Mr Phrank Shaibu, Atiku Abubakar’s Special Assistant on Public Communications, stated that his boss has taken President Bola Tinubu to the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.
Atiku’s suit against Tinubu is stamped No. 23-5099 (N. D. III.), according to Shaibu. He stated that the filing of the new complaint was the reason Atiku abandoned a previous case before an Illinois Circuit Court. Atiku, the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential candidate in the February 25 presidential election, is contesting the Independent National Electoral Commission’s conclusion that Tinubu won the election.
In a statement on Sunday night, Shaibu said, “Atiku Abubakar only withdrew the case before a Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois County, United States of America because he is pursuing the same matter in a higher court and he wanted to avoid abuse of court processes. So, this is just the beginning.”
He argued that Tinubu’s academic records from primary school till university remained questionable, hence the President’s failure to identify a single former classmate of his.
“In the past weeks, Nigerians have been watching the ongoing ministerial screening at the Senate where nominees have been made to reveal their primary, secondary and university history. Some of the ministerial nominees were even classmates with the senators screening them.
“However, the man who nominated them has no educational history. He has no primary school, secondary school or university classmates. This is because he has no classmates. He actually fell from the sky.
“In recent years, past Presidents have invited their former classmates to Aso Rock Villa. Even President Muhammadu Buhari hosted his classmates from Katsina Middle School. But who did Bola Tinubu invite to the Presidential Villa? Governors from 1999 set.”
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has warned Nigerians about scammers posing as the parastatal and using falsified contracts and websites to prey on gullible citizens.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Ibitoye Abosede, said a new scam circulating online is “another communication between fraudsters and a US-based company purporting to indicate that a ‘Contract Award Committee’ within the Commission is processing tenders for jobs.”
According to the letter, the purported Chairman of this Committee is a former Chairman of the NDDC Governing Board.
“As part of the plot to make the scam look authentic, the fraudster(s) also sent another communication to the company advising them to contact, Mr. Charles Ogunmola, the Project Director,” the statement read.
“It is important to state that Ogunmola, who is actually the Executive Director, Projects, is not a party to this communication, neither does the phone number provided by the fraudster(s), +234 903 495 8638 belong to him.”
The NDDC asserted that the documents and their contents were forgeries and did not originate with the commission or any of its former or present officers.
“For the avoidance of doubt, there is no ‘Contract Award Committee’ in the Commission,” it said.
The attention of the Management of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has been drawn to the activities of fraudsters dangling fake contracts and forging the official website of the Commission.
The latest scam circulating online is another communication between fraudsters and a US based company purporting to indicate that a ‘Contract Award Committee’ within the Commission is processing tenders for jobs.
The letter has the name of the former Chairman of the Governing Board as the Chairman of this Committee. As part of the plot to make the scam look authentic, the fraudster(s) also sent another communication to the company advising them to contact, Mr. Charles Ogunmola, the Project Director.
It is important to state that Ogunmola, who is actually the Executive Director, Projects, is not a party to this communication, neither does the phone number provided by the fraudster(s), +234 903 495 8638 belong to him.
We wish to state that the documents (and its contents) are fake and did not originate from the Commission or any of its officials (past or present). For the avoidance of doubt, there is no ‘Contract Award Committee’ in the Commission.
We hereby totally disclaim the letter and all associated communication.
We wish to state for the benefit of all concerned that Contract awards in NDDC follow due process stipulated by the Procurement Act. At the end of that process, the successful bidder is issued an award letter signed by the Director of Procurement. That award letter is on a security paper, has a serial number and a QR code. Contract award letters do not come from any other official.
We urge anyone who is in receipt of any purported letter of contract award to cross check same with the Procurement Department of the Commission. We also warn the public to beware of fraudsters who will stop at nothing to dupe others
We advise the public to beware of fraudsters who will stop at nothing to dupe others.
In this regard, we have also noticed the existence of a fake website that is impersonating the official NDDC website and scamming Nigerians and foreigners.
We hereby issue a disclaimer and warning to the public about this fraudulent website, [nddcprojectsandsupplies.org], and its owners and activities. The fake website is not in any way associated with the NDDC.
The fake website claims to be the official portal of the NDDC and offers various services and opportunities to the public, such as project registration, contract award, supply of goods and equipment, and payment of funds. The website also displays some logos and images that are similar to those of the NDDC and the Federal Government of Nigeria.
However, these are all false and misleading, as the NDDC does not solicit or accept any form of payment from the public for its projects or programmes.
The public is hereby warned to be guided and be careful not to fall prey to the scams and schemes of this website or any other impostors claiming to represent the NDDC. Anyone who deals with such persons or entities does so at their own risk and peril. The NDDC will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from such transactions. The NDDC advises the public to report any suspicious or fraudulent activities to the appropriate authorities for necessary action.
The official NDDC website is [www.nddc.gov.ng], and it has a secure connection and a verified domain name. The public can access the official website to get accurate and reliable information about the NDDC’s vision, mission, objectives, projects, programmes, achievements, and challenges. The public can also contact the NDDC through its official email address (info@nddc.gov.ng), and social media platforms.
We are confident that the security agencies will catch up with these fraudsters, who are hell bent on denting the name of the Commission and the country because of their greed.
Ibitoye Abosede, Ph.D. Director, Corporate Affairs August 6, 2023.
The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) stocks market capitalization increased by more than N77 billion week on week, reaching N35.5 trillion amid persistent bargain hunting in the local exchange.
Last week, the market index rose as investor wealth increased by more over N77 billion over the course of five trading sessions. The Nigerian Exchange All-Share Index (NGXASI) increased 0.2% to settle at 65,198.08 points, with the year-to-date return increasing to 27.2% from 26.9% the previous week.
However, market activity this week favored the bearish, with share volume and value falling by 9.80% and 21.33%, respectively. Stockbrokers report that activity has deteriorated, with average volume and value traded falling by 9.8% and 21.3%, respectively, to 514.9 million units and 5.9 billion.
A total of 2.58 billion units were traded at a value of N29.62 billion in 37,713 deals, compared to 2.86 billion units valued at N37.65 billion in 41,524 deals traded in the previous week.
In its market update, Afrinvest said top traded stocks by volume were AIICO (335.0m units), FCMB (126.5m units), and UBA (117.7m units), while MTNN (₦2.4bn), ZENITH (₦1.9bn) and GTCO (₦1.8bn) led in terms of value.
Top gainers stocks for the week were SUNUASSURE (+55.0%), CHELLARAM (+45.5%), and ABBEYBDS (+32.7%), while JONHHOLT (-33.2%), OMATEK (-30.6%) and SOVERNIN (-28.6%) led the laggards.
DANGSUGAR (+25%), GLAXOSMITH (+20%), and LINKASSURE (+20%) displayed impressive gains, drawing attention from investors. MTNN (+1.8%), BETAGLASS (+10.0%), and BERGER (+9.5%).
Stockbroking firms said there were buying interest in MANSARD (+17.1%), CUSTODIAN (+9.1%), DANGSUGAR (+25.0%), and NB (+16.4%). There were sell pressures on ETI (-7.9%), FIDELITY (-6.5%),
During the week, some companies posted surprising results, while others fell short of market expectations, leading to notable price movements, according to market analysts.
Cowry Asset Management said with the recent rate hike making fixed income instruments attractive, cautious investors are considering potential inflation hedging strategies within the equity space.
Sectoral performance was mixed, with the insurance sector leading the gainers with a remarkable 5.88% increase. The consumer goods and industrial goods sectors also showed strength, gaining 2.27% and 0.23%, respectively, driven by strong sentiment in mid and high-cap stocks.
However, the banking and oil & gas sectors faced challenges, declining by 2.13% and 0.68%, respectively, as investors cautiously assessed the impact of the rate hike and rising fixed income yields. Market activity remained subdued, consistent with our observations.
Overall, equities market capitalisation saw a modest increase of 0.22% week-on-week, reaching N35.48 trillion from N35.40 trillion in the previous week.
Niger Republic’s military authorities declared the country’s airspace closed on Sunday, warning that any attempt to violate it would result in a “energetic and immediate response.”
“Faced with the threat of intervention, which is becoming clearer through the preparation of neighbouring countries, Niger’s airspace is closed from this day on Sunday… for all aircraft until further notice,” the country’s new rulers said in a statement.
The statement came as the West African organization ECOWAS’ deadline to return power to democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum approached.
BizWatch Nigeria recalls that last Sunday, ECOWAS gave Niger’s new military authorities a week to stand down or face military intervention.
Bazoum was detained at the presidency on July 26, 2023, by members of his own guard.
NIS Urges Nigerians To Avoid Niger Republic
Mustapha Sani, the Comptroller of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) in charge of the Jibia Special Border Command in Katsina State, cautioned Nigerians not to travel to Niger Republic.
This is linked to the conflict in Niger Republic, which resulted from a coup. Sanctions have been imposed on the West African country as a result of the development.
“Nigerians should stay at home and not attempt to go to the Niger Republic until the embargo is lifted. And we are determined to return any Nigerien we catch who is planning to come to this country,” he said.
According to Sani, the Service is deploying men to patrol the Katsina border to help curb illicit migration from Niger Republic.
“Despite the fact that we are divided by colonial masters, we share certain things in common like religion and culture, and that doesn’t guarantee them to enter Nigeria without valid documents.”
FG Closes Niger Republic Border Over Political Instability
The Federal Government (FG) has ordered the immediate closure of all land crossings with Niger Republic on August 4, 2023 due to the latter’s ongoing political instability.
According to the Acting Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCoS), Bashir Adeniyi Adewale, the strategy is in both countries’ best interests.
“Now, we have a situation in our hands where there is instability and insecurity. This situation does not allow for trade to flourish. We cannot have any meaningful trade in an atmosphere of insecurity and instability that we presently have in Niger Republic.
“That is why the ECOWAS, through the authority of the Heads of States, had taken the decision to suspend and close all land borders with the Republic of Niger.”
L-R; Adekunle Jamiu, Head, Internal Audits, LSETF, Esther Chibueyin Fagbo, Human Resources and Partnership Manager, Wecyclers, Ejiro Gray, Director, Sahara Group Foundation, and Honorable Adetola Okanlawon, Revenue Chairman, Onigbongbo LCDA, at the Go-Recycling Hub Launch, held at Onigbongbo LCDA, Ikeja, Lagos.
In its effort to contribute to environmental sustainability and encourage responsible waste management practices across Lagos state, the Sahara Group Foundation, LSETF, and Wecyclers through its Go-Recycling project has launched a series of recycling exchange hubs in Lagos state.
The Go-Recycling project which kicked off in January 2023, has so far rolled out four recycling exchange hubs in Lagos state. This is four out of the twelve expected to be established across the state before the end of the year.
Addressing the public at the most recent hub launch event in Onigbongbo LCDA, the Director, Sahara Group Foundation, Ejiro Gray, expressed her delight about the project’s progress.
She stated that “This project was born out of the need to inspire a movement of environmentally conscious people in Lagos, and we are delighted with the momentum we have seen since the launch of the first hub in Ikotun”.
Ejiro Gray encouraged Lagosians to embrace the Go-Recycling project and visit the closest hub to them to exchange their waste for valuable reward. She added that “the Go-Recycling project is helping to transform lives, and the impact on communities and the environment will be evident for all to see”.
Lagos residents can visit any of the Go-Recycling hubs located in the following areas: Isolo LCDA, Osolo Way, Aswani Road; Igando-Ikotun LCDA, Ikotun-Idimu Road, Off Egbe Road; Lagos Island LCDA, 173 Adeniji Adele Road; and Onigbogbon LCDA, 30 Kudira Abiola Way, Oregun, Ikeja, to exchange their recyclables such as: pet plastics, pure water sachets, plastic chairs, plastic tables, paper, cardboard, HDPE, LDPE, can bottles, and glass bottles for cash incentives.
The hubs are open during weekdays from 9am – 5pm with representatives available on-site to receive recyclables, provide guidance, and share insight on how recycling can help transform our lives and impact our environment sustainably.
Sahara Group Foundation, through this initiative, is helping to create a positive impact on the environment by promoting recycling and waste reduction, while also supporting the improvement of lives and livelihoods across communities.
With a vision to help build sustainable societies through innovative programs that promote access to energy and sustainable environments, Sahara Group Foundation is committed to supporting a greener Lagos for today and future generations.
To learn more about the Go-Recycling initiative, please visit www.saharagroupfoundation.org for more information. Also check us out on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter on @iamsaharafdn.
Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, has lamented the announced pullout of British pharmaceutical firm GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) from Nigeria after 51 years.
This comes after the business announced plans to stop producing its operation/business in Nigeria.
The international pharmaceutical business indicated in a statement to the Nigerian Exchange Limited that it will shift to a third-party direct distribution model for its pharmaceutical products.
In a tweet on Friday night, Obi responded to the news by saying that the company’s reason for leaving Nigeria is even more upsetting because they no longer see the country as a business climate based on productivity.
These, he claims, are some of the repercussions of our economy’s accumulated poor management.
“As a result, millions are losing their jobs and our poverty index is worsening, even though we’re already being perceived as the world’s poverty capital,” the post read in part.
He further wrote, “The multinationals that are leaving our country have not only created jobs but have created immeasurable training that contributed immensely to our human capital development over the years.
“Now they are leaving our shores one after the other. GSK which has a manufacturing facility in Agbara, Ogun State on over 25 hectares of land had directly employed over 400 highly technical workers like pharmacists, microbiologists, biochemists, chemists, dentists, doctors etc, and also employed over 1000 other staff.
“It indirectly provided jobs and business opportunities for thousands of Nigerians across the nation. They are now leaving all these behind, and pushing more people back into unemployment.
“I have consistently maintained that in turning our nation around, we must move the economy from consumption to production, part of which included encouraging and supporting local and foreign investments, like GSK, in the country.
“The creation of an environment that creates and sustains multinationals to invest in our country is key to our dream of greatness. In the new Nigeria that we seek to create, the emphasis on production will encourage investors to stay and expand on our shores.”
The Federal Government (FG) has ordered the immediate closure of all land crossings with Niger Republic on Friday due to the latter’s ongoing political instability.
According to the Acting Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCoS), Bashir Adeniyi Adewale, the strategy is in both countries’ best interests.
Adewale, who was at the Jibia Border in Katsina State to oversee compliance, noted that the Federal Government has mandated border management stakeholders to achieve absolute compliance.
“As we all know, President Ahmed Bola Tinubu is a champion of economic integration in West Africa. He believes so much that trade with our neighbour can bring prosperity to Nigerians and other people within the sub-region,” he said.
“He had demonstrated this in words and deeds. This might have contributed to his emergence as Head of ECOWAS within a month of his emergence as president of Nigeria.
“Now, we have a situation in our hands where there is instability and insecurity. This situation does not allow for trade to flourish. We cannot have any meaningful trade in an atmosphere of insecurity and instability that we presently have in Niger Republic.
“That is why the ECOWAS, through the authority of the Heads of States, had taken the decision to suspend and close all land borders with the Republic of Niger.”
According to Adewale, the Service has dispatched officers and personnel to the joint operations team as part of the border practice to enforce the policy across all porous borders.
“It is the responsibility of the Nigeria Customs Service, working with other agencies of government, to implement the decision in its entirety. I have gone round some border stations and I am happy with what I have seen in terms of compliance,” the Customs boss added.
“The Nigeria Customs Service has joint operations with other security agencies at the border drill and they have been deployed to the border areas to carry out the implementation of the border closure order.
“The compliance has to be 100 per cent which means that all in-bound and out-bound cargoes in and out of Nigeria will not be allowed during the period of border closure.”
President Bola Tinubu has stated that a complete forensic audit of the Central Bank is currently underway, and that a substantial revamp of the Civil Service payroll is approaching.
Tinubu announced this during an audience with the President of the World Bank, Mr. Ajay Banga, on Friday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, according to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale.
”A comprehensive forensic audit is on-going at the Central Bank. We are going to do very serious structural review of the Civil Service payroll. I can’t believe in the numbers I’m seeing and I’ve had that experience before at the state level.
”The reforms are in tandem with Nigeria’s Ease of Doing Business programme. We’ll block all financial loopholes. The reforms will be targeted at the way we work, change of attitude and equally on educating our people. It’s costly but we will do it,” he said.
The President urged the Bretton Woods institution to see Nigeria as a vital actor in the global community, rather than just a suffering economy.
‘‘We stand as a vibrant and educated society, seeking to avert chaos through strategic interventions. Your proactive engagement aligns with our quest for partnership, and together, we shall pursue mutual benefits that enrich us all,’’ he said.
On poverty reduction, the President asked for more World Bank support, expressing optimism for a fruitful relationship between Nigeria and the World Bank that will result in mutual advantages and long-term success.
He also emphasized ongoing efforts to address issues such as subsidy elimination, currency manipulation, exchange rates, inflation, liquidity, and debt management.
Tinubu also discussed his administration’s significant changes, including as those targeted at consolidating achievements in Nigeria’s oil industry, improving the Ease of Doing Business, and emphasizing security to increase revenue creation.
The President, he said, emphasized the importance of electricity generation for economic development, stressing the sowing of the first phase (350MW) of the 1,350MW power generation project in Gwagwalada, Abuja, earlier on Friday.
This project, according to the President, represents the administration’s commitment to a comprehensive approach that includes power generation, distribution, energy transition, and tariff modifications.
Tinubu underscored major areas of attention, including job development, digitization, and National Identity Management, while asking for a strong cooperation with the World Bank.
He also requested assistance from the World Bank in resolving the issues caused by the elimination of cross-sectoral subsidies, particularly in mitigating the impact on less affluent Nigerians.
Banga praised Tinubu for his efforts in tackling the country’s economic difficulties in his speech.
”Yes, we give money and our dollars are very important but where we are really helpful is our expertise and knowledge and our experience from many markets.
“In that way, we will always be your friend and partner, not just with the money, but with our minds and our hearts and you should be rest assured about that.”
Africa-based and -led fund managers face unique obstacles that impede their ability to access capital for social impact, according to a research report published today by The Bridgespan Group.
These hurdles leave on the table opportunities to address global social and environmental challenges, and Bridgespan’s report surfaces ways asset managers and owners can help close the capital gap while achieving their financial goals.
Bridgespan interviewed 25 stakeholders for the study, including a range of private market investors, philanthropists, and other field experts.
The research notes that bias is a significant hurdle to unlocking these funds’ potential. Nkanyiso Hlongwa, Bridgespan partner and co-author of the study, said: “While the challenges of scaling the African impact investing industry have been well documented, the on-the-ground experiences of African fund managers have received less attention. We believe African general partners (GPs) can and should play a prominent role in impact investing, whereby their proximity, lived experience, networks, access to opportunities, and leadership can inform how impact capital shapes the continent.”
African GPs’ experiences, shared with Bridgespan, highlighted three additional constraints to accessing impact capital:
The traditional “rules” of due diligence work against African GPs receiving capital. Time-honoured due diligence criteria effectively bar African GPs from receiving capital. Those criteria, designed to identify strong fund managers, include a track record of successful investments, an experienced and motivated team, and an attractively sized fund target.
The “impact” label deters, rather than spurs, investor engagement with African GPs. While seeking investment capital, many African fund managers either downplay or avoid calling themselves “impact funds,” citing that it drives LPs away, even as evidence from the global impact investing market shows that impact investors can do good and perform well financially.
Impact-first capital is not reaching the African GPs who need it. One way for African GPs to bolster their case, they say, is for “first-mover” LPs to kickstart their credibility amongst other LPs by providing patient, risk-tolerant “catalytic capital.” Philanthropists, typically regarded as the most likely supporters of catalytic capital, have been reluctant to provide it.
The study found that “first-mover funders”—asset managers and owners with longer investment horizons and more flexible mandates—can help close the capital gap African GPs face, and the continent’s Sustainable Development Goals finance gap, if they are willing to try new approaches, including:
Seeding GPs directly: First-mover funders can seed African GPs directly, serving as an important source of capital, especially for new funds. For example, the Mastercard Foundation launched the $200 million Africa Growth Fund with a consortium of partners in late 2022. The fund seeks to invest in African-owned and -led investment fund managers, particularly those focused on youth and women’s employment.
Building GPs’ track record: First-mover funders can enable GPs to “warehouse” deals, which involves investing in a handful of deals before a fund reaches its first fundraising close. Low-interest loans can also provide access to liquidity to cover administrative expenses as GPs work towards the close. In addition, African GPs can build a track record by managing a portion of another fund’s investment pool. For instance, Barka Impact Capital is building its investment track record by managing a $3 million mandate on behalf of philanthropic investors to invest in restoration champions, as part of the AFR100 TerraFund.
Reevaluating approaches to due diligence: First-mover funders have both the position and the opportunity to rethink approaches to standard diligence criteria. For example, Oryx Impact has developed proxies for evaluating track records that take previous individual experience into account.
“Africa has abundant natural resources, vast potential for sustainable agriculture, transformative pan-African free-trade agreements, and other soaring opportunities,” said Bernard Chidzero, senior advisor to Bridgespan and one of the report’s authors.
“There are challenges ahead, to be sure, and more LPs who can adopt these approaches will be needed to make a difference.”
Last year, Google launched the Results about you tool to make it easy for you to request the removal of search results that contain your personal phone number, home address or email, right from the Google app or however you access Search. Now, we’ve significantly updated and improved the tool, helping you keep track of your personal contact information in Search and alerting you when we find it, so you can get it removed.
In the coming days, we’ll be rolling out a new dashboard that will let you know if web results with your contact information are showing up on Search. Then, you can quickly request the removal of those results from Google — right in the tool. We’ll also notify you when new results from the web containing your contact info pop up in Search, to give you added peace of mind.
You can access this tool in the Google app by clicking on your Google account photo and selecting “Results about you”, or by visiting goo.gle/resultsaboutyou. This tool is available in the U.S. in English to start, and we’re working to bring it to new languages and locations soon.
More control for your family
Alt Text: Image showing parental controls box on mobile web
Earlier this year, we announced a new safeguard that helps protect you and your family from inadvertently encountering explicit imagery on Search. With this update, explicit imagery — such as adult or graphic violent content — will now be blurred by default when it appears in Search results.
The new SafeSearch blurring setting is rolling out for all users globally this month. You can adjust your settings and turn it off at any time, unless a guardian or school network administrator has locked the setting.
We’re also making it easier to find parental controls directly in Search. Just type in a relevant query like “google parental controls” or “google family link” and you will see a box with information on how to manage your parental controls.
Updated policies on personal explicit images
We have long had policies that enable you to remove non-consensual explicit imagery from Search. Now, we’re building on these protections to enable people to remove from Search any of their personal, explicit images that they no longer wish to be visible in Search. For example, if you created and uploaded explicit content to a website, then deleted it, you can request its removal from Search if it’s being published elsewhere without approval. This policy doesn’t apply to content you are currently commercializing.
More broadly, whether it’s for websites containing personal information, explicit imagery or any other removal requests, we’ve updated and simplified the forms you use to submit requests. Of course, removing content from Google Search does not remove it from the web or other search engines, but we hope these changes give you more control over private information appearing in Google Search.
We know it’s important to stay in control of your online experience. These new tools and updates are some of the many ways we’re continuing to make Google the safest way to Search.
Nigeria boasts Africa’s largest economy, surpassing $450 billion in GDP. Its thriving construction sector drives GDP growth, fueled by improved economic conditions, higher oil revenues, and significant government investment in infrastructure projects.
Big 5 Construct Nigeria, which returns to Lagos and takes place from 5-7 September 2023 at the Landmark Centre, further bolsters the sector’s expansion.
According to ABiQ, Knowledge Partner of the event, the country’s construction sector has reached an impressive $127.7 billion, with an annual average growth rate of 3% between 2023 and 2026. With Big 5 Construct Nigeria, industry professionals get a chance to network and discover an abundance of business opportunities at the three-day exhibition. Registration is open to attend the event for free.
“In its 3rd edition, as Nigeria’s largest construction event, Big 5 Construct Nigeria witnesses a remarkable increase in the presence of construction technology and digital construction companies, reflecting the industry’s growing emphasis on innovative solutions. Embracing technology not only signifies progress in the industry but also opens exciting possibilities for growth and efficiency of Nigeria’s construction sector,” said Ben Greenish, Senior Vice President – Construction, dmg events. “Some of the prominent names include Romanov Steel Detailing from the UAE and Stretford Hill from Nigeria.”
Big 5 Construct Nigeria will convene a comprehensive gathering of manufacturers, suppliers, and service providers, all in one place showcasing innovation and cutting-edge products & services in building interiors, finishes, materials, and tools to HVAC R, solar solutions, urban design landscaping, MEP services, digital construction, smart buildings, and much more.
Over 140 companies will be exhibiting at the event from countries including, Germany, Belgium, Italy, United Arab Emirates, Ghana, India, Poland, Singapore, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and Netherlands. This year’s edition will host five country pavilions, namely China, Türkiye, Egypt, India, and Austria.
Local Nigerian exhibitors will include Armorsil, Likea Projects and first-time exhibitor, AVN Global Ventures (JAQUAR WORLD). BICC cables and Jadeel Steel are among Egyptian brands that will exhibit, while Neuce Ghana Paints Industry Limited will represent Ghana. Saudi Arabia’s National Panels Company for Industry and the UAE’s Roofings Middle East, Polymer Vision Technology and Age Steel will also be among exhibitors.
Further international brands to expect at the three-day event include Lu’an Intco Industries and Ningbo Holden Cable from China; Ficep from Italy; Buzon Pedestal International from Belgium; Forner from Poland; and Asona International from the Netherlands.
Big 5 Construct Nigeria will also host first-time exhibitors including German brands Masa and BAUER Maschinen; Boustani & Partners from Lebanon; Türkiye’s Wavin Tr Plastik San and Entegre Harc Sanayi Ve Tic; ALmix Asia Asphalt Equipment from Singapore; and India’s Bull Machines and Surie Polex Industries.
At Nigeria’s largest construction event attendees can engage in 22 CPD (Continuous Professional Development) accredited Industry Talks. By attending these sessions, professionals will get a chance to collect CPD points, which is an industry-wide requirement to build on practical knowledge applied to the construction profession.
As well as project managers attending the Project Management Talks will receive exclusive PDU (Professional Development Units). Attendees will also get CPD points from Project Management Institute and Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors when attending their sessions.
These Industry Talks will feature 35 speakers and the insightful sessions will run under four key themes including technology, project management, architecture & design, as well as a significant new theme, facilities management.
“The launch of Facilities Management Talks provides a platform for the industry to discuss measures to maintain existing infrastructure, including buildings, utilities, roads and public spaces (all facilities), as well as reducing downtime and enhancing overall efficiency,” Greenish noted.
Confirmed speakers include Patrick Ogunleye, Architect, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing; Dr. Ibikunle Dashur, President & CEO, CONSTRUCT MACHE GROUP; Arc. Omoyemi T. Olayiwola, Director, Policy and Advocacy, Green Building Council Nigeria; Taiwo AIYEPE, Principal Architect, Lagos State Ministry of Works, and Infrastructure; and Aderemi Dada, Founder & CEO, Spacefinish Africa.
Returning to Big 5 Construct Nigeria with a stronger presence, CDK Integrated Industries, a leading manufacturer of premium quality sanitary ware, ceramic and porcelain tiles, has joined as the Gold Sponsor. “Supporting the growth and quality of Nigeria’s construction sector is important to us.
“We’re looking forward to the event, which will provide a chance to foster collaborative business relationships, exchange ideas and stay informed about the latest trends and developments in Nigeria’s construction landscape,” said Abimbola Onagbade, Brand and Marketing Communications Manager, CDK Integrated Industries.
Associations and organizations, including The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS), BIM Africa, Project Management Institute (PMI) and OSH Association are also supporting the event, in addition to ABiQ. Sana Group is the Lanyard Sponsor for Big 5 Construct Nigeria.
“We look forward to welcoming attendees to unlock the doors to growth and prosperity, and to engage with the key buyers and decision-makers shaping the future of mega projects in Nigeria’s construction sector,” Greenish concluded.
The MTN Foundation has commenced call-for-entries for the 2023 two-year Diploma in Music scholarship program at the MUSON School of Music.
The annual scholarship creates an opportunity for young music enthusiasts to become well-rounded musicians who can qualify for direct entry into a university to fulfil the remaining requirements for an undergraduate music degree.
Since the inception of the scholarship program in 2006, the Foundation in partnership with MUSON has funded music scholars with scholarships worth ₦250,000 each, to cover tuition, books and transportation to study at the prestigious MUSON School of Music for a two-year period.
The diploma course offers advanced training in music with majors in Piano, Organ, Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Percussion, Classical Guitar, and Voice.
Speaking on the scholarship, the Executive Secretary of MTN Foundation, Odunayo Sanya, said “Over the years, the Foundation has spent close to 3 billion to train over 400 young music talents, and some of them have gone on to become superstars home and abroad.
“There are lots of young talented Nigerians, but what makes them different from the celebrated talents is training, and that is where the MTN Foundation comes in.
“We are genuinely invested in empowering young talent and creatives to become the best version of themselves and make Nigeria proud. I encourage talented young Nigerians to make good use of this opportunity and apply for the music scholarship.”
To be eligible for the scholarship, interested candidates must possess a Senior Secondary School Certificate (SSCE) or General Certificate of Education (GCE) with credits in at least five (5) subjects including the English Language.
Additionally, candidates must also possess a Higher Pass Certificate in music (practical and theory) from one of the three approved bodies for music examinations: Trinity, ABRSM, or MUSON.
The call for applications will run till August 18, 2023, more details and the application form are available at https://muson.org/diploma-school/
The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) through its Export Promotion Group, has trained Nigerians exporters on how to harness potential in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
It built the capacity during a two-day training themed, ‘Exporting under the AfCFTA’, in Lagos, which was organised in collaboration with the secretariat of the National Action Committee on African Continental Free Trade
MANEG’s acting Chairman, Odiri Erewa-Meggison, reiterated the organisation’s commitment to tapping into the immense potential of the national economy by forging working partnerships with other industry stakeholders, and increasing the membership of the association.
She explained that the training was an open call for current and prospective exporters, in a bid to improve non-oil export enterprise in the country.
According to her, “So far, the practical implementation of AfCFTA started since September 2022, with the export of coffee products from Rwanda to Ghana and Exide Battery from Kenya to Ghana under the Guided Trade Initiative within the eight state parties that have met the minimum requirements for trade under the agreement.
“The state parties include Rwanda, Cameroon, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Tanzania and Tunisia.
“These countries are already operating on the GTI without Nigeria. As the Nigerian government continues to take steps to ensure our full participation in the AfCFTA, we at MANEG are determined to build the capacity of our members to optimise understanding of the free trade agreement, and take full advantage of the benefits as soon as the pathway opens.”
According to Odiri, the training was part of efforts to reposition MANEG to serve in its capacity as the leading and most recognised non-oil export promotion advocacy group in the country.
The Strategy Coordinator of AfCFTA, Franca Achimugu, said, “It is important to note that one of the strongest points of AfCFTA is trade without borders.
“This speaks to the elimination of trade barriers in Africa and creating a single market. This means that the whole of Africa becomes a single market and goods can be traded between the countries without trade restrictions.”
Also, the Executive Secretary of MANEG, Mr Benedict Obhiosa, noted that the training programme was to educate participants on the statutory requirements of external trade.
“With the programme, participants would be well informed on how to best position their businesses under the afCFTA,” he said
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has discovered some unapproved JET A1 marketers who have infiltrated Nigerian airports and are supplying the commodity to unsuspecting airlines.
It made this discovery while investigating the source of jet fuel contamination, which Max Air was a victim.
The Director-General, NCAA, Capt. Musa Nuhu, in a Zoom meeting with aviation correspondents on Thursday, revealed that the infiltration of unregistered marketers was discovered during a meeting with the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission/Department of Petroleum Resources.
These unregistered fuel suppliers, he noted, were operating at Nigeria’s airports illegally.
He said the Authority was furnished with a list of approved aviation fuel companies by the DPR, but discovered that some suppliers currently operating at the airports were not on the list.
He however said the NCAA planned to intimate the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria about the development with a view to barring the illegal operators.
He said, “Investigation is ongoing, we are doing this in collaboration with the DPR and we have got the list of all companies approved by the DPR; we found out that some were not approved, we will write FAAN about this to ensure they withdraw their services until they meet all requirements.
“Any Jet A1 supplier must be approved because it needs a lot of standards. Although, there was a gap between the DPR and NCAA, that has been closed. The issue of fuel contamination is not acceptable; no international airline has also reported fuel contamination but it is an alarming thing that needs to be looked into. We have set up a committee comprising representatives of relevant agencies to look at the entire system and make recommendations. But, it is still the responsibility of the airline, the pilot to check his fuel.”
Also, a reliable source who would not want to be quoted in the NCAA, said the Authority identified the companies involved in the recent sale of contaminated aviation fuel to MaxAir.
According to the source who pleaded anonymity, “The three oil companies that sold the fuel have been identified in the course of its investigation.”
The DG-CA also made comments on the Jabiru Aircraft crash which occurred in Lagos earlier in the week.
Nuhu expressed displeasure over what he termed unprofessional comments about the accident, stating that the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau had the capability to investigate the cause of the crash.
He said, “I cannot comment on the cause. It is very unfortunate and it was just by the grace of God that it wasn’t disastrous. I have full confidence in the ability of the NSIB, people should avoid mere speculation, NSIB will release the report very shortly but what I have found disappointing is the comments against the Director, Airworthiness Services.
“The. Director of Airworthiness is very competent and before he was seconded to the NCAA, he had a life, he does not own the aircraft. He submitted letters of resignations from all the companies he worked for; he is even the one that has identified some of these illegal fuel companies, despite unnessary dragging of his name.”
Abubakar Suleiman, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Sterling Bank, has acquired 50 million units of the shares of Sterling Financial Holdings Company Plc in a deal worth N168m.
This was made known in a corporate notice on directors dealing which was filed with the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) on Friday.
Suleiman, a non-executive director of the HoldCo, had bought the shares on the floor of the NGX on Thursday at the rate of N3.36 per unit.
In its half-year report, Sterling FHC revealed that Suleiman held directly 0.91 per cent stake in the company amounting to 262,668,608. With his latest acquisition, the bank’s managing director had increased his stake to 312,668,608 share units.
Airtel TV, a free streaming service platform, has partnered with Brave Combat Federation (Brave CF), a leading mixed martial arts promotion company in Africa, to offer viewers access to exclusive combat sports content. The collaboration which kicked off July, marks the beginning of an exciting experience for combat sports enthusiasts in Nigeria.
According to the agreement between the two parties, Airtel TV will seamlessly integrate Brave’s extensive library of mixed martial arts content, providing viewers with an unparalleled entertainment experience. From adrenaline-pumping tournaments to captivating original programs, Airtel TV viewers will have access to a wide array of shows from the Brave CF catalog.
Chief Commercial Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Femi Oshinlaja, said that the collaboration between Airtel TV and Brave is designed to add more value to Airtel TV’s entertainment offerings and also expand Brave CF’s reach as a leading mixed martial arts promotion company in Africa.
“We are thrilled to join forces with Brave CF, the fastest-growing mixed martial arts organization in the world. This collaboration aligns perfectly with our commitment to enhancing the entertainment choices for our valued subscribers. By providing exclusive combat sports content, we aim to take Airtel TV to new heights and deliver unparalleled entertainment experience.” Oshinlaja said.
Airtel officials also added that both parties will collaborate on promotional activities. One of such activities will include a digital launch event at which they will unveil more details of the collaboration to fans of combat sports.
Airtel TV is a free-to-use lifestyle video streaming service with access to a plethora of content such as movies, TV series, documentaries, sports, and more. The app offers an array of impressive features, including a data-saving option and a personalized watchlist. Users can experience Airtel TV by simply having a registered Airtel SIM, a device capable of browsing the internet, and an Airtel data bundle.
Mainland BlockParty, Africa’s premier youth entertainment festival, commemorated its 5th anniversary with a captivating event held at the enchanting Secret Garden in Ikeja. Themed ‘Summer is Ours’, the celebration featured an exciting lineup of established and emerging talents from the Nigerian music industry, solidifying the BlockParty’s reputation as an unrivaled extravaganza and a launchpad for stardom.
The evening came alive with exhilarating performances that left attendees awe-struck. Artists including Teni, Wurld, Blaqbonez, Noon Dave, Major AJ, Shoday and Drims Baby set the stage ablaze with their electrifying acts, ensuring an unforgettable experience for all in attendance. Accompanying them were the sensational sounds of DJ Titanium, DJ Crayveli, SmallztheDJ, and more who seamlessly blended music and beats, ensuring the party never stopped.
Reflecting on the BlockParty’s journey to becoming the continent’s biggest entertainment festival, founder Tobi ‘Alhaji Popping’ Mohammed expressed his gratitude for the team’s relentless efforts and the overwhelming support from the attendees. He remarked, “It is truly humbling to witness the incredible growth and success of the Mainland BlockParty over the past five years.
“At inception we set out to create an unparalleled experience that showcases the extraordinary talent within Nigeria’s music industry while proving that Lagos Mainland could be as engaging as other heralded areas of the country, and without a shadow of a doubt, we have been able to surpass all expectations. The BlockParty’s continental success today is a testament to the team’s dedication, backing of our sponsors and most especially, the unwavering enthusiasm of our attendees. We look forward to delivering on a fresh lineup of events – the likes of which Nigeria has never witnessed,” he continued.
In an exciting development, the Mainland Block Party recently announced its “Road To 24k” campaign, which will see a series of festivals hosted monthly across notable BlockParty cities – including Accra (August 5) and Abuja (September) – until the end of the year. This initiative aims to recreate the original essence of the BlockParty, focusing on the vibrant music scene and fostering a sense of community among attendees. The culmination of this campaign will be a grand festival targeting a footfall of 24,000 on the 1st of January 2024.
With an average annual attendance of over 120,000 people, the BlockParty series has etched its name as a trailblazer in the entertainment industry. Expanding its reach far beyond Africa, the festival is now hosted in seven states across three countries and two continents, bringing joy and excitement to fun lovers worldwide.
The success of the recent Mainland BlockParty was made possible through the support of esteemed sponsors including Pepsi and Jameson.
For more information on the BlockParty’s series of planned events, visit www.theblockparty.online and follow @mainlandblockparty on social media.
Fast rising tech company, Eudoratech has announced the launch of its ground breaking software, SmartHR, designed to provide solutions to the many challenges bedevilling the HR industry and the ever-evolving workplace. The software was described by guests present at the launch during the 2023 edition of ICTEL Expo, in Lagos, as a leading innovation offering AI and predictive analysis capabilities to revolutionise how HR practitioners prepare for the future of work.
The CEO of Eudoratech, Tunde Success Osideko, who is himself a Senior HR manager with over 20 years of experience, during the unveil, highlighted some of the key features of the solution including its ability to employ advanced intelligence to analyse data, predict employee attrition, and recommend strategies to help users make well informed decisions. The software also streamlines recruitment processes, identifies top candidates and provides valuable insights into employee performance, engagement, and potential flight risks, empowering users to take proactive measures to retain and nurture top talent.
Asked what makes the software a viable solution for the industry, Osideko explained that SmartHR was designed as an answer to the challenges the industry currently faces and more importantly, the ones it will face in the future. He stressed that it is important that practitioners recognise the strength of technology and artificial intelligence and lend themselves to the many possibilities it offers.
“I am delighted at the response we are getting to this laudable innovation. The team has put tremendous effort and expertise into creating not just a software but a solution that tackles the complexities of today’s HR challenges and also prepares organisations for the workplace of tomorrow. For starters, we have two features; Smart Enquiry which is an AI-powered communication tool that encourages enterprise communication both internally and externally. Another is Smart Shortlisting which helps clients to sift through applications to identify the most promising candidates using advanced algorithms and machine learning’ he said.
He added that the software will also offer a performance management system that encourages continuous improvement and personal development, that can align employees’ goals with the organisation’s vision while adaptive learning platform equips employees with the skills they need to excel in their roles, promoting a culture of continuous learning and growth within the organisation.
Eudoratech is an industry-leading AI technology company specialising in developing cutting-edge solutions for businesses across various sectors. Combining innovation, expertise, and an unwavering commitment to excellence, Eudoratech continues to shape the future of AI-driven tools, empowering enterprises to thrive in a digital age.
“Tap the “…” on the upper right when a video is in full-screen mode.
“We will soon allow this simply by tapping and holding on a video just like you download a picture.”
Musk has continued to improve the platform’s functionality since acquiring Twitter for $44 billion, the most recent update being the name change from Twitter to X.
Since acquiring the social media network, he has made significant changes, including the rebranding of Twitter.
Elon on July 24, 2023 announced the rebranding of X formerly known as Twitter for many years.
Linda Yaccarino tweeted a photo of the company’s new logo — a white X on a black background — and stated, “X is here! Let’s get started.”
“X is the future state of unlimited interactivity – centered in audio, video, messaging, payments/banking – creating a global marketplace for ideas, goods, services, and opportunities,” Yaccarino tweeted.
