Tag: Natasha

In celebration of the Yuletide season, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, and her husband, High Chief Emmanuel Uduaghan, have empowered the people of Kogi Central.

The empowerment programme, conducted in four phases, featured a raffle draw for market women and farmers from the five local government areas within the senatorial district.

Accompanied to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Senator, Arogbonlo Isreal in Abuja, the two participants from Okene local government won a tricycle and a sewing machine, while participants from Adavi local government went home with a tricycle and a deep freezer.

Similarly, winners from Ajaokuta local government won a grinding machine and a sewing machine, while participants from Ogori-Magongo local government won a deep freezer and a grinding machine, respectively. 

Participants from Okehi local government each won sewing machines.

Additionally, a spinning game was organised for elderly women, with participants winning items such as wrappers, bowls, and groceries.

A total of 250 constituents, mainly women, were supported with materials to enhance their businesses. 

Items distributed included deep freezers, grinding machines, and sewing machines.

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The initiative was fully sponsored by High Chief Emmanuel Uduaghan, the Alema of Warri Kingdom.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan also recognised and rewarded members of her team with tricycles for their continued dedication and support.

Speaking at the event, the Senator emphasised that the empowerment targets mostly women especially mothers to advance their financial income by supporting their various businesses, boosting their financial independence and their entrepreneurial efforts.

This comes barely two months after the lawmaker empowered 1,300 members of her constituents and launched legacy projects to mark her one year in office.

Dignitaries at the event included former House of Representatives member Abdulrahman Badamasiu, Kogi State PDP Deputy Chairman Alhaji Yahaya Karaku, party stakeholders, community leaders, market women, and farmers, amongst others.

The chairman, Senate Committee on Local Content, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has commenced the empowerment of tertiary institution students from Kogi Central with multipurpose business carts.

She equally flagged-off free Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) registration of 2,500 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the district totaling N27,500,000.00 for students.

The senator’s chief press secretary, Israel Arogbonlo, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja.

The initiative, according to the statement, is part of Natasha’s continued efforts to drive innovation in governance and impact the lives of indigent students of Kogi Central origin in tertiary institutions across the country.

The statement reads in part: “It also makes it possible for students, market women, and other business owners to register their businesses with the CAC at no cost.

“The distributed business empowerment carts are aimed at fostering self-reliance and entrepreneurship among the students.

“The initiative is designed to equip them with the skills and resources necessary to start and grow profitable businesses, ensuring that they contribute positively to society after graduation.

“This proactive measure will help reduce dependency on government support and ease societal burdens.

“The flag-off of the free CAC business registration also helped the students to register their businesses on the spot.

“Other business owners were also helped to register their businesses with certificates of registration presented to them on the spot.

“With the flag-off, the CAC business registration across Kogi Central will commence in each of the constituency offices in the five local government areas to capture 2,500 SMEs.

“The registration, which would have cost N11,000 each, was paid for by the lawmaker, covering the total cost of N27,500,000 for the registration of all 2,500 SMEs.”

Speaking during the programme, Natasha said, she has been a social entrepreneur, advocating for self-reliance and skills for sustainable development before becoming a political reformer.

She emphasised the importance of learning about the ecosystem of a business, adding it has become necessary for business owners to register their businesses as it is the foundation of any legal business to acquire the right benefits.

She disclosed the 2,500 businesses that will be registered by the CAC are already taken care of by her office.

She explained that the business carts are given to the National Association of Ebira Students (NAES) in the selected institutions to run the business and support the students who are underprivileged in their midst.

The lawmaker gave each of the beneficiaries start-up fund and a token for their transport to their various destinations.

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The CAC team led by CAC FCT Zonal Office, Mr Bello Muftahu Esq, said they were around to carry out the business registration as part of the fulfilment of the law, adding that such businesses will have legal recognition and allow them to access government and private grants and loans.

He prayed to God to continue to enrich the lawmaker for the good initiative she brought to her people.

The beneficiary institutions include: Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, Kogi State University, Anyigba, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara, Federal College of Education, Okene,
Bayero University, Kano,
Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa and Kaduna State Polytechnic.

The business kits consist of multipurpose business carts and clean cooking kiosk PRO.

The multipurpose business carts, consist of: clipper, barbing mirror, plexi glass frame, branded umbrella parasol, box cooler/warmer, 50 watts solar panel, 3 in 1 USB charging cable, rechargeable night lamp, 36AH battery (installed), solar charge controller, dual USB charging port, triple circuit isolator/lvd, and barbing chair.

The clean cooking kiosk PRO, on the other hand consists of; Main cooking frame with cabinet, side cooking frame, 12 watts solar charger, 6kg gas cylinder, sideboard, burner support, industrial cooking burner, grilling burner bowl, grilling burner with gas control valve and hose, oven burner with gas control valve, storage cabinet, grilling mesh, and branded umbrella parasol.

In attendance were: Member representing Adavi/Okehi Federal Constituency, Hon. Abdulrahman Abdulmaleek Danga, member representing Ogori-Magongo in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Bode Ogunmola, former House of Representative Member, Alhaji Abdurahman Badamasiu, Provost Federal College of Education, Okene, Dr. Umar Hassan, and a representative of CAC, Mr. Muftahu Bello.

Others are Secretary General of Ebira Peoples Association, Baba Abdulrazaq, PDP Deputy Party Chairman, Alhaji Yahaya Karaku, representative of SMEDAN, Mrs. Mohammed Alami, market women, artisans and farmers, among others.

…tasks agency, ITF on training, capacity building

The chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Content, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has called on the management of the Bank of Industry (BoI) to explain its utilization of the $300million Access fund meant to  promote local content, particularly in the oil and gas sector.

Natasha, who made the demand when she met with officials met with representatives from the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) and Bank of Industry (BoI) to strengthen capacity building and collaboration.

The meeting was aimed at enhancing synergy between government agencies and maximise impact on Nigerian beneficiaries, according to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Kogi Central Senator, Arogbonlo Israel, in Abuja.

The statement reads in part: “Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan emphasised the importance of joint efforts in promoting local content, particularly in the oil and gas sector, where $300 million is dedicated to Nigerian access through the Bank of Industry.

“During the meeting, the senator sought updates on the agencies’ activities, training programmes, and performance reports.

“She also requested a breakdown of the fund’s utilisation and the number of Nigerians who have benefited from it.

“Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan noted the strong relationship between local content and the Bank of Industry and highlighted that the committee had previously written to the agency to inquire about the performance of the fund and the amount available to be accessed by Nigerians.

“The representatives of the Bank of Industry mentioned that the agency is run by Nigerian funds from the private sector but managed by the Nigerian government, with an annual project of $617.7 million. They outlined their ability to work with the lawmaker by inviting her to speak with participants about the activities and programmes of the Bank of Industry.

They also clarified that BoI does not receive any amount from the federal budget and highlighted their success in attracting banks from outside the country, bringing in five billion dollars in the last five years.

They disclosed that their programmes include; YES-P, GEEP and iDICE. The Youth Entrepreneurship Support Programme (YES-P), is BOI’s effort at addressing the worrisome phenomenon of youth unemployment in Nigeria by building the capacity of the youths and funding their business ideas. The YES programme is aimed at equipping young people with the requisite skills and knowledge to be self-employed by starting and managing their businesses.

On the other hand, the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP) Fund was established by the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Social Investment Unit in the Office of the Vice President (OVP) to provide financial assistance to market women, artisans, women cooperative societies, enterprising youths, small scale farmers, agro-allied processors, and other MSME categories for small and medium businesses in Nigeria.

“While iDICE aimed at building capacity and upskilling Nigerian youth (from ages 15-35), in technology and creativity to increase their employability, foster innovation, and support the emergence of more entrepreneurs. iDICE is co-funded by the African Development Bank (AFDB), Agence française de développement (AFD), Islamic Development Bank (IsDB),and other private investors.

“BOI team disclosed that they visit NYSC camps where they educate the corp members about GEEP programme and provide capacity building for them. They promised to invite the Senator during its YES-P programme.

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“Furthermore, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan called on the Bank of Industry to include physically challenged persons in their programmes.

“The Kogi lawmaker had earlier partnered with CAC to register 2,500 SMEs in Kogi Central, this measure will up the businesses and also enable Small Business owners access funds like Single digits loans, grants & government funding for their businesses.

“On the Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES), Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan expressed dissatisfaction with the N10,000 to N15,000 being given to students who undertake the scheme over a period of 4 to 6 months.

“She equally faulted the rejection attitude of organisations towards the students and urged for more synergy between the organisations and ITF to ensure students are accepted whenever they approach any organisation for their SIWES. She further urged that ITF consider digitisation of the SIWES programme where SIWES opportunities available in organizations will be listed on the ITF portal.

She added that she is looking forward to a policy or regulation that will compel every organisation to ensure certain minimum number of SIWES students in their organisation at all times.

“In their separate responses, the ITF team explained that the agency is self-funding, with 1% annual payroll of the workforce drawn from private organisations and government agencies involved in commerce, with a yearly budget of N48 billion.

“They highlighted their process of working with state governors to select participants for training and subsequent empowerment.

“They also mentioned plans to create a channel for trainers to print their certificates online based on their geographical locations.

“Additionally, they called on the lawmaker to support a law or regulation that would enforce government agencies to patronise ITF for the training of their employees.

“The ITF team mentioned their various training and empowerment programmes which include the ongoing Skill-Up Artisans (SUPA) aimed at empowering artisans through tech-enabled skills training, licensing, access to essential toolkits, and promoting industry-standard excellence where the trainees are opened up to employment opportunities both locally and internationally.

“They equally mentioned the Technical Skills Development Project (TSDP) in conjunction with the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) and the National Industrial Skills Development Programme (NISDP).

“The NISDP will not only train the participants to industrial standards but shall equally empower the participants in form of start-up funds.”

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan(Kogi Central) has condemned the recent violent attacks in Omala Local Government Area of Kogi state, where at least 19 people reportedly died.

She called for probe to unravel the remote and immediate causes of the attacks and to fish out the perpetrators. 

She also called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to take immediate action to restore normalcy to the troubled communities.

According to a statement by her media aide, Arogbonlo Israel, Natasha commiserated the families of those who have lost their loved ones as a result of the crisis, while calling for a thorough investigation into the remote causes of the crisis that led to the unwarranted killing of innocent citizens.

She emphasised the need for the security agencies to go after the masterminds of the heinous crime.

The senator called on the State and Federal governments to intervene immediately to prevent any further escalation of the crisis, while urging the security agencies to use intelligence in the pursuit of the perpetrators of the heinous act.

She advised the people of the community to join forces with the police to identify the criminals and bring them to justice.

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According to the statement: “It could be recalled the violent attacks occurred in two communities, Agojeju Odo and Abejukolo in Omala LGA of the State on Thursday, April 4.

“The gunmen, who were having a running battle with Agatu militia in Benue, extended their onslaught to Agojeju Odo, Ajokpachi Odo, Bagaji and environs, destroying their farm produce.”

The senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has said the 10th Senate is committed to improving women’s participation in agriculture.

A statement by her media aide, Israel Arogbonlo, said the senator made the promise at this year’s Gender Policy in Agriculture organised by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in collaboration with National Gender Steering Committee for the implementation of the National Gender Policy in Agriculture.

The programme, according to the statement, aims at addressing the gender imbalance in agriculture by providing women with access to resources and developing a national gender-based policy to improve food security.

“Farming is not just about cultivation and harvest but the processing, packaging and delivery, because that is where some of the money is lost,” Akpoti-Uduaghan said.

The Kogi Central senator urged the Federal Government to tackle the secondary stage of agricultural production in order to mitigate losses by farmers.

She advised the Ministry of Agriculture to have up-to-date data on women in agriculture across the states.

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According to her, this will help in tackling the challenges women face in the sector and ensure that the real beneficiaries get what is due to them in any government programme or intervention.

To enable women in agriculture have access to finance, Akpoti-Uduaghan urged the Agriculture Ministry to form synergy with the Ministry of Women Affairs, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), and other government agencies that have similar mandates.

She said: “In as much as we rely on the civil societies, there’s a limit to what they can do. We don’t expect the non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to take up government duties. The Ministry (of Agriculture) is duly funded and adequately staffed, and you have presence all over the country, engage with your representatives in various states alongside the representatives of SMEDAN and the Ministry of Women Affairs.

“My office will be open beyond being a member of Committee on Agriculture. As the Chairman of Committee on Local Content, we are also trying to pass a Bill on non-oil and gas sector, which includes agriculture.

“When the Bill becomes law, we will be able to create the support that you need.

“Before I got into politics, I was also a social entrepreneur, and it’s my earnest desire to see that we generate revenue and jobs from non-oil and gas sector.

“Half of the population of farmers (in Nigeria) is women…

“I noticed wherever there are interventions, like fertilisers being given to states, I’ve never seen any being intentionally given out to women. We must take this into consideration.”

The lawmaker representing Kogi Central senatorial district, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, on Wednesday, January 31, said the 10th Senate is committed to improving women’s participation in agriculture.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, according to a statement by his media aide, Isreal Arogbonlo, made this assertion while speaking at the 2024 Gender Policy in Agriculture organised by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in collaboration with the National Gender Steering Committee for the implementation of the National Gender Policy in Agriculture.

The programme, according to the statement, was aimed at addressing the gender imbalance in agriculture by providing women with access to resources and developing a national gender-based policy to improve food security.

The celebrity senator noted that the Senate would help to create laws to improve women’s participation in Agriculture for robust and sustainable production in Agriculture.

She said: “Farming is not just about cultivation and harvest but the processing, packaging, and delivery because that is where some of the money is lost.”

The Kogi lawmaker called on the Federal Government to tackle the secondary stage of agricultural production to help mitigate the loss of farmers.

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She advised the Ministry of Agriculture to have comprehensive data on women in agriculture across the States of the federation to be properly guided in tackling challenges facing women in Agriculture and ensure the real beneficiaries are targeted in any government programme or intervention.

On creating easy access to finance for women in Agriculture, she advised the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to form a synergy with the Ministry of Women Affairs, SMEDAN, and other government agencies that have similar mandates for a holistic approach to improve women’s participation in Agriculture in Nigeria.

She said: “In as much as we rely on the civil societies, there’s a limit to what they can do. We don’t expect the NGOs to take up government duties, the Ministry is duly funded and adequately staffed, and you have a presence all over the country, engage with your representatives in various states alongside the representatives of SMEDAN and the Ministry of Women Affairs.

“My office will be open beyond being a member of the Committee on Agriculture. As the Chairman of the Committee on Local Content, we are also trying to pass a bill on the non-oil and gas sector which includes agriculture.

“When the bill becomes law, we will be able to create the support that you need. Before I got into politics, I was also a social entrepreneur and it’s my earnest desire to see that we generate revenue and jobs from the non-oil and gas sector.

“Half of the population of farmers (in Nigeria) are women”, adding that Nigeria is on the downside when it comes to benefits that are given to farmers.

“I noticed wherever there are interventions being given to states like fertilizers, I’ve never seen any being intentionally given out to women, we must take this into consideration.”