NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
Oil & Gas

OPEC Chief tasks Africa to unlock 120bn barrels of oil reserves

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by Emmanuella Anokam

Mr Haitham Al-Ghais, Secretary-General, Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), has tasked Africa to unlock its proven oil reserves of over 120 billion barrels.

Al-Ghais stated this in a keynote address titled: “Driving Cross-Continental Investments: Scaling Africa’s Energy Frontier,” at the ongoing Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES) 2025 in Abuja, Nigeria.

The eighth edition of the energy summit, which opened on Monday and ends on Thursday, has ‘’Bridging continents: Connecting investors with Africa’s Energy Potential’’ as theme.

He also said that Africa with around 18 trillion standard cubic metres of natural gas, was a testament to the continent’s crucial role in the global energy landscape.

“The world will need more of this oil in the future. Therefore, it is critical that the African oil and gas industry attracts the level of investment necessary to unlock this great potential”, Al-Ghais added.

He said that the vast resources at Africa’s disposal should not be disregarded or neglected merely to accommodate the energy transition agenda pushed by western nations.

The OPEC scribe expressed appreciation to the leadership and people of Nigeria for their hospitality and thanked the summit organisers for their efforts in organising this year’s edition.

According to him, OPEC’s market research and forecasting points to the importance of Africa.

“Additionally, we know from Nigeria’s countless contributions to OPEC’s successes, how rewarding it is to work in this great nation. We encourage all potential investors to look at Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.”

Al-Ghais highlighted the strong and enduring relationship between OPEC and Africa, noting that half of OPEC’s member countries are from the continent, including Nigeria, the most populous African nation, and Algeria, the largest in geographical size.

Other African OPEC members include Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, and Libya.

He also lauded Africa’s youthful and dynamic population, which presents a strong workforce for the oil sector.

“It’s crucial to discuss how we can unlock the potential that this great continent holds, and how to create an investment-enabling environment that attracts the capital necessary to fully realize that potential.

“The investment needs of the oil industry are substantial, with cumulative requirements amounting to 17.4 trillion dollars by 2050.

“This is why stability in the oil market is essential for investors to plan effectively,” he added.

He highlighted OPEC’s views on some important topics relevant to both the global industry and Africa, including future of global oil demand, energy investment and finance, as well as the ever-evolving issue of climate change and energy transitions.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

Entertainment

Advocate urges Africans to focus attention on addressing poverty, underdevelopment

320 total views today

By Abiemwense Moru

Founder of Loretta Health Initiative, an NGO, Dr Loretta Ogboro-Okor, has called on Africans to shift their attention from celebrity fashion to addressing issues of poverty, conflict and underdeveloped infrastructure.

Ogboro-Okor, made the call in Abuja while reacting to the global debates surrounding Kanye West’s wife, Bianca Censori controversial appearance at the 2025 Grammy Awards.

Censori attended the grammy’s red carpet in a transparent nearly naked dress, igniting varied reactions from some Africans who celebrated it while others described it as “shameful”.

Ogboro-Okor, an aspirant in the 2024 Edo governorship election, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that celebrity fashion was simply a “distraction” from the real issues.

“My concern is not the spectacle itself, but how it overshadows the urgent issues Africa is grappling with.

“Our focus had remained on a celebrity moment. This should be the least of our concerns when there is war in Congo, economic distress in other African countries with millions suffering from poverty and conflict.

“The ongoing conflict in Congo, where millions have been displaced was in contrast with the obsession over celebrity fashion and material wealth.

“Africa should not be consumed by the spectacle of global celebrity culture, which often distracts us from addressing the continent’s most urgent challenges,” she said.

She stressed the need for a collective focus on tackling systemic problems such as poverty, conflict, underdeveloped infrastructure and other pressing issues facing the continent.

Ogboro-Okor pointed out the disconnection between the celebrity culture that dominated the online space and the severe crises affecting millions across the continent.

She lamented the growing competition for luxury and a lifestyle that many could not afford, while millions lack access to basic necessities.

According to her, this fixation with fleeting trends highlights Africa’s misdirected priorities.

“No one will love us more than we love ourselves as Africans,” she said, urging fellow Africans to focus on family, community, and nation-building rather than materialism or fame.

“While the continent is rich in resources, it continues to be exploited and distracted by external validation. Africa must look inward to achieve real progress.

“It is time for Africans to take control of their future and focus on self-sufficiency, building stronger communities, and addressing systemic issues that hinder development.”

She urged Africa to stop being passive observers of its own destiny and start prioritising what truly matters.

She said, “the time for meaningful change is now. We must act collectively to transform Africa’s future”. (NAN)

Edited by Philip Yatai

Foreign

Healthcare: First Lady advocate sustainable funding in Africa

201 total views today

 

By Celine-Damilola Oyewole

First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has called for sustainable financial allocations and support to promote healthcare services in Africa.

 

 

 

 

The first lady said this on Friday in Addis Ababa during her presentation at the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Heads of State and Government of the African Union.

 

 

 

 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the first lady spoke on the topic  “Engagement of First Ladies to support sustainable Financing for Health in Africa”.

 

 

 

 

The AU session is holding between Feb. 12 and Feb. 16.

 

 

 

 

The first lady said healthcare support was essential to the well-being of the people and the future of the continent.

 

 

 

 

“Our aspirations for progress, economic growth, and social stability remain unattainable without a robust healthcare system.

 

 

 

 

“In spite of our collective efforts to ensure access to essential healthcare services, millions of Africans still lack quality healthcare, and preventable diseases continue to claim lives.”

 

 

 

 

Tinubu said that before Africa can achieve sustainable health financing, there was an urgent need for quality health services without imposing financial hardships on individuals or households.

 

 

 

 

This, according to her, means that sustainable financing goes beyond merely increasing funds for health but to ensure that resources are mobilised, allocated, and utilised efficiently for both short, medium, and long-term impact.

 

 

 

 

“In 2001, Heads of State met in Abuja to declare an intention to increase budgetary allocation to Health services to 15 per cent annually, more than 20 years after this declaration, many countries still struggle to fulfil this commitment.”

 

 

 

 

She urged Africa to stop relying solely on donor funding and foreign aids, due to its unpredictable and unsustainable nature.

 

 

 

 

“Instead, we must develop innovative financing strategies tailored to our unique challenges and circumstances.

 

 

 

 

“Given the increasing funding gap for health on the continent, I urge us all to commit to advocating for increased national health budgets in line with the Abuja Declaration. Our governments should allocate at least 15 per cent of their budgetary allocations to health.

 

 

 

 

“We must also support innovative financing mechanisms and explore sustainable models, such as expanding health insurance coverage, health endowment funds, and investments from the African diaspora.

 

 

 

 

“Accountability and transparency must be ensured, as funds allocated to health must be used efficiently and effectively.

 

 

 

 

“We must continue to work closely with all levels of government, the private sector, civil society and development partners to increase financing for health and strengthen our health systems,” Tinubu said.(NAN)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

Economy/Business

ECA, AfCFTA to boost visibility of women, youths through e-commerce

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By Lucy Ogalue

Women and youth entrepreneurs in Nigeria will benefit from improved access to African markets following the validation of the Market Access Guide and E-Commerce Platform.

An Economist with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UN-ECA), Mamudou Sebego, said this at the Nigeria African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Validation Workshop, in Lagos.

According to him, the entrepreneurs will gain visibility under the AfCFTA initiative.

“This event marks the third consultative engagement between the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordinating Office, with support from the UN-ECA and Nigerian businesses, focusing on enhancing the competitiveness of women and youths in cross-border trade.

“The platform and guide aim to simplify trade processes, enable visibility for products, and connect vendors with buyers across the continent.

“It is expected to address longstanding challenges such as logistics bottlenecks and difficulties with export documentation, which many small business owners have faced.”

Sebego added that the platform was designed to serve three key purposes: giving visibility to products, facilitating vendor-buyer matchmaking.and enabling cross-border transactions.

He emphasised the importance of collaboration among government agencies to ensure AfCFTA implementation.

“Registration, product verification, and customs documentation remain under the purview of various institutions such as the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), and the Nigeria Customs Service.

“The e-commerce platform will not override regulatory processes but will integrate them over time.

“The goal is to simplify and eventually connect these processes online, but regulatory bodies will still play their role,”he said.

The Representative, Nigeria AfCFTA Coordinating Office, Franca Achimugu, expressed the country’s readiness to implement AfCFTA commitments.

“Nigeria has taken a significant step forward by participating in the Guided Trade Initiative (GTI), a pilot phase of AfCFTA aimed at testing trade processes among willing and ready state parties.

“So, GTI allows countries that are ready to start trading and test the processes.

“Nigeria joined the GTI in June 2024 and successfully made its first shipment to Kenya in September, which arrived at its destination in December 2024,” she said.

Achimugu said that while the pilot shipment exposed gaps needing adjustments, Nigeria was  almost good and ready to go.

She said that the ultimate goal was to enhance the competitiveness of women and youth in the AfCFTA, noting that information was more important than money.

“This work is showing us where the opportunities are across Africa and what the requirements are for each market,” she  said.

Mrs Bukola Ajani, President, Association of Women in Fashion Tech, commended the initiative and expressed concerns about production cost.

“It will work similarly to platforms like Amazon and Alibaba, and business owners have expressed optimism about the project’s potential to reduce the burden associated with physically moving goods across borders.

“This will help us sell our products without travelling out of Nigeria. That is a major advantage, but concerns about production costs remain.

“Challenges such as high energy costs and currency devaluation still undermine competitiveness in the free trade market.

“With a little push and support, we are ready to showcase our products to Africa and beyond,”Ajani said.

Dr Blessing Irabor-Oza, National President, Organisation of Women in International Trade (OWIT), described the guide and platform as game-changing for women-led businesses.

“Some of our members are already exporting to the UK and US, but this will help many more women tap into the African market.

“The e-commerce platform will showcase our products and simplify payment systems,” she said.

She reiterated the potential for Nigerian products, particularly in the fashion and beauty sectors, to thrive under AfCFTA.

“Our African fashion and Shea butter products are in high demand globally, and with proper packaging and standards, we can compete with the best,” she added.

Mrs Margaret Adepetu, Women’s Coordinator for the Association of Small Business Owners of Nigeria, also commended the initiative.

Adepetu said that while digital tools were helpful, addressing fundamental issues like the high cost of fuel and improving the value of the naira remained crucial.

“We can have all the platforms, but if the cost of fuel and electricity remains high, our products will still struggle to compete,” she said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was attended by representatives of government, stakeholders, entrepreneurs and partners. (NAN)

Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman

Health

ACSRG advocates stronger FGM laws, enforcement in Africa

201 total views today

By Philip Yatai

The African Civil Society Reference Group Inc (ACSRG), has called for the strengthening and full enforcement of anti- Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) laws in Africa.

The group made the call in a statement signed by a member of its Board of Directors, Mr John Ede, to commemorate the 2025 International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM.

In the statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday, that group said that the move would close legal loopholes and hold perpetrators accountable.

It added that the legal frameworks should be complemented by comprehensive awareness campaigns that respect cultural heritage, while safeguarding the rights of girls.

The group pointed out that FGM was deeply rooted in cultural, religious, and social traditions, with no medical or health benefits – only lifelong consequences.

ACSRG said that the practice leads to severe health complications, including infections, chronic pain, childbirth complications, psychological trauma, and even death.

It added that beyond the physical harm, FGM entrenches gender inequality, limits educational and economic opportunities for women and girls, and violates international conventions on human rights.

“While progress has been made in many countries, over 200 million girls and women have already undergone FGM, and 4.3 million more are at risk in 2024 alone.

“Without urgent intervention, this number could rise to 4.6 million annually by 2030, making the elimination of FGM an urgent global priority,” the statement said.

ACSRG reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the global action to end the harmful practice of FGM, describing it as a “grave human rights violation.”

It stressed that the practice deprives millions of women and girls of their dignity, bodily autonomy, and the right to a life free from violence.

The group also called for the promotion of community-led advocacy and dialogue to drive sustainable change within affected communities.

It urges traditional and religious leaders, parents, and young people to champion positive cultural shifts that protect girls and promote alternative rites of passage that uphold dignity and tradition without harm.

ACSRG equally called for increased investments in education and awareness creation on the dangers of FGM in schools, healthcare centres, and communities.

According to the organisation, girls, families, and local leaders need access to culturally sensitive and evidence-based information that challenges myths and promotes gender equality.

“There is also the need to provide comprehensive support for survivors. Women and girls who have experienced FGM must receive medical, psychological, legal, and economic support to recover and rebuild their lives.

“Healthcare systems must be equipped to provide specialised treatment for FGM survivors, ensuring access to quality reproductive and mental health services.”

The group also advocated for stronger regional and global collaboration among African nations and international bodies.

This, it said, would coordinate anti-FGM efforts, share best practices, and increase funding for grassroots organisations leading the fight against FGM.

On zero tolerance and a future free from FGM, ACSRG noted that ending FGM was not just an African or women’s issue, but a global human rights imperative.

According to the group, achieving zero FGM requires bold leadership, sustained advocacy, and collective action at every level of society.

“Therefore, ACSRG, a leading platform addressing issues affecting women and children across Africa, stands in solidarity with survivors, activists, policymakers, and communities working tirelessly to eliminate FGM.

“We must continue to amplify voices, push for stronger policies, and create a world where every girl grows up free from harm, with the right to control her own body, future, and destiny.” (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Health

UNFPA highlights roles in reproductive health in Africa

143 total views today

 

 

By Folasade Akpan

The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) plays crucial role in advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights in West and Central Africa.

 

The fund also addresses key challenges such as maternal mortality, unmet family planning needs, Gender-Based Violence (GBV), and vulnerabilities of women and girls in humanitarian crises.

 

Alian Akpadji, the UNFPA Resident Representative for West and Central Africa, who represented Sennen Hounton, the fund’s Regional Director for West and Central Africa, said these during a news conference on the sidelines of the 5th Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum in Maiduguri.

 

He said the region had continued to grapple with many reproductive health issues amid fragile health systems, making UNFPA’s interventions vital for sustainable development and human rights.

 

He outlined key focus areas of UNFPA’s work, emphasising commitment to reducing maternal mortality.

 

He highlighted efforts to expand access to quality maternal healthcare by strengthening antenatal, childbirth, and postnatal services, as well as supporting Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (EmONC) to address life-threatening pregnancy and delivery complications.

 

He further noted that “UNFPA is training midwives, nurses and healthcare workers to improve skilled birth attendance, particularly in underserved communities, while advocating Universal Health Coverage (UHC) to ensure every woman has access to life-saving maternal health services..”

 

He underscored the importance of family planning and reproductive health, stressing that UNFPA provides modern contraceptive methods and counselling to prevent unintended pregnancies and empower women to make informed choices.

 

The regional director added that strengthening supply chains ensures uninterrupted access to contraceptives and essential reproductive health commodities.

 

He emphasised UNFPA’s role in advocating youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health education to address early pregnancies and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).

 

According to him, the fund implements GBV prevention and response programmes, including safe spaces, psychological support, and legal assistance for survivors.

 

“UNFPA is working with governments and communities to end child marriage, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), and other harmful traditional practices,” he added.

 

The UNFPA official further said that efforts are being made to strengthen law enforcement and justice systems to hold perpetrators of GBV accountable.

 

He highlighted the organisation’s commitment to adolescent and youth reproductive health needs, strengthening healthcare systems and humanitarian response.

 

He said “UNFPA is enhancing the capacity of national health systems to deliver quality Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services, even in fragile settings.

 

“The agency provides lifesaving reproductive health services in humanitarian crises, including safe childbirth kits, emergency contraception, and post-rape care.

 

“Mobile health clinics have been deployed to reach displaced populations and communities in remote areas, while gender-responsive policies are being advocated to prioritise women’s and girls’ needs in humanitarian and post-conflict recovery efforts.”

 

On gender equality and women’s empowerment, he stressed the need to support women’s economic empowerment by linking reproductive health services with education, vocational training, and financial literacy programmes.

 

He explained that UNFPA collaborates with faith-based and traditional leaders to shift social norms and promote gender equality, while campaigning for gender-responsive policies that ensure women’s voices are included in decision-making at all levels.

 

On the use of data and innovation for better health outcomes, Akpadji revealed that UNFPA conducts demographic surveys to inform policies on health, education, and economic planning.

 

He noted that digital health solutions and mobile platforms are being used to provide reproductive health information and services, while strengthening Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) to ensures every birth is recorded, facilitating access to healthcare and social services.

 

Reflecting on UNFPA’s impact in West and Central Africa, he said that through partnerships with governments, civil society, youth groups, and international organisations, the agency has contributed to increased contraceptive prevalence rates and a reduced unmet need for family planning.

 

He noted that lower maternal mortality rates had been achieved in several countries through improved access to quality maternal health services.

 

He emphasised that awareness and advocacy against GBV led to stronger legal protections for women and girls, while more inclusive policies for youth and adolescents ensured greater access to reproductive health education and services.

 

He reaffirmed the fund’s commitment to ensuring vulnerable and displaced persons received the support they needed for a healthier and more empowered future.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

General News

Nigeria major source for human trafficking in Africa – Minister

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By Justina Auta

Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Minister of Women Affairs, says Nigeria is one of the main source, transit and destination for human trafficking in Africa.

Sulaiman-Ibrahim stated this at the 2025 annual academic summit organised by the University of Abuja Faculty of Social Sciences, on Wednesday in Abuja.

The theme of the summit is, “Illegal Migration and girl-child trafficking in 21st century Nigeria: Changing the mindset through quality and functional university education.”

She said poverty and economic hardship, lack of education and skills, cultural and gender norms, and weak law enforcement, amongst others were factors that contributed to illegal migration and trafficking in Nigeria.

“Nigeria is one of the main source, transit, and destination countries for human trafficking in Africa.

“According to the Global Slavery Index (2023), Nigeria ranks among the top 10 countries with the highest number of trafficked persons.

“An estimated 1.4 million Nigerians are victims of modern slavery, with women and girls making up the majority.

“Over 60 per cent of Nigerians attempting to migrate irregularly are women and girls, many of whom are trafficked for forced labor or sexual exploitation.

“Reports indicate that over 50,000 Nigerian women are trapped in forced prostitution across Europe, particularly in Italy and Spain.

“The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) estimates that more than 80 per cent of Nigerian women who arrive in Europe through irregular routes are potential trafficking victims.

“The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reports that Nigeria accounts for nearly 50 per cent of all human trafficking cases in West Africa,” she said.

She said the figures underscored the urgent need for policy, awareness, and systemic interventions to combat the menace of human trafficking and illegal migration.

The minister, therefore, stressed the need to improve access to education to break the cycle of trafficking and illegal migration.

” It remains the most powerful tool in equipping young girls with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to make informed choices about their futures.

“Quality and functional university education must go beyond theory and be practical, relevant, and empowering.

” Our institutions must be intentional in preparing students – particularly young women for economic independence through.

She, therefore,urged universities and higher institutions to integrate human trafficking awareness and migration literacy into their curricula.

She also called on students, youth organisations, religious and traditional leaders, as well as CSOs to champion peer education and advocacy.

The minister reiterated government commitment towards advancing initiatives that promote education, skills development, and economic empowerment to prevent vulnerable girls from falling into the hands of traffickers.

She added that the ministry was working towards strengthening legal frameworks to review and enhance protection laws for women and children.

“The fight against illegal migration and girl-child trafficking is a fight for the soul of our nation.

” If we fail to act decisively, we risk losing an entire generation of young women to exploitation, violence, and despair,” she said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi

Foreign

Sierra Leonean news agency boss urges public health sovereignty promotion

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By Mark Longyen

The Managing Director of the Sierra Leone News Agency (SLENA), Mrs Lolo Thompson-Oguamah, has urged African news agencies to leverage their platforms to achieve public health sovereignty in their countries.

 

She stated this on Wednesday in Rabat, the Moroccan capital, at the 8th General Assembly of the Atlantic Federation of African Press Agencies (FAAPA), with the theme: “Health Sovereignty in Africa”.

 

Thompson-Oguamah, Sierra Leone’s Media Lead in Risk Communication and Social Mobilisation during the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ebola Virus Emergency Preparedness Plan, underscored the important role of the media in safeguarding health sovereignty.

 

According to her, health sovereignty is not just about providing resources but also about empowering people with the knowledge and tools to make informed decisions for their well-being.

 

She said that her experiences during the pandemics served as clear testimonies to the indispensable role of the media in strengthening health systems, shaping public narratives, and saving lives.

 

“The COVID-19 pandemic exposed vulnerabilities across Africa, not only in healthcare systems but also in our information ecosystems.

 

“In Sierra Leone, the dual crises of Ebola and COVID-19 highlighted the urgent need for sovereign health systems tailored to our unique challenges.

 

“Weak health infrastructure, compounded by misinformation and disinformation, magnified the impact of the two health crises, resulting in unnecessary loss of lives and a slower recovery process,” she said.

 

Thompson-Oguamah noted that the pandemics highlighted the fact that many people in Sierra Leone died because of insufficient information, stressing that the media’s role in helping to close the glaring gaps cannot be overemphasised.

 

The SLENA boss also emphasised that timely, accurate, and culturally sensitive communication form the cornerstone of crisis management.

 

“The media’s role extends beyond information dissemination. We are catalysts for public understanding, trust, and action.

 

“By embracing this responsibility, we can help build a future where every African enjoys the dignity of informed health decisions.

 

“Health sovereignty begins with information sovereignty. By empowering our people with accurate, reliable information, we enable them to take ownership of their health and futures,” she said.

 

Thompson-Oguamah further noted that health sovereignty requires a multi-faceted approach to succeed.

 

This, she said, required investing in specialised training skilled journalists capable of interpreting epidemiological data and navigating ethical reporting dimensions.

 

She also urged the African news agencies to leverage digital platforms to amplify accurate information and combat disinformation because they offer unparalleled opportunities.

 

“Social media campaigns, mobile outreach programmes, and visual aids are instrumental in our efforts,” she said.

 

She urged them to engage in gender-inclusive communication by mainstreaming gender into all their programmes and harness women’s leadership that would foster resilience and improve outcomes.

 

The SLENA MD added that partnerships among the media and health sectors as well as community leaders are critical to achieving public health sovereignty.

 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Malam Ali M. Ali, is among the African News Agencies’ chiefs attending the General Assembly.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

(Edited by Emmanuel Yashim)

Economy/Business

ACCI to establish university to bridge skills gap in Africa

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By Lucy Ogalue

The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has announced plans to establish a Continental University aimed at addressing the skills gap across Africa.

The President of ACCI, Dr Emeka Obegolu, said this at the chamber’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Abuja.

According to Obegolu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), the proposed university, known as the ACCI Continental University, will provide hybrid online and full-time education.

He said the institution would operate as a truly pan-African university, offering training in five major languages including English, French, Arabic, Portuguese, and Swahili.

According to the ACCI boss, the diverse languages will serve the diverse regions of the continent.

“We are engaging with the Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC) to secure approval for the university.

“The facilities are already in place, and we are consulting with international education specialists to design a comprehensive curriculum, particularly for the language components,” Obegolu said.

He said that the university would focus on equipping students with practical and technical skills tailored to meet the demands of the labour market.

The ACCI president restated the need to address the mismatch between university graduates’ qualifications and the skills required by industries.

“It is no longer enough to graduate with degrees in political science or sociology without the necessary foundational skills.

“Many of these graduates end up in unrelated fields, such as banking, without adequate preparation,” he said.

The ACCI president added that the university would support businesses by providing trained personnel in high-demand fields such as carpentry, medicine, and other vocational areas.

Obegolu also emphasised that the university would bridge the gap in skilled manpower across the continent, ensuring businesses had access to a workforce tailored to their specific needs.

On the timeline for the university’s launch, he said it would depend on the NUC’s approval.

“We are ready on our part, but the timeline is subject to the NUC’s decision. Once we secure their approval, we will announce a definitive schedule.

“I am calling on the media to support the initiative by promoting its vision and objectives, which aligns with fostering economic growth and reducing unemployment across Africa,” he said.

According to Obegolu, the year 2024 has been challenging for many businesses as they continued to stay afloat without sinking.

“The Chamba is a sub-component of Nigeria, so businesses have not had it easy for 2024, but again, there are pointers that 2025 may be better.

“If we are able, as a country, to deal with the stability of our national currency, the Naira , it will help businesses to plan ahead.

“The challenge we faced in 2024 is the inability of businesses to plan because without knowing what the exchange rate will be, it is difficult for businesses to plan.

“So what they resorted to was more of gambling, and some won, some lost. So businesses thrived, some businesses also suffered and shut down,” Obegolu said.

On projections for 2025, Obegolu said the ACCl would focus on advocating for the development of the Idu Industrial District, as it had the potential to support employment in the country.

According to him, the hub will support industrialisation and the economy of the Federal Capital Territory.

Obegolu therefore reiterated the importance for state governments to set up a minimum of one or two industrial districts with dedicated power, infrastructure, and everything needed for businesses to thrive.

On the increased inflation rate, Obegolu said instability rather than rate increase was the challenge, thus the importance of regulating the Naira to enable businesses to plan.

On the increased inflation rate, Obegolu said the major challenge was the instability of the naira, thus the importance of regulating the naira to enable businesses to plan.

While commending the Chamber for the strides achieved over the years, its First Deputy President, Prof Adesoji Adesugba, reiterated the importance of collaboration among members.

Adesugba said, “We can only be stronger as an organisation when we work together.”

Also, the ACCI Second Deputy president, Dr Aliyu Hong, commended the vision, courage, and boldness of the chamber’s president.

“We have a formidable president who is thinking for tomorrow and not today. That is why we have been able to achieve the things we have achieved today.

“I want to urge members to take advantage of the initiatives we have at the chamber as they provide basic solutions to most of the problems we face as a business,” he said.

The President, Calabar Chamber of Commerce, Mr David Etim, urged the government to include the private sector in its projects as it was a major way of growing the economy. (NAN)

Edited by Emmanuel Yashim

General News

Strengthen agriculture value chains, Chambas tells ECOWAS

284 total views today

 

By Mufutau Ojo

Renowned diplomat, Dr Mohamed Ibn Chambas, says the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) must recommit to strengthening regional agriculture value chains.

 

Chambas made the call at the 66th Ordinary Session of ECOWAS summit of Heads of State and Government held in Abuja on Sunday.

 

He said strengthening agriculture value chains would help create the much-needed economic opportunity for farmers and economic operators.

 

Chambas, who is the Chairman of the Taskforce on the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS), said this would also reduce regional food security challenges.

 

He expressed optimism that the region would be able achieve a more resilient and sustainable agriculture sector.

 

Chambas further said the delays in addressing the challenges hindering the free movement of persons and goods were not unique to any particular region of Africa.

 

He described ECOWAS as a regional leader in terms of freedom of movement of its people.

 

Chambas said dysfunctions resulting from misapplication of ETLS protocols were partly due to weak institutional capacity of National Committees for the Recognition of Community Origin.

 

He identified the lack of knowledge of the protocols by economic actors as another challenge.

 

” Trade and development move along with people who trade, and West Africa is not an exception for what unites us is not just economic ties, but also social and cultural ones.

 

” As such, we need to continue to focus on improving the economic conditions of our people and to promote our regional integration in order to help increase our intra-Africa exchanges in all relevant areas.

 

” West Africa is a region where, for centuries, our people have moved about freely, engaging in commerce and building traditional bonds and historic relationships.

 

” This is a moment to work to build a borderless Africa, not the moment to step backward,” he said.

 

Chambas also said free movement of people, goods and services across the continent must be made a priority in order to boost development and shared prosperity.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

 

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