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e-Commerce resets for growth according to Ocean on 76

e-Commerce resets for growth according to Ocean on 76

While traditional retailers are flocking online, entrepreneurs are making their business start through e-Commerce ventures. As an industry that was already on a growth trajectory, digital platforms provider, Ocean on 76 Group, says that post-Covid trends are predicting a sharp incline in e-Commerce-related businesses.

Prins Mhlanga, CEO, Ocean on 76 Group says: “e-Commerce has become more of an essential service than ever before since lockdown regulations were eased for the sector. Through our courier aggregator business, Rush, we are seeing the uptake, evolution and most importantly, the need for flexible and convenient courier services.”

Mike Farquharson, Managing Director of Rush Couriers says that fuelling this growth is the surge of new e-Commerce stores and emerging SME players: “Those companies adopting a digital-first strategy are on the rise, while existing businesses are pivoting to sell more relevant products to stimulate sales.”

Rush is a uniquely positioned online courier aggregation platform that can seamlessly meet the evolving delivery requirements of smaller businesses, according to Farquharson. It’s well-developed technology platform requires no paperwork or agreements to open an account and allows a new user to register and start shipping in under five minutes: “Being an online courier aggregation platform means that we are able to negotiate bulk rates with many of the established courier companies. This is of major benefit to smaller businesses or online stores, who have little bargaining power with couriers due to their relatively low individual volumes. The prepaid option offered by Rush means that credit checks and accounts are no longer needed. The courier companies benefit from the consolidated bulk orders received via a single source, received with little credit risk.

While online sales are only 1.4% of traditional retail spend, Farquharson says the sector has seen year-on-year growth of 24% in e-Commerce sales: “We believe that the growth in e-Commerce will continue for some time as online stores become cheaper and easier to build.”

He says that Rush has an exciting roadmap including the launch of a range of plugin stores: “To assist in making the delivery process more successful, we believe that full automation of the fulfilment and delivery process for store owners is essential. We are currently in a development phase and look forward to offering another unique offering to the market,” says Farquharson.

Technology is undoubtedly levelling this playing field and allowing small or niche online businesses to compete on a more even footing. Farquharson says that a service like Rush’s enables them to offer the efficient delivery of goods, while new payment systems will allow them to trade efficiently and securely. The rollout of 5G technology will also play its part in giving this sector the much-needed boost it needs after lockdown.”

“We continue to invest in our robust ecosystem to offer smaller retailers the support they need for both orders and deliveries. Reducing the friction for many small online stores that benefit from a simple, seamless courier service is our primary objective. Anyone can now easily send a parcel anywhere in the country, with the app suggesting the lowest cost options,” says Farquharson.

INNOVATION: NCC HAS BEEN ABLE TO DEEPEN CONNECTIVITY IN THE COUNTRY – DANBATTA

INNOVATION: NCC HAS BEEN ABLE TO DEEPEN CONNECTIVITY IN THE COUNTRY – DANBATTA

The need to be innovative as a nation has become imperative, this has made countries like Nigeria that are mono economy (crude oil based) nations to think of diversifying the economy to other areas such as agriculture and more importantly information and communication technology which Nigerian Communication Commission has been piloting and building a robust telecommunication ecosystem. Economic pun

Innovation has become so imperative that as the world is tilting towards the 4th Industrial Revolution which would be powered by innovation, capacity building, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence and Big Data, the need to be futuristic and get prepared for the future has mandated government agencies to tinker and prepare for the future. Having noted this, the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC highlighted the need and what the commission has been doing to ensure that the country gets prepared for this, #

Speaking on the importance of telecommunication as an enabler and driver for the future, Danbatta said” The Commission, in continuing with its long-standing tradition of being a proactive regulatory approach, introduced policies and initiatives aimed at promoting the provision of efficient, available, affordable and easily accessible communications services throughout Nigeria. A proactive step taken by the Commission was the partnership with necessary stakeholders across the three tiers of government to collectively address challenges such as vandalism, multiple taxation & regulation, high cost of Right of Way (RoW), among others, which have been impeding speedy infrastructure deployment across the country.”

“For innovation to thrive as the anchor for accelerating economic growth post COVID-19, a robust broadband infrastructure upon which ICT innovations will ride, is a necessity and an urgent one at that. During my first term in office, we placed emphasis on broadband to drive innovation, and hopes to take broadband penetration to 70% by 2025 in line with the new target in the Nigerian National Broadband Plan (NBBP), 2020-2025. Through effective regulatory efforts, the NCC has been able to deepen connectivity in the country. Under my stewardship at the Commission, we realized that infrastructure gaps existed around the country impairing networks performance, and leading to poor quality of service. With the steady increase in telecom subscribers, the Commission decided that a robust telecom/ICT infrastructure was needed to meet up with growing demands for improved Quality of Service. It became imperative for us at the Commission to introduce drastic measures at ensuring Nigerians receive value for money. “

“We intensified our focus on the established key performance indicators (KPIs) for quality of service by instituting a regime of rigorous and continuous monitoring of the networks to ensure that they operate in tandem with set parameters. In the long term, the Commission’s initiative to license Infrastructure Companies (INFRACOs) to bridge existing gaps will further improve not only broadband penetration but the quality of broadband experience. Today we have six (6) licensed INFRACOs, one in each geo-political zone of the country, with Lagos State receiving special status because of its commercial centrality to the country. The seventh license for the North-Central region is being processed”, Danbatta opined.

He also added that “On the InfraCos, the Commission is in the process of finalizing the six Infracos Counterpart Funding Agreement to galvanize the full rollout of broadband infrastructure on an Open Access Model (OAM) aimed at enhancing digital transformation and this will ensure there is Point of Access in each of the 774 local governments in the country. The result of this initiative is that apart from meeting and surpassing the 30 percent broadband penetration in December, 2018, in line with the NBP 2013-2018 target, NCC increased broadband penetration from less than 6 percent in 2015 to 43.30 percent by August 2020. This translates to 82, 653,247 broadband subscriptions in the country as of August, 2020. These measures have been very instrumental to the emergence and survival of SMEs that have had to ride on the backbone of telecoms infrastructure during this pandemic.”

The NCC EVC added that there have been collaborative efforts between the commission and the Central Bank of Nigeria, this has increased the preponderance of digital banking and also made banking seamless and easier.

He said” Collaborative partnership between the NCC and the CBN has been very effective, leading to the development of various brands of electronic transaction models, which have totally reformed banking in Nigeria making it possible for instant cash transfers to folks in rural areas cutting out waiting times at banking halls and simplifying online transactions. Between 2015 and 2020, much has been done to put Nigeria on the global map of nations that are electronically driven while delivering financial intermediation. Together with our stakeholders from the banking sector, the NCC is actively involved in the application of various electronic portals that continue to drive transactions off banking floor and onto handheld devices or personal computers. The NCC, through its interventions, has continued to lift the Nigerian economy and create momentum and hope for financial inclusion based on the seamless implementation of the Commission’s Strategic Vision Plan.”

On the eHealth, the commission has made tremendous strides especially in the areas of Fight against Covid 19. “It is pertinent, at this juncture, to note that NCC’s Emergency Communication Centers (ECC) have been crucial in the Federal Government’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, with over 1,209 COVID-19-related calls made between March and June 2020 from the nineteen (19) ECCs across the country. The establishment of the ECCs by the Commission across the nation was borne out of the need to safeguard all Nigerians irrespective of their geographical locations.The Nigerian Government, through the Federal Ministry of Health, has been putting measures in place to ensure the Coronavirus disease is controlled and quickly contained. Nigeria’s multi-sectoral Coronavirus Preparedness Group led by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) activated its national Emergency Operations Centre and swiftly swung into action with State governments to contain the spread of the outbreak around the country” Danbatta concluded.

ANTHONY EMEKA NWOSU

Under my stewardship at the Commission, we realized that infrastructure gaps existed around the country impairing networks performance, and leading to poor quality of service. With the steady increase in telecom subscribers, the Commission decided that a robust telecom/ICT infrastructure was needed to meet up with growing demands for improved Quality of Service. It became imperative for us at the Commission to introduce drastic measures at ensuring Nigerians receive value for money.

Airbus showcases Tactilon Agnet collaboration solution during virtual IEEE 5G World Forum 2020

Airbus showcases Tactilon Agnet collaboration solution during virtual IEEE 5G World Forum 2020

Airbus highlighted the features of its Tactilon Agnet mission-critical push-to-talk (MCPTT) solution at the IEEE 5G World Forum 2020. An Airbus Expert was one of the virtual forum’s presenters, in which he spoke about the communication and collaboration solution and how it could deliver faster, more reliable and better emergency response and public safety protection.

Global experts from the fields of industry, academics, and research attended the presentation which pointed to the benefits of using hybrid mission-critical and secure communications over LTE and 5G broadband networks compared to systems operating over narrowband networks. As an example mentioned by the expert, the features of Airbus’ all-in-one Tactilon Agnet MCPTT, a public safety solution that is compliant with the international telecommunications standards of the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP).

Airbus’ Tactilon Agnet MCPTT and its integration with an LTE or 5G network in 3GPP, offers smart device users with a redefined secure group communication and cooperation. Equipped with advanced features, the collaboration platform ensures high-speed and real-time voice, data, video, and location services and private and group messaging. Public safety entities and organizations from various industry verticals such as oil and gas and transportation can fully use the solution and gain in emergency response time and have enhanced protection of critical assets.   Andrew Forbes

OBIORA OZOR THE CEO OF KOBO 360 LOGISTICS RECOGNIZED BY FORBES

OBIORA OZOR THE CEO OF KOBO 360 LOGISTICS RECOGNIZED BY FORBES

Irrespective of the teething environment the start up operate here in Nigeria, it has been known that Nigerian startup ecosystem is a bustling and busy one. With lots of energetic Nigerians showcasing their creativity and ability to scale, the world has over the time taken notice of this emerging trend in Africa’s most populous nation. In line with this Obiora Ozor, the founder of Kobo 360 has been profiled and recognized by Forbes Magazine. This is a testament of what the Nigerian you can do.

Taking to his Linkedin page, the elated Ozor said “I’m extremely excited to grace the cover of Forbes Africa special 9th Anniversary issue. To be aligned with such a globally celebrated brand that is at the forefront of bringing African stories to the world is such an honor and a blessing. I reflect back on my journey.”

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“As a teenager, I earned the nickname ‘King of the Igbos’ because of my entrepreneurial nature – today, I am recognized as a change-maker and tenacious new wealth creator in Nigeria’s new digital economy. Thank you, Forbes Africa, for this recognition. But most importantly, thank you to my amazing squad at Kobo360 who made this special milestone happen for me”, he added.

Kobo 360 is a leading logistic solution provider. Kobo promotes the values of creativity, drive and imagination, which are vital to Africa’s economic future. Building a dynamic and innovative company is a critical element in sustaining Africa’s new-found optimism. And this one will not only grow shareholder’s worth, but also create exponential economic expansion. The online logistics solution, Kobo360, has been launched to drive parcel and mail deliveries for individuals and Small and Medium and Enterprises, SMEs across Nigeria.

Anthony Emeka Nwosu

With 600 road projects, President Buhari sets unbeaten record

With 600 road projects, President Buhari sets unbeaten record


By GARBA SHEHU

As we mark the 60th Anniversary Day, the record-setting, mega roadways infrastructure development projects by the Buhari administration numbering up to 600 that are undergoing major upgradation or rehabilitation call for public attention and appreciation.

The size and magnitude of the road projects notwithstanding, the clamour by Nigerians for more motorable roads is not abating, and neither is the President Muhammadu Buhari Government’s commitment to delivering on an improved national road network, which it inherited at different stages of disrepair from previous administrations. When there is a will, as the adage goes, there will be a way or two.

Since 2015, the Buhari administration has done more than its predecessors to rehabilitate Federal Roads despite other competing infrastructural funding needs. For an Administration willed to funding numerous other critical national infrastructure projects aimed at economic self-reliance and increased domestic output, it is indeed commendable how the Buhari Administration devised economically sound fiscal strategies to fund the redevelopment of various Federal Highways, including those nearing completion.

A quality road network being the most critical component of a national multimodal transportation plan is the foundation of a thriving economy. Good roads link up the national socioeconomic arteries, centres and hubs. People move about and perform everyday activities, mostly by road. It is also by the road that people go to earn a living, farm, or access other transportation modals like rail, air, and water. Essential social services such as education, healthcare, hospitality, community integration, neighbourhood security, religious and private interactions are majorly accessed by roads. A quality road network is therefore the mainstay of any thriving economy.

Nigeria’s 108,000km of surfaced roads of which those categorised as Federal Roads make up 32,000km or 18 per cent had steadily deteriorated in the period preceding this administration through a combination of official neglect, a poor maintenance culture, and perhaps more fundamentally, the absence of a legal and policy framework for private sector participation in funding, management and maintenance of Federal Highways.

Despite the recent drop in revenues due to lower oil prices and the aftershock of the Covid-19 shutdown, Nigeria’s economic potentials are enormous. Although the Buhari Administration is mindful of the pains the average Nigerian is passing through due to the coronavirus-induced recession, it has nonetheless been resolute in continuing with its economic recovery plans which have as a key component the rebuilding of national infrastructures.

It is therefore highly commendable the ceaseless fiscal and administrative stimulus this Administration puts into the timely completion of major roads and bridges across the six geopolitical zones of the country to stimulate economic growth.

The Administration is achieving this objective through the establishment of the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF), in 2018, to fast-track the completion of critical infrastructure projects. In addition, President Buhari, in January 2019, signed Executive Order 7 (the “Companies Income Tax Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme) which is aimed at attracting PPP financing for road construction across Nigeria. It was through this laudable scheme that infrastructural funding is sourced from the Sukuk Bond.

Some of the 600 on-going federal road projects whose completion will immediately impact economic activities include the Apapa-Oshodi-Oworonshoki Expressway, which is being reconstructed as a concrete road, for the first time since it was built 40 years ago. This vital economic gateway can be likened to the nation’s spinal cord, the backbone of our import and export business. When this road is choked and vehicular traffic snarls in gridlock, as it often is, the economy of Nigeria, and indeed the entire West African region, is effectively paralysed. The Buhari Administration is committed to reconstructing the Expressway to benefit national and regional economic development. Both the Apapa-Oshodi-Oworonshoki Expressway and the Bodo-Bonny Bridges and Road, (which was conceived in the 1980s, but actual construction started in 2017), were executed under the Executive Order 7 projects.

Other projects being funded under PIDF include the Second Niger Bridge. Main construction for this vital gateway into the South-South and South East regions started in 2018, and completion is scheduled for 2022. As it stands today, the construction company, Julius Berger is claiming 57 per cent completion. There is also the reconstruction of the 375km Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Expressway and its transformation to a six-lane configuration; reconstruction of the Benin – Ofusu – Ore – Ajebandele – Shagamu Expressway; the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, and the Kano-Maiduguri Expressways. The Loko-Oweto Bridge, linking Benue and Nasarawa States, an important interstate project started by the Goodluck Jonathan administration, is being completed by President Buhari.

In 2017, the Buhari Administration identified and marked out 63 roads across the country, including 44 Federal Highways. These roads which linked up trade, commerce, port, and agricultural centres across the six geopolitical zones of the country were classified under Critical Economic Routes and Agricultural Routes, and accorded budgetary priority.

The roads include the Apapa/Tincan Port, NNPC Depot (Atlas Cove) to Mile 2 Accessed Road, Apapa-Oshodi Road, Third Mainland Bridge, Apapa/Tincan Island Port-NNPC Depot Access Road, Benin-Ofosu-Ore Ajebandele-Shagamu Road, Obajana Junction-Benin Road Phase 2: (Sections i-iv), Sapele-Ewu Road Sections 1&11, Second Niger Bridge, Onitsha-Enugu Expressway (Amansea-Enugu State Border), Yenegoa Road Junction-Kolo-Otueke-Bayelsa Palm and Bodo-Bonny Road with Bridge.

Included are the Abuja-Lokoja Road Sections i&iv; Suleja-Minna Road Section 11; Kaduna Eastern Bypass; Kano-Maiduguri Road Section 1-1V; Hadejia-Nguru-Gashua-Bayamari Road and Kano Western Bypass; Odukpani-Itu-(Spur Ididep-Itam)-Ikot Ekpene Federal Highway Sections 1&11; Ikom Bridge; Enugu-Port Harcourt Dual Carriageway Sections i-iv; Calabar-Ugep-Katsina-Ala Road; Vandeikya-Obudu-Obudu Cattle Ranch Road; Oshegbudu-Oweto Road; Oju/Loko-Oweto Bridge with approach roads; and the Nassarawa-Loko Road.

Others are the Kano-Katsina Road (Phase 1: Kano Town at Dawanau Roundabout to Katsina State Border); Sokoto-Tambuwal-Jega-Yauri Road; Ilorin-Jebba-Mokwa-Bokani Road; Ilorin-Kabba-Obajana Road (Sections 1&11); Ibadan-Ilorin Road, Section11 (Oyo-Ogbomosho); Lagos-Shagamu-Ibadan Dual Carriageway, Sections 1&11, and Lagos-Otta Road.

Others are the Zaria-Kano Road, Abuja-Lokoja Road (Sections i-iv), Ilorin-Jebba-Bokani Road, Ibadan-Ilorin Road (Sections `1&11), Lagos-Shagamu-Ibadan Road (Sections1&11), Benin-Ofosu-Ore-Ajebandele-Shagamu Road, and Obajana-Benin Road (Sections i-iv).

The Kaduna-Zaria Road, Otukpo Township Road, Kaduna-Katsina Road, Onitsha-Enugu Road (Section 1&11), Enugu-Port Harcourt Road (Sections i-iv), Calabar-Odukpani-Itu Road (Section 1), Calabar-Ugep-Katsina-Ala Road (Sections 1&11), Alesi-Ugup (Iyamoyung-Ugup) Road, Ogoja(Mbok Junction) Abuochichie Road, Kano-Maiduguri Road(Sections i-v), among others, were also among those listed.

There is no doubt the completion of the reconstruction of these roads will heighten the tempo of national economic recovery and achieve one of the cardinal objectives of the Muhammadu Buhari Administration.

With a government determined to provide smooth and motorable roads, it is the hope that we will achieve a mitigation of the wear and tear of vehicles, enhance the country’s socio-economic development, improve road safety, ensure smooth traffic, reduce travel time and traffic congestion, make for better connectivity in and around the federation.
The movement of people and goods is also improving substantially, even if gradually.

Shehu is Senior Special Assistant to the President, Media and Publicity.

NCC Pledges to Promote Robust ICT Infrastructure for Economic Growth

NCC Pledges to Promote Robust ICT Infrastructure for Economic Growth

The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta has said that the Commission will continue to promote and facilitate expansion of robust broadband/Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure across the country for the rapid development of the nation’s digital economy.

Danbatta gave the assurance in a presentation titled “Communication Technology for Service Delivery in Health, Education, Tourism, the Creative Industry and Agriculture” delivered during the first virtual and sixth edition of Information Communications Technology and Telecommunications Conference and Exhibition (ICTEL) EXPO 2020.

He said the Commission, not only successfully achieved but surpassed the 30 per cent broadband penetration target in 2018. Danabatta observed that through various policy initiatives, broadband penetration has further increased to 42.02 per cent as of July, 2020, noting that this has laid a solid foundation to drive the national efforts at achieving the new 70 per cent broadband penetration target set in the Nigeria National Broadband Plan (NNBP) 2020-2025.

Represented by the Director, Consumer Affairs Bureau, NCC, Efosa Idehen, Danbatta said in line with this commitment, the Commission has commenced the review of the framework for engaging infrastructure companies to cascade fibre optic deployment to the hinterlands of Nigeria to ensure pervasive access to broadband services in the country.

He stated that with the support of the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, NCC is resolving the perennial problem of high cost of Right of Way (RoW) with the support of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) to hasten ICT infrastructure that will enable socio-economic activities across various sectors.

According to him, as the world is becoming increasingly digitised; there will be no sector or facet of human life where ICT will not be required for optimal service delivery and improved conditions of living for the citizens.

With regard to the health sector, Danbatta said ICT is playing a very important role in the manner health services are now delivered, adding that the new Internet speed and low latency of 5G technology are expected to further enhance the possibilities of telemedicine and remote surgery.

Similarly, the EVC said the educational sector has also greatly soared on the wings of ICT, as there has been a surge in online learning in many institutions around the globe due to the raging COVID-19 pandemic, while illustrating the symbiotic relationship between ICT and educational sectors.

Danbatta said “the relationship between ICT and the educational sector has been mutually beneficial. He assured the stakeholders that the advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is expected to enhance the capabilities of the educational sector even further.”

According to him, the agricultural sector has also benefitted from ICT, as several agro-based apps have been designed to ensure that stakeholders in the sector are able to provide and improve on essential agro-services. These developments have helped to boost food production and security, just as a lot of digitisation is also holding sway in the creative industry, enhancing its growth thereby enabling job creation and greater contribution to the Gross Domestic product (GDP).

NCC Counts Gains of MTN Listing in Capital Market

NCC Counts Gains of MTN Listing in Capital Market

The regulatory action taken by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to facilitate the listing of MTN Nigeria on the country’s stock exchange market has continued to bring economic gains to Nigeria and Nigerians in terms of boosting market capitalisation and yielding dividends to shareholders, the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Commission, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, has said.

Market analysts report that MTN investors have raked in approximately N1 trillion in price appreciation and dividends since April 2020.  The listing of MTN was as a result of NCC’s effective regulatory action taken during the mobile network operator’s fine settlement agreement in 2016, which compelled the telco to, among other things, list on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

The listing was one of the outcomes of the NCC’s stringent regulatory posture, which served as tonic for other telcos such as Airtel to follow the same direction. 

As the country’s independent telecoms regulatory authority, the NCC, working with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), facilitated the landmark listing of the country’s largest telecommunications operator on the bourse.

“This is in line with its mandate to promote investment, create a level-playing field for all licensees, ensure compliance to existing telecoms laws and facilitate delivery of top-notch quality of service (QoS) to consumers,” said the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta.

According to Danbatta, through this proactive regulation and timely intervention by the NCC, which lead to the listing of MTN on the NSE, a new vista of opportunity has been created in the history of telecommunications industry in Nigeria.

“That important regulatory action enabled Nigerians, consistent with the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003, to partly, own, manage and control MTN. This bold and courageous regulatory action is now transforming lives and boosting the economy,” the EVC stated.

Danbatta also stated that the listing has helped to translate into action, an important objective of the Commission, which is to promote local investment and ownership in the telecom sector.

“With MTN shares available in the capital market, it is expected that Nigerians will buy shares and by purchasing the shares of MTN, they will be financially empowered and be socially transformed,” he said.

Stating that telecoms is a capital-intensive industry that requires continuous investment, Danbatta said the listing will enable the telecoms companies to raise capital for the expansion of their networks.

“Also, one of the benefits of listing on the NSE is that telcos have enormous opportunity for raising more capital for network expansion, which will, in turn, bring about improvement in the quality of service delivery and quality of experience for telecom consumers,” he said.

The EVC further stated that, “today, the capital market regulator and shareholder bodies have commended the effort of the NCC in making the capital market more resilient through the Commission’s regulatory action in facilitating telcos listing.”

He noted that the listing in the stock exchange will promote liquidity amongst operators, enhance their value as well as promote transparency.

“The Commission is committed, through its regulatory policies and actions, to creating the right environment to attract both Foreign Direct Investment (FDIs) and local investment into the telecom industry for increased economic prosperity for Nigerians,” the EVC said.

FSARS REFORMS: IGP VOWS TO SEE THEM THROUGH

FSARS REFORMS: IGP VOWS TO SEE THEM THROUGH

• AS MINISTER OF YOUTH AND SPORTS CALLS FOR TOWN HALL MEETINGS

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP M.A Adamu, NPM, mni has reaffirmed his commitment to the ongoing reforms in the Nigeria Police Force especially as it concerns the activities of the Federal Anti-robbery Squad (FSARS) and other Special Tactical Units of the Force. The IGP made this known during a courtesy call on him by the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr. Sunday Dare on Monday, 5th October, 2020, at the Force Headquarters, Louis Edet House, Abuja.

The IGP called on the citizens to exercise patience as the reforms in FSARS et.al are still in progress, noting that all the already announced measures aimed at checkmating a future occurrence of extra-judicial activities by some personnel of FSARS and other Tactical Units of the Force will be followed to the latter. He reiterates that some of the officers who have been found to be unruly and unprofessional in their dealings with the citizens, particularly the youth, have been arrested and are already facing disciplinary actions.

In his remarks, the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr. Sunday Dare commended the IGP for his prompt response in tackling the issues and called for stronger collaboration and mutual understanding between the Police and the youth. He also called for regular town hall meetings at various State Commands which will involve the Police Spokespersons, Civil Society Organisations (CSO) and other critical stakeholders to strengthen the synergy between the police and the citizens, especially the youth.

The IGP, while concurring with the Hon. Minister on the necessity for Town Hall meetings, a practice which he identified as a feature of community policing, reaffirmed the readiness of the Police, under his watch, to work with relevant stakeholders towards enhancing respect for the rights of the citizens and better bonding between the Police and the community at all times.

DCP FRANK MBA
FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
FORCE HEADQUARTERS

SWAIAP TO HOLD THE FIRST CONFERENCE FOR INTERNAL AUDITORS IN NIGERIA

SWAIAP TO HOLD THE FIRST CONFERENCE FOR INTERNAL AUDITORS IN NIGERIA

The Society for West African Internal Audit Practitioners (SWAIAP), a professional body that organises and brings together the internal auditors across West African countries would be having their first international conference this October. Themed “Internal Auditor The Unappreciated Catalyst.” The event has been lauded as a welcomed development in the corporate setup of the country. According to the organisers, the conference is meant to educate, sensitise and inform the public on the critical roles of internal auditors as a profession and also distinguishing it from the role of accountants.

Speaking on the importance of the conference, Patrick O. Nzechukwu, first Executive President of Society for West African Internal Audit Practitioners (SWAIAP) and author, A to Z of Internal Audit Practice, said “we want to use this first conference which is going online due to Covid 19 and social distancing laws in the country to let the public know that internal auditors are critical to the smooth running of every establishment from private to public sectors. A lot of people tend to misplace or mistake internal auditors for accountants, as well external auditors. They might not be wrong; we are going to use this platform to enumerate and explain the differences”


“though internal audit isn’t a course that is offered in the tertiary institutions of the country at moment, nor offered by any Nigerian professional body, notwithstanding, that it has been a professional body since 1978, SWAIAP as a corporate organization are working hard to train internal auditors in the country and change orientation people have for internal auditing both in private and public sectors., including our institutions of learning. We believe that this conference will expose and explain why many managerial people should expose themselves to the intricacies and training of what it takes to be an internal auditor”, Patrick added.

Hosting Dr. Andreas Koutoupis an associate Professor of Financial Accountting from Mediterranean Destiny Limited, Greece, as the lead speaker, Dr. Rabiu Olowo, the Commissioner For Finance, Lagos State and certified internal control auditor as a keynote speaker while Tola Vong from Cambodia and Margret Ogunkoya of Lagos State University and host of others would be speaking at the event.

Society for West African Internal Audit Practitioners (SWAIAP) is poised to review the current internal auditing practices in Nigeria and West Africa in comparison with global best practices; practically sharing experiences on how we do internal auditing in our respective organizations and educating internal auditors on global best practices with emphasis on effective corporate governance, risk management system and adequate internal control and compliance and virile reporting systems, and informing stakeholders on the imperatives of effective internal auditing in West Africa.

“We would be using the Zoom virtual platform for this conference as we are encourage companies’ decision makers, business founders and staff who are interested in becoming an internal auditor to log in on the 17th of October 2020 for the conference. They would be opportuned to ask professional questions and also have an idea of the current evolution of internal auditing in Nigeria and ECOWAS region”, concluded Dr. Austin Okogun, a member board of trustees of SWAIAP.

“though internal audit isn’t a course that is offered in the tertiary institutions of the country at moment, nor offered by any Nigerian professional body, notwithstanding, that it has been a professional body since 1978, SWAIAP as a corporate organization are working hard to train internal auditors in the country and change orientation people have for internal auditing both in private and public sectors., including our institutions of learning. We believe that this conference will expose and explain why many managerial people should expose themselves to the intricacies and training of what it takes to be an internal auditor”

Minister Sadiya Umar Faruq Convenes Zero Hunger Initiative Private Sector Roundtable To Address COVID-19 Pandemic Impact On Vulnerable Communities

Minister Sadiya Umar Faruq Convenes Zero Hunger Initiative Private Sector Roundtable To Address COVID-19 Pandemic Impact On Vulnerable Communities

The Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouk met with leaders in the business and development sector in Lagos at the weekend to align private and public sector priorities and coordinate activities of intervention towards alleviating the many problems affecting the poor and vulnerable across the nation.

The roundtable aims at rallying stakeholders’ support to boost efforts of the federal government in addressing the myriad of challenges emanating from the global COVID-19 pandemic.

The Minister impressed upon guests the importance of “re-imagining our approaches to solving new and older challenges in the wake of the pandemic”.

She also assured that the meeting will lead to a “renewed vigour in ongoing efforts to find better ways to collaborate as we help those most vulnerable in society.

“In our capacity at the federal level, we have been working diligently to address the problems across Nigeria. While our results are significant, collective action between the government and private sector organisations can have a greater impact.”

The Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme in Nigeria Mohammed in his welcome address, emphasized the importance of collaboration and partnership in development. He noted that public-private partnership has been instrumental in the projects the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has successfully executed in Nigeria.

Bankole ‘BankyW’ Wellington, the founder of Lekki Food Bank and Banky Wellington Foundation also noted at the round table that “it is important to identify community leaders when doing interventions in the society”. He also stated that his desire is for Nigeria to have a food bank in each community.

Attendees at the roundtable resolved to better align their efforts with those of the federal government of Nigeria towards cushioning the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Nigerians, especially regarding the increasing number of people at risk of  hunger, with inadequate access to health and educational facilities.

 The cross-sector roundtable had in attendance Mohammed Yahya, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme in Nigeria, Abubakar Sulieman, Managing Director of Sterling Bank, Alero Ayida-Otobo of Project Ark, Onyeka Akumah of Farmcrowdy, Alan Sinfield, CEO of 9 mobile, Bankole Wellington, Senior Special Assistant to the President on the Sustainable Development Goals among many others.

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