ACCOMPLISH MAGAZINE AUGUST 2023
Jim Ovia: Making Waves In The World
Jim Ovia: Making Waves In The World
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CCOMPLISH<br />
M A G A Z I N E<br />
<strong>AUGUST</strong> <strong>2023</strong><br />
World’s Most<br />
Expensive<br />
Wine<br />
travel<br />
Top 10<br />
Location In<br />
Nigeria To<br />
Visit<br />
WHAT ARE<br />
SOME OF<br />
THE MIND<br />
BLOWING<br />
FACTS THAT<br />
YOU HAVE<br />
EVER COME<br />
ACROSS?<br />
10<br />
WAYS OF<br />
WINNING IN<br />
A CAPTURED<br />
ECONOMY<br />
Dissecting<br />
President<br />
Bola Tinubu’s<br />
Unforgettable<br />
Campaign<br />
Moments<br />
of Agbado,<br />
Cassava<br />
& Garri<br />
Jim Ovia<br />
Making Waves In The World<br />
Accomplish Magazine 1
contents<br />
Cover<br />
8 JIM OVIA PROFILE<br />
14 JIM OVIA IN HIS OWN WORDS<br />
16 JIM OVIA PHOTOS<br />
18 The Success Story Of<br />
EBENEZER Onyeagwu - MD<br />
ZENITH BANK<br />
hEALTH<br />
50 THE ADVANTAGES OF ADDING<br />
GARLIC TO YOUR DIET<br />
52 THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF<br />
SNAIL SHELLS<br />
48 Remarkable Benefits of<br />
Drinking Water Early in<br />
the Morning<br />
8<br />
REPORTAGE<br />
20 FEATURE & ANALYSIS 28<br />
THE INCUBATOR SERIES<br />
58<br />
TRAVEL & LEISURE<br />
56<br />
FOOD & WINE<br />
2<br />
Accomplish Magazine
32 42 44<br />
INTERVIEW GRAND DESIGN ARTS & THE MASTERS<br />
From The Editor<br />
Hello distinguished readers! On<br />
behalf of the entire team that<br />
worked assiduously on this<br />
project across continents, I<br />
introduce a brand-new informationpool<br />
for your reading pleasure and<br />
libraries. Indeed, after a period of<br />
planning, gathering ingredients and<br />
doing the cooking, it’s time to serve you<br />
“<strong>ACCOMPLISH</strong> <strong>MAGAZINE</strong>”! And, I gladly<br />
add “… with flourish!”<br />
To do a fitting introduction of<br />
“Accomplish Magazine” one needs to<br />
acknowledge how Mrs. Remi Diagbare,<br />
the Publisher, invested intentionally to<br />
build and sustain relationships among<br />
writers, reporters, editors and graphic<br />
designers over the years. Her investment<br />
has paid off with a respectable group<br />
of media practitioners helping to deliver<br />
publications that help readers make<br />
enlightened decisions about the issues<br />
of living and well-being.<br />
The primary goal of “Accomplish<br />
Magazine” is to profile and celebrate<br />
the achievements and lifestyle<br />
choices of outstanding leaders and<br />
influencers in business, manufacturing,<br />
agriculture, academia, administration,<br />
entertainment and innovation in<br />
Nigeria, Africa and, indeed, globally.<br />
Besides the Publisher and I, TEAM<br />
<strong>ACCOMPLISH</strong> is taking off with Harry<br />
Choms, a freelance writer with a<br />
passion for words and a keen eye<br />
for details, an editor, and an avid<br />
tech believer; Adebayo Afolabi - a<br />
passionate business writer with a knack<br />
for translating complex concepts into<br />
accessible content and Damian Ikenna<br />
Ngere, who is a a freelance writer with<br />
keen interest in technology, humanity<br />
and sports. Others are Olayiwola<br />
Ajagbe, a multi-skilled graphics<br />
designer who takes pleasure in going<br />
the extra mile to get results; Tolulope<br />
Akinruli, who writes with the aim of<br />
creating insightful images in the minds<br />
of her reader for maximum wealth and<br />
well-being; and, Monica Efeotor, a social<br />
media consultant and speaker with<br />
proficiency in creating social media<br />
strategies that work.<br />
Talking about the debut edition<br />
of the magazine, we have Jim Ovia<br />
– Making Waves in the World; a<br />
brief but insightful look at the many<br />
attainments of Mr. Jim James Ovia<br />
CFR CON, the Founder of Zenith Bank<br />
Group. There’s also “Opinions of Jim<br />
Ovia” – a compilation of remarkable<br />
quotes made by Jim Ovia. Turning<br />
to the inside pages, you will find the<br />
interesting piece about Dr. Ebenezer<br />
Onyeagwu, the highly accomplished<br />
Group Managing Director/Chief<br />
Executive Officer of Zenith Bank Plc. We<br />
also serve the interview of Mrs. Ibilola<br />
Amao, the amazing woman who has<br />
given woman a respectable standing<br />
in Civil and Engineering practice in<br />
Nigeria’s oil sector, as well as several<br />
lifestyle, enlightenment and well-being<br />
pieces.<br />
With these and other thoughtprovoking<br />
pieces, Team Accomplish<br />
invites you to join us as we proclaim:<br />
“Here we are with Edition One of<br />
“Accomplish Magazine”! We do so,<br />
knowing that ‘Accomplish’ means “…to<br />
do or finish something successfully....”<br />
(dictionary.cambridge.org). For you, our<br />
respectable readers, we will make all<br />
the efforts to bring you information you<br />
can apply to rise to more successful<br />
accomplishments in life. And, together,<br />
we will all finish big things successfully<br />
in our respective endeavours!<br />
Again, welcome to “Accomplish<br />
Magazine”!<br />
Diiyi William-West<br />
Diiyi William-West<br />
Editor<br />
Team<br />
CCOMPLISH<br />
Editor<br />
Diiyi William-West<br />
Contributing<br />
Editor<br />
Harry<br />
Senior<br />
correspondents<br />
Ikenna Ngere<br />
Tolulope Akinruli<br />
Adebayo Afolabi<br />
Head of design /<br />
web manager<br />
Olayiwola ajagbe<br />
Graphic<br />
designer/ social<br />
media handler<br />
Monica efeotor<br />
Marketing<br />
Director<br />
Nnamdi Dan<br />
Anyiam<br />
Business<br />
Development<br />
manager<br />
Imiomozo Dan<br />
Anyiam<br />
Advert/<br />
Marketing<br />
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Tega Diagbare<br />
Editor in chief<br />
Remi Diagbare<br />
For advert enquiries, please contact<br />
Marketing Director,<br />
Imiomozo - 08075499632,<br />
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@ entrepreneur NG<br />
Our Vision:<br />
To be the go-to publication for information<br />
and inspiration in pursuing life’s<br />
attainments.<br />
Our Mission:<br />
To profile and celebrate the achievements<br />
and lifestyle choices of outstanding leaders<br />
and influencers in business, manufacturing,<br />
agriculture, academia, administration,<br />
entertainment and innovation in Nigeria,<br />
Africa and, indeed, globally.<br />
Disclaimer:<br />
Please note that all photos used in this<br />
special digital edition of the <strong>ACCOMPLISH</strong><br />
Magazine were sourced freely online.<br />
We maintains no rights over the images/<br />
photos, while we have tried to give<br />
appropriate credit where due, we are<br />
aware some artistes were not credited.<br />
We remain committed to supporting<br />
intellectual property and creativity.<br />
© <strong>2023</strong> Tegali Communications<br />
Accomplish Magazine 3
AFRICA RISING:<br />
NEWS ROUND-UP<br />
(JANUARY - <strong>AUGUST</strong> <strong>2023</strong>).<br />
In Business, Finance,<br />
Entrepreneur,<br />
Technology And<br />
Politics In Africa<br />
By Damian Ikenna Ngere<br />
In this comprehensive article, we bring you a round-up of all the significant business, finance,<br />
entrepreneur, technology and politics news that has shaped Africa in the first eight months of <strong>2023</strong>,<br />
covering the period from January to August.<br />
BUSINESS AND FINANCE NEWS ROUND-UP<br />
w<br />
Ghana faced high-stake debt<br />
talks after IMF’s deal:<br />
Bondholders and other commercial lenders<br />
control 76% of Ghana’s external debt. The Paris<br />
Club, China, and multilateral development<br />
institutions all hold a sizable amount of Ghana’s<br />
debt.<br />
Ghana is also in default, which makes it<br />
more difficult to come to a deal on debt relief.<br />
Bondholders are particularly reluctant to<br />
make any concessions, and debt has become<br />
geopolitically charged.<br />
Since gaining independence, Ghana has<br />
consulted the IMF 17 times, or about every four<br />
years.<br />
w<br />
Zimbabwe’s currency:<br />
Zimbabwe has adopted a number of<br />
currencies, including the US dollar, since<br />
2009 in an effort to combat inflation and<br />
the country’s economic collapse. Harare<br />
returned to using local currency (RTGS)<br />
in 2019. However, the city is currently<br />
plagued by inflation and excessive<br />
interest rates.<br />
Only a small portion of transactions<br />
are carried out in the local currency, as<br />
manufacturers, retailers, and suppliers all<br />
prefer to settle in US dollars.<br />
4<br />
Accomplish Magazine
Top African CEOs support<br />
the AfCFTA:<br />
As a means of boosting intra-African<br />
trade, the African Continental Free Trade<br />
Area was established.<br />
Important business figures, financiers,<br />
and policy makers gathered in Abidjan,<br />
recently, to assert that indigenous<br />
manufacturing must surge dramatically if<br />
the union is to reach its full potential.<br />
One of the most profitable industries has<br />
been determined to be agro-processing.<br />
TECHNOLOGY<br />
w<br />
OpenAI Paves the Way for<br />
Ethical AI with New Training<br />
Policies<br />
Since its public introduction in 2022, ChatGPT<br />
has experienced a surge in popularity, prompting<br />
numerous technology companies to integrate<br />
it into their offerings. OpenAI, the organization<br />
behind ChatGPT, has faced considerable<br />
scrutiny, particularly in regard to its utilization of<br />
customer data for training the AI, a practice that<br />
has since been discontinued.<br />
In a CNBC interview, Sam Altman, the CEO<br />
of OpenAI, revealed that the company has<br />
refrained from training AI on user data “for<br />
a considerable period of time.” This decision<br />
was influenced by user feedback, as Altman<br />
explained, “Customers have clearly expressed<br />
their desire for us not to employ their data<br />
in training, and we have adjusted our plans<br />
accordingly.” OpenAI had indeed updated its<br />
terms of service in early March.<br />
Over the past few months, concerns regarding<br />
privacy have arisen surrounding ChatGPT and<br />
similar services. Users have been cautioned<br />
against sharing sensitive information with AI<br />
chatbots due to uncertainties surrounding data<br />
usage.<br />
The Writers Guild of America (WGA) aims to<br />
halt the use of their scripts in training AI systems<br />
for film and TV writing due to the ongoing Writers<br />
Strike.<br />
In other noteworthy developments related<br />
to ChatGPT, OpenAI has collaborated with<br />
Salesforce to create Slack GPT, an AI chatbot<br />
seamlessly integrated into the Slack app. Its<br />
capabilities include meeting summarization and<br />
message editing. Additionally, a union comprising<br />
150 African moderators for ChatGPT (along with<br />
other AI services) has been recently established.<br />
Liquid Dataport and Angola Telecom have<br />
opened a new fibre route between Angola and<br />
Johannesburg, South Africa, via DRC, Zambia and<br />
Zimbabwe.<br />
Liquid’s existing 110,000-kilometre network will<br />
be significantly expanded with the inclusion of<br />
this route, giving its rural customers access to<br />
high-speed internet at a reasonable price.<br />
Due to this investment by Liquid Dataport<br />
and Angola Telecom, businesses and individuals<br />
in Angola now have access to high-speed<br />
connectivity, which has a number of benefits and<br />
promotes direct commercial channels. Angola,<br />
the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR<br />
Congo), Zimbabwe, Zambia, and South Africa are<br />
all passed through on this route.<br />
Accomplish Magazine 5
POLITICS<br />
Kenya’s<br />
Government<br />
Begins Talks with<br />
Opposition After<br />
Wave of Protests.<br />
Following a wave of<br />
violent protests over the<br />
country’s high cost of living<br />
and demands for electoral<br />
reforms, Kenya’s government<br />
and opposition began new<br />
negotiations on Wednesday,<br />
9th August to try to end their<br />
ongoing political dispute.<br />
Since March, veteran<br />
opposition leader, Raila<br />
Odinga, has organized ten<br />
days of protests, most of<br />
which have been marred by<br />
violent run-ins with the law,<br />
to call for an audit of the<br />
election that put President<br />
William Ruto in office.<br />
The unrest in one<br />
of East Africa’s most<br />
stable democracies has<br />
alarmed both domestic<br />
and international viewers,<br />
prompting calls for mediation<br />
to break the deadlock.<br />
Ethiopian Army Advances in Amhara<br />
According to residents questioned by AFP, the Ethiopian<br />
army was reclaiming territory against militias in the Amhara<br />
area on Wednesday, 9th August, after the local authority<br />
announced a restoration to “relative peace” on Tuesday,<br />
8th August.<br />
Ethiopian Airlines announced on Thursday, 10th<br />
Augustthat it would resume flights to the regional capitals<br />
of Bahir Dar and Gondar. The other two airports, Lalibela<br />
and Dessie, are still closed.<br />
Amhara, a province in northern Ethiopia, has been<br />
declared a state of emergency since Friday, 4th<br />
Augustowing to violent conflicts, just nine months after the<br />
end of a terrible conflict in neighbouring Tigray.<br />
6<br />
Accomplish Magazine
ENTREPRENEUR<br />
South African’s Johann<br />
Rupert worth over R216<br />
billion ($11.9 billion):<br />
South Africa’s Johann Rupert overtook<br />
Nigeria’s Aliko Dangote to become Africa’s<br />
richest man in June <strong>2023</strong> with a net worth of<br />
R216 billion ($11.9 billion).<br />
The Real-Time Billionaires List published<br />
by Forbes placed Rupert as the 145th<br />
richest person in the world. Dangote is<br />
rated 170th with a net worth of R196 billion<br />
($10.8 billion).<br />
Due to the increase in the share price<br />
of his luxury goods company, Richemont,<br />
Rupert’s wealth increased by R40 billion in<br />
<strong>2023</strong>.<br />
Since the company released positive<br />
results in May <strong>2023</strong>, Richemont’s share price<br />
has increased 33.21%.<br />
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Accomplish Magazine 7
REPORTAGE<br />
8<br />
Accomplish Magazine
A Visionary Leader<br />
Making Waves in<br />
Banking and Beyond<br />
Jim Ovia<br />
By Adebayo Afolabi<br />
When it comes to influential figures in the banking<br />
industry, few names shine as brightly as Jim Ovia. As<br />
the former CEO, Managing Director, and Founder of<br />
Zenith Bank Plc, Ovia has left an indelible mark on<br />
Nigeria’s financial landscape. However, his impact extends far<br />
beyond the realm of banking, making him a visionary leader.<br />
Accomplish Magazine 9
REPORTAGE<br />
“<br />
The rise of Nigerian companies<br />
and their recognition exemplify<br />
the hardworking nature of<br />
people in Africa.<br />
Background & Education<br />
Jim Ovia, born on<br />
November 4, 1951, hails from the<br />
enchanting town of Agbor in<br />
Delta State, Nigeria. Coming<br />
from a humble background,<br />
he experienced the joys and<br />
challenges of growing up in<br />
a close-knit community. As a<br />
young lad, Jim’s curious mind<br />
sparked an early fascination<br />
with the world of business,<br />
igniting a burning desire within<br />
him.<br />
During his formative years,<br />
Jim attended the Ika Grammar<br />
School in Agbor, where he<br />
eagerly soaked up knowledge<br />
like a sponge, driven by an<br />
insatiable thirst for learning.<br />
Education forms the bedrock<br />
of any great mind, and Ovia’s<br />
academic achievements serve<br />
as a testament to his thirst for<br />
knowledge.<br />
With a Master’s degree<br />
in Business Administration<br />
from the University of<br />
Louisiana, Monroe, and a<br />
Bachelor’s degree in Business<br />
Administration from Southern<br />
University, Baton Rouge (both in<br />
the United States of America),<br />
Ovia laid a solid foundation for<br />
his future endeavours. Notably,<br />
he also boasts the distinction<br />
of being an alumnus of Harvard<br />
Business School, where he<br />
undoubtedly sharpened his<br />
strategic acumen.<br />
Family<br />
Jim Ovia is not only a<br />
trail-blazer in the business<br />
world but also a dedicated<br />
family man. He is happily<br />
married to Kay Ovia, an<br />
accomplished individual in<br />
Jim Ovia with his wife Kay<br />
10<br />
Accomplish Magazine
her own right. Kay holds the<br />
position of Chairman, Board<br />
of Directors at Cyberspace<br />
Limited, a renowned software<br />
engineering firm based in<br />
Lagos.<br />
Additionally, she serves<br />
as the Managing Director of<br />
Quantum Markets Limited,<br />
showcasing her exceptional<br />
business acumen. Kay’s<br />
educational background is<br />
equally impressive, as she<br />
graduated from the Enugu<br />
State University of Technology<br />
and holds a Master’s degree<br />
in Business Administration.<br />
Together, Jim and Kay are<br />
blessed with five wonderful<br />
children - Isioma, Zephia, Tito,<br />
Tomi, and Jesse. Tito Ovia is the<br />
co-founder of Helium Health,<br />
and is also a founding member<br />
of the Feminist Coalition, a<br />
prominent advocacy group in<br />
Nigeria dedicated to women’s<br />
rights.<br />
Accomplish Magazine 11
REPORTAGE<br />
Zenith Bank<br />
With unwavering focus<br />
on excellence, Zenith Bank<br />
spread its wings, expanding<br />
its operations to various<br />
nations across the globe.<br />
Undoubtedly, one of Ovia’s<br />
crowning achievements is the<br />
establishment of Zenith Bank,<br />
which has emerged as one of<br />
Nigeria’s largest commercial<br />
banks. As the founder, he<br />
propelled the institution<br />
to great heights, leading<br />
it to become a formidable<br />
player in the financial sector.<br />
Remarkably, even after<br />
stepping down as CEO, Ovia<br />
remains intimately involved<br />
as the chairman and largest<br />
individual shareholder, with a<br />
stake exceeding 9%.<br />
From the vibrant shores<br />
of Ghana to the captivating<br />
beauty of Sierra Leone, and<br />
even the picturesque Gambia,<br />
Zenith Bank established<br />
a formidable presence,<br />
captivating hearts and winning<br />
the trust of customers far and<br />
wide. Not content with limiting<br />
itself to the African continent,<br />
this institution set sail to distant<br />
shores, venturing into the<br />
economic power-houses of the<br />
ever-dynamic United Kingdom.<br />
But Zenith Bank’s ambitions<br />
didn’t stop at conventional<br />
banking alone. It embraced the<br />
spirit of innovation, diversifying<br />
its offerings to cater to a<br />
multitude of financial needs.<br />
Like a versatile maestro, the<br />
bank extended its expertise<br />
to embrace the realms of<br />
insurance, pensions, stock<br />
broking, and investment<br />
banking. With each expansion,<br />
Zenith Bank demonstrated its<br />
commitment to prowviding<br />
comprehensive financial<br />
solutions, transforming the lives<br />
of individuals, businessews, and<br />
communities.<br />
Philosophy<br />
Jim Ovia has built his<br />
philosophy on the foundation<br />
of integrity. In a past<br />
interview, he emphasized the<br />
significance of integrity in<br />
creating a reputable brand<br />
and leveraging innovation.<br />
According to Ovia, integrity<br />
means that your word is your<br />
bond. It involves respecting<br />
corporate governance,<br />
upholding the rule of law, and<br />
honouring contracts.<br />
Even in situations where<br />
a contract may no longer be<br />
favourable, Ovia believes that<br />
it is essential to uphold the<br />
commitment and honour the<br />
agreement. This unwavering<br />
commitment to integrity is<br />
deeply embedded in the<br />
culture of Zenith Bank, and Ovia<br />
believes it should be a guiding<br />
principle for all organizations<br />
seeking to drive innovation.<br />
Business &<br />
Philanthropy<br />
Jim Ovia’s influence extends<br />
beyond the boardroom and<br />
spreads throughout Nigeria. His<br />
philanthropic endeavours set<br />
him apart as a visionary leader.<br />
In 1998, he established<br />
the Jim Ovia Scholars<br />
programme, providing aid to<br />
exceptional students pursuing<br />
12<br />
Accomplish Magazine
undergraduate and graduate<br />
studies. Also, the Jim Ovia ICT<br />
Entrepreneurs programme<br />
nurtures the most promising<br />
ideas through funding<br />
opportunities.<br />
Through the Jim Ovia<br />
Foundation, Ovia has funded<br />
1,500 scholarships totalling<br />
an impressive N100 million<br />
($200,000) since 2010. The ripple<br />
effects of Ovia’s philanthropic<br />
efforts will extend far beyond<br />
the realm of academia. The<br />
foundation also supports<br />
IT skills programmes for<br />
marginalized young people<br />
in collaboration with<br />
esteemed partners such as<br />
IBM and Google. Through his<br />
scholarships and support<br />
programmes, he is nurturing<br />
the next generation of leaders,<br />
innovators, and changemakers.<br />
Beyond banking and<br />
philanthropy, Ovia has<br />
made notable strides in<br />
the telecommunications<br />
industry. He founded Visafone<br />
Communications Limited, which<br />
has since been acquired by<br />
MTN, further solidifying his<br />
entrepreneurial prowess.<br />
Net Worth<br />
Jim Ovia has solidified his<br />
position as one of Nigeria’s<br />
wealthiest bankers. According<br />
to Forbes, his estimated net<br />
worth stands at $550 million. In<br />
2014, Jim Ovia emerged as the<br />
34th wealthiest human in Africa.<br />
Beyond his accomplishments in<br />
the financial sector, Jim Ovia’s<br />
interests extend to the realm of<br />
iconic architecture.<br />
He has made significant<br />
contributions to Nigeria’s<br />
hospitality sector through<br />
the development of the Civic<br />
Centre and Aquamarine Boat<br />
Club. With his diverse portfolio<br />
of successful ventures, Jim Ovia<br />
continues to leave an indelible<br />
mark as a prominent figure in<br />
Nigerian business circles.<br />
Honours &<br />
Awards<br />
The impact of Jim Ovia’s<br />
accomplishments has not gone<br />
unnoticed. In recognition of his<br />
exceptional contributions, Ovia<br />
was honoured with the Nigerian<br />
national honour of Commander<br />
of the Order of the Federal<br />
Republic (CFR) in October 2022,<br />
bestowed upon him by former<br />
President, Muhammadu Buhari.<br />
Jim Ovia has also received<br />
a series of accolades in<br />
the form of honourary<br />
doctorate degrees from<br />
esteemed universities. One<br />
such momentous occasion<br />
took place in 2012 when the<br />
University of Benin bestowed<br />
him an honourary doctorate<br />
degree, symbolizing his<br />
remarkable achievements.<br />
To add another feather to<br />
his cap, in September 2018,<br />
Ovia proudly announced<br />
the publication of his book,<br />
“Africa, Rise and Shine.”<br />
Published with Forbes Books,<br />
this illuminating work shares<br />
reflections from a visionary<br />
leader who has witnessed,<br />
first-hand, the transformative<br />
power of determination and<br />
entrepreneurship in Africa.<br />
As we look to the future, we<br />
can only imagine the continued<br />
impact Jim Ovia will have on<br />
the African continent and the<br />
world at large.<br />
Accomplish Magazine 13
REPORTAGE<br />
JIM OVIA IN HIS<br />
OWN WORDS<br />
This collection of opinions from Jim Ovia<br />
was compiled from his interview with CNN’s<br />
Marketplace Africa in 2019<br />
Jim Ovia believes that Africa presents<br />
boundless business opportunities, thanks to<br />
its vast resources and improving education<br />
levels. He sees Africa as a continent that<br />
offers tremendous potential for foreign<br />
investors.<br />
The rise of Nigerian companies and their<br />
recognition exemplify the hardworking<br />
nature of people in Africa.<br />
Jim Ovia revealed that Zenith Bank was<br />
established with an initial capital of N20<br />
million in 1990, which was approximately<br />
equivalent to $5 million at the prevailing<br />
exchange rate of around N4 to a dollar. Fast<br />
forward 20 years later, the shareholders’<br />
funds of Zenith Bank had surged to an<br />
impressive $4 billion. “This kind of returns,<br />
you don’t get it even in God’s own country,<br />
America. You don’t get it in Europe. You don’t<br />
get it in Russia. You can get them in Nigeria.”<br />
Jim Ovia believes that Nigeria presents<br />
significant opportunities for success.<br />
Investing in banking is a great<br />
opportunity in Nigeria.<br />
“Just don’t give up in Nigeria.” Ovia<br />
encourages young people to remain<br />
focused and determined despite the<br />
challenges they may encounter in business,<br />
emphasizing the importance of not giving<br />
up. Ovia advises future startups and<br />
entrepreneurs to be persistent, focused,<br />
honest, and committed to their chosen path.<br />
Manufacturing is considered the<br />
best investment option across the<br />
continent.<br />
Ovia acknowledges that investors<br />
may feel nervous due to the<br />
responsibility of showing good returns<br />
to their stakeholders. He believes it’s<br />
natural to have concerns in business.<br />
“We would build our own roads...<br />
buy power plants... dig boreholes...<br />
BYOI – Bring Your Own Infrastructure<br />
or Build Your Own Infrastructure.”<br />
Ovia highlights the need to overcome<br />
challenges in Nigeria by taking<br />
proactive measures and creating<br />
necessary infrastructure.<br />
According to Ovia, making money<br />
and losing money are both part of the<br />
investment journey, and investors need<br />
to focus on generating good returns<br />
over time rather than avoiding risks<br />
altogether.<br />
Agriculture is also a promising industry for<br />
investment in Africa.<br />
14<br />
Accomplish Magazine
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShmMnd5ZK2c<br />
The next set of opinions from Jim Ovia was compiled<br />
from his interview with African Business in 2017<br />
The Nigerian business<br />
environment demonstrated highly<br />
commendable resilience during the<br />
recession.<br />
Zenith Bank’s strong brand equity and<br />
unwavering customer confidence have<br />
helped its robust performance during the<br />
recession.<br />
The country is pursuing the<br />
diversification of its foreign<br />
exchange earnings with renewed<br />
vigour.<br />
The impact of diversification<br />
policies on the economy will be seen<br />
in the coming years.<br />
Intra-African trade and commerce<br />
continue to blossom, breaking the<br />
dependence on importation.<br />
The gradual improvement in intracontinental<br />
trade is expected to boost<br />
economic expansion and address<br />
unemployment challenges.<br />
Zenith Bank has to be prepared,<br />
at all times, to tackle economic<br />
challenges.<br />
The bank continues to invest<br />
massively in human capital<br />
development and world-class<br />
banking technology.<br />
Zenith Bank’s partnership with Prudential<br />
Plc is designed to explore the massive<br />
insurance potential in Nigeria and across<br />
Africa.<br />
Zenith Bank believes strongly in giving<br />
back to the society and measures its<br />
corporate performance based on impact<br />
on well-being and the environment.<br />
Accomplish Magazine 15
Picture<br />
Stakeholders extol Jim Ovia, as Zenith Bank<br />
names iconic Unilag alumni building in<br />
honour of late Professor Ibidapo-Obe<br />
Jim Ovia holding up his book, Africa Rise<br />
and Shine during its launch in New York<br />
With Former President of Nigeria,<br />
Muhammadu Buhari and other Nigeria’s<br />
business leaders<br />
Style by Zenith Grand opening<br />
Jim Ovia, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, and Adams Oshiomhole<br />
Wealthy Nigerians Urged To Support Fight<br />
Against Insecurity As Jim Ovia Foundation<br />
Boosts Police Facilities In Agbor<br />
16<br />
Accomplish Magazine
Aliko Dangote, Jim Ovia and Femi Otedola<br />
Nigeria on Growth Trajectory Jim Ovia at the<br />
Deloitte in Dialogue Nigeria Economic Outlook 2019<br />
With King Ebitimi Banigo and fellow<br />
bank chairman, Tony Elumelu<br />
Adebayo afolabi<br />
AUTHOR BIO<br />
I am a passionate business<br />
writer with a knack for<br />
translating complex concepts<br />
into accessible content. With<br />
a keen eye for detail, I deliver<br />
compelling content that<br />
educates, inspires, and drives<br />
positive change in the realm of<br />
finance and business.<br />
Accomplish Magazine 17
The<br />
Success<br />
Story Of<br />
Ebenezer<br />
Onyeagwu<br />
Group GMD of Zenith Bank<br />
18<br />
Accomplish Magazine
By Adebayo afolabi<br />
Dr. Ebenezer<br />
Onyeagwu is a highly<br />
accomplished and<br />
respected figure in<br />
the banking industry,<br />
serving as the Group<br />
Managing Director/<br />
Chief Executive Officer of<br />
Zenith Bank Plc. With over three<br />
decades of experience in the<br />
banking sector, Dr. Onyeagwu<br />
has demonstrated exceptional<br />
leadership skills throughout his<br />
career.<br />
Dr. Onyeagwu’s banking<br />
career took off in 1991 at the<br />
now-defunct Financial Merchant<br />
Bank. He later joined Citizens<br />
International Bank Limited<br />
until 2002, when he made a<br />
significant move to Zenith Bank.<br />
At Zenith Bank, he started as a<br />
senior manager in the internal<br />
control and audit unit. Over the<br />
years, he steadily climbed the<br />
ranks, holding various positions<br />
including Assistant General<br />
Manager, Deputy General<br />
Manager, and eventually<br />
General Manager of the bank<br />
from 2003 to 2005.<br />
During his 17-year tenure<br />
at Zenith Bank, Dr. Onyeagwu<br />
has demonstrated exceptional<br />
leadership skills and contributed<br />
significantly to the bank’s growth.<br />
In 2013, he was appointed as<br />
an Executive Director of the<br />
bank and was entrusted with<br />
overseeing operations in Lagos<br />
and the South-South zones.<br />
He also served on the boards<br />
of Zenith Bank Ghana, Zenith<br />
Pensions Custodian Limited,<br />
Zenith Nominees Limited, and<br />
the African Finance Corporation<br />
(AFC).<br />
His journey began at Auchi<br />
Polytechnic, where he studied<br />
Accounting and obtained his<br />
Ordinary National Diploma (OND)<br />
in 1984 and Higher National<br />
Diploma (HND) subsequently.<br />
During his National Youth Service<br />
Corps (NYSC), he qualified as a<br />
chartered accountant in 1989,<br />
showcasing his early dedication<br />
and commitment to the field.<br />
To further enhance his<br />
knowledge, Dr. Onyeagwu<br />
pursued advanced education<br />
at prestigious institutions.<br />
He earned a post-graduate<br />
diploma from the University<br />
of Oxford in England and<br />
participated in executive-level<br />
programmes at renowned<br />
schools such as Wharton<br />
Business School at the University<br />
of Pennsylvania, Columbia<br />
Business School at Columbia<br />
University, Harvard Business<br />
School at Harvard University,<br />
and Lagos Business School at<br />
the Pan Atlantic University. These<br />
educational pursuits equipped<br />
him with a broad perspective<br />
and a strong foundation in<br />
Business and Finance.<br />
In addition to his academic<br />
accomplishments, Dr. Onyeagwu<br />
has been recognized on<br />
numerous occasions for his<br />
exceptional leadership and<br />
contribution to the banking<br />
industry. The International<br />
Banker <strong>2023</strong> Banking Awards<br />
named him the ‘Best Banking<br />
CEO of the Year in Africa.’ This<br />
prestigious accolade, featured<br />
in the Spring <strong>2023</strong> issue of the<br />
International Banker Magazine,<br />
places Dr. Onyeagwu among the<br />
elite group of individuals and<br />
banks from the Middle East and<br />
Africa.<br />
One notable achievement in<br />
Dr. Onyeagwu’s distinguished<br />
career is the conferment<br />
of a Doctorate Degree in<br />
Business Administration by the<br />
University of Nigeria, Nsukka.<br />
This recognition highlights his<br />
expertise in the field of Business<br />
Administration, further solidifying<br />
his reputation.<br />
His list of awards continues<br />
to grow, reflecting his consistent<br />
excellence in the banking sector.<br />
Notably, he has been honoured<br />
as the Bank CEO of the Year in<br />
multiple years, including 2019<br />
by Champion Newspaper, 2020,<br />
2021, and 2022 by BusinessDay<br />
Newspaper, and 2020 and 2021<br />
at the SERAS awards as CEO<br />
of the Year. In 2022, he was<br />
recognized as the CEO of the<br />
Year by Leadership Newspaper.<br />
These accolades underscore<br />
Dr. Onyeagwu’s exceptional<br />
leadership abilities and his<br />
commitment to driving Zenith<br />
Bank’s success. Under his<br />
guidance, Zenith Bank has<br />
continued to thrive and maintain<br />
its position as a leading financial<br />
institution. Dr. Onyeagwu’s<br />
strategic vision has played a<br />
significant role in the bank’s<br />
impressive performance and<br />
its ability to navigate the everevolving<br />
banking landscape.<br />
Beyond his professional<br />
achievements, Dr. Onyeagwu<br />
is known for his dedication to<br />
corporate social responsibility<br />
and giving back to society. He<br />
actively promotes initiatives that<br />
contribute to the well-being of<br />
the community.<br />
“<br />
One notable<br />
achievement in<br />
Dr. Onyeagwu’s<br />
distinguished<br />
career is the<br />
conferment of<br />
a Doctorate<br />
Degree in<br />
Business<br />
Administration<br />
by the University<br />
of Nigeria,<br />
Nsukka.<br />
Accomplish Magazine 19
Dissecting President<br />
Bola Tinubu’s<br />
Unforgettable<br />
Campaign Moments<br />
of Agbado, Cassava<br />
& Garri<br />
By Harry Choms<br />
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the current<br />
President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,<br />
had captured the attention of Nigerians<br />
with his remarkable campaign moments that<br />
revolved around the significance of corn,<br />
particularly in relation to agbado, cassava,<br />
and garri. This article explores the intriguing<br />
connection between President Tinubu and these<br />
staple food items, shedding light on the impact<br />
they had on his campaign messages, his current<br />
presidency, and the agricultural sector of Nigeria.<br />
The Culinary Significance<br />
of Corn<br />
During his presidential campaign as the<br />
candidate of the All Progressives Congress<br />
(APC), President Tinubu drew attention to the<br />
under-policing issue in Nigeria. He proposed<br />
the recruitment of 50 million youths into the<br />
army to combat insecurity, while highlighting<br />
the importance of locally grown crops such as<br />
Cassava, Corn, and Garri. The mention of corn<br />
in his campaign messages became a recurring<br />
theme, sparking curiosity among the Nigerian<br />
populace.<br />
President Tinubu stated, “We are facing<br />
a scarcity of law enforcement, and we find<br />
ourselves competing with armed robbers and<br />
bandits for the recruitment of unemployed<br />
youths. With 33 percent unemployment, why not<br />
recruit 50 million young people into the army?<br />
They will enjoy our locally grown cassava, corn,<br />
yam, and other crops.” His emphasis on the<br />
consumption of corn and other agricultural<br />
products showcased his commitment to<br />
addressing both the country’s security concerns<br />
and the economic well-being of its citizens.<br />
Tinubu’s Peculiar<br />
Fascination with Corn<br />
President Tinubu’s fascination with corn<br />
became further evident when he criticized former<br />
President Olusegun Obasanjo for allegedly<br />
spending a significant amount of money on<br />
electricity while neglecting to make payment for<br />
a simple roasted corn. This contradiction raised<br />
questions about the specific significance of corn<br />
in Tinubu’s worldview.<br />
In his attempt to clarify his viewpoint,<br />
President Tinubu explained, “They squandered<br />
more than $16 billion, disregarding the fact that<br />
a transmission line acts as a superhighway<br />
for generated power. Yet, they couldn’t even<br />
spare enough for a roasted corn as a token of<br />
appreciation for that electricity.” These remarks<br />
highlighted his belief that even the smallest<br />
gestures, such as enjoying a roasted corn, hold<br />
value and should be recognized.<br />
AGBADOnomics: Elevating<br />
Corn to a Quasi-Field of<br />
Study<br />
20<br />
Accomplish Magazine
FEATURE &<br />
ANALYSIS<br />
AGBADO (CORN)<br />
PRESIDENT BOLA TINUBU<br />
CASSAVA<br />
In December 2022, during another campaign<br />
event, President Tinubu introduced the term<br />
“AGBADOnomics,” effectively raising corn to the status<br />
of a quasi-field of study. This term emphasized his<br />
deep-rooted affinity for the “agbado” delicacy and<br />
positioned corn as a vital component of his vision for<br />
Nigeria’s future.<br />
To demonstrate his commitment to corn-related<br />
initiatives, President Tinubu donated 370 bags of<br />
corn flour and ₦500,000 to the Zamfara State Female<br />
Ulamah Association. Senator Kabiru Garba Marafa,<br />
the Coordinator of the Zamfara State Presidential<br />
Campaign Council (ZMPCC), announced and<br />
presented these contributions during a<br />
one-day seminar organized by the Zamfara<br />
State Female Ulamah Association in<br />
collaboration with the Zamfara State Zakkat<br />
and Endowment Board.<br />
Positive Outcomes<br />
in Tinubu’s Electoral<br />
Agenda<br />
The incorporation of corn into President<br />
Tinubu’s electoral agenda has yielded<br />
Accomplish Magazine 21
FEATURE &<br />
ANALYSIS<br />
positive outcomes, particularly in the agricultural<br />
sector. Farmers from all 36 states of the<br />
federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)<br />
have recognized the opportunities presented<br />
by Tinubu’s agricultural plans. The Asiwaju<br />
Farmers Forum, an umbrella organization for<br />
these farmers, has identified various investment<br />
prospects within the cassava and maize value<br />
chains, as proposed by President Tinubu.<br />
Mr. Retson Tedheke, the leader of the Asiwaju<br />
Farmers Forum and national coordinator of<br />
the Nigerian Farmers Group and Cooperative<br />
PRESIDENT BOLA TINUBU<br />
Society (NFGCS), stressed the importance of a<br />
distinct approach to tackle Nigeria’s economic<br />
challenges. He emphasized the need to engage<br />
the largely uneducated population through<br />
accessible avenues, particularly in farming, to<br />
prevent frustration from escalating into violence<br />
with catastrophic consequences.<br />
Retson said, “We must take a straight<br />
forward yet fiercely patriotic approach. Let’s<br />
reason together. Given our largely uneducated<br />
population, our focus should be on easily<br />
attainable opportunities, particularly in farming.<br />
When a population lacks education like ours,<br />
we seek out accessible avenues to engage<br />
many people, even with the aid of machines. It is<br />
crucial to involve our people, especially those in<br />
rural Nigeria, on a significant scale before their<br />
frustration erupts into violence with catastrophic<br />
consequences.”<br />
Nigerians continue to ponder the specific<br />
significance of corn in President Bola Tinubu’s<br />
campaign message. The prominence of corn<br />
in most of his speeches and initiatives has<br />
captured their curiosity, leading to discussions<br />
about the cultural, economic, and political<br />
implications associated with this staple food<br />
item.<br />
From Slips & Speculation<br />
to Victory: Decoding<br />
Tinubu’s Campaign<br />
Blunders & Gaffes<br />
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s political<br />
journey to the presidency was marked by a<br />
series of gaffes and verbal<br />
missteps. These incidents,<br />
often magnified by his<br />
opponents, raised questions<br />
about his suitability for office.<br />
But the question remains,<br />
was Bola Tinubu sick or it was<br />
just a political strategy to<br />
keep his name on everyone’s<br />
lips and his face in everyone’s<br />
eyes?<br />
Allegations<br />
of Illness and<br />
Political Comic<br />
Strip<br />
There were allegations<br />
that President Bola Ahmed<br />
Tinubu’s ‘illness,’ if there<br />
was any, turned him into<br />
a political comic strip.<br />
His seeming unintelligent<br />
speeches, statements, gaffes, and snafus on<br />
critical national issues pointed to the fact that<br />
Tinubu was ill, or so it was claimed.<br />
Tinubu’s Gaffes and<br />
Missteps: A Questionable<br />
Analogy<br />
During an Arewa interactive committee<br />
meeting in Kaduna on climate change, Tinubu<br />
made an unfortunate analogy: “It’s a question<br />
of how do you prevent a church rat from eating<br />
poisoned holy communion.” This statement<br />
raised eyebrows and drew criticism, as it failed<br />
to convey his intended message effectively. And,<br />
there were more like that.<br />
22<br />
Accomplish Magazine
Misinterpretation and<br />
Clarification<br />
Following that Kaduna speech, the APC<br />
Campaign Council, through Bayo Onanuga,<br />
issued a statement to clarify what Tinubu<br />
really meant. According to Onanuga, Tinubu<br />
inadvertently said Governor El-Rufai “turned<br />
a rotten situation” in Kaduna into “a bad<br />
one,” when he meant to say “to a great<br />
one.” The campaign council attributed this<br />
misinterpretation to a mere slip, common among<br />
leaders in political seasons.<br />
Election Manifesto and<br />
Buhari’s Foreign Loans<br />
When unveiling his election manifesto at Aso<br />
Rock in Abuja and defending President Buhari’s<br />
appetite for foreign loans, Tinubu made another<br />
statement that raised concerns. He said, “The<br />
whole of America deserves to be in prison if<br />
loan is a crime.” This remark further fuelled the<br />
perception that Tinubu’s speeches lacked clarity<br />
and coherence.<br />
Opponent’s Slip of Tongue<br />
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, one of<br />
Tinubu’s main opponents, also had his own slip of<br />
the tongue during an interactive session with the<br />
Arewa Joint Committee in Kaduna. Atiku stated,<br />
“This is what the Northerner needs, it doesn’t<br />
need a Yoruba or Igbo candidate, I stand before<br />
you as a Pan-Nigerian of northern origin.” This<br />
slip momentarily shifted the attention away from<br />
Tinubu’s gaffes.<br />
Impact on Tinubu’s<br />
Campaign<br />
Many believe that Tinubu’s tendency to<br />
make gaffes and verbal missteps influenced his<br />
decision to avoid one-on-one interviews. The<br />
fear was that these gaffes could overshadow<br />
the core message of his speeches. Some<br />
critics argued that his opponents strategically<br />
capitalized on these moments to undermine his<br />
credibility, while his supporters emphasized his<br />
track record and experience.<br />
The Health Question<br />
Some speculated that Tinubu’s gaffes were a<br />
consequence of his health, pointing to symptoms<br />
such as slurring, nasal sounding, heavy<br />
breathing, and difficulty with speech rhythm and<br />
movements. The assumption was that Tinubu<br />
was suffering from dysarthria, likely caused by<br />
brain damage or age-related changes. However,<br />
it is unclear whether his health condition played<br />
a significant role in his gaffes or if they were<br />
purely the result of the high-pressure political<br />
environment.<br />
Tinubu’s Gaffes in<br />
Perspective<br />
Ultimately, the impact of Tinubu’s gaffes<br />
and missteps during his campaigns and the<br />
subsequent election outcome rested with the<br />
Nigerian people. As voters cast their ballots, the<br />
controversy surrounding Tinubu’s verbal blunders<br />
served as a reminder of the importance of<br />
choosing a leader who can effectively articulate<br />
and communicate their vision to the nation.<br />
Conclusion: The<br />
Presidency of Bola Ahmed<br />
Tinubu<br />
In the end, Tinubu’s gaffes were viewed<br />
by many as innocent mistakes rather<br />
than deliberate shortcomings. Despite the<br />
controversies surrounding his verbal missteps,<br />
Tinubu emerged as the President of the Federal<br />
Republic of Nigeria. With his presidency now in<br />
motion, the focus has shifted from his gaffes to<br />
the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead<br />
for the nation.<br />
Today, as real governance unfolds, the<br />
Nigerian people no longer see or hear those<br />
gaffes that once dominated discussions. The<br />
country is now looking to Tinubu’s leadership,<br />
policy proposals, and vision for the future as they<br />
embark on this new chapter in Nigerian history.<br />
Harry Choms<br />
AUTHOR BIO<br />
FEATURE &<br />
ANALYSIS<br />
Harry Choms is a freelance<br />
writer with a passion for<br />
words and a keen eye for details,<br />
an editor, and an avid tech believer. His works can<br />
be seen on EntrepreneurNG.com, Imautomator,<br />
Secureblitz, Withinnigeria, Feelgospel, Kemifilani,<br />
and Glamsquad Magazine. He is the Webmaster<br />
and sole owner of Matrismart.com and biowiki.<br />
com.ng.<br />
Accomplish Magazine 23
GLOBAL INFODIGEST<br />
WHAT ARE SOME<br />
OF THE MIND<br />
BLOWING FACTS<br />
THAT YOU HAVE<br />
EVER COME<br />
ACROSS?<br />
By Ivan Mihajlovic<br />
Oh boy, get ready<br />
to have your mind<br />
blown! I’ve come<br />
across so many mindblowing<br />
facts that it’s<br />
hard to pick just a few.<br />
But I’ll give it a shot and<br />
share some of the most<br />
fascinating ones with you.<br />
1<br />
2<br />
Get this: Honey never<br />
spoils!<br />
Archaeologists have<br />
discovered pots of honey in<br />
ancient Egyptian tombs that<br />
are over 3,000 years old and still<br />
perfectly edible. Thanks to its low<br />
water content and acidic pH,<br />
honey creates an inhospitable<br />
environment for bacteria and<br />
other microorganisms to grow.<br />
Talk about nature’s ultimate<br />
preservative!<br />
Ever wonder why<br />
flamingos are pink?<br />
Well, it’s all because of<br />
their diet! Flamingos eat a<br />
lot of shrimp and other small<br />
crustaceans that contain a<br />
pigment called carotenoid.<br />
This pigment gets deposited in<br />
their feathers, giving them that<br />
iconic pink hue. So, next time<br />
you see a flamingo, remember<br />
that it’s all about what they<br />
eat!<br />
24<br />
Accomplish Magazine
3<br />
did you know that<br />
your brain is more<br />
active at night than<br />
during the day?<br />
It might seem<br />
counterintuitive, but while<br />
you’re sleeping, your brain is<br />
hard at work processing and<br />
consolidating information<br />
from the day. So, the next time<br />
someone calls you a night owl,<br />
just tell them you’re maximizing<br />
your brain’s potential!`<br />
Here’s another one for you: time<br />
travel is technically possible!<br />
1. Did you know<br />
that there are<br />
more stars in the<br />
universe than<br />
grains of sand on<br />
all the beaches<br />
on Earth?<br />
Yeah, wrap your head<br />
around that! With an<br />
estimated 100 billion<br />
galaxies out there, each<br />
containing billions of<br />
stars, the numbers are<br />
just mind-boggling. It<br />
really puts things into<br />
perspective, doesn’t it?<br />
5<br />
According to Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity, time<br />
can be stretched or dilated depending on your speed<br />
and gravity. So, if you were to travel near the speed of<br />
light or near a black hole, time would move slower for<br />
you compared to someone back on Earth. Pretty trippy<br />
stuff, right?<br />
4<br />
5. Have you ever heard<br />
of the Baader-Meinhof<br />
phenomenon?<br />
It’s when you learn or notice something<br />
new, and suddenly you start seeing it<br />
everywhere. For example, let’s say you<br />
learn about a rare breed of dog called<br />
the Tibetan Mastiff. Suddenly, you<br />
start noticing Tibetan Mastiffs on TV, in<br />
magazines, and even on the street. It’s like<br />
the universe is playing a cosmic joke on<br />
you!<br />
These mind-blowing facts barely<br />
scratch the surface of all the incredible<br />
things out there. The world is full of wonders<br />
waiting to be explored and understood. So,<br />
keep your curiosity alive and never stop<br />
seeking knowledge!<br />
I hope you found these facts as mindblowing<br />
as I did. Remember to always stay<br />
curious and keep learning!<br />
Editor’s Note: What Are Some Of The<br />
Mind Blowing Facts That You Have Ever<br />
Come Across? by Ivan Mihajlovic was first<br />
published by www.quora.com.<br />
Accomplish Magazine 25
WHY RUSSIAN<br />
ALWAYS ON TO<br />
ALL PROGRAM<br />
CONTESTS<br />
GLOBAL INFODIGEST<br />
By Sergey Monin<br />
How are the Russians<br />
always on top of all the<br />
programming contests (Google<br />
Code Jam, Facebook Hacker<br />
Cup, TopCoder Open, etc.) but<br />
don’t have any tech companies<br />
(almost all of the top tech<br />
companies are in the USA)?<br />
I’ve studied in the same<br />
group with ACM world<br />
champions, so let me shed<br />
some light on this subject.<br />
First of all, they (Russians)<br />
are heavily prepared; they<br />
are not ordinary students.<br />
Universities (in Russia) typically<br />
have a special department,<br />
which specializes ONLY in<br />
solving abstract Olympiad<br />
problems. Studying there is<br />
free, but in order to get in,<br />
you need to win a contest.<br />
Only 1 in 500-1000 students<br />
is accepted and only from<br />
eligible specialities (Math<br />
and Computer Science). The<br />
competition is insane. From<br />
what I’ve seen, they either have<br />
outstanding programming skills<br />
or are Math prodigies.<br />
Second, all teachers are<br />
ex-winners (i.e. they won a few<br />
international contests but<br />
simply outgrew the programme.<br />
Now they teach newbies).<br />
Essentially the same group of<br />
people will win repeatedly.<br />
Finally, universities have<br />
direct benefits from this. During<br />
any convenient opportunity,<br />
they boast by saying “WE WON<br />
A WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP!”<br />
(Read: our university is<br />
better than MIT, Stanford,<br />
and Berkeley combined.)<br />
Additionally, it’s often used<br />
to get financial aid from the<br />
government.<br />
Not surprisingly, with such<br />
selection and training, they win<br />
contests.<br />
Now back to tech<br />
companies …<br />
Why do you think we lack<br />
tech companies (in Russia);<br />
JetBrains, Kaspersky, Dr. Web,<br />
Nginx, for example? Actually,<br />
there are plenty of small and<br />
medium-sized companies in<br />
every city.<br />
Maybe you wanted to ask,<br />
“Why we don’t have giants<br />
such as Google, Microsoft, and<br />
so on?” The answer is simple<br />
- programming skills are not<br />
enough. In order to succeed,<br />
a company needs designers,<br />
managers, competent<br />
leadership, investors, customer<br />
support, and so on.<br />
Finally, “Computer<br />
26<br />
Accomplish Magazine
S ARE<br />
P OF<br />
MING<br />
Science” and “Software<br />
Engineering” are two different<br />
fields. While they can solve<br />
difficult, abstract problems,<br />
their code is often messy<br />
and unreadable. To build<br />
complex systems, you need<br />
to have vision on Software<br />
Architecture and be a team<br />
player.<br />
Editor’s Note: This piece<br />
written by Sergey Monin was<br />
first published by www.quora.<br />
com.<br />
Commonwealth<br />
Scholarship <strong>2023</strong><br />
The Commonwealth<br />
Scholarships scheme<br />
is targeted at students<br />
across the Commonwealth<br />
who might not be able to<br />
afford to go to university<br />
in the UK. Through the<br />
funding of postgraduate<br />
studies across various<br />
types of study, the program<br />
assists in fostering the next<br />
generation of leaders and<br />
innovators.<br />
This award has been<br />
a landmark in the history<br />
of the primary scheme of<br />
scholarship in the United<br />
Kingdom designed to<br />
support British global<br />
development objectives.<br />
It’s designed to bring top<br />
students to UK universities<br />
while also helping to<br />
promote sustainable<br />
development abroad.<br />
Who is eligible?<br />
To be eligible for the<br />
Commonwealth Scholarship,<br />
you must be either a<br />
permanent or citizen of a<br />
Commonwealth country. It<br />
is still possible to apply for<br />
the scholarship if you are an<br />
asylum seeker or a Britishprotected<br />
person.<br />
Additionally, you must<br />
have an undergraduate<br />
honors degree that is<br />
at the very least upper<br />
second-class (2:1). If you<br />
plan to pursue the path of<br />
a Ph.D., then you’ll need an<br />
appropriate master’s level<br />
degree.<br />
In addition, you should be<br />
financially unable to attend<br />
university in the UK without<br />
an award of a scholarship.<br />
Apply Here<br />
https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.<br />
uk/scholarships-filtersearch/<br />
https://worldtitbits.<br />
com/commonwealthscholarship-<strong>2023</strong>/<br />
Editor’s Note: This<br />
scholarship promotion was<br />
first published in https://<br />
worldtitbits.com/.<br />
Accomplish Magazine 27
THE INCUBATOR<br />
SERIES<br />
10<br />
WAYS OF<br />
WINNING IN A<br />
avoidable tears in our eyes and<br />
the humongous weight on the<br />
minds of majority of us? Yes, of<br />
course!<br />
The hard truth to add here<br />
is that most of the people<br />
grouped as ‘masses’ are<br />
helping those economic<br />
fiends among us to flourish<br />
in their malicious misdeeds<br />
on our economy by actively<br />
supporting them or indifferently<br />
sitting on the fence while those<br />
CAPTURED<br />
ECONOMY<br />
By Diiyi William-West<br />
I<br />
do not pretend or profess to<br />
be an expert in Economics.<br />
I am not, just like most of<br />
my readers. Kudos to the<br />
numerous, well-educated gurus<br />
of Economics. In fact, one of<br />
them – my senior in one of the<br />
country’s unity schools decades<br />
ago – makes me doff my hat for<br />
really discerning and successful<br />
economists.<br />
It is a pleasure (with<br />
admiration) reading or watching<br />
patriotic economists educate<br />
us, the not-so-learned on issues<br />
that pertain to the intricate<br />
field of Economics, because its<br />
impact we experience every<br />
day, everywhere! Looking at<br />
how things are going in Nigeria,<br />
majority of us who possess only<br />
an elementary appreciation of<br />
Economics and its effects on<br />
our lives must rethink our ways!<br />
The studied explanation of<br />
gross domestic product, gross<br />
national product, consumer<br />
price index, gallop inflation,<br />
money supply, balance of<br />
payments, producer price<br />
index, balance of trade, human<br />
development index, better<br />
life index, genuine progress<br />
indicator and so on and so forth<br />
by economisWts among us<br />
must now be taken seriously by<br />
all of us!<br />
Indeed, this is not a season<br />
to overlook the analysis of<br />
discerning economists. Like<br />
they have been doing (I mean<br />
the discerning, patriotic<br />
economists), they will continue<br />
to shed light on how our<br />
economy has been afflicted;<br />
why the afflictions happened<br />
and are happening; when<br />
things got severe (and are<br />
even getting worse); plus who<br />
and who are causing and<br />
benefitting from the afflictions!<br />
Did you ask if some people are<br />
benefitting from the needless<br />
sweat on our brows, the<br />
‘frenemies’ deepened their hidden<br />
cutlery of self-interest in our<br />
commonwealth-pie at local, state<br />
and federal levels of governance!<br />
You may ask me: “Why are<br />
you sounding this way? Well, just<br />
as I was about to complete this<br />
piece, news of yet another hike in<br />
the price of premium motor spirit<br />
(PMS) broke. In Abuja, reliable<br />
media reports said a litre had<br />
climbed to the range of N615 and<br />
N620. In Port Harcourt, a litre hit<br />
28<br />
Accomplish Magazine
etween N590 and N600 and you<br />
can bet that the price hike was<br />
all over the country. I considered<br />
the term that led me to write this<br />
piece again: captured-economy<br />
and it dawned on me that some<br />
supposed compatriots are surely<br />
taking undue advantage of the<br />
hiking of petroleum products’<br />
prices in order to sustain their<br />
membership of the millionaire and<br />
billionaire clubs respectively. And,<br />
you know what? All of those who<br />
take such undue advantage of the<br />
masses, through negative policies<br />
and policy implementation, have<br />
also mastered ways to get most<br />
of the masses to sing their praises,<br />
falsely, in return for a mess of<br />
porridge!<br />
You can imagine how hard I am<br />
trying not to discuss the manner<br />
the subsidy removal was done or<br />
how the students’ loan scheme<br />
is skewed or how electricity<br />
tariff is climbing to the moon.<br />
Haven’t so much been said and<br />
written about them already?<br />
Perhaps, I may still write about<br />
them some time later… At the<br />
centre of my concern is the<br />
timing and approach of these<br />
policies! But, on that strong<br />
desire of members of the<br />
National Assembly to appoint<br />
billions of naira to themselves<br />
as palliatives, I hope to return<br />
soon!<br />
Back to the ways one can<br />
win in our heavily awkward<br />
economic malaise… Our<br />
hardworking and discerning<br />
economists will continue to<br />
reel out the shenanigans that<br />
have so suffocated Nigeria’s<br />
economy, bringing it flailing on<br />
its back with seeming asthmatic<br />
gasps. As they do this, they<br />
‘and we the people’ can<br />
show the deep wounds and<br />
scars etched on our personal<br />
economy by the repeated,<br />
selfish, poverty-inducing<br />
knocks inflicted by our local,<br />
state and national leaders. Yes,<br />
every passing 4-year political<br />
tenure makes us realise how<br />
grievous the damage caused<br />
by a select, conniving few has<br />
frisked much of value from our<br />
commonwealth.<br />
Yes! Nigeria’s economy<br />
is a captured-economy! I<br />
repeat, captured by those few<br />
whom the majority among us<br />
frequently, thoughtlessly entrust<br />
our votes to… Then, on the few<br />
occasions when we all dare to<br />
employ sound judgement with<br />
our votes, some compatriots<br />
in hallowed chambers simply<br />
wear their wigs and dust<br />
up some technical twigs to<br />
puncture our joy!<br />
However, I have good news<br />
even with all the sadness<br />
poured out in this piece… Yes…<br />
Even in a captured-economy,<br />
there is still some hope of<br />
making it out of the povertyladen<br />
rat race. Really! That<br />
brings us to take a look at<br />
a number of steps we can<br />
employ to cash out of the<br />
captured-economy ,employing<br />
legitimate means. Let’s go…<br />
1<br />
STEP ONE<br />
1. The first step is to take<br />
advantage of the mystery<br />
connection between thoughts,<br />
words and action. Who has<br />
achieved anything the world<br />
will marvel at who didn’t first<br />
think about it deeply? Who is<br />
that who achieved enviable<br />
heights who didn’t repeatedly<br />
speak about the great goal<br />
he or she has set? (It is enough<br />
even if most of the great<br />
speaking is inwards.) You just<br />
have to be captivated enough<br />
by your great goal to speak it<br />
forth! Show me anyone who<br />
Accomplish Magazine 29
THE INCUBATOR<br />
SERIES<br />
overturned bleakness and<br />
didn’t take bold, sometimes<br />
crazy actions! So, think up that<br />
world-beater! Speak about it<br />
until every nerve in you gets<br />
attuned to co-operate in<br />
achieving the set goal. And<br />
TAKE CONCRETE, INTENTIONAL<br />
2<br />
STEPS.<br />
STEP TWO<br />
Where is your ideas-book?<br />
You may forget what you think<br />
about because the mind must<br />
keep working on everything<br />
you feed it with. Soon, it loses<br />
firm hold of some of the great<br />
ideas it has held. But, the<br />
pages of that dream-book of<br />
yours will remain caught in the<br />
ideas you laid in them! Get that<br />
book and make it your ‘chief<br />
planning partner’ as you write<br />
down every little or great idea<br />
that comes to you. It could<br />
take days, months or years but<br />
one thing is certain, what you<br />
have taken the pains to write<br />
down, you have already shown<br />
commitment to. The more you<br />
think about it and talk about<br />
it, the capacity to implement it<br />
continues to flourish.<br />
3<br />
STEP THREE<br />
Intentionally develop a<br />
minimum of two-thirds of T.S.E.<br />
(Talents, Skills and Education).<br />
Only one of these may leave<br />
you helpless because the path<br />
leading to you will be narrow.<br />
Any two of them will widen the<br />
path that leads to you and<br />
help you to flourish, meaning<br />
more clients or customers. Of<br />
course, three of them will give<br />
you capacity to flourish and<br />
soar! Let me share this here…<br />
Please, bear with me... It would<br />
take some time to read… I am<br />
among the people, who through<br />
no fault of theirs, arrived at<br />
‘academic graduate level’ quite<br />
late in life. I became a graduate<br />
and qualified for NYSC<br />
exemption document in 2004.<br />
Well, this will not make sense<br />
until you know that I was born<br />
1964! Well, it took so long but I<br />
became a manager and senior<br />
manager of some reputable<br />
companies in Nigeria, applying<br />
this principle. Somehow,<br />
though I had 4 As and some<br />
other credit passes in two<br />
separate General Certificate<br />
Education examinations I sat<br />
for, gaining admission into a<br />
tertiary institution was almost<br />
not going to happen! As<br />
some people would say,<br />
“JAMB jammed me out!”<br />
As frustration began to set<br />
in, one night in 1982, I kept<br />
vigil thinking about my<br />
past and the future. That<br />
vigil ended with a resolve<br />
to invest more time in my<br />
talents, especially writing<br />
and speaking. I also decided<br />
to add value to the skills of<br />
proof-reading and teaching<br />
I had already engaged in.<br />
Later on, I added computing<br />
and photography to my<br />
bag. For my speaking talent,<br />
30<br />
Accomplish Magazine
egan with pointing out how<br />
most of us thought that listening<br />
to or reading stuff about<br />
economics was unnecessary.<br />
However, some of the economic<br />
scars we live with daily have<br />
forced us to learn the hard<br />
way – whether we follow<br />
Economics or not! Your life is<br />
influenced mostly by what gets<br />
into your brain through your<br />
eyes, your ears and your mind.<br />
Remembers, G.I.G.O.? ‘Garbage<br />
in, garbage out’. To illustrate this<br />
sufficiently, I used to refer to a<br />
term: Q.I.Q.O. which is ‘Quality in,<br />
quality out’. I guess comparing<br />
‘garbage in, garbage out’ and<br />
‘quality in, quality out’ makes<br />
the point being made here<br />
clear enough. Fill your brain<br />
with quality physical food and<br />
quality mental food and see<br />
your idea gain new life!<br />
(TO BE CONTINUED).<br />
I decided to add the skills of<br />
MCing, motivational speaking<br />
and seminar speaking. In<br />
the beginning, my speaking<br />
involved motivating my peers,<br />
teaching in a school and<br />
helping out students preparing<br />
for O’Level GCE examinations,<br />
master-of-ceremonies and<br />
disc-jockeying. As the years<br />
went by, after several ‘free<br />
shows’, people began to pay<br />
me for speaking at seminars,<br />
writing, proof-reading and<br />
editing books and magazines,<br />
and photography. So, I made<br />
some progress with ‘T’ and<br />
‘S’. I never gave up on adding<br />
the ‘E’, (formal) education and<br />
it eventually came. Oh yes... I<br />
have benefitted much from<br />
it. But, most of what people<br />
could term achievements in<br />
my life came through intense<br />
‘T’ and ‘S’ of several years. That<br />
I worked and rose through the<br />
ranks to management level in<br />
some reputable companies in<br />
the country may be discussed<br />
in details someday. So, raise<br />
your T.S.E. to new heights!<br />
4<br />
STEP FOUR<br />
Review what you watch,<br />
read or listen to. This piece<br />
Diiyi<br />
William-West<br />
AUTHOR BIO<br />
More fondly known as DDWEST,<br />
he has several years of media<br />
practice experience spanning<br />
magazines, newspapers,<br />
television and radio; laying<br />
emphasis on maintaining<br />
standards in media practice. He<br />
practised and lectured Public<br />
Relations for nearly a decade<br />
before going into leadership<br />
consulting and real estate<br />
consultancy.<br />
Accomplish Magazine 31
INTERVIEW<br />
BREAKING<br />
BARRI<br />
THE INSPIRING JOURNEY<br />
OF MRS. IBILOLA AMAO IN<br />
THE OIL SECTOR<br />
Mrs. Ibilola Amao is a prominent figure<br />
in the oil and gas industry with a<br />
wealth of experience and expertise<br />
spanning several decades. Born and raised in<br />
Nigeria, Mrs. Amao developed keen interest<br />
in the energy sector from a young age. Her<br />
passion for the industry led her to pursue a<br />
career in the oil and gas field, where she has<br />
made significant contributions and achieved<br />
remarkable success, as captioned by<br />
entrepreneurng.com.<br />
After completing her education in Civil<br />
and Structural Engineering from a prestigious<br />
university, Mrs. Amao began her professional<br />
journey in the early 1990s. She joined one of the<br />
leading multi-national oil and gas companies<br />
operating in Nigeria, where she quickly<br />
established herself as a diligent and talented<br />
professional. Her dedication and commitment<br />
to work earned her recognition, and she<br />
steadily climbed the corporate ladder, taking<br />
on increasingly challenging roles.<br />
Throughout her career, Mrs. Amao has<br />
garnered extensive experience in various<br />
aspects of the oil and gas industry. She has<br />
worked in exploration and production, refining<br />
and processing, project management, and<br />
business development, among other areas.<br />
Her deep knowledge of the sector, coupled<br />
with her exceptional leadership skills, has<br />
enabled her to spearhead major projects and<br />
initiatives.<br />
Mrs. Amao’s contributions have not been<br />
limited to her professional endeavours alone.<br />
She has been actively involved in promoting<br />
diversity and inclusion within the industry,<br />
advocating for equal opportunities for women<br />
and under-represented groups. She has<br />
served as a mentor and role model for aspiring<br />
professionals, particularly women, inspiring<br />
them to pursue careers in the oil and gas<br />
sector.<br />
Recognizing her outstanding achievements<br />
and expertise, Mrs. Amao has received<br />
numerous accolades and awards throughout<br />
her career. She has been honoured for her<br />
leadership, technical expertise, and her<br />
contributions to the advancement of the<br />
oil and gas industry. Her work has had a<br />
significant impact on the sector, both in<br />
Nigeria and internationally.<br />
Beyond her professional achievements,<br />
Mrs. Amao is known for her philanthropic<br />
endeavours. She is actively involved in various<br />
charitable initiatives aimed at supporting<br />
education, health care, and community<br />
development. Her passion for giving back<br />
to society underscores her commitment to<br />
making a positive difference in the lives of<br />
others.<br />
32<br />
Accomplish Magazine
ERS:<br />
By Tolulope Akinruli<br />
Today, Mrs. Ibilola Amao continues<br />
to play a pivotal role in the oil and gas<br />
industry. She serves on the boards of<br />
several prominent companies and<br />
organizations, where her expertise<br />
and insights are highly valued. Her<br />
remarkable career journey, coupled<br />
with her dedication to empowering<br />
others, has cemented her reputation as<br />
a trail-blazer and an influential figure in<br />
the oil and gas sector.<br />
Her ground-breaking record has<br />
shed light on the intricacies of the<br />
business world and has the potential to<br />
revolutionize our understanding of how<br />
to become a successful entrepreneur.<br />
COO Magazine had the privilege of<br />
engaging Mrs. Ibilola Amao to discuss<br />
her journey and the future of the oil and<br />
gas sector.<br />
Here are the highlights of our<br />
insightful conversation.<br />
Please, ma’am, can you introduce<br />
yourself?<br />
My name is Ibilola Amao. I’m the<br />
Principal Consultant at Lonadek Global<br />
Services. I am an engineer and I’ve run<br />
the business for about 32 years. I’m a<br />
London-trained entrepreneur as well. I’m<br />
Accomplish Magazine 33
INTERVIEW<br />
very passionate about girls in STEM — women<br />
in engineering, energy and entrepreneurship.<br />
As a structural engineer, how did your passion<br />
for the oil industry develop? What motivated<br />
you to start your own oil service company?<br />
My passion stemmed from being a<br />
Physics and Maths student who loved solving<br />
problems. So, as a problem solver that likes<br />
Maths and Physics, l decided to go into<br />
any of the Engineering disciplines; whether<br />
it’s Chemical Engineering, Civil, Structural,<br />
Mechanical, or Electrical Instrumentation.<br />
The whole range of engineering activities. I<br />
wanted to be an aeronautical engineer but<br />
my late father told me that in my lifetime,<br />
we wouldn’t be developing, designing and<br />
building aeroplanes in Nigeria so I should look<br />
for an alternative engineering type that would<br />
benefit Nigeria. I opted for Civil and Structural<br />
Engineering because I had seen my late father<br />
work as a civil and structural engineer with<br />
passion. When I graduated, my final year<br />
project was in computing and developing<br />
software for hydraulics, and I enjoyed<br />
working on computers. My Ph.D. was based<br />
on Computer-Aided Design, and I specialized<br />
in 3D modelling of oil and gas facilities. When<br />
I returned to Nigeria, I realized that the most<br />
vibrant industry that required the knowledge I<br />
had acquired during my Ph.D. studies was the<br />
oil and gas sector, and I was very fortunate to<br />
have a mentor and a role model engineer.<br />
Tokunbo Shomolu introduced me to the oil<br />
and gas industry. She was the one that gave<br />
me my first opportunity in the oil and gas<br />
industry. That’s how I got into the oil and gas<br />
industry. The company which was registered<br />
but didn’t have oil and gas as its priority<br />
became very useful in the oil and gas industry.<br />
Everything happened by destiny. I took so<br />
many decisions because of the situations<br />
that presented themselves, so I’m always very<br />
particular about letting people know that my<br />
journey in life has been God-defined (just like)<br />
my journey with God, in terms of finding my<br />
purpose and destiny.<br />
Everything has been one thing leading to<br />
another. Looking back now, I can only see<br />
the hand of God and how I have journeyed<br />
through my career.<br />
Please, could you share with us some key<br />
challenges you faced as a woman, knowing<br />
fully well that males are more dominant in the<br />
oil and gas industry? How were you able to<br />
overcome this situation?<br />
The first thing is understanding yourself.<br />
I knew from training to become chartered<br />
in the United Kingdom that I needed to be<br />
more excited about site work and outdoor<br />
activities. I loved working on my laptop, and<br />
I loved working indoors. I focussed more<br />
on my strengths. My strengths were solving<br />
problems, and so on. So, I identified that the<br />
major problem we had in the Nigerian oil and<br />
gas industry was that expatriates were ahead<br />
of Nigerians. Then, the curriculum in Nigerian<br />
universities was not at the level where Nigerians<br />
could even attempt to compete with the<br />
expatriates. When I returned, there were hardly<br />
any computers in the universities. Nobody<br />
even knew how to use the kind of computers<br />
that would be used for projects. So, I realized<br />
that I could focus on bridging the gap, which is<br />
domiciling, domesticating and democratizing<br />
technology.<br />
And how could I bridge the gap between<br />
industry and the academia? By identifying,<br />
developing and engaging clients. I realized<br />
that my strength and purpose are training<br />
and human capital development. The first<br />
34<br />
Accomplish Magazine
“<br />
My first advice<br />
is to know who<br />
you are and<br />
your calling.<br />
You must know<br />
what you stand<br />
for, and you<br />
must remain<br />
focused.<br />
opportunity I got at NNPC-NETCO, when they<br />
recruited 67 engineers to work on the Chevron<br />
Escravos gas projects in 1992, was to train these<br />
engineers. By the special grace of God, I took<br />
them from their lack of knowledge... Some of<br />
them had never seen a computer before… They<br />
could (now) use computers to design facilities.<br />
We experienced success from painstaking<br />
commitment to training these 67 engineers to<br />
use the engineering software on the Escravos<br />
gas project from A2 flow stations. Shell flow<br />
stations are more revolutionized into 234 flow<br />
stations. In sheltered flow stations, l prepared<br />
them to do an excellent job with the NNPC<br />
technical partner then, which was Bechtel.<br />
The success of that encouraged Nigerians<br />
to do more work in Nigeria by bringing in<br />
more expatriates. Most of the projects before<br />
(then) were taken overseas - to be executed<br />
with computers overseas. Then, we had to go<br />
through an advocacy programme to make<br />
sure that projects that come to Nigeria are<br />
executed in Nigeria. Projects are executed in<br />
Nigeria, and Nigerians are engaged; trained<br />
and engaged to execute those projects in<br />
Nigeria. I realized that developing Nigerians to<br />
execute these projects in Nigeria was a huge<br />
gap that had to be filled. I worked on that for<br />
ten years and ten months in NNPC and NETCO.<br />
The success of that encouraged other Nigerian<br />
engineering companies to set up and begin to<br />
use computers effectively to do engineering<br />
design work in Nigeria.<br />
So, I’m very pleased that I was quite<br />
instrumental in advocacy for local content and<br />
domesticating engineering design projects in<br />
Nigeria.<br />
With your experience, what are the most<br />
significant technological advancements wthat<br />
have revolutionized the oil sector in Nigeria?<br />
How has your company adapted to these<br />
changes?<br />
The oil and gas value-chain is from<br />
upstream to midstream to downstream. So, the<br />
technology for exploration and production subsurface<br />
work differs from the technology for the<br />
top side: facilities, engineering and design. You<br />
can’t really apply the same technology from<br />
upstream to midstream to downstream and for<br />
different aspects of the oil and gas industry.<br />
We’ve identified the space where we<br />
play: facilities, engineering, operations, and<br />
maintenance. We’ve been so fortunate to<br />
have the opportunity to partner with the<br />
proprietors of technology in the area of<br />
facilities, engineering, design, developing digital<br />
twins, systems integration and predictive and<br />
prescriptive operations and maintenance. So,<br />
we have partners for engineering technology<br />
and design. We also work with cloud technology<br />
partners. Technology is evolving. So, it requires<br />
a lot of continuous learning and development,<br />
collaboration with foreign technical partners,<br />
and proprietors of technology.<br />
We are currently looking at Industry 5.0, which<br />
is human-computer interaction and deploying<br />
robots to optimize the assets and enhance<br />
the profitability of assets and efficiency of the<br />
human resources that are optimizing these<br />
assets. We are very much involved in not only<br />
deploying technology systems (but also in)<br />
integration training and development of the<br />
experts who will deploy this technology in the<br />
oil and gas industry. Daily, we’re learning and<br />
developing people’s talent, we’re identifying<br />
STEM talent - Science, Technology, Engineering,<br />
Maths, and talent; empowering engineers<br />
to do more in the oil and gas sector. We’ve<br />
moved from just providing technology in the<br />
oil and gas sector to providing technology in<br />
the energy, power, infrastructure, mining and<br />
manufacturing sector. At the moment, we’re<br />
beginning to engage engineering talent in other<br />
sectors beyond oil and gas.<br />
Accomplish Magazine 35
INTERVIEW<br />
As the owner of an oil service company,<br />
what specific services does your company<br />
provide and how do you ensure that you stay<br />
competitive in such a dynamic industry?<br />
We provide assets and information<br />
management solutions, local content<br />
consultancy, and due diligence. We outsource<br />
Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths<br />
talent to deploy our technologies. We’re also<br />
very much involved in training and human<br />
capital development.<br />
For me as an individual, my passion is working<br />
with girls in STEM and women in engineering,<br />
energy and entrepreneurship because we<br />
have diversity issues, and it’s not easy to find<br />
females in male-dominated sectors. So, because<br />
I’m a female engineer in a male-dominated<br />
sector, I’m committed to working with women<br />
- to ensure they play in this space. I work with<br />
the Association of<br />
Professional Women<br />
Engineers in Nigeria<br />
app. I’m a Co-founder<br />
of the Women in<br />
Energy Network and<br />
very much involved.<br />
We connect, work<br />
and focus on women<br />
groups to ensure<br />
that our girls are<br />
encouraged to excel<br />
in male-dominated<br />
sectors.<br />
We invest heavily<br />
in training and<br />
developing our staff as we train and develop<br />
the professionals of our client companies. We’re<br />
members of various associations, institutions<br />
and societies, and we collaborate, cooperate<br />
and coordinate resources with our partners to<br />
ensure that we are competitive in delivering the<br />
products and services that we offer the industry.<br />
As we all know, the oil industry faces criticism<br />
for its environmental impact, especially in<br />
Nigeria. How does your company approach<br />
sustainability and environmental responsibility<br />
in its operations?<br />
For me, it depends on where you play. As I<br />
mentioned, there are upstream, midstream and<br />
downstream. Because we provide engineering<br />
technology and information management<br />
solutions, we’re not very much involved in<br />
environmental pollution activities.<br />
There are 17 sustainable development<br />
“<br />
The second thing is<br />
ensuring you have the<br />
right support system so<br />
you don’t joke with your<br />
family and siblings.<br />
goals, 16 + 1, which are partnerships and<br />
collaborations. Our own sustainability<br />
strategy is tied to SDG 4, 5 and 8 - which are<br />
education, gender diversity and improving<br />
industry applications and solutions. What<br />
we do, normally, is to ensure that we are<br />
involved in climate change as well. We also<br />
get involved in ensuring that some of our<br />
clients and partners deploy their solutions<br />
appropriately.<br />
I would say our sustainability strategy<br />
is tied to innovation and industry, climate<br />
change, education, quality, education<br />
and gender diversity. We’re also involved<br />
in implementing solutions in the industry.<br />
We’re not very involved in oil spills and<br />
environmental degradation but one of<br />
our sustainability strategies is ensuring<br />
(that) we do not pollute the environment.<br />
We minimize the use of these plastics and<br />
disposables. We try to pivot into using solar<br />
and renewables<br />
in our operations<br />
because, at the<br />
moment, we run<br />
industrialization.<br />
diesel generators.<br />
(Due to) the<br />
economic situation<br />
at the moment,<br />
we’re just rethinking<br />
our sustainability<br />
strategy and we<br />
are focused on<br />
SDG 4-5 and 8 as<br />
well as climate<br />
change, renewable<br />
energy and<br />
Can you discuss some of the major projects<br />
or initiatives your company has undertaken<br />
in the oil sector and their impact on the<br />
industry and local communities?<br />
Like I stated earlier, the Global<br />
Services brand is known for identifying,<br />
developing and engaging talent. Apart<br />
from developing the engineers in NNPC for<br />
the Chevron Escravos gas project, we were<br />
known for domiciling, domesticating and<br />
democratizing engineering technology in<br />
the oil and gas sector. We are also known<br />
for technology transfer. We ensured the<br />
technology was transferred to Nigeria during<br />
the NNPC Bechtel joint venture and ERA<br />
between 2006 and 2020.<br />
We are identified, developed and<br />
engaged by 100,000 STEM talents through<br />
our Vision 2020 Career Counselling Industry<br />
36<br />
Accomplish Magazine
Awareness and Youth Empowerment<br />
Initiative. Following that, we worked<br />
with Microsoft, LinkedIn, and GitHub<br />
between 2020 and 2022 to expose over<br />
15,000 Africans, using technology for job<br />
demands. We’ve also trained 25 cloud<br />
practitioners with Amazon Web Services.<br />
We’ve empowered over 200 women in<br />
leadership with the US Aid Power Africa,<br />
energy sector, women’s leadership, and<br />
Women’s Leadership Initiative that’s<br />
ongoing. We’re also working with GIZ<br />
GOPA to empower entrepreneurs to take<br />
their ideas to bankable business plans.<br />
We provide single-digit loans with them in<br />
collaboration with the Bank of Industry.<br />
We’re very committed to social<br />
impact initiatives and corporate social<br />
responsibilities. As we partner with<br />
various bodies, associations, institutions,<br />
societies and organizations to empower<br />
Nigerians, we’re very involved in<br />
education, enlightenment, empowerment,<br />
engagement and entrepreneurship - to<br />
build capability and competence so<br />
that more Nigerians and more Nigerian<br />
companies can compete favourably in<br />
Nigeria, regionally and internationally.<br />
The oil sector is known for its volatility<br />
and price fluctuations. How do you<br />
navigate these challenges and ensure<br />
the stability and growth of your<br />
company?<br />
Well, this has been a major challenge<br />
in the oil sector; when there’s a price<br />
reduction, all our clients negotiate<br />
our contracts downwards. But, when<br />
price increases, they don’t increase our<br />
contract value. So, what we have had<br />
to do is diversify. We provide services,<br />
whether they’re social impact services or<br />
CSR services; we provide services in other<br />
sectors - energy, power, infrastructure,<br />
manufac turing and mining.<br />
Secondly, we’ve tried to de-risk our<br />
naira exposure and working tirelessly to<br />
collaborate with international partners<br />
to provide services outside Nigeria so<br />
that we’re able to look at our basket of<br />
products and services to make sure that<br />
we are generating revenue from different<br />
products and services or different<br />
markets or different sectors. So, we have<br />
monthly strategy meetings to ensure<br />
that we’re not affected - to de-risk our<br />
portfolio of activities so that we’re not in<br />
Accomplish Magazine 37
INTERVIEW<br />
a situation where the pricing of oil affects<br />
our business, and this is a major, major<br />
problem for most service providers and<br />
the gas industry.<br />
With the increasing global focus on<br />
renewable energy sources, how do you<br />
see the future of the oil industry? What<br />
role do you envision your company to play<br />
in this evolving landscape, especially in<br />
Nigeria?<br />
Oil and gas will always be oil and gas<br />
because heavy industries require oil<br />
and gas. I believe heavy manufacturing<br />
equipment would still need oil and gas.<br />
Oil and gas would still be in the energy<br />
mix. Now, regarding renewable (energy),<br />
as l said earlier, we’re collaborating with<br />
US Aid Power Africa to develop women in<br />
the energy sector, deploying renewable<br />
solutions.<br />
Everybody knows now that people<br />
are migrating from heavy oil solutions<br />
to energy solutions to renewable energy<br />
solutions. We are currently in the Decade<br />
of Gas in Nigeria; 2021 to 2030 is the<br />
Decade of Gas in Nigeria. People are using<br />
gas to power turbines; people are using<br />
gas to power solutions. We’re also looking<br />
at CNG, LNG and LPG as alternative fuels.<br />
Beyond that, we’re working to empower<br />
women and renewable energy solution<br />
providers to access single-digit loans with<br />
the Bank of Industry.<br />
We’re definitely looking at energy<br />
transition as an opportunity and<br />
looking at how we can migrate our<br />
existing customers from where they are<br />
dependent on heavy fuels to how they<br />
can transition into renewable energy;<br />
we’re currently working with a company<br />
in Birmingham (England), on hydrogen.<br />
We’re looking at how best to integrate<br />
hydrogen as a power source in the<br />
industries we’re currently working in. So,<br />
there are short, medium and long-term<br />
strategies for energy transition and how<br />
do we work with our existing customers<br />
and clients to make their energy transition<br />
journey in reality? We’re very much<br />
involved in energy transition and digital<br />
transformation; working with our clients<br />
and partners.<br />
Could you share a memorable experience<br />
with us or achievements in your career<br />
that have significantly impacted you<br />
personally and professionally?<br />
38<br />
Accomplish Magazine
I always tell people that the most<br />
transformational award I ever received was<br />
the Energy Champion Award 2016. We were<br />
asked to submit quite a lot of documentation to<br />
qualify for the Energy Champion Award by the<br />
Energy Institute. I did that, and four people were<br />
shortlisted. There was a dinner in London, in Park<br />
Lane. I attended the dinner with my daughter,<br />
my first daughter. We were all asked to write an<br />
acceptance speech. I was unsure if l could win<br />
because four people were contending for the<br />
price, and my daughter asked me to write my<br />
acceptance speech. So, I told her I couldn’t write<br />
an acceptance speech because I didn’t know if<br />
I would win. I was anxious because I was at the<br />
event with my daughter, and I wanted to win<br />
because I wanted to be a good example to my<br />
daughter.<br />
When I looked at the profiles of the other<br />
three people, which were very impressive, I<br />
wasn’t sure I would win. To God be the glory, I<br />
won that award. With<br />
that, I gave a speech<br />
from the top of my<br />
head, which was very,<br />
very instructive, and<br />
came from the depth<br />
of my heart. It was<br />
very original. What<br />
gladdened me most<br />
is that most of what<br />
I have received has<br />
either come because<br />
somebody nominated<br />
me or somebody<br />
submitted my name,<br />
and then they send<br />
me a letter that I was awarded. This (the Energy<br />
Champion Award) was the first time in my life I<br />
was going to an award ceremony that I wasn’t<br />
sure I would win.<br />
I wasn’t sure what was going to happen and<br />
the fact that my daughter was there and I was<br />
able to make her proud. We didn’t leave (the<br />
venue) in shame, and it was such a high level; the<br />
very competitive award is something I will forever<br />
be grateful for because that must have inspired<br />
my daughter and must have made her proud of<br />
her mother. So, that’s the only award ceremony<br />
I’ve ever attended where I wasn’t sure I would<br />
win, and I didn’t know I had won.<br />
I’m forever grateful for that and (it inspired<br />
our) joining the Energy Institute Council. I served<br />
on the Energy Institute UK Council for six years;<br />
two terms of three years. I’m currently on the<br />
Energy Institute International Energy Weekly<br />
board. That award opened several doors for me;<br />
even my position on the panel of judges with the<br />
“<br />
What gladdened me most<br />
is that most of what I<br />
have received has either<br />
come because somebody<br />
nominated me or somebody<br />
submitted my name, and then<br />
they send me a letter that I<br />
was awarded.<br />
Royal Academy of Engineering UK was on the<br />
back of that recognition. So, you get some<br />
awards, and the recognitions open even<br />
more doors for you. I’m forever grateful for<br />
the Energy Champion Award in 2016.<br />
There are a lot of arguments in the<br />
oil industry on how it has contributed<br />
significantly to climate change worldwide.<br />
How do you respond to this claim, and<br />
what steps do you take to minimize your<br />
company’s carbon footprint?<br />
As I explained earlier, we try as much as<br />
possible not to use disposables. We also try<br />
as much as possible not to run our generator<br />
except when we have full demand for the<br />
generator. That’s why when we travel with<br />
our staff bus, we ensure that we plan our<br />
journeys. So, on the day that we are going<br />
to (Lagos) Island from Jibowu, we make<br />
sure that as many staff with things to do<br />
on the island are on the bus. Those are the<br />
kind of little things<br />
we do, but that<br />
is intangible and<br />
insignificant when<br />
you look at gas<br />
flaring in the Niger<br />
Delta.<br />
I believe that<br />
this question is<br />
more applicable<br />
to exploration<br />
and production<br />
companies that<br />
are flaring gas.<br />
The only way to<br />
address this is for<br />
the oil and gas industry regulator and UPRC<br />
to ensure that the penalties for flwaring gas<br />
are much higher than the cost of utilizing<br />
gas; you issue a big penalty for flaring gas.<br />
The economics of that penalty will compel<br />
the exploration and production companies<br />
to utilize the gap as a process. So, instead<br />
of flaring the gas, they will capture it, put it<br />
through a process, and ensure they get CNG,<br />
LPG and LNG out of the gas.<br />
So much advocacy is required, but until<br />
the penalty for flaring gas becomes very,<br />
very tangible… Consequently, most of the<br />
companies would not invest in gas utilization<br />
or even go into exploration and production<br />
of non-associated gas.<br />
We know that the oil sector has a lot of<br />
ethics and transparency as regards the oil<br />
sector. With the allegation of corruption and<br />
exploitation, how do you address this issue<br />
Accomplish Magazine 39
INTERVIEW<br />
“<br />
within your own company?<br />
I must be honest with you. I’ve been in the<br />
oil and gas industry for almost 32 years. I have<br />
never paid a bribe, and I have never received a<br />
bribe. I can honestly tell you that I would have<br />
been a billionaire in dollars if I had taken any<br />
of the opportunities that have been presented<br />
to me in terms of bribery and corruption<br />
daily. When you are exposed to bribery and<br />
corruption opportunities, it’s up to you to take<br />
or not take. Like I always tell people, I’m not a<br />
billionaire today because I play by strict ethics<br />
and integrity, and I’m very transparent.<br />
Lonadek is very transparent in our business.<br />
We always translate our audits and ISO<br />
certification; ISO 9120 fifteen certifications<br />
are something we are committed to. We are<br />
also committed to integrity, honesty, integrity<br />
and transparency. This is an area where we<br />
made a decision that we are gonna be an<br />
exemplary company even though it has cost us<br />
a lot of opportunities, in terms of people who<br />
play dirty in the oil and gas industry. I’m very<br />
pleased to say that we have also benefited<br />
from international opportunities because some<br />
multi-national companies seek to do business<br />
with us… whose footprint is integrity, honesty<br />
and transparency.<br />
One just has to decide whether you want to<br />
play dirty or whether you want to play clean.<br />
The oil and gas industry is known for bribery<br />
and corruption, but we have not taken any of<br />
those routes. We’ve lost opportunities based on<br />
our position on ethics, but we are proud to say<br />
that integrity has also created opportunities for<br />
us. Many people we’ve trained, over the years,<br />
now serve as executives in multi-nationals and<br />
even international companies outside Nigeria.<br />
I’ve visited places like Aberdeen, Houston,<br />
and Qatar, where some of our trainees are<br />
doing exceptionally well. So, if you are a person<br />
of integrity, your work must speak for you at<br />
some point. We work very hard and are diligent,<br />
quality-conscious in all our deliverables. So, we<br />
get jobs on merit and not based on privacy and<br />
corruption.<br />
Some activists argue that fossil fuel should<br />
be completely phased out. What is your<br />
perspective on this, and do you believe there<br />
is a future for the oil industry in a sustainable<br />
world?<br />
Nigeria has yet to fully optimize its oil and<br />
gas resources, regarding domestic use and<br />
petroleum assets; with the Dangote refinery just<br />
coming on stream or about to come on stream.<br />
When you are<br />
exposed to bribery<br />
and corruption<br />
opportunities, it’s up<br />
to you to take or not<br />
take. Like I always<br />
tell people, I’m not<br />
a billionaire today<br />
because I play by<br />
strict ethics and<br />
integrity, and I’m very<br />
transparent.<br />
Hopefully, Nigeria has a huge opportunity for<br />
industrialization using petroleum products.<br />
So, I would say that there is not even a point<br />
in optimizing our oil and gas resources for<br />
industrialization until we domesticate our<br />
manufacturing processes and we get to a<br />
point where we have uninterrupted power<br />
supply based on our petroleum assets.<br />
Petroleum assets have not been fully<br />
optimized because since oil and gas or<br />
petroleum was discovered in 1956 in Oloibiri,<br />
Nigeria is yet to fully use its speculum assets<br />
for industrialization until we are able to go<br />
for uninterrupted power supply. We need<br />
to have a strategy where, over the next ten<br />
years, we optimize gas to power and ensure<br />
that domestic use of gas creates industries.<br />
Nigeria will rise to industrialization phase, and<br />
off the grid; we can use solar and renewable<br />
energy… Be it geothermal, wind energy,<br />
biomass or solar. We could use renewable<br />
energy to augment the ungreased gas to<br />
power solutions.<br />
Still, the ultimate is to ensure that we<br />
have the right energy mix from conventional<br />
sources of energy and non-conventional<br />
sources of energy to ensure that we<br />
industrialize as a country. We will get<br />
uninterrupted power supply and the quality of<br />
life in Nigeria will improve and until Nigerian<br />
citizens on the streets get the dividend of our<br />
hydrocarbon footprints, we have not really<br />
40<br />
Accomplish Magazine
done the right thing.<br />
I hope we will get to optimize our oil and gas<br />
resources for industrialization, creating jobs<br />
and wealth in Nigeria with uninterrupted power<br />
supply. Then, we can look at the energy mix by<br />
reducing our carbon footprints. You can’t sit in<br />
the World Bank or in the United Nations until<br />
Africa is ready to decarbonize because Africa<br />
is not producing the amount of carbon that the<br />
Western world is doing. It is in different phases.<br />
It’s not every size fits and whilst the Western<br />
world is decarbonizing, Africa still needs to<br />
go through its industrialization phase before<br />
decarbonizing.<br />
So, our energy mix will be hydrocarbon<br />
dependent on the gas side, pending when we<br />
are fully industrialized to the point where we<br />
can maximize renewable energy to provide<br />
uninterrupted power supply.<br />
As we conclude, knowing fully well that you are a<br />
successful entrepreneur, what advice would you<br />
give to aspiring individuals, particularly women<br />
who are interested in pursuing a career in the oil<br />
in oil and gas industry?<br />
My first advice is to know who you are and<br />
your calling. You must know what you stand for,<br />
and you must remain focused.<br />
That’s the first thing. The second thing is<br />
ensuring you have the right support system so<br />
you don’t joke with your family and siblings. My<br />
parents played a significant role in defining<br />
who I am in business and my private life.<br />
I mean, I’ve been fortunate to have an<br />
understanding husband who allowed me<br />
to travel when I had to travel and grow my<br />
career and business, provided I had done<br />
my duty and responsibility in the home. I<br />
also have responsible friends who have<br />
supported me with great advice, and I’ve<br />
been blessed with mentors and coaches.<br />
I’m involved in the right networks and<br />
committed to continuing professional<br />
development in the relevant associations,<br />
institutions and societies. In recent times, l<br />
have become very much engaged in women<br />
empowerment initiatives. So, it’s vital to<br />
connect women to Commonwealth business,<br />
women’s network, and Women in Energy<br />
Network, where I’m a co-founder. I’m very<br />
much involved in women in empowerment<br />
initiatives. That’s why, as I told you earlier, I<br />
give much of my time and resources to girls<br />
in STEM and women in engineering, energy<br />
and entrepreneurship. I want to see them<br />
succeed and be even more successful than<br />
myself.<br />
I have been able to mentor and coach<br />
young women in male-dominated sectors so<br />
that they don’t go through as many hurdles<br />
as I had to do. Being in a male-dominated<br />
environment is not easy, but by the special<br />
grace of God and with the right support<br />
system and advice, you can succeed. Lastly,<br />
I’d like to thank you, and I’d also like to<br />
recognize my supportive husband, and my<br />
three young adult children, who have given<br />
me this space to express myself and do what<br />
makes me happy.<br />
You are welcome, ma’am.<br />
Tolulope<br />
Akinruli<br />
AUTHOR BIO<br />
My love to impact knowledge<br />
to the<br />
young and old led me to research and writing.<br />
Also, l have been business-oriented, right from<br />
childhood, which made me focus more on driving<br />
the business world and also to help people grow<br />
their business. As a writer, I aim to create an<br />
insightful image in the minds of every reader for<br />
maximum wealth and health.<br />
Accomplish Magazine 41
Swedish Style:<br />
Stockholm<br />
Plans to Build<br />
the Largest<br />
Timber City<br />
in the World<br />
By Damian Ikenna Ngere<br />
Stockholm Wood City is<br />
being designed by the<br />
Scandinavian studio<br />
Henning Larsen and White<br />
Arkitekter.<br />
It will be the largest masstimber<br />
construction in the world<br />
and have the “serenity of a<br />
forest.”<br />
Developer Atrium Ljungberg<br />
dubbed the project, which will<br />
be built in the Stockholm area<br />
of Sickla, the “world’s largest<br />
wooden city” since it will utilise<br />
more wood than any other<br />
project now under construction.<br />
The 250,000 square metre<br />
Stockholm Wood City is being<br />
planned by the Swedish<br />
company White Arkitekter and<br />
the Danish studio Henning<br />
Larsen. It will include 2,000<br />
houses and 7,000 office spaces.<br />
The district, according to the<br />
developer, was intended to have<br />
a forest-like ambiance and will<br />
include elements inspired<br />
by nature.<br />
“We sought to create<br />
an urban environment<br />
infused with the serenity<br />
of a forest, resulting in a<br />
dense, open space that<br />
bears the distinctively<br />
minimalistic and functional<br />
aesthetic of Scandinavian<br />
design,” Atrium Ljungberg<br />
told Dezeen.<br />
“The architects innovatively<br />
incorporated natural elements<br />
into the structures – for instance,<br />
green roofs for better insulation<br />
and large windows to let in<br />
natural light, embodying our<br />
vision of a city that thrives in<br />
harmony with nature,” it added.<br />
The buildings will be<br />
constructed from fire-proofed<br />
mass timber.<br />
“Engineered wood forms a<br />
protective char layer on the<br />
surface that retains much of its<br />
structural<br />
strength, contributing<br />
to a safer structure,” the developer<br />
said.<br />
There are other advantages<br />
to building cities out of wood,<br />
which also has the dual properties<br />
of sequestering carbon and<br />
ewmitting fewer emissions than<br />
concrete, it continued.<br />
“Wooden construction<br />
means significantly reduced<br />
climate impact both during the<br />
construction phase and through<br />
the whole life cycle,” Atrium<br />
Ljungberg said.<br />
“Research has also proven other<br />
42<br />
Accomplish Magazine
GRAND<br />
DESIGN<br />
strong benefits, such as improved<br />
well-being for people and a faster,<br />
quieter construction process.”<br />
According to the developer,<br />
Stockholm Wood City will also<br />
feature self-produced, stored, and<br />
shared energy, albeit he withheld<br />
specifics of the project’s energy<br />
generation.<br />
The first buildings are expected<br />
to be finished in 2027 when the<br />
development breaks ground in 2025.<br />
“We are building the project in<br />
phases to learn new things during<br />
each phase which we can then<br />
apply in the following phases,”<br />
the developer said.<br />
“We will learn much more<br />
from doing this at such a big<br />
scale. Our core strategy is to<br />
develop large interconnected<br />
areas,” it added.<br />
“In this way, we can create<br />
places full of variety that people<br />
enjoy and where they want to<br />
be, as opposed to just setting up<br />
a single building.”<br />
Stockholm Wood City will<br />
contain restaurants and shops<br />
in addition to residences and<br />
workplaces.<br />
It is the most recent in a string<br />
of substantial wooden projects<br />
that are now being built,<br />
including a waterfront project in<br />
Toronto that will include designs<br />
by Adjaye Architects, Alison<br />
Brooks Architects, and Henning<br />
Larsen.<br />
In addition, Sara Kulturhus,<br />
a 20-story mass-timber cultural<br />
structure in northern Sweden<br />
that we examined in further<br />
detail as part of our Timber<br />
Revolution series, was designed<br />
by White Arkitekter.<br />
Damian<br />
Ikenna Ngere<br />
AUTHOR BIO<br />
Ikenna is a graduate of<br />
Physics and Education,<br />
who works as a freelance<br />
writer. He has interest in<br />
technology, humanity and<br />
sports.<br />
Accomplish Magazine 43
Unprecedented<br />
Historical Auction:<br />
Ancient Hebrew Bible<br />
Fetches Eye-Watering<br />
$38.1 Million<br />
By Damian Ikenna Ngere<br />
• A Pricey Piece of<br />
History<br />
In a thrilling five-minute<br />
bidding duel at Sotheby’s in New<br />
York, United States of America,<br />
a Hebrew Bible fetched an<br />
astounding $38.1 million, securing<br />
its place as the second-highest<br />
auctioned historical artifact.<br />
• The Codex<br />
Sassoon<br />
The book, called the Codex<br />
Sassoon, contains all 24 books<br />
of the Hebrew Bible, except for<br />
about eight pages. It’s believed<br />
to be from the late ninth or<br />
early 10th century, making<br />
it the oldest near-complete<br />
Hebrew Bible known to exist. Not<br />
many scholars have had the<br />
chance to see it because it was<br />
owned by a Swiss financier and<br />
collector named Jacqui Safra.<br />
• A Generous<br />
Donation<br />
After the auction, it was<br />
announced that the buyer was<br />
the American Friends of ANU —<br />
Museum of the Jewish People<br />
in Tel Aviv. The purchase was<br />
made possible by a donation<br />
from Alfred H. Moses, a former<br />
ambassador to Romania, and<br />
his family. The Codex Sassoon<br />
will be donated to the museum<br />
and become part of its core<br />
exhibition.<br />
• A Historic<br />
Treasure<br />
The Hebrew Bible is incredibly<br />
important and has had a huge<br />
impact on Western Civilization.<br />
Alfred H. Moses said, “I rejoice<br />
in knowing that it belongs to<br />
the Jewish people. It was my<br />
mission to see it resides in a<br />
place with global access to all<br />
people.”<br />
• A Record-<br />
Breaking Sale<br />
While $38.1 million may not<br />
seem like much compared to<br />
the prices of famous artworks,<br />
it’s actually a lot for a book<br />
or historical document. The<br />
previous record was held by the<br />
Codex Leicester, a Leonardo<br />
da Vinci manuscript bought by<br />
Bill Gates for $30.8 million. But in<br />
November 2021, a first printing<br />
of the U.S. Constitution sold for<br />
$43.2 million!<br />
• A Masterpiece of<br />
Scribal Art<br />
The Codex Sassoon is a true<br />
44<br />
Accomplish Magazine
ARTS &<br />
THE MASTERS<br />
work of art. It was written by<br />
a single scribe and required<br />
the skins of over 100 animals<br />
to create its 400 parchment<br />
leaves. Although it’s slightly<br />
worn with stains and tears, the<br />
text is still clear and readable.<br />
• A Journey<br />
Through Time<br />
This Bible is one of only two<br />
complete or nearly complete<br />
Hebrew Bibles from that time<br />
period. It was made in presentday<br />
Israel or Syria and contains<br />
the Masoretic text, which was<br />
carefully annotated by scholarscribes<br />
to ensure its proper<br />
reading and transmission.<br />
The book also has<br />
inscriptions that tell us about its<br />
ownership over the centuries.<br />
It was sold by Khalaf ben<br />
Abraham to Isaac ben Ezekiel<br />
el-Attar around 1000 A.D. Later, it<br />
was dedicated to a synagogue<br />
in Syria and entrusted to a man<br />
named Salama bin Abi al-Fakhr.<br />
Unfortunately, the synagogue<br />
was destroyed, and the Bible’s<br />
journey from then until 1929,<br />
when it was purchased by<br />
David Solomon Sassoon,<br />
remains a mystery.<br />
• A Homecoming<br />
Now, the Codex Sassoon<br />
is finally returning to Israel.<br />
Irina Nevzlin, the chair of the<br />
museum’s board, said, “It’s<br />
coming back to Israel, and<br />
it’s coming home. It’s the right<br />
place to be.”<br />
Damian<br />
Ikenna Ngere<br />
AUTHOR BIO<br />
Ikenna is a graduate of<br />
Physics and Education,<br />
who works as a freelance<br />
writer. He has interest in<br />
technology, humanity and<br />
sports.<br />
Accomplish Magazine 45
ARTS &<br />
THE MASTERS<br />
Unraveling the<br />
Mystery:<br />
Historian Claims<br />
Mona Lisa’s Bridge<br />
Exists in Real-Life<br />
By Damian<br />
Ikenna Ngere<br />
One of the most wellknown<br />
pieces of art<br />
in the entire world<br />
is Leonardo Da<br />
Vinci’s “Mona Lisa”,<br />
which is renowned<br />
for both its beauty<br />
and the secrecy surrounding<br />
the identity of the model and<br />
the setting depicted behind her.<br />
The village of Ponte Buriano,<br />
a suburb of Arezzo in the<br />
Tuscany region of Italy, has long<br />
been the subject of controversy.<br />
However, they are so convinced<br />
that the bridge behind the<br />
Mona Lisa is the Ponte Buriano<br />
that they have made it a focal<br />
point of their local tourism<br />
campaign and even claimed<br />
ownership of the bridge on the<br />
village’s welcome sign.<br />
The bridge behind the Mona<br />
Lisa model is actually the<br />
Romito Bridge in the nearby<br />
Tuscan town of Laterina,<br />
according to historian Silvano<br />
Vinceti.<br />
“The distinctive form of the<br />
Arno [River] along that stretch<br />
of territory corresponds to<br />
what Leonardo portrayed in<br />
the landscape to the left of<br />
the woman depicted in the<br />
famous painting,” Vinceti said<br />
at a media conference at the<br />
Foreign Press Association in<br />
Rome on May 3, <strong>2023</strong>.<br />
In order to demonstrate the<br />
similarities, Vinceti also created<br />
a virtual recreation of the bridge<br />
and drew on materials from the<br />
Florence state archives.<br />
It is important to note that<br />
the “Mona Lisa” was painted in<br />
the early 16th century. Vinceti<br />
discovered that Da Vinci resided<br />
with Cardinal Cesare Borgia<br />
close to Laterina between<br />
1501 and 1503. As shown in the<br />
artwork, the bridge had four<br />
arches and was in use.<br />
Conversely, the Ponte Bobbio<br />
in Piacenza, which some claim<br />
is depicted in the artwork, has<br />
more than six arches, according<br />
to Vinceti, while the Buriano<br />
Bridge has six.<br />
The Romito bridge, which<br />
connected Florence, Arezzo,<br />
and Fiesole, is now in ruins.<br />
According to Vinceti, the<br />
“Etruscan-Roman Romito bridge<br />
is unmistakably” the one in<br />
the background after years of<br />
studying pictures, ruins, and<br />
drone footage of the riverbanks<br />
and its surroundings.<br />
The Mayor of Laterina,<br />
Simona Neri, who was<br />
present at the news briefing,<br />
is enthusiastic about the<br />
possibility of using the<br />
bridge to draw tourists to her<br />
3,500-person town.<br />
“We really hope that this<br />
wonderful news will intrigue<br />
and fascinate local and foreign<br />
tourists, with the knowledge that<br />
it will be a great opportunity<br />
to relaunch the tourism of our<br />
territory on which we can work<br />
a lot starting from naturalistic,<br />
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Accomplish Magazine
PORTRAIT OF MONA LISA<br />
cultural and monumental<br />
valuation,” she said.<br />
“We need to try to protect<br />
what’s left of the bridge, which<br />
will require funding,” Neri said,<br />
noting that there are funds<br />
available for most areas tied to<br />
Da Vinci and other masters.<br />
“There’ll be some rivalry; we’ll<br />
need to put a poster up, too,”<br />
she added.<br />
Millions of people visit the<br />
Louvre in Paris each year to<br />
witness the 16th-century masterwork<br />
by Leonardo da Vinci.<br />
However, analysts contend<br />
that rather than any particular<br />
aesthetic merit, it owes its<br />
widespread fame to the fact<br />
that it was stolen from the<br />
gallery by Italian handyman,<br />
Vincenzo Peruggia in 1911.<br />
“If a different one of<br />
Leonardo’s works had been<br />
stolen, then that would have<br />
been the most famous work in<br />
the world — not the ‘Mona Lisa,’”<br />
Noah Charney, professor of<br />
Art History and author of “The<br />
Thefts of the Mona Lisa,” said<br />
in 2013, which marked the 100-<br />
year anniversary of when the<br />
painting was recovered.<br />
“There was nothing that<br />
really distinguished it per se,<br />
other than it was a very good<br />
work by a very famous artist<br />
— that’s until it was stolen,” he<br />
added. “The theft is what really<br />
skyrocketed its appeal and<br />
made it a household name.”<br />
Damian<br />
Ikenna Ngere<br />
AUTHOR BIO<br />
Ikenna is a graduate of<br />
Physics and Education,<br />
who works as a freelance<br />
writer. He has interest in<br />
technology, humanity and<br />
sports.<br />
Accomplish Magazine 47
5 Remarkable<br />
Benefits of<br />
Drinking<br />
Water<br />
Early in the<br />
Morning<br />
Tolulope Akinruli<br />
AUTHOR BIO<br />
My love to impact knowledge<br />
to the young and old led me to<br />
research and writing. Also, l<br />
have been business-oriented,<br />
right from childhood, which<br />
made me focus more on driving<br />
the business world and also to<br />
help people grow their business.<br />
As a writer, I aim to create an<br />
insightful image in the minds<br />
of every reader for maximum<br />
wealth and health.<br />
By Tolulope Akinruli<br />
Water is the essence of life, and its consumption<br />
plays a pivotal role in maintaining optimal<br />
health. While it’s important to stay hydrated<br />
throughout the day, drinking water - first thing in the<br />
morning - has numerous advantages that can set the<br />
tone for a healthier lifestyle.<br />
We will explore five remarkable benefits of starting<br />
your day with a glass of water, as published by<br />
entrepreneurng.com.<br />
1. Rehydration and Kick-starting<br />
Your Metabolism.<br />
After a long night’s sleep, your body craves<br />
hydration. Drinking water as soon as you wake up helps<br />
replenish the fluids lost during the night, rehydrating<br />
your body and jump-starting your metabolism. Proper<br />
hydration supports various bodily functions, including<br />
digestion, nutrient absorption, circulation, and<br />
temperature regulation. A well-hydrated body tends<br />
to have increased energy levels, improved focus, and<br />
better overall performance throughout the day.<br />
2. Flushes Out Toxins and Aids in<br />
Detoxification1<br />
Drinking water on an empty stomach, in the<br />
morning, can effectively flush out toxins and waste<br />
products accumulated in your body over-night.<br />
As water moves through your digestive system, it<br />
stimulates bowel movements, aiding regular and<br />
healthy bowel function. This early<br />
morning detoxification process helps<br />
to remove harmful substances,<br />
promotes a clean digestive tract, and<br />
improves overall gut health.<br />
3. Promotes Weight<br />
Loss and Healthy<br />
Digestion<br />
For individuals aiming to lose weight or maintain<br />
a healthy weight, drinking water in the morning can<br />
be a beneficial practice. Consuming water before<br />
breakfast can help suppress appetite, reducing calorie<br />
intake during the first meal of the day. Additionally,<br />
water enhances the body’s ability to break down food,<br />
aiding digestion and nutrient absorption. By promoting<br />
healthy digestion and curbing over-eating, water assists<br />
in achieving and maintaining healthy weight.<br />
4. Boosts Brain Function and<br />
Mental Clarity.<br />
Proper hydration is essential for optimal brain<br />
function. When you wake up dehydrated, your<br />
cognitive abilities may be affected, leading to<br />
fatigue, difficulty in concentrating, and lack of<br />
mental clarity. Drinking water in the morning<br />
increases blood flow to the brain, providing it<br />
48<br />
Accomplish Magazine
with the necessary oxygen and<br />
nutrients to function efficiently.<br />
Improved hydration can enhance<br />
cognitive performance, memory<br />
retention, and overall mental<br />
alertness, setting a positive tone<br />
for the day ahead.<br />
5. Enhances<br />
Skin Health and<br />
Radiance.<br />
One of the simplest and most<br />
cost-effective ways to achieve<br />
healthy, glowing skin is by<br />
hydrating yourself adequately.<br />
Water helps to replenish and<br />
moisturize your skin cells,<br />
improving elasticity and reducing<br />
the appearance of wrinkles and<br />
fine lines. By drinking water in the<br />
morning, you hydrate your skin<br />
from within, promoting a clear<br />
complexion and a youthful glow.<br />
Additionally, sufficient hydration<br />
aids detoxification, leading to the<br />
elimination of toxins that may<br />
contribute to skin issues such as<br />
acne and dullness.<br />
Conclusion:<br />
Drinking water early in the<br />
morning is a powerful habit<br />
with numerous health benefits.<br />
From rehydrating your body and<br />
kick-starting your metabolism<br />
to promoting weight loss,<br />
detoxification, improved brain<br />
function, and enhanced skin<br />
health, the advantages are<br />
HEALTH<br />
plentiful. Incorporating this simple<br />
practice into your daily routine<br />
can set a positive tone for the rest<br />
of your day and contribute to your<br />
overall well-being. So, make it<br />
a habit to reach for that glass of<br />
water as soon as you wake up and<br />
enjoy the myriad benefits it offers.<br />
Stay hydrated, stay<br />
healthy!<br />
Accomplish Magazine 49
HEALTH<br />
THE ADVANTAGES<br />
OF ADDING GARLIC<br />
TO YOUR DIET:<br />
5<br />
WAYS IT BENEFITS<br />
YOUR HEALTH<br />
By Tolulope Akinruli<br />
Garlic, with its pungent aroma and distinctive taste, has been<br />
used for centuries in various cuisines worldwide. Apart<br />
from being a flavourful ingredient, garlic is also renowned<br />
for its numerous health benefits. Rich in nutrients and medicinal<br />
properties, this humble bulb can greatly enhance your well-being,<br />
as captioned by entrepreneurng.com.<br />
Here are five compelling reasons to include garlic in your diet:<br />
1. Boosts<br />
Immune<br />
System<br />
Garlic is known for its<br />
immune-boosting properties.<br />
It contains compounds like<br />
allicin, which has anti-microbial<br />
and anti-viral effects. Regular<br />
consumption of garlic can help<br />
strengthen your immune system,<br />
making you less susceptible to<br />
infections and illnesses. It has<br />
been found to stimulate the<br />
production of white blood cells,<br />
which are crucial for fighting off<br />
pathogens.<br />
2. Supports<br />
Heart Health<br />
Including garlic in your diet<br />
can have significant benefits<br />
for your cardiovascular health.<br />
Studies have shown that garlic<br />
can help lower blood pressure<br />
and reduce cholesterol levels.<br />
Allicin and other sulphur<br />
compounds in garlic assist in<br />
widening the blood vessels,<br />
promoting better blood flow<br />
and reducing the risk of blood<br />
clots. By maintaining healthy<br />
blood pressure and cholesterol<br />
levels, garlic can contribute to a<br />
healthier heart.<br />
3. Antiinflammatory<br />
Effects<br />
Chronic inflammation is<br />
associated with numerous health<br />
conditions, including arthritis,<br />
diabetes, and cardiovascular<br />
diseases. Garlic possesses potent<br />
anti-inflammatory properties that<br />
can help combat inflammation in<br />
the body. Its sulphur compounds<br />
inhibit the production of<br />
inflammatory substances,<br />
thereby reducing swelling and<br />
easing symptoms in various<br />
inflammatory conditions.<br />
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Accomplish Magazine
Incorporating Garlic into<br />
Your Diet<br />
To enjoy the health benefits of garlic, it’s important<br />
to consume it in the right way. Raw garlic is the most<br />
potent form, but it may not be suitable for everyone due<br />
to its strong taste and potential digestive discomfort.<br />
Cooking garlic lightly can help preserve its beneficial<br />
compounds while making it more palatable.<br />
Here are a few ideas to incorporate<br />
garlic into your diet:<br />
a. Add minced or<br />
crushed garlic to sautéed<br />
vegetables, soups, stews,<br />
and sauces.<br />
b. Roast whole garlic<br />
bulbs and spread the soft,<br />
caramelized cloves on<br />
bread or mix them into<br />
mashed potatoes for a<br />
flavourful twist.<br />
c. Make home-made,<br />
garlic-infused oils for<br />
drizzling over salads or<br />
dipping bread.<br />
d. Use garlic in<br />
marinades for meat, fish,<br />
or tofu, enhancing both<br />
the flavour and the health<br />
benefits.<br />
In conclusion, garlic<br />
is a versatile ingredient<br />
that not only adds flavour<br />
to your dishes but also<br />
provides several health<br />
benefits. From boosting<br />
the immune system<br />
to supporting heart<br />
health and reducing<br />
inflammation, garlic has<br />
proven its medicinal<br />
value over the years.<br />
By including garlic in<br />
your diet regularly, you<br />
can harness its powerful<br />
properties and improve<br />
your overall well-being.<br />
4. Anti-oxidant<br />
Powerhouse<br />
Garlic is a rich source of antioxidants,<br />
which play a crucial<br />
role in neutralizing harmful<br />
free-radicals in the body. Freeradicals<br />
can cause oxidative<br />
stress, leading to cellular damage<br />
and an increased risk of chronic<br />
diseases like cancer. Garlic’s<br />
anti-oxidant properties help to<br />
protect cells from damage and<br />
promote overall health. Regular<br />
consumption of garlic may also<br />
have a preventive effect against<br />
certain types of cancer.<br />
5. Promotes<br />
Digestive<br />
Health<br />
Garlic has been traditionally<br />
used to support digestive<br />
health and alleviate various<br />
gastro-intestinal issues. It<br />
possesses pre-biotic properties,<br />
which means it acts as food for<br />
beneficial gut bacteria. A healthy<br />
gut microbiota is essential for<br />
proper digestion and absorption<br />
of nutrients. Additionally, garlic’s<br />
anti-microbial properties can<br />
help combat harmful bacteria in<br />
the digestive system, promoting<br />
balanced gut environment.<br />
Tolulope Akinruli<br />
AUTHOR BIO<br />
My love to impact knowledge<br />
to the young and old led me<br />
to research and writing. Also,<br />
l have been business-oriented,<br />
right from childhood, which<br />
made me focus more on<br />
driving the business world<br />
and also to help people grow<br />
their business. As a writer, I<br />
aim to create an insightful<br />
image in the minds of every<br />
reader for maximum wealth<br />
and health.<br />
Accomplish Magazine 51
ALTERNATIVE<br />
MEDICINE<br />
THE HEALTH<br />
BENEFITS OF SNAIL<br />
SHELLS<br />
By Dr. Joel N. Logbo<br />
Snail shells, especially<br />
after they have been<br />
properly ground into<br />
powder, have been used<br />
in traditional medicine for<br />
various health benefits. In<br />
Traditional Medicine, snail<br />
shells are not considered<br />
as waste. In fact, it is true<br />
that nothing in nature is a<br />
waste. It only inadequate<br />
knowledge of a natural<br />
substance could make one<br />
consider it a waste.<br />
Here are a few<br />
medicinal uses of<br />
giant snail shells:<br />
Calcium and<br />
Minerals:<br />
Snail shells are primarily<br />
composed of calcium<br />
carbonate, which is a rich<br />
source of calcium. Calcium<br />
is essential for maintaining<br />
strong bones and teeth,<br />
aiding in muscle function,<br />
and supporting nerve<br />
transmission. If you choose<br />
to consume snail shells for<br />
calcium, make sure that you<br />
include other nutrients that<br />
aid calcium absorption.<br />
Antiinflammatory<br />
Properties:<br />
In Traditional Medicine,<br />
snail shells possess antiinflammatory<br />
properties<br />
and are used for treating<br />
inflammatory diseases. You<br />
can mix snail shell powder<br />
with shea butter on fuluncle<br />
(boil). You can also lick the<br />
powder to manage asthma<br />
and heart diseases.<br />
Skin Health:<br />
Ground snail shell is used as<br />
an ingredient in skin-care<br />
products. It is believed to<br />
have exfoliating properties.<br />
It may help to remove dead<br />
skin cells and improve skin<br />
texture. It also promotes<br />
healthier complexion.<br />
Collagen<br />
Production:<br />
Some researchers claim<br />
that snail shell extracts or<br />
components may stimulate<br />
collagen production in the<br />
skin. Collagen is a protein<br />
that supports skin elasticity<br />
and can help to reduce signs<br />
of aging.<br />
You can also mix snail shell<br />
powder with raw honey to<br />
scrub your body for better<br />
glow.<br />
Traditional<br />
Medicine<br />
Remedies:<br />
In some traditional medicine<br />
practices, snail shell powder<br />
or extracts are used to<br />
alleviate conditions such as<br />
stomach ulcers, arthritis, and<br />
joint pain.<br />
It is important to note that<br />
snail shell products should<br />
be obtained from trusted<br />
sources and used as<br />
directed for required results.<br />
52<br />
Accomplish Magazine
Joel N. Logbo `<br />
AUTHOR BIO<br />
Dr. Joel N. Logbo is a patient-centred<br />
Natural Medicine doctor with 12 solid<br />
years of industry experience in Lagos,<br />
Nigeria and Wales, Scotland. He is currently<br />
seeking more international collaborations to provide<br />
holistic, non-invasive medical care for patients and the<br />
public on health promotion.<br />
His unique approach that has led to admirable<br />
achievements include meeting with patients to assess<br />
their health and wellness, learn their health goals and<br />
create treatment plans. He also collaborates with various<br />
teams of medical professionals to provide first-line and<br />
supplemental medical treatments through a holistic,<br />
natural approach.He loves traveling, adventures,<br />
cooking and driving.<br />
Accomplish Magazine 53
FOOD & WINE<br />
World’s Most<br />
Expensive Wine<br />
S<br />
ure, good wine<br />
comes at a price,<br />
but $40,000 seems<br />
pretty expensive.<br />
However, Hungarian<br />
winemaker, Royal<br />
Tokaji, says their limited-edition<br />
2008 Essencia Decanter is worth it.<br />
Only 20 examples of this unique<br />
1.5 litre magnum designed by<br />
Hungarian artist, James Carcass,<br />
exist, 18 of which were released<br />
last year.<br />
Essencia 2008 Magnum was<br />
described at launch as “the most<br />
expensive wine in the world”,<br />
and while that claim is difficult<br />
to quantify, the Essencia 2008<br />
Magnum was definitely the most<br />
expensive wine sold in 2019. Each<br />
carafe comes in a black box with a<br />
switch that lights up the bottle and<br />
is specially mouth blown, meaning<br />
no two are the same. Around 11<br />
bottles of have already been sold,<br />
so it is likely that Royal Tokaji will<br />
sell the remaining 7 bottles before<br />
the 2300 wine’s expiry date.<br />
The dessert wines produced<br />
here rely on the botrytis cinerea<br />
mold known as “noble rot”, which<br />
causes the grapes on the vine to<br />
dry out and shrivel up, looking like<br />
brown raisins.<br />
Essencia uses only the best aszú<br />
grapes and is made entirely from<br />
the juice of the aszú berries (other<br />
wines produced in the region have<br />
base wine added to dilute their<br />
sweetness). Tourists can arrange<br />
a private tour of the winery, about<br />
a two-and-a-half-hour drive from<br />
Budapest, to taste it.<br />
“Essencia in itself is a miracle<br />
of nature,” says London-based<br />
Hungarian wine expert Orsi<br />
Szentkiralyi. “It was very labourintensive<br />
and required years of<br />
painstaking work in the cellar…<br />
It has only a few degrees of<br />
alcohol but lots and lots of natural<br />
sweetness. It is so rich that it is<br />
usually served on a spoon rather<br />
than a glass.”<br />
Essencia can only be produced<br />
in years when the climatic<br />
conditions for Botrytis are more<br />
or less perfect. 2008 was a<br />
particularly impressive year. A<br />
bottle of centilitre wine requires<br />
around 20 kilogrammes of grapes<br />
reduced to aszú berries, usually<br />
with an alcohol content of around<br />
3%.<br />
“When we bottle Essencia,<br />
the winemaker always makes the<br />
decision,” says Zoltan Kovacs,<br />
general manager of Royal Tokaj<br />
Winery in the Tokaj district of<br />
Mád… It can take three years,<br />
four years or even after 10 years.<br />
This [2008] Essencia was bottled<br />
after eight years of ageing. This<br />
is a somewhat unusual type<br />
of Essencia, as it has a higher<br />
alcohol content – around 4%.” This<br />
produces a clear and extremely<br />
intense aroma with hints of honey,<br />
apricot and tea, almost unbearably<br />
sweet.<br />
The liquid is so viscous and syrupy<br />
that it is usually drunk by the<br />
spoonful. It’s so mouth-watering<br />
that it’s hard to imagine taking a<br />
few more sips without feeling light-<br />
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Accomplish Magazine
headed<br />
Although the 2008 Essencia<br />
has already been released, it is<br />
the uniqueness of this particular<br />
set that makes this decanter more<br />
valuable than the standard bottle.<br />
Royal Tokaji must obtain special<br />
permission from the Hungarian<br />
government to serve Essencia in<br />
1.5 litre containers – current law<br />
only allows a maximum capacity<br />
of 0.<br />
5 litres.<br />
“It’s really unique,” said<br />
Charlie Mount, managing director<br />
of Royal Tokaji. “I don’t know if<br />
we will ever be able to repeat the<br />
same mistakes.” The design of this<br />
unusual decanter was apparently<br />
inspired by wine “slowly dripping<br />
from individually picked aszo<br />
berries”.<br />
Once finished, the decanters<br />
are shipped to Portugal where<br />
they are scanned and fitted with<br />
personalized stoppers before<br />
returning to Royal Tokaj where<br />
they are filled and sealed by hand.<br />
According to the Royal Tokaji team,<br />
founded in 1990 by British wine<br />
historian Hugh Johnson, one of<br />
the company’s greatest successes<br />
is having Hungarian wine talked<br />
about again in the world.<br />
“This project is the symbol of<br />
one of Hungary’s biggest exports,”<br />
said Mount. “Hungarians are very<br />
proud of the diversity of wines<br />
produced in the country... They<br />
make a wide variety of wines.<br />
But I think Tokaj wines have this<br />
mystery for foreigners.<br />
It is even mentioned in the<br />
Hungarian national anthem.”<br />
Szentkiralyi agrees with this<br />
sentiment and points out that the<br />
country still has a lot of untapped<br />
potential in terms of the wine<br />
industry. “A long wine-making<br />
tradition, pleasant climate and<br />
variety of wine styles make it<br />
a wonderful wine-producing<br />
country, but most of the product is<br />
still consumed locally,” she said.<br />
Although the range has put<br />
Tokaj wines, and even Hungarian<br />
wines, back in the limelight, its<br />
appeal, especially that of Essencia,<br />
dates back centuries. “Even in<br />
the early 20th century, Tokaj was<br />
the most expensive wine in the<br />
world,” says Mount. “Doctors used<br />
to prescribe it to their patients. If<br />
you were lucky enough to afford it,<br />
you would prescribe one teaspoon<br />
of Essencia in the morning and<br />
one teaspoon in the evening.”<br />
“Tokaj’s famous sweet wine has<br />
been enjoyed by wealthy people<br />
all over the world for centuries,”<br />
says Szentkiralyi. “Essencia is<br />
a very unique product that may<br />
have been a royal privilege, but<br />
anyone can seek out and enjoy<br />
a glass of Hungarian wine and<br />
witness the quality.”<br />
“Certainly expensive,” Mount<br />
admits. “But true wine collectors<br />
spend many times [$40,000] a year<br />
to build the perfect wine cellar.<br />
While all rare vintages increase<br />
in value over time, Essencia offers<br />
a particularly attractive shelf life<br />
due to its high sugar and acidity<br />
(2300). Years are certainly worth<br />
more.<br />
Editor’s Note: This publication<br />
first appeared in worldtitbit.com.<br />
Photo credit goes to fortune.com.<br />
Accomplish Magazine 55
FOOD & WINE<br />
How To<br />
Prepare<br />
The Perfect<br />
Egusi Soup<br />
At Home<br />
By Chef Amaka<br />
E<br />
gusi is a West African name for the<br />
seeds of plants like squash, melons,<br />
and gourds that, when dried and<br />
ground, become a staple ingredient in<br />
many West African dishes.<br />
Particularly, in Nigerian culture, egusi is popular<br />
with pounded yam. These seeds are rich in fat<br />
and protein, and add these essential nutrients<br />
into West African Cuisine.<br />
Nigerian Egusi Soup is a soup thickened with<br />
ground melon seeds and contains leafy and<br />
other vegetables.<br />
It is one of the most popular soups prepared by<br />
most tribes in Nigeria with considerable variation<br />
and often eaten with dishes like Pounded Yams.<br />
Prepare it with goat, beef, fish, or shellfish!<br />
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Accomplish Magazine
RECIPE<br />
• 1 cup blended onions<br />
(about 3- 5 and fresh chilies,<br />
to taste)<br />
• 4 cups egusi (melon<br />
seeds, ground or milled)<br />
• 1/2 – 1 cup palm oil<br />
• 2 teaspoons fresh<br />
Une (Iru, locust beans)<br />
• Salt (to taste)<br />
• Ground crayfish (to<br />
taste)<br />
• 7– 8 cups stock<br />
• Cooked Meat & fish<br />
(quantity and variety to<br />
personal preference)<br />
• 2 cups cut pumpkin<br />
leaves<br />
• 1 cup waterleaf (cut)<br />
• 3 tablespoons bitter<br />
leaf (washed)<br />
EGUSI PASTE<br />
Prepare the egusi paste:<br />
Blend egusi seeds and<br />
onion mixture. Set aside.<br />
MAKE THE SOUP<br />
• In a large pot, heat<br />
the palm oil on medium for<br />
a minute and then add the<br />
Une.<br />
• Slowly add the<br />
stock and set on low heat to<br />
simmer.<br />
• Scoop teaspoon<br />
size balls of the egusi paste<br />
mixture into the stock. Be<br />
sure to keep ball shape.<br />
• Leave to simmer for<br />
20 – 30 minutes so the balls<br />
cook through.<br />
• Add the meat and<br />
fish and other bits which<br />
you’d like to use.<br />
• Add cut-up<br />
pumpkin leaves.<br />
• Add the waterleaf.<br />
• Stir and put a lid on<br />
the pot and allow to cook<br />
for 7–10 minutes, till the<br />
leaves wilt.<br />
• Add the bitter leaf.<br />
Leave the lid off while the<br />
cooking finishes for another<br />
5-10 minutes.<br />
• Stir, check<br />
seasoning and adjust<br />
accordingly.<br />
Accomplish Magazine 57
TRAVEL<br />
Locations<br />
In Nigeria<br />
To Visit<br />
How did you spend<br />
Independence Day last<br />
year? The mall? Or perhaps<br />
you are like me and didn’t go<br />
anywhere and stayed indoors<br />
due to the perception that all the<br />
fun places would be packed full<br />
of people.<br />
Well, who says you have<br />
to spend this independence<br />
holiday in an eatery or mall?<br />
Here are the top 10 locations in<br />
Nigeria that you should consider.<br />
By Amenna Daayo<br />
A holiday is a special bonding<br />
time for most families. The<br />
connections and memories<br />
formed during such family<br />
adventures make for stories that<br />
will last for generations. We can<br />
also learn a lot from visiting new<br />
environments and interacting<br />
with people from different<br />
backgrounds.<br />
Here are a few of the most<br />
beautiful places in Nigeria to<br />
visit.<br />
Yankari Game<br />
Reserve<br />
One beautiful place in<br />
Nigeria to take the family<br />
is Yankari Game Reserve.<br />
Located in Bauchi State,<br />
the resort is home to several<br />
natural warm water springs,<br />
as well as the remaining<br />
elephants and lions in Nigeria.<br />
Be sure to take a dive in the<br />
crystal clear warm springs, get<br />
a view of some wildlife, and<br />
your family vacation is set to<br />
be a memorable one.<br />
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Erin-Ijesha<br />
Waterfalls<br />
Erin-Ijesha Waterfalls<br />
is a collection of seven<br />
cascades that pour over a<br />
cliff, creating an impressive<br />
seven-part waterfall. Each<br />
part forms seven different<br />
levels with each level giving<br />
a whole new experience.<br />
With that said, Erin-Ijesha<br />
waterfall is definitely a<br />
beautiful place in Nigeria to<br />
bring the family for a day out<br />
of the city.<br />
Awhum<br />
Waterfalls<br />
The Awhum Waterfall is<br />
formed out of a massive<br />
outcrop of granite rock<br />
with water flowing at the<br />
top, forming a stream. The<br />
best time to visit is during<br />
the rainy season so be<br />
sure to pack comfortable<br />
clothes and shoes and<br />
be prepared to get a little<br />
wet as you explore this<br />
beautiful place in Nigeria.<br />
Zuma Rock<br />
Zuma Rock is a large<br />
monolith near<br />
Abuja. Sometimes<br />
referred to as<br />
the “Gateway<br />
to Abuja from<br />
Suleja”, Zuma<br />
rock is a large<br />
natural monolith<br />
located<br />
immediately<br />
west of Nigeria’s<br />
capital, Abuja.<br />
Be sure to go<br />
along with an<br />
experienced hiker<br />
when visiting this<br />
beautiful place in Nigeria.<br />
Accomplish Magazine 59
TRAVEL<br />
Idanre Hills<br />
Idanre Hills is located in an<br />
ancient city set upon a hill<br />
in the city of Idanre Akure,<br />
Ondo State. Ensure you take<br />
the 682 steps it takes to get<br />
to the top of the hill and bask<br />
in the beautiful landscape of<br />
the city with your family.<br />
Mpape Crushed Rock<br />
Mpape Crushed Rock is an abandoned quarry<br />
in Abuja. This beautiful place in Nigeria is such<br />
a picturesque location, perfect for a picnic with<br />
the family, a photoshoot, or a refreshing hike.<br />
Pack a basket, put on some comfortable shoes,<br />
and head over to this scenic wonder.<br />
Olumo<br />
Rock<br />
Olumo rock is a massive<br />
outcrop of granite rocks.<br />
The rock is a historical<br />
monument that served<br />
as shelter for the locals<br />
during intercity wars. If the<br />
kids aren’t up for a hike<br />
up the rock, there are<br />
elevators available so they<br />
can still have a look at this<br />
beautiful place in Nigeria.<br />
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Accomplish Magazine
Lekki<br />
Conservation<br />
Centre<br />
If you’re an animal-loving family,<br />
Lekki Conservation Centre is the<br />
perfect place for you to visit.<br />
Take a walk down the longest<br />
canopy walkway in Africa, get a<br />
view of the birds, monkeys, and<br />
some endangered species in<br />
the reserve.<br />
Ikogosi Warm<br />
Springs<br />
A list of beautiful places in Nigeria<br />
is incomplete without Ikogosi Warm<br />
Springs, one of Nigeria’s major tourist<br />
attractions. It’s a must to experience<br />
the natural wonder of two springs<br />
meeting while maintaining their<br />
individual temperatures. Put on your<br />
hiking shoes and get your camera<br />
ready for an amazing adventure.<br />
Obudu<br />
Mountain<br />
Resort<br />
If you are a tourist looking<br />
for adventure and tranquillity,<br />
Obudu Mountain Resort is<br />
for you. Known as Africa’s<br />
finest and one of the most<br />
beautiful places in Nigeria,<br />
the resort is located in the<br />
highlands and deep tropical<br />
forests of Cross River State.<br />
Enjoy the cable cars, canopy<br />
walkways and so much more<br />
with your family.<br />
Accomplish Magazine 61
Access<br />
Holdings<br />
Receives Karlsruhe<br />
Award for Outstanding<br />
Business Sustainability<br />
Achievement for the<br />
Eighth Consecutive Time<br />
Presented at<br />
the Global<br />
Sustainable<br />
Finance<br />
Conference (GSFC)<br />
organised by the<br />
European Organisation for<br />
Sustainable Development<br />
(EOSD) in partnership with the<br />
city of Karlsruhe, Germany, the Award<br />
underscores the sustainability commitment<br />
demonstrated in the way Access Holdings<br />
conducts its business operations and<br />
activities.<br />
Delivering the opening remarks at the<br />
Awards event, the Lord Mayor of Karlsruhe,<br />
Dr. Frank Mentrup, lauded the unwavering<br />
commitment of the organisations present<br />
and urged all stakeholders to collaborate to<br />
achieve the global sustainability vision.<br />
OMOBOLANLE<br />
VICTOR-LANIYAN<br />
“In today’s globalised<br />
world, the responsibility of<br />
each one of us does not<br />
end at our borders. We<br />
need to work together to<br />
make our world more just,<br />
more peaceful, and more<br />
sustainable. This requires a high<br />
level of commitment and allocation<br />
of resources – including finance and<br />
investments,” Mentrup said.<br />
Reiterating Access Holdings’ commitment<br />
to driving the achievement of the SDGs,<br />
Omobolanle Victor-Laniyan, Head, Group<br />
Sustainability, at Access Holdings Plc<br />
said, “We are pleased to receive the<br />
Karlsruhe Award for Outstanding Business<br />
Sustainability Achievement for the eighth<br />
consecutive time. At Access Holdings,<br />
we believe that businesses must play a<br />
62<br />
Accomplish Magazine
CORPORATE<br />
SUITE<br />
significant role in addressing sustainability<br />
challenges and driving positive impact. In<br />
line with this, our approach to sustainability<br />
reflects our dedication to creating long-term<br />
value for our stakeholders in Africa and<br />
beyond.”<br />
The 2-day Global Sustainable Finance<br />
Conference and Awards also had in<br />
attendance other notable stakeholders<br />
such as Arshad Rab, Chairman, International<br />
Council of Sustainability Standards and<br />
CEO, European Organisation for Sustainable<br />
Development; Dr. Jesimen Chipika, Deputy<br />
Governor, Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe;<br />
Amaechi Okobi, Group Head, Corporate<br />
Communications, Access Holdings Plc;<br />
Rolando Victoria, President and CEO, Aski<br />
Group, Philippines; Romani de Silva, Deputy<br />
Chairman and CEO, Alliance Finance, Sri<br />
Lanka; Mr. Krishnan Vimalanandavally Shaji,<br />
Chairman, National Bank for Agriculture<br />
and Rural Development, India; Mrs. Sylvi J.<br />
Gani, Director, PT. Sarana Multi Infrastruktur<br />
(Persero), Indonesia; Dr. Kao Thach, The<br />
Delegate of the Royal Government of<br />
Cambodia; Jide Akintunde, Director, Nigeria<br />
Development and Finance Forum (NDFF) and<br />
Nigeria Country Representative, European<br />
Organization for Sustainable Development<br />
(EOSD), and Tom Hoyem, Former Cabinet<br />
Minister of the Kingdom of Denmark and<br />
Member, City Council of Karlsruhe, Germany.<br />
Access Holdings has been widely<br />
recognised as one of Africa’s most<br />
responsible companies, earning numerous<br />
national and international honours and<br />
awards including the World Finance Award<br />
for Most Sustainable Bank (eleven-time<br />
winner) and Global Brand Awards for Best<br />
CSR Bank and Investor Relations (four-time<br />
winner).<br />
Accomplish Magazine 63
ZENITH BANK SIGNS<br />
AGREEMENT WITH<br />
AfCFTA TO DEVELOP<br />
SMARTAfCFTA<br />
PORTAL<br />
64<br />
Accomplish Magazine
CORPORATE<br />
SUITE<br />
Zenith Bank Plc has<br />
signed a Memorandum<br />
of Understanding<br />
(MoU) with the African<br />
Continental Free Trade<br />
Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat<br />
for the development of the<br />
SMARTAfCFTA Portal, for trade<br />
promotion within the African<br />
continent. The SMARTAfCFTA<br />
Portal, which has the capacity<br />
to provide information like<br />
trade indicators, market<br />
trends, custom tariffs, trade<br />
agreements, rules of origin,<br />
market access requirements<br />
of relevant jurisdictions, export<br />
potentials, export diversification<br />
indicators and contact details<br />
of business partners in target<br />
markets and other traderelated<br />
information about<br />
Africa, will help to unlock the<br />
vast opportunities for trade on<br />
the African continent.<br />
The MoU was signed by the<br />
Group Managing Director/<br />
CEO of Zenith Bank Plc, Dr.<br />
Ebenezer Onyeagwu and the<br />
Secretary-General of the AfCFTA<br />
Secretariat, His Excellency<br />
Wamkele Mene, during the 8th<br />
Annual Edition of the Zenith<br />
Bank International Trade<br />
Seminar on Non-Oil Export<br />
themed “Nigerian Non-Oil<br />
Export Industry: The Present, The<br />
Future”, held on Wednesday,<br />
August 8, <strong>2023</strong>, at the Civic<br />
Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos<br />
and virtually.<br />
Speaking on the<br />
partnership with AfCFTA<br />
for the development of the<br />
SMARTAfCFTA Portal, the<br />
Group Managing Director/<br />
CEO of Zenith Bank, Dr.<br />
Ebenezer Onyeagwu, said: “This<br />
collaboration aims to unlock the<br />
vast opportunities presented<br />
by AfCFTA not only for Nigeria’s<br />
economic prosperity but also<br />
for advancing trade across<br />
African countries”.<br />
Dr. Onyeagwu noted the<br />
key role that the annual Zenith<br />
Bank Trade Seminar plays in<br />
deepening the conversation<br />
on promoting non-oil export in<br />
Nigeria by bringing together<br />
non-oil export practitioners<br />
and relevant government<br />
agencies to interact and<br />
explore the opportunities<br />
and proffer solutions to the<br />
challenges of non-oil export<br />
in the country, noting that<br />
previous editions’ outcomes<br />
have found expression and<br />
influenced policy initiatives.<br />
For instance, the extension<br />
of the period of repatriation<br />
of Non-Oil Export proceeds<br />
from 90 days to 180 days,<br />
and the policy mandating<br />
shippers not to carry export<br />
without a Nigeria Export<br />
Proceeds (NXP) Form Number<br />
were recommendations<br />
from previous seminars.<br />
Also, the need to incentivise<br />
exporters to repatriate their<br />
export proceeds through<br />
the official channels and the<br />
recommendation to create<br />
export terminals across various<br />
export hubs in the country<br />
were also from past seminars.<br />
Also, previous editions<br />
recommended having Export<br />
Desks in commercial banks,<br />
which has now been instituted.<br />
In his keynote address at the<br />
Zenith Bank International Trade<br />
Seminar, the Secretary-General<br />
of the AfCFTA Secretariat, His<br />
Excellency Wamkele Mene,<br />
thanked the Founder and<br />
Chairman of Zenith Bank, Jim<br />
Ovia, CFR, for partnering with<br />
the AfCFTA for the development<br />
of the SMARTAfCFTA Portal.<br />
In his words: “Zenith Bank<br />
was the first bank to say “we<br />
want to partner with you”. We<br />
went to see the Founder and<br />
Chairman, and he said that<br />
Zenith Bank wants to make a<br />
contribution to digitise trade<br />
in Africa. And so the portal<br />
was not my idea, it was not our<br />
idea at the AfCTA Secretariat,<br />
it was Zenith Bank that<br />
stepped up and said, ‘this has<br />
to be done!’. So I want to thank<br />
you very much, GMD for this<br />
collaboration.”<br />
In his goodwill message, Dr.<br />
Kingsley Obiora, the Deputy<br />
Governor of Economic Policy<br />
representing the Acting<br />
Governor of the Central Bank<br />
of Nigeria, Mr. Folashodun<br />
Adebisi Shonubi, commended<br />
Zenith Bank for leading<br />
Nigeria’s non-oil export<br />
promotion advocacy. He<br />
bemoaned the 1.2 per cent<br />
non-oil export to total GDP<br />
ratio and emphasised the<br />
need for concerted efforts<br />
to boost non-oil exports in<br />
Nigeria.<br />
Zenith Bank launched the<br />
Non-Oil Export Seminar in 2016<br />
as an initiative to deepen<br />
the discourse on promoting<br />
the non-oil export business in<br />
Nigeria. The <strong>2023</strong> International<br />
Trade Seminar also featured<br />
a goodwill message from<br />
the Secretary of the National<br />
Action Committee on AfCFTA,<br />
Mr. Olusegun Awolowo.<br />
There were also two-panel<br />
discussions, with the first panel<br />
discussion titled: “Nigeria<br />
Non-Oil Export Industry –<br />
Growth Opportunities”, while<br />
the second panel discussion<br />
was titled: “Harnessing the<br />
Opportunities in Service<br />
Export”.<br />
Accomplish Magazine 65
APPEAL TO VOTERS<br />
By Diiyi William-West<br />
Not a few Nigerians<br />
have lost hope in<br />
their patriotic preelection<br />
pursuit to<br />
take back Nigeria<br />
from the admixture<br />
of cabals and deceptive fiends<br />
in power! Many Nigerians think<br />
that the horde of the crooked<br />
in the corridors of power, the<br />
self-serving equivocators in<br />
the kitchens of power and<br />
the band of hypocrites in the<br />
tributaries of power have<br />
totally overran the movement<br />
that sought to entrench real,<br />
progressive and pan-Nigeria<br />
development; equitable<br />
development that shall be<br />
driven by true appreciation<br />
of the numerous human and<br />
natural resources the country<br />
is bless with and equitable<br />
harnessing and exploitation of<br />
same for equitable benefiting<br />
of the peoples of the country.<br />
Let’s say it as it is. The fears<br />
of those who have embraced<br />
doubts and despair in the<br />
fulfillment of the loud hopes<br />
of the many who lined up at<br />
polling stations across the<br />
country on February 18, <strong>2023</strong><br />
can’t be laughed at or taken<br />
for granted. It looks quite like<br />
their fears are true and their<br />
preferred candidate’s case in<br />
the chambers of the Law are<br />
dead on arrival.<br />
Making the effort to<br />
appreciate why those patriots<br />
bear flagging faith is the<br />
reason we should continue to<br />
point out why the seeming lull<br />
of apparent activism should<br />
not be taken for the defeat of<br />
our patriotic cause. Those of us<br />
who understand the unfolding<br />
realities at the Presidential<br />
Election Petitions Tribunal’s<br />
proceedings should continue to<br />
point out how incontrovertible<br />
facts and truth can’t cower<br />
to steeped falsehoods,<br />
desperately reactive<br />
shenanigans and panic-driven<br />
propaganda. Rather than get<br />
vexed with the recent doubters<br />
among us or even mocking<br />
them, we should caringly help<br />
them to rise in faith again by<br />
pointing out how unfolding<br />
facts can’t be buried with legal<br />
technicalities if the judges are<br />
conscientious.<br />
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IN DESPAIR<br />
LAST WORD<br />
We shall enjoy a lasting<br />
victory shout! And, the real but<br />
delayed greatness of Nigeria<br />
will soar!<br />
While we wait with positive<br />
expectation at the outcome<br />
of what looks like a longwinding<br />
legal battle, let us<br />
seek innovative ideas and take<br />
necessary steps to increase<br />
our respective incomes<br />
legitimately to stand above<br />
recent government policies<br />
that are afflicting our financial<br />
wellbeing.<br />
Please, let us all keep up our<br />
good work on all fronts and all<br />
our spheres of influence going.<br />
HAPPY NEW MONTH!<br />
Let all concerned persons<br />
rest assured that by the grace<br />
of God and the efforts of our<br />
persona directly or indirectly<br />
involved in the legal battle<br />
at the Presidential Election<br />
Petitions Tribunal, we shall be<br />
the ones rejoicing with the<br />
victory shout! Oh yes! We may<br />
be dragged to the Appeal<br />
Court and the Supreme Court.<br />
Just keep warming your victoryshout<br />
engines! Yes, of course,<br />
sustain powerful, animated<br />
prayers too! We can’t over-pray<br />
even as diligent legal steps are<br />
being taken in the courts.<br />
The walls of the ‘Jericho<br />
cabals ‘ are already falling!<br />
We shall have the last laugh!<br />
Diiyi<br />
William-West<br />
AUTHOR BIO<br />
More fondly known as<br />
DDWEST, he has several<br />
years of media practice<br />
experience spanning<br />
magazines, newspapers,<br />
television and radio; laying<br />
emphasis on maintaining<br />
standards in media<br />
practice. He practised and<br />
lectured Public Relations<br />
for nearly a decade before<br />
going into leadership<br />
consulting and real estate<br />
consultancy.<br />
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