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Diamond Advocates Capacity Building in Nigerian Oil & Gas Industry

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(L-r) Diezani Allison-Madueke, minister of Petroleum Resources, and Samuel Egube, director, Corporate Banking, Diamond Bank, at the Bank’s stand at the recently concluded Nigerian Oil and Gas Conference (NOG 13) held at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.
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To entrench a culture of sound corporate governance practices in the Nigerian oil and gas industry, there has to be a consistent investment in capacity building across board in companies operating in the sector.

Mr. Samuel Egube, director, Corporate Banking, Diamond Bank Plc gave this advice at the recently concluded Nigerian Oil and Gas Conference (NOG 13) held in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Diamond  Bank Plc, one of Nigeria’s leading commercial banks was the platinum sponsor of the conference.

Egube who presented a paper titled “Domestic & International Funding for Energy Projects in Nigeria (Current Realities/ Charting the Way Forward)” told the distinguished audience that there was need to invest in future growth through structured capitalisation of profit as well as the need to periodically create windows for additional investment through additional equity and other forms of capital investment into the business.

The banker also highlighted the need to constantly deepen the integrity of business processes through ISO Certification and by bench-marking them against other forms of international best practices.

On how to maximise indigenous participation, who are potential game changers in the industry, Egube observed that the passage of the highly anticipated Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) was expected to engender reduced contract processing and approval cycles through an industry wide adoption and deployment of contracting and bidding vehicles such as the Nigerian Petroleum Exchange (NIPEX).

Other benefits of the PIB, according to him are increased contract tenures from the current 2+1 contract cycles to 5 and 10 years cycles, to encourage long-term project and contract financing as well as simplified tax regime and fiscal structure.

He also stressed the need for investment in long-term technical and professional training, capacity building for operators in the industry and regulators, adding that the Nigerian Content Development Monitoring Board (NCMDB) could introduce mandatory capacity development programmes for top and medium level management of indigenous oil companies while IOCs and other production companies use these benchmarks for contract grading.

Egube also reiterated the need for insistence on ISO certification of internal processes as a pre-condition for specific contracts.   

Diamond Bank has played a major investment role in the Nigerian oil and gas industry over the years. Some of its landmark energy transactions include Neconde Energy Limited $94 million reserve base lending for asset acquisition and field development, Caroil Drilling $110 million acquisition of three land and swamp rigs and the facilitation of the financing of field development for Orient Petroleum Limited and the construction of a new refinery to the value of $100 million. The bank was part of the consortium of banks that won the Project Finance Magazine’s Deals of the Year Awards for the financing of last year’s NNPC /ExxonMobil RDP.

The bank has also put together OGCF $500 million Oil and Gas Financing Commitment, Oando’s $100 million for the development of Qua Ibo field- OML 13 and $20 million for the development of the Apapa SPM facility.

The bank’s other exposures to the Nigerian gas and oil industry are its appointment in 2010 as partner bank by the Nigeria Content Development Monitoring Board (NCDMB) for the Nigerian Content Development Fund, a key partner in a $200 million deal to finance an independent power plant -Geometric Power Limited- in Aba, Abia State; Depthwize’s $42 million acquisition of drilling barge and marine spread and Spectrum $50 million construction of oil gas fabrication plant amongst others.     


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Konga Launches Tech Month Campaign with Exclusive Offers

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Nigeria’s leading composite e-commerce platform, Konga, has officially announced the launch of its highly anticipated Konga Tech Month. Konga Tech Month is a month-long campaign dedicated to delivering exceptional value across the technology category.

Konga Launches Tech Month Campaign with Exclusive Offers

Konga Tech Month Campaign

It runs from May 1 to May 31, 2026, and presents one of the most compelling opportunities for consumers, SMEs and corporates to acquire premium technology products at jaw-dropping discounts of up to 50% across a wide range of products.

Tech Month is designed to meet the growing demand for genuine, reliable, high-performance technology solutions in Nigeria’s rapidly evolving digital economy. Through strategic collaborations with global technology leaders such as Samsung, LG, ASUS, HP, and Starlink, Konga is reinforcing its commitment to technological democratization as the global economy increasingly pivots toward a digital-first future.

From smartphones and laptops to televisions, refrigerators, and cutting-edge accessories, the campaign delivers a comprehensive suite of technology solutions tailored to both personal and professional needs. Whether consumers are upgrading their home entertainment systems or equipping their workspaces for enhanced productivity, Konga Tech Month provides a one-stop destination for quality, affordability, and convenience.

A key highlight of this year’s campaign is the prominent participation of Starlink as a focal partner. In a significant development for Nigeria’s connectivity landscape, Starlink has designated Konga as its authorized support centre, enabling customers to access in-person assistance at select Konga retail stores nationwide.

This means that beyond enjoying exclusive discounts on Starlink kits during special campaign phases, customers can now receive expert guidance on purchase decisions, installation, and troubleshooting, bridging the gap between advanced global technology and local accessibility. This initiative reinforces Konga’s commitment to delivering not just products, but end-to-end customer experience and support.

Konga Tech Month is further enhanced by a range of value-driven incentives designed to improve convenience and drive customer satisfaction. Shoppers who purchase from the official stores of Samsung and LG on Konga will enjoy free delivery, reinforcing the platform’s promise of affordability without hidden costs.

In addition, Konga’s same-day delivery service, KongaNow, ensures that customers can receive their orders within hours, eliminating the delays typically associated with e-commerce transactions. This capability is particularly beneficial for urgent purchases, enabling users to access essential tech products exactly when they need them.

To maximise the benefits of the campaign, customers are encouraged to download the Konga mobile app, available on both the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. App users gain access to exclusive app-only deals, including free shipping on select offers, as well as early notifications on flash sales and limited-time promotions.

Beyond the immediate consumer benefits, Konga Tech Month plays a strategic role in advancing digital adoption across Nigeria. As businesses and individuals increasingly rely on technology for communication, education, and productivity, access to affordable and reliable devices becomes essential.

By partnering directly with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), Konga ensures that customers receive 100% authentic products, eliminating concerns around quality and reliability. This direct sourcing model not only strengthens consumer trust but also supports long-term brand loyalty.

Furthermore, the campaign aligns with broader economic goals by facilitating access to tools that drive efficiency, innovation, and competitiveness in various sectors. From small businesses seeking to digitise operations to students investing in learning tools, Tech Month provides practical solutions that empower users to thrive in a technology-driven world.

To fully capitalise on the opportunities presented by Konga Tech Month, customers are advised to stay actively engaged with the platform. Following Konga’s official social media channels and enabling notifications ensures real-time access to flash sales and exclusive discount phases.

As the campaign unfolds throughout May, shoppers can expect continuous updates, surprise deals, and enhanced offerings designed to deliver maximum value.

Konga Tech Month is more than a promotional event; it is a strategic initiative that underscores Konga’s leadership in Nigeria’s e-commerce and technology retail space. By combining competitive pricing, global brand partnerships, seamless logistics, and customer-centric innovations, Konga continues to redefine how Nigerians access and experience technology.

As the digital economy expands, initiatives like Tech Month serve as critical enablers, ensuring that consumers are not only connected but also equipped with the tools needed to succeed.

For shoppers across the country, the message is clear: this May, the smartest way to upgrade your digital life is through Konga Tech Month.


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UBA Debunks Viral Divorce Claim against Elumelus, Suspects in Custody

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United Bank for Africa (UBA) Group has dismissed as false and malicious reports circulating on social media alleging that Mr Tony Elumelu, its croup chairman,  has divorced his wife, describing the claims as defamatory and deliberately fabricated to tarnish his reputation.

UBA Debunks Viral Divorce Claim against Elumelus, Suspects in Custody

UBA

In a formal notice issued on Sunday, the bank said the publication and similar related content were entirely baseless, reckless, and designed to mislead the public while causing reputational damage to Elumelu and the UBA brand.

According to the statement signed by Mrs Alero Ladipo, Group Head, Brand, Marketing and Corporate Communication, the matter has been reported to relevant law enforcement authorities, which have already commenced investigations into the source and spread of the claims.

The bank disclosed that three individuals allegedly linked to the creation and dissemination of the publication had been arrested. They were identified as Mr Kingsley Akunemeihe, also known as @Directorkem; Mr Chigozie Success Ihebom; and Mr John Surpruchi Nwanorue, known on social media as @problemchimky.

UBA said investigations were ongoing and could result in additional arrests and prosecutions of other individuals connected to originating, amplifying, or sustaining the false publication.

The financial institution issued a cease-and-desist notice to all persons, platforms, and entities involved in publishing or reposting the claims, directing them to immediately remove the content from all platforms and refrain from further dissemination.

It also instructed all affected parties to preserve records, including digital footprints, communications, and metadata linked to the creation and spread of the publication, pending possible legal action.

The bank warned that failure to comply with the directive would lead to legal proceedings, including defamation suits, claims for damages, injunctive relief, and other remedies available under applicable laws.

“UBA Group is resolute in protecting the reputation, privacy, and integrity of our brand and that of Mr Elumelu, and will pursue all necessary legal avenues, civil and criminal, to ensure all responsible parties are identified and held accountable,” the statement said.

The bank urged the public to disregard the false reports and rely only on verified information from official channels.


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NITDA Partners Galaxy Backbone to Deliver Subsidised Cloud Services to Startups

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National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), through its Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI), has entered into a strategic partnership with Galaxy Backbone Limited (GBB) to provide subsidised sovereign cloud services for startups participating in the iHatch programme.

NITDA Partners Galaxy Backbone to Deliver Subsidised Cloud Services to Startups

NITDA

The collaboration is aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s digital ecosystem by improving access to critical digital infrastructure, promoting indigenous innovation, supporting data sovereignty and expanding digital inclusion.

The development was disclosed in separate statements issued by NITDA and Galaxy Backbone.

Under the arrangement, startups enrolled in the iHatch programme will be onboarded onto the Galaxy Cloud Platform (GxCP), GBB’s sovereign cloud infrastructure built on Uptime-certified Tier III and Tier IV data centres, a nationwide fibre network and advanced cybersecurity architecture.

According to the agencies, the initiative is designed to reduce infrastructure barriers facing early-stage businesses by providing access to secure enterprise-grade cloud resources at subsidised rates.

Director-General of NITDA, Mr Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, described the partnership as a strategic intervention to strengthen the resilience and global competitiveness of Nigeria’s startup ecosystem.

Abdullahi said access to reliable digital infrastructure remained one of the most critical enablers for startups seeking to innovate, scale and compete internationally.

He noted that the collaboration aligns with NITDA’s broader digital economy agenda, particularly in building local technology capacity and reducing dependence on foreign infrastructure.

“This partnership reinforces our commitment to nurturing a resilient and globally competitive startup ecosystem by ensuring innovators have access to the infrastructure required to build sustainable businesses,” he said.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Galaxy Backbone, Prof. Ibrahim Adeyanju, said the initiative would empower startups with access to secure, enterprise-grade cloud infrastructure while enabling them to host their data locally within Nigeria.

According to him, hosting data locally is critical to strengthening Nigeria’s digital sovereignty, improving compliance and enhancing economic resilience.

Adeyanju explained that to ensure sustainability and long-term impact, GBB would deploy a tiered, milestone-based support model aligned with the development stages of startups.

He said cloud credits would be released in phases across three stages of startup growth — Build, Validate and Scale.

The credits, he said, would remain valid for 12 months, after which beneficiaries would transition to either standard subscription plans or pay-as-you-go billing options.

“This model ensures startups receive support at the stages where they need it most, while also encouraging efficient resource management and long-term business sustainability,” he said.

Adeyanju added that Galaxy Backbone would establish a dedicated Startup Success Team to guide participating startups through onboarding and encourage platform adoption.

He said the initiative would also include automated usage monitoring and alerts to help startups optimise resource utilisation and avoid operational inefficiencies.

In a move aimed at protecting startups from exchange rate volatility, he disclosed that all post-credit billing under the scheme would be denominated in naira.

General Manager, Strategic Partnerships at GBB, Mr Abdul Malik Suleiman, described the partnership as a deliberate intervention to bridge the infrastructure gap confronting Nigerian innovators.

Suleiman said making world-class cloud services more accessible to local startups would significantly lower entry barriers for innovation-driven businesses.

Also speaking, National Coordinator of ONDI, Ms Victoria Fabunmi, said integrating Galaxy Backbone’s sovereign cloud platform into the iHatch programme would strengthen startups’ ability to transition from ideation to commercial scale.

Fabunmi noted that access to the right digital tools and infrastructure was crucial to helping startups compete effectively in both local and global markets.

She said the iHatch programme, which is supported by NITDA through ONDI, had already trained over 160 startups across 37 hub partners nationwide.

According to her, the partnership with GBB is expected to deepen the programme’s impact by accelerating innovation, enabling startup growth and strengthening Nigeria’s broader digital economy.

Industry stakeholders say the initiative reflects growing efforts by government institutions to provide local alternatives to foreign digital infrastructure while reducing operational costs for Nigerian startups.

They also note that the partnership could improve confidence among innovators and investors by strengthening Nigeria’s cloud ecosystem and encouraging local data hosting.

The agencies expressed optimism that the collaboration would unlock new growth opportunities for startups and further position Nigeria as a leading innovation hub on the continent.


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