Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF), in conjunction with the World Economic Forum (WEF) and Forum of Young Global Leaders (YGL), has unveiled gifted and high calibre individuals for the esteemed 2024 class of the World Economic Forum Young Global Leaders (YGL) Dangote Fellows.

ADF and WEF, in a release, said, “With great excitement and anticipation, ADF and WEF announce this year’s cohort, a group of visionary leaders poised to make impactful contributions to global development, innovation, and leadership.”

The WEF YGL Dangote Fellowship, a partnership between the Aliko Dangote Foundation and the World Economic Forum, identifies, engages, and supports outstanding individuals under the age of 40 who demonstrate exceptional leadership potential in various fields.

This year’s class, according to ADF and WEF, embodies the diverse talents, expertise, and commitment to positive change that characterise the YGL community.

The selected young leaders are: Alloysius Attah, Co-Founder & CEO of Farmerline, Ghana; Angela Oduor Lungati, Executive Director of Ushahidi Inc., Kenya; Judy Sikuza, CEO of the Mandela Rhodes Foundation, South Africa; Lelise Neme Sori, Commissioner at the Ethiopian Environmental Protection Authority, Ethiopia, and Nomasonto Motaung, Deputy Minister in the Presidency Government of South Africa, South Africa.

Others include: Oluwatosin Olaseinde, Founder & CEO of Money Africa, Nigeria; Veda Sunassee, CEO African Leadership University, Mauritius, and Thabile Ngwato, CEO & Co-Founder of Newzroom 405, South Africa.

A statement jointly released by ADF and WEF, indicated that “For the first time, the newly inducted Fellows will convene for a transformative three-day retreat in Geneva, Switzerland, organised by the World Economic Forum Foundation. The retreat aims to provide an unparalleled opportunity for the new class of Young Global Leaders to connect with their peers, deepen their understanding of the YGL community, and align themselves with its core values.

“This gathering underscores the commitment of the Forum of Young Global Leaders to foster collaboration, innovation, and sustainable leadership among the world’s most promising young change-makers.

“We are thrilled to welcome the exceptional individuals who make up the Class of 2024 Aliko Dangote Fellows,” said Fatima Aliko Dangote, Aliko Dangote Foundation Board Trustee member.

“Their diverse backgrounds, bold ideas, and unwavering commitment to driving positive change will undoubtedly enrich our community and contribute to shaping a more inclusive and sustainable future for all.

“We believe that these remarkable individuals will not only benefit from the resources and opportunities provided by the WEF YGL Dangote Fellowship but will also leverage their talents and expertise to address some of the most pressing challenges facing our world today,” she added.

Young Global Leaders are selected from a variety of sectors such as business, government, academia, media, non-profit organisations and arts and culture, and from all regions of the world. Young Global Leaders engage in initiatives that address specific challenges of public interest with the objective of shaping a better future

The honour, bestowed each year by the Forum, recognises young leaders from around the world for their professional accomplishments, commitment to society and potential to contribute to shaping the future of the world.

The 2024 honourees will become part of the broader Forum of Young Global Leaders that convene at an Annual Summit, which are integrated into events organised by the World Economic Forum, and organise events of their own, as well as launch and lead their own innovative initiatives and task forces.

These activities enable YGLs to learn from and with each other; build knowledge and engender a better understanding of global challenges and trends, risks and opportunities; and further enhance their unique role as leaders within their own organisations, the World Economic Forum and the broader global community.

Past YGLs include: Uche Pedro, Founder & CEO Bella Online Media, Tokini Peterside, CEO Art X Collective, Oluseun Onigbinde, Co-founder BudgIT, Adebola Williams, CEO Red Media Africa, Dr. Tolu Oni, Associate Professor University of Cape Town & University of Cambridge.

Others are: Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, (ex-)CEO Flutterwave (now CEO Fund for Africa’s Future), Lois Auta, Founder & ED Cedar Seed Foundation, Ada Osakwe, Managing Partner Agrolay Ventures, Cynthia Mosunmola Umoru, Founder Honeysuckles PTL Ventures, Simon Kolawole, Founder & CEO Cable Newspaper, Tara Fela-Durotoye, Founder & CEO House of Tara, among many others.

Since its inception in 2011, the partnership between the Forum of Young Global Leaders and the Aliko Dangote Foundation has been instrumental in nurturing Africa’s next generation of leaders. Over the past decade, the Foundation’s support has empowered over 115 YGL Dangote Fellows, enabling them to accelerate their impact and catalyse lasting change across the continent and beyond.

The Aliko Dangote Foundation Fellows join a prestigious network of over 1,400 Young Global Leaders from diverse fields including business, government, academia, and civil society. Together, they represent a powerful force for driving positive change and addressing the world’s most pressing challenges.

The Forum of Young Global Leaders, established by the World Economic Forum in 2004, is a unique, multistakeholder community of more than 1,400 outstanding young leaders from around the world. Each year, the Forum recognises the most innovative, enterprising, and socially minded individuals under the age of 40 who are pushing the boundaries of global leadership and making a positive impact on society.

The Aliko Dangote Foundation, established by foremost Nigerian industrialist and humanist Aliko Dangote, is committed to improving the quality of life for people across Africa by supporting initiatives in health and nutrition, education, and economic empowerment.

The World Economic Forum is the International Organisation for Public-Private Cooperation. The Forum engages the foremost political, business, cultural, and other leaders of society to shape global, regional, and industry agendas.

The Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) has reaffirmed commitment towards ensuring seamless exportation of Nigeria  cargoes overseas, thus spending less hours at APM Terminals Apapa for onward shipping.

The Port  Economic Regulator further assured shippers that delay of export containers at APM Terminals would soon become a thing of the past.

The Executive Secretary of the Council, Barr Pius Akutah who gave the assurance over the weekend, while responding to issues bordering on delay of export containers at APM Terminals Apapa, pledged the Council’s continuous support for the promotion of export laden containers at the facilities stating that the purpose of the visit was to ensure a seamless process for export trade and close working relationship with the Concessionaire in furtherance to add value to the nation’s economy positively.

He noted that there is a need to get a holistic view of the problems associated with exports and address them because according to him, when export is promoted, it will help the economy.

He emphasised the need for stakeholders meeting where the issues will be addressed to create awareness to shippers that cannot just take a box to the terminal if it is not properly documented of being shipped.

Akutah stressed that, “All we need to do is to have a stakeholders meeting that will deal with the issues and this is important because, that is our mandate at the Shippers Council to see that shippers are doing well.

“Some of them would have borrowed money but if they are not able to achieve the result, it will be harming the economy not just their contribution to the economy but that they have taken loans for their businesses which will end up being bad,” he said.

Assuring the container terminal operator of efforts to stop the incessant dumping of export containers at the port terminal, the Executive Secretary, promised to meet with all relevant agencies involved in export operations to see how the process can be streamlined in order to avoid a situation where export boxes are found to be wanting in some areas and are abandoned Inside the port by the exporters.

“We will meet with the NPA and other relevant stakeholders involved in export to see how we can stop this abandoning of export boxes inside the port. In this period where the government is looking at improving the nation’s export potential, all hands must be on deck to ensure the nation gets full value from her export drive,” the NSC Executive Secretary/CEO stated.

Earlier management of APMT Apapa lamented that 616 containers of export goods had spent about several weeks inside the port without being shipped out.

Terminal Manager, APM Terminals, Apapa, Mr. Steen Knudsen explained that the terminal derives value from export cargoes when they arrive and are shipped within the best possible time out of the terminal by shipping companies.

According to Mr. Steen Knudson, “When export cargoes arrive and are shipped out of the terminal by the shipping companies within the shortest period of time, that is when we derive value from export operations. Not a situation where export boxes arrive and just sit here inside the port for years.

“As we speak, we have 616 export laden containers that have spent between 31 days and 1000 days inside our terminal. This impacts our ability to receive more export containers because we have to do multiple re-handling of these export containers.

“There is a standard process which has been clearly defined by the relevant government agencies for export operations, but we still see that there is no strict compliance to these processes.

“The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has established Export Processing Terminals (EPT’s) to handle export goods, but we still see trucks carrying export cargoes heading straight to the port without going through these EPT’s. and that’s why many of them get into the port and get abandoned because they have not gone through the normal process before entering the port.

“These export containers might not end up leaving the port because they have spent close to three years inside the port. Most of their contents would have lost value due to the long standing.”

The APM Terminals, Apapa Terminal Manager explained that once a truck gets to the terminal gate, it is difficult to turn back due to the location of the container terminal.

“Once a truck bringing in an export container arrives at our gate, it is difficult to turn such containers back due to our location. It is when the container gets into the port and the various government agencies run necessary checks that it is discovered to have not gone through the right processes. At this point, it is left inside the port.

“But what we have been able to do now is to extend that checking area up to the NPA Gate so that any truck that is coming in with an export container without going through normal process can be turned back from that point.

“These are the efforts we are trying to put in place to try and reduce the numbers of abandoned export containers inside the port terminal.

“There is no laid-down auction process for export containers by the Customs, and that’s why the abandoned containers have been inside the port for close to three years.”

The Minister of Finance and Co-ordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, has hosted the outgoing World Bank Country Director, Dr. Shubham Chaudhari at a dinner on behalf of the country.

Commending Chaudhari for his Significant Contributions to Nigeria’s Economic Growth at an event held in Abuja, Mr Edun acknowledged the organisation’s crucial role in promoting socio-economic sustainability and enhancing Nigeria’s economic competitiveness.

He expressed appreciation for the remarkable achievements recorded during Dr. Chaudhari’s tenure and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to building on these accomplishments so as to further drive economic progress in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Administration.

“We appreciate your tireless efforts towards the promotion of economic growth and development in Nigeria. Your leadership and expertise have made a significant impact on our country’s progress.Your dedication to supporting Nigeria’s development agenda is truly commendable.

“We are grateful for these contributions and look forward to continued collaboration. Your commitment to fostering inclusive and sustainable growth in Nigeria is inspiring. We appreciate your partnership and guidance in shaping our country’s future,” Edun said.

He informed that the hallmark of the present administration’s policy thrust that brought fiscal reforms was aimed at boosting the nation’s economic development with a view to attracting foreign investments so as to ensure job creation, poverty reduction and improved standard of living for the citizenry.

The Minister assured that Nigeria offers a wealth of opportunities for foreign investors, with a large and growing market, rich natural resources, and a skilled workforce.

Mr Wale Edun invited the international community to discover the opportunities and advantages of investing in Nigeria.

“We invite you to explore the possibilities and partner with us for mutual growth. Join us in harnessing the potential of Nigeria’s emerging economy. Our country offers a favourable business environment, investment incentives, and a dynamic market waiting to be tapped.

“Our government is committed to creating a conducive environment for businesses to thrive and succeed. We are inviting the international development partners to come to Nigeria and invest their resources. Nigeria is a country with diverse business opportunities and market potentials for profit maximisation,” he stressed.

The Minister stated further that Nigeria would continue to be a development partner with the World Bank, and that the present administration was committed to championing a good cause as well as implement  policies that would boost the country’s economy in order to make it more vibrant and resilient.

Edun further appreciated Dr Chaudhari’s tenure, which he said, underscores the importance of supporting and recognising Nigeria, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s pragmatic leadership in providing good governance.

He added that the reforms initiated by the administration would serve as a window to the global investment community, stressing that Nigeria is open for  business with stable and profitable benefits thereby calling on Philanthropists, both within and outside the country, to invest their resources in Nigeria, a country which he said, has the largest population in Africa.

Edun explained that “the disputable access to renewal energy recently launched was an indication to build trust, attract foreign  investment, and foster international partnerships aimed at reinvigorating the Nigerian economy.”

Speaking during the event, Dr. Shaubham Chaudhari, the out-going World Bank Country Director, described the event as symbolic and strategic, saying that it would help build bonds in relationship trust. He commended Nigeria for its proactive measures and robust efforts in bracing up monetary policies and in fostering sustainable economic development despite the daunting challenges.

The outgoing Director assured that his Organisation’s doors were widely open for more collaborations and partnerships for the country’s growth.

Earlier in her remarks at the event, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, Mrs Lydia Shehu Jafiya assured that the Ministry will continue to provide an enabling environment for the full implementation of the policies, programmes and projects of the Federal Government in line with its mandate.

She appealed to the international community to support the efforts of the present administration in its determination to boost the country’s economy and further stressed the need for  international partners to take advantage of the country’s diversity and invest their resources for maximum benefits.

“Nigeria offers a vast and untapped market, rich in natural resources and human capital. We invite you to explore the numerous investment opportunities and be a part of our growth story. Join us in shaping Nigeria’s future and tapping into the  immense potentials of our economy. Together, let’s create a prosperous and sustainable tomorrow.

“Nigeria is open for business. We welcome foreign investors to partner with us in unlocking our economic potentials and driving growth in key sectors,” Jafiya said.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary Special Duties, Mr Okokon Ekanem Udo, assured that the present administration was committed to putting and implementing projects that will impact on the lives of Nigerians in line with contemporary global realities.

He commended the outgoing World Bank Country Director, Dr. Shaubham Chaudhari for his commitment and dedication.

“Thank you for your dedication and commitment. We are grateful for your unwavering support and guidance, which has helped us navigate complex development challenges and create a brighter future for Nigerians.” Udo said.