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Afreximbank bags banker, deal of year awards
African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has won the ‘Bank of the Year’ and ‘Deal of the Year (Infrastructure)’ awards at the African Banker Awards .
Vincent Musumba, Manager, Communications and Events, Afeximbank, said in a statement on Thursday, that the recognition was announced at the awards gala ceremony held in Nairobi, Kenya.
Musumba said the ceremony, which was attended by no fewer than 300 of the continent’s leading figures in banking and finance, saw Afreximbank winning the awards for the second consecutive time.
He said the 18th edition of the African Banker Awards celebrated the achievements of individuals and institutions that have contributed significantly to the growth and development of Africa’s banking sector over the past year.
Musumba said the award organisers highlighted Afreximbank’s exceptional performance across various metrics.
“Key among them, “considerably changing the banking landscape by reaching out to new customers, offering new services, and adopting inclusiveness by bringing the unbanked into the banking space.
“Also making use of new technologies, and helping to drive growth through a stronger financial sector.”
He said the Bank of the Year award reflected Afreximbank’s outstanding financial performance, as the Group’s results for the financial year ending Dec. 31, 2023 showed remarkable strength and resilience, surpassing the previous year’s performance.
Musumba said in the Deal of the Year – Infrastructure category, Afreximbank was honored for its 155 million dollars investment in Great Horn Investments Holding (GHIH).
“This funding supports a series of development projects in Djibouti’s Damerjog Industrial Development Free Trade Zone.”
He said the deal was announced in 2023 following a meeting between Afreximbank President Prof. Benedict Oramah and President of Djibouti Omar Guelleh, during the 2023 Summit of Heads of State of the African Union held in Nairobi.
Musumba said the Deal of the Year – Infrastructure award was particularly significant for Afreximbank as it marks the Bank’s first collaboration with GHIH and the government of Djibouti.
He said the partnership aimed to help Djibouti achieve its goal of becoming a regional trans-shipment and logistics hub.
“This project will greatly promote intra-African trade, given Djibouti’s strategic location in the horn of Africa and support neighbouring economies such as Ethiopia and Somalia through access to freight services.
“The facility is critical to Djibouti’s economic development as the funds will be used for the completion of the Damerjog Oil Jetty, expected to provide marine connectivity to the free trade zone.
“Also for the construction of a 150,000m³ first storage depot/oil tank farm, as well as for other costs related to the projects.
“This will greatly help develop Djibouti’s infrastructure and its vision of becoming a ‘regional transport hub’ by 2035.”
Masumba quoted Oramah who spoke at the award ceremony, as saying,
“We are extremely delighted to win both the Bank of the Year and The Deal of the Year for Infrastructure as these awards underscore our expertise in development financing.
“I accept these awards on behalf of the hardworking staff of Afreximbank, our customers and partners, and also the Alliance for African Multilateral Financial Institutions who work tirelessly to make the change that Africa needs.
“ Many of our members have excelled in tonight’s ceremony and this demonstrates the magnitude of their continual contribution towards meeting the development needs of our great continent , including infrastructure, trade, SME lending among others.”(NAN)
News
2025/2026 Academic Session: Federal University Of Applied Sciences Kachia, Get 18 Courses Approval From NUC
By Tambaya Julius, Abuja
The National Universities Commission (NUC) has officially approved 18 full-time programmes for the Federal University of Applied Sciences Kachia (FUASK). The approval was granted by Nigeria’s National Universities Commission (NUC), positions the university as a beacon of advanced learning and practical skills development in applied sciences and technology.
The announcement was made by FUASK’s inaugural Vice-Chancellor, Professor William Qurix, via an official release issued by the University Registrar, Professor Sanusi Gambo, on Tuesday in Abuja. Professor Gambo said that the newly approved courses will commence with the 2025/2026 academic calendar.
According to the registrar the approved courses reflect a strategic response to both domestic and international workforce demands, particularly within the sectors of science, healthcare, computing, and architecture. “The introduction of these programmes will enable FUASK to equip students with the professional expertise and hands-on experience required for modern job markets” He stated.
The programmes which include:
Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery
B.Sc. Software Engineering
Doctor of Pharmacy
B.Sc. Information Technology
B.Sc. Computer Science
B.Sc. Cyber Security
B.Sc. Environmental Resource Management
B.Sc. Microbiology
B.Sc. Biotechnology
B.Sc. Anatomy
B.Sc. Physiology
Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science
Bachelor of Radiography
Bachelor of Health Information Management
Bachelor of Nursing Science (B.NSc.)
B.Sc. Architecture
B.Sc. Quantity Surveying
B.Sc. Industrial Chemistry
Speaking on the significance of the NUC approval, Professor Qurix expressed that the development marks more than just regulatory progress it is a clear indication of FUASK’s commitment to becoming a centre of excellence in applied scientific education and research.
“This achievement is a testament to our vision of delivering a modern, practice-oriented academic experience,” said Qurix. “It showcases our dedication to equipping students with innovative skills tailored to meet real-world challenges across vital sectors such as medicine, information technology, pharmacy, and environmental science.”
The Vice-Chancellor also emphasised that the approval wouldn’t have been possible without the unwavering efforts of the university’s academic and administrative staff. He praised their dedication in working meticulously to ensure that FUASK met the strict standards required by the NUC for programme accreditation.
News
Group Accuses Gov Dauda Lawal of Imposing Impunity, Suspending Constitution for Selfish Reasons
Gives Reasons for State of Emergency in Zamfara State
The Northern Democratic Watch (NDW) has accused Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State of imposing impunity and suspending the constitution for selfish reasons, leading to a constitutional crisis in the state.
According to NDW President, Amb. Mahmud Abubakar, the governor’s actions have resulted in the emergence of two rival factions of the State House of Assembly, creating a constitutional nightmare that has left citizens bewildered and abandoned.
Abubakar cited the unlawful suspension of ten duly elected members of the House of Assembly without credible legislative procedure or fair hearing, effectively disenfranchising thousands of Zamfara citizens.
The NDW demanded an immediate and independent investigation into the crisis, reinstatement of the suspended lawmakers, nullification of the 2025 budget process, and declaration of emergency rule in Zamfara State to restore law, order, and constitutional governance.
The group described the crisis as a fundamental threat to Nigeria’s democracy, urging the National Assembly to act with courage and urgency to restore democracy and protect citizens’ constitutional rights.
The NDW called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to invoke his constitutional powers to declare a state of emergency in Zamfara State, temporarily suspending existing political structures to restore peace, stability, and constitutional governance.
“In flagrant violation of the Constitution and the principles of natural justice, ten duly elected members of the Zamfara House of Assembly were suspended indefinitely,” Abubakar said at a press conference.
“No credible legislative procedure was followed, no fair hearing was granted, and no constitutional safeguards were respected. These actions, based solely on political differences and personal vendettas, have effectively disenfranchised thousands of Zamfara citizens, stripping them of their constitutional right to representation.
“Worse still, a bizarre situation has emerged where two parallel legislative houses are operating independently of each other, enacting conflicting resolutions, and creating a constitutional nightmare that has left the citizens of Zamfara bewildered and abandoned.
“Under this atmosphere of impunity, the state government has gone ahead to claim the passage of the 2025 Appropriation Bill; a process so compromised, so fraught with illegality, that it calls into question the very foundation of governance and fiscal responsibility in the state.
“The existence of two parallel Houses of Assembly in Zamfara State is not just a local embarrassment; it is a direct assault on Nigeria’s democracy. It is a violation of the rights of the electorate who entrusted their votes to their representatives. It is a repudiation of the rule of law and a dangerous slide into lawlessness that must be urgently arrested.
“Given the seriousness of the situation, the Northern Democratic Watch (NDW) makes the following demands:
“Immediate and Independent Investigation:
We call on the National Assembly to immediately launch an independent, transparent, and credible investigation into the unlawful suspension of the ten lawmakers and the emergence of parallel legislative factions in Zamfara State.
“We demand the immediate reinstatement of the ten illegally suspended members of the Zamfara State House of Assembly. Their suspension is unconstitutional, illegitimate, and represents an unacceptable violation of their rights and the rights of the people they represent.
“The purported passage of the 2025 Appropriation Bill, conducted under such illegal and chaotic circumstances, must be immediately nullified. We urge the National Assembly to supervise a proper legislative process that respects constitutional order, due process, and democratic norms before any budget can be deemed valid in Zamfara State.
“We call on the National Assembly to, without delay, advise President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to invoke his constitutional powers by declaring a state of emergency in Zamfara State.
“The world is watching. Nigerians are watching. History is watching. The National Assembly must act with courage, patriotism, and urgency.”
Demands Full Disclosure on Refurbished Refineries
A coalition of lawyers and civil society organizations (CSOs) today submitted a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), seeking full disclosure on the status of refineries refurbished during the tenure of Mele Kyari, the former Group Chief Executive Officer.
The Concerned Citizens Against Corruption, leading the coalition, demanded transparency and accountability on the reported expenditure of $4 billion on refineries repairs.
Led by Comrade Ogwuche Emmanuel, the group alleged inflation of refineries rehabilitation contracts, fraudulent allocation of crude oil proceeds, misappropriation of funds, and other questionable practices during Kyari’s tenure from July 2019 to April 2025.
The FOI request seeks specific details on payments to consultants and contractors, crude oil allocations, budgetary provisions for the AKK Pipeline Project, documentation on gasoline imports, and information on crude-backed loans and oil exploration activities.
The group emphasized the need for accountability and restoring public trust in NNPCL’s operations.
They urged the NNPCL to provide the requested information within the stipulated timeframe under the Freedom of Information Act.
“We are concerned about the growing reports of monumental Inflation of the Refineries Rehabilitation Contracts with allegations that the costs of refurbishing the refineries were significantly inflated, Fraudulent Allocation and Mismanagement of Crude Oil Proceeds, Misappropriation of Funds in the AKK Gas Pipeline Project, Fuel Subsidy Fraud, Value Review for NNPCL’s Crude-Backed Loans, and Fraudulent Oil Exploration Activities that have yielded no benefits to the nation,” the letter signed by Comrade Ogwuche Emmanuel said.
“Our findings, supported by reliable intelligence, suggest a pattern of institutionalizing of these questionable practices during Mallam Kyari’s tenure. As an organisation of law-abiding Nigerians, who are affected by these identified issues, we require information to seek judicial intervention.
“Consequently, we require the following information from July 1, 2019 to April 29, 2025: Specific details of payments to consultants and contractors, work scopes, and the justification for payments for the Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna Refineries.
“Information regarding crude oil allocations and financial transactions under the guise of pipeline security payments. Details of the budgetary provisions, foreign financing arrangements, and physical progress of the AKK Pipeline Project.
“Documentation including ship records, bills of lading, and discharge certificates for gasoline imports during the stated period. Information regarding the structure, terms, and purposes of crude-backed loans taken from 2019 to date.
“Documentation and feasibility outcomes of oil exploration activities in Gombe, Bauchi, Ogun, and Nasarawa states. Given the gravity of the allegations that necessitated this request, it is imperative that the NNPCL provides full transparency on the expenditures and activities undertaken during Mallam Kyari’s tenure”.