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Alcatel-Lucent Bags Best Use of CSR in HR Award
Alcatel-Lucent in Nigeria has been selected by CareerNation for its Africa Human Resources Excellence Awards, to receive the prize and recognition for “The Best Use of Corporate Social Responsibility in HR” Award category for the year 2013.
This award is given to the organization which achieves outstanding results in CSR and HR.
On Saturday, 28 September, Alcatel-Lucent received the award in Accra, Ghana, during the 5th annual CareerNation@ Africa Human Resource Conference & Excellence Awards.
Victor T. Madubuko, PHR managing partner at CareerNation: “CareerNation selected Alcatel-Lucent as it has undertaken the risks of innovation, served as a pioneer in the field, and has contributed to human resources development in Africa. The company and its employees succeeded in overcoming challenges and clearly came out as a key strategic partner not only grasping the company’s vision and mission, but also contributing to them.”
This is an award given for the company’s achievements in terms of employee engagement, innovative programs in education and technological fields and for a strong contribution in the community, to help bridge the digital divide.
Hatim Zougari, country manager of Alcatel-Lucent Nigeria said: “This is the first time we have entered this Award, this success is a result of joint effort between our employees and management, our Foundation and community partners, thanks to everyone for helping make our company’s CSR vision a reality.” He then added: “These programs will help provide these youth with a head-start towards an independent life with the professional skills necessary to succeed in a globalized world.”
Adebimpe Ayo Elias, HR director of Alcatel-Lucent in Nigeria: “It is a true and strong testament of Alcatel-Lucent Nigeria’s commitment to employee engagement. Our company’s engagement is measured by our employees’ commitment, their contribution, their enthusiasm, dedication and willingness to go above and beyond for their organization and their community.”
Issa Eid, HR leader for Middle East, Turkey and Africa said: “A great win by an amazing team in Nigeria. An effort well recognized by the engaged and committed talent we have in the country, going above and beyond their call of duty to support their communities. The Alcatel-Lucent Foundation made this win possible, to provide an arena of contribution and support, to prepare the next generation of talent in the country. We will continue to focus on social activities in Nigeria and the region, with the support of management and our energetic employee base!”
Bishalakhi Ghosh, Director of Alcatel-Lucent Foundation said: “One of the focus areas of the Alcatel-Lucent Foundation is on programs that help youth from disadvantaged communities have access to training helping them prepare for life, the business world and the future. The success of these programs is mainly the result of team work and our employee’s contribution and commitment. It is a true example of a corporate CSR vision by helping youth to become leaders in tomorrow’s world.”
Alcatel-Lucent in Nigeria has been selected mainly for its active participation into two major programmes: sponsorship of Entrepreneurial Training and Mentorship Programme with selected beneficiaries in Partnership with SOS Children Villages – with the support of the Alcatel-Lucent Foundation, who granted funds to support this CSR initiative in Nigeria.
Purpose of this program is to support 20 young adults in learning entrepreneurial, leadership and life skills that will help them face day-to-day challenges and give them a jump start into the world of work.
During the program, the group will develop the attitude, behaviour, confidence and skills needed to take responsibility for building their own futures and to become successful and contributing members of society.
Today Alcatel-Lucent has 24 active volunteers mentoring and following up agreed action plans and the progress of these beneficiaries.
The second is the G-NeX-Capability Development Programme with University of Lagos – Alcatel-Lucent’s employees volunteered and participated into this program for a period of 12 weeks of professional training and skills.
Nigerians are among the brightest and most innovative people on the planet! Yet there is a noticeable skill gap observed in young graduates especially on the knowledge and experience that today’s private sector demands.
Re-directing the resourcefulness within the universities through professional training is the key to unlocking the potentials and growing a firm human resource base for Nigeria’s technological development and indeed Africa.
Alcatel-Lucent in Nigeria, as an organization at the forefront of technological innovation, has the capability to bridge this gap and create an adequately skilled pipeline for the technological industry.
Some of the key areas for the partnership include: training, Career talks, Guidance and Mentoring; Professional trainings and certification; Internship programs for Star performers; Creativity development; access to platforms & learning resources; and Collaboration with institutions to improve study curriculum.
On 3rd May, 2013, the session formally kicked off, while the official grand opening was held on 11th of May 2013.
Over 200 Students registered and participated in the programme, inclusive of non-engineering students who have a passion for the technological world. The twelve (12) weeks curriculum ended on 13th July 2013 and was completed with commiserate practical session’s impact to knowledge transfer! The 12 weeks program is only the first phase of the G-NeX program as several phases are planned.
It was truly a period of exposition and all round fun as our employees and management not only built intellectual capacities but also an enduring relationship. This programme was driven by Alcatel-Lucent Nigeria employees (Volunteers) in conjunction with Alcatel-Lucent’s University. Both contributors are passionate about knowledge transfer and capability development for the younger generation.
The Alcatel-Lucent G-NeX program is intending to reduce the gap in the technological know-how, between the theory in the universities and the real life in the field, as requested by the industries. Today Alcatel-Lucent in Nigeria is working on a roll out plan across Nigerian Universities that will help build the future generation. Discussions are ongoing with the University of Port Harcourt, which will be the next step.
Alcatel-Lucent focuses on helping communities where its employees live and operate. Its prime mission is to respond to today’s global challenge of digital inclusion and sustainability, focusing on providing innovative programs for underserved communities across the world that enable youth, to access educational and life skills programs. We believe we can make a difference by helping youth contribute as citizens and community leaders in tomorrow’s global digital world.
Federal Government has revealed that N8.8 billion has been spent to repair and restore power transmission towers across Nigeria that were destroyed by vandals and bandits.
The announcement was made on Wednesday by the Managing Director of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Engr. Suleiman Ahmed Abdulaziz, during the Quarterly Power Sector Working Group meeting in Abuja.
Engr. Abdulaziz, represented by the Executive Director of Transmission Service Provider (TSO), Engr. Olugbenga Emmanuel Ajiboye, disclosed that 128 transmission towers have been destroyed since January 13, 2024. He lamented the recurrence of vandalism despite the arrests of perpetrators, citing ineffective prosecution as a significant challenge.
“Till date, we have spent about N8.8 billion, by our estimation, to put them back to full and functional use,” Abdulaziz said. “It is so sad that each time the vandals were caught and taken to police for prosecution, police would incident them for theft instead of vandalism, and they will be bailed. If they are charged for vandalism, they cannot be bailed, but this is where we are.”
Highlighting the severity of the situation, Abdulaziz noted the challenges faced during the restoration of the Shiroro-Mando-Kaduna transmission towers. “We had to get full military escorts for our contractors to restore the transmission lines and towers.
“In some cases, they would only allow us to work for two hours a day, and at times, they declared the area unsafe for operations.
“How can we deliver electricity to Nigerians under these terrible circumstances?”
The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, represented by his Chief Technical Adviser, Mr. Adedayo Olowoniyi, outlined the government’s plans to collaborate with international partners to improve electricity access.
He revealed ongoing efforts with the World Bank and the African Development Bank (AfDB) to provide electricity to 50 million Nigerians by 2030 as part of the larger “Mission 300” initiative, which aims to bring electricity to 300 million Africans.
“Nigeria has a large population that is without electricity, and this is a great opportunity for us to be part of this process,” Adelabu said.
He added that the government’s strategy involves public and private sector partnerships focusing on solar systems, mini and micro grids, and grid extensions.
The Minister also announced that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to sign the Compact document for the Mission 300 project in Tanzania in January 2025. “The most important thing is that we have to drive the process by ourselves,” he emphasized.
The Nigerian power sector continues to grapple with numerous challenges, including vandalism, banditry, and insufficient infrastructure. The Federal Government has also faced criticism for inadequate security measures around critical power assets.
Dr. John O. Asein, the Director-General, Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has again stressed the need for every University to have an Intellectual Property (IP) Policy so as to maximize their innovative and creative potentials.
Dr. Asein made this point while formally presenting the revised Model Intellectual Property (IP) Policy to the General Assembly of the Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (CVCNU) in Abuja on 30th October 2024.
According to him, the Model Policy, which was developed by the Commission in collaboration with the CVCNU in 2021 was reissued as part of the Commission’s renewed effort to promote its adoption and implementation.
The Director-General thanked the immediate past Secretary General of CVCNU Prof. Yakubu Ochefu for supporting the initiative and working with the Commission to promote the sustainable use and effective management of IP in Nigerian universities.
Dr. Asein also called on tertiary institutions, as centres of learning and research, to introduce their faculties and students to the subject of intellectual property in line with global trends and to make Nigerian universities globally competitive.
To this end he assured Vice-Chancellors of the Commission’s readiness to help in the development and implementation of their policy.
“The Commission will work with other agencies, including the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) to begin the intellectual property ranking of universities and celebrate those that excel in the respect, generation, use and commercilaisation of IP”, the Director-General assured.
Speaking on the WIPO Distance Learning (DL) courses on IP, the Director-General urged universities to infuse the WIPO DL 101 course, which is available online for free, into the General Studies course to give students basic knowledge of IP and equip them in their respective courses of study.
Receiving the copies on behalf of Nigerian Vice-Chcnellors, the Chairman CVCNU, Prof. Lilian Salami (Vice-Chancellor, University of Benin) commended the collaborative efforts of the Commission and AVCNU in developing the Model IP Policy and assured the Director-General of CVCNU’s continued commitment to working with the Commission, particularly in promoting better IP culture in universities.
The Model IP Policy was developed with the help of a team of Nigerian experts and with the support of the Nigerian University Commission (NUC), the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the National Office of Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP).
A Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Bwari area council, Abuja has ordered the arrest of Dr Bright Echefu, chief executive of Briech Intelligence Fusion Limited, a security company, over an allegation of $651, 280 fraud.
Echefu is said to have allegedly defrauded BCG NEEDS Company of the said amount under the pretence of supplying drones and accessories.
The court ordered Disu Olatunji, commissioner of Police, federal capital territory (FCT) to arrest Echefu and his company.
Echefu is also the managing director and chief executive officer of Telecom Satellite Television, according to Leadership Newspaper.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had earlier arraigned the businessman at the federal high court over allegations of tax evasion, money laundering, and advanced fee fraud.
Okechikwu John Akweke, presiding judge, ordered Echefu’s arrest after the motion was moved by John Paul Eze Esq. of O. J. Law Consult.
Akweke said the order is to compel Echefu and his company appearances before the court in line with Section 113 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015.
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