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Anambra can alter Nigeria’s destiny – Ekeh, Zinox boss
Chairman, Zinox Group, Leo Stan Ekeh has described Anambra as a state with global capacity to influence and positively alter Nigeria’s destiny.
Ekeh affirmed that the state has all it takes to make this a reality. Further, he noted that the wealth, energy and knowledge per square meter in Anambra does not exist in any other part of Africa.
Nevertheless, the Zinox boss urged the state government to open its eyes to the immense opportunities lying within the state with which it can re-configure the narrative for good.
Ekeh made this call at the 2019 Anambra Business and Investment Roundtable on Monday, November 25th, 2019. He spoke on the topic: Doing Business in the 21st Century.
The summit, with the theme – Beyond Infrastructure: Rethinking the Future – was held at the Anambra Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia, Awka.
In attendance at the event was the Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano; the Deputy Governor, Nkem Okeke; Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Uche Okafor; the Obi of Onitsha, Nnayelugo Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe; former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Prof. Chukwuma Soludo and other members of the Anambra state political set-up. Also in attendance were corporate egg-heads and entrepreneurs drawn from various spheres of the economy.
‘I am an Igbo man from Imo State but here I am in Anambra and delighted to be here as well. Why? Anambra state has the global capacity to alter Nigeria’s destiny. You have it all in Anambra State but you have to certify it in the 21st century for it to be rewarding. You have credible human capital, brilliant minds and the right investment climate to make it happen,’ Ekeh noted.
Nevertheless, Ekeh who was the keynote speaker at the event, sounded a note of caution.
The serial digital entrepreneur warned that the state must wake up to the fast-evolving dynamics of the technology-mediated 21st Century.
Urging the Anambra State governor, Willie Obiano to invest in education and upgrade human capital in the state, Ekeh disclosed that this is the surest route to helping Anambra achieve its considerable potential.
‘I must commend the governor for what he is doing in the state. However, the 21st Century requires us to anticipate the future. If you look at the current Zinox Future Visions emblem of a man in deep thought, you will see it speaks to our mindset as a corporate with an eye on the future. This has been my story throughout the over 30 years I have spent in business.
‘You must invest in the next generation, especially the children of the poor because these are the ones with a mindset of disruption.
‘There is analogue knowledge and there is digital knowledge. Our generation relied on 80 per cent common sense and 20 per cent knowledge. But our children have global exposure and the benefit of better education, so they mainly use 80 per cent knowledge and 20 per cent common sense.’
Continuing, Ekeh noted that: ‘The Anambra state government must launch a Knowledge or Digital city in Awka with smart facilities and certified knowledge workers to re-train teachers across platforms and equip them to prepare our children for the digital age.
“In addition, the government should consider setting up and attaching a finishing school to the knowledge capital so that candidates are prepared as global citizens.
‘There is a fundamental problem with the quality of graduates we are currently churning out. Many of them are not fit for the 21st Century work-place. You must invest in these kids to make them relevant in the global marketplace and the multiplier effect will transform the fortunes of Anambra state for good.
‘You must build and equip many young graduates with skills in emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Machine Learning, Cloud Computing and Big Data, among others.
‘I embarked on a similar intervention in Imo State after encountering the child of a widow who aced WAEC with straight A’s but regularly fell short in JAMB. It turned out that many of these students had never seen a computer in their lives but had to use a computer in sitting for the JAMB examinations. So, I spoke with the Commissioner of Technology in Imo State and set up a digital training centre where over 5,400 students are currently being exposed to computer appreciation and other digital skills. I am also paying these students to attend the classes. A week to the exam, there will also be a refresher session to ensure they are brought up to speed ahead of the examination.’
According to Ekeh, the second quarter of the 21st Century will delete many of the known names in business if they fail to rise up to the evolving era of change.
‘Our children will achieve within a few years what many of us struggled to build in 30 years. That is the age we are in. It is an era of miracle wealth. An age in which you do not need a Godfather to succeed. An E-commerce business like Konga, for instance, which is managed by my son and his colleagues has over 187,000 merchants trading on its platform. It can reach customers nationwide and deliver to them without stress. Even on Sundays when some of you are in church, business is on-going on the platform,’ he enthused.
Urging the Anambra state government to rally well-meaning sons and daughters of the state as well as the private sector to partner with it in its mission to transform the state, Ekeh counselled that this move is paramount in view of its long-reaching implications for the state.
‘The state government will never have enough money to handle everything alone. Therefore, you must reach out to Anambra indigenes and other investors to come to the aid of the state. If you invest N5bn in a digital centre, the returns will be massive.
‘But you must set a system to ensure it is properly managed. That way, investors such as myself will be encouraged to come in and invest and then reap some profit from their investment. However, politicians must not be allowed to hijack the system. Every beneficiary nominated must be screened and passed through the process to ensure they are selected on merit,’ he counselled.
Furthermore, Ekeh advised Anambra parents to leverage on their assets and empower their children. He disclosed that it is a reasonable risk to invest in one’s children while stating that human beings have been classified into three in this century – employers, employees and fools.
‘Don’t allow you kids to be rated as fools while you have billions siting in different asset classes,’ Ekeh warned.
Also speaking at the event, Gov. Obiano expressed delight and confidence that the summit will yield immense benefits for the state.
‘…The insights from today’s deliberations will set us firmly on the path to building a more socially prosperous state not only from the riches that lie beneath the soil, but essentially from the infinite possibilities that lie between our ears.’
The well-attended event featured panel sessions on Education and Health, ICT and the Creative Industry, Tourism and Hospitality as well as Housing and Infrastructure.
News
Nigeria among Selected Recipients of $12m VaxSocial Initiative Funding to Boost Vaccine Confidence
The VaxSocial Initiative, spearheaded by Global Impact in collaboration with the African Health Organisation (AHO) and Gavi, has announced the selection of seven organizations to receive funding totalling $12 million.
This initiative, focused on harnessing the power of social media to bolster vaccine confidence, marks a significant step forward in combating vaccine hesitancy and promoting public health awareness.
The selected organizations from India, Indonesia, and Nigeria were carefully chosen to explore innovative approaches that leverage social media and behavioral science to empower populations to make informed decisions regarding vaccination.
Among the esteemed recipients from Nigeria are as follows:
Nivi and Save the Children,
HelpMum and Behavioral Insights Team, and
Upswell in collaboration with the Behavioral Insights Lab, Silver Lining for the Needy Initiative, and WellaHealth.
The other four recipients include:
GroupM Media India PVT. LTD. (India)
Center for Indonesia’s Strategic Development Initiatives (Indonesia)
Global Health Strategies Emerging Economies PVT. LTD. (Indonesia), and
IPSOS and M&C Saatchi World Services (Evaluator)
This initiative comes at a critical juncture as Nigeria, like many countries globally, grapples with vaccine hesitancy and misinformation. By leveraging the vast reach and influence of social media platforms, these organizations aim to educate and empower communities, particularly in rural and underserved areas, to overcome barriers to vaccination.
Drew Otoo, president of Global Vaccines at MSD, expressed enthusiasm for the initiative’s next phase, highlighting the potential of social media platforms in shaping healthcare decisions. Lu’chen Foster, Senior Director of Social Impact Partnerships at Meta, reiterated Meta’s commitment to supporting global health outcomes through innovative approaches.
Augustin Flory, managing director at Gavi, emphasized the importance of partnerships with the private sector and technology in driving impactful interventions in immunization programs.
The VaxSocial Initiative represents a collaborative effort to bridge the gap between research and implementation, paving the way for evidence-based strategies to enhance vaccine confidence and uptake.
With Nigeria actively participating in this initiative, there is hope for a brighter future where vaccination is embraced as a crucial component of public health, safeguarding communities against preventable diseases.
As these projects unfold, they have the potential to serve as models for scalable and replicable approaches to vaccine advocacy, not only in Nigeria but across the globe.
Through collective efforts and strategic partnerships, we can build a healthier and more resilient world, where every individual has access to life-saving vaccines and the knowledge to make informed healthcare decisions.
By Okoko Chidozie Christian
[email protected]; 09025179984.
As the world transitions to a more sustainable and low-carbon solar energy future, no other event provides attendees with more diverse conversation focused on the latest developments needed to accelerate the global energy mix, except the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC)
Since 1969, the Offshore Technology Conference, OTC has served as a central hub convening energy professionals from around the world to share ideas and innovations, debate and build consensus around the most pressing topics facing the offshore energy sectors and the globe at large.
The OTC focused on the technologies and innovations needed to continue providing the world’s energy needs while helping to create a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable future for all. It is the only global energy event connecting 31,000+ offshore energy professionals from more than 100 countries to discuss the challenges, solutions and changing environmental landscape of the offshore energy sector.
Across four (4) days, industry-thought leaders, investors, buyers and enterpreneurs will meet in Houston- the energy capital of the world to develop business partnership and learn about the latest advances, challenges and opportunities.
At OTC, there will be access to leading-edge technical information, the industry’s largest equipment exhibition and valuable professional contacts from around the world.
Also, it will provide excellent opportunities for global sharing of technology, expertise, products and practices.
Whether oil and gas, solar, wind, hydrogen, and marine resource, conversations will be centred around innovations that could help shift and drive the world’s energy mix.
Looking at the solar energy issue at the conference, the world will witnessmore paradigm shift towards renewable energy source as a means in combating climate change and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
Among many options, solar energy has taken the lead to providing a sustainable and plentiful answers to the urgent energy concern of our days.
Also, the world’s energy has increasingly transitioned and focused on using solar energy to fulfil rising energy demands since the sun is an endless supply of clean energy.
Therefore, it is impossible to exaggerate the contributions of solar energy to the global energy shifts.
In terms of generating electricity and alerting the overall energy landscape, solar power has proven to be a game-changer making it possible for nations, communities to lower their carbon footprints, improve energy security, and spur economic growth by using photovoltaic (PV) technology or concentrating solar power(CSP). The unmatched environmental advantage of solar energy is one of its main advantage.
Contrary to the traditional energy source, solar energy emits no greenhouse gaswhile in use; reducing the adverse effect of carbon-dioxide, (CO2) and other air pollutants.
As a result, makes a substantial contribution to the battle against climate change by assisting countries in meeting the Paris Agreement emission reduction goals.
Furthermore, by decentralizing energy generation, solar energy strengthens communities. Homes and businesses may become self-sufficient energy producers by installing solar panels on their rooftops decreasing dependency in centralize power system and fostering energy independence.
Remarkably, the solar business has grown, creating jobs and investments to many countries such as the US, Europe, Japan, Brazil, China to mention but a few. In the US, solar capacity exceeded 135,700MegaWatts as of late 2022, which is enough to power 24million homes according to the Solar Energy Industry Association, SEIA. Typically, solar panel is an attractive investment for homeowners who pay high electricity prices, have roofs with decent sun exposure, want to reduce their environmental impacts and want to pre-pay for a quarter century of power.
Study confirms that there are some misconceptions about solar power, but panels yield excellent result when used in the right application.
Solar panel materials can be recycled and reused between 90% to 97% for other purposes when they break down. This is because solar panels are made up of large amounts of aluminium, copper and glass. These materials can be recycled for other products manufacturing including solar panels-thanks to its modular design.
Solar panels generate electricity for decades without producing carbon emission. By comparison, conventional power plants fired by fossil fuels produces significant emissions during their lifespan and cannot be dismantled as easily as a solar panel.
Do you know that early models of solar panels are still in use today? Solar panels have no moving parts, which means they are not at risk of much mechanical wear.
And, this results in a long service life, and the top solar brands now offer warranties of over 20 years to help maintain your panel over time.
As one of the world energy event that showcase advances in energy, highly interactive experience, inspire progressive leadership thinking and collaborative actions, OTC critically look ahead to the next 100 years of energy; not just what the future in energy technology looks, but also how to increase society’s energy literacy and creates more inclusive, bottom-up energy communities.
Transnational Corporation Plc (“Transcorp” or the “Group”), Nigeria’s leading, listed conglomerate with investment in the Power, Hospitality, and Energy sectors, has announced impressive Q1 financial results for the period ended March 31, 2024.
In its Q1 2024 unaudited results, Transcorp reported significant year-on-year growth, with revenue rising to N88.6 billion from N32.4 billion in 2023, representing a 173% increase.
The impressive results are largely driven by a remarkable 209% year-on-year revenue growth within the power business, highlighting significant strategic progress as part of Transcorp Group’s implementation of its integrated power strategy.
The hospitality business recorded a 68% year-on-year growth in revenue, driven by an increase in occupancy rate from 75% to 82% compared to the previous year.
The results show substantial growth across all financial indicators, reinforcing its market leadership and strategic positioning.
Highlight of Transcorp Group Results:
Q1 2024 Revenue was N88.6 billion, a significant increase of 173%, compared to Q1 2023.
Operating income increased by 479%, from N8.5 billion in Q1 2023 to N49.1 billion in Q1 2024.
Operating expenses saw an increase of 40% year on year to N8.2 billion in Q1 2024, reflecting the impact of inflation and cost of operations.
Net finance cost increased by 14% to N3.7 billion in 2024 from N3.2 billion in 2023 due to a slightly higher interest rate review in line with MPR.
Profit before tax from ordinary business of the Group surged by 1110%, amounting to N34.7 billion in Q1 2024, compared to N2.9 billion in Q1 2023 in the same period last year.
Profit before tax inclusive of extra ordinary income was N45.7 billion in 2024 compared to N2.9 billion in 2023.
The Group recorded extra ordinary income of N11 billion during the period from the realised gain from the sale of shares.
Profit after Tax including the extra ordinary income improved 1832% year-on-year to N35.9 billion in Q1 2024, compared to N1.9 billion in Q1 2023 in the same period last year.
Earnings per share of the Group was N61.12k in Q1 2024, compared to N2.58k in Q1 2023.
On the balance sheet, total assets grew by 8.3%, from N530 billion in December 2023 to N574 billion in Q1 2024 due to the increase in operational activities.
Shareholders’ funds increased by 20% from N187billion in December 2023 to N224 billion at the end of Q1 2024 due to profit accreted to retained earnings.
In response to the results, Dr. Owen D. Omogiafo, president/group chief executive officer of Transcorp, commented, “Our Q1 2024 results demonstrates Transcorp Group’s resilience and commitment to excellence. Despite the challenges, we achieved growth across all major indices, focusing on operational efficiency at both our power plants, and maximising opportunities within our hospitality business, showing our ability to adapt and succeed in changing markets. We will continue to deliver sustainable growth, operational efficiency, and value for our shareholders.”
This robust achievement is a further demonstration of the Group’s strategic focus and effective execution.
Transcorp is dedicated to its transformation agenda, emphasising sustained growth and a relentless pursuit of long-term value for shareholders.
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