Business
Plateau Launches National School Agriculture Programme
The Plateau Government
has launched its National School Agriculture Programme (NSAP) to build technical skills in students interested in agriculture.
The Tide source recalls that the Federal Government had earlier launched the same programme in October 2014 with Plateau as one of the pilot states.
Flagging-off the programme in Jos, Governor Jonah Jang said it would equip the students with more robust and scientific method of agriculture.
Represented by his Education Commissioner, Dr Paul Wai, he said that the cumbersome traditional system of agriculture was fast giving way and that the younger generation should be inculcated with new methods of doing things.
The governor applauded the determination of President Jonathan at ensuring that agriculture was given a new face in the country.
He further commended the Federal Government for choosing Plateau among the twelve states that would be used for the pilot scheme.
“President Goodluck Jonathan has a big vision for this country, especially when it comes to agriculture.
“His vision is crystal clear owing to the various programmes that are being initiated with the sole aim of revamping and restrategising the agric sector for the good of all Nigerians.
“For us on the Plateau, we have long before now embraced this initiative because I believe so much in agriculture and that is why it is one of the cardinal agenda of my administration,“ he said.
The governor called on the various schools, teachers, parents, relevant agencies and groups to key into the programme with a view to making agriculture one of the major sources of revenue for the country.
Earlier, Mrs Serah Garba of the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) of NSAP in Plateau thanked Governor Jang for ensuring that the programme was being expeditiously launched in the state. She explained that prior to the flag off, the state had already kicked-off the programme in three secondary schools with one sited in each of the three senatorial zones.
According to her, the schools are Government Science School in Kuru, Government Girls Secondary School in Shendam and Government Secondary School in Mangu.
NSAP, a brain child of President Jonathan’s Agricultural Transformation Agenda, is anchored on building technical skills in students to run agriculture as a business.
It is also to equip school leavers with practical life skills to create jobs themselves and to enable youths develop a positive attitude towards agriculture.
Business
E-Commerce Platform Revolutionises Online Businesses, Empowers SMEs
A revolutionary online marketplace launched in December 2023, Naijamart.com, is shaking up the landscape for Nigerian businesses.
The multi-platform ecosystem is designed to empower businesses of all sizes and connect them with a wider audience at zero cost.
It offers diverse range of platforms on catering to specific business needs, and its product platform allows the buying and selling of a vast array of products, from electronics and fashion to home ware and groceries.
Naijamart Motors provides a dedicated space for seamless transactions, including buying, selling, or leasing a car, motorcycle, or any other vehicle, and also provides a dedicated space for seamless transactions.
According to the facilitators, Mr. Olalekan Emmanuel Odusanya and Mr. Moses Omhekono Owolabi, the platform was created to fill a significant void in the e-commerce industry, bridging the gap between vendors and buyers while providing enhanced security.
“Our vision is to create a platform where everyone benefits. We have meticulously designed the platform with an array of innovative tools and features to ensure that every user, regardless of their role, enjoys a seamless and rewarding experience.
“The platform is user-friendly, ensuring that even those with minimal technical skills can easily create and manage their online storefronts, and guarantees triple sales through its comprehensive support system and innovative features designed to maximise visibility and customer engagement.
“This multifaceted platform has also been the bedrock and backbone for many SMEs, providing support to the underserved and less privileged and grants to businesses”, Odusanya said.
Business
Analysts Fear Bank Recapitalisation May Worsen SMEs’ Funding
Analysts have said that the ongoing recapitalisation in the banking sector was pushing the industry towards greater consolidation, with significant implications for lending practices, especially for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
They also noted that the Central Bank of Nigeria’s directive for banks to increase their capital base was not only reshaping the landscape by encouraging mergers among smaller banks, but also raising concerns about restricted access to credit.
According to the Head of Research at a financial market infrastructure group warehousing, FMDQ, Vincent Nwani, the recapitalisation was likely to lead to a wave of mergers and acquisitions, as smaller banks may find it difficult to meet the stringent capital requirements on their own.
“The recapitalisation will undoubtedly lead to further consolidation in the banking sector.
Smaller banks may struggle to meet the new requirements independently, prompting more mergers and acquisitions. This consolidation is likely to create a more competitive environment but may limit credit access for smaller enterprises,” Nwani explained.
Meanwhile, a Professor of Economics at Babcock University, Olusegun Ajibola, warned that while the recapitalisation might strengthen the overall banking sector, it could also result in tighter lending conditions, particularly for SMEs.
He noted that banks, in their effort to meet the new capital requirements, might prioritise capital accumulation over lending, which could temporarily reduce the availability of credit for SMEs.
“While the recapitalisation will strengthen the banking sector, the immediate effect will be a tightening of lending, particularly to small and medium-sized enterprises.
“Banks are focused on shoring up their capital, which could temporarily crowd out credit availability for SMEs, crucial to our economy,” the former president of the Chartered Institute of Banking of Nigeria noted.
The Tide’s source reports that the Association of Securities Dealing Houses of Nigeria(ASHON) has accused banks of bypassing licensed stockbrokers as receiving agents in the fresh recapitalisation exercise.
The Chairman of ASHON, Sam Onukwue, and its Secretary, Athan Ogbozor, stated that the association was empowering their staff members, including drivers and receptionists, to issue and receive share subscription forms.
Business
FCMB Moves To Empower Nigeria’s Female Tech Entrepreneurs
First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has launched a female friendly programme called “FCMB’s HERccelerate programme”, aimed at promoting startups’ growth, funding, mentorship, and training to help female founders.
FCMB’s Managing Director (MD), Yemisi Edun, who said this during the launch of the programme, said the initiative, which is driven by the Bank’s SheVentures and Hub One innovation hub, is executed in collaboration with 8th Gear Hub and Venture Studio.
The programme, according to the MD, seeks to equip female founders with the necessary skills, knowledge, and networks to secure funding and ensure sustainable growth.
She noted that applications for the programme, which targets women-led startups across various sectors, including Fintech, Agritech, Healthtech, Edtech, and E-commerce, offers them the chance to compete for funding and other strategic benefits and would be closing on September 30, 2024.
The MD said participants will undergo rigorous training, including office hours, site visits to successful local startups, and networking events with seasoned entrepreneurs.
“This robust support structure is designed to provide participants with access to knowledge, resources, investors, markets, and networks.
“The programme will culminate in a showcase event where winners will receive grant funding and gain exposure to potential investors.
“The bank is commited to fostering innovation and supporting women-led businesses, particularly SMEs in the tech sector.
“This initiative reaffirms our dedication to empowering women entrepreneurs to pursue their ambitions and make significant contributions to the tech ecosystem and Nigeria’s economic development.
“We understand the unique challenges faced by female-led tech ventures, from funding constraints to biases that hinder growth. HERccelerate is our platform to drive innovation and open more funding avenues for these businesses.
“We urge women entrepreneurs to take advantage of this opportunity to leave a lasting impact”, She said.
The Tide’s source reports that Nigeria’s tech sector has experienced notable growth in recent years, with women-led startups making significant inroads across various industries.
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