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Organised Private Sector Lauds Buhari Over AfCFTA Signing

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President Muhammadu Buhari
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The Organised Private Sector (OPS) has lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for including Nigeria in the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) at the just concluded Africa Union Summit on Sunday in Niamey.

The sector’s chieftains told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos that Nigeria has more to gain because it would have access to the larger market of the member countries.

Director-General, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Mr Muda Yusuf, commended Buhari for following the recommendations of the Presidential Committee on the Assessment of AfCFTA.

According to Yusuf, Nigeria’s access to African countries, whose population is estimated at 1.

2 billion and a two trillion dollars economy, offers tremendous opportunities for our firms.

“Not signing before now gave us the opportunity to put our views on the table to shape the structure of the agreement.

“We, therefore, welcome the decision of the Federal Government to the agreement,” he said.

The director-general, however, said though this would improve trade among African countries, appropriate safeguard measures should be put in place to protect vulnerable sectors of the economy.

He urged relevant agencies to effectively enforce the rules of origin of the agreement so as to build a competitive economy rather than having a disproportionate approach to the country’s industrialisation.

Also, Mr Mansur Ahmed, the President, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) said MAN was happy that the agreement had been signed after exhaustive consultations and analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of the agreement.

“Initially, we (manufacturers) were not fully prepared, but right now, we are more than ready to benefit and exploit the framework of the agreement,” he said.

Commenting, the Director-General, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Mr Ayoola Olukanni, said signing of AfCFTA was a good development.

Olukanni said that it was a reflection of Buhari’s fulfillment of carrying all along before signing the agreement.

Olukanni said the AfCFTA framework required that operational modalities of the Rules of Origin, Tariff Schedules, Tariff Concessions, Services, and Investment Rules, among others were strictly followed by the relevant agencies.

“As Africa gears up for the implementation of this landmark agreement, a few issues deserve our attention.

“The AfCFTA is designed for the economic integration of Africa along the lines of what is evident within the European Union (EU), the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

“The reality is that AfCFTA is finally here, and the recent stakeholders’ meeting organized by the Coalition for Dialogue on Africa (CoDA) in Addis-Ababa is a clear indication that we are on the margins of history on the emergence of Africa as a single and unified market.

“However, only those who prepare for it will harness the full potentials,” he said.

Olukanni added that before the agreement, most Nigeria’s companies, including banks, operated in 18 African countries, while Nigeria practically dominated the entertainment and creative sector of the continent.

“Nigeria airline operators, in spite of the the tough terrain of the domestic Aviation sector, provide services across the west and other parts of Africa.

“Now is the time for other sectors to harness the potential of the agreement,” he said.

In his remarks, Prof. Olukunle Iyanda, President, Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM), expressed worried that the agreement would not be beneficial to the nation due to the attendant infrastructure deficit of the country.

“The agreement will not be too beneficial since the parameters to produce enough are not in place.

“My advice is that we specialise in the production of higher value export like cars, equipment and machineries rather than exchanging small value goods among member nations,” he said.

NAN reports that AfCFTA is to bring together all 55 member states of the African Union covering a market of more than 1.2 billion people, including a growing middle class, and a combined gross domestic product (GDP) of more than 3.4 trillion U.S dollars.

NEWS

DHQ Rebuts Allegation of Internal Sabotage in Benue Massacre

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The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has dismissed the allegation suggesting that internal sabotage within the Nigerian military contributed to the tragic events in Yelwata, Benue.The Director of Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau, in a statement on Tuesday, said the claims were unfounded and not supported by credible evidence.

Gusau said the Nigerian military had consistently denied any involvement in the massacre.
According to him, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen.
Christopher Musa, has publicly stated that the military was not responsible for the killings in Yelwata.“Furthermore, the Nigerian Military has emphasized its commitment to protecting civilians and upholding the rule of law.
“There is no credible evidence to substantiate claims of internal sabotage within the military related to the Yelwata incident.“Investigations by independent bodies, including human rights organizations, have not found any links between the military and the perpetrators of the massacre.“The violence in Yelwata is part of a broader pattern of intercommunal clashes in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region, primarily between farmers and herders.“These conflicts are driven by longstanding disputes over land and grazing rights, ethnic tensions, and competition for resources,” he said.Gusau said that while the military had been deployed to maintain peace, the root causes of the violence lied in complex socio-economic and political factors.He added that attributing the Yelwata massacre to internal sabotage within the Nigerian military was misleading and detracts from the real issues at play.According to him, it is essential to focus on addressing the underlying causes of intercommunal violence and to support efforts aimed at fostering dialogue, reconciliation, and sustainable peace in the affected regions.“The CDS has only called for a holistic approach and the need for the cummunities and the security agencies to work closer to address the issue.“He also call on the communities not to hide criminals and also assure them the military ans other security agencies are there to protect lives and properties of law abiding citizens,” he added. (NAN)

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Benue killing: NAF Deploys More Air Assets in Op Whirl Stroke

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As part of sustained efforts to restore peace and stability across the North Central region, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has deployed additional air assets under Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS).This is contained in a statement by the Director, Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, on Tuesday in Abuja.

Ejodame said the strategic move had reinforced the NAF’s commitment to enhancing security, supporting ground operations, and reassuring communities affected by banditry, kidnapping, and communal unrest.
He said the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, conducted a firsthand evaluation of air operations under OPWS, to assess the effectiveness of these expanded efforts.
According to him, the visit included a high-level strategic engagement held on Tuesday, at the Headquarters Tactical Air Command, Makurdi.Ejodame said the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede; a representative of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Rear Adm. Olusegun Ferreira; the Commander of OPWS; and the Maritime and Air Component Commanders, alongside other key stakeholders, were part of the meeting.According to Ejodame, critical updates were provided on the current tempo of joint operations aimed at restoring lasting peace across the region.In his remarks, the CAS revealed that the newly deployed air assets had been successfully integrated into ongoing operations, delivering real-time intelligence and precision targeting support.He stated NAF aircraft had continued to conduct surveillance, armed reconnaissance, close air support, and precision strike missions with remarkable success.Abubakar noted that the current deployment aligns with the Federal Government’s overarching mission to stabilise the Middle Belt region.He highlighted the impact of recent coordinated air and ground operations across Benue, Nasarawa, and Taraba States, which have led to the dismantling of several militia camps, bandit enclaves, and criminal hideouts.“These outcomes reinforce our unwavering commitment to protecting innocent lives and supporting national peace-building initiatives.“As long as peace is threatened, our resolve remains unshaken.“The NAF will continue to deliver timely, decisive air support in synergy with sister services, ensuring the protection of lives and properties while advancing our mission of restoring peace to the Middle Belt and beyond,” he said.The Service Chiefs jointly emphasised the importance of synergy among the armed forces and other security agencies, noting that jointness remains a cornerstone for operational success under Operation Whirl Stroke.They reiterated that the ongoing operations are part of a broader goal to create a secure environment where residents can live and conduct their legitimate activities without fear. (NAN)

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Tinubu Reiterates Commitment to Fast-Track Approvals for Viable Projects

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President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday restated the determination of his administration to fast-track approvals for viable infrastructural projects in the country.Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, made this known at the 2025 Nigeria Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Summit on Tuesday in Abuja.

The president therefore urged private sector partner to be focused and more committed.
According to him, what matters to the average Nigerian is the availability of basic infrastructure such as power, roads, health facilities and quality schools.
He called for a more strengthened public-private sector partnership that emphasises innovation, efficiency, commitment and integrity above mere capital and investments.
” We need more than investment. We need innovation, we need efficiency, and above all, we need integrity.” I urge you to look beyond the risks and recognise the immense opportunity to shape a nation that is not just rising, but ready.“The projects that emerge from this summit must not gather dust on paper or linger in bureaucratic limbo.” We will fast-track approvals for viable projects. We will ensure coordination across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to enable swift implementation.“We do this because we know that what matters to the average Nigerian is not promises, but power in their homes, roads to their farms, access to clean water, modern hospitals, and quality schools. We must build.” We must deliver. And we must do it together,” he said.He observed that a 21st-century economy cannot be built on 20th-century infrastructure, pointing out that the “old model of public-only infrastructure funding is no longer sustainable.“Our national aspirations far exceed what public budgets alone can deliver. That is why we must innovate, and why we must work together.” We are not looking for investors to carry burdens. We are offering opportunities to create value.” We seek long-term partners who are ready to help us bridge our infrastructure gap with purpose and precision,” he added.Tinubu recalled that his administration, on assumption of office two years ago, was quite aware “that a functional relationship between the public and private sectors would be the magic wand of transformation.”He reaffirmed that the administration was still fully committed to that very public-private partnership that is passionate about delivering sustainable and inclusive infrastructure.” We have strengthened the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission and enhanced its capacity to regulate, superintend, and de-risk PPP transactions.” We are determined to deliver infrastructure that is both sustainable and inclusive. Our economic reforms have laid a stable foundation.” From the removal of unsustainable subsidies to the liberalisation of the foreign exchange regime and the optimisation of government revenues, we have acted boldly and responsibly.“We are streamlining bureaucratic bottlenecks and improving transparency in our project pipelines.” We have aligned our processes with global best practices and investor expectations.”The President urged participants to ensure the event is “remembered not for fine speeches, but for bankable projects, signed deals, and enduring progress.”The Minister of Interior, Mr Tunji Ojo, commended the ICRC for championing game-changing projects across diverse sectors.Ojo noted that with President Tinubu and Vice-President Shettima in the saddle, Nigeria is taking its rightful place in the comity of nations.The Regional Director, Central Africa and Anglophone West Africa, IFC, Dahlia Khalifa, applauded the ongoing reform in Nigeria’s PPP framework.Khalifa acknowledged IFC’s collaboration with authorities across key sectors to achieve the country’s overall objectives and strengthening the existing relationship between the organisation and Nigeria.She added that Nigeria under President Tinubu has demonstrated strong commitments to timely and transparent resolution of disputes arising from PPP projects.Solomon Quaynor, the Vice President for Private Sector, Infrastructure and Industrialisation at the African Development Bank, said the theme of the summit implies that partnerships are not just optional but are essential.He said the infrastructure deficits “demand that the government and the private sector work together in commercially viable PPPs.”Quaynor added that the bank was working with other partners on the Lagos-Abidjan highway project to boost regional economic integration in West Africa.“PPPs are complex long-term projects. They need to be designed properly and designed to survive different political administrations because by their very nature, they are long-term,” he stated. (NAN)

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