By Aduragbemi Omiyale

The chief executive of Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr Thibaut Boidin, has been appointed as the chairman of the Beer Sectoral Group (BSG) of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN).

In his new role, Mr Boidin will collaborate closely with the board of CEOs to provide strategic leadership for the group to advance critical industry priorities, including shaping sustainable category growth, advocating for commercial freedom through balanced and growth-oriented fiscal policies, and strengthening the differentiation and long-term competitiveness of beer within Nigeria’s beverages market.

He succeeds Mr Carlos Coutino. His appointment, according to a statement, became effective Thursday, March 5, 2026.

Mr Boidin brings extensive international leadership experience across nine countries to the BSG Chairmanship. He joined the HEINEKEN Group in 2017 as Deputy Managing Director of France Boissons (HEINEKEN largest integrated Distributor) and went to on to hold Chief Transformation Officer roles in HENIKEN France and HEINEKEN Europe.

Most recently, he served as Managing Director of HEINEKEN Romania, one of the group’s largest operations in Eastern Europe, before being appointed the chief executive of Nigerian Breweries Plc.

Prior to joining HEINEKEN, Mr Boidin served as an officer in the French Armed Forces across various continents, before transitioning to the corporate sector where he held senior executive and Managing Director roles at leading French organisations, including Elis and Veolia.

“I am honoured by the confidence reposed in me by my industry peers. With over three million jobs in the value chain, the beer sector has a critical role to play in Nigeria’s manufacturing and economic ecosystem through investment, local value creation, responsible consumption, and sustainable contribution to government revenue.

“As Chairman of the Beer Sectoral Group, my focus is to work closely with MAN, government and stakeholders to unlock category growth, enable fair competition, and support a predictable fiscal environment in which legitimate manufacturers can thrive,” Mr Boidin commented on his appointment.

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Mr Anthony Okon Placid has been appointed as the new Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), replacing Mr Benjamin Hundeyin.

Mr Placid, a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), was chosen for the position by the new Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Tunji Disu.

In a statement on Sunday by Mr Hundeyin, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), his successor was described as “a seasoned officer of the Nigeria Police Force with extensive experience in administration, operations, intelligence, training, and international peacekeeping.”

The 55-year-old police officer was born on December 2, 1970, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography and Regional Planning from the University of Uyo.

The indigene of Mbiokporo Nsit in the Nsit Ibom Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State also holds a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy (MALD) from the University of Jos and studied Law at the National Open University of Nigeria for a Bachelor of Laws (LLB)

He was appointed into the Nigeria Police Force as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police at the Police Academy, Kano, in 1996, and was commissioned in August 1998.

He has attended several professional and international courses, including United Nations Peace Operations Specialised Training (POST), with certifications as an expert in Police Studies, Military Studies, Gender Awareness, International Humanitarian Law, Human Rights, and Civilian Protection. UNITAR Senior Leadership and Peacebuilding course in Kenya.

Mr Placid has served in various strategic capacities within and outside the country, including Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Adamawa State; PPRO, Police Staff College, Jos; Chief of Training, African Union Mission in Sudan; Head of Training and Development, United Nations Mission in Darfur; Divisional Police Officer in Federal Housing Calabar, Bakassi, Uruan, and Gembu; Officer-in-Charge, Anti-Robbery Unit, Kaduna State; African Union Election Security Adviser; Assistant Commissioner of Police (Operations) in Akwa Ibom and Kogi States; Assistant Commissioner of Police, Intelligence Department, Abia State; and Deputy in charge of Administration and Finance, Zone 3 Headquarters, Yola.

He is also a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), Commonwealth Human Rights Trainer and International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Trainer on International Humanitarian Law. He is a graduate of the Senior Executive Course (SEC 47) of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, and was inducted as a Member of the National Institute (mni) on December 13, 2025, prior to his redeployment to Cross River State.

The new police spokesman, who can be reached via 07031179186, is happily married with children. His hobbies include listening to good music, playing football, basketball, table tennis, badminton, and engaging with people.

By Adedapo Adesanya

Seven Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs) have been promoted to the rank of Deputy Inspectors-General of Police (DIGs) by the Police Service Commission (PSC).

The elevation, which is a result of merit, seniority, record of service and performance in a written examination and oral interview conducted today at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja, is part of efforts to strengthen the leadership cadre of the Nigeria Police Force.

The newly promoted DIGs are Mr Zachariah Fera Achinyan (formerly AIG Zone 4, Makurdi), Mr Zango Ibrahim Baba (formerly AIG Department of Logistics and Supply), Mr Isyaku Mohammed (formerly AIG Armament, Force Headquarters, Abuja), Mrs Margaret Agebe Ochalla (formerly AIG FCID Annex, Lagos), Mr Mohammed Abdul Sulaiman (formerly AIG Police Accounts and Budget, Force Headquarters, Abuja), Mrs Kenechukwu Onwuemelie (formerly AIG Zone 15, Maiduguri), and Mr Umar Shehu Nadada (formerly AIG Zone 14, Katsina).

This latest round of promotions follows the recent elevation of DIG Fayoade Adegoke to the substantive rank of DIG. He will now join the Force Management Team.

The promotions became necessary to fill the vacancies created by the retirement of eight DIGs who previously occupied these strategic offices.

While congratulating the new DIGs, the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Mr Hashimu Salihu Argungu, charged them to live up to the expectations of their new offices.

He urged them to prioritise national security and foster a cordial and productive working relationship with the Commission to ensure the continued development of the Nigeria Police Force.

Some of the PSC board members who took part as examiners in the exercise included Mr Paul Adamu Galumje, Mr Taiwo Lakanu (DIG rtd and Chairman, PSC Standing Committee on Police Matters), and Onyemuche Nnamani (Secretary to the Commission).

Recently, Mr Tunji Disu became the new Inspector General of Police (IGP) following the exit of Mr Kayode Egbetokun.