Day: June 14, 2024

The Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) has stated the need for Nigerian and British businesses to leverage their strengths and explore new frontiers at the forthcoming trade mission in the United Kingdom.

Mr Ray Atelly, President, NBCC, said this at a news conference on Thursday in Lagos.

Atelly said the 2024 NBCC Trade Mission slated for June 24 to 28 has the theme: ‘Unveiling Untapped Opportunities Across the UK and Nigeria.’

He said the advice was crucial to navigate the complexities of a post-Brexit and post-pandemic global economy.

Atelly noted that the trade mission was critical, particularly at this time when the Nigerian economy needed a rebirth especially via influx of foreign direct investments.

He said Nigeria’s dynamic economy, rich in resources and entrepreneurial spirit, presented a wealth of investment opportunities for UK businesses, particularly as Nigerian banks need capital to meet the new capital threshold set by the apex bank.

Atelly added that the UK, with its advanced in
frastructure, diverse market, and robust legal framework, offered numerous opportunities for Nigerian businesses seeking to expand their footprint internationally.

‘It is certainly not just a window but a big door of opportunities thrown open to investors all over the world, the United Kingdom particularly.

‘The Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, has agreed to feature in the trade mission and he will be delivering a paper on his programme for the banks (recapitalisation of Nigerian banks).

‘It is, therefore, an opportunity for the financial institutions in Nigeria to join us on this mission to explore possibilities beyond borders,’ he said.

He also stated the need to explore and unveil untapped opportunities that exist within both economies.

Atelly said on the Nigerian front, opportunities existed in the transportation, educational and technology areas while for Nigeria in the UK, opportunities were in housing, food exports and culinary delights.

He stressed that Nigeria must expend effo
rts such as this to replace businesses that were being lost, noting that the net gain was in the country’s favour.

He pledged that the NBCC would continue to be at the forefront of fostering strong bilateral trade relations between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

‘This trade mission is a testament to our commitment to deepening economic ties, promoting business opportunities, and enhancing mutual growth and development,’ he said.

The Director General, NBCC, Mrs Ebere Njoku, said the trade mission would high the vast and often underused opportunities in Nigeria’s key sectors such as agriculture, technology, manufacturing, and energy.

Njoku said the knowledge exchange in best practices between business leaders would foster innovation and collaboration between Nigerian and British business leaders.

‘The UK-Nigeria relationship is built on a foundation of shared history and mutual interests.

‘This trade mission is not just about business; it is about building bridges, fostering understanding, and creating a
future where both nations can thrive together.

‘As Nigeria navigates challenging economic conditions due to the decline in global oil prices, it has become imperative for us to diversify our economy and reduce our dependence on crude oil.

‘The NBCC Trade Mission stands as a beacon of opportunity, aimed at attracting foreign investments to Nigeria with a focus on our non-oil sectors,’ she said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Delta Command, has deployed 654 personnel including regular and special marshals to various locations in the state to ensure safety during the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

Mr Muftau Irekeola, Sector Commander, FRSC, said this on Friday in Asaba while addressing personnel of the command in preparation for the Eid-el-Kabir special patrol.

Irekeola said that a total of 654 personnel, 19 operational vehicle, one ambulance, one power bike, and others would be deployed in the state.

The sector commander, however, said that the command was partnering with private tow truck owners, saying that the command’s tow truck was not in good condition.

‘If it is more than 30 tons truck, we will call FRSC Onitsha command for towing because Onitsha is less than four kilometers away from Asaba,’ he said.

He urged motorist to drive with caution, and pay attention to other road users.

‘During rainy season, the grip of their tyres on the road is reduced because of the rain, they need to spe
ed less, in fact they are supposed to go on a reasonable speed.

‘Even the passengers should not board overloaded vehicle, they should talk to the driver and if he is not listening they should drop at the next available bus stop.

‘They can alert any FRSC officials or security agency on the road,’ he said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Federal Government has started the process of reviewing the National Environmental (Permitting and Licensing Systems) Regulations, S.I. 29, 2009, to address areas of gaps in trending and emerging environmental issues.

Speaking at the expert critique meeting for the review on Thursday in Abuja, Dr Innocent Barikor, the Director- General, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESERA), said the document sought to strengthen environmental laws.

He said that the regulation also aimed at improving air quality and environmental conservation and avoidance of exposure to waste and hazardous substances.

‘The regulation seeks to achieve statutory environmental targets and outcomes.

‘Such as improvement in air quality, environmental conservation and avoidance of exposure to waste and hazardous substances by issuing Environmental Permits to the Regulated Community.

‘These permits have significantly aided the agency to achieve her mandate of ensuring compliance with environmental la
ws, policies, standards and guidelines.

‘However, in the course of operationalising the provisions of these regulations in the last 15 years, some gaps were identified.

‘These gaps included trending and emerging environmental issues such as climate change, marine pollution and biodiversity conservation which are of global concern.”

Barikor said that the factors necessitated NESERA to seek for assistance through the Quick Wins of its 5-Year Impact Plan from the UNEP-LEAP Small Scale Funding Agreement (SSFA).

He said this was under the Montevideo Programme V to facilitate the review of the regulation.

The director-general said that permitting and licensing regulations was the backbone that provided the necessary structure to balance growth and innovation and public safety.

‘However, as with any system, there is always room for improvement, thus, the need for the ongoing efforts to refine and enhance our regulatory processes,’ he said.

He said that the agency had so far conducted desktops reviews/documen
tations and interacted with relevant stakeholders across the six geo-political zones.

The director-general said that the agency also interacted with stakeholders from the 35 States of the federation through its zonal and state field offices.

Barikor urged stakeholders to consider the review process as a testament to the agency’s commitment in leaving a legacy of environmental sustainability for generations to come.

An expert, Mr Victor Ojogbo, said that the issue of the environment was critical.

Ojogbo, a former Director, Department of Planning and Policy Analysis, NESERA, said that the essence of the review was to examine the issues of offences, penalities for defaulters as well as enforcement by the agency.

He said that the review would also ensure that the regulators and regulated were placed on their toes for a seamless enforcement.

‘I said that the issue of the environment is not to be treated with kids glove; because if it affects me; it affects you and then the environment,’ he said.

Source: Ne
ws Agency of Nigeria

Afreximbank and First Bank of Nigeria(FBN) have signed a 200 million dollar facility agreement for financing the needs of FBN’s numerous clients.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the signing took place at the ongoing 31st Afreximbank Annual Meetings (AAM2024) in Nassau, The Bahamas, on Friday.

The meetings are being monitored by the NAN.

The facility will finance the needs of FBN’s numerous clients engaged in oil and gas and energy, manufacturing, telecommunications and associated infrastructure projects.

The parties who signed the agreement included Olusegun Alebiosu, Acting CEO, FBN, Awani Kanayo, Executive Vice-President, Intra-African Trade Bank (IATB), Afreximbank, and Viswanathan Shankar, CEO, Gateway Partners on behalf of African Credit Opportunity Fund.

The 31 AAM2024 is being held in Nassau, The Bahamas, from June 12 to June 15, with the theme: ‘Owning our Destiny: Economic Prosperity on the Platform of Global Africa”, NAN reports.

The AAM is taking place alongside the 3rd editio
n of the AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF2024).

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Residents of Nyanya community in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have commended the Hajiya Hadiza Foundation for giving them food items, clothes and cash, for the Eid El-kabir celebration.

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Comfort Ibiang, a widow, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja, said she was surprised at the gifts she received from the foundation.

‘I am surprised for a woman to do what she is doing. You can see we are all happy.

‘We are widows and less privileged and for her to come to our aid, through the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, I am so grateful,’ Ibiang said.

Ibiang, who appreciated the efforts of the founder of the foundation, called on the government and stakeholders to also assist them.

Mr Iyke Vincent, another beneficiary, said he was highly impressed and excited by the opportunity the occasion offered him and other less privileged people of the community.

‘I never knew something like this can come up at a time like t
his considering the economic challenges of the nation and the situation of things.

‘People are really hungry and for somebody to come at a time like this and alleviate our burden, no matter how little, is commendable.

‘People in the Nyanya community are truly happy and we are celebrating her from the depths of our hearts,’ Vincent said.

Earlier, Amb. Hajiya Hadiza Umar, the founder of the NGO, told NAN that giving back to the society was what gave her joy.

‘Today is one of my happiest days because it’s what I love to do to put smiles on people’s faces,’ she said.

She explained that her foundation was non-profit, committed to making a positive impact and to inspire hope for all Nigeria widows, orphans, less privileged and vulnerable people.

She said her vision was to create a society where women were empowered, children educated and persons with disabilities valued and everyone having equal opportunities to thrive.

Hadiza said that the funding of her project was purely from her purse as a business woman
, with no international sponsorship or donations.

On his part, Mr James Thomas, Chairman of Karu Local Government Area, said he was proud to offer support to the foundation with laudable objectives.

He said the foundation did well considering the reality of things, where people found it difficult to feed.

‘The beneficiaries today shall never forget how the foundation has impacted their lives,’ he said.

The Chairman said he was happy that the people expressed joy and delight.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

De Norsemen Kclub International (DNKI), a humanitarian organisation, has urged Nigerians to donate blood in order to save lives.

The Chairman, DNKI, Abuja Chapter, Mr Kolawole Otepola, made this call on Friday at the Wuse District Hospital, Abuja, during the organisation’s visit to hospitals to commemorate 2024 World Blood Donor Day.

According to Otepola, blood is God given; hence the need to reach out to others who do not have; who cannot pay and donate freely from what God has freely given.

He said that blood donation was what the organisation did on a yearly basis.

‘This time, we chose Wuse hospital because we looked around; we have been to Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Jabi, Abuja six times; we have been to Maitama and Gwarinpa.

‘So, we decided to go somewhere new this time; we decided to go to where our impacts will be further felt; where we have not gone before,’ he said.

He advised that Nigerians should make use of the opportunity to turn out and donate blood to save lives and help humanity.

In
his response, Dr Oluseyi Asaolu, Medical Director, Wuse District Hospital, said that blood was life and the act of donating it reduced the rate of death.

‘Blood is very crucial to human life; everybody needs blood; when you make that intervention to donate blood, it becomes a saving moment for someone in need.

‘It is a beautiful initiative when the world does a blood donation day; we are happy that this has been sustained even up till now.

‘There is a need to donate blood; there is nothing you are doing with the blood just storing it there and the good thing is that if you donate blood, the body has a way of replenishing it, so it is a win-win for everybody.

‘We really want to appreciate DNKI that considered Wuse District Hospital, for bringing people to donate and support what we are doing here,” he said.

Asaolu said that Wuse District Hospital had one of the best blood donation and blood transfusion services.

He said that the hospital maintained the services and screened blood properly before adminis
tering to the patient.

Mr Ogbobe Mathew, a member DNKI, said rendering humanitarian services to people in need was the organisation’s culture and what it did every year.

‘When the organisation came up with the blood donation thing, we discussed it knowing that giving our blood will save lives

‘You never can tell whose life the blood is going to be safe.

‘We tend to render humanitarian service like helping people in need in order to make the society a better place,’ he said

Source: News Agency of Nigeria