Business
Food security: Gov Mbah Flags off distribution of N4.6bn Worth of Agro Inputs, MSMEs grants
By, Chinelo Kodilichukwu, Enugu
The governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, has flagged off the distribution of inputs and grants worth over N4.6bn to farmers, communities, and IT startups in the state.
The Nations News Nigeria reports that the distribution was aimed at boosting agro-industrialisation, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) development drive in the state.
Performing the symbolic flag-off at Okpara Square, Enugu, on Thursday, Mbah said that it was imperative to nurture small scale entrepreneurs for sustainable growth through the provision of the key enablers since they remain the lifeblood of economic development.
“Consequently, 12,000 small-holder farmers would each receive one bag of fertiliser, which the federal government had graciously donated to all states.
“In addition, we would be giving out 51 power tillers worth N2m each to farmers from across farming clusters in Enugu State.
“We are also flagging off today the distribution of agricultural inputs to 1,251 beneficiaries across the 17 local government areas. These inputs include rice and bean seedlings, cassava stems, organic fertilisers, herbicides, among others,” Mbah stated
In addition, he said that the administration would be carrying out an extensive revamp of a number of rural roads to facilitate a better road network and ensure that the farming clusters springing up across the rural belt of the state did not exist as isolated units.
Mbah put the support to MSMEs at N1bn with women-owned enterprises getting 80 per cent of the entire sum.
“The value of our entrepreneurship intervention programme being flagged off today is N1bn. This includes the disbursement of N60,000 to over 16,000 beneficiaries, mostly comprising owners of nano-enterprises on a ratio of 80:20 in favour of women.
“Some may indeed wonder why this wide discrepancy. We recognise that much of the brunt of poverty is borne by women. That explains the extra efforts we put into expanding opportunities for the girl-child and women, especially in our rural communities.
“Still under our MSMEs intervention, we are disbursing N400,000 to 187 beneficiaries. Other initiatives in this regard for flag-off include N7.5m each to 10 tech startups, operational grant for solar equipment to 256 beneficiaries, while items, including laptop computers and POS terminals, will be given out to 269 beneficiaries,” he stated.
The governor added that the state was also waging war against open defecation with a view to ending the menace by the end of 2024.
“We are launching, as well, a water provision and sanitation-enhancing initiative worth N15m across 135 communities. The total value translates to over Two Billion Naira.
“This involves the construction of ultra-modern boreholes, toilet facilities, and provision of power generators. These would be sited in locations like town halls, markets, and schools.”
Earlier in his address, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialisation, Patrick Ubru, enjoined the farmers and other beneficiaries to reciprocate government’s massive support through prudent application of the inputs and grants to create jobs, trigger revolution in the agricultural industry, and boost the state’s economy.
In his address, the Chairman, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Enugu State Chapter, Romanus Eze, assured the governor that the farmers and other beneficiaries would not disappoint the government.
“We have never had it so good. Therefore, we will not disappoint you. We promise you concrete results, for to whom much is given, much is also expected,” he assured.
Business
NGO vows to contribute in tackling insecurity, unemployment, poverty through technology in Akwa Ibom
By, Maxwell Nwafor, Akwa Ibom
A non governmental organization on the platform of “Innovate Africa’ said it would contribute meaningfully in tackling complex problems like insecurity, unemployment, and poverty through purpose-driven technology in Akwa Ibom..
The organization said that they will commit a significant measures of its $2.5M 2024 venture Fund to support innovators and founders at the 2024 Akwa Ibom Tech week tackling
Akwa Ibom Tech Week is an annual showpiece of the Ibom Innovation Network, a community of innovators, pushing for a smart city of thriving innovation ecosystem driven by local content and indigenous participation to tackle local problems in Akwa Ibom and beyond.
In a release by the publicist of Ibom Innovation Network, Mr Idongesit Essien, the 2024 tech week with the theme, “Building a Resilient Innovation Ecosystem,” was aimed at sharing experiences with founders and innovators on building resilience into workflow, processes and product/service offerings.
He said, “Innovation Africa had announced a $2.5 million venture Fund this year to support 20 high-impact startups and founders tackling complex problems like insecurity, unemployment, and poverty through purpose-driven technology.
“At the launch of the Fund, co-founded by Kristin Wilson and Christian Idiodi, they admitted witnessing the struggles early-stage African founders face saying that brilliant ideas often lack the resources they need to truly thrive.
“It’s not just about funding, it’s about deep expertise and strong connections and our investment strategy breaks the cycle of innovators being at the mercy of those with too much leverage and too little knowledge.”
” At the AKTW 2024 billed for 28 October to 2 November, Innovate Africa will motivate inventors with a series of curated motivational activities from fireside chats, knowledge sharing sessions, masterclasses and more.
“As an early-stage fund, it partners with businesses and startups to bring game-changing ideas that leverage technology to tackle these complex problems across the continent to improve lives and the AKTW ’24 promises to discover new heroes committed to driving Akwa Ibom into a tech hub.
By, Mark Akudu, Kogi
A Non-Governmental Organization Youth Development and Empowerment Initiative (YDEI), has concluded plans to engage Kogi State House of Assembly to ensure that youth development remains a key focus in state budget discussions.
The organization made this known in a communique issued to journalists on Wednesday during a training on State Budget Analysis covering the 2022, 2023, and 2024 appropriation laws with a specific focus on the youth development and empowerment sector.
The communique was jointly signed by Aminu Okwutepa Oseni, Executive Director, Lugard Youth Development and Empowerment Initiative, Benjamin Jeremiah, Chairman, National Youth Council of Nigeria, Kogi State Chapter, Bashiru Umar, D.O Youth Parliament, and Matthew Joseph, Director of Education, National Association Kogi State Students, (NAKOSS).
The critical training was organized in collaboration with LEAP Africa under the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF) and was held in Lokoja.
According to the communique, the training served as a follow-up to YDEI’s Social Accountability Lab Training conducted in July 2024, which brought together young changemakers from across Kogi State’s three senatorial districts.
The communique reads “The Social Accountability training is an initiative designed to promote transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in governance processes, particularly in the management of public resources.
“The project aims to empower communities, especially young people, by equipping them with the knowledge and tools needed to monitor public budgets, track government spending, and hold authorities accountable for the delivery of services.
“The initiative, under the Youth Upright Accountability Project (YUA-P), has made significant strides in fostering youth engagement in the budget process and social accountability. One of the key outcomes of this sustained effort has been the formation of the Youth Budget Committee.
“The Youth Budget Committee is committed to advocating for youth-centered policies, particularly in terms of ensuring adequate budget allocations that address the specific needs of young people in Kogi State.
It added that participants were equipped with the skills necessary to effectively analyse state budgets, with a focus on youth-related allocations.
Continuing, the communique states that, ” The training further strengthened the capacity of the Youth Budget Committee to advocate for policies that prioritize youth development. The committee is set to pursue strategic engagements with key stakeholders, including the Kogi State House of Assembly, to advocate for improved budget allocations in the upcoming 2025 budget cycle.
“The Youth Budget Committee will engage in advocacy visits to the House Committee on Youth and Sports Development and participate in budget defence sessions, as well as public hearings, to ensure that youth development remains a key focus in state budget discussions”.it stated
Business
Onitsha Chamber of Commerce installs new president, condemns multiple levies, insecurity in Anambra
By Cyprian Ebele, Onitsha
The Onitsha Chamber of Commerce, Industry Mines and Agriculture (ONICCIMA), at the weekend installed, Augustine Ibeme as its new president alongside other executives to pilot the affairs of the chambers for the new tenure.
Performing the installation /inauguration ceremony, the national President of Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, NACCIMA, Mr Dele Oye, charged the newly inaugurated president and other executives to do things that will promote the chambers’ activities to greater heights.
Oye, who was represented by Mr Humphrey Ngonadi, the President, South-East/South South Chamber of Commerce, said that Onitsha is very rich in business and as such :should be explored to improve the chambers.
He lauded Gov. Charles Soludo of Anambra, for partnering with organised private sectors in making the state business friendly.
He noted that the chamber was grateful to the governor for his unalloyed support to their movement.
Speaking on behalf of the inaugurated executives, the ONICCIMA president, Ibeme, commended the past leadership of the state chambers for their immense contributions to building ONICCIMA.
According to him, “I must not fail to appreciate and thank our past presidents who have immensely contributed to building ONICCIMA in the state.
“I will restore the lost glory of the Onitsha business community, my vision is to explore every meaningful way to restore the glory of the Onitsha business environment by seeking platforms for advocacy with different stakeholders.
“My major focus is to complete the ONICCIMA secretariat, a project that is already underway”, he said.
He assured that they would accommodate diverse businesses, including building entrepreneurs who would benefit through mentorship from already established companies.
Earlier, the state Commissioner for Industry, Mr Christian Udechukwu, noted that the administration of Gov. Charles Soludo is business friendly as he highlighted various reforms the current government is putting in place.
In his contribution, former President of ONICCIMA, Chief Uche Apakama, said the installation of Ibemec was an opportunity to raise funds for the completion of the ONICCIMA secretariat under construction.
His words, “Today is a success story, another opportunity to support the completion of the construction of the secretariat, before end of this year we must enter the building, no matter how it is. We partner with the government and give advice.
“Government said they don’t have money but they can talk to people who will give us. There are four suites in the building and we can give one to the press since they don’t have a press centre in Onitsha,” he disclosed.
Apakama however, frowned at the spate of illegal multiple levies being extorted from the public by touts and urged Governor Soludo to come to the rescue as the illegal activities of these touts have prevented growth of business in the commercial city of Onitsha.
He also condemned the poor state of most roads in Onitsha adding that palliative work could be done to ameliorate the sufferings of the people even as he also condemned the insecurity situation in the state especially Onitsha.
“We are talking about 24 hours business in Onitsha but today we do only eight hours business because of insecurity. The governor is trying his best but can call on Onitsha Chamber of Commerce on the present socio-economic and political quagmire for advice as the chamber of commerce is more diverse than the market unions,” he further posited.
High point of the event, was conferment of award to the former President of ONICIMA, Chris Ukachukwu and presentation of awards to various stakeholders and past executives of ONICCIMA in the state.
In his post award speech, Udechukwu canvased votes for all APGA candidates in this weekend council election in the state.
Among scores of people honoured included, the President General, Anambra State Amalgamated Traders’ Association, ASMATA,Humphrey Anuna.
By: AJIYA AYUBA, Bauchi
The Bauchi State Police Command on Friday arrested two students of the Abubakar Tafawa-Balewa University (ATBU) for criminal conspiracy, house breaking and theft.
SP Ahmed Mohammed Wakil who is the spokesperson of the police made this available to newsmen in Bauchi.
The press statement read “Intelligence at the disposal of the Command that, on 26th September 2024, around 10:00 AM, an anonymous individual alerted the Divisional Police Headquarters Yelwa about a group of students assaulting two of their peers, Bamusa Mohammed Bako, a 25-year-old 400L student of Urban and Regional Planning, and Yusuf Umar, also known as Danfari, a 28-year-old 500L student of Industrial Design, both from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Yelwa Campus”
He said that”Preliminary findings suggest that the suspects conspired and, at about 3:00 AM on the same day, broke into the residence of Raji Rabi’u, a 28-year-old 400L student of Estate Management at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi”
SP Ahmed Mohammed Wakil said that the suspect where arrested with the following items include of One 32-inch Hisense TV, One DSTV decoder, One woofer, One speaker, One pair of shoes, One blanket and One prayer mat
He said that the suspects are presently under investigation and have confessed to the offence and they claimed that the proceeds of crime would be used to finance their final-year project defence.
The public relations officer of the police, SP Ahmed Mohammed Wakil said that the suspects will be prosecuted once the preliminary inquiry is concluded.
“Citizens are encouraged to promptly report any suspicious activities to the nearest Police Station for swift action
From Chinelo Kodilichukwu Enugu
Following the excesses of Oriokpa masqueraders, which have reportedly resulted in two fatalities and commotion in parts of Nsukka Local Government Area (LGA) of Enugu State, the state government has summoned the traditional rulers and Presidents-General of the affected communities.
The state government has equally directed a full-scale investigation into the activities of the Oriokpa masquerade groups in the area, vowing to bring the perpetrators to book.
This was contained in a statement issued by the state’s Commissioner for Local Government, Rural Development and Chieftaincy Affairs, Deacon Okey Ogbodo, on Thursday.
“The Enugu State Government has received reports on the untoward activities of Oriokpa masqueraders in some parts of Nsukka LGA of the state, which has reportedly caused pandemonium, bodily harms, and fatalities in the area.
“Consequently, and following the express directive of the Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, the traditional rulers and Presidents-General of the town unions of the affected communities are hereby invited to meet with the Hon. Commissioner for Local Government, Rural Development and Chieftaincy Affairs, at the State Secretariat on Friday, September 27, 2024. Venue is the Office of the Honourable Commissioner, and time is 1pm prompt.
“The affected communities are Nguru, Isiakpu, Echara, Nru, Edem-Ezema, Iheagu, Ihe, Owere, and Umuoyo.
“Furthermore, the governor has equally directed the Commissioner of Police to immediately institute a full-scale investigation into the incidents, including the reported fatalities resulting from the activities of the said masquerade groups with a view to bringing whoever is culpable to book.”
While commiserating with families of those said to have lost their lives in circumstances connected with the activities of the masquerades, the government has also warned that it would not condone any further excesses by any persons or groups.
“Meanwhile, the Enugu State Government frowns at the excesses by whatever persons or groups. Our people should never be made to live in fear, as the rights and security of our women, children, youth, and indeed every citizen and resident of Enugu State must be guaranteed at all times.
“Consequently, any such excesses by the Oriokpa masqueraders or any group for that matter will be met with the commensurate sanctions by the government,” the statement concluded.
