Before The Full Moon

Not until this morning when I got the news that a friend was successful in winning the chairmanship position of an elite LCDA in Lagos, I realized my #nunaijstories family had not been fed with this illumination I had three months ago. This post was first shared on my instagram page.

My #phonephotography passion and movement is highly inspired by nature and stories, so I often look out for a perfect scene while working, having my leisure or living my typical daily life.

I woke up around 4am on 23rd April 2017 - diving into the seas of thoughts and reflection, when my attention was drawn to the sky due to a flint of light I sighted on a car across the road. It's the moon but this time, it's a banana shape. Though little, yet the effect in darkness couldn't be neglected.

At this point, my mind started pondering on how important little beginnings are. 'Before the full moon' is the banana yet no one talks about it but the full moon.

The very first step to becoming successful is as important as the success. In fact, it is far more important. Without it, no man can become successful in any sphere of life.

Many great minds have died with awesome ideas just because they didn't dare to take that 'first step'. Blocks after blocks, a house is built. The best economies in the world are as a result of the actions (STEPS) taken by certain individuals either in business, politics, community development and so on.

People like Carnagie, Rockefeller, Dangote, Edison, Innoson and others have the same characteristics - willingness to win by daring to take the first step.

Ask yourself, would you ever know if you are right or wrong if you do not dare to take that step.

#MyMeditation

DANGOTE SAVES MORE THAN 3,000 NIGERIANS FROM JOB LOSS

Dangote Industries Limited (DIL)’s decision to buy back its former subsidiary, Tiger Branded Consumer Goods (TBCG) was informed by the need to prevent the company from going under and save over 3,000 jobs of Nigerians.

DIL was approached by Tiger Brands to acquire its 65.7 per cent shares of TBCG Limited. While some stakeholders have questioned the rationale behind the investment decision by DIL, sources close to the Dangote Group said the company had to consider the repurchase of TBCG so as to keep the company as a going concern, which preserves value for the minority retail shareholders. The move also secured direct employment for over 3,000 employees.

“Going by every indication, the future of the company was very doubtful and that was risky for the employees which are over 3,000 Nigerians apart from others who benefit from the company’s services through other ancillary services. The return of DIL is therefore a big relief and good decision to save the jobs of the staff of TBCG,” a market operator said.

According to the repurchase agreement, subject to regulatory approvals, DIL will provide TBCG with an immediate cash injection of N10 billion. In return, Tiger Brands will divest its 65.7 per cent shareholding in TBCG to DIL for a nominal consideration and write off its shareholder loans to TBCG.

In addition, Tiger Brands will assume and settle outstanding debt guaranteed on behalf of TBCG.

Already, the former directors of TBCG, Alake, Ekpe and Ighodalo have agreed to re-join the board of TBCG and have consequently been reappointed with effect from 10th December 2015.

The companies have explained that the transaction will ensure that TBCG is maintained as a viable going concern, able to retain its employees and meet its obligations to its stakeholders.

“The Transaction envisages that sufficient capital will be injected into TBCG in order to stabilize the business and place it on a sustainable path aimed at creating value for its stakeholders,” they said.

Credit:  vanguardngr.com

NIGERIA EARNS N413BN FROM GAS EXPORT IN THREE MONTHS

Nigeria earned N412.983 billion from the export of Liquefied Natural Gas, LNG, Liquefied Petroleum Gas, LPG, also known as cooking gas and other gaseous materials in three months, between July and September 2015, according to data obtained from the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS.

Foreign Trade Statistics Report for the Third Quarter of 2015, revealed that this represented an increase of 9.5 per cent or N35.813 billion when compared to N377.17 billion earned by the country from the export of those commodities in the second quarter of 2015.

Giving a breakdown of the third quarter figures, the NBS stated that the country’s LNG export stood at N262.202 billion; liquefied propane export was valued at N106.803 billion, while the export of other petroleum gases, among others, in gaseous state was valued at N22.762 billion.

In addition, the country earned N10.101 billion from the export of LPG and other gaseous hydrocarbons, while it also earned N8.115 billion from the export of liquefied butanes.

Furthermore, the report identified India as Nigeria highest export destination in the third quarter with an export value of N408.24 billion, comprising N382.884 billion and N25.356 billion crude oil and non-crude oil export respectively.

Netherlands followed with total export value of N245.066 billion comprising crude oil and non-crude oil export of N228.2 billion and 16.86 billion respectively, while Spain’s export from Nigeria stood at N211.357 billion, with N159.5 billion been value for crude oil and N51.853 billion from non-crude oil items.

Other export destinations in the quarter under review are: United Kingdom — N192.231 billion total exports, with N85.07 billion crude oil export and N107.17 billion non-crude oil export; Brazil — N169.44 billion, with N140.84 billion and N28.6 billion crude oil and non-oil export.

In addition, France received N106.billion of Nigeria’s total export; South Africa — N105.05 billion; United States — N85.51 billion; Japan — N80.44 billion and Indonesia — N71.37 billion among others.

On the other hand, China emerged the destination with the highest value of Nigeria’s import in the period under review, accounting for N459.4 billion of Nigeria’s total imports. The United States followed with Nigeria imports from the country valued at N160.6 billion, while the country imports from Belgium stood at N128.32 billion.

Continuing, the report stated that, “Further analysis of Nigeria’s imports by Continent, revealed that the country consumed goods largely from Asia with imports valued at N 764.5 billion or 45.3 per cent of total imports.

“The Country also imported goods valued at  N596.4 billion or 35.3 per cent from Europe and N241.3 billion or 14.3 per cent from The Americas. Import trade from Africa stood at  N65.4 billion or 3.9 per cent while imports from the region of ECOWAS amounted to  N16.3 billion.”

Credit:  vanguardngr.com

48 HOURS CARGO CLEARANCE TARGET BY NPA AND NSC IN 2016

To promote trade facilitation, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) may introduce the much-awaited 48-hour cargo clearance next year, it has been learnt.

NPA Managing Director Mallam Habib Abdullahi and his NSC counterpart Mr Hassan Bello took this decision, following the directive of Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi, who visited NPA Lagos office last week.

“With the new directive from this government, NPA and the NSC officials are strategizing on how to achieve the 48-hour cargo clearance early next year,” the Federal Ministry of Finance (FMoF) a senior official, who did not want his named mentioned, said.

The official identified sharp practices and charges for services not rendered as factors militating against the 48-hour clearance and urged the Ministers of Transport and Finance to address the problem.

“We are aware that NPA and NSC are not happy over the past failure of 48-hour cargo clearance policy. Apart for the fact that the delays experienced in cargo clearance disrupted the production schedules of manufacturers as raw materials are not delivered in good time to their factories, they affected their revenue and were responsible for high level of corruption at the port as importers struggled to clear their cargoes under harsh conditions. This again exacerbate inflation as goods were not quickly cleared from the port to meet relevant needs in the economy.

“In the past, the Federal Government had made several failed attempts to achieve 48-hour cargo clearance at the ports. Former President Goodluck Jonathan administration had at a time constituted a presidential committee under the direct supervision of the Ministry of Finance, with some co-opted members from the Ministry of Transport, to address the perennial problem of long cargo dwell time at the ports.

“But what could rightly be termed as the achievement of the government intervention, unfortunately, was that it merely succeeded in getting a backlog of cargoes cleared to ease port congestion. After that, it became business as usual,” the official added.

Meanwhile, over 6,000 shippers, it was gathered, have keyed into the International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN) introduced by NSC to secure the ports and environ. ICTN, it was learnt, would also assist the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in risk profiling, assessment and valuation to move cargoes out of the ports within 48 hours.

Investigation has shown that as from January 1, next year, any vessel that fails to comply with the ICTN would be penalized.

Contacted, Bello spoke of the need to streamline cargo clearance procedures and ensure that the ports compete with others in West and Central Africa.

“Nigerian ports are in competition with other ports within the sub-region, so we have to streamline our clearance procedures–the way we do business – so that we can attract more cargoes to Nigerian ports,” he said.

Credit:  thenationonlineng.net

NIGERIA AND BRITISH NAVY JOIN FORCES TO FIGHT PIRACY

UK Royal Navy is helping to train the Nigerian Navy to put out fires of the coast of Nigeria, and fight maritime crimes (shipping of contraband, sea robbery, kidnap etc).

Though Nigeria has increased is coastal patrol capability, the joint force via training would further help reduce maritime crime rate.

Credit: cnn.com

THE 2015 GLO - AKWA IBOM CHRISTMAS CAROL

Nigeria’s leading telecoms network, Globacom, sponsored this year’s edition of the annual Akwa Ibom Christmas Carol Festival. Support also United Bank for Africa, Le Meridien Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort and Hensek.

The Carol Festival held at the Uyo Township Stadium, Akwa Ibom, on December 19^th 2015.

The Akwa Ibom Christmas Carol Festival has become a record-breaking event and a rallying point for Nigerians from all parts of the world during the yuletide season. The event will feature local and international artistes.

Present at the Carol festival were; two Grammy Award winners (Donnie McClurkin, and Shirley Caesar and Angella Christie) from the USA. Also present were Sammie Okposo, Asu Ekiye, Chinelo De limono, I. T. Denis, Freke Umoh, David Eka, Anne Inyang and Lara George who performed at the carol festival

The guest speaker was the General Overseer of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission, Bishop Mike Okonkwo.

The event, which debuted in 2008, has since grown in magnitude and repute to become a glittering carnival of songs, dance, worship and fun recognized worldwide and cited in the Guinness Book of Records.

In the year 2012 edition, Akwa Ibom Christmas Carol made history when it featured a 9,999-member choir, which was reputed to be the largest choir on the continent at that time.

Last year, the Christmas songs and fun event beat its own record when on December 13, 2014, at the Uyo Township Stadium; it featured the 25,272-person Godswill Akpabio Unity Choir which became the largest number of carol singers on earth. This record, set on Nigerian soil, beats the previous record set by a choir of 15,674 carol singers known as CENTI in Bogota, Columbia back in December 2013. The milestone remains till date in the Guinness Book of Records.

Credit:  premiumtimesng.com, gospotainment.com, thegazette.com.ng, akwaibomstate.gov.ng

LIVING FAITH CHURCH WORLD WIDE (WINNERS) TO SET ANOTHER RECORD

Living Faith Church Worldwide (aka Winners) has taken another major leap of faith as it plans to start the construction of a 100,000 seat capacity auditorium (fully air-conditioned).

The new auditorium is a stadium-like church, and will be built on 1,000 acres of land. It will have in it a 10,000 capacity for the children's church, the World of Faith Bible Institute, Cafteria, and a 12 storey office complex for its international headquarters.

The move is intended to meet the church's 400,000 Sunday attendance achieved recently after a double wonder prophesy from the President, Bishop David Oyedepo.

In his words, the monumental structure called Faith Theatre will change the story of Africa. This he announced yester-night during the annual Shiloh convention.

The architectural design of the superb edifice is a creation of Covenant University.

The faith based institution was founded in 1981, and has since been a major force to reckon with in the christian body worldwide.

FOUR NIGERIAN JOURNALISTS WON CNN AFRICAN JOURNALIST AWARD

An editor from Nigeria's leading investigative paper, PREMIUM TIMES, was honoured at CNN Multichoice African Journalist of the Year Awards in Kenya.

‎Ibanga Isine, regional editor, south, was named winner of the News Impact category of the awards on a night that saw three other Nigerians clinching top honours to make their country proud.

Mr. Isine had joined 30 other finalists from 15 countries across Africa for an all-expense paid four-day programme of workshops, media forums and networking in Nairobi. Mr. Isine, a dogged investigative journalist, won the award for his courageous and persistent reporting on the brutal killings by soldiers at the Dangote Cement Factory in Benue state. The factory belonged to Africa's richest man, Aliko Dangote.

That series of work, which instantly got justice for families of those killed, had earlier earned Mr. Isine an award at the 2014 edition of the prestigious Wole Soyinka Awards for Investigative Journalism.

Also at the ceremony in Kenya, two reporters from THE PUNCH, Femi Asu and Urukaino Umukoro won in the economic/business and sport reporting categories of the award respectively while Adewale Emosu of the Nigerian Tribune clinched the top prize in the culture reporting category. Another Nigerian, Kola Tubosun - a blogger at ktravula.com‎ - was also nominated for the awards and was at the finalist programme.

Credit:  punchng.com, tribuneonlineng.com, premiumtimesng.com, cnnpressroom.blogs.cnn.com

FIRST DRONE DELIVERY IN NIGERIA

Nigeria’s largest online and offline retail chain, Yudala, became the first to use a drone in delivering a customer’s order. It achieved this feat in the November Black Friday sales which ran from November 26th to November 30th 2015.

The order was a Nokia Lumia smart phone, placed by one Yetunde Lawal, a staff of Access Bank Plc. who was shopping on the Yudala website for the first time.

The drone took off from the headquarters of Yudala at Redemption Crescent, Gbagada loaded with the product to the amazement and delight of onlookers and camera crew from various media organizations who gathered to monitor the progress of the drone all the way to the Access Bank branch along the Gbagada-Oshodi Expressway where it was alighted in front of the bank.

A staff of Yudala was on hand to process the invoice for the order and hand over the phone to an obviously elated Yetunde who chose the payment on delivery option.

“I am extremely delighted and indeed short of words to explain how I feel to be the first person to receive an item via drone delivery in Nigeria, all thanks to Yudala. This is an innovative concept in the evolution of e-commerce in the country which I am sure other competitors will want to copy.

“Yudala has met and exceeded my expectations and I can only encourage all my colleagues, friends and family to shop and shop Yudala,” she said.

Since its entry into the market a little over four months ago, Yudala has expanded the retail space with several innovative campaigns including the  Neighbour to Neighbour  Mega Deals,  Gyming with the Stars  and  October Mid-Day Madness, among others    through which it has delivered on its mandate of providing genuine products and services to its consumers.

Credit:   vanguardngr.com

PICTORIAL GLIMPSE INTO THE CORONATION OF OBA ADEYEYE ENITAN OGUNWUSI

Yesterday, Oba Adeyeye Enitan  Ogunwusi (OJAJA II) was formally crowned the Ooni of Ife. The coronation had lots of celebrities and top politicians in attendance.

The Vice President, Prof Osibanjo represented President Buhari. Also present were Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, APC chieftain, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Ajimobi, Governor Ambode, Sultan of Sokoto, Taiwo Hassan (aka Ogogo), Abbey Lanre, Yinka Quadri, Muka Ray, Tokunbo Sijuade (son of late Oba Sijuade), Governor Aregbesola and many others.

 

Photo Credit:   Sesco Photography

ROLOF COMPUTERS BAGS 2015 IT PRODUCTS COMPANY AWARD

Rolof Computers - Leading indigenous IT products reseller and owners of the Warri based Rolof Computer Academy, has been awarded the most reliable IT products company of the year 2015.

The award was given to Rolof Computers by Global Quality Excellence Awards as part of thes year’s World Quality Day celebration held in Abuja.

According to Desmond Esorougwe, Secretary, African Regional Committee of the Global Quality Excellence Awards, Rolof Computers was selected for the award after a thorough and painstaking screening exercise by stakeholders picked from different sectors of the Nigerian economy. He said Rolof Computers has been able to distinguish itself by giving impactful IT services to Nigerians, especially in the South-South part of the country in the last two decades.

Responding to the award, an elated Chief Executive Officer of Rolof Computers, Mr. Lucky Ofuafor said the award shows that the little the company has been doing to contribute to the success of IT services in Nigeria is being recognized.

 “The award shows we are being appreciated for providing excellence IT services. This will tell our customers that we have given them value for their money for the past 20 years,” he said. Ofuafor dedicated the award to the company’s customers for their loyalty, saying they should expect better quality from Rolof Computers because to whom much is given, much is also expected. “We will continue to maintain the quality of our services and at the same time improve on the standard.”

Credit:  vanguardngr.com

NIGERIA'S YOUNGEST COMMISSIONER

A King’s College, Lagos and University of Reading, UK alumnus. Asuquo Ekpenyong is a graduate of Economics from University of Reading, UK and also had Msc. Distinction in International Banking and Financial Services from same.

Ekpenyong has attended several training programmes including the Key Executive Program at the Harvard Business School, Boston USA, the Global Executive Leadership Program at Howard University Business School, Washington D.C.; the Executive Management Development Program at the University of Pretoria, South Africa; the Euromoney Oil & Gas School London, etc. He is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN).

After a brief working stint in England, he returned to Nigeria to work as a Financial Analyst at Davandy Finance & Securities Limited, Lagos and then relocated to Cross River where he was appointed a lecturer in the Banking and Finance Department of the University of Calabar, Cross River State. As a young industrious entrepreneur, he established Iquasu Ventures Limited, a haulage and logistics company, in 2010; he later took over as Managing Director of Chamley Bureau de Change Limited. Asuquo’s expertise led to his appointment as Executive Director for finance at Pearland Energy, an indigenous Oil & Gas company, and Non-Executive Director at Ekondo Microfinance Bank Limited.

On the 27th of November 2015, Asuquo Ekpenyong was sworn in as the commissioner for Finance in Cross River state, and is now the youngest serving commissioner in the country. Though, his nomination came as no surprise as he played an integral role in the campaign that brought Governor Ben Ayade into power.

Ekpenyong hails from Odukpani local government area in Cross River, and was born on the 25^th of September, 1985.

A great honour introducing to you all, Asuquo Ekpenyong – Youngest commissioner in Nigeria.

Credit:   africanleadership.co.uk

FG TO PRIVATIZE PIPELINES NETWORK

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu said recently that, the Federal Government is set to privatize the petroleum products pipeline network in the country to minimize vandalism and ensure availability of products in the country next year.

Kachikwu, who stated this while touring products depots in Apapa area of Lagos, also said that by January 2016, any truck not tagged or fixed with trackers will not be allowed to load products. According to him, this is to check diversion of trucks after loading, which is one of the causes of scarcity in Nigeria.

He said: “Ultimately, we are going to look at pipelines early next year in January to see how we can privatize the management of these pipelines and get them out of these perennial problems. According to Dr. Kachikwu, if we are pumping directly through these pipelines, some of these problems will be reduced.

In his words, “all these problems added is not as big as the problems of the fact that the major participants are not bringing products. That is where the main problem is.”

The minister also said that the Federal Government is looking at refinery models to see how best to deal with the nation’s four refineries which have long been producing below installed capacity.

“In January, we are going to be looking seriously at refinery models. How do we deal with it? How do we bring people to assist us on technical and investment basis to get these refineries in much more consistent and permanent basis,” he said.

Kachikwu decried the sabotage and unpatriotic attitude of Nigerians who hoard or divert petroleum products to create scarcity and inflict pains on innocent citizens. According to him, about 26 cargoes with 30,000 capacity of petroleum products are being expected into the country in few days to come, so as to mitigate the effect of the current scarcity. He advised Nigerians not to embark on panic buying as the products will be sufficient for the December period and the New Year.  He emphasized that filling stations and depots that engage in sharp practices and product diversion must be sanctioned by the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR.

Credit:   vanguardngr.com

TONIGHT IN LAGOS, IS THE EXPERIENCE (10TH EDITION)

The biggest gospel concert in Nigeria is happening tonight at the Tafawa Balewa Square Lagos. People are expectant and this year edition which marks the tenth year anniversary promises to be spirit filled with a number of great gospel artiste ministering.

Present at the concert later tonight are artistes like Frank Edward, Don Moen, Midnight Crew, Sonnie Badu, Chioma Jesus, Nathaniel Bassey, Fred Hammond, Donnie McClurkin, Micah Stampley, Julius Nglass, Jessica Reedy, Kim Burrell, LMGC, Lagos City Chorale

The Experience Lagos is an annual praise-night organized by House on the Rock Church (HOTR). It had over 600,000 worshippers in 2014.

Credit:   theexperiencelagos.com, pulse.ng

NIGERIA BOTTLING COMPANY TO RAMP UP INVESTMENTS AND UPGRADE FACILITIES

In a bid to meet up with the sales projection trajectory in a competitive environment, Nigerian Bottling Company, NBC, is set to ramp up investments and upgrade facilities in the country.

The company, which had put in concerted efforts to ensure that its investment and upgrade in manufacturing facilities meet the interest of Nigerian consumers is keen on doubling its production capacity by 2020.

According to the Acting Head, Public Affairs and Communication, NBC, Limited, Mrs. Sade Morgan, who disclosed this during an engagement session with its major stakeholders said, “the company is upgrading its manufacturing operations, and the Ilorin facility is being transformed to become a world class material handling and logistics hub.

“Demand for Coca-Cola products is high and growing, and in a bid to meet up with the sales projection trajectories in a competitive environment, more production lines are being installed in some of our existing manufacturing facilities, most of which will be new.

“The new Ilorin depot facility, when completed, is expected to support new and upgraded production lines in the region to deliver our products more efficiently and effectively to yearning customers and dealers within the South-West Region and beyond.

Credit:  vanguardngr.com