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Govenor Alia, Deputy, Present as Emmanuel Akpakwu MFR Brings Ergo Smart City Homes to Benue State
It was controllable euphoria in Adem Makurdi, Benue State as bonafide son of the soil, Emmanuel Akpakwu MFR officially launched the building of Ergo SmartCity homes in Adem Makurdi, in Benue State.
The project which consists 300 units of smart homes was launched with Benue’s number one and two citizens, Governor Hyacinth Alia and his deputy, Dr. Sam Ode gracing the historic occasion in Makurdi.
The governor showered encomiums on Akpakwu for once again bringing massive investment to to his native land. Akpakwu has over time brought development strides and initiatives to the state and remains a popular figure amongst people in the state.
Speaking at the ceremony, Akpakwu said the first set of buildings at Ergo Smartcity will be built and completed within ninety (90) days, as all hands will be on deck to ensure its swift completion.
At the event, the contractor explained that the homes will be digitally-complaint, as it can be controlled from anywhere in the world. The homes will be designed in different sizes including 2 bedroom blocks of flats, 3 bedroom terraces, 4 bedroom semi-detached, and 4 bedroom duplex fully detached apartments will be erected and also automated with state of the art technologies.
“It gives me immense joy that we’re bringing Ergo SmartCity to this part of our dear nation,” Akpakwu said. “The people of Benue and everyone here also deserve to enjoy what we are offering. A blend of hospitality and modernity in housing and comfort”
Governor Alia, performing his first official groundbreaking ceremony thanked Emmanuel Akpakwu for bring the project to Benue and extolled his sense of identity for always putting his people at heart.
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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