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Tag: capacity

  • Build parliamentary capacity to tackle insecurity, says clerk

    Build parliamentary capacity to tackle insecurity, says clerk

    House of Representatives Clerk, Dr. Yahaya Danzaria, has stressed the need to build parliamentary capacity to tackle insecurity.

     Danzaria urged clerks of security related standing committees in National Assembly to work in synergy on this.

     He spoke at the opening of a workshop: “Security Sector Governance: Promoting Collaboration among Clerks of Security Related Committees’, by Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung.

    Danzaria stressed the need to delve into systemic and structural drivers of conflict and seek means to resolve  them.

     He said: “Today, we gather as individuals and family united by purpose and passion for a more secure Nigeria.

     “The fundamental responsibility of any government is  providing citizens with security. Pursuant to Section 14(2) (b) of 1999 Constitution as amended, security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.

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     “The importance of parliamentary involvement in security is simple yet profound to wit; the parliament being a congregation of representatives of the common man and saddled with responsibility of making laws for the purpose of persons it represents, it is a sine qua non that the parliament does all it can to ensure interests of persons it represents are safeguarded.

     “While it is the standard practice for parliament to hold oversight powers over security, the need for relevant committees to work towards this goal is often neglected.

    “The purpose of this workshop is to encourage discourse on best practices for building parliamentary capacity in security governance with emphasis on collaboration among clerks of security centred committees.

     “This endeavour will ensure effective oversight, transparency, and accountability for management of security forces as well as improving decision making. 

     “To encourage stakeholders, efforts shall be geared towards forging relationships, and exchanging ideas.

      “I urge you to embrace collaboration as we explore discussions and delve into systemic and structural drivers of conflict and seek measures to resolve them.”

  • I’ll be available to serve party in any capacity, says Oyegun

    FORMER All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman Chief John Odigie-Oyegun has said he will be available to serve the party in whatever capacity when he is called upon by its new national leaders.

    Oyegun, who said he will be retiring to his home in Benin, said he was leaving the party leadership satisfied that he did his very best to build the APC into a winning machine that is able to compete favourably for power.

    He said: “I hope I will be available to play the role of a senior citizen and will be available at whatever time my service is required. I am leaving very satisfied that we have built a party.

    “I took the party at a time when we did not even have an office and we built it into a machine that could compete and win election, taking over power from a very robust government in terms of the resources at its disposal.

    “Since then, we have continued to grow. That has created a lot of things within the party, which is normal in any political consideration. Today, we have seen a party that is vibrant.

    “You have seen the joy generated in the atmosphere today because we have seen a party that is passionate about where it is going. You cannot tell me that everything is right, but I would say that by and large, this is a party that is progressive and putting itself in shape for 2019.

    “Like I said when I spoke briefly earlier, one era is ending. One phase in the life of this party is ending. The challenges, which become the phase two which starts today, may be different. The new administration will have to adjust and fashion out a solution to the new challenges that they will face.”

    On the prospect of the party in 2019, he said: “Is there any other party that is vibrant to continue in office as the APC? I don’t think so. The dominance of the APC has become so evident that the other parties are confused as to what to do.”

     

     

  • AfDB grant: SMEDAN strengthens funding, capacity for MSMEs

    The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) has secured a grant from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to conduct feasibility studies on all the 23 Industrial Development Centres (IDCs) preparatory to their upgrade and conversion to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) cluster parks. The Bank of Industry (BoI) is also supporting the MSMEs under the SMEDAN coverage with funding to enable operators add benefits to the economy, writes COLLINS NWEZE.

    Capital is one of the most important factors needed to drive sustainable growth of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). That explains why Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) has secured grant from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to conduct a feasibility study on all the 23 Industrial Development Centres (IDCs) preparatory to their upgrade and conversion to Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) cluster parks.

    The study, which is sponsored by a grant of approximately $600,000 or N183 million, secured from the middle income country technical assistance fund of AfDB, is the first to be granted to the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment/SMEDAN to encourage and improve sustainable entrepreneurial development specifically targeted at SMEs in the country.

    The centres were established in the 60s and 70s to provide middle level manpower in woodwork and metalwork to local industries. They were subsequently transferred to the agency for proper attention.

    The underlying objective of the project was to establish Common Infrastructure Facility Centres that would resolve some of the challenges faced by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) with particular regard to accessing work space and common amenities like internet access, water, power, roads among others. The facility is projected to improve the global competiveness of SMEs, by reducing overhead costs and enjoying economies of scale as is usually the case with clusters.

    SMEDAN Director-General, Dikko Radda said the agency has considered turning the industrial Development Centres (IDCs) to industrial clusters to address work space problem for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and promote economics of scale derivable from the agglomeration of critical mass of enterprises.

    So far, SMEDAN has secured a grant from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to conduct a feasibility study on all the 23 IDCs preparatory to their upgrade and conversion to MSMEs cluster parks.

    “Small businesses are spread all over the country and reaching out to them to provide solutions to their needs may be a daunting task to achieve. This is so obvious because services required by them are not provided by one agency. For instance, while skill acquisition is the prerogative of IITF, managerial skill is for SMEDAN whereas finance is the role of institutions like Bank of Industry,” Radda said.

    “To address the problem, a clinic was established, called the MSME clinic. In the team are all the various stakeholders, SMEDAN, Corporate Affairs Commission, Bank of Industry,  Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), among others. The clinic is domiciled in the office of the Vice President while SMEDAN provides the secretariat. The team tours the country under the leadership of the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, to meet with SMEs and discuss their problems with them. Each member of the team takes its turn to provide solution to the array of challenges confronting the business owners. Problems are diagnosed and solutions proffered,” he added.

    Continuing, he said accreditation is another important pillar in sanitising the MSME sub sector. “Business Development Service Providers (BDSPs) are many and varied in scope. Some BDSPs have national coverage, some regional and some state. One of the most important role they play is loan facilitation and other business development support services. Consequently, institutions such as SMEDAN and BOI have partnered them to provide trainings and loans to MSME. This important role underscores the need to accredit them through a recognised and acceptable institutional framework that will bring credibility to bear on their analysis and recommendations.  SMEDAN has established the accreditation framework for the BDSPs,” he said.

    A Lagos lawyer, Moses Adike,  said “ensuring that BDSPs provide standard service to MSMEs has been on the front burner for some time now”.

    SMEDAN has achieved some milestones in the establishment of the framework for accrediting the BDSPs in partnership with the Department for International Development (DFID). The project has a complementary component – The Credit Information Portal. The portal when deployed, would provide information to MSMEs towards accessing credit. MSMEs can now access reliable information for their credit needs from various financial institutions.

    Radda has recognised the need to boost SMEs operations by putting in place strong measures that confront these challenges facing the sector. From the implementation of the One Local Government, One Product (OLOP) Programme, National Enterprise Development Programme (NEDEP), establishment of the SME Rating Agency of Nigeria, credit information portal, ICT development to implementation of the nationwide MSMEs clinic to mention but a few, SMEDAN is helping the Federal Government to realise its vision of improving the economy and lives of the citizenry.

    To support the agency to carry out these reforms and innovations, Radda is seeking for amendment of the Act that established the agency. The idea is to re-position it to accomplish its mandate.

    The process, which originated as a follow up to resolutions taken at the maiden Management Retreat of the agency since coming to office some two years ago, has scaled through the first and second readings at the National Assembly. When passed into law, it would provide the right ammunition to fight the obstacles in its path to success.

    Radda said SMEDAN will continue to strive for excellence and strategic growth through forming strong partnerships with reputable public and private institutions. This is in order to build an all-inclusive and conducive business-to-business and access to market environment.

     

  • Tinubu has capacity to unite APC, says Kano lawmaker

    The Chairman, House Committee on Education in Kano State House of Assembly, Dr. Baffa Babba Danagundi yesterday in Kano expressed optimism that All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has the capacity to reconcile all aggrieved members.

    Danagundi, who spoke at a  ceremony he organised in honour of Tinubu’s 66th birthday called on APC members and stakeholders across the country to repose confidence in the national leader’s capability to unite the party and lead it to victory as 2019 general elections approach.

    He described Tinubu as a symbol of unity, “he is a de-tribalised leader. He has no boundary. He believes in everybody and he always strive to ensure that Nigeria remains one united country irrespective of our religious, ethnic and cultural differences.”

    Danagundi said: “The Jagaban is a man that has the interest of this country at heart. That was why President Muhammadu Buhari gave him the mandate to bring back the lost glory of our great party.

    “He is on the job and people like us believe in him. There is nobody Tinubu talks to that will not listen to him. He is a man of integrity and he has the respect of all of us. I believe that those who have been offended in one way or the other will have a reason to bury the hatchet.”

    Danagundi, who mobilised APC leaders from across the 44 local governments to witness the ceremony, said the idea behind the birthday party was to give Tinubu’s loyalists who could not make it to Lagos the opportunity to celebrate the political juggernaut.

    The lawmaker, who is representing Kano Municipal constituency also  endorsed the second-term bid of President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

    He insisted that, “come 2019, there is no vacancy in Aso Rock; there is no vacancy in Kano Government House. President Buhari and Governor Ganduje has performed creditably and I call on Nigerians and the good people of Kano State to rally round the two leaders.”

  • Intellectual capacity lecture holds in Lagos

    Intellectual capacity lecture holds in Lagos

    The Lagos state government, through its Office of Overseas Affairs and Investment, Lagos Global, has held a one-day public lecture on intellectual capacity of citizenry at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    Tagged: “Nigeria and Africa in a changing world”, the lecture was delivered by Former United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Walter Carrington.

    Carrington served from 1993 to 1997.

    The Special Adviser, Office of Overseas Affairs and Investment, Prof. Ademola Abass, in his opening remark, said: “Public lectures do not only enrich the knowledge base of the citizenry, but also enrich the state’s archival repository of information and knowledge which play a crucial role in enlightening the citizens and the development of the state.

    “This has made the Lagos State government accept to sponsor this public lecture, to promote the ideals upheld by those who fought for the democracy we enjoy today.

    “The period of Ambassador Carrington’s presence in Nigeria coincided with the country’s vigorous struggle for democracy. He is widely regarded as a friend of Nigeria, and a progressive mind, who supported notable Nigerians in the struggle for democracy.”

    In the lecture, Nigeria is portrayed as playing a pivotal role in the African continent, as a leader, whose true place should be among those ranking highest on the world stage. Therefore, there lies the need for repositioning to be ready for current and future challenges.  Notable guests at the event were Human Rights Activists, Prof. Wole Soyinka; Chief Ajibola Ogunsola, former Chairman of Punch Nigeria, Mr. Fola Adeola while Governor Akinwumi Ambode was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello.

  • Lagos, SystemSpecs invest in capacity development

    Lagos State government and SystemSpecs are expanding the frontiers of technology by empowering young Lagosians to significantly contribute to the advancements of the future, through CodeLagos.

    CodeLagos—an initiative of the Lagos State Ministry of Education, is aimed at teaching youths code writing and creative problems solving techniques—has been extended to out-of-school centres in order to further broaden access to coding education residents.

    In its first phase, the project trained more than 5000 students from 65 schools, including public and privately-owned primary as well as secondary schools across the state. The programme has now been expanded and will run in about 150 schools in the State.

    Speaking on the development, Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Obafela Bank-Olemoh, said: “By January 2018, the programme would have expanded to a minimum of 500 schools across the State, while the Out-of-School programme will expand to all the public libraries and selected community centres.”

    Executive Director,  SystemSpecs, DeRemi Atanda said the firm has partnered with the Lagos as part of its commitment to empower the next generation of innovators who will drive the future of work.

    “We know that technology is a major enabler of any thriving economy, and acknowledge the importance of building capacity in that area.

    “Our vision is to lead efforts to develop the next generation of innovators and ensure that Nigeria becomes a net exporter of software technology solutions and services in the next few years,” Atanda said.

  • Nestle MD: BIP has built our capacity, improved local content

    The Managing Director, Nestle Nig Plc, Mr. Mauricio Alarcon, has said his company’s Backward Integration Policy (BIP) and the use of more familiar and common ingredients has not only improved the nutritional profile of their products, but also boosted the  economy.

    At the launch of the company’s new variant of seasoning, Maggi Naija Pot, in Sagamu, Ogun State, Alarcon said the seasoning helps families cook better-tasting wholesome southern dishes with less effort while delivering the delicious ‘bottom of the pot taste.’

    He said with over 4,000 farmers, the company uses 80 per cent of locally-sourced raw materials, which has helped its factory expansion.

    Alarcon said: “Most consumers want minimal processes, but desire adequate nutritional needs from any purchased products. With that in mind we fortified our Maggi Naija pot with iodine and other essential nutrients.

    “We have further trained over 1,600 farmers in local technology using soya beans with over 7,000 local maggi traders. In doing this, we have not only increased our capacity, but is also creating wealth.”

    The Category Manager (Culinary), Mr. Nordine Meguini, said the company has brought out innovative solutions to help women cook appetising food for their families.

    On the composition, he said it has a component of stock fish, crayfish and smoked fish to enhance the taste and aroma of Nigerian southern dishes.

    On the unique selling features of the new seasoning, Meguini said: “The maggi Naija Pot has superior taste and aroma, a source of iodine, saves time, money and effort in purchasing different ingredients.

    “The new seasoning makes it possible for people with low budget to enjoy quality mouth-watering food appeal in a unique blend of recognisable local ingredients developed to enhance the taste and aroma of Nigerian southern cuisine giving them that authentic bottom pot taste.”

    He said as a company, Nestle’s driving force is to improve the nutritional profile of their products and work on salt and sodium reduction and the fortification of its products with iron in order to   reduce the risk of under nutrition and contribute to address micronutrient deficiencies.

    The category manager assured that the company will continue using more familiar and common ingredients to create competitive products that are not only healthy but also friendly to customers’ budget.A

  • Total Nigeria increases lube production capacity

    Total Nigeria increases lube production capacity

    TOTAL Nigeria Plc has inuagurated the second high-speed filling machine at its lubricant blending plant in Koko, Delta State.

    The first high-speed filling machine was inuagurated at its Lagos lubricant blending plant at Kirikiri, Lagos in 2015.

    The installation of high speed filling machines will increase Total’s capacity in the production of high quality lubricant for Nigerian and export markets.

    “Satisfying our unique customers’ needs is very important to Total, which is why it is dedicated to continuous investment in its Nigerian production plants in pursuit of developing the supply of products and services of the highest quality to best satisfy our clients’ requirements,” Managing Director, Jean-Philippe Torres, said.

  • Govt to boost DisCos’ capacity by 2,000mw

    Govt to boost DisCos’ capacity by 2,000mw

    • NERC cuts new connection timeline to 40 days

    The Federal Government is putting in place measures to increase the capacity of electricity distribution companies (DisCos) by 2,000 megawatts (mw), to improve service to consumers.

    However, there are indications that the DisCos are not comfortable with the arrangement. The Federal Government intends to make direct investments in the distribution arm of the power supply value chain through independent investors. But DisCos are demanding that the government should channel such investments through them, fearing that the plan will impinge on their operations and negatively impact returns on their investments.

    These concerns, among others, are contained in a letter dated September 27, 2017 entitled: “Federal Government of Nigeria’s Initiatives in the Electricity Sector and the Impact on Electricity Distribution Company Activities.” It was jointly signed by the DisCos and addressed to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), with a copy sent to the Minister.

    Power, Works and Housing Minister, Babatunde Fashola, who disclosed this at the 20th monthly power sector operators’ meeting in Owerri, Imo State, said the substance of government initiatives, which prompted the letter by the DisCos, could be summarised as: provision of meters to consumers through licensing of meter suppliers; provision of more power to consumers through licensing of eligible customers; and provision of independent dedicated power to universities.

    Others include promotion of the use of solar power through mini-grids; and expansion of the distribution network of DisCos so that they can take on additional 2,000mw of power now available for supply

    He said:“We are also making promising progress in recovering debts due from international customers and you will be notified of how much has been received when the appropriate accounts confirm that they have received value for the credits we have been notified of.

    “It is against this background that I now move to the challenges, which we still have to overcome; the more pressing of which is how the DisCos can quickly increase their capacity to take power and distribute to the consumers.”

    Fashola had, at a similar meeting in Lagos, last month, said: “Today, we have more power available to go on the grid over 6000Mw because generation and transmission have improved. The capacities are above what the Discos can carry. So, they have to play catch up.”

    He commended the DisCos for the decision to channel their complaints to NERC through a jointly- signed letter. “This is a welcome departure from the previous order and it is to be encouraged,” he said, adding that without doubt, the government’s initiatives are targeted at improving service to the people. “In your letter under reference copied to me, you expressed concerns about the impact of these initiatives on your businesses,”he said.

    He continued: “It is not my understanding that you oppose them, which is commendable. It is my understanding that you fear that you will lose some income or some customers if government proceeds; and on the question of meters, you seek to have technical compatibility with what the licencee will operate.  In respect of possible investment in distribution equipment you seek that government should route the investment through the DisCos.

    “Understandably you are concerned about investment recovery and in your views, the solution is a tariff review. While your concerns about business viability, financial stability and cost recovery are well understood and indeed, supported by the Electric Power Sector Perform Act of 2005 (EPSRA), which government will respect, I must point out that government’s focus is also strong on the issue of service to the people.There must be a balance somewhere in the middle.

    “As far as the promotion of solar and other sources of independent power are concerned, please note that not only are they supported by the ESPRA, they are consistent with our Paris Climate Change Agreement Obligations and with emerging global practice. DisCos have nothing to fear about solar. It is a space in which they are entitled to play, but in which they cannot exclude others from playing.

    “The ESPRA did not contemplate a monopoly for any licensee unless it is expressly stated in the license. As for channelling investment into distribution assets through the DisCos, government has not yet taken a position on what the best way forward will be.

    “However, the government is clear that a solution must be found quickly to the inability of DisCos to take about 2000Mw of power that will imminently increase as we get more incremental power.

    “But the point that must be made is for all of us to remember that, government is a 40 per cent shareholder of the DisCos (on behalf of the Federal, State, Local Governments and workers) and therefore, has a self-benefitting interest in the wellbeing and efficiency of the DisCos.”

  • ‘Capacity building vital to industrial growth’

    VICE Chancellor, Kebbi State University of Science and Technology, Prof Bello Shehu Malami, has called for adequate capacity building for investors.

    Malami, who was guest speaker at the Landmark Africa magazine conference, spoke on building capacity for potential investors in Africa. He said Nigeria has abundant natural and human resources to move the country forward but that the human resources lack the relevant skills, adding that there was the need to hone these skills to enable Nigerians to succeed.

    He said the gap between Africa’s growth and other continents is lack of use of research. He said though Nigeria has a lot of research institutes, varsities and polytechnics for capacity building, they were being underfunded and not well utilised by the private bodies.

    Malami scored the educational institutions high in performance, saying its products have always performed excellently each time they went abroad for training, noting that if they were not properly trained at home, their inadequacies would have been exposed. “Our educational system is ok. It is not education per se that is tying the legs of Nigeria from growing. There are other factors,’’ he said.

    To move the nation forward, Malami urged the government to scrap the BSc/HND dichotomy, wipe off tribalism, nepotism, and inflation, among others. He also urged the government to stop the import of some goods. He cited Rwanda as one of the fastest growing countries in Africa, saying this was so because its leaders were committed to nation building.

    Malami listed challenges of capacity building to include ineffective policies, weak good governance and heavy debts, urging the government to act fast on their eradication. “It is not too late. We can go back to the drawing board, take the bulls by the horns. Africa is second in land mass and population in the world.  The six major industries are doing well. We are so large to propel growth,’’ he said.

    Chairman of the occasion Dr Mufutai Adebowale canvassed industrial growth. He said though Africa is largest continent in land mass with a population of 600 million, no country in Africa can match Japan or those in Europe. He listed political instability, lack of determination to succeed, and penchant for imported goods as factors thwarting growth.