Connect with us

News and Report

THE NATIONAL BUDGET: My take… Dr Nicholas Okoye

Published

on

I have read the response of the PDP as released by Olisa my brother. I disagree with the PDP position. I think this budget has carefully articulated programs to stimulate development. I will make an attempt to provide an analysis.

The full details of the budget are not yet available but I will take the President’s speech as a bedrock.

The largest share for capital vote went to infrastructure that is power, works, roads and housing. The largest share for recurrent went to education. I love this.

This means the Fed Govt seeks to stimulate growth in the business sectors by investing in infrastructure. And the future of Nigeria is being invested in by the focus on education. In addition the Govt is funding a scheme to employ 500,000 guaduate teachers for states and local govts. I love this too.

It means that the primary and secondary schools can expect a new generation of teachers that are Internet savvy and who belong to the Jet age. The Govt needs to make sure these new teachers are monitored so that standards can be high. The new teachers should also be encouraged to see their roles as a special national assignment so that moral and enthusiasm remains very high. I think giving them a special name or title will help and will go a long way.

The President equally talked about a commitment to private sector led job creation. He said they will fund loans for market women. I like this but I would rather like to see the model and procedure of disbursement of the loans.

I NEVER DID LIKE the YOUWIN program of GEJ as the grants were not repaid and so golden opportunities for repayment recycling were lost. There was no scheme to maintain the beneficiaries in a program for reeducation and sustainable success in business. If asked I am not sure the Fed Govt knows how many YOUWIN entrepreneurs are still in business.

We need to wait to get the break Down from the budget and planning minister and the minister of finance. However I am sure whatever they will say will not be too far from the analysis I have provided above.

If they can equally stimulate foreign exchange inflows by attracting more remittances, more investment and expanding non oil export revenues then the Naira will stop falling. In order to build the Naira back they must find a way to cut down on our import bills and expand away from our import dependent economy. There is no other way.

HIS BIO:

Nicholas is a Leadership Expert.with Core knowledge and coaching skills in all areas of the proven path to success FOR Individuals, Corporations, and Nations. He is a World Class Investment and trade promoter as well as global advocate for reform in youth empowerment, development and entrepreneurship. Nicholas is a Strategy expert with Executive forthsight and strategic direction skills.
Nicholas is a World Class speaker and constantly speaks around the World on key and strategic areas including PEAK PERFORMANCE for professionals and Corporations, National Development Strategy for National, Regional and State Governments and personal success principles and strategies for Entrepreneurs, business people and Professional individuals. Nicholas is a weekly writer on National Strategy for Development, in a four page weekly column in the Guardian Newspapers, Nigeria’s most prestigious and oldest News Publication Group, he also anchors a Radio Program every week that deals directly with solutions for National, Regional and individual success and development.

Nicholas also serves as an Adviser and a Member of several Corporate Boards including the OBIJACKSON Group parent company to Nestoil Plc, the largest Nigerian owned oil and gas servicing companies in Nigeria as well as Impac Nigeria, Century Power, Energy Works,, Neconde Oil owners of OML 42, , Gonowen Oil owners of OPL 917, Hammakopp Construction, Time Power Generation, B & Q dredging etc.

Nicholas is the convener and founder of Nigeria’s largest network of Entrepreneurs in Nigeria, Empower Nigeria, and is the CEO of the Empower Nigeria Fund, an SME targeted debt and equity fund. Nicholas is the founder of the Nigeria Leadership Summit, and President of the Anabel Group.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

News and Report

Organiser unveils speakers, panelists for the 2024 Industry Summit

Published

on

By

 

The organiser of the Industry Summit, an annual gathering for professionals and experts in brand marketing, finance, sustainability, and entertainment, has announced the speakers for the fifth edition of the summit in Lagos.

 

 

 

The event themed: Sustainable Marketing for Growth would feature the marketing director of Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Emmanuel Oriakhi as keynote speaker while the head of unit, sustainability at Access Bank, Mrs. Omobolanle Victor-Laniyan and manager brand, strategy & communications at Stanbic IBTC, Ms. Rita Akao would feature as guest speakers.

 

 

 

The summit, which is scheduled to hold on Friday, May 3rd, 2024 at the Marcelina’s Place Ikeja GRA, Lagos would feature some exhilarating panel sessions with some of the contemporary professionals in the Nigerian brand and marketing industry.

 

 

 

The panelists include; Ms. Chioma Mbanugo, Head of Marketing PZWILMAR, Mr. Abiodun Coker, Team Member Media, UBA, Mrs. Mabel Adeteye, Head, Brand & Marketing Communications, Wema Bank PLC, Mr. Kevin Olumese, Marketing Communications Specialist, and Mr. Adeola Kayode, Head, Brands & Creative Services, 9mobile Nigeria.

 

 

 

Others who have confirmed participation are Ms. Aisha Anaekwe, Head, Brands & Comms, Coronation Group, Mrs. Victoria N’dee Uwadoka, Public Relations, Public Affairs & Sustainability Lead, Nestle Nigeria Plc, Mr. Samson Adeoye, Public Relations Manager, Airtel Nigeria, Mrs. Oluwatosin Odiagbe, Marketing Manager, Simba Solar and Ms. Arinola Shobande, Head of Marketing, Showmax.

 

 

 

While Oriakhi would be speaking to the topic, ““New Age Marketing – Catalyzing Transformation Through Value Chain Innovation, Technology, Analytics & Sustainability”, Victor-Laniyan and Akao would present papers on the topics; “Aligning organizational objectives with sustainable marketing for the good of the people, society and business, and “Reimagining Sustainable Growth Through Green Marketing” respectively.

 

 

 

In the press statement signed by the Publisher of The Industry Newspaper/Convener of The Industry Summit/Awards (TIES), Mr. Goddie Ofose, he said that “The 5th edition of the Industry Summit is focusing on sustainable marketing, which is a purpose-driven practice that works to orientate businesses, brands and society towards a sustainable future, influencing appropriate awareness, aspiration, adoption and action across economic and sociocultural systems by taking necessary accountability for its impacts and opportunities.”

 

 

 

“In today’s ever-evolving world, debating whether to incorporate sustainability into business strategy is no longer an option. Considering a values-driven approach when developing business strategies can be vital to long-term success” he said.

 

 

 

Therefore, we have carefully selected these professionals and experts to deliberate on the subject matter, highlight challenges and proffer solutions where private and public sectors could take lessons from and improve upon whatever they have been doing,’ Ofose added.

 

 

 

The Industry Summit/Awards is a brainchild of The Industry Newspaper Limited, publishers of The Industry Newspaper (theindustry.ng) and 789marketing.ng.

 

 

 

The summit is designed to bring together industry leaders across the continent in all sectors in the quest to rev up conversations that will move the Nigeria business, economy and communication industry forward.

Continue Reading

News and Report

IBEDC records 1,459 energy theft cases in January, February

Published

on

By

The Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company said it has recorded 1,459 cases of energy theft by its subscribers between January and February 2024.

This was disclosed in a press statement signed by the firm’s Chief Key Accounts Officer, Mr. Johnson Tinuoye, on Tuesday.

IBEDC added that it is actively pursuing investigations and legal actions against individuals and businesses involved in the theft in collaboration with the Federal Government Special Investigation and Prosecution Task Force on Electricity Offences.

Identifying the cases, IBEDC said they included various offences such as meter bypass and illegal meter tampering, which resulted in significant financial losses amounting to hundreds of millions of naira for the company.

The statement read, “We want to send a clear message to our customers that energy theft will not be tolerated. Our collaboration with the Federal Government Special Investigation and Prosecution Task Force on Electricity Offences underscores our commitment to ensuring a fair and just electricity distribution system.

“Energy theft not only undermines the integrity of our operations but also deprives IBEDC of the revenue necessary to provide quality services to our customers.”

Tinuoye emphasised that under the Electricity Act, energy theft is now recognised as a criminal offense, carrying severe penalties including imprisonment stressing, “In the Osun region, two individuals were apprehended for stealing energy through meter bypass and illegal connections. Their cases have been formally charged in court for prosecution.”

IBEDC further urged customers to refrain from engaging in any form of energy theft, emphasising that the consequences can be severe, as there is no room for negotiation with the SIPTEO Task Force team, which is actively patrolling and investigating instances of energy theft for prosecution.

Continue Reading

News and Report

Copyright Breach: NCC Drags MTN, Others To Court Over Musician’s Works

Published

on

By

The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has filed criminal charges against MTN Nigeria Communications Ltd. and four others over alleged copyright infringement.

The charge with number FHC/ABJ/CR/111/2024 filed in the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court was obtained by journalists on Monday.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the four other defendants in the case include the chief executive officer of MTN Nigeria, Karl Toriola; Nkeakam Abhulimen, Fun Mobile Ltd.; and Yahaya Maibe.

In the three-count charge, NCC alleged that the defendants, between 2010 and 2017, “offered for sale, sold and traded for business’’, infringed the musical works of an artiste, Maleke Idowu Moye, without his consent and authorisation.

The commission alleged that the defendants used musical works and sound recordings of Mr Maleke with subsisting copyright as caller ringback tunes without the authorisation of the artiste.

The musician’s musical works and sound recordings allegedly infringed upon included 911, Minimini-wanawana, Stop Racism, Ewole, 911 instrumental, Radio, Low Waist, and No Bother.

The defendants were also alleged to have distributed the musical works to their subscribers without authorisation, thereby infringing on the rights of the artiste.

In the third count, the defendants were alleged to have in their possession, other than for their private or domestic use, the artiste’s musical works and sound recordings.

According to NCC, the alleged offences are contrary to and punishable under section 20 (2) (a) (b) and (c) of the Copyright Act, Cap. C28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

The case has yet to be assigned to any judge, and no date has been fixed for the mention.

Meanwhile, no official statement has been released by any of the defendants as at the time of filing this report, while all efforts to get reactions from MTN by New Telegraph proved abortive.

Continue Reading

Trending