General News
Identity Card Scheme Helps in National Planning– Bickersteth
Adesola Bickersteth is the general manager Chams City , a world-class ICT company.
Bickersteth is a seasoned Internet specialist who has distinguished himself professionally in the ICT industry with bias in e-Commerce arena over the past eleven years.
The graduate of Electronics and Electrical Engineering has worked on major international and local projects before joining Chams. He spoke to chike onwuegbuchi and funmi ilesanmi.
Agreement Signed with National Identity Card Scheme
I am sure you will agree with me that in Nigeria, it is so difficult for us to have an accurate number on population.
In order for us to have the actual number on how many people who are truly Nigerians living in Nigeria or abroad; we need to capture that data moving from one local government to state government and of course looking at it from the federal level. In order for us to have the actual number, we need to have an identity. As responsible Nigerians, we owe it to ourselves to carry a national identity card. This will go a long way in avoiding foreigners who claim to be Nigerians defrauding us. It is mandatory for the federal government to ensure that each Nigerian carries a national identity card that we can use to our benefit. This is how the government can plan effectively in terms of providing health services. You know how many people live in a particular local government, you know how much fund to make available to them for the provision of basic amenities, without data it is impossible to plan effectively and that is why we have shortcomings. It is a wonderful thing we are doing and we are grateful to the government for giving us an opportunity to do something that will benefit all Nigerians.
Relevance of National Identity Card
Yes, the national ID card is relevant. The goal here is to synchronize it into a card that will have a multipurpose effect. It is going to be the same for all Nigerians regardless of region.
Capacity to Handle the Contract
I can assure you that our leaders in government did not award us the contract with their eyes closed. They were referred to us when they traveled abroad to source for the machinery to get this done. They were referred to Chams on the ground that we have what they were looking for. The government took the right and appropriate steps to ensure that we have the machinery and capacity to deliver. This was thoroughly investigated before we were awarded the contract.
Benefits of LASG Biometric Card
There are a lot of benefits to it and I am so happy that we have a wonderful governor in the person of Fashola. I guess intelligence is playing out here. He knows the relevance and importance of this and that is why his administration is revenue generation driven by way of us paying our taxes and levies because by doing that you are socially responsible to the community you live in. This is where money is generated from to provide the immediate infrastructure we need. Without data, planning will be done with the eyes closed and this is where we have missed it in time past and I am happy that Chams as a company and Chams City as a business unit are contributing to the success of capturing the data of all Lagosians. We are not restricted to Lagos alone; most states are catching up because they have seen the value in doing this. If I knew that instead of doing a guess work, we have 10 million people living in Lagos, that way we will be able to plan better. We cannot continue to demand and not give back to the state. Our own way of helping is to capture the biometrics of all Lagosians so that the government would have the information to plan adequately. We cannot continue to chase shadows. For example, in Canada, it is mandatory within 10 days to provide your new address to the ministry for them to know that this individual has moved to another neighbourhood so that when allocations are made, they know who gets more and who gets less. It is a crucial information and we have been getting positive responses.
Proof of Biometrics Registration
By capturing that data, it would be very relevant not just to Lagos State but to all states in Nigeria. The information would be stored here and we are going to have backups and everyone would definitely carry a card.
Offering Competitive Training
We believe strongly in giving back to the society. Aside that, in everything we do, we put our trust in God because what we do is highly sensitive. You need the fear of God to be consistent and effective in delivering. We did our feasibility study and we know how much the cheapest IT training costs. Instead of going out there to pay N10,500 for the cheapest IT training, we charge N5,000 for any e-learning course. The only requirement for anyone to use our facility is to be registered and enrolled by way of biometrics because you are coming into an environment where we have secured information; therefore, we need to capture who you are and store it. You will be required for the first time to pay N4,500 for one month access depending on your course duration. In comparism to how much is paid outside, it is very cheap. At the moment we have 850 professional courses that we offer online at the convenience of your home. If you want to come into our facility, you can be rest assured of electricity 24/7. We provide an environment conducive for people to learn and at an affordable rate. We live in the real world so we know what it takes.
Outsourcing IVR to Telcos
We do not outsource to telcos, it is an in-house thing. We have different packages that would be affordable to all, no matter how small the business is. Instead of employing physical bodies which would be more expensive, the smallest business owner can afford to have an IVR service. We reach out to a lot of people. We have different options in our call centres, companies can either bring in bodies or train them but we provide them seats. A seat costs N90,000 per month or if you want to supply the individual and everything else that comes with it, it is N150,000 a month. There would be no more excuses why people cannot reach you or if you want certain information relayed to your customers consistently, we would show you what the price structure would look like. It would be of huge benefit to Nigerians in terms of general information about any key place in Nigeria. You do not have to rely on anyone to tell you where to go in case you need something. We have been deprived of access to information for so long. You can get the information whenever you need it because information is power.
Guinness World of Records Awards
The award means a lot. We are the largest digital mall in the whole world. The closest to us is in New York with 670 Pcs in one location. We have 1,000 Pcs in this location, 1,000 at our Abuja location and in the next six months we would have a larger structure than this in McCarthy at Onikan in Lagos. In about a month’s time, we would have another location in Abuja and the plan for 2010 is to have additional seven locations across Nigeria. Hopefully, in the next three years, we would be present in all key states in Nigeria because we are universal. What the award has done for us is to ensure that we always put the right foot forward and we are always thinking ahead. That is why as part of our slogan, innovation in the future tense, that is continuous innovation. It is about trust in God, hardwork, dedication, creativity, the total package is endless.
Expansion Policy
It is the law of demand and supply. We have seen the need in Lagos and Abuja. We are working very hard to come up with structures in Benin, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Ibadan and Kano. It might not be as big as what we have in Lagos but it is definitely coming. We do not want to take on too many projects all at the same time. We refocus our energy because we have seen the demand for it. A lot of money is involved in the project and we are being proactive in the steps we are taking but you can be rest assured that Nigerians will feel us all over the country.
Use of Biometrics to Solve Fraud Problems
Biometrics is all about capturing fingerprints and no two people have the same DNA. It is unique to each individual unless someone cuts off someone else’s thumb and puts it there. Before they could even achieve that, I am sure the bank must have been notified. For extra protection of our individual identity in banks, biometrics is the answer.
Level of Discussion with Banks
I do know that banks have come up with a chip and pin card which is a better technology that can be effectively managed to prevent fraud. Already, banks are taking steps but ours would be an added value. We are doing everything we can to support the banks and we are indirectly supporting Nigerians to ensure we are secured from ATM fraud. We have a responsibility as individuals to ensure that our pin is not written anywhere but in our brain. We owe it to ourselves to be security conscious.
Services Offered by Chams
Chams City is a growing nationwide network of world class digital facilities that can be used by government agencies, institutions, organizations and service providers as well as individuals to enhance their operations, business activities and electronic transactions. Also, Chams City has the world record for the largest number of Pcs in one digital facility and has been certified by the Guinness Book of World Records. Chams City offers 1,000 fully network Pcs in a location that enables processing and activation of a wide range of transactions simultaneously. Until Chams City, the world’s largest digital mall in New York offered not more than 670 Pcs.
In terms of facility users, agencies become merchants on our platform and use our facilities to conduct their businesses, they go out there, source for the business, come in here and we provide the facilities not the service. A lot of people make the mistake of referring to Chams as a service provider but we do not provide service because we do not want to compete with our clients.
We also have training rooms, call centre with IVR (Interactive Voice Response) capability, test centres, virtual offices and conference rooms. We have different rooms, different centres within the facility itself for business owners and individuals to come in and conduct their businesses.
We provide unrivalled high level platform for the execution of writing computer based examinations. We have over a thousand fully network large screen computers where prospective employers can test and streamline large number of applications.
Young girls aspiring to delve into ICT careers have been advised to take advantage of the current versatility in the industry to create a niche for themselves. This was the view of participants at the just-concluded International Girls in ICT Day celebration organised by eBusinessLife Communication Limited, in Lagos.
The event, an initiative of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), seeks to encourage young girls to take up tech careers that will see them balance the gender disparity in the industry.
In a panel session moderated by Tech Life Media CEO and organiser of Women Entrepreneurs & Executives in Technology Summit (WEETS), Ugochi Emmanuel, top female tech executives narrated their foray into technology careers and advised the young girls on requirements and need to start early in the quest to make global impact in ICT.
Narrating her experience into a tech career, Chief Administrative Officer, Digital Realty, Nigeria, Dr. Nkechi Newton Denila noted that the difficulties of the past have been lightened up and more women have opportunities to excel in the field.
“Today, the landscape is vastly different. Governments, international organizations and private institutions across the globe are intentionally creating opportunities for girls in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). The reason we are gathered here is part of that global commitment to ensuring that more women participate in ICT and related fields.
This presents a unique advantage for young girls. Many organizations now deliberately promote gender inclusion and equal opportunities in technology. Therefore, if you discover an area within ICT that excites you, pursue it wholeheartedly. This window of opportunity may not remain open forever. Do not wait for others to decide your future for you. Identify your passion, chart your course, and remain committed to achieving your goals.”
Associate Consultant and Information Security Analyst, Digital Encode, Itunuola Aderemi, advised the young girls to begin researching various technology disciplines, including Cybersecurity, Data Analytics and Data Science for areas that align fully with their interests and strengths. And to explore and discover any field that perfectly matched my aspirations.
While admitting the existence of such challenges as persistent stereotype against the female gender, Team Lead, Retails, New Horizons Nigeria, Glory Omole, noted that fortunately, organisations such as New Horizons are actively working to change that narrative. “Our leadership recognizes the urgent need to increase female participation in ICT. Considering that women still constitute a relatively small percentage of the global technology workforce, there is a deliberate effort to encourage more girls and women to enter the field.”
She however cautioned the young girls not to see this campaign as a competition between men and women, rather, it should be seen as a partnership where everyone is given equal opportunities to contribute and excel. “We want to see more women leading innovations, conducting research, developing applications and creating solutions that address societal challenges,” she enthused.
Speaking on the need for mentorship, Asst. Manager, Product & Services, Zoracom, Mistura Salaudeen, noted that stereotypes and confidence-related challenges still exist, but one effective way to overcome them is by drawing inspiration from women who have succeeded. She observed that across government, technology, finance, healthcare and other sectors, women are increasingly occupying leadership positions, serving as Chief Technology Officers, board members and executives.
“While challenges persist, I believe our focus should shift towards opportunities rather than obstacles. Artificial Intelligence, for example, has significantly lowered barriers to entry. AI enables individuals to develop business proposals, prepare presentations and execute ideas much faster than before. Therefore, instead of being discouraged by challenges, girls should leverage available technologies and communities to accelerate their growth and maximize emerging opportunities,” she advised.
Glory Omole also noted that technology is broad and offers diverse opportunities.
“There are numerous digital skills available today, but the choice of skill should depend largely on individual interests and career aspirations.
Fields such as Data Analytics, Data Science, Cybersecurity, Web Development and User Interface/User Experience (UI/UX) Design are among the high-demand skills available today. Each serves a distinct purpose.”
Corroborating this claim, Dr. Newton-Denila said: “It is important to understand that ICT now permeates virtually every profession. Whether in medicine, law, engineering, agriculture or business, technology has become an indispensable component of professional practice.
In medicine, for example, Artificial Intelligence is increasingly being used in diagnostics, telemedicine and robotic surgery. Similarly, in law, digital applications now support legal research, documentation and case management.”
The event has its theme as “AI for Development: Girls Shaping the Digital Future”.
General News
Franklyn Ginger-Eke CEO The Rainbow Strategy Honoured with PR Power List 2026 Rising Voices Award
Dr Franklyn Ginger-Eke, Founder and Chief Strategist of The Rainbow Strategy, has been honoured with the PR Power List 2026 Award in recognition of his contributions to strategic communications and public relations in Nigeria.
Franklyn Ginger-Eke, CEO The Rainbow Strategy
Ginger-Eke received the award in the Rising Voices category during the fifth edition of the PR Power List organised by GLG Communications as part of activities marking the 2026 World Public Relations Day.
The award ceremony, held at the Mike Adenuga Centre in Ikoyi, Lagos, attracted leading professionals and stakeholders in Nigeria’s public relations industry.
Among those in attendance were the President and Chairman of Council of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Dr Ike Neliaku; the Chief Executive Officer of the Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria (PRCAN), Dr Nkechi Ali-Balogun; former President of the African Public Relations Association (APRA) and Chief Executive Officer of CMC Connect LLP, Chief Yomi Badejo-Okusanya; and Executive Director of THOP and Adviser, Edelman Africa, Mr Kwame Senou.
According to the organisers, the PR Power List recognises public relations and communications professionals whose work has made significant contributions to organisations, influenced public discourse and advanced the communications profession over the past year.
Reacting to the recognition, Ginger-Eke described the award as both humbling and motivating.
“I am deeply honoured to receive this recognition for the modest contribution we are making in shaping the public relations and communications ecosystem.
“I see it as a testament to the dedication, creativity and excellence of our team at The Rainbow Strategy.
“This is a call to do more in delivering strategic communication solutions that create impact, build trust and contribute to the continued growth of the public relations profession in Nigeria,” he said.
He dedicated the award to young and aspiring communication professionals, encouraging them to embrace innovation, professionalism and ethical practice in their careers.
Ginger-Eke also reaffirmed The Rainbow Strategy’s commitment to promoting excellence in strategic communications, reputation management, stakeholder engagement, data protection compliance and value-driven public relations campaigns across the public and private sectors.
A Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Ginger-Eke is recognised for his work in public affairs, strategic communication and data protection compliance through his Abuja-based consultancy, The Rainbow Strategy.
Dangote Petroleum Refinery is reportedly nearing completion of a $2.5 billion private placement that values the company at about $40 billion ahead of its planned public listing.
Private placement is the direct sale of company shares or bonds to pre-selected investors instead of the general public and it is used to raise money quickly while avoiding strict public reporting rules.
People familiar with the transaction said investors acquired as much as 6 per cent of the refinery, according to a BusinessDay report.
The reported terms would value the business at approximately $40 billion.
Neither Dangote Group nor the refinery has publicly announced the final amount raised, the identities of most subscribers or the precise percentage sold.
The figures should therefore be treated as transaction details supplied by unnamed sources rather than confirmed company disclosures.
The reported $2.5 billion total is nevertheless significant as it indicates strong demand for exposure to a privately controlled refinery that has rapidly become central to Nigeria’s fuel supply and an increasingly important exporter of petroleum products.
The placement was said to have attracted more demand than the available shares, allowing the company to secure substantially more than the amount initially associated with the fundraising exercise.
Femi Otedola, chairman, First HoldCo, is the only major participant publicly identified in the report.
He reportedly committed $100 million to the transaction and sold his investment in Geregu Power Plc to finance the acquisition.
Nigeria’s pension industry was also reportedly cleared to participate.
Access to more than $17 billion in retirement assets would broaden the refinery’s potential investor base beyond wealthy individuals and conventional institutional buyers.
Participation by Pension Fund Administrators would, however, require careful attention to valuation, liquidity and portfolio-concentration limits.
Retirement funds must balance the attraction of a large Nigerian industrial asset against their responsibility to protect contributors’ savings.
The implied $40 billion valuation represents investor expectations about the refinery’s future earnings rather than only the physical cost of constructing the facility.
Its ability to process 650,000 barrels of crude daily gives it a central role in supplying Nigeria and other markets, but its commercial performance remains connected to crude availability, product prices, exchange rates and regulation.
The refinery has struggled to obtain all the Nigerian crude it requires under the government’s naira-for-crude arrangement.
It has consequently purchased some feedstock internationally and recently moved local petroleum-product pricing into dollars to align sales revenue more closely with its foreign-currency expenses.
Those constraints will be important during any public offering.
Prospective shareholders will want greater clarity on crude-supply contracts, debt, operating margins, export revenue and the company’s relationship with Nigerian regulators.
It is also unclear whether the private placement involved newly issued shares, a sale by existing owners or a combination of both.
That distinction determines whether the reported $2.5 billion becomes fresh capital for the refinery or proceeds received by selling shareholders.
The transaction could provide a useful price reference for the planned initial public offering.
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