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Unusual Praise will be World’s Biggest Catholic Concert by 2022 – Ekeh, Zinox boss

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Leo Stan Ekeh, chairman, Zinox Group, has revealed that Unusual Praise will become the world’s biggest Catholic concert, come 2022.

 

Ekeh made the assertion while speaking during the 2019 edition of Unusual Praise held in Lekki, Lagos on Friday November 29th, 2019.

Leo Stan Ekeh, chairman, Zinox Group

Widely regarded as the biggest praise concert in Nigeria, Unusual Praise is an annual event organized by the Catholic Church of Divine Mercy.

 

“Our ambition is to make Unusual Praise the biggest Catholic concert in the world. By 2022, we want Unusual Praise to be the biggest Catholic concert in the world,” Ekeh said.

 

This year’s Unusual Praise was attended by high profile personalities, including the former Governor of Anambra state, Peter Obi; Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi; Chairman of MTN Nigeria, Dr. Ernest Ndukwe; former First Lady of Lagos State, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola, actress Rita Dominic, among others.

 

The event also featured the award of N40m funding grants to the 2019 set of Unusual Entrepreneur, an entrepreneurship initiative, which rewarded 251 budding entrepreneurs across different walks of life for their business plans.

 

The entrepreneurship initiative was sponsored by e-commerce giants Konga, Ecobank, Chineto Ozigbo Foundation, Gino, Payvic, Itex and others.

 

Meanwhile, recipients of the grants were selected from a poll of 650 applicants, mostly members of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos.

 

Equally important, Christians from other denominations also numbered among the recipients.

 

The funding provided, ranging from N50,000 to N1m, followed a thorough review of the recipients’ business proposals by a select panel of judges.

 

Winners of the fund are equally expected to be mentored by seasoned entrepreneurs, who will provide the required training to ensure the recipients’ businesses succeed in the long-term.

 

Explaining the rationale behind the entrepreneurship programme, Parish Priest of Catholic Church of Divine Mercy, Monsignor Paschal Nwaezeapu, said:“The Unusual Entrepreneur, being an arm of Unusual Praise, is intended to equip the young entrepreneurs with requisite skills, mentorship and spiritual backing, so that they could stand in business and through this, help the country in solving the unemployment problems”.

Furthermore, Programme Chairman, Valentine Ozigbo, commented saying, “the 2019 edition of Unusual Entrepreneur is focused on empowering as many entrepreneurs as we could afford, with the skill-set, funding, and mentorship they require to succeed in the world of business.

 

“The event is expected to bring our entrepreneurs up-to-date information regarding entrepreneurship in the 21st Century, solving funding challenges, sustainable business culture, among other things.”

 

A powerful, high-profile cast of gospel ministers, including Chioma Jesus, Nathaniel Bassey, Tope Alabi, Chinyere Udoma, Sir Jude Nnam, Bukola Bekes, Akanchawa and Mercy Chinwo delivered soul-lifting ministrations during the 2019 edition of Unusual Praise.

 

Other gospel artistes who performed at the event included Panam Percy Paul, Joe Praize, Grace Eze, Osinachi Nwachukwu, BJ Sax, Big Bolaji, David and Chukwuemeka, Phillip Olumide Dada and a host of others.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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Ugo Onwuaso is an ICT enthusiast. He believes technology should be used for general good. He holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from the Lagos state University. Dear Reader, Your support matters. But we believe that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. That is why, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and finance and how they affect lives. Our incisive and analytical view of how technology news affects the daily life help individuals and organizations make up their minds. Quality journalism costs money. Today, we're asking that you support us to do more. Kindly support our effort to deliver technology and finance journalism to everyone in the world. Donate as little as N1,000. Bank transfers can be made to: UBA Plc 1017156876 Communication Week Media Ltd

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SoftTalk Messenger Introduces Chat and Make Calls without Sharing your Phone Number

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Sharing your phone number on chatting platforms can expose you to unwanted spam, potential security breaches, and even compromise your identity.

Simple Azenabor, CEO, SoftTalk Messenger, a Nigerian developer based in Japan, said: “Anyone in an individual or a group chat can see your phone number. But don’t worry, you can use SoftTalk Messenger that doesn’t require a phone number.

“It gives you the best of both worlds, the freedom to communicate with anyone and everyone, and the security of keeping your phone number private”.

SoftTalk Messenger allows you to connect effortlessly with your friends, school mates, and family by using your @username, eliminating the need to share your phone numbers. This feature provides privacy for your phone number, particularly in group chats.

To add friends you simply search by their Unique SoftTalk @USERNAMES or Names to start a conversation and make encrypted HD audio and video calls.

It is possible for a user to turn off and on his profile from  the SoftTalk directory if he prefers not to be discovered in a public search for a complete world of his own. Helping you to communicate with friends safely and privately

SoftTalk Messenger is a Nigeria’s Messaging app for Africans & the world. It enables users to buy and sell products and services in a marketplace, post stories, chat, make audio / video calls as well as pay utilities bills & buy low cost data & prepaid mobile airtime in Nigeria with plans to expand to other African countries in the near future. Users can make extra income by reselling Data and airtime to their friends right from within the app.

Messages are encrypted and transferred over a secure channel and use standard encryption algorithms: RSA-2048, RC4+ making sure that only the receiver of the message is able to read it. SoftTalk Messenger accommodates a total of 500,000 participants in a single group, and members can share media and large files.

According to Simple Azenabor, there is no doubt that Nigerians and indeed Africans are hungry for a new technology and need something different that can be called our “own” . It is my wish to see Nigerians use and encourage an indigenous solution built by one of us to grow our own.

The android version of the app was first introduced to Nigerians in late 2018 in the presence of the delegates from the NCC officials and the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Raufu Mohammed represented by a Director General in the ministry. SoftTalk Messenger has been bootstrapping and exploring various technologies in order to strengthen its backend infrastructure to build a secure and scalable system.

Today, SoftTalk Messenger  is available on both android, web and the Apple iOS platforms with support of about 16 languages including French and can be downloaded on google and apple stores.

 


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Bankers, Officials Colluding to Re-loot Recovered Abacha’s Fund-  EFCC

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Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has alleged collusion between commercial banks and government officials to re-loot recovered funds from Sani Abacha, late dictator.

Bankers, Officials Colluding to Re-loot Recovered Abacha’s Fund-  EFCC

Sani Abacha

The $322 million Abacha loot, recovered in December 2017 and earmarked for Conditional Cash Transfer under the Social Investment Programme, was intended to provide monthly stipends to vulnerable Nigerians.

However, Dele Oyewale, spokesperson for the EFCC, disclosed that investigations have uncovered financial malpractices involving COVID-19 funds and World Bank-assisted loans coordinated by the Humanitarian Ministry. Several interdicted and suspended officials of the ministry have been linked to the alleged malfeasance, with N32.7 billion and $445,000 recovered from them.

Managing directors of implicated banks have provided statements, and investigations are ongoing, with former minister Sadiya Umar-Farouq and her successor, Beta Edu, summoned for questioning.

The EFCC stressed that the probe targets a systemic issue rather than individuals, signaling a crackdown on corruption within Nigeria’s financial sector and government agencies.


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FITC to Redefine HR with AI, Digitisation for Organisational Sustainability

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The eagerly anticipated E3 Conference, hosted by FITC, is back for its fourth edition, poised to set new benchmarks in the realm of employee engagement and organizational sustainability.

Themed, “Redefining HR Through AI & Digital Transformation for Organizational Sustainability,” the conference is scheduled to take place on April 17th and 18th.

In a statement, FITC says the E3 Conference stands as a beacon of innovation, bringing together thought leaders, industry experts, policymakers, and professionals from across Africa and beyond.

It explained that in today’s fast-paced landscape, technology such as AI and automation is reshaping the dynamics of human resource management.

“The E3 Conference is dedicated to unravelling the potential of these advancements, focusing on topics ranging from talent mobility to the latest trends in managing talent. It’s a journey towards understanding and embracing these transformative shifts, ensuring that businesses are primed for the future of HR.

“With a stellar lineup of over 24 speakers, including C-suite Executives, Subject Matter Experts, and Thought Leaders from various sectors, the conference promises to deliver insights that transcend conventional boundaries. Attendees can expect deep dives into strategies for enhancing productivity, streamlining processes, and maximizing global talent mobility through AI and automation, “it stated.

“Keynote speakers such as Evi Ifekwe, Executive Director of People & Country Services at TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited, and Wale-Smatt Oyerinde, Director-General of NECA, alongside a faculty lineup comprising industry stalwarts, will spearhead discussions on critical issues shaping the future of work.

The two-day hybrid event will feature four plenary sessions and two master classes, providing attendees with ample opportunities for networking, knowledge exchange, and interactive engagement.

Participants will delve into topics such as the impact of AI on the future of work, data-driven performance management, and strategic implementation of AI in HR.

The conference is expected to provide insights into cutting-edge strategies for professionals and HR leaders who will gain invaluable insights from industry pioneers on leveraging AI and digital transformation to drive organizational sustainability and employee engagement, “it stated.

“As organisations worldwide grapple with the complexities of the new normal, the E3 Conference serves as a beacon of hope and enlightenment, offering practical solutions and visionary insights to navigate the challenges ahead, ” the company said.


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