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I’M Alive Mobile Verification App Set to Ease Nigerian Pension Administration

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L-R: Chams Plc Group Managing Director/CEO, Gavin Young; Executive Director, Mrs Mayowa Olaniyan; Chief Operations Officer, Kayode Akomolafe and "I'M Alive" Product Manager, Aminat Afonja at an interactive session with journalists held at Chams Plc corporate headquarters, Victoria Island, Lagos, Monday October 12, 2020.

A technology approach to solving some of the challenges faced in pension administration has been introduced with the development of I’M Alive, a pensioner verification solution by Chams Plc.

The Group Managing Director (GMD) of Chams Plc, Gavin Young, at an interactive session with journalists on Monday, at the firm’s corporate headquarters in Victoria Island, Lagos, said the solution, which is a mobile application, is designed to ease verification processes for both pension administrators and pensioners.

The I’M Alive solution, according to the Lagos based firm will verify pensioners remotely in the comfort of their homes using a facial biometric mobile app that facilitates quick and easy verification for both government and private pensioners, and provides pension administrators with comprehensive reporting to ultimately facilitate pension payments.

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In his remark while explaining the impact, Young noted that the I’M Alive solution would go a long way towards solving a major process-intensive hurdle for the Pension Industry.

“For both pensioners and pension payers, I’m Alive solution is convenient, saves time & money, easy-to-use, less administrative bottle neck and headaches. The Solution is fully equipped with features that will make life easy for pensioners as it is supported by Artificial Intelligence which will detect liveliness and authenticate the Pensioner for payment processing.

“The app and pensioner are not linked to a particular phone number or mobile handset. Any smartphone with a functionality that aides selfie alignment and lighting quality can be used, ensuring a higher success rate for pensioners using the app.

The firm’s GMD expressed confidence about the security of the application noting that it cannot be hacked, stressing that no third party can impersonate a registered and verified pensioner on the app.

“Every data is encrypted and it cannot be copied. In addition, Chams Plc adheres to data protection compliance regulations as specified by NITDA”, he stated.

Speaking on the sustainability of the solution, Young admitted that while the priority for now is to solve the basic problems of inconvenience and overhead cost associated with the current physical presence verification, the mobile verification app solution can still do a lot more. He added that more features such as linking payment to the app could come later.

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The GMD, giving further explanation on the product said “the design had in mind users that are not tech savvy and in the remote areas as pensioners don’t have to be tech-savvy to use the app as it is user friendly and has detailed explanations, including the ability to work in an offline mode.

“The verification can be done on any smartphone, owned by anybody. Once you have your BVN & retiree number ready, it takes less than three minutes as verification is real-time.

“Through this product, Chams has continued to expand operations through strategic partnerships and innovative products and solutions that are tailored to the Nigerian and African Markets” Young said.

Earlier this year, Chams Plc, a Nigerian company of over 35years experience at providing digital solutions across a broad range of customer segments in Nigeria embarked upon a new vision and strategy that focuses on consumer-facing innovative digital solutions that are mobile phone based and not only beneficial to Nigerians but the greater African market.

By Tobiloba Kolawole

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Lagos Government Dissociates Self from Hoodlums who Attacked Protesters

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The Lagos State Goverent has dissociated itself from hoodlums who attacked #EndSARS protesters at the Alausa area of Ikeja ìn Lagos State on Thursday morning.

In a statement, sighted by Echotitbits, the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu led State government it will never encourage thuggery or any act of violence that may put the lives and businesses of Lagosians at risk adding that it is strongly committed to ensuring that youths, who have taken to the streets to air their views, are well protected.

The statement said: “The attention of the Lagos State Government has been drawn to some unverified reports in the social media alleging that the government-sponsored thugs to disrupt the #EndSARS protest. This is untrue and wicked.

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“Such wild allegations were obviously concocted by enemies of peace and orderliness to whip up sentiments against the government, which has been doing everything possible to resolve the crisis by identifying with our youths in their efforts towards police reforms.

“Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has been preaching peace. So has the Deputy Governor, who addressed the protesters last Friday. The Governor has addressed them twice – at the Lekki Toll Gate and at the House of Assembly” the statement read.

Recall that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tuesday visited the President to tender a five-point demand of protesters in Lagos.

Sanwo-Olu, at the meeting with the President stated that he had also ensured that all protesters arrested by the police in Lagos were released unconditionally.

Further in the statement dismissing any participation in the hoodlums attack on protesters, the state government accused the enemies of progress, who are not happy that Lagos is not on fire, as those fueling the “infernal lies” that the government was sponsoring thugs to attack youths who are engaging in a peaceful protest.

“They have been posting on the social media pictures suggesting that a Lagos Bus Service Ltd. (LBSL) vehicle was conveying thugs. The bus in question was on its normal operation when it ran into a group of protesters.

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“The passengers, who felt endangered, rushed out of the bus. They returned to continue their journey after the charging crowd had left.

“This should be a sober time for us all as we struggle to reverse the negative effects of COVID-19 on our economic and social lives, even as the experts are warning that a second wave is likely if we shun the safety guidelines we have all agreed to embrace.

“The government seeks the co-operation of all in ensuring that the crisis is put behind us as soon as possible”, Lagos State government said.

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Coalition Of Northern Groups Begins Expanded Protest #EndInsecurityNow Today

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A Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has directed all its chapters across the 19 northern states to begin an expanded protest across the region today.

This was made known by the spokesperson of the coalition, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, while addressing journalist in Abuja.

Suleiman stated that the protest by the coalition will be tagged #Endinsecuritynow.

“With the insecurity challenges affecting northern state of the country, the CNG is left with no option but to direct the extension of the protests to all northern states, commencing from Thursday, October 15, 2020″, he said.

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The coalition, speaking through Suleiman accused leaders in the North of habitual abandoment of their people when the need arises.

He said: “That while the southern elected and appointed leaders and representatives are quick to identify with their people at the time of need, their counterparts from the North, including the President, Senators, Rep members, governors, state legislators, other government appointees would rather abandon the hundreds of thousands of people in northern communities exposed to crime, lawlessness and insecurity in the hands of bandits, insurgents, kidnappers, rapists rustlers, and other violent criminals without any form of protection.

“That it is contradictory that despite several protests and pleas by northerners, the authorities never deemed it fit to extend the swift spirit deployed against FSARS into securing the North, or addressing the myriad distresses faced by northerners.

“That the authorities appear bent on sustaining the harsh, unacceptable regime of exploitative hikes in electricity tariffs for which the North shall bear the brunt more than other parts of the country,” he said.

To end all manifestations of insecurity in northern Nigeria and other parts of the country, the coalition urged the federal government to immediately declare a state of emergency on security and take practical steps.

The Coalition added that it will also demand thorough reorientation of the entire police force and its empowerment by way of additional personnel, modern training and adequate equipment to reclaim its universal internal security function.

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The outlined that it will: “Mount pressure on leaders to show real commitment to protecting lives of citizens, ending the prolonged closure of our universities, reconsidering hiked commodity prices, reducing youth unemployment, and checking the rise in poverty level.

“Publicly condemn and pass a vote of no confidence on those office holders and elected leaders who have abandoned the bulk of northerners to the mercy of a vicious insurgency, destructive banditry, rape and sexual assaults, violent communal clashes amidst mounting poverty and entrenched fear of widespread kidnappings for ransom.

“To declare the agreement reached by labour with the government on new electricity tariff unacceptable and demand the immediate, unconditional reversal to the old rates,” he added.

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Proposed ₦13trillion 2021 Budget Passes Second Reading at the House of Reps

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Nigeria's House of Representatives Green Chamber, Abuja.

Nigeria’s 2021 budget estimate of ₦13.8 trillion presented by President Muhammadu Buhari before a joint session of the National Assembly has passed second reading at the House of Representatives.

The bill, which was passed after a two day debate by members on the floor of the house was deliberated upon on the floor of the house following a motion moved by the leader of the house, Alhaji Ado Doguwa, which was adopted by members.

The debate, led by Doguwa attempted to establish that the 2021 budget tried to cushion the harsh economic blow the COVID 19 pandemic has on the nation.

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He reiterated that the budget proposal takes special emphasis on the upgrade of critical sectors of the economy.

Contributing to the debate, Chief Whip of House, Alh Tahir Monguno, advised the Federal Government to focus more on the agric sector and also increase budgetary allocation to the Northeastern part of the country due to the deplorable state of infrastructure in the region.

Also making a submission, a member from Enugu state, Mr Obinna Chidoka, observed that the Ministry of Environment needs more than what was allocated to it due to the menace of erosion and flooding affecting many parts of the country.

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Member of House from Kano state, Alh Muhammad Wudil, submitted that priority should be given to job creation considering the high rate unemployed youths in the country.

Further contributions from some other members stressed the need for a reduction in the cost of governance, adding that infrastructure decay has to be addressed urgently as an approach to diversify the economy to become technologically driven.

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Gbajabiamila Meets NBA President over Police Brutality

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Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila receives the national leadership of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) led by its President, Olumide Akpata, where he reaffirmed the lawmakers’ determination to come up with a piece of new legislation within 30 days towards addressing police brutality and other issues.

Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has met with the national leadership of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) led its President, Olumide Akpata, where he reaffirmed the lawmakers’ determination to come up with a piece of new legislation within 30 days towards addressing police brutality and other issues.

Similarly, Akpata assured that his association would ensure a good collaboration with the House with a view to coming up with good legislations to address the matter.

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The House had last week passed some far-reaching resolutions to address the issue of police brutality against Nigerians, one of which is to amend the constitution and come up with other legislation to curb the excesses of the police.

Speaking during a courtesy call by NBA leadership to his office on Wednesday, Gbajabiamila said the provision of Section 215 (5) almost gives the police absolute immunity against their excesses, hence the need to amend that section.

Gbajabiamila, who said the House could not do it alone, sought for the support of NBA to achieve its set goal on addressing police brutality.

Speaker, House of Representatives receives President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Olumide Alapata ìn Abuja.

“I want to use this opportunity to congratulate Nigerians out there, who have been part of this struggle, and I want to appeal at the same time that we should apply the brake, perhaps, a little and see what will be done.

“In the House, before the protest, we made a statement. I made a statement on the floor of the House. We reached far-reaching resolutions. We’ve been very proactive on this issue. We’re determined to pursue the resolutions of the House forcefully, for want of a better word.

“Our resolutions included that we discovered section 215 (5) almost gives absolute immunity to the police over what they do. So, for a start, we feel we should begin with amending the constitution and delete that offensive section.

Speaker, House of Representatives receives President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Olumide Alapata ìn Abuja.

“I believe it was well-intended but now it’s obnoxious. From that, we can raise any other reforms to look at the complaints from the public, from NBA, the civil societies etc.

“We’re waiting for Inspector General of Police to send us the list of policemen that had complaints against them in the last five years. We’re also waiting for the list of the victims so that they can be compensated. We’re beginning the budget process, and we want to make sure that there’s a line item that ensures they’re compensated.

“The resolutions also talked about police reform. We already passed the Police Reform Act, but we need to do more. We need to look at the conditions of service, etc.

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“Suffice it to say that this House is determined to bring this to fruition. We gave ourselves 30 days to come up with a piece of legislation. We’re working assiduously to achieve the timeline we set for ourselves,” Gbajabiamila said.

The Speaker announced that the House would raise an ad hoc panel that would interface with NBA on the issue of police brutality and others.

Akpata had earlier told the Speaker that the visit was to discuss the issue of police brutality and see how the contentious issues could be addressed.

Speaker, House of Representatives receives President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Olumide Alapata ìn Abuja.

He expressed delight that the House was already doing a lot on the matter, saying Nigerians were eager to see how the matter would be resolved.

“We at NBA are resolute to collaborate with you on the issues,” he said.

Akpata raised the issue of some Nigerians being detained at different police stations unnecessarily, calling on the Speaker to intervene.

Responding, Gbajabiamila told NBA president to identify all the police stations where people were detained for the House to raise a delegation that would meet with NBA and get them released.

“I think you should identify the stations where people are being held. I will be more than happy to set up a crack team of members to go with you and pursue vigorously those issues. This should be part of the collaboration. We’ll expect your response on this,” Gbajabiamila said.

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In a related development, the Speaker has also hosted the leadership of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) led by the Executive Secretary, Tony Ojukwu, where he raised the same issues relating to police brutality and what the House is doing about it.

The Speaker also sought a partnership with the commission towards finding lasting solutions to human rights abuses.

On his part, Ojukwu informed the Speaker that it was important to come up with an investigative panel that would consider the cases of human rights violations by the police and listen to victims of police brutality.

Idowu Sowunmi

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[Video] Ebutte Meta Attack: Lagos Police Arrests Six Hoodlums

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Suspected hoodlums arrested by men of the Lagos Police Command over Tuesday's Ebutte Meta attack

Six persons suspected to be hoodlums that attacked innocent Lagosians and damaged some vehicles along Ondo Street, Ebutte-Meta area of Lagos in the Southwest of Nigeria on Tuesday have been arrested by men of the Lagos Police Command.

Spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on Wednesday, states that at about 9.30pm on Tuesday, the hoodlums trooped out in numbers and started fomenting troubles in the area, but the police, while responding to distress calls from innocent people, chased and arrested some of them.

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Police gave the identities of the suspected hoodlums as Qudus Oke, 22; Abdullahi Ajose, 25; Kayi Ajayi, 33; Micheal Ben, 27; Godwin Joseph, 25 and Oluwasegun Akinlade, 29.

According to the statement by Adejobi, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Hakeem Odumosu, has vowed to get Lagos rid of hoodlums, hooliganism, gangsterism, cultism and other social vices.

He emphasised that all hands were on deck in the command to resist any act capable of jeopardising security networking of the state and causing pains and agonies to Lagosians during the ember months and beyond.

Video:

 

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FEC Approves 1.6bn for e-Government Procurement Platform to Check Corruption

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President Buhari presides over Federal Executive Council (FEC) Meeting in State House on 14th Oct 2020. Photo: Femi Adesina

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday approved N1.6billion for the establishment of the e-Government Procurement Platform to address corrupt practices in the government’s procurement system.

The Director-General, Bureau of Public Enterprises, Mamman Ahmadu, said the new platform would help eliminate corruption as well as enhance the country’s procurement process.

President Buhari presides over Federal Executive Council (FEC) Meeting in State House on 14th Oct 2020. Photo: Femi Adesina

He said: “Today, BPP presented a memo on e-government procurement. E-government procurement has the potential of improving the procurement process, eliminate corruption, and reduce the leak time in the procurement process itself.

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“There have been a lot of complaints about the long time it takes to go through the due process. With the establishment of this, we will reduce that time.

“It also removes subjectivity from the process. There have been lots of complaints about subjectivity in the approval process that will be dealt with squarely when it is eventually launched,” he said.

According to him, the step taken by the government is in line with the current global trend.

“E-government procurement is a global trend and from the research carried out by the World Bank, it had been established that countries that have taken off with e-government procurement have witnessed exponential economic growth and they have stimulated ICT in those countries.

“It will reduce corruption to the barest minimum because it will reduce the human interface within the process. The overall cost is about N1.6 billion,” he said.

The Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, who also addressed the correspondents on the outcome of the meeting, said the Council approved Nigeria’s contribution of two million dollars for the West African Power Pool (WAPP)

He expressed the hope that the contribution would in turn generate income for Nigeria, to cushion the dwindling oil revenue.

According to him, the power pool being a common entity of countries in West Africa, plays a role of coordination and synergy among countries, as well as boosting electricity supply in the region.

Mamman also said the regional power pools would be of great assistance in case the national grid of any of the member states fails.

“The pool is about having synergy within the West African region. The decision has been taken by ECOWAS, it’s for the generation of electricity in the region, so as to have a more constant and steady power supply.

“It’s like the national grid in Nigeria, so we are going to have a regional grid. It means in case there is a failure in one country, another can supplement it. The $2 million is a contribution,” he said.

Also shedding more light on the electricity pool, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed said all ECOWAS countries had been contributing annually to the cost of transmission of electricity in the region, since the establishment of WAPP in 1999.

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He said: “The West African power pool is made up of all west African countries because each member state contributes annually to the cost of power transmission across the pool. Because the consequence is that if there is a problem in one country it could inadvertently affect the other country.

“It’s a common pool and every country has its own section and our contribution for this year is $2 million.

“It’s not as if we are giving two million dollars to ECOWAS, we are simply paying our own contribution to the transmission from Nigeria to other West African countries and viz-visa”, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported.

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[Videos] #EndSARS: Thugs Allegedly Sponsored, Attack Peaceful protesters in Abuja

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As the peaceful #EndSARs protest continued in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital on Wednesday morning, demonstrators were ambushed in an attack by thugs alleged to have been sponsored by actors against the agitations by Nigerian youths, which has now transformed into a movement demanding a shift from the status quo to accountability in the nation’s leadership.

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According to eyewitnesses, the thugs were seen with sticks, cutlasses, and daggers attacking the peaceful protesters and destroying their cars, The Guardian reported.

“Someone had this(dagger) on his right hand with a cutlass, we had to run after him to remove the cutlass from his hand he almost struck one of our guys with this (dagger),” an eyewitness said on Tuesday.

“This is an exhibit, I am going hand it over to the security.”

Nigerian youths took to the streets last week to protest against harrasement, extortion, extra-judicial killings and gross impunity perpetrated by men of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), especially the notoriously perceived Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS), a tactical unit of the state security agency that has now been disbanded by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, last Sunday.

The protests have been holding in different parts of Nigeria with the demand for total reform of the nation’s police architecture.

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Some of the crimes said to be committed by officers of the defunct SARS include execution of innocent citizens and suspects without trial, kidnapping for ransom, extortion and intimidation.

Despite pronouncements by President Muhammadu Buhari and IGP Adamu on disbanding the SARS squad and promise of reforms, Nigerian youths are adamant and not yielding until there are concrete and convincing steps that true reforms have statretd.

The mistrust is not far fetched as the Nigerian Government had in the past made empty promises on multiple occasions to reform SARS and make the squad more accountable.

Tobiloba Kolawole

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Police Storms Baby Factory in Cross Rivers, Rescues Pregnant Women, Children

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The prime suspect and owner of baby factory in Akampka LGA of Cross River ,Glory Imaobong Asuquo

The Police Command in Cross Rivers State has busted a baby factory located in obot Udonna Village in Akampka LGA of the state.

The covert operation by officers of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), based on credible intelligence, was carried out in the early hours of Wednesday, leading to the rescue of two pregnant women and three children.

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According to reports by Vanguard, the Commissioner of Police, Abdulkadir Jimoh said they got credible intelligence which they promptly acted upon and apprehended the operator of the Baby factory, identified as Imaobong Asuquo.

The Police Commissioner revealed that the prime suspect operated the baby factory in her home and sells baby for 500,000 each in collaboration with another suspect simply identified as Iquo.

“We got credible intelligence and we swung into action immediately in a covert Operation at about 4:00 a.m Wednesday and we busted a baby factory operated in the residence of one Imaobong Asuquo who sells babies for at least 500,000 nairas.

“We also rescued three pregnant girls including two 19 years old and another 21-year-old as well as two children (names withheld)aged 2 and 7 years.

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“From the statement, we got from one Solomon Christopher husband to one of the rescued pregnant women, we also discovered that three babies were sold for 500,000 nairas each already.

“But we are working assiduously to make sure we get to the root of the matter and all involved apprehended and charged to Court to face justice, the investigation is still ongoing as we speak,” Jimoh said.

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African Development Bank Appoints Yacine Fal as Director-General, President’s Cabinet Office

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Newly appointed Director General, President's Cabinet Office, AfDB, Yacine Fal

For effective administrative and operational work and activities at the President’s Cabinet Office, African Development Bank Group has announced the appointment of Yacine Fal as the office’s Director General effective November 1.

Fal, a Senegalese, has been described as a seasoned and results-oriented business development and service delivery professional with over 20 years of experience in banking, legal and procurement fields.

As Director-General, Fal would primarily provide oversight of all units and departments directly reporting to the President.

She would also ensure enhanced delivery efficiency and effectiveness for all presidential initiatives and bank operations, as per agreements with respective Vice Presidency Complexes.

The new director-general would oversee the work of senior staff to improve overall coordination and engagement of the President and Chairman of the Board of Directors with the Board.

Speaking on the appointment of the new director-general, President of the African Development Bank Group, Akinwumi Adesina, described Fal as “a highly capable manager.”

According to him, “Fal brings vast knowledge and experience of the bank’s legal, procurement, human resources, processes, systems, and operations to her new position.

“I am delighted to have Fal lead a restructured Cabinet Office of the President that will comprehensively support the delivery of my vision and mandate to strengthen the bank and accelerate Africa’s development.”

Also commenting on her appointment, Fal said: “I am greatly honoured by the confidence reposed in me by President Adesina to support him in ensuring the successful implementation of his bold vision for the bank and the continent.

“I look forward to leading teams in the President’s Cabinet Office to provide managerial, administrative and operational bandwidth and to assure the success of the President’s vision and mandate following his historic re-election with 100 per cent vote of the bank’s shareholders.”

Fal joined the African Development Bank as a Principal Legal Counsel in the procurement unit (1998-2007) and subsequently served as Manager in charge of the reform implementation team in the office of the President (2007-2008).

She was appointed Officer in Charge of the Procurement and Fiduciary Services Department (2010-2011); and Manager of the Procurement Services Division (2008-2013). She later served as the Resident Representative of the bank’s Morocco Office (2014-2017).

In 2016, Adesina appointed Fal as the Deputy Director General of the North Africa Business Development and Service Delivery Office.

Fal holds a Masters of Law degree (1984) from University of Dakar, where she specialised in corporate and tax law, and a postgraduate degree in International Law (1987) from University of Paris X.

Idowu Sowunmi

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