News
Governor Radda Disburses N640m Bursary Allowances, Awards N10m to 210 Brilliant Students
By Joel Ajayi
As part of his avowed commitment to reviving the fortunes of the Katsina State’s education sector, Governor Dikko Umaru Radda, has flagged off the disbursement of over N600 million as scholarship allowances to students of the State at various higher institutions of learning.
At the premises of the Katsina State Scholarship Board, the venue of the flagging off, Governor Radda also presented the ‘Maiden Katsina State Government Award of Academic Excellence to Students with Higher CGPA (4.50 and Above)’.
According to the Governor, the approval of N640,648,546 for the payment of scholarships to the fresh and returning students of the 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 academic sessions is a clear testimony of his administration’s commitments to bringing succor to Katsina students in tertiary institutions, across the State.
“We shall continue to make life better for our hardworking and brilliant students. The prompt payment of these scholarships is aimed at reducing the economic hardship of several parents in our dear State.
“The award of academic excellence is my brainchild to inspire our younger generation to face their studies squarely. The rationale of the award is to reward hard work and encourage competition among Katsina students.
“No fewer than 210 brilliant Katsina students with 4.5 cgpa and above, today will receive N50,000 each. The beneficiaries cut across universities, polytechnics, and Colleges of Education, CoEs,” he said.
Governor Radda further disclosed that the Katsina Government is already building three model schools across the State for indigent, but gifted children to have the opportunity of rubbing shoulders with their counterparts from influential backgrounds.
In his remarks, the Commissioner of Higher, Technical and Vocational Education, Prof. Abdulhamid Ahmad, commended Governor Radda for the payment of the scholarships and academic awards of excellence, maintaining that Katsina’s education sector, under Dikko Radda, is being transformed.
In his keynote address, Executive Secretary of the Katsina State Scholarship Board, Dr. Aminu Salisu Tsauri, expressed gratitude to some members of the National Assembly who complemented the Katsina Government’s efforts by assisting students in their areas with tuition fees.
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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