…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

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)

The North Central Development Commission (NCDC) has unveiled a draft 20-year Economic, Infrastructural and Social Development Plan for the North Central region.

The plan covers 2027 to 2046 and seeks to transform Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) into a productive, connected, inclusive and resilient region.

This is contained in a communique issued at the end of the NCDC Road Map and Stakeholders’ Development Summit held at the Abuja Continental Hotel, Abuja, from Sept. 14 to Sept. 15.

The communique was presented by the Chairman of the Technical Sub-Committee, Prof. Muhammad Nuhu, and adopted by participants at the close of the summit.

The theme of the summit was “The Great Leap Forward: A 20-Year Economic, Infrastructural and Social Development Plan for the North Central Region”.

The communique said the summit recorded 862 physical attendees and 49 online participants, including representatives of Federal Government, governors of mandate states and FCT, National Assembly members, traditional and religious leaders, development partners, private sector, academia, civil society and media.

It said the Managing Director of NCDC, Dr Cyril Tsenyil, welcomed participants and described the summit as beginning of inclusive, evidence-led development journey.

It added that the new NCDC logo was unveiled as symbol of unity and collective transformation.

According to the communique, the keynote speaker, Sen. Iyorwuese Hagher, urged the region to convert its historic contributions, diversity, natural resources and human capital into shared prosperity.

It said the Governor of Nasarawa State and Chairman, North Central Governors’ Forum, Abdullahi Sule, underscored the region’s agricultural and mineral potential and formally presented the draft 20-year plan.

It said the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, who represented the President, commended the consultative process and called for high-impact and fundable interventions.

The communique noted that North Central possesses extensive agricultural land, water, minerals, energy resources and strategic location, but assets had not translated to commensurate productivity and incomes.

It observed that fragmented planning; weak inter-state connectivity, insecurity, infrastructure gaps, limited value addition and inconsistent implementation had constrained regional growth.

It said security remains productive infrastructure, adding that plan must focus on catalytic, region-wide programmes with clear baselines and measurable outcomes.

The summit resolved to develop GIS-enabled regional economic database and map comparative advantages of each state during foundation horizon.

It resolved to build state-specific agricultural and livestock value chains around mechanisation, irrigation, storage, processing and export, and to formalise artisanal mining with mineral-processing clusters.

On infrastructure, it resolved to implement integrated programme connecting six states and FCT through strategic roads, rail, inland waterways and logistics, with priority to corridors unlocking agricultural land and markets.

It gave urgent consideration to Abuja-Lokoja road, regional rail, Baro inland-port logistics and dry-port connections.

It resolved to develop practical regional energy programme and integrate security, climate resilience and maintenance into project design.

On social development, it resolved to establish disaggregated human-capital and social-inclusion data system to guide interventions for children, youth, women, persons with disabilities and rural communities.

It also resolved to implement safe and inclusive education framework, expand STEM, technical and vocational pathways linked to regional value chains, and strengthen health access.

On security, it resolved to establish coordinated regional security and peace-building framework supporting statutory security institutions through intelligence sharing, early warning and inter-state coordination.

It also resolved to integrate security planning into farms, transport corridors, schools and markets and strengthen role of traditional institutions in peace-building.

On climate and environment, the summit resolved to develop North Central Climate and Disaster Resilience Programme with geo-referenced mapping of flood, erosion and drought hazards.

It resolved to undertake priority flood and erosion interventions, provide Safe Homes for climate-displaced persons, and adopt safeguard-before-scale principle for mining corridors.

On digital economy, it resolved to develop inclusive regional digital infrastructure programme, establish AI and digital-skills centres, and create innovation financing mechanism.

On financing, it resolved to match financing instruments to economics of each project, establish disciplined project-preparation pipeline, and mobilise public resources, development finance, PPPs, capital markets and diaspora capital.

On institutional delivery, it resolved to give plan durable legal backing, establish Programme Management Office within NCDC and define responsibilities across stakeholders, with public performance framework and regular reviews.

The summit further resolved that security, reliable data, inclusion, climate resilience, digital enablement and private-sector participation shall be treated as cross-cutting requirements.

It said young people, women, persons with disabilities, displaced persons and rural communities shall participate meaningfully in programme design.

Participants expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for establishing NCDC and to governors of mandate states, FCT Minister, National Assembly and other stakeholders for their contributions.(NAN).