Again, XLR8 is Public Relations Consultancy of the Year

For the second consecutive time, XLR8, one of West Africa’s leading Public Relations and Communications Management consultancies, has emerged as the "Public Relations Consultancy of the year, 2018." This was the verdict of the Lagos State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations at the 2018 edition of its annual Lagos Public Relations Industry Gala and Awards (LAPRIGA).

This award is following closely on a similar Presidential award by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations in 2017 that proclaimed XLR8 as public relations practitioner of excellence and the “Best corporate public relations consultancy of the year 2017.” That award was issued by the president and chairman-in-council of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations.

Stating the criteria for the recent award, Mr. Olusegun McMedal, Chairman of the Lagos State Chapter of the NIPR, said "XLR8 won the award after a rigorous survey proved that XLR8 was ahead of its peers, on the basis of parameters ranging from creativity, employee relations, service delivery, relevance in the industry, processes and usage of technology for a variety of communication projects which deliver the desired outcomes for its clients”.

Mr Calixthus Okoruwa, Chief Executive Officer of XLR8, thanked the organizers for the recognition and dedicated the award to “our cherished clients” and his colleagues at XLR8. “We are extremely honoured to be receiving such an important award from no less an authority than the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations.” He added that “While we are eminently grateful for the recognition which our work continues to earn our organization in respectable professional circles, we must thank our clients who repose so much trust and confidence in us and empower us with the wherewithal to do great work.” Okoruwa also expressed appreciation to his colleagues adding that “The award is also dedicated to my colleagues in XLR8 whose combination of ebullience, diligence and commitment to excellence would make any CEO proud.” The award, he assured, would help to spur XLR8 even further in its never-ending quest for excellence in every facet of its operations.

Since inception more than 14 years ago, XLR8 has consistently distinguished itself by the quality of its work. Consequently, it is a favourite destination of leading organizations including globally-renowned brands seeking excellent counsel and implementation expertise as to how best to profitably navigate the environment. Its clientele base cuts across technology and telecommunications, fast-moving consumer goods, banking and financial services sector, agriculture, the public sector and others.

Natural Gas, Nigeria's Future of Energy Solution – Cummins Energy Solutions

Interview with Kamran Abbasi, Head of Aftermarket Service & Support at Cummins Energy Solutions Nigeria Ltd., the official Cummins gas product distributor in Nigeria

1. Tell us a little about yourself Kamran?

I started my career with Cummins in South Asia as an Engineer in 2001, rising up to Country Service Manger. I then joined Cummins West Africa in 2010 to develop the gas generator aftermarket business and provide technical support to customers operating on gas.

In 2012 I was part of the founding team of Cummins Energy Solutions Nigeria, the exclusive Cummins gas product distributor in country, to Head up Aftermarket, with the sole goal of establishing a world class service department.

2.     How long have you worked with Cummins – what do you enjoy most about your job?

I’ve worked with Cummins for over fifteen years today – it feels like home.

I’m passionate about new learning opportunities, technological inventions and making use of small things wherever possible – hence servicing generators is a perfect job!

Our team at Cummins is also very diverse – we have a good blend of Nigerians, South Africans, Asians, Filipinos, British and Italians, making the workplace an interesting environment.

Working with different nationalities, you also become versatile in understanding people’s approach and way of thinking – which is also a very important success factor.

3.     Why is aftermarket so important in Nigeria?

Aftermarket and service support is important in every country, and nearly every industrial product for that matter. Generators are complex machines that require specialist maintenance.

Conducting regular and preventive service of the generators not only ensures constant availability of power, but also yields the best asset life. We have 14 year old Cummins gas generators operating well in Nigeria due to good maintenance.

After sales support is particularly important in Nigeria because of counterfeit parts, inappropriate service standards and lack of proper diagnostic tools to maintain & service the genset. As an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), we receive much training from Cummins Inc. and follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and best practice. 

4.     What are the main challenges you face in servicing gas generators in Nigeria?

Sometimes time accessibility at site can be an issue due to bad roads and heavy traffic, although by enlarge we don’t face too many problems. We have the largest gas after sales service team in country and good parts inventory so that we can quickly respond to issues. We are the official Cummins Africa gas product trainer and hold workshops at our Mushin warehouse.

5.     What distinguishes Cummins gas generators in the market?

Cummins gas engines are particularly suited to ‘island mode’ applications (off grid) as they can handle load spikes better than other generators. So in a market like Nigeria where most power is de-centralized, whereby homes and factories have their own power generating equipment, Cummins gensets are well suited to these types of applications. Here are the main benefits:

·         Trusty machines for island mode (off gird)

·         Load carrying capability

·         Quick recovery after heavy load spike

·         High electrical efficiency (up to 44%)

·         Long lasting (gas sets operating for over 14 years)

·         Low deration

·         Low methane numbers required for operation

·         Higher maintenance intervals

6.     How many gas generators have Cummins installed in Nigeria?

Cummins has the largest fleet of gas generators in Nigeria and was the pioneer in developing the gas to power market for industrial customers. There are over 200 Cummins gas generators installed across Nigeria, with over 260,000KW (i.e. 260 MW) generating capacity.

7.     In your opinion, which is the best Cummins gas generator in Nigeria?

QSK 60 (1160 KW) – it is the most installed gas generator in Nigeria (over 90 installations).

The QSK60 meets the two core criteria clients seek – reliability through continuous power availability and high efficiency, which reduces operational cost.

The QSV 91 (2000 KW) is also a great engine, particularly strong in heavy industrial applications such as steel and plastics. 

8.     What type of services do you offer?

·         Gas Generators (40 KW to 2000 KW)

·         Technical & field service support

·         Annual Maintenance Contracts for servicing of generators

·         Life Cycle Operations and maintenance contracts

·         Installation & Commissioning services

·         Genuine spare parts

·         Training (overseas & local)

·         Warranty coverage

·         Energy saving initiatives for factories such as waste heat recovery systems

·         Compressed Natural Gas (via Powergas)  

We also offer a fully outsourced power service (IPP) through sister organisation Cummins Power Generation Nigeria, whereby we invest in the power plant and supply electricity to large industries and residential estates.

9.     Which are the best performing sites that your team manages?

Our plant availability across sites that we fully manage averages over 99% for the full year – this is the best of any gas IPP in Nigeria.

A 14 MW power plant we service and operate in Lagos has been down for less than one minute since commissioned 3 years ago – it operates on fully synchronised Cummins gas and diesel generators.

10.What are the main benefits of operating on natural gas compared to diesel?

·         Continuous running machines –built for 24x7 power, not standby

·         Low operating cost – long service intervals

·         Low operating cost – price of natural gas is nearly one third of diesel 

·         No fuel storage problem

·         No fuel pilferage

·         Environment friendly

·         Reduced emissions as compared to diesel engines

I strongly believe gas is the future for power generation in Nigeria – it is clean, cost effective, reliable and domestically sourced – hence boosts the local Nigerian economy.

11.Where is Cummins looking to invest to improve its service capability in Nigeria?

Cummins is regularly investing in Research & Development – in fact we invested over $735 Million in 2015 in R&D globally. This translates to improvements in generator performance, engine efficiency and durability – and hence even stronger service standards.

On a local Nigeria level, we have four key focus areas to improve service:

1.                             Continue to invest in training our operators and engineers on the ground.

2.                             Introduce remote monitoring technology at more sites – here we monitor plant performance remotely – enabling Cummins to identify any potential upcoming breakdowns as well areas for efficiency improvement. Big data is very powerful.

3.                             Expand our offering beyond the Generator room to energy saving initiatives within customer premises. For example, we pioneered waste heat recovery systems (combined heat and power) in Nigeria, whereby the waste heat from the engine is used to generate additional electricity or for internal process such as steam or cooling.

4.                             Develop an extensive service network across West Africa. Cummins has a good presence across Nigeria and we are now providing gas generators and service support in Benin Republic, Togo & Ghana.

Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo-Asari Reveals His Encounter With Leaders of Boko Haram

Monday, August 18 , 2014
Francis Vincent at 8/18/2014 01:16:00 pm

Asari Dokubo - My Encounter With The Boko Haram
Leader

Former Ijaw Youth Council President and leader of the Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force (NDPVF), Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo-Asari has revealed how he met some leaders of the Islamist militant group, Boko Haram. Speaking in an interview done by the Vanguard, the son of a former judge in Rivers State judiciary said while he met a lot of the leaders of the terror group while he was in solitary confinement in SSS underground for 10 months and 11 days.

According to Asari Dokubo, who clocked the golden age of 50 on June 1, 2014, some of the Boko Haram's leaders he met while in prison were Muda Shiru, Mohammed Isam, Yusuf Hussein, Asan Yusuf and Mohammed Bello. Below are excerpts from the interview where he tells the story of his many struggles among others:
Let us start with your many encounters with the law and arrests. We recall you were a regular guest to the offices of security agencies:

Arrest was a regular thing. I can’t really tell. I became used to arrest. In fact, the police and SSS in Port Harcourt, maybe they advised the government, saying please, just leave this guy alone. This guy, arrest no dey do am anything’. (Laughing and speaking in pidgin English). ‘Just leave him alone. The guy enjoys getting arrested’.
Exposing the Full List of Boko Haram Sponsors in Nigeria Yes, that's was one of the greatest undoing of Obasanjo because he thought I could be cowed. Go and look at my trial videos.

There were trials where the judge was put in the dock. I was the one questioning the judge. So, the government and Obasanjo really, really, really did not understand the type of person he was dealing with. May be in Nigeria, there were no such people then. Today, we have Boko Haram. So, a new group of people have started.
Were you ever taken to any dungeon...? (Cuts in) I was in SSS underground for 10 months and 11 days in solitary confinement. How did you cope? I would have run mad. Many people did. But because I had memorized parts of the Koran, instead of talking to myself, I just recited the Koran. That was what kept me alive. If I had not memorized the Koran, I would have been mad. Talking to yourself is a different thing. But this one, you are reading, edifying your soul. 

So, while in prison, did you get to meet with any of the people now linked to Boko Haram? I met with so many people, not only Boko Haram militants. Yes, I met with a lot of them: Muda Shiru, Mohammed Isam, Yusuf Hussein, Asan Yusuf, Mohammed Bello.
Who were these people? They were leaders of the group that is now called Boko Haram. They were arrested and repatriated from Libya. Do you know if they are still alive? Yeah. But some of them are no longer with them. Isam is no longer with them. I don’t have their contact. But I believe that the majority of those people may have been dead because we had very close relationship when we were in prison even though we didn’t see face to face.

They were in their cells and I was in mine; so we hit the wall and talked. During prayers, we prayed together by shouting.
If that is the case, don’t you get to talk to them to broker ceasefire and all that or do we have new faces now? No, no, no. It depends on government approach. Someone in government thought it could be wished away, that it was easy. Boko Haram? ‘It will fizzle away’ and all the warning we gave them, they did not accept. They misled the government into believing that it could be wished it away. If they had taken a decisive action at that time, I don’t think that this would have reached the stage it has reached now. But a decision was taken on their leader, Yusuf
Mohammed?

That was not the sort of decisive action. The killing of Yusuf Mohammed was a mistake. If Yusuf Mohammed were to die, he should have gone for trial. Nobody should use his whims and caprices as the law like what Saddam Hussein said “whatever I wrote with my hand, that is the law”. That was what Yar’Adua did. Why should you kill somebody extra-judicially? Take him to court if he had committed any offense. You have the laws. If they had followed due process, it would have mitigated what is happening. But they did not follow. They went outside the law. When you go outside the law, you are also telling the other person to also meet you outside the law.

SHOCKING REVELATION: Boko Haram Source of Funds and Weapons
The thinking in many quarters now is that these people are taking a revenge on the government while some people disagree, saying it is pure terrorism. You have also said they are acting on a wrong ideology. How do you reconcile all these?

Yea, they are acting on a wrong ideology but even if it was a revenge, Islam does not permit you to take people who are not combatants. When you take the lives of people who are not combatants, then you are not longer fighting the cause of Allah because Allah SWA clearly said in the Koran that if you kill an innocent man, it seems you have killed the whole world. Let’s go back to the struggle.
Do you think it has paid off? Not 100 percent. Maybe 20 percent. We have somebody that looks like us, dresses like us, eats our food, dances the way we dance as President. It is a victory over those who feel that they were born to rule. Who says they are born to rule? It is a negation of that erroneous position. But to everyone in Nigeria, the President is Nigeria’s President not an Ijaw President even though he is coming from that background. Yes, it is true. But he came from somewhere. He did not fall from the sky.

The President has been accused of not really been presidential in the real sense of the word. Again, you have very many challenges bedeviling the country which many Nigerians had expected him to deal with decisively. Yes, most of us feel that he has not done things the way they ought to be done. But there are individual differences. For instance, does Mr. President believe in things that the ordinary Ijaw man believes? The ordinary Ijaw man who was at the airport to bring the corpse of Isaac Boro; that the Ijaw nation must be liberated, must be independent? Do most of the elites share the same beliefs that we share?

No.
You are quoted as saying that the abduction of the school girls in Chibok is a scam. Some people feel shocked by that statement coming from you even when we have seen the international community coming in… (Cuts in) which international community? The United States of America with her allies Britain and the European Union cajoled the whole world and told us that there were weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. At the end of the day, were there weapons of mass destruction? There was none. So the international community for whatever intent and purpose that is compelling them to do what they are doing is best known to them. But it will not be far from economic interest. How can you believe that 270 girls will be taken? How? It is not possible.

If you tell us that 20 girls were taken, 30, maybe 50, fine. How will you tell us that 270 girls were writing physics exam? How? In which school? Where? Even in the most educationally advanced part of this country, can you find any school where even 20 students are writing physics? I run a school. How many of my students are writing physics?

They just finished their S.S.C.E.? And this is an elitist school, we make very good results. How many people are writing physics? Who are they telling? So, if you are not into education business, somebody can cajole you and tell you a lot of stories. When they took the students, the Principal, who said she thought they were soldiers, again said she was in Maiduguri for
medical treatment when they came. Her daughter too was in the school. Why didn’t they take her daughter? Why did they take other peoples daughters?

The military was aware four hours before the attack; the people who sent the information that Chibok was to be attacked four hours to the military, why did they not inform the chairman of Chibok, S.S.S. Rep, D.P.O. or anybody in Chibok? The Chibok community leader who has been talking, why didn’t they say, ‘Please, move the girls, we are suspecting that there was going to be an attack on the school? Move these children out of the school’. Why was it only the military they told?

They couldn’t reach any other person but the military? What are they telling us now? Ok, today, one of the girls said she ran and jumped over the fence. She climbed the tree and then the man was saying come down, come down o’. What sort of thing is this now? So, the girl can climb a tree faster than a man with a gun?

Why didn’t you just simply shoot her and he left her and went away? And some four persons were found in their house and they said they escaped and came back? What sort of stories?
How has it been in the last 50 years you have lived? Ah! My life at 50. My experience. How am I going to put it? Well, I got into the university at the age of 21 in 1985; the University of Calabar. And from that age of 21, death became my constant companion at every turn.