NEWS
SMEDAN, GIZ, Others Harp on MSMEs’ Potential for Competitiveness
The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) and the Deutsche Gesellschaft fir Internationals Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) have harped on the need to harness Nigeria’s Micro Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMEs) potential for competitiveness.
They made the call at the 2022 National Conference on MSMEs organised by SMEDAN on Tuesday in Lagos.
The conference had as its theme: “Driving MSME Competitiveness via Public-Private Collaborations.
”Mr Olawale Fasanya, the Director-General, SMEDAN, in his welcome remarks said that the conference was designed to drive MSMEs across the country through a robust public/private dialogues and collaborations.
Fasanya said that over two million MSMEs closed shop as an aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and unfavourable business environment, among others from 2017 to 2021.
“The last National MSME Survey jointly conducted by SMEDAN and the National Bureau of Statistics put the total number of MSMEs in Nigeria at over 39 million.
“The sub-sector is very critical at the global, national and sub-national levels especially for socio-economic reasons.
“It is important to point out the fact that there was about two million MSMEs that closed shop between 2017 and 2021 largely due to COVID-19 pandemic, issues that bordered on general insecurity and lack of enabling environment,” he said.
Fasanya said that this, without doubt, had significantly set the entire economy backwards.
“Despite the challenges, the 39 million MSMEs account for 46.3 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 87.9 per cent of total employment in Nigeria.
“According to the 2021 World Bank report, MSMEs represent about 90 per cent of businesses and more than 50 per cent of employment worldwide. Formal MSMEs contribute up to 40 per cent of the GDP in evolving economies.
“According to the 2021 MSME Survey report, MSMEs contribute only 6.21 per cent to the total export basket of Nigeria compared to 49.3 per cent in India FY2021 and 68 per cent of exports in China (FY 2020).
“This relatively low contribution of Nigeria’s MSMEs to exports are largely attributed to the poor competitive nature of the sub-sector,’’ he said.
Fasanya said that the agency is also interested in connecting Nigerian MSMEs to the huge regional markets.
Mr Markus Wauschkuhn, Cluster Coordinator, Sustainable Economic Development Cluster/Head of Programmes, Pro-Poor Growth and Promotion of Employment in Nigeria Programme (Giz-SEDIN), said that the support was part of achieving its goals of increased income and employment.
“The objective of the GIZ-SEDIN programme is to improve the employment and income situation of the MSMEs.
“To achieve the programme goal of increased income and employment, SEDIN is working to improve the business enabling environment and policy/regulatory framework for MSMEs development and employment promotion in selected states.
“Furthermore, the programme aims at facilitating local economic development and strengthening selected value chains, fostering economic literacy and entrepreneurship competencies and MSME development.
“The target groups of SEDIN are the owners and employees of MSMEs as well as members of other economically active low-income households.
“The programme is working at the federal, state, and local level and is currently working in nine focal states, namely Kano, Kaduna, Plateau, Ogun, Oyo, Lagos, Niger, Edo and Abia,” he said.
Wauschkuhn said that the objectives of the 2022 National Conference on MSMEs are to create awareness of the National Policy on MSMEs and the Implementation Framework.
He said the would foster state government active leadership in public private MSME development interventions. Engender the development of specific private sector led MSME development interventions in critical areas of the economy.
Mrs Kikelomo Longe, former Ogun State Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Industry, said that the conference was an avenue to brainstorm on creative ideas to solve the challenges around MSMEs growth.
Longe added that to address the root problems must be addressed to, so that they can then become sustainable businesses.
Mr Tola Johnson, Senior Special Assistant to President Mohammadu Buhari on MSMEs, said that public and private partnerships was the key ingredients toward growing the economy.
Prince Yemi Adeniran, the Statistician General of the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics, pledged that the agency would continue to ensure availability of data in all phases of development.
Otunba Bimbo Ashiru, Chairman of Odu’a Group, highlighted some challenges in the MSMEs sector as access to finance, enabling business environment, taxes, rural development and proper bookkeeping.
Ashiru, while delivering his keynote address said it was imperative to harness opportunities in the sub-sector; hinting that with the high production of cassava in Nigeria, Nigeria had no business importing starch.
report that the conference was supported by GIZ and Sterling Bank Plc. (NAN)
By David Torough, Abuja
The remains of elder statesman and President General of the pan-Igbo group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, have been slated for burial on November 1.
Chairman of the burial committee, Senator Ben Obi, disclosed this at a news conference in Abuja on Thursday.
Alongside with the Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Amb Okey Emuchay and burial sub-committee chairmen, Senator Osita Izunaso, Gen.
Azubuike Ihejirika (retd) and others, Obi unveiled a series of activities culminating into the actual burial ceremony.“Our message today is to convey the dates for the burial of the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
“Lagos day of tributes, Wednesday 16th October 2024 at Eko Hotels and Convention Centre.
“Abuja Day of Tributes Friday 18th October, 2024 at the National Ecumenical Centre.
“Enugu Day of tributes, Saturday 26th October with a brief stop at Ohanaeze headquarters, 7 Parkland GRA Enugu while the main event will be held at the Okpara Square.
“Owerri Service of Songs Tuesday 29th October 2024. Commendation Service on 1st November in Owerri and Imo day of burial on Friday, 1st November 2024,” he said.
He added that further details will be communicated in due course.
On whether the Federal Government would participate in the burial, Senator Obi said the committee will visit President Bola Tinubu to intimate him about the transition of the statesman and details of his burial.
“We will be visiting President Tinubu to formally announce to him details of this transition and I am sure the President knows all that Chief Iwuanyanwu had done and he will do the needful,” he said.
Asked whether the late newspaper publisher had regrets about his inability to secure the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and ensure the realization of a restructure federation, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo scribe said Chief Iwuanyanwu died a fulfilled man because he never shies away from doing his best in the circumstance.
“Chief Iwuanyanwu and I visited Kanu in jail and I think that was his last official assignment before his demise.
“Prior to that, he had never missed any opportunity to call for the release of Kanu.
“On restructuring, he never minced his words on equity, fairness and justice and he knew that he couldn’t do it alone.
“So he operated with the South-South PANDEF, Middle Belt Forum and Afenifere. He asked for parity in the number of states in each geopolitical zone.
“We in Ohanaeze will continue to pursue these issues that were very dear to his heart and we want to give the assurances that we will not fail,” Obi said.
President Bola Tinubu will not attend the 79th United Nations General Assembly session in New York this year.The President has thus directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation, Mr Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser, Information and Strategy, said in a statement on Thursday.“President Tinubu, who returned to the country last Sunday after his trip to China and the UK, wants to focus on domestic issues and address some of the country’s challenges, especially after the recent devastating flooding.
“At UNGA 79, Vice President Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement to the General Assembly, attend important sideline events, and hold bilateral meetings,” said the statement.The high-level General Debate, with the theme, “Leaving no one behind: Acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations,”will run from Sept. 24, to Sept. 28. (NAN)
The National Examinations Council, (NECO) has released the June/July 2024 Senior School Certificate Examination results (SSCE), with 60.55 per cent of candidates securing five credits and above in English Language and Mathematics.
The Registrar of NECO, Prof. Dantani Wushishi, disclosed this while addressing newsmen at the NECO headquarters on Thursday in Minna, Niger.
Wushishi said that a total of 1,376,423 candidates, representing 706,950 males and 669,473 females, registered for the exam.
The registrar said that 1,367,736 candidates sat for the examination, representing 702,112 Males and 665,624 females.
He said that 828, 284 candidates had five credits and above, including English and Mathematics, representing 60.
55 per cent.Wushishi said that the number of candidates with five credits and above, irrespective of English and Mathematics, were 1,147,597, representing 83.90 per cent.
He said that there was a great reduction in the number of examination malpractices this year compared to 2023.
“The number of candidates involved in various forms of malpractice in 2024 is 8,437 as against 12,030 in 2023, which shows a reduction of 30. 1 per cent,” he said.
The registrar, however, said that 40 schools were found to be involved in mass cheating during the examination.
” During the conduct of the 2024 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), 40 schools were found to have been involved in whole school (mass) cheating in 17 states.
” They will be invited to the Council for discussion, after which appropriate sanctions will be applied.
“A school in Ekiti was recommended for de-recognition for mass cheating in two core subjects and 01 Science subject.
” Similarly, 21 Supervisors were recommended for blacklisting due to poor supervision, aiding and abetting, abscondment, extortion, drunkenness and negligence in 12 states,”said.
He urged candidates that sat for the examination to visit NECO website to access their results.
Wushishi said candidates can access their results on NECO website: www.neco.gov.ng using their examination registration number,” he said.(NAN)
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