The Lagos State Government has disbursed N2.02 billion in retirement benefits to 644 deserving retirees.

This was disclosed at the 101st retirement bond certificate presentation ceremony held in Lagos on Wednesday.

Mr. Babalola Obilana, the Director-General of the Lagos State Pension Commission, delivered an insightful address during the ceremony.

He explained that these retirement bond certificates held a deeper significance beyond their financial worth, serving as a testament to the trust and confidence the Lagos State Government places in its retirees.

Mr. Obilana stated, “Today, the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu will present another set of 644 retirees with a sum of N2.02 billion only, being their past service benefits prior to the commencement of the Contributory Pension Scheme in 2007.”

He further highlighted that these certificates symbolized the enduring impact these retirees had made throughout their dedicated service.

“Your dedication has been the bedrock of the ‘goal of a greater Lagos’, and your hard work has set a high standard for those who will carry the state forward,” he expressed.

During his address, the Director-General expressed heartfelt appreciation for the retirees’ exceptional contributions and unwavering dedication. He also extended his gratitude to Governor Sanwo-Olu for ensuring the consistent and timely payment of pension liabilities to retirees.

Mr. Obilana acknowledged Governor Sanwo-Olu’s unwavering commitment to the ideals of the Contributory Pension Scheme, noting that the governor prioritizes the welfare of the public service workforce even in retirement.

Mr. Obilana added, “This retirement bond certificate presentation ceremony is not just a formality; it is a moment to reflect upon the remarkable contributions you all have made.”

As of August 3rd, 2023, the Naira to dollar exchange rate is 1 USD to 875 NGN at the black market. This means that for every one US dollar, you can exchange it for ₦875, Investors King reports.

This digital business news platform has obtained the official dollar to naira exchange rate in Nigeria today including the Black Market rates, Bureau De Change (BDC) rate, and CBN rates.

How much is $1 to Naira in black market?

This rate is subject to change depending on a variety of factors including global economic trends, political developments, and market fluctuations. However, you can buy and sell 1 USD at ₦870 and ₦875 as of the time of writing today.

What is the current exchange rate of the naira to dollar in the black market today?

According to Investors King, as of the time this report was filed, a dollar can be purchased at the Lagos parallel market (black market) for ₦870 and sold for ₦875.

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Naira Exchange Rates for banks

Investors King understands that although the naira to dollar opened at N875 per $1 in the parallel market today, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) does not acknowledge the parallel market, also referred to as the black market. The CBN has instructed individuals in need of forex to approach their bank as the I&E window is the sole recognized exchange.

On Wednesday, August 2nd, 2023, individuals in the black market purchased one US dollar for N875 and sold it for N870. This shows that the value of the Naira declined when compared to Wednesday, August 2nd, 2023 when the local currency was exchanged at N863 to a Dollar and a Dollar was purchased at N868.

To stay informed about the naira to dollar exchange rate, there are a number of reliable sources that you can turn to. Here are some tips for staying up-to-date:

• Check the Central Bank of Nigeria’s website: The CBN is responsible for regulating the country’s monetary policy and is a reliable source for the latest exchange rates. You can check their website regularly for updates.
• Follow financial news outlets: Financial news outlets such as Investors King, Bloomberg, Reuters, and CNBC provide regular updates on the global currency markets, including the dollar to naira exchange rate.
• Use online currency converters: There are a number of online currency converters that allow you to quickly and easily check the exchange rate between the dollar and the naira.
• Follow social media accounts of financial experts: Following social media accounts of financial experts such as analysts, economists, and financial advisors can give you valuable insights into the latest trends in the currency markets.

By staying informed about the naira to dollar exchange rate, you can make informed decisions when buying or selling foreign currencies. Whether you are a business owner looking to trade in foreign currencies or an individual looking to invest in the currency markets, knowledge of the latest exchange rates is key to success. Keep these tips in mind and stay informed about the latest trends in the global currency markets.

Upwork, the world’s work marketplace, and OpenAI, a leading AI research and deployment company, today announced OpenAI Experts on Upwork, giving OpenAI customers and other businesses direct access to trusted expert independent professionals deeply experienced in working with OpenAI technologies.

Upwork and OpenAI co-designed the program to feature talent adept at working with the OpenAI API platform and to draw from the 250 unique AI skills available on Upwork, including GPT-4, Whisper and AI model integration.

With Upwork’s marketplace, OpenAI is already leveraging talent from the Upwork platform to support its own innovation and growth, and quickly saw value in helping its customers connect to talent on Upwork, leading to the new partnership.

Together, the companies identified the most common use cases for OpenAI customers – like building applications powered by large language models (LLMs), fine-tuning models and developing chatbots with responsible AI in mind – along with the key skills required for success. The two companies also formulated a pre-vetting process for identifying AI experts who appear as part of the program.

OpenAI Experts on Upwork is an extension of Upwork’s AI Services hub, which connects companies with some of the most skilled independent professionals in AI fields from across the globe, along with new beta features and resources that help customers get work done faster and more effectively on Upwork.

The program leverages Upwork’s talent managers to pre-vet and curate talent with AI expertise and experience with the OpenAI platform. The process includes a discussion of technical skills and an OpenAI project portfolio, ensuring professionals have verified skill sets and experience. Clients can engage with OpenAI Experts on Upwork via 1:1 consultations or project-based contracts.

“Partnering with a pioneer like OpenAI helps us deliver access to the specialized talent that businesses need to achieve their most ambitious AI initiatives,” said Dave Bottoms, general manager and VP of product for the Upwork Marketplace.

“We are thrilled to offer talented professionals on Upwork even more impactful opportunities, and look forward to connecting OpenAI customers with highly skilled talent through OpenAI Experts on Upwork. Through strategic partnerships like this one, we aim to make Upwork the preeminent destination for AI-related talent and work.”

“Our aim is for our models to be useful and beneficial for everyone, and we are committed to helping people understand how our technology can impact critical work,” said Aliisa Rosenthal, head of sales at OpenAI. “Providing customers with access to a trusted source of highly skilled global talent like Upwork can help ensure AI models are deployed and managed responsibly.”

“Organizations ranging from small startups to some of the world’s largest enterprises are turning to independent experts to create new solutions and expand their businesses,” said Boris Spiegl, an independent AI and machine learning expert participating in OpenAI Experts on Upwork.

“Having delivered millions of dollars in value on projects over the course of my career, I’m greatly looking forward to the next big challenges in partnering with OpenAI customers to deliver even more ROI through application of these exciting new technologies.”

The partnership builds on Upwork’s recent announcement of new beta features powered by OpenAI technologies as part of a more generative AI-infused end-to-end customer experience on its platform, including an AI-powered job post generator, an enhanced Upwork chat experience and proposal tips for talent.