Rivers State Veg Oil Limited: recruiting Nigerian Graduates for Finance Manager, Sales Manager

Rivers State Vegetable Oil Company Limited (RIVOC) - A Fast Moving Consumer Manufacturing Company with its Head Office in Port Harcourt Nigeria has vacancies in its locations at Lagos, Kano, Port Harcourt Nigeria.

1.) FINANCE MANAGER
JOB EDUCATION/PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATION:
Interested candidates must possess a Degree or post graduate degree in Accountancy / Finance and must be Chartered with minimum of five years post qualification experience in the following areas-
Managing relationship with Financial institutions. 
Managing Employee PAYE System
Managing and administering Tax Laws
General Accounting functions
Analysis and interpretation; of financial statements

2.) ASSISTANT SALES MANAGER
EDUCATION:
Preferred Graduate/Post Graduate in Marketing, Arts, Commerce or Science, with MBA or specialization in Sates Management.

JOB EXPERIENCE;
Five -Eight years a Consumer Products/Foods/Beverage/Cosmetics

CORE FUNCTIONS:
To develop, manage a sustainable Sales and marketing strategies for the Company’s Fast Moving Consumer Goods products in the assigned zones through a team of Area Sates Heads and Territorial Sales in-charge.

JOB DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:
Responsible for achieving primary and secondary sates targets
Ensure that the brands have the maximum visibility and coverage in his assigned zone,
Monitor, Announce and ensure implementation of all trade schemes.
Track and provide feedback on competitors activities in his area.
Appointment of distributors, whether new or in replacement.
Responsible for execution of orders placed by distributors and payments thereof. periodic checks on the business health of the distributor including investment monitoring,
Assess and control distributors service level. 

Compensation: Attractive and among the best in the FMCG industry with liberal incentives exceeding targets.

Not later than 27th September, 2011.

METHOD OF APPLICATION
Interested applicants should forward their CVs by E-mail to: admin@rivoc.com


http://www.getnaijajobs.com

Read more: http://getnaijajob.blogspot.com/2011/09/rivers-state-veg-oil-limited-finance.html#ixzz1YQ5b3UbF

Nestle Nigeria Plc is recruiting Nigerian Graduates for Medical Delegates

 Applications are hereby required from suitably qualified candidates to fill the vacant position of Medical Delegates in the following location; Owerri, Portharcourt, Gombe, Sokoto & Abuja.

 

Job Title: Medical Delegates

 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

- Liaise and provide accurate information to medical/paramedical contacts about Nestlé's Infant Nutrition Products and their appropriate use within the Code of Ethics and Nestlé's Instructions.

- Develop relationships / partnerships with medical / paramedical contacts / institutions through effective communication and / or sponsorship of activities in line with WHO Code, local Code or Nestle Instructions. 

 

PROFILE 

- B.Sc Degree or HND in any of these disciplines (Minimum of Second Class lower or Higher Credit) – Food Science & Technology, Chemistry, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Biology, Human Nutrition, Pharmacy, Nursing.

- Excellent Knowledge of Food & Nutrition with emphasis on Infant Nutrition.

- Has independently managed projects/tasks such as organising activites with medical/paramedical health professionals on topics related to infant nutrition, products, R&D, etc.

- Ability to develop excellent working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

- Excellent interpersonal and convincing skills.

- Possession of a Valid Drivers License and ability to drive long distances (Interstate)

- Excellent Computer skills- Ms Word, Ms Excel, Ms Power Point

- Good Planning and Organization Skills.

- Must be willing to work at the specified region. 

 

Closing date: 22 September 2011. Kindly note that only short listed candidates will be contacted.

Marie Owoniyi Head Human Resources

 

Nestlé Nigeria Plc upholds the principle of Non- Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunities in its recruitment processes.

 

http://ngcareers.com/2011/09/medical-delegates-at-nestle-nigeria-plc/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%253A+ngcareer+%2528Jobs+in+Nigeria+-+Jobs+Vacancies+in+Nigeria%2529&utm_content=Yahoo%2521+Mail

Nestle Nigeria Plc recruiting Nigerian Graduates

Job Title: Field Sales Manager

Job Reference: FSMSept 2011

Department: SALES

 

Job Details: Field Sales Manager in different location.

 

Ensures Availability, Visibility and Accessibility of all Nestle products in all relevant outlets in the assigned Sales Area through effective management of the Distributor’s Sales force

 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage Sell Out activities in assigned territory.
• Establish coverage plan for Distributor in assigned territory.
• Manage Recruitment and Selection of Distributor’s Sales Force.
• Develop and implement route plan for Distributor Sales Force.
• Manage relationships between retailers, wholesalers, distributors and Nestlé.
• Manage deployment of POS Materials.

 

PROFILE

• B. Sc Degree or HND in any discipline (Minimum of Second Class Lower or HND Upper Credit)
• Must have 2 -3 years experience in Field Sales Management in a Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) environment.
• Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills.
• Possession of a Valid Drivers License and ability to drive long distances (Interstate)
• Good Computer skills- Ms Word, Ms Excel, Ms Power Point.
• Good Planning and Organization Skills.
• Good Supervisory & Leadership Skills.
• Excellent ability to use initiative and work with minimum supervision.
• Strong Drive and Passion for business results.

 

Qualified applicants should send in their applications on or before 22 September  2011.

 

Nestlé Nigeria Plc upholds the principle of Non- Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunities in its recruitment processes.

 

http://ngcareers.com/2011/09/nestle-nigeria-plc-vacancies-field-sales-manager/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%253A+ngcareer+%2528Jobs+in+Nigeria+-+Jobs+Vacancies+in+Nigeria%2529&utm_content=Yahoo%2521+Mail

RC Communications recruiting Nigerian Graduates in six positions

Ours is a group of companies located in the south East. We are currently seeking for highly qualified candidates who are goal oriented. Aggressive, problem solver and above all must be leaders that will support our team to deliver outstanding performance, to fill the following position

GENERAL MANAGER BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND MARKETING)

RESPONSIBILITIES
Identify and develop business opportunities for the group range of products
Prepare and implement the group annual business development and marketing plans
Determines new opportunities by analysing business, economics as well as company needs
Develop the corporate brand strategy. 
Forecast short, medium and long range business potentials in the six Geopolitical regions and the West African sub-region


REQUIREMENTS
Minimum of first degree from a reputable institution
At least 10 years relevant experience in marketing and business development
Superior presentation, oral and written skills
Excellent negotiation skills
Should be between 35-45 years

GENERAL MANAGER

RESPONSIBILITIES
Identify and develop business opportunities for the group range of products
Prepare and implement the group annual business development and marketing plans
Determines new opportunities by analysing business, economics as well as company needs
Develop the corporate brand strategy
Forecast short, medium and long range business potentials in the six Geopolitical regions and the West African sub-region
Develop and manage in-conjunction with the production manager the groups Logistics plans which include personnel, resources, processes and operations towards meetings the group production objectives
Develop and executes formulation of all the group product categories/types in line with international quality standard

REQUIREMENTS
A good first degree in Industrial Chemistry, Chemical Eng., Production Eng. Etc
Possession of MBA will be an added advantage
A minimum of 10 years post NYSC experience six of which must be between middle and top management in similar position
Superior presentation, oral and written skills
Excellent negotiation skills
Should be between 35-45 years

INTERNAL AUDITOR

OVERALL PURPOSE OF THE POSITION
The position holder has oversight for business monitoring, performance management, financial accounting and reporting in the unit companies

RESPONSIBILITIES
Take responsibility for articulating a clear audit strategy for the group
Take the responsibility for the examination of all account of the unit companies on a regular basis
Take responsibility for the preparation, consolidation and rendition of the group management accounts on a periodic basis
Initiate, design and communicate an efficient financial modelling tool for the budgetary process to aid planning and forecasting
Perform cross operating company analyses against pre-defined key performance indicators to identify key revenue projection drivers
Develop and implement the Group reporting model to meet GAAP Standards and rendition of quarterly financial performance of the Group in Local (SAS) and (IFRS) Formats

POSITION AND PERSON SPECIFICATIONS
A good University degree or HND with a minimum of very good result
ACA, ACCA or equivalent qualification from an internationally recognized accounting body
Possession of a good MSC/MBA degree will be an added advantage
5–10 years experience 5 of which must have been at senior management level
Entrepreneurial orientation is a major requirement. 
This position requires an individual with exceptional analytical and managerial skills
The person must be between 35 – 45 years

POSITION: MANAGEMENT TRAINEE (MARKETING)

ROLE:
The person must have a little knowledge of the Oil and Gas Industry
Must work with minimum supervision, aggressive, goal getter and above all highly resilient

REQUIREMENTS
BSc, HND, in Industrial Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering, Production Engineering, Chemistry or any business related discipline
BSc/HND with NYSC discharged certificate & a minimum of  two years experience
The candidate should be between 22–25 years

All applications to be submitted not later than 27th September 2011. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

SALES REPRESENTATIVES

RESPONSIBILITIES
Identify and develop business opportunities for the company products range
Prepare and implement the regions annual business and sales plans
Determines new opportunities by analyzing business, economic as well as company needs
Develop the product brand strategy
Forecast short, medium and long range sales potentials in the region

POSITION AND PERSON SPECIFICATIONS
Minimum first degree  from a reputable Institution
At least 6 years relevant experience in sales and with emphases on oil and gas
Excellent negotiation skills
Superior presentation, oral and writing skills
MBA degree will be an added advantage
Should be between 30–35 years

ACCOUNTANTS

OVERALL PURPOSE OF THE POSITION
The position holder has oversight for business monitoring, performance management, financial accounting and reporting in the unit companies

RESPONSIBILITIES
Take responsibility for articulating a clear strategy for statutory financial and management reporting
Oversees the preparation, consolidating and rendition of the unit management accounts on a periodic basis
Initiate, design and communicate an efficient financial modeling tool for the budgetary process to aid planning and forecasting  for the unit
Carry out performance analyses against pre-defined key performance indicators to identify key revenue projection drivers for the unit
Develop and implement the unit reporting model to meet GAAP Standards and rendition of quarterly financial performance of the unit in Local (SAS) and (IFRS) Formats

POSITION AND PERSON SPECIFICATIONS
A good University degree or HND with a minimum of very good result
ACA, ACCA or equivalent qualification from an internationally recognized accounting body
Possession of a good MSC/MBA degree will be an added advantage
3–5 years post qualification work experience. 
Entrepreneurial orientation is a major requirement
This position requires an individual with exceptional analytical and managerial skills
The person must be between 30–35 years

All applications to be submitted not later than 27th September 2011. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

TO APPLY
send applications with CVs addressed to
The Consultant
(1) Eko Plaza Plot 14, ACME Road, Ogba Industrial Estate, Ikeja Lagos.
(2) No. 42, Tafawa Balewa Crescent, Off Adeniran Ogunsanya Street Surulere, Lagos
E-mail: communicationrc@yahoo.com
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted

Read more: http://getnaijajob.blogspot.com/2011/09/rc-communications-recruiting-in-6.html#ixzz1YECT9c52

Management Sciences for Health for Nigerian Gradduates in Kebbi State

Management Sciences for Health (MSH) saves lives and improves health,   especially among the world's poorest and most vulnerable people, by closing the gap between knowledge and action in public health. We live our mission to save lives and improve the health of the world's poorest and most vulnerable people by closing the gap between knowledge and action in public health.

 

Job Title: State Team Leader, Kebbi State 

 

Overall Responsibilities: 

The objective of the State Team Leader position is to provide overall leadership and management of the Pro-ACT project in the State and related states/areas in a manner that strengthens partnerships with the state government and other partners, and leads to sustainable HIV/AIDS prevention and control efforts.

 

Management Responsibilities: 

• Spearheading coordination, implementation and reporting of the Pro-ACT program in the State and related states.
• Ensure optimal resource management in the project.
• Member of the Project Management Team that is responsible for overall project performance. 

 

Specific Responsibilities: 

• Lead the development of an integrated Pro-ACT project plan for the State in collaboration with the Project Director, Director Clinical Services, Advisors and State Specialists.
• Operationalize Pro-ACT project plan in the State ensuring efficient coordination of resources to maximize integration and synergy of program areas.
• Establish system for project monitoring, evaluation and reporting. 
• Support the state HMIS Officer to establish a functional state M&E data system with periodic analyses and review to inform program management.
• Establish a system for timely relevant technical support to all implementing health facilities.
• Take responsibility for management of the state Pro-ACT project budget and all other resources under the direction of Director, Country Office Management Unit (COMU).
• Advocate and represent MSH Pro-ACT project at the highest level in the state on matters of HIV/AIDS and TB.
• Liaise and network with relevant Pro-ACT partners and collaborators in the state to improve MSH’s visibility, coordination of activities and promotion of shared advocacy agenda.
• Supervise staff and manage staff performance and development. 
• Provides clear documentation of programmatic achievements as well as required data and keeps MSH senior management informed of state activities on monthly, quarterly and annual basis. 

 

Qualifications 

• Graduate degree in public health, public administration, management or related discipline, or equivalent experience.
• At least five years senior level work experience in health program management in developing countries, or equivalent.
• Previous supervision or team leader experience.
• Proven track record in managing international projects or in senior management of a large and complex project overseas.
• Demonstrated leadership and capacity to oversee USAID-funded (sub) projects.
• Understanding of USAID and field Missions; USG audiences, trends and requirements.
• Proven programmatic, technical and managerial expertise in providing support to institutions to strengthen their management and/or leadership capacity, systems and processes, and sustainability potential.
• Demonstrated capacity to collaborate with colleagues, teams and partner organizations to achieve results.
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Excellent writing and oral communication skills.
• Computer skills: Windows applications for word processing and spreadsheet software. 

 http://www.ngcareers.com/2011/09/management-sciences-for-health-vacancy-state-team-leader-kebbi-state/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ngcareer+%28Jobs+in+Nigeria+-+Jobs+Vacancies+in+Nigeria%29&utm_content=Yahoo%21+Mail

Management Sciences for Health for Nigerian Graduates in Adamawa State

Management Sciences for Health (MSH) saves lives and improves health, especially among the world's poorest and most vulnerable people, by closing the gap between knowledge and action in public health. We live our mission to save lives and improve the health of the world's poorest and most vulnerable people by closing the gap between knowledge and action in public health.

Job Title: State Team Leader, Adamawa State 

Overall Responsibilities: 

The objective of the State Team Leader position is to provide overall leadership and management of the Pro-ACT project in the State and related states/areas in a manner that strengthens partnerships with the state government and other partners, and leads to sustainable HIV/AIDS prevention and control efforts.

Management Responsibilities: 

• Spearheading coordination, implementation and reporting of the Pro-ACT program in the State and related states.
• Ensure optimal resource management in the project.
• Member of the Project Management Team that is responsible for overall project performance.

Specific Responsibilities: 

• Lead the development of an integrated Pro-ACT project plan for the State in collaboration with the Project Director, Director Clinical Services, Advisors and State Specialists.
• Operationalize Pro-ACT project plan in the State ensuring efficient coordination of resources to maximize integration and synergy of program areas.
• Establish system for project monitoring, evaluation and reporting. 
• Support the state HMIS Officer to establish a functional state M&E data system with periodic analyses and review to inform program management.
• Establish a system for timely relevant technical support to all implementing health facilities.
• Take responsibility for management of the state Pro-ACT project budget and all other resources under the direction of Director, Country Office Management Unit (COMU).
• Advocate and represent MSH Pro-ACT project at the highest level in the state on matters of HIV/AIDS and TB.
• Liaise and network with relevant Pro-ACT partners and collaborators in the state to improve MSH’s visibility, coordination of activities and promotion of shared advocacy agenda.
• Supervise staff and manage staff performance and development. 
• Provides clear documentation of programmatic achievements as well as required data and keeps MSH senior management informed of state activities on monthly, quarterly and annual basis. 

Qualifications 

• Graduate degree in public health, public administration, management or related discipline, or equivalent experience.
• At least 5 years senior level work experience in health program management in developing countries, or equivalent.
• Previous supervision or team leader experience.
• Proven track record in managing international projects or in senior management of a large and complex project overseas.
• Demonstrated leadership and capacity to oversee USAID-funded (sub) projects.
• Understanding of USAID and field Missions; USG audiences, trends and requirements.
• Proven programmatic, technical and managerial expertise in providing support to institutions to strengthen their management and/or leadership capacity, systems and processes, and sustainability potential.
• Demonstrated capacity to collaborate with colleagues, teams and partner organizations to achieve results.
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.
• A good and oral communication skills.
• Computer skills: Windows applications for word processing and spreadsheet software.

http://www.ngcareers.com/2011/09/state-team-leader-at-management-sciences-for-health/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ngcareer+%28Jobs+in+Nigeria+-+Jobs+Vacancies+in+Nigeria%29&utm_content=Yahoo%21+Mail

Mulling over single-term tenure

By Augustine AVWODE, Assistant 8 hours 50 minutes ago

Font size:  

 President Goodluck Jonathan

  

  Presidential signalSigns that the tenures of governors and the president could be tinkered with emerged a few days before President Goodluck Jonathan was sworn in as President and Commander - in - Chief on May 29.
At the "2011 Presidential Inauguration Lecture", in Abuja with the theme, "A Transformation Agenda for Accelerating National Development," Jonathan, in his remarks noted that a four-year tenure was too short for a president and governors to make significant impact.
Jonathan had remarked: "I will not talk about the tenure of the government. The constitution has said four years, though some believe that the tenure is too short to make any change which I also believe. I believe because if you are a new person and you are elected as a governor today, it will take one to one and half years for you to really stabilize. And you also know that some members of your cabinet are not good and that is why in most cases, after one year or two, Mr. President reshuffles the cabinet and by the time you want to go for another two and half years, it is another election and you are all busy about winning election. That is a constitutional problem", he declared.
Analysts say it was a subtle way of saying the four-year constitutional prescription is no longer a reliable prescription and that the presidency might have given the go ahead signal to get the necessary machinery in motion to amend the provision.
From Jonathan’s analysis, for a governor or a president to make meaningful impact, he would need about a year to "settle down." And if he has another five or six years to work, then he would very most likely do something reasonable. On the contrary, with one year gone out of four, the governor or president has just about two years to work as he must face re-election challenges which would be a veritable source of distraction and, therefore, may not be able to do much even if he has the best of intentions.
The pros and cons



Expectedly, Jonathan’s subtle suggestion on tenure has drawn both supporters and antagonists more or less in equal proportion even though the suggestion would not be the first of its kind. In the past, calls for this vital aspect of the constitution to be tinkered with have been made. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo had, during his second term in office, added his support to the proposal. But many believe that the call by Obasanjo lacked national interest as it was aimed at extending his tenure which later played out in the third term agenda.
Those who support President Jonathan’s argument that a single term of four years is too small for elected office holders to make appreciable impact point to the Russian example where an individual can only hold the office for a single five-year term and could run for it again provided it is not consecutive and it has helped in stabilizing their democracy which was rooted in brutal dictatorship.
Again, those in favour of the proposal have also said that political office holders barely do anything in office in the later part of their administration because at that point, the only important task for them is usually geared towards securing another mandate to their offices or another one. They also posited that huge amount of state resources are devoted for election by politicians seeking second term in office.
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South West, who pleaded anonymity, said it would reduce corruption and tension in the polity. "For me, I support the idea. I think it will be better because it will ensure that the elected officials will not need to worry about planning for re-election in four years. It will allow them to focus on doing the wishes of those who elected them into office".
They also contended that it was glaring during the last April election that the machinery of government in many states and even at the centre was grounded at a time because of the politics of second term.
In many states of the federation, organs of government were almost paralyzed as a result of the infighting within the ruling parties as governors, senators and members of the House of Representatives were active participants. These are part of what proponents of the single term agenda are saying would be eliminated if it is eventually carried through.
Festus Okoye, legal practitioner and National Coordinator of the Independent Election Monitoring Group(IEMG), however, feels that the two terms of a four- year tenure should be maintained.
In his reaction to the issue, Okoye submitted that: "The hallmark of democracy and democratic elections is the opportunity and promise of choice at designated and agreed intervals. The promise of choice and the hope and opportunity of exercising democratic franchise and affirming or rejecting a mandate are the hallmarks of democratic elections. It is on this basis that most democratic regimes through the constitution pegs the terminal date of most regimes at four years and requires that thereafter that mandate must be renewed or extinguished.
"It is this process of mandate renewal and the fear of rejection that makes leaders accountable because they have to renew their mandates at intervals and or be voted out at such intervals.
It is also important to realize that a one off seven-year mandate has inbuilt dictatorship in it. This means that the occupant is not looking forward to or towards any tenure renewal and can act with impunity and do things that are antithetical to democratic ideals.
"Such is not good for a developing society like Nigeria. It is not good for development and it is not good for accountability and transparency in governance.
"Moreover, a four-year period is enough for any president or governor to carry out projects and engage in enduring policies. What is required is that people and their parties must prepare and not grope in the dark and spend six months in office before appointing their ministers and commissioners.
"It is, therefore, dangerous for Nigeria to adopt a single seven-year tenure for the president and the governors as they will never be accountable to anybody. Open societies are accountable and dictatorships are problematic", Okoye opined.
Comrade Yerima Shetima, National President of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF), also knocked the proposal in his reaction. Speaking to The Nation on the phone on Thursday morning, Shetima said his fear for a single term that will make it impossible for the electorate to decide the fate of the governor of the president is that every new person who comes into government will always strive to destroy the legacy of the past ruler in a bid to make himself more popular.
"Four years may not be enough, but the truth is that our democracy is not mature enough. If we have a single term, I can assure you that everybody who comes into government will not think of continuity but find ways and means to quickly erase the legacy of his predecessor and replace it with his own programme".
Dr Abubakar Momoh, Political Science lecturer, Lagos State University (LASU), said that neither one-term or two-term tenure is Nigeria’s problem. He identified corruption as the problem that will make it impossible for holders of the office to perform.
"The problem lies in the issue of succession. Even if we adopt one single term of ten years, it does not solve the problem of corruption? Does that translate into efficiency, regular power supply?
"I think what the political parties should address first is the case of internal democracy which will allow for an acceptable candidate. The people should be able to choose those they want. In fact, the idea of one single term of six years without adequately addressing the mechanism that thrusts forward these candidates is a subversion of democracy", he declared.
Cleric turned politician, Reverend Chris Okotie of the Fresh Party described it as "a misplacement of priority by the PDP government to think of the idea at the moment. It shows the ineptitude of the current administration to governance. The best thing to do at this point that Nigeria is seeking direction is for the PDP to reflect deeply and see how it addresses the basic needs of the people than the longevity of administration", he stated.
A member of the House of Representatives on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Hon. Hamzat Ganiyu, feels that the current arrangement is good enough. "The current arrangement of four years of two terms is better. I do not support the idea of one single term of six years. And if they go ahead to achieve that, those who should benefit from it are those to be elected later and not the current ones", Hamzat said.

http://www.thenationonlineng.net/2011/index.php/politics/13272-mulling-over-single-term-tenure.html
From all indications, the Seventh National Assembly which officially took off on Monday, June 6, already has some goals set for it. And one of these goals would be to ensure that a constitutional amendment takes place before the expiration of its four-year lifespan.
The 1999 Constitution, which the country currently operates, has already witnessed three amendments in the last 15 months.
Hope that an amendment would take place for certainty has already been firmly established by the two most senior principal officers in the legislative arm of government at different fora.
President of the Senate and the Chairman of the National Assembly, Senator David Mark, at a grand reception in his honour by his kinsmen in Otukpo, Benue State, declared his commitment to ensuring that another round of constitutional amendment takes place which should provide an opportunity for the creation of more states in the country.
The previous amendments carried out in 2010 dwelt mainly on electoral reform and electoral related subjects. But the Senate president used the occasion of his home coming, a week after his historic re-election as the Senate President for another four years, to assure his kinsmen that their dream of an Apa State could still be realized. He stated that the creation of additional states would be in the interest of Nigerians, as it would spread development to every nook and cranny of the country.
His words: "I am committed to it and I believe that creation of additional states will be in the interest of our people because development will be nearer to them."
Less than two weeks after Senator Mark gave the hint of the determination of the Senate to amend the Constitution, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, also hinted of a plan to amend the constitution when he said the House will soon propose an amendment to the Nigerian Constitution to make provisions that will guarantee the autonomy of the Houses of Assembly across the country. The Speaker stated this while receiving members of the 5th session of the Delta State House of Assembly who paid him a courtesy visit in the Green chamber.
Interestingly, Senator Mark’s optimism which was reinforced by Tambuwal’s declaration has, at once, opened a window of opportunity for both state creation and "other urgent issues of national interest" to be brought to the amendment table.
And among the other issues of national interest that have been identified are the clamour for true and fiscal federalism, the tenure of elected executive office holders, indigenes and settlers dichotomy and others not immediately relevant to this analysis.
In the last three weeks, following the euphoria elicited by the declaration of the senate president, the political circuit has been abuzz with talks about tinkering with the tenure of executive office holders, specifically, the president, the vice president and the governors of the 36 states of the federation with their deputies.
The talk in town has been that the presidency plans to engineer an amendment of the relevant sections of the 1999 Constitution that deals with the tenure of these political office holders in the country.
According to Sections 135 (2) and 180 (2) of the 1999 Constitution, the president, his vice and the governors and their deputies are to enjoy a tenure of four years that could be renewed, making it a total of eight years for any individual to hold such an executive office.
Since 1979 when Nigeria adopted the presidential system of government in the Second Republic, the tenure of these officers has been pegged at four years which is renewable.
The presidency, it has been alleged is proposing a single term to replace the two terms of four years each as has been the practice. Just now, between five and seven years of a single term is being touted as the preferred choice of the presidency.
According to available information, Aso Rock is uncomfortable with the sheer viciousness and the must-win attitude of some incumbents seeking a second tenure. This attitude has been identified as the major factor which fuels electoral violence and tension across the country during campaign and election periods.
The argument has been that elections would be less tense and would come with minimal violence where the incumbent’s job is to simply ensure that he grooms a successor if he does not want his own party to suffer defeat at the polls.
In recent times, failure to return to an office to do a second term has been interpreted and seen as terribly odd and a thing of shame. And with the enormous power at their command and being in a position to dispense patronage in a country that is so badly riddled with poverty makes every other person a man with a price that could be bought and as governors or the president, they can always get people to do their biddings by paying the right amount. Beside, in a country where praise singing and sycophancy have been elevated to an art, even the incumbents are largely held hostage by courtiers, hangers- on and sundry elements who capitalize on electoral campaigns to get as much money from the person involved as they can. And because they don’t want to rock the boat, those concerned simply tag on, almost helplessly.
It has, therefore, been argued that for a saner electoral climate and higher probability of free and fair elections, these powerful executive posts should be made a single term.
Beside, there is also the argument that the electoral system stands to gain as it would automatically translate into staggered elections in the country. While the legislative and assembly elections take place this year, the executive, that is, the presidential and gubernatorial elections could come a year or two after. The immediate advantage of this would be that the electoral umpire will be able to concentrate on one election at a time. Secondly, all eyes would be focused on it with the aim of pointing out the shortcomings. That way, the electoral process would become finer as time progresses.