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NYSC Urges Corps Members On Peaceful Co-Existence

Published

3 years ago

November 29, 2023

….As Abia Swears-in 1,698 PCMs

Joel Ajayi

The Director General of the National Youth Service Corps, Brigadier General YD Ahmed has advised Corps Members to live in peace with one another, make new friends, and use the opportunities of the service year to foster national unity and integration.

He gave the advice in his address to the 2023 Batch ‘C’ Stream Two Corps Members during his visit to Abia State Orientation Camp in Umuna, Bende Local Government Area of the State.
General Ahmed said the Scheme was established to foster national unity and integration, hence the need for all serving and prospective Corps Members to key into the NYSC project for national development.

Speaking further, the Director General warned the Corps Members against night traveling and also traveling without obtaining permission from the Scheme. He warned that unauthorized traveling attracts sanctions in line with NYSC bylaws.

The Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti in his address at the Swearing-in Ceremony urged the Corps Members to utilize the abundant opportunities around them to develop themselves and also use them to contribute their quota to the socio-economic development of the State.
The Governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Sir Nwobilor Ananaba promised his continuous support for the NYSC in Abia State.

He advised the Corps Members to abide by the tenets of their Oath of Allegiance and conduct themselves as good ambassadors of their families, institutions, and NYSC during and after their service year.

In her address, the NYSC Abia State Coordinator, Mrs Dick-Iruenabere Ufoma urged the Corps Members to participate fully in all Orientation Camp activities, as they would serve as veritable tools in the dissemination of information and aid the implementation of the laudable policies of the State Government.

“The NYSC Management will give you the necessary support to make the desired impact. The Scheme also aims at inculcating discipline in our youths and instilling in them the spirit of patriotism and loyal service to the nation.

You must obey all camp officials and no form of insubordination, truancy, including drug abuse and secret cult activities will be tolerated in camp and throughout the service year”, she said.

During the ceremony, the Abia State Chief Judge, Justice Lilian Abai represented by Justice Anya Benson administered the Oath of Allegiance on the 1,698 Prospective Corps Members made up of 891 males and 807 females.

General Ahmed, who was among the dignitaries that witnessed the Swearing-in Ceremony was accompanied by the Director, Special Duties, Alhaji Musa Abubakar, and Director of Press and Public Relations, Mr Eddy Megwa.

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AWESSA 2026: Customs Assures Border Cooperation for Women Entrepreneurs

Published

2 hours 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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