Business
Ministry To Support Chinese Firm On Investment Expansion
The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr Okechukwu Enelamah says the ministry will support Lifemate Furniture Limited, a Chinese company to expand its investment in the country.
The minister made this known at the opening of the Chinese furniture company in Abuja.
Represented by Mr Aminu Bisalla, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Enelamah urged the company to explore the use of e-commence to enable Nigerians to learn the appropriate and latest technology in furniture making.
Senate President Bukola Saraki said “the presence of such company shows that Nigeria’s economy was growing and favorable for investors.”
Saraki, who was represented by Sen. Isah Hamma, added that the present administration had provided enabling environment for investors to thrive in the country.
He commended the company for using local materials in making furniture and urged the manager to open branches in the states.
“I believe the establishment of this company will attract more investors into the country and our people will gain employment and learn better technology,’’ Saraki said.
Former Senator Adamu Aliero, who urged Nigerians to patronise locally made furniture, added that “we need to stop importing what we can produce in this country.
“I believe with Lifemate Furniture, more Nigerians will learn how to make furniture with latest technology and I think the country should be able to stop importing furniture in the next two years.”
Mr Derek Dai, the Managing Director of the company, said Nigeria was endowed with raw materials and that was why the furniture maker decided to expand its business in the country.
Dai said the company received lots of support from Federal Government, adding that it originated in China and operates in few African countries, with large chunk of businesses in Nigeria.
“Nigeria is endowed with raw materials and that is why we decided to expand our business here,’’ he said.
He noted that the company chose Nigeria because of peace and stability being experienced in the country, which every investor would look out for before establishing any business.
Kenya made it a clean sweep at the Berlin Marathon with Sabastian Sawe winning the men’s race and Rosemary Wanjiru triumphing in the women’s.
Sawe finished in two hours, two minutes and 16 seconds to make it three wins in his first three marathons.
The 30-year-old, who was victorious at this year’s London Marathon, set a sizzling pace as he left the field behind and ran much of the race surrounded only by his pacesetters.
Japan’s Akasaki Akira came second after a powerful latter half of the race, finishing almost four minutes behind Sawe, while Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele followed in third.
“I did my best and I am happy for this performance,” said Sawe.
“I am so happy for this year. I felt well but you cannot change the weather. Next year will be better.”
Sawe had Kelvin Kiptum’s 2023 world record of 2:00:35 in his sights when he reached halfway in 1:00:12, but faded towards the end.
In the women’s race, Wanjiru sped away from the lead pack after 25 kilometers before finishing in 2:21:05.
Ethiopia’s Dera Dida followed three seconds behind Wanjiru, with Azmera Gebru, also of Ethiopia, coming third in 2:21:29.
Wanjiru’s time was 12 minutes slower than compatriot Ruth Chepng’etich’s world record of 2:09:56, which she set in Chicago in 2024.
