News
SAYDI Africa Honours, INEC CPS Rotimi Oyekanmi, Mandela As An Icon of Nation Building in Africa
Joel Ajayi
The Pan Africa group known as Stay Africa Youth Development Initiative (SAYDI Africa) has honored the Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC Professor Mahmood Yakubu, the chairman, Mr Rotimi Oyekanmi, and one of the world’s greatest leaders the former South African President Nelson Mandela, as an icon of nation building in Africa.
SAYDI AFRICA was at the INEC Head office on Friday in Abuja to celebrate Mr Oyekanmi’s contribution and service to the nation and and the continent.
Speaking at the occasion, the President of Stay Africa Youth Development Initiative (SAYDI Africa) Amb. Matthew A. Mensah said Mr Rotimi Oyekanmi is the bridge between the society and INEC.
According to him, he is A man who has served diligently in his country and by extension Africa and he’s a key support to the Chairman INEC towards the success recorded.
While the General Secretary of SAYDI AFRICA Mr Eveh Dominic, also commended the CPS. Saying his good work singles him out.
Today, we are in a society where nothing is hiding, if someone is in a position and does bad it will be all over social media, but MR ROTIMI has rendered service to humanity for over 20 years of service to INEC this laudable and should be appreciated by all that is why we are here to celebrate him for his good work in building the nation.”
He, however, used the medium to call on the youth to shun drugs and other related vices for the growth and development of themselves and their society at large. “As we seek partnership for our drug abuse campaign, we encourage African youths to shun drugs and other vices.”
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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