General News

Courier Industry is Now Standardised-Emeje

Published

17 years ago

July 7, 2008

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Dr. Simon Emeje is senior assistant post master general of Nigeria Postal Service (Nipost) and head courier regulatory department (CRD). He is an apostle of professionalism for the postal sector. Emeje has fought illegal operators to a standstill. He spoke to emeka okafor on a wide range of issue.

Experience as Courier Regulatory Boss

Well, the experience has been very challenging. Challenging in the sense that we are coming from the background of an industry that has been battered so much; in the sense of mail pilfering and other vices. We are also coming from the background of quack courier companies in existence. Quack in the sense that they are not licensed and they go ahead to do the business without going through the necessary documentation. We are also coming from a background of an industry that is docile in nature. Docile in the sense that the market is so large and we just have about 20 percent of the market share being tapped by the operators.

We still have a lot to tap. Though it is challenging from this background but it has also been interesting because we have been at the basis of these challenges, to set a standard to an extent despite our limited resources. Standard in the sense of controlling the operators; having it that no operator comes into the industry without a license. Those who come without a license are those who are defaulting and what we do is to go after such people and make sure that they get a license. Those that are so bad, we stop them from being in business. So, on that basis, so far we have been able to set out standards of scrutiny to control those who have no license and are operating. We have also been able to set standards in respect of those operators who applied for license, to ensure that there is high and adequate compliance in terms of our regulations. We have also developed this as a department, to meet the needs of the operators such as training programmes, where we develop a training curriculum, to meet the training needs of the operators. That, we have been doing and all these we have tried to both to scrutinize, promote training and ensure that there is a high level of compliance on the part of those who have been licensed.

Illegal Operators and Renewed Offensive against Them

Illegal courier operators are still there, but they are in hiding. It is not like before where one could raid them in their offices and be rest assured that you will find them there. But now, they have devised other strategies whereby even if we are able to identify their addresses through our surveillance activities, when we raid those offices, they would not be found. We call them faceless operators or portfolio courier operators who carry their bags and move from one office to another without any particular address and even if they give you an address, it is always fake. So, they are still there. When they devised these means, we also went after them using our own means of catching faceless operators-go to the airports and other places. They are very much around except that you cannot just find them; you only see them by operation. When we see them operate, we catch them but it is not like before when you just walk into an office, look at it and no one that does not have a license. But I would like to include that their number has been drastically reduced. It is because of our operations; our clampdown on their activities; our scrutiny programmes, that brought this number down and made them re-strategize into faceless operations. Faceless operation is borne out of the fact that they are aware that we are after them. They exist here and there unknown to us because those that we know of we deal with and the number has declined drastically.

Training and Content Development

Yes. Infact, by of August 6-7, we are going to focus on modern courier trends or how it has been. We want to look at specific set-ups, how you can set up a courier company; how you can set up a mailroom; how you can manage your fleet; how to network; how to organize branches, among others. So we are focusing on a wholeness of an enterprise for people who want to go into courier business and also, for those who are already there who are not doing what they should do because there are so many now whom you go to their offices and you do not see an organized office. So, we want to put them on track so that they will exactly be able to say "these are the things I need, this is the way I should arrange my facilities, this is how I can get my network, this is how I can synergize" So, it is a total package. We have such a rich content of training programmes that will continue even after the oncoming seminar. This is not the last for the year.

Courier Institute

There is still hope for the institute. What is holding us is finance and empowerment. We need to be more empowered legally so as to be able to organize so many things we actually want to organize and we know that the cost is enormous for a department of Nipost, a government agency. Whatever we are going to do as a department is to be borne by Nipost and you know very well that that will be with limited resources because Nipost itself is spending on several other things it is expected to do. But I know that as the government goes ahead to review our position, to empower this department and possibly transform it into a commission, these things will become easier for us.

Delay in Postal Commission Legislation

I would say it is more bureaucratic because the ministerial committee was set up in 2005 to produce a draft of the Nigerian Postal Service bill and the National Postal Policy. Unfortunately, because of the death of the then Postmaster General, Argungu, the stakeholders forum did not hold. We eventually held it last year in April and the stakeholders were there and the document was fine tuned with also input from the stakeholders and the document has been with the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) which is supposed to forward the document to John Odey, minister of information and communication, for onward submission to the Federal executive Council and then the National assembly; but the point here is that we are waiting for BPE to submit to the minister and until that is done, even the minister will be handicapped of doing anything at all, the same way the Federal executive Council will be handicapped; the presidency will be handicapped, even the National Assembly too. So, we are waiting and maybe for bureaucratic reasons, BPE is yet to submit to the minister.

24 Hours Clearance at the Airport

Courier operators are ready for it. They want it. We have spoken at various fora on that. We have talked to Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (Faan), Customs, Police and other security agents. The problem they have put forth is the issue of security. We want to clear 24 hours, no problem but assuming the aircraft lands at 12 midnight or 2am and you want to clear at that time knowing that the kind of society we have. We want to clear, move to the expressway at 2am. People are complaining that for security reasons they may not be attuned to clearing at such hours, but the police is ready to cooperate; Faan and other agencies are ready to cooperate and the last time we discussed, we tried to fine tune everything and see how workable it is. It is not just the desire to have 24hours service but they must also appreciate the implication. When we are able to take care of the implication, then it is easier to manage it than to put it in place and now have more problems. 24hours service has been going on perfectly.

ICT and Courier Operations

ICT has improved our operations significantly because we use it to track and trace consignments. With this, they use it to trace a client’s item and know whether it has been delivered or not or whether it is still on transit and at what point it is. So you can monitor the movement of your item through that ICT device. That has come to be as a result of modern technology. The Internet has also impacted positively on courier operations. In terms of sales of items on the Internet, I would say it is helping the business in the sense that it takes a shorter time to place an order, maybe in the US or any part of the world and once you place your order and transfer your money and the next thing is the physical movement of your item; this is where courier companies come in. Without this type of technology, it may well be about two to three weeks or even a month or more to place an order. The development gives courier companies more to do now than when you did not have that quick placement of an order. So, one way or the other, I see ICT helping to create more opportunities for business.

Harassment by Security agencies

We are trying to discuss with various agencies. For instance, we have discussed with the Police. In our last training, we brought the assistant commissioner of Police, Airport Command and we have used our contact with the commissioner of Police to ask for the numbers of DPOs, for our operators and that means that if they have any problem on the road, they can contact these police officers.

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General News

FirstCap Acts as Joint Issuing House on Veritasi Homes & Properties Plc’s ₦30 Billion Bond Programme

Published

23 hours ago

December 18, 2025

Chike Onwuegbuchi

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FirstCap Limited, a premier investment banking business and a wholly owned subsidiary of FirstHoldCo Plc, acted as Joint Issuing House and Placing Agent on the Veritasi Homes & Properties Plc’s Series 1 Bond of ₦10 billion under its ₦30 billion Bond Programme duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

The Bond Programme is designed to support the development of Project Oyster Towers, located within Eko Atlantic City. Proceeds from the Series 1 Bond issuance are expected to be applied towards the construction of 30 luxury residential units, forming part of an 82-unit residential development comprising one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom apartments.

Veritasi Homes & Properties Plc is an indigenous real estate development company with operations across Lagos State and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and a growing track record in the delivery of residential real estate projects in Nigeria.

Commenting on the transaction, Ukandu E. Ukandu, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of FirstCap Limited, stated:

“We are proud to partner with Veritasi Homes & Properties Plc on this important transaction. The establishment of the ₦30 billion Bond Programme reflects our commitment to mobilising capital for the real estate sector, which remains a key driver of Nigeria’s economic growth. Project Oyster Towers exemplifies the future of luxury and sustainable living in Nigeria, and this transaction reinforces FirstCap’s role as a trusted advisor in major corporate finance initiatives.”

FirstCap’s involvement in the Bond Programme further reinforces our dedication to supporting the growth of the Nigeria’s real estate sector. The successful execution of this transaction highlights the depth of expertise within our capital markets team and our role in supporting issuers in accessing long-term funding solutions aligned with their strategic objectives.

By continuing to connect capital providers with high-impact infrastructure projects such as Project Oyster Towers, we remain committed to driving economic development and delivering long-term value for all stakeholders, Ukandu added.

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General News

NITDA DG Calls for Innovation-Led Economic Rebirth @ Kano Startup Weekend

Published

3 days ago

December 16, 2025

Chike Onwuegbuchi

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Kashifu Inuwa, the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has called for a fundamental shift in Kano State’s economic strategy, urging stakeholders to embrace innovation, technology and collaboration as the drivers of growth in the 21st century.

Speaking at the Kano Startup Weekend, Inuwa acknowledge Kano’s long-standing reputation as the commercial nerve centre of Northern Nigeria and the wider Sahelian region, noting that its history of trade, enterprise and human capital provides a solid foundation for future growth.

He emphasised that while these strengths powered Kano’s success for centuries, the modern economy now offers even greater opportunities through innovation and technology.

He described innovation as the process of transforming ideas into impactful solutions through commercialization, stressing that when ideas are effectively deployed, they create value, solve societal challenges and generate sustainable economic growth. He noted that Kano’s large market, strategic location and vibrant entrepreneurial culture place it in a strong position to take advantage of innovation-driven opportunities.

According to him, “Innovation is the process of taking an idea from inception to impact. Invention on its own is a cost centre, but when you commercialise an idea, when you turn it into a product or service that solves a real problem and creates value, that is when you begin to drive economic growth and inclusion.”

He noted that the state hosts numerous degree-awarding institutions across federal, state and private ownership, providing a strong base for human capital development. However, he expressed concern that these institutions often operate in isolation from industry, with research outputs rarely translating into commercial or industrial applications.

He explained that innovation does not happen in silos and stressed the need for a strong, interconnected ecosystem that brings together academia, industry, startups, entrepreneurs and government.

According to him, universities should conduct research informed by industry needs, industries should leverage research to improve productivity and competitiveness, and startups should serve as the bridge that converts ideas into market-ready solutions.

He further encouraged entrepreneurs to leverage technology to build businesses that can grow beyond local markets, explaining that innovation-driven enterprises have the power to scale rapidly, create jobs and position Kano competitively at both national and global levels. According to him, digital platforms and emerging technologies now make it easier for startups to reach wider markets and develop solutions that were previously unimaginable.

“You can start your business here in Kano, but your thinking must be global from day one. Technology has removed barriers. With the right skills and platforms, a startup in Kano can build solutions that serve not just Nigeria, but the world,” he noted.

Highlighting NITDA’s ongoing interventions, the Director General outlined the Agency’s commitment to building national innovation capacity through targeted human capital development programmes. He cited the Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL) initiative, which aims to equip Nigerians across all segments of society with essential digital skills, and the 3 Million Technical Talents (3MTT) programme, designed to produce a pipeline of globally competitive technical professionals in areas such as software development, data analysis and emerging technologies.

He said, “Through DL4ALL, we are ensuring that Nigerians at all levels have the basic digital skills needed to participate in the digital economy, while 3MTT is deliberately building a pipeline of globally competitive technical talents who can drive innovation, create jobs and attract investment.”

He explained that these programmes are key pillars of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises skills development, innovation, job creation and inclusive economic growth as pathways to national prosperity. According to him, empowering Nigerians with digital and technical skills is essential for building a resilient economy capable of competing in the global digital landscape.

“President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda is about investing in people, empowering them with relevant skills and creating opportunities for inclusive growth. At NITDA, we are using digital skills and innovation as tools to translate that vision into real economic impact for Nigerians,” he said.

Inuwa urged all stakeholders in Kano to work together to build a functional innovation ecosystem that can unlock the state’s vast potential. He expressed confidence that with the right mindset, strong collaboration and sustained investment in digital skills and innovation, Kano can reclaim its historic leadership role and emerge as a major innovation and entrepreneurship hub in Nigeria and beyond.

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General News

Sterling Bank Renewable Energy Colloquium Urges Stakeholders to Unlock Nigeria’s Clean Energy Potential

Published

3 days ago

December 16, 2025

Ugo Onwuaso

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Sterling Bank Limited on Monday convened stakeholders in the renewable energy industry to explore strategies for accelerating Nigeria’s transition to clean energy and boosting economic growth.

Sterling Bank Renewable Energy Colloquium Urges Stakeholders to Unlock Nigeria’s Clean Energy Potential

L-R: Mr. Ayo Ademilua, President, Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria; Dr. Jekwu Ozoemene, Group Executive, The Alternative Bank; Mr. Biodun Ogunleye, The Honourable Commissioner, Lagos State Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources; Mr. Dele Faseemo, Group Executive, Coprporate and Investment Banking, Sterling Bank; Engr. Bem Samuel Anyangeuor, Representative, Honorable Minister of Power and Mr. Oluwaseyi Okunnuga, Group Head, Renewable Energy & Sustainability Finance, Sterling Bank at the just concluded Renewable Energy Colloquium held in Lagos recently.

The colloquium, themed “Beyond the Grid: Unlocking New Frontiers in Renewable Energy”, was held in Lagos and brought together policymakers, financiers, and industry leaders to deliberate on priority areas for action.

In his opening address, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Sterling Bank, Mr. Abubakar Suleiman, represented by Mr. Dele Faseemo, Group Executive, Corporate and Investment Banking, said the bank would focus on regulation and financing to expand access to energy.

He noted that energy access remained critical to supporting economic growth and achieving Nigeria’s ambition of building a one trillion-dollar economy.

Delivering a keynote address titled “Scaling Electrification in Nigeria: The REA Impact”, Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Dr. Abba Aliyu, represented by Mr. Abba Hayatudden, said Nigeria required about 26 billion dollars to bridge its energy deficit.

Aliyu explained that the energy transition strategy integrates grid, mini-grid and off-grid technologies to achieve universal, reliable and sustainable energy access while aligning with national development and climate goals.

Minister of Power, Mr. Adebayo Adelabu, represented by Engineer Samuel Ayangeaor, commended Sterling Bank for convening the dialogue.

He said renewable energy and rural electrification were central to the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“The Ministry of Power has continued to expand electricity access to underserved communities to drive economic growth, foster industrial activity and create jobs across the nation,” Adelabu said.

Lagos State Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr. Biodun Ogunleye, highlighted the state’s efforts in renewable energy, including the ongoing two-gigawatt grid-scale solar project.

He described it as the most ambitious energy transformation ever undertaken by the state.

Chief Executive Officer of Sterling One Foundation, Mrs. Olapeju Ibekwe, urged participants to move beyond communiqués and act with intention to deliver meaningful impact.

The colloquium featured panel sessions on financing and scaling green energy solutions in Africa, among other discussions.

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