FG Ends Solid Minerals Fair, charges Operators on Synergy

Nigeria has ended its first ever Solid Minerals Resources Trade Fair and Seminar with a call for synergy between the government and the Organised private sector to maximise gains.

The three-day seminar also charged the organised private sector to add value to solid minerals before export.

The Nigeria-Israeli Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture hosts the first ever solid Minerals resources trade Fair tagged MINEXPO 2023.

In focus is the Role of the Organised Private sector in achieving sustainable and inclusive economic growth and development through solid Minerals.

The Director General, National Metallurgical Development Centre, Linus Asuquo, is the speaker at the event

He believes the foundation of any industrialised nation is usually firmly rooted in its minerals and metal sector.

Other contributors underscore the dire need for the country to tap into the economic gains abounding in the sector, particularly in bridging the unemployment gap

Linus Asuquo worries about the low participation of the Organised Private sector despite the abundance of solid minerals in Nigeria.

In 2015, the contribution of the sector to the gross domestic product was N1.03 billion.

Seven years after in 2022, it recorded a slight increase to N1.07 billion at a time South Africa had a GDP in the mining sector of N5.5 trillion.

Of more concern is the stagnant state of Ajaokuta Steel Company, conceived to revolutionise the nation’s economy.

NASENI – LAUNCHES SKILLS ACQUISITION AND YOUTH EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMME

The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) says it is set to partner with the Borno State Government to fastrack its poverty alleviation plan and ensure full restoration of socio-economic activities in areas affected by Insurgency.

Chief Executive of the agency, Professor Sani Mohammad Haruna stated this during the launch of its Skill Acquisition Training and Youth Empowerment Programme in Maiduguri.

It’s the second visit of the chief executive of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure to Borno this year.

The agency was here on the 13th of January 2023 to meet with the state governor Babagana Zulum to intimate him on their plans to revamp the state with technical support.

Now, it is flagging off a training and empowerment programme for about 100 youths in the state.

The training would focus on modern methods of vulcanizing and capacity building on the use of other modern equipments.

The agency would also distribute 500 units of efficient smoke-free stoves to IDPs, in an effort to mitigate climate change.

The state government lauds NASENI for this gesture.

NASENI is also collaborating with the state government to establish a mobile science technical school in affected communities in the state.

Young Entrepreneurs in Delta give back, clean market

Beneficiaries of job creation programmes in Delta state cleaned markets and donated waste bins to encourage cleanliness.

The exercise organised by the state Directorate of Youth Monitoring and Mentoring is done help encourage these young entrepreneurs to practise Corporate Social Responsibility a an aspect of building businesses

Delta state Job Creation Scheme and social investment Programme have seven
different initiatives that have over the years trained and established small businesses yo address unemployment.

These young entrepreneurs under the supervision of the Directorate are cleaning the Ogbe-ogonogo market, Asaba

They are donating these waste bins for proper disposal of refuse

Receiving the items, the Sanitation Chairman of the market, thanks and pledges a renewed commitment to keep the market clean at all times

For these young entrepreneurs, this volunteering work is quite exciting and it is worth the time spent on it.

This exercise is simultaneously going on in Warri, Sapele, Ughelli, Oleh, Abraka and Agbor to ensure a clean environment especially in markets across the State.