Business

SMEDAN Awards Licences To 116 Service Providers

Published

1 year ago

October 25, 2023

Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) has awarded practising licences to 116 qualified Business Development Service Providers (BDSPs).
The Director-General, SMEDAN, Dr Charles Odii, said this at the BDSPs Licencing Award ceremony organised by the agency recently in Lagos.
Odii said the practise licence would allow BDSPs to provide quality services to the Micro Small and Medium–sized Enterprises (MSMEs) in the country.
The Tide’s source reports that the BDSPs certification was in collaboration with Kaduna Business School, the Enterprise Development Centre, Pan Atlantic University
The BDSPs are Nigerians from the entrepreneurial ecosystem across the country with qualified requirements to practise their profession in a particular jurisdiction.
This typically involves completing a certain amount of education and training, passing an examination, and maintaining good moral standing.
Odii said: “Today is a very big day for us at the agency because we awarded licensces to business development service providers and this is very important, and a response to the cry of small businesses in Nigeria.
“Many of them have different problems, just like you have sick patients and you have doctors, a couple of certified individuals need to go through rudimentary process to become certified to be able to attend to sick individuals.
“We have a staggering statistics that show that 70 per cent of small businesses die in the first three years and there are many different reasons why they die.
“So, what we have done as an agency is that, we have recruited a couple of people, they have gone through a scholarly process of training from the Enterprise Development Centre and Kaduna Business School, and then they’ve gotten a certification and their licences then become our eyes and ears in all of Nigeria
“So, their job right now is to go into the market, help small businesses thrive.
“In an effort to ensure a credible access to more affordable finance for MSMEs in Nigeria, the agency is partnering with an NGO, The African Centre for Global Entrepreneurial Leadership.
“This is to implement the Leadership Entrepreneurial Game Show, where successful participants will be given N5 million worth of grants and tools.
“The game show is on-going now and all existing and potential entrepreneurs are encouraged to log into www.legs.afrca for registration”, he said.
Odii hinted that the agency was partnering with selected banks to implement the Matching Fund Programme for MSMEs toward increasing access to finance.
This intervention, he said, was delivering credit as a promotional mechanism to enhance enterprise output, competitiveness and job creation..
According to him, prospective beneficiaries can have access to loans between N2. 5 million and N500 million.
Odii urged all suitaby qualified MSEs in the agribusiness sub-sector to apply via the SMEDAN website www.smedan.gov.ng.
The Rector, Kaduna Business School, Dr Dahiru Sani, while taking them through the portal, said the primary responsibility of the BDSPs would be to support MSMEs in terms of how they would be responding to the shocks of the recent policy issues.
Sani, also a member of the National Steering Committee for the Accreditation and Certification of the BDSPs in Nigeria, said, “Our expectations now are that they are going to give us what we call a buffer or mechanical shock absorber for the MSMEs.

Business

NIMASA Commits To Creating Enabling Environment For Maritime Business

Published

2 days ago

March 5, 2025

The Tide

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has affirmed that it is taking strategic steps to enhance local participation and encourage investment in the maritime sector under the supervision of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.

The Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, who disclosed this recently while receiving the Executive Members of the Nigerian Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association, reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to fostering a level playing field and creating an enabling environment for businesses in Nigeria’s maritime sector.

Dr. Mobereola revealed that NIMASA is deepening its collaboration with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) to explore policies that will boost indigenous involvement and strengthen Nigeria’s maritime sector.

“The Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy is committed to encouraging indigenous players to invest more in Nigeria’s maritime industry. Issues such as national carriers and trade terms remain top priorities under this administration.

“Our focus is to create an enabling environment where private investors can thrive. In this regard, we have initiated discussions with the NCDMB and NNPC Limited to address these critical matters”, he stated.

He said NIMASA remains committed to fostering strategic partnerships that will enhance local investment, create jobs, and drive sustainable growth in the maritime sector.

In response, Comrade John Aleakhue Okpono, Secretary General of the Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association, emphasized the need for closer collaboration between NIMASA and the Merchant Navy.

He also urged the Agency to review waiver clauses to ensure more opportunities for Nigerian seafarers.

Stories by Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos

Business

FG Inaugurates Special Committee Against Boat Accident

Published

2 days ago

March 5, 2025

The Tide

Towards enhancing safety on Nigeria’s inland waterways, the Federal Government, through the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has inaugurated a Special Committee on the Prevention of Boat Mishaps in Nigeria.

According to a statement on by the spokesman, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Suleiman Makama, the event, which was held at the Ministry’s Conference Room in Abuja, confirmed crucial steps taken to address the recurring challenges of boat accidents across the country.

In his address, the Honourable Minister emphasized the urgent need to stem the tide of tragic boat mishaps, which have resulted in significant loss of lives and properties.

He described the country’s waterways as vital to commerce, transportation, and livelihoods, stressing that their safety and efficiency are paramount to the development of Nigeria’s blue economy.

He noted that the establishment of this committee aligns with the 2024 International World Maritime Day theme, “Navigating the Future: Safety First”.

“The task before us is daunting, but with unwavering commitment, we can eliminate boat mishaps and ensure that our waterways remain safe, navigable, and prosperous for generations to come”, Oyetola stated.

The committee comprises key stakeholders, including state government representatives, the Association of Boat Operators in Nigeria, marine safety experts, and academics.

It will be chaired by the Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Mr. Bola Oyebamiji, while Mr. Adams Offie, Deputy Director of Inland Waterways at the Ministry, will serve as Secretary.

The committee is tasked with conducting an in-depth review of commercial boat operations in Nigeria, identifying the root causes of boat mishaps, and proposing sustainable solutions.

In his acceptance speech on behalf of the committee, Oyebamiji assured the Minister on the dedication of members to deliver on the assignment.

He emphasized that safety on Nigeria’s inland waterways is non-negotiable, adding that NIWA, under the leadership of the Honourable Minister, has been refocused to uphold its mandate without compromise.

Acknowledging the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy for his proactive leadership, Oyebamiji noted that the establishment of the committee represents a critical step in addressing the persistent safety challenges in inland water transport.

“This is another solution-driven initiative aimed at eliminating boat mishaps on our waterways. I assure you that the confidence reposed in this committee will not be misplaced.

“At NIWA, this is an opportunity for us to intensify our efforts in reducing marine accidents to the barest minimum. On behalf of my fellow committee members, we pledge to work diligently and with utmost focus on the assigned terms of reference.

“Safety on our inland waterways is non-negotiable. NIWA has been refocused to ensure the highest safety standards, and this committee will work diligently to address the causes of boat mishaps and find lasting solutions,” Oyebamiji said.

The committee has been tasked with evaluating the root causes of boat accidents and recommending lasting solutions to enhance safety and operational standards.

Business

LASG Arrests Illegal Dredgers … Issues Stop Work Order

Published

2 days ago

March 5, 2025

The Tide

The Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development, has launched a massive clampdown on illegal dredgers operating in the State, ordering them to stop work immediately.

This exercise, which was carried out by the officials of the Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development, is aimed at curbing environmental degradation and promoting sustainable development across the waterfront schemes located across the coastal regions of the metropolis.

According to a statement, the enforcement operation, led by the Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Hon. Ekundayo Alebiosu, alongside members of his team, raided several illegal dredging sites which were subsequently shut down by the officials of the Ministry.

Some suspected dredging operators were arrested and a stop-work order was served on erring dredgers for non-compliance with laid-down regulations of the State Government.

Alebiosu warned the operators that failure to comply with extant laws guiding dredging activities could have dire effects and will result in severe penalties, including total closure of the sites.

Reacting to the claim that Dredgers are the major cause of environmental degradation in the state, including erosion and flooding, the Commissioner emphasised the need for dredging activities to be conducted lawfully to preserve roads, public infrastructure, and wetlands.

He explained that the State Government has vowed to streamline the activities of dredgers in the state to meet acceptable international standards.

“The Lagos State Government’s clampdown on illegal dredgers is a significant step towards protecting the environment and promoting sustainable development in the state.

“We will continue to carry out surveillance and raids across the coastal areas to ensure that the activities of a few don’t impact the lives of law-abiding citizens negatively”, Alebiosu stated.