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Fidelity Bank Supports Quality Education Delivery In Bauchi

L-R: Team Lead, Corporate Social Responsibility, Fidelity Bank Plc, Victoria Abuka; Commissioner for Education, Bauchi State, Dr. Lawal Mohammed; Permanent Commissioner Bauchi SUBEB, Alh. Ishiaku Azare; and the Relationship Manager, Fidelity Bank, Bauchi State, Ibrahim Aliyu Representing the Regional Bank Head, Northeast Region, Dr Musa Tarimbuka; during the commissioning of a renovated three blocks of seven classrooms at Kobi Government Primary School in Bauchi recently.
…Delivers Renovated Classrooms At Historic School
As part of its commitment to enhancing access to quality education, leading financial institution, Fidelity Bank Plc, has renovated three blocks of classrooms at the historic Kobi Government School in Bauchi State.
The project, executed under the Bank’s Fidelity Helping Hands Programme (FHHP), was made possible through voluntary contributions by staff of the bank’s Bauchi GRA Branch. Their contributions were then matched by the Bank’s Management for the execution of the project.
Speaking during the handover event, the Regional Bank Head -North-East Fidelity Bank Plc, Dr. Musa Tarimbuka, represented by the relationship manager, Fidelity bank Bauchi GRA Branch, Ibrahim Aliyu, described the initiative as a testament to Fidelity Bank’s dedication to improving the lives of residents in its host communities.
“This initiative underscores our belief that our success is deeply connected to the well-being of the communities we serve. The renovated classrooms are a testament to the power of collective impact and our ongoing efforts to improve access to quality education and youth empowerment,” He said.
Receiving the renovated blocks on behalf of the Bauchi State Government, the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Lawal Mohammed, expressed appreciation to Fidelity Bank for the generous intervention and encouraged other corporate organizations to follow suit.
“This is a commendable contribution by Fidelity Bank, and we assure you that the facility will be put to optimal use. I encourage other organizations in Bauchi to follow suit in supporting the development of education and infrastructure across the state,” Dr. Mohammed stated.
Fidelity Bank’s renovation of the Kobi Government School joins a long list of interventions executed by the bank in alignment with its CSR pillars of Quality Education and Youth Empowerment. It will be recalled that the bank recently awarded school fees support worth N512.8m to 884 Fidelity Personal Savings Scheme and 472 Fidelity SWEETA customers.
Ranked among the best banks in Nigeria, Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-fledged Commercial Deposit Money Bank serving over 9.1 million customers through digital banking channels, its 255 business offices in Nigeria and United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.
The Bank is a recipient of multiple local and international Awards, including the 2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation & MSME Banking Award by BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards; the 2024 Most Innovative Mobile Banking Application award for its Fidelity Mobile App by Global Business Outlook, and the 2024 Most Innovative Investment Banking Service Provider award by Global Brands Magazine. Additionally, the Bank was recognized as the Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria by the Euromoney Awards for Excellence and as the Export Financing Bank of the Year by the BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards.
Online Poster by — June 21, 2025 in News 0
SanlamAllianz Flags Off 12-City Roadshow To Deepen Customer Engagement And Awareness

By Amaka Obiefuna
SanlamAllianz, Nigeria’s leading insurance powerhouse formed from the merger of two foremost global and African insurers, Allianz and Sanlam, will begin an unprecedented 12-city nationwide roadshow on Monday, June 23, following the brand’s recent official introduction to the Nigerian market.
The campaign, which will run across key cities across Nigeria’s six geo-political zones, is part of the company’s strategic effort to deepen customer engagement, raise awareness about the brand and insurance, and demonstrate its commitment to making wealth creation and financial protection capabilities more accessible to individuals and businesses.
The roadshow will span major commercial and regional hubs, including Lagos, Ibadan, Akure, Warri, Port Harcourt, Uyo, Onitsha, Enugu, Owerri, Kano, Jos, and Abuja. The initiative marks one of the most expansive customer-facing campaigns ever undertaken in Nigeria’s insurance sector, positioning SanlamAllianz as a brand that is not only Pan-African in strength but also locally attentive in approach.
Speaking on this groundbreaking initiative, Tunde Mimiko, MD/CEO of SanlamAllianz Life Insurance, said: “This nationwide campaign signals the scale of our ambition and the depth of our commitment to the Nigerian market. At the heart of insurance is trust, and trust begins with presence. Reaching customers where they are is fundamental to how we are building Salmonella.
“This roadshow is a strategic move to bridge the gap between perception and reality, allowing us to engage directly with our customers and Nigerians in general, challenge long-held misconceptions, and position insurance as a practical tool for thriving in financial confidence, building resilience and long-term financial security.”
As part of the roadshow, SanlamAllianz will hold customer engagement forums in each of the twelve cities. The in-person sessions allow customers to interact directly with the company’s leadership and frontline teams. The forums aim to reconnect with customers under the unified brand and reaffirm its long-term commitment to the local market.
“Insurance only becomes relevant when it is understood, trusted, and connected to the realities people face,” said Yomi Onifade, MD/CEO of SanlamAllianz General Insurance.
“These forums are our way of reintroducing SanlamAllianz not just as a merged entity, but as a unified brand committed to showing up for Nigerians. We are creating a platform for real conversations — to listen, address concerns, and deepen understanding. This is how SanlamAllianz intends to lead, by listening actively, showing up with solutions, and shaping a future where insurance is truly embedded in the fabric of everyday Nigerian life,” he added.
Industry analysts say the scale and structure of the campaign mark a departure from the traditional approach to insurance marketing in Nigeria, where customer acquisition often relies heavily on brokerage networks or limited digital channels. By adopting a city-by-city physical rollout, SanlamAllianz Nigeria is positioning itself as one of the few players actively investing in deeper grassroots engagement toward deepening insurance penetration in Nigeria.
About SanlamAllianz
SanlamAllianz is a leading Pan-African financial services entity, established in September 2023 through a joint venture between Sanlam, Africa’s largest non-banking financial services provider, and Allianz, one of the world’s foremost Insurers and Asset Managers. Operating across 27 African countries, SanlamAllianz combines over two centuries of collective experience to offer a comprehensive suite of services, including life and general insurance, asset management, assistance, third-party administration, and retail credit.
Online Poster by — June 20, 2025 in News 0
Prof. Bart Nnaji To Chair 2025 Oriental News Nigeria Summit

As Nigeria continues to promote energy efficiency with natural gas as key driver to achieve her energy transition goals, key stakeholders in the sector would be discussing prospects of the country’s huge gas resources in actualizing set targets.
Other key agencies of government have also signified their acceptance to participate in the 2025 Oriental News Nigeria national conference where the Nigerian Liquified Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) as keynote speaker at the conference would highlight benefits of gas as the country’s transition energy source.
The conference will be chaired by former Power Minister and chairman of the indigenous power company, Geometric Power Limited (GPL).
STANMEG Communications, publishers of Oriental News Nigeria Online, one of Nigeria’s most influential Online platforms confirms NLNG as keynote speaker at its 2025 National Conference on Sustaining Gas Utilization Towards Achieving Nigeria’s Energy Security.
The main Theme of the conference is “Integrating Nigeria’s Gas Potentials Into Strategic Energy Transition Initiatives”
The conference is also focusing on key Sub Themes, which include
…..Enhancing Energy Security And Efficiency Through Effective Gas Utilization
……Evaluating Regulatory Frameworks for Sustainable CNG Adoption in Nigeria’s Transportation Industry
………. Building Local Content Synergy’ between the Insurance Industry and Oil and Gas Sector.
The event holds on 24th July, 2025 at Radisson Blu,  GRA Ikeja Lagos at 9am.
Meeting Nigeria’s domestic energy needs remains one of the most significant challenges to sustainable development and economic growth. Only half of Nigeria’s 200 million citizens currently have access to energy, and with the population set to double by 2050 universal access is a huge challenge.
Nigeria has proposed to ramp up gas production, utilization and export, with the aims of supporting industrialization, boosting domestic energy supply (for power, cooking and transport), and increasing government revenues.
Whether ramping up gas utilization is feasible, or indeed the appropriate approach to achieving Nigeria’s energy supply and economic ambitions, is uncertain.
Every year Oriental News Nigeria, undoubtedly one of Nigeria’s most influential and reliable news channels brings stakeholders together to discuss pivotal topics around the economy.
Being the 4th in the series, the 2025 Oriental News Nigeria conference is bringing key industry figures, experts and policy analysts to evaluate various aspects of natural gas initiatives put together to drive the national economy.
Government is quite aware that what is certain is that global pressure to transition away to cleaner energies and defund fossil fuel projects complicates the process of realizing that goal and could lead to wasted investments that jeopardize the economic and energy security of Nigerians in the future.
But weak legal and regulatory frameworks, big infrastructure gaps, a non-cost-reflective pricing regime and host community conflicts have made the domestic gas sector uncompetitive and unattractive to investors. This, in turn, has left gas reserves underexploited, especially more expensive non-associated gas which represents half of Nigeria’s reserves.
Implementation of reforms by successive governments through the 2008 Gas Master Plan the (GMP), the 2017 National Gas Policy (NGP) and other instruments have proven slow. With the passage of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021, the legal, fiscal and regulatory framework of the gas sector has been strengthened with the creation of dedicated regulators, a dedicated minister, provision of third party access to infrastructure, and other improvements. But many gaps remain.
Thus the Decade of Gas Policy launched in 2021 to address the limitations to achieving domestic gas-based industrialization and economic prosperity, and reduce energy poverty, faces greater challenges.
Also, as a response to the high cost of petrol and the attendant rise in the cost of transportation, following the removal of fuel subsidy, President Bola Tinubu launched the Presidential CNG Initiative to provide a cheaper and cleaner energy source for Nigerians.
It is based on the above initiatives and pace setting policies that we have developed a theme and sub-themes to examine and evaluate those policies by key government agencies, including key stakeholders in the industry.
Apart from examining the role of gas initiatives boosting power sector growth, the sub-themes is evaluating the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as preferred fuel for the transport industry.
Road transport is the dominant mode of transportation in Nigeria, moving over 90% of internal goods and passengers across the country; hence it is the highest contributor to the nation’s GDP amongst other sub-sectors.
However, from all we could glean, road transport is predominant in the Nigerian transport sector. This entails an excessive use of internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEs), hence, an immense contribution to CO2 emission through the combustion of petroleum-based products like PMS, AGO and ATK; relatively small amounts of methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) are emitted during fuel combustion, though.
The National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) has revealed that Nigeria boasts of an estimated 11 million vehicles traversing its roads.
Globally, the transport sector is a major source of CO2 pollution in the atmosphere, with a global contribution of about 7.3 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide emission in 2020. About 20% of the global CO2 emission is contributed by Surface transport.
We reviewed the various sub-sectors of the Nigerian transport sector with their corresponding energy consumption rates. Results show that all the sub-sectors are solely dependent on fossil fuels to meet their energy demands and requirements, thus making the transport sector the highest consumer of fossil fuels, and consequently, the highest contributor to carbon footprint.
This necessitates the need for gradual decarbonisation of the sector, but not at the expense of the nation’s economy, since the transport sector contributes about 3% of the nation’s GDP.
During the conference there will be Panel Discussions on the following sub themes
1. Adaptation of Renewable Energy Policy and Gas Utilization Strategies In Power Generation Sector
2. Evaluating Decade of Gas Policy and Broad Spectrum of Gas Utilization Strategies
3. Reinforcing CNG, LPG Strategies in Addressing Emissions and Climate Impacts of Fossil Fuel Use in the Transport Industry.
  4. Building Local Content Synergy’ between the Insurance Industry and Oil and Gas Sector.
The conference promises to be highly interactive and with such great collaboration and shared commitment of stakeholders the outcome will not only achieve the country’s objectives but also set a precedent for other nations to follow.
Yemisi Izuora
Publisher/Editor
Oriental News Nigeria
Online Poster by — June 20, 2025 in News 0
Nigerian Undergraduates Dream Big In Shell Intern Scheme

By Amaka Obiefuna

The latest batch of undergraduates from Nigerian universities have commenced their Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) with Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo,) using the opportunity to acquire practical knowledge and skills in the oil and gas industry.

 

The 28 interns drawn from 17 universities, will serve for six months and gain valuable insights on the operations of a company which pioneered the development of a new generation of Nigerian professionals in the deep-water sector when it started production at Bonga in 2005.

 

“We’re pleased to continue with efforts to grow indigenous talent in deep-water oil and gas operations through the work placement programme,” said SNEPCo Managing Director, Ronald Adams. “The programme offers exciting opportunities for young talents to grow their potentials in the oil and gas industry”

 

The interns, some of whom are also recipients of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPC-SNEPCo scholarship programmes, have been speaking about their hopes and ambitions in the scheme.

 

A resident of Maiduguri and student of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Maiduguri, Ayuba Haruna, who was displaced by the security crisis in the Northeast, won the NNPC-SNEPCo scholarship award in 2023, and is now an intern. He said: “NNPC-SNEPCo’s investment in education and young Nigerians like me has not only changed my life — it has given me purpose, direction, and a chance to build a better future.”

 

“I’m stepping into this role ready to learn, contribute, and be part of something truly bigger than myself,” said Kester Chukwumezie, a student of Electronic and Computer Engineering at Nnamdi Azikiwe University.

 

Two interns, Miss Ulan Andrew and Joseph Agom have been beneficiaries of the NNPC-SNEPCo National Cradle to Career and university scholarships. Miss Andrew, who is studying Chemical Engineering at the University of Ilorin, described the internship as “truly a dream come true and the opportunity of a lifetime.” Joseph, a student of Mechatronics Engineering at the University of Port Harcourt, said: I’m deeply grateful to be a product of Shell’s long-term investment in education, and now part of the next generation learning from the very best.”

 

Another intern, Miss Oluwehinmi Oluwayemisi, a student of Industrial Mathematics/Computer Science at Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, expressed gratitude for the “amazing opportunities” offered by the scheme.  

 

The Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme is just one aspect of the investments in education by NNPC SNEPCo and Co-venturers, which include scholarship awards and donation of Information Communication and Technology (ICT) facilities to tertiary institutions.

Over 600 undergraduates have benefitted from the NNPC-SNEPCo National University Scholarship Award since its inception in 2016, while 32 ICT projects have been donated to secondary schools and universities around the country since 2007.

Online Poster by — June 20, 2025 in News 0
Lagos Govt Seeks Stronger Parental Involvement in Children’s Financial Literacy as Zedcrest Launches New Books  

By Fidelia Okafor
L-R: Executive Director, Zedcrest Wealth, Abass Akinsanya; Head, Brands and Communications, Zedcrest Group, Oyinkansola Adeboye; Lagos State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Hon. Jamiu Tolani Alli-Balogun and Director, MacTay Consulting, Tunde Rotimi
The Lagos State Government has called on parents across the state to collaborate with teachers and other key stakeholders to ensure that their children excel not only in core subjects but also in financial literacy.
The State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Hon. Jamiu Tolani Alli-Balogun, made this call while receiving a delegation from leading financial services company, Zedcrest Group, on a courtesy visit to his office.
According to him, the state government has been intentional about integrating financial literacy into the curriculum for students in both private and public schools, urging parents to complement these efforts by taking advantage of every opportunity to teach their children valuable money management lessons.
Hon. Alli-Balogun also emphasized that care is being taken to ensure students’ learning materials reflect and celebrate diversity, promote and preserve indigenous cultures, and prioritize localized learning for greater relatability and improved learning outcomes.
Earlier, Zedcrest Group Managing Director, Adedayo Amzat, represented by the Executive Director, Sales and Business Development at Zedcrest Wealth, Abass Akinsanya, stated that the delegation was at the commissioner’s office to officially present the company’s latest initiative; two interactive financial literacy books for children aged seven and under.
Akinsanya explained that Zedcrest Group launched the books in line with its mission to improve economic outcomes by promoting financial literacy across all segments of society. He added that building a more financially inclusive society begins with educating the next generation of responsible adults, and with the launch of these financial literacy books, Zedcrest is already leading the charge.
Zedcrest’s Head of Brands and Communications, Oyinkansola Adeboye, while presenting the books to the commissioner, disclosed that plans are underway to distribute them nationwide. She mentioned that Zedcrest will leverage its existing partnership with MacTay, a key stakeholder in the state government’s “Adopt a School” program, to ensure that pupils in public primary schools across the state can access the books through the organisation’s not-for-profit arm, MacTay Foundation. Adeboye then thanked the commissioner for the warm reception and for sharing valuable insights on the current state of financial education in Nigeria.
Zedcrest Group had unveiled the two educational books, “The A-Z of Finance Colouring Book” and “Zedcrest Little Heroes: A Financial Literacy Journal for Kids”, at a book reading and launch event held in commemoration of International Children’s Day 2025.
Online Poster by — June 20, 2025 in News 0
NAICOM, OHCSF Host Capacity Building Workshop On Group Life Assurance Policy

From left: Mr. Salami Rasaaq (Director, HR and Admin NAICOM), Mr. Ekerete Ola Gam-Ikon (Dep. Commissioner for Insurance, Finance and Admin), Mrs. Oyekunle Patience (Permanent Secretary OHCSF) and Mr. Abubakar Maijama’a (Director, Insurance OHCSF).

The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) successfully organized a capacity-building workshop on Group Life Assurance Policy in Abuja. The event brought together stakeholders from government ministries, departments, and agencies to enhance understanding and implementation of the policy.

 

In her opening remarks, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, represented by Mrs. Oyekunle Patience, emphasized the importance of insurance in safeguarding public servants’ welfare and ensuring financial security for their families. She commended President Bola Tinubu for renewing the annuity policy and applauded NAICOM for initiating the training.

 

The Commissioner for Insurance, Mr. Olusegun Ayo Omosehin, represented by Mr. Ekerete Ola Gam-Ikon, Deputy Commissioner for Finance and Administration, expressed appreciation for the collaboration and assured participants of NAICOM’s commitment to transparency and accountability in policy implementation.

 

The workshop aimed to equip civil servants with knowledge and tools to effectively manage and benefit from the Group Life Assurance Policy, a critical component of the Federal Government’s welfare package. The event marked a significant step in strengthening life insurance policy implementation across the federal civil service, reinforcing the government’s dedication to employee well-being.

Online Poster by — June 19, 2025 in News 0
Fidelity Bank Distributes Food Packs To 1,500 Mokwa Residents Affected By Flood

L-R: Branch Leader, Minna, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mustapha Abubakar; Her Excellency, First Lady of Niger State, Hajiya Fatima Umaru Bago; and the CEO, ABBASID (a Fidelity Food Bank partner), Hajiya Hauwa Abbas; at the Fidelity Food Bank Distribution in Mokwa, Niger State recently.

In a swift response to the recent flood that tragically displaced many families in Mokwa, Niger State, Fidelity Bank Plc has donated food packs to over 1,500 affected residents through its Food Bank Initiative.

 

The Fidelity Food Bank Initiative is a humanitarian outreach designed to help vulnerable communities across Nigeria. Through partnerships and collaboration with its branches and stakeholders, the bank delivers food packs to those in need, helping to ease hunger and provide hope during difficult times.

 

Commenting on the donation, the Divisional Head, Brand and Communications at Fidelity Bank, Dr. Meksley Nwagboh, said: “At Fidelity Bank, we believe corporate citizenship means standing by communities in their greatest time of need. We are honored to support the people of Mokwa through the Fidelity Food Bank Initiative. This is more than just a relief effort — it’s a affirmation of our promise to always be there for the people and communities we serve, especially in challenging moments.”

 

He added: “This donation reflects our collective responsibility to respond with compassion and urgency. The people of Mokwa are not alone — we share in their struggles, and we will continue to support them as they rebuild their lives.”

 

The distribution event was well attended by government officials from Niger State, led by the First Lady, Hajiya Fatima Umaru Bago. Also present were the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Abubakar Usman Gawu; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Usman Abdullahi Gbatamangi; and the Deputy Chief of Staff, Alhaji Yusuf Sadiq. Other members of the delegation included the Commissioner for Budget & Planning, Alhaji Mustapha Ndajiwo; Commissioner for Education, Hajiya Hannatu Jibril; and the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Hajiya Barrister Mairo Mamman Mann.

 

The Commissioner of Information, Hajiya Binta Mamman, and Alhaji Ayuba Usman Katako, representing the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Niger State, alongside various Local Government Chairmen, were also present to show their solidarity with Mokwa and its people.

 

The Fidelity Food Bank donation in Mokwa follows similar initiatives in areas affected by disasters. The bank previously donated food and sanitary items to victims of a fire outbreak in Taraba State and provided cash and food to those affected by the Zaria Central Mosque collapse in 2023.

 

Ranked among the best banks in Nigeria, Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-fledged Commercial Deposit Money Bank serving over 9.1 million customers through digital banking channels, its 255 business offices in Nigeria and United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.

 

The Bank is the recipient of multiple local and international Awards, including the 2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation & MSME Banking Award by BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards; the 2024 Most Innovative Mobile Banking Application award for its Fidelity Mobile App by Global Business Outlook, and the 2024 Most Innovative Investment Banking Service Provider award by Global Brands Magazine. Additionally, the Bank was recognized as the Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria by the Euromoney Awards for Excellence and as the Export Financing Bank of the Year by the BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards.

Online Poster by — June 19, 2025 in News 0
Day Of the African Child 2025: Every African Child Deserve The Gift Of History

International Day of the African ChildHistory is not just about the past. It’s the compass for Africa’s future,” BrytaAfrica
As Africa marks this year’s Day of the African Child, BrytaAfrica, the fast-growing platform reshaping how young people engage with African history, is calling on leaders, parents, and educators to take bold steps in making history education anational priority across the continent.
“With each passing year, we lose more of our stories. Stories that can fuel identity, drive
innovation, and build future leaders,” says Rita Abiodun, Founder of BrytaAfrica.
 “Empowering African children with their own historical narratives isn’t a luxury. It’s a necessity. This is how we raise changemakers.”
Founded on the belief that historical literacy is essential to shaping proud, resilient, and
visionary youth, BrytaAfrica uses bite-sized storytelling, gamified learning, and audio journeys to
make African history fun, relevant, and accessible for today’s generation.
 On a day dedicated to
the voices and rights of African children, BrytaAfrica is urging a continent-wide commitment to
teaching Africa’s past. From ancient kingdoms and liberation struggles to modern movements
and innovation, every story matters.
Why African History Education Matters Now More Than Ever:
● Critical Thinking for a Complex World
History trains young minds to evaluate evidence, challenge assumptions, and analyze
cause and consequence. These are skills essential in today’s fast-changing world.
● Rooted Identity in a Global Age
Learning about Africa’s civilizations, cultures, and contributions builds confidence, pride,
and a sense of belonging. This is especially important in an age of shifting narratives.
● Pan-African Unity and Empathy
Through shared stories of resistance, triumph, and legacy, history helps foster a
generation that sees beyond borders and embraces collective progress
● Active Citizenship Starts with Understanding
A child who knows about pre-colonial governance, independence heroes, and
post-liberation challenges is more likely to step into leadership with clarity and conviction.
● Learning from the Past to Build the Future
From colonial disruptions to current climate justice battles, history offers a mirror and a
map. It helps youth avoid old pitfalls while crafting bold new paths.
BrytaAfrica
BrytaAfrica is more than a platform. It’s a movement to put Africa’s stories back into African
hands. Through short, engaging stories, immersive audio, and playful quizzes, BrytaAfrica helps
children, parents, and educators across the continent rediscover the heartbeat of Africa, anytime and anywhere.
With themed reading journeys, downloadable tales, offline access, and global trivia  leaderboards, BrytaAfrica is making history fun, cool, and deeply relevant, because people who do not know where they are coming from will stumble through where they are going.
Online Poster by — June 18, 2025 in News 0
Samer Chedid Succeeds Mauricio Alarcón As CEO Of Nestlé Central And West Africa

By Winifred Bosa
 Samer Chedid, CEO of Nestlé Indonesia has been appointed CEO of Nestlé Central and West Africa (CWAR) replacing Mauricio Alarcón who has taken on a new role within the Nestlé group.
A business leader with diverse experiences across Nestlé including Middle East, Asia, and Africa, Mr. Chedid is no stranger to CWAR as he previously served as Country Manager for Nestlé Ghana.
In his new role, he will steer affairs of the business across 25 countries in CWAR.
“I am delighted to return to a region that has been a part of my career within the Nestlé group. Together with our resilient team of over 5,000 employees, I will continue to advance our purpose through innovation, high-quality product offerings, and meaningful partnerships. Our goal is to enhance livelihoods, promote community development, and maintain our commitment to environmental stewardship”, Mr. Chedid commenting on his appointment said.
Mr. Chedid joined Nestlé in 1998 as a Sales Development Manager. He was later appointed Head of Channel Category Sales Development for Nestlé Middle East Region before his assignment as General Business Manager in Bahrain, Qatar and Dubai. He then moved to CWAR as Country Manager, Ghana then returned to the Middle East as Nestlé Middle East Region Sales Director. He was later appointed Country Manager, Saudi Arabia and eventually promoted to become CEO, Nestlé Pakistan.
Mr. Chedid is recognized for his strong leadership and strategic mindset, his passion for people and for building strong and effective teams.
Online Poster by — June 18, 2025 in News 0
GOCOP President Maureen Chigbo Delivers Welcome Address At Book Launch And Fundraiser For Media Centre

Welcome Address by GOCOP President Maureen Chigbo At GOCOP Book Launch/Fundraiser for Media Centre at  Abuja Continental Hotel, Lagos on 17th  June 2025

Protocols.

Your Excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, and members of my constituency, the Media, permit me to warmly welcome you all on behalf of the leadership and entire members of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) to this historic Book Launch/Fundraiser for GOCOP Media Centre.

We are grateful to God and those who made this event possible. We also appreciate your sacrifice and support by finding time from your busy schedules to honour us with your presence. These, we cannot take for granted.

Our sincere gratitude also goes to the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, the chairman of this epoch event, for his support and for keeping his word to be here with us.

We are also thrilled that Dr. Ikeh Neliaku, President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), graciously accepted to review our book. Thank you and welcome.

We equally acknowledge the presence of other dignitaries, prominent scholars, academics, chieftains of industry, and policy and decision makers in both public and private sectors, as well as public relations experts, spokespersons, and students.

We are all here to witness the unveiling of Nigeria Media Renaissance: GOCOP Perspectives on Online Publishing, the maiden publication by the Guild.

It is a unique opportunity to reintroduce the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) to the world and its efforts to drive the business of the online media landscape in Nigeria. It is also an opportunity to explain who we are amidst the misunderstanding of categorizing us as bloggers, and to solicit support towards building our businesses and fighting Fake News.

Who we are:

GOCOP is a 120-member group of mediapreneurs made up of professional journalists who have worked in the traditional media, both broadcast and print, before transitioning to business owners in the online media community. You can call us the small and medium enterprises, a peer review body determined to entrench professionalism in the online media industry.

GOCOP was formed and registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission in 2013 to promote professionalism and fight fake news. It was rebranded in 2014 following the first attack by the very charlatans we were up against, who did not want us to exist.

Details of that assault on GOCOP are captured in the book we are here to unveil, and we would like everyone to please grab copies for self and your friends. We also welcome generous donations to strengthen GOCOP and the building of the Guild’s Media Centre to empower members to run their businesses profitably.

It is a truism that small and profitable businesses are the engine of growth of any economy. We therefore appeal to all public relations practitioners, advertisers, governments at all levels, and civil society to support our businesses to grow.

When you support us to run profitable businesses, you also strengthen us to serve you better as thoroughbred professionals with a critical stake in building a society where justice, peace, and the rights of individuals are respected against Fake News and similar threats.

GOCOP seeks to sanitize the online media space  To succeed in this task, we require the collaboration of stakeholders, many of whom a represented here today. This collaboration draws from Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, as amended, which gave the media a critical role under Sections 22 and 39. Because the Constitution did not specify the funding mechanism for this important role, the online publishers have to innovate. This is challenging, but with determination, structured stakeholder collaboration, and support, the objective is achievable.

Online publication is the future of the media industry, which the government and lawmakers have to support through enabling laws, tax exemptions, and grants, among others. To weed out quacks, GOCOP has introduced a self-regulatory mechanism with zero tolerance for Fake News and similar threats.

Its members subscribe to the Ethics of the Journalism profession, which holds facts, truth, fairness, and balanced reporting as sacred.

GOCOP, as a body of professionals, has also put in place structures for effective peer review and regulation of its members. It has several Committees, including on Constitution Review Committee, the Welfare Committee, the Finance Committee, and the Membership Screening. There is also the Disciplinary Committee/Ombudsman, charged with checking excesses of the Guild’s members, with an avenue to the public to seek redress in case of unprofessional conduct. I must emphasize that GOCOP takes its self-regulation responsibility very seriously.

This informed the publication of Nigeria Media Renaissance – GOCOP Perspectives on Online Publishing. The book was made possible mainly by Godly inspiration and the exemplary teamwork spirit of Guild members.

Describing teamwork, Henry Ford, American industrialist and business magnate, said: “Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.”

My dear colleagues, may God reward you abundantly for your sacrifices and priceless work

We are grateful to Mr. Dapo Olorunyomi, publisher of PREMIUM TIMES, who wrote the foreword – a rich perspective on the history of online publishing and the pioneers in Nigeria. We congratulate Mr. Olorunyomi on the National honour recently bestowed on him by President Bola Tinubu. The Guild is proud of your contributions to the journalism profession.

Permit me to also acknowledge other contributors to the book. (Please stand up for recognition as I mention your names). Danlami Nmodu, deputy President of GOCOP; Oladipo Dotun, former president, GOCOP; Ken Ugbechie, vice president of GOCOP, South; Tom Chiahemen, vice president of GOCOP, North; Akeem Oyetunji, GOCOP Coordinator, South West; Max Amuchie, GOCOP Coordinator, North; Olumide Iyanda, GOCOP General Secretary; Remmy Nweke, GOCOP Publicity Secretary; Gabriel Akindewo, publisher of Freedom Online; Segun Adeleye, publisher of WorldStage; and Hassan Gimba, publisher of  Neptune Online.

Special thanks also go to members of the editorial team comprising my humble self, Ugbechie,  Azuh Arinze, Financial Secretary GOCOP and publisher, Yes International,  Ray Echebiri, publisher Next Money, and Akindewo.  Yemisi Izuora, GOCOP Treasurer, and Jessica Uwadaze, GOCOP Administration Secretary, also deserve special mention for manning the Secretariat for the production of this book.

On behalf of GOCOP, allow me to express our deep gratitude to all our keynote speakers over the years, whose presentations were also featured in the book. They are Professor Onigbide, Bishop Hassan Kukah, Professor Chidi Odinkalu, Mr. Boss Mustapha, Professor  Uchenna Uwaleke, and Dr. Liyel Imoke.

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, GOCOP is most grateful to the Federal Government of Nigeria, State governments, institutions, and organizations in both the private and public sectors, for their support over the years. These include Lagos, Delta, Kwara, Yobe, and  Osun States, the Federal Ministry of Information, Central Bank of Nigeria, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Nigerian Development Content Development and Monitoring Board, the Nigerian Communications Commission, Federal Inland Revenue Service, and the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas, among others. We appreciate your support over the years.

GOCOP also appreciates other professional media bodies for their collaboration over the years, including the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria, Nigerian Guild of Editors, Nigerian Union of Journalists, Broadcasting Organization of Nigeria, Nigeria Institute of Public Relations, International Press Institute, International Press Centre, and Media Rights Agenda. Thank you all.

GOCOP is equally indebted to spokespersons of various State governments, corporate bodies, including banks, institutions, security agencies, such as the Federal Road Safety Corps, the military, and the police, for their collaboration and support since its inauguration in 2014.

Finally, we solemnly remember two of our founding members who have transitioned to glory.  May the souls of Late Chijama Ogbu, publisher of Rainbow Online, and Ben Bright Mkpuma, publisher of Watchdogreporters, rest in peace. Amen.

I cannot end this address without thanking government institutions and corporate organisations that have been supporting GOCOP activities over the years, particularly with adverts in the brochure of the  Book Launch/Fundraiser. These are the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Nigerian Content Development Monitoring Board, Nigerian Ports Authority,  Nigerian Natural and Liquefied Gas, NLNG, Fidelity Bank, Shell Nigeria/SNEPCO, TotalEnergies, and Zenith Bank Plc, for their initial support during the production of the book. We are most grateful to you all.

God bless GOCOP! God bless Nigeria.

Thank you all for your attention, and welcome!

Online Poster by — June 18, 2025 in News 0