Saturday, 11 March 2017
A Woman’s Elegance
By Janet A
When a woman dresses badly you notice the clothes, when a woman dresses well you notice the woman —Coco Chane
That quote could not be further from the truth one of many quotes I admire. I believe that every woman is beautiful both inside and out; and therefore is royalty in her own right. It depends very much on how you think of yourself, treat yourself and love yourself. Royalty is holding yourself in high esteem by His Grace without pride or prejudice. Unfortunately, many of us are constantly down and demoralised, lack confidence, have a low self esteem and are most times indecisive about our future.
To be a great woman at whatever you do you will need etiquette elegance that stems from manner, Kindness, consideration, respect and honesty. Manners and etiquette work hand in hand, they are a result of a kind heart. If we were to measure the impact of etiquette and what it says about you the following will be the benchmark. In other words Your Etiquette tells us:
(a) Who you are;
(b) Your upbringing;
(c) The level of education you have attained;
(d) Your personality;
(e) Your family background;
(f) Your thought process (mind set);
(g) Your class or economic status;
(h) Your experiences (read, travel)
To improve your awareness of etiquette and achieve excellent manners, you need to expose yourself to elegance, being elegant and to elegant woman. An elegant woman is a gracious woman with values and care for others. Many would ask what is the essence of all this? Why can’t a woman be left to be who she is? Well it is important for a number of reasons including the ability to increase your confidence, polish and posture, have a competitive edge at work or in your industry, enhance your professionalism in your chosen field and promote a lasting image. Let me leave you with a few etiquette elegance tips for your consumption.
10 Etiquette Elegance Tips.
1.) Start from the Heart.
It is important to deal with the inside first so that the rest of your workings of elegant self (outside) will come with ease. When you smile, from your mouth, let it be seen in your eyes, your facial expression and in your speech.
People will be automatically attracted to you when your elegance comes from the heart.
2.) Your looks (Appearance)/ Posture.
A large chunk of about 55% of my first impression of you will come from your appearances: -Choose your clothes well, colour coordinate tops, bottoms, shoes. Do not wear ruffled clothing, keep your hair neat and well groomed.
Your feet should look glamorous, wear good shoes and keep toes well catered for.
3.) Your Posture
Stand elegantly, do not slouch, do not pick your nose or spit, watch your body language.
4.) Your Voice/Speed
Choose words with maturity, no insults, no slangs. Be friendly and have a light heart, do not name drop or speak with pride. Use magic words.ie, Please, Thank you, Excuse me, Hello.
5.)Your Mindset
Have a kind heart full of love, kindness, compassion, with no rudeness
Your attitude should be good with a lot of patience while you try to ignore faults.
6.) Choose Quality not Quantity
When purchasing for yourself or home appreciate good things like flowers, books, places and clothing, you should try to buy value for money. They should also be durable things not necessarily expensive.
7.)Invest in developing yourself
Acquire education or knowledge in a chosen interesting field. Develop your IQ, your and your intellect. Better still find a sport of interest and engage in it.
8.) Beauty
Aspire to always look good, don’t be lackadaisical about how you look or what you wear, don’t settle for less. Make up should be applied according to comfort. Plain faces make men look elsewhere when you are talking. Make your face, respectful, presentable.
9.) Elegant Home
For me simple and elegant is a catch, your home should always be clean, clutter free, organized and colour coordinated. Touch up your home with flowers and decorations of pleasure; add pictures of yourself, family or real antique. Appreciate good things while making your home welcoming for all especially your husband and partner.
10.) Elegant Entertainment
Finally an Elegant woman should have a heart of sharing, Invite friends and family home. Be that quintessential hostess, create social gatherings from there we learn a lot from one another.
I believe that every woman should strive for elegance, a trait that helps you create your Panache Advantage. Let me leave you with a personal quote of mine:
“Your Etiquette today will boost your personality and image, thus position you to become tomorrow’s successful leader”
— Janet Adetu.
The post A Woman’s Elegance appeared first on Vanguard News.
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Thursday, 9 March 2017
The 5Ps of effective procurement management
Proposal – The first essential ‘P’ to consider is proposal because it’s the primary document issued at an early stage in a procurement process. And it is sent to suppliers inviting them to submit a proposal to provide goods or services. So, to achieve a successful procurement project, proposal must be issued to ensure that responses from vendors meet the organization’s needs and are structured in a way that allows the organization to easily compare proposals and contract the right vendor.
Planning – The second ‘P’ is planning. To guarantee a successful procurement project, planning is very important. Why? Because it helps to decide what to buy, when and from what source. And it also helps to assign procurement method and the expectations for fulfillment of procurement requirements. Just like the saying, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” Careful preparations must be made ahead through effective procurement planning to avoid project failure.
Pricing – The third ‘P’ is price. Price is very important when it comes to procuring at a valuable cost. It might not be as glamorous as promotion, but it is the most important decision procurement personnel make. It is important because it represents vendors’ assessment of the value customers see in the product or service and are willing to pay for a product or service. So, the power and impact of pricing in procurement management cannot be ignored. By considering it, it will help gain price concession from your procurement vendor.
People – The fourth ‘P’ of procurement is people. A team of procurement personnel makes sure that the activities planned are carried out in line with current and existing requirements of the project. So securing the right people with the right skills cannot be ignored because it ensures the success of an effective procurement project.
Project Management – The fifth ‘P’ is project management. Managing procurement project ensures that purchased items which are selected and acquired according to the specifications and requirements are delivered on time. Meaning, project management is vital in achieving a successful procurement. Why? Because it helps to reduce the chance of a project failing; make things simpler and easier for procurement team with a single point of contact running the overall project. It also encourages consistent communications amongst staff and suppliers and help to keep costs, time frames and resources to budget. Regardless of what the specific goal at hand is, it is increasingly necessary that these key factors are in place to benefit from an effective procurement management.
Walter Emadiafe is the CEO of sapient Vendors
Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2m5EdWM
Saturday, 18 February 2017
Libyan deportation: 94 women, 18 children, suffered abuse- IOM
No fewer than 94 women and 18 children (nine children and nine infants), inclusive of the 161 Libyan returnees, have undergone traumatic physical abuse and are in dare need of rehabilitation.
The returnees, particularly the vulnerable ones (women and children), need help to reintegrate back into the society, Head of SubOffice,
International Organisation for Migration (IOM) Lagos, Nahashon Thuo, has said.
Minutes after arriving at the Murtala Murhammed (MM) Airport Lagos, with nothing but their clothes and the stipends given to them for transport back home, the joy of home coming and freedom finally gave way to the realisation of the life of hardship they have to face without any income here in Nigeria.
“It is painful that I will begin from scratch again with my unborn child,” Bridget Akeamo, one of the returnees who had become pregnant
in Libyan, said.
Bridget, an indigene of Anambra State, narrated how she left Nigeria in August last year in search of greener pasture, but was arrested while
trying to cross to Italy from Libya.
Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2lvilHx
Wednesday, 8 February 2017
NANS lauds University of Port Harcourt for recall of expelled students
University of Port Harcourt
Vice Chancellor of University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), Prof. Lale Ndokwa, has been lauded for the recall of some students earlier expelled by the institution.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), which gave the commendation, noted that the gesture has reinforced its confidence in the efficacy of peaceful resolution of crisis between its members and management in academic institutions.
In a statement signed by its national president, Mr. Chinonso Obasi, the association said it was gladdened specifically by the fact that the VC and management heeded its call to recall the students.
It, however, said it was still appealing for further downward review of the one-year suspension handed out to the recalcitrant students to a semester. It pointed out that the students have learnt some useful lessons from their travails.
“We hereby use the medium to urge Nigerian students at home and in the Diaspora to see dialogue and diplomacy as superior to violent agitations in resolving misunderstanding in academic institutions.
“NANS also condemns the action of some student leaders who stoke crisis in institutions of learning for their selfish reasons,” the statement added.
Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2lm9tot
Okorocha approves N2b agric empowerment loan scheme for security network personnel
Rochas Okorocha
Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State has approved the sum of N2 billion loans for disbursement to the officers and men of the state owned security outfit, Imo Community Watch (ICW).
Okorocha, who announced it while addressing the officials at the Heroes’ Square, Owerri, commended the security men for the feat they achieved in stemming insecurity in some volatile areas in the state, including the erstwhile militants in the oil bearing Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta Local Councils of the state.
He said the N2 billion approved would be disbursed to the security personnel for the agro programme of the Anchor Borrower’s for rice production out of the N9 billion approved by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), for the programme.
Okorocha said before he became governor, Imo was notorious for kidnapping, armed robbery and other heinous crimes.However, he noted that five years after his stewardship in the state, Imo has emerged as one of the safest states in the country, saluting the Police, Army, Civil Defence, DSS and the State owned Security Outfits like the ICW for their efforts in ridding Imo of kidnapping and other crimes.
The governor said he convened the meeting to kick-start the reorganisation of the state security outfit to become people-oriented in preparatory to his administration’s readiness to hand over to the next regime in 2019.
He advised that younger officials of the security outfit be engaged and fixed in the appropriate areas.It would be recalled that scores of Imo retirees recently scuttled economic and social activities in many nooks and crannies in Owerri capital city of Imo State.
Led by the state chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Gideon Ezeji, flanked by other chairmen of affiliate associations affected, the retirees rested at the famous central Okigwe Road Roundabout (leading to the entrance to the Government House, Owerri), between 8am and 2pm, blocking the four quadrangle roads, causing human and vehicular traffic gridlock.
Motorists and commuters found it hectic to get to their various destinations.Ezeji, said they were protesting the decision of the state government to pay 100 per cent pensions to retirees from 01-06; while those from level 07- 17 were proposed to be paid 40 per cent. Gratuities, he regretted were yet to be paid to retirees since 1998
He regretted that the retirees of the then Alvan Ikoku College of Education (AICE) were owed 77 months; retired Primary school teachers, 37 months; secondary school retirees, 23 months; retired civil servants and Permanent Secretaries, 23 months; Imo Broadcasting Corporation (IBC), retirees, 44 months, among others.
In his reaction, Okorocha urged the retirees to feel for him since the economic recession was affecting the state. He recalled that total number of retirees in Imo were 30,000.
Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2lsz1ND
How to be on top of your game
Foster Accountability
This. Is. HUGE. Probably the single biggest factor in people staying on track is accountability. Accountability, simply, is having someone to answer to, on some level. You’re a lot less likely to screw up if you know there will be a negative consequence. If you fall off your diet and no one knows about it, it’s easy to get in the habit of falling off your diet. But if you tell the entire world you’re going on a diet, and then post pictures on your Instagram page – either of your meals or of yourself – you’ll be more likely to stick with that diet.
Workout partners keep you accountable. Coaches keep you accountable. Friends keep you accountable. People in your boot camp keep you accountable. In terms of fitness, do you know who keeps me accountable? You do. My readers, that is. I know that the people reading my articles look to me as a credible source of information, and therefore they have expectations: They expect me to look the part. It’s not enough to talk the talk for my readers. I have to walk the walk, run the run and bench the damn bench. And so, even on days when I don’t feel like training or am tempted to skip my workout, I do it anyway, because that’s what my readers expect of me and what they know I would expect of them.
When I opened my facility, I decided that I wanted to get up earlier every day. To help, I reached out to a friend of mine (who is up at 5 a.m. to work) and asked him if he could just shoot me a text each morning for the first two weeks to provide accountability and make sure my ass was out of bed.
Like a good friend, Udeme sent a text every day at 6:05 for two weeks that said “U up?” I’d respond to let him know I was. Two weeks later, I took things into my own hands: I’d send him a text at 5:55 a.m. and tell him that I was awake. That was enough to build the habit and make sure I stuck with it.
In terms of writing and blogging, I sent another friend a schedule of my ideas for story arcs and the like, and he’d follow up with a text letting me know that if I didn’t post my blog tomorrow, I owed him money. This is financial accountability, and you’d better believe I got my articles up on time.
These are both examples of private accountability. I find that, as effective as that is, public accountability is by far more effective. Social networks like Instagram and Facebook can become your de facto support network. Just tell your friends and followers your goal, and, in short order, they’ll be following up with you each and every day to make sure you’re doing the right things.
This includes creating small fitness communities on these platforms and extending to groups on things like Whatsapp. Communities like these encourage users to update, and this keeps them committed and inspires others to do the same.Remember: Community + motivation + accountability = unstoppable results.
Create A Perfect Day
Finally, we come to an idea that I think will have the greatest long-term value for you. It’s the idea of a perfect day. And, no, it’s nothing like waking up next to Kerry Washington and Meghan Markle (for fans of Suits) in a world where the economy is booming, ice cream gives you abs and Obama is still President.
Instead, the idea is to create a perfect day for your goal, whatever it is. Lay out your day, from the time you get up till the time you go to sleep, hour by hour. A day when you do everything right, make no mistakes and know with 100% certainty that you are closer to your goal.
Can you have a day like that often? Probably not as often as you’d like. But if you have never stopped to think about what that day will look like, how will you know if you accidently stumble upon it? I suggest sketching out your perfect day, for any goal. I’ve done this for both productivity and writing, and it’s unbelievable how effective it can be. Sure, I haven’t managed to make every day perfect, but I know that each day, as long as I’m trying my best to get close and structuring my day to try to emulate my plan, I’ll make more progress than if I hadn’t done it.
The Final Word
There you have it. If you follow these five rules, you’ll be more productive in your job, at the gym and at life in general. Again, these tips can be applied to almost anything, so give it a shot in other areas.
Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2lmnenl
NFF confirms March 23 for Eagles, Senegal friendly
Super Eagles
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed Senegal as one of the two countries that would face the Super Eagles in an international friendly game slated to hold in London next month.
The match, which is part of the Eagles’ build up for the 2018 World Cup qualifiers against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroun billed for August 28 in Uyo, would help Nigeria manager, Garnot Rohr, to fine-tune the team that would battle the reigning African champions.
According to Super Eagles’ spokesman, Toyin Ibitoye, discussions are still on going between the NFF and Ghana/Morocco, one of who would be Nigeria’s second friendly opponent in London during the March FIFA window.
“The match against Senegal has already been confirmed for March 23, but the NFF is still working round the clock for the second opponent which might be Ghana or Morocco also to hold in London.
“The NFF is still discussing with these countries. I can assure you immediately this friendlies are confirmed, the Eagles’ coach will begin listing players for the matches. The World Cup qualifier against Cameroun is very important and the coach is not taking any chances,’’ he said.
Nigeria perennial rivals, Ghana’s Blacks Stars finished fourth in the just concluded 2017 AFCON, which took place in Gabon, while Morocco was among the last eight in the tournament.
Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2lsMViT
Trumpocracy: A new year, a new America and a new world
US President-elect Donald Trump gestures before being sworn in as President on January 20, 2017 at the US Capitol in Washington, DC. / AFP PHOTO / Mark RALSTON
About 10 per cent of 2017 has already elapsed but it is still a new year. I am an optimist (it is good for our emotional wellbeing), but I have looked through my crystal ball and the emerging body language dynamics, and I am afraid this year may end up being more of the same or at best, same of the same. This is despite the rising global oil prices and the instrumentalist rapprochement between the President and Senate President. The debate on the 2017 budget has started despite the push-push over the MTEF but the historical contradiction between PMB (the budget would solve all our problems) and his VP (the budget cannot avail much), is unsettling. Banks are advertising the Dollar, Euro and Pound at between N300 and N350; but the cheapest of them was N500 in the open market while the VP had just declared ‘we cannot just float the Naira like that‘( toeing the line of PMB who had openly revolted against the floatation). The president has become a clearing agent, clearing Lawal and Magu and in effect, using deodorant on executive sinners and deadly insecticides on others.
Somebody who advises his followers to defend themselves from murderous ‘foreign’ Fulani brigands is harangued while those who have actually killed thousands go free and are actually being paid to kill no more. Of course the herdsmen are still killing and the decimated BH is still springing surprises, at helpless civilians and soldiers. The year also started with stories of PMB’s death and clueless explanations from his media team, an indication that we learnt nothing from the past. I have also just met a woman who comes all the way from Lagos on a regular basis, to sell ‘okpa’( an Igbo delicacy) at Ijebu Ode; an indication of how tough things are and the extent to which Nigerians are ready to go to escape the pangs of Buharecession. Anyway, as an ordinary citizen I wish Nigerians well in 2017 but PMB and his team cannot just wish Nigerians well; they MUST do Nigerians well.
I was not among Nigerians who wept more than the bereaved over the U.S. presidential election. But I was peripherally interested because of the interconnectedness of the global environment and the weight of the U.S. in the global superstructure. The fact that a Trump won the nomination was bad enough, and that he even went on to win despite his queer USP is shocking and indicates that the America that we knew- in terms of culture, values and dispositions- was actually fake. But our people say that the type of firewood available in a town should suffice for their cooking needs. So that is what Americans wanted and that is what they have. But, it is a new America
However, my attention took a quantum leap when I noticed the extent to which we have exported our political practices to the U.S. In the first instance, it was a replication of ‘Ekiti 2014’ in which Goliath (Fayemi), with his performance, charisma, urbanity, suavity, grace, civility and good education was roundly defeated by David ( Fayose), with a lot of question marks, ongoing trial for corruption, rejection by Ekiti elites, disrespect for elders and lack of Omoluabi ethos.( Ik Muo: Still on Ekiti Elections: Cooked Rice, Raw Rice and the Trouble with Nigeria: BusinessDay, 29/7/14).
In the U.S., Clinton, with deep commitment to uplift women, children, and other minorities; a most distinguished career in public service; an unprecedented level of preparation for the job and compelling experience was defeated by Trump who had a legendary penchant for self-love that hovers on the borders of narcissism and an overall phenomenon that is at best a critique of democracy, and especially the U.S. electoral college system, which ensured that a candidate who lost by three million popular votes win an election (Femi Mimiko, Guardian, 22/1/17). Trump won through the Electoral College contraption which he had described as a ‘disaster for democracy” following Obama’s victory over Mitt Romney in 2012. Other practices they imported from us include accusation of rigging before the election, demonstrations after the results were announced, recounting of votes, boycotting of the inauguration by the opposition, gutter language campaign, and arguments targeted at the person (argumentum ad homininen).
There was also nostalgic comparison between the new and the old Obama, a conscientious and intelligent leader who espoused humane values, inspired millions of Americans and successfully fulfilled some of his most significant promises.(Times Editorial, 17/1/17), with impeccable manners, intelligence, wonderful family values he stood for, (Guardian Life, 15/1/17, pL3) being succeeded by Trump, with an unusual combination of ego, arrant lack of critical experience, a particularly inappropriate temperament, and embarrassing ignorance of the nuances of global diplomacy.
As for the first ladies, it has been class (Michelle, Doctor of law from Harvard and Dean, Princeton University) and trash (Melania: a nudist model!). Americans have also shown how they feel about this ‘profoundly un-American president’, as indicated by the fact that within eight days, majority of Americans disapproved of his presidency by a margin of 45% to 48%( Obama only lost majority approval after 936 days). His inauguration was attended by only 900000 ( Obama, 2m+) and marked by violent protests; his post inauguration rating was just 40% (Obama had 78) while Americans regret that their values are at odds with a president who ‘lies promiscuously, destabilizes the government with impulsive, discriminatory, and inhumane policies backed up with jarring firings, and cannot allow his White House to apologise or admit error under any circumstances’.
He has also departed from American traditions in that while Lincoln proclaimed ‘charity for all and with malice toward none’, Trump offers ‘charity for none and malice toward all except Russia’ (Jonathan Alter, The Daily Beast, 1/2/17). The ‘demagogic’ campaigner who executed a ‘hostile takeover’ of Whitehouse had delivered the ‘most dreadful inaugural address’ at the most ‘ominous inauguration day’ in U.S. history that is ‘leading America away from the world’ and marks the ‘end of the American century’. Like Nigerian politicians, he is bent on rubbishing Obama’s policies, starting with Obamacare and strangely he is probing the election which he ‘won’. He has appointed his fellow billionaires and his in-law into his government, decided to retain his massive business empire and had acted in such strange ways that three professors of psychiatry requested President Obama to conduct ‘a full medical and neuropsychiatric evaluation’ on Donald Trump’s mental health because they believe he is suffering from Narcissistic Personality Disorder. Trump runs an ‘Abnormal Presidency’ and his America only’ declaration has led to tumbling of stocks and Dollars.
His difference from Nigerian politicians is that he is delivering the queer change he promised. We also have a new world in which America, the cornerstone global world and free trade is now under Trump, doing everything to destroy and destabilize the world. As at now, nobody is sure of anything under a president who deliberately disrupts the world (Robbin Wright, New Yorker Magazine, 17/1/17), works with aids who openly disagree with him on Iran, NATO, Russia and Japan, and probably enjoys the palpable nervousness in European capitals. He has gone ahead with the Mexico wall and even wants Mexico to contribute; he has shut out most of the Muslim world though he is accused of excluding countries where he has interest. He is at war with NATO, UN, EU the media and in particular, CNN, fellow republicans, immediate past president, and market forces and is also facing revolt from corporate America as exemplified by FORD. He is driven by a transactional mentality to U.S. foreign policy and many of his ideas disparage the principles, institutions, and alliances central to U.S. foreign policy.
But when the drum is beaten violently, the dancers also respond in kind. There is now a bill proposing that U.S. pulls out of UN and sends UN parking from U.S.; there were protests at JFK, and over 1.5m Britons have signed a petition against Trumps visit to the UK for a state dinner with the Queen. Californians have also started a campaign to secede from U.S. (Calexit!). Will trump also be the last president of a United America?
Well, this is 2017, a new year. It is the year of Trumpocracy which has within a few days created a new America and a new, unstable, uncertain world. Not many expected this turn of event but ‘It is when people are saying how quiet and peaceful it is, that sudden destruction falls on them as suddenly as labour pains come on a pregnant woman, and there is no escape. (1 Thessalonians,5:3) Trump has hatred for others and appeared to have read Haman letter advising King Ahasuerus to do away with certain ill-disposed people unique in kind, who behave in such a way as to obstruct the form of government that leads to general good, hostile to our interests, commit most heinous of crimes, endangering the stability of our realm (Esther, 3:13 Jerusalem Bible). He is preaching and practising a change, away from empathy, humanity and justice, to an age of hate, disrespect, fear and even impunity!
Yes he is delivering on his campaign promises; promises that freely show MALICE TOWARD ALL. This is what the Americans asked for (is it?) and so they have to live with it. Unfortunately however, the troubler of America is also troubling the world. Instead of an inclusive, peaceful, healed, unified and transformed world, Trump is working furiously towards a traumatised, divided, and hate-full world that is in pieces. The bull is on rampage and everyone is running for cover. Even the Trumpeteers are terrified. Who or what can stop him? How prepared is the U.S. constitution and the Judiciary for this strange phenomenon? Can Trump serve out his term? Is he the last president of a united America? Are we headed for WW3? I am afraid, both for the U.S. and for the world! Meanwhile, I insist that Trump be pressurized to undergo that full medical and neuropsychiatric evaluation as advised by U.S. psychiatrists. It will be good to see what the outcome will be. Happy New Year!
Muo, PhD, Department of Business Administration, Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye.
Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2lme4Hj
Monday, 6 February 2017
UNIBEN matriculates 10,000, embraces e-learning to enhance study
UNIBEN
The Vice Chancellor, University of Benin, Prof. Faraday Orunmwense at the weekend admitted at least 10,000 matriculants to the university, urging them to fly high in their academic studies during their sojourn in the institution.
Speaking at the 2016\2017 matriculation ceremony for all fresh undergraduate students of the institution in Benin City, Orunmwense tasked the 10,000 matriculatants from the 14 faculties of the institution namely; Faculties\Schools of Agriculture, Basic Medical Sciences, Dentistry, Engineering, Medicine, Pharmacy, Physical Sciences, Life Sciences as well as from the Faculties of Arts, Education, Law, Environmental Sciences, Social Sciences and Management Sciences to sustain the tempo of academic culture of the university, stressing that the University of Benin has been adjudged one of the most-sort-after universities in Nigeria.
“Our academic programmes, both undergraduate and postgraduate have run smoothly, placing the University of Benin in second position in the National Universities Commission accreditation,” Orumwense said.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government through the Petroleum Training Development Fund (PTDF) has deployed facilities geared towards the enhancement of e-learning multimedia teaching programs at the University of Benin (UNIBEN).
Orumwense who disclosed this, said the learning platforms have now been installed in the faculties of Engineering, Education, Pharmacy, Life Sciences and ICT Training Centre.
He expressed commitment to delivering quality leadership at the university as he marked two years anniversary in office adding that faculties, units and hostels with Fibre Optic have been linked to the facilities for enhanced internet connectivity and service delivery.
Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2kM8flg
Monday, 30 January 2017
Panel begins probe of Rivers State rerun poll as IG challenges governor’s suit
Ibrahim Idris
Monarchs urge police to restore Wike’s security aides
The commission of inquiry constituted by the River State government to investigate the killings and violence that marred the December 10, 2016 re-run election in the state has commenced sitting in Port Harcourt.
The commission’s chairman, Justice Chinwendu Nwogu explained that the commission would restrict itself to the remote and immediate causes of the violence. He added that the panel would identify the perpetrators of violence, the victims, as well as ascertain if property were destroyed in the process.
Nwogu also pledged not to witch hunt anybody, but give every party a fair hearing.Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police have challenged the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja to hear a suit filed by Rivers State Governor, Mr. Nyesom Wike seeking to stop the panel.
The Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris and a Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr. Damian Okoro, who are first and third defendants in the suit, told the court that it lacked jurisdiction to hear the matter.
In a related development, the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to restore the security aides of Governor Wike.
The council’s Chairman, Dandeson Douglas Jaja, Jeki V, who made the appeal yesterday in Port Harcourt, said stripping the governor of his trusted aides would expose him to attacks by assassins, kidnappers and cultists.
Vía The Guardian NigeriaThe Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2kljT6L
Saturday, 28 January 2017
Leadership and the people’s trust
Taiwo Odukoya
Leadership’s strongest currency is trust. No matter how visionary, strategic, skilful or eloquent leaders are, they cannot achieve significant results, if they fail to earn the people’s trust. It is trust that binds leadership to the led and unlocks the doors of cooperation, required to succeed. Someone once said: “The first job of a leader is to inspire trust.” I agree.
When leaders lose the people’s trust, they invariably create a chain reaction of distrust, and the consequences are usually dire. A research by Dr. Paul J Zak, a neuroeconomist at Claremont Graduate University, discovered that trust is one of the strongest predictors of national wealth. According to Dr. Zak, nations with low levels of trust tend to be poor. An environment, where people trust their leaders and each other, is usually a breeding ground for ideas with the cooperation needed for effective execution being readily available. And generally, disagreements and differences are better managed in such an environment.
Some of the finest moments in human history, where people demonstrated resilience, empathy, and innovation, were brought about by leaders, who inspired an environment of trust. Think of Winston Churchill and the resilience of the British through the Second World War; FDR and the cocktail of ideas that pulled America through the great depression; Mandela and the generosity of spirit that broke apartheid and forestalled anarchy. Trust is important, all the more so today.
We live in times of great distrust. To say people across the world are growing increasingly wary of leadership and where it stands between the interests of the common people and the concerns of the elites would be stating the obvious. Disappointments and the failures of leadership to keep its promises are also some of the reasons people are losing trust in leadership. This is as true for nations as it is for organisations. Recent research shows that only 49 percent of employees trust senior management, and only 28 percent believe CEOs are a credible source of information. Also, Edelman, a company that has been surveying people around the world on their trust in government institutions for the past sixteen years, found that in 2016, people viewed people like themselves to be twice as credible as a government leader. It is, therefore, important that leaders everywhere redouble their efforts and build bridges of trust connecting them to the people. To do this, we must prioritise and reassert our commitment to:
• Respecting the people: We have to respect the people we have been called upon to serve, by making their welfare a priority.
• Truth and transparency: Being upfront with the people about the challenges we’re facing and what we’re doing to tackle them, also goes a long way to building trust. There is equally the need to accept responsibility, when mistakes are made.
• Celebrating small victories: Results are important. More than anything, people want leaders to achieve results that would affect their lives positively. Even when the achievements are small, celebrate it. People are encouraged, when we make progress. Only make sure the results are real and not propaganda.
• Keeping promises: Keep promises, no matter what and communicate clearly why they are no longer tenable in the event.
It is true that Nigeria has a long history of leadership distrust, and the reasons are not farfetched. The gap between the political class and the people, between the rich and the poor, still remains a yawning one.
So, not even sixteen years of democratic rule has been able to repair the breaches of trust. The current administration, in spite of the huge amount of goodwill that attended its ascension to power, has not been able to change that mindset.
The widespread economic hardship has seen a swift dissipation of hope across the country. People are losing trust in the government’s ability to deal with the issues by the day. Something drastic has to be done to reverse the tide and restore hope and trust. A lot of this will ride on concrete steps, small but continuing and measurable victories and strategic communication to allay people’s fears, thus reigniting their sense of optimism.
While there is no illusion that the problems facing us today would be resolved by the wave of a wand, seeing it took years to get us here, and it will take a while to get us out, continuous improvement should be visible. We have to demonstrate strong ability to solve the problems we are currently facing. Without that, gaining and sustaining the people’s trust may be an illusion. God forbid.
Nigeria Has A Great Future
Vía The Guardian NigeriaThe Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2kzAMb5
