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08-December-2023

Delta State Proposed Budget 2024 and Critical Concerns

By Jerome-Mario Utomi It is common knowledge that Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, recently, presented a N714.4 billion Appropriation Bill tagged ‘Budget of Hope and Optimism,’ for the 2024 fiscal year to the state House of Assembly. What is, however, uncertain to Deltans and the watching world is whose interest the bill, if passed, is meant to serve or protect. There is also the concern as to whether it will herald into the political geography called Delta state, a just or an unjust law. As we are now, a just law is ‘a man-made code that squares with moral laws

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04-December-2023

Why NDDC Board Should Sustain the Hopeful Signs

By Jerome-Mario Utomi There exists a time-honoured notion among management experts that for every given task, there is always a strategy to achieve the desired results. In planning, you may have more than one strategy which could be labelled as ‘Plan-A’ and ‘Plan-B’ or even more. Chiedu Ebie, Chairman of the newly constituted Governing Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission, recently demonstrated the understanding that NDDC as an interventionist agency is not left out in clarion formulation of strategies needed for getting hold of stakeholders and converting their support to a springboard for the right vision that will set

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02-December-2023

Coker-Odusote: 100 Days at the Helm of NIMC

By Walter Duru, Ph.D It was Albert Einstein who once said that “setting an example is not the main means of influencing another, it is the only means.” That sentiment expressed by Einstein is the primary essence behind the theory of transformational leadership, which requires passion, charisma, and the ability to motivate others. Transformational leaders are usually very authentic, emotionally intelligent, great listeners, results-focused, visionary, and self-aware. In just 100 days at the helm of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote has ushered in a new era of transformational leadership, leaving an indelible mark on the organization. Her eventual confirmation

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02-December-2023

Partnerships for Progress: Collaboration Between Banks and Fintechs is the Future of Banking in Africa

By Ike.S Anison Historically, the formal banking sector’s penetration in Africa has been relatively low. And, while there has been significant improvement in this area in recent years, there is still a significant portion of the population on the continent who are unbanked or lack access to financial services. According to the World Bank, approximately 350 million adults in sub-Saharan Africa are still unbanked, accounting for 17% of the 2 billion global unbanked population. This has largely been due to a struggle to tap into the continent’s low-income segment, the widest proportion of the population. Consumers within this market feel

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30-November-2023

How COP28 Aims to Unlock Trillions for Climate Solutions by Centering Business

By Badr Jafar Over 70,000 individuals from around the world are about to converge on Dubai to participate in COP28. In the lead-up, the UAE’s COP28 Presidency has made no secret of its ambition to make this the most inclusive and consequential COP ever. While much of that effort has elevated historically underrepresented communities, and rightly so, a lesser-known determination of the COP28 Presidency is about transforming how the COP process engages with the private sector. From 1-2 December this year, COP28 will feature the biggest gathering of business and philanthropy devoted to solving climate change in history, at the

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30-November-2023

Why Environmental Injustice Flourishes In Nigeria

By Jerome-Mario Utomi Recently, precisely on Tuesday, November 21, 2023, I participated as a panellist at the Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS), Erasmus University, Rotterdam, Netherlands, a panel discussion on The role of multi-stakeholder engagement in achieving environmental justice. The gathering, which was held in Victoria Island, Lagos, formed part of training on Environmental Justice: Reducing Ecological and Social Inequalities through Effective and Participatory Land Governance. Essentially, in my private study/preparation for the programme, the need to domesticate the subject became paramount to me. To achieve this objective; the following questions came flooding; what is environmental justice?

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28-November-2023

Slave Wages for Contract Private Security Guards in Nigeria

By Emmanuel Udom Today, most contract security guards are earning slave wages, putting their lives in danger while ensuring the safety of other people, corporate bodies, government agencies, etc, 24/7. It is noted that all over the world, security business is deadly, risky, slippery, dangerous and sophisticated. Like in other business concerns, owners of registered and yet-to-be-registered private security companies are in for raw deals. They are driven by profits, the laws of supply and demand and the desperate hustle for big, juicy contracts, our investigations have shown. Private contract security companies hire all sorts of people, give them one

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21-November-2023

National Contradictions Tinubu Must Resolve in 2024

By Michael Owhoko, PhD Any Nigerian with a rational and open mind knows that the complexity of governance in Nigeria today is rooted in the country’s political system, which by any stretch of imagination and logic, is unsuitable for a heterogenous society like Nigeria with over 250 ethnic groups that is characterized by incompatible cultures, varied history, background and interests. These ethnic groups were hitherto independent nations that ceded their sovereignty to the Nigerian state under federalism, a political system that took cognizance of their peculiarities and agreed upon by the country’s founding fathers. But ever since this system was

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21-November-2023

Mastering the Art of Painting With Ready Mix Paint: Tips and Techniques

Exploring art opens the door to endless creativity and self-expression. Through a brushstroke, painting lets people express their feelings, stories, and visions beyond language. From beginners learning about color to seasoned painters exploring new mediums, paint choice impacts the story of an artist’s work. Ready-mix paint combines accessibility with artistic possibilities. Ready-mix paint, a water-soluble, pre-mixed wonder, gives artists instant access to a rainbow of colors. Liquid composition makes it easy to apply for artists of all levels. The colors offered are as varied as the imaginations that use them, allowing a vast pallet for artistic expression. Ready-mix paint turns

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11-December-2023

Airbus, BMW Introduce Quantum Computing Competition

By Modupe Gbadeyanka A global quantum computing competition called The Quantum Mobility Quest, designed to tackle the most pressing challenges in aviation and automotive that have remained insurmountable for classical computers, has been launched by Airbus and BMW Group. Business Post reports that registration for the challenge has commenced, with submissions to be accepted from mid-January through April 30, 2024, via www.thequantuminsider.com/quantum-challenge. The contest is hosted by The Quantum Insider (TQI) and divided into two parts, a four-month phase where participants will develop a theoretical framework for one of the given statements, and a second phase during which selected finalists

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11-December-2023

WEF Lauds OPay for Revolutionising Financial Inclusion in Nigeria

By Modupe Gbadeyanka One of the leading digital and mobile banking institutions in Nigeria, OPay, has been praised for revolutionising financial inclusion in the country and Africa. This commendation came from the World Economic Forum (WEF), which said OPay’s ascent in the financial inclusion landscape stands as a testament to its unwavering commitment to innovation and customer-centricity. In its recent report titled Here’s Why Africa is the World Leader in Digital and Mobile Banking, OPay was lauded for leveraging cutting-edge technology to democratise access to vital financial services, such as money transfers, bill payments, airtime purchases, and merchant transactions, reaching

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10-December-2023

Audiomack Picks Aleph as Authorized Sales Partner in Nigeria, Ghana

By Modupe Gbadeyanka A New York-based audio streaming platform, Audiomack, has chosen Aleph as its Authorized Sales Partner in Nigeria and Ghana, underlining Aleph’s commitment to enhancing its presence and strategy in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This collaboration will leverage Aleph’s deep expertise in crafting targeted and impactful campaigns and Audiomack’s robust platform teeming with engaged users, creating an unparalleled landscape of opportunity for brands and agencies across the region. Aleph was unveiled on December 5 at a pop-up event dubbed #AudiomackHouseLagos, which brought together key players in the music industry to celebrate the thriving Nigerian and African music scenes. The

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10-December-2023

How We’ve Managed Anioma Hospital Without Friction for 42 Years—Idiaghe Brothers

By Jerome-Mario Utomi The ancient city of Agbor, Delta State, Nigeria, houses many hospitals. While some are government-owned such as the General Hospital and Primary Healthcare Centers (PHC), others were established and operated by faith-based organizations like churches. The rest, which of course are higher in number, were midwifed by private individuals. Among these privately owned hospitals is Anioma Hospital. The subtle meaning of Anioma in the Igbo language is good land. Aside from the quality of service delivery, which is the hallmark of the hospital in the past 42 years, Anioma Hospital has for other obvious reasons, scored other

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10-December-2023

Where Faith Meets Rhythm: The Deep Connection Between Africans and Gospel Music

In the vibrant tapestry of African music, gospel holds a special place. Its soulful melodies and uplifting messages resonate deeply with listeners across the continent. American gospel music might have taken the forefront as a preferred source of inspiration for Gospel music lovers but African listeners are increasingly rediscovering and embracing their homegrown gospel sounds. African gospel music is deeply rooted in the cultural overtones and spiritual aspirations that arise from local communities. It incorporates local languages, traditional rhythms, and music styles that create an authentic sound that deeply resonates with African audiences. In recent years, African gospel music has

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10-December-2023

$11bn Suit: UK Court Orders P&ID to Pay Nigeria £20m Within 28 Days

By Adedapo Adesanya Almost two months after Nigeria’s victory in an $11 billion suit, the Commercial Courts of England in the United Kingdom has ordered Process & Industrial Developments (P&ID) Limited to pay £20 million in damages and compensation. The court ordered that the money be given to Nigeria within the next 28 days. The award of £20 million in damages was revealed during a subsequent ruling on the subject in London to determine what happened after the October ruling. The hearing was also held to determine whether P&ID would be granted permission to appeal the decision, however, the court

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10-December-2023

SERAP Tells NNPC to Disclose Oil Output, Exports, Revenue Since Subsidy Removal

By Adedapo Adesanya The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited to disclose Nigeria’s daily oil production and exports as well as the total amounts of revenue generated from oil since the removal of subsidy on petrol in mid-2023. In a letter dated December 9, 2023, the group asked the chief executive of the NNPC, Mr Mele Kyari, “to disclose how much of the revenues generated from oil have been remitted to the public treasury since the removal of subsidy on petrol.” He was also requested “to disclose details of payment of

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10-December-2023

Again, Nigeria Lifts VAT, Customs Duty on Imported Cooking Gas, Cylinders

By Adedapo Adesanya The federal government has exempted imported Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and its equipment from the payment of customs duty and value-added tax (VAT), a move expected to result in a drop in the cost of cooking gas in the country and bring much-needed succour to Nigerians. This was disclosed by the Minister of Finance, Mr Wale Edun, in a letter (dated November 28, 2023) to the Special Adviser to the President on Energy; the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS); and the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). Recall that in 2019, the federal

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10-December-2023

Cross River Partners Oando on Wind Power Adoption

 By Adedapo Adesanya The Cross River Government has entered into a partnership with Oando Clean Energy on the provision of wind power in the state. Signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the ongoing climate conference, known as COP28, in Dubai, Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State said the collaboration signified the commitment of the state to spearhead the green economy, which he described as a significant milestone in his development objective for the state. Represented by the state Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations, Mr Oden Ewa, the Governor said the strategic deal with the energy company

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09-December-2023

Moody’s Upgrades Nigeria’s Outlook to Positive After Economic Reforms

By Aduragbemi Omiyale Moody’s outlook on Nigeria has been upgraded from stable to positive after the federal government implemented a few economic reforms. In a statement on Friday, the rating agency said the decisions to remove the costly petrol subsidies, devaluation of the Naira and the unification of the foreign exchange (FX) market were good for the economy. When Mr Bola Tinubu assumed office in May 2023, he announced an end to the payment of subsidies on premium motor spirit (PMS). A month later, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) announced the unification of the forex market, while the Naira