Jerry Douglas' Blog

Pat Utomi , former presidential candidate has joined the opposition Action Congress of Nigeria.   In 2007, Utomi, contested in presidential election on the platform of the African Democratic Party but recently announced his switch on his Facebook page on Sunday night December 23.   “It has been pointed out to me that many Nigerians who have supported the work I have done in politics and community service are unaware of the fact that I’m now a member of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN),” the statement said. “I have been a member for more than a year.”   He said he decided to join the ACN, which is the dominant political platform in Nigeria’s South-West geopolitical zone and a part of the South-South, “because the progressive opposition in Nigeria has been unable to bring itself under one umbrella though many, myself included, have tried to bring this about by encouraging the subsuming of ego for the common progressive good.”   “This has proven very difficult and progressives ca

As the three major opposition parties in Nigeria come together to fight the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), there are indications of bumps across the road – the parties reportedly disagreeing on a name, symbol and other identity issues. Reports  indicate that “the three parties–the Action Congress of Nigeria, the All Nigeria Peoples Party and the Congress for Progressive Change–set up separate committees to ensure that the  merger plan materialised. The committees were mandated  to prepare the position of their parties for an enlarged meeting of all the three committees. The committees, whose members are working in secrecy, are also to suggest a name, logo, symbol and slogan for the proposed party.” One of the parties is apparently insisting that the emerging “mega-party” must have its name and symbol. A source privy to the goings on in one of the committees spoke to our correspondent in Abuja on Sunday. However, he refused to disclose the  name of the party that wa

The Taraba State governor who was involved in a plane crash in October has been discharged from the German hospital where he had since been receiving treatment. This bit of good news was announced on Wednesday by the Taraba State government much to the joy of many Tarabans. The governor is currently undergoing physiotherapy since he was discharged from the hospital. The state government also confirmed as authentic the pictures of the governor, his wife, Hauwa, and their twins released to the media yesterday. The governor was flown to Germany for treatment following life-threatening injuries he sustained when the plane he was flying crashed  last October at Yola, the Adamawa State capital. According to the state commissioner for information, Emmanuel Bello, Suntai is recuperating and would soon return to his duty post. He said: “The governor has been discharged from the hospital and he is currently undergoing physiotherapy. It is not true that the governor is brain dead.

It is no longer news that Nigeria’s weapon of mass destruction, Obafemi Martins, is dating Abigail Barwuah, Mario Balotelli’s elder sister – what is news however is the speculation that the Manchester City ‘bad boy’ is unhappy about the pair dating. There are reports that Mario Balotelli's sister Abigail is expecting a child with former Inter striker Obafemi Martins. According to 'Diva e Donna' magazine in Italy, Abigail Barwuah – Balotelli's biological sister – is pregnant. The father is said to be Martins, a 28-year-old striker at Inter, Newcastle United, Vfl Wolfsburg, Rubin Kazan, Birmingham City and now Levante. The magazine quotes her as saying: “The baby is making its presence felt. This is a very special Christmas for me.” Last month Balotelli's ex-girlfriend Raffaella Fico gave birth to daughter Pia, though the Manchester City forward wants a DNA test before he will recognise paternity.

THE NIGERIAN AIR FORCE APPLICATION FOR NIGERIAN AIR FORCE AIRMEN/AIRWOMEN RECRUITMENT EXERCISE (BMTC 2012) (FOR SSCE/NECO/GCE/ND APPLICANTS) JOB TITLE: TRAINEE QUALIFICATIONS The minimum qualifications for interested applicants are SSCE/NECO/GCE/ND. Applicants applying as non-tradesmen and women must be between 17 – 22 years of age by 31 December 2012 and must possess SSCE/NECO/GCE. Applicants applying as tradesmen and women must be between 17 and 24 years of age by 31 December 2012 and must possess ND or any relevant trade certificates from reputable and approved government institutions/organizations. Those who will be older than 22 and 24 years for non tradesmen respectively by 31st December 2012 need not apply. Applicants with University Diplomas are not qualified to apply as tradesmen and women. Male applicants must not be less than 1.68 meters tall while female applicants must not be less than 1.65 meters tall. Click here for more details and how to apply

JOB TITLE: PRODUCTION OPERATOR LOCATION/CITY: Ibadan APPOINTMENT TYPE: Permanent JOB PURPOSE AND KEY DELIVERABLES The Secondary Manufacturing Department(SMD) function is looking for smart and vibrant individuals who has flair for diverse and unusual challenges, and passion for making a real impact in an environment where standards are high, to fill the role of an OPERATOR. ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS To support the efficient production of cigarettes by displaying competencies in controlling, operating and monitoring cigarette manufacturing machines, within a given period, to specified quality standards, at optimum cost, in a safe and environmentally compliant manner within the Secondary Manufacturing Department(SMD). KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES RELATIONSHIPS I. EXTERNAL The job holder has to operate within the following legal requirements and has a personal responsibility to adhere to: Factories Act of Federal Government of Nigeria BAT Environment Health Safety Policy and guidelines

A leading Company in Lagos with branches all over Nigeria require the services of qualified candidates for these positions: SALES REPRESENTATIVES EXECUTIVE MARKETERS RESPONSIBILITIES: Responsible for all sales activities in assigned territory Discover new opportunities constantly with both stand-alone and chain accounts within established region Prepare a variety of sales status reports that include activity, follow-up. Communicate new service and product opportunities, feedback, special developments, or information collected during field activity to designated personnel QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS: Minimum of OND Ability to persuade and convince others Ability to build and deliver presentations Strong interpersonal and communication skills Must possess excellent customer service skills Should have a pleasant personality Click here for more details and how to apply

Dangote group is a major company in Nigeria, is a conglomerate with excellent business practice, due more expansion we are recruiting Job Title:  Network Engineer Job Duties: in charge of testing and manitenance of all active devices on WAN and LAN be the one in charge of daily maintenance and problem solving and software upgrade take care oa all the network take part in 24 hours rotation work closely with the Vsat and report directly to the IP engineer should be the one to plan and implement IP telephony Job Requirement : minimum of 3 year experience in a major or good telecommunication company should have experience in the following, cisco switch, cisco firewsll, cisco routers, wireless acess point and cisco VPN Method Of Application: send Cv and application to:    info.recruitment@dangotegroups.com

JANUARY 3, 2013   BY AGENCY REPORTER   LEAVE A COMMENT Senagalese international Demba Ba has completed his move to Chelsea from Newcastle. The Blues agreed a fee with Newcastle for Ba after making an official bid on Wednesday. Ba has a release clause, understood to be £7.5m, which was triggered by the European champions. A statement on Newcastle’s website on Wednesday read: “Newcastle United can confirm that Chelsea Football Club has made an official offer for Demba Ba which has triggered the release clause in the player’s contract. The club has given the player permission to speak to Chelsea and therefore he will not be included in the squad for tonight’s (Wednesday’s) game against Everton.” As at 9pm on Wednesday, the London club had finalised the discussion on personal terms with the player. Preliminary discussions between representatives of the player and Chelsea had earlier broken up with the deal on the table nowhere near the Senegal international’s expecta

A growing engineering services and marketing company requires the services of: 1) Trainee Engineers Job Type Full Time Job Level Entry Level / Trainees Min Qualification BA/BSc/HND Location Lagos Job Field Engineering BSc/B.Eng in ELectrical and Electronics or Mechanical Engineering from a reputable higher institution. 2) Technicians Job Type Full Time Job Level Experienced Hire Min Qualification Vocational Location Lagos Job Field Engineering NBTE certificate and/or City and Guilds with relevant field experience. 3) Sales Executive Job Type Full Time Min Qualification BA/BSc/HND Location Lagos Job Field Sales/Marketing A good certificate from a reputable higher institution, preferably in Marketing Method of Application Apply by sending your handwritten application, CV and copies of credentials to: The Advertiser, P.O.Box 4449 Shomolu, Lagos. Deadline:  10 January, 2013

Addax Petroleum is a subsidiary of the Sinopec Group, one of the largest oil and gas producers in China, the biggest oil refiner in Asia and the third largest worldwide.   Addax Petroleum was founded in 1994 upon leading petroleum industry expertise and a deep-rooted understanding and respect for African cultures. Over the years, Addax Petroleum has evolved from a young pioneer into an established international oil and gas, exploration and production company focused on Africa and the Middle East. Addax Petroleum’s assets are located in Nigeria, the Joint Development Zone of São Tomé & Príncipe, Gabon, Cameroon and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, comprising an excellent combination of oil and gas reserves and exploration opportunities. The Company’s approximate average oil production for 2011 was 140,000 bbl/d. Addax Petroleum has over 1100 employees worldwide with service offices in Geneva (Switzerland) and Houston (USA), and operating offices in Lagos (Nigeria), Port-Gentil (Gabo

THE NIGERIAN AIR FORCE   APPLICATION FOR NIGERIAN AIR FORCE AIRMEN/AIRWOMEN RECRUITMENT EXERCISE (BMTC 2012) (FOR SSCE/NECO/GCE/ND APPLICANTS) JOB TITLE: TRAINEE QUALIFICATIONS The minimum qualifications for interested applicants are SSCE/NECO/GCE/ND. Applicants applying as non-tradesmen and women must be between 17 – 22 years of age by 31 December 2012 and must possess SSCE/NECO/GCE. Applicants applying as tradesmen and women must be between 17 and 24 years of age by 31 December 2012 and must possess ND or any relevant trade certificates from reputable and approved government institutions/organizations.  Those who will be older than 22 and 24 years for non tradesmen respectively by 31st December 2012 need not apply.  Applicants with University Diplomas are not qualified to apply as tradesmen and women.  Male applicants must not be less than 1.68 meters tall while female applicants must not be less than 1.65 meters tall. TO APPLY 1. Interested candidates are advised

SOURCING MANAGER (PACKAGING) Packaging – Lagos The Role: Sourcing Manager (Packaging):The successful candidate will be required to: Forecast price movements of key materials to operating units to assist with local budgeting & financial plans. Complete regular reviews and annual adjustment to global cost projections to reflect market movements. Evaluate and analyse allocated portfolios. Lead and participate in cost re-engineering projects engaging both internal and external stakeholders within the group. Continually evaluate and analyse the supply market in the allocated portfolios to assist with management decision making, price control and budget preparation. Be aware of the major suppliers in the market and identify opportunities to reduce costs. Lead change management programmes in relation to local packaging portfolio. Perform negotiations on one’s own initiative, with occasional support from senior executives. Either by consultation or attendance if critical or high val

Standard Chartered Bank   is a leading international banking group committed to building a sustainable business over the long-term.  We are currently recruiting for: 1) JOB:  Ops Control & Support Assistant Standard Chartered Bank – Nigeria – SCB (Nigeria) Job Description Lending Operations Officer To ensure the all loans approved by CI are disbursed on the approved bank system within appropriate timelines and that all repayments are processed appropriately. To Key Roles & Responsibilities Ensuring all loans are disbursed within timelines Ensuring that repayment advices from collections are treated and advised to appropriate teams within timelines Ensuring that the settlement accounts do not have ageing items due to disbursed loans Ensuring that PDCs are maintained on the RCMS system as received And that they are reconciled regularly and presented within the approved timelines Ensuring that reconciliation is up to date for all transactions posted and nil agein