by admin | Mar 24, 2025 | business, commerce, financial services, investing, news
On Monday, the Lagos State Government joined forces with EnterpriseNGR through the Lagos International Financial Council (LIFC) MoU signing ceremony. This event brought together representatives from the City of London as well as officials from the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO). The purpose was to collaborate on establishing an international financial center in Lagos aimed at boosting economic progress within the region.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who concurrently holds the position of Chairman of LIFC, along with the Co-Chairperson of LIFC and Chairman of Access Holdings, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, observed the signing ceremony conducted by the State Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Yomi Oluyomi; the Chief Executive Officer of EnterpriseNGR, Mrs. Obi Ibekwe; the Head of Eurasia, Middle East, and Africa at The City UK, Chika Mourah; and the Director of International Development at The City UK, Anna Rogers.
Among those present at the signing were representatives such as Mr Simon Field, the Chargé d’Affaires of the British Deputy High Commission in Lagos; Mrs Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, the Secretary to the Lagos State Government; and Mr Bode Agoro, the Head of Service, along with several others.
During his speech at the event, Governor Sanwo-Olu affirmed his administration’s dedication to establishing the Lagos International Financial Centre. He called upon all attendees for their backing to turn this aspiration into a tangible achievement.
The governor stated that the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding marked the start of a new phase in setting up LIFC and transforming Lagos into the first international financial center in Sub-Saharan Africa.
As he puts it, this step isn’t solely focused on Lagos; rather, it aims at positioning Nigeria—as well as domestic and foreign investors—”on a platform where business operations can thrive more effectively, fostering an environment characterized by greater predictability and reliability within this region’s financial sector.”
Associated News: Reasons Behind Redesigning the Oshodi Transport Hub – Government of Lagos
What do you think about the national service corper who insulted the president and referred to Lagos as having an unpleasant odor?
‘I previously had to pay over ₦40,000 each month to area boys and others in Lagos.’
“We are adapting our concept and project so we can showcase both Lagos and, consequently, Nigeria as part of the global list of cities featuring international financial hubs,” he stated.
Governor Sanwo-Olu showed gratitude to all the collaborators for providing both financial and technical backing toward setting up an International Financial Centre in Lagos.
Earlier, the Co-Chairman of LIFC, Mr Aig-Imoukhuede, praised Governor Sanwo-Olu and his team for their bravery in advancing the vision of the LIFC, stating that “The contribution of Babajide Sanwo-Olu to Lagos State benefits not only the state but also participants in the capital markets.”
Aig-Imoukhuede characterized the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) as a crucial milestone for the development of the Lagos International Financial Centre project, emphasizing that Nigeria was nearing its goal of establishing this center in Lagos.
“Today, we bear the banner of Lagos State, Nigeria, and by extension, Africa. We are moving towards the promised land of establishing an international financial hub in Lagos and for Nigeria,” he stated.
The Chairperson of Access Holdings also praised the media for providing fair and informative coverage, encouraging them to increase such efforts. They called upon the media to continue offering unwavering support in all aspects.
Additionally, Rogers from TheCityUK as the Director of International Development stated that this collaboration aims to unite all parties involved in making Lagos a prominent powerhouse across Africa.
Rogers conveyed the enthusiasm of the UK city about participating in this endeavor, calling the Lagos State Government’s choice truly praiseworthy.
The United Kingdom’s city takes great pride in serving as a strategic ally for the establishment of the Lagos International Financial Centre. We find the choice made by the Lagos State Government truly praiseworthy, and we are enthusiastically looking forward to being an integral part of this venture.
“We are delighted that through our partnership, we’ll continue to provide an avenue for UK and Nigerian financial professional services practitioners, policymakers, and regulators to share knowledge on best practices in areas such as corporate governance, financial services, regulation, technology, innovation, and many others.
“These initiatives will result in heightened trade activities along with greater investments and collaborations between the two nations and on a global scale,” she asserted.
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Tags: Lagos LIFC Sanwo-Olu
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by admin | Mar 24, 2025 | foreign policy, morocco, news, politics, united nations
On Monday in Rabat, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccan Expatriates Nasser Bourita held a meeting with the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for the Moroccan Sahara, Staffan de Mistura. This encounter took place during the envoy’s ongoing regional visit.
The visit precedes informal discussions set to take place at the UN Security Council in mid-April 2025, as stated in a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccan Expatriates.
Omar Hilale, who serves as Morocco’s Ambassador andPermanent Representative to the United Nations,was present atthe meeting.
In these discussions, the Moroccan representatives emphasized the global push initiated by King Mohammed VI concerning Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara region and the country’s autonomy proposal. The Monarch addressed the United Nations on November 6, 2024—the 49th commemoration of the Green March—urging them to “take their duty and clearly distinguish between the genuine, rightful world embodied by Morocco within its Sahara territory and an outdated world detached from current realities and advancements.”
The Moroccan delegation likewise expressed their country’s backing for the endeavors of the UN Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy in achieving a long-lasting, practical, realistic, and political resolution, solely grounded on the Moroccan Autonomy Initiative, all within the bounds of Morocco’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
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by admin | Mar 24, 2025 | coast guards, government, security, u.s. coast guard, world
…We’ll Maintain Momentum – NIMASA DG
L-R: The Director-General of Nigeria’s Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, presented a token gift to the team leader from the United States Coast Guard, USCG, Mr. Joe Price Larson, during their visit to NIM ASA’s headquarters in Lagos.
The United States Coast Guard has praised Nigeria and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) for making significant strides in implementing the International Ships and Ports Facility Security (ISPS) Code, according to statements from the Coast Guard.
Joe Prince Larson of the U.S. Coast Guard disclosed this information. He headed a group from the International Port Security Programme during their inspection visit at various terminals and ports in Nigeria. The purpose was to evaluate how thoroughly the ISPS Code has been implemented within these port establishments.
Previously, the team carried out evaluation trips to the Dangote Port and Lekki Free Trade Zones located in Lekki, within Lagos State, along with privately managed port facilities run by Matrix and Julius Berger in Warri, which is part of Delta State.
L-R: The Executive Director of Operations at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Engineer Fatai Taiye Adeyemi; the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) ISPS Team Leader, Joe Price Larson; the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola; the USCG representative for Europe/Africa liaison with Nigeria, Eric Hatfield; and the USCG ISPS Reporting Officer, Hyo Jun Cho, were present during a visit by members of the United States Coast Guard to the NIMASA offices in Lagos.
When presenting an interim evaluation report to NIMASA management, Larson highlighted that Nigeria’s adherence to the ISPS Code is among the highest worldwide.
He mentioned that his group would present their discoveries to the leaders of the US Coast Guard as planned and showed faith in NIM ASA’s ability to uphold the stringent standards they have achieved so far.
Based on what Mr. Larson stated, ”
We were delighted to visit Matrix and Julius Berger in Warri, Delta State prior to heading over to the Lekki Deep Seaport and Dangote Port in Lagos, where we found everything to be highly satisfactory. Our observations indicated a strong grasp and thorough execution of the ISPS Code within Nigeria, with adherence levels matching those seen among leading maritime countries worldwide. As such, we will relay these insights to the U.S. Coast Guard headquarters as planned.”
From his perspective, the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, discussed the agency’s dedication to maintaining enhanced adherence rates at the country’s ports. He highlighted how these improvements influence international perceptions of Nigeria. Additionally, he stated that the agency will keep supporting initiatives led by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, aimed at elevating standards within the Nigerian maritime sector.
As he stated, “I am delighted to convey the joy I feel about the favorable response we got from the USCG delegation because this acts as recognition of the Federal Government’s dedication to advancing the sector. It also underscores the efforts made by the Agency, overseen by the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, to maintain international standards in port security.”
The U.S. Coast Guard has continually collaborated with NIMASA to carry out immediate evaluations assessing the adherence of Nigerian ports to the ISPS Code. This initiative, launched last year under a three-year strategy, aims to offer practical recommendations and evidence-driven choices to remove the Conditions of Entry (CoE) imposed on ships leaving Nigeria bound for the USA.
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by admin | Mar 24, 2025 | business, education, educational systems, higher education, news
ENUGU
– The ESCET Alumni Association has expressed appreciation for Governor Peter Mbah’s efforts towards enhancing education within the state.
This recognition was bestowed by the president of the association, Mr. Mathew Divine Idoko, during a recent homecoming celebration conducted on the campus grounds.
At the event, which saw two students being granted scholarships for an academic year, Idoko voiced his robust backing of Mbah’s efforts, stating, “Mbah has performed admirably in elevating educational standards within the state.”
Governor Peter Mbah is performing exceptionally well in reshaping the education sector within the state. His dedication towards elevating the educational standards truly deserves praise. Were we to evaluate his significant advancements in education on a scale, he would undoubtedly receive a perfect score of 100%.
“And particularly at ESCET, where he has shown significant dedication to enhancing the well-being of both students and administration members. He has authorized the release of overdue wages to employees. As alumni, we applaud his efforts in reshaping education within Enugu State,” he stated.
To motivate the students to prioritize their education and achieve academic success, Idoko mentioned that rewarding them for correct answers serves this purpose.
He mentioned that the organization seeks to boost the number of recipients; however, the primary focus is to guarantee that each student at ESCET feels at ease both scholastically and personally.
We granted a financial aid scholarship to two underprivileged college students to promote their academic achievements. In the previous year, our outgoing graduates from ESCET organized a ‘welcome back’ event and extended an invitation to us.
Throughout the event, the alumni group decided it was important to motivate the students by posing straightforward questions aimed at assessing their cognitive skills. Both participants—a student from the degree program and another from the NCE program—responded accurately and were awarded scholarships for an entire academic year’s tuition fees, sponsored by the alumni organization.
“The objective was to foster academic brilliance amongst the students. By demonstrating that former pupils continue to return to the college, we aim to underscore our commitment to maintaining high standards. This initiative is designed to motivate current students to work diligently and treat their studies with utmost seriousness,” he stated.
As he seeks assistance from both governmental bodies and non-governmental organizations, Idoko mentioned that the Alumni Association is setting up an office within the institution. This initiative aims to oversee the interactions between students and administration, with the dual purpose of promoting academic excellence and enhancing student well-being.
He praised the administration and employees of the college for upholding the rigorous academic standards set from the beginning.
The National Secretary of the Association, Hyginus Odo, urged the students to stay dedicated to achieving their objectives regardless of any obstacles, emphasizing that “there is always hope even when things seem difficult.”
He likewise praised the administration and personnel at the college, particularly highlighting those who have excelled in maintaining high academic standards and supporting students’ well-being.
A third-year student from the Igbo Education program, Blessing Nnamchi, conveyed her happiness and gratitude towards the alumni association for their generous act. Surprised by the turn of events, she mentioned, “Initially, I planned only to observe what they were up to before returning to my hotel. However, upon arriving, a question was posed, and I managed to answer it correctly.”
“I’m extremely delighted with the scholarship awarded by the alumni association. It came as a surprise when I found out that I was selected alongside others who received scholarships. The moment I got the funds, I exclaimed ‘Wooo!’ and realized that I wouldn’t have to request financial support from my parents for tuition this term,” she stated.
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by admin | Mar 24, 2025 | business, innovation, news, technology, technology trends
The government firmly endorses the potential of research and innovation as key drivers of economic progress and sustainable development. It continues to prioritize the creation of conditions conducive to nurturing innovations and advancing technologies, according to Sam George Nartey, who serves as the minister for communications, digital technology, and innovations.
Speaking at the second edition of the Africa Research and Innovation Commercialization Summit (ARICS 2025) in Accra, he indicated that his ministry will spearhead the transformation of innovation into economic opportunities that will drive job creation, youth empowerment and sustainable development.
The minister likewise recognized the far-reaching effects of innovation and the commercialization of research throughout different parts of the economy. This spans from education, with educators crafting innovative teaching methods, to comparable technological advancements in critical fields such as agriculture and healthcare systems.
“ARICS 2025 stands as an affirmation of the collective dedication from both governmental bodies and private enterprises to harness research and innovation for catalyzing industrial transformation across various economic landscapes,” stated in remarks delivered on his behalf during the event.
He stated, “The significant potential of local innovators and researchers remains untapped because of insufficient coordinated initiatives; the government acknowledges this issue and will collaborate with all parties involved to address this matter.”
Mr. Nartey praised the Heritors Lab along with its financial supporter, the RISA Fund, and other participants in the ecosystem for their consistent efforts towards promoting research commercialization both in Ghana and throughout Africa.
ARICS stands as a premier event bringing together researchers, creators, industry leaders, and government officials to explore actionable strategies and pathways aimed at facilitating the transition of research and innovations into marketable products for enhanced economic benefits.
The theme for this year’s event was “Moving from Labs to Market: Enhancing Industry Adoption of Research and Innovation Outcomes.”
The Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), Seth Twum Akwaboah, stressed the importance of linking research, industry, and infrastructure to attain common developmental objectives.
Africa generates substantial research, yet converting these advancements into commercially viable products continues to pose challenges.
“A robust and continuous partnership between research organizations and industry leaders is crucial for advancing innovation and bringing products to market,” he stated.
Additionally, to promote sustainable economic development, Mr. Akwaboah emphasized the importance of investing sustainably in technological infrastructure and implementing policies that encourage industrialization and commercialization.
On his part, the vice president of Heritors Labs, Kofi Ocloo, bemoaned the high rate of African discoveries that remain hidden in research labs and called for urgent steps to entrench commercialization of innovation and research outcomes across the continent.
“Our domestic industries and business owners seek answers overseas when locally developed solutions stay confined within our laboratories. Given our stakeholder status, we should guarantee that research efforts are converted into innovations capable of transforming lives throughout the continent,” he stated.
He stated, “This summit’s theme compels governments, leading industrial figures, and youthful pioneers to close the divide between research and industry; our priority should be making innovation the key catalyst for economic advancement.”
Gameli Adzaho, who serves as the country technical lead for the RISA Fund, emphasized that ARICS 2025 provides an ideal stage for expanding the reach of research commercialization. This platform convenes key players within the ecosystem to pinpoint strategies that will drive innovations and research findings into wider market spaces, encouraging greater uptake.
He mentioned that the fund will keep promoting collaborations aimed at boosting innovation and enhancing the impact of research. He also urged for initiatives that involve rural populations, address the gender disparity, and support young researchers and innovators.
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