Unified examination for Lagos private schools begin June

The National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Lagos State Chapter says it would commence unified examinations for pupils in private schools in the state in June.

  The association’s President, Mr. Abayomi Otubela, speaking in Lagos said the development was part of efforts to ensure standards in private schools in the state.

  Otubela said that the examination to be held every session would enable all proprietors to assess the performance of their pupils and make improvements where necessary.

  “All private schools will be writing a joint examination aside from their final exams, these are all measures to ensure qualitative education.”

  According to Otubela, a maiden quiz competition among private schools is scheduled to hold on March 19 at the ward level during the NAPPS South-West Delegates Conference.

  Otubela also spoke on the gruesome murder of students just as he condemned the abduction of 15 female students in Yobe State by gunmen, describing the act as barbaric.

  “We challenge them to direct their cause if any, to their target enemies and not at innocent school children. We also call on the Federal Government to do more in tackling the excesses of these insurgents.

By Adeniyi Idowu Adunola

Centre for Democracy holds lecture May 7

TOWARDS enlightening citizens on expectations in a democracy, the non-profit Centre for Democratic Governance in Africa (CDGA) will focus on “Achieving, Sustaining Democratic Dividends of the Grassroots: A Function of Purpose-Driven Leadership”, at its fourth annual public lecture and award presentation.

  Renowned Economist and former Minister of Finance, Dr. Kalu Idika Kalu, will chair the event, which holds at the Grand Ball, Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, on May 7. Special guests of honour include former Head of State, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (rtd); First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan; Senator Hope Uzodinma and Olorogun Oscar Ibru, among others.

  The CDGA Director General, Dr. Dafe Akpocha, told newsmen yesterday that the lecture is programmed to enlighten people that democracy and good governance lay the foundation for people to realise sustainable development.

  He noted that “democratic governance facilitates human rights in all fairness, freedom and equity and produces dividends for the citizens and observance of human rights.”

  According to him, democratic governance enables people to attain sustainable growth, as it also needs to be translated into tangible socio-economic development for people in rural communities.

  Expected discussants are the Vice Chancellor of Covenant University, Dr. Charles Korede Ayo; a legal practitioner, Victor Ukutt and Femi Akinboboye, while the Governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliu, would deliver lecture on “Sustaining Momentum for Social Service Delivery in Governance.”

  Also, CDGA will recognise some prominent Nigerians with gold service award for their contributions to the development of Nigerian government.

By Adeniyi Idowu Adunola

Fenog lays 20" pipes across 3.49-kilometre river

An indigenous company in Delta State has laid 20" pipes across 3.49-kilometre river in the ongoing Amukpe/Escravos pipeline project. The company achieved the pioneering feat within six weeks.

  The company had laid 24" pipes across the 1.7-kilometre Escravos River in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State and 24" pipes across 2.82-kilometre/ObOb Kwale River in Delta State for Agip Nigeria Oil Company (NAOC).

  The Executive Director of the company, Mathew Tonlagha, described the feat as "an unprecedented feat in the history of underground pipelaying worldwide.

  "The one that is very close to what we have achieved as available record shows was the laying of 3.9 kilometres but that involved the laying of just 12" pipes and it was achieved in one year. But in our own case, we laid 20" pipes across 3.49kilometres river in just six weeks in the Amukpe/Escravos pipeline project.

  "You can see that this is no mean achievement that we have recorded worldwide. This is an improvement over what we did in the Chevron project when we laid 24"across 1.7-kilometre Escravos River in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State and 24" pipes across 2.82-kilometre/ObOb Kwale River in Delta State for Agip Nigeria Oil Company (NAOC).

  Tolangha commended the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Deziani Alison-Maduekwe, for creating a level playing ground for the indigenous oil and gas service companies to operate unfettered in the oil industry adding that Fenog would continue to serve as a pacesetter and leading light for other indigenous operators in the nation's oil industry.

  Fenog's General Manager, Chukwudi Uwakwe, attributed the success recorded by his company to the deployment of Continuous Horizontal Directional Drilling (CHDD) of which the company was the pioneer use in the world. 

  "All our jobs are being done by Nigerian nationals in line with the local content Act with the aid of our CHDD rigs, including our new versatile HDD 350 rig, which has the ability to push, pull, tunnel, drill, and truss boring abilities. We have used it to release a stocked pipe in one of our drilling sites of which nobody has been able to do in the whole world.

  "We are only pleading with the IOCs to encourage us by giving us first consideration in bidding and by giving us jobs to build our capacity and show our strength," Nwakwe added.

By Adeniyi Idowu Adunola 

Group honours NURTW chief tomorrow

The Centre for Democratic Governance in African (CDGA), will honour the National President of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Najeem Usman Nasin with the Africa Distinguished Gold Service Award will on March 13, 2014 in Abuja.

The team will be led by the Director General, Dafe Akpocha and other executives.

Head of Media and Publicity to the Center, Stephen Udokporo said yesterday that having watched the transformation of NURTW into a modern organisation under the leadership of Alhaji Nasin, there was the need to appreciate him.

"We are experiencing a great change in our transport sector in the country which is playing good governance in Africa and Nigeria in particular. This is the reason the CDGA is out to reward him to encourage Nigerians and Africans in their various endeavors to see that they contribute their quota in ensuring good.

By Adeniyi Idowu Adunola

CIG Motors plans to explore Nigeria auto market

CIG Motors, the Nigeria company of the GAC Motor China is set to explore the Nigerian auto market with its brands of cars.

  The Chief Executive Officer of CIG Motors, Ms Diana Chen, said the company has conducted extensive research on the Nigerian market.

  She stated that for over one year, the company has embarked on series of programmes to thoroughly understand the Nigerian market.

Chen said the company is making huge investment in order to make a high impact in the Nigeria market adding that the country offers huge potentials for the brands.

  She added that Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt are the key market for the company. Nigeria, according to her, offers enormous potentials for the company as a major channel to gain market presence in the African continent.

To achieve its strategic goals of market entry, Chen said the company was building an ultra modern office with after sales support service and workshop in order to offer quality service in the Nigerian market.

   She also asserted that the company will also train Nigerian auto technicians as part of its business goals to maintain a well established presence in Nigeria

  She said the brands are of high quality with international safety standards adding that the company was entering the Nigerian market with its car models as well as SUVs. The brands are designed in a trendy and sporty style with extra wide and comfort space and environment-friendly features. It also has advanced technology, excellent performance and control. The cars are also fitted with G-cloud Intelligent Driving Assistance System.

Chen added that the brands from the stable of CIG Motors have top safety technology in the world.

CIG, according to Chen, is the Nigerian company of Guangzhou Automobil Group Co., Ltd (GAC MOTOR)  a Chinese automobile maker with headquarter in Guanngzhou in China. GAC motor represents insisting on pursuing development, enhancing the core completion, and achieving sustainable development.

  Since its establishment, the Trumpchi has been technologically at par with other global brands and developed based on top-notch European performance. GAC Motor not only has relationships with the global top ten automobile parts suppliers, but has also internalized Europe’s advanced chasis and powertrain technology.

   Especially in the safety performance, GAC motor’s entire models got the five star award in the C-NCAP test and beyond most of famous brands.

    She said the car designed in Italy, built in world class manufacturing company in China, with its C-Class chasis and equipment, B-Class Value and quality, and A-class price and Trumpchi will be extremely competitive in the global market.

With the global strategy of “prudent action, holistic plan, steady growth, major breakthroughs,” GAC plans to establish distribution network in 18 countries in 2014, covering each continent, and extend further to neighboring markets. In the Middle East, GAC MOTOR plans to establish networks in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirate, among other as well as Russia and Ukraine of Eastern Europe; Chile, Peru, Colombia, Brazil and Argentina of South America; Algeria and Nigeria in Africa; and in the Southeast Asia and Central Asia are Thailand, Burma, and Cambodia

By Adeniyi Idowu Adunola