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Tag: Olusegun Awolowo

  • Chief Obafemi Awolowo grandson laid to rest

    Chief Obafemi Awolowo grandson laid to rest

    The remains of Olusegun Awolowo, grandson of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, were today laid to rest after a solemn funeral service at Our Saviour’s Church, Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Lagos.

    The burial marked the conclusion of a series of events that began on Monday with a Night of Tributes at Harbour Point, Victoria Island, where family, friends, and colleagues celebrated the life and legacy of the former Executive Director of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC).

    The funeral service was officiated by the Vicar and Archdeacon of Ikoyi, Ven. Folorunsho Agbelusi delivered a sermon centred on the theme of divine help.

    Read from Psalm 90:1, he reminded the congregation of the temporariness of earthly existence.

    He said, “Whether you showed up here in red, purple, or black, everything in our wardrobe is meant for this temporary place.

    Ven. Agbelusi described God as an unfailing refuge who provides help in diverse forms and seasons, noting that the needs of the bereaved family were distinct but fully known to God.

    “There is no strong man anywhere. All of us have been helped by God,” he said, urging the congregation to find solace in divine support through life’s wilderness.

    Representing the President, the Chief of Staff, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, stated that Segun Awolowo is a good man who lived well.

    He praised the late technocrat’s commitment to national development, from his earliest role as Special Assistant to the President, through his leadership of the NEPC, to his work on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

    “Above all else, he was a family man and a beacon of quiet strength. May the legacy Segun leaves behind console you. May the seeds he planted continue to grow,” he said.

    Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, described Awolowo as a man who embodied humility, conviction, and a deep commitment to the Nigerian dream.

    Sanwo-Olu said, “He was a bridge between history and the future, between his illustrious lineage and the ordinary people he cared deeply for.”

    The governor reflected on Awolowo’s faith and resilience even in illness, saying those qualities underscored a life lived with meaning.

    Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, described Awolowo as a man of “humility and service with a deep sense of patriotism.”

    He celebrated Awolowo’s notable achievements in trade promotion, including his work on the Zero-Oil Plan and his impact on inter-African trade.

    He urged Nigerians to reflect on their own lives in light of the inevitability of mortality: “If God calls you home now, what account would you write down of your life?”

    Dignitaries present are: Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and his wife, Dolapo, Former Senate President Bukola Saraki, Former Governor of Ekiti State, Niyi Adebayo, Former Governor of Delta State, James Ibori,  Ogun State Secretary, Tokunbo Talabi, Publisher of The Guardian, Lady Maiden Alex-Ibru,  Chairman of ThisDay Newspapers, Nduka Obaigbena, Publisher of Ovation International, Chief Dele Momodu

  • Finance, DMO approve N195bn to exporters for EEG settlement

    The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) disclosed at the weekend that the Export Expansion Grant (EEG) is being resuscitated as the minister of Finance has directed the Debt Management Office for settlement of the EEG debts.

    The debt is covering claims back log of 10 years from 2007 to 20016 for 270 companies with the total value of one hundred and ninety five billion, eighty nine million, two hundred and thirty four thousand, eight hundred and eighty naira, and sixty four kobo (N195,080,234,808.64).

    The Executive Director, CEO, Nigeria Export Promotion Council NEPC, Olusegun Awolowo, disclosed these at the stakeholders forum on the framework for the issuance of Promissory Notes for the settlement of outstanding Export Expansion Grant claims 2007-2019, stating that this will bring succor to the export succor in particular and the economy in general.

     He added that there is also positive signal from the National Assembly as it will soon pass the second batch of approval for the remaining 39 companies with a total N124bn.

    READ ALSO: ‘How we can become top export nation’

    According to him, the settlement of this inherited debt by the government will pave way for the revival of the non-oil export sector of the economy.

    It will in no small measure enable financial institutions inject funds for further export activities, generate more foreign exchange as well as employment for the teeming youths of the country.

    “Statistics from the pre-shipment inspection agents and the National Bureau of Statistics analyzed by the council showed that, the country’s export earnings for 2017 and 2018 experienced an upward trend.

    “There was a growth of 48.43% from $1.204 billion in 2016 to $1.787 billion in 2017, it further went up by 27.22% equivalent to $2.274 billion in 2018.

    “It is our sincere believe that exports for 2019 will grow by about 40 percent in view of the settlement of the exporter’s debt through the promissory note programme.”

    Awolowo said in line with government policy on the Ease of Doing Business and to compliment these efforts, the council has developed an online, real time portal for the processing and management of the EEG claims. The online platform will provide opportunity for all stakeholders, processing government agencies, auditors of the scheme, exporters and other relevant stakeholders to submit, review and access information regarding the processing of claims.

  • NEPC encourages women participation in non-oil exports

    In an effort to promote effective grassroots participation in non-oil export development activities, a one-day SheTrades sensitization forum has been organized by Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Calabar export assistance office, in collaboration with African Women Entrepreneurship Programmes (AWEP) in the Cross River State capital.

    Director General/Chief Executive Officer, NEPC, Mr. Olusegun Awolowo, said the sensitization forum is aimed at creating export awareness, educating women entrepreneurs on how to successfully register on the SheTrades platform and to create a database of women export oriented companies in the state as well as mobilize women entrepreneurs participation in their programmes and services.

    Represented by the Trade Promotion Advisor of NEPC in the state, Dr. Emmanuel Etim, Awolowo noted that the forum will also help to build the capacity of women entrepreneurs and business support organizations on SheTrades initiative and its benefits as well as build entrepreneurial skills that could stimulate growth in non-oil export activities, create jobs, grow the nation’s GDP and promote industrialization in the state.

    “This sensitization forum is carefully designed to promote women participation in non-oil exports trade as well as enlighten women exporters/entrepreneurs in the state on accessing the benefits of SheTrades initiatives platform,” he said.

    Read Also: Osinbajo to unveil Igbo Ancestry Museum in Anambra

    He urged women exporters, association and members of organized private sector (OPS) to take full advantage of the sensitization forum to access the benefits of the SheTrades platform by participating in the programmes thereby building their entrepreneurial skills that could stimulate growth.

    Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Cross River State, Mr. Peter Egba, represented by the Director, Administration, Mr. Thomas Atim said activities and programmes have been carried out by the state government on export promotion on non-oil products.

    He stated that the state government is prepared to key into the initiative and that efforts will be made towards awareness creation and sensitization on the initiative.

    The theme of the forum was “Promoting women participation in non-oil exports trade.”

  • Nigeria ready for local tomato export—NEPC boss 

    The Executive Director, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mr. Olusegun Awolowo, has declared that the country has put in place necessary facilities to make locally produced tomatoes exportable and acceptable in foreign country.

    According to him, the export drive for Nigerian agricultural produce has reached a stage of no return, adding that Nigeria was set to hit the global market with quality agro-allied products.

    Awolowo made the declaration on Thursday in Benin City while commending an indigenous producer of tomatoes, Wells Hosa Greenhouse Farms Limited, for deploying the use of greenhouse technology to produce exportable tomatoes in the country.

    Mr Awolowo explained that with the technology, Nigeria could now start to export tomatoes to every part of the world, maintaining that the technology would also help to end the era of Nigeria’s tomatoes being infected by different forms of diseases, hence unacceptable overseas.

    The NEPC boss stated this at the first harvest launch of Wells Hosa Green House Farms Limited in Edo State.

    Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Agriculture, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, said the Federal Government had endorsed green house farming to boost food production in the country, saying that before the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, agriculture was seen as a government’s programme, but stressed that with Wells Hosa Green House Farms initiative, Nigerians are seeing it as a business and investment.

    Awolowo said: “He wants to create wealth for the people in Edo State and creating job opportunities. It is a good idea to use the green house technology because all year round, they would be growing and you can see the massive project he has embarked on and I believe if it is not the biggest in Africa, it will be the biggest in West Africa. From green-house technology, you will not get any form of tomato diseases because they are covered and restricted and those are the kind of tomatoes we can export because it is easy to get into supermarkets across the world.”

    The Chairman, Wells Hosa Green House Farms Limited, Captain Idahosa Wells Okunbo, said agriculture is key to changing the Nigerian narrative, pointing out that with green house technology, the country could produce quality and exportable round for local and global needs while also creating wealth and job opportunities in the country. “People are seeing tomatoes, but I am seeing more than tomatoes. I am seeing jobs for the youths, empowerment, I am seeing food security for the country and export of our tomatoes to earn foreign exchange,” Okunbo said.

     

  • Export committee targets $150bn revenue

    Export committee targets $150bn revenue

    The National Committee on Export Promotion ( NCEP ) says it is targeting 150 billion dollars revenue through Zero Oil Plan (ZOP) initiative.

    Mr Olusegun Awolowo, Executive Director of Nigerian Export Promotion Council ( NEPC ) and member of the committee disclosed this to newsmen at the end of the committee’s meeting in Abuja on Thursday.

    Awolowo said that the revenue would be earned in a period of 10 years and would be used to strengthen the country’s foreign reserve.

    He said that the committee had the task to aggregate all issues affecting export in the country and make recommendation to the Federal Government.

    “The constitution of the committee seeks to replace oil as the source of foreign exchange earner by growing non-oil exports from present five billion dollars to 30 billion dollars by year 2020.

    “The objective of the plan is to further add extra 150 billion dollars (minimum) to Nigeria’s foreign reserves cumulatively from no-oil exports over the next 10 years.

    “We will create at least 500, 000 additional jobs annually due to increase in productive and export activities as well as lift at least 10 million Nigerians out of poverty,’’ he said.

    According to Awolowo, the committee is expected to submit an initial report on Nov.16, 2017.

    He said that the committee’s terms of reference were to aggregate all the issues and recommendations as highlighted in the various initiatives on diversification of Nigeria’s economy.

    Others are to consult with the states for their input on the subject and draw up a workable plan to enhance export promotion.

    On his part, Gov. Mohammed Abubakar of Jigawa, who is the Chairman of the committee, said that the committee would work with state governments to actualize it objectives.

    According to him, all issues currently facing the country’s export will be adequately addressed.

    “Non-oil export growth is the only way forward for a sustainable development,’’ he said.

    Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Vice President and Chairman, National Economic Council ( NEC ), inaugurated the committee a few days ago at the 80th meeting of NEC in Abuja.

    NAN

  • Export processing facilities will make Nigerian products competitive–Awolowo

    Mr Olusegun Awolowo, the Chief Executive of Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), has called for the establishment of more export processing terminals in the country.

    He said that the establishment of export processing terminals would make Nigerian goods competitive in the international market.

    Awolowo made the observation in Lagos on Monday at a one-day Business Forum on Export Logistics organised by NEPC in collaboration with Accessport Nigeria Ltd.

    The NEPC chief, who was represented by Mr William Ezeago, Director, Product Development in NEPC, said that the council had resolved to encourage private investors in export and logistic services through Public-Private Partnership.

    Awolowo said this was part of measures being put in place to encourage Nigerians to export their goods and services to the international market within the time frame required and without compromising their quality.

    “This will impact positively on the efforts of the council at diversifying the economy and reducing the cost of doing business.

    “It will also promote non-oil export trades which are in line with the Federal Government’s programme of diversification of the economy and increasing Nigeria’s ranking on Ease of Doing Business Index.

    “This facility will encourage informal exporters to formalise their export businesses as well as assist in the collation of statistical figures for use by government and business concerns,” he said.

    Awolowo commended efforts of Accessport Nig. Ltd. in providing the facility which is domiciled at Lilypond Terminal, Ijora, and Lagos.

    He said this would provide exporters the much-needed export infrastructure needed to execute transactions successfully and efficiently at reduced cost and time, thereby increasing their competitiveness in the international market.

    The NEPC boss said this would also ensure compliance with the current directive of the government to complete all export transactions within 48 hours.

    Awolowo said the forum was a veritable platform for sensitising the various export groups and regulatory agencies on the opportunities available for exporters to handle their business.

    “From the receipt of the export good at the warehouse in the terminal, inspection and documentation procedures to stuffing of containers for final shipment, all will be handled in one location.

    “Undoubtedly, this facility will provide a one-stop shop for export processing and logistic services,” he said.

    Mr Las Alli-Shobande, the Managing Director, Accessport, said statistics showed that over 2.3 million tonnes of non-oil products were exported annually, adding that the figures could only grow with the right logistics.

    He said there was need to support the sector by providing appropriate platforms to enhance seamless logistic services for a sustainable economic growth.

     

  • Nigeria lost $30bn oil revenue in 2015 – Awolowo

    Nigeria lost $30 billion in oil revenue between 2014 and 2015, the Executive Director, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Olusegun Awolowo, has said.

    He stated this in Abuja at the batch 3 graduation ceremony of 38 Zero to Export Capacity Building Programme beneficiaries.

    He said: “There is no doubt that the essence of our gathering today underscores the crucial role that non-oil export sector is expected to play in the present administration’s effort at diversifying the Nigerian economy away from over reliance on oil as its mainstay, especially now that the continuous fall in price of oil has thrown the world in recession.

    “Recent developments on global market have triggered a wake-up call on the need for us to accelerate the diversification of our economy, moving away from over dependence on oil as our main source of revenue.

    “Since reaching a peak in June 2014, the price of crude oil has fallen roughly by 60 per cent.Nigeria lost $30bn in oil revenue between 2014 and 2015.

    “NEPC will continue to encourage Nigerians to take advantage of the diversification process of the federal government through the promotion of non- oil export activities.”

    Awolowo said the NEPC would continue to create opportunities for Nigerians to imbibe the culture of exportation through capacity building and training programmes.

  • Nigeria loses N345bn to smuggling of Shea products – NEPC

    Nigeria loses N345 billion to smuggling of Shea products yearly, the Executive Director, Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Mr. Olusegun Awolowo, has said.

    He said the huge sum lost to smuggling made the NEPC to intervene in Shea butter development in the country.

    Awolowo, who spoke on Wednesday at the opening ceremony of a two- day Shea 2015 conference in Abuja with the theme: “Shea Sector Development in Nigeria – A Concerted Renaissance,” added that Nigeria was now the global leader in Shea export.

    Stakeholders in the sector at the conference said that Shea had the potential to contribute over $3 billion dollars to the Nigerian economy.

    He said: “NEPC intervention in Shea butter development in Nigeria stems from this: every year, nearly N345 billion is lost to smuggling of Shea products.

    “Over the past 10 years, demands for Shea products have grown both in the European Union and in the United States necessitating Nigeria and other West African states to go into the export of Shea products.

    “The global demand for Shea butter is worth about $10 billion dollars and it is projected to be worth about $30 billion dollars by the year 2020.

    “Nigerian Shea has not only penetrated the American market but has done so while adhering to the highest international quality standard. Nigeria is now said to be the global leader in Shea export.”

    Awolowo explained that Shea products produced in 16 states of the federation suffers from poor quality control.

     

  • NEPC chief Awolowo seeks exportation of services

    NEPC chief Awolowo seeks exportation of services

    The Executive Secretary, CEO, Nigeria Export Promotion Council, NEPC, Olusegun Awolowo has stressed the need for the diversification of import into the service sector including professional services.

    Awolowo spoke at an interactive meeting on the review of the implementation of the National Strategy for the export of professional services in Nigeria, He said by 2050, 80 per cent of the workforce worldwide would be working in the service sector.

    He said, “Trade in services has grown annually in importance in the world economy. The global services’ share of world GDP grew from 53 per cent to 68 per cent between 1971 – 2004, with the contribution of services trade to global GDP currently to be about 70 per cent.

    “According to the World Trade Organisation, the services sector is the most rapidly growing segment of the world economy. Services represent 66 per cent of world production, 66 per cent of world employment, nearly 50 per cent of world trade on value added basis and 60 per cent of foreign direct investment.”

    The services sector, the NEPC boss maintained, has witnessed rapid expansion over the years and growing importance across African countries.

    “The size and importance of services to the global economy is illustrated in the value of some services’ sectors such as education, with an estimated value of $30 billion in 2004, medical tourism $20billion which is doubled in 2010. Between 2012 – 2013, the services’ sector contributed 60 per cent to India’s GDP while it accounted for 70 per cent of New-Zealand’s GDP which was worth $150 billion. “

    Expatiating, he said: “Specifically, the global BPO/ITO industry (a sub-sector of the services’ sector) is estimated to be worth $120-150. Within this category, offshore BPO/ITO, i.e. outsourcing where the client and the vendor are located in different countries, is estimated to be some $11.4 billion.”

    He added that the NEPC formulated a strategy to develop the export of professional services in Nigeria. The overreaching goal of the strategy was to contribute to the country’s long term objective to create wealth, employment generation and reduce poverty as enshrined in Nigeria’s National Economic Empowerment Development Strategy.

  • ‘Oil still dominates Nigeria’s export market’

    Nigeria’s export market is still dominated by crude oil despite an appreciable improvement in the non-oil export, the Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Olusegun Awolowo, has said.

    Nigeria is the world’s seventh biggest crude exporter. The country sustains its economy through oil, deriving a substantial amount of its capital expenditure from the product.

    Awolowo, who spoke at a stakeholders’ forum in Lagos, said oil is Nigeria’s biggest product for export, given the fact that Nigeria has huge crude reserves. However, he said the government has shown its readiness to increase the non-oil sector for growth.

    He said the country realised $2.970 billion from non-oil export in 2013, a 15.9 per cent increase over the non-oil export proceeds in 2012.

    He said the non-oil export potential had not been fully exploited. Besides, Nigeria is endowed with natural resources, including solid minerals and agriculture, he said, adding that some of the challenges facing the non-oil sector are infrastructure, energy, finance, skills, security and capacity.

    He said: “The non-export challenges in Nigeria are infrastructural deficiency, poor standardisation of products, high cost of production, falsification of documents, weak linkages to chain supply, unwholesome trade practices, and exports dominated by primary products. Others are inability to meet export orders and restricted access to credit and trademark.’’

    He said for Nigeria to position itself effectively in the global market, its goods for export must meet the competitiveness and standards required.  He said the country must identify international benchmarks, invest in skills, technology and innovation, provide conducive and stable export policy and environment to be able to compete well.

    Awolowo said there was no better time than now to critically address issues that would enhance the development and promotion of the country’s non-oil export.