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  • Just In: Respite As FG Extends NIN Registration to April

    Just In: Respite As FG Extends NIN Registration to April

    In what could be seen as a big relief to most Nigerians, the federal government has again extended the ongoing National Identification Number (NIN) and Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) integration exercise by eight weeks, with a new deadline of April 6, 2021.

     

    In statement issued by the Public Affairs Director of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami, said the decision was taken during the meeting of the Ministerial Taskforce on NIN-SIM registration held on the 1st of February, 2021.

     

    Pantami stated that the extension is to give Nigerians and legal residents more time to integrate their NIN with their SIMs.

     

    The minister reiterated the need for Nigerians and legal residents who are yet to register for the NIN to be diligent and take advantage of the extension to enroll for their NIN and link with their SIMs.

     

    The meeting was chaired by the Minister and attended by key stakeholders, including the EVC/CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), DG/CEO of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), DG/CEO of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON).

     

    Others include the MD/CEOs of MTN, Airtel, 9Mobile, Ntel, Spectranet, SMILE, as well as the COO of Globacom.

     

    It was reported that a total of 56.18 million NINs have been collected by the mobile network operators.

     

    Each NIN is usually tied to an average of 3 to 4 SIMs and this infers that the current figure accounts for a significant portion of the existing SIMs.

     

    This number of NINs collected represents a significant increase when compared with the 47.8 million reported by the Technical Committee on January 18, 2021.

     

    Furthermore, over 1060 registration centres for NIN have been activated and made operational by NIMC across the country, while Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) have opened hundreds of centres and are rapidly deploying resources to open thousands of other NIN enrolment centres across states of the country.

     

    This is in line with the policy of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to enhance security and make the process of obtaining NINs easier for Nigerians.

     

    The CEOs of the Telcos and the Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Organisation of Nigeria commended the Honourable Minister for his stellar leadership and commitment to the rapid development of the sector.

     

    It would be recalled that the 4th of February, 2020 was the initial date of the commencement of the National NIN-SIM Registration Policy.

     

    The Federal Government applauds all Nigerians and persons of other nationalities for their understanding, cooperation and for enthusiastically participating in the exercise.

     

    The Minister also commended the efforts of NIMC, NCC, MNOs and all other relevant government and private sector organisations for their unflinching support towards the success of the exercise.

     

    President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed his satisfaction with the progress made regarding the NIN-SIM linkage and commended the Honourable Minister and all stakeholders for their roles.

     

    He encouraged citizens to take advantage of the extension to fully participate in the process.

     

    The Honourable minister implores applicants to follow the safety guidelines at all the NIN enrolment centers and ensure compliance with the booking system in place.

     

    This protocol is in line with the Executive Order on COVID-19 2020 signed by President Muhammadu Buhari on the 27th of January 2021, in keeping with the provisions of the Quarantine Act 2004.

     

    It is noteworthy that Sections 27 and 29 of the National Identity Management Commission Act 2007 provides for the mandatory use of National Identity Number for transactions, including application and issuance of a passport, opening of personal bank accounts, purchase of insurance policies, voter registration, obtaining credit, among others.

  • Equity Market Closes January Bullish, Gains N1.13tn

    Equity Market Closes January Bullish, Gains N1.13tn

    Trading activities on the floor of the Nigerian stock market finished the month of January impressive to emerge the best performing exchange in Africa.

     

    Available data revealed that activities on the Nigerian Stock Exchange which opened the trading year at N21.06tn in market capitalisation and 40,270.72 in index at the beginning of trading on January 4, 2021 closed the month at N22.19tn and 42,412 index points, hence earned a year to date gain of about N1.13tn or 5.3 per cent year to date.

     

    According to Bloomberg report, the index kept a clean sheet all week, up +58bps on Friday, and +3.44 per cent w/w.

     

    Equities ended the month +5.32 per cent firmer. In USD terms (+7.10 per cent), the NSE ranked 7th, according to Bloomberg World Equities Index ranking.

     

    Oil and gas stocks finally halted the weeklong losing streak to finish higher, +0.63 per cent – Ardova +8.57 per cent and Oando +2.50 per cent providing support. All other sectors also finished in green, save for industrials, with a marginal decline of -8bps.

     

    Turnover last week stayed impressive, with a daily average of $14.53mn.

     

    On Friday, investors traded a total of $17.18m. Zenith retained the top spot on the activity chart with $3.20m traded.

     

    Other notable volumes were MTN $2.47m; GTB $1.84m and Wapco $1.56m. Trading was skewed mostly towards domestic investors.

     

    Meanwhile, the NSE All-Share Index and market capitalisation both appreciated by 3.442 per cent to close last week at 42,412.66 and N22.18tn respectively.

     

    Similarly, all other indices finished higher with the exception of NSE Oil/Gas which depreciated by 7.25 per cent while the NSE ASeM and NSE Growth Indices closed flat

     

    A total turnover of 2.57bn shares worth N27.88bn in 31,466 deals were traded last week by investors on the floor of the exchange, in contrast to a total of 4.29bn shares valued at N25.99bn that exchanged hands the previous week in 32,849 deals.

  • Ecobank Group Recorded N630bn Revenue In 2020

    Ecobank Group Recorded N630bn Revenue In 2020

    Ecobank Group has said its revenue rose to N630bn in the 2020 financial year.

     

    This represents seven per cent growth when compared to N586.9bn posted in the corresponding period of 2019.

     

    In a statement titled ‘Ecobank Group posts N630bn revenue in 2020’, it disclosed this in its unaudited report submitted to the Nigerian Stock Exchange on Friday.

     

    The pan-African bank stated that value of its total assets now stood at N10.2tn after a 19 per cent rise.

     

    Ecobank said it also recorded good performance in other key financial indices despite the harsh operating environment.

     

    Summary of the report showed that deposits from customers went up by 23 per cent to N7.3tn; total equity up 17 per cent to N805.1bn; while loans and advances to customers grew by nine per cent to N3.7tn.

     

    However, it added, deposits from customers and revenue, profits were impacted by the provisioning for goodwill for the acquisition of Oceanic Bank in 2011.

     

    Consequently, it added, the bank ended with profit after tax of N35.9bn, while profit before tax and goodwill impairment closed at N126.4bn.

     

    The Ecobank Group had earlier stated that it was optimistic that with clean books aftermath of the full provisioning for Oceanic Bank, it would improve on its profitability in 2021 and other years ahead.

  • JTI Certified As A Global Top Employer

    JTI Certified As A Global Top Employer

     

    • Recognized for progress in Wellbeing and Diversity & Inclusion

     

    Leading international tobacco and vaping company, JTI has been recognized as one of only 16 Global Top Employers for the seventh consecutive year, after the Top Employer Institute certified the Company in every region it operates.

     

    This latest certification once again recognizes the excellent working conditions provided at JTI, as well as the laudable strides the Company continues to make in improving the wellbeing, diversity and inclusion of its employees at the workplace.

     

    Being certified as a Top Employer showcases an organisation’s dedication to a better world of work and exhibits this through excellent HR policies and people practices.

     

    Habanera Limited, JTI’s subsidiary/entity in Nigeria, also received the award as Top Employer in the Africa and Nigeria categories.

     

    According to Steve Dyer, JTI’s Vice President, Global Talent Management; “The Top Employer certification is not an end-in-itself. For us, it is confirmation that we have always been on the right track by making our workplace a safe and flexible environment for all our employees, whether they are farmers, scientists, office or factory workers. “This seventh consecutive certification also sends a strong message to our future employees: we constantly give our people the opportunity to develop their career under the best conditions in order to perform to their highest abilities while being themselves,” he said

     

    Since January 1, 2021, JTI employees across the world, regardless of gender or the way they become parents, benefit from 20 weeks fully paid leave when welcoming a child.

     

    The Company’s headquarter has been Equal Pay certified for 3 years in a row by the EQUAL-SALARY Foundation for providing fairness and equal opportunity to women and men.

     

    Also speaking on this year’s recognition as a Top Employer in Nigeria, the General Manager, of  JTI’s entity in Nigeria, Brian Murphy, said the recognition is another moment of pride for the Nigerian entity, because the Company was also recognized as a Top Employer for the Africa Region. “This award is a confirmation that we have been implementing innovative and inclusive policies that support our people and we are definitely motivated to continue to do more to make our Company an inclusive, enabling, safe, inspiring and rewarding work environment for all JTI employees in Nigeria. Anyone can attain his or her full potential at JTI,” Brian Murphy said.

     

    In her own reaction to the award, Chinuru Alex-Efeyini, Director, People & Culture, at JTI’s Nigerian entity: “Being awarded Top Employer again in Nigeria is a good reminder that we are doing something right when it comes to our people management practices. Beyond attracting and developing our talented employees, we prioritise creating an enabling environment for them to thrive in. Creating and maintaining a culture that makes our employees truly happy to work here every day is what makes us most proud.

     

    JTI is a leading international tobacco and vaping company with operations in more than 130 countries. It is the global owner of both Winston, the number two cigarette brand in the world, and Camel, outside the USA and has the largest share in sales for both brands. Other global brands include Mevius and LD. JTI is also a major player in the international vaping market with its brand, Logic and tobacco vapor brand, Ploom. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, JTI employs over 44,000 people and was awarded Global Top Employer for the seventh consecutive year. JTI is a member of the Japan Tobacco Group of Companies.

     

    Top Employers Institute is the global authority on recognizing excellence in People Practices. The organization helps accelerate these practices to enrich the world of work. Through the Top Employers Institute Certification Program, participating companies can be validated, certified and recognized as an employer of choice. Established 30 years ago, Top Employers Institute has certified 1,691 organizations in 120 countries/regions. These certified Top Employers positively impact the lives of over 7 million employees globally.

     

  • FRSC Decries Rampant Use of Phone While Driving, Issues Stern Warning To Drivers

    FRSC Decries Rampant Use of Phone While Driving, Issues Stern Warning To Drivers

    The Federal Road Safety Commission. (FRSC), Lagos Sector Command on Sunday said it has observed with dismay the rampant use of phone by motorists while driving on the road.

     

    The Sector Commander of FRSC, CC Olusegun Ogungbemide in a statement signed by Lagos Sector Command, Public Education Officer, Route Commander Olabisi Sonusi, said the corps had noticed a rising disregard of traffic and safety regulations which forbid use of phone behind wheels.

     

    According to Ogungbemide, traffic laws are for the safety of all road users and efforts should be made be all motorists to only do those things that can make them stay alive.

     

    Ogungbemide said: “We have noticed rising rate of infractions in phoning or use of phone while driving, non-use of seatbelt, rickety vehicles that are not road worthy, lane shunting and general irresponsible driving culture.

     

    According to the National Road Traffic Regulations 2012 section 166 (1) on Use of Communication devices while driving states that- “No driver of a vehicle shall whilst the vehicle is in motion receive or make a telephone call in any form”.

     

    It also states that “An instructor shall not make or receive telephone call in any form while supervising a learner undertaking driving lessons”

     

    The Regulations further states that a telephone call shall include:

    * Sending or receiving oral or written messages.

    * Sending or receiving facsimile documents.

    * Sending or receiving still or moving images.

    * Accessing, surfing or browsing the internet”

     

    The above traffic regulations are for our good.  We have lost so many drivers and other innocent people due to distraction the use of phone caused them while on the road”

     

    “Peace loving, responsible Lagosians and road users are also passing through a lot of pains due to the actions of these few who will not obey simple regulations to keep themselves alive.

     

    “The Command cannot watch and allow these illegality to strive in a descent environment like ours, especially as we enter the peak period of the year.

     

    “All Lagos State Commands of the Corps have been given the mandate to nip these recklessness in the bud by getting all forms of road misconduct apprehended.”

  • Pepsico Appoints David Flavell as EVP, General Counsel And Corporate Secretary

    Pepsico Appoints David Flavell as EVP, General Counsel And Corporate Secretary

    Flavell, PepsiCo’s current SVP, Deputy General Counsel and Chief Compliance & Ethics Officer, will succeed Dave Yawman, who departs PepsiCo after more than twenty-two years of dedicated service to pursue other interests.

     

    Flavell will begin his new role on March 1, with Yawman staying on in the interim to ensure a smooth and efficient transition.

     

    PepsiCo Chairman and CEO, Ramon Laguarta said,  “On behalf of everyone at PepsiCo, including our Board of Directors, I want to sincerely thank Dave not only for his years of judicious guidance that steered our company through many complex issues, but also for his unwavering dedication to his colleagues and to doing what is right”.

     

    “Dave will always be an honored member of our PepsiCo family, and we know his steadfast values, innate curiosity, and unassailable character will serve him well wherever his journey takes him next.”

     

    Laguarta continued: “At the same time, we have no doubt that David Flavell is the ideal person to take over this important role. David is a highly respected leader with a decade of experience at PepsiCo, including as General Counsel for different businesses and geographies and the leader of our Compliance and Ethics team. In each position, he has demonstrated a firm commitment to upholding and modeling the values we stand for as a company, and I look forward to working with him even more closely in the years ahead to make PepsiCo a faster, stronger, better company.”

     

    Flavell joined PepsiCo in 2011 and has served in various senior legal roles including as General Counsel for Frito-Lay North America and the AMEA and Latin America businesses. Through these positions, Flavell gained valuable visibility into PepsiCo’s international and domestic businesses and diverse product categories. As Chief Compliance and Ethics Officer, he has been instrumental in maintaining and enhancing the company’s global Compliance and Ethics Program, ensuring the company acts with integrity throughout its operations. Prior to joining PepsiCo he was the General Counsel for Asia Pacific and Middle East with Danone, based in Shanghai, China. Flavell spent the first 10 years of his career with leading Australian law firm Corrs Chambers Westgarth where he was ultimately a corporate and anti-trust partner.

     

    PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated more than $67 billion in net revenue in 2019, driven by a complementary food and beverage portfolio that includes Frito-Lay, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Quaker and Tropicana. PepsiCo’s product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including 23 brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.

     

    Guiding PepsiCo is our vision to Be the Global Leader in Convenient Foods and Beverages by Winning with Purpose. “Winning with Purpose” reflects our ambition to win sustainably in the marketplace and embed purpose into all aspects of the business.

  • ATCIS Lauds NIMC’s Decision Allowing Telcos Generate NINs, Raises Concerns Over Safety of Subscribers’ Data

    ATCIS Lauds NIMC’s Decision Allowing Telcos Generate NINs, Raises Concerns Over Safety of Subscribers’ Data

    Nigerian telephone subscribers have lauded the decision of the National Identity Management Commission, NIMC to license telecommunications companies to register people who do not have National Identity Numbers.

    According to the subscribers, the decision would no doubt go a long way in reducing the large crowds that normally throng the NIMC offices on daily basis.

    Speaking with Business Bells on Wednesday, the National President of Association of Telephone, Cable TV and Internet Subscribers of Nigeria (ATCIS), Prince Sina Bilesanmi said the gesture was a welcome development as it is long overdue.

    “I consider it good news that the NIMC has given the mobile network operators, MNO licences. I believe it would help in reducing the crowds as well the risk of people contracting COVID-19 especially against the manner in which Minister of Communications and Digital Economy (Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami) has exposed our people in this period of pandemic.

    “This is part of what we have been clamouring for that the NIN registration should be suspended considering the situation we are in whereby people are expected to strictly observe social distancing, but unfortunately the bid to beat the NIN registration deadline has made people to throw caution into the winds,” Bilesanmi submitted.

    The Business Bells reported on Wednesday that the Director-General, NIMC, Aliyu Aziz, announced that some other private and public organisations had also been licensed by the commission to provide NINs in order to address the crowds at commission’s offices.

    Responding to an enquiry as regards measures taken by NIMC with respect to complains by citizens and the crowds at the commission’s offices, Aziz said mobile network operators had been empowered to also give the identity numbers.

    “We have licensed private and public sector organisations including telcos (telecommunications companies) so as to create more centres,” he stated.

     

    Association of Telephone, Cable TV and Internet Subscribers of Nigeria (ATCIS),

    However, while subscribers believe that with telecommunications firms set to be issuing out NINs, it would reduce the stress on NIMC staff nationwide, they have on the other hand raised another important poser about the safety of their personal data.

    According to the ATCIS President, Prince Bilesanmi, the federal government should compel the Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) to ensure that personal data of subscribers are safe with its members ( telecom operators).

    “Now that the government has decided to allow telecom operators and other private organisations to provide the NIN for Nigerians, we at ATCIS are saying that it is a good decision and we support it. But the question we need to ask is; how safe are the data being provided by subscribers?

    “We are raising this poser because there had been reported cases in the past whereby telcos staff connive with fraudsters by selling off their data to them for fraudulent activities.

    “ALTON should assure us that subscribers’ data are safe with its members,” he said.

    Basically, ensuring that the NINs issued to individuals are protected and kept safe from fraudsters cannot be over-emphasized as the NIN-SIM linkage is primarily for security purposes.

    Government believes that harmonising all phone numbers through the NIN will help curb rising cases of terrorism and banditry because most of the bad guys would have no option but to link their phone lines to the NIN or lose their numbers.

    This, government said, will definitely help to curtail and checkmate the lingering security challenges in some parts of the country.

    Speaking on the importance of ongoing NIN-SIM linkage, Pantami, had warned Nigerians to secure and protect their NINs, urging subscribers to desist from selling their NINs or allowing others to use their NINs for registration.

    “For any act committed with the SIM, good or bad, it will be officially traced and attached to the NIN owner,” the Minister warned.

    On December 15, 2020, the Federal Government had declared that after December 30, 2020, all SIMs that were not registered with valid NINs on the network of telecommunications companies would be blocked.

    It later extended the December 30, 2020 deadline following widespread opposition against the earlier announcement and gave three weeks’ extension for subscribers with NIN from December 30, 2020 to January 19, 2021.

    It also gave six weeks’ extension for subscribers without NIN from December 30, 2020 to February 9, 2021, but many organisations had called for further deadline extension or outright suspension of the NIN registration process due to the large crowds who had yet to have their NINs.

    To be part of ATCIS, please visit:

    www.atcisnigeria.com

    Email: atcisnigeria@gmail.com

    Instagram: atcisnigeria

    Twitter: @atcis9ja

    Facebook: atcisnigeria

    P.O Box: 8356, Marina

    Call ATCIS: 07052713300.

  • Lufthansa Bans Fabric Face Masks Onboard

    Lufthansa Bans Fabric Face Masks Onboard

    Lufthansa has specified the type of face masks that passengers on its flights are allowed to wear while flying with the airline from February 1.

     

    In a press statement titled ‘Adjustment of the facemask obligation as of February 1’, the company asked customers to use only FFP2, KN95 and N95 standard face masks or surgical masks.

     

    In the travel advisory issued on Monday on its website, it said masks made with fabric would no longer be permitted.

     

    Part of the statement read, “Lufthansa is adapting the obligation to wear mouth-nose covers while travelling. From 1 February 2021, only face masks of the following standards will be permitted on flights to and from Germany: FFP2, KN95 and N95 standard or surgical masks.

     

    “These have to be worn during boarding, onboard and when leaving the aircraft. Masks made of fabric will no longer be permitted, visors and masks with valves have been permitted already.

     

    “Thus, in order to protect the health of all passengers and employees, the Lufthansa Group Airlines are taking up the regulation the German federal states have issued on 19 January 2021.”

     

    It, however, stated that exceptions to this regulation could still be made for health reasons.

     

    It explained that an exception would only be accepted if the passenger could present a current (not older than 48 hours) negative COVID-19 test result in connection with a medical certificate on the Lufthansa Group form.

  • Niger Insurance Set To Offset N15bn Property To Recapitalise

    Niger Insurance Set To Offset N15bn Property To Recapitalise

    Niger Insurance Plc has disclosed that it plans to sell off real estate and investment property valued at N15bn.

     

    The underwriter said this would help to boost its cash flow and efforts to meet the recapitalisation requirements of the insurance industry.

     

    The Managing Director, Mr Edwin Egbiti, spoke during the company’s 2019 annual general meeting which was held virtually in Lagos recently.

     

    He said, “Subsequent to the requisite approvals of the board on behalf of shareholders, a number of the company’s real estate and investment property valued at N15bn have been put on sale in order to improve liquidity/cash flows, ensure reserve adequacy and improve solvency margins.

     

    “We are encouraged by the progress made so far, and confident that both capital restructuring and recapitalisation efforts will be successful in line with National Insurance Commission’s regulatory timelines.”

     

    In addition to addressing legacy claims, financial strength and reputational concerns, he said, it recognised that its people were the company’s most critical assets without whom its goals and plans would remain elusive.

  • Firm Launches Cleaning Product To Curb COVID-19 Spread

    Firm Launches Cleaning Product To Curb COVID-19 Spread

    Manufacturer of home products, Aspira Nigeria Limited, has unveiled a new product, Viva Plus Laundry Sanitizer Detergent Powder to reduce the risk of spreading the COVID-19 virus.

     

    The public presentation of the product took place in Kano on Thursday.

     

    In his welcome address, the Head of Marketing, Aspira Nigeria, Santhosh Nair, said that the latest product had undergone all the necessary checks and was carefully manufactured to bring about a more hygienic and healthier society.

     

    He further stated that the product was a result of the company’s desire to serve the society in better ways.

     

    Nair said, “Our commitment to the society and to healthcare has expanded our product range to sanitizers, dish washers and dental healthcare products.”

     

    Aspira’s Product Manager, Ali Jammal, said in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country, the company decided to develop a detergent that could reduce the risk of spreading sickness-causing bacteria, in addition to keeping clothes stain free.

     

    He said, “The new laundry sanitizer was developed under multi-enzyme and ecofriendly technologies and contains zero per cent bleach. It is gentle on fabrics and works even in cold water.”

     

    In his remarks, the Chairman, Aspira Nigeria, Alhaji Ahmadu Danzago, noted that the product could not have entered the market at a more auspicious time given the current global push for improved personal care and hygiene, including the need for a cleaner and safer environment.