…Ends 2-day sensitization seminar in Anambra

By Uzo Ugwunze

The Importers Association of Nigeria, IMAN, Anambra State chapter, has vowed not to relent in its war against fake and substandard products in the state.

The Association gave the warning during its two-day statewide stakeholders sensitization seminar which held at Hollywood Events Centre, Awka from September 16th to 17th. The seminar, organised in collaboration with the Anambra State Government, was themed “Securing Trade Corridors and Unlocking Blue Economy Opportunities.”

Speaking at the event, the State Director General of IMAN, Obinna Moluokwu, said the days when Anambra was used as a dumping ground for adulterated products are over. He disclosed that IMAN is synergizing with the State Government through the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Wealth Creation to ensure only genuine goods are imported into the state.

Moluokwu said the seminar was aimed at positioning Anambra for safe commerce, African Continental Free Trade Area, AfCFTA competitiveness and sustainable economic growth. He commended Governor Chukwuma Soludo for his transformation agenda to make Anambra the Dubai of Africa and for improving security in the state, noting that Ndi Anambra now sleep with their two eyes closed.

In his remarks, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, represented by Kingsley Ibe, said the Ministry is implementing Nigeria’s trade policy in line with international standards to promote local products for the global market. He lauded IMAN for the initiative and urged the association not to relent.

Representing Governor Soludo, the Commissioner for Industry, Commerce and Wealth Creation, Hon Nonso Chukwuma Ebonwu said the theme of the seminar aligns with the state’s development aspirations. He noted that trade facilitation, secure supply chains, efficient logistics, inland waterways, product standards and AfCFTA market access are interconnected elements of a modern competitive economy.

Earlier, the National Secretary General of IMAN, Aliyu Ahmed Yar’adua, thanked Governor Soludo, regulators, security agencies, traditional rulers, the academia and captains of industry for supporting the seminar. He said IMAN remains committed to ensuring that the outcomes transcend the event and translate into sustained collaboration and measurable economic development.

In their separate remarks, the President General of Anambra State Markets Amalgamated Traders Association, ASMATA, Chief Humphrey Anuna, and the President General of Ogidi Building Materials International Market, Chief Jude Nwankwo, commended the seminar but suggested a repeat edition in Onitsha, where most major importers are based, to achieve greater impact.

The seminar featured resource persons including Prof. Kate Omenugha, Vice Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Lilian Njideka of the Nigerian Shippers Council, Prof. C.C. Ibe of FUTO, and Dr. Obiora Madu, among others. The highpoint was the presentation of awards to distinguished personalities and resource persons.

Uzo Ugwunze is of the Anambra State Ministry of Information and Value Reformation

By Chidera Orji

Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, CAPPA, has urged the Federal Government to cancel the concession of King’s College, Lagos, to the King’s College Old Boys’ Association, KCOBA.

CAPPA’s Media and Communications Officer, Robert Egbe, said the government should use the two-week suspension of the arrangement to cancel the Memorandum of Understanding, rather than amend it and proceed with implementation.

The Federal Government approved the concession in July, while KCOBA announced a 100-billion-naira endowment fund for infrastructure renewal, teacher development, digital technology, scholarships and students’ welfare.

The implementation was suspended following protests by workers and parents, prompting the government to constitute a seven-member committee to review the agreement.

CAPPA said the suspension does not address its major concern over transferring the management and governance of a publicly owned national institution to a private association.

The organisation argued that retaining legal ownership of the school does not change the fact that operational control, institutional governance and decision-making powers would be transferred to a private body.

CAPPA’s Assistant Executive Director, Zikora Ibeh, said the deteriorating condition of public schools should lead to increased government investment rather than the transfer of their management to private organisations.

The group noted that the Federal Government’s 2026 executive budget proposal allocated about 3.52 trillion naira to education, representing roughly 6.1 per cent of the proposed national budget, but said the allocation remains inadequate to address challenges in the sector.

CAPPA said KCOBA could support King’s College through infrastructure upgrades, scholarships, laboratory and library equipment and teacher development, but such interventions should complement government funding without conferring management powers on the alumni association.

It therefore called for the cancellation of the MoU, an independent assessment of King’s College and a costed rehabilitation plan funded through the federal budget, alongside public oversight and a properly funded national renewal programme for all Unity Schools.

President Bola Tinubu has hailed an International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) tribunal judgment rejecting a $680 million claim by Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Ltd. against Nigeria.

Tinubu ​‌‍​‌‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠​‍‌‌​‍⁠‌​described the judgment as a major victory for Nigeria and a significant step toward resolving legal obstacles to the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project.

The International Arbitration Tribunal, sitting under the auspices of the ICC in Paris, issued the award on Thursday.

The President disclosed this in a statement personally signed by him on Thursday in Abuja.

Sunrise had demanded $680 million as settlement and interest in an arbitration relating to its claim for over $2.7 billion.

The larger claim concerns disputes associated with the development of the 3,960-megawatt Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project in Taraba.

Tinubu said the judgment affirmed Nigeria’s determination to defend its interests against what he described as predatory and exploitative claims.

“On behalf of the Government and People of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I strongly commend the tremendous efforts of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi and the entire team at the Federal Ministry of Justice for their efforts in this matter,” he said.

The President also commended Nigeria’s defence team, led by Ms Elizabeth Oger-Gross and Mr Tolu Obamuroh of Paul Hastings LLP.

“I also commend the FRN defence team, led by Ms Elizabeth Oger-Gross and Mr Tolu Obamuroh, both of Paul Hastings LLP, for their professional and excellent defence of the country,” Tinubu said.

He commended former President Olusegun Obasanjo and late President Muhammadu Buhari for their patriotism and support, noting that both testified in the case.

Tinubu said the dispute dated back to a 2003 contract for a 3,050-megawatt hydroelectric plant in Taraba under a build-operate-transfer model.

He said the contract was not authorised by the Federal Executive Council.

The President also commended former Ministers Babatunde Fashola and Suleiman Adamu, as well as other witnesses and experts.

He acknowledged their contributions toward defending Nigeria’s interests in the arbitration.

Tinubu further commended the National Security Adviser for his support and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for its investigation into the case.

The President assured that Nigeria remained committed to partnering genuine investors and honouring its legal obligations.

He, however, said the country would continue to strongly defend opportunistic claims against its commonwealth.

“Today’s ICC ruling clears the single biggest legal hurdle that has paralysed the Mambilla hydro power project for years,” Tinubu said.(NAN)