General News
Securex Develops Security Approaches -Tori

Tori Abiola, is the managing director, Montgomery West Africa. She joined Montgomery in 2012 and has over 16 years experience working in a variety of marketing, sales and management roles for organisations such as Euromoney Training, Terrapin, IQPC, WBR, First Conferences, Pfizer and the Institute of Chartered Accountants England and Wales. In August 2013 Forbes Africa listed Tori as one of 5 Women to know when doing business in West Africa.
Tori is a volunteer for Youth Technology Foundation, an NGO dedicated to bridging the digital divide for young people in developing countries and marginalised communities in developed countries.
In this interview with peter ugwu, she shared Montgomery’s vision to educate the government and the public in approaches to tackle security threats through Security Exhibition and conference (Securex).
Montgomery West Africa
Montgomery West Africa was registered in Nigeria in 2009, but is part of a 100 year old plus British Events company, which has operations globally, and runs the some of the world’s foremost exhibitions, expos, events in sectors such as Mining, Packaging, Printing, Oil & Gas, Hospitality, Food, Art, Building and Construction.
The company has been operating in Africa since 1968 and the South African operation is the leading organiser of events and exhibitions in South Africa, and is a regular award recipient as the Event Organiser of the year.
Montgomery is an independent exhibition and events company at the forefront of trade and consumer shows in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
We run over fifty events in over fifteen countries , and our events span the fields of art, photography and design, food, drink and hospitality, homes and building, technology, security, mining and industrial as well as automotive. These events cover both trade and consumer shows as well as specialist events.
Montgomery has its own specialist consultancy firm, 15 wholly owned and joint venture companies all over the world, and owns the largest exhibition venue in Africa.
We love special and innovative projects, and are always on the lookout to expand and forge new alliances and partnerships.Our shows are exciting and varied, and we pride ourselves on our integrity, our family heritage, our inventiveness, our global experience, and our ability to deliver market-leading results, every time.
Organization Of Securex
The need for a platform for all key players in Security to meet, network, learn and showcase the latest technology, training and development in this area.
So, Securex is the only show in the region that brings together the entire security supply chain by incorporating Cyber Security, Commercial & Homeland Security, Fire & Safety Security all under one roof.
Results/Significance
Securex has really helped to shape and define best practice in Security in the region – the event is one which key players in the Industry see as the main platform to engage with their customers once a year.
Securex West Africa 2014 provides a unique platform for all in the security supply chain to engage, educate and showcase the latest trends and solutions.
The shifting security landscape and newly emerging threats requires West African countries to formulate national security strategies and frameworks that share common approaches and address security concerns.
Packed to the brim with products, services, networking opportunities and educational content, it is such event that both the government and corporate organizations cannot afford to miss.
The 2013 show attracted over 1700 visitors from the government, trade and end-user market, all eager to seek innovative products and meet new suppliers.
Managing and Tackling Security
I think the key steps around tackling this issue is to look at education, training, advocacy and keeping the public, security professionals in public and private sector aware of the latest trends, technologies and advancements in security. Security is everybody’s concern.
However, in Securex we are looking at experts, critically, interrogating current security challenges and then designing appropriate national, sub-national and private sector responses to them; and, more particularly, in driving specialization across the broad spectrum of possible responses both human and technological.
Now, Nigeria as a leading African economy and there are key indicators to that. At the same time, security challenges cannot be eliminated totally.
If other advanced economies still face security challenges, what we need to do is to continue to educate our people on security tips.
Appeal of Securex
Securex primarily appeals to security experts, so our visitors are typically security professionals in Public and private sector organizations.
The trend in security breaches has become enormous in the industrial arena.
Therefore, the conference will appeal to group head of security in different organizations, group security directors, head of global security, principal security advisors, chief safety advisers, global security managers, global threat analysts, head of security in different organizations, crisis and security managers, director of energy security, among others.
Government Buy In
The Government has been very supportive of Securex and we have always had representation from the key security agencies in Nigeria in endorsing, attending and supporting the event.
The time we are in now demands that all hands must be on deck to tackle issues concerning insecurity.
During the event, we shall be looking at terrorism: how do we develop security systems that are proactive and creative in combating security breaches; mobilizing national power to secure a new national security paradigm and introducing the use of surveillance cameras in public and government offices to tackle threats.
We cannot be talking about national security without surveillance development through integrated security collaboration.
It is high time our people get informed that fighting insecurity is everybody’s concern.
We may have all the gadgets, but how about the nooks and crannies yet to be covered with surveillance equipment? We need to collaborate.
The beauty of this conference is that we are looking at security from the wholistic point of view. For instance, border, port and airport security are paramount, especially in the contemporary society where theaters cross borders to perpetuate one crime or the other.
Issues on Cyber Threats
Obviously, you cannot discuss security matters today without looking at the computers, mobile and the internet.
To this end, Engineer Lanre Ajayi, president, Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) will present a paper on cyber security skill improvement and information security investment.
Under that area, he will be address challenges presented with modern technology introduction into African market and developing sustainable innovative techniques and skills for advancement and resilience.
Additionally, he will dwell on critical infrastructure adoption and overcoming the lack of clear communication technology and future developments of information system security standards.
And we shall be looking at telecommunication operators’ services and what security initiatives they have to protect the subscribers and their own end of the network.
The essence is to identify the best approaches to enhance consumers’ trust, even in the world of mobile devices.
General News
Appeal Court Nullifies Registration of ‘KPMG Professional Services’

The court of appeal in Lagos has asked the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to revoke the certificate of registration of “KPMG Professional Services”.
In a unanimous decision delivered on Thursday, the appellant court granted the reliefs sought by KPMG Nigeria against CAC and KPMG Professional Services.
The judgment was read by Abdullahi Mahmud Bayero, the judge.
The two other judges are Abimbola Obaseki-Adejumo and A.M. Talba.
In 2002, KPMG Professional Services was registered as a company with CAC despite the existence of KPMG Nigeria, comprising its audit, tax, and consulting arms.
The KPMG Nigeria has long been registered in Nigeria before 2002.
KPMG Audit was registered in 1969, KPMG Tax Consultants in 1990, and KPMG Consulting in 1969.
Displeased with the registration of KPMG Professional Services, KPMG Nigeria approached the federal high court.
The consulting firm had argued that the name “KPMG Professional Services” was deceptively similar to its long-established identity.
In 2005, the lower court dismissed KPMG Nigeria’s case, citing an alleged merger between KPMG Nigeria and Akintola Williams Deloitte as reason the company could no longer assert rights to the name.
The lower upheld the second respondent’s (KPMG Professional Services) counterclaim and ordered that KPMG Nigeria’s name be struck off the CAC register.
The lower court had premised its decision on newspaper articles stating that KPMG Nigeria reportedly merged with Akintola Williams Deloitte.
Delivering the judgment, Bayero ruled that the lower court erred by relying on newspaper articles to ascertain that KPMG Nigeria allegedly merged with another company.
The judge said the documents showing the alleged merger were not presented before the lower court, and the form of the alleged merger could not have been known.
“In any event, the only branch of KPMG, if any, that entered into a merger with Akintola Williams as stated in the newspaper articles 18, is KPMG Audit,” the judge ruled.
“The other spheres were totally unaffected. It would therefore be wrong to state that the merger (which has not been shown to this Court) of KPMG Audit with Akintola Williams means all the other areas of business, including KPMG Consulting and KPMG Tax Consultants, also ceased to exist.
“Even if the Appellants (KPMG Nigeria) had ceased to do business as the Court seemed to have held, the 2nd Respondents (KPMG Professional Services) should not have been carrying on business until the Appellant’s certificate of registration is withdrawn or set aside.
“They cannot use the name until the Appellant’s certification of registration is withdrawn or set aside. They cannot use the name until the name is removed from the 1st Respondent’s (CAC) Register of Names.
“The 1st Respondents can only assign the name to the 2nd Respondents after first taking it away from the Appellants.”
The court ruled that CAC erred by registering KPMG Professional Services despite the existence of a business name, which is already registered.
The judge reversed the earlier ruling of the lower court and reaffirmed the primacy of statutory protection for existing business names under Nigerian corporate law.
General News
Air Peace Launches Abuja–London Heathrow, Gatwick flights October 26

Air Peace has announced the launch of direct flights from Abuja to London Heathrow and Gatwick airports, with operations scheduled to begin on October 26, 2025.
The airline said in a statement on Sunday that round-trip fares for the Abuja–London service will start from N1m, making it the first Nigerian carrier to offer direct connections from the capital to both of London’s major international airports. This was contained in a press release issued on Sunday by the airline’s spokesperson, Efe Osifo-Whiskey.
“Direct international flight services from Abuja to both London Heathrow and London Gatwick Airports, effective October 26, 2025.
“Air Peace becomes the first Nigerian carrier to offer direct services from Abuja to both of London’s major international airports, further solidifying its role as a leader in regional and intercontinental aviation.
“Travellers originating from any of Air Peace’s domestic destinations across Nigeria can now book through fares via Abuja to either Heathrow or Gatwick using a single ticket, eliminating the need for multiple bookings or baggage re-checks,” the statement read.
Similarly, the new route opens convenient access for inbound passengers from the UK to cities across Nigeria.
“Travellers from London can access multiple destinations across Nigeria using a single Air Peace ticket through Abuja every morning. These destinations are Lagos, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Benin, Warri, Owerri, Kano, Yola, Gombe and Asaba, for now. Other destinations will be added later,” Osifo-Whiskey stated.
Air Peace is also offering what it describes as unprecedented value in pricing and service.
Osifo-Whiskey said, “It provides a distinct competitive advantage, enabling passengers to travel between Nigeria and the United Kingdom with greater ease, efficiency, and value, due to the possibility of choosing multiple cities entry and exit points.
“Has the cheapest fares ever, starting from only 1 Million Naira round trip. Huge baggage allowance.”
The Abuja–London launch comes months after the airline began Lagos–London Heathrow flights, which started earlier in 2024.
General News
Prateek Suri CEO Maser Meets Zambia’s Education Minister to Propel Student Housing and Education Projects

Prateek Suri, CEO of MASER and recognized as the richest Indian entrepreneur in Africa, was welcomed this week by Zambia’s Education Minister, Hon. Douglas Munsaka Syakalima, for a high-level meeting in Lusaka that focused on student housing and broader education infrastructure initiatives.
The meeting, held at the Ministry of Education’s offices, opened with warm greetings and a presentation by Mr Suri detailing Maser’s plans to support Zambia’s rapidly scaling education sector. Suri, who led Maser to become Africa’s seventh unicorn, emphasized the company’s commitment to infrastructure that benefits students, educators, and communities across the continent.
Minister Syakalima underscored the urgency of addressing Zambia’s student accommodation gap, citing the country’s expanding net enrollment and the need for safe, affordable housing for tertiary students. Under his leadership, the Government has embarked on a bold infrastructure agenda: over 82 secondary schools already completed, 46 set to be finished in 2025, and 120 new institutions under construction, alongside 169 ECE hubs and 145 satellite centers to reach underserved areas.
During the meeting, Suri shared Maser’s vision for modern student housing built through public–private partnership models. He outlined a multi‑phase plan utilizing sustainable building design, digital infrastructure, and vocational training facilities integrated into these campuses. “Zambia’s youth deserve world-class learning environments,” Suri remarked. “Maser is prepared to leverage its experience to co-create impactful educational infrastructure.”
Minister Syakalima responded positively, stating, “We welcome the opportunity to collaborate with Maser. The CEO’s entrepreneurial success and the company’s commitment to Africa’s education development are exactly the kind of partnership we need to scale our infrastructure goals.”
Beyond housing, the dialogue extended to opportunities in blended learning, vocational skills, rural outreach, and digital inclusion. With Zambia implementing its forward‑looking 2023 Education Curriculum this year—including early childhood, primary, and Form 1 levels—the minister highlighted the need for supporting infrastructure at all levels to enable effective rollout.
Under Minister Syakalima’s tenure, the education sector has seen notable progress: 4,200 new teachers hired recently, bringing the total teacher workforce to over 40,000 in three years; strengthened focus on foundational learning via teacher training programmes like the “Catch Up Programme”; and ambitious expansion of school infrastructure across Zambia’s provinces.
Maser, co‑founded by Prateek Suri, transformed from an African startup in consumer electeonics and large infrastructure projects into a multi‑sector unicorn operating in real estate, renewable energy, mining and education technology. Its rapid rise and African focus have made Suri a leading figure in bolstering India–Africa economic relations.
As the richest Indian in Africa, Prateek Suri’s influence spans beyond business success—it represents growing bilateral investment aimed at credible, sustainable societal impact. His partnership with Zambia’s Ministry of Education signals a new era of cross-border collaboration in education infrastructure.
With both parties committing to inclusive planning and scalable implementation, the Maser‑Zambia dialogue could mark the beginning of transformative initiatives: from affordable student housing to cutting‑edge learning facilities, vocational training hubs, and digital classrooms.
In closing remarks on the significance of this dialogue, Suri stated, “Education infrastructure is the foundation for future growth. Our partnership with Minister Syakalima and the Government of Zambia is a testament to collective investment in youth, equity, and sustainable development.” Minister Syakalima echoed this optimism, saying that with strategic public–private investment, Zambia’s education sector is poised for a significant elevation.
This meeting lays the groundwork for collaboration that bridges government strategy and corporate innovation—ultimately aiming to empower Zambia’s students and accelerate national development.
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