Business
New Board Takes Over 9mobile … As LH Telecoms Takes Majority Stake
Following the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) approval as required by law, emerging Telecommunication Services Limited, operating under the trade name “9Mobile”, have announced the completion of an equity investment by LH Telecommunication Limited.
The investment, which was approved by African Export Import Bank (AFREXIM), the senior lender to 9Mobile in May 2023 has resulted in a change in control of 9Mobile in favour of the new investor by the issuance of new shares amounting to 95.5% of 9Mobile to the new investor in consideration for the injection of fresh capital into the company.
In pursuant to the injection of capital, the new investor has nominated some persons to the Board of Directors of 9Mobile: Thomas Etuh has been nominated as the Chairman of the Board.
He is an accomplished and versatile entrepreneur with over 36 years of experience in strategic sectors of the African economy, including agriculture, fertilizer production, mining, banking, telecommunications, power and aviation.
He is a passionate leader with a track record of successful corporate management, ensuring that clear objectives and expectations are delivered and sustained.
Mr. Etuh is the founder of the Tak Group of Companies. He previously served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Unity Bank Plc, Veritas Kapital Assurance Plc and Lighthouse Capital Limited.
He is currently the Chairman of the Board of Notore Chemicals Industries Plc. As Chairman of Jennifer Etuh Foundation (JEF), he has championed several healthcare and life-empowering projects in the underserved regions of Nigeria.
On his part, Nahim Abe Ibraheem has over 30 years of experience across finance, upstream and downstream oil trade, procurement, and manufacturing.
He began his career at Orbit Communications in 1990 and founded Soveran Nigeria Limited, a specialty procurement and petroleum product distribution company, in 1995.
As Chairman of Euronat Nigeria Limited, he has overseen major oil product exports from the NLNG and NNPC.
His notable roles include representing VShips Monaco S.A in Nigeria and advising Africa Merchant Bank (a Fortis Bank Subsidiary) and Société Générale Bank, France.
Mr. Ibraheem serves as Chairman of the Boards of Veritas Kapital Assurance PLC and Lighthouse Capital Limited, as well as a Non-Executive Director of the VFD Group and Veritas Glanvills Pensions Ltd.
He has sat on the boards of Morris Nigeria Limited and Superphosphate Fertilisers & Chemicals Limited. He is a member of the Institute of Directors (Nigeria) and PESA, and an avid sports fan.
Femi Edun is a financial services industry professional with over 35 years’ experience across assurance, consulting, credit ratings and research, investment banking and proprietary investment, from a variety of roles in Akintola Williams & Co (now Deloitte), Price Waterhouse, (now PricewaterhouseCoopers), Agusto & Co. Limited, Nigeria’s first credit rating agency and Frontier Capital Limited.
He has been involving in notable pioneering initiatives in the financial services industry and several landmark transactions.
Whilst serving as a volunteer adviser to the Federal Government, he was a non-executive director of the Bank of Industry.
He is the Chairman of the board of Craneburg Construction Limited, independent non-executive Director of Chevron Closed Pension Fund Administrators Limited and non-executive director of Notore Chemical Industries Plc and Agusto & Co. Limited amongst others.
Following the completion of the transaction, LH Telecommunication Limited has nominated the following new members to the board of directors of 9Mobile:
Senator Daisy Ehanire Danjuma was elected as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2003 where she served on numerous committees, most notably as Chairman of the ECOWAS Parliament’s Women and Children’s Rights Committee and Chairman Senate Committee on Women Affairs and Youth Development.
Following her legislative tenure, she held the position of Executive Vice Chairman of SAPETRO until December 2023 when she was appointed as the Executive Chairman.
Senator Danjuma is the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the H I D Awolowo Foundation, a Member Board of Trustees of Women at Risk International Foundation (WARIF), the Chairman Board of Trustees of Lagos Public Interest Law Partnership (LPILP) and the Chairman of May & Baker Nigeria Plc.
She worked as a State Counsel in the Lagos State Ministry of Justice (Department of Public Prosecutions) and was a pioneer Legal Counsel to the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria before working for the investment bank, Nigerian Acceptances Limited (NAL Merchant Bank).
She was Company Secretary/Legal Adviser to the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) before moving into private practice.
Senator Danjuma is a member of the International Bar Association (IBA), the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and the International Federation of Female Lawyers (FIDA).
She has also been awarded honorary doctorate degrees by the University of Ibadan, University of Benin and Redeemer’s University.
Michael Ikpoki is an accomplished Multinational Business Executive/Leader with over 25 year’s experience across regulatory, commercial, operational management/leadership and consulting/advisory roles in the African Telecom Industry.
He was a former Chief Executive Officer of MTN Ghana and MTN Nigeria. He is Founder/Managing Partner of Africa Context Advisory Partners where he leads expert teams to consult on Telecom/ICT in Africa.
He is Chairman of the Boards of Capricorn Digital Limited and Amplitude Telecoms Africa Limited. He is a member of the Boards of Telecel Group and Unilever Nigeria Plc.
Ibrahim Ajimasu Puri is a finance professional who possesses over 30 years of cognate banking experience encompassing operations, marketing, retail, corporate banking, and human resource management.
He was an Executive Director with the United Bank for Africa (UBA), with responsibility for the bank’s operations in Northern Nigeria.
He currently serves on the boards of several blue-chip companies in Nigeria including the Nigeria Breweries Plc and is Chairman of the Board of Redtech Limited, a member of the Heirs Holdings Group
Emmanuel Etuh is a professional and business executive whose experience covers law, finance and operations across diverse industries.
He currently serves as Executive Director, Corporate Services at Lighthouse Capital, overseeing the operational aspects of the business, including investments, client service, risk and technology.
He also serves on the board of Veritas Kapital Assurance Plc and Tak Agro & Chemicals Limited. He commenced his career at Banwo & Ighodalo and later served a stint at the International Bar Association, London.
He also served as a lead transactor at TMD Advisory Services focused on the origination, structuring and execution of financial advisory mandates in West and East Africa.
Etuh is the founding partner at Haute and Peers LP, providing strategic, corporate and commercial advice to technology, media and telecoms players in the Nigerian market.
The new Board has also ratified the appointment of the new management team led by Obafemi Banigbe as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Company to lead the Company through this transition stage and take it on the path of recovery.
Obafemi is an accomplished technology executive with proven track record of steering technological innovations and strategic initiatives throughout various pivotal markets across Africa.
He has over 24 years in the telecommunications industry and has worked in different capacities within the industry, including as Network Operations director in Airtel Nigeria, Chief Technology Officer in Millicom International Cellular Tanzania, Chief Operating Officer and interim Chief Executive Officer of Millicom Ghana.
He brings his deep technical knowledge and understanding of the telecommunications industry in Africa and proven leadership to the team.
Similarly, the Board has approved the appointment of John Vasikiran as the company’s Chief Operating Officer and Abolaji Idowu as Chief Financial Officer.
John Vasikiran is a technology business executive with over 25 years of experience as a dynamic & results-oriented CXO, providing Strategic and Operations leadership in uniquely challenging situations.
John had successful stints as a Group Chief Commercial Officer of Glo Nigeria, Glo Ghana, and Glo Benin. He was also CEO of Cellcom (Orange) in Liberia, CEO Cellcom- Guinea (Conakry) and was Director of Business Development & Sales (Africa Region) for Ribbon Communications formerly Nortel Networks.
Prior to this, John held various Sr. level Positions in MA Group, including as Managing Director of Conoil Plc and Director Commercial of Glo Nigeria.
On his part, Idowu has joined the company with over 20 years of experience having led finance transformation and delivering ambitious growth for global giants, such as Vodafone, Telefonica O2, MTN Nigeria, Starcomms PLC, Shell, Barclays, PepsiCo International, British Gas, Johnson & Johnson, Norgine Pharmaceutical and Vivo Energy.
He has held senior positions in various organizations across Europe and Africa raising finance, transforming organizations, championing growth, delivering significant cost saving and efficiency, optimizing asset utilization, reorganizing and streamlining companies, and preparing entities for new markets.
The reconstitution of the Board of Directors and the Executive leadership of the company has brought the 9mobile transformation programme to a momentous phase in readiness to compete strongly in the market.
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The Kalabari Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KALCCIMA) has formally inaugurated its new executive council at a ceremony marked by optimism, strong institutional backing, and renewed commitment to economic development in Kalabari land.
The inauguration was performed by the National Deputy President of the National Association of Chambers of Commerce,Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Dr. Emi Membere-Otaji, who charged the new leadership to position KALCCIMA as a catalyst for inclusive growth, enterprise development, and strategic engagement with government and the private sector.
The newly inaugurated officers of KALCCIMA are:
Elder Monima Daminabo (President); Amb. Clement Akanibo (First Deputy President); Boma Kaladokubo (Second Deputy President); Harry Awolayeofori Macmorrison (Executive Secretary/Director-General); Faaye Franklin (Treasurer); Engr. Robinson Success (Financial Secretary); Ibiba Don-Pedro (Public Relations Officer); Princess Nancy Boma Princewill (Organising Secretary); Barr. Idaoyibo Fortune Igbikikuno (Legal Adviser); Abiye George (Welfare Officer).
In his keynote address, Dr. Membere-Otaji congratulated the Exco and emphasized the strategic importance of a vibrant local chamber to regional and national economic growth.
He urged the leadership to align KALCCIMA’s programmes with NACCIMA’s national vision, stressing professionalism, transparency, and innovation in advancing commerce, mining, agriculture, and small and medium-scale enterprises in Kalabari.
“The Chamber must become a rallying point for entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers. Kalabari has immense economic potential, and KALCCIMA must provide the structure and leadership to unlock it,” he said.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Prince Billy Harry, charged the Exco to lead with integrity, unity, and purpose.
He encouraged them to move beyond ceremonial roles and focus on tangible outcomes that would uplift Kalabari communities, empower youth and women, and attract sustainable investments.
In his acceptance remarks, Elder Daminabo expressed gratitude to NACCIMA, the Board of Trustees, and stakeholders for their confidence in the new leadership.
He assured members that the Exco would prioritize stakeholder engagement, capacity building, and partnerships aimed at stimulating trade, supporting local industries, and promoting agricultural and maritime opportunities unique to the Kalabari axis.
Goodwill messages poured in from notable professionals and stakeholders, including Arc. Eniye Braide, Arc. Danny Sokari George and Ebianga Bestmann, all of whom commended the inauguration and expressed confidence in the capacity of the new Exco to reposition KALCCIMA as a strong voice for economic advocacy and development.
They urged the Chamber to leverage Kalabari’s strategic location, cultural heritage, and human capital to foster entrepreneurship, attract investments, and contribute meaningfully to the economic prosperity of Rivers State and Nigeria at large.
The inauguration ceremony ended on a note of collective resolve, with stakeholders expressing hope that the new leadership would usher in a new era of relevance, impact, and sustainable development for KALCCIMA and the entire Kalabari nation.
By: Opaka Dokubo
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), in December 2025 commenced the Nigerian Content Research, Innovation and Technology Challenge 2025/2026 edition.
The Board called on interested individuals, research institutions, academia, oil and gas industry suppliers, and members of the public with research innovations, to submit proposals for evaluation and admission into the NCDMB Technology Innovation and Incubation Centre (TIIC), Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
The Tide learnt that the competition, which seeks to identify and develop new technologies to address specific challenges in the oil and gas industry and its linkage sectors, requires that proposals be in line with approved thematic areas and priority industry challenge, namely, Geological and Geophysical Studies, Local Materials Substitution Studies, Technology Development Studies, Health, Safety and Environmental Studies, Engineering Studies, and Renewable Energy.
For Geological and Geophysical Studies, proposals have to focus on developing solutions related to exploration, big data, and real time logging data processing, while those for Local Materials Substitution Studies have to concentrate on sustainable materials for environmental remediation, materials for development of cryogenic technology for liquefied natural gas (LNG), refinery, and other applications, as well as local materials for ultra-high temperature pressure cementing.
For Technology Development Studies, the NCDMB requires innovation on denationalization technology, application of Internet of Things to exploration and production, and condensate refining technology, while proposals for HSE Studies are expected to deal with carbon capture utilisation and storage technology to reduce greenhouse emission, depollution and produced water management system, and hydrogen production techniques to enhance carbon dioxide capture.
In respect of Engineering Studies, proposals are expected for developing technology solutions for enhanced oil recovery, refinery units technology to improve efficiency, laboratory analytical equipment for experiment and materials testing, and drilling technology, instrumentation, and control systems.
For Renewable Energy, the Board said proposals are expected from solar energy technologies, wind energy solutions, and energy storage systems, such as battery technologies, hydrogen storage, thermal storage, and molten salts.
The NCDMB noted that the proposals, which should not be more than 1,500 words were to be submitted via email address (info@tiic.com.ng) not later than a month from the date of publication were also required to be in the following format: Company/institution name, Thematic area, Title of innovation, Description of innovation, and Objective, vision and mission.
Others are, Team structure, Funding model and budget estimate, Marketing plan, and Risk analysis.
In a statement from the Directorate of Corporate Communications of the NCDMB quoted the management of the Board as saying that at the first stage of the competition, the top 30 proposals will be selected and the teams assigned mentors to guide them towards developing a compelling demo and presentation, while proposals will be reduced to 10 at the second stage, and further reduced to five on the final day of the competition where the winners will be determined.
“The innovators will present their business pitches/demos to corporate venture capitalists to invest, drive innovation, and expand market reach, while helping emerging businesses to grow.
“Prizes will be awarded to the top five winners of the competition in the form of cash, mentorship opportunities, and media coverage, while the top 10 participants will be onboarded into the TIIC at the Nigerian Content Tower for guidance and further development of their innovation to commercialisation”, the NCDMB said.
By Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
As parts of efforts to enhance the livelihood of the people in the season of celebration, the Ikuru Town Host Community Development Trust (HCDT), has distributed christmas packages worth about N50m to the people of the trust.
The condiments, including 10kg of rice, vegetable oil, tin tomato, and maggi cubes were distributed to over 2,500 households in Ikuru Town community.
The HCDT also issued start-up grants of N200,000 alongside starter-packs to each of the 13 graduands of its Skill Acquisition Programme.
Speaking to journalists at the Ikuru Town HCDT Community Town Hall meeting and Sharing of Livelihood Support Items programme, in Ikuru Town, Andoni, Rivers State, Monday, the Chairman, Ikuru Town HCDT, Prof. Lysias D Gilbert, said the gesture was the birth of the 3% derivative of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) of Its settlors, the Green Energy International Limited and Lekoil (GEIL/LEKOIL JV).
Gilbert who noted with dismay the high rate of poverty in the country opined that some households may be unable to afford the condiments of the season, insisting that the gesture was to fill the gap for such households and individuals.
According to him, the Ikuru Town HCDT is aimed at developing the community and boosting the livelihood of its people.
“Remember, the rate of poverty in Nigeria is high. A lot of people cannot even afford a cup of rice in December like this. We have come to share these condiments to well about 2,500 households. To those who are living on their own in the community including single mothers and widows. This is to put smiles on their faces, giving them hope that the community has not forgotten them”.
Gilbert said that the HCDT, as part of its empowerment programme for the youths of the community, trained 13 youths comprising of males and females in different skills of pipefitting, hairstyling, photography/video editing, fashion designing, mobile phone repair, welding and fabrication and hair cutting.
In his words “we empowered 13 persons. We picked 15 of our youths, took them to PortHarcourt for a period of 12 months.
We rented an apartment for them, one for the boys and another for the ladies, paid them stipends to enable them feed and transport themselves, and trained them in these different skills”.
Out of the 15, 13 of them successfully graduated and some of them have secured jobs with reputable companies based on their acquired skills. We took them from the community, so, today, we have brought them back to the community, to present them as parts of our achievements in 2025″.
While noting that the HCDT had been consistent in the gestures for the past three years, Gilbert urged the beneficiaries to maximise the opportunity for their individual growth and community development.
He further outlined the HCDT’s achievements to include the community legacy water project which he said would be commissioned before the end of the first quarter, renovation and refurbishment of the community’s secondary school and public toilets, employment of six auxiliary teachers to support the teaching staff in the primary and secondary schools, award of bursary to 801 beneficiaries across all educational levels amongst others.
Beneficiaries of the livelihood support and skill acquisition programme lauded the Ikuru Town HCDT for the gestures and called for continuity.
A graduand in fashion designing, Julia Raymond, said “on behalf of the trainees, I say a very big thank you to the Ikuru Town HCDT. They were there for us at every level of our training. We have acquired a lifetime skill that can sustain us with our parents and siblings and it has been beneficial to us especially in this festive period. I can assure the HCDT that we will make good use of the opportunity “.
Earlier, the Okan-Ama of Ikuru Town, HRM King Miller Aaron Ikuru, expressed gratitude for the peace that has prevailed in the community insisting that it has paved the way for the event of the day.
Represented by the Deputy Okan-Ama, Ikuru Town, Sir Chief Micheal Williams Omayi, King Ikuru said “for today, to God be the glory because peace has finally returned to Ikuru Town. I call on everyone for cooperation and understanding so that we can forge ahead to achieve the developmental process in Ikuru Town.
“The HCDT has done very well to boost the skills of the youths. I encourage the graduands to take the skills seriously for their betterment “.
More Vibrant Businesses In 2016- MD
Chidi Enyie
A Por Harcourt based businessman, Chinonye Okoha Esq has said that businesses in Nigeria are likely to prosper in 2026 following the Federal Government’s policy reforms.
Mr. Okoha who stated that while speaking with journalist in Port Harcourt on New Year day, remarked that despite initial hiccups at the beginning of the present administration, the economy had gradually bounced back.
He said he was optimistic that the Renewed Hope Agenda would fix the economy in a short time.
He said that the spiral inflation had ebbed drastically giving way for a economic growth.
Mr. Okoha noted the prices of commodities that soared as a result of fuel subsidy had become more stable in recent times.
He encouraged Nigerians to support the present administration so it could deliver the necessary dividends of democracy.
According to him, it is likely that if President Ahmed Bola Tinunu’s administration is encouraged to achieve its vision for the country, the Nigerian economy will bounce back and the country will be a desired business destination.
He condemned the restiveness in the North and noted that such things were setting the country back.
He pointed out that Nigeria would be a better business destination if the activities of the bandits were halted.
He lauded the present administration for its plan to fix the Nigerian economy.
By: Lady Godknows Ogbulu