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Over 282 million people in sub-Saharan Africa face extreme hunger, a United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) official said.
“As we speak, 282 million people on the continent, over one-fifth of the population, are facing hunger, an increase of 46 million people,’’ FAO forestry management officer, Kenichi Shono, said.
Shono said at the opening session of the fourth World Teak Conference in Accra, the Ghanaian capital that the recent spike is due to a combination of factors.
Such factors include COVID-19, the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the climate crisis.
Coupled with the hunger situation, Shono said, severe drought is also tightening its grip on the continent.
“Many countries also face the impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, especially due to the commodity price increases, the increase in fuel prices and difficulty in accessing agriculture inputs such as fertilisers,’’ he said.
Shono called for more investment in forestry and teak plantations to help tackle the challenges in Africa and globally.
The four-day World Teak Conference, hosted by Ghana, was rescheduled from 2020 to this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The conference, held in Africa the first time, focuses on topics such as science-based management of tea plantations, genetic improvement and forest landscape restoration.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
A 44-year-old man, Oladipupo Sodipo was on Tuesday arraigned before a Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing N7 million from his employers.
The defendant who was charged for stealing, pleaded not guilty.
The Prosecutor, SP.
H.
Obiazi, said that the defendant committed the offence between Oct. 2021 and March, at Inherent Construction and Interior.
He alleged that the defendant stole a total of N7 million from his employers, while he had worked with them and could not account for the missing money.
Obiazi said that offence contravened section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 which stipulates a three year jail term for offenders.
The Chief Magistrate, Miss Adeola Olatunbosun granted the defendant bail in the sum of N2 million with two sureties each in like sum.
She adjourned the case until Oct. 5 for mention.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The General Manager and Associate General Counsel of Microsoft’s Digital Security Unit, Ms Flynn Goodwin says cyber collaboration and information are key to promoting cybersecurity. Goodwin said this in her brief titled: “The Pivotal Importance of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Cooperation in Strengthening Security” during a three-week Cybersecurity Virtual Reporting on Tuesday. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the ongoing program was organised by Foreign Press Centers (FPC). She stated that there was the need to keep watch at most aggressively developing nation state attack activity so that there can be a creative way to prevent those types of attacks at scale. Goodwin said that public-private cooperation was necessary, particularly in incident response, adding that it is essential to partner with governments to understand how issues were most effectively impacting. She said: “the ability to exchange information is really key. And so, I am confident that with examples like the Cyber Collaboration Center, which is a terrific way under stress to be able to move faster with experts when we need to respond. “We are going to continue to evolve the public-private partnership because we believe that the role of the private sector is essential to improving cybersecurity. “Not only the technology that we are creating now which helps us spot nation state attacks and stop them at scale globally, but we need to continue to watch those who are most aggressively pursuing nations. ” She informed that Microsoft is largely focused on cloud-based cyber attacks by having the ability to see when nation states, cyber mercenaries or criminals attack customers through the cloud technologies. “Our work is largely focused on cloud-based cyber attacks. “We have the ability to see when nation states or cyber mercenaries or criminals are attacking customers through the cloud technologies,” he said. NewsSourceCredit: NAN
A cross section of Nigerians on Tuesday urged the Federal Government to heed to demands from members of the public and unveil the sponsors of terrorism and stop further pardoning of the apprehended terrorists and bandits. They expressed their views in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria in Ibadan, Akure, Osogbo, Ado-Ekiti, Abeokuta and Ilorin, warning against any form of disposition suggestive of the government’s sympathy with the terrorists and bandits. The respondents said granting amnesty to the terrorists and shielding of alleged sponsors of terrorism were steps capable of compounding the nation’s security challenges as it would encourage more suspected criminals to join their ranks. In Ibadan, a legal practitioner, Mr Michael Lana, condemned the act of granting pardon to suspected terrorists. Lana said that no law empowered the government to pardon or give amnesty to anyone who had not been tried in a court of law. He said the power of amnesty could only be exercised by the President after a person had been tried and convicted by the court. The lawyer said that the president could, therefore, not exercise his prerogative in granting amnesty to anyone, let alone bandits or terrorists, who have neither been tried nor convicted by any court. Lana said that such unlawful action would only give the bandits opportunity of mixing with the public to gather more information for their colleagues. He said that such information gathered would, eventually, put the terrorists in an advantage position to attack the public and the military. The lawyer said studies had also shown that some of the pardoned bandits went back to the same crime. “That is why you don’t see America or any of the civilised country giving amnesty to bandits or terrorists. “Granting amnesty to the bandits can never bring peace, because they don’t have genuine grievances against the Federal Government, unlike the Niger Delta people. “Amnesty given to the Niger Delta brought peace, because they had genuine grievances against the government for taking their wealth from their land and giving them nothing in return. “What can we say are the grievances of the bandits and terrorists? They are just criminals, who want to make money, as I don’t see why they should be given amnesty,” he said. Lana further said that the act would encourage more people to be part of terrorism, thereby, exposing more innocent people to suffer the consequences. He said if the surrendered bandits were sincerely remorseful, they ought to have returned the money collected from their innocent victims. The Ibadan based lawyer blamed the government for concentrating on bandits, while neglecting the victims of banditry to suffer. Lana also said that publishing the names of those alleged sponsors of the bandits was not as necessary and essential, as arresting and prosecuting them. Similarly, a Public Affairs Analyst, Mr Daniel Adegbenro, said that pardoning the bandits and terrorists, instead of neutralising them outrightly, to serve as deterrent to others of their kinds, would further lead to insecurity. Adegbenro said that the action would also encourage the jobless and the almajiris to tow the line of banditry, having seen it as a profitable venture. “It will also empower others to emulate the terrorists, giving them more strength to perform evil. “If the terrorists and bandits are neutralised and not pardoned, there wouldn’t have been many groups and regrouping of more bandits, now attacking farmers and causing food inflation,” he said. According to a lawyer, Mr Mumin Jimoh, the consequences of pardoning terrorists include the kidnapping of students by terrorists, claiming to spite the government and thus collecting ransom running into billions of naira. Jimoh described the kidnapping of students, leading to closure of schools to prevent a reccurrence, mostly in the North-East, as worrisome. A farmer, Mr Bashir Ojolowo, wondered why bandits, causing national food insecurity by sacking farmers from their farms and collecting money before allowing them to harvest their crops, should be pardoned. Meanwhile, Dr Adewumi Omoniyi of the Department of Philosophy, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, described terrorism as a great crime against humanity, deserving punishment to serve as deterrent to others. Omoniyi said that for any criminal to receive pardon, there must be evidence of penitence and genuine repentance. The lecturer said that banditry and terrorism had to be thoroughly and effectively checked in line with the government’s major duty of protecting lives and property of its citizens. “When some of these criminals appear to repent, the government must reveal their identities to the public sphere, in case the repentance is not genuine. “To release bandits and terrorists unconditionally is a crime against humanity. “Citizens don’t use arms against other citizens without a definite cause; there must be perceived cases of injustice. “So, government must be careful to investigate the cause. It may be as a result of economic, social, political or religious injustice. “If the cause of terrorism is not ascertained and a lasting solution found, any act of amnesty would be a misplacement of priority,” he said. According to him, concealing identities of terrorists and their sponsors amounts to aiding and abetting their activities. A lawyer, Mr Femi Egunjobi, raised concerns over how stringent the government’s deradicalisation process of the bandits and terrorists had been. Egunjobi mentioned instances where pardoned bandits reneged on the freedom granted them to return to their criminal activities. “The morale of officers, some who suffered varying degrees of injuries or lost their colleagues on the battlefield of terrorism, may be dampened. “While granting pardon to agitating groups, such as the Niger Delta Militia, had earlier been witnessed in Nigeria, replicating such to bandits and terrorists will only demonstrate government’s weakness in the eyes of Nigerians and internationally. “It could also provide an unwanted encouragement for criminals or intending ones to pollute Nigeria with violence, knowing that, eventually, government’s only way out will be to grant them pardon for any of their actions committed,” he said. On naming the sponsors of terrorism, the legal practitioner said it was not a hidden truth that different government officials had before now confirmed the knowledge of those behind “this unending crisis”. Egunjobi said that in spite of this, government has not been able to name those found culpable. “While it is quite understandable that throwing names of sponsors of terrorism may further jeopardise the fight against insecurity, the citizens will be more convinced about the government’s efforts toward ending insecurity, if some of those fingered are exposed,” he said. In Osogbo, a legal practitioner, Olalekan Babatunde, urged the Federal Government to follow due process in pardoning bandits and terrorists in the country. Babatunde said that failure to follow due process might have adverse effects on lives and property of the citizenry in the nearest future. “If the process of pardoning bandits and terrorists are properly followed to the end, by way of deradicalising them, empowering them and giving them quality education, then, it might yield positive results. “These steps will complete the process of taking them away from the group of enemies of the state. “But, if the process of pardoning is not completed, it will amount to the government rewarding the criminals,” he said. Babatunde explained that extremists, who had taken armed against the country or had committed one crime or the other, should not just be released without proper checks to validate the true state of their repentance. “Government needs to ensure that terrorists and bandits, who had laid down their arms, must be properly screened to ensure that they are not just deceiving the society. “Government should not just take the weapons from them and ask them to go and sin no more. “There should be a proper process of deradicalisation for bandits and extremists, and then, there should be a way of reorientating them appropriately,” he said. Babatunde also said that government should find means of checking on the repentant bandits to ensure that they do not go back to their old ways. He, however, said that it might be difficult to know or identify sponsors of terrorism and banditry in the country. Babatunde said that listing the names of persons not investigated, apprehended or confirmed to be aiding and sponsoring bandits might be an error. According to him, until such individuals have been arrested, interrogated and found to be culpable, such a list will not be released. In Ado-Ekiti, a community leader, Pa Olakunle Olorunleke, said that pardoning those whose hands drip with blood was, in itself, a crime against humanity. According to a retired social worker, Mrs Mosunmola Badmus, more than half of Nigerians are vehemently opposed to treating terrorists with kid gloves. Badmus said that the delay or the refusal of government to expose those allegedly behind the sponsorship of terrorism was making it to look like an act of connivance and culpability. Another respondent, Mr Dele Bayowa, said the only way the authority could stop Nigerians from being suspicious was to absolve itself of culpability. Bayowa said that this should be done by stopping further granting of pardon to terrorists and exposing their sponsors. However, a security expert, who prefers to be anonymous, said that government has the right to grant pardon to anyone, especially if it thinks the criminal would sheath its swords by that. The expert said that government might not want to expose the sponsors for now, so as not to jeopardise or preempt some underground investigations to unearth the whole gang-up. The official said it was possible that time was not yet ripe for certain holistic disclosures, hence, the need for more caution. Also, Mr Steve Brown, the Chief Executive Officer, TopGuard Security, said the National Assembly was not doing enough to probe into the nation’s insecurity situation. Browne said the situation, whereby, the lawmakers only express their anger on the floor of the Houses, without commensurable actions to backup their outburst, was not in the best interest of Nigerians. “They need to follow up their words with actions and ask questions from those concerned with our security system. “A lot of things are wrong, which are being reported and backed up with facts that need to be investigated. “There are saboteurs in the system, especially within the forces; there are those who should be shown the way out for failing in their duties. “Until we take the bull by the horn, we will never get it right,” he said. Commenting, Chief Moses Atolagbe, a community leader in Ado-Ekiti, faulted the government’s action for not engaging the traditional institutions in the fight against insecurity. “Traditional rulers are the one closest to the grassroots and the custodian of our culture, traditions and heritage. “Even, before the coming of the colonial masters, every tribe, region has the way it administered its people. “The government is only playing lip service as far as engagement of traditional rulers is concerned; there is no backing it up with adequate and proper legislation. “Our traditional rulers need to be accorded adequate respect and legally recognised to function effectively and efficiently too,” he said. A legal practitioner, Adeola Omotoso, urged the Federal Government to stop further pardon of any group of terrorists or bandits, saying instead, they should be prosecuted and make them to face the wrath of their crimes. Omotoso explained that many atrocities committed by terrorists were unforgivable and unpardonable, saying that it would, therefore, be wrong for any government to overlook their wicked acts. He wondered what would be the fate of families of unfortunate Nigerians, whose lives were lost to terrorists’ attacks, if government continued with the pardon policy. “Recall that as a result of wicked acts, many innocent lives of men, women, teenagers and even, children have been wasted by these evil people, and the victim’s families are crying for justice. “For example, look at the merciless killing of innocent Nigerians in the Catholic Church in Owo, where over 40 people, including children, were killed by terrorists. “The over 200 Chibok girls and many more, and somebody would still be talking of pardoning or hiding their identities? Where is the sense in that, I ask you? “If and when any of these perpetrators and their sponsors are caught, the next thing should ordinarily be that they face the music and not pardon. “The consequences of pardoning such wicked people will only instigate unemployed youths, who have tribal scores to settle or who need money to also go into the same heinous crimes of kidnapping, assassination and terrorism, with the mindset that the offences are pardonable at the end of the day. “Take it or leave it, Nigerians will never have faith in their political leaders, if they continue in this way, because they will see them as collaborators, heartless, wicked and criminals themselves,” he said. In Abeokuta, a lawyer, Abayomi Oguntade, said that such actions would not go down well with Nigerians, particularly victims of their ruthlessness. Oguntade said it was necessary that the terrorists went through trials and re-orientation before government could think of granting amnesty. “These bandits are enemies of the country; so, government should wake up and realise that the lives and property of the citizens should be its priority. “Government should also realise the fact that the people fighting this war with the bandits, that is, the security agencies, will be demotivated in the fight against the terrorists. “Government should rethink its decision; a criminal is a criminal and should be treated as such,” he said. Also, Mr John Gana, a Security expert, said that pardoning bandits or terrorists would amount to the country sitting on a keg of gun powder. Gana told NAN in Abeokuta that a confirmed criminal, trained to kill and destroy, should be treated like a criminal when arrested. He said that they should be charged to court, while the court should be allowed to carry out justice. Gana added that pardoning a criminal of that magnitude would encourage more people to keep committing such crimes. “Terrorism remains a serious crime, which should be treated according to laws of the land. “It is a known fact that these people, when released, still go back to the same crime. “We have seen cases of armed robbers, who after serving their jail terms, still went back to the same crime,” he said. Gana urged the government to allow terrorists to face the full wrath of the law and stop pardoning them under the guise of “negotiation or repentant terrorists”. He also called on the government to release names of sponsors of the groups, saying it would go a long way in curbing terrorism in the country. Commenting, c Mrs Korede Oyeronke, a civil servant, said that the Nigerian government was doing many things wrong, but failing to realise the dangers inherent in them. Oyeronke explained that pardoning bandits and not mentioning the sponsors of terrorists were not reasonable enough. She stated that consequences of these two acts could be likened to sitting on a keg of gun powder, saying it could explode anytime. “Pardoned terrorists will be living amongst us, and will learn our secrets only to strike after full absorption into our system. “This is a known fact and it is bound to happen, if not checked. “The sponsors we fail to expose will never repent, because evil thrives in darkness. “Rather, they will continue to wax stronger by virtue of the underserved honour the government is granting them by not stating their names,” she said. She added that such pardon would encourage others to take to the crime, because they would expect similar treatment. “By that, we fuel others to even join, making our woes to continue transitioning from one government to the other. “Another consequence is that victims will never forgive any government who takes pleasure in pardoning their own tormentors. “Enmity will linger on as far as those wronged live and realise that their tormentors are not brought to book. The story will pass from one generation to another with the likely consequence of disunity for the nation. “This government knows the right ways to tackle its problems. If they choose to treat it with pardoning wrong doers, there is no way it will come to a good end,” she said. In his submission, a student leader, Ahmed Ramon, stated that pardoning bandits would result in collateral damage, which would not do the country any good. “Continuous pardon of bandits will aid many others, especially youths, to participate in this activity without a second thought. “People can also decide to take laws into their hands and resort to jungle justice when they realise that government will pardon the criminals,” he said. Meanwhile, a lawyer, Murtadha Animashaun, in Ilorin said the nation’s Constitution allows recommendation of amnesty for the condemned, explaining that for any condemned offender or accused person, prerogative mercy can be applied. According to Animashaun, prerogative mercy is the power of a governor or the president to grant either conditional or total pardon to those convicted of crimes, whether they are still serving their punishments or are ex-convicts. “This is the right and power of a sovereign state president, or other supreme authority, to commute a death sentence, to change the mode of execution, or to pardon an offender,” he said. The legal practitioner further said that some experts would have met to consider some factors, before recommending their findings to the government. According to him, based on the recommendations of these experts, their recommendations can be applied, as there is an existing law in Nigeria called State Pardon. Animashaun, however, said he was sceptical about granting of amnesty to terrorists, bandits and kidnappers. He said that the public outcry in giving amnesty to some bandits in some states was valid and should be of concern to the country. “When it comes to politics, these issues should not be dabbled into without due consideration. “This is not how it is done in advanced countries. They don’t toy with such a serious issue as amnesty for the criminally insane individuals who have killed and maimed many,” he said. Animashaun said that any Nigerian could go to court and enforce disclosure of individuals accused of sponsoring terrorism in the country. “The law allows for individuals or groups to mandate the government to release the names of sponsors of terrorism,” he said. NewsSourceCredit: NAN
Nigeria and Poland on Tuesday in Abuja signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Agriculture, while pledging their willingness to enlarge the fields of economic cooperation in the energy and manufacturing sectors.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the signing took place during the State Visit of President Andrezej Duda of Poland, the first by a Polish leader to Nigeria since the establishment of diplomatic relations between both countries in 1961.
Addressing a joint press conference with the visiting Head of State, President Muhamamdu Buhari said Nigeria was gratified by the existing fruitful cooperation with Poland in the fields of maritime, education and defence.
On agriculture, the president said cooperation in this area would be a win-win for the two countries, especially in the context of global food insecurity occasioned by the conflict in Ukraine.
Agriculture is one of the priority areas of the Nigerian government.
Buhari said that in view of the numerous global challenges, Nigeria would like to develop new mechanisms for cooperation including regular strategic dialogues and political consultations to cover not only bilateral relations, but also to address regional and international issues.
‘‘Our cooperation in education has a long history.
”We wish to encourage the extension of that cooperation to the sharing of knowledge and experience between our educational institutions.
”These are in areas such as science and technology as well as Information and Communication Technology, in order to help drive innovation in our countries in this competitive global knowledge economy,’’ he said.
While describing the two-day visit of the Polish President as significant, Buhari underscored the cordial relations that existed between both countries,
He commended the efforts of the Government of Poland in providing assistance to the large number of refugees fleeing the conflict in Ukraine, including a significant number of Nigerians.
‘‘I also wish to express our sincere gratitude for the kind and generous support extended during our government’s evacuation of our fleeing nationals.
‘‘We also appreciate greatly the opportunity given to some of our nationals to remain in Poland to continue with their studies.
‘‘As regards trade relations, we would like to see an increase in the level of trade, as it remains relatively low in spite of the long period of relations between our two countries,’’ he said.
The Nigerian leader welcomed the hosting of a Dialogue that would bring together various members of the business sectors of Nigeria and Poland, during the State Visit.
According to him, it is an excellent initiative to increase the level of trade between both countries.
Duda said Nigeria was the only African country Poland had signed an agreement of strategic dialogue with, which includes the MoU on agriculture cooperation.
‘‘What was pivotal in our conversation today both in our tete-a-tete as well as the plenary session was how to provide food and energy security.
‘‘It is important to us to strengthen the relations between Poland and Nigeria and the MOU we have signed is very important for the future of both nations on food security,’’ the Polish president said through an interpreter.
On energy security, he lauded the delivery of liquefied natural gas to Poland from Nigeria, as well as shipments of crude oil.
‘‘We want to further this cooperation and we want to increase the supplies from Nigeria to Poland and by this way we want to contribute to the development of economic cooperation between the two countries,’’ he said.
According to Duda, Nigeria and Poland have enjoyed excellent bilateral relations in the last 60 years, buoyed at the people-to-people level with the presence of many Nigerians at Polish higher institutions of learning.
He also acknowledged the input of Polish engineers and scientists in the building of infrastructure in Nigeria.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
Isiaka Asoju, 48, who allegedly defrauded a man of N155milion, under the pretext of selling a 15-acre land to him, was on Tuesday brought before a Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court.
The defendant is to face trial on a charge of obtaining under false pretences.
He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The Prosecutor, SP Ogbunike, said that the defendant had committed the offence sometime in July, at Ibeji Lekki.
He told the court that the defendant had allegedly collected the sum of N155 million from Mr Temitope Ayodele, the complainant, under the pretext that he would sell 15 acres of land to him.
The alleged offence contravene Section 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The Chief Magistrate, Miss Adeola Olatunbosun, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N20 million with three sureties each in the like sum.
Two of the sureties must be landed property owners.
She has adjourned the case until Oct. 4 for mention.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan reaffirmed on Monday its constant position of support for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Morocco.
This position was reiterated during a meeting between the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Abroad, Nasser Bourita, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of Jordan, Ayman Safadi, on Monday in Amman, during which the two officials They discussed ways to activate cooperation in various fields and expand areas of cooperation, reflecting the depth of brotherly relations espoused by His Majesty King Mohammed VI and His brother His Majesty King Abdullah II.
In a press conference held after these talks, Safadi reaffirmed the constant position of the Kingdom of Jordan supporting the territorial integrity of the sister Kingdom of Morocco and the need to resolve the question of the Moroccan Sahara on the basis of the autonomy initiative, and in a way that guarantees and preserves the territorial integrity of Morocco and the sovereignty of the Kingdom over all its territory.
He also said that Jordan is proud of the strategic and historical relations between the two kingdoms, which are working to develop these ties in various areas in accordance with the directives of the leaders of both countries.
The Jordanian minister said that he discussed with his Moroccan counterpart the practical steps necessary to activate cooperation according to the statement issued after the meeting of His Majesty King Mohammed VI and His brother His Majesty King Abdullah II in Casablanca in 2019, and that they decided to start preparations for the celebration, in Amman, as soon as possible, of the Joint High Commission that had met in Morocco in 2016.
He added that during this meeting, it was agreed to facilitate the movement of citizens between the two Kingdoms through visa treatment.
problems.
Regarding the Palestinian issue, Safadi said: "We agree that this is the central issue and that the only solution to achieve a just and comprehensive peace will be through the two-state solution that embodies the independent and sovereign Palestinian state.
with Al-Quds occupied".
as its capital within the borders of June 4, 1967, to live in security and peace alongside Israel".
"We discussed the efforts that we will continue to make to resume serious and effective negotiations that will lead us to advance towards a just peace two-state solution," he said.
The two ministers also discussed, during their meeting on the eve of the Arab League Ministerial Council meeting in Cairo, ways to activate joint Arab action to address Arab problems.
, among which is the Palestinian cause.
Ms Elizabeth Ativie, a former Speaker of the Edo House of Assembly, has renounced her membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Ativie, who was the first female Speaker of the Edo Assembly, said this on Tuesday during a news conference in Benin.
She, however, refused to name the political party she was moving to.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Ativie was the Speaker during the governorship administration of Mr Adams Oshiomhole.
Ativie attributed her decision to unresolved crises bedeviling the party in her Federal Constituency, as well as the entire state.
The letter, which was brought to the venue of the conference by the ex-speaker, was addressed to the state chairman through the ward and local government chairman.
She, however, dispelled claims that she left APC because of her failure to secure the ticket for House of Representatives seat.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
From 12-16 September 2022, Boost Africa Technical Assistance Center and AfricaGrow Technical Assistance Center will host 40 leading fund managers from selected African investment funds for a face-to-face program to be held at the Business School Said of the University of Oxford.
The goal of the program is to engage in dialogue and broaden expertise to lead Africa's exponential growth in the technology venture capital (VC) space.
The 'Africa Venture Finance Programme' is designed specifically for venture capital fund managers investing in early stage and growth technology companies in Africa.
The week-long course will focus on sharing best practices and knowledge among peers, and will provide state-of-the-art information and learning opportunities on all relevant aspects of fund management.
In all, 15 funds will be represented, with participants including fund managers from AfricInvest, Knife Capital, TL Com Capital, Ventures Platform Fund, Janngo Capital, Atlantica Ventures and others.
Reflecting the industry-wide need to improve inclusion of women (https://bit.ly/3RG9wqa) at senior levels, more than half (62%) of participating fund managers are women.
Fund managers will also have the opportunity to interact with business leaders, industry experts and representatives from development finance institutions (DFIs) such as the European Investment Bank and DEG Invest.
The African tech ecosystem has seen staggering growth in recent years, tripling in size since 2020 to $5.2 billion (https://bit.ly/3TJnglT) in 2021.
Yet the proportion of African-led startups receiving significant funding remains woefully low, remaining in the single digits (https://bit.ly/3KQNsHk).
In addition to its intrinsic benefit, locally led leadership is critical to channeling venture capital investment into innovations that effectively address the challenges faced within and outside Africa.
African start-ups have proven to be competitive, profitable and world-class when supported and experienced by investors and fund managers who truly understand their value and growth potential.
This program therefore seeks to bring together African fund managers at the forefront of the continent's unique growth trajectory, leveraging their own expertise and that of critical ecosystem stakeholders to usher in the Africa-led unicorns of the morning.
“The EIB is committed to supporting investment in high-impact innovation around the world.
We are pleased to support the Boost Africa program that shares best investment practices to strengthen the lasting impact of investment partners across Africa.” – Ambroise Fayolle, Vice President of the European Investment Bank. “We are incredibly excited to convene a group of the leading African venture capital funds for this course in Oxford.
Throughout the week, participants will interact with global venture capital experts, Oxford professors, and most importantly, each other.
We are hopeful that the course will contribute to strengthening and connecting the African venture capital ecosystem.” – Aunnie Patton Power, Program Director, Oxford Saïd Business School.
“Both AfricaGrow and Boost Africa aim to have a catalytic effect on the emerging African ecosystem of start-ups, by investing and supporting venture capital funds in Africa.
This week at Oxford Saïd Business School is quite unique in bringing together 40 of Africa's most relevant investors and will definitely help further the conversation on how we can ensure the continent's most promising founders have the opportunity to start and grow their businesses.
business.
.” – David van Dijk, Team Leader, Boost Africa Technical Assistance Fund. The authors assume full responsibility for the content of this article.
The opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union or the European Investment Bank.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) would commence full enforcement on overloading of vehicles by drivers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Niger by Sept. 29.
The Zonal Commanding Officer in charge of FCT and Niger, Assistant Corps Marshal (ACM) Shehu Mohammed, said this during a stakeholders meeting on `Ember Months’ on Tuesday in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the theme for this year’s Ember Months campaign is, ‘Avoid Speeding, Overloading and Unsafe Tyres to Arrive Alive’.
Mohammed said that aim of the meeting with the stakeholders was for the Corps to restrategise and demonstrate its results.
He said that the meeting was also to find ways to reduce Road Traffic Crashes (RTCs) during the ember months.
“The Corps is looking on how to create a safe motoring environment for all road users in FCT and Niger.
”
Mohammed decried increase in the rate at which motorists overload their vehicles in the FCT and Niger especially during ember months.
“Different categories of vehicles still violate the warnings from the corps on the need to avoid overloading of vehicles,’’ he said.
According to him, we have agreed that we will start enforcement on overloading of vehicles by Sept. 29 and as regards the political campaigns coming up, we want to strategise with the union members.
“We also resolve to doing this with safety and security in mind.
Some of the drivers do not listen to us when we urge them against overloading of vehicles.
“So enforcement will begin and we will arrest anyone who go against the law by overloading their vehicles,’’ he said.
The FRSC boss warned all drivers to desist from the act of overloading as this was an offence FRSC would never overlook.
Mohammed advised drivers to ensure their vehicles were in good condition before hitting the road adding that sound mind was also needed in driving safety.
The Sector Commander, FCT command, Mr Oga Ochi said that activities of ember months had started in the territory adding that the essence of the meeting was to ensure that all union members were carried along.
Ochi said that one of the major problem facing road safety in FCT was overloading.
“We have told the unions to engage their members and tell them we cannot allow overloading in FCT.
“We are looking at ensuring zero crashes in the FCT during this ember months and that is one of our major objectives this year,” he said.
Also speaking, Mr Shehu Shugaba, President of Painted taxis, FCT, said that it was important for the union leaders to go back to the drivers to sensitise them against overloading of vehicles.
“What we need is to help the FRSC because drivers understand our language better and when they listen to us, they will adhere strictly to those rules and regulations.
“Enforcement will start from our place before FRSC.
They need to understand that no one will rescue them when they engage in such.
I, personally will not go to rescue anyone that is arrested,” he said.
NAN also reports that stakeholders’ at the meeting were National Union of Road Transport Workers, Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, Road Transport Owners, among others.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
