President Bola Tinubu has welcomed the 12 million dollars Abuja Centre for Entrepreneurship (ACE), saying it will strengthen Nigeria’s MSME ecosystem and boost business growth.

This ‌‍‍‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‍‍⁠⁠⁠‌was contained in a statement by Presidential Spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, on Wednesday in Abuja.

The Centre, funded by the Republic of Korea through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), is being developed at SMEDAN Industrial Development Centre, Idu, Abuja.

It is being developed in partnership with the Federal Government through SMEDAN and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The ACE is expected to provide facilities, technology, training and enterprise support for aspiring entrepreneurs, start-ups and growing businesses.

The centre targets 500 entrepreneurs, 400 start-ups and 1,500 MSMEs, with 5.9 million dollars allocated to construction and 6.1 million dollars for equipment and programmes.

Tinubu said the centre would help establish, strengthen and grow businesses, noting that small enterprises remained important to Nigeria’s economy.

”Small businesses are an important part of our economy. They employ people, support families and create activity in communities across the country,” he said.

He said many entrepreneurs had ideas and determination but needed better access to facilities, technology, training and support to grow their businesses.

According to him, the centre will therefore provide more of that support and strengthen the ecosystem around them,” he added.

”ACE will provide workspaces, digital facilities, training, incubation and enterprise support for entrepreneurs, start-ups and growing businesses.

”The centre will serve businesses in Abuja and surrounding cities, including Kaduna, Jos, Keffi, Lafia, Minna, Makurdi and Lokoja.”

Tinubu said the Federal Government would continue expanding conditions that enabled small businesses to grow, compete and create employment.

”We want more Nigerians to be able to start businesses, grow them and employ others.

”The centre is designed to accommodate women and persons with disabilities, with accessible facilities and crèche services for women with young children.

While construction continues, SMEDAN, KOICA and UNDP will work with universities, incubators, financial institutions and private-sector organisations to build a wider support system,” the president added.

Tinubu thanked the Korean Government for the 12 million dollars investment and commended KOICA, UNDP and SMEDAN for advancing the project.

”Our economy will be stronger when more Nigerian businesses can start, survive and grow. We must keep building the support around them,” he stressed.(NAN)

From Ayinde Akintade, Osogbo

Osun State Government has promised to continue to make significant investments in security and continue to provide security agencies with logistics and other operational support.

The Special Adviser to Governor Ademola Adeleke on Security Matters, Samuel Ojo made this known on Wednesday while speaking with Journalists in Osogbo the Capital of Osun State.

The Special Adviser stressed that security was a complex challenge that could not be tackled by government alone, security agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders, community leaders and residents must also be involved.

Ojo, who urged residents of Osun to immediately report any suspicious individuals, unusual movements, or the influx of unfamiliar faces to security agencies, said extra vigilance is requested from residents living in border communities where strange or unfamiliar faces may gained entrance through their porous routes.

The Special Adviser on Security advised residents to share community intelligence promptly with the police or other law enforcement bodies to neutralize risks and safeguard public safety.

Ojo said the incumbent administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke in Osun State has done well in the area of protection of life and property all over the state and it will not relent while assuring residents that the government would continue to strengthen intelligence gathering, support security agencies and deepen engagement with communities to prevent attacks and protect lives and property.

He said, protecting lives and property remains the foremost priority of the present administration of Governor Adeleke, while calling on the people to prioritize cooperation, intelligence sharing and practical solutions rather than exchanging accusations that could heighten fear among residents of the state.

The Security Guru, also affirmed that the government is not unaware of the crisis rocking the garages in the entire state but the issue will be a thing of the past in no distant time.

In this regard, the people should be rest assured that the State government will not relent in providing necessary support required to achieve peace in the state, as quoted.

Ojo however commended all the Service Commanders in Osun for their unalloyed support to the state government in tackling criminality in the state.

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has denied claims of a security breach involving Nigerians’ National Identity Number (NIN) and other personal information.

This is contained in a statement by the Head, Corporate Communications, NIMC, Kayode Adegoke, made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Abuja on Wednesday.

Adegoke was reacting to claims contained in a video circulating on social media, alleging that Nigerians’ personal data was exposed and offered for sale.

He described the claims as misleading and assured Nigerians that their data remained safe.

According to him, the NIMC wishes to assure Nigerians that their data is safe and secure and there is no need for panic.

He said the commission had put measures in place to protect the NIN of Nigerians and other personal information contained in the National Identity Database.

”Our systems are protected and the commission remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of citizens’ identity information,” he emphasised.

Adegoke urged Nigerians to disregard unverified information capable of creating fear over the safety of their identity information.

”NIMC takes the protection of citizens’ personal data seriously and will continue to strengthen measures against unauthorised access,” he assured.

The NIMC spokesman also advised Nigerians to use approved channels for NIN verification and other identity-related services.

He quoted the Director-General of the commission, Abisoye Coker-Odusote, as ordering a comprehensive investigation into the matter.

Coker-Odusote said that the investigation would determine whether any of its tokenisation verification agents breached their licensing agreements directly or through sub-licensees.

”NIMC will continue to work with relevant stakeholders to ensure that the identity information entrusted to the commission is properly protected,” she assured.

She reaffirmed the commitment of the commission to data protection and privacy.(NAN)