National News

Achievers Award: Leading Industry Players to Brainstorm on Blueprint for Africa’s Development

Published

4 years ago

December 7, 2021

News Net Global

Achievers Award: Leading Industry Players to Brainstorm on Blueprint for Africa’s Development

By: Michael Mike, Abuja

Leading Industry players in Africa will gather at the 11th Edition of the African Achievers Awards to develop strategies and blueprints on how Africa can maximize investments from the diaspora that will put the continent on the path of sustainable economic development.

The African Achievers Awards is one of the most prestigious Africa and African-focused awards, which recognizes exceptional Africans for their contribution to the growth and development of the continent. This year’s edition is set to hold this Friday at Kensington Palace, London with the Ayanda Media Network appointed as consulting partner.

Preceding the awards will be an International Colloquium on December 9, 2021, to be held at the University of Cambridge, Hosted by Lord Simon Woolley, Master of Homerton College, Cambridge University.

The theme for this year’s International Summit and Awards ceremony at the African Achievers Awards 2021 is “Maximizing Diaspora Investments for Sustainable Development in Africa.”

The Chief Executive Officer of the African Achievers Award, Dr Tonye Rex Idaminabo, stated that the choice of this year’s theme is a result of the need to tap into African diaspora expertise and resources to accelerate the process of realizing impressive economic growth and sustainable social transformation in Africa,” Idaminabo said.

“There is a dire need to tab, mobilize, and channel Diaspora investment in Africa to help address the growing demands for investment and employment in the continent. This year’s summit and awards ceremony, therefore, provides a platform for industry leaders in Africa to converge, and discuss strategies and develop a blueprint on how to mobilize diaspora investment opportunities for Africa,” he further said.

Idaminabo in a letter dated December 5th 2021, appointed the CEO of Ayanda Media Network, Ms Ayanda Ngwane, as the consulting media partner, to ensure the maximum success of the awards, following her outstanding performance in similar events over the years.

Created in 2010, the African Achievers Awards has become one of the most reputable awarding bodies on the African continent and unarguably the biggest annual gathering of influential African achievers. Over the years, the awards have honoured and celebrated great African trailblazers whose works have had a meaningful impact on building Africa, including worthy African political leaders, exceptional young achievers, passionate and dedicated community builders, and captains of industries.

On the side-line of the awards, African Achievers Award Foundation will launch its Mentorship Program designed to raise the next generation of African trailblazers by identifying highly talented and emerging innovators and entrepreneurs across the African continent who are motivated and inspired to provide lasting solutions to the existing problems confronting the continent.

The programme will connect them- a minimum of one thousand mentees with already established industry leaders who are past honourees/ Alumni of the African Achievers Awards and will be provided with the necessary career tools, resources or start-up capital to help them achieve their set goals and career aspirations.

Some of the notable names who have been awardees at previous editions of the African Achievers Awards include Arch. Bishop Desmond Tutu; H.E Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Former Chairperson the African Union; H.E. Jakaya Kikwete, former President of the Republic of Tanzania; Dr Josephine Ojiambo, former Deputy Secretary-General of The Commonwealth; Dr Margaret Blick Kigozi, former Executive Director, Ugandan Sports Authority – who currently works as a consultant at United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO.

Others are, Late Rilwan Lukman, former Secretary-General, OPEC; Divine Ndikhuluka, Former Chairperson, Zimbabwe Chamber of Commerce; Late Prof. Atta Mills, former President of the Republic of Ghana; Mo Abudu, CEO Ebony Life Television; Kofi Annan Foundation; Naseeb Abdul Juma Issack, popularly known by his stage name Diamond Platnumz; amongst others.

The Consulting Media partner, Ngwane, is a journalist by profession, TV host and Producer of Sharing with Ayanda TV Show who has been commended for her contribution to the industry and society. She is also the Editor in Chief of the Diplomatic Envoy Newsletter and Media Consultant with working experience that spans across the African Continent. Ngwane is a renowned PR/Media Consultant in Nigeria, Angola and South Africa. She was the Publicist for the 2015 Davos World Economic Forum(African Chapter) and African Women in Leadership Conference and PR Director for Goodwill Ambassador Awards and now the CEO of Ayanda Media Network.

She has expertise in TV productions, documentaries, blogging, TV commercials, Publishing, event coverage, public relations and communications campaigns.

Ngwane’s works and success stories precede her and she has attracted and continues to attract recommendations. Ngwane has designed and implemented a detailed marketing plan for content ad-sale, sponsorship and distribution that provided minimum gross income for the Media house of 2.4million dollars per year.

“Part of my professional media experiences entails that I designed a detailed concept and implementation plan for the channel’s broadcast operations infrastructure and technology, from system design to integration, which are intellectually proprietary innovations I conceived.

“I produced a project plan and work flowcharts with clear tasks, timelines and milestones. I selected and assembled a project team, made up of renowned professionals and assigned these tasks to them. I identified and acquired the most suitable technologies and experience to build the support infrastructure for press/broadcast operations in an environment such as Nigeria,” she said.

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Ibrahim Aminu Ndakpoto at the Office of the Deputy Chairman House Committee on Petroleum Upstream National Assembly Abuja described Ngwane as a definition of true journalism.

“My first contact with her was when she flew her crew into Ilorin for event coverage and I said to her how much are your charges? She said we don’t do reporting for money but to inform the populace. Ayanda media PR spans across Africa, Europe and the United States of America one thing you can’t take away from her is the Truth not driven by price but Service. I stand to say without contradiction Ayanda simply is the best PR company I know in Nigeria with very good new media coverage,” he said.

In addition to Media and public relations, Ngwane is thriving in the international business space. She is set to launch an 80% Oud perfume brand and pure organic skin-care line in partnership with Woolworth.

Ngwane is a mother to amazing children and core humanitarian with foundations that cater shelters, medical and educational support/care to refugees especially women and children.

Achievers Award: Leading Industry Players to Brainstorm on Blueprint for Africa’s Development

National News

NIMC Promotes 523 Staff Members

Published

12 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

NIMC Promotes 523 Staff Members

By: Michael Mike

The DG/CEO of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Engr (Dr) Abisoye Coker-Odusote has approved the promotion of 523 Staff of the Commission.

The promotion, according to a statement on Saturday by the spokesperson of the Commission, Dr. Kayode Adegoke is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Adegoke said: “This is a statutory part of the performance reward system for Staff who sat and met the pre-requisite conditions as spelt out in the Public Service Rules (PSR) in the 2025 promotion exercise.

He disclosed that accordingly, two staff members were promoted to the Director’s cadre (GL 17), and eight staff members moved to the Deputy Director cadre (GL 16) and 35 staff staff members promoted to the Assistant Director cadre (GL 15).

He further disclosed that 35 staff were promoted to the level of Chief Identity Officers (GL 14), with 109 moving to Assistant Chief Identity Officers (GL 13).

Adegoke said 113 officers moved to the rank of Principal Identity Officer (GL 12), while 82 were promoted to Senior Identity Officer ranks (GL 10), and 130 to the rank of Identity Officer 1 ( GL 9).

The DG/CEO congratulated all the promoted staff and charged them to see the promotion as an opportunity to serve the country better. She reiterated zero tolerance for extortion and warned staff to desist from it.

Engr Coker-Odusote, furthermore, encouraged all staff members of the Commission to work harder in the coming year 2026 and ensure the successful implementation of the National Identification Number project. She reiterated her commitment to prioritise staff welfare and ensure the dignity of labour.

NIMC Promotes 523 Staff Members

National News

VP Shettima Extols Gov Uzodimma’s Progressive Leadership At 67

Published

12 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

VP Shettima Extols Gov Uzodimma’s Progressive Leadership At 67

By: Our Reporter

Vice President Kashim Shettima has congratulated Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), Senator Hope Uzodimma, on his 67th birthday, saying his exemplary and progressive leadership within the All Progressives Congress (APC), his state, and the nation at large is worthy of emulation.

He noted that as Chairman of the PGF, an umbrella body of Governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Uzodimma has demonstrated exceptional capacity to unite and galvanise the party’s Governors towards achieving a collective vision for Nigeria’s development under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The Vice President on Saturday, described the age of 67 as an important milestone in the life of Uzodimma, noting that the special moment reflects how far the Governor has come, and sets the stage for what lies ahead.

Acknowledging how Uzodimma’s “exemplary leadership as Executive Governor of Imo State continues to inspire confidence and progress,” VP Shettima described the PGF Chairman as a committed servant of Nigeria.

“Your recent appointment by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, as Renewed Hope Ambassador is a well-deserved recognition of your unwavering dedication to the ideals of our administration and your proven ability to articulate and champion the transformative agenda of the Renewed Hope mandate across our nation,” the VP told the Governor.

This singular honour, Senator Shettima said, reflects President Tinubu’s confidence in Governor Uzodimma’s leadership and commitment to national progress.

He observed that the Imo State Governor’s strategic governance, infrastructural achievements, and dedication to the prosperity of his state exemplify the progressive leadership Nigeria needs at this crucial time.

The Vice President prayed the Almighty God to grant Governor Uzodimma continued wisdom, good health, and strength to sustain his “remarkable service to Imo State and Nigeria.”

VP Shettima Extols Gov Uzodimma’s Progressive Leadership At 67

National News

EU Invests Additional €45 million in Nigeria’s Digital Economy

Published

2 days ago

December 12, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

EU Invests Additional €45 million in Nigeria’s Digital Economy

By: Michael Mike

The Europe Union (EU) is investing an additional €45 million in Nigeria’s digital economy.

The package was signed by the Nigerian Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, and the European Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jozef Síkela in Brussels.

A statement on Thursday by EU read: “At the EU-Nigeria Digital Open Day, which just took place in Brussels, a €45 million programme completing the EU Digital Economy Package for Nigeria was signed between Nigerian Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, and the European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela.

“This investment will further support the cooperation in digital sector between Nigeria and the European Union.”

The European Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jozef Síkela, said: “Global Gateway is about delivering new opportunities, and the EU-Nigerian cooperation in the digital area has a very strong potential to do exactly that. Our approach to digitalisation is based on skills-transfer, open standards, data protection, privacy and security. This way, we make sure that technologies truly enrich human lives. The new package will take our efforts even further by supporting modern e-public services and investing in the skills that will prepare Nigeria’s youth for the digital future.”

The Nigerian Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani added: The EU–Nigeria digital economy cooperation reflects our shared belief that digital transformation must provide a platform for growth in productivity driven by technology. As part of this, Project Bridge provides a commercially sustainable entry point for European investors and suppliers to participate in deploying an open-access fibre network at scale. Combined with our leadership in Artificial Intelligence, Digital Public Infrastructure and programmes such as 3 million Technical Talents, Nigeria offers European businesses a market where talent, demand and policy alignment converge to support long-term investment and expansion.”

The programme signed on Thursday includes a flagship Global Gateway support to the Project Bridge that aims to deploy 90 000 km of fibre-optic backbone across Nigeria. This project is the country’s most ambitious digital investment supported by loans from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, World Bank and African Development Bank.
The €45 million grant supports the preparation of this strategic project with technical assistance and equipment in three complementary ways: for the detailed fiber optic network design, for local skills development and for the supply chain deployment with the mobilisation of the EU private sector.

The EU programme will also contribute to modernise Nigeria’s public administration through secure, user-friendly digital services. it also involves targeted support for Nigeria’s nationwide digital-skills programme, helping train a new generation of technicians, engineers and IT specialists.

According to the statement, this is essential to create new jobs, because large-scale digital projects can only work if the local workforce can maintain, operate and innovate on these networks.

The objective of the EU-Nigeria Open Digital Day was to facilitate access to information for European investors and suppliers interested in participating in the Nigerian digital ecosystem. The focus was on the Project Bridge, presented as an opportunity for collaborations between the EU tech sector and Nigeria.

With this €1.7 billion flagship project is projected to extend Nigeria’s total fibre to 125 000 km (+70%), making it the third-longest terrestrial fibre-optic infrastructure in Africa, following Egypt and South Africa.

Digitalisation is a priority area for the EU-Nigeria partnership as reflected in the €820 million Digital Economy Package launched in 2022 under the EU Global Gateway strategy. The EU-Nigeria collaboration in this sector spans from connectivity to digital skills, entrepreneurship, service and governance with multiple projects.

Nigeria’s digital economy has potential to create jobs, foster economic growth and open greater democratic space in Africa. Nigeria hosts big companies, and Lagos offers digital and business ecosystem with incubators, access to finance and digital service platforms. It has the biggest e-commerce market in Africa with 87 platforms, employing some 2.9 million people.

It is also leading on the continent on digital and start-ups – of the 8 existing African unicorns, 6 are Nigerian, with impressively dynamic States (Lagos) eager to create an ecosystem that promotes innovation, youth and growth largely led by the digital sector.

Global Gateway is the EU’s positive offer to reduce the worldwide investment disparity and boost smart, clean and secure connections in digital, energy and transport sectors, and to strengthen health, education and research systems.

The Global Gateway strategy embodies a Team Europe approach that brings together the European Union, EU Member States, and European development finance institutions.

Together, they aim to mobilise up to €300 billion in public and private investments from 2021 to 2027, creating essential links rather than dependencies, and closing the global investment gap.

EU Invests Additional €45 million in Nigeria’s Digital Economy