News
Manufacturers Set 10-Year Agenda For Nigeria’s Industrialisation
The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has revealed plan to set a 10-year industrialisation agenda for the country at its forthcoming 50th annual general meeting (AGM) with the theme, “An Agenda for Nigeria’s Industrialization for the Next Decade”, from October 17 to 19, 2022, in Lagos.
President, MAN, Engr. Mansur Ahmed, disclosed this, yesterday, at a pre-AGM media briefing, adding that the President/Chief Executive of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, would be the Guest Speaker while President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to be the Special Guest of Honour at the event.
Ahmed said that the theme of the AGM “is borne out of the need to take stock of the nation’s journey to industrialisation, to ascertain the pains and pain-points; to highlight the performance limiters; recognise the gains and growth milestones; and to identify the learning curves and hurdles ahead.
“All these with a view to crafting a robust agenda for resetting industrialization, albeit manufacturing in Nigeria.
“The significance of an electioneering year further propels us to bring to the consciousness of aspiring leaders of the nation the importance of a virile manufacturing sector. To put forward the case of being intentional about accelerating the growth and development of the sector in their agenda on the economy,” he added.
The MAN president lamented that many policies of the government have compounded the already challenging operating environment for manufacturers.
He said, “It is indeed a matter of great concern to our members that even as our economy continue to experience very slow growth, our policy makers at all levels continue to compound the situation by introducing new taxes, further worsening the difficult and high-cost operating environment. In some climes, when the economy slows down government reduce taxes to encourage businesses to expand, create more jobs and increase economic activities.
“What we are seeing in Nigeria today is not only increasing tax rate but introducing new taxes and turning every public agency into a revenue collector.”
According to him, “in the last 30 years, peer countries have overtaken Nigeria in the area of industrialisation while the country the country has stagnated and even gone backwards industrially”.
Responding to a question, the MAN president condemned the closure of Dangote Cement plant in Obajana by the Kogi State Government, noting that the action was worrisome and unwarranted.
Ahmed said, “The action of the Kogi State Government at shutting down Dangote Cement plant is very worrisome. It is shocking that a government will shut down a plant that provides jobs and economic activities on a very large scale to the people of Kogi State.
“This is totally unnecessary. If the state government has any issue against any corporate citizen, the appropriate thing to do is to go to court and not to use any strong arm tactic to shut the facility. What happened here will not happen in any normal properly managed economic environment.
“We hope relevant authorities in both state and Federal Government will step in to ensure that this kind of behaviour is not repeated.”
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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