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iCyrus is Furniture & Joinery Revolutionary Online Market- Imo

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Mrs. Alero Imo is the Managing Director of iCyrus Online Merchants Limited.
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Mrs. Alero Imo is the Managing Director of iCyrus Online Merchants Limited. She is also the Managing Director of Cyrus Kingdom Development Company (‘Cyrus’ for short, a furniture and joinery company).
She is an architect by profession, and worked briefly at the elite architectural practice of JamesCubitt (Architects) before taking up the role of MD at Cyrus, a role she has held on to for over 20 years.
She is a regular speaker at programmes geared towards youth empowerment and mentors an average of 15/20 young boys and girls on a yearly basis. She spoke to peter oluka on the launch of iCyrus.com.ng

The Concept: iCyrus.com.ng
iCyrus is an online store, especially for ‘Do It Yourself’ (DIY) enthusiasts, project managers, contractors and supplied/produced materials for other businesses.
We are a rapidly growing business with the primary aim of supplying our customers with products and services for home improvement. We are committed to Creating a platform for DIY supplies where everything you need to improve your home or complete your building project will be found.
We stock an extensive variety of products which include tools and safety equipment, furniture and joinery products, bathroom and laundry, adhesives and sealants as well as other affiliated products servicing the construction industry in Nigeria.
With our increasing range, you’ll find anything you need to complete your home or building project at a competitive price!

Online Market Mission
Our mission in the online market space is simply to be the foremost home improvement supply store in Nigeria; selling tools and safety equipment, furniture and joinery products, bathroom and laundry, adhesives and sealants as well as other affiliated products servicing the construction industry in Nigeria whilst providing our clients with the best quality at a fair price. This is summed up in our slogan: ‘One Stop Shop for Home Improvement’.

What Informed iCyrus Online Market Presence
We have been in the manufacturing sector producing furniture and joinery products. But, I have always wanted to have vendor platform which is not going to be our products alone, rather any company/body in the distribution chain. iCyrus is that platform.
iCyrus to business model entails that you do have to be a ‘great’ contractor to come and put your goods on iCyrus.
We serve small manufacturing, but you must get the procedure right such as having NAFDAC, SONCAP or SON registration.
Then, leave the product to us to vendor for you. There are a lot of suppliers that do not have the capacity to enlarge their business because they can’t go online and capture the wider market. iCyrus to customer model also depicts you need not send somebody to, probably, Mushin, whereas you reside in Surulere, to get such material.
Overseas, they have stores for DIY products. It is a luxury to pay somebody to change your electric bulb; you should be able to do that! You should be able to screw something that has gone off; assemble your table. You can decide to do your kitchen yourself; all you need is to go on iCyrus.com.ng and buy a completely knocked down material with the manual, you can do it. Everybody can have beautiful home. It is not just when you travel abroad that you seem ‘wowed’ by the furniture or joinery. You do not even need to spend so much on it. 

Expansion Plans
Eventually, as we expand, we are looking at a fully automated platform which will incorporate franchises like warehousing in different States.
That is one good thing about online; you know exactly where the market is coming and create warehouses in different States to serve that niche for easier accessibility by the mass market.

Assessment Nigeria’s e-Commerce Space 
I don’t think we have enough. They are not like physical stores; though it is still a new area at its rudimental stage. However, we need more because that is the place to be in the nearest future. As people are returning from work, tired, the next and closest place for them to shop is online.
As a country we need to catch on to the internet community and position ourselves as part of the growth.

iCyrus Launched in Period of Economic Recession:
There are two business models to iCyrus: Business to Business (B2B) and the Business to Customers (B2C). The B2B of iCyrus is going to create jobs for suppliers/manufacturers because what happens is that most of people do not have platforms to sell their goods.
Therefore, iCyrus is an open store to anybody/company who can manufacture quality products and less expensive, thereby, reaching the mass market.
For instance, there is a manufacturer in Surulere who is producing paint; a quality one for that matter, but this manufacturer is limited in sells.
The company would search for buyers, but online you have a catchment area of minimum of 93 million (according to Nigeria Communications Commission statistics). All you need to occupy yourself with is manufacturing and allow iCyrus to do the sales for you.

Quality Assurance
We have been in furniture and joinery business for about two decades. We manufacture and have access to the market, knowing the paths to quality products and raw materials areas.
Sometimes, we have to import the material; we know where they are, different producers. So, we hope that will help us as benchmark to good quality control.
We have people on ground in our team who are able to verify. As members of associations such as MANCAP, we can also check the quality of products before they are listed on the site.

How Furniture & Joinery Market Will Benefit
iCyrus is such a market place for the Furniture & Joinery market in Nigeria and beyond. Like I said earlier, whatever you bring to sell, we will charge only 10 per cent of the sales. The charge is just for administration and to enable site be up and running.

Plans for Delivery & Timing
It depends on the purchases. iCyrus has things like doors; you can order. But there are doors that are custom-made for you. In other words, it cannot be immediate.
We have a minimum of 14 days for certain products be produced; because it is being done to your taste. For others that are readily available, immediately the payment is made we inform you about the delivery plans.

Merchants Registration/Accreditation
To become a merchant, we have a form you have to fill; though not an online, but we can mail it to you.
The form serves as a contract agreement which we issue to vendors, because we have to be sure you have certain amount of raw material or you can be able to execute a job/an order.
There is no point listing that you have 10 units of a certain door and when about 100 people place orders you fail to deliver.
Meanwhile, on our part, we are checking the specifications for standards. The specifications are not our thinking, but as specified by Nigeria. If SONCAP decides this is how something should be, we are going to follow that format to the last.


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Zinox Technologies and TD Africa Forge Strategic Partnership to Revolutionize African Tech Ecosystem

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In a landmark development set to reshape Africa’s technology landscape, Zinox Technologies, the continent’s leading manufacturer of trusted technology solutions, and TD Africa, Africa’s largest technology and lifestyle distribution powerhouse, formalized a strategic partnership on Friday at an exclusive press conference attended by industry journalists, key stakeholders, and partners from both organizations.

Zinox Technologies and TD Africa Forge Strategic Partnership to Revolutionize African Tech Ecosystem

Zinox Technologies and TD Africa

The event, held to officially announce the collaboration and address stakeholder concerns, marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of indigenous African technology, signalling a new era of continental self-reliance and technological excellence.

The partnership brings together two industry titans whose complementary strengths promise to deliver unprecedented value to the African market.

Zinox Technologies has established itself as Sub-Saharan Africa’s premier indigenous technology manufacturer, producing internationally certified devices that rival global brands while addressing Africa’s unique technological needs.

TD Africa, with its extensive distribution network spanning 43 nations in the continent and expanding, has become the preferred gateway for leading global technology brands including HP, Microsoft, Dell, and Cisco.

This alliance represents more than a business transaction; it harmonizes Zinox’s precision-engineered hardware with TD’s formidable distribution infrastructure to bridge the digital divide, deliver rugged, energy-efficient innovation to the very heart of Africa’s schools, industries, and homes.

Speaking at the event, Chioma Chimere, Coordinating Managing Director of TD Africa, articulated the strategic rationale behind the partnership with evident conviction. “Today represents a moment where Africa meets Africa,” she declared, emphasizing Zinox’s distinction as an indigenous brand that truly understands and produces to meet the unique needs of the continent.

Chimere highlighted Zinox’s comprehensive product range and their remarkable efficiency, noting that the company’s Made-for-Nigeria approach addresses challenges that foreign manufacturers often overlook.

“We are proud to partner with a brand that doesn’t just import solutions but engineers them specifically for our reality,” she added, expressing gratitude to all stakeholders for participating in this historic collaboration.

The event’s opening address set the tone for what promises to be a transformative partnership. The gathering provided partners and the public with comprehensive insights into how this alliance will enhance market access, product availability, and technological solutions across the continent.

Chioma Nwoke, Executive Director, Human Resources Head at Zinox Technologies, offered a compelling vision of the partnership’s broader implications for African technological sovereignty.

She articulated Zinox’s founding vision, to create dependable standards of technology, and traced the company’s evolution from its inception to its current position as a leader in indigenous manufacturing.

“This partnership sends a powerful signal to the market that African technology can compete, innovate, and lead,” Nwoke emphasized.

She stressed that this collaboration transcends mere commercial transactions, encompassing digital education, enterprise development, and nation-building through technology.

“Zinox will continue manufacturing global-standard products, and Africa will be sustained by partnerships like this that demonstrate our capability and commitment to technological independence,” she affirmed.

Moses Edoh, Head of Research and Development at Zinox Technologies, provided technical insights into the company’s diverse product portfolio and the philosophy driving their design approach.

He explained how Zinox, iTEC, and iPower brands compete successfully with foreign manufacturers by creating products tailored to specific customer needs.

“We were the first to produce and introduce hybrid inverters in Nigeria,” Edoh noted, “and every product in our lineup is designed to address the unique challenges Nigerians face daily.”

The Zinox product ecosystem showcases remarkable breadth and innovation. Their technology lineup features cutting-edge All-in-One Smart Boards, PCs with various specifications, tablets, desktops, monitors, and Point-of-Sale systems.

The iPower renewable energy division offers an impressive array of solutions including the Megaforce 125W, GridPro 50KW, Bijimi 30KW, Premium 11KW, Infiniti, Plus, iPower X, iPower Ascend All-in-One, Ascend, Matrix All-in-One, 3KG MPPT Solar Charge Controller, 665 Watts Bifacial Topcon Panel, various monocrystalline panels ranging from 320-550 Watts, multiple battery technologies (lithium, tubular, gel), solar street lights, and portable power banks.

The iTEC brand delivers power generating sets with 100% copper winding, while their consumer electronics range includes AI QLED Smart TVs from 33″ to 95″, microwave ovens, and rechargeable fans.

The testimonials from existing partners underscored the quality and durability of Zinox products. Engineer Anthony Anigbogu, Chief Executive Officer of Orbit Business shared his remarkable experience with an iPower hybrid inverter that served him faithfully for twelve years, only requiring replacement when he needed higher capacity. Such testimonials validate Zinox’s commitment to manufacturing products built for longevity.

Partners called for increased awareness campaigns, noting that many Nigerians continue relying on foreign brands despite having access to Nigerian-made solutions tailored to their unique needs. They pledged to actively promote these indigenous products within their networks.

With TD Africa’s expansive distribution network now channelling Zinox’s comprehensive product range, customers across the continent gain expanded access to world-class, Africa-optimized technology solutions.

Partners of both organizations stand to benefit enormously from this synergy, gaining access to innovative offerings including JOI (Just Own It) for individual consumers, TaaS (Technology as a Service) for corporate clients, and PaS (Product as a Service), among other solutions designed to make technology more accessible and affordable.

For organizations and individuals interested in exploring partnership opportunities or learning more about these innovative solutions, you can send an email to [email protected], with comprehensive information also available on their website.

This partnership represents not just a business alliance but a declaration of African technological capability, a testament that the continent can manufacture, distribute, and sustain world-class technology solutions designed by Africans, for Africans.


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Leo Stan @ 70: Blessed and Bruised by Country, Eyes Next Disruption

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One a quiet Wednesday, February 22, 1956,  in Ubomiri, Mbaitoli, Imo State, the family of Chief and Lolo Ebenezer Ekeh leaped for joy at the birth of Leonard Stanley Nnamdi Ekeh- their second son.

Leo Stan @ 70: Blessed and Bruised by Country, Eyes Next Disruption

Leonard Stanley Nnamdi Ekeh

His birth was both cosmic, and disruptive as his journey down this 70 years on earth has proven.

Leonard Stanley Nnamdi Ekeh, popularly know as Leo Stan Ekeh or LSE is human by birth but profound, rare and has higher consciousness.

Imbued with deep intuition, intense creativity, and compassionate nature, Leo Stan possesses critical thinking ability.

He has relentless drive to succeed across multiple facets of life. This is a self-made construct driven by his deep spiritual and  purposeful living, rather than just mere survival.

Despite the recurring and abrupt reversal  of government policies, which leave companies including his hemorrhaging, Leo Stan has remained committed and actively participate in the development and nation-building of Nigeria.

Am one of the lucky people to have known him up close and personal for nearly 30 years.

He has endured lots of back biting and campaigns of calumny from competitors and even betrayals from least expected people.

But his tenacity makes him stand firm on his beliefs regardless of  feelings, or circumstances.

He has stumbled in businesses, failed in some ventures; but he always get right up.  At one point, he nearly lost his head selling international commodities.

LSE takes every loss with equanimity as a dogged fighter.

A serial entrepreneur and with eyes for great minds, Leo Stan does not just walk through life; he leaves a trail of light, lifting everyone around him with kindness and wisdom. And there are testimonials.

For me, he is a pillar of strength and a beacon of hope. My  benefactor.

He is also a benefactor to many. He has a way of making associates feel vital, loved, and valued.

Today is his Platinum Birthday but his roads have not always been paved with gold.

His early life was as ordinary as it can be, LSE attended Holy Ghost College, Owerri for his secondary education.

During his early years, he wanted to own the biggest transport company in Nigeria.

He later went to India for his university education, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from Punjab University.

Leo Stan believes that studying in India was a great turning point in his life because he found the economy of India a realistic economy”.

He later also earned an MSc in Risk Management from the University of Nottingham.

At 70, he attained his height by trust in God, determination and CAN DO attitude.

Today, his  business opinions and advisory are  welcome around the world.

Leo Stan once told me “I saw myself from the beginning even when my parents were alive as an orphan. It drives me.”

He has three brothers and two sisters, His mother was a dietitian, and his father was a nurse

“I come from a lineage of people who served God dedicatedly. I am a miracle child and I remember my mother had always predicted that I would be great. I have siblings but I live my life as if I am the only child of my parents” he said

He believes that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world.

His solid prints in the business world is well documented. He has his hands in his hands in several businesses including ICT, e-commerce, broadcasting, oil and gas, media publishing and real estate.

Leo Stan is a man of many firsts: he pioneered a new world of digital economy at a time the country was deeply analogue both in the workplace and in schools.

The Nigerian media industry, from advertising to newspapers, owes him much gratitude for changing their operational processes and methodologies from mundane, medieval analogue to the robust and elegant digital platform.

Within 30 years, he has transformed a start-up that sprouted from a make-shift apartment that also doubled as his home into a digital conglomerate with incursions into oil and gas, entertainment and property.

Leo Stan started Zinox Technologies Limited in 2001 to manufacture computers.

He ensured that at launch Zinox Computers already had the WHQL certification, the first in sub-Saharan Africa, consolidated 5 years later with the attainment of the NIS ISO 2000: 9001 QMS Certification.

In October 2013, the company announced the production of its computer tablet line named Zipad

Task Systems, Technology Distributions Limited, Konga (Africa’s foremost truly composite e-commerce outpost combining offline-online mix in service delivery), Konga Radio, and TD Mobile, to name a few, complete the ensemble of businesses in his thriving conglomerate.

In all his companies, there is a growth pathway for every employee.

He deliberately creates a system that rewards every hardworking and dedicated employee.

From drivers sponsored to universities and returning to the conglomerate as degree holders to persons who joined the organisation as janitors working their way up the corporate ladder, he has brought his humanity to bear on people around him.

Making some lowly staff home-owners and sponsoring indigent students to universities at home and abroad comes to him as a routine.

Just a few days ago, ahead of his 70th birthday, he offered University scholarships to additional 1,000 Nigerian indigent wizkids to study Computer Science in Federal Universities. He is committing about N10 billion to the scholarship scheme.

This is so the country’s private and public sectors have a new generation of tech wizkids to support the economy’s growth.

Recall that his group has trained and retrained over 3000 Nigerians and donated tech centres to over 25 institutions nationwide just to mention a few.

The former alter boy  and chorister in his local community Catholic Church at Ubomiri, now a multi-billionaire, has stayed humble.

He  draws a distinct line between capitalism and welfarism.

Leo Stan is  great man, a leader with unparalleled integrity and a heart of gold.

He  has earned over 6o international and local awards over many years of incisive entrepreneurship, was equally singled out and honoured by former President Olusegun Obasanjo on the occasion of Nigeria’s Independence Anniversary on October 1, 2001 with an ICON OF HOPE award as a pride to modern Nigeria and as a model for Nigerian youths.

Again, President Obasanjo honoured him with another national award – the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) in 2003.

A Fellow of the Nigeria Computer Society, the umbrella body of all computer associations in Nigeria, he was also awarded the pioneer ICT Personality of the Year by this professional body.

In November 2019, Ekeh was honoured by President Muhammadu Buhari with the National Productivity Order of Merit award for his sustained leadership in the area of Information and Communications Technology (ICT).

With over four Doctorate Degrees (Honorary) and fifteen fellowships from recognized institutions and as a former global advisor to Microsoft, as well as Forbes Best of Africa Leading Tech Icon Award his outstanding entrepreneurship.

Leo Stan is Ochiririozuo Ubomiri, Ebekuo Dike, Ideato and Iyi of Mbaitoli

Above all these, he prioritizes family well-being as a loving, responsible and dependable rock.
He nurtures a positive home, respects his partner- Chioma, and dedicates time to actively engage with his children.
For, Leo Stan is more than a mentor—he is a teacher, a guide, and an inspiration.
My immense gratitude  for your patience, kindness, and for empowering me to overcome challenges.
I am forever grateful for your investment in my personal and professional growth.
At this his blessed age, he is not showing signs of tiredness, he is planning of the next positive disruption. His eyes are set on the next big bang for the benefit of mankind.
Sir, i tap into your grace and take charge of my own life and leave behind negative influences.
Happy birthday sir, may the years head be greater.

 


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How JustMarkets Is Empowering African Traders with Global Market Access

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Africa’s trading community is rapidly growing, evolving, and showing increasing interest in financial markets. From Lagos to Nairobi, from Accra to Johannesburg, more and more people are exploring financial markets as a way to develop skills, earn income, and participate in the global economy. But the ability to trade isn’t enough; traders also need reliable technology, fair conditions, and tools that help them make informed decisions and trade effectively.

How JustMarkets Is Empowering African Traders with Global Market Access

JustMarkets

This is where trading platforms like JustMarkets make a significant contribution to the development and expansion of the trading community in the African region.

By combining global market access with a results-oriented trading environment, JustMarkets helps African traders compete head-to-head with those in the world’s largest financial centers, providing access to tight spreads, a wide range of analytical materials, and a variety of account types.

Breaking Barriers to Global Markets

For years, traders in emerging markets have faced limitations: slow platforms, a limited range of instruments, low liquidity, wide spreads, and infrastructure that hinders professional trading and effective analysis. Today, JustMarkets addresses this significant gap by providing African traders with access to a wide range of global financial instruments through a single, optimized online platform.

Now traders have the opportunity to test short-term strategies, long-term portfolio diversification, and learn how markets work. Traders can now explore opportunities in forex, commodities, indices, and stock markets without geographic barriers or technical difficulties.

A Trading Platform Built for Performance

Technology plays a critical role in modern trading. Market conditions can change in seconds, and execution speed often makes the difference between opportunity and missed entry. The JustMarkets leading trading platform is designed to support fast, confident decisions in real time.

  • Ultra-fast execution. Engineered for low-latency order processing, the app helps ensure trades are executed quickly and efficiently when markets move.

  • Full risk management. Stop-loss, take-profit, and position sizing can be managed directly from the chart, helping traders stay disciplined and protect capital.

  • Advanced charting. Interactive charts, multiple timeframes, drawing tools, and built-in indicators provide the analytical depth needed for informed trading decisions.

  • Real-time alerts. Instant notifications about price movements, order events, and key market developments help traders stay connected even when they’re away from the screen.

  • Secure authentication. Biometric login, encrypted data transmission, and advanced internal security protocols ensure that accounts and personal data remain protected.

This combination of speed, usability, and security makes professional-grade trading accessible from anywhere, even on the go with JustMarkets mobile trading app.

Trade a Wide Range of Global Markets

Access to diverse instruments allows traders to adapt to different market conditions and explore multiple strategies. JustMarkets provides African traders with the ability to participate in major asset classes worldwide.

  • Forex. Trade major, minor, and exotic currency pairs with competitive pricing and deep liquidity.

  • Gold & Metals. Access precious metals such as XAUUSD and XAGUSD, popular instruments for active traders and those seeking exposure to global macro trends with competitive spreads.

  • Indices. Engage with leading global stock indices including the S&P 500, NASDAQ, Dow Jones, DAX, and FTSE – markets that reflect the performance of major economies.

  • Stocks. Trade shares of global companies and high-volume market leaders, opening opportunities to follow international corporate trends.

  • Energy. Speculate on key energy commodities such as WTI and Brent crude oil, instruments often influenced by geopolitical and macroeconomic developments.

This broad market selection helps traders diversify and respond flexibly to changing global conditions.

Supporting Trader Development

Expanding technical, educational, and analytical capabilities extends beyond technology. JustMarkets also places a special emphasis on helping traders build knowledge and confidence. Access to educational materials, market analysis, and structured risk management tools fosters a more disciplined and informed approach to trading, including setting trading goals.

For many African traders, this means moving from random speculation and emotional trades to a more professional mindset, and most importantly, understanding that long-term success depends on strategy, risk management, continuous learning, and a cool head.

Connecting Africa to the Global Financial Ecosystem

Financial markets are becoming increasingly interconnected, with traders from all regions now participating in the same global capital flow. Offering advanced tools such as flexible leverage, fast order execution, and broad access to markets and trading assets, the JustMarkets online trading platform helps African traders become active participants in this ecosystem with full access to analytical and educational materials, as well as cutting-edge technological solutions for managing trades, accounts, and open positions. JustMarkets’ commitment to empowering traders, increasing financial literacy, and enabling people to engage with global markets on a level playing field. As the African trading community grows, online trading platforms like JustMarkets, which combine performance, accessibility, and security, will play a key role in this process. But pay attention that risk management still is a key to success as CFD trading involves risks.


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