The National Agency for Food and Drug, Administration and Control ( NAFDAC ) has introduced new measures to encourage Medium and Small Scale Enterprises ( MSMEs ) in doing business.
Prof. Moji Adeyeye, Director General of NAFDAC, made the disclosure in Lafia at a workshop organised by NAFDAC for stakeholders and MSMEs on ‘Ease of Doing Business in Nigeria’.
Adeyeye, represented by Dr Jimoh Abubakar, Director of Special Duties in NAFDAC, said the aim of the workshop was to identify challenges stakeholders encountered in registering theirbusinesses and proffer solutions to them.
Adeyeye acknowledged the importance of MSMEs to the Nigerian economy, adding that a vast majority of products manufactured by MSMEs were regulated by NAFDAC, which necessitated the one day workshop.
“MSMEs play a vital role in the economic development of Nigeria and are known to be the main engine of economic growth. The importance of MSMEs to our economy cannot therefore be overemphasised.
“A vast majority of products manufactured by MSMEs are regulated by NAFDAC.
“The agency therefore plays a key role in ensuring that products manufactured by MSMEs comply with relevant quality and safety specifications before their approval, for distribution, sale and use,” she said.
The director-general enumerated the new measures aimed at encouraging MSMEs as 50 per cent reduction in cost of registration of products for companies with five or fewer employees and reduction in registration timeline to 90 days.
Others are establishment of Small Business Support Desk to guide small business through registration processes and electronic submission of documents to line directorates in Lagos
Adeyeye also said the agency had initiated NAFDAC Product Registration Outreach to provide interactive engagement and advice on documentation, labelling and other requirements to facilitate the registration process.
She noted that in spite the new measures, many MSMEs still perceived the NAFDAC registration process as cumbersome.
“I assure you that NAFDAC will continue to engage our stakeholders in consultative meetings towards resolving all challenges faced by MSMEs.
“I encourage you to seize the opportunity during the technical session to speak freely so that the objectives of this forum will be achieved,” the director-general said.
Also, Mrs Josephine Dayilim, Zonal Coordinator of NAFDAC, North Central Zone, said the policy of the Muhammadu Buhari administration was to ensure MSMEs, as major non-oil revenue earners, were viable.
“The proliferation of MSMEs is on the increase and the need to address the bottlenecks encountered during processing of establishments products registration in the states,’’ she said.
Dayilim advised stakeholders and MSMEs to avoid sharp practices and to adhere strictly to NAFDAC regulations and guidelines so as to produce wholesome goods and efficacious products.
In an address of welcome, Mr Micheal Attah, Nasarawa State Coordinator of NAFDAC, expressed hope and optimism that after the meeting all stakeholders would , understand each other better and work together.
“The goal is to ensure your income increases, the economy of our dear country booms and the quality, standard and safety of your products are guaranteed for the health of all Nigerians,” he said.
Voting has started in some polling units in Anambra while accreditation of voters is still ongoing in other places.
In Aguleri, Anambra East Local Government Aarea, the materials arrived at few minutes past 8 a.m.
At Aguleri Ward I, where the incumbent governor, Chief Willie Obiano, is expected to vote, voting and accreditation of voters commenced on schedule.
At Nsugbe ward I where, APC governorship hopeful, Dr Tony Nwoye, is expected to vote, the polling officials are yet to arrive.
But , in Onitsha, electoral officials arrived ahead of the 8 a.m voting schedule, but there was no voter as at 8:30 a.m.
The presiding Officer, Miss Peace Onah said they slept at the unit.
She said that unit 005 Metroploitian Secondary school ward 4 in Onitsha North, had three voting points.
“INEC officials are ready, but no voter has shown up as at 8:30 a.m,” Onah said.
At Unit 008 and 014 in Ado Girls Secondary School, Inland Town, Onitsha, materials and officials were yet to arrive.
A voter, Mr Bernet Ezewudo, said he arrived by 8 a.m., but “you can see that every where is still under lock and key”.
Also, in Awka South, the process had not started and the presiding officer, Mr Richard Ogbuji, told NAN at 8:22 a.m at Real Estate Primary School II that they were setting up table to start.
At unit 005 the presiding officer, Mr Jude Anukam, attributed the late starting to transportation difficulties and appealed for patient and understanding,
Also, the presiding officer, Miss Nkechi Sucuon, at Permanent Site Market 2 corroborated Anukam that the restriction of movement affected them.
At Oyi Local Government accreditation of voters had started in Umuduru ward 4.
The presiding officer, Anthonia Ugwunebo, said that the materials arrived at 8:24 a.m, while accreditation and voting began at 9 a.m.
The new Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos ( UNILAG ), Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe meets with Muslim community, Prof. M A Badmus standing for prayer session at the reception held at the central mosque Islamic Center Hall during a courtesy visit of the VC to the Muslim community on Friday.
UNILAG VC, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe (second left), UNILAG Muslim Community Chairman, Prof. Lai Olurode, Bursar, Mr. Nurudeen Lawal and the Chief Imam, Central Mosque, Prof. M A BadmusUNILAG VC, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe (second left), Muslim Community Chairman, Prof. Lai Olurode, bursar, Mr. Nurudeen Lawal and the Chief Imam, Central Mosque, Prof. M A Badmus
At the heart of many sad and pitiable stories around the globe is a poor parent-child relationship.
Fruit bearing is the hallmark of every legitimate union between husband and wife. Marriage wouldn’t be as blissful or interesting as it should when one of the most interesting condiments of the union is missing – children.
Children are the fruits and blessings of any marriage. The moment a woman puts to bed, the news of her birth literally sets everyone into a celebration mode.
As a child grows and goes through the biological stages of development from childhood into adulthood, they begin to display irrational juvenile tendencies.
From time immemorial, mothers have been the closest to their children, right from when the child is in the womb, take their first step until they become able to delineate between right and wrong; to make their own choices.
Unfortunately, in most cases, that close relationship between the mother and child begins to fade away the moment the child becomes self-aware, and can recognize good from bad, left from right.
No matter how grown a child is, or mature they (children) think they are, parents should for no reason leave them to their whims and caprices.
Even parents whose parents are still alive from time to time get cautioned and advice from their parents.
How did a once congenial and cordial parent-children relationship get disrupted? Questions to children – How well do you know your children?
Do you know what your children are going through emotionally? Or what exactly they are thinking of? Who’s oppressing or interesting them? Do you have ideas of whom they move with or call their friends?
Please, I ask again, what kind of relationship do you have with your sons and daughter?
Dear parents! Try building a close relationship with your children so much so that they feel free to tell you anything and everything bothering them.
Ordinarily, parent should be the closest and easiest persons to communicate with but many parents pay little or no attention to their children not to talk of having productive conversations with them.
The paucity in the relationship between parents and their children is the primary cause of the overexposure of these wards to wrong and harmful information and advice from irresponsible people and peers.
In this side of the globe, especially in our culture, a good child is for the father and the bad for the mother; and of course no mother wants to be accused of not training her child well.
Therefore, mothers, make every little moment you get with your child count – for every change in their facial expressions, behaviours, attitudes and even choice of diet means your attention is needed; they sometimes would not come straight to tell you, but need you to ask them.
Parents, regardless of the urge to sometimes be judgmental of your wards in the bid to correct and advise them, try to resist this urge because it will only drive a wedge and increase the lacunae between you and your wards.
Mind you parent, don’t judge them nor use what they’ve told you against them because if you do, they won’t speak nor tell you anything that’s bothering them again.
If you don’t have a close relationship with your child, try as much as possible to create one.
Make them feel they can always run back to you when the need arises. Go as far as hanging out with them; you can gist, watch movies, eat and drink and do fun things to further build and develop your relationship.
Once you are able to build this relationship with them, some silly and preventable juvenile mistakes can be reasonably avoided.
Make them your best friend and pay more attention to them than you would with your friends.
I can almost hear our adorable children singing – parents listen to your children, for we are the leaders of tomorrow…
Start by investing in their future, and always remember to create time for them.
A Cameraman with the Anambra Broadcasting Service ( ABS ), Mr Ikechukwu Onubogu, has been found dead four days after he was declared missing by members of his family.
Although the cause of his death remained sketchy, we gathered that the late Onubogu, who was at home with his wife, was said to have received a phone call in the afternoon on Nov. 12.
Sources said the deceased, thereafter, took his camera and left his home, located near the popular Aroma Junction in Awka but never returned.
His remains, now deposited at the Amaku Teaching Hospital, Awka, were reportedly discovered on Thursday by men of the Nigerian Police Force at Obosi, near Onitsha.
In a statement on Friday, Mr Uche Nworah, the Managing Director of ABS, described late Onubogu as a “peace loving man that you would never expect that anybody would want to harm him’’.
“The horrific death of our beloved and hardworking staff, Onubogu, has thrown the entire ABS family into mourning.
“He was dedicated to his job and would do anything to capture images that will help viewers to make meaning of every developing story.
“We will surely miss him. We cannot speculate at this time the circumstances leading to his death as the police is already working hard to unravel what happened.
“Our thoughts remain with his family, particularly his wife, who recently gave birth,” the statement said.
He said Onubogu’s death was a reminder of the dangers journalists face in Africa, in the course of discharging their professional responsibilities.
The managing director urged friends, colleagues and associates of late Onubogu to remember the family in their prayers, in their difficult time.
Confirming the incident, the state Police/Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Nkeiru Nwode, while commiserating with the family, assured the public that the police would uncover Onobogu’s killers.
“The police has commenced investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death; we assure the public that no stone would be left unturned, until the perpetrators are brought to justice,” Nwode said.
The Police in Kebbi have arrested 10 suspects in connection with the recent violent clash between farmers and herdsmen in Bakoshi Community of Suru Local Government Area of the state.
The Commissioner of Police, Kabir Ibrahim, who accompanied Gov. Atiku Bagudu to the scene of the clash on Friday, said more suspects were being tracked down.
The clash led to the destruction of foodstuff and livestock, with one person dead.
The commissioner said that the discovery of the corpse of a farmer, Shehu Bakoshi, 30, close to the settlement of the herdsmen resulted in the reprisal attack by farmers.
The District Head of Bakuwai, Jagwadeji Tukur, commended the police for their quick intervention by arresting identified persons who attacked herdsmen in the community.
The governor directed the immediate resettlement of the dispersed herdsmen with a promise to provide basic amenities to the new settlement.
He blamed rumour mongers for the escalation of the clash and warned that perpetrators would be penalised.
The Chairman of the local government, Alhaji Umaru Miagandi, said the council would provide assistance to the victims.
Miagandi also said that awareness campaign would be embarked upon to educate the people on the need to avoid “violent resolution of disputes”.
The Niger Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service ( NCS ), collected N2.1 billion revenue from January to October, the area comptroller, Benjamin Binga, has said.
Binga made this disclosure in an interview in Minna on Friday.
“Our revenue target for the year is N2.8 billion and so far, we have collected N2.1 billion,’’ he said.
He expressed optimism that the command would meet the target due to the commitment of its personnel and concrete measures put in place to ensure diligence in revenue collection.
Binga warned smugglers and others aiding and abetting them to desist from any form of smuggling.
The comptroller said that the service would go extra miles to confront the smugglers.
“We are ready through the various security strategies put in place to ensure the arrest and prosecution of all those involved in smuggling,’’ he said.
Binga called for more support from the border communities to assist the service with intelligence information about the movement of smugglers.
The Nasarawa State Government is to introduce e-payment system to pay N5, 000 monthly allowance to corps members serving in government establishments in the state.
Mr Samuel Akala, the Special Adviser to Gov. Tanko Al-Makura on Youths, Students and Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs), disclosed this in Akwanga on Thursday.
Akala said the new system was to address complaints by corps members on delay in payment of their monthly allowance.
He said that the state government had already commenced screening of corps members to ascertain their actual number in the state as a prelude for the introduction of the new payment system.
Akala said government would also collate data of banks and other details of corps members to ensure hitch-free take off of the scheme.
“Now, the governor discovered that payment of allowance to corps members has not been transparent.
“Some corps members keep complaining all the time that they have not been paid their allowance,’’ he said.
Akala said with the introduction of the new system, payment of corps members’ allowance would be centralised and made for easier.
He commended the governor for giving adequate attention to the welfare of corps members and urged them to reciprocate by dedicating themselves to their duties.
What has fallen us again this time? Not the winter but a night set to ditch out awards to sports men and women who have been excellent and consistent in the course of the year. It is no other than the Nigerian Sports Awards ( NSA ).
Last year’s edition’s glamour was stolen by the Paralympic athletes – as the duo of Kehinde Paul and Lucy Ejike, who were gold medalist at the Rio Paralympic Games against all odds emerged as the Sports Man and Woman respectively.
And ahead of the sixth edition of the biggest sporting award in the country which has been billed for Friday, November 17, 2017 in Lagos, and with no iota of disrespect to other award categories that even include both Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State and Emmanuel Udom of Akwa Ibom who will be battling it out for the Governor of the year, we take a look at who deserves the Sportsman of the year between Basketball star, Ike Dihogu, 2017 ITTF Polish Open Champion – Aruna Qadri and Super Eagles star – Victor Moses.
Ike Dihogu
Ike Dihogu
The Jiangsu Monkey King of China power forward display at the last FIBA AfroBasket Championship in Tunisia was a testament to the fact that ‘age could at times be a number.’ Dihogu, who is D’Tigers’ captain was the only member of the 2015 AfroBasket squad invited for the title defence in Tunisia.
Though unable to lead a title defence, – as D’Tigers lost out to host nation Tunisia in the final 77-65, Dihogu was still able to manage a game high of 20 points in the final.
Asides record game high points in the final, the veteran recorded a tournament high 22 points per game and averaged 8.7 rebounds per game and it was by no chance or surprise when at the end, Dihogu emerged as the 2017 FIBA AfroBasket Tournament’s Most Valuable Player.
With a total of 132 points and Nigeria’s highest point scorer in four of the six games, Dihogu also emerged as the Tourney’s highest scorer and was also named on the All-Tournament Team.
Does Ike Dihogu deserve the Sportsman of the year award?
Aruna Quadri
The 2014 International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Star Player of the Year is a household name when it comes to Nigeria Sports Award. The 29-year-old won the 2013 and 2014 Ball Sports Personality, the same category he has also been nominated for asides the Sportsman of the year for 2017 edition.
The 2016 Olympic quarter-finalist had a disastrous campaign at the ITTF Nigeria Open as he was defeated 4-3 by Bode Abiodun in the quarter-final of the championship. Undeterred by the upset and ignominious campaign at the Nigeria Open, Quadri righty predicted that the future is still his.
“It’s the strongest open so far – it wasn’t as expected. I gave all my best but it was a very good game for Bode Abiodun but I strongly believe the future is mine.” Quadri said.
Less than three months after the prediction, Quadri against all odds and expectations became the First African to win an ITTF open outside the shores of the continent. He defeated Japan’s Kali Yoshida in six sets (11-7, 11-13, 11-8, 6-11, 11-8, 14-12).
Quadri’s feet both on the African continent and outside made ITTF describe him as a record setter.
ITTF publication editor, Ian Marshall wrote after Quadri’s feet at the Polish Open: “At the Liebherr 2014 Men’s World Cup in Dusseldorf, Quadri Aruna became the first player from Africa to reach the quarter-final stage of the prestigious tournament.
“Just over one year ago in the Men’s single event at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, he replicated the feat. Against all expectation he reached the round of the last eight.”
Also fellow Nigerian table tennis star, Omotayo Olajide sees Quadri as a great leader.
He wrote this on his facebook timeline after Quadri’s Polish Open triumph: “Continue paving way for us and may God continue to empower you … You are a great leader #respect# Aruna senior.”
With the remarkable feet at the Polish Open, Quadri joined Omar Assar as the only African players that represented the continent at the Men’s ITTF World Cup that held in Liege, Belgium.
Should the Sportsman of the year award go to Aruna Quadri?
Victor Moses
Victor Moses
The 2013 Nigeria Sports Award Footballer of the year has been one of the most consistent and if not the most important player for Nigeria in the year 2017.
His contributions to the National team was vital in the quest for the country qualifying for her sixth World Cup billed for next year in Russia.
The 27-year-old former Crystal Palace footballer has also been one of the most vital players in the Chelsea’s dressing room – raking up 40 appearances for Chelsea last season. With 28 starts and five substitution appearances in the English Premier League last season, Moses became the Nigerian with the most appearances for a title winning team.
With loans to Liverpool and West-ham, Moses, last season became one of Conte’s most trusted and loyal disciples.
His contributions has been vital for the Blues as many including club legend, Frank Lampard, who believes Chelsea’s struggle prior to the Blues 1-0 victory over Manchester United last two Sunday was as a result of the unavailability of the Nigerian due to a hamstring injury.
Asides his nomination for Nigeria Sports Award, Victor Moses has been nominated for BBC African Footballer of the Year award and as well in contention to win the Confederation of African Football’s player of the Year award.
On his recent nominations, Moses, in an interview with Goal.com said his teammates and Manager have been vital for his recent nominations. According to him, he wants to be the best player not just in Nigeria but Africa.
“I am pleased with the position I am in today, Moses said. “My manger and teammates helped me and encouraged me. It shows how hard I worked last year but it isn’t about being nominated but winning.
“Whatever the outcome is, I know that I have had a great year at the club and with the national team as well.
“I was part of the first African team to qualify for the World Cup as well which was good for us. Every season I want to be the best I can be to be Africa’s best player. I will do the best I can.”
With enviable records and statistics set by the trio of Ike Dihogu, Aruna Quadri and Victor Moses in 2017, it is a disrespect if any of them should win the award at the expense of the other two. But the truth is, one person must go home with the award.
With what the duo of Dihogu and Quadri have achieved this year, one do not need a soothsayer to know that Victor Moses will emerge victorious.
No disrespect to Dihogu and Quadri feats, but the fact that basketball and table tennis are not as popular as football in Nigeria might give Moses the edge.
Regardless, Dihogu or Quadri are still darlings of Nigerian sports fans, and have equal probabilities of winning. The media, especially, social media will definitely be agog this with reports, predictions and celebration for whoever among the three excellent sportsmen wins the award.
The Kwara Chapter of Cassava Growers Association of Nigeria on Friday said its members had not benefitted from the N1 billion Federal Government Agriculture Loan Scheme in the state.
Mr Sunday Moses, the Secretary of the association, disclosed this while speaking in llorin.
He said his members had acquired lands to cultivate cassava in large quantities and opened bank accounts in response to the request from the state government.
According to Moses, the state government has disbursed N1 billion to 500 others small scale farmers and 40 commercial farmers in the state.
The Secretary alleged that the agriculture loan was received by the state government from the Federal Government on behalf of 2000 farmers which included 500 cassava growers.
He expressed regret that none of his members benefited from the loan scheme.
Moses said that about 500 members of the association had opened accounts with the Union Bank in line with the state government’s directive.
He said that his members had been in the process of securing the loan for about one and half years now, but nothing had been forthcoming.
“Five hundred members of our association have done the necessary things and submitted necessary documents, but it is surprising when the commissioner for agriculture said there was no provision for them,” he said.
Moses appealed to the state government to consider the interest of his members of as they were part of the 2000 farmers that the loan scheme was meant for.
In his reaction, Mr Anu Ibiwoye, the Special Adviser to Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed on Agriculture, said the state was yet to receive the N1 billion loan meant for cassava farmers in the state.
He said the opening of account with with the Union Bank was just one of the conditions of taking the loan, adding that the cassava growers in the state were yet to meet other conditions to access the loan.
Ibiwoye gave an assurance that the state government would release the fund as soon as the Central Bank of Nigeria CBN disbursed it to the state.
