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Obaseki, private sector to set up trust for Edo Int’l film festival

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EDO —THE Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said his government will partner with the private sector to set up a trust to ensure the sustainability of the Edo State International Film Festival (ESIFF).

Obaseki said this during a Meeting with the Edo State Commissioner for Art Culture Tourism and Diaspora Affairs, Uyi Oduwa Malaka and German student-filmmakers, at the Government House in Benin City.

He said, “We have decided to create an ESIFF Trust and all the activities of the event will be transferred to that trust. It will be driven purely by the private sector. We did it with Alaghodaro where we have a trust; they raise their money and have full government support and help the government promote and attract business to Edo State.

“I have mandated that we create a trust manned by those in the creative industry to give direction to this body, which will be responsible for promoting the film festival. We will still give support until the trust can stand on its own and carry out its activities.

“We are ready to work with you in the film academy as this is a natural progression from the film festival. All the facilities will be transferred to the trust; you have the responsibility to raise additional money and make investment.”

Hailing the German Government for the support for his administration, leading to the successes recorded over the past seven years, including in the fight against illegal migration and human trafficking, the governor said, “Our efforts have yielded fruits in the last seven years, especially in the creative industry. We have attracted support and we will soon be exporting people with skills to Europe and other parts of the world.

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“We have moved from desperation, created hope and now actualizing the hope with our creative industry, using it as a platform for our youths to showcase their talent and export the same to the world.

“The State has significantly made progress in the creative industry and the German government has supported us in the area of job creation from manufacturing, technology and other areas to encourage our youths to remain here to develop the State and nation.”

He further stated, “We have also got interventions and support in the creative industry to support our youths in the creative business and we are growing tremendously in the industry.

“We started the Edo International Film Festival last year and never knew that we were doing something remarkable that would bring people across the country and outside into the State.

“This second edition has made me know that we have created a marketplace for films where producers and stakeholders in the industry meet. We have created a place and a platform where exchange takes place, where people who are selling and distributing products meet young stars, give them products and direction on how to succeed in the Industry.”

According to him, “The Edo International Film Festival has become the premier festival and a marketplace for the exchange of film products in West Africa, producing real content as we are developing real people, skills, and talent to do production across the Country.

“For the assistance and collaboration with the German Government, I want to use this opportunity to thank the German Minister of Culture; she has been an amazing friend to the State and has made the partnership possible as we have a positive impact on the cultural exchange programmes and other collaborations with the German Culture Ministry. These exchange programmes are really remarkable.”

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“I hope we can have a mechanism where those trained in these exchange programmes have the responsibility to form a faculty to train other youths in the State and Nigeria to enable us continually have knowledge transfer,” Obaseki charged.

On her part, Uyi Oduwa Malaka said the partnership between the State and Germany has given birth to cultural exchange, adding that “the journey has been the one of a lot of cultural exchange and learning as the German student filmmakers have been in Edo State for 21 days shooting at various locations across the State.”

Also, Mr. Mark Szilagyi of the Filmakademie Baden-Worttemberg and leader of the delegation, commended the governor for his sustained investment in the creative sector and for supporting young people to realize their full potential.

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PETROAN lauds NNPC Ltd, Dangote refinery over fuel price reduction

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The Petroleum Retailers Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has commended the NNPC Retail Ltd. for slashing the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), known as petrol from N920 to N875 per litre.

PETROAN said the bold move was expected to alleviate the financial burden on Nigerians amidst rising inflation.

In a statement on Monday, the National President of the association, Dr Billy Gillis-Harry praised the NNPC Retail Ltd. for taking proactive steps to support the Nigerian people.

“This price reduction will be a huge relief to many Nigerians struggling to make ends meet,” he said.

Gillis-Harry said the reduction in pump price was expected to positively impact Nigerians by reducing transportation costs, making it easier for people to commute and transport goods.

He said the reduced transportation costs would lead to reduced food prices, making it easier for Nigerians to access affordable food.

The PETROAN’s President also lauded Dangote Refinery for agreeing to refund N65 to retail outlet owners affected by the price reduction.

This refund initiative follows Dangote Refinery’s recent reduction of its gantry price from N890 per litre to N825 per litre.

According to the refinery, customers who purchased PMS at higher rates than the advertised prices from Dangote’s key partners are eligible for a refund.

The refund amount is N65 per litre on over 200,000 metric tonnes of PMS purchased by marketers at the old gantry price.

He said that Dangote had absorbed a N16 billion loss to implement these refunds, demonstrating its commitment to fair pricing and consumer welfare.

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The refund initiative, he said would also positively impact retail outlet owners, who would benefit from reduced prices and refunds.

“Many retail outlet owners purchased PMS at the higher rate before the price reduction, and the refund will help mitigate their losses.
“We commend Dangote Refinery for this initiative, which will help reduce the financial burden on our members,” Gillis-Harry said. (NAN)

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Dangote cement reports N3.58bn revenue growth in 2024

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Dangote Cement has reported a 62.2 per cent revenue growth, reaching N3,580.6 billion in 2024.

The company’s Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortisation (EBITDA) also grew by 56.0 per cent to N1,388.2 billion, with a 38.6 per cent margin.

Arvind Pathak, Chief Executive Officer and Group Managing Director of Dangote Cement, disclosed this in a corporate filing with the Nigerian Exchange Ltd. (NGX).

Pathak said “We wrapped up 2024 with strong momentum, driven by our focus on operational efficiency and excellence.

“Our group volume grew by 1.6 per year-on-year, reaching 27.7 Mt, driven by a strong recovery in Nigeria, where we improved efficiency and boosted sales growth by 7.9 per cent.

“A major milestone was the launch of the Document Management System (MMS), which enables customers to independently manage sales transactions and track deliveries, remotely.

DMS is the use of a computer and software to store, manage and track electronic documents and electronic images of paper-based information captured through the use of a document scanner.

“Over 80 per cent of our customers actively use this platform, and we aim to increase adoption to 90 per cent .

“Despite macroeconomic challenges, both globally and domestically, we remain committed to innovation and value creation, delivering strong returns for our stakeholders.”

He noted that the group’s revenue grew by 62.2 per cent to N3,580.6 billion, which was driven by a combination of volume growth and price adjustments to reflect inflationary trends.

He said as a result of this, the EBITDA reached a record high, surpassing the N1 trillion mark for the first time at N1,382.0 billion, while profit after tax (PAT) grew by 10.5 per cent year-on -year, totaling N503.2 billion.

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“Reflecting our strong financial performance, the board has proposed a dividend of ₦30.00 per share for the 2024 financial year.

“By leveraging our strong export-to-import strategy, Dangote Cement achieved a record 31 clinker shipments from Nigeria to Ghana and Cameroon, driving a 69.1 per increase in Nigerian exports and strengthening our commitment to Africa’s cement self-sufficiency.

“We also made significant strides in sustainability, particularly in alternative fuel investments.

“Our Thermal Substitution Rate (TSR) improved to 10 per cent , with 11 alternative feed systems installed across our plants, enabling greater flexibility in energy sourcing.

“Recognising our sustainability efforts, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) upgraded Dangote Cement’s rating to B across both climate and water categories,” he said.

Looking ahead, Pathak noted that the group would remain focused on strengthening the Nigerian market position, enhancing productivity, and driving economic growth across its operating regions.

He said, “we are now set to commission our 3Mta Cote d’Ivoire grinding plant in 2025, further expanding our footprints to capitalise on the high-growth African cement market.” (NAN)

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NNPC Slashes Petrol Price To N880/Litre In Abuja, N860/Litre In Lagos

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By Abubakar Yunusa

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has announced a reduction in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, to N860 per litre.

This decision comes amid an intensifying price war among major marketers and independent petroleum dealers, as well as fluctuations in global crude oil prices.

The new price, which took effect on Monday, marks a significant drop from the previous average of N920 per litre, offering relief to millions of Nigerians grappling with the high cost of living.

The reduction by NNPC, the country’s largest fuel supplier, has sparked a wave of competitive pricing among private marketers.

Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited had last week reduced the ex-depot price of petrol from N890 per litre to N825.The reduction marks the second price cut in February.

Dangote, in a public notice on the price slash, announced three filling stations in Lagos, which included MRS: N860 per litre, AP: N865 per litre, and Heyden: N865 per litre, as its partner off-takers.

While the price reduction has been welcomed by many, some Nigerians remain skeptical, questioning whether the drop is sustainable.

“This is good news, but we hope it’s not just a temporary move to calm the public,” said Adeola Ogunleye, a commercial bus driver in Lagos. “Fuel prices have been too high for too long, and we need lasting solutions

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