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VP Shettima: We’re Building Bridges To Take MSMEs Across Borders Of African Market

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VP Shettima: We’re Building Bridges To Take MSMEs Across Borders Of African Market

  • Inaugurates committee on hosting of 4th AU MSME Forum in Abuja

By: Our Reporter

The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has said the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has already taken bold steps to construct digital highways and bridges that would carry Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across borders into the heart of the African market.

According to him, while over 83 per cent of employment in Africa lies in the informal economy, the continent is not short on ideas and digital innovation that offer an unprecedented window to compete with the rest of the world.

Senator Shettima stated this in Abuja on Monday when he inaugurated the oversight committee recently approved by President Tinubu to organise Nigeria’s hosting of the 4th African Union (AU) Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Forum, scheduled to hold between June 23 and 27 in Abuja.

Listing some of the administration’s policies and programmes in this direction, the Vice President recalled that Nigeria chaired and spearheaded the AfCFTA Negotiating Forum, and has aligned its investment, digital trade, and competition policies with the agreement.

He noted that it is for this reason that Nigeria also established a Technology Export and Digital Trade Desk to support the nation’s entrepreneurs in exporting services and digital goods across Africa.

This, VP Shettima said, the i-DICE Programme, a 617.7 million dollar investment in digital and creative enterprises, and the 3 Million Tech Talent Programme, is set out to achieve by training Nigerian youths in coding, data science, and digital fluency to power the nation’s transformation.

The VP conveyed the assurance of President Bola Tinubu that Nigeria is ready to lead in shaping Africa’s digital trade future, even as the nation is harmonising its laws to make cross-border commerce seamless, secure, and scalable.

“We have reformed. We have invested. And we are resolved to see this transformation through. But none of us can achieve this in isolation. That is why this forum is not just important. It is indispensable. It provides the blueprint, the platform, and the partnerships that will empower African MSMEs to become the heartbeat of our economic renewal,” he said.

Earlier, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), Sen. Ibrahim Hadejia, who is chairman of the organising committee, said the forum will provide a veritable platform for exchanging knowledge and ideas on MSME development and facilitate collaboration across the continent.

He said the theme of the summit, which is on “building resilient MSMEs through digital innovation, market access and affordable financing for Africa”, aligns with the efforts of the Tinubu administration in supporting development and growth in the sector.

On his part, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris Malagi, who is a member of the organising committee, said hosting the 4th edition of the forum by Nigeria underscores growing confidence in Nigeria in the comity of nations.

The forum, he pointed out, reflects the efforts made by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in providing a conducive environment for small businesses in the country.

In the same vein, the Minister of State for Industry, Sen. John Enoh, also a committee member, commended the leadership of President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima for prioritising the well-being and growth of small businesses, in acknowledgement of their contributions to the GDP and economic transformation.

He assured that efforts would be put in place to ensure that Nigeria successfully hosts the forum, while small businesses in Nigeria leverage the platform to improve in areas of access to affordable finance and markets, among other benefits.

On his part, the Special Adviser to the President on Job Creation and MSME, Mr Temitola Adekunle-Johnson, who is secretary of the committee, said the team would work collaboratively to deliver a world-class event that reflects the efforts of the Tinubu administration, assuring that the country would be ready ahead of the opening ceremony on June 23 in Abuja.

Also, Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade & Investment, Mrs. Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, said the state hosts the largest number of MSMEs in the country, close to 70 per cent, adding that the government has taken steps to ease access to funds for these businesses through a N10 billion fund, the Lagos State – Bank of Industry MSME Access to Finance Scheme (LASMECO).

Apart from Lagos State, Benue, Imo, Enugu, Katsina and Ekiti States are all involved in the sub-committees of the project.

In separate remarks, the Managing Director of the Bank of Industry, Dr Olasupo Olusi; the Executive Chairman of Federal Inland Revenue Service, Mr Zacch Adedeji and the Director General of Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Mr Charles Odii, who are members of the committee, pledged their commitment and support for the hosting of the meeting, noting that the benefits would positively impact local MSMEs and the overall national economy.

Other members of the committee include Ministers of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole; Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani; Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musawa; Executive Director of NEPC, Mrs Nonye Ayeni; Executive Secretary, NIPC, Mrs Aisha Rimi; CEO, NEXIM Bank, Mr Abba Bello, and President of NACCIMA, Mr Dele Oye.
End

VP Shettima: We’re Building Bridges To Take MSMEs Across Borders Of African Market

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Tinubu Assures Nigerians in Diaspora of Favourable Policies Towards Them

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Tinubu Assures Nigerians in Diaspora of Favourable Policies Towards Them

By: Michael Mike

President Bola Tinubu on Friday assured Nigerians in Diaspora of his administration’s determination to continue to provide the enabling environment and policies that will boost their active participation in the country’s governance.

Tinubu gave the assurance at the opening of the National Diaspora Day celebrations 2025 at the Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja.

This year’s celebration is themed: “Optimizing formidable Diaspora Potentials for National Development and growth”.

The President, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, said: “We will continue to provide an enabling platform for effective policies for the Diaspora with the view to galvanizing your support for this administration and concretizing our democracy, optimizing your potentials and setting a good example for other African countries to emulate.

“Let me also state that we will look into the Challenges NiDCOM has enumerated with a view to ameliorating same so that we can harvest maximally the benefits of migration through the engagements with our Diaspora for national development and growth.”

He added that: “It is a great delight to address our over 20 million Nigerians in the diaspora on this auspicious occasion of the celebration of our National Diaspora Day 2025.”

“Only Nigerians both at home and abroad can develop Nigeria,” Tinubu stated.

The President highlighted the contributions of the diaspora, which include increasing remittances, pointing out that in 2024 alone, “Nigerians abroad sent home $20.9 billion through official channels—more than four times the value of the country’s foreign direct investment.

He said: “The Nigerians in the diaspora are also actively investing in our health care, agriculture, education, information, communication technology, housing and real estate, sports, transportation, oil and gas, and other sectors.

“This, I must say, is commendable and in our enlightened self-interest.”

The President stressed how highly the government rates the Nigerians in diaspora, saying “Our renewed hope for foreign policy recognises the diaspora as the fourth pillar for the agenda—namely democracy, demography, development, and diaspora.

In his goodwill message, the minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo said:
“When you go to any part of the world, maybe in Asia, Africa, South America, you will see Nigerians excelling. Nigerians breaking barriers. Nigerians breaking ceilings. And Nigerians using ceilings as springboards to greatness.”

The Minister highlighted the economic potential of diaspora remittances—comparing Nigeria’s $21bn in 2024 remittances to $32.91bn in oil earnings and India’s $135.46bn diaspora inflows.

He said: “What does that tell you? It tells you that the power of economic emancipation, a lot of this resides within you, beyond your own imagination,” he said.

The minister also explained that the administration is laying the foundation for long-term national prosperity—even if short-term sacrifices are required.

“You cannot cure a tumor by virtue of a paracetamol. It is important that the Renewed Hope agenda of Mr. President came into being. And today, we can see the results. We can see the economic stability of this country,” he said.

Tunji-Ojo also spoke on the reforms in his ministry which include immigration and the protection of critical national infrastructure.

He therefore called on the diaspora community to trust in the country’s direction under President Tinubu’s leadership.

“Nigeria has never been ready for investment more than now. We are ready for investment.

“I assure you, under the leadership of this President, you will never regret your investment. Nigeria loves you. Nigeria cares about you. And this particular administration cares about you,” he said.

Earlier, in her remark, Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said “The theme is apt to appreciate the efforts of both the government and the diaspora community in nation building and also to discuss how to make diaspora engagements better for national development.”

She emphasised the role of Nigerians in diaspora in the country’s development.

Dabiri-Erewa announced a proposed Diaspora Presidential Fellowship Programme. The initiative would allow professionals in the diaspora to take part in six-month sabbaticals in Nigeria, aimed at promoting knowledge transfer and innovation across sectors.

“It will strengthen their role in nation-building and serve as a knowledge-driven giveback to the fatherland,” she added.

Highlights of the event was the unveiling of a new Diaspora Home and Abroad Housing Platform, aimed at providing secure housing opportunities for diaspora Nigerians seeking to invest back home.

Tinubu Assures Nigerians in Diaspora of Favourable Policies Towards Them

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Nasarawa: Security operatives arrest six over kidnapping, rape and robbery in Doma

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Nasarawa: Security operatives arrest six over kidnapping, rape and robbery in Doma

By: Zagazola Makama

Security operatives in Nasarawa State have arrested six suspected members of a notorious armed robbery and kidnapping gang responsible for a series of violent crimes in Yelwa Ediya village, Doma Local Government Area.

The suspects, identified as Darda’u Shehu, Yunusa Malami Hashimu, Musa Abubakar, Ibrahim Musa, Mohammed Musa, and Jibrin Lafia, were apprehended during a coordinated raid based on actionable intelligence from a concerned resident.

During interrogation, the suspects reportedly confessed to their involvement in the kidnapping of a local councillor, Hon. Ari Muhammad, on May 26, 2025. They further disclosed that one of their members, Darda’u Shehu, raped the councillor’s wife, Talatu Ari, during the abduction and stole two mobile phones an Infinix Note 30 valued at ₦250,000 and a Tecno phone valued at ₦20,000.

The gang also confessed to mounting a roadblock along the Doma–Yelwa Road on July 19, where they attacked one Ibrahim Haruna and snatched his Bajaj motorcycle worth ₦970,000.

Recovered from the suspects were ₦100,000 in cash and one Bajaj motorcycle believed to have been taken from one of their victims.

The suspects also named their gang leaders as Bammi Alhaji Amme (alias Zomo) and one Lawali (surname unknown), who are currently on the run.

Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining members of the gang and bring them to justice.
End

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Police reunite two lost Beninese children with father in Lagos

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Police reunite two lost Beninese children with father in Lagos

By: Zagazola Makama

The Lagos State Police Command has reunited two young girls from the Republic of Benin with their father after they were found wandering around the Trade Fair Complex in Lagos.

The children, identified as Mutiat Fatai, aged 10, and Mobubat Fatai, aged 5, were spotted by concerned traders roaming the BBA Market area of the complex on July 18. Both girls, described as black in complexion and Yoruba-speaking, could not provide any clear information about their whereabouts or destination.

Following a report, police operatives from the area promptly responded and took the children into protective custody at the station.

Four days later, on July 22, one Fatai Yayah, a resident of Isobe Lagbolugo, Ifonyin in the Republic of Benin, visited the station and positively identified the girls as his daughters. After proper verification, the children were reunited with him.

The Police said the swift action by the officers helped ensure the children’s safety, and they commended members of the public for their vigilance.

Police reunite two lost Beninese children with father in Lagos

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