The Nation Newspaper

Category: Society

  • Ebenezer Onyeagwu’s sustaining power

    Ebenezer Onyeagwu’s sustaining power

    Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu, the miracle-working banker and chief executive officer of Zenith Bank has continued to prove cynics wrong for many reasons.

    His lofty ideas have transformed the bank into a profit-maximising venture and an impressive customer-friendly entity laced with innovations that put the bank high among global competitors.

    When he was to be announced as the head honcho of the bank, some people kicked against it but those who supported him and staked their integrity based on his previous track records and his ability to deliver are currently having the last laugh.

    After he took charge of the bank; he realized that no man is an island so he created a conducive working environment with a good team playing spirit which was possible for him to achieve resounding success, especially during the pandemic when most banks were counting their losses and laying off their huge workforce due to their inability to pay salaries. A few weeks ago, Zenith released its unaudited results for the third quarter (Q3) which ended September 30, 2023, under his watch the bank recorded a remarkable triple-digit growth of 114 per cent from N620.6 billion reported in Q3 2022 to N1.33 trillion in Q3 2023. According to the Q3 financial results presented to the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), the Group recorded a 149 per cent year-on-year (YoY) increase in profit before tax, growing from N202.5 billion in Q3 2022 to N505 billion in Q3 2023.

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    Under Onyeagwu’s watch, Zenith Bank’s profit after tax also grew remarkably by 149 per cent from N174.3 billion to N434.2 billion in the same period. The growth in the top line arose from both interest income and non-interest income. Interest income grew in the current period by 72 per cent to N670.9 billion from N390.8 billion in Q3 2022, while non-interest income grew by 186 per cent, from N212 billion to N607.2 billion. The impressive end-of-the-year performance has demonstrated the Group’s resilience and strong market share despite a very challenging macroeconomic environment among other factors but Onyeagwu we gathered has received vote-of-confidence from shareholders to continue the good work to further place the bank on winning ways in the first quarter of 2024.

  • Yinka Oropo celebrates 60th birthday

    Yinka Oropo celebrates 60th birthday

    Celebrated socialite and businessman Yinka Oropo is not a greenhorn in the Lagos social circle. He is known for his jovial and welcoming nature which has carved a niche for him over the years.

    Those close to him have often said that Yinka is a friend everyone would like to have in their corner owing to his ability to watch out for his friends and also invest time in anything that concerns those around him. He is one of the few who holds the tenets of friendship in high esteem and can go to any length for the sake of friendship.

    On the Lagos social scene, he is that man who can turn the tempo of any party around with his presence, show-stopping aura and magic wand. He knows how to host parties. If you put him in charge of your drinks and meals, be sure that guests will never forget your event in a hurry as his sense of hospitality is second to none. He makes sure everyone is treated accordingly with a free-flowing supply of every available item.

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    Today, December 13, the Ijebu-Ode-born lanky businessman is celebrating his 60th birthday amidst pomp and glee. He will surely paint the streets of Lagos red starting from the venue at White Stone Event Centre, Ikeja where he will host top monarchs, socialites, businessmen, politicians friends and associates to a high-octane celebration.

    His close friends have vowed to also celebrate him to the high heavens with their presence as he is set to reciprocate his good deeds to them over the years.

    The highly influential celebrant has also vowed to make his 60th birthday a movie-like experience for guests with lots of activities in the lineup. The celebrant is ready to show the world that no one can beat him to the game as he is set to leave a long-lasting impression in the hearts of his people. 

  • ‘Support research for development’

    ‘Support research for development’

    Members of the Association of Media and Communication Researchers of Nigeria (AMCRON) have called on federal government to support academic research that would engender national development. President of the association, Prof. Eserinune McCarty Mojaye who spoke at the 3rd AMCRON International Conference and Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at the University of Lagos, said that advanced countries of the world realise the importance of research and they deploy it on all frontiers. He noted that in the developing countries however, ‘we do not seem to accord research its pride of place in the scheme of things.’

    Theme of the conference was Communication, Mass Media and Governance in Africa: Trajectories, Expectations and Realities. According to Prof. Mojaye AMCRON members are determined to change this narrative and we are committed to making research the bedrock of our development. “We therefore need support from governments and collaboration from the private and public organisations, including well-meaning individuals to achieve our goals in the areas of research and development,” he said.

    Chairman of the event and the Chief Executive Officer, Troyka Holdings Limited, Biodun Shobanjo also urged communication scholars and researchers to interrogate issues militating against progress of the nation and proffer possible solutions. Shobanjo observed that ‘history has shown us that when society is in turmoil and the need to make sense of complexities, uncertainties and ambiguities that come about as a consequence of constant, unpredictable change is high, it is to scholars we must turn for the conceptual tools to navigate our way out of the abyss.’

    He added that the articulation and dynamic observance of the role of the media in not only informing, educating, entertaining, but more importantly, becoming the advocate and the beacon for the enthronement of good governance is now more than called for. He however expressed worry over abuse of media rules, as well as the trend of media bullying; occurrences which he said must be addressed.

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    “We are witnesses of attempts by some politicians who daily assail us in their efforts, particularly on television, to capture or intimidate on air, personalities who seek the truth from the probing questions they ask. Rather than comply, people in this category resort to blackmail, mudslinging and bullying.

    “It is as if Nigerians do not have a right to know. I do not recall the Nigerian public raising their voices in defence of theses hapless journalists. And yet we, including the political class, applaud the Piers Morgans, Steven Sackurs, Christiane Amanpours, Lyse Doucets, Oprah Winfreys, and the king of them all, the Late Larry Kings, to mention a few, when they probe and call out the political class in their own climes.”

    Professor of Journalism and Mass Communication, Ralph Akinfeleye who expressed happiness with the commitment of AMCRON to research for national development advocated the need for such efforts to be relevant and issue-based. He also reminded every media practitioner of the obligation to the people as enshrined in the Nigerian constitution.

    Prof Akinfeleye picked holes in the non-justiciability of Chapter 2, Section 22 of the constitution, and therefore called out a section of the media for what he described as acts of sabotage during the last general elections.

  • 29-year-old Okoli wins Channels TV’s Fund it Forward

    29-year-old Okoli wins Channels TV’s Fund it Forward

    Twenty-nine year old Valentine Okoli from Enugu State has emerged winner of Channels TV’s social enterprise programme: Fund it Forward Season 2. He won a cash prize of 30million naira grant. Okoli whose business name is Bach and Moen Limited, beat thirty year-old Thara Aisha Atta from Kogi State who emerged as the first runner up. Atta bagged 15million naira and her business name is High Collar Sustainable Solutions Limited. Second runner up is thirty-one year old Ayodele Erinle who hails from Abeokuta in Ogun State emerged the second runner-up. He bagged 10million naira. The name of his business is Agrify. 

    Fund it forward is a social enterprise competition organized by Channels Television.

    Twelve change agents, who have early stage businesses that directly or indirectly take on one or more of Nigeria’s social issues were brought together across the country.

    Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani stated that there is a clear deference between innovators and entrepreneurs as entrepreneurs monetize their inventions. “You can be an entrepreneur without being an innovator. But you can also be an innovator without being an entrepreneur.  You can’t be passionate about finding solutions to societal issues and you are keen on how to monetize it. The reality is that for us to move forward, we need social entrepreneurs.

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    “There is no better way to support development of the nation than to support platforms like this.

    What you have created today is a platform to raise social entrepreneurs that will help find solutions to our problems. We should encourage innovators to help find solutions to our problems. To  leap frog  the development we all desire,  we need programmes like Fund it Forward,” he added.

    Representative of Enugu State Governor and Commissioner for Information, Aka Eze Aka described the programme as a reassurance that there is hope in Nigeria for the youths.  He disclosed that in Enugu State, there are about 40,000 people being trained to understand ICT and Artificial Intelligence.

    Executive Producer of the programme,  Zemmy Momoh described the show as special while lauding the contestants for taking a “leap of faith” by participating in the show.

    “We have been blessed to have some remarkable contestants – Change Agents as we call them. All of them took a leap of faith and they came with us on a new ride. I sincerely hope it is unto bigger and better for them,” she said. 

  • Wale Tinubu waxing stronger

    Wale Tinubu waxing stronger

    If investment and money making were an art, billionaire businessman and honcho of Oando Group, Jubril Adewale Tinubu, CON would have a mastery of it. The serial entrepreneur has established himself quickly as a businessman blessed with disposition, unequaled business wisdom and ingenuity to see opportunities where others see nothing. He has proven himself formidable in the oil and gas sector, leaving his imprint anywhere he finds himself and placing himself atop the pecking order in Nigeria’s oil industry.

     While many businessmen are counting their losses over the fluidity and uncertainty hovering over the oil terrain around the world, the year 2023 has been an eventful and blissful one for the trained lawyer. He is ending the year as a happy man with lots of success stories.

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     The trained lawyer glided joyfully into the year with the award of the Private Sector Businessman of the Year in January, in recognition of his enviable position as one of Nigeria’s most venerable dealmakers. Also, he left many mouths agape when he struck a deal to acquire the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC).

     This audacious move gave him a resounding applause from OANDO shareholders, while stakeholders in the sector commended him for his visionary leadership and exploits. As the news of the proposed acquisition was making the rounds, Oando and Afreximbank signed an $800 million loan document to facilitate the energy giant’s acquisition of 100 per cent of the shares of Agip Oil Company. The deal was signed at the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) in Cairo, Egypt. Now, the question agitating the minds of his fans and admirers is, what he has up his sleeves in the coming year.

  • Tonye Princewill’s impressive performance

    Tonye Princewill’s impressive performance

    Despite being debonair with wide exposure across the world, Prince Tonye Princewill, son of the late Kalabari monarch, Prof. T.J.T Princewill Amachree XII, who passed away in June, has shown that he is in tune with his roots.

    When his father passed away, the cerebral petroleum engineer returned to the country to begin activities for the final sojourn of his father’s remains to mother earth. Tonye was said to be in tune with tradition such that he conducted the rites expected of him without hassles.

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    Unlike his peers, who would shy away from traditional practices because of their religious beliefs, Tonye was active all through with  the burial process.

    On the day of the final burial, Tonye was seen fitted in his traditional attire performing his ancestral ritual by parading his ancestors after offering them sacrifices around town barefooted.

    Those who attended were stunned. They praised him for being a ‘son of the soil’ and the  role he played in giving his late father a befitting burial according to the customs and traditions of the Kalabari People.

  • Uju Ifejika a proud mum

    Uju Ifejika a proud mum

    The Chief Executive Officer of Brittania-U Oil and Gas, Mrs. Uju Catherine Ifejika (OFR), does not do things in half measure.

    Those who her will testify to that. Any time she has cause to celebrate, she ensure she lives up to the hype that guests don’t forget her parties in a hurry.

    Aside how she handles her business with attention to details, she treats her guests like royalty.

    Those who attended her 60th birthday in 2019 confessed that she is a good host.

    It’s the happiness of every parent to see their children do well in their endeavours. most especially their daughters. When a child makes his or her parents proud, such parents will go to any length to show the child their love.

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    Her beautiful daughter Brittany Ifejika, a graduate of the University of Texas, indeed, put a has smile on her mother’s face with her conduct.

    Last weekend, Mrs. Ifejika was all smiles at the traditional wedding between Brittany and her groom, Chinedu Atanmo, son of Prof. Phillip Nwabueze Atanmo (Isimili of Ogidi) dynasty.

    The ceremony was held on December 2, at the Eko Hotels. It was a gathering of the high and mighty as the movers and shakers of Nigeria and Chief Ifejika spared no cost as she displayed grand opulence, splendour, panache and sartorial elegance.

    It was attended by the Vice President, Kashim Shetima; Governor of Abia State Alex Otti; Ooni of Ife Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi (Ojaja II), Emir of Kano Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, Peter Obi, Allen Onyema, Authur Eze, Dr. Mike Ozekhome, Aliko Dangote, Wale Edun, Chris Ngige, Sen. Daisy Danjuma, Ngozi and Ken Opara and a host of others.

  • Tony Elumelu’s love for entrepreneurs

    Tony Elumelu’s love for entrepreneurs

    If you have followed the trajectory of Tony Onyemachi Elumelu, since his heyday as a seasoned banker, you will know that he is driven by his interest in the younger generation.

    His passion for entrepreneurs and small business owners in Africa dates back to when he was still young – having made many mistakes with little or no guidance and mentorship. His passion has made him constantly mentor upcoming entrepreneurs not to make the same mistake he made.

    His Tony Elumelu Foundation’s core mandate is to empower African entrepreneurs with the right knowledge and motivation, in addition to opening their eyes not only to the challenges mitigating their growth but also to possible solutions for soaring higher in the competitive global business terrain.

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    Over the week, at the Climate Action Innovation COP28 event in UAE, Dubai, Elumelu alongside the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, highlighted the need for African entrepreneurs to adopt long-term sustainability  plans, in terms of climate action, by going green, channeling their business ideas on alternate and renewable energy paths to reduce climate change and its adverse effect on humanity.

    He also secured a partnership with WTO, entrepreneurs and the green space which will benefit many African entrepreneurs.

    Elumelu was also a guest at the Clinton Global Initiative discussion where he also spoke of the need for Africans to develop by transitioning from crude to clean energy.

  • Dumo Lulu Briggsbags double awards

    Dumo Lulu Briggsbags double awards

    The Chairman of Platform Petroleum Limited, Chief Dumo Owukori Lulu-Briggs, is not a greenhorn in business and political terrains. His giant strides in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector are prominent. He is a highflyer with impeccable records.

    Last Friday, the cosmopolitan businessman was bestowed with the Euro Knowledge Leadership Award at a well-attended ceremony at the House of Lords, Westminster, London, United Kingdom.

    On Saturday, the next day,  at the Westminster Hilton Hotel, Briggs was awarded by the Global Peace Leadership Award for his contribution to global peace, especially, as a politician and a businessman.

    The award bestowed on Briggs highlights his achievements and unwavering commitment to excellence in the private sector, and philanthropy as Platform Petroleum continues to increase its stake in the oil and gas sector.

    While accepting the Euro Knowledge recognition, presented by former Washington State Senator, Mona Das, Chief Briggs centred discussion on the empowerment of women across the world to achieve greater heights and assume positions of leadership.

    He also noted that women should be given all the needed help to grow and assume their role as nation builders, reiterating his commitment to further empowering women around him and also contributing to the upliftment of humanity through his Dumo Lulu-Briggs Foundation.

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    He further stated that he would be giving more women leadership positions at Platform Petroleum. The Kalabari, Rivers State-born entrepreneur and politician further expressed his gratitude to the Foreign Investment Network (FIN), the organizers of the Euro Knowledge Award and Forbes Best of Africa Awards for acknowledging his efforts and accomplishments.

    Briggs’ Platform Petroleum, has over the years, continued its high-flying strides in the Upstream and Downstream sectors of the Oil and Gas business terrain.

     The Iniikeiroari (VI) of Kalabri Kingdom’s unwavering dedication to fostering excellence and his prowess in steering Platform Petroleum towards unprecedented growth has earned him a place among the array of distinguished award recipients.

    His transformative leadership style, characterized by innovation, strategic agility, and an unwavering commitment to empowering his team, has been instrumental in propelling Platform Petroleum Limited to new heights of success.

  • Authur Eze celebrates at 75

    Authur Eze celebrates at 75

    Chief Authur Eze is a manof many parts and over the years, he has remained consistent in his dealings as a socialite, respected statesman, philanthropist and business czar.

     For years, the Chief Executive officer of Atlas Oranto Petroleum, one of Nigeria’s privately owned petroleum exploration and production companies with over 22 oil mining licenses across Africa, has been a major player in the Oil and gas business terrain servicing different clientele both in and outside the shores of Nigeria.

     The respected businessman celebrated his 75th birthday on November 27 amidst no fanfare as he took out time to pray to his creator and thank him for the gift of life. Many across the world rolled out messages and newspaper advertorials to celebrate the money bag on his big day.

     While his friends and godsons converged at his mansion to celebrate on his behalf, it was gathered that the celebrant was just thanking God for taking him this far in life and also promises to continue to use his God-given wealth for the upliftment of humanity. He also disclosed his plans to throw himself a lavish birthday soiree when he clocks 80. 

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     The billionaire and business mogul is more than elated, especially as God blessed him with not only wealth but health as he also goes about enjoying the luxury of life.

     He is a man, who loves the good things of life and from his mansions littered across the country to his automobile and his private jet to his vintage style, he has not deviated from being a man of culture as he has always upheld his cultural belief and wears it on his sleeves with pride.

    The Ozoigbondu, as he is fondly called by his kinsmen, grass to grace story resonates with most African under-privileged children, born without a silver spoon and it also teaches that to attain any height in life, apart from luck, hard work and resilience are required.