Business
Elumelu urges Japan to deepen partnership with Africa
Jonathan BONNY
LAGOS-“AT TICAD 2016 in Kenya, Japan pledged $30billion for Africa. This year you have generously increased this to $50 billion. If we invested just 5% in Africa’s new generation of entrepreneurs, following my Foundation’s robust, proven model of getting capital directly to those best placed to catalyse growth and create real impact, we could touch 500,000 lives, across the 54 African countries, broadening markets, facilitating job creation, improving income per capita, and laying the key foundation for political and economic stability”.
With these words Tony O. Elumelu, Founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation and the Chairman of the United Bank for Africa (UBA), urged Japan and other global investors at the Seventh Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) to deepen their partnership with the African continent in a more strategic way in order to yield the needed result.
Mr. Elumelu’s statement captured his vision of a relationship between Japan and Africa, which prioritizes economic and shared prosperity. He outlined the three key pillars of a bold and transformative structure: investment in infrastructure, partnership with the African private sector, and investment in Africa’s youth.
As the leading champion of entrepreneurship in Africa, Mr. Elumelu hopes to ensure that the voice of a new generation of African entrepreneurs, capable of transforming the continent, is heard at the highest level.
He spoke alongside global and African political and business leaders, including Prime Minister Shinzō Abe of Japan; H.E. Mr. Muhammadu Buhari, President of Nigeria; H.E. Mr. Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, President of Egypt and Chair of the African Union (AU); H.E. Mr. Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa; and H.E. Mr. Paul Kigame, President of Rwanda.
Mr Elumelu delivered a keynote speech at the Plenary Public-Private Business Dialogue, the core session, that brings together Japanese and African public and private sector leaders at TICAD. At this event, Elumelu promoted his philosophy, Africapitalism, which posits entrepreneurship being the key to unlocking economic transformation in Africa as he highlights the urgent need to empower young entrepreneurs and how critical it is for governments and other policy makers to create the enabling environment that ensures entrepreneurial led growth.
Following a welcome address by the Japanese Prime Minister, Mr Shinzo Abe, Mr. Elumelu delivered the keynote address at the official Business Forum, hosted by the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO). The Conference provides a unique platform for key decision makers from Japan and Africa, both in business and politics, to identify opportunities for investment and knowledge exchange.
At a time when international governments and agencies are increasingly recognising that the route to Africa’s transformation is through African-led solutions and private sector growth, Mr. Elumelu’s track record of success, founding UBA, now one of Africa’s leading financial services groups, with presence in twenty African countries, New York, Paris and London as well as his multi-sector proprietary investment holding company, Heirs Holdings, employing over 30,000 Africans, typifies a new generation of African business dynamism.
Mr. Elumelu during his visit to Japan, joins H.E. Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda and Co-Chair of the Leaders’ Group of Generation Unlimited (Gen-U), and UNICEF Executive Director, Henrietta Fore, to co-chair a UNICEF [and Africa Union] breakfast meeting focused on catalysing investment in African youths and developing a specific vision for job creation in Africa. The event will seek specific commitments from African leaders for the implementation of a business plan for digital connectivity in Africa such as the Tony Elumelu Foundation’s TEF Connect, the largest digital network for African entrepreneurs.
Through the Tony Elumelu Foundation, Mr. Elumelu is forging the new narrative for Africa. In the first five years of the Foundation’s flagship Entrepreneurship Programme, 7,521 African entrepreneurs from all 54 African countries have benefited from Elumelu’s personal commitment of $100m seed capital funding, mentorship, and training. Six of the beneficiaries of the Programme have been sponsored to attend TICAD conference, sponsored by the UNDP.
Mr. Elumelu was accompanied by a delegation from the United Bank for Africa and the Tony Elumelu Foundation, including Ifeyinwa Ugochukwu, CEO, Tony Elumelu Foundation; Dupe Olusola, Group Head, Marketing, UBA, and Muyiwa Akinyemi, Group Head Corporate Banking, UBA.
Organised by the Japanese Government, TICAD is a three yearly forum for advancing Africa’s development through people, technology and innovation, bringing together government, business leaders, companies and other stakeholders.
Nigerian comedian and popular skit maker, Chibuike Josh Alfred, known by his stage name Josh2Funny, has shed light on the profitability of the content-creating industry.
In a recent interview with Echo Room, Josh2Funny highlighted the impressive financial potential that content creators can achieve, noting that it is possible for them to comfortably afford multiple luxury cars, including up to four Lamborghini vehicles.
Speaking candidly, Josh2Funny emphasised that content creation has become an extremely lucrative field due to the constant demand for fresh and engaging material. “If you want to buy four Lamborghini from content creation, you can buy it,” he said.
His remarks underscore the significant revenue opportunities available in the digital content landscape.
Josh2Funny explained that the continuous consumption of online content is what drives its profitability. “What do you think we are doing in the content-creating industry? Are we joking? You all are with your phones, when you’re in the bathroom, when you’re [using the restroom], you’re consuming our stuff. It’s like pure water,” he stated.
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The comedian further elaborated that businesses or industries that deliver products consumed on a daily basis often see the most substantial financial returns. Content creation, with its high rate of daily consumption by audiences worldwide, aligns perfectly with this model.
“People are out there, consuming our content every time,” he said, reinforcing the idea that the reach and influence of content creators have never been more extensive.
Josh2Funny’s insights reveal why the content-creating industry has become a lucrative career path for many in Nigeria and around the world. With the continuous growth of social media platforms and the public’s insatiable appetite for entertainment and relatable content, creators are finding new and innovative ways to monetize their craft.
This shift not only highlights the potential for significant financial gain but also showcases the evolving landscape of digital media, where influencers, comedians, and skit makers can turn creativity into a sustainable and highly rewarding business.
A safety alert notification by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Nigeria issued on October 31, 2024, regarding NIVEA BLACK & WHITE Invisible Roll-on deodorant (50 ml) batch number 93529610, in relation to the general European Union (EU) Rapid Alert System for Dangerous Non-Food Products (RAPEX), has come to our attention.
The batch is said to contain 2-(4-tert-Butylbenzyl propionaldehyde (BMHCA).
In a statement on Saturday, in Lagos, Beiersdorf, the owner of NIVEA brand, assured that the “the Batch No. 93529610 in question has not been marketed in Nigeria and thus never recalled”.
According to the statement, Beiersdorf was well informed that “Based on current European legislation, the use of ingredient 2-(4-tert-Butylbenzyl propionaldehyde (LilialTM) in cosmetic products has been banned from the European markets as of March 1, 2022.”
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It acknowledged that “The batch in question, in fact, expired in January 2022 and was hence at the time fully compliant with the then valid European cosmetic regulation.
“As a responsible corporate citizen, Beiersdorf is working collaboratively with NAFDAC to safeguard the interest of the Nigerian consumers by ensuring that our locally manufactured product meets the global quality standards.”
It maintained that “The safety of our consumers remains our highest priority, consistent with our ethical philosophy as a business.”
In pursuit of this commitment, Beiersdorf’s entire NIVEA product portfolio formulations have been reformulated to be Lilial-free formulas in full compliance with the EU Regulation on cosmetic products well ahead of its Lilial ban coming into effect as far back as March 1, 2022. For instance, the formulation of NIVEA BLACK & WHITE Invisible Roll-on deodorant has been Lilial-free since at least 2020 across the globe, including Nigeria.
“Our trade partners were informed ahead of time and reminded of their responsibility to remove the outdated Lilial-containing products within the legal timeframe to fulfill their obligations with the European Cosmetic Product Regulation,” it added.
The Shell companies in Nigeria teamed up with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) and other stakeholders to build Information Communication Technology (ICT) centres and a digital library in Nigerian universities in 2024.
Biztellers reports that it initiative is part of their continuing support for education.
Some of the corporate bodies that executed the projects include the Shell Nigeria Exploration Production Company Limited (SNEPCo) and NNPC Ltd, and the Nigerian Content Monitoring and Development Board (NCDMB).
The benefiting institutions were, the Niger Delta University, Amassoma, Bayelsa State, which got a digital library in April, the Sa’adu Zungur University (formerly Bauchi State University), Gadau in Bauchi State, where an ICT Centre was commissioned in July, by The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd (SPDC) as part of the Joint Venture with NNPC, TotalEnergies and NAOC.
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In what would sound like singing-off on the educational intervention initiative for 2024, the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), overflew with joy at the unveil of a world-class engineering design studios and ICT hub, courtesy of the SPDC, NNPC Ltd and other Joint Venture partners collaborated with NCDMB.
Reflecting on the three facilities, Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, and Managing Director, SPDC, Osagie Okunbor, said, “This is Shell working to power lives in Nigeria. The projects have changed the academic and physical landscapes in the three universities and linked the students and lecturers to the global learning arena.”
The facilities at FUTO include two state-of-the-art engineering design studios and a fully furnished 100-seater ICT lecture hall, equipped with computers and smartboards with dedicated power and water supplies. FUTO was selected for the project as part of the “institutional strengthening” in the catchment area of SPDC’s Assa North Ohaji South Gas Development Project. They were launched at a colourful ceremony attended by representatives of the Imo State Government and principal officers of the university.
Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, represented by the Commissioner for Digital Economy and E-Government, Dr. Chimezie Amadi, said, “We deeply appreciate the efforts of our partners in NNPC, SPDC, Total Energies, and NAOC JV, who have invested in the future of Imo State by supporting this critical project. Your commitment to human capacity building aligns perfectly with our goals, and together, we will continue to drive innovation, skills development, and sustainable economic growth for our people.”
Okunbor’s address at the commissioning was read by General Manager, External Relations, Igo Weli, in which he expressed happiness “that the collaboration of SPDC, Joint venture partners, NCDMB, and FUTO has resulted in this successful social investment project that demonstrates our commitment to improving access to quality education for every Nigerian.”
On his part, the Executive Secretary NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, called on Nigerian institutions to domesticate the advancements in AI and other technologies.
“Our AI must understand Igbo, Hausa, Efik, Yoruba, and other local languages,” he said, speaking through Dr. Ama Ikuru, the Director in charge of Capacity Building.
“We must leapfrog the innovations of other nations and become a net exporter of advanced technology to achieve the lofty ideals of Nigerian content development,” he added.
The Chief Upstream Investment Officer, NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services, Bala Wunti, said in his address which was read by the Senior Advisor Stakeholders Relations, Halimat Wilson, “Innovation thrives in an environment where ideas can be freely exchanged and developed. The Engineering Studio and ICT Hub is designed to be such a place where students, researchers, and faculty can collaborate on projects, share knowledge, and push the boundaries of what is possible.
Welcoming guests earlier, FUTO Vice Chancellor, Prof Nnenna Oti, thanked the sponsors of the project “for a landmark donation” to the university.
The Shell Companies in Nigeria have been education since the 1950s through scholarships and other initiatives. These efforts have resulted in the award of thousands of secondary, undergraduate and postgraduate scholarship awards, provision of educational infrastructure and establishment of sabbatical and internship programmes as well as centres of excellence in several universities.
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