Tag: Founder and CEO

Syndicate Bio Signs MoU with the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR)

… Paving the Way for Innovative Genomic Studies in Nigeria with a Focus on Drug Discovery

Syndicate Bio, a platform biotech driving genomics and precision medicine initiatives across the world’s most genetically diverse regions, announced today the signing of a pivotal Memorandum of Understanding [MoU] with Nigeria’s leading governmental research institution, the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research [NIMR]. This landmark partnership sets the stage for transformative genomic studies in infectious and non-infectious diseases, aiming to deepen understanding of the diseases prevalent in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation while identifying targets for drug discovery.

Launched in 2023 by Founder Dr Abasi Ene-Obong, alongside co-founders Dr Jumi Popoola and Estelle Dogbo, Syndicate Bio is rapidly establishing itself as a critical player in the field of genomics research. Following its recent launch, the company aims to forge large-scale partnerships with governments, pharmaceutical giants, research and academic institutions and other stakeholders. Using genomic technologies, these partnerships will drive change in the local healthcare landscape through precision medicine while simultaneously generating invaluable datasets crucial for advancing drug discovery and development efforts. In line with its commitment to advancing healthcare through innovation, Syndicate Bio will leverage NIMR’s infectious and non-infectious disease capabilities, which include state-of-the-art laboratories and patient clinics, both at NIMR’s premises and across their partner networks.

This collaboration marks a rarity in Africa, where a private and a government-run public institution collaborates intensely for drug discovery. NIMR, established by an Act of Parliament in 1977, has spearheaded many studies as well as secured different levels of local and international grants, firmly establishing itself as a bedrock of medical research in Nigeria. NIMR’s pivotal role extends to developing viable structures for disseminating research findings and providing an enabling environment for health research and training in cooperation with federal and state ministries, universities, as well as national and international partners, such as Syndicate Bio.

In a significant move that endorses ethical and national interest, NIMR will provide robust ethical oversight through its internal ethics body and the National Health Research Ethics Committee [NHREC] in managing the data and samples generated by the research projects.

Speaking on the collaboration, Dr Abasi Ene-Obong, Founder and CEO of Syndicate Bio, said, “After several months operating in stealth mode, today marks a pivotal moment for Syndicate Bio. Our signed MoU with the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research enables us to shift from stealth to actionable impact, empowering inclusive advancements in African genomics. This partnership not only validates Syndicate Bio’s strategy of forming ethical and transformative alliances but also lays the groundwork for a future where precision medicine is accessible to everyone, everywhere.”

Professor Babatunde Lawal Salako, Director General and CEO of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, added: “The NIMR’s partnership with the newly launched Syndicate Bio is a testament to what can be achieved when public research institutions and private innovation collaborate. NIMR hopes to bring its rich, robust experience in genomics and infrastructure to bear on the successful implementation of this much-needed collaborative effort. Together, we will harness the genetic diversity prevalent in Nigeria, and translate them into pioneering healthcare solutions tailored for both the local populace and the global community.”

Seeking to go beyond groundbreaking research, Syndicate Bio and NIMR are actively taking steps to bolster Africa’s scientific future. With this partnership, both organizations will launch targeted capacity-building initiatives focused on nurturing emerging scientists in Nigeria in order to equip them with advanced skills in genomics and molecular science. In doing so, the partnership is priming the next generation of scientists for success in a globally competitive field.

Dr Ene-Obong concludes, “Our strategic alliance with NIMR not only sets a new bar for public-private collaboration in drug discovery, it also serves as an urgent summons to invest in Nigeria’s next generation of scientists. Together with NIMR, we will establish a training program for young scientists in Nigeria, aimed at providing theoretical and practical knowledge of molecular biology, genetics and genomic techniques, thereby equipping them to drive Africa’s scientific narrative.”

October 18, 2023
NBCC, Edufirst NG Urge Stakeholders to Embrace Transformative Education

With technology rapidly evolving and the rising need to upscale educational models to effectively reawaken the long search for transformative education, built on the tripod of digitalization, education financing, and the future of work, the Learning, Education, and Training (LET) Group of the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) in Partnership with EduFirst.ng hosted the Fourth African EduTech Conference themed “Africa’s EduTech Model: Reshaping you for the Future” to advocate this concern.

Recounting the global impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the learning population, the President and Chairman of the Council, NBCC – Bisi Adeyemi, stated that “this unexpected global event caused a huge shift in the way Africans access learning tools as the majority of schools had to adapt to the learning-from-home education model, which makes the topic, Africa’s Edutech Model: Reshaping You For The Future, a timely discourse.”

She expressed her confidence that “this eminent assembly of subject matter experts will provide diverse and illuminating perspectives which would open our minds to the tremendous opportunities for growth and development in the education sector”

In her keynote address, Celine Lafoucriere, Chief, UNICEF Lagos Office, noted that “Education has faced significant difficulties around the world and even before COVID…” The future lies in educators’ professional growth and capacity-building efforts that promote in-person, online, and digital learning.

The Conference hosted panelists such as; Prof. Ismail Adedigba – Director, Research and Development, Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC; Dr. Femi Majekodunmi, Chairman, Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB); Oluwafemi Apena,
Country Director, UNICAF; Foluso Gbadamosi, Executive Director, Junior Achievement Nigeria; Mohammed Mahmoud, Technical Assistant to the Minister of Education, Fed. Min. of Education; Chizor Malize, MD/CEO, Financial Institutions Training Centre, FITC; Tim Akano, CEO, New Horizon; Julios Ilori, Founder and CEO, Learners Corner Education Hub; Adekanla Adegoke, Head, Oando Foundation; Isaac Olawole Joseph (Certified Microsoft Innovative Educator, University of Ibadan, Nigeria); Teju Abisoye, Executive Secretary, LSETF; Adewale Oyerinde, Director General, NECA; and Yetunde Abimbola Baderinwa – Lagos State Coordinator, NYSC.

The technical exhibition by students from Queens College and Kings College in Lagos, which showcased their creative technology advancements for the benefit of humanity and provided evidence of the numerous efforts made to reshape the future of Africa, was the conference’s notable highlight.

Seyi Adeyemi, Chairman, LET Group, NBCC, cited the numerous difficulties in catching up with industrialized nations in his introduction remarks. These difficulties are due, among other things, to the poorly managed education sector, social security problems, and cynical government policies.

The Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) endorsed the Conference, which was sponsored by UNICAF, Stanbic IBTC, YOMA, and Generation Unlimited (Gen U).

This is a step in the right direction toward closing the continent’s educational gap as well as the start of a more developed and capable industry that is well-suited to long-term goal achievement.

October 28, 2022
Fak’ugesi Exhibition Gallery honours digital artists from Africa and the diaspora!
Tshimologong Innovation Precinct and BetterShared will end the year on a high note with the launch of an all- new virtual 3D gallery space, which will run between 25 November 2021 and 04 January 2022. The Fakugesi exhibition space is an engaging platform for discovering and purchasing the very best contemporary art made by artists from Africa and the diaspora.

The Fak’ugesi digital festival 3D Gallery will profile work from 40 digital artists who will showcase in the virtual gallery space, with 8 works to be featured at the physical gallery at Tshimologong. Over the years Fak’ugesi Festival has displayed Innovative work from over 400 digital artists from various digital creative sectors and countries across the continent.

To celebrate 7 years of the Fakugesi Digital Innovation Festival, an Alumni Catalogue will be launched at the exhibition. The catalogue is a celebration of the immense talent of selected digital creatives who have made a significant contribution to the festival over the years.

“The gallery space is a virtual hall of 3D graphic glass-front shipping containers, each home to a curated exhibition packed with explosive, contemplative and experimental work across gaming, digital art, animation, and more. Everyone has put in a lot of work to ensure that the exhibition and the alumni catalogue provide a broad and beautiful view of the digital creative industries in Africa today, and one that we are proud to have helped build.” Says Fak’ugesi Festival Curator, dillion s. phiri.

The exhibition pays tribute to some of the most indispensable work digital artists across Africa have made by documenting innovations and culture on the continent. Outcomes of the Fak’ugesi Labs are also exhibited at the gallery, including an interactive animation created by a group of Johannesburg based creatives and led by Fak’ugesi, Arts Research Africa and City of Bogota artist in residence Crila Regina from Colombia, Bogota.

The public will get a chance to explore contemporary digital photography through the faith-focused work of South Africans Sanele and Puleng Mongane in the ‘No Boundaries’ exhibition. In addition to digital artworks developed based on data findings by selected artists who took part in the Digital SUPERPOWER! Lab. The Digital SUPERPOWER! Lab is an initiative that aims to empower women and the LGBTQIA+ community to make sense of gender safety issues in their environment.

There is captivating work done by animators digging into Africa’s folklore canon, with projects like Deidre Janties’ Stories In Die Wind and Formation Animation’s Azania Rises, both part of the Fak’ugesi Stories exhibition. Augmented Reality artists Xabiso Vili and Sonwabo Valishaya bring a thought provoking exhibition to the physical space, Re/Member your Descendants. The exhibition asks the question, if you were an ancestor, what would your descendants call upon you for?

BetterShared, Founder and CEO Swakara Atwell-Bennet says, “It’s been a great opportunity to work on Fak’ugesi Festival. It’s been our largest gallery build and we’ve also been able to really push the concept and create something quite different from what’s already out there in terms of virtual galleries.”

The physical gallery at Tshimologong will provide an opportunity for the media and general public to engage with some of the creatives.

For more information log onto: www.fakugesi.co.za

Virtual Gallery Exhibition duration:
- 25 November 2021 to 25 February 2022
November 22, 2021
9PSB, Flutterwave Partner to Boost Growth of Inclusive Financial Services in Nigeria

Nigeria’s very first payment service bank, 9PSB and Africa’s leading payments technology company, Flutterwave have entered into a partnership agreement that will help facilitate seamless financial services for Nigerians.

In a joint statement issued by both companies, the partnership seeks to create a seamless payment ecosystem by aggregating and simplifying transactions for banking agents, merchants, and consumers.

The partnership will also support the drive for economic growth through empowerment of the SME sector, entrepreneurs in FinTech and other industries, as well as contribute to the transformation of the informal sector to formal.

Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony, held at the 9PSB head office in Lagos, the Chief Executive Officer, 9PSB, Branka Mracajac remarked that the collaboration between 9PSB and Flutterwave represents an important milestone in making banking services accessible to all.

According to her, the partnership supports both companies’ commitment to expand accessibility and serve as last-mile delivery of solutions to the unbanked, under-banked and underserved. She said, “9PSB, being focused on the presence in unserved, rural, and remote areas, has a unique business model that provides Agent Banking as a Service to our partners to drive financial inclusion. Expanding on our promise to deliver relevant products, with this partnership, our existing agents, partners, and customers will have a single point of entry to enjoy various products and services provided by Flutterwave.”

With this partnership, Flutterwave and 9PSB are jointly launching a suite of products to enable other corporate entities, FinTech, technology and other industries to take advantage of the robust end-to-end system available for payments, collections, and transactions for both the banked and financially excluded Nigerians.

Commenting on the choice of 9PSB as its settlement bank, Founder and CEO, Flutterwave, Olugbenga Agboola noted that both companies share the same vision and are committed to one goal of powering seamless financial services. “At Flutterwave, we believe in an ecosystem of shared value that transforms and impacts society. We are showcasing the power of strategic partnership and cross-sectoral collaboration in advancing Nigeria’s financial ecosystem,” he said.

A paper published by the CBN—Financial Inclusion in Nigeria; Issues and Challenges, admits that there is global consensus on the importance of financial inclusion due to its key role of bringing integrity and stability into an economy’s financial system as well as its role in fighting poverty in a sustainable manner. The partnership between 9PSB and Flutterwave keys into various calls for interconnectivity and interoperability amongst stakeholders in the financial sector in accelerating the country’s financial inclusion drive to create prosperity and grow the economy.

September 23, 2021
Ezekwesili, David-West, Bakare, Adesakin Headline the Second Edition of Zimvest Economic Conversations

…to steer a discourse on gender investing gaps among women in Nigeria

In celebration of Women’s History Month, ZIMVEST (Zedcrest Investment Managers), a new-age digital wealth management firm, has rolled out plans to host a two-hour virtual event to steer economic conversations on the financial gaps that exist among young and middle-aged women in Nigeria and provide plausible strategies and ideas to addressing them.

The event which will be the second edition of Zimvest Economic Conversations series will take place on Tuesday, March 30th, 2021 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm via Zoom [https://bit.ly/3cXtDgS].

Speakers at the session, themed: ‘Filling the Blanks: Addressing gender investing gaps among women in Nigeria’ are Professor Olayinka David West, Senior Fellow and Academic Director, Lagos Business School (Pan Atlantic University); Adesola Adesakin, Founder and CEO, Smart Stewards; Mojisola Bakare, General Manager, Corporate and Investment Banking, Sterling Bank PLC; and Sandra Ezekwesili, On-Air Personality, 99.3 Nigeria Info FM.

Other sub-themes to be discussed are ‘Financial inclusion: why are women disadvantaged and how do we close the gaps?’ by Prof. David-West; ‘Bridging the investing gap among women – What should success look like for women, at various levels?’ by Bakare, General Manager, Corporate and Investment Banking, Sterling Bank and ‘Financial habits of highly successful women: How can women invest at different levels and stages’ by Adesakin, Founder and CEO, Smart Stewards.

According to Nwaka Uzum, Private Wealth Manager, Zedcrest Investment Managers, Zimvest is committed to educating and supporting its existing and potential investors by providing financial advisory as value-added service to them.

She stated that there is a chronic funding mismatch between impactful businesses (including small businesses owned and managed by women) looking for growth finance, and investors decrying the lack of bankable opportunities in frontier markets.

She added that the role of women in Nigeria’s socio-economic development cannot be overemphasized, hence women need to prioritize financial education and investing to salvage their financial future.

Promoting gender equality has been considered a great economic game-changer by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Women accounted for 36% of the 38.6% (38.6 million) financially excluded Nigerians according to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and EFInA 2020 report on women’s financial inclusion. It is believed that to tackle the financial inclusion gap in Nigeria, the challenge of gender inequality must be addressed.

The IMF’s latest economic review of Nigeria’s economy further supported that closing the gender gap would mean higher growth and productivity, and greater economic stability.

Zimvest, the Asset Management subsidiary of Zedcrest Group, plans to be at the centre of a continuing conversation series around Investment management and economic policy landscapes.

The event promises to be educative, informative, and enriching for intending participants. For more information, please visit Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Zimvest Economic Conversations Series – IWD edition. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.

March 22, 2021