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FMCT Unlocks NIPOST, Targets 300,000 Jobs

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Ministry of Communication Technology (FMCT) has perfected plans to unlock the Nigeria Postal Service (NIPOST) in order to create 300,000 agents who will drive financial inclusion, amongst other initiatives, according to the FMCT Progress Report on Projects & Programmes Implementation obtained by Nigeria CommunicationsWeek.

The report, said that the ministry, the NIPOST and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), in conjunction with the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) and the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) have embarked on a project that will result in leveraging the postal network to deliver financial services to the people.

The scheme will ensure financial inclusion of under-served areas by banks and people that are traditionally marginalized by such institutions and are considered as living at the “bottom of the pyramid”.

To achieve the aim, the Federal Government through its public-private participation initiative is tinkering on NIPOST composition with the objective to establish a network of over 300,000 agents all across Nigeria.

In the report which covered July 2011 to February 2014, the Ministry disclosed government’s interest to reach the rural dweller, pointing out that postal outlets have relatively good presence in the 774 Local Government Areas and consequently can contribute substantially to bringing financial services nearer to the rural population.

Whilst 32% of Nigerians live or work between five and fifteen minutes of a bank branch, the rest 61% live or work between five to fifteen minutes of a post office.

Speaking to Nigeria CommunicationsWeek on the impact of the 300,000 for “Agent Banking”, Mr. Sola Bickersteth, director, One Network, said that  “In a short while, the public will begin to feel the impact of the scheme, because we would have moved to the streets and begin full scale operations. The scheme will start will 50,000 trained officers to be dispatched to 1,200 NIPOST outlets across the country”.

One Network is an industry-focused organisation, recognised by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as agent manager, providing agent locations for mobile money operators across the country.

Bickersteth said that “It is just like in Banking; the chief executives are people with impeccable character and grounded in the professional ethics. Agent banking is such a scheme that requires competent people who will make the right decisions.

Financial inclusion in Nigeria, for instance, is still at its low ebb. For instance, in 2012, only 28.6 million out of total of 87.9 million Nigerian adults had access to financial services and most unbanked people live in the rural areas.

One reason stakeholders identified as causative of the plight was unavailability of bank branches to potential customers.

 


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Bankers, Officials Colluding to Re-loot Recovered Abacha’s Fund-  EFCC

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Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has alleged collusion between commercial banks and government officials to re-loot recovered funds from Sani Abacha, late dictator.

Bankers, Officials Colluding to Re-loot Recovered Abacha’s Fund-  EFCC

Sani Abacha

The $322 million Abacha loot, recovered in December 2017 and earmarked for Conditional Cash Transfer under the Social Investment Programme, was intended to provide monthly stipends to vulnerable Nigerians.

However, Dele Oyewale, spokesperson for the EFCC, disclosed that investigations have uncovered financial malpractices involving COVID-19 funds and World Bank-assisted loans coordinated by the Humanitarian Ministry. Several interdicted and suspended officials of the ministry have been linked to the alleged malfeasance, with N32.7 billion and $445,000 recovered from them.

Managing directors of implicated banks have provided statements, and investigations are ongoing, with former minister Sadiya Umar-Farouq and her successor, Beta Edu, summoned for questioning.

The EFCC stressed that the probe targets a systemic issue rather than individuals, signaling a crackdown on corruption within Nigeria’s financial sector and government agencies.


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FITC to Redefine HR with AI, Digitisation for Organisational Sustainability

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The eagerly anticipated E3 Conference, hosted by FITC, is back for its fourth edition, poised to set new benchmarks in the realm of employee engagement and organizational sustainability.

Themed, “Redefining HR Through AI & Digital Transformation for Organizational Sustainability,” the conference is scheduled to take place on April 17th and 18th.

In a statement, FITC says the E3 Conference stands as a beacon of innovation, bringing together thought leaders, industry experts, policymakers, and professionals from across Africa and beyond.

It explained that in today’s fast-paced landscape, technology such as AI and automation is reshaping the dynamics of human resource management.

“The E3 Conference is dedicated to unravelling the potential of these advancements, focusing on topics ranging from talent mobility to the latest trends in managing talent. It’s a journey towards understanding and embracing these transformative shifts, ensuring that businesses are primed for the future of HR.

“With a stellar lineup of over 24 speakers, including C-suite Executives, Subject Matter Experts, and Thought Leaders from various sectors, the conference promises to deliver insights that transcend conventional boundaries. Attendees can expect deep dives into strategies for enhancing productivity, streamlining processes, and maximizing global talent mobility through AI and automation, “it stated.

“Keynote speakers such as Evi Ifekwe, Executive Director of People & Country Services at TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited, and Wale-Smatt Oyerinde, Director-General of NECA, alongside a faculty lineup comprising industry stalwarts, will spearhead discussions on critical issues shaping the future of work.

The two-day hybrid event will feature four plenary sessions and two master classes, providing attendees with ample opportunities for networking, knowledge exchange, and interactive engagement.

Participants will delve into topics such as the impact of AI on the future of work, data-driven performance management, and strategic implementation of AI in HR.

The conference is expected to provide insights into cutting-edge strategies for professionals and HR leaders who will gain invaluable insights from industry pioneers on leveraging AI and digital transformation to drive organizational sustainability and employee engagement, “it stated.

“As organisations worldwide grapple with the complexities of the new normal, the E3 Conference serves as a beacon of hope and enlightenment, offering practical solutions and visionary insights to navigate the challenges ahead, ” the company said.


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NASENI Collaborates with NIPSS on Enhancing Digital Economy, Job Creation

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National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) and the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Plateau State are set to collaborate on enhancing Nigeria’s digital economy footprints, empowering and creating jobs for millions of youths.

L-R: The Director General, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) Kuru, Prof. Ayo Omotayo presenting an Award to the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu during a study tour of the Senior Executive Course 46 at the NASENI Headquarters Abuja today, Monday 15th April, 2024.

The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO),  NASENI, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, disclosed this while welcoming participants of the Senior Executive Course (SEC) 46 of NIPSS who were at the Agency on Strategic Institution Study tour on Monday, 15th April, 2024.
Halilu said he was elated that NASENI was identified as one of the federal government’s agencies that have all it takes to empower and create job opportunities for Nigerian youths, and make the country self-reliant in
manufacturing and digital economy.
Halilu said strengthening the capacity of key stakeholders in Nigeria to access, adopt and scale up technologies is an essential outcome of such cooperation and collaborations currently being undertaken by the Agency and “must be supported by the relevant offline conditions, such as an enabling policy environment, access to finance, appropriate incentives and innovation capacities.”
The Director-General of NIPSS, Prof. Ayo Omotayo, who led the delegation, said Nigerian youths can be empowered through translation of NASENI innovations to finished products and to strengthen the collaboration between the two organizations.
According to him, various groups from the institute have been sent to different agencies to study how policies for national development can be developed, adding that the Group in NASENI will do a deep study on NASENI on how the Agency can help in creating job opportunities for Nigerian youths using some of its technological innovations.
He said “Nigeria cannot have good manufacturing without infrastructures and NASENI is very important in all the sectors in the country, especially in manufacturing industries. We need an Agency like NASENI to live up to expectations, we can work together with you to find means of transferring your innovations to effective job creation and youth empowerment.”
He noted that the Course 46 participants from NIPSS wanted to know the vision, mission and roles of NASENI and how they can be translated to job creation for youths in a digital economy.

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