*PROFILE OF H.E Amb Dr Jonathan Ojadah COP, fciml, faeit*

His Excellency, Amb. Dr Jonathan Emmamuzo Daniel Ojadah is a Nigerian diplomat, Businessman, humanitarian & Philanthropist. A native of Aviarha, Isoko North LGA in Delta State, Nigeria., A distinguished personality in the realm of international trade and investment diplomacy. With an expansive mastery in both bilateral and multilateral commerce, he is poised as a significant figure in global economic arenas.

Amb. Jonathan has worked with different diplomats in several high level dialogues including the EU, AU & UN in countries such as Germany, United Kingdom, Lithuania, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Zambia, Tanzania, Kenya, Cameroon, Ghana and Uganda .
He is actively involved in various initiatives promoting international cooperation and diplomacy aimed at promoting peace and prosperity globally. Some of his notable achievements and initiatives include:
– Advocating for the rights of marginalized communities and promoting social justice
– Consolidating Peaceful co-existence of societies in Africa
– Promoting sustainable development and climate change mitigation efforts
– Facilitating cultural exchange programs and educational initiatives between countries
– Building partnerships with other organizations and stakeholders to promote peace and prosperity globally.

He has participated in various UN events and conferences, Peace Support Initiatives in issues such as:
– Peace and conflict resolution
– Human rights and social justice
– Sustainable development and climate change
– Education and cultural exchange

*EDUCATION*
His educational background is a testament to his commitment to continual learning and excellence in his various fields of endeavor.
Dr. Jonathan’s educational journey is as diverse as it is impressive. He attended Contemporary Nursery & Primary school, Banjo Str, Liasu rd Ikotun Egbe in Lagos State, Sigma Bond Academy, Alake Idimu, Lagos State and tertiary education at the Polytechnic, Ibadan, Oyo State obtaining Ordinary National Diploma (OND) in Business Administration.
His unquenchable thirst for knowledge led him to acquire a Diploma in Diplomacy & International Relations from ESTAM University in Cotonou, Benin Republic.
His academic ventures took him abroad to the International British Institute (IBI) in Cairo, Egypt, where he achieved an Advanced Diploma in Tourism & Hospitality Management.
Furthering his education in the United States, he earned a Post Graduate Diploma (PGDE) in Education Management from the American Institute of Education & Training, and another Advanced Diploma in Health, Safety Environment (AD-HSE) Management from CIML Business School, USA.
Amb. Dr. Jonathan also holds a Master’s (MBA) in Leadership & Business Management from CIML Business School, Delaware, USA.

*PHILANTHROPY*
Beyond his professional pursuits, Amb. Dr. Jonathan’s profound philanthropy has been a beacon of hope for many. His dedication to humanitarian cause is further exemplified by the establishment of the Arise O Nigeria Empowerment Initiative, A non-governmental organization (NGO) , launched with the support of UN Women in 2016, a testament to his commitment to empowering vulnerable groups, advocating for the marginalized, tirelessly working towards the attainment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) in Nigeria.

*APPOINTMENTS*
His Excellency, Amb. Dr.Jonathan Ojadah is presently appointed and Elected as the Global President of UNIPGC. He is presently serving as the Head Of Mission (Africa) and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Hqtrs, New York, USA for the Royal Diplomatic Club of the United Nations, Lithuania EU.

Amb. Jonathan Ojadah’s work with UNIPGC has helped to promote the organization’s goals and objectives, and has contributed to its reputation as a respected and influential international organization.

*AWARD AND HONORS:*
H. E Amb Dr. Jonathan’s mantle is adorned with over 15 Leadership, merit, and achievers awards, some of which include:
👉 2024 U.S. President Joe Biden’s Lifetime Presidential Achievement Award. which attracted congratulatory messages from top dignitaries worldwide, including Her Excellency Chief Dr. Jewel Howard Taylor, former Vice President of Liberia; Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee of the 18th Congressional District of Texas, USA; Hon. Kevin Uguru, Member of the German Parliament; and others.
👉 United Nations Rescue Marshall
👉 FORBES Best of Africa Outstanding Leadership Personality in Sustainable Peace Building, Diplomacy & Governance Award 2023 nominated by the Foreign Investment Network (FIN) UK. A recognition of his relentless efforts, unwavering dedication, and steadfast commitment to humanitarian services.
This prestigious FIN FOEBES Award recognition is a culmination of his consistent and impactful Sustainable Development projects that have significantly improved community and organizational effectiveness. These initiatives have also amplified the capabilities of his international team, leading to remarkable accomplishments and thus, meriting him the distinguished FIN-FORBES Award of Excellence, which he was honored with in London, UK, on July 19th, 2023.

👉 In a further commendation of his service. H.E. Amb Dr. Jonathan Ojadah, was bestowed with the Euroknowledge Leadership Award at the British Parliament, House Of Lords. London UK on the 24th Of Nov. 2023.

👉 Distinguished Service Award by the Rebranding Leaders Africa Initiative.This award was presented to him reflecting his exceptional contributions to the United Nations’ mission and values.

👉 Honorary Doctorate Causa from ISMT University in the Benin Republic, recognizing his scholarly contributions and societal impact.

👉ICON of Societal Development award by the Yoruba Youth Assembly, symbolizing his influence and positive change across various communities.
Ambassador Dr. Jonathan Ojadah’s accolades continues with another prestigious ICON of Societal Transformation award, bestowed upon him by the Northern Youths Peace Ambassadors of Nigeria. This honor celebrates his efforts in fostering unity, development, and peace among the diverse communities across Nigeria
Moreover, his work and influence extend beyond national boundaries, earning him the prestigious African Leadership Award. This award highlights his exemplary leadership qualities and his significant contributions to the advancement of African communities through sustainable development and peace-building initiatives.

Ambassador Dr. Jonathan’s illustrious career and philanthropic endeavors have established him as a beacon of Inspiration and a catalvst for positive change. not just in Africa but on the global stage.

Global economic downturn: Dangote urges government to protect local industries.

President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has advocated for policies that safeguard domestic industries and cultivate them into indigenous champions capable of generating jobs and fostering prosperity in the face of current global economic woes.

The foremost entrepreneur told the gathering of manufacturers and investors in Abuja while delivering a speech on ‘Rethinking Manufacturing in Nigeria’ as the keynote speaker at the Nigeria Manufacturers’ Summit that Nigeria has what it takes to be prosperous.

Dangote who noted that through there are various factors contributing to the underperformance of the manufacturing sector, emphasized that the crucial issue requiring attention is government policy and its approach toward investments and investors.

He pointed out that industrial or manufacturing entities are not like trading entities while expressing his belief that the fundamental role and responsibility of government should be not only to promote investments and attract investors in manufacturing but also to ensure that these investments are nurtured and protected to facilitate growth and sustainability.

“In every economic regime, including the most advanced, investment projects in manufacturing and industrial sectors need time and a conducive environment for them to mature, build capacity and scale, to become competitive against those in older and more mature markets.

“But since the Mid 1980’s non-industrialized countries and their leaders have been discouraged from protecting and supporting such investment and forced to expose them to unfair competition from stronger, older competitors in their own internal market, even before the newcomers are commissioned. Yet these same older/bigger players are well supported in their home markets,” he said.

He listed several examples of government intervention to protect industries: the blocked sale of US steel to Nippon Steel of Japan, the blocked sale of six US port management companies to Dubai Ports World, restrictions on Chinese cranes at US ports, and the US imposition of tariffs such as 100% on Chinese EVs, 50% on semiconductors, medical products, and solar panels. He also cited the restriction of Russian gas supply to Europe, which led European countries to increase coal usage despite opposition to fossil fuels, and the US government’s distribution of $39 billion in subsidies to incentivize local microchip production.

Dangote referred to Asia as having achieved significant levels of industrialization by pursuing industrial policies where the government played an active role in nurturing and supporting local companies. They subsequently leveraged this success to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) into Free Trade Zones.

He emphasized that Government Protection of the industry, does not solely encompass short to medium-term Regulatory Mechanisms such as tax holidays and other incentives which have their place in industrial policy and should be applied when necessary to mitigate investment challenges.

“I am concerned with a long term policy framework which ensures that investors can invest with the understanding that the industry will in the long run be regarded as a national asset and not just investor’s assets, so that when it is threatened, either by external forces or by changes in the environment beyond the control of individual operators, Government will take appropriate action to protect investors and support them to survive the threat. Almost all countries did this in response to the COVID threat. Those in the pharmaceutical industry may well remember how India protected and supported its pharmaceutical industry,” he said while noting that if such policy had been adopted in the past, Nigeria would boost a flourishing textile and tyre industry as well as functioning refineries.

“If we had adopted such a policy and Government attitude to the Textile Industry and tyre industry in the 80’s and early 90’s, perhaps our economy today will still be benefitting from the job creation capacities of these industries. Or if we had adopted this attitude to our Refining industry, Nigerians would not today be too anxious about Dangote Refinery,” he stated.

Disputing assertions that protecting domestic industries leads to reduced competitiveness, Dangote argued to the contrary, citing examples such as China, Korea, India, and various other Asian nations. He pointed out that these countries successfully developed into robust economies and posed a challenge to the established global economic order precisely because they protected their industries.

He noted that in the past, Nigeria was not competitive in cement production, producing less than 2 million tons of cement per annum up to 2007. He pointed out that due to strategic government policies and support, Nigeria has since become Africa’s largest cement producer and exporter, ranking among the top 10 globally in competitiveness.

Dangote noted that in 2023, Dangote Cement alone contributed more tax revenue to the government than the entire banking sector. “In the past, Nigeria was not competitive in cement production. Up to 2007, Nigeria produced less than 2m tons of cement per annum. Today we have about 60m tons of production capacity and another 9m under construction. The foundation for this success story was laid by an administration which decided to extend full support and protection to Nigeria’s cement industry. Today we are among the 10 most competitive cement producers in the world and the biggest cement producer and cement exporter in Africa. In 2023, Dangote Cement alone paid more taxes into the coffers of the government than the entire banking industry,” he said.

Dangote also refuted claims that protecting industries would lead to monopoly, stating that it is common knowledge that foreign investors only come when they see that local investors are also doing well.

“I am convinced that when Government Policy becomes more supportive and protective, investors will be more willing to collaborate and partner with the Government in resolving other challenges such as infrastructure deficits, market instabilities and macro-economic issues such as inflation and foreign exchange volatilities,” he added.

Reiterating that Nigeria has all it takes to develop and sustain a globally competitive manufacturing sector, Dangote called for re-thinking of her industrialization policy, by learning from leading countries in the West and the East who are actively protecting their domestic industries.

NASRE Foundation Assists Journalists In Need, Partners With Nestlé

The Nigerian Association of Social and Resourceful Editors, NASRE, through its Foundation, has extended supports to media practitioners with challenges as well as the families of departed journalists in collaboration with Nestlé Nigeria and other supporting partners.

To this end, the distribution of gift items to the 23 beneficiaries was held on Saturday, 29th of June 2024, at The City Pulse Lounge LTV8, Agidingbi Ikeja. This event marked the second edition of NASRE Foundation’s outreach programme, aimed at providing financial and moral support to journalists in need.

The foundation supported 23 beneficiaries from Ogun and Lagos States, who are widows, widowers, and those facing health challenges, with cash and Nestlé products.

Some of the beneficiaries include: Stanley Okoronkwo, who worked with The Comet, Today’s Choice, and The Nation Newspaper; Kayode Aponmade, who worked with Daily Times; Adebiyi Regina Aderemi, who worked with Ogun State Television; Mrs. Omolola Adeyinka, who worked with News Continental; Soneye Olusegun Afolabi, Director of Information at Obafemi Owode Local Government; Ogunade Dorcas Adejumoke; Princewill Ekwurujuru, who worked with Vanguard Newspaper; Michael Alonge, who worked with Fame Magazine and Global Excellence; Tunde Bello, who worked with Global Times; Lekan Onalapo, former City People photojournalist; Dapo Oshin, who worked with LTV8; Johnmark Ukoko, former Guardian and Daily Times staff; and Josiah Abiola, who worked with Global Excellence.

Similarly, the family of Stanley Okoronkwo, a veteran journalist who worked for The Nation Newspaper and is currently down with a stroke, and Mike Alonge, a celebrity journalist who started with Fame Magazine and Global Excellence Magazine and was the publisher of Mikeangelonews.com before he died on December 10, 2022, after a mild illness, are among the beneficiaries.

Another beneficiary is the family of Princewill Ekwujuru, former chairman of the Brand Journalists Association of Nigeria (BJAN), who worked with Vanguard Newspaper until his death in August 2021.

Mrs. Omolola Adeyinka, the former Ogun NUJ caretaker chairperson who worked with News Continental and lost her husband two years ago, and Remi Adebiyi, who worked with Ogun State Television and also lost her husband some years ago, equally benefited from the initiative.

Moreover, Mr. Lekan Onalapo, former City People photojournalist, lost his wife and their new baby during childbirth some months ago.

Beneficiaries expressed their gratitude and were elated for the support received.

Soneye Olusegun Afolabi, a journalist from Ogun, remarked, “At first, I thought it was a scam. I lost my wife eight years ago, and this is the first time I’m receiving any assistance from any organization in the past eight years. I applaud this initiative and pray for the association.”

Mrs. Omolola Adeyinka, the former Ogun NUJ caretaker chairperson, said, “My husband died two and a half years ago. Like the first beneficiary said, I have not received such assistance from any media organization. The media job is hazardous, and it’s important that the general public knows that journalists or media practitioners also need help.”

Gboyega Aponmade, the son of the late veteran journalist, Prince Kayode Aponmade, expressed his appreciation: “When my mom called and told me she was reached out to by a media association willing to support her as a widow, I was skeptical because I’ve not seen such since he died. I had to follow her to see for myself, and I must confess that it’s overwhelming. I hope this initiative does not end so that the association can do more. I applaud the association directors and pray for their success.”

In his address, the President of NASRE and NASRE Media Foundation, Comrade Femi Oyewale, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting media practitioners in need:

“We are dedicated to providing continuous support to media practitioners facing challenges, within the limits of our resources. The NASRE Media Foundation was established with the mission to assist those in our profession who are struggling. I urge corporate organizations, public and private institutions, and individuals to support our foundation in any way they can. Together, we can ensure that no media practitioner is left without help in times of need.”

The NASRE Media Foundation’s support programme continues to be a beacon of hope for media practitioners and their families, providing much-needed assistance and fostering a sense of community and solidarity within the media industry.