General News
Badejo-Okusanya Urges Legal, Communications Experts Synergy on Corporate Crisis Mgt

Finding the nexus between communications and Legal solutions in the face of corporate crisis was the fulcrum of discussion by a four-man panel of legal and communications experts at a one day workshop in Lagos last week Tuesday, March 24, 2015.
The workshop, attended by heads of legal and corporate affairs departments of various corporate organizations, commercial lawyers, dispute resolution and intellectual property experts, was organised by the Jackson, Etti & Edu Law chambers.
Themed, “Dispute Resolution and Crisis Management of Corporate Entities– Wearing the best suit”, the forum had presentations submitted by communications experts and legal luminaries.
Barr. Asamah Kadiri, partner, Jackson, Etti & Edu spoke on the topic ‘Managing Complex Commercial Litigation of a Corporate Organisation’, while Barr. Obafemi Agaba of same chambers presented second lead paper on the topic ‘Managing the Risk of Litigation, Policy, Cost, and Value Consideration’.
Earlier in his keynote address titled: Crisis Management in a Corporate Organisation, Mr. Ayo Shote, Managing Director, Baker Hughes Nigeria, had emphasised various issues from administrative and legal boundaries that complicate rather than solving corporate crisis.
Examining and analyzing the various presentations and keynote topic, a four man panel made up of communications and legal experts, proffered professional solutions to the issues, synergizing on common fronts. The panelists, Yomi Badejo-Okusanya, CEO, CMC Connect Burson-Marsteller, Sola Dosunmu, head, Corporate & Regulatory, British American Tobacco; Bode Sojobi, Head, Legal Services – CHI Ltd; and Imomoemi Ibisiki, Group Head, Legal Services, Heritage Bank Ltd, were very cerebral and detailed in their submissions.
Citing various case studies and pragmatic experiences, Badejo-Okusanya posited that communications expert and legal practitioners usually disagree owing to differences in perspective and ideology.
Communications expert, he said, conceive litigation matters from issues/reputation management perspective whilst legal practitioners see it through the eyes of the law thus creating a dichotomy.
Badejo-Okusanya stressed the need for a collaborative than competitive approach in the best interest of the client.
He added that there should be collaborative relationship on issues bordering on litigation communications, joint handling and analysis of briefs, and execution of same.
He further outlined the critical five stages in crisis management citing his organisation’s experience with the defunct BellView Airlines when the airline was embroiled in air crash crisis, and how CMC Connect was able to manage the public outcry and the airline was back in business at that period.
He expounded on the various service offerings of his firms that offer solutions to corporate organisations ancillary needs and as well as subsidiaries like I-Octane (Interactive Media), Tangalo Africa (Agricultural Communications), Ignite Public Affairs.
He also spoke about his firm’s work with BAT, stressing the need for organisations and corporate entities to work with professional communications consultants as official information handlers in times of crisis.
Doing that, he said, will make it easier to achieve corporate goals and subsequently a greater share of voice in public and dousing the voice of rumours and negative publicity. He opined that proper crisis communications management could save corporate and brand reputation and bring out the silver lining in every crisis.
Finally, he spoke about the changing face of information dissemination stressing that with the advent of social media tools (eg. CNN’s i-report), the customary gate keeping functions of traditional media has been bypassed.
Hence organisations and corporate entities must partner with communications agencies and experts to save their corporate reputation from unforeseen damages that could have very grave effects on corporate bottom line.
General News
Lawmakers Ask CBN to Suspend Payment to ZTE for Failed $460m CCTV Project

House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee investigating the $460 million Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) surveillance project in the Federal Capital Territory has directed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to suspend further disbursements to ZTE Corporation pending clarification on the execution of the contract.

The resolution was reached on Tuesday following lawmakers’ concerns over inconsistencies, vague responses, and lack of transparency from ZTE officials regarding the project’s scope, deployment locations, and current operational status.
The committee also mandated the company to reappear with comprehensive and verifiable documentation, including a full inventory of all equipment supplied and installed, precise locations of infrastructure nationwide, and details of 456 Nigerians reportedly trained to operate and maintain the system.
The decision followed a motion moved by Ali Shettima representing Bursari/Geidam/Yunusari Federal Constituency and seconded by Kolawale Akinlayo during an investigative hearing at the National Assembly.
Donald Ojogo, chairman of the committee, said the exercise was not a witch-hunt but a fact-finding mission aimed at addressing public concerns over the project.
This is a constructive engagement, not an attempt to witch-hunt anyone. Nigerians deserve clear answers, and we expect ZTE to respond in line with the documents before us,” he stated.
Irene Momoh, representing the company, said ZTE supplied and installed CCTV infrastructure in Abuja and Lagos, noting that the project was completed between 2011 and 2012.
However, under questioning, he admitted uncertainty about the current functionality of the system.
“To the best of our knowledge, the equipment was delivered and installed within the project timeline, but I cannot confirm its present operational status,” Momoh said.
The response sparked strong reactions from lawmakers, who questioned how a project of such magnitude could lack a sustainable maintenance and continuity framework.
Momoh explained that ZTE had an initial three-month maintenance agreement, which it voluntarily extended to six months before handing over the system. He attributed the project’s decline to the government’s inability to sustain funding post-handover.
“There was no continued funding from the government to maintain and run the system after handover,” he added.
Despite this explanation, lawmakers challenged several of the company’s claims, particularly on the geographical spread of the installations.
General News
Guinness Nigeria Surpasses ₦1Trillion Market Capitalisation, Signalling Strong Investor Confidence and Sustained Value Creation

Guinness Nigeria PLC has achieved a landmark milestone, surpassing the ₦1 trillion mark in market capitalisation on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), underscoring strong investor confidence and a sustained track record of value creation.

As of April 10, 2026, the company’s market capitalisation stood at approximately ₦1.01 trillion, with an enterprise value of ₦1.05 trillion. This milestone reflects a significant re-rating of the business by the market, driven by improved fundamentals and a renewed growth trajectory.
This achievement caps a remarkable 18-month period during which the company has delivered substantial improvements in shareholder value. As of April 12, 2026, Guinness Nigeria’s share price closed at ₦462.90, reflecting strong upward momentum and sustained investor confidence in the company’s strategic direction and performance outlook.
The company’s latest audited financial results for the 18-month period, ended 31 December 2025, further underscore this transformation. Guinness Nigeria delivered revenue of ₦730.80 billion, while gross profit rose by 152% to ₦230.48 billion, demonstrating strong margin expansion and improved operational efficiency.
In a significant turnaround, the company recorded a net profit after tax of ₦41.16 billion, recovering from a loss position in the prior period. This return to profitability highlights the success of ongoing transformation efforts and reinforces the company’s commitment to delivering sustainable, long-term value for shareholders.
The reporting period reflects a pivotal phase in the company’s evolution, including its transition to a new financial year-end of 31 December and its first full audited reporting cycle under its current ownership structure, laying a stronger foundation for future growth.
Commenting on the milestone, Prof. Fabian Ajogwu, SAN, Chairman of the Board said: “This is a defining moment for Guinness Nigeria and a strong validation of the strategic direction we are pursuing. Crossing the ₦1 trillion market capitalisation threshold reflects the resilience of our business, the strength of our brands, and the renewed confidence of the investment community in our long-term prospects. We remain committed to disciplined governance, sustainable growth, and long-term value creation for all stakeholders.”
Over the period, the company has driven performance through revenue growth, portfolio optimisation, cost discipline, and expanded route-to-market capabilities. These efforts have been complemented by a sharpened focus on innovation, premiumisation, and consumer-centric strategies, reinforcing its leadership in Nigeria’s beverage alcohol sector.
Guinness Nigeria has also continued to strengthen its balance sheet, embed sustainability into its operations, and uphold strong corporate governance standards, while maintaining its commitment to responsible consumption and positive community impact.
Looking ahead, the company remains focused on accelerating growth through consumer obsession, portfolio expansion, and continued innovation, while maintaining a disciplined approach to capital allocation and shareholder returns.
General News
Nigeria’s Digital Boom Takes Centre Stage as IoT West Africa Returns to Lagos

Nigeria is in the middle of one of the fastest digital infrastructure expansions on the continent. Microsoft, Google, and AWS are committing to African cloud regions. MTN and Airtel are at the forefront of advancing telecom infrastructure.

The Rural Electrification Agency is rewiring the country’s power base. And enterprise AI adoption is accelerating across banking, logistics, and public services.
On 28–30 April 2026, that ecosystem converges at Landmark Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, as IoT West Africa, Power & Water Nigeria, and Data Centre & Cloud Expo Africa co-locate for their fifth edition.
IoT West Africa holds its place as the longest-running IoT and digital infrastructure event on the continent, and the platform that has tracked, shaped, and accelerated West Africa’s technology story from its earliest chapters.
The three-day platform spans AI, cloud, telecoms, IoT, smart infrastructure, fintech, renewable energy, hyperscale data centres, and power generation. Critical infrastructure sits at the heart of this year’s agenda: from the security and resilience of national power grids, to the fibre networks, subsea cables, and edge computing nodes that underpin Nigeria’s digital economy. This is the event where that conversation happens at the highest level.
It is the only event in West Africa where a hyperscale operator, a rural electrification agency, a 5G network operator, and a sovereign AI policymaker share the same stage, and the same room.
The event announces a strategic partnership with Africa Data Centres Association (ADCA), bringing the continent’s foremost data centre industry body into the programme to shape conversations around investment, connectivity, and cross-border infrastructure development.
Confirmed speakers include Dr. Abba Aliyu, MD/CEO of the Rural Electrification Agency; Dr. Emomotimi John Agama, Director-General of Securities and Exchange Commission Nigeria; and Christopher Ezeafulukwe, MD/CEO of Transcorp Energy; Wole Abu, MD, Equinix; Ina Alogwu, Chief Digital & Information Officer, T2 Mobile; alongside dozens of global industry leaders.
The platform brings together 5,000+ decision-makers including CIOs, CTOs, investors, regulators, and hyperscale operators, with exhibitors including Itel Energy, Vertiv, and Jubaili Bros. An exclusive VIP lounge, a startup pitch session, and a live podcast series complete the programme.
Register: Power & Water Nigeria — pnwnigeria.com/visitor-registration
IoT West Africa — iotwestafrica.com/visitor-registration
Telecom3 days agoSpaceX Hints at Home‑Built Chip Module for Starlink Mobile
E-Financial2 days agoFidelity Surges Ahead in Recapitalisation Drive with ₦564bn Capital
General News3 days agoTeenager Hacks Celebrities Whatsapps, Sells Adult Content in Delta
Telecom3 days agoDigital Realty, IXPN Expand Peering Network with New Internet Exchange Point of Presence in Nigeria
Telecom3 days agoElon Musk Accuses South Africa of Racism over Starlink Licence Block
E-Financial3 days agoLawyers Sue CBN over One-Time BVN Phone Number Change
E-Financial3 days agoFG Slashes Import Duties on Cars, Rice, Palm Oil in 2026 Fiscal Policy
News3 days agoMeta Files Appeal over $25,000 Damages Awarded to Falana













