Tag: Aliko

  • Aliko: By 2020, Dangote Group’s revenue’ll hit $30b

    Dangote Group’s revenue will hit the $30 billion mark by 2020, the President of the conglomerate, Aliko Dangote, has said.

    Dangote, who spoke this  at the first ever Africa Investment Forum (AIF) in Johannesburg, South Africa, said this projection would have been considered impossible 10 years ago.

    He said five men built America, saying  he would love to be part of those who make Africa great.

    He said: “What I will do is to see how some of us, which I really want to be among, will try and transform Africa into exactly what happened in Asia. Nobody will come and transform Africa, but us. So we must lead.

    “If you look at it, look at how the American economy is today, it was actually made possible by five people, the likes of Ford, Carnegie, and the rest.

    “They were the ones that actually made America great, I mean, it is not Donald Trump. So really, when you look at it, we can make it happen, I have seen it.”

    He said the progress being made by the Dangote Group is as a result of bold steps being taken to venture into spaces others are running away from.

    He added: “I am a true believer that nothing is impossible.

    “Ten years ago, if you mention to me, or even if I actually see it in a dream that our company will have a revenue of $3 billion, I would have said it is impossible.

    “But today, by 2020, we would have $30 billion of revenue. Why? Because we have gone into a very bold product.

    “While people are running away from investing, we are investing. From just petrochemicals and our refinery and oil blocks, we would have over $25 billion, and the rest of the business will have $6 billion.

    “If we really are determined, we can make Africa great, the potentials are there, but you know unless somebody now makes sure this potential becomes reality, they would be there forever,” he said.

  • Top ‘Boko Haram terrorist’, Aliko, arrested

    A suspected Boko Haram terrorist, Aliyu Ahmed, alias Aliko is now in army custody following his arrest in Bauchi State.

    Army spokesman, Brigadier General Sani Usman, confirmed yesterday that Ahmed was arrested on Friday by troops of 33 Brigade, following a tip-off in Yuga village in Toro Local Government Area of the state, where he has been in hiding.

    The army also said it intercepted four child traffickers and 19 under aged children in Yobe State.

    “He was found to be in possession of one single barrel gun and one Dane gun.

    “During preliminary interrogation, he confessed that he actively participated in several Boko Haram terrorists’ attacks and also owned an AK-47 Rifle which he lost during one of the attacks they carried out in 2016. “His interrogation continued,” Usman said.

    He said the four traffickers, who were arrested by troops of Bravo Company, 120 Battalion at Katarko, were conveying 19 children from Potiskum to Garin Tuwo, Bungai and Buni Yadi in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe and Galarabala in Biu Local Government Area of Borno.

    “Both the suspected traffickers and their victims have been moved to the Brigade Headquarters for transfer to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons,” the army spokesman said.

     

  • Aliko, Arsenal, emotions and margins

    It may be said that the passion with which Aliko Dangote, Africa’s own Midas, chases after North London’s premium property, Arsenal Football Club, may equate Hardball’s tenacity to redirect his mind home. Apart from the fact that charity as we all know it to be said, begins at home; each time our mogul whimpers about being denied the purchase of the club or vows to snatch it regardless, Hardball’s sensor begins to run riot. In fact, it has become an obsessive, auto-motor thing that is a bit scary. But the reason for this reaction is not far-fetched as you can see shortly.

    For the third time in as many numbers of years, Africa’s cash king, Aliko Dangote, has vowed to take over the much coveted English football team, Arsenal FC. Twice he tried in the past and twice he was shunned. He told Bloomberg TV recently that it was a matter of time before he claimed his prize.

    One cannot deign to teach the master the art of money-making but suffice to say that Aliko’s interest in Arsenal is more an emotional exhilaration than it is about profit margins. We love our soccer and we love our Arsenal, but we know he knows that no football club makes a billion dollars profits, to start with. So a lot of what he may be buying in the Gunners if he eventually nicks it may be vicarious emotions, world-wide hype and marketing gimmickry.

    One could devote an entire book on this matter someday soon but note quickly that Nigeria’s football and her league would flourish with just a small fraction of the cost of acquiring Arsenal. Nigeria’s football owes so much today to the likes of Pastor D.K. Olukoya (MFM FC), Ifeanyi Ubah, Chris Giwa and others who have invested in soccer clubs; giving life to numerous budding football talents.

    Hardball will want to wager that an Ifeanyi Ubah is likely to buy Arsenal first going by his exploits in the Nigerian league in such a short period – he has a club that will be playing continental soccer; he has built a stadium in his hometown and he has already struck some kind of partnership with an English Premier League club, West Ham. He has something to show.

    Kano is a great footballing city and needs a rival to Kano Pillars. How about setting up Aliko Football Club (AFC; Arsenal through the back door!)? It will be inchoate if not unjust, (to put it mildly) to Nigeria and her footballing youths for Aliko to invest in Arsenal without considering Nigeria first.

    Now that Nigeria’s league is improving by the day, Aliko’s intervention by way of club sponsorship, facilities development and talent nurturing may well be the game-changer we need. Who says Arsenal cannot come to Kano during summer break if the facilities are right.

  • Victory is a must against Enyimba —Aliko

    Victory is a must against Enyimba —Aliko

    Niger Tornadoes skipper Mustapha Salihu Aliko has stated that he is fully-charged for his side’s Week 35 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) game with Enyimba FC this weekend.

    Tornadoes are in 13th spot on the NPFL standings with 42 points from 32 matches.

    The Ikon Allah Boys who are fighting to be in the division welcome the reigning league champions to the Confluence Stadium on Saturday.

    “I’m looking forward to the match because Enyimba beat us 1-0 in the first leg,” Aliko told Goal.

    “We need to show them that we aren’t are a bad side.

    “More so, we are in dire need of the full points at stake.

    “We are in a delicate spot at the moment. Victory for us on Saturday will help improve our points and position,” he added.

  • Plateau, Tornadoes a grudge tie, says Aliko

    Plateau, Tornadoes a grudge tie, says Aliko

    Niger Tornadoes captain and goalkeeper, Mustapha Aliko has said his side are expecting a grudge match against newly promoted side, Plateau United.

    The two promoted sides will kick off the 2015/16 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season today at the Tin City fortress, Rwang Pam Stadium in Jos.

    Both sides clashed in the Nigeria National League (NNL) Super Four final in Abuja with the Minna-based side coming out from the onslaught victorious.

    Aliko said his side will strive to avoid defeat at Plateau United in their debut match in the Nigerian top flight.

    “It is certain to be a derby and revenge match as Plateau United will come all out to make amend the NNL Super 4 final match loss to us in Abuja last year.

    “I know the painful defeat will be fresh in their minds when both sides line up for the NPFL matchday 1 clash on Saturday in Jos.

    “However, we are ready to pull another surprise at their expense with the quality of players in our fold right now. I think we have a better squad at the moment than the side that defeated them in the NNL Super 4 final clash.

    “I quite understand that the encounter will be difficult but our aim is to claim an outright victory or worst case scenario a draw. We have vowed to avoid defeat in our debut in the top flight no matter the challenges as defeat will dampen our morale going into the next matches,” said Aliko to supersport.com.

    Tornadoes are one of the promoted sides to the top flight others are Plateau United, Ikorodu United and MFM FC.

    The Minna outfit have adopted the Confluence Stadium in Lokoja, Kogi state as their home ground because of renovation work at traditional home, Bako Kontagora Stadium, Minna.

  • Aliko and Arsenal’s long juju (2)

    Let us make this confession upfront: Hardball, Aliko Dangote and Arsenal Football Club must be some kind of kindred spirits; therefore, this is a sort of kindred meeting albeit held in the public square. Like Aliko, Hardball is also confesses to be nuts over Arsenal. May be he has not been a fan of 30 years like Aliko, he has at least two decades of the club’s following to boast of, which includes all the years of Professor Arsene Wenger. So Hardball is also under the spell of the long juju.

    This may explain why the attempt by the richest man in Africa to acquire the North London football club someday, sometime, somehow has caught the interest of Hardball. Arsenal in the last 20 years is probably the most admired club in the world. Arsenal’s ancient mortar logo crusted in a deep red crest is probably among the top-five most recognisable logo in the world.

    For those who know something about brand value, this is probably the hugest asset of Arsenal more than the face value of the shares. This is a British icon, Britain’s ambassador, English pride and the white man’s cult hero. This is just laying out the quantum of asset that Aliko wants to buy. So for all of Aliko’s billions, he may never get to own Arsenal.

    It is true that money does not discriminate against color but colour would discriminate against money and colour has money. Five years ago when Aliko tried to buy off 15 per cent stake of the club, he was rebuffed and repelled with ridiculous pricing. Those shares were later sold to an American probably for less. This is what I mean by colour would discriminate against money.

    Our reality is that if the British ever get too hard up for cash and must dispose of their prize asset, they would rather sell to the Americans who must have the choice of first refusal. Then the Russians would be next in line to buy; then the Asians; then the Arabs, before it could be offered to Africans. Make no mistake about this: colour counts my dear compatriot.

    But how is it to be heard that Arsenal is owned by a Nigerian, a country where there are no modern stadia and no serious football league? The last time Hardball intervened in this matter, Aliko had posited that he would buy the club some day and that it was only a matter of time and they would accept his offer.

    Nigerians, including Hardball bayed at him and he has returned to the arena again responding that: “Buying Arsenal will take the Nigerian flag worldwide.” That is true and also quite patriotic too. But while biding his time to take over the Gunners, Hardball insists that there must be something he can help with around here.

    Hardball will always site the Aspire example in UAE. He can set up such mini facilities that can help catch and harness local talents. Many of the government sporting facilities and stadia across the land could use a touch of the Midas. He can lease, upgrade and manage or re-lease. This will bring instant boost to Nigeria’s football. Nigeria’s football is actually one huge, unpolished gold.