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2023 General Election: AUDA-NEPAD Calls For Violence-Free Election, As Campaigns For Silencing The Gun Continues

Published

4 years ago

February 21, 2023

Joel Ajayi

Agency in charge of Africa strategic policy framework for the entrenchment of sustainable economic growth and development, African Union Development Agency/New Partnership for Africa’s Development AUDA-NEPAD on Tuesday has sued for violence free Election in the forthcoming general billed for this month.

The National Cordinator, AUDA-NEPAD Princess Gloria Akobundu made the call in Abuja At the media briefing on the launch of Nigeria 2nd country review report (CRR)/National Programme of action (NPoA) and zonal sensitization on violence-free election to sensitizes Nigerian on the Silencing the gun, say no to violence campaign for purpose of economic acceleration.

According to her, the violence free Election sensitization is timely and critical towards the upcoming General elections judging from the tension-induced element that have pervaded the environment prior to this Election and still persists and waxing stronger. If left unchecked and unmanaged with seriousness, could be a cause for great concern.

“Election violence induces fear of physical injury and actual loss of life, resulting in psychological effects on individuals and society which are resultant impacts expected from fraud, vote-buying and other varieties of electoral manipulation.

“The Second Country Report of the Federal Republic of Nigeria strongly recommended the need for collaborative efforts in addressing challenges escalating conflicts and violence in the country through early warning mechanism which includes advocacy, negotiation and sensitization. Notably, Electoral Violence has been a re-occurring problem and threat to achieving democracy and good governance in Nigeria and Africa at large.

“This challenge is inimical to Democracy and efforts must be made to combat it. African Union has currently expressed serious concern in elections and political transitions which often posed serious threats to the unity and stability of member states and Nigeria inclusive.

She therefore, urged all Stakeholders, to blow the trumpet of No Violence during elections: “Let us go back home and talk to the people on this monster called “Violence.”

“Mothers please tell your children they should not be involved in any form of violence because they may die for nothing.”

Princess Akobundu commended the President Muhamadu Buhari, the Governors of the 36 States and the FCT Minister as well as the Security Agencies, NISS, TRIs for their cooperation and support during the nationwide country self-assessment and validation exercise.

It will be recalled that, AUDA-NEPAD/APRM Nigeria kick-off the Violence Free Election Sensitization Campaign in North East- Bauchi, South west-Lagos and North central-Abuja in line with the early warning mechanism and Silencing the Gun for a credible, free and fair General election devoid of violence and related causalities to bequeath to the nation a peaceful transition from one government to another.

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AWESSA 2026: Customs Assures Border Cooperation for Women Entrepreneurs

Published

2 days ago

October 25, 2026

The Gleamer

By James Samuel, Abuja

The Nigeria Customs Service has said the nation’s borders must become gateways of opportunity for African women entrepreneurs, not obstacles that kill their businesses.

This was disclosed at the African Women’s Economic Sovereignty Summit and Awards (AWESSA) 2026 held at the Customs House, corporate headquarters of the Nigeria Customs Service in Abuja.

Representing the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, his representative, an Assistant Controller, said hosting the summit inside Customs premises was deliberate.

“That this summit holds within the Customs premises is no accident. It is a statement of intent,” he said.

“The border is where the promise of every African trader either comes alive or dies quietly. And the men and women of this Service have resolved that for every woman entrepreneur of this continent, that promise will never die.”

He said women account for an estimated 70% of informal cross-border trade in Africa and over half of agricultural labour, yet they face documentation, standards, finance and harassment challenges.

“Too often she meets the border as an obstacle rather than a gateway. Because she trades in small volumes, in cash, in informality without formal papers, capable business women are now trapped in informality, invisible to trade statistics,” he noted.

He added: “AfCFTA will not be delivered by treaties alone. It will be delivered at border posts, in conference halls, and in market stores.”

Also speaking, the Executive Director of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Mrs. Nonye Ayeni, represented by a Director, said women are central to Nigeria’s non-oil export sector.

According to her, NEPC’s focus is now on building export- ready competitive enterprises through programmes like the Women in Export Initiative, Export Clinic, and Zero to Export.

“Our focus is no longer on encouraging exports alone, it is on building competitive export-ready enterprises. We are supporting women to move beyond production into value addition, quality assurance, standard compliance, branding and market positioning,” she said.

She said AfCFTA offers a market of over one billion people, but women need knowledge, certifications and institutional support.

“Empowering women economically is one of the most effective tools for achieving poverty reduction, food security, job creation and inclusive growth,” she stated.

The Convener, Helen Okon, who is the Publisher of Business Review Africa & Africa Today Magazine, as well as representatives of NAFDAC DG and NEXIM Bank MD, reaffirmed commitment to supporting women-owned businesses access standards, certification and finance.

The summit, with the theme of positioning women as drivers of trade and sustainable development, is part of activities marking the International Year of the Women Farmer.

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