Business

Talents Hunt: SMEDAN Commends Nigerians’ Creativity In Bauchi

Published

4 years ago

December 15, 2021

Our Correspondent, Bauchi

Alhaji Dikko Radda, the Director-General, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), has commended the creativities displayed by participants of the Agency’s 2021 talents hunt in Bauchi State.

The D.-G who made the commendation in Bauchi on Wednesday during the commencement of SMEDAN’s 2021 talents hunt programme in Light Manufacturing’, said the programme was to discover youths between the ages of 18-35 with innovative business ideas in Agro-processing equipment fabrication.

He said the programme was also to assist the participants with grants, start-up kits, link them with affordable sources of finance as well as to facilitate network linkages with industry, professionals and practitioners that will promote their indigenous products.

Radda further explained that the selection of the Light Manufacturing sector as the focus of this year’s edition was a well thought out strategy to further fast-track the commitment of the present administration to lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty.

“I’m proud to call myself a Nigerian because I’ve seen talents exhibited by these young Nigerians.

“These are the kinds of creativity we require in this country and if they are supported, the sky’s the limit for the economy of our nation in terms of manufacturing, industrialization and creating job opportunities for our people.

“If you have talents, SMEDAN will support, mentor and link you up with the relevant MDAs and Ministries that can support you to scale up your production.

“210 participants were selected across three geo-political zones of Southeast, North central and Northeast. They underwent stages of screening and are expected to pitch their ideas to the panel of Judges for evaluation and subsequent selection.

“The programme is running concurrently in three locations of Bauchi, Kwara and Ebonyi States. The winners in each state will go home with various cash prizes, capacity building and linkages to relevant MDAs for protection of their intellectual property,” said the D-G.

He reiterated that SMEDAN was making concerted efforts towards repositioning Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to harness the numerous benefits of African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).

The SMEDAN boss revealed that the agency intended to build the participants’ capacities and to support them with sum amount to enable them to continue producing so as to help the economic prosperity of the nation.

Radda added that the participants would go through a lot of training, saying there would be a selection process after the training and those who came first, second, third, up to forty positions in the programme would be rewarded.

“It is therefore our mandate to build your capacity and identify critical stakeholders with key responsibilities to assist you in the effective management of your businesses.

“The fabrication of agro processing equipment locally should be supported and encouraged as it will make agric goods export competitive and promote rapid industrialization as agriculture is now perceived as a business enterprise,” he said.

In her speech, the state Coordinator, Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON), Mrs Hauwa Husseini, appreciated SMEDAN for Organising such a ‘wonderful’ programme.

Represented by Mohammad Chinade, the Principal Standard Officer, SON, Bauchi Office, Husseini said that SON was ready to collaborate with SMEDAN in training young entrepreneurs in their businesses.

Business

Why We Sited Our Multi-Billion Naira Automobile Firm Branch in Benin – Skyewise Group CEO

Published

1 day ago

May 4, 2026

Editor

Dr. Elvis Abuyere, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Skyewise Group, an automobile firm, has explained the reason for establishing a branch of the company in Benin City, the Edo State capital, describing the ancient city as “a growing economy full of enormous potential for vibrant youth.”

He added that the company considers Edo State one of the most interesting states, noting that the decision aligns with its long-term vision.

Abuyere, who spoke in Benin on Monday while taking journalists on a tour of the new automobile facility, said:
“We started very small — from Abuja to Lagos and now Benin. It is a joy and privilege for us to have completed this amazing regional office with Skyewise Group.”

According to him, beyond the automobile business, Skyewise Group is in Benin to invest in real estate, logistics, youth empowerment, and credit management. “Aand also to lend our support to what the Edo State Government is doing, knowing the fact that there is an agenda,” he added.

The young CEO urged youths in Nigeria, particularly those in Edo State, to embrace entrepreneurship, stressing that “we believe it is the future of Africa,” especially Nigeria.

He said Nigeria stands as the giant of Africa and that its youth must take bold steps in the entrepreneurship landscape.

According to Abuyere, to ensure Edo youths actualise their entrepreneurial potential, the company has prepared soft loans to help them start businesses, adding that Skyewise Group is not limited to automobile operations.

He said: “More importantly to us is youth empowerment. We want our youth to be empowered, and this is where the Skyewise Foundation comes in.

“We believe the future of Africa is entrepreneurship, and that future lies in the hands of the young people of Nigeria. We want to empower them to stand the test of time, build something meaningful, and reduce unemployment and insecurity in our land.

“I believe we need to begin taking bold steps by refining the mindset of our young people. We need to give them a sense of belonging and direction.

“We have been addressing the liquidity gap in society by providing microloans to support businesses in our environment and in Benin City.”

When asked why he chose Benin City for the multi-billion naira automobile firm, Abuyere noted: “I think this is the first automobile showroom in Edo State where you can see a car lifted from the ground floor to the first floor and beyond.”

Business

JUST IN: Nigerian Filling Stations Reduce Fuel Price After Hike

Published

3 days ago

May 2, 2026

Editor

Nigerian filling stations reduced their Premium Motor Spirit price on Saturday, barely 24 hours after the hike.

Checks by DAILY POST showed that Ranoil, Empire Energy, and other filling stations in Abuja adjusted their petrol pumps to N1,365 and N1,375 per litre respectively, down from N1,440 per litre on Friday.

This means that petroleum marketers dropped their fuel price by N65 and N75 per litre. DAILY POST reports that the move was to attract patronage from customers.

Recall that three days ago, Nigerian filling stations had raised their petrol pump price to between N1,365 and N1,440 nationwide after Dangote Refinery and depot owners increased ex-depot prices to around N1,275 and N1,290 per litre.

According to DAILY POST, while the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and MRS Bovas filling stations raised their petrol price to around N1,365 per litre, others adjusted theirs above N1,440 per litre.

However, with the latest fuel price reduction by Ranoil and Empire Energy, the majority of filling station outlets now dispense petrol between N1,365 and N1,375 per litre.

This development comes as the ripple effect of crude oil prices continues to impact Nigeria’s domestic fuel price.

Brent and West Texas Intermediate crude rose to $114 and $105 per barrel before dropping to $108 and $101 after the filing of this report.

Business

Dangote Refinery Hikes Petrol Price

Published

7 days ago

April 29, 2026

Editor

Dangote Refinery has increased the ex-depot price of petrol by N75.

The refinery announced the increase on Wednesday, hiking the the price from N1,200 to N1,275 per litre.
In the same way, coastal prices have gone up to N1,215 per litre.

This adjustment amid Brent crude trading at $114.80 per barrel marks a 3.15% increase.

DAILY POST reports that Brent crude has increased to $115 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate rose to $103 per barrel on Wednesday.