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Lack of infrastructure hampers industrialisation in Africa – AfDB

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AfDB

Mr Emmanuel Akinwunmi, the Principal Private Sector Specialist, African Development Bank (AfDB) says industrialisation process in Africa is hampered by lack of infrastructure and competitiveness.

Akinwunmi made this observation at inauguration of the Local <span;>Organising Committee (LOC) on the Nigeria Industrialisation Summit, on Friday, in Abuja.

The summit is being organised by Madewell Garment Ltd., in collaboration with Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning and the African Development Bank.

He pledged the bank’s commitment to continue to support initiatives on industrialisation through strategy, which involved agribusiness, special agricultural processing zone among others.

Akinwunmi decried the high importation of textiles and garments in the country, adding that local production and patronage of the industry to revert the over dependency on foreign garments needed to be addressed.

“The AfDB is advocating that whatever you produce, you process and sell locally,’’ he said.

Chief David Iweta, the Chairman, Madewell Garment Ltd., said the Nigeria Industrialisation Summit would unlock potential embedded in agro-agric.

He said the summit, scheduled to hold in Abuja, from Nov. 23 to Nov. 30, had as its objective to move 100 million Nigerians out of poverty by 2030.

Iweta said it would attract investors globally and position Nigeria for international capital flows toward the development of the Special Agro Processing Zones initiative of the AfDB.

He explained that the summit being based on Nigeria’s Economic Growth and Sustainability Plan would dwell on “how to feed, cloth and house Nigeria’’, designed as a solution to unemployment, poverty and insecurity.

According to him, the project which will have its pilot scheme in Delta state at Jesse Export Processing Zone and Anchor (JEPZA) is projected to engage 300, 000 workers in the development of garment and textiles projects.

“It will also look into massive housing development, transportation and logistics, development of livestock, goat diary, fishery, cow meat and hides processing, oil palm and banana plantation and 25,000 pig value chain project, among others,” he said.

He said that the project would equally train 20, 000 Information Communication and Technology (ICT) talents to drive the economy and industrialisation, while contract had been signed by two universities to actualise this.

The chairman said market such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) were being targeted for export.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the committee was inaugurated by Prince Clement Agba, the Minister of State, Finance, Budget and National Planning, represented by Mr Aso Vakporaye, the Director, Economic Growth Department of the ministry.

The inaugurated committee comprises representatives from the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, AfDB, Madewell Group, Nigeria Export Promotion Council, Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority, among others.

The minister, while inaugurating the committee, said the representatives of the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) were chosen in consideration of the roles which they played in the past in line with development.

He advised that being very relevant to the proposed summit; they were expected to bring their expertise to bear to actualise its aim on national economic development.

Responding, Amb. Joe Keshi, Summit Advisor said the members of the committee would work diligently to meet expectations and equally implement ideas of past achievers for national development. (NAN)

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Clergy Urged To Put Members’ Welfare Above All Else

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At a solemn ordination service in Abuja, senior church leaders have called on pastors to make the well-being of their congregations a top priority, following the example of Jesus Christ.

Speaking during the priesthood ordination and installation of a Sub Dean at the Cathedral Church of Advent, Life Camp, Abuja, the retired Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Okene, Rt. Rev. Emmanuel Ajulo, described pastors as shepherds charged with the care of their flock. He urged them to shun worldly distractions and focus on meeting the spiritual and material needs of their members.

Bishop Ajulo also encouraged the newly ordained priests to remain faithful to their calling by teaching God’s word without compromise.

In his charge, the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba, urged the new clergy to preach the undiluted gospel and foster religious harmony wherever they serve. He expressed confidence that their new roles would help promote peace and unity in society.

The service also featured prayers for national leaders and divine intervention in addressing the current global economic challenges.

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1,000 Prayer Warriors Storm Ilorin for Tinubu, Nation’s Deliverance

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

In a dramatic show of faith and patriotism, over 1,000 fiery prayer warriors from across Nigeria will descend on Ilorin, Kwara State, this Saturday, lifting their voices in intense intercession for President Bola Tinubu’s success and Nigeria’s survival in the face of biting economic woes and mounting insecurity.

The spiritual siege, themed “Walking in Domini”, is the maiden convention of the Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC), with its Kwara State Chairman, Evangelist Thomas Adeboye, vowing that “heaven will hear and respond to Nigeria’s cry.”

Aside from marathon prayers, the gathering will roll out free medical outreach to locals across Kwara’s LGAs, a gesture aimed at touching both body and soul.

Adeboye, lamenting Nigeria’s “troubling economic and security realities”, called for a nationwide prayer uprising, insisting that Tinubu has shown the will to revive the nation but needs massive divine backing to succeed.

“Banditry, a collapsing economy, and political tension demand we seek God’s face like never before,” he declared. “We will storm heaven for wisdom for the President and governors to steer Nigeria to safety.”

The convention will also feature awards to distinguished personalities, soul-lifting worship, fiery sermons, and unity-driven lectures—all capped with thunderous prayers for Nigeria’s redemption.

Adeboye urged the President to ensure every policy has “a human face,” stressing that Nigerians must not only endure but also enjoy the fruits of governance.

With the OAIC promising to reaffirm believers’ authority in Christ and rally spiritual boldness in the face of national challenges, Ilorin is set to become the epicentre of a powerful spiritual warfare for Nigeria’s destiny.

 

 

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Nigerian Anglicans Condemn Lesbian Archbishop of Wales, Deepening Global Anglican Rift

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…Church leaders accuse Welsh counterparts of “spiritual decadence” and “abandonment of faith”

The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has issued a forceful condemnation of the election of Rt. Rev. Cherry Vann, an openly lesbian cleric, as the Archbishop of Wales. The move is the latest in a series of developments that have deepened divisions within the global Anglican Communion over sexuality and doctrine.

In a statement from Primate The Most Rev’d Henry Ndukuba, the church denounced the election as a “serious departure from biblical teaching” and a sign of “spiritual decadence” and “an outright abandonment of the faith once delivered to the saints.”

Archbishop Ndukuba warned that Bishop Vann’s elevation compromises the Anglican Church’s global mission and could obstruct evangelism. He compared the situation to the controversial tenure of Most Rev. Katherine Jefferts Schori, former Presiding Bishop of the U.S. Episcopal Church, who also faced intense criticism from conservative Anglicans for her progressive views.

The Primate accused Bishop Vann of being complicit in the “ongoing crisis” around same-sex issues, stating that the election is a “clear revelation that many who claim to be members of the body of Christ cannot endure sound doctrine” (2 Timothy 4:3–4).

The Church of Nigeria called on Anglicans worldwide to reject “rebels” and “apostates” and to instead support conservative bodies like the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON).

“The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) condemns, unequivocally rejects, and will not recognize the election of Rt. Rev. Cherry Vann as Archbishop of Wales,” Ndukuba declared. He concluded with a solemn warning that without repentance, the Church in Wales risks losing “complete relevance” and its leaders will face judgment.

 

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