News
Ministry Of Defence, Solid Minerals Partner To Secure Mining Fields
Joel Ajayi
In a show of solidarity, the Ministry of Defence will collaborate with the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development on securing the mining fields across the country to make the sector realize its goal of contributing substantially to the gross domestic product and increasing revenue accruable to coffers of the government.
The Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru, and his counterpart, Alhaji Bello Matawalle, Minister of State Defence; on a courtesy visit gave this assurance while answering questions from newsmen.
Alhaji Badaru said:” The purpose of the visit by the two of us is to discuss how we can provide security in the mining areas, we are working to provide Security on the farms; as well as provide Security in the mining sector, to make the country earn the much need foreign currency; mining sector is critical to help rejuvenate the economy”.
Responding to the initiative of creating mining police by the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, the Minister of Defence lauded the concept, assuring it will receive the necessary boost from the military. He said ” we have to clear the territory as a military to ensure safety. When the Mining Police come, they can take it up from there and continue to provide security in those mining areas ”.
In his comments, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Oladele Alake reaffirmed: ” The main essence is to secure our minerals sector. I have been saying it, even to foreign and local investors. That we need to secure our mineral sector so that the operators both local and foreign can have an atree and unfettered atmosphere to operate so that we can derive maximum benefits from these God-given resources. And I have been saying that I am working in conjunction with the Ministry of Defence, inter-military agencies are involved, all the security architecture that we are reinvigorating.”
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.
-
Featured7 years agoLampard Names New Chelsea Manager
-
Featured7 years agoFG To Extends Lockdown In FCT, Lagos Ogun states For 7days
-
Featured7 years agoChildren Custody: Court Adjourns Mike Ezuruonye, Wife’s Case To April 7
-
Featured7 years agoNYSC Dismisses Report Of DG’s Plan To Islamize Benue Orientation Camp
-
Featured5 years agoTransfer Saga: How Mikel Obi Refused to compensate me After I Linked Him Worth $4m Deal In Kuwait SC – Okafor
-
Featured7 years ago
Board urges FG to establish one-stop rehabilitation centres in 6 geopolitical zones
-
Sports4 years ago
TINUBU LAMBAST DELE MOMODU
-
News2 years agoZulu to Super Eagles B team, President Tinubu is happy with you
