Kwara State Ease of Doing Business Council (EODBC)) on Friday organised a one-day workshop to build the capacity of entrepreneurs and investors in the state on how to access credit facility to strengthen their businesses, build strong network for exports and better manage their portfolios for growth. A statement by the Press Secretary, state Ministry of Finance, Babatunde Toyin Abdulrasheed, revealed that the workshop, themed ‘Access to Credit for Investors in Kwara State’, was attended by government officials, members of the council, captains of industry, banking institutions, financial experts, artisans and marketers’ associations. The session featured lectures by Dr Ayinde Salihu Mosadi from the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Kwara State Coordinating Unit; Oluremi Agboola and Nnenna Jacob-Ogogo from First City Monument Bank (FCMB); and Head of Credit Risk Management, Sterling Bank, Olukayode Oyebangbose. They spoke on key areas like streamlining the export certification process for investors; unlocking credit opportunities to empower investors with the financial tools they need; and managing debt and ensuring long-term financial sustainability. Top attendees included the Commissioner for Finance and Chairman of EODBC, Dr Hauwa Nuru; Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Hon. Olohuntoyisi Thomas; Commissioner for Business Innovation and Technology, Hon. Damilola Yusuf Adelodun; Commissioner for Solid Minerals, Dr Afeez Abolore; Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Dr Segun Ogunsola; Chairman, State Internal Revenue Service (KW-IRS), Mrs Folashade Omoniyi; and Permanent Secretary Training and Establishment, Alhaji Muhammed Ibrahim. Other are the Accountant General of Kwara State, Alhaji Abdulganiyu Sanni; Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye; Chairman, State Geographical Information Service (KWAGIS), Alhaji Abdulkareem Babatunde Sulyman; and a representative of the National Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME), Alhaji Babatunde Arikewola, among others. Also at the event were representatives of the Kwara Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KWACCIMA); Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN); Public Private Partnership Agency; Kwara State Leather Producers and Manufacturers; FCMB; Sterling Bank; Master Bakers and Caterers Association; Nigeria Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI); and Rice Farmers Association. Nuru said they organised the workshop to create access to credit facility for entrepreneurs with a view to growing, innovating and competing effectively in their businesses. She said the government has been improving the ease of doing business in the state by streamlining processes, reducing bureaucratic bottlenecks, and prioritising access to credit towards building a steady business ecosystem. “Today’s workshop focuses on one of the most critical aspects of business success: access to credit. For businesses to grow, innovate and compete effectively, access to affordable and timely financing is indispensable, hence the bringing together of experts, industry leaders and stakeholders to discuss and explore key areas,” she said. Nuru said the discussions are not only timely but essential for a collective vision to transform Kwara into a hub of economic opportunity. She commended the state government and entire members of the council for the tireless efforts and dedication to creating an enabling environment where businesses can thrive and contribute meaningfully to the state’s development. “This event further attests to the commitment of the Kwara State government to foster a robust and inclusive business environment where enterprises of all sizes can thrive and contribute to the economic prosperity of the state,” she said. “Together, we can chart a clear path towards making access to credit more seamless and equitable for all investors in Kwara State.” Mosadi, in his presentation, said the ease of doing business policy of the state government has the capacity to promote the size of products being exported from the state. He said Kwara, as of today, has about 487 registered exporters, who he said need to be more active for positive outcomes. He urged business owners to register their businesses with the NEPC at the sum of N13,000 to help promote their products and expose them to the international markets. Financial experts — Agboola, Jacob-Ogogo and Oyebangbose — spoke on various opportunities their banks offer entrepreneurs to develop businesses and ensure financial inclusion. Oyebangbose specifically advised business owners to take loans that are commensurate to what they need in developing their businesses and avoid diverting such funds from original purposes. Some of the participants, who spoke at the event, took turns to appreciate the government for the workshop. They encouraged the Nigeria Export Promotion Council to do more advocacy for people to know their operations, calling on financial institutions to make their process of obtaining business loans more friendly. Babatunde Toyin Abdulrasheed Press Secretary Ministry of Finance November 22, 2024.wolves esports 。

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WINNIPEG - The Manitoba government is looking to bring in tougher penalties for people who are convicted of impaired driving offences that cause injury or death. A bill introduced in the legislature Thursday would impose a lifetime licence suspension on a driver convicted of two such offences within a 10-year period. That’s an increase from the current 10-year suspension. The bill would also prohibit people convicted of these offences from driving with any alcohol in their blood for seven years for a first offence. “The consequences of driving impaired are tragic — for the victims for the families and the survivors,” Justice Minister Matt Wiebe said Thursday. “Ten per cent of collisions in Manitoba have impaired driving as a contributing factor, and enough is enough.” The bill was introduced on the last day of the fall legislature sitting and is expected to be debated after politicians reconvene March 5. The bill was welcomed by Mothers Against Drunk Driving, known as MADD. “We recognize that there is no one single piece of legislation that will solve impaired driving, and we welcome the government taking steps to deal with those offenders who cause the most serious harm,” said Tanya Hansen Pratt, president of MADD Canada. Pratt’s mother was killed by an impaired driver. The bill was introduced on the last day of a three-week session that frequently saw tensions rise between the governing New Democrats and Opposition Progressive Conservatives. Tom Lindsey, the legislature Speaker, scolded both sides of the house Thursday for over-the-top heckling and other behaviour. On Thursday, just after proceedings recessed for lunch, New Democrat cabinet minister Tracy Schmidt crossed the floor and confronted the Tories. The Tories accused her of aggressively accosting one member, standing over him and pointing her finger down at him while telling him he should not be in the chamber. “The language that was used, from a minister of the Crown, I’ve never seen anything like it. It was awful,” said Grant Jackson, the Tory education critic. He did not provide details or identify which of his colleagues was confronted by Schmidt. Schmidt, the environment minister who is also temporarily filling in as acting education minister, told reporters she went over to the Tory side because she had heard what she considered a racist comment toward the end of the morning debate. “I walked over to the member ... and said to the member that I felt that his comments were racist and I encouraged him sincerely to apologize,” Schmidt told reporters. Schmidt did not say what the comments were or identify the Tory she confronted. “I was immediately surrounded by several male members of their caucus who started shouting at me and telling me to get out of there, and so I got out of there.” Mark Wasyliw, an independent legislature member who was kicked out of the NDP caucus earlier this year, posted on social media that an NDP cabinet minister “lost control” and had a “face-to-face rage-filled direct confrontation” with a Tory. There have been other signs in recent weeks that the Tories and NDP are not getting along. The Tories did not support an attempt by the NDP to quickly set up an all-party committee to examine public support for journalism, saying that the NDP idea has many unanswered questions. The New Democrats have not supported a Tory call for an all-party committee on the issue of trade with the United States and tariff threats by president-elect Donald Trump. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 5, 2024.Supreme Court seems likely to uphold Tennessee's ban on treatments for transgender minorsTwo students wounded and gunman dead after shooting at Northern California elementary school