The man of great exploits in virtually anything he touches will never stop at breaking new grounds, especially in areas where people will feel his impact most, which is basically empowerment and creating a suitable template for those he earnestly cares for.
The CEO, Tony Elumelu Foundation, Ifeyinwa Ugochukwu, was in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, November 13th, 2019, in a very educative mood at a forum tagged Misk Global Forum in Riyadh, where she urged youths gathered at the Holy Land, to imbibe a job-creating mentality for success in the future. This year’s theme: ‘’Work Reworked,” focused on discovering the new trends and transformation in the world of work, regardless of location or socio-economic divide.
While speaking on the theme: “Dinosaur or Future-Fit? Careers in a Post-Job Era,” she emphasized the role entrepreneurship plays in educating the youth for the jobs of the future. She said: “Young people everywhere realize that the world we are living in is not the world that the educational system is preparing them for. The educational system is preparing them for a job seeking mentality but the young of today need to have a job creating mentality; not just creating jobs for themselves but creating jobs for others, and so entrepreneurship is key.”
She stated that this notion and the belief in the potential of entrepreneurship drives the commitment of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, an African based and private sector-led philanthropy, founded by African investor and philanthropist, Tony O. Elumelu, basically to empower African entrepreneurs.
She said, “This is why at the Tony Elumelu Foundation, we have committed $100million to identify, train, mentor and fund 10,000 African entrepreneurs across all 54 African countries in the last 10 years, By the end of this year, we would have mentored and funded over 9000 entrepreneurs.”
The Tony Elumelu Foundation has focused its impact on propelling young African entrepreneurs and their businesses from start-up to scale-up, with the goal that they create jobs and revenue, two critical factors necessary to break the cycle of poverty on the continent and prepare Africa for the near future.
Ifeyinwa Ugochukwu encouraged the audience to adopt an entrepreneurial mindset. According to her, “Entrepreneurship is not just about starting a business. To be successful, you need to have an entrepreneurial mindset.”
Other high-level speakers on her panel included HRH Princess Aljohara AlSaud, Henning Larsen, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Dr. Badr AlBadr, Misk Foundation, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Ezequiel Vedana da Rosa, UN Young Leader for SDGs, Brazil; and moderated by Riad Hamade, Bloomberg News, UAE. The MISK Global Forum is an initiative of Misk Foundation, a non-profit philanthropic organization established by HRH. Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman to discover, develop and empower Saudi youths to become active participants in the knowledge economy.
TEF has been known in this peculiar area of attracting youths to the need to get themselves occupied in whatever vocation, and the international NGO has never been found wanting in this area, splashing millions of Dollars on any program of this nature.
The Bishop of Zaria Diocese (Anglican Communion), Rt Rev Abiodun Ogunyemi, has said that the Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir el-Rufai, will never be president of Nigeria, saying he believes that the governor is being prepared to contest in 2023.
The bishop, in what seems to be an angry post on the website of the diocese, spoke in reaction to the now-rested planned demolition of 110-year-old St George Cathedral, Sabon-Gari Zaria; and another alleged plan to demolish the Sabongari property of the Church.
Ogunyemi, in the blog, condemned the Bishop for Wusasa Diocese, Anglican Province of Kaduna, Rev. Ali Buba Lamido, who had, on Monday, commended el-Rufai for his decision to halt the aged church building’s demolition.
Ogunyemi warned that any attempt to frustrate the Church in Kaduna State is an affront to God and to the Christians all over the country.
While stating that the “Diocese of Zaria is not at war with the governor and we are not religious bigots. We are only fighting for our right. Nobody can stop us from fighting for our right;” he noted that Bible prophets did not apologise to kings, but rather, kings apologised to prophets.
In what appears to be the reason for his anger, Ogunyemi said the Church will not keep quiet while proposals are ongoing to demolish “our Cathedral.”
He said: “A letter was written by KASUPDA on the orders of the governor to us to quit the Cathedral premises within seven days, and we responded in the best possible ways together with CAN and other Christian organisations all over the world.
“Rather than apologising to the governor, the governor should apologise to the Church and the general public for embarrassing himself with the quit notice.”
Continuing, Ogunyemi said: “The governor should stop embarrassing himself with demolition of churches in any part of Kaduna State.
“Any attempt to demolish our shops or our properties in Sabongari market is evil, callous and wicked and will be associated with the wrath of God.
“The whole of the Sabongari market is our land acquired in the early 1900s with genuine C of O, which we have submitted to the state government for re-certification.
“Any attempt by el-Rufai to demolish any of our properties in that market will be a direct assault on the Church in the whole of Nigeria.
“The governor is being prepared for 2023 elections. The governor should know that he will never be president of Nigeria. I speak prophetically as a servant of the living God.
“Let fake Christians and religious spies placed in our Church by a particular religion be aware of the consequences of their actions because heaven is watching.
“May the Lord expose these spies in our midst in Jesus Name.
“In fact, their actions now show very clearly that they are working for an interest against the Church.
“The Lord in His mercies will raise help to deliver His Church from fake Christians, fake converts and novices.”
The federal government of Nigeria through the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami has directed the telecom industry regulator, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to ensure that issues regarding automatic voicemails are addressed on all existing phone lines and the subscribers, given the option of accessing the service via an activation code.
The directive was contained in a statement from the office of the Minister, signed by the Spokesperson, Uwa Suleiman (Mrs).
The latest directive, according to the statement is based on reports at the disposal of the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, on “latest trend of financial exploitation by Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) in the country, through the automatic activation of the Voicemail Service on their platforms”.
“Based on recent reports reaching the office, the practice has gained momentum in recent times.
“The Voicemail service should be accessed at the discretion of the subscriber and not by default.
“The Honourable Minister finds it worrisome and totally unacceptable, that telecoms subscribers incur financial charges, for a service they are compelled to use by default. Voicemail is not a popular service among mobile phone users in Nigeria, coupled with the language challenge among rural dwellers, who mostly do not understand the language deployed by these networks.
“It is apparent, that the recent clampdown on the exploitative activities of some Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) in the country, has beamed the searchlight on the sector properly, and some unpatriotic elements in the system are devising subtle, ingenious methods of defrauding Nigerians.
“The Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy under the current leadership of Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami), will neither overlook any acts, regardless of how subtle, that undermine the Anti Corruption Crusade of President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR, nor condone any attempts to defraud Nigerians and indeed, all subscribers.
“In the light of this, Dr Pantami has issued a broad policy directive to the sector regulator Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), to immediately ensure that issues regarding automatic voicemails are addressed on all existing phone lines and the subscribers, given the option of accessing the service via an activation code.
“It is our collective responsibility to ensure that the rights of consumers are protected, while providing a conducive business environment for Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), in line with global best practice”, the statement concludes.
…Timi Dakolo’s wife to pay 1m for damages
The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Court 12, sitting at Bwari, Abuja has dismissed the case filed by Busola Dakolo against Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo of the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA).
Justice Oathman A. Musa, in giving the judgment, held that the matter amounts to injustice, and an abuse of judicial process adding that the case is empty and purely sentimental. Justice Musa said that the case was aimed more at cruelty than obtaining justice.
The court also awarded costs of N1,000,000 against Busola Dakolo and held that the fine should have been 10 times more because the court’s time was wasted.
Dakolo filed the suit against Fatoyinbo after alleging that he raped her in 2002 and caused her emotional distress. Fatoyinbo’s team of lawyers, led by Dr. Alex Izinyon (SAN), had however argued that the prayers in the suit were ungrantable by the court, and that the suit was frivolous and an abuse of court process.
Fatoyinbo wasn’t in court because he’s not required to appear in person for a civil matter. He was however represented by his lawyers.
A wave of excitement is washing over boxing fans, as the first edition of GOtv Boxing Night Mini nears. The show, which holds on Saturday at the Rowe Park Sports Complex, Yaba, Lagos, is heavily anticipated by fans, who have adopted many of the boxers scheduled to be in action.
Fans interviewed at Yaba, Ojuelegba and Surulere areas of Lagos during the week expressed delight that the boxing show is close and will afford them the opportunity of watching some of the country’s top boxers in action.
Rafiu Dehinde, a fan who idolizes Rilwan “Real One” Oladosu, reigning West African Boxing Union (WABU) lightweight champion, said he is delighted with the opportunity to see the boxer in action again.
“I had hoped to see him fight Oto “Joe Boy” Joseph for the African Boxing Union (ABU) title, but Joe Boy got injured and the fight has been postponed. But I’m happy that he is on the bill because he’s such a good and stylish boxer,” said Dehinde.
Chiedu Abaeneme, a fan of Kabiru “KB Godson” Towolawi, is equally thrilled, saying the boxer is famous around Bariga where residents are ready to troop to the show venue to cheer him to victory.
“KB is well known in Bariga because he’s a good boxer and a nice man. Many people from Bariga will be there to cheer him to victory and watch other boxers,” he said.
Folashade Ogundipe, a female amateur boxer, said she’s happy that the show will feature female boxers.
She said: “I’m happy that female boxers will participate. Female boxers have had few opportunities at the professional level. GOtv Boxing Night Mini has given us hope that we are not being ignored,” she said.
GOtv Boxing Night Mini will feature five explosive bouts. Oladosu will take on Ola Adebakin in a national lightweight challenge, while Rilwan “Baby Face” Babatunde, West African Boxing Union (WABU) welterweight champion, will take on Dennis “The Range” Mba in a challenge duel.
Other bouts are the national cruiserweight challenge between Kabiru “KB Godson” Towolawi and Tunji “Germani” Olajide; national light welterweight challenge between Waheed “Showmax” Shogbamu and Semiu “Jagaban” Olopade as well as the all-female super featherweight challenge clash between Cynthia “Omo Bobby” Ogunsemilore and Omowunmi “Mummy’s Pet” Akinsanya.
Lagos State Government says it will be closing down Yaba and Jibowu/Ogunmorin axis on the 16th and 23rd of November respectively from 8:00pm to 6:00am for the Level Cross construction of the rail tracks.
It said this was in line with the Nigerian Railway Modernization Project (Lagos-Ibadan section) with extension to Lagos Port at Apapa.
A statement from the Ministry of Transportation on Wednesday, November 13th said on the 16th of November, the Jibowu axis will be closed down, while the Yaba axis of the rail will be shutdown on the 23rd of November.
“The routes will be closed at night to ensure smooth and uninterrupted flow of work on the rail tracks.
“The routes will also be used interchangeably as alternative routes for motorists to get to their various destinations so that when one axis is under construction, the other axis will be opened for motorists.
“The Lagos State Government hereby appeals to road users to bear with the government as it takes steps to create proper road infrastructure that will ultimately improve the traffic situation of the state,” the statement said.
A federal high court sitting in Abuja has disqualified David Lyon, governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa state.
In an order issued on Wednesday, Inyang Ekwo, the presiding judge, nullified Lyon’s nomination as the party’s flag bearer in the forthcoming election over failure to field a qualified deputy governorship candidate in the election.
The court order, a copy of which was obtained by TheCable, also restricted the APC from fielding any other governorship or deputy governorship candidate for the poll.
A top INEC official, who did not want to be quoted, told TheCable that the commission has received the order, adding that the commission would soon inform the public on its next line of action.
The judge had earlier disqualified Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo, the party’s deputy governorship candidate, over “false information” submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the November 16 election.
He had said Degi-Eremienyo gave false information in relation to his educational qualifications and went ahead to depose to an affidavit to correct the discrepancies.
This followed a suit filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), seeking his disqualification.
In the fresh ruling, the court issued “an order setting aside or cancelling and annulling the nomination of the fourth defendant (Lyon) as governorship candidate of the first defendant in the Bayelsa state governorship election slated for November 16, 2019 or any other date thereabouts on the ground of failure of the first and fourth defendants (in) fielding a qualified or deputy governorship candidate of the first defendant in the said governorship candidate election of Bayelsa state.”
It also issued “an order restraining the first defendant from fielding any other governorship candidate or deputy governorship candidate upon the disqualification of the first and fourth defendants as prayed from sponsoring any other candidate and contesting in the forthcoming Bayelsa state governorship election slated for November 16, 2019, or any other date thereabouts.”
This is the third time in 2019 that APC will not field a governorship candidate in an election.
The party was disqualified from fielding candidates in Rivers and Zamfara states during the 2019 general election.
The Department of State Services (DSS) says it is ready to release Omoyele Sowore, convener of RevolutionNow Movement.
Sowore was arrested in Lagos on August 3 and subsequently flown to Abuja where he has been detained.
A federal high court in Abuja had granted him bail but the activist is yet to regain freedom even after fulfilling his bail conditions.
This had prompted a nationwide outrage. Protesters converged on the headquarters of the agency on Tuesday to demand his release.
During the protest, some security agents clashed with Sowore’s supporters. Pictures appearing to show the operatives pointing guns at the protesters went viral on social media.
But reacting in a statement on Wednesday, Peter Afunanya, spokesman of the DSS, said operatives of the secret police did not open fire on protesters but only prevented them from forcefully breaking into the agency to release Sowore.
“The DSS wishes to state that its operatives did not open fire on alleged protesters who had stormed its facility on 12th November, 2019,” he said.
“As a normal global security practice, the operatives stood in defence of their facility when some group of persons made unruly attempts to forcefully break into the place and effect the release of Omoloye SOWORE.
“Despite serial and unwarranted provocations, the Service, as a professional and responsible Organisation, did not shoot at the so called protesters. It could not have done so.
“For emphasis, the Service reiterates its avowed readiness to release SOWORE once the processes are concluded.”
Afunanya said those who have offered to take delivery of Sowore are not qualified to do so.
He said while some people were politicising the detention of the activist, others are using it as an avenue to launch smear campaign against the agency.
“While all those that have so far shown up are not directly concerned with the matter and therefore unqualified, many others have either chosen to grandstand or politicise it to achieve hidden interests,” he said.
“In the last few days, the Service has continued to witness deliberate campaigns of calumny, threats and aspersions against it. It will not, for any reason, join issues with its mudslingers. The media is called upon to be neutral and remain champions of the truth.
“It is only appropriate that those who stood surety for SOWORE present themselves and have him released to them. It is even more disappointing that Femi FALANA, who is a senior lawyer, would wrongly guide his client and supporters. He is rather playing to the gallery and mobilizing miscreants to subvert the Service and other state authorities. He has excellent relationship with the DG SS. But in the circumstance, he has refused to reach out to him over the case like he had on previously related ones.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Service restates its commitment to the rule of law and particularly respect to the Court. It, therefore, calls for calm but states that it will not be intimidated or harassed into hasty actions.”
Heritage Bank Plc, Nigeria’s most innovative banking service provider, disclosed that Nigeria’s Gold market is worth £4 billion Pounds with high prospects of profitability for all players in the subsector.
The MD/CEO, Ifie Sekibo, who stated this at the Nigeria-Canada Investment Summit, held in Abuja, yesterday also disclosed that the enormous potential of the industry was one of the reasons why Heritage Bank delved into the mining sector despite enormous risks.
According to him, the bank has Dukia Gold as its partner that would facilitate access to local miners and artisans to get value for their commodity at international market price after being registered with Dukia Gold.
Sekibo, who was represented by the Team Lead, Agric Finance and Export, Adelana Ogunjirin, explained that prior to now, local miners of Gold found it difficult to trade their commodities favourably but with the involvement of Dukia and its partner, Heritage Bank, a Quality-and-Quantity test will be conducted based on the arrangement they made with Dukia Gold and that will lead to additional value to the small holder miners. He explained that this will leverage the small miners the opportunity to also trade their commodities at international market price.
He further stated that a metric tonne of Gold is currently valued at $30million adding that it is worth investing in the industry, especially as gold is a kind of commodity that does not easily lose its value.
He said: “Mining sector is an area which has not been fully tapped in terms of the potentials around it, as there are quite a lot of opportunities around that sector. Recently we secured $1 billion funding line with our funding partner AfreximBank, which also is to support areas like solid minerals.
“Now with respect to this we have looked at the value chain of this space and we have looked at the opportunities that are there. A lot of fund providers have not really delved into this and it is because of the lack of understanding of the market.
“In terms of value, gold is an area where you can enhance the value. You hardly see Gold losing value and you see that in different exchanges you even trade those commodities.
“Looking at it in terms of trend, you see that gold is something that will appreciate definitely. So in terms of the profitability of this business, we have looked at it, the crunch, the numbers we see that is a space that the Bank will definitely earn a lot of income.”
He also expressed optimism that other banks would like to come into the Nigerian mining sector, but may be studying to understand the sector properly.
“Definitely other banks will come into the sector. For us we are leading, but the truth is they need to play in an area and space that they understand, as not everybody would be able to play in that space.
“Heritage Bank has already carved a niche for itself in agribusiness space, just like the Gold commodity, this would be exported. So, in terms of export proceeds too, there are opportunities to be explored. Generally, looking at the Nigerian outlook, on the long run, this will also enhance the country’s external reserves. There are multiplier effects of what we are doing today and that is why we are also moving in this direction,” the MD noted.
Also speaking, Managing Director, Nigeria Export-Import Bank, NEXIM, Abba Bello, revealed that the bank had gone into high level discussions with heavy equipment manufacturers and suppliers that would lease equipment to miners for exploration and processing, adding that this was expected to make the equipment accessible and affordable.
Bello said, “For equipment supplier or outright purchase of equipment, we have gone into discussions with Bluecare and now Mantrac for the supply of heavy equipment for gold processing or exploration on lease basis and, it is something that does not exist currently within the industry.
“Barrick Gold and Bullion Mart is something that happen in the mining world. You don’t have to own the equipment, but there are vendors who supply the equipment for explorers to hire.
“Discussions have gone very far with the equipment suppliers and very soon we will announce the programme.”
Meanwhile, the Country Manager, ITM, Nigeria, Habibah Waziri, raised concerns on human resources development that would sustain the sector.
Waziri also said there is need to formalize the sector and also invest in human capital in the sector for growth and development.
R-L: Managing Director /Chief Executive of Nigeria Export -Import Bank (NEXIM ) Mr Abba Bello; Chief Executive of Bullion Mart, Mr Moniruz Zaman; Team Lead, Agric Finance and Export Heritage Bank, Mr Adelana Ogunjirin; Minister of State for Mine and Steel Development, Dr. Uchechukwu Ogah and Dr. Hadiza Gado, during NCIS Summit 2019 – Mining Master Class held at Transcorp Hotel Abuja.
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