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2025 MMS Hall of Fame honors Akume, Govs Sule, Dauda others with Leadership Award

Gloria Odion

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator (Dr.) George Akume, will be honoured with the Distinguished Leadership Award at the 2025 edition of the MMS Woman of Fortune Hall of Fame (WoFHoF), scheduled for November 20, 2025, at Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja.

Akume, who will serve as the Chief Guest of Honour, joins a lineup of distinguished leaders and governors at the one-day event themed “Fostering Sustainability, Women and Leadership with Technologies.”

While Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State will chair the event, Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State joins him as one of the awardees.

As the Executive former Governor of Niger State, Mohammed Bago, is confirmed as chief guest of honour.

Other honorees include Hajiya Aisha Bala Mohammed, First Lady of Bauchi State; Hajia Zainab Nasare Nasir Idris, First Lady of Kebbi State; and Dr. Dili Ezughah, Executive Secretary, Nigerian Press Council;Dr. Emmanuel Chukwuka, CEO, Project E; Dr. Faisal Shua’ib, former Executive Director/CEO, National Primary Health Care; Hon. Tijani Aliyu Ahmed,CEO,National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons(NCFRMI); and Hajia Aisha Atiku-Bagudu, who will be crowned MMS Hall of Fame Face of Northern Women.

The event also marks 13 years of the MMS Hall of Fame legacy, known for spotlighting leadership excellence and inspiring impact-driven governance in both public and private sectors.

2025 MMS Woman of Fortune Hall of Fame inductees also include;Chief Mrs. Faustina Ngozi Egbunike, Founder, Faustina Egbunike Foundation; Amb. Mrs. Jane Ogo Egbo, Founder, Paradise Mission for Widows and Teenage Girls; and Dr. Ngozi Azodoh, Senior Special Adviser on Health to the Abia State Governor; Hajiya Sa’adatu Husssaini Agade,former Permanent Secretary; Barr. Hannatu Musa Musawa, Esq, Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy; High Chief Dr. Rosevivian Chigekwu, CEO, Happiest Soaring Eagle Entrepreneur Academy; Hajia Maryam Ciroma, former Minister of Women Affairs, and Dr. Stella Iwuagwu,CEO, Centre for the Right to Health.

Others include,.Mrs. Aloysius Faithhope, Maritime Marketing/Logistics Specialist; Prof.Elizabeth Ugo, Faculty of Education, Federal University of Lafia, Nasarawa State; Engr. Mrs. Adedolapo Helen,CEO, Magnificent Works; Amb. Aisha Mahmoud, Vice Chairman, Board of Directors, Nigeria-Russia Trade and Investment Advisory Council.

The programme will feature a morning summit with two thought-provoking panel sessions and an induction ceremony, followed by an evening segment dedicated to the Leadership-Impact and SDGs Awards Night.

According to the organising chairperson, Amb. Nana Aisha Mahmoud, this year’s edition is designed to “intentionally promote sustainability in gender diversity across critical sectors of the economy,and the inclusion of technology in alternative and informal education, while encouraging stronger participation of northern Nigerian women in socio-economic and political development.”

She noted that addressing the challenges limiting women’s access to education and empowerment is central to the 2025 focus, aligning with the broader UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Meanwhile, Zenith Bank Plc and Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) will also be honoured at the event after emerging as Nigeria’s top performers in gender policy compliance, in a recent assessment by MMS Hall of Fame.

The evaluation, which covered 24 commercial and six non-interest banks, examined annual reports, sustainability disclosures, and gender representation in leadership over a three-year period.

Only five banks met the compliance benchmark, with Zenith and GTCO standing out for exceeding the Central Bank of Nigeria’s gender inclusion targets 30% female representation on boards and 40% in senior management.

Zenith Bank will receive the award for Best Gender-Diversity, Equality & Inclusion (DEI) Bank in Nigeria, while GTCO was named Best CBN Gender Policy Compliant Bank 2025.

Among the corporate Awardees are, Skelas Group; LTT Coastal and Marine Services Limited; Nigerian Shippers’ Council(NSC); Tyse Group.

His Royal Highness(HRH) Hon. Justice (Dr.) Sidi Bage Muhammed 1 CFR(JSC Rtd), Life Bencher, Emir of Nasarawa State, Father of the Day.

Speakers and guests of honours include; Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola;Dr. Ifenyinwa Ogbonna-Nwaogu, Faculty of Social Sciences, NOUN, Abuja, Keynote Speaker; Imaan Suleiman Ibrahim, Minister of Women Affairs; Sen.Ireti Kingibe,Senate Committee Chair on Women Affairs; Mr.Obed Levite, CEO, Hashtag Digital Limited;Dr. Mohammed Sani Idris, Executive Secretary/CEO, National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of -School Children’s Education(NCAOOSCE); Charles Odii, Director General/ CEO, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria(SMEDAN).

Other speakers are, Dr. Pius Ukeyima Akutah, Executive Secretary/CEO, Nigerian Shippers’ Council(NSC); Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, Managing Director/CEO, Nigerian Ports Authority(NPA); Chief Mrs. Chinwe Ezenwa, Chief Host;Mr. Kingsley Anaroke, Founder/CEO, MMS WoFHoF Initiative, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, DG/CEO, NIMASA,among others.

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Anti-Corruption Group Commends FG on National Single Window Initiative

Gloria Odion,Maritime Reporter

The Media Anti-Corruption Initiatives (MACI), a leading non-governmental organization(NGO), has applauded the Federal Government’s forthcoming launch of the National Single Window (NSW), a centralized platform designed to integrate all transactions and interactions with public agencies.

In a joint press release, Captain Adamu Mishela (Chairman) and Funso Olojo (Secretary General) emphasized the significance of the NSW as a groundbreaking reform aimed at streamlining trade procedures, enhancing transparency, and strengthening integrity across the public sector.

Originally introduced nearly two years ago by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the NSW represents a major fiscal reform intended to boost Nigeria’s competitiveness on the global stage.

Captain Mishela noted that MACI believes the initiative will minimize opportunities for corrupt practices, accelerate service delivery for citizens and businesses, and restore public confidence in government institutions

MACI reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding public resources, upholding the rule of law, and promoting transparency.

The organization also expressed readiness to collaborate with government agencies, private sector partners, civil society, and the wider public to ensure the NSW achieves its objectives, mitigates risks, and serves as a strong defense against corruption.

In support of the NSW project, MACI is set to hold a seminar with the theme “Tamper-Proof National Single Window” to ensure that the initiative succeeds where other reforms before it faltered.

This initiative marks a significant step toward building a more open, accountable, and citizen-focused public sector in Nigeria.

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Alake of Egbaland identifies with NANTA @50 celebration at Ibadan

Alake of Egbaland identifies with NANTA @50 celebration at Ibadan

Geraldine Samuel

The Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, has assured the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) of his royal presence at the association’s Golden Jubilee celebration and Annual General Meeting scheduled to hold in Ibadan, Oyo State, in April.

The revered monarch gave the assurance on Thursday, March14th, 2026 when he received members of the NANTA AGM Planning Committee, led by Mrs. Lola Adewole, at the Ake Palace in Abeokuta.

Oba Gbadebo commended the association for its resilience and unity over the past five decades, noting that sustaining a professional body for 50 years reflects commitment, strong leadership, and shared vision among its members.

He also prayed for the continued growth and impactful contributions of the association to Nigeria’s cultural tourism sector.

According to the monarch, NANTA has consistently promoted Nigerian culture and the travel trade industry, earning an exemplary status that other professional associations and groups should emulate.

The Alake further assured the delegation that he would personally attend and grace the anniversary event, adding that Egbaland and Ibadan share deep historical, cultural, and traditional ties.

Earlier, the leader of the NANTA delegation, Mrs. Lola Adewole, who was accompanied by the association’s Second National Deputy President, Dr. Tokunbo Dagunduro, and Financial Secretary, Mr. Yinka Ladipo, informed the monarch that NANTA has always promoted Nigeria’s cultural tourism offerings as a vital national asset.

She explained that the association views the country’s cultural heritage as a gold mine that must be preserved and harnessed for Nigeria’s economic and social development.

Adewole noted that the theme of the association’s 50th anniversary celebration, “Embracing Our Diverse Cultural Heritage from the City of Firsts: Redefining Our Role as Global Ambassadors,” reflects NANTA’s commitment to supporting and promoting Nigeria’s cultural tourism economy.

As part of activities ahead of the anniversary celebration, the NANTA team also visited the Ogun State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon. Sesan Fagbayi, to formally invite him to the Ibadan conference.

During the visit, the delegation highlighted the rich cultural heritage of Ogun State and its importance to national tourism development and economic growth.

Meanwhile, the association, through its National President, Dr. Yinka Folami, has congratulated the newly appointed Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Olatunji Rilwan Disu, on his appointment.

In a letter dated March 9, acknowledged by the police authorities, Folami pledged the association’s willingness to collaborate with the Nigeria Police Force in addressing fraudulent activities within the travel trade sector.

The NANTA president also formally invited the Inspector-General to the association’s elective Annual General Meeting in Ibadan in April, noting that the gathering would provide an opportunity for the police chief to interact with travel trade professionals on ways to promote a secure and globally compliant travel industry in Nigeria.

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NSW will not subsume B’Odogwu Customs trade platform — Fakolade

Gloria Odion

Tola Fakolade, the Director of Nigeria National Single Window Project has stated that the celebrated National Single Window project which first phase is due for official roll out in March,27th, 2026 is not a substitute for the Customs trade platform commonly called B’Odogwu, neither will the presidential initiative subsume the Customs platform.

Fakolade make this clarification against the rising fears that the multi- million dollar indigenous platform created by the Customs to enhance its operations and meant to replace the previous foreign – created portal, will be jettisoned at the berth of NSW.

However, he further clarified that the NSW will operate alongside the B’Odogwu Customs Management System, describing the two platforms as complementary.

“The B’Odogwu system handles core Customs processes such as valuation and risk management, while the National Single Window serves as the single-entry portal for traders to submit documents and applications for approvals,” he said.

Fakolade also declared that NSW will not replace any government agency involved in trade facilitation but will instead integrate their processes to eliminate duplication and improve efficiency.

He explained that the system is designed to ensure that once a release is issued by the Nigeria Customs Service, it would already reflect the risk assessment and compliance requirements of other port-related regulatory agencies.

According to him, key trade agencies were involved from the early stages of the project, with each nominating technical representatives who contributed to the development of the platform.

He noted that the system has already identified and addressed several duplicated processes that previously slowed cargo clearance and added no value to port operations.

Fakolade also disclosed that extensive training has been ongoing for over a month for end-users including importers, exporters, freight forwarders and officials of the Nigerian Ports Authority.

He added that training sessions are being conducted physically at designated centres that accommodate between 30 and 50 participants, while additional learning resources and explanatory videos have been made available online.

Fakolade added that when the platform goes live on March 27, 2026, initial services will include applications for import licences, certificates and permits for agencies such as Standards Organisation of Nigeria, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service and National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, as well as manifest submissions by shipping lines and airlines.

Meanwhile, Princess Chi Ezeh, Vice President (Seaports) of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), commended the committee driving the NSW Nigeria for recognising freight forwarders as critical stakeholders in the reform initiative aimed at improving trade facilitation in the country.

Ezeh noted that the decision to engage freight forwarders during the awareness and consultation stages of the project demonstrates that the implementation team understands the strategic role operators play in Nigeria’s port and logistics ecosystem.

She added that during the engagement sessions, freight forwarders were able to highlight some operational challenges they face at the ports, which the project team assured would be addressed.

She expressed optimism ahead of the planned launch of the National Single Window, urging the implementation team to ensure that the system is properly structured to enhance trade facilitation rather than create additional delays in cargo clearance processes.

Also speaking, the Chairman of APFFLON Tincan Chapter, Alhaji Akeem Ayobiojo, assured that freight forwarders would play their part in ensuring the success of the initiative by submitting accurate documentation and complying with the required procedures.

He stressed that transparency and professionalism from operators are essential to achieving the project’s goal of reducing cost, saving time and improving efficiency in Nigeria’s port operations.