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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 2013
Casandra Management Services Ltd declares N62.2 m PAT By Aminu Imam …declares he Board of Directors of the premier outsourcing N0.25 dividend company in the North,
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L-R: Minister of State for Education, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education, Dr. MacJohn Nwabiala and Acting Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Pfrofessor Charles Onocha, during the Minister's Meeting With Contractors handling Federal Government UBEC, Almajiri schools projects and those handling Federal Government Colleges Library Projects, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-Owo
Minister reiterates Nigeria’s commitment to multi-lateral trading system objectives By Etuka Sunday
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he Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Samuel Ortom yesterday reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to the principles and objectives of the multilateral trading system through the pursuit of liberalized trade and dynamic economic policies. The Minister, who was represented by the Special Assistant (Technical) at the opening of a 5- Day workshop on: “World Trade Organization (WTO) Trade Facilitation National Self Assessment of Nigeria’s Needs and Priorities” in Abuja, said that Nigeria was committed to the objective of trade facilitation and trade related financial services aimed at ensuring smooth and effective import and export procedures relating to customs and port clearance, border management and performance monitoring systems, trade documentation and tariff development. The Ministry, in a statement quoted the Minister as saying that Nigeria as a responsible member of the WTO will
continue to intensify efforts to play more active and collaborative role in shaping the direction of multilateral trade policies consistent with our development aspiration. He commended the Management of Customs for embarking on full automation of the clearing process and continued efforts to reposition the customs service to meet WCO/WTO standards thereby ensuring that international best practices requirement are met. The Minister recalled the global concern for trade facilitation which had led to continuous WTO negotiations with the aim of reducing trade inhibiting bureaucracy at the borders as this tends to slow down trade between countries. Earlier in a welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Dauda Kigbu, represented by the Director of Weights and Measures, Alhaji Bashir Zoru, pointed out that the purpose of the Needs Assessment was to examine WTO members proposed measures on Trade Facilitation vis-à-vis Nigeria’s current situation, support and prepare Nigeria in the current
negotiation on WTO trade facilitation. He added that it was also to identify and develop strategies towards overcoming barriers to trade among others with a view to streamlining overlapping functions, identify and prioritize technical assistance needs and areas in which Special and Differential Treatment (SDT) will be necessary. In a goodwill message, the Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service, represented by Comptroller Azarema Abdulkadir stated that the critical ways to compliment efforts in trade facilitation was to update Customs procedures to a more modern technology standards which the Nigeria Customs Service has undertaken from 2006 to date, through development of Customs Single Window for Trade 2010, Nigeria Integrated Information System (NICIS), Establishment of Nigeria Trade HUB website and Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) which covers valuation, classification and risk management for imported goods.
Casandra Management Services Ltd yesterday declared a Profit after tax of N62.274 million for the financial year ended 31st Decmber, 2012. The Chairman of the Board, Dr. Evans E. Woherem stated this at the company’s 5th Annual General Meeting (AGM), which held in Abuja. The Chairman stated that, by all standards, the company had a very fulfilling business year, as it increased its business volume and extended its tentacles to new frontiers. “The company’s operational strategy and business model have proved to be worthwhile as it fastened its hold on existing clients while attracting new ones”, he stated. Casandra Management Services Ltd, was hitherto one of the subsidiaries of Pacific Bank Plc, which was bought over by Unity Bank Plc following its merger with the bank.
Dr. Woherm stated that, following the Central Bank nof Nigeria (CBN)’s directive in December, 2012 for all banks to divest from their subsidiaries and concentrate on their core banking activities, Unity Bank divested all its holdings from Caranda by way of Rights Issue and this increased the number of its shareholders to more than 50, hence the Company, with the approval of the shareholders, is going “Plc”. According to the Chairman, the company is continuously scanning the horizon for new opportunities and has recorded impressive strides in an effort to expand its business outlook. “Towards this end,we have been able to buy a new plot of land at Gudu district cadastral zonein Abuja”, he further said. The Company has declared a dividend of 25 kobo for every Ordinary share of N1 each to be paid to its existing shareholders, for the financial year ended 31st December, 2012.
Jonathan identifies Surveyors profession for tackling national challenges By Miriam Humbe
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resident Goodluck Jonathan has identified the profession of Quantity Survey as a veritable tool for the purpose of solving contemporary challenges faced by government today. Minister of Works, Arc. Mike Onolememen said this when he hosted the President International Federation Of Surveyors, FIG, Chee Hai Teo and members who are embarking on a one-week conference on behalf of President Jonathan at his office in Abuja on Monday, The minister said the federal government has realised the importance of the 135 year-old profession and is ready to work with members of the profession in solving contemporary challenges of governance today. The theme of the conference is “Environmental for sustainability” is taking place at the Nicon Luxury, Abuja and International Conference centre
from 6-10 May, and is being held in collaboration with other two Nigerian members of the FIG which are The Nigerian Institutions of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, (NIESV) and the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS). Nigeria is hosting the International Federation of Surveyors, FIG, a global body for surveyors which consists of membership of over 120 professional associations. While speaking, President of Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS), Surveyor Bode Adeaga said that NIS bid and won the bid to host the event, which is one of the largest events in the global calendar of the surveying and geo-spataial world and coming to Nigeria is a privilege. He therefore called on all professionals and other stakeholders to join in ensuring that the country is successful in hosting the International conference.
N1.8bn subsidy fraud: Oil marketers challenge court jurisdiction From Matthew Irinoye,Lagos
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wo oil marketers and their company on Monday challenged the jurisdiction of a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja, to entertain N1.8 billion fuel subsidy fraud charge instituted against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The marketers include, Mahmud Tukur and Alex Ochonogor, alongside their company, Eterna Plc, filed their
application before the court presided over by Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo. The application dated May 3,2013, was filed by their counsel, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN). The defendants were charged to court alongside Abdullahi Alao, son of prominent businessman, Alhaji Abdullazeez Arisekola-Alao. During proceedings yesterday, Olanipekun informed the court that the application
had been served on the EFCC counsel, Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) Olanipekun said the application was seeking for an Order or striking out the charge, for want of jurisdiction. He said:” This charge is a matter relating to the revenue of the Federation on which only the Federal High Court has jurisdiction. “The substratum of the charge is within the admirality jurisdiction of the Federal High Court. The criminal charge was
not instituted in accordance with procedural due process.” Olanipekun said his clients filed the application late because they were still discussing with the Federal Government pertaining to the charge. “As at now, we are still discussing. I say this from the Bar even if my learned friend, Jacobs, claims not to be aware,” he added. In response, EFCC counsel Rotimi Jacobs, told the court that he was not aware of the said
discussion between his client (Federal Government) and the defendants. He urged the court to allow the parties take the applications orally but the judge declined his request. Onigbanjo therefore adjourned the matter till May 28 for argument of the applications. He also directed all the parties to file and attach their written addresses to the processes before the next adjournment date.