News
AfCFTA: Social Action Commends PMB
Social Action commends Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari for his critical and empathetic approach toward signing the AFCFTA Agreement.
This is contained in a statement titled ‘AfCFTA: NIGERIA CUSTOMS SERVICE, OTHERS, COULD TRUNCATE PACT IF…’widely circulated and received by the INFORMAVORES ONLINE NEWS
The statement said, “The enactment of the AfCFTA is indeed good news for Nigeria and the African continent at large. Securing free trade throughout the continent has the potential to kick-start Africa’s industrial revolution and develops its economy in ways never before seen. The UN estimates that under the AfCFTA, intra-African trade could increase by 52. 3 percent by 2022. When its implementation kicks off, the agreement will boost intra-African trade by removing tariffs on 90 percent of goods while the rest ten percent of tariffs being on “sensitive goods” would be also be eliminated subsequently, albeit gradually. ”
“However, it is imperative to warn that Nigeria would only stand to harness and indeed maximise the benefits of this landmark trade deal if it immediately moves to put in place the right policies, frameworks and indeed structures to achieve set out goals. Key institutions such as customs and immigration services must rise above board and dispense of their key roles in this continental pact with national pride and integrity, eliminating all known as well as contrived constraints including corruption that would jeopardize the smooth operation of the trade deal.”
“Government must also move quickly to address the infrastructural gaps such as electricity that undermines productivity of companies in Nigeria. Addressing infrastructural gaps will lead to reduced cost of production and stimulate industrial growth. This will in the long run provide Nigerian companies with the opportunity to access large continental markets and thus gain from the economy of scale as well as mitigate adverse balance of trade.”
“Furthermore, time cannot be better than now, to pursue and implement the National Industrial Revolution Plan to strengthen the country’s Industrial sector, to empower it to effectively compete with those of other climates.”
“It must also ensure genuine diversification of the economy by affecting a paradigm shift from the mono-product situation of the country to multi-product to afford Nigeria the impetus to harness not just the new African trade deal but others as the proposed open EU markets.”
“The AFCFTA therefore, offers ample opportunity for industrialization and job creation as it has provided the platform for Small and Medium Enterprises in Nigeria to connect to regional and continental value chains while consolidating the country’s position as the biggest economy in Africa.”
Social Action commends Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari for his critical and empathetic approach toward signing the AFCFTA Agreement, a move which helped to scrutinize and understand the import of the agreement to Nigerian Economy. It notes that the President’s method in activating rigorous consultations and assessments and scrutiny, was to ensure that the agreement becomes a meaningful platform for Nigerian manufacturers of goods and providers of service to showcase and offer to the continent their unique products and services, as well as to reciprocally receive products and services from other African nations thereby revolutionizing Africa into ‘Factory Africa’. The President was also right in insistence on not only free but fair trade
Nigeria has joined other African countries to make history by signing the world’s largest free trade area deal, encompassing 55 countries and over 1.2 billion people. The signing of the trade deal by the country’s President Muhammadu Buhari at the 12th extra ordinary summit of the African Union, AU effectively brings into force, the trade agreement between 55 African Union nations that would create a single market backed by an African single-currency as well as a free movement protocol among others.
Author Profile
- Prince Abdulrahman Obaje is a Media and ICT Consultant, Journalist, online marketer, social media strategist, Mathematician and Computer Scientist based in Abuja, Nigeria. He is the Founder and the Publisher of The Informavores!. You can reach me on +234 805 939 5252 or send i-witness report directly to me on news@informavores.com.ng.
Latest entries
News2023.05.03Reps Seek UK Government Clemency for Ekweremadu
Sports2023.04.22Banja Luka Exit: Djokovic said hopeful of hitting top form on clay
News2023.03.08FUL College of Health Sciences: FMC Lokoja Turns University Teaching Hospital
News2023.03.08Nigeria Labour Congress Seeks Cordial Relationship Wth Government
News
Organ Trafficking: Ekweremadu, Wife, Doctor Sentenced To Various Prison Terms
The duo of Ekweremadu, former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, his wife Beatrice, and Doctor Obinna Obeta has been senenced to various jail terms for bringing a 21-year-old Lagos street trader to London to exploit him for his kidney.
A judge at The Central Criminal Court, [ Old Bailey], announced the sentence friday.
At a sentencing hearing on Friday, Ekweremadu was jailed for nine years and eight months, his wife Beatrice was sentenced to four years and six months imprisonment while Obeta received a 10-year prison term.
The sentencing follows their conviction in March for organ trafficking, The Ekweremadus’sick daughter, Sonia was cleared of any wrongdoing.
The jury said Ekweremadu, his wife and their doctor criminally conspired to bring the 21-year-old Lagos street trader to London to exploit him for his kidney.
The conviction is the first under the UK’s Modern Slavery Act 2015.
The sentencing comes after pleas from multiple prominent personalities and institutions, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Other petitioners included both chambers of the National Assembly, the Chairman/CEO, Nigeria in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Erewa Dabiri, and the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC).
After months of a pre-trial, the trial commenced on January 31, 2023 and lasted about six weeks, culminating in a guilty verdict against Ekweremadu, Beatrice, and Obeta.
Author Profile
Latest entries
- News2023.05.06Organ Trafficking: Ekweremadu, Wife, Doctor Sentenced To Various Prison Terms
AWF2022.09.21IIJ and Creativity Spark Foundation Throw 10 days Creative Writing Course
News2022.09.04Several Persons Trapped As 7-storey Building Collapses at Lekki
News2022.08.29Abba kyari; Justice Inyang Ekwo Dismissed Case For Lack of Merit – Counsel
News
Reps Seek UK Government Clemency for Ekweremadu
The House of Representatives has write to the government of the United Kingdom seeking mercy in sentencing the embattled Ike Ekweremadu and his wife, Beatrice.
This is contained in a resolution reached following a motion moved by Toby Okechukwu, a lawmaker from Enugu State.
A UK court found the duo guilty of conspiracy of organ harvesting of another Nigerian. The Ekweremadu couple will be sentenced in the coming days.
Moving the motion, Okechukwu said diplomatic intervention in this kind of case is normal.
“It is a common practice in international relations for nations, including the UK, to seek relief for their citizens involved in situations such as that of the Ekweremadus,” he said.
Speaking on the motion, Femi Gbajabiamila, the Speaker of the House, said intervention by the House is not a justification for the charges against the Ekweremadus. He urged the UK government to consider Ekweremadu’s years of public service.
Consequently, the House resolved to urge the UK government and the court to temper justice with mercy in sentencing Ekweremadu, his wife and the doctor.
Also, they urged the Federal Government of Nigeria to take all diplomatic steps and other necessary interventions regarding the travails of the Ekweremadu family.
Author Profile
- Prince Abdulrahman Obaje is a Media and ICT Consultant, Journalist, online marketer, social media strategist, Mathematician and Computer Scientist based in Abuja, Nigeria. He is the Founder and the Publisher of The Informavores!. You can reach me on +234 805 939 5252 or send i-witness report directly to me on news@informavores.com.ng.
Latest entries
- News2023.05.03Reps Seek UK Government Clemency for Ekweremadu
- Sports2023.04.22Banja Luka Exit: Djokovic said hopeful of hitting top form on clay
- News2023.03.08FUL College of Health Sciences: FMC Lokoja Turns University Teaching Hospital
- News2023.03.08Nigeria Labour Congress Seeks Cordial Relationship Wth Government
News
HYPPDEC Donates Food Stuff, Clothing to Locals in Kogi to Tackle Cashless Policy Effect
By Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
The Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPDEC), on Tuesday, donated 400 bags of rice, 250 gallons of vegetable oil and some packaged women rappers to ten Local Government Areas in Kogi State under the agency to cushion the effect associated with the new cashless policy.
Making the presentation to Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State at the Lugard House, Lokoja on Tuesday, a Board Member of HYPPDEC, Alhaji Isah Ozi Salami, said that the gesture is part of the agency’s intervention in times of natural disaster or any hardship situation on citizens.
Salami expressed the commitment of HYPPDEC in tackling the prevailing economic hardship on Nigerians as a result of the Cashless Policy.
“We owe it as a duty to take adquate care of the people in the 10 Local Government Areas belonging to HYPPDEC communities in Kogi
“Our concern under the present economic hardship is to alleviate the sufferings of the people within HYPPDEC communities in Kogi” Ozi Salami told Governor Bello.
He commended Governor Yahaya Bello for the provision of logistic supports that have facilitated smooth operation of the agency in Kogi.
He also told the Governor that HYPPDEC will soon begin the construction of 50 housing units in Kogi for resettlement of last year’s flood victims in riverine communities.
“I appreciate Governor Bello’s magnanimity in providing land for the housing project. The Governor is expected to perform the foundation laying ceremony of the project” Ozi Salami disclosed.
The Chief of Staff to Governor Bello, Jamiu Asuku who received the food stuff on behalf of his boss, hinted that Kogi will key into HYPPDEC’s intervention initiative in the areas of provision of food and security of lives and property for citizens.
Governor Yahaya Bello appealed to HYPPDEC to focus more on Ibaji Local Government Area in its intervention programme as a result of the bad terrain of the area.
Author Profile
Latest entries
News2023.03.08HYPPDEC Donates Food Stuff, Clothing to Locals in Kogi to Tackle Cashless Policy Effect
News2022.05.30Activist Tasks Youths On Active Participation In Politics
Politics2022.05.302023: CSO Seeks for Adequate Security, Active Youths Participation in Politics
News2020.10.01Nigeria @ 60: Bello Promises More Democracy Dividends, Vows To Sues Fraudulent Workers
Organ Trafficking: Ekweremadu, Wife, Doctor Sentenced To Various Prison Terms
Spread the loveThe duo of Ekweremadu, former Deputy Senate President …
Reps Seek UK Government Clemency for Ekweremadu
Spread the loveThe House of Representatives has write to the …
Banja Luka Exit: Djokovic said hopeful of hitting top form on clay
Spread the loveThe world number one tennis player, Novak Djokovic …
HYPPDEC Donates Food Stuff, Clothing to Locals in Kogi to Tackle Cashless Policy Effect
Spread the loveBy Joseph Amedu, Lokoja The Hydroelectric Power Producing …FUL College of Health Sciences: FMC Lokoja Turns University Teaching Hospital
Spread the loveBy Joseph Amedu, Lokoja The Federal Medical Centre …
Nigeria Labour Congress Seeks Cordial Relationship Wth Government
Spread the loveBy Joseph Amedu, Lokoja The National President of …
2023: “Tinubu Championing Modern democracy with power of delegation” – Senator Kalu
Spread the loveChief Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Uzor …
Xmas: Ajia Felicitates with Christians, Solicits For Prayers Over National Challenges
Spread the loveThe Peoples Democratic Party, PDP House of Representatives …
2023 Elections: Why CBN Cashless Policy is Raising Dusts
Spread the loveThe Coalition of National Civil Society Organisations (CNCSOS) …
Federal Workers Give Federal Government A 14 Days Utimtum On Wage Increase
Spread the loveThe Federal Workers Forum, FWF has appealed to …