Adesina Rounds off AfDB Presidency Campaign

All the eight candidates contesting the presidency of the African Development bank (AfDB), rounded off their campaign at the weekend and await declaration of the winner later this week.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the declaration of a new president will be made on May 28, during the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the bank in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

The week-long annual forum of continental financial institution, where 54 member states and 26 non-member states, which include the UK and the UK, began yesterday in Abidjan.



Nigeria’s candidate and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, monday expressed optimism that he would be declared the president, having consulted widely.

Dr Olukayode Oyeleye, the Special Adviser to the Minister on Media, told NAN via an e-mail that Adesina recorded tremendous support from African nations and other stakeholders beyond Africa during his campaign.
“The minister has embarked extensively on campaigns and recorded tremendous support from African nations and other stakeholders beyond Africa.
“Now, campaign is ending. It is time to expect his declaration as president by the Bank’s board, and that is coming up later in the week.
“His presidency will prioritise the development in energy sector across the continent, ICT and urban infrastructure.

“Emphasis will be on private sector growth and a shift in emphasis from aid dependence.

“Supporting programmes that will create employment for youths, promote venture capitalism and private equity in the continent’s economy,’’ Oyeleye said.

According to him, the minister will also dwell in reviving rural economy through agricultural transformation and strengthen regional integration and economy.

Seven other candidates in the election are Sufian Ahmed from Ethiopian, Jaloul Ayed from Tunisian, Kordjé Bedoumra from Chad, Cristina Duarte from Cabo Verde.

Others are Samura Kamara from Sierra Leone, Thomas Sakala from Zimbabwe and Birama Boubacar Sidibé of Mali.

The bank had on April 30, published the “Voting Powers’’ to be used in the computation of the votes during the election of the president on its official website.

All the 54 regional members have a combined 3,844,574 votes with voting powers of 59.722, while 26 non-regional members, including the UK and US have 2,592,862 votes and voting powers of 40.278.

The voting powers, NAN learnt on Sunday, indicated that Nigeria has the highest 595,838 votes with voting powers of 9.256.

AfDB operates under the leadership of the President who serves as the legal representative of the Bank, the Chairperson of the Board of Directors and the Chief of Staff of the Bank.

The president conducts the current business of the bank under the direction of the board of directors.

The president is elected by the Board of Governors and serves a five-year term, renewable once.The current President, Dr. Donald Kaberuka, a national of Rwanda, was elected in July 2005, and began his first term on Sept. 1, 2005 and was re-elected in May 2010.

INTEL RESTATES COMMITMENT TO LOCAL ICT DEVELOPMENT

…as RLG Communications unveils RLG Adulawo Technology City, Ilesha, Osun State

Intel Corporation is increasing its engagement with indigenous ICT manufacturers across West Africa as it seeks to deepen ICT penetration across the region, in line with its longstanding commitment to supporting the development of home grown technologies in Africa.



At the launch of the RLG Adulawo Technology City, a technology hub in Ilesha, Osun State, constructed by indigenous ICT and mobile phone manufacturer, RLG Communications, with technical assistance from Intel, the Country Manager for Intel Nigeria Olubunmi Ekundare, disclosed that partnership with innovative local manufacturers remains key to the organisation’s strategic focus.

“At Intel Nigeria, we believe that strengthening indigenous capacity is one of the most effective ways to promote ICTs and the develop Nigeria’s ICT sector”. Ekundare noted.

“Since our entry into the country, we have established relationships with telecoms operators to empower the rural areas with internet connectivity, forged links with local manufacturers and continued to partner with the government on policies that would support rapid growth in the sector” he added.

Elaborating on Intel’s partnership with RLG, the Enterprise Technology Specialist, Intel, Oluwatobi Shada, observed that the organisation has provided technical support to the local manufacturer to boost capacity development.

“Intel Nigeria has provided on-site training for RLG internal engineers and sales representatives, contributed to product roadmap building and also provided support for product showcases & demos.” Shada noted.

RLG Communications’ RLG Adulawo City is a public-private partnership between RLG Communications and the Osun State Government. It is envisaged that the facility would provide 10,000 direct and indirect jobs.

First Sugarcane Bio-factory begins operations in Zaria

The Federal Government on Monday inaugurated the country’s first sugarcane bio-factory in Zaria, Kaduna State, as part of efforts to achieve national self-sufficiency in sugar production.

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, said the one-million-seedling per annum capacity plant was the first in the series of bio-factories to be established in the next five years, with combined capacity estimated at 12.5 million cane seedlings per annum.

Aganga spoke while declaring the factory open for operations at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State.

He said, “The provision of high grade and quality seedlings of sugarcane is essential for the attainment of the set goals of the National Sugar Master Plan. A bio-factory is a facility where disease-free crop seedlings are rapidly micro-propagated under controlled laboratory environment for planting in the fields.



“This facility is designed to address a critical constraint facing Nigeria’s sugar industry – timely provision of high quality and clean seeds to sugar estates and farmers across Nigeria. We expect that, in four years, five of this kind of facility would have been established across Nigeria with capacities of between two million and 2.5 million seedlings per annum each.”

The minister explained that the projection in the NSMP was that at least 250,000 hectares of sugarcane fields would be required for processing in about 28 mills of varying capacities to produce 1.79 metric tonnes of sugar in the first phase of the master plan.

He said, “The event today marks another milestone in the implementation of the Nigeria Sugar Master Plan, which was approved by the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan in September 2012. The NSMP is one of the major sector policies under the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan enunciated by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and launched by the President in February 2014. The ultimate goal is to make Nigeria’s manufacturing sector highly competitive and dynamic.

“The production of sugar is an integrated process with field and factory processes that are inter-dependent and mutually inclusive. Thus, efficiency in the cultivation and supply of sugarcane is essential for efficient milling and production of sugar and associated by-products such as ethanol and electricity.”

The minister noted that the vibrancy and efficiency of the Brazilian sugar industry had been attributed to the investment and innovative services, which institutions like the Cane Technology Centre, were providing to the sugar industry.

Aganga said, “This is what the National Sugar Development Council seeks to replicate for the Nigerian sugar industry through the establishment of this bio-factory. Today, I feel fulfilled by the achievements that we have recorded under the programmes and policies that were executed under my charge as the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment.

“One of the major aims of the NIRP is the deliberate linkage of research, technology and innovation to industry. Bio-technology, in particular, has opened to mankind a vast array of opportunities to significantly improve both the quality and quantity of biological deliverables.”

Speaking during the event, the Executive Secretary, National Sugar Development Council, Dr. Abdul-Latif Busari, said the new bio-sugarcane factory would fast-track the development of the nation’s sugar industry, boost industrialisation and generate employment.

60,000 benefit from N200bn loans – Diamond Bank

The Regional Manager, Diamond Bank Plc, Ibadan, Mr. Oluropo Olanrewaju, says the bank has granted about N200bn loans to 60,000 Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises under its BusinessXpress account.



Olanrewaju made this known at the 50th edition of the bank’s seminar held in Ibadan for operators of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.

He said the seminar had provided stakeholders with the requisite knowledge and necessary skills to help them to expand their businesses.

Olanrewaju said, “The seminars are very key to our strategic objective of helping small businesses grow. In 2009, we launched the BusinessXpress account, the first of its kind, which not only offered collateral-free loans to the SME operators but also charged negligible COT. However, we realised that providing funds to the SMEs was just the first step. There was also the need to equip them with the skills and knowledge to manage and grow their businesses so we started the seminars in 2010.”

The spokesman for the bank, Ayona Trimnell, said that the seminar was the bank’s customised training initiative aimed at building and strengthening capacity among new as well as established business owners.

He also said that the training was in line with the bank’s policy to develop a productive capacity that could compete on the global scale.

“The bank is not just eager to provide funds for operators, we are also passionate about building the capacity that could boost economic production and provide employment at the micro, small and medium-scale sub-sector,” he said.T

Zinox Boss Wants Buhari To Anchor Change On Information Technology

The Chairman, Zinox Group, Leo Stan-Eke, has tasked the President Elect, General Muhamadu Buhari to anchor his change mantra on Information and Communications Technology (ICT) as any change not driven by ICT, cannot be meaningful.

Eke stated this recently in Lagos on the sidelines of the launch of a partnership between the EMC and Technology Distributions Ltd. (TD), a subsidiary of Zinox group.



He assured international investors of an investment- friendly environment beginning May 29, and urged Nigerians to be patient with the incoming administration of General Muhammadu Buhari.

Sounding very optimistic about the future of the country, he told a team of EMC, the world’s leading provider of IT storage hardware solutions that the incoming administration will work to improve efficiency and reduce cost of governance.

“Let me assure you that the potentials here are great, I believe in this country and with the current transition things will begin to work better” he said.

He added that “I have committed my energy to raising a new generation of information driven Nigerians, if I were looking for money and fortune, I will be doing some other things, but even with the headaches and less return in IT business, I have remained here for 28 years because ICT is a change agent. This is what Nigeria needs to grow”.

Speaking on the partnership, Mr. Ekeh said that TD joined EMC’s global business partner programme to expand access to cutting-edge technology for various end-users through TD’s wide network of solution providers/resellers as well as its presence in major Nigerian cities and key African countries. “TD has earned accreditation as a local distributor and has forged a reputation for being the number one ICT distributor in sub-Saharan Africa. The company will provide new sales opportunities through its reach to new and existing resellers in Nigeria and will extend EMC’s next-level Information Technology (IT) solutions to end-users in the current business environment,” he said.

“Despite the current state of pessimism in the economy due to falling oil prices and the fluid state of the naira, I must reassure you that there is much to be hopeful about in Nigeria’s business space. We are Africa’s biggest economy and we have the right calibre of people in the incoming administration who will build on the gains recorded by the outgoing administration,” he declared.

In his presentation, General Manager, EMC West Africa, Travers Nicholas, said: “Having committed a significant amount of time in both training and accreditation, we are pleased to welcome TD into the Business Partner Programme. Along with providing added value to their customers, TD will now benefit from the associated benefits of this tiered programme, including the opportunity to further position itself strategically as the technology distributor of choice in the market.”

On his part, Managing Director, EMC, Levant and Emerging Africa Region, Mr. Nazim Fraijat, posited that the partnership between global data storage giants EMC and TD has been hailed as a strategic initiative which will go a long way in positively enhancing the profile of technology distribution and penetration on the continent for the benefit of all.
He noted that the Global Business Partner Programme was in line with the organisation’s desire to deepen the pace of technological innovation and diffusion in the West African sub-region and on the continent as a whole. “In view of our desire to make further in-roads into Sub-Saharan Africa, we are confident that this partnership with TD will undoubtedly accelerate the rate of access to the wide range of innovative solutions that EMC is known for world-wide”.

Executive Director, Zinox Group, Mr. Etiene Etukudoh, who painted a glowing picture of Technology Distribution’s strong market presence and brand portfolio, also expressed delight at the partnership while affirming its strategic importance as the company enters its 16th year of operations.

Omatek Provides Green Energy to Public Offices, Factories, Others

Omatek Ventures Plc, a local computer manufacturer and provider of reliable solar power solutions in Nigeria is set to cause a revolution in the Nigerian economy by offering the most cost efficient solar power solutions (green energy) to schools, small businesses and big organisations in the country.

The use of solar/LED solution can result in provision of power and significant operational and maintenance cost savings for factories, schools, public offices, hospitals, hotels and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the country.



Already, the company has commissioned its 50KVA 3-phase off-grid solar solution factory that will represent the solar solution for factories, banks, telecommunications firms, government and other organisations that require big power installations.

Solar Solution is a hybrid solution that provides 24 hours lighting/power solution, while providing 70 – 90 per cent cut/deduction in power consumption and drastically reducing power consumption by an average of 90 per cent on the overall, grid, thus enhancing growth in the real sector and general economic development.

Group Managing Director of Omatek Ventures Plc, Mrs. Florence Seriki, listed some of the benefits of Omatek Solar Powered Solution include but are not limited to the following: noise free, zero heat emission, brighter lighting, zero contribution to global warming, eco-friendly solution, no maintenance costs and local content

Others are: health and safety benefits, long-life LED bulbs (3 to 5 Years) and cost saving. According to her: “We have installed these solutions in schools, homes, offices and factories and we are proud to inform you that the education sector welcomed the initiative since it supports the provision of power and green energy, that powers school hostels and all reading areas with 24 hours lighting. This initiative, according to the education sector, bridges the digital gap in our schooling system, as students have stopped reading in darkness”.

The benefits of commercial-scale solar energy extend far beyond the revenue you’ll generate each month. Solar benefits the world economically, environmentally and socially.

Seriki disclosed that Omatek’s solution could be installed faster than other traditional or renewable power plants. It produces local, on-site energy, which reduces the need for extensive high-voltage transmission lines or a complex infrastructure. “It is particularly reliable over the long term. With no moving parts, fixed photovoltaic systems last longer than other energy sources.

She said Omatek was already introducing low voltage electricity generated from solar energy to institutions like the University of Lagos and financial sector to save them up to 90 per cent reduction in the consumption of electricity.

Teen Engineer Invents System to Improve Air Quality on Airplanes at Intel International Science and Engineering Fair ….Wins US$75,000 Top Prize

7 year old Canadian, Raymond Wang, has been awarded first place for engineering a new air inlet system for airplane cabins to improve air quality and curb disease transmission at this year’s Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, a program of Society for Science & the Public.

Wang’s system improves the availability of fresh air in the cabin by more than 190 percent while reducing pathogen inhalation concentrations by up to 55 times compared to conventional designs, and can be easily and economically incorporated in existing airplanes. Wang received the Gordon E. Moore Award of US$75,000, named in honor of the Intel co-founder and fellow scientist.



Another student, 16 year old Nicole Ticea, of Canada received one of two Intel Foundation Young Scientist Awards of US$50,000 for developing an inexpensive, easy-to-use testing device to combat the high rate of undiagnosed HIV infection in low-income communities. Her disposable, electricity-free device provides results in an hour and should cost less than US$5 to produce. Ticea has already founded her own company, which recently received a US$100,000 grant to continue developing her technology.

Karan Jerath, 18, of Friendswood, Texas, also received the other Intel Foundation Young Scientist Award of US$50,000 for refining and testing a novel device that should allow an undersea oil well to rapidly and safely recover following a blowout. Jerath developed a better containment enclosure that separates the natural gas, oil and ocean water; accommodates different water depths, pipe sizes and fluid compositions; and can prevent the formation of potentially clogging methane hydrate.

Wendy Hawkins, Executive Director of the Intel Foundation while speaking on the initiative said that Intel believes the world needs more scientists, makers and entrepreneurs to create jobs, drive economic growth and solve pressing global challenges.
“Intel believes young people are key to future innovation and that in order to confront the global challenges of tomorrow, we need students from all backgrounds to get involved in science, technology, engineering and math. We hope these winners will inspire other young people to pursue their interest in these fields and apply their curiosity, creativity and ingenuity to the common good.” Wendy said

This year’s Intel International Science and Engineering Fair featured approximately 1,700 young scientists selected from 422 affiliate fairs in more than 75 countries, regions and territories. In addition to the top winners, approximately 600 finalists received awards and prizes for their innovative research, including 20 “Best of Category” winners, who each received a US$5,000 prize. The Intel Foundation also awarded a US$1,000 grant to each winner’s school and to the affiliated fair they represent.

Society for Science & the Public, a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to public engagement in science and science education, has owned and administered the competition since its inception in 1950 as the National Science Fair.

Maya Ajmera, president and CEO of Society for Science & the Public congratulated the winners and encouraged hardwork among youths.

“Congratulations to Raymond, Nicole and Karan! Their selection as top winners really demonstrates the extraordinary work they have been able to accomplish at a young age in diverse topics, we look forward to watching not only them, but the rest of the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair finalists as they progress further and pursue their interests in STEM. These talented young students are the problem solvers and innovators of their generation.” Maya said.

The Intel International Science and Engineering Fair honour the world’s most promising student scientists, inventors and engineers. Finalists are selected annually from hundreds of affiliated fairs. Their projects are then evaluated onsite by approximately 1,000 judges from nearly every scientific discipline, each with a Ph.D. or the equivalent of six years of related professional experience in one of the scientific disciplines.

Etisalat Launches Next Generation Data Centre in Abuja

Etisalat Nigeria, the country’s most innovative and fastest growing telecommunications company has demonstrated its commitment to providing the highest quality of service with the launch of its Data Centre in Abuja. The state-of-the-art data centre further establishes the company’s position as the most reliable network in Nigeria as it addresses the network’s growing demand for co-location, cloud and disaster recovery services.


(L-R): Member, Board of Directors, Etisalat Nigeria, Isabella Okagbue; Member, Board of Directors, Etisalat Nigeria, Junaid Dikko and Patron Etisalat Prize for Literature, and renowned Publisher, Dele Olojede, at the launch of Etisalat Nigeria Data Centre in Abuja.

Speaking at the launch of the Data Centre, the Chief Executive Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Matthew Willsher said that the investment was made to ensure that the customers’ experience on the network is seamless and hassle-free.


(L-R): Chairman, Board of Directors Hakeem Bello-Osagie; Chief Executive Officer, Matthew Willsher; Member, Board of Directors, Isabella Okagbue and Director, Network Operations, Abdul Adegbuyi (all of Etisalat Nigeria), at the launch of Etisalat Nigeria Data Centre in Abuja.

”Our goal is to create more value for our customers by improving quality, reduce costs, introduce innovation and increase speed of delivery. This data centre will ensure that we remain innovative and that our customers will have continuity of service” he said.

He explained that the Data Centre is built to international standards with uninterrupted power supply in a fireproof and secure environment to guarantee efficient data backup capacity and to safely store and access critical data and IT equipment.


(L-R): Patron Etisalat Prize for Literature, and renowned Publisher, Dele Olojede; Member, Board of Directors, Etisalat Nigeria, Junaid Dikko and Director, Network Operations Etisalat Nigeria, Abdul Adegbuyi at the launch of Etisalat Nigeria Data Centre in Abuja.

The latest investment will see Etisalat move up its level of redundancy and overall service quality as the company already has a data centre in Lagos and Kano States.

FG approves Maritime varsity, policy on SMEs

The Federal Executive Council on Wednesday approved the establishment of the first maritime university for the country.



It also approved the revised National Policy on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.

Minister of Information, Patricia Akwashiki; Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Stephen Oru; and the Minister of State, Industry, Trade and Investment, Kenneth Kobani, briefed State House correspondents at the end of the meeting presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan.

According to Akwashiki, the maritime university will be located in Warri, Delta State.

“In the (council) meeting, there was a ratification of approval of a provisional licence for the establishment of Nigerian Maritime University at Okerenkoko in Delta State,” she said.

The minister also said the council approved the report of the ministerial implementation committee on harmonisation of taxes and levies across the federation.

She explained that the harmonisation becomes necessary because there have been issues, especially of service providers, who, when they move from one state into another, are also levied by the new state and also by the local government.

Kobani explained that the revised National Policy on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises was done because SMEs are strategic and important functionaries in any economy.

He explained, “The first national policy was 2007 and there were problems at that time because a lot of stakeholders needed to buy into it.

“This time, a more holistic approach was taken to ensure that extensive consultation with all the stakeholders had to take place and they all endorsed this particular one and so as a result of that they also came with a recommendation that will replace the National Consultative Council with the National Council for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Council, to push to ensure that it will be a major contributor to the economy.”

Kobani added that the council approved the renewal of the contract for the production of 10 million Nigerian passport booklets of all categories.

He said the renewal became necessary following the expiration of the 10-year contract between the ministry and the contractor.

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