Polaris Bank has reaffirmed its strategic commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s non-oil export ecosystem and empowering micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) at the NAHCO and NACCIMA Export Group Programme themed *Breaking Barriers: Helping SMEs Navigate Export Procedures for Agro Products and Other Commodities.”

The one-day engagement brought together regulators, industry stakeholders, exporters and trade bodies to advance practical solutions for easing trade barriers, improving access to finance and building a more resilient and diversified Nigerian economy.

The programme also marked the formal introduction and launch of the NACCIMA Export Group and the NAHCO Export Support Centre for MSMEs in Nigeria, creating a structured platform for exporters to access trade facilitation services, logistics support, regulatory guidance and financial solutions across the export value chain.

Speaking at the programme, Polaris Bank’s Executive Director, Chris Ofikulu, underscored the national importance of export diversification and the central role of SMEs in building a resilient economy. He noted that reducing Nigeria’s dependence on oil revenues requires coordinated action across the public and private sectors to strengthen non-oil exports, particularly within agro-exports and commodity trade.

“Expanding non-oil exports is not optional; it is a strategic imperative for building a resilient, inclusive and competitive Nigerian economy. SMEs, particularly in agro-exports and commodity trade, hold the key to unlocking our true comparative advantage. Polaris Bank remains committed to providing the finance, advisory support and partnerships required to help them scale confidently and compete globally,” Ofikulu said.

The engagement also focused on addressing structural challenges confronting exporters, including infrastructure gaps, port inefficiencies, logistics constraints, standards and certification requirements, and policy consistency.

Participants emphasized the need for stronger public-private collaboration among government agencies, trade bodies, financial institutions and logistics partners to simplify export procedures and improve market access for Nigerian SMEs.

Also addressing stakeholders, Olaleye Arinola, Team Lead, Trade Services, Polaris Bank, highlighted the importance of removing trade and payment bottlenecks that limit exporter competitiveness and cash flow. He emphasized the Bank’s focus on building confidence and certainty into the export process through practical financial and advisory support.

“Exports cannot grow if finance and payments remain obstacles. At Polaris Bank, our focus is on removing friction from international trade by ensuring SMEs get paid faster, safer and with greater certainty through efficient trade finance, secure cross-border payments and hands-on guidance across documentation, FX and compliance,” Arinola said.

As part of its partnership with the business and trade community, Polaris Bank unveiled a Dedicated Help Desk for NACCIMA members, designed to provide direct access to trade finance and payment support, fast-track resolution of export-related enquiries, and personalized advisory services on FX documentation and regulatory compliance.

Polaris Bank reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with NAHCO, NACCIMA and other stakeholders to strengthen exporter capacity, promote value addition across agro-exports and commodities, and unlock sustainable growth opportunities for Nigerian businesses in regional and global markets.

As Nigeria advances its economic diversification agenda, Polaris Bank remains positioned as a trusted partner for SME exporters, providing the finance, knowledge and institutional support required to compete globally and contribute meaningfully to national development and long-term economic resilience.

Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, has asked Nigerians to pray for political leaders, stating that politicians are the primary cause of the country’s challenges.

Speaking on Sunday at the thanksgiving service to mark Oyo state’s 50th anniversary at the Cathedral of St. Peter Anglican Church, Aremo, Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, Obi said politicians are responsible for the country’s challenges.

“I want to make a request from Nigerians. Do remember us politicians in your prayers. We are the problem of Nigeria, no other person,” he said.

“Nigeria is not a poor country, it is poorly governed. Remember us in your prayers that God should touch our hearts to use public money for public good. That is what is required.”

In a post on X after the event, Obi thanked Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo state, for the opportunity to speak at the service.

He recalled that at the beginning of Makinde’s administration, the governor invited him to address the maiden executive council (exco) retreat, where they spent a full day discussing governance and leadership.

“I am pleased to note that the governor has remained consistent in his approach. Beyond the visible infrastructure across the state, his performance is widely discussed and appreciated by Oyo people wherever they are,” Obi said.

The former Anambra governor also commended Makinde for his remarks at the thanksgiving service, particularly on building strong institutions rather than relying on individuals.

“His focus on continuity, systems, and shared responsibility reflects a statesmanlike vision and offers reassurance that the progress of Oyo State will be sustained beyond any single administration,” he added.

Obi further thanked Williams Aladekugbe, bishop of Ibadan north, for what he described as a timely and profound sermon.

“He reminded us that thanksgiving is not merely a ritual but a moral discipline that nurtures humility, responsibility, and service to the common good,” Obi said.

He called on residents of Oyo state to continue supporting the governor and to pray that God would guide leaders to work for the common good of the state and its people.

President Bola Tinubu has paid tribute to late Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, following his posthumous Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

Tinubu described Fela as more than a musician, calling him a fearless voice of the people, a philosopher of freedom and a revolutionary force who confronted injustice through music.

The president said Fela’s courage, creativity and conviction defined a generation and continued to inspire audiences across the world.

In a tribute issued on Sunday in Abuja, Tinubu said Fela’s legacy had transcended time, describing him as eternal in cultural and spiritual relevance.

He noted that Fela became the first African to receive the Recording Academy of America’s Lifetime Achievement Award, though posthumously.

The president said the honour affirmed Fela’s enduring global influence and the foundational role he played in shaping modern music from Africa.

Tinubu said Fela defined Afrobeat, with his influence evident across generations of Nigerian musicians and in Afrobeats and global sounds.

“He defined Afrobeat, and you can hear and see his influence in generations of Nigerian musicians and in Afrobeats and beyond.

“Fela lives,” the president said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)