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State Governments Advised to Enter into Trade and Investment Partnerships with Countries in Africa for Prosperity of Their People
State Governments Advised to Enter into Trade and Investment Partnerships with Countries in Africa for Prosperity of Their People
By: Michael Mike
State governments across the country have been advised to enter into trade and investment partnerships with counties on the African continent to improve welfare and prosperity of indigenes of their states, and boost intra-African trade.
The advice was given by President of the Nigeria-Namibia Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Ben Gbade Ojo while presenting a paper at the Namibia-Delta State Trade and Investment Summit held in Warri, Delta State
Ojo said state governments in Nigeria can boost their economies and create more employment opportunities for their peoples by promoting and engaging in trade and investment relations with African countries.
In his paper titled: “Unlocking New Trade and Investment Opportunities between Namibia and Nigeria,” Ojo stated that: “Trade is widely accepted as an important engine of economic growth and development. There are many regions and countries of the world that have been able to lift their people from poverty to prosperity through trade. In Africa however, trade has not served as a potent instrument for the achievement of rapid and sustainable economic growth and development”.
He lamented that “Intra-African trade (trade among African nations) stands at around 13% compared to approximately 60%, 40 %, 30% intra-regional trade that has been achieved by Europe, North America and the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) respectively. Even if allowance is made for Africa’s unrecorded informal cross-border trade, the total level of intra-African trade is not likely to be more than 20%, which is still lower than that of other major regions of the world”.
According to Ojo: “That African countries do not trade much with each other has meant that they have been unable to fully harness the synergies and complementarities of their economies and take full advantage of the economies of scale and other benefits (such as income and employment generation) that greater market integration would have provided. There are cases where products and services could have been sourced competitively from other African countries but were procured from outside the continent”.
He said: “Enhancing intra-African trade presents a multitude of benefits. It fosters the evolution of regional value chains and catalyzes productivity and innovation” adding that intra-African trade also enhances economies of scale which means that “as the scale of output goes up, average costs of productiondecline—at least up to a point.”
He congratulated the Delta State Government on this visionary initiative and called on all other states to join Delta State in promoting international trade and investments for the improved welfare and prosperity of their people and states.
The well attended summit was graced by His Royal Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse III, the Olu of Warri and His Excellency, Humphrey Geiseb, High Commissioner of Namibia to Nigeria, Cameroun and Chad. The Olu of Warri also hosted Mr. Ojo, the Namibian High Commissioner and other summit dignitaries at his palace.
State Governments Advised to Enter into Trade and Investment Partnerships with Countries in Africa for Prosperity of Their People
Education: Zulum upgrades infrastructure, teachers’ welfare
… orders more high Islamic colleges, libraries
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, held a high-level meeting on Thursday with key stakeholders in the education sector to review current challenges and outline fresh directives for improving learning outcomes, infrastructure, and coordination across the state.
The meeting, chaired by the Governor at the Council Chamber of the Government House in Maiduguri, brought together senior officials from the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation and heads of education boards, agencies, and institutions.
Zulum emphasised the synergy among all agencies in the education sector noting that with proper collaboration effective service delivery would be provided for the people of Borno.
Governor Zulum outlined a multifaceted plan to rejuvenate the education sector, which includes building houses for teachers, renovating dilapidated schools, providing professional development opportunities, and improving teachers’ access to resources.
The meeting was attended by the Deputy Governor, Umar Usman Kadafur, Acting Chief of Staff, Dr Babagana Mustapha Mallumbe, Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Engr Lawan Abba Wakilbe, among other senior officials.
… orders more high Islamic colleges, libraries
Meanwhile, as part of his policy direction for the education sector, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has directed the establishment of additional High Islamic Colleges in some local government areas.
The High Islamic Colleges are designed to offer a wide range of programmes, including traditional Islamic studies, literacy and numeracy, modern sciences, and vocational training.
According to Zulum, the High Islamic Colleges were to ensure the integration of the non-formal education sector with formal education. He also affirmed that the colleges will teach basic literacy, numeracy, and vocational skills to Almajiri pupils and will provide a second chance for out-of-school children who have exceeded the enrollment age.
In addition, the governor directed the establishment of additional state libraries in Biu, southern Borno, and Monguno, in the northern part of the state.
“Deliberately, I upgraded the Maiduguri library, with the aim of establishing another one in Biu and one in Monguno in order to promote reading culture, which is fast eroding. I want you to rejuvenate the reading culture by ensuring the library is effective. But most importantly, apart from the physical books, let’s put a mechanism for e-books in place,” Zulum said.
Education: Zulum upgrades infrastructure, teachers’ welfare
Police arrest suspected gunrunners, recover eight firearms in Kaduna
By: Zagazola Makama
Operatives of the Kaduna State Police Command have arrested two suspected gunrunners and recovered a cache of locally made weapons.
According to sources, the detectives acting on credible intelligence stormed Kurmin Kogi Village and apprehended the suspects Isah Bello, and Sa’idu Haruna, both of Damdami Village, Richifa Ward, Soba LGA.
The sources said the suspects confessed to being in possession of firearms and led investigators to their hideout, where four locally made guns and four locally made pistols were recovered.
The sources added that the suspects are in custody as discreet investigations continue.
Police arrest suspected gunrunners, recover eight firearms in Kaduna
Man attacked with hoe over alleged affair in Gombe
By: Zagazola Makama
Security personnel in Gombe have arrested a man for allegedly attacking another with a hoe over claims of adultery.
Sources told Zagazola Makama the incident occurred on Thursday at about 6:30 p.m. in Shongo Kagadama Village, Kwami Local Government Area, when one Musa Usman allegedly confronted Abdulmumini Misa, 38, accusing him of having an affair with his wife.
The suspect struck the victim on the head and injured his fingers on both hands, leaving him with serious wounds.
The victim was taken to the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe, where he is receiving treatment.
The sources say the suspect has been arrested and is under investigation.
Man attacked with hoe over alleged affair in Gombe
Separating facts from propaganda on alleged civilian casualties in Yankuzo, Zamfara
Education: Zulum upgrades infrastructure, teachers’ welfare
Police arrest suspected gunrunners, recover eight firearms in Kaduna
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