Ambode Appoints 3 New Permanent Secretaries

By Modupe Gbadeyanka The appointment of Mr Bashir Gwandu as the executive vice chairman and chief executive of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has been terminated. This action was taken by President Bola Tinubu, a statement from the president’s spokesman, Mr Ajuri Ngelale, disclosed on Friday. It was disclosed that Mr Gwandu would now be replaced by a 32-year-old innovator and technology expert, Mr Khalil Suleiman. He is expected to serve for an initial term of five years as stipulated in the NASENI Act, a part of the disclosure this evening stated. “President Bola Tinubu on

By Adedapo Adesanya President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of a new board and management team for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) more than two months after the last board was dissolved. In a statement signed by Mr Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, on Tuesday evening, the President approved the 17-man board and management team. The team will be led by Mr Chiedu Ebie as Chairman (Delta), while Mr Samuel Ogbuku (Bayelsa) will continue as the Managing Director/CEO. The Executive Directors include Mr Boma Iyaye – Executive Director (Finance and Admin)

By Modupe Gbadeyanka The salaries of employees of Mediacraft Associates Limited, a leading Nigerian full-service Public Relations and Integrated Brand Communications Consultancy firm, have been increased by 15 and 25 per cent. This was confirmed by a statement from the organisation as it celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. It was disclosed that the gesture was to reward the efforts of the workers toward the growth of the company and to cushion the current hardships in the country due to the removal of petroleum subsidy. According to the chief executive of Mediacraft Associates, Mr John Ehiguese, the salary increase had

By Modupe Gbadeyanka A seasoned media, entertainment, and technology leader, Mr Alex Okosi, has been appointed as the Managing Director for Google in Africa. The appointment of Mr Okosi was announced on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, in a statement issued by the renowned search engine platform. He would be expected to lead the operations of Google on the continent, which boasts nearly two billion people. Google has been operating in Africa for over a decade and has offices in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa. The company’s products and services are used by millions of people in Africa every day.

By Modupe Gbadeyanka Kaspersky Lab has launched updated versions of its Kaspersky Internet Security in a bid to ensure better protection against ransomware. The upgraded version is able to protect Mac computers while using public Wi-Fi networks and also offers an extra layer of protection with a secret code for Android users to prevent specific apps like instant messaging services, social media and email from being seen by others if they are accessing a user’s phone. In addition, the consumer line-up is extended by a free solution aimed at protecting Windows home users from cyber threats. The release of Kaspersky

By Aduragbemi Omiyale No fewer than 5,000 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurs from across Africa will undergo free training at the Google Hustle Academy. The participants, to be drawn from Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa, will get training, one-on-one mentorship, access to industry leaders and keynote events. According to the organisers, business owners will undergo five days of hands-on training and receive 3,000 hours of training on fundamental aspects of the business to help them navigate the challenges faced by SMEs in Africa. The training curriculum includes strategic growth sessions including business growth strategy, building digital marketing roadmaps,

By Modupe Gbadeyanka Acting President, Mr Yemi Osinbajo, has canvassed for the empowerment of local producers with a view to promoting local production of goods in the country. Speaking at the nationwide Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Clinics (MSME Clinics), an initiative of the Office of Vice President, hosted by the Ogun State government in Abeokuta yesterday, Osinbajo said there is need for Nigerians to do away with the importation mentality as such attitude kills the entrepreneurial skills of the people. Saying the nation is the leading largest economy in Africa, the acting president noted that it is blessed with

By Nneka Okumazie Everyone, or almost all, loves to say what the poor can or cannot do. The problems of the world are sometimes blamed on the poor having children. When poor families are in need, the excuse against compassion – and guilt – is to say: why would they have children they can’t afford? The poor are already short of resources, controlled by powerful people, who always want more power. Children come into an imperfect world. Most parents are sometimes ready to go to any length or to the disadvantage of anyone else, to benefit their kids. Children grow

By Aduragbemi Omiyale The use of merchant point-of-sale (POS) terminals by supermarkets, stores and other small business owners for the deposits and withdrawals of funds has been prohibited by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The apex bank, in an Exposure Draft of the Regulatory Framework for Agent Banking in Nigeria, said owners of merchant POS machines are not permitted to carry out cash-in, and cash-out transactions as such functions are for another category of agent banking operators. In the draft, the bank, while listing a set of prohibited activities for agents, said, “Agents shall not use purchase option PoS

By Adedapo Adesanya The Rivers State Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has promised to collaborate with ‘Save a Life Foundation’ towards ensuring mental and overall wellbeing for drivers to curtail road accidents related deaths. At a health enlightenment lecture organised by the foundation for members of staff of the command on Sunday in Port Harcourt, the Sector Commander, Mr Salisu Galadunchi, applauded the group for its contributions toward promoting good health, adding that the message of health would be appropriately channelled to appropriate authorities. He added that the message on health as propagated by the foundation was

By Investors Hub The major U.S. index futures are pointing to a sharply lower opening on Wednesday, with stocks likely to move back to the downside following the rebound seen in the previous session. News that China has issued a list of 106 U.S. products that will be subject to additional tariffs is likely to weigh on Wall Street. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce said it plans to impose a 25 percent tariff on $50 billion worth of U.S. exports, including aircraft, cars, soybeans, and whiskey. The announcement by China came shortly after the U.S. Trade Representative published a proposed

By Adedapo Adesanya The week ended for the Naira in the gains territory against the US Dollar at the Investors and Exporters (I&E) segment of the foreign exchange market on Friday, February 5. The Naira closed the last trading session of the week with a N1.46 or 0.37 per cent appreciation against the greenback to trade at N396.17/$1 compared to N397.63/$1 recorded on Thursday. The local currency was strengthened amidst a spike in the demand for forex at the market window. It was observed that the ability of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to boost FX liquidity helped the