“They had a National Mainframe” – Quote of the Week
This week, I would like to highlight these searing points made by the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu. In a recent interview, he applauded the leadership of the President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame. He highlighted the need for Nigeria to identify and adopt a national narrative – a mainframe that will spur growth […]
Who and what Inspires you?
As an entrepreneur, I draw inspiration from other brilliant minds in business, technology, entertainment, and indeed all spheres of life. I talked in depth about four of these incredible personalities that I admire in my recent interview with New African Magazine: “I can think of four people, two of whom have passed away that I […]
A moment of Appreciation
Monday was a day of emotion and reflection. I hosted colleagues at a cocktail party, to celebrate something very important to me – you, our team, our people. Earlier this year, we significantly advanced our strategy in the oil and gas sector, completing the historic acquisition of OML17, for $1.1 billion, through Heirs Oil & Gas (HHOG). […]
5 Key Steps to Improving Nigeria’s Business Environment.
I was happy to deliver remarks at the Investors Webinar organized by the Bureau of Public Enterprises in collaboration with the Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission with the theme “The International Perspectives of Nigeria’s Business Environment”. I expressed my confidence in the opportunity that the country provides and emphasized the need to de-personalise investment opportunities and focus on […]
This is my Aura
I recall the first time I was asked to describe myself in one word; I thought of the many qualities I practice in my leadership engagements and settled for Resilience. As I have built companies and their leaders, this quality has informed how things are done across our Group and how we respond to issues. […]
I believe in luck because I’m a product of it
When I started my career, I got a job I applied for despite not meeting the advertised criteria. That was luck at play, but I also believed that I was good enough to make a difference, so I offered myself. Luck was what made my boss at the time read my application letter. Leaders must […]
A Reimagined Africa – France relationship
In 2018, I hosted H.E. President Emmanuel Macron in Lagos. We share some fundamental ideas in common – the urgency of economically empowering our youth, the potential of entrepreneurship, using technology for good – and for all – a focus on execution, the need to do things now. As part of the President’s visit to […]
Fatherhood: my greatest legacy.
I was greatly influenced by my parents. My father was a wise and discerning man, as my mother was enterprising and hardworking. My father always told us in a proverbial manner that if one earned a dollar and did not save anything, one would earn a billion and not save anything. This statement echoed throughout […]
My dreams for Africa: reflecting on #UBAAfricaConversations for the #UBAAfricaDay2021.
Yesterday, at the 3rd United Bank for Africa Conversations (#UBAAfricaConversations) celebrating Africa Day, I was privileged to moderate a profoundly moving conversation, with some of Africa’s most prominent voices: Rwandan President, Paul Kagame, the World Trade Organisation’s Director-General, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; the World Health Organisation’s Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus; and International Finance Corporation Managing […]
Celebrating the Value and Dignity in our Labour
On May 1, we celebrated working women and men, in Africa and the world. Work gives us all dignity, it allows us to create value, to sustain our families, secure our futures. As an African, creating sustainable, meaningful employment is what drives me. It is why I champion entrepreneurship. Through my own life journey, I […]
