As the Roman Historian, Plutarch (AD 46-120?) had noted “The mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be kindled.” Given their corrupt and greedy lifestyles Nigeria’s leaders do not seem to care about integrity or moral values. They are good at predicting the future without creating it. As Peter Drucker has observed “If you want to predict the future, create it.”

Uchenna Okwudinma is Marketing Manager and co-founder, O’m Modelling Management. In this chat with Financial Vanguard, he talks about the rising profile of the modeling industry, challenges facing agencies and the need for effective regulation of the industry to encourage professionalism among others.

Managing Director of Bristow Helicopters Nigeria Ltd, Captain. Akin Oni has disclosed that his company spends more than 6 million dollars annually on training of its staff, especially Nigerians , in a conscious move to increase the skill of its workforce and make Nigerians take over most of the management positions in the company. This is coming as he advocates speedy passage of Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB.

Lagos State government has advised residents in the state to seek planning information with a view to obtaining approved development plan before building to avoid contraventions.

FORMER World Bank Vice-President, Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili has been appointed to lead a new economic initiative for Africa termed Africa Economic Policy Development Initiative.

First City Monument Bank Plc, FCMB, said it has entered an agreement with Tower Power Utilities Limited, TPUL to invest N4 billion in financing the company’s 17.75 Mega Watts capacity combined cycle gas fired power generation plant in Otta Industrial Estate, Ogun State.

Controversies have continued to trail the development of the multi-trillion naira Eko Atlantic City project, with the developer along with the Lagos State government, on the one hand; and some residents and other stakeholders, on the other, disagreeing on the safety implications of the development for the people and properties situated within the vicinity of the project.

The Managing Director/CEO of the Aviation Services Logistics Plc, Mr. Richard Akerele, has identified lack of continuity in administration and improper planning as some of the major hindrances militating growth in the aviation sector.

Management of Alliance and General Insurance Plc has denied allegations of any wrong doings leading to the suspension of its operating license by the National Insurance Commission, NAICOM, insisting that its operations are fully in line with good corporate governance and the interest of its clients and shareholders.

The world could face a food crisis of the kind seen in 2007/08 if countries restrict exports on concerns about a drought-fuelled grain price rally, the UN’s food agency warned on Thursday, after reporting a surge in global food prices in July. A mix of high oil prices, growing use of bio fuels, bad weather, soaring grain futures markets and restrictive export policies pushed up prices of food in 2007/08, sparking violent protests in countries including Egypt, Cameroon and Haiti.