News
NYSC To Strengthen Partnership With SMEDAN For Corps Members Empowerment
Joel Ajayi
The National Youth Service Corps has said it would continue to strengthen its existing relationship with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) towards creating enabling environment for more Corps Members in the growth of small and medium scale enterprises in the country.
The Director General of National Youth Service Corps, Brigadier General YD Ahmed stated this on Wednesday while playing host to the Director General of SMEDAN, Mr Charles Odii, who paid him an advocacy visit at the NYSC National Directorate Headquarters in Abuja.
The NYSC Director General said the Scheme would continue to encourage Corps Members to develop their talents and skills for self empowerment.
Ahmed, who appreciated SMEDAN for it’s roles of assisting small and medium scale enterprises to overcome poor infrastructure in the management of business operations and accessing financial services described Corps Members as versatile youths with good potentials that should be helped to develop themselves.
“We will set the ball rolling and we want to assure you of every support that you need for the benefit of the Nigerian youths”, the DG said.
Speaking earlier, the SMEDAN DG, Mr Charles Odii said there is the need for a more robust partnership with the NYSC in line with Federal Government’s drive towards job creation and youth empowerment.
He stated further that school leavers should be assisted on how to look inward in their environments to create jobs, start small businesses in order to grow national economy.
“We are here to renew our partnership with NYSC and revamp the SAED programme to make it more lucrative”, the SMEDAN DG said.
News
Ogunlesi backs Tinubu reforms as FIRS chairman Adedeji highlights export-led economy
Joel Ajayi
After a high-level meeting with President Bola Tinubu in Abuja, Nigerian-born global investor Adebayo Ogunlesi expressed renewed confidence in the country’s economic reforms, indicating potential mega investments across energy, aviation, and port sectors.
He was joined in that optimism by Zacch Adedeji, Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), who stressed that the reforms were laying the groundwork for an export-driven economy.
Speaking to journalists after the closed-door meeting, Ogunlesi praised the sweeping policy changes under Tinubu’s administration, including the removal of subsidies, tax reforms, and the revival of a refinery already exporting aviation fuel.
“We had an excellent meeting where we discussed how to put Nigeria front and center for international investment. The President was very encouraging, and we shared useful suggestions on driving economic growth,” Ogunlesi said.
Although he declined to reveal specific details, Ogunlesi confirmed that his firm is actively investing in Nigeria and assessing new opportunities.
“Watch this space. Nigeria is not yet the most exciting investment destination, but that’s what we are working on,” he teased.
Pressed on the sectors of interest, Ogunlesi highlighted energy, gas, aviation, ports, and renewables. Drawing on his firm’s experience with LNG projects in Texas and Australia, he noted Nigeria’s massive untapped gas reserves.
On aviation, he acknowledged his reputation as “the guy who bought Gatwick Airport” and signaled interest in similar ventures locally.
He also admitted that one of his companies operates ports in Cotonou and Lomé but none in Nigeria, a point Tinubu reportedly challenged him on.
“He forgave me but said, ‘you have to bring port investment to Nigeria,’” Ogunlesi recounted with a smile.
International investor Hakeem Bello-Osagie, who was also present, underscored the importance of diaspora participation in Nigeria’s growth story.
“When Nigerians at home and abroad invest in Nigeria, it sends a strong signal to the world,” he said, lauding Tinubu’s policies for making the country “investable.”
Echoing the sentiment, FIRS chairman Adedeji described the reforms as the foundation for an export-led economy.
“We’ve done the fundamentals, and now it is time to deliver growth,” he said.
With global players signaling confidence, the momentum for Nigeria’s economic repositioning is gaining ground, setting the stage for transformative investments in key industries.
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