Jobs/Appointments
AfDB Provides $2m for Youth, Women Empowerments
By Dipo Olowookere
Nearly $2 million has been provided by the African Development Bank (AfDB) for its Youth in Africa initiative under the Fund for African Private Sector Assistance (FAPA).
FAPA, of which the Government of Japan is a major donor, along with the Austrian Government and the AfDB, will contribute $923,570 and $988,202 to finance the bank’s Fashionomics Africa Digital Marketplace and Entrepreneurship & Innovation Lab (eLab) programs, respectively. Both programs form key components of the bank’s Jobs for Youth in Africa Strategy, which invests in high-growth sectors with potential to promote youth and women’s empowerment, as well as create 25 million jobs over the next decade.
“Africa hosts the world’s youngest population, which will double to almost one billion by 2050. The continent needs to create jobs much faster, particularly for women and youth,” said Vanessa Moungar, Director of Women, Gender and Civil Society Department at the Bank.
“FAPA’s generous support will go a long way to accelerating the Jobs for Youth Entrepreneurship & Innovation Lab and Fashionomics Africa Digital Marketplace programs that contribute to meeting these needs,” Moungar further remarked on Thursday, 13 September 2018, during the funding announcement event, which was themed “Entrepreneurs 2.0 – When fashion meets technology”.
Attended by bank staff, dignitaries, public and private sector stakeholders, the event was also graced by fashion designer PatheO’, known for making the distinctive, colourful shirts worn by the late Nelson Mandela and Salimou Bamba, Managing Director of Abidjan-based SME development firm, AGENCE CI PME.
The Fashionomics Africa Digital Marketplace and Entrepreneurship & Innovation Lab (eLab) programs align with FAPA’s vison to create an investment-friendly climate for micro, small and medium-scale enterprises (MSMEs) on the continent. They will also provide platforms for strengthening and promoting entrepreneurship that target women and youth-led businesses.
Launched in 2015, the bank’s Fashionomics Africa initiative supports its ‘High 5’ priorities, in particular, the Jobs for Youth in Africa and Industrialization agenda.
FAPA’s latest support for this initiative will enable the development of the digital platform and application designed to increase and facilitate access to markets and finance; provide access to relevant information, mentorship and networking opportunities as well as develop the skills, competencies and qualifications of African designers and fashion entrepreneurs.
The eLab program will provide innovative young entrepreneurs with financing, technical assistance and broader ecosystem support.
With eLab, “We aim to support the next generation of business owners across the continent,” said Babatunde Olumide Omilola, Manager for Public Health, Security and Nutrition at the Bank. “Target beneficiaries are businesses started by young people and intermediaries that support business development, focusing on the three sectors identified as priorities by the Jobs for Youth in Africa strategy, namely agriculture, Information and Communication Technology and industry.”
Addressing bank staff and guests, Mr Takuji Yano, AfDB’s Executive Director for Japan, Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Austria and Brazil said: “Both projects focus on promoting entrepreneurship and ICT tools as drivers for development. By leveraging technology, African countries can enhance understanding of markets, expand education and employment, and deliver monetary benefits for the informal sector and government alike. We are happy to see this diverse, innovative and creative portfolio of FAPA’s proposals.”
Jobs/Appointments
FCMB Fortifies Board With Appointment of LSETF Chair Adepeju Adebajo
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
In a bid to strengthen its board and support its transformation goals, FCMB Group Plc has appointed the chairman of the board of the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), Mrs Adepeju Adebajo, as an independent non-executive director.
A statement signed by the company secretary, Mrs Olufunmilayo Adelabu, disclosed that the appointment has been approved by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
She brings to the board over 30 years of experience across industry, renewable energy, agriculture, finance and consulting. She has worked with teams and clients in sub-Saharan Africa and Europe, helping them grow and multiply impact.
Throughout her career, Mrs Adebajo has led teams through change and growth. She previously worked at Lafarge Africa Plc, and was once the chief executive of Mouka Limited, Lumos Nigeria, UTC Nigeria Plc and an Assistant General Manager at United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc. She is a Transformation Lead at Etex Group (Nigerite and Emenite Limited).
In 2025, she founded Climate Governance Initiative Nigeria, affiliated with the World Economic Forum (WEF) and serves on the World Economic Forum Council on Climate and Nature Governance (2025-2027).
Mrs Adebajo holds a Master’s and a BSc in Chemical Engineering from Imperial College London and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Jobs/Appointments
Oyo Nigeria Union of Teachers Elects Hassan Ajibola Fatai as Chairman
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The Oyo State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has elected Mr Hassan Ajibola Fatai as its new chairman, replacing the outgoing Mr Raji Oladimeji Ismael.
He was chosen to lead affairs of the association in the next four years at the NUT Oyo State wing’s 8th quadrennial Delegates Conference in Ibadan, the state capital, on Wednesday.
Mr Fatai, a teacher at Migrant Farmers Primary School, Igbo-Iroko Kishi, vowed to safeguard the integrity, dignity, and professionalism of the teaching profession in the state, also promising to work with all members and stakeholders to reposition the union to better serve the welfare of its members.
Other newly elected executive members included Adeleke Adesina as deputy chairman, Alonge Oluyemisi as 1st vice chairman, Morakinyo Oyebola as 2nd vice chairman, Badmus Abiona as 3rd vice chairman, Bello Folasade as 4th vice chairman, Titilolu Ibukunolu as treasurer, Dada Kabirat as 1st internal auditor, Akinjide Yusuf as 2nd auditor and Ajala Niyi as publicity secretary.
Also, Alao Femi was elected as social secretary, Areo Felicia as assistant social secretary, Mobolaji Ademola as state national representative and James Ruth as Editor.
Speaking at the conference, the National President of NUT, Mr Titus Audu Amba, who was represented by the National Social Secretary, Ms Titi Ade Adebanjo, stated that the union was founded on democratic principles and the philosophy of labour unions.
According to him, in line with this, the union at the national, state and local levels conducts elections to usher in new executives at the end of every stipulated tenure.
He reiterated the group’s commitment to continue pursuing better welfare and improved conditions for teaching and learning in Nigeria.
On his part, Mr Ismael outlined major achievements recorded between 2022 and 2026, highlighting significant improvements in teachers’ welfare, professional development, and infrastructural expansion.
According to him, the union secured prompt salary payments, promotion arrears, annual increments, and interventions on pension-related matters, while also resolving cases of victimisation, wrongful postings, salary stoppage, and other disputes through its Legal and Welfare Committees.
“Persistent advocacy led to the recruitment of additional teachers and non-teaching staff, which eased workloads, improved teacher–pupil ratios, and enhanced learning outcomes across schools. It also facilitated long-delayed promotions, conducted trainings for SWEC members, and organised capacity-building programmes and mentorship sessions for young teachers,” he added.
Jobs/Appointments
Tinubu Picks Joseph Tegbe to Replace Adelabu as Power Minister
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Following the resignation of Mr Adebayo Adelabu as the Minister of Power a few days ago, President Bola Tinubu has nominated Mr Joseph Tegbe as his replacement.
A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, disclosed on Thursday that Mr Tegbe’s name has been forwarded to the Senate for confirmation.
His nomination is expected to strengthen further ongoing efforts to reform the power sector, enhance grid stability, and attract sustainable investment in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Upon confirmation, he is expected to bring his extensive expertise to bear to advance critical reforms and deliver improved outcomes for Nigerians in the power sector.
Mr Adelabu, a former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), resigned last week to pursue his dream of becoming the Governor of Oyo State.
His replacement is also from Oyo State. He is a fiscal and economic reform expert with over 35 years of experience spanning the public and private sectors, according to the statement today.
He is a former Senior Partner and Head of Advisory Services at KPMG Africa, where he led wide-ranging initiatives in fiscal policy reform, institutional transformation, and governance. He has also advised key government institutions and private sector organisations on strategic reforms, regulatory frameworks, and investment structuring.
He is at present the Director General and Global Liaison for the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP), where he is responsible for strengthening bilateral development cooperation between Nigeria and the People’s Republic of China.
The NCSP also coordinates engagements with public sector stakeholders to advance economic and social development in line with FOCAC objectives.
Mr Tegbe’s experience includes significant engagements within the power sector, particularly in regulatory and institutional reform involving agencies such as the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company (NBET).
-
Feature/OPED6 years agoDavos was Different this year
-
Travel/Tourism10 years ago
Lagos Seals Western Lodge Hotel In Ikorodu
-
Showbiz3 years agoEstranged Lover Releases Videos of Empress Njamah Bathing
-
Banking8 years agoSort Codes of GTBank Branches in Nigeria
-
Economy3 years agoSubsidy Removal: CNG at N130 Per Litre Cheaper Than Petrol—IPMAN
-
Banking3 years agoSort Codes of UBA Branches in Nigeria
-
Banking3 years agoFirst Bank Announces Planned Downtime
-
Sports3 years agoHighest Paid Nigerian Footballer – How Much Do Nigerian Footballers Earn
