News

Youth Minister, Jamila Bio Ibrahim Reaches Out To The Needy

Published

3 years ago

October 29, 2023

….. Calls for Unity and Patriotism.

Joel Ajayi

As a show of gratitude to Almighty God and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for her appointment as the Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim has distributed 2000 packs of food items as palliatives to the less privileged in Abuja.

The occasion took place serially at the National Ecumenical Centre and the National Mosque Yesterday, 28th October, 2023. was marked with prayer and lecture sessions with the theme of unity and Patriotism.

Speaking at the occasion the Honourable Minister explained that she decided to share palliatives instead of organizing parties because she believes that her appointment is a call to serve and there are a lot of less privileged people who are living below the poverty line due to the economic situation in the country.

She said, “I reflected deeply and realized that it is not really time for me to celebrate because of the situation of the country, and because my appointment is a trust bestowed on me, sometimes I consider it a burden but I am delighted to serve as I represent 75% of Nigeria population many of whom are living under the poverty line”.

The Minister disclosed that she intends to donate a total of five thousand packs of food items to be distributed to beneficiaries in Abuja and her home State, Kwara.

Dr. Ibrahim urged Nigerians to continue to pray for the administration of President Bola Tinubu to be able to steer the affairs of the nation in the right direction so as to move the nation to greater heights.

She handed over one thousand packs of food items to the representative of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Apostle Samson Fatokun, to be distributed to the needy among the clergy, women, and youth members of the Church.

In response, Apostle Fatokun who is also the General Secretary of CAN, appreciated the Honourable Minister for her kind gesture and promised that the palliatives will be given to the people they are meant for.

At the National Mosque Abuja, the Minister reiterated the reason for her decision to reach out to the needy instead of a jamboree adding that as a Muslim, she knows that her creator will question her on the way she handles her appointment as a Minister.

She called on Nigerians to put aside their differences and come together to build a greater and stronger nation.

One thousand packs of food items were also donated to the Mosque for onward distribution to the needy.

Imam Adeyemi and Hajiya Maryam Lemu who spoke on leadership, called on the nation’s leaders to lead with the fear of God and asked Nigerians to pray for their guidance and success.

Share on Facebook

News

AWESSA 2026: Customs Assures Border Cooperation for Women Entrepreneurs

Published

8 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.

Share on Facebook