Economy
ODSG trains 350 enumerators on COVID-19 pandemic loan disbursement
The Ondo State Government (ODSG) has started training no fewer than 350 enumerators that will be monitoring and inspecting those who will be given various loans meant to cushion the effects of COVID-19 pandemic under Nigeria-Cares (N-Cares) Project.
Mr Olatunji Ifabiyi, the Special Adviser on Commerce, Industry and Cooperative Services to the state governor, said this on Friday in Akure while declaring open the training.
Ifabiyi said that the project which would be funded by the Federal Government in collaboration with the state government is to mitigate the harshness of COVID-19 pandemic in various capacities and fields of the economy of the state.
Ifabiyi said that the N-Cares Project would alleviate the sufferings of the people and reduce poverty status in the state.
“Nigerian action response is a joint effort of both the World Bank and the Federal Government in collaboration with the state government to cushion the effects of COVID-19 pandemic in our economy.
“This could not have been possible without the involvement of President Muhammadu Buhari, Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and the state Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget.
“I also appreciate the present administration in the state for leaving no stone unturned in ensuring full recovery of the economy with intervention that involves sustaining and re-energising old industries and developing new ones,” he said.
He urged the enumerators to pay attention to their trainers so that they would be able to perform creditably well when they get to the fields in order to revitalise Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the state.
The special adviser assured the Federal Government that those that would benefit from the loan would adhere strictly to the repayment agreements.
Also speaking, the state Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr Emmanuel Igbasan, explained that the purpose of the training is to enable the enumerators capture the remittances of those that would benefit from the N-Cares Project.
“They are capturing those that will be given money after being trained on how to use the Bank of Industry-empowered application.
“They are called N-Cares agents. They will be managing everything that relates to the funds to be given out and monitoring the activities of beneficiaries,” he said.
Igbasan, who was represented by Mr Bunmi Alade, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, urged those that would benefit from the loan facilities to do things as expected, adding: “If we do it right, the more we will have.
In her remarks, Mrs Kosemani Kolawole, the Chairman of the Ondo State Micro Credit Agency (OSMA), explained that the project would capture MSMEs.
She said that the Federal Government’s gesture would ameliorate the effects of COVID-19 pandemic and boost economic activities in the state.
Kolawole noted that, “the enumerators are to go to the fields; help identify people, take their records and details and these will have great positive effects on our economy.”
By Sodiq Adelakun
Inflation in Nigeria continued to rise for the twelfth consecutive month in December, with the headline inflation rate reaching 28.92%, up from 28.20% in November.
The National Bureau of Statistics released its consumer price index report on Monday, revealing the ongoing impact of inflation on the country’s economy.
More details to come…
The Nasarawa State House of Assembly has announced the first reading of a bill aimed at regulating private schools and tertiary institutions in the state.
The bill, titled “A Bill for a Law to Regulate the Establishment and Operation of Private Nursery, Primary, Secondary Schools and Tertiary Institutions in Nasarawa State and Other Matters Connected Therewith,” was introduced during the House proceedings on Monday in Lafia.
In addition to this bill, the House also passed two executive bills that focus on promoting education and skills training in the state.
The bills, if passed into law, are expected to enhance the quality of education and boost skills training across Nasarawa State.
Three bills have successfully passed their first reading in Nasarawa State, Nigeria.
The first bill, titled “A Bill For a Law to Establish the Wing Commander Abdullahi Ibrahim Vocational and Technology Institute, Lafia, and other Matters Connected Therewith,” aims to establish a vocati onal and technology institute in Lafia, the state capital. This institute will provide valuable skills training and education to the youth of the region.
The second bill, named “A Bill for A Law to Amend College of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Lafia, Nasarawa State Law 2020, and Matters Connected Thereof,” seeks to amend the existing law governing the College of Agriculture, Science and Technology in Lafia.
The proposed amendments aim to enhance the college’s operations and ensure it remains at the forefront of agricultural and technological advancements.Lastly, the third bill, titled “the Bill for a Law to Regulate the Establishment and Operation of Private Nursery, Primary, Secondary Schools and Tertiary Institutions in Nasarawa State and Other Matters Connected Therewith,” focuses on regulating the establishment and operation of private educational institutions in the state.
This bill aims to ensure that these institutions meet certain standards of quality and provide a conducive learning environment for students.
“The Speaker of the House, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi, announced that the second reading of the bill for the establishment of the Wing Commander Abdullahi Ibrahim Vocational and Technology Institute, Lafia, and other related matters will take place on October 2.
The second reading of the bill to amend the College of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Lafia, Nasarawa State Law 2020, and matters connected thereof, will be scheduled for October 3.
These bills demonstrate the commitment of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly to improving the educational sector and providing opportunities for skills development in the state.
“I will slate Oct. 3, for the second reading of A Bill for A Law to Amend College of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Lafia, Nasarawa State Law 2020, and Matters Connected Thereof.
“I will also slate Oct. 4 for the second reading of A Bill for a Law to Regulate the Establishment and Operation of Private Nursery, Primary, Secondary Schools and Tertiary Institutions in Nasarawa State and Other Matters Connected Therewith,” he said.
Earlier, Alhaji Mohammed Omadefu, the Majority Leader of the House, moved motions for the bills to scale first readings.
The Minority Leader of the House, Mr Luka Zhekaba, seconded the motion.
The House unanimously passed the bills into first readings.
The Director of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise, Dr Muda Yusuf has said the current inflationary pressures might ease by December this year.
Yusuf disclosed this on Sunday in his Half Year Review of 2023.
His review comes amid the effect of fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange reforms by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
Consequently, the prices of goods and services sharply increased.
The National Bureau of Statistics said Nigeria’s inflation is 22.41 per cent. Nigerians have continued to lament the hike in the prices of goods and services.
Meanwhile, Yusuf said that the effect of fuel subsidy removal and forex reforms would be in the short term.
According to him, the challenges would gradually reduce before the year ends.
Meanwhile, Yusuf said the CBN should implement a sustainable intervention framework to moderate the volatility in the forex market.
“Inflationary pressure is expected to ease before the end of the year.
“It would pave the way for an equilibrium exchange rate which would be more tolerable and sustainable”, he stated.
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