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All Posts in "Day: September 25, 2025"

 

By Winifred Bosa

Nestlé Nigeria has reaffirmed its dedication to youth empowerment and skill development with the graduation of twenty young trainees from the 8th cohort of its Nestlé Technical Training Center, Agbara. This initiative is part of the broader Nestlé Needs YOUth program, a global commitment launched in 2013 with the goal of enabling 10 million young people worldwide to access economic opportunities by 2030.

 

Since its establishment in 2011, the Nestlé Technical Training Center, Agbara has invested more than ₦6 billion in equipping young Nigerians with hands-on technical and vocational skills. The program offers comprehensive training in food technology, engineering, and manufacturing operations, giving participants the practical expertise they need to thrive in today’s industrial landscape. By empowering youth with employable skills, the initiative not only supports individual growth but also contributes to Nigeria’s industrial capacity and sustainable economic development.

 

The latest graduates completed an intensive 18-month curriculum that blends theoretical and practical engineering education. Their training culminated in the prestigious City and Guilds of London Technicians’ Certification, significantly enhancing their employability in Nigeria and beyond.
Since its inception, the Nestlé Technical Training Center has trained more than 200 young professionals across its three locations: Agbara, Flowergate, and Abaji factories. Impressively, 95% of alumni have secured employment with Nestlé Nigeria, where they apply their technical knowledge in practical roles.

 

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Wassim Elhusseini, Managing Director/CEO of Nestlé Nigeria, said:
“Each graduation ceremony is a true privilege because it allows us to witness firsthand the life-changing impact of the Nestlé Technical Training Center. Many of our graduates have gone on to build remarkable careers, including one who now serves as a Factory Engineer in Angola, and several others excelling as Engineering and Production Supervisors. From this class, five outstanding graduates will embark on an eight-week internship in Switzerland starting this October, under the framework of our Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Embassy of Switzerland in Nigeria.

There, they will sharpen their technical expertise and gain valuable global exposure. These achievements go far beyond individual success, they uplift families, strengthen communities, and contribute to Nigeria’s industrial growth.”
Highlighting the broader impact of the Technical Training Centers within the Nestlé Needs YOUth initiative, Mr. Shakiru Lawal, Country Human Resources Manager at Nestlé Nigeria, said:

 

“The Nestlé Technical Training Center is a cornerstone of Nestlé Needs YOUth, which empowers young people across Nigeria through four key pillars: employability, skills development, support, and access to opportunities. Beyond the training centers, our initiative includes programs such as the Nesternship Program, a virtual internship platform that allows young people to gain practical experience remotely; the Nestlé Youth Development Program, which provides training and mentorship to enhance employability; and our active participation in the Alliance for Youth Nigeria, a collaboration offering apprenticeships, traineeships, and job opportunities. Through these efforts, we reach an average of 25,000 young people annually, helping them build fulfilling careers and contribute to the growth of our communities.”

 

In a goodwill message delivered on his behalf by Adenike Aderonke, Director of Social and Labour Affairs, the Director-General Mr. Adewale Smatt Oyerinde of the Nigerian Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) praised the Center’s role in shaping future talent.

“This program reaffirms our belief that skills are the future of work, especially for young people in today’s competitive environment. To the graduands, I extend heartfelt congratulations. Strive for excellence in your endeavors, uphold values of consistency, and make a positive impact in your chosen fields.”

Also present at the ceremony were His Royal Highness, the Alagbara of Agbara, Oba Lukman Jayeola Agunbiade, along with representatives from the communities.
“I am proud to see a program that gives our youth real skills and opportunities,” Oba Lukman Jayeola Agunbiade said. “It is especially wonderful to see young people from my community succeeding through this initiative. I encourage these graduates to lead by example and inspire others to make the most of education, training, and personal development.”

 

With every edition, the Nestlé Technical Training Centres continue to strengthen Nigeria’s industrial workforce, equipping young people with the skills to build sustainable careers and drive national growth.

About Nestle

Nestlé Nigeria is Africa’s top food and beverage company, known for its quality, excellence, and commitment to creating shared value. With a heritage of more than 63 years in Nigeria and its house-hold brands, the firm continues to ensure the availability and accessibility of nutritious food and beverage products. In addition, the firm supports the communities closest to its operations and takes action to safeguard the environment through sustainable business practices.

With over 2,300 direct employees, 3 factories and 7 branch offices across Nigeria, Nestlé produces and markets iconic brands including Maggi, Milo, Golden Morn, Nestlé Pure Life and Cerelac.

 

Online Poster by — September 25, 2025 in brands and Marketing
Polaris Bank Hosts Global Trade Forum To Strengthen Trade Relationships , Drive Growth

By Winifred Bosa

 

Polaris Bank, Nigeria’s leading digital retail, and commercial bank, on Tuesday hosted corporate customers in the non-oil sector at its Global Trade Forum. The event was designed to foster stronger stakeholder relationships, address trade-related challenges, and explore innovative solutions to drive business growth.

 

The forum, with the theme: “Trade Export: Partnering for Growth”, brought together key players in Nigeria’s trade and export ecosystem, including business leaders, exporters, regulators, Nigerian Customs and policy influencers. Participants engaged in robust discussions on the challenges and opportunities shaping the global trading landscape.

 

Speaking at the event, Polaris Bank Managing Director/CEO, Kayode Lawal, underscored the central role of trade as a catalyst for sustainable economic growth. He reaffirmed Polaris Bank’s commitment to delivering tailored solutions that empower Nigerian businesses to compete more effectively in international markets.

 

According to him, the purpose of the gathering was to address the real issues customers encounter in trade and export while identifying opportunities where Polaris Bank can provide practical, innovative solutions to support growth. He stressed that Polaris Bank sees itself not only as a financial institution but also as a trusted partner in progress and a driver of long-term value creation.

 

Also in attendance was Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Aondona Fanyama, who led a three-man delegation from the Nigerian Customs Service. He spoke extensively on the workings of the Nigeria Trade Portal B’odogwu and gave a practical demonstration of its application.
ACC Fanyama highlighted how the portal simplifies trade processes for exporters and importers, enhancing transparency, speed, and efficiency in cross-border trade. In a show of collaboration, he also pledged swift resolution to two participants at the forum who had been facing challenges with processing via the portal: thereby reinforcing the importance of such engagements in resolving real-time business concerns.

The event, held at Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island, provided a platform for meaningful dialogue on trade finance, export readiness, compliance, market access, and the role of digital platforms in facilitating cross-border transactions. It also offered participants the opportunity to interact directly with financial experts, policymakers, Customs officials, and industry leaders – opening doors for collaboration and sustainable growth.

The Bank had full representation of its executive management including Executive Directors for Retail, Commercial and Corporate & Investment Banking, Chris Ofikulu and Abimbola Ozomah with scores of strategic business leaders from across Treasury, Global Trade, Business Directorate, and Divisions.

 

Through the trade forum, Polaris Bank once again demonstrated its role as a forward-looking lender committed to supporting businesses, fostering economic development, and strengthening Nigeria’s participation in global markets. The Forum reinforces the Bank’s positioning as a catalyst for trade expansion and customer empowerment, ensuring that its clients have the financial products, relevant advisory support, and opportunities required to thrive in today’s competitive global economy.

Online Poster by — September 25, 2025 in Capital Market
Ukachukwu  Vow to take Anambra to long Expected  promised land. 

 
 
By Ebele  Ofodile 
Prince Nicholas Chukwujekwu Ukachukwu, the All Progressive Congress (APC) Governorship Candidate for  Anambra State in the 2025 election, has outlined ambitious  plans for the state’s  development, focusing  on agriculture, security, creation of job and overall governance.
He made this statement during an inauguration  of the APC Anambra  State  governorship  Campaign  Council, held at  secretariat Awka.
Ukachukwu proposes of leveraging artificial intelligence to boost agriculture ,productivity  and efficiency, a structured  agricultural  values chain involving  farmers, seed companies, infrastructure providers, funding agencies to enable  productivity  and support  farmers.” We are declaring a revolution in agric- chain in Anambra State, aiming to empower  farmers and drive economic  growth, ” he said.”
He acknowledges  insecurity  as a major challenge  hindering development  and investors, promising to tackle it, ensuring of protection of lives and properties of Ndi- Anambra, aiming to end killings and maiming in the state.
He emphasised on creation of job opportunities, empowering of youths, attracting foreign investors, improvising on infrastructure  like roads, connecting council areas to the state capital, focusing on major commercial hubs, expansion of health-care access, improving on education, promising  of all- inclusive government benefiting  all the 179 communities  in Anambra State.
Earlier in his speech, his running mate senator, uche Ekwunife  said, the party is the best to take anambra state to a new dimension.
In their separate speeches,the inauguration committee advised all hands to be on deck come November 8 2025 election,  stating that APC will be on seat at light house” we are going to put in our best and not to disappoint him.”
Online Poster by — September 25, 2025 in News
Experts To Discuss Seasonal Investing, As INVESTDATA Holds Q4 Master Class Saturday

 

Experts, traders and investors in the Nigerian capital market will on Saturday gather for the Q4 Master Class organised by Investdata Consulting Limited to brainstorm on the historic moves seen so far on the nation’s bourse in the ongoing fourth quarter and beyond.

 

The Master Class, which will hold virtually, will be facilitated by equity traders and analysts such as Dr Sylvester Anaba (Ph.D), a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers and Head, Research, United Capital Plc; Alhaji Kasimu Garba Kurfi, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer APT Securities & Funds Limited; Mr Abdul-Rasheed Momoh, Executive Director, Operations, TRW Stockbrokers Limited; and Ambrose Omordion, Chief Research Officer, Investdata Consulting.

 

According to a statement by the organisers, Dr. Anaba will take participants through “The Power Of Seasonal Investing In A Recovering Economy,” Alhaji Kurfi will speak to “New Actionable Trade Ideas & Strategies In Changing Stock Market;” while “Mastering Contemporary Technical Tools For Wealth Building In Any Market Cycle,” will be discussed by Mr Momoh.

 

On his part, Mr. Omordion is expected to discuss “time & Price Analyses For Money Making In a Dynamic Market.”
A statement by the organisers noted that the Master Class is for investors and traders “preparing for the big changes underway in the economy and, indeed, the NGX.”

The statement quoted Omordion as saying that timing is very critical today, especially given the inflow of the country’s macroeconomic data, and how they influenced the outcome of the last Monetary Policy Committee meetings held on Monday and Tuesday, which saw a rate cut, with the possibility of another slash at the November, as well as corporate earnings and the usual year-end activities.

This is is in addition to the expected fundamental shift in global capital flows if the world’s big central banks cut rates, a situation that will ignite new opportunities in the market.

The question, Omordion continued, is: “what does these portend for market players like you? Opportunities. But, that is, if you know where to look, which is why you should join us at the next edition of the Q4 Master Class.

“It is a 100% virtual (online) meeting on the ZOOM App, to enable you participate from the comfort of your home, anywhere you are across the world,” he said, assuring that the Master Class will help participants follow exact steps in real time, using the current volatility and happenings in the market.
The Master Class, he continued, is will offer cutting-edge strategies for equity trading on the NGX and other markets; while providing insights on the need to blend technical and fundamental analyses to gain insights for all experience levels- whether beginner to advanced.

The statement further assured that participants will learn how to filter market noise and identify the most opportune time to join any trade, besides “tradeable chart patterns and candlestick formations that signal real money-making opportunities; and how to buy right on the two sides of equity investing, whether fundamental vs technical; risk vs profit; buy vs sell; and bears vs bulls.”
Participants, the statement further stressed, will discuss five recommended stocks that beat inflation and delivered over 50% return within a 91-day period, and trading opportunities that will make the difference in December, and 2026.

 

“This is not just an event, it is your opportunity to gain actionable strategies, proven technical tools and market tested confidence from market experts and professionals. Don’t miss this opportunity,” Omordion noted.

Online Poster by — September 25, 2025 in News
PenCom DG Visits TUC, Agree Collaboration To Boost Pension Compliance

 

The Director General of the National Pension Commission (PenCom), Ms. Omolola Oloworaran, has reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) in advancing pension reforms and ensuring greater compliance with the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).

 

Ms. Oloworaran gave the assurance during a courtesy visit to the TUC President, Comrade (Engr.) Festus Osifo, in Abuja on 24 September 2025. She was accompanied by the Acting Commissioner, Technical, Hon. Hafiz Kawu Ibrahim, and other top management staff of the Commission.

 

Speaking at the meeting, the PenCom DG acknowledged the invaluable role of the TUC as a member of the PenCom Governing Board and stressed that the relationship between the two organisations remained crucial to the sustainability of the CPS in Nigeria. She proposed more structured stakeholder engagements between PenCom and TUC to further strengthen the CPS and ensure greater compliance by employers of labour across the country.

 

Ms. Oloworaran emphasised that every employer of labour is obligated under the Pension Reform Act (PRA) 2014 to remit pension contributions on behalf of employees. She called for TUC’s support in enforcing compliance, noting that timely remittances were essential for securing workers’ financial stability in retirement.
The PenCom DG also spoke about reforms underway to address value erosion in pension savings. She said PenCom is working to mitigate the impact of inflation on pension assets.

 

Ms. Oloworaran disclosed that PenCom will unveil a revised Investment Regulation to expand opportunities in alternative investments and deliver better real returns. In addition, she said that the PenCom is working with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Federal Ministry of Finance on mechanisms that will allow pension investments in naira but generate returns in dollars, as part of efforts to safeguard retirement funds.

 

Furthermore, she said that PenCom would soon introduce a minimum pension for all retirees under the CPS to guarantee a more dignified retirement for Nigerians. This is being enabled by President Tinubu’s approval of a N758 billion bond, which comprises funding for the Pension Protection Fund (PPF), which would fund the minimum pension guarantee.

 

Responding, Comrade Osifo commended PenCom for its professionalism and effectiveness, describing it as one of the highly performing Institutions in Nigeria. He recounted his experience with PenCom staff during his time in the pension industry, praising their exceptional integrity, competence and dedication.

 

The TUC president pledged the union’s continued support for the Commission, particularly in promoting compliance among employers. He decried the practice of some employers who deduct workers’ pension contributions but fail to remit them, warning that such delays harm the eventual returns on retirement savings and often lead to industrial disputes.

 

Comrade Osifo further called for a review of the PRA 2014 to introduce greater flexibility in pension fund investments to better protect savings from inflation and exchange rate pressures.

 

The meeting ended on a positive note, with both PenCom and TUC resolving to work more closely together to deepen the CPS and secure the future of Nigerian workers.

Online Poster by — September 25, 2025 in Insurance and Pension