Month: July 2023

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HOCSF interested in wellbeing of civil servants – Perm sec

Mahmud Kambari, Permanent Secretary Service Welfare Office, office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HOCSF), has lauded Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan HOCSF, for her concern over the wellbeing of workers.

The permanent secretary made the commendation at the sendoff party, organised by the office of the HOCSF for three retired directors at the office namely Mr Augustine Uzoh, Mrs Otelemate Olusanya and Dr Anne Nzegwu.

Kambari said if Yemi-Esan had more opportunities, she would upgrade the welfare of the civil servants to better their lives while in service and during retirement period.

He said that within three months in office as permanent secretary he had noticed with amazement the way Yemi-Esan spoke concerning civil servants showing that “she is interested in the wellbeing of Nigerian workers.

“I thank God for the celebrators who have retired with good health and I also thank God for the kind of Head of Service that we have who shows concern over the working conditions of workers in Nigeria.

“In fact, I came into this office about two or three months ago, but I can see the commitment in her to the welfare of civil servants, I tell you and I mean it.

“And, if somebody like that would have opportunity, believe me, civil servants would be retiring like this our politicians.”

While commending the Directors Forum at the office of the HOCSF, Kambari appealed for the establishment of such forum service wide as that of permanent secretaries so as to carry other retired directors from across MDAs along.

The forum according to him, will serve as a means to coordinate the welfare of retirees and to accommodate them after service.

“I want to advise that the directors’ forum be made service wide as the permanent Secretaries have their own forum to carry others along.

“The only forum to appreciate retired civil servants is the forum like this because they work for the nation and they deserve better treatment while parting from the service,” he added.

Contributing, Malam Baba Mohammed, Head of Directors Forum at the office, expressed joy over the retirees, saying that for the celebrators to reach the peak of their careers, it worth celebrating.

“This is the first time for the office of the HOCSF to gather to send off three directors at the same time.

“You will agree with me that for somebody to work to reach the peak of his career is not a child’s play and as such, it worth appreciating and celebrating”.

Also, Mr Adebayo Adejinmi, who is also a director at the office, appealed to the government to do all it could to add value to both the serving and the retired civil servants in Nigeria.

According to Adejinmi, addressing the poor salary of civil servants while in service could go a long way to better their lives after services to their father land for a good 35 years.

“Please anywhere we are, anything we can do to add value to both serving and the retired civil servants, let’s do it,” he said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

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Climate change: Firm to train technicians on autogas conversion

Autolady Engineering Technology Limited is set to train 1000 technicians and non-technicians nationwide on converting petrol vehicles to gas-powered engines to mitigate climate change and rising fuel price.

This is contained in a statement issued by Ms Joyce Daser-Adams, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the firm, on Saturday in Abuja.

“The training is also a measure taken to accelerate the Federal Government’s Autogas policy aimed at achieving its 2060 Net-zero carbon reduction agenda.

“The training seeks to empower technicians with the required technical know-how on safe autogas conversion is using Compressed Natural Gas which is a more affordable in the face of rising fuel costs.

“The training will also follow workshop attachment for professional proficiency and professional certifications,” she said.

She said it is estimated that by the year 2030, cars-on-gas adoption would have significantly contributed to mitigating the impact of climate change and assisting to meet National Gas Expansion Programme targets

Daser-Adams said the series of training, which will take place nationwide, would start from Lagos for one-week intensive programme for experienced and inexperienced technicians.

She said the firm had converted vehicles for several organisations, including those belong to Nigerian Police Force, The Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, and NNPC.

“We call on the National Automotive Design and Development Council as an agency for automotive sector to collaborate and support our initiative to reduce the cost of training the technicians.

“This is due to the high cost of conversion of petrol/diesel vehicles to Autogas vehicles, an issue of concern since the launch of National Gas Expansion Programme,” she said.

Autolady Engineering Technology Limited is an indigenous firm based in Abuja under the subsidiary of Autogas Nigeria.

In 2021 it collaborated with other technical partners to train over 150 technicians across the country on autogas conversion.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

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ICAN seeks to promote networking, empower members

Dr Temitope Babajide, Chairman, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Ibadan District Society, says the institute will promote networking and provide empowerment for its members.

Babajide stated this during a courtesy visit to Bakertilly Nigeria in Ibadan on Thursday.

She said that the association would bridge the existing gap between the older members and the younger ones to enhance inclusiveness toward building a strong district society.

While seeking the support of the company, Babajide said part of the five cardinal agenda of her administration would be members’ inclusiveness, welfare and empowerment.

“We want more members to come into the fold. We want to encourage members and have various activities that the young ones will be able to identify with.

“We intend to have a membership handbook and this will be launched at our annual dinner scheduled for December,” she said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ICAN team was received by Senior Partner, Bakertilly Nigeria, Mr Mark Ariemuduigho, and other principal officers of the company.

Ariemuduigho said that the company would continue to support ICAN in achieving its objectives, as it had always done over the years.

He urged ICAN to reflect on the present economic situation and come up with innovations that would help its members to meet up with the challenges of the time.

“Bakertily has done its own bit to support the association and we will continue to do that. We will not relent in our efforts at seeing the council stand strong in Ibadan,” Ariemuduigho said.

According to him, the company will pay the subscription of its staffers who are ICAN members and grant them permission to attend its meetings.

The senior partner urged the institute to organise more technical sessions in order to stimulate members’ interest in joining the district.

Also, Prince Oyebade Oyedepo, a past chairman of institute and board member of Oyo State Anti-corruption Agency urged ICAN members to join the state government in its fight against corruption by reporting corrupt practices.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

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Football legends to grace Russia-Africa summit

Russian and African football legends are to feature in a gala match at the Gazprom Arena, St. Petersburg, Russia, as a side event organised by the Russian Football Union (RFU) during the Russia-Africa Summit 2023.

Anton Kobyakov, Advisor to the president of the Russian Federation and Executive Secretary of the organising committee of the events for Russia–Africa 2023 Summit, said this in a statement released on Friday in St. Petersburg.

He said teams from Nigeria, Cameroon, Ghana, Mali as well as school teams would participate in the Russia–Africa international football tournament.

He explained that the sports programme would also feature a diplomats’ match, where employees from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and African embassies will compete.

The events are supported by the general partners of the Russia–Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum: Gazprom, Gazprombank, Rosatom, Uralchem, and Uralkali.

Rosseti is strategic partner of the event; Lukoil, partner; while Novatek and Sberbank are national partners. Other partners are: Avtovaz, African Export-Import Bank and Russian Export Centre.

“Uniting people is one of the fundamental missions of sport, and it should remain so regardless of the situation in the world.

“With the support of Roscongress, the forum will serve as a platform for the presentation of the World Friendship Games and other sports projects.

“This will create fresh opportunities for engaging in dialogue with counterparts from African countries, including sports ministries, Olympic committees and sports federations,” said Kobyakov.

According to him, the Second Russia–Africa Summit and Economic and Humanitarian Forum, which will take place on July 27 to 28 in St. Petersburg will provide a platform to enhance international communications in sport.

He added that a rich sports programme had been prepared for the participants. “On July 27 at 9.00 a.m., a session titled, ‘Sport: A Bridge of Friendship between Russia and Africa,’ will be held.”

He said the session would feature Russian minister of sport, Oleg Matytsin, president of the International Boxing Association, Umar Kremlev, president of the Russian Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation, Irina Viner, and president of the Russian Olympic Committee, Stanislav Pozdnyakov.

He also said the ministers of sport and heads of National Olympic Committees from African countries would participate in the event.

He stated that the World Friendship Games, which Russia would host in September 2024, would be showcased at the forum’s pavilion commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Ministry of Sport.

“The Russian Olympic Committee is set to sign cooperation agreements with counterparts from the National Olympic Committees of Mali, Namibia and Eswatini.

“Three-time Olympic synchronised swimming champion, Svetlana Kolesnichenko, will lead the warm-up session for participants at the ‘We Are Starting’ race, marking the opening of the forum’s first day.

“The race is scheduled to commence at 6.30 a.m. in Primorsky Victory Park,” said Kobyakov.

He said participants could register for the event in their personal accounts.

He added that the race was the third in the ‘Time to Act’ series, an initiative of RC Sport, the sports platform of the Roscongress Foundation, and the League of Heroes, with the support of the Ministry of Sport.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

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World Chess Day: Enthusiasts harp on importance of chess to youth development

Chess enthusiasts have advised parents on the need to encourage their kids to learn and be involved in the sport.

Some of the enthusiasts spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of a chess tournament organised by Rupetta Academy, to celebrate the World Chess Day in Abuja on Friday.

Katmaan Senlong, an Education Advocate, said the importance of engaging in the sport could not be overemphasised.

“We are here to celebrate the international World Chess Day. This is a tournament to celebrate everyone that plays chess in Nigeria.

“I can’t overemphasise the unique skills you learn by playing chess; reasoning, logical thinking, strategic organisational skills, attention to details and most importantly to think outside the box.

“So, we are here today not just to celebrate the international World Chess Day, but also to encourage youths to embrace this noble game.

“They say it is a game for geniuses, but it’s actually for everyone because today, we are celebrating the fact that we are family,” she said.

Selong who is also the CEO of Rupetta Academy, the organisers of the World Chess Day Tournament, said there was a need to create more awareness about the game in the country.

She said the game needed to be introduced into the curriculum of schools, and parents should be encouraged to enroll their kids into chess clubs, to teach them the skills.

Selong also said that her academy was doing a lot in this regard, adding that they were set to also organise a maiden Summer Tech, Swimming, Coding and Chess programme for kids between six and 12 years old.

“They learn skills they will need to become fantastic leaders tomorrow such as coordination, focus, discipline, concentration, paying attention to details, amongst others.

“I am sure these are familiar words in curriculum vitaes nowadays when one is applying for a new job.

“So, we are here to teach these children these skills because I am a firm believer in the notion that practice makes perfect,” she said.

Bode Durotoye, Chairman, Technical, Nigeria Chess Federation, emphasised on the need for children to learn the game at a very young age.

“This is because it is going to be a gift for life. Chess is life generally and as you develop in life, you develop in the game too.

“I met a young lady here at the age of 10. She was crying after I defeated her, but I had to pet and encourage her that the game of chess was a continuous process.

“You win today, you lose tomorrow. These are the kind of values which the game of chess builds in the lives of children.

“Life is not always rosy, you can be good today, tomorrow is a different situation,” he said.

Anthony Ogor, Chairman, Zalika Chess Club, Abuja, on his part said chess had always been a fun and a game of kings.

“When you play chess, there is this aura of reputation that goes with it. When you see the class of people that play chess, you will quickly attribute intelligence to them.

“Besides that, internally, what chess does to you is that it gives you that air of confidence, especially when you are faced with challenges or troubles.

“Whatever it is, you are able to come up with quick solutions with even few options available to you,” he said.

For eight-year-old chess champion, Ivie Urieto, playing the game made her imbibe the values of discipline, timeliness, politeness and obedience.

“I was introduced to chess by my father at the age of four and I always watched him while he played the game; that was how I fell in love with the game.

“My dream is to represent Nigeria in various International competitions and become a grand master in the next five years,” she said.

Joshua Adejo, a Senior champion, who emerged the winner of the event’s biggest prize, said he was elated to have won in spite of all odds against him.

“I started the game awkwardly but I was able to gain some momentum with my play and deliver those wins at the very critical moments when it mattered most,” he said.

NAN also reports that about 50 players participated in the tournament with mouth-watering prizes awarded to winners in different categories.

The general and female categories both had a prize purse of N100,000 each spread across different winners.

The children category had a N100,000 cash donation with exercise books, mathset and other learning materials.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

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IMG rewards shareholders with N208.1m dividend

Industrial and Medical Gases Nigeria Plc (IMG) has rewarded its shareholders with dividend worth N208.12 million for 2022 financial year.

According to the company, this translates to 40 kobo per ordinary share as against a stock dividend of one for every five shares held in 2021.

IMG Acting Chairman, Mr Aminu Ado, at its 64th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos, assured the shareholders that the company would continue to embark on revenue generating capital expenditure to boost its earnings in 2023.

Ado revealed that IMG profit before tax grew by 27.56 per cent to N704 million in December 2022, as against N552 million in the corresponding period in 2021.

He said its earnings per share stood at 90 kobo, compared to 89 kobo in the previous year and its net profit shot up by 20.52 per cent to N448 million from N372 million in 2021.

Ado noted that the year 2022 was a challenging but successful year for the company.

He, however, stated that the company’s superior performance was made possible by the collective efforts of all its stakeholders.

“The board would continue to support management’s drive on aggressive marketing of its products, improve service delivery, reduce overheads, develop new markets and introduce new and innovative products.

“These activities, we believe, will back-up management’s drive to sustain and improve shareholder value in 2023,” he said.

IMG Managing Director, Mr Ayodeji Oseni, said key drivers of the company’s impressive performance include strategic implementation and other initiatives.

According to him, the company placed high premium on strategic business development initiatives and was a customer-focused organisation.

“Our operations are based on integrated marketing and selling solutions in the market place.

“The adoption of a deliberate cost reduction policy and focused improvements in our processes is to ensure that plant capacity utilisation play a major role in our performance.

“We value our staff and constantly empower them in addition to ensuring continuous improvement in our internal efficiencies across the business,” he said.

Meanwhile, some elated shareholders of the company extolled its performance and its delivery of brand promise, in spite of the inclement operating environment .

President, Noble Shareholders Association of Nigeria, Mr Mathew Akinlade, said the company performed well in spite of issues of inflation, foreign exchange scarcity, insecurities and other challenges.

“Gross revenue rose by 44 per cent and though the cost of sales increased by 56 per cent, the company is generous to give a very good return of 40 kobo dividend per share.

“It means the board and management care for its shareholders,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the company, which rebranded from BOC Gases Nigeria Plc, continues to strengthen its global competitiveness on a sustainable basis, irrespective of the nature of the operating environment.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria