Gbajabiamila Dissolves House, Set To Resume As COS To President

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June 7, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

Glitz and emotions enveloped the hallowed Chamber of the House of Representatives on Wednesday at the Valedictory Session during which Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila officially dissolved the 9th Assembly.

With the dissolution, Gbajabiamila, who was last week appointed as Chief of Staff by President Bola Tinubu, is set to officially resume at his new duty post.

Alhassan Ado-Doguwa, the Majority Leader of the House, had moved a motion to commence the Valedictory Session, while Ndudi Elumelu, the Minority Leader seconded the motion.

Gbajabiamila, in his Valedictory speech, said: “I will miss all of you and miss this House. You you have enriched my life and I cannot express how much you have impacted the House.

In the emotion-laden speech, Gbajabiamila said the joint efforts in nation-building by members were to ensure that the dreams of the Nation’s founding fathers did not die.

“We have worked to take advantage of social and economic transformation that benefit us; we have left our mark on every sector of our national life.”

He said the House was able to introduce discipline on the Appropriation Act that now commenced from January to December of every year.

He emphasized that the 9th House of Representatives has ended and the 10th will commence.

“I urge you to ensure that you are not found wanting by man or God in the final judgment.”

Also, Rep. Julius Ihovbehre (APC-Edo), said he would forever cherish the friendship he made in the 9th Assembly, adding that such a relationship would last forever.

He commended the Speaker for leading the House well and perfectly and demonstrating that he could manage a diverse group of people.

“In your new roles as the Chief of Staff to the President, the challenges you will face are more than here, we plead with you not to abandon the spirit of excellence.”

Various speakers at the session could not hide their feelings as they lauded the leadership quality of the Speaker, urging him to display such in his new assignment.

In attendance at the Valedictory session of the 9th assembly were former Speakers and House Leaders – Ghali Na’abba, Patricia Etteh, Mulikat Akande and some former Clerks of NASS.

CAN Descends On Fmr. Gov El Rufai, Says “He’s Unfit To Be Leader”

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Ayodele Oni

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June 7, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

Kaduna State Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, (CAN) has described former Governor of the State, Nasir El Rufai, as seeking relevance over his comment on the Islamization of the State.

Chairman of State CAN, Reverend Joseph Hayab, said on Wednesday that Nigerians should ignore the immediate past Governor, over the alleged Islamization claims.

The religious leader, reacting to a trending video on social media claimed that the ex-governor’s recent statement on the Muslim/Muslim ticket and that the victory of President Bola Tinubu silenced his critics and CAN was a ploy and divisive tendency aimed to further his alleged presidential ambition.

El-Rufai was alleged to have said that the Muslim-Muslim ticket in the Kaduna governorship election would be sustained beyond 20 years in the state.

In the video, the former governor, who spoke in Hausa, also claimed that Muslim domination was being replicated at the national level.

While featuring on Arise TV’s Morning Show, Hayab said Nigerians should not be bothered about El-Rufai’s comment as he was just seeking relevance and playing to the gallery to rile up unsuspecting Nigerians.

According to him, El-Rufai is living in that dream that he could play these religious games, and possibly tomorrow he can become the president of Nigeria.

“You know, since he is up to something, he is playing a game and what he would do is to confuse people and set up Christians against Muslims; set up Christians against the present government, and then he would stand to benefit from it tomorrow. Unfortunately, I will say to him, he has failed from the onset.

“With this, he has actually proved to Nigerians that he is not in the first place fit to be a leader and I think that is one of the problems in Nigeria.

“We give people power without testing their emotional stability whether they are mentally alright to lead.

“Our simple response is that ignores the madman. Ignore the man who is calling for attention and ignore the man who is up to a gimmick and ignore the man who is up to an agenda, don’t even take him seriously.

“If his Muslim/Muslim ticket has actually succeeded, we wouldn’t have had the killings, the division, and the problems we have in Kaduna. So, there was not even success to record this in his administration.

“El-Rufai is just trying to play games and we don’t even want to glorify his game, we simply see him as someone whose era, influence, and power are over, but he wants to still be relevant and he wants to bring up something that will give him relevance.

“He knows that there are so many ignorant people around who may think that he is defending faith, but I can tell you so many Imams will remind him how he demolished their mosque; how he maltreated them and never respected them as people of faith, so he is just playing politics and trying to take advantage of the situation.”

President Tinubu Pleads With EU To Address Poverty, Insecurity In Nigeria

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Ayodele Oni

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June 7, 2023

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Bola Ahmed Tinubu At Arewa Joint Committee Forum

By Ayodele Oni

President Bola Tinubu is extending his administration’s consultation to international agencies and bodies.

The President has just called on the European Union, (EU) to assist Nigeria and Africa in strengthening security and economic development to alleviate poverty in the Continent.

A statement on Wednesday by the director, Information at the villa, Abiodun Oladunjoye, stated that the President spoke during a telephone conversation with the President of the European Council, Mr. Charles Michel.

The European Council is the EU institution that defines the general political direction and priorities of the European Union.

According to President Tinubu, Nigeria and the whole of Africa would require the help and partnership of her friends and development partners like the EU to address the excruciating poverty in the continent.

While requesting the EU to look at specific areas of security challenge like the Lake Chad and coastal areas, the Nigerian leader promised to remain in contact with the European Union and other member states.

He said poverty and insecurity were priority areas for his administration and he would do all that is required to address them.

The Council president used the opportunity of the telephone conversation to once again congratulate President Tinubu over his election.

He pledged the commitment of the Council towards a stronger cooperation and partnership with Nigeria based on mutual respect and common interests.

He maintained that Nigeria is important to the EU and the International Community.

Mr Michel urged the Nigerian leader to continue to work with the EU in all relevant areas.

Senate President: 67 Senators Plot Akpabio’s Fall

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Tosin Olatokunbo

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June 7, 2023

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The ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, has a good reason to worry following the revelation that some senators across party lines are planning to thwart its plan to ensure that Godswill Akpabio becomes the next Senate President.

No fewer than 67 senators are believed to be supporting a former Governor of Zamfara state, Abdulaziz Yari for the top job.

To emerge as Senate President, a contestant only requires two-thirds of the 109 senators.

Yari’s support base, according to Abdul Ningi, a former deputy majority leader cuts across party lines.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his party had endorsed Akpabio to take over from incumbent Ahmad Lawan, as the Chairman of the National Assembly for the incoming 10^th Senate.

But as it seems, the ruling party cannot count on the support of majority senators, including from its own fold to vote for Akpabio on June 13 when the new NASS leadership is expected to emerge.

According to Ningi, senators who are angry that the ruling party is trying to impose on them, have now lined behind Yari who has vowed to contest against Akpabio, a former governor of Akwa Ibom state next week.

Speaking on the capacity of Yari to emerge the Senate President, Ningi said “Our latest count, we had 67 as of yesterday (Tuesday) night, and more are coming by the grace of God.

“I’m not a member of the APC, I don’t know how the working committee of the APC works, but over 20 years we have seen consistent friction where people are imposed on the national assembly beginning with Enwerem and Chuba.

“Allow the senators, in my opinion, to choose whoever they want. The PDP had also made similar mistakes and I thought the APC should not have followed suit. Just as the party chooses its chairman, allow the senators to also choose their leader.

“Yes, Yari can lead the senate, and that is why we are following him, that is why we are backing him. We have also been leaders in the senate. We were not only in the senate, but we held principal positions.

“You need experienced hands like us to be able to guide you to achieve what is required. If we make a mistake in choosing our leader, we have every right to remove him,” Ningi said.

Meanwhile, those watching what is happening in the NASS insist that the ruling APC is doing all to ensure that more senators vote for the former Akwa Ibom governor.

Osun Moves To Dump Oyetola’s Legacies; Assembly To Revisit Laws Passed By Predecessor

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Ayodele Oni

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June 7, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

With the full take over of Osun State Executive and Legislature, by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), all is set to review and upturn some of the actions and policies of the immediate past Government of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Already, immediately he won at the Supreme Court, Governor Ademola Adeleke embarked on review of some of these policies with the change of the name ‘State of Osun’, to Osun State.

He was, however, immediately reminded by the immediate past House of Assembly that the name was backed by law and could not be altered by mere executive pronouncement.

With the inauguration of the State House of Assembly on Tuesday, some of the laws perceived not to be in tandem with the policy direction of the State Government stand expunged from the statute.

The new Speaker of the Eight Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, has said the legislature would collate and review all the bills passed into law and assented to by the immediate past parliament and executive administration in the state.

In his inaugural address, Speaker Egbedun pointed out that there were some obnoxious laws that were made after the July 16 governorship election in the state.

Egbedun, of the ruling PDP stated that the Assembly would review the bills passed and assented to between August and November, 2022, stressing that the obnoxious provisions and clauses may not be in the best interest of the state.

Itemizing some of the legislative agenda, the 38-year-old speaker said the 8th assembly will focus on legislation for workers’welfare.

Other areas of focus according to Egbedun are legislation for infrastructural development, social sector health agenda and age legislation.

The speaker, who called on his fellow contestants to join hands with him in leading a truly new age house, also promised the only opposition member of the house of his due privileges.

“Legislature is what makes a difference between the military and democracy. We are the people’s representatives; this is the hallowed chamber of the people.

“Our job is made easy and our task is lessened because we have an Executive that is overwhelmingly pro-people and we will key into this template that is clearly acceptable and satisfactory to the people of Osun state. I charge us to join hands in the building of a new Osun state.”

He, therefore, directed the Clerk of the House to furnish him with all the affected bills for immediate action.

“I also use this opportunity to announce that our leadership will collate and review all last minute bills passed and assented by the outgoing administration.

“We have reports and records of many bills assented into laws which contain obnoxious provisions and clauses that may not be in the best interest of the state.

“I therefore direct the Clerk of the House to furnish my office with all bills passed and assented to between August and November 2022.”

Nigeria Air: Group Faults House Comm Chair On Aviation, Nnaji Comment, Labels Him Unpatriotic

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Tosin Olatokunbo

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June 7, 2023

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The All Progressives Congress, APC, Vanguard for Good Governance, has faulted the comments attributed to the House of Representatives Committee Chairman on Aviation, Nnolim Nnaji, in which the lawmaker described the setting up of Nigeria Air as fraud.

In a statement made available to the media on Wednesday, 7th April, 2023. The National Leader of the socio-political group, Alhaji Tosin Adeniyi said; “We strongly condemn the show of shame that occurred at the National Assembly on Wednesday, 6th June, 2023. In the name of conducting inquiry into the affairs of Nigeria Air, Hon. Nnolim Nnaji ended up showing his true hands and who his paymasters are. He de-marketed and bad-mouthed Nigeria Air in order to please his Igbo brothers, Allen Onyema (owner of Airpeace Airlines), and Obiora Okonkwo (owner of United Nigeria Airlines), who under the guise of being representatives of Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), have only one motive, which is to continue to operate as monopolies while the Nigerian passengers continue to suffer from their high ticket prices and poor services”.

Continuing, Adeniyi said; “We have it on good authority that although Hon. Pharmacist Nnolim Nnaji was elected under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to represent the people of Nkanu East/West Federal Constituency, he has since turned himself into a Labour Party hatchet man in the hope that the election tribunal judgement would favour his closet Labour Presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and he would be rewarded with the position of Aviation Minister or another post”.

“We are not fooled by the antics of Hon. Nnolim Nnaji and his co-travelers and alarmists. Their plans to destabilize the government of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose agenda is also to support the creation of a national national carrier will fail. We wish to let Nigerians know that Hon. Nnolim Nnaji is using his position as the House Committee Chairman on Aviation to feather his own political nests and to cash-out big time from his sponsors. He does not mean well for Nigeria and has always shown unpatriotic tendencies. Nigerians should ask him where he is getting the money which he has been offering to blogs and media houses to help him fly his unpatriotic statement that ‘Nigeria Air is fraud’.

“The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed should be wary of double agents like Hon. Nnolim Nnaji. If Nigeria Air does not commence flight operations as scheduled by Quarter 3, 2023, as detailed in a widely circulated document titled, ‘Nigeria Air, The Journey So Far’, Nigerians should hold Nnolim and his co-travelers responsible”.

“We are in support of the setting up of Nigeria Air. We have listened to several stakeholders on the benefits of having a national carrier. This was also detailed in the status update document released by Nigeria Air. The immediate past General Secretary of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Olayinka Abioye,has also listed the gains as follows;

“Nigeria stands to gain in terms of cultural heritage, national pride, job opportunities, and foreign direct investments, among others,”.

“It is surprising that Hon. Nnolim Nnaji will speak of Hadi Sirika, immediate past Minister of Aviation, in such unpleasant terms. This was the same Hon. Nnolim Nnaji that was singing the Honourable Minister’s praises while he was in office for his ministry’s efforts in repositioning the aviation sector, the improvements at Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, and at other airports. It was during the tenure of Hadi Sirika that the aviation sector in Nigeria experienced tremendous growth. Need we remind Hon. Nnolim Nnaji of who Hadi Sirika is? A former police aircraft engineer, trained pilot, doctorate degree holder in aviation business, former member of the Federal House of Representatives, former Senator, former Minister of State, and Former Minister of Aviation”.

“Hon. Nnolim Nnaji can not match the character of the man he is trying so unsuccessfully to tarnish his image for selfish political gains, and parochialism. We challenge Hon. Nnolim Nnaji to a public debate to account to his people what he has achieved since he was elected a member of the House of Representatives”.

“The Acting Managing Director of Nigeria Air, Dapo Olumide, stated the facts during his appearance at the House of Representatives hearing on Wednesday, 6th June, 2023, although he was majorly misquoted, and mischievously too, by a section of the media.

“We urge Nigerians not to believe the propaganda and false narrative being pushed out by Hon. Pharm. Nnolim Nnaji and his band of unpatriotic Nigerians. Nigeria Air has published their ‘Nigeria Air, The Journey So Far’ document which chronicles from start to the present all that the people require to know about Nigeria Air. The document is available on Nigeria Air website (www.flynigeriaair.world). It was also published on Page 12 of Daily Trust and page 10 of the Guardian newspaper of Wednesday, 6th June 2023”

CRS: “You Have no Powers to Sack Us”, Auditors-General Tell Gov. Otu

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The Source

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June 7, 2023

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By Stanley Ekpenyong, South-South Bureau Chief

Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, appears headed for a collision course with two officials of his immediate predecessor who he sacked early this week.

They are the State Auditor-General, John Odey, and his Local Government counterpart, Mrs Franka Inok.

Both former officials who were appointed by the immediate past governor of the State, Professor Ben Ayade, were sacked on Monday by Governor Otu and asked to retire from the State’s Civil Service.

They have, however, faulted their sack, arguing that the Governor has no constitutional powers to do so.

Odey and Inok made this known on Tuesday in a letter addressed to the Chairman of Cross River State Civil Service Commission, Oko Inaku.

In the letter, they vowed to remain in service until their formal retirement age of sixty years or mandatory thirty-five years from service.

In the letter titled: “Re – Notice to vacate Office”, with reference number CRS/AGLG/81/Vol 11/565 the officials stated thus: “We wish to bring to your notice sections 127 of the 1999 Constitution and Section 42 of the Cross River State Audit Law number 2021 as amended regarding the removal from office of the Auditor General”

Meanwhile, Odey and Inok have both disregarded the Governor’s directives as they still report for duties in their offices.

Akume Sworn-in By Tinubu, Assumes Duty As SGF

By

The Source

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June 7, 2023

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By Gideon Njoku

Newly appointed Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator George Akume, has assumed duties.

Akume assumed duties after he was sworn-in on Wednesday, 7th June, 2023, by President Bola Tinubu at a brief ceremony held at the Council Chambers, and witnessed by a number of people, including Akume’s spouse, Regina, who is a member-elect, House of Representatives.

Present at the ceremony were Vice President Kashim Shettima, the Head of Service, Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan, as well as some past and serving Governors.

The office of the SGF is the engine room of the Federal Government. Among other things, the SGF oversees:

Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC)
Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission
National Energy Council
National Hajj Commission of Nigeria
National Lottery Trust Fund
National Agency for the Control of Aids (NACA)
Nigeria National Merit Award
National Lottery Regulatory Commission
Bureau of Public Enterprises
Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission
National Agency for the Control of Aids
New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD)
National Commission for Refugees
ServiCom
Federal Character Commission
Revenue Mobilization, Allocation & Fiscal Commission
Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI)
Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC)
National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission
National Pension Commission
Border Communities Development Agency.

There are also six (6) Offices in the OSGF (Office of the Secretary to the Federal Government). Each of the Offices is run and managed like a Ministry and they are headed by Permanent Secretary.

The Offices are:

>The Special Duties Office

>The Cabinet Affairs Office

>The Special Services Office

>The Ecological Fund Office

>The General Services Office

>The Political and Economic Affairs Office

Functions of SGF

Administratively, below are the key roles of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF):

1) OSGF handles matters related to the prerogative of mercy.

2) He handles petitions and appeals to the President.

3) He is charged with the responsibility of processing requests for duty tours and medical treatment of government officials abroad.

4) He coordinates, manages National Honours Awards.

5) OSGF is responsible for the supervision of some government agencies as directed by the president e.g New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD).

6) The SFG serves as the frontline advisory institution to the office of the President.

7) The Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation monitors and coordinates the implementation of government policies and programmes in line with the programmes of the ruling government.

He ensures harmonization in the policies of the government.

9) The SGF evaluates the performance of the ministers and Permanent Secretary on behalf of the President.

10) He maintains mandate acceptance documents signed by Ministers on an assumption of office.

11) The OSGF serves as the Secretariat of the National Council of State, the Federal Executive Council and other Constitutional Councils which are chaired by the President or the Vice President as the case may be.

12) The Office of the Secretary to the Federal Government provides support services to Administrative Tribunals, Commissions and Panels of Enquiry.

13) He coordinates public safety matters and emergencies such as COVID 19 pandemic.

14) Represent the president when he’s delegated to do so.

15) He liaises with Secretaries to State Governments in a situation when FG’s policies have to be implemented at the state levels.

Akume is the immediate past Minister for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs. He was, also, a two-time Governor of Benue State.

During his tenure as Governor, he escaped death by whiskers in the hands of assassins while on his way to Abuja from Makurdi. His bosom friend, Andrew Agom, a former Managing Director of the Nigeria Airways, who sat by him in the car, was not lucky. He died in the attack, felled by bullets from the assassins.

Akume was on Friday, 2nd June 2023, appointed the SGF by President Tinubu.

Removal Of Subsidy: Obaseki Increases Minimum Wage From N30,000 To N40,000

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Akinwale Kasali

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June 7, 2023

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By Akinwale Kasali

To cushion the effect of the fuel subsidy removal on Civil Servants, Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has increased the minimum wage from N30,000 to N40,000.

A statement by the Government, stated that the increment was to cushion the effect of the rising cost of living on the Civil Servants in the State.

Governor Obaseki has also followed the footsteps of his counterpart in Kwara State, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq by permitting the State workers to work from home twice a week and show up in the office three days per week.

The measures were taken as the State ’s immediate response to the stoppage of petrol subsidy payment by the Federal Government, which pushed up food costs and petrol price.

*In the statement personally signed by the Governor, the government said: “If more allocation accrues to our State from the Federal Government in view of the expected savings occasioned by the removal of the fuel subsidy, the work days will be reviewed.

“The Edo State Government shares the pains of our people and wants to assure everyone that we are standing with them in these very challenging times.

“We want to reassure our people that we will do all within our powers as a sub-national government to reduce the pains and ameliorate the sufferings our people are currently facing due to the current realities.

“As a proactive government, we have since taken the step to increase the minimum wage paid to workers in Edo State from the approved N30, 000 to N40, 000, the highest in the country today.”

On the reduction of the number of work days for civil servants, Obaseki said his government was aware of the hardship the removal of petrol subsidy has caused.

The Governor added that the policy has radically increased the cost of transportation, eating deep into the wages of workers in the state.

“Therefore, the Edo State Government is hereby reducing the number of work days that civil and public servants will have to commute to their workplaces from five days a week to three days a week till further notice. Workers will now work from home two days every week”, the statement reads.

Fidelity Bank Moves Trade, Creative Connect To Texas

By

Tosin Olatokunbo

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June 7, 2023

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The Managing Director, Fidelity Bank Plc Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe has disclosed that the commercial bank has successfully supported Nigeria’s export trade through various innovations and interventions such as capacity development for exporters.

The bank’s chief executive’s comment comes after the lender announced plans to host the second edition of the Fidelity International Trade and Creative Connect, FITCC, in Texas, the United States.

The first edition, the bank said was successfully hosted last November in London.

Onyeali-ikpe said “Fidelity Bank is very much invested in supporting export trade and has consistently demonstrated this by the interventions and innovations that we bring to the space.

“Beyond the instrument of financing, some of our key interventions in the space revolve around business management capacity development with initiatives like the Export Management Programme (EMP) which we host in partnership with the Lagos Business School and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) and market access development initiatives like FITCC.”

Tagged FITCC Houston, the event would hold on Wednesday, 18^th, and Thursday, 19th October 2023 at the George R. Brown Convention Center, 1001 Avenida de las Americas, Houston, Texas 77010.

To promote Nigeria’s non-oil exports and facilitate integrations to global supply-chain networks, FITCC Houston will host leading businesses, entrepreneurs, investors and regulators operating in the commodity, service, creative, fashion and FinTech sectors in Nigeria and the United States. The participants would explore partnership, co-creation, and foreign direct investment opportunities.

Participating businesses will benefit from curated market access engagements, investment and partnership opportunities, extended brand exposure before a global audience as well as speaking and networking opportunities amongst a long list of benefits in FITCC Housto

Interested businesses and participants are encouraged to register for the conference at www.fidelitybank.ng/fitcc .