Business

400,000 youths benefit from N-Power, says NASS C’ttee

Published

3 years ago

July 2, 2021

The House of Representatives Committee on Poverty Alleviation and Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (SMEDAN) says 400,000 youths have benefited from the N-Power Scheme.

Rep. Balarabe Salame, Chairman of the committee, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja, said that the success was recorded during his tenure as the committee’s chairman.

NAN reports that the N-Power is a scheme set up by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2016 to address the issues of youth unemployment as well as help increase social development.

The lawmaker, representing Illela/Gwadabawa Constituency of Sokoto State, said the N-Power and SMEDAN had effectively alleviated poverty in the country.

”There are so many committees, one can make millions from, but I asked for a committee that will touch the lives of the masses and I was given the Poverty Alleviation Committee.

“Prior to now, no accountability was made for funds the government allocates for poverty alleviation, but since I assumed as chairman of the committee, 400,000 youths were given N-Power.

“And in my state, in each constituency, the women benefit from women’s grant.

“No fewer than 1,000 women have been given N20,000 each to start up a small business, while SMEDAN has also empowered youths and small scale businesses,” he said.

Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Stakeholders Forum, also paid the chairman a courtesy visit and presented him with an award of ‘Legislature of the Year’.

Salame, a three-time member of the house, said he believed he had served his constituency favourably during his tenure in the House of Representatives and as such, would not be seeking a re-election.

He appealed to other lawmakers to empower members of their constituency adequately and impact positively on their lives to reduce crime and insecurity.

“I thank Almighty Allah for giving me the help and people like you that always advice, support me and appreciate what I have been doing.

“I believe I have achieved what I intended to achieve and will not contest in the next elections for a seat in the House of Representatives,” he said.

On his part, Rep. Abdullahi Sa’ad, Deputy Chairman, Public Accounts Committee, commended Salame’s commitment to human capacity building.

He pointed out that there had been an improvement in the collating of inputs of lawmakers and conveying same to the Executive for integration in the programmes of the government.

Sa’ad also praised the synergy between the Executive and the 9th Assembly, noting that the absence of friction between both arms of government enhanced their operations.

“I thank God we have this opportunity to appreciate Salame and say thank you and may God continue to give you the wisdom to forge better partnerships with the Executive and the Legislature.

“This administration is arguably the best in terms of social intervention in the history of this country; the amount of social intervention we have seen.

“Both money spent and the people who have benefited, are unprecedented in the history of Nigeria.

“There are several bills to create a permanent body responsible for social intervention programmes in Nigeria and I believe the committee under him, will be the ones to scrutinise the bill and make recommendations for further legislative actions.

“I congratulate you on the award and believe that as it is not the first, it will also not be the last.

“We continue to pray for God’s guidance, as you continue to touch positively on the lives of your constituents and other Nigerians,” he said.

A member of the APC Stakeholders Forum, Mr Abdullahi Hassan, said that the solutions to the issue of insecurity in the country were good leadership, job creation and adequate engagement of the youths.

“We found out that unemployment is one of the major factors that has contributed to the insecurity we are facing today.

“Be it IPOB, Boko Haram or Banditry, any kind of crime and criminality going on today in Nigeria, the genesis is unemployment.

“Fortunately, Rep. Salame has within the last four years carried out programmes that have changed the living standard of people in his constituency economically.

“Because of that, the leaders of the APC Stakeholders Forum at the national headquarters of the party decided to pay you a visit and appreciate your initiative for positively impacting on the lives of your people,” Hassan said.

Highlight of the visit was the presentation of the award by the Chairman of the APC Stakeholders Forum, Faruq Hassan, to Salame.

Business

NNPC achieves 1.8mbpd crude oil production

Published

8 mins ago

November 14, 2024

Trends Admin

NNPC achieves 1.8mbpd crude oil production

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) and its partners have revved up crude oil and gas production to 1.8million barrels per day (mbpd) and 7.4standard cubic feet per day (scfd).

The company which announced this at a press briefing said the feat was achieved in compliance with the mandate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Speaking on the development, the Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Mele Kyari, congratulated the Production War Room Team that anchored the production recovery process.

“The team has done a great job in driving this project of not just production recovery but also escalating production to expected levels that are in the short and long terms acceptable to our shareholders based on the mandates that we
have from the President, the Honourable Minister, and the Board,” Kyari explained.

Giving details of the efforts of the Production War Room, the Chief War Room Coordinator and Senior Business Adviser to the Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Lawal Musa, disclosed that the feat was achieved through the collaborative efforts of Joint Venture and Production Sharing Contract partners, the Office of the National Security Adviser, as well as government and private security agencies.

NNPC achieves 1.8mbpd crude oil production

Business

FG gets fresh $134m loan from AfDB for agric projects

Published

27 mins ago

November 14, 2024

Trends Admin

FG gets fresh $134m loan from AfDB for agric projects

The Federal Government has secured a loan facility of $134million from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to help farmers boost seeds and grain production in the country.

This is contained in a statement issued by Anthonia Eremah, Chief Information Officer, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, on Thursday, in Abuja.

Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, made his know at the unveiling of the 2024/2025 National Dry Season Farming in Calabar, Cross River State capital.

Kyari explained that with the re-introduction of the national dry season farming to boost year-round agricultural production, the loan would be handy and guarantee national food security in the country.

The minister said the initiative is under the National Agricultural Growth Support Scheme-Agro Pocket (NAGS-AP) Project.

He said the federal government had declared an emergency on food production to enable all Nigerians to get easy access to quality and nutritional food at affordable rates.

Kyari also said government wants to use the agricultural sector for national economic revival through increase in production of some staple food crops such as wheat, rice, maize, sorghum, soybean, and cassava during both dry and wet season farming.

He added that 107,429 wheat farmers were supported under phase 1 of the 2023/2024 dry season, and 43,997 rice farmers under the second phase of the 2023/2024 dry season.

FG gets fresh $134m loan from AfDB for agric projects

(NAN)

Auto

Chery relishes impactful presence at 2024 Lagos Trade Fair, says it’s a resounding success

Published

7 hours ago

November 14, 2024

Trends Admin

Chery relishes impactful presence at 2024 Lagos trade fair, says it’s a resounding success

Days after one of the biggest trade shows in Nigeria ended, talks about the spectacular displays, special products on offer and which companies did what at the 2024 Lagos International Trade Fair are still reverberating in the business industry in and around the nation’s commercial capital.

After staging one of the most outstanding displays at the fair, Carloha, sole representative of Chery vehicles in Nigeria, has declared that the 2024 Lagos International Trade Fair was a resounding success for Chery.

The fair held from November 1 to November 10 at Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) in Lagos was attended by businesses from various sectors.

Chery made a commanding impression with a display of its array of vehicles that captivated attendees.

Chery’s lineup at the place featuring the Tiggo 8 Pro, Tiggo 4 Pro, Tiggo 2 Pro, and Arrizo 5 — easily became the highlight of the event, drawing admiration from automotive enthusiasts and industry experts alike.

Carloha Nigeria in its assessment of the show notes that the enthusiastic response from attendees reflected Chery’s alignment with the values of Nigerian consumers: durability, efficiency and style.

Indeed, it says the presence of Chery at the fair reinforced the brand’s status as a leader in innovative and high-quality vehicles.

“Chery’s presence at the fair signals its commitment to supporting Nigeria’s automotive industry growth,” it states, adding that the brand looks forward to continuing its journey with Nigerians seeking reliable and stylish vehicles that elevate their everyday driving experience.

Chery showcased the unique strengths and aesthetics of each of its models, with the Tiggo 8 Pro taking centre stage.

Tiggo 8 Pro

Known for its luxurious design and cutting-edge technology, the Tiggo 8 Pro made a lasting impact on attendees looking for a blend of sophistication and performance in an SUV.

Auto enthusiasts and prospective buyers were particularly captivated by the model’s spacious interior, high-quality finishes, and suite of intelligent features, which align with Chery’s reputation for engineering excellence.

Tiggo 4

For those interested in compact SUVs with versatility and style, the Tiggo 4 Pro was an instant hit.

Its sleek design, fuel efficiency, and advanced safety features resonated with visitors seeking a reliable yet stylish vehicle for urban and adventurous lifestyles alike.

The Tiggo 4 Pro’s appeal lies in its balance of form and function, and this resonated with young professionals, families, and automotive aficionados who stopped by Chery’s exhibit for a closer look.

Tiggo 2 Pro

The Tiggo 2 Pro also attracted significant attention at the fair.

Known as a stylish, compact SUV with a bold, urban design, the Tiggo 2 Pro struck a chord with those looking for a vehicle that combines affordability with aesthetic appeal and performance.

Its smaller size, combined with a powerful engine, makes it an ideal choice for city driving, and visitors were impressed by its efficient fuel consumption and user-friendly tech features, making it a perfect fit for Nigeria’s dynamic city life.

Arrizo 5

Arrizo 5, Chery’s stylish sedan that combines efficiency with cutting-edge technology, was part of the impressive lineup.

Many attendees were taken aback by the Arrizo 5’s seamless integration of petrol and CNG technology.

This appeals to those looking for sustainable and budget-friendly commuting options.

The sedan’s advanced safety features, plush interiors, and fuel efficiency made it a strong contender for those prioritizing both style and sustainability in a vehicle.

This year’s Lagos International Trade Fair saw an unprecedented turnout, with thousands of visitors exploring the diverse offerings from local and international brands.

Chery’s display not only highlighted the brand’s innovative automotive designs but also underscored its commitment to Nigeria’s automotive market.

The foot traffic at the Chery stand was a testament to the brand’s growing appeal, as well as Nigeria’s evolving automotive landscape, where demand for high-quality, dependable vehicles continues to rise.

Engagement with visitors

Beyond showcasing vehicles, Chery’s team engaged with visitors to explain the unique benefits of each model and answer questions.

This helped create a personal and informative experience for everyone who stopped by.

From live demonstrations to interactive sessions, Chery provided an immersive experience that helped attendeesj job understand the full scope of features each model offers, strengthening the brand’s connection with potential customers and automotive enthusiasts.

Carloha’s Sales Director, Mr. Joseph Omokhapue, says to make Chery ownership easy and affordable, highlighted their exclusive offers: a 6-year free service plan, 6-year/200,000 km warranty, and flexible auto financing options.

“These benefits are at the core of Carloha’s commitment,” he said, adding, “With fair pricing, nationwide 24/7 parts and service support, our customers can enjoy their Chery vehicles with complete peace of mind.”