Less than a month after the Nigerian Customs Service announced that it has set a revenue target of N1 trillion for itself in the 2016 fiscal year, the service has started complaining of revenue drop in its profile.
According to the Public Relations officer of the PTML Area command, Steve Okonmah, the command currently examined on the average, only one container per day as against an average of 98 containers examined daily in previous months. He added that the command was facing the worst experience in terms of revenue collection since inception.
Similarly, the Public Relations Officer of Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents ANLCA, Mr. Gani Adeola has also lamented the dry state of the port owing to lack of importation, a situation which he said was telling on the service revenue.
For instance, Okonmah stated that only 66,000 vehicles were imported through PTML in 2015 as against 224, 000 in 2014 and 278, 000 imported in 2013.
Similarly, the Public Relations Officer of Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents ANLCA, Mr. Gani Adeola has also lamented the dry state of the port owing to lack of importation, a situation which he said was telling on the service revenue.
For instance, Okonmah stated that only 66,000 vehicles were imported through PTML in 2015 as against 224, 000 in 2014 and 278, 000 imported in 2013.
Already, maritime experts have picked holes in Comptroller-General statement announcing that the service had set for itself a revenue target of N1 trillion even though the Federal Government was yet to set a target for the service, a development which they likened to a mere dream not realisable.
According to the founder of National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders’ (NAGAFF), Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, anybody was free to set targets but what was important was hitting the set target at the end of the day.
President of the Nigerian Shipowners Association of Nigeria (NISA), Captain Niyi Labinjo also acknowledged the slow pace of business at the port. This according to him was not unconnected with the prevailing economic situation, dwindling oil prices, sharp drop in importation, Forex and Auto policies as well as decrease in disposable income of Nigerians.
According to the founder of National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders’ (NAGAFF), Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, anybody was free to set targets but what was important was hitting the set target at the end of the day.
President of the Nigerian Shipowners Association of Nigeria (NISA), Captain Niyi Labinjo also acknowledged the slow pace of business at the port. This according to him was not unconnected with the prevailing economic situation, dwindling oil prices, sharp drop in importation, Forex and Auto policies as well as decrease in disposable income of Nigerians.
“As far as the Nigerian Customs is concerned, 75 per cent of its revenue comes from importation, now that importation has dropped sharply, ideally, you should expect a drop in customs revenue. So many things are wrong with the economy at this time. Forex policy, Naira depreciation, dwindling oil price e.t.c. If the customs CG has come out to set one trillion target for the service amidst all these factors, I’m afraid; I don’t know where he wants to get that from. If he eventually realises the target, that means they have been shortchanging us when the going was good”, he said.
‘BlackBerry Priv’ Enters Nigeria
After its introduction in a host of countries including Italy, Spain, France and recently in India, the latest BlackBerry Priv which was unveiled in November last year, finally made its entry into Nigeria thus increasing the number of BlackBerry models in the market.
The device which is already available for sale in Slot retail outlets combines the best of BlackBerry’s productivity, security and privacy features with the wide world of Google Play store apps.
The device which is already available for sale in Slot retail outlets combines the best of BlackBerry’s productivity, security and privacy features with the wide world of Google Play store apps.
The latest, being the first smartphone coming from the mobile communications giant that is being powered by Android is engineered with the world’s finest technology and packaged in an ultra-thin device – including a dual-curved screen, touch and physical keyboards, state-of-the-art 18MP camera, and long-lasting battery with unique tools that allow users to manage and control their privacy.
Also, as part of the brand’s cross-platform strategy to provide a greater choice of secure solutions to its customers, the device is characterised by BlackBerry 10 productivity features like the BlackBerry Hub and BlackBerry Calendar.
Additional features of the device include full Android App and Ecosystem experience which offers users full access to over one million applications, virtual and physical keyboards, 3410 mAh battery which guarantees 22.5 straight hours of mixed usage, 18MP camera endorsed by Schneider-Kreuznach, and integrates technologies commonly found in DSLR cameras, a stunning 5.4-inch immersive dual-curve OLED display, powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 processor plus 32 GB of onboard storage and support for micro SD cards up to 2TB, an inbuilt Natural Sound Technology to adapt to Wi-Fi and cellular call sound with powerful speakers and a three-microphone system that delivers a high-quality listening experience.
Other unique propositions are the Android for Work feature which allows for fast, simple and secure integration with enterprise environment and a new standard for security and privacy that captures advanced privacy controls which signals impending risk to user without delay, secured hardware, verified boot and secured boot chain and also fully supported on BlackBerry’s EMM Solution, BES 12 thus providing a full end to end security solution and secure collaboration applications for business users like Secusuite for secure voice and WatchDox for secure file sharing.
Also, as part of the brand’s cross-platform strategy to provide a greater choice of secure solutions to its customers, the device is characterised by BlackBerry 10 productivity features like the BlackBerry Hub and BlackBerry Calendar.
Additional features of the device include full Android App and Ecosystem experience which offers users full access to over one million applications, virtual and physical keyboards, 3410 mAh battery which guarantees 22.5 straight hours of mixed usage, 18MP camera endorsed by Schneider-Kreuznach, and integrates technologies commonly found in DSLR cameras, a stunning 5.4-inch immersive dual-curve OLED display, powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 processor plus 32 GB of onboard storage and support for micro SD cards up to 2TB, an inbuilt Natural Sound Technology to adapt to Wi-Fi and cellular call sound with powerful speakers and a three-microphone system that delivers a high-quality listening experience.
Other unique propositions are the Android for Work feature which allows for fast, simple and secure integration with enterprise environment and a new standard for security and privacy that captures advanced privacy controls which signals impending risk to user without delay, secured hardware, verified boot and secured boot chain and also fully supported on BlackBerry’s EMM Solution, BES 12 thus providing a full end to end security solution and secure collaboration applications for business users like Secusuite for secure voice and WatchDox for secure file sharing.
Sack Rumour: Yudala Clears Air
Nigeria’s composite online and offline retail chain, Yudala has dispelled rumoured that it plans to lay off workers.
The company through its Head of Corporate Communications, Gideon Ayogu further disclosed that instead of retrenching workers, it was looking at recruiting more hands on its platforms to deliver on its expansionary projects, one of which was the YUBOSS scheme.
YUBOSS is an entrepreneurship scheme set up by Yudala to build a league of emerging entrepreneurs and generate creative employment for millions of Nigerians
“The recent event unfolding in some other e-commerce outfits may have raised such speculations but I can categorically tell you that such has never be in our plans”, Ayogu said.
The fourth quarter of 2015 dovetailing into 2016 has been characterised by fear of uncertainty for employees in the the commerce sector going by the rate at which workers were being laid off while those who may be considered fortunate still wallow in fear.
In October last year, Jumia was reported to have laid-off over 300 of its staff in a bid to cut operational costs.
Konga had also in January this year laid off 10 per cent of its workforce, an action which the company defended on restructuring to enable it run more efficiently as it positions itself for the future.
Also, in OlX, an inside source revealed that the company had issued a number of termination letters to some employees in the new year, adding that most of the retained workers were already seeking for jobs elsewhere for fear of job loss.
While the declining economic fortune of the country is said to have hit e-commerce businesses hard occasioning restructuring exercises, for Yudala, the situation is different said Ayogu who disclosed that business for them had been rosy, the reason it wanted to recruit more hands.
“At Yudala, we are operating a composite retail strategy operating on both online and offline platforms with both platforms rubbing off positively on each other to give a desired result, as such we are thinking of expansion and recruiting more hands. The long term vision for the offline division is to have a Yudala store in virtually every local government council in the country. Certainly, more hands will be needed to drive this vision,” he said.
Nigeria’s composite online and offline retail chain, Yudala has dispelled rumoured that it plans to lay off workers.
The company through its Head of Corporate Communications, Gideon Ayogu further disclosed that instead of retrenching workers, it was looking at recruiting more hands on its platforms to deliver on its expansionary projects, one of which was the YUBOSS scheme.
YUBOSS is an entrepreneurship scheme set up by Yudala to build a league of emerging entrepreneurs and generate creative employment for millions of Nigerians
“The recent event unfolding in some other e-commerce outfits may have raised such speculations but I can categorically tell you that such has never be in our plans”, Ayogu said.
The fourth quarter of 2015 dovetailing into 2016 has been characterised by fear of uncertainty for employees in the the commerce sector going by the rate at which workers were being laid off while those who may be considered fortunate still wallow in fear.
In October last year, Jumia was reported to have laid-off over 300 of its staff in a bid to cut operational costs.
Konga had also in January this year laid off 10 per cent of its workforce, an action which the company defended on restructuring to enable it run more efficiently as it positions itself for the future.
Also, in OlX, an inside source revealed that the company had issued a number of termination letters to some employees in the new year, adding that most of the retained workers were already seeking for jobs elsewhere for fear of job loss.
While the declining economic fortune of the country is said to have hit e-commerce businesses hard occasioning restructuring exercises, for Yudala, the situation is different said Ayogu who disclosed that business for them had been rosy, the reason it wanted to recruit more hands.
“At Yudala, we are operating a composite retail strategy operating on both online and offline platforms with both platforms rubbing off positively on each other to give a desired result, as such we are thinking of expansion and recruiting more hands. The long term vision for the offline division is to have a Yudala store in virtually every local government council in the country. Certainly, more hands will be needed to drive this vision,” he said.
Alcatel’s IDOL 3 Launches in Nigeria
Alcatel Onetouch has announced the availability of IDOL 3 smartphone in the Nigerian market. The award-winning flagship product delivers an excellent Android experience with a 5.5inch display screen and an ultra slim body at a very affordable price.
Packed with the best-in-class components and software and designed with partners who are leaders in their field, the new mobile device which is readily available for sale in retail outlets, online stores and operator outlets in the country also comes with the award-winning JBL audio as well as two front-facing speakers and Clari-Fi technology which give users the power of professional hi-fi audio components in the palm of their hands, to play their own music or stream tracks over the airwaves.
According to Regional Director, Alcatel Onetouch, Nigeria and Central Africa, Nick Imudia, “One of our goals at Alcatel Onetouch is to bring premium quality to affordable price points. With the latest, we’ve literally turned the market upside down to ensure that the average Nigerian is able to use a premium product. We’ve extensively researched the Nigerian market and discovered that Nigerians are stylish and their phone is not just for work but also an expression of the personality. The IDOL 3’s premium design, superb sound, and unique reversibility feature makes it the ideal product for the technology savvy and style conscious consumer. I’m confident it will give consumers huge value for their money”, he said. The device has been engineered as a class leader with superb components such as two front facing JBL certified speakers. A next generation sensor supports 13 megapixels of camera prowess for shots in the dark, indoors or for macro close-ups.
A feature exclusive to the phone is its complete reversibility that enables users to grab and use their phone upside down.
It is also available with a 5.5-inch 1080p display screen powered by a faster octa-core Snapdragon 615 processor, along with 2GB RAM and comes in 16GB and 32GB storages. It also features a MicroSD card and a 2910 mAh battery.
Packed with the best-in-class components and software and designed with partners who are leaders in their field, the new mobile device which is readily available for sale in retail outlets, online stores and operator outlets in the country also comes with the award-winning JBL audio as well as two front-facing speakers and Clari-Fi technology which give users the power of professional hi-fi audio components in the palm of their hands, to play their own music or stream tracks over the airwaves.
According to Regional Director, Alcatel Onetouch, Nigeria and Central Africa, Nick Imudia, “One of our goals at Alcatel Onetouch is to bring premium quality to affordable price points. With the latest, we’ve literally turned the market upside down to ensure that the average Nigerian is able to use a premium product. We’ve extensively researched the Nigerian market and discovered that Nigerians are stylish and their phone is not just for work but also an expression of the personality. The IDOL 3’s premium design, superb sound, and unique reversibility feature makes it the ideal product for the technology savvy and style conscious consumer. I’m confident it will give consumers huge value for their money”, he said. The device has been engineered as a class leader with superb components such as two front facing JBL certified speakers. A next generation sensor supports 13 megapixels of camera prowess for shots in the dark, indoors or for macro close-ups.
A feature exclusive to the phone is its complete reversibility that enables users to grab and use their phone upside down.
It is also available with a 5.5-inch 1080p display screen powered by a faster octa-core Snapdragon 615 processor, along with 2GB RAM and comes in 16GB and 32GB storages. It also features a MicroSD card and a 2910 mAh battery.
Intel, Lady Gaga Team Up at Grammy Awards
Global Technology firm, Intel Corporation has collaborated with six-time Grammy winning global music icon, Lady Gaga to deliver a musical experience unlike any before at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards.
The breakthrough performance demonstrated the power of technology to elevate an artist’s ability to deliver an amazing on-stage experience in ways never before imagined.
A groundbreaking moment for Grammy viewers and fans worldwide, the performance incorporated Intel technologies to bring to life the performer’s vision for a truly worthy and memorable celebration of a legend’s life and career. With stunning visuals and interactive content that responded in real time to her movement and command, the combined team took unprecedented risks in the live performance to give the artist the ability to express herself in a new dimension.
Speaking on her the development, the Music Star said “I like to do things that integrate technology and art with powerful experiences, I think that this collaboration with Intel has been very different from anything I have done before. They have really given me so much amazing technology to play with”.
In collaboration with Intel technologists and Lady Gaga’s creative team, specialised hardware powered by Intel Xeon, Intel Core and Pentium processors provided the requisite high performance to choreograph the lighting, audio and projection systems in perfect harmony with the singer.
The innovative fan-facing technologies crafted uniquely for the performance included Digital Skin, Interactive Video, Robotics and Interactive Holograms.
According to Senior Vice President and chief marketing officer at Intel, Steve Fund, “Intel is on a journey to create and share the amazing experiences that our technology enables; this performance has set a new precedent for live music experiences and is a major milestone for Intel and the Grammys.”
Commenting on the collaboration, Chief Marketing Officer of The Recording Academy, Evan Greene said “With music and technology so seamlessly intertwined, the Grammys’ partnership with Intel represents the perfect alignment, Intel’s vision was to bring the live music experience to a level never before considered possible, and after tonight’s extraordinary once-in-a-lifetime performance, this ambitious objective was most certainly achieved”.
The breakthrough performance demonstrated the power of technology to elevate an artist’s ability to deliver an amazing on-stage experience in ways never before imagined.
A groundbreaking moment for Grammy viewers and fans worldwide, the performance incorporated Intel technologies to bring to life the performer’s vision for a truly worthy and memorable celebration of a legend’s life and career. With stunning visuals and interactive content that responded in real time to her movement and command, the combined team took unprecedented risks in the live performance to give the artist the ability to express herself in a new dimension.
Speaking on her the development, the Music Star said “I like to do things that integrate technology and art with powerful experiences, I think that this collaboration with Intel has been very different from anything I have done before. They have really given me so much amazing technology to play with”.
In collaboration with Intel technologists and Lady Gaga’s creative team, specialised hardware powered by Intel Xeon, Intel Core and Pentium processors provided the requisite high performance to choreograph the lighting, audio and projection systems in perfect harmony with the singer.
The innovative fan-facing technologies crafted uniquely for the performance included Digital Skin, Interactive Video, Robotics and Interactive Holograms.
According to Senior Vice President and chief marketing officer at Intel, Steve Fund, “Intel is on a journey to create and share the amazing experiences that our technology enables; this performance has set a new precedent for live music experiences and is a major milestone for Intel and the Grammys.”
Commenting on the collaboration, Chief Marketing Officer of The Recording Academy, Evan Greene said “With music and technology so seamlessly intertwined, the Grammys’ partnership with Intel represents the perfect alignment, Intel’s vision was to bring the live music experience to a level never before considered possible, and after tonight’s extraordinary once-in-a-lifetime performance, this ambitious objective was most certainly achieved”.
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