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Borno Bans Street Begging

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By HASSAN JIRGI Maiduguri

Borno State government has banned street begging and loitering within and around Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC) and Jere local government area.

The ban was contained In a statement issued to Newsman by the Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Prof Usman Tar which was obtained by AljazirahNigeria in Maiduguri the State capital.

The statement reads, “In Borno State, street begging and aimless loitering are not in our character. We are dignified people.

“This is to inform members of the public that the Borno State Government has placed a strict ban on all street begging, loitering and gallivanting within and around Maiduguri Metropolis of MMC and Jere LGA.

“The ban applies to the following areas among others: All public buildings, all places of worship, all commercial premises, Musa Usman Secretariat, Monday Market, Old Maiduguri Market, Budum Market, Lagos Street, Custom Area, Post Office area, Galadima Junction, Police Commissioner Junction, Damboa Road, Baga Road, Dandal Way among others.”

According to the statement, the ban begins with immediate effect

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AWESSA 2026: Customs Assures Border Cooperation for Women Entrepreneurs

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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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