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Business disputes: KWACCIMA to parley with CJ on special court
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
The Kwara state Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KWACCIMA) has disclosed that it would meet with the state’s Chief Judge, Justice Abiodun Adebara, on the need for the establishment of a special court to handle disputes arising from businesses in the state.
The President of the Chamber, Barrister (Mrs) Ronke Adeyemi, who disclosed this in an interview with Journalists in Ilorin, the state capital, said issues pertaining to trade should not be tried in courts where theft and other related issues are heard.
Mrs Adeyemi explained that the establishment of commercial court was desirable in view of the frustrations litigants often experienced as a result of delay in adjudication on cases in courts.
She said: “We are planning to meet with the Chief Judge of Kwara State to designate what should be called a commercial court. If there is a trade dispute, it is a dispute about business matters; it shouldn’t be put in the same court where they are trying cases of theft and others.
“They will specifically train the judges to handle commercial matters and there would be timeline that such matters should be concluded within 180 days depending on the amount of money involved. Although, we have a court at the High Court that treats mainly financial issues such as cases of EFCC. That had made them very fast.
“Creating such court will boost the people’s confidence in doing business in the state. It will also encourage people to do business in Kwara because once people know that when they come to do business in Kwara and they had a problem, they won’t be locked up in court for ages, they will be willing to come here.”
Mrs Adeyemi, a former Chairman, Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Kwara state chapter, noted that the absence of rule of law in the country poses threats to business owners, adding that it is also discouraging business owners from bringing in partners into their enterprises owing to fear of sabotage.
KWACCIMA president said: “It is the rule of law that makes it impossible for a partner in America and Europe to sabotage the business because they won’t only be caught but will also be punished. But in Nigeria, when you bring in a partner, he will be looking for how to exterminate you and take over your business and nothing will happen.”
She, however, promised that the chamber under her leadership would work on the rule of law to discountenance the peculiarities of African society and system, which usually obstruct the carriage of Justice, saying that “if the rule of law isn’t working, business can’t thrive”.
Mrs Adeyemi also expressed her readiness to reinforce and encourage members to explore alternative dispute resolution as a viable option of settling issues arising from businesses rather than going to the Police or Court.
“We will also work on alternative dispute resolution. That is, when there is an issue concerning our job as business people, if it is criminal in nature, there is what we call ‘plea bargain’. Assuming someone stole N5million from your farm, how much can you forgo from the sum and let the person go rather than letting him go to jail, you won’t get a penny.
“But if the issue is civil in nature, we will go for alternative dispute resolution. We already have it set up in Kwara State but people often take marital cases there. Alternative dispute resolution is most effective for businesses. For example, in a case of breach of contract, instead of going to the Police, you can simply go to alternative dispute resolution.
“Our organization will partner the Nigerian Bar Association and train our lawyers to ensure that when they write business agreement for clients, they should put it there that in case of dispute the first option should be alternative dispute resolution”, KWACCIMA boss said.
The President also revealed that the chamber is planning to train business owners on the survival of their businesses even after they become incapable of running it or dead.
She also spoke on the exploits of the chamber to bring business owners together and discuss issues affecting them with the government.
Mrs Adeyemi said: “We have been able to bring people in the private sector together in order to discuss with government on several issues that are affecting people in the private sector such as taxation. Business people are always complaining about double and excessive taxation.
“We have had a series of engagements with relevant government agencies both at the federal and state level, and it has brought some changes and relief to our people.
“State House of Assembly has had to speak with us, seeking our input on laws that are affecting economic activities in Kwara State.
“We are also part of the team that helped the state government to draw up the list of things to do to make doing business in Kwara easier. They call it ease of doing business such that Kwara State is one of the top most States in Nigeria in terms of ease of doing business.”
END.
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
Barely a month after empowering no fewer than 70 members at the headquarters of the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church Worldwide in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, the Oluwole Foundation has extended the noble gesture to 24 branches of the Church within Ilorin metropolis and Oke-Oyi.
In the new dispensation, the Oluwole Foundation provided material and financial support to additional 70 beneficiaries, costing the Foundation about N37m.
Fielding questions from journalists on the sideline of the programme, the Chairman of the Foundation, Pastor Moses Ademola Popoola, said the extension of the empowerment programme this year to the branches of the Church was in obedience to divine instruction and as a means to tackle poverty within the Church community.
“We have 62 branches under our Church, but this is the first time we are going beyond our headquarters. For now, we have covered 24 Churches and empowered 70 people, spending close to N37 million. This is not just charity; it’s also evangelism. Some people will not be converted through preaching but through welfare,” Pastor Popoola explained.
He urged beneficiaries to take the gesture seriously, work hard, and extend help to others, assuring the congregants of further expansion of the empowerment programme to cover more beneficiaries in the coming years.
“They should not see this as a national cake. Be prudent, save, grow your business, and from what you have, help someone else. That way, we help the family, society, and the nation,” he cautioned.
Pastor Popoola also called on other foundations, especially those owned by Christians, to carry out their work with sincerity, rather than for personal gain. “This service is first to God, then to society. When we help people genuinely, we reduce poverty, crime, and unemployment.”
The cleric, however, stressed the need for the government to prioritise agriculture and rural development in order to tackle poverty and unemployment ravaging the nation.
He added: “Every wealthy nation built its economy on agriculture. So, government should secure our farmlands, provide tractors, and support our farmers holistically. Let each region focus on its strength, like cocoa in the West and groundnut in the North. We must also develop rural areas with electricity, motorable roads, hospitals, and jobs to curb rural-urban migration.”
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Janet Shaba, who expressed gratitude to the Oluwole Foundation for the kind gesture, promised that they would make judicious use of the items received.
End
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has expressed sadness over the death of former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh.
Governor AbdulRazaq said the death of Chief Audu Ogbeh is a big loss to the North Central Region, calling him a statesman, thoughts leader, and nationalist.
“Chief Audu Ogbeh was a dependable leader of our region. He earned the respect of all on account of his outstanding leadership and service to the nation at different times, especially during his time as Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development,” the Governor said in a statement on Sunday.
Governor AbdulRazaq has, however, sent his heartfelt condolences to the people and government of Benue State and to his family and associates.
He prayed to God to give the family the strength to bear the huge loss.
End
• Dismisses claims of gubernatorial ambition under ADC.
Former Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has publicly reaffirmed his unwavering loyalty to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, pledging full commitment to the President’s 2027 re-election campaign.
In a strongly worded statement, Ambode dismissed recent speculations linking him to a governorship ambition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), describing the reports as “false publications” aimed at causing distractions.
“I wish to publicly reaffirm my absolute and unshakable loyalty to the APC, the party under which I had the privilege of serving Lagos State as governor in 2015, and to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, my leader, mentor, and a tireless champion for Nigeria’s progress,” Ambode said.
The former governor praised President Tinubu’s leadership style, describing him as a “proven achiever and result-oriented leader” whose administration has delivered significant reforms in pensions, student loan accessibility, youth empowerment, and national economic growth.
Highlighting key achievements of the Tinubu administration, Ambode pointed to the elimination of fuel scarcity, improved security measures, and policies designed to improve the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
“His focus, determination, and inclusive governance style are restoring hope and delivering tangible results. I am convinced that, given another four years, Nigerians will have even greater reason to celebrate,” Ambode stated.
He urged party faithful and Nigerians at large to ignore political distractions, pledging to work tirelessly to strengthen the APC and ensure President Tinubu’s victory in 2027.
“Let it be clear: I stand solidly with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress. We will work together to ensure victory in 2027 to continue delivering the dividends of democracy to all Nigerians,” Ambode concluded.
Ambode’s declaration comes amid growing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the former governor making it clear that his political loyalty remains firmly with the APC and its leader.
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