₦airaland Forum

The first phase on the Blue Line is Orile-Mile 2 (seven kilomtres). The second phase is Mile 2-Okokomaiko.

Julius Berger is expanding the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, while Chinese Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) is handling the (Blue Line) rail project.

On the Red Line, the LRT will share the same corridor with the NRC line, but will have its own separate tracks and stations, much of which will be elevated.

Please don't ban me, please don't ban me, please don't ban me, please don't ban me.


Here's De La Rue's website


http://www.delarue.com/

My dear friends are you in this with me? I just watched a video about a boy I think 4 or 5 years old, having all kind of sex including MouthAction with. A girl that can't be more than 12. And it was obviously filmed in Nigeria with Nigerian kids. It was sent through a weblink. I am talking with some child rights group already. Whoever did the recording is an adult. And it is the greatest form of child abuse as far as I am concerned for an adult to film this whole sordid details without stopping the act. And from what I think, the girl was aware she was being videoed. Weblinks can be traced. And I want us to stand together to insist to the relevant authorities that this must be investigated and those culpable are brougth to book. I have not had any peace since. I am set and ready to champion this cause. I believe you are too. I will start with my name and BB pin. Pls add yours and let's see how many names that can be signed up to prove to the authorities that we want justice. Pls

Yes, I was going to comment on that when I was banned. http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polymer_banknote

Also, take a look at the "palava" article above (I was banned when I first posted it) and note this:

With the Abuja factory, it was hoped that the Mint would be able to meet the annual currency requirement of the CBN which is put at N1.2 billion notes in different denominations. But the Mint can only produce N900 million notes for the CBN, while the balance is printed outside the country by Thomas De La Rue. According to Okoh, “the Mint has consistently failed to meet these goals for which it was established in the first instance.”

Lastly, there's been controversy dogging the mint. Firstly, many people are against the Federal Government's decision to privatise it. They believe privatisation will pose a security risk. Secondly, some people were against the takeover by the Central Bank. Thirdly, there are some people that were against the idea of printing bank notes outside the country.

Finally! My posts are visible

Dogged by Palaver

Ownership of the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company, NSPMC, changes hands but opponents of the privatisation fight back

By Salif Atojoko

Controversy continues to dog the privatisation of Federal Government parastatals.  But the attempt by the Bureau for Public Enterprises, BPE to privatise the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company, NSPMC, has by far drawn the greatest controversy. Apart from the general public apathy towards it, BPE was unable to secure a core investor to acquire the 51 percent shares of the company held by the Ministry of Finance Incorporated, MOFI.

As a last resort, BPE recently turned the 51 percent shares of NSPMC over to the Central Bank of Nigeria , CBN, in a bid to continue the privatisation of the company.

BPE is to sell an additional 20 percent of the shares to the public through the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, by June this year.

According to Alex Okoh, assistant director of communications and marketing, the decision to sell the majority shares to CBN was taken on this basis that being a shareholder, the CBN would appreciate the magnitude of the problems of the company. He said CBN was in a good position to restructure and refocus the company for privatisation.

Before the MOFI shares were given to CBN, BPE had carried out some kind of restructuring. It restructured the company’s balance sheet and capitalised the Federal Government loans and grants, which raised MOFI equity to 94.31 percent. Before that restructuring, MOFI had 55 percent and CBN 20 percent. Thomas De La Rue of England held 25 percent.

With the CBN effectively in control of the Mint, the Federal Government recently   appointed Muhammad Abubakar Sadiq as managing director of the company. He took over from Sambo Dasuki, a retired colonel. Sadiq is not new to the Mint.  He had served on the board of NSPMC for more than 12 years as a representative of CBN. He was special adviser to the CBN governor before his appointment. Sadiq is to restructure the Mint preparatory to its sale to a core investor in the future.

There are, however, fears that even the current efforts at restructuring the Mint for privatisation might fail because the decision to privatise it has always been resisted by the general public. The National Assembly is opposed to the privatisation of the company. It argues that it is a security risk to sell an enterprise responsible for the printing of the nation’s currency and other security documents to a private company.

The threat of impeachment of President Olusegun Obasanjo by the National Assembly forced him to suspend the privatisation of the Mint.

The House of Representatives has since warned potential foreign investors to stay clear of the planned privatisation of the Mint. But the BPE is not relenting.

The Mint awarded a N10 billion contract to a Japanese firm, Komori Currency Technology to install modern security and minting machines at its new Abuja headquarters factory. The Federal Government had released N3.5 billion to NSPMC for the Abuja factory being built by Bouygues, a French company.

With the Abuja factory, it was hoped that the Mint would be able to meet the annual currency requirement of the CBN which is put at N1.2 billion notes in different denominations. But the Mint can only produce N900 million notes for the CBN, while the balance is printed outside the country by Thomas De La Rue. According to Okoh, “the Mint has consistently failed to meet these goals for which it was established in the first instance.”

Last week, about 2,042 workers of the Mint sacked by the management were worried over their fate under the new ownership of the Mint. They had fought the management of the company for their reinstatement. The workers under the umbrella of Mint Workers Forum, MWF, have also been opposed to the privatisation of the company.

Newswatch Volume 37 No. 2, January 20, 2003

http://www.newswatchngr.com/editorial/prime/2003/13012003/biz10112111714.htm

Find out more about the project and see amazing pictures of the rail routes, stations, carriages and the 7 lines on these threads


https://www.nairaland.com/898591/fashola-woos-foreign-investment-partners

https://www.nairaland.com/928874/more-updates-lagos-light-rail

Right, so let's start monitoring the situation. Heard that fuel was scarce in some parts of Lagos yesterday night. I suspect that this was caused by hoarding and panic buying.

What's the situation @ your end? Are there fuel queues? Is everything normal?

Lagos set to begin second light rail project https://www.nairaland.com/948119/lagos-set-begin-second-light#10932633

Lagos set to begin second light rail project https://www.nairaland.com/948119/lagos-set-begin-second-light#10932633

Cool

Lagos condemns NUPENG’s subterfuge solidarity strike

LAGOS State Government on Saturday condemned the recourse to blackmail and arm-twisting by the Nigeria Medical Association and National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers Union (NUPENG) on the issue of medical doctors sacked in the state over an illegal strike.

The state government in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Lateef Ibirogba, said it would soon be clear to the people that it was NUPENG whose stock in trade was to call a strike at every flimsy excuse that was seeking to inflict more pains on the people through its sympathy strike and not the government.

Noting that NUPENG had shown clearly by its rash ultimatum that it had a clear political agenda, the commissioner said it was most unfortunate that NUPENG’s voice was not raised in defence of doctors in the military hospitals who have not been paid for nine months.

According to the statement, NUPENG should not use the doctors’ strike as subterfuge to get back at the Lagos State Government for spearheading the much needed clearing of Apapa which had become a nightmare to lawful residents and businesses in the area due to indiscriminate parking and blockade of the roads by tanker drivers.

The statement also noted that the medical profession was one that had always been a refined profession guided by decorum from its members as distinct from the present set of political jobbers who were masquerading as medical doctors and issuing unguarded statements like the ones from the leadership of the NMA in the Federal Capital Territory and Oyo State.

According to the commissioner, the state government would not be stampeded or intimidated by the antics of politically sponsored unions into abdicating its responsibilities to the citizenry and the rest of its workforce, adding that the dictatorship of a union to the detriment of the well being of the society will not stand.

http://www.tribune.com.ng/sun/news/7404-lagos-condemns-nupengs-subterfuge-solidarity-strike

Management Team


Mr Emmanuel Ehidiamhen Okoyomon
Managing Director and Chief Executive

 


Mr Mohammed G.Umar
Executive Director (Technical Services)


Mr Ibrahim M. Babayo
Executive Director (Finance & Strategy/Chief Financial Officer)

 

 
 


Mr Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli
Executive Director (Corporate Services)


Mr Desmond I. Isibor
Executive Director (Operations)

 

 

PRODUCTION FACILITIES





The company has its headquarters in Abuja. It has two ultra-modern factory complexes in Abuja and Lagos with adequate capacity and technologically up-to-date machinery.

The two broad divisions under which production is carried out are the Currency Division and the Security Documents Division.

Currency Division

The banknotes production facilities consist of the most up-to-date machines available in the industry. Our high-tech electronically controlled machines, sophisticated inks and highly skilled personnel all go to show that we keep pace with the most current trend in the industry world-wide. To support our operations and satisfy our clients’ individual demands, The MINT manufactures its offset and intaglio printing plates here in Nigeria while the sophisticated production machines and key raw materials are imported from diversified but highly reliable dealers overseas.

Security Documents Division

The production process in the security document division usually starts with the highly skilled and innovative graphic artists who are not only fully conversant with the latest techniques and materials to counteract forgery and adulteration, but are aware of the current capabilities of criminals. This knowledge combinedwith information on the latest international counterfeiting methods enable our designers to continually upgrade the security features and materials to ensure that our products are constantly ahead of potential counterfeiters. The company uses modern local letter-assembly facilities to add the require text matter to these designs.

The resultant designs are then produced on a variety of sheet-fed wet or dry to four colours at once with the capability of printing on both the front and the back of the sheet simultaneously.

The numbering of the documents which in itself is a complex operation, involving the need for absolute accuracy, is available in a variety of styles.

Finishing is carried out in controlled conditions in line with the importance The MINT attaches to the security and integrity of its products.

SUBSIDIARIES


As part of the expansion strategy, the need to source its raw materials locally as a logical first step. It accordingly embarked on the establishment of two companies in partnership with selected technical partners for the production of security inks and papers in Nigeria. The Tawada Ltd., Abuja, one of the two companies has since commenced production of high quality security inks.

The MINT, in 1988, also acquired a majority interest in Pacific Printers Nigeria Ltd. (PPNL) a company that has been engaged in commercial printing since 1935. The acquisition was aimed at complementing the capacity of the company in the production of non-security printed materials.

TOTAL SECURITY


Security is the company’s principal asset and therefore, forms the cornerstone of its operations. In recognition of this overwhelming importance of security, the company has continually refined its security requirements for product features, procedures, skills, personnel training and orientation. Security features of banknotes, cheques, drafts and other security documents are periodically updated to impede counterfeiting and forgery. To further enhance the security facilities, the company has an in-house forgery detection unit.

The in-house administration of security of the premises and products is equally detailed, strict and total.
Both physical and Materials’ security of the premises is ensured through the use of the most up-to-date electronic surveillance equipment, supported by adequate and well-trained security staff.

Materials Security safeguards the security of all products through every stage of manufacture. Work is counted in and out of departments by a combination of machines and manual checking. Accountability is total. Waste generated during production is sent to a centralized section where it is kept under strict security condition until the order is completed and a balance struck.
Such waste is destroyed and representatives of government, banks and other customers are free to attend the destruction of waste materials if they so wish.

Anecdotes from someone that worked @ the Mint in the 1980s (I don't know if this is true, but this is what he told me).

1) They are searched before they leave the office (patted down, but may include strip search).


2) There was a day that a small sum of money was missing (I can't remember, but I think it was a few one naira notes). They were detained over night.


I remember that, back in the 1980s, a team of mobile policemen, complete with saxon armoured car and landrovers, guarded the mint.

[quote author=Nwa_Nimo]Thanks for that - a nice comprehensive answer for once.

Can you tell me who owns (major shareholders) the "Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Plc"?[/quote]The Mint was established in 1963 by the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in partnership with De La Rue of the U.K.

It was "privatised" during the Obasanjo era (privatised in quotation marks because, although the Federal Government sold its shares, The Mint is still indirectly owned by the Federal Government).

The Federal Government of Nigeria owns majority shares in the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting PLC as reflected in the following ownership structure of the company.

CBN 77%

BPE 20.06%

De La Rue 2.94%

MANAGEMENT AND ORGANISATION

The Board of Directors is responsible for the company’s strategic policy decisions, while a highly experienced crop of five Management team (One MD/CE and four Executive Directors) run its day to day affairs. These are:

Board of Directors

Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi (Chairman)
Mr Tunde Lemo
Dr. Christopher U. Anyanwu
Professor S. O. Olofin
Malam Dahiru Muhammad
Professor Emmanuel C. Edozien
Chief E. F. Oke
Alhaji Suleiman Barau
Mr Ehi E. Okoyomon (Managing Director/Chief Executive)


http://www.mintnigeria.com/structure.htm

Naira notes and coins are printed/minted by the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Plc (NSPM) Plc and other overseas printing/minting companies and issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). At the currency printing works of the NSPM Plc, quality is meticulously controlled throughout every process of currency production. This guarantees that every note issued meets the required standard. The CBN maintains an office called Mint Inspectorate in the premises of the NSPM Plc to maintain security and quality of Naira notes and coins.

Currency is issued to deposit money banks through the branches of the CBN, and old notes retrieved through the same channel. Currency deposited in the CBN by the banks are processed and sorted to fit and unfit notes in line with the clean note policy. The clean notes are re-issued while the dirty notes are destroyed.

http://www.cenbank.org/currency/

Ah! Apparently I'm behind the times. They are now @ Abuja. 160, Samuel ladoke Akintola Boulevard,
PMB 144 Garki, Abuja,

Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company (The Mint) has produced naira notes for the Central Bank of Nigeria for ages. It is located on Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Lagos (close to ADRAO).

http://www.mintnigeria.com/

The NSPMC has also, at various times, printed examination papers (JAMB, WAEC) and ballot papers.

However, sometime during the late 1990s/early 2000s, the CBN had naira notes printed outside the country.

The mint was "privatised" during the Obasanjo era. The CBN bought majority shares in the company.

Slumbook-Facebook-Lagbook

Bump

NUPENG threatens strike over sacked Lagos doctors

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) on Friday threatened to embark on solidarity strike if the state government fails to recall the sacked doctors.

Addressing journalists at a press conference in Lagos, the National President of NUPENG, Igwe Achese said the Lagos state government must allow reason to prevail by negotiating with the doctors on their demands with a view to arriving at a compromise.

“We call on both parties to go back to the negotiating table with maturity to resolve the conflicts,” he said.

“However, NUPENG will join forces with other well-meaning Nigerians to call the Lagos state government to order to recall the sacked doctors. If the issue persists unresolved by Monday next week, NUPENG may be forced to embark on a solidarity strike action until the sacked doctors are recalled to save the lives of Nigerians in Lagos,” Mr Achese said.

He pointed out that the inexperienced doctors that were employed by the government are not adequate and properly equipped to treat the patients.

http://www.channelstv.com/home/2012/05/25/nupeng-threatens-strike-over-sacked-lagos-doctors/

NUPENG threatens strike over sacked Lagos doctors

May 25, 2012 by Agency Reporter ⁠11 Comments

The National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers on Friday threatened to embark on a solidarity strike with the 788 doctors sacked recently by the Lagos State Government.
The threat was issued at a press conference in Lagos by NUPENG President, Igwe Achese.

Also on Friday, the Kaduna State chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association called on President Goodluck Jonathan to prevail on Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, to reinstate the sacked doctors and withdraw the queries issued them by the state health board.

More details later.

http://www.punchng.com/news/nupeng-threatens-strike-over-sacked-lagos-doctors/

Bishop Martins

Cardinal Okogie

Bishop Alfred Adewale MARTINS Appointed Archbishop of Lagos

His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI has today, Friday 25trh May, 2012, appointed as Archbishop of Lagos, His Lordship, Most Rev Alfred Adewale MARTINS. He replaces His Eminence, Anthony Cardinal Okogie who retired having attained the canonical age of 75. Until his appointment, Bishop Alfred Martins was the Bishop of Abeokuta Diocese.

At the same time the Pope appointed His Eminence Anthony Cardinal Okogie as the Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Lagos until the installation of the newly appointed Archbishop.

PERSONAL DATA:
Born: 1 Jun 1959
Ordained Priest: 18 Sep 1983
Appointed Bishop of Abeokuta: 24 Oct 1997
Ordained Bishop of Abeokuta, Nigeria: 24 Jan 1998

The date for the installation of the Archbishop-elect is yet to be announced.

Buhari’s use of dogs and baboons is idiomatic – CPC spokesperson

The spokesperson for the Congress of Progressive Change (CPC), Rotimi Fashekun, has explained that the ‘Dogs and baboons’ statement credited to the party’s presidential candidate in the 2011 election wasn’t calling for blood-shed but a “classical Hausa idiom.”

Mr Fashekun on our Politics Today programme explained that the phrase was an idiomatic expression which does not give the exact meaning when the words are put together.

The CPC leader, Muhammadu Buhari, had in a recent address to his party members in Hausa language, stated “if what happened in 2011 (alleged rigging) should again happen in 2015, by the grace of God, the dog and the baboon would all be soaked in blood.”

According to Mr Fashekun, the reference to soaking dogs and baboons in blood was not calling for blood-shed but rather a normal idiomatic expression, regularly used in Hausa language.

Making reference to similar idioms in other languages, Mr Fashekun noted that a Yoruba idiom which states that “you and I will wear the same trousers”, does that mean a single trouser will be worn by the two persons involved in the conversation” he added.

He also cited the English idiom, which states “it is raining cats and dogs”. Does it mean that cats and dogs are raining down from the skies” he asked?

He lamented that people are been very picky and economical with the truth on the issue.

However, Mr Doyin Okupe, a member of the People’s Democratic Party disagreed with the argument, saying such a statement, calling for blood-shed in the 2015 elections is not expected from a revered former Head of State.

But the spokesman for the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Lai Mohammed, also on the programme argued with Mr Okupe that, General Buhari was not calling for a blood-shed.

To watch the full program, etc, click here

http://www.channelstv.com/home/2012/05/21/buharis-use-of-dogs-and-baboons-are-hausa-idioms-cpc-spokesperson/

It was closed because it's a duplicate. Someone had already posted the story on this thread https://www.nairaland.com/944715/emotional-story-john-akpavan-abuja


So you can continue discussions there.

Nairaland rules advise that you conduct a nairaland search to determine if a topic has already been posted before you create a thread.

If the moderators discover that there are two threads with the same topic, they'll close the thread that was created later and link it to the thread that was first created.

I remember back when Fashola arrested the air-force officer and the foreigner for driving against the flow of traffic, he said he'd assist LASTMA in apprehending people who break traffic laws. For this reason, LASTMA vehicles/officials form part of his motorcade. They have arrested several "okada" riders for breaking traffic laws.

.

He obstructed traffic and could not show his driver's license and particulars. People get arrested for this everyday, although it doesn't make headlines.