News
SID Goes Global, Inducted into IASP at 41st World Conference in Kenya
Solution Innovation District (SID) has been officially inducted as a full member into the prestigious International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation (IASP) at the 41st World Conference held recently in Nairobi, Kenya.
The conference, themed “Demographics, Entrepreneurship, and Technology: Defining the Frontiers of Future Economies,” brought together a diverse global audience of innovation enablers, thought leaders, science experts, and policy makers from across the globe.
This significant achievement positions SID as a key player in the global innovation landscape, aligning perfectly with the vision of Mr. Governor, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, to transform Anambra into a digital hub, popularly referred to as “Africa’s Silicon Valley.” By becoming part of the IASP – a globally recognized network of science parks and innovation areas, SID gains access to a vast community of over 400 member organizations from more than 76 countries, representing millions of innovators, scientists, entrepreneurs and ecosystem builders.
Governor Soludo’s agenda to build a Silicon Valley in Anambra takes a monumental leap forward with SID’s inclusion in IASP. This membership is a vital milestone in his efforts to establish Anambra as a center for innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship. With access to IASP’s resources, networks, and expertise, SID is now better positioned to attract global investors, create strategic partnerships, and foster an environment where cutting-edge technology and ideas thrive.
The international audience of about 1,000 participants at the 41st IASP World Conference comprised eggheads in innovation and technology ecosystem from North and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, bringing a wealth of cultural diversity and technological expertise to the discussions.
This diverse representation highlights the global nature of the innovation movement and emphasizes the unique potential for regions and states like Anambra to contribute to and benefit from the international tech ecosystem.
SID’s induction into IASP will provide Anambra’s youth, entrepreneurs, and tech enthusiasts with unparalleled exposure to international trends, fostering an ecosystem that encourages creativity, invention and problem-solving at the highest level.
This development will accelerate the state’s vision of building a sustainable knowledge economy, driven by its rapidly growing youth population.
Already, SID has made significant strides in incubating startups and laying a strong foundation, building the tech ecosystem within the state.
Programs such as Code Anambra, levelUp Anambra, Teen Digital Bootcamp and the Techstars Startup Weekend are empowering young minds with the skills they need to thrive in the digital age. SID is also working to train talents on the project ‘1 million Anambra Digital Tribe’ – a core aspect of Governor Soludo’s agenda to empower the youth with digital and entrepreneurial skills, ensuring that Anambra becomes a leading innovation hub in Africa.
By connecting Anambra to the global innovation network, SID will play a pivotal role in harnessing the power of demographics, entrepreneurship, and technology—the three pillars that will define future economies.
Chinwe Okoli, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Innovation and Business Incubation who serves as the CEO of Solution Innovation District, stated, “Being inducted into IASP as a ‘Full Member’ is a significant milestone not just for SID, but for Anambra State.
This recognition is a validation of Mr. Governor’s efforts to put Anambra on the map as a destination for innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship. With the global network , talents, experience and expertise we now have access to, we can push Mr Governor’s vision of developing Africa’s ‘Silicon Valley’ in Anambra further and faster than ever before.”
The inclusion of SID in this global body signals the state’s readiness to embrace the future of innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology as it continues to grow into a hub of digital transformation in Africa.
News
Egueke, Former Bank Manager Jailed for $46,900 Fraud
Fidelis Egueke, former bank manager, , has been convicted and sentenced to six months in prison by an Asaba, Delta State Chief Magistrate’s Court for defrauding a victim of $46,900.
Chief Magistrate Callistus Isioma Moeteke found Egueke guilty of a single charge brought against him by the police under case number CMA/295c/2024.
Raphael Eze, prosecutor, of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Asaba, said Egueke, a former Asaba branch manager of a tier-one bank, fraudulently obtained $46,900 by using two Certificates of Occupancy (CofOs) as collateral.
One of the land titles, however, was not his, and the other was fake.
After receiving the money, Egueke used it for personal expenses and failed to repay the victim as promised.
The prosecution argued that Egueke’s actions violated Section 419 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap C21, Vol.1 Laws of Delta State, Nigeria, 2006.
Despite denying the offence, Egueke failed to present evidence of repayment during the trial.
Chief Magistrate Moeteke determined that the prosecution had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
Egueke was convicted and sentenced to six months imprisonment.
However, the court also gave him the option to pay a fine of N350,000 in lieu of serving the prison term.
The court ordered Egueke to pay N30 million in restitution to the victim within six months of his conviction.
The charge against Egueke stated that, in 2016, he fraudulently obtained a credit facility worth $46,900 (approximately N60 million) from Chief Jude Ndudi by presenting false documents, including land titles that did not belong to him, in violation of Section 419 of the Criminal Code Law.
Egueke is also facing trial before a Lagos Federal High Court on charges related to a separate fraud case involving N179.498 million.
He is being prosecuted by the Force Criminal Investigation Department (ForceCID), Annex Alagbon-Ikoyi, Lagos.
News
PalmPay, Jumia Reward Users in Festive Campaign
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.
News
Corruption: ICPC Threatens Sanctions as 330 MDAs Fail Financial, Governance Tests
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.
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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