Business

Nigerian Correctional Service Begins Commercial Bread Production In Benin

Published

5 months ago

December 5, 2023

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) Zone G, has commenced the production of bread in Benin, the Edo capital, for both its inmates and members of the public.

Speaking at the official handover of the zonal bakery project to First Global Hakitekt Bread Bakery Limited for effective management, the Minister of Interior, Hon Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, said the project was laudable.

Tunji-Ojo, represented by Mrs Comfort Kabirwa, Director of Special Duties in the ministry, commended the buy-in of the project by the different controllers in the zone comprising Edo, Delta, Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi.

He stressed the importance of Public Private Partnerships (PPP), noting that a recent decongestion of correctional centres was not government funded but through corporate social responsibility.

“We have to think out of the box to achieve our mandate. The bakery is a laudable project because it will help build the skills of the inmates and give them a source of livelihood and make them employable after leaving the correctional centre,” he said.

He added that charging the name from prisons to correctional was intentional not just for rebranding but to change the way prisoners were treated.

Earlier, Controller General of Corrections, Haliru Nababa, said the Bakery Initiative was a collaborative effort between the NCoS and the First Global Hakitekt Bread Bakery Limited under a PPP arrangement.

Nababa said the project was also supported by the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Finance, and the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission.

“It is a pilot initiative aimed at enhancing the performances of federal government projects. The First Global Hakitekt Bread Bakery Limited is expected to bring in expertise to allow for a win-win situation for both parties. “

Represented by the NCoS Zonal Controller, Zone G, Assistant Controller General, Friday Ovie, he said that initiative was in line with the mandate of the Service, which included inmates rehabilitation via skills acquisition.

Meanwhile, Managing Director, First Global Hakitekt Bread Bakery Limited, Mr Dare Eluyemi, said the project was not just to equip inmates with bakery skills but also to create jobs in the bakery value chain.

“The bakery project has the capacity to produce bread for more than 32,000 inmates on a daily basis.

“It will help to reduce government effort in meeting the food consumption of inmates in correctional centres and sold to thepublic for income generation.”

On her part, Controller, NCoS, Edo, Philomena Emehinola, said the Bakery initiative was a plus to the state as it would put the state in the limelight.

“We will make the project sustainable to feed our inmates as well as build their skills in bakery.”

She added that the inmates who would undergo skill acquisition in the bakery project would be paid an incentive under the earning scheme but would be given the money at the end of their jail term.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the pilot project will run for two years, after which it will be replicated in other zones of the NCOS.

The high point of the event was the inspection of the bakery by the representative of the Minister of Interior and other government officials present.

Business

CBN Sells Fresh Dollars To BDCs At N1,021/$

Published

6 days ago

April 23, 2024

Editor

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) started fresh and direct sales of US dollars at N1,021 per dollar to Bureau De Change operators.

Nigeria’s apex bank disclosed this in a circular signed by its Director of Trade and Exchange Department Hassan Mahmud.

“We write to inform you of the sale of $10,000 by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to BDCs at the rate of N1,021/$1. The BDCs are in turn to sell to eligible end users at a spread of NOT MORE THAN 1.5 percent above the purchase price,” the circular posted on its website read.

“ALL eligible BDCs are therefore directed to commence payment of the Naira deposit to the underlisted CBN Naira Deposit Account Numbers from today, Monday, April 22, 2024, and submit confirmation of payment, with other necessary documentations, for disbursement of FX at the respective CBN Branches.”

CBN’s move is coming as the naira is recording a slight depreciation against the dollar after weeks of gains.

In late March, the bank also sold $10,000 to each of the eligible Bureau De Change (BDC) operators in the country at the rate of N1,251/$1.

Like in the most recent sales, it warned BDCs against breaching terms of the dollar sales, vowing to sanction defaulters “including outright suspension from further participation in the sale”.

The fortunes of the naira have fallen sharply since President Bola Tinubu took over in May. Inflation figures have reached new highs and the cost of living hitting the rooftops.

Nigeria’s currency slid to about N1,900/$ some months ago at the parallel market. But in recent weeks, it has gained against the dollar.

The Nigerian authorities have also doubled down on their crackdown against cryptocurrency platform Binance and illegal BDCs.

On March 1, the CBN revoked the licences of 4,173 BDCs over compliance failures.

Business

JUST IN: FirstBank Gets New MD/CEO

Published

1 week ago

April 22, 2024

Editor

Olusegun Alebiosu has been appointed as the Acting Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of First Bank of Nigeria Limited (FirstBank Group), effective April 2024.

Alebiosu steps into this pivotal role from his previous position as the Executive Director, Chief Risk Officer, and Executive Compliance Officer, a position he held since January 2022.

Alebiosu brings to the helm of FirstBank over 28 years of extensive experience in the banking and financial services industry. His expertise spans various domains including credit risk management, financial planning and control, corporate and commercial banking, agriculture financing, oil and gas, transportation, and project financing.

Having embarked on his professional journey in 1991 with Oceanic Bank Plc. (now EcoBank Plc.), Alebiosu has held several notable positions in esteemed financial institutions.

Prior to joining FirstBank in 2016, he served as Chief Risk Officer at Coronation Merchant Bank Limited, Chief Credit Risk Officer at the African Development Bank Group, and Group Head of Credit Policy & Deputy Chief Credit Risk Officer at United Bank for Africa Plc.

Alebiosu’s academic credentials further enrich his professional profile. He is an alumnus of the Harvard School of Government and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Relations and Personnel Management. Additionally, he obtained a Master’s degree in International Law and Diplomacy from the University of Lagos, as well as a Master’s degree in Development Studies from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

A distinguished member of various professional bodies, including the Institute of Chartered Accountants (FCA), Nigeria Institute of Management (ANIM), and Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Alebiosu is renowned for his commitment to excellence and ethical practices in the banking sector.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Alebiosu is known for his passion for golf and adventure. He is happily married and a proud parent.

With Alebiosu’s appointment, FirstBank of Nigeria Limited anticipates continued growth and innovation under his leadership, reinforcing its position as a leading financial institution in Nigeria and beyond.

Business

CBN Gives New Directive On Lending In Real Estate

Published

2 weeks ago

April 17, 2024

Editor

The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has released a new regulatory directive to enhance lending to the real sector of the Nigerian economy.

The directive, issued on April 17, 2024, with reference number BSD/DIR/PUB/LAB/017/005 and signed by the Acting Director of Banking Supervision, Adetona Adedeji, signifies a notable shift in the bank’s policy towards a more contractionary approach.

In line with the new measures, the CBN has reduced the loan-to-deposit ratio by 15 percentage points, down to 50 per cent.

This move aligns with the CBN’s current monetary tightening policies and reflects the increase in the Cash Reserve ratio rate for banks.

The LDR is a metric used to evaluate a bank’s liquidity by comparing its total loans to its total deposits over the same period, expressed as a percentage.

An excessively high ratio may indicate insufficient liquidity to meet unexpected fund requirements.

All Deposit Money Banks are now mandated to adhere to this revised LDR.

The CBN has stated that average daily figures will be utilised to gauge compliance with this directive.

Furthermore, while DMBs are encouraged to maintain robust risk management practices in their lending activities, the CBN has committed to continuous monitoring of adherence and will adjust the LDR as necessary based on market developments.

Adedeji has called on all banks to acknowledge these modifications and adjust their operations accordingly. He emphasised that this regulatory adjustment is anticipated to significantly influence the banking sector and the wider Nigerian economy.

The circular read in part, “Following a shift in the Bank’s policy stance towards a more contractionary approach, it is crucial to revise the loan-to-deposit ratio policy to conform with the CBN’s ongoing monetary tightening.

“Consequently, the CBN has decided to decrease the LDR by 15 percentage points to 50 per cent, proportionate to the rise in the CRR rate for banks.

“All DMBs must maintain this level, and it is advised that average daily figures will still be applied for compliance assessment.

“While DMBs are urged to sustain strong risk management practices concerning their lending operations, the CBN will persist in monitoring compliance, reviewing market developments, and making necessary adjustments to the LDR. Please be guided accordingly.”