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Author: Joy Odigie

  • MSMEs key to Nigeria’s economy recovery , says Industrialist

    MSMEs key to Nigeria’s economic recovery, says Industrialist

    Business

    By Joy Odigie

    Benin, June 30, 2024 (NAN) Mr Noma Iguisi, Edo Chairman, Nigeria Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI) has said that Micro Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) were pivotal to Nigeria’s economy recovery.

    Iguisi stated this during an interview on the 2024 MSMEs Day with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin on Sunday.

    The theme for this year’s is: “Leveraging Power and Resilience of MSMEs to Accelerated Sustainable Development and Eradicate Poverty in Times of Multiple Crises.”

    He said that MSMEs boasted over 17 million enterprises and accounted for more than 90 per cent of businesses as well as employing over 80 per cent of the workforce in the country.

    He said that leveraging the strength of MSMEs could drive economic stability and improve the overall quality of life of the populace.

    “As Nigeria grapples with a multitude of crises, including insecurity, food shortages, inflation, and rising unemployment, the resilience and power of MSMEs are crucial for driving sustainable development and eradicating poverty.

    “For this to happen, the Nigerian government must implement policies and intervention programmes that bolster the growth of this vital sector.

    “Easy access to finance, improved electricity supply, market access, and an enhanced ease of doing business environment are essential,” he said.

    He said that such measures would empower MSMEs to employ more people and substantially contribute to the nation’s economy.

    “If every enterprise in Nigeria were to employ just one additional person, it could potentially create over 17 million new employment opportunities.

    “This would lead to a considerable reduction in the unemployment rate, addressing one of the primary causes of insecurity and poverty,” Iguisi said.

    MSMEs Day is celebrated on June 27, every year to raise awareness of the contributions of enterprises to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    OOJ/JI

    Edited by Joe Idika

     

  • Agripreneur urges youths in Edo to embrace tomato farming

    Tomato

    By Joy Odigie

    Benin, June 27, 2024 (NAN)Mr Andrew Odihi-Ogiamen, an Agripreneur in Edo, has encouraged youths in the state to explore tomato farming, citing its high profitability within the agricultural sector.

    Odihi-Ogiamen, Edo coordinator, Youth Wing of the Nigeria Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Benin.

    According to him, the climate in regions like Edo is ideal for growing tomatoes which allows farmers to harvest multiple times a year.

    “Due to the high price of garri in the market, many people are now going into cassava farming, but tomato farming is more lucrative.

    “There is consistent high demand for tomatoes in Nigerian cuisine, which ensures a ready market for the produce.

    “Tomatoes are a staple in almost every Nigerian meal, and the demand is always there.

    “As we speak, the tomatoes being grown in the country cannot meet the demand; we want more people to go into tomato farming.

    “Farmers don’t have to worry about finding buyers because there is a ready market for the produce.’’

    He, however, urged prospective tomato farmers to learn about tomato cultivation before embarking on production.

    “There are challenges of pests, diseases, and post-harvest losses. Farmers need to adopt good agronomic practices to mitigate these issues.

    “Knowledge and the right practice can help us overcome these obstacles.’’

    He added that youths’ involvement in farming could provide a sustainable and profitable livelihood.

    “Let’s take advantage of the opportunities in agriculture and transform our lives as well as contribute to the nation’s agricultural growth and food security.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

     

    OOJ/KOO/CJ/

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    Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa

     

     

  • Edo Govt, Germany canvass use of ADR for ease of doing business

     Edo Govt, Germany, canvass use of ADR for ease of doing business 

     

    Business

    By Joy Odigie 

    Benin, June 24, 2024 (NAN) Edo Government and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) have canvassed the use of the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) to promote the ease of doing business.

    The state government and the agency said this at a four-day training on ADR for Edo Government officials and private sector actors on Monday in Benin.

    The Chief Judge of Edo, Justice Daniel Okungbowa said that ADR provided Micro Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMEs) the speed and cost effectiveness for  resolving disputes. 

    Okungbowa said that prompt commercial disputes resolution was key to economic growth.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training is being organised by GIZ via its Sustainable and Inclusive Economic Development for Decent Employment in Nigeria (SEDIN) in partnership with the Mediation Training Institute, Abuja.

    The Chief Judge said “ARD opens the door for businesses to have access to a transparent, confident, safe and secure environment to air their concerns and to participate in proffering solutions to their challenges.

    “This boost their sense of employment, empowerment and also engenders wealth creation by increasing job opportunities.”

    He commended GIZ for its continued partnership with Edo government, adding that the training would position the state towards becoming a hub of ease of doing business in Nigeria.

    “When players in the MSMEs have enough confidence in the institutional structure position to support them, they are more likely to increase investment and expand their reach,” he said. 

    On his part,  Mr Osahon Okoh, Policy Adviser, GIZ-SEDIN, said the SEDIN programme was aimed at improving the ease of contract enforcement for MSMEs in Edo.

    Okoh said the training was to equip Edo government officials as well as private actors the business space with mediation skills geared towards ease of doing business. 

    “This training is about the justice system. We understand that conflict resolution is a big deal when we talk about ease of doing business.

    “And we see this training as a means of strengthening  our institutions to handle disputes more amicably and to create an enabling environment where businesses and investors can actually come.

    “The big picture for us is to see that the economy grows in terms of employment in the state,” he said.

    NAN reports that the participants would undergo a certification course on Mediation skills Accreditation and the Workings of the Multi-Door Courthouse. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    OOJJI

    Edited by Joe Idika

  • Paediatrician wants parents to watch out for cancer signs in children

    Cancer

    By Joy Odigie

    Benin, June 21, 2024 (NAN) Dr Magdalene Odunvbun, a Paediatric oncologist, has urged parents and guardians to watch out for early signs of cancer in children and seek prompt medical examination and treatment.

    Odunvbun, a paediatrician at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, gave the advice on Friday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin.

    She said “our greatest challenge in cancer management in children is that by the time they come for treatment, they come very late.

    “The disease would have spread to other parts of the body and the percentage of care has become very low; what should have had a 90 per cent rate of cure, becomes five percent.

    “Parents should not wait for an abnormal growth of cancers in their children’s bodies to grow very big before seeking appropriate care.

    “Parents should also stop using native treatment for tumors, this is because by the time they present to the hospital, they would have exhausted all their money without a cure.”

    According to her, children do have cancers just like adults. Cancers develop in body cells which are present in both adults and children.

    “Cancer simply means uncontrolled multiplication of body cells. The common sites of cancer in children are the eyes, the kidney, blood and the lymph nodes.

    “For eye cancer, the early signs include a speck in the child’s eye that looks like a cataract; a tumor growing in the retina.

    “In some children, early signs of cancers include growth appearing in certain parts of the body; it can be on the neck, stomach. It can be anywhere.

    “Once you see any abnormal growth anywhere in your child’s body, let the child be taken to the hospital for examination.

    ‘For blood cancer, the child starts having repeated shortage of blood. By the time a child has received blood transfusion for two times within a short period, the child should be assessed in the hospital.

    “Blood cancer in children can also be present in the child’s body, always getting hot and you are always treating the child for fever; let the child be assessed in the hospital,” she said.

    She lamented lack of financial support for cancer treatment in children, urging government and non government actors to assist the victims.

    “Parents do not receive government support for treatment. Often, they abandon the treatment because they cannot afford it, even when the child is close to being cured.

    “Due to the lack of funds to continue treatment, the cancer often returns after being abandoned.

    “In the developed world, eight out of every 10 children with cancer are cured, but in Nigeria, only two out of ten may be cured.

    “In developed countries, the government covers the cost of treating children through health insurance, so, parents are not paying out of pocket. This ensures timely treatment and better compliance,” she said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    OOJ/ADA

    Edited by Deji Abdulwahab

     

  • Cholera: Edo Govt tasks residents on hygiene, sanitation

     

    Health

    By Joy Odigie

    Benin, June 19, 2024 (NAN) As Nigeria grapples with a cholera outbreak affecting some states, Edo Primary Health Care Development Agency (EDSPHCDA) has urged residents of the state to prioritize personal hygiene and sanitation practices.

    Mrs Irene Uabor, Health Educator, EDSPHCD), disclosed this during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Benin.

    Uabor said that the Agency had started sensitization on the disease at the local government councils.

    She said, “while Edo has not recorded any cases of cholera, the risk of the disease spreading is significant, necessitating proactive measures to prevent an outbreak”.

    The health educator said that the disease was characterized by severe diarrhoea and vomiting, leading to rapid dehydration and, if left untreated, could be fatal within hours.

    “Cholera is a highly contagious bacterial infection caused by consuming contaminated water or food.”

    She emphasized the importance of clean water and proper sanitation, saying, “Cholera thrives in environments where water and food sources are contaminated with faecal matter.

    “Ensuring access to clean drinking water, proper disposal of waste, and maintaining personal hygiene are key to preventing cholera.”

    “Residents are advised to boil water before drinking, avoid eating street food, and wash their hands regularly with soap and clean water, especially before eating and after using the toilet.

    “Communities are also encouraged to improve waste management practices, ensuring that dirts are disposed of in designated areas and not left in the open where it can contaminate water sources,” she said.

    She added that the agency had heightened media campaigns on the awareness and preventive measures against the disease in the state. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    OOJ/MNA

    Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

  • HIV/AIDS: Association decries members’ stigmatisation, poor care in Edo

    HIV/AIDS: Association decries members’ stigmatisation, poor care in Edo

    Support

    By Joy Odigie

    Benin, June 11, 2024 (NAN) The Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (NEPWHAN), Edo chapter, have decried the rate of stigmatisation faced by persons living with the virus in the state.

    Mr Christopher Osayande, Chairman of NEPWHAN, Edo chapter, said this during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Benin.

    Osayande said stigmatisation remained a significant challenge for Persons Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in society, and Edo was no exception.

    “Stigmatisation is still high and as a result, persons living with the virus are being denied meaningful employment.

    “For those in business, once people know they have the virus they stop patronising their businesses,” he said.

    He noted that PLWHA were also not receiving adequate support from the state government.

    “We still get the Anti-Retroviral (ARV) drugs and other care-related commodities in the state, but we don’t receive other forms of support.

    “This is a vulnerable group and the majority are poor, therefore, government should make provisions for skills acquisition for PLWHA to enable them fend for themselves,” he said.

    He added that the usual location for care and ARV drugs collection was no longer in use, adding that the new place allocated for care was not in good shape.

    “The place is not suitable because when it rains or the sun shines, clients suffer.

    “Imagine going to a facility for treatment and ending up contracting another illness,” Osayande said.

    According to him, there are still new cases of HIV in the state and the number of people needing care is increasing due to lack of food and transportation.

    “As an association, we are trying to see that the viral load reduces, but because most PLWHA do not have means of livelihood, the viral load remains high,” Osayande said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    OOJ/BEN/COF

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    Edited by Benson Ezugwu/Christiana Fadare