NFF clears Gernot Rohr, 26 other coaches’ salaries

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) yesterday revealed that it has settled all the outstanding salaries of its current and past coaches through the recent agreement it entered with Aiteo Group.

A statement by the federation indicate that the payment was from the first batch of monies meant for the payment of salaries of coaches of the national teams in the N2.5 billion, five-year partnership agreement with the energy solution company.

The coaches are Salisu Yusuf, Alloy Agu, Fatai Amao, David Ngodigha, Ann Chiejine, Bala Mohammed, Kabiru Baleria, Emeka Amadi, Peter Dedevbo, Toyin Ayinla, Wemimo Oni, Auwal Bashir, Manu Garba, Bala Nikyu, Lateef Yusuf, Nduka Ugbade, Jolomi Atunne Alli, Ernest Salolomo, Queen Dolyn Akpan, Adamu Audu Ejo, Godwin Okon, Justin Madugu, Gidado Usman, Florence Omagbemi, Perpetua Nkwocha, Emmanuel Amuneke and Christopher Danjuma.    

Quoting NFF’s Second Vice President/LMC chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, who is also Chairman of the NFF Sponsorship, Marketing and Television Advisory Committee, thenff.com said “the first tranche of payment received from the energy solution company, about N100 million has been used to offset all outstanding salaries of 27 coaches in all, including a number that had been owed for services rendered during the tenure of previous administrations.

“The salaries of the Super Eagles’ Technical Adviser, Mr. Gernot Rohr, have also been settled up-to-date from the forex component of the transaction with Aiteo. All the payments were made direct to the accounts of the beneficiaries through NFF’s Financial Consultants (Financial Derivatives Company), appointed to manage the funds from the sponsors upon verification of the processes by NFF external auditors, PWC and payment instructions from the NFF secretariat.

“It is our joy that the coaches can finally smile to the bank. A laborer deserves his wages, and that is why the present NFF administration worked assiduously hard to ensure the realization of this partnership. The NFF is grateful to Aiteo Group for this breakthrough in making our coaches happy.”

 SOURCE: http://guardian.ng/sport/nff-clears-gernot-rohr-26-other-coaches-salaries/

How Africa can deploy CFTA in removing trade barriers

An industrial policy aimed at strengthening African nations’ capacity in designing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating appropriate strategies to facilitate the structural transformation of the continent’s economies is key, as preparation for the Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA) commences, experts have said.

According to the African Institute for Economic Development and Planning (IDEP), the need to green Africa’s industrialization as a way of achieving sustainable and inclusive growth remains a major challenge that should be addressed.

IDEP Director, Karima Bounemra Ben Soltane, said more needs to be done to empower senior civil servants working on policies that impact Africa’s socio-economic development “Industrial policies, she said, should not only consider local issues but also regional value chains and cross-border cooperation, among others”, she added.She spoke about the Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA) which is expected to be in place by October 2017, bringing together 54 African countries with a combined population of more than one billion people and a combined gross domestic product of more than US $3.4 trillion.

With the CFTA, African leaders aim to, among other things, create a single continental market for goods and services, free movement of business persons and investments and expand intra-African trade. The CFTA is also expected to enhance competitiveness at the industry and enterprise levels.

“Our philosophy of development should be revamped as we yearn for competitiveness at the industry and enterprise levels,” said Ms. Soltane, adding the diversity of participants attending the course had enriched discussions on Africa’s industrial policies.

Source: http://guardian.ng/business-services/industry/how-africa-can-deploy-cfta-in-removing-trade-barriers/