Nation
RIV-CARES: Fubara Partners World Bank, BOI To Empower 3,700 SMEs
Rivers State Government in collaboration with World Bank and Bank of Industry has deployed N19 billion to stimulate the economy of the State, thereby empowering 3,700 Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
This was made known by the state Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Peter Medee at the 2024 SMEs disbursement ceremony for phase 3 beneficiaries of Rivers State COVID-19 Action Recovery And Economic Stimulus (RIV-CARES), Result Area 3, organised by the state Ministry of Commerce and Industry in Port Harcourt last Wednesday.
The Commissioner who is also the Chairman, State CARES Steering Committee (SCSC), commended the governor of the state, for what he called a kind and enterprising heart.
Medee noted that the governor has made many moves towards poverty alleviation and promotion of Small And Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the State, adding, “all the money that need to get into the economy is sent straight into the economy. The result is the number of beneficiaries we have here today.
“It shows the governor is committed, dedicated and interested in stimulating the economy of Rivers State. Our target is to grow businesses in the State. The beneficiaries will start receiving their grants this week”.
The Commissioner also launched the MSMEs Portal (https://rivbusiness.ng/), stating that Result Area 3 has indeed gone digital in processing business data and procedures.
In his address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Lawson Renner Ikuru said RIV- CARES, Result Area 3 has benefitted 3,700 entrepreneurs as against the initial target of 2,700 entrepreneurs.
He noted that the intention is to “improve productivity, reduce unemployment and reduce youth restiveness.
The Perm Sec. congratulated the beneficiaries for scaling through the fair and transparent process set up by the world Bank and Bank of Industry, their partners, noting that technical heads of State CARES and RIV-CARES have worked tirelessly to make the programme a success.
He charged the beneficiaries to ensure they invest the grant to grow their businesses, adding that invested fund can yield money for enjoyment tomorrow.
Ikuru however warned against those impersonating to defraud the poor, stating that the Ministry would always fight against evil.
The Technical Head, State CARES Coordinating Unit (SCCU), Mrs. Imaonyani Ephraim-George said the launched portal would provide opportunity for database for whatever businesses people are transacting in the State.
Ephraim-George reiterated that the has done well in this national, world and state collaboration grant programme because “Governor Fubara has been passionate about the well-being of his citizens.
“Rivers State came 7th in terms of having reached to the beneficiaries across the nation and getting returns for investment by the entrepreneurs”, he said.
In her welcome address, the Technical Head, RIV-CARES Result Area 3, Mrs. AmieyeIgein Sally expressed satisfaction that the objective of the programme has been met, adding that the programme is still ongoing.
Mrs. Amieyelgein while responding to questions from pressmen said the process has also been gender sensitive, noting the need for beneficiaries to make use of the knowledge gainered from the training during the ceremony.
One of the beneficiaries, Mr. Peckinson Ikhajiangbe, the Manager of Providence Properties International, said the programme was very impactful and has alleviated the burden of the common man.
He commended the transparency in the system and said he never believes it is a reality until today, noting that his business is already heading to the next level.
Another beneficiary, Mr. Oladimeji Kusimo of KUSH Medical Laboratories Limited , expressed his happiness for scaling through the process, adding that the grant will position his company to do better.
He noted that the machines given to him has already projected his laboratory to go digital.
The highlights of the ceremony were the technical training sessions, the giving out of the dummy cheques, the digital systems, like laptops, phones, POS and other materials.
Lilian Peters
The Executive Secretary of the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), Dr Chioma Ejikeme, has reiterated the commitment to service delivery for pensioners.
Ejikeme said this during the Customer Service Week in Abuja, yesterday.
He said that commission had a mandate to deliver good service delivery to the pensioners.
Ejikeme, who was represented by the Director Civil Service Pension Department, Mr Kabir Yusuf, said that the customer service week was important to operations of PTAD.
“Customer service is the support that you give to a customer, whether it is an existing customer or potential customer in the process of delivering or making enquires about a service.
“To be a good customer service representative you need to be knowledgeable, have good attitude and attribute especially to the senior citizens and have empathy,” he said.
Ejikeme said that all PTAD staff had most of the attributes of a good customer representative.
“We provide excellent customer service by going to verify our aged pensioners who cannot do it by themselves anywhere across the country.
“There is a dedicated team that was mandated to go round to confirm the aliveness of those who can not confirm their aliveness either because the are too old or have health issues,” the executive secretary said.
The National Coordinator, SERVICOM, Mrs Nnenna Akajemeli, said that the official theme of the 2024 customer service week was “ We Go Above and Beyond For Our Customers.”
She commended PTAD and the SERVICOM team for organising the 2024 customer service week.
“This is in line with the best practice of celebrating frontline workers and service takers.
“Customer service week is celebrated annually during the first full week in October.
It calls attention to the importance of people to boost morale team work and departmental collaboration in supporting pensioners.
“ It is a platform to reward employees for the significant work they do,” Akajemeli said.
She said that the objective of the customer service week was to celebrate the hard work and dedication of employee who strived to create positive customer experiences.
She said that it was time to show customers that the organisation valued their experience and feedback, through comment cards, dedicated hotline, among others.
Akajemeli said that it raised awareness internally and externally about the importance of good customer service in building customer loyalty and satisfaction.
She said that the benefit was to increase motivation, show appreciation, encourage friendly competition, boost employee retention, create a positive workplace and increase productivity.
The Head, Surveillance Department at the National Pension Commission (PenCom), Mr Abdulrahman Saleem, said that good service delivery was the key success of every establishment.
Salem said that PTAD operated with standard, considering the success it had achieved so far.
Saleem said that pensioners required the best service attitude and behavior.
“ I give kudos to PTAD for its efforts and encourage it to do more.
“Therefore I urge PTAD staff to keep up the standard and continue to give good service to the pensioners,” he said.
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has honoured Flying Officer David Sangokoya for winning the 2023/2024 Royal Air Force College Cranwell International Cadet Sword of Honour.
Abubakar honoured the officer during the presentation of cheques to 13 beneficiaries of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Group Personal Accident Insurance Policy (GPAIP) in Abuja, yesterday.
He described the achievement as ground-breaking as it was the first time an African cadet had won the prestigious award since the Academy’s creation over 100 years ago.
According to him, the feat underscores the excellence that exists within NAF, and proof that NAF officers and cadets can stand shoulder to shoulder with the best in the world.
“To our awardee, you have set a new standard, not just for your peers, but for every cadet and officer that will come after you.
“This accomplishment is a powerful reminder that no goal is out of reach when one is armed with dedication, discipline and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
“Your journey as an officer has begun with this prestigious accolade, but the true measure of your success will be seen in how you serve, lead and contribute to the mission of NAF and the defence of our great nation.
“As we celebrate this historic occasion, we extend our deepest gratitude to the United Kingdom Government for its unwavering support in providing world-class training opportunities to our personnel.
“This has enabled our officers and men to gain invaluable skills and knowledge, strengthening not only our bilateral ties but also our collective ability to address global security challenges,” he said.
The CAS said that the NAF looked forward to continuing the fruitful partnership for the mutual benefit of Nigeria and UK countries.
He expressed gratitude and unflinching loyalty to President Bola Tinubu for his commitment to the welfare and training of members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, and NAF in particular.
“I must also take a moment to extend my heartfelt appreciation to the leadership of the Nigerian Defence Academy and the instructors who helped to mould and prepare this cadet for the global stage.
“Their dedication and commitment to developing top-notch officers is evident in this ground-breaking achievement.
“You have not only trained a leader but have given the Nigerian Air Force a legacy we will all cherish,” he said.
National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has advocated private sector involvement to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system.
The Director-General of the authority, Dr Kelechi Ohiri, made the call at a high-level policy dialogue on sustainable health system reforms in Nigeria in Abuja, yesterday.
The Tide’s source reports that the dialogue was organised by the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria (HFN), a coalition of private sector stakeholders, to address the multifaceted challenges plaguing the country’s healthcare system.
The dialogue has “Private Sector Support for SWAP (Sector Wide Approach) in Healthcare” as its theme.
Represented by Dr Yakubu Agada-Amade, the NHIA Director of Standards and Quality Assurance, Ohiri explained the crucial role of private sector collaboration in strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system
He highlighted the “One Plan” under the SWAp framework, which seeks to unify health sector efforts, ensuring efficient resource use, effective governance and expanded healthcare access.
He also stressed the importance of overcoming barriers that historically hindered the implementation of healthcare interventions in Nigeria, such as inadequate financing, weak governance systems, and bureaucratic bottlenecks.
He added that “the dialogue explored innovative approaches, including digital health innovations and financing mechanisms to accelerate the implementation of the National Health Act and mandatory health insurance coverage.
“With enrollment in health insurance growing by 14 per cent over the past year, NHIA can push for greater inclusivity, particularly targeting the informal sector through flexible payment systems and partnerships with telecommunications companies.”
He called for stronger synergy between public and private health actors to ensure universal access to quality healthcare and sustainable reforms in line with the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII).
Panelists from the Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners (ANPMP), Healthcare Providers Association of Nigeria (HCPAN) and Health and Managed Care Association of Nigeria (HMCAN) echoed the sentiments, underscoring the private sector’s role in expanding insurance coverage and improving healthcare delivery.
They commended NHIA’s efforts toward driving reforms to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) through the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp).