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SMEDAN reveals FG’s huge plan to boost women- operated businesses
The director-general of Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Mr. Olawale Fasanya, has reiterated the federal government’s desire to boost women-owned businesses in the country.
He disclosed this at the opening of “Meet With the CEO” in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in Abuja on Wednesday.
The director-general said that in order to ensure this, SMEDAN now has a gender desk and has reserved 50 percent of its intervention programs for women. Fasanya said that the objective of the event was to broaden and deepen the capacity of the MSME operators on regulatory issues. He said it would enable the agency to initiate need-based programs that would enhance MSMEs’ competitiveness in the global market.
He quoted the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) saying 40 percent of businesses in the country are female-led, and they contribute significantly to economic growth and job creation in the country. “These businesses led by visionary women entrepreneurs are emerging as pivotal drivers of Nigeria’s economic resurgence. And they are contributing significantly to the nation’s development across diverse sectors,” he added.
According to Fasanya, female-led businesses have continued to show resilience and a high level of optimism in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, and economic downturn. He said, “Considering the impacts, female-led businesses continue to make progress in spite of the challenges they face.
The government and ecosystem players take a more intentional approach to supporting the demographic segment for greater impact, particularly since investing in female-led businesses produces ripple benefits that trigger employment generation, poverty reduction, and wealth creation.”
The director-general therefore urged the participants to interact with each other and with government officials, ask questions, and network on ways to forge ahead. He commended the ILO, their co-host, for the unwavering support towards the promotion of equal human rights, social justice, and sustainable development.
Meanwhile, the Founder of the Celina Unogwu Visioning Academy (CUVA), Celina Unogwu, reiterated the importance of having a balanced work-life as a woman entrepreneur. According to Unogwu, work-life balance refers to the intersection of work and personal life when there is equilibrium or balance between personal life and professional life. While stating the importance for entrepreneurs to be focused on their goal, she urged the participants to work hard and believe in their dream
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Breaking: Elon Musk’s wealth surges back to trillion dollars
Elon Musk’s wealth has again topped US$1 trillion as stocks of his companies SpaceX and Tesla surged.
Forbes estimated the world’s richest man’s net worth at $1 trillion on Monday, an increase of $30.6 billion from Friday last week, the last stock market trading day.
The gain reinforces Musk’s position as the world’s wealthiest person, far ahead of Bezos, who ranks second with a fortune of $371.5 billion. Google co-founder Larry Page followed with $284.3 billion, while Dell Technologies chairman Michael Dell ranked fourth with $272.2 billion.
`Musk became the world’s first trillionaire in June as SpaceX shares soared following its record-breaking initial public offering, but soon lost that status when the stock fell amid concerns about the company’s lofty valuation, according to Bloomberg.
His fortune has approached the trillion-dollar threshold again in recent days as both companies’ shares rallied. Tesla’s third-quarter deliveries exceeded analysts’ expectations last week, helping increase Musk’s wealth by $61 billion on Friday alone.
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Dangote makes case for domestic production at Abuja trade fair
The Dangote Group has reaffirmed the critical role of domestic production in strengthening Nigeria’s economic resilience.
The Group stated this weekend through its Group General Manager, Mr. Abdullahi Bello Danmusa, who represented the Regional Director/Senior Adviser to the Dangote Group President/CE, Fatima Wali-Abdurrahman, at the Dangote Special Day at the ongoing Abuja International Trade Fair.
Speaking on the theme of this year’s Trade Fair, “Resilience: Trade, Taxation and the Economy,” Mr. Danmusa said taxation remains a fundamental component of national development, stressing that Dangote Group takes its tax obligations seriously and contributes substantial revenues to government annually, while also supporting employment, enterprise and value creation across its operations.
He said trade could achieve greater economic impact when it is supported by strong domestic productive capacity.
“Trade becomes more meaningful when it is supported by production. No country can build lasting resilience by depending excessively on imports that it has the capacity to produce competitively at home.
“This is why Dangote Group continues to invest in manufacturing and industrial capacity across cement, sugar, salt and seasoning, packaging, fertiliser, petrochemicals and petroleum refining.
“The theme of this year’s Trade Fair, ‘Resilience: Trade, Taxation and the Economy,’ speaks directly to the realities of our time.
“Nigeria’s economic resilience will ultimately depend on a fundamental choice: to continue to import what we can produce, or build the capacity to produce, compete and export.”
Danmusa noted that strengthening domestic manufacturing capacity would help deepen economic activity, create jobs, support local enterprises and reduce excessive dependence on imported products.
He added that the Group’s investments across various sectors reflect its commitment to supporting Nigeria’s industrialisation and contributing to the development of a more productive and resilient economy.
Also speaking at the Dangote Special Day, the First Deputy President of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), Prof. Adebisi Adesugba, commended Dangote Industries for its contribution to Nigeria’s economic development.
Adesugba, who represented the President of ACCI, Emeka Obegolu, SAN, said the longstanding partnership between Dangote and the Chamber demonstrates the important
He noted that Dangote’s strategic investments in sectors including cement, fertiliser, agriculture, refining and petrochemicals have contributed to strengthening domestic productive capacity, creating employment opportunities, reducing dependence on imports and supporting foreign exchange generation.
“ACCI recognises Dangote not only as an exhibitor and sponsor, but also as a strategic partner.”
He said the partnership between ACCI and Dangote has contributed to creating opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs while supporting trade, investment and sustainable economic development.
Adesugba further expressed the Chamber’s appreciation for Dangote’s longstanding relationship and partnership with ACCI, describing the collaboration as an important platform for strengthening the business community and advancing economic opportunities.
The Dangote Special Day brought together business leaders, government representatives, investors, exhibitors, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders as part of activities at the ongoing Abuja International Trade Fair.
Also speaking at the Dangote Special Day, the First Deputy President of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), Prof. Adebisi Adesugba, commended Dangote Industries for its contribution to Nigeria’s economic development.
Adesugba, who represented the President of ACCI, Emeka Obegolu, SAN, said the longstanding partnership between Dangote and the Chamber demonstrates the important role of responsible corporate participation in promoting commerce, investment and entrepreneurship in Nigeria and across the African sub-region.
He noted that Dangote’s strategic investments in sectors including cement, fertiliser, agriculture, refining and petrochemicals have contributed to strengthening domestic productive capacity, creating employment opportunities, reducing dependence on imports and supporting foreign exchange generation.
“ACCI recognises Dangote not only as an exhibitor and sponsor, but also as a strategic partner.”
He said the partnership between ACCI and Dangote has contributed to creating opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs while supporting trade, investment and sustainable economic development.
Adesugba further expressed the Chamber’s appreciation for Dangote’s longstanding relationship and partnership with ACCI, describing the collaboration as an important platform for strengthening the business community and advancing economic opportunities.
The Dangote Special Day brought together business leaders, government representatives, investors, exhibitors, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders as part of activities at the ongoing Abuja International Trade Fair.
The event provided an opportunity for stakeholders to engage on issues around taxation, trade, industrialisation, investment, domestic production and the broader prospects for Nigeria’s economic development.
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Police high command mobilise to rescue 20 NYSC members abducted in Imo
The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Olatunji Disu, has deployed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) in charge of Operations, Shehu Umar Nadada, to Imo State to provide operational leadership and strengthen ongoing efforts to rescue the 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and other passengers abducted along the Owerri-Onitsha Road at Umunoha on October 1, 2026.
Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, CSP Anietie Iniedu, disclosed in a statement on Friday that DIG Nadada arrived Imo State alongside two Commissioners of Police and immediately carried out an on-the-spot assessment of the security situation and the search-and-rescue operations being coordinated by the Imo State Police Command.
During the visit, the DIG reviewed operational strategies, personnel deployments, and the utilization of security assets. He also issued fresh directives aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of the coordinated rescue mission.
The assessment was conducted in the company of the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, CP Audu Garba Bosso; the Commissioner of Police, Federal Operations, CP Akpan Anifiok; the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Police Mobile Force, CP Nendel Joseph Gomwalk; other service commanders; and members of the Imo State Police Command management team.
According to Iniedu, the police have intensified the search operation, deploying additional tactical teams and operational resources to identified locations.
He said the operation was being reinforced through intelligence-led efforts to track the abductors, alongside coordinated operations with other security agencies.
Nadada, according to the statement, assured members of the public that the police would continue working to secure the safe release of those abducted.
“The Nigeria Police Force is committed to securing the safe rescue of the 20 abducted persons and will sustain the operation until the mission is successfully concluded,” Iniedu quoted Nadada as saying.
The DIG appealed to members of the public and the media to remain calm and vigilant, while urging anyone with credible information that could assist the rescue operation to report to the police or the nearest security formation.
“All information received will be treated with strict confidentiality,” he said.
The police said further information on the rescue operation would be made available as developments unfold.
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