News Agency of Nigeria
TEXEM to equip African executives with strategies against economic uncertainty
General News

TEXEM to equip African executives with strategies against economic uncertainty

TEXEM UK has announced that it will host a high-level executive development programme in November designed to help African executives to respond effectively to the deepening waves of global economic uncertainty and domestic challenges facing the continent.

The programme, themed Navigating Economic Uncertainty Successfully: Strategic Leadership in Turbulent Times, will hold from Nov. 24 to Nov. 27 in Milton Keynes, United Kingdom, and will bring together senior executives from the public and private sectors.

Caroline Lucas, Director of Special Projects at TEXEM, said in a statement that the programme was coming at a critical time when African economies are contending with multiple headwinds, including inflationary pressures, fluctuating commodity prices, debt restructuring, and the urgent need to harness digital transformation for inclusive growth.

She explained that the programme would deploy TEXEM’s distinctive methodology, combining case studies, peer-to-peer engagement, observation practice, games, and role play to provide participants with practical strategies for building resilience and sustaining competitive advantage.

“It’s a leadership course that exposed me to ideas vital in turbulent times. A good leader must act swiftly on innovative ideas and improve processes to stay ahead”

Musa Jimoh, Director, Central Bank of Nigeria, emphasised that the initiative was timely as Africa grapples with rising geopolitical risks, fiscal tightening, and the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the exponential growth of mobile money adoption.

“In a world where shocks are becoming the norm, leaders must learn not just to survive but to thrive. This programme will help executives develop foresight, sharpen their decision-making under uncertainty, and build agile organisations that can adapt quickly, mitigate risks, and seize opportunities,”Lucas said.

She added that TEXEM’s track record of building over 4,000 African leaders demonstrates its ability to deliver value that translates into organisational transformation and national impact.

The November programme will feature globally recognised faculty with deep experience in leadership, governance, and diplomacy. Among them are Prof. Nicholas Cheeseman, a leading scholar of good governance and accountability and former don at the University of Oxford.

Others are Dr T. B. (Mac) McClelland Jr., an expert in organisational leadership and former US Marine Corps leader, best-selling author; and Ambassador Charles Crawford CMG, a former UK diplomat and multiple award-winning communicator and UK Former Attorney General, Jeremy Wright MP.

Wright also served in the UK Government as a member of the cabinet as Digital Secretary.

“I’ve learned a lot. I’ve seen where tradition is being converted to modernity… I’ve learned how to keep sustainability. I have learned teamwork. I have learned different strategy tools from Marshmallow, from OODA, observation of my opponents, orienting my business, making decisions and acting fast. I’ve also learned the importance of balancing culture with my organisational objective.” said Muhammed El Amin Gwadabe, President of the Association of Bureau de Change Operators of Nigerian (ABCON)

Participants will gain actionable insights into strategic decision-making in turbulent environments, financial risk management and contingency planning, leading through recession and recovery, and developing resilient business models.

They will also explore how digital innovation and data can be harnessed to unlock productivity and sustain long-term growth.

The fee for the four-day intensive is £5,500, discounted to £4,750, with an early payment option of £4,300 for those who register before Oct. 31. The fee covers study materials and certification.

“It’s the first time I’m doing a local programme in Nigeria, and it’s quite interesting. The first thing I liked about it is the diversity of the participants. I also like the edgy conversations we had with Christian and Alim. It’s quite thought provoking.” said Mr Effiong Okon, Operations Director, SEPLAT.

Interested participants may contact TEXEM via +44 7425 883791 or email exec@texem.co.uk and website www.texem.co.uk for registration.(NAN)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

Africa must support local innovations to derive global benefits, says Havard don
Foreign , General News

Africa must support local innovations to derive global benefits, says Havard don

By Ibukun Emiola

Prof. Madhu Sudan, an Indian-American Computer Scientist and recipient of the prestigious Nevanlinna Prize, has advised African countries to invest in local innovations to derive global benefits.

 

In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of the 12th Heidelberg Laureate Forum in Germany, Sudan stressed the need to identify, nurture and connect young innovators with teachers, problems, and industries.

 

According to him, innovation must be supported from the classroom to commercial application if countries like Nigeria are to benefit fully from the global digital economy.

 

“The pipeline should create and extract talent, give them good problems and good teachers to work with.

“Students should be supported from solving individual questions to tackling national challenges, and then linked with commercial settings,” he said.

 

Sudan, a Professor of Computer Science at Harvard University, explained that many nations had succeeded at one end of the innovation spectrum, either in producing theoretical research or building industries.

 

He, however, said only a few had developed a system that worked seamlessly “the entire way.

 

“Once a country becomes successful across the whole chain, the nation profits enormously,” he added.

 

On his groundbreaking work on probabilistically checkable proofs, Sudan said the breakthrough had reshaped complexity theory and optimisation problems by making proofs more robust and verifiable.

 

He noted that the concept had also influenced advances in error-correcting codes, which are central to data storage and communication in the digital age.

 

“Errors are inevitable in a physical universe. The challenge has always been to build codes that can withstand the corruption of data.

“Our work not only ensures that information survives errors but that even summaries of the data can still be verified,” he said.

 

Sudan also urged young scientists from the Global South to take advantage of easier access to information and digital tools.

 

He recalled how difficult it was to access computers while growing up in India, but stressed that Nigerian students no longer needed to be decades behind their counterparts abroad.

 

“Today, students can compete at the forefront. The key is to design questions that are important for local populations. When solved, such questions often become globally relevant,” he said.

 

On the future of complexity theory in the era of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and quantum computing, Sudan acknowledged the “remarkable empirical progress” of AI, which had achieved results previously thought impossible.

 

He, however, noted that a deeper theoretical framework was still lacking.

 

“AI succeeds in ways we don’t fully understand. It sometimes solves Olympiad problems or could even prove theorems in the future. The real challenge for mathematicians is to explain why it works,” he explained.

Sudan advised young researchers to define their own metrics of importance, instead of following trends dictated by global influencers.

 

“The questions that seem hard and important to you personally are often the ones that matter most. Diversity in research directions is vital for progress,” he said.

 

The Heidelberg Laureate Forum, an annual networking event in Germany, brings together the world’s top computer scientists and mathematicians, including recipients of the Abel Prize, Fields Medal, Nevanlinna Prize, and Turing Award, with young researchers from across the globe.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bayo Sekoni

Dangote urges Africa to fill manufacturing gaps
General News

Dangote urges Africa to fill manufacturing gaps

By Nana Musa

President of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, has called on Africans to leverage on internal strengths and global opportunities to fill existing gaps, and adopt a deliberate re-orientation toward industrialisation of Africa’s manufacturing sector.

He said that this would serve as a panacea against the current global economic instability.

Dangote, who was represented by Mr Mansur Ahmed, made the call at the ongoing 4th Intra-African Trade Fair holding in Algiers, Algeria.

He also encouraged operators in the manufacturing and industrial sectors to embrace a fundamental shift in mindset and develop robust regional value chains and deepen intra-African trade.

Dangote noted that current geo-political tensions and trade wars have caused major economies to reevaluate their traditional trade partnerships with a view to diversifying their supply chains.

He also urged African exporters to benefit from the current process to fill the gap by competitively supplying the required products.

“I am glad to be here at the 4th Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF). I am immensely grateful to the organisers – not only for inviting me and giving me the opportunity to speak – but also for going a step further by dedicating this remarkable day to my organisation, Dangote Group. To have today officially set aside as Dangote Day is both an honour and a privilege.

“I thank the conveners – The African Export Import Bank, the African Union Commission and the Africa Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat – for organising this event. We appreciate the invaluable contributions you have made and the excellent work you continue to do in promoting, facilitating, and deepening trade and investment across the continent.”

Speaking at the company’s Special Day, he said: “This year’s theme, “Gateway to New Opportunities,” resonates deeply as a powerful reminder of the huge potential and prospects that abound across the African continent.

“For too long Africa’s resources have been exported as primary commodities in their raw and unrefined state with limited domestic processing or beneficiation.

“There must be a fundamental shift in mindset and a deliberate re-orientation toward industrialisation and the development of Africa’s manufacturing sector. While this was always necessary in the past, it is even more urgent today, given the alarming rise in youth unemployment, and the need for sustainable, inclusive growth.”

Dangote said that the current geo-political tensions and trade wars have caused major economies to reevaluate their traditional trade partnerships with a view to diversifying their supply chains.

“African exporters could benefit if they can fill the gap by competitively supplying the required products.

“Furthermore, global instability has encouraged African nations to look inward and actively pursue greater regional self-reliance. This inward focus can catalyse the development of robust regional value chains and significantly deepen intra-African trade.

“At Dangote, we are very proud of our Afrocentric posture, driven by an unwavering commitment to the continent’s growth and industrial transformation.

“We have added value to limestone and created the largest cement company in sub–Saharan Africa with an aggregate cement production capacity of about 52MMtpa across 10 countries,” Dangote stated.

He added that the company’s 3MMtpa urea plant has contributed to the attainment of fertiliser self-sufficiency.

He said that Nigeria, which once solely reliant on imports, was now a net exporter of granulated urea to destinations in Africa as well as to South America, North America and Europe.

“More recently, we have witnessed the commencement of operation of Africa’s biggest oil refinery – also the world’s largest single-train facility, with a capacity of 650kbpd.

“This landmark project is gradually reducing the region’s long-standing dependence on imports of refined petroleum products, particularly from Europe, while also generating surplus for export to global markets.

“As Africa becomes more self-sufficient in energy it should reduce our vulnerability to external shocks and supply disruptions.

“Africa’s potential and prospects are immense. However, this potential will only be fully actualised if individual nations take deliberate steps to improve their business environment.

“Unlocking new economic opportunities requires the implementation of appropriate policy reforms, investment in infrastructure, and attractive sector wide incentives to facilitate the inflow of private capital” Dangote said.

The Dangote Special Day drew admirers and various attendees, various Business Units of the conglomerate such as Dangote Cement, Dangote Sugar, Dangote Salt (NASCON), Dangote Fertiliser, Dangote Polypropylene, and Dangote Packaging.(NAN)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

China implementing GGI for Africa, Nigeria community with shared future 
General News

China implementing GGI for Africa, Nigeria community with shared future 

Actively Implementing the Global Governance Initiative, Jointly Building a China-Africa and China-Nigeria Community with a Shared Future

(By H.E. Yu Dunhai, Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria)

On Sept. 1, 2025, President Xi Jinping solemnly proposed the Global Governance Initiative (GGI) at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Plus Meeting held in Tianjin, China. With its profound insight into the times, broad humanistic commitment and clear value orientation, this initiative aims to address a pressing subject of our times which has attracted high attention from the international community, namely what kind of global governance system to build and how to reform and improve global governance.

It further contributes Chinese wisdom and proposes a Chinese approach to strengthening and improving global governance, injecting more stability and certainty into a turbulent world.

Today, transformative changes unseen in a century are accelerating across the world, while the lingering gloom of Cold War mentality, hegemonism, and protectionism continues to cast a shadow.

Humanity is confronted with unprecedented challenges as the world enters a new phase of turbulence and transformation, and global governance now stands at a critical juncture.

The world is in greater need of strengthening global governance than ever before, and the GGI comes at an opportune time.

Regarding it as the fundamental guideline to uphold the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter and practice the vision of global governance featuring extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit, the GGI seeks to promote the building of a more just and equitable global governance system and work together for a community with a shared future for humanity.

To be more specific, the GGI embodies five core concepts: First, adhere to sovereign equality. All countries, regardless of size, strength or wealth, shall have the right to participate in, make decisions in and benefit from the global governance as equals.

Second, abide by the international rule of law. There shall be no double standards, and the self-defined rules of a few countries must not be imposed upon others.

Third, practice multilateralism.The irreplaceable and crucial role of the United Nations in global governance must be given full play.

Fourth, advocate a people-centered approach. It is essential to ensure that people of all nations jointly participate in global governance and share in its outcomes.

Fifth, focus on taking real actions. More tangible results should be delivered, and global governance should avoid lagging behind the times or becoming fragmented.

The above five core concepts advocated by the GGI are closely aligned with the inherent needs of China-Africa and China-Nigeria cooperation.

Africa, which includes 54 United Nations member states, is the continent with the largest concentration of developing countries.

It is not only an important participant in global governance but also a major force driving global multi-polarization.

Nigeria, as Africa’s most populous country and major economy, serves as a critical growth engine on the continent and an influential representative of the Global South.

It is also a key strategic partner for China in Africa. It is fair to say that China-Africa and China-Nigeria cooperation not only enjoy a solid historical foundation but also correspond to practical needs of reforming the global governance system and transforming the global order.

The year 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the United Nations, which represented a pioneering practice by the international community in initiating global governance.

In 1971, African countries strongly supported the restoration of the lawful seat of the People’s Republic of China in the United Nations, with Nigeria casting a sacred vote in favour.

This moment marked the beginning of the joint participation of African nations and the People’s Republic of China in global governance.

In 1992, China worked closely with the Group of 77, in which African countries served as a major force, ultimately leading to the incorporation of the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities” into the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Since the 21st century, China has actively promoted solutions to address the under-representation of African countries in the United Nations, advocating that the Security Council reform must genuinely reflect international fairness and justice, prioritize correcting historical injustices faced by Africa, and support special arrangements to address Africa’s demands as a priority.

In 2022, China took the lead in explicitly expressing support for the African Union’s accession to the G20 and facilitated the formal admission of the African Union as a member of the G20 the following year.

The Beijing Declaration issued at the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2024 emphasized that China supports African countries in playing a greater influential role in global governance, particularly within inclusive frameworks addressing global issues, and will continue to support Africa-related priorities in G20 affairs.

China also appreciated and welcomed more African countries joining the BRICS family. Shortly thereafter, Nigeria, with China’s active support, became a BRICS partner country.

China firmly supports Africa’s efforts to enhance its international standing and voice, fully demonstrating the spirit of China-Africa friendship and cooperation, and profoundly illustrating China’s role as a major country in promoting the improvement of global governance.

The year 2025 also marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the FOCAC. The FOCAC mechanism itself is a model of the vision of the global governance featuring extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit.

Guided by the principles of sincerity, real results, amity, and good faith towards Africa and the principle of pursuing the greater good and shared interests, China is committed to supporting Africa in advancing its integration and enhancing its capacity for self-driven development.

From the “Ten Cooperation Plans” and the “Eight Major Initiatives” to the “Nine Programs” and the recently launched “Ten Partnership Actions for China-Africa Collaboration on Modernization,” a series of practical cooperation plans have focused on Africa’s priority areas such as infrastructure connectivity, healthcare, agricultural modernization, and capacity building.

This cooperation comes with no political strings attached, emphasizes action-oriented approaches and aims to enhance the “self-development capacity” of African countries, representing a tangible contribution to building a more just and equitable global governance system.

On Sept. 3, 2024, Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu paid a state visit to China and attended the FOCAC Beijing Summit.

The leaders of the two countries jointly announced the elevation of China-Nigeria relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership and were committed to building a high-level China-Nigeria community with a shared future.

Over the past year, China-Nigeria relations have achieved rapid growth across all sectors. We have more frequent high-level exchanges, deeper political and strategic trust as well as increasingly substantial outcomes in practical cooperation.

We have supported each other on issues concerning our respective core interests and major concerns, while maintaining sound communication and coordination in international and regional affairs under a results-oriented approach.

We can proudly say that China and Nigeria are setting an exemplary model for South-South cooperation.

In conclusion, Chinese president Xi Jinping has proposed four major initiatives to date: the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the Global Security Initiative (GSI), the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI), and the Global Governance Initiative (GGI).

Together, these initiatives form the four pillars for building a community with a shared future for mankind.

The GDI focuses on promoting international cooperation on development, the GSI on encouraging dialogue and consultation over international discord, the GCI on promoting exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations, and the GGI on the direction, principle and path for reforming the global governance systems and institutions.

The four initiatives have their respective priorities and can be pursued simultaneously. They will each be a source of positive energy for a changing and turbulent world and impetus for humanity’s development and progress.

China is willing to work with African countries, including Nigeria, under the framework of the GGI to promote reforms in the UN Security Council and the international financial system, to make the existing international system and international institutions better at taking actions and working effectively, to step up coordination among multilateral bodies, and to prioritize consensus-building in such areas as the international financial architecture, artificial intelligence, cyberspace, climate change, trade and outer space to bring about early harvests.

The successful practices of China-Africa and China-Nigeria cooperation demonstrate that the GGI embodies strong vitality and broad prospects for development.

Moving forward, China will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with African countries, especially our Nigerian friends, to actively advance the GGI, jointly address global challenges and work toward building a community with a shared future for mankind.(NAN)

Tinubu calls for united African defence strategy against insecurity
Defence/Security

Tinubu calls for united African defence strategy against insecurity

Crime

By Salisu Sani-Idris

President Bola Tinubu has emphasised the urgent need for collective action and cooperation among African nations to effectively tackle terrorism, cybercrime, transnational crime, and other security threats across the continent.

Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the maiden edition of the African Chiefs of Defence Staff Summit 2025 in Abuja, President Tinubu urged defence chiefs to develop a new continental defence doctrine.

He said the strategy must be anchored on trust, shared intelligence, and coordinated action to effectively address the growing security challenges facing the African continent.

He stressed that the scale of threats on the continent demanded a united response.

“From the deserts where insurgency festers, to the high seas where piracy prowls, from the silent corridors of cybercrime to the ruthless networks of transnational criminals, none of these tragedies respects borders,” Tinubu said.

He emphasised that in the face of such widespread threats, African nations must not respond in isolation, adding, “Neither should our response.”

“This is the moment to reassess our military objectives in the collective aspiration to make Africa safe.”

Highlighting Africa’s interconnectedness, Tinubu described the continent as a family whose shared geography and destiny demanded mutual defence.

“In this family, defence is the first expression of love each member can promise the other,” he added.

He proposed the establishment of a permanent African Chiefs of Defence Staff Forum, which would serve as a platform for continuous dialogue, strategic planning, and operational coordination.

“This summit must not end with applause. Let it become a cornerstone of Africa’s new security architecture,” he said.

Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s long-standing commitment to regional peace and cooperation through peacekeeping missions, counterterrorism, and humanitarian efforts.

He urged African countries to invest in cyber defence, artificial intelligence, and indigenous military innovation, adding that Africa must move beyond merely consuming technology to becoming creators and owners of security tools.

“Africa cannot remain merely a consumer of technology; we must be creators, innovators, and owners of the tools that secure our tomorrow,” he declared.

He also called for partnerships with the private sector to drive investment in defence innovation and capacity building.

Paying tribute to fallen soldiers, Tinubu said their legacies must be honoured through the institutions, values, and partnerships that secured Africa’s future.

Minister of Defence, Badaru Abubakar, represented by Minister of State, Bello Matawalle, described the summit as a bold step in African security cooperation and called for African-driven solutions to the continent’s challenges.

Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Amina Mohammed, described the summit as the beginning of a new era in African security, noting that the continent could not afford to be passive in the face of modern threats.

ECOWAS Commission President, Dr Omar Touray, represented by Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Amb. Abdel-Fatau Musah, affirmed that the initiative aligned with President Tinubu’s vision for a more secure Africa and emphasised regional cooperation.

Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to regional stability and urged his counterparts to lead efforts in cyber defence, AI, and indigenous technology.

Also speaking, former Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, commended the summit and called for stronger coordination and intelligence-sharing across the continent.

He emphasised that Africa must build and own its security framework to ensure long-term peace and stability.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Stakeholders call for gender-inclusive leadership in Africa
Entertainment

Stakeholders call for gender-inclusive leadership in Africa

 

By oshua Olomu

Leadership experts, Women rights advocates and other stakeholders have called for gender-inclusive  governance across Africa , emphasising the importance of equal representation and opportunities for all genders in leadership roles.

They made the call at a town hall meeting organised by Women Community in Africa (WCA), a coalition of civil society groups that advocates for egalitarian society and  addresses social issues, on Thursday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event brought women together to brainstorm on advocacy and actions towards empowering women for leadership roles in all walks of life.

The event, with the theme, “Empowered to Lead: Changing Attitudes Towards Female Leadership”, is a build-up to the 2025 WCA summit scheduled to be held in Rwanda later in the year.

According to stakeholders, there is a need to address the leadership challenges women face through actionable solutions for the African continent to experience even development.

Mr Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi,  Mandate Secretary, FCT Women Affairs Secretariat, said  some African  countries  have recorded significant milestones in electing female Presidents and Prime Ministers who are successful leaders in their countries.

The Mandate Secretary, who was represented by Dr Zainab Buba-Marwa, said  that more needed to be done for gender-inclusive leadership to reflect at all levels.

“Decades of feminist’s uprising and advocacy gradually brought a near-balanced perception that women are true change agents, when it comes to leadership.

“Today, African women’s representation in leadership roles has significantly increased, but it remains a nightmare that the constitutional 35 per cent Affirmative Action for women is yet to be achieved.

“In essence, much more needs to be done to help women build leadership capacity, assume more leadership roles, and prove to the world that women are reliable leadership assets that our society needs now.

“African women need to redouble efforts to remove all stumbling blocks that prevent women from excelling in Leadership.

“This could come in the form of career choice, participating in politics, skills acquisition, gender equality advocacy, capacity building and influencing policy formulation in favour of women’s rights.

“At the end of this town hall meeting, it is believed that the Nigerian delegation to the upcoming  WCA Summit in Rwanda, would be more equipped.

“They will be more  prepared to join fellow women across Africa, to advance cross-cultural discourse on an inclusive approach to issues of Women and Leadership in the African continent,” she said.

Dr Bukola Olatunde, Deputy President, Defence and Police Officers Wives Association (DEPOWA), said the marginalisation of women in leadership roles across the continent was largely caused by age-long traditions and cultural practices.

She, therefore,  urged that the trend could  be curbed at the family level, adding that parents should treat children equally irrespective of their genders.

“I  think  it will be very good if we can take it to our homes  and stop giving the  boys the impression that they are not superior to the girls.

“Raise your children in such a way that every child will know that it is very important that everyone has a voice no matter your gender”, she said.

Chizoba Ogbeche, Vice President (North Central), Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) urged women to unite and form a common front to assume elective leadership roles.

“Let’s start preparing from the grassroots at the ward level, and be  registered to vote.

“Also when you have many women vying for a position, we must ensure that the  best woman for the position  emerges”, she said.

Earlier, Dr Adetoun Dally, Global President of WCA, said the need to influence patriarchal attitudes  towards leadership in  society was urgent now more than ever before.

“A few African countries have come to realise that the unique perspective to issues that concern women and children can only be provided by women due to our inherent nurturing abilities.

“Namibia and Ghana have welcomed women in political leadership while Rwanda stands in a class of its own with about 63 per cent  of women in Political leadership positions being examples to the rest of Africa.

“We are gathered here to lend our voices to on-going conversations, to amplify, magnify and engage stakeholders and policy makers to create an enabling environment, challenge gender biases.

“We want to foster a shift in attitudes for women to ascend leadership positions in its entirety” she said.

In her closing remark, Dr Khadijah Abdullahi-Iya, Founder of WCA, said the body was a movement for the voices of women that have decided to come together for a better society.

“We must challenge barriers that hold us back, as our mission has always been to facilitate a process to legislate appropriate laws to inspire and empower children and women in Africa”, she said.

NAN reports that members of the Diplomatic community from within and outside the continent presented their goodwill messages at the event, including representatives of Rwanda, Pakistan and Belgium embassies in Nigeria.

Highpoint of the event was  a debate by Secondary School students on whether “Women Quota Should Be Made Compulsory in African Politics or Not.”(NAN)

Edited by Esenvosa Izah/Joseph Edeh

Dangote Cement sponsors Africa Housing Show 
Economy/Business

Dangote Cement sponsors Africa Housing Show 

By Nana Musa

The Dangote Cement is sponsoring the Africa International Housing Show (AIHS) which opened on Monday at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.

 

A statement from the company said aside from the sponsorship, the company is also participating in the event, which is the 19th in the series.

 

The statement signed by the spokesman of the company, Anthony Chiejina, said the event would host participants from 21 countries.

 

Chiejina said that the show was a rare platform for the company to connect with key players in the housing industry across the continent.

 

“As the Housing Show brings together over 40,000 participants, including key industry leaders, government representatives and investors, the Dangote Cement Plc will leverage on this opportunity to directly showcase its innovative products to clients and decision makers.”

He said that the company has consistently sponsored the Show over the years, assuring that it would continue to partner with key stakeholders to support the provision of shelter in Africa.

 

According to Chiejina, AIHS will help amplify the Dangote brand and boost strategic partnership with stakeholders.

 

He said that the theme of this year, “Reimagining Housing Through Innovation”, aptly resonates with the company’s core value.

 

Coordinator of the Show Festus Adebayo said that the housing deficit in the country can be mitigated through Public Private Partnership (PPP).

 

“Innovation and collaboration are top priorities for us, given the rapid technological advancements in housing construction, financing and system improvements.”

 

Adebayo said he was optimistic that the partnership with Dangote Cement Plc would help address the housing shortfall in the country.

 

He said that over 82 per cent of attendees hold decision making positions, ensuring exhibitors engage directly with individuals who have purchasing power.

 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Nigerian Institute of Building and other stakeholders in the housing industry had described the Dangote Cement Plc as one of the major drivers of real estate development in Nigeria.(NAN)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

African SME association seeks deeper sensitisation for stronger enterprises
Foreign , General News

African SME association seeks deeper sensitisation for stronger enterprises

By Fortune Abang

The All Africa Association for Small and Medium Enterprises (AAASME) has called for deeper sensitisation aimed at making Small and Medium scale Enterprises (SMEs) stronger and repositioned for growth.

The President of AAASME, Dr Ebiekure Eradiri, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.

According to him, proper sensitisation to the importance of SMEs will help create the much-needed awareness and advance business activities in Nigeria in particular and the continent at large.

Eradiri said, “There are 100 million SMEs in Africa, and then, the five regions of Africa are working with us as well, as structured for us to onboard all the SMEs.

“Interestingly, Nigeria has about 40 million SMEs, which is almost half of what you have across the continent, and so, Nigeria is critical for SME growth.

“SMEs are the engine room for economic growth. If SMEs are not active or not available, then how can you drive the AFCFTA effectively, which is the area we live in?.

“Therefore, there is a need for sensitisation to enable more people to harness the potential.

“SMEs should feature properly in all societies and take advantage of local and international markets, access opportunities for linkages, and be able to access finance that is critical to SME growth”.

He reiterated the need to stimulate SME operations’ ecosystem to bolster sustainable growth in the country.

The president stressed the major challenge facing SMEs had been that of critical engagement to ensure such goal is fully realised.

“There is a nexus between the private sector, business, and security. If you do not have a stable environment, you cannot even do business profitably.

“So, what we encourage is for SMEs to be prioritised, to perhaps help in silencing the guns through a platform for critical mass to engage in business ventures.

“By so doing, more people can get busy doing businesses that yield profit and, as such, not have time to carry guns. This is key to ensure the sustainability of the nation’s economy,” he said. (NAN)

Edited by Yinusa Ishola/Emmanuel Yashim

Adeniyi’s emergence as WCO Chairman victory for Nigeria, Africa  – Edoh
Economy/Business

Adeniyi’s emergence as WCO Chairman victory for Nigeria, Africa  – Edoh

By Diana Omueza

Dr Raymond Edoh, says the appointment of the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi, as Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) is a glory and victory for Nigeria and Africa.

Edoh, a stakeholder in the maritime sector, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja.

NAN reports that the WCO Council, the global decision-making body on customs administration, formally endorsed Adeniyi as Chairperson, effective July 1.

“The WCO plays a pivotal role in establishing international customs standards and practices, fostering global trade, and promoting economic development,” Edoh said.

“Adeniyi’s appointment is a glory and victory for Nigeria and Africa, and a monumental step toward strengthening our role on the global stage.

“The resounding confidence shown by WCO member states in electing him underscores his commitment to enhancing international customs cooperation, trade facilitation, and effective border management,” he added.

Edoh noted that the historic appointment not only affirmed Adeniyi’s exemplary leadership within the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), but also highlighted Nigeria’s rising stature in global affairs, particularly in trade and customs administration.

He emphasised that with Adeniyi at the helm of the WCO, strategic advancements in Nigeria Customs operations would align more closely with global standards and objectives.

Edoh also stressed the importance of maximising the potential benefits of the appointment for Nigeria and the African continent.

He called on the government to consider extending Adeniyi’s tenure as Comptroller-General to facilitate deeper collaboration between the NCS and WCO in pursuit of economic growth and regional security.

“There is a pressing need for digital transformation in Nigeria’s customs procedures to effectively combat illicit trade and foster sustainable practices.

“Extending Adeniyi’s tenure is crucial. He is a beacon of hope for Nigeria to address critical challenges with comprehensive and collaborative support from the WCO,” he said.

Edoh further stated that Adeniyi’s leadership would significantly enhance the capacity of Nigerian customs administration in promoting legitimate global trade.

“This is a valuable opportunity for the Nigerian government to strengthen international customs cooperation.

“Strong leadership at the helm of customs is essential to ensure unhindered trade flows and maintain Nigeria’s position as a global trading partner,” he added.

He urged all stakeholders to support Adeniyi’s leadership at the WCO by contributing expertise, technical knowledge, and innovative collaborations to protect and sustain the organisation and the Nigeria Customs.(NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Healthy population drives economic transformation – Experts
Health

Healthy population drives economic transformation – Experts

By Vivian Ihechu

Some health experts and financial executives have emphasised the direct link between healthcare infrastructure and economic transformation.

They spoke during a conversation on “Reclaiming Africa’s Destiny through Investment and Innovation in Health Care” at the Afreximbank Annual Meetings (AAM2005),  with the theme” Building the Future on Decades of Resilience”.

Mrs Oluranti Doherty, Managing Director of Export Development at Afreximbank, asserted that there is  a critical connection between national health and economic progress.

“We recognise that for Africa to achieve sustainable economic transformation, if it is going to be sustainable, we need a healthy population.

“Afreximbank has been innovative in recognising the connection between trade, economic transformation, and health security.’’

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the bank launched its Health and Medical Tourism Programme in 2012, predating global discussions about healthcare infrastructure.

“In 2012, we launched the health and medical tourism programme, and this was before anyone could connect the dots or make the connection between trade, there was an economic transformation.

“And this was also before people started talking about health, security, apprenticeship, the bank was innovative,’’ Doherty said.

Citing the AMCE, she said the investment targeted significant healthcare gaps, particularly in oncology, hematology, and cardiovascular treatments.

According to her, the state-of-the-art facility in Abuja represents a strategic approach to reversing medical brain drain and reducing costly medical tourism.

“Currently, African countries lose approximately Seven billion dollars annually through overseas medical treatments.

“Nigeria alone spends 1.1 billion dollars on medical procedures conducted outside its borders.

“We are African intellectual freedom fighters, fighting for financing, trade, and health security because we understand the fundamental connection between a healthy population and economic transformation,’’ Doherty said.

Also, Dr Brian Deaver, Chief Executive Officer of  AMCE,  highlighted the facility’s comprehensive approach.

“We’re not just building a hospital; we’re creating an ecosystem of medical excellence,” he said.

NAN reports that the centre  features 170 beds equipped with advanced technology and internationally recruited specialists.

The bank’s broader vision includes a two  billion dollars  financing programme dedicated to health and pharmaceutical development across Africa.

This initiative aims to support the African Union’s goal of achieving 40 per cent local vaccine and pharmaceutical manufacturing by 2040.

Prof.  Gulam Mufti, a key Advisor to the project, emphasised the transformative potential.

“This is about creating a leading global institution focused on research, innovation, and world-class treatment,” he said.

According to Mufti, a professor of Haemato-oncology, the investment goes beyond medical infrastructure, addressing critical challenges like sickle cell disease, which affects over 100 million people, with more than 65 per cent residing in Africa. (NAN)

Edited by Chioma Ugboma

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