Olusola Fabiyi, Abuja

The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Prince Uche Secondus, has congratulated the newly-elected National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Mr Adams Oshiomhole.

Secondus, in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday, told Oshiomhole that he hoped that his coming on board as the chairman of the ruling party would help to deepen democracy in the country.

While wishing the former governor of Edo State the best in his new assignment, Secondus said, “On behalf of my party, the main opposition PDP, I wish to congratulate you and pray that democracy would gain a lot in your climbing to the exalted office of your party.

“May I assure you of the PDP’s readiness to provide robust and constructive criticism and hope that the environment would be made conducive for all democratic institutions to strive.”

Meanwhile, the PDP Screening Committee for Osun State governorship election, led by a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Austin Opara, has started the screening of 11 aspirants for the governorship election slated for September 22, 2018.

Opara, who spoke with journalists shortly before the commencement of the exercise, pledged that the committee would do a thorough job, adding that the screening would be conducted in compliance with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the PDP constitution and guidelines released for the exercise.

The former lawmaker said, “We have 11 aspirants that have applied to contest the governorship position in Osun State.

“One thing we want to let you know is that our party is reformed and we have a repositioned party, a party that is coming back stronger and willing to take over governance and leadership of this country.

“This process started with the collection of forms and that has been completed. The forms have been returned. The next is the screening exercise and the party has constituted a committee to screen the aspirants and we are starting the process today (Monday).

“We are determined to do things right. The new leadership of the party has said we must rebrand the party. We will be guided by the guidelines of the party, the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and the PDP Constitution.”

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Okechukwu Nnodim, Abuja

The Federal Government has remobilised Julius Berger Nigeria Plc to commence work on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

It was gathered that the firm was expecting huge payment from the Federal Government following the signing of the 2018 Appropriation Bill by President Muhammadu Buhari, after it was passed by the National Assembly.

Senior officials of Julius Berger on Monday reiterated the position of the firm’s Managing Director, Wolfgang Goetsch, as regards the remobilisation by the Federal Government, but insisted that it was not within the purview of the construction firm to reveal the amount involved to the public.

They explained that it was against the contractual terms for the firm to state the amount to the press.

The officials, however, noted that the company had been remobilised and was expecting sizeable financial outlay from the government since the 2018 budget had been passed and signed by the President.

At the 48th Annual General Meeting of Julius Berger in Abuja, Goetsch assured users of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway that the firm would hasten the reconstruction of the road, noting that it could not work on the project site during the dry season due to some challenges.

He said, “Yes, we are still handling the Lagos-Ibadan road project. Unfortunately, in the last dry season, we did not work, which is also not technically good. But now is the raining season and since the government has remobilised us, we are expecting a huge payment since the budget has been signed.

“And when the huge payment is done, we can deliver more. But it also falls on appeal to the government that we need money ahead of time.”

Julius Berger is handling a section of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway from the old toll gate in Lagos to the Sagamu interchange, and it experienced a tough but productive year in 2017, as explained by Goetsch at the AGM.

Goetsch stated that the company achieved a positive turnaround with respect to cash flow and profitability in the 2017 financial year, adding, “I can definitively say that our company is on track for continued future success.”

In its annual report and financial statements for the year under review, the firm stated that it made a group profit of N4.77bn, in contrast to N3.01bn in 2016.

Goetsch noted that Julius Berger had intensified its business development efforts to further drive diversification and expansion into key sectors, adding that the firm had optimised its tendering process and was providing new concepts to manage foreign exchange risk.

He stated that the type of change the company embarked upon was one that “opens doors and unlocks potential, especially for the next generation, whose creativity and dynamics breed new possibilities.”

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Idris Adesina

Nigeria face a daunting task against Argentina as they seek to progress to the knockout stages of the 2018 World Cup in a make-or-mar Group D match at the Krestovsky Stadium, Saint Petersburg on Tuesday.

After losing their opening match in the group 2-0 to Croatia and beating debutants Iceland 2-0 on Friday, the Super Eagles need to avoid a defeat against two-time champions Argentina to progress to the round of 16

Albiceleste are on the verge of exiting the tournament except they defeat the Eagles and hope that Iceland lose to or draw with Croatia in the other group match. The Argentines have been less than impressive in Russia having drawn 1-1 with Iceland – with Lionel Messi missing a penalty – and losing 3-0 to Croatia in their second match.

Nigeria and Argentina are meeting a fifth time at the World Cup with the Eagles losing all the four previous encounters. The Argentines triumphed 2-1 over Nigeria in 1994, they were 1-0 winners in 2002 and 2010 and beat the Eagles 3-2 in 2014. Hence, the Eagles would be seeking to end a run of consecutive losses to the Albiceleste.

Overall at senior level, Nigeria and Argentina have met eight times – the most recent of which was in a friendly match in Krasnodar, Russia in November 2017. Nigeria have won twice in friendly matches – a 4-1 win in Abuja in 2011 and a 4-2 win last year in Krasnodar. One of the meetings ended in a draw – a goalless draw in the Confederations Cup in 1995 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Argentina have won the rest.

The Eagles will be seeking to capitalise on the current unsettled state and dismal form of the Argentines to nick a first win over them at the World Cup and progress at the expense of the South Americans.

Reports of unrest in the team have surfaced since their 3-0 loss to Croatia with coach Jorge Sampaoli under fire for their current form. The reports have suggested the coach would not be in charge of Tuesday’s match as the players would select the team themselves. But the team would also be wary of the threat posed by Barcelona star Messi and Manchester City record scorer Sergio Aguero.

However, Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr would be banking on the form of two-goal hero – against Iceland – Ahmed Musa and the unity of purpose among his players for a result that would guarantee Nigeria’s fourth appearance in the round of 16. The Eagles have only failed to progress from the group stages on two occasions – 2002 and 2010.

Former Eagles midfielder Friday Ekpo said the Argentines would want to make a statement against Nigeria.

“There are a lot of things at stake in the match. Nigeria – apart from seeking to qualify for the round of 16 – will want end the run of losses to Argentina. But for Argentina, there is pride at stake as they will want to show that they are better than Nigeria at the World Cup,” he said.

“Nigerian teams have a way of bouncing back after defeats but they tend to relax after giving a good performance. The Eagles should see it as their final match at the World Cup because they need it more than the Iceland game.”

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Akeem Lasisi

The two words look and sound alike, so much that they tend to compete for one’s senses in relevant situations. But like many other homonyms (words  that sound or are spelt the same but have different meanings), they are meant for different contexts. Unfortunately, a lot of people either interchange them at will or they outright make wrong choices where required. Remember, ‘outright’, not ‘outrightly’ because there is no English word like that. Just as there is nothing like ‘fastly’!

Consider these:

Femi Falana was still an … lawyer when he met his wife.

(a)       upcoming (b) up-and-coming (c) incoming (d) up but coming

The school is preparing for the … Founder’s Day.

(a)       oncoming (b) incoming (c) upcoming (d) up-and-coming

The major crisis arises when some people want to refer to a young or emerging talent or professional who has the potential to do well. He or she can be a lawyer, plumber, singer, actor or even a footballer.  They then describe him or her as an upcoming lawyer, upcoming artiste etc. As far as they are concerned, since the guy is rising and growing, then he is simply coming up. Hence, they call him an upcoming worker or artiste.

This is wrong because ‘upcoming’ has an entirely different meaning and can hardly be used to refer to a person. Unfortunately, many users, including journalists, fall into the trap when they have to write or speak about talents who are emerging.

The adjective, upcoming, does not mean ‘rising’ or ‘budding’. It means coming soon or about to happen. Its synonyms include forthcoming, imminent, impending and approaching. This indicates that it is meant to qualify activities or schedules – not human beings. It goes with events, which can be a party, conference, meeting, competition or religious service:

Juliet doesn’t read much, but she is preparing hard for the upcoming fashion parade.

The Lagos State Government has published a list of upcoming events.

In a situation where you want to describe the young man that is doing so well that the sky is his limit, who is showing great potential to soon hit the limelight,  the word required is up-and-coming. This is also an adjective but it describes young talents, professionals and others who are demonstrating compelling traits pointing to the fact that they are destined for the top. Its synonyms thus include  rising, promising, soaring, industrious and ambitious.

Because up-and-coming so means ‘likely to become successful or popular soon/in the future’, it is normally used with people. But, because it can also mean likely to develop, it can go for a place too:

The up-and-coming engineer studied at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

Ali Baba likes to feature up-and-coming comedians during his shows.

Magodo was still up-and-coming when I bought a plot of land there.

Note that while upcoming is written without a hyphen, up-and-coming carries two. The latter is like many other adjectives formed by combining two or more words: larger-than-life experience, no-more-sorrow crusade, forget-me-not message etc.

The relationship between upcoming and up-and-coming will also remind experts about other expressions such as incoming, outgoing and ongoing. They are all adjectives and I believe you know their meanings. I think what may be a little intriguing is whether or not each of them requires a hyphen — between the preposition and the verb that make it up. In other words, in-coming or incoming, out-going or outgoing, on-going or ongoing?

Although each features a combination of two words to gain its adjectival status, none of them takes a hyphen. Hope you are not contemplating asking me why — because that is simply a matter of convention. It is the way the language is.

For the avoidance of doubt, note the meanings and usages of the terms:

incoming: arriving at, coming towards a place or coming to take a job or an office —

The incoming chairman of the All Progressives Congress will have a lot of battles to fight.

outgoing: retiring or withdrawing from a place, going away etc.

The outgoing chairman is not happy.

The outgoing train is one of those acquired by this government.

Can you pronounce women?

Yes, can you pronounce women well? I doubt it. The reason is that many of us pronounce the word as wU-men. We carry this over from the pronunciation of woman, which correctly goes like wOH-man. Of course, even in the second syllable in wo-MAN, the vowel you have there is, in pronunciation, not the loud /a/ as in mat or bag. It is the soft and low one called schwa. But let us concentrate on the first syllable and vowel.

In woman, the first syllable is truly the OH sound (wOH-man), but in women, the letter o should be pronounced as /i/not u or o. So it is pronounced like  wI-men (/wimin/), not wUmen. This means that the vowel sound is the same as what you have in wish, wit and business — where (in business) u is pronounced as /i/ – bIz-ness.

But there is a contagious pronunciation problem with business too. The first s in the word should be pronounced as Z. not /s/. It is something like biZ-nes,  (not biSnes). In other words, the s is not pronounced the way you pronounce it in Bisi or Risika!

Answers to last week’s assignment

1. Before the match started, the Super Eagles prayed that they … Croatia.

           (a) defeated (b) are defeating (c) defeats

           (d) DEFEAT

2. For the team to make an impact in the next match, the coach should ensure Mikel … in the                           midfield.

           (a played (b) plays (c) PLAY (d) is playing

3. I am not afraid of anybody, because it is God who … me.

           is protecting (b) has protect (c) PROTECTS

                (d) protect

Those who got all the answers right

Peter Anaman, Shola. M, Kayode Sagamu, Wole Ogunsade, Oladimeji Oluwadare, Egberongbe Niyi, Akin Gandonu, Dania Aminat, Onasanmi James, Blessing Aghojare, Mobis O’mobis, Fasooto Ademola, Oke Gabriel, Awonowo Adekunle, Ademola Adedokun, Abdulmalik Mumin, Adeyemi Olaniyi, Sanni Amjos, Ayomuiyiwa Ayoade, Adebibi Abiodun, Seyi Adewuyi, Reign Aiyowieren, Daramola Oloniruha, Trevor Olakunle, Godwin Akpoghome, Gani Oladipo, Adebayo Ajagun, Timothy Olufayo, Aransiola Oluwole, Moshood Afolabi, Ifeayinchukwu Ibekwe, Toyin Oyewoga, Esther Okeke, Ndidi Ihekwoaba, Jogunola Olabanji, Ovie Muogho, Muogho Kingsley, Charles Ekereke, Angela Michael, Folu Ojo, Peter Inyang, Opeyemi Aminat, Dickson Ogala, Sangodare Ayinla, Alonge Seun, Ohworisi Okiemute, Josiah Abu, Aynalola Oluseyi, Yinka Alli-Owe, Ologunde Seun and Obafemi Oluyomi.

Others who also did well

Fasasi Kehinde, Nnamdi Chiegbo, Ishola Oluwatoyin, Ibrahim Opeyewa, Tunde Egbedokun, Bayo Adekoya, Rotimi Jaiyeoba, Avwioroko Thelma, Akinola Arowojolu, Frederick Ehigbor, Oshin Florence, M.S. Adelugba, Sulaimon Baleeqs, M.M Uthman, Sylvanus Asogwa, Rasheedat, Esther Padonu, Olawale Ayodeji, Yekeen Mutiu, Rotimi Oyedele, Adunni Ogunsakin, Chijioke Onuoha, Olugbenga Adu, Tayo Ajetunmobi, Uthman Kayode, Chimezie Chinaka, Halimat Awonuga, Adebayo Abdulmajeed, Adeleke Taiwo, Ojedokun Philip, Ibukun Emmanuel, Oladosu Oluwasola, Innocent Ndu, Ajayi Oluwaranti, Oladipo Isaac, Tayo Hunsinu, E.C. Porbeni, Ustadh Faisol, Ini Otu, Adegboyega Michael, Garnvwa Nath, Eravworhe Bolanle, Frances Adeniyi, Ayodele Egbetola, Muoka Johnny, Fab Wuike, Abiodun Femi, Gbadebo Oyewo, Ngozi Nwogu, Oyebamiji Eluwumi, Aina Peter, Abdwakil Ashafa, Mikairu G.Y, Olaleye Oluwafemi, Oludare Olufade, Micholas Ohen, Iyabo Ijagbemi, Azeez Monsuru, Richard Fadiran, Jimoh Wasiu, Raheem Jimoh, Oladipupo Muhammed, Foluke Ogunsanya, Olaide Owomoyela, Aremu Afolabi, Gaji Bukola, Lanre Sowunmi, Akinbosoye Bright, Asan Kafilat , Olotu Steve, Omoba Folarin, EC Porbeni, Leziga Mitee, Adewale Junaid and Tunde Anibaba.

Homework

1. Femi Falana was still an … lawyer when he met his wife.

           (a) upcoming (b) up-and-coming (c) incoming

           (d) up but coming

2. The school has invited the governor to the … Founder’s Day.

           (a) oncoming (b) incoming (c) upcoming

           (d) up-and-coming

3. If I were Musa, I … work harder on my scoring skills.

           (a) am working (b) will be working (c) would

                (d) will

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Olalekan Adetayo, Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari has said he will not go to jail at the end of his administration because he has integrity and he is honest.

He said he would have gone to jail after his previous appointments if not for his integrity and honesty.

According to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, on Monday, the President spoke while receiving a delegation of the Supreme Council for Sharia in Nigeria at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He said he had no regrets being a person of honesty and integrity.

“I am satisfied with what I am. I am happy I have kept myself and the people close to me from benefiting from government contracts,” the President said.

Buhari said he did not award contracts and did not care about who got them as far as they did a good job at a cost that was justifiable to the nation.

“I have been in many places including (Ministry of) Petroleum. I would have gone to jail if I had taken an oil well. For integrity and honesty, I have no regrets.

“By this, I have contributed to my social safety. I won’t go to jail,” the President boasted.

The President, who said he had been accused of many things, said his critics couldn’t accuse him of stealing.

“You cannot accuse me of stealing. I have appointed ministers and they are in charge. I appeal to their integrity.

“When they come here (Federal Executive Council Chambers), we ensure they follow the due process. If I owned an oil well, I would have gone to jail,” he stressed.

Buhari also responded to a number of issues raised by the delegation, including complaints that the Muslims had been marginalised in appointments to government institutions such as the military and the civil service.

On the violent conflicts in some parts of the country, Buhari said he was putting in his best.

He said following his dissatisfaction with the performance of the police in Zamfara State, he ordered a mass transfer of officers and men who had stayed three years and above in the troubled state.

Speaking on behalf of the delegation, the Vice-President, Sheikh Hadiyyatullahi Abdulrashid, commended Buhari for accomplishing much of what he promised before his election.

Meanwhile, President Buhari on Monday noted that all the groups clamouring for the restructuring of the country had their personal agenda.

He wondered if the constitution would allow such agenda.

Buhari spoke when he received a delegation of Urhobo Traditional Rulers, the leadership of the Urhobo Progressive Union and members of the All Progressives Congress from Delta State at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

“You mentioned something which is topical these days: the call for the restructuring of Nigeria.

“Every group asking for restructuring has got their own agenda and I hope it can be accommodated by the constitution,” the President told his guests.

The President-General of UPU, Moses Taiga, had in his address on behalf of the delegation told the President to ensure the restructuring of the country.

Taiga had also intimated Buhari that there were hunger and poverty in the land.

He had also called on the President to appoint an Urhobo person into his cabinet.

He said, “We cannot for the life of us claim to have garnered tangible benefits for our temperance and long-suffering especially when placed side by side what had been taken away from our lands.

“Grinding poverty is still a fact of life in nearly all our communities. Our youths are unemployed and frustrated but we rein them in regardless, in the hope that tomorrow might be a better day.”

Buhari reiterated his position that previous administrations did not fund critical infrastructures in the country despite the oil boom at the time.

He wondered what the nation’s elite were doing when harm was being done.

“The operation between 1999 and 2014, Nigeria was producing an average of 2.1 million barrel per day and the average cost was $100 per barrel. It even went up to $143.

“This means for the 16 years of previous administration, Nigeria was receiving 2.1 million x $100 x 16 years, seven days a week. And when we broke it down, in it came down to $37, $38 and then it oscillated between $40 and $50 for some time.

“When I went to the Central Bank with my cap in my hand, I was told there were no savings.

“When I looked at the infrastructure — the roads, rails, power — I asked where has the money gone? Where are the Nigerian elite that know this damage is being done to the resources of the country?” Buhari said for the umpteenth time.

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Maureen Ihua-Maduenyi

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines says it will offer a new economy class service concept aboard its intercontinental flights.

“At the start of an intercontinental flight, economy class passengers will receive a bottle of water, a refreshing towel and earphones, which means they can immediately get set for their journey. After this welcome service, passengers will be offered an extended choice of meals on flights out of Amsterdam,” the airline said in a statement.

“On intercontinental daytime flights out of Amsterdam, the new meal service will include a choice of warm dishes, a large, well-filled salad, and a dessert. On medium-range and longer intercontinental flights, the selection of snacks will be further extended with ice-creams, sweets and savoury snacks. Passengers will also be welcome to collect these snacks in the galley,” it added.

According to the airline, the new service will be introduced on nine destinations on July 1, namely: Bonaire (via Aruba), Entebbe (via Kigali), Fortaleza, Osaka, Hong Kong, Vancouver, Seoul, Rio de Janeiro and Houston.

“From the start of our winter schedule on October 28, the service will be available on all our intercontinental flights. The flights are subdivided into daytime and night-time flights, but also into three different distance zones, namely short-range intercontinental flights, medium-range intercontinental flights, and long-range intercontinental flights,” the airline said.

It added that the overall service would be adjusted per zone, so that it would coincide with the biorhythms of passengers.

“Passengers will, as always, be served a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages aboard every flight,” the airline said.

It explained that the new collective labour agreement for its cabin crew included a clause that one less crew member would be assigned on many intercontinental flights, and consequently, a more efficient economy class service was  required.

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Ozioma Ubabukoh

Ogbomosho Pivotal Club has inaugurated a 12-man executive committee led by Alhaji Remi Adeseun as president to pilot its affairs for the next one year.

The club is an association of indigenes of Ogbomosho land in Oyo State, with a common goal of seeing to the development of the ancient town and its people.

Adeseun, a Fellow of both the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria and the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy, succeeds Dr Akin Onigbinde, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

Prince ‘Degun Agboade emerged vice president, while the duo of Alhaji Sola Adeseun and Akintayo Akintola were elected secretary and assistant secretary, respectively.

Alhaji Abu Salam is the new treasurer and will work closely with Mr Tunde Alegbe as financial secretary for the period.

Others members of the executive committee are Mr Tunji Olaniyi, publicity secretary; Yemi Suara, social secretary; Joel Owoade, auditor; and Kehinde Akinwunmi, legal adviser. Both Yemi Bello and Prince Taiwo Ayoola are ex- officio members.

A statement, which was signed by Olaniyi, quoted members of the club as reposing confidence in the new executive committee “comprising relatively young members of the club in the spirit of the ‘not-too-young-to run’ movement currently in vogue in the country.”

One of such good will messages, according to Olaniyi, came from Air Cmdr. Layi Atanda (retd), a former president of the club. He was said to have expressed hope in the ability of the Adeseun-led executive committee to deliver on their brief.

Atanda said, “They are the young ones to whom the future belongs. Our hope is that by deploying technology, which is associated with the digital age we are in, they will do well, far more than we were ever able to do to uplift the Ogbomosho Pivotal Club.

“They will possibly take the club to the next level and thus realise the aims and objectives of its founding fathers.”

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Dayo Ojerinde

The CEO of Global Health Resources, Dr. Wale Alabi, has made a case for Public-Private Partnership in the delivery of quality health service to Nigerians.

Alabi made the statement at the fifth edition of the Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Award held last Friday at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

He said, “The way forward is for the private sector to drive healthcare in Nigeria. The government must actually step back and give the private sector the opportunity to run the health delivery.

“We can actually have the Public-Private Partnership where government regulates the price of healthcare so that the poor will not be exploited,” he noted.

On the Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Award, Alabi said the award was created to promote excellence in the healthcare industry where providers can be excited and improve on their system.

“It has been exciting, growing, and the health sector has accepted this award as a benchmark for excellence in Nigeria,” he said.

Reacting to questions on the state of the Nigerian health sector, Alabi said, “We are not there yet, but we are aspiring and we are having a lot of centres of excellence springing up in Nigeria and I think we are going to be the medical tourism spot for West Africa as we are going.”

In his welcome address, the Project Director, Nigeria Healthcare Award, Dr. Sola Alabi, said the award was initiated to restore the glory of the health sector in the country as well as to celebrate hard work and perseverance in the sector.

The 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award was received by the Pro-Chancellor of Caleb University, Imota, Lagos, Prof. Fola Tayo, for his roles as members of several private and government organisation’s committees on health and education.

On the criteria for awarding the Lifetime Achievement to a recipient, Alabi said, “The recipient has to be 70 years old and above, and must have contributed to both public and private healthcare in Nigeria.

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Dayo Ojerinde

Dental and orthodontic clinic, Smile360, has bagged the award for the ‘Best Dental Service Provider of the Year’ at the 2018 Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Awards, held last Friday at the Eko Hotel Convention Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The award was received by Smile360 Clinical Director, Dr. Amy Traore-Shumbusho, who was accompanied by some of her team members to the stage.

Traore-Shumbusho said on social media, “On behalf of the Smile360 team, I would like to use this medium to thank our lovers and supporters for helping us bring the NHEA 2018 ‘Dental Service Provider of the Year’ award home.

“I can’t aptly express the fulfilment my heart abounds right now, but I just want you all to know we profoundly appreciate this. This marks our fourth consecutive win, and it says a lot about our efforts and contributions to dentistry in the country.”

Well-wishers have also responded with congratulatory messages with many patients attesting to the commendable works of the clinic.

One of the patients who prefer to be anonymous wrote, “Congratulations Dr.  Amy! You have taken dental care to another level. Appreciate your service and the excellent staff you have! I am still rocking my braces with style.”

The Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Awards was designed to celebrate and recognise the best individuals and organisations that have contributed in a remarkable manner to the improvement of the Nigerian healthcare sector.

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Ozioma Ubabukoh

Platform Branding Company Limited has emerged as ‘Africa’s Most Trusted Branding Company’ at the 2018 African Brand Merit Leadership Awards.

The ABMLA is aimed at celebrating leadership, innovation, creativity and the great minds and institutions responsible for the positive change brought to Africa through their brands.

“It recognises outstanding work in the industry, while honouring chief executive officers, businesses, brands, products and services that have excelled and demonstrated uncommon initiative, drive and leadership in the African economy,” the organisers said in a statement.

In response, Platform Branding Company said it was delighted to have received the award.

The company’s Co-founder, Uju Obuekwe, said, “We want to thank our clients, the African Brand Merit Leadership Awards team and our creative team, who are dedicated to exceptional brand building and innovative marketing communications services.

“We have always measured our success by our clients’ success. That has been our story from the start and since our inception; we have proven our abilities at delivering the communication needs for our clients.”

With a client list of leading brands that span a broad range of industries from financial services, energy, technology, retail, education, real estate and non-profit organisations, Obuekwe stated that Platform continued to grow its reputation as Nigeria’s leading marketing agency providing excellent branding solutions that produce results.

“We pride ourselves on work that is smart, engaging and on message – work that is in tune with current trends and technologies. We help companies to meet business objectives, accelerate growth and compete effectively in an ever-changing world,” she added.

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Ozioma Ubabukoh

The Risk Managers Association of Nigeria elected new members of its executive committee at its 18th Annual General Meeting/election, which held recently.

Mr Magnus Nnoka, who has over two decades’ experience in the banking sector, emerged as the president of the association.

Nnoka’s experience cuts across banks and core areas of treasury, branch management/operations, and enterprise risk management, where he has spent over 16 years and developed expertise in different areas of risk management.

A statement by RIMAN read in part, “He has worked and held senior management positions at Equitorial Trust Bank, Diamond Bank Plc, Standard Chartered Bank of Nigeria and Union Bank of Nigeria Plc. He currently works at Coronation Merchant Bank, where he is the chief risk officer.

“He brings to bear his professional and leadership skills to pilot the affairs of RIMAN for the 2018/2020 executive council tenure.”

The Chief Risk Officer, Subsidiaries, Access Bank Plc, Mr Kolawole Ajimoko, was elected as the first vice president, while the Chief Risk Officer, Bank of Industry, Dr Ezekiel Oseni, was elected as the second vice president.

The Head of Risk Management, Corporate and Investment Banking Division, Access Bank Plc, Mr Adesoji Olasoko, emerged as the general secretary, while the publicity secretary position went to the Managing Director, SageView Petroleum Limited, Ms Laurine Ubanozie.

The Head, Retail Credit, Standard Chartered Bank, Mrs Grace Ademola, was voted in as the treasurer, while the position of the deputy general secretary was won by the Group Head, Credit Review and Loan Monitoring Department, Keystone Bank, Mr Aderemi Kuju.

“The elected executive commit members will serve the association for the 2018/2020 executive council tenure,” the statement added.

In his acceptance speech, Nnoka assured the RIMAN members that he would make efforts to sustain the progress of the past executive committee members and take the association to the next level, “extending risk advocacy, capacity building and best practices in risk management to the public sector and other sectors of the economy.”

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Ted Odogwu, Kano

The management of Max Air Limited is set to commence domestic flights to all major airports across the country in the next few days, following the procurement of three additional aircraft to boost its fleet.

A statement signed by the company’s spokesman, Ibrahim Dahiru, said the airline acquired the three aircraft to boost its fleet in order to meet the demand of domestic passengers in those routes.

Dahiru stated that the third aircraft earmarked for Max Air’s domestic operations arrived at the Mallam Aminu Kano Airport over the weekend.

The Vice Chairman of the company, Alhaji Bashir Mangal, said the airline was now putting finishing touches on its arrangement to commence domestic operations.

“For now, we are going to start with the three Boeing 737- 300 series and as the situation improves, we will bring more aircraft into the system to ease the hardship being encountered by air travellers in the country,” he said.

He said from inception in 2007, Max Air had been operating with seven wide-bodied Boeing 747 jumbo jet aircraft, mainly for the annual Hajj and Umrah operations in the country.

Mangal disclosed that the airline had recruited competent hands, including pilots, engineers, ground staff and handlers in order to facilitate its domestic operations nationwide.

He recalled that the airline recently concluded the airlift of over 5,000 Umrah pilgrims to Saudi Arabia during Ramadan fasting period.

He also said the airline was expected to participate in the airlift of Nigerian pilgrims this year, just as it participated in the evacuation of pilgrims in the West African sub-region in recent years.

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Samson Folarin

 The new Commissioner for the Public Complaints Commission, Lagos State, Abimbola Ayo-Yusuf, has vowed to fight injustice in the state.

Ayo-Yusuf, while seeking public support, said the commission would address public complaints with speed.

A statement on Tuesday said the University of Lagos graduate took over from the former commissioner, Mr Funsho Olukoga, after the inauguration of the Chief Commissioner, Chile Zasha, and 37 other commissioners by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, at the National Assembly.

Ayo-Yusuf said, “We are here to help the average man to fight injustice. We will attend to people’s problems faster than before. We know that the world has moved to the social media; so we intend to use a lot of social networks to get across to people so that they can understand what we do. Basically, we fight against injustice and maladministration in both private and public sectors.”

He said the agency would build a cordial relationship with other stakeholders for ease of resolving complaints brought by members of the public.

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Niggas Rehab Foundation involved in the rehabilitation of drug addicts in Kaduna has organised a musical concert to draw attention to the adverse effects of drug abuse on victims and the society.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that popular Northern hip-hop artistes, including Kannywood star Adam Zango, Yahaya Makaho, television presenter Aminu Abba, also known as Nomis Gee, and B.O.C. performed at the event on Tuesday.

 The Chairman of the foundation, Lawal Muduru, said the event was organised to mark the International Day against  Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

According to him, the concert is a new dimension introduced to sensitise young people through music and drama on how indulging in drug abuse would ruin their lives.

“Being the eleventh edition of enlightenment on drug abuse organized by the foundation, this time we invited northern musicians to enlighten the youths on the effect of the bad habit to their lives.

“The high rate of use of illicit drugs and addiction among the populace including under aged, some aged 10-15 years is very alarming.

“It is, therefore, very important for the government and key stakeholders to join hands and tackle this menace, which is on the rise daily, before it completely destroys our society,” Muduru said.

According to him, the rehabilitation centre has 150 inmates undergoing treatment and has in over 10 years of its existence treated and rehabilitated more than 2,300 drug addicts.

He explained that addicts brought to the centre spent between three months to a year depending on their condition.

Maureen Ihua-Maduenyi

Cameroon Airlines Corporation, also known as Camair-Co, has announced the resumption of its flights to Lagos.

According to the airline, the service started on June 23, when the Cameroonian flag carrier arrived from Douala after some years of absence from the route.

The airline said in a statement that at the welcoming ceremony at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, the Consul General of Cameroon in Lagos, Dr Ekorong Dong, expressed delight to see Camair-Co back to the economic route of Douala-Lagos.

Dong said the presence of Camair-Co in Nigeria would further enhance the relationship between the two countries.

“Today we are witnessing together a new benchmark, a new landmark between Nigeria and Cameroon. This will boost the trade, commercial and social-cultural events between our countries,” he added.

The Country Manager, Camair-Co Nigeria, Agnes Ndikum, stated that the airline was determined to continuously serve the Lagos-Doula route.

“Let me state here that Camair-Co is finally here to stay and provide quality air travel between Nigeria and Cameroon. We appreciate the efforts of APG Nigeria, our general sales agent for their continuous support in making this relaunch of the Lagos-Doula route a reality,” she said.

The APG Nigeria General Manager, Chike Ohiagu, said the airline and its partners were determined to make it remain on the route.

The aircraft pilot, Capt Kono Constant, also stated that he was delighted to return to Nigeria after a long while.

“We haven’t flown into Nigeria for a long time. Nigeria is so advanced when it comes to aviation, and we are very pleased to be back here. Camair-Co is working so hard round the clock to ensure travellers rely on our airline and not to go elsewhere,” he added.

According to the statement, Camair-Co is scheduled to operate Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays with a Boeing B737 between Douala and Lagos.

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Akinpelu Dada

The International Fertilizer Development Centre has predicted an exponential increase in fertilizer consumption by Nigerian farmers as a result of the remarkable improvements in the local blending of the input under the Presidential Fertilizer Initiative of the Federal Government.

According to a report recently released by the IFDC in collaboration with the Food and Agricultural Organisation and other international agencies, fertilizer uptake by Nigerian farmers increased by 63 per cent in 2017, rising from 959,364 metric tonnes in 2016 to 1,564,816 metric tonnes.

In contrast, Ghana recorded 82 per cent increase in fertilizer consumption, although unlike Nigeria that has totally eliminated subsidy from the system, Ghana’s increased consumption was driven by a spike in government subsidy programmes, the report stated.

The report, which also noted the increase in the exportation of Urea by Nigeria, stated that exports in the area increased from 329,630 metric tonnes in 2016 to 659,603mt in 2017, with over 50 per cent of the product going to Brazil.

It also highlighted some of the achievements being recorded in agriculture through the PFI and hinged the fertilizer growth enablers on the revival of blending plants with the active support of the Central Bank of Nigeria and other agencies of the government.

It also quoted a member of the Fertilizer Producers and Suppliers Association of Nigeria, Mr Gideon Negedu, as saying the industry in the country was targeting to produce more than one million metric tonnes of blended NPK fertilizer this year, adding that with increase in crop yield in mind, players had agreed to the introduction of more critical micro nutrients in fertilizer blending for the 2018 PFI programme.

The PFI is a programme of the Federal Government designed to ensure an increase in the local manufacturing of fertilizer through the revival of moribund blending plants and possible establishment of new ones.

Since the government began its implementation in 2017 in partnership with the Fertilizer Producers and Suppliers Association of Nigeria, fertilizer blends have become available all year round, with the price at N5,500, down from N11,000 and above in previous years.

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Dayo Ojerinde

Stakeholders in the health sector are set for a roundtable discussion on the lack of sustainable healthcare in Nigeria.

At a press briefing in Lagos recently, the Chief Executive Officer, Hygeia Healthcare Maintenance Organisation Limited, Mr. Obinnia Abajue, said the conference, tagged, ‘Sustainable Healthcare, The Road Map’, would focus on challenging hospitals to deliver better care by strengthening their capacity while giving insight into funding solutions.

“The conference will also discuss options for achieving Universal Healthcare Coverage as well as optimising Private Public Partnership initiatives to enhance reach to healthcare solutions,” Abajue said.

He noted that the conference was a platform created to support the thinking of healthcare in the country with the goal of helping people access quality healthcare which every Nigerian must play their part in.

“This requires stakeholders, policymakers, pharmacists and others in the chain to come together to discuss the way forward,” he said.

Abajue said there would be networking opportunities, designed to yield significant impact in healthcare delivery by providing practical solutions and benefits to all stakeholders.“

The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, is expected to lead over 300 participants and other dignitaries to the event.

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south Korea coach Shin Tae-yong says his team have just a “one percent chance” of beating Germany and sending the holders tumbling out of the World Cup.

A 1-0 defeat to Mexico and a last-gasp 2-1 win over Sweden have left Joachim Loew’s team in danger of becoming the German side to exit at the first-round stage since 1938.

Germany can guarantee progress with a win by two clear goals on Wednesday but all four teams can still qualify from Group F, even South Korea, who currently have no points.

“Germany are a lot stronger than us, so it’s not going to be easy for us,” said Shin. “But the ball is round so I think there will be opportunities for us as well.

“Even if we have less possession than Germany we will do our utmost to beat Germany tomorrow.

“We have a one percent chance. It will be our last-ditch effort, but whether we go to the round of 16 or not we will do our utmost to win tomorrow’s game. The Korean people know this and I hope they will give us support as well.”

Tottenham forward Son Heung-min also played down the chances of an upset.

“I don’t know how I should answer,” he said when asked if South Korea could spring a surprise. “Of course, we want to do our best to get to the round of 16. They have to win, we have to win.

“They’re the world champions, they’re world number one. A lot of people didn’t think Mexico could beat Germany, so we will try to do our best and accept the result.”

South Korea are missing injured captain Ki Sung-yueng, who plays for Swansea.

“He (Ki) is a key player for our team. It’s not something we had planned for, so it really complicates the situation for us,” said coach Shin.

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Maureen  Ihua-Maduenyi

Air Peace, on Monday elevated one of its Senior First Officer, Sinmisola Ajibola, to a captain.

The airline said the development was in fulfillment of its pledge to always ensure gender equality, adding that Ajibola joined the airline in February 2017 as a senior first officer before making history as its first female captain.

According to the airline, the new captain is from a family of pilots – father and four brothers, three of whom are with Air Peace.

The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Air Peace, Mr Allen Onyema, while presenting Ajibola for decoration, said he was proud of her achievement.

Onyema, urged the new captain to sustain her outstanding performance in and out of the cockpit.

He also commended the airline’s pilots for displaying excellence in the cockpit, as well as standing tall among their counterparts, globally.

Onyema explained that Air Peace caused a revolution in the nation’s aviation industry in the area of pilots’ benefits, saying, “The airline currently has eight female pilots in its workforce.”

According to him, women occupy most of the top positions in Air Peace and also run four of the carrier’s stations.

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Australia’s departing coach Bert van Marwijk admitted his side’s lack of a top-class striker once again cost them dear after a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Peru on Tuesday saw them exit the World Cup.

“You could see that for this team it is difficult to make the difference in goals at this level,” said the Dutchman after the game in Sochi, repeating a familiar complaint at the tournament.

Australia played well for much of the match against the South Americans but had no reply to goals in each half from Andre Carrillo and Paolo Guerrero.

It followed good performances in losing 2-1 to France and holding Denmark to a 1-1 draw, but their only goals at the tournament came from Mile Jedinak penalties.

“In all three games we couldn’t really make the difference in goals, and that is something this squad misses on this level.

“That is a pity because today when you see the statistics, I don’t really know, but for my feeling we had maybe 60 percent ball possession, and I think we had a lot more chances and shots at goal.”

Denmark went through from Group C with France, and the 0-0 draw between those two sides in Moscow confirmed that even an Australian win would have been in vain.

“Even if we had won with two, three, four-zero, it wouldn’t have changed anything, only in the feeling for the players, and for all Australia, so that is a pity,” added Van Marwijk, who now leaves the job to make way for the incoming Graham Arnold.