Blackmail, not forex, major reason for multinationals exiting Nigeria says Ekeh - ITREALMS

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Famous serial digital entrepreneur, Dr. Leo Stan Ekeh, has underscored the chief reasons why multinationals are exiting Nigeria and warned that if nothing was done, more of such businesses and indigenous ones may close shop in the coming months and years, reports ITREALMS.

A press statement available to ITREALMS, Ekeh who is the Chairman of Zinox Technologies Limited, a Nigerian conglomerate with international affiliations, urged President Bola Tinubu to address the critical issues of corporate blackmail and bullying, which he said frustrates the Federal Government’s effort at promoting ease-of-doing-business in the country.

Chevron Nigeria: A model for other multinationals - ITREALMS

MondayCommentary@ITREALMS ... making leadership SENSE with digital news!

Since I departed Nigeria over 17 years ago for further studies and subsequently settled in the United States of America, one irony that has never ceased to amaze me is the failure of the government in Nigeria to match its public statements with action, especially in local content promotion, patronage and development.

Here in the United States, one cannot help but admire how the US government fights for and protects the interests of its own local brands, notably in the face of competing foreign brands.

1st year anniversary: Adams appeals to FG, multinationals to sponsor sports - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, has urged the Federal Government and multinational companies operating in the country to recommit themselves to the development of sports in the country, reports ITREALMS.

The appeal came Thursday at the final of the Aare Gani Adams U13 football tourney at the Legacy Pitch of the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos, where Adams lamented that the National Stadium was in such a bad shape, recalling his growing up days when he used to visit the edifice to play football and watch the country’s national teams practice and play.

Adams said it was saddening that even football, in which the country once excelled at the club level, had nosedived in performance.

He recollected the days when the likes of Leventis United FC of Ibadan, Julius Berger FC of Lagos, Spartans FC of Owerri, IICC of Ibadan and Enugu Rangers of Enugu held their own on the continent and made Nigeria proud.

“I am calling on the Federal Government to put this edifice into full use once again. It is not befitting that all we do with our stadium now are social events and crusades. Whoever wants to do crusade and socials should use other facilities. We should use this place to breed future stars. Brazil has turned sports, especially football, into an economy on its own," he said.

Adams insisted that Nigeria has the potentials, stressing optimism that if the Federal Government makes a commitment and the multinational companies commit between 3 per cent and 5 per cent of their profit to sports development in the country, the economy will be the better for it.

ITREALMS reports that the tournament was won by Lagos Island-based Junior Arsenal by pipping their Ultimate FC counterparts by a lone goal in the final match of the competition to commemorate the one year installation of Adams as the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland. 

Junior Arsenal's Folami Habeeb scored the lone goal in the entertaining final on Thursday at the Legacy Pitch, National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos. 

Earlier in the day, Rivers FC of Ebute Metta thrashed Anibaba FC by three goals to nil to win the consolatory bronze medal.

Adams said of the performance of the teams: “I am glad to witness a soccer tournament of this magnitude. 

“The kids have made me proud with their unlimited skills. I pray they will shine like the Messi, Ronaldo of this world. With what we have seen, I am sure next year event will be better than this. 

“We shall produce a more conducive environment for the kids to showcase their talents. I will try my best and make sure this tournament is sustained. The kids are the future if this country and I also urge other philanthropists to show interest in the game of sport,” he commended.

Bayo Banjo/Editor

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Pix: Gani Adams kicking off football for 1st year anniversary @ITREALMS