UBA to empower MSME’s with wealth management strategies at ‘Built to Last’ Series

As part of its commitment to deepen the growth and sustainability of micro, small and medium-scale enterprises (MSMEs) on the continent, Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, is set to host the last edition of its quarterly business series for the year.

As part of its commitment to deepen the growth and sustainability of micro, small and medium-scale enterprises (MSMEs) on the continent, Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, is set to host the last edition of its quarterly business series for the year.

This edition of the business series, “Profit with Purpose, Business Continuity,” will be held on Thursday, November 21st 2024, by 12 PM (noon) at the Tony Elumelu Amphitheatre, UBA House, Marina, Lagos and intending participants are expected to register via the Registration Link at https://ubagroup.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_UG0EUWSLTZqu91jSMSih5w

According to a statement, the UBA Business Series is a regular seminar/workshop organised by the bank as capacity-building initiatives for small businesses, where leading business leaders and professionals share well-researched insights on relevant topics and best practices for running successful businesses, especially in a challenging business environment.

This edition seeks to showcase businesses that are resilient and have done well through generations, adapting to political and economic changes.

Renowned leaders from diverse industries, including a prominent lawyer, award winning film director, and producer, Bolanle Austen-Peters whose work has significantly impacted Nigerian Cinema, and theatre will headline this last quarter’ series. Her recent film House of GA’A has achieved a major milestone, reaching Netflix’s Global 10 list for indigenous language films.

Other prominent entrepreneurs who will be on ground to give insightful tips are, Founder and Chief Executive of Asadtek Group Limited, Ghana; Dr. James Asare-Adjei; Award winning TV Personality & Multi Media Entrepreneur, Frank Edoho, Celebrated multimedia personality, Toke Makinwa and founder of Nigeria’s pioneering indigenous premium coffee brand, Happy Coffee, Princess Adeyinka Tekena.

UBA’s Group Head, Retail and Digital Banking, Shamsideen Fashola who spoke on the upcoming workshop, said the vast knowledge and experience of the panellists, would give business owners more insight towards the importance of personal finance, wealth management and most importantly how to navigate the frailties of the harsh economy to ensure business growth.

“We know small businesses are vital to the growth and advancement of every economy, that is why at UBA, we constantly look for ways of ensuring that these business owners and operators are well-equipped to grow their businesses successfully,” he said.

“This edition provides a platform for SMEs to learn from experienced entrepreneurs who have built and sustained businesses through the decades,” Fashola said.

“Hearing their stories and strategies will be invaluable for any business owner looking to build a lasting enterprise”

Also speaking ahead of the event, UBA’s Group Head, Marketing & Corporate Communications, Alero Ladipo, noted that the business series is an invaluable learning opportunity, targeted at helping young and aspiring entrepreneurs scale up their businesses.

Ladipo further said, “At UBA, we are committed to empowering businesses of all sizes, and this business series is one way we are fulfilling that commitment”

“To this end, we have assembled an esteemed panel of speakers who will share their wealth of experience and insights on building a generational business. This is a must-attend event for anyone serious about the long-term success of their enterprise,” she said.

United Bank for Africa Plc is a leading Pan-African financial institution, offering banking services to more than forty-five million customers, across 1,000 business offices and customer touch points in 20 African countries. With presence in New York, London, Paris and Dubai, UBA is connecting people and businesses across Africa through retail, commercial and corporate banking, innovative cross-border payments and remittances, trade finance and ancillary banking services

Nigeria Ranks 7th Globally for International Students – United States

… More than 20,000 Nigerian Students Enrolled in 2023/2024, Up 13.5 Percent from Previous Year

By Edoamaowo Udeme

Nigerian student enrollment at U.S. colleges and universities rose to 20,029 students in 2023/2024, marking a 13.5 percent increase from the previous year, according to the 2024 Open Doors Report on International Education Exchange. This places Nigeria as Africa’s leading source of international students and 7th globally.

According to a releases report from the US Embassy in Nigeria, it reveals that U.S. colleges and universities host a record-breaking 1,126,690 international students this year, marking an all-time high for international enrollment.

This milestone aligns with the 75th anniversary of the Open Doors Report, the leading benchmark for international educational exchange in the United States. Notably, Nigeria with 20,029 students, reinforces its position as the top sending country from Africa and the 7th largest globally.

Nigerian students bring a wealth of diversity, perspectives, and academic excellence to U.S. universities, enriching the educational experience for all students. Nigerian scholars are known for their strong academic backgrounds and commitment to advanced education, with over 55% pursuing graduate-level studies in the United States.

The growth in Nigerian students choosing to study in the U.S. reflects both the strong U.S. commitment to high-quality education and the growing interest of Nigerian scholars in international academic experiences. It also highlights the importance of people-to-people connections that deepen understanding and strengthen bonds between Nigeria and the United States.

Sub-Saharan Africa’s student mobility grew by 13% in 2023/24, maintaining its position as the fastest-growing region for the second year, following an 18% increase in 2022/23. The influx of Nigerian students is a testament to the robust educational ties between the U.S. and Nigeria.

The Open Doors Report, an annual publication of the Institute of International Education (IIE) in partnership with the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, was released at the beginning of International Education Week, an initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education. This week is dedicated to promoting global awareness and inspiring future leaders worldwide to study in the United States.

… More than 20,000 Nigerian Students Enrolled in 2023/2024, Up 13.5 Percent from Previous Year

By Edoamaowo Udeme

Nigerian student enrollment at U.S. colleges and universities rose to 20,029 students in 2023/2024, marking a 13.5 percent increase from the previous year, according to the 2024 Open Doors Report on International Education Exchange. This places Nigeria as Africa’s leading source of international students and 7th globally.

According to a releases report from the US Embassy in Nigeria, it reveals that U.S. colleges and universities host a record-breaking 1,126,690 international students this year, marking an all-time high for international enrollment.

This milestone aligns with the 75th anniversary of the Open Doors Report, the leading benchmark for international educational exchange in the United States. Notably, Nigeria with 20,029 students, reinforces its position as the top sending country from Africa and the 7th largest globally.

Nigerian students bring a wealth of diversity, perspectives, and academic excellence to U.S. universities, enriching the educational experience for all students. Nigerian scholars are known for their strong academic backgrounds and commitment to advanced education, with over 55% pursuing graduate-level studies in the United States.

The growth in Nigerian students choosing to study in the U.S. reflects both the strong U.S. commitment to high-quality education and the growing interest of Nigerian scholars in international academic experiences. It also highlights the importance of people-to-people connections that deepen understanding and strengthen bonds between Nigeria and the United States.

Sub-Saharan Africa’s student mobility grew by 13% in 2023/24, maintaining its position as the fastest-growing region for the second year, following an 18% increase in 2022/23. The influx of Nigerian students is a testament to the robust educational ties between the U.S. and Nigeria.

The Open Doors Report, an annual publication of the Institute of International Education (IIE) in partnership with the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, was released at the beginning of International Education Week, an initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education. This week is dedicated to promoting global awareness and inspiring future leaders worldwide to study in the United States.

Yomi Otubela suspended by NAPPS over misappropriation of funds.

By Fashina Shakiru.

To GOD be all Glory, the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, Lagos State, Nigeria (NAPPS) has suspended its National President, Chief Yomi Otubela, owner of Lagoos school, Orile Agege, over tenure elongation, gross misconduct, and allegedly misappropriation of funds, Fly Cable News learnt.

In a letter of suspension signed by the NAPPS Lagos Chapter, President T.Y. Amusa and General Secretary, Alaka Yusuf, sighted by Fly Cable News, the association noted with concern the recent ‘illegal’ extension and activities of its President, suspended indefinitely as a member of the NAPPS Lagos state chapter.

The statement reads: “The resolution came as a result of resolving the crisis within the stipulated time of threatening the life of our association and failure to manage the affairs of the association rather than escalate the crisis. Failure to obey the directive of the Board of Trustees on the controversial constitution amendment process embarks on and removes Prince Adesina Raji, board of trustees, South West, without due process.”

Our correspondent speaking with NAPPS’s immediate president, Lagos State, Amusa on the phone revealed that Chief Yomi Otubela, who served as the immediate past president, completed his term in office in October 2023 and refused to relinquish his position, adding that the association turns into a tool for his personal interests and misuse of union funds. These claims have further led to a reported freezing of the association’s accounts, causing embarrassment and financial distress within the organisation.

He further accused Chief Otubela of misappropriating over one hundred million Naira (N100 million) in savings of the NAPPS building/land project in a state co-operative account. This mismanagement was facilitated by Pastor Olujide Durodola of Durba School, Maya Ikorodu, who was appointed as Treasurer. Otubela was also involved in fraudulent activities, altering the association’s Corporate Affairs Commission documents to change the Board of Trustees. He plans to transfer the organisation’s assets into his own name, potentially affecting the association’s operations and financial health.

According to him, Chief Yomi Otubela is involved in fraudulent activities, altering association documents to change the Board of Trustees, and exploiting its nefarious activities to gain time by filing a court case, raising concerns among members. He is visiting banks to gather account balance information and No-Debt-Restriction on certain associations’s accounts.

Also an aggrieved member, the Board of Trustee, South West, Prince Adesina Raji, filed a court-suite FHC/L/CS/279/2024 affidavit at the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on its president over alleged plan tenure elongation and an attempt to change the association’s constitution.

A Certified True Copy file obtained by Fly Cable News reads, “The Plaintiffs who participated in the National Delegates Conference in October 2023 ceased to be members of the National Executive Council of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools upon the completion of their four-year single tenure on November 22, 2023.”

“The plaintiffs in the affidavit in support of the originating summons are denied paragraphs 2(a) and (b) of the affidavit in support, stating they no longer served as members of the National Executive Council of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools after their four-year single tenure. The plaintiffs also argue that the 2nd to 13th defendants remain trustees and the 14th to 22nd defendants were members of the Electoral Committee.”

“As it’s National Executive Council allegedly introduced the amendment of Articles 79(i) 80(i) (ii) of the NAPPS Constitution into the agenda of an extraordinary National Delegates Congress without prior notice to members of the Association. Notices of the amendment were not communicated to members of various chapters of the association. The majority of members did not consent to the amendment, particularly the provisions of Articles 79 (1) and (3). The proposed amendments were not put forward for amendment or review.”

The proposed amendment to the 2017 Constitution of the Association of National Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) was deemed illegal, void, and of no effect, as rejected by the majority of delegates at the October 23, 2023 National Delegates Conference.

While Raji noted that “the amendment was viewed as a breach of the association’s 2017 Constitution and a calculated attempt by the 1st plaintiff to extend his tenure. The 1st–22nd defendants released a communiqué dated November 7, 2023, expressing their true position on the alteration, which was a result of the plaintiffs’ tenure extension agenda.”

NAPPS National Legal Adviser, Barrister Abitogun Stephen, said the two South-West BOT members suspected the National President’s clandestine move to alter the NAPPS constitution in 2017, writing a complaint to CAC. The Registrar-General, the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), acknowledged the complaint and approved resolutions passed by NAPPS members before October 23, 2023, where the National President and his team claimed to have amended the constitution.

However, Stephen noted that the association has not provided evidence of the resolution passed by a simple majority of NAPPS members and the commission’s approval before October 23, 2023. The association also notes that publications made after October 23, 2023, were made after the claimed amendment date.

When Fly Cable News messaged and called Chief Yomi Otubela for comments on the matter on Sunday, he did not respond at press time.

Akwa Ibom Police Command Set To Enforce Ban On Tinted Glass And Covered Number Plates

By Emmanuel Uffot

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has put machinery in motion to begin enforcement of the existing ban on tinted glasses and covered number plates by private car owners.
According to a release by the Command’s Spokesperson ASP Timfon John, the Command notes with serious concern the random use of tinted glass vehicles and covered number plates by unauthorized persons.
She further stated that
the Command notes with concern again that some persons hide under these vehicles to act and commit offences that are against the law.
Consequently, she reiterated that,
members of the public are to note that the Command will begin legal actions against any unauthorized persons driving covered number plates and tinted vehicles.

“As we prepare for the Festive season, the Command wishes to reassure Akwa Ibomites that everything needed to keep the State safe and secured is being emplaced and the zero tolerance of the Commissioner of Police for Crime in the State is still on top gear.

Once Again, be rest assured of the Police Commitment to serve the State well and better”, ASP John stated.