Update: Skales & his Manager Osagie Osarenkhoe remanded in Police Custody over N13m Fraud

Music Talent manager Osagie Osarenkhoe was arrested by the Nigerian Police at the instance of Skales’ Record Label, Baseline Records. Meanwhile, the record label has also disclosed that both Skales and his manager have been remanded in police custody. His manager was accused of fraudulently diverting N13.3m belonging to the record label for personal purposes.

Wale Ewedemi, an insider source from Baseline Records stated, "Skales and His Manager Osagie have been remanded in  Police Custody after confessing to various charges of fraud and diversion of Baseline Records funds.

"They are currently assisting the Police in unraveling the extent of the fraud. Running into tens of millions of naira. At the inception of the contract, he was given a fully furnished luxury apartment in Lekki in a gated estate, with a brand new customized SUV. And a multimillion Naira sign on Fee. 

"The record label also gave him a free hand to select and run his brand, supported by a multimillion naira corporate expense account.

"Skales behavior has reduced the appetite of the Record label to assist other young talents to achieve their full potential."

Former Customs Boss, Abdullahi Dikko Confesses to owning propertied worth $50m in Dubai

According to reports, the former Comptroller General of Customs, Abdullahi Dikko has confessed that owns properties worth $50 million in Dubai, United Arab Emirate.

The information also has it that the former Customs’ boss is also suffering from terminal prostate cancer at the moment. Details later…

"Ex- Customs CG Abdullahi Dikko has confessed to owning properties worth $50m in Dubai, stricken with terminal prostrate cancer," SaharaReporters tweeted. 

Obiano Cuts Short Programme, Visits Site of Collapsed Building at Agba, Ekwulobia(Photos)

 

 

Pictures below show Gov Obiano at Agba, Ekwulobia in Aguata local government area where a 2-storey building reportedly in the plastering stage collapsed yesterday morning killing one person.

 

 

 

Obiano while sympathising with Ndi Ekwulobia frowned at the incessant building collapse and charged the State Emergency Management Agency led by Sir Paul Odenigbo to intensify excavation works to see if anyon...e could be saved.

 

The State Government has on several occasions warned all builders to adhere to the professional standards and make appropriate use of the State Materials Testing Laboratories recently opened at Awka, Nnewi and Onitsha.

 

 

There's no short cut to building...

Amichi Town:The Upcoming Indigeneous Industrial Town Welcomes Gov Obiano!

Amichi Town stands still for Obiano as Chief Akai Egwuonwu the CEO of Stine Industries Limited Amichi (Makers and millers of ANAMBRA RICE) welcomes the Governor of Anambra State His Excellency Chief Dr Willie Maduabuchukwu Obiano at his factory complex in Amichi.

Mrs. Obiano Empowers 98 Community Health Workers

Wife of the Governor of Anambra State, Chief (Mrs.) Ebelechukwu Obiano and the Community Health Workers during their Empowerment at the Governor’s Lodge Amawbia recently.

 

    By Emeka Ozumba

 

Ninety-Eighty women trained as Community Health Workers (CHW) under the auspices of the Caring Family Enhancement Initiative (CAFÉ), NGO of the wife of Governor of Anambra State, Chief (Mrs.) Ebelechukwu Obiano were over the weekend further empowered to enhance their effectiveness on the job.

During the programme held at the Governors’ Lodge Amawbia the health assistants who work in remote communities across Anambra State also received the pleasant news of their deployment under the payroll of the Ministry of Health which would henceforth handle thevpayment of their stipend.

Addressing the Community Health Workers, the wife of the Governor  reminded them that a lot of resources had been committed to train and equip them to fulfill important health needs in the rural communities so as to help stop high mortality rate especially amongst pregnant women.  Mrs. Obiano further told the women to always remember what they were thought and know that their role was to assist in emergencies.

Wife of the Governor of Anambra State, Chief (Mrs.) Ebelechukwu Obiano (centre) flanked by former APGA Women Leader, Mrs. Chinyere Ibenta and Commissioner for Health, Hon Joe Akabike during the Empowerment of the Community Health Workers at Governor’s Lodge Amawbia recently.

Said she: “I want you all to take your jobs seriously because you have been empowered as part of the plans to improve the lives and health of Ndi Anambra. I am aware that the government has redoubled its efforts since we made a case for the remote areas with your training. The Governor has therefore graciously approved your recognition as part of the programme to spread healthcare far and wide to remote communities as health aides to assist the professional medical staff."

 “I expect that you should be able to summon village square meetings of women to teach them how to take care of children with foods of high nutrient content that are not very expensive. Also teach the pregnant women on how to stay healthy during pregnancy and also get help for them in case of labour.”

Mrs. Obiano commended the women for availing themselves the opportunity for the training and charged them to make effective use of the mobile phones by ensuring that their people can contact them and also contact health officials; and use the motorcycles with baby cots as well as other materials given to them to save lives, especially during emergencies. She equally assured that the challenges reported with their work tools and motorcycle with baby cot would be improved for ease of access to very interior terrain.

Wife of the Governor of Anambra State, Chief (Mrs.) Ebelechukwu Obiano and Commissioner for Health, Hon Joe Akabike during the Empowerment of the Community Health Workers at Governor’s Lodge Amawbia recently.

‎In his remarks, the Hon Commissioner for Health Dr. Joe Akabike said that when the wife of the Governor introduced the CHW initiative “we were looking for ways to make it work and today we are happy to say it is a well thought out scheme. You have been trained as special health workers to assist in the remote areas where there are not enough Doctors and Nurses.”

According to Dr. Akabike, “you are largely expected to attend to women in emergency situation in communities to avoid untimely death. I am happy that you recognize that you are not Nurses or Midwives but have been trained to bridge the gap in the rural communities to stem the prevalence of high maternal death by ensuring that patients get professional health care on time. Yours is a call to service and we assure you that we will continue to train you and equip you for the job."

The Commissioner for Health also reminded the Community Health workers that they were CAFE Ambassadors because they represent CAFE through their activities in the area of health in the rural communities.

Cross-section of the Community Health Workers during their Empowerment at the Governor’s Lodge Amawbia recently.

Speaking earlier, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Youth Mobilization and Empowerment Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim informed the Community Health Workers of an opportunity for retraining for them under the World Bank which has a provision for the empowerment of those who will help combat HIV/AIDS. He stressed that the health challenge is such that needed advocates in rural communities where they had a role to play.

In a vote of thanks one of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Vivian Nnanyelugo thanked the Wife of the Governor for the opportunity she had given them which had attracted the recognition from other important persons and government and promised her that they would justify the confidence reposed in them.

Actor Michael Jace convicted for shooting & killing Wife

Actor Michael Jace was convicted Tuesday in the fatal shooting of his wife April Jace at their Los Angeles home in front of the couple's two young sons. The verdict was announced Tuesday after a weeklong trial.

A jury of six women and six men deliberated for around two hours before finding Jace, 53, guilty of the second-degree murder of his wife on May 19, 2014. According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, he faces 40 years to life in state prison, PEOPLE reports.

The actor, who portrayed LAPD officer Julien Lowe on the FX television seriesThe Shield, was upset his wife wanted a divorce, Deputy District Attorney Tannaz Mokayef told jurors in opening statements.

Jace waited in their home and when April arrived, he shot her once in the back, the prosecutor said. The actor then shot her two more times in the legs in front of their sons, who were 8 and 5 at the time.

Jace called 911 himself and told the operator he shot his wife, according to evidence presented at trial. Her body was found inside the couple's home along with their two children, who were unharmed.

Jace, who has remained in custody since his arrest, is scheduled to appear for sentencing June 10.

April was a Biola University counselor, and after her death the school established a scholarship in her name. The scholarship awards "underrepresented students serving or planning to serve in an urban context who have experienced or witnessed violence in their home or neighborhood."

"April was a very joyful person," Jonathan Seruyange, associate director of financial aid at Biola University, previously told PEOPLE. "She was very caring. Very joyful. Always ready to joke and laugh with people. She was easy to get to know."

"She was really well-loved across the campus," said Seruyange. "Hearing about that kind of thing happening to someone well loved was a huge shock and something that our office all took very hard."

Sokoto State Gov. Aminu Tambuwal Awards Contracts Worth Over N2bn For Construction & Rehabilitation Of Secondary Schools In The State

Sokoto State Government has awarded five contracts worth over N2 billion for the construction and rehabilitation of secondary schools.

 Tambuwal Stated this in a broadcast to mark his one year in office.
The governor said  out of the amount, the rehabilitation of four schools would gulp over N860 million.

 The benefitting schools as Gamji Girls’ College, Rabah; Government Girls’ Model Secondary School, Illela; Government Secondary School, Tureta, and Government Girls’ Arabic Day Secondary School, Sabon-Birni.

Another contract worth N1.2 billion  has also been awarded for the construction of a new boarding secondary school in Balle, the headquarters of Gudu Local Government area

 51 blocks of three classrooms have also been renovated by the state government in a number of local governments.

While some selected rural primary schools at Betere, Rundi, Kwagel, Kubodu and Dankyal, among others enjoyed  the pilot breakfast feedin

"We are committed to continue sponsoring  students of the state  for educational training at all levels, both within and outside the country.And our budgetary provision to the educational sector has exceeded both national and UNESCO benchmark of 26 per cent, that shows how commited we are” Tambuwal said.

 The governor said, he declared state of emergency in education in order  to improve enrolment at all stages of education both basic, secondary and tertiary.

Over 17,000 state indigines are presently studying various courses  in  different institution of higher learning  across the country and over N1billion has been spent on payment of school fees and other expenses of state indigines studying abroad .

 Tambuwal  added that more teachers would be recruted,apart from the 500 that were recruted in 2015

PRESS RELEASE ON THE ACTIVITIES OF MOVEMENT FOR THE ACTUALISATION OF SOVEREIGN STATE OF BIAFRA AND INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF BIAFRA

The attention of the general public is hereby drawn to the unwarranted attack that was launched by combined members of the Movement for Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) against the peace loving populace as well as security agencies at about 0415 hours on 30 May 2016. This attack was purported to have been orchestrated in order to mar the first anniversary of the present democratic government as part of the activities earmarked to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Biafra. Due to the wide spread panic, tension and apprehension that generated from the activities of the MASSOB and IPOB members, security agencies which comprised of detachment of Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Police, Department of State Service, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency were compelled to intervene in consonance with constitutional provisions of aid to civil authority where and when such occasion demands. The over arching imperative to ensure a reign of peace, security and stability in this circumstance was most starring.

However, the MASSOB/IPOB members who had earlier assembled at a school location on Ataa Road near Saint Edmunds’ Catholic Parish Maryland Nkpor-Agu in Anambra State resorted to fierce attack against the intervening security agencies who were carrying out their legitimate mandate. The nature of this attack involved brazen employment of various types of fire arms and all sorts of crude weapons, volatile cocktail such as acid and dynamites. Instructively, troops of 82 Division Nigerian Army as the lead agency of the security agencies had to invoke the extant Rules of Engagement (ROE) to resort to self defence, protection of the strategic Niger Bridge, prevent re-enforcement of the pro Biafran members apparently surging ahead from the far side of the strategic Niger Bridge at Onitsha. All these efforts were in order to de-escalate the palpable tension as well as ward off the apparent threats to lives and property in the general area.

In the aftermath of the fire fight that ensued, many of own troops sustained varying degrees of injury. These injured troops are currently receiving treatment at own medical centre. Similarly, 5 members of MASSOB/IPOB were killed, 8 wounded while 9 were arrested for due legal actions.

This unfortunate incident notwithstanding, 82 Division Nigerian Army wishes to assure all of its professional commitment to the protection of lives and property of the good people of Anambra State and indeed across its entire Area of Responsibility in tandem with the recent directive of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria through the Chief of Defence Staff to the Chief of Army Staff to avert occurrences of such unwarranted and uncivilized attacks against the good and law abiding people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

COLONEL HAMZA GAMBO
DEPUTY DIRECTOR ARMY PUBLIC RELATIONS

Fayose's SA On Parliamentary Matters Resigns,Fayose Appoints New One With Immediate Effect(Photo)

The Special Assistant on Parliamentary Matters to Governor Ayodele Fayose, Mr. Samuel Ajibola, has resigned his appointment.

Ajibola, in his letter of resignation, said he had to quit because of some “basic developmental issues and the economic situation in the state” which he could no longer pretend over.

In his letter dated May 28, Ajibola said, “I humbly write this to formally notify you that I am resigning from my position as your S.A on Parliamentary Affairs.

“Sir, within my personal conviction, I am satisfied that I have in honesty and utmost loyalty served the PDP, the people of Ekiti and government in general.

“Therefore, I premise my resignation on some basic developmental issues and the economic situation in the state which I cannot continue to pretend over. My resignation takes off immediately.”

The Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, has however approved the appointment of Hon. Alexander Adeojo as the Special Assistant to the Governor on Parliamentary Matters.The appointment of Adeojo resulted from the resignation of Hon. Samuel Oyedele Ajibola from that position.

In a statement on Tuesday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Idowu Adelusi, the appointment of Adeojo takes immediate effect.

Meanwhile, the governor has thanked Ajibola for his meaningful contributions to the administration and development of the state while he was Special Assistant, Parliamentary Matters to the Governor.

The governor also wished him the best of luck in his future political endeavours.

See the letter of acceptance of the new assignment by Hon. Adeojo above

Photos: Olakunle Churchill Receives Doctorate Honour At ISCG University In Benin, Storms Kanu Nwankwo Papilo FC Launch In Owerri Imo State;Receives Humanitarian Award In Lagos

Over the weekend, Amb. Olakunle Churchill added another feather to his already feathered cap as he
bagged a Doctorate Honours from ISCG University in
Republic of Benin.The professional institution which majors in communication, ICT, Journalism and other related information courses on 28th of May held their
biannual academic programme and awards to honour distinguished personalities who have over the years made a name in the profession and field of
endeavours.

While decorating Amb. Olakunle Churchill with the
PHD honours and as the newest academic Doctor in
Communication Sociale (Faculty of Communication
arts) , Vice Chancellor, said that this recognition was
one of the highest professional honours in the country which is recognised anywhere in the world.
The CEO of Big Church Group, who had over three
engagements on the same day, had to fly private
Jet to Lagos for an award, to Otokpa in Benin Republic for the programme and finally Owerri to
put up appearance as a guest at Kanu Nwankwo
launching of Papilo FC in Imo state.The former Nigeria Captain Kanu Nwankwo also hosted Dr. Churchill Olakunle for a celebration party in where he was indeed cynosure of all eyes.

In a related news,La Mode Magazine gave him a humanitarian award in Lagos.The 2016 Edition of Green October event which focuses on celebrating people living with disabilities and honouring humanitarians got a massive boast over the weekend in Lagos as they recognised Dr. Olakunle Churchill as one of its award recipients and his company Big Church Group as official partner to the event.

The event which recorded impressive turnout last
year with headline celebrities, personalities and humanitarian award recipients like Osasu Igbinedion,
2face Idibia, Osas Ajibade, Ariyike Akinbobola , Ezinne Akudo, Anyaoha, Amb Karo Ekewenu, Tony
Elumelu, Ruth Idahosa and Mrs Rose Mordi Founder
Down Syndrome Foundation Lagos, will be staged on
October 1st to celebrite people who have significantly contributed to humanity.

Olakunle Churchill who has been at the forefront of empowering the less privileged and promoting charity projects has been listed for this year’s award. At the event guests will be highly entertained with fashion shows ,entertainment from artists with a focus on Autism.

Presenting the beautiful portrait of the CEO of Big
Church Group, the project director of Green October
Event and Publisher La Mode Magazine, Mrs Sandra
Odige said.....

'Sir, it's a privilege for us to meet you today, all efforts to reach you last year before the event proved abortive but today we are excited to have tracked you here even though you are enroute Benin for your doctorate honours…Amb.Churchill, in sincere recognition of your philanthropic gesture to humanity and charity visitations, we wish to recognise you and officially solicit for your partnership in the worthy project…receive this with our highest regards and commendations’.

17-yr-old girl dies after illegal female genital mutilation

A 17-year-old girl, Mayar Mohamed Mousa has died during a female circumcision operation at a private hospital. Mayar Mohamed Mousa, 17, died in El Canal hospital on Sunday while under full anaesthesia in the province of Suez, said Lotfi Abdel-Samee, the health ministry undersecretary in the province.

On Sunday, Mousa's sister had just undergone the operation before she was sent in for surgery. 'This is something that the law has prohibited,' stressed Abdel-Samee.

Medical examiners have carried out an autopsy, and are due to report the cause of death, said Abdel-Samee.

Despite the ban in 2008, female genital mutilation (FGM) is still widespread in Egypt, especially in rural areas. It is practised among Muslims as well as Egypt's minority Christians.

The law led to the first prison sentence against a doctor in Egypt in January last year, with the girl's father in that case given a three-month suspended sentence.

Mail Online

Nollywood Actor, Charles Inojie And Wife Welcome Second Baby In US (photos)

Nollywood actor Charles Onojie Nollywood actor Charles Onojie and his wife Obehi have just welcomed their second child, a baby girl on Wednesday, May 25 in Decatur, Georgia, US.

The couple who got married on November 2012 in Benin City named the child Onoseta. Disclosing the news,Obehi recalled he difficulties she encountered before finally conceiving.She said......

"Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. God is wonderful, he blessed me with another beautiful baby 2 days ago, he made it possible for me to sing a new song again, our God is good! When you are waiting on the Lord for something good to happen, please don't give up, He will surely answer you. I never knew what it meant to wait on the Lord until he taught me how. Since my first daughter became a year old, I have been praying for another baby, it took quiet a long time before it happened. During that time, I was worried, delayed periods meant miscarriages to me, my mum wasn't helping matters, "Obehi is old enough to have a sibling, what are you waiting for? Born them sharp sharp, make you rest once" she had no idea what I was going through, I prayed and prayed, cried and cried, then it happened. My period was a week late but I was too scared to confirm my status, then I tried my ovulation test kit, it gave me a smiley face I shouted and rushed off to tell hubby, he said calm down, take this money, he was just giving me a lot of money that morning neither of us knew how much, he told me to go to the nearest clinic for confirmation, as I was driving down, my heart start to beat, I said to myself, I should ve been quiet about this, what if I just raised hubby's hope for nothing?

“ God reassured me that because He is King over all, everything is beautiful. As soon as my result came out of the lab, my eyes automatically became xrays, I scanned through the paper in the nurse's hand from afar and I saw *positive* I asked her from where I was sitting, "positive abi? " she said yes. Ha mo'gbe o, I screamed the whole clinic down and hugged her so tight, I gave the nurse money to buy lunch for herself and the rest of her colleagues. You see, when we take in easily, we don't know what God has done for us, until we start to hear stories of how many women, are trying hard for the same thing you got so easily. Always be grateful, no matter what, your morning will surely come, keep believing, your testimony will come. All the challenges I had during this pregnancy are long forgotten since my bundle of joy arrived, thank u Lord" she wrote happily.

Congrats to them. his wife Obehi have just welcomed their second child, a baby girl on Wednesday, May 25 in Decatur, Georgia, US.










The couple who got married on November 2012 in Benin City named the child Onoseta. Disclosing the news,Obehi recalled he difficulties she encountered before finally conceiving.She said......

"Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. God is wonderful, he blessed me with another beautiful baby 2 days ago, he made it possible for me to sing a new song again, our God is good! When you are waiting on the Lord for something good to happen, please don't give up, He will surely answer you. I never knew what it meant to wait on the Lord until he taught me how. Since my first daughter became a year old, I have been praying for another baby, it took quiet a long time before it happened. During that time, I was worried, delayed periods meant miscarriages to me, my mum wasn't helping matters, "Obehi is old enough to have a sibling, what are you waiting for? Born them sharp sharp, make you rest once" she had no idea what I was going through, I prayed and prayed, cried and cried, then it happened. My period was a week late but I was too scared to confirm my status, then I tried my ovulation test kit, it gave me a smiley face I shouted and rushed off to tell hubby, he said calm down, take this money, he was just giving me a lot of money that morning neither of us knew how much, he told me to go to the nearest clinic for confirmation, as I was driving down, my heart start to beat, I said to myself, I should ve been quiet about this, what if I just raised hubby's hope for nothing?










“ God reassured me that because He is King over all, everything is beautiful. As soon as my result came out of the lab, my eyes automatically became xrays, I scanned through the paper in the nurse's hand from afar and I saw *positive* I asked her from where I was sitting, "positive abi? " she said yes. Ha mo'gbe o, I screamed the whole clinic down and hugged her so tight, I gave the nurse money to buy lunch for herself and the rest of her colleagues. You see, when we take in easily, we don't know what God has done for us, until we start to hear stories of how many women, are trying hard for the same thing you got so easily. Always be grateful, no matter what, your morning will surely come, keep believing, your testimony will come. All the challenges I had during this pregnancy are long forgotten since my bundle of joy arrived, thank u Lord" she wrote happily.

Congrats to them.

Adverse Drug Reaction: Woman falls victim of Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) in Katsina State, after taking Septrin

This is Amina who developed a burnt skin after taking Septrin "SULPHAMETHOXAZOLE" tablet.This should serve as a warning for people who indulge in self-medication.Personally I have come across a patient with this kind of condition before.If you are not careful you mistake it for Steven Johnson's syndrome.Sometimes you can see it in HIV+ people who take septrin and can also happen in allergy to septrin.Please never in life should you abuse septrin.

Tony Elumelu promotes Nigeria as top Investment Destination to French Business Community

Chairman of the Senate Inter parliamentary Committee on France-West Africa,  Senator  Charles Revet; French Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Denye Gauer;  Chairman of UBA Plc, Mr. Tony Elumelu and France's Ambassador for International Investment and CEO of  Business France, Mrs Muriel Penicaurd at the French Senate, Palais Du Luxembourg, Paris on Friday, where Mr. Tony Elumelu was guest speaker at the 'Colloque Nigeria: Nigeria, the Leading African Economy' forum organised by the French Senate 

Serial entrepreneur, philanthropist and promoter of Africaptalism, Tony O. Elumelu on 27 May 2016, delivered an inspiring speech in Paris, France, selling Nigeria as an investment destination to the French business community.

Elumelu, who is the Chairman of Pan-African banking group, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc and proprietary investment firm, Heirs Holdings delivered the speech as a guest speaker at the 1st ‘Colloque Nigeria', a colloquium on doing business and investment in Nigeria, which was organised by the French Senate at the exquisite Palais de Luxembourg in Paris, France. 

Speaking at the conference, the Founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation said that like every part of the world, investors in Nigeria and Africa are faced with a myriad of challenges, but amidst these challenges no other destinations provided more opportunities and return on investment as do Nigeria and Africa. "Nigeria remains a very viable, attractive and important investment and export destination for French companies. As a matter of fact, I would argue that now is a good time to come and invest in Nigeria, because it is an investor’s market. The fundamentals of the Nigerian economy remain strong," he said.

According to Elumelu, some of the trends supporting long - term growth in Nigeria are the increased use of technology by the Nigerian population, high consumerism, young demographic and increasing urbanization. Whilst encouraging French businesses to come and discover Nigeria, he advised the would - be investors to find the right partner that would help them navigate the environment and stated that they need be committed to invest in Nigeria for the long haul.

France's Ambassador for International Investment and CEO of  Business France, Mrs Muriel Penicaurd; Chairman of UBA Plc and founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, Mr. Tony Elumelu; Chairman of the Senate Inter parliamentary Committee on France-West Africa,  Senator  Charles Revet; French Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Denye Gauer at the French Senate, Palais Du Luxembourg, Paris on Friday, where Mr. Tony Elumelu was guest speaker at the 'Colloque Nigeria: Nigeria, the Leading African Economy' forum​

"Nigeria has always been a unique country.  We are not only the most populous country on the continent of Africa, we are amongst the best educated and most-traveled people in Africa.  We Nigerians are well known for our positive outlook and can-do spirit.  Even more importantly, we have a strong culture and spirit of entrepreneurship. The smart investor, knows that this is the time to enter our market because the fundamentals of the Nigerian economy remain strong, and where others perceive risk and challenge, the glass is actually half full rather than half empty," Elumelu said.  

He asserted that despite the current challenges faced by Nigeria which have been brought about by the sharp drop in commodity prices, the country still offers one of the highest returns on investment on the continent

Citing the example of what UBA has been able to achieve in Nigeria, Elumelu said that UBA has operated profitably in Nigeria for the past 70 years and in the last decade, increased its footprint into 18 other countries in Africa as it set up business offices in Paris, New York and London. “UBA is helping to finance major projects in infrastructure, as well as in the agriculture and construction sectors of the African countries in which we operate, most of these being francophone countries. We have continued to open more UBA branches of our subsidiaries and we have become better established in those markets.  The second stage of the roll out on the continent begins later this year”. 

"The large Nigerian economy plays an important leading role in West Africa and beyond.  So when you invest in Nigeria, the benefits spill over to our neighbours in dozens of countries," he continued.

He thanked the investing community for their enthusiasm about investing in Nigeria and he encouraged them to "believe in Nigeria; come to Nigeria; discover Nigeria; invest in Nigeria; help develop Nigeria and prosper with Nigerians; and most importantly, take an Africapitalist approach to entering and investing in Nigeria because what we are looking for are sustainable partnerships that will deliver sustainable development through the private sector going about its normal commercial activities," he concluded.

Also speaking at the Colloque Nigeria summit, the President of the French Senate, Mr. Gerard Larcher stressed that the summit is strategic to French business interests as Nigeria remains the first destination of French investment in sub Saharan Africa. " We want to strengthen these privileged links, said the President.

He thanked Mr Elumelu for his sterling contributions to the economic development of the continent, and especially in the area of entrepreneurship where the Tony Elumelu Foundation - through its Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Programme - has been engaging in promoting start-up businesses across the continent.