Accomplish Magazine August 2024

M A G A Z I N E
AUGUST 2024
AFRICA’S
STARTUPS:
LOCAL ANGEL
FUNDS BEGIN TO
POWER GROWTH
CEO INTERVIEW:
Dr. Tee Mac
Omatshola Iseli:
The Quintessential
Flutist Making Waves
in Business
The New Trend
of 'Spraying'
Dollars:
The Impact on
Societal Values
and More
ETHICAL AI:
Balancing
Innovation with
Responsibility
KENYA
Protests
and Purpose
of Power
THE OIL WAR:
The Avoidable
Controversy
Between
NNCPL AND
DANGOTE
REFINERY
Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe :
A LADY IN THE VANGUARD
OF BANKING EXCELLENCE

Contents
Team
August 2024
EDITOR
DIIYI WILLIAM-WEST
DEPUTY EDITOR
HARRY CHOMS
SENIOR CORRESPONDENTS
IKENNA NGERE
TOLULOPE AKINRULI
SOCIAL MEDIA HANDLER
UGO CHINEDU
WEB ADMINISTRATOR
ABDULLAHI MURTALA
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANTS
NGOZI UKPAI
34
BUSINESS ANALYST EXECUTIVE
NGOZI EZE
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
CHARLES KAMMA
PUBLISHER / EDITOR IN CHIEF
REMI DIAGBARE
EDITORIAL BOARD:
DR. OSITA ANIEMEKA
CHIEF VICTOR OLENWUNNE
DAVID BARO-THOMAS
REMI DIAGBARE
DIIYI WILLIAM-WEST
DR. HARRY CHOMS
For advert enquiries, please contact
Marketing Director, Ogehenetega,
Remmy +44 7424 594773
(Whatspp only)
or email, info@theaccomplishmagazine.com
To reach the Editor,
send your email to:
editor@theaccomplishmagazine.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.
FOLLOW US @ ENTREPRENEUR NG
6 43
COVER
10 Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe: Dr.
Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe at 60
A Lady in the Vanguard of
Banking Excellence
NIGERIA: BITS & BOBS
4 Nigeria Surpasses Oil
Production Expectations with
25,000 Barrel Increase Daily
& Other Stories
START UP ANGEL
16 AFRICA'S STARTUPS: Local
Angel Funds Begin to Power
Growth.
FEATURE/ANALYSIS
18 The New Trend of 'Spraying'
Dollars: The Impact on
Societal Values and More
20 KENYA Protests and Power
24 The Oil War: The Avoidable
Controversy Between NNPCL
and Dangote Refinery..
28 ETHICAL AI: The Avoidable
Controversy Between NNPCL
and Dangote Refinery...
30 Will Trumps Assasination
AttemptwAvoidable
Controversy Between NNPCL
and Dangote Refinery..
GLOBAL INFO DIGEST
30 Your Real Hailers Aren't Known In
Good Times & other stories
CEO INTERVIEW
36 Dr. Tee Mac Omatshola Iseli:
The Quintessential Flutist Making
Waves in Business
GRAND DESIGN
42 Oman Unveils Plans for $1.3
Billion Waterfront Development
THE INCUBATOR SERIES
46 No Sense of Responsibility No
MARKETING DIRECTOR
OGEHENETEGA DIAGBARE

Real Growth
AFRICA RISING NEWS....
48 World Bank Halts Funding for
Tanzania Tourism Initiative...&
other stories...
GLOBAL NEWS...
50 Major Solar Storm Disrupts
Musk's Starlink Satellites
& other stories...
LIFESTYLE
54 ARTS & THE MASTERS -
Historic Rouen Cathedral,
Inspiration for Monet, Spared
from Firet
60 TRAVEL & LEISURE - How
to Start a Travel & Tours
Business in Nigeria
From The Editor
28
33
60
Gradually, 2024 keeps marching
forward with each day's tenure
of the sun and moon. And, every
new day presents us with opportunities
to impact our environment or get
impacted. In effect, the people who
hold sway are those whose actions
or inactions affect lives - be it family,
kindred, community, organisation,
country etc.
It is in this light one should consider
the lingering ripples of the respective
2023 general elections in Nigeria. The
elections have come and gone but it's
been issue after issue since May 29,
2023! Now, the country may be locked
down for nationwide protests to call for
good governance this month and there
are concerns that the peaceful protests
would not deteriorate as we saw in
Kenya in recent weeks. Hopefully, the
protests lead to wide improvements in
the quality of lives of the masses.
As you say "Amen" to that, let's
present Dr. Mrs. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe,
Managing Director and Chief Executive
Officer of Fidelity Bank Plc., our cover
page personality. Onyeali-Ikpe, who
turned 60 on July 28, is the first female
CEO of the bank!
We went the extra mile to bring you a
legend for this month's CEO Interview. Dr.
Tee Mac Omatshola Iseli is considered
to be Africa's leading flutist and has
remained a jazz class act of global
repute from the 1970s. Our interview
revealed he has also done well as CEO.
Go read the leadership nuggets he gave
us. Did the ongoing "oil war" between
Dangote Refinery and the Nigerian
National Petroleum Company Limited
catch your attention? You are not alone.
Please, read our analysis.
Tomi Davies' "Local Angel Funds
Begin to Power Growth" elicits hope that
African angel investors are taking more
responsibility to help indigenous startups
flourish.
Our offerings in "Diaspora African"
and "Celebrating Accomplishments"
would make good reading. Ditto
the analysis of the aftermath of the
assassination attempt on Donald Trump
(Dave Baro-Thomas); Kenya's protests
(Dr. Osita Aniemeka) and religion
and ethical practices (Chief Victor
Olenwunne). Our other regulars would
prove to be no less.
While we look forward to hearing
from our readers, please stay safe and
do your bit to make Nigeria become a
really respected giant in the comity of
nations.
Disclaimer
61
• 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
• The opinions of contributors (people
whose opinion we publish) are not the
opinion of Accomplish Magazine or the
opinion of the management or staff of
Accomplish Magazine.
DIIYI WILLIAM-WEST
Editor
: editor@theaccomplishmagazine.com

NIGERIA:
BITS & BOBS
By Ikenna Ngere
BUSINESS AND FINANCE
It would be recalled that after
President Bola Tinubu decided to
confer with interested parties before
submitting the bill to the National
Assembly, the conversation about
a new national minimum wage has
come to a standstill.
Nigeria Surpasses Oil
Production Expectations
with 25,000 Barrel
Increase Daily
From 1.251 million barrels per
day in May to 1.276 million
barrels per day in July,
Nigeria's daily oil production
increased by 25,000 barrels.
In its June monthly Oil Market
Report, the Organisation of the
Petroleum Exporting Countries
revealed this, citing direct
correspondence with the
Nigerian government.
The country produced 1.28
million barrels of oil per day in
April and 1.25 million barrels per
day in May, according to the
statistics released on Thursday,
July 11. The government tried
to increase production, but
Nigeria was unable to reach its
April level of 1.28 million barrels
per day.
TUC Stands Firm, Says
No Compromise on
N250,000 Minimum
Wage
According to Trade Union
Congress (TUC) President Festus
Osifo, the organised labour still
maintains that the N250,000
benchmark is the best minimum
pay for workers in Nigeria. Osifo
made this known on Tuesday, July
9.
Osifo added that in an effort
to agree on a minimum wage,
representatives from the Nigeria
Labour Congress and TUC were
meeting with Federal Government
representatives. He was speaking
at the inaugural Petroleum
and Natural Gas Senior Staff
Association of Nigeria Women
Convention in Abuja with the
theme: "The Dynamic Woman:
Navigating Challenges in a
Constantly Evolving World."
• Cardoso
Nigerians Bearing the Cost
of N37.5tn Excess Money
Supply in Economy –
Cardoso
Dr. Olayemi Cardoso, the Governor
of the Central Bank of Nigeria, stated
that Nigerians are suffering as a
result of an over-abundance of
money in the economy, citing the
N10.5 trillion in interventions and the
N27 trillion Ways and Means loans
from the previous administration.
Cardoso made this statement on
Thursday, July 11, at the BusinessDay
CEO Forum in Lagos.
The money that the Central
Bank of Nigeria lends to the Federal
Government in the interim to
increase spending in accordance
with the timing of income generation
is known as "Ways and Means."
4 |
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POLITICS
PDP Sets the Record
Straight on Rivers Court
Case, Refutes Claims of
Appeal
Claims that the Peoples
Democratic Party would file
an appeal in a court case that
is still pending in Rivers State
have been denied. Suit No.
PHC/2177/CS/2024 is the case
number for the restraining
order that the Rivers State High
Court issued.
In a statement released on
Sunday, July 14, the party's
National Publicity Secretary,
Debo Ologunagba, stated the
party's position on the issue.
The statement also made
it clear that only the party's
national legal adviser, and not
any of its other leaders or its
organs and chapters, is the
only person who handles legal
concerns for the party.
Fayose Supports
Governors Right
to Appoint Local
Government Leaders,
Supreme Court Rules
No one can become
the chairman of a local
government without the
backing of a state's current
governor, according to former
governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele
Fayose. He asserted that no
one could "take the baby
from the mother" and that the
state and municipal levels of
administration are inextricably
linked.
In response to a Supreme
Court ruling that gave the
third tier of government
financial autonomy, the
former governor and leader of
the Peoples Democratic Party
(PDP) requested the Federal
Government to pay the 20.60%
monthly allocation of the 774
LGs in the country directly
to their exclusive accounts
rather than to accounts under
the control of governors.
• Fayose
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Dangote Refinery
Begins Gas Oil Exports
to West Africa as
European Imports
Decline
By increasing gas oil
exports to West Africa,
Nigeria's recently constructed
Dangote Oil Refinery is
displacing European refiners
in the market. This change
is confirmed by traders and
shipping statistics.
The $20 billion refinery
is producing gas oil of a
lower grade as it waits for
the resumption of the units
required for the production
of cleaner fuel. As a result,
the refinery is now looking for
buyers in nearby markets.
The refinery's gas oil
exports in May nearly
doubled from April levels,
coming in at around to
100,000 barrels per day
(bpd), according to analytics
firm Kpler. One shipment was
made to Spain, although the
majority of shipments were to
West African countries.
Preliminary data from June,
however, indicates a significant
decline in gas oil quantities. At
225,000 bpd, the total amount of
oil products exported, including
jet fuel, naphtha, and fuel oil,
remained high.
DAMIAN
IKENNA NGERE
AUTHOR’S BIO
Ikenna is a graduate of Physics
and Education, who works as a
freelance writer. He has interest in
technology, humanity and sports.
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| 5

COVER
DR. NNEKA
ONYEALI-IKPE:
A Lady in the Vanguard of
Banking Excellence
By Ify Davies
Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe OON, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of
Fidelity Bank Plc, has made significant strides in Nigerian banking since January
2021. With her visionary leadership, she has driven the bank's digital transformation
and increased its market share in a highly competitive environment.
The career journey of Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe (NOI), who turned 60 on July 28, has been
marked by a wealth of experience spanning over three decades in the banking industry.
As the first female MD/CEO in the bank's history, she has been instrumental in driving the
institution's digital transformation and expansion into international markets. She has
held leadership positions at various banks, including Citizens International Bank, Zenith
Bank, and Standard Chartered Bank, where she was involved in structuring complex
transactions across diverse sectors such as oil and gas, manufacturing, aviation, real
estate, and exports.
Her appointment as MD/CEO of Fidelity Bank came after serving as an Executive Director
since 2015, where she oversaw the bank's operations in Lagos and the Southwest region.
Under her leadership, the bank witnessed significant growth, with Profit Before Tax (PBT)
increasing from ₦25.22 billion in FY 2021 to ₦122 billion in FY 2023.
In this interview, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe speaks about her leadership style, how team
synergy raised the performance of Fidelity Bank, the surprise extension of tenure she
received from the bank's board of directors and her plans for the future upon becoming a
sexagenarian. Happy reading!
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COVER
DR. Nneka
Onyeali-Ikpe
@60
Women
bring a lot of
value to the table in
leading organisations.
This recognition reflects
in the growing number
of female CEOs in the
boardroom
of banks.
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| 7

COVER
The
values of
integrity, hardwork
and perseverance
played a huge role in
my upbringing; and
I still live by these
principles.
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COVER
Accomplish Magazine:
When you took office as MD
and CEO in 2021, what were
some of the key priorities
that you tackled, being a
woman CEO? How you were
able to gain respect from
your male counterparts as
banking is seen as a male
dominated industry?
Dr. Nneka: Starting out in
2021 as MD/CEO, my vision
for the bank was clear and
I quickly identified eight
focus-areas that would guide
me in executing my vision
for the bank. These areas
included Brand Refresh,
Workforce Transformation,
Digital Transformation,
Innovation, Service Excellence,
Accelerated Growth and
Performance Discipline.
For me, the immediate
priority was to put the bank on
a consistent growth trajectory
and ensure our customers
are delighted with our service
delivery. Luckily, I have been
blessed with a very supportive
board of directors and one of
the most competent teams in
the banking industry. With this
in place, the only direction we
could go was forward and the
rest, like they say, is history.
Looking back, I can say we
have made commendable
strides across each of those
pillars. Today, the Fidelity
brand is well recognised
locally and internationally,
thanks to our Brand Refresh
exercise. We have also
upskilled our staff and
promoted an average of 15%
of them annually in the last
three years. For our Digital
Transformation pillar, we
have revamped our systems
and processes to provide a
more seamless and enriching
experience. For Innovation,
we have introduced several
platforms to deepen our
customer experience even
as we continually review our
processes.
Similarly, for Service
Excellence, we carried out a
revamp of our products and
services and this resulted
in our improved rating in
the 2023 KPMG Customer
Experience Survey. For
Accelerated Growth and
Performance Discipline
pillars, our quarterly financial
performance demonstrates
our success as we have
achieved a Cumulative
Average Growth Rate
(CAGR) of 64% and share
performance by around 290%
over the last 3years.
Perhaps, nothing highlights
our strong performance
over the last three years
like the multiple awards
and recognition we have
received from local and
international bodies like the
Financial Times, Euromoney,
Global Finance, The Banker
Magazine, BusinessDay,
Development Bank of Nigeria
and so on.
Accomplish Magazine: What
is Fidelity Bank doing to
grow its regional presence?
Dr. Nneka: We are doing quite
a bit in that space as we are
considering several countries
that make business sense for
us to open shop in. For us, it
goes beyond just expanding
across Africa to identifying
countries where we can
make meaningful economic
impact. Some of the capital
we get from our public
offer and rights issue will be
deployed towards expanding
our footprints across Africa in
strategic markets.
Accomplish Magazine:
When you don’t have your
CEO hat on, what do you like
to do?
Dr. Nneka: I love to spend time
with my family. I also love to
cook and to travel; to explore
the world.
Accomplish Magazine: This
year, your tenure as CEO of
Fidelity Bank was extended
to 2026. Why is this? And,
looking back, how is the
bank different from when
you first took over as CEO -
back in 2021?
Dr. Nneka: I’m humbled by
the decision of the board of
directors to extend my tenure.
For me, the decision of the
board is an attestation of the
hard work my team and I
have put into positioning the
bank as a leading player in
the industry. Today, we have
carved a niche for ourselves
as a renowned banking
institution that is dedicated
to helping individuals grow,
empowering businesses to
thrive and supporting local
economies to prosper.
Accomplish Magazine: In
the last four years, several
women have emerged
as bank CEOs. As the first
female CEO of a bank in
Nigeria, tell us more about
yourself, your journey to
becoming the CEO of Fidelity
Bank and why you think
women are being given the
recognition now?
Dr. Nneka: Women bring a
lot of value to the table in
leading organisations. This
recognition reflects in the
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| 9

COVER
growing number of female CEOs in the boardroom of
banks. My journey to becoming the CEO of Fidelity Bank
began around 34 years ago when I started my banking
career. Starting out as a young female banker in a
vastly male dominated industry, I made up my mind
that I was going to get to the peak of my profession, so I
put in the work and dedication. I acquired the necessary
skills and remained focused on my goal of reaching
the top. Over the course of my career, I was fortunate to
work in multiple roles across several important banks
which eventually led to my appointment as the MD/
CEO of Fidelity Bank. Today, advocacy for gender equity
is more than it used to be, compared to when I started
and this has resulted in a lot more success in women
being appointed into positions of leadership across key
sectors in the economy.
Accomplish Magazine: What was growing up like?
Dr. Nneka: Growing up, for me, was fun. I was fortunate
to grow up in a warm environment with my parents
and siblings. I have fond recollections of childhood
experiences.
Accomplish Magazine: What values did society
uphold that shaped your early life?
Dr. Nneka: The values of integrity, hardwork
and perseverance played a huge role in my
upbringing; and I still live by these principles.
Accomplish Magazine: What initiatives have
you implemented to promote women's inclusion
in the bank?
Dr. Nneka: At Fidelity Bank, we cultivate a culture of
inclusivity and diversity, ensuring that all employees
have equal opportunities for career growth and
leadership, regardless of gender. Currently, our
workforce is composed of 50.2% women and 49.8% men.
At the board level, we maintain a gender representation
of 29% women and 71% men. We also ensure that we
make gender parity an active conversation in all our
discussions in the bank.
Accomplish Magazine: Were there men who
encouraged your growth or was it favourable
corporate gender policies that helped you?
Dr. Nneka: It was a combination. I had fantastic male
mentors who saw my talent and advocated for me. But
strong policies like maternity leave also made a huge
difference, allowing women to excel both professionally
and personally.
...Women bring a lot of val
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COVER
Accomplish Magazine: What
advice do you have for younger
women aspiring to leadership
positions?
Dr. Nneka: Believe in yourself.
Be prepared to work hard. And,
don't be afraid to take calculated
risks. Find mentors, build strong
relationships, and remember –
collaboration is key to success.
Accomplish Magazine: What are
some things you would like to
take more time to do now you are
60?
Dr. Nneka: Quality time with family
is key. I would also certainly love
to explore my hobbies some
more. I am also passionate
about community development/
mentorship and I would be
initiating some projects along this
line soon.
Accomplish Magazine: What's
next for you in this new chapter of
your life?
Dr. Nneka: I'd continue to focus
on mentoring future generations
of leaders and giving back to
the community. I look forward
to exploring new activities and
helping our customers scale their
businesses.
IFY DAVIES
ue to the table in leading organisations
AUTHOR’S BIO
Ify Davies is a seasoned writer, editor,
and strategist with a keen eye for
technology. With a career spanning
over six years, Davies excels in crafting
compelling narratives and strategies
that drive innovation and growth.
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| 11

COVER
SELECTED
QUOTES
OF DR.
NNEKA
ONYEALI-
IKPE
By Tolulope Akinruli
The secret
to building a
successful team lies
in recognising and
harnessing the unique
strengths of each
individual
12 |
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I am
proof that
when women
are given the
opportunity to
lead, they deliver
exceptional
results.
Success
does not
come easily,
nor does it arrive
overnight, you must
be willing to put
in the effort and
remain tenacious
in your pursuit of
excellence
COVER
As a leader who
deeply values each
member of my team,
my commitment to their
success is evident through
empowerment and
task delegation.
As a leader,
you must be
willing to listen,
learn, and adapt
A leader's
credibility is based
on their honesty and
integrity; always stick to
your ideals, even if it's
challenging
"Leadership is
about service,
not just about
power
In
today's
fast changing
environment,
adaptability
is essential for
success, accept
change and be
eager to learn
and grow
from it
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| 13

NNE
THE
Picture
FIDELITY-BANK-COMMENDS-AIR-PEACE'S-PERFORMANCE
MADAM-ADAOHA UGO NGADI-OTHNIEL-BROOKS
AND NNEKA ONYEALI-IKPE
DR. KEN ONYEALI-IKPE AND DR. MRS. NNEKA
ONYEALI-IKPE AT AN EVENT
CHIN
OF O
14 |
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NNEKA ONYEALI-IKPE WITH
APOSTLE FOLORUNSO ALAKIJA
KA-ONYEALI-IKPE-HER-HUSBAND-DR-KEN-ONYEALI-IKPE-AND-
IR-KIDS-PICTURED-AT-DR-KENS-60TH-BIRTHDAY-CELEBRATION
NNEKA ONYEALI-IKPE AND
CHIMAMANDA ADICHIE
WE-ILOGHALU, DR ONYEALI-IKPE, MRS BAMIDELE-ABIODUN-1ST-LADY
GUN STATE, LANDE-ATERE AND IJEOMA-UBOSI
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AFRICAN STARTUP ANGEL by
AFRICA’S
STARTUPS:
LOCAL ANGEL FUNDS BEGIN
TO POWER GROWTH
Especially with the downturn in
international investments,
angel investing in Africa is
witnessing a quiet
transformation, driven by the
rise of local angel funds. These funds
are crucial for early-stage start-ups,
providing not just capital but also
mentorship and strategic guidance.
In this article, I delve into the growing
influence of local angel funds,
highlighting their benefits,
challenges, and future prospects. I
also explore the factors driving this
growth and their impact on our
start-up ecosystem.
Angel funds are investment vehicles
that pool resources from individual
investors to support early-stage
start-ups. In Africa, the rise of local
angel funds has been remarkable!
According to recent data, local
angel funds have seen substantial
growth, with Innovate Africa
launching a $2.5 million fund to
support early-stage start-ups.
Local angel funds offer several
advantages over foreign investors,
which are crucial for the
development and success of African
start-ups, starting with the fact that
local investors, as residents, have an
intrinsic understanding of the
cultural and market nuances
specific to each African country they
are in. This familiarity enables them
to provide more relevant and
practical advice to start-ups. Their
insights into local consumer
behaviour, regulatory environments,
and business practices can help
start-ups navigate complex
challenges more effectively.
Local angel funds often go beyond
financial support to offer customised
mentorship and strategic guidance.
They understand the unique
challenges African start-ups face
and often provide hands-on support
tailored to the local context. This
mentorship can include anything
from business planning, market
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AFRICAN STARTUP ANGEL by
entry strategies, and connections to
valuable networks and resources.
Proximity allows for faster investment
decisions and more hands-on support.
Local angel investors can meet with
founders frequently, monitor progress
closely, and provide timely feedback.
This can accelerate the growth of
start-ups by enabling quicker pivots
and adjustments as required based on
real-time insights.
By investing locally, angel funds
contribute to the growth of their local
economies. They create jobs, stimulate
economic activities, and support the
development of local industries.
Successful start-ups can become
significant employers and contributors
to the GDP, driving broader economic
development. Local angel funds help
build robust entrepreneurial
ecosystems by fostering collaborations
among start-ups, investors, and other
stakeholders. They typically facilitate
the sharing of knowledge, resources,
and best practices, creating a
supportive environment that
encourages innovation and growth.
Local angel investors are, often,
more committed to the long-term
success of their investments as
they are invested in the future of
their communities so, are more
likely to support ventures that have
the potential for sustainable
impact. This focus on long-term
growth aligns with the broader
goals of economic development
and social progress in Africa.
Therefore, I postulate that the
future of angel investing in Africa is
bright, bolstered by the rise of local
angel funds that are increasingly
shaping the start-up landscape.
These funds, such as Innovate
Africa, Paragon Fund, and Aduna
Capital, are not only providing
critical early-stage capital but also
offering mentorship and strategic
guidance tailored to the unique
challenges faced by African
start-ups. This growth is driven by
the increasing number of highnet-worth
individuals seeking to
diversify their investment portfolios
into early-stage ventures,
particularly those leveraging
technology to address local
challenges in sectors like fintech,
healthtech, agritech, and edtech.
Local angel funds are also focusing
on sustainable and green
investments, social impact
ventures, and promoting inclusivity
by supporting female founders
and start-ups from underrepresented
regions. These funds
are catalysing the development of
entrepreneurial ecosystems in
countries beyond the major hubs
of Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa,
with emerging markets like Ghana,
Rwanda, and Senegal gaining
traction due to their improving
business environments and
growing start-up ecosystems.
Collaborative investment models,
such as syndicate investing, are
becoming more popular, allowing
multiple investors to pool
resources and expertise, thereby
reducing individual risk and
enhancing support for startups. At
TVCLabs, for example, we use the
syndicate model to invest in
start-ups from our MentorPitch
post-incubation investment
readiness programme.
To maximise impact, I strongly
recommend that angel investors
should engage in active
mentorship, conduct thorough due
diligence, leverage networks, and
adapt to local contexts. By
providing strategic guidance and
understanding the market
dynamics and regulatory
environments, investors can help
start-ups navigate challenges and
seize opportunities.
The rise of local angel funds across
Africa is helping create a more
inclusive and vibrant
entrepreneurial landscape that
benefits both investors and
start-ups. These local angel funds
are playing a transformative role in
Africa’s start-up landscape,
providing much-needed capital,
mentorship, and strategic
guidance. As these funds continue
to grow and evolve, they hold the
potential to drive significant
economic and social impact
across the continent.
Tomi Davies (TD) BIO:
TD is a leading figure in
Africa’s tech ecosystem,
known as “Africa’s top Angel”
and the inspiring voice behind
TVC Labs, a start-up support
organisation in Lagos, Nigeria.
His expertise extends to angel
investing, mentoring, and
advising tech companies,
all while equipping future
generations of entrepreneurs
through his book “Investment
Worthy Startup” published in
2023.
www.theaccomplishmagazine.com
| 17

FEATURE / ANALYSIS
The New Trend of
'Spraying' Dollars:
The Impact on
Societal Values
and More
By Ikenna Ngere
The recent wedding of Nigerian music superstar, Davido,
and his wife, Chioma, sparked a national conversation
that went far beyond celebrity gossip. Videos circulated
of guests showering the couple with seemingly endless
stacks of high-denomination United States' dollars. This
extravagant display ignited a firestorm of debate about
flaunting wealth, societal values, and the underlying economic
realities of Nigeria.
Beyond the Legal
Loophole
While technically legal
under a specific section
of the Central Bank of
Nigeria Act (CBN Act) of
2007, Section 21, which
only prohibits the
"spraying, dancing on, or
stepping on the naira or
any other note issued by
the Central Bank of
Nigeria (CBN) during
social events", the
'spraying' of any
currency raises
concerns about
compliance with
another recently
enacted law. Guests
showering the couple
with bundles of $100 bills
raised suspicions about
the origin of such large
sums of physical cash.
The Money Laundering
(Prohibition) and
Prevention Act of 2022,
specifically Section 11,
mandates that "any
person who transports
cash or negotiable
instruments in excess of
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FEATURE / ANALYSIS
$10,000 or its equivalent in any
other foreign currency into or out
of Nigeria shall declare the
excess amount to the Nigerian
Customs Service." Failure to
report such an excess amount
can result in severe penalties,
including forfeiture of the
undeclared funds, imprisonment
for up to two years, or both.
More Than Naira vs. Dollar:
A Cultural Shift
Traditionally, 'spraying' money at
Nigerian celebrations signifies
blessings and communal
support, done with naira notes.
However, the legal ban on
defacing the naira as outlined in
Section 21 of the CBN Act has led
to a shift towards US dollars,
creating a legal grey area. This
raises the question: Is this
practice simply adapting to legal
restrictions, or a deeper trend
reflecting a disconnect with the
national currency?
A Psychological Minefield
Psychologists warn that constant
exposure to such displays of
wealth can have a negative
impact, especially on
underprivileged Nigerians. It
can fuel a desire for success
at any cost, therefore,
overshadowing the
importance of hard work and
ethical practices. Young
people struggling financially
might develop feelings of
inadequacy and unrealistic
expectations.
Investing for a Brighter
Future
The frenzy in the atmosphere
during celebrations often
obscures a vital question:
Where does this money come
from? How much of it is
reinvested in Nigeria's
economy? The said videos
from Davido's wedding
suggest a focus on flaunting
wealth rather than creating
opportunities for others. In this
wise, wealthy Nigerians can
play a significant role in
tackling unemployment by
investing in sectors that
generate jobs, like supporting
small businesses, funding
infrastructure projects, or
creating educational
initiatives.
A Symbolic Slap in the
Face:
The Naira's Devaluation
Public displays of foreign
currency raise serious
concerns about the value of
the Nigerian naira. Showering
celebrities with dollars sends a
conflicting message about
faith in the national currency.
A strong naira is crucial for a
healthy economy, and this
practice undermines
confidence in its stability.
Fighting a Multi-Fronted
Battle
Incidents of such dollar
flaunting highlight the
challenges in addressing
excessive money spraying.
While the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission
(EFCC) tackles naira abuse as
mandated by the CBN Act,
cultural factors continue to fuel
the practice. A multi-pronged
approach is needed. Public
awareness campaigns
promoting responsible displays
of wealth and encouraging
investment in Nigeria's
economy can be a powerful
first step.
Beyond a Celebrity
Wedding:
A National Conversation
The showering of celebrities
with foreign currency sparks a
crucial national conversation.
Does it inspire Nigerians to
achieve financial success
through hard work? Or does it
create a distorted view of
success, prioritising
extravagant displays over
creating jobs and building a
stronger national economy?
These are questions Nigerians
must grapple with as they
navigate their cultural
practices in an ever-evolving
economic landscape.
Davido's wedding may have
been a private celebration, but
the issues it raises have farreaching
public consequences.
A national dialogue that
considers the legalities, cultural
significance, and potential
societal impact is necessary to
address this complex issue.
DAMIAN
IKENNA NGERE
AUTHOR’S BIO
Ikenna is a graduate of Physics
and Education, who works as a
freelance writer. He has
interest in technology,
humanity and sports.
www.theaccomplishmagazine.com
| 19

FEATURE / ANALYSIS
PROTESTS AND
PURPOSE OF POWER
By Osita Aniemeka
Protests, particularly
when they are
peaceful, are a way
for ordinary people,
the underrepresented
to have their voices heard.
Characteristic power disparities
in society can result in
people feeling downgraded,
disregarded, demoted, and
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FEATURE / ANALYSIS
disenfranchised.
Non-violent civil movements
can offer anyone the
opportunity to become involved
and be heard. Protest is an
invaluable way to speak truth
to power. For generations,
protests have been the driving
force behind some of the most
powerful social movements,
inspiring people to keep hoping
for a better future by exposing
injustice and abuse, and
demanding culpability.
History documents that nonkinetic
protests have been
effective at marshalling
adherents to support a
cause, whereas more kinetic
remonstrations can motivate
support for policy change
among resistant individuals.
Kinetic and non-kinetic protests
are not new to Kenya. The Mau
Mau protests, now regarded
in Kenya as one of the most
significant steps towards a
Kenya free from British rule is
an apposite example. The Mau
Mau fighters were mainly drawn
from Kenya's major ethnic
grouping, the Kikuyu. More than
a million strong, by the start of
the 1950s, the Kikuyu had been
increasingly economically
marginalised as years of whitesettler
expansion ate away at
their landed property.
Since 1945, nationalists like Jomo
Kenyatta of the Kenya African
Union (KAU) pressed the British
government in vain for political
rights and land reforms, with
valuable lands in the cooler hills
to be redistributed to African
owners. But radical activists
within the KAU set up a splinter
group and organised a more
militant kind of nationalism.
By 1952 Kikuyu fighters, along
with some Embu and Meru
recruits, were attacking political
opponents and raiding whitesettler
farms and destroying
livestock. Mau Mau supporters
took oaths, binding them to
their cause. In October 1952,
the British declared a state of
emergency and began moving
army reinforcements into Kenya.
So began an aggressively
fought counter-insurgency,
which lasted until 1960 when the
state of emergency was ended.
When Kenya's incumbent
president, William Kipchirchir
Samoei Arap Ruto, CGH, arrived
the scene on September 13,
2022, he brandished his brand of
power and politics, threatening
to abandon the dollar, spoiling
to create a common African
market, and in going off the
dollar, would recommend the
introduction of African currency,
backed by real gold, mined
from the continent’s pits of
precious wealth. Like the Libyan
revolutionary, politician, and
political theorist, Muammar
Muhammad Abu Minyar al-
Gaddafi, Ruto, had a dream of
driving a thoroughly next Africa
that would be independent, selfgoverning,
self-determining,
and self-regulating, through
examples of what Kenya would
become - completely freed
from the West!
So, why would a president who
came to power by appealing
to the common man's
expectations, describing himself
as a voice of the voiceless and
had undertaken to release
the nation from economic
purgatory begin taxing the
citizens he had vowed to save?
How did he get there? What
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FEATURE / ANALYSIS
happened to the man who
wanted self-determination and
self-regulation for his people?
When he was forced to give up
on the controversial tax hike
that led to deadly chaos in the
capital, Nairobi, it was a clear
sign that support for him had
waned. Protesters who opposed
a law that would have raised
taxes stormed parliament,
burning part of the building as
lawmakers fled. Bodies lay in the
streets, and medical workers
and civil watchdogs said police
had opened fire. The military,
too, was deployed.
President William Ruto pushed
the tax bill through parliament
despite opposition from the
youth-led protest movement,
and called protesters traitorous
after they stormed parliament.
In the end, with troops in the
capital’s streets and the smell
of tear gas lingering in the
air after several deaths and
vast destruction of property,
he conceded that his plan
had caused “widespread
dissatisfaction”, promising that
he would not sign the bill into
law. The finance bill was meant
to raise or introduce taxes or
fees on a range of daily items
and services as part of the
Kenyan government’s efforts
to raise billions of dollars as
government income.
His government said the
changes were necessary to
pay interest on national debt,
reduce budget deficit and
keep the government running.
History documents
that non-kinetic
protests have
been effective
at marshalling
adherents
to support a
cause, whereas
more kinetic
remonstrations can
motivate support
for policy change
among resistant
individuals.
Protesters saw the move as
punitive, since current high cost
of living already makes it hard to
get by. It would be recalled that
a 2023 finance bill signed into
law by Ruto was also unpopular,
featuring tax on salaries for
housing, but the anger was
nothing like the 2024 angst. The
recent protests were different
- launched as non-kinetic
but became kinetic as events
unfolded and then so many
questions started flying. Was
the event hijacked by esoteric
orchestration to respond to
Ruto’s brand of power and
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FEATURE / ANALYSIS
politics threatening to abandon
the dollar? No doubt, it has
always been the approach
of the West in the developing
world. Was the hijack part of
a major plan to get Ruto to
halt his independent, selfgoverning
and world-shattering
grandiloquence?
Let’s return to history again.
Several African independence
leaders have been assassinated
by their ex-colonial rulers,
including Patrice Lumumba,
prime minister of the then
newly independent Congo,
who was the second of five
leaders of independence
movements in African countries
to be assassinated in the
1960s by their former colonial
masters, and their agents.
Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana,
was ousted in a westernbacked
coup in 1966, and a
seventh, Amilcar Cabral, leader
of the West African liberation
movement against Portugal
- the African Party for the
Independence of Guinea and
Cape Verde, (Partido Africano
da Independência da Guiné e
Cabo Verde or PAIGC) in Guinea
Bissau and Cape Verde - was
assassinated in 1973.
Lumumba's death, in 1961,
followed on from that of the
opposition leader of Cameroon,
Felix Moumie, poisoned in
1960. Sylvanus Olympio,
leader of Togo was killed in
1963. Mehdi Ben Barka, leader
of the Moroccan opposition
movement was kidnapped in
France in 1965 and his body
never found. Eduardo Mondlane,
leader of Mozambique's Frelimo,
fighting for independence from
the Portuguese, died from a
parcel bomb in 1969. This group
of leaders, who all knew each
other, and had a common
political project based on
national dignity, fought against
the crippling of their respective
countries, and the African
continent. The effects of their
intentional elimination are still
evident today.
Again, where does the Kenyan
protests lead? Was it hijacked?
Is the merciless destruction of
lives and properties the acts
of non-kinetic protesters or a
warning that if Ruto doesn't stop
speaking about what will benefit
Africa, and disadvantage the
West, he will suffer the fates of
erstwhile African revolutionary
theoreticians – Patrice
Lumumba, Kwame Nkrumah,
Moammar al-Gaddafi, Thomas
Sankara, Murtala Mohammed,
Malcolm X, Bob Marley, and a
plethora of others who tried
to orate the African agenda,
and lost their lives and/or their
offices. We will wait and see.
OSITA ANIEMEKA
AUTHOR’S BIO
Aniemeka is a teacher of
teachers, broadcaster, publisher
and Chairman of Sub-Saharan
Open University. He is also
the Dean of the Academy of
Management Sciences, a Central
Bank of Nigeria consultant
and top director or proprietor
of several companies and nonprofit
organisations. He is the
Chairman of the Editorial Board
of Accomplish Magazine.
www.theaccomplishmagazine.com
| 23

FEATURE / ANALYSIS
The relationship
between the
Nigerian National
Petroleum
Corporation Limited
(NNPCL) and Dangote
Refinery has become
contentious in recent
weeks; marked by
allegations of monopoly,
financial disputes, and
operational challenges.
Industry watchers
are concerned about
what many consider a
needless local oil war
between two industry
giants which could lead
to grave short to long
term implications. In
fact, Aliko Dangote's
recent declaration that
he could sell the newly
built refinery if that is
what would settle the
dispute speaks volumes.
That declaration is
deemed to have deep
meanings because the
said refinery has only
had a few months of
operations and is yet to
reach its full production
capacity.
THE OIL WAR:
THE AVOIDABLE
CONTROVERSY
BETWEEN NNPCL
AND DANGOTE
REFINERY
By Diiyi William-West and Ify Da
Background of
Dangote Refinery
Dangote Refinery, which
commenced operations in
January 2024, is a monumental
project with a capacity of 650,000
barrels per day; about 200,000
barrels more than the output
of the government owned four
oil refineries put together. It was
constructed with an investment of
approximately $19 billion, aimed
at reducing Nigeria's reliance on
imported petroleum products and
alleviating the country's perennial
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FEATURE / ANALYSIS
vies
fuel crisis. The refinery, which is
expected to be the largest in
Africa and Europe when it reaches
full capacity, is said to have the
most comprehensive and upto-date
equipment. However, the
refinery's operational journey has
been fraught with challenges,
including difficulties in sourcing
crude oil, regulatory disputes by
the NNPCL, and accusations of
monopolistic behaviour.
Dangote Refinery, which
started production in January,
had been in the news weeks
before this dispute became
public. On June 26th, there was
a fire incident at the refinery
which set tongues wagging, with
conspiracy theorists speculating
sabotage. The refinery's
spokesman, Anthony Chiejina,
did not say what caused the fire
but told newsmen that the fire
at its effluent treatment plant
was minor and didn't affect the
refinery's operations. In his words:
"We have swiftly contained a
minor fire incident at our effluent
treatment plant (ETP).
"There is no cause for alarm as the
refinery is operating and there is
no recorded injury or body harm
to all our staff on duty."
Key Developments
in Controversy
1. Regulatory Challenges:
The Nigerian Midstream
and Downstream Petroleum
Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA)
has played a significant role in the
ongoing disputes. The NMDPRA's
CEO, Farouk Ahmed, had accused
Dangote Refinery of attempting
to monopolise the market by
requesting the cessation of import
licenses for other marketers, a
claim that Aliko Dangote has
refuted. Furthermore, quality
concerns have been raised
regarding the refinery's diesel
products. Ahmed alleged that
they do not meet the required
standards, a statement that
Dangote has also challenged,
asking for independent testing.
In fact, reports of independent
testing by the House of
Representatives suggest that
Dangote Refinery's diesel is better
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| 25

FEATURE / ANALYSIS
than the imported ones.
2. Financial Disputes:
Financial disagreements have
also complicated the relationship
between NNPCL and Dangote
Refinery. Initially, NNPCL was set
to acquire a 20% stake in the
refinery; however, due to nonpayment
of the agreed purchase
consideration, its stake has
dwindled to 7.2%. Dangote has
publicly criticised NNPCL for failing
to meet its financial obligations,
indicating that this has negatively
impacted the refinery's
operational capacity and ability to
source crude oil effectively.
3. Operational Hurdles: The
refinery has faced significant
operational challenges, primarily
in sourcing crude oil. NNPCL,
which was expected to be a key
supplier, has reportedly delivered
far less crude than expected,
forcing Dangote Refinery to seek
imports from countries like Brazil
and the U.S. This supply shortfall
has hindered the refinery's ability
to operate at full capacity, further
complicating its financial viability
and operational efficiency.
4. Offer to Sell the Refinery: In
what looks like a reflection of his
disappointment, Aliko Dangote, in
a recent interview, expressed his
Dangote
Refinery, which
commenced
operations in
January 2024, is
a monumental
project with
a capacity of
650,000 barrels
per day; about
200,000 barrels
more than the
output of the
government
owned four oil
refineries put
together.
willingness to sell the refinery to
NNPCL, saying: "Let them buy me
out and run the refinery the best
way they can." The statement
came in response to allegations
that he has monopolised the fuel
market, a claim he vehemently
denies. Dangote argues that
transferring ownership could
address these accusations and
allow the refinery to operate
without the burden of regulatory
scrutiny.
Implications of the
Dispute
The ongoing dispute between
NNPCL and Dangote Refinery
highlight several critical
implications for Nigeria's energy
sector:
- Investment Climate:
Dangote's willingness to sell the
refinery reflects broader concerns
about the investment climate
in Nigeria, particularly in the oil
and gas sector. His comments
indicate a growing frustration
with regulatory challenges
and the perception of hostility
towards large-scale investments
in the country. This situation
may deter future investments
as potential investors weigh the
risks associated with regulatory
scrutiny and operational
challenges.
- Market Dynamics: The
potential sale of the refinery to
NNPCL could significantly alter the
dynamics of Nigeria's fuel market.
Some people are of the view
that if NNPCL assumes control, it
may lead to a more centralised
approach to fuel distribution and
pricing, stabilising the market
or exacerbating existing supply
and quality issues. However,
others think that if the refinery
goes into the hands of NNPCL, it
would soon go moribund like the
four government run refineries, a
situation that could completely
dash hopes of local production of
petroleum products.
- Regulatory Reform: The
dispute underscores the need for
regulatory reforms in Nigeria's oil
and gas sector. The conflicting
narratives between Dangote
and the regulatory authorities
suggest a lack of clarity and
consistency in policy, which could
hinder the sector's growth. A
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FEATURE / ANALYSIS
more transparent and supportive
regulatory framework may be
necessary to foster a conducive
environment for local and foreign
investments.
In conclusion, the serious
exchanges between NNPCL and
Dangote Refinery encapsulate
the complexities of Nigeria's oil
and gas landscape. The dispute
also highlight worries about the
difficulty of doing business in
Nigeria - for local and foreign
investors. As both parties navigate
these issues, the outcomes will
likely have lasting implications
for the country's energy security,
investment climate, and
regulatory framework.
The Stand of
Accomplish Magazine
Accomplish Magazine adds
it's voice to several calls for the
Federal Government to intervene
before the controversy escalates.
Such intervention needs to
happen quickly particularly
because of the unpleasant signals
the controversy is sending to the
international community where
much needed foreign direct
investment would come from.
We also want to make it clear
that Aliko Dangote's allegation
that some NNPCL top officials
and oil traders have opened a
blending plant in Malta isn't lost
on Nigerians and the international
community. To those who may not
know what Dangote's allegation
means, an oil blending plant
doesn't have refining capability
but is used to blend re-refined oil
(a used motor oil that has been
treated to remove dirt, fuel, and
water) with additives to create
finished lubricant products. If
this allegation is true, it would
be proof that some Nigerians
without scruples, and perhaps
their foreign accomplices, are
doing everything possible to
ensure that no government
owned refinery operates for
the benefit of Nigerians so that
they can continue to earn huge
amounts in foreign currency
through importation of refined
petroleum products. By extension,
therefore, if government owned
refineries have been deliberately
crippled, the people who ensure
that the refineries remain
inoperative, despite the billions
of dollars spent on turn around
management, would do anything
they can to ensure that Dangote
Refinery is discredited or rendered
inoperative too; because, if it's
allowed to operate as planned,
not only would the foreign
exchange earnings of such
unscrupulous Nigerians collapse,
prices of petroleum products
will fall so low that importation
will become far from profitable.
Of a truth, Dangote's allegation
about a blending plant in Malta
has raised interest in the ongoing
oil war to the extent that there
have been calls for independent
an investigation to ascertain the
veracity of Dangote's allegation.
Of course, the feeling that
government may be turning a
blind eye on such anti-people
activities isn't in the best interest of
government.
Whichever way one looks at it,
the various issues this oil war has
raised and their remote causes
should not be allowed to fester.
Indeed, the remains quite fluid,
with potential developments in
the coming months that could
reshape the future of Nigeria's
oil industry. Really, the Federal
Government must realise that
it's time to put the interest of
Nigeria and its about two hundred
million people above any other
consideration because, thus far,
the statements made by Dangote
suggest that the personal interest
of a privileged few have been
foisted on the majority by sleight.
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FEATURE / ANALYSIS
Ethical AI:
Balancing Innovation
with Responsibility
By Wisdom Thursday
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FEATURE / ANALYSIS
In recent years, artificial
intelligence (AI) has made
significant strides, transforming
various sectors and promising to
revolutionise the way we live,
work, and interact. From health care
and finance to education and
entertainment, AI's potential seems
boundless. However, as we
embrace these innovations, it is
crucial to address the ethical
concerns that accompany them.
Balancing AI innovation with ethical
responsibility is not just a necessity
but an imperative for sustainable
and equitable progress.
One of the foremost ethical
concerns surrounding AI is the issue
of bias. AI systems are only as good
as the data they are trained on. If
the data reflects societal biases, the
AI will inevitably perpetuate and
even amplify these biases. This can
lead to unfair treatment in critical
areas such as hiring, lending, and
law enforcement. In Nigeria, where
diversity in ethnicity, culture, and
socio-economic status is profound,
ensuring that AI systems do not
discriminate against any group is
paramount.
Addressing this issue requires a
multifaceted approach. First, it is
essential to have diverse datasets
that accurately represent the
population. Collaborating with local
communities to gather relevant
data can help create more inclusive
AI systems. Additionally, involving
diverse teams in the AI
development process can provide
varied perspectives and insights,
further mitigating bias. Regular
audits and assessments of AI
systems for bias and fairness should
also be standard practice.
Another significant concern is
privacy. AI technologies often rely
on vast amounts of personal data
to function effectively. In Nigeria,
where data protection laws are still
evolving, there is a heightened risk
of misuse and abuse of personal
information. The recent increase in
digital adoption, accelerated by the
COVID-19 pandemic, has made this
issue even more pressing.
To address privacy concerns, robust
data protection frameworks need to
be established and enforced. The
Nigeria Data Protection Regulation
(NDPR) is a step in the right
direction, but continuous updates
and stricter enforcement are
necessary to keep pace with
technological advancements. AI
developers must prioritise
transparency, ensuring that users
are informed about how their data
is being used and have control over
it. Implementing strong encryption
methods and anonymising data,
where possible, can also enhance
privacy.
The potential for AI to disrupt
employment is another area of
ethical concern. As AI systems
become more capable, there is a
fear that they will replace human
jobs, leading to significant
unemployment. In a country like
Nigeria, where the unemployment
rate is already high, this is a
particularly sensitive issue. However,
rather than viewing AI as a threat to
jobs, we can see it as an opportunity
to upskill and reskill the workforce.
Educational institutions and policy
makers must collaborate to
integrate AI and digital literacy into
the curriculum, preparing students
for the future job market.
Companies should invest in training
programmes to help employees
transition to new roles that AI will
create. By fostering a culture of
continuous learning and
adaptability, we can mitigate the
negative impact on employment
and ensure that the work force is
equipped for the AI-driven
economy.
Another critical aspect of ethical AI
is accountability. When AI systems
make decisions, it can be
challenging to determine who is
responsible for those decisions,
especially when things go wrong.
This lack of accountability can
erode trust in AI technologies and
hinder their adoption.
To address this, clear guidelines and
regulations must be established,
defining the responsibilities of AI
developers, deployers, and users. AI
systems should be designed with
explainability in mind, allowing users
to understand how decisions are
made. This transparency is crucial
for building trust and ensuring that
AI is used responsibly. Additionally,
there should be mechanisms for
recourse if an AI system causes
harm, ensuring that affected
individuals can seek redress.
Finally, the ethical deployment of AI
requires a collaborative approach.
Governments, businesses,
academia, and civil society must
work together to develop ethical
standards and best practices.
International cooperation is also
vital, as AI technologies do not
recognise borders. By sharing
knowledge and resources, we can
create a global framework that
promotes ethical AI development
and use.
In conclusion, while AI offers
immense potential for innovation
and progress, it is imperative to
balance this with ethical
responsibility. Addressing concerns
related to bias, privacy,
employment, and accountability is
crucial for ensuring that AI benefits
everyone. As Nigeria continues to
embrace AI, let us commit to
developing and deploying these
technologies in a manner that is
inclusive, transparent, and
responsible. By doing so, we can
harness the power of AI to build a
better, fairer future for all.
WISDOM THURSDAY
AUTHOR’S BIO
Wisdom Thursday is a digital
growth specialist. He is a
disruptive thinker with a diverse
skill set and experience in
Brand Strategy Development,
Digital Marketing, Web Design
and Marketing Strategy
Development..
www.theaccomplishmagazine.com
| 29

FEATURE / ANALYSIS
Will Trump’s
Assassination Attempts
Swing the US Election?
By Dave Baro-Thoms
The United States political
landscape is replete with
several assassination
attempts on sitting
presidents and aspiring
candidates running for exalted
positions, with President Andrew
Jackson narrowly escaping the very
first attempt. However, Abraham
Lincoln, the 16th President, sits atop
the list of four United States
presidents who fell by assassins’
bullets on April 14, 1865. And, President
Ronald Reagan remained the last to
survive such a dastardly act until the
attempt on Donald Trump, a
presidential hopeful. That attempt on
Reagan took place on March 30, 1981.
Four decades and three years after
the attempt on President Reagan, on
July 13, 2024, Donald John Trump, a
former president and the Republican
Party's candidate for the November
2024 presidential elections, was shot
at while addressing around 20,000
very enthusiastic supporters at Butler
County, Pennsylvanian, as a build-up
to the party's convention at
Milwaukee.
That singular act changed his
electoral fortunes and exerted
pressure that has impacted the
political landscape and architecture
of the gatekeeper of democracy
globally.
Intriguingly, the US democracy has
been under scrutiny in recent times,
and like never in its annals, the
dramatis personae are becoming
overly desperate, brazen, and trying
to manipulate the system. It is no
gainsaying that the US electoral
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FEATURE / ANALYSIS
• President Joe Biden
governance is getting messier by the
decades with the doubts about
holding free, fair, and credible
elections moving from third-world
countries to the world’s defender of
democracy!
Many questions have rented the air
since that incident. Who wants
Donald Trump dead? What is the
political capital for the Democratic
Party? The reasons for these
questions aren't farfetched because
the man in question (Trump) was
presumed to be drowning politically
before the last CNN presidential
debate that, unfortunately, damaged
President Joe Biden’s chances!
Trump was touted as a criminal felon
(with countless convictions),
dragged all over the place for serial
indiscretion with women,
investigated for tax fraud and
evasion, accused of criminal silence
over the insurrection that desecrated
The Capitol, and accused of all
manner of shenanigans. It is
bewildering how he survived all these
and kept the flame alive in the hearts
of millions of Americans.
His profile took an upward swing
after that debate, not necessarily
because of his brilliance, but the
lackluster performance of the
incumbent, President Joe Biden.
While the Democratic Party was
gasping for breath in the aftermath
of the debate watched by over 50
million viewers where Trump towered
above Biden, the assassination
attempt made matters worse for the
Democrats.
For Trump, it was a triumphant entry
into the Republican Convention with
• Vice president Kamala Harris
a plastered ear, symbolising the
rebirth of his chances at the
November polls. As expected, he is
about town boasting that he took a
bullet for democracy, so haters
should stop disparaging him as a
threat to democracy!
While some naysayers doubt the
whole assassination story,
sentiments for Trump swell as
President Joe Biden faced rejection
and stepped down for a younger
candidate, Vice President Kamala
Harris.
Political permutations had favoured
Donald Trump trouncing Mr. Biden
after that abysmal performance at
the debate which caused a
monumental hemorrhage in the
Democratic Party and tore its
leadership right in the middle! One
could say that Trump was coasting
home to victory with Biden on the
ticket and would have nailed the
coffin of the Democrats long before
the November elections - given the
sentiments around the attempt to
assassinate him and his
performance at the CNN debate.
However, everything seems to have
changed with President Biden
stepping down and the groundswell
of support given to Vice President
Kamala Harris as the flagbearer for
the November elections.
For many in the Grand Old Party, an
assassination attempt on Mr. Trump
remains a watershed and brightens
the chances of the right-wing party.
Can Trump break the comeback jinx
of winning non-consecutive terms
only achieved by President Grover
Cleveland in the American political
democratic trajectory?
The new kid on the block, Kamala
Harris, dares the Republicans that as
a prosecutor all her life, she is in the
business of putting the likes of
Donald J. Trump behind bars for his
alleged criminal infractions.
Mrs. Harris has distorted the political
equation and boasts of lethal
arsenals backed by a united party
oozing a fresh confidence that is said
to be suffocating the very oxygen
that drives the campaigns of Mr.
Trump of "making America great
again".
Sadly, the campaigns had deviated
from key issues around inflation, high
cost of living, health care,
immigration, terrorism, drugs and
crime, corruption, climate change,
trade and economic prosperity, arms
control, and much more to a battle
of age and mental soundness until
the emergence of Kamala Harris. Is
democracy in the US at risk? What
issues would the campaigns focus
on now? The world is watching!
DAVE
BARO-THOMAS
AUTHOR’S 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.
www.theaccomplishmagazine.com
| 31

GL BAL InfoDIGEST
The Three-way Test
In Ancient Greece,
Socrates had a great
reputation for wisdom. One
day, someone came to
find the great philosopher
and said to him: "Do you
know what I just heard
about your friend?"
"A moment," replied
Socrates. "Before you tell
me, I would like to test it
with the three sieves."
"The three sieves?"
"Yes," continued Socrates.
"Before you speak about
others, it's important to
take the time to filter what
you mean. I call it the test
of the three sieves. The first
sieve is TRUTH.
Have you checked if what
you're going to tell me is
true?"
"No, I just heard it."
"Very well! So, you don't
know if it's true. Let's move
on to the second sieve,
that of KINDNESS.
Is what you want to tell
me about my friend
something good?"
"Oh, no! On the contrary."
"So," questioned
Socrates, "you want to
tell me something
negative about him,
and you're not even sure
it's true? Perhaps you
can still pass the test of
the third sieve, that of
UTILITY.
Is it useful for me to
know what you're going
to tell me about this
friend?"
"No, not really."
"Therefore," concluded
Socrates, "what you
were going to tell me is
neither true, nor good,
nor useful. Why, then, did
you want to tell me
this?"
"Gossip is a bad thing.
Initially, it may seem
enjoyable and fun, but
ultimately, it fills our
hearts with bitterness
and poisons us."
Editor's Note: This story
is attributed to Pope
Francis and was posted
on Facebook by Kelvin
O. Ossai.
These are
photographs of
Nisha Ghimire, a
former model and
actress from Nepal. The
second photo was
shared on Instagram on
September 14, 2019, and
the first one, snapped on
June 8, 2021 at Norvic
Hospital, show the same
person - Nisha Ghimire,
representing Nepal.
Back in 2018, Nisha was at
the peak of her career,
shining bright as a model
and a renowned actress.
Companies were
scrambling to make her
their brand ambassador,
and big names in both
Nepali and Indian politics
and entertainment were
vying for her attention.
She was the talk of the
town, and everyone
wanted to be in her circle.
But in January 2019,
things took a sudden bad
turn. She headed back to
India to hone her
modelling skills and
explore talent
management in
Dehradun. Unfortunately,
fate had other plans, and
she was involved in a
tragic road accident a
few months later, as per
local tabloids.
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GL BAL InfoDIGEST
but when it came to
real help, they were
nowhere to be found.
Even the politicians,
entertainers, and fans
who once cheered her
on were absent.
During her heyday, an
entrepreneur named
Megha Chaudhary was
among those eager to
have Nisha represent
their brand. Megha
learned about Nisha's
illness through viral
photos shared online.
Despite Nisha's
manager initially
refusing to let them
work together, Megha
was the only one who
stepped up when Nisha
needed help the most.
Your Real Hailers
Aren't Known In
Good Times
With her family unable to
afford her treatment, the
people who once flocked to
her disappeared, and her
fame dwindled. She was
brought back home to Nepal
to await what seemed
like an inevitable end.
Friends would drop by,
snap a quick photo like
the first one, and share it
online to rack up likes,
Sadly, Nisha's battle
ended on September 1,
2021. Her passing serves
as a stark reminder
that those who
celebrate your
successes might not
stick around when the
going gets tough.
Editor's Note: This
story was written by
Babita Singh and
posted on Quora.com
by Manish Jangir.
www.theaccomplishmagazine.com
| 33

GL BAL InfoDIGEST
Frankland: The "Almost" 14th Sta
of Franklin, or “Frankland”. The 5,000 residents of this region
between the Appalachian Mountains and the Mississippi felt
they were a distinct people. This was especially the case
when, at the time, they felt there was little concern being
shown for these western territories.
W
hen one thinks about
the American Revolution,
unity under the United States
flag comes to mind. But not every
territory in the country defaulted to this.
Instead, they had a few other options such as
creating smaller sovereign republics or breaking
into new states. One of these states was the state
This region was made up of four counties in North Carolina.
But to help the financially struggling Congress government,
North Carolina ceded around 30 acres of land to Congress.
Whilst well-meaning, the offer led to a few concerns. First,
was that the government might sell the land to foreign
entities to reduce their debt. And second, with there being
little to no control, the settlers would be left unprotected from
First Nations American settlements.
Due to these concerns, North Carolina rescinded their offer,
but it wasn’t enough. The four counties that would go on to
make up the State of Franklin declared their independence
from North Carolina. While they lost their petition to take on
7 Habits Destroying Your Brain
1. Not exercising
Exercise improves memory by increasing
the brain-derived neurotrophic factor. This
helps you form new synapses, improves
learning, and boosts memory.
2. Not getting enough sleep
Without quality sleep, it’s harder to form
and maintain pathways in your brain that
let you learn and create new memories. It’s
also harder to concentrate and respond
quickly.
3. Eating inflammatory foods.
What you eat has a direct effect on your
mind and mood. A diet high in foods that
are dried and/or processed can lead to
chronic inflammation. This can cause
memory loss, confusion, depression, poor
mood regulation, and even neurological
diseases.
4. Having a big belly
High body fat has been associated with a
decline in gray matter, which enables us to
control movement, memory, and emotions.
5. Not learning new things
The brain is like a muscle. It grows and
shrinks based on its level of activity and use.
Learning new skills stimulates neurons
and forms new pathways that
allow electrical impulses to travel
faster. If you’re not learning new
things or skills, you’re letting your
brain atrophy.
6. Watching pornography.
Watching porn hijacks the brain
reward system and overwhelms it
with cheap hits of dopamine. The result is
the brain physically deteriorates in size,
shape, and chemical balance.
7. Spending too much time indoors.
This deprives you from getting exposure to
sunlight. Without enough sun exposure, your
circadian rhythm gets affected and your
serotonin levels can dip. This can lead to
seasonal affective disorder and depression.
34 |
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GL BAL InfoDIGEST
te of the USA
statehood within the United States, they forged on in
defiance as an independent nation.
Frankland survived for four years, running a successful
nation with a constitution and legal system. This small
country also established treaties with the First Nation
people. It’s most famous resident was David “Davy”
Crockett, famed frontiersman and statesman, who was
born in Greene County, Franklin.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to keep the state going.
Eventually, Frankland’s weak economy forced its governor
to seek external aid. But, when the Cherokee, Chickamauga,
and Chickasaw began attacking them, Frankland re-joined
North Carolina to regain some protection.
After some time, the region was again ceded to form what
is now Tennessee.
Courtesy: https://historyguild.org
How to Build a Healthy Brain
Exercise regularly.
Get quality sleep.
Eat nutrient dense foods.
Maintain a healthy BMI.
Keep learning
new things.
Stop watching
porn.
Spend more time
outside or with
nature.
Editor's Note: This piece was
posted on Quora.com by
Psychological Behaviour
"The Dark Year"
In 536 AD, parts of the world experienced
darkened skies, colder weather and crop
failures. During what is considered to be the
worst year to have been alive, a volcano or
volcanos erupted, expelling its ash across
the Northern hemisphere. There isn’t a firm
consensus as to which volcano it was,
with possible candidates in Iceland
and North America. Europe, the Middle
East, and parts of Asia experienced a
volcanic winter, setting off the coldest
decade of the last 2,300 years. This
resulted in what is known as the Late
Antique Little Ice Age.
While this volcanic eruption wreaked havoc as
it was, it also helped contribute to the
destructiveness of the Plague of Justinian. This
“dark era” saw summer temperatures so low
that it snowed across China in August. Crops
failed and people starved. During this time,
many people died, the European population
declined, possibly by as much as a third.
It’s one of the few legitimate reasons for
calling this period in history the Dark Ages!
Courtesy: https://historyguild.org
www.theaccomplishmagazine.com
| 35

CEO INTERVIEW
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CEO INTERVIEW
Dr. Tee Mac
Omatshola Iseli:
The Quintessential
Flutist Making Waves in
Business
By Ikenna Ngere
Of course, the first things that cross one's mind upon meeting and
speaking with Dr. Tee Mac Iseli are his cross-cultural heritage and
unbelievable humility despite his very close relationship with very
influential people within and outside Nigeria. All at once, his gentle
but firm voice impresses on your mind that you are dealing with a highly
celebral mind and he doesn't hide his strong desire to see the best of Nigeria
in every respect. You also realise that you can take anything away from him
but don't touch his flute!
Yes, his decades of star-status (within and outside Nigeria) didn't come by
mere flicking of fingers. Like it's said in the art industry, Dr. Tee Mac Iseli did,
really, pay his dues in the 1970s in an era when going into music was almost a
taboo. He found a way to overcome the odds and has kept earning financial
rewards as well as international acclaim - irrespective of life's ups and
downs. In fact, only a handful of musicians have remained as relevant as he
has been through the decades.
There's something else that makes Dr. Tee Mac (as he's widely referred to)
remarkable. It's the fact that he detests deception. He goes the extra mile to
uphold honesty in music, business and private relationships and expects
same from everyone he relates with. Not surprisingly, Dr. Tee Mac gave some
investment and leadership tips readers wouldn't ignore! Enjoy!
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| 37

CEO INTERVIEW
Accomplish Magazine: Please introduce yourself
to our audience.
Tee Mac: My name is Tee Mac Omatshola Iseli. I
was born in Lagos, Nigeria. My father was the Swiss
ambassador so I'm half-Swiss, and my mother
was a Itsekiri princess from Warri. After my father's
unfortunate assassination in 1951, my mother sent
me to Switzerland - to my father's family, which
was a very wealthy Swiss family that could afford
to send me and my 2 sisters to the best schools.
I did, of course, primary and secondary school
and started playing the flute at the age of 7 and
a half. I studied Economics and Music at the same
time, and later, I did my Ph.D. in Philharmonic
Composition.
I came back home to Nigeria in 1970. In the
meantime, I had a stepfather called Sir Mobolaji
Bank-Anthony, who used to be the personnel
assistant to my father. He said to me, 'You have
to pick up a proper job'. To them, music was not
proper yet. It was only after I had a couple of world
hits that they realised I was a very wealthy person
and they started to respect music.
On Balancing Multiple Careers:
Accomplish: You've had incredible success in
music, business, and academia. How did you
manage to excel in such diverse fields?
Tee Mac: Well, I would say that when I went to
the University of St. Galen, Switzerland, to study
Economics and Music at the same time, I learned
how to manage time because sometimes
lectures overlapped. Some times, a colleague of
mine would shorthand whatever was taught in
Economics, and at night, I would work on what I
missed. I had to always squeeze in enough hours
to practice the flute. I did classical guitar, and also
the vacay, which is basic of classical singing.
That experience as a student on how to manage
time helped me throughout my life. Thank God
we had no cell phones in those days, so we
didn't waste time reading countless Whatsapp
messages. I still consider the phone a nuisance!
I have 4 IPhones, and I carry one always with me.
The other ones are with my personal assistants.
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CEO INTERVIEW
They have become a nuisance
because we spend too much
time reading meaningless
messages; wasting time when
we should concentrate on either
our business or, for me, on my
compositions, arrangements,
or doing the rehearsals with my
band.
I make sure no phone is near
me. I have, of course, a very
precise programme everyday.
I wake up at 6a.m. I walk my
dogs. That's about 45 minutes to
1 hour. Walk, exercise, eat my fruit
breakfast and start my day at
about 8a.m. going through my
countess emails, m messages of
my different companies. My staff
sends me the important emails,
which I have to look at.
I sit with my secretary and
dictate the important letters.
If she's not around, I sit myself
at my laptop. I learned, as a
student in secondary school,
how to type blind. That was a
part of the Swiss education. So,
I am very fast in replying letters,
and then comes the decision of
how many appointments I can
manage per week because we
waste too much time in Lagos
traffic!
I try to work as much as possible
on the Zoom or teams' meeting
app, and only when it is very
necessary, I leave my office
to go somewhere. I live on the
mainland (in Lagos) and going
to Ikoyi or Victoria Island could
be a whole day's affair!
So I think, to combine music
and business, one has to be
very time conscious and make
sure that every hour of the day
is utilised. Unfortunately, I often
get tired around 4 or 5 o'clock in
the afternoon. That started since
I had my Covid vaccination. It
never happened before... I see
the negative effect of the Covid
vaccination. Now, I have to take
an hour's nap in the afternoon,
so I can continue working till 10
to 11 at night. So, everything is
about proper planning, having
the right personnel to attend to
my pressing needs. Apparently,
the time management skills I
incorporated during my school
days gives me the discipline to
do as much as possible every
day.
Accomplish: What were the
biggest challenges you faced
in transitioning between these
different careers?
Tee Mac: My whole life, I had
challenges, ups and downs.
When I came back in 1970, my
stepfather, Sir Mobolaji Bank-
Anthony, insisted I pick up a
job. I refused to work for him.
My mother said, "Don't do that".
So, I got a job in Union Trading
Company (UTC), which was a
Swiss company operating in
Nigeria and had departmental
stores etc.
At the age of 22, I was the
youngest manager there and
I managed the Hardware
Department sliding doors and
venetian blinds. I learned to
work very quickly with architects.
It was very challenging. I was
well-paid but my dream was still
music. So, after one year, I found
an excuse to quit.
I was already rehearsing with
musicians from a band called
Closters. That was Berkeley
Jones, Laolu Akins, Tunde
Kuboye, the Lijadu sisters, Jonny
Haastrup, Steve Black, and
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| 39

CEO INTERVIEW
Friday Pozzo. In the evenings, we
rehearsed at my residence, and
when we were okay, I quit my job
with UTC and we started to tour
Nigeria.
I was not popularly known then,
and I found a trick. I realised
that by performing regularly
on a popular show, I could
gain visibility and recognition.
I decided to brand myself, my
face. I went to NTA and met the
gentleman called Art Alade, who
was the presenter at the Bar
Beach Show and said: ”Please,
Mr. Art Alade, can I introduce
my new band, Tee Mac an Afro
Collection, to you?" He said: "Oh,
of course. Come and play but
we don't pay much."
I asked: "How much do you
pay? He said: "Twenty pounds."
I calculated: 5 pounds to
bring my instruments to NTA;
5 pounds to take them back
home and I had 10 pounds to
share with the musicians. So, we
I have 4 IPhones,
and I carry one
always with me.
The other ones are
with my personal
assistants. They
have become a
nuisance because
we spend too
much time reading
meaningless
messages
performed the show's opening
and closing the first time and Art
Alade said: "I want you to come
every Saturday."
After a few weeks, my mother
said to me: "My son, you're
always going to NTA. You're
rehearsing new songs during
the week. What is coming out
of it for you? You live on the little
reserves you saved while you
worked at UTC."
I said, "Mommy, I am branding
myself. The whole nation sees
my face every Saturday evening
and that's what I'm gaining now."
And, it really worked, because
Uncle Bayo, Commissioner of
Information in Ibadan, called me
and said, "I have a night club in
Lagos called Batakoto on Broad
Street. Come and perform as
resident band.' Jimmy Solanke
was then the manager of the
club and I took over later on.
My band had serious-minded
musicians. We played a kind of
Afro-jazz and Afro-pop.
I had a great uncle called Chief
Hope Harriman. He was half
Itsekiri, half British. He used to
visit my family, in Switzerland,
when I was much younger. He
would bring high society people
to my shows - like Dr. Adeleye,
Federal Commissioner of Health.
He brought the late Gen. Murtala
Mohammed and Chief MKO
Abiola too.
I had a very good band at
that time. It was pure and
professional music. I didn't have
capital to go into business. I was
busy doing music only.
Then came a famous musician
called Ginger Baker. Ginger
Baker was the drummer of a
band called “Cream” with Eric
Clapton and Jack Bruce. He
sat and listened to my band’s
performance because every
Friday, Fela (Anikulapo-Kuti)
would come and jam with us,
before going to his own show.
We had an amazing thing going.
We did a movie called 'Ginger
Baker’s Safari' where most of
my appearance was cut out
because I was too light skinned
for the liking of Ginger. Then,
Ginger Baker signed on the
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CEO INTERVIEW
whole band behind my back, except Steve Black.
He refused.
I was devastated and said: "Why now? I had a
good band. We were making it. We were planning
an album." But again, God works in mysterious
ways. That was the blessing that made me to
leave Nigeria.
I left in 1972, went to the United Kingdom, played
for a short while with the band of GingerJohnson
and his African Drummers as session work. I later
went back to Switzerland, worked for UBS for about
six months, and formed a band called Tee Mac
United .
I got a contract with Polydor International to record
in Hamburg. I did a very fantastic album and we
had about 5 days studio time left. So, my producer,
Kunze, said: "Let's do something - KISS (Keep It
Simple, Stupid). It was light entertainment music;
music to be played in elevators, shopping malls, or
wherever light music was needed. But one of those
songs became a world hit. The song was called
'Fly, Robin Fly'. The album sold over 10 million copies
and got the Grammy for best production!
I have 50% of the rights on the catalog. We named
the album and the band after my silver flute
because I was signed on as Tee Mac with Polydor.
I made a lot of money in a short while. We toured
the world at $200,000 a night!
Then, I returned home for Festac '77 and started
investing money with my uncle, Hope Harriman,
into Tuoyo Holdings. We were importing
champagne, rice and sugar. We were actually
competing with Dangote in Apapa. I knew Aliko
Dangote from those days.
Later, I took over an open-air club, the Surulere
Night Club. I covered it, air-conditioned, and made
it a beautiful 2,000-seater venue. I performed with
my band - Tee Mac Collection - on Fridays and
Saturdays. But at that time, I spent half of my time
with my uncle, Chief Harriman, in the office. We
brought in ship loads of rice. At that time, we sold a
bag of rice for 20 naira!
We imported so much that I had to close down
the Sululere club at one time, and put a shipload
of rice there. I learned one thing during that time.
You have to be very vigilant, because everybody,
from the port officials to the sellers, tries to take
advantage of you. I learned that doing business in
Nigeria requires being very alert.
Then, came the coup - the Buhari coup in 1983 -
and my manager, Jim Bishop, who managed me
with Silver Convention, and also the manager of
the Temptations, the Jacksons (later Jackson 5),
and Betty Labelle asked me to go back to America.
There, I took up a job as a composer with Croft
Enterprise. They were doing the Muppet Show.
I also worked for Universal as an in-house
composer, and I made some good money. There,
I met a gentleman named Mickey Hajeket, who
owned the Falcon Refining Company in Corpus
Christy, Texas, USA. He said: "Tee Mac, you have a
Nigerian passport. Fly back every month to Nigeria
and load 980,000 barrels of Brass River light crude
oil and I make you a director in my company." That
gave me the opportunity to study the oil business,
and I registered Tee Mac Petroleum Ltd. That's how
I got into the petroleum business.
Meanwhile, one commissioner of solid minerals,
in those days, told me that the future lies in solid
minerals. So, I registered Allied Minerals Ltd. and
accumulated 15 mining sites. The 4 biggest are
in Plateau State. They are 150 square kilometres
each. They have zinc, lead, copper and tin. We
were doing quite well, but there was a problem.
There was no infrastructure, and the train from
Jos to Apapa (Lagos), which went once a week
stopped running. We had to load on trailers and
were constantly harassed on the way for bribes.
Every emir we passed his territory charged you
2,000 or 3,000 naira per ton.
It was not a profitable enterprise until the
managing director of Petromin (Vitol) came to
Nigeria because he got some of my samples. He
said: "How is it possible that Nigeria has the best
zinc, lead and tin in the world? We call this lead
concentrate, zinc concentrate." He said maybe I
was pre-processing and I responded "No. Come
My whole life, I had
challenges, ups and downs.
When I came back in 1970,
my stepfather, Sir Mobolaji
Bank-Anthony, insisted I
pick up a job. I refused to
work for him. My mother
said, "Don't do that". So, I
got a job in Union Trading
Company (UTC),
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CEO INTERVIEW
and see for yourself." So, the managing director
himself came and took 50 kilo bags of zinc and
lead to the UK.
He realised I wasn't cheating and started to order
3,000 tons of zinc and lead. I told him that I cannot
finance 3,000 tons. That's a lot of money! So, we
negotiated a letter of credit with a red clause to
be sent to Zenith Bank. I think at that time, it was
about 21 million US dollars. There was a red clause
allowing me draw 10% for production costs. When
the letter of credit came, somebody in Zenith Bank
played me out and said: "Sorry. We were duped by
some Indians in our mining department."
So, we were not given any advance money on a
letter of credit anymore. I was a bit in a difficult
situation to execute that contract, because I did
everything with the assumption that I had working
capital provided by the buyer to mine. Then, I
found some Israeli technical partners, Sterlington.
They came to Nigeria. They said: "We will work with
you together, but we want 60% of the shareholding
of your company." I had no choice. We negotiated
that I sell 60% of Allied Minerals for a hundred and
twenty million dollars.
They only invested a little bit in a small processing
plant in Bwuari, in the Federal Capital Territory.
Then, came the Boko Haram problem. Some
workers were killed on the fields in Plateau State.
One day, my Israeli partners sneaked out of
Nigeria and said: "We cannot work in Nigeria
anymore. There is no security up north."
So, I had no choice but to suspend the company.
Hopefully, when the security issue has been
resolved, we can go back to mining because I
believe the future of Nigeria is in mining. We have
rare earth (soil). We have the best copper in
the world. Our copper is up to 65% pure, while in
Canada, the purity level is between 8 and 12%.
Really, there are no banks helping you in Nigeria;
you have to do it on your own. They don't believe
in anything. They prefer to lend the money to
themselves. To me, Nigerian banks are money
warehouses. They warehouse your money; they
sell you foreign exchange for a different amount
they buy it and that’s all. When it comes to a
serious company to make an application, a
company that has invested a fortune, they are not
there for you.
So, you can see in my life, I went through ups
and downs, but I think, having a positive mind,
and playing my flute every day helped me to
overcome! I took those blows, and in a few hours
I would get over them. Life in business in Nigeria is
unpredictable.
Accomplish: Looking back, what skills or
experiences from one of the careers you have
had proved most valuable more than others?
Tee Mac: I would say, my life and my heart lies
in the music field... I sit in my room on my laptop
42 | www.theaccomplishmagazine.com

CEO INTERVIEW
with a software called 'Sibelius' to compose. Before,
when I worked for a film company, I was scoring
the music by hand. Now, I can type it and I can
immediately play back what I have composed.
I enjoy composing music even more than live
shows. Live shows abroad are pleasant because
you have a good management. You arrive in your
hotel. You rest, you go for sound check, you rest
again. You go and perform your show. You don't
need to think about anything.
Meanwhile, in Nigeria, you do a show, like I did on
the 30th of April at the Soul Beach. Mine was the
leading band for World Jazz Day, and a couple
of other bands were playing. I went there in the
afternoon and saw that the equipment was built
up in the sun.
I call the promoter, SPAN, and said: "We need
canopies. What if it rains tonight?" Yes, I mean, the
people sit in a covered area but the back stage
equipment are out of the covering area. They
assured me that it will not rain. I believe that Mr.
Murphy was born in Nigeria. Murphy's Law says:
"Whatever can go wrong will go wrong."
Towards the end of the show, it started to rain
when Yinka Davies was singing, and my 1.8 million
naira keyboard was damaged! All the connection
boxes blew up because the rain got into them!
What I'm trying to say is here (in Nigeria), things
are unpredictable. You have to hire people to
watch your instruments and to get back into your
warehouse the same amount of microphones and
power amps you took out because people steal
equipment. Music equipment is so expensive that
you have to watch them not being stolen.
You go on stage, and you're already worn out
because whatever goes wrong goes wrong. One
of the musicians came nearly late because he
was doing another gig before an important show,
which I don't like. So, I don't play as relaxed in
Nigeria as I do abroad.
Well, we have some summer gigs coming on
where the band will rest at the hotel. We will be
picked up by limousines. We go on stage, and then
the relaxed performances come up. But in Nigeria,
you never know. PHCN may go off suddenly, and
it may blow up all your power amps. I have had
it like that so many times. Now, I always have
backup amps, mixers etc., in case, something goes
wrong. It is very frustrating.
Accomplish: What advice would you give
to young people who are passionate about
pursuing multiple interests?
Tee Mac: I tell every young musician, and as
PMAN President, that was my gospel every day:
Have a bread-and-butter income. When you have
a little hit, invest in your wife's hairdresser saloon,
have a little supermarket, or have something
where you have a daily income because you will
not have hits every day! And, when you have a
hit, either you put the money into a high-yield
investment programme or into a business.
So, when the hits are not coming, you won't starve.
There's nothing worse than a once successful
musician begging or playing little gigs to survive!
Another thing I lecture on is monetising your skill or
your art and how to use the internet... Use Spotify,
and YouTube to play your music and register your
music so that royalties come in. So my advice to
upcoming musicians is, it's nice to love music and
to want to be a star. But it's hard work and you
must study music. We have too many illiterate
upcoming musicians. They don't even know
in what key they are singing! They don't know
anything about music!
And, I say to them: "You can Google it. There are
tutorials for playing guitar. There are voice training
tutorials. There are piano courses." Suppose you
don't want to go to the MUSON Centre or to a
music school or the university, you can Google all
the information.
Most of them are too lazy. They go on stage, tell
the DJ to drop the song, sing one song, walk out,
and think they are superstars. But there's no
short cut! It's hard work... Thousands of hours of
rehearsals.
You know, when I was young, I was doing 5 to 6
hours a day on the flute, working on my classical
concertos, working on new compositions, making
sure my fingers had the flexibility and my lungs
had the power, etc. Now, getting older, I cannot
do 6 hours anymore. After 1 hour or one and a half
hours, I say, "Let me rest a bit."
The secret of success is that anybody listening to
you says: "Wow! This guy is good. Either because of
his voice or his instrument. When people recognise
that, they invite you for recordings. They say: "Oh, I
want to produce you."
Another important thing is: Don't just be an
artiste. That's the end of the money chain.
Compose, produce, and learn how to produce
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| 43

CEO INTERVIEW
other musicians. After you have done ten or
more albums, you start to find the trick on how to
balance the sound, how to equalise the different
tracks, how to play with the tracks so that in one
verse the guitar comes up. In another verse, bring
up the piano to make it lively.
You have to work and work. There is no shortcut.
If there was a shortcut, I would tell you in this
interview, but it doesn't exist!
On Leadership and Management:
Accomplish: As a leader of multiple bands and
companies, what's your secret to building and
motivating high-performing teams?
Tee Mac: That's a good question. Let me give you
a little example. Gen. Yakubu Gowon loved me and
my music. So, he invited me to perform at state
banqets. Then, there was a very important banqet,
and one of my musicians was a little bit stoned.
That was in 1972. I sat there and made a long
face. I was asking myself: 'How will I perform now?
I always told my band members, smoke or drink
alcohol only after the shows.
Then, Gen. Gowon came in and saw me and said:
"Tee Mac, why are you looking so depressed?" I
said: "Your Excellency, one of my musicians is a
bit high, and I really don't know how we're gonna
manage today."
He replied: "You see, Tee Mac, let me tell you a
secret. It is more difficult to be a band leader
than to be a general in an army because my
soldiers are disciplined and trained to obey and
do what they are told to do. You are working with
individuals with their egos, their problems, etc. So
what you are doing with a band is more difficult
than me conducting an army!"
I said: "Your Excellency, thank you." When you are a
The most important
lesson I learned is to use
your gut feeling when
you meet somebody.
Look into his eyes, and
shake his hand.
band leader, you have to take into consideration
everyone's personality; everyone's ego!
I learned. Pay them well. Treat them well. Be polite
to them. Be on their level. And, you will have a tight
band. I don't do that big band leader thing. I am a
part of a team. My musicians have, since the 1970s,
always been the best paid musicians in Nigeria!
I treat them with dignity, listen to their problems,
and assist wherever I can. So, we are friends, but
there's discipline because I don't accept nonsense.
You have to be there in time for rehearsals and
sound checks, for instance. If not, you get punished
on your salary. That works the best.
That's the same in business; although, it's easier in
the business because the people work together in
the company. They are
educated people. They appreciate what they do
and I make sure they're well-paid.
I learned one thing. Always be humble to whoever
you meet. I never show off; I am Tee Mac. I respect
everybody, and people compliment me on that.
That's how I grew up in Switzerland. Switzerland
has no poor people. Only at the age of 16 or 17
did I find out my uncle was a millionaire; many
companies, a big house, best schools... But, my
uncle was so down to earth and humble, and he
always said to us: "Relate with people. Don't show
off. There's no need to show off."
And I've kept that my whole life. There were times
when I bought maybe a car which was a bit too
flashy because I loved it. But now, I have simple
cars and a good house; nothing too flashy. I don't
wear flashy clothes. I have some beautiful watches
and change them sometimes for a TV show. I put
them on because, yeah, your fans want to see you
as a shining star. You know what I mean.
But the secret to being successful in business is
humility. That's why I like Dangote. He's humble
and friendly to his employees, and they respect
him for that.
Don't lose your temper. Don't use bad words,
because you can never take the bad words back!
Accomplish: How has your experience as a
musician influenced your leadership style in the
business world?
Tee Mac: As Gen. Yakubu Gowon once said: "To
be a band leader is more difficult than being
a general commanding an army." If you are a
successful band leader, you can manage any
44 | www.theaccomplishmagazine.com

CEO INTERVIEW
business because,
the people working
for you have less
ego problems than
the musicians
working for you.
So it is like a
piece of cake.
You just have to
have a system
for how you work;
a system where
they report to you
and a system for
identifying who is
honest and who is
not. I had to learn
the hard way that
you must choose
your right-hand
people (your
managers) carefully because
this is important in business.
Accomplish: What's the most
important lesson you've
learned about managing
people and projects across
different cultures?
Tee Mac: The most important
lesson I learned is to use your
gut feeling when you meet
somebody. Look into his eyes,
and shake his hand. First
impression is very important.
When you meet somebody,
and you somehow like him
immediately... I have experience.
You know, I had a couple of big
bands. I have had hundreds of
people working for me. I have a
gut feeling... Yeah, let me try him
out.
If my first impression is, No, this
guy, I don't want to work with
you, I just politely say: "I'm sorry,
but I don't want to waste your
time. I don't think I can employ
you." And, I make sure his
transport expenses are covered.
You develop a sixth sense over
the years, especially at my age.
I have developed a sixth sense
where I feel that a person is
trustworthy, and until he proves
me otherwise, I will trust him.
But of course, as I said, there
are always surprises in life. You
can still fall on your nose, and
when you do, you stand up and
continue. Look for somebody
else.
Accomplish: What are some
leadership principles you've
adopted throughout your
career that you believe are
universally applicable?
Tee Mac: One of the most
important leadership
principles is to be humble and
straightforward with whoever
you meet. No stories, no lies.
Because, stories and lies
have short lives as we say, in
Switzerland.
You meet somebody, and you
want to establish a relationship.
Be straightforward with the
person. Suppose the business
they bring to you is interesting.
You tell him I'll work on it. You
do your due diligence; you
do your feasibility study. If it is
worth it, you continue. If it is not,
you say: "Sorry. I have done my
homework, but it doesn't fit into
my programme at the moment."
In leadership, you have to be
straightforward. Don't try to
assume that the enterprise
will succeed. Instead, from the
beginning, find out if it is worth it.
Don't waste your time on pipedreams
and people who come
with big stories but can't prove
what is behind them.
On Business and Risk-
Taking:
Accomplish: You transitioned
your music royalties into
investments in oil and
minerals. What motivated you
to take this entrepreneurial
leap?
Tee Mac: I make good
money, and I said to myself:
"You have the education
as a businessman. Look
around. What could be the
best investment." At that
time, everybody was building
breweries, and the second thing
everybody started was a bank.
So I said: "I'm not going to start
the bank. I'm not going to do
a brewery. I'm going to do
something that nobody else
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| 45

CEO INTERVIEW
does. Let me take on solid minerals."
I did my homework. I saw that Nigeria is blessed
with minerals from the south to the north. I
identified which state has what minerals. We
identified with the team. It was a lot of money, and
we did surveys. It costs a fortune. When I finished
mapping out, with the help of the Ministry of Solid
Minerals, I decided to take leases where there is
zinc and lead.
Of course, I knew it was a risk because
if you don't take risks, you cannot succeed.
When you're not taking risks, you sit there and
get bored. Now, I realise that I took too many risks
and lost a fortune because I'm not mining at the
moment. The security situation has prevented
me from mining, leading to a significant risk that
ultimately didn't pay off.
But I made sure I still had my royalties coming in. I
still have one or two smaller
bread and butter businesses to maintain and
keep me going. Then, I partnered a company in
oil and gas. We started to work but that was also
a risk, because oil and gas business is a slow
business.
We spent six years just to get the farming
agreement in an oil block in Badagry. You must be
able to maintain yourself while, you develop those
businesses. Don't go into business when you don't
have the capital to survive and you have to do
short cuts.
You have to do your planning, your feasibility
study, your cash forecast, and then you go ahead
with your project. In Nigeria, the ups and downs are
unwarranted, especially at this moment. Are you
aware that 783 companies have folded up in the
last one year? Yes. That's from the Manufacturer's
Association of Nigeria. I got that information
because one of my oil companies also closed
down and backed out.
So, a change of policy and government can be
very dangerous, and that's why many companies
hesitate to invest in Third World countries -
because of the instability.
However, Nigeria is still a fantastic opportunity. But
we need a government which will provide us the
stability, the security for companies to grow.
What qualities do you believe are essential for
success in a business environment like Nigeria's?
You must surround yourself with a team of people
you can trust. For example, my driver has been
with me for 27 years. My police orderly has been
with me for 24 years. My cook has been with me
for 18 years. And, the young man I hired to take
care of my dogs has been with me for 35 years.
Why are they with me? Because I pay them well
and I treat them as human beings. So, when you
find individuals in your company who are good,
pay them well, treat them with respect. That's how
you build a team which can help you to become
successful in whatever you do.
Accomplish: Looking back, are there any
business decisions you wish you could have
make differently? Why or why not?
Tee Mac: Yes. My uncle in Switzerland was the
biggest manufacturer of brakes. He owed Ferrado
brakes. He owed a company which produced
clutches. He was into car spare parts. When I
came back to Nigeria, he wasn't pleased because
he had no son. I should have made a deal with
him and brought his company to Nigeria. Car
spare parts are always needed - brakes need to
be replaced; in fact from disc to brakes. I made
the mistake of not bringing his company EE
Darrending Limited, to Nigeria in the 1970s.
The second mistake I made when I was saying:
"Everybody's into banking, everybody's into
brewery. Let me go into mining." I should have
put my money into a small, private bank and
partnered with a Swiss bank, and we would have
grown like Zenith Bank by now. I knew when Zenith
Bank started. It was very small. The chairman, Jim
Ovia, is my personal friend.
I saw how banks grew while the mining sector
remained stagnant. Illegal mining is rampant
everywhere, and herdsmen are causing
disturbances and violence. I invested in what I
Up until now, when I'm
stressed and tired, I take
the flute, and the stress
disappears. People
wonder, how do you still
look this young at 76?
46 | www.theaccomplishmagazine.com

CEO INTERVIEW
believed should be the best business, and it was
not the best business. That's why I'm saying you
make decisions that you have to live with.
My decision to go into mining at that time was
wrong. I would have built a 5-star hotel in Abuja. I
could just have a band playing there, something
like Transcorp. But again, I learned in my life that
nothing is easy.
I regret my investment in the wrong thing.
But again, God always blesses me with other
opportunities. I always look at now and at
tomorrow, not back.
On Music and Cultural Impact:
Accomplish: You were a pioneer of Afropop
music. What experiences shaped your unique
musical style?
Tee Mac: When I returned to Nigeria in 1970,
nobody had ever seen a flute in Nigeria. So, when
they listened to the flute's sweet sound, they saw
that I could play Mozart. I can play Bach. I can play
jazz, because I was very fast, even as a young guy.
I mastered it, and more people started to say: "Oh,
that sounds interesting enough for pop, Afro-jazz.,"
So, I had to be a pioneer.
I met the British High Commissioner, Sir Mervyn
Brown, and we developed a great relationship
with (the late) Akintola Williams. We formed
the Classical Music Society. We got land from
Babangida, where I invested half a million dollars
to fence it and start the business. We got Princess
Diana, when she came with Prince Charles to
Nigeria, to lay the foundation stone, and the Muson
Centre (Nigeria's leading music school) was
birthed out of it. I brought the London School of
Music there, and every year, 120 professionals are
coming out of that.
In my life, I have experienced that even if I go to
a village and play the flute with them, they would
be excited because they hear something new. But
it took me years on television to brand the flute. I
have loved the flute sound since I was a small boy.
That's the only thing I wanted to play.
Up until now, when I'm stressed and tired, I take the
flute, and the stress disappears. People wonder,
how do you still look this young at 76? For me, it is
music. Music keeps me happy. Do what you love,
and you live a fulfilled life.
Accomplish: What advice would you give to
aspiring musicians in Nigeria's evolving music
industry?
Tee Mac: My advice to every upcoming musician,
to any young person who feels in the innermost
that he wants to be an artiste, a performer, an
instrumentalist or a singer: Take that decision
seriously. But, learn another skill by the side,
because nobody can guarantee you that you'll be
successful in music.
We are living in a country where 90% of the
musicians, at the moment, are suffering. There are
not many shows anymore; people don't buy CDs
anymore. They bluetooth into each other's device.
So, as apart from a few top musicians, everybody
else struggles. Nightclubs don't hire live bands
anymore. They prefer disk jockeys.
So, if you decide to be a musician, know that you
have made a serious decision, and from that
day on, educate yourself. Don't just be a rapper,
because rap is already not as important as it was
for a few years. Learn how to sing, develop your
voice, get the tone in your voice. If you play guitar,
listen to the masters. I used to listen to Jean Pierre
Rampal until he became my teacher in the master
class.
Your brain is a computer. Listen to what you like,
listen to voices, and your brain will absorb it, and it
will help you to sing better.
Write out songs, sing them, and sing them
countless times until you can present them
without fear. Most upcoming artistes say to me:
"Tee Mac, when I get on stage, my throat gets
dry. I'm scared of the crowd. What do I do?" I say
to them: "Because, you're not well rehearsed. If
you're well rehearsed, then you go on stage with
confidence."
So the secret for an upcoming musician is: This
is a profession. It's not a joke. If you think you can
just be a musician because you don't like anything
else, you'll be a hustler.
Of course, the girls will like you if you're goodlooking,
and if you can charm them a bit. But
there'll come a time where you don't make money,
and then you'll suffer. Then, you'll regret that you
didn't learn something which you can feed your
family with.
Another important thing. If you are a musician,
don't get married too early. Get married when you
can afford it. An upcoming musician should realise
that he's entering into a commitment that is
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| 47

CEO INTERVIEW
lifelong and not just one little hit, one little single,
and then you're fed up. Then don't bother!
What role do you see music playing
in promoting cultural exchange and
understanding?
Tee Mac: I have just been offered a couple of
gigs in Turkey as a cultural exchange. I did a
couple of things with the American Consulate
and the American Embassy.
Last year I organised the Joy of Jazz Festival.
I played when the American Ambassador,
Betty, left. She is a flutist. So, with the American
Embassy in Turkey and the promoter.
On Personal Growth and Legacy
Accomplish: As a successful businessman
and musician, how do you define what it
means to leave a positive legacy?
Tee Mac: Everybody dreams of leaving
a legacy. We, musicians, are a little bit
lucky. I have about 10 hours of unpublished
philharmonic works on my hard disks, which my
children and grandchildren will benefit from.
But I have some land in Ibeju-lekki, where I want
to build an arts academy. Muson is fine, but it's
a little bit too small.
When I realised, in my touring the country
and speaking in universities, that the music
departments are the courses with the least
interest in every university, I said: "I'm going to
build an arts academy for musicians, painters,
sculptors, and photographers." And, that's the
dream I'm working on. That should be my little
legacy because there's not much businesswise
you can leave behind.
You have a company. Your siblings may inherit
it, and may make it a success or mismanage
it, but when you have a music academy or a
music school that is well built, well managed,
with a little foundation, and financing it, then at
least students who go to that music academy
will say: "It was built by somebody who played
the flute. His name was Tee Mac."
48 | www.theaccomplishmagazine.com

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www.theaccomplishmagazine.com
| 49

GRAND DESIGN / ARCHITECTURE
By Damian Ikenna Ngere
• RSHP Converts 150-Year-Old Victorian Gasholders
into Mixed-Use Residential Complex in London, UK
The design concept for the
Bromley-By-Bow by RSHP, the
Strategic Development Committee
of the London Borough of Newham,
has recently authorised the
Gasworks regeneration project. This
23-acre site, which was established
in the 1870s, is home to the world's
greatest collection of Victorian
gasholders, making it one of the
largest ideas for rehabilitation in
London's Lower Lea Valley. The plan,
which took three years to design,
reimagines the petrol holders as
a mixed-use neighbourhood with
brand-new, exquisite residential
structures.
The location sits next to lightindustrial
retail parks and
distribution warehouses in a
historically divided area of London
that has been mostly inaccessible
for the previous 150 years. The
project maintains and restores
these petrol holders as 'historical
assets', which makes them a
fundamental component of the
plan despite specific site limitations.
50 | www.theaccomplishmagazine.com

GRAND DESIGN / ARCHITECTURE
• World’s Best New Architecture Revealed
A satellite observatory in Cyprus, a towering
hotel in Dubai, and the control centre of a solar
power plant in Turkey are just a few of the over
220 projects that have been shortlisted for the
prestigious World Building of the Year award.
The biennial World Architecture Festival (WAF)
organisers unveiled the shortlist on Monday, July
8, spanning 18 categories that include homes
and work places, health facilities, and sports
stadiums.
The newly enlarged Terminal 2 at Changi Airport
in Singapore and the new Australian Embassy
in Washington, DC, are two more noteworthy
structures on this year's shortlist.
This November, at the festival's 17th edition,
the finalists will all present their concepts. The
champions of each category will be decided by
a panel of 175 delegates, and the top two teams
will compete for the overall crown.
DAMIAN
IKENNA NGERE
AUTHOR’S BIO
Ikenna is a graduate of Physics and Education,
who works as a freelance writer. He has interest
in technology, humanity and sports.
www.theaccomplishmagazine.com
| 51

THE INCUBATOR
with Diiyi William-West
SERIES
No Sense of
Responsibility,
No Real Growth
52 | www.theaccomplishmagazine.com

THE INCUBATOR SERIES
For some time, I have put
forward writing on this
issue. However, happenings
on the national and local
scenes have made delving
into the issue inevitable. How many
of you have felt sick hearing or
watching people explain away
their unreasonable actions with
illogic? They go on and on, reeling
out excuses to an extent, it begins
to look like they think everyone
around them is foolish and they are
the only wise ones. I refer to such
attitude as negative-cleverness.
What do you call it?
Truth is, if you aren't comfortable
with such behaviour, you are a
decent person. As many people
would have observed, people
who can't take responsibility for
their actions when they are wrong
are also likely to be adept at
deception, manipulation, and even
heightened acts of selfishness!
And, they are everywhere. Listen
to our legislators, for instance,
explain why certain billions
and trillions of naira should be
spent for the insane comfort of
a few privileged Nigerians while
public infrastructure and social
provisions which would alleviate
the sufferings of the majority
of citizens are inordinately
overlooked. An objective observer
cannot be blamed to imagine
that the legislators are living in a
different country. Indeed, they have
mentally relocated! The same
applies to leaders of numerous
families, communities as well
as private and public sector
organisations. With the years
of deprivation our leaders have
heaped on citizens since the 4th
Republic came alive in 1999, one
would have thought that those
elected in 2023 would turn away
from previous ills.
Perhaps, the occurrence of
indifference to owning up for
wrongs done (by omission or
commission) or outright denial of
what occurred is felt more in oneon-one
relationships, especially
family relationships. Some people
As many people
would have
observed, people
who can't take
responsibility
for their actions
when they are
wrong are also
likely to be adept
at deception,
manipulation,
and even
heightened acts of
selfishness!
are so indifferent to their actions
or inactions, denying and arguing
so stringently that they imagine
that when they say something
didn't happen, everybody would
suffer amnesia on that issue.
In fact, if they hold positions of
influence, they don't mind going
as far as mortgaging social values
or professional ethics in order to
curry the support of people in their
sphere of influence in order to
recreate the facts and keep such
recasting of facts alive. In such
cases, only a falling out between
them and their acolytes eventually
bring the truth out.
Responding to a question on this
issue on Quora.com, Rick Harding
said, "Many many people won't
take accountability unless there
is absolutely no way not to. You
can even corner some people and
spell out exactly what they did
and why it's wrong, and they will
either attempt to turn it around
on you, gaslight, or ignore it
completely. The behaviour can look
completely insane from an outside
perspective.
"You find it often in narcissists,
sometimes in the anti-social
(though they often will take
accountability; they simply won't
care: “Yeah, I did it. So what?")
Now, let's pause and consider this:
who is the loser in situations like
this? The answer is: EVERYONE!
Including the manipulator of
facts! This is so because, many
things go wrong when truth is
mortgaged and how far the
spiralling effect could go no one
can tell. In the course of the time,
many unhealthy situations arise
when people don't admit their
errors or deliberate misdeeds.
Unfortunately, such people lack
or drown capacity to consider the
many-sided consequences of not
accepting responsibility for their
actions or inactions. Often, the
victims get isolated undeservedly
or even lose self esteem because
the falsehoods created by the
manipulators travel far and deep!
The question, then, is would you like
to be a victim of such situations? If
your answer isn't in the affirmative,
then, the conscientious thing to do
is to ensure that you are not one
of such manipulators. Intentionally
make the effort not to live in denial!
DIIYI
WILLIAM-WEST
AUTHOR’S 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.
www.theaccomplishmagazine.com
| 53

AFRICA RISING: NEWS ABOUT AFRICA
By Damian Ikenna Ngere
BUSINESS AND FINANCE
POLITICS
Egypt’s Urban Inflation Plummets for Fourth Month in a Row
According to data released
by Egypt's statistics agency
on Wednesday, July 10, the
country's urban inflation rate
fell for the fourth consecutive
month in June, to 27.5% from
28.1% in May. The decline
started in September 2023,
when inflation peaked at 38%,
after the government adopted
an inflation targeting model
and a flexible exchange rate.
Core inflation, which does not
include volatile items like fuel
and certain food products, also
decreased to 26.6% year on year
from 27.1% in May, as reported by
that country central bank on the
same day.
Kenya's President Warns of Significant Repercussions
After $80 Billion Debt Relief Effort Collapses
Kenya, the economic
powerhouse of East
Africa, has a rapidly
mounting debt that is
predicted to increase
further after violent
protests resulted in the
rejection of a finance bill
that President William
Ruto claimed was
necessary to generate
money. "It will have huge
consequences," he now
Kenya: Multiple Bodies
Found in Abandoned
Quarry as Police Chief
Steps Down
On the same day that five
bodies bundled in bags were
discovered in a quarry next to
warns. In response to
demands from the
public for his resignation,
Ruto has stated that
the administration will
try to cut the $2.7 billion
budget deficit in half and
borrow the remaining
funds - without
specifying where.
54 | www.theaccomplishmagazine.com

an informal community, and
following weeks of violent
protests that claimed the lives
of over thirty people, Kenya's
police chief, Japhet Koome,
announced his resignation.
Inspector General Koome
resigned, and President
Ruto declared on Friday,
July 12, that Douglas Kanja,
his deputy, would take over
as temporary chief of staff.
On Thursday, July 11, Ruto
declared he had fired nearly
every minister in his cabinet
and that a new, efficient
government would be formed.
Rwanda Holds Elections
With President Paul
Kagame Favoured to
Win
Voting takes place in Rwanda
on Monday, July 8, and President
Paul Kagame is favoured to win,
securing a fourth term in office. As
the head of the rebel group that
overthrew Rwanda's government
and put an end to the genocide in
1994, he has rose to prominence.
From 1994 until his election as
president in 2000, Kagame served
as the nation's vice president
and de facto head of state. After
the genocidal war ended, his
policies have earned him praised
for stabilising the economy and
TECHNOLOGY
Huawei Introduces Innovative Hybrid Cloud
Solution for Africa
The launch of Huawei Cloud Stack 8.3 is intended to expedite
industry intelligence for the African continent, according to Huawei.
At the Huawei Africa Connect 2024 conference held in Johannesburg,
South Africa, the offering's introduction was revealed.
Vice President of Huawei Hybrid Cloud, Hu Yuhai, stated that
the Huawei Cloud Stack helps governments and business clients
in Africa speed up cloud adoption by offering dependable cloud
infrastructure, cutting-edge cloud service capabilities, and a wealth
of industry experience.
restoring order, but he is also
criticised for crushing political
opposition and controlling the
media.
DAMIAN
IKENNA NGERE
AUTHOR’S BIO
Ikenna is a graduate of
Physics and Education,
who works as a freelance
writer. He has interest in
technology, humanity
and sports.
www.theaccomplishmagazine.com
| 55

TECHNOLOGY
GLOBAL NEW
By Damian Ikenna Ngere
respective revenues increased
by more than 50% on a yearly
basis. With revenues up just
5%, the bank's performance in
terms of fixed income revenue
was less remarkable.
Securitised products appear
to have saved the bank. The
bank's earnings presentation
goes along with this.
Report: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Design Upgrade
to Deliver Major Feature Enhancements
There will be a lot of changes
when Apple introduces the
iPhone 16 in the fall. And now, it
appears that the advent of
noticeably faster charging may
help alleviate some of the big
malaises of the twenty-first
century, including battery
worry. As reported by Forbes,
the new speeds will be
significantly quicker than what
any iPhone has ever had. It's
important to note that some
owners of Android phones
may laugh at the update
because, for example, phones
like the OnePlus 12 support far
faster speeds. Additionally, the
charging capacities of the new
phones will be influenced by
their battery sizes, which has
an intriguing ripple effect for
the iPhone 16 Plus.
BUSINESS AND FINANCE
JP Morgan’s Investment Banking Division
Expands with Addition of 900 New Hires
In Q2 of 2024, JP Morgan's mergers and acquisitions (M&A) revenues
increased 34% year over year. The equity and debt capital markets
Wells Fargo’s
Strong Q2 Earnings
Dampened by Net
Interest Drop
When Wells Fargo released
its second-quarter earnings, it
exceeded both the revenue and
profit projections of analysts. The
financial behemoth reported
revenue of $20.69 billion, which
surpassed forecasts of $20.28
billion, and adjusted earnings per
share of $1.33 per share, which
beat projections of $1.29.
Wells Fargo's stock is down in
pre-market trade on Friday, July
12, despite these positive headline
beats since the company's net
interest income decreased by 9%
on an annual basis.
56 |
www.theaccomplishmagazine.com

S ROUND UP
ENTREPRENEUR
POLITICS
Hamas-Run Health
Ministry Reports 90
Killed in Israeli Strike
Targeting Military
Chief
An Israeli strike on a
displacement camp in southern
Gaza is said to have killed
at least ninety Palestinians
according to Hamas-run health
ministry sources. However, Israel
announced that the strike was
directed towards the military
chief of Hamas, who was
allegedly the mastermind of the
October 7 attacks.
There are bodies in the street
and damaged tents in footage
from Al-Mawasi, which has
been declared a safe area for
Palestinians escaping the fighting
elsewhere.
At a press conference on
Saturday, July 13, in Tel Aviv,
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu stated that he was
unsure if Deif and his deputy
had died, but he had approved
the operation's execution for
the head of Shin Bet, Israel's
security agency, after receiving
assurances that no hostages
were present.
Iran's President
Pledges Balanced
Relations with All
Nations, Warns US
Against Applying
Pressure
The recently elected president
of Iran pledged to establish
"balance in relations with all
countries" in accordance with
both national interests and the
conditions necessary for peace,
but he also made it clear to
the US that his nation "will not
respond to pressure." In an essay
titled "My Message To The New
World," published late on Friday
in the nation's state-run Tehran
Times, Masoud Pezeshkian
praised the most recent
presidential election for having
"demonstrated remarkable
stability" and vowed to keep the
"promises I made during my
campaign."
In the runoff election on July 5,
Pezeshkian, a 69-year-old heart
surgeon and seasoned legislator,
defeated hard-liner and former
nuclear negotiator, Saeed Jalili, to
succeed President Ebrahim Raisi,
who was killed in a helicopter
crash in May.
The European Union has charged
that Elon Musk's social media
platform, X, violates EU regulations
around online content since its
"verified" blue tick profiles could
"deceive" consumers. Users may be
misled into believing that the
identities of those with blue tick
marks are confirmed, according to
the bloc's tech regulator, even
though anyone can purchase a
blue tick.
The report claimed to have
discovered proof of "malicious
actors" exploiting the system.
Under the EU's Digital Services Act,
the investigation got underway
(DSA).
It might result in X having to alter
how it conducts business inside the
bloc and facing fines of up to 6% of
its yearly global turnover.
DAMIAN
IKENNA NGERE
AUTHOR’S BIO
Ikenna is a graduate of Physics
and Education, who works as a
freelance writer. He has interest
in technology, humanity
and sports.
www.theaccomplishmagazine.com | 57

LIFESTYLE
By Damian Ikenna Ngere
ARTS & THE MASTERS
• Historic
Rouen
Cathedral,
Inspiration
for Monet,
Spared from
Fire
The famous Gothic
cathedral in Rouen,
France, was forced to
be saved in a hurry on
Thursday, July 11, when a
sheet covering its spire
caught fire. Firefighters
contained the fire to the
cathedral’s spire, officially
known as Notre-Dame de
Rouen.
The fire was put out in
a little more than an
hour, but the image
of smoke rising from
the cherished building
brought to mind the
terrible 2019 Notre-Dame
Cathedral fire, which is
scheduled to reopen in
58 | www.theaccomplishmagazine.com

LIFESTYLE
December. Rouen became a favourite
travel destination for Impressionists, as
Claude Monet painted the cathedral
multiple times in various lighting
conditions. The movement was founded
in Paris 150 years ago, and several
excursions will stop in Rouen to see the
cathedral.
• Controversial Artist Insists Beheaded
Sculpture Stay in Public Eye
At the University of Houston, United States
of America, a contentious monument by
renowned Pakistani-American sculptor,
Shahzia Sikander, one of her few public
works, has been beheaded. It was
discovered that the sculpture had been
badly damaged and the artwork’s head had
been removed when Hurricane Beryl passed
through Houston. Sikander believes this
incident was caught on security footage.
Original commissions for “Witness,” an
enormous 18-foot golden monument
depicting a levitating lady, came from
the Madison Square Park Conservancy in
Manhattan and a nearby Supreme Court of
the State of New York appellate court.
DAMIAN
IKENNA NGERE
AUTHOR’S BIO
Ikenna is a graduate of Physics and Education,
who works as a freelance writer. He has interest
in technology, humanity and sports.
www.theaccomplishmagazine.com
| 59

LIFESTYLE
How to Make Apple
Lemon Drink
Occasionally, the most enjoyable experiences
can be produced with the most basic elements.
You're going to love this drink if you're searching
for something refreshing, flavourful, and light to create!
You can make a fantastic beverage that will astound
you with just an apple and a lemon.
What You'll Need:
- One apple
- One lemon water (optional; to achieve the right
consistency)
These two components combine to create a tasty
beverage that is also loaded with health advantages.
Why Are These Included?
Apple: Packed with anti-oxidants, vitamins, and fibre,
apples are more than simply a crunchy, sweet treat.
Natural energy boosts, heart health support, and
digestion assistance are all possible with them. A daily
apple can truly ward off illness!
Lemon: Packed with significant cleansing qualities,
lemons are an excellent source of vitamin C. They
provide a zesty flavour to any drink and help strengthen
your immune system and digestion.
Lemon Apple Drink Procedure:
- Clean and ready the apple: First, give your apple a
good cleaning. Next, remove the core and cut into small
pieces. If you want more fibre and nutrients, you can
leave the skin on.
- Juice the Lemon: Take one lemon and squeeze its
juice. You can squeeze the oranges by hand or with a
citrus juicer. Ensure that the seeds are removed.
- Blending: Put the apple pieces and lemon juice in a
blender and blend until smooth. Water can be added
if you would like a thinner consistency. Mix until you get
your desired choice.
- Filter: If you prefer your
beverages to be smooth,
you have the option to
filter the combination in
order to get rid of any
pulp. Preserving the pulp,
however, adds more
minerals and fibre.
- Serve: Enjoy the beverage
after pouring it into a glass.
To make it colder, you can
add some ice cubes.
Final Thoughts
This apple-lemon drink is
the ideal illustration of how
basic materials can make
a genuinely enjoyable
concoction. It tastes
fantastic and has a host of
health advantages. Thus,
try this recipe the next time
you're craving something
cool to drink and
appreciate the incredible
flavour!
60 | www.theaccomplishmagazine.com

LIFESTYLE
The Wonders
of Mixing
Eggs with
Coffee
It's fun to find tasty delights that are quick, simple,
and only need a few ingredients and time. A
wonderful and unexpected pairing is to whisk
coffee and eggs!
You can make a simple yet delectable dessert
that is rich and creamy in only ten minutes. Here's
how to prepare this delicious dessert and discover
its health advantages.
Ingredients:
- Two fresh eggs
- One spoonful of instant coffee
- A small amount of salt
- Optional: for more flavour, add a pinch of
cinnamon or a few drops of vanilla extract.
Guidelines:
- Get the coffee ready: To make a thick coffee
paste, first dissolve the instant coffee in a little
amount of boiling water. By taking this step, the
coffee and eggs will mix together seamlessly.
- Open the Eggs: Crack open both eggs into a
mixing basin. To improve the flavour and facilitate
the whipping process, add
a small sprinkle of salt.
- Beat the eggs: With a
whisk or an electric mixer
until light and fluffy, whisk
together the coffee and
eggs. While whisking,
gradually incorporate
the coffee paste into the
beaten eggs. When the
coffee is completely mixed
in, the mixture should turn
a light brown colour.
- Add-on Flavour
Enhancements: At this
point, you can add a few
drops of vanilla essence
or a sprinkle of cinnamon
if you'd like a little extra flavour. Both give the
concoction a lovely flavour and scent.
- Heat the Concoction: A non-stick pan should be
heated to medium heat. Evenly distribute the egg
and coffee mixture after pouring it onto the pan.
Simmer for two to three minutes on each side, or
until it settles and gets firm but not tough.
- Present and Enjoy: The egg-coffee mixture can
be sliced into thin strips or squares once it has
been baked. Enjoy its distinct flavour and texture
by serving it warm or at room temperature.
Advantages of Eggs and Coffee Dessert
- Simple and Rapid: This dessert, which only
requires two major ingredients and ten minutes
of your time, is ideal for a light breakfast or a quick
snack.
- No Flour or Gelatin: This recipe can
accommodate a variety of dietary requirements
and is perfect for anyone who wants to stay away
from flour or gelatin.
- Sugar-Free: Since there is no added sugar, it is
a healthier choice for people who are careful how
much sugar they eat.
- Rich in Protein: Eggs are a wonderful source of
protein that can help you feel content and full for
longer.
- Coffee's Anti-oxidants: Packed with anti-oxidants,
coffee helps shield your cells from harm.
In conclusion, this is a really easy dessert made
with eggs and coffee that tastes delicious and
doesn't make you feel guilty. It's quite tasty,
healthful, and simple to make. Why not give it a
shot and be pleasantly surprised by how tasty and
filling it is?
Source: Barbara O’Neil
writing for filmflicks.net
www.theaccomplishmagazine.com
| 61

Escape
• IDANRE-HILLS
• OLUMO ROCK
• OGUTA LAKE
HOW TO START A
TRAVEL AND TOURS
BUSINESS IN NIGERIA
By Diiyi William-West
There is no doubt about the
effects of rising financial
pressure due to hyper-inflation
has hit many individuals,
families and organisations hard.
This situation, being one of the
consequences of the policies of
the Federal Government as well as
food scarcity arising from the terror
unleashed on farmers in certain
parts of the country, is quite telling.
Whereas some citizens and even
immigrants just complain about the
economic woes, people with critically
needed financial education are
focusing on how to turn the ongoing
economic challenges into economic
prosperity.
In line with the foregoing, one of the
areas to consider is the increasing
demand for travel and tours -
especially by the well-to-do and
large organisations. Going into travel
and tours business in Nigeria can be
a rewarding venture for those who
have a passion for travel and helping
others experience new destinations.
With the country's diverse
landscapes, cultural heritage, and
growing tourism industry, there is a
great opportunity for entrepreneurs
to tap into this market and create
a successful business. As may be
expected, it is not enough to desire
to start a line of business; it is the
uniqueness of what one offers
and how it is offered that would
determine how well the business
would do.
Here are a few steps to help you get
started on your journey to launching
a travel and tours business in Nigeria:
1. To begin with, starting a travel
and tours business in Nigeria will
require a thorough market research.
This will help you understand the
current trends in the travel industry,
the competition, and the demand
for travel services in the country. Look
into the different types of tours that
are popular among travellers, such
as adventure tours, cultural tours,
and wildlife safaris. Also look into the
demographics of people who would
need any if the options and the time
of the year each is preferred. This will
help you identify your target market
and tailor your services to meet their
needs.
62 | www.theaccomplishmagazine.com

Escape
2. Drawing from the findings of
your research, you need to create
a business plan for your travel and
tours business. This plan should
outline your goals, target market,
services offered and related
destinations, pricing strategy,
marketing plan, and financial
projections. A well-thought-out
business plan will help you stay
focused and organised as you
launch and grow your business.
3. Proceed to register your travel
and tours business at the Corporate
Affairs Commission. This includes
registering your business name,
obtaining any necessary licenses
and permits, and setting up a
business bank account. It is also
important to secure insurance for
your business to protect yourself
and your clients in case of any
unforeseen circumstances.
4. After setting up your business,
you will need to establish
partnerships with travel suppliers,
such as airlines, hotels, and
tour operators. Building strong
relationships with these suppliers
will help you offer competitive
prices and high-quality services to
your clients. You may also consider
joining industry associations, such
as the Nigerian Association of Tour
Operators (NATOP), to network with
other travel professionals and stay
up-to-date on industry trends.
5. Again, drawing from information
gathered from your market
survey, you will need to develop a
marketing strategy that includes
a mix of online and offline tactics.
This may include creating a
website, social media profiles, and
advertising in local newspapers
and travel magazines. You can also
attend travel fairs and trade shows
to showcase your services and
connect with potential clients.
6. Deliberately expand your
business network. You would need
to connect with more people,
especially among the financially
buoyant but certainly not limited
to them. Some people who may
not be affluent could link you up
with their well-to-do family and
friends. You should also consider
• IDANRE-HILLS
connecting with directors of
top-scale commerce and noncommercial
organisations. This
might make joining some social
clubs imperative because many
rich and influential people go to
such club houses to unwind.
Note that you don't have to limit
your business operations to Nigeria.
In fact, the right approach would
be to have adequate number of
options within and outside Nigeria.
Of course, if you would be including
travel and tours destinations in
other countries, you also need to
get research-based information
about those locations for your
business plan and marketing
strategy.
In conclusion, starting a travel
and tours business in Nigeria
requires careful planning, market
KADUNA_IRENE-BECKER WATERFALL
•NATIONAL-WAR-MUSEUM
research, and networking. By following
these steps and staying focused on
providing exceptional service to your
clients, you can build a successful
business that helps travellers to explore
the beauty and diversity of Nigeria and
other countries.
Editor's Note: The copyright to all the
photos used in this piece belong to
Zikoko.com.
www.theaccomplishmagazine.com
| 63