Category: General News

SME’s makes 96 percent of business in Nigeria, says Femi-Ajala

 

By Oluwaseyi Oduneye-Ogunwomoju

 

Mrs Bukola Femi- Ajala, the Executuve Director, Institute for National Transformation (INT) said that SME’s make up 96 percent of business in Nigeria and contributes to 46-48 percent in GDP.

 

Femi- Ajala said this at the University of Ibadan School of Business Students Association 2025 Week with the theme “ Transforming Realities into Business Opportunities.

 

She said that SME’s account for 84 to 88 percent of employment in Nigeria.

 

“39 percent of businesses are owned by women, this implies a 39 percent female ownership rate in the country higher than 29 percent of sub-sahara Africa and 34 percent global average,” she said.

 

She, however, urged the government to look at youths and see into what will make them thrive.

 

“Looking at age, we have high youth population which inturn is innovation and energy.

 

Similarly, Dr Olufunmi Adegbile, Managing Director, Royal Spices Planner and Managers said that business is not about products or profits alone but the people.

 

Adegbile said that business is giving good customer service to people at all times.

 

“ Giving each job or service the utmost best at all times should be top tier, the quality of your service would determine how far you would go and what you will attain, ” she said.

 

Prof Adenike Osofisan, former Director of the University of Ibadan School of Business said that when establishing the school there was no school in the world that covered the syllabus they wanted to start with.

 

Osofisan said that other business schools were offering one of a few of what we wanted to start, non-had all courses we were establishing.

 

“We established this school with focus on what we depend on in Nigeria asides course that MBA is used to.

 

“This school was the first to be accredited by National University Commission. We’re collaborating with IITA with respect to agriculture business, where students are going there for lectures and practical lessons,” she said. (NAN)

 

Dr Odo inaugurates Greater Ukehe Water Scheme, reticulates 17 water galleries in Igbo-Etiti LGA

The Chairman, Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu State, Dr Eric Odo, has inaugurated the revitalised Greater Ukehe Water Scheme and the reticulation of 17 water pump galleries in communities within the council area.

Odo accompanied by the Commissioner for Water Resources, Mr Ben-Collins Ndu, and Mrs Chika Mbah, Managing Director, Enugu State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (EN-RUWASSA), performed the inauguration at the weekend.

It would be recalled that the multi-million-naira Greater Ukehe Water Scheme was first inaugurated in 1995 and functioned until 2011 when the pump stopped working.

Odo said that the project was in fulfillment of Gov. Peter Mbah’s campaign promise to the people of Igbo-Etiti East Development Centre in 2022.

He explained that the revitalised water scheme would provide steady water supply to Ukehe and other neighbouring communities, while the newly reticulated 17 water galleries spanning more than 6-kilometre on Old Federal Road would make water easily accessible to residents.

According to him, when I resumed office in September 2024, I made a solemn promise to end the long years of water scarcity in Igbo-Etiti Council Area.

He said, “Today, we are witnessing the result of that commitment and it is a dream come true for our people.

“This revitalised Greater Ukehe Water Scheme will provide potable water to our people and improve the quality of life in our communities.

“These water galleries are strategically located to ensure that no resident walks a long distance to fetch water. This is about making life easier for our people.

“Access to clean water is not a privilege, it is a right and our administration is determined to make that a reality.”

Odo reiterated that the project was carefully executed to ensure durability and maximum reach, with the 17 water galleries reticulated to serve households in the council area.

The chairman said that his administration was determined to ensure that every community in Igbo-Etiti council area has a functional water source; adding that other water projects in the council area would soon receive attention.

Speaking, the Contractor of the project, Dr Chibuike Iyi, expressed satisfaction with the outcome, assuring that the facility was built to standard and would serve the people for many years.

“We used quality materials and modern technology to ensure the system was efficient and long-lasting.

“This project reflects the commitment of the local government chairman to deliver sustainable infrastructure,” Iyi said.

In his remark, the Enugu State Commissioner for Water Resources, Mr Ben-Collins Ndu, commended the state governor and the council chairman for undertaking such a huge project for the benefit of the people.

Ndu called on the residents of the benefiting communities to protect the project from vandals in order for them enjoy the facility for a long time.

The Managing Director of EN-RUWASSA, Mrs Chika Mbah, called on the benefiting communities to take full ownership of the project and protect the investment to ensure sustainability.

Responding, some of the residents of the benefitting communities, including Mrs Chioma Eneh and Mr Linus Nwaeze, thanked Gov. Mbah and Odo for “the positive and people-oriented gesture” of provision of potable drinking water in their communities.

“We thank God for the gift of Gov. Mbah and Dr Odo for keeping to their promises of providing us with access to clean water, which has ended the problem of water scarcity in Ukehe and environs,’’ Eneh said.

The high points of the event were the inauguration of 17 water galleries in Ukehe, which are located at Amauwani Gallery Point, Ekechara Market Gallery Point, Ugwu Ogbomogu Gallery Point and 14 others.

 

 

‎World Post Day: Advancement in technology helping NIPOST deliver optimal service, says Postal Master

‎By Oluwaseyi Oduneye-Ogunwomoju

‎The Postal Manager, NIPOST, Oyo State, Mrs Feyisara Umossoh, has appealed to residents in the state not to abandon it as the agency has embraced automation to deliver optimal service.

‎“We’ve moved from manual way of doing things to doing things the automated way. Our counters are now automated and we’re going with the federal government’s cashless policy; we don’t deal with physical cash again.

‎“Our services are automated that you can easily track and trace your items when using our service,” she said at an event on Thursday in Ibadan to commemorate the 2025 World Post Day.

‎The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the celebration is:“Post For People: Local Service”.

‎Umossoh said that NIPOST was still very relevant and not just doing postal service of letters alone, but service to humanity.

“ NIPOST covers every aspect of life like commerce, e-commerce. The post is actually a way of life because post office goes beyond posting of letters or buying stamps but involves interaction with people.

“In those days a postmasters was like a custodian of the community. Then our aged parents depended on them to write letters to their families for their needs or help in packaging items and sending to loved ones.

“ A postmaster used to serve as an intermediary between the urban and rural area. The postmaster was so much trusted with informations, values and happening in the rural community,” she said.

‎Umossoh said that the post office has evolved in affceting Nigerians life positively and that in the history of Nigeria, NIPOST started the idea of money transfer.

‎“People came here to send money infact Western Union started at the post office. We still have such service just that the world has advanced and many can easily send money from their homes using phone.

‎“ We see the advancement of technology has enhancing our services. We’ve moved from manual way of doing things to doing things the automated way.”

‎Umossoh also seized the occasion to recognised outstanding members of staff, both still in service and those that have retired earlier this year, for giving the job their best.

‎“We’re also honoring our retired colleagues, whom I refer to as generals; who have served humanity and gone extra miles to ensure that NIPOST perform optimally.

“ We have 44 members of staff who have retired between January and now and we’re honouring them for giving NIPOST their youthful days and this inturn will encourage and spur those still in service to give their best,” she said.

Makinde Vows to Keep Listening to Residents as Oyo’s 2026 Budget Consultation Opens

 

By Adewale Owoade

 

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has reiterated on that his administration will continue to engage citizens in the budget‑making process, ensuring that the 2026 budget reflects the aspirations and priorities of Oyo‑State residents.

 

Speaking at the Stakeholders’ Consultative and Engagement Meeting held at Ogunlana Hall, International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan,

 

Makinde said the seventh edition of the forum underscores the government’s commitment to a bottom‑up approach.

 

“This is the 7th in our Stakeholders’ Engagement series. We all have to work together to ensure there is no break in that cycle.

 

“There is something very important that I must say. I want to first of all appreciate our Economic Team for its consistency. We have seen the benefit of decoupling the Ministry of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning.

 

“I have said it many times that we are not going to be judged by how many kilometres of road we have constructed or how many schools we have built or other infrastructure but we think we will be judged by the institutions we are creating.

 

“In Oyo State, we are moving in the right direction as far as the institutions that we are creating and that is what will define this administration.

 

“I have listened to some of the issues raised here. Coming here every year is not for joking or trying to fulfil all righteousness but because we want to hear from the people. We want to listen to you.

 

“I remember in 2019, our first full budget. The budget we met in May 2019 was the budget from the previous administration and we reduced it by shaving off almost N180 billion from that budget. About this time in 2019, we had our own first budget.

 

“So, we decided to hear from the people, hear from them to know their aspirations for their government and I am glad that seven years on, there has been no regret because the people have taken ownership of their own budget. So, we will continue to try our best.”

 

Looking ahead to 2027, Makinde said the electorate will decide the next leader, but his team will present a candidate who aligns with the state’s roadmap for sustainable development. “Oyo people will ask the right questions; we are beyond stunt politics,” he declared.

 

The governor highlighted several achievements that have stemmed from the consultative process, including the completion of key road projects such as the Moniya‑Iseyin, Iseyin‑Ogbomoso and Oyo‑Iseyin roads, which have curbed rural‑urban migration.

He also announced plans to reform two technical colleges, implement the N32,000 minimum wage for pensioners, and provide a safety net for women in the upcoming budget.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Prof Musibau Babatunde, said the state government had been using the stakeholders’ meetings to influence its budgets since 2019 through a bottom-up approach that has made the state’s budgeting inclusive for effective implementation of projects.

 

He noted that the Agenda 2040 and the Oyo State Roadmap for Sustainable Development 2023-2027 are guides that also represent the top-down approach for the government to engage the people for a better economic development of the state through science, logic and data.

 

Babatunde reported that stakeholder engagement has lifted budget performance to 71.5 % in 2024, with revenue up 80.86 % and expenditure at 68.9 % for the first half of 2025.

 

The UNICEF representative, Mr Mohammed Okori, said Oyo State Government on Makinde’s watch has been proactive and accountable, which is why UNICEF has focused on it, adding that development partners do not take their resources to where they will not find traction.

 

He noted that the Fund will continue to support Oyo State.

 

The chairman of the NLC in the state, Comrade Kayode Martins, equally commended the governor for what he has done for workers in the state.

 

The event had in attendance a former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Hamid Gbadamosi; former Deputy Governor and PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja; Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Iyabo Yerima, represented by Justice A.L Akintola; Secretary to the State Government, Prof Olanike Adeyemo; Chief of Staff, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi and the Head of Service, Mrs Olubunmi Oni, mni.

 

Also in attendance were the Deputy Chief of Staff, Hon Kazeem Adeniyi; PDP South-West Women Leader, Chief (Mrs) Bosede Adedibu; chairman of all Local Government Chairmen in Oyo State, Hon Sikiru Sanda; other top government functionaries, traditional rulers, religious leaders, labour leaders, civil society organisations, youth groups and traders, among others.

NEMA pursuing service culture ensuring every Nigerian is supported during disaster – D-G

The Director-General of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs Zubaida Umar, says that the Agency is pursuing a service culture that ensures every Nigerian feels heard, valued and supported during disasters.

Umar said this in an address at the NEMA’s 2025 Customers’ Service Week held in Enugu on Thursday, with the theme: “Mission: Possible”.

Represented by the Zonal Director, NEMA South-East Zonal Directorate, Mr Walson Iborokumo, the director-general said that NEMA’s “customers” are the millions of Nigerians whose lives and livelihoods depend on the Agency’s efficiency, empathy and professionalism.

According to her, whether we are responding to disasters, coordinating humanitarian relief, managing internally displaced persons’ camps, or strengthening community resilience, our success is measured by the trust and satisfaction of the people we serve.

She said, “Disasters do not give notice. In times of crisis, a kind word, a timely update, a listening ear, or a swift response can make the difference between despair and hope.

“That is why customer care in NEMA is not a department – it is the heart of our mandate.

“To our partners and stakeholders, we invite you to join us in strengthening a service culture where every Nigerian, no matter their circumstance, feels heard, valued and supported.

“To members of staff across NEMA offices, I urge you to see every interaction – whether with disaster victims, community leaders, or other partners – as an opportunity to create trust, restore dignity and save lives.”

Corroborating, the Head of Operation, NEMA Enugu Operations Office, Mrs Ngozi Echeazu, said that NEMA undertakes its humanitarian mandate without asking for any form of gratification prior or after the intervention had been carried out.

Echeazu noted that the present director-general had pushed the mandate of the Agency with vigor; while ensuring regular training and retraining of staff to ensure personnel are abreast with international best practices and serve better.

Speaking, Head of Enugu State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mrs Chinasa Mba, commended NEMA for observing the customers’ service week, adding that NEMA had been “a great partner for the state in disaster management”.

Represented by a SEMA Official, Mrs Chioma Onyema, the SEMA head called for the sustenance of the current partnership as it had positively impacted residents of the state and Nigerians in general.

The Branch Secretary, Nigerian Red Cross Society, Enugu, Chief Tony Udegbu, applauded NEMA for its dedication and commitment to bringing succour to victims and communities affected by disasters all these years.

The State Coordinator of Local Emergency Management Committee (LEMC), Chief Emeka Okoh, said that NEMA had been practical in touching lives of distressed Nigerians and “bringing smiles to millions of Nigerians in difficult disaster conditions”.

The event featured questions and answers from stakeholders as well as a paper presentation “On Quality Assurance and Compliance in Humanitarian Delivery Services” delivered by NEMA Principal Search and Rescue Officer, Mr Obinna Nwokike.