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Governor Mutfwang, Senator Lalong Celebrate The Revd Dr. Gideon Para-Mallam on His 65th Birthday, Applauds Legacy of Peace and Justice
Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang of Plateau State, alongside Senator Simon Bako Lalong, representing Plateau South Senatorial District and former Governor of Plateau State, and Deputy Governor Ngo Josephine Piyo, joined a global community of well-wishers on 15th October 2024 to celebrate the 65th birthday of The Revd Dr. Gideon Para-Mallam, a distinguished mission leader, advocate for social justice, and peace-builder. Revd. Para-Mallam, the President and CEO of the Gideon & Funmi Para-Mallam Peace Foundation, has been recognized for his lifelong commitment to fostering unity, advocating for social justice, and mentoring countless individuals across Nigeria and beyond.
The Revd Dr. Gideon Para-Mallam
In a statement, Governor Mutfwang commended Revd. Para-Mallam’s remarkable contributions as a mentor, describing him as a beacon of hope and leadership. “Your commitment to service, from your early days at NEFES to your work empowering the underserved, is both impactful and exemplary,” the Governor said. He praised Revd. Para-Mallam’s dedication to mentoring students and transforming communities through God’s Word.
Highlighting the impact of the Gideon & Funmi Para-Mallam Peace Foundation, Governor Mutfwang noted its role in helping victims, including those freed from captivity, and its ongoing efforts to foster harmony between Christians, Muslims, and diverse ethnic groups across Plateau State. He commended Revd. Para-Mallam’s moral integrity, dedication to peace, and commitment to unity, which have greatly benefited the Church, Plateau State, and Nigeria at large.
The Revd Dr. Gideon Para-Mallam
Senator Simon Bako Lalong echoed these sentiments, honoring Para-Mallam for his devotion to humanity and the gospel of Christ. He commended him for his peace-building and reconciliation efforts, especially in Plateau State, and noted that during his tenure as Governor, he had personally witnessed the profound impact of Para-Mallam’s advocacy and humanitarian work. “Through the Funmi and Gideon Para-Mallam Peace Foundation, Rev. Para-Mallam has brought relief and reconciliation to communities deeply affected by crisis,” Lalong said, lauding Para-Mallam as a voice for the marginalized and a champion of justice. He prayed for God’s continued grace upon him, wishing him many more years of good health, peace, and divine protection.
Deputy Governor Ngo Josephine Piyo extended her heartfelt wishes, describing Para-Mallam as a man devoted to the Lord’s vineyard and the nation. She praised his steadfast commitment to spiritual guidance, calling him a man who not only cares for Christian souls but holds the nation’s well-being close to his heart. Piyo highlighted Para-Mallam’s noble character and tireless efforts to uplift and inspire, noting that his words and actions have left a lasting impact on society. She thanked him for his role in shaping the nation’s moral foundation and for his compassion toward the marginalized. Wishing him abundant blessings, she celebrated his dedication as a testament to selflessness.
Some Survivors of violence in Nigeria with the staff team and a UK FoRB Foundation Director of Operations Mr. Mathew Jones
Revd. Dr. Gideon Para-Mallam, while celebrating his 65th birthday with survivors of violent attacks and individuals who have experienced various levels of abduction, expressed deep gratitude for reaching this milestone, calling it a special gift from God. “I am thankful to Him for His tremendous love, mercy, and grace upon my life, family, and ministry,” he said. Yet, he shared that the celebration brings mixed emotions: joy for his personal blessings, but sorrow for the many who remain in captivity, particularly young girls like Leah Sharibu (7 years, 2. Alice Ngaddah (7) years, Lilian Gyang Daniel (4years), Praise Austine (3 years), Patience (4) years, Joy (4) years and several others in Boko Haram’s captivity
“For years, I’ve observed quiet birthdays as a way of identifying with these women and girls who are enduring forced captivity, stripped of their fundamental right to freedom of religion and belief. The reality is that while we are free to celebrate, they are trapped, longing for liberation. This contrast is heartbreaking, and my thoughts are constantly with them,” he shared.
Revd. Para-Mallam’s birthday was spent with survivors from Borno, Adamawa, Gombe, and Plateau states, a poignant reminder of his mission and calling. “I am a missionary at heart, dedicated to social justice and peace,” he said, emphasizing that his passion lies in working toward sustainable peace in Nigeria—a peace that rejects discrimination based on gender, religion, or any form of corruption.
A farewell gift to our Guest from Prof Funmi Para-Mallam
In reflecting on his life’s work, Revd. Para-Mallam explained, “My drive is fueled by the goal of helping women and girls in and out of captivity, ensuring they find safety, justice, and dignity.” He expressed his commitment to bridging divides between Christians and Muslims, seeing this as a vital step toward lasting peace. “From experience, I know that peace is possible in Nigeria. Promoting coexistence and understanding between different religious and ethnic communities can significantly reduce the triggers of insecurity in our nation.”
As he looks to the future, Revd. Para-Mallam pledged to continue his advocacy, giving voice to the voiceless and championing social justice across Nigeria. “So long as God grants me life, I will keep fighting for those whose cries go unheard. Every Nigerian deserves to live in dignity, free from fear. I am committed to seeing that dream fulfilled.”
His Vision for Global Peace
My vision is to push for peace also to any troubled part of the world whenever God gives me the opportunity to make a small difference. The situation such in Israel and Gaza has been troubling and most disturbing. The level of human suffering needs to be addressed. The security of Israel and the safety of its people is sacrosanct. These must be guaranteed. So also the freedom of the Palestinians and addressing the human sufferings of Gaza’s cannot be denied; under whatever pretext. Taking sides is counterproductive. What peace cannot help achieve war can’t. Israel and Gaza are both going through difficult moments with dire spiritual implications for the entire world, if ignored. As a peace builder, I pray for the peace of Israel and the freedom of the Palestinians. Both are complex but possible.
In conclusion, he extended heartfelt prayers for peace and expressed his hope for a Nigeria where all citizens can experience the freedom, security, and unity they deserve. Rev Dr Gideon Para-mallam raised concerns about places like Israel and Gaza with a strong passion and expressed his commitment to continuing his advocacy for the voiceless and championing social justice across Nigeria, Africa, and beyond.
With Mrs Priscilla Kwa, representing parents of victims of sexual violence in captivity
With 5-month-old boy Benedict a victim of violence from Bokkos, Plateau State.
Some Survivors of violence in Nigeria with the staff team and a UK FoRB Foundation Director of Operations Mr. Mathew Jones
Mother, With 5 month old boy Benedict a victim of violence from Bokkos, Plateau State.
News
Tim Cook is stepping down as CEO of Apple. Here’s a look at his 15-year legacy, from new products and services to China expansion.
After 15 years at the helm, Tim Cook is stepping down as CEO of Apple and handing over the reins to the company’s senior vice president of hardware engineering, John Ternus. Cook, who joined Apple in 1998, succeeded Steve Jobs in 2011 and went on to transform Apple into a powerhouse worth $4 trillion.
With his time as CEO coming to an end on September 1, let’s take a look at some of the highlights of Cook’s 15 years as the leader of one of the most influential companies in the world.
Financial growth
Apple was already an influential company when Cook took the reins, but under his leadership, the company’s market capitalization increased tenfold. When Cook took over in August 2011, Apple was valued at just under $350 billion. The company passed $1 trillion in 2018, $2 trillion in 2020, $3 trillion in 2022, and $4 trillion in 2025. Now, the tech giant currently sits at $4.01 trillion.
The tech giant reported $112 billion in net income for the fiscal year ending in September 2025, which was eight times what Apple saw in September 2010. The company was able to achieve that 699% increase despite many issues, including the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and China. Cook, who was formerly chief operations officer and credited as the brains behind Apple’s global supply chain under Steve Jobs, expanded Apple’s reach in China and added roughly 200 stores to the company’s global network during his tenure as CEO.
New product categories
Cook expanded Apple’s iPhone and computers ecosystem into a broader network of complementary devices that includes wearables and gadgets.
Apple launched the Apple Watch in 2015 and has since turned it into a full-fledged health and fitness companion complete with blood oxygen tracking and ECG monitoring. Apple then disrupted the earphones market in 2016 with the launch of the first AirPods, changing the wireless headphones category. It then launched its first over-the-ear headphones in 2020. It’s also worth noting that Apple purchased Beats in 2014.
The tech giant also released the Apple Vision Pro in 2024, positioning it not just as a VR headset, but as a spatial computing platform. The launch, however, failed to resonate with consumers who didn’t want to spend several thousand dollars to purchase the gadget.
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Under Cook, the company also released iPads at various sizes and multiple price points, and essentially turned the devices into full-on computers that can handle a variety of different tasks for personal, work, and school use.
Of course, Cook also oversaw key changes to the iPhone, including the introduction of the more affordable iPhone SE, as well as advancements like Face ID and edge-to-edge displays.
Although Apple moved away from the “i” branding in new product releases under Cook, he oversaw the major expansion of the company’s product lineup.
Services expansion
Under Cook, Apple built a powerful services business. The tech giant launched Apple Pay in 2014, which is now used by an estimated 818 million people globally. In 2019, the tech giant launched its Apple TV+ (now Apple TV) streaming service, whose content has since earned hundreds of awards, including the Academy Award for Best Picture.
Apple launched its Apple Music streaming service in 2015 to take on Spotify, and the service now has over 112 million subscribers. In 2019, Apple launched Apple Arcade and has since built it out with a portfolio of premium games.
Although Jobs first announced iCloud in 2011, the storage service has since grown vastly under Cook, including the launch of iCloud+ in 2021. Additionally, Cook oversaw the evolution of the App Store and repeatedly defended its 30% commission structure.
Apple’s services business generated $109.16 billion in revenue during the fiscal year ending in September 2025. The segment accounted for a significant portion of the company’s total $416.16 billion revenue for the year.
Shift to in-house processors
Under Cook’s leadership, Apple began transitioning from Intel processors to its own Apple Silicon chips in 2020 and completed the shift across its Mac lineup by 2023. The result was longer battery life, higher performance, greater power efficiency, and more.
AI era
Apple entered its AI era in 2024 with the launch of Apple Intelligence. Since then, however, the company hasn’t had any major breakthroughs, and has faced significant delays in launching its anticipated revamped AI-powered Siri (it’s expected to roll out sometime this year).
The tech giant remained largely absent from the broader tech industry’s generative AI race that kicked off when OpenAI’s ChatGPT launched in 2022. Earlier this year, Apple and Google announced that Google’s Gemini would power its next-generation AI tools.
$600 billion U.S. spending commitment
Cook joined President Donald Trump last year to announce a $600 billion U.S. spending commitment, marking the tech giant’s biggest investment plan ever. The four-year plan includes expanding hiring and manufacturing activity in the country, with a focus on building a stronger domestic semiconductor and advanced technology supply chain.
Apple Park
Jobs’ vision for Apple Park came to life under Cook’s leadership in 2017. The 175-acre headquarters, which replaced Apple Campus, houses more than 12,000 employees. It features thousands of native and drought-resistant trees and is powered by 100% renewable energy.
Today, Apple Park is the backdrop of the company’s new product launches.
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BY NKECHI NAECHE-ESEZOBOR—Lasaco Assurance Plc has announced that v will officially close on May 13, 2026, marking the end date for eligible shareholders to participate in the capital raising exercise.
The offer is part of the company’s strategy to strengthen its financial base, boost underwriting capacity, and support its expansion plans within Nigeria’s insurance sector.
The offer comprises 9,236,321,546 ordinary shares of 50 kobo each, priced at ₦2.00 per share, on the basis of five (5) new shares for every six (6) existing shares held. The Rights Issue is open to shareholders whose names appeared on the Company’s register as at the close of business on February 20, 2026.
The exercise is expected to raise approximately ₦18.47 billion, which will be strategically deployed to strengthen the Company’s capital base, enhance underwriting capacity, and support the expansion of its market presence within Nigeria’s competitive insurance landscape.
Meristem Capital Limited is acting as Lead Issuing House, while PAC Capital serves as Joint Issuing House on the transaction.
Commenting on the development, the Managing Director of Lasaco Assurance Plc, Ademoye Shobo, reaffirmed the Company’s commitment to maintaining a robust capital position to meet its obligations and deliver sustained value to policyholders and stakeholders.
This initiative aligns with broader efforts across the Nigerian insurance industry to meet evolving regulatory capital requirements, strengthen balance sheets, and position operators to underwrite larger and more complex risks across key sectors of the economy.
The post Lasaco Assurance’s ₦18.47bn Rights Issue Closes May 13 appeared first on Business Today NG.
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