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NASS, NEPZA, urge FTZs on need for strategic community regeneration
The National Assembly and the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) are in agreement on the urgent need for Free Trade Zone Management Companies and their Enterprises to evolve a more impactful strategy for development and regeneration of their host communities.
This concession was reached on Monday when the Managing Director of NEPZA, Dr Olufemi Ogunyemi, led the members of the Senate Committee on Trade and Investment on a two-day inspection of activities of some Free Trade Zones located at the Lekki axis of Lagos State.
Sen. Sadiq Suleiman Umar, Chairman of the committee said that it was incumbent on the Free Trade Zone operators and their enterprises to continually assist host communities away from poverty.
Sen. Umar said the Federal Government was concerned on the current spiral `Corporate Social Responsibility’ interventions by the free trade operators in their host communities, adding that a well-defined and measurable approach was required for sustainable re-generation of the people.
“We are delighted with the enormous contributions of the scheme to our nation’s economy so far. From what we have seen, it is safe to say that the Lekki Quadrant provides the Free Trade Zone scheme with an excellent ambience which now serves as an economic gateway for our country.
The committee, and by extension, the National Assembly will be more gratified if the host communities are given more leverages to boost their prosperity in a measurable manner. For example, we want true data on the interventions as progressive reports on the wellbeing of beneficiaries and the impact such targeted actions have on the people.
“ The investors must also take deliberate steps at regenerating the entire Lekki environment in which they operate,’’ Sen. Umar said.
Dr Ogunyemi, while corroborating with Sen. Umar’s position, explained the need for speedy action by the Free Trade Zone operators across the country by adopting the Community Social Regeneration Concept without delay.
“We must continually give credit to His Excellency, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu whose foresight led to the setting aside of the area for economic emancipation.
“So, the regeneration of the host communities will enhance more mutuality, respect, and sustainability in bridging the prevailing development gap around the free trade zone ecosystem.
`It is important to state that the operators are obliged to look after the well-being of their host communities to avoid encroachment and conflict. Let us not use the scheme to promote the unpopulartale of two cites’ of wealth and squalor.’’ He said.
Dr Ogunyemi, who is also the chief executive officer of NEPZA, explained that the scheme had in the last one year deliberately promoted the community regeneration concept to exponentially increase the impact and benefit of the scheme to the population.
The areas visited were the Lekki Free Zone (LFZ); the Dangote Free Zone Enterprise, DFZE (Dangote Refinery); Lagos Free Zone (LFZ); Lekki Deep Seaport’; and a host of other enterprises within the zones.
News
Eagle Times Newspaper Will Be Voice for Nigerians – Publisher Chukwunyere Vows
Joel Ajayi
The Publisher of The Eagle Times Nigeria, Sir Ikechukwu Chukwunyere, has pledged that the newspaper will promote accountability, credible journalism and public-interest reporting in its coverage of national affairs.
Chukwunyere made the commitment on Thursday, October 1, 2026, during the official unveiling and launch of The Eagle Times Nigeria.
He said the new media organisation was established not merely to add another newspaper to Nigeria’s media landscape, but to provide a platform committed to serving the public interest.
According to him, the newspaper’s guiding philosophy, “The Voice for the People, The Watchdog for the Nation,” places a responsibility on the organisation to listen to Nigerians, tell their stories, highlight issues affecting their daily lives and scrutinise those entrusted with public responsibilities.
“To be a voice for the people means that we must listen to Nigerians, tell their stories, highlight their concerns and give visibility to issues that affect their daily lives,” he said.
The publisher added that The Eagle Times would be guided by accuracy, fairness, professionalism, credibility and responsible journalism, stressing that the newspaper would not publish stories merely because they were sensational.
“We will verify. We will investigate. We will seek the other side. We will correct our mistakes when we make them,” he said.
Chukwunyere further stated that the newspaper would endeavour to give individuals and organisations the opportunity to respond whenever allegations were made against them.
“Our commitment is not to any political party, government or individual. Our primary commitment is to journalism, to truth and to the Nigerian public,” he said.
He noted that the newspaper was launching at a time when the media industry was undergoing rapid transformation, with audiences increasingly consuming news through digital platforms, including websites, television, podcasts and social media.
He said The Eagle Times would therefore operate as a multimedia organisation, combining its newspaper with digital platforms and The Eagle Times TV to reach audiences across different channels.
According to him, the organisation also intends to create opportunities for young journalists, writers, photographers, producers, digital creators and other media professionals to develop their skills and contribute to journalism and national development.
Chukwunyere said the newspaper’s coverage would include politics, governance, business, economy, security, judiciary, education, health, technology, sports, entertainment, lifestyle and international affairs.
He, however, said the organisation intended to distinguish itself not only by the subjects it covered but by the quality and approach of its journalism.
We want to tell stories that matter, we want to investigate issues that require investigation, we want to highlight Nigerians who are making a difference, and we want to give communities that are often ignored an opportunity to be heard,” he said.
The publisher acknowledged the challenges involved in establishing a newspaper, saying the venture required investment, commitment, professional discipline and the courage to pursue an idea.
He expressed appreciation to the management, editorial, reporting, production and digital teams, as well as families, friends, partners and supporters who contributed to the establishment of the organisation.
Chukwunyere also assured readers, viewers and the newspaper’s digital audience that The Eagle Times would strive to earn their trust and remain accountable to the standards it had set for itself.
He said the newspaper’s success would not be measured only by circulation figures, website traffic or social media followers, but also by the confidence Nigerians placed in its journalism.
“Today, we spread our wings. Today, The Eagle Times takes flight,” he said, reaffirming the newspaper’s commitment to its slogan: “The Voice for the People, The Watchdog for the Nation.”
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