BY EDU ABADE

In a bid to boost healthcare delivery to thousands of residents, the Lagos State Government has built and unveiled a new Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) in Ije-Ododo Community, Iba Local Council Development Area (LCDA), under the Ojo Council Area of the state.

The facility, which has been under construction since 2021 in partnership with First Bank of Nigeria Limited, was unveiled in the community in an opening ceremony attended by the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, representatives of the state government, the state Primary Health Care Board, community leaders, as well as traditional rulers of Iba, Ije-Ododo and Ijagemo, among others.

In his welcome address, the governor, who was represented by Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mrs. Folashade Sherifat Jaji, said the opening of the health facility under the SSG’s One Community At A Time (OCAAT) initiative, formed part of activities to herald the inauguration of his second term in office on Monday, May 29, 2023.

Maintaining that the attention being paid to the healthcare sector was deliberate to ensure a healthier populace, he said the state government under his watch would deploy more resources to the health sector for easier access to health services, especially in underserved communities.

He enjoined members of the community to take full advantage of the health benefits that will be provided in the facility and charged them to take ownership and protect the assets and the facility at all times.

Speaking, Permanent Secretary, Primary Healthcare Board, Dr. Ibrahim Mustapha, commended First Bank of Nigeria Limited and the contractor for completing the project within the stipulated time frame, but also requested more assistance to make the facility functional by providing equipment and other necessary medical gadgets.

On his part, Chief Executive Officer of FirstBank, Dr. Adesola Adeduntan, who was represented by Mr. Seyi Oyefeso, expressed satisfaction at the successful completion of the project, adding that it was gratifying to know that no fewer than 10,000 residents of Ije-Ododo and neighbouring communities will have access to primary healthcare services in the facility.

He said as a responsible corporate social organisation, the bank’s intervention in the primary healthcare sector aligned with its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) approach anchored on citizenship, impact management, strategic education, as well as the health and welfare of the immediate and remote communities of Lagos State and other parts of the country.

In his words: “The completion and opening of the primary healthcare centre is to ensure that Ije-Ododo community will become healthier and wealthier since health is wealth.”

In his goodwill message, the Baale of Ije-Ododo, Dr. Abu Jelili Ododo, who spoke in company of the Oba of Iba and Baale of Ijagemo, applauded Governor Sanwo-Olu for the timely completion of the healthcare centre and appealed for the construction of the Ijegun-Ije-Ododo-Abule-Ado road to link the Badagry Expressway, adding that it was high time the Ije-Ododo Community was provided with a motorable road to ease the sufferings of residents.

Responding to the request for the road, Jaji assured that the Lagos State government under Sanwo-Olu was poised to build the road but that the project suffered some setback due to agitations by some members of the community over the location of the project, adding however, that as soon as the governor settles down for his second tenure, construction work will begin on the road.

As the world commemorates 2023 children’s’ day celebration, Polaris Bank has urged parents to imbibe in their kids, the art of saving by opening Polaris Rainbow Account.

To encourage savings amongst kiddies, Polaris Bank offers its customers a specialized savings account, Polaris Rainbow Account, for kids between zero and 12 years. The account is part of a range of products designed by the Bank to ensure that, from infancy to adolescent, and to adulthood, there is a financial solution for everyone”.

Polaris Rainbow Account, managed by parents or guardians, provides an opportunity for children to gain financial literacy from an early age. It also offers competitive interest rates on savings, as well as access to e-channel platforms. Polaris Rainbow Account provides automatic migration to the Polaris Young Achievers account (a specialized savings account designed for teenagers), once a child clocks 13.

Commenting on the value of Polaris Rainbow Account, the Bank’s Group Head, Brand Management & Corporate Communication, Nduneche Ezurike said, “We are extremely passionate about children and believe in the importance of savings in creating a successful future and helping them achieve their hopes and dreams. Our Polaris Rainbow Account has been created to support parents in establishing a solid foundation for their children.”

Customers and prospects can sign up to the product at any Polaris Bank branch, nationwide. It is also available for activation through SurePadi agents in their respective neighbourhoods or online, through the Bank’s account opening portal at https://accounts.polarisbanklimited.com/opening/.

The Minister Of Transportation, Mu’azu Jaji Sambo, on Saturday 27th May 2023 commissioned an Ultra-Modern Skill Acquisition Center in Zaria, Kaduna State by the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), He was accompanied by the Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli and Members of the Zazzau Emirate Council.

The Transportation Minister lauded NIMASA for several other projects it has delivered in the last few years.

The Minister in his keynote address, said; “The significance of what we are doing today to build human capacity for various sectors of our economy can never be over-emphasized because as a government, we have to be responsible for creating an enabling environment that will encourage our students in their journey towards learning and achieving the required skills which will eventually add value to our national development.”

“Once again as an Agency of the government, NIMASA has displayed to Nigerians and indeed the whole world that the Agency is a socially responsible organization and that the commitment of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s led Federal Government to tackle poverty through human capacity development remains unwavering.”

“More importantly, the skill acquisition centre does not only serve as a place of learning, but it also further strengthens our resolve for eliminating and eradicating the out-of-school children that the Federal Government continues to settle, and I assure you, this centre would have a direct positive effect on the Federal Government’s drive to reduce and ultimately eliminate the current challenge of out-of-schoolchildren.”

“Furthermore, the best and most important aspect of learning is through practical experience and the set-up of this skill acquisition centre will be all-encompassing with a great learning experience that would ensure every student that passes through this centre becomes a master of a specialized art that would add to our economic growth.”

The Minister, without living any stone unturned, commended President Muhammadu Buhari on the impact he has made on Nigerians.

He said; “I would not end this presentation without commending President Muhammadu Buhari who has continuously ensured that the Federal Ministry of Transportation receives all the support that would ensure we make the needed changes to bring positive impact in the lives of Nigerians; An example of this is what we are witnessing today.”

“I must commend the unwavering support of our royal father, Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, the Emir of Zazzau, for his fatherly role and ensuring the entire Zazzau Emirates key into this project. May Allah Bless you, sir.
The Emir in his remark thanked the Federal Government for such a laudable project and appreciated the DG NIMASA for remembering home.

In conclusion, the Minister prayed to God to bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Kaduna State Government and the Zazzau Emirate.

Major stakeholders in the Organised Private Sector (OPS) have given directions to the incoming administration of President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on ways to revamp the ailing economy and other issues confronting the country.
The OPS, which include the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agnculture (NACCIMA), Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO) and others, made this known at an event organised by the Commerce and Industry Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CICAN).
The event, which held yesterday May 25, at the MAN House, Ikeja, Lagos, has as theme: “Agenda Setting For the Incoming Federal Government Administration/Investiture of New Executive”.
First to speak was Mrs. Toki Mabogunje, the immediate past president, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), who feels that the rising debt profile, forex liquidity concerns, contracting disposable incomes, rising inflation, escalating unemployment, business disruptions and Investment uncertainties are like a clog in the wheels of Nigeria’s economy.
Mabogunje therefore, called on the new administration/policymakers to expeditiously develop a framework that would ensure the country has a well-diversified revenue base, as this would help macroeconomic stability.
“When we take a holistic view of the Nigerian economy, one cannot but be concerned about the challenges we face; the rising debt profile, forex liquidity concerns, contracting disposable incomes, rising inflation, escalating unemployment, business disruptions and Investment uncertainties.
“There is a need for policymakers to expeditiously develop a framework that will ensure the country has a well-diversified revenue base”, she said.
She emphasised that there is a need to deepen efforts to improve investment in human capital development, particularly education and health, as this would create mass employment of our teeming population, which in turn would have a positive effect on the current insecurity problems facing the country.
Mabogunje reminded the Chambers of Commerce of the numerous roles they have to play in the economies where they exist, such as; assist the development of commerce/trade and industry, provide support or oppose legislation that they feel would affect their members, provide information to members on their line of business, organise trade fairs, exhibitions, etc., to enhance commercial activities, Amongst others.
She also said that within the context of today’s theme, Chambers of Commerce and Business Associations play a significant role in advancing policy reform within their jurisdictions, and that these Chambers and Business Associations act to promote public policies that are in the best interest of business, in general.
With reference to CICAN, however, Mabogunje tasked the Media for policy advocacy to be truly effective, as the process of disseminating policy-related information through the communications media, especially where the aim is to effect action, a change of policy, or to alter the public’s view of issues cannot be over emphasised.
On his part, the MAN president, Otunba Meshioye Francis, ably represented by Ambrose Oruche, the Head, Communications, he said though MAN is an advocacy group and apolitical, they have expectations from the incoming government and look forward to working with them to accelerate the economic development of Nigeria, particularly the manufacturing sector.
Francis acknowledged that the magnitude of the responsibility awaiting the new administration is enormous and demanding high senses of determination, and resourcefulness, as almost all parts of the economy are presently in shambles and squarely squabbling in crisis.
He mentioned that these crises range from political and social rascality to arrays of economic imbalances, Economic imbalances in terms of multiple taxes, fees, and levies imposed by all tiers of government, forex scarcity, a bourgeoning borrowing interest rate, energy insecurity, and an infrastructural deficit in a highly inflationary environment.
Francis blamed all these on misaligned macroeconomic policy, policy misconceptions, negligence, and mismanagement, which has unimaginably negative impacts on the real sector, adding that the impact is graver among industries, especially manufacturing, which has been battling poor performance and is now on the verge of collapsing as a result of these challenges, especially taxes.
He believes that while the government indulges in tax increments to rake in more revenue, the action is highly counterproductive as this exerts much pressures on manufacturing and small and medium-scale businesses reducing their income, thereby affecting their tax-paying ability.
So, for him, the incoming government should in the first 100 days in office; “Reverse with immediate effect the 2023 fiscal policy measure that raises taxes on beverages and tobacco.
“Address the issue of multiple taxes in the country is paramount, then, the productive sector should be given maximum priority for the general good of all in terms of wealth and job creation for the Nation.
“Promote the use of local content by mandating the patronage of Made-in-Nigeria products by all government parastatals, agencies, and ministries.
“Revisit executive orders 003 and 004.
“Create a special window for forex allocation to the manufacturing sector.
“Identify and break the powerbroker militating against the completion of the Ajaokuta steel complex to make available raw materials for our steel and automobile industries.
“Provide incentives to encourage a rapid energy transition in the manufacturing industry.
“Give tariff preferential treatment to the motor vehicle and assembly sector pending the development of the iron and steel sector.
“Revisit and reactivate dormant export incentives
“Engage and dialogue with the key stakeholders in the manufacturing sector on overcoming the challenges troubling the sector”.
Further, that they should pay particular attention to this critical low-hanging fruit agenda with a deep sense of effective implementation and monitoring.
While saying this requires an unwavering and high spirit of commitment, dedication, and selflessness in public service delivery by the new administration, he equally enjoined the media to play a vital role in terms of accurate information dissemination to promote the growth of the manufacturing sector.
Dr. Chima C. Igwe, Former Ag. Director General and Chief Executive Officer, Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO), stated that Commerce and Industry are the two sides of a coin, and are known as the key drivers of any economy while the media are strategic players in actualising both.
Igwe noted that for national growth and development, national security and economic recovery and diversification, research and development in the fields of science, engineering, technology and innovation must be at the forefront, because it is the very foundation of any successful industrial revolution and industrialisation.
He stressed that science, technology and innovation (STI) is a very crucial cross-cutting sector in all developmental efforts of any nation if it is to be sustainable and that It is mainly through the application of science, technology and innovation that a developing economy can grow to a developed economy by wealth creation for the nation and the citizens.
In setting agenda for the in-coming administration, he highlighted on different strategies for implementation using science and technology, which according to him many research institutes, private and public such as FIIRO have hundreds of technologies ready for commercialization via training of entrepreneurs and establishment of clusters and catalytic model plants/factories in various local government area/states ased on their raw materials of relative advantage, these government could leverage on to curb unemployment.
Industrialization/increased investment (local/foreign), is another strategy which he said the incoming administration should establish industries and training of entrepreneurs using using readily available techno-entrepreneurial programmes, this would increase industrialization, commerce and industry activities and investment in the country.
Insecurity/national emergencies for job creation/ wealth generation/emergency meals/food for Internally Displaced Persons(IDPs), with this he said there are process technologies in various research centres such as FIIRO for the production of ready-to-eat fortified foods for IDPs in security or disaster challenged areas and communities.
Also, food security/ infant nutrition Igwe explained, could be used to provide Ready to Use Therapeutic Foods(RUTFs) for management of malnutrition in children and infants, with this all food materials are processed, postharvest, and this would ensure availability at the right quantities and qualities all-year-round and food /nutrition security.
FIIRO for instance he said had concluded work and packaged a school feeding programme ready for implementation by government.

Felicitations have continued to pour in the direction of the Commerce & Industry Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CICAN) for foresight in its agenda setting programme for the incoming administration of Senator Bola Tinubu
The latest is from the managing director of Bullion Go-Neat Global limited, Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, who added that CICAN deserved commendation for its sustained advocacy reportage of the real sector over the years.
He said CICAN had nurtured generations of seasoned journalists who had gone on to play key roles in other aspects of the nation’s life, urging it to sustain the good work.
He said the association’s members’ reportage has recorded evidences of impact in terms of both infrastructure development and right fiscal policies.
Ajadi who was the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) gubernatorial flagbearer in Ogun State in the last election, urged the association not to relent in this direction but up the ante especially now that a new administration was about to be inaugurated.
“While I commend you for your contributions, I urge you to continue the good work.
“Whereas we entrepreneurs are committed to adding value to the economy through our range of products and services as well as employment generation, the issue of poor infrastructure continues to remain a nightmare.
“It is worsened by multiple taxation and harassment of genuine entrepreneurs by task forces across the different layers of government, this is a great disincentive to real sector development”, Ajadi said.
Nigeria at its level of development, he added, ought to have outgrown that.
He cited example with a recent visit to Tanzania where he said he was marvelled by reliability of electricity and the availability of public sector workers on their duty posts.
“It is amazing how this country has transformed its natural endowments for foreign exchange generation and boost in its international reputation.
“I can’t remember experiencing power outage throughout my stay.
“If Tanzania can do it, Nigeria can, and should, much more.
“This must be a critical item in the agenda CICAN must set today for the new government”, he said.
Ajadi also congratulated the CICAN leadership spearhead by Mr. Charles Okonji for upholding great journalistic ethiquettes, urging it not to lower its guards.
He also pledged continued collaboration with the association.

The Board of Nestlé Nigeria PLC has appointed Mr. Gbenga Oyebode, MFR, as the new Chairman of the Board of Directors with effect from May 18, 2023.
The appointment announced to shareholders and other stakeholders at the Annual General Meeting of Nestlé Nigeria PLC,held at the MUSON Center on May 17, 2023,follows the retirement of Mr.David Ifezulike as a Director and the Chairman of the Board of the Company with effect from May 18, 2023.

Mr. Oyebode qualified as a Solicitor and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria
in 1980. He holds a Master of Laws degree and is the co-founder of the law firm of Aluko & Oyebode. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK) and the Nigerian Leadership Initiative. He is the Chairman of Okomu Oil Palm PLC,
Teach forAll,and the African Philanthropy Forum. He is also a Director of both CFAO Nigeria and Lafarge Africa PLC as well as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Ford Foundation.
Mr. Oyebode was first appointed to the Board of NestléNigeria PLC on February
24, 2014, and has served on the Statutory Audit Committee, Nomination,
Governance and Remuneration Committee as well as the Board Audit And Risk
Management Committee of the Company.

Mr. Ifezulike who holds a Masters in Management Science and a Diploma of
Imperial College,London, was appointed to the Board of Nestlé Nigeria PLC on
December 22, 2000. He became the Chairman of the Board on May 10, 2013 and served the Company meritoriously during his tenure.

He joined Nestlé Nigeria PLC on January 1,1980 and worked for over 26 years in
various capacities and locations including Nigeria, Malaysia, Zimbabwe,
Switzerland,and Ghana. He was on an international exchange program as Factory Manager of Nestle Ghana between May 1999 and April 2003.
He retired from Nestle Nigeria PLC as the Executive Director, Industrial
Development in October 2006.

The Board of Nestlé Nigeria PLC thanked Mr. Ifezulike for his contributions to the growth of the Company and wished him success in his future endeavours.The Board of Nestle Nigeria PLC also expressed confidence in the ability of the new Chairman of the Board of Directors,Mr. Oyebode,to further contribute to the development of the Company and wished him personal satisfaction in his new role.

Following the revocation of licenses of 179 Microfinance Banks (MFBs) and four Primary Mortgage Banks (PMBs) by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has assured depositors of the closed banks speedy payment of their insured sums.

NDIC Managing Director/Chief Executive, Mr. Bello Hassan gave this assurance in a statement which followed the revocation of the licenses of the affected MFBs and PMBs by the Governor of the CBN, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, CON.

Hassan said, as deposit insurer, the NDIC would begin the process of payment of the insured sums immediately with the verification of eligible depositors at the respective premises of the closed banks. He enjoined such depositors to get the required documents for the exercise such as proof of account ownership, verifiable means of identification and alternate bank account to facilitate their seamless verification and payment of their insured deposits.

The NDIC Boss stated that the insured deposit is the first claim that the Corporation pays to depositors upon revocation of bank’s license by the CBN, adding that the maximum specified limits for the MFB and PMB sub-sectors are N200,000.00 and N500,000.00 per depositor per bank, respectively.

As liquidator, the MD/CE disclosed that the Corporation has also put machinery in motion to commence sales of assets of the defunct banks as well as recover debts owed to them in order to declare liquidation dividends on pro rata basis to the affected depositors with claims exceeding the maximum insured sums of N200,000.00 for MFBs and N500,000.00 for PMBs.He assured that regulatory authorities are leaving no stone unturned to ensure that the soundness of the banking system is not compromised, stressing that there is no need for the public to panic over the safety of their bank deposits.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has revoked the operational license of 179 Microfinance Banks (MFBs) and four Primary Mortgage Banks (PMBs) in the country.
This fact is contained in an official gazette of the Federal Government published on the CBN website on Tuesday.

The gazette disclosed that the licenses of the financial institutions were revoked because they ceased to carry on the type of business for which their licences were issued for six months.
“The banks also failed to fulfil or comply with the conditions subject to which their licences were granted or failed to comply with the obligations imposed upon them by the Central Bank of Nigeria in accordance with the provisions of Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) 2020, Act No. 5.”
The document quoted the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, as saying that the CBN revoked the licenses in the exercise of the powers conferred on the Central Bank of Nigeria under Section 12 of BOFIA 2020, Act No. 5.
The microfinance banks whose Licenses were revoked include – Atlas Microfinance Bank, Bluewhales Microfinance Bank, Everest Microfinance Bank, Igangan Microfinance Bank, Mainsail Microfinance Bank, Merit Microfinance Bank, Minna Microfinance Bank, Musharaka Microfinance Bank, Nopov Microfinance Bank, Ohon Microfinance Bank, and others.
Finance companies whose Licenses were revoked include – HHL Invest & Trust Limited, TFS Finance Limited and Treasures & Trust Limited while the four primary mortgage banks whose licenses were revoked are – Resort Savings & Loans, Safetrust Mortgage Bank, Adamawa Savings & Loans and Kogi Savings & Loans.