The Nation Newspaper

Tag: urges

  • ARG urges reduction in recurrent expenditure

    The Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) has urged the government to cut down on wastages in its outrageous recurrent expenditure and channel a substantial chunk of the budget into capital expenditure.

    Its National Chairman, Hon Olawale Oshun who spoke yesterday in Lagos during the presentation of a report of an assessment of the nation’s democratic governance, said any developing nation desirous of growth must be concerned with recurrent and capital comparative analysis whether at the budgetary or actual implementation level. He stressed that an average of between 70/30 recurrent/capital actual figure portends a stagnating society limited by infrastructure capacities.

    He said: “The most important revelation from this report is that as 2015 approaches, Nigerians have to be sober because political instability is increasing and major indicators now put Nigeria on red alert. We are now faced with a depressing economic outlook because of dwindling revenues, corruption, and heavily flawed and extravagant budget. Worse still, divisive politics is now so pervasive that the concept of a free and fair election in 2015 is looking more like a mirage, especially with the way INEC’s rating has plummeted in recent times. How we navigate 2015 elections in the reality of this context will determine the country’s survival.”

    According to the report, how to keep Nigeria’s debt and recurrent expenditure down is a matter of urgency as the cost of servicing debts has risen by 330 per cent between 2009 (N215.79 billion) and 2013 (N834.57 billion). The domestic debt of about $60 billion is proving unsustainable as almost N943 billion has been proposed to service debts this year while capital expenditure is only N633 billion, inclusive of SURE-P allocation.

  • E-PPAN urges security consciousness

    The E-payment Providers Association of Nigeria (E-PPAN) has urged Nigerians to be security conscious especially at this festive season where a lot of transactions take place with the use of various payment instruments.

    Its Media and Strategy Development Manager, Mrs Ntia Nnene Sylvia who spoke in Lagos, said people must be careful as they use their cards during shopping at merchant outlets using the point of sale (PoS) terminal or use mobile banking/payment; online transactions or even at the automated teller machine (ATM) point

    She said: “Typically, fraudsters also use this festive season to launch their nefarious activities to unsuspecting bank customers. The onus is therefore on the individual first, to consider safety in all transactions, and these will take some extra and conscious effort by the individual.

    “It is very safe to use any of the payment instruments but to minimise the chances of becoming a victim of electronic fraud, we advise consumers to follow some safety tips such as looking after your cards and card details at all times; trying not to let your card out of your sight when making a transaction; not leaving your cards unattended to in public places. We emphasise that card users should never share their PIN with anyone and ensure you are the only person that knows your PIN. Your bank will never ask you to disclose it; anyone who asks you for your PIN is a fraudster. Keep it secret, keep it safe – protect your PIN.

    For those who will use the ATM at any point, we always advise that, never use an ATM at any isolated location especially at night and weekends. ATM’s are generally very safe; however they do sometimes attract criminal attention, so you still need to follow common sense precautions when withdrawing cash. At the ATM when entering your PIN, stand close to the ATM , use your free hand and your body to shield the number in case someone is watching you over your shoulder. “Once you have completed a transaction put your money and card away before leaving the ATM.  If the ATM does not return your card, report it immediately to your service provider. Destroy or preferably shred your ATM receipts, mini-statements or balance enquiries when you dispose of them.  If you think someone has seen your PIN you can change it at the next ATM or by contacting your bank.  To minimise the chances of having your card or card details stolen at an ATM,  we say that if you spot anything unusual about the ATM, or there are signs of tampering, do not use it. report it to the relevant authorities immediately”

    According to her, for those traveling overseas, the advice is that “you call your financial service providers and inform them on your location of travel. Only take cards that you intend to use; leave others in a secure place at home. When you are overseas don’t let your card out of your sight, especially in restaurants and bars; when you get back check your card statements carefully for unfamiliar transactions. If there are any, report them to your financial service provider as soon as possible.”

    For those doing online transactions, she said: “Our advice to those category of people is that they should only shop on secure sites. Before entering card details ensure that the locked padlock or unbroken key symbol is showing in your browser. Additionally, the beginning of the online retailer’s internet address will change from ‘http’ to ‘https’ to indicate the connection is secure. Never send your PIN over the internet. Always log out properly after shopping online – if the website you have used has a ‘sign out’ or ‘log off’ button, click it when you have finished, especially if you have been using a shared or public computer. As additional preventative measures when banking online, you should ensure your browser is set to the highest level of security notification and monitoring. Be particularly security-conscious if you are using a public computer or public Wi-Fi internet connection.

    “If everyone follows the safety security tips that we have highlighted they would have protected themselves from being victims of fraud.”

     

  • CIPM urges on modern, quality skills’ set

    There is need for Human Resource (HR) professionals and business leaders to demonstrate contemporary, modern quality in their skills’ set, in their places of work, President, Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM), Victor Famuyibo, has said.

    The President, who spoke at the 46th Annual National Conference of the Institute in Abuja, said the sessions were specially put together to navigate, explore and exploit specific  industry issues and developments with the overall objective of creating a  paradigm shift in the way practitioners think and act.

    He said the conference created another platform for members of the Institute to up-scale their knowledge on contemporary issues of importance to the profession and to their jobs as managers of the people, adding that the conference provided a veritable platform for social and professional networking among the participants.

    He said the interaction at the conference enabled participants to meet, review progress, analyse new challenges, current trends, and benchmark existing approaches and work practices in their respective organisations, stating that it helped them to deepen their network and competencies.

    “In today’s knowledge economy, the depth of a professional’s network and competencies are determined by how far he/she goes in achieving excellence at his/her job functions,” he said.

  • GAIN urges more action to tackle malnutrition

    GAIN urges more action to tackle malnutrition

    To commemorate this year’s World Food Day marked yesterday, the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) Nigeria has called on the federal and state governments to scale up nutrition intervention programmes in the country as a panacea for the prevalent micronutrient deficiency.

    Its Country Director, Larry Umunna, in a statement issued lamented that micronutrient deficiencies remain a major public health issue in Nigeria as more than half of women of childbearing age are anaemic (62 per cent) and almost a third (29.5 per cent) of children suffer from vitamin A deficiency, a leading cause of childhood blindness.

    Umunna lamented that despite a slight reduction in stunting levels of children under the age of five, 10 million children (two in five) still fail to achieve their full potential height, resulting in lifelong impacts on their health, their ability to learn and their potential to earn a living.

    According to him, to combat high levels of malnutrition, GAIN has provided technical and financial assistance to Nigeria to ensure that food fortification regulations are monitored and enforced.

  • TUC urges strengthened pension administration

    The Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Nigeria has said it will soon mobilise workers and pensioners to mount serious pressure on the government for prompt and adequate payment of pensions to retirees in the country.

    Its President, Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama, who noted this in his independence day message, said the pressure was necessary in order to strengthen pension administration in Nigeria. He lamented the increasing cases of embezzlement of pension funds with no one being brought to book to account for the criminal act.

    “Why a few individuals should be feeding fat on the misery of the poor and hapless pensioners remains a mystery to us. Pensioners’ woes are made worse by the virtual collapse of social services, which in effect has turned every household into a mini-government on its own.

    “Incidentally the pain is more excruciating because monetary contributions are deducted from workers’ salaries into the pension funds unlike what obtained in the past when government paid from its coffers. In this milieu, retirement aggregates to being sentenced to permanent poverty or even death, except in the case of the privileged few in the society. This ugly trend must stop,” he said.

  • Rosabon urges best practice in financial services

    Rosabon Financial Services Limited, a financial intermediary and equipment leasing firm, has called for best practice in the country’s financial service industry.

    Managing Director of the company, Chukwuma Ochonogor, disclosed this at the African Financial Quality Service Award conferred on the firm by the Institute for Government Research, Leadership and Technology.

    Speaking after receiving the award, he said the success story of Rosabon “has been based on its emphasis on best practices in accordance with customer satisfaction, integrity, professionalism and commitment to excellence in dealing with our customers.”

    He explained that best practice in building Nigeria’s financial service  industry, remains a critical part of domestic economy. Rosabon, he said is into sound financial packages and expert advice, adding that its products are tailored to suit customers’ needs.

    “Over the years, our strength and unique selling point has been the speed with which we close transactions and the convenience which we offer our clients. In our quest to continually deliver excellent service, we have constantly improved on our processes and have succeeded in eliminating the bottlenecks that have come to be associated with transactions in the financial services sector in Nigeria,” he said.

    He appreciated the recognition, noting that the management was indeed humbled and honoured for the award.

  • NIMC urges national ID card as travel document

    The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) is pushing for the use of the new National e-ID Card as a valid travel document.

    This as an alternative to the international passport for certain types of travels.

    The new National eID Card issued to Nigerians on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is a bona fide Machine Readable Travel Document (MRTD), recognised by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

    Its Head, Card Management Services, Mr. Tunji Durodola, explained that the back of the NIMC e-ID Card contains three lines called Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) lines just like the Passport and the same as other national identity cards that have ICAO support. Its development was as a result of NIMC’s conformance to the ICAO Document 9303 parts 1 and 2. rigorous testing by international testing agencies ensured that the contents of the chip meet or exceed the standards set by the internationally recognised body.

    The first generation of cards have the smartcard chip, but future generations will be dual-interface (chip and contactless) for a truly robust solution.

    But for other countries to recognise the use of the National e-ID card for cross-border travel, its usage must be included a bilateral agreement among countries that partner with Nigeria and this agreement must be recognised by the countries’ immigration and border control agencies, and such countries must have inspection devices that can read the cards, which most currently do.

    For this to work NIMC, the Federal Ministries of Aviation, Foreign Affairs and the Nigeria Immigration Service must have to sit down and agree on the process. Also, it is not certain if countries would be willing to work with Nigeria, which seems to be ahead of many other nations on the e-ID card programme. NIMC is confident that with time, the International Community will build confidence in the authenticity of the card and the robust security features built into it.

    Durodola also explained that Nigeria had to apply for an Object Identifier (OID), a pre-requisite for what is known as a document signer (DS), which in turn establishes the authenticity of the data contained on the chip as being authentic and not counterfeit. “The national identity card is also a travel document and conforms to the same standards (ICAO 9303 Rev 2) as international passports and national identity cards of other nations which have TD1 functionality built in. It is hoped that the document will be used for ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) travel (without the need for a passport), as the data on the chip cannot be forged. NIMC has its own  DS, a significant component of the Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

  • Fasehun urges NFF to embrace peace

    Fasehun urges NFF to embrace peace

    National leader of Odua People’s Congress (OPC)  Fredrick Fasheun has expressed his disappointment on the crisis rocking the Nigeria Football Federation(NFF), saying the episode is a reflection of the extent at which greed has eaten deep into the fabrics of our society.

    He disclosed this while speaking at the final of the maiden National Under-15 Soccer Championship played inside the main-bowl of Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan over the weekend.

    He, however, urged all the gladiators jostling for the plum NFF job to embrace peace and stop the madness which has made our football administration’s top office a subject of ridicule before the football world. A team from Plateau State emerged winner of the Championship after defeating Niger State  3-1 at the final of the grassroots soccer tourney, which was instituted by Organisation for Grassroots Sports Development (OGSD).

    The National Chairman of Unity Party of Nigeria said the event has a significant connotation to the ideals of the OPC hence deserved the support of the socio-cultural body, while pledging his total support for the subsequent editions of the tourney.

  • Eko Expo: Fashola urges patronage of made-in-Nigeria goods

    Eko Expo: Fashola urges patronage of made-in-Nigeria goods

    Lagos State Governor, Mr.  Babatunde Fashola (SAN) has urged residents to take advantage of ongoing Eko Expo Trade Fair and patronise ‘Made-in-Nigeria’ rather than imported goods.

    Governor Fashola spoke while flagging off the 2014 Eko Expo Trade Fair at the Lekki Free Zone, Lekki area of Lagos.

    He explained that there were many goods and products that the average Nigerian used on a daily basis, from cars to tissue paper, lamenting that most of these goods were being imported from other countries.

    The governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Oluranti Adebule, said people see locally made goods as being substandard or had the mentality that foreign goods were better than the ones made in the country. He urged entrepreneurs to take a two-pronged approach to change this notion.

    He stressed the need to promote and sustain the Nigerian brand and services, adding that there was need to be globally competitive. He stressed that the goal of sustainable employment generation required that “we assess our competencies in the face of global competition.”

    “At this stage of our development, we need not delude ourselves with the misconception that Nigerians will patronise made in Nigeria goods out of patriotic sentiments as against product quality considerations”.

    One of such approach, he said, was shifting focus to ‘made in Nigeria’ products because that was where the future of the nation’s economy laid, adding that the other approach was changing the nation’s current business models for the better.

  • Improve grassroots, Fayemi urges council chiefs

    Improve grassroots, Fayemi urges council chiefs

    •Appointees take oath

    Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi has sworn in caretaker chairmen in the 16 local governments and the 19 local council development areas (lcdas).

    Fayemi said they were chosen for their competence and closeness to the grassroots.

    He urged them to be diligent, noting that they would be held accountable by God and the people.

    The governor said: “I have no doubt that going by the pedigree of the leaders being sworn in today, there will be accelerated progress in meeting the needs of our people at the grassroots. These are leaders carefully chosen, not only on account of their competence, but also for their closeness to the grassroots.

    “I urge you to live up to the expectations of our people in serving them with diligence and honour. Above all, remember that power belongs to God and to Him shall we  ultimately give account.”

    On the creation of the lcdas, Fayemi said it was to meet the “long and persistent clamour of our people for the creation of new local governments”.

    He said the chairmen would play pioneering roles in the establishment of structures, programmes and policies for good governance at the grassroots.

    Speaking for the chairmen, Ado West LCDA Caretaker Chairperson Mrs Omotunde Fajuyi said they will justify the confidence reposed in them.

    At the event were the Deputy Governor, Prof. Modupe Adelabu; former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva; House of Assembly Speaker Adewale Omirin; All Progressives Congress (APC) State Chairman Chief Jide Awe; top government officials and traditional rulers.

    The council chairmen are Tope Olanipekun, Ado; Mrs Omotunde Fajuyi, Ado West LCDA; Sunday Ibitoye, Ado North LCDA; Raheem Balogun, Ado Central LCDA; Richard Apolola, Ekiti Southwest; Ayodeji Olaniyi, Igbara Odo/Ogotun LCDA; Tope Alonge, Oye; Olumide Adeyanju, Ifeloju LCDA; Adeyeye Bolaji, Ifesowapo LCDA; Dipo Ogunleye, Efon; Tope Ogunleye, Ilejemeje; Aribasoye Adeoye, Ajoni LCDA; Akinwale Alebiosu, Ero LCDA; Sina Ogunleye, Ifedara LCDA; and Kareem Agunbiade, Ekiti West.

    Others are Ayodeji Ajayi, Ise/Orun; Febisola Adewale, Emure; Olunide Fadipe, Isokan LCDA; Ojo Atibioke, Irewolede LCDA; Mrs Remi Balogun, Irede LCDA; Chief Dayo Ajayi, Ijero; Azeez Awolokun, Irepodun/Ifelodun; Gbenga Omole, Ikere West LCDA; Femi Ayodele, Ikere; Rotimi Afolabi, Ido/Osi; Bayo Akerele, Araromi LCDA; Damilare Ajayi, Gbonyin; Sunkanmi Onipede, Moba; Rotimi Ajidara, Ekiti East; Fadumiye Ayodele, Ayedire; Lateef Akanle, Ekiti South East LCDA; Olatiboye Titus, Okemesi/Ido Ile LCDA; Joshua Ayorinde, Eka Meta LCDA; Razak Aladetuyi, Ikole; and Kayode Ogunsakin, Ikole West.