Business

FG To Streamline Two Agencies For Better Performance

Published

16 years ago

June 7, 2010

The Federal Government is to streamline two agencies in the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development to promote effective and efficient service delivery.

The plan was announced on Friday in Abuja by Minister, Alhaji Musa Sada, when he received a delegation from the Council of Nigerian Metallurgical Society, led by its President, Dr Linus Asuquo.

According to a statement by Mr Marshall Gundu, Head of Press Unit of the ministry, the affected agencies are the National Steel and Raw Materials Exploration Agency in Kaduna and National Metallurgical Development Centre, Jos.

The minister, said the agencies had overlapping functions which was limiting their performances and promised that “when streamlined they will be better utilised’’.

While commenting on the current state of rolling mills, the minister said: “It is wrong for investors to acquire companies from government without operating them.’’

The minister said the ministry would liaise with the Bureau for Public Enterprises and the management of the steel rolling companies to address the challenges militating against their operations.

The rolling mills are Jos Steel Rolling, now Zuma Steel West Africa Ltd and Oshogbo Steel Rolling, now Kura Integrated Steel Mill Ltd.

The government would resuscitate the Ajaokuta Steel Company to achieve its Vision 2020, the minister said.

“Itakpe Iron-Ore mine should be dedicated as a captive mine for the Ajaokuta Steel Complex, with the proviso that excess production be sold to other plants.

Business

NCDMB, Others Task Youths On Skills Acquisition, Peace

Published

1 hour ago

December 5, 2025

The Tide

The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board(NCDMB), Engr. Felix Omatshola-Ogbe, alongside former acting Director-General of the Department of State Services(DSS), Matthew Seiyefa, and the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Youths Development, Kemepado Nimizigha, have charged youths of the Niger Delta region to maintain peace and tranquility in the region.

The trio gave the charge in their separate remarks at the Youths session of the 2025 edition of the NCDMB Practical Nigerian Content (PNC) held in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, Tuesday.

In his opening remarks, Ogbe , represented by the Head of Department, Government Relations,Teddy Bai, noted that Nigeria stands at a defining moment as global energy systems were rapidly transforming adding that the nation must be deliberate in preparing for a future which balances traditional oil and gas operations with cleaner and more innovative energy solutions.

He said the 2025 PNC Youth forum themed, ‘Building Youth Capacity, Securing Investments, Sustaining Growth In The Oil And Gas Industry’ was not a mere gathering to discuss issues, but to chart new pathways toward meaningful youth engagement, responsible participation in the oil and gas value chain, and sustainable development for the local communities.

Ogbe emphasized that Nigeria’s energy sector was undergoing a transition, with the youths considered as great partners at the heart of the energy sector transition.

“As youths, you’re not just the leaders of tomorrow. You’re contributors and solution-creators today. Your creativity, digital literacy, and innovations are needed in the transitioning energy sector and its value chain.

“It’s my profound pleasure to address you at this year’s PNC 2025 Youth Event, a platform that continues to grow in importance as we collectively shape the future of our energy sector and, indeed, our nation.

“At the heart of this transition is you-the Nigerian youth. Your creativity, digital literacy, and entrepreneurial capacity are crucial assets for solving some of our most pressing challenges, including Pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft, Environmental degradation, Skills gaps in emerging energy technologies, and innovations for local content development.

“The NCDMB recognizes your central role, and this event is one of many interventions designed to empower, inform, and prepare you for opportunities ahead.

“The Nigerian youth must be champions of protection- not destruction- of national assets”, he said.

In his keynote address, Pro-Chancellor of the Niger Delta University (NDU), and former acting Director-General of the Department of State Services(DSS), Mathew Seiyefa, called on youths to maintain the peace in the oil rich Niger Delta region and Nigeria at large.

He cited instances of youth restiveness and their perceived causes in various parts of the region and other parts of the country, saying without peace no meaning development can take place in any part of the world as investors and Government need peace before siting developmental projects in any given area.

In his goodwill message, the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Youth Development, Alfred Kemepado Nimizigha, represented by the Director-general of the State’s Centre for Youth Development, Robert Igali, lauded the NCDMB for the programme.

The Commissioner urged youths to engage in meaningful activities rather than taking to social vices, noting that the Governor Douye Diri’s led ‘prosperity administration’ would continue to embark on several initiatives and programmes aimed at empowering youths across the state.

Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Business

Ban On Satchet Alcoholic Drinks: FG To Loss N2trillion, says FOBTOB

Published

2 weeks ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

Ahead the December 31 effective date for enforcement of the ban on alcoholic drinks and beverages in PET or glass bottles below 200ml, the Food, Beverage, and Tobacco Senior Staff Association (FOBTOB) has warned that Nigeria risks losing more than N2 trillion in investments.

The union urged the federal government to reverse the planned ban, cautioning that the Senate’s directive to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) would trigger severe socioeconomic consequences across the industry.

Speaking at a Press Conference, in Lagos, the President of FOBTOB, Jimoh Oyibo, said repealing the directive would prevent massive job losses and protect the country from economic disruption.

“Repealing the order would avert the grave repercussions that would most definitely follow the ban, especially by saving approximately 5.5 million jobs, both direct and indirect,” he said.

Oyibo appealed to the Senate to invite stakeholders to a public hearing, insisting that all parties must be allowed to present their positions before any decision is made.

“For a fair hearing and to demonstrate good faith, the Senate should invite relevant stakeholders to a Public Hearing to ‘hear the other side’ and be adequately informed to make an informed decision,” he said.

The union leader urged the Senate to carefully review and endorse the validated National Alcohol Policy, describing it as a multi-sectoral framework developed after last year’s public hearing, when the initial call for the ban was raised.

He urged the lawmakers to consider the entire value chain in the alcoholic beverage industry, including formal and informal workers and legitimate local manufacturers, before approving any enforcement.

Highlighting the economic implications, Oyibo said close to N2 trillion invested in machinery and raw materials could be wasted, while over 500,000 direct workers and an estimated five million indirect workers, including suppliers, distributors, marketers, and logistics operators, could lose their livelihoods.

He said “Nearly N2 trillion worth of investments in machinery and raw materials could be lost. Indigenous Nigerian manufacturers risk total collapse, discouraging future investments.

“Smuggling and the circulation of unregulated alcoholic products may skyrocket, worsening public health dangers. Government tax revenue could decline sharply as factories shut down or scale back operations.

“With rising unemployment and no safety nets, this ban will plunge families into poverty. The very children the policy claims to protect may be forced out of school if their parents lose their jobs”.

Business

Estate Developer Harps On Real Estate investment

Published

2 weeks ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

A Canadian based Nigerian Estate Developer, Andrew Enofie, has said that diversification of investment into the real estate sector remains the key to business sustainability.

Enofie said this during the launch of The Golden Gate investments, in Port Harcourt, recently.

He said real estate sector has always remain stable during period of inflations, adding that diversification into the sector would ensure that businesses never loose out during such periods.

He also called on Nigerian businessmen to put their money into the Canadian estate industry with the view to reaping maximum benefit.

According to him, Canada has one of the lowest inflation rate in the world and Nigerian businessmen can reap benefits by putting their monies into the Canadian estate sector.

Enofie said his company, with many years of experience in the real estate sector, can assist Nigerian businessmen with the quest to acquire property in Canada.

According to him, investors have more opportunities to diversify their funds, saying “it also open doors for investors to invest in the Canadian real estate market.

“With the launch of this fund, we are strategically positioned to navigate current market dynamics,r3 rising demand, shifting rates and evolving economic trends, while focusing on sustainable growth”, he said.

Also speaking, an investor, Mike Ifeanyi, also called on investors to invest in real estate.

He commended the company for its pledged to assist Nigerian businessmen willing to invest in Canada, but added that the whole thing must be transparently done inorder to avoid fraud.

Also speaking, Chukwudi Kelvin, yet another investor, described the event as an eye opener, stressing that time has come for Nigerian investors to go into the Canadian estate sector.

By: John Bibor,/Isaiah Blessing/Umunakwe Ebere/Afini Awajiokikpom