News
FCSC Receives New Permanent Secretary, seeks Staff cooperation
Joel Ajayi
In line with extant rules and regulations guiding the operations and movement of Officers in the Federal Civil Service; the Federal Civil Service Commission has warmly received a new Permanent Secretary into its fold. He is Dr. Yakubu Kofar-Mata, Ph.D. Dr. Kofar-Mata took over the mantle of administrative leadership of the Commission from Dr. Mrs. Mary Ogbe; who has been redeployed to the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development.
Speaking during the formal introduction ceremony held at the Boardroom of the Commission, the Hon. Chairman, Dr. Tukur Bello Ingawa OON, mni; stated that the movement of Dr. Ogbe is in line with the pooling system in the service: noting that ‘’there is no permanent station for any civil servant’’.
Furthermore, Dr. Ingawa commended the out-going Permanent Secretary for her initiatives and innovations which have made the Commission a conducive working environment for the staff.
He wished Dr. Ogbe a successful and fulfilling tenure in her new post. Similarly, some of the Commissioners in charge of some states of the Federation complimented and acknowledged Dr. Ogbe’s excellent performance in their goodwill messages during the ceremony.
While welcoming Dr. Kofar-Mata to the Commission, the Honourable Chairman expressed optimism of impactful contribution of the new Permanent Secretary to the realization of the mandate of the Commission.
He urged him to be open and transparent in the discharge of his responsibilities.
Responding, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Kofar-Mata thanked the Honourable Chairman and the Commissioners for the warm reception accorded him. He expressed delight at his posting to the Federal Civil Service Commission based on the pivotal role of the Commission to the continuous existence of the Civil Service, and his conviction that he would be able to contribute to making the Commission a great place to work. He indicated that he would observe, learn, follow due process and build a high performing team.
Also, it is worthwhile to note that a brief handover ceremony between the outgoing Permanent Secretary, Dr. Mrs. Mary Ogbe and incoming Permanent Secretary, Dr. Yakubu Kofar-Mata held immediately thereafter in the Conference room of the Permanent Secretary.
Speaking during the ceremony, Dr. Ogbe enjoined the management and staff to accord Dr. Kofar-Mata the requisite maximum cooperation and support to succeed in office.
News
AWESSA 2026: Customs Assures Border Cooperation for Women Entrepreneurs
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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