Jobs/Appointments
Uzodinma Iweala to Step Down as Africa Center CEO December 2024
By Adedapo Adesanya
Award-winning writer, filmmaker, and medical doctor, Dr Uzodinma Iweala, will step down as the chief executive officer of the Africa Center in December 2024 after seven years at the helm of affairs of the institution.
The Africa Center is a multidisciplinary 501c3 nonprofit institution helping to shape a vision of Africa’s future. Serving as a gateway to engagement with contemporary Africa, and under Dr Iweala’s leadership evolved from a visual arts museum into an interdisciplinary centre with an expanded mission that includes culture and policy programming that aims to change narratives and create new opportunities for Africa and the Diaspora.
As a platform for the exchange of ideas around culture, business, and policy as related to the African continent, the Africa Center advances thought and action around Africa’s global influence.
Dr Iwaela, the son of the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and former Nigerian Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, also led the Africa Center at Aliko Dangote Hall when it first opened its doors to the public in 2019, swiftly becoming a thriving cultural hub in Harlem.
The Center has since produced more than 280 programs across its thematic areas of culture, policy, and business related to contemporary African life. The Center has welcomed more than 177,000 visitors to contemporary cultural exhibitions, art installations, performances, film screenings, author talks, policy forums, and a myriad of special events, including Harlem Day celebrations.
Speaking on his departure, Dr Iweala said, “After seven years of dedicated service to The Africa Center, I have decided that it is time to turn the page and write my next chapter,”
“My journey at The Africa Center has been incredibly rewarding, not just professionally but personally, as our team has worked tirelessly to fulfil and expand our mission. I am proud of what we have accomplished together, from opening our doors to hosting programs and exhibitions centred on African people and the African Diaspora that may not have happened anywhere else but here. We’ve built a resilient and supportive community around our mission. I am confident that the Center is in a strong position to welcome new leadership to carry the institution to even greater heights.”
It is not clear where the next path for the accomplished author will be, but his duration at the centre was marked by a lot of growth including the creation of the Future Africa Forum, which initiated The Africa Center’s interdisciplinary approach to policy programming. That signature forum convenes heads of state, senior political officials, industry leaders, philanthropists, and luminaries in culture for discussions during the United Nations General Assembly.
According to a statement, it was announced that Dr Iweala also brought The Africa Center into a trailblazing partnership with Africa No Filter and the University of Cape Town to develop the Global Media Index that provides a benchmark for the way Africa is covered in the media. Among the curatorial highlights, Iweala’s team partnered with the Museum of Food and Drink to co-present the landmark exhibition African/American: Making the Nations Table and with Independent Curators International to co-present the exhibition States of Becoming featured cutting-edge 17 African artists from the continent and Diaspora.
He worked closely with the Board of Trustees to negotiate a retirement of the museum’s debt, reinvigorate fundraising, jumpstart construction of its flagship Aliko Dangote Hall, and grow relations with its neighbours. Iweala established a solid foundation of support for the Center within Harlem, the greater New York City area, on the African continent, and within African Diasporic communities throughout the world.
Prior to serving as CEO of The Africa Center, Iweala was the CEO, Editor-In-Chief, and co-founder of Ventures Africa magazine, a publication that covers the evolving business, policy, culture, and innovation spaces in Africa. His books include Beasts of No Nation, a novel released in 2005 to critical acclaim and adapted into a major motion picture; Our Kind of People, a non-fiction account of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria released in 2012; and Speak No Evil (2018), a novel about a queer first-generation Nigerian-American teen living in Washington, D.C. He also holds several positions across medicine and philanthropy.
No successor was announced by the organisation but it has selected Mr Isaacson Miller to search for The Africa Center’s next leader working alongside the Transition Committee that includes Trustees Temi Adeniji, Jim Bildner, Jamie Cooper, Jendayi Frazer, Meredith Marshall, and Ben Stein.
The Africa Center Board Co-Chair Chelsea Clinton lauded Dr Iweala saying, “The Board of Trustees is immensely grateful to Uzodinma Iweala for his visionary leadership, passion, and unwavering commitment to The Africa Center,” said Board Co-Chair Chelsea Clinton.
Also, Board Co-Chair Jendayi Frazer added that, “Uzodinma leaves behind a legacy of growth, innovation, and community engagement that will continue to inspire our work for years to come. We are committed to finding a successor who will build on his achievements and who will guide The Africa Center into its next phase of development as an institution and centre for the exploration of contemporary African issues in New York City and across the globe.”
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The appointment of Mr Tunji Disu as the substantive Inspector-General of Police (IGP) has been ratified by the Nigeria Police Council (NPC).
The endorsement of the acting police chief was done on Monday at the council’s meeting held at the State House in Abuja, and chaired by President Bola Tinubu.
In attendance were Vice President Kashim Shettima, state governors and the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Mr Hashimu Argungu.
Others in attendance were the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr George Akume; the National Security Adviser, Mr Nuhu Ribadu; the Chief of Staff to the President, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila; the Minister of Police Affairs, Mr Ibrahim Gaidam; the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike; and the head of service, Mrs Esther Didi Walson-Jack.
Mr Disu was praised for his outstanding service to the nation through various means. He has held critical operational, investigative, and strategic command positions nationwide. His last position was as Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of the Special Protection Unit and the Force CID Annex, Lagos.
The endorsement of his appointment on Monday paves the way for his swearing-in by Mr Tinubu on Wednesday. The ceremony will take place during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, scheduled for the same day.
The President appointed Mr Disu as the new police chief, following the resignation of the former occupier of the seat, Mr Kayode Egbetokun.
Mr Disu was born on April 13, 1966, in Lagos State and joined the Nigeria Police Force on May 18, 1992, as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent.
He rose through the ranks with multiple qualifications in public administration, forensic investigation, criminology, security, legal psychology, and entrepreneurship-credentials that reflect his commitment to knowledge-driven, modern policing.
His state governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, lauded Mr Disu for his exemplary services as a policeman, especially when he served as the Commander of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) in Lagos State between 2015 and 2021, where his tenure earned him and the RRS recognition for excellence in crime control.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The termination of the employment of one Mr Bodunrin Akinsuroju by CHI Limited has been declared as unlawful by the National Industrial Court of Nigeria.
Delivering judgment on the matter, Justice Sanda Yelwa of the Lagos Judicial Division of the court held that the sacking of Mr Akinsuroju did not comply strictly with the provisions of the contract of employment and the Employee Handbook.
Consequently, the company was directed to pay him the sum of N2 million as general damages for wrongful termination and N200,000 as costs of action, while Mr Akinsuroju was ordered to return the company’s properties in his possession or pay their assessed market value.
Justice Yelwa found that the contract agreement between both parties clearly required either party to give 30 days’ notice or payment in lieu of notice after confirmation of appointment, and there was no evidence that the employee was given the required notice or paid salary in lieu of notice.
The judge held that failure to comply with this fundamental term amounted to a breach of the contract of employment, thereby rendering the termination wrongful.
Mr Akinsuroju had claimed that the allegation of misconduct against him was unfounded and not established, maintaining that the disciplinary committee proceedings were prejudicial and that the termination of his employment was without justifiable cause and without compliance with the agreed terms of his employment.
In defence, CHI Limited contended that it had the right to terminate the employment of Mr Akinsuroju and that the termination was lawful and in accordance with the contract of employment and the Code of Conduct.
In opposition, counsel to Mr Akinsuroju submitted that the alleged breaches were not proved and that the termination letter took immediate effect without the requisite 30 days’ notice or payment in lieu of notice as stipulated in the letter of appointment and the Employee Handbook, urging the court to hold that the termination was wrongful and to grant the reliefs sought.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday appointed Mr Tunji Disu as the acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), following the resignation of Mr Kayode Egbetokun.
Mr Disu, an Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), was recently moved to the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Alagbon, Lagos.
A statement today by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, disclosed that the President would convene a meeting of the Nigeria Police Council shortly to formally consider the appointment of Mr Disu as substantive IGP, after which his name will be transmitted to the Senate for confirmation.
Mr Tinubu expressed confidence that Mr Disu’s experience, operational depth, and demonstrated leadership capacity would provide steady and focused direction for the Nigeria Police Force during this critical period.
He reiterated his administration’s unwavering commitment to enhancing national security, strengthening institutional capacity, and ensuring that the Nigeria Police Force remains professional, accountable, and fully equipped to discharge its constitutional responsibilities.
Mr Egbetokun was said to have resigned from the position due to pressing family considerations.
President Tinubu, who accepted the resignation letter, expressed his profound appreciation for Mr Egbetokun’s decades of distinguished service to the Nigeria Police Force and the nation. He acknowledged his dedication, professionalism, and steadfast commitment to strengthening internal security architecture during his tenure.
Appointed in June 2023, Mr Egbetokun was serving a four-year term scheduled to conclude in June 2027, in line with the amended provisions of the Police Act.
The statement disclosed that his replacement was in view of the current security challenges confronting the nation, and acting in accordance with extant laws and legal guidance.
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