Business
Don Tasks Surveyors On Recession
Nigerian surveyors
have been challenged to undertake aggressive research into use of indgeneous technology for survey jobs while eliminating quacks in their ranks through proper registration and monitoring to reduce costs and wastages and help pull Nigeria’s economy out of recession.
The charge is part of a template for getting the nation’s economy out of the woods given by Prof. Ijeoma Kalu in a lecture titled “The Role of Surveyors In A Recessed Economy”, delivered at the end of year Dinner of the Rivers State branch of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS) in Port Harcourt last week.
Prof. Kalu said surveyors have a duty to support local sourcing of materials, proper enlightenment of the citizenry on need to employ services of surveyors and the provision of appropriate maps for warfare and for combating crime.
The Guest Lecturer charged surveyors to also reduce fees charged in order to encourage more people to do proper survey and registration of their land while urging them to eliminate corruption and maintain discipline within their profession.
Kalu recommended adequate practical training of surveyors to complement academic qualification, support for land reform policies that ensure secure, safe, affordable and guaranteed access to land for the poor and called on surveyors to perform their duties professionally and within the ethics of the profession to reduce conflicts among clients.
The lecturer explained that a recession occurs when the economy experiences two consecutive quarters of negative growth.
According to him, the National Bureau of Economic Research defines a recession as “a significant decline in economic activity spread across the economy, lasting more than a few months, normally visible in a real Gross Domestic Product, real income, employment, industrial production and wholesale-retail sales”.
The present recession in Nigeria, Kalu said, is caused by high inflation, interest and multiple taxation rates as well as decline in international oil prices, slow growth of non-oil exports and insecurity.
He also said policy conflict and inconsistencies, government body language, like Buhari saying Nigeria is populated by criminals, ostentatious consumption of the rich and penchant for foreign goods are also contributory factors.
Kalu, a Professor of Economics (Development Studies) at the University of Port Harcourt said surveyors have an important role to play in Nigeria’s recessed economy and enjoined them to use their tools, knowledge and professional responsibility to impact positively not only on their clients but also on the Nigerian current environment.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS), Rivers State, Surv. Joseph Wobo Amadi called on the federal, state, local governments and private sector players to engage the services of qualified surveyors for all their projects to achieve meaningful and sustainable development.
The chairman said Nigeria is now at a point “where all mathematical permutations, combinations, adjustment computations, numerical and error analysis have all collapsed as a pack of cards”. He said there is now a pervasive feeling of despair but assured that the surveying profession has an answer.
According to Amadi, surveying deals with precise measurements on the earth surface, water and in space as well as precise determination of the size, shape and gravity of fields of the earth.
The products of these measurements, he said, include geospatial data, plans, maps, charts, gravity fields and their applications in socio-economic and infrastructural development, which according to him, is widely acclaimed all over the world.
Amadi said the impact of surveying is huge on the economy of the world, asserting that the most developed nations of the world are the best mapped.
“Indeed, surveying and mapping are the bedrock of all meaningful and sustainable development”, the NIS chairman said.
Surveying and mapping are also essential for effective management and administration of land resources, just as they are to safety and security in their contributions to economic growth of nations, Amadi said.
According to him, every movement is tied to a location which could be traced by which security challenges could be resolved through surveying.
The Rivers NIS chairman said the end of year dinner party was organised for the relaxation of surveyors’ families, sister professionals, government officials, safety and security agents, friends and well wishers as “all work and no play make Jack a dull boy and all play and no work make Jack a lazy boy”.
Giving account of the stewardship of his executive, Amadi said they have returned peace and unity to the state branch of NIS while making transparency and accountability their watch word.
Other achievements, he enumerated, included publication of rich scientific journals (The Pathfinder) and acquisition of land for Surveyors Estate at Omagwa.
He said the Institution has embarked on the completion of the State NIS Secretariat as well as good welfare package for members and Surveyors Wives Association of Nigeria (SWAN). The Institution in the state, under his watch has also embarked on massive manpower development which included upgrading of different survey cadres and registration by the Surveyors Registration Council of Nigeria (SURCON), Amadi said.
He said the branch successfully fought and won national elections-, Publicity Secretary and Deputy President who is now President-In-Waiting.
In his speech, the Deputy National President of NIS, Surv (Alabo) C.D. Charles who represented the National President of the institution Surv Akinloye Olufemi Oyegbola, said the President was still on his nation-wide tour of the state branches of the institution.
Charles, who is President-In-Waiting, stressed the need for peace to move NIS forward, pointing out that he had contested national elections of the institution two or more times during which the state branch was in turmoil and he lost.
He said that as peace returned to the Rivers State branch, he contested the position of National Deputy President at the Oshogbo Annual General Meeting and won.
The Deputy President promised that whatever issues that remained unresolved by the current president when he leaves office would be resolved during his presidency.
At the well-attended party which took place at The Arena Event Centre in Port Harcourt, NIS, Rivers State branch honoured some heads of security outfits, among other dignitaries, for their contributions to peace and security in the state.
Amadi said the gesture was not only to appreciate their contributions but to promote greater synergy and collaboration between the organisations and Rivers NIS.
Among those honoured with plaques were the Commander, 2 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Commandant, Nigerian Navy Hydrographic School, and the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State who were all represented at the event.
Also honoured with plaques were Emeritus Professor of Surveying and Geodesy, Prof (Alabo) D.M.J Fubara who was represented by his wife Dr Fubara, Deputy National President of NIS Surv (Alabo) C.D. Charles, Past President, Surv L K Asika, Permanent Secretary/Surveyor-General, Rivers State, Surv Noel Elenwo, Surv Igntius O. Ike, Surv L.W. Chukwu who is a former Rivers State NIS Chairman and Guest Lecturer, Prof Ijeoma E. Kalu.
The event also featured cultural dances short speeches by Surveyor-General of Rivers State, Surv Noel Elenwo and Surv L.K. Asika among others and the cutting of the “cake of Thanksgiving to God”.
Prof. John Sika Orupabo of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology and media executives were among dignitaries that graced the event.
Donald Mike-Jaja
The Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) says it has registered 160 Port stakeholders into its Regulated Port Service Provider and Users platform since the initiative began in 2023.
Executive Secretary, NSC, Mr Pius Akutah, made the disclosure on the sideline of a sensitisation programme by the commission for port operators in Lagos, with the theme, “Regulated Port Service Provider and Users”.
Represented by the Director, Consumer Affairs, Chief Cajetan Agu, Akutah emphasised the significance of the programme for stakeholders.
He said the sensitisation programme was the second edition after its commencement during the last quarter of 2023.
The Secretary said the 160 registered port operators consist of agencies, terminal operators, shipping companies, individual port users as well as service providers.
“We invited the ports stakeholders for enlightening them on the processes for online registration of Regulated Port Service Provider and Users.
“We have demonstrated to them how to register and how to make payment and we were able to present before them the various categories of the registration.
“The rate of payment is also in the registration. The payment of each group depends on the operation. A shipper pays N30,000, terminal operators and shipping companies pay N300,000, truckers also pay N30,000, while some pay N50,000 and N100,000.
“The Council was able to intimate them on the benefits, because port users benefit more as we help to interface on reducing port charges from time to time”, Akutah said.
He said that there was a need to continue to work with port operators to stop delays and eliminate high costs to make the port efficient.
Also speaking, the Deputy Director, Stakeholders, Service, NSC, Mr Celestine Akujobi, said “the sensitisation exercise was important for the council to enable us bring all the port stakeholders together”.
According to him, this is to avoid challenges during the implementation of the council’s responsibilities.
“By the time we introduce sanctions on defaulters, no operators will complain that he or she is not aware of the registration.
“I’m happy with the turnout of this sensitisation. This shows that the operators are well informed of the statutory friction of the council as the port regulator.
“The final implementation will commence as soon as we discover that all the operators have keyed into the portal.
“We are engaging other ports across the country and we’re hopeful that before the last quater of 2024, the council will implement sanctions on defaulting operators”, Akujobi said.
Earlier, Vice Chairman, National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwards (NAGAFF), Dr Ifeanyi Emoh, said port challenges were enormous, adding that they originated from some of the government agencies.
Emoh urged the council to look into regulating other government agencies, so that there could be a window through which they can collect port charges collectively instead of indiscriminately.
By: Chinedu Wosu
Chivita| Hollandia (CHI Limited) leading fruit juice and value-added dairy manufacturer in Nigeria has rewarded its long standing distributors at the recently held 2024 Distributor Conference. The event with the theme, “Break Boundaries Exceed Expectations” served as a platform to recognise and reward the exceptional contribution of the distributors and wholesalers who play a critical role in Chivita|Hollandia (CHI Limited) success and business goals for the year.
The Distributor Conference was held in two sessions. While the morning session featured keynote addresses, industry insights and brand immersion experience, the evening session was a cultural display of elegance and funfair that culminated in the award presentation and recognition of the contribution the trade partners made to the company in the 2023 year under review.
A key highlight of the event was the award ceremony which acknowledged outstanding trade partners in various regions across the country. The awards recognized commitment, dedication, and outstanding performance in areas of sales growth, brand promotion, and market expansion.
Eelco Weber, Managing Director, Chivita|Hollandia (CHI Limited), stated that the company’s success story is incomplete without the strong partnerships it has built with trade partners. “Today, we celebrate not only the achievements, but the collaborative spirit that has made our growth possible” he said.
Bola Arotiowa, Chief Commercial Officer, Chivita|Hollandia (CHI Limited), in his statement revealed that, the event which was first of its kind will continue to be an annual meeting to enable the company work more closely with its distributors, share insights and action points, help the trade partners familiarize themselves with the company’s goals and objectives for each year, and serve as a driver for mutual success.
“Our distributors are the backbone of Chivita|Hollandia (CHI Limited). Their relentless efforts in distributing our products, promoting our brands, and expanding our reach across the nation is truly commendable. As the bridge between us and our valued consumers, it is very important to reward their hard work and dedication for being an essential part of the Chivita|Hollandia (CHI Limited) family. Together, we will continue to deliver great products to our conusmers which in turn will deliver value to them”, Mr. Arotiowa added.
Speaking at the conference, HajiyaBilikisuSaida, Chief Executive Officer of Smabirm Nigeria Limited, who won the Outstanding Distributor of the Year in North 1 region, and got a reward of two million Naira worth of Chivita|Hollandia (CHI Limited) products expressed delight at the company’s recognition, and stated that the awards served as a way to inspire distributors to do more and put in more effort, which in turn would help both the distributors and the company to grow.
Other outstanding performance distributors of the year rewarded with a two million Naira worth of Chivita|Hollandia (CHI Limited) stock include, Sunny Chuks Limited for East 1 region, MRS FA & Sons Limited for East 2 region, Hussakas Ventures for North 2 region, Rookee 1388 Ventures for Lagos 1 region, Pik N Pil Ventures for Lagos 2 region, FaithJoe Event Management Limited for West 1 region, and Progress Family Nigeria Enterprise for West 2 region.
The annual Distributors Conference aims to strengthen the bond between Chivita|Hollandia (CHI Limited) and its trade partners. This collaborative approach fosters mutual growth and ensures the continued success of the brands in the Nigerian market.
A global leader in insurance and asset management, AXA Mansard, has supported three female-owned MSMEs with business grants totaling 1.4 million to boost their operations.
This, the company said, is part of its commitment to women and the Medium, Small, and Medium-scale Enterprise (MSME) sector in the country.
The three businesses were successful at the International Women’s Day Pitch Competition, organised in partnership with SME 100 Africa in Lagos.
According to the Head of Marketing, AXA Mansard, Olusesan Ogunyooye, the competition, which is aimed at supporting female entrepreneurs in Nigeria, “is another way AXA is demonstrating its commitment to the causes of women and stimulating the MSME sector in Nigeria”.
The business pitch competition received numerous entries from women across different sectors, but after a rigorous selection process, shortlisted participants were selected to participate in the competition.
Ogunyooye said “the programme provided a unique opportunity for women from various works and socio-economic classes to showcase their innovative ideas and solutions in sectors such as food, tech, fashion, and fragrance, creating an atmosphere filled with excitement, enthusiasm, and a strong sense of community”.
He stressed the importance of investing in women, saying it is not just the right thing to do, but also aligns with AXA’s purpose of acting for human progress.
He explained that AXA believes the future of women should not be at risk, hence investing in their economic empowerment is a crucial part
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