Business

GSK’s exit shows Nigeria’s environment horrific for businesses, says Atiku

Published

1 year ago

August 5, 2023 5:01 pm

BodexNG

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar says the planned exit of GlaxoSmithKline Plc from Nigeria is an indication of the “horrific” environment for businesses in the country.

GSK is for products such as Augmentin, Neosporin, Panadol, Sensodyne, Advair, Ventolin, and Theraflu, among others.

In a statement on Thursday, GSK Nigeria announced that it plans to cease operations after evaluating the options for moving to a third-party distribution model for its pharmaceutical products.

Reacting via his Twitter page on Saturday, Atiku said Nigeria needs to do more to encourage investors to do business in the country.

“The planned exit of GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) from Nigeria after more than five decades of doing business in Nigeria underscores how horrific the environment has become for both local and foreign businesses,” Atiku said.

“Sadly, many international firms have, in recent times, sold their assets and bid farewell to Nigeria after several years of operating in our country.

“These exits have led to further loss of jobs in an environment that is already bleeding jobs.

“We need to do a lot more not only to encourage investors to make Nigeria their preferred destination but also to encourage companies already operating in our land not to ‘japa’.

“To this end, we must revamp our infrastructure, endeavour to enthrone a sustainable regime of energy security and retool our fiscal and monetary policy.”

Similarly, Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), described GSK’s planned exit as “disheartening”.

“I have consistently maintained that in turning our nation around, we must move the economy from consumption to production, part of which included encouraging and supporting local and foreign investments, like GSK, in the country,” he said.

“The creation of an environment that creates and sustains multinationals to invest in our country is key to our dream of greatness. In the new Nigeria that we seek to create, the emphasis on production will encourage investors to stay and expand on our shores.

“Our people will keep their jobs and grow their prosperity.”

Business

31m users exposed as Wayback Machine suffers data breach

Published

7 hours ago

October 10, 2024 2:18 pm

BodexNG

The details of 31 million users have been exposed after Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine suffered a hack.

Internet Archive is a non-profit digital library that offers millions of free books, movies, audio files, and billions of saved web pages in the Wayback Machine that would have been lost or deleted.

An illicit pop-up on the Internet Archive on Wednesday announced that the site had suffered a major data breach.

“Have you ever felt like the Internet Archive runs on sticks and is constantly on the verge of suffering a catastrophic security breach? It just happened. See 31 million of you on HIBP!” users reported seeing on the landing page after the hack.

HIBP, an acronym for Have I Been Pwned, is a tool that confirms if email addresses previously suffered a data breach.

Troy Hunt, HIPB creator, confirmed that the breach was legitimate.

According to Brewster Kahle, Internet Archive founder, the organisation fended off a DDOS attack.

Kahle said the library also disabled the JS library after hackers defaced the website via the portal, scrubbed systems, and upgraded security.

“Will share more as we know it,” Kahle tweeted.

A pop-up on the Wayback Machine urged users to ask publishers to restore access.

Business

FG launches portal for vehicle owners to convert to CNG and pay later

Published

9 hours ago

October 10, 2024 12:20 pm

BodexNG

The federal government has launched a website that allows users to convert their petrol-powered vehicles to compressed natural gas (CNG) and pay later.

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) announced the new initiative on its X handle in a statement on Tuesday.

“Switching to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) is now more accessible than ever,” NOA said.

“With flexible payment plans tailored to fit your budget, transitioning from petrol to CNG has never been smoother or more affordable.

“These payment options allow you to convert your vehicle now and pay later with affordable monthly instalments at competitive rates.”

The agency said with an easy online application and quick approval process, beneficiaries would be supported every step of the way, to ensure a hassle-free experience.

“Visit: gocng.ng to get started,” NOA said.

According to the agency, the benefits of CNG include cost savings, environmental impact, enhanced engine life, safety and reliability, as well as proven technology with a track record of safety and dependable performance.

On October 7, the federal government launched a portal that would allow youths to access CNG-powered tricycles.

In his remarks, Michael Oluwagbemi, project director and chief executive officer (CEO) of the presidential CNG initiative (P-CNGi) said the initiative would enhance the economic well-being of Nigerians by reducing dependence on petrol.

Business

Nigerian Air Force direct short-service application opens October 14 (Apply Here)

Published

10 hours ago

October 10, 2024 11:26 am

BodexNG

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says applications for the direct short-service cadets (DSSC) programme will open on October 14.

In a post on X on Wednesday, NAF said online registration will end on November 26.

The NAF said the enlistment is for graduates and postgraduates, who must be of Nigerian origin by birth.

“Applicants must not be less than 1.66 and 1.63 metres tall for male and female candidates, respectively,” the post reads.

“Applicants must be medically, physically, and psychologically fit; applicants must be free of any criminal conviction by the court of law.

“Applicants must be between the ages of 20 and 30 — but the age requirement for medical consultants is between 25 and 40 years.

“All applicants must possess a minimum of second-class upper division with five credits in a related course of study: a discharge certificate/letter of exemption from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and a certificate of full registration with their respective statutory professional bodies in Nigeria.

“All candidates are expected to possess a LGA attestation, a passport photograph, and means of identification, such as a driver’s license, national identification number, or international passport.

“Applicants are advised to print out acknowledgement slips and LGA attestation forms after completing the application.”

NAF noted that the online registration is free of charge, adding that computer literacy will be an advantage.

It added that successful applicants will be invited for selection board interview exercises through the registration portal.

Interested applicants are to apply online at https://airforce.mil.ng/.

Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others