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Strength of any nation hinges on SMEs devt, says Entrepreneurship Prof.
A professor of Entrepreneurship and Strategy, Professor Olajumoke Familoni, has declared that Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) remain the lifeblood of any nation aiming to develop economically.
Professor Familoni, who is the Founder and Chairperson of ICLED Business School of Leadership and Entrepreneurship made the declaration during an entrepreneurial training for some business executives, mainly customers of a microfinance bank.
The training which was organised by ICLED Business School of Leadership and Entrepreneurship in collaboration with Accion Microfinance Bank was held in Magodo, Lagos.
She averred :”Small and Medium Enterprises are the lifeblood of any nation. They are the ones that supply labour force who hire millions of people not the multinationals. So, the strength of any nation is in the development if its micro businesses and SMEs that will provide jobs for the masses. America has invested so much in this sector that is why it has developed this much. Not so much for the multinationals”.
Speaking further, the University don also emphasized the importance of human capital development adding that, “Developing the human capital is important to any nation, having a knowledgeable workforce that will ensure that work is carried out well and produce great outcomes or products.
” Well trained personnel are vital for development of any nation. No wonder, Singapore invested heavily in development of human capital in technology to meet the current demands. We see where they are now. With a mediocre workforce the earnings is affected, because the foreign companies will bring their own workforce and cart away the money to their countries”.
The don who has been a manufacturer in the US for years urged Nigerians to embrace entrepreneurship and micro-businesses.
Trainees, facilitators at the training.
Speaking on the training, the Vice-chairperson,ICLED Business School of Leadership and Entrepreneurship, Mrs. Morenike Adeosun, said the essence of the training was to impart skills on the trainees so that they could run their businesses more effectively and attract the right customers.
The business executives were various aspects of business ranging from how to grow their businesses, attract customers,formulating business strategies, the real life situation and practical ways of running a business.
Various facilitators at the training were emphatic in their submissions that SMEs are ways to revamp the economy.
In his teaching,a facilitator , Mr.Nelson Oruh, urged the business executives to be up-to-date by scanning the environment.
He taught them how to expand their businesses and identify opportunities.
Adding that one of the most viable and resilient sectors of the Nigerian economy is SMEs.
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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