The Nigerian Federal Government, through the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency, SMEDAN, has vowed to eliminate inefficiencies and barriers that hinder productivity in Nigeria’s SME sector.
The Director-General of SMEDAN, Charles Odii, disclosed this recently at the African Growth and Opportunity Act in Washington D.C, USA.
He explained that the Nigerian government is working to secure investments and expand market opportunities for SMEs.
According to him, the goal of the agency was to bridge the gap between Nigerian and U.S. small businesses, ensuring that AGOA’s opportunities are fully leveraged to foster growth, industrialization, job creation, and improved production quality for Nigerian SMEs.
Odii also highlighted SMEDAN’s initiatives to increase awareness of export opportunities such as AGOA among Nigerian small businesses, with targeted support for key sectors like textiles and agriculture. He explained that the agency is collaborating with organizations such as NAFDAC, SON, and NEPC to ensure compliance with safety and regulatory standards and streamline the export process.
“We are diligently working to eliminate inefficiencies and barriers that hinder productivity in Nigeria’s SME sector,” Odii stated.
“As the Secretary of the National Council on SMEs, chaired by the Vice President and led at the state level by all state governors, we are collaborating with other government agencies involved in taxation, health and safety regulations, land access, and financing to create a conducive environment for growth.”
This comes as the government commenced the disbursement of N75 billion grants in the Presidential Palliative Program to SMEs.
Odii noted efforts to secure counterpart funding agreements with both private and public organizations to increase affordable financing for small businesses.
Nigerian govt vows to reduce trade inefficiencies, barriers to boost productivity of SMEs
Nigerian govt vows to reduce trade inefficiencies, barriers to boost productivity of SMEs
China congratulates Venezuela’s Maduro on re-election
China has congratulated Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on his re-election, after a vote whose official results were immediately rejected by the country’s opposition and key regional nations.
“China congratulates Venezuela for smoothly holding its presidential election and congratulates President Maduro on his successful re-election,” the spokesman of the Foreign Ministry, Lin Jian, told a regular briefing on Monday.
“China stands ready to enrich our all-weather strategic partnership and better benefit the peoples of both countries.
“China and Venezuela are good friends and partners who support each other.”
Beijing is Venezuela’s main creditor and has close ties with the diplomatically isolated, inflation-ravaged socialist nation.
Maduro visited China in September, meeting President Xi Jinping and declaring the “historic” visit was aimed at “strengthening cooperation and the construction of a new world order”.
The Venezuelan leader was declared the winner of Sunday’s presidential election with 51.2 per cent of votes.
But Venezuela’s opposition coalition insisted it had garnered 70 per cent of the vote, rejecting the figures from Maduro’s loyalist electoral authority.
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Your friend is wrong, you did right by investing in Nigeria, Obi tells Dangote
A former presidential candidate Peter Obi has encouraged Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, following reports of Dangote’s disappointment with his investments in Nigeria.
Obi’s statement comes in response to recent media reports that one of Dangote’s wealthy friends, who had initially discouraged him from investing in Nigeria, is mocking him due to the challenges facing his business operations.
In a statement on Monday via X, Obi firmly supported Dangote’s decision to invest in Nigeria.
“My Dear Elder Brother, Alhaji Dangote, I want you to know that your friend is wrong. You did the right thing by investing in the productivity, growth, development and progress of our beloved nation, through your many business ventures, irrespective of the challenges and obstacles that now stand in your way,” Obi stated.
The former Anambra State governor emphasised the importance of serving humanity, acknowledging that such service often comes with challenges.
He said, “God knows that you are strong enough to overcome the challenges and contribute to building a better humanity.”
Drawing from his own experiences, Obi shared personal setbacks he faced since entering public service.
“I have lost more in my own life ever since I joined public service, which I would not have lost if I remained in the private sector,” he added.
Obi detailed how his savings from abroad and businesses in Nigeria were either run aground or taken over by those entrusted with their management. Despite these obstacles, Obi noted that he remained optimistic about Nigeria’s future.
He encouraged Dangote to persevere, stating, “I encourage you to remain resilient in the face of the present challenges, not for material gains, but for the development and progress of the nation and a better humanity.”
On July 23, Dangote, in an interview with PREMIUM TIMES was quoted to have said, “Four years ago, one of my very wealthy friends began to invest his money abroad. I disagreed with him and urged him to rethink his actions in the interest of his country.
“He blamed his action on policy inconsistencies and shenanigans of interest groups.
“That friend has been taunting me in the past few days, saying he warned me and that he has been proven right.”
He said he invested in the refinery to help solve a major issue in the country, wondering why some people were working against him.
Venezuela election result not accurate, says US
Washington has “serious concerns” that the Venezuelan election result declaring President Nicolas Maduro the winner is not accurate, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Monday.
“We have serious concerns that the result announced does not reflect the will or the votes of the Venezuelan people,” Blinken said in Japan.
Shortly before he spoke, Venezuela’s electoral council had announced that Maduro won re-election to a third six-year term with 51.2 percent of
votes cast.
Independent polls had predicted Sunday’s vote would bring an end to 25 years of “Chavismo”, the populist movement founded by Maduro’s socialist predecessor and mentor, the late Hugo Chavez.
“It’s critical that every vote be counted fairly and transparently, that election officials immediately share information with the opposition and independent observers without delay, and that the electoral authorities publish the detailed tabulation of votes,” Blinken said.
“The international community is watching this very closely and will respond accordingly.”
AFP.
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Nadal, Djokovic game lights up Olympics as Titmus eyes more gold
Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic will do battle once more when they meet at the 2024 Paris Olympics on Monday while Australia’s Ariarne Titmus is hotly tipped to win her second swimming gold of the games.
Also on the third day of action, Britain’s Tom Daley will try to prevent an anticipated Chinese clean sweep in diving, while China and Japan will duel for gold in the men’s team final of the gymnastics.
Gold medals are also up for grabs in archery, canoeing, mountain biking, equestrian, fencing, judo, shooting and skateboarding.
The hottest ticket in town will be at Roland Garros, where Djokovic and Nadal will clash for a 60th time, with the Serb up in their rivalry 30-29.
Nadal has had a clear edge on the clay in the French capital down the years, but after more injury concerns and with his career winding down, the 38-year-old Spaniard said Djokovic was the “clear favourite” this time.
“Of course, it’s beautiful to play against one of the two biggest rivals that I had in my career, especially on this court.
“But situations are completely different for him, for me. He’s being very competitive. I was not being very competitive for the last two years,” Nadal said.
– Titmus eyes more gold –
Another night of red-hot competition is in the offing in the pool where the best swimmers on the planet will compete for five titles.
The last race of the night sees Titmus attempt to add the 200-metre freestyle crown to her dominant 400m triumph on Saturday when she blew away rivals Summer McIntosh and Katie Ledecky to retain her title.
The 23-year-old Titmus is the favourite at 200m — she is the reigning champion and world record-holder.
Her biggest threat is fellow Australian Mollie O’Callaghan, who boasted the fastest time ever until Titmus smashed it in June.
Following her emphatic victory over 400m, when she led from start to finish, Titmus, who hails from Tasmania, said it was hard to take it all in.
She said, “I’m just the same old goofy Tassie girl out here living out her dream.
“I hope it goes to show that anyone can do what they want to do if they work hard and believe in themselves.”
The other swimming finals on Monday are in the women’s 400m individual medley, men’s 200m freestyle, men’s 100m backstroke and women’s 100m breaststroke.
– Pressure on China? –
China are the unparalleled force in diving and at the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Games three years ago when they hoovered up seven of the eight golds.
The one they did not win went to Daley and Matty Lee in the men’s synchronised 10m platform.
It was gold at last for Daley, who also has three bronze medals, the first coming at London 2012. He made his Olympics debut as a 14-year-old at Beijing 2008 and has been in the public eye ever since.
One of Britain’s highest-profile Olympians, he was the country’s male flag-carrier at Friday’s opening ceremony on the River Seine.
The 30-year-old said the pressure is on the Chinese.
“On paper, you would consider them to win every single event, but it is the Olympic Games,” Daley, who will team up with Noah Williams, told the BBC.
“I know every single one of the Chinese divers knows it is their competition to lose, which brings a lot of pressure and expectation.”
China scooped the first diving gold in Paris with victory ahead of the United States and Britain in the women’s synchronised 3m springboard.
– Ukraine fencing hope –
In other sports, Yuto Horigome defends his men’s skateboarding street title. The event was postponed on Saturday because of rain.
Japan could snatch all three medals, with the 2023 world champion Sora Shirai and 14-year-old Ginwoo Onodera also strongly fancied.
The legendary American Nyjah Huston will have something to say about that.
Japan’s women skateboarders took gold and silver in the street on Sunday.
In sabre fencing, Olga Kharlan of Ukraine, a four-time individual world champion, is chasing a second Olympic gold and fifth medal overall of her career.
The Italy-based fencing great told AFP in Paris that another gold will be an achievement against all the odds, following Russia’s invasion of her homeland.
AFP
Protests will hurt economy, says ex-Senate leader
A former Senate Leader and governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress in Oyo State, Teslim Folarin, on Sunday, appealed to Nigerians to shelve their planned protests, saying “it will multiply our pains and hurt our economy.”
Folarin, in a statement signed and made available to According Online in Ibadan, the state capital, said the protests would only worsen the pains of Nigerians and further damage the country’s economy.
He said while the right to protest is enshrined in the Nigerian constitution, the proposed “Days of Rage” and “#EndBadGovernance” protests were likely to be hijacked by miscreants, turning them into another “#EndSARS” situation.
Folarin said, “No responsible government would want its citizens to suffer, and I dare say, that no government would fold its hands while the citizens’ livelihood and survival are being undermined.”
The former Senate Leader expressed concerns that the protests would hurt economic activities, send a negative signal about Nigeria’s democratic stability, and impact investors’ confidence.
He also warned that terrorists and criminal elements could take advantage of the protests to cause mayhem and destabilize the country.
He added, “There is no denying the fact that Nigerian masses are currently undergoing economic hardship due to economic reforms being undertaken by the government. The government has been honest in admitting the hardship. The government has also assured that what Nigerians are currently going through is the pain that precedes the relief.
“As a stakeholder in our body polity, I have significant doubts that the planned nationwide protest would achieve any tangible. The reason is simple– the proposed nationwide protest tagged #DaysofRage, #EndBadGovernance and others, is being championed by yet-to-be-identified individuals and/or civil society organisations. Besides, security agencies have informed of credible intelligence of plans to hijack the protests.
“Let me make it crystal clear, that the right to protest is enshrined in the Nigerian constitution and is a fundamental aspect of democracy, underscoring the public’s right to express discontent with government policies and actions. But can the country gamble on the protest not being hijacked by miscreants, thereby turning it into another #EndSARS?
“Replicating Kenya’s Gen Z protests in Nigeria is an ill wind that will blow Nigeria and Nigerians no good.
“My other area of concern is that the planned nationwide protest is already hurting economic activities. There is already panic buying and selling.”
Russia downs 39 Ukrainian drones
Russia on Monday said it had downed 39 drones fired by Ukraine overnight mainly targeting border regions.
“The anti-air defence systems intercepted and destroyed 19 drones in the Kursk region, nine above Belgorod, three over Voronezh and five over Bryansk,” all bordering Ukraine, the Russian defence ministry said on Telegram.
Three others were neutralised in the northwestern Leningrad region near Saint Petersburg in an “attempted terrorist attack”, it said.
Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian fuel depots, refineries and energy facilities are frequent, particularly in the border regions.
Russia has also launched massive attacks on Ukraine’s power plants, causing severe electricity shortages in recent months.
AFP
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August 1: Lead protest like Tinubu, Buhari – Presidency dares Peter Obi
President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has reacted to the decision of the 2023 Labour Party, LP, presidential candidate, Peter Obi to endorse the August 1 nationwide rally.
Onanuga said Obi should act like Tinubu and former President Muhammadu Buhari by coming out to openly lead the nationwide protest.
He challenged Obi to be at the forefront of the protest and helping to curb the possible excesses.
Posting on X, Onanuga wrote: “Now that Peter Obi has come out to endorse the planned protest by his supporters, he should do what President Tinubu and former President Buhari did in the past, by coming out openly to lead the protesters.
“That is what leadership is about. Not playing the master puppeteer behind the scene. He should be in the forefront of the protest and help in curbing their possible excesses.”
Omoyele Sowore, a popular activist had called for the nationwide protest on August 1 against Tinubu’s administration.
The protest is against the hunger and suffering Nigerians are currently experiencing under Tinubu’s administration.
Despite warnings by the Nigerian Government and some state governors, the organizers of the protest had vowed to ensure that it succeeds.
August 1: Lead protest like Tinubu, Buhari – Presidency dares Peter Obi
Minister urges students to remain on campus during nationwide protests
The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, on Monday, advised students in Nigerian universities to remain on campus during the planned nationwide protests to avoid risking their lives.
The minister, through the acting Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Chris Maiyaki, made this known in a letter addressed to Vice-Chancellors of universities.
Certain activists have organised a nationwide protest slated for August 1 to 10, 2024. The planned protest has gained traction on social media, trending under the hashtags ‘#EndBadGovernance,’ ‘#TinubuMustGo,’ and ‘#Revolution2024.’
The presidency and police authorities have called on youths to abandon the plan.
“The Honourable Minister of Education has directed that the attention of Vice-Chancellors of all Nigerian Universities be formally drawn to the plan by unknown groups to embark on nationwide protests. The Federal Government is not unaware of the right of any Nigerian to peaceful protest, but is concerned about the safety of staff, students, and university property should there be any protest action.
“Consequently, the Honourable Minister has directed that Vice-Chancellors of all Nigerian Universities should take proactive steps to ensure the security and safety of the university community, including staff and students. In addition, Vice-Chancellors are to please issue specific statements to assure staff and students of their safety. It is also advisable that students remain on campus to focus on their academic pursuits to avoid exposure to any potential danger during the planned protests.
“Please accept the renewed assurances of my highest considerations and best wishes.”
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Edo: Shaibu puts governorship ambition on hold, backs APC candidate
The reinstated Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, suspended his governorship ambition to support the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, in the September 21 election in the state.
Shaibu stated this at the Afemai World Congress in Detroit, Michigan, the United States on Sunday.
He accused Governor Godwin Obaseki of frustrating his governorship bid.
He expressed confidence that he would try again in the future, citing his youthful age as an advantage.
In a video clip made available by the congress organizers, Shaibu endorsed Okpebholo as a better candidate than Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who is backed by Obaseki.
He described Okpebholo as “a breath of fresh air” who is “not contaminated yet” and praised his ability to “talk less and do more.”
Shaibu also called on the diaspora community to take an active interest in Nigerian politics, sharing his personal experience of being impeached and reinstated as deputy governor.
He attributed his political journey to God’s guidance and expressed hope for a better future for Edo State.
READ ALSO:Edo Deputy Gov Shaibu opens up on real reason for fallout with Obaseki
He said: “Elections are coming and I would like you to be interested. You see that I have moved from the PDP back to the APC. I moved to the PDP because of the governor (Obaseki) and I am back in the APC because of the governor.
“I wanted to become the governor and they said they would destroy me if I continued to nurse that ambition. They have done everything but God has kept me alive.
“I was impeached but I knew I would come to this programme as the deputy governor. I have been reinstated and my impeachment was part of intimidation and harassment, which I have gone through. We must begin to look for ways to salvage our country.
“I am supporting the APC candidate because he is a breath of fresh air and he is not contaminated yet. He doesn’t speak too much English. He talks less and does more and he is the first person to break the jinx in Edo Central by winning the Senate seat on the platform APC.
“The same scenario that made him a senator is playing out now. It is obvious that the grace of God is upon him. I have played my card, we are still young. If God says I will be governor, then I will be. I have left my ambition to God and we will make Afemai and Edo State, the land of our dream.”
By backing Okpebholo, Shaibu has effectively put his governorship ambition on hold, opting to support a candidate he believes has a better chance of winning the election.
This move has significant implications for the political landscape in Edo State as the governorship election approaches.
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