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Oyo hosts National MSMEs Clinic Monday
The Office of the Vice President in collaboration with the Oyo State Government will on Monday June 25, 2018 stage the state’s edition of the National Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
The two-day programme will hold on Monday and Tuesday June 25 and 26, 2018 at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, Oyo State by 10am daily.
The State Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Princess Taibat Adeyemi- Agaba said that Monday June 26, will be for an interactive session between the federal government agencies and members of MSMEs, saying that there will also be an exhibition stand where locally made products and enterprise will be exhibited for inspection by the Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi.
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She said that the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osibajo will also inspect the MSMEs booth on Tuesday, saying that Vice President will also intimate the stakeholders on the efforts of Federal and State Governments towards strengthening SMEs in the state and the country at large.
The Commissioner disclosed that Professor Osibajo will also address youths in the state during a town hall meeting at the Prof. Theophilus Ogunlesi Hall, Opposite UCH Main Gate by 3pm on Tuesday.
Princess Adeyemi-Agaba noted that the MSMEs Clinic is geared towards driving the economy out of recession and placing it on a sound and sustainable path, saying that the plan is designed to assist the 36,994,587 micro enterprises recognized by the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the Small Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) on ease of doing business.
She explained that the Project is in partnership with various Regulatory Federal Government Agencies whose operations are critical to the activities and survival of MSMEs doing business in the Country, stressing “It is a collaborative effort with respective State Governments where conducive atmospheres are being created for all critical stakeholders to interact with each other with a view to getting feedback for resolving problems militating against the growth and sustainability of MSME space in Nigeria.
“This program is one of the social economic interventions of the Federal Government domiciled in the Office of the Vice President to assist businesses to thrive in Nigeria. Others being; N-Power, Conditional Cash Transfer, Home Grown School Feeding Programme and Government Enterprise Empowerment Programme (GEEP),” Princess Adeyemi-Agaba said.
The Commissioner said that the program is to create enabling environments for critical stakeholders to interact with each other to enable Federal Government Agencies proffer on the spot solutions where possible to problems affecting MSMEs.
She said that the Oyo State Government has been strengthening MSME’s scheme in the State with the strategic partnership with Bank of Industry in instituting a 1 billion naira MSME Development funding Scheme for on-lending to manufacturing related MSME in the State at 5% annual interest rate.
Princess Adeyemi-Agaba stressed that 200 projects have been supported under the Scheme in the Sum of about N800 Million naira, noting that a total of 5000 direct jobs have been generated under the Scheme throughout Oyo State.
She stated that federal and state government officials, members of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Manufacturers Association on Nigeria (MAN), Chambers of Commerce, Organised Private Sector, Informal Sector, beneficiaries of FG Social Investment Programmes and other stakeholders are expected to be part of the programme.
US car giant Ford on Wednesday announced 4,000 more job cuts in Europe, mostly in Germany and Britain, in the latest blow to the continent’s beleaguered car industry.
“The company has incurred significant losses in recent years,” Ford said in a statement, blaming “the industry shift to electrified vehicles and new competition”.
The move will affect 2,900 jobs in Germany, 800 in the UK and 300 in western Europe by the end of 2027, a Ford spokesman told AFP.
“It is critical to take difficult but decisive action to ensure Ford’s future competitiveness in Europe,” said Dave Johnston, Ford’s European vice-president in the statement.
The company also said it was adjusting the production of its Explorer and Capri models, resulting in reduced hours at its Cologne plant in the first quarter of 2025.
Europe’s car industry has been plunged into crisis by high manufacturing costs, a stuttering switch to electric vehicles and increased competition in key market China.
Germany’s Volkswagen has been among those hardest hit, announcing in September that it was considering the unprecedented move of closing some factories in Germany.
“The European automotive industry is in a very demanding and serious situation,” Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume said at the time.
Ford had already announced in February 2023 that it was planning to cut 3,800 jobs in Europe, including 2,300 in Germany and 1,300 in Britain.
The company said then it was planning to reduce the number of models developed for Europe, concentrate on the profitable van segment and speed up the transition to electric vehicles.
Ford currently has around 28,000 employees in Europe with 15,000 in Germany, according to the company’s works council.
President Bola Tinubu has approved the dissolution of the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State, and the removal of the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh, and Registrar, Mrs. Rosemary Ifoema Nwokike.
The council, chaired by Ambassador Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe, comprised five other members: Hafiz Oladejo, Augustine Onyedebelu, Engr. Amioleran Osahon, and Rtd. Gen. Funsho Oyeneyin.
A statement released on Wednesday by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, revealed that the council was dissolved following reports of procedural violations in appointing the vice-chancellor.
According to the statement, the council had allegedly appointed an unqualified candidate, disregarding due process, which triggered tensions between the university’s Senate and the council.
The Federal Government expressed dismay over the council’s actions, emphasizing the need for adherence to the university’s governing laws in decision-making.
“The council’s disregard for established rules necessitated the government’s intervention to restore order to the 33-year-old institution,” the statement noted.
In a related development, President Tinubu also approved the dismissal of Engr. Ohieku Muhammed Salami, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State.
Salami was accused of suspending the university’s Vice-Chancellor without following the prescribed procedures, a move the Federal Ministry of Education had previously directed him to reverse.
Despite the Ministry’s directives, Salami reportedly refused to comply and resorted to issuing threats and abusive remarks towards the Ministry’s officials, including the Permanent Secretary.
The Federal Government reiterated that the primary role of university councils is to ensure the smooth operation of academic activities, strictly adhering to the laws establishing each institution.
Tinubu warned university councils against engaging in actions that could destabilize their institutions, as his administration remains committed to enhancing the nation’s education system.
The Ekiti State Government has reached an agreement with labour leaders in the state, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the payment of the N70,000 minimum wage approved by the Federal Government.
Addressing journalists at a brief ceremony in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, the Head of Service (HoS), Dr. Folakemi Olomojobi, announced that the payment would commence immediately.
She lauded Governor Biodun Oyebanji for prioritizing the welfare of workers despite the state’s limited resources.
“This development demonstrates the governor’s commitment to improving the livelihood of our workers,” Dr. Olomojobi stated, highlighting the proactive measures taken by the administration to ensure prompt implementation.
In their remarks, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) Chairman, Comrade Sola Adigun, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Chairman, Comrade Olatunde Kolapo, expressed their appreciation to Governor Oyebanji for fulfilling his promises to workers.
They confirmed that the new minimum wage would apply to all cadres, including employees in ministries, parastatals, agencies, and pensioners.
The Chairman of the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC), Comrade Femi Ajoloko, described the implementation as a fair and commendable adjustment.
“This decision reflects the governor’s magnanimity and his dedication to fostering a productive workforce in Ekiti State,” he said.
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