The lecture on “Cybersecurity, Illicit Financial Flows and Achieving Agenda 2063 in Africa” will be held at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, on Wednesday, November 19, 2025.

Dr. Aliyu’s acceptance to deliver the lecture was communicated to Realnews in an email in March 2025.

Also, in a reply to Realnews reminder letter on October 31, 2025, Dr. Aliyu replied stating: “I will attend by God’s grace.”

Dr. Aliyu was appointed chairman of the ICPC by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on October 17, 2023.

A barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, he reached the zenith of his legal profession for the desired Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) rank on October 12, 2023.

Before his appointment, Aliyu served his home state as the Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Jigawa State, Nigeria (2019-2023), where he engineered several reforms in the justice sector, promoted the rights of women and children, and laid a solid foundation for transparency and accountability in governance with spearheading the establishment of public complaints and an anti-corruption commission in Jigawa State, Nigeria.

He collaborated closely with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, UNODC.

Aliyu has served in various capacities, including as a lecturer at Jigawa State College of Islamic Legal Studies, Ringim, and the Faculty of Law, Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil, Kano State, Nigeria.

He has published in national and international journals and presented academic papers at conferences both locally and internationally.

His few months in the commission are marked by exemplary leadership that carries ICPC to higher heights and hangs it in the place of honour and dignity.

He is a rule-of-law-compliant leader who always upholds ethical standards and international best practices in the Commission’s work.

This has continued to attract respect, admiration, and high-level partnership deals with critical stakeholders in the country.

Born in Birnin-Kudu town of Jigawa State, Nigeria, on December 27, 1977, Aliyu attended Central Primary School, Birnin-Kudu, Jigawa State, Nigeria (1983 – 1989) and Government College Bauchi, Bauchi State, Nigeria (1990 – 1995) for his secondary education.

Aliyu’s educational journey includes an LL.B from Bayero University, Kano State, Nigeria (1998-2003),  B.L from the Nigerian Law School (2003-2004), LL.M from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria (2006-2011), and a PhD in Law from the Universiti Utara, Malaysia (2016-2019).

The lecture will be chaired by Hon. Justice Ayotunde Phillips, former Chief Judge of Lagos State and former Chairman of Lagos State Independent Electoral, will also moderate the panel session.

Realnews, a general interest magazine, is an online publication that thrives on investigative journalism.

The management speaks of the publication: “We have expertise in reporting on the oil and gas sector with its attendant environmental challenges. We aim to unearth exclusive stories about real people and the challenges they face in their day-to-day activities. We do this bearing in mind that the government can only act to influence the lives of people positively if they are aware of their true situation. Hence, our objective is to use our investigative skills to ferret out information in the sectors we focus on and produce an unbiased report that will influence the government and decision-makers to take actions that will make society better.

“Realnews is populated by seasoned journalists who believe strongly in the tenets and ethics of the profession. The online publication believes that journalism as the fourth Estate of the Realm, can contribute its quota towards building a fair and just society where fundamental human rights are respected and citizens have the freedom to pursue their interests anywhere in the world without hindrance. Its editors have a combined experience of several decades in active journalism practice and are highly dedicated to serving humanity. Hence its motto: “For God and Humanity.”

“Realnews Anniversary Lecture Series was established to commemorate the best minds in our society and to tap from them to enrich the discourse in our national development.

The 12th Anniversary Lecture was delivered by Ambassador Prof Ibrahim  Gambari, former Chief of Staff to late President Muhammadu Buhari, on “Africa in World Shifting Geopolitics, Matters Arising on Democracy, Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Natural Resources”.

“The 11th Anniversary Lecture in 2023 on The Threats of Illicit Funds Flow to the African Economy was delivered by Dr. Edwin W. Harris Jr., Director-General, ECOWAS Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA). The 10th Anniversary lecture in 2022 on “Drug Abuse among Youths in Africa: Implication for Nigerian Economy and 2023 Elections” was delivered by Brig General Buba Marwa, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA; the 9th Anniversary Lecture of Realnews in 2021 was delivered by Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board on “Nigeria in the Unfolding Integration of the African Market: The Oil and Gas Perspective”; 2020 Eighth Anniversary Lecture of Realnews was delivered by Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman of the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19 on Managing COVID-19 Pandemic in Africa: The Nigeria Experience; Former President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana gave the 2019 Lecture on Beyond Politics: An Economic Narrative for West Africa while Prof. Mahmood Yakubu spoke on Political Transitions and Africa’s Economic Development: Preparations for Nigeria’s 2019 General Elections at the 2018 Lecture. The 2017 Fifth Anniversary Lecture on African Leadership in a Turbulent Era was delivered by Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, former Minister of Education and former World Bank Vice President. The 2016 Fourth Anniversary Lecture on Security and National Development in Plural Democratic Society was delivered by Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, former United Nations Secretary General’s Special Representative to West Africa and Sahel; the 2015 Realnews Third Anniversary Lecture was delivered by Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on November 19, 2015, under the theme: It’s The Nigerian Economy, Stupid? The Second Realnews Anniversary Lecture on Nigerian Democracy: Getting it Right in 2014 was delivered by Professor Maurice Iwu, former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).”

The post ICPC chairman to deliver Realnews 13th anniversary lecture appeared first on Frontpageng.

The discussants are Lasbery Chioma Oludimu (LLM, MCIArb, ACIS), vice president of Global Operations/ managing director, Nigeria Yellow Card Financial Inc.; Dr. Favour Femi-Oyewole, group chief information security officer, Access Bank Plc., and Mr. Abdul Rahman, M. Mustapha, chief operating officer, Intelligence and Security Services Support Sector, Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).

They will discuss “Cybersecurity, Illicit Financial Flows and Achieving Agenda 2063 in Africa” immediately after the Lecture, which will take place at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Isaac John, Ikeja, GRA, Lagos, on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at 10 am.

Oludimu, previously, held the position of assistant general counsel and chief data protection officer and is a key member of Yellow Card’s executive team and the Group Governance and Risk Committee.

As the Vice President of Global Operations, she actively manages the company’s operations in 20 African countries, overseeing pivotal initiatives that drive the business forward.

As the Managing Director of Yellow Card Nigeria, she is responsible for setting and implementing company goals and business strategies, while also cultivating business relationships.

Lasbery possesses specialist skills in FinTech, blockchain, and digital assets.

She understands the various legal, regulatory, and business landscapes across the continent and advises on a wide range of operational, regulatory, and legal issues, including product offerings.

Oludimu obtained her first degree in Law from Madonna University and a Master of Law degree from the University of Lagos and was admitted to the Nigerian Bar in November 2009.

She is a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK), a Capital Market Solicitor of the Nigerian Capital Market Institute, and an Associate Member of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators.

She has contributed to addressing worldwide challenges through technology, enhancing digital collaboration, and advancing tech policies internationally.

She was a nominee for the Tech Diplomacy Award by the WOMEN IN TECH Global.

The Financial Technology Report recognised her as one of the Top 50 Women Leaders in Financial Services of 2024.

On her part, Femi-Oyewole is not just a distinguished professional, she’s a visionary author and a vibrant member of the Forbes Technology Council.

As the Group Chief Information Security Officer, GCISO, and Data Protection Officer, DPO, at Access Bank Plc, she champions the frontier of cybersecurity.

Her previous tenure as the Group Head of Enterprise Risk Management at the Nigerian Stock Exchange saw her expertly helm the Information Security, Business Continuity, and Enterprise Risk Management departments.

A pioneer in her field, Femi-Oyewole is the first African woman to earn the title of Blockchain Certified Professional.

Her expertise is further evidenced by her certifications as a Certified ISO 27001:2013 Lead Implementer Trainer.

Her academic pedigree is illustrious, with credentials from the University of Liverpool, Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) – Harvard University, MIT, Stanford Graduate School of Business, Columbia Business School, London Business School, and Saïd Business School, University of Oxford: Executive Education, and Wharton Executive Education.

Femi-Oyewole has been a ground-breaking member of Nigeria’s Cybercrime Advisory Council, where she led the Standards and Evaluations Committee, setting the stage for robust cybersecurity measures across all sectors in Nigeria.

Her influence extends globally as she serves on advisory councils for several multinational companies and holds the prestigious position of first Vice-Chair of the Global C|CISO Scheme Committee.

Her certification portfolio is vast, spanning across digital realms including IT, Cybersecurity, Data protection, Privacy, Governance, Risk management, and Compliance.

She holds vendor-specific certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, and Check Point, as well as vendor-agnostic certifications like PECB.

Femi-Oyewole’s accolades include being a Cisco Certified Security Professional, Checkpoint Security Administrator, and the first female COBIT 5 Assessor in Africa.

She holds a B.Sc. in Computer Science from Ogun State University, two M.Sc. degrees in Computer Science from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and in Information Security from the University of Liverpool, UK, and a PhD in Management Information Systems (Cybersecurity) from Covenant University, Nigeria, and has a Postgraduate Diploma in Digital Business from MIT and Columbia Business School.

With over 25 years of experience, Favour specialises in Information Technology and Operations, Information and Cybersecurity risk, and digital excellence, particularly in high-pressure, large-scale environments.

Her diverse background and expertise have made her a standout figure in resolving complex digital technology challenges and excelling as a Global CISO.

Another discussant, Rahman, is a strategic intelligence and financial policy professional with a multidisciplinary background in national security, counter-terrorism financing, and institutional capacity development.

His work bridges the domains of financial intelligence, defence strategy, and inter-agency coordination, with a strong commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s compliance with international standards on anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing (AML/CFT).

Rahman has played an instrumental role in conceptualising and supporting research and policy frameworks driven by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), the Nigerian Army Intelligence Corps (NAIC), and the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA).

His approach emphasises collaborative intelligence fusion, particularly through initiatives such as the Multi-Agency Anti-Kidnap Fusion Cell (MAAKFC) and other national threat-mitigation platforms.

His professional interests focus on the intersection of financial intelligence and operational security for counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency effectiveness; Strategic integration of financial and military intelligence to combat transnational organized crime, illicit arms trafficking, and terrorism financing networks; Policy development for crypto-asset regulation, precious metals and real estate supervision, and private-sector CFT engagement; research on data-driven security frameworks that enhance situational awareness, early-warning systems, and risk profiling for national defence and financial institutions.

A strong advocate for evidence-based policymaking, Rahman contributes to the design of internal government policy papers, multi-agency coordination protocols, and research projects intended for review and adoption by Nigeria’s Ministry of Defence, the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), and the Presidency’s Security Committee. His vision is anchored on fostering sustainable synergy between financial governance and national security architecture — ensuring that Nigeria remains resilient against evolving asymmetric threats and the financial ecosystems that sustain them.

Rahman holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics, an Advance Diploma in Forensic Psychology and Criminal Investigations, and a Master’s degree in Criminal Psychology.

Realnews had announced on October 28 that Justice Ayotunde Phillips, former Chief Judge of Lagos State and former chairman of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), would chair the lecture and moderate the panel session.

The names of the Guest Speaker and Keynote will also be announced soon.

Realnews, a general interest magazine, is an online publication that thrives on investigative journalism.

The management said of Realnews and the annual lecture: “We have expertise in reporting on the oil and gas sector with its attendant environmental challenges. We aim to unearth exclusive stories about real people and the challenges they face in their day-to-day activities. We do this bearing in mind that the government can only act to influence the lives of people positively if they are aware of their true situation. Hence, our objective is to use our investigative skills to ferret out information in the sectors we focus on and produce an unbiased report that will influence the government and decision-makers to take actions that will make society better.

“Realnews is populated by seasoned journalists who believe strongly in the tenets and ethics of the profession. The online publication believes that journalism as the fourth Estate of the Realm, can contribute its quota towards building a fair and just society where fundamental human rights are respected and citizens have the freedom to pursue their interests anywhere in the world without hindrance. Its editors have a combined experience of several decades in active journalism practice and are highly dedicated to serving humanity. Hence its motto: “For God and Humanity.”

”Realnews Anniversary Lecture Series was established to commemorate the best minds in our society and to tap from them to enrich the discourse in our national development. The 12th Anniversary Lecture of Realnews was delivered by His Excellency, Ambassador Professor Ibrahim Gambari, former Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari. The 11th Anniversary Lecture in 2023 on The Threats of Illicit Funds Flow to the African Economy was delivered by Dr. Edwin W. Harris Jr., Director-General, ECOWAS Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA). The 10th Anniversary lecture in 2022 on “Drug Abuse among Youths in Africa: Implication for Nigerian Economy and 2023 Elections” was delivered by Brigadier General Buba Marwa, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA; the 9th Anniversary Lecture of Realnews in 2021 was delivered by Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board on “Nigeria in the Unfolding Integration of the African Market: The Oil and Gas Perspective”; 2020 Eighth Anniversary Lecture of Realnews was delivered by Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman of the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19 on Managing COVID-19 Pandemic in Africa: The Nigeria Experience; Former President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana gave the 2019 Lecture on Beyond Politics: An Economic Narrative for West Africa while Prof. Mahmood Yakubu spoke on Political Transitions and Africa’s Economic Development: Preparations for Nigeria’s 2019 General Elections at the 2018 Lecture. The 2017 Fifth Anniversary Lecture on African Leadership in a Turbulent Era was delivered by Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, former Minister of Education and former World Bank Vice President. The 2016 Fourth Anniversary Lecture on Security and National Development in Plural Democratic Society was delivered by Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, former United Nations Secretary General’s Special Representative to West Africa and Sahel; the 2015 Realnews Third Anniversary Lecture was delivered by Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on November 19, 2015, under the theme: It’s The Nigerian Economy, Stupid? The Second Realnews Anniversary Lecture on Nigerian Democracy: Getting it Right in 2014 was delivered by Professor Maurice Iwu, former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).”

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The post Realnews: Top fintech, security experts to speak at 13th lecture appeared first on Frontpageng.

Justice Phillips, former chief judge of Lagos State, also chaired the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission, LASIEC.

The lecture on “Cybersecurity, Illicit Financial Flows and Achieving Agenda 2063 in Africa” will be held at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Isaac John, Ikeja, GRA, Lagos, on Wednesday, November 19, 2025.

Justice Phillips’ acceptance to chair the lecture was communicated to Realnews in her message on September 22, 2025, stating: “It is my honour to chair such a distinguished event.”

Her Ladyship, who will also moderate the panel session at the lecture, has held several judicial positions during her career on the Bench, such as Chairman Panel of Inquiry into the sale of the Lagos State Government shares in Eko Hotels  Ltd., 1999; Member Advisory Committee of the Nigeria Rule of Law Assistance Project hosted by the National Centre for State Courts, Washington DC and USAID, June 2000-2004; Member, Election Petitions Tribunal, Rivers State, Sept 2000-April 2001; Member, Election Petitions Tribunal, Adamawa State, November 2001 – March 2002; Probate Judge 2001-2004; Admin Judge, Ikeja Judicial Division March 2009-April 2010; Chairman Welfare Committee High Court of Lagos State 2004-2009; Head Judge, High Court of Lagos State April 2010 to 10th June 2012; Chairman Lagos Settlement Week, Sept 2010 to 10th June 2012.

On the 14th June 2012, she was sworn in as the 14th Chief Judge and the 4th female Chief Judge of Lagos State.

Her Ladyship retired from the High Court Bench on 26th July 2014 on attainment of the statutory retirement age of 65 years.

She served the Lagos State government for 38 years, out of which 20 years were spent on the High Court Bench.

Apart from her love for the law, she enjoys singing, reading, cooking, listening to good music, dancing, watching movies, and travelling.

She also has a passion for gadgets and loves exploring the beauty of modern-day technology.

Justice Phillips is a member of the Young Women’s Christian Association, YWCA, and, International Association of Women Lawyers; International Association of Women Judges, IAWJ; Nigerian Association of Women Judges, NAWJN; World Jurist Association, WJA; Commonwealth Magistrates and Judges Association, CMJA.

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She is currently the Deputy Chancellor of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) Diocese of Lagos West, Ikeja, Lagos State.

She is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, UK; a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Arbitrators; Regional Chair of the Nigerian Conflict and Management Group, Member Board of Trustees, Association of Multi-Door Courthouses of Nigeria, and Member of the Board of Directors of Lagos Court of Arbitration.

On the 29th June 2016, she was sworn in as the Chairman of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission, LASIEC, whose tenure expired on the 29th December 2021.

In May 2017, she was elected as a member of the FIFA Ethics Committee (Adjudictory Chamber) and has now been re-elected for a third 4-year term as a member of that chamber.

Justice Phillips (Nee: Williams) was born on July 26, 1949, in London, England, United Kingdom, to Justice James Oladipo Williams and Henrietta Aina Williams, both now of blessed memory.

Her late father was a High Court Judge, which makes her a second-generation judge.

Realnews, a general interest magazine, is an online publication that thrives on investigative journalism.

We have expertise in reporting on the oil and gas sector with its attendant environmental challenges.

We aim to unearth exclusive stories about real people and the challenges they face in their day-to-day activities.

We do this bearing in mind that the government can only act to influence the lives of people positively if they are aware of their true situation.

Hence, our objective is to use our investigative skills to ferret out information in the sectors we focus on and produce an unbiased report that will influence the government and decision-makers to take actions that will make society better.

Realnews is populated by seasoned journalists who believe strongly in the tenets and ethics of the profession.

The online publication believes that journalism as the fourth Estate of the Realm, can contribute its quota towards building a fair and just society where fundamental human rights are respected and citizens have the freedom to pursue their interests anywhere in the world without hindrance.

Its editors have a combined experience of several decades in active journalism practice and are highly dedicated to serving humanity.

Hence its motto: “For God and Humanity.”

Realnews Anniversary Lecture Series was established to commemorate the best minds in the society and to tap from them to enrich the discourse in our national development.

The 12th Anniversary Lecture of Realnews was delivered by His Excellency, Ambassador Professor Ibrahim Gambari, former Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari.

The 11th Anniversary Lecture in 2023 on The Threats of Illicit Funds Flow to the African Economy was delivered by Dr. Edwin W. Harris Jr., Director-General, ECOWAS Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA).

The 10th anniversary lecture in 2022 on “Drug Abuse among Youths in Africa: Implication for Nigerian Economy and 2023 Elections” was delivered by Brig General Buba Marwa, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA; the 9th Anniversary Lecture of Realnews in 2021 was delivered by Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board on “Nigeria in the Unfolding Integration of the African Market: The Oil and Gas Perspective”; 2020 Eighth Anniversary Lecture of Realnews was delivered by Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman of the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19 on Managing COVID-19 Pandemic in Africa: The Nigeria Experience; Former President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana gave the 2019 Lecture on Beyond Politics: An Economic Narrative for West Africa while Prof. Mahmood Yakubu spoke on Political Transitions and Africa’s Economic Development: Preparations for Nigeria’s 2019 General Elections at the 2018 Lecture. The 2017 Fifth Anniversary Lecture on African Leadership in a Turbulent Era was delivered by Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, former Minister of Education and former World Bank Vice President.

The 2016 Fourth Anniversary Lecture on Security and National Development in Plural Democratic Society was delivered by Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, former United Nations Secretary General’s Special Representative to West Africa and Sahel; the 2015 Realnews Third Anniversary Lecture was delivered by Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on November 19, 2015, under the theme: It’s The Nigerian Economy, Stupid? The Second Realnews Anniversary Lecture on Nigerian Democracy: Getting it Right in 2014 was delivered by Professor Maurice Iwu, former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

The post Justice Ayotunde Phillips to chair Realnews 13th anniversary lecture appeared first on Frontpageng.

Delivering her welcome address at the 12th Annual Lecture of Realnews Magazine, Chigbo said that Realnews magazine picked ‘Africa in World Shifting Geopolitics: Matters Arising on Democracy, Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Natural Resources’ “because we are concerned about how Africa could be integrated into the global economy amidst the move towards authoritarianism, protectionism, nationalism, and the unbridled influence of technology on the socio-onomic well-being of our people.”

Posing the questions “Is Africa an Island, a mega-island? What are the continent’s strengths that can be leveraged to integrate it into the global economy for the benefit of its people?, she stated that “these questions plague our minds in Realnews and lead to earnest searches for the best minds to deal with the theme.”

According to her, “Realnews narrowed down on our Guest Lecturer today because of his pedigree. I do not doubt that he and the Keynoter will do justice to the topic of this lecture and that the panel of discussants with relevant expertise, knowledge, and experience were carefully selected to illuminate the topic further.”

Chigbo therefore appealed to her journalist colleagues to ensure that the message from the lecture is heard in Africa and beyond and assured that Realnews will ensure that “we do our part by giving the widest publicity to this important lecture and the discussions.”

“We are convinced that journalism as the Fourth Estate of the Realm can contribute to building a free, fair, and just society where fundamental human rights are respected and where citizens enjoy the freedom to pursue their interests without let or hindrance. Our motto at Realnews is: “For God and Humanity,” she said.

She disclosed that in the past 12 years, Realnews has kept faith with its Vision and Mission statements.

“We have investigated and published exclusive stories that cover all sectors of our focus, including politics, oil and gas, business and economy, women, youth and environment, etc. We can proudly say that we have done and continue to do our job with the highest sense of responsibility.

“However, the modest success we have recorded at Realnews has come with its share of challenges, especially in fashioning creative ways to sustain our publication in a difficult economic environment with dwindling prospects for advertisement,” she said.

She invited everyone, the guests, especially “those who are not already on our mailing list to visit our website and subscribe to our e-newsletter to enjoy investigative reports on topical development issues rendered in professional style.”

“Realnews Magazine is free but without your support, from the public or private sector alike, and civil society, it will not survive! The support can be in the form of advertisements, special supplements, and special features on you company/organization for publication on our website. We also welcome capacity- building programmes for our staff to serve our clients better.

“Realnews is also into media consultancy; writing books and biographies, and image surveys for companies. Over the years, the books we have published include Federal Road Safety Commission in the Eyes of the Media Volume 1 – 4; Pathways to Political and Economic Development of Africa, and Paragon of Journalism Volume 1 and 2. We are working on several manuscripts and require sponsors for their publication,” she added.

The post Realnews calls for integration of Africa into global economy appeared first on Frontpageng.

The organisations include the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL; the Nigerian Content Development Monitoring Board, NCDMB; the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA; Shell Nigeria; the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas, NLNG; the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC; Zenith Bank and Access Bank Plc.

Expressing Realnews’ appreciation to the organisations, Maureen Chigbo, its publisher, prayed to God to bless them and give their management the wisdom to lift their organisations to greater heights and prosperity.

Chigbo also expressed her deep appreciation to all the banks, institutions, companies, and other organisations that have placed online advertisements on the Realnews website in the last 12 years.

“Without their support, we would not have remained in business all through the years to do what we love best – investigative journalism,” she said.

The theme of Realnews 12th Anniversary Lecture is “Africa in World Shifting Geopolitics: Matters Arising on Democracy, Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Natural Resources”.

The lecture which will be chaired by Ms. Beatrice Eyong, Country Chair, UN Women, will be delivered by Ambassador Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, former Chief of Staff of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Dr. Karim El Aynaoui, Executive President of Policy Center for New South, Rabat, Morocco, will keynote the conference.

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The lecture, which will be held at the Sheraton Hotel by 10 am will feature Mrs Hadiza Bala Usman as the Special Guest/discussant along with Engr. Shehu Tijjani, Managing Director, Amal Technology Ltd.

Chigbo, the publisher of Realnews, said there would be an investiture of all the speakers into The Realnews Hall of Fame immediately after the lecture.

Chigbo explained that the Realnews Hall of Fame was established to honour only those who played key roles during the anniversary lectures.

Realnews, a general interest magazine, is an online publication that thrives on investigative journalism.

Chigbo stated: “We have expertise in reporting the oil and gas sector with its attendant environmental challenges. We aim to unearth exclusive stories about real people and the challenges they face in their day-to-day activities. We do this bearing in mind that government can only act to influence the lives of people positively if they are aware of their true situation. Hence, our objective is to use our investigative skills to ferret out information in the sectors we focus on and produce an unbiased report that will influence the government and decision-makers to take actions that will make society better.

“Realnews is populated by seasoned journalists who believe strongly in the tenets and ethics of the profession. The online publication believes that journalism as the fourth Estate of the Realm can contribute its quota towards building a fair and just society where fundamental human rights are respected and citizens have the freedom to pursue their interests anywhere in the world without hindrance. Its editors have a combined experience of several decades in active journalism practice and are highly dedicated to serving humanity. Hence its motto: “For God and Humanity.””

The Realnews Anniversary Lecture Series was established to commemorate our society’s best minds and tap into them to enrich the discourse on national development.

The post Realnews anniversary lecture: Blue-chip companies give support appeared first on Frontpageng.

The expected guests include Ms. Beatrice Eyong, UN Women’s Country Representative; Karim El Aynaoui, Executive President, Policy Center for the New South, Rabat, Morocco; Mrs. Hadiza Bala Usman, Special Adviser to the President of Nigeria on Policy & Coordination and Head, Central Delivery Coordination and Engr. Shehu Tijjani, Managing Director, Amal Technologies Ltd.

Ms. Eyong, a Cameronian national, will chair the lecture that will be delivered by Ambassador Prof. Ibrahim Agboola Gambari, former chief of staff of former President Muhammadu Buhari and former Permanent Representative of Nigeria at the United Nations.

She will also moderate the discussion session featuring Bala Usman who doubles as a special guest and discussant along with Tijanni.

El Aynaoui will keynote the Lecture.

In her acceptance message dated September 10, 2024, Eyong, who has over 35 years professional working experience in the international organisations in promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment, said: “I intend to attend the lecture….”

She holds a Master of Science degree in Agricultural Extension from the University of Reading, United Kingdom; a Diploma in Women, Extension workers and Agriculture from the Larenstein International Agricultural College – Deventer, the Netherlands; and a Diploma in Integrated Rural Development, from the Pan African Institute for Development West Africa, Buea – Cameroon.

Also, El Aynaoui from Morocco, emailed on May 10, 2024, stating: “Thank you very much for your very kind invitation which I accept gladly. I am very honoured”.

He is also executive vice-president of Mohammed VI Polytechnic University and Dean of its Humanities, Economics, and Social Sciences Cluster, and an economist.

From 2005 to 2012, he worked at the Central Bank of Morocco where he held the position of Director of Economics, Statistics, and International Relations.

At the Central Bank of Morocco, he was in charge of the Research Department and equally a member of the Governor’s Cabinet.

Previously, he worked for eight years at the World Bank as an Economist for its regional units in the Middle East and North Africa, and Africa.

Karim El Aynaoui has published books and journal articles on macroeconomic issues in developing countries.

On her part, Bala Usman, who has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Master’s degree in Development Studies from the University of Leeds, UK, sent a message on July 13, 2024, stating: “I will be there and I have sent to my team to schedule”.

Bala Usman was the managing director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, an activist and a politician.

Similarly, Tijjani, described as a technologist, innovator, visionary leader and entrepreneur dedicated to transforming Nigeria’s technological landscape, said in his message: “Thank you for the honour. I shall be in attendance by the grace of God.”

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Tijjani is a First Class graduate in Information Technology and Business Information Systems from Middlesex University with a background in hardware and firmware engineering.

The management of Realnews Magazine and Publications Limited, publishers of Realnews Magazine Online, had announced the lecture would be on “Africa in World Shifting Geopolitics: Matters Arising on Demography, Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Natural Resources”.

Maureen Chigbo, the publisher of Realnews, said there will be an induction of all the speakers into The Realnews Hall of Fame immediately after the Lecture.

Chigbo explained that the Realnews Hall of Fame was established to honour only those who played key roles during the anniversary lectures.

Realnews, a general interest magazine, is an online publication that thrives on investigative journalism.

“We have expertise in reporting the oil and gas sector with its attendant environmental challenges. We aim to unearth exclusive stories about real people and the challenges they face in their day-to-day activities. We do this bearing in mind that government can only act to influence the lives of people positively if they are aware of their true situation. Hence, our objective is to use our investigative skills to ferret out information in the sectors we focus on and produce an unbiased report that will actually influence the government and decision-makers to take actions that will make society better.

“Realnews is populated by seasoned journalists who believe strongly in the tenets and ethics of the profession. The online publication believes that journalism as the fourth Estate of the Realm can contribute its quota towards building a fair and just society where fundamental human rights are respected and citizens have the freedom to pursue their interests anywhere in the world without hindrance. Its editors have a combined experience of several decades in active journalism practice and are highly dedicated to serving humanity. Hence its motto: “For God and Humanity.””

Realnews Anniversary Lecture Series was established to commemorate the best minds in the society and to tap from them to enrich the discourse in our national development.

Realnews Anniversary Lecture Series was established to commemorate the best minds in our society and to tap from them to enrich the discourse in our national development.

The post Eyong, El Aynaoui, Bala Usman, Tijjani for Realnews lecture appeared first on Frontpageng.

The lecture on “Africa in World Shifting Geopolitics, Matters Arising on Democracy, Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Natural Resources” will be held at the Sheraton Hotel, Lagos, on Tuesday, November 19, 2024.

Ambassador Gambari’s acceptance to deliver the lecture was communicated to Realnews in an email dated April 27, 2027, that he sent, stating: “I am delighted to re-confirm my acceptance in principle of the invitation to deliver the lecture.”

Gambari, a Nigerian academic and diplomat, served as chief of staff to the President of Nigeria from 2020 to 2023. Before this, Gambari was the longest-serving permanent representative of Nigeria to the United Nations from 1990 to 1999, under five Heads of State and Presidents, and minister of external affairs from 1984 to 1985.

While at the UN, Gambari was the president of UNICEF in 1999; and became Under-Secretary-General and the first Special Adviser on Africa to  Secretary-General Kofi Annan from 1999 to 2005.

He was the Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations for Political Affairs from 2005 to 2007 under Secretary-Generals Kofi Annan and Ban Ki-moon.

His last appointment in the UN was from January 2010 to July 2012, when he was appointed by Ban Ki-moon and the Chairperson of the African Union Commission as the Joint African Union-United Nations Special Representative for Darfur.

Born on 24 November, 1944, in Ilorin, Kwara State, Gambari attended King’s College, Lagos, and subsequently went to the London School of Economics where he bagged a B. Sc. (Economics) degree (1968) specialising in International Relations.

Later he got his M.A. (1970) and Ph.D. (1974) degrees from Columbia University, New York, United States in Political Science and International Relations.

READ ALSO: How soldier allegedly stabs police inspector to death in Lagos

He taught at the City University of New York before working at the University of Albany and subsequently at Ahmadu Bello University, in Zaria, Kaduna State.

From 1986 to 1989, he was a Visiting Professor at three universities in Washington, D.C.: Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, Georgetown University, and Howard University.

He has also been a research fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington D.C. and a resident scholar at the Bellagio Study and Conference Center, the Rockefeller Foundation-run center in Italy.

He has authored many books and published articles in reputable journals in foreign policy and international relations, including the ‘Theory and Reality in Foreign Policy: Nigeria after Second Republic’.

The diplomat also served as the Minister for External Affairs between 1984 and 1985 under General Muhammadu Buhari’s military regime, after he was the director general of The Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA).

The lecture will be chaired by Ms. Beatrice Eyong, UN Women’s Country Representative in Nigeria, who will also moderate the panel session.

Realnews, a general interest magazine, is an online publication that thrives on investigative journalism.

“We have expertise in reporting the oil and gas sector with its attendant environmental challenges. We aim to unearth exclusive stories about real people and the challenges they face in their day-to-day activities. We do this bearing in mind that government can only act to influence the lives of people positively if they are aware of their true situation. Hence, our objective is to use our investigative skills to ferret out information in the sectors we focus on and produce an unbiased report that will influence the government and decision-makers to take actions that will make society better,” the management stated.

It added: “Realnews is populated by seasoned journalists who believe strongly in the tenets and ethics of the profession. The online publication believes that journalism as the fourth Estate of the Realm can contribute its quota towards building a fair and just society where fundamental human rights are respected and citizens have the freedom to pursue their interests anywhere in the world without hindrance. Its editors have a combined experience of several decades in active journalism practice and are highly dedicated to serving humanity. Hence its motto: ‘For God and Humanity’.”

Realnews Anniversary Lecture Series was established to commemorate the best minds in the society and to tap from them to enrich the discourse in our national development.

The 11th Anniversary Lecture in 2023 on The Threats of Illicit Funds Flow to the African Economy was delivered by Dr. Edwin W. Harris Jr., Director-General, ECOWAS Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA).

The 10th Anniversary lecture in 2022 on “Drug Abuse among Youths in Africa: Implication for Nigerian Economy and 2023 Elections” was delivered by Brig General Buba Marwa, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA;  9th Anniversary Lecture of Realnews in 2021 was delivered by Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board on “Nigeria in the Unfolding Integration of the African Market: The Oil and Gas Perspective”; 2020 Eighth Anniversary Lecture of Realnews was delivered by Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman of the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19 on Managing COVID-19 Pandemic in Africa: The Nigeria Experience; Former President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana gave the 2019 Lecture on Beyond Politics: An Economic Narrative for West Africa while Prof. Mahmood Yakubu spoke on Political Transitions and Africa’s Economic Development: Preparations for Nigeria’s 2019 General Elections at the 2018 Lecture.

The 2017 Fifth Anniversary Lecture on African Leadership in a Turbulent Era was delivered by Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, former minister of Education and former World Bank Vice President. The 2016 Fourth Anniversary Lecture on Security and National Development in Plural Democratic Society was delivered by Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, former United Nations Secretary General’s Special Representative to West Africa and Sahel; the 2015 Realnews Third Anniversary Lecture was delivered by Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on November 19, 2015, under the theme: It’s The Nigerian Economy, Stupid? The Second Realnews Anniversary Lecture on Nigerian Democracy: Getting it Right in 2014 was delivered by Professor Maurice Iwu, former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The post Ibrahim Gambari to deliver Realnews 12th anniversary lecture appeared first on Frontpageng.

They include Mohammed Bello-Koko, Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA; Ahmed Kuru, Managing Director, Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON; Kayode Adebayo, Director of Proceeds of Crime Department, Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, and Felix Obiamalu, Associate Director, Legal and Sanctions, Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU.

Bello-Koko will chair the lecture, which will be delivered by Edwin W. Harris Jr., Director General of the ECOWAS Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa, GIABA, and also moderate the discussion session featuring Adebayo and Obiamalu as discussants.

Kuru will also deliver the keynote address at the occasion.

Confirming his participation in his acceptance letter dated August 10, 2023, Bello-Koko expressed his “willingness to attend the event”.

Also, Kuru was “delighted to confirm his availability and acceptance to speak at the event as proposed” in a letter to dated August 29, 2023.

The management of Realnews Magazine and Publications Limited, publishers of Realnews Magazine Online, had announced that the lecture on “Threats of Illicit Funds Flow to the African Economy” would hold at the Sheraton Hotel, Lagos, on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, starting  by 10 a.m.

Maureen Chigbo, the publisher of Realnews, said there would be an investiture of all the speakers into The Realnews Hall of Fame immediately after the lecture.

Chigbo explained that the Realnews Hall of Fame was established to honour only those who played key roles during the anniversary lectures.

Realnews, a general interest magazine, is an online publication that thrives on investigative journalism.

“We have expertise in reporting the oil and gas sector with its attendant environmental challenges. We aim to unearth exclusive stories about real people and the challenges they are facing in their day-to-day activities. We do this bearing in mind that government can only act to influence the lives of people positively if they are aware of their true situation. Hence, our objective is to use our investigative skills to ferret out information in the sectors we focus on and produce an unbiased report which will actually influence the government and decision-makers to take actions that will make society better.

READ ALSO: Tinubu appoints two new CEOs in health sector

“Realnews is populated by seasoned journalists who believe strongly in the tenets and ethics of the profession. The online publication believes that journalism as the fourth Estate of the Realm can contribute its quota towards building a fair and just society where fundamental human rights are respected and citizens have the freedom to pursue their interests anywhere in the world without hindrance. Its editors have a combined experience of several decades in active journalism practice and are highly dedicated to serving humanity. Hence its motto: “For God and Humanity.”

“Realnews Anniversary Lecture Series was established to commemorate the best minds in our society and to tap from them to enrich the discourse in our national development.

“The 10th Anniversary Lecture in 2022 was given by Brig. General Buba Marwa, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA; 9th Anniversary Lecture of Realnews in 2021 was delivered by Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board on “Nigeria in the Unfolding Integration of the African Market: The Oil and Gas Perspective”; 2020 Eighth Anniversary Lecture of Realnews was delivered by Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman of the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19 on Managing COVID-19 Pandemic in Africa: The Nigeria Experience; Former President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana gave the 2019 Lecture on Beyond Politics: An Economic Narrative for West Africa while Prof. Mahmood Yakubu spoke on Political Transitions and Africa’s Economic Development: Preparations for Nigeria’s 2019 General Elections at the 2018 Lecture. The 2017 Fifth Anniversary Lecture on African Leadership in a Turbulent Era was delivered by Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, former minister of Education and former World Bank Vice President. The 2016 Fourth Anniversary Lecture on Security and National Development in Plural Democratic Society was delivered by Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, former United Nations Secretary General’s Special Representative to West Africa and Sahel; the 2015 Realnews Third Anniversary Lecture was delivered by Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on November 19, 2015, under the theme: It’s The Nigerian Economy, Stupid? The Second Realnews Anniversary Lecture on Nigerian Democracy: Getting it Right in 2014 was delivered by Professor Maurice Iwu, former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).”

The post Bello-Koko, Kuru, Adebayo, Obiamalu for Realnews lecture appeared first on Frontpageng.

The management of Realnews Magazine and Publications Limited, publishers of Realnews Magazine Online, made this known on Tuesday in a statement signed by its Publisher/Editor-In-Chief, Maureen Chigbo.

The lecture on “Threats of Illicit Funds Flow to the African Economy” will hold at the Sheraton Hotel, Lagos, on Tuesday, November 7, 2023.

The director general’s acceptance to deliver the lecture was communicated to Realnews in a letter dated September 25, 2023, that he personally signed.

“With the immense interest I have generated in illicit financial flow from Africa and its negative impact on the governance, economies and other social facets of the African people, I am pleased to confirm my participation and graciously accept your invitation,” Harris Jr. wrote.

Harris Jr. has over 16 years of progressive experience in the public sector and in non-profit structures with in-depth knowledge and skills in governance, transparency and financial crimes.

He has relevant skills on issues relating to governance, in the fight against money laundering, in the formulation of policies and the implementation of anti-corruption strategies.

From November 2019 to July 2022, he was director of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) of Liberia.

READ ALSO: Middle East on ‘verge of abyss’ –UN

Under his tenure and to his credit, he, among other things, successfully coordinated the validation and publication of Liberia’s National Risk Assessment (NRA) report. Until his assumption of duty at GIABA, Harris Jr. was a lecturer at the University of Liberia.

The lecture will be chaired by Mohammed Bello-Koko, managing director of Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, who will also moderate the panel session.

Realnews, a general interest magazine, is an online publication that thrives on investigative journalism.

We have expertise in reporting the oil and gas sector with its attendant environmental challenges.

Chigbo said “We aim to unearth exclusive stories about real people and the challenges they are facing in their day-to-day activities. We do this bearing in mind that government can only act to influence the lives of people positively if they are aware of their true situation. Hence, our objective is to use our investigative skills to ferret out information in the sectors we focus on and produce an unbiased report which will actually influence the government and decision-makers to take actions that will make society better.”

Realnews is populated by seasoned journalists who believe strongly in the tenets and ethics of the profession.

The online publication believes that journalism as the fourth Estate of the Realm can contribute its quota towards building a fair and just society where fundamental human rights are respected and citizens have the freedom to pursue their interests anywhere in the world without hindrance. Its editors have a combined experience of several decades in active journalism practice and are highly dedicated to serving humanity. Hence its motto: “For God and Humanity.”

Realnews Anniversary Lecture Series was established to commemorate the best minds in our society and to tap from them to enrich the discourse in our national development.

The 10th Anniversary lecture in 2022 on “Drug Abuse among Youths in Africa: Implication for Nigerian Economy and 2023 Elections” was delivered by Brig General Buba Marwa, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA;  9th Anniversary Lecture of Realnews in 2021 was delivered by Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board on “Nigeria in the Unfolding Integration of the African Market: The Oil and Gas Perspective”; 2020 Eighth Anniversary Lecture of Realnews was delivered by Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman of the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19 on Managing COVID-19 Pandemic in Africa: The Nigeria Experience; Former President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana gave the 2019 Lecture on Beyond Politics: An Economic Narrative for West Africa while Prof. Mahmood Yakubu spoke on Political Transitions and Africa’s Economic Development: Preparations for Nigeria’s 2019 General Elections at the 2018 Lecture.

The 2017 Fifth Anniversary Lecture on African Leadership in a Turbulent Era was delivered by Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, former minister of Education and former World Bank Vice President.

The 2016 Fourth Anniversary Lecture on Security and National Development in Plural Democratic Society was delivered by Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, former United Nations Secretary General’s Special Representative to West Africa and Sahel; the 2015 Realnews Third Anniversary Lecture was delivered by Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on November 19, 2015, under the theme: It’s The Nigerian Economy, Stupid? The Second Realnews Anniversary Lecture on Nigerian Democracy: Getting it Right in 2014 was delivered by Professor Maurice Iwu, former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The post GIABA D-G, Harris,  to deliver Realnews 11th anniversary lecture appeared first on Frontpageng.

The chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Brig-Gen. Buba Barwa (retired), made the assertion on Thursday while delivering a lecture at the 10^th anniversary of Realnews Magazine held in Lagos.

The theme of Marwa’s lecture is “Drug Abuse in Africa: Implication for Nigerian Economy and 2023 Elections.”

The NDLEA boss hinged his position on the conclusion that many of Nigerian youths who are supposed to determine the choice of those who would be voted into office are involved in drug abuse.

Such people, he reasoned, would not be able to make the kind of impact expected of them in the coming election.

His words: “With such a huge youth population, you can begin to think that the election in the country will be won by a “youth referendum,” but with so many youths involved in drug abuse, they can hardly make the kind of strong impact that people envisage; just as they cannot hold down a job, they also cannot exhibit prudent electoral choices or execute the civic duty of voting.”

He said rather, the country would witness among the youths the phenomenon of self-disenfranchisement among young people because “those who are into drug abuse will readily make themselves available as tools for irrational activities such as electoral thuggery and violence.”

Marwa explained that because of the association between drug abuse and violence, the 2023 election would be a testy one.

He however said that security agencies were aware of the possibility of violence and would take care of the situation.

Said he: “Drugs and violence go hand in hand. We can recall the social upheaval caused in southeast states in the last quarter of 2021 when there was an outbreak of abuse of methamphetamine. That episode gave us a foresight of the kind of instability that could result from abuse of illicit drugs by young people.

“With so many idle hands around, some of whom are hooked on drugs, the election will be a testy period. But, let me assure you that the security agencies are aware of this and are working to forestall it.”

Marwa who spoke on the increase in the amount of drug abuse in the country over the years, said the NDLEA had been making spirited efforts to stem the tide.

He disclosed that since the release of the 2018 National Drug Use and Health Survey which announced Nigeria as the world’s leading abuser of cannabis, the country had been making working to find solutions to the problem.

His words: “Since the release of the 2018 National Drug Use and Health Survey, Nigeria has been seeking solutions to the drug scourge, especially as it pertains to youths. The administration of President Muhammadu Buhari gives NDLEA unflinching support.

“The Agency in turn has been working on several measures which are largely youth-focused as well.

“We remain guided by global best practices. As recommended by the UNODC in the World Drug Report 2022: “Whole-of-society approaches are needed to ensure that people, young people most of all, have the information and develop the resilience to make good choices.”

“Part of the recommendations include:

• The development of “national drug prevention systems that reach children as early as possible in their development and focus on building resilience.”
• Reaching out to and involving adolescents, disseminating prevention messages on social media and other online platforms.
• Promoting prevention and treatment options for young people who use drugs and young people with drug use disorders

“In line with this recommendation, NDLEA has initiated some measures which I will mention briefly:

• One: War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign: This is grassroots-oriented advocacy which we are using to diffuse anti-drug sentiment across the various strata of our society.
• Two: NDLEA Twitter Space where drug issues are discussed by experts from within the country and around the world to an audience of young people.
• Three: A 24/7 Drug Abuse call centre with a toll-free helpline: 0800 1020 3040. This allows drug users, their families and employers to seek treatment without compromising their identities or safety.
• Four: open-door treatment at 26 NDLEA treatment facilities across the country.”

He spoke further: “On a final note, let me leave us with a thought-provoking submission about the danger of complacency in tackling drug abuse among youth.

READ ALSO: NDLEA busts cocaine warehouse, seizes N193billion worth of crack

“By 2030, demographic factors project the number of people using drugs to rise by 11 per cent around the world, and as much as 40 per cent in Africa alone.

“This is an early warning that we should all take serious and ensure that we keep our young people away from dangerous substances that compromise the bright future ahead of them.”

The Realnews anniversary lecture was chaired by Mrs. Elizabeth Ngozi Ebi, Group Managing Director of Futureview Financial Services Limited.

Discussants were Otunba Lanre Ipinmosho, former Director General and Member of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Eradication of Drug Abuse, PACEDA; Dr. Dokun Adedeji, Director General, Christ Against Drug Abuse Ministry, CADAM, and Dr. Nkemakolam Ndionuka, Consultant Psychiatrist and Medical Director, Tranquil and Quest Behavioural Health.

Realnews, a general interest magazine, is an online publication which thrives on investigative journalism.

The publisher is top journalist, Maureen Chigbo.

Realnews Anniversary Lecture Series was established to commemorate the best minds in the society and to tap from them to enrich the discourse in national development.

The ninth anniversary lecture of Realnews in 2021 was delivered by Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board on “Nigeria in the Unfolding Integration of the African Market: The Oil and Gas Perspective.”

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