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Two Startups Win at CFA’s Startups Hangout as speakers pass on valuable nuggets to Startups

By peter oluka
The last edition of CFA’s Startups Hangout for 2017, was held on Friday, November 24, 2017 at Adna Hotel, GRA, Ikeja. The edition featured a Pitch session two Startups pitching.
Before the Pitch session, however, the invited speakers at the event, John Obaro, MD, SystemSpecs, (Remita) and Jane Egerton-Idehen, Country Manager, Avanti Satellite Communications , gave the attendee Startups some nuggets on what and what not to do, if they want to successfully run their Startup businesses.
First to speak was John Obaro, MD, SystemSpecs, (Remita). John was full of praises for the CFA team for organising the Start-ups Hangout.
He gave a vivid illustration of the power of technology, when he revealed that he had to resort to the use of the Google Map to guide him through the heavy traffic to arrive at the venue of the Hangout event, way ahead of some members of his staff that left the office earlier than he did, but we’re still stuck in traffic.
John, then, gave the Startups 19 nuggets that can assist them to run a successful business and also, to scale.
Some of these nuggets, as analysed here, include the fact that the Start-ups should be ethical in their approach to doing business and also have integrity. He admonished the Startups not to cut corners if they want to play for the long haul.
John also emphasised the need for the Startups to respect their employees, even though, they pay their salaries, as they cannot do the job alone.
He also stressed the need for the Startups to learn to work hard, stating that, being an entrepreneur calls for giving 24 hours attention to the business and they should not see it as an 8:00am to 5:00pm job schedule, if they want to succeed in it.
Another critical nugget that John passed on, is the fact that the Start-ups should get legal advise, all the way through the journey of their business, so as not to run into problems along the way. He also advised the Startups to learn to walk away from business deals that, in the end will make them lose focus of their objectives and goals and then, bring problems to the business, sooner or later.
“Not all jobs are for you, although, they may look attractive”, he stressed. He, however, agreed that this could be a tough call for a budding Startup, who needs to keep body and soul together as well as keep his business afloat, but he advised that they should be smart in choosing.
Startups should pioneer their own solutions, according to John. “It’s nice to copy, but it is better to be a pioneer. Pioneer your own solutions. Learn to carve out something distinct”, he encouraged the Startups.
Jane then, took the stage. She gave a different perspective to the whole scenario, when she stated that she was going to talk about her failure story, so that the Startups could learn what not to do. “Many successful entrepreneurs, always talk about their success stories and say nothing about the business they tried out, but failed in”, she stressed. “I am going to talk about a business I tried my hands on and failed in, so that you can learn what not to-do from it”, she explained.
Jane said that she started a business with some of her friends some years ago, called Moma, a fashionware outfit that pregnant women can patronise to get fitting wears for themselves during pregnancy. The first blunder that she and her partners made, was that none of them knew about fashion design processes.
She stated that, not until she started negotiating with factories in China and in India and she started to hear some fashion designing terms that were strange to her, that she now had to attend a Fashion Design school to keep herself up to date. According to Jane, the first lesson to learn, therefore, is to know the business you want to go into, in and out.
Jane also stated that, when the business was failing and there came a time to make a choice as to whether to source for more funding or wind down the business, she realised that her friends who were her partners were not interested in acting on any of the options and she stated that she just had to walk away from the business, preferring to lose all her investments instead of destroying friendship.
The lessons to learn here, she stated include the fact that, no matter who you are going into business with, whether they be your friends or whoever, always have a Memorandum of understanding drawn before you commence the business. Do not overlook the legal aspects of your business as this could be crucial in defining a lot of things in future.
Jane ended by saying that, as an entrepreneur, Startups should carve out time for their business and not just leave it solely for their Managers to run.
Out of the three Startups that were shortlisted and invited to participate in the pitch session, only two showed up. The two were Touchabl.com and wokkaholic.com.
Touchabl, according to Gabriel Eze, the Founder/UX Designer, is a platform, where you can instantly search for anything in a picture by touching it. He explained the attributes, traction, income and profit potentials, etc., of the business as well as what the business will be needing to move on to the next level.
Likewise, Victor Tams, Founder/CEO of Wokkaholic.com, explained that the platform is one, where professional skill-based services, such as graphic artists, etc., can be sourced. He also explained the modus operandi of the business, attributes, traction, income and profit potentials, etc.
At the end of the day, it was decided that the two Startups, who incidentally both came all the way from Port Harcourt, be given the opportunity of featuring in an interview with me on Tech Trends on Channels Television.
Ehi Braimah, the chairman of Neo Media & Marketing Limited, graced the November 2017 edition of the CFA’s Startups Hangout with his attendance.
The November 2017 edition of CFA’s Startups Hangout was sponsored by TAMS and Remita.
The organizers thanked the Media partners, Guardian Tech, NigeriaCommunications Week, Connectnigeria, ITPulse, Cyber Africa and Technext.ng for their continued support in publicising the event for the benefit of the numerous Startups.
Watch out for the next edition of CFA’s Startups Hangout @ http://startups.cfatech.ng
News
LG Nigeria Begins Nationwide Search for Oldest Working TV, Rewards Loyalty with AI QNED Upgrade

LG Electronics has announced the launch of a nationwide campaign aimed at celebrating decades of customer loyalty and technological heritage by searching for the oldest still-functioning LG television sets across the country.

The initiative, themed “The Oldest LG TV”, seeks to honour long-time customers whose LG screens have stood the test of time, while introducing them to the future of home entertainment through LG’s advanced AI QNED TVs.
For generations, LG televisions have been more than an electronic device in Nigerian homes, they have been silent witnesses to family milestones, cultural moments and shared memories.
This campaign bridges nostalgia with innovation, acknowledging the emotional connection Nigerians have built with the brand while showcasing LG’s leadership in AI-powered display technology.
The campaign features a storytelling -driven narrative that highlights community, heritage and the evolution of viewing experiences. Participants are invited to share the stories behind their long-serving LG TVs, transforming everyday screens into symbols of trust, resilience and innovation.

In creative twist, the campaign also introduces LG’s AI-enabled televisions as responsive companions that understand viewer preferences, recommend content and enhance picture quality in real time. This shift from nostalgia to futuristic interactivity underscores LG’s continued commitment to delivering smarter, more personalized entertainment solutions.
To participate, simply visit https://lgsearchcampaign.vercel.app/ upload a photo or video of your old LG TV and share the story behind it – how long you’ve had it and the memories it holds.
The winner walks away with a brand-new LG AI QNED TV, effectively trading legacy for luxury.
At its core, this campaign reminds us that technology is not only about pixels and processors, but about people. It’s about the laughter in the living rooms, the silence during tense match moments and the comfort of family routines.
By celebrating the oldest TVs still standing strong, LG is celebrating the people who kept the on, families who trusted the brand through changing times and evolving technologies. In doing so, LG isn’t just upgrading television, it’s upgrading memories into the future.
According to Mr. Choongbae Seok, General Manager, Media Entertainment Solutions, LG Electronics Nigeria, “The journey from our classic CRT Televisions to today’s AI QNED technology reflects how far both our customers and our innovation have come. Those early sets were built to last, and many are still functioning today, a testament to durability and consumer trust. This initiative allows us to honour that legacy while introducing a new era of intelligent viewing, where the screen does more than show content; it adapts, learns and enhances every moment”.
LG Display 2026 TV Models at InnoFest
LG Electronics (LG), a leader in AI-powered solutions for the home, outlined plans to accelerate growth in emerging markets at LG InnoFest 2026 MEA. The event, held in Abu Dhabi, provided a forum to share LG’s strategic direction and market outlook with regional partners. At the exhibition, LG displayed its premium 2026 AI TV lineup focusing heavily on advanced processing power, smarter picture and sound technologies. The flagship OLED evo G6 and 100-inch Micro RGB evo TVs are powered by the new Alpha 11 AI processor Gen 3 enabling faster and more intelligent performance. The OLED evo W6 Wallpaper TV, an ultra-slim television designed to sit flush against the wall like artwork uses true wireless connectivity, reducing cable clutter and creating a cleaner, minimal setup.
News
African Leaders Highlight Africa’s AI Ambitions

African leaders used the AU Summit in Addis Ababa over the weekend to sharpen the continent’s technology agenda, with Ethiopia positioning artificial intelligence (AI), digital infrastructure and connectivity as pillars of Africa’s economic future.

Opening the 39th African Union Summit, Ethiopian prime minister Abiy Ahmed outlined an ambitious vision to place Africa at the forefront of the global AI race, anchored by Ethiopia’s plan to launch what he described as Africa’s first AI-focused university.
“In 2020, Ethiopia established Africa’s first Artificial Intelligence Institute. Building on this foundation, we are preparing to launch an AI university anchored in the philosophy of Medemer, purposeful collaboration, to unite human values with machine intelligence and position Africa as a global leader in the age of intelligence,” Abiy told delegates. “
He framed AI not as a standalone sector, but as a cross-cutting enabler for governance, industry and social development. “Every river we manage, every city we design, and every digital platform we deploy must generate resilience, opportunity and dignity,” Abiy said. He further linked digital transformation to Agenda 2063’s long-term prosperity goals.
Beyond AI, the high-powered AU summit discussions highlighted digital identity, cross-border connectivity and telecom expansion as critical building blocks for an integrated African market. Ethiopia’s Digital Ethiopia 2030 roadmap, including its Faida digital ID ecosystem, was cited as a model for secure, interconnected public services.
Abiy pointed to aviation and telecom infrastructure as key accelerators for economic development across the continent. “Through Ethiopian Airlines, we connect people and markets. Ethio Telecom is expanding partnerships across Africa to bridge the digital divide,” he said.
The Ethiopian leader added that large-scale infrastructure projects are designed to anchor Africa deeper into global value chains.
The broader summit tech agenda also touched on regulatory harmonisation, digital trade and data governance, with leaders emphasizing that continental cooperation is essential to avoid fragmented digital markets.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres underscored the need for inclusive innovation, telling delegates that Africa’s digital rise must be “people-centered and opportunity-driven,” while African Union Commission Chair Mahmoud Ali Youssouf stressed coordinated policy frameworks to accelerate adoption.
“AI capability, digital infrastructure and unified regulation are no longer optional ambitions, but strategic imperatives shaping the continent’s competitiveness in the intelligence era,” he said.
News
NITDA Explores Partnership with Trust Stamp on Digital Trust and Innovation

By Naeemah Junaid
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has held strategic discussions with representatives of Trust Stamp, a NASDAQ-listed global technology company, to explore potential areas of partnership aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s digital trust framework and advancing innovation within the digital economy.

The meeting, chaired by NITDA Director General, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, focused on identifying collaborative opportunities aligned with Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda and the Agency’s strategic priorities for building a secure, inclusive, and innovation-driven digital ecosystem.
Inuwa emphasised that trust remains a critical foundation for the growth of the digital economy, noting that secure systems and strong cybersecurity frameworks are essential for driving innovation, economic growth, and national development. He stated that building trust in digital platforms and services is key to accelerating adoption and unlocking opportunities across sectors.
He reiterated NITDA’s mandate as a regulator to create an enabling environment through forward-looking policies and regulatory frameworks that support innovation rather than promote specific technologies. According to him, government interventions are designed to stimulate markets, create opportunities, and empower both businesses and citizens to participate fully in the digital economy.
The Director General further reaffirmed Nigeria’s openness to investments that strengthen digital infrastructure and enhance digital services, stressing that sustainable national development is best driven by private sector participation under supportive regulatory and policy frameworks. He called for continued engagement to ensure alignment with national priorities and effective integration into Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
In his remarks, Trust Stamp Vice President, Jonathan Pasha, highlighted the company’s global experience in secure verification and trust technologies, describing its approach as partnership-oriented and focused on delivering long-term value within local ecosystems. He noted that the company prioritises collaboration with governments and private sector stakeholders to address local challenges and expand access to secure digital services.
Pasha referenced Trust Stamp’s ongoing operations in Nigeria, including its collaboration with a telecommunications provider to enhance SIM swap prevention and fraud detection capabilities. He also outlined the firm’s biometric tokenisation technology, which converts biometric data into secure, privacy-preserving representations, enabling verification processes without exposing sensitive information.
He explained that the technology supports secure verification, fraud prevention, financial inclusion initiatives, and the tokenisation of real-world assets, while being designed to function effectively in low-connectivity environments and on low-specification devices to expand access to digital services.
Both parties expressed interest in advancing technical-level discussions to identify specific areas of collaboration aligned with national priorities and Nigeria’s digital transformation objectives.
NITDA reaffirmed its commitment to fostering a secure and trusted digital economy through strategic partnerships, robust regulatory frameworks, and initiatives that promote innovation, inclusion, and sustainable growth.
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