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Tag: Nigerian news

Stakeholders want FG to commit to tourism development

Some stakeholders in the tourism industry in the country have appealed to the Federal Government (FG ) to strengthen regulatory institutions and create enabling environment for the sector to thrive.

Those who spoke in an interview with our reporter on Wednesday in Abuja, said that the sector required positive change to contribute to the development of the economy.

Mr Abiodun Odusanwo, President, Institute of Tourism Professionals ( ITP ), said the agency handling the development of the sector needed to be empowered to carry out its role in line with global best practices.

“Government needs to strengthen these institutions, review their laws and ensure that the laws establishing them reflect current realities; an example is the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation.

“Also, the laws establishing the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism ( NIHOTOUR ) as the engine room for manpower development for the industry need to be adequate.

“This is because without enhanced capacity development, we cannot get the skills required for the industry; when we get this arrangement right, we will achieve much,’’ Odusanwo said.

The ITP president, who is also the second National President, Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria, said there was a need for positive connectivity between tourism and other associated economic activities.

He said that transportation was instrumental to the development of tourism, and would facilitate movement from one tourist site to the other.

“There is a need to synergise the tourism ministry, aviation industry and mass transport. If these ministries or agencies are connected, we would have a sustainable tourism development in the country,’’ Odusanwo said.

Also, Mr Ayedun Sikiru, the former Commissioner of Culture and Tourism in Osun State, said there was the need to provide security for life and property in the country and tourist sites respectively.

“Apart from provision of security, more private sector investments in the hospitality industry should be encouraged.

“Infrastructural development is also important. With good road networks, I believe that tourism can be a good revenue earner for us in this country,’’ Sikiru said.

Similarly, Malam Aliyu Badaki, President, Hospitality and Tourism Association of Nigeria, said that the Federal Government ( FG ) needed to be committed to the development of tourism by providing an enabling environment.

“The provision of enabling environment in terms of access roads to the various destinations and provision of adequate security for visitors cannot be gainsaid.

“The government should also be serious in engaging the private sector in the development of the sector to make it a genuine revenue earner for the country,’’ Badaki stressed.

Also, Mrs Christiana Agbo, Secretary, Society for Tourism Entrepreneurs and Professionals, said lack of professionalism was responsible for stagnation of the sector.

“Government should consider professionalism when appointing persons to head tourism agencies.

“It should also be committed to the provision of infrastructure in recognition that tourism can contribute greatly to the development of the nation,’’ Agbo said.

NAN

October 11, 2017
Kaduna State to host Verdant Zeal SMEs round-table

Verdant Zeal Group says it will convene the first Innovation Round-table to promote Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and Start-up Entrepreneurs in Kaduna State to create a platform to showcase their innovations.

Dr Tunji Olugbodi, the Executive Vice Chairman of Verdant Zeal Group, organiser of the round-table made this known at a news conference on Tuesday in Kaduna State.

He said that the event would create a free platform for employers of labour, e-commerce entrepreneurs and SMEs to appreciate the place of innovation in business growth.

Olugbodi said that Verdant Zeal Group was hosting the event in collaboration with the Peugeot Automobile Nigeria Ltd. (PAN) and the Kaduna State Government.

“The Verdant Zeal Group had been holding the innovation series as a corporate social responsibility initiative since the last six years with participants from different parts of the Africa,’’ he said.

He said that the initiative was meant to examine the development of Africa, discuss the Nigerian project and expose opportunities for development and growth within the continent.

“The Innovation Round-table is propelled by the success achieved with the annual innovation series which has held since 2012 but with a renewed vision to impact key economic hubs across Nigeria.

“The Verdant Zeal annual innovation series has expanded in scope and subject matter to hold at the first Innovation Roundtable for SMEs and Start-up Entrepreneurs.

“This year’s theme of the round-table is `How Innovation Drives Entrepreneurship; The Case for SMEs and Start-Ups’,“ the convener said.

He said that guests from both the public and private sectors would engage in stimulating but pragmatic conversations and discourse that would add value to SMEs and entrepreneurs and their actors.

Olugbodi said that the event, scheduled for Oct. 19, would attract speakers from different fields including Gov. Nasiru El-Rufai of Kaduna State, the Chairman of Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company, Hamisu Yusuf Mairago, the Managing Director, PAN Nigeria, Mr Ibrahim Boyi, among others.

“The round-table has now expanded its offerings for a richer and more diverse audience who want to practically evaluate issues experienced by key economic hub in Nigeria and come up with lasting workable solutions.“

The panel discussants at the event will be the Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG), Mr Laoye Jaiyeola; Founder/CEO, Zamani Foundation, Philomena Zamani-Henry.

Others are Chairperson of WIMBIZ, Aisha Ahmad and Kabir Farida Mohammed, Chief Executive Officer, Online Training and Awareness Campaign (OTRAC).

NAN

October 11, 2017
Boko Haram terrorists to surrender to NSCDC in Borno

The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps ( NSCDC ) in Borno says about 40 Boko Haram insurgents have indicated willingness to surrender to the Corps in the state.

The Commandant of the corps in the state, Ibrahim Abdullahi, disclosed this in an interview on Wednesday in Maiduguri.

Abdullahi said that the insurgents had indicated their intention to renounce membership of the terrorist group but through an intermediary.

He said that negotiations between the command and the insurgents were conducted through a firewood vendor.

He also said that six insurgents had earlier surrendered to the Corps in the last one month in the state.

The commandant stated that the extremists surrendered voluntarily under the Federal Government’s Safe Corridor Initiative( SCI ).

“About 40 of the insurgents have come forward to surrender. They indicated that many of them are willing to lay down their arms,” Abdullahi said.

According to him, the command has also conducted town hall meetings with communities and religious leaders to enhance security in the state.

NAN report that hundreds of the insurgents had surrendered to the Nigerian Army under the SCI in the past three months.

The surrendered insurgents are currently undergoing De-radicalisation process at the Military Rehabilitation Centre, Gombe, to facilitate their reintegration into the society.

NAN

October 11, 2017
Court docks Businessman over fraud

A 50-year-old businessman, Patrick Nwagwe, who allegedly obtained N78,000 from a trader under false pretences, was on Wednesday brought before an Apapa Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.

Nwagwe, a resident of Olodi Apapa area of Lagos, is facing a charge of obtaining under false pretences, to which he pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Sgt. Olusegun Kokoye, told the court that the accused committed the offence on Aug. 30 at College Road, Olodi Apapa, Lagos.

Kokoye alleged that the accused obtained N78, 000 from the complainant, Juliana Kevel, on the pretext of supplying some goods to her.

He said that the accused instead of supplying the goods, absconded with the money.

“When the complainant did not get the goods, she became worried and decided to call Nwagwe.

“But, when Kevel demanded for her goods or refund of her money, the accused started giving flimsy excuses,’’ Kokoye said.

The prosecutor said that the complainant reported the matter to the police and the accused was arrested.

The offence contravened Section 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

Section 314 prescribes 15 years imprisonment for obtaining under false pretences, if found guilty.

The Senior Magistrate, Mr M.A Etti, granted the accused bail in the sum of N50, 000 with one surety in like sum.

Etti adjourned the case until Nov.14 for further hearing.

NAN

October 11, 2017
Kebbi earmarks N900m for digitisation of state TV, Radio

The Kebbi Government has earmarked N900 million for the digitisation of the state radio and television stations, a government statement said on Wednesday.

The statement signed by Abubakar Dakingari, Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Atiku Bagudu, said the decision followed complaints that most parts of the state were not getting the stations’ signals.

According to the statement, the latest complain was by the Emir of Yauri, Dr Zayyanu Abdullahi, who said that the entire emirate do not enjoy the services of the stations.

“The emir said the situation made it impossible for people in the emirate to be conversant and abreast of the day-to-day activities and policies of the government,” it said.

According to the statement, the governor is committed to ensuring that the two broadcast stations cover the whole state including Zuru and Yauri Local Government Areas.

NAN

October 11, 2017
Police interrogate men over theft at state secretariat in jigawa

The Police Command in Jigawa said it was interrogating two men (names withheld) over report of incessant thefts at the Jigawa State Secretariat.

The command’s Spokesman, DSP Abdu Jinjiri, confirmed this in Dutse.

Jinjiri said that the two men aged 30 each, were invited after the command received a report on the thefts at the secretariat.

He, however, declined to comment on the nature of the thefts.

“Yes, we have invited two men for interrogation after we received a report of rampant stealing at Jigawa state secretariat.

“But I am not saying we are interrogating them on any particular case,” he said.

That from late 2016 to date, there have been several reports of thefts of laptop and desk top computers, plasma TVs and motorcycles at the premises of the secretariat.

It was also alleged that on Sept. 6, two computers were stolen from the State Ministry of Finance.

NAN

October 11, 2017
Price of local rice drops in Jalingo markets

The price of local rice has significantly dropped in some major markets in Jalingo, Taraba.

A survey conducted by the agency on Wednesday at Gadar Bobboji, Kasuwan Bera and Mile Six Markets, shows that the price has significantly decrease.

A measure of local rice selling between N650 and N750, two to three weeks ago, is now sold between N480 and N550.

Similarly, a bag of local rice sold between N28, 000 and N30, 000 two to three weeks ago is now selling at between N23, 000 and N24, 000.

When contacted for comment, the leader of rice sellers at Gadar Bobboji Market, Alhaji Nura Mohammed, attributed the price decrease to availability of the commodity in the market.

He said that the bumper harvest recorded by farmers in the state had contributed to the increase in supply.

Mohammed predicted that the price could drop further ahead of the Yuletides if the current supply of rice to the market was sustained.

NAN however discovered that the price of foreign rice has slightly increased in the markets.

A measure of foreign rice which costs N950 two weeks ago is now selling at N1, 000, while a 50kg bag of foreign rice has gone up from N18, 500 to N19, 000.

NAN

October 11, 2017
‘Zamfara, FG to generate 30mw electricity from Bakalori Dam’

The Zamfara Government says it is working in partnership with the Federal Government to generate 30 Megawatts of electricity from the Bakolori Dam.

Alhaji Lawal M-Liman, the Commissioner for Rural and Community Development, on Wednesday in Gusau, said that the partnership was to boost power supply to the state.

M-Liman, who is the Chairman of the State Projects Monitoring Committee, said that the partnership was part of issues discussed at the September meeting of the National Council on Power, held in Jos.

According to him, the federal government has promised to provide technical support under the National Energy Support Programme, for the actualisation of the project.

“We are already discussing with some power generation firms, to achieve the target,” the commissioner said.

He also spoke on the state government effort to link more communities to the national grid, saying 100 towns and villages have been connected.

“You will recall that the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, visited the state twice when he inaugurated various electrification projects executed by the state government,” he said.

According to him, the zamfara state government has also reconstructed various federal roads with the agreement that it would get reimbursement of funds spent on the projects from the federal government.

“When the present administration in the state came on board in 2011, almost all the roads in the state including the state and federal government-owned were in a state of dilapidation.

“Despite the economic challenges faced by the state, we spent billions of naira to provide the roads including the federal highways in the state, to address the problem of poor roads network.

“We have achieved a great success in this partnership of road projects, because a large percentage of the roads are almost completed,” M-Liman said.

NAN

October 11, 2017
Monkey Pox: 7 patients recover fully in Bayelsa

Seven out of the 13 monkey pox patients on admission at the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, Okolobiri in Bayelsa have fully recovered, the state Commissioner for Information, Mr Daniel Iworiso-Markson, has said.

The commissioner said in a statement on Wednesday in Yenagoa, that the seven patients had been discharged from the hospital.

The contagious disease broke out three weeks ago in Agbura area of Yenagoa following reports that a family manifested symptoms of monkey pox after eating monkey meat.

He said the six other patients under medical surveillance at the teaching hospital were responding positively to treatment.

“The government has been able to successfully contain the spread of the disease as no new case has been reported in the last few days.

“With the way and manner government deployed its machinery and with the team of dedicated health and medical personnel, monkey pox will soon be fully kicked out of Bayelsa state,” he added.

Iworiso-Markson commended the state Ministry of Health and National Centre for Disease Control for their efforts in containing the disease.

The commissioner also appreciated people in the state for taking preventive measures against further spread of the disease and urged them to maintain healthy lifestyle, environmental and personal hygiene.

According to him, feedback received from various channels in the state indicates that public enlightenment campaign, especially in local languages, have succeeded in alerting people to avoid actions that would further spread the disease.

NAN

October 11, 2017
‘FG saves N120bn by checking ghost workers, personnel costs’

The Federal Government ( FG ) on Tuesday put the cumulative savings from checking the ghost workers’ syndrome through the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System ( IPPIS ) at N120 billion

Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), Mr Ahmed Idris, said this in Abuja in a presentation on the impact of financial reforms on the Nigerian economy, at the 22nd Annual Conference of Certified National Accountants.

The three-day conference, with the theme “Sustainable Economic Management in a Recession: Issues, Strategies and Options”, was organised by the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria ( ANAN ).

Idris said that the savings spanned across 10 years, from April 2007 when IPPIS became operational till date.

He said the saving was not limited to detecting ghost workers, as excess personnel cost that had been channeled to non-personnel sub-heads by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) were also recovered.

“From April 2007 when the scheme commenced to date, 459 MDAs have been enrolled with a total number of 310,453 staff.

“Over N120 billion cumulatively saved as a result of the difference between the amount government would have released to the MDAs based on appropriation, and actual amount released and paid through IPPIS.

“By the end of this month (October), we expect to make an additional N100 billion savings after the verification and capturing of the Armed Forces,” he said.

Idris said also that the Treasury Single Account (TSA) had so far saved the government N108.1 billion in account maintenance fees and other charges that would have been paid to banks for managing the accounts of MDAs.

He said that the TSA had also eliminated the bad practice of operating several accounts by MDAs, therefore making it difficult for MDAs to divert public funds.

Idris also recalled that the Government Integrated Financial Management Information system (GIFMIS) went live in April, 2012, and as at date, it had over 300 Ministries, Departments and Agencies on the system.

“GIFMIS has helped government to increase the ability of FGN to undertake central control and monitoring of expenditures and receipts in the MDAs and facilitates access to information on financial and operational performance.

“It has also helped to improve internal controls to prevent and detect potential and actual fraud.

“GIFMIS has also strengthened governance and accountability in MDAs through efficient and effective service delivery,” he said.

Meanwhile the Executive Director of Jos Business School, Mr Ezekiel Gomos, made a presentation on “SMEs as Engine of Economic Development in Nigeria”.

He said that at present, small businesses were failing due to tough operating environment, including infrastructure, regulation, policy and taxes.

Gomos said government needed to encourage SMEs by creating business friendly laws, policies and regulations that would stimulate the latent talents that millions of Nigerians were endowed with.

To make SMEs more viable in the country, he called on the government to promote policies that would favour SMEs rather, than bigger companies.

“Nigerian SMEs cannot drive economic development in the 21st century with 20th century infrastructure. There is need to develop clusters or industrial parks with basic infrastructure for SMEs.

“Also, on access to finance, there is need to make the processes and procedures to access finance less cumbersome and complex.

“We must find innovative solutions to unlock sources of capital, while the need for SME Credit Guarantee Scheme is long overdue,” he said.

NAN

October 11, 2017