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Chief Of Staff: Northern Youth Group Urges President-Elect to Appoint James Faleke.

Published

4 years ago

April 20, 2023

A Non-Political Northern Youth Group known as Arewa Social Youth Form, has urged the President- Elect, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu to appoint Hon.James Faleke as his Chief of Staff.

The group in a statement issued in Sokoto on Thursday said their recommendation followed several scientific evaluations of the names being mentioned in the media as contenders for the position.

The statement signed by Umaru Yahaya said the ambidextrous nature Hon.Faleke when he served as the Secretary of the APC Presidential Council puts him ahead of others, especially when the issue of balancing of offices is considered.

The statement reads, “Following series of media reports regarding who the President-Elect picks as his Chief Of Staff, it is imperative that some criterias and some scientific evaluations are needed to arrive at conclusion, regarding the right man for that sensitive office.

After series scientific evaluations, alongside Nigeria’s principle of zoning of offices, which endangers unity and peaceful co-existence, that the Arewa Social Youth Form is urging His Excellency, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, President-Elect to appoint Hon.James Faleke as his Chief Of Staff.

Hon. Faleke who has been a loyalist to the President-Elect for over 30 years, and his ambidextrous nature couple with his knowledge of the country exhibited when served as the Secretary of the APC Presidential Council; the major reason the APC triumphed in the North during the presidential poll.His administrative prowess, sagacity and his legislative knowledge are attributes needed to coordinate the staff of the president.
Hon. Faleke, being a highly-experienced lawmaker can build very cordial relationship between the Executive and legislative arms of government in the new dispensation because he represents the new generation of Nigerian political class, politically savvy and intellectually vibrant

It is in the best interest of the country to appoint a Northern Christian, especially at a time when the issue of Muslim- Muslim ticket is being used by some individuals to sow discord among Nigerians.” Yahaya said in a statement.

The group further urged the President-Elect not to follow the footsteps of the outgoing president Buhari, who upon becoming Nigeria’s president jettisoned the issue of zoning and balancing of power; an action that might hurt the north in the future.

“It therefore our plea to the Incoming President not to follow the footsteps of the outgoing president, who upon becoming the president of Nigeria jettisoned the principle of zonning and balancing of power.We hope this does not affect the north in the future.”The statement concludes.

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AWESSA 2026: Customs Assures Border Cooperation for Women Entrepreneurs

Published

9 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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