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IHK Giessen-Friedberg Lauds Lai Mohammed’s Role in Strengthening Nigeria-German Cooperation

IHK Giessen-Friedberg Lauds Lai Mohammed’s Role in Strengthening Nigeria-German Cooperation

Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja 

The Chief Executive Officer, IHK Giessen-Friedberg Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Dr. Matthias Leder, has applauded the pivotal role of Nigeria’s former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, in helping its organisation expand the quality and reach of vocational training in Nigeria.

This, he said, resulted in measurable impacts on youth employment, technical education, and business competitiveness.

Leder’s commendation came during a virtual press conference preceding the arrival of a delegation of IHK

Giessen-Friedberg on November 2 for a two-week visit to Nigeria.  

He stated that since 2005, IHK Giessen-Friedberg worked closely with Nigerian chambers and associations to expand the quality and reach of vocational training, with measurable impacts on youth employment, technical education, and business competitiveness. 

“This enduring relationship has grown significantly in recent years—thanks to the pivotal role played by Nigeria’s former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, whose leadership helped elevate the cooperation to a new strategic level

“Over the past two years alone, IHK Giessen-Friedberg has undertaken two official missions annually to Nigeria.

“Similarly, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has twice participated in Giessen’s prestigious international B2B conference, ‘The World Meets in Giessen’, first as a keynote speaker and later as a panelist. 

“These engagements have deepened the mutual understanding between both nations and opened new avenues for investment, trade, and skills transfer,” he said.

Leder reaffirmed IHK Giessen-Friedberg’s longstanding commitment to strengthening vocational training, institutional development, and private sector cooperation with Nigeria. 

“This follows two decades of sustained partnership between the IHK and key Nigerian institutions in promoting youth skills development, entrepreneurship, and international business collaboration,” he said.

He disclosed that the 2025 edition of the World Meets in Giessen International B2B Conference, envisioned as ‘the Davos for SMEs’, will host participants from 14 countries across Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, including Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt, India, and Brazil. 

According to him, the event, featuring keynote sessions, expert panels, AI-enabled business match-making, and international tenders is now emerging as a global meeting point for small and medium enterprises.

“Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who was the keynote speaker in 2024 on ‘The Event Industry as an Emerging Sector in Nigeria’, will again participate as a panelist in 2025,” Leder said.

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Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja  The Chief Executive Officer, IHK Giessen-Friedberg Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Dr. Matthias Leder, has applauded the pivotal role of Nigeria’s former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai

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NSA, British High Commission Condole with Governor Yahaya over Death of Internal Security Commissioner

NSA, British High Commission Condole with Governor Yahaya over Death of Internal Security Commissioner

Segun Awofadeji in Gombe 

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, has commiserated with Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya and the Government of Gombe State over the tragic death of the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Col. Abdullahi Bello (rtd), who died in a motor accident alongside his police orderly and driver.

Delivering the NSA’s condolence message in Gombe yesterday, a delegation from the Office of the National Security Adviser, led by Dr. Agrih Dauda Sukukum, Assistant Director, Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism at the National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC), described the late commissioner as a disciplined officer, an astute administrator and a patriot who devoted his life to the service of his country.

Sukukum recalled that Col. Bello’s last official engagement was during the North-East Regional Consultation on the Development of a National Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) Framework held in Maiduguri, Borno State, where he made far-reaching contributions to the national security discourse.

“The late commissioner was an upright gentleman, highly knowledgeable in security matters and an invaluable ally to our counterterrorism unit in advancing the National Action Plan on Security. He shared insightful perspectives, including the role of the Deradicalisation Camp in Malam Sidi Gombe State, which he described as a model for peacebuilding and rehabilitation in the region. His demise is a great loss not only to Gombe State but to the entire national security community,” Sukukum said.

Similarly, the British High Commission in Nigeria has extended its condolences to the Government and people of Gombe State over the tragic loss. 

The message, delivered by Dr. Okoha Ukiwo, Team Lead for the Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria (SPRING) programme, expressed the Commission’s sympathy with Governor Yahaya and his administration at this difficult time.

Ukiwo noted that the late Col. Bello played a significant role in enhancing regional peace and counterinsurgency collaboration, particularly during the North-East Regional Consultation for the Harmonisation of the National Framework on Disarmament, organised by the ONSA.

“We were privileged to benefit from his deep knowledge, wide experience, and consummate passion for peacebuilding,” he said.

In his response, Governor Yahaya described the late commissioner as a gallant soldier, a patriotic officer, and an outstanding public servant who gave his all to the service of the state and the nation.

“I met him after his retirement from the Nigerian Army, and he proved to be a man of integrity, courage and competence. And in our effort to strengthen internal security and coordination, we found in him the right person to lead that important ministry; and he never disappointed. His passing is a personal loss to me, to the Government, and to all peace-loving people of Gombe State. But we take solace in the will of God, who gives and takes as He pleases.”

Yahaya expressed gratitude to the NSA and the British High Commission for their solidarity and words of comfort, assuring that the state will continue to uphold the ideals of peace, professionalism and commitment that the late Col. Bello stood for.

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Segun Awofadeji in Gombe  The National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, has commiserated with Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya and the Government of Gombe State over the tragic death of the

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World Leaders, Education Ministers to Converge on Abu Dhabi over Learning Crisis

World Leaders, Education Ministers to Converge on Abu Dhabi over Learning Crisis

Omolabake Fasogbon

Amid deepening learning challenges, education ministers, innovators and leaders across the globe are set to converge in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates to chart reforms at the World Schools Summit.

The summit holding in November at Yasmina British Academy will unite more than 1,000 education leaders, policymakers and technology partners to reshape learning strategies for 21st-century’s relevance and on harnessing education to build leadership for a better world.  

Organisers of the summit, T4 Education, Aldar Education and the Emirates Foundation, with support from the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) stated that the initiative comes amid growing concern that millions of children particularly in Africa and low-income regions risk being left behind by outdated curricula and weak digital infrastructure. 

In recent World Bank assessments, over 70 per cent of 10-year-olds in developing nations cannot read and comprehend a simple story, a situation said to be worsened  by COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking on the summit, Founder of T4 Education and the World Schools Summit, Vikas Pota, warned that the world stands at a critical crossroads, where failure to act on education could further fuel global instability.

He said, “We must take urgent action to halt runaway climate change, adapt as AI revolutionises our economies, promote peace in the face of destructive conflicts, and tackle the most enduring inequalities. 

“A better world is possible, but only if leaders from across the planet, from governments to businesses, NGOs, academia and tech, recognise that at the heart of all these crucial questions lies education. I am proud to be bringing these leaders together at the summit, as I invite participants from Nigeria and around the world to join us.”

Among leaders expected at the summit include Chief Technologist for Learning and Sustainability at Google, Ben Gomes; CEO of CAMFED and one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People of 2025, Angeline Murimirwa and Director at the Brookings Institution, Rebecca Winthrop amongst others. 

Also to dominate discussions at the summit is employing technology and AI in reshaping classrooms, with insights from global giants like Microsoft, Google, and HP. 

Director at Microsoft Elevate, Caroline Mutepfa said, “AI-driven tools and personalised learning pathways are key to empowering educators and students, building confidence and career readiness. We’re excited to explore responsible AI integration in classrooms and learn from global education leaders.” 

A highlight of the event is the unveiling of The Global EdTech Prize meant to recognise and reward tech solutions in education. Finalists, comprising start-ups and non-profits, will pitch innovations live, with educators determining the winner through voting.

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Omolabake Fasogbon Amid deepening learning challenges, education ministers, innovators and leaders across the globe are set to converge in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates to chart reforms at the World