News
Expert Endorses New National Quality Policy
A trade expert, Mr Sand Mba-Kalu, says the approved National Quality Policy will set the stage to make Nigeria non-oil export competitive and increase the monetary value of Nigerian export.
Mba-Kalu, Executive Director, Africa International Trade and Commerce Research Ltd (AITCRL), made this known in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) last Wednesday approved the National Quality Policy which was designed to ensure that goods exported from Nigeria were acceptable to countries of import.
The expert said over the years, stakeholders had been lamenting the poor quality compliance level of Nigerian non-oil export which led to rejection of most export and inadequate technical capacity.
He said it equally led to inconsistency of regulatory framework which could be attributed to the country’s lack of a national quality policy.
“Unfortunately, meeting quality standards has always been a major challenge for Nigeria non-oil exporters especially for Micro Small and Meduim Enterprises (MSMEs).
“The EU recently extended the export ban of Nigeria beans to the EU member states to 2022, due to the Nigerian government’s failure to implement the food safety action plan submitted in 2018.
“That is why I welcome the approval by FEC for the Nigeria Quality Policy which I believe, will address this shortcoming,” he said.
He recalled that the process for the policy started during President Goodluck Jonathan administration, adding that it was a delight seeing its eventual ratification under President Muhammadu Buhari.
The expert advised that the implementing institution should be empowered to judiciously enforce the standard,conformity assessmentand accreditation with the domestic market.
Mba-Kalu further said that support mechanisms should also be put in place for MSMEs to take advantage of the policy.
According to him, the policy will also require legislative backing and stakeholders must ensure that the business community are well informed and educated on the policy.
“That is how the policy will help grow their businesses, while boosting Nigeria non-oil export by preventing reject of Nigeria export,” he said.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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