Elumelu: “We give to empower and break the cycle of dependency

                    
At the largest annual gathering of African entrepreneurs, held in Lagos, Nigeria, the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) hosted almost 1,000 women and men from 54 African countries, for the 2nd TEF Entrepreneurship Forum.

 

The Forum celebrates the 2016 cohort of Elumelu Entrepreneurs, selected from over 45,000 applicants. It is the annual highlight of the Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Programme and saw the presence of leading policy makers and business leaders from across Africa, giving their support to the Foundation and its promise to identify, train, mentor and seed 1,000 entrepreneurs in a decade-long $100 million commitment. Following the Forum, each entrepreneur is eligible to receive up to $10,000 to implement their business plan.

 

Applauding Tony Elumelu’s promise to not only empower entrepreneurs, but also to tackle the fundamental economic challenges confronting the African continent, His Excellency Ernest Bai Koroma, President of Sierra Leone called on others to emulate Elumelu. “Even when we had Ebola in Sierra Leone, Tony was there. His is an example which other successful Africans must follow.”Focusing on the uniqueness of TEF’s approach to entrepreneurship development, President Koroma hailed the programme as “a genuinely innovative approach to philanthropy in Africa – an African offering African solutions.”

 

“What is unique about this programme is that it not only provides a platform for entrepreneurs to build connections, but they are also being taught how to build their businesses in a sustainable way. Other philanthropists will be inspired to support and promote this philosophy” the President concluded.

 

In his keynote speech, Mr. Elumelu stated “I salute those here, our ambition is that you become ambassadors for entrepreneurship in Africa – you are a generation of wealth creators, who share our commitment to the economic and social transformation of Africa. Let me tell you about Momarr Mass Taal, the CEO of Tropingo Foods, who has turned his first $5,000 seed capital received from the Foundation last year, into a $1.2 million revenue business. We all want many more of these! However, as excited as I am about the 2,000 entrepreneurs that we have selected, this gathering is in some ways bittersweet, as I reflect on the 63,000 ideas received in the Programme’s short two years of existence we were unable to select – our commitment is to all entrepreneurs in Africa.” Mr Elumelu challenged all stakeholders from the public and private sectors, civil society, multilateral organizations and all individuals invested in Africa’s economic development to join hands with the Foundation to support the wider African entrepreneurial community.  “We need to support our entrepreneurs because extreme poverty and economic opportunity rarely coexist in the same place.”

 

He also announced partnerships with regional institutions the African Development Bank, ECOWAS, and others including Coca Cola, the International Trade Centre, Nigerian Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism and Côte d’Ivoire Ministry of Entrepreneurship.

 

The two-day forum buzzed with energy as entrepreneurs shared and gained knowledge, built cross-border partnerships, and connected with investors and policymakers, fulfilling the goal of fostering innovation and collaboration between entrepreneurs from across Africa. On Day One, attendees benefited from masterclasses on traditional and alternative means of financing, sales and marketing, as well as sector specific workshops and an in-depth session on Africapitalism -  Elumelu’s economic philosophy that identifies the leading role of Africa’s private sector, including its entrepreneurs, in Africa’s transformation. 

In her opening remarks, Mrs. Awele Elumelu, CEO Avon Medical, Trustee of the Foundation and wife of Founder, Mr. Elumelu, welcomed the entrepreneurs to Lagos and commended their drive and effort in finding solutions to some of the continent’s most pervasive challenges. The CEO of the Foundation, Ms. Parminder Vir, invited entrepreneurs in the audience to continue to build the future and to challenge the flawed perceptions of Africa. 

Other speakers at the event included Clare Akamanzi, Representative of President Kagame of Rwanda,  Kennedy Uzoka, Group CEO of the United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA), Minster of Solid Minerals, Hon. Kayode Fayemi, Segun Awolowo, CEO of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Clem Ugorji, Public Affairs & Communications Director, Coca-Cola West Africa, Emeke Iweriebor, Regional CEO of UBA Africa (Francophone), Matthew Pearson, Head of Africa Equity Sales at ICBC Standard Bank, Sam Nwanze, Chief Investment Officer at Heirs Holdings. 

 

Day Two featured a high-level panel dedicated to identifying policies to strengthen the enabling environment for entrepreneurs, moderated by BBC anchor, Lerato Mbele, with panellists including His Excellency Ernest Bai Koroma, President of Sierra Leone, President Olusegun Obasanjo, Former President of Nigeria, Former Prime Minister of Benin RepublicLionel Zinsou, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Honourable Minister of Information, Tourism and Culture and Mrs. Folorunsho Alakija, Vice Chair of Famfa Oil. Opening the High-Level Panel, Mrs. Alakija congratulated the entrepreneurs, praised TEF’s focus on entrepreneurship and shared her own personal story of perseverance to demonstrate the entrepreneurs need for resilience and doggedness. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo hailed Elumelu's perseverance and focus on giving back. "By every means, God has made His face shine upon you. You are not the only one, but unlike you, some others do not have the idea of empowering the next generation of Africans in the manner and scale that you are doing." He further emphasized patience to the young entrepreneurs. In his words, “For strength in life you need a bit of adversity.” He also called on the Nigerian government to implement policies that encourage investors and entrepreneurs to do business in Nigeria. Former Prime Minister of Benin, Lionel Zinsou, commended the Tony Elumelu Foundation, stating “What Tony Elumelu is doing is the exception, not the norm.”

 

 

Princess Folashade Olabanji Oba: The Amazon Of Sorts

                       
It is striking that the totality of an individual's life could be so devoted to God and every undertaking in His Vineyard.

But for those who are close to her, such compelling relationship with the Heavenly Father as well as His work on earth have been well informed by the bountiful grace of God in her rewarding life and hence the resolve long ago to be a committed servant of God.

This is the apt description of the life of Princess Folashade Olabanji Oba, a proud Christian who reckons that any passion for humanity is an extension of service to the Lord.

And she has been consistent in this belief over the years, making her presence felt in various capacities and endeavours with NGO-Shelter of Grace Foundation, an NGO that enabled to transform lives among her people in Ikorodu.
Still, her life of sacrifice has never denied her pursuing other life interest particularly academics where she has an impressive record and accomplishments as well as running Pacific Capital Limited, a leading real and estate and brokerage firm in Lagos and annex in London.

This is really a fascinating chronicle of a gifted life and she is still far from her destination. A leader said Napoleon, is a dealer in hope. Princess Folashade is hope personified for the downtrodden and less privileged. Interestingly, her determination and intelligence are making a difference in the lives of so many others.

Again, as Aristotle noted, there is no action without desire that causes us to act. An individual's action, therefore, reveal much about what moves her. When looking at the actions of Hon Folashade, it is clear that she is moved by a profound desire to do good for others and that this desire has defined the course of her life.

This is remarkable. A native of Ikorodu, the United States returnee is the first daughter of Alhaja Atinuke Atobajaiye, the Iya Sunna of Nigeria and close associate of late Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, the Iyaloja General of Nigeria is an America trained Real estate and brokerage expert, Princess Folashade Oba worked with Prime America Insurance for over a decade before her return to Nigeria in 2006 after an aggregate of twenty years stint in the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

For this beautiful and energetic Princess who is also aspiring for a seat to represent her people at the National Assembly in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, as a senator come 2019 is going into politics basically to gather more influence that will enable her harness decisions that will alleviate the problems of her people.

 Her decision to share her wealth with the ordinary people led her into politics as she became one of the leading executives in the volunteer arm of the ruling Action Congress of Nigeria (A.C.N) before the party rebranded as APC .

Her close experience with former Governor and national leader of the party Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his wife Senator Oluremi Tinubu gave her a wide know-how of how politics works at the grass root and equally inflamed her passion for grass root politics.

Born into a rich home of a textile merchant mother who is a top Islamic cleric and the present Iya Sunna of Nigeria and a father who was into real estate in his life time, Princess Folashade Oba is a blend of royalty and aristocracy.

Happily married with children to ex-Ben TV, London, Director and social analyst Prince Gbola Oba, Princess Folashade Oba who is one of the leading lights in the agitation for a Korodu born is said to be a die-hard loyalist of her party APC and in few days time, the world will be hearing much from her as her political light is set to shine among her Ikorodu folks.

　


　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

Elumelu's Foundation Convenes Africa's Largest Gathering of Entrepreneurs

                                   
Today, The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) opened the 2^nd TEF Entrepreneurship Forum – the largest gathering of African entrepreneurs and the highlight of the annual TEF Entrepreneurship Programme.

 

The Forum celebrates the 2016 cohort of Elumelu Entrepreneurs – selected from over 45,000 applicants in 54 African countries – and their completion of the Programme’s innovative 12-week online training. On completing the programme Elumelu Entrepreneurs become members of the largest entrepreneurial alumni network in Africa.

 

“The TEF Forum is the centrepiece of the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme, and through it, we are giving from the perspective of empowering the recipient, instead of making them dependent on us,” explained Tony O. Elumelu, CON. “As a result, our entrepreneurs will change the face of Africa, creating a wave of dynamic African businesses, bringing wealth to their communities and countries, and driving economic growth across the whole continent.”

 

As part of the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme's 10-year, $100 million commitment, participants are now eligible to receive up to $10,000 seed capital to implement their business plans. Elumelu Entrepreneurs represent sectors as diverse as agriculture and fashion. Thirty-six per cent of those chosen were women, a significant increase on the first year’s twenty-four per cent. Entrepreneurs range from 18 to 54 years old. TEF CEO Parminder Vir OBE said: “We are proud to have established a unique platform for African entrepreneurs to forge relationships and business partnerships. In doing so, we are creating an ecosystem that fosters innovation and collaboration, on a scale few believed possible.” 

 

The Forum allows entrepreneurs to share and gain knowledge, build cross border partnerships, and connect with investors and policymakers. The first day features plenary panels, masterclasses, TED-style talks and sector specific networking opportunities. The second day is a policy-led gathering, focused on improving the enabling environment.

 

The Foundation’s long-term investment in empowering African entrepreneurs is emblematic of Tony Elumelu’s philosophy of Africapitalism, which positions Africa’s private sector, and most importantly entrepreneurs, as the catalyst for the social and economic development of the continent.

 Press Kit: http://tonyelumelufoundation.org/teep/media/teep-2016-press-kit/

Documentary: http://bit.ly/TEEPdocumentary

 Established in 2010, The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) is the leading philanthropy in Africa championing entrepreneurship and entrepreneurs across the continent. The Foundation’s long-term investment in empowering African entrepreneurs is emblematic of Tony Elumelu’s philosophy of Africapitalism, which positions Africa’s private sector, and most importantly entrepreneurs, as the catalyst for the social and economic development of the continent. The Foundation’s flagship initiative, the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme, is a 10-year, $100 million commitment to identify, train mentor and fund 10,000 entrepreneurs, capable of changing the face of business across Africa.

www.tonyelumelufoundation.org  @tonyelumeluFDN

 

Elumelu, Bill Gates discuss the role of global philanthropy on business, politics and culture

                         

Speaking at the Le Club de l’Economie in Paris France on Monday, Tony O. Elumelu, Chairman of UBA Plc and Founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, made a call to the French business community, global stakeholders and influential Africans in the development world to embrace ‘structured philanthropy’ in support of rising entrepreneurs with great potential, as a means to achieving sustainable development in Africa.

 

He made this call during a live interview conducted by Serge Michel, Editor-in-Chief at Le Monde Afrique, to an audience of high level political and business leaders, including the French Development Agency, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, representatives of international organisations, such as the World Bank, and the IMF, as well as representatives of civil society and selected journalists. This is coming a few days before the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Forum, the largest annual gathering of African entrepreneurs, scheduled to take place on October 28-29^th in Lagos, Nigeria, to celebrate the 2016 cohort of Elumelu

In what has become a formidable gathering featuring a series of talks on business and economic issues, this special edition of ‘Le Club de l’Economie’ was dedicated to the influence of global philanthropy on business, politics and culture, featuring the world’s most influential philanthropists, including the world’s richest man, Bill Gates. Prior to his participation at Le Monde, Mr. Elumelu paid a courtesy call to the French Development Agency (AFD), where he met with CEO Mr. Remy Rioux to discuss concrete ways in which AFD can be supported by local partners ahead of plans to increase its annual financing commitment to Africa. Mr. Elumelu was joined by Bill Gates, his co-panelist at the Le Monde Philanthropy Forum.

 

Elumelu explained the challenges in developing Africa. “The biggest obstacles to development in Africa are a lack of an enabling environment, infrastructure and access to electricity. Imagine a young entrepreneur having to provide power access for a growing business." 

 

He proffered solutions to some of the obstacles saying: “It is important that Africans increasingly embrace ‘structured giving’ because it helps us, assist worthy individuals who are not part of our families, or neighbourhoods, but who have great need and potential.”

 

Further expounding on the benefits of Africapitalism, Elumelu cited the achievements of the Tony Elumelu Foundation’s Entrepreneurship Programme as a valid example of how Africans can solve their own problems via entrepreneurship and better governance.Entrepreneurs, selected from over 45,000 applicants in 54 African countries

“Better governance will solve our problems. We can't afford to ignore entrepreneurship. We need to do both. We need government to realize that the success of entrepreneurs will lead to more success for government. Government can't create all the employment opportunities needed in the economy. Only the private sector can do this. Government must create an enabling environment to allow businesses to thrive.”

  

Bill Gates also a panelist at the event buttressed this point during his session,  

 

"States can no longer fund themselves their development, by giving back, we tap into the best part of ourselves. Everything significant we've done was through partnerships."

 

Elumelu concluded by encouraging French investors to connect with local partners, while also calling on both the public and private sector to invest back into the continent by focusing on entrepreneurship.

 

Le Club de L’Economie is organised by leading French newspaper, Le Monde. Other participants at the event included Bill Gates, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; Jean-Marc Ayrault, Minister of Foreign Affairs, France;

The Aga Khan, spiritual head of the Ismaili Muslim community and Remy Rioux, CEO of Agence Francaise de Development.

 

UBA Wins Big at Finacle Client Innovation Awards

                                   

United Bank for Africa has continued to receive accolades and global recognition for its  commitment to the use of cutting-edge technology to provide simple and convenient banking solutions and services to its customers. The pan African banking Group was adjudged winner in two categories at the recently concluded Finacle Client Innovation Awards 2016, organised in India by Infosys Limited; the corporation that provides business consulting, information technology and outsourcing services to financial institutions across 19 countries.

 

UBA won the 'Award for Process Innovation’ on account of its innovative approach to transaction authentication and reconciliation and also clinched the award for 'Project Management Innovation' as a result of the outstanding work it has done on implementing a ‘multi country migration of Finacle core banking solution using the Clustered Rollout concept. The awards were keenly contested for by financial institutions with over 160 nominations received from across different banks in 94 countries.

Commenting on the awards, Mr. Kennedy Uzoka, the Group Managing Director/CEO, UBA Plc said the Finacle Awards is an attestation to the quality of human resources that abound in UBA and the importance the Bank places on using information technology to better serve its customers. “UBA has remained the leading bank in driving customer satisfaction and banking penetration across Africa using information and computer technology”. “In achieving this, we have and will continue to commit resources to bringing convenience to our teeming customers,” he added.

 

The Finacle Client Innovation Awards recognizes some of the breakthrough innovations achieved by the clients, leveraging Finacle solutions. The award celebrates product, channel/distribution, customer service, process, custom component development and project management innovations that have benefitted banks by increasing revenues, profitability, enhancing customer satisfaction and efficiency. “Using technology to provide consumer satisfaction and excellent banking experience is important to us. In doing this, we  emphasised the acquisition of relevant technologies to drive service excellence and innovation in product and services, across all channels" said Chuks Nweke, Executive Director, Operations and Technology, United Bank for Africa.UBA is one of Africa's leading banks with operations in 19 African countries including having presence in global financial centers; New York, London and Paris. Adjudged to be at the forefront of innovation and convenience banking, UBA is one of the first financial services institutions on the continent to deploy Finacle 10x, a new information technology platform to boost its services and electronic banking channels. Today, UBA provides banking  services to some 11 million customers globally, through diverse channels and several thousand touch points

Taribo West, Bishop Bayode, Others To Light Up Church of Evangelism 2016 Annual Congress

                       The Church of Evangelism, tucked inside Ibeju-Lekki, Awoyaya, Healing Camp, opposite Green Springs School on the Lekki/Epe Expressway, Lagos State, has kicked off the much awaited annual congress, with the theme: 'Achieving Greater Things'.

Activities lined up for the week long event commences on Tuesday, November 1 and Thursday 3, with Revival Service. The event continues on Friday,November 4 with a Thehila Night of Praise before thanksgiving service climax the week long event on Sunday, November 6.

The Thanksgiving service would be mixed with ministration and fun as top gospel artistes such as Praise Mchine, The Angels Crew, Bata Jesu and Voice of Blessing Gospel Band and others have been lined for the day.
Ex-Nigeria's International Footbal star turned pastor, Taribo West, Bishop Bayode Adewale, Pastor Oluade Adeniran and others are among the guest ministers set aside to handle the ministration of this year edition.

The congress, according to the General Overseer of the church, Rev. Edith Adefunke Okunbanjo, "is aimed at winning souls and to glorify the name of Jesus through healing of those who were oppressed of the devil. "It is a platform by which God’s blessing will be poured out in his people." Okubanjo revealed that annual congress is a special instruction from God in place of the annual conference. She said this in a statement, emphasising that Nigerians should not give up for God will do a new thing in Nigeria, "just as Nigerians must be prepared to get God’s grace".

She stressed the need for people to enjoy God ‘s glory and that believers must endeavour to embrace righteousness in all their acts and deeds. Rev. Okubanjo is the adorable wife of late industrialist and Founder/Past Chairman, Intercontinental Distillers Limited, Chief

Oladotun Okubanjo. As a woman of God, she shares diligently in the ministry her vision of liberating mankind from all affliction of the devil through the teachings of prosperity, healing, deliverance and all that pertains to life.Mummy, as she is generally called, is recognised for her courage, agility and unique ability to prepare men and women for leadership, making them realize their potentials and their purpose of existence.

 

UBA ,MEC, Inc., launch revolutionary e- payment system, EmailMoni

                           
MEC, Inc.  announced today it has entered into agreements with pan-African financial services group, United Bank for Africa ("UBA") Plc to provide a revolutionary email-based billing, payment and banking software system called "EmailMoni."

EmailMoni represents the world's latest fin-tech for cloud banking and social payments, and is expected to transform the payments, invoicing/billing and remittances landscape in Africa. The service provides a convenient and highly accessible application with multiple ways to transact that are instant, secure, and low cost.

EmailMoni enables people and businesses to securely send and receive invoices and money electronically in real-time, using their mobile phone or any web browser compatible device. Users can send and request and receive money using the mobile phone app, Microsoft Outlook app, or any email service. Money can also be securely requested and/or sent using Facebook app, SMS text and other methods.

EmailMoni Apple iOS App and Android App can also interact with point of sale (POS) systems, e-commerce for quick and secured payments online, as well as card-less ATMs using Quick Response ("QR") Codes enabling withdraws from the system at thousands of ATM locations.

EmailMoni will enable faster more efficient payments for UBA customers who are billers, such as airtime, cable and utility companies. Customers can also send and receive secure payments instantly and conveniently, while non-bank customers will be able easily access UBA banking and payment services.

"We are proud to open any frontier for e-payments in Africa with EmailMoni. This conforms with our desire to continuously deliver innovative and convenient payment options to our customers. Our innovations in the digital banking space have been possible because of our huge investments in building efficient, trustworthy platforms. We assure our customers that we are committed to continually bring the best in the financial technology space to ensure they always have the best and most convenient banking experience with all our service channels," said Yinka Adedeji, Divisional Head, Digital Banking, UBA. 

Ed Starrs, CEO of MEC commented: "EmailMoni will be instrumental in the positive transformation of Africa to a digital banking system and enable greater access to secure commerce. EmailMoni focuses on the banks' customers making sure they can access their money anywhere and anytime. EmailMoni enables UBA's customers to communicate just like using email and pay for all their transactions in one place. MEC along with our sales partner in Africa, Centric Gateway, Nigeria, Limited, are committed to providing industry leading technology and service to support UBA in meeting their e-payment goals."

"EmailMoni, powered by MEC, will be a fundamental change in the payment space in Africa," stated Omoniyi Kolade, CEO of Centric Gateway. "The email-based payment platform will enable our client UBA to deliver fundamental value in promoting cashless and digital banking for their customers in their day to day transactions. EmailMoni will remove hurdles being faced by customer transactions and maintain speed, ease of use, along with security in between customer, retailers, businesses, biller, e-commerce, etc. This is the first solution in the Nigeria payment service industry that addresses customer payment affairs in a seamless way."

About UBA: With a customer base in excess of 10 million, UBA has invested heavily in building robust and secure digital banking platforms to facilitate transactions across Africa. A highly diversified financial services provider, UBA is a leading player on the African continent, with significant market share and operations in 19 different African countries and business offices in New York, Paris and London. Visit:www.ubagraoup.com

About Centric Gateway: Located in Lagos, Nigeria, Centric Gateway Limited is a payment services provider and the Authorized Sales Partner in Africa for MyECheck software and services.

Ambode sack Folarin Coker, Akinkunmi and others

                   
The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, on Wednesday fired the commissioners for Tourism, Mr Folorunsho Folarin-Coker; Finance, Dr. Mustapha Akinkunmi and Transport, Dr. Ekundayo Mobereola.
A statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello, announced the cabinet reshuffle by the governor.
The statement said Ambode directed the Special Adviser, Arts and Culture to take over as the Acting Commissioner for Ministry of Tourism and Culture.
The Special Adviser on Transportation will take over as Acting Commissioner for Transportation, while the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance will take over as the Acting Commissioner for Finance, pending the appointment of new Commissioners in the respective ministries.

 Ambode thanked the former Commissioners for their service to the State and wished them well in their future endeavours.

No reason was given for the decision.

The Punch sacks 55 workers in repositioning strategy

                  The Punch Newspaper Plc has sacked not less than 50 of its employees as part of its reengineering strategy for greater performance. According to information gathered from sources close to the most widely read
tabloid, the workers were sacked for their inability to cope with the new ideas and strategy of the institution.
The affected staffers include line editors, reporters, correspondents of mostly old staff with few ones who were recruited about a year ago.

According to one the editorial affected who crave anonymity said he saw it coming because weeks after The Guardian Newspaper laid off 0ver 200 of its staff, the news of Punch downsizing was awash among the staff with no knowing his or her  faith until the unfortunate incident  came to reality.
Though many are still wondering why Punch reduced it workforce inspite of been  a  leader in the  market with several adverts and special projects rolling into the company.



 

FG flags-off Graduate in Irrigated Agriculture Schemes in Kano

                            

The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially flagged-off the Graduate in Irrigated Agriculture Schemes (GIAS) Program, at Kadawa Integrated Farm in Kano State with the plan to extend it to all 109 senatorial districts of the country.

The Graduate in Irrigated Agriculture Scheme is an initiative whereby selected participants in batches of 50 who will be trained in various agricultural activities including crop farming, aquaculture, dairy farming, animal husbandry for food processing and other sustainable agricultural activities.

Minister of Water Resources, Engineer Suleiman Adam who spoke at the official flag-off of the scheme on Friday expressed hope that a successful outcome of the first 12 pilot projects will be accomplished before the end of the year.

He said beneficiaries will subsequently be empowered through other government intervention programs to establish their own agric ventures or to become trainers.

“President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration is a complete overhaul of the structure of our economy which has largely been dependent on crude oil for decades by largely diversifying from single export commodity to more productive activities.”

He said less than 10% of 3.12 million Ha potential of irrigable land was being developed and utilized and “ I have no doubt that the step we are taking are timely and appropriate under the situation the nation find itself today, and will eventually lead Nigeria to greater economic prosperity.”

The  Hadejia Jama’are River Basin Development Authority ( HJRBDA) oversees 4,500 square kilometers of land and irrigation potential of 2,400 Ha for irrigation, that developed irrigation schemes, provides direct job to 55,810 for farmers while indirect jobs are created for 781,430 people annually.

He said, “I wish to appeal to all levels of government within the beneficiary localities of the schemes to provide maximum support to this significant government investment through active participations in the operation, maintenance and management not of the schemes.”

Earlier, Engr Adamu who inspected the completed Galma Multipurpose Dam in Kaduna State and Tiga dam, Kano State which is scheduled to be completed around September 2017, said that apart from the irrigation component of the project, the multipurpose dam with a reservoir capacity of about 186 million m3 could also generate 2.2 megawatt of electricity and supply water to 2.2 million people in the surrounding communities up to the ancient city of Zaria.

He said the dam is capable of providing job opportunities for over 1.1 million people living within its environs.

The building of the dam which started in 2006 and it has reached 100 percent completion.

He commended the level of job done and charged the company to facilitate the construction of the roads for easy access.

Senator Mas’ud Doguwa, Managing Director, HJRBDA said the initiative of the Federal Government to commence (GIAS) Program, will generate employment for the youth and ensure food security.

 “It is apparent that there is no other better alternative than to optimally harness the potentialities in irrigated agriculture,” he said.

He noted that for sustainable employment and income to youth all year round, that arrangement had been concluded to commence Tomato and Aquaculture component of the scheme in November, followed by wheat production component in December.

He indicated that under the initiative, indigenous private investors had keyed to the scheme by engaging the farmers as out growers, or providing assurance for ready-made market for the produce.

Husman Saliu, a participant of graduate in Irrigated agriculture schemes said, ”when I have acquired skills on fish farming under Hadejia Jama’are River Basin Authority, my dream is to become a fish farmer, so one day I will become an employer of labour.

“There is no white-collar job, so the government is creating this opportunity for us to be an entrepreneur and my advice for other youth is to be creative and not to depend on white-collar jobs.”

Also, Yusfu Adbulahi, a  participant of GIAS, said, ”because of the current situation in Nigeria, a lot of graduates are just sitting at home jobless, but with this, any graduate who is serious should go into farming. My father is a farmer. I’m a computer science graduate from ABU Zaria University.

“My father advised me that if I venture into farming, that things will be alright. After my graduation in 2010, I started farming in 2012. Today I can produce 200 bags of rice which is 100kg. When I sell 200 bags of rice at N10,000 each, it will fetch me N2 million, so why would I need to be looking for government job?”

 

Latter Glory Rocks Tommorrow As Prophet Arole Abass Celebrate Birthday

                        
One of the most popular popes of all times, Pope John XXIII once said: "men are like wine, some turn to vinegar, but the best improve with age." Over the years, these golden words have proved to be true in the lives of many and one of such example is that of celebrity pastor, Prophet Rapheal Arole Abass who leads Latter Day Glory Ministries, a parish of Celestial Church of Christ (CCC). Remarked as a man of intergrity and civility, the vibrant shepherd who will tommorrow Sunday, October 16 will add a year has continued to endear himself to many with his fine character, selfless nature, magnanimity and purposefulness. No matter how old he gets, he never lose his beauty, especially on the inner side. Prophet Arole Abass as many prefer to call him, is a man loved by all, and this has been evident in the way people swarmed around him like bees. Tommorrow's shindig has been planned on high pedestal as several members have swung into action to celebrate their anionted spiritual father to high heavens. According to information made available to us, The birthday soiree will hold at the church's auditorium at Church Street off Yaya Adamoh Street, Ogba,Lagos. The celebration will be mixed with ministration and fun as top rated gospel artistes such as Aduke Gold, Dare Melody, Bata Jesu and others have been to thrill the congregations and well wishers. Prophet Isreal Oladele Ogundipe, the celebrity pastor and sheperd in charge of Genesis Model International, a parish of Celestial Church of Christ is expected to lead the ministration among other invited respected men of God.

Nigeria: Minister challenges National Water Resources Institute on capacity building, job creation

                         

Nigeria Minister of Water Resources, Engineer Suleiman Adamu, has challenged the National Water Resources Institute, Kaduna to providing water supply equipment to other African Country and to create a window for unemployed youth to acquire craft in plumbering.

Speaking during the commissioning on Thursday, Adamu said, National Resources Capacity Building Network Project, is been identified by UNESCO as a centre of excellence and in partnership with World Bank.

He said, NWRI is more relevant to the country, “am aware of the collaboration with six universities. We hope to see a time when people can come to NWRI from other countries to buy drilling rigs, irrigation water pump rather than importing, so we can conserve foreign exchange.

 “I understood the vital role of the institute to Kaduna, and am happy because there is a strong collaboration between the NWRI and the Ministry of Water Resources.

He informed the ministry on the need to engage in training manpower for that will run the ministry, “more people especially those coming from the administration that need to be trained to have an idea of the ministry properly.

“I am aware that as part of its collaborative research, NWRI is making efforts to undertake the study of sedimentation levels in all our dams in the country in other to have a good estimate of the impounded water for multipurpose uses.

However, the minister challenges the Management and students of the institute to redouble their efforts in achieving set goals in line with the present administration, and to make the institution a place to African countries as centre of learning and capacity building.

As parth of is familiarization tour, was a visit to Challawa Gorge Dam Model Site; Rural Water Supply Sanitation Centre; fabricated rig and workshops; Water quality laboratory; UNESCO Category 2 Regional Centre for IRBM.

He noted that the ministry will continue to support and encourage NWRI in delivering on its mandates and ensure its reputation is sustained.

According to Dr Emmanuel Adanu, Executive Director NWRI, Kaduna, he said, the status of the institution in recent years has been on the rise and its activities continue to attract wilder recognition both nationally and internationally.

“Presently, it is host to three specialized centres, established in collaboration with international bodies such as UNESCO, JICA and the World Bank to address specific needs of the water sector.

To fulfill its mandates, he said NWRI has and continue to carry out activities that impact directly on the society. “Some of these activities include development of curriculum for National and Higher National Diploma courses in water resources engineering technology, in collaboration with the NBTE; Drinking water quality assessment in eleven states of the federation including lead poisoning in Zamfara State; youth empowerment training programmes.   

Meanwhile, Eng Adamu, also inspected the Galma Dam in Kaduna. The dam has a hydro power capacity of 2.5MW, 2,500 irrigable lands and provides water to water treatment plant in Zaria. That the dam will create over 1.1million job for people living within it environ.

He noted that the dam will create opportunity for investors to engage in irrigation, and challenged the contractors to ensure everything is put in place before handing it over.

Crisis Rocks Tito Da.fire’s Marriage, Wife Relocates Child Abroad

                       

There is nothing done in secrecy that will not at one time or the other see the light of day, such is the hush-hush wedding embarked upon by Tito Da.fire with his then heartthrob, Ify on November 2, 2013, little did he know that the marriage would only have a short life span, it lasted just a little over a year. 

As you are reading this, the subtly publicized marriage of the On-Air-Personality who manages brands under G2M Creatives has crumbled irreconcilably and the wife has relocated abroad with the only child of the union, Ebuka. In an exclusive telephone conversation with the multi-talented CEO of Grinding Records, Tito Da.fire took us through the journey of the recent development concerning his career and marriage.

According to him, marriage which ought to have a happy –ever after tale was filled with loads of issues. The now estranged couple obviously never understudied themselves before saying ‘I Do’. Hear him, “Initially I thought she was disposed to entertainment, however overtime I realized she was not, it is one of the major lessons I learnt from my failed marriage. For example I remember that I  would record songs at home and she would not make a comment, till I told her hey, I'm going to stop doing this because it seems you don't like me doing this...And she said oh no, not that, and after then she would say, that song you were working on, the one that has Haruna Ishola's voice ( because I was working on a remake of his classics), it’s nice, but I packed it all up and won't talk about it after then because I felt she wasn't cool with me singing. Sadly, we separated about a year and a month after our marriage.”

 

He also said about his son, "I miss my son a great deal and would love to pMeanwhile, after the collapse of his marriage, Tito Da.fire dusted his lyrics diary; hit the studio to record a song, Imagination where he featured the late music icon, OJB Jezreel. Now, Tito Da.fire has shot the music video of the song as directed by Matt Max and it’s indeed one of the best things to come out of the entertainment scene this year. 

The reason for his choice of Matt Max as director is not far-fetched, as he has this to say, “Imagination was one of two songs I recorded with my long-term friend and brother, the late Ojb Jezebel, and losing him just before releasing the audio was painful, and I wanted a director who could bring the energy alive. I spoke with a couple of directors and Matt Max's treatment deeply connected with the soul of Imagination. Once I explained those thoughts and ideas, he was totally in sync with it as he was able to see the broader picture, and the rest is now history as the video for Imagination will drop in November signaling the flagging off of a series of events to culminate in the actual release.”

 

The accountant turned workaholic all round entertainment artiste would love to imbibe the practice of having a deserved rest after putting in long hours of work into his hobby cum work and want nothing more than to leave a lasting legacy for generations coming after him in terms with his passion of making an impact on the entertainment scene.

 

Arms scam: FG converts Badeh’s N1.1bn mansion to office

                         

N1.1bn mansion seized from the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh (retd.), has been converted to an office to be used by the Federal Government, The PUNCH has learnt.

Our correspondent, who visited the property located on Plot 6 Ogun River Crescent, Maitama, a highbrow area in Abuja, learnt that the property is being used by the Presidential Committee on the North-East Intervention headed by Lt.-Gen. Theophilus Danjuma, a former Minister of Defence.

Our correspondent observed that the warning, ‘EFCC, Keep Off!’ which was written in red ink on the fence, had been wiped off.

However, a second building (although uncompleted) seized from Badeh, which is located directly opposite the one converted by the Federal Government, still has the EFCC inscription on its fence.

Some gardeners and other domestic workers were seen clearing the grass and sweeping the compound when our correspondent visited the place.

Our reporter, who entered into the main building, noticed that the rooms had been converted into offices while desks had been set up at strategic positions.

When our correspondent approached one of the workers, he said, “The property was given to us by the government to work. I know that the EFCC seized the property some months ago but it was given to us to work.”

The EFCC is prosecuting Badeh alongside a firm, Iyalikam Nigeria Limited, on 10 counts of money laundering bordering on alleged fraudulent removal of about N3.97bn from the Nigerian Air Force account.A former Director of Finance and Account of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Aliyu Yishau (retd.),who is a prosecution witness against Badeh, had informed the court that while Badeh was the Chief of Air Staff, he routinely helped Badeh to divert the sum of N558.2m by converting it to its dollar equivalent.

He said he personally helped Badeh to buy the N1.1bn property which has now been converted to Federal Government’s use.

He had said, “Sometime in January 2013, when I was taking the normal amount to him (Badeh) in dollars, he directed that we should pay for the house. So, he brought out the balance in dollars and made up the equivalent of N1.1bn.”

The EFCC lawyer, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), had told the court that the EFCC searched the property and recovered $1m in cash.

Jacobs said although Badeh had denied ownership of the property, his belongings, including photographs, were found in it during a search by the operatives of the commission.

Our correspondent learnt that the decision to convert Badeh’s property may be connected to the Federal Government’s plan to convert seized properties to government use and save cost.

It will be recalled that the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, had disclosed at the opening of a meeting with the members of the National Steering Committee of the Efficiency Unit on June 10, 2016, that the Muhammadu Buhari-led government was planning to convert some of the seized properties to offices in a bid to save money spent on rent.

UBA Grows Profit To N62 Billion In Nine Months

                                 
Leveraging its expansive footprint, pan-African banking group, United Bank for Africa Plc (“UBA” or “the Bank”), announced its unaudited Third Quarter Financial Results, showing a 7% year-on-year growth in profit before tax to N62 billion despite the challenging macro-economic environment. This represents an impressive 18.2% annualized return on average equity.

The Bank recorded an appreciable growth in both funding and fee income lines.

"I am pleased with our performance in the first nine months of the year. Notwithstanding the negative economic growth in Nigeria, we maintained growth in earnings and sustained our asset quality. Increasingly, we are leveraging our unique pan-African platform to drive new customer acquisition and grow market share across our African subsidiaries” said Kennedy Uzoka, Group Managing Director and CEO of UBA Plc. Furthermore, the Bank’s level of impairment in its overall loan book was moderate. The Non-Performing Loan (NPL) ratio of 2.5% and 0.9% cost of risk remain one of the best in the industry. 

UBA Plc’s third quarter results also show significant efficiency gains with appreciable growth in operating income by 11% to N183 billion while profit after tax rose by 8% to N52 billion within the period. Though partly driven by the depreciation in the value of the naira, UBA also recorded a significant 21% year-to-date growth in deposits and a similar 26% growth in total assets. The bank also ensured that cost-to-income ratio remained flat year-on-year at 65% despite   external cost pressures which masked the positive results of its cost efficiency initiatives.

 Also speaking on the results, Group CFO, Ugo Nwaghodoh, said “the growth in deposits and total assets reflects the Bank’s increased share of customers’ wallet and deepening banking penetration across all its chosen markets in Nigeria and Africa which again accounted for a third of the Group's earnings.”

The Group GCFO assured that UBA will continue  to balance its  appetite for growth and profitability with the strategy of sustaining strong liquidity and capital ratios. The Bank maintained 43% liquidity ratio and 17.6% BASEL II capital adequacy ratio, well ahead of regulatory requirement.

United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc is a leading financial services group in sub-Saharan Africa with presence in 19 African countries, as well as the United Kingdom, the United States of America and France.

From a single country operation founded in 1949 in Nigeria, Africa's largest economy, UBA has emerged as a pan-African provider of banking and other financial services, to some 11 million customers globally, through one of the most diverse service channels in sub-Sahara Africa; 632 business offices, 1,798 ATMs, some 13,500 PoS, and a robust internet and mobile banking platform.

European Investment Bank and UBA Agree Record EUR 60 million New Private Sector Investment Programme

                     
The European Investment Bank and United Bank for Africa (UBA) have agreed a new EUR 60 million lending programme to support private sector investment across Nigeria. This represents the EIB’s largest ever loan to UBA and will allow UBA to provide longer term loans than currently available to private companies in Nigeria.

 

The new private sector lending programme was formally agreed on the side-lines of the World Bank Annual Meetings in Washington DC by Ambroise Fayolle, Vice President of the European Investment Bank and Kennedy Uzoka, Group Managing Director and Sola Yomi-Ajayi. Head of Global Financial Institutions at UBA.

 

“Private sector investment is crucial for creating jobs and ensuring sustainable economic growth. The European Investment Bank is committed to unlocking investment across Africa and we are pleased to build on past success to strengthen our partnership with UBA that will benefit projects across Nigeria.” said Ambroise Fayolle, Vice President of the European Investment Bank.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Kennedy Uzoka, Group Managing Director, UBA said “Our growing partnership with the European Investment Bank underlines our long term objective of facilitating the development and growth of African businesses.  This facility will enable UBA bridge critical financing gaps for Nigerian companies and deepen our capacity to support their growth aspirations in the local and international market place”

 

Ambassador Michel Arrion, Head of the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, described the programme as an example of the catalytic role the EU and its institutions like the EIB are playing to support Nigeria's economic development. "We look forward to more fruitful partnerships with Nigeria, and particularly with the private sector, which remains the engine of economic growth".

 

This represents the first Nigerian operation under the European Investment Bank’s new dedicated Nigeria Private Enterprise Investment Facility, a wider million lending scheme intended to support private sector investment in the country. Under the new initiative private sector entrepreneurs and companies will be able to use loans with a longer tenor than traditionally available to invest and expand activities across a range of sectors.

The new loan will also fund capital expenditure by UBA to strengthen their support for private investment, through expansion of their branch network and improving information technology.

 

The European Investment Bank has supported infrastructure and private sector investment in Nigeria since 1978.

 

The European Investment Bank is the world’s largest international public bank and over the last five years has provided EUR 12.8 billion for investment across Africa.