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Wednesday, 11 December 2019
FIIRO Calls For Transformation Of Agricultural Sector
By Ada Dike
FIIRO boss calls for transformation of Agricultural sector
Acting Director General of Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi (FIIRO), Dr Chima Igwe has called for transformation of Agricultural sector in Nigeria.
Igwe stated this in Lagos during the Annual Agricultural Summit organized by Nigeria Association of Agricultural Journalists (NAAJ).
The Annual Agricultural Summit was themed: Bridging the Investment Gap in Agricultural through Information.
He said the transformation of the sector is needed to serve as agent of economic recovery and growth.
“In the past few years, Nigeria and Nigerians experienced a sudden and significant drop in economic activities which led to the loss of the purchasing power of our currency, the Naira. Although Nigeria has been able to exit the recession, the strangling effects might still be seen lingering with the possibilities of a relapse if the nation does not diversify.
“Upgrading and improving the agro-allied production and production processes, mining and other relevant manufacturing sectors, upgrading and improving the existing traditional and local technologies, making new discoveries and innovations through research and products and services development in all sectors of the economy,” Dr Chima said.
On the same vein, Deputy Comptroller of Customs, Dera Nnadi, who represented the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd) said Nigerians need to produce what they eat to grow the economy.
But the Commissioner of Agriculture in Lagos, Prince Gbolahan Lawal appealed to Nigerians to key into the Agricultural revolution of federal government so that more jobs can be created.
FIIRO boss later explained that technology and innovation are veritable tools for national growth and development.
FIIRO boss calls for transformation of Agricultural sector
Acting Director General of Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi (FIIRO), Dr Chima Igwe has called for transformation of Agricultural sector in Nigeria.
Igwe stated this in Lagos during the Annual Agricultural Summit organized by Nigeria Association of Agricultural Journalists (NAAJ).
The Annual Agricultural Summit was themed: Bridging the Investment Gap in Agricultural through Information.
He said the transformation of the sector is needed to serve as agent of economic recovery and growth.
“In the past few years, Nigeria and Nigerians experienced a sudden and significant drop in economic activities which led to the loss of the purchasing power of our currency, the Naira. Although Nigeria has been able to exit the recession, the strangling effects might still be seen lingering with the possibilities of a relapse if the nation does not diversify.
“Upgrading and improving the agro-allied production and production processes, mining and other relevant manufacturing sectors, upgrading and improving the existing traditional and local technologies, making new discoveries and innovations through research and products and services development in all sectors of the economy,” Dr Chima said.
On the same vein, Deputy Comptroller of Customs, Dera Nnadi, who represented the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd) said Nigerians need to produce what they eat to grow the economy.
But the Commissioner of Agriculture in Lagos, Prince Gbolahan Lawal appealed to Nigerians to key into the Agricultural revolution of federal government so that more jobs can be created.
FIIRO boss later explained that technology and innovation are veritable tools for national growth and development.
Patronise locally-made goods -Customs to Nigerians
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd) has urged Nigerians to patronized locally-made goods in order to boost Nigerian economy.
The Customs boss stated this in Lagos during the Annual Agricultural Summit organized by Nigeria Association of Agricultural Journalists (NAAJ).
The Annual Agricultural Summit was themed: Bridging the Investment Gap in Agricultural through Information.
Ali, who was represented by Deputy Comptroller of Customs in charge of Enforcement at Tin Can, Dera Nnadi, said that there is no need for the country to import what it can produce.
“Since 2015, this government has been making deliberate efforts to encourage local production of rice and other items. The border closure is just an addition to encourage our farmers. It is not Nigerian Customs that is saying it; it is the people that are benefitting from the good policies of government,” he said.
On the same vein, Acting Director General of Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi (FIIRO), Dr Chima Igwe called for transformation of Agricultural sector in Nigeria.
Igwe said the transformation of the sector is needed to serve as agent of economic recovery and growth.
“In the past few years, Nigeria and Nigerians experienced a sudden and significant drop in economic activities which led to the loss of the purchasing power of our currency, the Naira. Although Nigeria has been able to exit the recession, the strangling effects might still be seen lingering with the possibilities of a relapse if the nation does not diversify.
“Upgrading and improving the agro-allied production and production processes, mining and other relevant manufacturing sectors, upgrading and improving the existing traditional and local technologies, making new discoveries and innovations through research and products and services development in all sectors of the economy,” Dr Chima said.
The Chairman of Elephant Group, Mr Tunji Owoeye added that the border closure has been opening doors of opportunities to Nigerian farmers.
But the Commissioner of Agriculture in Lagos, Prince Gbolahan Lawal appealed to Nigerians to key into the Agricultural revolution of federal government so that more jobs can be created.
Meanwhile, Agricultural journalists later recognized the outstanding personalities that have contributed to Agricultural development in the country.
The Customs boss stated this in Lagos during the Annual Agricultural Summit organized by Nigeria Association of Agricultural Journalists (NAAJ).
The Annual Agricultural Summit was themed: Bridging the Investment Gap in Agricultural through Information.
Ali, who was represented by Deputy Comptroller of Customs in charge of Enforcement at Tin Can, Dera Nnadi, said that there is no need for the country to import what it can produce.
“Since 2015, this government has been making deliberate efforts to encourage local production of rice and other items. The border closure is just an addition to encourage our farmers. It is not Nigerian Customs that is saying it; it is the people that are benefitting from the good policies of government,” he said.
On the same vein, Acting Director General of Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi (FIIRO), Dr Chima Igwe called for transformation of Agricultural sector in Nigeria.
Igwe said the transformation of the sector is needed to serve as agent of economic recovery and growth.
“In the past few years, Nigeria and Nigerians experienced a sudden and significant drop in economic activities which led to the loss of the purchasing power of our currency, the Naira. Although Nigeria has been able to exit the recession, the strangling effects might still be seen lingering with the possibilities of a relapse if the nation does not diversify.
“Upgrading and improving the agro-allied production and production processes, mining and other relevant manufacturing sectors, upgrading and improving the existing traditional and local technologies, making new discoveries and innovations through research and products and services development in all sectors of the economy,” Dr Chima said.
The Chairman of Elephant Group, Mr Tunji Owoeye added that the border closure has been opening doors of opportunities to Nigerian farmers.
But the Commissioner of Agriculture in Lagos, Prince Gbolahan Lawal appealed to Nigerians to key into the Agricultural revolution of federal government so that more jobs can be created.
Meanwhile, Agricultural journalists later recognized the outstanding personalities that have contributed to Agricultural development in the country.
Monday, 28 October 2019
SME boosts economic growth, panacea for unemployment - David Olanrewaju Olutimehin
In a bid to create wealth and reduce unemployment in Nigeria, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SME) have become major sources of economic growth. In fact, there is massive economic diversification going on in Nigeria as the economic base is being shifted from oil to Food and Agriculture. ADA DIKE writes.
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Before the end of 2015, the Federal government asked Nigerians to be prepared for challenging times in the New Year.
As predicted, Nigeria almost went into economic recession in 2016. Many people lost their jobs as a result of the recession. While the government worked tirelessly to ensure that Nigeria surmounted the recession by developing the agricultural sector and gave it its pride of place, some Nigerians dusted their certificates and went to search for a new job while many others went to the drawing board, did research and set up Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SME). Some are into furniture making, clothes and shoes designing, plastics production, beverages production, computer training centre, repair and sales, cement selling business, blogging, cooking gas sales, transportation, cleaning services, online marketing, jewellery making, photographs and video production, hairdressing salon, makeup artistry, arts and crafts, house painting and so on. Others are into catering, food distribution, baking and farming (yams, cassava, corn, rice, fishery, piggery and poultry) among others.
Meanwhile, the World Bank Group President, Jim Yong Kim, during a recent chat with some journalists urged African nations to prepare itself for the next phase in economic development.
Mr. Olutimehin |
“I think we still don’t know that, but the one thing we know is that better health outcomes, better education outcome will be critical no matter what the global economy looks like,” he added.
Presently, different small scale businesses are springing up on a daily basis in different parts of country which has help tremendously in creating employment opportunities for job seekers.
Revealing what motivated him to start his business, the Chief Executive Officer of Treasures Bakery, Mr. David Olanrewaju Olutimehin, said it was actually a dream that he nursed and followed up for some time.
Bajinotu Poka Creamy Bitters’ production borne out of generational secret –Bajinotu Poka Creamy Bitters manufacturer
Bajinotu drinks |
Herbs are essential to human life, that is why the introduction of foreign herbal drinks into Nigerian markets metamorphosed to the massive production of alcoholic and non-alcoholic ones.
One of the producers of herbal drinks known as Bajinotu Poka Creamy Bitters and Seakam Bitters, Mr. Ayinla Kazeem, in this interview with ADA DIKE, speaks on the health benefits of herbal drinks, his challenges and future plans, among others.
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Production, distribution and consumption of alcoholic and non-alcoholic herbal drinks have increased tremendously. In fact, herbal drinks’ production and marketing have become one of the money spinning ventures in Nigeria as different sellers at shops, bars and markets have different brands on sale these days.
The Chairman, Seakam Global Resources Limited, makers of popular Bajinotu Poka Creamy Bitters in Ogun State, Mr. Ayinla Kazeem, conceived the idea of producing herbal drinks in 2007 and brought the idea to fruition by commencing production of the drink in 2010.
According to him, Bajinotu Poka Creamy Bitters’ production had a secret based on what he had been taking and what his grandfather was giving them when they were younger.
In his word: “When we came to Lagos, we thought of using the old things which are better than the new things. We then discovered that there are many people outside drinking dry gin which weakened their systems and we called them drunkards. So we decided to look for ways to help lovers of spirit by producing alcoholic herbal drinks that can cure them,” he explained.
While thinking of how to start, that was when an herbal drink was introduced from Ghana, which gave him an inspiration.
Bigi Cola, King of Soft Drinks in Nigeria?
A fairly newly introduced soft drink in the market, Bigi Cola, has become the most consumed drink in Nigeria due to its quality, availability and price. Ada Dike reports.
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There is a popular saying that, ‘a good product sells itself’. This can be referred to a new indigenous product, Bigi Cola, which has consumed the soft drink market like a wild fire in dry season.
Manufactured
by Rite Foods Limited, maker of Rite Sausages and Fearless Energy drinks, its
producer announced its birth many months before its introduction, using the
Rite sausages. The suspense that announcement created in the minds of soft
drinks consumers before it was unveiled also added a plus to its successful
story today.
The product was launched in
Nigeria in 2016, a year after another accepted cola drink, Big Cola, by AJE
Group entered into Nigerian markets. Its factory is along Shagamu-Benin Express
Road, Ososa, Ogun State.Bigi has various flavours namely: Bigi Cola, Apple, Bitter Lemon, Orange, Soda, Tropical and so on. Bigi Cola is made with water, sugar, carbon dioxide, colour sulphite Ammonia, caramel E150d, Phosphoric Acid E338, Preservative, Sodium Benzoate E211, Flavouring, Caffeine, Natural Flavouring and so on.
It is pertinent to note that a lot of marketing strategies lead to market dominance, that is why there are many soft drinks in the world market. But a few of them such as, Coca Cola and Pepsi using their years of existence, taste and advertising hypes have become increasingly popular globally, despite the fierce competitions they are encountering.
According to its website, Coca Cola, produced by Nigerian Bottling Company, was introduced into Nigeria in 1951. History has it that Coca Cola was established in Atlanta, Georgia in the United States of America by Dr. John S. Pemberton. It was first offered as a fountain beverage by mixing Coca‑Cola syrup with carbonated water, introduced in 1886, patented in 1887, registered as a trademark in 1893 and by 1895 it was being sold in every state and territory in the United States. In 1899, The Coca‑Cola Company began franchised bottling operations in and outside the United States expanding its frontiers to consumers in North America and Europe and in subsequent years to other parts of the world.
In 1951, Coca‑Cola, made with carbonated water, sugar, carbon-dioxide, caffeine, Phosphoric acid, caramel colour and flavouring, came to Nigeria and it is available in 35cl and 50cl classic glass contour bottle; 33cl on-the-go Can, 50cl and 1.5L PET bottle. Coca Cola Company produces other products like Fanta, Sprite, Limca, Eva water and so on.
In the same vein, Seven-Up bottling company Limited, which has nine bottling plants located across the country, produces and sells soft drinks brands namely: Pepsi, Mirinda, Seven Up, H2oh!, Teem bitter lemon, Mountain Dew and Aquafina bottled water.
One can hardly attend any sporting event, sponsored outdoor activity or visit any shop without seeing Coca Cola adverts. For many years now, Coca Cola Nigeria Plc has continued to produce signboards painted red with Coca Cola and the names of each shop owner written on it. Its market dominance was tested after it increased the prices of its products a couple years ago, then, Seven-Up bottling went to the drawing board and came up with the idea of increasing the volume of Pepsi plastic bottle with extra 20 Cl and sold the 60 Cl at the same price. today, 60CL Pepsi popularly known as 'Orobo' in Lagos is now being sold at N70.00 from N80.00.
Presently, the retail price of 60Cl Zero coke some other Cocacola drinks are being sold at N100. Pepsi didn’t shift ground, but still sells its 60Cl platics bottle at N100, same with Bigi. This, an observer said, can be linked to the stiff completion they are encountering in the market.
A shop owner at Ajao Estate, Lagos, Mrs. Kehinde Adetayo, said people buy more Bigi than other drinks from her shop. “You know, when there is an increase in price of a commodity, people tend to boycott it and go for an alternative. This is what happened to a popular soft drink brand after Bigi entered into the market and they lost a lot of consumers,” she divulged.
A key retailer of Bigi drinks, whose shop is located in Alimosho area of Lagos spoke on the condition of anonymity by saying that consumers embraced Bigi whole heartedly due to its taste, size and price which indirectly affected the patronage and prices of other soft drinks in the market.
Meanwhile, large quantity of soft drinks
are sold during the dry season due to hot weather which comes with heat, dryness
of throat and thirst for water. Most Nigerians resort to drinking soft drinks
while quite a few of them drink water in the sachet (pure water) and bottled
ones. These drinks come handy as hawkers put them in a bowl, carry the bowl on
the heads and move around strategic places including bus stops. In fact,
selling soft drinks business is one the most lucrative one in Nigeria these
days, that why as early as 10 am, many hawkers make much sales which is evident
in the amount of money they clutch in their hands as they move about hawking
their wares. Some of them sell sausages alongside the drinks. That is why most
Nigerians have their breakfast at bus stops and inside vehicles because, if one
eats two sausages and drinks a bottle of soft drink, he or she will be filled.
A businessman, Mr. Ndubuisi Nwafor, who
deals in electrical appliances along Aiyetoro Road, Ayobo, Lagos, said it is difficult for a day to pass by without
him drinking Bigi Cola.
According to the 34-year-old bachelor,
he hardly cooks food at home but patronises a restaurant near his shop in the
morning and takes Bigi Cola with biscuit or sausage for lunch.
“I like Bigi Cola, and I don’t think I
can stop drinking it. I buy it at a mini mart in the petrol station beside my
shop every afternoon. I like the taste, it is not too sugary like others and I
love the feeling I get after drinking it,” Nwafor said.
He further said that he took interest in
the drink when he noticed the mini mart has many cartons of Bigi drinks displayed
for sale more than other soft drinks. “I became curious and decided to taste it,”
says the Anambra State born trader.
“There are two soft drinks mini depots
opposite my shop, one of them distributes Bigi drinks, while the other depot distributes
another brand of soft drinks. Any time trucks supply Bigi drinks to one of the
depots, within 30 minutes, retailers buy up almost everything. It is colourful
to see the tropical flavoured Bigi, Apple and so packed in front of the depot
as the company’s salesmen are bringing them down from the truck.
“In a twinkling of an eye, the depot
will be empty, while the other depot has fewer retailers coming to patronise
them. This made me to love Bigi drinks the more”
The Economist put a call across to Rite
Foods Limited to find out their unique selling proposition, but didn’t get
through.
With the reduction in prices of Zero
Coca Cola drink, Bigi manufacturers and other soft drink soft drink may
strategise so as not lose many consumers. Mrs. Adetayo suggested that Rite Foods Limited
should do more promotions that will be beneficial to
consumers, retailers and the general public.
I am addicted to Bigi cola and I don’t think that I can stop drinking it. I buy it at a mini mart in the petrol station beside my shop every afternoon. I like the taste, it is not too sugary like others and I love the feeling I get after drinking it.
Indigenous engineers struggling without palliative measures from the government – Adesewo Sopade
Engr. Sopade |
There
are a lot of people roaming the streets of Nigeria without jobs. We thank you
for creating job opportunities through De Sopas, which has immensely helped to
depopulate the labour market. Can you tell us the staff strength of your
company from the inception?
Many staff have passed through my
company. Over 50 of them have passed directly while over 30 have passed through
us. Directly are those who come for training while indirectly are people who
were employed as workers and they got the idea, when they left, they are still
practising the trade.
Many people are still here including
some of my children. I made sure that
all my male children from the age of eight start coming to the workshop. Some
of them have passed out. They go the normal process other staff go. I don’t
give them the chance of saying this company belongs to my father.
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