Tag 08067220079

RMRDC, MAN to create platform for stakeholders in manufacturing value chain

Chain
By Tolu Aiyegbusi
Abuja, Feb. 20, 2018 (NAN) The Raw Materials and Research Development Council (RMRDC) and Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) are set to create an opportunity for stakeholders in the manufacturing value chain.

This was disclosed at the news conference held on Thursday in Abuja to enlighten the general public on the 2020 Nigeria Raw Materials (NIRAM) Expo/Nigeria Manufacturing and Equipment (NME) Expo.

The NIRAM/NME EXPO 2020 is a forum that would ensure stakeholders in the manufacturing value chain meet, interact and display the country’s raw materials, machinery, technology and logistical solutions under an umbrella.

Speaking at the news conference, the Director-General, RMRDC, Prof. Hussaini Ibrahim, stated that the conference was necessary to intimate the general public on the information regarding the expo.

Ibrahim, represented by the Director of technology RMRDC, Dr Abimbola Ogunwusi, said this year’s Expo had been designed to address pertinent concerns for the takeoff of the African Continental Free Trade Area.

He said the 2020 joint expo which is the 5^th for NIRAM and 6^th for NME was set to hold from March10 untill March 12 at landmark event centre in Lagos.

“The significant impact the Expo has had on the industrial sector and the economy at large made both organisations deem it necessary to build on the success so far and work towards an improved Expo this year,’’ he said.

Ogunwusi said the Expo which was initiated in 2012 had continued to deliver on its mandate to promote the development and utilisation of Nigeria’s abundant natural resources as inputs for sustainable growth and development.

According to him, the EXPO promises to focus on manufacturing industries which fall within micro, small and medium scale category so as to boost industrialisation.

“ The synergy between RMRDC and MAN is to create a platform where stakeholders in the raw materials value chain could come together to show case and trade in available resources and raw materials with users of same, which is the manufacturing sector.

Also, the President of MAN, Mr Masur Ahmed, said that the joint EXPO would be expected to have a large number of participants and exhibitors in attendance.

He stated that the synergy was imperative in other to explore areas that would improve the African economy.

“ This is an exciting period for the raw materials and manufacturing sectors.

“The highlight of the EXPO is that it will promote the use of local raw materials and the competence of technologies adopted in improving upon them by our sector,’’ he said.

He added that the players in the manufacturing sector must boost the sector as the major provider of jobs.

“Anything that can be done to reduce unemployment especially through production of goods and services must be boosted.

“We are contributing positively to economic growth; the EXPO will also hold a seminar to see how the manufacturing sector will leverage on changing technologies to improve on skills,’’ he said. (NAN)
TOLU/AIJ/DCU
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Edited by Abigael Joshua/Donald Ugwu

Association president urges ICT professionals to become certified

ICT

Tolu Aiyegbusi

Abuja, Feb. 19, 2020 (NAN) The President of Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN), Prof. Charles Uwadia, has charged Information and Communication Technology (ICT) professionals to become certified before practising.

Uwadia gave this charge in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.

He said that ICT certification separated quack ICT practitioners from the experts.

“ We currently have just over 5,000 certified IT registered members in our database from all over the country and we have more than the registered number who are practicing without any certification whatsoever.

“As a government establishment saddled with the supervision of the computing profession in Nigeria, we have non-professional and professional certificate examinations that come up twice in a year in accredited centres.

“We also have various refresher training that take place in various states across the country.

“By becoming a registered CPN member, you will become certified to practice, and this is what separates the quacks from the professionals,’’ he said.

Uwadia also urged employers and managers of labour to request evidence of registration with CPN from their IT staff before employment.

He said that if personnel managers would hire only certified IT experts, it would improve the number of IT members certified by the council.

“We are working hand in hand with government and private establishments to ensure that only certified IT experts are employed and awarded IT-inclined contracts.

“We must commend government establishments because you cannot be awarded government contracts if you are not registered with CPN,’’ Uwadia said.

The council president said that if only certified IT experts were hired in companies and organisations, it would reduce the number of quacks and non-professionals practising the profession.

He said that the council would be going into various partnerships in order to make its mandate achievable. (NAN)

TOLU/ESAN/SOA

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Edited by Abiodun Esan/Oluwole Sogunle

Bangladesh high commission seeks partnership with NIPOST

NAN-H-
Stamp
Tolu Aiyegbusi
Abuja, Feb. 17, 2018 (NAN) The High Commissioner of Peoples’ Republic of Bangladesh, Mr Shameen Ahsan, says his country is interested in partnering Nigerian Postal Services (NIPOST) on the production of  commemorative stamps.

Ahsan made this known when he paid a courtesy visit to NIPOST headquarters, on Monday, in Abuja.

He said his visit to the post and parcel office was basically to explore the possibility of unveiling commemorative stamps to mark the 100th year birthday of its former leader, Sheik Mujibur Rahman.

A commemorative stamp is a postage stamp often issued on a significant date, such as an anniversary to honour or commemorate a place, event, person or object.

It is often issued for a limited time to commemorate person or an event of national importance.

It’s usually printed once in large quantities and is allowed to go out of circulation as its supply is used up.

The envoy said the commemorative stamp that ought to be issued by the NIPOST was to commemorate with the centenary birth of the Rahman who was referred to as “father of the Bangladeshi nation’’ in Bangladesh.

He stated that he was also on a visit to explore every means of cooperation and how diplomatic relations could be strengthened between his country and Nigeria.

“The 100^th year birthday of Rahman, popularly referred to as “father of the Bengali nation’’ is celebrated annually on March 17 at home and abroad.

“We are here to see how NIPOST can help reel out stamps to commemorate the birthday of Sheik Mujibur Rahman who was born on March 17, 1920.

“Bangladesh which is self-sufficient in food and garment production also prides itself in being a malaria-free country.

“ NIPOST and the commission have a year to plan on the production of the commemorative stamps,” Ahssan said.

According to him, Bangladesh is one of best in the world when it comes to women inclusive and empowerment initiatives and that by employing women it makes the best of the workforce.

“Our internal power generation is commendable as there is a steady increase in the megawatts we produce, ‘’ he added.

He also said that Nigeria and Bangladesh had some things in common such as the population of both countries and steady growth rate.

In his response, the Post Master General (PMG), Dr Ismail Adewusi, said the post was always ready to work with any establishment who needed its services.

Adewusi said that the post had successfully issued commemorative stamps in the past.

He added that commemorative stamps were usually issued at ceremonies connected with the subjects or for purpose it was issued.

He also said engagements such as that further strengthened the bilateral relations between countries which the federal government was passionate about.

“Since there is a time frame, we are willing to liaise with the high commission and work.

“This will also help in moving bilateral relations forward and move both nations towards the path of economic prosperity,’’ he said.

NAN reports that March 17 of each year is a national holiday in Bangladesh to celebrate the birthday of Rahman.

Rahman, served as the first president of Bangladesh, later as first Prime Minister from April 17, 1971 until his death on Aug. 15, 1975.

He is considered to be the driving force behind the independence of Bangladesh. (NAN)
TOLU/OYE/DCU
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Edited by Celine-Damilola Oyewole/Donald Ugwu