Wednesday, 15 February 2017
PDP’s present state makes me weep, says Ekwueme
Alex Ekwueme. PHOTO: AFP
Former Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, says the present state of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) draws him close to tears.
Ekwueme, who spoke yesterday in Enugu when members of the Strategy Review and Inter Party Affairs Committee of the party visited to present their report to him, noted that the vision of the party’s founding fathers was to have a mass movement, not just a political grouping tailored after the African National Congress (ANC) in South Africa.
He, however, regretted that greed, imposition, indiscipline, lack of internal democracy and other vices had robbed the party of its fortunes.
Stating that the mass movement was one that could control political power for over 50 years, the elder statesman added that the party lost the vision when some politicians, who were not around during its formation, moved in and “converted it into a personal estate.”
His words: “The story of PDP is one that sometimes makes me try to weep each time I remember the party because the founding fathers said that we are going to be in charge for 50 years or more. The idea of the PDP is not just an ordinary party but a mass movement for all Nigerians, just the like the ANC.”
Ekwueme said the ugly erosion of values first manifested in his home state of Anambra, where the re-registration exercise excluded members. The poor handling of the grievances, he added, paved the way for mass defection and anger among stalwarts.
The former vice president stated that it was only former President Musa Yar’Adua that initiated a genuine move to reconcile aggrieved members by touring the six geo-political zones, regretting however, that death could not allow him implement fully his programme of restoration.
Leader of the delegation, Alhaji Aminu Wali, pointed out that that the impunities made the party to lose the 2015 general elections to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Also member of the team, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi, said the PDP was meant for everybody, apologising to Nigerians on the areas the party may have failed to meet their expectations.
He declared that the grouping was now “a born again party” poised to win the 2019 general elections, adding that the PDP was not factionalised but united under the Senator Ahmed Makarafi-led caretaker committee.
Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2lN9xhd
Lasun chides ECOWAS over disdain for huge role of Nigeria (Read full details)
Soldiers of the Nigerian Special Boat Service (SBS) stand guard as people wait for the arrival of President Adama Barrow (not pictured) at the airport in Banjul on January 26, 2017.<br />Jubilant Gambians on Janauary 26 welcomed home their new President Adama Barrow, who was elected almost two months ago but forced to flee to Senegal when his predecessor refused to step aside. Dressed in flowing white robes and cap, Barrow stepped off the plane, with heavily-armed troops from Senegal and Nigeria standing by as he flew in from Dakar where he had taken shelter on January 15./ AFP PHOTO / CARL DE SOUZA
The First Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Yusuf Sulaiman Lasun, yesterday, angrily left a session of the parliament, in protest against what he described as lack of appreciation of Nigeria’s huge role in the body.
Lasun’s action was provoked by the statement of a Senegalese member of parliament (MP), Ibrahima Baba Sall, who ranked the contributions of his country in resolving the Gambian crisis above that of Nigeria.
Expressing his displeasure, Lasun told the parliamentarians that Nigeria’s famed ‘big brother’ role in the continent may be reviewed, if it is not properly recognised.
According to Lasun, President Muhammadu Buhari’s frenetic activities during the recent Gambian crisis might have contributed to his current health challenges.
He advised the commission to visit the Acting President and write a letter wishing Buhari quick recovery.
While speaking to newsmen after he left the session, Lasun, lamented the disdain meted out to Nigeria despite funding ECOWAS by about 80 per cent. “If our leaders and Nigeria are not being accorded proper recognition, why are we here then?”
Vía Uzomedia http://ift.tt/2llVVsf
Lasun chides ECOWAS over disdain for huge role of Nigeria
Soldiers of the Nigerian Special Boat Service (SBS) stand guard as people wait for the arrival of President Adama Barrow (not pictured) at the airport in Banjul on January 26, 2017.<br />Jubilant Gambians on Janauary 26 welcomed home their new President Adama Barrow, who was elected almost two months ago but forced to flee to Senegal when his predecessor refused to step aside. Dressed in flowing white robes and cap, Barrow stepped off the plane, with heavily-armed troops from Senegal and Nigeria standing by as he flew in from Dakar where he had taken shelter on January 15./ AFP PHOTO / CARL DE SOUZA
The First Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Yusuf Sulaiman Lasun, yesterday, angrily left a session of the parliament, in protest against what he described as lack of appreciation of Nigeria’s huge role in the body.
Lasun’s action was provoked by the statement of a Senegalese member of parliament (MP), Ibrahima Baba Sall, who ranked the contributions of his country in resolving the Gambian crisis above that of Nigeria.
Expressing his displeasure, Lasun told the parliamentarians that Nigeria’s famed ‘big brother’ role in the continent may be reviewed, if it is not properly recognised.
According to Lasun, President Muhammadu Buhari’s frenetic activities during the recent Gambian crisis might have contributed to his current health challenges.
He advised the commission to visit the Acting President and write a letter wishing Buhari quick recovery.
While speaking to newsmen after he left the session, Lasun, lamented the disdain meted out to Nigeria despite funding ECOWAS by about 80 per cent. “If our leaders and Nigeria are not being accorded proper recognition, why are we here then?”
Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2kMjJ5o
FG’s intervention in Arik belated, says Senate (Read full details)
PHOTO: Arik Air
AMCON rules out airline as national carrier
The Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions yesterday reviewed the ugly details that crippled the operations of Arik Air and submitted that the intervention announced by the Federal Government last week was late and belated.
The committee, which however expressed support for the intervention noted that the airline could have averted the unfortunate situation if it had paid attention to issues of financial management and applied best practices fiscal management.
Chairman of the committee, Rafiu Ibrahim said the Senate had always stood in support of policies that would promote the welfare and living standards of Nigerians.
This was just as the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) informed the committee that government’s intervention in the affairs of the airline was not intended to acquire and convert it to a national carrier but to protect the workers from losing their jobs.
AMCON’s Managing Director, Ahmed Kuru, revealed that contrary to earlier claims, the troubled airline is owing AMCON N147 billion and other local banks to the tune of at least N165 billion adding that the foreign debts of the airline stood at $81 million.
The AMCON boss also told the committee members that the airline is owing over 2,000 staff seven months salary arrears. He said negotiations were currently ongoing on how to immediately resolve the arrears.
Kuru also revealed that of the 30 aircraft owned by Arik, only 10 were operational. According to him, the airline frequently relied on collection of ticket fees from passengers before they could buy aviation fuel. He partly blamed the incessant cancellation and delay of flight on its inability to buy aviation fuel.
Kuru, while dismissing claims that the Federal Government was planning to make the airline a national carrier, said it was too problematic for any government to handle.
He said within the next two to three weeks, the new management of the airline will put 15 to 16 aircraft back to the 18 nationwide routes.
He said: “Within the next two to three weeks, Arik Air should have up to 15 or 16 aircrafts flying. Arik Air cannot compete internationally.
They do not have the kind of services other airlines have.
“Despite all the things we have done to ensure that Arik Air stays in business, they have not done their part in meeting their own obligations.
“They have refused to pay salaries and also refused to ensure that their loans are repaid. We could not just sit back and allow an important airline with about 30 aircrafts and covers 55 per cent of all routes in Nigeria to go down. From the records, Arik makes over N7 billion annually.’’
Newly appointed chief executive officer of the airline, Mr. Roy Ilegbodu, who described the state of the airline as alarming disclosed that its performance stood at 15 per cent as against 25 per cent minimal requirement in the aviation sector.
Apart from AMCON, Arik is also currently indebted to Standard Chartered, Zenith Bank, Ecobank and Access Bank.
Vía Uzomedia http://ift.tt/2lajbHI
‘We won’t accept all manner of sponsors in 2018’…See full details
All Kenyans….First set of marathoners racing towards the Eko Atlantic finish point in the second Access Bank Lagos City Marathon last weekend. Photo: Ayodele Adeniran
With the euphoria over the 2017 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon still spreading, the event’s Main Organising Committee (MOC) has said that its doors for more partners would only be opened to corporate bodies that can complement its effort in keeping the event world-class.
The second edition of the marathon, which attracted over 55,000 runners from different parts of the globe, took place last weekend with Kenyan athletes sweeping the top prizes in both male and female categories.
While many companies are already jostling to be part of the 2018 edition, some are said to be embarking on what an official described as ‘ambush’ marketing.
However, the Executive Director, Personal Banking of Access Bank, Mr. Victor Etuokwu, who headed the MOC for the marathon, told The Guardian that as much as they want more sponsors to be part of subsequent editions, they would continue to thread with caution. “We are mindful of the standard we have already set and where we are going. The second edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon was a remarkable improvement on the first edition, and we hope to keep the momentum. It will be much better in 2018, and one of the ways is to make sure that only those who can make it a world-class marathon will be involved. The kind of partners we need are those who can ‘run the race’ in accordance with our laid down procedures.”
Speaking further, Etuokwu said that organizing a world-class event like a marathon race usually comes with its big challenges. “Governor Ambode made it clear from the beginning that our aim is to make the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon among the top 10 in the World. It has the potential to promote sports as well as tourism, fitness, competitiveness and healthy living.
“Lagos, being the Center of Excellence, should be emulated by other states. I want other state governors and political leaders in Nigeria to take a cue from Governor Ambode and arrest unemployment, solve problems of criminality and generally engage our youth with road races and marathon.
Etuokwu also spoke on the challenges of organizing the marathon: “You cannot organize something of this nature without having one or two challenges. The major challenge, especially in this part of the world, is being able to have the right tools and equipment to organize a world-class event. Most of the equipment is not easy to find, and if you find them, they are a bit expensive to organize.
“The second is funding, although the sponsors answered the funding question, while the third is just having to educate the people about it, how to prepare for the marathon and how to organize yourself for a marathon. So, a lot of effort was put in planning from the start point to the finish.
“The massive turn out of runners comes with huge logistics, and the right people to manage it. It was nothing really out of the ordinary, but we thank God that we had the right people, the right partners, and we had the right host, the Lagos State Government and especially the governor, who was personally involved and personally interested in ensuring that Lagos made the best out of it. As you know, the governor is keen on making Lagos a travel destination and making Lagos the best city in the world. That can only happen when you have the right partners and the right people working with you either as a committee or directly,” he stated.
According to a study by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s Regional Economics Applications Laboratory, in 2013, the Chicago Marathon generated $253.49 million in total business activity to the Chicago economy, which is an equivalent of 1,742 full-time jobs and $85.94 million worth of wages and salary income.
The 119th Boston Marathon of April 20, 2015, and surrounding Marathon-related events, including the John Hancock Sports & Fitness Expo and the B.A.A. 5K, was estimated to have enriched the city with $181.9 million (USD), according to reports.
The London Marathon generated £110.1 million worth of economic activity in the United Kingdom last year, while spending in the capital by marathon runners, spectators, organizers and visitors was worth £31.7 million, according to a report.
For Etuokwu, however, the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, though still at infancy, has a lot of economic benefits for the state and the people, particularly the health implications of the marathon.
Etuokwu said: “Health they say is wealth. A healthy nation will definitely be productive and by extension prosperous. We want Lagosians to always stay healthy. By organising this marathon, Governor Ambode is not only promoting sports and tourism but also ensuring he governs a healthy community of people.”
Vía Uzomedia http://ift.tt/2kMa2Ee
Ministers’ aides treated me like common criminal, says Bash Alli…See full details
Bash Alli receiving treatment in hospital
‘He is seeking attention’
Former World Cruiserweight boxing champion, Bash Alli, has accused Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung, of luring him to his office to assault him and treat him like a common criminal. But the office of the minister has denied the allegation, saying Alli is seeking attention.
Alli had in a text message to The Guardian alleged that the minister lured him to his office to conclude plans with officials of the Bank of Industry (BOI) on his pet project, the Guinness Book of World Record boxing bout to be staged in Nigeria.
“After waiting for over three hours, I and six members of the LOC went to remind his personal assistant that we were still waiting when a European identified as an ambassador came and was ushered in,” Alli said.
He alleged that when he tried to find out why the European was being given preferential treatment, rather than educate him on the procedure, “the police behind hit me in the head with the butt of his gun and the other police hit my back. I collapsed and was revived at the ministry’s clinic.
“Now, I am on admission at the Trauma Ward, National Hospital, Abuja.
All he is pleading is for Nigerians to find out from the minister or his aides what offence he has committed to warrant such treatment.
Reacting to Alli’s allegation yesterday, the Special Assistant on Media to minister, Nneka Ikem Anibeze, described the text message as an unsubstantiated claim with intent to deceive the public.
According to the SA Media: “Ali came to see the Minister and was told to wait at the minister’s waiting room with the 10 people who accompanied him.
She said: “The Hungarian Ambassador to Nigeria, Prof. Gabor Ternak who had an earlier appointment for 2.00 p.m. arrived a few minutes later and was ushered in by the Protocol officer. Bash Ali barricaded the entrance to the office of the minister with the men who accompanied him as he questioned why the ambassador would be allowed to see the minister while he, who came earlier was not given access.
“The uniformed security tried to persuade Alli and his men to leave the minister’s secretary’s office but to no avail. The boxer who was carrying a file and mobile phone carefully went to the secretary’s table to drop his valuables and then fell flat on his back across the doorway.
“Bash Ali was neither touched, shoved nor manhandled by security operatives of the minister. He feigned that he had been beaten up but we challenge him to produce physical evidence of assault, gun butt bumps, and bruises, swelling or otherwise as being presented to the public.
“He has a record of such antics following his despair to defend a world boxing title at over 60.
“In 2013, he alleged that he was beaten up by security operatives of the then Minister of Youth and Sports, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi. In 2015, the WBF cruiser weight boxing champion was detained in Kuje prison following an altercation with the MD of a bank over funds for his title fight.”
Anibeze described Ali as an attention seeker who would stop at nothing to get funds for a purported World Guinness book of records fight.
“He needs to find alternative means of raising money for this World Guinness book of records title fight as government is finding it difficult to sustain programs on the sports calendar of sports federations at this time of recession let alone a title fight by a professional boxer.
“His allegation of assault by security personnel of the minister is cheap blackmail and won’t fly. Moreover, his forceful attempt to stop the Hungarian ambassador from gaining entry to the minister’s office is a national embarrassment by a legendary boxer like Bash and he should tender an unreserved apology for his public misbehavior,”Anibeze said.
The incident has already been reported to the police while other security agencies have been duly notified.
Vía Uzomedia http://ift.tt/2kM9KNL
Saraki, Dogara, others visit Buhari in London (Read full details)
President Buhari receiveing Senate President Bukola Saraki, Speaker Yakubu Dogara and Senate Leader Senator Ahmed Lawan on Wednesday in London
• Senate pledges to reflect stakeholders’ views in 2017 budget
• Calls for sack of FERMA boss over poor state of roads
The National Assembly leadership of Senate President Bukola Saraki, Speaker, House of Representatives, Mr. Yakubu Dogara and others, yesterday left for London on a visit to President Muhammadu Buhari, undergoing a medical vacation.
According to National Assembly sources, President Buhari was said to have invited Saraki over to London. But Saraki, the source said, was not willing to undertake the trip alone and therefore reached out to Dogara and others.
The lawmakers were said to have left Abuja yesterday morning and arrived London in the afternoon.
Saraki and Dogara had last week disclosed that they had telephone conversations with Buhari amid speculations about the state of his health.
While Saraki said he spoke with Buhari, Dogara on his part said the president called him and discussed issues affecting the welfare of Nigerians with him.
Meanwhile, the Senate Committee on Appropriations yesterday assured major stakeholders of its commitment to incorporating submissions made by them during its three-day public hearing in the 2017 Appropriation Bill.
The Chairman of the Committee Senator Danjuma Goje disclosed this at the end of the public hearing in Abuja that the submissions made by the stakeholders were very germane to tackling the current economic challenges including recession.
He added that the committee would write a report from about 44 submissions made by over 60 stakeholders, who attended the public hearing.
Meanwhile, for not utilising the N10 billion voted for road rehabilitation across the country, the Senate and House of Representatives’ joint committee on federal roads maintenance yesterday called for the removal of the Acting Managing Director of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Peter Ibu.
The problem for the FERMA Acting MD started when a member of the committee, Magaji Aliyu, representing Birnin Kudu/Buji Federal constituency drew the attention of other members to the non-utilisation of the N10 billion released to FERMA for road rehabilitation across the country last year in spite of poor condition of federal roads generally.
Aliyu blamed the agency for the huge cases of road accidents and deaths on the highways.
Vía Uzomedia http://ift.tt/2kM4qd0
FG’s intervention in Arik belated, says Senate
PHOTO: Arik Air
AMCON rules out airline as national carrier
The Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions yesterday reviewed the ugly details that crippled the operations of Arik Air and submitted that the intervention announced by the Federal Government last week was late and belated.
The committee, which however expressed support for the intervention noted that the airline could have averted the unfortunate situation if it had paid attention to issues of financial management and applied best practices fiscal management.
Chairman of the committee, Rafiu Ibrahim said the Senate had always stood in support of policies that would promote the welfare and living standards of Nigerians.
This was just as the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) informed the committee that government’s intervention in the affairs of the airline was not intended to acquire and convert it to a national carrier but to protect the workers from losing their jobs.
AMCON’s Managing Director, Ahmed Kuru, revealed that contrary to earlier claims, the troubled airline is owing AMCON N147 billion and other local banks to the tune of at least N165 billion adding that the foreign debts of the airline stood at $81 million.
The AMCON boss also told the committee members that the airline is owing over 2,000 staff seven months salary arrears. He said negotiations were currently ongoing on how to immediately resolve the arrears.
Kuru also revealed that of the 30 aircraft owned by Arik, only 10 were operational. According to him, the airline frequently relied on collection of ticket fees from passengers before they could buy aviation fuel. He partly blamed the incessant cancellation and delay of flight on its inability to buy aviation fuel.
Kuru, while dismissing claims that the Federal Government was planning to make the airline a national carrier, said it was too problematic for any government to handle.
He said within the next two to three weeks, the new management of the airline will put 15 to 16 aircraft back to the 18 nationwide routes.
He said: “Within the next two to three weeks, Arik Air should have up to 15 or 16 aircrafts flying. Arik Air cannot compete internationally.
They do not have the kind of services other airlines have.
“Despite all the things we have done to ensure that Arik Air stays in business, they have not done their part in meeting their own obligations.
“They have refused to pay salaries and also refused to ensure that their loans are repaid. We could not just sit back and allow an important airline with about 30 aircrafts and covers 55 per cent of all routes in Nigeria to go down. From the records, Arik makes over N7 billion annually.’’
Newly appointed chief executive officer of the airline, Mr. Roy Ilegbodu, who described the state of the airline as alarming disclosed that its performance stood at 15 per cent as against 25 per cent minimal requirement in the aviation sector.
Apart from AMCON, Arik is also currently indebted to Standard Chartered, Zenith Bank, Ecobank and Access Bank.
Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2lTfJjF
Police arrest Isheri North kidnap ‘kingpin’ in Ogun
The suspect
• Epe abductors demand N50m ransom for farm workers
The alleged mastermind of the kidnap of Lagos Isheri North Estate Secretary, Dayo Adekoya, Joseph Omoni, has been arrested. He was arrested by operatives of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Intelligence Response Team (IRT), led by Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Abba Kyari.
The 38-year-old suspect, who hails from Ajapa community, Ese in Ondo State, was arrested in Century Village, Ogijo town, in Ogun State. The suspect was alleged to have also participated in the kidnap of the Nigerian Turkish school girls and officials and also the December kidnapping operation at Ikorodu, where a popular TV presenter, Aisha Ali-Balogun, was killed.
The suspect confessed that he only got N250,000 from the ransom paid for the release of the Isheri North estate secretary. “I got N250,000 from the ransom because the sum paid was too small, but for the Nigerian Turkish International College, I got N2 million. I was also involved in the kidnap on Ikorodu Road, where Aisha Balogun was killed. We didn’t know her until we read in the papers that she was a TV presenter. I got about N1 million from that ransom.
“I cannot say what really happened during the Isheri North kidnap. Though we exchanged fire while escaping with the man, but we read in the papers that three security men were killed. Well, I cannot say that I regret everything because I was able to build houses with the money I got from the Nigerian Turkish school. I bought tiles, windows and other accessories to complete my house at Century Village, in Ogijo community,” he said.
In another development, abductors of the two members of Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) and five farm workers of Eliasa Livestock farm, who were kidnapped in Igbodu area of Epe on Tuesday have demanded the sum of N50 million as ransom from families of their victims.
His house where he was arrested
The gunmen, it was learnt, contacted the manager of the farm using the phone of one of the victims yesterday and asked for a whooping N50 million for their seven victims.
According to the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 2 command, Mr. Kayode Aderanti, “we are going to rescue the victims alive. We are doing everything to police that area; but the major problem in that part of the state is that the area is porous. It gives room for kidnapping to thrive.
“We will police that area 24 hours every day but my advice to business owners and school operators is that they should be security conscious and do their background checks on anybody they want to employ. We are also going to do our own job to see to the release of the victims without paying a dime to the abductors,” he said.
A senior police officer, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said: “On February 14, around 4a.m. after unrelenting follow up by IRT with technical intelligence unit, one of the Isheri Estate secretary and Turkish school kids kidnappers, Joseph Omoni, was arrested.”
The police officer said one kingpin simply identified as ‘chairman’ has also been identified to be hiding in the same Century Village at Ogijo, but assured that he would soon be arrested as detectives has condone off the area. He said the police were making effort to apprehend other members of the gang.
Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2lTpnCR
‘We won’t accept all manner of sponsors in 2018’
All Kenyans….First set of marathoners racing towards the Eko Atlantic finish point in the second Access Bank Lagos City Marathon last weekend. Photo: Ayodele Adeniran
With the euphoria over the 2017 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon still spreading, the event’s Main Organising Committee (MOC) has said that its doors for more partners would only be opened to corporate bodies that can complement its effort in keeping the event world-class.
The second edition of the marathon, which attracted over 55,000 runners from different parts of the globe, took place last weekend with Kenyan athletes sweeping the top prizes in both male and female categories.
While many companies are already jostling to be part of the 2018 edition, some are said to be embarking on what an official described as ‘ambush’ marketing.
However, the Executive Director, Personal Banking of Access Bank, Mr. Victor Etuokwu, who headed the MOC for the marathon, told The Guardian that as much as they want more sponsors to be part of subsequent editions, they would continue to thread with caution. “We are mindful of the standard we have already set and where we are going. The second edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon was a remarkable improvement on the first edition, and we hope to keep the momentum. It will be much better in 2018, and one of the ways is to make sure that only those who can make it a world-class marathon will be involved. The kind of partners we need are those who can ‘run the race’ in accordance with our laid down procedures.”
Speaking further, Etuokwu said that organizing a world-class event like a marathon race usually comes with its big challenges. “Governor Ambode made it clear from the beginning that our aim is to make the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon among the top 10 in the World. It has the potential to promote sports as well as tourism, fitness, competitiveness and healthy living.
“Lagos, being the Center of Excellence, should be emulated by other states. I want other state governors and political leaders in Nigeria to take a cue from Governor Ambode and arrest unemployment, solve problems of criminality and generally engage our youth with road races and marathon.
Etuokwu also spoke on the challenges of organizing the marathon: “You cannot organize something of this nature without having one or two challenges. The major challenge, especially in this part of the world, is being able to have the right tools and equipment to organize a world-class event. Most of the equipment is not easy to find, and if you find them, they are a bit expensive to organize.
“The second is funding, although the sponsors answered the funding question, while the third is just having to educate the people about it, how to prepare for the marathon and how to organize yourself for a marathon. So, a lot of effort was put in planning from the start point to the finish.
“The massive turn out of runners comes with huge logistics, and the right people to manage it. It was nothing really out of the ordinary, but we thank God that we had the right people, the right partners, and we had the right host, the Lagos State Government and especially the governor, who was personally involved and personally interested in ensuring that Lagos made the best out of it. As you know, the governor is keen on making Lagos a travel destination and making Lagos the best city in the world. That can only happen when you have the right partners and the right people working with you either as a committee or directly,” he stated.
According to a study by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s Regional Economics Applications Laboratory, in 2013, the Chicago Marathon generated $253.49 million in total business activity to the Chicago economy, which is an equivalent of 1,742 full-time jobs and $85.94 million worth of wages and salary income.
The 119th Boston Marathon of April 20, 2015, and surrounding Marathon-related events, including the John Hancock Sports & Fitness Expo and the B.A.A. 5K, was estimated to have enriched the city with $181.9 million (USD), according to reports.
The London Marathon generated £110.1 million worth of economic activity in the United Kingdom last year, while spending in the capital by marathon runners, spectators, organizers and visitors was worth £31.7 million, according to a report.
For Etuokwu, however, the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, though still at infancy, has a lot of economic benefits for the state and the people, particularly the health implications of the marathon.
Etuokwu said: “Health they say is wealth. A healthy nation will definitely be productive and by extension prosperous. We want Lagosians to always stay healthy. By organising this marathon, Governor Ambode is not only promoting sports and tourism but also ensuring he governs a healthy community of people.”
Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2lTzTdr
Ministers’ aides treated me like common criminal, says Bash Alli
Bash Alli receiving treatment in hospital
‘He is seeking attention’
Former World Cruiserweight boxing champion, Bash Alli, has accused Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung, of luring him to his office to assault him and treat him like a common criminal. But the office of the minister has denied the allegation, saying Alli is seeking attention.
Alli had in a text message to The Guardian alleged that the minister lured him to his office to conclude plans with officials of the Bank of Industry (BOI) on his pet project, the Guinness Book of World Record boxing bout to be staged in Nigeria.
“After waiting for over three hours, I and six members of the LOC went to remind his personal assistant that we were still waiting when a European identified as an ambassador came and was ushered in,” Alli said.
He alleged that when he tried to find out why the European was being given preferential treatment, rather than educate him on the procedure, “the police behind hit me in the head with the butt of his gun and the other police hit my back. I collapsed and was revived at the ministry’s clinic.
“Now, I am on admission at the Trauma Ward, National Hospital, Abuja.
All he is pleading is for Nigerians to find out from the minister or his aides what offence he has committed to warrant such treatment.
Reacting to Alli’s allegation yesterday, the Special Assistant on Media to minister, Nneka Ikem Anibeze, described the text message as an unsubstantiated claim with intent to deceive the public.
According to the SA Media: “Ali came to see the Minister and was told to wait at the minister’s waiting room with the 10 people who accompanied him.
She said: “The Hungarian Ambassador to Nigeria, Prof. Gabor Ternak who had an earlier appointment for 2.00 p.m. arrived a few minutes later and was ushered in by the Protocol officer. Bash Ali barricaded the entrance to the office of the minister with the men who accompanied him as he questioned why the ambassador would be allowed to see the minister while he, who came earlier was not given access.
“The uniformed security tried to persuade Alli and his men to leave the minister’s secretary’s office but to no avail. The boxer who was carrying a file and mobile phone carefully went to the secretary’s table to drop his valuables and then fell flat on his back across the doorway.
“Bash Ali was neither touched, shoved nor manhandled by security operatives of the minister. He feigned that he had been beaten up but we challenge him to produce physical evidence of assault, gun butt bumps, and bruises, swelling or otherwise as being presented to the public.
“He has a record of such antics following his despair to defend a world boxing title at over 60.
“In 2013, he alleged that he was beaten up by security operatives of the then Minister of Youth and Sports, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi. In 2015, the WBF cruiser weight boxing champion was detained in Kuje prison following an altercation with the MD of a bank over funds for his title fight.”
Anibeze described Ali as an attention seeker who would stop at nothing to get funds for a purported World Guinness book of records fight.
“He needs to find alternative means of raising money for this World Guinness book of records title fight as government is finding it difficult to sustain programs on the sports calendar of sports federations at this time of recession let alone a title fight by a professional boxer.
“His allegation of assault by security personnel of the minister is cheap blackmail and won’t fly. Moreover, his forceful attempt to stop the Hungarian ambassador from gaining entry to the minister’s office is a national embarrassment by a legendary boxer like Bash and he should tender an unreserved apology for his public misbehavior,”Anibeze said.
The incident has already been reported to the police while other security agencies have been duly notified.
Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2lk1dVJ
At centenary, stakeholders laud Union Bank’s rebranding (Read full details)
Chairman, Union Bank, Cyril Odu (left); Non-Executive Director, Mrs. Nike Akande; Chief Executive Officer, Emeka Emuwa; Executive Director, Corporate Banking, Emeka Okonkwo, at the official launch of the banks 100 -year anniversary
Union Bank Plc’s rebranding strategy at the dawn of its 100 years of operations in Nigeria has ensured improved customer satisfaction, a hallmark of new generation banking system.
Starting from the change of its popularly mantra, “Big, Strong, Reliable” to “Building Simpler, Smarter Bank”, the strategy has gradually phased out the slow-paced analogue banking, with simpler and smarter products, services and processes.
This has also resulted in the opening of new branches, remodeling of existing ones across the country and launch of electronic-driven products to deepen financial inclusion project of the Federal Government.
The Managing Director of the bank, Emeka Emuwa, said the critical milestone achieved, with efforts aimed at returning the financial institution to path of sustainability in the last few years, culminated in the rebranding.
At the kickoff of the centenary event, Emuwa explained that with a defined business model focused on customer segments across retail, commercial and corporate banking, the bank is now positioned to deliver simpler, smarter services to all its customers.
The company is also relying on technology to enhance its customer service, maintain a reliable banking platform and roll out new products, especially in the retail space.
“One hundred years is no easy feat for any institution, and I am proud to be a part of this milestone achievement at Union Bank. While we will celebrate our past achievements, this milestone also signals the start of our legacy for the next 100 years,” he said.
According to him, the launch of this refreshed identity signals a new phase in the bank’s transformation, setting sights on attracting a new base of customers, while remaining focused on providing simple and smart banking solutions to all our customers.
“Union Bank has been a trusted name for Nigerians in a century and we will continue to leverage our heritage as we embrace a rapidly changing world.
“I know and understand the bank. I know the hard work it has taken to get us this far. But from today, a new chapter has been opened. It also requires more hard work,” he added.
A former chairman of the bank, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, said: “I am very proud of the strides that the bank made during my time as chairman and I commend the board, management and staff for their hard work over the years. I am sure the bank will continue to succeed as it embarks on a new phase with a refreshed brand identity.”
The refreshed financial institution got its rebranding impetus in 2012, following a $500 million investment in the bank from Union Global Partners Limited, a private equity consortium.
It has also received added financial strength to participate in several loan syndications and financing of major development projects like the N94.6 billion medium term loan syndication for indigenous downstream oil major for Oando Plc.
It was learnt that the bank is now deepening its positive social impact, by adopting schools, like Maryam Alooma Muhktar Girls Secondary School, Kano, as part of activities to engage children on aspects of financial education including saving, creating livelihoods, gaining employment and entrepreneurship.
The Head of Corporate Communications, Ogochukwu Ekezie-Ekaidem, at the launch of the bank’s new look, had told The Guardian: “Our new identity pays homage to our past and carries with it our proposition for the future. In developing the new identity, remaining true to our brand proposition of simplicity was foremost in our minds.
“Our iconic white stallion, which represents strength and passion, is now in motion, with energy and dynamism….we have included patterns to infuse a contemporary feel to the overall identity.”
Since then, the bank has received several commendations for impactful outcome of the rebranding on its operations.
After inspecting the new look facility, Kaduna State Accountant-General, Umar Hassan Waziri, who unveiled the upgraded branch at Ahmadu Bello Way, said it promised to revolutionise banking in Nigeria.
A customer of the bank, Mrs. Fatima Olowokore, said: “Initially, I saw Union Bank as an archaic institution, but when I started banking with it over two years now, I discovered that it has embraced new generation way of banking.”
But for the Managing Director, Arewa Metal Company, Joachim Daudu, “I abandoned my Union Bank account for 18 years because of time wasting, but a friend encouraged me recently because he was able to access the services less than five minutes.”
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Food, transport prices rise as inflation surges by 0.17 per cent (Read full details)
PHOTO: Travelstart Nigeria
Economist blames high interest rates, cost of production, naira depreciation
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) yesterday said that January inflation rate rose to18. 72 per cent, indicating a year-on-year rise pattern since 2016.
The details of the NBS Consumer Price Index (CPI) for January made available to The Guardian yesterday indicated that the inflation rate is higher than that of December 2016 by 0.17 per cent at 18.55 per cent.
NBS added that communication and restaurants and hotels again recorded the slowest pace of growth in January, growing at 5.1 percent and 8.4 percent (year-on-year) respectively.
According to the data, faster headline inflation, were noticed on food items such as bread and cereals, meat, fish.
Others are oils and fats, potatoes, yams and other tubers, wine and spirits, vehicle spare parts and fuels and lubricants for personal transport equipment, passenger transport by road were increased.
On a month-on-month basis, the data showed that headline inflation was driven by passenger transport by air, fuels and lubricants for personal transport equipment, liquid fuels, cooking gas, oils and fats, fruits, milk, cheese and eggs, fish, meat and bread and cereals.
Also, the NBS transport fare watch for January 2017 covering road, water, transportation, indicated that states with highest bus journey within city in January 2017 were Abuja, which charged up to N4, 960, followed by Adamawa, which charged N3, 500.45 and Lagos, which charged as much as N2, 207.14.
President of the Nigerian Society of Economists (NSE), Prof Ben Aigbokan, said the situation requires strong government approach.
Aigbokan said that government has to listen to the demands of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) over the need to reduce interest rates, maintaining that rates and high cost of production are two key issues driving inflation high.
The NSE chief said government also needs to increase the level of domestic production and look into further depreciation of the naira against the dollar. “It is having a negative effect on the economy and contributes to rising cost of imports.”
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