General News
Guinness, FRSC Collaborate on Road Safety, Responsible Drinking
Guinness Nigeria, in furtherance of its commitment to enlightening Nigerians on responsible drinking, has partnered with the Federal Road Safety Corporation (FRSC) Benin, Edo State Command to host a Mega Easter Awareness Campaign on Road Safety and Responsible Drinking aimed at discouraging inappropriate use of alcoholic beverages as well as drink driving.
The event which was preceded by an awareness walk through the streets of Benin was held on the heels of similar programmes which held in Awka, Anambra State and Asaba, Delta state.
The extensive three-day programme drew participation from personnel of the FRSC, members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and employees of the Guinness Nigeria, Benin Brewery.
In his address at the event, Kingsley Imade, plant manager, Benin Brewery, Guinness Nigeria, disclosed that Guinness Nigeria decided to partner with the FRSC on the campaign in order to educate Nigerian drivers about road safety as it relates to alcohol use and raise awareness about responsible drinking in a bid to continually add value to the societies where they do business.
“Alcohol and responsible drinking is an intrinsic part of our business model, we understand that Nigerians like to celebrate and make merry especially during festive periods such as the forthcoming Easter celebration and therefore it is of utmost importance for us at Guinness Nigeria to educate our communities and citizens about the benefits of the responsible enjoyment of alcohol beverages.”
“It is our desire that the continued partnership with FRSC will galvanize other corporate institutions and organisations to commit and partner with us in raising awareness around Road Safety and responsible consumption of alcohol which would address the issue of ‘drink driving’ in Nigeria. Part of our contributions includes the provision of breathalyzers for the FRSC, which is necessary as they combat drunk driving”. Imade stated.
Addressing the participants, Assistant Corps Marshal Nsebong Akpabio, zonal commanding officer, FRSC, Zone 5 Command, Benin; commended Guinness Nigeria Plc for supporting the campaign and noted that road safety impacts directly on economic and social-cultural development of nations.
He continued that the Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC) as the governmental lead agency on road safety management and administration was currently activating various initiatives targeted at reducing road accidents to the barest minimum across the country.
“We at the FRSC commend Guinness Nigeria on its continuous collaboration to harness driver education to combat drink driving issues. Together our collaborative effort will improve road safety through driver education. We therefore advise the public that the permissible BAC limit in Nigeria is 0.05g, road users should shun driving when they have been drinking” Akpabio stated.
In the same vein, Sir Luka Umar Ikpi, sector commander, FRSC, Edo state, added that the road show and other measures put in place by Guinness and FRSC is geared towards achieving the corps objectivities to stem the tide of crashes in the zone.
He added that this is in line with achieving the clarion call by the United Nations of reducing road traffic crash fatalities by 50% by the year 2015.
Federal government has temporarily suspended the controversial annual dues imposed on public interest enterprises by the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) after fierce opposition from businesses.
Jumoke Oduwole, minister, Industry, Trade, and Investment, announced the decision during a Ministerial Consultative Meeting in Abuja on Wednesday.
The move follows mounting pressure from private sector groups, including the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), who slammed the Financial Reporting Council (Amendment) Act 2023 for burdening companies with excessive fees.
The Act mandates cumulative annual charges for non-listed entities and imposes a harsh 10% monthly penalty on unpaid dues, compounding until full payment, a provision that sparked widespread backlash.
At the meeting, major industry players like NECA, MAN, the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce (NACCIMA), oil producers, and telecom operators warned that the fees would cripple businesses already struggling in a tough economy.
Oduwole clarified the suspension, stating, “The government has decided to direct the Financial Reporting Council to pause in the implementation of the new annual dues. You know that I am a lawyer, and a suspension request by the organised private sector would be in contravention of legislation duly passed by the National Assembly. A pause is an administrative process simply to review, in line with what we discussed today.”
She assured stakeholders that the halt would last no longer than 60 days, with a technical working group—including FRC officials and private sector representatives—set up to reassess the policy.
“We are a listening administration. The private sector has requested a range from three months to an indefinite suspension. We are not going to do that. So, at the most, 60 days is in my estimate. We are going to set up a technical working group comprised of the FRC and the organised private sector who have formally written in, and this will be reviewed,” Oduwole emphasized.
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) says it is intensifying efforts to standardise locally manufactured products, including Made-in-Aba brands, in order to enhance both local and international acceptance.
Aharanwa Chuks, Director of Region (South East), SON, communicated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.
Chuks said through the Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP), SON ensured that all Nigerian-made products conformed to the relevant Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS).
According to him, MANCAP involves direct engagement with manufacturers to certify that their products meet established quality benchmarks.
“This process includes inspecting production facilities, sampling products and testing them against NIS requirements.
“Successful compliance results in the issuance of the MANCAP certification, signifying adherence to quality standards.
“In Aba, SON has been proactive in educating manufacturers about standardization.’’
The director said SON also conducted stakeholder interactions; gathering manufacturers from various sectors to provide guidance on producing goods that met both local and international standards.
“For instance, leather manufacturers in Aba have been sensitized on standardization practices to enhance the global competitiveness of their products.
“Manufacturers are encouraged to collaborate with SON to obtain MANCAP certification, ensuring their products are not only marketable within Nigeria but also competitive internationally.
“This initiative aims to boost consumer confidence and promote the acceptance of Made-in-Aba products globally,” Chuks said.
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has busted a Ponzi Scheme Academy and arrested 133 suspects in Abuja.
They were arrested at the Compensation Layout in Gwagwalada area of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, following actionable intelligence on the existence of the Academy.
The Academy, named Q University (a.k.a Q-Net) is in the business of recruiting gullible young Nigerians who are trained to recruit more gullible citizens into the scheme with the promise of getting unrealistic profit returns.
The suspects are enrolled into a training codenamed: “Special Training for New Generation Billionaire” and brainwashed to believe that they would graduate into the league of billionaires.
They got into the training by obtaining a form the promoters called “Independent Representative Application Form” with promotional slogans such as: “I’m a Champion” “I’m Unstoppable”, “I’m Infinity”, among others.
The EFCC carried out the operation in collaboration with officers and men of 176 Guards Battalion, Nigerian Army.
Items recovered from the suspects include phones, computers and other electronic gadgets.
They will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.
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