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Information, Solid Minerals Ministries Partner For Economic Growth

Published

3 years ago

November 24, 2023

Joel Ajayi

Both the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation and Solid Minerals Development will cooperate to make the solid Minerals sector actualize it’s goal of contributing significantly to the Gross domestic product of the country.

The Minister for Solid Minerals Development, Dr Oladele Alake made this known on Thursday when he received the Hon Minister of information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris in his Office in Abuja.

Dr Alake explained that the visit by the Hon. Minister of Information and National Orientation ( FMINO), Alhaji Mohammed Idris is most significant in view of the Ministry’s capacity to favourably project the Solid Minerals Sector of the economy in the public glare for economic gains and benefits to the country.

The Minister said: ” his visit has also shed light and put Solid Minerals in public glare . It is to our advantage, and mutual advantage and benefits”.

He further affirmed this strongly, saying ” We will seek your cooperation and infact , I can say categorically, we already have your cooperation in assisting the Solid Minerals sector to meet it’s stated objective of contributing significantly to the Gross Domestic Product of NIGERIA”.

While commending Mr President for appointing a committed and focused person as the Minister for Information and National Orientation, and describing his appointment as ” a round peg in a round hole ”; Dr Alake emphasized that ” In fact our aim and vision is to make this Ministry a very very impactful contributor to the gross domestic product, because it is the next Petroleum of Nigeria, and we have to put all hands together and very confident that together under the able leadership of the President, we are going to take Nigeria back to a higher notch”.

Responding, the Hon. Minister for Information and National Orientation Alhaji Mohammed Idris, affirmed the readiness of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation to cooperate with the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development towards achieving the vision of Mr President for diversifying the economy.

He foregrounded this by asserting that: ”This is the first ever visit as Information Minister I am making to any Ministry. This is the first one and I said, I won’t go anywhere without coming here. Because I want to draw participation of Nigerians to this very critical sector of our economy. It is very important that all of us recognize that, and to cooperate and also join him in pushing Mr President’s vision to this direction”.

Attesting to the dexterity focus and determination of Dr Alake as Minister for Solid Minerals Development, Alhaji Idris said he has successfully brought the Ministry to limelight and front burner of positive public perception.

”You can see that in the way he has handled the Solid Minerals Ministry. It is not a new Ministry , one of the oldest Ministries around. But not many people, when they say where is Solid Minerals Ministry, they will say where is that one.? “, the Hon Minister of Information and National Orientation stated.

Continuing, Alhaji Idris said:” But since he came here, he has managed to put the Solid Minerals sector in the front burner, to the extent that people are becoming extremely envious of this Ministry. Because of what he has done”.

Riding on these observations, the Minister further cited the advocacy visits of Dr. Alake abroad to drive foreign investors to the country, persuasively directing their attention to Nigeria as a destination point for mining.

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AWESSA 2026: Customs Assures Border Cooperation for Women Entrepreneurs

Published

3 hours 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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