Dangote, Zenith, Access, others shine @NextMoney Top 100 Companies awards - ITREALMS

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Dangote Cement, Zenith Bank, Access Holdings, Seplat Energy, AIICO Insurance, Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO), First HoldCo, NEM Insurance, and AXA Mansard Insurance have been recognised among Nigeria’s high-performing companies at the maiden edition of the NextMoney Top 100 Companies Awards.

The event, organised by NextMoney Magazine, a publication of the Centre for Financial Journalism (CFJ), was held on Friday, October 3, 2025, at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos. It celebrated publicly listed companies on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) based on their 2024 audited financial reports.

NextMoney set to unveil Top 100 Companies in Nigeria, celebrate nation’s high-performing companies - ITREALMS

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NextMoney, a publication of Centre for Financial Journalism Ltd/Gte, is set to unveil Nigeria’s Top 100 Companies and host NextMoney Top 100 Companies Awards to celebrate the country’s high-performing companies.

The unveiling and the award ceremony is scheduled for 5.00pm on October 3, 2025 at the Civic Centre, Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Coker-Odusote: 100 Days @NIMC by Walter Duru - ITREALMS

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It was Albert Einstein that once said that “setting an example is not the main means of influencing another, it is the only means.” That sentiment expressed by Einstein is the primary essence behind the theory of transformational leadership, which requires passion, charisma, and the ability to motivate others.

Transformational leaders are usually very authentic, emotionally intelligent, great listeners, results-focused, visionary, and self-aware.

Digital education: Airtel, UNICEF to connect 100,000 children in Nigeria - ITREALMS

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Leading telecommunications provider and mobile money services with a presence in 14 countries in Africa, Airtel, is set to roll out a digital learning initiative in Nigeria, in partnership with UNICEF that will connect 100,000 children to the Learning Passport, an online resource, over the next five years. With over 50 million subscribers, Nigeria is Airtel Africa’s biggest market.

Airtel Africa’s Group CEO, Segun Ogunsanya said that 100 schools will be connected annually in the country as part of the five-year, US$57 million partnership with UNICEF signed in October 2021.

IXPN's network surpasses 100-member milestone - ITREALMS

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The Internet eXchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN) has surpassed a 100-member milestone, just as its peak traffic exceeds 300Gbps, reports ITREALMS.

Disclosing this in Lagos, the Chief Executive Officer of IXPN, Mr. Muhammed Rudman, informed ITREALMS that this milestone is worth celebrating.

100 days in Office: Soludo, insecurity and baptism of fire - ITREALMS

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The Anambra State Governor, His Excellency, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo had, long before now, given the impression that he never believed in the tradition of celebrating 1st 100 Days in Office. I share that same opinion with him. 

To me the intricacies, landmines and shockers embedded in the learning curve of any organisational leadership requires at least a complete operational cycle before a meaningful performance evaluation can be conducted.

9mobile trains 100 Kano teachers on innovative skills - ITREALMS

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Following a successful maiden edition in Lagos, Nigeria’s caring telecom brand, 9mobile, has organized a one-day train-the-trainer workshop for teachers in Kano in partnership with the Kano State Ministry of Education. The workshop had in attendance teachers across the state drawn from both the Junior and Senior secondary schools.

The workshop is one of 9mobile’s effort to strengthen education, improve child school enrolment and ensure that teachers are abreast of current information to manage and influence the upcoming generation of students to be future agents of positive change.

Nigerians dominate gender parity in 100 Most Influential Africans - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

Nigerians have once again dominated this year’s list in terms of entries, followed by Kenyans in the New African 100 most influential Africans, reports ITREALMS.

The list, ITREALMS gathered is for the first time having gender balanced, just as quadruplet covers featured Mo Salah, Bogolo Joy Kenewendo, Denis Mukwege and Ahmed Abiy.

“For the first time since publishing the list, there is an equal amount of men and women featuring in this year’s one hundred. Although this year’s listing is dominated by entries from Nigeria and Kenya, outstanding personalities from several other African countries are also featured,” a press statement from the publishers read.

The December issue is published with four different covers featuring: Ethiopia’s Prime Minister, Ahmed Abiy, arguably Africa’s person of the year; the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize co-winner DR Congo’s Dr Denis Mukwege; Botswana’s 32-year old Minister of Trade  Investment  Bogolo Joy Kenewendo; and Egypt’s soccer superstar, Mo Salah whose influence goes well beyond football.

The annual list has become an industry and readers’ much-awaited collation – revealing Africans who contributed in shaping the African narrative in the concluding year and envisaged to play a big role in the coming year, both on the continent and in the Diaspora.

Collated by and from its global network of correspondents and industry insiders, this year’s listing consists of some regular names, and some of them returning for the second, even third year such as businessman Aliko Dangote.  The final 2018 tally sees a drop in the number of entries for politicians, but an increase in the arts and culture section at 16 and 22 entries respectively.

In terms of countries, entries are led by Nigeria with 18 names followed by Kenya (11) South Africa (10) Egypt (8) and Ethiopia (7).

“One yardstick which we often employ when coming up with the final list is to emphasise that influence is not about popularity and popularity is not always influential. The influencer’s impact on public, social and political discourse, however, is what largely helps us determine their influence. Most importantly we focus mainly on people who have been influential for Africa’s good,” says reGina Jane Jere – editor of the magazine’s sister publication – New African Woman, who leads and oversees the 100 Most Influential Africans project.

With many reports indicating how gender parity improves the quality of governance and accelerates development, and in a year that has seen the emboldening of gender issues, with countries such Ethiopia even taking a lead in achieving gender parity in Cabinet, and appointing its first ever female President under its new reformist Prime Minister Ahmed Abiy, the magazine felt it apt to produced a 50/50 ratio in this year’s list. According to the editor of the magazine, Anver Versi, this happened as much by chance as it did by design. “When whittling down the nominees and choosing our hundred, we ended with an equal number of women and men. That was the premise of this year’s ranking but it happened naturally!”

One other outstanding feature of this year’s list is the increased inclusion of people of African descent making their mark at a global level in the African Diaspora. “This is a clear indication of the wealth of talent that our continent possesses and shows that given the slightest opportunity, our men and women can eclipse their peers worldwide in their chosen fields of endeavour,” explains Versi.

Also of note is the inclusion of men and women in the seemingly unglamorous fields such as conservation and climate change, whose work is often overlooked by the media.

Uj. N. Dominic/GEE

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Pre-2019: USA to train 100 Nigerian journalists

ITREALMS:

The United States Mission in the country is gearing up to training some 100 Nigerian journalist in preparation for the 2019 general election, reports ITRealms.

Disclosing this on Thursday in Lagos, the Consul General, Mr. John Bray at the occasion of the 2018 World Press Freedom Day, said the training will be for 100 political reporters and editors.

This training, he also said, has been scheduled in four cities across southern Nigeria, and will be co-facilitated by Voice of America’s Director of International Media Training and a renowned Nigerian journalism professor.

Bray explained that this support was designed to help the media further appreciate their huge responsibility of reporting accurately on elections and electoral processes.

He described democratic societies are not infallible but they are accountable, and the exchange of ideas is the foundation for accountable governance.

“Peaceful and credible elections are essential to Nigeria’s continued economic, political, and social development so I am interested in your discussion today on media and the transparence of the 2019 election,” he said.

Nigeria, he also said, plays a vital role on the world stage and as the largest economy in sub-Saharan Africa, Nigeria’s stability is crucial to the security and economic prosperity of the rest of the continent. 

“Nigeria’s future is full of promise and opportunity,” Mr. Bray declared.

The U.S. government, he reiterated, is dedicated to supporting Nigerians in ensuring that the 2019 elections will be transparent, credible, and peaceful.

He charged media to foster active debate, provide investigative reporting, and serve as a forum to express different point of view.

“When people don’t have the facts, they make them up and that creates unstable environments, rife with rumors, gossip and lies,” he said.

Urging Nigerian journalists, to ensure this doesn’t happen, by providing information, researching, conducting interviews, and then educating the electorate. 

“The people of Nigeria rely on your unbiased and accurate coverage of the campaign season and the elections. That is why your role is so important,” he enthused.

Assuring that on the 2019 election, the U.S. Mission will supports journalists effort toward providing objective and balanced reporting to the Nigerian people. 

The U.S. government, he said, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), has assisted Nigeria with strengthening the elections process since 1999. 

“Working with Nigerian and international partners, the U.S. Mission in Nigeria has also engaged diplomatically and publicly to prevent violence and increase accountability, contributing significantly to the goal of free, fair, credible, and peaceful elections in Nigeria,” he assured.

Other speakers at the occasion include former chairman, National Human Rights Commission, Dr. Chidi Odinkalu, Professor Femi Mimiko, Professor of Political Science and Former Vice-Chancellor, Adekunle Ajasin University, Ondo State.

Equally special guest at the occasion comprised President Nigeria Guild of Editors, Ms. Funke Egbemode; Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Dr. Qasim Akinreti and Zonal Public Relations Officer, Nigeria Police Zone 2 Command, Superintendent of Police Dolapo Badmus.

Remmy Nweke/ED, Ops

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Top 3: Kabiru Rabiu makes 2017 “Choiseul 100 Africa” Leaders

ITRealms:

The Group Executive Director of Nigeria’s leading conglomerate, BUA Group, Mr. Kabiru Rabiu, has been ranked second, only after Egyptian, Basil El Baz, on the ‘Choiseul 100 Africa’ list of future African Business Leaders by Institut Choiseul, reports ITRealms.

The institute, ITRealms gathered is a renowned French economic and political think-tank based in Paris and conducts ‘Choiseul 100 Africa’ in partnership with a leading publication, Jeune Afrique.

ITRealms reports that the 2017 rankings, boast of only 10 Nigerians, but has Kabiru Rabiu as the only Nigerian in the top 10.

The annual compilation by the French Institute is carried out through an original independent study that identifies profiles and ranks young African business leaders under the age of 40 from any of the 54 countries on the continent across various industries who will play a major role in the development of Africa in the near future.

Also ITRealms gathered that to classify the 100 leaders of tomorrow, the Choiseul Institute, through its panel of experts and specialists uses five sets of criteria: image and reputation, path and skills, power and function, influence and networks, potential and leadership.

These ‘Choiseul 100 Africa’ laureates are growing business leaders, successful entrepreneurs, investors, etc., who embody the dynamism and renewal of a whole continent and carry the hopes of an entire generation.

Other Nigerians on the 2017 list include Akinwunmi Akinfemiwa, Group Chief Executive Officer of Forte Oil at number 34 and Halima Dangote, daughter of the African richest man, Aliko Dangote and Executive Director of the Dangote Industries at 47th position.

An astute but amiable strategist, Kabiru Rabiu joined the family business in 2002 upon the completion of his studies as an Assistant General Manager of Nigerian Oil Mills based in Kano, Nigeria. He rose through the ranks to become the company’s General Manager and later became the Managing Director of BUA Oil Mills, Lagos - then the largest edible oil company in Nigeria.

Chuks Egbune/GEE

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MIIVOC insists on 100,000 man-march against Imo State Media bill

ITRealms:

... Demands recall of Ugonna Ozurigbo

A civil society organisation, Media Initiative against Injustice, Violence and Corruption-(MIIVOC), has insisted on its planned 100,000 man-march in Owerri, Imo State capital against the proposed bill to gag the media in the state by the State Assembly, describing it as anti-masses, reports ITRealms.

This is coming as they demanded the recall of the Nwangele state constituents member who is the chief sponsor of the bill and Deputy Speaker of the state Assembly, Ugonna Ozurigbo, according to MIIVOC Executive Director, Dr. Walter Duru.

Duru described the state Assembly’s move as irresponsible and aimed at consolidating fraud and misrule in the state, even as he urged people of the state to resist it, insisting that the march will go on unless the bill is formally withdrawn.

“The bill seeks to regulate the publication and distribution of newspapers and to register newspapers and news agents in Imo State. It is titled: a law to repeal and re-enact the newspaper law of eastern region of Nigeria, law number 24 of 1955 and newspaper law Edict no 3 of 1984 and other matters connected thereto.”

“The bill contradicts the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, as well as the Freedom of Information Act, 2011. It simply shows that some members of the state legislature are self-serving in their endeavours and exposes the bad intentions of the sponsors. What exactly are our leaders hiding and why do they want to gag the press at all cost. I have read through the bill and every page shows the obvious bad intention of the sponsors of the bill.”

“This development is an excellent entry point for scrutiny and public outcry over the ineptitude and wanton corruption of the present administration in the state.”

Continuing, Duru disclosed that mobilization is ongoing to shut down the state in the coming days in protest against the unpopular bill, even as he urged the leadership of the State House of Assembly to withdraw the bill in the interest of the state.

“We are mobilizing citizens against this draconian bill. The state will not believe what will happen in the coming days; members of the state Assembly will realise that they are representatives of the people and not mere self-serving individuals and stooges of the executive arm. I hold strongly and nobody can convince me to the contrary, that whoever that does not want to be discussed should stay away from public offices.”

“Imo people are hungry and there is no semblance of good governance in the state. How does this bill put food on the table of Imo people? How does it entrench transparency and accountability in governance? The focus now should be on legislation that will improve the socio-economic well-being of the people, enhance security and check corruption in the state, and not this evil ploy. The bill should be discarded in its totality. It belongs to the dust bin and should be thrown away without delay.”

Duru, who is also the Chairman, Board of Governors, Freedom of Information Coalition, Nigeria, vowed that everything necessary shall be done to stop the bill, even as he urged the Nwangele state constituents of the chief sponsor of the bill and Deputy Speaker of the state Assembly, Hon. Ugonna Ozurigbo, to commence the process of his recall, in the interest of the state, describing his action as disgraceful.

On reports of Hon. Ozurigbo’s alleged promise to withdraw the bill, Duru argued: “until a formal move is made at the floor of the State Assembly and the bill withdrawn, the action(s) will continue. Politicians cannot be trusted in this part of the world. We believed them in the past and they failed us. Nothing other than an immediate withdrawal of the Bill is acceptable.”

Uboshe Uboshe/GEE 

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