Development
Buhari Commissions Lagos-Ibadan Rail Project, Pledges More Infrastructural Development
President Muhammadu Buhari, on Thursday, inaugurated the commercial operations of the Lagos-Ibadan railway project, describing it as another milestone in Nigeria’s railway revival.
The president spoke at the inauguration, which took place at the Mobolaji Johnson Railway Station, Ebute Metta, Lagos on Thursday.
Buhari described the feat as “another milestone in the drive of this administration to revitalise the railway system and establish it as a choice mode of transportation for both passengers and freight’’.
He pledged that his administration would continue to prioritise the railway system as a transportation backbone that could transform industrial and economic activity in the country.
On the benefits of the Lagos-Ibadan corridor as well as other ongoing railway projects across the country, the President said that “this vital line establishes an end-to-end logistic supply chain in railway transport within its short corridor, Lagos – Ibadan’’.
He said that goods coming into the hinterland would now be transported by rail directly from the Apapa port Quayside straight to the Inland Container Depot located in Ibadan from where it can be distributed to other parts of the country.
“In clear recognition of the challenges posed to our economic growth by the absence of strong and effective infrastructure, we have embarked on the completion of the outstanding segment of the Lagos – Kano railway, which is Ibadan – Kano.
“The Lagos – Kano railway project, when completed, will link the Kano – Maradi line at Kano and a rail link from the Nigeria southern ports of Lagos to Maradi in the Niger Republic will be achieved.
“The connection through rail would position Nigerian ports as the choice for import and export business of the people of landlocked Niger Republic.
“This will be beneficial to the economy through employment from new business opportunities and wealth creation”, the President said.
Development
President’s Wife Launches Renewed Hope Initiative Programme for South West Women In Abeokuta
No fewer than 120 women from the six south west states are to get the sum of N60million from The Renewed Hope Initiative, a social intervention programme of the wife of the President, Mrs. Oluremi Tunubu.
Mrs. Tinubu, who disclosed this on Tuesday at the launch of the Renewed Hope Initiative Women Agricultural Support Programme for the south west and flag off of the 2024 Ogun State Planting Season, held at the Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, also said that N10million would be given to 100 persons with disability to capitalize their existing businesses.
She said: “Today, we are supporting 20 women farmers per state with the sum of N500,000 each. To this end, a draft of N10million per state for the South West zone will be handed over to the first ladies of Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo states who are the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) state coordinators for onward disbursement to all beneficiaries in their respective states.
“The Renewed Hope Initiative Social Investment Programme will be empowering 100 persons with disability, small business owners in Ogun State with a sum of N100,000 each to recapitalise their existing businesses.”
Senator Tinubu also disclosed that the Renewed Hope Initiative would be collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to empower farmers, saying that 75% of the beneficiaries who will be young female farmers and 25% young male farmers would be specially identified, trained and empowered under the programme.
The first lady, while adding that the pre-identified 80 women farmers in each state for agricultural support program would be carried along, urged women farmers to seize the opportunity to expand their agricultural ventures and contribute to local and national food production.
“In a short while, the Renewed Hope Initiative will be collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to empower potential farmers. In this phase, 75% of the beneficiaries will be young female farmers while 25% will be for young male farmers. They will all be specially identified, trained and empowered.
“I want to implore our women farmers receiving support today to seize this opportunity to expand their agricultural ventures, contribute to local and national food production and serve as role models for others aspiring to join the agricultural sector,” she added.
Earlier in his remarks, Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun disclosed that his administration through the Oko’owo Dapo scheme has assisted over 50,000 women to grow their businesses with additional funding from the Federal Government’s Nigeria for Women Project.
Abiodun, who added that the total investment of the scheme now stands at about N1.5billion, said the Ogun Broiler Empowerment Scheme through which day old chicks were given to women and broilers taken from them every 90 days, have also empowered over 500 women agric entrepreneurs.
Governor Abiodun while noting that his administration has also launched Ibi-Dero, an initiative specifically targeted at pregnant indigent women for pre-natal delivery, post-natal and neo-natal care free of charge, maintained that his administration has succeeded in reducing Maternal and Child Mortality Rate in the state.
The State helmsman noted that his administration has prioritized the welfare and empowerment of women as a result of their population, adding that his government has also implemented programmes aimed at boost the status of women by including them in politics, governance and economic activities as well as providing education for girls.
Abiodun added that the Renewed Hope Initiative Women Agricultural Support Programme, holds a special resonance as it mirrors the resilience and tenacity of women in the state and the South West, saying that the spirit of women is integral to driving agricultural innovation and economic growth.
Governor Abiodun, while noting that Renewed Hope Initiative program symbolizes the determination of his administration to uplift women farmers, fortifying the agricultural framework and aligning with the sustainable development goals to ensure food security and sufficiency, added that investing in women extends beyond moral obligations.
In her welcome address, the first lady and the state coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) in Ogun State, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, noted that the Initiative is to celebrate and empower women in agriculture, commending the first lady for sponsoring students with interest in agriculture to Belarus for more studies.
She noted that supporting women in agriculture in the state would help to improve the agriculture value chain, adding that the discrimination against people with disabilities would soon become a thing of the past with the determination of Senator Oluremi Tinubu to make the required difference.
In her remarks, the South West Zonal Coordinator for the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) and wife of the Governor of Oyo State, Mrs.Tamunominini Olufunke Makinde noted that the support program would assist women in agriculture thereby improving the agriculture sector of the states, urging the beneficiaries to use the support judiciously.
Development
Banks, Breweries, Foreign Companies Set To Storm 13th Gateway International Trade Fair
Foreign companies from across West Africa have indicated interest in participating at this year’s Gateway International Trade Fair billed to take place between April 19 and April 29.
Also, stakeholders in the food, beverages, health, agriculture and other manufacturing sectors, banks, as well as players in small and medium scales businesses have also indicated their interest in booking pavilions and spaces at the Trade Fair Complex.
According to the organisers, companies like Leadway Assurance, Lafarge, International Breweries, Apples and Pears, Rite foods, Industrial Platform, Remo (Arise), GB foods, Bank of Industry (BOI), Gateway Mortgage Bank, Providus Bank, First Bank, Sterling Bank, Lotus Bank and several regulatory agencies, such as NAFDAC are expected at the exhibition.
The theme for this year’s event is “Achieving Economic Prosperity Through Business Connection, Trade and Investment.”
The Ogun State Government had assured of adequate security of lives and property during the event, while other logistics have been put in place to make the trade fair a world-class event.
President of the Ogun State Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (OGUNCCIMA), Engr. Mike Akingbade, while speaking on preparations so far, said his organisation has been working in tandem with the state government to ensure a hitch-free exercise.
He promised that the new innovations being introduced this year are geared towards ensuring that more participants attend the showpiece.
Special Adviser to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Industry, Oluyemisi Somorin-Dawodu, had earlier said that this year’s trade fair would be more than just the exhibition of products, adding that other economic and trade-related activities have been lined up to make the experience more worthwhile for participants.
According to her, new innovations such as a raffle draw with the grand prize of a two-bedroom bungalow and an entertainment village are expected to add glamour to the event.
Development
Excitement builds as Ogun hosts international trade fair
Few days to the commencement of the 13th Gateway International Trade Fair, excitement has continued to build across the Southwest geopolitical zone of Nigeria as stakeholders get prepared to storm Abeokuta, Ogun State for the much awaited yearly event.
The trade fair, which holds from April 19 and 29, 2024 at the M.K.O Abiola International Trade Fair Complex, Abeokuta, will also feature increased exhibitors and product offering as well as a more effective transportation system to ease movement of visitors to the Trade Fair Complex.
Preparations are well underway to welcome participants to the trade fair, according to the Special Adviser to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Industry, Oluyemisi Somorin-Dawodu, while speakng to journalists on the trade fair with the theme “Achieving Economic Prosperity Through Business Connection, Trade and Investment.”
Somorin-Dawodu added that this year’s trade fair is more than just the exhibition of products as a lot of other economic and trade-related activities have been lined up to make the experience more worthwhile for participants who will be coming from far and wide.
As part of the new innovations, residents of the state and other stakeholders will have the chance to win the grand prize of a two-bedroom bungalow in a raffle draw to be conducted during the Fair.
An entertainment village, expected to add more glamour to the event, while meeting the needs of visitors, has also been introduced by the organisers.
Somorin-Dawodu added that new innovations introduced into the event this year are generating excitement among stakeholders as the date draws closer.
She said that both the Ogun State Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (OGUNCCIMA), which organises the annual Trade Fair and the Ogun State government are working round the clock to give participants unforgettable experiences.
“We decided to make the Fair bigger and better. Among other innovations, we have introduced the raffle draw that will help to bring more people to the Trade Fair, and there will be daily prizes.
“The main prize is a two-bedroom bungalow. And we have also introduced the Entertainment Village where we are going to be selling drinks, food, etc. There will be good music and a live band,” the Special Adviser said.
Also speaking, OGUNCCIMA President , Engr. Mike Akingbade said more participants are being expected at the trade fair as a result of the new innovations introduced by the state government.
“I can tell you that we are working happily towards holding a more improved trade fair,” he said.
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