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Kwara Gov Swears-in Sets Agenda For New Commissioner Nafisat Buge, Others

Published

3 years ago

December 22, 2023

… Posterity won’t forget Gov’s support for youth: Buge

Joel Ajayi

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Friday inaugurated Nafisat Musa Buge as Commissioner for Youth Development, charging her and other cabinet members to be good ambassadors of their constituencies and communities in and outside of government.

The Governor said her pick was on the strength of her “antecedents as a progressive political activist, her modest contributions to the growth of the party in her community, and her passion and consistent support for the administration”.

“You are joining an administration with a rich profile in youth empowerment, gender inclusion, community development, prudence, accountability, empathy for the poor and vulnerable, service and responsiveness to the plight of the people,” the Governor said.

“I expect you and all other officers of the government to fully key into these and be good ambassadors of your constituencies and communities in and outside of government.”

AbdulRazaq congratulated the new cabinet member and her family, and wished her the best in her service to the state.

At the event were the Secretary to the Kwara State Government Prof Mamman Saba Jibril; Chief of Staff to the Governor Prince Abdul Kadir Mahe; Commissioner for Communications Bola Olukoju; Commissioner for Planning and Economic Development Aliyu Kora Sabi; Senior Adviser and Counsellor Alhaji Sa’adu Salau;
Permanent Member, Kwara State Civil Service Commission Jamila Adamu Bake; among other government officials, bureaucrats, and relatives of the new commissioner.

Prof Jubril, in his introductory remarks, said her coming on board should be seen as a call to service and develop the state.

“You have been tested by the state government by sending your name to the State House of Assembly for screening, and you are fortunately considered fit for the job,” he said.

Buge, in a brief comment acknowledging the gesture, commended the youth inclusion policy of Governor AbdulRazaq which she said continues to inspire young people within and outside of the state.

“On behalf of the Youth constituency in Kwara State, I want to thank Your Excellency for making us real leaders of tomorrow, as we used to sing when we were in secondary schools. I thank you for giving us hope, for helping to fulfill our aspirations, and for being our supporter,” she said.

Buge pledged to offer her best in service to the state and humanity.

“Your choice of mentees will, in the next few years, by God’s grace, increase the number of committed young leaders in Nigeria. And history and prosperity will be kind to you.”

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AWESSA 2026: Customs Assures Border Cooperation for Women Entrepreneurs

Published

12 mins 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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