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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
News
Nigeria’s Pride Awards winner Abubakar Yakubu beats Regina Daniels’ mother to emerge AGN President
By Bonaventure Phillips Melah
Veteran actor and administrator, Alhaji Abubakar Sanusi Yakubu, has been elected as National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN. He defeated his rival, Rita Daniel to emerge as winner.
On September 30th 2025, Yakubu was honoured with Nigeria’s Pride Award for Examplery Leadership in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the growth of Nigeria”s entertainment sector and overall performance as a mentor to young people.
In the election that was held in Benin, Edo State, Yakubu, secured majority of the lawful votes cast, and was declared winner ahead of his major opponent, Mrs. Rita Daniels, who is the mother of Nollywood actress, Regina Daniels.
Results of the election were announced Saturday night.
With the victory, Yakubu, fondly called AbuKing, became the first actor from the northern past of country, to head the AGN since its inception.
He will be taking over from Mr. Emeka Ejezie (Emeka Rollas), MON, whose relection for a second term in 2022 meant he could no longer, in line with the AGN Constitution, vie for the position again.
AGN, which is the umbrella body for screen actors in the Nigerian film industry, popularly known as Nollywood, was initially called the Nigeria Actors Guild, NAG.
Though the industry started taking form prior to 1994, however, it was not until 1998 that it was officially registered.
Past Presidents of the Guild are: Larry Williams (1st National President), Emma Oguguah; Zack Orji; Ejike Asiegbu; Segun Arinze; Ibinabo Fiberesima (Only Female President); and Emeka Rollas- all of whom are from the Southern part of the country.
The Guild has over one million registered members that are spread across Nigeria’s 36 states, including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Prior to his emergence as the first northerner to be elected for the Guild’s top job, Yakubu served as the National Vice President between 1994 and 1995, when the association was known as NAG.
He also served as National Treasurer of AGN (2000 – 2001), Public Relations Officer, AGN (2009-2011), and the National Secretary, a position he held from 2019 till date.
A graduate of Dramatic Arts from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, with about 25 years in film/television and stage acting, all eyes are now on AbuKing to see how he would navigate the wheel of leadership in the AGN for the next three year.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, on Saturday, charged the newly commissioned officers to place national interest above all else and uphold absolute loyalty to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria..
He gave the charge while presiding over the Passing Out Parade (POP) of Executive Commission Course 2/2025 at the Nigerian Army School of Infantry (NASI), Jaji,
General Shaibu said the commissioning of this new set of officers form a critical component of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s renewed drive to reinforce Nigeria’s security architecture as contained in the declaration of a State of Emergency on Security.
He also said that the commissioning is part of the fulfilment of the President’s directive to expand manpower, strengthen frontline deployments and accelerate security stabilisation efforts nationwide.
The Army Chief expressed confidence in the quality of training received by the officers, noting that their exceptional display of parade and weapon handling reflects the Army’s rising standards at a time when the nation demands heightened operational vigilance.
He urged them to remain uncompromisingly apolitical, disciplined and subordinate to civil authority, stressing that professionalism and constitutional loyalty remain the bedrock of military service.
A Nigerian Air Force jet has ccrashed near Karabonde, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.
This was disclosed by a Niger State-based online digital television network, Lapai TV, in a post on its official Facebook page on Saturday evening.
“Two Nigerian Air Force Pilots Reportedly Survive Alpha Jet Crash Close to Karabonde, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State,” the post stated
The incident was said to have occurred Saturday evening.
At the time of filing this report, the military has yet to make any official communication about the incident.
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