The Abia State Government has signed a memorandum of understanding with Vega Growing Global Enterprise as part of preparations for the international investment summit and exhibition scheduled to take place in Umuahia between November 25 and 27, 2025.

The signing ceremony held at Government House, Umuahia, on Wednesday, marked a major step in the government’s plan to position Abia as a strong investment destination in Nigeria.

The three-day summit at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia, is expected to bring together international and local investors to explore business opportunities, trade partnerships, and economic growth prospects in the state.

Speaking at the event, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Investment Promotion and Public-Private Partnership, High Chief Green-Amakwe, said the administration would work closely with its partner to host a successful summit.

He explained that the Governor Alex Otti-led government is committed to creating an enabling investment climate that would attract capital, generate employment, and expand economic development.

“The Abia State Government will work tirelessly with its partner, Vega Growing Global Enterprise, to host a successful investment summit in Umuahia,” High Chief Green-Amakwe stated.

The Special Adviser, who also serves as Chairman of the Steering Committee for the Turkey-Abia Investment Summit and Product Exhibition 2025, noted that the MoU provides a roadmap for the committee to achieve its mandate.

According to him, “Having drawn the roadmap through the MoU that has just been signed, I expect that people will put their ideas here towards invitation, towards what they think will make this event a success.”

He recalled that the committee was inaugurated on June 4, 2025, with the assignment to cooperate with Turkey through Vega Growing Global Enterprise as a consultant for the summit. He added that the government remains focused on attracting both foreign direct investment and domestic investors to Abia State.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, Mr. Kingsley Nwokocha, described the signing of the agreement as a new chapter in the preparation process.

“This MoU is the beginning of the journey of this Turkey-Abia investment promotion coming in November. Our works are cut out for us. We need to work diligently to make sure that this investment summit is successful. Each and every one of us must work extra hard to make sure that this investment promotion or summit is one of its kind,” Mr. Nwokocha said.

In his remarks, the Managing Director of Vega Growing Global Enterprise, Mr. Eniola Ojajuni, expressed appreciation to the Abia State Government for the opportunity to collaborate as partners in driving economic growth.

He commended the vision of the government, describing Abia State as the “next investment hub in the South East.” He further assured that the organization is committed to supporting the state’s investment drive and to ensuring the successful hosting of the summit.

Mr. Ojajuni noted that the summit would showcase Abia’s potential in key sectors such as real estate, agriculture, manufacturing, technology, and energy, adding that international exposure would boost economic opportunities for both investors and residents.

August 21, 2025 – The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to practical and innovative solutions that will deliver real impact in the lives of young Nigerians.

This came as the Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), led by its Director-General, Dr. Emomotimi Agama.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Comrade Olawande stressed that meaningful legacies are built through action and collaboration rather than bureaucracy. He explained that the new initiative is focused on creating access for Nigerian youth to participate in the capital market.

“This initiative is about breaking barriers and opening doors,” Olawande said. “For too long, the capital market has been seen as a space reserved for the wealthy. Today, we are saying clearly that Nigerian youth deserve access too. We want to empower them not just to seek jobs, but to create them, to become entrepreneurs, investors, and employers of labour.”

The Minister also highlighted the Nigerian Youth Academy (NIYA) as a central platform designed to provide financial education and practical skills to young people across the country, regardless of background or location.

He emphasized the importance of strong collaboration between government agencies and private sector players to ensure that no youth is excluded from opportunities.

“Our goal is to raise a generation of financially savvy, empowered young Nigerians who will shape the future prosperity of this nation. With partners like the SEC, we are proving that it is possible,” Olawande stated.

He expressed gratitude to the SEC for its leadership role in this initiative and urged other stakeholders to contribute to building pathways of opportunity for young Nigerians.

“This is about the future of our country. Together, we can ensure that every young Nigerian has the tools, knowledge, and opportunities to thrive,” he added.

On his part, the Director-General of the SEC, Dr. Emomotimi Agama, described the collaboration as a strategic move toward youth empowerment through financial inclusion and innovation.

He commended the Honourable Minister for his youthful and action-driven leadership, noting his ability to dismantle bureaucratic barriers in favor of impactful solutions.

Dr. Agama further affirmed the SEC’s dedication to working with the Ministry to expand access to funding, financial education, and investment opportunities.

According to him, the partnership will serve as the foundation of a meaningful legacy, with programs targeted at empowering young Nigerians from all walks of life, thereby ensuring sustainable socio-economic growth and long-term national prosperity.

August 21, 2025 – The National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), under the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, has reaffirmed its commitment to repositioning Nigeria’s automotive sector with the successful hosting of a Sensitisation and Advocacy Programme on End-of-Life Vehicle (ELV) Regulations at Hilton Palace Hotel, Kano State, on August 21, 2025.

Representing the Director General of NADDC, Mr. Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, the Council’s Director of Policy, Planning and Statistics, Mr. Musa M. Sani, said the initiative would transform the automotive sector while advancing economic growth.

“The ELV Regulation is more than just waste management; it is a strategic blueprint for economic diversification, environmental protection and industrial renewal,” he stated.

According to Mr. Sani, the policy is expected to create over 40,000 direct and indirect jobs nationwide, promote recycling, and support the development of greener cities across Nigeria. He also recalled the official launch of the ELV Regulations by the Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Owan Enoh, on March 5, 2025.

He noted that the sensitisation in Kano followed an earlier programme held in Abuja on July 3, 2025, which provided the foundation for collaboration among stakeholders in the automotive and environmental sectors.

The NADDC also announced plans to set up a multi-stakeholder Steering Committee made up of government agencies, industry professionals, and environmental organizations.

The committee will be responsible for guiding the implementation of the ELV policy, which is being modeled after international standards from countries such as Japan and the Netherlands.

Through his representative, the Director General expressed appreciation to Senator John Owan Enoh for leading the regulation’s adoption and to Hon. Terseer Ugbor for strengthening the legal framework to support environmental sustainability and automotive reforms.

Delivering a keynote address, Dr. Fyneray Mbata, Managing Director of the Recycling and Environmental Development Initiative of Nigeria (REDIN), and representative of Hon. Terseer Ugbor, Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Environment, described the ELV policy as a pathway to a circular economy.

“This initiative will reduce pollution, attract private investment, generate revenue, and create thousands of job opportunities across Nigeria,” Dr. Mbata explained.

REDIN, which has been selected as a recycling partner for the regulation, pledged to work with NADDC, relevant government institutions, and private stakeholders to create a sustainable system for ELV collection, dismantling, and recycling.

The programme concluded with goodwill messages from stakeholders who promised continuous collaboration to ensure the ELV Regulations achieve their goals of job creation, safer mobility, environmental protection, and industrial growth.