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Our Resolve To Protect SMEs Remain Unshaken – VP Shettima
Our Resolve To Protect SMEs Remain Unshaken – VP Shettima
Commissions SMEDAN headquarters in Abuja
By: Our Reporter
Vice President Kashim Shettima has said the federal government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s watch will never shift ground in its determination to protect businesses in Nigeria.
According to him, enterprises are not only the very bedrock of a society but also reflect the direction the government is heading to and the speed with which it is doing so.
The VP who stated this on Wednesday while commissioning the corporate headquarters of the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) in Abuja noted that the Tinubu administration is strategically focusing on job creation, capital accessibility, economic growth, and poverty eradication to revamp the economy.
Shettima said, “Allow me to emphasise the importance of this moment: there is no more fitting time than now to reinforce the protection of enterprises in Nigeria. These enterprises not only stand as the very bedrock of our society but also reflect the direction the government is headed and the velocity with which we do so.
“This moment solidifies His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s assurance to protect our enterprises. It resonates deeply within our economic revitalisation plan. His focus on job creation, capital accessibility, economic growth, and poverty eradication forms the very skeleton of our strategy to invigorate the economy. Inevitably, this path demands tough decisions, yet ones essential to our success.”
The VP also recalled that he had inaugurated the National MSME Council ten days ago, saying it was just the beginning that sets the stage for what is up ahead.
Explaining how President Tinubu intends to make sure businesses and other economic enterprises prosper in the country, VP Shettima said, “Notably, our partnership with the Bank of Industry to unveil a N75 billion, 9% interest loan accessible to Nigerian MSMEs as of January 2024 is a pivotal stride. This initiative is geared towards fostering a more conducive and enabling business environment.
“This government doesn’t just boast some of the nation’s finest talents; it champions those invested in ensuring our business owners have front-row seats in our journey towards progress. Our goal is to cultivate an ecosystem where Nigerian businesses become regular features in globally recognized publications such as Forbes, Bloomberg, and the Financial Times for the right reasons.
“We are all well aware that Mr. President’s readiness to take action has never faltered, and what we are witnessing here is just a component of the strategies in place to create a future brimming with endless opportunities”.
The Vice President congratulated the Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, and the leadership of SMEDAN, saying they have proven that they are ready to transform “concepts into tangible actions.
“This initiative renews hope for a critical segment of our entrepreneurial community, and highlights our sensitivity to the economic clock of the nation,” he added.
Earlier in her remarks, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Uzoka-Anite, thanked Vice President Shettima for his unwavering support to MSMEs in the country.
She said the completion and commissioning of the new SMEDAN Complex is a clear demonstration of the commitment of the Tinubu administration to the development of the MSME space.
She also outlined other initiatives of the federal government targeted at building capacity and linking MSMEs to markets at home and abroad.
For his part, the Director General of SMEDAN, Mr Charles Odii, thanked the Vice President for his support and guidance in the actualisation of the project and leadership in the MSME space.
He said the agency and the entire MSME community in Nigeria have recorded significant achievements within a short period of time under the leadership of the VP.
He assured that the agency will continue to collaborate with sister organisations to ensure sustainable growth in the sector.
Other dignitaries at the event were the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Industry, Trade and Investment, Sen. Fadahunsi Anthony; Chairman of the Senate Committee on Niger Delta, Sen. Asuquo Ekpenyong; Chairman of the House Committee on Small and Medium Enterprises, Hon. Mansur Manu Soro; Minister of State for Youth Development, Mr Ayodele Olawande; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Evelyn Ngige, as well as heads of government agencies and parastatals.
Our Resolve To Protect SMEs Remain Unshaken – VP Shettima
PAP Scholarship Scheme Vehicle For Better Future For Niger Delta- Otuaro
By: Michael Mike
The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr Dennis Otuaro, has described the programme’s scholarship scheme as a major vehicle towards ensuring a better future for the Niger Delta.
He spoke at the opening ceremony for the fifth batch of the two-day “Leadership, Alternative Dispute Resolution, and Mediation Training for PAP Stakeholders” organised by the Office in collaboration with the Alumni Association of the National Defence College (AANDEC) at the Nigerian Army War College, Abuja, on Thursday.
Otuaro, who declared the workshop open, said that the decision for the massive deployment of scholarship students to universities within and outside Nigeria is informed by the need to utilise formal education to build a sure future for the communities in the region.
According to him, his leadership’s focus on education is aimed at investing in the youths as a deliberate effort to equip them to be drivers of the planned prosperity, peace, stability and development of the Niger Delta in the years ahead.
He said, “We have seriously focused on education, and the scholarship programme is a proper vehicle for a better tomorrow for our region. So far, between 2024 and 2025, we have deployed over 9000 scholarship students to universities within and outside Nigeria; in-country deployment alone this year is 4500.
“These are deliberate efforts we are taking to prepare our region for tomorrow. We need to prepare the next generation for the challenges of peace, socio-economic growth, development, and security.
“If we don’t equip our youths today with education, tomorrow would not be assured. It is time to prepare for the rainy day, that is why we are deliberately investing in the education of our young ones.
“I believe that the scholarship beneficiaries will appreciate this opportunity that we are giving to them. For nearly two years, we have tried as much as possible to impact nearly all communities through the scholarship programme.”
Otuaro explained that the capacity-building workshop was organised to consolidate the PAP’s peacebuilding process in the Niger Delta in alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
He told the participants that they have a great role to play in the task of deepening the peacebuilding process because they are stakeholders and leaders in their own right.
The PAP helmsman said the time had come for stakeholders to unite strongly and come together to resolve issues in the region without the involvement of outsiders.
He urged the participants to be role models for stability and peace ambassadors of President Tinubu in the Niger Delta.
He also stressed that peacebuilding should be their watchword going forward.
Otuaro expressed appreciation to Tinubu for his steadfast support for the PAP, saying that the president is pleased with the existing peace and stability in the Niger Delta.
He applauded the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for his encouragement and strategic supervision of the PAP.
He further extended gratitude the management of the Nigerian Army War College, resource persons, and the leadership and membership of the AANDEC for partnering with the PAP to deepen the peacebuilding process in the region.
PAP Scholarship Scheme Vehicle For Better Future For Niger Delta- Otuaro
Police arrest three kidnappers, recover 54 AK-47 ammunition in Kwara
By: Zagazola Makama
The Kwara State Police Command has arrested three suspected kidnappers and recovered 54 rounds of live AK-47 ammunition during a patrol operation in Bani area of the state.
Sources said the arrest was made at about 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday following intelligence-led patrol by local vigilantes.
According to sources, the Vigilante Commander in Bani, Taiye Abubakar, and his team were on patrol within the Bani axis when they sighted two men riding on a Bajaj motorcycle.
The suspects were identified as Gero Mahamadu of Komi Marshallashi via Bani and Lawale Falike of Sambo Ginda via Jebba.
The sources stated that while efforts were made to stop them, Lawale Falike initially fled the scene, but Gero Mahamadu was arrested. A search conducted on him led to the recovery of 54 rounds of live AK-47 ammunition.
The sources added that during interrogation, Gero Mahamadu confessed that the ammunition was supplied by one Alhaji Shahu Fire and one Ismail Mashamari, both of Sambo Ginda via Jebba, and was to be delivered to one Manu of Ilesha Baruba for a planned kidnapping operation.
Subsequently, Lawale Falike and Alhaji Shahu Fire were arrested, while the suspects reportedly made useful confessional statements.
The police said efforts were ongoing to arrest the remaining suspects, including Manu and Ismail Mashamari, and to recover any additional arms or ammunition connected to the planned crime.
Police arrest three kidnappers, recover 54 AK-47 ammunition in Kwara
Assistant Commissioner of Police dies during duty in Ebonyi
By: Zagazola Makama
A senior police officer, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Ogbon-Inu Taiwo Popoola, has died while in service at the Ebonyi State Police Command.
Sources said the incident occurred at about 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday during a management meeting at the Commissioner of Police’s office in Abakaliki.
According to the sources, ACP Popoola, who was the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Intelligence Department (SID), suddenly developed breathing difficulty and began gasping for breath during the meeting.
He was immediately rushed to the Police Medical Centre at the Police Headquarters, Abakaliki, where he was promptly attended to by the command’s medical personnel.
Despite efforts to resuscitate him, the officer was confirmed dead by medical doctors.
The sources said preliminary medical findings indicated that the death was due to cardiac arrest, secondary to hypertensive heart disease.
The remains of the deceased have been deposited at the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital (AE-FUTHA 1) mortuary in Abakaliki.
The police described the late ACP Popoola as a dedicated officer who served the Force with commitment and professionalism.
May his soul rest in peace
Assistant Commissioner of Police dies during duty in Ebonyi
PAP Scholarship Scheme Vehicle For Better Future For Niger Delta- Otuaro
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Police arrest three kidnappers, recover 54 AK-47 ammunition in Kwara
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