Jobs/Appointments
FG Targets 5 Million Power Sector Jobs for Youths
By Adedapo Adesanya
The federal government is planning to create five million jobs in the power sector for youths, according to the Minister of Power, Mr Sale Mamman.
The massive job employment is said to be encapsulated from the five million Solar Home System (SHS) project, the Mass Metering Scheme, among others.
This was disclosed by the Minister of Power during a stakeholder meeting in Jalingo, the Taraba state capital on Monday.
Mr Mamman, while addressing the youths on the need to foster peace and harmony, stated that in line with their demands, the federal government is set to create massive job opportunities for Nigerian youths in the power sector through its five million solar power initiative.
The minister lauded the youths for making their voices heard on developmental issues and urged them to shun violent protest. He also asked them to give President Muhammadu Buhari a chance to implement their demands and other ongoing robust projects on youth empowerment.
“Plans are ongoing to kick start this and it is being designed to ensure that majority of the firms and the installers are Nigerian youths. This is also part of the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari’s focus on lifting 100 million people out of poverty within 10 years.
“From the briefings I have received so far, the youths are taking up opportunities in this aspect as well as in renewable energy.
“This is another way the government will be empowering young Nigerians as the local assembly; installation and the maintenance of these meters are largely handled by our industrious youths,” he said.
He noted that there is assurance on the part of the President that Nigerians will be beneficiaries of the Siemens project which will turn around the power supply situation of Nigeria.
He said, “When this happens, industries will be revived and SMEs driven by youths will thrive more.”
The 5 million Solar project initiative will be implemented through the Economic Sustainability Plan (ESP) steered by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, and it is expected to create opportunities for manufacturers of solar panels, installers, revenue collection agents and technicians.
This initiative is expected to reduce the level of unemployment in Nigeria, and cater to demands for better opportunities by the youths, through self-employment.
Jobs/Appointments
CBN Denies Forceful Mass Retirement Amid Restructuring
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has dismissed claims of forced mass retirement as part of efforts by Governor Yemi Cardoso to restructure the workforce of the organisation.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the Acting Director of Corporate Communications, Mrs Hakama Sidi Ali, clarified that its Early Exit Package (EEP) is entirely voluntary and without any negative repercussions for eligible staff.
According to the statement, the decision to implement the exercise was the outcome of extensive consultations with the bank’s Joint Consultative Council (JCC), a body representing staff interests.
Mrs Sidi Ali explained that the EEP, a longstanding policy previously accorded to the executive cadre, has now been made available to eligible staff at all levels.
“For some time, staff representatives through the JCC had called on management to approve the early exit package for all cadres. Following these discussions, management decided to meet this popular demand,” she said in the statement.
Addressing concerns about potential repercussions for staff who decline the package, Mrs Sidi Ali reaffirmed management’s commitment to supporting employees’ professional growth and well-being, describing the concerns as unfounded.
She further emphasized that the initiative is an internal corporate matter designed to promote career development for staff.
According to wide spread reports, there have been plans to retire approximately 1,000 employees by the end of the year with a payoff estimated to cost over N50 billion.
The mass retirement, which was announced in a circular issued three weeks ago, mandates affected employees to apply for the Early Exit Package (EEP).
The statement allegedly warned employees with less than one year of service or unconfirmed appointments to refrain from applying for the program, noting that the application would remain open until December 7, with an effective exit date of December 31, 2024.
It was reported that the entire EEP was valued at N50 billion.
Jobs/Appointments
CBN Okays Appointment of Benson Ogundeji as Greenwich Merchant Bank CEO
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has approved the appointment of Mr Benson Ogundeji as the chief executive of Greenwich Merchant Bank Limited.
The board of the financial institution for businesses had picked Mr Ogundeji as its substantive CEO but awaited the authorisation of the banking sector regulator.
He brings over three decades of extensive banking experience to this role as a seasoned financial services professional, who previously served as Executive Director at Greenwich Merchant Bank from July 2020, where he played a pivotal role in the bank’s successful transition from the legacy Greenwich Trust Limited to a merchant bank.
In this capacity, he provided oversight for Corporate Banking, Treasury and Global Markets.
Throughout his career, Mr Ogundeji has demonstrated exceptional expertise in business development and operational excellence.
Before joining the firm, he held various senior leadership roles at prominent financial institutions, including Ecobank Nigeria, GTBank, and other notable banks, where he consistently displayed exceptional leadership skills.
His appointment comes at a crucial time as Greenwich Merchant Bank commences the next phase of its growth plans. Having related closely with the new CEO, as an Executive Director and acting CEO in the last four years, the board has expressed confidence about his ability to lead the bank in delivering our strategic goals.
“The board is pleased to announce the appointment of Benson Ogundeji as our Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer,” the chairman of Greenwich Merchant Bank, Mr Kayode Falowo, stated.
Jobs/Appointments
WTO General Council Reappoints Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as DG
By Adedapo Adesanya
The General Council of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) has reappointed its Director-General, Mrs Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, for a second term, effective September 1, 2025.
On October 8, the WTO formally commenced the process for appointing its next Director-General, with members given until the 8th of November to submit nominations.
She was elected unopposed after no candidates stepped forward for the position of Director-General had emerged by the nomination deadline, other than the incumbent Director-General.
DG Okonjo-Iweala’s current term comes to an end on August 31, 2025.
She first assumed office as Director-General on March 1 2021, becoming the first woman and first African to lead the WTO.
Her reappointment comes after a special formal meeting of the General Council which started on Thursday, November 28 and culminated on Friday.
The first day of the General Council meeting saw members hear a presentation from Mrs Okonjo-Iweala on her vision for the WTO, followed by a question-and-answer session.
The second day then provided an opportunity for members to decide on the appointment of the next Director-General, to which they gave the Nigerian former finance minister another four years at the helm of affairs.
Speaking on her achievement, the Chairman of the trade body’s council, Ambassador Petter Ølberg of Norway praised her achievements, stating: “The General Council commends Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for her outstanding leadership during her first term. Amid significant global economic challenges, she strengthened the WTO’s ability to support its members and set a forward-looking agenda for the organization.
“Her leadership was instrumental in securing meaningful outcomes at pivotal moments, including the 12th and 13th Ministerial Conferences (MC12 and MC13), where major milestones were achieved.”
“As we look ahead, the Council fully supports Dr Okonjo-Iweala’s commitment to ensuring that the WTO remains responsive, inclusive, and results-driven. Her leadership will be critical as the organization continues to advance a resilient, rules-based, and equitable global trading system.”
-
Feature/OPED5 years ago
Davos was Different this year
-
Travel/Tourism8 years ago
Lagos Seals Western Lodge Hotel In Ikorodu
-
Showbiz2 years ago
Estranged Lover Releases Videos of Empress Njamah Bathing
-
Banking6 years ago
Sort Codes of GTBank Branches in Nigeria
-
Economy2 years ago
Subsidy Removal: CNG at N130 Per Litre Cheaper Than Petrol—IPMAN
-
Banking2 years ago
First Bank Announces Planned Downtime
-
Sports2 years ago
Highest Paid Nigerian Footballer – How Much Do Nigerian Footballers Earn
-
Technology4 years ago
How To Link Your MTN, Airtel, Glo, 9mobile Lines to NIN