Nation

AfCFTA: Osinbajo Highlights Policy Actions To Drive Africa’s Industrialisation

Published

4 years ago

September 3, 2021

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo says the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) offers limitless opportunities for the industrialisation of Africa.
Osinbajo said that authorities across the continent must take the right policy actions to actualise the prospects in AfCFTA such as the protection of local industries and improving value chains.
Osinbajo’s spokesman, Laolu Akande, in a statement yesterday in Abuja, said the vice president delivered a pre-recorded message at a Roundtable on Industrialisation in Africa.
The theme of the event organised by the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) to celebrate its Golden Jubilee, is “Positioning African Industries for Economic Transformation and Continental Free Trade.”
The vice president said that AfCFTA was indispensable if industrial development was to take off in Africa because it offered wider markets and economies of scale which were essential for manufacturing to be competitive.
“We must take policy actions to create an environment in which businesses can thrive.
“To start with, we must adopt the right type of macroeconomic and industrial policies.
‘It is important for African governments to provide a stable macroeconomic environment which avoids and smoothens out volatility in prices, sharp deteriorations in the current account and budget deficits and of course, rapid accumulation in debt burdens.”
Osinbajo said that on the industrial side, policies like tariffs, quotas, subsidies and non-tariff barriers which protected infant industries so that they could create jobs and enable learning were vital.
According to him, well negotiated rules of origin are important in the context of the free trade agreements as they are key to preventing trans-shipment and the deflection of trade.
He said that, without them, firms from non-state parties could set up simple labelling operations in one member state with a view to shipping already finished products to another member state without really adding any value.

Nation

PH based Ibadan indigenes vow commitment To Rules of law

Published

1 week ago

December 8, 2025

The Tide

Indigenes of Ibadan residing in Port Harcourt under the aegis of Oluyole progressive Union have vowed to remain law-abiding and support government efforts towards the development of the state.

The Association said this during its 30th anniversary in Port Harcourt.

President of the Association , Pastor Oyedeji Emmanuel said members of the Association have never been indicted for any criminal activities in the state, stressing that they are ready to work and support the government towards the development of the state if given the opportunity.

He listed some achievements of the association within the last 30 years to include, promoting unity among its members , encouraging members development efforts , while over 24 plots of land have been acquired by the association in Ibadan Oyo state for onward distribution to members.

Emmanuel said the anniversary was not only to thank God for the continuous existence of the group, but recognize some individuals who have contributed towards its growth and sustenance.

Meanwhile in an address, the Public Relations Officer of the Association Mr Abdulganiyu Abdulwaheed said Oluyole progressive Union was borned out of the need to unite the growing numbers of Ibadan indigenes resident in Port Harcourt city and environs.

“When we saw the growing numbers of Ibadan indigenes residing in Port Harcourt,it was felt that a need existed for this wards to come together and know each other, but more importantly to see if we can collectively and work together as brothers and sisters”

Abdulwaheed use the occasion to pay glowing tributes to the founding fathers of the club, some of who are late and mentioned their names as, late Pa,R. A. Arulogun, late Alhaja Hamzat Olalekan, High Chief Kola Babalola (SAN), late Ismail Onifade Sonbe and Elder Biodun Popoola who is alive.

Also some of the founding members according to him, are,Mr Sikiru Fakunle,Akeem Azeez Oyeranmi who is l and Adedeji Taofeek who is late.

Also are,Mr Mansur Adegoke amongst other

He also listed past and present presidents of the club as ,Mr Fakunle O Sikiru, Oyeranmi Azeez,Adekunle Hakeem,Mr Popoola M Taiwo , Alhaji Rasheed A Olawoore ,Olubadan Rasheed and pastor Oyedeji Emmanuel Kamaru the current president of the club.

Some of those who spoke to newsmen including Alhaji Moshood Ola Ogundijo,Engr Abiodun Popoola, Fakunle Sikiru,Taye Popoola, Alhaji Rasheed Olawore and Deacon Sunday Ezekiel Atoyebi thanked the members for sustaining the club in the last 30 years.

They prayed for the continuous unity of members, while also calling on them to avoid anything that will put the association in disrepute.

High point of the event was the presentation of awards to deserving members of the club as well as others who contributed to the development of the club and the launching of the club’s almanac.

By: John Bibor

Nation

LECAN Plans Free Electrical Installation Training Program in Rivers, Honors Veterans

Published

1 week ago

December 8, 2025

The Tide

The Licenced Electrical Contractors Association of Nigeria, (LECAN) Rivers State chapter has announced its preparedness to organize free electrical installation training for youths in Rivers State in 2026 as part of its social responsibility policy and commitment to grooming professionals in the electricity industry.

Chairman of LECAN in Rivers State, Engr Lekia Emmanuel who disclosed this during a special end of year event of the association held in Port Harcourt on Thursday, said the move was aimed at improving service delivery and ensuring sanity in the energy sector.

He explained that the training will be conducted under the supervision and certification of, Nigeria Electricity Management Services Agency, NEMSA, the parent and regulatory body of LECAN.

Engr Lekia Emmanuel further hinted that the association will embark on intensive sensitization of the public on safety standards and enforcements through the mass media while strengthening stakeholders collaboration.

He explained that, ” We in LECAN has resolved to promote professionalism in the electricity sector by carrying out free electrical installation training for youths in Rivers State, this will enable young Nigerians to develop great potentials in this important sector of the Nigeria economy.”

“It will also help in checking the infiltration of quacks, we’ll also engage critical stakeholders to enhance safety standards and enforcement in the electricity related activities and contracts.”

The association also used the event to honor veterans and other personalities that have contributed immensely to the development of the association with Excellence Service Awards.

These include; Engr Jamila Yusuf, Area Inspecting Engineer, Port Harcourt Inspectorate Field office, Elder Igwe Worli, Patron, Chief Afuedeli Moses, LECAN Zonal Coordinator, Mr Friday Deetam Kor, Comrade Valentine Nwigwe, Elder Mission Saagbara and Mr Austine Obilor.

In her remarks, the Area Inspecting Engineer Port Harcourt Inspectorate Field office of NEMSA, who was represented by Engr Josephine Ekpo commended LECAN for its commitment to safety standards and professionalism and assured a robust collaboration with the association.

On his part, the Secretary of Rivers State chapter of LECAN, Engr Nornubari Kor expressed gratitude to God for making the association to carry through the 2025 fiscal year with remarkable achievements.

He urged members of the LECAN to key into the activities of the association in 2026 with renewed zeal and deep sense of commitments to achieve desired objectives.

Nation

Alliance Française PH, FIGN, Nexal Move To Eradicate GBV

Published

1 week ago

December 8, 2025

The Tide

The Alliance Française Port Harcourt in conjunction with the Embassy of France Nigeria over the weekend joined the globe to campaign against the 2025 gender- based violence (GBV) with the theme: “16 Days of Activism Against Gender- Based Voice”

The event which took place at the event Hall of the Alliance Française Port Harcourt was in collaboration with the Female in Gaming Network, ( FIGN) and partnership with Nexal a body that seeks to promote online safety and responsible digital behaviour.

The Tide reports that the project which was aimed at promoting digital safety and girls inclusion in Gaming, with the initiative tagged ‘Gameover Gender- Base Violence’was part of the global campaign against gender- based Violence.

The activity which experienced a flavour of festivity was full of fun and excitements as participants took part in tournaments on popular digital games such as Mario kart and EAFC 25, with an intent to creating safer and more inclusive digital spaces.

The Director of the Alliance Française Port Harcourt, Mrs Marina Lacal said that these activities were designed to encourage inclusion of girls, team work and fair play on online gaming spaces, saying that the gaming world reflects these inequalities, where female players are often under represented.

According to her the main objectives of the initiative was to provide a supportive environment for girls and female in gaming network.

“GameOverGBV” is a project created to reshape this landscape by offering an innovative inclusiveness of girls on online digital Gaming community and digital environments that provide opportunities for creativity, learning and connection, but also fight against Gender-Based Violence Digital Gaming,”she said

She however, explained that the Digital Game, sport competitions, was launched to strengthen social and digital skills through games, workshops, and raise awareness among all young participants about respect, equality and digital citizenship.

The Tide News reports that in Port Harcourt, the competition brought together 100 young participants from three major universities: University of Port Harcourt, ( UNIPORT),Ignatius Ajuru University of Education(IAUE) and Rivers State University (RSU)as well as students from four selected secondary schools, Oginigba comprehensive Secondary.School, Vine lnternational, Virgo predicanda lnternational, and Excellent Montessori Secondary school.

“This is an approach where girls and boys can learn, play and collaborate in a more respectful and safe space for young women, while ensuring a safe, enjoyable and respectful digital environment. It also expose young women to cyberbullying, exclusion, sexist comments and online hate,” Mrs. Lacal said.

Earlier, a game developer Sophia Nei and her. team had engaged participants in an interactive session with the theme: “Can Video Games Be Safe Spaces For Girls?”

However, Mrs Nei and her team educated the girls on the benefits and violence on online digital gaming and urged them ( participants)to learn to say ‘No’ to Online hate, sexist and cyber bullying, while encouraging them(students) to stand up for themselves by reporting such issues to the appropriate authority.

Highlight of the competition was the awarding of prizes to winners by the Director of Alliance Française, Mrs Marina Lacal.