Entrepreneurship is the Key to Unlocking Economic Development- Tony Elumelu

African entrepreneurs, private and public sector leaders and the broader entrepreneurship ecosystem convened in Lagos on Thursday, October 25, 2018 for the annual Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) Entrepreneurship Forum. The event which is the largest gathering of African entrepreneurs in the world, is a unique opportunity for bringing together young business talent, creating dynamic networks and transmitting the message to policymakers that a vibrant and responsible private sector will deliver economic transformation.

Now in its fourth year, the Forum marked the graduation of the 2018 cohort of the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme, following a rigorous nine-month period of training, mentorship and funding, which brought the total number of beneficiaries of the Programme to 4,470, with over 300,000 applications received to date.

One of the highlights was the unveiling of TEFConnect, a revolutionary digital community that brings together the complete entrepreneurshipecosystem across Africa and beyond, including entrepreneurs, investors and the broader business community on one platform, connecting them digitally with three vital elements for success – capital, market and business tools. Africa is riding a wave of rapid technological driven change in payment systems, education, agriculture and infrastructure and TEFConnect fulfills a critical role in linking entrepreneurs across the continent.Commencing with a series of goodwill messages from key stakeholders in the investment, governmental and development communities, the event featured a pitching competition, panel discussions, as well as a vibrant interactive session between His Excellency, President Nana Akufo-Addo and the entrepreneurs, moderated by TEF Founder, Tony O. Elumelu. It also featured a session on the role of the private sector in the economic development of Africa with Dr. Awele Elumelu, TEF Trustee, Founder, Avon Medical and Gavi Champion for Immunisation in Africa; moderated by CNNMoney Africa Correspondent, Eleni Giokos. Parminder Vir, CEO, Tony Elumelu Foundation also unveiled the TEF Impact Documentary, featuring success stories of the Tony Elumeluu Entrepreneurs. 

Tony Elumelu reiterated his commitment to championing Africa’s economic development by supporting and training a new generation of entrepreneurs, whose successes can transform the continent, delivering opportunity, job creation and social impact. ‘Africa’s future is in African hands’ he stated.“Our Foundation and its unique approach of training, mentoring and funding has proven that entrepreneurship is the key to unlocking economic transformation of our continent. I believe so strongly that success can be democratized and if we can match ambition to opportunities, this extraordinary generation can achieve anything,” said Tony Elumelu.  “With TEFConnect, we have created a tool, that provides a digital platform to host ideas, champion success and demonstrate Africans ability to use the most advanced technologies to take charge of their economic destinies.”

His Excellency, President Nana Akudo-Addo of Ghana underlined the importance of galvanizing the broad entrepreneurship eco-system, calling on public sector representatives to encourage, support and replicate the work of the Tony Elumelu Foundation in their respective regions.

Speaking on the importance of putting the right policies in place, President Nana Akufo-Addo said: “Nothing is changed or developed on its own. People must get up, speak, have discussions and change the dialogue”.  

Since its inception, the Tony Elumelu Foundation has empowered African entrepreneurs across the continent with a $5,000 non-refundable seed grant, a bespoke training programme designed specifically for the African environment and access to a dedicated group of mentors, significantly contributing to economic growth, job creation and revenue generationThe Forum was attended by key players in the private and public sector including Governor, Kebbi State, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu; Governor of Bauchi State, Alhaji Mohammed Abdulahi Abubakar; President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Nike Akande; Former Governor, Cross River State, HE Donald Duke and Former Governor of Anambra State, HE Peter Obi, among others.

Re: May I not be buried in Ukana, if Emmanuel defeats Ekere

The attention of the former Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio, has been drawn to a news item on the social media, written and circulated by media agents of the Akwa Ibom State government, purporting that the former governor had vowed that, should the incumbent governor, Udom Emmanuel, defeat the APC governorship candidate, Obong Nsima Ekere, at the poll, “his remains should not be buried in his country home, Ukana”.

The sponsors and purveyors of such statement know within them that such frivolous and unfounded statement Is not and can never be a creation of the Senator, as it existed only in their warped imaginations.

The former governor will never utter such gutterish statement, in the face of an imminent electoral defeat of the ruling party in the state, as would be widely demonstrated by the electorate in February, 2019.It is, therefore, silly, nonsensical and the height of political irresponsibility on the part of any sane person to ascribe such uncouth, misplaced and non-existent statement to Senator Akpabio.

Those who allowed themselves to be used for such infantile job for a mere meal ticket, may have, unknown to them and their paymasters, succeeded in bringing to the public glare, the desperation and fear of the ruling party of its anticipated defeat at the poll, come 2019.

Members of the public and the teeming supporters of Senator Akpabio and the APC in the state, are by this release, advised, to disregard such statement, because it is an attempt by the PDP and its imbecilic juvenile media characters to smear the records and achievements of the distinguished senator with statements that are not his, inorder to achieve an unmeritted and cheap political favour.

Anietie Ekong
Special Assistant on Media
To Senator Godswill Akpabio.
October 29, 2018

Union Bank’s Edu360; Fostering New Collaborations and Partnerships In Education

Union Bank recently held the first edition of its annual education fair, edu360 in Lagos, drawing stakeholders from across the education ecosystem including teachers, parents, school owners, investors, students and other key participants.  

The event tagged “Investing in the Future”, took place at Harbour Point in Victoria Island and served as a platform for collaboration among the education sector stakeholders, with the goal of accelerating development and much needed investment in the sector.

Speaking at the ceremony to mark the kick-off of the 2-day event, the Chief Executive Officer of Union Bank, Emeka Emuwa reiterated the Bank’s focus on education as a key driver of national development. He said;

“Edu360 is positioned to be the leading education platform in Nigeria, facilitating collaboration among stakeholders within the sector. We firmly believe that the private sector, working closely with the government and other stakeholders, can play a critical role in fast tracking solutions to move the educational sector forward.

At Union Bank, we are committed to identifying sectors that are vital to shaping a better, sustainable future for Nigerians.”

The Bank’s Head of Commercial Banking, Adekunle Sonola and other members of the Board of Directors were also in attendance along with Nigeria’s first female Minister of Industry, Chief (Dr.) Mrs. Nike Akande; the Minister of Education, represented by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe and the Governor of Lagos state represented by his Special Adviser on Education, Mr. Obafela Bank-Olemoh.

While delivering the keynote address, Dr. Modupe Olateju-Adefeso, Managing Director of The Education Partnership (TEP) Centre spoke extensively on the linkages between and education and national development, drawing examples from the health sector.        

            

                                                

UBA Receiving Entries For National Essay Competition

The UBA Foundation is now accepting entries for this year’s edition of the National Essay Competition. The first prize for the competition is a N2 million educational grant for the winner to study in any African university of his or her choice, a 100% increase from N1m which was awarded last year, while the second and third prizes have increased to N1.5 million and N1m educational grants respectively.

Applicants must be secondary school students, schooling in Nigeria and applications close on 2nd November, 2018.

To apply, qualified candidates must:
1. Attach 1 passport photograph, a photocopy of their original birth certificate or a photocopy of international passport data page. 
2. Submit their complete contact information (School Name and Address, Residential Address, Phone number and Email Address) 
3. Send Handwritten entries (not more than 750 words) should be sent to:
UBA Foundation, UBA House, 57 Marina Street, Lagos Island, Lagos State.
OrApplications can also be sent to any UBA Branch in Nigeria

The educational grant is only applicable to students who intend to study in an African University.

LATE ENTRIES will not be accepted

The Beautiful World of Godswill Akpabio

If there is something synonymous with Senator Godswill Akpabio’s name, it is the milk of kindness flowing through his veins.

One may be born with the most exclusive abilities, trained to learn them over the course of several years, one might even have gone through an educational program to build the skills; but whatever talent one possesses, it can only be put to optimal usage when helping others.

To many of his constituents, Senator Akpabio’s activities are answers to some of the things they have always prayed for. Yesterday, in his hometown, a total of 430 beneficiaries of grants he facilitated; 40 from each of the 10 local government areas of the Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District were issued checks of ₦ 250,000 each.

Akpabio, known across Akwa Ibom to be a paragon of kindness said ” I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ Acts 20:35.

“Givers are never short-changed! The great thing about long-term rewards is that you can always guarantee a reward coming your way. Every time you give, be expectant as often as possible!”

Senator Akpabio has been a source of blessing to his people right from the onset .He is one of the few politicians who believe in making people happy.

Last year, he empowered over 2,000 constituents with cars, buses, tricycles and other items while over 250  students benefited from scholarship awards.

 Not only has this versatile Ukanna born politician executed about 50 constituency projects across the 10 Local Government Areas of his Senatorial District, he has empowered over 2,000 constituents with cars, buses, tricycles and even tractors!

Akpabio is showing the world not to become weary in doing good. He tells of the principle of seedtime and harvest. “For at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up”, he usually tells his constituents. He believes that the only way for the son of a poor man to sit with kings is by having good and qualitative education. So he countinued with the vision which he started when he was the Number One citizen of his state, that no Akwa Ibom child will ever skip qualitative education in his lifetime. This, he is following up by providing scholarship awards for over 250 students.

According to the Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Akwa Ibom State, Obong Nsima Ekere, “words were not enough to describe the noble gesture of my former boss and Governor who is never tired of doing what is right”.

Being good is commendable, but when it is combined with doing good, it is more useful.

Akwa Ibomites have continued to express the sweet-natured and highly competent Senator Akpabio, not just for being a graceful leader but also operating at the highest standard of efficiency for the good of his people.

UBA Reiterates Commitment to Strong Corporate Governance Standard, Honours Retired Directors

Pan African financial institution, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc at the weekend honoured four retiring directors while restating its commitment to ensuring strong corporate governance across the group. The four directors who had collectively served the bank for over 40 years, were celebrated fortheir remarkable contributions to the group, over the years.

The retired non-executive directors –  Mrs Rose Okwechime, Ambassador Kunle Olumide, Alhaji Jaafaru Paki and Mr Yahaya Zekeri – were treated to a cocktail and dinner party attended by top players in the private and public sectors at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja on Friday.

Speaking at the event, the Group Chairman, Tony O. Elumelu commended the contributions of the retiring directors to the Bank’s corporate governance policies and the actualization of  its goals and targets.

“The Bank’s institutionalised corporate governance has attracted more investment, increased its income base, ensuring that UBA  impacts the economic and infrastructural developments in Africa. We are grateful for the contributions of the retired directors and their colleagues on the b“Without the support given by the retiring directors, we may not be where we are today. Their investment and advisory services with the legacy Standard Trust Bank which later grew into today’s UBA, cannot be understated.” Elumelu said.

Also speaking at the event, the Group Managing Director, Kennedy Uzoka “Tonight, we are happy but not too happy. We are happy because employees of this financial empire have come together to celebrate some great people who have contributed to building the franchise that we have today. Four members of our board are leaving because they have achieved the statutory years of service. If not for this fact, we would have held on to them because of the value they have given overtime,” Uzoka said.

Speaking on behalf of the ex-directors, Ambassador Adekunle Olumide thanked the bank for the opportunity given to them to contribute to the growth of the UBA Group. He considered the Board’s decision to expand into Africa as one of the greatest achievements during their time. “Today UBA’s subsidiaries contribute over 40 percent to the bank’s profit. The bank’s vision of diversification of its income and its concrete contributions to the economic and infrastructural developments of Africa, make me happy to be part of that history,” Amb. Olumide said. He advised that the UBA should maintain its prudent loan policy, which he considered to be one of the best in  the Nigerian financial industry. According to him, he and his colleaguesare leaving a bank with very strong corporate governance practices and principles, world-class management and very resourceful staff, which he believes will ensure the bank is maintained to the best standard.

United Bank for Africa Plc is a leading pan-African financial services group, with presence in 20 African countries, as well as the United Kingdom, the United States of America and France. UBA was incorporated in Nigeria as a limited liability company after taking over the assets of the British and French Bank Limited who had been operating in Nigeria since 1949.  The United Bank for Africa merged with Standard Trust Bank in 2005 and from a single country operation founded in 1949 in Nigeria – Africa’s largest economy – UBA has become one of the leading providers of banking and other financial services on the African continent.  The Bank provides services to over15 million customers globally, through one of the most diverse service channels in sub-Saharan Africa, with over 1,000 branches and customer touch points and robust online and mobile banking platforms.oard” Elumelu said

BREAKING: 14 former PDP chapter chairmen declare for APC

A major political realignment took place in Akwa Ibom State on Saturday when 14 former chapter chairmen of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) declared their support for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Speaking on behalf of the former leaders of the PDP at the grassroots, former PDP chapter chairman of Uruan, Pastor Benedict Effiong, said “after a careful assessment of all the candidates running for the office of governor of the state, we have all come as a group to declare our support for the APC and Obong Nsima 

Ekere because the APC governorship candidate is the only one who is capable of leading the state to its destined place in the nation.”

 On hand to receive the former chapter chairmen of the PDP were from 2nd right, Umana Okon Umana, MD OGFZA; Sen. Ita Enang, SSA to President on NASS (Senate); Nsima Ekere, APC guber candidate;another VIP; Bishop Samuel Akpan and othersPastor Effiong said the remaining former chapter chairmen have already agreed to move to the APC and would soon declare their support publicly too. “With this development today,” Pastor Effiong said, “PDP is dead in the state.”

The mass defection, which took place in the residence of Mr Umana Okon Umana in Uyo on Saturday was witnessed by Mr Umana, managing director of the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority; Obong Nsima Ekere, governorship candidate of the APC in Akwa Ibom State for the 2019 election; Senator Ita Enang, Senior Special Assistant to the President on the National Assembly Affairs (Senate); Bishop Samuel Akpan, APC a political chieftain and leader of the party in Onna, home local government of the PDP incumbent governor of the state.

Unending spate of defections has hit the PDP in the state since the beginning of the year. In August the immediate past governor of the state, Senator Godswill Akpabio defected from the PDP to the APC in a most crippling blow to the PDP. Senator Akpabio told the Vanguard newspaper at the time that he was dumping the PDP for a party that would give him the platform to “emancipate my people because the PDP has no vision.” The former deputy governor of the state, Lady Valerie Ebe and former Senator Eme Ekaette defected from the PDP to the APC last month.

Presidency Summons Gov Udom Emmanuel Over Violence Against APC

The Presidency has summoned the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Udom Emmanuel over repeated cases of violence against APC members in Akwa Ibom State.

The Governor is said to have reported in Aso Rock Villa on Tuesday evening following unease in security circles that if left unchecked the situation may degenerate into full blown crisis.

We gathered that top officials in the Presidency held a meeting with Governor Emmanuel and emphasized the need for him to rise to the occasion as the chief security officer of the state instead of his current partisan posturing.

It would be recalled that members of the APC in Akwa Ibom State have become targets of sponsored violence in recent weeks. Few weeks back unknown gunmen had launched an attack on the country home of Senator Akpabio.

In another incident the governorship candidate of the APC in Akwa Ibom State, Obong Nsima Ekere’s residence was also attacked with a bullet fired into his bedroom through the roof.

The former Special Assistant to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State on Electoral Matters, Barrister Mfon Udeme was also shot by assassins and is lying critically ill in a hospital.The campaign billboards of President Muhammadu Buhari and Obong Nsima Ekere have also come under attack by agents of the Akwa Ibom State government which led to the recent arrest and detention of the Commissioner for Environment,  Dr Iniobong Essien.

Sources at Aso Rock Villa said Governor Emmanuel had pledged to caution members of his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) not to take any action that would threaten the peace of the state.

In a related development, sensing an imminent defeat at the polls next year the Governor is said to have pleaded for soft landing promising that he would work towards the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari and in return be allowed to go for a second term.

According to an impeccable source who was privy to the meeting, Governor Emmanuel reportedly said that with the recent decampments into the APC, he was not sure of free and fair elections in the state and pleaded that he would do everything within his power to deliver President Muhammadu Buhari in return for being allowed to contest unhindered.

He is said to have been very sobber and pleaded that a deal should be arranged between him and his estranged godfather,  Senator Godswill Akpabio. As part of the proposed deal, he is said to have promised that he would sponsor the campaigns for President Buhari in all the States of the South-South.

Our source said the deal was roundly rejected but he was promised that the Presidency won’t interfere in his election, telling him that the decision will be that of Akwa Ibom people. The Governor is said to have left Aso Rock Villa late Thursday evening dejected.

Ekere Receives Huge Support From Mpkat Enin (as Otobong Edem leads multitude to join APC)

In a major realignment of forces in Mkpat Enin, one of the largest local government areas in Akwa Ibom State, the member representing the area in the House of Assembly, Engr. Otobong Ndem, last Tuesday, defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives’ Congress, (APC,) with hundreds of his supporters.

Ndem announced his defection, when he led a delegation of his supporters in several buses on a solidarity visit to the Akwa Ibom State APC Gubernatorial Candidate, Obong Nsima Ekere, at the latter’s country home in Ikot Oboroenyin, Edemaya, Ikot Abasi Local Government Area of the state.
Among the defectors on the delegation were the Mkpat Enin PDP Local Government Chapter Deputy Chairman, Mr. Ukonsek Ukonsek, the Secretary, Comrade Ubong Kingsley, the Youth Leader, Mr. Ime Inoh, and some other members of the Chapter Executive Committee, a former Chapter Chairman, Chief Friday Ayara, a former Chapter Secretary, Comrade Umoren Umoren, a former Member of the State House of Assembly, Mr. Ini Brown Ekanem, a former Chairman of Mkpat Enin Local Government, Dr. Imowo Udobia, a former Vice Chairman of the local government, Mr. Godwin Udofot, and a former Leader of the Local Government Legislative Council, Mr. Friday Okobo.
Ndem said at the colourful and largely unprecedented event, that with his defection and those of his followers, the PDP structure in Mkpat Enin, the local government area with the highest number of wards (14) in the state, had collapsed totally into the APC and the result will materialize in the emergence of Ekere as the next governor of Akwa Ibom state.
He assured Ekere of huge votes from the area, saying, “With the votes of Mkpat Enin, you will be strolling into Hilltop Mansion. We believe in you because you are one of our own. We have no reason not to support you. We are here because we see the future of Akwa Ibom State. We want to end tortoise politics in Akwa Ibom State. We are not prepared to support you from behind. We are not ready to play submarine politics. We are ready to support you openly.” Also speaking, Ukonsek described their delegation as the “crack team” of Mkpat Enin politics, promising that “we will show the world that we own Mkpat Enin” when they hold a formal defection ceremony at home soon. Responding, Nsima Ekere expressed delight that the wind of change had reached Mkpat Enin which shares the federal constituency with his local government area, Ikot Abasi. He reasoned that at the rate the wind of change was spreading across the state, the APC was heading for a 90 per cent win in the 2019 elections. Ekere, who is the incumbent Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), pointed out that there were several ongoing NDDC projects in Mkpat Enin under his watch and promised to do more for the area as NDDC boss and subsequently as Governor. In her remarks, the immediate past Deputy Governor of the state, Lady Valerie Ebe, who defected to the APC last month, commended Ndem for acting in wisdom and courage, adding that she saw it coming. Her words, “Right from the day I defected, I knew this would happen. I am not surprised. When I left, I knew you will all follow me. The people of Mkpat Enin are itching to support you (Ekere). Nobody should call himself a political junction. We have to follow a straight line.” Ebe rejected claims that she was supporting Ekere to be Governor to enable her succeed him as NDDC boss, “I am working for the success of my son (Ekere) here. I am not looking for position. We don’t want any position.”
The APC Akwa Ibom South Senatorial Chairman, Dr. Inyang Dan-Abia, who represented the State Chairman, said he was impressed with the quality of members of the delegation who he described as foot-soldiers that have determined Mkpat Enin politics over the years.
He lauded them for coming to support Ekere, who he eulogized as “a world-class successful businessman and administrator and a man who is well-exposed in the management of resources.”
Present during the visit were the APC Deputy Gubernatorial Candidate, Dr. Amadu Attai, the APC House of Assembly Candidate for Mkpat Enin State Constituency, Prince Iboro Ekpo, the APC State Assistant Legal Adviser, Barr. Inyang Udo, the Mkpat Enin APC Caucus Chairman, Apostle John Okoriko, the Special Assistant to the NDDC Managing Director on Administration and Human Resources, Pastor Udo Isaiah, the immediate past Member of the House of Representatives for Ikot Abasi/Eastern Obolo/Mkpat Enin Federal Constituency, Dr. Akpan Micah Umoh, and a former Chairman of Ikot Abasi Local Government, Prince Enobong Ufot.

Related

Violence: Akwa Ibom people will react with a resounding victory for APC- Akpabio

Former Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio, on Wednesday in Abuja, said that the answer of the people of Akwa Ibom State would give to the   lies, outright falsehood and sponsored violence by the state government against APC members, would be a resounding victory of the party at the polls in February, 2019.

Akpabio stated this while speaking with news men at the National Assembly, shortly after Plenary.

A release from the media office of the Senator quoted him as saying, ” my people will answer the PDP- led government  in my state with a resounding victory over the PDP  in February. I dont know of your own states, but I know of my state. ”

Akpabio, who was reacting to an allegation by Senator Bassey Albert, that the  state chapter of the APC was planning to disrupt elections in the state, challenged him to produce evidence of plans, saying” what evidence has Senator Albert on the alleged plan by the APC to use Federal might to win or disrupt  the February elections in Akwa Ibom State?”

The  action of Akpan, he noted, ” was simply the  aggressor playing the role of the victim. I believe strongly that there is no evidence to proove such spurious allegation as raised by the PDP senator.”

“Since my defection to the APC in August, there have been massive movements from PDP to APC in the state. It was that spurious and unfounded allegation that I wanted to react to on the floor of the Senate, before I was interrupted.” Akpabio disclosed.

Speaking further, Akpabio noted that ” I can tell you today that even though the government in Akwa Ibom State is PDP, the voters are 80 percent APC. ”

He revealed that , “it is actually the PDP that is causing insecurity in the state and not APC, because in the very recent past, a lot of government appointees had resigned from office, thereby, causing instability and fear in the government, hence the recent attacks on them.”

Akpabio listed, the various  attempts on the life of a former aide of the governor on Electoral Matter, Barrister Mfon, less than 24 hours after he granted an interview to Thisday newspaper, where he revealed  that over 200 of the governor’s aides would soon resign and join the APC.

He also made mention of attacks on his Ukana residence few days after his defection, attacks on the residence of the the MD NDDC, Obong Nsima Ekere, a day after his emergence as the APC governorship candidate, not forgetting attacks on his former aide on Dispora Matters, Mr Clement Ikpatt, for being critical of the Emmanuel-led administration.” All these attacks, he stated had been reported to the state police command and other security agencies and investigations are  ongoing”.

Akpabio called on his colleagues, in the National Assembly to use the platform for the betterment of Nigerians, saying,” let us use the platform of the Senate to discuss national issues that would be beneficial to generality of Nigerians  and not trivial things that you have no proof of. I believe strongly that it is not he, who reports to the Police first that wins a case, but through the thorough and careful investigation of the matter by the police and other security operatives, that the truth would be unveiled,” he said.

Senator  Akpabio advised those who defected from one political party to another to borrow a leaf from him as a former minority leader, saying he honourably resigned the position when he defected from PDP to APC to pave way for PDP to elect their minority leader.

“It’s a tradition all over the world that when you defected to another party even as a Senate President like Saraki did, to resign from the office of the Senate President.

“APC is still the majority party and they need to form a new leadership. The Senate President should honourably resign just like I did,” Mr Akpabio insisted.

Speaking further on his experiences as a member of the APC, he said, he was fulfilled being a member of a ruling party, adding that he defected to the APC in national interest.

He further explained that his advice and suggestions must not be looked at with suspicion being a part of the ruling party now.

He came hard on his former party, PDP for doing nothing in the South-South in the last 16 years, adding that PDP government did not construct a kilommetre of road for those years.

“Having moved from PDP to APC, I felt fulfilled. My advice and suggestions in the national interest would not be looked upon with suspicion by the government in power again.

“I moved to APC in national interest. I don’t believe in bringing government into being and will not support that government to succeed.

“In the last 16 years, I did not see one kilometre of road done by PDP government in Akwa  Ibom state, but today, APC government is constructing the road from Akwa Ibom to Calabar.

“The road has been a death trap and I must thank this government for that.

“From the national and local perspectives, people look at me as a leader and I must tell you that in 2019, it would be difficult for any other party to penetrate the South-South.”

2019 Election: PDP Panicking over Imminent Defeat in Akwa Ibom – APC

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is panicking over imminent defeat in Akwa Ibom State.

The party stated this in a statement on Sunday by its Deputy Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabena, while reacting to claims by the PDP on elections in the state.

PDP on Saturday accused a former Governor of the state, Godswill Akpabio, of plotting with the APC governorship candidate, Nsima Ekere, to trigger violent crisis in Akwa-Ibom as a strategy to scuttle elections in the state.

The APC, however, dismissed the claim as wild and unsubstantiated.
“In the face of imminent defeat in the forthcoming 2019 governorship and legislative election in 

Akwa Ibom State, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has resorted to falsehood and propaganda against All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders in the state in its desperation to remain in the reckoning of the Akwa Ibom electorate.

“Allegations against former Governor of Akwa-Ibom State, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, Atuekong Don Etiebet and the 2019 APC governorship candidate, Obong Nsima Ekere, are one of the falsehoods and propaganda by the PDP.

“The PDP has already lost the forthcoming election as a result of the pedestrian performance of the Udom Emmanuel administration. The party should face its fate rather than engage in scare mongering.”

The party described the allegation as a case of “the aggressor playing the victim to cover up his misdeeds”, saying PDP members are purveyors of violence themselves.

“Since the issue is security, we may as well expose the PDP and their leaders in Akwa Ibom State for who they are: purveyors of violence. We are aware of several petitions in the office of the Inspector-General of Police against the PDP National Legal Adviser, Emmanuel Enoidem, a former commissioner in Governor Udom Emmanuel’s administration.

“In the petitions, the PDP National Legal Adviser is alleged to have sponsored cultists and militant gangs that have gone out of control in Etim Ekpo, his home local government area and neighbouring Ukanafun.

“The activities of these cultists have resulted in several deaths in the last three years and displaced many families who now live as displaced persons in Iwukem,” the statement read.

The statement also said the Governor Emmanuel-led administration has ensured the cover up of the security crisis despite the increasing number of deaths and displacements.

The party said the tide has turned in the state, stating that “as at today, APC, a party that did not win any councillorship seat in 2015 now has members in different positions.”
It also said it is laughable that the PDP still thinks Akwa Ibom state is a “core PDP state” and by implication canvassing for the coronation of the incumbent Governor.

The APC said the electorate in the state and indeed the political structure have rejected PDP and “no amount of falsehood and propaganda can reverse their lost appeal in the state.”
It therefore cautioned that any attempt by the PDP administration in state to cause crisis and disrupt the 2019 election will not be tolerated.

AKPABIO AND THE PHILOSOPHY OF JFK

John F. Kennedy was one American President who never relented in trying to chart an extra-ordinary course that must host America’s flag and name in the center of the global world.

He abhorred any attempt by known or unknown forces that might tend to undermine or  relegate America into minority index in whatever perspectives.

In a special message to a Joint Session of Congress on May  25th 1961,  President Kennedy was reported to have spoken about the challenges of taking an American into the moon before the end of the decade.

The USSR had beaten the US in putting a man into space, when Yuri Gagarin triumphantly circled the globe in April 1961.

” One small step will enhance several victorious steps for America. We choose to go to the moon. We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win, and the others too” said J F Kennedy.

Perhaps its not out of place to say that Senator Godswill  Akpabio’s quest to move to the  center of national political scene is to win other sustainable benefits to Akwa Ibom State.

” It is not an ordinary defection, far from it. Imagine the numerous people that have moved into the APC since 

my uncommon defection on August 8,2018. Imagine Chief and Senator Eme Ekaette , Her Honour, Lady Valarie Ebe, former deputy governor, all from Eket Senatorial District and others,  joined my movement. That shows that it is the movement of the people. 

Yes, you can see that President Buhari was overwhelmed with joy, he opened the doors of Aso villa to welcome my people. For the first time over 50 people from a particular state paid him a visit and he gladly received and  exchanged  right hand of fellowship to each and every one of them” .

“The president also promised to effect many roads and other people oriented projects for the good people of Akwa Ibom State. Before 2019, thousands of people will join the great movement into APC. This is real movement of the people,” said Akpabio.

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Tony Elumelu Foundation and GIZ partner to Empower Young Entrepreneurs across East and West Africa

The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), Africa’s leading entrepreneurship philanthropy, is partnering with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, the German Government’s Agency for International Cooperation.

GIZ will support the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme to empower 210 young African entrepreneurs, focusing specifically on female entrepreneurs and tech-enabled businesses. The Entrepreneurship Programme of TEF was launched in 2015, having supported more than 4,000 entrepreneurs with seed capital pan-African wide. The announcement is coming ahead of the largest gathering of African entrepreneurs – The Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Forum – which will hold on October 25, 2018 in Lagos, Nigeria. The Forum will celebrate the 2018 cohort of the Foundation’s beneficiaries.  The joint partnership will equip more African entrepreneurs with the skills needed to build strong and sustainable businesses, while providing them with access to seed funding. The partnership will be implemented by Make-IT in Africa, a programme GIZ is implementing on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). Make-IT already works in close collaboration with more than 20 corporate and financing partners, social enterprises, hubs, and networks to support an enabling environment for young entrepreneurs, to enable better access to finance, markets, and skills.

By signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 8th August 2018, GIZ and TEF strengthened the entrepreneurial ecosystem to support African entrepreneurs. GIZ and TEF share the common understanding that young companies, especially from the technology sector, have the potential to radically transform the business landscape in Africa and are key drivers of sustainable development.Parminder Vir, OBE, CEO of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, said: “The partnership with GIZ ensures that more entrepreneurs across Africa will access seed capital, as well as the world-class TEF proprietary online training and mentoring programme. Since the launch of the programme, we have received over 300,000 applications, and we are actively looking at leveraging our success, so we can greatly exceed our own commitment to 1,000 entrepreneurs annually over 10 years.”

Dr. Thomas Kirsch, the Country Director of GIZ Nigeria, said:” Employment is the key measure for socio-economic development in Nigeria. Entrepreneurs and start-ups have the capacity to facilitate job creation in a way that wasn’t imaginable ten years ago. We’ve entered a new era where initiatives by the German government, such as Make-IT in Africa, could be instrumental in empowering youth by addressing the skills gap and connecting them to markets, corporates, and financing opportunities. We are encouraged by this partnership with TEF and the opportunity to create lasting impact in the lives of many.”

The list of beneficiaries are published on the Foundation’s website.

Mercedes-Benz sells more than 200,000 vehicles worldwide in September

• From January to September, unit sales by Mercedes-Benz of 1,715,087 vehicles were at the high prior-year level (-0.1%).
• Worldwide, Mercedes-Benz sold 202,819 units in September (-8.2%).
• In the third quarter, 526,255 cars with the star were delivered to customers worldwide (-8.2%).
• In the first nine months, sales in China reached over 500,000 units (+13.1%).
• Mercedes-Benz presented the new GLE and the new B-Class at the Paris Motor Show. 
• Stuttgart – Mercedes-Benz sold 202,819 vehicles worldwide in September (-8.2%) and was at the high prior-year level in the first nine months of the year with sales of 1,715,087 units 
  
• 
  
• (-0.1%). In the third quarter of 2018, 526,255 vehicles with the three-pointed star were delivered to customers (-8.2%). With more than 200,000 units sold last month, sales in September were for Mercedes-Benz as a car manufacturer in the premium segment on a high level. In addition, Mercedes-Benz certified its entire fleet for Europe according to the WLTP standard with effect as of September 1. Certified vehicles are already on their way to the retailers, but despite the ongoing strong demand, it was not possible to fulfil all customers’ wishes already in September. Compared with the best September for unit sales achieved last year, sales were also impacted by delays in certification in some international markets and by model changes. In a highly competitive environment, the brand with the three-pointed star maintained its market leadership as the premium brand with the highest number of new registrations in September in the markets UK, Italy, France, Russia, Switzerland, Portugal, Sweden, Turkey, Japan, Australia, the USA and Mexico, among others.
  
  
  “I am delighted that Mercedes-Benz has maintained the high level of prior-year sales in the first nine months of the year despite the challenges we faced in the third quarter. It is our goal to ensure that our customers can enjoy receiving their new vehicles as soon as possible – and this is exactly what our teams are currently working on intensively,” stated Britta Seeger, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG responsible for Mercedes-Benz Cars Marketing and Sales. “With the GLE, we presented the latest model of our most successful SUV ever to the public at the Paris Motor Show. Mercedes-Benz SUVs have been in the fast lane with our customers since the beginning of the year, with over 610,000 units sold worldwide.” Mercedes-Benz unit sales by region and market
  In Europe, Mercedes-Benz sold 91,609 vehicles in September (-9.4%) and a total of 688,956 units in the first nine months of the year (-4.7%). In Germany, the domestic market, Mercedes-Benz delivered 22,780 cars with the star last month (-16.7%) and 217,943 in the period of January to September (-5.6%). In Spain, Sweden, Poland, Denmark and Hungary, more cars with the star were sold than ever before in the first nine months of a year.
   In the Asia-Pacific region, sales reached a new record of 714,598 units in the first nine months (+8.1%). In September, 75,414 customers were delighted to receive their new car with the three-pointed star (-4.4%). In China, the biggest market, a new record was set for a September with sales of 54,632 cars (+6.9%). A total of 500,707 vehicles were delivered to customers there in the first nine months of the year – more than ever before in that period (+13.1%). Mercedes-Benz achieved sales records for the first nine months also in Thailand and Malaysia.
  
  
  In the NAFTA region, 31,273 vehicles were delivered to customers last month (-9.9%). From January to September, unit sales there totalled 271,944 Mercedes-Benz passenger cars
  (-6.0%). In the United States, 26,169 vehicles were handed over to customers in September (-9.8%) and 225,384 in the first nine months of the year (-7.0%). Thanks to ongoing strong growth rates, Mercedes-Benz set new sales records in Mexico in September as well as in the first nine months.
  Mercedes-Benz unit sales by model
  With the SUVs, a new record was set for January to September: Worldwide, a total of 612,186 SUVs with the star were delivered, equivalent to an increase of 3.4% in unit sales of the GLA, GLC, GLC Coupé, GLE, GLE Coupé, GLS and G-Class. Thanks to strong growth rates, sales of the midsize SUV GLC set a new record in September (+9.1%) and in the first nine months of this year (+24.5%). Over the past 10 years, Mercedes-Benz sold more than 1.6 million midsize SUVs to customers worldwide.
  
  
  From January to September, more than 58,000 units of the S-Class Saloon were sold - an increase of about 24%. The popularity of the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class Saloon also continues: A new sales record was set in September and in the first nine month of the year. In China, around 500 units have been delivered each month since the beginning of the year.
  
  
  In the first nine months of this year, 442,660 cars of the A-Class, B-Class, CLA, CLA Shooting Brake and GLA were sold worldwide (-4.6%). In May 2018, the new A-Class was launched as the forerunner of the next generation of compact cars: Last month, worldwide sales of the A-Class reached a new record for September (+1.7%). At the Paris Motor Show, three more highlights of the compact-car family with the star were shown: the A-Class Saloon, the new B-Class and the AMG A35 (fuel consumption combined 7.4-7.3 l/100 km; CO2 emissions combined 169-167 g/ km)*.
   smart
  In the first nine months of the year, more than 96,000 cars of the smart brand were sold
  (-4.2%). A total of 10,850 customers took delivery of their new two-door or four-door urban microcar in September (-15.0%). The transition of smart into a purely electric brand continues successfully: Never before so many units of the electric smart models were sold in a September and in the first nine months of a year as in 2018. The brand celebrated its 20th anniversary with the world premiere of the smart forease at the Paris Motor Show. The show car interprets and embodies driving fun in the city in a new and refreshing way, and is also homage to the earlier studies crossblade in 2002 and forspeed in 2011. The latter in particular was a model for the smart forease as an open electric convertible.
  Overview of Mercedes-Benz Cars unit sales

  	Sept. 2018	Change in %	Jan.-Sept. 2018	Change in %
  Mercedes-Benz	202,819	-8.2	1,715,087	-0.1
  smart	10,850	-15.0	96,384	-4.2
  Mercedes-Benz Cars	213,669	-8.6	1,811,471	-0.4
  Mercedes-Benz unit sales in the regions/markets
  Europe	91,609	-9.4	688,956	-4.7
  - thereof Germany	22,780	-16.7	217,943	-5.6
  Asia-Pacific	75,414	-4.4	714,598	+8.1
  - thereof China	54,632	+6.9	500,707	+13.1
  NAFTA	31,273	-9.9	271,944	-6.0
  - thereof USA	26,169	-9.8	225,384	-7.0