ACCOMPLISH MAGAZINE NOV 2023

OMPLISH 

M A G A Z I N E 

november 2023 

My Lord, Tell 

me Where 

to Keep your 

Bribe 

4.0 

Industrial 

Revolution: 

A Game 

Changer 

Holding 

Nigeria’s 

Leadership 

Accountable 

Going Into 

Real Estate 

Business in 

Nigeria 

Profiting 

from the 

Miscarriage 

of Justice in 

Nigeria 

mo 

ibrahim 

On Ethical Leadership In Africa 

Accomplish Magazine 1

november 

2023 

contents 

feature 

4 Nigeria : BITS & BOBS 

6 “My Lord, Tell me Where 

to Keep your Bribe” 

14 

REPORTAGE 

cover 

14 MO IBRAHIM: 

Revolutionizing 

Telecoms & Promoting 

Effective Governance 

Mo Ibrahim Special: 

Top 60 Quotes 

Africa and the Ibrahim 

Prize for Leadership 

PICTURE SPEAK 

34 FEATURE & ANALYSIS 52 

GLOBAL INFODIGEST 

HEALTH 

64 The Health Benefits of 

Dandelion 

68 FOOD & WINE 

70 

TRAVEL & LEISURE 

FOLLOW US @ entrepreneur NG 

2 

Accomplish Magazine

40 66 56 

INTERVIEW REALTOR AVENUE ARTS & THE MASTERS 

From The Editor 

Wow! The weeks after we 

published the October 

edition of Accomplish 

Magazine have been 

quite eventful in many respects, 

so much so in Nigeria, where our 

overseas branch is located... We’ll 

return to that shortly. 

Let’s begin by announcing Team 

Accomplish’s pleasure to present 

an African with a difference, a 

great business strategist and 

visionary on our cover. He is Sir 

Mohammed Fathi Ahmed Ibrahim 

(Mo Ibrahim for short). After 

career experience in Africa and 

Europe, he took his brilliance to 

entrepreneurship, establishing 

Mobile Systems International (MSI) 

and, later, Celtel International - 

which practically lifted telephony 

experience across Africa. 

Perhaps, his most profound 

engagement is the founding of 

the Mo Ibrahim Foundation that 

instituted the globally acclaimed 

Ibrahim Prize for Achievement 

in African Leadership with a 

whopping US$5 million award and 

a life stipend of $200,000 per year 

for recipients. You would love to 

read the full details yourself. 

We scanned through the career 

field and located a woman who left 

a huge impression in the banking 

sphere in Nigeria and the United 

Kingdom. In ‘The CEO Interview’, we 

bring you Pamela Yough, former 

chief executive officer of Zenith 

Bank (UK) Limited. Her viewpoints 

on rising through the career ladder 

and overcoming stereotypes will 

interest readers. 

From Nigeria comes the 

seemingly hurried Supreme Court 

judgment in the appeals of Atiku 

Abubakar and Peter Obi in respect 

of the presidential election held 

in February this year on technical 

grounds. Prof. Niyi Osundare’s 

poem on the judiciary speaks 

volumes. There’s also a reflection 

on this poem by Chief Victor 

Olewunne. You want to read 

it... Still on Nigeria, we have a 

piece on David Hundeyin, the 

young man who’s pushing for 

accountable leadership in that 

country. 

Furthermore, this edition 

unveils so much more. Besides 

the entry of leadership and 

business-focused pieces by 

our Board Chairmen, Dr. Austin 

Nweze, our success-aiding 

enlightenment contents have 

attracted more sound-minded 

writers. In no particular order, 

we have: Prince Justice Faloye, 

Tim Akano, Dave Baro-Thomas 

and Victor Olewunne. You can 

bet that missing any edition of 

Accomplish Magazine would now 

be considered a huge loss! 

Our staples are still served. 

Welcome! Enjoy! 

Diiyi William-West 


Editor 

Team 

CCOMPLISH 

Editor 


Contributing 

Editor 

Harry choms 

Senior 

correspondents 

Ikenna Ngere 

Tolulope Akinruli 

Adebayo Afolabi 

Head of design / 

web manager 

Olayiwola ajagbe 

Graphic 

designer/ social 

media handler 

Monica efeotor 

Marketing 

Director 

Nnamdi Dan 

Anyiam 

Business 

Development 

consultant 

Ngozi Ukpai 

Imiomozo Dan 

Anyiam 

Business 

Analyst 

Executive 

Ngozi EZE 

Advert/ 

Marketing 

Executive 

Tega Diagbare 

Editor in chief 

Remi Diagbare 

chairman Editorial Board 

Dr Austin Nweze 

For advert enquiries, please contact 

Marketing Director, 

Imiomozo - 08075499632, 

Remmy +44 7424 594773 (Whatspp only) 

or email, 

accomplish@entrepreneurng.com 

Our Vision: 

To be the go-to publication for information 

and inspiration in pursuing life’s 

attainments. 

Our Mission: 

To profile and celebrate the achievements 

and lifestyle choices of outstanding leaders 

and influencers in business, manufacturing, 

agriculture, academia, administration, 

entertainment and innovation in Nigeria, 

Africa and, indeed, globally. 

Disclaimer: 

Please note that all photos used in this 

special digital edition of the ACCOMPLISH 

Magazine were sourced freely online. 

We maintains no rights over the images/ 

photos, while we have tried to give 

appropriate credit where due, we are 

aware some artistes were not credited. 

We remain committed to supporting 

intellectual property and creativity. 

© 2023 Tegali Communications 


NIGERIA: 

BITS & BOBS 

By Ikenna Ngere 

BUSINESS AND FINANCE 

Nigeria’s Exports Thrive in Angola, 

Reaching $16.8m 

Nigeria’s exports to Angola will reach $16.8 

million between 2020 and 2022, according to 

Domingos Lopes, Secretary of State for International 

Cooperation and Angola Communities. 

Lopes made the remarks on Thursday at the 

inaugural interactive Angola-Nigeria business event in 

Abuja. 

The Secretary, who represented the Minister of 

External Relations, His Excellency, Téte Antonio, stated 

that the first economic, technical, scientific, and 

cultural cooperation agreement was signed in 1976, 

and that the exchange between the two countries has 

been remarkable in diplomatic, defence and security, 

petroleum, education, culture, and transportation. 

Naira’s Freefall Continues, Hits 

New low of 1060/$ 

The crisis in Nigeria’s currency exchange 

market doubled on October 18, with the local 

currency sinking further across all market 

segments. 

The naira fell to N1,100 to USD1.0 midday in the 

parallel market before settling at N1,060 in Lagos’ 

major trading hubs. In the parallel market, it had 

been hovering at N1,025 for the previous month. 

Stock Market Plunges N140bn due to 

Massive Sell-Offs 

The stock market reversed its previous day’s gain to 

close trading with a N140bn loss. This loss comes after 

two days of profitable trading. The All-Share Index and 

market capitalisation both fell by 0.38 percent to 67,098.8 

and N36.864 trillion, respectively. 

This decline was driven by sell-offs in high and 

medium-cap stocks on the local bourse, including 

Stanbic IBTC (-8.49%), AccessCorp (-2.39%), Fidelity Bank 

(-2.94%), Oando Plc (-1.67%), Zenith Bank (-0.75%), FBN 

Holdings (-0.31%), NASCON Allied Industries (-1.72%), Nestle 

(-0.49%), and MTN Nigeria (-0.20%). 

At the closing of trading, the number and value of 

shares traded fell by 24.87 percent to 298.69 million units 

and 4.60 percent to N4.48 billion in 5,348 transactions. On 

Thursday, October 19, there were 114 equities that traded 

on the market. 

4 

Accomplish Magazine

POLITICS 

Imo Election: Governor Uzodimma has never 

won credibly in the state — PDP 

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has stated that the 

All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate and Governor of 

Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, will not be able to win a credible 

governorship election in the state. 

The Independent National Electoral Commission has set 

November 11 as the date for the Imo governorship election. 

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said that all election 

indices in the state proves that Governor Uzodimma has been 

rejected by the people. 

Debo Ologunagba, the National Publicity Secretary of 

the opposition party, declared in Abuja on Tuesday, October 

17 that the APC candidate has no chance against the PDP 

candidate, Senator Samuel Anyanwu. 

President Bola Tinubu presides over FEC 

meeting, swears in three new ministers 

President Bola Tinubu swore in three new ministers to his 

48-member cabinet on Monday, October 16 at noon. 

Jamila Bio Ibrahim, Ayodele Olawande, and Balarabe 

Lawal took the oath of office at 12:15 p.m. at the State House 

Council Chamber, prior to the opening of the Federal 

Executive Council meeting presided over by Tinubu. 

This comes about two weeks after the Senate approved 

the three during a screening on October 4, 2023. 

President Tinubu nominated Ibrahim and Olawande 

as Minister of Youth and Minister of State for Youth on 

September 17, 2023. He also asked the Senate to appoint 

Balarabe Lawal as Kaduna minister. 

INEC to Deploy 46,084 Ad-hoc Staff Ahead of 

Imo, Bayelsa, Kogi poll 

The Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), has 

said that it will deploy 46,084 ad-hoc staff for the governorship 

elections in Bayelsa, Kogi, and Imo states on November 11. 

Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of INEC, announced this 

at a meeting with Residents Electoral Commissioners in Abuja 

on Friday. Yakubu stated that 11,000 observers will be deployed 

by approved national and international institutions for the offcycle 

poll. 

The INEC Chairman also stated that the 18 political parties 

contesting the governorship race would send out 137,934 agents, 

including 130,093 polling agents and 7,841 collation agents. 

Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu 

regains spot on Bloomberg’s World Richest List 

After recent gains in the prices of his top companies, Abdul 

Samad Rabiu rejoins Bloomberg’s exclusive list. According to the 

Bloomberg Billionaires Index, the 63-year-old billionaire currently 

owns $5.98 billion in assets. He is the world’s 403rd richest person. 

The Nigerian billionaire, together with his compatriot and Africa’s 

richest man, Aliko Dangote, is worth $16.3 billion. 

Rabiu is the founder and chairman of the Nigerian 

conglomerate BUA Group. Its Lagos-based subsidiary, BUA Cement, 

is the country’s second-largest cement manufacturer, with a 

projected turnover of N361 billion in 2022. Another listed subsidiary, 

BUA Foods, operates the largest paper and flour mill in Nigeria. 

ENTREPRENEUR 


QUOTES 

“My Lord, Tell me 

Where to Keep 

your Bribe” 

Poem By Prof. Niyi Osundare 

I 

o drop it in your 

venerable chambers 

Or carry the heavy 

booty to your 

immaculate mansion 

Shall I bury it in the capacious 

water tank 

In your well laundered 

backyard 

Or will it breathe better in the 

septic tank 

Since money can 

deodorize the smelliest crime 

Shall I haul it up the attic 

Between the ceiling and 

your lofty roof 

Or shall I conjure the walls to 

open up 

And swallow this sudden 

bounty from your honest 

labour 

Shall I give a billion to each of 

your paramours 

The black, the light, the 

Fanta-yellow 

They will surely know how to 

keep the loot 

In places too remote for the 

sniffing dog 

Or shall I use the particulars 

Of your anonymous 

maidservants and manservants 

With their names on overflowing 

bank accounts 

While they famish like 

ownerless dogs 

Shall I haul it all to your village 

In the valley behind seven 

mountains 

Where potholes swallow up the 

hugest jeep 

And Penury leaves a scar on 

every house 

My Lord 

It will take the fastest 

machine 

Many, many days to count this 

booty; and lucky bank bosses 

May help themselves to a 

fraction of the loot 

My Lord 

Tell me where to keep your 

bribe? 

My Lord 


bribe? 

The “last hope of the common 

man” 

Has become the last bastion 

of the criminally rich 

A terrible plague bestrides the 

land 

Besieged by rapacious 

judges and venal lawyers 

Behind the antiquated wig 

And the slavish glove 

The penguin gown and the 

obfuscating jargon 

Is a rot and riot whose stench 

is choking the land 

Behind the rituals and roted 

rigmaroles 

Old antics connive with new 

tricks 

Behind the prim-and-proper 

costumes of masquerades 

Corruption stands, naked, in 

6 

Accomplish Magazine

QUOTES 

Prof. Niyi Osundare 

its insolent impunity 

For sale to the highest bidder 

Interlocutory and perpetual 

injunctions 

Opulent criminals shop for 

pliant judges 

Protect the criminal, enshrine 

the crime 

And Election Petition Tribunals 

Ah, bless those goldmines 

and bottomless booties! 

Scoundrel vote-riggers romp to 

electoral victory 

All hail our buyable Bench 

and conniving Bar 

A million dollars in Their 

Lordship’s bedroom 

A million euros in the parlor 

closet 

Countless naira beneath the 

kitchen sink 

Our courts are fast running 

out of Ghana-must-go’s* 

The “Temple of Justice” 

Is broken in every brick 

The roof is roundly perforated 

By termites of graft 

My Lord 


bribe? 

Judges doze in the courtroom 

Having spent all night, 

counting money and various 

“gifts” 

And the Chief Justice looks on 

with tired eyes 

As Corruption usurps his 

gavel. 

Crime pays in this country 

Corruption has its 

handsome rewards 

Just one judgement sold to 

the richest bidder 

Will catapult Judge & 

Lawyer to the Billionaires’ 

Club 

The Law, they say, is an ass 

Sometimes fast, 

sometimes slow 

But the Law in Nigeria is a 

vulture 

Fat on the cash-andcarry 

carrion of murdered 

Conscience 

Won gb’ebi f’alare 

Won gb’are f’elebi** 

They kill our trust in the 

common good 

These Monsters of 

Mammon in their garish 

gowns 

Unhappy the land 

Where jobbers are judges 

Where Impunity walks the 

streets 

Like a large, invincible 

Demon 

Come Sunday, they troop to 

the church 

Friday, they mouth their 

mantra in pious mosques 

But they pervert Justice all 

week long 

And dig us deeper into the 

hellish hole 

Nigeria is a huge corpse 

With milling maggots on its 

wretched hulk 

They prey every day, they 

prey every night 

For the endless 

decomposition of our 

common soul 

My Most Honourable Lord 

Just tell me where to keep 

your bribe. 

Large, extremely tough bags 

used for carrying heavy cash 

in Nigeria 

They declare the innocent 

guilty 

They pronounce the guilty 

innocent.” 


RealPolitik: 

Profiting from the 

Miscarriage of Ju 

in Nigeria 

By Victor Olewunne 

A reflection on Niyi Osundare’s Poem, 

My Lord, Where Do I Keep Your Bribe? 

The first few times I read 

this poem, I misread 

the word ‘Bribe’ as 

‘Bible’. Starting with the 

phrase, ‘My Lord’, one would 

think ‘Your Bible’ should be the 

natural follow up at the end of 

the sentence. Incidentally too, 

witnesses are put under oath 

with the Bible, the Qu’ran or 

other religious books or items in 

a court of law. They often swear 

to say the truth, nothing but 

the truth. This oath is premised 

on the assumption that, the 

judge who is putting a witness 

under oath is already on oath 

to do justice, that the judge is 

beyond reproach. Osundare tells 

us a different story about the 

Nigerian judiciary. 

The cornerstone of any just 

and fair legal system is the 

trust that the public places in 

the judiciary. This is one of the 

pillars of political order. Judges 

are expected to be impartial, 

unbiased, and driven by a 

commitment to uphold the law 

and deliver justice. However, 

throughout history, there have 

been instances where corrupt 

judges have tarnished the 

reputation of the judiciary 

by exploiting their power for 

personal gain. This write-up, 

taking a cue from Osundare’s 

poem, is about the disturbing 

phenomenon of corrupt judges 

getting rich from the miscarriage 

of justice in Nigeria. 

Understanding 

Corruption in the 

Judiciary 

Corruption within the judiciary 

can take various forms, and 

one of the most insidious is 

when judges use their positions 

to influence court decisions 

in favour of certain parties, 

typically those who can offer 

financial or political incentives. 

The miscarriage of justice occurs 

when judges, instead of basing 

their decisions on the merits of 

a case and the law, manipulate 

or subvert the legal process 

using legal technicalities. We 

have seen this grow and prevail 

unabashedly in Nigeria. We 

have seen the person who came 

fourth in an election become the 

first through judicial gymnastics, 

as was the case in Imo State. 

We have seen people who did 

not participate in an election 

become the elected officers, 

as was the case of Lawani 

and Akpabio. The most painful 

is the recent case of the 2023 

presidential election tribunal. 

Many believe that all the laws 

regarding the election have 

been thrown to the dustbin by 

the judges. So sad! 

The Drivers of 

Corruption 

Corrupt judges are often 

motivated by greed and a 

desire for personal enrichment. 

Their actions may be driven 

by financial gain or the desire 

to maintain their power and 

influence. The third and often 

8 

Accomplish Magazine

stice 

unseen factor, is the armtwisting 

use of dossiers of old 

misdemeanours and threats, 

which is wielded against the 

judges to make them do a 

certain bidding. 

There are several 

factors that 

contribute to this 

disturbing trend 

in Nigeria: 

Corrupt judges may accept 

bribes or kickbacks from 

individuals, corporations, 

criminal organisations or 

politicians in exchange for 

favourable rulings. As was 

alleged about the 2023 

presidential election judges who 

jetted out to France immediately 

after delivering their PEPT 

judgement, to supposedly, pick 

up their bribe money. These illicit 

payments, if true, can lead to 

unjust verdicts, putting innocent 

individuals behind bars, making 

nonsense of genuine cases or 

allowing guilty parties to escape 

justice. 

*In Nigeria, we have seen 

judges use their positions to 

promote the interests of their 

tribes, family members or close 

associates. This can result in 

nepotistic hiring practices as 

has been observed in judicial 

appointments in Nigeria. A 

Sharia judge was appointed by 

the Buhari administration as the 

Chief Justice of Nigeria, and a 

sitting Chief Justice was booted 

out before the end of his tenure 

by the same administration. 

There are allegations that the 

appointment of Supreme Court 

judges by Justice Olukayode 

Ariwoola preparatory to the 2023 

election cases took the same 

twist. Such actions, naturally, 

lead to preferential treatment 

in court cases, further eroding 

public trust in the legal system. 

*Political Influence is 

probably the worst thing 

to have happened to the 

judicial system in Nigeria. The 

independence of the three 

arms of our democratic system 

of government has been 

permanently destroyed. Buhari 

appointed his yes-men and 

tribes’ men to judicial offices. 

Tinubu has followed the same 

precedence to appoint his 

yes-men and tribes’ men to 

do his bidding in the judicial 

system. How on earth then, 

would anyone expect a judge or 

minister of justice appointed by 

Tinubu or whose appointment 

was influenced by Tinubu, to 

midwife and pursue a case 

against him, no matter how 

obvious the case may be 

according to the laws of the 

land. The order of the day is that, 

corrupt judges, so appointed, 

align themselves with political 

powers, making decisions that 

support the political agenda 

in exchange for protection, 

personal enrichment or 

advancement within the judicial 

system. 

The 

Consequences of 

Corrupt Judges 

The consequences of corrupt 

judges are far-reaching and 

devastating. They undermine 

the very foundations of justice 

and democracy, and have led 

to many wrongs in the Nigerian 

society: 

*Professional ethics are 

permanently interned. Going 

by deontological ethics, the 

judges abdicate their duties to 

the citizens, to their profession 

and to the country. Going by 

the tenets of virtue ethics, the 

character of the judges pollutes 


judges 

the entire judicial system and 

the society at large. Going by 

consequential ethics, innocent 

individuals are wrongfully 

convicted and spend years, 

or even decades, in prison for 

crimes they did not commit, 

while criminals of every shade 

are set free and let loose on the 

society. 

*Public trust and confidence 

in the judiciary is constantly 

being eroded. People have 

lost faith in the Nigerian legal 

system, which have resulted in 

the lack of cooperation with law 

enforcement agencies and a 

rise in vigilantism. Corrupt judges 

perpetuate social inequality by 

enabling wealthy or influential 

individuals to evade justice, as 

can be seen in recent cases in 

Nigeria, thereby reinforcing the 

notion that the law is not equal 

for all. In fact, in Nigeria, the law 

is further skewed to different 

shapes depending on what part 

of the country you come from. 

Fighting 

Corruption in the 

Judiciary 

To combat corrupt judges 

and protect the integrity of the 

legal system, several measures 

must be taken: 

*If the judiciary has lost its 

independence, as intended 

by the democratic system 

due to political influence, 

then an independent 

body should oversee the 

judiciary to investigate 

allegations of corruption 

and ensure accountability. 

Judicial employees should 

be encouraged to report 

misconduct by judicial officers 

and ensure that their protection 

from retaliation is guaranteed. 

Judges should be subject to 

strict ethical guidelines and 

financial disclosure requirements 

to prevent conflicts of interest. 

Public awareness must be raised 

about the importance of an 

independent and corruptionfree 

judiciary. This can help build 

a more vigilant and informed 

society. 

Conclusion 

Corrupt judges who profit 

from the miscarriage of justice 

pose a grave threat to the 

very foundations of the legal 

system and the society. Their 

actions erode public trust, lead 

to wrongful convictions, and 

perpetuate social injustices. 

It is crucial to address this 

issue through a combination 

of independent oversight, 

transparency, and public 

awareness to ensure that 

justice is served impartially and 

without bias. Only through these 

efforts can we hope to root 

out corruption and protect the 

fundamental principles of justice 

and the rule of law. According 

to Fukuyama in his book, Pillars 

of Political Order, the rule of law 

must be protected to prevent 

political decay and social 

disorder. Fukuyama further adds 

that, political order is a delicate 

balance that requires strong 

institutions and a commitment 

to the rule of law to prevent 

the rise of authoritarianism, 

corruption, and other challenges 

to governance. 

Victor 

Olewunne, 

AUTHOR BIO 

Victor Olewunne, the 

Ethicist, is a public affairs 

analyst and Founder, 

African Foundation 

for Ethics and Social 

Responsibility. 

10 

Accomplish Magazine

FEATURE & 

ANALYSIS 

Electoral tribunal 

verdicts and the 

future of democracy 

By Dave Baro-Thomas 

he palpable fear 

T 

arising from the 

declaration of 

winners in the 2023 

general election as 

announced by the 

electoral umpire, 

INEC, the subsequent counsel 

for losers to go to court, and the 

outcomes from the courts today 

are documentary evidence 

that the Nigerian brand of 

democracy falls short of the 

spirit and content that drive 

democracy in saner climes. 

The sheer pretense, 

connivance and dearth of 

political will to interrogate 

the fundamental elements 

that skew our democratic 

experimentations since the First 

Republic and the worsening 

outcomes since the Fourth 

Republic- posit nothing but a 

nation at home with ignominy, 

and until this shammed 

democracy is subjected to the 

acid test and grows organically 

vis-a-vis respect for its tenants, 

the business of governance is 

just a circus in Nigeria. 

One of the fall-outs of the 

recent elections in the country 

is the coinage- You can go 

to court and All eyes on the 

Judiciary- these crept into our 

political lexicon like wildfire, 

triggering inconceivable 

interpretations that stretch 

from the intellectual to the 

absurd – and at this juncture, 

one cannot help but reflect 

deeply on that aphorism: the 

law is an ass, or is it that the 

law is an axe, with the kinds of 

verdicts emanating from the 

electoral tribunals across the 

country. 


“ 

The judicial autonomy is a mirage in our democracy, 

even when it was enshrined in the constitution but 

breached in practice, so their financial freedom 

and welfare remain crucial to the development of 

democracy in Nigeria, and this should be on first line 

charge from the national budget, but resisted by the 

executive for clear-cut reasons – CONTROL! 

Before these judgements, 

expectations were intense, and 

very few sat on the fence- the 

ruling party boasted it had 

no case to answer, while the 

opposition was resolute that the 

evidence put on the table before 

the jurists would change the 

face of jurisprudence and birth 

new precedence that would 

enshrine and grow the muchdesired 

democratic culture and 

ethos in the country. 

It appeared the opposition 

did a fantastic job with their 

post-election campaign’s theme 

of eyes on the Judiciary- these 

are not good times to be a judge 

adjudicating electoral matters 

because the judges were also 

on trial like never in the annals of 

our immediate history. 

All eyes on the Judiciary took 

a life of its own and dominated 

our national consciousness 

such that it deserves to pass as 

the phrase of the year because 

never in the history of this nation 

has this arm of government 

brought to the cleaners and 

public ridicule. But why has 

it suffered this magnitude of 

disrepute, one wonders, and 

is the judicial arm an equal 

arm of government or a mere 

errand boy for the executive in 

the context of the doctrine of 

separation of power? 

So far, the tribunals have 

invalidated some victories at 

the State Houses, National 

Assembly, NASS, and out of 

the 18 gubernatorial electoral 

cases adjudicated, two sitting 

governors are red-carded, but 

matters are proceeding to the 

Supreme Court. In all of these, 

there seems to be this air of 

discontentment and demand 

for more blood on the dance 

floor of Nigerian politics, and 

the angst in the atmosphere is 

palpable, demanding the head 

of the judicial arm be dragged 

to the guillotine. 

From the First Republic, 

the legendary Chief Obafemi 

Awolowo challenged the 

outcomes of the elections till the 

1983 presidential election, which 

was won again for the second 

time by Alhaji Shehu Shagari 

of the NPN and that election 

branded the mother of fraud, yet 

the Supreme Court held it legit 

with only Justice Kayode Esho 

being the dissenting voice on 

26 September 1979 – the verdict 

for the first tenure. Since the 

Fourth Republic, all presidential 

election disputations have 

gone up to the Supreme Court 

except Goodluck Jonathan, who 

conceded to General Buhari 

before the final whistle. 

The elections that brought 

Umaru Yar’Adua, Goodluck 

Jonathan, Muhammadu Buhari, 

and now Bola Tinubu are all 

alleged to be fraughted with 

irregularities on a massive 

scale, but at all points (while we 

wait for this present case), the 

Supreme Court cleared and 

legitimatised those victories. 

Fundamentally, something 

PRESIDENT BOLA TINUBU 

is wrong somewhere because 

most of the judgements do not 

reflect the moods and realities 

on the ground, and again, legal 

experts are shouting from the 

mountaintop that the law is not 

emotionally-driven, it thrives on 

hard-core evidence, and where 

there is none or not sufficiently 

proven, mere articulations 

and excellence of speech are 

merely playing to the gallery 

and exciting the uninitiated 

in the temple of justice. Some 

believe that judges should be 

discretional, but medical doctors 

must follow the rules, or else the 

patient dies, if you do not get it, 

forget about it. 

So, here we are as a people, 

confronted with the same postelection 

tribunal disorder stress 

and many are hoping that the 

Supreme Court will contradict 

the appellate courts, which has 

not happened in our lifetime and 

may likely not happen because 

it is either the legal teams of 

the oppositions/losers have not 

broken the code or organise 

their evidence beyond all 

reasonable doubts, otherwise, 

there is more to Presidential 

12 

Accomplish Magazine

FEATURE & 

ANALYSIS 

Muhammadu Buhari 

Goodluck Jonathan 

The beauty of any democracy 

is the rule of law, but the 

custodians of such ideal that 

is the judicial arm, are glorified 

errand boys, broken, insulted, 

disparaged and incapacitated 

by the deliberate acts of the 

other organs, then it is a long 

walk to freedom as Nelson 

Mandela mused. 

We must rise to the occasion 

to demand absolute immunity 

for the Chief Justice of the 

Federal and States Chief Judges 

and total financial autonomy for 

this bastion arm of government 

– the Judiciary. Otherwise, let us 

remain with this democrazy (the 

demonstration of craze) and live 

with whatever verdicts coming 

from the courts! 

election verdict Nigerians are 

not aware of. 

So, the problems with the 

outcomes from the courts are 

endemic and self-inflicted by our 

collective docility and the oncein-four-years 

placards carrying 

and mouthy agitations. As it is 

today, the judicial arm is a mere 

tool in the hands of any ruling 

government to frustrate the 

development of democracy in 

Nigeria, and it did not start with 

Asiwaju Tinubu and will not end 

with him even when the CJN was 

in the news shouting that this 

arm is not a toothless bulldog, 

but it seems they like bones too 

much. 

Why should the Chief Justice 

of the Federation, CJN, be at the 

beck and call of Mr. President, 

and the State Chief Judges 

be the errand boys of the 

Governors? Should their budget 

be tied to the executive, and is 

immunity the sole preserve of 

only the President, Governors 

and Deputy Governors in a 

country like Nigeria, we expect 

any form of checks and 

balances where other arms of 

government are being hounded, 

harassed, embarrassed and 

thrown out by the executives 

because of control of state 

resources, and even at the 

last dispensation, members of 

the National Assembly voted 

against immunity for the Senate 

President and the Speaker. 

The judicial autonomy is 

a mirage in our democracy, 

even when it was enshrined in 

the constitution but breached 

in practice, so their financial 

freedom and welfare remain 

crucial to the development of 

democracy in Nigeria, and this 

should be on first line charge 

from the national budget, but 

resisted by the executive for 

clear-cut reasons – CONTROL! 

The French philosopher Baron 

Montesquieu will turn in his grave 

when he sees what has become 

of the doctrine of the separation 

of power in Nigeria, and we can 

put all our eyes on the justices or 

judges till thy Kingdom come, he 

who pays the piper dictates the 

drumbeats, and he who keeps 

the purse can also transmute 

into a Judas to keep our brand 

of democracy, crippled and 

worthless. 

Dave 

Baro-Thomas 

AUTHOR BIO 

A Banker, Special Project 

Executive (BusinessDay 

Media) and Event/Conferences 

Manager (Vanguard 

Newspapers). A Producer, Editor, 

Author/Publisher, (Development 

Post & Agrobusiness Times) 

Columnist, Voice-over artist, 

Content Specialist (Pan 

Atlantic University), Trainer, 

and Media Entrepreneur 

(GreenStel Communication/ 

Zemeef Communications) with 

a strong flare for marketing and 

research. 


REPORTAGE 

Revolutionizing 

Telecoms & Promoting 

Effective Governance 

Mo Ibra 

14 

Accomplish Magazine

him 


REPORTAGE 

By Damian Ikenna Ngere 

Meet Sir Mohammed Fathi Ahmed Ibrahim 

KCMG, more commonly known as 

Mo Ibrahim, a Sudanese-born British 

entrepreneur and philanthropist who has left 

a profound mark on the African continent. 

This Sudanese-British billionaire businessman 

initially embarked on a career that included 

employment with various telecommunications 

firms. Eventually, he founded Celtel, a venture 

that, upon its sale, boasted an impressive 

subscriber base of over 24 million mobile phone 

users across 14 African nations. 

Mo Ibrahim is not only the founder of one 

of Africa’s largest mobile phone companies 

but also the visionary behind the distinguished 

Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African 

Leadership. His journey is a testament to the 

transformative power of entrepreneurship and 

a deep commitment to improving the lives of 

people across the African continent. 

Early Life and Education 

Mo Ibrahim, the son of a menial clerk, was born 

in Sudan on 3rd May 1946 (77 years old) and later 

moved to Egypt with his family. Mo’s academic 

journey started in Egypt when he chose to enrol in 

Alexandria University’s engineering program. This 

choice would give him essential knowledge that 

would greatly impact his career in the telecom 

industry. After completing his undergraduate 

degree with honors, Mo returned to his native 

Sudan and started working as an engineer for the 

state-run telecom provider Sudan Telecom. 

Fortunately, Mo Ibrahim had an insatiable 

Entrepreneurial Journey 

Mo Ibrahim’s entrepreneurial spirit soared 

in 1983 when he left academia to become 

the technical director of Cellnet, which would 

later become O2, a company responsible for 

wireless operations in the UK. In 1989, he decided 

curiosity. His academic career took a fresh turn 

in 1974 when he moved to England. Following his 

enrollment, he worked hard to earn a master’s 

degree in electronics and electrical engineering 

at the University of Bradford. Mo’s unquenchable 

curiosity took him to the University of Birmingham, 

where he eventually earned a Ph.D. in mobile 

communications, but this was only the beginning. 

He willingly shared his knowledge by teaching 

at Birmingham, in addition to gaining more 

information himself. 

to start his own venture and founded Mobile 

Systems International, a company specializing 

in designing mobile networks. In 2000, he sold 

the company to Marconi, a telecommunications 

company, for over $900 million. 

The Birth of Celtel International: Creating 

a Mobile Network for Africa 

While still involved with Mobile Systems 

International, Mo Ibrahim recognized a critical 

gap in the African telecommunications sector - 

the absence of a pan-African mobile telephone 

network. In response, he founded MSI Cellular 

Investments in 1998, later renamed Celtel 

International. Mo’s vision for Celtel was unique. He 

established a business plan that was built on the 

principle of refusing to give or accept bribes - a 

stark contrast to the standard practices of many 

African companies. 

16 

Accomplish Magazine

Celtel’s Rapid Growth 

Celtel International embarked on a remarkable 

journey of rapid expansion, ultimately securing 

its position as one of Africa’s foremost mobile 

communications service providers. With their 

network coverage spanning over a dozen African 

nations, Celtel touched the lives of hundreds of 

millions of individuals. In a monumental business 

transaction that reverberated through the 

corporate world, Mo Ibrahim orchestrated the 

sale of Celtel to MTC Kuwait in 2005, commanding 

an astonishing $3.4 billion for the company. 

Remarkably, he remained at the helm as the 

company’s chairman until his well-deserved 

retirement in 2007. 

At the time of this momentous sale, Celtel’s 

operational footprint extended across 15 

African countries, operating under licenses that 

encompassed more than a third of the continent’s 

population. The company had dedicated over 

$750 million in investments in Africa, a testament 

to their commitment to delivering the advantages 

of mobile communications to millions of people 

across the continent. 

An Investment in Africa’s Future: 

Satya Capital Limited 

Beyond the world of technology and 

telecommunications, Dr. Mo Ibrahim’s influence 

extends into the world of investment. He is the 

Founding Chairman of Satya Capital Limited, 

a private investment firm primarily focused on 

Africa. Through this endeavor, he continues to 

drive economic growth and development across 

the continent. 


REPORTAGE 

Philanthropic Efforts 

After his successful entrepreneurial journey, Ibrahim turned his 

attention to investing and philanthropy. In 2006, he founded the Mo 

Ibrahim Foundation with the aim of promoting good governance 

in African countries. The foundation introduced the Ibrahim 

Index, a rating system that holds governing bodies accountable. 

Additionally, the foundation awards the Ibrahim Prize to African 

leaders who meet the established standards. The prize, valued at $5 

million, is the largest individual prize in the world. 

Continued Impact 

Dr. Mo Ibrahim is not only an expert in mobile communications 

but also a passionate advocate for African development and 

governance. He has played a leading role in various global 

initiatives and has received recognition for his contributions. TIME 

magazine listed him as one of the 100 most influential people in 

the world. He has also been honored with numerous awards and 

honorary degrees from prestigious academic institutions. 

Recognitions and Honors 

Dr. Ibrahim’s remarkable achievements are underscored by the 

many honorary degrees and fellowships bestowed upon him by 

renowned academic institutions. His accolades include recognition 

from esteemed universities such as the University of Birmingham, 

Bradford University, De Montfort University - Leicester, Imperial 

College - London, London Business School, Oxford University, Royal 

Academy of Engineering, SOAS - University of London, University of 

Pennsylvania, and Lancaster University. 

In addition to his academic recognition, Dr. Ibrahim has been 

the recipient of numerous prestigious awards. Notable among 

these are The GSM Association’s Chairman’s Award for Lifetime 

Achievement in 2007, The Economist Innovation Award for Social & 

Economic Innovation in the same year. In 2008, he was honored with 

the BNP Paribas Prize for Philanthropy, and in 2009, he received the 

Oslo Business for Peace Award. 

The accolades continued with the Raymond Georis Prize for 

Innovative Philanthropy in Europe in 2010, followed by the Clinton 

Global Citizen Award and the Millenium Excellence Award for 

Actions in Africa in 2010 and 2012, respectively. In 2012, Dr. Ibrahim 

was also recognized with the David Rockefeller Bridging Leadership 

Award, and in 2013, he received the Africare Leadership Award. 

In June 2013, he was honored with the Kiel Institute Global 

Economy Prize, and in May 2014, he received the Eisenhower 

Medal for Distinguished Leadership and Service. The Foreign 

Policy Association Medal was 

presented to him in June 2014, 

and in 2015, he was awarded 

the International Republican 

Institute (US) Freedom Award as 

well as the Danish CSR Honor 

Prize. 

Dr. Ibrahim’s commitment to 

philanthropy and leadership 

was further acknowledged with 

a second David Rockefeller 

Bridging Leadership Award in 

2017. In 2023, he was appointed 

Knight Commander of the Order 

of St. Michael and St. George 

(KCMG) in the New Year Honours, 

recognizing his outstanding 

contributions to charity and 

philanthropy. 

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Accomplish Magazine

Shaping Africa-Europe 

Relations 

Dr. Mo Ibrahim’s commitment to forging strong ties 

between Africa and Europe is exemplified through his 

role as the Co-founder and Co-chair of the Africa Europe 

Foundation. Launched in 2020, this foundation aims to reset 

and strengthen Africa-Europe relations, furthering the vision 

of a united and prosperous future for both continents. 

Ibrahim Index of 

African Governance 

(IIAG): Exploring Africa’s 

Governance through the 

Lens of IIAG 

Introduction to 

the IIAG 

The Ibrahim Index of African 

Governance, initiated by the Mo 

Ibrahim Foundation, is a valuable 

resource that plays a pivotal role 

in assessing governance across 

the African continent. Established 

in 2007, this index provides a 

holistic approach to measuring 

the quality of governance in 

African countries. By offering a 

data-driven evaluation, it has 

become a key reference point 

for scholars, policymakers, and 

anyone interested in the progress 

of African nations. 

Methodology 

and Metrics 

The IIAG employs a meticulous 

methodology that encompasses 

four key categories and 102 

indicators to assess governance. 

These categories are: 

Safety and Rule of Law: This 

category evaluates factors like 

personal safety, the rule of law, and 

the security of property and human 

rights in a country. It’s an essential 

component in understanding the 

overall governance climate. 

Participation and Human Rights: 

Participation and respect for 

human rights are crucial indicators 

of good governance. The IIAG 

measures these aspects, including 

the freedom of expression, 

assembly, and association. 

Sustainable Economic 

Opportunity: Economic conditions 

and opportunities are central 

to the well-being of any nation. 

The IIAG examines economic 

factors, including infrastructure, 

business environment, and public 

management. 

Human Development: Human 

development indicators, such as 

health, education, and welfare, 

provide insights into the overall 

quality of life. The IIAG considers 

these aspects in its evaluation. 


Data 

Collection 

and Analysis 

The IIAG’s data collection 

process is thorough and 

consistent, relying on multiple 

sources, including reputable 

institutions like the World Bank, 

African Development Bank, 

and the United Nations. This 

extensive data pool ensures the 

accuracy and reliability of the 

index’s findings. 

To further elucidate the 

data collection process, we 

can represent it graphically as 

follows: 

This diagram illustrates 

the flow of data from various 

sources to the final IIAG report, 

demonstrating the meticulous 

nature of the process. 

Importance 

and 

Implications 

The IIAG holds a significant 

position in assessing 

governance in Africa. By 

providing a detailed and 

multidimensional perspective 

on the state of governance, it 

serves several critical purposes: 

Accountability: It holds 

governments accountable 

for their performance in key 

governance areas, driving 

improvements in governance 

quality. 

Policy Formation: 

Policymakers rely on the 

IIAG to identify areas that 

require attention and policy 

reform, leading to enhanced 

governance structures. 

Investor Confidence: The 

IIAG’s insights are invaluable 

to investors looking to allocate 

resources in African countries, 

promoting economic growth 

and development. 

2022 IIAG framework (to sub-category level) 

Highlighting Africa’s citizens’ 

voices 

As citizens stand as the ultimate beneficiaries of public 

leadership and governance, the evaluation of governance 

performance must be firmly grounded in outcomes for the people 

and should not solely rely on official or expert assessments. 

Since the inception of the IIAG, the Mo Ibrahim Foundation (MIF) 

20 

Accomplish Magazine

SOURCE: https://mo.ibrahim.foundation/iiag 

has been actively collaborating 

with Afrobarometer, the premier 

pan-African research institution 

that conducts surveys to 

gauge public sentiment on 

the continent. The 2020 IIAG 

framework further elevated the 

prominence of these efforts. 

Previously scattered throughout 

various aspects of the IIAG, 

citizens’ evaluations of different 

governance aspects are now 

prominently featured in a 

dedicated section. This section 

serves as a comprehensive 

“reality check” to complement 

the IIAG’s findings. 

This section mirrors the IIAG’s 

categories and offers public 

perception data on aspects 

closest to the IIAG’s metrics, 

establishing itself as a crucial 

reference within the IIAG. 

It allows for the 

contextualization of results 

in the real-world context, as 

perceived by the citizens. It is 

important to note, however, that 

these scores are not factored 

into the calculation of the 

Overall Governance score. 


REPORTAGE 

Mo Ibrahim 

Special: 

Top 60 Quotes 

1) I am not a politician. I 

am not in politics. I’m just a 

citizen. 

2) Intimidation, 

harassment and violence 

have no place in a 

democracy. 

3) Mobile phones play a 

wonderful role in enabling 

civil society. They are a 

wonderful political tool as 

well as empowering people 

economically and socially. 

4) Cape Verde produces 

good people. 

5) The African 

Development Bank is one 

of the most aggressive 

advocates of regional 

integration. 

6) The way forward for 

Africa is investment. 

7) I don’t subscribe to 

the narrative that Africa 

is backwards because of 

colonialism. 

8) Roads are not practical 

in Africa. 

9) Business people get 

many undeserved prizes 

- golden parachutes 

and bonuses even when 

companies fail. I don’t think 

people should get rewarded 

for screwing up. 

10) People never confess 

to failure. They should. 

11) A narrative that 

branded Africa as little more 

than an economic, political 

and social basket case 

was not likely to provide the 

investment needed to drive 

development. 

12) Almost every country 

in Africa has now instituted 

multi-party democracy. 

13) Far from being 

hopeless, Africa is full of 

hope and potential, more 

so than any other continent. 

The challenge is to ensure 

that its potential is utilized. 

14) I don’t have heroes in 

business; I never looked up 

to business people. 

15) Africa has 53 countries. 

And you find that three or 

four countries in these 53 are 

dominating the news. 

16) We need to look at 

ourselves first. We should 

practice what we’re 

preaching. Otherwise, we 

are hypocrites. 

17) We need to 

keep pressure on 

our governments to 

force more and more 

transparency. 

18) What is a 

government supposed 

to do for its people? To 

improve the standard of 

living, to help them get 

jobs, get kids to schools, 

and have access to 

medicine and hospitals. 

The government may not 

directly provide these 

public goods and services, 

but the government 

must be accountable for 

whether or not they are 

delivered to citizens. 

19) Africa is rich, and 

why are we poor if our 

22 

Accomplish Magazine

continent is rich? It is not 

right. 

20) All we hear about 

Africa in the West is Darfur, 

Zimbabwe, Congo, Somalia, 

as if that is all there is. 

21) I left Sudan when I was 

25 or 26 years old. If I had 

stayed, I would never have 

become an entrepreneur. 

You can have the qualities, 

but if you don’t have the 

environment, you wither 

away. It’s like a fish: take it 

out of the water; it will not 

survive. 

22) I came to the 

conclusion that you must 

be ruled properly to move 

forward. Everything else is 

second. Everything. 

23) From my father, I learnt 

kindness and how to talk 

straight. 

24) Sudan has been 

an experiment that 

resonated across Africa: 

if we, the largest country 

on the continent, reaching 

from the Sahara to the 

Congo, bridging religions, 

cultures and a multitude 

of ethnicities, were able 

to construct a prosperous 

and peaceful state from 

our diverse citizenry, so too 

could the rest of Africa. 

25) Increasing 

extremism - across Africa 

and the world - must be 

understood in the context 

of the failure of our leaders 

to manage diversity within 

their borders. 

26) Educational 

opportunities have 

supported the rise of the 

African middle class, the 

professional cadre of 

young people who are 

now willing and able to 

contribute to Africa’s 

future prosperity. 

27) I don’t even have a 

small boat. I don’t even 

have a toy boat in my 

bathtub. I don’t have 

a biplane; I don’t have 

anything. Those things 

are toys, and I don’t need 

them to be happy. 

28) In the final analysis, 

finding a way to do clean 

business and not pay 

bribes actually improves 

your bottom line. 


29) The rule of law is the 

most important element in 

any civil society. 

30) The issue with 

international institutions 

is that there needs to be 

more legitimacy. Trust in 

these institutions is a serious 

problem. 

31) Behind every corrupt 

politician are 10-20 corrupt 

businessmen. 

32) Remarkably, 

governments are beginning 

to embrace the idea 

that nothing enhances 

democracy more than giving 

voice and information to 

everybody in the country. 

Why not open their books if 

they have nothing to hide? 

33) Mobile phones could 

only work in Africa with 

prepaid because it’s a cash 

society. 

34) I ended up being a 

businessman unwittingly. I 

wanted to be an academic; I 

wanted to be like Einstein. 

35) More people smile at 

me, and now I’m richer. 

36) If Sudan starts to 

crumble, the shock waves 

will spread. 

37) The fight against 

Ebola must uphold the fight 

against poverty. 

38) The problem is that 

people often suspend 

their common sense 

because they get drowned 

in business models and 

Harvard Business School 

teachings. 

39) Of course, Nelson 

Mandela, everybody knows 

Nelson Mandela. He’s a 

great gift not only for Africa 

but for the whole world. But 

do not expect everybody to 

be a Nelson Mandela. 

40) African leaders work 

under severe limitations and 

constraints. 

41) We measure everything 

- why not governance? 

42) Every man, woman 

and child knows about 

Mugabe, but people say, 

‘Mogae, who is that?’ 

43) Africa’s success stories 

deliver the whole range 

of the public goods and 

services that citizens have 

a right to expect and are 

forging a path that more will 

follow. 

44) Young people are 

better educated. They 

grew up in a society which 

is well-connected and 

well-informed. They can 

communicate with one 

another to know what is 

happening. 

45) Africa was perceived 

- it still is to some extent - as 

a very difficult place to do 

business in. I don’t share 

that view. 

46) Nobody messes with 

China; nobody messes 

with the United States or 

with Europe because these 

are really big entities with 

a lot of clouts and a lot of 

economic power. They have 

a place at the table. 

47) Computers are very 

expensive and need power, 

which can be a problem in 

Africa. 

24 

Accomplish Magazine

57) I never set out really 

to build a financial empire 

or to be a wealthy man. 

58) If economic progress 

is not translated into 

better quality of life and 

respect for citizens’ rights, 

we will witness more Tahrir 

Squares in Africa. 

59) Africa is 

underpopulated. We 

have 20% of the world’s 

landmass and 13% of its 

population. 

60) The leakage of 

information means 

you’ll be able to read 

everybody’s e-mail. 

48) We cannot expect 

loyalty to an unjust regime. 

49) Nobody in Africa 

loves to be a beggar 

or a recipient of aid. 

Everywhere I go in Africa, 

people say, ‘When are we 

going to stand up on our 

feet?’ 

50) Remember, 2000 was 

the year of the dot-com 

bust. The telecom industry 

lost about $2 trillion in 

market capital then. 

51) It was a no-brainer 

that the cellular route 

would succeed in Africa. 

52) Sudan cannot afford 

to be on the wrong side 

of history. The North and 

South will have to work 

together, but will they? 

53) Africa should not face 

isolation or stigmatization 

again based on ignorance 

and unrepresentative 

imagery. 

54) Experience shows 

that overall development 

becomes unsustainable 

when political governance 

and economic management 

diverge. 

55) When you ask people 

what they think of Africa, 

they think of AIDS, genocide, 

disasters, famine. 

56) Botswana had three 

successive good presidents 

who served their legal 

terms and did well for their 

countries - three, not one. 

Harry Choms 

AUTHOR BIO 

Harry Choms is a freelance 

writer with a passion for 

words and a keen eye for 

details, an editor, and 

an avid tech believer. 

His works can be seen 

on EntrepreneurNG. 

com, Imautomator, 

Secureblitz, Withinnigeria, 

Feelgospel, Kemifilani, and 

Glamsquad Magazine. He 

is the Webmaster and sole 

owner of Matrismart.com 

and biowiki.com.ng. 


Picture 

Halima Dangote, Mo Ibrahim, 

and Aliko Dangote 

With Ivory Coast’s President Alassane Ouattara 

Mo Ibrahim honoured as Knight 

Commander of the Order of St Michael 

and St George by the Princess Royal at 

Buckingham Palace 

With son Hosh and daughter Hadeel 

With former South African president 

Nelson Mandela 

Wealthy Nigerians Urged To Support Fight 

Against Insecurity As Jim Ovia Foundation 

Boosts Police Facilities In Agbor 

26 

Accomplish Magazine

With Micheal Milken 

Satya Capital Limited founding partner, Mo Ibrahim; Tsega 

Gebreyes, managing partner, Satya; and Bill McGlashan, 

founder and managing partner, TPG Growth 

Mo Ibrahim (2nd from Left) and guests 

attend the 2013 Focus For Change gala 

benefiting WITNESS at Roseland Ballroom 

Damian 

Ikenna Ngere 

The Ibrahim Leadership Fellowships 

were established in 2011 to identify 

and mentor the future generation of 

outstanding African leaders.psd 

AUTHOR BIO 

Ikenna is a graduate of Physics 

and Education, who works as a 

freelance writer. He has interest in 

technology, humanity and sports. 


Africa 

and the 

Ibrahim 

Prize for 

Leadership 

By Diiyi William-West 

The Ibrahim Prize for 

Leadership, which is one of 

the change-agents under 

the aegis of the Mo Ibrahim 

Foundation, stands on a 

unique pedestal with its 

primary goal of driving 

the much-desired good 

governance in Africa. The 

Foundation, founded in 2006, 

created the award to serve 

as a beacon of guidance 

which every discerning 

African who truly desires 

accountable governance 

on the continent should 

use to gauge his and other 

people’s contributions to 

governance. Mo Ibrahim has 

used the award to stir deep 

rethink and discourses on 

the subject of leadership 

praxis - negative, positive or 

otherwise – on the continent, 

particularly now that global 

attention is increasingly 

turning to Africa. 

The Ibrahim Prize (as it’s 

also referred to) signifies a 

commitment to recognising 

and rewarding exemplary 

leadership. By paying 

attention to this prize, 

Africans can actively engage 

in shaping the narrative of 

leadership in their respective 

countries. This time, not from 

the skewed perspectives that 

have tainted administration 

after administration in 

almost every country on 

the continent; instead, 

the narrative should be 

based on the standards 

of modern, objective best 

global practices. The Ibrahim 

Prize is much more than 

a mere accolade; it’s a 

catalyst for positive change. 

By acknowledging and 

celebrating leaders who 

demonstrate excellence, 

the prize encourages a 

culture of responsible 

governance, fostering the 

growth and development 

Africa earnestly deserves. It’s 

a call for citizens to demand 

and expect leadership that 

prioritises the well-being and 

progress of the people. 

Leadership plays a 

significant role in influencing 

better leadership in Africa. By 

providing a substantial financial 

reward and recognition to 

former African heads of state 

who have demonstrated 

exceptional leadership, the 

prize creates a powerful 

incentive for leaders to prioritise 

good governance, democracy, 

and human rights. 

Unlike most awards, the 

Ibrahim Prize, which offers a 

whopping US$5 million cash, 

the largest cash award for 

leadership globally, is not 

just a symbol of achievement 

but serves as a practical 

tool to encourage positive 

behaviour and equally positive 

choices in policy formulation 

and implementation among 

current and upcoming leaders. 

It sends a message that 

excellence in governance 

is not only appreciated 

but also rewarded; that is, 

appreciation during the tenure 

of administration and rewarded 

28 

Accomplish Magazine

after the leaders are out of 

power – which is the prize’s 

unique selling point – a rarity 

in many respects. Again, the 

visibility of the prize contributes 

to raising the standards of 

leadership, fostering a sense of 

accountability among current 

and future leaders. 

Of particular importance 

is the criteria that the 

aspiring awardee will leave 

power voluntarily, adhere to 

constitutional term limits, and 

demonstrate leadership that 

improves the political, economic 

and social experience of his or 

her compatriots while in office 

and setting a benchmark for 

what is expected from leaders. 

Indeed, the Ibrahim Prize is not 

the only issue hammering on 

positive, country transforming 

governance across Africa but 

it is clear that it has become 

an indispensable agent 

intentionally insisting on higher 

standards of leadership praxis 

and better outcomes in African 

governance. 

Conclusion 

Looking at the prevailing 

and often disturbing level 

of corruption, nepotism, 

gangsterism, selfaggrandisement, 

political 

thuggery, shameless and 

heartless bloodletting for 

political, ethnic and religious 

reasons and repeated barefaced 

judicial chicanery 

which foists persons fit for 

disqualification as leaders of 

different tiers of governance 

all over Africa, it is necessary 

for Africans, wherever they 

are resident, to pay attention 

to the significance of the 

Ibrahim Prize for Leadership. 

By paying attention to the 

prize, Africa can highlight 

and encourage effective 

leadership, fostering a 

positive trajectory for 

the continent’s political 

landscape. This call is an 

open call for consistent, 

accountable leadership 

that can pave the way for 

sustainable development 

and prosperity. 

Diiyi 

William-West 

AUTHOR BIO 

More fondly known as 

DDWEST, he has several 

years of media practice 

experience spanning 

magazines, newspapers, 

television and radio; laying 

emphasis on maintaining 

standards in media practice. 

He practised and lectured 

Public Relations for nearly 

a decade before going into 

leadership consulting and 

real estate consultancy. 


President Tinubu’s 

Slave Economics 

Will Provoke a 

Haiti-type 

Revolution 

By Prince Justice Faloye 

President Tinubu claimed 

that our $10b fuel subsidies 

were too expensive and 

removed them, which has led 

to galloping inflation, while the 

United States government’s 

Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is 

paying out $369 billion in energy 

subsidies. Our London-Chicago 

politicians turned subsidies 

into a dirty word, but the United 

Kingdom spent £258bn on 

subsidies across the economy 

in 2020/21, representing about 

23 percent of all government 

spending. It is basic economics 

that subsidies provide huge 

multiplier effects to stimulate 

consumer demand and local 

production, while Tinubu 

subsidy removal has killed the 

economy and he only wants to 

use redenomination to hide the 

corpse. Mental slavery is so bad 

it can make you self-destructive 

and even commit suicide. 

For political survival, the 

political leadership of Western 

nations, led by revolutionprone 

France, introduced an 

array of subsidies, following 

the Russian Revolution. Even 

though energy and transport 

subsidies are at the foundation 

of Western mercantilist 

economies, to avert revolutions 

across Western nations in the 

mid-1900s, they paid out huge 

housing subsidies which is why 

they have neat rows of houses 

across their cities built around 

the same time. Subsidies were 

paid for employment, health, 

transport and agriculture to 

stop price fluctuations that kill 

agriculture, but African leaders 

fall for upside-down economic 

theories prescribing subhuman 

conditions for Blacks, to 

arrest and exploit us in modern 

economic slavery. 

Like with the Native Labour 

Supply Theory, the backward 

bending supply curve, to 

justify low Black wages, it 

was postulated that Black 

people are genetically lazy 

and couldn’t be motivated 

after a certain level of wages 

to supply more labour, current 

day Eurocentric scholars and 

politicians postulate a body of 

self-destructive and povertyperpetuating 

policies. One can’t 

but wonder which International 

Monetary Fund (IMF) economic 

rule book informed Tinubu to 

remove the $10 billion subsidy 

which was just 2% of our gross 

domestic product (GDP) which 

led to multiplier effects of over 

33% in the economy, when the 

latest IMF report estimates 

that 6.5% of global GDP ($5.2 

trillion) was spent on fossil fuel 

subsidies in 2017, a half trillion 

dollar increase since 2015. 

Who are Nigeria’s economic 

models if not the world’s largest 

subsidisers that include China 

($1.4 trillion in 2015), the United 

States ($649 billion) and Russia 

($551 billion)? The International 

Energy Agency estimated 

that so-called consumption 

subsidies for fossil fuels across 

the world doubled in 2022 to 

$1 trillion globally. The agency 

30 

Accomplish Magazine

FEATURE & 

ANALYSIS 

PRESIDENT BOLA TINUBU 

tracked some $634 billion in 

energy-sector subsidies in 2020, 

and found that around 70% were 

fossil fuel subsidies. 

Some analysts state that the 

United States has subsidised 

its energy sources for the last 

100 years which enabled it to 

grow into an industrial world 

power. As an Africanist, I am 

quick to remind them that 

even before the use of fuel for 

engines that came with the 

1800s Industrial Revolution, when 

production was based on raw 

human strength, governments 

subsidised the importation of 

African slaves to drive their 

production! In addition to 

subsidising production, the 

government, from the mid-1900s, 

subsidised consumption, based 

on the understanding that 

you have to boost consumer 

demand of socially beneficial 

production. 

In over 60 Black African and 

Caribbean nations subjected to 

neo-liberal economic policies 

of subsidy removals and cutting 

government expenditures, not 

a single one has successfully 

uplifted its economy. It took 

the leadership of the Brazilian 

President, Lula DaSilva, to 

uplift the Brazilian economy 

by doing the opposite of IMF 

economic policies by increasing 

consumer demand through 

payment of subsidies to various 

sectors and classes which, in 

no time, resulted in the Brazilian 

economy overtaking the British 

economy to become the sixth 

largest economy in the world. 

So, despite Brazil’s obvious 

example, why has Tinubu 

embarked on an economicsuicide 

mission? Apart from 

conspiracy theories, this 

is a case of coloniality of 

knowledge (colomentality) 

and power sources (Western 

puppets governance). The 

coloniality of knowledge since 

independence has resulted, not 

only in the inability to efficiently 

manage the neo-colonial 

economy they inherited, but 

also inability to turn any Black 

economy into an industrial, 

self-sufficient economy. It is 

obvious that all developed 

nations launched into 

industrialisation by massive 

railway development, but 

Black Eurocentric scholars and 

politicians advocate plantation 

agriculture, reminiscent of 

America’s slave plantation 

economics. 

Post World War 2 Europeans 

pool their resources in World 

Bank/IMF to fund subsidies in 

White nations only, thereby 

creating a global financial 

caste system. Western 

economic dominance obviously 


dictates our commodity prices 

and financial terms, so how 

can African leadership, after 

60 years of independence, if 

it is true and real, continue to 

accept economically suicidal 

policies from IMF when opposite 

polices are obviously applied 

across the developed world? 

Why, if not the coloniality of 

power sources that resulted 

in ‘khakistocracy’, (rulership of 

the worst across Africa), has 

Nigeria, Africa’s most populous 

nation and largest market, not 

pushed for an African economic 

bloc that can compete with 

other blocs like the European 

Union, North American FTA, 

China etc, and now waiting 

on Brazil, Russia, India, 

and China (BRICS)? 

The IMF that stands 

for International 

Monetary Fund 

is actually the 

‘International 

Monetary Foreman’ in 

a world where Black 

Africans were moved 

from private slave 

plantations into national 

slave plantations, led 

by neo-colonist foremen 

parading as presidents, 

professors, armed forces and 

other sectoral foremen. Such 

African leadership can’t unify 

plantation nations that belong 

to Western colonists into a 

bloc. Different leaders react to 

the coloniality differently. For 

instance, Olusegun Obasanjo 

tried to double-play them but 

remained within the spectrum. 

Goodluck Jonathan’s team 

over-played them and got 

thrown out with corruption 

propaganda. Now, Tinubu plays 

along sheepishly for selfish 

ambition. Moreover, it is not that 

our scholars and rulers don’t 

know the implications of IMF’s 

debilitating economic policies, 

but like in the slave plantations, 

the foremen are exempted from 

life-threatening production 

techniques! In modern terms, 

the foremen find a way out 

through cost of governance 

and over-inflated contracts. 

The cost of governance in 

Nigeria is actually greater than 

the cost of fuel subsidies used 

to stimulate our productive 

sectors. In 2022, out of the 

Federal Government’s ₦16.3 

trillion budget, ₦6.8 trillion 

was spent on the payment of 

salaries and other personnel 

overheads. That rose, this year, 

to ₦8.5 trillion of the ₦21.82 trillion 

budgeted. Therefore, instead 

of cutting fuel subsidy 

to push millions of people into 

poverty, it is estimated that 

Nigeria can save ₦12 trillion 

annually from the merger 

of government’s ministries, 

departments, and agencies 

(MDAs) that have overlapping 

functions, as recommended by 

the Stephen Oronsaye report 

(2011/2013 on reduction of cost of 

governance. 

In the eight years of the All 

Progressives Congress (APC) 

administration at the centre, 

a whopping N59.2 trillion 

was wasted on overheads, 

personnel costs, and other 

items of recurrent expenditure. 

In addition to the bloated 

bureaucracy and outrageous 

salaries, we have abuse of 

office where relatives of people 

in the corridors of power use 

presidential jets and large 

security details for private 

purposes. 

For instance, during Buhari’s 

regime, only 19.7 per cent of the 

total budgetary spending, or 

₦14.5 trillion went into capital 

expenditure (CAPEX), out of 

which only about 30 per cent 

was actualised. Out of the 

actualised budget, construction 

projects cost about four times 

the World Bank benchmark 

prices. All these considered, 

if we can’t have a single 

operational petrol refinery 

in over sixty years of crude 

oil mining, it is not difficult 

to understand why we 

haven’t developed 

and will never develop 

in this neocolonist 

governance. 

Ultimately, the cost 

of governance and 

poor economic policies 

are passed onto the 

masses, blaming them 

for fuel subsidy fraud 

that necessitates its 

cancelation. Oil subsidy 

is the only subsidy that 

the Nigerian masses and 

producers enjoy from the 

tax-hungry government. In 

saner nations with patriotic 

leadership, there are subsidies 

for transportation - to produce 

or build the infrastructure or 

for the masses to use in public 

transportation through cheaper 

fares. Developed nations don’t 

only help to build car assembly 

plants and railway lines, they 

also ensure their sustainability 

by securing the local markets. 

Their governments ensure 

that all tiers of government 

patronise their locally 

manufactured cars. In fact, 

those governments will even 

go to war in order to ensure 

that car makers sell armoured 

vehicles when the economy 

stagnates! 

32 

Accomplish Magazine

FEATURE & 

ANALYSIS 

Nigerian leaders see no logic 

in stimulating industrialisation 

or agriculture so they spend less 

than $50 million on agricultural 

input subsidies. In contrast, 

the global Agricultural Policy 

Monitoring and Evaluation 

2020 report found that the 54 

countries studied (all OECD 

and EU countries, plus 12 

key emerging economies) 

provide over US$700 billion 

a year to stimulate their 

agricultural sectors. The vast 

majority of this, US$536 billion, 

is in the form of payments to 

producers; the rest takes the 

form of consumer support 

and enabling services such 

as infrastructure investment 

or research and development. 

Despite agriculture contributing 

about 24% of Nigeria’s gross 

domestic production, the 

government allocates about 1% 

of the budget to the agriculture 

sector, both recurrent and 

capital expenditure. That’s how 

N228.4 billion was allocated 

to the agricultural sector in 

2023, which is 1.05 per cent 

of the total budget of N21.83 

trillion, compared to a cost 

of governance of 80% of the 

budget. 

With these obvious 

deliberate acts to arrest 

our economic and political 

development, it is now evident 

that our independence 

struggles were just to exchange 

a White exploitative class with 

a Black one. This is not only 

about Tinubu’s government; 

we have endured garbage-in, 

garbage-out set of Eurocentric 

scholars, psuedo elites and 

leaders. When the European 

colonists left, they did not return 

power to our traditional leaders 

from whom they seized power 

but to a newly indoctrinated 

neocolonist class that swept our 

long-term stakeholders and the 

masses aside. Their exploitative 

practices have now bankrupted 

the system and the people 

will eventually rise. Though 

Tinubu and the entire political 

class have been warned of 

provoking a revolution, they 

only listen to colonial powers 

and their international financial 

foremen and ignore the masses. 

This was why Tinubu refused 

to sell his economic plans to 

the electorate directly and 

through presidential debates 

while eager 

to attend the 

British Chatham 

House, the 

Royal Institute 

of International 

Affairs etc 

Just as we 

have seen 

Francophone 

countries 

rise against 

economic 

exploitation 

and connivance 

of their political leaders with 

Western sponsored terrorism, 

the writing is on the wall for 

other African nations that 

neocolonialism is on its last 

phase and will fall due to overexploitation. 

Just like the overexploitation 

of slave plantation 

economics led to the Haitian 

Ogun Revolution that spread 

across the Americas, the overexploitation 

of national slave 

plantations economies will lead 

to revolutions before 2030, if not 

before the next election cycle. 

A new social contract 

based on economic, cultural 

and political justice and 

development is surely required 

across Africa, but only after 

the people revolt to reclaim 

power from the neocolonist 

political class and create 

truly development-focused, 

representative democracies. 

Editor’s Note: This piece was 

originally published by www. 

aumedia.info. 

Prince Justice 

Jadesola Faloye 

AUTHOR BIO 

Prince Justice Jadesola 

Faloye is the President, 

ASHE Foundation and 

CEO, Adulawo Media. He is 

aalso a media practicioner, 

economist and publisher. 

He is the author, “The 

Blackworld Evolution to 

Revolution”, “Tutuoba’ and 

other publications. 


4.0 Industrial 

Revolution: 

A Game 

Changer 

By Tim Akano 

O 

f all the many 

diverse and 

stomachchurning 

challenges 

facing 

Nigeria, the 

most intense and urgent is 

multidimensional poverty. 

Poverty is the foster 

father of insecurity, youth 

unemployment and other vices. 

But there is a window of 

opportunity: the world is at 

the intersection of a revolution 

that will fundamentally 

alter the way we work, live, 

socialize and create wealth. 

In its scope, scale, size, speed, 

and possibilities, the fourth 

(4.0) industrial revolution is 

completely unlike anything 

humankind has experienced in 

history. 

There are profound 

paradigm shifts globally, 

underscored by the 

emergence of new business 

and governance models: the 

disruptions of incumbents 

and the re-calibration of 

production, distribution, 

marketing, consumptions as 

well as e-governance. All this 

will significantly transform 

the entire superstructure of 

not only the world economy 

but humanity. Therefore, 

mega fortune will no longer 

be found in her old address, 

mega fortune is moving into 

a new house, new address 

‘’industry 4.0 Villa’’. Inside the 

Villa are new technologies 

like: App economy, Platform 

economy, Artificial Intelligence 

(Ai), Internet of Things (IoT), 

Blockchain economy, 

Advanced Robotics, Metaverse, 

Autonomous Vehicles, 

Big Data, 3D&4D Printing, 

Materials Science, New 

Materials, Energy storage, 

Quantum Computing, Cloud 

Technology, Nanotechnology 

and Biotechnology among 

others. They have the capacity 

to create wealth that grows 

geometrically as against 

the conventional arithmetic 

growth. Apple Inc., for instance, 

is now a $2.7 Trillion company, 

far bigger than the entire GDP 

of Africa, bigger than South 

Korea, almost the size of UK 

GDP and half of Japan! One 

company! 

Therefore, looking into 

the panoramic view of the 

May 29 wedding ceremonies 

between the Groom (the new 

government) and the Bride 

(Nigeria), the real exam is the 

34 

Accomplish Magazine

FEATURE & 

ANALYSIS 

marriage and it starts the Day 

after. Putting back smiles on 

the face of the malnourished 

Bride requires innovative ideas 

capable of creating robust 

wealth in order to replace 

the bride’s hopelessness with 

hope, frustration with fulfilment, 

disappointments with dignity. 

The most veritable 

pathway to 

abundance is 

‘’industry 4.0’’ 

Since time began, 

technology has always played 

a decisive role in determining 

which nations would be Top 

Dogs and which ones would be 

underdogs. 

Greece once ruled the world 

when it gained technological 

superiority above others. 

Greece invented the Wind 

Vane technology first, which 

was mounted on a clock 

tower called The Tower of the 

Winds in Athens in 50 BCE that 

depicted the Greek god, Triton. 

Technology was god! 

Taiwan’s technologypowered 

economy, a small 

country of 23 million people, 

less than Lagos, is three times 

the size of Nigeria’s economy. 

30% of the Taiwanese GDP 

of $1.3 Trillion and 60% of the 

workforce are from technology. 

No industry matters more to 

Taiwan than chip making, 

which powers everything: 

telephone, electric cars, 

computers etc. Taiwan 

produces 60% of the world’s 

semiconductors and over 90% 

of the most advanced ones. 

South Korea is another 

country that relies on 

technology to power 

her modernisation, with 

specialization in electronics 

and semiconductors. 

Samsung’s workforce alone is 

about 300,000 and responsible 

for about 17% of their GDP with a 

revenue of $246 billion in 2022. 

Every smart nation in their 

quest for transformation ask 

the following seven questions 

in their strategy session, 

which the new class captain 

and his team must ask and 

answer truthfully before they 

get overwhelmed: (1) what 

capacity do we have? (2)What 

capacity do we need? (3) What 

are the top 3 areas where we 

have both competitive and 


comparative advantages over 

other countries? (4) What are 

the 7 MUST-WIN battles on the 

road to transformation? (5) 

What is left, new, hot or next 

that we can leverage on? (6) 

Who does what, when and how 

and at what cost? (7) What is 

the measure of success? 

Against that background, 

besides Agriculture, Technology 

(not oil) is the second 

most important breakout 

opportunity for Nigeria. The 

raw materials are here (youthsenergetic, 

teachable and 

hungry for success). But which 

technology is left that Nigeria 

can dominate and own the 

same way India owns software 

programming, Switzerland 

owns fintech and Israel owns 

Cyber Security? 

Disrupt & Leapfrog 

Every country that has 

escaped poverty did it by 

disrupting the status quo. 

Period. UAE and Qatar 

disrupted the Aviation and 

hospitality industries and 

collected Europe and America 

feeding bottles. South Korea 

disrupted the electronics world 

and relegated Japan, the 

former king of electronics to 

second division, while China 

disrupted the Global Supply 

Chain to leapfrog from 30th 

position to world’s second 

biggest economy within 30 

years. 

Europe dominated the first 

two industrial evolutions in the 

17th and the 18th centuries, a 

period the world transited from 

muscle power to mechanical 

power. America emerged the 

world’s class captain through 

superior innovations in ICT, 

which gave birth to the 3rd 

industrial revolution. 

Today, the world is in a 

new era of ‘’industry 4.0’’, the 

era of connected machines 

and systems, smart factories 

where additive manufacturing 

(3D& 4D Printing) is replacing 

the traditional subtractive 

manufacturing. These 

technologies can power 

Nigeria’s economy to evolve 

at an exponential rather than 

linear pace. 

4.0 Opportunities: 

Seeking Truth from 

the Forest of Facts*. 

Every investor (nations, 

corporations or individuals) 

always ask three fundamental 

questions before investing: 

(1) what is the size of the 

market? (2) What is the growth 

projection? (3) What is the 

state of competition? The 4.0 

market is massive with almost 

limitless growth potentials, and 

little competition because the 

market is still at infancy. 

Let us have a look at just 

nine of the markets: (1) Public 

Cloud Market is valued at 

$483.98 Billion in 2022, growing 

at Compound Annual Growth 

Rate ( CAGR) of 14.1%, forecast 

to reach $1Trillion in 2030, (2) 

Data Storage: $247.3billion in 

2023, growing to $777.98billion 

in 2030 at 17.8 CAGR, (3) Internet 

of Things: $300.3Billion in 2021, 

projected to reach $650.5Billion 

in 2026 at a CAGR OF 16.7%, (4) 

Cyber Security: $236.96Billion 

in 2023, projected to reach 

$479.15 Billion in 2030 at a CAGR 

36 

Accomplish Magazine

FEATURE & 

ANALYSIS 

of 9%, (5) Blockchain to reach 

$163 billion in 2026 growing at 

a CAGR of 56.3%, Autonomous 

Vehicles currently at $94.43 

Billion is projected to reach $1.8 

Trillion by 2030 at a CAGR of 

38.8%,, (7) Big Data currently at 

$273.4Billion, growing at CAGR 

of 11% , (8), App economy is 

currently valued at $500 Billion, 

and finally (9), the elephant in 

the room: Artificial Intelligence, 

currently valued at $100 Billion 

projected to grow at twentyfold 

to reach $2 Trillion in 6 years. 

Conversely, the global crude 

oil market size will grow from 

$2.7Trillion in 2022 to $2.9Trillion 

(2023 projection), a CAGR of 

just 5.7%. Betting on crude oil 

business for Nigeria’s economic 

redemption is like signing an 

irrevocable MoU with perennial 

failure. The “crude oil Horse” is 

old, tired, and sickly, fielding 

it in the Kentucky Derby is 

like planting mangoes and 

expecting to harvest apples! 

Oil’s best years were yesterday. 

Unarguably, Nigeria cannot 

win the transformation race 

relying on the crude oil Horse. 

We lost that battle 20 years 

ago! 

However, with ‘’industry 4.0’’, 

Nigeria has a new, powerful 

Horse. We can halve the 

poverty rate in 48 months 

of disciplined, honest and 

deliberate diligence, we can 

put 30 million youths in gainful 

employment. Israel and Costa 

Rica created a fertile and clean 

environment for businesses 

to flourish in the 1980s, INTEL 

went to site its factories there, 

and both countries witnessed 

unprecedented transformation 

immediately. Capital has no 

religion or race or emotion, like 

a river, it flows to smart nations, 

where there is a potential for 

higher returns. 

What does it all add up to? 

Skill, skill, skill. The CEO of the 

American Apple Inc, Tim Cook, 

with over two million Chinese 

app developers on iStore, 

when asked as to why Apple 

uses Chinese labor instead of 

Americans he said ’’No other 

country in the world, besides 

China has the combination of 

electronic component supply 

chain and large pools of 

skilled labour needed to make 

iPhones on the scale Apple 

needs’’. 

Good news: through 

‘’New Materials’’ and massive 

untapped mineral resources 

in Nigeria, we can become a 

major player in the technology 

space, henceforth. This is 

why the news of the Access 

Bank CEO, Herbert Wigwe’s 

establishing Wigwe University 

and making it a world class 

is a sweet music to the ear. 

Once adequate resources 

are available, the Nigeria 

government should rally 

round Wigwe University and 

other private investors in 

Higher education, the way the 

government broke protocol 

for Dangote Refinery. Wigwe 

University can be the first 4.0 

University in Africa, focusing 

exclusively on producing 

competent workforce for 

“industry 4.0” economy globally. 

Over 60% of what is taught 

currently in Higher education 

in Nigeria is obsolete or not 

in demand globally. A wellfunded 

“industry 4.0” Initiaves 

will create bigger wealth for 

Nigeria than all the petro dollar 

realised in the past 45 years. 

As of today, there are more 

than 40 million job placement 

opportunities in ‘’industry 4.0’’. 

Indeed, some 4.0 skills have 

zero unemployment rate such 

as Devops Engineering, Data 

Science, Ai Engineering and 

Platform Engineering. 


Which countries 

& industries can 

Nigeria disrupt*? 

1. ‘’NEW MATERIALS’’: 

Taiwan, South Korea and 

1 

Malaysia with a combined GDP 

in excess of $4 Trillion, heavily 

dependent on semiconductors 

are ripe for disruption, the 

way Turkey disrupted the 

Furniture business turning 

Italy to an ex-King. Nigeria 

can cause a disruption in 

the chip and electric battery 

production through the new 

material called GRAPHENE. 

Graphene is 100 times stronger 

than steel and just one-atom 

thick. It is one of the most 

expensive products in the 

world today. One ton is sold 

between $60,000- $200,000. 

It is used in electronics, 

energy storage, sensors, 

coating, and biomedical 

devices. Interestingly, all the 

raw materials required for 

this product can be found 

in Nigeria, such as carbon, 

Methane, hydrogen and 

transition metal. Others 

include charcoal from wood, 

coconut cells, saw powder and 

bagasse. Elon Musk describes 

graphene as a ‘’game changer’’ 

because it is a ‘future killer’ 

of Silicon, a product used in 

battery, electronics and chips 

making. In addition, all the 

eight raw materials required 

for EVs battery production are 

also available in commercial 

quantity in the Middle Belt, 

Ekiti, Kano and Cross Rivers. 

The new government can invite 

the world’s largest Graphene 

manufacturer, the Canadian 

NanoXplore for partnership. 

Wigwe University can be 

the first university in Africa 

with a Department of ‘’NEW 

MATERIALS’’ & Distributed 

Manufacturing, researching, 

teaching and commercializing 

‘’New Materials’’ in partnership 

with global corporations 

that are prepared to set up 

factories in Nigeria. Nigeria 

has about 150 million idle, 

unemployed or underemployed 

youths, we should stop 

reinforcing failure and use 

our brains. China’s packing 

Nigeria’s raw materials in the 

wee hours of the day from 

Zamfara, Osun , Ekiti, Ogun, 

Borno etc flying them to China 

to be converted to finished 

products for export back to 

Nigeria is part of the reasons 

why we are poor, heavily 

indebted and underdeveloped. 

The equation is not balanced: 

as the Chinese DRAGON is 

getting fatter, the Nigeria’s 

EAGLE is getting malnourished. 

This must stop. 

2 

2. Business Process 

Outsourcing (BPO) currently 

dominated by India and 

Philippines can be disrupted 

through a new BPO model from 

Nigeria. 

There is no better or faster 

way to reduce the youth 

unemployment rate besides 

the New Business Process 

Outsourcing. (NBPO). The 

gestation period is 12 months. 

In 2021, for instance, from 

the Filipinos Overseas Workers 

(FOWs) alone, the Philippines 

realised over $31 billion in cash 

remittances, bolstering the 

Philippines macroeconomic 

stability during the C-19 

lockdown. Overseas Filipinos 

workers (OFWs) pay taxes 

on income they receive in 

the country where they are 

working but are exempted from 

income taxes in the Philippines. 

Recipients of remittances are 

taxed on remittances received 

which are treated as income 

.The remittance receivers pay 

between 5%- 33% the standard 

Philippines taxation. However, 

the State also in return 

delivers a wide range of onsite 

programs and services to 

promote and protect the rights 

and welfare of OFWs, which 

includes training, custodial 

services and sundry welfare 

assistance. It is a win-win 

between the Overseas workers 

and the State. 

Nigeria should re-work the 

JAPA initiatives, merge It with 

NBPO to create a $50 billion 

economy. 

Notwithstanding the 

plundering of Nigeria in the 

past 63 years by the rapacious 

greed elites, breakout is still 

possible within ten years, 

provided round pegs are put 

in round holes in planning 

and execution of a new 

transformation agenda. 

Further more, the new 

government would need to 

license two banks: Nigeria 

Overseas Workers Bank (NOWB) 

and Bank for Expatriates. 

Millions of commissions in USD 

that go to MoneyGram and 

Co will stay in Nigeria with 

these two specialized banks 

from 2024. Why? With JAPA, 

38 

Accomplish Magazine

FEATURE & 

ANALYSIS 

Nigeria will soon have more 

of her citizens earning better 

income living outside of the 

country, therefore, there is a 

need to construct a new “dam” 

to harvest the opportunity in a 

win-win between the citizens 

and the State 

CONCLUSION: 

Nigeria is like a bride 

wearing a long face amidst 

wedding processional, even 

though the Groom (the new 

government) and groomsmen 

seem excited and looking 

boisterous. The Bride is deeply 

hurting, having been jilted 15 

times by the past 15 Grooms. It 

is so bad that Nigerians have 

started awarding “SURVIVOR 

CERTIFICATE” to all those who 

are alive to witness May 29 

inauguration. 

Outliving the out-going 

class captain, (2015-2023) 

is equivalent to having 

completed a hands-on, 8-year 

PhD programs in STOICISM. If 

you are reading this, you are 

free to affix ‘’Dr’’ to your name 

and profile. 

We are all PhD holders in 

Practical Stoicism, i.e the art 

and science of surviving under 

extreme stress. 

True, when compared with 

their colleagues in UAE, Hong 

Kong and Taiwan, the Nigeria’s 

political elite’s performance 

back-to-back is appalling, 

suboptimal, i.e. putting it mildly. 

However, Nature abhors 

a vacuum, nothing can 

be mismanaged in Nature 

ad infinitum, the Law of 

Compensation is immutable. 

All said, if the new class 

captain allows meritocracy, 

discipline and common sense 

to flourish, it is possible to grow 

Nigeria’s GDP to a $1Trillion in 

4 years (size Taiwan), $2 Trillion 

in 8 years (size South Korea), 

$5Trillion in 15 years (size Japan) 

and $20 Trillion in 25 years 

(China Size). Paradoxically, 

Nigeria is richer in both human 

and mineral resources than 

all the 4 countries combined. 

What does Japan have? Barren 

Mountains occupy over 73% 

of Japan’s landmass with 

an aged population. South 

Korea? Taiwan? They have 

only their brains which are not 

better than ours. China’s Silk & 

Roads projects were designed 

to make importation of raw 

minerals via the ubiquitous 

airports and Seaports she 

constructed worldwide easier 

for her, because China is 

resource-starved. 

While I truly acknowledge 

the complexity and volatility 

of Nigeria’s political-economy 

vis-a-vis public cynicism, I 

remain an incurable pragmatic 

optimist. I am in alliance with 

Nelson Mandela who said: It 

always seems impossible, until 

it’s done. 

Let our hopes, not our hurts 

or fear, shape Nigeria’s future. 

Tim Akano 

AUTHOR BIO 

Tim Akano is an investor, 

entrepreneur, writer, author, 

mentor and life coach. 

After his two decades in the 

business world working with 

multinational conglomerates. 

Today, he is the MD/CEO 

of New Horizon Solutions 

Nigeria Limited, a franchise 

of the world largest computer 

training institute, New Horizon 

International. 


INTERVIEW 

Pamela 

Yough: 

On Banking and 

Breaking the Glass Ceiling 

By Adebayo Afolabi 

Pamela Yough is a seasoned banking professional with a remarkable career that spans 

over 25 years. She held the prestigious position of Chief Executive Officer at Zenith Bank 

(UK) Limited from June 2017 to September 2021. Pamela’s journey in the financial world 

showcases her expertise, starting with nearly 17 years at Zenith Bank PLC, where she excelled in 

various roles, including General Manager of MCP Group and Investor Relations. 

Her impact extended to leading departments like Treasury, Head Office Operations, and 

more. Before joining Zenith Bank (UK) Limited, she ran her own Consulting Firm, offering Financial 

Advisory Services. Pamela’s strategic mind shines through her instrumental role in arranging 

long-term foreign finance for the Zenith Group. 

Beyond her impressive qualifications as a Stanford and Oxford University alumna, Pamela 

Yough has left an indelible mark on the banking sector, contributing innovation and excellence 

at every step of her distinguished career. 

Accomplish Magazine spoke with Yough about her journey in banking and all the things she’s 

achieved in a career that’s truly filled with memories. It’s an interesting conversation. 

Can you tell us about your journey in the 

banking industry and how you became the 

CEO of Zenith Bank (UK) Limited? 

My journey in the banking industry started 

after I returned to Nigeria from the United 

States to fulfill my national assignment by way 

of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC). 

I served at International Merchant Bank Ltd. 

(IMB), an affiliate of First National Bank of 

Chicago, USA. I was retained thereafter. 

I worked at IMB for 8 years, during which 

period I got my basic training, working in 

various departments and units such as the 

Credit and Marketing Department, Real Estate, 

and Development Finance units as well as 

the Treasury Department. I rose to the level of 

deputy manager before I left in 1994. 

I then moved to Citizens International Bank 

Ltd. in 1994 as a manager and Unit Head of the 

Oil Services Sector. I worked there for 5 years 

and left after a brief stint as Branch Manager 

at the Port Harcourt branch before I went back 

to Lagos as a Unit Head for Manufacturing 

and Exports in 1999. 

I was then head-hunted by Zenith Bank and 

was hired in 1999 as a Senior Manager. It was 

at Zenith Bank that I got to excel as a core 

banker. Top management had a lot of faith 

in me and invested in my future in terms of 

training and development as well as by giving 

me a lot of opportunities to handle various 

portfolios and responsibilities across the bank. 

40 

Accomplish Magazine


INTERVIEW 

Over the years, I got training in all 

aspects of banking and headed various 

departments such as Public Sector Marketing 

in Abuja, Private Banking at the head office, 

Revenue Collection, Head Office Operations, 

Multilaterals, Conglomerates/Corporate 

Banking, Treasury, Correspondent Banking/ 

Forex Dept., Investor Relations, Zonal 

Management of multiple branches etc. I 

also went on a lot of training courses, locally 

and internationally, including Ivy League 

institutions such as Oxford University, Stanford 

University, University of Cambridge as well as 

MIT. 

During this period, I won multiple awards 

for high performance and was given various 

appointments as non-executive director 

on boards of subsidiaries such as Zenith 

Registrars, Zenith Realtors and Zenith Pensions. 

I left Zenith Bank as a General Manager in 

2012 after 12½ years of meritorious service. 

Thereafter, I had a 5-year break where I 

ventured into financial consulting, real estate 

development as well as engaging in fashion 

retailing (owning a boutique) as a hobby. 

In 2017, I was called back by the Chairman 

of Zenith Bank, Mr. Jim Ovia, to become the 

first Nigerian CEO of Zenith Bank UK Limited 

with a branch in the United Arab Emirates. 

This was due to the fact that I had helped 

to establish Zenith Bank UK Ltd. in 2007 and I 

was recognised as the person with the most 

overseas experience dealing in foreign loans, 

multilateral finance and foreign investor 

relations. I had also, over the years, travelled 

extensively to almost every part of the world 

negotiating foreign loans and businesses for 

the bank. I worked in the 

UK for 4½ years when I restructured the 

bank and grew its income from about $2.6m 

to over $34m during the period. I also grew its 

shareholders’ funds by over 43% to $275m in a 

space of 4 years. We also won an international 

award by Global Trade Review (3 years in a 

row) as the Best Trade Finance Bank for West 

Africa. 

I retired from the bank in 2021 with a strong 

letter of commendation from the Chairman 

of the Board of Directors, Mr. Jim Ovia. I had 

dedicated over 30 years to the banking 

industry, 17 of which had been with Zenith Bank 

Plc. 

What motivated you to pursue a career in 

banking for over 25 years? 

I pursued a career in banking probably 

because my university, Pace University, was 

near Wall Street, in the financial district of the 

financial capital of the world, New York City. 

There was always that buzz of excitement 

around and wanting to be part of an industry 

that reflected capitalism and the corporate 

world. Also, my mother, Chief Mrs. Violet Yough, 

had been a board member of several banks 

during her working years. She co-founded 

Access Bank and was on their board for over 

12 years as well as the boards of UBA, Kapital 

Merchant Bank and the old Savannah Bank. 

She is my role model. 

Could you, please, share some of the 

experiences you gained while running your 

own consulting firm before joining Zenith Bank 

(UK) Limited? 

Well, I had my first stint at running my own 

business in 2013. It is not very easy operating 

a business in Nigeria. I doff my hat to all 

entrepreneurs who work night and day to 

sustain businesses in the harsh economic 

climate of Nigeria. I learned various things 

like managing costs to ensure profitability, 

managing workers to ensure accountability 

and lack of theft, diversification of income 

streams and making sure you are on top of 

your game, in terms of documentation, on all 

42 

Accomplish Magazine

“ 

It is not very 

easy operating a 

business in Nigeria. 

I doff my hat to 

all entrepreneurs 

who work night 

and day to sustain 

businesses in the 

harsh economic 

climate of Nigeria 

transactions. This is very important in every 

industry. 

What were the most significant 

achievements during your time as General 

Manager of MCP Group at Zenith Bank Plc.? 

My most significant achievements as GM 

of MCP Group at the head office were in 

setting up the multi-laterals unit and opening 

relationships with African Development Bank 

(AfDB), getting over $250m in loans from 

them, as well as opening relationships with 

so many other multi-lateral agencies and 

development finance institutions. Altogether, 

loans we sourced were close to a billion dollars 

at the time. Also, on the conglomerates side, 

we opened relationships with various multinational 

shipping lines. My team financed 

the port expansion of Apapa Ports with world 

renowned terminal operators; opened major 

oil company accounts and financed various 

international loan syndications for them, 

amongst many others. 

These accounts are still some of the 

most profitable in the bank to date. I also 

applied for, obtained the license and set up 

Zenith Bank Ghana, which has grown to be 

a multi-million dollar franchise. In addition, I 

arranged for Zenith Bank Plc to 

obtain multi-branch revenue 

collections for the Federal 

Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), 

contributing to Zenith Bank 

consistently winning the award 

of top revenue collecting bank 

in Nigeria. 

As the head of investor 

relations, can you describe 

some of the challenges and 

successes in arranging longterm 

foreign finance for Zenith 

Bank? 

As the Head of Investor 

Relations, my function was 

to attract foreign capital 

investments into the bank’s 

shareholding structure. So, it 

was more of equity as opposed 

to foreign loans. I arranged 

investor conferences for the 

bank, held investor forums 

(biennially at the time). 

I also met with very large 

international private equity 

firms, endowment funds, 

sovereign wealth funds etc. 

We raised a lot of capital. It 

was quite challenging and 

fun-filled at the same time. The 

challenges were mostly related to countryrisk 

because as at that time, Africa was a bit 

of unchartered territory for big-time fundmanagers. 

However, the bank has always 

had such a solid reputation so it helped a lot 

to convince investors to override country-risk 

concerns. 

You’ve held various portfolios within Zenith 

Bank Plc. Which role did you find the most 

challenging and why? 

All the roles were quite challenging because 

Zenith Bank is a dynamic organisation that 

drives people very hard through the use of 

targets, performance measurement and 

rewards. It is no place for slouches and 

laggards. I guess my most challenging role 

was the turn-around and restructuring of 

Zenith Bank UK from a non-performing and 

not very profitable entity with a substantial 

non-performing loan (NPL) ratio to a profitable, 

strong business which cleaned up its loan 

portfolio and eventually started paying 

dividends to its shareholders after over 14 years 

of existence. I also had to change the culture 

and value-system by re-orienting the staff to 

become a more goal-oriented and professional 

staff base with stronger work-ethics. Dealing 


INTERVIEW 

with a diverse work force was no picnic either as 

we were dealing with a blend and melting-pot of 

worldwide cultures. 

How do you manage and prioritise tasks in a 

high-stress, dynamic industry like banking? 

The best way to prioritise tasks is first of all 

to rank them according to level of importance 

based on your vision, mission and goals. You 

work out the duration of time expended on task 

implementation as well as the urgency and 

deadline of each task. You also look at your work 

force; their work load and skill sets. You decide 

the level of resources to be allocated to each 

task, cost/benefit analysis, SWOT (strengths, 

weaknesses , opportunities and threats) analysis 

etc. 

Once you have a schedule, you process your 

work flow chart. The 

one that is the most 

profitable, aligns 

with your vision, 

mission, value system 

and has a deadline 

that is closer should 

be put into prime 

consideration. The 

others will be ranked 

pari-pasu. 

Could you provide 

some insights into the 

international banking 

landscape and its 

challenges in recent 

years? 

The challenges 

in the international banking space are quite 

strong. First of all, there are a lot of regulatory 

controls in terms of rules and regulations, 

reporting guidelines and requirements, 

transparency, compliance, inspections etc. In 

England, there is the SMCR (Senior Management 

Certification Regime) monitoring staff to ensure 

fitness and propriety. 

There is also serious risk management 

controls for liquidity (ILAAP), capital adequacy 

(ICAAP) etc. There is also serious corporate 

governance from the board. Board members 

are held fully accountable by regulatory 

authorities so they do get seriously involved in all 

the activities of the bank. They also do regular 

board evaluations which are fully reviewed by 

the regulators; in my case, the PRA (Prudential 

Regulatory Authority) of the Bank of England. 

“ 

Find a role model/ 

mentor that you can 

identify with and 

learn some of his or 

her positive values 

and ethics. 

There is also a lot of anti-money 

laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism 

compliance monitoring due to our status 

as a foreign and African bank. Except for 

the SMCR, these practices are also, to some 

extent, conducted by the Central Bank of 

Nigeria but not quite to the level of the Bank 

of England. 

The toughest thing we had to deal with 

is the high cost of funds for our liability 

generation. As a foreign bank, we were 

not expected to get local nationals in the 

UK (foreigners to us) come in and open 

accounts with us due to country-risk. Also, 

due to enhanced due diligence (EDD) for 

opening of Nigerian accounts abroad, many 

prospective customers did not meet our risk 

acceptance criteria for account opening. 

Therefore, a lot 

of funds used for 

operations were 

purchased from 

the money market 

at expensive rates. 

We were constantly 

working on creative 

ways to reduce our 

cost of funds to 

enable us increase 

our profit margins. 

Most Nigerian 

banks operating 

abroad face the 

challenge of high 

cost of funds. 

Diversity of work 

force and cultures 

is also a prominent issue. We had Indians, 

British, Chinese, Portuguese, Pakistanis, 

Spanish, Indonesians, Greeks, Lebanese, 

Russians, Polish, Australians, French, 

Nigerians, Ghanaians, Arabs etc.; a complete 

melting pot of diverse cultures. We had to do 

a lot of diversity training to ensure that we 

all were on the same page. Once this was 

done, it was a joy to work in a multi-cultural 

organisation. 

Tell us about your educational 

background at Stanford and Oxford 

University and how it has influenced your 

career. 

My educational training from various 

institutions worldwide prepared me for 

the job. Being the daughter of a diplomat 

(my late father was Ambassador Simon 

44 

Accomplish Magazine

Gboko Yough), I grew up in different 

parts of the world. I was born in Ghana. 

Then, moved to France at an early age, 

where I started kindergarten school. My 

primary schooling started in Brussels - at 

E’cole St. Jean D’Arc. Then, I moved to 

Liberia’s Methodist Elementary School. 

I started secondary school in Trinidad 

and Tobago’s Bishop Anstey’s High 

School and finished up in Nigeria’s FGC 

Ilorin which was the first time I lived 

in Nigeria - during my Form 2. Upon 

finishing my WASC examination with a 

Grade 1, I moved to the United States 

where I obtained my BBA (Bachelor’s in 

Business Administration) in Marketing 

from Pace University and Masters in 

Business Administration from Long 

Island University in New York. I did 

attend Ivy League schools such as 

Oxford, Cambridge, Stanford and MIT for 

executive and leadership programmes; 

therefore making me an alumnus of these 

institutions. 

All these training programmes 

such as Stanford’s Effective Use of 

Power, Cambridge’s Transformational 

Leadership, Oxford University’s 

Advanced Management Programme and 

Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s 

Transforming Your Leadership Style 

as well as training from Institute of 

Directors contributed significantly in 

developing my diverse and multi-cultural 

background, leadership skills and 

empowered me to dream, envision and 

equip me to realise my life’s ambitions 

and goals. 

What advice would you give to 

aspiring banking professionals looking to 

advance their careers? 

The advice I would give a young 

banking professional is as follows: 

1. Learn banking skills by possibly 

starting off with an induction programme 

or a graduate trainee programne if your 

organisation offers it. 

2. Find a role model/mentor that you 

can identify with and learn some of his or 

her positive values and ethics. 

3. Always prepare and learn time 

management skills to enable you 

organise your tasks, work flow and your 

life . 

4. Work with goals and strive towards 

achieving them. 

pamela yough 


INTERVIEW 

5. Do not be disappointed if you 

don’t immediately meet your targets as 

many of us tried, failed - lessons learnt, 

got back up and tried again before we 

succeeded. 

5. Make sure that banking is what 

you want to do and is your area of 

core-competence as you will always be 

depressed and frustrated if you are not 

happy with your job. 

6. Remember the power of positive 

thinking as your attitude will determine 

your altitude in life. 

7. Dress for success and make sure 

you constantly update and improve your 

skills. 

…my leadership style is 

that of several styles… 

Would you mind discussing some of 

the challenges you faced as a woman in 

a leadership role in the banking industry? 

Women do have a lot of challenges 

in the banking industry. I have faced a 

lot of challenges from both male and 

female counterparts. We are competitive 

amongst ourselves and, at times, the 

landscape is cut-throat. Some women 

do take short cuts, using the ethos of the 

end justifies the means. Machiavellian 

tendencies dominate capitalistic 

organisations which is principally what 

banks are. 

I have also faced chauvinism where 

men are given preferential treatment, 

not because they are better but, it’s a 

‘gentleman’s club’ and there’s a glassceiling 

in the boardroom. We have 

worked extra hard to break down those 

ceilings and barriers. Sometimes, we 

succeed, sometimes we don’t. 

The situation is very tough for women 

but through affirmative action and prowomen 

policies, both in the corporate 

world and in politics, we shall succeed 

and achieve gender parity. Things are 

getting better and we give thanks to the 

present political administration in Nigeria 

that is strategically placing women in 

key roles. By the grace of God and with 

positive pro-women diversity policies 

from regulatory bodies such as the 

Bank of England, which has mandated 

all boards to work towards having a 

minimum of 30% of female membership, 

things will start to improve. Hopefully, 

this shall be replicated amongst all other 

industries. Our time has come! 

Incidentally, I was able to break the 

proverbial glass-ceiling by being the first 

African woman to be confirmed by the 

46 

Accomplish Magazine

Bank of England as SMF1 (Senior Management 

Function 1). That is the level of Bank CEO, 

meaning that I was approved to be the CEO 

of any bank in London, not just Zenith Bank UK 

Limited. 

Can you share any memorable success 

stories or turning points in your banking career? 

There are so many success stories, one of 

which was when a multi-national shipping 

company requested that we assist them with 

demurrage remittances. They did not have an 

account with us at the time as they only banked 

with Citibank. Every bank was trying to do 

business with them. They had complained that 

shipping companies had no way of remitting 

their demurrage back to their overseas 

headquarters unlike the airlines whose 

transactions were listed on the CBN FX Manual. 

They promised that any bank that helped them 

with that will get the account. We, thereafter, 

consulted with the 

Trade and Exchange 

Department of 

CBN as well as their 

deputy governor. 

We designed the 

documentation and 

processes for the 

forex remittance and 

presented to CBN 

for their approval. 

The chairman 

of the Shippers’ 

Council, the finance 

director of the 

company, another 

managing director 

of an international 

shipping company, 

myself and our 

bank’s Head of Trade Finance went and made 

a presentation to the Trade and Exchange 

Department of the CBN. Thereafter, demurrage 

was approved and listed in CBN’S FX Manual 

as a legitimate transaction qualifying shipping 

companies for forex remittances. The company 

was so happy that they opened their account 

with us, and did a lot of business. They also 

introduced us to 2 sister companies which 

opened accounts with us. Other shipping 

companies followed suit. That ended up being 

a multi-million dollar business for the bank. Out 

of respect for my past organisation and in order 

not to breach any privacy rules, I shall not be 

name-dropping any of the customers’ names. 

Could you describe your leadership style? 

Are there books or experts that influenced your 

“ 

I have also faced 

chauvinism where men 

are given preferential 

treatment, not because 

they are better but, it’s 

a ‘gentleman’s club’ and 

there’s a glass-ceiling in 

the boardroom. 

leadership style? 

My leadership style is a blend of 

several styles but primarily participative 

(democratic) mixed with a bit of 

transformational leadership. I believe in 

getting opinions from my executive team, 

consulting and collaborating with them 

to make the best judgment call based on 

proper analysis. I do not come out and lay 

it all out there - as in, take it or leave it. I 

believe in shared responsibility, delegation, 

transparency and accountability. 

In terms of transformational leadership, 

I more or less was entrusted with the task 

of restructuring an entire organisation so, I 

had to cause change in various teams within 

the organisation as well as in the entire 

social system. It was an uphill task but a very 

rewarding experience at the end of the day. 

There are many books I read over the 

years which influenced me as a leader: some 

of which are: The 

Nature of Success 

by Mac Anderson; 

Winning by Jack 

Welch (or any of his 

many leadership 

books); Managing 

with Power by 

Jeffrey Pfeffer; The 

5 Dysfunctions of 

a Team by Patrick 

Lencioni; The 7 

Habits of Highly 

Effective People 

by Steven Covey; 

7 Principles of 

Transformational 

Leadership by 

Hugh Blane; Who 

Says Elephants 

Can’t Dance by Louis V Gestner Jr.; and, Why 

Companies Fail by Mark Ingebretsen; just to 

name a few. 

What strategies have you employed to 

maintain a work-life balance in a demanding 

industry? 

I did work hard and play hard as I was 

growing up in banking. As I rose up the 

corporate ladder, I decided to dedicate 

more time to things that matter to me; i.e. 

my family, particularly my son, and spend 

more time on hobbies such as travelling, 

gardening, exercise and fitness and 

donating my time to working for the Catholic 

Church. All of these enabled me to have a 

better work/life balance. 


INTERVIEW 

What are the differences between banking 

in the UK and other regions where Zenith Bank 

operates in? 

I believe this is basically captured in a 

previous question. I would however add that 

banking in Nigeria is more tasking to the staff, 

with lots of marketing effort to grow accounts 

as we have newer generation banks. In the UK 

and the Western world, the terrain has older, 

more established banks that put less pressure 

on their staff to go and bring accounts. They are 

more concerned about structured products for 

wealth management, corporate finance, loan 

syndications, corporate/capital restructuring 

etc. Real estate and mortgage financing is big 

in the Western world but Nigerian banks rarely 

do them as we have limited long-term funds. 

Treasury 

transactions, using IT to drive business, 

artificial Intelligence in banking, fraud 

prevention, financing renewable energy to 

meet sustainability targets etc. are high priority 

areas in the Western world. African banks 

are majorly trade-focused for short-tenured 

transactions as we do more importation than 

finance manufacturing. 

How do you see the role of block-chain and 

crypto-currencies evolving in the future of 

banking? 

They are still relatively new and unexplored 

in Africa. People view them as risky and 

untested for now. There should be more 

legislation and regulation around them to 

provide a safety net for investors in that 

sub-sector. Also, more product knowledge 

and awareness on block-chain and cryptocurrencies 

should be put out there in the 

market. However, they seem to be the wave 

of the future, most especially for the younger 

generation. Currently, demand is growing 

seriously in the Middle East and will soon trigger 

down to Africa. They are an area of potential 

future growth as outlets for investments with 

high returns seem to be fewer and always oversubscribed. 

Tell us about your personal interests and 

hobbies outside the banking world. 

For hobbies, I love building real estate 

projects and doing interior decoration. I am a 

lover of horticulture and always pride myself 

on having a beautiful garden with different 

species of plants. I do play sports such as golf 

and go to the gym regularly. I like long walks, 

love dancing to Afrobeats, oldies and salsa. I 

love going to watch live wrestling matches at 

Madison Square Garden in New York or the 

O2 Arena in London; a habit I formed when I 

was in the university and going with my dad 

in my late teens and as a young adult. I now 

go with my son and also take him to football 

matches in London to watch Man City and 

Chelsea. I love travelling to exotic places and 

going to fancy restaurants with my friends and 

relatives. I consider myself to be somewhat of 

a clothes horse and love fashion; hence, my 

foray into owning a boutique as a hobby. I like 

watching movies, attending Broadway plays 

and live concerts of some of my favourite 

musicians. Building for the Lord and chairing 

harvest bazaars in the Catholic Church are 

also some of my favourite charity activities. 

I am currently the Chairman of the Building 

Committee of the Catholic Church in Guzape, 

Abuja. All these hobbies help to ensure that I 

am never stressed and improve my work/life 

balance. 

How do you handle adversity and set 

48 

Accomplish Magazine

“ 

Do not be 

disappointed 

if you don’t 

immediately 

meet your 

targets as many 

of us tried, 

failed - lessons 

learnt, got back 

up and tried 

again before we 

succeeded. 

backs in your career and what advice do you 

have for others facing challenges in their 

professional lives? 

Adversity and set backs in life cannot be 

avoided. The power of positive thinking as well 

as faith in Christ helps us build resilience in the 

face of adversity. When I was at my lowest ebb 

some years ago, I used to sing daily “Count 

your blessings, name them one by one; Count 

your blessings, see what God has done. Count 

your blessings, name them one by one; and it 

will surprise you what the Lord has done“. This 

song gave me a lot of inspiration and before 

you know it, more blessings had come my way. 

When you have challenges, you should 

view them as a learning phase in your life. 

Overcoming those challenges helps to build 

your character and makes you stronger. 

Everything depends on your attitude. Just work 

harder to overcome the challenges because 

being depressed won’t make them go away. 

Also, if you are religious, have faith, pray 

without ceasing but also work hard along with 

those prayers. With time, all of those troubles 

shall pass and a new day will come. 

What is the legacy you hope to leave in the 

banking industry? 

A legacy of all the good works I did while I 

was in service; all the banks and branches I 

opened in the industry, all the major accounts 

I brought in and businesses I financed. I want 

to be remembered for all the good people I 

recruited, trained and developed - passing 

on my knowledge and values from one 

generation to another. I will dwell more on 

the values of professionalism, humility and 

integrity. I want to be remembered as a loyal 

staff, who didn’t give bad loans, who worked 

hard to help establish the integrity and sound 

moral values of my bank or any organisation I 

worked in. 

In conclusion, what final thoughts or 

messages would you like to share with our 

readers, especially those aspiring to excel 

in their careers as top directors in their 

respective fields? 

My final thoughts are that let’s work hard 

but with strong business ethics. Let’s have 

professionalism, honour, integrity and not be 

Machiavellian in our approach. We need to 

make Nigeria better. There’s enough business 

for all of us to go round. Let the means justify 

the end and the end not justify the means - a 

lesson I learned from the iconic Sir Christopher 

Kolade and Prof. Pat Utomi, who both lectured 

me in Business Ethics at a training programme 

at the Lagos Business School. 

Adebayo afolabi 

AUTHOR BIO 

I am a passionate business writer with a 

knack for translating complex concepts 

into accessible content. With a keen eye 

for detail, I deliver compelling content 

that educates, inspires, and drives positive 

change in the realm of finance and business. 


David 

Hundeyin: 

Holding Nigeria’s 

Leadership Accountable 

by Harry Choms 

Nigeria, a land of vibrant 

culture and immense 

potential, is a country 

that deserves leaders who act 

with integrity and accountability. 

Amid this desire for change, 

one name stands out – David 

Hundeyin. An investigative 

journalist, researcher, creative 

writer, and activist, David 

Hundeyin is on a mission to 

ensure Nigeria’s leadership is 

held accountable. In this article, 

we’ll delve into who David 

Hundeyin is, his background, 

his unwavering commitment 

to integrity in Nigerian politics, 

and the remarkable cases he’s 

unearthed. We’ll also touch on 

his latest status as a refugee and 

the alleged hunt for him by the 

Nigerian government. 

Who is David 

Hundeyin? 

David Hundeyin, professionally 

known as David Hundeyin, 

is the founder and editor-inchief 

of West Africa Weekly, a 

media publication specialising 

in investigative journalism. His 

journey to this impactful role is 

nothing short of inspiring. 

Born and raised in Nigeria, 

David attended prestigious 

institutions like Atlantic Hall 

School in Lagos, Grange School, 

and Oxbridge Tutorial College. In 

2007, he ventured to the United 

Kingdom to pursue higher 

education, earning a Bachelor’s 

Degree in Creative Writing and 

Media, Culture, and Society from 

the University Of Hull in 2011. With 

a solid educational foundation, 

he was well-prepared to embark 

on his mission. 

A Champion of 

Integrity 

Hundeyin’s commitment to 

changing Nigeria’s political 

landscape is admirable and 

inspiring. He believes in a 

Nigeria free from corruption and 

poor leadership, envisioning 

a prosperous nation for all 

its citizens. His investigative 

journalist, author, and activist 

work is a testament to his 

dedication to this vision.z 

Holding Nigerian 

Leaders 

Accountable: A 

Determined Mission 

David Hundeyin’s 

determination to hold Nigerian 

leaders accountable is 

admirable. He has fearlessly 

uncovered various cases that 

demand our attention. One 

of Hundeyin’s most notable 

contributions to the Nigerian 

landscape has been his work in 

unearthing critical cases that 

shed light on the integrity of 

Nigerian leaders. We list some 

noteworthy cases that David 

Hundeyin has exposed. 

President Bola 

Tinubu’s Certificate 

Saga 

Hundeyin’s investigations 

revealed a shocking revelation 

about Bola Tinubu, the then 

presidential candidate of 

Nigeria’s ruling political party, the 

All Progressives Congress (APC). 

It was alleged that President 

Bola Tinubu had submitted a 

fake Chicago State University 

certificate to the Independent 

National Electoral Commission 

(INEC). This revelation sent 

shockwaves through the Nigerian 

political landscape. 

Some weeks ago, the FBI made 

a significant announcement. They 

revealed their intention to release 

2,500 documents connected to 

Tinubu. These documents will 

be unveiled at a rate of 500 per 

month, commencing in October. 

This disclosure comes in response 

to a Freedom of Information 

Request filed by investigative 

Nigerian journalist David 

Hundeyin and several others, 

shedding light on the quest for 

50 

Accomplish Magazine

transparency and information. 

Tinubu’s Guinean 

Citizenship Case 

Another case unearthed by 

Hundeyin pertained to President 

Bola Tinubu’s Guinean citizenship. 

According to Hundeyin’s findings, 

Tinubu failed to declare in his 

form EC9, submitted to INEC, that 

he held the citizenship of Guinea. 

This information raised significant 

legal questions. 

Accusations of 

Perjury 

Hundeyin didn’t stop at mere 

revelations; he also made serious 

allegations. He accused Bola 

Ahmed Tinubu of committing 

perjury, stating that the former 

Lagos State governor should face 

a 14-year jail term as per Nigerian 

laws. This accusation was based 

on Tinubu’s alleged failure to 

declare his Guinean citizenship in 

his INEC submission. 

The Ongoing Pursuit 

of Accountability 

David Hundeyin’s work goes 

beyond exposing corruption 

and misdeeds in Nigerian 

politics. It reflects his unwavering 

determination to ensure those 

in leadership positions are held 

accountable for their actions. His 

work embodies the fundamental 

principle that no one should be 

above the law, regardless of 

status or position. 

Latest Updates on 

David Hundeyin’s 

Refugee Status 

In recent developments, 

David Hundeyin’s refugee status 

has been spotlighted. He has 

reportedly sought refuge outside 

Nigeria, potentially due to threats 

and harassment. This raises 

concerns about the safety of 

people who dare to challenge 

the status quo and demand 

accountability in Nigeria. 

Alleged Hunt for 

David Hundeyin 

by the Nigerian 

Government 

The Nigerian government’s 

alleged hunt for David Hundeyin 

adds a chilling layer to this 

narrative. It underscores the 

challenges and risks those 

determined to expose the 

truth face. Hundeyin’s work 

has put him in the crosshairs 

of powerful figures who may 

be uncomfortable with his 

revelations. 

In Nigerian journalism and 

activism, David Hundeyin 

shines as a beacon of hope, 

determined to hold Nigeria’s 

leadership accountable. Through 

his investigative journalism and 

unyielding commitment to truth 

and integrity, Hundeyin continues 

to impact the nation’s political 

landscape profoundly. His work 

reminds us that the pursuit of 

accountability is a collective 

responsibility, and in doing so, we 

can pave the way for a better, 

more prosperous Nigeria. 

David Hundeyin’s journey is 

far from over, and it is one that 

the nation watches with bated 

breath, eager to witness the 

positive changes he seeks to 

bring about. 

Harry Choms 

AUTHOR BIO 

Harry Choms is a freelance 

writer with a passion for 

words and a keen eye for 

details, an editor, and an avid 

tech believer. His works can 

be seen on EntrepreneurNG. 

com, Imautomator, Secureblitz, 

Withinnigeria, Feelgospel, 

Kemifilani, and Glamsquad 

Magazine. He is the Webmaster 

and sole owner of Matrismart. 

com and biowiki.com.ng. 


Hello invaluable readers. Team Accomplish wishes you the 

best as you soar through the penultimate month of 2023! 

We will love to hear what you think about these 

enlightenment tit bits put together to boost your drive for more 

accomplishments. 

Please, send your comments or enquiries to: 

info@theaccomplishmagazone.com 

Genuine Love Conquers All Opposition 

Her dad told her, “If you 

marry that man you will 

never set foot in this 

house again.” 

Mary soon learned that 

most people felt the same way. 

The first years of their marriage 

living in Birmingham were hell-- 

no one would speak to them, 

they couldn’t find anywhere to 

live because no one would rent 

to a black man, and they had 

no money. But they didn’t give 

up. 

Gradually life became 

easier. Mary got teaching 

jobs, ending up as a deputy 

head teacher. Jake worked 

in a factory and then got a 

job at the Post Office. Slowly 

they made friends, but it was 

difficult. Mary used to tell 

people, “before I invite you 

to my home.... my husband is 

black.” Some would never talk 

to her again. 

Last year they celebrated 

their 70th anniversary and they 

are still very much in love, and 

never regretted what they did. 


originally posted by Violetta 

Calvino on Quora.com. 

52 

Accomplish Magazine

Hats Off for an Iron Lady! 

LeBron James 

Shines Distinctly 

LeBron Raymone James 

Sr. came into basketball 

reckoning with no father, 

no education, no training, 

and very few role models. 

With unusual dedication 

and discipline, he has 

risen to become an almost 

unparalleled sports icon. He 

was the young, dirt-poor kid 

that worked so hard and 

remained disciplined to be 

handed $420,000 per week 

at the age of 18! 

He married his high school 

sweet heart. He was never 

arrested. He never used 

drugs. He never humiliated 

his spouse with side chick 

stories. He had no outside 

babies. 

Lebron has never been 

in the news with so much 

as a parking ticket! He is an 

excellent father of 3; heavily 

Inspiration with rugged 

nerves is what this young 

lady exudes... She is Muniba 

Mazari. She is a Pakistani 

activist and motivational 

speaker, also known as iron 

lady of Pakistan. She is also the 

national ambassador for UN 

women Pakistan. 

She was 18 years old when 

she got married. Her father 

wanted her to marry, and she 

said ‘yes’ because she thought 

it would make her father happy. 

It wasn’t a happy marriage. 

Just after 2 years of marriage, 

they met with an accident. 

Her husband was sleepy, and 

their car fell in a ditch. He 

managed to save himself by 

jumping out from the car but 

she wasn’t able to, and stayed 

inside the car. In the accident, 

her wrist,shoulder bone, collar 

bone were fractured. Her 

whole rib cage got fractured. 

And because of the rib cage 

involved with his children’s 

activities and everywhere in his 

children’s lives. To many people, 

he is the greatest basketball 

player on the PLANET today! 

Indeed, 20 years after his 

NBA debut, he is still the same 

LeBron James - with same 

maturity, same sweet heart 

and never remarried! It’s been 

the same family through the 

years and his reputation is still 

intact. 

Now earning close to $2 

million per week, he has sent 

over 1,100 children to college on 

full scholarship. 

No sane person can hate 

LeBron (King James)! He is 

humanity, the best ingredient 

in nature. 

Editor’s Note: This inspiring 

piece was slightly edited to 

fit Accomplish Magazine’s 

standards. It was originally 

written by Matthew Brooks 

and published by Quora.com. 

injury,lungs and liver were too 

injured. She lost urinal bowel 

control. 3 vertebrae of her 

backbone were completely 

crushed and she got paralyzed 

for rest of her life. 

She underwent through 

different surgeries. She wanted 

to become an artist, but will 

not be able to paint again due 

to wrist and arm deformation. 

She won’t be able to walk again 

because of the spine injury. 

And the biggest thing that 

happened to her was that she 

will never be able to give birth. 

But this lady is indeed brave, 

She didn’t gave up. Inspite of 

knowing that she won’t be able 

to draw again, she made her 

first painting on her death bed. 

She added new colours to her 

life. 

One by one, she wanted to 

overcome through her fear. 

Her biggest fear was getting 

divorce from her husband 

but she decided to make her 

emotionally and mentally strong 

that when she heard the news 

that her husband is getting 

married to another woman, she 

sent him a text “I am happy for 

you and I wish you all the best”. 

Her second most biggest fear 

was, not able to give birth. But 

then she realized, there are so 

many abandoned and orphan 

children, so she adopted a 

child. 

She is a great example and 

inspiration to all of us to never 

give up in life. Hats off to her! 

There are many ups and 

downs; it depends on us how 

we tackle them. Stop worrying 

about what others think about 

you. No one is born perfect. 

Never complain for what you 

don’t have. Instead, be grateful 

for what you have. 

Editor’s Note: Mazari’s 

story, slightly edited here, was 

originally published in Quora. 

com courtesy of Surinder Puri. 


GLOBAL INFODIGEST 

Twitter is Dead and Threads is Thriving 

Just over a year ago, Elon 

Musk — on the eve of closing 

his deal to buy Twitter for $44 

billion — dragged a sink into the 

company’s headquarters in San 

Francisco. Today, let’s talk about 

how the ensuing 12 months 

reshaped social networks, both 

in the ways Musk planned and 

in ones he likely never guessed. 

Few events in tech over 

the past decade have been 

chronicled as Musk’s Twitter 

takeover and everything that 

followed. Most readers here 

already know too well the 

stories: the massive layoffs, 

the disastrous changes to 

verification, the smearing 

of former head of trust and 

safety, Yoel Roth, the purge 

of employees perceived as 

disloyal. 

All that happened within 

the first few weeks. By mid- 

December, we predicted that 

in 2023 “Elon Musk’s continued 

promotion of right-wing 

causes and personalities will 

push away more and more 

high-profile users, who find 

themselves increasingly put 

off by his shock-jock antics 

and whim-based approach to 

content moderation.” 

And that transpired more or 

less exactly as written, though 

it left out the impact of Musk’s 

equally whim-based approach 

to software development. Musk 

temporarily banned critical 

journalists and stripped the rest 

of their verification badges; he 

ordered the development of a 

system that showed his tweets 

first; he removed headlines 

from links and created a system 

that funded the spread of 

misinformation. He restored 

banned users to the platform 

and sued a non-profit that 

accused the company of 

spreading hate speech. 

By July, Twitter was no more, 

replaced with the confusing 

jumble of product ideas known 

as X. The man who Jack Dorsey 

had singularly entrusted with 

ensuring the future of the 

platform had taken just nine 

months to erase its name from 

existence. 

As we approach the 

anniversary of the deal 

closing, the cumulative effect 

of these changes and others 

has become clear. Daily users 

are down about 16 per cent, 

according to the Wall Street 

Journal. Banks that financed 

the deal are saddled with debt 

that they will have to sell at a 

discount, assuming they can sell 

it at all. 

And Musk’s planned pivot 

to subscriptions flopped 

at the same time that the 

company’s advertising business 

collapsed, Aisha Counts noted 

at Bloomberg: “The main plank 

of Musk’s plan for Twitter (now 

called X) was to shift away from 

advertising and toward paid 

subscriptions. A new analysis 

from independent researcher, 

Travis Brown, estimates that 

950,000 to 1.2 million people 

now pay for X’s $8 monthly 

premium service. That means X 

persuaded less than 1% of users 

to sign up — and translates to 

revenue of less than $120 million 

annually from the company’s 

subscription service, not 

including app store fees from 

Apple Inc. and Google. 

“This is hardly a replacement 

for the ad revenue that Twitter 

relied on in the pre-Musk era 

— about $4.5 billion in its last 

full year as a public company. 

Meanwhile, many of X’s top 

advertisers, such as Mondelez 

International, Coca-Cola, IBM 

and HBO, are spending less 

than they were before Musk 

took over, largely because of 

policies he’s implemented that 

have made the service more 

chaotic and unpredictable. 

Collectively, X’s top five 

advertisers are spending 67% 

less on ads than they did before 

the acquisition, according to 

data from market intelligence 

firm Sensor Tower. Some large 

ad agencies have said they 

don’t plan to spend money on X 

at all.” 

Now, most of the former 

Twitter employees have made 

peace with Twitter’s demise. 

Musk renaming the company to 

X proved surprisingly helpful in 

the grieving process: the move 

made it clear once and for all 

that the company they worked 

for was gone. They have new 

jobs, or are working on startups, 

and are occupied with 

different corporate battles. 


originally posted by Casey 

Newton and Zoe Schiffer of 

‘The Platformer’ on Substack 

Inc. 

54 

Accomplish Magazine

Hard Truths That 

Make Life Better. 

• z Do not date while you’re broke, 

in terrible shape, miserable, or 

your life is chaotic. Get your life in 

order first. 

• z You should either have a 

supportive partner or no partner; 

there’s no third option. 

• z The best revenge is getting 

yourself to a place where you no 

longer care about it. 

• z If someone can’t acknowledge 

their flaws, they lack selfawareness 

and pose a danger. 

• z Just because a relationship has 

lasted a long time doesn’t mean 

it’s successful. 

• z Self-respect is derived from 

self-control, not from pleasing 

others or seeking external 

validation. 

• z Don’t waste your time and 

energy on social media, overthinking, 

or meaningless 

relationships. 

• z If you always believe your 

happiness is somewhere else, 

you’ll never find it where you 

are. 

• z Life doesn’t wait for you to be 

okay; get up every day and 

keep pushing through. 

• z 10. Free yourself from society’s 

advice; most people don’t know 

what they’re doing. 

This Information Age in which 

Many Live Incommunicado! 

In December 2003, Joyce 

Vincent died of an asthma 

attack in her North London flat. 

The television was still on. The 

mail continued to be delivered. 

Her rent was automatically 

deducted from her bank 

account. The days passed, and 

nobody realized that she had 

died. 

The days became weeks 

and the weeks into months. 

There were large containers in 

the building next to hers, so the 

neighbors should have paid 

more attention to the smell 

coming from her apartment. The 

flat was full of noisy kids and 

teens, and no one questioned 

the constant buzz of the TV in 

the background. 

Finally, Joyce’s bank account 

dried up. Her landlord sent her 

collection letters. Like the others, 

those letters fell on the piles of 

junk scattered on the floor. They 

received no response. Finally, 

with over six months of rent 

overdue, the landlord obtained 

a court order to evict her by 

force from the premises. Court 

officers broke down the door, 

and they only discovered her 

body. It was January 2006, 

more than two years after her 

death. 

At that time, no one came 

looking for Joyce Vincent. 

Neither family, friends, 

coworkers, nor neighbors 

knocked on the door to see if 

everything was going well. No 

one called. No one signed up. 

She was 38 years old when she 

died. 

This story is incredible for 

its social implications. It seems 

incomprehensible that whole 

years go by without anyone 

realizing a person has died. 

However, these kinds of stories 

happen often. Indeed, you 

have seen a level similar to 

that of Joyce Vincent. And they 

are all the same. 

A person lives alone. They 

lose contact with family and 

friends. They never get to 

know their neighbors. They 

stay locked up with their TV or 

computer for years. The world 

moves on as if they were no 

longer there until, one day, they 

are gone. 

Editor’s Note: This piece 

was first posted by Mr. Shelby 

on Quora.com with a different 

title. 


Dutch Art Detective 

Retrieves Six 

Additional Stolen 

Paintings 

A 

Dutch art detective 

has unearthed six more 

paintings, including 

a picture of William 

of Orange and the earliest 

representation of a 7th-century 

king. 

Arthur Brand, who made 

headlines around the world 

last month after recovering a 

stolen Van Gogh tucked inside 

an Ikea bag, believes his well 

reported success has led to 

other discoveries. 

Last month, thieves stole six 

paintings from the town hall of 

Medemblik in the northern part 

of Netherlands. 

While the haul’s monetary 

value is not vast - around €100,000 

(£87,000), the paintings are 

regarded to be of tremendous 

historical significance. They 

contain the earliest known 

portrait of Radbod, the Frisian 

ruler from AD680. 

56 

Accomplish Magazine

ARTS & 

THE MASTERS 

Musée d’Orsay Exhibition Explores the 

Last Two Months of Van Gogh’s Life 


Damian 

Ikenna Ngere 

AUTHOR BIO 





This year commemorates 

the 170th anniversary of 

Vincent van Gogh’s birth, 

but his final months are the 

focus of a major exhibition 

at Paris’ Musée d’Orsay. “Van 

Gogh in Auvers-sur-Oise: 

The Final Months” (through 

February 4, 2024), organised 

in collaboration with the Van 

Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, 

brings together 48 of the 74 

paintings and 25 of the 33 

drawings, many of which 

are being shown in Paris for 

the first time, that the Post- 

Impressionist made between 

May 20, 1890, when he moved 

to Auvers-sur-Oise, and his 

death on July 29, 1890. 

Van Gogh relocated to 

Auvers-sur-Oise, a pastoral 

commune about 20 miles 

northwest of Paris, to be 

closer to his brother, art dealer 

Theo, and his young nephew, 

Vincent Willem, as well as to 

seek treatment from Dr. Paul 

Gachet. 

The first gallery of the 

Orsay show concentrates on 

Gachet, who made a career 

out of treating sadness, the 

subject of his thesis, and 

treated painters like as Paul 

Cezanne, Armand Guillaumin, 

and Camille Pissarro. Gachet 

treated van Gogh as both a 

patient and a friend, often 

inviting him over for lunch on 

Sundays. Among the paintings 

on display are van Gogh’s 

portraits of Gachet, including 

the famous 1890 painting 

bequeathed to the Musée 

d’Orsay in 1949, as well as the 

artist’s only etching; Gachet 

having provided the materials 

for it. 


THE INCUBATOR 

SERIES 

THE PLACE OF 

ETHICS IN A 

CAPTURED 

ECONOMY 

Introduction 

By Victor Olewunne 

In today’s Nigeria, we often hear discussions about the 

state of our economy, the wealth gap, and the concentration 

of power and wealth among a select few. While we sing the 

praises of the super-rich (who, in most cases, are rich without 

productive industry), we also lament the deplorable situation 

of the majority, the masses of the country. The term “captured 

economy” has gained prominence as it describes a situation 

where certain groups or individuals exert disproportionate 

influence over economic policies and decision-making 

processes. In such an environment, the role of ethics becomes 

even more crucial. This write-up delves into the concept of a 

captured economy and explores the critical place of ethics in 

mitigating its negative effects. 

Defining a 

Captured 

Economy 

A captured economy 

refers to a system in which a 

few influential entities, often 

large corporations, wealthy 

individuals or politicians (in the 

case of Nigeria) wield undue 

influence over government 

policies, regulations, and 

market dynamics. In such an 

environment, the interests of 

these powerful actors tend 

to take precedence over the 

broader public good. As a result, 

wealth and resources become 

concentrated in the hands of 

a select few, while the majority 

of the population struggles 

with economic disparities and 

reduced opportunities. 

58 

Accomplish Magazine

THE INCUBATOR 

SERIES 

broadly demonstrated when a 

member of the upper legislative 

chamber complained that bills 

that have serious economic 

impact on the well-being 

of Nigerians were being 

rushed and approved by 

the president of the Senate 

without adequate inputs from 

the members of the legislative 

house. 

The Ethical 

Imperative 

Ethics in a captured 

economy like Nigeria is not 

just a matter of personal 

or corporate morality; it is 

a fundamental element of 

preserving the health and 

fairness of an economy and its 

populace. Here are some key 

reasons why ethics are vital in 

such an economic system: 

Fairness and Justice: In 

a captured economy, the 

distribution of wealth and 

opportunities can be highly 

skewed. Ethics compel us 

to consider the principles of 

fairness and justice, ensuring 

that economic benefits are 

distributed equitably, and that 

vulnerable communities are 

not left behind. In Nigeria, it is 

not only that such communities 

are left out, they are ridiculed 

by the privileged few. It 

was despicable to hear the 

country’s upper legislative 

chamber joking with those 

words: “Let the poor breathe”. 

It shows that they have lost 

every sense of fairness to the 

very people they were elected 

to represent. 

Transparency & 

Accountability: 

Ethical standards require 

transparency in economic 

decision-making and 

accountability for actions that 

harm society. In a captured 

economy, transparency 

can help reveal the extent 

of influence by powerful 

entities and hold them 

responsible for their actions. 

The absence of this was 

Safeguarding 

Democracy: 

An economy captured by a 

few can erode democratic 

principles. Nigeria is a classical 

example. Ethical considerations 

demand that the interests of 

the majority are not subverted 

for the gains of a privileged few, 

thus preserving the foundations 

of democracy. It has been 

proven, time and time again, 

that the votes of the people 

do not count in elections in 

Nigeria. The interest of a few, 

we have come to recognise as 

“the cabal” wins the day all the 

time. 

Sustainability: 

Ethical Economics takes 

into account long-term 

sustainability, ensuring 

that current practices do 

not deplete resources or 

harm future generations. 

Unfortunately, the established 

norm since the last regime in 

Nigeria is to spend-forward. 

Typical of a captured 

economy, the policy makers 

prioritise short-term gains over 

sustainability, which can have 

detrimental consequences for 

the environment and society. 

We consistently borrow for 

immediate consumption and 

use future earnings to service 

unproductive debts. 


THE INCUBATOR 

SERIES 

Social Cohesion: 

Ethical economic policies 

can foster social cohesion by 

reducing disparities, promoting 

economic mobility, and building 

trust between different sectors 

of society. In contrast, a 

captured economy can lead to 

increased social tensions and 

division. This reality in Nigeria is 

constantly spiced with ethnic 

and religious divisiveness 

by politicians. The numerous 

agitations by IPOB, Niger Delta 

Militant, Oduduwa Group etc. 

are all signs of failing social 

cohesion. The restiveness of the 

youth is also there, an angle 

that is guaranteed to endure. 

Innovation and 

Competition: 

An economy dominated by a 

select few may stifle innovation 

and competition as these 

entities have the means to 

suppress smaller competitors. 

We have seen it in the way 

competitive environment 

was destroyed in the cement 

business in Nigeria, as well as 

in other areas. With most of 

the raw materials for cement 

production found within the 

country, Nigerians still pay the 

highest price per bag in Africa. 

Under normal circumstances, 

ethical principles encourage 

open and competitive markets, 

which can foster economic 

growth and innovation. It is no 

surprise then, that Nigeria is 

suffering economic stagnation. 

Practical 

Applications of 

Ethical Principles 

To address the challenges 

posed by a captured 

economy, the following ethical 

principles and actions can be 

applied: 

Strong, 

Independent 

Regulations: 

I emphasize the word 

‘independent’ to ensure 

absence of undue influence 

(as is always the case in 

Nigeria) in the regulation 

process. This will implement 

and enforce regulations that 

prevent undue influence 

and monopolistic behaviour. 

These regulations should 

be designed to protect the 

interests of the broader 

population, especially 

by protecting smaller 

businesses. 

Transparency 

Initiatives: 

These will promote 

transparency in political and 

economic decision-making, 

making information readily 

available to the public 

which can help citizens 

hold influential entities 

accountable. Nigeria’s FOI 

Act is designed to serve this 

purpose. 

Anti-Corruption 

60 

Accomplish Magazine

THE INCUBATOR 

SERIES 

suppression. The African 

Foundation for Ethics and Social 

Responsibility has come on 

stream to lend a voice to this 

advocacy. 

Conclusion 

In a captured economy, 

ethical considerations are 

not just a nice-to-have but 

a necessity. They are the 

safeguards that protect society 

from the undue influence of 

powerful entities and ensure 

that economic policies as well 

as related social and political 

concerns and practices 

benefit the greater good. By 

championing transparency, 

fairness, sustainability, and 

accountability, we can strive 

to restore balance and equity 

in Nigeria’s economic systems, 

ultimately creating a more just 

and prosperous society for all. 

Measures: 

The implementation and 

enforcement of anticorruption 

laws and 

mechanisms will ensure 

that unethical practices are 

deterred and punished. The 

agencies responsible for this 

must also be ‘independent’ 

to be effective; not the type 

in Nigeria, where only those 

aligned to opposition political 

parties are harassed as 

corrupt. 

Promote Fair 

Competition: Ethical 

principles will encourage and 

support small businesses 

and start-ups by creating 

an environment in which 

they can thrive, fostering 

competition and innovation. 

This is crucial because, while 

they are considered the 

engine of growth, they are 

also the weakest and most 

vulnerable group. 

Empower Civil 

Society: 

Application of ethical 

principles also supports 

civil society organisations 

and independent media to 

act as watch dogs, holding 

those in power accountable 

and advocating for ethical 

policies. To get this right, the 

voices of these groups should 

never be stifled through 

Victor 

Olewunne 

AUTHOR BIO 

Victor Olewunne is a public 

affairs analyst and Founder, 

African Foundation for Ethics 

and Social Responsibility 


Natures Embrace: 

Rotating Bamboo Screens 

Transform Furnish Studio 

in Thailand 

rchitecture practise 

A11.29 painting studio 

in Thailand was 

opened up to 

the surrounding 

countryside by 

using rotating 

bamboo screens. 

Furnish Studio, located by 

a pond in an agricultural area 

in Rayong, was created for a 

local oil painter who wanted a 

well-ventilated, open place that 

could serve as both a work and 

show location. 

In other to achieve this, 11.29 

Studio designed a square area 

encircled by a verandah that 

allows ventilation and sunlight 

to be controlled by full-height, 

rotating screens constructed 

using local bamboo. 

Furnish Studio’s entrance is 

framed by two high concrete 


walls made from excess 

cylindrical and cuboid spacers 

from a local manufacturing. 

Steps lead up to the studio, 

which is elevated from the 

ground to decrease the risk of 

flooding and prevent animals 

from entering. 

Fieldwork’s Architectural Triumph: 

A Look at 38 Albermarle Street Residence 

The first medium-density 

“built-to-rent-toown” 

(BTRTO) building in 

Australia, 38 Albermarle Street, 

was designed by Fieldwork for 

Assemble, enabling healthier, 

more socially integrated, 

and financially sustainable 

residences in Melbourne’s 

inner north-west. The 73-unit 

project, which includes one, 

two, and three-bedroom units, 

is the first step in implementing 

Assemble Futures’ BTRTO plan. 

The project, constructed 

by housing developer and 

community management 

business Assemble, allows 

tenants to rent new apartments 

for up to five years with the 

opportunity to buy the property 

at the conclusion of the lease 

period for a fixed fee. 38 

Albermarle Street questions 

and enhances normal mediumdensity 

living norms while 

creating chances for residents 

to meaningfully connect with 

the landscape, the surrounding 

urban fabric, and one another. 

The existing edifice on the site, 

constructed by Australian architect 

Harry A. Norris, is a noteworthy 

early industrial complex that was 

a former recording studio, CD and 

cassette manufacturing Dex Audio. 

The goal of Fieldwork’s design was 

to find a solution to adapt the site 

to its new residential role while 

respecting the existing structure. 

This was accomplished through 

interventions on the ground plane 

and efforts to engage in discourse 

with the neighborhood’s broader 

context. 

62 

Accomplish Magazine

According to the National 

Building Museum, Theaster 

Gates will be the 25th laureate 

of the Vincent Scully Prize. The 

prize was established in 1999 

to recognize excellence in the 

domains of design, architecture, 

historic preservation, urban 

design, practice, and criticism. 

Theaster Gates is a worldrenowned 

artist known for his 

interdisciplinary approach to 

social performance, urban 

regeneration, and cultural 

engagement. 

Theaster Gates is well 

recognized for his unique 

perspective on art and society 

GRAND 

DESIGN 

Theaster Gates Honored 

with the Prestigious 2023 

Vincent Scully Prize 

development, which he 

developed in Chicago. His work 

investigates Black culture from 

several perspectives through 

land development, sculpture, 

performance, and spatial 

theory. 

In fact, he reimagined the 

role of the artist as a change 

agent, thinker, maker, and 

builder. Gates has made it his 

mission to restore blighted 

neighborhoods, drawing 

on his background in urban 

planning and preservation and 

emphasizing the concept of “life 

within things.” Gates has also 

pioneered a groundbreaking 

concept for land art and 

community investment, which 

has received accolades from 

city planners, architects, artists, 

and innovators alike. 

The Vincent Scully Prize was 

awarded to Theaster Gates by 

a commission chaired by Ellen 

Dunham-Jones and included 

of notable personalities such 

as Paul Goldberger, Nancy 

Levinson, Stephen Luoni, and 

Walter Hood. 

Damian 

Ikenna Ngere 

AUTHOR BIO 






HEALTH 

The Health Benefits 

of Dandelion 

Dandelion is scientifically 

known as taraxacum 

officinale and popularly 

known as “efo yanrin” in 

Yoruba language. It is also 

known as wild lettuce to 

some and as a weed to others. 

However, looking beyond its 

appearance lies a rich history, a 

host of advantages, and a wide 

range of practical uses that 

have endeared it to herbalists, 

chefs, and traditional medicine 

practitioners for centuries. 

Historical 

Significance 

The history of dandelion is 

as diverse as its geographical 

range. Native to Eurasia, it has 

spread worldwide and adapted 

to various climates. It was 

brought to North America by 

European settlers in the 17th 

century, where it soon became 

a ubiquitous feature in gardens 

and meadows. Over the 

centuries, it has been associated 

with a myriad of cultural and 

medicinal uses. 

In traditional Chinese 

medicine, dandelion has been 

used to promote digestion, clear 

heat, and detoxify the body. 

In Europe, it was utilized for 

its diuretic properties and as a 

remedy for liver and digestive 

ailments. Native American 

tribes also valued the plant 

for its medicinal properties, 

often using it to treat various 

ailments. 

64 

Accomplish Magazine

By Tolulope Akinruli 

Health Benefits 

of Dandelion 

These are more than just a 

pretty face on your lawn; 

they offer a plethora of health 

benefits that you can ever 

imagine. Below is a list: 

1. High in Nutrients: 

These greens are packed with 

essential nutrients, including 

vitamins A, C, and K, as well as 

minerals like iron, calcium, and 

potassium. 

2. Digestive Aid: Dandelion 

root tea has been traditionally 

used to stimulate digestion and 

relieve constipation. It may 

also help with indigestion and 

bloating. 

3. Managing Liver 

Problems: It is believed 

to have cured various 

liver problems through its 

detoxification process. It 

promotes smooth flow of bile, 

which can help improve liver 

function. 

4. Anti-inflammatory 

Reaction: Dandelion contains 

antioxidants and antiinflammatory 

compounds 

that may help reduce some 

chemical reactions in the body 

and alleviate conditions like 

arthritis. 

5. Diuretic Properties: 

Its leaves have a natural 

diuretic property, promoting 

the elimination of excess fluids 

from the body, which may be 

beneficial for those with high 

blood pressure or edema. 

6. Managing Skin 

Problems: The sap from 

dandelion stems has been used 

topically to treat skin conditions 

like acne, eczema, insect bites, 

and even infections. 

How to use 

Dandelion 

Dandelion greens can be used 

in salads, sautéed, or added to 

soups and stews. The flowers 

can be used to make dandelion 

wine, and the roasted root can 

be used as a coffee substitute. 

For instance, coming back to 

Nigeria (particularly in Yoruba 

land), it is being used as a form 

of vegetable. For me, whenever 

l want to use it for health 

purposes, rather than squeezing 

the leaves to get it’s extract, 

l cook it with a mixture of 

pumpkin leaves (ugu) and scent 

leaves (efirin) which gives me a 

fine mixture of vegetable soup 

which goes well with rice and 

other foods. Some people prefer 

to mix it with melon. 

Again, dandelion roots and 

leaves can be dried and used 

to make teas, tinctures, or 

capsules for various health 

purposes. Its extract is found 

in some skincare products 

due to its potential benefits 

to smoothen and cure skin 

infections. 

Conclusion 

Dandelion, whether you 

want to improve your health, 

experiment in the kitchen, 

or enhance your garden, is 

unassuming plant that offers 

much more than meets the 

eye. So, the next time you see 

a dandelion, remember its long 

and storied history and perhaps 

consider incorporating it into 

your own life in one way or 

another. One thing you should 

know is that dandelion grows 

naturally on its own and it does 

not grow everywhere. Just try it 

and see its wonders. 

Tolulope Akinruli 

AUTHOR BIO 

My love to impact knowledge 

to the young and old led me 

to research and writing. Also, 

l have been business-oriented, 

right from childhood, which 

made me focus more on 

driving the business world 

and also to help people grow 

their business. As a writer, I 

aim to create an insightful 

image in the minds of every 

reader for maximum wealth 

and health. 


Going Into 

Real Estate 

Business in 

Nigeria 

By John Abiodun Olaitan 

R 

eal estate 

business is 

one of areas 

of commercial 

operations that 

people hardly 

venture into in 

Nigeria. This is so because 

many people believe that the 

business involves risks and 

is not meant for those who 

cannot take risks. 

The truth, however, is that 

going into real estate business 

can turn you to an overnight 

millionaire! 

The information you need 

to hold onto, if you have been 

eyeing the sector but haven’t 

been able to make the move, 

is that you to go beyond the 

risk perceptions you have held 

about real estate. Yes, there is a 

lot of money to be made in the 

different aspects of real estate 

investment in Nigeria. 

For starters, it is important 

to note that, real estate has a 

very wide range of endeavours 

you can consider before 

deciding on which aspect to 

go into. In this first article, we 

will explore tso basic issues you 

must understand before we 

delve into the intricate aspects 

of real estate business and 

investments. 

How to Start 

How can you start real 

estate business investment 

in Nigeria? To answer this 

question without missing out 

anything, we have to list out all 

you need to know - step-bystep 

- what you need to get 

started. 

66 

Accomplish Magazine

REALTORS’ 

AVENUE 

What Is Real 

Estate? 

Real estate is property 

consisting of land and/or 

the buildings on it along with 

any natural resource such as 

crops, minerals or water that is 

there; immovable property of 

this nature; an interest vested 

in such item of real property, 

buildings or housing in general. 

What Is Real Estate 

Business? 

Real estate business is 

a business entity that deals 

with the buying, selling, 

management or investment 

of real estate properties. 

Remember that real estate is 

the property, land, buildings, 

air rights above the land and 

underground rights - below the 

land. 

Starting a real estate 

business may not be easy but 

with the right preparation, it 

will be well worth the efforts 

and time. Best of all, there are 

several resources on small 

business systems that can 

make the learning process 

easier and more efficient. We 

John Abiodun 

Olaitan 

AUTHOR BIO 

John Abiodun Olaitan is a real 

estate consultant, realtor and 

emerging developer and CEO of 

Arklanded Properties Ltd. He 

diversified into real estate after 

decades of experience in the 

oil and gas sector. He’s happily 

married with children. 


FOOD & WINE 

7 Ways to 

Make Meals 

Heart-Friendly 

By Tolulope Akinruli 

It is not always easy to make the 

best food decisions at any point 

in the year. There’s nothing 

wrong with indulging a little bit 

during any season, especially if you 

feast on food that’s good for your 

heart. 

However, you can fight the 

temptations of rich and fatty meals 

by planning ahead and preparing 

food items that are beneficial to 

your body. A little planning can help 

you avoid the famous, ‘my diet starts 

tomorrow,’ excuse and the guilt that 

goes with it. 

Here are 7 meal ingredients 

that nutritionists and doctors 

recommend wholeheartedly: 

to support the immune system. 

Not only are they high in fibre and 

vitamin B-C, they are also a great 

source of potassium and can help 

decrease blood pressure. Sweet 

potatoes are simple to prepare and 

there are a variety of ways to enjoy 

them. Just drizzle them in some 

olive oil and bake for about half an 

hour. 

cook them with olive oil or a touch 

of brown sugar and salt, and then 

microwave for 5 minutes. If you 

are not a fan of Brussels sprouts, 

replace them with other cruciferous 

or dark-green fall veggies such as 

broccoli, collard greens, kale and 

cauliflower. Studies have shown 

that eating, at least, two-and-a-half 

servings of vegetables daily can cut 

the risk of heart disease by about 25 

per cent. 

1. Sweet Potatoes 

These delicious vegetables are 

packed with anti-oxidants such as 

vitamin C and beta-carotene, which 

can be converted into vitamin A 

2. Brussels Sprouts 

Filling up on carbs and fatty 

foods won’t satisfy your body in a 

lasting way. If you’re looking for a 

savoury alternative to add to your 

plate and boost your heart health, 

go for Brussels sprouts - those 

green, cruciferous vegetables. Not 

only are they a nutritious side dish 

low in calories and packed with 

fibre (four sprouts contain only 40 

calories, 3 grams of dietary fibre and 

2 grams of protein), but Brussels 

sprouts are also an amazing source 

of vitamin C and folic acid. You can 

3. Apples 

Avoiding sweets can be tricky, 

but you can satisfy that craving with 

added health benefits by crunching 

on an apple. A recent Dutch study 

showed that eating a large amount 

68 

Accomplish Magazine

Heart Association, eating fish, at 

least, twice a week does wonders 

for your heart. Fatty fish such as 

salmon, mackerel, herring, lake 

trout and tuna are high in omega-3 

fatty acids, which help lower 

triglyceride levels, lower blood 

pressure, and decrease risk of 

abnormal heart beats (arrhythmias). 

Salmon also contains the carotenoid 

astaxanthin, which is a powerful 

antioxidant. 

and fight cardiovascular disease is 

to add extra virgin olive oil to salads 

or to grill and cook vegetables 

and meats with it. People who 

consistently use olive oil in their 

daily diets have fewer instances of 

heart disease, even if they normally 

have predisposition or high 

cholesterol levels, according to some 

studies. That’s because the main 

type of fat found in all kinds of olive 

oil are the healthy monounsaturated 

fatty acids (MUFAs), which 

have been found to lower total 

cholesterol and low-density 

lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels. 

MUFAs may benefit insulin levels 

and blood sugar control, which can 

be helpful if you have or are at risk 

of type 2 diabetes. Just remember 

that you can’t make unhealthy foods 

healthier simply by adding olive oil! 

of fruits such as apples, pears, 

pears and bananas with white 

flesh protects the body against 

the incidence of stroke. The fibre 

content of apples also stops LDL 

(also known as “bad” cholesterol) 

from creating the build-up of plaque 

in the arteries. You can always add 

apples to green salads or serve 

in pies or puddings during the 

holidays. 

4. Salmon 

It might be tempting to keep 

snacking if you aren’t full. A healthy 

portion of grilled salmon is also a 

good source of protein, which will 

keep you full for a long period of 

time. According to the American 

5. Avocados 

Adding avocados to a salad or 

sandwich does a lot more than add 

flavour to a dull sandwich. As the 

only fruit that has monounsaturated 

fat, the avocado can lower LDL (bad) 

cholesterol levels, while raising the 

amount of HDL (good) cholesterol 

in your body: A one-ounce 

serving provides three grams of 

monounsaturated fat and 0.5 grams 

of polyunstaturated fat. In addition, 

they allow for the absorption of 

other carotenoids — especially betacarotene 

and lycopene , which can 

boost heart health. 

6. Olive Oil 

Skip the butter and hold the 

creamy dressings and invite olive 

oil into your meal planning. One of 

the easiest ways to help your heart 

7. Berries 

If you’re looking for a delicious, 

healthy and easy way to end a meal, 

you can’t go wrong with a colourful 

plate of mixed berries. Blueberries, 

raspberries, strawberries and 

boysenberries are all full of antiinflammatories, 

which reduce the 

risk of heart disease and cancer. 

You can always add some non-fat 

whipped cream to your berries if 

you are in the mood for a more 

decadent dessert. 

Editor’s Note: This piece 

was posted by Keck Medicine 

of USC on Quora.com. The 

photos used here were posted 

along with the write-up. 


Barbados: 

Experience 

True Caribbean 

Heritage 

Photo Credit: © Ingolf Pompe 

/ Image Professionals GmbH / 

Alamy Stock Photo 

By Sarah Holt 

Edited by Amaka Obiena 

Barbados is a siren for celebrities, 

who are lured to the island by its 

icing-white beaches and luxury 

hotels. However, there’s much more to 

this country than sand, sea, and star 

ratings. 

It is home to the world’s best 

surfing and scuba diving sites, 

the hallowed cricketing ground of 

Kensington Oval, and a collection 

of the Caribbean’s leading rum 

distilleries. Here are just a few reasons 

Barbados is not to be missed. 

Rum is the national drink 

of Barbados – the firewater 

has been produced on the 

island for over 350 years. If 

you’re interested in learning 

more about it, you can visit 

a distillery. Mount Gay in 

Bridgetown is one of the 

oldest. Here you can tour the 

molasses, fermentation, and 

distillation houses before 

settling down to a rum flight. 

Connoisseurs can also add 

the Foursquare Rum factory 

and the West Indies Distillery 

to their itinerary. 

70 

Accomplish Magazine

During the 17th and 18th 

centuries, Barbados was 

one of the sugar capitals 

of the Caribbean, and 

there were more than 

700 sugar estates on 

the island. One of them, 

St Nicholas Abbey, has 

been fully restored and is 

open to the public today. 

Visitors can explore the 

Jacobean mansion, ride 

through the plantation 

grounds on a heritage 

railway, discover the onsite 

distillery and learn all 

about the abbey’s history, 

which was as bitter as it 

was sweet. 

TRAVEL & 

LEISURE 

Photo Credit: 

© Frank Fell / 

robertharding / 

Alamy Stock Photo 

Cricket is more than 

a sport in Barbados. 

It’s like a religion – and 

the prominent place to 

go for a pilgrimage is 

Kensington Oval, near 

Bridgetown. To get an 

insight into the history of 

the cricket ground – and 

to get a photo next to 

the pitch – you can take 

a guided tour on most 

weekdays. If you’re still 

hungry to learn more after 

the experience, head to 

the Legends of Barbados 

Cricket Museum across 

the road. It’s packed full of 

memorabilia. 

Photo Credit: © guy harrop 

/ Alamy Stock Photo 


Photo Credit: © Simon Dannhauer / Alamy Stock Photo 

Photo Credit: © Buzz Pictures / Alamy Stock Photo 

The sea around 

Barbados is tousled by 

trade winds almost all 

year round, giving the 

island some prime surfing, 

windsurfing, and kitesurfing 

spots. Peak season runs 

from November to June, 

when the winds consistently 

blow between 20 and 25 

knots. The waves at the 

Soup Bowl, off Bathsheba 

Beach, are amongst 

the most popular with 

experienced surfers. The 

water off Silver Rock Beach 

on the south coast is a 

magnet for wind and kite 

surfers. 

72 

Accomplish Magazine

There’s more to 

Barbados than the 

beaches. The interior is 

dotted with technicolour 

botanic gardens – pick 

from Hunte’s Garden, 

Andromeda, and the Flower 

Forest – and reserves like 

Barbados Wildlife Reserve, 

where you can spot green 

monkeys and love birds. 

The island’s beauty is 

more than skin-deep, 

too. Underground, in the 

centre of Barbados, there’s 

Harrisons Cave. You can 

take a tram tour here to 

see its fang-like stalactites, 

underground waterfall, and 

natural plunge pools. 

Photo Credit: © guy harrop 

/ Alamy Stock Photo 

At around 6 pm every Friday, mushroom clouds of smoke 

plume into the air above Oistins Bay Garden – marking the start 

of the weekly fish fry. Dozens of street food stands and shacks 

are open for the event, selling jerk chicken, flying fish, mahi 

mahi, and even lobster hot from the grill. Plates are always piled 

high, and rum punches are served strong. Plus, ska, reggae, and 

calypso music lilt out until late. 

Photo Credit: © WaterFrame_tfr / 

WaterFrame / Alamy Stock Photo 

Parrotfish, trumpet fish, 

and bright blue tang are 

some fish species you’ll 

see when you snorkel 

in Barbados. Going a 

little deeper beneath 

the surface on a scuba 

dive, you can explore 

shipwrecks, see turtles, 

and even swim with 

sharks. Carlisle Marine 

Park, near Bridgetown, 

is one of the top spots 

for both snorkeling and 

scuba. There are six 

shipwrecks here that 

thousands of stripey 

sergeant major fish and 

fluorescent damsel fish 

call home. 


AFRICA RISING: 

NEWS ABOUT 

AFRICA 

In Business, Finance, 

Entrepreneur, 

Technology And 

Politics In Africa 



IMF, World Bank 

meetings come to 

an end in Morocco 

w The International Monetary 

Fund said on Saturday, October 

7 in Marrakesh, Morocco, that 

member countries had agreed 

to increase their contributions 

to the global lender and to 

grant Africa a third seat on its 

Executive Board. 

Officials from the 

International Monetary 

Fund urged their members 

to increase financing for the 

institutions so that they can 

better support governments in 

their battle against poverty and 

climate change. 

The meetings are being held 

on the African continent for 

the first time since 1973. 

w 

Ethiopia’s Prime Minister, Abiy 

Ahmed Meets with Chinese 

Counterpart in Beijing 

Ethiopian Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed, who 

was in Beijing for the third Belt and Road Forum 

for International Cooperation, met with China’s 

Premier Li Qiang on Monday, October 16. 

Li stated that China was eager to 

collaborate with Ethiopia to help each other 

maintain internal stability while also achieving 

development and revitalization. 

He stated that Beijing is eager to enhance 

economic, trade, and other cooperation with a 

Addis Ababa in order to bring the two nations’ 

interests closer together. 

74 

Accomplish Magazine

POLITICS 

Massive Departure of Teachers in Zimbabwe Over Low Pay 

w 

According to the Zimbabwe Teachers’ 

Association, there is a considerable teacher 

outflow in Zimbabwe, with over 300 educators 

leaving the country each month. 

The fundamental reason for this emigration 

is Zimbabwe’s low wages in comparison to 

other southern African countries. 

Despite the fact that compensation 

increases are difficult owing to economic 

restrictions, the country must develop 

measures to retain and attract teaching talent. 

South Africa’s Outsourcing Giant, SoluGrowth Expands to Egypt 

The opening of a new office for SoluGrowth, 

in Egypt, has been announced by the 

Information Technology Industry Development 

Agency (ITIDA). The first South African 

outsourcing firm, SoluGrowth, has made an 

investment in Egypt, joining a lengthy list 

of major outsourcing businesses who have 

placed significant bets on Egypt’s potential as 

a hub for international delivery centres. With its 

vast and multi-lingual talent pool, distinctive 

location, cutting-edge infrastructure, and 

exceptional 

TECHNOLOGY 

Safaricom Introduces Innovative Tech 

Platform to Capture Youth Market 

Safaricom has introduced 

Safaricom Hook, a new platform 

aimed at empowering youths 

through the use of technology. 

The platform, which 

focuses on three main hooks— 

technology, career, and 

culture—aims to nurture and 

support the aspirations of 

the Gen Z demographic and 

transform their lives by serving 

as a technology enabler and 

providing access to specially 

made offerings that will make 

use of Safaricom’s extensive 

mobile network. 

In the Tech hook, Safaricom 

will empower youth with 

digital skills for a tech future 

through touchpoints such as 

Safaricom’s Digital Talent 

Programme and the Safaricom 

Engineering Community, as well 

as partnerships with several 

organisations such as the 

Power Learn Project, which 

empower African youth through 

software development. 

The Career Hook, which 

aims to prepare youth 

for conventional and 

unconventional careers, 

will come to life through 

collaboration with a variety 

of partners, including Meta 

and Wowzi, who will provide 

digital training to enable youth 

access to the gig economy, 

and Brighter Monday, who will 

provide guidance for those in 

conventional careers. 

In the Culture hook, 

Safaricom hopes to 

encourage GenZ to pursue 

interests such as sports (via 

Safaricom Chapa Dimba 

and the upcoming Safaricom 

Athletics series); content 

creation (via Baze, which 

allows creators to monetize 

their music and video content); 

and fashion (via partnerships 

such as Artfit, which will 

mentor upcoming designers, 

among others). Safaricom 

Hook will use M-PESA Go and 

the Mali wealth management 

platform to foster a savings 

culture. 


GLOBAL NEW 

TECHNOLOGY 

OpenAI’s Upgraded 

Image Detection 

Technology to Set 

New Accuracy 

Benchmark 

OpenAI is working on 

a programme that can 

detect photos generated by 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) with 

99% accuracy. 

OpenAI’s Chief 

Technology Officer, Mira 

Murati, stated at the Wall 

Street Journal’s Tech Live 

conference on Tuesday, 

October 17 that the tool 

is being internally vetted 

ahead of a scheduled public 

release and is “99% reliable.” 

Murati, who was speaking 

with OpenAI CEO Sam 

Altman, goes on to say that 

she wants the tool to be 

developed so that OpenAI 

users “don’t feel monitored.” 


Netflix Raises Subscription Prices Again Amid 

Password Sharing 

Netflix has hiked its fees once 

more. In its third-quarter earnings 

report, the streaming giant stated 

that its premium ad-free plan in 

the United States has increased 

by $3 per month, to $22.99 on 

Wednesday, October 18. Its basic 

one-stream package now cost 

$11.99 in the United States. All 

Nokia to Cut 14,000 Jobs From Payroll Following 69% 

Profit Fall 

Following a drop in thirdquarter 

results, Nokia announced 

on Thursday, October 19 that it 

other options, 

including its 

entry-level, 

$6.99-per-month 

ad-supported 

tier, remains 

unchanged. 

Netflix has 

recently raised 

the prices 

of various 

subscription 

packages in the 

United Kingdom 

and France. 

Last quarter, 

the company added 8.8 million 

users, representing a 9% yearover-year 

rise in average paid 

subscriptions. This compares to 

2.4 million in the third quarter of 

the previous year. In the third 

quarter, Netflix announced 247 

million paid global subscribers. 

would lose up to 14,000 jobs as 

part of a cost-cutting plan. 

The Finnish 

telecommunications giant 

announced plans to 

decrease its cost base 

and boost operational 

efficiency in order to 

“address the challenging 

market environment.” 

It intends to reduce 

its gross cost base by 

between 800 million euros 

($842.5 billion) and 1.2 

billion euros by the end of 

2026. 

This will cut the present 

workforce of 86,000 to 

between 72,000 and 

77,000. 

76 

Accomplish Magazine

S ROUND UP 

POLITICS 

U.S State Department 

Official, Josh Paul 

Resigns Amid Israeli- 

Hamas War 

A State Department official 

in charge of worldwide arms 

transfer resigned on Wednesday, 

October 18 in protest to the Biden 

administration’s decision to 

increase military aid to Israel amid 

conflict with Hamas. 

Josh Paul, director of 

congressional and public affairs 

at the Department’s Bureau 

of Political-Military Affairs, 

posted his resignation letter 

online in a rare show of public 

dissatisfaction at the Biden 

administration as the president 

prepares to ask Congress for 

an unprecedented military aid 

package for Israel following his 

visit to Tel Aviv. 

Ukraine’s Economy 

Emerges Stronger in the 

Face of Conflict 

Economists estimate that 

it will take several years for 

Ukraine’s economy to return to 

pre-war levels, and estimates 

in a time of intense combat are 

sure to be speculative. Massive 

obstacles lie ahead, including 

the costly restoration of the 

country’s damaged cities, a 

government deficit that will grow 

as the war continues, and labour 

shortages caused by an exodus 

of Ukrainians fleeing the war and 

the mobilisation of working-age 

citizens to fight it. 

Israel Fortifies Border 

to Counter Potential 

Threats from Lebanon 

On October 18, Israel was 

rushing to fortify its border 

with Lebanon, preparing for a 

potential second front in its fight 

against Islamist extremists. Fears 

are growing in Shtula and other 

small towns in this hilly region 

that Hezbollah would join the 

conflict. 

Officials were deploying 

armed soldiers along the border 

and evacuating the few surviving 

inhabitants from 28 communities 

within a buffer zone little over a 

Nonetheless, local analysts 

and businesses say that after 

over 20 months of war, a sense of 

resilience and relative stability has 

taken root, bolstering consumer 

and investment confidence 

mile from the Lebanese border. 

Tanks and armoured 

personnel carriers were stationed 

all over the area, travelling 

practically desolate roads. The 

area was cordoned off by military 

checkpoints. 

ENTREPRENEUR 

Elon Musk’s X to 

Charge All Users $1 

Annual Subscription 

Fee for Basic Features 

Elon Musk’s X, formerly 

known as Twitter, revealed 

on Tuesday, October 17 that 

it would soon be launching a 

new subscription plan in which 

users would be obliged to pay 

$1 per year for its basic features 

The microblogging site’s 

new “Not A Bot” subscription 

plan would charge users for 

likes, reposts, or citing other 

accounts’ posts, as well as 

bookmarking posts on the web 

version of the platform. 

According to the 

corporation, the subscription 

model was created to prevent 

bots and spammers, and the 

charge will vary depending 

on the exchange rate in each 

country. 


CORPORATE 

SUITE 

Africa’s Creative In 

The 11th edition of the 

Innovention Series, 

hosted by the Verdant 

Zeal Group and 

featuring Dr. Tunji Olugbodi as 

the Executive Vice Chairman, 

opened its doors to a diverse 

and esteemed gathering of 

professionals, visionaries, and 

creative minds. The event, held 

on October 27, 2023, proved to 

be an inspiring platform for 

exploring the future of Africa’s 

creative industries in the era 

of Artificial Intelligence (AI). 

An Energetic 

Confluence of Diverse 

Minds and Influential 

Voices 

The event’s audience exuded 

vitality, representing a wide 

spectrum of professionals, 

thereby mirroring the eclectic 

and dynamic nature of the 

creative and marketing 

community. Notable 

participants encompassed 

luminaries such as: 

1. Dr. David Abodunrin: 

Meet David Adeoye 

Abodunrin, the distinguished 

Keynote Speaker from the 

United Kingdom. With over 25 

years of expertise in human 

behavioral psychology, sales, 

and workplace psychology, 

Abodunrin is a seasoned 

life coach and personal 

development expert. His 

diverse background as an 

electronics and computer 

engineer equips him with 

extensive knowledge in 

Information Technology, 

Telecommunications, and 

Cybersecurity. Additionally, 

Abodunrin holds prestigious 

certifications as a Scrum 

Master and Product Owner 

from the Scrum Alliance. 

2. Chisom Nwokwu: 

She is a rising star in the 

tech industry and a Lagosbased 

software engineer 

78 

Accomplish Magazine

CORPORATE 

SUITE 

dustries & AI 


at Microsoft. Nwokwu is 

acclaimed for her book, “A 

Techie’s Guide into Big Tech 

Companies,” and for being 

the creator of the popular 

language learning app, “Igbo 

Amaka,” available on Google 

Playstore, boasting over 10,000 

downloads. 

3. Ferdy Adimefe: 

The CEO of Magic Carpet 

Studio, Ferdy Adimefe is 

celebrated for pioneering 

African narratives in 

animation, gaming, and 

block-chain. His academic 

journey includes a B.Sc. in 

Human Anatomy from the 

University of Port Harcourt 

and an M.Sc. in Media and 

Communication from Lagos 

Business School. In 2021, he 

was honoured as one of the 

Most Influential People of 

African Descent (MIPAD). 

4. Idorenyen Enang: 

Idorenyen Enang is a 

seasoned business leader 

with a visionary approach, 

boasting an impressive 28- 

year career, with influential 

executive roles held across 

Africa. His notable services 

includes the position of Region 

Vice President for Africa 

on the World Federation 

of Advertisers’ executive 

committee. 

5. Malik Afegbua: Malik 

Afegbua is a versatile artist, 

film maker, VR developer, and 

the creative force behind 

Silkcity Media, renowned 

for his innovative use of AI 

in art. He is also recognised 

for his efforts to challenge 

ageism and has earned 

accolades from the WHO for 

his contributions to the global 

Decade of Healthy Ageing 

campaign. 

6. Deyemi Okanlawon: 

He was the event’s moderator. 

Okanlawon is a versatile 

talent armed with a Chemical 

Engineering degree from the 


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University of Lagos, coupled 

with honed acting skills 

acquired from the New York 

Film Academy. He has earned 

recognition, including a Best 

Actor award at the In-Short 

Film Festival in 2013 and a 2022 

Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice 

Awards nomination for his 

exceptional performance in 

‘Omo Ghetto: The Saga.’ 

The fireside chat 

featured distinguished 

guests: 

7. ‘Aunty’ Joke Silva 

MFR: A veteran Nigerian 

actress and director, she holds 

a degree from the University 

of Lagos and has received 

training from the Webber 

Douglas Academy. Notably, 

she clinched the “Best Actress 

in a Leading Role” at the 2nd 

Africa Movie Academy Awards 

in 2006. 

8. Kunle Afolayan: A 

multi-talented power house 

and the driving force behind 

Golden Effects Pictures. He 

is a transformative figure 

in Nollywood, renowned for 

his award-winning films, 

collaboration with Netflix, and 

representation of the industry 

at the 2011 Subversive Film 

Festival. 

This event served as a 

dynamic convergence 

of professionals from the 

creative and marketing 

sectors, emphasising the 

collective wisdom and insights 

shared amongst these 

distinguished individuals. 

Funmibi Olufayo Adeleye, 

a distinguished brand 

consultant and corporate 

strategist, took the reins as 

the anchor. She began the 

proceedings with a nod to 

Dr. David A. Abodunrin, (Principal Partner, 

Cubed Integratedn Management Consulting) 

the motherland, leading 

the assembly in reciting the 

Nigerian National Anthem. Her 

opening set the stage for the 

arrival of the Executive Vice 

Chairman (EVC) of Verdant 

Zeal Group, Dr. Tunji Olugbodi, 

who warmly welcomed the 

attendees with an insightful 

and engaging opening 

speech. 

Dr. Olugbodi’s welcoming 

address set the stage for a 

thought-provoking discussion, 

highlighting key points that 

shed light on the potential 

and challenges of AI in Africa’s 

creative landscape. 

Exploring the Future 

of Africa’s Creative 

Industries 

The central theme of 

Innovention Series 11.0 

was “The Future of Africa’s 

Creative Industries in The 

Era of Artificial Intelligence.” 

This theme aimed to examine 

the impact of AI on Africa’s 

creative sector, a continent 

teeming with diversity, culture, 

and untapped creative 

potential. Dr. Olugbodi 

emphasised the critical 

role that Africa’s creative 

industries can play in shaping 

the continent’s future and 

contributing to the global 

creative ecosystem. 

AI’s Creative Revolution 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) 

emerged as a pivotal topic. 

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AI is hailed as a profound 

technological advancement 

with the potential to 

revolutionise Africa’s creative 

sectors, unlocking new 

avenues for artists, film 

makers, musicians, designers, 

and story tellers. It enhances 

creativity, boosts efficiency, 

and opens doors to innovative 

possibilities. 

Democratising Creativity with 

AI 

AI democratises creativity 

by making creative tools 

and resources accessible to 

artists from all backgrounds, 

irrespective of formal training 

or access to expensive 

equipment. AI-generated 

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AI’s role in preserving and 

showcasing Africa’s cultural 

heritage was underscored. 

It can restore ancient art, 

translate endangered 

languages, and digitise 

cultural artifacts, ensuring 

the preservation of invaluable 

heritage. 

Challenges and 

Collaborative Solutions 

While the potential of AI is 

immense, challenges like 

ethical implications, copyright, 

cultural sensitivity, and privacy 

need collective addressing. 

The importance of education, 

training, and expanding 

access to technology was 

emphasised to equip African 

creators with the necessary 

skills. It’s crucial to preserve 

the authenticity of African art 

and culture while AI becomes 

an integral part of the creative 

process. 

Dr Tunji Olugbodi, (EVC, Verdant Zeal Group) 

presenting certificate of attendance to CHISOM 

NWOKWU (Software Engineer, Microsoft) 

content serves as an 

inspiring starting point for 

human creativity and fosters 

collaboration. 

AI’s Role in Story Telling 

AI’s influence extends to story 

telling, where it helps craft 

narratives that resonate 

with audiences. It facilitates 

language translation and 

personalises creative content 

to reach a broader, more 

engaged audience. 

Preserving Africa’s 

Cultural Heritage 

AI as an Empowerment 

Tool 

Dr. Olugbodi firmly expressed 

that the future of Africa’s 

creative industries with 

AI is not about replacing 

humans but empowering 

them to reach new heights of 

creativity, resonate globally, 

and preserve their cultural 

heritage. 

Shining as Global 

Beacons 

Africa’s creative industries 

have the potential to shine as 

global beacons of innovation 

and inspiration, enriching the 

global cultural tapestry. 

Harnessing AI for a Bright 

Future 

In conclusion, Dr. Olugbodi 

extended his gratitude to the 


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Dr Tunji Olugbodi, (EVC, Verdant Zeal Group) presenting a certificate 

of attendance to KUNLE AFOLAYAN (CEO, Golden Efects Pictures) 

attendees and expressed 

hope for the incredible 

creativity that will emerge 

from the fusion of Africa and 

AI at Incnovention Series 11.0. 

Innovention Series 

Continues 

The 11th Innovention Series 

sets the stage for ongoing 

discussions, further 

elaborating on the potential 

and challenges of AI in Africa’s 

creative industries, ensuring 

that Africa’s creative spirit 

continues to illuminate the 

world. 

Acknowledging 

Sponsors and Partners 

A significant highlight of the 

event was the recognition 

and appreciation of the 

event’s sponsors and partners. 

Among them, Honey Comb 

Bread stood out as a notable 

brand, with a unique twist – 

the brand is founded by none 

other than Dr. Tunji Olugbodi’s 

wife. The acknowledgment of 

these supporters underscored 

their pivotal role in bringing 

the event to life. 

Dr. David Abodunrin’s AI 

Insights 

Dr. David Abodunrin, 

the keynote speaker, 

commanded the stage, 

captivating the audience 

with his extensive knowledge 

spanning electronics, 

computer engineering, IT, 

telecommunications, and 

cybersecurity. He shared 

a unique perspective on 

the profound impact of 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) 

in the African context. His 

PowerPoint presentation 

resounded with the notion 

that the global landscape 

is currently immersed in the 

“Era of AI,” and it is imperative 

for Africa as a continent 

to actively embrace this 

transition to avoid isolation. 

Dr. Abodunrin emphatically 

underscored that adopting 

this era is not merely a choice; 

it is an absolute necessity. He 

asserted that AI should be 

viewed as a sophisticated 

collaborator, not a competitor, 

and his insights resonated 

with the boundless potential 

inherent in Africa’s abundant 

resources. 

Panel Discussion: 

Embracing AI in the 

Creative Industry 

The panelists delved into 

critical issues surrounding 

the integration of AI in the 

creative sector, potential 

job displacement due to AI, 

and Africa’s pivotal role in 

the AI era. These discussions 

provided valuable insights 

into the challenges and 

opportunities that AI presents 

to the continent’s creative 

industries. 

Fireside Chat with 

‘Aunty’ Joke Silva and 

Kunle Afolayan 

‘Aunty’ Joke Silva and Kunle 

Afolayan, industry stalwarts, 

took part in a fireside chat, 

offering their perspectives 

on the event’s theme. ‘Aunty’ 

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Accomplish Magazine

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Joke highlighted a potential 

downside of AI, citing the 2023 

general election in Nigeria 

as an example. She pointed 

out that AI could be used to 

manipulate data in favour of 

minority interests, potentially 

overshadowing the majority. 

When asked about the fear 

of AI replacing human jobs, 

she expressed her belief that 

AI wouldn’t eliminate work 

entirely, but rather create new 

opportunities. 

Kunle Afolayan shared 

his personal stance on AI, 

emphasising the importance 

of authenticity in the creative 

space. He stressed the need to 

maintain a balance between 

AI and the human touch, 

advocating for human control 

over machines rather than the 

other way around. 

Certificates of 

Attendance 

In a gracious gesture, Dr. 

Tunji Olugbodi presented 

certificates of attendance 

to the guest speakers and 

panelists, acknowledging their 

invaluable contributions to the 

event. 

The 11th Innovention Lecture 

Series left attendees with 

a richer understanding of 

the role AI plays in Africa’s 

creative industries. It was a 

gathering that celebrated 

diversity, innovation, and the 

continued pursuit of creative 

excellence. 

As the event concluded, 

the call for a harmonious 

coexistence of AI and human 

creativity reverberated, 

underscoring the importance 

of balancing technology and 

human ingenuity in shaping 

Africa’s creative future. 

Damian 

Ikenna Ngere 

AUTHOR BIO 

Dr Tunji Olugbodi, (EVC, Verdant Zeal Group) 

presenting a certificate of attendance to IDORENYEN 

ENANG (Group CEO, Corporate Shepherds Ltd) 






How Knowledge is 

the Nature of Busin 

By Dr. Austin Nweze 

T 

he catch phrase 

in this 21st century 

is “knowledge 

rules.” Why not! 

Since creation, the 

world has gone 

through several 

dispensations. There are certain 

things that must happen - 

whether we like it or not and 

whether we are ready for them 

or not. One of such things is the 

dispensation of knowledge or 

the knowledge-economy as 

we know it today. The nature of 

business, as we used to know, 

is fast changing. Thanks to 

the knowledge-economy. The 

question, therefore, is whether 

businesses are aware of it 

and whether they are ready 

to embrace these changes 

happening, keeping in mind that 

innovation is the main driver of 

the knowledge-economy. No 

wonder in 2004, the directorategeneral 

for enterprise, European 

Commission (ECSC-EC-EAEC 

Brussels-Luxemburg) in 

“Innovation Management 

and the Knowledge-driven 

Economy” declared; “In the 

knowledge-driven economy, 

innovation has become central 

to achievement in business 

world. With this growth in 

importance, organisations, 

large and small, have begun to 

re-evaluate their products, their 

services, even their corporate 

culture in the attempt to 

maintain their competitiveness 

in the global markets of today. 

The more forward-thinking 

companies have recognised 

that only through such root and 

branch reform can they hope to 

survive in the face of increasing 

competition.” 

Where does organisation’s 

knowledge reside? Does it 

reside in the legal entity called 

company or does it reside in 

the people that work in the 

organisation? This is like asking 

the obvious question. The basic 

raw material of any organisation 

is the intellect of the people that 

work within the organisation. 

For success, organisations must 

find ways of mining the intellects 

or intelligences of its people. 

Knowledge is fundamental to 

the survival of organisations 

as well as to the economic 

progress of industries and 

nations. For organisations and 

nations to survive and thrive in 

the knowledge-economy, they 

must develop the capacity to 

create knowledge, and not just 

consume knowledge. 

In organisations, different 

levels of knowledge reside in 

the employees that work those 

organisations. Some members 

of the workforce are semi-skilled 

and some others are highlyskilled. 

An organisation’s critical 

knowledge resides in the highly 

skilled members of its workforce. 

In the knowledge-economy, 

machines or computers are 

doing the work that some 

people within an organisation 

would have done. Computers, 

especially, will replace and 

or displace some calibre of 

workers. Some Nigerian workers 

are already trying to re-invent 

and re-skill themselves by 

shifting from jobs that can 

easily be done by computers in 

the future. They try to engage 

in jobs that are oriented 

toward relationships; knowing 

that it will take some time 

before computers venture into 

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Changing 

ess 

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establishing and maintaining 

relationships as humans. 

The employment market has 

been democratised and has, 

thus, become a sellers-market 

with employees as the sellers 

and employers as buyers. 

Although there is a high demand 

for highly-skilled members of the 

workforce who possess the key 

knowledge; supply is low. This 

explains the reason why they 

are highly priced or paid higher 

salaries than ordinary workers. 

These are the people head 

hunters chase about from one 

organisation to the other. The 

banking and telecommunication 

sectors are examples. Banks, 

especially, go after employees 

that are not only highly-skilled 

but also manage the account of 

high-net-worth individuals. That 

is why when a bank loses any 

member of its workforce; it also 

loses the accounts of the highnet-worth 

individuals being 


managed by them. 

The bottom line is that the 

traditional way of doing business 

has been fundamentally altered 

by the knowledge-economy. 

John Sloman, in his volume, 

corroborated this point of view 

and noted that the traditional 

limited liability company was 

based around five fundamental 

principles. The first of what 

could be called “the Sloman’s 

Principle” states that “individual 

workers needed the business 

and the income it provided 

more than the business needed 

them”. That is to say that they 

operated a buyer’s market in 

the past. Employers could easily 

replace any worker they lose 

or fire. The old system made 

employers more powerful and 

also the dominant partner in the 

employer-employee relationship. 

But in today’s knowledgeeconomy, 

the reverse is the case. 

Knowledge has become the 

key resource of the knowledgeeconomy 

and so are the 

workers that possess such key 

knowledge. The success of any 

organisation in the knowledgeeconomy 

is hinged on their 

having key knowledge as well 

as the workforce that possesses 

such key knowledge. Sloman 

believes that the balance of 

power between the business 

and the specialist worker in 

today’s knowledge-economy is 

far more equal. 

The second principle is that 

employees tended to be full time 

and depended upon the work 

as their only source of income. 

In the knowledge-economy, full 

time work is not the only option 

available to workers. Workers 

will work as free agents. There 

will be diversity of employment 

contracts. Some will continue to 

work as full time, some as part 

time, while others as consultants. 

Home working is also on the rise. 

Workers will opt for employment 

contracts that will enable 

them work as consultants or 

free agents, having their own 

preferred flexible time schedule 

and days. 

The third principle of a 

traditional limited liability 

company is that the company 

was integrated with a single 

management structure 

overseeing all various stages of 

production. This was believed 

to be the most efficient way of 

organising productive activity; 

but in the knowledge-economy, 

companies are fast finding out 

that the global market place 

has become more complex, and 

they do not have all the skills 

inside the organisation, and 

that some expert knowledge or 

skill resides outside. Such expert 

skills include research and 

development; some aspect of 

production; marketing and sales; 

and adapting their products to 

specific markets. Outsourcing 

of some non-core services will 

enable businesses become more 

efficient and deliver more value 

to customers. Some aspects 

of the business that can be 

outsourced include production 

and human resources. Human 

resource issues such as hiring, 

selection, training, and benefits 

could be outsourced to a 

third-party firm who has the 

core competence to perform 

such jobs. Communication 

costs, which have become 

so insignificant today, have 

enabled businesses to outsource 

for better efficiency. 

The fourth principle 

states that suppliers, and 

especially manufacturers, 

had considerable power over 

the customer by controlling 

information about their 

products or services. Today, 

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power has shifted towards the 

customer due to easy access to 

information via the internet. 

The fifth principle has to do 

with technology. Sloman stated 

that “technology relevant to an 

industry was often developed 

within the industry. That has 

changed too. Today, unlike 

in the past, technological 

developments are less specific 

to industries”. He mentioned 

further that “knowledge 

developments are diffuse and 

cut across industry boundaries. 

What this means for businesses, 

in a knowledge-driven economy, 

is that they must look beyond 

their own industry if they are to 

develop and grow.” Business 

dynamics have changed; thanks 

to the knowledge-economy. 

Tools used in the past to run 

businesses and national 

economies have been rendered 

almost obsolete by the advent 

of the knowledge-economy. 

Managers need to rethink and 

retool their business in order 

to remain competitive in this 

dispensation. 

Quite a few experts have 

made their contributions to 

the importance of knowledge 

in this knowledge-economy. 

Paul Allaire, Chairman and 

CEO, Xerox Corporation, in his 

1997 keynote address at the 

conference on ‘Knowledge in 

International Corporations’ in 

Rome, Italy, stated that “the 

task of leadership is to create 

the environment for managing 

knowledge. It requires less 

emphasis on what we own and 

more emphasis on what we 

know. It is not about managing 

hired hands, it is about setting 

context and energising hired 

minds. Our challenge is to 

manage the stage for the 

human spirit to thrive and create 

in the emerging knowledgesociety.” 

Furthermore, Nick 

Bontis et al in the European 

Management Journal, Vol. 17, 

No. 4 noted that knowledge 

and information are nowadays 

the drivers of company life, 

much more than land, capital 

or labour. The increased 

importance of knowledge does 

not simply add an additional 

variable to the production 

process of goods; it changes 

substantially the rules of the 

game. The capacity to manage 

knowledge-based intellect is 

the critical skill of this era (Quinn, 

1992). The wealth-creating 

capacity of the enterprise will 

be based on the knowledge 

and capabilities of its people 

(Savage, 1990). Firms that are 

thriving in the new strategic 

environment see themselves as 

learning organisations pursuing 

the objective of continuous 

improvement in their knowledge 

assets (Senge, 1990). Having a 

good base of knowledge means 

that a company can, in the 

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future, start leveraging that base 

to create even more knowledge, 

thus; increasing its advantages 

on the competitors (Arthur, 1996). 

Sloman again noted 

that the dynamics of the 

knowledge-economy requires 

quite a fundamental change 

in the nature of business. 

Organisationally, it needs to 

be more flexible, helping it to 

respond to the ever-changing 

market conditions it faces. 

Successful companies draw 

upon their core competencies 

to achieve market advantage, 

and thus, ultimately, specialise 

in what they do best. For 

other parts of their business, 

companies must learn to work 

with others, either through 

outsourcing specialist tasks, or 

through more formal strategic 

partnerships. Within this new 

business model, the key assets 

are the specialist people in the 

organisation – its “knowledgeworkers.” 

Editor’s Note: This article was 

Culled from the book: Survive 

and Thrive in the Knowledge 

Economy: Building People, 

Building Organisations by Dr. 

Austin Nweze. 

Dr. Austin 

Nweze 

AUTHOR BIO 

Dr. Austin Nweze is a teacher, 

author, entrepreneur and a 

commentator on national and 

global issues. He is also a Faculty 

Member, Pan-Atlantic University. 


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