From Atiku Sarki, Abuja The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) has unveiled its “GROW Nigerian” strategy aimed at creating more jobs and boosting revenue for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across the country. The Director-General of SMEDAN, Mr. Charles Odii, disclosed this during an interactive session with members of the Commerce and Industry Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CICAN) on Monday in Abuja. Odii explained that the GROW Nigerian initiative—an acronym for Guidance, Resources, Opportunities, and Workforce Support—is a strategic blueprint designed to help MSMEs overcome common challenges and achieve sustainable growth across key sectors of…
Author: Hussaini Ibrahim
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… arrests operator for impersonation From Atiku Sarki, Abuja The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), in collaboration with law enforcement authorities, has sealed the premises of an illegal organization operating under the name Community Crime Prevention Initiative of Nigeria (CCPIN) at No. 214 Aba-Owerri Road, Aba, Abia State. In a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja, the Commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, disclosed that the action followed credible intelligence indicating that CCPIN was falsely claiming affiliation with the FCCPC and misleading the public by presenting itself as an “Authorised Consumer Protection NGO” of the Commission. According…
From Muawuya Bala Idris, Katsina The Katsina State Government has released N23 billion for the payment of gratuities to retired civil servants across the state. The Head of Service of the state, Falalu Bawale, disclosed this during a one-day retreat for Heads of Service from the 36 states of the federation and the FCT, held in Katsina. Bawale stated that the amount was disbursed over the last two years to cover retirees from the state civil service, local governments, and the Local Education Authorities (LEA). He added that the screening of recently retired civil servants has commenced, with the aim…
By Usman Gwadabe The Executive Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusif on Wednesday inaugurated the first flight of Kano State pilgrims intending to perform this year’s Hajj pilgrimage. Governor Abba Kabir Yusif, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, urged the pilgrims to be good ambassadors of the state and to pray for the peace, progress, and unity of Kano State and Nigeria at large. Kano intending pilgrims while departing for Saudi Arabia In his remarks, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting all intending pilgrims throughout their stay in the holy…
.. As Nigerian pilgrims begin moving to Makkah By Usman Gwadabe National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has so far airlifted 16,173 pilgrims to Madinah. The Airlift to the Saudi Arabia was conveyed in 40 flight from over 20 states of the federation. Meanwhile, a statement issued by Assistant Director, Information and Publication, Fatima Sanda Usara recently said there is a notable improvement in this year’s operation over 2024 exercise. “NAHCON Chairman Prof. Abdullahi Saleh Usman commended the performance of the airlines, the state Pilgrims’ Boards and other stakeholders for their cooperation that facilitated the smooth and timely movement of…
From Atiku Sarki, Abuja In a historic feat for the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the Apapa Area Command has surpassed the ₦1 trillion revenue mark well ahead of the first half of 2025, setting a new benchmark in the service’s revenue generation efforts. According to a statement released by the Public Relations Officer of the Command, Superintendent of Customs Tunde Ayagbalo, the Command recorded a total revenue collection of ₦1,002,968,178,694.07 — achieved more than 45 days before the end of June, the official halfway mark of the fiscal year. This outstanding performance was attributed to strategic leadership and the intensified…
By Lawan A. Kazaure. From 1999, when Nigeria returned to Democratic Rule, spanning into Six transition programs, Nigerians have never witnessed a change that is so significantly terrible, tense, and unpredictable! Over two third of Nigerians are not finding it easy with life. Right from on set, APC, as a Party in governance has woefully failed on the contractual agreement it so duly signed with the Nigerian Electorate while in desperation of their individual votes! Unfortunately for Nigerians, they were hustled into buying-in the most aggressive propaganda with the hope of more improved living conditions and a shared prosperity. Consequently…
By Usman Gwadabe National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced a remarkable progress in the ongoing airlift of Nigerian pilgrims for the 2025 Hajj as within three days of commencement, the Commission has successfully airlifted 19 percent of the total intending pilgrims. A statement issued by Assistant Director, Information and Publication, Fatima Sanda Usara on Monday said this development marks a notable improvement from the nine percent airlifted within the same period in 2024. According to the statement so far Air Peace has concluded the airlift of Kogi State pilgrims, transporting 559 out of the 564 scheduled. Fatima added…
By Lawan A. Kazaure. My heart bled when last week I came across a video viral going round in both conventional and social media across Nigeria, showing the Governor of Jigawa State, Malam Umar Namadi Danmodi tearing into pieces the Membership Card of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in a very rambunctious emotional setting full of aggressiveness, while receiving decampees from the PDP to the All Progressive Congress (APC) the Party which under its platform, he was elected Governor of the State in 2023. While, it is becoming a norm and conviction in Nigeria for, politicians to cross carpet as…
From Muawuya Bala Idris, Katsina A university don, Professor Elizabeth Yecho, has emphasized the urgent need to recognize women as partners in development, rather than relegating them to traditional roles or viewing them merely as figures for the “margins of the other room.” Professor Yecho made this call while delivering the 12th Inaugural Lecture at the Federal University, Dutsin-Ma, titled “Beyond the Margins: Historicizing the Transformative Impact of Nigerian Women.” Yecho, a lecturer in the Department of History and Strategic Studies at the university, made a veiled reference to a comment once popularized by former President Muhammadu Buhari, stating that…