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GlobalWIIN Partners Al-Saad Foundation to Enhance Women Invention, Innovation

Published

7 years ago

November 22, 2019

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

A United Kingdom based group, Global Women Inventors and Innovators Network (GlobalWIIN) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding to foster knowledge and research in Kuwait with Al-Saad Foundation of Kuwait. the programme will accommodate the entire Middle East Women Inventors and Innovators Network (MEWIIN).

The agreement, which was signed in Kuwait City is aimed exchanging experiences as well as creating opportunities for women investors and innovators towards developing and marketing their skilled projects on the global level.

Speaking at the formalisation event, Chairman of the Al-Saad Foundation, H.H Sheikha Fadyah Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah expressed her support for MEWIIN and the importance in recognising and celebrating women inventors in Kuwait and across the Middle-east as they bring crucial solutions to challenging issues. It was also revealed that the launch and inaugural awards of MEWIIN will take place in Kuwait City on March 8, 2020 under the umbrella of Al-Saad Foundation and in cooperation with the Kuwaiti Union of Women’s Association

In a statement, CEO of MEWIIN and Kuwait’s Ambassador to GlobalWIIN, Engineer Jenan Al-Shehab, welcomed the forthcoming launch and explained that the MOU aims to exchange experiences and cultures in the interest of inventors and innovators in the Middle East and to find mutual opportunities for them to develop their projects and invest in global markets.

The Middle East Network will include the well-established annual (IBTIKAR) Award to support inventions and innovations which would provide winners to qualify to participate in the GlobalWIIN Awards in London, United Kingdom.

In her remarks, Dr. Bola Olabisi, CEO of GlobalWIIN, said that she was absolutely honoured to welcome the Middle East network and delighted that the collaboration with the Al-Saad Foundation would assist with putting the invaluable recognition of the contribution that ingenious women from the Middle East bring to society and the world.

“We look forward to the opportunity to put the spotlight on the well deserving women from across the Middle-East while embracing the international participation of various other countries,” she said.

In a short while, portals for registrations for nomination will open, and the public is advised to follow MEWIIN on social media as follows to be updated: Instagram: @me_wiin Twitter: @me_wiin Facebook: @mewiin mewiin

The UK based GlobalWIIN is an independent, non-profit network organization which aims to help and promote women with bright inventions and innovations worldwide.

The organisation works with government departments, leading industry experts, voluntary organisations, enterprises and educational institutions in finding effective ways of bringing the support, assistance, tools, advice and information that assist women in achieving significant growth in the workplace and in businesses.

GWIIN launched in the United Kingdom in 1998 and at the European Parliament in 2006 in Brussels, and has since held relevant and invaluable international activities across the globe.

Al-Saad Foundation for knowledge & Scientific Research was launched on the April 25, 2012. It is under the headship of H.H Sheikha Fadyah Saad Al Sabah. The Kuwait based foundation is dedicated to the historical legacy of the late Emir of Kuwait H.H Sheikh Saad Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah. The foundation works to advance human development through Primary social research, Public advocacy in education, advancing scientific knowledge, Data driven social change, and Dignity research.

IBTIKAR headed by Sheikha Nabila Salman Al Sabah is an initiative dedicated to promoting and recognising women inventors and innovators. IBTIKAR sets out to achieve this by providing different events and seminars throughout the year to help in developing all the MEWIIN members and women in the scientific field.

The initiative will also be working hand in hand with MWEIIN providing the I.B.T.I.K.A.R Award. This award will be given at the MEWIIN ceremony event whivh will be ticket into the GlobalWIIN International Award.

For more information please contact Jessica Townley +447956501727 or Engr. Jenan on Jenan.alshehab@gmail.com or visit www.globalwiin.com

Featured

Fake Agency Scandal: NDC Demands Gbajabiamila’s Sack

Published

1 day ago

July 3, 2026

Eric

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately remove his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, over allegations linking him to an alleged multi-billion-naira corruption scandal involving a purported non-existent government agency, the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).

In a statement issued on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, the opposition party described the allegations as grave and said Gbajabiamila’s continued stay in office could compromise any credible investigation into the matter.

The NDC’s demand follows allegations made by Prince Mathew Adeniyi Adeyemi, who claims to be the Director-General of the PFIPC, an agency the Presidency has publicly denied exists.

According to the party, the allegations raise serious concerns about transparency, accountability and integrity within the Tinubu administration.

The NDC alleged that despite the Presidency’s denial of the agency’s existence, the PFIPC purportedly secured budgetary allocations in the 2026 Appropriation Act and opened a domiciliary account, a Pound Sterling account and a Treasury Single Account (TSA) domiciled with the Central Bank of Nigeria.

The party questioned how an agency described as non-existent could allegedly establish multiple high-level government financial accounts without official approval or the required documentation.

It also called on the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation to explain whether forged documents were used in processing the accounts.

The statement further alleged that the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation approved 314 staff positions for the purported agency, describing the development as another issue requiring urgent explanation.

According to the NDC, the allegations also include claims that Gbajabiamila demanded 48 per cent of the agency’s take-off grant, reportedly valued at N27.39 billion, a request Adeyemi allegedly rejected.

The party also cited Adeyemi’s claim that he secured his appointment through the Chief of Staff after allegedly paying N600 million, of which N400 million was allegedly paid through proxies, while N200 million remained outstanding.

It said the alleged unpaid balance reportedly contributed to the Presidency’s subsequent denial of the agency’s existence.

The NDC further alleged that the claims point to a wider pattern of institutional corruption, including the alleged sale of public appointments.

The party also linked the controversy to the death of Babatunde Tanimola, whom it described as an intermediary between Adeyemi and the Chief of Staff.

According to the statement, Tanimola reportedly died in a fire incident at a hotel in Utako, Abuja, on October 22, 2025, a day after the police reportedly received a petition from the Chief of Staff.

The NDC also referenced Adeyemi’s claims that he survived multiple assassination attempts, including an attack along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway on September 7, 2025, and alleged that certain individuals within government are plotting to eliminate him.

Against the backdrop of the allegations, the party demanded the immediate removal of Gbajabiamila to allow what it described as a full and impartial investigation.

It also called on President Tinubu to establish an independent investigative panel to examine the alleged operations of the PFIPC, including its budgetary allocations, financial transactions, account openings and staff recruitment.

The NDC further urged investigators to probe the circumstances surrounding Tanimola’s death and the alleged assassination attempts on Adeyemi, while recommending that Adeyemi be granted witness protection.

The party also demanded that the Chief of Staff produce all official documents signed since assuming office for forensic examination.

In addition, it called for the questioning of officials of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation over their alleged roles in the matter.

The opposition party also urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Nigeria Police Force to commence what it described as a thorough investigation without fear or favour.

“The NDC will not accept the usual tactic of issuing a mere defensive press release from the Presidency as a deflective ploy. Nigerians deserve to know the truth through a transparent process that promotes fairness and justice,” the statement said.

The Presidency has previously maintained that the PFIPC is not a recognised government agency.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the Presidency nor Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila had responded to the fresh allegations contained in the NDC statement.

Featured

Glo-sponsored African Voices Features Former CNN Anchor, Isha Sesay

Published

1 day ago

July 3, 2026

Eric

Accomplished journalist and former Cable News Network (CNN) International anchor, Isha Sesay, will this week return to the studios of the global news network, not as an interviewer, but as the subject of its celebrated 30-minute magazine programme, African Voices, sponsored by telecommunications giant, Globacom.

The episode will shine a spotlight on the remarkable journey of the distinguished broadcaster whose career has traversed some of the most influential corridors of international journalism.

The 50-year-old British-Sierra Leonean media personality, born on January 6, 1976, rose to prominence through an illustrious career at CNN, which she joined as a news anchor in 2005 after distinguished stints with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and Sky News. Over the years, Sesay became one of the most recognisable and respected faces in global television news, bringing clarity and composure to some of the world’s most consequential stories.

An alumna of Trinity College, Cambridge, United Kingdom, Sesay steadily carved a distinctive niche for herself in broadcast journalism. In 2009, she became the host of the inaugural edition of International Desk, CNN’s weekly news programme, further cementing her reputation as a journalist of substance and international standing.

Her career afforded her the opportunity to engage with numerous eminent personalities, including former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo and his successor, the late President Umaru Yar’Adua, among other notable global figures.

Sesay also contributed to Anderson Cooper 360° as presenter of the 360 Bulletin, a role she assumed on January 17, 2011. Subsequently, she was reassigned as anchor of another flagship news programme, CNN NewsCenter, continuing a professional trajectory that reflected both versatility and excellence.

Beyond the newsroom, Sesay has demonstrated a deep commitment to social impact. In 2014, she launched her educational and humanitarian non-profit advocacy initiative for the African girl-child. The organisation, aptly named Women Everywhere Can Lead, has since provided educational support and empowerment opportunities aimed at nurturing a new generation of female leaders across the continent.

More recently, Sesay captured public attention with her personal journey into motherhood, welcoming her first child through In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) as a single mother. Her experience has resonated with many women around the world, adding another compelling chapter to a life story already rich in courage, resilience and inspiration.

On this edition of African Voices, Sesay will share insights into her distinguished career, her enduring advocacy for girls’ education and empowerment, as well as her new and deeply personal adventure into motherhood. The programme will air on Saturday at 7.30am.

Repeat broadcasts will follow at 11.00am on the same day, while additional screenings are scheduled for Sunday at 3.30am and 6.00pm. Further rebroadcasts will air on Monday at 3.00am and 5.45pm, and on Tuesday at 5.45 pm, with the same time belt continuing into the following week until Monday at 3.00am

Featured

President Tinubu Addresses Wife, Remi, As ‘Iya Alakara’

Published

1 day ago

July 3, 2026

Eric

President Bola Tinubu drew laughter at the Presidential Press Corps Dinner on Thursday, after playfully referring to First Lady Oluremi Tinubu as “Iya Alakara”, a Yoruba phrase meaning “the woman who sells bean cakes”

The light-hearted moment happened during the inaugural dinner at the State House Banquet Hall in Abuja as the President welcomed guests.

Addressing the audience, Tinubu said: “Good evening, gentlemen of the press, ladies and gentlemen, my dear wife, the First Lady, Iya Alakara.”

The audience laughed as the First Lady smiled.

The remark referred to recent online reactions to comments made by Oluremi Tinubu about small businesses.

At a recent event under the Renewed Hope Initiative, she encouraged women to consider small businesses such as selling akara, roasted corn and kuli-kuli, saying they need little start-up capital.

Her comments sparked debate on social media, with some Nigerians saying the advice did not reflect the country’s current economic situation.

Responding to the criticism days later, the First Lady said her remarks were misunderstood and explained that the programme supports different types of small traders and provides grants to help them grow.

The President’s remark was widely seen as a light joke about the online debate over the First Lady’s comments and public concerns about the country’s economic situation.