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Made in Nigeria Project group lauds Osinbajo’s commitment to MSMEs growth
The `Made in Nigeria Project’ group has commended Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on his commitment and support for the growth of small businesses in the country.
Osinbajo’s spokesman, Laolu Akande, in a statement on Monday in Abuja, said the vice president received members of the group led by Mr Adedeji Alebiosu, on a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The group, representing a coalition of MSMEs in Nigeria, was at the Presidential Villa to commend the Federal Government and appreciate the vice president’s support for MSMEs in the country over the past seven years.
Alebiosu acknowledged the contributions of the vice president through key interventions supervised under his office.
He said that the interventions had positively impacted small businesses in the space.
“Initiatives supervised by your office such as the Micro Small Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Clinics, the Survival Fund, and the MSMEs Awards, among others, have positively impacted many small businesses over the years.
“You have done so much in the MSMEs space in the country, we have never had it so good, that is why we are here today to show gratitude for the support the Federal Government has given to MSMEs in Nigeria,” he said.
Alebiosu said the visit to the vice president underscored the importance of collaboration and partnership in growing the MSMEs space in the country.
Osinbajo, in his response, said that the momentum built on the MSMEs sector by the Federal Government in the last seven years must be maintained given its crucial position in the economy.
“We must be as determined as possible going forward in maintaining the momentum built over the years in the MSMEs space.
“How we sustain the MSMEs Clinics, how it is institutionalised in a way that the incoming vice presidents or presidents are obliged to pay close attention to whatever is happening in the sector is very important.”
Osinbajo assured stakeholders that the Federal Government would create an enabling environment for the incoming administration to step into the positions already created in the MSMEs space.
On the ‘Made in Nigeria’ concept and the need to develop local capacity, the vice president said it was worthwhile.
“We must find where we fit in, in that value chain.
“It is true that no economy can be entirely self-sustaining but it is important to emphasise that we have the capacity to do a lot in our country.
“What we need to do is to find our comparative advantage and develop capacity in the value chain around the manufacturing of electric vehicles, arms manufacturing.”
According to him, there is a bigger challenge in manufacturing of items, creating jobs and wealth; hence the need to think in terms of scale.
“There is a lot of real and serious work that needs to be done. What should our approach be in terms of the value chain? We are a huge economy and a huge market.
“The problem people have always faced is how to engage our massive population in a meaningful way because anything you do seems like a drop in an ocean due to the enormity of the problem,” he said.
The group presented an Award of Excellence to the Vice President.
Members of the delegation that visited Osinbajo included the Director of Operations, Tosin Ashiru, Director of Special Projects, Samuel Adewale, Director of SMEs Engagement, Tola Ajayi and Director of Partnerships, Destiny Enakhimion.
The Minister of Police Affairs, Sen. Ibrahim Gaidam, has called for more cooperation with the German Government to reform and enhance the capabilities of the Nigeria Police.
Gaidam made the call on Thursday in Abuja when the German Ambassador to Nigeria, Mrs Annett Guenther, paid him a courtesy visit.
The minister said the cooperation should be in the areas of training, capacity building, technology and equipment support, intelligence sharing and institutional strengthning.
He added that other areas include community engagement programmes, counter terrorism cooperation and legal and judicial support.
“By focusing on these areas of security cooperation, the Nigerian Government can work with the German Government to enhance the capabilities of the Nigerian Police Force and improve its ability.
“With unwavering conviction in the power of sustained cooperation and collaboration, we are resolute in our shared objective of realising a safer and more secure Nigeria,” he said.
The minister commended the German government for its support so far towards enhancing police capabilities in the country.
“We hold in high regard the generous support extended by the German government toward the vital course of police reform.
“As the foremost contributor to the advancement of policing services and reforms within Nigeria, the German government stands as an indispensable ally in our endeavor to fortify law enforcement in Nigeria.
“Your commitment to assisting us in the area of reforms, development and improvement of the police has made significant impacts on our organisation and the community we serve,” he said.
The minister also appreciated the resources, expertise and guidance shared with Nigeria, which were invaluable in strengthening law enforcement and promoting safer environment for all.
Gaidam added that the Federal Government remained committed to fortifying the bond of friendship between the two countries.
“Given the prevailing security challenges confronting Nigeria, the backing of the German government has assumed an unprecedented significance.
“We express our deep gratitude for the continuous aid as we labour toward fostering a secure and protected Nigeria for its inhabitants,” he said.
In her remark, Guenther said the visit was to identify areas the two countries could deepen security cooperation.
She said Nigeria and Germany had a long standing relationship in the area of security, adding that her country was committed to deepening the relationship.
The Federal Government on Thursday inuagurated the committee expected to review, evaluate and compensate land owners affected by the construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal expressway.
The Minister of Works, Mr David Umahi, while inaugurating the committee in Abuja, said that the goal was to ensure transparency in all undertakings.
“The gesture is in line with the renewed hope agenda of the administration of Presidents Bola Tinubu which is transparency.
“The committee is tasked with interacting with the property owners to be affected, and to look at possible compensations to be paid. Where it is possible, the committee should visit the sites,” he said.
He said that the ministry would apply federal goverment rates for the compensations.
“I know very well that there is nobody that you ever compensate that is ever satisfied with how much is to be paid.
“However, we are bound by the law, so we are using the federal rate, which is a lot higher than the Lagos rate, in paying compensation
“We adopted the Federal Government rate since we are the ones paying,” he said.
Umahi said that apart from verifying those to be paid, the committee would also verify the dimensions where possible, and the amount.
He said that after the verification, the property owners would sign, and the contractor would be directed to pay the specified amount.
He, however, said that where there is a title problem, a presidential waiver would be needed before such people would be paid.
“So, only those that have proven titles will be paid as they are brought to us in the ministry, although we shall carry out our own checks.
“We have to make it very clear that 250 metres of the road legally belongs to the federal government.
“So, if you have a title within these 250 metres and it is not a title from the Federal Government, only the President will give a waiver if he so feels, for payment.
“So, I will work within the confines of the law,” he said
Umahi said that the ministry would try not to delay the files so that the process would be shortened.
He assured property owners that within 72 hours, the needful would be done.
Umahi said that property owners would sign and be given a form to indicate their bank accounts.
He said that the moment that was done, within 72 hours, payment would be authorised.
“The contractor is going to be paying directly to all those who are affected. We are committed to doing this, so the verification will start latest by Wednesday in Lagos,” he announced.
Umahi said that the committee members were drawn across board from the ministry, Lagos State, affected communities, among others.
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