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310 Youths Get N774m From CBN, Heritage Bank, NYSC

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By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The sum of N774 million has been disbursed to no fewer than 310 beneficiaries of the Youth Innovative Entrepreneurship Development Programme (YIEDP).

The money was given by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Heritage Bank Plc and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

Heritage Bank, which is Nigeria’s most innovative banking services provider, was lauded for its painstaking effort to buy into the vision of job creation and piloting the programme to a successful stage.

Governor of the CBN, Mr Godwin Emefiele, speaking at the flag-off ceremony for the disbursement of funds to young entrepreneurs under the YIEDP on Thursday, said the apex bank in partnership with Heritage Bank and NYSC instituted the programme to reduce the alarming rate of unemployment affecting over 16 million unemployed youths in Nigeria.

Mr Emefiele, represented at the occasion by the Deputy Governor, Corporate Services, Mr Suleiman Barau, noted that the access to credit via the platform would be a powerful instrument to grow businesses and the economy.

He stated that the YIEDP was part of the plan by the CBN and the Federal Government to create over one million direct jobs by 2020.

Mr Emefiele, who affirmed that the programme would have a multiplier effect on job creation and economy, urged all the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the fund.

He added that the YIEDP has the potential of becoming the stimulus for job and wealth creation, growth and economic development through improved access to finance for young entrepreneurs.

He also assured the business community that the CBN would continue to provide enabling environment, devise ways and means to grow the real sector towards a self-reliant economy.

Speaking in the same vein, Managing Director, Heritage Bank Plc, Mr Ifie Sekibo, stated that the beneficiaries would get the fund as soon as certain concerns raised by the beneficiaries regarding the conditions for the loans are addressed.

According to Mr Sekibo, who was represented by Group Executive Director, Lagos /South-West Corporate and Banking of Heritage Bank, Mrs Mary Akpobome, a proper process of disbursement would be done to the benefit and happiness of all parties.

“They will get the money as soon as all those issues they raised are addressed. The money is available. They have been disbursed. CBN has disbursed to the bans. It is now about sorting out whatever the challenges are, and then the funds are now made available,” the bank boss said.

Commenting on the process, Mr Sekibo stated that the target was for 1,000 beneficiaries, adding that the initial applicants were 4,000, while there are presently 7,000 applicants waiting.

He said, “We are optimistic that by the time we are done with the initial 1,000, and we go back, we would be able to accommodate as many as are qualified as possible, and obviously expand the amount of money that is needed to do that.”

The MD disclosed that Heritage Bank leveraged on its robust electronic platform in order to ensure a seamless and successful disbursement of the YIEDP funds.

Also speaking, Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier-General Sule Kazaure, said the YEDP was introduced in March 2016, with the aim of funding the business plans of corps members so as to encourage and motivate others to imbibe the culture of entrepreneurship.

He further stated that the programme was also designed to facilitate access to other funding agencies and sources of support to corps members, while also making it possible for corps members to access Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, MSMES, funds from the CBN through Heritage Bank and other banks wishing to join in the programme.

He urged the beneficiaries of the programme to remain focused, while also ensuring that the loans are paid back to make for extension of the same facilities to other corps members.

Dipo Olowookere is a journalist based in Nigeria that has passion for reporting business news stories. At his leisure time, he watches football and supports 3SC of Ibadan. Mr Olowookere can be reached via [email protected]

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UAC Foods Elevates CFO Temitope Omodele to CEO

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By Adedapo Adesanya

Nigerian fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) powerhouse, UAC Foods Limited, has promoted its Chief Financial Officer, Mrs Temitope Omodele, to the position of chief executive.

The company, a subsidiary of UAC of Nigeria Plc (UACN), officially made the announcement on its official LinkedIn page.

The ex-KPMG executive has a big task ahead of her, particularly with UAC Foods now a N340 billion revenue company buoyed by its recent acquisition of CHI Limited. With the new appointment, the company positions the seasoned finance executive as the driving force to further increase the value of brands like Gala Sausage Roll, Supreme Ice Cream, Swan Natural Spring Water, and Funtime Chips.

In its announcement, UAC Foods described the appointment as “an exciting new chapter,” affirming that Mrs Omodele will continue to “drive operational excellence, innovation, sustainable growth and long-term

Mrs Omodele began her career at KPMG Professional Services, where she rose through the ranks, from Senior Associate to Senior Manager, providing audit and assurance services across Nigeria’s financial services, FMCG, power and utilities, and energy and natural resources sectors.

Her time at KPMG was marked by an unusual distinction where she was seconded to the Department of Professional Practice at KPMG Inc. South Africa, gaining cross-border exposure to international standards and methodologies.

Following her return to Nigeria, she helped found the Department of Professional Practice for KPMG Professional Services Nigeria.

She joined the UAC of Nigeria Plc group in September 2020, initially as Technical Accounting and Reporting Lead and quickly advanced to Senior Vice President of Finance, with oversight of group-wide finance operations and reporting for the holding company. In this role, she served as a Non-Executive Director on the Board of Livestock Feeds Plc, a fellow UACN subsidiary.

She was then promoted to the role of Chief Financial Officer at UAC Foods Limited, expanding her operating-company exposure particularly around brand strategy, supply chain economics, and P&L accountability.

Mrs Omodele holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Lagos, supplemented by an Executive MBA from Lagos Business School at Pan-Atlantic University. She further completed Executive Education in data analytics and emerging technologies at the W. P. Carey School of Business, Arizona State University.

She is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).

Originally established as the United African Company in 1879, the company has evolved into one of Nigeria’s oldest and firmest companies. The UAC Foods unit was formally constituted in 2010 through a joint venture with Tiger Brands, the South African packaged food giant. In 2021, UACN acquired Tiger Brands’ minority stake, assuming full ownership and with it, full strategic responsibility for the subsidiary’s future.

The company is best known for its flagship Gala Sausage Roll, which has led Nigeria’s sausage roll market for over 60 years, alongside other popular brands including Supreme Ice Cream, Swan Natural Spring Water, and Funtime Chips.

In 2025, UACN’s consolidated revenue surged further to N340.47 billion, bolstered by the landmark acquisition of CHI Limited (the maker of Chivita juice and Hollandia dairy products), though profitability came under pressure from elevated financing costs tied to that acquisition.

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Tinubu Okays Recruitment of 1,000 Forest Guards in Oyo

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By Aduragbemi Omiyale

President Bola Tinubu has approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards in Oyo State in collaboration with the state government.

This was disclosed by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, in a statement on Sunday.

The recruitment follows a visit to Esiele and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State by a high-powered federal government delegation on Sunday, May 31, 2026.

The team, led by the President’s Chief of Staff, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, was in the local council following the abduction of pupils and teachers from Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School on May 15, 2026.

Residents of the communities were promised the safe return of the victims. They were also informed that their request for the establishment of a military base in the area would be conveyed to the President for consideration and approval.

In addition, Mr Tinubu has directed a specialised security unit with advanced rescue capabilities to intensify efforts to secure the release of the abducted pupils and teachers.

Mr Gbajabiamila, while addressing residents in both English and Yoruba, said the President’s decision to dispatch the nation’s top security leadership to the affected communities reflected his determination to deploy every available resource towards securing the victims’ release.

“Mr President is deeply troubled by this incident. Whatever it takes, our children and teachers will be brought back home safely. He has issued all necessary directives and is providing every support required by our security agencies to achieve that objective.

“Your pain and anxiety are understood. By the grace of God, your children will return safely to your arms.

“Mr President also saw the appeals from some parents and community members urging caution in the rescue efforts. Let me assure you that the operation will be intelligence-led and carefully coordinated, deploying both kinetic and non-kinetic measures to secure the safe return of the victims,” he said.

The delegation was also at the palace of the Soun of Ogbomoso land, Mr Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, to commiserate with him and his people. The group also met with the wife of the deceased school teacher, Mrs Mary Oyedokun, and her two children.

Other members of the team were the National Security Adviser, Mr Nuhu Ribadu; the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Tunji Disu; the Minister of Defence, Mr Christopher Musa; and the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Mr Sunday Dare.

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NCC Appoints Funke Opeke, ipNX’s Olusola Teniola to IPv6 Board

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By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The duo of Mr Olusola Teniola and Ms Funke Opeke are now on the newly inaugurated Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) council board of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

The team was constituted as part of a broader industry effort to accelerate Nigeria’s transition to IPv6.

It has Mr Muhammed Rudman as Chairman, Mr Chris Uwaje as Vice Chairman, and Ms Mary Uduma, Mr Gbenga Adebayo, Mr Lanre Ajayi, and Mr Latif Ladid as members.

At the inauguration in Ikeja, Lagos, NCC said it created the group as part of its renewed commitment to accelerating Nigeria’s transition to IPv6, a critical enabler of the country’s digital future.

Speaking on his appointment, Mr Teniola, a director at ipNX, expressed appreciation to the NCC for the opportunity to serve and reiterated the importance of collaborative action in driving Nigeria’s digital transformation.

“The transition to IPv6 is no longer a future consideration; it is an immediate priority for Nigeria’s digital economy. As data consumption grows and emerging technologies such as 5G, IoT, and AI become more pervasive, we must ensure that our underlying infrastructure is scalable, secure, and globally competitive,” he said.

He further emphasised that achieving meaningful IPv6 adoption will require strong alignment across stakeholders, including telecom operators, internet service providers, enterprises, academia, and government.

“This is a collective responsibility. We must invest in capacity building, drive awareness, and create the right policy and regulatory environment to accelerate adoption. Nigeria cannot afford to lag in an increasingly connected world,” he added.

The IPv6 Council Board has been tasked with developing and overseeing the implementation of a national IPv6 strategy, monitoring progress, and providing periodic updates on adoption levels across the country.

The team will also play a key role in addressing infrastructure challenges, strengthening technical expertise, and recommending policy incentives to support nationwide deployment.

Mr Teniola’s appointment reflects ipNX’s continued commitment to shaping Nigeria’s digital ecosystem and advancing the development of resilient, future-ready network infrastructure across the country.

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