By Aduragbemi Omiyale

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr Fabian Ajogwu, has been appointed as the chairman of Guinness Nigeria Plc, replacing Ms Omobola Johnson, who retires from the position on Tuesday, January 28, 2025.

The legal practitioner, an independent non-executive director of the brewer, is expected to bring a wealth of experience in board governance, business & entrepreneurship, business executive education and strategic leadership.

He has served assiduously as a member and more recently as chair of the nominations, governance and remuneration committee and as a member of the board finance audit and risk committee ensuring strong governance and contributing to key decisions which have fortified the company even in tough times.

Ms Johnson is leaving the seat following the completion of her tenure as a director, as she has served on the board for nine years and as chairman since July 1, 2021.

Under her leadership, Guinness Nigeria has achieved significant milestones and taken major strides in recording year-on-year revenue growth.

She has played a pivotal role in shaping the company’s strategic direction and fostering a culture of excellence and has been an invaluable asset to the board of Guinness Nigeria, providing exemplary leadership and strategic guidance during her tenure.

In a statement to the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited, the board of the beer maker, the management and the entire workforce expressed immense gratitude for her leadership, dedication, vision, and stellar contributions to the organization’s success and wish her all the very best in retirement.

Also leaving with her is Ms Ngozi Edozien, who retired as an independent non-executive director on November 27, 2024, following the completion of her tenure as a director.

Business Post reports that the duo of Mrs Olusola Oworu and Mrs Bola Adesola are joining the board as independent non-executive directors from February 1, 2025, subject to shareholders’ approval at the next Annual General Meeting of the firm.

By Adedapo Adesanya

President Bola Tinubu has appointed core loyalists and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to head some government agencies and organisations.

According to a statement on Friday, Mr Abdullahi Ganduje, the Chairman of the ruling party, was appointed as the board chairman of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN)

Also appointed was the APC National Secretary, Mr Bashiru Ajibola, as the board chairman of the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC).

A statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuha, said, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed board chairpersons for 42 federal organisations and a secretary to the board of the Civil Defence, Immigration, and Prisons Services.”

“The President has also appointed a new managing director for the Nigerian Railway Corporation and a director-general for the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI).”

He said President Tinubu appointed former deputy governor of Kebbi State, Mr Sulaiman Argungu, as the Chairman, Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading (NBET) Company.

Other allies appointed included the former Senator representing Rivers South-East, Mr Magnus Abe, who will take over as Chairman of the National Agency For Great Green Wall.

According to the presidential spokesman, Mr Tinubu directed the “board chairpersons not to interfere with the management of the organisations, emphasising that their positions are non-executive.”

The list of the appointees are:

NATIONAL TEACHERS INSTITUTE

– Mr Festus Fuanter, Chairman (Plateau)

NATIONAL BOARD FOR TECHNOLOGY INCUBATION (NBTI)

– Mr Raji, Kazeem Kolawole, Director-General (Oyo)

NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF EDUCATIONAL PLANNING AND ADMINISTRATION

– Mr Victor Tombari Giadom, Chairman (Rivers)

TEACHERS REGISTRATION COUNCIL OF NIGERIA

– Mr Mustapha Salihu, Chairman (Adamawa)

INDUSTRIAL TRAINING FUND

– Mr Hamma Adama Ali Kumo, Chairman (Gombe)

NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE LABORATORY TECHNOLOGY

– Mr Donatus Enyinnah Nwankpa, Chairman (Abia)

SHEDA SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COMPLEX

– Mr Abubakar Maikafi, Chairman (Bauchi)

FEDERAL MORTGAGE BANK OF NIGERIA

– Mr Nasiru Gawuna, Chairman (Kano)

NATIONAL OFFICE FOR TECHNOLOGY ACQUISITION AND PROMOTION

– Mr Tokunbo Afikuyomi, Chairman (Lagos)

NIGERIAN POSTAL SERVICE

– Mr D. J. Kekemeke, Chairman (Ondo)

NATIONAL INLAND WATERWAYS AUTHORITY

– Mr Musa Sarkin Adar, Chairman (Sokoto)

NATIONAL STEEL COUNCIL

– Mr Abdulkarim Kana Abubakar, Chairman (Nasarawa)

NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS ENFORCEMENT AGENCY

–Mr Garba Datti Muhammad, Chairman (Kaduna)

NATIONAL BIO-SAFETY MANAGEMENT AGENCY

– Mr Mu’azu Bawa Rijau, Chairman (Niger)

NIGERIAN BUILDING AND ROAD RESEARCH INSTITUTE

– Mr Durosimi Meseko, Chairman (Kogi)

FEDERAL TEACHING HOSPITAL, GOMBE

– Mrs Zainab A. Ibrahim, Chairman (Taraba)

NIGERIAN RAILWAY CORPORATION

– Mr Kayode Isiak Opeifa, Managing Director (Lagos)

FEDERAL TEACHING HOSPITAL, IDO-EKITI

– Mr Durotolu Oyebode Bankole, Chairman (Ogun)

FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, ABEOKUTA

– Mr Abdullahi Dayo Israel, Chairman (Lagos)

FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, ASABA

– Mrs. Mary Alile Idele, Chairman (Edo)

FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, LOKOJA

– Mr Nze Chidi Duru (OON), Chairman (Anambra)

FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, OWERRI

– Mr Emma Eneukwu, Chairman (Enugu)

CIVIL DEFENCE, IMMIGRATION AND PRISONS SERVICES BOARD

– Mr Jubril Abdulmalik Rtd, Secretary (Kano)

FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, UMUAHIA

– Mr Uguru Mathew Ofoke, Chairman (Ebonyi)

FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, YENAGOA

– Mr Felix Chukwumenoye Morka, Chairman (Delta)

FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, YOLA

– Mr Bashir Usman Gumel, Chairman (Jigawa)

DAVID UMAHI FEDERAL UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, UBUHU, EBONYI STATE

– Dr Ijeoma Arodiogbu, Chairman (Imo)

NATIONAL OIL SPILL DETECTION AND RESPONSE AGENCY (NOSDRA)

– Mr Edward Omo-Erewa, Chairman (Edo)

NIGERIAN MARITIME ADMINISTRATION AND SAFETY AGENCY (NIMASA)

– Mr Yusuf Hamisu Abubakar, Chairman (Kaduna)

NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, NNEWI, ANAMBRA STATE

– Mr Ali Bukar Dalori, Chairman (Borno)

AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, SHIKA, ZARIA, KADUNA STATE

– Mr Lawal M. Liman (Chairman)

FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE KATSINA

– Dr Abubakar Isa Maiha (Chairman)

RAW MATERIALS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (RMRDC)

– Mr Isa Sadiq Achida, Chairman (Sokoto)

FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE BIRNIN KUDU

– Mr Mohammed Gusau Hassan, Chairman, Zamfara

NATIONAL BUILDING AND ROAD RESEARCH INSTITUTE

– Mr Yahuza Ado Inuwa, Chairman (Nasarawa)

SOKOTO-RIMA RIVER BASIN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

– Mr Abubakar Shehu Wurno, Chairman (Sokoto)

AMINU KANO TEACHING HOSPITAL

– Mr Augustine Chukwu Umahi, Chairman (Ebonyi)

FEDERAL SCHOLARSHIP BOARD

– Mr Babatunde Fakoyede, Chairman (Ekiti)

NIGERIAN SOCIAL INSURANCE TRUST FUND

– Mr Shola Olofin, Chairman (Ekiti)

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

A report launched on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, by the Global Labour Resilience Index (GLRI) has called on policymakers across the globe, especially from Africa, to design policies that driven by artificial intelligence (AI) to proactively share the future of labour markets.

The study, released in collaboration with Google Cloud, pointed out the substantial costs of inaction, including growing inequality, displacement of vulnerable populations, and missed opportunities for sustainable growth.

However, it said the sub-Saharan region could use its young and rapidly growing population for an AI-driven leap in labour resilience.

It was revealed that the region remains in last place among regional rankings, facing persistent challenges across all dimensions of labour market resilience.

The sub-Saharan Africa includes 12 of the 20 lowest-ranked countries globally, with the lowest scores in both traditional and AI-related metrics.

It was stated that the most resilient labour markets combine traditional labour policies with strategic investments in AI and personalized, data-driven strategies.

Leading the 2025 GLRI rankings are the United States and Singapore, recognized for their strong entrepreneurial ecosystems, flexible labour markets, and leadership in AI adoption and innovation. Sweden follows closely, demonstrating resilience through substantial investments in education and R&D.

Notably, some countries in South Asia and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region have shown significant advancements, with India, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia benefiting the most from AI investments.

According to the GLRI report, the US leads in AI investment and innovation, boasting 60 per cent of global AI investments over the last ten years and a quarter of the world’s AI startups.

America’s success is attributed to integrating innovation with economic flexibility to foster dynamic job creation, with California, Massachusetts, and Washington identified among the front running states.

Rising inequality, both between and within countries, is identified as a major challenge exacerbated by AI that will need to be addressed with appropriate policies.

The gap between top-performing and lower-ranking countries has widened, with Sub-Saharan Africa particularly at risk. European countries, including the UK and Germany, hold six of the top 10 positions, showcasing strong overall performance. However, some, like Denmark, Austria, and Luxembourg, are slipping, having dropped out of the top 10.

“As AI reshapes the global workforce, the GLRI offers a  roadmap for countries to navigate this new era. It highlights pathways for inclusive, forward-looking policies that will not only address the challenges of automation but also harness the potential of AI to create opportunities for all,” the Global Head of Government Affairs and Public Policy at Google, Karan Bhatia, stated.

Also, the Special Advisor and Director at Whiteshield, Mr Christopher Pissarides, said, “As AI continues to transform industries, the GLRI 2025 highlights the urgency for governments, businesses, and individuals to build resilient labour markets.

“This year’s report provides actionable insights to address the challenges of technological disruption, economic inequalities, and global crises, ensuring inclusive and sustainable economic growth. By understanding how labour markets adapt and evolve, we can drive innovation and create opportunities that benefit everyone.”