Health

Canada, others seek more bi-lateral trade with Nigerians

Published

2 years ago

October 9, 2024

Canada, Europe and some Caribbean countries hjklare seeking more bi-lateral trade with Nigerians to boost mobility and migration.

They disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja at “The Investment Migration West Africa Roadshow 2024” organised by Henley and Partners, a global leader in residence and citizenship by investment.

Mr Ryan Guy, the Regional Director and Programme Managaer, Canadian Startup Visa Services, said that Nigeria was doing well business-wise and its economy growing rapidly which was an incentive for its citizens to expand into the Americas via Canada.

“We bring high net worth business people and their whole entire families to Canada to set up businesses to do bilateral trade with Nigeria and Canada.

“We actually accept more people from Nigeria into Canada than any other country and it is the third largest country that we bring into Canada.

“So for a lot of people, it’s access to capital and to education and the great thing about this is that when they get educated, they come back.

“So it’s a great way to do bilateral trade by education, by funding, and by opportunities. There’s a lot of things that Canada wants from Nigeria and West Africa”, Guy said.

The Managing Partner, Henley and Partners, UK, Stuart Wakeling, urged Nigerian investors to take advantage of investment opportunities abroad.
According to him, the company is giving opportunities to people who are open to change and who want to explore new opportunities, without forgetting their original heritage.

“Nigeria is a country rich with culture, opportunity and it’s own its fair share of uncertainty and limitations.

“If you are interested in exploring what we do, you are indeed in good company. We are growing steadily, because having a ‘plan b’ residence, or having greater global mobility via an alternative citizenship, or even increased business and lifestyle opportunity, is now paramount in an increasingly fractured and volatile world.

“It is a very simple fact that nobody can choose where they are born, it is indeed your own individual passport lottery.”

Wakeling said that along with the company’s partner firms, Henley and Partners offer additional or alternative citizenship and residence in the world’s leading jurisdictions.

“We are in fact the global leaders in investment migration and have over 25 years experience in revolutionising the industry and providing unparalleled levels of options and client satisfaction.”

The Executive Vice President, Mecan, Mehdi Kadri, said that the world of investment migration was increasingly dynamic and changing.

“Just this year, we have witnessed a large increase in costs for the Caribbean. Lately Portugal has removed its real estate entry point, Ireland has closed down, Montenegro closed down, Malta increase its prices along with Greece and Turkey and others.

“This means that now is the time to move forward because, as we have heard, demand for alternative or additional residence or citizenship is increasing dramatically and with that the prices and difficulties will follow”, he said.

On her part, the Founder of Bridge and Partners, Fatma Cayir, said her firm gives advice on full relocation, assisting investors and families relocating to the UK and setting up their businesses.

“As a firm, we handle all the legal work when it comes to UK immigration, we work with partners, businesses, entrepreneurs globally.”

She also advised that when considering expanding to the UK, what was important was understanding the UK market, understanding the legal system and working with professionals in specialised fields like immigration, tax, accountancy, real estate.

“So it’s really important to first know what the objectives are and what the requirements are before taking that first step.”

The Legal Consultant, Range Developments, Siobham Lloyed said the roadshow was a great opportunity for Nigerian investors who were interested in obtaining a second citizenship or passport to get first hand information about what obtains in the Caribbean.

The roadshow is part of the company’s ongoing efforts to present investment migration opportunities to wealthy individuals and business owners across the region.

NAN

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Health

Football Legends to Light Up Nigeria in NICRAT’s World Soccer Legends Cancer Match

Published

1 month ago

September 2, 2026

The Gleamer

By Joel Ajayi

Nigeria is set to witness a football spectacle as some of the world’s greatest football legends converge for the First World Soccer Legends War Against Cancer International Charity Football Match Nigeria 2026.

The star-studded event, backed by the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), is designed to combine football entertainment with a major campaign to raise cancer awareness, promote early detection and mobilise resources for prevention and treatment.

The initiative, themed “Play for Prevention, Score for Life,” was unveiled on Wednesday in Abuja with the official launch of the event logo, kits and a 60-day countdown to the international charity match.

The campaign is expected to feature former international football stars while bringing together cancer advocates, government institutions, corporate organisations, development partners and other stakeholders in a united effort against the disease.

Speaking on behalf of NICRAT Director-General, Prof. Usman Aliyu, Dr Margaret Sawyer said the institute was supporting the initiative because of its potential to take cancer-awareness messages to millions of Nigerians.

She said the campaign would go beyond fundraising by educating Nigerians on cancer prevention, early detection and the need to seek medical attention promptly.

According to her, football offers a unique platform for reaching diverse communities, while the influence of football legends could help deliver important health messages to a wider audience.

Earlier, National Coordinator of the Main Organising Committee (MOC), Mr Jacob Onu, said the event was conceived to transcend the boundaries of sport and evolve into a national and international movement against cancer.

Onu said the participation of former football stars would amplify messages on cancer prevention, screening, treatment, research and support for patients and survivors.

He added that the event would also celebrate life, honour those who had lost their lives to cancer and inspire survivors and people currently battling the disease.

“Together, through football, compassion and collective action, we can win the War Against Cancer,” he said.

Onu called on Nigerians across the 774 local government areas to become ambassadors of the campaign by promoting healthy lifestyles, regular medical checks and early medical intervention.

He also appealed to corporate organisations, philanthropists, international organisations, football stakeholders, media organisations and development partners to support the initiative.

The MOC coordinator commended NICRAT, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), sponsors, partners and other stakeholders for their support.

He assured that the organising committee would deliver an event capable of meeting international standards while creating a lasting legacy in cancer awareness, advocacy, humanitarian support and sports development.

In his goodwill message, President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Engr. Habu Gumel, expressed concern over the rising global cancer burden and called for sustained action beyond the charity match.

Gumel urged the organisers to extend the campaign beyond Abuja to communities across the 36 states, while calling on governments at all levels to strengthen cancer prevention, screening and treatment.

The NOC president pledged his support for the initiative and encouraged Nigerians to make regular cancer screening and periodic health checks a priority.

Also speaking, Director of Cancer Prevention and Control at NICRAT, Dr Usman Mohammed Waziri, reaffirmed the institute’s determination to ensure that the initiative produces a positive and lasting impact on Nigeria’s cancer-control efforts.

With the 60-day countdown officially underway, organisers said the World Soccer Legends Cancer Match would combine the excitement of football with humanitarian action, using the power and influence of football legends to drive a nationwide campaign against cancer.

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