NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
We’ve trained 600 African journalists in 20 yrs – Sanlam Group
Foreign

We’ve trained 600 African journalists in 20 yrs – Sanlam Group

264 total views today

 

By Rukayat Adeyemi

 

Sanlam  Group on Sunday said that it had trained no fewer than 600 financial journalists across the African continent through the Sanlam Summer School which began 20 years ago.

 

 

Ms Pearl Majola, Head, Group Communications of Sanlam announced this at the opening dinner for 2023 Sanlam Summer School For Financial Journalists across Africa held in Pecan Manon, Hartbeespoort in South Africa.

 

 

The theme of this year’s training is: “Fintech And Mobile Money In Africa.”

 

 

Majola said that the company started the programme in response to South Africa’s governance initiative for its indigenous corporates to support media development.

 

 

She noted that the training is organised yearly for public good and to improve the skills of journalists, while Sanlam expects nothing in return from the beneficiaries, except that they should become more valuable.

 

 

“I hope that the participants finds this programme valuable, because the aim is to develop the capacities of journalists across Africa to contribute truthful, sensitive and value information that helps people’s lives.

 

 

“Sanlam has put in lots of effort to sustain the investment and have also seen value for it over the years,” she said.

 

 

Majola commended Sanlam subsidiaries across the African nation such as : Nigeria, Namibian, Rwanda, Botswana, Ghana, Uganda and Kenya, among others for supporting the programme, by making it accessible to young journalists in the financial services sector.

 

 

In his keynote address, Mr Karl Socikwa, Group Executive, Market Development And Sustainability of Sanlam said that the 2023 Summer School is a milestone for the programme which had been organised for 20 years.

 

 

Socikwa stated that the summer school had contributed meaningfully to media houses across Africa, promoted excellence in journalism and media development in Africa.

 

 

He explained that the financial sector is so critical to economic development, hence Sanlam is committed to advancing financial journalism in Africa for effective and professional coverage of the sector.

 

 

According to him, the theme of the 2023 is apt, as fintech and mobile money had revolutionised financial services in Africa and contributed significantly to financial inclusion and economic development.

 

 

The group executive noted that Sanlam is committed to shaping the future of fintech in Africa to make it more accessible, secured and beneficial to its people.

 

 

“Sanlam has recently launched a fintech platform to demonstrate its commitment to the fintech space for economic development and financial inclusion.

 

 

” Your work as journalists is to cover the sector and provide reports that give access to financial services and inclusion that can change people’s lives ,” he said.

 

 

Socikwa wished the participants a successful training and charged them to take advantage of the opportunity and renowned facilitators at their disposal to improve their capacities.

 

 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 22 journalists selected from different Africa countries are participating in the 2023 Sanlam Summer School which will run from Oct. 22 to Oct. 27 in South Africa.

 

 

The beneficiaries of the training are young journalists covering various financial sectors of their country and not more than 35 years old.

 

 

Among the expected facilitators and speakers are : Mr Chris Kabwato, Convener, Sanlam Summer School, Ms Paula Fray, Lead Trainer, Fray College, Mr Segun Aina,President Africa Fintech Network and Mr Tsakani Maluleke, Auditor-General of South Africa.

 

 

Sanlam Group is a Pan-African brand, founded in 1918 as a life insurance company, with its headquarters in South Africa.

 

 

The brand has grown to become Africa’s largest non-banking financial services group, with a strong presence in 33 countries on the African continent, including Nigeria.

 

 

The group operates in eight out of the 10 largest economies in Africa, with over 154,000 employees globally and has a niche presence in India, Malaysia, United Kingdom and Australia.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng

Edited by Julius Toba-Jegede

NSCDC arrests student for allegedly killing 17-yr-old boy
Defence/Security

NSCDC arrests student for allegedly killing 17-yr-old boy

159 total views today

By Ahmed Kaigama

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Bauchi has arrested a university student for allegedly stabbing a 17-year-old boy to death in Misau Local Government Area of the state.

The Commandant of the Corps, Ilelaboye Oyejide, who confirmed the arrest on Sunday in Bauchi, said the incident occurred on Oct. 20, 2023.

He said the command received information that the lifeless body of a secondary school student, Umar Usman, was found wrapped and dumped in a white cloth along Misau bypass.

“He was quickly taken to the General Hospital, Misau, where he was certified dead and handed over to the family for burial.

“This is a case of culpable homicide,” Oyejide said, adding that Command deployed intelligence personnel to Misau to investigate and bring the perpetrators to book.

“After series of investigations by the operatives, one Abdullahi Ibrahim, a 500-level student of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, was arrested.

“We came to realise that there was a communication chat between the suspect and deceased.

“In the communication, we saw where the suspect enticed the deceased with homosexual love and showed him his naked picture.

“When the deceased went to meet him somehow he was stabbed in the stomach, and wrapped in a white cloth and dumped where he was found,” he said.

According to Oyejide, the suspect would be charged to court. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by AbdulFatai Beki/Sam Oditah

Church calls for global peace, security
Religious

Church calls for global peace, security

188 total views today

By Justina Auta

Dr Femi Lanre-Oke, the Presiding Pastor, Jesus Praise Evangelical Ministries International (JPEMI), on Sunday called on leaders globally, to promote peace, security and address challenges causing disunity and war affecting citizens.

Lanre-Oke made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sideline of the church’s fifth annual convention, themed “Greater Works”, held in Abuja.

According to him, imbibing the virtues of Jesus will aide in addressing the challenges affecting the global world, especially in relation to love, peace and reconciliation .

He noted that insecurity was not only prevalent in Nigeria, adding that the current armed conflict between Israel and Hamas was an avenue for leaders to strategise towards reconciliation.

“We are concerned. Blessed are the peacemakers, they shall be called the children of God. We love peace and we want them to reconcile and we are praying that God will intervene.

“We pray that God touches those who need to take decisions so that they will know what to do and how to do it,” he said.

While emphasising on the need to love and forgive, the cleric admonished Christians and others to unite towards tackling issues of insecurity and kidnapping, among others, in Nigeria.

“By the time we come into the greater works of Jesus, there will be relative peace, insecurity, kidnapping will reduce.

“We cannot say everything will go, but it will reduce drastically and development will be very visible.

“We will love our neighbours, bring solutions to our neighbours and destroy the works of darkness,” he said.

He added that the conference was an opportunity for the word of God to be fulfilled and manifested in the lives of people, as many prayers and miracles were experienced. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Yinusa Ishola/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Anambra woman nabbed over alleged sale of grandchild
Defence/Security

Anambra woman nabbed over alleged sale of grandchild

146 total views today

By Lucy Osuizigbo-Okechukwu

The Anambra government said it apprehended one Oluchukwu Nwosu, 45, who allegedly sold her three-month-old grand child for N50,000.

The Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Mrs Ify Obinabo, disclosed this at a news conference in Awka on Sunday.

Obinabo said that the baby had been rescued, following consistent intelligence report and surveillance that lasted almost a month.

“The rescue operation followed a report by Ijeoma Nwosu, who claimed that her mother, Oluchukwu, forcefully sold her baby soon after he was born and refused to tell her the baby’s whereabouts.

“Following receipt of the allegation, the ministry immediately took action to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.

“Four suspects involved in the crime have been apprehended and would be handed over to the police for questioning and further investigation.

“It is sad that the baby is looking sick and underweight.

“According to the buyer, she has no money to buy proper baby food and she resorted to feeding the baby with soya bean powder,” she said

The commissioner frowned at the continued practice of illegal adoption in the state, in spite of government’s efforts to put an end to it.

She warned that perpetrators of unlawful adoption would be made to face legal actions.

Speaking with newsmen, Oluchukwu pleaded for forgiveness, saying that the baby she sold was the third child her daughter, Ijeoma, had outside wedlock.

“We are poor. There is no money to feed and take care of ourselves and the children.

“So, when I met one Tochukwu Asiegbu, we bargained and agreed that he will pay N50,000 and he paid me the money,” she said.

Also, Asiegbu said his profit from the deal was N30,000, adding that he only connected Oluchukwu to the buyer.

The buyer, one Evelyn Egwuatu, from Uruagu in Nnewi, said she paid N200,000 to obtain the baby from one Ebelechukwu Uba, who hail from Ebonyi but resident in Anambra

Uba, however, said he was just a middleman, adding that Asiegbu and Oluchukwu, made the decision to sell the baby to Egwuatu. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Yinusa Ishola/Sam Oditah

Akpabio promises strong bilateral parliamentary relations with Angola
Politics

Akpabio promises strong bilateral parliamentary relations with Angola

175 total views today

 

By Naomi Sharang

Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Sunday pledged strong bilateral parliamentary relations with Angola.

 

This is contained in a statement by Akpabio’s Special Assistant (Media/Communication), Anietie Ekong.

 

Akpabio, made this known when he arrived Luanda, Angola for the 147th Inter-Paliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly.

 

He is the Leader of Nigeria’s delegation.

 

He was received on arrival by the Nigerian Ambassador to Angola, Prof. Monique Ekpong and top officials of the Angolan government led by Joao Gaspar, Deputy Secretary UIP Angola.

 

Akpabio said he was delighted to attend the IPU Assembly hosted by Angola and commended the Angolan Government for a good bilateral relations with Nigeria.

 

According to Akpabio, it would have been a disservice to Africa if Nigeria did not have a strong delegation at the IPU.

 

“Our presence here is to ensure that our bilateral relationship is strengthened. With our presence, we can forge a strong bilateral parliamentary relationship for the interest of our nations,” he said.

 

Responding, Gaspar said that Akpabio’s attendance at the IPU Assembly with the Nigerian delegation would foster good relations not only between Nigeria and Angola but among African countries to reach consensus on issues affecting the continent.

 

NAN reports that the 147th IPU assembly is holding in Luanda, Angola, from Oct. 21 to Oct. 27.

 

The IPU assembly will provide a platform for parliamentarians, partner organisations and experts to share good practice and commit to the overall theme of Parliamentary action for peace, justice and strong institutions.

 

The theme is closely linked to United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions, a key enabler of the entire development agenda.

 

The assembly will consider actions to strengthen trust between people and governance structures, to make public institutions more effective, accountable and representative, and to better equip parliaments to address the multiple interconnected geopolitical, economic and environmental crises facing the world.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

edited by Sadiya Hamza

Borno govt bans street begging, loitering
General News

Borno govt bans street begging, loitering

168 total views today

By Yakubu Uba

The Borno Government has banned street begging and loitering in Maiduguri city and environs.

Thisx is contained in a public notice issued by the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prof. Usman Tar, on Sunday in Maiduguri.

Tar said street begging and aimless loitering were not part of the culture of Borno people.

“In Borno State, street begging and aimless loitering are not in our character. We are dignified people.

“This is to inform members of the public that the Borno State Government has placed a strict ban on all street begging, loitering and gallivanting within and around Maiduguri Metropolis and Jere LGAs,” he said.

The notice said the ban was with immediate effect, warning that violators would be prosecuted. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Environment experts assure more commitment to tackle climate change
Environment

Environment experts assure more commitment to tackle climate change

220 total views today

Abigael Joshua

Environment experts on Sunday in Abuja assured more commitments towards tackling climate change in the country.

They said this in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the Association for Environmental Impact Assessment of Nigeria (AEIAN) award and luncheon to mark their end of
the 7th Annual Conference and Annual General Meeting.

The theme of the conference is:” Impact Assessment: Climate Resilience, Financing and Environmental Sustainability.”

Prof. Ijeoma Vincent-Akpu, the President of AEIAN, who is one of the awardees said that climate change is a global issue that needs to be deliberated upon for solutions.

“We have been working on advocacy on climate change where we involve school children plant trees to mitigate climate change so I believe this award will spur me and the association to do more.

“We are also looking at mitigation measures, things that can help us to mitigate climate change, planting of trees.

“There are so many things we can do we try to remove plastic pollution from the ocean because the trees and ocean are one of the things we can use to mitigate climate change,” she said.

The president urged every participant to strive towards environmental sustainability.

Dr John Alonge, a retired director of Environmental Assessment, Federal Ministry of Environment, one of the awardees said that the award was a call for more service.

 

“This is an association that looks at developmental activities at projects level, planning policy and programme level.

“This is an association that looks at the consequential levels of proposed projects putting the plights of citizens at heart,” he said.

Mr Robert Eze, Chief Operating Officer, PGM Nigeria Ltd., an awardee said that a lot of trainings on the issue of climate change had been carried out by his company.

He noted that climate change is a global phenomenon that needs to be tackled with utmost urgency.

NAN further reports that the association gave categories of the awards ranging from service sponsorship, corporate and partnership awards to 25 environment experts. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
AIJ/JTJ
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FG, PWC partner on solid minerals roadmap
Economy/Business

FG, PWC partner on solid minerals roadmap

298 total views today
By Adekunle Williams
The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development has partnered with the foremost consulting firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) to execute  policies under the seven point roadmap to transform the  sector.
Mr Segun Tomori, Special Assistant, Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, made this known in a statement in Lagos on Sunday.
Alake, while receiving the PWC partner on mining, Mr Habeeb Jaiyeola, commended the company for its role in the just concluded Nigerian Mining Week and the first phase of the bitumen concession programme.
The minister thanked the consulting firm for their contributions to the mining sector over the years, assuring that the expertise and ideas of PWC would be factored into reforms of the mining sector and implementation of the seven-point agenda.
He said President Bola Tinubu was focusing on the sector as a game changer in the bid to reposition the country for lasting prosperity.
Presenting the thoughts of PWC on the seven point agenda, Jaiyeola expressed the readiness of PwC to partner with the ministry in achieving objectives of the agenda.
He added that the company was seeking to make the solid minerals a key sector to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to the country.
“We summarised our thoughts on the 7-point agenda, looking at it and suggesting how to bring it to life whilst advising on pitfalls and how to avoid them.
“The major thing is that at the end of the tenure of the administration, there will be key deliverables that can be monitored, and the roadmap on how each of them is going to be achieved and projected.
“We will be open to further deliberations on how we can proceed by comparing notes,” Jaiyeola said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the minister had reeled out a seven-point agenda tagged:  “Agenda for the Transformation of the Solid Minerals Sector for International Competitiveness and Domestic Prosperity”.
Alake said these included creation of the Nigerian Solid Minerals Corporation, Big Data on specific seven priority minerals and their deposits, comprehensive review of all mining license amongst others. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Chioma Ugboma
Women Radio working to reposition women for greater impact – Official
General News

Women Radio working to reposition women for greater impact – Official

195 total views today

By Justina Auta

Ms Toun Sonaiya, Chief Executive Officer, Women Radio 91.7 FM, Lagos, says efforts are underway to reposition women for greater impact on society.

Sonaiya stated this in a statement in Abuja on Sunday, to announce its 7th edition of Voice of Women Conference and Awards (VOW2023), scheduled for Oct. 25 in Abuja.

She explained that the conference with the theme, “Repositioning Women for Greater Impact” was designed to change societal norms and institutional frameworks that impede women’s progress.

This, according to her, will allow women to take on more significant roles in governance and leadership.

She disclosed that leaders, policymakers, advocates, and other stakeholders across Africa would converge in Nigeria for the conference.

She said that the conference would provide the needed platform to share knowledge and find innovative solutions to gender imbalance in leadership and governance.

“Although several policies, and advocacies are in place to promote gender balance, huge gaps still exist in economic empowerment and leadership.

“This is why we have invited speakers from Namibia, Kenya, and Liberia and host country Nigeria to share practical steps and strategies on women’s inclusion, economic empowerment, ownership, and effective allocation of financial resources.

“The outcome will be used to develop a strategic policy document to improve women’s inclusion and leadership,” she said.

She added that the conference would also galvanise actions that recognises the immense potential within women and underscores the necessity of their empowerment for the betterment of the nation.

The CEO disclosed that the Vice Presidents of Nigeria, Liberia, as well as other leaders from Namibia, Kenya, state governors and wives of governors were expected to speak at the conference.

According to her, VOW2023 is leveraging the collective wisdom of experts and practitioners from various African countries, including Namibia, Kenya, Liberia, Rwanda, and host country Nigeria.

“The aim is to have each expert share practical steps taken, both by individually and governments to amplify women’s voices in leadership.

“Women have consistently proven their ability to excel in various fields, from entrepreneurship to corporate leadership.

“However, a staggering number of women continue to face economic disparities that hinder their progress.

“VOW2023 seeks to address these disparities and unveil strategies to unlock the economic potential of women.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that VOW 2023 Conference and Awards is an initiative of Women Radio 91.7, Nigeria’s only radio station for women and their families.

The conference is being organised in partnership with Voice of Women Empowerment Foundation with support from the MacArthur Foundation and the Federal Inland Revenue Service.

Other partners are Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA), Sterling Bank, Lagos Inland Revenue Service, and Advocacy for Women with Disabilities Initiative (AWWDI). (NAN)

Edited by Philip Yatai

CIBN tasks bankers on economic growth, development
Business

CIBN tasks bankers on economic growth, development

169 total views today

 

By Lydia Ngwakwe

The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) has called on banking professionals and leaders to chart a course that will leverage the vast potential inherent in Nigeria’s economy.

The President/Chairman of Council, CIBN, Dr Ken Opara, made the call at the 2023 Fellowship Investiture of CIBN on Saturday in Lagos.

Opara noted that in a rapidly changing world, the success of nations was often determined by their ability to harness their inherent strengths and overcome their challenges.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event had the theme: “Harnessing Nigeria’s Economic Potential for Growth and Development: Strategic Imperatives,’’.

According to him, Nigeria, with its abundant human and natural resources, possesses incredible economic potential.

The CIBN president noted that inequality, in terms of income and opportunities, had remained high and had adversely affected poverty reduction.

“Lack of job opportunities is at the core of high poverty levels, regional inequality, and social and political unrest.

“High inflation has also taken a toll on household’s welfare, pushing more people into poverty.

“Given these numerous challenges, it is abundantly clear that our journey toward harnessing Nigeria’s economic potential for growth and development is marked by both promise and complexity.

“Addressing these challenges requires visionary leadership and collaborative efforts to transform adversity into opportunity.

“The path ahead demands resilience, creativity, and a commitment to shaping a brighter future for our country.

“Hence, it is incumbent upon us, as banking professionals and leaders, to chart a course that leverages the vast potential inherent in our nation’s economy.

“We must explore innovative strategies and approaches that will drive sustainable growth, foster development, and ultimately uplift the lives of all Nigerians,’’ Opara said.

He, however, said unlocking these potential required strategic imperatives that would go beyond mere recognition but deliberate action and innovative thinking.

He said, “According to data released by the World Bank, Nigeria remains Africa’s largest economy with $477.4 billion in Gross Domestic Product.

“While Nigeria has made some progress in socio-economic terms in recent years, its human capital development ranked only 150 out of 157 countries in the World Bank’s 2020 Human Capital Index.

“The country continues to face massive development challenges, including the need to reduce its dependence on oil for exports and revenues, diversify its foreign exchange sources, close the infrastructure gap, build strong and effective institutions, address governance issues, and strengthen public financial management systems.’’

Prof. Joseph Nnanna, the Chief Economist, Development Bank of Nigeria Plc, while speaking on the theme, said the multidimensional concept of growth and development encompasses far more than mere economic indicators.

“Nigeria’s overreliance on oil export has rendered its growth trajectory susceptible to endogenous and exogenous shocks in global oil prices, leading to economic instability.

“However, amidst these challenges lies a path forward, through strategic imperatives that can unlock Nigeria’s vast economic potential.

“Economic diversification emerges as a crucial avenue, leveraging the untapped potential of non-oil sectors to promote inclusive sustainable growth.

“Also, human capital development takes centre stage, acknowledging that education and health are at the core of economic growth.

“Lastly, infrastructure development stands as another cornerstone, underscoring the importance of building a modern and efficient infrastructure network,’’ Nnanna said.

These strategic imperatives, he said, were not standalone solutions and would need to be complemented with addressing policy implementation, resource allocation, corruption, and leadership.

“In doing so, Nigeria can move beyond the constraints of its past, harness the strength of its resources, and emerge as a beacon of inclusive growth and development on the African continent,’’ he stressed.

NAN reports that a total of 449 individuals were conferred awards at the event: 20 Honorary Fellows (including one Posthumous Award), 154 Elected Fellows and 275 Honorary Senior Members. (NAN)

Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

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