All Posts in "Month: April 2023"

PenCom DG, Aisha Dahir-Umar gets Award of Excellence from TUC

 

By Favour Nnabugwu

 

 

 

The Director-General of the National Pension Commission, PenCom, Mrs Aisha Dahir-Unar has bagged the Trade Union Congress, TUC, “Excellent, Visionary and Emphatic Leader” Award.

She bagged the award at the Triennial National Delegates Conference/Excellent Service Award organised by the TUC in Abuja at the weekend.
The National President of the TUC, Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama, who said the award was conceptualised to “recognise men and women of distinction in their respective areas as well as who have positively impacted our society in very remarkable ways and those who have supported the aims and objectives of the Congress”, said Mrs. Dahir-Umar had touched the lives of Nigerian workers through her visionary leadership as the head of pension regulatory agency.
“This award is in recognition of your outstanding qualitative services and your efforts towards building a better Nigeria”, he stressed.
He added that the director-general was part of a new generation of leaders in Nigeria and skilled technocrats determined to diversify the Nigerian economy.
Reacting to the honour, the PenCom Director-General, Aisha Dahir-Umar reiterated the commitment of PenCom to the welfare of the Nigerian workers and ensuring that the pension industry contributed to national development.
She said the commission was set to roll out the Micro Pension Scheme to cater for millions of self-employed Nigerians.
She charged the capital market operators to “device appropriate investment vehicles within the extant guidelines to utilise pension funds for national development”.
Patoma Admin by — April 30, 2023 in Pension 0
Tower Saghana’s son, Best Saghana Weds Deborah Adesoga in Lagos

Wedding ceremony of the first son of Tower and Celestina Saghana, Best Okesebulogue Saghana in Lagos on April 29, 3023

CAPTIONS

Best Saghana, his mother, Celestina Saghana and Deborah Temitooe Saghana after the wedding yesterday

The New groom and bride, Best Saghana and Beborah Adesoga now Saghana

Best Saghana and wife, Deborah Temitooe Saghana (Nee Adesoga

Mother of the groom, Celestina Saghana, the groom, Best Saghana and standing in as the father of the groom, Mr Monday Okoh

 

Father of the bride, Mr Mudashiru Oseni and mother of bride, Mrs Abosede Adesoga

Father of the bride, Mr Mudashiru Oseni, groom, Best Saghana and mother of the bride, Abosede Adesoga

Mr & Mrs Best and Deborah Saghana

L- Mrs Abosede Adesoga, mother of the bride and mother of the groom, Mrs Celestina Saghana

Patoma Admin by — April 30, 2023 in Metro 2
African Development Fund, Smart Africa Alliance launch $1.5 m project for digital trade and e-commerce ecosystems across Africa

By Favour Nnabugwu

 

 

 

 

The African Development Fund and Smart Africa Alliance have jointly launched a $1.5 million project to streamline digital trade and e-commerce policies across 10 African countries.

The Institutional Support for Digital Payments and e-Commerce Policies for Cross-Border Trade Project will evaluate policy gaps in the digital trade and e-commerce ecosystems of Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, Ghana, Liberia, Uganda, South Sudan, Zimbabwe, the Republic of Congo, São Tomé and Príncipe, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The project will see to the implementation of regional training and capacity-building programs focusing on cross-border e-payment and e-commerce for governments, private sectors, and Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs). These programs are expected to reach 600 participants, with 60% being women and youth. Additionally, a certified gender-sensitive e-learning training program addressing the unique challenges faced by women in digital trade and e-commerce, will be developed and disseminated to 2,500 participants, of whom 60% will be women.

The agreement was signed on Tuesday, 25 April, a day ahead of the 2023 Transform Africa Summit which takes place in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, from 26-28 April.

African Development Bank Director General for Southern Africa Region Leïla Mokaddem, described the IDECT as a pivotal step towards strengthening Africa’s digital trade and e-commerce landscape.

“This initiative will bolster the development of harmonized e-payment policies, capacity building, and gender-sensitive frameworks, ultimately fostering a digital trade ecosystem that generates employment opportunities across the continent,” she said.

Lacina Koné, CEO of Smart Africa, said: “The IDECT project demonstrates our commitment to fostering digital transformation and economic growth in Africa. By addressing policy gaps and promoting gender-sensitive training, we are laying the foundation for a thriving digital trade and e-commerce ecosystem.”

Patoma Admin by — April 28, 2023 in Business 0
A M. Best to sponsor 49th AIO conference in Algiers

By Favour Nnabugwu

 

 

AM Best will sponsor and attend the 49th African Insurance Organisation (AIO) Conference and Annual General Assembly, to be held 27-31 May 2023 in Algiers, Algeria.

Andrea Keenan, executive vice president and chief strategy officer, AM Best, along with Dr Edem Kuenyehia, director, market development and communications, and in his capacity as AM Best’s director for market development in Africa, will be in attendance and will be conducting scheduled bilateral meetings with industry stakeholders during the conference to discuss Best’s Credit Ratings and Best’s Performance Assessments for Delegated Underwriting Authority Enterprises (DUAE), along with other insurance sector reports, data and analytic resources available to insurance professionals. To schedule a meeting with the AM Best delegation, please email charlotte.shoesmith@ambest.com.

The theme of this year’s conference is “The Contribution of Insurance to Food Security Challenges in Africa”; AM Best is a sponsor. Topics to be discussed include how to build awareness of agriculture insurance in Africa; the risks climate presents to food security and public-private catastrophe risk transfer schemes in an uncertain, post-COVID-19 economic environment and amid global and regional tensions.

The AIO, established in 1972, is a non-governmental organisation recognised by many African governments. It was established to help develop a healthy insurance industry and to foster insurance co-operation in Africa. For more information about the AIO conference, which will be held at El Aurassi Hotel, please visit the event overview.

Patoma Admin by — April 27, 2023 in Insurance 0
IRC seeks to extend, expand  MOU with NiMet after success

CAPTION:
L-Director General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet Prof. Mansur Bako Matazu and the International Rescue Committee Governance Coordinator, Dorcas Kingsley David during the meeting in Abuja
By Favour Nnabugwu
After the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding signed with the  Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), , the International Rescue Committee (IRC),, has proposed to expand and extend the scope and duration of the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between both organisations
This was disclosed during  a courtesy visit by the IRC team to the NiMet Headquarters, Abuja, yesterday.
The International Rescue Committee Team, which was led by the IRC Governance Coordinator, Dorcas Kingsley David, in her remarks explained that IRC and NiMet had previously signed a one-year MoU on a project that recorded great success in Yola, Adamawa State, and following the critical role played by NiMet in attaining this feat, IRC was prompted to seek for a broad ranging Memorandum of Understanding whereby NiMet and IRC can have a long-term partnership on the provision of weather and climate services as well as help design  projects targeted at mitigating climate disasters and enhancing early warning for communities across Nigeria.
 Expressing further the aim of the intending MoU between IRC and NiMet, the Governance Coordinator said that the collaboration will enable access to rainfall data, develop a trigger system for rainfall and rainfall intensity alert, flood forecast and subsequent provision of early warning alert to communities.
The Director General of NiMet Prof. Mansur Bako Matazu who was represented by the Director of Applied Meteorological Services, Prof. Charles Anosike disclosed that NiMet has an established interest in private public partnership and has been collaborating with various stakeholders to provide climate services that is tailor made to enhance sustainable development as well as improve the socio-economic well-being of the Nation.
Prof. Matazu also noted that the expansion of the MoU is an essential development as it enables NiMet and IRC to extend their reach and build a community that is weather smart as well as implement policies and services that can mitigate climate disaster.
Concluding his remark, Prof. Mansur Bako Matazu, commended the effort of the International Rescue Committee on her strategic action plan to curb climate disaster and reiterates that NiMet is committed to providing quality, accurate and timely climate advisories geared towards the support of human development as well as create awareness on the socio economic impacts of climate and weather on different sectors of the nation’s economy.
Patoma Admin by — April 27, 2023 in Aviation 0
NiMet renounces NLSRC on Lightning across Nigeria

By Favour Nnabugwu
Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has disclaimed unauthorized the action of the Nigerian Lightning Safety and Research Center (NLSRC) alerting the public to the possibility of lightning strikes across Nigeria in the month of May, 2023.
NiMet wishes to inform the public that at no time did it authorize NLSRC to issue any such weather forecast to the public, as this is the statutory function of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency.
NiMet is statutorily mandated under Sections 7 (1) (a) and (i) of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency Establishment Act, 2022 (NiMet Act), to advise the Federal Government on ALL aspects of meteorology and to collect, process and disseminate ALL meteorological data and information within and outside Nigeria.
NiMet in a statement signed by the General Manager, Public Relations, Mr. Muntari Yusuf Ibrahim also the SOLE AUTHORITY to prescribe and issue the meteorological data and information required for all sectoral activities in Nigeria (Section 7(2)).
Further to the above stated provisions, any person who collects, uses or disseminates weather forecast or any other meteorological information obtained from any other source outside the approval, licence or authority of the Agency for commercial or public purpose, commits an offence and is liable upon conviction to a fine or a term of imprisonment or both (Section 30 (2) of the NiMet Act).
Consequently, the public is hereby advised to totally discountenance the information issued/disseminated by the NLSRC as stated above, as well as any meteorological information issued or to be issued by this body or from any source outside of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency or the Agency’s approval/authorization.
NiMet is not responsible or liable in any way for any consequence(s) resulting from reliance or acting upon the said weather information issued by NLSRC or any meteorological/weather information obtained from any source outside of its approval/authorization.
The public is hereby advised to obtain all weather related information/warning from NiMet Headquarters Abuja, NiMet official website @ www.nimet.gov.ng, any duly authorised publication or any NiMet licensed/authorized body, in line with the requirements of the law, as this will help ensure the accuracy and reliability of such information.
The public is further advised to promptly report any observed unauthorized dissemination of weather/meteorological information to the Agency through the office of the Director General/CEO or send an Email to info@nimet.gov.ng.
Patoma Admin by — April 24, 2023 in Aviation 0
Leadway Assurance successfully  contains hackers’ attempt to breach network

By Favour Nnabugwu
 
Leasway Assurance has cut down that affairs of hackers on the company”s data and has successfully clamped their wings
The company made this known in a statement to press while Leasway Assurance said the company’s data is secured against any hack.
“We detected a potential threat to our network and have promptly deployed mitigation measures. Our preliminary investigation into this criminal intrusion indicates that this attack was successfully contained.”
“We have initiated our business continuity plan to ensure that proprietary information and data are secured. We would like to notify you that our essential operations have been restored and we are working tirelessly to ensure minimal disruptions to our operations”
Protecting our customers’ data remains a top priority as we have done in the last 5 decades. We have and will continue to strengthen our network to ensure total protection from external intrusion.
During this period, all our customers are encouraged to ignore any unsolicited correspondence from any channel different from our officially designated channels of communication.
In the meantime, while our team is adhering to all regulatory requirements, we will continue to provide updates to all our stakeholders.
Patoma Admin by — April 19, 2023 in Insurance 0
Kelvin Egerue lays mother to rest in Imo

The Mother of Kelvin Egerue, Managing Editor of Champion Newspaper, died on January 8, 2023 and was buried on April 12, 2023 in Ehime Mbano LGA of Imo State

CAPTION

L– Kelvin Egerue, Managing Editor, Champion Newspapers, his senior brother Godwin Egerue and wife Mrs Rosaline Egerue listening to advise from Very Rev Fr Patrick Iwuchukwu Egerue shortly after the burial of late Mrs Anne Chinyere Egerue which held on April 12, 2023.

Patoma Admin by — April 12, 2023 in Metro 0
NiMeT warns public against FB, What app, LinkedIn, emails, phone numbers for DG, Prof Matazu

By Favour Nnabugwu
The management of Nigerian Meteorological Agency, (NiMet) has dissociate itself from the Facebook, WhatsApp, LinkedIn, email, phone numbers create on behalf it’s Director-General, Prof Mansur Bako Matazu and warned unsuspecting public against such accounts.
This is to notify the general public that some unscrupulous persons have created fake Facebook, WhatsApp,  LinkedIn  accounts as well as email and phone numbers for the Director General/CEO of  Prof. Mansur Bako Matazu and have been using such to defraud the innocent unsuspecting public.
NiMeT in a statement singed by the General Manager of Public Relations Department, Mallam Muntari Yusuf Ibrahim, advised the public against falling prey to such accounts by unscrupulous elements for the Nigerian Meteorological Agency.
“The general public is therefore advised to be careful of these people.
Any enquires should be directed through our website or using our mail, info@nimet.gov.ng”
While pledging our continuous services, to stakeholders and the general public, we  assure you that the relevant security agencies have been notified and are on the trail of those committing this act. They will soon be caught and made to face the wrath of the law.
Patoma Admin by — April 12, 2023 in Aviation 0
NIS family produces the First Head of  Mission, IPC-Nigeria – CGI Jere.

By Favour Nnabugwu
The Comptroller General , Immigration Service, Isah Jere Idris (MFR) has commended the World Chairman International Peace Commission for confirming the appointment of Amb Hussaini Haruna Coomassie as the Head of Mission International Peace Commission (IPC)-Nigeria.
This was made known when Dr Coomassie and his team paid a courtesy visit to the Immigration Boss at the Service Headquarters to show appreciation to the service for it’s effort during the process of his confirmation.
Jere appreciated the effort and doggedness of Dr Coomassie for being a worthy Ambassador of NIS and Nigeria. He promised to look into some issues brought up by the Head of Mission, International Peace Commission (IPC-Nigeria) to move the service forward.
He also promised that before the end of the Buhari administration, printing of passports would commence in Nigeria. And that staff welfare is one of his major focus areas of leadership for the Service.
“I would like to congratulate you on this appointment as an Ambassador of Peace. It is by the grace of God that you are there and NIS has played an important role in your confirmation because, we were contacted and we told them who you are, behold today, you are confirmed.”
” We are working hard to secure our borders and, thankfully, with the approval of Mr. President, the NIS has secured the go-ahead for E-Border. Because with the massive nature of our boarders, it is only with technology that we can effectively secure it.
“We pray that you support our efforts in asking for more fundings from the Federal Government and donour agencies too. We do not necessarily require money from them but logistics to enable us maintain the borders so we can be at peace”, he said.
Speaking earlier, Amb. Hussaini Coomassie called on the CGI to, as a matter of urgency, look into certain areas in the NIS that are of concern to Nigerians. On his own part, the Head of Mission promised to do everything in his power that will draw the attention of the government to increase funding for the NIS.
“Immigration needs more allocation to operate optimally in the 21st century. The lack of fundings for the NIS operations must not be allowed to continue. And we pray that you work on waiver and the printing of passports in Nigeria.
“Immigration need to be supported otherwise the borders will continue to  be poor. In Katsina State for example, you cannot differentiate a Katsina man from a man that hails from Niger Republic. That is because the boarders are porous and they enter without checks.
“We will push for immigration to have more allocation to be very effective, with lots of operational vehicles and other logistics.
Patoma Admin by — April 12, 2023 in Metro 0