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NNPC Blames Abia Oil Explosion on Vandals

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By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The cause of the oil pipeline fire incident recorded last Friday in Umuaduru and Umuimo communities in Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area of Abia State has been attributed to thieves and vandalism.

According to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), the incident was never caused by its negligence as it is being speculated.

Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of the state-owned oil firm, Mr Ndu Ughamadu, said in a statement yesterday that the incident was triggered off by suspected oil thieves who had hacked into System 2E pipeline network of the corporation with a view to intercepting the flow of petrol from Port Harcourt to Aba.

Mr Ughamadu emphasised that the clarification became necessary in view of the recent statement by a lawmaker indicting NNPC on the fire outbreak which had claimed lives and valuable properties.

The NNPC spokesperson explained that the presence of items such as jerrycans, among others, at the scene of the incident as contained in the preliminary report on the matter indicated that the activities of vandals in the area ignited the flame.

He regretted that incessant vandalism of pipeline facilities along System 2Ex Pipeline Right of Way (PROW) has led to the underutilization of the Enugu Depot, saying that the breaches have prevented the corporation from pumping fuel into it.

He called on relevant government agencies to collaborate with the corporation to appropriately criminalize vandalism of oil facilities across the country, adding that host communities should also partner the NNPC to tame the scourge.

Mr Ughamadu prayed that God reposes the souls of the innocent ones that perished in the incident, even as he warned members of the public against tempering with oil facilities which he described as inflammable.

Modupe Gbadeyanka is a fast-rising journalist with Business Post Nigeria. Her passion for journalism is amazing. She is willing to learn more with a view to becoming one of the best pen-pushers in Nigeria. Her role models are the duo of CNN's Richard Quest and Christiane Amanpour.

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The Importance of Knowledge Management in the Modern Workplace

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Management in the Modern Workplace

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.

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M-KOPA Makes Africa’s Fastest Growing Companies List for Fourth Time

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M-Kopa

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.

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FCCPC Seals Illegal Consumer Protection Group in Abia

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FCCPC

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has sealed the premises of an entity operating under the name Community Crime Prevention Initiative of Nigeria (CCPIN) in Aba, Abia state.

In a statement on Thursday, Mr Ondaje Ijagwu, FCCPC’s director of corporate affairs, said the enforcement operation took place on Wednesday at Number 214 Aba-Owerri Road, in collaboration with law enforcement agents.

Mr Ijagwu said FCCPC’s action followed credible intelligence that CCPIN was falsely claiming affiliation with the commission and misleading the public by representing itself as an “authorised consumer protection NGO”.

“The entity had issued public notices alleging joint surveillance operations with FCCPC and was soliciting consumer complaints through unauthorised telephone lines,” the statement reads.

“During the operation, the operator of the facility, Dr Onwuka K. Okorie, was arrested on-site and is currently in police custody at World Bank Police Station, Abayi-Aba, Abia State, pending further investigation and prosecution.

“A number of exhibits bearing FCCPC’s name, logo, and false enforcement materials were recovered from the premises.”

The official said the commission has no affiliation with CCPIN and does not authorise or partner with the group or any similarly styled organisation for enforcement or consumer protection operations.

He added that FCCPC does not delegate such enforcement powers to NGOs, private entities, or individuals without formal legal authorisation.

Mr Ijagwu advised the public to disregard any announcements, sealing notices, or consumer-related campaigns issued by CCPIN or its representatives.

“To verify any enforcement or communication, members of the public can contact the Commission through its hotlines: 08056002020 and 08056003030. Official FCCPC activities and communications can also be verified via fccpc.gov.ng or social media handles (@fccpcnigeria),” he added.

The recognised consumer protection body also reaffirmed its commitment to operating with the highest level of transparency while ensuring consumer protection and market integrity.

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