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AFIG Funds CEO, Papa Ndiaye, Receives 2018 Private Equity Africa’s Outstanding Leadership Award
Private Equity Africa (PEA) awarded Papa Ndiaye, CEO of AFIG Funds, the 2018 Outstanding Leadership Award at a ceremony held in London Tuesday night. PEA is the pre-eminent magazine on Private Equity in Africa. It is in recognition of PE professionals who have helped shape the industry.
“It is quite an honor to be recognized by my esteemed peers for Private Equity Africa’s Outstanding Leadership Award. I have had the privilege of seeing the African PE industry blossom from its very humble beginnings in the 1990s, and I firmly believe that the best years are ahead of us, particularly with African capital markets evolving rapidly and the African PE LP base broadening to include a more diverse base of local as well as international institutions in recent years,” said Papa.
“This award is a strong testament to the commitment and hard work of my colleagues at AFIG Funds, who have accepted the challenge of promoting private equity both in established and frontier markets on the continent. Thanks to their hard work and excellence, we have invested across 12 countries to-date and impacted the development of African blue-chip companies in several sectors, while providing healthy returns to our Limited Partners. I also thank my peers in the industry, whose support and friendship and contributions have been essential in fostering a collective vision for a stronger PE sector in Africa.”
It has been a remarkable year for AFIG Funds with one of the company’s LP Old Mutual also being recognized for a House of the Year Award, as well as INJARO (an AFIG Funds strategic partner) for the Small Cap/VC category.
https://iso.keq.mybluehost.me/cnbc-africa-receives-award-for-best-business-television/
Gail Mwamba, Awards Chair &Managing Editor of PEA said: “The Private Equity Africa awards celebrate industry leaders who are doing exceptional work on the continent, and highlighting their achievements helps develop the continent. The Outstanding Leadership Award is the only category that is voted on by industry peers. Papa was selected by the industry leaders for his consistent contribution to the growth of the industry. We would like to thank Papa for his contribution to the industry and congratulate him on winning this prestigious award.”
Papa has been a leader in the Private Equity landscape for three decades. Before AFIG Funds, he was a founding member and Investment Director of EMP (now ECP). Prior to that, he had investment responsibilities in IFC’s Africa Department and helped launch several landmark funds in Africa.
He also worked at Salomon Brothers in 1988 before joining JP Morgan’s Emerging Markets Group in 1992 in the Latin America M&A Group and served as Economic advisor to President Wade of Senegal in 2000. In 2004, Papa was selected as a “Young Global Leader” by the World Economic Forum of Davos, and then as one of the “Frontier 100 CEOs” of the Initiative for Global Development in 2009.
The Kano State House of Assembly has initiated impeachment proceedings against Deputy Governor Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo over allegations of gross misconduct, abuse of office, and breach of public trust.
The notice was presented yesterday during plenary by the Majority Leader, Lawan Hussaini Dala, who said the action follows Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Dala said the allegations stem from Abdussalam’s tenure as Commissioner for Local Government (2023–2024) and his current role as deputy governor. He accused the deputy governor of diverting funds meant for the 44 local government councils.
According to the majority leader, Abdussalam allegedly received N1.5 million monthly from each council between June 2023 and January 2024, totaling N462 million. Between February and July 2024, he allegedly collected N3.255 million monthly from each council under the guise of special assignments, amounting to N726 million.
Dala also accused the deputy governor of abuse of office, claiming he facilitated payments of N10 million from each council to NovoMed Pharmaceuticals Limited, totaling N440 million, in violation of state procurement laws.
“The misuse of official capacity to confer undue advantage constitutes abuse of power and undermines public trust,” Dala told lawmakers, adding that the allegations amount to gross misconduct under the Constitution.
The impeachment notice was reportedly endorsed by 38 lawmakers, meeting the constitutional threshold to proceed. The Speaker has acknowledged receipt, and the House is expected to serve the allegations on the deputy governor.
If approved, a panel may be constituted by the state Chief Judge to investigate the claims.
As of filing, Abdussalam had yet to respond publicly to the allegations.
The Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, on Wednesday inaugurated a seven-member committee on the establishment of state police, giving it four weeks to submit its report.
The inauguration was held during his maiden conference with senior police officers at the Peacekeeping Conference Centre, Force Headquarters, Abuja.
Charging members of the panel to discharge their duties with professionalism and objectivity, Disu described the assignment as “both significant and timely,” noting that it would shape the framework through which state policing may operate in Nigeria.
“In carrying out this assignment, your deliberations must be guided by professionalism, objectivity, and a clear appreciation of the unique complexities of policing a diverse nation such as our own,” the IGP said.
He stated that if properly designed and effectively implemented, state policing holds significant potential benefits for the country.
“By bringing law enforcement closer to communities, state police institutions can deepen local knowledge of security dynamics and enable quicker and more targeted responses to emerging threats,” he added.
The committee is expected to review existing policing models within and outside Nigeria, assess community security needs and emerging risks, and propose an operational framework for the establishment and coordination of state police structures.
It will also address issues relating to recruitment, training, standards and resource allocation, as well as develop accountability and oversight mechanisms to ensure professionalism and public trust.
The panel is chaired by Olu Ogunsakin, with Bode Ojajuni as secretary. Other members are Emmanuel Ojukwu, Okebechi Agora, Suleyman Gulma, Ikechukwu Okafor and Tolulope Ipinmisho.
Disu said the committee had about four weeks to conclude its assignment and submit a comprehensive report.
The move marks one of the first major steps taken by the new police chief since his appointment and confirmation a few days ago.
The development comes amid rising security concerns across the country, with several stakeholders advocating state policing as part of measures to tackle insecurity.
President Bola Tinubu had earlier asked the National Assembly to commence the process of amending relevant laws to pave the way for the creation of state police.
President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday swore in Olatunji Disu as the Inspector-General of Police (IGP).
Disu took the oath of office at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, shortly before the commencement of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.
The President also administered the oath of office to six commissioners of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and two commissioners of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC).
The ceremonies were witnessed by ministers, senior government officials and family members of the appointees.
The council meeting began shortly after the swearing-in.
In attendance were Vice President Kashim Shettima; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu; and the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs EsthMrs.Walson-Jack.
Disu was appointed acting IGP on February 25, 2026, by President Tinubu, following the resignation of former IGP Kayode Egbetokun.
His appointment was subsequently endorsed by the Nigeria Police Council (NPC).
The former Assistant Inspector-General of Police assumed office last Wednesday.
He previously served as Assistant Inspector-General in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Alagbon, Lagos, after his promotion to the rank last year.
A former head of the Lagos Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Disu has pledged to deliver accountable, modern and professional policing.
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