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Nigeria D8 Secretary General reiterates needs for materilisation of preferential trade agreement among members
By John Adebusuyi, Abuja
The Nigeria Secretary General, Developing Eight Organisation for Economic Cooperation (D-8) Ambassador Isiaka Abdulqadir Imam, has reiterated the need for materialization of the D-8 Preferential Trade Agreement to harness the immense economic potential for promoting trade among the Member States.
Ambassor Imam made the called during his maiden visit to Bangladesh, to meet with the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon’rable Sheikh Hasina, at the Ganobhaban State House in Dhaka on Wednesday.
Briefing the Prime Minister who is also currently chair of D-8 on the activities and initiatives of the Organisation highlightes the new projects and initiatives to be undertaken by D-8.
According to him, some of the initiatives include, the D- Payment Card system, the D-8 International University at Hamedan, Iran, D-8 Network of Pioneers Research Institute in Pakistan, D-8 Health and Social Protection Prorgamme in Abuja, Nigeria and the D8 Agriculture Research Centre in Faisalabad, Pakistan.
He pointed out that the Visa Agreement and the D-8 Designated Airports initiatives is aimed at making traveling easy for business people from the member countries.
He expressed his resolve to further promote the visibility of the organization through enhancing project-based cooperation among Member States, so that the benefits of such cooperation would reach the grassroots level.
On the forthcoming silver jubilee celebration of the founding of D-8 organization, Ambassador Imam used the opportunity to invite the Prime Minister to share a special message during the 25th Anniversary coming up in June this year.
The parties further underscored the urgent need for the Member States of D-8 to enhance economic cooperation to enable the organization realize its full potential. They also agreed to promote joint training programs
While receiving the Secretary General, Prime Minister Hasina, congratulated Ambassador Imam on assumption of Office as D-8 Secretary General, while hoping that his leadership would add further dynamism in introducing new ideas for innovative partnership among D-8 Member States.
Hasina said that the D-8 Member States have the potential of emerging as a powerful economic block, adding that her country being a founding member of D-8 organization would desire further cooperation in the six key priority areas of D-8 namely trade, agriculture, economy, tourism, transport and energy towards enhancing the socio-economic development of Member Countries.
She expressed the readiness of her government to make available to Member States exclusive facilities and land in Bangladesh’s ‘Special Economic Zones’ and invited Member States to latch on this opportunity to further enhance economic cooperation.
Sheikh Hasina apprised the visiting Secretary General of the success her country had achieved in the agricultural sector, saying that their researchers have developed the drought and saline–tolerant variants of rice and that Bangladesh can share its experiences with D-8 countries in the agricultural sector.
She added that Bangladesh has also achieved tremendous feat in digital transformation and was prepared to share her experience with the Member States to enhance cooperation in the field of ICT, stating that her government was prepared to provide one of its ICT Parks to the D-8 Organization to enhance cooperation in ICT.
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Nigeria’s Historic Bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games: A Call for National and Global Support
Joel Ajayi
Nigeria is poised to make history as it seeks to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, a monumental opportunity that promises to transform the nation’s economy, infrastructure, and global standing.
More than a sporting spectacle, the Games would serve as a catalyst for development across multiple sectors, leaving behind a legacy of national pride and sustainable growth.
The benefits of hosting the Games extend far beyond the sports arena. Nigeria stands to gain both empirical and non-empirical advantages, with direct, indirect, and induced impacts that will touch every corner of society. Infrastructural development will take center stage, with new facilities such as indoor sports halls, conference centers, and improved road networks reshaping urban landscapes while strengthening the nation’s capacity to host future international events.
Economic growth is another significant dividend. Over 10,000 jobs are expected to be created, spanning construction, facility management, event planning, and tourism services.
The hospitality industry will undergo major improvements as hotels and resorts are upgraded to meet international standards, while local restaurants, lounges, and tourist attractions will see a surge in patronage from international visitors. Small and medium enterprises, particularly in the transport, finance, and food service sectors, will become some of the greatest beneficiaries, as the Games generate new demand and expand opportunities for local businesses.
The Commonwealth Games will also accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s sports industry.
Investments in training facilities, coaching, and talent development will inspire a new generation of athletes, ensuring long-term benefits that extend beyond 2030, a major focus of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
At the same time, the process of preparing for the Games will create opportunities for Nigerians to learn new crafts, acquire technical skills, and engage in global-standard event management, thereby strengthening human capacity and innovation across industries.
Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the Nigeria Sports Commission, and Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director General, have been widely recognized for their tireless and visionary leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s sporting sector.
Their commitment to facilitating infrastructural development and strengthening grassroots sports development has laid the foundation for Nigeria’s bold bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Under their leadership, the NSC is fostering strategic partnerships and driving innovation in sports administration, they have demonstrated the nation’s readiness to stage an event of such global magnitude.
Beyond the tangible gains, the hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games carries profound symbolic value. It would be a moment of unity and pride, a chance for Nigeria to showcase its cultural richness, resilience, and excellence to the world.
As a centenary edition, the Games would stand as a historic milestone not just for the Commonwealth but for Nigeria itself, cementing its place on the global stage as a capable, ambitious, and forward-looking nation.
The gains from hosting the Commonwealth Games can never be undermined or overemphasized. This is Nigeria’s time to step forward and show the world our resilience, and excellence. We call on every Nigerian, across sectors and communities, to support this noble aspiration.
Nigeria’s pursuit of the 2030 Commonwealth Games is a vision for transformation, a blueprint for national development, and a legacy project that will inspire generations to come.
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