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Leading Oil Firm, Oando Plc Ensures Gender Equality

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Oando

Globalization has led to a discourse on leadership and management having different perspectives. Today, one of the discourses includes gender diversity in leadership positions across organizations.

While the African continent comes third after the United States and Europe, and first amongst other emerging regions in terms of women’s representation on boardrooms of top listed companies, some sectors are doing better than others.

In Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy, the banking sector is leading the pack. In what many observers have described as a paradigm shift, the Nigerian banking sector is currently seeing a surge in the number of women at its top echelon. Presently, eight women serve as Chief Executive Officers (CEOs)/Managing Directors (MDs) of the country’s leading banks.

Other sectors, especially the energy sector, hitherto a male-dominated sector, are towing the line. Shell Nigeria unveiled its first female Managing Director for deep-water Nigeria, last year. Most recently, Oando Plc, Nigeria’s leading indigenous energy solutions provider appointed two seasoned professional women to its board of Directors, Mrs. Ronke Sokefun and Mrs. Nana Fatima Mede.

A review of Oando’s culture shows that it’s been conscious of the imbalance within the sector and as such, has always prioritized two things: strengthening indigenous capacity and ensuring gender parity wherever possible. Today 43 per cent of the company’s workforce is female, compared to 22 per cent across the industry. Of this, 33% of executive-level employees are female with the hope that its female representation on its board continues to grow.

In an interview published in 2020 for Africa Oil Week, an Oando Executive said “As leaders, our focus is on building the most desirable company in which to work and invest. To do that, not only do you require vision, ambition, and passionate people, you need a balance of ideas and characters – which you get by prioritizing gender parity.

Our desire to see a more gender-balanced company and in turn sector via proactive action has fuelled our commitment to making gender diversity a priority.

This commitment is effected in every part of our business, from the offering of benefits that encourage women to return to work after maternity leave to our charity, Oando Foundation focusing on educating the girl child; reverberations that can be felt not only within our business but also the community at large.

We have seen and reaped the benefits of a more inclusive business environment and thus inclusivity will always be a priority, one that we will champion until the industry achieves gender balance.”

Mrs. Sokefun, an Alumni of Oando, has over 35 years of work experience. In 2002, she moved to the Oando Group, where within a few years she rose to the position of Chief Legal Officer. During this period, she also sat on the Board of the telecom’s giant – Celtel/Zain (now Airtel) as an alternate Director. She served in this position until 2011 when she was called to public service in Ogun State and proceeded to serve as a 2-term Commissioner – holding diverse portfolios – under Senator Ibikunle Amosun’s 2-term administration as Ogun State Governor.

As conversations on climate change and harnessing sustainable energy sources continue to intensify, oil and gas companies are looking for ways to improve on their operations in line with global standards and requirements.

In line with this, Oando appointed Mrs. Nana Fatima Mede, who has served as a Federal Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment where she coordinated the formulation of the Nigerian Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) document on Greenhouse Gases (GHG) in relation to Climate Change – a document which was presented by the President at the Conference of Party (COP 21) in Paris, 2015. She will showcased her expertise on clean energy to support the company’s ambitions.

The growth of female representation across corporate boards shows that unlocking the potential of Africa’s successful transformation requires concurrently removing barriers to women’s leadership and participation.

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The Lawori, Koko Zaria Debacle: Why LASG, Police Should Wade In

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The Social Media enclave has been agog with the alleged harassment, dehumanization and abuse meted on  popular actor, Ade Adele otherwise known as Lawori,  by National Union of Road Transport Worker, NURTW, Member and Leader, Ganiyu Oyedepo known as Koko Zaria.
Lawori had Alleged that Koko Zaria ordered his Boys to manhandle him, smashed a bottle on his head and dehumanize him, but, the reason behind the alleged attack on Lawori is surprising and a mystery which only both parties have answers to.
This has however raised different posers from certain quarters. What could have Transpired between Lawori and Koko Zaria that would have warranted the attack? Why did Koko Zaria’s Boys Smashed a bottle on his head when they knew he was the Master of Ceremony at the event? Was it a planned attack?
These and many more questions  begging for answers.
It is no more news that the Yoruba Genre of Nollywood have a good relationship with the NURTW when Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, former NURTW Boss in Lagos State was in the saddle, in which Koko Zaria too wasn’t left out and he has appeared In some Yoruba movies.
Lawori, an entertainer and also a Nollywood Actor been at the center speaks volumes.
Though, MC Oluomo and Koko Zaria have not been on the same page since the emergence of Adekunle Mustapha, popularly known as Sego, as MC Oluomo felt Betrayed By Koko Zaria who cross carpeted to the Sego clique when MC Oluomo left the saddle.
It would be recalled that a Group in the Yoruba Movie Industry has warned the warring parties (Lawori and Koko Zaria) not to soil the relationship that has existed over the years between the Yoruba Nollywood Industry and the NURTW, urging them to settle their rift and let peace reign.
Some analysts in the Entertainment Industry are of the opinion that it was necessary for the Police and Security Agencies to Wade into the Lawori and Koko Zaria Debacle as their could be a reprisal attack from the Lawori faction, which may escalate.
They are also of the opinion that the NURTW Boss in Lagos, Sego, should have addressed the situation when it went viral by calling Koko Zaria to unravel what really transpired.
Close observers are also of the opinion that the fracas is brewing up due to the fact that MC Oluomo and Koko Zaria are losing relevance before President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who have also shielded them and given them succour.
There insinuations from the grapevine, that the perceieved rift between the duo of MC Oluomo and Koko Zaria may be stage managed, just for them to gain the attention of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Some are also of the opinion that the Lagos State Government under governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the commissioner for Culture , Arts and Tourism , Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka and Commissioner for Transportation, Seun Seun Osiyemi should also address the situation as it is getting worrisome the activities of the NURTW members, who are known for violence, the actors are now afraid of moving around because of this humiliation and unforeseen attack from this miscreants.

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Al Humphrey Onyanabo Releases book, ‘Precious Little Thoughts To Lift the Day’

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Seasoned Journalist and facilitator of Humanity Awards, Al Humphrey Onyanabo, has released his first book titled, Precious Little Thoughts to Lift The Day on the global bookshop; kdp.amazon.com.
He revealed, that the book is not a religious book neither does it talk about doctrines, but a compendium of divinely inspired inspirational poems that will appeal to human beings who deal with other humans on a daily basis and seek to understand about life and how the relate with the forces and issues that control this plain of existence.
“Who ever we are, what ever is our race or religion or station in life, things happen to us most often that does not make sense. We might try to reason it out, pray, fast, seek counsel or talk it over with a friend, elder or associate and sometimes, the situation persists” He stated.
Sometimes, it’s not for lack of effort but because certain things are beyond our scope of understanding or reasoning.
This life is full of mysteries far beyond our human minds. We live in a world that is billions of years old and sometimes we, young as we are, need more than the wisdom of Solomon to find our way”.
Hear him,”This little two part divinely inspired book will attempt to encourage readers to make sense of certain happenings in and around them. It will not take the place of the Bible or prayer, rather it will help the reader see the hidden hand of a Super power that directs the affairs of men”.
He advices on how to get value from the book,”take time to read it again, if you can read it daily like a devotional. Pick one page a day, read through and ask God to open your mind to understand the words and hidden meanings and how you can apply it.God will reach out to you in a new way as you read this little book and your life will be much better than when you picked it up. 
The veteran journalist stated that because this book is invaluable and not easy to outgrow, he and his publishers are planning a pocket size hardcover edition for the Nigerian market,” This will be easy for you to slip into your purse or bag and read quietly in the bus on at work or just anywhere”.
He says he is  also available to respond to any queries concerning aspects of this book. His email is Precious Little Thoughts.gmail.com

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‘’We Distributed Operational Vehicles To Promote Efficiency and a Safer Lagos’’- LNSA G.M Prince Ifalade Oyekan

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The General Manager of Lagos Neighborhood Safety Agency LNSA; Prince Dr Ifalade Ajasa Oyekan on behalf of Governor Babajide Sanwoolu recently deployed operational pickup Vehicles to various Local Government offices of the agency to enhance efficiency and also provide more ease of movement for officers in discharging their duties in gathering intelligence to help relevant security agencies across the state in other to bring sanity and also curb crime to the barest minimum. 
While presenting keys of the operational vehicles to the Commanding Officers C.O’s from various Local Government operating areas, at the Agency’s head office in Bolade, Oshodi on the 16th of June 2023, Ifalade disclosed that; the Vehicles are provided to ensure the agency and its officers are on top form while discharging their duties. He also disclosed that it will help them at an advantage when they are to respond to distress calls within their community. He disclosed that the new vehicles serve as support from the Government in its quest to combat crimes by providing intelligence reports and also growing community policing within Lagos state. ‘Today, I had the pleasure of presenting new operational vehicles, identification badges, vests, raincoats, and rain boots to officers of the Lagos State Neighborhood Safety Agency to boost operations for effective community policing in the state.’
These items were purchased with the support of the Lagos State Government and the Lagos State Security Trust Fund. It’s a result of the continued efforts and investment of Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu in actualizing the security pillar of his administration’s THEMES agenda. It is also part of the agency’s rebranding initiatives as directed by the governor, aimed at equipping officers with the relevant tools to perform their duties optimally.’
While giving his remarks to the officers and representatives present at the handover, Oyekan however noted that; the distribution is coming barely three weeks into Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term which shows the high premium he places on security and his dedication to promoting initiatives that move the agency forward to achieve its full potential. 
In addition to presenting the items, he also presented letters of appointment to the newly appointed Divisional Commanders, Corps Officers (COs) Deputy COs, and 16 Zonal Coordinators. 

‘I congratulate all the new appointees whose hard work paved the way for this feat. It is expected that they perform their duties with professionalism and shun activities that will bring the organisation into disrepute.’
He also charged them to be good ambassadors of the agency and also implore them to collaborate with their community by creating a cordial relationship which will help them in gathering information. He also averred that; the most active way to reduce crime to the barest minimum is when you speak up when you see anything strange. 
‘I have told all the officers to ensure they engage their community heads, opinion leaders and Community Development Council CDC members. This will help us mark black spots across Lagos so we can quickly take action before it goes out of hand.  We also call on residents of the community to work in hand with them that’s why it is called Neighborhood, it’s a collective effort and partnership to create a safer Lagos for all to thrive.’ He disclosed.

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