Politics
Oyo Govt Unveils New Export Initiative, Hosts Stakeholders
*Oyo Govt Unveils New Export Initiative, Hosts Stakeholders
The Oyo State Government has unveiled Omituntun 2.0 export initiative tagged “Operation Double Your Export”, adding that the initiative will allow key players in the export ecosystem to chart a sustainable path for increased non-oil exports in the State.
The meeting engaged major stakeholders on export growth in Oyo State.
The Commissioner for Investment, Trade, Cooperatives and Industry, Hon. Adeniyi Adebisi, made this known today during the stakeholders’ engagement held at the ministry’s conference room in Ibadan.
Hon. Adebisi emphasized that the meeting was a strategic move by the State to deepen collaboration with regulatory agencies, agro-allied entrepreneurs, financial institutions, and exporters to boost Oyo’s presence in international markets.
He noted that Oyo State is determined to harness its comparative advantage in cashew, cocoa, shea butter, cassava, and other agro-allied products to unlock wealth, create jobs, and increase internally generated revenue.
The Commissioner said that Oyo State is the first subnational in Africa to develop African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) strategy, attracting a visit from the AfCFTA Secretary General.
Leveraging its location and trade infrastructure, the state aims to boost economic growth, reduce poverty, and align with continental trade protocols.
Key initiatives include AfDB recognition as an agro-processing zone and regional cooperation with Southwest states.
Oyo sets a model for subnational leadership in Africa’s economic integration.
The Commissioner explained ongoing State interventions in regulatory reforms and export facilitation.
These include engaging agencies like the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), establishing a Trade Grievance Resolution Office, and supporting executive bills to ease export processes.
He urged stakeholders to bring forward export-related legislative suggestions through the Ministry, saying, “If you have a legislation that works for you, come to us. It is better and faster to go as an executive bill than for you to do it individually. Why waste time and resources?”
He also cited the example of branding Ogbomoso cashew for global visibility, stating: “If it requires that we produce bags and write ‘Ogbomoso’ on them, we will move cashew successfully for exportation.”
The Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olajide Okesade stressed the Ministry’s vision to transition from a local trade mindset to a structured, export-driven economy.
The President, Oyo State Shippers Association and CEO of Oklan Best Nigeria Ltd., Mrs. Elizabeth Olanrewaju Nwanko shared insights from her experience exporting beans, yam, egusi, and fish to Europe and North America.
She identified barriers such as high tariffs, lack of proper product certification, and the tendency of exporters to route goods through Ghana, Togo, and Benin Republic due to their friendlier trade policies.
She advocated for land allocation in Ogbomoso, Shaki, and Tede for cashew and shea plantations, use of GPS for farm monitoring, and enforcement of tree-felling laws. “There’s global demand for 500,000 metric tons of shea butter—Oyo can tap into this if we act strategically,” she emphasized.
The representative of the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO), Prince Aderemi Adejobi, revealed that NAHCO has established export processing centers in Lagos and plans to replicate them in other cities.
These centers aim to help farmers meet international standards, reduce spoilage through cold-chain infrastructure, and eliminate export rejection risks.
He stressed that these hubs will be vital in aggregating farm produce for efficient and compliant export operations.
Assistant Director and Oyo State Trade Promotion Advisor at the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC),Mrs. Bolanle Emmanuel, outlined various incentives and programs available for Oyo exporters, including the Export Expansion Grant (EEG), Export Development Fund (EDF), and training workshops.
She clarified that NEPC provides free advisory support, though obtaining an export certificate involves a fee ranging from ₦7,500 to ₦13,500 depending on the renewal timeline.
The representative of Parallex Bank, Mr. Adepoju Mojeed, disclosed that the bank recently received a $10 million facility from Afreximbank to support SMEs, particularly in agriculture and export trade.
He encouraged farmers and agro-processors to access credit through cooperatives, pay mandatory export fees (NESS), and leverage opportunities for collateral-free loans and capacity-building programs.
The engagement marked a significant step toward positioning Oyo State as a formidable player in Nigeria’s export sector. Stakeholders agreed to maintain close collaboration with the State Government and to fully leverage platforms such as the “Omituntun Export Initiative” for sustainable growth and inclusive economic development.
E-signed:
Prince Dotun Oyelade,
Commissioner for Information and Orientation,
Oyo State.
July 22, 2025.
Politics
Atiku Set To Clinch ADC Presidential Ticket, Leads Amaechi, Hayatu-Deen In 34 States
Atiku Set To Clinch ADC Presidential Ticket, Leads Amaechi, Hayatu-Deen In 34 States
Former Vice President of Nigeria and frontline presidential aspirant of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, is projected to emerge winner of the party’s presidential primaries, according to impeccable sources in Abuja.
The primaries, conducted across over 8,000 wards in the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, reportedly placed Atiku far ahead of his closest rivals — former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, and former Chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen.
Highly placed party insiders disclosed that Atiku is currently leading in 34 states, including the FCT, after securing dominance across the 19 Northern states, the five South-East states, and the six South-West states, while also maintaining a strong showing in at least three states in the South-South geopolitical zone.
The sources added that the outcome reflects what they described as “an overwhelming nationwide acceptance” of the former vice president within the opposition party ahead of the 2027 general election.
Meanwhile, the ADC leadership has invited members of the press to the official announcement of the final collated results scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, in Abuja.
The declaration of results is expected to be broadcast live on ARISE Television and two other major television stations, while also being livestreamed on the party’s official social media platforms on X and Facebook.
Speaking ahead of the announcement, the founding National Chairman of the ADC, Chief Ralph Nwosu, said the decision to televise the exercise live was aimed at promoting transparency and democratic accountability.
“We want millions of Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora to witness democracy in action,” Nwosu said.
He further revealed that the party leadership would encourage all three presidential aspirants to publicly embrace a peace accord and commit themselves to working together in unity for the party’s success.
According to him, the move is necessary to strengthen internal cohesion and position the ADC for victory in the presidential election scheduled for January 16, 2027.
Details later.
Politics
Popular Journalist, Hon. Olushola Arike Ayekoto Emerges ADC Candidate for Alimosho Federal Constituency
Popular Journalist, Hon. Olushola Arike Ayekoto Emerges ADC Candidate for Alimosho Federal Constituency
Joy and celebration filled the air for popular broadcaster and veteran journalist, Olushola Arike Ayekoto, after emerging as the candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the House of Representatives seat representing Alimosho ahead of the 2027 general elections.
At the party’s primary election held last week, the prominent female politician defeated her co-contender, Hon. Mojeed Anjolaiya, by a wide margin to secure the party’s ticket.
Although several political developments and consultations had earlier taken place within the ADC concerning who would eventually fly the party’s flag for the federal constituency seat, the contest was finally decided at the primary election where Arike emerged victorious.
Speaking after the exercise, members of the ADC in Alimosho expressed confidence in her leadership ability and political experience, describing her as a capable and grassroots-oriented personality who possesses the qualities needed to effectively represent the people at the National Assembly in Abuja.
Party faithful also noted that her long-standing experience as a professional journalist and public commentator has positioned her as someone who understands the needs and challenges of the people.
Following her emergence, Hon. Arike Olushola expressed deep appreciation to the people of Alimosho for their support and confidence in her candidacy.
She also thanked party leaders, elders, and stakeholders within the ADC for giving her the opportunity to represent the party in the forthcoming election.
According to her, she would not disappoint the electorate and assured party members that their trust in her would be justified.
The ADC candidate further appealed to all members of the party to remain united and work together for the overall success of the party at all levels in the 2027 elections, including the presidential, governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives, and state assembly contests.
She expressed confidence that the ADC would record massive victories in 2027, declaring that the party is fully prepared to take over leadership from the ruling party.
Politics
Northern Women Group Urges APC To Protect Dankaka’s Senatorial Mandate
Northern Women Group Urges APC To Protect Dankaka’s Senatorial Mandate
A prominent Northern women’s socio-political organisation, Jam’iyyar Matan Arewa, has appealed to the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress to protect the senatorial mandate of Dr. Muheebah Dankaka for Kwara South Senatorial District ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a letter dated May 24, 2026 and addressed to the APC National Chairman in Abuja, the group described Dankaka as the only female senatorial candidate from Northern Nigeria to emerge victorious during the party’s primaries.
The letter, signed by the National President of the group, Hajiya Rabi Musa Saulawa, stated that out of the 109 senatorial seats nationwide, only three women secured APC senatorial tickets, with Dankaka emerging as the sole female candidate from the North.
According to the group, Dankaka’s victory reflected “the strong endorsement of the people” of Kwara South and symbolised renewed hope for greater female representation in the country’s political leadership.
The organisation warned that any attempt to undermine or substitute her candidacy could negatively affect the relationship between Northern women and the ruling party.
The letter partly read, “Any attempt to undermine or substitute her victory will be viewed by Northern women as a painful disregard for their loyalty, sacrifices, and contributions to the growth of the Party.”
The group also recalled its contributions to the APC’s electoral successes in the 2015, 2019 and 2023 general elections through grassroots mobilisation and voter education across the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory.
It further urged the APC leadership to adopt policies that would encourage more competent Northern women to occupy elective and appointive positions, especially in the Senate and other strategic offices.
“We further urge the Party to adopt deliberate and sustained measures aimed at raising more competent Northern women for elective and appointive positions,” the letter added.
The group expressed confidence in the leadership of the APC National Working Committee to uphold what it described as the freely given mandate of Dr. Muheebah Dankaka by the people of Kwara South.
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