By Bon Peters

Maritime transporters under the auspices of Maritime Workers Union  (MWUN) Eastern Zone have rejected the e-call up truck  system at Onne and other ports in the Eastern Zone, vowing action if the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and other maritime authorities refuse to adhere to their call for its review.

The association rising from an emergency meeting Wednesday in  Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where over 700 of their members were in attendance insisted that the e-call up system failed  at Lagos ports of Apapa and Tin Can, wondering why such should be experimented in the Eastern ports, which are strongly yearning for port infrastructural development such as good access road and dredging of water channels to accommodate more vessels and increase cargo throughput and vessel turnaround time.

The group lamented that freight differential and high insurance at the Eastern ports have already dealt a big blow on the operators.

Our correspondent reports that some of the truck owners and drivers alike were seen carrying placards with inscriptions  such as, there is no congestion at Onne  ports, we don’t want e-call up system at Onne, e-call up is to kill the Eastern ports, e-call up didn’t work in Lagos among others insisted that those canvassing for the system are the ones who have put in place their “corrupt mechanisms” waiting to hijack the  platform as they did in Lagos, thereby causing unemployment and hardship for people who are already suffering.

They described the system as “hydra-headed monster” that would in the long run stifle the Onne oil and gas business and also cripple the esteem ports which they said was underutilized.

Reminded the one group who goes by the name Association of Maritime Truck owner (AMATO) was alleged to have endorsed e-call up system and expressed their willingness to adopt the system, the Haulage District Chairman Maritime workers union Eastern Zone, Mr Adolphus Ugwu, said, “Such Association is nonexistent here at Onne or only existed on the author’s imagination not here at Onne Port or the entire Eastern ports.”

“The so called AMATO chieftain Adeshina Ajibola in that online publication claimed he came to Onne on invitation, that means he doesn’t operate nor reside here, we don’t even know him.

“The other person who said he is Samuel Ossai, the Coordinating Secretary of Trucker Owners is not our member,” he stated.

People, who know him, said he drives Keke at Onitsha, you can see how desperate some people can be. They went and rented those people to cause confusion at Onne.

“But, having critically examined E-Call up system, my people at Onne and eastern ports have unanimously said No to E-Call up system. No congestion here at Onne, and Onne Port is not ripe for e-call system,” he said.

Speaking further, Comrade Ugwu said we’re not against the policy of the federal government and will never be but we are pleading with the authorities concerned to hear our cries and suspend it for now. There is no congestion at Onne and the cost implication will be much as some people will hijack the system for their selfish gains.”

“Maritime works are law abiding citizens of this country. What we are saying is that they should not bring this system here that failed woefully in Lagos“, he emphasized.

Contributing, District Secretary Truck owners Association, Maritime workers union, Dock workers branch, Comrade Casmir Anukanti quoted a Latin maxim which says vox populi vox Dei, meaning The voice of the people is the voice of God.”

He said, “What you are seeing today is an organic crowd not rented and they have voiced their rejection of the E-Call system in the Eastern Ports and precisely Onne through our resolution.

“Feelers we got from Lagos showed it didn’t work. Onne is not a guinea pig for experimentation. So both the drivers and Truck owners said not to it.

“We are law abiding association and always act within the ambits of the law. What we are saying is that NPA, the Ministry of Maritime and Blue economy as well as the transportation ministry should look into our cries and suspend the e-Truck Call up system for now. “Onne Port and other eastern ports are underutilized.

“We are keenly watching and might take appropriate actions if the need arises” Anukanti assured.

Some of the drivers, who spoke to our correspondent, were unanimous in rejecting the e-call up system which they said would aggravate their suffering.” We don’t want it, some of our drivers go to Lagos when dey launch am but wetin we find go there we no see am” they said in pidgin.

Last week, stakeholders under the aegis of Coalition of Maritime stakeholders have voiced their rejection of the e-call up system saying such would cripple the Eastern ports especially affect businesses at the oil and gas free zone at Onne.

Industry watchers are keenly watching and believing such might not disrupt operations at Onne and other ports at the Eastern Maritime corridors of the country if not properly handled by the authorities concerned.

Knowledge management serves as a structured approach to capturing, distributing, and effectively using knowledge to enhance organizational performance. As businesses navigate through complex environments and face stiff competition, an effective knowledge management strategy can offer a significant competitive advantage. Keep reading to discover how knowledge management is transforming the modern workplace and why it matters more than ever.

Understanding Knowledge Management and Its Relevance in the Workplace

Knowledge management is a discipline focused on the systematic management of an organization’s knowledge assets for creating value and meeting tactical & strategic requirements. Its goal is to connect people with the knowledge that they need to act efficiently. But knowledge management isn’t just about having a sophisticated database; it’s also about cultivating a work environment that encourages knowledge sharing and collaboration.

The relevance of knowledge management in the workplace cannot be overstated. As organizations deal with increasing amounts of data, the ability to organize and make sense of this information becomes crucial. This process ensures that valuable insights are not lost but rather leveraged to improve business outcomes and drive innovation.

Embracing a knowledge management platform is increasingly becoming a strategic necessity for organizations aiming to optimize performance and maintain a competitive edge. The platform acts as a central repository and an engagement hub for employees, which helps in mitigating knowledge silos and promoting a more informed workforce.

Fostering a Culture of Continuous Learning and Innovation

A culture of continuous learning and innovation is essential to an organization’s ability to adapt and grow. Knowledge management encourages this by providing employees with the tools and resources necessary to enhance their skill sets and contribute new ideas. It drives an environment where learning is part of the daily routine, enabling businesses to keep pace with changing industry trends and technologies.

When knowledge flows freely across all levels of an organization, it sparks creativity and innovation. Teams across different departments can collaborate more effectively, breaking down information barriers and fostering cross-pollination of ideas. This open exchange is invaluable in driving product enhancements, process improvements, and the creation of new services.

Investing in the development of knowledge management initiatives can also empower organizations to build on the collective experience of their workforce. It allows institutions to capitalize on their internal talent pool, which can lead to better decision-making and increased agility in business operations. As a result, companies that nurture a learning culture gain a pronounced resilience against industry disruptions.

Enhancing Decision Making and Problem-Solving With Effective Knowledge Sharing

Effective knowledge sharing is fundamental to enhancing decision-making and problem-solving abilities within an enterprise. When employees have access to the collective intelligence of their organization, they can make informed decisions that are supported by experience and evidence. It reduces the reliance on trial-and-error methods, saving time and resources while increasing the chances of success.

Knowledge management ensures that insights and solutions are not reinvented but are rightly cataloged and disseminated across the enterprise. This capability makes it easier for employees to find answers to problems that have already been solved, effectively standing on the shoulders of the institutional history and achievements to reach new heights. The role of knowledge sharing goes beyond mere information dissemination; it’s about building a network of expertise where employees can reach out to peers for advice or mentorship.

Leveraging Technology to Streamline Knowledge Management Processes

Technological advancements have revolutionized the way organizations manage knowledge. From cloud-based storage systems to sophisticated knowledge management platforms, technology has provided tools to streamline knowledge-sharing processes. This tech-driven approach enhances accessibility, allowing employees to access relevant information and expertise from virtually anywhere, anytime.

Incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning into these tools has taken knowledge management to a new level. AI can analyze large data sets to identify patterns, trends, and insights that would be difficult for humans to discern alone. This analysis can lead to the automation of knowledge categorization and the personalization of content for individual users, thereby improving efficiency.

Communication technologies, such as internal social networks and collaborative workspaces, have also become integral to effective knowledge management. These platforms enable real-time knowledge sharing and collective problem-solving, fostering a sense of community and connection among employees, irrespective of their physical location.

Altogether, the integration of effective knowledge management practices in the workplace is crucial for harnessing the full potential of an organization’s intellectual assets. By investing in the right strategies and technologies, companies can create a collaborative, informed, and agile workforce that is capable of driving sustained business growth and innovation.

By Adedapo Adesanya

M-KOPA, a pan African fintech company headquartered in the United Kingdom, has made the Financial Times’ Africa’s Fastest Growing Companies rankings for the fourth consecutive year.

M-KOPA, operating in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, and Uganda, has  reached over 6 million customers to date achieving an impressive CAGR of 42 per cent for the 2020-23 period.

The company has accelerated even faster since 2023, delivering over 65 per cent  year-over-year revenue growth in 2024. M-KOPA is continuing on the same profitable growth path in 2025 and is trending to surpass half a billion USD in annual revenue this year.

According to a statement announcing the milestone, the firm said as fintech continues to scale across the African continent, it exemplifies how purpose-driven businesses with sound fundamentals can be both profitable and impactful by serving traditionally overlooked “unbanked” consumers.

“The company continues to be laser focused on financing progress for non-salaried every day earners, of which there will be over 1 billion adults across Africa by 2040,” it said.

M-KOPA finances smartphones to everyday earners (with more than half its customers accessing the internet for the first time) and then delivers tailored mobile financial services through the device.

M-KOPA’s smart money platform has now issued millions of affordable credit, insurance, and subscription products. Its positive impact is independently measured by third party verification experts with the results published annually on the company website www.m-kopa.com/impact

In 2023, M-KOPA opened East Africa’s first and largest smartphone assembly factory, which is now producing over 1m smartphones annually and has created over 300 new jobs.

The next year, it then introduced its own range of branded smartphones which now account for over 20 per cent of all smartphones sold in Kenya.

In 2025, the organisation continued its pan African expansion and now acquires more customers outside of Kenya than in, with fast customer growth across Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda, and South Africa.

Commenting on the recognition, Mr Jesse Moore, CEO and Co-Founder of M-KOPA said: “We are thrilled to make the FT Fastest Growing Companies in Africa list for the 4th year in a row. Our growth continues to accelerate, and we now onboard a new customer to M-KOPA every 9 seconds.

“Thanks to Africa’s digital payment rails, we now receive 15 payments per second, which in turn creates a unique and deep dataset to understand the financial needs of everyday earners. We are still in the early stages of scaling, with an addressable market that will surpass 1 billion people in Africa by 2040.”

Business Post reports that six Nigerian startups, including Moniepoint, PalmPay, Paga, OmniRetail, Remedial Health, and Termii, made the list.