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Tag: worthy

  • NIMASA’s worthy example

    While government institutions should be about serving the people and not mainly for profit making, logic also says that such institutions should strive not to operate at a loss. However, over the recent years, many Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the country seem to have worn the toga of revenue drains.

    But recently, two agencies – Joint Admissions Matriculation Board (JAMB) and Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) – broke the evil jinx and actually made reasonable contributions to the federal purse.

    It’s easy to understand JAMB’s profitability. With Nigeria’s huge youth population, coupled with the hunger for education, it was expected to deliver more earning to the treasury as citizens embrace it. NIMASA of course, given its mandate and the virility of Nigeria’s maritime space, is also expected to make good revenue. But before this current dispensation, these two agencies were not profitable.

    And so when the Federal Government via the Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation recently commended NIMASA for its revenue performance in the past one year, it came to many Nigerians as a pleasant surprise.

    While addressing a conference on compliance with the Fiscal Responsibility Act in Abuja, Finance Minister Kemi Adeosun, had singled out and commended NIMASA as one of the agencies doing well in terms of revenue generation and remittances to the federal government’s Treasury Single Account (TSA). Though she didn’t mention the figures then, NIMASA later declared that it remitted N9.975bn and $46.025 million in 2016 as against N4.955bn remitted in 2015.

    Truth is, Nigerians have always known many government institutions as mere conduits for corruption. That Adeosun made NIMASA the poster boy for the MDAs should not come as a surprise to industry watchers. And now, following this development, the federal government wants to probe the previous heads of both NIMASA and JAMB regarding their revenue drive.

    “Unlike NIMASA and the Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB), some agencies and departments are operating in such a manner that returned minimal funds to government,” said Adeosun.

    “To this effect, a circular has been issued restricting allowable expenses in line with reforms occurring across government businesses, as compliance checks would be undertaken regularly to ensure that all agencies and departments adhere to the new requirements.”

    Mrs Adeosun also noted that the current management of NIMASA has introduced processes that blocked loopholes and thus increased revenue generation, subsequently improving its reputation and leading to confidence from stakeholders in the maritime sector.

    Tagging along with Adeosun’s position was the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Ahmed Idris, who commended NIMASA.

    He said: “It was also the first time in recent years that NIMASA will remit huge revenue into the government coffers.”

    Idris also urged other MDAs to be more creative in their revenue generation drive so as to meet their targets and collectively earn revenue to fund the 2017 budget.

    If the transformation at NIMASA appears as magic, it may simply mean that the Director General, Dakuku Peterside, is a magician. But his magic of increased revenue generation most probably lies in identifying and blocking loopholes responsible for siphoning of government funds, thereby improving its reputation which ensures confidence from stakeholders in the maritime sector.

    Even though the current management reduced its operational cost, it generated more money at six months than it did in the past two years. What was different? This time, the major difference would appear to be infusion of new ideas by the Peterside-led management.

    Since the President appointed Peterside as NIMASA Director-General on March 10, 2016, Peterside had always reiterated that the maritime sector, if properly harnessed, can successfully fund a huge component of the total budgetary requirement of the country.  And aside being recognised for transforming NIMASA and increasing the agency’s contributions to Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF), Peterside has been recognised on other fronts.

    In April this year at the third conference of the Association of Africa Maritime Administrations, AAMA, in Abuja, Peterside was unanimously elected first President of AAMA at the end of the conference, putting Nigeria atop Africa’s maritime podium.

    And recently, Peterside informed stakeholders at a forum in Lagos that the agency has begun the automation of all its processes in order to allow for probity and accountability.

    He also disclosed that the agency had devolved more powers to its zonal offices to allow for early conclusion of transactions to ultimately plug revenue leakages and that NIMASA is now operating 24 hours in line with the Ease of Doing Business initiative of the federal government.

    NIMASA has also concluded plans to disburse $100 million Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) to indigenous ship owners at a single digit interest. Peterside disclosed this last month during a stakeholders’ session organised by the Nigerian Ship Finance Conference and Exhibition, NISFCOE. With the high interest in the country, this move will boost stakeholder confidence.

    “We would match the CVFF fund with some money coming from the financial institutions”, Peterside had said.

    “This will crash the rate of borrowing, and that is why we are passionate about disbursing CVFF to bring our own funds to come almost at the cost of nothing and match it with their own fund coming at the rate of 25 percent. The first thing that would happen is that the rate would crash from 25 percent to a one digit interest rate.”

    “CVFF is lying at the Central Bank of Nigeria under TSA arrangement, we are working hard to disburse it, and it is over a hundred million dollars. We are in talks with the Central Bank of Nigeria; we want to change the terms of trade from Free-on-board (FOB) to Cost-Insurance and Freights (CIF), but how many persons are prepared for this regime? If we get NNPC to change the terms of trade and we are getting the support of the Presidency, if we get it changed, how many of us are ready?”

    That Nigeria has potential and virile leaders to make her truly a great on the world platform is a fact. The way it stands now, parties profiting from the hitherto lackadaisical operation mode at NIMASA will not be happy at the change there. Those voices must not be considered as the agency is for not for the profiteering of cabals but for the good of all Nigerians. So far, Peterside’s strides at NIMASA have earned him commendations from both President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. NIMASA and the country need such people.

     

    • Odafe writes from Lagos.
  • NTIC Foundation: A worthy CSR initiative

    NTIC Foundation: A worthy CSR initiative

    Such encounters are rare. Most times, we see them in bestsellers and fictio-nal novels. But the story of baby Ibrahim is real, and it happened in Yobe State.

    Ibrahim is a six-month-old baby who was diagnosed with bilateral cataracts when a group of doctors and nurses from Nizamiye hospital Abuja visited Yobe for a medical outreach. The medical outreach was facilitated by the Nigerian Tulip International Colleges Foundation (NTICF) as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative in schools.

    According to Mr. Behlül Fat-ih Baaran, the director of NTIC foundation, the medical outreach in Yobe State is amongst the numerous initiatives lined up for the NTICF in 2017.

    “The choice of Yobe State is informed by the fact that we wanted to reach out to people in high need of medicare,” he stated. “We at NTICF do not believe there should be barriers or excuses in reaching out to individuals in need especially in health-related issues.”

    The case of baby Ibrahim is one out of the numerous medical conditions that were diagnosed during the programme. One of the team members, Dr. Muammer Abdu-llahi, a consultant ophthalmologist, said Ibrahim’s case is a rare condition that would have led to blindness if it was not detected.

    “Ibrahim was diagnosed with bilateral cataract, which is a clouding of the lens in the eye which leads to a decrease in vision and if left untreated, would have caused blindness.”

    Basaran said, “Baby Ibrahim is among the 1700 patients attended to by the team of doctors and nurses in Yobe State under the outreach programme.”

    He further added that Ibrahim some others with eye defects would be treated free of charge at the Nizamiyehospital.”

    The NTIC Foundation was established in June 2013 with initiatives designed to heal the sick, feed the hungry, provide succour for the fatherless and the motherless, protect entire communities against preventable diseases provide nutritional support for poor households, among others.

    “We are concerned about the less privileged in the society, that is why our initiatives are designed to have an impact in their daily lives,” says Mr. Basaran.

    “In the past four years, the NTIC foundation has embarked on free medical services that have seen over 300 beneficiaries whose eyesight has been restored through the cataract removal program in collaboration with the Nizamye Hospital.”

    There is also its “Clean Water Project” which aims to protect millions of children who are especially vulnerable to waterborne diseases. On its motivation for the clean water project, Mr. Baºaran says “We realised that a substantial percentage of Nigerians in rural areas do not have access to portable water. So far, the foundation has constructed over 300 boreholes inrural areas in Kano, Kaduna, and Abuja, Yobe, Bauchi, and Lagos states.

    The NTICF also operates a unique scheme called I Support a Child’s Education where stationery items are distributed to primary school pupils in rural areas. “What we do here is to source for funds from our parents, partners, and well-wishers. Afterward, we purchase stationery items like mathematical sets, notebooks, sketching books, pens and pencils, erasers, sharpeners and other stationary materials for students,” says Baºaran. So far, “we have distributed over 41,500 stationary packs to schools in the last four years in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education.” he also added.

    The Foundation also carries out visitation to orphanages on a regular basis. “Orphans are the children of the whole nation, for that reason we feel their responsibility is on our shoulders.” Mr. Basaran stated in an emotional voice. Recently, the Foundation launched a project to donate new clothes, toys and provides food stuff and renovates some orphanages in the country.  ”We also intend to visit some IDP camps in Yobe state with over 5000 brand new clothing to give them a sense of belonging and show some love to them.”

    The NTIC foundation interventions in the critical areas of health, education, and water cannot be overemphasized in a country like Nigeria. It has redefined the concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. It has also gone ahead to serve as a worthy example to other institutions in Nigeria on how to give back to the society. “We want to make positive impact hence the choice of health, water, and education. And we have strived to put smiles on the faces of people in need in these critical areas.”

    The NTIC Foundation seemed to have imbibed the traditional wel-farist philosophy from everyone according to his ability and everyone according to his needs ‘. But whether or not the NTIC formally adopts it as its guiding philosophy, it is evident that Nigeria is not just a market; it is home and a place they are desirous of its growth and development.

    “Nigeria is home to us. We are committed to the positive growth and development of Nigeria.”

    • Ocheja writes from Abuja
  •  NIPCo honours 25 worthy employees

     NIPCo honours 25 worthy employees

    Twenty-five employees of NIPCo Plc have been honoured for their long services. They had served the company for 10 years.

    NIPCo said the members demonstrated diligence and commitment for 10 years.

    Its Managing Director, Mr. Venkataraman Venkatapathy, said the company placed utmost value on the contribution of the workforce in its meteoric rise since it began operations in 2004.

    According to him, recognising the workers at the event was in appreciation of their long association  with the company. He dded that the management looked forward to their serving the company for more 20 years without breaking their service.

    Venkatapathy praised the resilience, perseverance and dedication of the awardees, especially given the tough operating environment in the sector. He added that the workers had always shown great sense of commitment to growing the company beyond its peers.

    He said a decade of service was a feat, which should not be taken for granted but a great lesson for younger workers to emulate and draw inspiration fromh.

    Advocating extra efforts to take the company to greater heights, Venkatapathy assured the workers of the management’s commitment to facilitating an enabling environment which would further create  an avenue for glorious service by employees.

    The Executive Director (Finance), Mr. Ramesh Virwani, praised the doggedness of the awardees, who have committed a decade of their lives to NIPCo, adding that their  contributions would be acknowledged at all times.

    The company’s Head of Human Resources, Mr. John Okpeku, said a similar event was held in 2014.

  • Tribute to a worthy servant

    Tribute to a worthy servant

    A book, Eze Madumere: A True Manifestation of a Loyal Prince – Tributes to a Worthy Servant, written in honour of Imo Deputy Governor Prince Eze Madumere, was presented at the Sam Mbakwe Hall of Concorde Hotel, Owerri in Imo State, writes NNEKA NWANERI.

    What was meant to be a book launch almost turned out to be a political gathering of sort. Many came from far and wide to Imo State to honour one of their own and number two citizen of the state, Prince Eze Madumere.

    It was the presentation of Madumere’s biography written by Peter Claver Obi entitled: Eze Madumere: A True Manifestation of a Loyal Prince – Tributes to a Worthy Servant.

    The book is a pictorial compilation of some of the activities of the man with a brief touch on his contributions towards the success story of the state. It began with his friendship with Governor Rochas Okorocha and subsequently their mutual political interest. They then began their political sojourn that led to the ‘Rescue Mission’ of the state, being their slogan.

    The book was first reviewed by Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Prof Joseph Ahaneku  and then Prof. U.D. Anyanwu of the Department of History and International Studies, Imo State University.

     

  • Honour for a worthy daughter

    Honour for a worthy daughter

    A reception was last Sunday hosted for Lagos State Deputy Governor Dr Idiat Adebule at the Awori College in Ojo, by the Badagry Divisional Forum of the All Progressives Congress (APC). IBRAHIM ADAM reports.

    The open field of Awori College in Ojo Lagos was filled last Sunday by politician, friends and associates of Deputy Governor Idiat Adebule during a reception for her. In attendance were executive secretaries and workers of Local Governments, Local Council Development Associations (LCDAs), Community Development Associations (CDAs) and supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Badagry.

    Despite a downpour, guests made their way to the venue. They arrived in exotic cars.

    They moved round to exchange pleasantries before the programme started.

    Many of them were clad in white lace with pitch cap and headgear while others wore choice traditional attires.

    It was an APC affair. The high table was covered with sky and deep blue layers with flower vases on them.

    The arrival of the woman of the day, Dr Adebule, added colour to the gathering. She went round greeting and exchanging pleasantries. She wore mixed gold attire with matching headgear and Ipele.

    The programme began with the National anthem. Ven Ilegbusi Dicson and Dr Paramole Kabir said the opening prayer. Cori cultural group entertained guests at intervals.

    In his address, the divisional leader, Prince Rabiu Oluwa called on all members of the APC to reunite.

    Prince Rabiu said it is their joy to have Dr Adebule for the third time, saying the reception should have taken place since the inauguration day but they had to give her more time. “We had already fixed today before we realised today was Governor Akinwumi Ambode’s birthday. All we want is your unity despite everything that happened. Let us forget the past and move on with the present”.

    He also used the medium to appreciate National Leader APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for his courage and support to all the southwest states. He said Tinubu has done a lot for them and now they have a third deputy governor.

    The Aladi Onijanikin of Ijanikin Kingdom, Oba Momodu Asafain his goodwill message congratulated the state governor and his deputy for the outcome of the last election.

    He tasked the APC in the division to be up and doing ahead of local government election.

    He also appreciated Tinubu for another opportunity, adding that he thanked God for the third deputy governor. He assured Dr Adebule and Ambode of their support,  praying that they would succeed.

    Lagos State Former Commissioner for Rural Development, Hon. Cornelius Ojelabi, added that the people should play their part and allow the deputy to also play hers for the  progress of the nation.

    The Alabirun of Ikaare Land, Oba Kayode Akinyemi gave the deputy a bottle of wine. He drank from the cup and gave her some.

    Dr Adebule appreciated the division for their support at the last election.

    She described her success as theirs, appealing to the division to reunite themselves ahead of other elections.

    “Am not here alone but am here with the governor and we are here to appreciate you all for your support. I want you to know that if I do it well, it will open doors for others and together we will claim more success. All I want is your blessings and I promise not to stay away. We are promising you that we will do our best from where our predecessor stopped for the continuity of the progressive in Lagos state,” she said.

  • ‘We want worthy successor’

    A group, the Akwa Ibom Professionals in Lagos, has urged Governor Godswill Akpabio  to ensure he has a worthy successor

    Members of the group spoke when they visited the governor in Uyo.

    The group president, Mr. Udeme Ufot, hailed Akpabio for transforming the state.

    He said: “The transformation witnessed in the state has not only changed the physical infrastructure, but it has also affected the people’s mindset.”

    Ufot said the giant strides resulted in a sense of pride and fulfillment in an average Akwa Ibom indigene.

    He enjoined the governor to ensure that the development is sustained by his successor.

    Akpabio thanked the delegation for the visit. He lauded them for their support and encouragement.

    The governor recalled his earlier meeting with the professionals and advised them to contribute their quota to the development of the state.

    “We require your expertise to move Akwa Ibom forward in hospitality, education, banking, publishing and the like,” he said.

    The Akwa Ibom Professionals in Lagos is an umbrella organisation of Akwa Ibom indigenes, who live and have distinguished themselves in professions in Lagos State.

  • A worthy alumnus

    A worthy alumnus

    Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Niger Delta Affairs Mr Kingsley Kuku has built a magnificent Students’ Union Building for his alma mater, the Ekiti State University (EKSU). The building was inaugurated last week, reports TUNJI AWE (300-Level Political Science).

    IT began with the question: “What can I do for my university?” In response, the Vice-Chancellor said: “I want you to build a world-class centre for the students.”

    “Okay,” he responded. This conversation took place in February, last year.

    Last week, over 1,000 students clad in customised T-shirts with the inscription: “Thank you Kuku” gathered at the university roundabout at 11:30pm to receive a worthy alumnus. Amid cheers and heroic songs, the Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Niger Delta Affairs, Mr Kingsley Kuku, was welcomed to his almamater, the Ekiti State University (EKSU).

    The excited students were full of praises to the alumnus, who built a multi-million naira Students’ Union Building (SUB) for them.

    The crowd of students swarmed around Kuku, as he stepped out of his Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV). He was clad in immaculate white native attire. His security aides had an hectic controlling the crowd. The Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof. Oladipo Aina, gave him a warm hug and walked him through the guard of honour by the school Cadet Corps.

    Afterwards, the VC, accompanied by his deputies, Prof Olugbenga Aribisala and Prof Esther Aderibigbe, Registrar, Dr Omojola Awosusi and Kuku’s friend, Allen Onyema, led the presidential adviser to his office for a brief meeting.

    Prof Aina praised Kuku for fulfilling his promise, saying the alumnus, through the gesture, has supported the management’s drive to make the school world-class.

    Kuku said the institution made him what he is today, praising his friends for contributing to the successful delivery of the Students’ Union house. He said Onyema donated the largest sum towards the completion of the building.

    After the brief meeting, all roads led to the new building for its inauguration. Before it was opened, Kuku addressed students, saying: “I am the happiest person, today, because a little over a year ago, I asked the Vice-Chancellor what I could do for my alma mater. Prof Aina said he wanted me to build a befitting Students’ Union centre. In response, I asked him to allow the conduct of a free and fair election that would bring in a duly constituted students’ union leadership; he did.

    “When I came last year, I met a transition committee on ground but I was not happy with the situation. Thank God, today, you now have a students leadership that was freely chosen by you all.”

    He described Prof Aina as a first-class Vice-Chancellor, saying the school’s helmsman introduced student-friendly policies. He promised to always support the students morally and financially.

    Kuku’s friend, Onyema, who spoke with the students, promised to give the union a Coaster Bus. There was excitement at the centre when Kuku and his associates, who were former National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS) leaders, began to chant Aluta songs.

    The president of the union, Babatope Ibitola, expressed gratitude to the donor and his friends, saying the building would be their symbol of unionism.

    Dr Awosusi, who was the administrative officer at the Faculty of Arts when Kuku was a student, said: “Hon. Kuku has demonstrated, through this gesture, that he is a person that is seeking better life for Nigerian students.”

    The VC urged students not to destroy the building in the name of protest, urging them to learn from Kuku and become worthy ambassadors of the institution.

    Kuku attended Ekiti State University when the school was Ondo State University, Ado Ekiti (OSUA). As a student, he was seen as rebellious, having led several protests against the management over anti-student policies.

    Kuku, who is from an Ijaw community in Ondo State, was disqualified from contesting for Students’ Union president in his time. One of his mates, told the crowd, “Kuku was a powerful student-comrade. When he decided to contest for the union president, no student was willing to contest against him but the management disqualified him before the election. That was the year the union had executive without president.”

  • The Pope’s worthy example

    The Pope’s worthy example

    From Rome, a lesson in leadership

    The position of the head of the Catholic Church, the Pope, is easily one of the world’s most powerful and visible spiritual offices with tremendous political influence. Apart from its huge congregation of at least 1.2 billion adherents globally, the Catholic Church has a rich historical tradition that dates back several centuries. All of these make the office of the Pope one of the most coveted, revered and glamorous as the occupant wields enormous spiritual and moral authority. This is perhaps why, in about 700 years, only five Popes had voluntarily resigned from office. The first was Celestine V, a hermit who stepped down from the office in 1294, just a few months after his ascension, because he wanted a simpler and less physically demanding life. And in 1415, Pope Gregory XII resigned from office to help bring an end to rival claims to the papacy and preserve the cohesion of the Catholic Church.

    It is against this background that the decision of the current Pontiff, Pope Benedict XVI, to voluntarily step down as from February 28, is significant in the contemporary history of the church. On February 11, Pope Benedict announced to a shocked world that due to advanced age and increased physical as well as mental incapacity to cope with his responsibilities, he is giving way for the emergence of a new Pope in accordance with the church’s procedures.

    Through this action that has been widely lauded as courageous, ennobling and selfless, Pope Benedict XVI has shown a worthy example in a world filled with too many instances of individuals striving to hold on to spiritual or secular positions at all cost. His words announcing this decision clearly show a man of deep humility, simplicity, transparency and honesty. As the Pope simply put it: “After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine Ministry. I am well aware that this ministry, due to its essential spiritual nature, must be carried out not only with words and deeds, but no less with prayer and suffering. However, in today’s world, subject to so many rapid changes and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith, in order to govern the bark of Saint Peter and proclaim the Gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which, in the last few months, has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognise my incapacity to adequately fulfil the ministry entrusted to me”. Following this extraordinarily candid confession, the Pope went on to declare that “I renounce the ministry of Bishop of Rome, Successor to Saint Peter, entrusted to me by the Cardinals on 19 April, 2005, in such a way that as from 28 February 2013, at 20:00 hours, the See of Rome, the See of Saint Peter, will be vacant and a new Supreme Pontiff will have to be convoked by those whose competence it is”. In a most moving gesture, the Pope asked for pardon for his defects as well as continued prayers for himself, his successor and the church.

    There is no doubt that Pope Benedict XVI has demonstrated his abiding love for the Catholic Church, and a readiness to sacrifice his own self-interest for the good of the church. As Pope Benedict moves from the palatial residence of the Pope to a life of prayer and reflection in a monastery in the Vatican, and reverts to the title of Cardinal and his natural name of Joseph Ratzinger, there will be contrasting perspectives on his eight-year reign. Within the context of increased moral relativism and laxity in the world, many support his Papacy’s strong conservative stance against abortion, gay rights and divorce.

    Yet, more liberal elements argue that the church under his leadership alienated more traditional Catholics by refusing to be more flexible towards a more secular world. His critics also contend that the strong moral authoritarianism, which he sought to enforce was undermined by widespread allegations of child and sex abuse in the church; crimes which he was perceived as not acting decisively enough to expose and punish. The Pope’s image and judgement was no doubt further tarnished by the conviction of his trusted personal butler for illegally leaking confidential papal memos.

    Pope Benedict XVI’s strong sphere of missionary interest was Europe probably because of the historical roots of the church there and the dwindling membership of the church in the region. But in picking the next Pope, the conclave of Cardinals cannot be indifferent to the surging growth of the church in Africa and Latin America, as well as the need for a Pope with the mental and physical vigour to confront the daunting challenges of the church in a changing world.