Connect with us

Business

Safety Engineers Honour NCAA Boss

Published

on

For ensuring safety standards in the aviation industry, the Director General, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Chris Ona Najomo, has bagged an Honorary Fellowship of the prestigious Nigerian Institution of Safety Engineers (NISafetyE).
A statement from the NCAA obtained at the weekend, revealed that the DG has over 44 years of experience as an aviator, with impeccable safety credentials, and that two other staff of the  Authority were also conferred with the Fellowship of the Institution.
They are: Engr. Ini Udofia, a Technical Assistant; and Engr. Dr. Iteke C. Ifeanyi, who is the General Manager, Air Operator Certification and Surveillance.
According to the statement, the National Chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Safety Engineers (NISafetyE), Engr. Oluseun Faluyi (FNSE) conferred the Fellowships on behalf of the Institution at the NCAA Corporate Headquarters in Abuja.
Shortly before the conferment of the Fellowship, the Chairman noted that the institution recognized that many regulators, such as the NCAA, have engineers who are engaged in ensuring public safety, which is a cardinal responsibility of any responsible government, the release highlighted.
“That is why we believe that you should be part of this professional circle of trust, where knowledge-sharing and technical expertise drive continuous improvement in safety standards.
“We see an opportunity for greater collaboration between the NCAA and NiSafetyE”, he said.
In his response, Najomo said the aviation industry is where safety is paramount, adding that the unique roles of safety engineers, and indeed other safety professionals such as pilots, air traffic controllers and occupational safety & health personnel cannot be overemphasized.
“From designing safer systems and structures to implementing robust safety management practices, indeed safety engineering is the backbone of aviation safety.
“It is through strategic collaboration, continuous innovation, and unwavering commitment to safety standards that we can achieve safer skies for all” he noted.
He said he recognized the pivotal role that the Nigerian Institution of Safety Engineers can play in advancing safety engineering practices.
The NCAA boss also said he sees an excellent opportunity for synergy and deeper collaboration between his agency and the Institution.
“Together, we can enhance our safety frameworks, share best practices, and develop capacity-building programmes that empower the next generation of safety professionals”, he affirmed.
Corlins Walter
Continue Reading

Business

USTR Criticises Nigeria’s Import Ban On Agriculture, Others

Published

on

The United States Trade Representative (USTR) has criticised Nigeria’s import ban on 25 categories of goods, claiming that the restrictions limit market access for American exporters.
This is the effect of President Donald Trump’s tariffs introduction on goods entering the United States, with Nigeria facing a 14 per cent duty.
The USTR highlighted the impact of Nigeria’s import ban on various sectors, particularly agriculture, pharmaceuticals, beverages, and consumer goods.
The restrictions affect items such as beef, pork, poultry, fruit juices, medicaments, and alcoholic beverages, which the United States sees as significant barriers to trade.
The agency argues that these limitations reduce export opportunities for United States businesses and lead to lost revenue.
“Nigeria’s import ban on 25 different product categories impacts United States exporters, particularly in agriculture, pharmaceuticals, beverages, and consumer goods.
“Restrictions on items like beef, pork, poultry, fruit juices, medicaments, and spirits limit United States market access and reduce export opportunities.
“These policies create significant trade barriers that lead to lost revenue for United States businesses looking to expand in the Nigerian market”, the agency said .
In 2016, Nigeria implemented the ban on these 25 items as part of efforts to control imports and stimulate local production.
Some of the banned items include poultry, pork, refined vegetable oil, sugar, cocoa products, spaghetti, beer, and certain medicines.
On March 26, 2025, the  Federal Government also announced plans to halt solar panel imports to encourage local manufacturing as part of its push for clean energy.

Continue Reading

Business

Expert Seeks Cooperative-Driven Investments In Agriculture 

Published

on

A leading agribusiness strategist and digital agriculture expert, Ayo Oluwa Okediji, has sought cooperative-driven investments in sustaining growth of poultry industry in Nigeria.
He said the poultry industry was at a defining moment and requires urgent structural reforms to secure its future and ensure long-term sustainability.
Speaking on the theme, “Strengthening Poultry Farming Through Cooperative Synergy and Strategic Investments”, at the recently concluded Oyo Mega Poultry Workshop 2025 in Ibadan, Okediji called on poultry farmers, cooperative leaders, financial institutions and policy makers to rethink the existing structure of the poultry sector.
He stressed the need to transition from fragmented, individually-driven operations to well-structured, cooperative-led enterprises capable of attracting sustainable financing and securing long-term viability.
He said, “Our poultry sector cannot thrive on individual effort alone. We need to organise ourselves into cooperative clusters, build strong governance systems and position ourselves to attract the level of investment needed to sustain this industry beyond this generation.”
Drawing on lessons from successful global cooperative models such as Rabobank in the Netherlands and Landus Cooperative in the United States, Okediji introduced the FarmClusters Poultry Model, a locally adapted solution developed by Agribusiness Dynamics Technology Limited (AgDyna), a subsidiary of AgroInfoTech Africa.
According to him, the model is currently being piloted in Oyo State in partnership with PANOY Agribusiness Limited and local poultry cooperatives.

Continue Reading

Business

NACCIMA Proposes Hybrid Oil Palm Seedlings For Farmers

Published

on

The Rivers State Representative of the Nigeria Chambers of Commerce, Mines, Industries and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Mr. Erasmus Chukwundah, has urged palm oil farmers to consider hybrid seedlings for planting, if they must break even in palm oil business.
Chukwundah said this recently at the Free Oil Palm Business Climate Smart Best Management Practice/Assistance Training organized by Partnership Initiative In Niger Delta (PIND) for Palm Oil Farmers in Elele, Ikwerre Local Government Area.
The Rivers representative said until palm oil farmers begin to consider such hybrid oil palm seedlings, they may not meet up with the daily increasing demand of palm oil in the market.
According to him, the seedlings produce up to 30 bunches at once that ripen same time.
He said PIND decided to partner with Oil Palm Growers Association of Nigeria (OPGAN) to ensure that the message was received by the targeted audience.
According to him, palm oil remained a popular choice of industry operators as it could be converted to many other products such as vegetable cooking oil.
He also noted that products such as motor tyers, marine ropes and others are now gotten from the palm tree.
Chukwundah, who is the immediate past Director-General of Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Mines, Industries, and Agriculture (PHCCIMA), further warned against use of unrecommended fertilisers in growing oil palms.
He noted that such practices could limit its export value or chances as the foreign marketers have a way of detecting such .
He reiterated the need for organic fertilizers, including poultry droppings, to enable them have a natural palm oil.
“People must reduce physical contact with palm oil production. That is why we are campaigning for hydrolic oil mills. The foreign markets are no longer interested in crude method of palm oil production”, he said.
Meanwhile, one of the farmers, Sonny Didia, who appreciated Chukwundah’s commitment towards the concern of farmers, appealed for an urgent need for loan opportunity with low interest rate in order to enable them beat the target.

King Onunwor

Continue Reading

Trending