The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)

  • Nigerian workers, pillars of the nation – Saraki

    Nigerian workers, pillars of the nation – Saraki

    The President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki has described Nigerian workers as the pillars and driving force of the nation in view of their invaluable contributions to national development.
    Saraki made this known in a message signed by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Mr Yusuph Olaniyonu, in Abuja at the weekend to mark this year’s 2017 Workers’ Day celebration.
    He lauded the resilience and commitment of workers in both the formal and informal sector describing their contribution to the nation and the economy as “priceless’’.
    “From the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) that contribute over 47 per cent to our Gross Domestic Product (GDP), to the civil servants who are the driving force behind our government;
    “All the way to the unregistered business owners who work to make a living for themselves and their families, every Nigerian worker in both the formal and informal sectors makes a priceless contribution to the sustainability of our nation.
    “As we mark this year’s Workers’ Day, all Nigerian workers should be proud that their significant contributions keep this nation moving forward as they are the lifeblood of our country, an integral part of the fabric that makes up our society,” he said.
    Saraki said that the Senate would continue to work to establish and enhance all legislations that would guarantee the safety and well-being of Nigerian workers.
    He also emphasised on the need for government across all levels and participants in the private sector to work toward ensuring that workers received their salaries and pensions as and when due.
    “As a result of globalization, the Nigerian workforce is no longer competing with itself. We are now competing with our counterparts from both developing and developed nations.
    “With this in mind, it is necessary that all employers, those in the public and private sectors, work to continuously invest in the development of their employees,’’ he said.
    Saraki said the upper chamber would continue to partner with Nigerian workers to enact legislation that would guarantee that they got their dues at the appropriate time.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Workers’ Day is observed May 1 each year to celebrate the achievements of workers.

     

  • First bank aids non-oil sector through partnership in food fair

    First bank aids non-oil sector through partnership in food fair

    First Bank of Nigeria (FBN) Plc on Monday expressed its readiness to support Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to expand the country’s non-oil sector and tackle the recession.

    Mrs Bukola Oluyadi, Head, Brand Management, First Bank Plc, gave the assurance in an interview with journalists in Lagos.

    Oluyadi spoke on the sidelines of the second edition of the Fiesta of Flavours, a food and beverage fair showcasing the entertainment, art and business of food.

    The event was orgainsed by Eventful Ltd. in partnership with First bank.

    The 2016 edition had the theme: ‘’Food, Fun and Family’’.

    Oluyadi said that the bank would continue to support SMEs as one of its major markets, to revitalise the economy.

    She stated that SMEs would turn around the economy with the right support and development.

    “We believe SMEs will make things happen in our economy; in reviving and building this economy, SMEs are the key,” Oluyadi said.

    She said that the bank partnered Eventful to organise the food exhibition because of its belief that food was a major revenue earner.

    “We believe that food is the next oil, not only edible food but the whole value chain – from the agriculture (farm) to the industry and to our tables,” she said.

    According to the official, food had the capacity to turn around Nigeria’s economy, if well harnessed.

    “When food is supported, it will be affordable, and once a nation can feed itself, there will be growth and development as well as increase in productivity level,” she said.

    Also speaking, Mrs Yewande Zacchaeus, the Chief Executive Officer, Eventful Ltd., commended the bank for its partnership in the food and beverage fair.

    Zacchaeus said that the maiden edition of the fair which took place in December 2015, opened opportunities for exhibitors and SMEsin food businesses.

    She said that the event would empower many small businesses to expand their scopes.

    Zacchaeus hoped that the fair would enable Nigerians to know that agriculture had the potential to generate much revenue for the country.

    “Oil is a thing of the past; we must look for other avenues of revenue generation,’’ she said.

    Zacchaeus said that the company would continue to make the event rich and better in the future.

    Mrs Omowunmi Ogunshola, Chief Executive Officer, Wummyte Foods, one of the exhibitors, said that the event would create awareness for SMES.

    Ogunshola stated that the fair would afford exhibitors opportunities to advertise their products and businesses.

    She urged the organisers to increase the number of vendors at the fair in order to achieve the desired aim.

    The highlights of the event included cooking and baking by children and adults.