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Leo Stan Foundation Taps Emelonye as DG, to Manage N1.5Bn Revolving Loan Project

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Leo Stan Ekeh, chairman, Leo Stan Ekeh Foundation (LSF), has appointed Engr. Amasike Emelonye as director general (DG) to head a team set up to manage the N1.5bn revolving loan scheme for entrepreneurs and indigent students in Imo State.

 

Ekeh had announced a three-year revolving interest free loan of N1b over the next 10 years to petty traders and small and medium businesses in Imo State on August 28, 2019. T

 Leo Stan Ekeh

he intervention, he revealed, is to reduce hardship, stimulate business activities and give hope to majority of the people in the state.

 

Further, Ekeh launched an educational support project for indigent but intelligent students of the state to enable them acquire proper university education.

 

For this, Ekeh set up a non-interest revolving loan scheme of N500m which shall stretch over the next 10 years to help others benefit from the scheme.

 

Emelonye, a first class British trained technology guru was the pioneer managing director of Zinox Technologies, one of the companies founded by Ekeh. Educated in the United Kingdom with multiple degrees and professional certifications, Emelonye is a thoroughbred ICT professional.

 

He led the Zinox team that designed the INEC electronic voter register system and co-developed the INEC SmartCard Reader and PVC system, amongst several other notable national and state projects.

 

A renewable energy and biometric solutions consultant to several Agencies, Emelonye is a tech guru who has led major ICT infrastructural developments.

Engr. Amasike Emelonye

He hails from Ideato South Local Government of Imo State and is happily married with a lovely wife and two brilliant children.

 

Ekeh disclosed that Emelonye was appointed based on his solid pedigree.

 

Furthermore, he affirmed that the platform for the N1.5bn loan scheme will be digitally-driven and with less human interface to avoid manipulations and compromises.

 

As a result, Emelonye’s industry experience will come in handy. In addition, he informed that other members of the management team will be unveiled soon.

 

Ekeh, who was reluctant to go further, when asked, disclosed that he is a product of a trust economy.

 

He added that he has done business in the last 37 years based on trust and not by pledging his assets based on collateral.

 

“The biggest collateral you can have today is your integrity. You cannot build a multinational company based on pledging your assets. So, I am giving a chance to others in this regard, even though it is a huge risk. If this works, it will help a lot of needy entrepreneurs and indigent children acquire quality education and challenge the status quo or what I call wealth disruption in the 3rd world.

 

“This is not a political-oriented programme and, as such, politicians are barred from participation.  It is also not a showbiz. Therefore, I urge the media to see themselves as partners in progress and only focus on sharing relevant information pertaining to the scheme.”

 

On the likely commencement of the scheme, Ekeh revealed that the project will take off before September ending.

 

“The first set of beneficiaries, about 1400, will take off before the end of September while we build remote technology to on-board the next batch. At the moment, our tech guys are working on the back-end. We want to limit human interference by at least 90% and instead, drive the project through technology,” he said.

 

Ekeh, who was met on arrival from a closing ceremony of a summer re-training exercise for teachers in his local government, Ubomiri in Mbaitoli Local Government which he funds every year, was quizzed as to whether the beneficiaries of the loan scheme will be able to repay the investment.

 

“Well, with human beings, you have to take a risk. The human capital in Imo State is very strong. I have no doubts about that. However, the infrastructural readiness of the state is a bigger problem. From what I have seen, Imo State is in a pitiable state and only God can save the state from its current level of infrastructural decay.

 

“The young Governor I can see is almost desperate to change the Imo story. You visit Imo and leave very depressed. It is really unfortunate.”

 

The serial digital entrepreneur who decried the sorry state of infrastructure in the State, further called on other well-meaning Imo indigenes to rise to the challenge.

 

“I plead with other indigenes of the state to contribute no matter how small to enhance the profile of their respective kindred. It will count,” he concluded.

 


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WHO Says Ebola Outbreak Worse than Reported

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World Health Organisation (WHO) at the weekend declared the Ebola outbreak linked to the rare Bundibugyo virus strain a global public health emergency.

WHO Says Ebola Outbreak Worse than Reported

WHO said there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment for this strain of Ebola.

At home, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) said there is “no confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease in Nigeria” but had  tightened surveillance against the deadly virus.

The outbreak, linked to the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, has already caused dozens of deaths in Congo and spread into Uganda, raising fears of wider transmission across the region.

In response, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention said that the country remains on alert because of growing movement across African borders.

Jide Idris, director-general said the agency was “closely monitoring the situation” and working with the Port Health Services and other health agencies to strengthen preparedness nationwide.

He added that surveillance has been increased at entry points and within Nigeria’s health system.

According to the WHO, the outbreak has recorded more than 240 suspected cases and about 80 suspected deaths in Congo’s Ituri province, while imported cases have also been confirmed in Uganda’s capital, Kampala.

The WHO said the outbreak is “extraordinary” because of uncertainty around the true number of infections and the lack of approved medical countermeasures for the Bundibugyo strain.

Health authorities advised Nigerians to maintain proper hygiene, avoid contact with infected persons and report symptoms such as fever, weakness, vomiting and bleeding to the nearest health facility immediately.

Nigeria was declared Ebola-free in 2014 after successfully containing an outbreak brought into the country by an infected traveler from Liberia.

 

 


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Digital PayExpo 2026 to Convene Africa’s Most Influential Payments Leaders in Lagos

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Africa’s digital payments ecosystem will take center stage as Digital PayExpo 2026 returns to Lagos on June 17–18, 2026, at the Landmark Centre, Victoria Island, under the theme: “Seamless Digital: Fostering Pan-African Market Expansion in the AI Era.”

At a time when artificial intelligence, cross-border commerce, and financial inclusion are redefining Africa’s economic future, the event is set to convene over 3,000 senior executives, policymakers, fintech innovators, and global technology providers.

The speaker lineup reflects a powerful blend of regulatory leadership, private sector innovation, and pan-African expertise.

Among the headline speakers:

  • Dr. Rakiya Yusuf, Director, Payment Systems Supervision, Central Bank of Nigeria — a key architect in Nigeria’s payment system reforms.
  • Dr. Folasade Femi-Lawal, Country Manager & Area Business Head (West Africa), Mastercard — a leading voice in digital payments expansion across Africa.
  • Clara B. Arthur, Managing Director, GhIPSS (Ghana) — driving Ghana’s interoperable payment ecosystem.
  • Wacera Maina, Chief Operations Officer, Kenwitch Kenya — an expert in East Africa’s payment infrastructure evolution.
  • Akeem Lawal, CEO, Interswitch Group — a pioneer in Africa’s fintech growth story.
  • Ngover Ihyembe-Nwankwo, Executive Director, NIBSS — shaping Nigeria’s core payment infrastructure.

The conference will explore:

  • AI-powered financial services
  • Cross-border payment systems and interoperability
  • Cybersecurity and trust frameworks
  • SME financing and financial inclusion
  • Infrastructure for a unified African digital economy

With participation from banks, fintechs, telcos, regulators, and global payment networks, Digital PayExpo 2026 is positioned as a critical marketplace for ideas, partnerships, and investment flows. Register: https://digitalpayexpo.com/register
Sponsorship Enquiries: [email protected]


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Only 1 in 3 Families Fully Secure their Devices, Kaspersky Study Reveals

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On International Day of Families observed on May 15th, a global Kaspersky study* reveals that while 47% of respondents talk about online safety, only 33% secure all their family devices – highlighting the need for proactivity from Family Digital Managers.

As online threats develop and every generation joins the online space, cybersecurity habits have become an essential part of life for every family. Typically, in every family, one or two people become so-called Family Digital Managers, responsible for managing subscriptions, setting up new devices, or thinking about cyber protection. Kaspersky has conducted a survey to find out what measures modern families take to stay safe online.

According to Kaspersky’s data, a significant portion of respondents adopt an educational approach to cybersecurity within their families:

47% regularly coach elderly relatives and children on safe online practices

45% advise family members to adopt password manager solutions

42% encourage the use of multi-factor authentication (MFA)

An equal 42% actively review and adjust privacy settings on both family devices and critical online accounts

Although a growing awareness of the importance of proactive, family-focused digital protection can be observed, when it comes to the implementation of security solutions, the trend is slightly different. 10% of respondents take no measures at all to protect their loved ones online, rising to 21% among those aged 55+.

As for the parental control apps, 67% of families with children under 18 years use this tool to monitor and secure their kids’ online activity. Parental control, such as the Kaspersky Safe Kids solution, can help restrict children’s access to inappropriate content and also gently manage their online habits by limiting access to certain websites and apps, controlling their screen time, and even enhancing their physical security by tracking their geolocation.

The most worrying number is that only 33% of respondents – just 1 in 3 – install security solutions on all family members’ devices. Kaspersky experts highlight that the current threat landscape shows that mobile devices and tablets as well as PCs all require comprehensive cyber protection, as they are often targeted by cybercriminals.

According to the survey, only 30% of respondents set up new devices for their families. Setting up a new device is not often regarded as a step that contributes to cyber safety; however, some actions performed before the device is put into use can significantly enhance its security.

For instance, experts recommend installing a security solution first, to scan the device for hidden threats and make web browsing safe from the first queries. What’s more, reviewing privacy settings on a new device allows you not to share data that you would like to keep private with some applications and services.

The research also shows that the older generation (55+) is generally less included in family security habits. Around 1 in 5 (21%) of this age group globally do not take any measures to protect their family online and only a quarter (24%) install security solutions for family members. The most popular security measure among them turns out to be a password manager, as 40% of this age group recommend their family members to use it.

“We are now using a lot of gadgets and digital services, and with every new device and every additional hour spent online, the potential entry points for cybercriminals continue to grow, exposing us to a wider range of cyber threats. At the same time, not every generation adapts to these rapid changes with the same ease.

“That’s why having someone in the family take on the role of a ‘Family Digital Manager’ can be so valuable, especially when it comes to protecting kids and elder people from digital cyberthreats, give advice and help with the use of trusted security solutions,” comments Brandon Muller, Technical Expert at Kaspersky.

 


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