
Farooq Oreagba, also known as Mr Steeze, a capital market executive and cultural ambassador, recently discussed his approach to life after battling cancer and his dedication to Tottenham Hotspur. Oreagba, who gained attention at the 2024 Ojude Oba festival, emphasizes the importance of fitness, stating that exercise, whether golf, gym, or running, improves one's chances when facing health challenges. He began running marathons after his cancer diagnosis in 2017 to raise money for charity. Oreagba maintains a strict routine, often running early in the morning before work, which he believes enhances his productivity. Beyond individual sports, he has a competitive background, having played squash since age 11 and semi-professional rugby until 2008. He is a "fanatical" Tottenham Hotspur supporter of over 20 years and a season ticket holder, viewing the team's resilience through adversity as a parallel to his own fight against cancer. He also follows Nigerian football, particularly Remo Stars, due to his friendship with Kunle Soname. Regarding tattoos, Oreagba, who had them before his cancer diagnosis, sees them as a form of art that accompanies one to the grave.
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.

The Federal Government has issued a directive requiring civil servants in human resource roles across ministries, departments, and agencies to obtain approved professional certifications within a year. This initiative aims to professionalize HR management within the Federal Civil Service. A circular from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation grants a 12-month moratorium for officers to acquire recognized certifications. Failure to comply will result in ineligibility for key personnel management positions. The policy outlines certification requirements, transitional arrangements, and conditions for deploying administrative cadre officers to HR roles. Recognized certifications include those from the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria, the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, the Society for Human Resource Management, the Human Resource Certification Institute, and Chartered Professionals in Human Resources. During the transition, officers can remain in their current positions or be deployed to HR-related duties if they provide verifiable evidence of enrollment and progress towards certification within six months. After the moratorium, an approved HR certification will be mandatory for deployment to HR roles in various federal institutions. This directive, effective immediately, is part of ongoing reforms to enhance professionalism and efficiency in public service personnel administration, aligning with global best practic
Must ReadThe Nigerian Federal Government has expressed strong displeasure with the South African government's response to renewed xenophobic attacks targeting Nigerian nationals, stating that retaliatory diplomatic measures, including a review of bilateral privileges, are under consideration. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, briefed State House correspondents after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu, refuting claims by some South African authorities that the attacked Nigerians are illegal migrants. She highlighted that Nigerian passport holders are facing harassment, looting, and burning of their shops, and intimidation of their children in schools, while South African police reportedly fail to intervene. Odumegwu-Ojukwu emphasized Nigeria's historical support for South Africa's independence struggle, making the current treatment of Nigerians particularly painful. She noted that the attacks specifically target black migrants. When asked about retaliatory measures, the Minister confirmed that such actions are being considered at the highest level of government. The House of Representatives previously recommended a temporary suspension of business permits for South African companies in Nigeria, and the Senate plans to send a delegation to South Africa. President Tinubu has approved five Air Peace evacuation flights for Nigerians, with 1,092 individuals voluntarily registered for repatriation as of June 8. The first evacuation flight, initially scheduled for Jun

Payaza Africa Limited has received upgraded credit ratings from four agencies, indicating increased investor confidence in the fintech company's financial stability and operational performance. DataPro raised its rating from A to AA-, Intelligence Africa assigned an A- investment-grade rating, Agusto upgraded it from BBB to A-, and GCR, an affiliate of Moody’s, moved it from BBB to A-. These upgrades reflect a company's financial strength and its ability to meet debt obligations. Payaza Africa's Chief Executive Officer, Seyi Ebenezer, stated that these ratings validate the company's disciplined growth and operational resilience, positioning it as a future-ready brand within Africa and the global fintech space. He emphasized that the recognition highlights the company's strategic execution and strong risk management practices, reflecting a commitment to building a sustainable and globally competitive institution. Payaza Africa provides payment infrastructure solutions for collections, payouts, embedded finance, and digital commerce enablement for businesses across Africa, with products like Payaza Checkout, Chat and Pay by Payaza, Payaza Give, and Shopaza.