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Nigeria’s First Lady empowers 1,000 women petty traders in Kogi

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▪︎Mrs. Tinubu, was represented by the wife of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hajiya Fatima Tajudeen Abbas.

Nigeria’s First Lady, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu has flagged-off the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Economic Empowerment programme for 1,000 women petty traders in Kogi State.

The programme is part of the continued commitment of the President’s wife to driving economic growth towards a better life for families, especially women across the country.

During the Flagg-off the disbursement of the grants in Lokoja on Thursday, the First Lady revealed that a total of N1,850,000,000.00 would be disbursed to the selected 1,000 Kogi women and 36,000 other female petty traders in other states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Mrs. Tinubu, who was represented by the wife of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hajiya Fatima Tajudeen Abbas, noted that RHI was aware of the challenges faced by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), especially the petty traders who form the backbone of the local economies.

She added that the N50,000 business recapitalization grant would go a long way in strengthening the beneficiaries’ businesses for better profits.

She, however, stressed that these challenges had not deterred the strength of the women in their avowed commitment to contribute to the economy at the grassroots.

Mrs. Tinubu said, “Through the Renewed Hope Initiative Economic Empowerment Programme, we are providing 1,000 pre-selected women petty traders per state with a grant of N50,000 each to recapitalize and grow their businesses.

“The grants provided today are to assist our women petty traders in overcoming some of their business challenges, expand their businesses, create more jobs, and contribute more robustly to our economy.”

The First Lady affirmed that economic empowerment remained a core objective of the Renewed Hope Initiative and that the programme had continued to support the economic reforms of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration.

In his remarks, the Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, said the Renewed Hope Initiative was built on a strong administrative and economic platform “that is sustainable even after eight years”, describing it as a visionary masterplan to address poverty amongst women.

He commended the First Lady of Nigeria for showing that she was capable of matching words with action by providing a strong platform to address poverty amongst women.

She added that the N50,000 business recapitalization grant would go a long way in strengthening the beneficiaries’ businesses for better profits.

Governor Ododo described the event as significant, noting that the rural women who invested their trust in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by voting for him in the 2023 general election were on ground to reap the benefit of their trust.

He commended the President for honouring his promise to petty traders, and building an enduring microeconomic foundation to address the concerns of the indigents in the society.

The governor who expressed excitement that Sen. Oluremi Tinubu was helping his administration to fulfill his campaign promises to the people of the state, further pledged his administration’s total support for the Renewed Hope Initiative Economic Empowerment Programme.

He assured that the government would continue to partner with the First Lady of Nigeria through her coordinator and First Lady of Kogi State in her determination to empower women.

He said his administration was unbending in its commitment to women empowerment and inclusion, stressing that it had floated many policies with particular interest in women empowerment in agriculture and politics.

Ododo said, “Politically, we have given more women spaces. In the cabinet, the Secretary to the State Government is a woman. The Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology is a woman; the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism is a woman. The Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation is a woman as well as the Commissioner for Women Affairs.

The Accountant- General of the State is a woman as well as the Special Adviser to the Governor on Drug Abuse as well as the Director- General of the Social Investment Agency and many too numerous to mention, including the first female Director General of the Kogi State Broadcasting Corporation.

“At the grassroots level, we have encouraged our party to produce the first ever female Chairmanship candidate of a ruling party. We have also encouraged our Chairmen to pick females as their Vice Chairmanship candidates, except in one Local Government in order to strike a balance.

Our party has also ensured that 40% of our Councilorship candidates are also women. That means that if all our candidates are able to win in the free and fair election, we will have the first ever elected Local Government Chairman in our dear state as well as 20 Local Government Council Vice Chairmen as women as well as 96 Councilors as women. This is unprecedented in the political history of Nigeria.”

Earlier in her welcome address, the First Lady of Kogi State, Hajiya Sefinat Usman Ododo, described the programme as a significant stride towards empowering women entrepreneurs and enhancing their economic resilience.

She expressed the hope that the grants would undoubtedly provide the much-needed support in helping women petty traders expand their businesses and improve their livelihoods.

Mrs. Ododo said that by investing in women’s growth, the government was creating opportunities for a brighter future, just as she commended the efforts of the First Lady and her dedicated team in making the initiative a reality.

After receiving the grants, the beneficiaries in Kogi State commended the First Lady of Nigeria and President Tinubu’s Administration for the disbursement. ▪︎

Business

Rite Foods Mark Corporate Compliance & Ethics Week 2025

Mr. Seleem Adegunwa, Managing Director/CEO of Rite Foods Limited, says that the company’s success is deeply rooted in integrity, accountability, and respect for both people and processes

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•From Left: Lekan Oladipupo, HSE officer, Mr. Godfrey Ojo, Head Internal Audit, Adeyemi Adefulorin, Risk Assurance and Control, and Adetona Olutope, Regulatory manager, all of Rite Foods Limited.

Mr. Seleem Adegunwa, Managing Director/CEO of Rite Foods Limited, says that the company’s success is deeply rooted in integrity, accountability, and respect for both people and processes.

He states this during an event to mark the company’s Corporate Compliance & Ethics Week 2025, held in Lagos.

The week-long observance emphasizes the company’s belief that compliance is not just a rule to follow; it is a culture, a value, and a way of life embedded in every aspect of its operations.

“At Rite Foods, compliance is not just a requirement, it is a mindset. It defines who we are, how we operate, and the standards we uphold.

We hold ourselves accountable to the highest ethical standards, and this commitment shapes our relationships with employees, consumers, and partners alike,” he said.

Oluyemi Lawal-Daki, Head, Legal & Company Secretary, added that Compliance Week reflects the company’s proactive approach to ethics and governance.

“Our goal is not just to meet compliance obligations but to live them daily. Every employee understands that integrity and compliance form the backbone of sustainable business success,” she stated.

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Nigeria’s GDP growth not reflecting in citizens’ living standards – Sanusi

Sanusi noted that while headline economic indicators such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth and inflation figures may appear impressive, they often mask worsening living conditions for ordinary Nigerians.

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The Emir of Kano and former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Muhammadu Sanusi II, observed that Nigeria’s economic growth is not translating into improved living standards for its citizens.

Sanusi made this statement yesterday in Lagos ina keynote address during the 7th African International Conference on Islamic Finance (AICIF), themed “Africa Emerging: A Prosperous and Inclusive Outlook.”

Daily Trust reports that the conference was organised by Metropolitan Law and Metropolitan Skills Ltd in collaboration with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Sanusi noted that while headline economic indicators such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth and inflation figures may appear impressive, they often mask worsening living conditions for ordinary Nigerians.

“Economists tend to take a helicopter view of GDP and inflation numbers. These are beautiful statistics, but too often we lose sight of the small numbers that are absolutely crucial.

“A GDP growth rate of 5% or 6% may look good, but if it comes from one niche sector, the vast majority of the population could be getting poorer while GDP is growing.

Sitting in Lagos or Abuja and booking loans does not improve the lives of people in rural areas .

Inflation may decline, but the prices of basic food and medicines consumed by the poor may still be rising,” he said.

The emir called on Islamic financial institutions to drive inclusive growth by targeting the informal and rural sectors.

“Islamic financial institutions need to go to the bottom of the pyramid. You cannot talk about inclusivity if you are not where the people are.

Sitting in Lagos or Abuja and booking loans does not improve the lives of people in rural areas,” he said.

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Dangote Assures Steady Petrol, diesel Supply

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Dangote Petroleum Refinery has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring steady and uninterrupted supply of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and Automotive Gas Oil (diesel) nationwide, with a daily production capacity exceeding the domestic demand.

Speaking on the development, Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Dangote Industries Limited, Anthony Chiejina, said the refinery’s operations are driven by the company’s dedication to supporting national energy stability and consumer confidence.

“Our refinery is currently loading over 45 million litres of PMS and 25 million litres of diesel daily which exceeds Nigeria’s demand,” Mr Chiejina said. “We are working collaboratively with regulatory agencies and distribution partners to guarantee efficient nationwide delivery. Dangote remains steadfast in its commitment to meeting the energy needs of Nigerians. This significant production capacity not only guarantees local supply but also enhances energy security and reduces dependence on imports.”

He noted that improved local production of petroleum products has helped stabilise the exchange rate and strengthen the naira.

“We have reduced foreign exchange outflows and increased inflows, which in turn supports the naira and strengthens the economy,” he added.

He further explained that it would be unpatriotic for anyone to criticise the recently announced tariff, which, according to him, is a good start. He emphasised that the tariff is designed to protect domestic industries from unfair competition and safeguard local production.

“Dumping engenders poverty, discourages industrialisation, creates unemployment and leads to revenue loss for the government. Across the world, nations protect their local manufacturers and industries from the threat of dumping. Dumping destroyed our textile industry, which was once a major employer of labour and creator of wealth,” he said.

He noted that beyond the tariff, the government should strengthen its monitoring and enforcement mechanisms to prevent the dumping of substandard and toxic petroleum products by unscrupulous and rent-seeking individuals who prioritise profiteering at the expense of Nigerians, often undermining well-intentioned government policies for their selfish interests.

He added that the prevalence of dumping in past years discouraged investors from establishing industries in Nigeria, as imported products flooded the market at unsustainable prices, undermining local production. The new tariff policy, he noted, would benefit local refiners and encourage fresh investments in the downstream oil sector, thereby strengthening Nigeria’s industrial base and creating more jobs.

He commended the foresight of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the tariff policy aimed at strengthening and transforming Nigeria’s downstream oil and gas sector. He noted that the decision reflects the administration’s commitment to creating a stable, business-friendly environment that supports local investment and enhances energy security.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu continues to embody courageous and visionary leadership, renewing the hope of Nigerians and restoring investor confidence in the nation’s economy. His administration’s bold and business-friendly reforms are reshaping the downstream oil and gas sector, unlocking new opportunities for industrial growth and national prosperity. The latest policy initiative stands as a testament to his foresight — one of the most transformative steps yet toward securing Nigeria’s energy future and empowering local industries to thrive,” he said

He warned that failure to protect local industries could lead to large-scale dumping from countries in Asia and Europe with excess production capacity. Such practices, he said, would strangulate domestic refineries, cripple allied industries, and undermine the laudable policies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration aimed at promoting industrial growth and economic stability.

Chiejina urged rent-seekers to reconsider their business practices and align with the Federal Government’s vision for a self-sustaining energy sector, rather than promoting the dumping of petroleum products in Nigeria. He emphasised the need for a collective sense of patriotism and responsibility among industry stakeholders, noting that national progress can only be achieved through shared commitment to policies that strengthen local industries and protect the economy.

Equipped with advanced technology and extensive infrastructure, the refinery is expected to significantly eliminate reliance on fuel imports, enhance supply chain stability, and alleviate pressure on foreign exchange reserves.

President of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, recently assured Nigerians that the prices of petrol will not be hiked during the ember months, despite recent global price increases. “I want to assure Nigerians that the Dangote Refinery is fully committed to maintaining an uninterrupted supply of petrol throughout the festive period. Nigerians can look forward to a Christmas and New Year free of fuel anxiety.”

Since commencing petrol production in September 2024, Dangote Petroleum Refinery has played a pivotal role in ensuring price stability, reducing the cost of petrol, aimed at stabilising the market and easing the burden on consumers. It has also eliminated the recurring fuel scarcity and long queues at filling stations that Nigeria often experienced, particularly during festive periods.

He noted that the average price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in September 2024 was about N1,030 per litre, compared to an average of N841–N851 per litre in September 2025, following the implementation of the Dangote Refinery’s Direct Delivery Scheme.

Similarly, as of September 2024, the pump price of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) ranged between N1,400 and N1,700 per litre, depending on the state, with prices reaching up to N1,700 in most northern states. By September 2025, however, the average price had dropped significantly to around N1,020 per litre, reflecting the refinery’s impact on stabilising the market and reducing logistics costs.

In comparison, petrol prices in neighbouring West African countries range between $1.20 and $2.00 per litre, while the average price in Nigeria remains around $0.60 per litre, a clear indication of the refinery’s profound impact on affordability and supply stability.

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