From Jude Dangwam, Jos

The Plateau State Government has strengthened its development communication strategy on job creation and digital inclusion by formalising a strategic partnership with Outsource Global to position the state as a leading hub in Nigeria’s expanding outsourcing industry.

Governor Caleb Mutfwang through his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Dr.

Gyang Bere made this known in a statement on Tuesday in Jos, the State capital.

Mutfwang described the initiative as a strategic response to unemployment, stressing the importance of skills acquisition over formal certification.

“It is about skills.

A certificate alone does not confer competence; we must prioritise practical capabilities,” he stated, adding that the programme offers inclusive opportunities for all demographics. “Even a housewife can participate from home, earn income, and contribute meaningfully to the economy,” he noted.

The Governor also disclosed that the state has secured collaboration with MTN Nigeria to utilise its Bukuru facility for the programme’s take-off. The facility has the capacity to engage up to 1,600 workers across multiple shifts.

He further emphasised that the initiative will stimulate broader economic activities, creating ripple effects across sectors such as housing and value chains linked to digital services. Governor Mutfwang reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the success of the programme as it works towards achieving its 50,000 job creation target.

The Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Outsource Global, Amal Hassan earlier, affirmed Nigeria’s growing reputation as a competitive destination for outsourced services.

She noted that the country has demonstrated its capacity to deliver high-quality professional services; including legal, accounting, and software engineering solutions, to global clients.

Hassan explained that the company’s expansion to Jos followed extensive research confirming Plateau State’s readiness to host large-scale outsourcing operations. She revealed that the initiative is already gaining momentum, with approximately 6,000 applications received within the first week of recruitment.

“We have commenced large-scale interviews and will continue the process,” she said, highlighting strong local interest and describing the programme as a scalable pathway to employment and global service delivery.

The Chief Executive Officer of Bluetag and Director at Outsource Global, Uzochukwu Eziukwu, emphasised that workforce development is central to attracting investment.

According to him, building a skilled workforce is key to unlocking economic opportunities and positioning Plateau State as a competitive destination for business.

He described the initiative as both an employment pipeline and a comprehensive framework for human capital development across critical sectors. “The platform identifies talent, aligns individuals with their skill sets, and guides them toward suitable career pathways and industry verticals,” he said.

Eziukwu added that the programme is designed to scale up to 50,000 participants, with at least 2,000 expected to secure international placements, while others will be absorbed into domestic outsourcing roles.

He further disclosed that a six-month internship model will serve as a “funnel system” to enhance employability and sustain engagement, with a target of keeping at least 50 percent of participants actively employed.

By Tony Obiechina, Abuja

Zenith Bank has announced the retirement of its Founder and Group Chairman, Jim Ovia, following the expiration of his regulatory tenure.

In a corporate notice issued in Lagos yesterday, the bank said Ovia completed the mandatory 12-year tenure allowed under corporate governance guidelines for financial holding companies, non-interest banks, and payment service banks in Nigeria.

The Board praised Ovia for his pivotal role in the institution’s evolution, crediting him with strong leadership, strategic direction, and effective oversight that significantly strengthened Zenith Bank’s market position and reputation in Nigeria’s financial sector.

According to the bank, Ovia’s dedication to governance excellence and stakeholder value creation helped shape Zenith Bank into one of the country’s leading financial institutions.

To ensure continuity, the Board appointed Mustafa Bello as the new Chairman of the Group.

Bello, who joined Zenith Bank’s Board on December 29, 2017, is currently its longest-serving director. The bank described him as an experienced leader with deep corporate governance expertise, strategic oversight capabilities, and a proven record of organisational growth.

Zenith Bank noted that Bello’s integrity, independence, and sound judgment during his years on the Board positioned him to guide the institution through its next phase of growth.

The appointment has received approval from the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Under Ovia’s chairmanship, Zenith Bank consistently recorded strong financial performance despite economic and regulatory challenges.

For the 2025 full-year financial period, the Group posted a pre-tax profit of N1.26trn, representing a slight 4.78 percent decline, largely due to compliance with the CBN’s directive on the liquidation of COVID-19-related forbearance liabilities.

Interest income, however, surged significantly to N3.6trn from N2.7trn in 2024, supported by robust earnings from loans and advances, which generated N1.8trn, and treasury bills, which contributed N1.1trn.

After tax, profit stood at N1.04trn while earnings per share declined to N25.32 from N32.87.

Zenith Bank also began 2026 on a positive trajectory, reporting an unaudited pre-tax profit of N360.92bn for the first quarter ended March 31, 2026, reflecting a 2.87 percent year-on-year increase from N350.82Bn recorded in Q1 2025.

Profit after tax rose by 0.69 percent to N314.02bn, demonstrating resilience despite higher loan impairments and continued cost pressures.

The leadership transition is expected to provide stability as Zenith Bank continues to pursue its strategic objectives amid evolving regulatory and market conditions.

Ovia completed the mandatory 12-year tenure permitted under corporate governance guidelines for financial holding companies, non-interest banks, and payment service banks in Nigeria.

As the founder of Zenith Bank, he has been a central figure in its growth trajectory and was credited by the Board for providing strong leadership, strategic direction, and effective oversight throughout his time as chairman.

The Board noted that his commitment to governance standards and stakeholder value creation significantly enhanced the Group’s positioning and reputation in the financial services sector.

Until he was appointed Chairman, Bello was a non-executive director in the bank.

PROFILE:

Engr. Mustafa Bello graduated with B.Engr. (Civil Engineering), from the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, in 1978 with Second Class Upper Division, and won the Shell prize for best project and thesis for Faculty of Engineering in 1978.

He served in the Directorate of Quartering and Engineering Service (Nigerian Army) between 1978 and 1979. He later joined the Niger State Housing Corporation between 1980 and 1983 as a Senior Civil Engineer.

He served as a cabinet Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as the Federal Minister of Commerce between 1999 and 2002. He was subsequently appointed Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Investments Promotion Commission (NIPC) between November 2003 and February 2014.

He is currently the Chairman of Invest-in-Northern Nig. Limited, a special purpose vehicle for the economic and social transformation of the Northern Nigerian Economy.

He has been involved in several projects in Nigeria, including the CAC online project in 2002, developing a WTO-consistent Trade Policy for the Federal Republic of Nigeria, etc.

He has attended several conferences, missions, and meetings and represented the Federal Government of Nigeria.

By David Torough, Abuja

Tension has gripped the headquarters of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) following allegations of police siege, internal power struggle and threats against members ahead of a crucial National Executive Council (NEC) meeting.

In a strongly worded statement issued yesterday, the Chairman of the NEC and ACF, Mamman Mike Osuman, declared that the ACF head office had effectively been “Cordoned off” by armed police personnel, leaving him and other members “Confined within.

”

Osuman emphasized that, under Section 13(1)(a) and (b) of the ACF Constitution, he holds the exclusive authority “to convene all meetings of the National Executive Council and the Working Committee” and “to preside over and direct” such meetings.

He stated that he had lawfully convened a National Working Committee (NWC) meeting, which was successfully held with “overwhelming” member attendance.

However, the situation escalated when the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Bashir Dalhatu, allegedly countermanded the directive and issued threats to members planning to attend the NEC meeting scheduled for Wednesday, May 6.

“Regrettably, Bashir Dalhatu has escalated matters by issuing further threats,” Osuman said, adding that there were claims the NEC meeting “will not be allowed to hold.”

The ACF chairman described the development as a “grave constitutional concern,” citing Section 40 of the Constitution of Nigeria, which guarantees the right to peaceful assembly. He argued that the presence and actions of the police amounted to “unwarranted and excessive interference” with this fundamental right and posed a broader threat to the rule of law.

He further accused the BoT leadership of “personalising” its office in a manner inconsistent with the ACF’s constitutional framework, warning that such actions suggested “the pursuit of personal objectives” detrimental to the collective interest of the region and the nation.

Despite the tension, Osuman noted that ACF members from across Northern Nigeria and beyond had already arrived in Kaduna and remained determined to attend the NEC meeting “despite the prevailing intimidation and security presence.”

In a direct appeal, the chairman called on the Nigeria Police Force, particularly the Inspector-General of Police, to “intervene promptly and decisively in the interest of justice, constitutional order, and public peace.”

He warned that failure to act could “give rise to avoidable tensions and unfortunate consequences” capable of undermining national stability.

The unfolding crisis signals deepening divisions within one of Northern Nigeria’s most influential socio-political bodies, raising concerns over governance, legality, and internal cohesion at a critical time.