News
Zamfara Gov Pays Solidarity Visit To NYSC Over Abduction of Corps Members
Joel Ajayi
The Governor of Zamfara state, Dr. Dauda Lawal has expressed sympathy with NYSC over the kidnap of Prospective Corps members in his state some months ago.
He shared his feelings during his visit to the Director General of NYSC, Brig Gen YD Ahmed at NYSC Headquarters Maitama-Abuja.
Governor Lawal who described the abduction of the young graduates as very unfortunate assured his host that his office is working in collaboration with security agencies to ensure that they get released unharmed.
He equally reiterated that his administration is working round the clock in synergy with all security apparatus to make the state very conducive for continuous deployment of Corps members.
Responding, the Director General of NYSC appreciated the governor for identifying with the Scheme in its trying moment.
He equally used the medium to thank the government and good people of Zamfara state for standing by NYSC, particularly when he and management of the Scheme had to spend over two weeks in the state making effort to secure the release of the kidnapped Prospective Corps members.
Gen Ahmed specifically applauded the Emir of Tsafe, His Royal Highness Alhaji Muhammadu Bawa for his uncommon hospitality each time NYSC team was in his domain on account of the abductees.
Speaking further, the NYSC helmsman assured his visitor of the Scheme’s readiness to continue to deploy Corps members to the state as soon as the security situation improves.
It could be recalled that eight Prospective Corps members from Akwa-Ibom state were kidnapped in Zamfara state on their way to orientation camp in Sokoto state.
Meanwhile, the NYSC with the support of the security agencies have secured the release of two of the kidnapped Prospective Corps Members.
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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