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WACOT Rice Eyes 60,000 Jobs Via Argungu Project

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WACOT Rice Jobs

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

No fewer than 60,000 jobs would be created across Nigeria and West Africa by WACOT Rice Limited through its partnership with the USAID on the rice outgrower expansion project.

“The core objective of establishing WACOT in Argungu and the launching of this partnership today is to create a catalyst for investment and provide grants to more farmers,” the Deputy Chief of Party for USAID’s West Africa Trade and Investment Hub (WATIH) project, Mr Karl LittleJohn.

“We want to show that we can create jobs. And we want to also increase trade investment with our partners across West African countries,” Mr LittleJohn added.

Mr Farouk Gumel, the Chairman of WACOT Rice, a subsidiary of TGI Group, which is based in Argungu, Kebbi State, said over 2,000 jobs have been created by the company due to the USAID partnership. He stated that the expansion of the company has given opportunities for more farmers to cultivate more land for rice production.

“When the company was established in 2017, we hardly sold our product for the first three months because customers were demanding for foreign rice but today, we steadily sell Nigerian rice and people continue to ask for it. Many people have shown interest in becoming our agents and marketers,” Mr Gumel said.

Earlier, the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Bert Leonard had said that the US government’s partnership with WACOT was to sustain food security and creation of more jobs in Nigeria.

She said more than $8 million (about N3.1 billion) would be injected into the economy through the partnership.

In his remarks, the Kebbi State Governor, Mr Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, said the presence of WACOT Rice in the state has positively impacted its economy, adding that the development attracted the USAID investment.

He commended the company for always being active since it commenced its operations in the state, stressing that many women have benefited from their farmers’ empowerment.

Through the partnership with USAID, WACOT Rice is registering an additional 5,143 farmers to complement its already existing outgrower network in the state.

They will cultivate over 5,000 additional hectares of land, thereby producing over 20,000 tons of paddy which will be utilised at WACOT Rice’s 120,000-ton rice mill in Argungu.

The mill was commissioned by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo in 2017. It produces premium household brands of parboiled rice.

Modupe Gbadeyanka is a fast-rising journalist with Business Post Nigeria. Her passion for journalism is amazing. She is willing to learn more with a view to becoming one of the best pen-pushers in Nigeria. Her role models are the duo of CNN's Richard Quest and Christiane Amanpour.

Jobs/Appointments

Energia Appoints Oladimeji Bashorun as CEO After Chris Egonu Exit

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Energia

By Adedapo Adesanya

Energia Limited has announced the appointment of Mr Oladimeji Bashorun as its chief executive to lead its next phase of growth following the exit of Mr Chidi Egonu.

Mr Bashorun, who previously served as the company’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), steps into the role after years of providing strategic and operational leadership within the organisation.

During his tenure as COO, he was at the helm of the company’s operations, driving operational efficiency and supporting the company’s long-term growth strategy.

A seasoned oil and gas professional with over two decades of industry experience, Mr Bashorun held several technical and leadership roles at Shell Petroleum Development Company and later at Sahara Upstream before joining Energia.

In these positions, he contributed to operational leadership, asset management, and initiatives focused on improving operational stability and performance, according to a statement by the company.

Commenting on the appointment, Mr George Osahon, Chairman of the Energia board, said: “Oladimeji Bashorun has demonstrated exceptional leadership and deep industry expertise during his time as Chief Operating Officer.

“His commitment to operational excellence and strategic growth has been instrumental to Energia’s progress.

“The board is confident that under his leadership as the Chief Executive Officer, the Company will continue to strengthen its position as a key player in the industry, while delivering sustained value to its stakeholders.”

Speaking on his new role, Mr Bashorun said, “I am honoured to assume the role of Chief Executive Officer of Energia. Working closely with a talented team that drives the company’s success, I look forward to building on our achievements and advancing Energia’s commitment to operational excellence, responsible energy development, and value creation for our stakeholders.”

Under his leadership, Energia said it will continue to focus on strengthening operational performance, expanding strategic opportunities, and contributing to Nigeria’s energy security, while maintaining its commitment to environmental stewardship and community development.

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Sunu Assurances Picks Olayinka Adaramola as ED for Technical Operations

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SUNU Assurances Nigeria

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

Sunu Assurances Plc has appointed Mr Olayinka Adaramola to its board as an executive director.

The appointee will be in charge of Technical Operations, a statement signed by the company secretary, Taiwo Kuku, disclosed.

Mr Adaramola is an astute insurance professional with over two decades of experience in underwriting, claims and strategic operations, combining technical expertise with academic excellence.

He obtained his Higher National Diploma (HND) in Insurance from Lagos State Polytechnic, Isolo, in 1996 and MBA in Marketing from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho, in 2009.

He began his professional career in September 1998 in the General Accident Department of Leadway Assurance Company Limited, where he honed his skills in underwriting different classes of insurance business and survey inspections.

Prior to joining the board of SUNU Assurances Nigeria in February 2026, he served as the Executive Director, Technical Operations of Capital Express Indemnity Insurance Limited.

He has attended various courses within Nigeria and the United Kingdom. He is an Associate Member of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN).

In a related development, Sunu Assurances has announced the resignation of Mrs Olajumoke Bakare from its board with effect from April 1, 2026.

Mrs Bakare served as an independent non-executive director on the board after receiving regulatory approval for her appointment on April 7, 2022.

During her tenure, she served diligently on various board committees and contributed meaningfully to the board’s deliberations.

In accepting her resignation, the board expressed its profound appreciation for Mrs Bakare’s distinguished service, noting her thoughtful contributions, sound judgment, and principled approach to matters before the board.

It further acknowledged that her input significantly influenced both its decisions and overall effectiveness, reinforcing a culture of strong governance rooted not only in technical competence but also in integrity, trust, and composure.

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Michael Uwakwe of Creditville Joins Chams Board as Non-Executive Director

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Michael Uwakwe creditville

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

The chairman of Creditville Limited, Mr Michael Uwakwe, has been appointed to the board of Chams Holding Company Plc as a non-executive director.

His appointment, according to a statement from the organisation, was effective Wednesday, April 1, 2026.

The board expressed confidence in his dynamic leadership, saying it will foster collaboration, inspire teams, and deliver transformative results for stakeholders.

Mr Uwakwe, who retired from TotalEnergies after 30 years of active service, chairs Creditville Limited, a financial services company involved in consumer lending, equipment leasing, capital market operations and real estate.

He is a Human Resources professional by qualification, training and experience with a deep interest in analysing financial markets around the globe. He is also well-versed in all aspects of investment analysis, asset allocation, and risk management and is a PENCOM-approved member of the Investment Strategy Committee of the Total Closed Pension Fund.

Mr Uwakwe sits on the board of Redwood Asset Management Company Limited, a SEC-approved Fund & Portfolio Manager.

He is a Fellow of the National Institute of Credit Administration of Nigeria, a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development (UK), a member of the British Psychological Society (London), and an Associate Member of the Nigeria Institute of Management.

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