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63rd Independence Anniversary: Fulfilling founding fathers dreams through 24 years uninterrupted Democracy, – says Akobundu

Published

3 years ago

October 2, 2023

…Urge other African countries to emulate the good example

Joel Ajayi

As Nigerians celebrates her 63rd Independence anniversary on 1st October 2023, the National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer AUDA-NEPAD/APRM Nigeria, Princess Gloria Akobundu, fsi has described the 24 years of uninterrupted Democracy of Nigeria as a fulfillment of the dreams of Nigerian founding fathers, urges other African countries to emulate the good gesture.

Akobundu stated this in her Independence Day message to Staff and Stakeholders of the Agency in marking the day.

She said Nigerians have every reason to celebrate despite the few challenges facing the Nation which the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) has shown strong commitment to tackling since the assumption of office.

According to Akobundu, Nigerians, particularly the youths should not give up on the nation, noting countless opportunities that abound in the country

which can be explored to make a good living for all.

“Youths of any nation is her strength and therefore Nigeria is blessed to have nearly 65 percent of her population as youths.

“President Tinubu has shown his great disposition to working with youth through his appointment of youths into key and sensitive positions in recent times.

“I also call for concerted effort from all Nigerians in supporting the Renewed Hope Agenda which encapsulates the 8-point Agenda of Mr President aimed at building the Nigeria of our dream,” she said.

“No nation can develop without the full cooperation and contributions of her citizens,” Akobundu added.

The Agency boss said AUDA-NEPAD Nigeria, in line with its mandate, would continue to attract partnerships, investment opportunities, resource mobilization, and other goodwill from well-meaning organizations, countries, and partners, desirous of contributing to the growth of the Nation.

Akobundu recalled that at the just concluded United Nations General Assembly, the Agency was able to secure a partnership deal between Nigeria, Princeton University, and the African School of Economics leading to the signing of an MOU by the Minister of Education on the sidelines of the UNGA

Again it held a high-level investment summit with investors and partners in collaboration with the AUDA-NEPAD Continental secretariat with a view to attracting investments in land restoration programmes of the government.

She said with the huge interest shown by investors, partners, and other participants at the event, Nigeria would soon start reaping the benefits.

Akobundu hinted that the Smallholder farmers project initiated by the Agency had been attracting a lot of interest from local and foreign investors, adding that the agency would continue to implement with vigor, all its flagship programs.

It will be recalled that the Agency successfully conducted Nigeria’s APRM Second Peer Review and it’s recommendations and findings report was adopted as a guide to other African nations with similar challenges at the 2022 African Union Summit.

The Review preferred solutions on five thematic areas namely: Economic Governance and Management; Democracy and Political Governance; Socio-economic Development; Corporate Governance; and Cross-cutting Issues.

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AWESSA 2026: Customs Assures Border Cooperation for Women Entrepreneurs

Published

6 hours 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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