Opinion
Celebrating a Great Achiever, Dr, Mrs Elizabeth Jack-Rich @30
By Comrade Gambo Jagindi
From the old ancient town of Owoh, Ondo State, precisely on May 18, 1993, a healthy baby girl emerged, Elizabeth Itunnuayo, whose cry was hilariously sweet, echoed and lit up the lives of a Jewish-Nigerian couple,…
30 years down the road, the world has gathered to celebrate this rare Amazon, a delectable beauty queen with matching brains, a kind and ambitious woman, whose goal is to impact humanity by improving the lives of the less privileged, contributing to global social and economic development, and supporting Nigeria’s political growth.
The Harvard graduate, and wife of oil magnate and philanthropist, Tein Jack-Rich, made headlines in April 2020, when she became the first African woman to be featured on the cover of the 2020 World Finance Spring Magazine.
Her vision to add value to humanity remains rekindled with her husband’s unending passion to improve the lives of striving individuals.
This led to the creation of Elizabeth Jack Rich Aid Foundation (EJRAF) IN 2017, a non profit organisation, which has touched many lives and changed them for the better.
This is anchored on her belief often expressed in her husband’s words: “God has blessed me to impact on my generation’’.
It is therefore, not a surprise when prominent Nigerians, including a revered Yoruba Royal Father, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, who considers Elizabeth his daughter, have so many intriguing things to say about her.
The paramount Yoruba King, who took to Instagram to share photos of the ex-beauty queen, when she turned 29 last year, described Elizabeth as a jewel, who he is proud to call his own, and grateful to have as a child.
Sharing her photos on social media, the Ooni said: “The greatest joy in life is having a jewel as a child, whom you can call your own in your thoughts, words, and deeds!! I’m eternally grateful for having you as a child, Dr. Elizabeth Itunnuayo Rich-Jack.
“As your birthday comes with incredible hidden stories of challenges and excellence, I celebrate your tenacity, your unrivalled and admirable courage, and most importantly, your selfless dedication to compassion for others.
“It is truly worthy to celebrate you every day as a shining light to many around you, a beacon of hope, and a torchbearer of inspiration with positive energy to others, especially our young women. You are a wonderful mother and wife to your darling husband, Tein Jack-Rich with a supernormal giving heart, and above all, an adorable daughter to me.
“May the Eledumare shower his matchless splendour and grace upon you throughout this treasured day, with immeasurable gifts. Lots of love from me.’’
Extolling the virtues of his wife, Jack-Rich said his wife is being celebrated as an instrument to gather Nigerians in leadership and persons from all walks of life, to share love and break bread.
He said: “I am greatly honoured and privileged to say that it came as an occasion of good tidings to continue to speak to Nigerians at home and abroad, sharing the need for a new dawn in our great Country.
“Your service to humanity shall fetch the needed cohesion for a rebirth, and to achieve public good.’’
And is his usual selflessness and love to humanity and country, Jack-Rich envisions his wife’s birthday celebration as a tool for cohesion, unity and sharing of love.
“As your birthday throws the smiles of a new beginning needed for a prosperous and more sustainable future, under cutting-edge visionary leadership, participants shall leave fulfilled.
“I am sure your birthday celebration shall usher in that hope for secured peace, renewed hope for the less opportune, supplies for the good and advancement of society,’’ he said.
For obvious reasons, many women would wish to be as lucky as she is in life, if not for anything, but the fact that her husband, Tein Jack-Rich, is a billionaire oil baron, and founder of Belema Oil Producing Limited.
But unlike many other women of her status, Dr. Elizabeth Jack-Rich has refused to be a “trophy wife.”
Born to Jewish Nigerian parents, like her husband, Jack Rich, Elizabeth is a philanthropist, an entrepreneur and business mogul.
The mother of two has established organisations that have grown into conglomerates, with footprints across West Africa and the U.S,.
Her investment portfolio touches several facets of the Nigerian society, drawing on its core operating values of integrity, mutual respect, customer service, innovation and safety.
In fact, the couple has been a great inspiration to many youngsters, and are being discussed as a template for a successful and happy marriage. Their union, according to those close to them, continues to inspire many that are hoping to find a lasting union.
Elizabeth on her part, is the Chief Executive Officer of EJRAF, an organisation with the vision to empower youths and women, eradicate poverty, promote education, health and financial inclusion, whilst preventing child and drug abuse in underserved communities of Nigeria.
She is a product of University of Applied Science and Management, Port-Novo, the University of Cambridge, UK, and the Harvard University.
Elizabeth also heads Elin Group Limited, a Lagos based consortium with a branch in the U.S, and with diverse investments in Real Estate development, Power Generation, Agricultural Development, Gas utilisation, Mining Operations, Maritime and Aviation.
Her vision to add value to humanity is therefore, aligned with her husband’s unending passion to improve the lives of striving individuals.
Jack-Rich, a frontline presidential aspirant under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), during the 2023 elections, believes that one of the ways to ensure a peaceful, economically and socially viable country is effective engagement of youths, and which is key to tackling insecurity and other social vices, that could hinder the growth and development of any nation.
The philanthropist, who also understands that leadership is strategic and visionary, and entails planning for the future where the young population can be converted into the economic value chain and provide the right solution in dealing with social issues, has introduced so many projects that have impacted positively on the youths.
Comrade Gambo Jagindi, Publisher, CEO of Aluta News, writes from Abuja via jagindi2016@gmail.com
Heineken Lokpobiri, minister of state for petroleum resources, says the federal government plans to commence implementing the drill-or-drop provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
Section 94 of the PIA gives operators a period of three years to begin oil production or relinquish the assets to the federal government.
Speaking during the Cross Industry Group (CIG) meeting held on Tuesday in Florence, Italy, Lokpobiri said it is in the best interest of the country that all inactive wells go to work.
He said the federal government, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, has provided every necessary incentive to ensure international oil companies (IOCs) in Nigeria run smoothly and profitably.
“Now, it is imperative for these industry players to match the government’s efforts with increased investment by announcing final investment decisions (FIDs),” he said.
Furthermore, Lokpobiri discussed “the challenges, expectations, and measures to enhance the sector’s contributions towards domestic energy needs and regional expansion across Sub-Saharan Africa”.
He emphasised that while IOCs have highlighted engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractors as a challenge, “EPCs will not come unless they see strong commitments from industry players”.
“The government has done its part to provide the requisite and investment-friendly fiscals, the ball is now in the court of the IOCs and other operators to make strategic investment decisions that will drive increased production and sustainability in the sector,” he said.
“We must also recognise that domestic crude supply is essential to national energy security. The best solution to this challenge lies in increasing production, which will ensure a balance between domestic supply obligations and external commitments.”
The minister further urged industry players to explore collaborative measures, such as shared resources for contiguous assets and the release of underutilised assets to operators ready to invest in production.
The Progressive Students Movement (PSM), a leading Pan-African student body, has commended the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) in Ogun State under Commissioner of Police (CP) Lanre Ogunlowo, PhD, for its commitment to security and community engagement.
In a statement released on Thursday, the President of PSM Nigeria, Comrade Ambassador Okereafor Bestman, highlighted the CP’s efforts in strengthening collaboration between the police, stakeholders, and other security agencies to maintain peace and stability in the state.
“It is worthy of note that CP Lanre Ogunlowo, PhD, has further fostered a harmonious working synergy between the police, stakeholders, and other security agents aimed at ensuring peace and tranquility in Ogun State,” Okereafor said.
The student leader expressed confidence in CP Ogunlowo’s leadership, stating that Ogun State is on track to becoming one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria under his administration.
He also praised the professionalism and dedication of the Ogun State Police Command in tackling crime, regardless of its scale.
Additionally, PSM acknowledged the Ogun State government’s continued support for security agencies, particularly in providing mobility and logistics to enhance their operational efficiency.
The commendation comes at a time when security remains a top priority for residents and authorities in the state, with ongoing efforts to curb crime and ensure public safety.
BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF
On assumption of duty in January, 2025 , the new Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC, Boss and well grounded World Bank expert , Aisha Garba envisaged the need to reposition the Basic Education through interfacing with the critical stakeholders.
Amongst them is the office of the National Security Adviser , NSA, led by Malam Nuhu Ribadu whose achievements in the last few years in the area of security has become distinct and outstanding.
Therefore, seeking to cooperate and collaborate with the office became germane and needful particularly the protection of lives and properties of actors in the promotion of Basic Education ranging from the pupils , teachers , workers and facilitators to enable it drive the new wave to curb Out of School Children OOSC in the country.
Aside providing the basic security arrangements for schools , the need to engage the security apparatus at the level of National Security Adviser NSA became needful, so as to address the sophistry of security problems in the country, to nip in the bud any unforseen circumstances.
With the high rates of kidnappings, abduction , banditry, cattle rustling, ritual tendencies among many other vices, the idea of bringing on board , the security architecture of the country in all ramifications will assist the commission to consolidate the implementation of Basic Education policies and programs, also introduce new ones .
Since pupils at the Primary, Junior Secondary and Secondary Schools are prone to such ugly development and security issues , the need to be proactive on the part of the commission became timely and desiring.
This led to the success story of the bilateral interface between the management of the commission and NSA, to streamline, perfect and chart a new course on the issue of security of actors in the Basic Education.
The visit described as timely and long overdue, discussed fruitfully the way forward and the immediate and long term intervention of both agencies in the area of collaboration.
According to the Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission UBEC, Dr Aisha Garba she stated by discussing” strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing educational access and security in Nigeria. ”
She further said” the engagement focused on strategies to address challenges such as the safety of schools, particularly in vulnerable regions, and the promotion of equitable education for all children.”
“the meeting highlighted the critical intersection between education and national security and the need for collaboration between UBEC and Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), on improving access to basic education and safety of safety schools across the nation. ”
“This collaboration underscores the government’s commitment to fostering a secure and inclusive learning environment as part of its broader agenda to strengthen the nation’s educational framework,” it added.
“UBEC boss had pledged to engage critical stakeholders to break down barriers to education and create inclusive learning opportunities for children across the six geopolitical regions of the country.”
“She said: “My goal is to deliver on this mandate which includes strengthening collaboration, partnerships and institutional learning for effective service delivery. ”
“Together, we will work to increase access, improve quality, provide conducive and safe learning environments, supply adequate teaching and learning materials, and adopt the concept of ‘best fit’ in addressing specific basic education challenges, state by state and region by region”.
Highlights of the program which included the engagement of both bodies with a commitment to ensure the introduction of security architecture in schools in Nigeria is achievable.
Written BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF on yus.abubakar3@gmail.com.