News
Tears as IT Professionals Pay Tributes to Late Omatek CEO

Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), on Monday, gathered Information Professionals practitioners and the academia to pay last respect to the departed, Engineer (Mrs.) Florence Seriki, CEO of Omatek ]Ventures Plc.
Speaking at the commendation service held at the University of Lagos, Professor Sola Aderounmu, NCS’ President, said shocking and saddening are the words considered apt to describe the demise of Engr. (Mrs) Florence Seriki, FNCS, immediate past President of Information Technology (Industry) Association of Nigeria (ITAN), former member of National Executive Council of Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), who suddenly departed the world on Friday March 3rd, 2017 at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).
Engr. Seriki was the founder of Omatek Group and until her death, she served as Chief Executive Officer and Group Managing Director of Omatek Ventures Plc.
On behalf of National Executive Council and members of the Society, he said the Society sincerely commiserates with her family and the entire IT world.
Prof. Aderounmu, said that Mrs. Seriki’s death has left a big vacuum in the quest for local content in the sector.
“She started one of the foremost indigenous OEMs in the country; a thoroughbred professional, energetic, astute manager, articulator, and indefatigable leader”.
Some of the past Presidents of NCS also spoke glorifying words about late Seriki.
“It is very sad indeed that we have lost our ICT originator; the first Nigerian IT woman entrepreneur and owner of the publicly quoted IT Company on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. She was a rare model of diligence and hardwork, an epitome of humility who believed in perseverance and success. We shall surely miss her; she was a great ambassador of the Computer Profession wherever she sent. May her soul rest in peace”, said Chief Don Etiebet, the third President of NCS.
“Dear colleagues, that our Florence is gone, is unbelievable. The good Lord gives and he takes. This time around he has taken one of our very best. I pray God grants her success path to the paradise and also pray he kindly looks after those she has left behind,” said Alhaji Oguneye, eight president of NCS
“Florence, yours was a life well lived. May you find peace in the bosom of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen”, Sir Demola Aladekomo, eleventh President of NCS, among numerous tributes from past presidents and Fellows of the Society.
Also speaking, Professor Vincent Asor, president, Computer Professionals (Registration Council of Nigeria) CPN, described her as one of the pillars and resonant voices of the Nigerian IT industry.
He said that until her death, Mrs. Seriki was an active and respected member of the Computer Professionals (Registration Council of Nigeria), [CPN].
“That she saw business opportunity even as a Corp member and turned same to become a business venture known as Omatek, shows how inspired she was and a trail blazer. She might have lived a short life, but her kindness, inspiring words, doggedness and crusading for local content development cannot be forgotten. She lives on in our hearts and we pray God condoles the family she left behind”, Prof. Asor prayed.
Orjinta Orji-Alala, provost, College of Fellows of NCS said that he received the sad news with a rude shock, “as I couldn’t send emails to our members without quoting my source. It was unbelievable to me”.
Giving words of exhortation to the family, friends and IT professionals gathered at the commendations service, Rev’ Professor Adebayo Akinde, urged all to engage on daily life appraisal hence death is inevitable.
Quoting from Philippians 4:8 he said, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things”.
Cross section of attendees at the NCS Commendation Service in honour of Late Seriki held at the faculty of Science, University of Lagos on Monday.
News
Guinness Rolls Out Nationwide Consumer Rewards Promotion

Guinness Nigeria has launched a nationwide National Consumer Promotion (NCP) tagged ‘Open For More’. This is a consumer rewards initiative that will see more than ₦400 million in cash and prizes won by consumers across the country.

The promotion, which runs nationwide, offers consumers the opportunity to win ₦1 million every day, ₦100,000 cash rewards for 1,000 winners, and a brand-new Toyota Land Cruiser Prado as the grand prize. The campaign is designed to reward loyal consumers while creating more opportunities for everyday Nigerians to celebrate life’s meaningful moments.
To participate, consumers are required to purchase specially marked bottles of Guinness Foreign Extra Stout or Guinness Smooth, check for the unique code beneath the crown cork, and enter the code at www.guinnessng.com/1759 for a chance to win.
Speaking on the launch, Ramanathan Solayappan, Marketing and Innovations Director, Guinness Nigeria, said the promotion reflects the brand’s longstanding relationship with consumers and its commitment to creating memorable experiences beyond the product itself.
“Nigerians have made Guinness part of their celebrations, milestones, and everyday moments for over seven decades. The ‘Open For More’ promotion is our way of rewarding that loyalty by giving consumers genuine opportunities to win prizes that can make a meaningful difference in their lives.”
Solayappan added that the promotion was deliberately designed to make participation simple and accessible to consumers across the country.
“We believe, at Guinness, that there is always room for more possibilities, more progress, and more reasons to celebrate. Through this campaign, we are inviting consumers and beloved Nigerians over the age of 18 years to take part in an experience that goes beyond enjoying a Guinness. Every eligible purchase could open the door to something more.”
Beyond rewarding consumers, the promotion comes at a time when many Nigerians are placing greater value on opportunities that offer tangible returns. By putting more than ₦400 million in cash and prizes directly into the hands of consumers, Guinness Nigeria is creating a campaign that celebrates loyalty and delivers meaningful rewards that can support personal aspirations, family needs, and everyday goals.
As part of the campaign, winners will emerge weekly throughout the promotion period, with regular winner announcements and prize presentations aimed at ensuring transparency and public confidence in the process.
The Open For More National Consumer Promotion strengthens Guinness Nigeria’s commitment to rewarding consumers while creating excitement around the brand through meaningful and impactful experiences. Consumers are encouraged to look out for specially marked promotional packs and follow Guinness Nigeria’s official communication channels for updates, winner announcements, and further information on participation mechanics.
News
Nigeria Lost N34 Trillion to Import Waivers in 2025, Customs Tells Senate

Bashir Adeniyi, Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has disclosed that the value of Import Duty Exemption Certificate (IDEC) approvals granted by the Federal Government rose to about N34 trillion in 2025.

Adeniyi made the disclosure on Monday during an investigative hearing of the Senate Committee on Finance in Abuja.
He said the import duty exemptions had significantly affected the service’s revenue generation, although many of the waivers were introduced to support critical national priorities.
According to him, about 60 per cent of the approved waivers were granted for the importation of military hardware in response to the country’s security challenges.
He said other beneficiaries included importers of compressed natural gas (CNG), electric and hybrid vehicles, healthcare equipment and medical supplies, industrial machinery, manufacturing inputs and food intervention programmes.
“IDEC approvals reached about N34 trillion in 2025, about 60 per cent of which was rightly granted for military hardware procurements due to Nigeria’s prevailing security challenges,” Adeniyi said.
The Comptroller-General noted that the introduction of the IDEC scheme in March 2020 had remained one of the major fiscal policies affecting Customs revenue.
He said the service would have generated significantly higher revenue over the years if not for government fiscal measures and other external factors that reduced its revenue base.
Adeniyi, however, maintained that fiscal policy should not be evaluated solely on the basis of revenue generation.
He said government interventions through duty waivers were intended to stimulate economic growth, improve healthcare delivery, encourage industrial production and address national security concerns.
He urged the Federal Government to strengthen monitoring mechanisms to ensure that beneficiaries of import duty waivers achieved the intended objectives, including reducing prices, increasing production and improving access to essential goods and services.
The Customs boss also disclosed that the service generated N7.28 trillion in revenue in 2025.
He added that out of the N11.04 trillion revenue target for 2026, the service had realised N4.5 trillion as of June 30.
Adeniyi expressed optimism that the service would continue implementing measures aimed at improving revenue collection while supporting government fiscal policies.
News
DataPro Upgrades Dangote Cement’s Credit Rating to AA+

DataPro Rating Agency has upgraded the long-term credit rating of Dangote Cement Plc to AA+ from AA, citing the company’s strong financial performance, market leadership and ability to meet its financial obligations despite Nigeria’s challenging economic environment.

In its latest rating report, the technology-driven credit rating agency also affirmed Dangote Cement’s short-term rating at A1, with a Stable Outlook. The ratings are valid until June 16, 2027.
DataPro said the upgrade reflects the cement maker’s sustained financial strength, resilient operating performance and dominant position in Nigeria and across Africa.
According to the agency, the assessment followed a comprehensive review of the company’s capital base, earnings, liquidity, corporate governance, regulatory compliance and the sustainability of its financial performance over the medium to long term.
It noted that Dangote Cement’s strong brand, leading market share, solid earnings, robust asset base and experienced management continue to strengthen its ability to meet financial commitments on time.
The agency also highlighted the company’s outstanding financial performance in 2025.
According to the report, Dangote Cement posted N4.31 trillion in revenue during the year, representing a 20 per cent increase from the previous year. Profit before tax more than doubled, rising 109 per cent to N1.53 trillion, driven by higher sales, improved operating efficiency, lower finance costs and a stronger capital structure.
DataPro said the AA+ long-term rating indicates low credit risk and reflects excellent financial strength, business profile and operating performance relative to its rating benchmarks.
It added that the A1 short-term rating signifies good credit quality and shows that the company has a strong capacity to meet its short-term financial obligations as they fall due.
The rating agency, however, noted that the credit rating has a maximum shelf life of 12 calendar months in line with international best practice and should be used only as a reference, not as an offer to trade in securities or as a substitute for investors’ independent judgement.
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