Day: November 11, 2023

Friends and well wishers of Malam Ali M. Ali, the newly appointed Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN), on Friday hosted him to a dinner to celebrate his appointment to lead Africa’s largest news agency.

The dinner, which was put together by the “Majalisar Kakumi” group, attracted top government functionaries, politicians and leaders of many government media organisations.

Among the dignitaries were the Directors-General of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Malam Abdulhamid Dembo, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Mohammed Bulama and Jibrin Ndache of the Voice of Nigeria (VON).

Also at the event were Dr Abdullahi Shehu, Assistant Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Centres, Jibril Zakirai, lecturer and writer, Malam Halilu Fagge, and many others.

In a brief remark, Alhaji Sadiq, who spoke on behalf of the organisers, said that “Majalisar Kakumi” is a platform formed by friends of like minds and had served as a meeting point for steady interactions.

He reminded Ali that leading NAN was not an easy task, but expressed confidence that he was equal to the challenge “in view of what we all know of him”.

Sadik prayed to God to guard and guide the NAN helmsman to do justice to those placed under his leadership.

He congratulated NAN for getting a thorough professional as a leader, and challenged its workers to give him all the support he would require to excel in the new task.

Alhaji Halilu Fagge, a long-standing friend of Ali’s, described him as a brilliant man and excellent strategist who easily shapes perspectives with his quick and smart ideas.

In his remarks, Ndace of VON emphasised the need for young leaders to always respect their seniors.

“No matter the level of one’s successes and accomplishments, do not forget those that mentored you. Never forget the role they played on your path to greatness,” he said.

He thanked Ali for sharing his good leadership qualities with others, pointing out that the sharing of thoughts and ideas is always crucial to success.

Also speaking, Dembo of NTA, described Ali as hardworking, and thanked God for making him the managing director of NAN.

“We shall keep working together. We shall keep sharing ideas and comparing notes as we lead federal government media agencies,” he said.

In his remarks, Bulama of FRCN said that Ali had been a close friend and professional partner for a very long time.

“We have been together for a very long time. Ali is an excellent communicator, thorough professional and very articulate. NAN is lucky to have him.

“I am sure he will do a lot in NAN. At the end of his first tenure, he would not only be pushed for a second term, but shall be lifted to much higher responsibilities,” he said.

He told NAN workers to brace up for the challenge of working with a workaholic as Ali was sure to drive them very hard.

In his response, Ali said he was deeply touched by the moving messages and thanked the organisers for finding him worthy of being celebrated.

He said journalism was his choice “right from the beginning”, and would always be happy practising it.

“From the beginning, I wanted to be a journalist. A great one. In the course of this job, I have moved across various newsrooms.

“I also handled tasks of reputation management and worked in two state government houses. There is no doubt that the lure of the newsroom will always be my calling.

“I have met many people in the course of journalism. What I tell younger colleagues is that you cannot be a good leader if you’re not a good follower. Good leaders must be good followers,” he said

Ali said that NAN had always been a great news organisations and one of the very few recognised by the United Nations.

“It has the largest workforce and has risen to the top before its fortunes started dwindling, but we are determined to restore those glorious days of greatness. Our job is enormous, but we are determined to do it,” he said.

Alhaji Abdulhadi Khaliel, Director, Administration and Human Resources Management in NAN, described Ali as a workaholic who was driving the workers hard so as to get the best out of them.

“He has not allowed us to rest. We now work literary round-the-clock. He has told us to shape up or ship out. I can confirm to you that he is always ready to work and ready to listen,” he said.

Khaliel assured Ali’s friends and colleagues that NAN would give him all the support required to succeed.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, said all negative perceptions about doing business in Nigeria would be removed.

He stated this during a meeting with the Captains of the Saudi Arabian Industry at the Nigeria-Saudi Investment Roundtable.

He said that with the new cabinet members, Nigeria was now ready for business, adding that these are parts of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

He said that the new administration was tackling headlong the wrong notions with respect to the ease of doing business, monetary policy, and trade cooperation.

“I believe in this team that I have brought from Nigeria. When I took office, I declared the immediate commencement of bold and fundamental economic reforms. We have executed them, and we sustain the reform process. Today, I declare that red tape is gone!

“I believe in the full application of free market economics. Your money will flow easily in and easily out. The arbitrage around our nation’s old foreign exchange policy regime and the corruption that was associated with it is also gone!

“We took on those bold endeavours from day one in preparation for serious investors like you seated here. The greatest opportunity for any entity to prosper lies in its human capital. My team is prepared. We can produce. Our market is full of Nigerian youths who are brilliant, highly educated, industrious, and passionate about innovation and engagement with world-class services.

“The navigation of the ship of this great nation lies in the membership seated here. We are ready to answer all of your questions directly, even into this night if need be. The sky is not just the limit, but it is the destination for our two countries and peoples,” the President said.

Saudi Arabia’s Trade and Investment Minister, Khalid El-Falih, said that after listening to the President speak about what was possible between the two nations, Nigerians can expect that the Saudi investment community would respond with new investments across several sectors of the Nigerian economy.

“The Minister of Commerce and I will be visiting Nigeria either before the end of this year or very early next year with a very large delegation of Saudi CEOs from all key sectors. We know you are ready for business, so we do not want to come to Nigeria for any exploratory discussion. We are coming for implementation. It is an action visit.

“Mr. President, you agree with me that good intentions alone will not take us anywhere, so we will prepare well with your team and our investors will align with your officials, beginning now, to develop a concrete work plan of investments in the key sectors for takeoff when we meet again. When we meet soon in Abuja, it will be to sign and begin delivery on all agreements. We will also use the opportunity to formally inaugurate the Nigeria-Saudi Business Council.”

Saudi Arabia’s Commerce Minister, Majid bin Abdullah Al Qasabi, previewed how Saudi Arabia can further contribute to the soft infrastructural reforms needed to unlock game-changing quantums of foreign direct investment in Nigeria.

“We have signed an agreement with the World Economic Forum on the reform of the services sector in Africa. In developed economies, the services sector contributes enormously to GDP. But in the developing world, we tend to focus on goods.

”So, we would like to make Nigeria the pilot country in this agreement with WEF to study Nigeria’s service challenges to make it seamless and make the supply chains across sectors streamlined and raised to international standard to enhance Nigeria’s economic and investment viability over the long-term,” he said.

Chairman of Dangote Industries, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, told the Saudi investors that Nigeria, under the leadership of Tinubu, would be seen in the world as a foremost global investment haven.

“What I always say about Nigeria is that it is the world’s best kept secret in terms of investments and returns. We are also looking to ensure that our investments are a two-way process.

”Nigerian companies have a lot of value to add to the Saudi economy, and we look forward to working together in expanding our Nigerian operations as well. The soon-coming launch of the Nigeria-Saudi Business Council will be a huge opportunity for both countries to expand on what has been established here.”

At the Investor Roundtable, dozens of Chief Executive Officers from several Saudi conglomerates specialising in construction, finance, new and traditional energy, healthcare, agriculture, electric power, mining, aviation, telecommunications, creative arts, and hospitality were present and made their exploratory proposals to the President on areas of tangible collaboration.

Responsing Tinubu said: “I have listened to all of you very intently, and I am not only impressed, but I am determined to be your partner in progress and prosperity. Nigeria will reward your faith. Our people are ready, and we will not dissappoint.”

The Nigerian government delegation comprised the Governors of Bauchi, Niger and Katsina States; Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Abubakar Bagudu; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite.

Others are the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani; Minister of Agriculture, Sen. Abubakar Kyari; Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu; and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri.

The Nigerian business delegation comprised of the Chairman of Dangote Industries, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; Chairman of the Chagoury Group, Amb. Gilbert Chagoury; President of Flour Mills Nigeria, Mr John Coumantaros; CEO of Oando Energy Company, Mr/ Wale Tinubu and many others.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested 14 suspected vote buyers in Otueke, Adawari playgrounds in Bayelsa and at various polling units in Imo and Kogi.

EFCC Spokesperson Dele Oyewale said this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.

According to him, the suspects were arrested on Saturday in intelligence-driven operations that commenced several days before the ongoing governorship elections in the three states.

“Also, a total sum of N11,040,000, comprising N9,310,00 intercepted from suspected vote buyers and sellers in Bayelsa, and N1,730,000 intercepted from electoral fraud suspects across Imo State, were recovered from them.

“Also, two vehicles were intercepted from the suspects. They will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the commission had earlier deployed its personnel to monitor the Saturday’s governorship elections in the three states.

Oyewale had said in a statement on Friday in Abuja that the aim of the deployment was to prevent politicians and their agents from engaging in vote buying during the elections.

He explained that the exercise was part of the commission’s drive to checkmate electoral fraud and associated financial crimes.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has suspended election in nine Registration Area (RAs) in Kogi over of incidences of electoral malpractices.

The commission confirmed this in a statement issued by the National Commissioner and Member, Information and Voter Education Committee, Malam Mohammed Haruna, on Saturday.

Haruna said that INEC received reports from its officials in Kogi on incidences of electoral malpractices, particularly the incident of result sheets completed before voting.

“Reports indicate that the incidents occurred in Adavi, Ajaokuta, Ogori/Magongo, Okehi and Okene Local Government Areas. The most serious incidents occurred in Ogori/Magongo, affecting nine of 10 Registration Areas.

“This is entirely unacceptable. Any result not emanating from the Commission’s process in the Polling Units will not be accepted.

“The Commission is determined not to reward bad behaviour. Consequently, the election in the nine Wards in Ogori/Magongo LGA (Eni, Okibo, Okesi, Ileteju, Aiyeromi, Ugugu, Obinoyin, Obatgben and Oturu) is at this moment suspended,” he said.

Haruna said that the incidences in the other local government areas were being thoroughly investigated, and the outcome, including the way forward, would be announced in the next 24 hours.

“Meanwhile, as the processes continue, we follow the audit trail of personnel and materials to ascertain those who may have been complicit in undermining the process.

“We have a record of all officials deployed at various levels as supervisors, monitors, technical staff or polling unit officials and all election materials issued to them. Appropriate sanctions will be applied where necessary,“ he said.

Haruna assured voters in Kogi that their votes were protected and their wishes would be respected.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Bayelsa says its Supervisory Presiding Officer (SPO), abducted on Friday, has regained his freedom.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the SPO was abducted by gunmen on his way to the Registration Area Centre – 06 (Ossioma) in Sagbama Local Government Area.

The Head of Voter Education and Publicity of the state INEC in Yenagoa, Mr Wilfred Ifogah, confirmed the cheering news in a statement made available to newsmen on Saturday.

According to Ifogah, the officer is hale and hearty.

NAN reports that the officer, whose name was not disclosed, was abducted while waiting at Amassoma Jetty to board a boat to his place of deployment.

The Spokesman for the Police Command in the state, CSP Asinim Butswat, could not be reached for comments.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has commiserated with the family of late retired Maj.-Gen. Aderonke Kale, the first female Major General in the Nigerian Army who passed away on Wednesday in London.

This is contained in a statement by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, on Saturday in Abuja.

Lagbaja described the demise of Akale as a great loss to the Nigerian army, describing her as a shining veteran of the who exuded unequalled commitment, diligence and unquestionable loyalty to the army and the nation.

This qualities, according to Lagbaja, paved the way, as she steadily rose through the ranks to become the first female officer of the Nigerian army to attain the enviable height of Major General.

He added that her legacies in the selfless service to Nigeria and humanity would remain indelible in the hearts of many.

Lagbaja prayed for the repose of her soul and the fortitude for the family to bear the irreplaceable loss.

“Late Gen. Kale, renowned for reshaping the face of women and gender mainstreaming in the Nigerian military, was born into a family of professionals, her father was a pharmacist, and her mother a teacher.

“The late general had her primary education in Lagos and Zaria, and her post primary education in St. Anne’s School, Ibadan and Abeokuta Grammar School respectively.”

According to him, she opted to study Medicine and successfully gained admission into the University College, which later became University of Ibadan.

“After her graduation as a medical doctor, she proceeded to the University of London to specialize in Psychiatry.

“General Kale worked briefly in Britain and returned to Nigeria in the year 1971 to join the Nigerian Army in 1972.

“Her competence as a psychiatrist was recognized in 1973, when she qualified as a Consultant Psychiatrist and in 1982 she became Chief Consultant,” he said.

He said that in the course of her service from 1980 to 1985 her management acumen came to bear in her career, when she became the Commanding Officer of the Military Hospital Ibadan.

“She thus had the distinction of being the first woman to command a military hospital in Nigeria.

“In 1985 to 1987, she performed the same feat in the Military Hospital, Enugu, and from 1989 to 1990 in the Military Hospital, Benin.

“With such vital experience, she was elevated to the position of Deputy Commandant, Nigerian Army Medical Corps and School in 1991 till 1994,” he said.

According to him, in 1994, she became the first female officer to be promoted to the rank of Major General in the Nigerian Army and the West African sub-region.

“She finally attained the peak of her career, when she became the Commander of the Nigerian Army Medical Corps.

“First time in the history of the Nigerian Army, that a female officer was entrusted with the crucial responsibility of health care for all Nigerian Army personnel and their families,” he said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The President, Alumni Association of the National Institute (AANI), Amb. Emmanuel Okafor, has mourned the passing of the first female Major General in the Nigerian Army, Aderonke Kale.

Okafor, in a statement by the Publicity Secretary of AANI, retired Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, in Abuja, described the late Kale as an outstanding elder stateswoman and member of AANI.

Late retired Maj.-Gen. Kale, a medical doctor, passed on at the age of 84.

He said the late general was a pioneer in the military profession in Nigeria, where she distinguished herself by rising to the top of the profession.

“She was the first female Major General in the Nigerian Army and the first to command the Nigerian Army Medical Corps.

“She trained as a medical doctor at University College, which later became the University of Ibadan. Kale then specialized in psychiatry at the University of London.

“She was inspired to pursue psychiatry by Thomas Adeoye Lambo, Africa’s first professor of psychiatry. She worked briefly in Britain and returned to Nigeria in 1971 and joined the Nigerian army in 1972.

“This was a very rare decision for women in those days, particularly those at such a high professional level.

“Major-.Gen. Kale has been a trailblazer and an achiever. She took up the challenge of aspiring to the top and succeeded in exercising leadership in a world still dominated by men,”

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Havilla University (HUNI), a privately-owned institution, has partnered New Horizons, an information technology training company, to expand Information and Communications Technology (ICT) related programmes in the school.

The Chancellor of Havilla University, Mr Jones Tangban, made the announcement during a ceremony held to induct the Chief Executive Officer of New Horizons Nigeria, Mr Tim Akano, as a member of the institution’s Governing Council in Lagos.

Tangban said: “We want to leverage on the expertise and resources of New Horizon to establish strategic partnership to enhance the university infrastructure.

“This collaboration will help us update and expand ICT related courses and programmes by ensuring that they remain relevant and aligned with industry best practices,” Tangban said.

He added that it would facilitate scholarship and internship opportunities for Havilla University students at New Horizons Nigeria and provide them with practical experience in the ICT field.

Speaking on Akano’s as a member of the institution’s governing council, he said the Information Technology education expert had been playing a vital role in the lives of many Nigerians, especially youths.

“Akano has shown capacity in giving the best to mankind, particularly the young ones who are thirsty to be the best of Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg.

“We believe in the parameters that qualify you to be a member of Havilla University, and we wish to let the world know that you are now an exquisite member of the institution’s governing council.

”As a man who has engineered the training of hundreds of thousands of Nigerian youths and professionals, we are confident that making this caliber and rare person to be a member of the Governing Council of the university is a privilege,” Tangban said.

In her presentation of Letter of Appointment, the Vice Chancellor, University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Obi, who was represented by Prof. Peter Okafor, Deputy Vice Chancellor (HUNI), urged the recipient Akano to reciprocate the trust extended to him by Havilla University.

“Going by your antecedents, we strongly believe that your wealth of knowledge and passion will be significantly felt in the institution’s operations. We trust your track record,” she noted.

In his speech, Akano expressed gratitude to Havilla University for the privilege given to him to serve as a Members of Council.

“When I reflected over this call to service, I concluded that this is another opportunity for me to do what I have been doing for the past 20 years- which is about youth mentorship.

“I believe that together with the council will take Havilla University to the next level in Cross River; and the whole world will come to recognise the institution,” Akano said.

Other dignitaries present at the event include Dr John Adeniyi, Board of Trustee member (HUNI); Pastor Gbenga Olufisayo, General Overseer, Fresh Oil Global Impact Church /Secretary, Board of Trustees (HUNI) among others.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Havilla University popularly known as HUNI was established on Nov. 6, 2021 at Nde-Ikom in Cross River State.

The university is known for its dynamic system of teaching and research in a serene environment, aided by cutting-edge equipment, facilities, and structures to aid in the development of world-class graduates who will be competitive in content and character.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The President and Chair of the Board, African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), Prof. Benedict Oramah, says the institution is committed to supporting women entrepreneurs and ensuring the growth of their businesses.

Oramah spoke on Saturday at a forum organised by the African Union (AU) to celebrate women as part of the official opening of the Industrialisation Week at the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2023) holding in Cairo, Egypt.

The IATF is organised by Afreximbank in collaboration with the AU and the Africa Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat.

Oramah said: “Afreximbank knows the importance of women.

“For those of you here who are in industrialisation, we want to remind you that you have a strong partner in Afreximbank.

“We have a variety of products that are available for you as a business.

“We operate now as a trade and budget finance supermarket for Africa, we have something for everyone.

“We have over the years tried to understand the reasons we are not making progress in industrialisation and in the pursuit of the prosperity we desire.

“So, we decided that as an institution, we should do all we can do to make sure that any business will want something and you can find it.’’

Oramah urged women to avail themselves of the diverse facilities offered by Afreximbank for them to benefit more from intra-African trade as well as get support in the industrialisation of their ventures.

“If you need advisory services, Afreximbank has it.

“If you need equity to complement what you have, so that you are able to borrow more money to support the size of project you want to fund for Export Development in Africa.

“If you are an SME and want to become a company of some size, we also have a venture fund that is managed under the fund for export development in Africa

“Of course, we have a range of wide range of trade and project financing services.’’

He also listed some of the bank’s subsidiary fund intended for small and medium-sized businesses as well as various services to include credit guarantees, investments guarantees and access to insurance.

He restated that the bank recognised the efforts of women who, generally, ensured transformation without having access to financing.

“When women set up a project, the impact is more felt and that is why we must always support them,” Oramah said.

He encouraged the women to go and be onboarded on the MANSA platform which ensures Customers Due Diligence and KYC checks on African entities, in order to get a unique number to aid interactions on Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS).

He said that the ingenuity and resilience of women were unrivalled hence the need to encourage and support those who want to or are building businesses.

A Senior Economist at the Economic Commission for Africa, Mr Souleymane Abdalah, advocated the integration of the gender dimension in strategies to achieve industrialisation in Africa.

Earlier, Ms Ron Omar, Acting Head of Division of Industry for Economic Development, Trade, Industry and Mining (ETTIM), AU Commission, also stressed on the need to support African women in businesses to bridge gender gaps.

Omar highlighted The African Women in Processing (AWIP) initiative aimed at addressing the gender gaps in the manufacturing sector by providing a forum for African women to exchange experiences, access new opportunities, and establish partnerships.

According to her, a session at the IATF2023 was dedicated to raising awareness about inclusive strategies and policies aimed at empowering women in processing to transition into entrepreneurship.

She said that mechanisms to create a supportive entrepreneurial environment, including tools such as the Gender Equality Seal and the Call to Action for Africa and its Diaspora to invest in the continent were discussed.

The AWIP summit aims to support the AU’s industrialisation agenda and achieve the goals of Agenda 2063 by catalysing and accelerating the transformation of industrial processing led by women.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria