Headline News

*AgegePulse Magazine...the mouthpiece of Agege/Orile Agege
 *Headlines Today*[Tue-19-Dec-2017]*


Gridlock: Lagos CP orders deployment of officers to ease traffic

…To collaborate with Lastma, assures residents of peaceful Yuletide

Ambode approves more technical colleges to tackle youth unemployment

Lagos Head of Service urges civil servants to register for E-Dividend

Exclusive: Lagos Education District One Holds 2017 Christmas Carol in Style

...Appreciates Gov. Ambode's Support For Education

"2017 a wonderful year for EDDI in all ramifications.

... We witnessed improved academic performances and excellent outings in all the co-curricula competitions home and abroad - TGPS, Dr. Yinka Ayandele

SUBEB Agege LGEA approves Schools Participation in Elephant Club Inter School Debate Competition

Agony: Producer of Village Headmaster, Tunde Oloyede is Dead


*Punch Newspaper*

Britain grants international Masters students better visa scheme

Former minister dies in car accident

Senate condemns Power Ministrys budget, insists on Fasholas appearance

South Africas ANC elects Ramaphosa as new head

Mans body cut into pieces, stuffed in bag, dumped drain

[BREAKING] Train derails in Washington, multiple deaths reported

Police arrest six kidnap suspects, rescue 76-year-old victim in Aba

BREAKING: US veto of UN resolution unacceptable, says Palestinian govt

PHOTO: Police parade suspected cattle thieves in Niger

Tackling the codeine and tramadol abuse among Nigerian teenagers

[Breaking] Ramaphosa clinches ANC presidency, beats Zumas ex-wife

France orders WhatsApp to seek permission for data transfer

Mikel denies plan to return to England

Niger wrongly paid N15bn tax revenue to FCT Gov

BREAKING: US vetoes UN resolution rejecting Trumps Jerusalem decision

Student faints, policeman injured as MAPOLY students protest

JAMB accredits 72 centres for 2018 UTME in Lagos

Burna Boy arraigned for armed robbery, gets N100,000 bail


*Vanguard Newspaper*
Mac Reeds and Tom Consortium takes over running of Tinapa, Obudu Cattle Ranch

US vetoes UN resolution rejecting Trump's Jerusalem decision

BREAKING: 'Multiple' fatalities as train derails onto highway in Washington state

Disputed Obu mine site in Okpella shut doen with immediate effect

Saraki urges agencies to enforce drug laws

Russia in a rush to change World Cup pitch

If they can present evidence that I borrowed N56bn, I will resign ' Fayose

Mob set ablaze suspected female kidnapper in Ilorin

Kogi West APC washes hands off Kabba rally

Police investigate alleged herdsmen attack in Akwa Ibom

Double amputee shot dead by Israel was an inspiration in Gaza

LAKE Rice: Lagos signs agreement with major rice distributors

Tinubu's political aura can't save APC in 2019 ' PDP

Osun completes redistribution of Opon Imo for new academic year

$1bn ECA Fund: Opposition aims to frustrate war against insurgency- CSOs

Israel minister: Bodies of slain Palestinians will not be returned

Corruption in Israel is not just an Israeli issue

HACEY Health Initiative champions fight against gender-based violence in Nigeria


*The Nation Newspaper*
Sanchez 'snubs 400,000-per-week Chinese deal

Mikel plans to stay in China,debunk Everton transfer rumours

Yobe Deputy Gov wins formost loyal deputy governor award

Yuletide: Edo deploys joint anti-crime force

Village Headmaster producer is dead

PDP convention: Adedoja asks court to nullify Secondus' election

Photos: Kanu visits police headquaters Abuja

Wayne and Coleen building 20million retreat

SEC urges civil servants to register for e-dividend

Buhari extends tenure of Service Chiefs

EEP not mere street-lighting project for universities- Ministry

EEP not mere street-lighting project for universities-ministry

Driver allegedly bolts with beer worth N554,000

Tailor jailed for absconding with wedding fabrics

Ogun to spend N30.7bn on roads in 2018

Woman in court over attempt to steal child in Mosque

CCTV exposes man alleged to have stolen phones worth N60, 500

VVF sufferers appeal for help in Kaduna


*Thisday Newspaper*
BCI Boss, Kola Olugbodi, Bags Fellowship of IMC

Civil servants critical to Edo's economic, policy reforms ' Obaseki

Edo Govt. shuts disputed Obu mine site in Okpella with immediate effect

Yuletide: Edo Govt. deploys joint anti-crime force, tasks residents on vigilance

BCI Boss, Kola Olugbodi, Bags Fellowship of IMC

Allow Polytechnics to Award Higher Degrees, Rector Advises FG

Buhari Extends Tenure of Olonisakin, Buratai, Other Service Chiefs

Civil servants critical to Edo's economic, policy reforms ' Obaseki

Allow Polytechnics to Award Higher Degrees, Rector Advises FG

Buhari Extends Tenure of Olonisakin, Buratai, Other Service Chiefs

Kwara to the Rescue

Walking into Slavery

PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES AND STRIKES WITHOUT END

CBN Calms Anxiety in Treasury Bills Market

Oando Goes to Court of Appeal, Challenges SEC Sanctions

550MW Ondo IPPSupplies First Electricityto Grid in Q4, 2020

FG Begins Implementation of Gas MasterPlan, Awards $2.8bn Ajaokuta-Kano Pipeline

Come Clean on $1bn ECA Withdrawal, PDP Tells FG

Ambode canvasses patronage of made in NIgeria products for MSME growth

AgegePulse Magazine

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has underscored the need to increase patronage of locally made products and also expand the capacity of Micro, Small Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the State, assuring that his administration will continue to pay greater attention to the sector.

 The Governor who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment, Dr. Olajide Bashorun, made this known during the Lagos Small Business Summit held at Terra Kulture, Victoria Island, Lagos.

 He described the theme of the summit "Creating exponential institutions: how government and small businesses can keep up with the market" as very apt considering the need for effective partnership between government institutions and the organized stakeholders in Small and Medium Enterprises, SMEs.

 Governor Ambode explained that the summit throws a challenge to all players, both public and private, to look inwards and develop the internal and external capacities of other sectors for steady growth and global competitiveness.

 While making case for the informal sector, Ambode said "we must significantly reduce our taste for foreign-made goods because it is detrimental to the survival and growth of SMEs and their capacity to create wealth and generate employment for our teeming unemployed youths.

 He listed several incentives provided to operators of SMEs under the present administration, saying that tradesmen and artisans in different vocations recently completed a training programme organized by the State Government to further enhance their capacity.

 "During the celebration of the 2017 Day for artisans and tradesmen few weeks back, I directed the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the State Government to henceforth, accord greater recognition to members of the informal sector in terms of increasing patronage for the products of SMEs in line with the State's 'Buy Made in Nigeria Campaign' ‘’the Governor stated.

 He added that the State government had also resolved to engage the services of small and medium scale artisans in the execution of government contracts.

 According to him, the Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment was established by the current administration to implement policies aimed at enhancing the capacity of SMEs to harness their contribution to economic growth and development.

 He also said that the Employment Trust Fund was set up to address the challenge of lack of access to funding, stressing that the responses from applicants of the initiative show that young people are willing to take advantage of opportunities when given.

 "As we speak, over N3.5billion Naira has been disbursed to over 6,000 beneficiaries who are at different stages of executing their businesses plan” he stated.

 He assured participants at the summit that government will continue to promote opportunities for MSMEs to thrive by focusing on the development of infrastructure and its processes to improve and enhance the competitiveness and productivity of MSMEs in the State.

 Also speaking at the event, the Chairman, Planning Committee of the 2017 SME 100 Nigeria, Lagos Small Business Summit, Mr. Tope Adekoya commended the Governor for prioritizing the development of small businesses and for his willingness to help these businesses thrive.

 He explained that the idea of bringing all relevant stakeholders together at the Summit is basically to foster discussions on how to build a more successful, industrious and entrepreneurial State.

Ambode disburses N1bn to 705 beneficiaries of N25bn ETF

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Thursday, January 26, 2017, presented cheques worth over N1billion to 705 beneficiaries of the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (ETF) pilot scheme, charging them to utilise the funds responsibly to grow their businesses, create jobs for the unemployed youths and contribute to the growth of the Lagos economy.

Governor Ambode, who made the presentation at the LTV Blue Roof, Ikeja,

Lagos, said his administration identified unemployment as a major socio-economic challenge facing Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole in the course of the electoral campaign, and thus prioritised job creation.

He said the setting up of the ETF was a direct response to address the challenge of unemployment as well as provide support to the youths, entrepreneurs, artisans and other unemployed residents of the State.

“We have kept our word. We created a dedicated Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment, whose mission is to promote and sustain entrepreneurship and employment,” the Governor said.

Governor Ambode, while commending the Board and Management of the Fund for embarking on a comprehensive review of the business environment and developing a strategic framework and operating guidelines to ensure the sustainable and successful management of these funds, said the successful disbursement was a product of the painstaking effort.

He said the funds are targeted at small and medium scale businesses and individuals including carpenters, hairdressers, electricians, automobile parts repairers, block makers, bakers, fashion designers, cake makers, food sellers, kerosene retailers, mobile money agents, painters, plumbers, photographers and light manufacturers of liquid soaps and water among others.

“These beneficiaries are making history as the first set of beneficiaries of this Employment Trust Fund, and my charge to you is simple: You must use these funds responsibly, grow your businesses, create jobs for our unemployed youths and contribute to the growth of the Lagos State GDP. The idea is that for every N1million we disburse, we should create a minimum of five jobs around that business value chain.

“These loans have been provided at a very affordable rate of 5% per annum, far cheaper than the prevailing bank interest of 25% per annum. This is our modest way of reflating the Lagos economy, creating jobs and getting our youths gainfully occupied. Those of you here today, the first beneficiaries of this initiative, will be the agents through which our country can overcome its current economic challenges,” Governor Ambode said.

The Governor also enjoined market women and female artisans to take advantage of the opportunity as his administration was particularly interested in supporting women in business.

“I also implore the Employment Trust Fund to pay special attention to the Entertainment Industry and the Tech Hubs in Sabo, Yaba area. These are new areas with huge potential for growth and job creation,” he said.

Governor Ambode also expressed optimism that the target by the Board to empower at least 100,000 micro, small and medium enterprises in due course was achievable and that the multiplier effect would be the creation of over 300,000 direct and 600,000 indirect jobs by 2019.

In her opening remarks, Chairman, Board of ETF, Mrs. Ifueko Omoigui-Okauru said the presentation of cheques to beneficiaries was in fulfillment of the promise made by Governor Ambode during the electioneering and a confirmation of many to come.

She recalled that while canvassing for votes, the need to provide jobs was clearly on the mind of the Governor, and according to her, he wasted no time in setting up the ETF Board made up of people with proven track record, as well as transferring N6.25billion for the initiative to kick off, while the Board ensured that the process was fair and transparent with no favour as to party, religion, tribe or faith, and covered all the 57 Councils in the State.

“While we were trying to come up with the necessary procedures, Governor Ambode kept telling us to hurry up to start disbursing the loans to residents which signified his good intention and he has also given us the mandate to make the disbursement a monthly affair to make the fund get to as many residents as possible,” Omoigui-Okauru said.

Responding on behalf of others, one of the beneficiaries, Ahmed Ojikutu thanked Governor Ambode for the initiative, saying that it was gratifying to note that the process was very transparent.

He said: “This is indeed a promise kept by the Governor. When next the Governor tells us anything, we will believe him and I want to sincerely thank him on behalf of all the beneficiaries.”