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FG To Collaborate With Dream Again Foundation On Inmate’s Transformation

Published

3 years ago

December 19, 2023

Joel Ajayi

The Honourable Minister of State for Youth Development, Mr. Ayodele Olawande has expressed the readiness of his Ministry to collaborate with Dream Again Prison and Youth Foundation to meaningfully impact the lives of young inmates in the Correctional Centres in Nigeria.

Mr. Olawande made this known during a courtesy visit by the leadership of the Foundation in his office at Federal Secretariat, Abuja.

The Minister, who described the foundation initiator as a gift to humanity, stated that most youths lack engagement. He therefore emphasized the need for the government and youth to work together to lead the youths aright.

While referring to the attitude of people to inmates in the correctional centres, Olawande said that everyone has a destiny, and no individual can be described as entirely bad.

*”Every life is a storyline. Stories can be realities when God is in charge. Unlock your mind and live your dream. If you do that, you won’t be hindered by what people say or do to you.”* He added.

The Minister, reminiscing about his life, noted that the goals of the foundation are similar to his theme in life, which is to put the people first. *”My dreams might be outside the prison, but I am also ready to take the dream to the prison if need be.”* He added.

Speaking further, Mr. Olawande commended the zeal, efforts, and volume of achievements by the Foundation and reassured them of his readiness to collaborate with them.

Earlier, the team lead and founder of the organisation Mr. Bashiru Adamu explained that the foundation originated from his community development service during his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Otukpo, Benue State.

He further said that the aim of the foundation is to equip young inmates with skills that will contribute to their productivity and success upon reintegration into society.

Mr. Adamu announced that the foundation has expanded its reach to six prison locations across Nigeria, including Lagos Abuja and Kaduna. He disclosed that his organisation had set up libraries and classrooms to empower youth in correctional centres who, according to him, constitute approximately 95% of the incarcerated population nationwide.

Recounting the foundation’s success stories, Mr. Bashiru cited the case of an inmate who sat for his SSCE and had his first degree while in the correctional centre. He disclosed that the inmate who is currently undergoing his masters degree programme has written a book with six hundred copies already printed and scheduled to be launched by the foundation next year.

Also speaking, a beneficiary of the foundation and former inmate, Mr. Akpoo Thomas Ogah shared his transformative journey, crediting Mr. Bashir and the Dream Again Foundation for changing his life through skill acquisition.

He informed the Minister that after he regained his freedom, he successfully launched his business and even participated in the prestigious National Expo 2020, where he represented Benue State and earned recognition from the Director General of the National Council for Arts and Culture.

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AWESSA 2026: Customs Assures Border Cooperation for Women Entrepreneurs

Published

1 hour 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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