Great Ife Alumni Begin 11-Day China Retreat, Business Tour

By: Michael Mike

The Great Ife Alumni Association has commenced an 11-day international retreat and business exploratory tour in Guangzhou, China, bringing together more than 55 alumni members to strengthen the association and explore business opportunities.

The biennial retreat, which runs from October 23 to November 2, is part of efforts by the association’s Global Executive Council, led by Dr Leye Bunmi Falode, to reposition the alumni body and its alma mater for greater institutional excellence.

In a statement, the association’s Global Publicity Secretary, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, said the initiative was designed to advance the council’s agenda of placing the association and the institution at the forefront of excellence in all ramifications.

Among the delegation are the Global President, Dr Falode, a solicitor and Notary Public; the Vice-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Prof. Simeon Bamire; and a former Global President of the association, Engr. Wale Olaleye.

Balogun said no fewer than 55 members of the association had arrived in China for the retreat and business exploratory tour.

The programme combines the association’s biennial retreat with opportunities to explore business prospects in China, potentially opening new avenues for engagement among alumni members and strengthening ties with the international business community.

Great Ife Alumni Begin 11-Day China Retreat, Business Tour

Nigeria, Japan Move to Set Up Industrial Hub to Unlock Investment

…Abuja seeks Japanese capital, technology transfer as Tokyo promises faster visa processing

By: Michael Mike

Nigeria is seeking to establish a joint industrial and investment hub with Japan to attract foreign capital, accelerate technology transfer and position local businesses to tap into Japanese supply chains and the wider African market.

The proposal, put forward by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, signals Nigeria’s push to turn 66 years of diplomatic relations with Japan into a stronger economic partnership driven by investment, industrialisation and job creation.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu made the proposal during a bilateral meeting with Japan’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Suzuki Hideo, urging Tokyo to work with Nigeria on a practical roadmap for the proposed Nigeria–Japan Industrial and Investment Hub.

The initiative is expected to facilitate joint ventures, connect investors with credible Nigerian businesses, promote skills development and encourage Japanese companies to establish stronger industrial links with Africa’s largest economy.

The minister stressed that existing bilateral agreements must translate into concrete investment commitments and measurable development outcomes, rather than remain diplomatic declarations.

“The outcomes of the Forum must be translated into concrete programmes, investment commitments and measurable development outcomes,” she said.

She urged both countries to implement the agreements reached at the 10th Nigeria–Japan Special Partnership Forum, held in Abuja on August 27, through practical programmes and regular consultations between their foreign ministries.

To strengthen private-sector participation, Odumegwu-Ojukwu called for more partnerships between Nigerian and Japanese companies through joint ventures, local content development, skills transfer and the integration of Nigerian businesses into Japanese supply chains.

She also sought greater engagement by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) to link Japanese investors with Nigerian enterprises and public-sector partners.

Beyond manufacturing and trade, Nigeria is seeking Japanese investment in solid minerals, gas development, cleaner energy technologies and industrial decarbonisation, with the minister highlighting the strategic importance of resilient energy and critical-mineral supply chains.

The proposed investment push comes alongside Japan’s development cooperation in infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture, education and technical training through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Odumegwu-Ojukwu welcomed a $10 million JICA-supported initiative to strengthen Nigeria’s startup ecosystem through catalytic capital and institutional development, in partnership with the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority.

She also called for sustained Japanese support for peacebuilding, humanitarian assistance and stabilisation in Nigeria and West Africa, reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to regional stability through the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States.

On mobility and business exchanges, the minister urged continued dialogue to resolve visa-related challenges affecting businesspeople, students, researchers, government officials and tourists.

Responding, Suzuki said Japan was desirous of deepening cooperation with Nigeria, which he described as a strategic African giant.

He also assured that visa-related issues would be handled expeditiously, an undertaking that could help facilitate business and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu said the existing cordial relations between Nigeria and Japan offered an opportunity to build a more dynamic partnership anchored on investment, industrialisation, technology transfer and shared prosperity.

The renewed engagement comes as both countries seek to move beyond decades of diplomatic relations towards stronger commercial ties, with the proposed industrial hub emerging as a potential platform for converting bilateral goodwill into investments and economic opportunities.

Nigeria, Japan Move to Set Up Industrial Hub to Unlock Investment

NSCDC Begins Asset Tagging to Curb Mismanagement of Public Property

By: Michael Mike

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has launched an asset coding and tagging exercise aimed at strengthening accountability, tracking institutional property and preventing the misuse of public resources.

The Commandant-General of the Corps, Prof. Ahmed Audi, said the initiative would improve transparency, operational efficiency and the utilisation of government assets across the organisation.

Audi gave the charge on Tuesday during the official flag-off of the exercise at the NSCDC National Headquarters in Abuja, urging personnel to demonstrate discipline and accountability in the management of institutional property.

He stressed that the assets were public property entrusted to the Corps and must be protected against misuse, neglect and mismanagement.

The Commandant-General also called on top management officers to cooperate fully with the exercise, which is expected to strengthen asset tracking and improve records of the Corps’ property.

Earlier, the Head of the Tracking Assets Unit, CSC Akinbinu Festus, described the exercise as a demonstration of the Corps’ renewed commitment to accountability and responsible asset management.

In his vote of thanks, ACG Faruk Musa Boyi commended Audi for initiating the exercise, stressing the importance of maintaining accurate asset records.

The event was attended by Deputy Commandants-General and other senior management officers, reflecting the Corps’ commitment to strengthening institutional accountability and improving resource management.

NSCDC Begins Asset Tagging to Curb Mismanagement of Public Property