NIBSS, banks up advocacy on use of e-payment platforms

The Nigeria Interbank Settlement Scheme (NIBSS) and deposit money banks have urged Nigerians to embrace e-payment platforms as the best option for payments of business transactions. 

  The appeal, which is part of the renewed awareness campaign aimed at enlightening the public on the benefits of e-payment, may have become necessary as the nationwide rollout of the cash-less project by July 1, 2014, is fast approaching. 

  The e-payment platforms like Point of Sale (POS) and Instant Payment, among others, have been promoted for assessed convenience, safety and receipt of instant value, facilitating payments for transactions through ATM cards, mobile phones, laptops, desktops, notebooks and I-Pads.

  Already, banks in conjunction with NIBSS have commenced a communication awareness campaign to enlighten Nigerians on the benefits of these e-payment platforms, encouraging their usage and adoption.

  According to a statement from the Head, Corporate Communications, NIBSS, Lilian Phido, the need to embrace the e-payment platforms was due to its safety, reliability and efficiency offerings, coupled with the attendant security issues associated with cash transactions.

 “There is also need to embrace the e-payment platforms because they have become globally acceptable means for financial transactions.

 “The e-payment platforms enhance greater penetration and accessibility to financial services by the unbanked and under-banked populace and can be enhanced with improved infrastructure,” Phido said.

  The statement added that the on-going media campaign for the new payment platform will be complemented by the use of consumer engagement activities- road shows, one-on-one contact marketing, digital and online advertising.

By Adeniyi Idowu Adunola

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