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Tinubu felicitates Elumelu on birthday, hails Africapitalism drive
President Bola Tinubu has congratulated economist, banker and philanthropist, Tony Elumelu, on his 62nd birthday, describing him as an African business icon and a leading advocate of enterprise on the continent.
The Chairman of Heirs Holdings, United Bank for Africa and Transcorp, will turn 62 on March 22, 2026.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the president commended him, for his resilience, commitment to excellence and unwavering belief in Africapitalism.
Tinubu praised the impact of the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), noting its significant role in empowering young Africans through entrepreneurship.
He said the foundation’s entrepreneurship programme had trained about 2.5 million youths across 54 African countries and provided over 24,000 entrepreneurs with non-refundable seed capital of 5,000 dollars each.
The President highlighted Elumelu’s continued investment in youth development as critical to Africa’s economic transformation and job creation.
He joined family, friends and associates of the business leader in wishing him good health, strength and more success in his future endeavours.
This is coming as TEF is rallying young entrepreneurs to power Africa’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) agenda ahead of 2030.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), Somachi Chris-Asoluka, gave the hint during a virtual media parley on Saturday.
The media parley was held ahead of the 2026 TEF selection announcement scheduled for Sunday, March 22 to unveil the newest cohort of 3,200 young African entrepreneurs selected for this year’s TEF Entrepreneurship Programme.
Chris-Asoluka said the foundation was prioritising entrepreneurs whose businesses actively contributed to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as part of efforts to reposition Africa for accelerated development ahead of 2030.
While taking questions from journalists, she said the foundation’s selection framework placed strong emphasis on impact, ensuring that supported enterprises are not only profit-driven but also aligned with global development priorities.
She said that TEF encouraged applicants to clearly demonstrate how their business ideas would contribute to the SDGs, noting that such alignment is critical to closing Africa’s development gaps.
“We want our entrepreneurs to actively contribute to the SDGs so that by 2030, Africa will no longer lag behind, but will be able to meet and surpass these goals,” she said.
According to her, this focus is central to the foundation’s broader mission of fostering inclusive economic growth, job creation and sustainable development across the continent.
She said that entrepreneurs were assessed, not just on profitability and scalability, but also on their potential to drive measurable social and economic impact in areas such as education, healthcare, climate action and digital innovation.
Chris-Asoluka said that the foundation believed Africa’s young entrepreneurs hold the key to advancing sustainable development, stressing that innovation from the private sector is essential to achieving long-term growth.
She said that TEF remained committed to supporting early-stage entrepreneurs with training, mentorship and seed funding, while ensuring that their ventures align with the continent’s development priorities.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) National Legislators Serving and Former Forum has tasked all stakeholders especially the Judiciary on projection of Nigeria’s democracy.
The forum gave the charge on Tuesday at a news conference in Abuja while reacting to comments allegedly made by some top politicians and public officials that do not advance Nigeria’s democratic processes.
Speaking on behalf of the forum, Ms Nnenna Ukeje, a member of the 8th House of Representatives said that as patriots, the forum is committed to national interest and have defended democracy on many fora.
According to her, their intervention stands for the defence, stability, protection of democracy and preservation of our beloved country.
“We must reiterate that there is a clear difference between the tyranny of the majority and true democracy; between illiberal civil rule and a system grounded in democratic contestation; between constitutional governance and authoritarian subjugation.
“Nigeria must remain firmly on the side of democracy, resisting overreach by any arm of government is not subversion; it is a constitutionally given right and duty.
“To the judiciary, we reiterate: this is a defining moment; the tipping point, the nation’s eleventh for survival.
“Your independence must remain sacrosanct. Your integrity must be unquestionable and your patriotism unapologetic. Your decision will determine the drift,” she said.
Ukeje said that Nigeria’s democracy must not be weakened by the very forces that once fought to build it saying that the preservation of democratic space is not a favour to the opposition but a duty owed to the nation.
The former lawmaker said that Nigerians must be very vigilant as democracy does not defend itself but survives only when citizens, institutions, and leaders commit to its protection.
“In conclusion, Nigeria must remain a nation governed by law, not expediency; by robust institutions, not strong individuals; and by the will of the people, not predetermined outcomes.
“Let the judiciary act without interference. Let opposition thrive without intimidation. Let citizens participate without fear.
“Nigeria’s democracy belongs to its people, and it must be protected and defended by all.
We remain committed to defending it through all lawful means; through the courts, through civic engagement, and at the ballot box,” she said. (NAN)
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…..Oyedele elevated to Finance Minister
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a minor cabinet reshuffle in the membership of the Federal Executive Council.
According to a memo signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, two cabinet members, Mr. Wale Edun and Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa are to leave the cabinet while their replacements have been named.
Edun, until the latest development, was the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy.
He has been directed to hand over to Mr. Taiwo Oyedele who is now to take over as Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy. Oyedele was formerly a Minister of State in the ministry.
Also Mr. Muttaqha Rabe Darma (PhD .) has been named as the ministerial nominee and minister designate for the Housing and Urban Development Ministry.
The memo also directed Dangiwa to hand over to the Minister of State in the ministry.
The memo stated that “all handing over and taking over processes should be completed on or before close of business on Thursday 23rd April, 2026.”
Explaining the President’s decision, Akume said: “These changes are aimed at strengthening cohesion, synergy in governance as well as achieving more impactful delivery on the economy to Nigerians, through the Renewed Hope Agenda.”
He said the President, in approving the cabinet reshuffle, has fully exercised his powers as conferred on him by Sections 147 and 148 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999, as amended).
The President thanked the outgoing ministers for their services to the nation while wishing them the best in all their future endeavours.
The President, Akume noted, equally assured all cabinet members that “the process of reinvigoration shall be continuous.”
A United States lawmaker has accused Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, of attempting to bribe a U.S. official in a bid to suppress a report alleging genocide against Christians in Nigeria.
Kimberly Daniels, a Democratic member of the Florida House of Representatives, made the allegation in a video posted on her official Facebook account on Monday. The video has since gained traction online, sparking debate across political and diplomatic circles.
In the video, Daniels claimed that the alleged bribe was intended to influence the narrative surrounding a report by the United World Congress of Diplomats (UN-WCD), which accused Nigerian authorities of failing to address what it described as targeted killings of Christians in parts of the country.
“A U.S. elected official was offered money by Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, to change the narrative of the UN-WCD Christian genocide in Nigeria report,” Daniels said.
The lawmaker, who also serves as chairperson of the UN-WCD, maintained that she would not be intimidated or silenced, insisting that the issue of violence against Christians in Nigeria must be addressed transparently.
Daniels had earlier called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to remove Matawalle from office, alleging his complicity in violent incidents reported in states such as Plateau, Benue, and Kaduna.
As of the time of filing this report, Matawalle has not publicly responded to the allegations. The Nigerian government has also not issued an official statement addressing the claims.
The development adds a new dimension to ongoing international scrutiny over security challenges in Nigeria, particularly concerning communal and sectarian violence in parts of the country.
Forum of legislators calls on Judiciary to safeguard Nigeria’s democracy
Tinubu approves minor cabinet reshuffle, sacks Edun, Dangiwa
US Lawmaker Accuses Tinubu’s Minister Of Bribery To Cover Up Genocide Report
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