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Ekeh, Zinox Boss Inspires Youth @ Harvesters Entrepreneurship Forum

Leo Stan Ekeh, serial digital entrepreneur and chairman of Zinox Group, has disclosed that a multitude of opportunities exist for the current generation to create and sustain new wealth in the 21st Century, noting that one’s family background or circumstances no longer represent obstacles to achieving success.
He made this call on Saturday February 18th while featuring as the keynote speaker at The Harvesters Entrepreneurs Forum – a monthly event organized by Harvesters International Christian Centre (HICC) to reach and equip entrepreneurs and people of similar inclinations with the theoretical and practical business knowledge to help them achieve and sustain economic success.
Ekeh, who drew a series of resounding ovation for his incisive deliveries and copious references drawn from his experiences in business, emphatically expressed his belief in the innate abilities of the youthful generation to turn around Nigeria’s fortunes for the better.
Speaking on the topic – You, New Wealth and God in the 21st Century – Ekeh disclosed that today’s entrepreneurs have no reason to fail in business.
In his opinion, considering the atmosphere of knowledge democracy and advancements in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) which has put access to information and intelligence at the disposal of everyone, Ekeh is optimistic that the youth are more strategically positioned to out-strip the achievements of the older generation by creating new wealth.
“There are many opportunities for many of you in this generation to create new wealth. Even if you were born into a poor family, you have enough resources available today to change your story and alter your destiny and that of your family. You are smarter, you have the knowledge, the exposure and better infrastructure than the older generations but what you need is up your energy level to deliver your passion. So, what excuse do you have not to make it in life?,” he queried.
“Today, you are seeing a polished Leo Stan but can you imagine Nigeria 29 years ago? No electricity, no telephone, the roads were bad. People didn’t even know they needed light yet some people think the past was better. You should be positive. The first quality in life is to be positive. If you are negative, you failed before you started. Only positive minds achieve success.
“Some of the rich people you look up to today are not as exposed as you are. Many of them acquired wealth through funny means and as such, they cannot sustain or defend it. So you must not feel intimidated. You can start small and scale up gradually. But you must discover your passion in life and follow it.”
Taking a trip down memory lane, Ekeh recounted some of the cultural, infrastructural and ethical challenges he faced as a young man struggling to make it in business after discovering a passion for ICT – a profession declared too futuristic for him to pursue an interest in by his lecturers at his post-graduate school.
“After four months at post-graduate level studying Computer Science at Cork City University, Ireland, I was counselled to change course as they innocently did not see a future for this in Africa in the short term based on my insistence to return to Africa after my studies. This was a reflection of the mindset and state of affairs on the continent towards ICT at the time. But even after completing a degree in Risk Management, I did not abandon my passion. Today, I have successfully built possibly the biggest 360-degree ICT Group in Africa.”
According to him, many young entrepreneurs struggle today as some of them put pleasure ahead of business, thereby making it difficult for them to make a head way in life.
“You must learn to start small and be ready to take pains before pleasure. Sometimes, I see young men – the first business they hit, they go and buy an expensive car. The world recognizes you as a success but you are empty. I see young men who are just starting a company printing the most expensive business cards – gold cards. They give me their card and I look at the guy and take a decision that this chap is fly-by-night entrepreneur. You must go through a structured incubation period and be morally and financially sound to survive in a highly competitive knowledge-driven economy. Are you humble? Humility is the biggest asset anyone who wants to succeed must have. You must have this asset in you to earn God’s favours.”
According to Ekeh, success in business requires a number of qualities including brain power and ability to constantly innovate, hunger to succeed, humility, a positive mindset and of course, a firm belief in God.
“When I started out in business, I took a personal decision for all of my companies to pay corporate tithe. This is usually paid even before salaries. I told my staff I am the last person to engage in retrenchment in spite of the depression. I can only sack a staff if he commits a crime or is a non-performer. I am going through the biggest pains in my life history because things are not adding up anymore due to the recession but I put absolute trust in God and have increased my hunger to survive by over 15% which I consider dangerous to my health but it looks like I have no option. I have my commitment with God and I know he will not push me to that point of major retrenchment.”
While fielding a series of questions during the panel discussion, Ekeh also offered useful insights into areas of potential collaboration between the Lagos State Ministry of Wealth Creation/Employment and youth-focused and empowerment-oriented churches such as HICC to reduce the burden of unemployment on the youth.
The well-attended event, with the theme – Crafting A Winning Business Strategy – was streamed live to HICC’s Lekki branch and had in attendance other notable speakers including the Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Lagos State, Babatunde Durosinmi-Etti; Faculty Member, Lagos Business School, Dr. Anderson Uvie-Emegbo as well as Senior Pastor, HICC and Convener of the event, Pastor Bolaji Idowu, among others.
News
Guinness Rolls Out Nationwide Consumer Rewards Promotion

Guinness Nigeria has launched a nationwide National Consumer Promotion (NCP) tagged ‘Open For More’. This is a consumer rewards initiative that will see more than ₦400 million in cash and prizes won by consumers across the country.

The promotion, which runs nationwide, offers consumers the opportunity to win ₦1 million every day, ₦100,000 cash rewards for 1,000 winners, and a brand-new Toyota Land Cruiser Prado as the grand prize. The campaign is designed to reward loyal consumers while creating more opportunities for everyday Nigerians to celebrate life’s meaningful moments.
To participate, consumers are required to purchase specially marked bottles of Guinness Foreign Extra Stout or Guinness Smooth, check for the unique code beneath the crown cork, and enter the code at www.guinnessng.com/1759 for a chance to win.
Speaking on the launch, Ramanathan Solayappan, Marketing and Innovations Director, Guinness Nigeria, said the promotion reflects the brand’s longstanding relationship with consumers and its commitment to creating memorable experiences beyond the product itself.
“Nigerians have made Guinness part of their celebrations, milestones, and everyday moments for over seven decades. The ‘Open For More’ promotion is our way of rewarding that loyalty by giving consumers genuine opportunities to win prizes that can make a meaningful difference in their lives.”
Solayappan added that the promotion was deliberately designed to make participation simple and accessible to consumers across the country.
“We believe, at Guinness, that there is always room for more possibilities, more progress, and more reasons to celebrate. Through this campaign, we are inviting consumers and beloved Nigerians over the age of 18 years to take part in an experience that goes beyond enjoying a Guinness. Every eligible purchase could open the door to something more.”
Beyond rewarding consumers, the promotion comes at a time when many Nigerians are placing greater value on opportunities that offer tangible returns. By putting more than ₦400 million in cash and prizes directly into the hands of consumers, Guinness Nigeria is creating a campaign that celebrates loyalty and delivers meaningful rewards that can support personal aspirations, family needs, and everyday goals.
As part of the campaign, winners will emerge weekly throughout the promotion period, with regular winner announcements and prize presentations aimed at ensuring transparency and public confidence in the process.
The Open For More National Consumer Promotion strengthens Guinness Nigeria’s commitment to rewarding consumers while creating excitement around the brand through meaningful and impactful experiences. Consumers are encouraged to look out for specially marked promotional packs and follow Guinness Nigeria’s official communication channels for updates, winner announcements, and further information on participation mechanics.
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Nigeria Lost N34 Trillion to Import Waivers in 2025, Customs Tells Senate

Bashir Adeniyi, Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has disclosed that the value of Import Duty Exemption Certificate (IDEC) approvals granted by the Federal Government rose to about N34 trillion in 2025.

Adeniyi made the disclosure on Monday during an investigative hearing of the Senate Committee on Finance in Abuja.
He said the import duty exemptions had significantly affected the service’s revenue generation, although many of the waivers were introduced to support critical national priorities.
According to him, about 60 per cent of the approved waivers were granted for the importation of military hardware in response to the country’s security challenges.
He said other beneficiaries included importers of compressed natural gas (CNG), electric and hybrid vehicles, healthcare equipment and medical supplies, industrial machinery, manufacturing inputs and food intervention programmes.
“IDEC approvals reached about N34 trillion in 2025, about 60 per cent of which was rightly granted for military hardware procurements due to Nigeria’s prevailing security challenges,” Adeniyi said.
The Comptroller-General noted that the introduction of the IDEC scheme in March 2020 had remained one of the major fiscal policies affecting Customs revenue.
He said the service would have generated significantly higher revenue over the years if not for government fiscal measures and other external factors that reduced its revenue base.
Adeniyi, however, maintained that fiscal policy should not be evaluated solely on the basis of revenue generation.
He said government interventions through duty waivers were intended to stimulate economic growth, improve healthcare delivery, encourage industrial production and address national security concerns.
He urged the Federal Government to strengthen monitoring mechanisms to ensure that beneficiaries of import duty waivers achieved the intended objectives, including reducing prices, increasing production and improving access to essential goods and services.
The Customs boss also disclosed that the service generated N7.28 trillion in revenue in 2025.
He added that out of the N11.04 trillion revenue target for 2026, the service had realised N4.5 trillion as of June 30.
Adeniyi expressed optimism that the service would continue implementing measures aimed at improving revenue collection while supporting government fiscal policies.
News
DataPro Upgrades Dangote Cement’s Credit Rating to AA+

DataPro Rating Agency has upgraded the long-term credit rating of Dangote Cement Plc to AA+ from AA, citing the company’s strong financial performance, market leadership and ability to meet its financial obligations despite Nigeria’s challenging economic environment.

In its latest rating report, the technology-driven credit rating agency also affirmed Dangote Cement’s short-term rating at A1, with a Stable Outlook. The ratings are valid until June 16, 2027.
DataPro said the upgrade reflects the cement maker’s sustained financial strength, resilient operating performance and dominant position in Nigeria and across Africa.
According to the agency, the assessment followed a comprehensive review of the company’s capital base, earnings, liquidity, corporate governance, regulatory compliance and the sustainability of its financial performance over the medium to long term.
It noted that Dangote Cement’s strong brand, leading market share, solid earnings, robust asset base and experienced management continue to strengthen its ability to meet financial commitments on time.
The agency also highlighted the company’s outstanding financial performance in 2025.
According to the report, Dangote Cement posted N4.31 trillion in revenue during the year, representing a 20 per cent increase from the previous year. Profit before tax more than doubled, rising 109 per cent to N1.53 trillion, driven by higher sales, improved operating efficiency, lower finance costs and a stronger capital structure.
DataPro said the AA+ long-term rating indicates low credit risk and reflects excellent financial strength, business profile and operating performance relative to its rating benchmarks.
It added that the A1 short-term rating signifies good credit quality and shows that the company has a strong capacity to meet its short-term financial obligations as they fall due.
The rating agency, however, noted that the credit rating has a maximum shelf life of 12 calendar months in line with international best practice and should be used only as a reference, not as an offer to trade in securities or as a substitute for investors’ independent judgement.
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