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Tag: work

  • All work and no play…

    All work and no play…

    Lectures were suspended last week at the College of Medical Sciences of the University of Benin (UNIBEN). It was all for students to participate in games organised by the Medical Students’ Association. EDDY UWOGHIREN (300-Level Medicine and Surgery) reports.

    Academics were suspended at the College of   Medical Sciences of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), last week, for students to participate in the  Dean’s Cup.

    The week-long contest was organised by the University of Benin Medical Students Association (UBEMSA). It featured football, chess, scrabble, track event, volleyball and table tennis.

    The Dean, Prof Moses Momoh, who declared the event open, said there was a need for students to exercise their muscles and relax their brains, despite their busy schedules. He observed that the sport fiesta underscored a popular saying: all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. The Dean said medical students must set a good example for other students.

    UBEMSA’s Director of Sports Anthony Adams said the event was held to build friendship among medical students and to create an avenue for the students to relax.

    The opening soccer fixture was played by 100-Level and 600-Level students. The game ended 3:2 in favour of the 600-Level class.

    Other matches were played during the week; the final match was played by 400-Level and 600-Level. The final match was entertaining as players entertained their colleagues with their exceptional football skills. After 90 minutes of play, the match ended 2:0 in favour of 600-Level class.

    Clinical students beat their pre-clinical counterparts in the final volleyball match. Also, in the track event, Imana Eragbai, a 300-Level student, won the 100-metre race, while Amedu Osemudiamen, 400-Level student, and Joseph Enejo, 600-Level student, came second and third.

    In the 400 metres race, Adeleke Adeyusi, 600-Level student, came first, while Ese Udi, a 200-Level student and John Temitope, a 100-Level student, came second and third.

    There was also a marathon for both boys and girls. In the female category, Oriri Orgo, Chioma Eleje and Victoria Anekwe all in 400-Level class emerged first, second and third. While Degustin Oteri, a 400-Level student, won in the male category, with Israel Osagie and Adeleke Adeyusi 600-Level students as runners-up.

    A 600-Level student, Victor Idubor, won the table tennis contest, while Kiko Igwubor, a 100-Level student, won cheese game and Sere Ikhimi, a 600-Level, scrabble.

    When the medal table was unveiled after the final match, the 600-Level class was declared the overall winner with four gold medals, four silver medals and three bronze. The 400-Level class became the first runner up with two gold medals, four silver medals and a bronze.

    Presenting the trophy to the 600-Level class, Mommoh hailed the students for participating in the contest. He said he was marvelled at the display of sportsmanship by the students. He said: “One would not have expected his crowd, but with the level of participation of students in the contest, it shows they have accepted sports as part of their training in medical school.”

    Captain of the 600-Level class, Pius Ojemolon, described the feat as deserving, saying: “I am happy we won. It was to lead my classmates to success. We prepared hard for the games and I am not surprised we won.”

     

  • Work begins on Ikotun-Ejigbo road next week

    Work begins on Ikotun-Ejigbo road next week

    Lagos State Governor Akinwumi Ambode has promised that work will begin on the dilapidated Ikotun-Ejigbo road within one week.

    During a visit yesterday, he described the state of the road as unacceptable, assuring residents that their suffering would soon end.

    Residents trooped out to thank him for his gesture.

    The governor said: “I have come personally to see for myself the state of Ejigbo road and it is very clear that this is totally unacceptable and there is no other remedy than to let our officials come to site within the next one week and the people of this neighbourhood should be guaranteed that work will start on Ikotun-Ejigbo-Isolo axis within the next seven days.

    Ambode appealed to the residents for understanding when the work begins, saying relief would be provided for them.

    “We would make sure that you have immediate relief and that in the course of the rehabilitation the people in the neighborhood should just bear with us? but work will commence immediately after Ramadan”, he said.

    A resident, Mr Taiwo Olaniyan, explained how he spends several hours in traffic daily.

    “Traffic on this axis has been terrible, a journey of five minutes, you end up spending hours because of bad road. The situation is worst whenever it rains that is why you find a lot of commercial vehicles taking one way just to get out of the traffic.”

    He thanked the governor for the gesture which he said would ease motorists and commuters’ pains.

     

  • I’D LOVE TO TO WORK WITH LAGBAJA

    I’D LOVE TO TO WORK WITH LAGBAJA

    Many artists struggle to establish their musical identity, laboriously trying on different musical styles like a piece of clothing, looking to find what fits. But there are others that emerge fully formed, in full command of their craft, their identity and their music. Jesci fits firmly in the latter category. In this interview with EZEALI CHIJIOKE, he reveals the release of his sophomore track ‘Turn Upside Down Featuring Efa’ and other issues

    What does your name ‘Jesci’ mean?

    Well, my full name is Joseph Chidike Kwame George Nnadede. I grew up being called ‘J.C’ which is an abbreviation of my first and second names. In secondary school, I had this skill of giving my friends suitable and dope nick names for a fair price. So, I thought I should coin one for myself too, so I transformed ‘J.C’ to Jesci. To me, Jesci means freedom.

    How did your foray into music start?

    I’m going to risk sounding cliché but I never chose music; music and entertainment generally chose me. I’m quite shy and reserved as a person. The only thing that brings me alive is music. As a kid, I was the youngest in the choir; I was an alto singer then and was popular at that stage.I headlined stage drama performances, formed an acapella group in secondary school.In short, I’ve being doing this all my life. After leaving Federal Polytechnic NekedeOwerri in 2012 where I studied Mass Communication. I tried out music a bit, but the struggle was not easy at all; affording to work with good hands and gaining recognition was a huge task. I later chose to practice Journalism, as it was the closest thing to my passion at that point. Well, it has been quite a journey. I released my official debut single, I Need You earlier this year (2015) and I thank God for the level we’ve attained so far.

    What was the inspiration behind I Need You?

    I Need You is a song I wrote in junior grade, JSS2 thereabout. It’s so special because it played in my head everyday and I thank God I am able to share it. It’s a song that connotes passionate and unconditional love and it has received massive airplay and I am grateful. I’m going to be revealing this for the first time.Before I recorded I Need You, I was working on a beat music producer, DreyBeats to record a track and he promised to get Skales on the remix. To shorten the story, DreyBeats surprisingly stopped responding to calls, so I moved on. While voicing the track at my friend Smokey Tunes’ studio, I asked him to stop recording that I felt like doing another song entirely. At that point I chose to record I Need You. God works miraculously you see.

    Tell us about your new single titled; Turn Upside Down?

    My debut single opened a lot of doors for me but I’m turning the tempo up in this new single produced by SmokeyTunes and featuring prolific rapper, Efa. Turn Upside Down is a twist from the regular Turn Up phrase. It started out as freestyle and along the line; I knew I needed Efa on the track because of his style of rap. Turn Upside Down is massive. Expect nothing less.

    What kind of music would you say you do?

    I am not the kind of artiste you can easily put in a box or classify. The reason is because I grew up listening to different kinds of music and that really widened my sense and taste of music. I am very unpredictable, even in listening to music. At my formative stage, I listened to a lot of Elvis Presley, UB40, Mariam Makeba, Fela, Obewe, Abba, MJ, Led Zeppelin, Celine Dion, Cold Play and so many more. I know people find it easier when they can easily put you in a box and say, “he’s a reggae, R&B, rock or pop singer.”But for me, my music is an invention. I’m just a musician.

    The music industry is booming with new acts emerging everyday.How do you plan to handle the competition?

    There is definitely no competition. We have different stories, experiences, influences and characteristics. One can only use one’s ingenuity to make one’s previous work one’s competition.

    How has the relative success of your debut song I Need You affected you?

    I am very grateful to God for giving me the talent and inspiration to get to this point. I also appreciate those who are supporting the movement. I have tens of songs written on my diary and I Need You, by my judgement, isn’t amongst the top twenty. But it has really established me as a music artiste in the business; I’ve been to several shows and gigs, not to mention the fair endorsement deals I have bagged. I’m simply grateful

    How did your parents react when they found out you were doing music?

    I’m not sure my dad has found out yet though he knows I’m an entertainer. He noticed when I played football, when I joined the choir and come home late from rehearsals, when I bombarded our small living space with costumes and all but he never complained because I always came top in class. That was my saving grace. My mom is late. She died when I was about three years old.She’s Ghanaian.

    Have do you relate to your female fans?

    Well, anywhere anytime I come across female fans, it’s all love and respect. I call them my ‘Homies’

    What is your relationship status?

    My relationship with God is tight! For me, I’m very reserved. That part of my life is pretty private. Until I say there is someone, let’s assume there is no one.

    What’s your inspiration?

    God, nature, my environment and music. Sometimes, I listen to songs, I learn from others mistakes and I create something fresh.

    Which Nigerian acts would you love to work with it?

    It depends on the song I’m working on and the direction I might want to take it. But by default, I would love to work with Lagbaja, Asa, 2Baba, Burna Boy, Wande Coal and Styl-plus though I learnt they split up.

    What are your Hobbies?

    Writing, sketching, beat boxing, playing video games, watching animated films, comedy movies and surfing the Internet. You can find me on YouTube any day checking stuffs out. That’s how I roll.

    How would you describe your fashion sense?

    ‘Freedom’…Nobody dictates trends to me. I’m hip yet classy in dressing. I do what I want regardless of whom is having sleepless nights over it. I dress ‘Me’.

  • Why Calabar Port must work

    SIR: There is no gain saying the fact that Calabar Port is very strategic to the economic development of Nigeria.  When functional, it will increase the volume of vessel traffic and cargo throughput in the port, decongest Lagos ports and reduce cost of doing business for Calabar-based businessmen who spend additional transport cost to take delivery of their consignments in Lagos and Onne ports.

    It is for these reasons that former President Goodluck Jonathan, on November 17, 2014, flagged off the operations of Calabar Channel Management (CCM), a joint venture company between Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) and a consortium of companies led by Messrs Niger Global Engineering and Technical Company Limited, for the dredging of the Calabar Port. Recall that previous Federal Governments had made several investments to dredge the port to ensure safe navigation, but such efforts had proved abortive with billions of naira sunk.

    Despite the landmark achievements by CCM in the dredging as alluded to by all the stakeholders, including the NPA, it is learnt that CCM has not been paid by the NPA since inception of the project. Not even the usual mobilization fee, required in such contracts; a situation which gives room for concern.

    The action of the NPA management has raised concerns by maritime watchers who wondered why the management would allocate little funds to the Calabar Channel dredging project which has massive infrastructural outlay which includes the on-going capital dredging campaign. Though there seems to be a new dawn at the NPA with the recent appointment of Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Ado Bayero as the Managing Director, who wants to change things positively, there is said to be a cabal lobbying him to toe its line in order to frustrate the operation of these ports.

    Maritime watchers are of the opinion that the Calabar Port project must not be allowed to go the way of previous contracts. They want President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene urgently so that all encumbrances and those directly and remotely frustrating the project are removed for the full realization of the Calabar Port.

    They call on the president to put the issue on the front burner as he reels out his economic blue print for the country soon.

     

    • Princewill Umoh

    Calabar

     

  • Enugu: End of perfidy, now work!

    Sir: Will the passage of the old era mark the end of new vocabularies in political phraseology? The lexicology, in the passing era, is legion: impunity, clueless, and of course we are reminded that corruption has impeded development and progress. All of us are judges. Leaders in the dock!

    The easiest thing that we can do is to accuse the past of perfidy; unrighteousness falsehood as we put the symbols of the past, these leaders, on the scale.

    In Enugu, where Gov. Sullivan Chime ruled, there is commotion in the three arms of government of the state – executive versus legislature and judiciary. There is also rampage as his agents invade remaining parcels of land in the state capital, including one of a landmark, the International Conference Center, initiated by his predecessor Sen. Chimaroke Nnamani, There is also the parcelation of the legislative garden in the three arm zone by the departing government for shopping malls.

    There is also battle between Chime and 15-member majority house of assembly to account for governor’s financial recklessness especially at the twilight of the government. Chime in reaction had used ungubernatorial remarks, “stupid, foolish and the like impolite and gutter language to rebuff the legislators’ late inquisition.

    These were not moments for laughter. But why did the once-accomplices parted? We can only guess, the truth is that the superior authority may compel disclosure. The gods in the dock!

    Pity the governor-elect, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, even as he intervened asking the gladiators to sheath their swords and go in peace.

    The Governor-elect may be acting as an arbiter who wants the sinners to either go to confession and seek for penance for their transgression or wait for the EFCC to take over and ask the accused to account for the allegations against them. He knows that the stable is filthy but may be trapped in good conscience not to be seen to raise alarm, otherwise he maybe seen as having uncauterised heart against a benefactor. Maybe he seems to discourage anything that would abort smooth transition of Gov Chime’s to his,  even as the out –going government made him a doll: he neither had input in the  state’s Transition Committee membership nor is he willing to condemn Gov Chime’s alleged last minute dubious  loan, loan that observers believe will incapacitate succeeding administration.

    Following these, and inpite of his pre-nomination and election appealing profile, there are doubts over his ability to assert his personality as the state’s chief steward.  His clan, Enugu North Senatorial District, predominantly Nsukkas, is on the edge, feeling that the governor-elect is in the grips of Gov. Sullivan Chime and by extension the Nsukkas are likely to be  the Agbaja and Nkanu vassals.

    But Ugwuanyi may speak differently: a good hound is like a good gardener – patience. This may account for why he has raised no objection to the ‘insults’ Gov. Chime inflicted on him, not even the imposition of persons as key officers of the in-coming government at a resort in far-away China a fortnight ago.

    There seems to be no disquiet in Ugwuanyi’s camp, however,  as shadow officers do not fear any possible editing of their members or outright  rejection at the instance of the outgoing governor as a godfather.

    Will the impunity continue or will the Governor –elect yank off the chain and find his bearing? Will he reel in the perfidy of the past or go out and honour his oath of office, work and show the difference?

    As a successful businessman before he got into politics in 1999, he may rely on insight of achievement to build a stronger Enugu State. He was once quoted as having said, ‘ you do not go to occupy the gubernatorial seat unprepared’, insisting that he was prepared for the job ahead. This may soothe the worry of those who hang around and who fear a mid-day coup against them.

     

    • Elder Onovo-Agu,

     Atakwu Akagbe,  Enugu State

     

  • A digital provost at work

    A digital provost at work

    Five years ago, there was nothing to write home about the Federal College of Education (Technical) in Umunze, Anambra State, given its state of facilities. The college has been transformed, with the coming of Prof Josephat Ogbuagu as provost, writes EMEKA CHUKWUEMEKA.

    Students of the Federal College of Education (Technical) in Umunze, Anambra State, are counting their gains. They are singing the praise of their Provost Prof Josephat Ogbuagu, for his progressive leadership that has improved the rating of the college in the last five years.

    Ogbuagu, a professor of Industrial Chemistry, is the third provost of the college. To students, he is a messiah of sorts. To staff, he is a game changer.

    Ogbuagu, it was learnt, was appointed at a time the school was facing challenges in infrastructure and in getting accreditation for its academic programmes. Its workers were also not motivated, given their meagre salaries.

    But a few months after Ogbuagu resumed, the institution rose from its ashes like a phoenix. His first task was to get the school’s programmes accredited.

    An accreditation team of the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) led by Prof U.T. Muhammed of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS) assessed the college’s facilities and recommended its programmes for approval. The team praised the provost, urging him not to relent in his efforts to take the college to greater heights.

    Also, the head of NCCE Quality Assurance Unit, Dr A.Y. Abdulkareem, who led another team of the commission on a capacity-building workshop to the college, praised to the management for its developmental efforts. He described the college as the fastest growing technical school in the country.

    Abdulkareem said: “Prof Ogbuagu has proved his mettle as a visionary leader whose passion for the transformation of the institution has never been hidden.”

    The Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr Ike Sunday, told CAMPUSLIFE that before the administration, infrastructure were moribund both on the mini and permanent site of the institution. He added that Ogbuagu’s administration brought great changes to the college.

    His words: “The college is blessed to have a good manager that makes things happen in real time. Prof Ogbuagu has initiated policies that have changed the destiny of the college from its moribund status to what is becoming the envy of others school.

    •The college gate
    •The college gate

    “This administration has changed the history of the college; the provost has worked assiduously for the elevation of the college to a degree awarding status. The perception of this synonymy is not an accident if we understand that as a professor. The provost believes in harnessing manpower for development; he has built a standard institution through this effort. He also understands that, there is the need to upgrade the only Federal College of Education in the Southeast, where the demand for education is increasing daily.”

    Some students, who spoke to our correspondent, said Prof Ogbuagu brought the school out of the darkness and elevated quality learning and research to higher pedestal.

    According to them, the relative peace enjoyed on campus has made uninterrupted academic programme possible. They said the management had rid the school of the yoke of cultism, adding that there is robust relationship among staff and students.

    Nancy Okafor, a student, said the provost would be remembered for his student-friendly policies. She said: “I like the leadership quality of the provost. His achievement has shown that he is a seasoned administrator, who brought his wealth of experience to bear. His administration is rated the best student-friendly tenure.”

    Another student, Nduka Igbkowe, praised the provost for restoring sanity to the institution’s administration. He said: “I think the provost has performed better than his predecessors. He has sustained and improved academic excellence of the school. Based on the infrastructural development on the campus, students call him a ‘digital provost’ for bringing about Information and Communication Technology (ICT) revolution in the school.”

    Students said the transformation of the college has led to the building of facilities, including new Administrative Complex, ultra-modern auditorium, Multimedia Micro Teaching Laboratory, Digital Library Complex, academic staff office, model home residence and renovation of Emma Uguru Lecture Hall, among others.

  • ‘No allowance, no work’

    The Kogi State University (KSU) in Anyigba has been re-opened after a three-month strike by lecturers. But lectures will not start until members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) are paid their salary arrears.

    Chairman of the university’s ASUU chapter, Dr Abdullahi Musa said lectures would resume after members receive alerts confirming  payment of their allowances.

    He said the government is owing the workers over N1 billion in academic allowances, which it has agreed to pay in installment, starting with N100 million. But, the first installment is yet to be paid.

    Musa said: “It is true we had a meeting with government and they have assured us that they would pay the money into our accounts. As I speak to you now, we have not received any payment. Immediately the money is paid, lectures will resume.”

    On the release of the amended academic calendar, Musa said: “If suspension of strike is anticipated, it is necessary for the management to work ahead and prepare. But as we speak, we have not suspended the strike in effect because we have not got the money promised by the government.”

    The Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) said its strike would continue until its demands are met.

    Its Chairman, Comrade Yusuf Audu, said the union is resolute in its demands, adding that its members would not resume until they are paid.

    Audu said NASU is not bound by the agreement between ASUU and government.

    A top official told our reporter that the school is looking into NASU demands.

    He said the Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Hassan Isah, is working to ensure all matters are resolved.

    The source said: “The matter is out of the VC’s hands, but he is doing everything within his powers to ensure that the knotty issues are resolved amicably, so that normal academic activities can resume.”

    Students are confused over the matter. They appealed to the management and the aggrieved workers  to sheathe their swords.

    Angela Solomon, a 200-Level Mass Communication student said nothing is happening on campus.

    “We are just roaming the campus, nothing is really happening. Everywhere is dry,” she said.

    Ameh Simon, a 400-Level Law student, urged quick resolution of the matter.

  • ITTF Awards: Quadri vows to work harder

    ITTF Awards: Quadri vows to work harder

    • Thanks fans

    Larry Ettah, Group Managing Director/CEO, UAC of Nigeria Plc has been re-elected as the Chairman of O’Trafford Squash Club, Ikoyi.

    Ettah was returned unopposed to the office he has held for the last 12 months at the second Annual General Meeting of the club. Also re-elected at the AGM were Hakeem Oyeneyin, Vice Chairman and Cyril Ayemere, Secretary. The new officers joining the governing board include Remi Adeseun, Treasurer; Tunji Olaniyi, Social Secretary; Taye Ige, Director of Publicity and Biyi Mabadeje, Captain. All the officers were elected unopposed.

    Ettah, in his address, thanked the out-gone governing board for its pioneering role which put the club on a sound footing for its activities. He praised the former captain, Sope Robert for giving the club character and for inaugurating the ladder and ensuring effective administration of the ladder which is meant for ranking players. He also commended the former treasurer, Joseph Ijie for keeping the books of the club in such a transparent manner.

    He expressed appreciation to all the members of the club for the opportunity given him to serve again and promised not to disappoint them.

    “Giving me the opportunity to serve for the second time is an expression of the confidence you have in my ability. I will give my best not to fail you,” Ettah said.

    He attributed his modest achievements during his first term in office to the unalloyed support of the governing board members who worked tirelessly in maintaining the ideals of the club and making it a force to be reckoned with in the country’s squash fraternity.

    He committed himself to leading his team in improving on the achievements of the past one year and urged other members of the governing board not to rest on their oars in order to bequeath a worthy legacy to the succeeding generation.

    While swearing-in the new governing board members,  Akinwunmi Akintola maintained that Ettah’s re-election as the Chairman was in appreciation of the quality of leadership he gave during his first tenure. He congratulated members of the club for making it one of the foremost clubs in Nigeria.

    The first set of the governing board was elected for a renewable term of one year, while the new governing board was elected for a renewable term of two years.

    The AGM ended with socials attended by invited clubs from Lagos including Apapa Club, Ikoyi Club, Unilag Staff Club and Lagos Country Club.

    O’Trafford Squash Club is a melting pot of high-flying professionals where members engage in rigorous matches at weekends. Its members have won laurels during invitational tournaments across Nigeria. Major competitions on its calendar well attended by squash players include LEE Squash Championship and Satek Squash Series among others.

  • ‘We work as a family’

    ‘We work as a family’

    Atsuko Toda, a development expert from Japan, is the Country Programme Manager, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) in Nigeria, an arm of the United Nations dedicated to assisting the rural poor get a new lease of life through numerous intervention programmes. In this interview with Ibrahim Apekhade Yusuf, Toda shares her riveting experience working in Nigeria in the last two and half years, her work ethics and style, among others. Excerpts: 

    Working in IFAD Nigeria

    In all the countries where International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) works, there is a Country Programme Manager with a Country Programme Office. With regards to the management style that we experience in Nigeria, as you mentioned, I have been here for two and half years and we just closed and completed a programme in the north. We are starting a programme in the middle belt and then we have also a programme in the Niger Delta and the management style we experience is that there is a lot of room for improvement in delegation because you find that with Nigerian leadership, all the powers are centred on the leader. But the ability to delegate, set goals and responsibility needs to be clarified so that team work can be improved. It’s something that we really need to work on, that’s number one.

    As I said, the number one issue of delegation in leadership and team work needs to be strengthened. Secondly, with regards to management, the other thing is strengthening institutions. I think in terms of institutions and administration, that’s another area that truly needs a lot of work, in order for initiatives like Rural Finance Institution Building Programme (RUFIN) to become much more sustainable in Nigeria.

    I think we work in the agriculture sector but sustainability is a major challenge and the reason why it has remained such a major challenge is there are successes which are demonstrated by the government, by the funders, by development partners, by the NGOs, but they tend to become isolated packet of success, which have not scaled through.

    I think more recently with the Transformation Agenda, the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Adesina Akinwunmi, has been trying much more to align everything to the Agriculture Transformation Agenda.

    But still, in terms of execution, institutional capacity to follow that up, to monitor it to date, to have good data, these are all challenges that we need to look at.

    First impression about Nigeria

    With regards to my experience in Nigeria in the past two and half years, before I came to Nigeria, I think I heard lots of stories about Nigeria, you hear about the corruption, violence, robbery and stuffs like that.

    But actually when one comes, one realises how hard working the people are. You have people who are just struggling to make ends meet. There is a lot of innovation, freedom, thinking and there is a lot of good people, there is a lot faith.

    For me, it’s been such a very wonderful experience working here and everyday brings a new challenge and new experience. I think Nigerians are so industrious. Having said that, I think the difficulty again is that sometimes we get stock in bureaucratic procedures which are difficult and transparency is not necessarily always there. So that’s something that we struggle with. However, I think really working in Nigeria has been such a joy and living here and experiencing the differences of each of the regions in the Niger Delta, in the middle belt, in the north, we have very different organisational patterns that we see, and that’s been very interesting. I think working here has taught me a lot about Nigeria and I wouldn’t want to work in any other African country if I had the choice.

    About RUFIN

    RUFIN is a seven-year programme designed to improve the performance of member-based non-bank rural finance institutions to enable them develop to sustainable rural microfinance institutions in the programme participating states.

    The goal of this programme is to improve the income, food security and general living conditions of poor rural households, particularly women-headed households, youth and the physically challenged.

    RUFIN covers 12 states with three local governments from each of the states participating. 36 local governments are involved. Specifically, in the North West/North East zone states we have Adamawa, Bauchi, Katsina, Zamfara. In South West/North Central zone states, we have Benue, Nasarawa, Lagos, Oyo while in South East/South South zone states we have Anambra, Imo, Edo, Akwa-Ibom respectively.

    Now with regards to RUFIN and how to position it, it is one of the pillars of the Agriculture Transformation Agenda, to provide access to finance for smallholder farmers, which are majority of the farming population in Nigeria today. What we thought is, Nigeria does not lack liquidity, there is money in the system.

    However, for smallholder farmers to access it is very difficult. So, what we try to do is to go to the customers, go to the hinterland and ensure that they form groups. Once they form groups they don’t need collateral and also once they form groups they start savings so they can do internal lending. Once you save, another person saves, they can actually take turns in getting credit, that’s number one.

    Seconding because of the good collateral they can get loans from microfinance banks and financial NGOs. So, the idea was to harness the strength of the existing institutions, build their capacity to reach the rural populace. And we wanted to show that microfinance can be a business. That microfinance banks and financial NGOs if they can actually mobilise depositors’ savings they can make profit collecting deposits and lending on interest. And this is a relatively virgin market which still needs to be explored because of a lot of the population are not financially included.

    So, we believe that it is a business opportunity; we don’t believe it is charity. We see microfinance as a business and that’s what we have been trying to promote through RUFIN.

    Management style

    On a personal note, my management style encourages delegation. I invest people with responsibility and try to give them the tools to work with. I would consider myself really fortunate to have the crop of excellent colleagues that I’m working with. These are people who are very professional in their own right and have continued to support the vision of the programme that we do.

    Even though I have worked in the development community in the past 14 years,  here in Nigeria, I think I must give it to my colleagues here when it comes to taking initiatives because as locals, they understand the terrain better much than I do and I really do appreciate their expertise and local knowledge.

    I don’t try to micromanage at all and this is because as I said, I believe in the expertise of my team, and once I see you have what it takes to deliver on a project, I just push it to you and see how you succeed with it. If there is a problem along the line, I expect you take responsibility afterwards as we find ways of resolving the issues.

    Idea of staff motivation

    For me personally, I like to commend the efforts of my colleagues all the time. We see ourselves as family and as such try to look out for each other. The workplace environment is such that encourages cordiality. There are no barriers as such because we all share the common vision and do everything within our power to make sure we achieve the set goals. Where this is being delayed for whatever reasons, we also try to sit down together and iron out those grey areas.  So, it might interest you to know that in the last two and half years, I have worked here, we have had zero staff turnover. We work like one big happy family, feel the pain of each other and try to be there for each other as best as we can. So, if you have such a workplace, where there is such an understanding, you really have to count yourself lucky. So, I feel very lucky to have this kind of workplace environment.

    But one thing is clear, here we don’t necessarily place monetary value on everything. One best way we try to reward our staff is through additional training to scale build their skills set and everybody is happy and grateful for that because the kind of training we give ordinarily is not easy to come by. Such trainings are geared towards preparing them for the future endeavours and they are made for life. So, that’s our own way of saying thank you and encouraging our staff to do more.

    Lessons Nigeria can learn from Japan

    In Japan, after the Hiroshima bombing and all, we sort of looked inwards to see how to rejuvenate our country from the ashes of the war. It took quite a lot of efforts for us. But we were able to surmount all the challenges through a dint of hard work, unity of purpose and common faith in our strength as a people. So, looking back after the terrors of that war to where we are today, the common thing story that runs through and truly resonates is that with peace and unity of purpose, a country can achieve anything and everything it sets out to achieve. Nigeria can take a cue from that.

    Love of local cuisine

    When it comes to local cuisine, I’m an adventurer. In the last two years and more, I have tried everything from amala, egusi, tuwo, semo, bitter leaf soup, rice, pepper soup, but not the draw soup… (laughs).

    Legacy for Nigeria

    What I would most likely want to be remembered for after my exit in Nigeria is that most of the programmes we have brought on board are better sustained with the same drive and vision just as it was in the beginning. I’m concerned about sustainability, of growth and development.

  • Keshi to continue work without contract

    Keshi to continue work without contract

    Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi is set to continue in his role as Super Eagles coach without a contract until after qualification for AFCON 2015 is secured.

    The NFF was ordered by  President Goodluck Jonathan to reinstate Keshi, who was fired after Nigeria picked up their first win against Sudan in the AFCON 2015 qualifiers.

    A source close to the coach said it will be tantamount to a disregard for the country’s president if Keshi insists on a contract before the last two qualifiers.

    “The status quo remains the same,he won’t ask for a contract until after the qualifiers,” he told SL10.ng.

    “Keshi won’t be fair to Mr President if he asks for a contract before working,we are talking about a presidential order here.”

    Since after the world Cup Keshi has been working as coach of the Eagles in the 2015 qualifiers without a salary following the expiration of his previous contract.

    An attempt to renegotiate a new deal with Keshi was deadlocked as both parties couldn’t agree on wages.

    The difference on wages wasn’t resolved until crisis rocked the NFF which lead the Sports Minister Tammy Danagogo to plead with the coach to return and handle the team in their first three games of the AFCON 2015 qualifiers.