News

NASS, NEPZA, urge FTZs on need for strategic community regeneration

Published

12 months ago

November 21, 2024

The National Assembly and the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) are in agreement on the urgent need for Free Trade Zone Management Companies and their Enterprises to evolve a more impactful strategy for development and regeneration of their host communities.

This concession was reached on Monday when the Managing Director of NEPZA, Dr Olufemi Ogunyemi, led the members of the Senate Committee on Trade and Investment on a two-day inspection of activities of some Free Trade Zones located at the Lekki axis of Lagos State.

Sen. Sadiq Suleiman Umar, Chairman of the committee said that it was incumbent on the Free Trade Zone operators and their enterprises to continually assist host communities away from poverty.

Sen. Umar said the Federal Government was concerned on the current spiral `Corporate Social Responsibility’ interventions by the free trade operators in their host communities, adding that a well-defined and measurable approach was required for sustainable re-generation of the people.

“We are delighted with the enormous contributions of the scheme to our nation’s economy so far. From what we have seen, it is safe to say that the Lekki Quadrant provides the Free Trade Zone scheme with an excellent ambience which now serves as an economic gateway for our country.

The committee, and by extension, the National Assembly will be more gratified if the host communities are given more leverages to boost their prosperity in a measurable manner. For example, we want true data on the interventions as progressive reports on the wellbeing of beneficiaries and the impact such targeted actions have on the people.

“ The investors must also take deliberate steps at regenerating the entire Lekki environment in which they operate,’’ Sen. Umar said.
Dr Ogunyemi, while corroborating with Sen. Umar’s position, explained the need for speedy action by the Free Trade Zone operators across the country by adopting the Community Social Regeneration Concept without delay.

“We must continually give credit to His Excellency, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu whose foresight led to the setting aside of the area for economic emancipation.

“So, the regeneration of the host communities will enhance more mutuality, respect, and sustainability in bridging the prevailing development gap around the free trade zone ecosystem.

`It is important to state that the operators are obliged to look after the well-being of their host communities to avoid encroachment and conflict. Let us not use the scheme to promote the unpopulartale of two cites’ of wealth and squalor.’’ He said.

Dr Ogunyemi, who is also the chief executive officer of NEPZA, explained that the scheme had in the last one year deliberately promoted the community regeneration concept to exponentially increase the impact and benefit of the scheme to the population.

The areas visited were the Lekki Free Zone (LFZ); the Dangote Free Zone Enterprise, DFZE (Dangote Refinery); Lagos Free Zone (LFZ); Lekki Deep Seaport’; and a host of other enterprises within the zones.

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Nentawe Is a Unifier, Not a Fractionalizer

Published

3 hours ago

November 3, 2025

The Gleamer

Cyril Ogar

The North Central Youth Coalition for Asiwaju (NCYCA) wishes to address recent misguided comments and actions by certain unscrupulous elements attempting to undermine the National Chairman of our great Party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Yiltwalda Nentawe, and destabilize the harmony currently enjoyed within our ranks.

In a statement released on Monday in Abuja and signed by the National Coordinator of NCYCA, Mr. James Iorkusah, the group condemned these detractors and reaffirmed its unwavering support for the leadership of Prof. Nentawe.

According to the NCYCA, some so-called “support groups” — notably the All Progressives Congress Youth Solidarity Network (APC-YSN) — are not recognized by the official APC structure and therefore lack the legitimacy to speak for the Party. The statement described the APC-YSN as a fringe coalition of political opportunists bent on sowing division and confusion within the Party for the selfish interests of their sponsors.

“The public should not take these impostors seriously,” the statement read.

Contrary to the false narratives being peddled, the NCYCA emphasized that Prof. Nentawe’s leadership is anchored on unity, inclusion, and progress. His actions and policies have consistently demonstrated a sincere commitment to bridging internal divides, fostering collaboration, and promoting a shared vision for the future of the APC.

Since assuming office, Prof. Nentawe has worked tirelessly to strengthen internal cohesion, reconcile differing interests, and ensure that every member of the APC feels heard and valued. It is therefore unthinkable for any genuine stakeholder to call for his resignation on the baseless accusation of being a “disrupter.”

As a recognized youth support organization within the North Central region, the NCYCA urges all Party stakeholders to rally behind Prof. Nentawe in his quest to advance unity, inclusivity, and the expansion of the APC membership base — welcoming all Nigerians of goodwill, including Governor Caleb Mutfwang, whose name has been mischievously used by political saboteurs to stoke division.

Under Prof. Nentawe’s leadership, the APC has grown stronger, more participatory, and more representative — providing every member with a voice and an avenue for both personal and community growth.

The NCYCA deeply appreciates Prof. Nentawe’s unwavering dedication to the ideals of the All Progressives Congress and looks forward to continued partnership in building a more united, dynamic, and progressive Party.

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