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Hon. Shina Peller Is An Advocate Of The Youth For The Youth – Seun Oloketuyi

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Without wisdom, the labor of a foolish leader would weaken all those around him, and because of that, wisdom remains a principal character in leadership.

Honorable Shina Abiola Peller, House of Representatives member for Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Iwajowa/Kajola (Oyo State) Federal Constituency in the last decade has proved that he is a leader with full possession of the wisdom of elders.

For those who have followed his trajectory, they would attest that while he is not a man new to the concept of leadership, what remains unique about his style is the wisdom he brings to bear in his day-to-day activities, and dealings. It is probably why youths of this age gravitate towards him. Not only does he speak their language, but he also walks their walk and identifies always as one of them and their advocate.

A Nigerian entrepreneur, entertainment industry stakeholder, and tourism enthusiast, ever since his sojourn into Nigerian politics, he has remained true to his calling of building leadership-worthy young people for the glory of the Nigerian dream.

While it seems almost magical what he has achieved just within the last decade, one must not be deceived that he failed to put in the work.

To start with, unlike many of his counterparts who forget the pain of the people when they get into office, Hon. Peller never suffered that memory loss.

In 2018, when he joined politics, he stated that he didn’t make the move for himself, but for the people and that he was not one of those people who get carried away with their popularity and decide to run for the fun of it.

Five years later, the result we have to show is a tried and tested politician who has served meritoriously as a House of Representatives member and is still absolutely and undeniably sold out to the cause of the youth and the betterment of the future of Nigeria.

Asides from the duties demanded by his office, he focused his energy on trying to build and redefine the political space by pushing younger people into joining politics. Like a godfather of youths, he has in the last four years expended personal money and resources in the quest to bring youths into the political fold.

Apart from the fact that he started the Lead Generation Initiative (LGI), a citizen and youth-driven nonpolitical, non-profit, and non-governmental organization that is committed to creating opportunities for young people to channel their creativity, energy, and aspirations to adding value to their communities and country, he has been on an enlightenment drive, going around the country in an effort to get young people involved and interested in politics.

The LGI, which achieves its aims through programs like the ‘Get Involved Leadership Training (GILT), get involved regional leadership summit, emerging leaders conference, women leadership development program, creative open crafts, national entrepreneurial enterprise competition, among others, trains representatives from each of the local governments, in all the 36 states of Nigeria and the federal capital territory on civic responsibility, nation-building, community security, communication, and development skills.

A ‘train-the-trainer’ program where the local government supervisors will go back to their respective local governments to train the ward representatives from each of the wards in their local government, the initiative has successfully held the GILT in the five states of Oyo, Osun, Bauchi, Gombe, and Niger, respectively.

One cannot also fail to mention his involvement in We2GedaNG, a non-partisan movement aimed at uniting young Nigerians to forge a common platform that would ensure active youth participation in nation-building.

Peller is no doubt a colossus with that light touch of magic, and he is here to stay. His unselfish mobilization of youths has led those under the umbrella of his movement to realize that Nigeria belongs to them.

Today, as a result of Shina Peller’s involvement and intervention, many youths believe that one day soon young people will take over the world and because of that they need to lay a good foundation to build on.

At 46, not many men have become fully realized political leaders, but Shina Peller is an exception. He believes in the Nigerian dream, he has managed to open the curtains for other youths to see the dream and work hard at achieving it, and he has through wisdom also given them the tools to make it happen against the odds.

The energy of youths with the experience of age they say is a lethal combination. A young man, Shina Peller no doubt possesses the wisdom of the elders and is in no small way channeling it with a youthful energy that brings a world of possibilities.

It is only fair that the world stands still to celebrate the man with the magic touch who has done so much for youths as he clocks 46.

Seun Oloketuyi is a filmmaker and founder of the Best of Nollywood Pan-Nigeria awards.

BIG STORY

ECOWAS Caravan 2025 Highlights Barriers, Builds Support For Women In Cross-Border Trade

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The challenges facing women engaged in cross-border trade across West Africa took centre stage at the ECOWAS Caravan 2025, held at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, on July 11, 2025.

Launched this year by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Caravan is a transformative empowerment initiative designed to support small-scale women traders in West Africa’s informal trade sector.

The two-week journey followed the Abidjan–Lagos trade corridor, running from June 30 to July 14, with major stops in Abidjan, Lomé, Cotonou, and Lagos, culminating at the ECOWAS Gender Development Centre.

Speaking during the official launch of the Lagos leg and the caravan’s closing ceremony, the ECOWAS Commissioner for Social Affairs and Gender, Professor Fatou Sow Sarr, emphasised the pivotal role women play in the region’s informal economy.

“Women are the lifeblood of informal trade in West Africa… this caravan is about visibility, voice, and value — it’s about shifting narratives and shaping policies that support women where it matters most: on the ground,” she said.

Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, officially launched the Lagos stage of the sensitisation and awareness campaign for small-scale women traders. She described the initiative as a timely and necessary intervention.

“This initiative is a direct response to equip and empower our women, who form the majority of traders along the corridor and represent the backbone of informal cross-border trade across the region.

“These women play a critical role in ensuring food security, creating jobs, and sustaining livelihoods in both border communities and their homes.”

According to Ambrose-Medebem, these women are more than traders; they are economic builders who continue to operate under conditions marked by uncertainty and frequent harassment.

She stressed that the campaign represents a significant step forward, aiming to expand awareness of trade regulations, legal frameworks, and ECOWAS community protocols that govern cross-border commerce.

Speaking to the press, the commissioner noted that the Lagos State Government remains committed to supporting informal sector traders, particularly women entrepreneurs.

“I want to say that Mr Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, approved ₦500 billion for MSMEs under the Lagos State Access to Finance initiative for small businesses through cooperatives at 0% interest,” she disclosed.

The fund, matched by the Bank of Industry with another ₦500 billion, is non-collateralised, features a six-month moratorium, and offers a competitive 9% interest rate.

Dr Chinyere Almona, Director-General of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), applauded ECOWAS for its commitment to gender equality and regional integration, calling this year’s campaign “symbolic and necessary.”

“For women working in agriculture, fisheries, artisanal value chains, and cross-border trade, their daily grind is not just a livelihood; it’s an act of resilience and enterprise.

“Women traders form the uncelebrated backbone of West Africa’s informal trade economy, representing over 70% of informal cross-border traders and playing an indispensable role in food supply.”

Almona urged governments and stakeholders to invest in institutionalised, continuous capacity building through community-based training hubs in local languages, digitalisation of border procedures, and the creation of mobile-friendly platforms to expedite trade clearance and improve efficiency.

“Women in the informal trade are producing the formal results that is adding to the GDP and creating major employments.”

In her remarks, Princess Omotola Omole, National President of the Federation of Business Women Entrepreneurs (FEBWE), commended ECOWAS for its steadfast support of women.

“ECOWAS has consistently stood with women, ready to support, connect, and empower every woman who dares to dream big and trade to uplift her community,” she said.

Others who presented papers included the Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms. Ruth Abisola Olusanya, who sent a representative.

The ECOWAS Small Business Coalition also expressed heartfelt appreciation to the ECOWAS Commission, partners, collaborators, and delegates for their pivotal roles in making the ECOWAS Caravan 2025 a landmark success.

Dr. Abdulrashid Yerima, speaking on behalf of the coalition, emphasised the collaborative impact of the caravan, stating, “The bridges we build today become the trade routes of tomorrow’s prosperity.”

He also praised the ECOWAS Commission for its leadership and credited the collective synergy of partners and delegates for transforming challenges into opportunities.

The closing ceremony, which hosted over 300 participants from across ECOWAS member states, featured an interactive town hall meeting where panellists addressed key topics such as capacity building, awareness strategies, and toolkit presentations, while also responding to audience questions.

Building on the successes of previous editions, the Tema–Paga corridor in 2023 and the Dakar–Banjul–Bissau route in 2024, the 2025 ECOWAS Caravan not only boosted the economic potential of women traders but also strengthened trade facilitation, enhanced market access, and fostered robust institutional partnerships across participating nations.

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BIG STORY

BREAKING: Buhari’s Burial Postponed To Tuesday In Daura

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Former President Muhammadu Buhari will now be laid to rest on Tuesday instead of today, contrary to earlier reports.

He passed away on Sunday afternoon at a clinic in London.

According to an earlier report by The Nation, a presidential team arrived in London on Monday morning to bring his remains back to Nigeria.

Katsina Deputy Governor Lawal Jobe informed journalists on Monday afternoon that the burial had been rescheduled.

Jobe visited Buhari’s Daura home at 11.27am to assess the location where the burial is to take place.

 

More to come…

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BIG STORY

Buhari’s Integrity Gave Hope To Millions Of Nigerians — Tunde Bakare

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Tunde Bakare, the serving overseer of Citadel Global Community Church, has honoured the memory of former President Muhammadu Buhari with a heartfelt tribute.

Buhari passed away on Sunday at a clinic in London at the age of 82.

In a statement released on Monday, Bakare described Buhari’s life as “extremely impactful”, referring to him as a respected elder statesman and fellow patriot.

He shared memories of their first meeting in 1985 and said Buhari’s policies at the time created the foundation for his journey as a young legal practitioner.

This was a man whose integrity and discipline gave hope to millions of Nigerians across the length and breadth of our nation, he wrote.

This was a man with a dream of a New Nigeria — a dream he lived for; a dream he worked tirelessly towards from his youth; a dream he pursued persistently despite the challenges he encountered; a dream I had the privilege of teaming up with him in his tireless quest to fulfill; a dream that brought tears to his eyes; a dream, the heart of which he shared with me in intimate conversations — a dream that revealed the soul of a man whose lifelong desire was to make life better for the ordinary Nigerian.

He referred to Buhari as a colossus whose kind is hard to replace.

Bakare offered a prayer, hoping that Buhari will be remembered kindly by history and that the Nigeria he envisioned will still come to life even after you have departed.

I express my deep condolences to his beloved wife, former First Lady, Aisha Buhari, and to his children and grandchildren. May God, the husband of the widow and the father of the fatherless, fill the void, the statement reads.

And to our dear nation, Nigeria, may God be our strength and comfort in this solemn season.

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