Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc on Friday, hosted the 60th President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Chief Davidson C. S. Alaribe, FCA, in a meeting aimed at fostering collaboration and innovation between both institutions.

The meeting signalled a pivotal moment in the relationship between the two institutions, as they explored strategic partnerships aimed at driving mutual growth and development in the financial and accounting sectors.

UBA’s Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Oliver Alawuba, who welcomed the ICAN President and his high-profile delegation, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership and assured that the bank is ready and willing to support the institution in its drive for excellence.

He said, “UBA is proud to be home to a significant number of ICAN members, whose expertise has been instrumental to our success as Africa’s global bank. This visit reaffirms our shared commitment to excellence and innovation.

Continuing, Alawuba stated, “We are particularly excited about potential collaboration in the Graduate Management Accelerated Programme (GMAP), training initiatives, and other business opportunities that will create a win-win for both organisations.”

The delegation had distinguished members of the institute’s council and executive team, including Immediate Past President of ICAN; Mr. Oladele Nuraini Oladipo, FCA, ICAN Council Member; Dr. Oluseyi Oladimeji Olanrewaju, FCA, ICAN’s Honorary Treasurer; Mr. Biodun Adedeji, FCA, ICAN Council Member; and Dr. Lanre Olasunkanmi, FCA, Registrar/Chief Executive of ICAN.

Alaribe who was visibly excited at the corroboration between both organisations, said, “UBA is not just a financial powerhouse in Nigeria but a global leader with a strong presence across Africa and beyond. ICAN recognises the immense value UBA brings to the table, and we are excited to explore opportunities for collaboration in areas such as capacity building, professional development, and business expansion. This partnership will undoubtedly benefit our members and the broader financial ecosystem.”

The discussions also focused on several key areas of collaboration in capacity building, Joint training programmes to enhance the skills of accounting professionals and UBA staff, collaborating on initiatives to promote ethical standards, financial literacy, and best practices in accounting and finance and setting up a branch of ICAN at the UBA House.

This historic meeting marks a significant milestone in the relationship between UBA and ICAN, two institutions committed to driving excellence and innovation in the financial and accounting professions. Both parties expressed optimism about the future and pledged to work closely to achieve their shared goals.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) is the leading professional accounting body in Nigeria, established to regulate the practice of accountancy and promote excellence in the profession. With over 50,000 members, ICAN is dedicated to advancing the science of accountancy and fostering ethical standards in the industry.

United Bank for Africa is Africa’s Global Bank. Operating across twenty African countries and the United Kingdom, the United States of America, France and the United Arab Emirates, UBA provides retail, commercial and institutional banking services, leading financial inclusion and implementing cutting edge technology. UBA is one of the largest employers in the financial sector on the African continent, with 25,000 employees group wide and serving over 45 million customers globally.

The United States President Donald Trump has announced plans to impose a travel ban on 43 countries, according to a Reuters report on Saturday citing an internal memo and officials familiar with the matter.

The memo categorizes the 43 countries into three groups: red, orange, and yellow.

Although the list is yet to be approved by the Trump administration, it includes several African nations, excluding Nigeria, South Africa, Algeria, and Egypt.

Red Group – 11 Countries (Total Ban)

Nationals from the following 11 countries would be barred from entering the US:

Afghanistan

Iran

Sudan

Syria

Libya

Cuba

Bhutan

Venezuela

North Korea

Yemen

Somalia

Orange Group – 10 Countries (Visa Restrictions)

Visa access would be severely restricted for nationals from these 10 countries:

Russia

Belarus

Myanmar

Sierra Leone

South Sudan

Pakistan

Laos

Turkmenistan

Haiti

Eritrea

Yellow Group – 22 Countries (60-Day Compliance Window)

The following 22 countries have been given 60 days to address concerns before further action is taken:

Angola

Antigua and Barbuda

Benin

Burkina Faso

Cambodia

Cameroon

Cape Verde

Chad

Republic of Congo

Democratic Republic of Congo

Dominica

Equatorial Guinea

Gambia

Liberia

Malawi

Mali

Mauritania

St. Kitts and Nevis

St. Lucia

São Tomé and Príncipe

Vanuatu

Zimbabwe

Uncertainty Over Final Approval

The New York Times was the first to report the proposed visa ban list. However, a US official told Reuters that changes could still be made before final approval, which includes review by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The proposal is part of Trump’s immigration crackdown, which he intensified at the start of his second term in January.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has stated that Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, is surrounded by individuals who had previously sought to become governor.

Wike made this remark during a grand reception held in his honor by the Kalabari people of Rivers State on Saturday.

He claimed that those advising Fubara do not have his best interests at heart and are working towards his removal from office for their own benefit.

The minister specifically pointed out Tammy Danagogo, the Secretary to the State Government, as one of the key figures responsible for the political crisis between him and his successor.

“The problem started when Danagogo, the Secretary to the government, used his elder brother, who is a justice, to use an ex parte order to justify that 27 members of the Rivers Assembly have defected. Unnoticed. He also used the same order to say that the state governor can present the budget to three or four lawmakers,” Wike said.

He accused Danagogo of being upset about not receiving the governorship ticket and of influencing Fubara negatively.

“Look at Danagogo, who wanted to be governor. He was so pained that he was not given the ticket; he was the one following the governor, and he (Fubara) did not know. He will lead you (Fubara) to hellfire.”

Wike also cautioned Fubara regarding those offering him advice:

“You (Fubara) surrounded yourself with people who wanted to be governor, whom I said ‘no,’ these people don’t mean well for Rivers State. They are the ones surrounding you, giving you advice. Do you think you will succeed? They will give bad advice, and look at what bad advice is doing to you. You are already down 2-0, and there’s more to come. They come there and abuse me, and you are happy; you don’t know it is you they want to destroy.”

More to come…