R-L: President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari and his Vice, Yemi Osinbajo at the President wing of the State House, Abuja.
It has now been confirmed that President Muhammadu Buhari, his Vice, Yemi Osinbajo, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, and other prominent Nigerians would be among the first set of Nigerians to receive the Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine on live television.
This was disclosed by the Executive Director/CEO, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Faisal Shuaib, while speaking on Thursday in Abuja during the joint national briefing of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19.
He urged Nigerians not to be hesitant on the vaccines when they arrive as key government officials like president, vice president and SGF would take it on live TV.
A world leader in music entertainment, Universal Music Group (UMG), has announced key appointments in order to strengthen its position as the leading music company in Africa
The latest appointments were essentially designed to underscore UMG’s ongoing commitment to support and grow Africa’s domestic music ecosystems, while also creating new opportunities for African talent to reach new audiences globally.
UMG’s holistic approach to expanding operations across the continent saw to the opening of new divisions in Nigeria, as well as becoming the first major music company to establish divisions in Kenya, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Cameroon and Morocco to complement UMG’s longstanding operations in South Africa. This presence would continue to grow throughout 2021 and beyond, as UMG continues to further extend the company’s ability to support domestic artists across Africa and globally.
To help lead this expansion, Sipho Dlamini has been promoted as the Chief Executive Officer, Universal Music South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa, effective immediately.
Dlamini would continue to oversee all of UMG’s operations within English-speaking Africa. Since joining UMG in 2016, he has been instrumental in solidifying and growing UMG’s African infrastructure, increasing the visibility of African music around the world and delivering unprecedented artist success in South Africa.
During this time, UMG has also led the industry with new initiatives across live music, brand partnerships and the adoption of licensed and legal streaming platforms within Africa.
Dlamini is a member of UMG’s Task Force for Meaningful Change (TFMC), which was created last year as a driving force for inclusion and social justice within the global music industry and serves as chair for TFMC’s Global Committee.
In 2019, Dlamini was named in Billboard’s International Music Power list, the first African-based executive to make the list.
In his new role, Dlamini would continue to work closely with UMG’s EVP, Market Development, Adam Granite, to identify further opportunities for artists signed to Universal Music Africa to reach new audiences around the world, utilising UMG’s unrivalled global network of industry-leading businesses spanning more than 60 countries worldwide.
Within South Africa, Dlamini has been joined by hugely experienced senior executive Elouise Kelly, who has been appointed Chief Operating Officer, Universal Music South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Kelly would be based in Johannesburg and would report to Dlamini. She joins UMG from global advertising and media agency Ogilvy, where she held the position of Managing Director, South Africa.
With a proven and award-winning background in branding, marketing communication and commercial business strategy, she would play an integral role in the further expansion of Universal Music Africa and its operations and label divisions.
Prior to working at Ogilvy, Kelly held senior positions at SABC, Top TV, Viacom International Media Networks and M-Net.
Also, Chinedu Okeke has been named Managing Director, Universal Music Nigeria and would lead the development and expansion of UMG’s existing operations within Nigeria, including English-speaking markets in West Africa.
He would be based in Lagos, Nigeria and would report to Dlamini.
Okeke has established himself over the last decade as a successful business and live-music entrepreneur. He’s the founder of Eclipse Live, a live entertainment company focused on bringing live affordable entertainment to the youth of Africa and Eclipse Brand Agency, working with major clients, artists and commercial partners.
He’s also the founder and Executive Producer of Nigeria’s legendary Gidi Culture Festival, and a founding Trustee of Echo Music and Arts Foundation, and previously held positions at The Wicklow Group, Canvest Group and AP Moeller Maersk.
The trio would work closely with French-speaking operations in Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Cameroon and markets within the continent, which operate under the leadership of Franck Kacou, Directeur General, Universal Music Africa.
Reacting to the development, Granite said: “I am thrilled to announce these strategic appointments, as we look to further develop our domestic infrastructure and label rosters within Africa.
“Most integral to achieving our long-term ambitions is to build a strong leadership team on the ground, with deep foundations in each country to help grow a dynamic ecosystem for all to benefit in the future.
“Over the past few years, Sipho has shown great leadership, commitment and vision for music in Africa, helping UMG to introduce new talent to audiences around the world and identify opportunities to lead the industry in licensing and supporting new platforms to reach African music fans.
“Elouise and Chinedu both bring welcome new skills, proven entrepreneurship and important leadership experience that will only serve to bolster UMG’s position as the market-leader across Africa.”
Dlamini also spoke on the new appointments: “There has never been a more exciting time for African music around the world, as it continues to influence and inspire culture and creativity, whilst reaching a wider audience globally each day through streaming.
“I am delighted to welcome both Elouise and Chinedu to UMG family, their unique skills and experiences will only help to further establish UMG as a bedrock within the African music community, that will continue to put the interests and opportunities for artists first and help elevate African talent to new levels of success at home and abroad.”
As part of UMG’s strategy, the company is helping African talent reach new audiences internationally.
In 2018, UMG became the first major label to licence its catalog to Boomplay, Africa’s largest local streaming platform.
Last year, UMG released several acclaimed albums by African artists globally, including: Celia from Nigerian Afrobeats star Tiwa Savage (released in partnership with Motown Records U.S.); South African rapper Nasty C’s – Zulu Man With Some Power (in partnership with Def Jam Recordings in the U.S., Island Records U.K. and other Universal labels around the world); Midnight Train from Kenya’s Sauti Sol; and Old Romance, the debut album released from Nigerian singer/producer Tekno, who is signed to Universal Music Nigeria in partnership with Island Records in the U.K. and U.S.
UMG also agreed a strategic partnership between Nigeria’s Aristokrat Records and Universal Music France and launched Def Jam Africa as a standalone label on the continent, with resources across five countries, dedicated to discovering the best in African hip-hop, Afrobeats and Trap music.
Under the new leadership structure, each territory would continue to focus on domestic A&R and talent development with a unique suite of services available to local talent including marketing, promotion, bespoke brand partnerships, recording facilities and live music promotion and booking through UMG’s ULive Africa division.
In Africa, UMG has led the industry, working hand in hand with both domestic and international platforms and Telco’s to help bring the best in global music to music fans across Africa.
UMG remains committed to helping bolster the wider local ecosystem, with continued focus on building a fair and prosperous market for all through better understanding and management of copyright and royalty distribution, and through the development of strong partnerships with platforms throughout the region which would be integral to introducing African music to a wider audience in years to come.
UMG is also working closely in partnership with parent company Vivendi, and several of Vivendi’s divisions, including CanalOlympia, Olympia Production, Vivendi and Canal+ to support and develop the live music industry throughout Africa.
Chairman of Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 in Nigeria and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha.
Chairman, Presidential Task Force (PTF) on Coronavirus (COVID-19), Boss Mustapha, has revealed that no fewer than 731 of the 34,418 Batch B members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in 2020, tested positive for the deadly disease.
Speaking on Tuesday at a briefing by the task force, Mustapha said corps members across the country took COVID-19 tests.
According to him, “In continuation of the NYSC engagement, PTF has conducted the testing of Batch B Corp members using RDTs. Out of the 35,419 in the Batch B, 731 tested positive compared to 108 recorded during the Batch A.
“It is on record that cases were recorded from Corp members from every state of the federation.”
Besides, PTF chairman expressed concern about the 1,204 cases recorded on Monday, the highest number of daily infections in the country.
While attributing the surge to the Christmas festivities, Mustapha said: “Yesterday (January 4), we recorded 1,204 infections. This was the highest daily number ever recorded since we commenced the national response.
“From our analysis, we are beginning to see the effect of activities carried out during the Christmas festivities. We can only hope that numbers will not escalate beyond control. We, however, still appeal to all citizens to take full responsibility through compliance and vigilance.”
Lagos State Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat and younger brother, Haroun, who died of complications arising from Coronavirus.
Lagos State Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, Wednesday mourned the death of his younger brother, Haroun, who died of complications arising from the dreaded novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).
Haroun died on Tuesday at the age of 37. Until his death, he was a medical doctor at a public health centre in Orile Agege Local Council Development Area of Lagos State.
Mourning the death of his younger brother, Lagos State deputy governor called on the public to be conscious of the volatility of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Stay safe, use your masks, sanitise or wash your hands regularly and maintain social distancing.”
Hamzat prayed for the repose of the soul of his younger brother, saying may Allah forgive him his sins and grant him eternal tranquility and Aljanah Firdaus.
A collage photo of (L): Late Tunde Thomas with wife, Moyo Thomas; (R) Embattled Managing Director, First Monument City Bank (FCMB), Adam Nuhu.
To protect its image in view of the ongoing allegations of extramarital affairs with an ex-staff of the bank, First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has announced that Yemisi Edun would act as Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, while the embattled Adam Nuru would proceed on leave.
“In line with normal corporate practice, Mrs. Yemisi Edun is Acting as the Managing Director of FCMB in the interim period, while Mr. Adam Nuru is on leave.
“She (Edun) has not been appointed as the substantive Managing Director,” said a statement by the bank’s management.
It would be recalled that Nuru has been embroiled in an extramarital crisis involving a former staff of the bank, Moyo Thomas and her late husband, Tunde Thomas.
Edun holds a first degree in Chemistry from University of Ife, Ile-Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) and a Master’s degree in International Accounting and Finance from University of Liverpool, United Kingdom.
She is a Fellow of Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and a CFA Charter holder. She is also an Associate Member of Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers; an Associate Member of Institute of Taxation of Nigeria; a Member of Information Systems Audit and Control, U.S.A; and a Certified Information Systems Auditor.
The acting managing director began her career with Akintola Williams Deloitte (member firm of Deloitte Touché Tohmatsu) in 1987, with main focus in Corporate Finance activities.
Edun joined FCMB in year 2000 as Divisional Head of Internal Audit and Control before assuming the role of Chief Financial Officer of the bank and now as the Managing Director/CEO.
File Photo of Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Less than 24 hours after its pronouncements on the indefinite closure of all public and private schools below the tertiary level due to the second wave of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led Lagos State Government Monday directed that the affected pupils/students to resume for the second term 2020/21 academic session from January 18, 2021.
Speaking through Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Folasade Adefisayo, the governor explained that the new directive was in line with the Federal Government’s position to curtail the spread of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in the state.
The Sanwo-Olu administration enjoined all schools to comply with all the outlined COVID-19 requirements for resumption.
“The directive is not only for the improvement of the overall school operations, but for the safe reopening of academic activities to support Lagos State Government’s quest for a full return,” the commissioner said.
She advised all schools to have flexible plans where students and teachers who feel sick could teach or learn from home via available online platforms, adding that schools should also strive to prevent any COVID-19 infection among students and staff.
Adefisayo, therefore, enjoined teachers, students and visitors to wear facemasks at all times, observe physical distancing, embrace regular handwashing with soap under running water and maintain a high standard of personal hygiene within the school premises.
(L-R): A collage file photo of Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari and main opposition figure in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar.
Former Vice President and co-founder of Integrated Logistics Services Nigeria Limited (Intels), Atiku Abubakar, has finally sold his shares in the company through a series of transactions executed by Guernsey Trust in an open-secret deals that began in December 2018 but reached its climax last year.
With the transaction over, Atiku accused the President Muhammadu Buhari administration of displaying rare greater urgency in the last five years in destroying legitimate businesses that are employing thousands of Nigerians because of politics.
It was gathered that the former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) sold his shares in Intels to Orleal Investment Group, the parent company of Intels, for various amounts totaling over $100 million.
The money was paid to Atiku in three instalments – $60 million, $29 million and $24.1 million.
With this transaction, the former vice president has divested from Intels, Nigeria’s undisputed largest logistics company which provides comprehensive integrated services for the nation’s oil and gas industry.
Confirming the development, Atiku’s Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, said it’s true that his boss “has been selling his shares in Intels over the years.”
According to him, “It assumed greater urgency in the last five years, because this government (President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration) has been preoccupied with destroying a legitimate business that was employing thousands of Nigerians because of politics.
“There should be a marked difference between politics and business.
“Yes, he (Atiku) has sold his shares in Intels and redirected his investment to other sectors of the economy for returns and creation of jobs.”
Intels spokesman, Tommaso Ruffinoni, also corroborated Ibe’s statement, saying Atiku gave the company a goodbye kiss in December 2019.
The spokesperson added that with Atiku’s exit, two of his children working in Intels, Adamu Atiku Abubakar and Aminu Atiku Abubakar, have left Intels.
The former vice president in 2015 described Intels as his most successful business, but the story changed in the last five years as the Buhari administration allegedly moved to stifle Atiku as the symbol of opposition in Nigeria.
It would be recalled that Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) purportedly cancelled its 17-year-old contract for pilotage monitoring with Intels without any cogent reasons.
The Buhari administration had in October 2017 directed NPA to terminate the boats pilotage monitoring and supervision agreement that the agency has with Intels, arguing that the contract was void ab initio.
Riding on the present administration’s disdain for Atiku, NPA accused Intels of refusing to remit to the Federal Government service boat pilotage revenue in the firm’s custody, which amounted to $207.646 million (N78.905 billion) as at September 30, 2019.
NPA explained that the money was aside from service boat pilotage revenue for January 1, 2020 to July 31, 2020, amounting to $97.029 million, which added up to $307.675 million (N115.775 billion) in the custody of Intels.
But, the then Atiku’s Intels denied all the allegations, saying NPA was owing it to the tune of $895.8 million cumulatively.
Ex-Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos, Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe dies of Coronavirus complications
A former Vice Chancellor of University of Lagos (UNILAG), Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe, has died of complications arising from the Coronavirus (COVID-19).
The former University don passed away on Sunday, January 3.
This was confirmed by the Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Nigerian Universities (ASUU) UNILAG branch, Dele Ashiru.
He said the late professor had been receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital in Lagos State for about 10 days before he was pronounced dead on Sunday evening.
According to him, “Yes, Prof. Ibidapo-Obe is dead. He died today (Sunday) from COVID-19-related complications. The late professor’s family has properly briefed us.”
Until his death, Ibidapo-Obe was the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, First Technical University in Ibadan.
Also, confirming his death, the Registrar and Secretary to the Council of First Technical University, Olayinka Balogun, in a statement, said: “With heavy heart, and submission to the will of God I write to inform Council members of the transition to glory of Professor Oye Ibidapo-Obe, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, First Technical University, Ibadan which occurred today 03/01/2021.
“I pray for the repose of the soul of the departed.”
Born on July 5 1949 and married to Olusola and had four children, Ibidapo-Obe was also former President of the Nigeria Academy of Science.
He attended Ilesa Grammar School and Igbobi College from 1962 to 1968 and University of Lagos between 1968 and 1971.
The former vice chancellor was awarded a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc. Hons) degree in Mathematics in the First Class Division by University of Lagos in 1971; a Master’s of Mathematics (M. Maths) degree in Applied Mathematics with a minor in Computer Science in 1973 and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Civil Engineering with specialisation in Applied Mechanics/Systems in 1976 both from University of Waterloo, Ontario in Canada.
File Photo of Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu
The Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led Lagos State Government Sunday night announced that all public and private schools below tertiary level in the state remain closed indefinitely due to the second wave of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The governor, in a statement by Lagos State Ministry of Education, noted that the latest directive makes it mandatory that all schools earlier scheduled to resume on January 4, 2021 must remain closed until a new resumption date is announced.
While assuring that a new date would be communicated in due course, the ministry urged parents and students to ensure strict adherence to guidelines issued by the Sanwo-Olu administration to prevent the spread of the COVID-19, including the wearing of face masks, physical distancing, washing of hands under running water and use of alcohol-based hand sanitisers.
In a related development, the governor has extended the stay-at- home order for all Lagos State Public Servants on Grade Levels 14 and below to January 18, 2021 to stem the tide of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This was disclosed by Lagos State Head of Service, Hakeem Muri-Okunola, who noted that the directive excludes staff on essential duty as well as First Responders.
He urged all public servants to stay safe and ensure continued adherence to all COVID-19 protocols in order to rid the state of the pandemic.
Muri-Okunola also urged all staff to join the virtual Y2021 First Work Day Prayer for all public servants in the state via Zoom platform with Meeting ID: 857 4418 2571; Password: 100200 from 7.45am on January 4, 2021.
While maintaining that the service would hold online due to the COVID-19, the Head of Service wished all staff a prosperous and fulfilling New Year.
(L-R): File Photo of Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun; Suspended Commissioner for Environment in Ogun State, Honourable Abiodun Abudu-Balogun
Commissioner for Environment in Ogun State Honourable Abiodun Abudu-Balogun has been suspended from the State’s Executive Council pending the conclusion of an independent investigation into alleged sexual harassment of a 16-year old Barakat Mayowa Melojuekun.
The Ogun State Government disclosed the suspension of the embattled commissioner in a statement issued in Abeokuta on Sunday and signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Tokunbo Talabi.
The state’s SSG said the disciplinary action is to enable the accused commissioner cooperate fully with the investigation being carried out by the Police.
“Whilst taking cognizance of the principle of a suspect being presumed innocent until proven guilty and the public statement issued by Hon. Abudu-Balogun denying the allegation, as a government with zero tolerance for gender-based violence and indeed any criminality, the suspension is a further demonstration of the commitment of Prince Dapo Abiodun Administration to fairness, equity, justice and the rule of law, no matter who is involved”, the statement continued.
“The government assures the public that it will do everything to ensure that justice is served in this case. In the meantime, the suspended Commissioner has been directed to hand over to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, the statement concluded”, Talabi stated.
Meanwhile, Suspended Commissioner Abudu-Balogun, in statement made available to Echotitbits, on Saturday denied the allegation of sexual harassments leveled against him by 16-year old Barakat Mayowa Melojuekun.
“My attention has been drawn to a purported video circulating on social media of a girl alleging that I attempted to sexually harrass her. Let it be noted that in my entire life and political career, I have assisted many youth to secure jobs, some are working with me in my different businesses.
“On this said day, the girl was brought to my house by one of my loyalists who is her Uncle, to assist her get a job as a Computer Operator at the ICT Centre I facilitated while I was serving as a member of House of Representatives years back which has been moribund but I am about to rehabilitate in order to empower more youths in our local government.
“I met her at my sitting room for few minutes where many of my loyalists are, people that came to visit me for the New Year. I chatted with the lady for few minutes and as part of my usual gesture, I gave her some amount of money for her transportation. A day after, I was informed by some people that I have been alleged to have attempted to sexually harrass the girl and I should invite the family for a meeting so as to settle the matter amicably. It was after my refusal to yield to their threats that they went ahead to make a teleguided video leading the lady on what to say to implicate me. This is purely a political blackmail by my adversaries.
Balogun, who pleaded with his political supporters to remain calm and not engage on the said matter confirmed that the case is already being handled by the Police and his legal team. The embattled commissioner reiterated his innocence saying, “Let me state emphatically that I never attempted to sexually harrass anyone.
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