Residents flee, as prisoners protest poor meals

Residents of Ukpa town will not forget in a hurry recent threat to the peace of the community, following protest by inmates of Afikpo prison in Afikpo North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

What almost became a jailbreak was foiled after the inmates protested against the poor quality of food prisons officials had been serving them. But for quick response by military and police personnel, who following a distress call stormed the area, the situation might have spiraled out of control.

One resident of the town, who identified himself as Sunday, said people, especially those who live close to the prison, fled from their homes and hid in bushes. “We did not sleep in our homes that night for fear of being attacked. It was very serious. I took my wife and two-month-old son and hid them in the bush. We thought it was a jailbreak but in the morning we learnt they were protesting against poor food quality,” he said.

The Guardian learnt the prisoners believed the Federal Government was investing huge sums of money for their welfare and wondered why this was not translating into good meals on their plates. After a serving of what the inmates said was low quality rice, despite several complaints to prison officials, their anger boiled over.

It was learnt that the inmates broke the fence that housed them and came out hurling stones and other dangerous objects. They put prison officials to flight, and allegedly assaulted female inmates sexually.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP George Okafor, said: “Yes, there was a little problem in the Afikpo prisons, which would have resulted in jailbreak but it was aborted by police response, as we cordoned of the area.”

A source, who did not want his name in print, said the Federal Government approves N970,000 weekly for feeding of the inmates. He accused some officials of the prisons of inciting the inmates against the management. According to him, some top officials are not happy with the massive transfer of indigenous staff from the area.

One senior prison official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the prison authority is surprised the inmates had been planning the protest for months without anyone getting wind of the matter. He called for urgent steps to address the situation, to forestall a jailbreak.

“If these inmates were able to plan this protest secretly for months and execute it without our knowledge, one day they will plan a jail break and none of us will be aware,” he said.

He said that he was not aware the Federal Government was paying N970,000 weekly to feed the inmates but admitted the quality of food was poor. He stressed that though normalcy has returned to the prison complex, government needs to beef up security and do a turn around maintenance of decayed facilities.

“Committees have been set up to look into the cause of the protest. We have also started proper orientation of the inmates and hope such does not repeat itself again,” he said.

sourced: the guardian

For 16th arthouse auction, premium pieces reign

The Advent, 2016, Oil on canvas, by Abiodun Olaku

The 16th edition of Arthouse Contemporary auction, coming in less than three months after introducing Affordable sales, is set to prove the resilience of Lagos art market, even in a troubled economic environment.

With Affordable, held in March, the auctioneers added a third sale, making its auctions tri-annual. From May 7-8, 2016, the 16th edition takes off with viewing, which runs into the third day as the sale holds on Monday, 9 at The Wheatbaker Hotel, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Having separated the Affordable – works that sell below 500,000 – from the premiums, there is an indication that the volume of lots has dropped slightly in number for the coming event. However, the texture or class of lots on sale keeps going higher, so suggests the caliber of artists featured in the 16th edition.

In a preview statement, Arthouse notes that as contemporary African art moves to become one of the fastest growing global art markets, the 16th edition “will feature both master works from the modern period and cutting- edge contemporary art from the region’s most celebrated artists.” The auction house lists works as including “100 lots featuring modern masters such as Ben Enwonwu, Yusuf Grillo, Demas Nwoko, Bruce Onobrakpeya, Ato Delaquis, Kolade Oshinowo, Abayomi Barber, Gani Odutokun, Ablade Glover, Ben Osawe, and Akinola Lasekan.” Also on display for the auction are what has been described as leading contemporary artists, including Rom Isichei, Peju Alatise, Sokari Douglas Camp, Ndidi Dike and Modupe Fadugba.

As Lagos is fast becoming a hub for African art market, non-Nigerian artists whose works are featuring in the auction include, Dominique Zimkpe, Paul Onditi, Kofi Agorsor, Mohammed Abba Gana, Paa Joe and Leonce Raphael Agbodjelou.

Sponsored by Standard Chartered Bank, Wheatbaker Hotel and Veuve Clicquot, the auction retains its auctioneer, U.K-based John Dabney.
Among the works for sale viewed via soft copies are The Advent, oil on canvas classic of Abiodun Olaku; Isioma, oil on canvas portrait from Isichei; oil on board portraiture, Threatened Innocence by Grilo; Obitun Dancers, a 1990 painting by Enwonwu; and mixed media Purple Period by Alatise.

The auction, according to Arthouse, will also include three charity lots by artists Uchay Joel Chima, Obinna Makata, and Lekan Onabanjo, in support of Standard Chartered Bank’s ‘Seeing is Believing’, an NG0 that works to prevent avoidable blindness.

In recent years, Arthouse Contemporary has expanded beyond its bi-annual auctions to include the Arthouse Foundation, a non-profit organisation that aims to encourage the creative development of contemporary art in Nigeria, and Arthouse-The Space, which organises exhibitions of contemporary art. Arthouse-The Space recently opened a solo exhibition of Nigerian artist Victor Ekpuk, entitled Coming Home, in April 2016, the first solo exhibition of Ekpuk in Nigeria in over a decade. Arthouse Foundation opens its artist residency programme in a dedicated building in Ikoyi in April 2016, which will host artists with live/work studios throughout the year.

Founded in 2007, Arthouse Contemporary is an international auction house that specialises in modern and contemporary art from West Africa. With auctions held twice a year in Lagos, Arthouse Contemporary aims to create awareness of the scope of contemporary art in the region, encourage international recognition towards its talented artists, and strengthen the economy of its art market.

sourced: the guardian

How major oil coys, dealers divert fuel in Oyo state

Despite warnings by the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) to sanction persons involved in sharp practices, dealers in Oyo State are currently engaged in ‘flying’, the local word for illegal diversion of petroleum products.

Findings by The Guardian showed that virtually all the major marketers are involved in the unwholesome act, with illicit profit running into billions of naira. Sometimes, the management at the headquarters of these unscrupulous officials and oil dealers are basically in the dark on the activities of their men.

When, for instance, a consignment of 15 trucks leave the depot of an oil major, regional officials deliver a nominal quantity and then divert the bulk to crooked dealers. The cost of a litre suffers an increase of about N25 in the process. The dealers, in turn, deliver the consignment to ready independent marketers, making another N25 profit on a litre. Finally, at a station, the price gets another N50 hike. With an additional N25-N70 raise by the station dealer, depending on the level of product scarcity, consumers are forced to pay an exorbitant N163-N200 per litre.

Explaining, a source said, “The major oil dealership stations are usually situated inside the city, where they receive supplies from the major oil companies. They pump only about 3000 litres into their tanks and fly the rest to stations outside the city, to avoid detection.”

Officials in the regional offices of major marketers also collect ‘tax’ of about N2-N3 per litre from dealers, especially when there is no fuel scarcity and flying becomes difficult to engage in. Some dealers said they have written petitions to the headquarters of some of the major oil marketers and expect a change, adding that almost all the staff of the oil majors are involved in the practice. Officials of these major marketers also shortchange consumers by increasing prices, even when there is no supply shortage in the state.

One dealer told The Guardian: “What they do is add to the price. Usually these are negligible amounts, like N2 to a litre. But when you add this up at the end of the day, it becomes something big. The worst part is that dealers are coerced into parting with these disagreeable fee or risk not getting supplies for weeks. And don’t forget that most of these businessmen, even if they have the best intentions, will pass the cost down to consumers.”

Investigations also revealed that rather than doing a thorough job, regional officials of the major oil marketers often carry out compromised inspections on their dealers.

“They would go to the dealers under the pretext of doing checks on them. When they get to any of the ‘friendly’ dealers, who are under-dispensing, they merely advise them to adjust their meters. And it ends there. They are in league with crooked dealers. And that is why consumers set out to buy 10 litres of fuel in some stations but end up getting only eight, or even less,” said one aggrieved dealer.

Insiders at the Ibadan depot of the NNPC said the facility is often sabotaged in order to make flying easier. Investigations by The Guardian found that the depot runs smoothly only for a few days and then breaks down.

“If the depot functions properly, it allows for easier monitoring of the supply chain. But if it is sabotaged, the products must come directly from Lagos and this is very difficult for officials to monitor. After smooth operation at the depot for about a week or two, something goes wrong and they have to suspend loading. They make sure they mess up the facilities. That is why the place is always breaking down,” said a source at the depot.

But a staff of the depot, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said: “There is no reason for us to sabotage our own facilities. The machines here are ageing and people who vandalise and siphon products from the pipelines are our major headache. The security agents will have to tackle these challenges head on.”

The state’s Commissioner of Police, Leye Oyebade, confirmed that some people have been arrested in connection with the diversion of fuel. He, however, noted that the police have not recorded any fresh cases.

He said: “I have put together a team that deals with illegal diversion of petrol products and they have been able to clamp down on offenders. Some people who were arrested in the recent past are being prosecuted at the moment.”

Head of the Department of Petroleum Resources, in Oyo State, Engr. Olakunle Ogunlana, denied knowledge of the diversion of products in the state, saying his office has been up and doing, to prevent the practice. He, however, did not rule out the possible existence of the illegality, warning that people involved risk the seizure of their licenses, and could be fined the sum of N200,000 per litre on the volume diverted, meaning anyone caught diverting a 33,000-litre truck would pay N6.6m as fine into the Treasury Single Account of the Federal Government.

He said: “Currently, there is no loading of petroleum products at the Ibadan depot. Therefore, people bring in products from outside the state, especially Lagos. But these products have to be registered with our representatives in Ibadan, so that we have a record of all products brought into the state. After registering them, we dispatch them to their pre-determined destinations. We do not stop at this; we also follow up with our own monitoring, a day or two later.”

Asked to comment on allegations that some of his officials are complicit in illegal practices, Ogunlana said he was not aware of any cases, adding, “I will be very happy to know the identity of any DPR official who is involved. If any of my men are, I shall ensure that they are sanctioned according to the dictates of the law.”

sourced: the guardian

Owoeye: On international front, Buhari has done well, but it’s now time for results

Prof Jide Owoeye

Prof Jide Owoeye is chairman, governing council of Lead City University, Ibadan. In this interview with KAMAL TAYOOROPO, he x-rays President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration’s international politics after one year in office.

Within one year of coming into office, President Buhari has been very active in his international engagements. Looking back to these diplomatic shuttles, how beneficial have they been to country?
It is very important to embark on these international trips, especially in order to improve or restore the nation’s international pedigree and prestige. Nigeria’s foreign partners and allies’ perception is very crucial. You will also remember that former President Olusegun Obasanjo embarked relentlessly on similar trips when he came into office.

These are not jamboree or fancy trips, but one that is absolutely necessary in the furtherance of the Nigerian national interest goals and objectives. These trips also became necessary especially when there’s change of administration and perception of partners needed to be reassured. It is important for a new government, in fact it is essential for a new government, to do a lot of hopping around to effectively make allies come to terms with the reality of a new government in place.

But can’t the respective embassies carry out some of these tasks?
Yes, you may say that. But the reality is that major capitals of the world, where we have serious economic and political interactions, cannot be entrusted to the embassies. It is very important for the number one citizen to tend to these issues at inter-personal level; it is important for Buhari to do personal diplomacy to enhance the effectiveness of the image laundry.

Many people have expressed fears that the President’s frequent journey abroad may be affecting adversely domestic responsibility. What could be done to stop this from happening?
I must that I am very impressed that President Buhari can do all this international showmanship; I didn’t think he was going to succeed and he is doing it well. But where the problem lies is with the vice presidency. Remember the last time he was in power, he had a firm person, in Tunde Idiagbon, who showed the seriousness of the regime. Every week, actions were being taken and we were informed, so one would have liked if the vice president could borrow a leaf from Idiagbon so that when you have a strong man at home, even if the President is travelling there would one strong effective hand at home.

Again, we have to remember that people were initially afraid of Buhari, being a military strong man. As such, he too will inißtially want to lie low a little bit. So, while the President is junketing abroad, the home front should be kept running firmly by his second in command and I don’t see what is holding back our Mr. Vice president. He needs to, rather than making comments on the state of the nation, be confronting some of the issues of the state. We should be seeing results. He is the man we are looking up to now to be taking those actions. Fortunately, Buhari is system man; he is a man who delegates authority and highly principled with the constitution. So, the authority has been delegated to the vice president. I don’t see why the vice president cannot give us, it might not exactly be like Idiagbon, but at least some level of authority.

So far, what would identify as specific gains of these relentless engagements?
We must realise that while foreign policies often, and eventually, is primarily directed towards achieving domestic goals, the results may not be instantaneous. Now, it may appear nothing much is going on, but this is so because there is a lot of problem that has to be cleared. These things do take some time, especially in our own case and under the circumstance we are. For example, in terms of corruption, everyday we are confronted with the fact that is far reaching than most of us ever thought it was.

And for the Buhari administration, the concentration on external issues must have also allowed it to settle some certain domestic challenges and misgivings. This is because when you are having a rough road, domestically, and you cannot achieve much, you direct people’s attention externally. But this cannot go on for too long. Now, after the first year, people would begin to expect government to now say, ‘we have seen the situation on the ground, we have seen how to stabilise the various problems and this is how we are going to do.’ But I think strategically, they also need all the external moves.

After one year, what should be the focus for subsequent years?
The problem that we have seen is such that without tackling the corruption to an appreciable level, it will be difficult to move ahead. The country was very broke initially, but with refunds from the home front and outside the country as foreign governments are bringing back to us, there is an indication that the economy could easily be refloated and the economy diversified to shift from dependence on oil. Fortunately also, in the last two weeks or so the price of oil in the external market is beginning to look upfront.

So, with all these, the government now has a good base to begin to implement its policies. But being a democratic government it will not be easy to tackle some of these issues because the rule of law is very important, but it all depends on the ability of Mr. President to carry everyone along. Once people see that he is focused and what he wants to do is remove some stumbling block, nobody will cry foul if we are firmer on corruption, otherwise these people will continue to use court process to elude law enforcement and the judiciary.

sourced: the guardian

Julius Berger Nigeria Plc recruitment, April 29th 2016

Julius Berger Nigeria Plc (Julius Berger) is a leading construction company offering integrated solutions and related services. Julius Berger specializes in executing complex works that require the highest level of technical expertise and Nigeria-specific know-how.
Julius Berger utilizes state-of-the-art construction methods and technologies to ensure that quality and innovation are prioritized for the benefit of clients. Core competencies cover all project phases, including planning, design, engineering, construction, maintenance and operation, for infrastructure, industry and building projects.


Job Title:  Interns - Business Administration (BWL) 

Tasks 

• Calculation of selling prices
• Temporal detection workflows
• Involvement in operational tasks
• Creating various analyzes and statistical data

Requirements 

• Completed basic studies business administration (FH / TU) 5th semester
• Good MS - Office skills
• Good English language skills
• initiative
• Interest in participation in multi-cultural, international project teams

Operating time: about 5-6 months from July 2016 (Please state your available time in the cover letter to.)
Offer 
You will receive a monthly allowance. Furthermore, we organize health care, flight, visa and accommodation on site. You work in a multinational team with more than 550 European and some 7,000 Nigerian employees. For more information about our company and projects in Nigeria, see www.julius-berger-int.com
Interested? We are looking forward to meet you. Please use the opportunity of the online application and send us your complete application (cover letter, resume, references).
For further information please contact Ulrich Nightingale +49611708585 disposal.




Job Title:  Interns - Electrical Engineer 

Tasks 

• Participation in planning / designing of TGA
• Coordination with consultants and subcontractors
• Support of construction management in the construction supervision
• technical support

Requirements 

• Completed basic studies (FH / TU) 5th semester
• Good English language skills
• initiative
• Interest in participation in multi-cultural, international project teams
• Period of use: 5-6 months from about July 2016 (Please state your available time in the cover letter to.)

Offer 
You will receive a monthly allowance. Furthermore, we organize health care, flight, visa and accommodation on site. You work in a multinational team with more than 550 European and some 7,000 Nigerian employees. For more information about our company and projects in Nigeria, see www.julius-berger-int.com
Interested? We are looking forward to meet you. Please use the opportunity of the online application and send us your complete application (cover letter, resume, references).
For further information please contact Ulrich Nightingale +49611708585 disposal.



Job Title:  Oberbauleiter Facade 

Tasks 

• They derive profit responsibility you allocated projects including all subordinate units
• Projects regarding deadlines, quality and costs, make sure
• For customers, you are the direct contact
• The creation and maintenance of schedules and order plans and Leistungsvorrausblicke belong to your tasks
• Check the factory and assembly planning for plausibility and feasibility
• The guidance of contractors to assist the Assembly and the coordination of the installation team is also part of your tasks
• They report directly to the management
• Instruct employees

Requirements 

• Degree Engineering (Uni / FH) and a perennial experience in a similar function
• Fluent in English written and spoken
• Computer Skills: Arriba, Primavera, MS Project, MS Office
• Experience in managing people
• Technical and commercial understanding
• Confident demeanor and negotiation skills
• Independent working

Offer 

• We offer an interesting job in an experienced, international team.
• An accommodation is provided to you in company camps of Julius Berger Group.

Would you like to support us in this challenging task in a challenging environment? Then convince us. We look forward to your complete application documents with details about your possible starting date and salary expectations. Please use the opportunity of the online application.
For further information please contact Julia Schmitt 0611 - 708 272 disposal.




Job Title:   Interns - Architecture 

Tasks 

• Quotation processing
• technical support
• Support of site management
• Control expansion Turnkey

Requirements 

• Completed basic studies Architecture (FH / TU) 5th semester
• Good English language skills
• initiative
• Interest in participation in multi-cultural, international project teams

Period of use: 3-4 months from about July 2016 (Please state your available time in the cover letter to.)
Offer 
You will receive a monthly allowance. Furthermore, we organize health care, flight, visa and accommodation on site. You work in a multinational team with more than 550 European and 7000 Nigerian employees. For more information about our company and projects in Nigeria, see www.julius-berger-int.com
Interested? We are looking forward to meet you. Please use the opportunity of the online application and send us your complete application (cover letter, resume, references).
For further information please contact Ulrich Nightingale 0611- 708 585 disposal.




Job Title:  Interns - Civil Engineering 

Tasks 

• work preparation
• Quotation processing
• technical support
• Supporting the construction manager

Requirements 

• Completed basic study Civil Engineering (FH / TU) 5th semester
• Good English language skills
• initiative
• Interest in participation in multi-cultural, international project teams

Period of use: 5-6 months from about July 2016 (Please state your available time in the cover letter to.)
Offer 
You will receive a monthly allowance. Furthermore, we organize health care, flight, visa and accommodation on site. You work in a multinational team with more than 550 European and 7000 Nigerian employees. For more information about our company and projects in Nigeria, see www.julius-berger-int.com
Interested? We are looking forward to meet you. Please use the opportunity of the online application and send us your complete application (cover letter, resume, references).
For further information please contact Ulrich Nightingale 0611-708 585 disposal.





Job Title:  Interns - Information Technology (IT) 

Tasks 

• Support the range IT in Construction
• Assistance in development, monitoring and development of IT infrastructure (SAP, Data Center, WAN / LAN, Data banks and security concepts)
• Eigenverantworliche implementation of smaller projects
• Project management support and project work with larger projects

Requirements 
Completed basic studies (FH / TU) 5th semester

• Good English language skills
• initiative
• Interest in participation in multi-cultural, international project teams
• Period of use: 5-6 months from about July 2016 (Please state your available time in the cover letter to.)

Offer 
You will receive a monthly allowance. Furthermore, we organize health care, flight, visa and accommodation on site. You work in a multinational team with more than 550 European and some 7,000 Nigerian employees. For more information about our company and projects in Nigeria, see www.julius-berger-int.com
Interested? We are looking forward to meet you. Please use the opportunity of the online application and send us your complete application (cover letter, resume, references).
For further information please contact Ulrich Nightingale +49611708585 disposal.





Job Title:  Interns - Machine 

Tasks 

• General support of the mechanical line
• equipment maintenance
• equipment use
• Materials and spare parts logistics

The equipment replacement value of our machines used in Nigeria is approximately 450 million euros.
Requirements 

• Completed basic studies in mechanical engineering or industrial engineering, mechanical engineering (FH / TU) 5th semester
• Good English language skills
• initiative
• Interest in participation in multi-cultural, international project teams

Period of use: 5-6 months from about July 2016 (Please state your disposal to available period in the cover letter to.)

offer

You will receive a monthly allowance. Furthermore, we organize health care, flight, visa and accommodation on site. You work in a multinational team with more than 550 European and some 7,000 Nigerian employees. For more information about our company and projects in Nigeria, see www.julius-berger-int.com
Interested? We are looking forward to meet you. Please use the opportunity of the online application and send us your complete application (cover letter, resume, references).
For further information please contact Ulrich Nightingale 0611- 708 585 disposal.




Job Title:  Project Manager - Petrochemical Plant 

Tasks 

• Management responsibility for the bid phase, negotiations and project implementation of engineering and turnkey construction of a large petrochemical plant in Nigeria
• Management and administration of the ongoing supply and negotiation process
• Project implementation
• Management and coordination of several subprojects
• Leadership, management and supervision of multidisciplinary, multinational project teams
• Coordination of project teams in Germany and Nigeria
• Contact for the customer in close consultation with the regional JBN- field line and the JBN- Management

Requirements 

• Degree in Civil Engineering (Bachelor / Master of Science)
• At least 20 years of professional experience in a similar function
• Very good English language skills
• Good German language skills
• Relevant professional experience in managing large, complex multidisciplinary projects at international level, preferably in the oil and gas sector.
• Demonstrable experience as a Senior Project Manager EPC for large international construction projects

Offer 

• A performance-based compensation and expatriation allowances at lower tax burden
• An interesting activity in an experienced international team
• Accommodation is furnished in proprietary Camps
• Site medical assistance

Would you like to support us in this challenging task in a challenging environment? Then convince us. We look forward to your complete application documents with details about your possible starting date and salary expectations. Please use the opportunity of the online application.
For further information please contact Julia Schmitt 0611708272 disposal.


How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates should Click Here to Apply 

sourced: Jobzilla nigeria