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President Buhari urges investors to utilise Nigeria’s diversity

President Muhammadu Buhari has urged the international community and investors to take advantage of Nigeria’s diversity in human and natural resources for investment.
He said youth development, integration and employment remained priorities for his administration.
Speaking at a ceremony to receive the Letters of Credence of the Ambassadors of Belgium, Mauritania, Austria and Norway at the Presidential Villa on Thursday, the President said “Nigeria is ready to pursue broader dialogue, as well as enhance cooperation and collaboration on the basis of constructive mutual respect and a shared vision for our future.
“As you may know, Nigeria is an ethnic and culturally diverse society with various opportunities which we seek to creatively utilise for the benefit of our people. We are also a country with a huge population which is predominantly youthful.
“These pose peculiar new challenges of their own. As Nigeria relates with your countries, it is our expectation that we should leverage on the advantages that can yield positive results in youth development in our country.’’
Letters of Credence
The Ambassadors who presented their Letters of Credence to the President are: Mr Daniel Bertrand, Ambassador of Belgium, Mr Amedi Camara, Ambassador of Mauritania, Mr Thomas Schlesinger, Ambassador of Austria and Mr Knut Eiliv Lein, Ambassador of Norway.
President Buhari said Nigeria enjoys very good bilateral relations with the respective countries and had collaborated at the multilateral level to achieve targets set by several international conventions and treaties.
“Allow me to offer you my sincere congratulations as you commence your diplomatic duties as defined by the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. As we celebrate its 60th anniversary, next year, it is my hope that you will carry out your respective mandates to improve existing cordial relations between our countries consistent with the provisions of this time-honoured convention,’’ he said.
Enhance Existing Cordial Relations
The President told the Ambassadors that there was need to enhance the existing cordial relations in the interest of citizens and countries.
“Nigeria shares common problems of insecurity, impact of climate change and socio-economic challenges common among nations. Notwithstanding these challenges, efforts are being made to sustain our position to overcome these difficulties. I invite you to partner with us to address these challenges.
“As a global family, we are impacted by several other common challenges like terrorism, insurgency, climate change, population explosion, human trafficking, corruption, poverty, and now the global health pandemic which Coronavirus represents considering its mayhem across the world,” President Buhari explained.’
He said the challenges underscore the need for the international community to make concerted efforts at resolving them in the interest of common humanity.
“The survival of humanity depends on our efforts to enhance our cooperation to attain the goals of global peace and economic prosperity,’’ he added.
Belgium Ambassador, Mr Daniel Bertrand thanked the President for making out time to receive the Letters of Credence in spite of the peculiar situation created by the COVID-19.
He assured President Buhari that all the ambassadors will make the most of the opportunity to enhance relations in economics, commerce and socio-cultural issues.
“Your Excellency, we are at your disposal to strengthen and narrow the ties, not only in economic and commercial issues, but also in cultural terms,’’ he added.
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What to Expect at WHX Lagos 2026
As healthcare systems across Africa continue to evolve, the need for innovative technologies, strategic partnerships, and knowledge-sharing platforms has never been greater. This is why industry leaders such as PPC Limited (www.ppcng.com) and VINNO, alongside healthcare professionals, hospital administrators, policymakers, distributors, and technology providers, are looking forward to WHX Lagos 2026, taking place from the 2 to 4, of June 2026, at the Landmark event centre, Lagos. The event provides a unique platform to showcase innovation, exchange ideas, and explore solutions that will shape the future of healthcare delivery across the region. Here is why you should attend this year’s event.
1. A Showcase of Healthcare InnovationWHX Lagos 2026 is expected to feature some of the latest advancements in medical technology, diagnostic imaging, laboratory solutions, healthcare infrastructure, digital health, and patient care systems.Visitors will have the opportunity to experience live demonstrations of cutting-edge equipment, interact directly with manufacturers and solution providers, and gain valuable insights into technologies that are transforming healthcare delivery around the world.
2. Networking Opportunities with Industry LeadersOne of the key attractions of WHX Lagos is the opportunity to connect with healthcare leaders, clinicians, medical equipment suppliers, distributors, and decision-makers from across Nigeria and beyond.The exhibition provides a platform for building strategic partnerships, exchanging ideas, and exploring collaborations that can drive healthcare development and improve patient outcomes across the region.
3. Educational Sessions and Industry InsightsBeyond the exhibition floor, attendees can look forward to educational sessions, expert-led discussions, and presentations focused on some of the most pressing issues facing healthcare today.Topics such as healthcare infrastructure development, digital transformation, diagnostic excellence, medical equipment management, and access to quality healthcare are expected to feature prominently during the event.
4. Exclusive Offers and Product DemonstrationsVisitors to the VINNO booth will have the opportunity to experience live product demonstrations and enjoy special discounts on selected medical equipment throughout the exhibition.Healthcare providers looking to upgrade their facilities or invest in new technologies will have the opportunity to compare solutions, engage directly with technical experts, and take advantage of special exhibition offers available only during the event.
5. Driving the Future of Healthcare in AfricaAs Africa’s healthcare landscape continues to expand, events such as WHX Lagos play an important role in bringing together the people, technologies, and ideas needed to accelerate progress.Whether you are a healthcare professional, hospital executive, distributor, investor, or policymaker, WHX Lagos 2026 offers an opportunity to gain insights, discover innovative solutions, and contribute to the conversations shaping the future of healthcare across the continent.For more information on how you can get the WHX discount, send an email to marketing@ppcng.com.
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Interswitch Group Founder, Mitchell Elegbe Rejoins Global Jury for 2026 EY World Entrepreneur of the Year Awards Grand Finale in Monaco for the 3rd Consecutive Year
…makes history, becoming the first and only entrepreneur globally to have won in both emerging and master categories in any region in 40 years, and invited to global jury for the 3rd year running
LAGOS, Nigeria, June 01 2026: Mitchell Elegbe, Founder and Group Managing Director/CEO of Interswitch Group has again been re-appointed as the only entrepreneur from Africa into the global jury of the 2026 Ernst & Young (EY) World Entrepreneur of The Year Awards, which takes place annually in June in Monte Carlo, Monaco, for the third consecutive year, following his inaugural jury duties at the 2024 awards. According to EY, the World Entrepreneur of the Year Hall of Fame is an elite corps of men and women who have been recognized for their exceptional entrepreneurial achievements. For 40 years, since 1986, EY has been celebrating ingenuity through the Entrepreneur of the Year program. “The program has recognized more than 10,000 outstanding entrepreneurs for their vision, innovation, courage, and leadership in building and growing successful businesses — businesses that influence the way people live, the products and services we depend on, and the economic vibrancy of our local communities and global markets.” In June of 2023, Elegbe, alongside 48 other accomplished entrepreneurs from 45 countries across the world were inducted into the 2023 WEOY Hall of Fame, with Interswitch’s Elegbe holding the unique distinction of being the only black and African global finalist and inductee into the coveted hall of fame, as well as the only entrepreneur in the 40-year history of the awards to have won in both the emerging and master categories at various times in their region (West Africa). For the 2026 edition of the global awards, Elegbe has been re-invited by EY’s global leadership to join the global jury being 1 of 9 former finalists who form the judging committee for the 2026 global awards of the initiative, holding annually in Monte Carlo, Monaco. The 2026 jury is made up of accomplished entrepreneurs, all former regional winners drawn from Australia, Brazil, Germany, Hong Kong & China, Nigeria (Elegbe), Singapore, The United Kingdom, and The USA. Mitchell Elegbe is widely regarded as one of the pivotal architects of Nigeria’s payment innovation revolution and has gained acclaim globally for his contributions as an exceptional African entrepreneur, who has contributed in no small measure to the economic development of Nigeria and Africa as a whole, having distinguished himself in business leadership and technology development. A multiple award-winning professional and a renowned business leader in the Information Technology and Financial Services industry, he has won several awards, some of which include Harvard Business School Association (Nigeria) Leadership Award in the General Management Category; African Banker Awards 2019 as the African Banker Icon; CNBC/Forbes All African Business Leader (AABLA) Awards for West Africa as well as Financial Technology (Fintech) Africa Awards, Payments and Transfer category in 2016, among other deserving recognitions. He is also a Bishop Desmond Tutu Fellow of the African Leadership Institute, an Endeavor Entrepreneur and also a member of the Board of Endeavor in Nigeria. Mitchell Elegbe founded Interswitch in 2002 to provide a solution to problems associated with payments in Nigeria and has since led the company to consolidated growth as a leading payment and digital commerce company that helps to build and manage payment infrastructure and provides robust technology-based solutions to individuals, financial institutions, and governments across Africa. See the full list and profiles of the 2026 Global Jury Members for the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards here https://www.ey.com/en_gl/weoy/judges
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Fidelity Bank to Drive SME Growth with Quarterly Business Forum
Leading financial institution, Fidelity Bank Plc, is set to launch a strategic engagement platform aimed at promoting the growth and sustainability of small and medium enterprises across Nigeria.Known as the Fidelity Quarterly Business Forum, the initiative is designed to bring together SME business leaders, founders, policymakers and industry experts to discuss business opportunities, economic trends, innovation and sustainable growth strategies.Speaking on the initiative, Ugochi Osinigwe, Divisional Head, Small and Medium-scale Enterprises, Fidelity Bank Plc, said the forum reflects the bank’s commitment to delivering a wide range of initiatives that support the growth of small businesses in Nigeria.“Our Quarterly Business Forum is part of our regular engagement with small businesses across the country. As you may know, Fidelity Bank is a leading supporter of SMEs through numerous financial products, and a strong advocate of a multi-dimensional approach to helping them succeed.“Through this initiative, the bank will host engagements with businesses across the country to strengthen their capacity, encourage networking and provide relevant advisory support to help them navigate the evolving economic climate and achieve profitability,” Osinigwe said.The maiden edition of the forum is scheduled to hold in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Wednesday, 3 June 2026. It will feature a range of activities, including a keynote address titled “Scaling Trade and Distribution Businesses for Sustainable Growth”, to be delivered by Pamela Shodipo, Executive Director, South, Fidelity Bank Plc.This will be followed by a Business and Economic Outlook presentation themed “Doing Business in a Trade Driven Economy”, to be delivered by Okechukwu Ugoji, Group Head, SME, Fidelity Bank Plc.The session will conclude with a networking event designed to foster valuable relationships among participants and encourage mutually beneficial business opportunities.The Fidelity Quarterly Business Forum adds to the range of innovative solutions introduced by the bank to support sustainable business expansion. It will be recalled that Fidelity Bank established a dedicated physical facility for small and medium-scale enterprises and entrepreneurs in the creative sector, known as the Fidelity SME Hub, in Gbagada, Lagos State.Through the hub, the bank provides entrepreneurs with networking and stakeholder engagement opportunities, as well as access to industry experts and mentors for practical guidance and business advisory support.Ranked among the best banks in Nigeria, Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-fledged Commercial Deposit Money Bank serving over 10 million customers through digital banking channels, its 255 business offices in Nigeria and United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.The Bank is a recipient of multiple local and international Awards, including the 2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation & MSME Banking Award by BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards; the 2024 Most Innovative Mobile Banking Application award for its Fidelity Mobile App by Global Business Outlook, and the 2024 Most Innovative Investment Banking Service Provider award by Global Brands Magazine. Additionally, the Bank was recognized as the Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria by the Euromoney Awards for Excellence and as the Export Financing Bank of the Year by the BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards
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Uncategorized1 day agoFidelity Bank to Drive SME Growth with Quarterly Business Forum
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Uncategorized4 hours agoInterswitch Group Founder, Mitchell Elegbe Rejoins Global Jury for 2026 EY World Entrepreneur of the Year Awards Grand Finale in Monaco for the 3rd Consecutive Year
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Uncategorized2 hours agoWhat to Expect at WHX Lagos 2026
