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News Roundup: Nigerian Wally Adeyemo as Biden’s Deputy Treasury Secretary, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala makes ForbesAfrica’s African of the year…

US to partner with Nigeria to curtail barriers to investments

Nigerian born Attorney Wally Adeyemo nominated as Biden’s Deputy Treasury Secretary
The US President-elect has announced the latest wave of nominations and appointment for his economic team, which includes Nigerian born Adewale ‘Wally’ Adeyemo as Deputy Treasury Secretary. During the Obama-Biden administration, Wally was front and centre at the economic decision-making table. Among a broad range of posts, he served as President Obama’s international economic adviser, and now currently serves as the president of the Obama Foundation in Chicago. If confirmed, he would be the first African American Deputy Secretary of the Treasury. According to President Biden, “There is no one better equipped for this post to help lead America out of its current economic crisis, and I’m proud to have Wally on the team”.

Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is ForbesAfrica’s African of the year
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has been adjudged the ‘2020 African of the Year’, making her well-positioned to take on the next big role, transforming Africa and negotiating on the world stage. Previous winners have been Rwandan President Paul Kagame (2018) and African Development Bank President Akinwumi Adesina (2019). This is after challenging Nigeria’s patriarchy for about 17 years by becoming the longest-serving finance minister, the first foreign minister, and most importantly, the first woman and African to ever hold those positions. Today, she is on the brink of yet another first, as a finalist to the top post as the seventh Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO). Impressively, she has garnered the largest support – 164 members – from all levels of development and geographies following a grueling five-month competitive vetting process that began with eight candidates.

Nigerian police moves to stop judicial panel of inquiries
The presidency expressed shock yesterday on December 3, 2020, as the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) launched a legal suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1492/2020 to halt the ongoing proceedings by judicial panels. This panels of inquiry were earlier set up by state governments to investigate allegations of brutality against members of the police force, which triggered the #EndSARS protests that later degenerated into a spiral of violence in October. The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) has denied authorising the suit, directed investigations into the matter and queried the Force Legal Officer.

Meet Oluwasegun Olajuwon, the Nigerian whose gas firm is converting vehicles from petroleum-run to gas
The Nigerian CEO named Oluwasegun Olajuwon is scaling innovative heights as his gas firm is leading the way to convert vehicles from petroleum to gas-based. This is in line with Nigeria’s plans to convert 1 million vehicles from running on PMS to gas-free of charge. This is a landmark move that will go a long way in reducing the demand for fuel and cutting expenditure on scarce dollars.

READ ALSO: Why Should Nigeria Explore Inland Gas Basins for Power Generation? II

Adeola Ogunmola makes history as the first Nigerian female pilot of the exotic Boeing 787 aircraft to fly for Qatar Airways
Again, a Nigerian woman named Adeola Ogunmola has made history as the first Nigerian female pilot of the exotic Boeing 787 aircraft to fly for Qatar Airways on its first flight to Nigeria, specifically Abuja over the weekend.

Nigeria’s GAC Motors launch new automobiles, Jelani Aliyu, Mustafa Bello, Dr Ahmed Idris design innovative Chevrolet Volt, MPM Motors and $15m sports car
Nigerians have been known to be quite innovative when presented with viable opportunities for growth and the automobile industry outside of Nigeria is not left out. A pacesetting Chevrolet Volt was recently designed by Jelani Aliyu of Nigerian descent. Also, MPM Motors in France was designed by a Nigerian genius named Mustapha Bello. Britain also witnessed the remarkable design of a $15 million worth sports car by Dr Ahmed Idris. This is asides GAC motors, one of the fastest-growing automobiles in Nigeria launches new range of automobiles on November 19, 2020, which plunged millions of excited fans globally into this immersive blend of technology and entertainment.

BokoHaram beheads 43 rice farmers in Maiduguri, UN reports at least 110 dead
Nigerians are outraged as the United Nations (UN) and European Union (EU) condemn the massive killing of rice farmers as an act of terrorism in Nigeria especially across Borno, Benue, Kaduna, Plateau and Ekiti states. This barbaric incident was reported to have taken place in Zabarmari, which is less than 20km from Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state. In line with Islamic injunctions, 43 rice farmers were buried on November 29 where the Borno State governor, Babagana Umara Zulum attended the funeral ceremony of the farmers killed by Boko Haram insurgents on Saturday, November 28 2020. The numbers are unconfirmed as many farmers are still missing. In fact, the UN reports that at least 110 persons were beheaded in this horrific genocide. This is asides various killings that have been happening in different parts of the country, which inadvertently buttresses claims by the 2020 Global Terrorism Index that ranks Nigeria as the third most terrorised country in the world today for three years in a row.

Dulux Nigeria wins Paint Brand of the year award at 2020 edition of prestigious Brandcom awards
Dulux Nigeria, a premium paint brand in Nigeria has won Paint Brand of the year award at 2020 edition of prestigious Brandcom awards recently held in Lagos. This award further cements the trust that customers have in Dulux paint to deliver superior value to them.

WARIF Nigeria gets ready for 2nd edition of the ‘No Tolerance March’ against gender-based violence
The second edition of the WARIF No Tolerance March against gender-based violence is slated to hold on Saturday, December 5, 2020, for 12 hours between 10 am and 10 pm. All that is required to be a part of this movement is to get and wear your No Tolerance t-shirt, hit the streets alone or with family and friends, post pictures and videos throughout the day with#WARIFNoTolerance and tag @WARIF_NG.

TVC media, Max FM Lagos & Abuja, and Adaba FM certified as a great place to work (GPTW) company
One of Africa’s TV leading news media companies, TV Communications including their Max FM Lagos & Abuja, as well as Adaba FM programs has received the Gold Standard Certification as a great place to work (GPTW) company. The global authority on workplace culture, ‘The Great Place to Work’ Institute of the United States has declared TVC as the first and only media to be certified in the entire African continent. As organised by the Nigerian arm of the GPTW Institute, TVC bagged the award of one of the best workplaces in Nigeria’s corporate industry and excellence in the delivery of inspiring people’s practices.

Ongoing holiday sales and free world-wide shipping of Artdeyafrica, an online marketplace that renders high-quality art pieces from African artistes
@artdeyafrica is an online marketplace that offers a unique selection of high-quality art pieces from various artistes across Africa. Christie A. Akinsanya, an experienced Nigerian artiste is one of many artistes featured recently by the art firm. Her last exhibition is the ‘I am Alive’ collection in honour of a life well spent, celebrating Nigeria, women, fashion and culture. They are currently on holiday sales complemented with free worldwide shipping.

Art of Technology Lagos kicks off with smarter data for a smarter Lagos
Art of Technology curated by Eko Innovation Centre brought about the launch of Lagos State Innovation Masterplan and other developmental initiatives. The Art of Technology platform was a Lagos-State-powered Innovation & Technology conference that brought together about 2000 technology organizations, policymakers, government officials, venture capitalists, product designers, cultural architects, software engineers/programmers, creative architects, innovators and tech enthusiasts to drive innovations that will pave way for the evolution of a smarter, digital, more efficient and a more competitive Lagos.

Nigerian artistes, Piggyvest’s Odunayo Eweniyi, celebrities Shaffy Bello, Toke Makinwa, Wizkid, winning awards
Shaffy Bello is the stunning cover of the latest issue of TWmagazineNG. Again, Wizkid has won his second Soul Train award alongside Beyonce for their collaboration on ‘Brown skin girl’ of the Lion King: The Gift’ album. This is asides his critically acclaimed album ‘Made In Lagos’ being listed as the only African album on the Guardian UK’s Top 50 Best Albums of 2020. Also, Toke Makinwa, Odunayo Eweniyi, from Piggvest, BBNaija’s Erica and other female entrepreneurs emerge winners of the ELOY awards which celebrates women empowerment, excellence and leadership. As an additional slice, the lifestyle influencer, actress and TV personality, Toke Makinwa was named in Yahoo! Finance’s “Top Entrepreneur to Follow in 2020” list.