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Ekeh, Zinox Boss, Earmarks N1.5Billion to Support SMEs in Imo

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Emeka Ihedioha, Imo State Governor and Leo Stan Ekeh, Chairman, Zinox Group at the event.
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Chairman, Zinox Group, Leo Stan Ekeh has declared a three-year interest free loan of N1b to petty traders and small and medium businesses in Imo State.

 

Ekeh, a native of Imo State, disclosed the intervention is to reduce hardship, stimulate business activities and give hope to majority of the people in the state.

 

Further, Ekeh launched an educational support project for indigent but intelligent students of the state to enable them acquire proper university education. For this, Ekeh set up a non-interest revolving loan scheme of N500m.

 

He made this disclosure at the flag-off/groundbreaking of the construction/rehabilitation of rural roads by the Imo State Government.

 

The event, which held on Tuesday, August 27th at Ubomiri, Mbaitoli Local Government, had in attendance, the Imo State Governor, Emeka Ihedioha.

 

Also in attendance were traditional rulers and partner agencies from the World Bank and French Development Agency (AFD).

 

Indigent students will benefit from the revolving loan scheme to further and complete their education. Graduates from the scheme will also be exposed to employment opportunities.

 

Subsequently, the graduate-beneficiaries will be expected to refund the loan once they are gainfully employed at zero interest. This will ensure the sustenance of the scheme and allow others benefit from it.

 

First Class graduates will be exempted from repayment of the loans as reward for their sterling performance. Conversely, students whose grades drop to third class will be ejected from the scheme.

 

Ekeh believes that in the next 10 years, the interventions and the government’s commitment in these respects will reposition Imo state as the envy of all.

 

Additionally, the serial digital entrepreneur revealed that Imo State is being used as a model. He disclosed that if it works, the efforts will be replicated in more states in Nigeria.

 

The Zinox boss equally donated 20 laptops and a set of printers to the Imo State Government.

 

“I am very sure other well-meaning Nigerians will borrow same strategies to replicate in their communities.

 

“This is not the age of free money and bad wastages. The 21st century is the age of privileges and opportunities.

 

“Nigerians must imbibe the culture of earning a living and paying back so that others can benefit. Cash is not inexhaustible.

“What I have done is use myself as a personal collateral in addition to putting up some of my assets to a Nigerian bank to take a loan and try and bail out a percentage of my people.

 

“Indeed, if it works, the multiplier effects shall be far-reaching. If they fail me, it is a disaster but that is life.

 

“I have done same in the ICT sector in the last 15 years with over N10b and it is still working. Most successful people in the world did not receive cash from their families so how did they become globally successful?”

 

Ekeh, a global advisor to Microsoft, revealed that he has not slept in his mansion in Owerri in the past six years.

 

“Each time I visit home, I often leave depressed. This is because of the state of things and the money I have to spend to help out those in dire conditions. With these interventions, I am confident that things will take a positive turn soon,” he affirmed.

 

Ekeh has been responsible for a number of charitable works in Imo State and beyond.

 

Notably, he donated the sum of N50m to assuage the pains of victims when the Eke -Ukwu market was demolished by the administration of Rochas Okorocha.

 

Ekeh has also been involved in providing scholarships to needy students, medicare to the indigenes and regularly supporting religious institutions in the state.

 

In his speech at the event, Gov. Ihedioha expressed appreciation to Ekeh for the humanitarian and noble gesture, even as he expressed pride in the Zinox Boss.

 

“Imo State is proud to have a son like Leo Stan Ekeh. I am aware he put up some of his assets in order to raise the funds for the projects he has announced today.

 

“May God continually bless him for all that he does for humanity.  I am hopeful that other well-meaning Imo indigenes will join us to rebuild the state.”

 

Speaking at the event, Chief Victor Emeto heaped encomiums on the Zinox boss.

 

“Leo Stan Ekeh is the next to God not just in Imo State and our town Ubomiri in particular.

 

“He carries all our responsibilities from school and church building and maintenance to raising nursery schools in every church.

 

“He has an annual budget for every church in the community and does not limit it to Catholics only. Same with the education of our children and electricity. What is more disarming is his humility and quietness with which he does these things.

 

“In fact, he picks every phone call from anybody from this town, no matter how small. Any time he is home, he sits on the floor with us to discuss our problems.”

 

Also lending his voice was the oldest man in the Ubomiri community, Nze Moses Duru.

 

“Chief Leo Stan Ekeh is God-sent to Imo State. When the Eke-Ukwu market was demolished by the previous administration, he came to the rescue of the people with a huge donation.

 

“He also paid the sum of N1m to the family of the boy who lost his life. That singular action calmed tensions, otherwise Imo State may have burned.

 

“We are aware he supports other states in Nigeria. That is why we continue to pray for him and he does things without making noise.”.”

 

NzeDuru ended by disclosing that Ekeh was equally responsible for facilitating the electricity in the village.

 

 

 


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Ugo Onwuaso is an ICT enthusiast. He believes technology should be used for general good. He holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from the Lagos state University. Dear Reader, Your support matters. But we believe that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. That is why, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and finance and how they affect lives. Our incisive and analytical view of how technology news affects the daily life help individuals and organizations make up their minds. Quality journalism costs money. Today, we're asking that you support us to do more. Kindly support our effort to deliver technology and finance journalism to everyone in the world. Donate as little as N1,000. Bank transfers can be made to: UBA Plc 1017156876 Communication Week Media Ltd

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How Recycled SIM Card Linked to N50m Kidnapping Nearly Landed me in Jail – Businesswoman

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Titilayo Ibrahim, Nigerian businesswoman, has shared a harrowing experience of how she narrowly escaped imprisonment after a SIM card she purchased was linked to a N50 million kidnapping and murder case.

How Recycled SIM Card Linked to N50m Kidnapping Nearly Landed me in Jail - Businesswoman

In an interview with BBC Yoruba shared on Facebook, Ibrahim narrated how a routine business transaction quickly turned into a terrifying ordeal.

According to her, the nightmare began on October 16, 2025, when a purported customer contacted her business line to purchase nightwear.

The caller, a woman, claimed her own phone was faulty and that she was using her husband’s device.

After selecting two pieces, the woman asked for directions for pickup. Ibrahim shared the location of her estate junction, but upon arrival, she was met by two men who identified themselves as police officers and immediately arrested her.

The officers accused Ibrahim of being connected to a major kidnapping operation.

They alleged that the phone number she was using had been involved in a January 2024 incident where a N50 million ransom was collected before the victim was brutally murdered.

Ibrahim desperately tried to explain that the number was innocent, stating that she had only purchased the SIM card in April 2025—months after the crime took place—and used it strictly for her MiFi device.

The officers, reportedly led by Inspector Dauda Adamu of the Force Intelligence Department (FID) in Abuja, claimed that one of the phone numbers linked to her National Identification Number (NIN) was tied to the crime.

They took her to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, and she faced intense harassment and the threat of being detained in Akure and transferred to Abuja.

In a bid to clear her name, Ibrahim and the officers visited an Airtel office.

On October 17, 2025, the telecommunications company officially confirmed from their records that the disputed SIM was indeed purchased and activated in April 2025.

“Even after confirming it at the network office, they still didn’t believe me. They harassed me and almost sent me to prison for what I know nothing about,” Ibrahim recounted.

Despite the undeniable evidence from the network provider clearing her of any involvement, the police still confiscated her phones, took them to Abuja, and instructed her to report there.

Her revelation has sparked widespread outrage and concern online.

Many Nigerians expressed shock at the incident, pointing out the growing dangers and security risks associated with telecommunication companies recycling inactive phone numbers or the hazards of inadvertently purchasing pre-registered SIM cards.

The incident highlights the terrifying reality of how easily innocent citizens can become entangled in complex criminal investigations.


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Ouranos Technologies Strengthens Board with Key Leadership Appointments

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Ouranos Technologies Limited has announced the appointment of Mr. Tajudeen Ahmed as Chairman of the Board of Directors, effective 1 January 2026.

Ouranos Technologies Strengthens Board with Key Leadership Appointments

Ouranos Technologies is an enterprise technology solutions integrator, managed services provider, and innovation lab in West Africa, specialising in IT infrastructure, networking, cybersecurity, cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital transformation solutions for organisations across banking and financial services, telecommunications, energy, manufacturing, and the public sector.

Commenting on the appointments, Mr. Mfon Okon, Managing Director of Ouranos Technologies Limited, also confirmed the appointment of Mrs. Omokunbi Adeoti and Mr. Olalekan Olabode as Non-Executive Directors, further strengthening the Board’s strategic oversight as the company continues its regional expansion and technology leadership.

These appointments mark a significant milestone in the governance evolution of Ouranos Technologies, as it deepens its focus on enterprise technology delivery, cybersecurity innovation, and strategic partnerships across Africa.

Strengthening Governance for the Next Phase of Growth

Mr. Tajudeen Ahmed brings over 25 years of leadership experience spanning consulting, banking, manufacturing, capital markets, and large-scale corporate strategy execution.

He holds a BSc. in Accounting from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he graduated as Best Student in both the Department and Faculty, and an MBA, with Distinction, from the University of Leeds, United Kingdom.

A Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA), Mr. Ahmed has held senior leadership roles across several prominent institutions including Arthur Andersen / KPMG, Zenith Bank Plc, Skye Bank Plc, Variant Advisory Limited, and BUA Group, where he served as General Manager / Group Head, Business Development. During his tenure at BUA Group, he played a key role in the listing of BUA Foods Plc on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) and in securing regulatory approvals for the Bundu Free Trade Zone in Port Harcourt.

He holds Fellowships of other reputable institutions, including National Institute of Credit Administration (FICA), Enterprise Risk Management Professionals (FERP), and Nigerian Leadership Initiative (FNLI); as well as memberships of the Chartered Institute of Directors Nigeria (M.CIoD), Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (ACIB and HCIB), and Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ACIS). He currently serves on the Board of the Society for Corporate Governance Nigeria (SCGN).

Mr. Ahmed currently serves as Associate Director (Deal Origination) at Lead Capital Plc, where he continues to drive strategic business growth.

Experienced Leaders Join the Board

Joining the Board as Non-Executive Director, Mrs. Omokunbi Adeoti brings over 24 years of leadership experience in human capital strategy, governance, organisational transformation, and customer experience across Sub-Saharan Africa.

She currently serves as Chief People Experience Officer at Leadway Group, where she provides strategic oversight for human capital and customer experience across 11 business entities and over 4,000 employees (FTE & non-FTE) spanning insurance, pensions, health, hospitality, and asset management operations.

Mrs. Adeoti has led large-scale transformation initiatives including enterprise restructuring, HR digitisation, and group-wide customer experience optimisation, driving measurable improvements in organisational performance, employee productivity, and customer engagement.

She has also played a key role in mergers and integration programmes, as well as the deployment of enterprise HR systems, enabling operational efficiency and scalability across the Group.

A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (FCIPM), Mrs. Adeoti is a member of several global professional bodies, including the HR Forbes Council and the Society for Corporate Governance Nigeria (SCGN). She has received multiple recognitions for her leadership impact, including Peak Performing Woman of the Year (2023 and 2024).

Also joining the Board is Mr. Olalekan Olabode, a seasoned finance and operations executive with over 18 years of multinational experience in financial management, strategic planning, and operational oversight across complex, capital-intensive industries.

Mr. Olabode is a distinguished Finance Executive with over 21 years of leadership at the intersection of maritime logistics, global supply chain, and corporate finance. He has held senior executive roles at prominent logistics operators where he built a reputation for turning financial complexity into strategic advantage.

He has a proven history of making high-stakes treasury decisions under pressure navigating foreign exchange volatility, managing interest rate exposure, and manoeuvring one of the most challenging currency environments in Africa.

His governance frameworks are not simply compliance exercises; they are systems architected for resilience, built on rigorous internal controls that protect value and enable bold decision-making.

What distinguishes Olalekan is his rare ability to align financial performance with long-term strategic intent translating numbers into narratives that drive boardroom conviction and organizational momentum.

He builds teams that outlast his tenure, embedding structures, accountability, and a culture of excellence that compounds over time. His investment in mentorship has produced measurable leadership depth across every organization he has led.

A Fellow of the ACCA (UK), Certified Supply Chain Professional, and Executive MBA candidate at the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, Olalekan brings both the technical mastery and the executive presence to lead at the highest levels.

Corporate Governance and Legal Advisory

Supporting the Board’s governance structure is Ms. Margaret Akpoyoware (ACIS), who serves as Company Secretary.

A seasoned legal practitioner with extensive experience in corporate advisory, commercial transactions, litigation, and regulatory compliance, she previously practised with Chief Rotimi Williams Chambers and Olajide Oyewole & Co. before founding Nero’s Practice, a multidisciplinary law firm providing legal advisory services to corporate and institutional clients.

Ouranos Technologies to Drive Africa’s Digital Transformation

“The appointment of Mr. Tajudeen Ahmed as Chairman, alongside the addition of accomplished professionals such as Mrs. Omokunbi Adeoti and Mr. Olalekan Olabode to our Board, represents an important step in strengthening the governance and strategic leadership of Ouranos Technologies,” Mr Okon, Managing Director of Ouranos Technologies Limited, added.

“As organisations across Africa accelerate their digital transformation journeys, strong governance, strategic insight, and operational discipline become even more critical.

“The depth of experience our new Board members bring will support Ouranos Technologies in delivering innovative, secure, and scalable technology solutions for our customers across the region,” Mr Okon said.

The strengthened Board reflects Ouranos Technologies’ commitment to strong corporate governance, innovation, and sustainable growth.

With operations spanning Nigeria and other West African markets, Ouranos Technologies operates as an enterprise technology solutions integrator, managed services provider, and innovation lab, delivering solutions across IT infrastructure, networking, cybersecurity, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation for organisations across banking and financial services, telecommunications, energy, manufacturing, and the public sector.

 


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Truecaller Hits 500m Users Milestone – Sets New Global Standard for Trusted Communication

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Truecaller, the leading global platform for safe and trusted communication, today announced that it has surpassed 500 million users worldwide, marking a significant milestone in the company’s mission to build trust in communication.

Truecaller Hits 500M Users Milestone – Sets a New Global Standard for Trusted Communication

Truecaller

The platform continues to see significant user growth, adding over 50 million users in 2025, and has surpassed 150 million users outside of India as demand for protection against spam, scam and unwanted communication continues to grow globally.

Truecaller also crossed 4 million paying subscribers globally earlier in the year, further strengthening one of its key revenue streams.

Crossing the 500 million mark underscores how trust has become one of the most essential layers in digital communication today.

“This is an important milestone for us, but it also says something bigger about the world we live in,” said Rishit Jhunjhunwala, CEO of Truecaller.

“More and more people need help navigating spam, scams, and unwanted communication every day. Reaching 500 million users shows the scale of that need, and the trust people place in Truecaller to help make communication safer.

“Our commitment remains focused on continuously strengthening Truecaller with smarter technology and new capabilities that protect users before, during, and after every call or message.

“Ultimately, our aim is to build a safer, more trusted communication ecosystem for everyone. We now have our sights set on the next milestone: 1 Billion users.”

With half a billion people using the platform every month, Truecaller has evolved beyond just Caller ID. It has become an essential part of how communication works safely in the digital age; a daily-use trust layer that helps people verify identities, avoid fraud, and make informed decisions about who they interact with.

Today, Truecaller operates as a global digital utility platform, embedded into everyday communication habits for hundreds of millions of people. From identifying unknown callers to preventing fraud and enabling safer messaging, the platform has become a habitual, daily-use service that supports safer interactions across the phone ecosystem.

Despite serving more than half a billion users globally, the company remains relatively lean, with a team of approximately 470 employees building and operating the platform for users around the world.

The company will continue to report the average number of monthly and daily active users on a quarterly basis in connection with its interim financial reports


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