By Ade Iyamoye 

The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), on Tuesday celebrated outstanding contributions to enterprise development and international cooperation at its 2025 Awards and Dinner Night, with a renewed commitment to building a resilient, globally competitive business community.

Speaking at the event held at the Prince Adetokunbo Kayode SAN Trade and Convention Centre, ACCI President, Chief Emeka Obegolu, SAN, PhD, said the awards night was a moment of appreciation for businesses and individuals whose innovation, perseverance and investments continue to drive Nigeria’s economy.

Obegolu said the Chamber had made “meaningful progress” over the past year in line with its vision to strengthen infrastructure, facilitate trade, build capacity, professionalise the Secretariat, expand global partnerships and reposition the ACCI brand.

He highlighted the ACCI Business, Entrepreneurship, Skills and Training (BEST), Centre as a key intervention aimed at skills development and entrepreneurship, preparing members and young Nigerians to compete locally and globally.

According to him, ongoing projects around the Chamber are designed to create a sustainable commercial ecosystem and long-term value for members.

The ACCI president also underscored the importance of engagement with government institutions, development partners and the diplomatic community, noting that such collaborations have enhanced the Chamber’s credibility and positioned it as a vital platform for dialogue.

“The presence of ambassadors and members of the diplomatic corps here tonight underscores the growing international interest in Abuja as a business destination,” Obegolu said, adding that business, beyond profits and policies, is ultimately about people.

He reaffirmed ACCI’s commitment to delivering value to members, growing its membership base and attracting investment that will contribute to Nigeria’s economic growth and global competitiveness.

On his part, the Brazil’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Carlos Garcete, commended ACCI for its role in deepening bilateral trade and cultural relations between Brazil and Nigeria, describing 2025 as a “remarkable year” for relations between both countries.

Garcete cited multiple high-level exchanges, including visits by President Bola Tinubu to Brazil for the G20, BRICS and a state visit, reciprocal visits by ministers and vice presidents of both countries, and Nigeria’s participation in COP30.

He particularly praised ACCI’s instrumental role in the Brazilian trade mission led by ApexBrasil, which brought over 40 Brazilian companies and more than 60 business leaders to Nigeria, the largest standalone Brazilian business delegation to the country.

Receiving the ACCI Award for Promotion of Cultural and Economic Exchange on behalf of the Brazilian Government, Garcete described the honour as both recognition and a call to sustain strong cooperation, expressing optimism for deeper collaboration in 2026.

The event brought together captains of industry, diplomats, partners and stakeholders for networking and celebration, reinforcing ACCI’s role as a bridge between Nigerian enterprise and the global business community.

By Huldah Shado

Terrorists abducted four rice farmers in Bokungi Village, Edu LGA, Kwara State, on Wednesday evening, local sources confirmed.

The victims were attacked while harvesting rice, less than 24 hours after gunmen targeted a church in Eruku, Ekiti LGA.

Residents said the armed men forced the farmers into nearby bush before moving them to an unknown location.

Community members warned that growing insecurity is driving farming settlements to near desertion, as farmers avoid working in vulnerable areas.

The Kwara State Police Command has yet to comment.

By Onyeanya Ebere Immaculata

The Federal Government plans to deploy 500 compressed natural gas (CNG), stations across the country within three years, following a new agreement between the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund (MDGIF) and Chinese manufacturer Endurance Group.

MDGIF Executive Director, Oluwole Adama, said in Abuja that a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), has been created with MDGIF, the Bank of Industry, Endurance Group, and Séquor Investment Partners to drive the initiative.

The new entity, Compressed Natural Gas Auto Mobility Infrastructure Company (CAM InfraCo), will develop integrated CNG and LCNG stations and provide trucks for nationwide virtual gas distribution.

Adama said the project will ease long queues at existing CNG stations by expanding access and improving logistics.

Presidential adviser on Special Duties and Domestic Affairs, Oluwatoyin Subair, said the rollout aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s push for energy security and wider adoption of auto-CNG to reduce reliance on petrol and diesel.

Endurance Group CEO Eric Lin said the SPV will build a nationwide CNG refuelling and logistics ecosystem through a leasing model designed to ensure steady supply and support operators across Nigeria.