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Coca-Cola Empowers 1,000 Magboro Women with Vocational Skills

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The women of the Magboro Makogi community will not be forgetting the month of August in a hurry. Through a Coca-Cola Foundation-sponsored program; Catalyst For Change, over 1,000 women were, over four weeks, trained on relevant skills with more than 200 empowered to start their own businesses.

It is not news that in Nigeria, there are twice as many women below the poverty line than men, and with the outbreak of COVID-19, it became even more pertinent to provide women with opportunities to become financially independent.

A Nigerian based NGO, Karis and Eleos Hand of Hope Foundation, recognised this gap and sought to fill it. The Foundationlauched a capacity building program tagged, “Catalyst for Change”, to help equip 5000 women with relevant vocational skills and business training across five locations in Lagos State. With funding from The Coca-Cola Foundation, the program has seen a total of 1,048 trained in relevant skills with over 200 of them receiving kits to kickstart their own businesses.

In addition to providing vocational skills training, the women of the Magboro Makogi community were also schooled on how to access grants and loans for their businesses by The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN).

Over the next few months, Catalyst for Change will visit the Sangotedo, Iwaya, Oworonshoki, and Ogijo communities to continue this good work. By the end of this community-wide outreach, the Foundation will have empowered 5,000 women with relevant skills while providing 1,000 of them with Start-up Kits to begin their own businesses.

Karis and Eleos Hand of Hope Foundation is a non-profit established in 2017, with a vision to empower women and girls across the rural demographic. The funding of the Catalyst for Change programme by The Coca-Cola Foundation will help Coca-Cola achieve its 5by20 initiative to empower 5 million women economically by the end of 2020.

The Coca-Cola Foundation has, since its inception in 1984, contributed more than $1 billion to help empower women, protect the environment, and enhance communities, socially and economically, around the world.

 


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Bank of Industry Pledges to Support SecureID Expansion to East Africa

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The Bank of Industry (BoI) has reiterated its commitment to supporting SecureID, Africa’s leading smart card manufacturing company as the firm expands operations to East Africa.

Olasupo Olusi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of BoI, made the pledge during a recent visit to SecureID’s state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in Lagos, Nigeria.

SecureID, headquartered in Nigeria serves clients across 21 African countries, providing innovative, high-quality and sustainable solutions for the financial, telecom and public sectors.

Since receiving its first financing facility from the Bank in 2010, SecureID has grown exponentially now exporting to 21 countries across Africa. The company is also eyeing opportunities beyond the continent aiming to solidify its position as a global player in the smart card industry.

Olusi commended SecureID’s achievements, describing the company as “a classic example of Nigeria’s entrepreneurship at its very best.”

He stated, “We are proud that BoI has supported SecureID since its inception. We will continue to support them because the trajectory of their progress is remarkable. This is one of those key success stories that truly exemplifies Nigeria’s potential.”

Adedotun Sulaiman, chairman, SecureID, expressed gratitude for BoI’s unwavering support which has been instrumental in the company’s growth. He highlighted SecureID’s ambitions to explore new markets, particularly in the public sector.

“The future is bright. There are many areas we have yet to conquer, especially in the public sector. We have the capacity to produce voter cards and international passports. The possibilities are immense,” Sulaiman said.

During the visit, Kofo Akinkugbe, SecureID’s Founder and GMD led the BoI team on a tour of the facility. She emphasized that BoI’s role in the company’s success extends beyond financial backing.

“I would call BoI a stakeholder—a stakeholder in the vision and dream we had from the beginning. BoI has not only provided financial support but has also ensured that we stay on the right path. As a technology-driven business, innovation is key and the Bank has been a fantastic strategic partner,” Akinkugbe noted.

Akinkugbe also emphasised that BoI’s gender-sensitive approach which has been particularly supportive of her leadership. “BoI’s development finance has been crucial in helping us expand. Their patient capital has allowed us to grow steadily and achieve significant milestones,” she added.

 


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Lagos Lawmakers Commend LIRS on Historic N1 Trillion Revenue Milestone

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Legislators in Lagos State have commended the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) for achieving an unprecedented milestone in revenue generation, surpassing ₦1 trillion.

This landmark accomplishment positions LIRS as the first sub-national revenue agency in Nigeria to attain such a feat, reflecting its professionalism, efficiency, and commitment to transparent tax administration.

Former Chairman of the House Committee on Economic Planning and Budgeting, Hon. Lukman Sa’ad Olumoh, alongside Hon. Femi Saheed, former Chairman of the House Committee on Finance, lauded LIRS and its Executive Chairman, Mr. Ayodele Subair, for their exemplary leadership and dedication to enhancing the state’s revenue performance.

In a recent interview, Hon. Lukman Sa’ad Olumoh described the achievement as a testament to the dedication and expertise of the LIRS team. He emphasized that Lagos State has set a benchmark in revenue collection, serving as a model for other states to emulate. Representing the Ajeromi-Ifelodun Constituency 01 in the Lagos State House of Assembly, he praised Mr. Subair for fostering a culture of efficiency and innovation within the agency, which has significantly contributed to its success.

Speaking during the 2024 budget signing ceremony, Hon. Lukman Sa’ad Olumoh conveyed to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu that Lagos State has reached an exceptional level in revenue generation.

He acknowledged LIRS’s historic achievement of surpassing the N1 trillion mark and expressed confidence in the agency’s ability to exceed future targets.

He further urged the state government to sustain its support for LIRS, emphasizing that continued improvements in revenue collection could reduce reliance on external borrowing.

“You cannot expect remarkable results without placing the right people in key positions. LIRS is managed by a team of highly skilled professionals. While it operates as a government agency, its structure and operations reflect global best practices.

“The agency has evolved into a world-class institution, moving from Good Shepherd’s House to the state-of-the-art Revenue House. A visit to its facilities will reveal an environment that fosters excellence.

“Under the leadership of Mr. Ayodele Subair, a visionary and dedicated professional, LIRS has achieved remarkable success. The agency’s work culture and improved operational environment have been instrumental in reaching this milestone,” Hon. Lukman Sa’ad Olumoh stated.

Looking ahead, Hon. Lukman Sa’ad Olumoh noted that based on LIRS’s consistent performance, the revenue target for 2025 has been set at N1.4 trillion.

He assured that as Lagos’s economy continues to expand and more employment opportunities are created, this growth in revenue collection would not impose additional burdens on residents but rather result from enhanced tax compliance and structured reforms.

“LIRS has demonstrated steady growth over the past five years. We have set a revenue target of N1.4 trillion for 2025, and I am confident that the agency can surpass this goal. Lagos State has the capacity to generate over N4 trillion in internal revenue without negatively impacting its residents,” he added.

He also highlighted the role of upcoming tax reforms at the federal level, noting that the Joint Tax Board (JTB) would ensure a well-structured tax administration system.

He reassured the public that no adverse fiscal policies would be introduced, emphasizing that the focus remains on improving compliance and fostering a positive tax culture.

In a formal congratulatory letter addressed to Mr. Subair, Hon. Femi Saheed, who represents Kosofe II Constituency, commended the LIRS team for their dedication, resilience, and strategic approach to revenue collection.

He reiterated the Lagos State House of Assembly’s commitment to providing the necessary legislative support to enable the agency to achieve even greater success.

“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to you and your forward-thinking management team for surpassing the N1 trillion revenue mark in 2024.

“My colleagues and I commend your resilience, transparency, and commitment to excellence. Your achievements bring immense pride to Lagos State, and I am confident that 2025 will be even more rewarding.

“As a key revenue agency, we remain dedicated to supporting your efforts in achieving greater milestones,” the letter stated.

With this historic achievement, LIRS continues to reinforce its position as a leader in revenue generation, setting new standards for tax administration in Nigeria.


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TD Africa Unveils Super App Version 2, Transforms Technology Access Across Africa

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Omowumi Oladele, Project Manager, TD Africa
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TD Africa, a leading technology distributor in Africa, has launched TD Super App Version 2, an upgraded, feature-rich platform designed to revolutionize technology procurement for individuals and businesses.

Omowumi Oladele, Project Manager, TD Africa

The enhanced App offers seamless access to a wide range of cutting-edge tech products at unbeatable prices, with faster delivery options to improve efficiency and convenience.

Available on both web and mobile, the revamped TD Super App boasts an intuitive, user-friendly interface, making it easier than ever for users to discover and purchase technology products.

This latest upgrade reaffirms TD Africa’s commitment to affordability, efficiency, and convenience, ensuring that businesses and individuals can access the tools they need to succeed.

With exclusive deals and discounts, registered users can enjoy significant savings on a vast selection of technology products, including computing devices, smartphones, consumer electronics, and power solutions. Optimized logistics and accelerated delivery times further enhance the shopping experience, ensuring that customers receive their technology essentials quickly and reliably.

“At TD Africa, we are dedicated to delivering value, efficiency, and cutting-edge technology solutions that drive business growth and streamline operations,” said Omowumi Oladele, Product Manager, TD Africa.

“The upgraded TD Super App Version 2 is designed to simplify procurement, enhance productivity, and maximize savings—empowering businesses and individuals across Africa.”

The App is now available for download on the App Store (iOS) and Google Play Store (Android). Users can also access the platform via web browsers at superapp.tdafrica.com


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