Brands/Products
3000 Lose Jobs As 20 Shipping Firms Shutdown
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
No fewer than 20 shipping companies have shut operations in Nigeria due to unfavourable government policies. This has led to the retrenchment of over 3000 workers in the last one year, the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) disclosed on Thursday.
President-General of MWUN, Tony Nted, while addressing newsmen at a press briefing in Lagos, further said the management of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) is also planning to sack a section of the dockworkers, especially the Tally Clerks and Onboard Security men in spite of their importance and relevance in the port operations.
He lamented that the jobs of over 2000 workers were also on the line and called on President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene to save the sector from imminent collapse.
Mr Nted, who declined to name the affected shipping companies, however warned that many more shipping companies were on the verge of folding up and were only doing skeletal services at the moment.
“Today, we lament the action of the management of Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) in also planning to sack a section of the dockworkers, especially the Tally Clerks and Onboard Security men in spite of their importance and relevance in the port operations, as it affects the reoccurring scourge of tonnage under declaration and its negative impact on the nation’s economy.
“Over 2000 workers (tally clerks and onboard security men) are involved. Their reinstatement will go a long way in reducing the number of unemployed Nigerians, and also reducing the misery of their families,” he told newsmen at the briefing.
Mr Nted, on behalf of the union, demanded among others that, “All access roads to the ports as a matter of urgency, should be expanded and rehabilitated to handle cargo traffic in the ports.
“The traditional rail operations in our seaports should be restored to reduce the pressure on our highways and daily fatal accidents and deaths from containers. Waterways should be developed for delivery of laden containers and heavy equipment through our coastal waters into the hinterland.
“The tank-farms which are now dangerously located close to the ports, residential areas and along the expressways and access roads close to the ports should be relocated far away from the seaports to stave-off the perennial gridlocks on the roads.
“The volume of vehicles imported into Nigeria through Nigerian ports has collapsed to an all-time low, with consequent loss of thousands of jobs in the maritime sector.
“The new duty regime for vehicles introduced since 2004 and application of the new rate of exchange rate for duty calculations have made the importation of cars and trucks into Nigeria far too expensive. In the last two years, the number of vehicles arriving Nigeria has shrunk by almost two thirds, while the volume of cars smuggled through the Cotonou border has continued to rise unabated. It is therefore necessary that the Federal Government reviews its stance on the Automative policy so as not to inflict any more suffering on the workers who are already having a hard time with price increases every day.
“The Federal Government should look at making the importation of cars and trucks more competitive to enable the economy to grow. A significant reduction in the duties applicable on cars and trucks will go a long way in alleviating the challenges of our people and spur economic activities.
“Government should, as a matter of urgency, adopt policies towards resuscitating the export of agricultural produces and mineral resources that were hitherto the main stay of the Nigerian economy before the discovery of oil. This will no doubt create jobs in our seaports and increase revenue for the government.”
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Residents of Egbin, Ijede, and Ipakan in Lagos State recently trooped out for the 7th Annual Medical Outreach of Egbin Power.
The three-day medical outreach was organised in partnership with a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) known as Livewell Initiative in line with the power-generating company’s commitment to ensuring healthy lives and well-being of its host communities.
This programme also aligns with the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3) – Good Health and Well-being.
The outreach attracted over three thousand people, including children, adults and nursing mothers, who enjoyed cardiovascular, arthritis, dental, eye-check, diabetes tests, malaria treatment, hepatitis screening, and blood pressure examination.
It was gathered that eyeglasses, dental kits, and medications were administered at no cost to the residents after careful examination by qualified medical practitioners.
“At Egbin Power, we recognise that the health and well-being of our host communities is crucial to our success. This medical outreach programme is one of the ways we demonstrate our commitment to giving back to our host communities.
“It is also in alignment with our commitment to SDG 3 and we believe that access to quality healthcare is a fundamental right, and we will continue to work towards making it a reality for all,” the Head of Corporate Communications and Branding at Egbin Power, Mr Felix Ofulue, stated.
“We are proud to partner with Egbin Power on this medical outreach programme. Together, we are making a positive difference in the lives of the people in these communities,” the Managing Director of Livewell Initiative, Dr Bisi Bright, said.
Also speaking at the event, the Aro of Egbin Kingdom, Mr Olayemi Olukunga, said, “We are grateful to Egbin Power for their kindness and generosity. This medical outreach programme has become an annual tradition that we look forward to, and we appreciate the positive impact it has on our community.”
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Wasilat Ogundipe, thanked Egbin Power for the gesture, saying, “It affords us timely access to free medical examinations, enabling our children, parents and vulnerable community members to address their health concerns.”
By Adedapo Adesanya
International Workplace Group (IWG), the world’s largest provider of hybrid working solutions with notable brands like Spaces and Regus, is opening two state-of-the-art flexible workspaces in Lagos to meet the rising demand.
The addition of IWG’s latest locations, HQ Lagos Lekki Link Bridge and Regus Lagos Mansard Place, followed the business posting its highest-ever revenue, cashflow and earnings growth in its history and achieving rapid network growth, signing 465 new locations in the first half of 2024 alone.
According to the company, the adoption of hybrid working rapidly is accelerating across Nigeria and these new locations in Lagos are part of the drive by IWG to meet the sharply rising demand for top-class flexible working space in the area.
Its unique offering will enable local people to experience living in a “15-minute” city, allowing workers to work close to their homes without commuting far from where they live.
The HQ workspace is set to open in Lekki in March 2025 and will It will be located on the 2nd and 3rd floor while the Regus location at Mansard Place (situated at Plot 928, Bishop Aboyade Cole Street, Victoria Island) will be on the 3rd floor of the six storey building and will open in February 2025.
The buildings will provide space for established firms and start-ups across a range of industries, while IWG’s Design Your Own Office service allows companies to tailor their space entirely to their requirements. The new locations will include facilities including private offices, meeting rooms, co-working and creative spaces.
With explosive market growth as companies of all sizes adopt hybrid working for the long-term, it is predicted that 30 per cent of all commercial real estate will be flexible workspace by 2030 and IWG believes that partners will be able to capitalise on this fast-growing sector,
The potential for further growth is exponential with an estimated 1.2 billion white collar workers globally and a total addressable market of more than £1.57 trillion. Conventional office occupancy will continue to fall as businesses require less traditional space and turn to flexible workspace instead.
Last year alone, IWG welcomed over 800 new partner locations and counts 83 per cent of Fortune 500 companies among its customer base.
Speaking on this, Mr Mark Dixon, CEO & Founder of International Workplace Group Plc, commented: “We are establishing a stronger and much-needed footprint in Nigeria with this these latest openings.
“As an important business hub Lagos is a fantastic place for us to boost our expansion plans. The need for high-quality flexible workspaces continues to soar as hybrid working becomes the new normal.
“We are very pleased to work in partnership with Sterling Bank and APD Mansard Place to develop the brand under a management agreement that will add a cutting-edge workspaces to their the buildings.
“Our openings in Lagos comes at a time when more and more companies are discovering that flexible working boosts employee happiness and satisfaction, while helping the environment. Our workplace model is also proven to increase productivity and allows for a business to scale up or down at significantly reduced costs.”
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Another award has been added to the shelves of Airtel Nigeria for the quality service it offers its numerous subscribers.
At the 14th Nigerian NewsDirect Awards held at the Lagos Oriental Hotel on Friday, December 6, 2024, the company went home with the Most Preferred and Admired Telecommunications Brand award.
The chief executive of Airtel Nigeria, Mr Dinesh Balsingh, thanked the news platform for the recognition, reiterating the dedication of the organisation towards the growth of Nigeria.
“At Airtel, we remain steadfast in our mission to enrich lives and contribute to the sustainable growth of our nation, and we are proud to receive this award as the Most Preferred and Admired Telecommunications Brand.
“This recognition reaffirms our commitment to connecting Nigerians, driving digital inclusion, and empowering communities through innovative solutions,” he said.
The ceremony, themed Achieving Economic Prosperity: The Role of Human Capacity Development, Fiscal Prudence, and Revenue Generation, celebrated outstanding contributions made by individuals and corporate organisations to national development across sectors and industries.
The chairman of Odu’a Investment Limited, Mr Bimbo Ashiru, thanked all participating entities for their “continuous contributions and support to the nation’s growth.”
“You have demonstrated excellence and have significantly contributed to Nigeria’s progress and we believe this platform will continue to highlight and encourage best practices across industries,” he stated.
The event attracted several persons, including the chairman of the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS), Mr Ayodele Subair; and the Registrar-General of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Mr Hussaini Ishaq Magaji; among others.
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