MINT Board Sacks MD, EDs, Appoints New Boss

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <header style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-bottom: 8px;"><div class="byline" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 5px;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The long-expected shakeup at Nigeria’s currency printer, the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Plc (the MINT) occurred yesterday as the company’s board, chaired by the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emiefele, dissolved the MINT’s executive management committee and named Mr. Joseph Ugbo as new substantive managing director.</span></div> </header><div class="elements-box" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px;"> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 20px;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A statement by company secretary/legal adviser of the MINT, Lawal Adamu, said the board directed the erstwhile acting managing director/chief executive officer, Alhaji Ahmed Nuhu Bamali; director of finance, Alhaji Ibrahim Babayo and director of operations, Alhaji Muhammodu Gambo, to retire with effect from September 1, 2014. The statement also announced the appointment of an executive director in charge of finance and strategy, Alhaji Abbas Umar Masanawa, a former special assistant to Emefiele and a former deputy general manager of Zenith Bank.</span></div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 20px;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“These changes are in line with the new strategic direction of the company aimed at repositioning the NSPM Plc as an efficient and profit-oriented company that would serve, not only the banknote and security printing needs of our country but also those of the West African sub-region”, the statement read.</span></div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 20px;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">LEADERSHIP had reported on July 7, 2014, that the planned shake-up at the MINT was predicated on alarming records of dwindling performance confirmed by an 85 per cent decline in profit after tax between 2009 and 2012.</span></div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 20px;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Audited accounts obtained by LEADERSHIP confirmed that profit dropped from N3.711billion in 2009 to N1.562billion in 2010. The figure increased to N2.128billion in 2011 but declined again in 2012 to NN1.040billion. The company made a loss of N215million in 2013.</span></div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 20px;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Also, since 2009, turnover at the MINT has nose-dived from N32.6billion in 2009 to less than N20billion in 2013.</span></div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 20px;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">LEADERSHIP learnt that the MINT’s woes stem partly from bloated overheads following introduction of a new corporate structure in 2009. The new organogram featured one managing director/chief executive officer, four executive directors, seven general managers and 17 assistant general managers.</span></div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 20px;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This contrasts with one managing director/chief executive, four general managers and 13 assistant general managers before the new corporate structure.</span></div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 20px;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Also, there was bickering among directors as they tried to outdo each other to grab the job of managing director as Alhaji Ahmed Nuhu Bamali had served in acting capacity for 18 months without being confirmed. Also, LEADERSHIP reported that the MINT’s board had not been properly constituted for years.</span></div> <div> <br /></div> </div> </div>

MINT Board Sacks MD, EDs, Appoints New Boss

The long-expected shakeup at Nigeria’s currency printer, the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Plc (the MINT) occurred yesterday as t...

Read more »

THE SPARK SAGE: EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH BEN AKABUEZE | SHARES SUCCESS TIPS FOR EVERY YOUNG ENTREPRENUER

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <a href="http://thesparkng.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Ben-Spark.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="pibfi_pinterest " style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); border: 0px; display: inline-block; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black;"><img alt="Ben-Spark" class="alignnone wp-image-3045" height="540" scale="2" src="http://i0.wp.com/thesparkng.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Ben-Spark.jpg?zoom=2&resize=600%2C540" src-orig="http://i0.wp.com/thesparkng.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Ben-Spark.jpg?resize=600%2C540" style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;" width="600" /></span></span></a></div> <div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Ben Akabueze</strong> gives an exclusive interview with The Spark team.The distinguished Lagos Commissioner and Pastor shares the secret behind his success and gives must-read tips for youths on how to become a successful entrepreneur.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">You have achieved quite a lot in your life; could you give us a rundown of your biggest achievements?</strong>I consider my achievements in life this far to be modest; nevertheless a few of those that stand out for me include: graduating top of my class at GCE ‘O’ Level and ‘A’ Level; graduating from university with a First Class (Honours) degree; setting up a successful Consumer Banking division at UBA Plc (including negotiating the Moneygram (money transfer) franchise); leading NAL Bank Plc through three major transitions; leading amour reform in Lagos State’s planning & Budgeting framework.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">What were the pivotal moments or circumstances in your life?</strong><br />My becoming a born-again Christian in 1988.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">How much of a role did a mentor play in your rise to success?</strong>I have admired and learnt from a number of successful persons but have never really been in a formal mentorship.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">How old were you when you got your first job?</strong><br />I was twenty-three when I started working after my national youth service.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">You are an Igbo commissioner in Lagos State; how has that worked, especially given the subtle (and not-so subtle) ethnic sentiments in our country?</strong>I don’t have a strong consciousness of ethnicity and so it hasn’t really impeded me in the discharge of my duties as Commissioner in Lagos State. In my opinion I think my appointment as Commissioner in Lags has worked well.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">What does a young entrepreneur need to know in order to be successful in Lagos?</strong><br />A young entrepreneur needs to understand the environment (especially the opportunities and threats), know the rules of engagement in his chosen area of endeavour as well as know the competition he faces.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">How does the Lagos State budget focus on youth development?</strong><br />Education, healthcare, recreation, social protection and job opportunities are among the greatest concerns of the youth; these are among the key areas of focus of the Lagos State Budget.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <a href="http://thesparkng.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/AKABUEZE-Kings-court.jpg" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s ease; border: 0px; cursor: pointer; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s ease; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="pibfi_pinterest " style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); border: 0px; display: inline-block; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black;"><img alt="AKABUEZE-Kings-court" class="alignnone wp-image-3046" height="481" scale="2" src="http://i2.wp.com/thesparkng.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/AKABUEZE-Kings-court.jpg?zoom=2&resize=600%2C481" src-orig="http://i2.wp.com/thesparkng.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/AKABUEZE-Kings-court.jpg?resize=600%2C481" style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;" width="600" /></span></span></a></div> <div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Does your climb to the top leave room for family time? If so how do you manage that balance and still stay successful?</strong><br />Absolutely, after God my next priority is my family. I therefore make time for the family. For instance in the last twenty years we have never missed our annual family vacation. Nevertheless, I will admit that sometimes it is difficult to balance the required attention to family and work and I am thankful to have a very understanding and supportive family.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">What is your guiding philosophy in life; that belief that has kept you holding on and focused?</strong><br />I have absolute faith in God and believe in the virtues of hard work and love towards my fellow human beings.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">How do you give back to the community?</strong><br />I give back through financial contributions to the needy but more importantly through personal service. My role as a Pastor also provides a platform for service to humanity.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Apart from the Bible, is there any book you’ve read that has completely changed your thinking? </strong><br />‘An Enemy called Average’ by <strong style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">John Mason</strong> and ‘When the going gets tough the tough get going’ by <strong style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Robert Schuyler</strong> are some of the books that have significantly influenced my thinking.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Culled from The Spark/Vanguard Newspaper</span></div> <div> <br /></div> </div>

THE SPARK SAGE: EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH BEN AKABUEZE | SHARES SUCCESS TIPS FOR EVERY YOUNG ENTREPRENUER

Ben Akabueze  gives an exclusive interview with The Spark team.The distinguished Lagos Commissioner and Pastor shares the secret behind ...

Read more »

Top 10 Business Schools worldwide

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #7e7e7e; font-family: Lato, Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <img alt="Business Schools worldwide" class="wp-image-8534 alignleft" height="194" src="http://toptipsnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/prepare-son-ecole-de-commerce.jpg" style="border: 0px; display: inline; float: left; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: inherit; margin: 0.4em 1.25em 1.25em 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="326" />Students are basing their research for business school on their network of contacts, skills and knowledge to acquire and the brand value associated to it. Here is the Top 10 of Business School Worldwide.</div> <h3 style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3a3a3a; font-family: Oswald, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Stanford Business School</h3> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #7e7e7e; font-family: Lato, Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> In first position comes the Stanford Graduate School of Business (also known as Stanford Business School, Stanford GSB, or The GSB). Apart from MBA and Ph.D, The GSB offers other programs in Earth Sciences, Education, Engineering, Law and Medicine. It is ranked number 1 business school in the United States according to U.S. News & World Report.</div> <center style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #7e7e7e; font-family: Lato, Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; height: 0px; line-height: 21px; margin: auto; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"> <div style="border: 0px; color: #888888; font-family: inherit; font-size: 10px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 5px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div> <div id="ebzNative" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div> </center> <h3 style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3a3a3a; font-family: Oswald, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Harvard Business School</h3> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #7e7e7e; font-family: Lato, Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Harvard holds the top spot for the past two years now. This private business school located in Boston also known as Harvard Business School (HBS) is categorized as one of the most well-known schools offering the best full-time MBA program, doctoral programs, and other executive education programs. The establishment now counts 1,917 students in MBA and 100 in Ph.D.</div> <h3 style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3a3a3a; font-family: Oswald, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Booth School of Business</h3> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #7e7e7e; font-family: Lato, Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> The University of Chicago Booth School of Business formerly known as the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business comes in line with its Executive MBA program and is the first to initiate a Ph.D. program in business. The school is conducting research in the fields of finance, economics, quantitative marketing research, and accounting. It is ranked Chicago Booth first globally according to Economist.</div> <h3 style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3a3a3a; font-family: Oswald, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania</h3> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #7e7e7e; font-family: Lato, Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Wharton School is located in the place where the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution were drafted and signed. Established in 1881, students from all around the world are rushing to integrate it. It counts 2,306 undergraduate and 1,671 postgraduates.</div> <h3 style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3a3a3a; font-family: Oswald, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> London Business School (LBS)</h3> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #7e7e7e; font-family: Lato, Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> The next one is located in London, the LBS. Having motto to develop insights and leaders that have impact, this Public Business School promoted and is still continuing promoting legends in business world. An executive MBA degree and Executive Education programs has been launched in Dubai since 2006.</div> <h3 style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3a3a3a; font-family: Oswald, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> IESE Business School</h3> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #7e7e7e; font-family: Lato, Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> On the next list comes IESE Business School or the Instituto de Estudios Superiores de la Empresa in its original language. Campusing in Barcelona, Madrid, Munich, Sao Paulo and New York City, the institute offers Master of Business Administration (MBA), Executive MBA and Executive Education programs ranked and recommended from all around the world.</div> <h3 style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3a3a3a; font-family: Oswald, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> INSEAD</h3> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #7e7e7e; font-family: Lato, Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> With different campuses scattering in Europe, Singapore, Asia and the Middle East, INSEAD Business School remains one of the most recommended in terms of programs. It has reciprocal agreements with Harvard Business School, Stanford Graduate School of Business and Kellogg School of Management.</div> <h3 style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3a3a3a; font-family: Oswald, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> HEC Paris</h3> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #7e7e7e; font-family: Lato, Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> The « Ecole des Hautes Etudes Commerciales de Paris » makes French and European pride. The institution reaches the first position in Europe and France and among the top 10 in the world. It is considered as being one of the most prominent business schools in the world.</div> <h3 style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3a3a3a; font-family: Oswald, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> University of California, Berkeley</h3> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #7e7e7e; font-family: Lato, Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> “Let there be light”, the University Motto makes its fame all over the world. The public University of California, Berkeley is the oldest institution in the UC system. It grants its students with approximately 350 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.</div> <h3 style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3a3a3a; font-family: Oswald, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Columbia Business School</h3> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #7e7e7e; font-family: Lato, Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> The private institution is a world-leading business school providing its students knowledge and leadership across the disciplines. Columbia Business School keeps its reputation title in national rankings until now.</div> </div>

Top 10 Business Schools worldwide

Students are basing their research for business school on their network of contacts, skills and knowledge to acquire and the brand value a...

Read more »