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Dubai Witnessed Its First Ever Coronation Pageant – Organized by a Nigerian and the Prestigious Polo Stallion Star Awards

Miss Polo International is an annual global beauty pageant based on the platform of Polo sport. It aims to empower beauty queens from all around the globe to promote the game of polo and more importantly to carry out charitable acts in the area of education for people living in the world’s toughest places.

The 2019 edition of Miss Polo International has made history as the first ever coronation pageant to hold in the breathtaking city of Dubai, UAE. The pageant brought together 23 Contestants from 4 continents – Africa, Asia, Americas, Europe, in addition to world class Judges, Industry-renown Peagent Consultants, Corportate Sponsors/Partners and of course a handfull of top media houses within and outside the host region.

The glitzy affair was hosted at the Dubai’s famous and pretigious Musichall, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray Hotel, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, offering the best of choreography, music and a few competitive activities by the Contestants.

The esteemed jury panel:

  • Emi Irene
  • Sushmita Dewanji
  • Rahma Himid
  • Pawee Ventura
  • Regina Daniels

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Dewanti Kumala, Miss Polo Indonesia was announced as the winner of the coveted title, Miss Polo International 2019, which was the unanimous decision of the judges. Ayrra Averilla, representing the Philippines emerged as the first runner up while Sandra Zamaityte from Turkey was the Second Runner Up. Rounding up the Top 5 are Miss Nigeria, Precious Okoye and Miss Thailand Cat Atitiya

Interestingly the glamorous night also witnessed Polo International Event’s annual Polo Stallion Star Awards. The Awards project honours the very best and most oustanding individuals in the Polo sport and also the brave people who support and provide access to quality education. The Awardees of 2019 were, His Highness, Sheikh Juma Bin Ahmed Bin Juma Al-Maktoum; His Excellency, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the former Vice-Preseident of Nigeria; Mohammed Kahlaf Al Habtoor, Vice-Chairman and CEO of the Al Habtoor Group; Senator Prince Ned Nwoko, Nigerian Lawyer, Politician and Businessman and a few others.

The history-making Miss Polo International and Polo Stallion Star Awards are both Trademarks and projects exclusive to Polo International Events Limited which is the brain child of Mrs. Ibife Alufohai, a young Nigerian serial business woman, a former beauty queen and an ardent philantropist.

To get involved with projects and programs of Polo International Events, please send a mail to info@polointernational.org.

 

Justina Mutale Named Among 100 Most Influential African Women

 

Africa’s Best female Philanthropist, Dr Justina Mutale, who is the founder of the Justina Mutale Foundation and POSITIVE RUNWAY: Global Catwalk has been named in the 2019 list of 100 Most Influential African Women.

 

The list released by leading PR & Rating firm, Avance Media, features distinguished African women, whose works and accomplishments continue to inspire the next generation of women in Africa and who are changing the feminine narrative and challenging the status quo of women on the Continent.

 

It includes women who occupy eminent leadership positions such as Presidents, Diplomats, Board Chairs, CEOs, Scholars, Chancellors, Politicians, and Philanthropists, who have distinguished themselves in their respective field of work.
“I am honoured to be listed with such distinguished women who are advancing Africa and inspiring the next generation”, says Dr Mutale

 

 

This prestigious Listing incorporates the “Be A Girl Mentor” Mentorship Programme for the 100 women to offer mentorship opportunities to young women from across the African Continent. Other notable women listed alongside Dr Mutale include Ethiopia’s President, H.E. Sahle-Work Zewde; Liberia’s Vice President, H.E. Jewel Taylor; Namibia’s Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Dr Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila; United Nations Deputy Secretary General, H.E. Amina J. Mohammed; as well as former female Presidents, H.E. Ellen Sirleaf Johnson; and H.E. Catherine Samba-Panza.
“This list represents the hope of the young women across the Continent and we hope it will inspire you to continue the amazing works you have been up to for Africa”, says Prince Akpah, Managing Director of Avance Media.

 

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Dr. Justina Mutale has been globally acclaimed as one of the most influential and inspirational women of African origin. In 2012, she was honoured with the prestigious title of “African Woman of the Year”. Dr Mutale is named in the 100 Most Reputable People on Earth and 100 Most Reputable Africans in the World. She is also listed in the Powerlist of the Most Influential Black People in the United Kingdom.

 

 

In addition, Dr Mutale is listed in numerous Halls of Fame; WHO’s WHO Lists; Influential Lists; and Power Lists across the globe.
Through her own Foundation, Dr Mutale advocates for the achievement of a 50-50 Planet through gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, including women’s political participation and economic empowerment through trade, business and enterprise by providing leadership and entrepreneurship training and mentorship.

 

 

She also advocates for the retention and completion of tertiary education for young women and girls from rural and disadvantaged communities in Africa. Through her Scholarship Programme, she provides academically talented young women and girls from underprivileged communities with university scholarships to access higher education around the world.
As a leading PR & Rating firm, Avance Media has been engaged in changing the narrative about Africans through rating and ranking publications and this project presents another opportunity not only to celebrate Africans, but showcase the individual and collective works of women who are earnestly inspiring the next generation of leaders in Africa.

 

Presented as a ranking of the 100 Most Influential African Women, the publication presents a summary of women who have climbed the corporate ladder, started their own businesses, or have been at the forefront of decision making both locally and internationally.

More information: https://100women.avancemedia.org/

Miss Polo International 2019

Dubai: Miss Polo International (MPI) is an exclusive beauty pageant premised on the Polo game. Its sole aim, apart from promoting the game of Polo, is to empower a young beauty queen as Miss Polo International global ambassador to carry out charitable acts in improving education globally especially in the most impoverished regions of the world. Miss Polo International, besides the Global Ambassador, also empowers other beauty queens at both National and Continental levels to carry out charitable acts to support and improve education within their spheres of influence. MPI Pageant does not focus mainly on physical beauty, unlike most other pageants, it is excepted to promote inner beauty such as natural intelligence, emotional intelligence, team spirit, leadership, etc. As a result, Miss Polo International Pageant is devoid of any sort of swimsuit/bikini competition or parade.

MPI auditions are held in different countries to select contestants, and successful contestants are officially announced and coached on etiquette, stage presence and other MPI bespoke training at the boot-camp before contestants are staged at the finale which is notable for segments such as Sports Wear Parade, Interviews, Traditional Wear /Dance Parade etc.
The maiden edition of Miss Polo International took place at Transcorp Hilton, in Abuja, the beautiful capital city of Nigeria in August 2018. The Pageant staged about 20 MPI National beauty queens from 5 continents of the world – Africa, Asia, South America, North America and Europe. The dazzlingly colourful Grand Finale event attracted many high profile international guests, diplomats of participating countries, representatives from several government ministries and parastatals in Nigeria, CEOs of partner/sponsor organizations, celebrities from all over the world, journalists from notable media houses, pageant judges, Polo players and of course a handful of Polo enthusiasts from within and outside the host country.

Miss Nazneen Shaikh, a 26-year-old professional Photographer representing her country, India, emerged as the 2018 Miss Polo International. Runners up and other Queens with MPI Continental titles were also crowned.

The Miss Polo International Beauty Pageant is a registered trademark exclusive to Polo International Events Ltd. It is the brain child of a Veteran Event Manager, Pageant Director, Beauty Queen, International Business Woman and Philanthropist, Mrs. Ibife Alufohai. Her love for the game of Polo and her very deep concern about improving education globally led to the establishment of Miss Polo International Pageant. She believes, in her own words, that: “Education allows us to connect the dots of the various pieces of information we garner and we interpret them based on our own diaspora and uniqueness. Education brightens the colours of life with rays of boundless innovative imaginations. One thing I wish I could do is, to provide education for all: no child left behind and change the world for good!” Her passion and dedication to the MPI vision has made the pageant to gain global recognition as one of the top 10 most prestigious pageants in the world after only one edition.

The 2019 edition of the Pageant will be held from the 9th to 15th September, 2019 in the beautiful city of Dubai, UAE at the Musichall, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray Hotel, Palm Jumeirah. It will be graced by members of the royal family in the UAE, celebrities from all over the world, outstanding Polo Players, CEOs of Large Corporations, and notable Polo Enthusiasts, among many others.

To secure sponsorship or partnership deals at MPI 2019 in Dubai, please contact MPI at info@polinternational.org.

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2019 list of 100 Most Reputable People on Earth

Leading reputation management consultancy firm, Reputation Poll International has announced its 2019 publication of the 100 most reputable people on earth.

The list which features distinguished personalities from all sectors, recognizes leaders who have maintained a high level of credibility in discharging their duties, and have kept commendable and exemplary reputation for public emulation.

The list features renowned individuals from diverse sectors such as entertainment, politics, religion, education, philanthropy, business etc. Having assembled diverse connections with over 44 countries across the globe, the reach of the Reputation Poll is expanding daily.

Notable individuals on the list include renowned Queen Elizabeth II, 92, who is the oldest person to be added to the list. Our youngest person to be added to the list is Malala malala aged 21.

Statically with an average age of 54, the USA has the largest share of reputable personalities numbering 25 also with a representation of 38 females, 1 couple and 61 Males.

During the announcement of the list, the board made it their duty to mention their continued focus and commitment in honouring individuals, organisations and brands who consistently impact lives positively around the world.

Below is the full list arranged in alphabetical order:

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1.Abigail Johnson – CEO, Fidelity Investments
2.Akinwumi Adesina – President, AfDB
3.Akio Toyoda – President, Toyota Motor Corporation
4.Amal Clooney – Barrister
5.Amina J Mohammed – Deputy Secretary-General, UN
6.Ana Patricia Botin – Executive Chairman, Santander Group
7.António Guterres – Secretary-General, UN
8.Atifete Jahjaga – Former President, Kosovo
9.Bishop Dag Heward-Mills – General Overseer, Lighthouse Chapel
10.Bishop David Oyedepo – General Overseer, Winners Chapel 
11.Catharine Drew Gilpin Faus – President, Harvard University
12.Christiane Amanpour – TV Host, CNN
13.Dalai Lama
14.Denise Morrison – Former CEO, Campbell Soup
15.Denzel Washington – Actor
16.Ding Xuedong – CEO, China Investment Corporation
17.Dirk Van de Put – Chairperson, Mondelez International
18.Dr Denis Mukwege – Medical Doctor
19.Dr Judy Dlamini – Chancellor, University of the Witwatersrand
20.Dr Paul Enenche – Senior Pastor, Dunamis
21.Dr. Harbeen Arora  – Founder, Women Economic Forum
22.Ed Sheeran – Singer
23.Emma Watson – Actress
24.Eric Thomas – Motivational Speaker
25.Evang. Reinhard Bonnke – General Overseer, Christ for all Nations
26.Gary Vaynerchuk – Motivational Speaker
27.Ginni Rometty – Chairperson, IBM
28.Graça Machel DBE – Co-Founder, Africa Progress Panel
29.Haruhiko Kuroda – Governor, Bank of Japan
30.Helen Clark – Politician, New Zealand
31.Helen Sharman OBE – Astronaut
32.Ian Khama – Former President
33.Ismail Ahmed – CEO, WorldRemit
34.Jacinda Ardern – President, New Zealand
35.Jack Ma – Founder, Alibaba Group
36.Janet Yellen – Economist
37.Jean-Claude Juncker – President, European Commission
38.Jeff Weiner – CEO, LinkedIn
39.Jim Yong Kim – President, World Bank
40.John Legend – Singer
41.John Maxwell – Motivational Speaker
42.Joko Widodo – President, Indonesia
43.Joseph Stiglitz – Economist, Columbia University
44.Juan Manuel Santos – Former President, Colombia
45.Justin Trudeau – President, Canada
46.Justina Mutale – Founder, Justina Mutale Foundation
47.Kailash Satyarthi – Children’s Rights Activist
48.Kenneth Copeland – Televangelist
49.Khaldoon Al Mubarak – MD, Mubadala Development Company
50.Kim Schofield – Member, United States House of Representatives
51.Klaus Schwab – Executive Chairman, World Economic Forum
52.Kumail Nanjiani- Comedian
53.Lei Jun – Founder, Xiaomi Inc
54.Les Brown – Motivational Speaker
55.Liu Qing – President, Didi Chuxing
56.Lubna Suliman Olayan – Businesswoman
57.Ma Huateng – CEO, Tencent
58.Major Mariam Al Mansouri – Pilot
59.Malala Yousafzai – Activist, The Malala Fund
60.Mario Draghi – President
61.Mary Robinson – Politician, Ireland
62.Melinda Gates – Philanthropist, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
63.Michael Bloomberg – Founder, Bloomberg LP
64.Michelle Obama – Former First Lady, United States of America
65.Mo Ibrahim – Founder, Mo Ibrahim Foundation
66.Muhammad Yunus – Founder, Grameen Bank
67.Mukesh Ambani – Chairperson, Reliance Industries Limited
68.Nadia Murad – Human Right Activist
69.Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo – President, Ghana
70.Nancy Pelosi – Minority Leader, United States House of Representatives
71.Narendra Modi – Prime Minister, India
72.Nick Vujicic – Motivational Speaker
73.Nicole Kidman – Actress
74.Noura Al Kaabi – Minister, Culture and Knowledge Development
75.Nuseir Yassin – Vlogger
76.Oprah Winfrey – CEO, Oprah Winfrey Network
77.Paul Kagame – President, Rwanda
78.Paul Romer – Senior Vice President, World Bank
79.Philip Ng Chee Tat – CEO, Far East Organization
80.Pope Francis – Pope, Roman Catholic Church
81.Prince Harry & Meghan
82.Priyanka Joshi – Bio Chemist
83.Queen Elizabeth II
84.Ralph Hamers – CEO, ING Group
85.Rev. Jesse Jackson – Activist
86.Robin Sharma – Motivational Speaker
87.Sahle-Work Zewde – President, Ethiopia
88.Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum – Prime Minister, UAE
89.Sinach Joseph – Songstress
90.Sinead Burke – Writer
91.Strive Masiyiwa – Executive Chairman, Econet Wireless
92.Sundar Pichai – CEO, Google
93.Tatsumi Kimishima – Businessman
94.Tim Cook – CEO, Apple
95.Tony Robbin – Motivational Speaker
96.Wang Jianlin – CEO, Dalian Wanda Group
97.Warren Buffett – Executive Chairman, Berkshire Hathaway
98.Winnie Byanyima – Executive Director, Oxfam International
99.Xi Jinping – President, China
100.Zuzana Čaputová – President, Slovakia

More detailed information about the Reputation Poll 2019 100 Most Reputable People on Earth is available on www.event.reputationpoll.com

For more information, you can write to editor@event.reputationpoll.com

Reputation Poll 100 Most Reputable Africans 2018

Leading Global Reputation-Management Consulting Company, Reputation Poll, has released its inaugural list of 100 Most Reputable Africans.

The list which features individuals from diverse sectors including: Leadership, Entertainment, Advocacy, Education and Business has representation from 33 African Countries with 55 males and 45 females.

The list of 100 Africans has Nigeria leading with 21 individuals with South Africa, Kenya and Ghana following respectively.

Very prominent personalities featured in the list include: Rwanda’s Paul Kagame, Nigeria’s Prof Yemi Osibanjo, South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa, and Mauritius’s Ameenah Gurib.

In governance; the list features 3 African Presidents, 2 Vice Presidents, 2 former Presidents, a former Vice President, a First lady, Members of Parliament and Ministers.

In Business; Strive Masiyiwa, Koos Bekker, Barclays Bank’s Patience Akyianu and Wendy Lucas Bull are represented for their works across Africa.

For their fight against corruption are: Ghana’s special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu and South Africa’s Public Prosecutor, Busisiwe Mkhwebane.

In Leadership; Dr. Josephine Ojiambo, H.E Graça Machel DBE, Dr Paul Enenche and Winnie Byanyima are also featured on the list.

They are joined by others of less popularity but great potency in the vigor of their social impact, as well as Social Entrepreneurs who are transforming businesses in Africa and affecting lives positively without controversy.

Reputation Poll which is known globally for its annual ranking of the 100 Most Reputable People on Earth and Most Reputable CEOs in various countries, is also set to be announcing new set of research works on personalities and brands across the globe.

During the announcement of the list, the Board made mention of their continued focus and commitment in honouring individuals, Organisations and brands who consistently impact lives positively around the world and in Africa.

More details are available on www.event.reputationpoll.com

 

Below is the full list in alphabetical order:

 

  1. Akinwumi Adesina || President, African Development Bank
  2. Ameenah Gurib (H.E) || President, Mauritius
  3. Amina J Mohammed || Deputy Secretary General, UN
  4. Anas Aremeyaw Anas || Investigative Journalist
  5. Angela Ndambuki || CEO, Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry
  6. At Boshoff || Senior Pastor, Christian Revival Church
  7. Beldina Auma || Former Chairperson, World Bank-IMF African Society
  8. Biram Dah Abeid || Advocate
  9. Busisiwe Mkhwebane || Public Prosecutor, South Africa
  10. Buumba Malambo || Founder, Buumbalambo Foundation
  11. Carlos Lopes || Professor, Graduate School of Development Policy and Practice
  12. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie || Activist
  13. Chris O. Imafidon (Prof) || Intellectual, Chair, Www.ExcellenceinEducation.org.uk
  14. Chris Oyakhilome (Dr.) || Founder, Christ Embassy
  15. Cyril Ramaphosa || President, South Africa
  16. Dambisa Moyo || Global Economist
  17. Daniel Kaluuya || Actor
  18. David Maraga (Justice) || Chief Justice, Kenya
  19. David Oyedepo (Bishop) || Founder, Winners’ Chapel
  20. Denis Mukwege || Gynecologist
  21. Desmond Tutu (Archbishop) || Retired Anglican Bishop
  22. Edna Adan Ismail || Anti-FGM Activist
  23. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (H.E) || Former President, Liberia
  24. Ellinah Wamukoya (Bishop) || Bishop, Swaziland
  25. Emir Sanusi Lamido Sanusi || Emir, Kano State
  26. Enoch Adeboye (Pastor) || GO, Redeemed Christian Church of God
  27. Ezekiel Mutua || CEO, Kenya Film Classification Board
  28. Fadumo Dayib || Politician
  29. Farida Nabourema || Activist, Togo
  30. Fela Durotoye || Motivational Speaker
  31. Francis Arinze (Cardinal) || Cardinal, Roman Catholic Church
  32. Fred Swaniker || Founder, African Leadership Academy
  33. Graça Machel DBE (H.E.) || Co-Founder, Africa Progress Panel
  34. Graca Maria Sanches || Politician
  35. Hania Morsi Fadl (Dr.) || Activist
  36. Inonge Wina (H.E.) || Vice President, Zambia
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  38. Jaha Dukureh || Advocate
  39. January Makamba || Minister, Tanzania
  40. John Momoh || Founder, Channels TV
  41. Josephine Ojiambo (Dr.) || Deputy Secretary-General, Commonwealth
  42. Joyce Banda (H.E.) || Former President, Malawi
  43. Judy Dlamini (Dr.) || Founder, Mbekani Group
  44. Julie Gichuru || CEO, African Leadership Dialogues
  45. Julien Ciakudia (Prof) || Anglican Reverend
  46. Justina Mutale (Dr.) || Founder, Justina Mutale Leadership Foundation
  47. Ken Kwaku (Dr.) || Former Director, Africa International Dev, Commonwealth
  48. Khadija Patel || Editor-in-Chief, Mail & Guardian
  49. Killion Munyama || MP, Polish Parliament
  50. King Mohammed VI || King of Morocco
  51. Kofi Annan || Co-Founder, Africa Progress Panel
  52. Koos Bekker || Chairman, Naspers
  53. Laila Mamou || CEO, Wafasalaf
  54. Leymah Gbowee || Peace Activist, Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace
  55. Lupita Nyong’o || Actress
  56. Makhosi Khoza || Former MP, South Africa
  57. Martin Amidu || Special Prosecutor, Ghana
  58. Mathews Phosa || Politician/Lawyer
  59. Matthew Hassan Kukah (Bishop) || Bishop, Roman Catholic Church
  60. Mbuyiseni Ndlozi (Dr.) || National Spokesperson, Economic Freedom Fighters
  61. Mensa Otabil || Founder, International Central Gospel Church
  62. Mo Ibrahim || Founder, Mo Ibrahim Foundation
  63. Mohamed ElBaradei || Former Vice-President, Egypt
  64. Mohamed Mansour || Chairman, Mansour Group
  65. Mohammed Dewji || President & CEO, MeTL Group
  66. Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo || Secretary General, OPEC
  67. Monica Geingos (H.E.) || First Lady, Namibia
  68. Monica Kerretts-Makau (Dr.) || Senior faculty, Strathmore Business School
  69. Mosun Bello-Olusoga || Board Chair, Access Bank PLC Nigeria
  70. Moussa Faki Mahamat || Chairperson, African Union Commission
  71. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (Dr.) || Former Minister, Nigeria
  72. Nkosana Moyo (Dr.) || Politician
  73. Obiageli Ezekwesili || Co-Founder, Transparency International
  74. Olga Johnson || Secretary-General, Energy for Africa Foundation
  75. Patience Akyianu || MD, Barclays Bank Ghana
  76. Patrick Awuah || Founder, Ashesi University
  77. Paul Enenche (Dr.) || Senior Pastor, Dunamis International Gospel Centre
  78. Paul Kagame (H.E) || President, Rwanda
  79. PLO Lumumba || Director, Kenya School of Law
  80. Rebecca Enonchong || CEO, AppsTech
  81. Reginald Mengi   || Chairman, IPP Limited
  82. Ruth Oniang’o (Prof) || Founder, Rural Outreach Africa
  83. Samuel Kofi Woods || Activist & Former Minister, Liberia
  84. Santie Botha || Chancellor, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
  85. Sara Menker || Founder, Gro Intelligence
  86. Soyode Alistair || Founder, Ben TV London
  87. Stanley Ntagali (Archbishop) || Archbishop, Uganda
  88. Stephen Saad || Founder, Aspen Pharmacare
  89. Strive Masiyiwa || Executive Chairman, Econet Wireless
  90. Sultan Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III || Emir, Sokoto
  91. Susan Fajana Thomas || Former Mayor/Councilor, Hackney, England
  92. Tedros Adhanom (Dr.) || Director General, World Health Organization
  93. Thuli Madonsela || Former Public Prosecutor, South Africa
  94. Tony Elumelu || Founder, Tony Elumelu Foundation
  95. Trevor Noah || TV Host, The Daily Show
  96. Unity Dow || Activist
  97. Wendy Lucas Bull || Board Chair, Barclays Africa Group
  98. Wendy Luhabe Founder || Women Private Equity Fund
  99. Winnie Byanyima || Executive Director, Oxfam International
  100. Yaw Nsarkoh || Executive Vice President, Unilever Ghana/ Nigeria
  101. Yemi Osinbajo (Prof) || Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria

Henry Kissinger, towering American foreign policy figure, dies at 100

Kissinger, a controversial figure who was both admired and reviled, was known for his pragmatic approach to diplomacy and his willingness to engage with adversaries. He was a key figure in the Nixon administration’s efforts to end the Vietnam War and in the normalization of relations between the United States and China.

Kissinger was born in Fürth, Germany, in 1923, and emigrated to the United States in 1938 to escape the Nazis. He served in the US Army during World War II and later earned a doctorate from Harvard University.

After teaching at Harvard, Kissinger entered government service in the 1960s. He served as national security adviser to President Richard Nixon from 1969 to 1973 and as secretary of state from 1973 to 1977.

In his role as national security adviser, Kissinger played a key role in the Nixon administration’s efforts to end the Vietnam War. He also helped to normalize relations between the United States and China, making a historic visit to Beijing in 1972.

Kissinger’s tenure as secretary of state was marked by a number of significant foreign policy achievements. He helped to negotiate the Camp David Accords, which led to a peace treaty between Israel and Egypt, and he played a key role in the development of the Helsinki Accords, which helped to ease tensions between the East and West during the Cold War.

However, Kissinger was also a controversial figure. He was criticized for his role in the Vietnam War, particularly his support for the bombing of Cambodia. He was also criticized for his support of authoritarian regimes in Chile and Greece.

Despite his critics, Kissinger remained a respected figure in international affairs. He continued to write and speak on foreign policy issues long after leaving government service. He also served as a consultant to a number of governments and businesses.

Kissinger’s death marks the end of an era in American foreign policy. He was a towering figure who shaped American policy for decades. His legacy will continue to be debated for years to come.

Arab League Emergency Summit, AU/Arab Summit to hold in Riyadh amid heightened security

Heightened security is likely throughout Riyadh as it will host the Arab League Emergency Summit on November 11, 2023.

Foreign ministers of member nations will meet to discuss the ongoing Israel-Hamas war and the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. The meeting was called by the Palestinian Authority and Saudi Arabia.

Authorities will likely increase security in and around the summit venue and its surrounding areas in the days leading up to the event.

Additional security measures, including checkpoints and road closures, are also likely along all major routes between the venue and King Khalid International Airport (RUH).

Authorities may also temporarily close airspace around Riyadh as key figures arrive and depart the city; flight delays are possible immediately before and after the event.

The Arab League – African Union Summit is also holding simultaneously. The Arab African Summit is aimed at establishing practical solutions for developing Arab-African cooperation and catching up with the emerging and influential international powers in African.

The summit seeks to identify fields for cooperation, build a common vision for sharing knowledge and experience, and identify projects and frameworks for improving bilateral and multilateral ties between Arab and African countries.

Some of the objectives of the Summit include reinvigoration of the Arab-African Relations, addressing issues relating to conflicts and counter-terrorism as well as tackling challenges such as poverty, education, health, food security, developmental matters, debt crises, and global challenges like climate change, migration, and humanitarian aid.

The Summit was last held in 2016.

Reputation Poll Magazine

 

Greetings!

The Reputation Poll Magazine is here. This groundbreaking edition rides with the “Heralds of the Droidan Age”, spotlighting the revolutionary Artificial Intelligence advancement generation. We certainly cannot ignore the trends; AI is the force to reckon with.

Whilst its challenges are before it, the revolution of AI continues to tear down barriers of controversies as it further embeds its deeper progressive natures into the human way of life.

And as the saying goes: “If you’ve been waiting for a sign, this is it!”

However, AI is by far not the only thing to look out for in this edition of the Reputation Poll Magazine.

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RPI Magazine Magazine

Moove takes in $76M equity, debt from Mubadala and BlackRock at a $550M valuation

Moove, an African mobility fintech that provides vehicle financing to drivers of ride-hailing platforms like Uber and other gig networks, has raised $76 million in new funding.

It includes $28 million in equity from new and existing investors led by Mubadala Investment Company, $10 million in venture debt from funds and accounts managed by BlackRock, and $38 million in previously undisclosed funds raised during the prior 12 months, Moove said in a statement.

The news is coming a year after Moove raised a $105 million Series A2 financing ($65 million equity and $40 million debt). The company, which closed its $23 million Series A round in 2021, has employed several types of debt financing since inception from British International Investment, Franklin Templeton Investments and ABSA.

Moove has raised $325 million ($150 million in equity and over $175 million in debt). This latest financing takes Moove’s valuation to $550 million.

Founded in 2020 in Lagos, Nigeria, by co-CEOs Ladi Delano and Jide Odunsi, Moove, via revenue-based financing, provides flexible options for drivers who want to get into the business of ride-hailing or other gig economy services without having to borrow from car owners or take bank loans to finance these cars bought from dealerships.

Drivers sign up on the platform and, once verified, are trained and sign contracts with Moove to access loans to buy or rent cars. The company gets these drivers on Uber (its exclusive partner across Africa for ride-hailing) or other mobility platforms, including Glovo, Kobo360 and Swvl, as gig drivers.

Moove then deducts weekly rental fees from their earnings before transferring the balance to their accounts. The loans are between 12 and 48 months, and when drivers repay them (at an 8% to 13% annual interest rate), they own the cars, according to the three-year-old startup.

Since its launch, the Lagos-born and Amsterdam-headquartered startup has expanded its operations to 13 cities across Africa, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. The countries where Moove has a presence include Nigeria, Egypt, South Africa, Ghana, Kenya, the U.K., India, and the UAE, demonstrating what the founders informed TechCrunch on the startup’s expansion plans during its last pricing round in March 2022.

“We have managed to build a Nigerian solution for what we now know is a global problem,” Delano said. “And that is exciting for us because not only do we have the opportunity to help solve the lack of access to vehicle financing problems for mobility entrepreneurs in Africa, but now we have the opportunity to take this Nigerian-born solution to the rest of the world.”

Moove intends to use the investment to expand and consolidate its position in these markets, where it remains Uber’s largest vehicle supply partner across EMEA. Moove claims to be India’s second-largest vehicle partner and operates the largest EV fleet by supply hours on the Uber platform in the UAE, despite launching only four months ago.

The mobility fintech, which works with 15,000 customers who have completed more than 22 million trips, said it has experienced a 17x revenue growth since its Series A in 2021. Moove has annual recurring revenues of $90 million, according to the Financial Times.

Delano, in a statement, alludes to Moove’s profitability in some markets. According to the co-CEO, the Mubadala-led financing will help Moove double down on already profitable markets, including the UAE, India, the U.K., and South Africa, “as well as continuing to invest in our customer experience and accelerate our product development to deliver group-wide profitability within the next 12 months.”

In retrospect, it could be argued that Moove’s actions over the past couple of months, which have raised eyebrows, were geared toward meeting this target. Moove, which employs 500 people, conducted a company-wide “dismissal” in December, affecting an unknown number of employees. In May, a report detailed complaints of unfair working arrangements in Nigeria where Moove impounded drivers’ cars for nonpayment of loans.

Unsurprisingly, these reports haven’t deterred Moove’s investors, who now have an appetite for profitable companies or those that can show a clear path there, from pumping more money into the self-described mobility fintech. For lead investor Mubadala, this is its first investment in an African-founded upstart, and Faris Sohail Al Mazrui, its head of ventures and growth, will join Moove’s advisory board. “Moove has built a highly scalable tech-enabled platform to serve mobility entrepreneurs globally by providing them access to credit and other financial services previously unavailable to them. This is a hugely underbanked and underserved market that we believe has significant long-term potential,” he said of his firm’s investment in Moove, which also has other global backers, including Speedinvest and Left Lane Capital.

 

AfDB, IDB, IFAD Vote Additional $1bn To Fund Nigeria’s Agribusiness In 24 States

The African Development Bank (AfDB), Islamic Development Bank (IDB) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), have voted $1 billion to further deliver Special Agro-industrial Processing Zones in 24 States of Nigeria.

This is in addition to an initial $520 million voted by the development partners for the development of eight special agro-industrial processing zones in Nigeria.

President of African Development Bank Group, Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina, made this disclosure at the on-going Norman Borlaug International Dialogue, World Food Prize 2023, in Des Moines, Iowa, United States of America.

Delivering his address titled, “From Dakar to Des Moines,” Adesina noted that the decision to pump such huge funds into Nigeria’s agribusiness was part of the resolve to develop Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZs) in 13 countries.

Explaining that it was the core of the food and agriculture delivery compacts from the Dakar 2 Summit held earlier this year in Dakar, Senegal, the AfDB President said, “We are investing heavily in the development of SAPZs to support the development of agricultural value chains, food processing and value addition, enabling infrastructure and logistics to promote local, regional, and international trade in food.

“The African Development Bank Group is investing $853 million in the development of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones, and it has mobilized additional co-financing of $661 million, for a total commitment of $1.5 billion. We are deploying effective partnerships at scale. We are currently implementing 25 Special Agro-industrial Processing Zones in 13 countries.

“For example, the African Development Bank, Islamic Development Bank, and the International Fund for Agricultural Development provided $520 million for the development of eight special agro-industrial processing zones in Nigeria. The second phase of the program aims to mobilize an additional $1 billion to deliver special agro-industrial processing zones in 24 States of Nigeria”.

Adesina regretted that while much progress had “been made in African agriculture, 283 million people still go to bed hungry in Africa, about a third of the 828 million people that suffer hunger globally.”

He however described the Norman Borlaug International Dialogue World Food Prize 2023, as a “journey and narrative of how we are combining the power of science, technology, policies, and politics to ensure that Africa fully unlocks its agricultural potential, and feeds itself, with pride.”

The AfDB President thanked Vice President Kashim Shettima, and the President of Ethiopia, Sahle-Work Zewde, for participating in the global event, saying their presence is an indication “that Africa has the political will and is fully ready to tackle food insecurity and make hunger history” on the continent.

Also speaking during the sideline chat with the AfDB President, Vice President Shettima who spoke on the Tinubu administration’s initiatives for food security said the quality of present leadership in Nigeria and the rest of Africa will drive transformation in agriculture and other sectors.

According to him, “a nation falls or rises fundamentally due to the quality of its leadership. Right now Africa is blessed with quite a handful of quality leaders that have the drive, passion and skills set to redefine the meaning and concept of modern leadership.

“Bola Ahmed Tinubu, my boss, is a good example, Macky Sall of Senegal and of course, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi of Egypt are doing wonderfully well, just to mention a few of the African leaders that are distinguishing themselves in leadership.

“I want to assure this gathering of investors and stakeholders in the agricultural sector that my boss, President Tinubu is a quintessential 21st century modern African leader who is determined to redefine the meaning and concept of modern leadership.

“Be rest assured that there will be a sea change in the fortunes of the Nigerian nation and by extention the African continent in the next couple of years because Nigeria is an anchor nation”.

On wheat production, Shettima disclosed that “our target towards wheat production in Nigeria is to achieve 50% self sufficiency in the next three cycles. It is inconceivable that we are the second largest wheat importer in the world.

“Luckily, we have already procured the heat tolerant variety of wheat seeds and we are going to drive that process by supporting the farmers with the heat tolerant variety, agricultural extention services, fertilizer and also hope to increase the irrigation areas to one million hectares in the next cropping cycle.

“We need to produce about 2.4 million tonnes of wheat grains in Nigeria. We are going to reach out to our farmers through small irrigation schemes and through digitalisation. All the actors in the value chain will be sufficiently taken care of through innovative finance, partial credit guarantees and crop insurance,” he emphasized.

For rice production, the Vice President said the major challenge for Nigeria is the insufficiency of paddy rice and noted that Nigeria has adequate milling capacity but “we need to produce three to four million tonnes of paddy rice to meet our requirement of about 2.5 million tonnes per annum. We have 75 million hectares of arable land and most of it suited for rice cultivation.”

He added that “we will provide our farmers with certified seeds, fertilzer, extension services, the digitlization of services, inputs, finance and market information. Our target is to achieve self sufficiency in rice latest by 2027.”

Shettima also spoke about the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZs), reiterating the Tinubu administration’s commitment to providing an enabling environment for investors in the zones.

He said government would create an SAPZ development authority that will operate like a one-stop shop where regulatory and associated issues will be addressed.

US FinTech Squeeze.com acquires Youtility to revolutionise comparison market

US-based tech platform Squeeze has acquired Youtility, a UK technology start-up, in a bid to offer a unique embedded experience for both businesses and their customers.

The collaboration hopes to combine the consumer-facing expertise of Squeeze with the market-leading B2B services of Youtility, to bring about a transformative change in the financial sector.

Squeeze is a rapidly growing platform dedicated to helping consumers manage, evaluate, and save on their recurring insurance contracts. Youtility, based in the UK, operates a market-leading B2B API platform. It collaborates with banks and fintech companies to deliver integrated home finance management services, providing customers with a streamlined way to manage their household finances.

The move comes in response to a report from The Office for National Statistics, which claims that there has been a significant rise in UK household energy bills, leading to a growing need for banks and FinTech platforms to support their customers in better managing and saving money.

Elias Janetis, Founder and CEO of Squeeze, said “I am excited that our expert team and unique technology can help UK consumers to make more informed decisions and to save money on their home finances. Our combined technologies will allow banks to embed essential money saving actions and help all customers, not just the financially savvy, bring about a new era of price comparison to the UK market.”

Tyler Randolph Boyd, Chief Strategy Officer and Lead of the newly combined group, noted “By combining the consumer facing expertise of Squeeze with the market leading B2B services of Youtility, we will offer a one-of-a-kind embedded experience both for businesses and their consumers.”

Youtility co-founders Will Kostoris and Charlie Quigley, said “We are excited to bring together the Squeeze and Youtility technologies and accelerate the businesses development by harnessing Squeeze’s expertise from the US market. We are thrilled to join forces with such a strong team and to align our collective missions to help people save money on their largest payments year after year.”

Prepaid cards expand in India

Indian fintech Pepper Money is collaborating with the National Payments Corporation of India and merchant technology company Pine Labs to issue a prepaid card via the national Rupay payment network.

The product, called the Pepper Money Dreams Card, is expected to reach more than a million consumers within the next year.

The card is designed for smaller towns and rural areas, where financial services are not as accessible as in India’s larger cities. Pepper Money will partner with about 100 local businesses in fashion, travel, electronics, dining and health care at launch.

The NPCI estimates the Indian prepaid card market is about $119 billion and is expanding at a compound annual growth rate of 36%.

India’s government has encouraged expansion of non-cash payments for years, often through controversial steps such as removing huge amounts of paper money from circulation and taking a hard line on U.S. payment firms that could cut into Rupay’s share.

Fiserv joins Swift’s partner program

Fiserv has joined the Swift Partner Program, allowing the bank technology seller to enable connectivity to Swift’s application programming interfaces and support Swift’s Global Payment Initiative.

Swift’s GPI lets parties track payments across different banks and countries through a single source — a capability that’s considered a key cog in Swift’s real-time and cross border payment strategy.

Fiserv is attempting to make it easier for its financial institution clients to offer cross-border digital payments, or to set up digital payments in new countries.

Like many bank technology firms, Fiserv is in the midst of expanding its ability to connect banks to real-time payment networks, which will require technology upgrades to support interoperability across borders.

Canadian tech firms lobby for open banking

A group of payment technology companies including Wise, Wealthsimple, Xero Canada, Borrowell and fintech industry lobbyist Fintechs Canada have started the Choose More campaign, which is pushing for open banking.

Open banking refers to using data sharing to enable a single log in (usually a payment credential) to access financial and nonfinancial products from other companies.

Adoption of open banking in Canada is relatively low, and there isn’t a formal framework to govern open banking in Canada.

The Choose More campaign is designed to pressure faster work on data portability regulations, while educating consumers about data sharing and real-time payments, which are also delayed in Canada. Small financial institutions and credit unions are also advocating for open banking in Canada.

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