Featured

AKSG Partners Bank Of Industry In Training NG-CARES Enumeration Agents.

Published

5 years ago

March 2, 2021

The Akwa Ibom State Government in collaboration with the Bank of Industry has organized A One Day training programme for State Enumeration Agents towards the support of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the state.

The event took place on Tuesday 2nd March, 2021 at Edinan Hostel, Uyo.

In his opening remarks, The Honorable Commissioner for Economic Development and Ibom Deep Seaport and Chairman, Akwa Ibom State COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (CARES) Steering Committee, Mr. Akan Okon, explained that the training exercise was to equip the Agents with the skills to identify and capture the MSMES that will benefit from the NG-CARES grants.

The Chairman who noted with dismay the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on MSMEs and the entire country’s economy, thanked the State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel for his relentless efforts in revamping the State’s economy.

According to him, the World Bank Programme has 3 Results Areas with different areas of concentrations.

“The Result Area 1 focuses on improvement in the livelihood of our people, that is, the poorest of the poor in our society.

Result Area 2 focuses on Agriculture with the view of improving food sufficiency and security, while Result Area 3 focuses on Small/Medium Enterprises which is the area of their concern “

Mr. Okon particularly appreciated Governor Emmanuel for providing everything that was needed for the success of the training and the Bank of Industry for their supports.

He encouraged the 150 Agents drawn from the 31 local government areas of the state to take the training programme serious, assuring them that the knowledge they have gained shall be useful to them at every point of their lives.

The Honorable Commissioner, Ministry of Trade and Investment, and member of the state Steering Committee for NG-CARES, Prince Ukpong Akpabio, while welcoming the Agents, maintained that,

” the training is expected to provide the field Agents/Enumerators the opportunity of learning the processes of identifying the affected MSMEs and capturing all the required data/GPS in the Bank of Industry platform”.

Prince Akpabio who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Trade and Investment, Mr. Oliver Udoukpo, asserted that the training will ensure that the real and targeted MSMEs are properly captured to enjoy the grants.

He commended the World Bank and the Bank of Industry for the cooperation in putting up the training to enable the State participate in the programme.

On his part, the Team Lead, Bank of Industry, Goodness Adewale, thanked the State Governor for creating an enabling environment for their Program to succeed and urged the enumerators to pay attention to their trainers so that they would be able to perform creditably well when they get to the field for the exercise.

Share on Facebook

Featured

Nigeria’s Historic Bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games: A Call for National and Global Support

Published

6 days ago

September 30, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Nigeria is poised to make history as it seeks to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, a monumental opportunity that promises to transform the nation’s economy, infrastructure, and global standing.

More than a sporting spectacle, the Games would serve as a catalyst for development across multiple sectors, leaving behind a legacy of national pride and sustainable growth.

The benefits of hosting the Games extend far beyond the sports arena. Nigeria stands to gain both empirical and non-empirical advantages, with direct, indirect, and induced impacts that will touch every corner of society. Infrastructural development will take center stage, with new facilities such as indoor sports halls, conference centers, and improved road networks reshaping urban landscapes while strengthening the nation’s capacity to host future international events.

Economic growth is another significant dividend. Over 10,000 jobs are expected to be created, spanning construction, facility management, event planning, and tourism services.

The hospitality industry will undergo major improvements as hotels and resorts are upgraded to meet international standards, while local restaurants, lounges, and tourist attractions will see a surge in patronage from international visitors. Small and medium enterprises, particularly in the transport, finance, and food service sectors, will become some of the greatest beneficiaries, as the Games generate new demand and expand opportunities for local businesses.
The Commonwealth Games will also accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s sports industry.

Investments in training facilities, coaching, and talent development will inspire a new generation of athletes, ensuring long-term benefits that extend beyond 2030, a major focus of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
At the same time, the process of preparing for the Games will create opportunities for Nigerians to learn new crafts, acquire technical skills, and engage in global-standard event management, thereby strengthening human capacity and innovation across industries.

Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the Nigeria Sports Commission, and Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director General, have been widely recognized for their tireless and visionary leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s sporting sector.

Their commitment to facilitating infrastructural development and strengthening grassroots sports development has laid the foundation for Nigeria’s bold bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Under their leadership, the NSC is fostering strategic partnerships and driving innovation in sports administration, they have demonstrated the nation’s readiness to stage an event of such global magnitude.

Beyond the tangible gains, the hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games carries profound symbolic value. It would be a moment of unity and pride, a chance for Nigeria to showcase its cultural richness, resilience, and excellence to the world.
As a centenary edition, the Games would stand as a historic milestone not just for the Commonwealth but for Nigeria itself, cementing its place on the global stage as a capable, ambitious, and forward-looking nation.

The gains from hosting the Commonwealth Games can never be undermined or overemphasized. This is Nigeria’s time to step forward and show the world our resilience, and excellence. We call on every Nigerian, across sectors and communities, to support this noble aspiration.

Nigeria’s pursuit of the 2030 Commonwealth Games is a vision for transformation, a blueprint for national development, and a legacy project that will inspire generations to come.

Share on Facebook