AFRICA MUST REDEFINE BUSINESS METHODS - SHETTIMA
Africa must redefine business methods by shifting focus to competitive value-added goods that meet international standards, to perform substantially in global value chains and generate more foreign exchange.
The Vice-President, Senator Kashim Shettima, stated this at the Business Day’s Africa Trade and Investment Summit, with the theme, “Reimagining Economic Growth in Africa, at the Eko Hotel and Suite, Lagos, underscoring the need to exploit agribusiness potential through intra-African trade, which holds immense benefits for economic growth.
Represented by the Special Adviser to the President on the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, the Vice-President said, “We must also improve our logistics and strategically finance and invest in infrastructure which would foster economic growth, industrial development and regional integration”.
He expressed optimism that Nigeria was fully committed to creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive and a space for innovation and creativity enabled by transparency and efficiency of public service delivery, as well as provide legislative reforms, so that businesses can focus more on doing business.
Speaking during a panel discussion, Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, said his administration’s innovative policies and reforms aimed at attracting investors, leveraging its competitive and comparative advantages, conducive environment, as well as facilitative business atmosphere had made the state the preferred investment destination in Nigeria.
He disclosed that the Economic Development Clusters initiative was to reduce costs for companies through private sector investments in essential facilities like power, water, security and waste management, while the ongoing Agro-Cargo Airport would enhance logistics.
Governor Abiodun, who was represented by the Commissioner for Finance and Chief Economic Adviser, Mr. Dapo Okubadejo, underscored the importance of creating an enabling environment where companies could produce at the lowest cost, stimulate employment and capacity development, saying the state’s bordering proximity to three other states, grants access to the West-Africa market, thereby, solidifying its status as the largest industrial hub in Nigeria, with three free trade zones and numerous industrial estates.
“In addressing bottlenecks and red tape, we established the Business Environment Council, which aims to streamline processes and enhance efficiency when dealing with the private sector. The creation of the Public-Private Partnership Office provides a regulatory framework for private-sector relationships. Furthermore, the Ogun State Investment Promotion Agency serves as a one-stop shop, facilitating seamless interactions for businesses interested in land acquisition, fee payments and more”, he said.
The state’s helmsman stated that the introduction of the Small and Medium Enterprise and Industrial Land Acquisition Scheme (SILAS), was to empower small and medium enterprises (SMEs) by providing collateral for securing land at reduced costs and fees, aimed at stimulating job creation for the youths, while addressing challenges of land acquisition.
Contributing, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, noted that Nigeria was working towards being the most preferred country in Africa for the creative economy, technology research and development, energy transition, adding that the Committee would fast-track the process through fiscal governance, revenue transformation, inclusive economic growth and competitiveness.
Bolaji Abiodun & Doyin Ajisebutu,
Press Officers, Min. Of Finance
OGUN ASSEMBLY PASSES RESOLUTION ON REGULATIONS OF EXPLOSIVES, OTHERS
Concerned by the need to put in place measures towards protecting the residents of Ogun State from the activities of illegal miners, the House of Assembly has passed a resolution, calling on all federal and state regulatory agencies to enforce safety precautions in the storage and handling of explosives, especially the indiscriminate use of dynamites by miners in various quarry sites.
The passage of the resolution followed a motion moved by the Majority Leader, Hon. Yusuf Sheriff, seconded by Hon. Bisi Oyedele and supported by other lawmakers, after an extensive deliberation on the safety of the people and preservation of the environment, at a Plenary presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide, at the Assembly Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
Opening debate on the motion, the sponsor, who is also the Minority Leader of the Assembly, Hon. Lukman Adeleye, submitted that with an assessment of the occurrence that claimed lives and property in the neighbouring Oyo State, it had become imperative to address the potential dangers posed by numerous mining sites across the state, controlled mostly by unregistered foreigners, who often disregard environmental safety laws.
Hon. Adeleye added that the Ministries of Environment, as well as Industry, Trade and Investment, be mandated to enforce and ensure strict compliance with safety regulations within the mining sector, noting that such proactive approach was crucial in preventing disasters, protecting the lives and property of residents, as well as public infrastructure.
Other lawmakers, including Bisi Oyedele, Yusuf Amosun, BabatundeTella, Waliu Owode and Adegoke Adeyanju, who corroborated the sponsor's submissions, cited examples of various environmental infractions posed by the activities of the illegal miners.
Acknowledging that the mining sector was under the exclusive list, the lawmakers clarified that the state needed to put in place necessary measures to monitor and safeguard the people, urging residents to report any unsafe mining practices or storage of dynamites in their vicinity to the relevant government agencies.
Responding, Speaker Elemide implored Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government connected with upholding safety measures, to strengthen their operations, to prevent anything that could compromise the existing safety, and peace in the state, while preserving the ecosystem.
Jamiu Lawal,
Head Information Unit, OGHA
RITUAL KILLINGS: OGUN ASSEMBLY CALLS FOR DEPLOYMENT OF AMOTEKUN
In its determination to address the rising spate of insecurity, especially kidnapping and ritual killings, Ogun State House of Assembly has called for the deployment of local security, especially, the ‘Amotekun’ Corps to complement the conventional security agencies in protecting lives and property of the people.
The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide, disclosed this during the Plenary, while responding to the submissions of a member representing Ijebu North-East State Constituency, Hon. Oluseun Adesanya, who reported a case of ritual killing of " a primary school pupil kidnapped around the school premises where she went to ease herself".
Elemide said the current security challenge bedevilling the nation required the collective efforts of all residents, as well as both the conventional and non-conventional security agencies, stressing the need for government to deploy local security to safeguard all public schools in the state.
Earlier, Hon. Adesanya recalled the unfortunate incident, where a school pupil in his constituency was kidnapped and killed during school hours, with some parts of her body mutilated; imploring the state government to reinforce the existing security network in public schools.
In another development, the State Assembly has directed the State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, as well as the State Universal Basic Education (SUBEB), to conduct an assessment on all public schools to determine the level of encroachment on their landed property, to checkmate such illegal acts for the safety of students.
Speaker Elemide issued the directive in response to the submission of Hon. Ademola Adeniran, who lamented the level of encroachment of the premises of Mayflower School, Ikenne.
The Speaker noted that how public schools were being encroached upon by private developers could result in security breach in public schools, applauding the old students’ associations for their efforts at providing complementary infrastructural facilities in the state.
Jamiu Lawal,
Head, Information Unit, OGHA.
OGUN WOMEN AFFAIRS MINISTRY CHARTS COURSE WITH JUDICIARY ON SGBV, OTHERS
Committed to dispensing justice to the common man, Ogun State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, as well as the state Judiciary have charted course in ensuring equity on Sexual Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), family and child cases.
The state's Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu, during a courtesy call on her by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Adijat Adeleye in her office at the Judiciary Complex, Kobape, Abeokuta, reiterated the Judiciary's commitment at ensuring that necessary legal advice and support be provided through legal aids, to ensure the rights of individuals, while setting standard for equitable enforcement of the law, to reduce societal vices.
Explaining the delay of some cases on SGBV and family matters, Hon. Justice Dipeolu urged Social Welfare Officers to brace up to their duties and endeavour to enlighten parents, relatives and witnesses on the need to stand by the survivors during court proceedings, as it is the only way a victim could get justice.
On child adoption cases, the Chief Judge pointed out that lose ends should be tightened and due diligence carried out at both the judicial and Ministry for safety and welfare of the children.
Earlier, Hon. Adeleye commended the Chief Judge for the pedestal of the judicial service of the state in the implementation of laws, dispensation of justice and protection of the constitution, explaining that the purpose of the visit was to plead for prompt response on cases of SGBV and family matters, while seeking for due diligence in adoption process.
The Commissioner, who advocated for a special court for SGBV cases as the only way a survivor could get justice, also said there should be documentation of sexual assault offenders to serve as deterrent to others.
Folake Ogunboyejo & Tayo Olusanya,
Press Officers, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.
NEED FOR PROPER DATA COLLECTION EMPHASISED
Ogun State Statistician-General, Mr. Michael Ajayi has emphasised the need for Statisticians in the state to adopt a better method of collating and analysing data, to ensure that data produced reflects reality and the experiences of Nigerians.
Mr. Ajayi stated this during a two-day in-house capacity building, at the Conference Room of the Bureau of Statistics, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, saying Statisticians should provide government and all users with reliable, accurate and timely data.
He revealed that the programme was organised to assist Statisticians in performing their work excellently and expose them to statistical packages that would serve as necessary tools to accomplish set goals.
While shedding more light on the importance of data cleaning, the Statistician-General described it as a process of fixing or removing incorrect, corrupted, incorrectly formatted, duplicate or incomplete data within a dataset, noting that data transformation could be analysed to support decision-making processes and propel the growth of an organisation
He further stated that the knowledge of data cleaning and transformation could only be gained through practical experience, urging participants to apply the knowledge gained to improve service delivery.
One of the participants, a Principal Statistician, Mr. Kolawole Adesanya, lauded the organisers of the training sessions, saying it would provide the required experiences to solve various problems and challenges that confront data collectors.
Another participant, a senior Statistician in the Bureau, Mr. Henry Sofolahan, commended Governor Abiodun-led administration for providing an enabling environment for officers to thrive, calling for more support to improve their output performance.
Pelumi Oduronbi,
Press Officer, Bureau of Statistics
OGSG READY TO INVEST IN ENTREPRENEURIAL INITIATIVES - GOV ABIODUN
Determined to reduce unemployment amongst the youth, the Ogun State government has revealed plans to invest in initiatives that will promote entrepreneurship and mentorship programmes, to equip the youth with skills and knowledge needed to excel in the modern world.
This was made known by the state Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, at the inauguration of the newly elected youth leadership in the state, at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Hall 2, Kuto, Abeokuta, affirming that his administration’s commitment to an enabling environment for investors had continued to yield positive dividends.
Governor Abiodun, who was represented by his deputy, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, noted that collaboration with the private sector and development partners to create training, job opportunities and internships for the youth had positively impacted their livelihood, advising the youths to take advantage of government and private sector initiatives.
He enjoined young people to take advantage of the affordable and accessible healthcare services through the Ogun State Health Insurance Scheme, to address the unique health challenges faced by the youth.
"To the newly inaugurated members of the National Youth Council, Ogun State Chapter, I urge you to embrace this opportunity to make a difference. You have been entrusted with a great responsibility and I have no doubt that you will rise to the occasion. Be champions for the voices of our youth, advocate for their rights and drive positive change in our communities", he said.
On his part, the Commissioner for Sports Development, Hon. Wasiu Isiaka, noted that the National Youth Council of Nigeria holds a significant position in the society by serving as a vital platform for channeling the energy, creativity and aspirations of the youth, advising them to collaborate with government, in order to address their diverse needs and aspirations.
He charged them to mark their leadership style with inclusivity, proactive engagement with various youth groups and be selfless in the discharge of their responsibilities to their constituency across the state, admonishing them to jealously guard their potential, so as to have a better future.
"As you embark on this new chapter, I want you to remember that the future of our state and our nation rests in your hands. Your leadership and advocacy will shape the narrative of our collective progress and contribute to the socio-economic development of our state", he said.
Ayobami Disu,
Press Officer, Min. of Sports Devt.
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