Chicago Academic Record: Tinubu, Atiku to Resume Legal Battle in US Monday.

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September 23, 2023

The legal teams of President Bola Tinubu and the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, will resume a legal battle over the President’s Chicago academic records in a United States court on Monday.

A US District Judge, Nancy Maldonado, had on Thursday agreed to stay an order directing Chicago State University to make Tinubu’s academic document available to Atiku’s legal team.

The hearing came up late Thursday night after the President’s lawyers filed an emergency motion seeking a delay in the implementation of the self-effectuating order directing the CSU to comply with Atiku’s subpoenas till Monday.

Atiku is currently challenging the victory of the former Lagos State governor at the 2023 presidential poll and his recent affirmation by an election petition court in Nigeria.

Earlier, a magistrate, Jeffrey Gilbert, had on Tuesday ordered Tinubu’s alma mater to provide all relevant and non-privileged documents to the applicant, Atiku, within two days.

Documents sought by the PDP candidate, through his counsel, Angela Liu, include the record of admission and acceptance at the university, dates of attendance including degrees, awards, and honours attained by the former governor of Lagos State at the university, among others.

But as the deadline given by Gilbert drew nearer on Thursday, Tinubu’s lawyers approached Maldonado, arguing that the earlier decision by Gilbert needed to be reviewed by a district judge.

The request for a review and delay of the order till Monday was granted by the US district judge.

In the emergency hearing, Maldonado disclosed that mindful of legal deadlines in Nigeria, she would rule on the matter as quickly as possible.

“I will have a busy weekend. The issue is of process and rules. I’m a rule person. That’s why I’m a judge. This case is quite involved. I am aware of the stakes. It’s more important to me to get this right,” she said.

No hiding place

Ahead of the resumption of the case on Monday, however, Atiku’s media adviser, Paul Ibe, told Saturday PUNCH on Friday that the President should not be hiding anything and that the camp would wait for the court process while whatever is being hidden will be unfolded.

Ibe said “What is in that file if it is released that would bring harm that is irreparable to him (Tinubu)? It has become important for Bola Tinubu to let Nigerians know what he is hiding in his academic record at Chicago University.

“We cannot mortgage the destiny of over 200 million people for the interest of one individual. He is bringing embarrassment to Nigeria, it is shameful and it is a tragedy to have something as simple as releasing your records to be subject to public scrutiny.

Nigerians should begin to take an interest in this matter. Nigerians should be asking questions about what is going on. Why should the President of Nigeria not be a product of due process, transparency and accountability? It has never reached this low and it is unfortunate. We will get him.

“We will await the court process, they can only stall but finally whatever it is that is being hidden will be released.”

Tinubu’s camp ready

When Saturday PUNCH contacted the Coordinator of Tinubu Presidential Legal Team, Babatunde Ogala, on the team’s preparation ahead of Monday, he said the team members were ready for Atiku’s next move.

He said whatever may be the former vice president’s next plan, members of the President’s team were also not sleeping.

Ogala, who is currently in the US as part of the legal team said, “We submitted our application and the order has been suspended. We are starting all over again.

“If they like, let them do a Plan C. We are not sleeping either. We will meet them there.

NAICOM Grants Approval for Sunkanmi Adekeye as Executive Director of Veritas Kapital Assurance.

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Favour Bassey Otu

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September 20, 2023

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The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has given its approval for the appointment of Mr. Sunkanmi Adekeye as the Executive Director of Veritas Kapital Assurance Plc.

In a letter dated 19th September, 2023, titled “Notification on appointment of Executive Director of Veritas Kapital Assurance Plc,” and signed by the company Secretary/legal adviser, Saratu Umar Garba, the approval was communicated to the Nigerian Exchange Group, dealing members, and the investing public.

Mr. Adekeye brings with him over Twenty-Seven (27) years of insurance knowledge and expertise, including fifteen (15) years at an executive capacity. His experience encompasses key partnership development, mergers and acquisitions, project management, strategic planning, technical, and sales and marketing expertise gained across prominent national and international organizations.

Prior to his role as Executive Director (Operations) at Veritas Kapital Assurance Plc, Adekeye’s insurance career spanned reputable Insurance broking firms and Underwriters such as SCIB Nigeria Insurance Brokers, Cornerstone Insurance Plc, and Custodian & Allied Insurance Plc. He held the position of Managing Director at Allianz Nigeria Insurance Plc until November 2020.

A graduate in Economics from Lagos State University and Risk Management & Insurance from the University of Lagos at the Masters level, Sunkanmi Adekeye is an Associate Member of Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (ACII) since 1997 and elevated to a Fellow (FCII) in 2012. He is also an Associate member of the Certified Pension Institute of Nigeria, contributing significantly to People Development within and outside the Insurance Industry.

In his role as Executive Director, Adekeye takes charge of all operational aspects crucial for business success and growth, setting strategic goals, and ensuring the smooth flow of operations information to the chief executive and the board. He will also be at the helm of developing and executing new growth initiatives.

Mohbad: Protesters Storm Lagos Assembly, Demand Justice

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Favour Bassey Otu

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September 20, 2023

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A group of Lagosians under the aegis of Justice for Mohbad and led by Nollywood actress, Iyabo Ojo, on Wednesday, staged a protest at the Lagos State House of Assembly seeking the lawmakers’ action on the mysterious death of 27-year-old musician, Ireoluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad.

The leader of the protesters, Ojo, while speaking to the Speaker of the House, Mudashiru Obasa, who was represented by some members of the House, said the purpose of the protest was to demand justice for the death of Mohbad “who died under some unclear circumstances.”

She said, “It is no longer news that Lagosians are agitating for justice over the death of Mr Ireoluwa Oladimeji Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, who died under some unclear circumstances.

“Mohbad had posted videos of how he had been under serious attacks from members of the record label he left to be on his own.

“Even though we know the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State has started an investigation over the cause of the mysterious death, we seek justice.”

Speaking on behalf of the lawmakers, the Deputy Majority Leader of the House, Adedamola Kasunmu, thanked the protesters for the peaceful manner they had conducted themselves to the Assembly and promised that their plea would be presented before the Speaker.

He assured the protesters that the House would allow the law to take its course once the ongoing investigations were completed.

“There was a plenary yesterday and part of the issues raised on the floor of the House were that of Mr Adebola Bright, the boy with the missing intestines, and it was unfortunate that yesterday he gave up the ghost.

“We also discussed the demise of Mohbad and I can assure you that we will allow the law to take its course.

“Let us await what the results of the investigations from the police chief will bring and we will take it up from there,” Kasunmu added.

Embrace Continuous Development, NAICOM Urges Insurance Practitioners

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Favour Bassey Otu

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September 20, 2023

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The Commissioner for Insurance, National Insurance Commission, Mr Sunday Thomas, has urged insurance professionals on continuous training to keep up with current realities in the business environment.

He spoke at the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria’s 2023 Insurance Professionals’ Forum in Abeokuta, Ogun State, with the theme, ‘Sustainability of the Insurance Industry in the VUCA Environment’.

The CIIN described VUCA as a ‘Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity’ environment.

The event was well attended by professionals in the industry and other chieftains in the financial sector.

Thomas said, “To navigate this ‘new normal’, the industry must develop a wide range of new skill sets and orientation which enables adaptability and agility. The industry must adopt strategic foresight, continuous learning and development as well as effective communication and transparency. All of these require adjusting operating models and workflow processes in doing business today.”

In order to successfully compete in a new VUCA environment, insurers needed to develop a new set of tools and methods and apply them swiftly and thoroughly, he said.

The commissioner said the theme reflected the current realities of businesses in the country as well as on the global scale, as the environment had become volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous. Change, he noted, was now the norm.

“It has become imperative for the industry to constantly identify and respond timely to emergent issues that can affect the sustainability and continued existence of insurance business and the industry,” he said.

The President, of CIIN, Mr. Edwin Igbiti, said in today’s rapidly changing world, the insurance industry was faced with unique challenges stemming from the volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity that characterized the environment.

He said, “As professionals in this field, it is crucial that we come together to address these challenges and explore innovative solutions that will ensure the sustainability of our businesses.

“This conference provides us with the perfect platform to exchange knowledge, engage in insightful discussions, and learn from the experiences and strategies of industry experts.”

Dangote Refinery to Start Petrol Refining November – Official

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Social Plus Africa

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September 19, 2023

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Dangote Refinery is set to begin refining petrol by November 30, 2023, and diesel and jet fuel operations by October 2023, the group’s executive director Devakumar Edwin says.

In an interview with S&P Global Commodity Insights on Monday, Edwin added that the refinery would receive its first crude cargo in two weeks’ time and would begin producing up to 370,000 barrels per day of diesel and jet fuel in October 2023.

Furthermore, Edwin pointed out that the refinery would initiate a gradual increase in petrol production, aiming to reach an impressive 650,000 barrels per day by November 30. He emphasised the refinery’s readiness to receive crude oil, stating, “Right now, I’m ready to receive crude. We are just waiting for the first vessel. And so, as soon as it comes in, we can start.”

Regarding the shift in the original timeline, Edwin clarified, during his conversation with S&P, that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited had already committed their crude oil to another entity on a forward basis, causing a temporary delay.

He said that the setback is momentary, and the refinery would soon run exclusively on Nigerian crude oil as of November 2023.

He noted that the Nigerian oil would be purchased in US dollars, and not naira because it is in a free trade zone on the outskirts of Lagos. However, the NNPCL will supply some crude at knockdown prices due to its equity stake.

Edwin further stated that, aside from heavy Angolan grades, the Dangote refinery can process most African crudes, as well as Middle Eastern Arab Light and even US light-tight oil.

He said, “We can take even some of the Russian grades… if the global system opens up to allow us to receive them. Basically, if you look at our production profile, 50% of my production will meet 100% of the requirements of the country.

Excess gasoline – which will be 10 ppm sulfur Euro 5 quality — will be exported to other African markets as well as the US and South America, although the volumes will be relatively small. Meanwhile, jet fuel will be exported to Europe and diesel will be sold in sub-Saharan Africa.”

S&P also quoted Edwin as saying the refinery would be “enormously beneficial to the country” by establishing a reliable supply of “environmentally-friendly” refined products and bringing “a huge amount of foreign exchange into the country.”

Furthermore, Edwin noted that the refinery would play a pivotal role in alleviating the fuel supply challenges faced by import-dependent West Africa, worsened by Nigeria’s recent removal of fuel subsidies, which had led to a thriving illicit gasoline market due to price fluctuations.

Additionally, he added that the revenues generated from the refinery’s operations would be reinvested to fuel further developments, underscoring Aliko Dangote’s commitment to Nigeria.

“The money will be coming back in, and it will go for further investments,”

“[Aliko Dangote] is from Nigeria and his focus is always on Nigeria,” Edwin said.

BREAKING: Gunmen Kill Eight Soldiers, Policemen in Imo.

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Favour Bassey Otu

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September 19, 2023

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No fewer than eight security agents comprising soldiers, policemen and Nigeria Security And Civil Defence Corps have been killed by gunmen in Imo State.

The incident which happened on Tuesday morning in Umualumaku community, Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of the state has thrown the area into panic.

The joint security taskforce team who were in two security trucks were ambushed and set ablaze by their attackers.

None of them survived as they were burnt inside their operational vehicles.

A security operative who doesn’t want to be mentioned told our correspondent that reinforcement teams had been sent to the scene of the crime with the intent to arrest the suspects and rescue the corpses of the slain security operative.

A resident in the community who do not want to reveal his identity for security said that he saw the security agents a few minutes before they were set ablaze.

He said that the community had been thrown into confusion, owing to the development.

Our correspondent saw a video clip of the attack as the security agents set ablaze in the two vehicles.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the police in the state, Henry Okoye, confirmed the development but asked for time to get the full details of the horrible incident.

NITDA DG Advocates Collaboration as Vital Driver of Tech Industry Growth.

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Favour Bassey Otu

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September 18, 2023

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In a recent address at the Innovation Support Network (ISN) 2023 Annual Gathering, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), stressed the critical role of collaboration in sustaining innovation within the technology sector. Abdullahi emphasized that sustainable innovation cannot be achieved by one entity alone; it necessitates collective efforts across the ecosystem.

National Coordinator, Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI), Yakubu Musa delivering the Director General National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, Keynote address at the Innovation Support Network (ISN) Gathering 2023.

Speaking at the Shehu Musa Yar’adua Centre, Abuja, during the event themed “Unlocking Potential: Collaborating for Growth and Impact,” Abdullahi highlighted that over 60% of global innovation now involves collaborative efforts between various organizations. He referenced a 2020 report by Microsoft, illustrating how digital collaboration significantly impacts business operations and innovation, with over 95% of Fortune 500 companies relying on Microsoft Cloud services.

Represented by Yakubu Musa, the National Coordinator of the Office of the Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI), Abdullahi further underlined collaboration as a key competitive advantage in all socioeconomic spheres. He stressed NITDA’s commitment to fostering an enabling environment for collaborative growth and impact within the digital innovation ecosystem through strategic policies, guidelines, and partnerships.

Abdullahi pointed out the establishment of two Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs), ONDI and the National Center for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), as a testament to NITDA’s dedication to collaboration. He encouraged both public and private sector stakeholders to leverage collaborative opportunities for a prosperous and sustainable digital innovation ecosystem.

International perspectives from the Finland Ambassador to Nigeria, Leena Pylvänäinena, and Executive Vice Chairman of NASENI, Khalil Halilu, further echoed the significance of collaboration for success, innovation, and economic growth within the tech industry.

ONE MILLION JOBS: Nigeria, India Join Forces to Accelerate Innovation, Digital Economy Growth

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Favour Bassey Otu

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September 18, 2023

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In a significant move towards bolstering collaboration in the realm of the digital economy in order to fulfill President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of creating one million digital jobs for Nigerians by 2025, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, represented by the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, met with Dr. M.M. Tripathi, the Director-General of the National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT), India.

The meeting, which was part of the Federal Government‘s participation at the G20 Summit in India, was aimed at fostering a deeper understanding of the Indian digital economy and exploring avenues for knowledge sharing and collaboration.

The discussions covered topics ranging from digital skills development to cybersecurity and innovation.

Speaking on behalf of Dr Tijani, Inuwa expressed his optimism about the prospects of mutual growth, while underscoring the importance of leveraging India’s vast expertise in digital technologies to bolster Nigeria’s digital economy.

Leaders from Nigeria and India emphasized that this partnership is not only about bilateral cooperation but also about contributing to the broader global digital ecosystem.

They believed that by joining forces, they could accelerate their respective digital transformations while also playing a more influential role in shaping the global tech space.

In a related development, the Nigerian delegation also paid a working visit to the headquarters of the National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM).

Mr. Shivendra Singh, Vice President of Global Trade Development, welcomed the Nigerian team and engaged them in fruitful discussions regarding potential areas of collaboration in the tech ecosystem.

Singh highlighted India’s thriving software and service industry, which has earned a global reputation for excellence. He expressed his enthusiasm for working with Nigeria to identify trade partners and explore synergies that could benefit both nations.

Inuwa, representing Dr. Bosun Tijani, emphasized Nigeria’s commitment to building a robust digital economy.

He spoke about the government’s initiatives to support tech innovation and foster a vibrant startup ecosystem in Nigeria and the need for international partnerships to accelerate Nigeria’s progress in the digital space.

On his part, Singh acknowledged Nigeria’s growing influence in Africa’s tech ecosystem and expressed a willingness to facilitate collaboration and knowledge exchange between Nigerian and Indian tech companies.

Following the positive meetings, the Nigerian and Indian teams agreed to build an execution plan on the identified areas of cooperation, which include skills development, technology transfer, and business partnerships. The aim is to strengthen bilateral relations and promote sustainable digital economy development.

NIMC DG, Coker – Odusote, Announces Successful Capture of Identities for 102 Million Nigerians.

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Favour Bassey Otu

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September 17, 2023

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Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, the acting Director General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), shared that the commission has effectively registered 102 million Nigerians.

This disclosure was made during the 5th National Identity Day commemoration held on Saturday.

The day holds great significance, emphasizing the importance of having a recognized identity and reflecting on how it impacts lives and the society.

Engr. Coker-Odusote emphasized that an identity represents more than just a card or a number; it symbolizes our existence, lives, and place in society.

“Having an identity will go a long way to ensuring that more people benefits from governments social safety net program which will in turn pave the way for financial inclusion and access to services especially.” She said.

In response to the press during an interview, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji Ojo, the Minister of Interior, assured Nigerians of plans to harmonize various databases, including BVN, Telcos, NIMC, and INEC.

Highlighting the importance of identity registration in curbing criminal activities, the Minister stressed that a national identity system facilitates the easy location of criminals and improves access to various services.

Additionally, during the event, the National Identity Management Commission launched the Self Service System, allowing Nigerians to register for their identities from the comfort of their homes.

According to NIMC DG, the self-service system will improve the turn around time for NIN registration and people can now register from any part of the world.

Amb. James Momoh Congratulates Princess Atika Ajanah on SSA Appointment, Pledges Support.

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Social Plus Africa

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September 16, 2023

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Amb. James Momoh Congratulates Princess Atika Ajanah on SSA Appointment, Pledges Support.
Amb. James Momoh, the CEO of Social Plus Africa Communications Ltd has extended his heartfelt congratulations to Princess Atika Ajanah on her recent appointment as the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on social events.

The warm wishes and pledge of support were conveyed through the organization’s Head of Corporate Affairs , Hajia Jemila Abdullahi.

In a statement, Amb. James Momoh expressed his enthusiasm for Princess Atika Ajanah’s new role and acknowledged her capabilities and dedication.

He stated, “Princess Atika Ajanah’s appointment as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on social events is a testament to her exceptional skills and commitment to promoting social engagement.

We congratulate her wholeheartedly on this well-deserved position.”

Amb. James Momoh also emphasized his commitment to supporting Princess Atika Ajanah in her new capacity, ensuring she has the necessary assistance to carry out her duties effectively.

“We pledge our unwavering support to Princess Atika Ajanah in her new role. We are confident that her wealth of experience and dedication will make a significant contribution to the President’s agenda for social development,” he affirmed.

Princess Atika Ajanah’s appointment is seen as a positive step towards enhancing social event management within the government, and Amb. James Momoh’s endorsement further underscores the collaborative spirit needed for effective governance in the realm of social engagements.