Ehi Braimah honoured with University of Roehampton’s Chancellor’s Alumni Award for innovation and inspiration in media, PR, and community leadership.

In a ceremony held at the University of Roehampton in London on 22 October 2024, Ehi Braimah, a renowned media professional and publisher, was awarded the prestigious Chancellor’s Alumni Award.

The recognition comes as part of the university’s annual event celebrating outstanding alumni achievements across the globe.

Braimah, publisher and editor-in-chief of *Naija Times*, an independent online newspaper, received the Alumni Innovation and Inspiration Award.

He was one of 20 global recipients and among three distinguished Nigerians honoured. The award ceremony took place at the university’s Lime Tree Suite, Elm Grove, with an audience that included esteemed university officials, awardees, and Braimah’s family and friends.

In his citation, Braimah was lauded for his commitment to using *Naija Times* as a platform for promoting change through balanced, evidence-based reporting.

His media leadership, particularly during critical events like Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election, has fostered a more egalitarian society.

“Braimah is a prominent voice for political and economic reforms, maintaining rigorous standards of journalism and fighting corruption,” the citation read.

The event was officiated by Professor Richard Keogh, Deputy Vice Chancellor, who stood in for Vice Chancellor Professor Jean-Noel Ezingeard.

Addressing the audience, Keogh emphasised the rich heritage of Roehampton, stating, “Our roots stretch back to the 1840s, through the early work of our founding colleges.”

He praised the alumni network, highlighting the 500 donors and 400 alumni volunteers who mentor students, significantly impacting their lives and careers.

Eleanor Merrick, Director of Business Development, Fundraising, and Alumni Relations, echoed this sentiment. She expressed her pride in the global alumni network and the opportunity for recipients to forge meaningful, long-lasting relationships.

Merrick, who founded the alumni programme a decade ago, noted that the event brought together exceptional graduates from various countries.

Braimah, during the ceremony, presented two copies of *Naija Times’* book, *For a Better Society*, to Professor Keogh for the university’s library, underscoring his commitment to intellectual and social progress.

Graduating with an MBA from the University of Roehampton in 2016, Braimah has continued to exemplify professional excellence.

His contributions to Nigerian media through *Naija Times* have driven thought leadership, informed journalism, and public discourse.

Beyond media, Braimah plays an active role in international business as the Deputy President of the Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce (NACC), where he fosters stronger ties between Nigeria and the United States.

His recognition as a Chancellor’s Alumni Award recipient further highlights his leadership across various sectors. Braimah’s work in Rotary International, where he serves as an Assistant Governor and Chair of the Public Image Committee for District 9112, also demonstrates his dedication to community service and global engagement.

The University of Roehampton, celebrating 20 years since receiving its university title, continues to recognise the extraordinary impact its alumni make worldwide.

Braimah’s award serves as a testament to the university’s commitment to professional education, widening participation, and transforming lives.

Attending the ceremony were members of Braimah’s family and close associates, including his sister-in-law, Bukola Olakotan; aunt-in-law, Cynthia Ologunde; and media professionals such as Sam Omatseye, Chairman of the *Nation* newspaper editorial board, and Toni Kan, a PR expert and financial analyst.

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund is set to disburse N90 billion in student loans to support education nationwide, with N10 billion already distributed.

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) is poised to disburse N90 billion in tuition fees and stipends to students across the country, according to its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Akintunde Sawyerr.

Since its inception in August 2024, the scheme has already distributed N10 billion to successful applicants, offering much-needed financial relief for Nigerian students.

Also read: NELFUND confirms receiving N50bn from EFCC to boost student loan scheme

Mr Sawyerr disclosed these developments during a meeting with the House of Representatives Committee on Student Loans, Scholarships, and Higher Education Financing at the National Assembly Complex on Wednesday.

He highlighted the widespread demand for the loan scheme, which has attracted over 350,000 applications since its launch.

“We are receiving applications at an average of over 1,000 per day, and so far, we have disbursed over N10 billion. Our commitment to disbursing N90 billion remains strong, and we are making special provisions for students living with disabilities,” Sawyerr stated.

The NELFUND chief also emphasised the Fund’s dedication to addressing barriers to girl-child education, recognising that educating girls is essential to Nigeria’s future.

“Denying girls the opportunity for further education is denying the nation a chance to benefit from their incredible leadership potential,” he added.

Sawyerr further pointed out that the growing youth population, with 70 per cent of Nigerians under the age of 35, underscores the importance of this initiative.

“Failing to provide access to education for this segment exposes Nigeria to a future fraught with instability and violence,” he warned.

The student loan initiative, which Sawyerr described as timely, aims to reach students across the entire nation, ensuring that the scheme is inclusive and non-discriminatory.

“This policy ensures that every Nigerian, regardless of location or background, has access to the education they deserve,” he said.

He also compared the initiative to other significant education policies in Nigeria’s history, such as Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s free education programme, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) established by Gen Yakubu Gowon, and the creation of federal universities.

Sawyerr concluded that the student loan initiative represents a progressive step towards investing in Nigeria’s future.

The administration of President Bola Tinubu has introduced the student loan scheme as part of its efforts to reform education and provide opportunities for all Nigerian youths to pursue higher education.

Sawyerr praised the initiative, noting its potential to significantly shape the nation’s development, particularly in regions historically underserved in terms of educational access.

Adrienne Munju, a Canadian woman, has been sentenced to 11 years in prison for importing 35.20 kg of cannabis into Nigeria.

In a significant ruling, the Federal High Court in Lagos has convicted and sentenced 41-year-old Canadian citizen Adrienne Munju to 11 years’ imprisonment for importing 35.20 kilogrammes of cannabis known as “Canadian Loud” into Nigeria.

The sentence was handed down by Justice Dehinde Dipeolu on Wednesday, who also provided an option for a N100 million fine on the two counts brought against her by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

Also read: NDLEA seizes drugs worth over N7 billion in nationwide operations

Munju’s conviction followed her guilty plea on the charges. During the proceedings, NDLEA prosecutor Mr. Abu Ibrahim stated that Munju had imported the cannabis without lawful authority.

The incident occurred on October 3, 2024, at the ‘D’ Arrival Hall of Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, where she arrived on a KLM flight.

The charges against Munju were in violation of Section 20(1)(a) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, punishable under Section 20(2)(a) of the same law, which addresses the illegal importation of controlled substances.

Upon her arraignment, Munju admitted to the charges, prompting the prosecution to review the facts of the case. A prosecution witness was called to provide evidence and tender relevant exhibits, leading the prosecutor to request the court to convict Munju based on the presented evidence and her guilty plea.

During the sentencing, Munju’s counsel, Benson Ndakara, alongside his team, appealed for leniency, highlighting her remorse and early guilty plea, which saved the court’s time.

He stressed that Munju had no prior criminal record and vowed to avoid criminal activities in the future. Ndakara also pointed out that she had been deceived into trafficking the drugs and had no support network in Nigeria, as she was abandoned by acquaintances.

Taking into account the defence’s arguments, Justice Dipeolu sentenced Munju to six years’ imprisonment on the first count and five years on the second count, with both sentences running concurrently.

Alternatively, she could opt for a N50 million fine for each count, resulting in a total of N100 million if she chose that route.

The NDLEA arrested Munju after a thorough examination of her three bags revealed 74 parcels of the illicit substance.

She had allegedly been recruited through an online platform to traffic the cannabis for 10,000 Canadian dollars to finance her ongoing Master’s degree in Canada.