Nigeria’s position on the corruption index has remained unchanged at 136 out of 170 nations, despite the ongoing anti-graft war in the country.
This was disclosed by the chairman of anti-corruption watchdog Transparency International, Jose Ugaz, while presenting a list of its 2015 corruption perception index.
The TI chairman, while noting that corruption remains a blight around the world, however said there have been some improvements, especially as 2015 was a year when people around the world sent a strong signal to those in power that it was time to tackle corruption with various protests across the globe.
In Sub-Saharan Africa, the report revealed that 40 out of the region’s 46 countries showed a serious corruption problem and there was no improvement for continent powerhouses, Nigeria and South Africa.
Denmark remained at the top for the second consecutive year as the country perceived as least corrupt. It scored 91 points out of a possible 100 while North Korea and Somalia remained at the bottom with unchanged scores of 8.
The five least corrupt countries according to Transparency International are: Denmark, Finland, Sweden, New Zealand and Netherlands. While the five most corrupt countries are: South Sudan (163) (tied with Angola), Sudan (165), Afghanistan (166), Somalia (167 tied) with North Korea.
Countries like Australia, Brazil, Libya, Spain and Turkey, have deteriorated according to TI.
Nigeria is still in the process of embracing Snapchat. With over 100 million active users and 400 million snaps per day, the social media platform is one of the fastest-growing social networks in the world, and even though it caters mainly to a younger demographic(18-34 yrs), it is becoming an essential part of global marketing strategies.
Although, Snapchat’s developers transcended traditional rules of social media and included the unique time-constrained photo and video shares feature, it can equally be used, like other social media platforms, to increase community engagement (build and establish relationships with customers) and brand awareness through innovative marketing campaigns. Small businesses in Nigeria can benefit even more as adding Snapchat to their social media marketing helps them grow their brand with minimal effort.
Are you in Nigeria and thinking of adding Snapchat to your social media marketing mix? Jovago.com, Africa’s No.1 online hotel booking site suggests three ways Nigerians can use Snapchat for building business brand and marketing .
Offer the target audience access to Live Events
The Snapchat app is wildly popular among millennials, as unlike the older generation, they seem to enjoy real-time footages. The real-time feature of the app makes it uniquely perfect for real-time social media marketing as it gives the target audience instant and direct access to live events. Snapchat can be a handy tool for business and companies at their product launches, while running their trade shows, at very big events including anniversaries or at special events such as 1st person to reach a target purchase etc. Snapchat gets your audience excited because you’re providing a different, more authentic view of what is going on at the event. Businesses can even also provide behind-the-scenes shots for these events and even private office events like birthday parties, Friday afternoons or company outings, which helps create and engage a strong following as it makes the customers feel like they are part of the process, therefore encouraging stronger brand awareness.
Employ teasers to boosting marketing campaigns
Teasers are a powerful tool for creating anticipation in the minds of clients and prospective patrons. It is usually very short and punchy, and Snapchat, based off of short clips, offers 10 seconds per snap which although not a very long time, is perfect to pull off a teaser. A creative way to achieve this would be to creating a series of Snaps or even Stories that build up anticipation for an event or product release and include a viral element. Then, send out the short 10-second snap to select people, preferably target influencers and brand evangelists who also help spread the word. You could also choose random followers for a special inside peek. A number of brands, especially in the entertainment industry, have adopted this technique, and have teased new shows, events or movies on Snapchat. The idea is to create anticipation and incorporate customers into their Snapchat marketing campaigns so they can do some of your marketing.
Advertise Contests, Perks or Promotions
Nigerians definitely love social media giveaways and promotions and snapchat stories expire after 24 hours, so it offers the perfect opportunity to host flash sales or send out coupon codes. Businesses can succeed in Snapchat community engagements with a variety of promotions, exclusive deals and contests by offering promo codes or discounts to the fans who watch your entire Snapchat story. The company could also ask followers to take a snap while holding their product to get exclusive promotional offers. This technique improves brand personality and creates two-way communication between consumers and the brand. The company can also capture user-generated content while increasing loyalty.
Nigeria’s former president, Goodluck Jonathan, has urged African nations to improve security and education across the continent in order to promote development even as he said that poverty remains the bedrock of terrorism or crime.
Jonathan, speaking at the Geneva Press Club in Swizerland, also mentioned that poverty remains the bedrock of terrorism and crime.
In his words, “If you peruse the official UNESCO literacy rates by country, what you will find is that all of the top 10 most literate nations in the world are at peace, while almost all of the top 10 least literate nations in the world are in a state of either outright war or general insecurity.
”Lower education levels are linked to poverty and poverty is one of the chief causative factors of crime whether it is terrorism or militancy or felonies.
“With this at the back of my mind, I began the practice of giving education the highest sectoral allocation beginning with my very first budget as President in 2011,” he said.
He included that his policy while in office was to fight insecurity using counter-insurgency strategies, the military and for the long term he fought it using education as a tool.
The worth of the Nigerian telecommunications industry has been put at over $32 billion, while its contributions to the nation’s coffers in the last 13 years of Nigeria telecoms revolution have been estimated at about N500 billion.
Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta, who made this revelation while unveiling his eight-point agenda for the industry, said the sector had created about 2.5 million jobs and contributed 9.5% to the country’s Gross Domestic Product as at December 2014.
He said the revenue to government coffers were earnings from spectrum sales, taxes and other telecommunications earning activities between 2001 and 2014.
The 8 point agenda included the facilitation of broadband penetration through provision and optimisation access to and use of affordable fixed and mobile broadband in Nigeria; optimisation of the usage and benefits of spectrum; improve quality of service; promote ICT innovation and investment opportunities; facilitate strategic collaboration and partnership with relevant stakeholders.
It also include to protect and empower consumers from unfair practices; promote fair competition and inclusive growth by creating a competitive market for ICT and lastly, ensure regulatory excellence and operational efficiency through effective regulatory framework.
Ecobank Nigeria is making do with its commitment to be the leading Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) friendly and supporting bank in the country.
According to the head of SME and Value Chain Banking, Ecobank Nigeria, Mr Sunkanmi Olowo, said that the bank has recently engaged in various initiatives targeted at increasing fund and support for the SME sub-sector.
He stated that Ecobank has recognised SMEs as the engine room of the nation’s economic growth, hence it would continue to support the sub-sector.
The aim of the Ecobank SME Club is to provide preferential business support and tailored products, hence, creating a platform for adding value to SMEs through information mining, networking, and capacity building.
“The benefits of the SME Club to customers are numerous. It offers business/capacity development and technical assistance, provides business, accounting, tax, legal and other services and platforms, B2B linkage across Africa, access to market information, economic updates, exchange rate information, international markets and finance, online marketing/sales (24/7), active support from government backed organisations and quarterly working sessions led by experts,” he said.
There are different types of phobias in the world and one phobia that may have resulted from technological advancement is Nomophobia – the fear of being without mobile contact.
The use of internet enabled smartphones has made this device readily available to many Nigerians. At present, many sociologists and parents are concerned about the rate at which young people cling to their phones all through the day. In line with this, Jovago.com, Africa’s No 1 hotel booking portal shares four signs that you may have nomophobia.
You have nightmares about your phone
When you start having nightmares about phones, it may be a pointer to nomophobia. This is because dreams are a reflection of your innermost thoughts. If it is possible, give yourself a break from your phone and watch the dreams fade away.
You wake up at night to browse
There is nothing wrong with waking up in the middle of the night to browse social media and news websites but if it becomes a habit, you should check yourself.
No Phone signal can make hysterical
It is unbearable for some people to be offline for a second and so, when the data network fluctuates, they are angered. As a result, they put a call through to the customer service provider to complain and rant. If you do this often, you may not be far away from nomophobia.
You take your phone to the bathroom
What is your phone doing with you in the bathroom?! Normally, if you want to have your bath, your phone should not be with you. However, if it has become a part of you, you will take it everywhere you go even the bathroom.
International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) is a global technology and innovation company headquartered in Armonk, NY. It is the largest technology and consulting employer in the world, with more than 400,000 employees serving clients in 170 countries. IBM offers a wide range of technology and consulting services; a broad portfolio of middleware for collaboration, predictive analytics, software development and systems management; and the world’s most advanced servers and supercomputers.
We are recruiting to fill the position below:
Job Title: IT Specialist
Location: Lagos
Auto req ID: 27892BR
Travel Required: No Travel
Group ID (R): GTS
Job Descriptions
IT Specialists in this job role will have expertise in one or more server technologies, including different hardware architectures and operating systems.
Typical examples of the deliverables are building proof of concept solutions with server system technology and architecting server solutions to address client requirements.
IT Specialists in this job role work with products or solutions based on any vendor hardware and/or any vendor operating system software.
IT Specialists who primarily apply their technical skills in an internal or external customer billable services and implementation environment. The employee focuses on individual/team/department/ operational objectives.
Required Technical and Professional Expertise
Communication/Negotiation:
Excellent communication skills (Able to read / write / understand)
Engaged as an independent professional.
Ability to articulate and compare alternatives approaches. Negotiate with specified objectives.
Problem Solving:
Recognize problems related to project objectives. Creativity and judgment applied to professional technical,
or operational problems. Independently generates solutions, based on analytical skills &
business knowledge. Challenge the validity of given procedures and processes to enhance
and improve or develop complementary adjustments /solutions.
Contribution/Leadership:
Works on special projects, or leads small teams, or manages routine technical/ operational activities or departments (national or international).
Understands departmental mission and vision.
Provides advice in technical/operational domain of specialization. Generally controls own work
Priorities and methods requiring tradeoffs.
Qualification
Required Education:
Bachelor’s Degree.
Preferred Qualification:
Master’s Degree.
Application Closing Date
Not Specified
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidate should APPLY
GE is the world’s Digital Industrial Company, transforming industry with software-defined machines and solutions that are connected, responsive and predictive. GE is organized around a global exchange of knowledge, the “GE Store,” through which each GE business shares and accesses the same technology, markets, structure and intellect. Through our people, leadership development, services, technology and scale, GE delivers better outcomes for global customers by speaking the language of industry.
We are recruiting to fill the position below:
Job Title: Sales Leader Nigeria – Subsea Services & Drilling, Oil & Gas
Job Number: 2419086 Location: Lagos
Business: GE Oil & Gas
Business Segment: OG-HQ Headquarters
Career Level: Experienced
Job Description
The Sales Leader (SL) plays a key role within the SSA GE Oil & Gas Sales organization and impacts on the regions go-to-market strategy.
The SL will be responsible for growing the Subsea System orders and profitability across all Sub Sea Systems product lines and P&L’s.
The SL will demonstrate leadership in managing new accounts penetration and will maintain and grow wallet share whilst supporting the Subsea product portfolio.
This person reports to the Subsea Systems Regional Leader.
Essential Responsibilities
Identify Subsea opportunities in Nigeria for all Subsea product lines: EPC, Offshore, Services
Develop influential relationships with customers at all levels and develop strategies to win profitable business from those customers
Overall responsibility for customer satisfaction
Organize customer presentations, lead the capture strategy for Nigeria
Integrate the technical support team and functions, including comm ops, finance, product support, and others in the implementation of customer strategies
Develop customer strategies, campaign plans, and leadership in their execution
Determine / create customer needs, solve business problems through consultative approach, develop marketing, sales and strategic business plans and be responsible for delivering revenue and margin commitments
Responsible for the overall leadership and day-to-day management of assigned accounts
Provide accurate forecasting and updates on opportunities through the use of sales tools such as SFDC
Ownership of receivables for assigned customers
Work with Quality and P&L’s to drive customer satisfaction, reduction in CIR’s and improved NPS
Maintain knowledge of market trends, customer requirements, competitor actions, and customer base
Serve as primary customer interface
Actively participate in GE Business Cycles, SII, GPB, NPI’s
Identify new market opportunities and cross-selling GE products.
Able to generate credibility with key customers and to understand their needs and solve their problems in an accurate and timely fashion
Networking and creating presence at industry events (both formal & social)
Qualifications/Requirements
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or relevant business experience
Proven experience in a sales or commercial role related capital equipment or associated services
Previous Subsea Experience is a requirement
Familiarity with commercial tools such as SalesForce.Com, pricing strategies/models
Strong communicator, able to successfully manage multiple priorities for demanding internal and external stakeholders
Proven ability in account management.
A valid NYSC discharge or exemption certificate will be required (please indicate clearly on your resume)
Must have valid authorization to work full-time without any restriction in Nigeria
Desired Characteristics
Knowledge of related products, services and markets
Strong oral and written communication skills
Strong interpersonal and leadership skills
Integrative team working style
Strong oral and written communication skills
Strong interpersonal and leadership skills
In-depth knowledge of the industrial applications for product lines and markets
Integrative team working style
Application Closing Date
Not Specified.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidate should APPLY
PricewaterhouseCooper (PwC) firms help organisations and individuals create the value they’re looking for. We’re a network of firms in 157 countries with more than 208,000 people who are committed to delivering quality in assurance, tax and advisory services. In Sub-Saharan Africa, we’re the largest provider of professional services with offices in 34 countries and close to 9 000 people. This enables us to provide our clients with seamless and consistent service, wherever they’re located on the continent. Our in-depth knowledge and understanding of African operating environments enables us to put ourselves in our clients’ shoes and offer truly tailored Tax, Assurance and Advisory solutions to unique business challenges.
PwC refers to the PwC network and/or one or more of its member firms, each of which is a separate legal entity.
Your learning with us begins with a structured 6 – 8 weeks induction course. This is the first element of a development framework that will help you build business awareness, technical, personal and management skills throughout your career.
Self-directed, career-long training is a key feature of life here at PwC. The entire working environment is designed to empower you to learn.
You will have access to a wealth of critical knowledge, such as best practices documentation and methodology tools. We will provide you with continuous on- the-job guidance, and you will acquire key knowledge about industries, business strategy and practical business issues faced by our clients through your daily experiences.
Professional qualifications will play a vital role in your career. We will provide you with all the support and resources you need to excel in your professional exams. A coach who will play an important role in your career development will be made available to help you unlock your potentials, so that you can perform at your best.
International development is a valuable development opportunity which our global network can provide .This provides you with the opportunity to spend a year or two gaining experience and fresh perspectives with one of the PwC firms around the world, or explore new cultures during short-term client assignments or training courses abroad.
Requirements
Fresh Graduate
Completed NYSC
Minimum of 2nd Upper Class Honours
Additional Information
This position is for our Assurance and Tax Regulatory Services.
Application Closing Date
5th February, 2016.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should APPLY
The British Deputy High Commission is an equal opportunity employer and seeks to deliver highest possible standards of service by selecting experienced and professional staff to fill the following vacant positions:
Determined to bring joy and sensitize Nigerians and Africa in Diaspora about the deadly disease, “LASSA FEVER”, Junior Chamber International Nigeria, Ikeja THE LEGACY BUILDER, will on Friday January 29th, join hands with renowned Nigerians and world health authorities to educate on good health and well being. The interactive segment is scheduled on Twitter for easy communication.
In its commitment to expand global sensitization of Lasa Fever, contribute good health and well being according to SDG GOAL, the Local Organization President of Junior Chamber International Nigeria, Ikeja, Olamide Akin Balogun Confirmed that #KickLassaFeverOutCampaign Online Campaign is being hosted by JCI, Global Impact Ambassador, Medicaid Diagnostics, Bring Back our Girls Group, Kebbi State, Host (health matters on NigeriainfoFM 99.3 ) to answer questions on everything LASSA FEVER.
The programme provides answers to unknown questions of the menace. Nigerians and the world at large will find out the causes of “LASSA FEVER”, how to aid it, how to manage the crisis period and many more.
The focus of this event is sensitizing about the fever and totally eradicates the deadly disease.
Among the contributors and moderators of the online discussion are agents of change, such as: Pascal Dike: Junior Chamber International World President, Amb. Olatunji Oyeyemi: JCI Nigeria National President, Amb. Olamide Akin Balogun, David Eka Jnr; Global Impact Ambassador: Local Organisation President, JCIN Ikeja, Dr Zainab Shinkafi: Wife of Kebbi State Governor, Juliet Offiah : Host,Health Matters on NigeriaInfoFM 99.3, Aisha Yesufu: Leader Of the BBOG Group, Amb. Henry Adedokun: Executive Vice President South West Nigeria, Amb. Adetola Juyitan: National Vice President, South West Nigeria and All Medic Aid Diagnostics center Doctors
Lassa Fever was first discovered in the 1950’s but the cause of the deadly fever was not identified until 1969. It is mainly found in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea, and Nigeria and is spread by rats. Otherneighboring countries are also at risk because the type of rat that spreads the virus is also found throughoutthe West African region. Due to the clinical course of the disease is so variable, detection of the disease in affected patients has beendifficult but prompt isolation of affectedpatients, good infection protection and control practices and rigorous contact tracing can stop outbreaks.
Humans usually become infected with Lassa virus from exposure to urine or faeces of infected Mastomys rats. Lassa virus may also be spread between humans through direct contact with the blood, urine, faeces, or other bodily secretions of a person infected with Lassa fever. There is no epidemiological evidence supportingairborne spread between humans
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
The signs and symptoms of Lassa fever commonly happen 1-3 weeks after a person has come into contactwith the virus. For most of those with a Lassa fever virus infection; around 80%, symptoms are mild and under-diagnosed. Mild symptoms include:Weakness, Headaches, Slight fever, General malaise, Repeated vomiting, Respiratory distress, Pain in the back, chest and abdomen, Facial swelling
DIAGNOSIS
The symptoms of Lassa fever are varied and non-specific, clinical diagnosis is often difficult, especially early inthe course of the disease.Definitive diagnosis requires testing that is available only in specialized laboratories. Laboratory specimensmay be hazardous and must be handled with extreme care. Lassa virus infections can only be diagnoseddefinitively in the laboratory using the following tests:
‘Ribavirin,’ is an antiviral drug that has been used with success in people affected by Lassa fever in its earlystage.
Supportive care that consists of maintenance of:
Oxygenation, Blood pressure, Treatment of complicating infections, Appropriate fluid and electrolyte balance.Effective measures include storing grain and other foodstuffs in rodent-proof containers, disposing ofgarbage far from the home, maintaining clean households and keeping cats. Because Mastomys are soabundant in endemic areas, it is not possible to completely eliminate them from the environment. Familymembers should always be careful to avoid contact with blood and body fluids while caring for sick persons.
Lassa fever should be considered in febrile patients returning from West Africa, especially if they have hadexposures in rural areas or hospitals in countries where Lassa fever is known to be endemic. Health-careworkers seeing a patient suspected to have Lassa fever should immediately contact local and national expertsfor advice and to arrange for laboratory testing.
Many people prefer renting cars to using taxi cabs or public transport systems as it gives them freedom and flexibility when traveling. But while a rental car allows flexibility on a trip, it can sometimes add a measure of complications to the journey – like finding out the car is infested with roaches and the company is unwilling to take responsibility.
Cockroaches are one of the most popular disease carrying pests. They leave saliva and excrement which can cause dysentery, diarrhea and is are threat to childhood asthma. The fact that they are ubiquitous in nature and very resilient is no help either as it makes getting rid of them almost impossible, however, Jovago.co, Africa’s No.1 online hotel booking site offers 5 tips to manage roaches in a rental car.
Fumigate
The first step to make the moment you find out your car is ridden with roaches is to fumigate. You can do this by dusting the interior with boric acid powder, using other insecticides or employing an exterminator to handle the process. It is less tedious and more economical to use the boric acid powder though, you just need to make sure you apply the powder in every nook and cranny.
Park in clean surroundings
Sometimes the rental company is not responsible for the roach infestation. Most times, insects find their way into the vehicle through holes and crevices under car and through the engine, so, it is important to watch where you park the car while using it. Avoid parking next to dust bins or refuse dumps, local market places, and generally areas with unclean environment.
Do not eat in the car
Have you ever been in a car, and the moment you start to eat maybe a wrap of Sharwarma or a burger, roaches start to pop out from every corner?
Roaches may be blind, but their sense of smell is sharp, and they are attracted to the smell of food. Wherever food and water are easy to find, roaches will invite themselves to lunch. So, the best way to cancel their reservations and get rid of them is by adopting a ‘no-food-in-the-car” policy.
Use the AC
Unknown to a lot of people, cockroaches prefer warm environments or places with hot air. They barely survive in cold room temperatures. So, in cases where you find your car being occupied by these vermin, you maybe want to use your air conditioner to expel them – especially at nights, as the cockroaches are nocturnal and naturally prefer to roam about at night.
Set sticky traps
This is a cleaner and less laborious way to get rid of the roaches. Insects like to congregate in dark corners within the car and these are areas sticky traps can reach.
These traps help you accomplish two things. First, you are able to get a better look at the species of roaches that have infested your car, that way you can identify how best to get rid of them. And second, you get an idea which parts of the car are “high traffic” areas are for the cockroaches and vacuum these places often.
The Maiduguri branch staff members of Fidelity Bank Plc, recently put smiles on the faces of children at the Internally Displaced Persons’ (IDP) camps across Borno State. The workers under the aegis of Fidelity Helping Hands Programme (FHHP), the multi-purpose Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) vehicle of the bank, contributed funds from their salaries to buy educational supplies, including branded school bags, books and writing materials, which they donated to the children.
The project tagged “Back to School,” was designed to better the lives of the victims of Boko Haram insurgency in the North East region, who are presently taking refuge at the IDP camps.
According to the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc, Nnamdi Okonkwo, said the benefactors identified education out of the many needs of children in IDP camps due to strong correlation between education and socio-economic development.
“We do not want to alienate ourselves from the community where we operate. We maintain high standards of integrity in our relations with state governments as well as host communities. That is why staff of the bank can pull resources together to embark on such a humane project.
The Indian government has pledged to continue to purchase Nigeria’s crude oil and sustain its bilateral cooperation with the country in power, agriculture, Natural Gas, and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), the acting High Commissioner of the India High Commission has said.
Mr Kaisar Alam said that the diplomatic relations between India and Nigeria has grown steadily since 1958.
According to the acting high commissioner, the economic relations between both countries had grown over the years, adding that India had remained Nigeria’s major trade partner in 2015.
He recalled that India had pledged a loan of $10 billion for Africa over the next five years at the recent India-Africa summit held in Oct. 2015. The envoy explained that the loan is expected to finance projects in infrastructure, agriculture, power skill development, among others.
The commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, confirmed the death of a 27 -year-old lady who died of Lassa fever at the Ijede General Hospital in Lagos. According to him, deceased may have contacted the disease after she travelled to Edo State in December for the Christmas holiday and came back in January.
Idris also said that the health ministry had begun tracing 90 persons that might have had contact with the victim. “The remains of the patient have been kept in the morgue in a sealed body bag. She is to be buried after due consultation with her family,” he said.
He further revealed, “So far, Lagos State has recorded 20 suspected cases of Lassa fever since the outbreak of the disease. As of now 14 suspected cases tested negative, while four cases were confirmed positive. The results of two suspected cases are pending. The ministry has listed 537 contacts of the confirmed cases and 534 of the contacts are currently being monitored.”
Mallam Danladi Yero said that the people of Ungwan Yero Community in Badarawa/Malali ward, Kaduna North Local Government Area of Kaduna State on Wednesday declared war against rats, rodents and other carriers of the dreaded Lassa fever. He noted that his area was known to be notorious for rats, adding that they are ubiquitous in the area and must not be tolerated any longer.
“With the recent outbreak of the Lassa fever, the community came together with the decision to kill as many rats that are visible within their community,” he said.
President Muhammadu Buhari has instructed the Senate to repeal and re-enact the Money Laundering Prohibition Act.
This is contained in a letter to the Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, entitled: “The Money Laundering Prevention and Prohibition Bill 2016 and the Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Bill 2016.’
The President said the bill provides for the repeal of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011 as amended in 2012, to make comprehensive provisions prohibiting the laundering of criminal activities, expand the scope of money laundering offences, provide protection for those who may discover money laundering, enhance customer due diligence, provide appropriate penalties and expand the scope of supervisory bodies, while recognising the role of certain self-regulatory organisations to address challenges in the implementation of a comprehensive anti-money regime.
“I hereby introduce for formal consideration and enactment into law the Money Laundering Prevention and Prohibition Bill 2016 and the Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Bill 2016.
‘’Money Laundering Prevention and Prohibition Bill 2016: This bill provides for the repeal of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011, as amended in 2012, to make comprehensive provisions to prohibit the laundering of criminal activities, expand the scope of money laundering offences, provide protection for employees of various institutions, bodies and professions, who may discover money laundering, enhance customer due diligence, provide appropriate penalties and expand the scope of supervisory bodies, while recognising the role of certain self-regulatory organizations to address challenges in implementation of a comprehensive anti-money regime.
“The Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Bill 2016: This bill seeks to facilitate the provision and obtaining by Nigeria of international assistance in criminal matters, including the provision and obtaining of evidence, making of arrangements for persons to give evidence or assist in criminal investigations, recovery, forfeiture or confiscation of property in respect of offences; restraining dealings in property or the freezing of assets that may be recovered, forfeited or confiscated in respect of offences; execution of request for search and seizure, location and identification of witnesses and suspects, service of documents and other matters connected herewith.”
The Upper Chamber on Wednesday, January 27, fixed February 25 for the passage of the 2016 Appropriation Bill.
The appropriation bill scaled second reading in the Senate. The bill was committed to the Committee on Appropriation to coordinate budget defence by ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) of government.
Senate President Bukola Saraki warned senators against financial inducement in the course of budget defence by MDAs.
Saraki said any lawmaker involved in unwholesome conduct in the course of budget defence would not be spared.
On the general principles of the budget, Saraki said the proposal was a major departure from past budgets, particularly with regard to withdrawing focus on oil as major revenue source for funding the budget.
He said: “This to me and to all of us is the most important area of this budget in the sense that it will be a great foundation not only for today but for the future if this can be achieved.
“Also, with the pegging of Capital Expenditure at 30 per cent, a number of comments were made about the level of borrowing but I think what matters is what the money is used for.
“As of the percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), we are still within the limits and parameters but what is important is to ensure that the money is judiciously used for what it is meant for.”
Saraki said the Senate would also take a look at the issue of benchmark and various budgetary allocations, where most senators expressed concern.
The Federal Government has granted indigenous carrier, Med-view Airline permission to fly 17 regional and international destinations.
Managing Director of the airline, Muneer Bankole, disclosed this on Wednesday, January 27, during a forum organized by Med-View for travel agents and tour operators in Abuja.
The forum was an avenue for the airline to introduce its new routes to the travel agents and also interact with them.
As part of its expansion drive, the airline recently flagged off Lagos- London and Lagos – Kano- Jeddah international operations and also commenced local flight from Lagos to Kano.
Bankole, who spoke through the company’s Executive Director, Business Development, Is’haq Na’Allah, disclosed that the airline would soon commence international operations into other countries it has been designated to fly.
Among the new routes which the government has granted the airline approval to fly into, according to the MD, were Lagos – Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Dakar Senegal; Freetown Sierra Leone; Monrovia in Liberia.
He added that plan is also in top gear to procure additional aircraft to beef up its fleet in 2016.
The market capitalization at the end of the mid-week trading on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, crashed from N8.196 trillion to N8.025 trillion.
At the end of trading on Wednesday, January 27, the year to date returns on the Nigerian bourse stood at -18.54 per cent.
Market breadth closed negative as Seplat Petroleum Development Company led 11 gainers against 24 losers topped by Transnational Corporation of Nigeria at the end of the trading session which was an unimproved performance when compared with previous outlook.
Market turnover closes positive as volume moved up by 82.63 per cent against 33.61per cent decline recorded in the previous session. Zenith Bank, UBA and FBN Holdings were the most active to boost market turnover. Zenith Bank and Guaranty Trust Bank top market value list.
