News
NYSC DG, Felicitates with Staff, Corps Members In New Year Message
By Joel Ajayi
The Director General of National Youth Service Corps NYSC Brigadier General YD Ahmed has sent his greetings and best wishes to al Staff and Corps Members as Nigerians usher in the year 2024.
In a statement signed by the Director General himself, the DG thanked NYSC staff who demonstrated greater zeal and dedication in discharging their responsibilities this year that is propelling the Scheme the more.
According to the statement, on behalf of the Management of the National Youth Service Corps, I felicitate with you on the New Year celebration. As we offer thanksgiving to God for His faithfulness and mercies, let us endeavor to be a reflection of His goodness in our society and embrace harmonious and peaceful coexistence.
“While thanking God for bringing us safely into another year, I commend you all most sincerely for what we achieved collectively in the past year which was made possible by your unflinching commitment to the pursuit of the noble objectives of the NYSC. It is my belief that we will demonstrate greater zeal and dedication in discharging our responsibilities this year.
“For us to build a country of our dreams which all of us can be proud of, I enjoin us to be more patriotic and rededicate ourselves to the ideals of nation-building. I particularly urge my dear Corps Members to sustain peaceful and harmonious coexistence with people of your host communities and shun acts that can tarnish the image of our country, NYSC Scheme and your families.
“As we enter the new year and get set to execute the programmes of the Scheme in line with our mandate, I urge us to remain diligent in our assigned duties and continue to work assiduously for the progress and success of the Scheme.
“The lessons of the past year will be useful in guiding us to success in the year ahead. Consequently, I implore that we sustain our exemplary good work ethics and strive to uphold the integrity of the Scheme at all times.
“Management, on its part, will continue to pursue and implement policies and programmes that have direct and positive impact on the welfare of staff and Corps Members, which is a key component of my policy agenda.
“As I pray for a glorious and eventful new year, It is my hope that 2024 will usher in better days for all of us. I wish you all a fruitful and prosperous year ahead.
“Happy New Year.”
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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