Effective Reforms Essential For Stronger Economy — Stakeholders

Published

2 months ago

April 30, 2026

Preport

By Lucy Ogalue

Stakeholders say that effective reforms at the sub-national level are essential for building a stronger economy.

They spoke at the Peer-to-Peer Learning Workshop for State Commissioners of Commerce and Heads of Investment Promotion Agencies in Abuja.

The workshop was organised by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) under the State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) Programme.

Dr Aliyu Chikaji, Director-General of the Yobe State Agency for Public-Private Partnership and Investment Promotion, said the forum was helping states to move from theory to practice.

He said peer learning had made it possible for states to share real-life experiences and adopt what works.

According to him, the workshop has helped reduce the time needed for states to learn and implement reforms.

Chikaji said investment promotion required deliberate project preparation to attract investors.

He added that Yobe was developing bankable projects in key sectors, including livestock, to attract investment and boost economic growth.

Also speaking, Mr Sabiu Sani, Special Adviser to Kaduna State Governor on Investment Promotion, said communication and collaboration were key to attracting investors.

He said that Kaduna State’s performance in ease of doing business ranking (second place) was a result of deliberate reforms.

Sani said the state would continue to improve its policies on land administration, taxation and infrastructure to sustain investor confidence.

He added that public-private partnerships and institutional coordination had strengthened Kaduna’s investment climate.

In his remarks, Dr Muhammed Kamba, Director-General of Kebbi State Investment Promotion Agency, said reforms were improving transparency and efficiency.

He said simplified land administration processes and consolidated payment systems had reduced bottlenecks for investors.

Kamba said investment promotion agencies were being strengthened across states to improve service delivery.

He stressed the importance of collaboration among Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to attract and retain investment.

Meanwhile, Mrs Roseline Bentu, Head of Plateau State Investment Promotion Agency, commended the initiative By PEBEC.

Bentu said the training was engaging and provided valuable knowledge for implementation at the state level.

She pledged to domesticate lessons learnt from the workshop, particularly in aligning state plans with national development strategies.

According to her, aligning policies will enable states to benefit from federal initiatives and attract more private sector investment.

Bentu noted that the national development plan places strong emphasis on private sector participation.

She said states must re-strategise their policies to tap into available opportunities and drive growth.

The participants agreed that peer learning and coordinated reforms would improve competitiveness across the states.

They said stronger institutions, better policies and improved infrastructure would drive economic growth.

The stakeholders expressed optimism that sustained sub-national reforms would translate into job creation, enterprise development and improved livelihoods.(NAN)(www.nannwws.ng)

Edited by Joseph Edeh

DO-OR-DIE AT SHOWTIME: Warriors Eye Final Spot As Knights And Rebels Prepare For Winner-Takes-All Showdown

Published

2 hours ago

June 14, 2026

Preport

The road to the Showtime Bowl reaches a dramatic crossroads today as Showtime Arena, Meadow Hall, Lekki prepares to host one of the biggest nights in Showtime Flag Football history.

After an electrifying first leg that produced intense battles, playoff drama, and an unforgettable 82-point thriller, the Showtime Bowl Series XIV Playoffs return today for the decisive second leg — where championship dreams will survive or die.

Four teams remain in the hunt.

Only two will move one step closer to lifting the Showtime Bowl trophy.

And by the end of tonight, the playoff picture will look completely different.

The opening matchup of the evening sees the Abia-Warriors return to battle the Ibom Raptors after securing a hard-fought 21-13 victory in the first leg.

The Warriors once again showed why they have become one of the most dominant teams in Showtime football, using their experience and discipline to take an eight-point advantage into today’s clash.

But despite the defeat, the Raptors left the first leg with renewed belief.

Unlike previous meetings where the Warriors completely controlled the contest, the Raptors fought fiercely and proved they have the talent to challenge one of the league’s biggest powerhouses.

Now they face their biggest test yet.

Can the Raptors produce the comeback that could shake the entire league?

Or will the Warriors continue their march toward another championship appearance?

With stars on both sides capable of changing a game in an instant, the opening playoff battle promises tension, physicality, and elite football from the first whistle.

Then comes the game everyone is talking about.

The Lagos Knights and Lagos Rebels return to the field after producing one of the greatest playoff spectacles in Showtime history.

Their first-leg encounter ended in a breathtaking 41-41 draw, leaving absolutely nothing between two of the hottest teams in the league.

It was football at its finest.

Touchdowns. Big plays. Momentum swings. Pure entertainment.

Now the rivalry enters its final chapter.

The Knights arrive carrying momentum from their remarkable rise during the postseason, including a dominant 59-0 Wildcard victory that announced them as serious contenders.

The Rebels, meanwhile, continue to play with confidence, swagger, and the fearless attacking style that has made them one of the most dangerous teams in the playoffs.

Today there will be no second chances.

No draws.

No escape.

One team advances. One team’s season ends.

The atmosphere inside Showtime Arena is expected to be electric as players, coaches, and supporters prepare for what could become one of the defining nights of the Showtime Bowl Series XIV season.

From rising stars and fierce rivalries to unforgettable moments and championship ambitions, Showtime Flag Football continues to showcase why it remains one of the fastest-growing and most exciting sports platforms in Nigeria.

Today is about more than football.

It is about pride.

It is about legacy.

It is about earning the right to continue the journey.

Four teams enter Showtime Arena with dreams of championship glory.

By the end of tonight, only the strongest will remain standing on the Road to the Showtime Bowl.

News

Cholera outbreak kills five in Plateau, 11 cases confirmed

Published

2 hours ago

June 14, 2026

Preport

The Plateau’s Commissioner for Health, Dr Nicholas Baamlong, says the state has recorded 11 confirmed cases of cholera, five deaths, and 53 suspected cases.

Mr Baamlong, who disclosed this to journalists on Sunday in Jos, said the confirmed and suspected cases were reported in the Pushit, Mangu 1 and Mangu 2 communities of Mangu Local Government Area.

According to Mr Baamlong, the state ministry of health is intensifying public health interventions to contain the outbreak, prevent further spread, and reduce its impact on affected communities.

He explained that the state had taken decisive actions to control the outbreak and protect its citizens by deploying additional response teams to the affected wards, scaling up treatment centres and isolation capacity, and the emergency procurement of rapid diagnostic test kits, intravenous fluids, and essential drugs.

The commissioner further said the ministry had activated an incident management system to ensure a comprehensive, multisectoral response to the outbreak.

“The activation of the IMS ensures a coordinated, efficient, and accountable response structure in line with national and international emergency response frameworks,” he said.

Mr Baamlong explained that cholera is an acute diarrhoeal disease caused by consuming food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae.

He urged residents of the Mangu LGA and neighbouring communities to remain vigilant and take preventive measures, including drinking safe water, maintaining proper hand hygiene, avoiding open defecation, and ensuring proper waste disposal.

He also advised residents to promptly report suspected cases of cholera to the nearest healthcare facility for immediate attention.

While reaffirming the state government’s commitment to safeguarding residents’ health and well-being, Baamlong called on development partners and other stakeholders to support the ongoing response efforts.

(NAN)