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FG Launches Intervention Program for Large, Medium Scale Enterprises

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The Federal Government is working on an intervention program targeted towards large and medium-scale enterprises, tagged the “Business Champion Program”.

This was announced by Dr Jumoke Oduwole, the Special Adviser to the President on Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) and Investment at First Bank’s Nigeria Economic Outlook 2024, on January 12, 2024.

Speaking on the panel session of the event-themed “Current Realities and Prospects”, Dr Jumoke highlighted the Business Champion Program as one of the five strategy pillars that PEBEC will be working with in 2024.

Speaking about the program, she noted, “Having worked with MSMEs for a few years, we realised that while systemic interventions from working on airports and seaports, we have to be more targeted.”

Adding, “The Business Champion intervention targets medium to larger-sized enterprises, and there are two parts to that program. The first part is to work with medium-sized enterprises and have a pilot program of about 25 of them.”

Oduwole highlighted that the selection of businesses will be based on factors such as their revenue, tax contributions, job creation, and export proceeds. She added that the intervention will be like a “bespoke service to help those companies navigate the business climate from the government side.”

Still on the intervention, Dr Jumoke Oduwole highlighted that there are only 23 companies with over $1 billion in annual revenue in Nigeria. Highlighting that the intervention program was targeted towards these companies.

She noted, “Out of the 334 in Africa, only 23 are in Nigeria.”

She noted that the decision to change models stems from the observation that larger businesses exhibit an “osmosis” effect, leading to the clustering of stakeholders.

Noting, “It was determined that we will need to have this new approach to move faster and to grow the economy faster in these turbulent times.”

Speaking at the event, Oduwole highlighted the five strategy pillars that PEBEC was working with in 2024, including,

The first being the Business Facilitation Act of 2022, which was signed into law in February 2023. The Act is a codification of the Executive Order No. 001 from 2017.

Second, Sub-national interventions, such as the World Bank’s State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) Program-for-Results. Oduwole noted that there’s a $750 million grant available for implementation by states participating in the SABER program.

Third, Oduwole noted that on the legislative front, there will be a further review of the Omnibus bill.

She emphasized the collaborative efforts of various Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) who volunteered their expertise to review approximately 21 business climate laws in 2023, culminating in the formation of the 2023 Omnibus bill.

Additionally, she indicated that another round of reviews is slated for 2024 to create a new Omnibus bill.

Fourth, on the judicial front, she noted that the council will work with state judiciaries to facilitate the creation of “Small Claims Court”.

Noting that at the start of 2023, eight states had small claims courts in Nigeria, however, by the end of the year, 25 states had implemented it.

Fifth, was the Business Champions Program.


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NIPOST to Crack Down on Criminal Courier Operators

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Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) has vowed to clamp down on courier companies found to be aiding the trafficking of drugs and other illicit items through the country’s logistics network.

NIPOST to Crack Down on Criminal Courier Operators

In a statement issued on by Franklin Alao, director of Corporate Communications,  NIPOST expressed outrage over a recent report in some newspapers with the headline: “Nigerian courier services easily transporting hard drugs since Tinubu became president – NIPOST.”

The agency described the headline as false, misleading, and damaging to national security efforts. According to NIPOST, the article falsely attributes the claim to the postal regulator, thereby creating the impression that the agency had endorsed or confirmed such allegations.

“This is categorically FALSE,” the statement said. “At no point has NIPOST made such a statement or associated these activities with the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

NIPOST maintained that while it respects the role of the media in promoting accountability and transparency, the publication in question was reckless and sensational.

It warned that inaccurate reporting on sensitive national issues like drug trafficking not only misinforms the public but also undermines the collaborative work being done to sanitise the courier and logistics sector.

Restating its position, the agency said it strongly condemns the use of courier services for criminal purposes, including drug trafficking.

It reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy toward the misuse of Nigeria’s postal infrastructure and said it remained committed to regulating the sector with integrity, transparency, and accountability.

NIPOST noted that it had embarked on a range of interventions aimed at improving surveillance and enforcement across the logistics industry.

It stated that all courier operators are currently undergoing a revalidation process and that Know-Your-Customer protocols and compliance audits are being enforced to tighten controls and prevent abuse of the system.

The postal regulator said it is also working closely with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Customs Service, and other relevant security institutions to investigate and deter the use of logistics channels for the transportation of narcotics and other contraband items.

In addition, NIPOST said it had intensified engagement with courier operators, transport unions, and logistics associations to promote sector-wide vigilance and encourage the reporting of suspicious packages.

It also revealed that a new Digital Postcode and Parcel Identification System is being deployed nationwide to enhance traceability, eliminate anonymity, and improve parcel screening from the point of dispatch to final delivery.

“The Nigerian Postal Service is fully committed to restoring the integrity of Nigeria’s courier and logistics industry,” the statement said. “Any operator found to be involved in criminal activity will face immediate regulatory sanctions, including license suspension or revocation, and be reported to appropriate authorities for prosecution.”

The agency urged members of the public to use only licensed courier companies and to report any suspicious activity either to NIPOST or relevant security agencies.

It also called on journalists and civil society groups to approach issues in the sector with accuracy, caution, and a shared sense of responsibility.

 

 

 


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DICON, Saudi Firm to Produce Drones, Satellites in Nigeria

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Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Homeland Protectors and Supplies Limited, a Saudi Arabia-based security company, to begin local manufacturing of drones, satellite systems, and advanced communication equipment.

DICON, Saudi Firm to Produce Drones, Satellites in Nigeria

The agreement, which was signed at DICON headquarters in Kaduna, will see Homeland Protectors bring in production lines and technology to Nigeria to manufacture satellite systems, laser equipment, border security drones, and sophisticated communications solutions.

Major General Babatunde Ibrahim Alaya, director general of DICON, shortly after signing the MoU, described the deal as a “major milestone” in Nigeria’s drive for defence self-sufficiency.

He said the collaboration would not only meet local demands but also position Nigeria as an exporter of security technology to other African countries.

According to him: “Today is another milestone for DICON. What Homeland Protectors is bringing on board is expertise and experience in the field of satellite, laser systems, communications, and border security drones.

The agreement we have just signed is for them to bring the production line to Nigeria and start producing here, so we can satisfy the defence industry requirements, other security agencies, and export the excess capacity to other African countries.”

He expressed profound appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he called his “constant support and firm belief in DICON,” especially for signing the DICON Act 2023, which has now paved the way for international partnerships of this magnitude.

Alaya also thanked the Minister of Defence and Minister of State for Defence for their unwavering backing, stressing that their support made the joint venture possible.

Mr. Ali Hussain A. Aldayhani, managing director and chief executive officer, Homeland Protectors and Supplies,  who led the Saudi delegation to Nigeria, hailed the partnership as a game-changer for Nigeria’s security architecture.

“I am in support of this amazing job today in collaboration with Homeland and DICON. This is in support of the Nigerian President and the Minister of Defence to bring security satellite communication technology to Nigeria,” he said.

He disclosed that the venture was designed not only to meet Nigeria’s internal needs but also to open up export opportunities to other markets, stressing: “We are going to have a huge joint venture and also for export outside Nigeria with regard to technology communication.”

The Homeland CEO thanked the DICON Director General for what he called “the support of the huge success in signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).”

He assured that this would not be the last of such engagements, promising more frequent visits and deeper collaborations in the near future.

With this move, Nigeria joins a select group of countries on the continent working to domesticate critical security manufacturing — a step expected to save foreign exchange, create jobs, and bolster national security.

 


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FG Says No Going Back to Nuclear Testing

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Vice President Kashim Shettima has affirmed Nigeria’s unwavering stance against nuclear weapons testing.

FG Says No Going Back to Nuclear Testing

He made this known during a meeting at the Presidential Villa with a delegation from the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO), led by Dr Robert Floyd, executive secretary.

According to Shettima, Nigeria, like many other African nations, is grappling with numerous socio-economic challenges, including widespread poverty and the adverse impacts of climate change.

He stressed that Africa’s immediate priority is to confront these existential threats, not to engage in the pursuit of nuclear weapons capability.

“The outcome of any nuclear conflict is never a win-win situation; it is always the opposite. We are fighting poverty; we are fighting a war against the relationship between the economy and ecology in sub-Saharan Africa. We have no business dabbling in anything that has to do with nuclear weapons,” he said.

The Vice President also commended CTBTO for its broader civilian contributions, such as detecting tsunamis and seismic volcanic activity, and for supporting global ecological stability.


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