.  Now, they award to themselves whopping gratuity and pension designed to massage their insatiable greed. The worse part of it is that these are the same set of individuals complaining that N18,000 minimum wage per month is on the high side, “ the union lamented.

    While urging the governor to repeal and not review the law, the workers advised other state governments such as Rivers, Lagos, Borno, Gombe, Kano, that had passed similar legislations to abrogate them without further delay.

    The group also enjoined the trade union movement, civil society groups, prominent citizens, religious leaders, and all men and women of goodwill to stand up against the emerging pension laws in the states which are designed to hand over the entire budgets to the governors, their deputies and their cronies.

     

  • Murray-Bruce urges Nigerians to be more patriotic

    The Chairman of Silverbird Group, Mr. Ben Murray-Bruce, has urged Nigerians to be more patriotic in their utterances, saying this will help in positioning the country in good light among the comity of nations. He stated this while delivering a lecture titled, “Local to Global: Building of Nigeria Brand” at the Advertisers Association of Nigeria, ADVAN, Marketing Night held in Lagos recently. At the occasion, Bruce said it has become more apparent for Nigerians to begin to change the old order of dwelling more about negative stories particularly in the midst of insecurity confronting us.

    According to him, every Nigerian must strive in ensuring that the perception, which Western nations have concerning us as a country is erased. Speaking further, the former governorship aspirant attributed the negative press being enjoyed by Nigeria as fallout of the inability of government at all levels to manage information as well as government underestimation of the power the media wields. He said: “Each time we run into a crisis, it takes a long time before government responds to it. That to me is not the best way to go. When there is a problem, it is expected that government provides a swift response. You need to issue a statement once you are familiar with the issues.

  • Provide incentives for firms to return, expert urges

    The Federal Government has been urged to revamp the environment to entice food companies that have set up manufacturing operations outside the country and elsewhere to return home.

    The Chairman, Southsouth, Southeast Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Hyke Ochia, said without a strong food manufacturing sector, the country will not create the jobs.

    He called  for a pro-domestic manufacturing  policy environment  which  should  include generous incentives and subsidies for companies to return production to the country.

    He said this will generate jobs and activate the local economy by providing companies with corporate and income tax cuts on earnings generated by their re-established domestic operations, and subsidies for the purchase of land or rent. There should also be additional subsidies for equipment purchase and favorable export guarantees.

    He said there should be provision allowing companies that reshore to move into free economic zones, “creating exclusive industrial complexes, giving priority when moving in to national general industrial complexes.”

    Ochia said Nigeria must increase its share of food manufacturing. The reason: a stronger food manufacturing sector will enable “growth and economic recovery”.

    He  said Nigeria  needs new food industrial investment at a time when lack of confidence, market uncertainty, financial problems and skills shortages are holding it back.

    According to him, the government needs to give a signal for people to understand that manufacturing matters and reverse the trend of a declining share of industry in the economy because industry is really key for competitiveness and growth.

    With dismal performance recorded so far,  he advised  the government to  work  on a new legislation aimed at improving manufacturing and reducing the nation’s  trade deficit.

     

  • Uduaghan urges community to support monarch for growth

    Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan has called on the people of Idumuje-Uno community to support their monarch with their prayers and advice to ensure accelerated and people-oriented development in the community.

    Represented by his Deputy Prof. Amos Utuama, SAN, the governor made the call at the weekend at Idumuje-Uno in Aniocha North Local Government Area during the official presentation of staff of office to His Royal Majesty, Charles Chukwunwike Anyasi III, the Obi of Idumuje-Uno.

    While congratulating the new Obi, who took the mantle of leadership from his late father, Obi James Ikechukwu Anyasi II who joined his ancestors in 2013, Uduaghan prayed that the installation of the new monarch would be the beginning of a new era and a continuation of the peace and progress in the history of the Idumuje-Uno.

    On the community’s request for teachers in their school and access road, the governor said there were enough qualified teachers in the state but that the equitable distribution and sometimes refusal of some teachers to report to rural schools are the causes of such problems. He, however, promised to facilitate posting of teachers to the community.

    Uduaghan used the occasion to commend the roles of traditional rulers in the state and disclosed that the state government is organising a workshop for traditional rulers in the state, urging them to take the advantage of the workshop to improve themselves.

    Also speaking at the installation, the Chairman, Transition Committee, Aniocha North Local Government, Young Sunday Chukwuedo, called on monarchs to relentlessly uphold the principles of peace, justice and fairness in the discharge of their duties to the people.

    Chukwuedo commended the administration of Uduaghan, who he said has continued to accord the welfare of traditional rulers the due attention it deserves.

    Earlier in his welcome address, the President-General of Idumuje Patriotic Union of Nigeria (IPUN), Chief Jude Onwochei, requested for the posting of teachers to the community school and the provision of access roads to connect the area to other parts of the state.

    Onwochei commended the state government for the presentation of staff of office to their monarch. The occasion attracted sons and daughters of Idumuje-Uno, traditional rulers and well wishers of the community.

  • Be dedicated, Aregbesola urges security agencies

    Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has urged security agencies to live up to their oaths of service by sustaining the peace in the state as the August 9 governorship election draws nearer.

    He spoke at the weekend in Osogbo, the state capital, while hosting the Zone Four Commander of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Oladapo Jacob Amujare.

    Aregbesola urged security agents not to compromise in the discharge of their duties, adding: “The time has come for you to demonstrate your capabilities in identifying black spots and personalities who may be planning to unleash terror to disrupt the peaceful conduct of the poll.

    “The consequence of a fraudulent electoral process is grave. So I am appealing to all stakeholders to be vigilant and guarantee a credible, free, fair and transparent election. Democracy will only have meaning if the free choice of the people through a credible electoral process is guaranteed. If this process is corroded, undermined or compromised, democracy loses its meaning.

    “I promise to collaborate with you in ensuring that the August 9 poll will be a reference point; one that is transparent and credible.”

    Aregbesola warned against jungle justice, describing it as “uncivilised, barbaric and reckless”.

    He urged residents to be vigilant and warned against indiscriminate dumping of refuse.

    Amujare hailed the governor for sustaining peace in Osun, saying this has engendered progress in the state.

     

     

     

  • Lawyer urges NJC to reduce pressure on judges

    An Akure lawyer Mr. Morakinyo Ogele has urged the Chairman of the National Judicial Council (NJC) to reduce the number of judgments judges are required to deliver quarterly from six to three or two.

    He said this would ensure the delivery of quality judgments.

    In a statement yesterday, Ogele said since the pronouncement of six judgments quarterly, majority of cases have been handled in a rush, “leading to poor judgments”.

    He said judgments at the Federal and State High Courts have been watered down due to pressure on judges from the council.

    Ogele said: “The fear of the council is the beginning of wisdom for judges today. Hence, they hardly read files for the day’s proceedings; hardly consult authorities cited by counsel, hardly grant reasonable calls for adjournment, with the attendant effect of poor and unacceptable judgments.

    “A typical instance is a litigation matter in which I was a counsel before a judge of the Ekiti State High Court of Justice. In this matter, the judge ordered an adjournment for the claimant to reply to my motion on notice vide further and better affidavit, and, on the same day, forced all parties to the suit to willy-nilly move their pending motions to the detriment of qualitative justice.

    “This was because he did not want the sleigh-arms of the council to visit him. Surprisingly, on March 31, the scheduled hearing date; he hurriedly gave his final judgment. A hurried judgment is justice denied.

    “I do concede that in the consideration of matters before courts, it will accord with the course of justice to depose of them expeditiously. However, it is submitted that justice must not be sacrificed on the altar of expeditiousness.

    “The litigants are being denied of being heard properly. It is, therefore, recommended that the required judgment quarterly be reduced to the barest minimum. This will not only guarantee quality judgments but enhance the health of judges.

    “With respect sir, judges sometimes were indisposed, but they forced themselves to attend court for the fear of making their returns; they sit, despite their unsound health. This situation cannot allow sound judgment and such proceedings cannot be properly conducted.

    “In view of this, I urge the council to reduce six judgments quarterly to three or two, so that the requirement of justice may be achieved by our judges.”