News
Imo Guber: Nwandu, Nzenwata, Others Instrumental To APC’s Triumph
By Uche Onyeali
Close watchers and followers of political activities in Imo State, especially last Saturday’s off-cycle gubernatorial election, have recounted how key figures from Ihitteafoukwu community, including Dr Okwudiri Nwandu and Chief Francis Nzenwata, played pivotal roles in securing a sweeping victory for Governor Hope Uzodinma.
A public commentator, Dim Emeka Obasi, who narrated this in a statement yesterday in Abuja, said the ancient town of Ihitteafoukwu in Mbaise, historically a stronghold of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, witnessed a significant political shift, as Nwandu, a respected philanthropist, rallied the bigwigs in the community to garner grassroots support for the All Progressives Congress, APC, and its candidate in the election.
Obasi said Nwandu’s strategic leadership and unwavering commitment contributed significantly to APC’s unprecedented success in Ihitteafoukwu, breaking a two-decade-long allegiance to the PDP.
He said Nwandu’s influence was amplified by a collaborative effort with other distinguished sons of Ihitteafoukwu including Chief Ethel Ugwu, Chief IG Okafor, Tony Anakani, Chief Francis Nzenwata, Adauctus Onuoha, media mogul, Obasi among others.
Obasi said their collective efforts, alongside numerous party faithful, booth leaders and APC leaders from other wards, proved instrumental in delivering a resounding victory for Uzodinma.
Expressing gratitude, Dr Nwandu acknowledged the dedication of the team, stating that, “I sincerely cannot thank these men and women enough who diligently worked tirelessly to ensure the victory of our amiable governor. May God crown our hard work with his enduring blessings.”
He added that the success story of APC’s triumph in Ihitteafoukwu and Mbaise reflects a strategic collaboration and a departure from decades-long political affiliations, marking a new chapter in the political landscape of the region.
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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