By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Some vulnerable persons in Ogun State, including people living with disabilities, have been given bags of rice by the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) to provide succour during this tough economic period.

About 40,000 bags of 10kg of rice were distributed by the organisation in all the 20 local government areas of the Gateway State as part of its National Food Intervention programme.

The Governor of Ogun State, Mr Dapo Abiodun, speaking during the flag-off of the distribution in Abeokuta, lauded ADF for the donation, noting that it was in line with his government’s efforts aimed to support residents of the state.

“When corporate organizations engage in initiatives like this, we should highlight them so that others can learn from it. Not everything is about coming, making money, and leaving.

“This is a gesture that should be replicated by every corporate entity because you have to empathize with the people, and I think what the Dangote Foundation has done is to consistently prioritize care for people,” the Governor said through his representative, Mr Tokunbo Talabi, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG).

He recalled the crucial roles played by the ADF during the COVID-19 pandemic to reduce the effect of the disease by providing critical infrastructures, adding that the foundation has also been of tremendous support to the Ogun State security architecture with patrol vans, among other contributions.

He cautioned against the sale of the food items, stating that anyone caught selling them would face consequences and that state will monitor the distribution to be sure those are mean to get them actually get them.

“To our market women, don’t say that someone brought it to you and you are now selling it. The rice is meant to be given to the people free of charge; it is for empowerment,” Mr Abiodun warned

Earlier in her welcome address, the Ogun State Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Mrs Funmi Efuape, acknowledged the support the Dangote Foundation has given to the state government and the various Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives it has undertaken for its host communities.

On his part, the Head of Operations at Aliko Dangote Foundation, Mr Victor Edero, said the group initiated the food intervention programme to help contribute to the federal government efforts for food security so that Nigerians especially the vulnerable have access to the most staple food, rice at this period of global economic downturn.

According to him, ADF focuses on three core areas: health, empowerment, and nutrition and has partnered governments at all levels to provide a lift in all the sectors

The Iyaloja General of Ogun State, Mrs Yemisi Abbas, appreciated ADF for always identifying with the people, but appealed to the foundation to initiate a loan scheme as a form of empowerment to eradicate poverty in the state.

Also, representatives of people living with disabilities, the trade council, and the youth council thanked Mr Aliko Dangote for his magnanimity and also lauded the state government for always seeking ways to mitigate the people’s suffering.

By Adedapo Adesanya

Nigeria has officially inaugurated its campaign for election into Category C of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Council for the 2026–2027 biennium.

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, announced this in a statement on Thursday, signed by his Special Adviser, Mr Bolaji Akinola.

He noted that the campaign inauguration took place on the sidelines of the 110th Session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 110) at the IMO headquarters in London.

Mr Oyetola emphasised that Nigeria’s candidacy represented a call for balanced decision-making in global maritime governance.

“Today, we formally declare Nigeria’s candidacy for re-election to the IMO Council under Category C for the 2026–2027 biennium,” he stated.

He noted that Nigeria, as a responsible maritime nation strategically located on the Gulf of Guinea, with one of the world’s most commercially significant and security-sensitive shipping routes, remained committed to supporting the IMO’s mandate.

“This mandate promotes safe, secure, environmentally sound, efficient, and sustainable shipping.

“We stand ready to work with all Member States to build a safer, greener, and more inclusive maritime future.

“A vote for Nigeria is a vote for representation, collaboration, and balanced decision-making in global maritime governance,” Mr Oyetola said.

He also highlighted Nigeria’s Deep Blue Project, coordinated by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), as a model of maritime security innovation.

“The project integrates air, land, and sea assets to safeguard Nigeria’s maritime domain.”

According to the minister, the successful implementation of the Deep Blue Project has resulted in zero piracy incidents in Nigeria’s territorial waters over the past three years.

He said that the milestone had drawn international recognition, including commendation from the International Maritime Bureau (IMB).

In addition to security efforts, Mr Oyetola noted that Nigeria had ratified and domesticated several IMO instruments.

He added that the country was currently working to adopt further conventions, including those focused on greenhouse gas emissions, biofouling, and maritime labour protections, demonstrating its commitment to environmental sustainability and the welfare of seafarers.

He also pointed to Nigeria’s demographic strength and human capital as positioning the country, as not just a regional maritime leader, but a forward-looking global partner.

“We are investing in maritime education and capacity development, with the potential to contribute more than two million skilled seafarers to the global labour pool in the coming decade,” he said.

Mr Oyetola added that Nigeria had a strong record of constructive engagement within the IMO, offering technical support and sharing best practices with fellow developing countries, particularly in Africa.

He noted that Nigeria also extended the support to Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs).

He further reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to gender equity in the maritime sector, highlighting deliberate efforts to empower women through initiatives that supported female seafarers, port professionals, and maritime leaders.

“Progress in partnership must be inclusive,” he added.

By Adedapo Adesanya

Nigeria will sign more than 30 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with Brazil at the second session of the Nigeria-Brazil Strategic Dialogue Mechanism (SDM).

The event, a high-stakes diplomatic and investment engagement will begin on Monday, June 23, 2025 and coincides with the official visit of Brazilian Vice President, Mr Geraldo Alckmin.

According to the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), Mr Ibrahim Hadejia, both parties will unlock new investment flows and deepen cooperation across key sectors including agriculture, energy, defence, innovation, and the creative economy.

Speaking during a media briefing on Wednesday, he noted that the bilateral talks and MoU signings would facilitate technical cooperation and open pathways for scalable private sector engagement

“This is a defining moment for Nigeria’s international diplomacy and economic expansion. The visit underscores a new chapter of strategic collaboration between two influential regional powers. It aligns seamlessly with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda of global partnerships and economic revitalisation.

“We will engage in comprehensive discussions aimed at expanding collaboration across sectors critical to our national development,” he said.

Among the summit’s major highlights is the Nigeria-Brazil Business Forum, scheduled for June 25. The forum is expected to attract hundreds of government and private sector leaders from both nations, representing a combined consumer base of over 400 million.

Also speaking, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs Jumoke Oduwole, revealed that sector-specific platforms, including a Digital Trade Room, will be unveiled during the forum.

“Brazil’s experience in digital inclusion and Nigeria’s thriving fintech ecosystem present a powerful synergy for scalable innovation,” she said.

In the agriculture sector, the two countries are expected to sign MoUs targeting enhanced productivity through research in animal genetics, soya bean production, and mechanisation.

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Abubakar Kyari, disclosed that the dialogue will also accelerate implementation of the Green Imperative Programme (GIP), a $4.5 billion investment to establish agricultural project delivery offices across all 774 local government areas in Nigeria.

“We are leveraging this platform to operationalise the Green Imperative and bring about real transformation in food production at scale,” Mr Kyari said.

The Minister of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, Ms Hannatu Musawa, said the SDM would help reposition Nigeria’s cultural and tourism industries.

“We are looking to tap into our shared Afro-Atlantic heritage with Brazil. The MoUs we sign will open up new economic and cultural opportunities in music, film, fashion, and tourism,” she said.

Planning for the dialogue has extended beyond federal agencies to include subnational governments and private sector players.

On her part, Mrs Marion Moon, Technical Assistant to the President on Agriculture and Executive Secretary of the Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit, said Brazilian investors would be hosted in strategic states.

“Beyond Abuja, we’ll be taking the Brazilian delegation to investment sites in Kebbi, Plateau, Lagos, Edo, Nasarawa, and the FCT,” she said.

Also speaking, the Director of Regions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mrs Janet Olisa, stressed that the MoUs will be anchored on shared strengths and economic priorities.

“We are ensuring that every ministry brings its best. Nearly 30 MoUs are under negotiation, and some will be signed during this visit. Others will be concluded when the President visits Brazil,” she said.

She affirmed that the SDM is not merely a diplomatic forum, but “a serious mechanism for real investment outcomes and deepening South-South cooperation.”