WEIDE Fund: Minister Applauds Tinubu, Okonjo-Iweala, ITC for Supporting Women Entrepreneurs

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August 16, 2025
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Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and key international partners for their support in launching the Women Exporters in the Digital Economy (WEIDE) Fund, a landmark initiative aimed at empowering Nigerian women entrepreneurs through international trade and digital innovation.

In a statement on Friday by her Special Adviser on Media & Publicity, Mr Jonathan Eze, the Minister praised President Tinubu’s commitment to empowering women-led micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) under the Renewed Hope Agenda, describing the WEIDE Fund as a strategic step toward positioning Nigerian women at the forefront of global commerce.

“President Tinubu has once again demonstrated his unwavering support for Nigerian women-led enterprises by ensuring their inclusion in global digital trade platforms,” she stated. “Under his visionary leadership, women entrepreneurs are now better equipped to innovate, grow, and compete internationally.”

Highlighting the critical role of women in Nigeria’s economy, the Minister noted that women currently constitute 43% of MSMEs and contribute over 23% to the national GDP. She emphasized their importance not only in driving domestic growth but also in advancing Nigeria’s goal of building a $1 trillion economy.

At the heart of this transformation is the Renewed Hope Social Impact Intervention Program (RH-SII), spearheaded by the Ministry, which provides digital tools, skills training, access to finance, and market linkages for women-led businesses.

Sulaiman-Ibrahim also extended appreciation to key partners in the success of the WEIDE Fund, including: Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Pamela Coke-Hamilton, Executive Director of the International Trade Centre (ITC), The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI), led by Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), under Mrs. Nonye Ayeni.

She also acknowledged international funders such as the United Arab Emirates and the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Legacy Fund for their financial contributions to the initiative.

The Minister celebrated the recipients of the WEIDE Fund, describing them as “innovators, leaders, and ambassadors of Nigeria’s ingenuity,” whose achievements reflect the power of inclusive growth and women’s economic participation.

“Your success is not just personal—it is a national victory that reaffirms the transformative potential of women-led enterprises in reshaping global trade,” she said.

Sulaiman-Ibrahim reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to removing barriers for women and fostering sustainable economic transformation.

“We remain resolute in our mission to empower Nigerian women, break barriers, and drive inclusive prosperity,” she affirmed.
[13:16, 16/08/2025] Editor Tokumbo: NCAA Grants Approval to Gateway Airport to Begin Commercial Flights

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), on Friday, granted approval to the Gateway International Agro-Cargo Airport, Ilisan-Iperu, Ogun State, to begin commercial flight operations.

The approval, given in line with Part 12.15.17 of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs), granted an Interim Aerodrome Operational Permit to operate scheduled commercial air transport flights at the airport.

Following the approval, a major international aviation company is expected to operate two weekly cargo flights from London to the airport, which will also serve as the designated alternate airport to Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

Passenger flights are to be launched, starting with direct routes to Abuja and Port Harcourt.

The move is expected to boost trade, investment, and tourism in Ogun State.

It will be recalled that in December last year, regulatory agencies in the aviation industry, including the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), and Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), had visited the airport, hailing the quality of facilities put in place, as well as their level of completion.

They adjudged the airport as world-standard and a source of pride for Ogun State, saying that the infrastructure at the airport, which includes the Control Tower, Weather Monitoring Areas, Runway, Fire Service Stations, and the Apron, could rival any of their type around the world, adding that they remain one of the best in West Africa.

At the time, the Director of Aerodrome and Airspace Standards of NCAA, represented by Ango Mohammed, had noted a significant improvement in the state of facilities at the airport since his last visit, “which is now at the level of any other tower in every standard airport around the globe.”

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August 24, 2025
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PDP Govs to Party Faithful: Resist Attempts by Anti-party Forces to Derail Convention

*Accuse APC of intimidation, anti-democratic actions in last by-elections

*Commend resilience of members in overcoming defections

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

The governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have urged the members of the party to resist all attempts by those they described as anti-party forces to derail the November 15 National Convention of the party to be held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

While commending the resilience of the leaders and members of the party in overcoming “orchestrated” defections, the governors also hailed members of the party for their loyalty in the face of intimidation and anti-democratic actions of the government led by the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a communique issued yesterday at the end of their meeting in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital, the governors, who met under the aegis of the PDP Governors’ Forum (PDP-GF), also urged the party faithful to see the main opposition party as the only democratic institution and viable alternative for restoring Nigeria along the path of good governance and national development.

According to the communique signed by the Chairman of the forum, and Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed, the governors “extensively deliberated on the state of the nation, the security situation, the erosion of democratic values, as well as ongoing efforts to reposition the party and make adequate preparations for its forthcoming national convention”.
“The forum expresses profound gratitude to members and supporters of the PDP nationwide for their steadfast loyalty in the face of serious intimidation and untold anti-democratic actions of the APC-led federal government in the last by-elections.

“The forum commends the resilience of PDP leaders and members in overcoming orchestrated defections, stressing that such distractions cannot diminish the party’s strong grassroots appeal or the growing public yearning for the return of affordable living and relative security experienced under PDP-led administrations,” the governors said.
The governors urged the PDP members and the entire citizenry to hold fast to the vision and principles of the party, in spite of what they described as growing intimidation of the opposition by the government in power.
“This sad situation should only be seen as the sign of the desperation of a political party with no agenda, no vision, and doomed to face inevitable rejection by the masses,” the governors added.

The governor reaffirmed their full commitment to the resolutions of the 101st National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party held in July 2025 regarding the November 15 National Convention.
They urged the members of PDP “to resist all attempts to derail the convention by anti-party forces” and “see the PDP as the only democratic institution and viable alternative for restoring Nigeria along the path of good governance and national development.”
The camp of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, had declared that it was not aware of the planned national convention.

Wike also gave conditions to participate in the national convention, insisting that the outcome of the South-south Zonal Congress of the party held in Calabar, Cross River State, which saw the return of the former Vice Chairman, Chief Dan Orbih, must be recognised.
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the party had rejected the outcome of the congress and appointed a caretaker committee headed by Emmanuel Ogidi as the chairman of the South-south zone of the party.
But the former Rivers State governor warned that a fresh crisis could erupt if the PDP refused to acknowledge the zonal congress that elected Orbih as National Vice Chairman, South-south.
He said, “Well, it is over for now. There are a few things remaining, and I have told them that they must do it. Our congress was held in Calabar, and there’s nothing anybody can tell us. If they want to have another round of crisis, so be it. In that congress, Chief Dan Orbih emerged as the National Vice Chairman. They never wanted congress to hold, but congress was held.

“The so-called acting national chairman of the party wrote a letter to INEC after the congress held that the congress had been postponed. There is no two ways about it. The National Vice Chairman of PDP South-south is Chief Dan Orbih. If they don’t agree, that’s another round of crisis,” he threatened.
Wike also argued that the party must deal with its South-East zonal chairman, Ali Odefa, who had been sacked from the party by an order of a court of competent jurisdiction.
“The South-east vice chairman, Ali Odefa, is no longer a member of the party. These are the things I tell people. What I don’t like is impunity. And for someone like me, we will not condone it. I will not allow it. We will fight it except they correct it.’’
Wike added that the national convention being put together by the party might end up in crisis if the anomalies in the PDP were not corrected.

“They said that they are going for their convention in November. I am not part of it until they have corrected it. Let us wait; there is still time for them to resolve it. Before you talk about the convention, resolve the matter. If the matter is not resolved, there will be a crisis,” Wike reportedly added.
However, in the communique, the PDP governors reaffirmed the party’s commitment to rescue Nigeria and Nigerians from the “divisive governance style of the APC, whose policies have continued to cause more hardship and misery on the people.”
On the issue of insecurity, the governors commended the initiatives by the government of Zamfara State in significantly curbing insecurity within the state.
While condemning the continued monstrous killings in Katsina, Plateau, Niger, and Benue states, as well as in other parts of the country, the PDP governors called on the federal government to be more responsive to the lives of the citizenry.
They alleged over-militarisation of the last by-elections, saying the elections were characterised by widespread irregularities, vote buying, and violence.

The governors called on Nigerians to be more circumspect in protecting their votes.

The PDP governors lauded the government and people of Zamfara State for their uncommon hospitality and also congratulated Governor Dauda Lawal on his exemplary leadership and notable achievements in infrastructure, health, education, other social services, and security.

“The forum commiserates with the Government and people of Zamfara State on the passing of the Emir of Gusau, and equally with the Government and people of Oyo State over the recent loss of traditional rulers,” the communique added.

The governors in attendance include: Mohammed (Bauchi), Lawal (Zamfara), Agbu Kefas (Taraba), Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri (Adamawa), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Douye Diri (Bayelsa), and Ademola Adeleke (Osun).

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*Accuse APC of intimidation, anti-democratic actions in last by-elections *Commend resilience of members in overcoming defections Chuks Okocha in Abuja The governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic
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August 24, 2025
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Despite Macroeconomic Headwinds, 15 Nigerian Companies Post N12.7tn Revenue in H1 2025

Kayode Tokede

Despite grappling with macroeconomic headwinds, Nigeria’s biggest companies have remained resilient, with 15 of them, including Dangote Cement, MTN Nigeria, and Seplat Energy, generating a combined revenue of N12.7 trillion in the first half (H1) of 2025.
According to their unaudited financial results for the six months ended June 30, the figure represents a 44.3 per cent increase from the N8.82 trillion earned in the same period of 2024.
The companies cut across critical sectors—cement production, oil and gas, power generation, fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), and telecommunications, underscoring the broad base of Nigeria’s private sector resilience.
The performance comes at a time when Nigeria’s economy was inching toward stability.
Headline inflation eased to 22.22 per cent in June 2025, due largely to the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) monetary tightening.
Though foreign exchange volatility persisted, recent trends signal tentative market confidence.
A slight uptick in oil production also boosted fiscal revenues and foreign reserves through higher inflows and more disciplined forex management.
At the top of the table is MTN Nigeria Communications Plc, which posted a staggering N2.38 trillion in revenue, up 54.5 per cent from N1.54 trillion in the same period last year.
Close behind is Seplat Energy Plc, which posted N2.17 trillion, a jaw-dropping 277 per cent increase over N575.05 billion posted in H1 2024.
Dangote Cement Plc rounded off the top three, reporting N2.07 trillion, or 18 per cent growth from the N1.76 trillion posted in H1 2024.
However, Oando Plc was the only company among the group that recorded a decline, with its revenue slipping 15.3 per cent to N1.72 trillion from the N2.03 trillion posted in the same period last year.
Meanwhile, Nigerian Breweries Plc delivered an impressive performance with N738.14 billion in revenue, up 54 per cent from the N479.77 billion last year.
BUA Cement Plc also posted N580.3 billion, a nearly 60 per cent increase from the N363.9 billion in 2024.
Analysts say the numbers reflect resilience in the face of daunting challenges, though rising costs remain a concern.
“Companies in Nigeria have shown remarkable resilience amid economic difficulties. The relative stability we are beginning to see has had a positive impact on revenue generation,” said an investment banker and stockbroker, Tajudeen Olayinka.
For the Managing Director of HighCap Securities Limited, David Adonri, the mixed results were not surprising. “Nigeria’s economy is still reverberating from CBN’s foreign exchange reforms and contending with inflationary pressures, insecurity, and other challenges. These continue to produce varied outcomes across different sectors,” he noted.
Chief Operating Officer of InvestData Consulting, Ambrose Omordion, added that policy shifts under President Bola Tinubu have been especially tough on manufacturers.
“The reforms initially dragged companies into losses, but we are now seeing signs of recovery as business activity improves and global crude oil prices rise. While 2025 looks promising for listed companies, operating expenditure will keep climbing due to the high cost of doing business,” he explained.

The post Despite Macroeconomic Headwinds, 15 Nigerian Companies Post N12.7tn Revenue in H1 2025 appeared first on THISDAYLIVE.

Kayode Tokede Despite grappling with macroeconomic headwinds, Nigeria’s biggest companies have remained resilient, with 15 of them, including Dangote Cement, MTN Nigeria, and Seplat Energy, generating a combined revenue of
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WEIDE Fund: Minister Applauds Tinubu, Okonjo-Iweala, ITC for Supporting Women Entrepreneurs

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