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Macron at TEF, inspires 2000 young African entrepreneurs

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French President Emmanuel Macron offered a bold and new vision of France’s relationship with Africa, speaking at an exclusive session hosted by the Tony Elumelu Foundation in Lagos recently.

He passionately advocated a new partnership, prioritizing the role of entrepreneurship in driving Africa’s renaissance, highlighting the importance of the private sector and most importantly saying Africa’s future was and should be in Africa’s hands.

Macron spoke at a vibrant, no-holds barred interactive session, in front of 2,000 alumni of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, who sought advice from the youthful President on how to grow their businesses, reach European markets amidst rising nationalism and emerging trade wars and the secrets of his political success. Macron’s experience as an outsider, who transformed French politics and spoke directly to and not at the audience, electrified the room.

“To young African entrepreneurs: never listen to people who are telling you to wait,” Macron said. “If you believe in your projects: just do it. Our role is to help the new generation to seize opportunities and rise to the challenge. This is what underpins a new, balanced relationship.”

TEF Founder and Chairman of Heirs Holdings and United Bank for Africa (UBA), Tony O. Elumelu, CON moderated the event and opened by acknowledging the importance of the occasion for African entrepreneurship: “The French President recognises the critical importance of African entrepreneurs to sustainable economic development on the continent – he knows the African narrative is changing and will change.

His voice is refreshing and welcome” he said. “We want France and the rest of the world to realise that Africa is a continent of opportunities.”

The two leaders stood side-by-side, surrounded by emerging and established business women and men from across Africa, during an exciting and at times charged session.

Concluding the event, TEF signed an agreement with the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), the French development bank. The agreement established a research partnership to examine the entrepreneurship ecosystem in West Africa, with a special focus on francophone countries, a risk-sharing guarantee framework and access to high-level mentors for TEF entrepreneurs.

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FG Pledges Enhanced Security for Southeast Region

… Adequate security is vital for business prosperity – Badaru

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Honourable Minister of Defence, H.E. Mohammed Badaru Abubakar
Honourable Minister of Defence, H.E. Mohammed Badaru Abubakar meets with the Miliary and Governor Uzodimma in Imo State

The Honourable Minister of Defence, H.E. Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has assured the people of the South-East of enhanced security measures, emphasizing that a secure environment is crucial for business growth and prosperity.

During his operational visit to  Enugu in the South-East, the Minister addressed officers and personnel of the 82 Division/Joint task force south  East Operation Udo ka  under the General officer commanding, Major-General H.T Dada .He appreciated their performance  while urging them to intensify their efforts in combating insecurity in the region. He also engaged with key stakeholders, including heads of security agencies, traditional rulers, students, and other community leaders, to discuss collaborative strategies for addressing the current security challenges. Other military platforms visited by the Minister included the Nigerian Airforce base Emene,  Enugu.

“President Tinubu has directed me to engage with you all to find sustainable solutions to insecurity. Without security, there can be no peace or development,” Badaru stated. He acknowledged the entrepreneurial spirit of the South-East populace, asserting that security and peace are essential for businesses to thrive. “We seek your candid suggestions and information on how we can practically enhance security and foster lasting peace in this region,” he added.

The Minister reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to eradicating all forms of insecurity in the South-East . He elucidated on the progress made by the Tinubu administration over the past year in combating insecurity across the nation, particularly in these region.

“There is a renewed determination to intensify our efforts against all forms of insecurity under President Tinubu’s leadership,” he declared.

In his remarks, Major General Hassan Dada, General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division/ JointTask south East Operation Udo ka, announced that the Army is implementing robust strategies to ensure a safe and secure environment for the upcoming festive season. “Through the Joint Security Task Force in the South-East, code-named ‘Operation UDO KA’, we aim to create a secure atmosphere that facilitates the usual mass return for Christmas,” he stated.

Additionally, retired Major General John Nwoga emphasized the role of social media in exacerbating insecurity, noting that the circulation of old videos depicting criminal activities contributes to fear and panic within communities. “It is imperative for our people to collectively address the negative impact of misleading information and fake news proliferated through social media,” Nwoga urged.

Furthermore,  the Minister visited  Imo State in continuation of his operational tour of southEast  on Friday 22nd November 2024. He addressed the troops at the FOB  okigwe,  211 Quick Response Group,  Nigerian Airforce owerri and Naval Base Oguta in Imo State. He expressed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR message to them and that they should improve on their successes.

The Honourable Minister also paid a courtesy visit to Governor Hope Uzodimma of imo state to extend his gratitude  to the Governor for all his support to the 82 Division of the  Nigerian Army/ Joint Task force south East,  Operation udo ka. “All the officers and men appreciates you.”

The Ministry of Defence remains committed to fostering a secure and peaceful environment conducive to business and community development in the South-East. We are determined to end insecurity in Nigeria.

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Rented Crowed, APC AKIDA Leader with Zamfara State Govt. Buses Embark on Campaign of Calumny at DSS Office

Godiya Hamza, a Media Analyst, writes from Abuja

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APC AKIDA

The orchestrated campaign of calumny against the Honourable Minister of State for Defence H.E Dr Bello Muhammad Matawalle MON by a group of street orchins recruited by the leader of APC AKIDA Tijjani Ramallan is very  preposterous and indecent.

This is politics too far, Ramadan has been attacking President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR right from campaign days. He never supported or participated in APC activities, he has been jealous of Matawalle loyalty to our President.

Tijjani Ramallan has been sponsoring Banditry and romancing with criminals.

The leader of the APC AKIDA  Tijjani Ramallan is being sponsored by the state government to attack the person of Dr Matawalle. It is expected that by now the DSS should have arrested him . He has found himself as a willing tool to be manipulated by Governor Dauda Lawal in attacking Dr Matawalle.

The earlier smear campaign embarked by zamfara state government which was stopped by a court order has forced them to shift to the use of APC AKIDA to carry out their mischief.

What zamfara people need is good governance and not wasting the state resources in trying to pull Matawalle down.

Pull him down syndrome pays no body.

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World’s First Surviving Nonuplets Visits Italy To Appear On A TV Show

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In December 2022, aged one and a half years old, the world’s first surviving nonuplets went on their first plane flight.
They travelled from Morocco, where they were born and lived for 19 months, to their parents’ home country of Mali.

And now, two months shy of their third birthday, the nonuplets have made their first trip to Europe, visiting Italy to appear on our televised talent show Lo Show dei Record!

We bet it feels so beautiful to see them all grow and wish them the very best 🥳

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