Connect with us

News

SME: NITDA CANVASSES FOR ADOPTION, ADAPTATION OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

Published

on

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H
The survival of the 21st century Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, (MSME) has been said to largely depend on the adoption and adaptation of digital technologies, hence, the call on entrepreneurs by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), to embrace it to increase productivity and profitability of their businesses.


The NITDA’s Director General, Kashifu Inuwa, expressed this view as a keynote speaker at the 10th edition of Abuja Enterprise Agency’s Business 360 Clinics with the theme “Technology Utilisation and Innovation: Its Effect on SME Profitability and Productivity.


The NITDA’s boss who was represented at the event by the Acting National Coordinator, Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation,(ONDI), Mr Yakubu Musa, said the effective utilisation of technology by SMEs will result in improved efficiency, and invariably leads to higher productivity. So, productivity increases when SMEs focuses on progress, rather than perfection.


He maintained that there is a significant impact on the economic survival of the nation if technology is embraced.

He said, “Technology utilisation exerts a significant impact on the economic survival of nations, particularly, in today’s high-technology market where technological innovations are rapid and disruptive.

This has become the gains derived from the adoption and adaptation of existing technologies while also investing in the creation of new technologies to ensure sustained growth in Nigeria’s SMEs.


While acknowledging that technological progress allows for efficient production of superior goods and services by SME, Kashifu noted that it remains the drivers of global economic growth. ”They play a major role in the economies of all the countries in the world by their contribution to national economic growth and employment. SMEs contribute greatly to job creation and overall economic growth,” he added.


The DG informed that NITDA has undertaken several collaborative initiatives and programmes that are positively impacting on Nigeria’s SME.

He listed some of the collaborations to include partnership with Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC), on Digital Marketing for SMEs, Gender Techpreneurship Workshop for Women, partnership with the AEA on Digital Innovation Training for 300 secondary school students in the Federal Capital Territory, and many more.


Earlier in his welcome address, the AEA Chief Executive Officer, Malam Shehu Abdulquadir, described the theme as very apt because it hinged on technological adaptation towards the profitability of SMEs because the outbreak of COVID-19 has brought a lot of distribution which has made technological adaptation compelling.


He stated further that the program was aimed at supporting the recovery of SMEs from the COVID-19 pandemic, adding that, supporting SMEs after the pandemic would help them gain their traction back.


He revealed that the Agency has disbursed N200 million to 850 SMEs in Abuja and by next month, it is expected to disburse other tranches of 3.5 million USD to over 2,500 SMEs.


He said beneficiaries of the first tranches have retired the grant disbursed by the Agency from the World Bank assuring that “we are going to get more people from diverse stakeholders across all the six councils in the FCT to benefit from it.

Continue Reading

News

NiMet DG/CEO Anosike Tasks Staff On Transparent Processes At 2024 Budget Retreat

Published

on

NiMet DG/CEO Anosike Tasks Staff On Transparent Processes At 2024 Budget Retreat

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

The Director General, Chief Executive Officer of The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Professor Charles Anosike, has asked Directors and staff of the agency to ensure strict compliance to budgetary provisions.
Professor Anosike was speaking at the Budget Retreat of the agency on Monday, 6th May, 2024.

While declaring the retreat open, Professor Anosike said; “The NiMet Budget Retreat is fundamental for the new management and staff. It is an opportunity for us to improve our budgetary practices and also to discuss the 2024 budgetary provisions”.

Continuing, Professor Anosike tasked the Directors and senior staff of the agency who participated in the retreat to listen, participate and contribute to the robust discussions.

“Anticipated outcome of the retreat is that all will embrace performance-based budgeting which will lead to transparent and accountable budgetary processes.
This will help management and staff to achieve our set goals during the budget year, in line with the performance bond signed with the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN”, Professor Anosike concluded.

Continue Reading

News

ASR AFRICA COMMENCES CONSTRUCTION OF 500-CAPACITY LECTURE THEATRE AND FACILITIES WORTH 250 MILLION NAIRA FOR ADAMAWA UNIVERSITY

Published

on

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H


The Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) commences the construction of a 500-capacity lecture theatre and wash facilities for the Adamawa State University, Mubi.

L-R: Nakama Keri, Multilateral Coordination Specialist, ASR Africa; Dr. Ubon Udoh, MD/CEO, ASR Africa; Dr. Stephen A. Lagu, Ag. Vice Chancellor, Adamama State University; Engr E. B. Filli, Director, Physical Planning & Devt., and Mallam Aminu Aliyu Alkali, Registrar at the Groundbreaking Ceremony in Mubi, Adamawa State.

This project is coming after the nomination of the institution as a recipient of the ASR Africa Tertiary Education Grant Scheme (TEGS), by the Board of Directors of the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative.


Speaking at the event, the Acting Vice Chancellor of the University, Dr. Stephen A. Lagu, expressed his appreciation to the Chairman of BUA group and ASR Africa, Abdul Samad Rabiu, for the rare philanthropy gesture towards the university.

He stated that the intervention of the Chairman would reduce the physical infrastructure deficit at their new campus and promote sanitation and hygiene in the university.

L-R: Dr. Ubon Udoh, MD/CEO, ASR Africa and Dr. Stephen A. Lagu, Ag. Vice Chancellor Adamawa State University at the groundbreaking ceremony of the Abdul Samad Rabiu 500-capacity Lecture Hall with other facilities.

He added that the choice of the 500-seat lecture theatre with the four boreholes at different locations within the campus was identified and agreed to by the relevant organs of the institution with the ASR Africa team.


Dr Ubon Udoh (MD / CEO, ASR Africa), in his remarks, congratulated the institution for qualifying for the nomination by the Board of Directors of ASR Africa.

He stated that the rigorous selection process which includes stringent criteria such as the quality of service delivered by the university and the pedigree of graduands from the institution at the national and international levels, proves that the university is keeping up with its vision as a leading institution of learning in the region.

He encouraged the management and students to ensure proper use and maintenance of the facilities as a show of appreciation for the grant given to them.


The Tertiary Education Grant Scheme of the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative is part of the efforts of the Chairman of BUA Group and ASR Africa, Abdul Samad Rabiu to give back to the African continent and make a lasting impact in education as a means of uplifting and restoring the dignity and lives of Africans.


About ASR Africa
ASR Africa is the brainchild of African Industrialist, Philanthropist and Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) was established in 2021 to provide sustainable, impact-based, homegrown solutions to developmental issues affecting Health, Education and Social Development within Africa. 

Continue Reading

News

Seplat Energy Named Daily Independent’s Indigenous Oil & Gas Company of the Year

Published

on

… Also Emerges as The Industry’s Sustainable Energy Company for 2023

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

Seplat Energy PLC, leading Nigerian independent energy company listed on both the Nigerian Exchange and the London Stock Exchange, has clinched the Daily Independent Newspaper’s Indigenous Oil & Gas Company of the Year Award.

L-R: Publisher, The Niche Newspaper, Ikechukwu Amaechi; General Manager, Finance, Seplat Energy Plc, Adetaiwo Osindero; Manager Corporate Communications, Stanley Opara; and Associate General Counsel Corporate & Compliance, Adebowale Eboda, at the Daily Independent Newspaper Awards, where Seplat Energy was name as the Indigenous Oil & Gas Company of the Year, held in Lagos … recently.  

 The company was recognised for recording remarkable exploits in the Nigerian oil and gas sector while partnering local communities who are seen and treated as key stakeholders to its operations and overall corporate well-being through inclusive engagement models.

Speaking at the Independent Newspaper Award Ceremony held in Lagos at the weekend, the Managing Director/Editor-In-Chief of the Publication, Mr. Steve Omanufeme, said Seplat Energy was also recognised for its invaluable contributions to the Nigerian economy in many other ways since it was founded, including the supply of natural gas to the domestic market while helping to displace expensive and carbon-intensive oil based power, which dominates Nigeria’s electricity sector.

Omanufeme added: “In all of these, the Company creates direct and indirect employment, while enhancing expertise and technology across the nation’s energy value-chain.

L-R: Head of Marketing, PZ Wilmar, Chioma Mbanugo; Manager Corporate Communications, Seplat Energy Plc, Stanley Opara; and Head of Digital Marketing (B2C) Olam Grains Nigeria, Oladotun Babatunde,  during The Industry Summit & Awards, where Seplat Energy emerged as the Sustainable Energy Company of the Year, held in Lagos … recently.

“This award is to celebrate this Company that has stayed committed to its mission of leading Nigeria’s energy transition with accessible, affordable, and reliable energy that drives social and economic prosperity.”

The award ceremony was attended by leaders across industries in Nigeria, regulators, politicians, and other government leaders. Seplat Energy was represented at the event by General Manager, Finance, Adetaiwo Osindero; Associate General Counsel Corporate & Compliance, Adebowale Eboda; and Manager Corporate Communications, Stanley Opara.

In a related development, The Industry Newspaper at its 2024 Summit and Awards, also announced Seplat Energy as the Sustainable Energy Company of the Year whilst its Director, External Affairs & Social Performance, Chioma Afe, was honoured as the 2023 Industry Pathfinder in Sustainability (Corporate).

The Publication noted that Seplat Energy has demonstrated the capacity to be responsible and adhering to the ethics of the business during the period under review.

Responding to the awards by Daily Independent and The Industry Newspapers, Seplat Energy thanked the publications for the recognition and commended them for their display of professionalism, tact and commitment to developmental reportage over the years.

The company thus reemphasized its resolve to leading energy transition in Nigeria with strong focus on the environment, communities and governance frameworks.  

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2021 All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from August24news.com
This Website is designed and Managed by: August 24 Communications Nigerian Limited (RC: 798585)