General News
Sona Group Seeks Enhanced Palliatives for Industrial Sector
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Sona Group Nigeria has re-echoed the need for improved infrastructural to serve as palliatives for Nigeria’s industrialization.
The industrial sector is hugely impacted by dilapidated road and other logistics quagmire, poor power supply, multiple taxations, insecurity, high cost of production, to name a few.
The Group comprising of Euro Global Foods and Distilleries Ltd; Food, Agro and Allied Industries Ltd; Golden Auto Engineering and Transport Co. Ltd., Shongai Packaging Industry Ltd., Shongai Technologies Ltd., Sona Agro Allied Foods Ltd., Sona Group Nigeria Ltd., Sona Industrial Gases Ltd and Techblow Nigeria Limited, said enhanced infrastructure will not only bring succour to the nation’s manufacturing sector, rather will create enabling ground for job creation.
Mr. Peter Akinola Oyaniyi, group executive director for the Group, while speaking to journalists at their office in Ogun State, at the weekend, said that Sona has been apt in industrialization of Nigeria using technology and home grown raw materials, adding that the nation’s economic buoyancy revolves round functional and productive industries.
Oyaniyi Said, “We believe that industrialization remains the best option for solving the country’s youth unemployment, and the right path to national greatness. In Sona Group Nigeria, we see industrialization as the key that will free Nigeria from further retrogression. To achieve that, we have to improve on the existing infrastructure as a nation”.
He added that the Group which has been in operation for over three decades in Nigeria is notable for keeping to the Government’s regulations and international best practices, and has over the years earned a reputation of ‘Turn around Experts’ in Nigeria.
“Sona Group, Nigeria is one of Nigeria’s fastest growing Groups. The Group is presently in the business of manufacturing Plastic and Glass Container. It started business in Nigeria decades ago. The Group’s strategy has been to acquire existing sick units and turn them around. After the unit is acquired, we bring in new investments, modern technology, state-of-art machines and modern management techniques that help to turn the business perspective”.
Nodding in agreement to Oyaniyi’s prognosis, Mr. Subramanian Murugesan, managing director, Sona Agro Allied Foods Limited, said that Nigeria pursues industrial policy that is innovation-driven to foster skills upgrade, enhance industrial growth and produce world class exports, it must make conscious efforts to address challenges before the sector.
According to him, the bottlenecks experienced at both the sea and airports should be addressed, maintaining that, “roads need to be improved to enable companies meet up with supplies or demands of the market too and help in the reduction of costs on maintenance of vehicles.
“The truth is that these costs are transferred to the customers; sometimes jerking up the cost of goods by about 8%, compared to 2% obtainable in other markets. We believe that as a developing economy the infrastructure need to be improved.
On Sona Agro Allied Foods Limited activities in the market, he said they have well laid out plan for continuous expansion to meet the ever expanding requirement of the Nigerian snacks market.
Murugesan said, “Presently, the Company is well managed by professional managerial talent, the best of the industry in Nigeria, both expatriate and local managers. The quality standards of our products are of highest level meeting specifications laid out by NAFDAC and SON agencies of Nigeria”.
Sona Agro Allied Foods Limited also manufacture other snacks such as Cereal based cheese balls snacks, extruded snacks, health snacks bars for healthy conscious people.
On his part, Mr. Katikala Ramanjananeyulu, managing director of Sona Industrial Gases Limited, a leading name in the Industrial Gases sector in Nigeria, deals in Oxygen, Nitrogen, Acetylene, Medical Oxygen and Argon gases, and recently introduced the other gases such as Carbon Dioxide, Helium, Amonia, Cooking Gas, Calibration and all mixture gases.
“With our fleet of vehicles, we reach out to all our customers needing industrial gases in compressed form or Liquid as they demand,” he said.
Ramanjananeyulu said that the Company established in a secured environment, invests in R&D and hopes to achieve breakthrough in manufacturing resources through the introduction of newly acquired plants, which will bring total modification of the Acetylene production facility and currently boasts of 170 customers in Nigeria, while looking out for others to give discount on medical oxygen as life saving gas to supply hospitals in Nigeria as part of its corporate social responsibilities (CSR).
Challenges facing their operations, he said, include, high rate of customs duty, cumbersome procedure for clearance of imported materials, high cost of importation due to the devaluation of Naira, among others.
There was a presentation by Techblow Nigeria Limited which produces all kinds of blow moulding products ranging from 500ml to 50 litre Plastic Jerry Cans, Plastic Coolers, Cosmetic Jars, Pharma Bottles, Yoghurt Bottles, and other containers to cater to the needs of the Foods, Beverages and Chemicals industries, and other retail sectors.
Also, Shongai Packaging Industry Ltd, incorporated in 1977, and today produces rugged industrial pallets and rated as among Nigeria’s 50 fastest growing companies.
The company was initially conceived to produce plastic crates and beer labels; but now mulls mainly four (4) manufacturing division, Injection Moulding Division; Blow Moulding Division (Extrusion Blow & Injection Blow); Label Printing Division and Crate printing /Container Printing Division.
Mr. Sudhanusu Shina, managing director, Food, Agro & Allied Industries Limited, said the Comapny is one of the most modern malting plants in Nigeria to process Raw Sorghum into Sorghum Malt and Malt Derivatives.
“We produce a range of quality sorghum malt and malt extract, Distillery, Confectionery and Malted Food Industries.
“Our commitment to customers’ satisfaction, and to adopt latest technology in malting earned recognition as a leader in the industry within short period of going into production. Adherence to strict quality control and continued development helped us to get of ISO 9001:2008 Certification in 2010”.
Re-emphasizing the manufacturing expert’s advocacy, Mr. Felix Aighobahi, the Group’s sales director, said that the country’s policy should include the establishment of many-side economic structure, the build-up of its own independent and solid bases for raw materials, modernization of all sectors of the national economy and the training of its own technical cadre.
Jumia, pan-African e-commerce platform, has launched its highly anticipated annual ‘Tech Week’ campaign, bringing consumers amazing deals on the latest gadgets and smart devices.
Under the theme “Future is in Your Hands,” this year’s campaign is designed to inspire Nigerians to embrace cutting-edge technology and innovation. Running from March 17th to March 30th, 2025, the campaign offers millions of customers access to unbeatable discounts on a wide range of tech essentials, including smartphones, laptops, home appliances, and entertainment systems.
In partnership with leading global and local brands such as Xiaomi, Oraimo, Binatone, Itel, SilverCrest, Ecoflow, Tecno, Realme, Skyrun, Century Appliances, Hisense, PZ Cussons, Unilever and Nivea, Jumia is committed to ensuring a seamless shopping experience with the best deals on high-quality tech products.
“We’re excited to present Jumia Tech Week 2025, a platform to enable Nigerians to have access to high-quality devices. With the rapid growth in digital adoption across the country, this campaign is designed to put the latest innovations within reach, helping customers stay connected, productive, and entertained. Our strategic partnerships with top brands allow us to deliver premium products at the best prices, making tech upgrades accessible to all,” said Sunil Natraj, CEO, Jumia Nigeria.
Commenting on the partnership with Jumia for Tech Week, Sylvie Zeng, Head of E-Commerce, Xiaomi, said “Xiaomi is focused on bringing cutting-edge technology to everyone, and Jumia Tech Week 2025 is the ultimate opportunity to experience our diverse range of innovative products at unbeatable prices.
“From the high-performance Poco series to the reliable and stylish Redmi smartphones, and a wide selection of AIoT devices designed to enhance your smart home, Xiaomi offers powerful, beautifully crafted technology for every need. This Tech Week, don’t miss out on the best deals to upgrade your lifestyle with Xiaomi, exclusively on Jumia!”
With over 142 million active internet subscribers reported in January 2025, Nigeria continues to witness an accelerated digital transformation. Jumia Tech Week caters to this dynamic shift, offering consumers a trusted platform to explore and acquire the latest tech essentials conveniently.
Beyond amazing discounts, Jumia Tech Week 2025 features exclusive flash sales, brand days, exciting giveaways, and interactive games throughout the campaign. Consumers can enjoy a seamless online shopping experience with secure payment options and pay-on-delivery services, ensuring accessibility for all.
General News
GOMYCODE Partners Woolf University to Offer Globally Recognised Master’s Degree in Software Engineering in Nigeria
GOMYCODE, a leading technology education provider, has announced a groundbreaking partnership with Woolf University, a global collegiate higher education institution, to offer Master of Science in Computer Science with Specialization in Software Engineering to aspiring and established tech professionals in Nigeria.
This collaboration aims to provide accessible, high-quality, globally recognized education to individuals seeking to advance their careers and expand their opportunities.
The Master’s program is designed to empower busy professionals and ambitious individuals with advanced skills and qualifications, opening doors to global job opportunities and facilitating potential emigration for those seeking international careers.
“We are thrilled to partner with Woolf University to bring this exceptional opportunity to Nigeria,” said Yahya Bouhlel, Co-founder of GOMYCODE. “In today’s competitive tech landscape, advanced degrees are increasingly essential.
“This partnership allows us to provide a flexible, world-class education that empowers our students to achieve their career aspirations, whether they seek to excel locally or on a global stage.”
The program’s online, flexible structure caters to the demands of working professionals, enabling them to balance their studies with existing commitments. Students will benefit from Woolf University’s rigorous academic standards and GOMYCODE’s practical, industry-relevant approach to learning.
“Woolf University is excited to collaborate with GOMYCODE to expand access to quality higher education in Nigeria,” stated Naveen Jangir, Head of Strategy and Growth, from Woolf University. “Our mission is to democratize education, and this partnership aligns perfectly with our goal of providing accessible, accredited degrees to learners worldwide.
“We believe this program will equip Nigerian tech professionals with the skills and credentials they need to thrive in the global economy.”
Babatunde Olaifa, Country Head of GOMYCODE in Nigeria, emphasized the significance of this partnership for the Nigerian tech ecosystem.
“This collaboration represents a significant leap forward for tech education in Nigeria. By offering a globally recognized Master’s degree, we are empowering our professionals to compete on a global scale.
“This is a chance for people to level up their careers, and to open doors that they previously thought were closed.
“We are very excited to see the impact that this program will have on the lives of our students and the broader Nigerian tech community.”
This Master of Science in Computer Science with Specialization in Software Engineering program is ideal for tech professionals seeking to enhance their qualifications; Individuals aiming for global job opportunities; those considering emigration and requiring advanced degrees; ambitious individuals looking to accelerate their career growth.
GOMYCODE and Woolf University are committed to providing a supportive and enriching learning environment that fosters innovation and excellence.
The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), Africa’s leading philanthropy empowering entrepreneurs is set to announce the 11th cohort of the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme on Saturday, March 22, 2025.
The 2025 announcement comes at a critical time, as Africa’s entrepreneurship ecosystem faces funding constraints and global economic headwinds. TEF continues to provide much-needed support, empowering African entrepreneurs to transform their ideas into sustainable businesses and engines of economic growth.
Each selected Tony Elumelu Entrepreneur will receive $5,000 non-refundable seed capital, a world-class business training on TEFConnect, one-on-one mentorship, and access to global networks and investment opportunities. The selection process is being conducted by Ernst & Young, to ensure independent assessment.
The impact of the Tony Elumelu Foundation extends beyond funding. It is changing lives and shaping Africa’s future, as witnessed by beneficiaries of the catalytic TEF Entrepreneurship Programme.
Ahead of the upcoming announcement, Tony O. Elumelu, C.F.R., Founder of TEF and Group Chairman of Heirs Holdings, reiterates his unwavering belief in the potential of Africa’s entrepreneurs:
“I believe that Africa’s transformation will not be led by aid, but by empowering the next generation of African entrepreneurs—giving them the tools, the funding, the training, and the networks to build sustainable businesses that create jobs and drive economic growth.
Over the past decade, we have nurtured entrepreneurs from inception to success, scaling our impact across all 54 African countries. We have provided capital and also developed a robust monitoring and evaluation framework that allows us to track the progress of our entrepreneurs and measure their contributions to their communities and economies.
No other organisation is implementing entrepreneurship development at this scale across Africa. We have learned, we have refined, and we continue to improve, ensuring that African entrepreneurs—women and men—are at the forefront of solving our continent’s challenges and creating wealth for themselves and their communities. Entrepreneurship is the key to Africa’s prosperity. I wish the 2025 cohort of Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurs success, as they chase their ambitions, and play their part in Africa’s transformation.”
The Tony Elumelu Foundation is the leading philanthropy empowering a new generation of African entrepreneurs, driving poverty eradication, catalysing job creation across all 54 African countries and ensuring inclusive economic empowerment.
Since the launch of the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme in 2015, TEF has lifted over 2 million Africans out of poverty, provided 2.5 million young Africans with access to training on TEFConnect, and disbursed more than $100millon in direct funding to thousands of African entrepreneurs who have gone on to create over 1.5 million direct and indirect jobs and generate over $4.2 billion in revenue.
Tony Elumelu Entrepreneur Testimonials from Previous Years:
“I started my agribusiness with nothing but an idea. TEF changed everything. With the funding, training, and mentorship, I have now expanded across three countries and employ 25 people.”
– Fatima Diallo, Senegal, Agritech Entrepreneur
“As a woman in the fintech industry, it was difficult to secure funding. TEF not only provided me with capital but also the confidence and skills to build a business that is now attracting international investors.”
– Mary Okeke, Nigeria, Fintech Founder
“The TEF Entrepreneurship Programme helped me commercialise my clean energy innovation. Today, we provide solar solutions to over 50,000 homes in rural Tanzania.”
– Juma Nyerere, Tanzania, Renewable Energy Entrepreneur
For more details on the Tony Elumelu Foundation’s impact visit our Impact Page, African Success Stories Page, and Annual Report Page.
For Media Inquiries: media@tonyelumelufoundation.org
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