NTDC Programs Will Create 500,000 Jobs – Sally Mbanefo

Beautiful and enterprising, Sally Mbanefo is a lot of things rolled into one.  She is a lawyer, wife, mother and a style icon.

The Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, is the first of six children born to a former Senior Advocate of Nigeria and a one-time chairman, Body of Benchers, Chief George Uwechue who is also the Owelle of Ogwashi-Uku.

She talks about her childhood:  “My childhood was eventful and I was surrounded by very loving and closely knit family.  I grew up in many towns and cities in Nigeria and abroad. My mom is European and my father, African but the African influence got a better part of me. However, my appreciation of European culture gives me a happy mix of the best of both worlds.

“Most of my family members are lawyers and public servants. Growing up around different cultural influences gave me an appreciation of Nigeria’s diversity and the realities of a globalising world.  My childhood has equipped me to thrive in any place I find myself. It has also given me an independent and caring spirit.”

A graduate of Law from University of Lagos, Mbanefo naturally chose the legal path since most of her siblings took to the law profession.  “My dad and mum both studied Law at the London School of Economics and their influence swayed me towards law,”  she states.

Some People Want Me Dead — Al-Mustapha

Major Al-Mustapha was the controversial chief security officer to the late Head Of State, Gen. Sani Abacha. After the death of his former boss, he was incarcerated for 15 years before his release by the appeal court. The Lagos High Court had earlier sentenced him to death through hanging. He spoke on his  APUDI  and other national issues.

Since your recent discharge and acquittal, you have been going round the country with your peace initiative. Can you tell us what your mission is with the formation of Al-Mustapha Peace, Unity and Development Initiatives (APUDI)?
First, I am here in Bauchi to present our sincere appreciation for the help rendered to us by His Highness, the late Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Suleiman Adamu, in the last 15 years when we were passing through travails. There were roles he played from the beginning to the point that he died. May his soul rest in perfect peace. Also, there are roles the present emir, Alhaji Rilwanu Adamu Sulaiman, has played in ensuring sympathy and fighting against social injustice and in support of rights and protection of mankind. Second is that of meeting the youth and presenting to them the mission of the body we are heading at the moment called APUDI. I have had meeting at the Government House, at the emir’s palace and with the youth at Zaranda Hotel to speak about the mission we have.
How do you intend to go about the mission?
We have designed this approach believing that support will get down to the grassroots directly. We do not want any stopgaps as it was in the past where agencies in or outside government that were targeted to reach out to our society or groups or associations in different aspects of life did have stopgaps, where at the end of the day, aims did not reach the point expected. What we intend doing is a new thing entirely, God willing. First, you put the problems together. Second is to draw the attention of the youth to the problems and third is the mechanics of getting them solved using the state government, local government, Federal Government, agencies, parastatals, United Nations’ bodies and some bodies in Europe and Asia. We intend to use whatever is compiled and documented as the guide for presenting some solutions to the problems, particularly the issues affecting us socially, economic problems, problems of employment, support for entrepreneurship, skill acquisition in general and the rest of it.

Uduaghan Endorses Ngozi Olejeme For Governorship

The Director General of the U&I Foundation, Mr. Emmanuel Oritsejolomi Uduaghan last Sunday praised the Chairman, Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund, Dr. Ngozi Olejeme for her consistent leadership and her pivotal role in the social and economic development of the nation.

“Her leadership style gives us confidence that the poor will find protection and dignity” he said.

Uduaghan who gave a lecture on “Leadership and the Future of Delta State” in Warri, urged Deltans at home and abroad to assess Olejeme based on her antecedents and track record.

“Commending Olejeme for her accomplishments in the area of industrial relations, particularly her contributions to the labour administration process in the country, Uduaghan said Olejeme would uphold the values of communal harmony that make Delta State a unique model for us all.

“`She will drive productivity and growth, raise the standard of living in the state and improve the lot of everyone. I am sure that with her impeccable credentials, she will lead the state to the next level”.

 He applauded Olejeme for her passionate and altruistic concern for the less fortunate members of society

 “I extend full support to Olejeme and looks forward to her leadership in the state come 2015”.