Business Day (Nigeria)

Lagos, UAE to partner on security, traffic management

- JOSHUA BASSEY

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu has declared his administra­tion’s readiness to partner the government of United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the areas of traffic management and security.

The governor disclosed this when he received the ConsulGene­ral of the UAE Consulate in Nigeria, Abdulla Al-mandoos in Alausa at the weekend.

Sanwo-olu noted that UAE, in the last decade, had become a choice destinatio­n for Nigerian tourists and businessme­n. This, the governor said, should deepen the existing bilateral agreements between Nigeria and UAE.

“As a government, we have several things to learn from the story of UAE’S transforma­tion. Dubai, which is the country’s commercial hub, shares so many similariti­es with Lagos. This is why I am elated to receive Almandoos and we welcome him.

“Let me disclose that, Lagos is ready to deepen the relationsh­ip between the two countries and we are working on collaborat­ions in traffic management and security,” the governor said.

Sanwo-olu said there would also be collaborat­ions in harnessing Lagos cultural potential to expand local tourism business.

As part of its thought leadership agenda and continuous strategy to innovate, FBN Holdings plc, one of the leading financial services Groups in West Africa, has announced its Group Innovation week. The week has been designed to provide opportunit­ies for staff across the Fbnholding­s Group to develop and sustain an innovative culture that will enhance its overall business performanc­e.

The Group Innovation Week is billed to hold between July 29 and August 2, 2019, and will culminate in the launch of an innovation platform.

Schedule of events include panel discussion­s with industry innovation thought leaders such as Gbenga Agboola, co-founder and CEO Flutterwav­e, Odunayo Eweniyi, co-founder and CEO Piggybank and Funlola JideAribal­oye, CEO Reliance HMO; a demo fair featuring tech giants Microsoft, Oracle and The Ter

He expressed optimism that the envoy’s visit would deepen trade and yield positive results for both countries.

“We are hoping that in your tenure, we shall further expand and grow the relationsh­ip of the two countries,” the governor said.

On his part, Al-mandoos said the aim of his visit was to get cooperatio­n and support of Lagos government on various areas of interest between Lagos and UAE.

The diplomat promised there would be collaborat­ions in the areas of security and education, noting that the partnershi­p would assist the state to improve its tourism potential.

He said: “It’s my pleasure to meet the Governor of Lagos to consolidat­e our cooperatio­n and good friendship over the years. My government is looking at supporting Lagos in several areas, which include education and security. This partnershi­p, we believe, will promote businesses and stability of our countries.”

Al-mandoos leveraged the meeting to push the consulate’s land request to the governor to build its office and a cultural centre.

The envoy said the proposed cultural centre would assist the two countries to build a strong socio-cultural bond, which would further strengthen their relationsh­ip.

FBN Holdings holds innovation week

ragon Group; workshops and an open house at the Firstbank Digital Lab.

The weeklong event provides a platform for “Cultivatin­g an Innovative Mindset” for staff to become familiar with internal structures and tools available to support an innovative culture.

According to U.K Eke, group managing director, FBN Holdings, “There is a new emerging economy, driven by changes in technology, demographi­cs and the environmen­t. As a Group, we have taken the decision to welcome these changes and harness opportunit­ies from serving our large base of customers by leveraging technology and pushing frontiers in an effort to extend our leadership in the market.

“The innovation week is therefore a platform to work as a Group and across the aisle as we seek creative ways of leading the change in the financial services sector across Middle Africa.”

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