News
I Lost More Than A Governor, Olawande
The Honourable Minister of State for Youth Development, Mr. Ayodele Olawande has expressed grief over the death of Governor of Ondo state Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.
Gov. Akeredolu was the governor of Ondo State until his death on Wednesday following a battle with prostate cancer.
In a statement issued by the Head of Press and Public Relations of the Ministry, Maryam Umar Yusuf, Mr Ayodele Olawande said he lost more than a governor as Akeredolu was his adviser and guardian.
According to the statement, at the wee hours of Wednesday, the bell tolled for a father figure, an adviser, a counselor, and a guardian, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu (SAN).
“Arakunrin was much more than the governor of my state. He was in the class of people who were very dear to me. He cared for me so deeply and took a special and unexplainable liking towards me. Even in the most challenging and difficult period, Arakunrin always expressed his concerns over my personal well-being, often wrapping such jokes about me getting married. It is such a regret now that I would not have a chance to do that, which he had often spoken about in his presence.
“I have always held the belief that none of us stands alone in this world and that the death of any of us affects all of us. Indeed, this is one death that affects me so significantly, especially considering the strength and courage I draw from the exemplary life of Arakunrin. This is why even in death, his legacy of principled politics and fight for justice, which he pursued through his practice of the law, and his commitment to defending the truth would remain a guiding compass throughout my public service life.
“Today, we do not mourn Arakunrin; instead, we celebrate his life of achievement and impact. We celebrate the rich life of a man who showed us, through the force of his character, that fair and transparent success is possible. His life achievements, as Ondo State Attorney General, as president of the Nigerian Bar Association and governor of Ondo state, were glaring testimonies to his well-charted life.
“During this period, I stand in prayers with Mummy, Arabinrin Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, and my dear brother and friend, Babajide Akeredolu. I pray God accepts Daddy’s return, repose his beautiful soul, and watches over his legacy.”
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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