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Efficiency, accountability, ethics key to healthy arbitration process – Onwuchekwa
AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM
SPONSORED BY: H&H
In order to enhance the trust and credibility of the Nigerian arbitration system and make the country a safe arbitration seat, there is the need to drive efficiency, accountability, transparency, competency and ethics in the system.
The Director Legal and Company Secretary, Seplat Energy Plc, Mrs. Edith Onwuchekwa, said this at the ongoing Nigerian Bar Association Annual General Conference 2024 happening in Lagos.
Onwuchekwa spoke during a panel session dubbed: ‘Making a Safe Arbitration Seat: Cultivating Trust, Efficiency, and Reliability in Dispute Resolution’, saying that the arbitration system should implement clear and consistent procedural rules that parties can easily understand, follow and be held accountable to.
She also called for regular publication of data and reports on the outcome of arbitrations (with parties’ consent or on a no-names basis), adding that the public documents would give better visibility of the way arbitration proceedings are conducted and awards are delivered; thus, creating a system of precedence that gives greater assurance to practitioners and users of the system.
The Seplat Energy Legal Director advocated the establishment of a robust mechanism for providing, receiving and implementing feedback and complaints, to address parties’ concerns promptly and effectively. This, she noted, encourages engagement and builds trust in a system that is continuously improving, stressing that arbitration is very germane across sectors/facets of the country, including the energy space where Seplat Energy operates.
To strengthencompetency and ethics, Onwuchekwa said: “There is a need for practitioners in the arbitration space to have the orientation (and where necessary re-education), as the primary goal of arbitration is for disputes to be resolved in a swift and efficient manner. It is key to enforce the continuous professional development for arbitrators and practitioners, to ensure that they maintain high standards of competency and ethics, particularly in alignment with global best practice.
“As part of professional development, it is important to encourage mentorship programmes, to ensure that less experienced practitioners are guided under the tutelage of seasoned arbitrators. Strict ethical guidelines and conflict of interest rules for arbitrators and practitioners should be enforced, and appropriate levels of consequence management should be applied to deter unethical practices.”
She also called for the use of modern technology to enhance the efficiency and reliability of the arbitration system; thus, promoting an efficient and accessible central database on the arbitration system.
“Nigeria is on the right path towards assuring domestic and international stakeholders. We have done this through the 2023 Arbitration and Mediation Act that adopts well-accepted international standards, such as the UNCITRAL Model Law and the New York Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards. For example, mandatory compliance with arbitration agreements, interim measures, emergency arbitrator, virtual proceeding, etc,” Onwuchekwa added.
She explained: “The changes made by the new Arbitration Act demonstrates Nigeria’s commitment to establishing itself as an arbitration-friendly jurisdiction, while drawing inspiration from global best practices and the experience of leading arbitral institutions. However, we need to build on the initiatives introduced by the Arbitration Act, to secure the confidence of domestic and international stakeholders.
“The arbitral process must be seen to be efficient and trustworthy. A challenge with the present system is the multi-appellate stages for challenging arbitral award. The process needs to be curtailed; else it becomes another litigation process.
“We need to develop world-class arbitration facilities and digital infrastructure to provide efficient and accessible arbitration services; build capacity in Nigeria by promoting education and training programs for practitioners, businesses, and the public on the benefits and processes of arbitration; run public Awareness Campaigns on domestic and international platforms to highlight Nigeria’s capabilities and advancements in arbitration. Our arbitration institutions should foster strategic partnerships and collaborate with renowned international arbitration institutions to adopt best practices and provide cross-border knowledge sharing.”
The Seplat Energy Legal Director said the country is at a pivotal point where it needs to establish structure that attract more foreign direct investment and private participation across industries, adding that these potential investors will look to a credible, efficient and reliable arbitration system to resolve their commercial disputes whenever there is the need.
News
Nestlé Nigeria Celebrates First Graduation at Flowergate, empowering 20 Young Graduates
AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM
SPONSORED BY: H&H
Nestlé Nigeria reinforced its commitment to youth empowerment and skill development with the graduation of 20 young men and women from its Technical Training Centre (TTC) in Flowergate.
This ceremony, marking the first-ever graduation at the Flowergate facility, is a significant milestone in the company’s ongoing efforts to equip Nigerian youth with essential technical skills.
The Flowergate TTC, launched in 2023, is part of Nestlé Nigeria’s broader technical training initiative, which has been running since 2011.
Since its inception, the program has seen over 200 young Nigerians successfully complete the rigorous 18-month curriculum. With the company investing over six billion naira in this initiative, Nestlé Nigeria continues to prioritize developing the next generation of skilled professionals to drive the country’s industrial future.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Wassim Elhusseini, Managing Director/CEO of Nestlé Nigeria, expressed pride in the graduates’ accomplishments, saying, “For over 13 years, our commitment to nurturing young talent has reflected our confidence in the future of this generation.
This year alone, we proudly graduated 70 skilled professionals across all our centers, including Agbara and Abaji, all of whom have now joined our team.
For us, this program is more than just skills training—it’s about empowering young people to shape their futures and become catalysts for change.
By equipping them with critical technical expertise, we are opening doors to personal growth and financial independence. Ultimately, this is a long-term investment in creating shared value, as their success extends beyond themselves, impacting their families, strengthening communities, and driving growth in the industry.”
The Technical Training Program combines theoretical learning with hands-on engineering experience and culminates in the City and Guilds of London Technicians’ Certification, significantly boosting the employability of the participants.
The ceremony was attended by prominent community leaders, including His Royal Majesty, Alayeluwa Oba (Dr.) Babatunde Adewale Ajayi, Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remo Land, who applauded the initiative. Other distinguished guests included the President of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria, Mallam Ahmed Ladan Gobir; the Executive Secretary of the Association of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employers, Mr. Adewale Jones; the Registrar and Chief Executive of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria, Oluwatoyin Naiwo; and representatives from the Nigerian Employers Consultative Association (NECA). Tumi Onamade also represented the Alliance for Youth Initiative.
Beyond the TTC, Nestlé Nigeria’s broader commitment to youth empowerment is embodied in its Nestlé Needs YOUth initiative, which helps young people access economic opportunities through various programs, reaching an average of 25,000 youths annually. The company’s efforts are part of a larger strategy to prepare Nigerian youth for the future, ensuring they can thrive in an evolving industrial landscape.
News
NiMet Upgrades Weather Presentation Infrastructure to 4K Resolution, Plan November Launch
AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM
SPONSORED BY: H&H
The Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet) is upgrading its weather presentation infrastructure to cutting-edge 4K resolution.
The transformative initiative is being implemented in partnership with global technology leader Chyron and will be launched in November 2024.
The project will significantly enhance NiMet’s weather presentation capabilities, and marks a critical milestone in the agency’s commitment to delivering world-class meteorological services. NiMet will integrate Chyron’s state-of-the-art weather presentation solutions, bringing enhanced processing power, dynamic real-time graphics, and high-definition displays to its broadcasts. The move to 4K resolution will ensure sharper, more detailed visuals, giving Nigerians access to superior weather data that is clear, accurate, and reliable.
The upgrade forms part of the strategic vision of NiMet’s management under the leadership of the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Prof. Charles Anosike to reposition the agency. The current management is focused on modernizing the agency’s operational framework to meet international standards, utilizing cutting-edge technology to improve the accuracy, efficiency, and visual clarity of weather forecasts, which are critical to sectors such as aviation, agriculture, and public safety.
The project is also a testament to Prof. Anosike’s focus on innovation and excellence in delivering vital meteorological services that meet the growing needs of various sectors and stakeholders.
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