Market Leaders and Traders Association of Nigeria, Lagos State Chapter, listed multiple taxation/levies by government agencies and molestation by law enforcement and paramilitary agents as recurring problems affecting the trading community.
President of the Lagos Chapter, Mr Christopher Okpala, cited the issues the association commemorated the First ever International Traders Day and held its Annual Business Award in Lagos.
He said that incessant market closure by various levels of government, incursions of foreigners in the local market, unfriendly business environment and unfriendly policies by financial institutions were other challenges faced by the traders.
There is also poor infrastructure in our markets.It is our hope, that all government officials present and our partners will assist in tackling the above issues.
The Annual Business Award is held every four years, during which some members of the sector are recognised for their contribution to the growth of commerce industry.
The declaration of International Traders Day was long overdue.
“In the trading community, a day should be set aside annually to celebrate the contribution of traders and the trading community (commerce sector) in the growth and development of all aspects of our national life.
“This is bearing in mind that the sector is the third highest contributor to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), taking after the petroleum and agricultural sector.
“It will also be a day to discuss and proffer solutions to the many problems bedeviling this all-important sector that also is no doubt the highest employer of labour in the country.
“As we declare this day Oct. 31 as the annual International Traders Day, we encourage all traders in the house to enter it in their yearly diary.
“They should spread the news to all traders and market persons that today has become a day with history, in the entire trading community across Nigeria.’’
Okpala canvassed that Oct. 31 be observed internationally as International Trader’s Day and that all policy makers in Nigeria take cognaissance it.
The association leader said members who were being recognised were in two categories -award for the Trading Community and Models of Excellence Award.
According to him, the awards are based purely on merit and not based on one’s fat bank account.
Mr Nnamdi Obiefuna, the Immediate Past President of Association of Stationary and Computers Dealers Association of Nigeria (ASCODAN), urged the government to create a more enabling environment for business to be done in the country.
He also called on the government to put measures in place to ensure that loans are given with low interest.
Speaking chairman of the occasion, Ononugbo Alfred, corporate brand excecutive of Bell Ltd protocol/security support services, have advised federal government to provide raw materials for local manufacturer with a view to boost the economy.
I wil commend president Muhumadu Buhari for border closure because Nigeria has become a dumping ground,but with this I will give him hundred percent kudo.
I will also advised the president to look into government officials going to oversea for treatment and sending their children out of the country for education, it can help to improve the nation economy
CNG CAMPUS: 20 Federal Tertiary Institutions to Get CNG Conversion Centres and Refuelling Stations
…6 to be Fully Operational by May 2025
In alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to affordable, clean, and sustainable energy, the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund (MDGIF), in collaboration with Femadec Energy, is set to establish Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) conversion centres and refuelling stations across 20 federal tertiary institutions nationwide.
The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr Morufu Olatunji Alausa, recently convened a meeting with Vice-Chancellors and executives from Femadec Energy, MDGIF, and the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI) to finalise project details and ensure timely implementation.
Dr. Alausa emphasized the project’s significance: “This initiative not only aims to reduce transportation costs for our students and lecturers but also represents a pivotal step towards integrating clean energy solutions within our educational institutions.”
Echoing this sentiment, a representative from Femadec Energy stated: “Our collaboration with MDGIF and the federal institutions underscores our dedication to promoting sustainable energy. By introducing CNG infrastructure, we aim to provide cost-effective and environmentally friendly transportation options, fostering a culture of innovation and sustainability among the academic community.”
This project is designed to alleviate the high transportation costs faced by students and lecturers. It aligns with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda to leverage Nigeria’s abundant natural gas resources for cleaner, cheaper, and more sustainable transportation.
Six institutions are slated to have fully operational CNG facilities by May 29, 2025, demonstrating immediate impacts and paving the way for broader adoption nationwide.
Cyberpedia Internet Governance, Presidential Office of Digital Engagement & Strategy partner to Pioneer AI-Driven Civic Dialogue Initiative
Abuja, Nigeria – The Presidential Office of Digital Engagement and Strategy (PODES), under the leadership of Senior Special Assistant to the President, Otega Ogra, has entered into a partnership with Cyberpedia Internet Governance—an African Artificial Intelligence, Data & Cybersecurity corporation—to reimagine civic communication in Nigeria.
This groundbreaking collaboration, announced ahead of Cyberpedia President Abiodun Sowemimo’s keynote at the global Cloudfest conference in Frankfurt, Germany, aims to strengthen the government’s digital resilience by equipping citizens with innovative tools to identify and counter misinformation in real-time.
Addressing the challenges posed by disinformation, misinformation, and fractured digital attention, the partnership is built upon two core pillars, including Mapping Public Sentiment by Utilizing Artificial Intelligence to capture real-time insights across Nigeria’s diverse linguistic and cultural landscape, where over 400 languages create complexities in centralised messaging, and Grassroots Empowerment with would include Collaborating with local influencers, content creators, community leaders, and cultural ambassadors to co-develop relatable, engaging content that promotes clarity and national values, combats misinformation and fosters constructive dialogue among citizens.
“This initiative is not about controlling the narrative—it’s about equipping Nigerians with the tools to lead their own informed conversations,” noted Otega Ogra. “In an age of digital disruption, trust is the ultimate currency. Our goal is to build transparency by empowering Nigerians directly, meeting them on platforms where they already engage, debate, and form opinions.”
Cyberpedia Internet Governance’s President, Abiodun Sowemimo, described the collaboration as an innovative model for governance in a disrupted digital era. “This initiative goes beyond Nigeria,” Sowemimo emphasised. “It is about demonstrating how democracies can harness technology ethically, ensuring greater citizen participation without compromising democratic principles.”
Still in its early stages, the partnership will prioritise digital literacy initiatives designed to equip citizens with tools to identify and counter disinformation proactively. Planned initiatives include interactive mobile applications and gamified educational experiences to help citizens recognise manipulated content, fake news, and deepfake technology.
This groundbreaking initiative comes at a critical time as democracies worldwide grapple with misinformation amplified by emerging technologies. Nigeria, home to a vibrant digital landscape and one of the continent’s youngest populations is uniquely positioned to pioneer scalable solutions and set new standards for digital engagement and public trust globally.
PODES and Cyberpedia will unveil additional details of the partnership’s initiatives in the coming months. Sowemimo will formally introduce the initiative later this week at Cloudfest in Frankfurt, Germany, home to the largest gathering of internet infrastructure industry with over 9,000 leaders in the tech ecosystem globally, highlighting Nigeria’s commitment to innovation-driven civic engagement on the global stage.
ASR AFRICA EMERGES WINNER OF THE CSR CHAMPION OF THE YEAR AWARD AT THE 2024 INDEPENDENT AWARDS
ASR Africa emerges the Corporate Social Responsibility Champion of the Year at the Independent Awards 2024 in Lagos recently. Dr Ubon Udoh, the MD/CEO of ASR Africa, represented the Chairman, Abdul Samad Rabiu (CFR, CON) at the event to receive the award on his behalf.
Dr. Ubon Udoh thanked the organisers of the Award for recognizing the immense contributions of Abdul Samad Rabiu in creating sustainable homegrown solutions in Nigeria and Africa at large, in the area of health, education, mentorship and social development. He noted that the award, no doubt, will serve as an impetus for ASR Africa to continue to do more.
ASR Africa is an initiative of one of Africa’s biggest philanthropists and serial entrepreneurs, Abdul Samad Rabiu, Founder & Executive Chairman, BUA Group. At the heart of our mission lies a deep-rooted commitment to fostering substantial progress across the African continent through focused investments in education, health, and social development sectors.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login