Business

RSG Tasks Hoteliers, Businessmen On NAFEST 2018

Published

7 years ago

October 19, 2018

The Rivers State Government has called on hoteliers, fun spots and other business owners operating in the state to key into the forthcoming National Festival for Arts and Culture (NAFEST) 2018 billed to kick off in Port Harcourt, this weekend.
The State Commissioner for Information, Barrister Emma Okah, who made the call in Port Harcourt said the event has been scheduled between 20th and 27th of October, this year.
Okah who is also the Chairman, Publicity and Media Sub-Committee, NAFEST Rivers 2018, stated that despite stiff interests from other states in the country to host the event, Rivers was able show a more impressive record and capacity to be able to once again host this year’s edition of the arts and culture festival.
He said, “This is the second time Rivers State will be hosting this event. It has become very interesting at this time, particularly in 2018 to look at the competition and the stiff desires by other states in the country to host the event.
“But at the end of the day, Rivers State was able to show a better impressive record and capacity to be able to host the nation in the festival for arts and culture 2018. So that is a good one for the people of Rivers State”.
The Commissioner further said that the state government has put everything in place to ensure comfort, the safety and the success of the event, saying the state was putting finishing touches to preparations and plans as the event draws closer.
“As a matter of fact, we just hosted the National Convention of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP and the economic significance and good image it gave to Rivers State cannot be quantified in terms of money.
“So, we are happy that the people keyed into the economic activities that came with that convention. So, in the same way we are calling on the people of Rivers State especially those who own hotels, those who run social outfits, night clubs, bars, restaurants, pleasure parks and all sorts to get ready again and key into this National Festival for Arts and Culture which will host all contingents from the various States from the Federal Republic of Nigeria, including Abuja.
“So, it is a huge challenge. It is also a very fantastic opportunity to tell Nigerians once again that we are Rivers State and we are different and we have capacity to host them,” Okah said.
The commissioner noted that aside promoting the arts and culture of Rivers State, the event would also enhance national cohesion, inclusiveness and an accommodating spirit which the NAFEST brings to bare on the people of the Federal Republic, saying, “it is difficult for anybody to write it off as not very important.”
“You never can tell where this takes us to outside the shores of Nigeria. So, it is as important as any other segment of our life as a people and as a state”.
He expressed happiness that practically every ethnic group and every Local Government in the state has something of great significance that any tourist would like to see, such as the King Jaja of Opobo Palace and Monuments and the first Anglican Church in Bonny and so on, adding that Team Rivers was already gearing up to clinch the Gold Medal at the week-long event.
“We (Rivers State) have rich food which we can showcase to other parts of the country and be proud of to do so. We have very formidable costume and cultural identification that are unique to the people of Rivers State and that is our pride and heritage that we shall be showcasing to the world.
“Everybody is given the opportunity to participate. Local entertainers are also in the same bracket. They have opportunity to participate and showcase what they can do. I know as it were that the ‘Team Rivers’ which is the umbrella body that is packaging what Rivers State will be showcasing to the world is an amalgamation of different talents and people who have something to showcase to the world in terms of arts and culture. So, anybody who has what it takes to be different is given the opportunity to do so,” Okah said.

Dennis Naku

Business

Agency Gives Insight Into Its Inspection, Monitoring Operations

Published

4 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Director, South South Zone National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Pharmacist Chujwuma P.Oligbu has said its thorough implementation of its core mandate of monitoring has no link with witch-hunting or fault finding as perceived at some quarters.

Oligbu, made this known when he spoke as as guest at the maiden Rivers state Supermarkets stakeholders’ Seminar/Workshop in Port Harcourt recently.

Rather, he said they were mere opportunities for education, correction and continuous improvement.

The Agency’s South South Boss, noted that Supermarket operators who maintain transparent records, cooperate during inspections, and promptly address identified gaps demonstrate professionalism and commitment to public health standard.

He listed the deserving essence of supermarket operation to include the key aspects of supermarket operation that deserves emphasis is product sourcing.

“Supermarkets must ensure that all regulated products stocked on their shelves are duly registered with NAFDAC and sourced from legitimate manufacturers or distributors”, he said .

According to him, the presence of unregistered, expired, counterfeit, or improper labelled products undermines consumer confidence and poses serious health risks.

He pointed out that such has the likelihood of exposeing supermarket operators to legal sanctions that could damage their reputation and financial stability.

The NAFDAC Operator, further enlightened the participants that mere registration of a particular product with the Federal agency do not guarantee absolute consumption safety.

“Temperature control, cleanliness, pest control, stock rotation, and proper shelving are not optional practice; they are essential components of compliance”, he said.

The South South zonal director also told the operators of supermarket that their employees rotine training on the basis of the product they display for sale is of utmost importance.

In her presentation a Breast Milk Nutrition Expert , Professor Alice Nte of University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), was against the body’s prime attention to breast milk substitute or baby milk in supermarkets as well as its advertisement or promotion.

Nye jerked up the importance of mothers breast milk to the newborn baby and added that it help in fighting against childhood diseases, infections and combating cancer in breastfeeding mothers.

Meanwhile, NAFDAC Deputy Director, South – South Zone , Mrs. Riter Chujwuma educated the participants on the guidelines for global listing, and the need to adhere strictly to rules guiding global listing to avoid confiscation of their imported products.

By: King Onunwor

Business

BVN Enrolments Rise 6% To 67.8m In 2025 — NIBSS

Published

4 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) has said that Bank Verification Number (BVN) enrolments rose by 6.8 per cent year-on-year to 67.8 million as at December 2025, up from 63.5 million recorded in the corresponding period of 2024.

In a statement published on its website, NIBSS attributed the growth to stronger policy enforcement by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the expansion of diaspora enrolment initiatives.

According to the data, more than 4.3 million new BVNs were issued within the one-year period, underscoring the growing adoption of biometric identification as a prerequisite for accessing financial services in Nigeria.

NIBSS noted that the expansion reinforces the BVN system’s central role in Nigeria’s financial inclusion drive and digital identity framework.

Analysts linked the growth largely to regulatory measures by the CBN, particularly the directive to restrict or freeze bank accounts without both a BVN and National Identification Number (NIN), which took effect from April 2024.

The policy compelled many customers to regularise their biometric records to retain access to banking services.

Another major driver, the statement said, was the rollout of the Non-Resident Bank Verification Number (NRBVN) initiative, which allows Nigerians in the diaspora to obtain a BVN remotely without physical presence in the country.

The programme has been widely regarded as a milestone in integrating the diaspora into Nigeria’s formal financial system.

A five-year analysis by NIBSS showed consistent growth in BVN enrolments, rising from 51.9 million in 2021 to 56.0 million in 2022, 60.1 million in 2023, 63.5 million in 2024 and 67.8 million by December 2025. The steady increase reflects stronger compliance with biometric identity requirements and improved coverage of the national banking identity system.

However, NIBSS noted that BVN enrolments still lag the total number of active bank accounts, which exceeded 320 million as of March 2025.

The gap, it explained, is largely due to multiple bank accounts linked to single BVNs, as well as customers yet to complete enrolment, despite the progress recorded.

Business

AFAN Unveils Plans To Boost Food Production In 2026

Published

7 days ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The leadership of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) has set the tone for the new year with a renewed focus on food security, unity and long-term growth of the agricultural sector.

The association announced that its General Assembly of Farmers Congress will take place from January 15 to 17, 2026 at the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industries, along Lugbe Airport Road, in the Federal Capital Territory.

The gathering is expected to bring together farmers, policymakers, investors and development partners to shape a fresh direction for Nigerian agriculture.

In a New Year address to members and stakeholders, AFAN president, Dr Farouk Rabiu Mudi, said the congress would provide a strategic forum for reviewing past challenges and outlining practical solutions for the future.

He explained that the event would serve as a rallying point for innovation, collaboration and economic renewal within the sector.

Mudi commended farmers across the country for their determination and hard work, despite years of insecurity, climate-related pressures and economic uncertainty.

According to him, their resilience has kept food production alive and positioned agriculture as a stabilising force in the national economy.

He noted that AFAN intends to build on this strength by resetting agribusiness operations to improve productivity and sustainability.

The AFAN leader appealed to government institutions, private investors and development organisations to deepen their engagement with the association.

He stressed the need for collective action to confront persistent issues such as insecurity in farming communities, climate impacts and market instability.

He also urged members to put aside internal disputes and personal interests, encouraging cooperation and shared responsibility in pursuit of national development.

Mudi outlined key priorities that include increasing food output, expanding support for farmers at the grassroots and strengthening local manufacturing through partnerships with both domestic and international investors adding that reducing dependence on imports remains critical to protecting the economy and creating jobs.

He stated that the upcoming congress will feature the launch of AFAN’s twenty-five-year agricultural mechanisation roadmap, alongside the announcement of new partnerships designed to accelerate growth across the value chain.

Participants, he said wi also have opportunities for networking and knowledge exchange aimed at transforming agriculture into a more competitive and technology-driven sector.

As part of its modernisation drive, AFAN is further encouraging members nationwide to enrol for the newly introduced Digital ID Card.

Mudi said the initiative will improve transparency, ensure proper farmer identification and make it easier to access support programmes and services.

Reaffirming the association’s long-term goal, he said the vision of national food sufficiency by 2030 remains achievable if unity and collaboration are sustained.

He expressed optimism that with collective effort, Nigeria’s agricultural sector can overcome its challenges and deliver a more secure and prosperous future.

Lady Usendi