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To eliminate poverty and unemployment, small Business need support,”- Mariam Katagum,

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Amb. Mariam Katagum, Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment

The Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mariam Katagum, has said that, in order to eliminate poverty and unemployment in the country, small firms need to be supported.

Katagum said this at the 2021 4th Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit (NDIS21), organised by Nigerian in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) at the Congress Hall at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

It had the theme: “Partnership and Linkages for Post-COVID Economic Growth”, and sponsored by nine organisations ranging from banks, real estate, and state governments, among others.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the hybrid summit touches sectors such as healthcare, agribusiness, technology, education, creative, sport and entertainment, oil and gas, manufacturing and infrastructure/real estate.

Katagum said that the present administration, which took office in May 2015, recognised that the economy is likely to be on a persistent and rapid downward trend unless definite, coordinated and necessary steps are taken to improve it.

“It was in this regard that small businesses were acknowledged as constituting the backbone of any growing economy, and that in order to eliminate poverty and unemployment in the country, small firms needed to be supported in Nigeria, including channeling foreign direct investments to them.

“The earliest action taken by this government was the prioritisation of three policy goals of tackling corruption, improving security and re-building the economy,” she said.

Speaking earlier, Amb. Zubairu Dada, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, said that Nigerians in Diaspora represent an indomitable force.

“They are flag bearers of Nigeria’s image and entrepreneurial energy. Also, they represent Nigeria’s irrepressible spirit and incredible can-do attitude in business and politics, in education and in sports, in entertainment and in science, in medicine and in arts.”

He added that Nigerians have demonstrated across the world, what Nigerians genuinely represent. Furthermore, with the contributions of the Diaspora into the country over the years and their recent interventions during the COVID-19 period, including the supplies of Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs).

“Through training and retraining of COVID-19 experts in the country, to educating the citizens on safety measures, they have demonstrated that they are inestimable assets that the government should partner with in spurring rapid economic growth, most especially in this post-COVID era.

“As we seek to grow and diversify the economy and attracting foreign investment into our economy, it is therefore apt that we tap into our Diaspora, particularly at this time when we are witnessing a skewed shift in foreign direct investment.

“As a result of the COVID-19 outbreak and certain inevitable problems that the Administration is working assiduously to overcome, I am very optimistic therefore that this Summit will be a very productive one and will indeed build on its success of attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from the Diaspora,” he said.

Also speaking earlier, the Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said that partnership is essential for credible response with lasting effects.

According to her, therefore in the quest of the Federal Government to go far in repositioning the economy in this post COVID era, there is a need to partner with the Diaspora in achieving these goals.

“This is why the Summit with this year theme is very apt because it creates that avenue and platform of partnership between the Government and the Diaspora in attracting investment into local business and thus enhancing Foreign Direct Investment in the country.

“Beyond this, the summit has over the years been expanding its participants’ network, showcasing their products and services to target audiences such as the Diaspora investors, sponsors and government actors. (NAN)

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General News

Clergy Urged To Put Members’ Welfare Above All Else

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Anglican Church logo

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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Anglican Church logo

…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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