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Ekeh, Nigerian Tech Visionary Donates Modern Tech Centres  to IMSU, St. Augustine University

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Leo Stan Ekeh, who is on Forbes Best of Africa leading Tech Icon and chairman of Zinox Group, Africa’s largest ICT conglomerate, has donated a state-of-the-art training centre to Imo State University (IMSU), Owerri and St. Augustine University Epe, lagos state.

Ekeh, Nigerian Tech Visionary Donates Modern Tech Centres  to IMSU, St. Augustine University

The philanthropist has been on a mission to empower future generations.

Both centres named the Leo Stan Ekeh Foundation (LSEF) Centre, was unveiled on Thursday, April 4, at a grand ceremony held at the respective institutions.

The two events were graced by their respective Vice Chancellors, DVCs, Senate and Council Members and very esteemed academics of the respective institutions.

The LSEF Centre at Imo State University is poised to offer a range of training programs tailored to meet the evolving needs of today’s workforce.

These programs include the Finishing School, Entrepreneurship Boost Training, and specialized courses in Technology and Artificial Intelligence viability.

By equipping students with these essential skills, the centre aims to prepare them for success in their chosen fields and foster a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship.

The LSEF Centre, IMSU shall connect with achieved private sectors leaders across the world who shall with the power of technology deployed at  the  centre inspire and instigate success revolution in Imo state.

Select students shall have the opportunity to develop well-rounded skillsets that will propel them towards success in their chosen career paths.

Prof. U. U. Chukwumaeze (SAN), Vice Chancellor of IMSU who was full of praises for Dr. Leo Stan Ekeh for executing futuristic knowledge centre.

He also informed the full house how  Dr. Ekeh intervenes every time they needed help and even recently, he intervened with large number of computers for the institution to scale Accreditation

Also, Prof. Gloria Ernest Samuel, director of the LSEF Centre, said  that Dr. Ekeh paid attention to details in setting up the centre including chatting with her on Saturdays and Sundays.

It was a privilege to experience this tech Entrepreneur.

He adds style to details, and this is why the feel of the centre is right. He will always stress that he was interested in content and not brick and mortar

The St. Augustine University centre, Epe in Lagos is a great display of the power of technology equipped with top of the range of All-in-One Zinox computers, tablets, smart boards etc.

In his vote of thanks at the launch of the centre, Prof Christopher Odetunde, Vice- Chancellor, talked about spirituality of commitment from Dr. Leo Stan Ekeh to lift the younger ones. This was a recent promise kept beyond our expectation and prayed that the country should be filled with persons like Dr. Ekeh.

Dr. Steve Omojiafor, chairman of Board of Trusties of the institution, who recounted Dr. Ekeh quiet style of interventions said he was sure Dr. Ekeh shall remember the institutions one day in his philanthropic ventures and I am very happy he has and prayed God to continue to bless him more.

The most interesting part of commissioning  the two centres sameday, within same time was the use of quality Artificial Intelligence deployed at these centres and remotely powered from Zinox Group Head quarters(Yudala Heights) on Idowu Martins street, Victoria Island where Dr. Ekeh was sitting and monitoring happenings at the two campuses and delivered his short speeches.

He was consistent with his statement -that he was determined to build a new generation of Nigerians who shall have the capacity to alter their destinies and defend their wealth.

He also assured both institutions management that he shall turn the centres in two years as completed AI powered centres so that every student before matriculate must spend eights hours at these centres.

Leo Stan Ekeh’s philanthropic gesture underscores his unwavering commitment to advancing education and empowering the youth.

Through the LSEF Centre, he seeks to provide students with access to high-quality training and mentorship, thereby enabling them to unleash their full potential and contribute meaningfully to society.

Leo Stan Ekeh is a true pioneer in the Nigerian and African technology space. He has earned an indelible reputation for his visionary leadership and dedication to advancing the continent’s digital infrastructure. His accomplishments extend far beyond the LSEF centre donation.

Notably, Mr. Ekeh spearheaded the team that delivered the largest single ICT project in Africa, a testament to his unwavering commitment to technological advancement.

As the chairman of Zinox Group, Africa’s largest ICT conglomerate, he has spearheaded numerous groundbreaking initiatives which have revolutionized the continent’s technological landscape.

Mr. Ekeh is a renowned philanthropist and a strong advocate for youth empowerment.

Through the Leo Stan Ekeh Foundation, he actively supports initiatives that bridge the digital divide and equip young people with the skills they need to thrive in the 21st century.

Speaking about the initiative, Leo Stan Ekeh expressed his profound belief in the power of education to transform lives and drive socio-economic development.

He emphasized the importance of equipping students with relevant skills and competencies to thrive in today’s fast-paced world.

“This centre embodies my deep commitment to nurturing the talents of our young people. By equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge, we can empower them to become the architects of a brighter future for Nigeria and Africa,” he said.

Through this philanthropic initiative, Mr. Ekeh hopes to inspire a new generation of innovators and entrepreneurs.

The LSEF Centre serves as a beacon of opportunity, empowering students at Imo State University to unlock their full potential and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s future.

The establishment of the LSEF Centre marks a significant milestone in Imo State University’s journey towards academic excellence and innovation.

As the university continues to strive for excellence, the LSEF Centre will serve as a beacon of hope and opportunity for generations of students to come.

 


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PalmPay, Jumia Reward Users in Festive Campaign

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This holiday season just got a whole lot more exciting! PalmPay, one of Africa’s leading fintech platforms, operates Nigeria’s most used mobile wallet and has teamed up with Jumia, the continent’s e-commerce giant, to launch a festive campaign that’s all about convenience, rewards, and enhancing your shopping experience.

Running from December 11th to 28th, 2024, this holiday campaign is set to reward shoppers who use the new “Pay with PalmPay” feature on Jumia with cash prizes. Every purchase made using the direct payment method automatically enters participants into a draw, giving them a chance to win exciting cash rewards while enjoying the seamless shopping and payment process.

A Strategic Partnership To Enhance Digital Payments

The integration of the “Pay with PalmPay Wallet” feature on Jumia marks a major milestone in the partnership between the two industry leaders.

Speaking at the media announcement, Mr. Chika Nwosu, Managing Director of PalmPay, highlighted the broader mission driving this collaboration: “We are thrilled to join forces with Jumia to redefine convenience for shoppers. At PalmPay, our mission has always been to drive economic empowerment through accessible and user-friendly financial services. This partnership is a natural step forward in achieving that goal.”

Beyond the holidays, this partnership with Jumia m,k is a signal of bigger things to come. Mr. Chika added: “This is more than just about payments—it’s about creating value for our customers. We are excited about the opportunities this partnership will unlock in 2025, including campaigns and innovative initiatives that will further transform the online shopping landscape.”

Sunil Natraj, CEO of Jumia Nigeria, highlighted the shared vision between both companies, stating: “At Jumia, we are dedicated to creating value for our customers by ensuring a convenient, reliable, and secure shopping experience. This partnership with PalmPay strengthens our commitment to enhancing the digital payments within our platform. By integrating PalmPay, we are providing more options for customers to access affordable and quality goods with the convenience of cashless transactions.”

How to Join the Holiday Fun

Participating in the campaign is simple. When shopping on Jumia, select the “Pay with PalmPay” option at checkout, and your entry into the draw is automatic. It’s that easy!

Bonus Entry: Share a screenshot of your purchase on X (formerly Twitter) using the hashtag #PalmPayXJumia to increase your chances of winning. Additional winners will be selected from participants engaging with the campaign on Twitter.

Whether you are shopping for gifts, or gadgets this festive season, PalmPay and Jumia are making sure your experience is not only seamless but also rewarding.

To learn more about the campaign, stay tuned to the official  X accounts (formerly Twitter) of @palmpay_ng and @JumiaNigeria. for updates, announcements, and more chances to win.


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Corruption: ICPC Threatens Sanctions as 330 MDAs Fail Financial, Governance Tests

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Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC), has revealed that none of the Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), in the country complied fully with ethical standards, policies, and anti-corruption measures in the passing year.

Corruption: ICPC Threatens Sanctions as 330 MDAs Fail Financial, Governance Tests

This was following the findings from the Commission’s Ethics and Integrity Compliance Scorecard (EICS) for the MDAs.

The Commission warned that henceforth, non-compliant MDAs will face necessary actions, including enforcement, to ensure adherence to government directives.

According to the EICS scorecard released on Thursday in Abuja by Demola Bakare, ICPC spokesperson, no MDA out of 330 MDAs that were assessed through physical deployment by ICPC teams achieved full compliance.

The EICS serves as a preventive tool used to assess and enhance the compliance of MDAs with ethical standards, policies, and anti-corruption measures.

Findings from the report indicated that no MDA achieved full compliance, while 29.55 per cent of MDAs captured attained substantial compliance, and 51.62 per cent had partial compliance.

The report also observed that 15.91 per cent showed poor compliance, while 292 per cent were non-compliant.

According to the report, common gaps included a lack of whistle-blower policies, strategic plans, and effective stock verification units, adding that many MDAs failed to conduct any forms of system studies or render financial and audit reports.

Commenting on the report, Bakare noted: “This year, 2024, the tool covered 323 responsive MDAs, with 15 MDAs non-responsive and categorised as high corruption risk.

“It is imperative to inform you that this initiative has yielded some positive and value-driven impacts, and these are, but not limited to, increased awareness and compliance with anti-corruption measures, enhanced competition among MDAs to meet criteria, and improved procurement processes and data reliability.

“The Commission recognises the MDAs with substantial compliance and will continue deploying these tools to promote integrity and accountability.

“Non-compliant MDAs will face necessary actions, including enforcement, to ensure adherence to government directives. We are certain that these efforts will continue to underline ICPC’s dedication to enhancing good governance and preventing corruption.”


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Dangote Refinery Denies Liquidity Challenges, Dismisses NNPCL’s $1Bn Loan Claim

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Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals (DPRP) has dismissed claims that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) used a $1 billion loan secured through a crude forward sale agreement to support the refinery during a liquidity crisis.

Dangote Refinery Denies Liquidity Challenges, Dismisses NNPCL’s $1Bn Loan Claim

In a statement on Wednesday, Anthony Chiejina, company’s chief branding and communications officer, said the NNPCL’s stance was a distortion of the facts.

“We would like to clarify that this is a misrepresentation of the situation as $1bn is just about 5% of the investment that went into building the Dangote Refinery,” Chiejina said.

Chiejina stated that the refinery’s decision to enter into a partnership with the NNPCL was based on the recognition of “their strategic position in the industry as the largest offtaker of Nigerian crude” and at the time, the sole supplier of petrol into Nigeria.

“We agreed on the sale of a 20% stake at a value of $2.76 billion. Of this, we agreed that they will only pay $1 billion while the balance will be recovered over a period of 5 years through deductions on crude oil that they supply to us and from dividends due to them,” Chiejina said.

“If we were struggling with liquidity challenges we wouldn’t have given them such generous payment terms. As at 2021 when the agreement was signed, the refinery was at the pre-commission stage.”

According to the statement, the agreement would have been cash-based rather than credit-driven if the refinery struggled with liquidity issues.

The refinery’s spokesman said the NNPCL was subsequently unable to supply the agreed 300,000 barrels a day of crude (bpd).

He stated that the shortfall was because the NNPPC “had committed a greater part of their crude cargoes to financiers with the expectation of higher production which they were unable to achieve”.

“We subsequently gave them a 12-month period for them to pay cash for the balance of their equity given their inability to supply the agreed crude oil volume,” he said.

“NNPCL failed to meet this deadline which expired on June 30th 2024. As a result, their equity share was revised down to 7.24%. These events have been widely reported by both parties,” he said.


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