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Market Leaders, Others Laud Life Progress Booster as another 20 SMEs got N6m Grant
Life Continental Lager Beer has received accolades for its Small and Medium Enterprises development initiative tagged: Life Progress Booster”, aimed at helping small and medium businesses grow by providing non refundable grants to entrepreneurs.
Speaking on the Life Progress Booster Initiative during the road show in Onitsha last week, South East zonal chairman, New Auto Spare Parts Association (NASPA) Nnewi, Mr. Alvis N. Umeh, said that Life Continental Lager beer has taken social and entrepreneurial development to another level with this scheme, which has helped many businesses grow since its inception four years ago.
According to him ’Life Progress Booster has helped many upcoming and small businesses in this state and I am very happy with the results recorded so far.
“If other companies can take up similar initiatives targeted at small businesses, it will elevate the status of our members and bring more into the fold”.
He also urged the brand to keep up with the initiative, as it is a medium to eradicate poverty in the country.
Also speaking, a senior lecturer in the Enugu State University, Enugu, Dr. Ferdinand Ozoani, described the initiative as a “complete noble step, which other brands should emulate”.
Dr. Ozoani noted that in the face of the present economic challenges Nigerians are going through, it is noble that a brand like Life Continental Beer is providing an enabling climate for small and micro businesses to grow, which is a way of investing in the economy of the country.
A total of 20 SMEs and artisans got a sum of N300,000 each to boost their businesses after successfully defending their business ideas in Ekwulobia, in Anambra State.
The beneficiaries include Nkeoma Joseph, who runs a business centre in Anambra state, Juliana Okafor, a beer parlour operator in Onitsha and 18 others expressed their delight and appreciation to Life beer for the grant.
Emmanuel Agu, Portfolio Manager, Mainstream Lager and Stout Brands, reiterating the brand’s commitment to the initiative said, “we believe in the strength and capacity of the people of the South-East to thrive in industry, but we also believe progress can only be achieved with support.
“Hence, the Progress Booster initiative was specifically created for the South-Easterners.”
“Through the years, Life Continental Beer has focused on empowering its consumers, and we are committed to continue contributing to their successes and achievements”.
In his own assessment, Trade Association Chairman of Spare Parts Dealers in Anambra (Nnewi North Local Government Area), Hon. Francis O. Okeke, said he is happy and excited that Life Beer can still continue the grant scheme to push for more progress and business growth amidst artisans in the state.
According to him, “since the initiative started in 2015, those who had accessed the grant had been able to improve their businesses and grow bigger.
‘’I am aware that some of our members who got the grants previously, are doing better with their businesses than before; we are very excited and happy with the beer company’’, he said.
Consumers interested in benefiting in the initiative are enjoined to drop their business proposals in designated collation centres or visit life-nigeria.com.
They will be shortlisted by a team of business plan analysts before proceeding to pitch their business ideas to a team of three experts to qualify for a boost of N300, 000.
Life Continental Lager Beer is an alcoholic beverage from the stables of Nigerian Breweries Plc made from the choicest grains, hop extract and the purest of waters.
It is brewed to give that rich, crisp distinctive taste and well-rounded aroma in true quality fashion of the master brewers
The Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM) that will deepen collaboration and trade ties between the United States and Nigeria.
The agreement was signed by Exim President and Chair, Reta Jo Lewis, on behalf of Export Import Bank of United states, while Abba Bello, Managing Director/ Chief Executive of NEXIM signed on behalf of the Nigerian Export-Import Bank.
During the signing ceremony, EXIM President and Chair, Reta Jo Lewis, highlights increased opportunities for U.S. exports to Nigeria in critical minerals, clean energy, aviation and infrastructure.
Also, NEXIM MD/CE, Abba Bello, highlights that the partnership is a significant milestone for Nigeria and the US that will provide increased access to trade financing for Nigerian businesses whilst facilitating smoother and more robust mutually beneficial trade flows between the two countries.
The MOU demonstrates a shared desire to identify and promote trade and economic cooperation between the two countries, especially in sectors like clean energy, critical minerals, aviation, maritime transport, digital connectivity, and infrastructure, amongst others.
“Nigeria is the second largest U.S. export destination in Sub-Saharan Africa, but there is so much opportunity to grow,” said Chair Lewis.
“This MOU with NEXIM sends a strong market signal to Nigeria that EXIM is eager to forge a stronger commercial relationship by supporting U.S. exports in key sectors.”
The MD/CE NEXIM in his own remarks noted that, “This collaboration marks a significant milestone in our efforts to strengthen trade ties between Nigeria and the United States.
We are confident that this partnership will open new avenues for economic growth and development”. The MOU, signed virtually marks a significant milestone for the United States and Nigeria.
The MOU will enhance the competitiveness of companies in both nations and strengthen collaboration by exploring options for utilizing EXIM’s medium- and long-term loan guarantees and/or direct loans to finance U.S. exports to Nigeria.
This MOU contributes directly to EXIM’s Sub-Saharan Africa mandate. Over the past three years, EXIM has approved approximately $4 billion of authorizations in support of U.S. exports to sub-Saharan Africa.
The Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) is the nation’s official export credit agency with the mission of supporting American jobs by facilitating U.S. exports.
To advance American competitiveness and assist U.S. businesses as they compete for global sales, EXIM offers financing including credit insurance, working capital guarantees, loan guarantees, and direct loans.
As an independent federal agency, EXIM contributes to U.S. economic growth by supporting tens of thousands of jobs in exporting businesses and their supply chains across the United States.
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed a 13-count charge of N12.3 billion fraud against Chief Oba Otudeko, chairman, Honeywell Group, and Stephen Olabisi Onasanya, the former managing director, First Bank of Nigeria (FBN).
Chief Oba Otudeko, chairman, Honeywell Group, and Stephen Olabisi Onasanya, former managing director, First Bank
The charges were filed at the Federal High Court in Lagos.
They are joined by Soji Akintayo, a former board member of Honeywell, and Anchorage Leisure Limited, a company linked to Otudeko.
The four defendants are accused of orchestrating a fraudulent scheme involving the diversion of N12.3 billion from First Bank, with the fraudulent activities allegedly occurring between 2013 and 2014.
The charges against them include claims that they unlawfully obtained funds in multiple transactions, including N5.2 billion, N6.2 billion, N6.15 billion, N1.5 billion, and N500 million.
These funds were allegedly obtained under the false pretence of credit facilities for V-Tech Dynamic Links Limited and Stallion Nigeria Limited.
The EFCC further alleged that the defendants falsified documents to mislead First Bank into processing these transactions.
In the first charge, the defendants were accused of conspiring to fraudulently obtain N12.3 billion from First Bank, misrepresenting that it was for V-Tech Dynamic Links Limited and Stallion Nigeria Limited, despite knowing the information to be false.
In the second charge, they allegedly obtained N5.2 billion from First Bank on November 26, 2013, by falsely claiming it was for V-Tech Dynamic Links Limited.
Between 2013 and 2014, the defendants are accused of obtaining N6.2 billion from First Bank, falsely claiming it was for Stallion Nigeria Limited.
The EFCC also alleged that, on or about September 3, 2013, the defendants forged documents, including a “Letter of Application” to deceive First Bank into believing that the documents were from V-Tech Dynamic Links Limited.
In a similar manner, they were accused of forging a document titled “Authorization to Issue Investment Certificate to First Bank” with the intent to mislead the bank.
Additionally, the charges included accusations that the defendants procured the transfer of N6.2 billion from Stallion Nigeria Limited’s account at First Bank to conceal fraudulent activities.
On December 11, 2013, the defendants allegedly facilitated a transfer of N2.09 billion from Stallion Nigeria Limited’s account to Emmerado Logistics Limited as part of the fraudulent scheme.
Alos, Chief Otudeko is accused of failing to declare a personal interest in a loan facility of N6.15 billion sought by V-Tech Dynamic Links Limited, in breach of banking regulations.
The charges are based on violations of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006, the Miscellaneous Offences Act, the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011, and the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act 2004.
The four defendants are expected to face serious legal consequences if found guilty.
The case is set to proceed on January 20, 2025, and could set an important precedent in the fight against financial fraud in Nigeria’s banking sector.
TikTok plans to shut U.S. operations of its social media app used by 170 million Americans on Sunday, when a federal ban is set to take effect, barring a last-minute reprieve, people familiar with the matter said.
The Washington Post reported President-elect Donald Trump, whose term begins a day after a ban would start, is considering issuing an executive order to suspend enforcement of a shutdown for 60 to 90 days. The report did not say how Trump could legally do so.
Users who have downloaded TikTok would theoretically still be able to use the app, except that the law also bars U.S. companies starting Sunday from providing services to enable the distribution, maintenance, or updating of it.
The Trump transition team did not have an immediate comment. Trump has said he should have time after taking office to pursue a “political resolution” of the issue.
“TikTok itself is a fantastic platform,” Trump’s incoming national security adviser Mike Waltz told Fox News on Wednesday. “We’re going to find a way to preserve it but protect people’s data.”
The New York Times separately reported that Tiktok CEO has been extended an invitation to attend the President-elect’s inaugration and sit in “a position of honor”.
A White House official told Reuters Wednesday President Joe Biden has no plans to intervene to block a ban in his final days in office if the Supreme Court fails to act and added Biden is legally unable to intervene absent a credible plan from ByteDance to divest TikTok.
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