OFFICIAL STATEMENT BY NIGERIA's FINANCE MINISTER ON ALLEGED PLAN TO RESIGN OVER SUBSIDY REMOVAL

It has come to our notice that a well coordinated campaign of calumny against the Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, founded on outright lies and despicable distortions is being executed by cowardly persons hiding behind the ongoing controversy over the government’s decision to deregulate the petroleum sector.

 

For obvious reasons, the faceless campaigners have elected to tell their lies online because the normal journalistic principles of facts and balanced reporting are generally absent there.

 

For instance, we have received numerous enquiries regarding an alleged threat by the Coordinating Minister to resign if the government goes back on its decision to end the fuel subsidies. The threat was supposedly made during the emergency Federal Executive Council meeting which held yesterday.

 

This speculation, like numerous others is absolutely false. DR OKONJO-IWEALA WAS NOT AT THE MEETING BECAUSE SHE WAS OUT OF THE COUNTRY WHEN IT WAS GOING ON. In other words, they are saying that she made a threat at a meeting that she did not attend. She made no such threat physically or through any other means. She had no reason to.

 

The agenda behind the alleged threat and similar stories is obvious: to inspire public hatred and odium against her person by manipulating public opinion so that she is seen as the sole person pushing for the removal of subsidies.

 

Their calculation is that Nigerians are so angry and so gullible that they will believe anything if the lies are supported with manufactured “facts”. But we believe that fair minded Nigerians are not fools.

 

It is clear that governments and certainly the Jonathan administration do not work in the manner that the peddlers of falsehood are saying. It is not only naive but also highly disrespectful to the President and the government as a whole to suggest that the entire decision making machinery of government is the sole preserve of any official.

 

We urge the media and the Nigerian public to ignore the antics of people who obviously believe that Nigerians are fools.

 

For the avoidance of doubt, Dr Okonjo-Iweala supports the decision on fuel subsidy removal because she believes that ending the subsidies will drastically reduce corruption in the downstream sector.

 

Deregulation will also help to end the waivers enjoyed by powerful cabals at the expense of the Nigerian people. In addition, the vast majority of Nigerians will also gain as the proceeds will be redirected into safety nets, other identifiable social interventions as well as provision of sorely needed infrastructure projects nationwide. 

The statement was signed by Paul C Nwabuikwu,the

Senior Special Assistant to the Coordinating Minister for the Economy/Minister of Finance

 

LATEST NEWS:SHOPRITE OPENS IN ALAUSA IKEJA

Shoprite has finally opened in Alausa , Ikeja, Lagos. The opening ceremony took place today 14 December 2011.Now, we can have a Silverbird cinema in Ikeja.Yes, they are one of the new tenants inside the Shoprite in Alausa.
Other people are there too.Stanbic IBTC Bank,kenturky Fried Chicken (KFC) and others would be there too.
Tayo Amusan and his South African partners are changing the face of shopping in Nigeria.
 

LATEST NEWS: HITV SAYS GTBANK INVADED IT OFFICE DESPITE A PENDING CASE IN COURT

 This is really a bank-customer relationship gone sour.HITV informed gistmaster that the closure of their office in Lagos yesterday is nothing but invasion despite a pending court case.
 A statement issued in Lagos today by HiTV reads
"On Monday, November 21 at about noon, heavily armed mobile policemen alongside men in suit invaded in a commando style, simultaneously, all HiTV offices in Lagos purportedly acting on some court order instituted by Guarantee Trust Bank Plc over a relationship/financial dispute between HiTV and the bank.

The invading team brandishing a court order sealed HiTV offices thereby partially paralysing activities and causing disruption in its services which has resulted to the loss of signals in some of its Hi channels locally and to its international partners.

For records purposes, we wish to state here that the invasion on HiTV property by agents of GT Bank was a total breach of the rights of HiTV as there is a pending case in court on the same issue and more but the bank in a clandestine manner went ahead to secure an order from another court which they relied on to invade HiTV premises across Lagos.

The Facts:

·      GTBank is a shareholder of HiTV and has financed a significant part of HiTV’s business activities.

·      GTBank participated in the sale of UEFA Champions League 2011/12 season (rights for which were awarded to HiTV) in a manner that was inconsistent with agreed contractual terms.

·      HiTV consequently filed in court the case regarding the improper sale of the UEFA rights along with other issues concerning its relationship with GTBank.

·      Despite there been an existing case in court, GTBank secured an order from another court and invaded HiTV business premises in different locations in Lagos on Monday, November 21 and caused significant distress and embarrassment to HiTV staff and customers.

As a law abiding organisation, HiTV will handle the issue legally and that is why it is calling on subscribers, agencies, and trade and platform partners to be calm and patient while the issue is being tackled. HiTV thanks all for the continuous patronage of the proudly Nigerian Pay TV.

 HiTV apologises for service disruption

Proudly Nigerian Pay TV Company, HiTV, is currently experiencing disruption in its services which has resulted to the loss of signals in some of its Hi channels locally and to its international partners.

This piece of news was contained in a statement signed by the company’s Public Relations Manager, Justin Akpovi-Esade. The company’s management according to Akpovi-Esade are currently working at resolving the issue.

He thanked its valued subscribers for their continued patronage even as he assured that “everything would be fine very soon. A team of competent personnel are working round the clock to ensure the issue is resolved. HiTV values its numerous subscribers and calls for their usual understanding and patience while the issue is being sorted out,” the statement read.

JONATHAN SACKS EFCC BOSS,FARIDA WAZIRI+LAMORDE APPOINTED ACTING CHAIRMAN

 President Goodluck Jonathan woke Nigerians up with a shocker this morning with the sack of Economic and Financial Crimes (EFCC) boss Mrs. Farida Waziri. According to announcement made by the government through the president's spokesperson, Dr. Reuben Abati, Waziri was relieved of her job and an acting chairman in the person of Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde has been appointed acting chairman of the anti-graft agency.Gistmaster gathered that the sack of Waziri and appointment of Lamorde as EFCC acting Chairman takes immediate effect.
 Lamorde's profile in efcc started durning the time of former chairman of the commission, Malam Nuhu Ribadu. He was the director of operations. He was later appointed the acting chairman shortly before the appointment of Mrs. Waziri by the Umaru Yar'Dua's administration in 2008.
 Lamorde a police office was tranfered from the EFCC after the appointment of Mrs. Waziri but he was re-appointed director of operations after sometime.
Mrs. Waziri was a retired police officer. She rose to the position of Assistant Inspector General Police before her exit from the force.
By Niyi Tabiti
 

ACCESS BANK GMD AIGBOJE AIG-IMOUKHUEDE SCHEMES FOR CBN TOP JOB?

 Spin doctors of Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede the group managing director/ceo of Access Bank are already pushing his ambition as next Governor of Central Bank to limelight. The tenure of the incumbent governor of CBN,Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, will expire next year.
 Gistmaster gathered that the Access Bank boss is silently running a campaign that would get him the job through his connection with Nigeria president, Mr. Goodluck Jonathan.
  He is considered as one of the closest economy drivers to the president. So he is doing all within reach to ensure that he is considered for the job.
 One of his highest selling point is also condered his weakest. According to a source, Aig-Imokhuede and his deputy, Wigwe are jollificating over the aquisition of Intercontinental Bank, yet they have not answered the question of how they managed to acquire a bank  they are indebted to. 
 Going by recent comments of President Goodluck Jonathan on the achievement of CBN governor, Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi , he might have his tenure renewed by another 4 years.
 Aig-Imokhuede is an alumnus of one of the prestigeous, Havard University Business School Executive management program, USA.He read law at the University of Benin before proceeding to the Nigerian Law School.He is considered one of the finest bankers we have in Nigeria.
 Efforts to get those in charge of communications in Access Bank to talk about it prove abortive.
 

WHICH NIGERIAN BANK LEAST APPEAL TO YOU?

In Nigeria, there are banks and there are BANKS. I am sure that you guys will agree that despite the recapitalization and confidence reposed in bank customers by the Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the Governor of Central Bank, Nigerians still want government to do more.
  The other time, gistmaster asked some friends "Which Nigerian bank appeal to you the least and why?" Some of them were quick to mention Fidelity Bank, Unity Bank, Wema Bank and guess what? Most people don't even know that Afribank has changed name to Mainstreet Bank???
 You can hardly find Wema Bank or their ATM anywhere near you, one said.
 

HUAWEI ENTERS NIGERIAN MOBILE PHONE MARKET

Channel Director, Huawei Technnologies Co. Nigeria Ltd, Mr Osita Akabueze Managing Director, Terminnal (West Africa), Mr Jacky Lee, Managing Director/CEO, Telec, Mr Tolu Ojo : and Head of Business Development & Strategy, Telec, Mr Peter Lee, at a Media Briefing on Huawei Technnologies entry into Nigeria Mobile Phone Market, held at Protea Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, yesterday.

 

Huawei Technologies Ltd, world’s biggest telecom service providers, has announced its entry into the highly competitive Nigerian mobile phone market, saying it will be making mobile phones accessible to Nigerians across different socio-economic classes.Click here to read more and see more photos

PHOTOS FROM FINATRUST MICRO FINANCE BANK 2ND ANNIVERSARY PRAYER SESSION

Abisoye Fagade of Sodium Brands Solution, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo of Trinity House and Deji Popoola the ceo of Fina Trust Microfinance Bank

Mr. Afolabi Oke, Executive director Global Swift, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo of Trinity House and Mr. Deji Popoola of Fina Trust micro Finance Bank

Deji Popoola of Fina Trust Micro Finance Bank, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo and Mr. Feyi Akinbile, human resources practitioner

Tolu Omoniyi MD Bobo Clothing, Pastor Ituah and Mr. Deji Popoola

Pastor Ighodalo and Mr. Deji Popoola

Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, Mrs. Yemi Oladunni of Eco Bank and Mr.Popoola

As part of plans to celebrate the second anniversary of Finatrust MFB, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo of Trinty House joined members of staff and customers of the micro finance bank, for an early morning thanksgiving service held of the bank's head office in Ikeja, Lagos.

-gistmaster

INSIDE SOURCES:PROBLEM IN AIRTEL NIGERIA,COMPANY REDUCES STAFF SALARY

Sunil Bharti Mittal, the billionaire owner of Airtel

 Many would remember that over the past few months, there have remained several disagreements between staff of Airtel, Nigeria and the company’s management over several issues; issues which have led two 2 strike actions within the past 5 months. It should be noted that before now, Airtel’s Call Centre had been run by the subcontracted Nigerian firms: CCSNL, HR Index and Bezaleel.
 Barely three months after the Indians took over from ZAIN, they introduced their own Subcontracting firms: Tech Mahindra and Spanco BPO to ultimately take over from the Nigerians that have until now run the Abuja and Lagos call centre and the shops as well.
Fast forward: June, 2011. The Indians decided to make some organizational ‘adjustments’. Adjustments that led to the first strike action by the Abuja Call Centre agents. It was decided by the Company’s management that all staff who had gone on leave would be unpaid for those days not worked for; pregnant women to be indiscriminately sacked, termination of medical insurance and delay in the payment of June Salaries.
 This led to the first strike action which led to the total downing of tools by the Abuja Call Centre agents; an action which led to all customers’ calls being routed to the Lagos call centre. A day later, management had a change of mind and paid staff salaries, the payment of staff salaries that had been on leave and the enrolment of all staff in the National Health Insurance Scheme.
July 18, 20011. Airtel had declared excessive profits from the 2010 year and decided to award CERTAIN staff bonuses ranging into the millions of naira. One would think this largesse would go round all workers but the Indians decided that some staff where MORE EQUAL than others. Call Centre Agents that did 60% of the work were neglected. Also, staff that joined the call centre from November, 2010 till date were never given the benefits of staff lines prompting them to recharge their lines like any other network subscriber (imagine living by the ocean and washing your face with spittle).
 These issues led to a strike which involved the NLC that lasted over a week and a half. Finally, certain agreement were reached and the company promised to pay bonuses ON OR BEFORE 31ST AUGUST 2011 as contained in a communiqué issued to all staff; an agreement which it has not been acknowledged till date.
Monday, 19th September, 2011. After a meeting between Airtel Managent and their subcontracting Indian firms, Spanco Bpo, Tech Mahindra, and representatives of the workers union, it was decided unanimously by Airtel that ‘all staff salaries, effective from 1st October, 2011, would be reduced by at least 60%’ because “…the company needs to survive as the salaries were to hectic for the company to bear’.
 As such, call Centre Agents that have since the last two years earned N74,070 would now earn N29600; ‘Junior’ supervisors that have earned N180,000 would now earn N72,000 and some Assistant Managers that have earned N240,000 would now earn N96,000 per month!!!! Imagine Airtel ‘needing’ to survive after a $10.7 billion takeover of Zain, the highest ever trans-continental transaction
Now, with N29,600, how would Call Centre Agents, for instance, pay house rents that range between N80,000 and N450,000 in Lagos and Abuja, buy food, tend to their respective families/friends’ needs then clothe themselves. Seemingly, this is highly IMPOSSIBLE with the newly proposed Airtel salary structures. A corper, for intstance would earn as much as an Airtel Call Centre agent.
Sandeepn Nair, one of the mangers the Indians brought over was quoted to have said that the call centre job was a job not meant for graduates, since it was so in his country. He also claimed that he started work as a call centre agent in his country (a country that tolerates child labour) at the age of 14! Now at 29, his is a ‘proud’ call centre manager. There have been other indications that the proposed salary reduction was due to the ‘extravagant’ life styles (according to the Indians) of the call centre agents at the Abuja call centre.
 When one visits the Airtel Call Centre at Abuja during a typical shift, several flashy cars are seen parked and it could be mistaken for a car shop. The Indians on the other hand who earn FAR MORE than the workers still chatter cabs to take them to their various destinations. Also, at the staff canteen, while at least 3 Indian mangers ALWAYS share a plate of rice with a bottle of 7up, call centre agents eat lavishly, and individually as well. (Seriously, no pun intended).
One thing the Indians REALLY need to understand is to ‘act like Romans while in Rome’. This is Nigeria! The fact that India permits child labour, Indian-call-centres-run-by-school-drop-outs and the unschooled and peanuts being earned as salaries doesn’t mean it can work in Nigeria. Nigerians would prefer to ‘get rich or die trying’. Fact!
 Unless a consensus is reached between Airtel’s management and Workers union before 30th September, 2011 on NO SALARY REDUCTION, don’t be surprised when you call the Airtel Call Centre with your line’s issues and being unable to go through. Workers are ready to down tools again for as long as possible to press home their demands as there is a planned match to the National Assembly to press home issues.
It should be noted that inhumane working conditions are also being experienced by workers at the Indian run Delta Steel Company at Aladja, Warri, Delta State.eleme petro chemical port Harcourt
 Ps: kindly forgive if the word “Indian(s)” used mostly in this article sounds racist. This is because ‘a spade has to be called a spade’

WESTERN UNION FRAUD:CUSTOMER WHO LOST OVER $3000 IN SKYE BANK SEEK JUSTICE

 Rotimi Onadipe,a Nigerian businessman is very bitter that the western union transaction he went to do at Skye Bank about two years ago is still the source of his problem till today. Onadipe who is already seeking every legal means to get his money back disclosed that he went to collect $3,300 dollars at one of the Skye Bank branches in Ibadan, Oyo State.
 gistmaster.com gathered that after concluding all the necessary formalities,he was told told that the money had already been withdrawn 10 minutes after he released his secret number.
 After investigation, two female staff of the bank were arrested and arraigned before magistrate court in Ibadan.They discharged in circumstances Onadipe as controversial.The magistrate also ordered a re-investigation into the matter.
Two years later, Onadipe is still fighting hard to get his money.Already he had petitioned the Nigeria Bar Association and the Chief Judge of Oyo State so that they can investigate the magistrate who gave the controvesial ruling.
Questions
Should a customer go through this kind of stress?
Are there no data machines to note who reveal the true identity of the person who paid the money and the person who actually received it?
-By Niyi Tabiti

GOOGLE NIGERIA PROVIDES NEW BUSINESS PLATFORMS FOR IT COMPANIES AND TECHNOLOGY ENTREPRENUERS

Larry Page and Sergey Brin- Google Founders

IT companies and technology entrepreneurs in Nigeria have been provided
the opportunity to become authorized resellers of Google Nigeria. This
announcement was made by the Business Development Manager for English
speaking West Africa, Mrs Lola Masha.

According to Google Nigeria, as authorized resellers, IT entrepreneurs
will be able to sell, customize and provide technical support services for
Google Apps for businesses.This opportunity provided by Google Nigeria
will ensure that young IT entrepreneurs in Nigeria will create new streams
of revenue for their businesses as well as become promoters of cloud
computing in Nigeria.

Lola Masha explained, “Google is looking to partner with upwardly mobile
IT companies and entrepreneurs with a passion for technology and a strong
interest in evangelizing IT solutions to Nigerian businesses. Cloud
computing solutions make collaboration and information sharing easy,
helping people connect more effectively and work more efficiently. This is
a unique opportunity for forward looking businesses to be a part of the
new enterprise paradigm of real-time business collaboration and
information sharing in the clouds."

Nigerian IT entrepreneurs/businesses interested in partnering with Google
are advised to send an e-mail to mailto:ssa-apps@google.com,
ssa-apps@google.com indicating their interest. Preference would be given
to young emerging companies with a global outlook, a strong culture of
professionalism, deep knowledge of on-premise messaging technology and a
familiarity with Google products. More information is also available at
www.google.com/a.

About Google Apps for Business
Google Apps for Business, is Google's suite of messaging (email, calendar,
instant messaging, groups), collaboration (Google docs, sites, video for
business) and security solutions (spam-filtering, virus protection,
archiving, encryption) that brings simple and powerful communication tools
to organizations of any size - all hosted by Google to streamline setup,
minimize maintenance, and reduce IT costs.  The solution will be
customized for the business' domain (e.g 
name@mybusiness.com).

Google’s web based messaging and collaboration apps are cost effective as
they do not require hardware or software. They are also require minimal
administration thereby saving valuable time and costs to businesses.
End users can use the familiar
Microsoft
Outlook interface for email, contacts and calendar as they transition to
Gmail and Google Calendar. A leading research firm found that Google Apps
is as little as 1/3 the total cost of competing solutions.

The solution also provides 50 times more storage than the industry average
with each employee getting 25 GB for email storage, so they can keep
important messages and find them instantly with built-in Google search.
Gmail is designed so employees can spend less time managing their inboxes,
and more time being productive. Time-saving features like message
threading,
message labels, fast message search and powerful spam filtering help
employees work efficiently with high volumes of email. Google also
guarantees that Google Apps will be available at least 99.9% of the time,
so your employees are more productive and so you can worry less about
system downtime. With synchronous replication, your data and activity in
Gmail,
Google Calendar, Google Docs and Google Sites is simultaneously preserved
in multiple secure data centers. If one data center is unable to serve
your requests, the system is designed to instantly fall back to another
data center that can serve your account with no interruption in service.

ACCESS BANK CHIEF, AIGBOJE AIG-IMOKHUEDE RINGS THE BELL ON INTERCONTINENTAL BANK WITH 50 BILLION NAIRA

 Aigboje Aig- Imokhuede the group managing director of Access Bank Nigeria Plc is ecstatic about buying Intercontinental Bank off the shelf! Today in Lagos, the latest news reaching gistmaster indicates that Access Bank is coughing out 50 billion Naira to acquire 75 per cent of Intercontinental bank.
 Aig-Imokhuede confirmed today in Lagos that Access bank has concluded all it needed to do to take over Intercontinental Bank. According to him, the merger would have a strong network of about 500 branches when it finally take off. Shareholders of both banks are also expected to vote at the end of September 2011 on the merger.
It would be recalled that Intercontinental Bank, formerly managed by Mr. Erastus Akingbola was ' diagnosed'  of having serious toxic debt problem, amongst other several issues detected by the malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi led Central Bank of Nigeria.
-By Niyi Tabiti
 

MAGAZINE PUBLISHING: WHY MOST PUBLISHERS FAIL

By Niyi Tabiti

 Most people love to own their own magazine publishing company but many fail to plan well from the start. Just like every business, the media has its vast opportunities but it comes with a lot of commitment.

 gistmaster know a lot of people who want to be publishers just because they saw Ovation magazine. Instead of bringing new things, they just want to copy what Dele Momodu has done with Ovation. Unknown to them, the reason Ovation magazine became an household name was because Dele Momodu was very creative.I see a lot of 'Jagbajantis' on vendors stand and i can tell that they are imitations.

This is what is happening on Nigeria blog ville too! Most people want to do what you do. My question is-do we all have to write about entertainment? The answer is NO! There are other lucrative areas and no one is looking there.

Contact- Any newspaper or magazine publication depend on contacts. Whether weekly, monthly or daily publication, you need a network of informed people in your area of interest to keep your head up high. For a news publication, getting right sources, phone numbers, email addresses of those who make things happen is the secret.

You don't have to be their friend, you don't even have to like them but you must be able to get them because they are news makers or they know when there is breaking news.

  Magazine Publishing and friendship- Most magazine publishers failed because all they could offer are the photos or the PR stories of their friends only. Every week, I know the names of people that will feature in some magazines,even people they are published.I am sure you too can predict! lol

A good publisher go deeper than that.You can even publish stories of those you consider your 'enemies'- what matter most are  your readers. If they are worth talking about then, go ahead! People don't like Abacha, the former military ruler of Nigeria but the stories surrounding his family still remain 'sold out' till date.

WHO SELLS YOUR COVER?: The cover page of your magazine goes a long way as far as acceptance is concerned. It all depends on your target. Gistmaster research shows a Cossy Orjiakor on the cover of a magazine will sell more copies than that of Blaze,MI,ICE PRINCE and all of them put together.Ini Edo,Mercy Johnson,Genevieve,Tonto Dike,Whizkid and others are likely to sell the papers than most of their colleagues. For now,a whizkid is more likely to get readers than 9ice.Look for what readers want, not just what you want.

DISTRIBUTION:No production is complete without getting to the consumers. Magazine distribution channel in Nigeria is still weak to a large extent. In fact, you spend a lot of money, hosting vendors and agents before they can even agree to display your magazine. In most areas, publishers are asked to pay registration fees before vendors in that area can sell their magazines. In some cases, agents don't even pay back after selling the papers.

I think selling by subscription is a good idea.Get good marketing team, get the subscribers to also win something!Its worth trying.

Advertising- No one talks about magazine publishing or any job involving image without mentioning  branding. Having a good network base within the PR, Advertising and allied industry is key. Building the right connection within the network of the big spenders really matter.

N.B-Where is Bola Attta, the former Editor of True Love magazine? I wish she can start publishing anything,I mean anything- I will buy!!! She use to have one of the best teams in those days. You want to read something? Try GISTMASTER, THENETNG,E247,ENCOMIUM,MANIA, FABS,VANGUARD ALLURE,GUARDIAN LIFE,SATURDAY PUNCH

SPRING BANK MANAGER KILLED BY DEBTOR's IN LAW

 When Emeka Ohazurike, the manager of Spring Bank, Ebute-Metta branch in Lagos  resumed for work on Friday he  never knew that would be his last day at work. The bank manager was killed this weekend when he went to Agboju area to recover debt owned his bank.
 Gistmaster gathered that one Kenneth, said to be an in law of the debtor became so overzealous and he engaged the Bank manager in a confrontation.Kenneth stabbed the bank manager and he died. The police spokesman for Lagos State, Samuel Jinadu confirmed the story. He also said that the debtor and the 'killer' in-law, kenneth have already been arrested.
 So pathetic!

Photo- Spring Bank MD, Mrs. Olusola Ayodele

STAFF, FRIENDS PRAY FOR GTBANK BOSS TAYO ADERINOKUN AS HE CLOCKS 57 TODAY

 GTBANK staff within and outside Nigeria set today aside as a special day of prayer for Mr. Tayo Aderinokun, the Managing Director of GTBANK who is presently recuperating from illness.
 Today, 8 May 2011 is the 57th  birthday anniversary of the bank chief.
 At the moment, Mr. Segun Agbaje, one of GTBank executive directors is now acting managing director.
Aderinokun is regarded as one of Nigeria's most brilliant bank executives Nigeria has ever produced.Most of those gistmaster.com spoke with wish Aderinokun soonest recovery.A source told gistmaster. that people should pray for the man who has made invaluable contributions to the economy instead of wishing him dead by peddling rumours.
-Story by Niyi Tabiti
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Lekki International airport to take off soon in Lagos
How Rochas Okorocha won Imo State Governorship seat
former Miss World, Agbani Darego and supermodel, Oluchi Onweagba-Orlandi talks about nature gentle touch
Seun Olubukola and Niyi Adewunmi's wedding photos
Bolanle Sokunbi and Folahan Aboderin wedding photos

LEKKI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT ON THE WAY

 A  new international airport in Nigeria is on the way. The new international airport is a project of the Lagos State government and it would be situated in Lekki area of Lagos State. Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, according to what Gistmaster.com gathered, is bent on ensuring that the airport is completed within 2 years.This is good news for individuals taking air traffic controller training as new jobs will become available in the near future.
 Lagos State Commissioner for commerce and industry, Adeniyi Oyemade said Lekki International airport is expected to gulp about $650 million (US Dollars). The government is working with some private investors on the airport project.
Related Links
Omotola Jolade rubbished 'Mr. too forward' at Silverbird Galleria
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FIRST BANK SPONSORS NIGERIA LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE DINNER

Nigeria Leadership Initiative (NLI)’s ‘CHAMPIONS OF VALUES FUNDRAISING DINNER’ sponsored by First Bank of Nigeria Plc is coming up at 6pm on the 23rd of October 2010 at the Landmark Village in Victoria Island, Lagos.

Since inception, NLI has made remarkable progress in promoting initiatives focused on developing and sustaining values-based leadership amongst Nigerians based home and in the Diaspora. These initiatives have been carried out in various forms such as Seminars, Ethics and Leadership Projects and Entrepreneurial Competitions which have helped to increase engagement between the citizenry and the leadership.

The theme of this year’s dinner celebrates NLI’s achievements in the last 4 years as well as appreciates all individuals and corporate partners that have contributed to the success of its programs and initiatives. Special guest of honor at the event are Gov. Raji Fashola and Mr. Oba Otudeko, the Chairman of First Bank Plc

A dire need for re-orientation birthed a renewed call for promoting Values Based Leadership to ensure sustainable socio-economic transformation and development. As informed and effective advocates of leadership, NLI is a platform for credible, accomplished and uniquely patriotic Nigerians to develop and express values based leadership skills with the aim of assuming a transformative role in the development of Nigeria.

NLI remains committed to being an inclusive organization whose programmes and projects involve working with people from many cultural, religious and social backgrounds. NLI Fellows and Associates perceive the real value of diversity of thought across different sectors of the economy in promoting the sustainable transformation of Nigeria. NLI exists in a perpetual state of enlightened dissatisfaction with the status quo and is constantly working to improve on the current state of affairs in Nigeria’s corporate and public governance.

The Nigeria Leadership Initiative (NLI) was established in January 2006 by Mr. Olusegun Aganga as an international non-profit, non-partisan organization with the mission to create a growing global network of credible and very accomplished community-spirited Nigerian leaders who are committed to taking responsibility for driving positive change in Nigeria and in the Diaspora.

Dr, Christopher Kolade, former Nigerian High Commissioner to the U.K; serves as the founding Patron of the organization. NLI has a collaborative relationship with the Aspen Institute, Washington, DC and is a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network.

First Bank PLC, Nigeria’s national financial icon that seeks to revolutionize its operations in line with the dynamics of its operating environment, has partnered with the Nigerian Leadership Initiative to power its Future Leaders Seminar and Annual Dinner for the last 3 consecutive years.

ISIS MODEL FOUNDER, JOAN ELUMELU OKORODUDU RETIRES +OTHER NEWS

By Niyi Tabiti/News editor

Joan Elumelu Okorodudu, the Founder of Isis Modeling agency in Nigeria and South Africa,is set to retire from active service soon. Sources very close to the 52 year old Okorodudu told gistmaster.com that she has already made up her mind to retire as the boss of Isis after this year's edition of Nigeria Next Supermodel. "This would be the fourth season and she is willing to move to other business areas" disclosed the source.

  Impeccable sources within the four walls of her Ikoyi home also told gistmaster.com that Joan would be handing over the company to Bunmi Ademokoya, someone she considered competent, experience and loyal. Bunmi is a director of the company right from inception and she would be there to manage the workloads of company. She would be expected to represent the company at various levels. Last week at the casting of this year's Nigeria Next Supermodel, Bunmi was actively engaged, while Joan sat within the audience with lesser contributions.

  In a phone interview with gistmaster.com, Mrs. Okorodudu was not categorical about her retirement plans but affirms that she has made valuable contributions to the modelling and style industry in Nigeria. So there is a need to let someone younger and experienced to handle things. I have already made my mark.Anyone who will be in control will surely have a free hand" she said.

BILLIONAIRE FATHER,EX-WIFE AT WAR OVER DAUGHTER's WEDDING 

  The much anticipated wedding between Bisola Fajemirokun and Bolaji Folawiyo was put on hold due to what sources describe as a major misunderstanding between parents of the bride.

   Sources told First Weekly, a Lagos based tabloid that billionaire businessman and father of the bride, Chief Dele Fajemirokun was displeased after certain things put in place by his ex-wife, Pricilla Soyemi and her best friend, Daisy Danjuma.We gathered that he consequently sent the clerics that were to come and pray for the couples away in anger.

   At the moment, gistmaster.com gathered that another arrangement has been put in place. The wedding is now expected to hold this August in London, United Kingdom.

  After the Bella Adenuga and Disu wedding in Lagos, this would have been the most talked of the town wedding. The bride's father sits on top a vast business empire. He has friends within and outside the corridors of powers. He is in charge of the Henry Fajemirokun group of companies and they have vast interest in Rank Xerox, Chicken Republic,AIICO Insurance amongst other companies in Nigeria. 

 The bride's mom is an A class socialite. She has friends who are well to do. Her closest pal, Daisy Danjuma is the wife of Nigeria's former defense minister, General TY Danjuma.Daisy is a former Senator and a billionaire herself.

  The groom to be is the son of one of Nigeria's richest men of all times, late Alhaji Yinka Iyanda Folawiyo, Baba Adinni of Nigeria. The family business includes interest in telecom (MTN Nigeria),cement, oil and gas, property, shipping etc (Yinka Folawiyo group)
-Adeola Macaulay

 

Zain Boosts SMEs with ‘OgaLine’

Zain, the leading mobile telecommunications provider in Africa and the Middle East, has announced the introduction of ‘OgaLine’ from Zain My Business, a unique package that is specially designed to assist and improve the efficiency of mobile usage for business owners and their workforce.


‘OgaLine’ from Zain My Business is a result of extensive research conducted across several Zain markets to uncover what entrepreneurs require from their mobile service provider to support their day to day commercial activities, so they have the peace of mind and more time to grow their businesses.
‘OgaLine’ from Zain My Business comes with several ground-breaking features that will, for the first time in Africa, allow business owners to manage mobile communication costs throughout their commercial enterprise by controlling both budget and airtime usage, as well as being able to transfer airtime to those who are part of their ‘OgaLine’ mobile network.

Business owners may have up to 50 people on the service, as the package is sold with an oga and a worker line initially, with the option to increase to 49, the number of worker lines. These proprietors and entrepreneurs will then be able to manage and monitor their staff or worker mobile phones by using the oga line to send airtime anytime, anywhere to them as ‘OgaLine’ from Zain My Business is part of Zain’s ‘One Network’ platform that covers 22 countries across Africa and the Middle East.
 With the new package, business owners can also determine and allocate exact call time needed for specific business transactions, control budgets, and make mobile calls between ‘ogaline’ and workers’ line at a discounted rate.
 “We are proud to be the first telecommunications operator in Africa to offer a world class innovation that will empower business owners, entrepreneurs and proprietors to conduct their businesses in an all new, impressive fashion. This is, without a doubt, an extension of our brand promise of a ‘wonderful world’ to informal - small and medium scale business owners in Nigeria,” said Alain Sainte-Marie, Chief Executive Officer of Zain Nigeria.
 All lines under the ‘OgaLine’ from Zain ‘My Business’ package have access to the usual prepaid Zain Value Added Services – One Network, roaming,, Voicemail, WAP, information services, MMS, social network, inspirational services, caller ring back tone, data roaming etc. – at the standard rates.

According to the Chief Commercial Officer of Zain Nigeria, Shamel Hanafi, the introduction of the new package is an expression of Zain’s commitment to continuously support and boost informal enterprises in Nigeria as the product will help drive business efficiency and productivity, thereby growing the Nigerian economy.
“We consider this product launch an epoch-making occasion because we are entering into a new phase of our journey to empower and help Nigerians, especially business men and women in the informal sector of the economy, to enjoy a wonderful world,” said Hanafi.

For more details on the dynamics of “OgaLine from ZainMy Business’, please visit http://www.ng.zain.com/

ZAIN NIGERIA UNVEILS STATE-OF -THE -ART CONSUMER POINT IN LAGOS

Niyi Tabiti
News Editor

As parts of efforts to promote consumer satisfaction, Zain Nigeria, one of Nigeria’s leading telecom companies recently unveiled a state of the art consumer contact point in Lagos. Gistmaster gathered that Zain is committed to serving its numerous consumers and provide them with unique mobile services experience.

Photo Caption:

1. Babatunde Williams, Senior Special Assistant to the Lagos State Governor on Corporate Matters; Khaled Khorshid, Chief Operating Officer, Zain Nigeria; Shamel Hanafi, Chief Commercial Officer, Zain Nigeria; and Tamer Halbouny, Director of Sales, Zain Nigeria, during the commissioning of Zain’s new state-of-the-art Consumer Contact Point in Lagos at the weekend

2. Susan Onuigbo, Sales Support Team Member showing the guest of Honour, Babatunde Williams, Senior Special Assistant to the Lagos State Governor on Corporate Matters and Khaled Khorshid, Chief Operating Officer, Zain Nigeria how to operate one of the gadgets a visual display device) deployed for customers use, during the commissioning of Zain’s new state-of-the-art Consumer Contact Point in Lagos at the weekend