The Tony Elumelu Foundation is an African-based and -funded not-for-profit institution dedicated to the promotion and celebration of excellence in business leadership and entrepreneurship across Africa. As a 21st century catalytic philanthropy, the Foundation is committed to economic transformation in Africa through investments that enhance the competitiveness and growth of the African private sector.

Towards catalysing the socio-economic transformation of Africa’s prosperity, Mr. Tony O. Elumelu, MFR (an NLI Fellow) contributed to the first issue of the NLI White Papers through his article on ‘Leveraging private sector approaches in transforming government delivery’. The Foundation also donated $10,000 towards the production and dissemination of the first issue of the White Papers. The grant was made in recognition of the depth and quality of the collective essays and the substantial impact they can have on improved governance for Nigeria – a key step towards a more competitive country.

The NLI White Papers is a collection of essays written by NLI Fellows with support from NLI Associates. The White Papers are being widely distributed to senior leadership in both public and private sectors of Nigeria and beyond, with a particular focus on the newly elected administrations in Nigeria at State and Federal levels. Civil society organisations and other stakeholders in the development of Nigeria will also receive the papers. They are currently available for download on http://nli-global.org/nli-launches-white-papers/.

Adeola Austin Oyinlade, an associate of the October 2010 Class has recently been commended by the U.S Government news blog for helping Nigerians and Non-Nigerians alike know their rights. Adeola Austin Oyinlade is the United Nations-UPF/YFWP Young Ambassador for Peace. He has written articles in contribution towards national issues such as good governance in economic and social development, peace and security, human rights, democracy, rule of Law and United Nations Millennium Development Goals which have been published in local and international magazines, daily newspapers and commendations from the United Nations for his ‘interest in and support of the United Nations. Read more

Muntaqa Umar-Sadiq, Idris Bello and their team have recently received the Angel investor funding and the Cambridge University Entrepreneurship Angel prize, the highest honour of entrepreneurship in the University of Cambridge, to develop a concept – ‘Elpida Cambridge Health’

The concept is an innovative aggregated point of care diagnostic toolbox (focuses on AIDS,TB and Malaria) with an integrated health data reporting technology that tracks the incidence and sub types of disease strains tested. It seeks to equip mobile doctors that provide care in rural communities with a cost effective, rapid healthcare delivery (early detection) platform – with the potential to have an estimated 23.2% budget impact cost saving. It streamlines the typical 2 week diagnosis cycle into 20 minutes.

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Friends of the Global Fund Africa, in partnership with the United Nations Foundation, TY Danjuma Foundation, Global Impact and Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria hosted a special dinner for the Secretary General of the United Nations, H.E Mr. Ban Ki-Moon at the Congress Hall of the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, on Monday May 23, 2011.

The dinner titled “Implementing the Global Strategy for Women’s and Children’s Health in Nigeria: Opportunities for Private Sector and Civil Society Engagement” created a platform for stakeholders to discuss the opportunities for Nigeria to contribute in the realisation of the Global Strategy for Women’s and Children’s Health otherwise known as “Every Woman, Every Child”.

A 1989 graduate of International Relations from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife with a Master’s in International Law and Diplomacy from the University of Lagos, Adeniyi joined THISDAY in January 1999 as Deputy Editor of the Sunday Newspaper. A year later, he became the editor of the Saturday newspaper. In 2001, he became the Editor of the Sunday newspaper and in 2005, he was appointed THISDAY editor, a position he occupied until he left to join the Yar’Adua government as Special Adviser on Communications.

After serving for nearly three years as the spokesman to the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and one year in the United States as a research scholar at the Weatherhead Centre for International Affairs, Harvard University, Mr Olusegun Adeniyi has been appointed the chairman of the Editorial Board.

These White Papers address issues of leadership, values and nationhood. They demonstrate the urgent need for action and proffer practical suggestions on steps to be taken. The White Papers also support StandUP Naija, a video project by NLI which gives a voice to the issues faced by average Nigerians and their expectations of elected leaders.

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Recommend NLI White Papers

NLI recently inducted 26 new associates. These associates include:

1. Abdulkareem Ayodeji Alabi – Lead Engineer Worley Parsons Resources & Energy; Founder AICS-Kasseopeia Lagos.
2. Adebola Akinkugbe – Associate Aluko & Oyebode Lagos
3. Aisha Augie-Kuta – CEO/ Head Photographer MeerMaad Network Ltd/ AAK Studios; President The Photowagon Nigeria Abuja
4. Akinseye Akinola – Investment Analyst Emerging Capital Patners Lagos
5. Barbara Iyayi – Associate J.P. Morgan Investment Bank New York
6. Chinwe Odigboegwu – Senior Assoicate Banwo & Ighodalo Lagos
7. Dalu Ajene – Business Development Director Rand Merchant Bank (RMD) Lagos
8. Dorcas Ettang – Analyst Peacebuilding Unit at the African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD) Durban
9. Dr. Gbadebo Odularu – Regional Policies and Markets Analyst Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) Accra
10. Gbenga Sesan – Founder & ED Paradigm Initiative Nigeria Lagos
11. Kasim Mutallab – Government Relations Specialist Helios Towers Nigeria; MD/CEO ADKA Global Consul (Nig) Ltd Abuja
12. Kayode Ogunro – Private Equity Professional CountourGlobal New York
13. Kolawole Oyeneyin – CEO Venia Consulting Limited Nigeria; Founder – Sleeves UP Nigeria Lagos
14. Kunle Olaifa – Talent Acquisition Leader General Electric; Founder Career Solutions Africa Lagos
15. Ladipo Oye-Somefun – Corporate Finance BDO ; Founder iDeas Capital London
16. Misan Rewane – Management and Policy Consultant Centre of Public Policy Alternatives (CPPA); Co-CEO IMPACT Public Policy Think Tank Lagos
17. Mohammed Shahid Ahmed – Abuja Investments Company Limited FCT Ministry Abuja
18. Ojoma Ochai – Assistant Country Director British Council Lagos
19. OluFunke Bucknor-Obruthe – Managing Director/CEO Zapphaire Events Lagos
20. Omoniyi Ajibola – Financial Controller Vitol Oil London
21. Onyebuchi Stephen – Business Manager First Bank Nigeria Plc Abia
22. Robert Onah – Management consultant Accenture; Co-founder Vault Noir Inc. New York
23. Segun Olukoya – Head Ventures & Business Advisory Nextzon Business Services Lagos
24. Tola Olunloyo – Market Planner Corporate Communications at First Bank Nigeria Plc Lagos
25. Uzodinma Iweala – Award-winning writer; Medical Doctor; Founding PartnerTSG Biofuels New York
26. Yvonne Oyetakin – Head Corporate Strategy First Bank Nigeria Plc Lagos

Press Release

First Bank of Nigeria Plc on Wednesday May 18, 2011 reaffirmed its dedication to the empowerment of emerging Nigerian leaders when it renewed its sponsorship of the Nigeria Leadership Initiative (NLI) Future Leader’s Seminar for another three years. Participants who go through the programme will become Associates of NLI.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) renewing the sponsorship of the Seminar was signed in a ceremony which took place at the head office of First Bank.  It was anchored by the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of First Bank, Mr. Bisi Onasanya and NLI’s founding patron, Dr. Christopher Kolade CON.

The partnership between the two organizations began in 2008 and has enabled the discovery of over 200 young Nigerian achievers at home and in the Diaspora. NLI created the Future Leaders Seminar (FLS) with the mission of institutionalizing its core values for leadership development through knowledge, engagement and social projects. This year’s May seminar features Associates from Nigeria, Ghana, UK, US and South Africa.

Mr. Bisi Onasanya, while commenting on the choice of NLI, said First Bank is proud to be associated with an organization that seeks to identify and nurture leadership potential in young Nigerians.

“We have been at the forefront of championing good corporate governance and developing a workforce comprising people of impeccable integrity. There’s an alignment of vision between our organizations and we see our partnership as another way of contributing to the development of the next generation of Nigerian leaders”, he said adding that Dr. Christopher Kolade, NLI’s patron should be commended for his commitment to replicating the ideals of professionalism and selfless leadership that he is distinguished for, under the NLI platform.

Dr. Christopher Kolade, on his part commended First Bank for its unwavering support, noting that the Bank has remained a formidable institution committed to implementing robust corporate social responsibility initiatives.

Established in 2006 by the Nigerian Trade & Investment Minister, Olusegun Aganga,  NLI is a platform for highly accomplished, uniquely qualified Nigerians to develop and express their values-based leadership skills and to assume a transformative role in Nigeria’s development.

Bilyaminu Yusuf Shinkafi, an associate of the May 2010 Class and the immediate past Political Secretary to the Speaker, House of Representatives Abuja, won the House of Rep. election for Shinkafi/Zurmi Federal Constituency, Zamfara State.

He is a Business Management graduate from the University of Maiduguri. Shinkafi won against an incumbent Rep member and another aspirant by an unbelievable margin. Against all odds, and a confirmation of his wide popularity, Shinkafi polled a total of 389 votes to defeat incumbent Bello Abubakar Moriki with 93 votes, while another contestant, Isiaka Mohammed Zurmi, got no vote. From all indices, Shinkafi would take his seat in the Green Chamber, as his constituency and state is firmly in the grip of PDP in the state and other aspirants have pledged to give their full support during the general election.