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SAHCOL: BPE Begins Evaluation of Proposals

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The Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) said that it will this week commence the evaluation of technical proposals harvested from prospective core investors for the privatisation of Skypower Aviation and Handling Company (SAHCOL).
The deadline for the submission of technical and financial proposals is Friday, May 22, 2009. It would be recalled that the data room for the enterprise which opened on April 6, 2009 was preceded by a pre-bid conference.
Meanwhile, BPE said it attention has been drawn to a story in The Guardian of Friday, May 22, which stated that Swissport International Limited has been chosen as the preferred investor for SAHCOL. The report smacks of mischief as it claims that an on-going process “has been concluded with the Swiss firm said to have won the bid.”
“For the avoidance of doubt, Swissport is not among the 14 bidders who participated in the data room process. Furthermore, the preferred bidder will emerge at the opening of financial bids which is usually broadcast live on national television and radio networks” Chigbo Anichebe, head public affairs of the BPE said
According to him, the Federal Executive Council had on May 23, directed that SAHCOL be released to the BPE for privatisation.  In order to ensure the confidence of all stakeholders, the National Council on Privatisation (NCP) on the 25th of August 2008 approved that the privatisation be jointly carried out by the BPE and the liquidators of Nigeria Airways Limited (NAL).
The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) is therefore in the process of divesting 100% controlling shares and management control in SAHCOL and in a few years after take-over, it is expected that 49% will be divested to the Nigerian public under the supervision of BPE.
It would be recalled that at the deadline for expressions of interest by prospective investors, 20 consortia submitted their applications for pre-qualification.  After the evaluation, 17 bidders were pre-qualified for the issuance of bidding documents.  However 14 out of the 17 bidders were able to pay the non-refundable data room fee of US$10,000 and participated in the data room process.
The bidders are: Aviation Handling Partners Limited; ERASKORP Consortium; TAK Continental Limited; Danzas Express Services/Heavyweight Air Express; Industrial Ports Engineering Services; AHS/Menzies/Air Logistic Technical Consortium; Plural Holdings; Sifax Shipping Company; and Pan Express Services. Others are Redstar Consortium; More Associates Limited; D&M Aviation Handling Company Limited; Phoenix Capital Limited; and Dekit Construction Consortium.

 


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NRC, Ponzi Scheme Collapses Resulting Loss of Billions of Naira

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National Reading Culture (NRC), an online investment platform targeting Nigerians has collapsed, resulting in the loss of billions of Naira for investors.

NRC, Ponzi Scheme Collapses Resulting Loss of Billions of Naira

The website unexpectedly shut down, blocking users from withdrawing their funds and locking in their investments.

Just like all other investment scams, victims were lured with promises of doubling their money in few weeks.

When National Reading Culture eventually crashed, the operators vanished with users’ funds, leaving investors devastated.

How the Platform WorkedTask-Based Earning:

According findings, National Reading Culture lured users with promises of making money by completing simple daily tasks like reading articles, clicking links, or inviting friends.

They also offered investment tiers to  earn higher daily profits, where users had to deposit their own money into the platform.

Evidence showed the website previously operated as a Chinese job search platform before rebranding into an “earning” scheme.


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NSITF Partners South African Insurer on Digital Transformation

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The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Rand Mutual Assurance (RMA) to collaborate on digital transformation aimed at strengthening worker protection systems and support economic growth.

According to RMA, the agreement was concluded during a visit by its delegation to Abuja.

The partnership will focus on institutional capability development, modernising operating models, improving service delivery and sharing knowledge between the two organisations.

Through the partnership, RMA and NSITF will collaborate to strengthen institutional capability, modernise operating models, accelerate digital transformation and improve services for workers and employers.

The organisations will also explore opportunities for knowledge exchange and the adoption of best practices in social security administration.

RMA said the agreement forms part of its broader engagement with governments, regulators and social security institutions across Africa to support improvements in governance, operational resilience and service delivery.

“Our partnership with NSITF reflects much more than the signing of an agreement,” said Mandla Shezi, group chief executive officer of RMA. “This partnership is not simply about sharing knowledge. It is about co-creating the next generation of African social security systems.”

He added: “By combining our respective strengths, we can help build institutions that are more resilient, more responsive and better equipped to protect workers while supporting national development.”

Shezi said the future of social security depends on integrated systems where prevention, insurance, healthcare, rehabilitation, technology, investment management and institutional capability work together.

 


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Senate Rejects Nationalisation of MTN, DStv Over Xenophobic Attacks on Nigerians in South Africa

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Senate on Tuesday rejected calls for the nationalisation of South African-owned companies operating in Nigeria, including MTN and DStv, as a retaliatory measure against renewed xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.

Senate Rejects Nationalisation of MTN, DStv Over Xenophobic Attacks on Nigerians in South Africa

The upper chamber, however, condemned the attacks and intimidation of Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa, urging the Federal Government to intensify diplomatic efforts to secure the safety of Nigerians living in the country.

The resolutions followed a motion titled: “Motion on the Need to Halt the Recurring Xenophobic Attacks and Intimidation Against Nigerians and Other African Nationals in the Republic of South Africa,” sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong (APC-Cross River South).

The motion was triggered by renewed concerns over attacks against foreign nationals in South Africa following the expiration of a June 30, 2026 deadline reportedly issued by some vigilante groups asking foreigners to leave the country.

During the debate, Senator Wasiu Eshilokun proposed that South African companies operating in Nigeria should be nationalised, while Senator Adams Oshiomhole suggested that profits generated by South African firms could be appropriated to compensate Nigerians who suffered losses if the South African government failed to provide compensation.

Oshiomhole argued that Nigerians should not continue to bear the consequences of attacks against their businesses and lives while South African companies operating in Nigeria continued to make profits.

He said the government should consider using profits from affected companies to compensate victims if South Africa refused to address the losses suffered by Nigerians.

However, the Senate declined the proposal, opting instead for diplomatic engagement and further investigation into the attacks.

Presiding over plenary, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin cautioned lawmakers against relying on unverified social media reports and urged a careful approach to the matter.

Jibrin said Nigeria must condemn attacks against its citizens but should allow relevant committees to complete their investigations before taking further actions.

He directed the Senate Committees on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations to review previous resolutions on the matter and submit a report within two weeks.

The Senate also urged the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa, to obtain written assurances from South African authorities on the protection of Nigerians and demand the arrest and prosecution of persons responsible for violence, intimidation and looting.

The lawmakers further called for collaboration with other African countries and relevant continental institutions to establish effective mechanisms for monitoring and preventing xenophobic attacks.

Senator Ekpenyong had earlier raised concerns that the attacks were no longer limited to undocumented migrants but had extended to Nigerians with valid work and residence permits.

He described the situation as a threat to the dignity and safety of Nigerians abroad, urging the government to take stronger measures to protect citizens.

The Senate’s latest action comes amid renewed public anger over attacks targeting Nigerians and other foreigners in South Africa, with lawmakers insisting that diplomatic solutions should be prioritised over economic retaliation.


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