The Nation Newspaper

Category: Industry

  • MAN, Chinese investors partner to boost investment

    By Chikodi Okereocha

    The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and the Nigerian business community remain committed to supporting genuine Chinese investors seeking to invest in any sector of the economy, the Director-General, MAN, Mr. Segun Kadir, has said.

    Kadir, who made this known in Lagos, during the week, at the maiden edition of the “MAN-Chinese Investors Forum on Doing Business in Nigeria”, said partnering with Chinese investors and their government would bring lots of value to Nigeria’s industrial sector.

    “This partnership with China is a handshake that will bring a lot of values to our processes. We are looking at making it easier for an average Nigerian business man to relate with an average Chinese man such that we will be able to break down the barriers.

    “We are hoping to progress to being practical in terms of assisting each side to go through the regulatory processes, to build confidence, encourage partnership, have synergy both in terms of investments and availability of science and technology and manufacturing practices,” he said.

    The MAN DG stated that the border closure by the Federal Government was not a sustainable strategy, advising the government to find a more convenient way to manage the crisis for businesses to survive.

    He warned that the border closure, if kept shut for long, would only intensify smuggling through other routes that are not covered by the closure.

    Read Also: NNPC, Chinese firm to start AKK pipeline

     

    His words: “The border closure is actually a double edged sword; on one hand, it has been able to address, to some extent, the challenge we have about unfair competition from goods that flow in from countries without going through the normal channels, which is usually referred to as smuggling which has impacted some sectors of manufacturing negatively.

    “But on the other hand, it is also hampering our capacity to export our products to these West African countries and especially for those who have established a kind of value chain around the West African sub region such that their production capacity does not start and end in one country.

    “We have continued to say to government that closing the borders is not a sustainable strategy.”

    Earlier, the President, Chinese Investors Association for Development and Promotion, Ronnie Liu Changan, said the investment forum was to deepen the existing mutual relationship between both countries.

    He said his dream was to see both countries forge stronger bilateral relationship. While noting that in the past, he had issues cooperating with the Nigerian business community, he but stated that the situation later improved positively.

    “This investors’ forum is to guide all Nigerian business men and women who are willing to do genuine business with China and we hope we would be able to strengthen the trade ties because we believe in the Nigerian economy,” Changan said.

  • Food firm donates boats, equipment to Lagos

    By Ambrose Nnaji

    The  Food and Beverage  Recycling  Alliance  (FBRA) has given over six boats  and  equipment to the  Lagos State government  through the  Lagos State  Waste Management Authority  (LAWMA) and  Lagos State  Waterways  Authority (LASWA)

    The Vice Chairman of FBRA, Mr. Adekunle Olusuyi, who led the delegation of the Alliance, expressed satisfaction on the progress made so far with the kickoff of the partnership with Lagos State government through LAWMA and LASWA.

    “The Alliance aims to turn the current challenge of plastic waste in Nigeria into an opportunity to create jobs and commercial activities by improving the collection and recycling of plastics even on our water ways,” he said

    FBRA’s Technical Lead, Amaka Onyemelukwe, said the donation, which took place at the Ikoyi Jetty of the LASWA office, signifies the official kick-off of the partnership between Alliance and the Lagos State government, against the background of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed last year.

    Under the MoU, FBRA will provide funding for equipment, gears and personnel training, while Lagos State Government will be responsible for structural civil works, managing execution, personnel, waste sorting centres and enforcement.

    Also, FBRA and Lagos State Government will jointly fund public awareness campaigns and advocacy on appropriate packaging of waste and disposal systems.

    Amaka further explained that the project will create awareness and awaken the consciousness of the public on the need to rid the waterways of marine plastic and waste.

    Read Also: Lagos govt shuts Oyingbo Market over environmental infractions

     

    “The long term objective is to have our waterways cleared of all sorts of  marine waste  and when this is done we would have safe and clean waterways were all  habitats of aquatic life  would be sustained  and our water transportation would be seamless as canvassed by the government,” she said.

    She stressed that the aim of the partnership with the government is to be able to enforce behavioural change that would be imbibed by the target audience, adding that the future of the alliance is very bright.

    LAWMA’s Managing Director, Muyiwa Gbadegesin, commended FBRA and the partnership, noting that “it will add value to the ultimate goal of having a clean waterway in the metropolis if not total but definitely to the barest minimum.”

    Permanent Secretary, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Mrs. Belinda Aderonke, who was represented by Mrs. Collins Oluyomi, lauded the partnership initiative being championed by FBRA.

    She stressed further that the initiative would reduce waste on the waterways and equally serve as means of awareness, sensitisation and education of the citizens and residents of Lagos State.

    According to her, the understanding will create “Massive awareness on sustainable practice and a change in the lifestyle of the citizens of the state for a cleaner Lagos.”

  • Mr. Biggs launches new outlets

    By Ambrose Nnaji

    To enhance customers’ pleasure and convenience, Mr. Bigg’s, the Quick Service Restaurants (QSR) run by the United Africa Company (UAC) of Nigeria Restaurants Limited, has launched new customer suits in Lagos as well as other states across the federation.

    The company launched its model restaurant at Northwest Filing Station at Victoria Garden City (VGC), Lagos, in a grand event which took place during the week.

    The store, which houses both Mr. Bigg’s and Debonair’s Pizza counters, is delicately designed with great interior finishing, which is an embodiment of taste, class and convenience, with wooden wall features, suspended pendants lightings, floral arrangements and wall paintings, all conveying a strong desire to offer customers  high level of class and comfort.

    With ample space in downstairs and upstairs lobby, which offers the coziest setting, it is tastefully finished with comfortable and relaxable sitting options in loosed seats, bunks and timber bench seats. The kids play area also offers the perfect fun experience for children.

    The vibrancy of the model restaurant is seen in all of Mr. Bigg’s new outlets in different parts of the country including Challenge in Ibadan, Onitsha, Owerri, Idiroko and other outlets in Amuwo Odofin, Ijeshatedo and Abule Egba in Lagos State.

    Read Also: Company launches buffet restaurant to redefine food SMEs

     

    The new outlets, according to the Marketing Manager, UAC Restaurants, Mrs. Ethel Mba, depicts excellence, offering a wide variety of meals ranging from local to continental dishes, which according to her, is the heritage of Mr. Bigg’s.

    According to her, many customers who had visited the new restaurants were impressed and excited with the excellent service experience which she said largely addressed their eating needs.

    With over 75 restaurants in Nigeria, the company, Mba said, was a response to consumers’ need for quick, fresh and tasty meals as they become increasingly busy and with less time for cooking.

    Mr. Bigg’s specialties, she said, included meat pie, scotch egg, doughnut, peppered and barbeque marinated chicken, celebration cakes and different types of confectionaries, while Nigeria delicacies included soups like Efo riro, Edikiakong, Fisherman Soup etc.

    Mba stated that while the customers are excited by this new development, the company’s management expressed its commitment to passionately drive the business objective of growing and sustaining a positive image for the brand and building consumer loyalty.

  • Fed Govt: Reforms’ll fast-track growth

    By Charles Okonji

     

    The bulk of the recent policies initiated by the Federal Government were aimed at putting the economy back on track on a sustainable basis, President Muhammadu Buhari has said.

    Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 17th meeting of the National Council on Science and Technology held in Awka, Anambra State, over the weekend, he said the policy initiatives would not only fast track economic growth, but also reduce unemployment.

    The meeting had the theme:  “Moving Nigeria from Import Dependent to Sustainable Self-reliant and Exporting Nation through Science, Technology and Innovation.”

    The president, who was represented at the meeting by the Minister of State for Science and Technology, Mohammed Abdullahi, described the theme as apt, in view of the numerous challenges facing the country, such as security and rampant cases of smuggling across the borders.

    He pointed out that his administration had initiated guided reforms for the growth, development and wellbeing of Nigerians, adding that his administration meant well for the citizens.

    The President called on Nigerians to make use of what is being produced in the country, stressing that the government and the ministry were working hard at synergising with the organised private sector to commercialise Research and Development (R&D) results.

    Read Also: Polaris Bank launches target loans for health SMEs

     

    He said the only way to achieve sustainable growth and move the country forward is through export, adding that it can only be achieved through science, technology and innovation.

    Abdullahi said the ministry is endowed with human resources, which can help in moving the country to the next level.

    He added that science, technology and innovation have pivotal role in transforming Nigeria into a sustainable, self-reliant nation.

    Earlier in his opening remarks, the Commissioner, Ministry of Tertiary Education, Science and Technology, Anambra State, Prof. Theresa Nkechi Obikezie, said the National Council on Science and Technology was aimed at promoting the scientific development and technological modernisation of Nigeria.

    She said this will be done through developing high level human resources, promoting and maintaining scientific research projects and disseminating scientific and technological information.

    Prof. Obikezie called on the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology and her agencies to put Anambra State in the first line of states to be carried along in their activities.

    The Chairman, Senate Committee on Science and Technology, Senator Uche Lilian Ekwunife, said Nigeria is blessed with a vast natural and human resources, which must be harnessed and used by the manufacturing sector to boost the economy.

  • Harnessing SMEs’ potential to boost growth

    Owners of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Ibadan, Oyo State, have called on the Federal Government to harness the potential of SMEs to drive economic growth and create jobs. At an event organised by some members of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) in Ibadan, Oyo State, the SME owners noted that harnessing the potential of SMEs remains a viable option to bring the economy out of the woods. OLUWAKEMI DAUDA reports.

     

    THE formulation and implementation of policies and measures targeted at boosting the capacity of Small and Medium scale Enterprises (SMEs) will help harness the potential of the sector, which will in turn, boost economic diversification and create jobs.

    This was the position taken by some SME owners who, after their meeting in Ibadan, Oyo State, called on the Federal Government to prioritise reforms and policies that will help re-direct SMEs to contribute meaningfully to economic growth.

    At the conference organised by the business owners with the theme: How to Make Small and Medium Scale Industry Attractive to Youths to Boost the Economy,” the entrepreneurs said one of the factors militating against the diversification of the economy was the “lack of proper attention given to the small scale industries by the Federal and State governments.”

    They, therefore, called on government at all levels to formulate responsive and dynamic policies that can sufficiently stimulate the SME sector.

    One of the organisers of MAN, Chief Adegbite Badmus, said the simple measure of any economy is the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which, according to him, is defined as the value of goods and services produced in a given year, of which SMEs are key contributors.

    “There is the need for the Federal Government to harness the potential of the SMEs so that they can have an overwhelming positive impact on the GDP and influence the growth and development of the economy through market expansion, opportunities for foreign trade, competition, and foreign exchange earnings,” Badmus said.

    He, however, bemoaned SMEs’ lack of access to loans, which he said, still remains a major bottleneck to boosting the capacity of SMEs in the country.

    Although, he acknowledged the Federal Government’s efforts to provide intervention funds to support small businesses, he expressed worries that the requirements to obtain the funds are too cumbersome and discouraging to small business owners.

    “There is an urgent need to bridge the gaps in access to finance, access to markets, and also empower our small and medium scale entrepreneurs to be able to compete globally. There is also the need to strengthen the financial institutions to empower the visionary youths in the country,” Badmus said.

    The entrepreneur further said there is need to build the capacity and skills of Nigerians to access finance as consumers, investors and entrepreneurs; increase the number, visibility and influence of the youth in leadership and decision-making positions in the manufacturing sector.

    A  legal consultant and member of the group, Mr. Clement Okafor, pointed out that the research conducted by his group has shown that if the financial and business sectors become more inclusive for youths in particular, the result will be a large-scale and fundamental shift in the business and financial landscape across the country.

    “Our research has revealed that small scale industries have positive impact on the economy of many countries because they provide employment opportunities to the youth.

    “But in Nigeria, as in many other African countries, there is dearth of financial institutions that cater for long and medium term credit needs of small and medium business operations,” Okafor  said.

    He emphasised that the importance of small scale industries to the economic survival of the country cannot be overemphasised. They have moved from the sub-existence level of pre-indigenisation period to a position of importance in the country’s industrialisation process,” he said.

    Read Also: Nasarawa, SMEDAN partner on MSMEs

     

    Okafor further pointed out that in any economy, small scale industries are powers to reckon with in terms of provision of employment to the people, adding that small scale industries can perform their roles effectively if they are empowered economically.

    “In Nigeria, small scale industries have not been encouraged enough by the government due to some constraints such as lack of clear policy on the part of the government to strengthen their operations, lack of capital, lack of facilities in the form of power, water supply, good road networks etc.,” he said.

    According to him, there is need for an enabling environment to make small businesses operate optimally. “The principal factor hindering their operations is lack of capital. The capital for such businesses could either come through personal savings, through pooling of resources from friends or through commercial banks as the case may be,” he emphasised.

    A former employee of United Bank for Africa (UBA), Mr. Samson Onabanjo, said commercial banks have enormous roles to play to help small scale enterprises, but lamented that they have not been able to play the intermediation roles due to lack of capital,.

    “Lack of defined policy for lending to the public and heavy collaterals among others are also issues. Lack of defined interest rate, man-know-man syndrome and other constraints are preventing small scale industries from performing their roles,” he stated.

    Onabanjo said there was the need to identify the problems encountered by SME owners in obtaining finance from commercial banks, appraise the situation and make recommendations as to how to improve on the bank services.

    The Federal Government, he also said, needs to create attractive opportunities for investment. “We must conduct other aspects of commercial banking operations like acceptance of terms deposit and provision of loans to Nigerians,” he said.

    Onabanjo praised the Central bank of Nigeria (CBN) for supporting manufacturers with long term loan facilities to boost their investments and for taking strong stance on the need to sustain the ongoing land border policy aimed at repositioning the nation’s economy.

    He urged the Federal Government to sustain land border closure policy in order to fully achieve the benefits. He also condemned some proponents of border re-opening, noting that the development of Nigeria was paramount.

    Onabanjo noted that the gains of the border closure are numerous to mention, but specifically, “Its impact on the economy and security is unprecedented and manufacturers are now able to sell out the huge goods deposits in their warehouses.”

    “We are in total support of the position of all the stakeholders/investors who supported the border closure.

    “As the giant of Africa, it is absurd for developed nations to build warehouses in our neighboring countries and pay them heavily for goods to be dumped therein and smuggled into our country with little or no returns to the government to develop our country to international standard,” the banker said.

  • Regus launches new workspace in Lagos

    Olaitan Ganew

    Regus has announced the launch of its second workspace in Lagos.

    The Executive Vice Chairman, Regus, Ayo Akinmade, while speaking during the launch, said the workspace was its second in the space of four months.

    He said the launch was in line with its wider strategy to bring the workplace closer to businesses in Lagos.

    Akinmade said, “We look forward to having another centre next year and also intend to introduce another brand of the International Workspace Group to take advantage of products offerings.

    READ ALSO: Regus’ Port Harcourt centre relaunched

    “All sizes of businesses can take advantage of the offerings as the prices can be afforded by one man businesses and multinationals alike.”

    He added that the offices were designed to enhance productivity and connect like-minded professionals and reduce cost of owning and maintaining an office space.

    According to him, workspaces enable businesses to operate anywhere, without the need for set-up costs or capital investment.

    Akinmade stated that Regus would continue to provide customers with immediate cost benefits and the opportunity to fully outsource their office portfolio.

  • Okunlola bags international business award

    The Managing Director of TILT Group of Company Mr Habeeb Okunola has emerged winner of the ‘Excellence in Business Leadership and Community Development’ award at the Pan African Humanitarian Summit and Awards (PAHSA) in Abu Dhabi.

    The coveted accolade awarded by Pan African Leadership and Entrepreneurship Development Center (PALDEC) recognised Okunola as a frontline business leader of international repute committed to fostering grassroots development in underserved communities in Africa.

    The award category is for the most daring and futuristic-inclined business leaders with measurable achievements in humanitarian interventions and socio-economic development.

    Speaking through his associate – Tobi Onile-Ere at the PAHSA ceremony, Okunola attributed the strides to his team at TILT Group of companies.

    “I am humbled to be receiving the 2019 Excellence in Business Leadership and Community Development award and will also like to recognise my colleagues at TILT Group of companies for their commitment towards ensuring the conglomerate remains a leader in the industries we serve; as well as empowering communities where we work to consolidate effort of the government in ensuring social justice.

    “All my colleagues at TILT Group share the credit for this award; most especially the Chairman of the Group – Alhaji Musa Halilu-Ahmed for his invaluable contributions and direction,” he said.

    Some past recipients of the Pan African Humanitarian Summit and awards are President of Tanzania – H.E Dr. John Magufuli, Former President of Ghana – H.E John Agyekum Kufuor, Managing Partner of Ethiopian Airline & Head of Transaction Advisory – Mr Zemedeneh Negatu, Executive Chairman IPP Media Group-Tanzania – Dr. Reginald Mengi, Director General National Broadcasting Commission, Nigeria – Mr Is’haq Modibbo Kawu, amongst others.

    The summit and award dinner was attended by global changemakers, international players in the different sectors from across the globe, captains of industry, and members of the diplomatic community.

  • Shareholders approve proposed merger between CCNN, Obu Cement

    Moses Emorinken, Abuja

    The Cement Company of Northern Nigeria (CCNN) is in the process of seeking final approval from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on its proposed merger with Obu Cement Plc, as shareholders unanimously voted in favour of the proposed merger to enhance operating and administrative efficiency.

    The plebiscite which took place at the Court-Ordered General Meeting of the shareholders of the CCNN had 157 out of 170 accredited shareholders voting in favour of the resolution.

    According to the Chairman of the CCNN, Alhaji Abdulsamad Rabiu, “The total number of shares held by shareholders present and who voted was 307,027,755 shares, and voted in favour of the resolution approving the scheme which represents 99.93 per cent. Based on the results of the poll, the motion for the merger of CCNN with Obu Cement was unanimously carried.

    “The report of the result of this meeting will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for its final approval. Following the final approval by SEC, a copy of the result will also be submitted to the federal high court.

    “The shareholders of the merging entities are well positioned to benefit from the stronger position of the enlarged company due to greater economies of scale and enhanced operating and administrative efficiencies which are expected to accrue from the proposed merger,” he said.

    According to the document which contains the benefits of the merger, “The proposed merger will increase the production capacity of the enlarged company to 8 million MTPA. It is anticipated that in addition to meeting the demand from customers in the core regions in the country, the enlarged company would be positioned to distribute its products in new geographical markets, creating the potential for additional shareholder value creation.

    “We expect the proposed merger to provide opportunities for significant cost savings and improved operational efficiencies by streamlining operations and optimizing the use of combined resources.

    READ ALSO: Cement Company of Northern Nigeria declares N1.918b profit

    “It will also provide a platform where the enlarged company benefits from economies of scale in procurement, distribution and manufacturing of the products offered to customers”.

    Alhaji Rabiu further explained that shareholders of the merging entities will become shareholders of a larger and highly profitable entity, as synergies created as a result of the merger will create additional value for shareholders.

    “The Enlarged Company will create a platform for further investment that will have a positive impact on the communities where the operations of the companies are present as well as for the economy as a whole,” he said.

    Approved.Received, thank you.Well received, thanks.

  • Inspiring a new generation of African entrepreneurs

    The Africa Netpreneur Prize Initiative launched by the Jack Ma Foundation will award $10 million to 100 African entrepreneurs over thee next 10 years. The foundation is an initiative of founder of Alibaba Group Mr. Jack Ma. Its aim is to support and inspire the next generation of African entrepreneurs. The first 10 budding entrepreneurs, who won this year’s share of the $1 million prize, were announced at the Africa’s Business Heroes Show, with four Nigerian entrepreneurs leading the pack. Assistant Editor CHIKODI OKEREOCHA, just back from the inaugural Africa Netpreneur Summit in Accra, Ghana, reports.

    It took his first trip to Africa in July 2017 to get inspired by the energy and entrepreneurial potential of the young people he met. During the visit, Chinese business mogul and founder of Alibaba Group, a multinational technology conglomerate, Mr. Jack Ma, immediately committed to inspiring, training and supporting entrepreneurs in Africa.

    Ma’s plan was to help build inclusive business models that can create jobs and economic opportunities for the continent. “I have been inspired by the entrepreneurs I met in Africa, many of whom are dealing with the same challenges we faced when we started Alibaba years ago. I truly believe the potential of Africa’s business heroes is limitless,” he said.

    To demonstrate his unflinching commitment to driving Africa’s transition to a digital economy, he announced the establishment of the Africa Netpreneur Prize Initiative (ANPI), a philanthropic initiative aimed at supporting and inspiring the next generation of African entrepreneurs across all sectors who are building a more sustainable and inclusive economy for the future of the continent.

    The ANPI is spearheaded by the Jack Ma Foundation. “We launched the ANPI to identify top entrepreneurs from across the continent, not only to reward them, but to inspire a whole new generation of potential game-changers for Africa,” Ma, who is also the founder of the foundation, explained.

    Under the initiative, the foundation set aside  $10 million grant to be awarded to 100 entrepreneurs over the next 10 years. In other words, the ANPI will award $1 million each year. This will be done at an annual pitch competition where the top 10 finalists will compete to win their share of the prize money.

    The prize is open to entrepreneurs from all industries. But Ma especially encouraged those running small businesses, those making a difference in their local communities and female entrepreneurs to apply. And the response  across Africa including Nigeria was encouraging. Nearly 10,000 applicants from 50 African countries threw their hats into the ring.

    After months of judging and deliberation, a diverse group of 10 finalists, representing a range of industries and experience, was chosen to lead the way for Africa’s emerging digital economy. The 10 lucky finalists, four of whom are Nigerians, had pitched their business directly to four judges during the Africa’s Business Heroes Show held at the Accra International Convention Centre (AICC), Ghana, on November 16.

    The Africa’s Business Heroes Show was the highpoint of the inaugural Africa Netpreneur Summit hosted by the Jack Ma Foundation. It was a platform where African and global entrepreneurs, investors, educators, and leaders  discussed how best to enable entrepreneurship and the digital economy across the continent.

     

    Nigerian entrepreneurs lead the pack

    Among the top 10 finalists Nigerian budding entrepreneur Temie Giwa-Tubosun emerged the overall winner of the Africa netpreneur prize.

    Giwa-Tubosun, who is the founder and CEO, LifeBank, a medical distribution company, smiled home with $250,000, the highest share of the $1 million prize pool. Her LifeBank uses data and technology to deliver blood and other critical medical supplies to hospitals. The company has saved over 5,300 lives in Nigeria.

    She has over 10 years of health-management experience with the Department for International Development, the World Health Organisation, the United Nations Development Programme and Lagos State Government.

    In recognition of her pioneering work, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), in 2014, listed her as one of the 100 women changing the world. She was also recognised by Quartz and the World Economic Forum.

    The $250,000 prize money was a shot in Giwa-Tubosun’s arm. Hear her: “The Africa Netpreneur Prize will give me the resources to grow LifeBank and expand our presence in Nigeria and throughout the rest of Africa. I look forward to continuing my journey to solve problems and make a significant impact on the future of Africa.”

    The burgeoning entrepreneur whose innovative and pioneering work at LifeBank clearly swayed the four judges to her favour said, “It was an incredible honour to be named Africa’s Business Hero. I was truly inspired by my fellow winners at today’s Netpreneur Summit.”

    Read Also: Innovative, promising world of digital agri-preneurs

     

    The four judges who could not resist Giwa-Tubosun’s compelling pitch included FirstBank of Nigeria Chairman and The Chair Centre Group founder Ibukun Awosika, Econet Group founder and Executive Chairman Strive Masiyiwa, Alibaba Group Executive Vice Chairman Joe Tsai, and Ma.

    The judges also declared the founder and CEO, of Nawah-Scientific, Dr. Omar Sakr, from Egypt, second place winner, and he was rewarded with $150,000. The third place position went to founder, Water Access Rwanda, Christelle Kwizera, from Rwanda. She got $100,000.

    The remaining seven finalists each received $65,000. Three of the seven finalists were Nigerians —co-founder, Thrive Agric, Ayodeji Arikawe; founder, Black Swan, Dr. Tosan J. Mogbeyiteren; and co-founder, DrugStoc, Chibuzo Opara.

    The four Nigerian entrepreneurs (including Giwa-Tubosun) are now calling the shot in the African entrepreneurial space by leveraging on the Jack Ma Foundation’s philanthropy.

    For instance, Arikawe’s Thrive Agric, an agricultural technology-enabled company, empowers smallholder farmers with greater access to finance, as well as improves their income and harvest distribution.

    Today, Thrive Agric works with 22,000 farmers in Nigeria. Although the company has its eyes on building the largest network of farmers in Africa, Arikawe, who is a software engineer, said his mission was to build an Africa that feeds the world and itself.

    On his part, Mogbeyiteren is a public-health specialist with more than 13 years experience in deploying technology to solve development challenges in Nigeria.

    He is helping to solve Nigeria’s public-health challenges by deploying an automated scheduling, GPS-enabled software-as-a-service that uses a combination of digital record keeping and community engagement to increase birth registration and early childhood immunisations.

    Black Swan is working with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Nigeria to expand WeMUNIZE coverage in northern Nigeria.

    Also, DrugStoc, co-founded by Opara, is a cloud-based pharmaceutical IT and logistics platform focused on eliminating counterfeit drugs, expanding access to pharmaceutical products and improving transparency in pricing for health-care providers and the product supply chain.

    Opara is a health economist and medical doctor with over 12 years of experience in the health sector. He has worked with the World Health Organisation, the World Bank, and the International Finance Corporation.

    While Nigerian entrepreneurs may have undoubtedly taken the continent’s entrepreneurial landscape by storm, other entrepreneurs from across Africa are also pushing.

    Other finalists who emerged from other African countries at the Africa’s Business Heroes Show included CEO, Mumm, Waleed Abd El Rahman (Egypt); Founder and CEO, J-Palm, Mahmud Johnson (Liberia); Co-founder and CEO, UZURI K&Y, Kevine Kagirim-pundu (Rwanda); and Co-founder and CEO, Afrikrea, Moulaye Taboure (Cote D’Ivoire).

    Explaining the criteria for the selection of the top three winners, which include Giwa-Tubosun, the overall winner, Ma said the judges, during the pitch, looked for “A business model that is simple, profitable and sustainable.”

    He said the finalists who competed in Africa’s Business Heroes should be an inspiration for Africa and for the world.

    “Each of these entrepreneurs looked at big challenges facing their communities, and saw them as opportunities,” Ma said.

    He expressed strong belief that entrepreneur heroes, like these finalists, will change the world – creating companies that drive inclusive growth and opportunity for the continent. “Everyone is a winner tonight,” Ma maintained.

    For Masiyiwa, “This competition demonstrates the overwhelming entrepreneurial talent that exists across Africa. I’m very excited about the future of industry and entrepreneurship for this continent. The top 10 truly show the limitless potential of African business.”

    On her part, Awosika said: “What really struck me about the finalists was that they each addressed specific African problems with a specific African solution in a fresh way, leveraging technology that wasn’t available previously.

    “If this is an indication of the future of entrepreneurship on the continent, then Africa’s future looks bright.”

  • Mining: Robust geosciences information offer promises

    The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, appears to be leaving no stone unturned in its quest to position mining to drive economic diversification. The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Russian Ministry of Trade and Investment on scientific and technical cooperation in geosciences and the commissioning of a Geology & Mineral Museum attest to its resolve to improve the nation’s geological and mineral information systems. These strategic moves hold promises of encouraging investments across the entire mineral value chain and ultimately, transforming the mining sector. Assistant Editor CHIKODI OKEREOCHA reports.

     

    Despite holding an abundant amount of mineral resources to drive her on-going economic diversification, Nigeria so far has not been able to reap the full potential benefits on offer.  Africa’s largest and most populous economy has not been able to optimise the exploitation of her nature-endowed mineral resources to underpin broad-based sustainable growth and socio-economic development, due partly to inaccurate and unreliable geo-scientific input upon which most mining ventures are supposed to thrive.

    However, concerted efforts to leverage on improved geological and mineral information systems to change this narrative and hopefully, position mining as Nigeria’s next oil have taken centre stage.  And the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA), which is the nation’s custodian of all geosciences information, is the focus of the latest push by the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development to force the country’s optimal mineral resources exploration and exploitation for industrialisation and job creation.

    The NGSA is a parastatal under the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development. The Agency, established by an Act of the National Assembly on May 22, 2006, has the statutory role of providing relevant and up-to-date geosciences information necessary for economic development of Nigeria.

    This is accomplished through a systematic process of gathering, collating, assessment and dissemination of all information related to rocks, minerals and groundwater resources of the country.

    Apparently aware that effective mining is based largely on good quality geological and mineral information systems, the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Arc. Olamilekan Adegbite, has since turned his attention to strengthening the NGSA to deliver on his promises of turning around the fortunes of the mining sector.

    Already, on his behest, two major strategic interventions targeted at the agency have raised fresh hopes of not only encouraging investment across the entire mineral value chain, but also quicken investment decisions.

    These include the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Russian Ministry of Trade and Investment on scientific and technical cooperation in geosciences and the commissioning of a Geology & Mineral Museum.

    While the MoU is expected to boost geoscience information for reliability and investors’ attraction to the mining sector, the Museum, which harbours Nigeria’s diverse historic geological information and data, will, among others, serve as a contact between the investing public and the diverse mineral types in the country.

    Adegbite, who signed the game-changing MoU on behalf of the NGSA, in Sochi, Russia, during the Russia-Africa Summit, explained that its purpose was to express the commitment of the parties to conduct activities in the fields of geosciences on the basis of equality, reciprocity and mutual benefit. “The MoU spelt out the forms of cooperation expected, which include exchanges of scientific and technical information; exchange of study visits and scientists,” he said.

    Other contents of the MoU that has put various stakeholders in the mining sector in an expectant mood included collaboration on research activities, joint organisation of symposia, conferences, workshops, training programmes and other forms of cooperation as may be mutually agreed between the parties.

    Other areas of cooperation include research and development on basic geology, geological maps compilation and regional mineralisation correlation, methodology and technology, among others.

    The MoU seen as a shot in NGSA’s arm also included aero-geophysical survey, geo-database construction and geo-information sharing, marine geology, research and monitoring of geo-hazards etc.

    And with the MoU’s broad contents, an excited Adegbite acknowledged the passion and efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari to change the mining sector’s narrative by putting in place mechanisms that would fast-track development and achievements.

    “President Buhari has given us so much support in the mining sector and it is now bearing fruits,’’ he said, in a statement made available to The Nation. He stated that the African Export-Import Bank was party to the MOU.

    While Mr. Gerald Chilhota represented the bank’s President, Prof. Benedict Oramah, the CEO and Chairman of Russian State Geological Holding (ROSGEO), Sergey Gorkov, represented the Russian Ministry of Trade and Investment, during the signing of the MoU.

    The MOU, which aimed at boosting Nigeria’s industrial minerals base to support local industries, create jobs and conserve foreign exchange, also described the deal as a win-win for the ministry, the NGSA and the mining sector.

    The minister sure stated the obvious. For instance, the NGSA, as the custodian of all geosciences information, stands to leverage on the cooperation tap from the Russian experience in the areas of mineral exploration and exploitation.

    The agency will also benefit from the exchange of expertise and capacity building, as well as technology transfer in the areas of mining, geological data gathering, dissemination and geo-database development.

    The MoU’s capacity to scale up research is no less heart-warming. It was envisaged that research projects on critical minerals for national development and improved research methodology will enhance accuracy and credibility of results. This will, by extension, reduce investment risks in the sector and also lead to quick investment decisions.

    Indeed, Russia is acknowledged as one of the richest countries in natural resources such as gold, iron ore, chromium, manganese, copper, lead zinc, titanium, nickel, platinum, tungsten, phosphate, tin and diamond. Incidentally, Nigeria also has evidence of huge resources in most of these mineral commodities, which have remained largely untapped.

    A scientific and technical cooperation between both countries in geosciences will therefore, help in properly evaluating these mineral commodities and enable accurate estimate of reserves. The agency will also benefit with best international methodology for documentation and presentation of needed investment geo-information through exchange of information, scientific and technical personnel.

    Read Also: FG, Russia sign MOU on geoscience data

     

    The ministry also

    Nigeria’s collaboration with Russia in geological maps compilation and regional mineralisation correlation will also assist the ministry in exploring for iron and steel raw materials to support the evolving revitalisation of the Nigerian steel industry.

    The cooperation will provide the ministry with skills in the effective enforcement of standard mining regulation and monitoring framework in a manner that mining is carried out in strict adherence to environmental regulations.

    Also, the ministry will benefit with skills in mines reclamation/utilisation for agriculture and tourism. Besides, the cooperation with Russia on airborne geophysical surveys will help optimise the usage of the nationwide geophysical surveys conducted with World Bank facilities and also add value to the results to enhance full utilisation of the survey across the mineral sector.

    According to experts, Nigeria has a vast coastal surface area of about 46, 300 (853 km facing the Atlantic Ocean and 28,000 km terrestrial portion). Cooperation in marine geology will, therefore, further expand the frontiers and base of Nigeria’s mineral resources.

    A marine geological mapping will in addition help to map out heavy metals that found their way to the nation’s ecosystem and become harmful to plants, animals and humans.

    On geo-hazard monitoring, research will benefit the entire sector with skills in prediction, detection and management of geo-hazard. This will upscale the level of safety to life and infrastructures and ensure investor confidence.

    Cooperation in the area of hydro and environmental studies will improve the management of climate change as well as remediate air and mines pollution on groundwater crops and ecosystem in the two countries.

    On the strength of these envisaged benefits, NGSA Director-General Dr. Abdulrazaq Garba said the signing of the MoU was another “dimension to the ministry‘s success and its efforts towards achieving international collaborations. He commended the minister for being pragmatic, prompt and responsive by signing the landmark MoU.

     

    Mineral Museum to the rescue

    The icing on the cake of the renewed push to leverage on a more robust NGSA to transform the mining sector was perhaps, the recent commissioning of the agency’s Geology & Mineral Museum.

    The facility, which was commissioned on November 12, 2019, harbours diverse historic geological information and data purposely for geological research, education and public outreach/enlightenment.

    Adegbite explained that with the museum, previous geological and temporal geo-scientific information can be accessed, analysed and correlated with present findings to further understand existing geological models typical to a target area of interest.

    He added that the facility could also be used for model re-establishment or upgrading. “First hand geo-information can be accessed through the museum as a reference point alongside temporal variations. This will aid in mineralisation model building,” he said.

    The minster added that “The museum will serve as a contact between the investing public and the diverse mineral types we have in the country.”

    Interestingly, the ministry’s current focus on the agency in an attempt to re-energise the nation’s mineral value chain is coming at a time it stepped up its mineral assessment programmes in an effort to develop metallic and industrial minerals, in line with the Federal Government’s objective to diversify the economy.

    For instance, the NGSA represented the ministry in a recent collaboration with the Cement Technology Institute of Nigeria (CTI) in a project aimed at the inventorisation and assessment of all carbonate rock resources (limestone, marble, magnetite, and dolomite) of Nigeria. The project identified and characterised the resources of the various carbonate rock types in terms of their location, size, chemistry and suitability of the commodity for cement manufacture.

    The end-users of the data generated include Cement Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, local and international investors (agro millers and manufacturers of polished/dimension stones.

    Others are Federal and State governments.