Business

Still In Projects’ Business: The NEW Example

Published

8 years ago

September 3, 2018

It was our Lord Jesus Christ who declared in Luke 9:62 that : “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God”. This is the guiding principle of Nigeria’s best performing governor , Nyesom Ezenwo Wike.
Despite the electioneering period, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has continued the funding and delivery of key projects in different parts of the state.
The governor remains committed to the completion of ongoing projects in the interest of the people of the state. In Rivers West and Rivers South-East Senatorial Districts, key projects are ongoing to improve the living condition of the people.
Speaking on projects delivery recently, Governor Wike said that his administration will never abandon any project because the revival of Rivers State is more important than any other consideration.
The governor said that the reason why he is in politics is to move the state forward and transform the lives of the people.
In Rivers West Senatorial District, Government Secondary School Okarki in Ahoada West Local Government Area flagged off for reconstruction by Governor Wike is progressing satisfactorily.
The people of the area are happy with the progress of work. They endorsed Governor Wike for a second term, stating that he needs time to continue with his projects delivery.
Chairman of Ahoada West Local Government Area, Honourable Hope Ikiriko, captures the importance of Governor Wike’s projects in the area.
He said: The governor has done two basic projects in Ahoada West Local Government Area. One in the educational sector and the other in basic infrastructure,which is a road project. Government Secondary School in Okarki is an old school that has been there since the 60s and subsequent administrations just watched the school, go down and decay. The school was no more, in fact we can’t even remember students who go there again, just one structure that was there but he came in and saw that the dreams of our founding fathers were eroded and he took it upon himself to bring the school back to life.
“So what we have there now is a complete high school facility, which has to do with laboratory, classrooms, administration blocks, hostels, dining , ICT and sports facilities. It has brought back the basic dream and vision of any government as it was before, if you go there now the project that started few months ago is nearing completion.
“The other one is the road project at Ojoko. The road was abandoned for so many years. Our governor now has come back, to reconstruct the road. If you go there now,it is a wonderful road. These two projects, I can say, if you carry out the need assessment in the area, you will realise that these are the two major things that the people need. That is why I give credit to our Governor for feeling the pains of the people. He does not just site projects here and there. He sites projects that impact on the people, like the secondary school, it has brought up several great men in Ahoada West Local Government Area.”
Also, Mr. Gift Ade from Okarki community thanked the Rivers State Governor for his investment in the reconstruction of the Government Secondary School, Okarki. He said that the community will repay him by voting massively for him in 2019.
Ade said: “We are voting him to power for him to continue his job. Previously, the place was not functioning. The building was not in good order. They are bringing back the secondary school to life. We pray that God should give him more grace so that he will continue doing our projects. He is trying for us, he even promised to do our road. We thank Governor Wike very much, we welcome him, by 2019,we will endorse him to continue”.
Harry Ogono, a native of Okarki, had this to say: “I was a civil servant before, a retired civil servant. We thank our Governor so much. We don’t know that he can do such a good thing for us, here in Okarki. This project will lift us up and give us a name.”
The intervention of Governor Wike in Asari-Toru LGA is legendary. The General Hospital, Buguma has been reconstructed. The project will be delivered in the coming weeks. The state government is ready to equip the health facility in line with the goal of the administration.
In addition, the Rivers State Governor is expanding the landscape of Asari-Toru Local Government Area through the sand-filling and land reclamation project at Abalama.
Chairman of Asari-Toru Local Government Area Chief Odiari Princewill, praised the Rivers State Governor for the two projects that have impacted the lives of the people.
He said: “His Excellency, Ezenwo Wike, the Governor of Rivers State, I say thank you for giving us something like this. This hospital has been neglected for long. For more than twenty years , nobody was coming here. Now everything has changed. The hospital is now alive”.
On the Abalama sand-filling project, Mr Ofori Brown said: “I am a bonifide member of Abalama, the Alabama of Kalabari land . Right here, where I am standing had been a mangrove, entirely covered with mangrove trees and water, but because Abalama is entirely for Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and because our sons, Alabo George Kelly, Enemi Alabo George and the rest of us worked tirelessly with his Excellency, Mr Project, he promised us a project and today it is a living testimony because where I am standing, there is a beautiful sand-filled project ongoing and the Governor has also in his magnanimity done couple of projects in Asari-Toru Local Government Area, like the General Hospital particularly in Buguma.”
Also on the project in Abalama, Mrs Tamunotonye Iyalla said the people of Asari-Toru Local Government Area will remain grateful to the Rivers State Governor for the Abalama sand-filling project which has improved the economy of the area.
In Khana Local Government Area, the dualisation of the iconic Sakpenwa-Bori road started by the Wike administration is nearing completion and getting ready for commissioning.
It is the same story at the Zonal Hospital, Bori . This project abandoned by the failed Amaechi administration at less than 20 per cent completion is about to be completed. Work has reached 85per cent completion.
The governor has vowed to continue the execution of projects, irrespective of the political reality of the time. From day one till when the governor’s mandate will be revalidated in 2019, work will continue unabated.
Governor Wike came for projects delivery and he is still in this life changing business. No local government area has been excluded from the rollout of projects. This is a united Rivers State, where everyone is given a sense of belonging.
Nwakaudu is Special Assistant to Rivers State Governor on Electronic Media.

Simeon Nwakaudu

Business

NEM Insurance celebrates IWD 2026 with pledge to sustain support for women endeavour

Published

13 hours ago

March 16, 2026

The Tide

NEM Insurance Plc – the number one motor insurance provider in Nigeria, in a vibrant commemoration of the 2026 International Women’s Day (IWD), has reaffirmed its dedication to fostering an inclusive environment that empowers women to excel in their endeavours.

Speaking at the corporate headquarters in Lagos, the Chairman of NEM Insurance Plc, Tope Smart, stated that the company remains resolute in its mission to support women affairs, noting that their contributions are vital to the sustainability of the insurance industry.

Aligning with the global theme “Give To Gain,” Smart highlighted that the insurance provider views gender diversity not just as a corporate social responsibility, but as a core driver of innovation and high-level performance.

“Our commitment to female professionals at NEM Insurance is unwavering,” Smart declared. “We recognize that by ‘giving’ women the right tools, mentorship, and leadership platforms, the industry ‘gains’ unparalleled dedication and diverse perspectives that move the needle of progress.”

The multiple award winning underwriting company and one of the top three leading general insurance business companies in Nigeria, has remained focused in promoting and supporting women affairs.

Adding her voice to the celebration, the General Manager, Corporate Services, Mrs. Mojisola Teluwo, emphasized that the company’s gender-focused initiatives, such as the “She Means Business” contest, represent a practical approach to inspiring inclusion.

Mrs. Teluwo maintained that supporting women-led initiatives is a strategic investment in the fabric of society, rather than just a philanthropic gesture.

“At NEM Insurance, we believe that when a woman thrives, a family thrives, and the nation prospers,” Mrs. Teluwo stated. “The ‘She Means Business’ initiative is our way of moving beyond mere applause for women toward active, tangible support. We are proud to provide the financial catalyst needed for visionary women to turn their business aspirations into reality.”

To mark the occasion, the leadership outlined several key pillars of support:

Leadership Development: Targeted training programs to prepare more women for executive-level decision-making.

Inclusive Work Culture: Sustaining a workplace environment that balances professional growth with personal well-being.

Economic Catalyst: Providing grants and professional frameworks to help female entrepreneurs upscale their operations.

The event featured a series of internal sessions where female staff engaged in mentorship dialogues, focusing on career advancement within the evolving landscape of the Nigerian insurance sector and paint and Sip, which provided an opportunity for women to showcase their creativity.

Smart concluded by urging other industry stakeholders to prioritize the development of female talent, asserting that a more inclusive sector is a more prosperous one for all Nigerians.

Business

Nigeria: Profit-Taking Persists as NGX Dips Marginally by 0.2%

Published

13 hours ago

March 16, 2026

The Tide

Trading on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) closed slightly lower on Wednesday as profit-taking in selected equities continued to weigh on the market, dragging key performance indicators into negative territory.

Market data showed that the benchmark All-Share Index (ASI) declined by 0.09 per cent to close at 195,898.53 points, compared with the previous session’s level, as investors booked profits in some large and mid-cap stocks.

Consequently, market capitalisation shed N107.57 billion, settling at N125.75 trillion. Despite the marginal decline, the market still maintained positive returns, with the month-to-date gain standing at 1.6 per cent, while the year-to-date return moderated to 25.89 per cent.

The downturn was largely driven by losses recorded in stocks such as Presco Plc and UAC of Nigeria Plc, both of which declined by 10 per cent, alongside Dangote Cement Plc, which slipped by 0.6 per cent.

Market breadth closed negative, reflecting bearish investor sentiment, as 40 stocks recorded losses compared with 29 gainers, translating to a market breadth ratio of 0.7 times.

Among the top gainers were NGX Group Plc and Premier Paints Plc, which appreciated by 10 per cent and 9.9 per cent respectively. Other notable gainers included Omatek Ventures Plc, Prestige Assurance Plc and HMC Allied Plc.

On the losers’ chart, Presco Plc and UAC of Nigeria Plc led the decline with 10 per cent losses each, followed by Morison Industries Plc, LivingTrust Mortgage Bank Plc and SCOA Nigeria Plc.

Sectoral performance was mixed, with the Industrial Goods index leading the gainers after advancing by 1.42 per cent, while the Banking index recorded a marginal gain of 0.04 per cent.

Conversely, the Commodities sector topped the laggards, declining by 1.30 per cent. The Insurance index fell by 0.44 per cent, the Consumer Goods index dipped by 0.43 per cent, while the Oil and Gas index edged down by 0.06 per cent.

Activity level on the exchange weakened as investors traded a total of 671.27 million shares valued at N26.13 billion in 58,792 deals.

This represents a decline of 8.61 per cent in volume, 5.18 per cent in value and 9.31 per cent in the number of transactions compared with the previous trading session.

Wema Bank Plc emerged as the most actively traded stock by volume and value, accounting for 106.36 million shares worth N2.75 billion.

Analysts said the cautious mood in the market reflects continued portfolio rebalancing by investors following the strong rally recorded earlier in the year.

They noted that trading may remain mixed in the near term as investors react to corporate earnings releases and macroeconomic development.

Business

Wema Bank Admits 10 Startups into Hackaholics 2026

Published

13 hours ago

March 16, 2026

The Tide

Wema Bank has admitted 10 Nigerian startups into the 2026 edition of its Hackaholics Accelerator Programme as part of efforts to strengthen innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable business growth in the country.

The 10 cohort selected startups for the 2026 edition such as; Farmslate, Ploy, Stocmed, Feest , Varsityscape, MamaAlert, Sane, Cyclex, Kieva and Loocomo were drawn from the top performing finalists of Hackaholics 6.0.

The Hackaholics Accelerator, a selective growth programme under the bank’s Hackaholics platform, is designed to help promising startups reinforce their business foundations while preparing them for scalable growth and investment readiness.

Wema Bank said the programme represents a strategic expansion of its support for innovators, moving beyond ideation and competition to hands-on startup development after six years of driving innovation through the Hackaholics initiative.

According to Wema bank, the accelerator provides founders with structured mentorship, industry guidance and access to networks required to transform innovative ideas into viable and scalable businesses.

Speaking at the programme, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Wema Bank, Mr. Moruf Oseni, said the accelerator demonstrates the bank’s commitment to supporting founders beyond the early stages of innovation.

He noted that Hackaholics has evolved from a competition into a platform that showcases Nigeria’s entrepreneurial potential and technological creativity. Where he explain that the second edition of the accelerator focuses on helping founders transition from ideation to building sustainable business capable of long trem projects .

“Over the past six years, Hackaholics has grown into more than a competition; it has become a platform that reveals the depth of innovation and entrepreneurial potential that exists across Nigeria,”Oseni said.

Oseni stressed that the startups selected are representing some of the most promising solutions emerging from the Hackaholics ecosystem, and the back remain committed to helping them refine their business models, strengthen their operational foundations, and scale their impact.

Also speaking at the program , Wema Bank’s Chief Transformation Officer,Mr. Babatunde Mumuni, said the accelerator would guide founders through a structured process aimed at strengthening their operations and positioning them for sustainable growth.

As part of the programme, startups founders will participate in intensive training sessions facilitated by industry experts across key areas of business growth. Facilitators include Wema Bank executives such as Chief Transformation Officer, Babatunde Mumuni; Head of Strategy and Investor Relations, Femi Akinfolarin; Head of Data Transformation, Olamide Jolaoso; and Team Lead, Corporate Social Investment, Oluwatoyin Adetunji. While External facilitators include Managing Director of Impact Hub Lagos, Idowu Akinde; Managing Director of B4B Partners, Napa Onwusa; startup advisor and scout, Onaopemipo Dara; Google for Startups mentor, Rosemond Phil-Othihiwa; Head of Growth at Africhange, Tega Ogigirigi; and startup advisor and mentor, Ademola Adewuyi.

The Hackaholics Accelerator is also supported by Wema Bank’s broader innovation ecosystem, including IDEAx Labs, the bank’s innovation and venture platform, and its corporate venture programme focused on enabling startup growth through partnerships, infrastructure and access to capital.

Since its launch in 2019, Hackaholics has grown into one of Nigeria’s leading youth innovation platforms, attracting more than 15,000 applicants and supporting hundreds of digital solutions across multiple sectors.

Through the initiative, Wema Bank said it has disbursed more than $400,000 in funding to young innovators and startup founders nationwide.

Previous participants such as Feegor, Myitura and Bunce have emerged from earlier editions of the programme, highlighting the accelerator’s focus on nurturing growth-ready companies. Meanwhile the 2026 edition builds on this progress by supporting startups as they transition from innovation to sustainable business growth.