The Group Managing Director/CEO of Unified Payment Services Limited (Unified Payments ®), Nigeria’s premier Payments & Financial Technology company, Dr. Agada Apochi, has urged industry players in the payment ecosystem to embrace different options or technologies that would serve the interests of young people.
Delivering a keynote presentation at the annual conference of the Committee of e-Business Industry Heads (CeBIH) themed “Payment System Vision 2030: Navigating Contemporary Issues in Driving Future Growth”, Dr. Apochi said it has become imperative for players to continue to innovate by creating products that align with the interests of digital natives. He added that delivering payment in its current state would not attract young people either now or in the distant future.
“We need to offer solutions that speak to the lifestyle and needs of the people that we serve. We need market players to understand the demography or community better, as this would be key to defining the future of payments in Nigeria. To serve the digital natives, we must connect with them where they are. Due to the digital habits that they have cultivated, it follows that we should create solutions that are delivered digitally,” he said.
This is because people between 24 years old and below constitute about 62% of the population. The industry must recognize the demographic as it seeks to look at the future of payments. He went further to state that the community the payment industry serves is gradually being dominated by digital natives, as opposed to digital aliens, who were in the majority years back. Hence, technologies must be optimised to cater to the demography.
While acknowledging that using cards will remain a permanent feature in Nigeria’s payment landscape, he charged players to develop solutions that see payments beyond plastic cards.
He disclosed that Unified Payments was already taking the lead in that direction by devising solutions that ensured that the equivalent of the card or POS was the telephone number and the telephone handset as an alternative to POS devices. It is also for the same reason that the name of the company was changed in 2012 from ValuCard to Unified Payments because the company envisioned a payments future that is beyond cards or plastics. He said that with most Nigerians now having means of digital identification through the BVN and NIN, it is easier for payments solutions to be delivered digitally.
Listing identity, the absence of a credit registry, and poor debt recovery as challenges militating against the growth of credit cards as a means of transaction in Nigeria, he noted that developing the right solution will define the future of payments and cards in Nigeria.
He called on industry operators to embrace cross-enterprise alliances and collaboration to enable the industry reach its full potential. In this regard, he said that Unified Payments will continue to serve as a shared infrastructure for other operators including competitors.
Rack Centre, the leading Tier III Carrier and cloud-neutral data centre in the West African region, has expanded its reach of available interconnection services with TelCables Nigeria, a subsidiary of Angola Cables, which opened a new Point of Presence (PoP) at its facility.
The presence of TelCables Nigeria, a subsidiary of global ICT solutions and services provider, Angola Cables is set to boost low-latency interconnectivity and Cloud access across West Africa, significantly advancing the region’s digital infrastructure.
Rack Centre, CEO, Lars Johannisson, welcoming TelCables Nigeria to the facility, highlighted the ongoing expansion of Rack Centre’s Lagos campus with the near completion of the LGS 2 Data Centre, which will bring the facility’s total capacity to 13.5MW of IT power and 7,200 square meters of space. According to him, “The is a major step for Africa’s digital development as access to the infrastructure necessary to drive and expand digital ecosystems across the continent, boost innovation and ultimately drive economic growth within Nigeria and across the continent will be readily available.”
He explained further that the LGS 2 data centre has also been developed to ensure AI-readiness that allows for enhanced data processing and storage capabilities, which are critical for businesses and organisations that are embracing artificial intelligence and machine learning. “Once completed, operators like TelCables, hyperscalers, businesses, telecom operators, and service providers will have access to world-class, carrier-neutral and cloud-neutral infrastructure to scale their digital operations securely. This will ultimately foster economic growth in Nigeria and the West Africa region,” he added.
Emphasising the importance of the strategic expansion by partnering with Rack Centre, Fernando Fernandes, CEO of TelCables Nigeria and West Africa, explained, “Our partnership with Rack Centre is part of a greater vision, and if we can do this together, we are setting the right course for Africa’s future prosperity as a contributor to the rapidly evolving digital economy”.
The strategic expansion aims to significantly enhance digital connectivity across West Africa using the extensive Angola Cables backbone network to support businesses and communities obtain easier, more affordable access to digital content and services. Leveraging Angola Cables’ robust SACS and WACS subsea cable systems, the new PoP will enable efficient routing of data traffic to South America, the U.S., and Europe through the EllaLink subsea cable. This infrastructure not only enhances standard routing but also offers redundancy options for improved resilience and reliability.
Rack Centre stands out with its Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) of 1.35, the lowest in the West African region, along with a sustainable energy generation mix that sets it apart from competitors. The LGS 2 Data Centre embodies innovation and sustainability through its adoption of green practices and AI-readiness.
In June 2022, Rack Centre became the first International Finance Corporation (IFC) EDGE certified data centre in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. This officially makes LGS2 the first Green Certified Data Centre in Africa. It is the most connected facility in the region according to its PeeringDB ranking and links every country on Africa’s Atlantic coast.
For the students of Ayedere Ajibola High School in Ketu, Lagos, July 2024 marked the beginning of a new chapter. The arrival of the Victor Moore Foundation brought a fresh wave of inspiration, empowerment, and support. The mentorship program transformed students’ lives by equipping them with essential life skills. By focusing on personal development and hygiene, the foundation aimed to foster confidence and well-being. Each student received a care package as a tangible reminder of their potential and the foundation’s commitment to their holistic growth.
As the Victor Moore Foundation continues to make a difference, they’ve forged a new partnership with Ayedere Ajibola High School. This collaboration will provide crucial support to 30 additional students, ensuring they have the resources and encouragement needed to succeed. By investing in these young students, the foundation is not only providing financial assistance but also fostering a sense of hope and possibility. This partnership underscores the organization’s commitment to creating a brighter future for the next generation.
Building on the momentum, the foundation reached a new milestone in September 2024 by also launching a fully equipped ICT room at the school. Featuring 20 desktop computers, the facility is designed to empower students with digital literacy skills, ensuring they are better prepared to meet the demands of an increasingly tech-driven world.
Alongside the ICT room, the foundation distributed school supplies to 50 students, including school bags, jotters, and water bottles, further enhancing their academic journey. David, a volunteer IT instructor with the foundation, hosted a session in the ICT room, guiding students through an in-depth exploration of essential tech skills and digital literacy.
Thomas, expressed his gratitude, stating, “This experience has been life-changing. I feel more confident in applying my new skills to real-world situations.”
Besidonne Moore, Executive Director of the Victor Moore Foundation, emphasized the importance of empowering young people. She stated, “Every child deserves the opportunity to discover their full potential. While challenges may arise, with the right support, they can overcome any obstacle.”
Moore offered words of encouragement to the students, saying, “You are all winners. With faith, focus, discipline, and unwavering consistency, you can achieve anything you set your mind to.”
Principal, Mrs. Comfort Olowu expressed her gratitude, stating, “This partnership has brought immense hope to our school. The Victor Moore Foundation has not only provided essential resources but also instilled in us a belief in the limitless potential of our students.”
The foundation’s holistic approach to education encompasses mentorship, material support, and digital empowerment. Previous initiatives, such as distributing textbooks and exercise books, have significantly enhanced learning environments in various schools.
As the Victor Moore Foundation continues to expand its reach, it remains committed to creating a brighter future for every child.
inDrive, a global mobility and urban services platform, has emerged the most outstanding brand in urban service in Nigeria at the maiden edition of Iconic Brands and Legends of Media and Marketing Communications Award held in Lagos on Tuesday, December 10, 2024.
inDrive was recognized and celebrated for its transparency, fairness, and affordability in intercity travel and logistics among ride-hailing platforms in Nigeria.
Speaking on the award, Timothy Oladimeji, Country Representative, Nigeria, inDrive, described it as a testament to the ride-hailing platform’s unique contribution and commitment to providing fair and accessible transportation options to its customers.
Oladimeji stated that the award highlights the company’s focus on safety, fairness, affordability, and satisfaction, thereby cementing its reputation as the go-to ride-hailing service in Nigeria.
He noted that the achievement underscores the company’s dedication to delivering the best ride-hailing and logistic experience for customers while continually pushing the envelope for innovation. He explained that the mobility platform remains a game-changer in the ride-hailing business in Nigeria as it empowers both drivers and passengers through its negotiation model.
“This recognition is a huge motivation that would help us expand our footprint and continue to provide exceptional services to all our customers. I can categorically say that the recognition validates the acceptability and rapid adoption of our platform by both drivers and passengers in Nigeria,” he said.
Speaking on the recognition and criteria, the lead convener of the award, Samuel Ajayi, said the award was truly deserving, given that the platform has provided unique, fair, and affordable services to all its users.
Ajayi emphasised the significance of acknowledging the brand’s achievements in Nigeria over the last few years adding that the company has shown exceptional performance by all parameters and standards.
“inDrive has really thrown its weight since joining other ride-hailing platforms in Nigeria. I am happy to say that inDrive has disrupted the Nigerian market with its unique offerings, which has endeared many users to the platform. From our findings, I can say that the brand remains the preferred platform given that it is the only one that provides safe, fair, efficient, and affordable transportation,” he said.
Since launching in Nigeria, inDrive has cemented its status as a market leader through its commitment to enhancing urban mobility and consistently delivering superior customer service.
Information is at the core of human progress. It’s why we’ve focused for more than 26 years on our mission to organize the world’s information and make it accessible and useful. And it’s why we continue to push the frontiers of AI to organize that information across every input and make it accessible via any output, so that it can be truly useful for you.
That was our vision when we introduced Gemini 1.0 last December. The first model built to be natively multimodal, Gemini 1.0 and 1.5 drove big advances with multimodality and long context to understand information across text, video, images, audio and code, and process a lot more of it.
Now millions of developers are building with Gemini. And it’s helping us reimagine all of our products — including all 7 of them with 2 billion users — and to create new ones. NotebookLM is a great example of what multimodality and long context can enable for people, and why it’s loved by so many.
Over the last year, we have been investing in developing more agentic models, meaning they can understand more about the world around you, think multiple steps ahead, and take action on your behalf, with your supervision.
Today we’re excited to launch our next era of models built for this new agentic era: introducing Gemini 2.0, our most capable model yet. With new advances in multimodality — like native image and audio output — and native tool use, it will enable us to build new AI agents that bring us closer to our vision of a universal assistant.
We’re getting 2.0 into the hands of developers and trusted testers today. And we’re working quickly to get it into our products, leading with Gemini and Search. Starting today our Gemini 2.0 Flash experimental model will be available to all Gemini users. We’re also launching a new feature called Deep Research, which uses advanced reasoning and long context capabilities to act as a research assistant, exploring complex topics and compiling reports on your behalf. It’s available in Gemini Advanced today.
No product has been transformed more by AI than Search. Our AI Overviews now reach 1 billion people, enabling them to ask entirely new types of questions — quickly becoming one of our most popular Search features ever. As a next step, we’re bringing the advanced reasoning capabilities of Gemini 2.0 to AI Overviews to tackle more complex topics and multi-step questions, including advanced math equations, multimodal queries and coding. We started limited testing this week and will be rolling it out more broadly early next year. And we’ll continue to bring AI Overviews to more countries and languages over the next year.
2.0’s advances are underpinned by decade-long investments in our differentiated full-stack approach to AI innovation. It’s built on custom hardware like Trillium, our sixth-generation TPUs. TPUs powered 100% of Gemini 2.0 training and inference, and today Trillium is generally available to customers so they can build with it too.
If Gemini 1.0 was about organizing and understanding information, Gemini 2.0 is about making it much more useful. I can’t wait to see what this next era brings.
-Sundar
Introducing Gemini 2.0: our new AI model for the agentic era
By Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google DeepMind and Koray Kavukcuoglu, CTO of Google DeepMind on behalf of the Gemini team
Over the past year, we have continued to make incredible progress in artificial intelligence. Today, we are releasing the first model in the Gemini 2.0 family of models: an experimental version of Gemini 2.0 Flash. It’s our workhorse model with low latency and enhanced performance at the cutting edge of our technology, at scale.
We are also sharing the frontiers of our agentic research by showcasing prototypes enabled by Gemini 2.0’s native multimodal capabilities.
Gemini 2.0 Flash
Gemini 2.0 Flash builds on the success of 1.5 Flash, our most popular model yet for developers, with enhanced performance at similarly fast response times. Notably, 2.0 Flash even outperforms 1.5 Pro on key benchmarks, at twice the speed. 2.0 Flash also comes with new capabilities. In addition to supporting multimodal inputs like images, video and audio, 2.0 Flash now supports multimodal output like natively generated images mixed with text and steerable text-to-speech (TTS) multilingual audio. It can also natively call tools like Google Search, code execution as well as third-party user-defined functions.
Our goal is to get our models into people’s hands safely and quickly. Over the past month, we’ve been sharing early, experimental versions of Gemini 2.0, getting great feedback from developers.
Gemini 2.0 Flash is available now as an experimental model to developers via the Gemini API in Google AI Studio and Vertex AI with multimodal input and text output available to all developers, and text-to-speech and native image generation available to early-access partners. General availability will follow in January, along with more model sizes.
To help developers build dynamic and interactive applications, we’re also releasing a new Multimodal Live API that has real-time audio, video-streaming input and the ability to use multiple, combined tools. More information about 2.0 Flash and the Multimodal Live API can be found in our developer blog.
Gemini 2.0 available in Gemini app, our AI assistant
Also starting today, Gemini users globally can access a chat optimized version of 2.0 Flash experimental by selecting it in the model drop-down on desktop and mobile web and it will be available in the Gemini mobile app soon. With this new model, users can experience an even more helpful Gemini assistant.
Early next year, we’ll expand Gemini 2.0 to more Google products.
Unlocking agentic experiences with Gemini 2.0
Gemini 2.0 Flash’s native user interface action-capabilities, along with other improvements like multimodal reasoning, long context understanding, complex instruction following and planning, compositional function-calling, native tool use and improved latency, all work in concert to enable a new class of agentic experiences.
The practical application of AI agents is a research area full of exciting possibilities. We’re exploring this new frontier with a series of prototypes that can help people accomplish tasks and get things done. These include an update to Project Astra, our research prototype exploring future capabilities of a universal AI assistant; the new Project Mariner, which explores the future of human-agent interaction, starting with your browser; and Jules, an AI-powered code agent that can help developers.
We’re still in the early stages of development, but we’re excited to see how trusted testers use these new capabilities and what lessons we can learn, so we can make them more widely available in products in the future.https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/Fs0t6SdODd8?enablejsapi=1&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.google&widgetid=12:53
Project Astra: agents using multimodal understanding in the real world
Since we introduced Project Astra at I/O, we’ve been learning from trusted testers using it on Android phones. Their valuable feedback has helped us better understand how a universal AI assistant could work in practice, including implications for safety and ethics. Improvements in the latest version built with Gemini 2.0 include:
Better dialogue: Project Astra now has the ability to converse in multiple languages and in mixed languages, with a better understanding of accents and uncommon words.
New tool use: With Gemini 2.0, Project Astra can use Google Search, Lens and Maps, making it more useful as an assistant in your everyday life.
Better memory: We’ve improved Project Astra’s ability to remember things while keeping you in control. It now has up to 10 minutes of in-session memory and can remember more conversations you had with it in the past, so it is better personalized to you.
Improved latency: With new streaming capabilities and native audio understanding, the agent can understand language at about the latency of human conversation.
We’re working to bring these types of capabilities to Google products like Gemini app, our AI assistant, and to other form factors like glasses. And we’re starting to expand our trusted tester program to more people, including a small group that will soon begin testing Project Astra on prototype glasses.https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/hIIlJt8JERI?enablejsapi=1&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.google&widgetid=24:32
Project Mariner: agents that can help you accomplish complex tasks
Project Mariner is an early research prototype built with Gemini 2.0 that explores the future of human-agent interaction, starting with your browser. As a research prototype, it’s able to understand and reason across information in your browser screen, including pixels and web elements like text, code, images and forms, and then uses that information via an experimental Chrome extension to complete tasks for you.
It’s still early, but Project Mariner shows that it’s becoming technically possible to navigate within a browser, even though it’s not always accurate and slow to complete tasks today, which will improve rapidly over time.
To build this safely and responsibly, we’re conducting active research on new types of risks and mitigations, while keeping humans in the loop. For example, Project Mariner can only type, scroll or click in the active tab on your browser and it asks users for final confirmation before taking certain sensitive actions, like purchasing something.
Trusted testers are starting to test Project Mariner using an experimental Chrome extension now, and we’re beginning conversations with the web ecosystem in parallel.https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/2XJqLPqHtyo?enablejsapi=1&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.google&widgetid=32:15
Jules: agents for developers
Next, we’re exploring how AI agents can assist developers with Jules — an experimental AI-powered code agent that integrates directly into a GitHub workflow. It can tackle an issue, develop a plan and execute it, all under a developer’s direction and supervision. This effort is part of our long-term goal of building AI agents that are helpful in all domains, including coding.
More information about this ongoing experiment can be found in our developer blog post.
Agents in games and other domains
Google DeepMind has a longhistory of using games to help AI models become better at following rules, planning and logic. Just last week, for example, we introduced Genie 2, our AI model that can create an endless variety of playable 3D worlds — all from a single image. Building on this tradition, we’ve built agents using Gemini 2.0 that can help you navigate the virtual world of video games. It can reason about the game based solely on the action on the screen, and offer up suggestions for what to do next in real time conversation.
We’re collaborating with leading game developers like Supercell to explore how these agents work, testing their ability to interpret rules and challenges across a diverse range of games, from strategy titles like “Clash of Clans” to farming simulators like “Hay Day.”
Beyond acting as virtual gaming companions, these agents can even tap into Google Search to connect you with the wealth of gaming knowledge on the web.https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/IKuGNHJBGsc?enablejsapi=1&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.google&widgetid=42:26
In addition to exploring agentic capabilities in the virtual world, we’re experimenting with agents that can help in the physical world by applying Gemini 2.0’s spatial reasoning capabilities to robotics. While it’s still early, we’re excited about the potential of agents that can assist in the physical environment.
You can learn more about these research prototypes and experiments at labs.google.
Building responsibly in the agentic era
Gemini 2.0 Flash and our research prototypes allow us to test and iterate on new capabilities at the forefront of AI research that will eventually make Google products more helpful.
As we develop these new technologies, we recognize the responsibility it entails, and the many questions AI agents open up for safety and security. That is why we are taking an exploratory and gradual approach to development, conducting research on multiple prototypes, iteratively implementing safety training, working with trusted testers and external experts and performing extensive risk assessments and safety and assurance evaluations.
For example:
As part of our safety process, we’ve worked with our Responsibility and Safety Committee (RSC), our longstanding internal review group, to identify and understand potential risks.
Gemini 2.0’s reasoning capabilities have enabled major advancements in our AI-assisted red teaming approach, including the ability to go beyond simply detecting risks to now automatically generating evaluations and training data to mitigate them. This means we can more efficiently optimize the model for safety at scale.
As Gemini 2.0’s multimodality increases the complexity of potential outputs, we’ll continue to evaluate and train the model across image and audio input and output to help improve safety.
With Project Astra, we’re exploring potential mitigations against users unintentionally sharing sensitive information with the agent, and we’ve already built in privacy controls that make it easy for users to delete sessions. We’re also continuing to research ways to ensure AI agents act as reliable sources of information and don’t take unintended actions on your behalf.
With Project Mariner, we’re working to ensure the model learns to prioritize user instructions over 3rd party attempts at prompt injection, so it can identify potentially malicious instructions from external sources and prevent misuse. This prevents users from being exposed to fraud and phishing attempts through things like malicious instructions hidden in emails, documents or websites.
We firmly believe that the only way to build AI is to be responsible from the start and we’ll continue to prioritize making safety and responsibility a key element of our model development process as we advance our models and agents.
Gemini 2.0, AI agents and beyond
Today’s releases mark a new chapter for our Gemini model. With the release of Gemini 2.0 Flash, and the series of research prototypes exploring agentic possibilities, we have reached an exciting milestone in the Gemini era. And we’re looking forward to continuing to safely explore all the new possibilities within reach as we build towards AGI.
L-R: Executive Officer, Food, Beverage and Tobacco, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Elizabeth Lawal; Corporate Affairs and Regulatory Director, International Breweries PLC, Temitope Oguntokun; Chief Executive Officer, Guinness Nigeria, Girish Sharma; Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC), (Lagos State Sector), Commander Kehinde G. Hamzat; Chairman Beer Sectoral Group (BSG) and CEO Nigeria Breweries, Hans Essadi; Lagos state secretary National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Comrade Usman O Teslim and Executive Director, Beer Sectoral Group (BSG), Abiola Laseinde during the launch of the Annual Don’t Drink and Drive Campaign organized by BSG in Partnership with FRSC at Radisson Hotel Ikeja
The Beer Sectoral Group (BSG) of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), in partnership with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), has reiterated the dangers of drunk driving at the launch of the Annual “Don’t Drink & Drive” Campaign.
The two-day campaign began with a press conference on Tuesday, December 10, at Radisson Hotel Ikeja, and continued with park rallies on Wednesday, December 11. Both events emphasized the importance of avoiding drunk driving, the consequences of impaired driving, and the critical need for responsible road habits to enhance safety across Nigeria.
Speaking at the press conference, Chairman, BSG and CEO Nigerian Breweries, Hans Essadi, commended FRSC for its dedication to road safety and pledged continued support for initiatives that reduce traffic accidents. He stated: “Each year, countless lives are lost to preventable accidents caused by impaired driving. This campaign is built on three pillars: education, enforcement, and encouraging responsible behavior by all road users.”
Essadi also announced the following day’s park rallies, during which campaign teams visited major motor parks in Lagos—Ojodu, Ojota, and Oshodi. At these locations, they engaged commercial drivers in discussions on the risks of impaired driving, distributed educational materials, and offered voluntary breathalyzer tests.
FRSC Lagos Sector Commander, Kehinde G. Hamzat emphasized the importance of defensive driving and passengers’ rights to challenge reckless drivers. He also highlighted FRSC’s new app, which alerts users to speed limits, dangerous roads, and potholes.
The press briefing attracted a diverse group of stakeholders, including executives from BSG, senior FRSC officials, and road safety advocates. Speakers highlighted the campaign’s objectives, shared success stories from previous editions, and renewed their commitment to reducing road accidents caused by impaired driving.
The park rallies saw impactful interactions with drivers and park officials, with many participants pledging to adopt safer driving habits. The campaign reinforced the message of accountability and safety through practical demonstrations and community engagement.
The 2024 “Don’t Drink & Drive” Campaign exemplifies the effectiveness of partnerships in addressing critical societal issues. BSG and FRSC reaffirm their shared commitment to reducing alcohol-related crashes and ensuring safer roads for all Nigerians.
……Power Meets Beauty in an Unforgettable Luxury Fragrance Experience
The iconic British fragrance house Boadicea The Victorious has officially introduced its bold and captivating new fragrance, Defender, to the Nigerian market. The exclusive experiential launch event was held at the Lagos Marriott Hotel in Ikeja GRA, Lagos. It was a celebration of luxury, elegance, and olfactory innovation.
The star-studded event was hosted by Scentified by Cascades Luxury, brought together a mix of Nigeria’s elite, corporate leaders, and luxury lifestyle connoisseurs.
The Defender fragrance, crafted by Kamila Lelakova, Boadicea’s first female perfumer, is a masterpiece of power, beauty, and individuality. Kamila’s vision for the fragrance was encapsulated in her words: “Power and beauty come together, forming a force that is inspiring to dare to be different.”
Defender by Boadicea The Victorious is an Oriental Floral fragrance for women and men. It is an imaginative blend of zesty ginger, grapefruit, and dark liquorice layered with honeyed cognac and red berry compote. Its heart beats with the allure of Night Blooming Jasmine, enriched by the smoky warmth of myrrh and earthy hay absolute—a nostalgic nod to Kamila’s rural childhood. The base features a verdigris leather accord, paying homage to the tactile elegance of natural skins. Together, these elements create an unforgettable sensory journey, making Defender a fragrance of bold tenacity and emotional depth.
Speaking at the event, Jeremy Taylor, Group Commercial Director of Boadicea The Victorious, emphasized the experiential essence of luxury fragrances: “Fragrance is an extension of your personality. It enhances how you feel. Using a luxury perfume isn’t just about the product—it’s about engaging discerning customers in an experience.”
The handmade craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology behind Defender mark a significant milestone in the luxury fragrance industry in West Africa, with the scent symbolizing both heritage and innovation.
“We applaud the great partnership that we have with Scentified by Cascades Luxury, a company that shares our passion and values for delivering excellence in luxury fragrances. As our exclusive distributor in Nigeria, Cascades Luxury has collaborated with esteemed partners like Nail Studio, RJ4, Polo, Reeves and Scents, among others, to make the Boadicea the Victorious range of products accessible across the country,” said Taylor.
The evening unfolded in a blend of sophistication and entertainment, with guests being serenaded to instrumental music. The event was graced by notable personalities, including Mrs. Kate Obalim, described Defender as “a very unique perfume that has become a personal favorite since I discovered it.”
Also, Trevor Henry extolled the fragrance, he said: “The perfume blends with your skin. You need to experience it to truly interpret its brilliance. It’s an extension of who you are.”
Other distinguished guests included Chike Ogeah, Deborah Apampa, Idong Omo-Agege, and a host of other personalities from Nigeria’s corporate and social circles.
With a network of 28 stores across Nigeria, Scentified by Cascades Luxury provides the perfect platform for discerning consumers to discover and appreciate the artistry of Defender by Boadicea The Victorious. Luxury lifestyle connoisseurs are set to embark on a journey of discovery, boldness, and individuality.
For more information on how to experience the magic of Defender by Boadicea The Victorious in Nigeria, visit https://cascadeslux.com/
No fewer than 106 persons on Wednesday bagged the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Entrepreneurship Mentoring Programme(EMP) Certification.
Mr Gabriel Idahosa, President, LCCI, noted at the graduation in Lagos that 14 other persons also bagged the LCCI-Lagos State University (LASU) Diploma in Entrepreneurship Certification.
Idahosa, who was represented by Dr Chinyere Almona, Director-General, LCCI, described the EMP as not only a Corporate Social Responsibility initiative for LCCI but also an investment in the socio-economic future of Nigeria.
The LCCI president advocated the power and importance of mentorship and knowledge sharing in shaping the future of Nigeria’s economy.
He said the programme since inception had graduated about 600 mentees with each one making meaningful contributions to the Nigerian economy by creating jobs, fostering innovation, and increasing economic resilience.
Idahosa noted that Nigeria’s economy was expected to grow by 3 percent in 2024, mainly due to the non-oil sectors, such as manufacturing, agriculture, and digital services.
He said as more young entrepreneurs engaged in these areas, they contributed to job creation and regional development, which are critical for Nigeria’s economic stability and progress.
“The journey that brought our mentees here involves rigorous training, critical insights, and hands-on learning.
“Our graduates have been exposed to invaluable guidance from seasoned mentors, each of whom has provided support and guidance on key skills such as personal development, communication, negotiation, networking, and business planning.
“According to recent estimates, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) contribute around 48 per cent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employ about 84 per cent of the national workforce.
“Programmes like ours are, therefore, not just beneficial but essential to sustaining this momentum,” he said.
Idahosa said that the government’s emphasis on encouraging entrepreneurship, seen through initiatives such as the Central Bank’s Anchor Borrowers Programme, aligned with the LCCI programme.
He, however, stressed that more needed to be done as the chamber continued to advocate for policies that simplified business processes, improved access to finance, and reduced barriers to trade.
Idahosa noted that the LCCI programme had successfully equipped mentees with the essential skills to navigate a challenging business environment.
He urged the mentees to use the skills they had acquired such as personal development, communication, negotiation, networking, and the ability to create solid business plans to build successful business careers.
Mrs Funlayo Bakare-Okeowo, Chairperson, Board of Business Education Service and Training (BEST) Unit, LCCI, noted that the graduation was the 11th edition and the first set of the LCCI-LASU entrepreneurship programmes.
She said all the young entrepreneurs that had graduated from the scheme, continually promoted entrepreneurship development in the nation.
Bakare-Okeowo stated that the LCCI remained proud to contribute to the development of the economic impact of businesses, communities, and the nation at large.
She said by providing the platform, the chamber was not only fostering meaningful sustainable growth but also empowering young people to provide solutions to global economic challenges.
“The LCCI entrepreneurship programme is part of the chamber’s developmental initiative for the youth as a means of investing in their future thereby guaranteeing a better tomorrow.
“The entrepreneurship programme, we believe will mold and guide future generations of entrepreneurs as captains of industries in our nation and beyond.
“A lot has been put in place to ensure the success of this programme, with over 28 business management training sessions, business tours and clinics, local and international exhibitions, networking events and others.
“I specially laud Providus Bank for enabling the chamber scale up the programme delivery, both in quality and quantity, providing access to loans and grants, business networking, and promotion opportunities.
“We also appreciate the Bank of Industry (BOI), Lagos Island Connect (LIC), Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) and the faculty for your dedicated support to providing training resources, information and other needs to nurture these entrepreneurs,” she said
The race for the 2027 governorship election seems to have started earlier than expected in Kwara State, albeit on a very impressive and commendable note, just as the founder Of KAB Constructions Limited and Chairman Of Kehinde Alex Bankole Foundation, Dr. Kehinde Alex Bankole kicked off his strategic consultations with key Northern leaders to deepen his aspiration of becoming the next Governor the state.
Hon. KAB was seen on Saturday December 7, 2024 with distinguished lawmakers from the North East including the famous and very vocal Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South Senatorial District at the red chamber of the National Assembly, Abuja.
It is however obvious that Governor AbdulRahman Abdulrazaq will complete his second term in 2027 and political gladiators are already preparing to take over leadership of the state while it is also becoming clearer that the odds are in favour of Dr Kayode Bankole.
Due to the amended electoral law, the Independent National Electoral Commission expects all political parties to produce their candidates by June 2026. Therefore, all the serious-minded governorship Aspirants would commence realignment, alliance building and mobilization to secure party tickets by 2025.
The coveted office of the Governor of a state isn’t for charlatans or neophytes, but for alone those who are fully prepared with the right pedigree, sound background, good character and enviable accomplishments, no wonder pundits are of the view that Dr. Kehinde Alex Bankole holds all the aces to be Governor AbdulRahman Abdulrazaq successor of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Without a shred of doubt, Dr. Bankole’s persona is derived from the sterner stuff of life, the compulsive need to weave enduring strands or legacies that would out-live one and the desire to be a change agent in the discharge of the social contract. A man of great patience and tolerance, his scruples border on the fundamental assumption that life is a selfless service in which there is more to gain in giving of one’s time, energy and resources than in being a docile recipient of its offerings.
Spurred by this, Bankole is not only detribalized in the true sense of it but believes in the Nigerian enterprise and strives within acceptable codes to uphold the sacredness of the country’s values.
His visions are ennobled by his belief that the progress of society is predicated on qualitative leadership that aspires to enthrone enduring change through quantum developmental leaps, which was profoundly demonstrated through his philanthropic gestures of reaching out to the vulnerable segments of the society and adding values to their lives. Bankole is indeed the best man for the job in Kwara State
L-R: Lanre Adisa, Founder/Chief Creative Officer, Noah's Ark; Oluwasola Obagbemi, Corporate Communications Manager, Sub-Saharan Africa, Meta; Dr. Biodun Shobanjo, Chairman, Troyka Holdings; Tosin Adefeko, CEO, AT3 Resources - The Muvmnt Agency, and Steve Babaeko, CEO/CCO, X3M Ideas during the launch of BB Uncovered a Podcast Series by The Muvmnt Studio to commemorate Dr. Shobanjo's 80th birthday.
The Muvmnt Studio hosted an exclusive cocktail party to unveil a specially curated podcast series, “BB Uncovered: An 80-Year Odyssey,” to celebrate Dr. Biodun Shobanjo, a trailblazer in marketing and one of Africa’s most iconic business leaders.
The podcast provided a platform to honour Dr. Shobanjo’s sterling career, and remarkable legacy. Attendees enjoyed exclusive previews of the podcast and heartfelt tributes from legends and industry experts, underscoring the profound influence BB has had on individuals and the industry at large.
Fondly referred to as “BB” in close circles, Dr. Shobanjo’s achievements include founding trailblazing companies such as Insight Communications, now Insight Redefini, Quadrant MSL, All Seasons Zenith, Halogen Group amongst others. His contributions have transformed Nigeria’s marketing communications and security sectors while inspiring generations of professionals.
L-R: Dr. Yemi Ogunbiyi, Chief Executive Officer, Tanus Communications; Sir Steve Omojafor, Executive Chairman, STB-McCann; Joyce Shobanjo; Dr. Biodun Shobanjo, Chairman, Troyka Holdings; Senator Akin Odunsi, Co-founder, Rosabel, and Tosin Adefeko, CEO, AT3 Resources – The Muvmnt Agency during the launch of BB Uncovered by The Muvmnt Studio to commemorate Dr. Shobanjo’s 80th birthday.
The event brought together an esteemed gathering of marketing legends, industry leaders, media icons, communications experts, family, and friends who were featured in the series. Notable attendees included luminaries like Sir Steve Omojafor, Dr. Yemi Ogunbiyi, Steve Babaeko, Lanre Adisa, and other prominent stakeholders, all celebrating a man whose visionary leadership has redefined industries across Nigeria and Africa.
The three-part podcast series, now streaming exclusively on Muvmnt Studio, takes listeners on an inspiring journey through Dr. Shobanjo’s life from the lens of those privileged to experience him. It features deeply personal narratives from family, close friends, trusted allies, and professional peers. The series provides a rare and intimate insight into the challenges, triumphs, and principles that define his enduring legacy in marketing, advertising, and beyond.
“BB Uncovered is more than a podcast series; it’s a tribute to resilience, innovation, impact and the relentless pursuit of excellence,” said Tosin Adefeko, CEO, AT3 Resources – The Muvmnt Agency. “It’s an opportunity to celebrate a visionary whose leadership has transformed industries and inspired countless lives including mine.”
Listeners can explore anecdotes from BB’s humble beginnings, his groundbreaking achievements, and the enduring legacy of excellence, mentorship, and nation-building he continues to uphold.
“BB Uncovered: An 80-Year Odyssey” is now streaming exclusively on Muvmnt Studio.
The second arrest in the investigation of organised corporate fleecing of Brila FM has opened the lid on what led to the suspension of broadcast services of the broadcast network in Port Harcourt and Abuja by the group Chairman, Mr Larry Izamuje.
According to an insider source, one Engr Sam Victor Mpong Akakan, the station’s Head of the Port Harcourt branch, was arrested recently, following the arrest of the group’s former chief Accountant, Ekerete Sunday,earlier.
We gathered that following their arrest, the Igbosere Lagos Magistrate court sitting at Tinubu-Lagos granted the police a warrant of remand to allow for full investigation.
The court heard that Engr Akakan, with intent to commit criminal activities against his employer, Brila Broadcasting Services Ltd, maliciously took the first three letters of Brila and the word ‘CAST’ from ‘BroadCASTing’ and registered the business name Bricast Communications only two months after Brila fm Port Harcourt began operations with him as the Head of the station.
In concert with others, Engr Akakan issued several Bricast Communications invoices with Bricast account details to several Brila FM clients to divert payments for adverts and sponsored programmes aired on Brila FM stations in Abuja and Port Harcourt, particularly.
He is also being investigated for forging certificates of broadcasts of Brila fm , tendering the same to clients using his Bricast invoices and getting payments into his Bricast account from such activities. He was said to have presented himself on several occasions to unsuspecting clients including churches as Brila fm’s marketer and once convinced to do business on Brila fm gave them Bricast invoices for payments to his own company( Bricast) repeatedly.
Our sources revealed that a fraud case which involved over 200million naira has led to the temporary suspension of the Abuja and Portharcourt branches where the fraudsters mostly operated. The chairman of the group, Dr Larry Izamoje was said to have authorized the suspension of operations in the group’s Abuja and Port Harcourt branches when almost zero returns became the order of the day for years because of the activities of a now bursted fraud cartel. The Impact of their fleecing became so excruciating, it was alleged, that the company could not meet operational needs and remained in dire straits.
Interestingly, our source informed us that the said Engr Akakan has made confessional statements to the company and police and is now pleading for mercy. As the dragnet of the police investigation widens, more suspects in the fraud cartel may be picked up soon to vomit their share of the loot.
Makems Jewellery, an Abuja-based fast-rising jewellery-making company in Nigeria, has set the city agog. It recently held its annual jewellery exhibition, with a wide range of trendy, fine, and unique handmade, locally produced, and imported jewellery products on display for hundreds of visitors to the venue.
The jewellery exhibition was an expertly-curated showcase of exceptional ornaments, ranging from contemporary designs to vintage treasures such as Makems handmade jewellery, earrings, long necklaces, jewellery set, bangles and bracelets, rings and male bracelets, among others with special focus on promoting local contents, which aligns with Federal Government’s policy direction on promotion of local contents in all sectors of the economy.
The annual Makems 2024 Jewellery Exhibition, which took place on December 7, 2024 at the Glowing Ages Academy, Games Village Road, Kaura District, Abuja attracted fashion lovers and potential clients, who used the opportunity to purchase trendy jewellery of their choice which meet their status as the Yuletide season begins while networking with other visitors.
Addressing stakeholders and visitors at the event, the Director of Business Development at Makems, Miss Temitope Adejare, said Makems Jewellery makes unique jewellery products locally and also sell imported jewellery products as well.
“Considering what has been happening in the economy in the area of dollar exchange to Naira, you will realise that things that are imported have become so expensive because they are in dollar. So, what we have done at Makems Jewellery is to ensure that we source for local jewellery materials and we have a lot of them that are locally-made in Nigeria on display at this exhibition.
“Makems Jewellery has a passion for making jewellery and we now make do with what we can really do in Nigeria and we have been able to come out with beautiful jewellery pieces that people really love at this exhibition,” Adejare said.
She explained that “what we do is unique to an individual. We do not repeat the design. So, if you buy any Makems jewellery piece, it is the only one that exists in terms of design. Overtime, people have come to know this and they love it also and they like coming for the exhibition.”
According to her, Makems works year round to gather the best of locally-manufactured jewellery products as well as some imported designs and bring people together at the exhibition to come and see the various designs that Makems has brought on display for the season for them to purchase their favourite designs.
“As you can see, we sell imported jewellery pieces as well, but as you may have observed, most people would be at the stand for Nigerian-handmade jewellery products because they are unique, durable, and very nice. This means, our locally-produced collection of jewellery appeals more to our clients.
“Why most people run from Nigerian-made products is literally because of the quality. Most of the time, people who do local content tend to compromise quality standards, but what we have done at Makems is to ensure that what we have is of high quality, even better than many of the imported jewellery, as the designs are nice and unique and meet the expectation of Nigeria across social divides.
Speaking on affordability, the Business Development Director said because the products are domiciled in Naira, “you find out that it is easier for people to buy.” She optimistically noted that Makems was targeting “exporting our locally-manufactured jewellery products in the long run, thereby helping Nigeria’s Naira-to-dollar exchange to appreciate through local production of the fashion products and exports.”
According to her, “With what we have done at Makems, we have a lot of staff that we have employed and this also means we are creating employment opportunity for Nigerians across the value chain. We are also available online across social media platforms for online purchase of our products.”
Adejare added that Makems’ plan is to become a household name as an indigenous jewellery-sourcing and production firm, thereby enhancing the government’s policy direction to deepen local content, improve value addition through offerings of durable, comfortable and affordable jewellery products in Nigeria in the next few years.
Access Holdings Plc (“Access Holdings”) today announces that its banking group’s, subsidiary, The Access Bank UK Limited (“the Access UK”) has established its first fully owned subsidiary in Malta, The Access Bank Malta Limited. The banking licence application has been approved by both the European Central Bank (ECB) and the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA), signalling a significant step in enhancing trade connectivity between Europe and Africa.
The approval of The Access Bank Malta Limited as a credit institution marks a transformative milestone in bolstering Europe-Africa trade flows. Malta, a renowned international financial centre, and a gateway between the two continents, is strategically positioned to play a pivotal role in advancing commerce and fostering economic partnerships.
This strategic expansion into Malta enables The Access Bank UK Limited to leverage growing trade opportunities between Europe and Africa. It underscores the Access Group’s commitment to driving global trade, financial integration, and supporting businesses across these regions.
Roosevelt Ogbonna, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Access Bank Plc, and CEO of the Banking Group, said, “By establishing operations in Malta, we will gain a foothold in a market that bridges European and North African economies, moving us one step closer to our goal of becoming Africa’s Gateway to the World. It further enhances our Bank’s capacity to support clients with innovative solutions tailored to cross-border trade and investment opportunities.”
Jamie Simmonds, Founding Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of The Access Bank UK Limited, commented, “Europe has emerged as Africa’s leading trading partner, driven by initiatives such as the Economic Partnership Agreements between the EU and African regions and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). With Europe-Africa economic relations entering a new phase, The Access Bank Malta Limited is ideally positioned to deepen trade and meet the financing and banking needs of our clients in these expanding markets.”
Renald Theuma, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of The Access Bank Malta Limited, emphasised the significance of this expansion, “Malta is uniquely positioned as a bridge between Europe and Africa, making it an ideal location for our subsidiary. This move allows The Access Bank Malta Limited to engage more closely with customers in Europe and deliver tailored financial solutions that drive growth and connectivity across both continents.”
The Access Bank Malta Limited will focus on international trade finance, employing approximately 30 people in its initial phase, with plans for controlled expansion over time.
Nigeria has reaffirmed its leadership in the global energy sector with the appointment of Mr Ademola Adeyemi-Bero, Nigeria’s Governor for the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, as Chairman of the Board of Governors for 2025.
A statement published on OPEC’s website noted that his appointment was confirmed at the 189th meeting of the OPEC Conference on Tuesday.
The statement partly read, “The conference appointed Mr Ademola Adeyemi-Bero, Governor of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for OPEC, as Chairman of the Board of Governors for the year 2025, and Eng. Adeeb Al-Aama, Governor of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for OPEC, as Alternate Chairman for the same period.”
Before he was appointed the Chairman of the OPEC Board of Governors, Adeyemi-Bero was confirmed as Nigeria’s OPEC Governor for the year 2025.
This role highlights Nigeria’s influence within the OPEC and underscores the nation’s commitment to shaping global energy policies.
Congratulating Adeyemi-Bero in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media and Communication, Nneamaka Okafor, on Tuesday, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, hailed Adeyemi-Bero’s elevation as a testament to the country’s active contributions to the global oil industry.
The statement partly read, “He emphasised that this appointment provides Nigeria with a vital platform to advocate for balanced energy policies that benefit oil producers, consumers, and the global economy.
“The Honourable Minister also expressed profound gratitude to Ambassador Gabriel Aduda, the outgoing Nigerian OPEC Governor, for his exemplary service. He acknowledged Ambassador Aduda’s instrumental role in advancing Nigeria’s interests within OPEC and ensuring the country’s influential presence in global energy discussions.”
The OPEC Conference brought together representatives from member countries to address significant issues, including reports from the Secretary-General and the Economic Commission Board, and to deliberate on critical internal matters.
The conference also extended the tenure of Haitham Al Ghais as OPEC Secretary General for another three years, effective August 1, 2025.
Member nations commended his exceptional leadership and the Secretariat’s unwavering commitment to the organisation’s objectives.
Data from the Central Bank of Nigeria has shown that credit to the public has expanded at a faster rate than credit to the private sector in the past year.
According to the Money and Credit Statistics data obtained from the CBN’s website, credit to the government stood at N42.02tn as of September 2024, compared to N22.14tn as of the same period in the previous year, indicating an 89.79 per cent increment.
During the same period, credit to the private sector also rose, albeit at a slower pace, to N75.85tn from N59.51tn in September 2023, marking a 27.46 per cent increase in one year.
Credit to the private sector from banks includes loans, trade credits, and other account receivables and supports provided by banks to the private sector within a period. Government credit comprises credit facilities extended to the government.
Credit to the private sector had been squeezed by the sustained hikes in the benchmark interest rate by the Monetary Policy Committee of the CBN, which raised the MPR at all of its meetings this year by over 800 bps to 27.50 per cent from 18.75 per cent as of December 2023.
However, CBN data showed that there had been dips and upswings in credit to the government, but it had mostly stayed below N30tn. However, in the third quarter, credit to the government had risen from N19.83tn in July to N31.15tn in August and then N42.02tn in September.
There may be even more constriction in the flow of credit to the private sector in the coming year as the Governor of the CBN, Olayemi Cardoso, has maintained the apex bank would maintain its hawkish stance to tackle inflation.
Speaking at the annual Bankers’ Dinner of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria in November, Cardoso said, “Our foremost priority is to achieve price stability, with inflation as a central focus. While inflation has shown early signs of moderation, we are fully committed to doing everything in our power to tame inflationary pressures in 2025. To this end, we will maintain vigilance through the strategic deployment of our monetary policy tools.
The monetary policy rate will continue to serve as our anchor for inflation management, calibrated on evolving economic conditions and data. The cash reserve ratio and open market operations will be adjusted as necessary to ensure liquidity levels in the banking system remain aligned with our inflationary goals.”
Afrinvest, in its weekly economic and financial market review, pointed out that the aggressive policy tightening by the CBN (including the hike in cash reserve ratio by 12.5 ppts to 45.0 per cent and lowering of the loan-to-deposit ratio by 15.0 ppts to 50.0 per cent) have begun to temper the growth rate of credit to the private sector (up by 27.45 per cent in the 12 months to September 2024 vs. 46.9 per cent in the prior 12 months), while credit to the government expanded faster by 89.79 per cent (previously: -3.0 per cent) to N42.02tn.
“Against this backdrop, the broadest measure of money supply, the M3, expanded by 62.8 per cent over the period to N109.0tn, outpacing the 35.7 per cent expansion in the 12 months that preceded Dr. Cardoso’s assumption of office.
“This large expansion in credit to the government that has spent 79.6 per cent of its budget on consumption (recurrent expenditure and debt servicing) between January and August this year contravenes the anti-inflationary posture of the CBN. Furthermore, anecdotal evidence reveals that FX volatility usually intensifies within the first three days of FAAC disbursement.
This, alongside legacy challenges weighing on productivity and export earnings (which are manifestations of the fiscal sector underperformances), contributes to the unending FX rate quagmire and, by extension, the sticky high inflation episode,” the analysts asserted.
They added that for the efforts by the CBN to boost confidence in the business environment to lead to long-term gains, “the fiscal authorities would need to step up measures to de-risk the business environment, eliminate public sector bureaucracy, and stem corruption through the empowerment of appropriate institutions to deliver on their core mandate.”
Fiscal-monetary policy synergy has been one of the critical components of economic management that stakeholders have been calling for.
The Minister of Industry, Senator John Enoh, during his inaugural meeting with stakeholders in the real sector, also highlighted the need for synergy to reduce pressure on the monetary side, saying, “There has been too much focus on the monetary side; that is why you will find that the CBN would periodically increase the interest rates. I don’t think that on the fiscal side, it has been quite enough. There are a lot of things that can be done on the fiscal side that would reduce the pressure on the monetary side in terms of policies.”
