Soludo Awards N500,000 to Anambra’s Top NECO Student

Governor Prof Chukwuma Charles Soludo of Anambra State has awarded a check for ₦500,000 to Miss Ifebude Chelsea Benson, who was the top-performing student in the 2023 NECO Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination.

Ms. Ifebude, hailing from Ndikelionwu in the Orumba North Local Government Area of the state, achieved an impressive A1 grade in each of the nine subjects she sat for in the exam.

She has subsequently received an acceptance offer and is presently pursuing her studies in medicine and surgery at the University of Abuja.

Prof Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, the State Commissioner for Education, awarded the honor on behalf of the Governor to the recipient, whose presence was marked by her father, Mr Ben Benson.

The Commissioner stated that the award was the governor’s method of promoting academic excellence amongst the pupils and students of Anambra.

She disclosed that the state government had invested heavily in education, with all efforts directed towards aligning the educational standards in the state with those found in developed nations and ensuring that children from Anambra can successfully rival their counterparts globally.

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In response, Mr. Benson’s father expressed his gratitude to Soludo for the accolade, noting that this recognition highlights Soludo as a governor who promotes diligence.

He observed that receiving this recognition would significantly encourage his child to keep pursuing greatness and represent their state admirably.

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Lagos and UK Ink Deal to Launch Global Financial Hub

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.”

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‘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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Morocco’s Foreign Minister Hosts UN Special Envoy for Sahara in Rabat Talks

Morocco’s Foreign Minister Hosts UN Special Envoy for Sahara in Rabat Talks

The post
Morocco’s Foreign Minister held discussions in Rabat with the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for Western Sahara.
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ESCET Alumnus Praises Mbah’s Dedication to Education


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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‘Research and Innovation: The Key to Sustained Growth, Says Sam George at ARICS 2025’

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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FNC and French Senators Meet to Boost Parliamentary Cooperation

FNC and French Senators Meet to Boost Parliamentary Cooperation

Abu Dhabi
[
UAE
On March 24 (ANI/WAM), Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi, who leads the Defense, Interior, and Foreign Affairs Committee, was mentioned.
Federal National Council
Today, (FNC) held a meeting with a delegation from the French Senate.

Several FNC members were present at the meeting.

Both parties explored methods to enhance parliamentary collaboration between the FNC and the French Senate, highlighting the significance of bringing this into action via reciprocal legislative delegations, as well as collaborating and consulting on multiple topics of shared concern.

Both parties highlighted the profundity of their strategic relationship.
UAE
And France, which continues to garner robust backing from their respective leaders. They commended the signing of the
UAE
-The France Framework for Collaboration in Artificial Intelligence was highlighted, along with appreciation for collaborative efforts spanning crucial areas like the economy, renewable energy, and education.

Dr. Al Nuaimi emphasized that from the time the nation was established,
UAE
Leadership has embraced tolerance, coexistence, and cultural dialogue with countries globally as a way to promote collaboration, particularly in areas such as development, culture, and history.

The French Senate group commended the robust alliance between the nations, underscoring the leaders’ dedication to expanding collaboration in various fields.

The group likewise commended the
UAE
Highlighting their contributions to fostering worldwide peace, stability, and security, with an emphasis on both countries’ joint dedication to enhancing international cooperation in these areas. (ANI/WAM)

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