News
Sekibo, Obi, Others Harp on Security, Leadership for Economic Prosperity
AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM
Sponsored by: H&H
The MD/CEO of Heritage Bank Plc, Ifie Sekibo and other notable Nigerians have affirmed that the apt way to boost economic prosperity and peace in the country is to start addressing leadership chanllenges and insecurity.
Sekibo and other notable Nigerians like the Presidential aspirant of Labour Party, Peter Obi, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, Prof. Oyelowo Oyewo, Dr. Victoria Ekhomu and Barrister
Sotonye Inyeinengi-Etomi, during the 2nd Edition 2022 Forum, one-day International Colloquium organized by The Men’s League of Christ Church Port Harcourt, tagged,
“What do Nigerians Want?”, extensively brainstormed on the kind of leadership the country needs and how to rescue the country from its current debacle.
Speaking on the topic, “The Economy Nigeria Needs to Break Forth,” Sekibo stressed that of important to achieving the transformation the country needs, there was urgent need to address insecurity, which according to him, is the foundation of prosperity, as no nation can achieve much where the is no peace.
Sekibo, represented by the Divisional Head, Strategy & Business Solutions, Segun Akanji emphasized that for security purposes, there must be an established functional and value adding identity system in place.
“On a higher note, I think one of the things that we need to achieve as a country is the issue of functional and value adding identity management, which is still far away from us, athough, some people know that we have BVN, NIMC and a few other identity capture systems but they have not been as functional and value adding, like the social security number that most people in advanced economies carry,” he stated.
Sekibo further explained that to achieve a prosperous economy, Nigeria needs to find ways and means by policies to build dual circulation economy which thrives on three pillars.
According to him, we need to focus on building dual circulation economy where we can expand domestic production and demand by making sure that the masses are employed.
“We need to make our people are productive and stop putting subsidy in unproductive zones. When you give subsidy to people with inadequate or no income, they really cannot add value to the economy, and money has a way of flowing away due to import of consumables from other countries and because of this, a larger portion of every consumption or cash given as subsidy gets out of the country,” said Sekibo.
The bank’s helmsman further explained that to expand the domestic production, government must give the private sector support to drive employment creation, technology, which is riding on innovation and manufacturing must be in place and, the population which is an added advantage must be well educated.
He highlighted the need to examine how the country could add value to primary production for global export, emphasizing on reduction of over dependence on foreign markets but rather increase local production for export, whilst also increasing demand on local products.
Sekibo further affirmed that if states could function as proper federating units and take the lead of the competitive comparative advantages therein, wealth creation would be achieved that would bring about the desired changes.
The former governor of Anambra state and presidential aspirant, Peter Obi lamented the huge indebtedness of the country, which he blamed on unproductivity due to the inimical situation of high unemployment rate resulting to over 80million Nigerians being jobless.
He blamed the cumulative failure of government over the years on insecurity, failure to migrate from sharing formula to production formula and lack of will to transform the power sector and the need to focus and support the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
In his paper titled, “The President Nigeria Needs”, Pastor Ighodalo harped on the need for leadership change.
He argued that what the country needs now are leaders who have vision and are ready to sacrifice for the common man, stating, “things must be done differently”.
Ighodalo believed leadership remains the bane of Nigeria’s transformation, stressing that once we get good leadership other things will fall in place.
Prof. Oyewo while speaking on the topic “Restructuring and True Federalism” was of the view that some responsibilities need to be decentralized like the police, power provision and railway.
Once there is decentralization, he believes that the state will have less dependence on the centre, “rebalancing of the constitution in terms of power and security. So, there is reason for state police.”
Oyewo maintained that regions are closer to the people, thus it will boost security, the economy and sense of belonging by the populace.
He also identified data and planning as key factors in ensuring that programmes are tailored towards the people.
News
New NiMet Management Under Prof. Anosike Has Prioritized Capacity Development, Over N140Million Spent In 1st Quarter Of 2024…Dr. Nasiru Sani, Director Of Human Resources
What Is The Focus Of The New NiMet Management With Regard To Human
Capital Development?
Dr. Nasiru Sani, Director Of Human Resources Management and Administration (DHRM), NiMet.
A lot is going on at NiMet at the moment. Across all the Directorates, not just in the area of capacity building. Shortly after the appointment of the Director General and Chief Executive Officer, also Nigeria’s Permanent Representative with World Meteorological Organization (WMO), Prof. Charles Anosike, he organized a management retreat for the newly appointed Directors and other senior management staff.
That workshop was quite enlightening. We discussed vision and goal alignment. It was drilled down to the various directorates how what we do at NiMet must always align to what the Tinubu government is trying to achieve, linking it with the Aviation sector roadmap of Festus Keyamo, SAN, the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development. Starting with Tinubu government’s 8-point agenda for economic recovery; food security; poverty eradication; growth, job creation; access to capital; inclusion; rule of law; and fighting corruption, down to the performance bond the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, signed with Aviation Agencies Heads and their Directors in February 2024. Development of human capacity is a key deliverable in the performance bond.
The DG/CEO, Professor Anosike, and the management team have prioritized capacity development, and are working so hard at the same time to reposition the agency. So many initiatives are ongoing in the agency, but specifically looking at the HR Directorate that I head, in the first quarter of 2024, the agency has spent over one hundred and forty million naira (N140M) training over 100 staff members. This month of May, senior staff will be embarking on another round of training focusing on leadership and performance management, while junior level staff will be trained in ethics and performance management.
Capacity development has become a culture under the new management. The staff say that this is unprecedented and we are seeing the effects already. Staff morale and motivation are higher. Productivity has increased in line with the federal government’s performance management metrics. We are strictly tasked to ensure accurate reporting of weather and climate information.
There are new tools, software and ways of analyzing weather patterns. Through training, our staff are able to adopt these new methods and perform their roles effectively and efficiently.
What Is The Mandate Of NiMet?
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), is a Federal Government of Nigeria agency charged with the responsibility to advise the Federal Government on all aspects of meteorology.
NiMet is also tasked to project, prepare and interpret government policy in the field of meteorology; and to issue weather (and climate) forecasts for the safe operations of aircrafts, ocean going vessels and oil rigs.
With climate change and weather patterns changing, our work has become more critical. Individuals and organizations rely on our weather forecasts, predictions and alerts for their planning.
This year in particular has been very hot and our hardworking scientists and meteorologists have been so busy ensuring that these climate and weather information are disseminated to the public via our social media platforms, website, text alerts etc.
We are also pleased with the partnership that our DG/CEO has brokered with national TV stations and newspapers to broadcast and transmit the weather information.
We also partner with local radio stations including FRCN and the BBC. Our staff were on BBC native language programmes recently sensitizing the public about NiMet’s seasonal climate prediction (SCP).
As A Scientific And Technical Agency, Do You Have Challenges Attracting Staff To The AgencyThe work we do at NiMet is very technical and we work in a scientific environment. We have the most dedicated and professional staff. However, as people retire, gaps are created in the workforce requiring the need to in-fill new talents.
There are a few universities offering meteorology and related courses in Nigeria. NiMet has a training school at Oshodi, Lagos, and the MBMisT institute in Katsina.
These institutions train and re-train our staff plus outsiders interested in studying meteorology.
There are always ready availability of talent pool from these internal and external institutions to chose from whenever there is need, and the relevant federal government agencies grant NiMet the approval to employ new staff.
News
NiMet DG/CEO Anosike Tasks Staff On Transparent Processes At 2024 Budget Retreat
NiMet DG/CEO Anosike Tasks Staff On Transparent Processes At 2024 Budget Retreat
AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM
SPONSORED BY: H&H
The Director General, Chief Executive Officer of The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Professor Charles Anosike, has asked Directors and staff of the agency to ensure strict compliance to budgetary provisions.
Professor Anosike was speaking at the Budget Retreat of the agency on Monday, 6th May, 2024.
While declaring the retreat open, Professor Anosike said; “The NiMet Budget Retreat is fundamental for the new management and staff. It is an opportunity for us to improve our budgetary practices and also to discuss the 2024 budgetary provisions”.
Continuing, Professor Anosike tasked the Directors and senior staff of the agency who participated in the retreat to listen, participate and contribute to the robust discussions.
“Anticipated outcome of the retreat is that all will embrace performance-based budgeting which will lead to transparent and accountable budgetary processes.
This will help management and staff to achieve our set goals during the budget year, in line with the performance bond signed with the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN”, Professor Anosike concluded.
News
ASR AFRICA COMMENCES CONSTRUCTION OF 500-CAPACITY LECTURE THEATRE AND FACILITIES WORTH 250 MILLION NAIRA FOR ADAMAWA UNIVERSITY
AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM
SPONSORED BY: H&H
The Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) commences the construction of a 500-capacity lecture theatre and wash facilities for the Adamawa State University, Mubi.
L-R: Nakama Keri, Multilateral Coordination Specialist, ASR Africa; Dr. Ubon Udoh, MD/CEO, ASR Africa; Dr. Stephen A. Lagu, Ag. Vice Chancellor, Adamama State University; Engr E. B. Filli, Director, Physical Planning & Devt., and Mallam Aminu Aliyu Alkali, Registrar at the Groundbreaking Ceremony in Mubi, Adamawa State.
This project is coming after the nomination of the institution as a recipient of the ASR Africa Tertiary Education Grant Scheme (TEGS), by the Board of Directors of the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative.
Speaking at the event, the Acting Vice Chancellor of the University, Dr. Stephen A. Lagu, expressed his appreciation to the Chairman of BUA group and ASR Africa, Abdul Samad Rabiu, for the rare philanthropy gesture towards the university.
He stated that the intervention of the Chairman would reduce the physical infrastructure deficit at their new campus and promote sanitation and hygiene in the university.
L-R: Dr. Ubon Udoh, MD/CEO, ASR Africa and Dr. Stephen A. Lagu, Ag. Vice Chancellor Adamawa State University at the groundbreaking ceremony of the Abdul Samad Rabiu 500-capacity Lecture Hall with other facilities.
He added that the choice of the 500-seat lecture theatre with the four boreholes at different locations within the campus was identified and agreed to by the relevant organs of the institution with the ASR Africa team.
Dr Ubon Udoh (MD / CEO, ASR Africa), in his remarks, congratulated the institution for qualifying for the nomination by the Board of Directors of ASR Africa.
He stated that the rigorous selection process which includes stringent criteria such as the quality of service delivered by the university and the pedigree of graduands from the institution at the national and international levels, proves that the university is keeping up with its vision as a leading institution of learning in the region.
He encouraged the management and students to ensure proper use and maintenance of the facilities as a show of appreciation for the grant given to them.
The Tertiary Education Grant Scheme of the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative is part of the efforts of the Chairman of BUA Group and ASR Africa, Abdul Samad Rabiu to give back to the African continent and make a lasting impact in education as a means of uplifting and restoring the dignity and lives of Africans.
About ASR Africa
ASR Africa is the brainchild of African Industrialist, Philanthropist and Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) was established in 2021 to provide sustainable, impact-based, homegrown solutions to developmental issues affecting Health, Education and Social Development within Africa.
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