‘The creative industry has potential to save millions of Nigerian youths’
Tony Abulu is a global digital monetisation expert, an advocate of African creative industry and a film producer.


In this interview with CHIJIOKE IREMEKA, he says though the Federal Government appreciates the fundamental value of Nigerian Diaspora remittances currently at almost $35 billion yearly, the government has not been adequately informed on how it can easily direct the remittances to a specific International Money Transfer Organisation (IMTO) and simply monetise it to earn over $1billion annually. He also says the Nigerian creative industry has the potential to save over 100 million youths by creating viable employment for them. Excerpts:

The name Tony Abulu rings a bell, but because of those who are yet to know you, could you lead us through your family and professional backgrounds?
I’m Tony Abulu. I was born in the commercial city of Onitsha in Anambra State. I’m from the family of Mr. Joseph Agbon and Mrs. Patstella Chinemogo Abulu. We used to live together in Zaria as a family with my three other siblings until my parents travelled to London for studies. While my father went for Engineering, my mother was studying Architecture.

Then, I was barely three years old. As a result, my siblings and I moved from Zaria to Lagos with my uncle, Charles Abulu, and grandmother, Princess Egyadame of Idumebo, Ekpoma, then Midwestern State. The train trip from Zaria to Lagos took three days. I attended St. Patrick’s Catholic Primary School, Yaba, Lagos.

https://guardian.ng/saturday-m....agazine/the-creative

Nigeria’s creative sector, as categorized by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), is comprised of five sub-sectors: Media and Entertainment, Beauty and Lifestyle, Visual Arts, as well as Tourism and Hospitality.

Leadership News

Kuda Commends Fintechs For Deepening Digital Economy
Written by Kingsley Okoh 1 week ago



The chief technology officer/Co-founder of Kuda Technologies Limited, Musty Mustafa, has commended the crucial roles of fintechs in deepening digital economy for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to harness the full potential of the strategic non-oil contributions to national socio-economic growth.

Mustafa, who shared industry leaders’ perspective on the Nigerian economy and the role of startups in an exclusive interview, commended the federal government’s digital economy policy as a right step in the right direction.

He noted that, cashless payment systems would impact more on the national Gross Domestic Product(GDP) with fintechs and digital solutions providers like Kuda and others playing bigger roles as critical drivers of the policy.

“The key thing that we cannot shy away from is the impact of the cashless policy on the overall economy stating that If we can enhance it, we can harness the positives that it brings to the table for the Nigerian economy. I think fintech has a crucial role to play in that area,” he enthused.

Digital platforms and e-payment systems, Mustafa stated further, are rapidly transforming Nigeria’s

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financial ecosystem by facilitating convenient and fast access to funds for businesses, lowering operational cost as well as making transactions more seamless for customers.

He added that, these are already having a positive ripple effect on the Nigerian economy as a whole, including job creation.


He said: “What I see happening to businesses and more innovative solutions are evolving. Small businesses can now collect payments effectively in the easiest way and in a very cheap, affordable manner.

“Also, consumers can make payments with ease and also in a cheaper and affordable manner because these two things are very important – accessibility and affordability. If we can achieve these things in our payments industry, I think they will have positive ripple effects on the economy as a whole.”

The Kuda CTO acknowledged that Nigeria’s fintech industry has grown significantly in recent years with numerous startups providing cutting edge financial solutions to businesses and consumers, and pointed out that technology has a lot more to offer in enhancing the nation’s traditional banking and financial ecosystem.

He advised government to formulate and implement laws and programmes that can further support the growth of the industry, while advocating for continuous collaboration between the traditional banks and fintechs, strong credit system, strengthening of the cybersecurity space and

financial literacy.

“There are three key things we expect to see in terms of policy change and intentionality from the government and to foster growth that we are seeing in this sector,” he said.

He said, one of the key things is that, the policy that would entrench continuous relationships between the traditional players and the new players; that is, the traditional banks and the fintech.

Mustafa while speaking on Kuda’s contribution to accelerating Nigeria’s digital economy ecosystem, said

the company remains committed to its vision of making financial services affordable and accessible to Nigerians and indeed Africans wherever they are across the world.


Expatiating further, he said, Kuda supports retailers, consumers and businesses with an array of digital solutions that offer convenience and affordability, thereby, helping them to grow and meeting personal aspirations.

Speaking on the critical success factors for the company, Mustafa identified people as the most critical asset that organisations should invest in, noting that, “as a business, Kuda continues to invest in our people, the ones that we have, and also we want to attract the best of talent from the outside pool, those that we don’t have access to at the moment.”

Time is the most precious Treasure, Love is the greatest force in the universe

This is the generation of them that seek Him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. [Ps. 24:6].
I write primarily to the young Christians of this generation and also to those who are young at heart and to everyone that believe this is for you. You can call this anything but I believe this is a wake up call. This is to reignite the hearts of those (I speak also to myself) out there who are meant to be the burning ones but have died out. This is a call to the torchbearers of Christ who are to be an epitome of His life and truth to our generation, Arise! God is waging His war against the systems of the world which is evil and even we the children, the young Christians are a part of this war. A close look at the Scriptures and you will see that Babylon is what was often used to depict the system of this world. Babylon refers to the way the Church operates outside the will of Christ in this system of the world. Babylon, more emphatically typifies many things, all of which are still models of the system of the world. It typifies, man made religious system, killing of the saints, confusion and religious disorder, denominationalism, religion of gain (self-centered gospel) and many more which all still come down to a wrongly Church. It is quite painful how much of the world is entered the Church today. We this generation have lost complete sight of the true God and His ways. It really hurts to see the Church has lost focus of its head, Christ, and the Holy Spirit is now a backstage person. The fire of the burning ones is being fanned out as the Holy Spirit is being taken off scene and the torchbearers are now few! Many have chosen the way of the world and have conformed their Christian lives to fit their comfort and all they do is mere religion! I must say, I just can’t find words to pour out these burdens in my heart. O how much more the burdens of the Lord’s heart. The Lord us grieved at the way His bride, the Church, is taking and He is calling out to as many hearts that will hear this. Like I said, this is a wake up call and it goes out particularly to the young Christians especially out there from the Lord.



Read the full message here

https://steemit.com/christian/....@ddayvaid/the-burnin

If you buy stardom, there is a time you won’t be able to pay for her bill again because stardom adorn herself with expenses that is more than gold. However, when you gain stardom by Sacrifice, she regards and places you high.



https://olashoplife.com/2023/0....7/the-star-that-shin

Information vs. Knowledge: Unraveling the Distinctions for Better Understanding | #difference between information and knowledge #knowledge #information #learning #wisdom

Engaging The Lord of the Harvest for Supernatural Church growth

Matthew 9:38 -- The harvest is the season of gathering Jeremiah 32:37 Zephaniah 3:18

The Holy Ghost must be engaged to see the growth of the Church


1. He convict souls John 6:63 --- The Word contains life quickening spirit Hebrews 4:12 ---- sin is of the heart and it's the life quickening word that can discern it John 16:8/9-10 Psalms 15:1-2 --- Anyone that does not believe in Jesus Christ the Word of God is a sinner. When you don't believe in the Truth, you have believed the lie and when you believed the lie, you have come under a curse. No unrighteous can go to the hills of God. When they are convicted, the next steps leads to repentance Acts 2:37 Luke 4:32
2. He judges all devils Acts 8:8-9/20-23 Acts 13:7


This Message is a series from " Winners Chapel "Morning Prayer Raid of 18th of July 2023

Visa has launched a new Africa Fintech Accelerator programme to help enable African startups through expertise, connections, technology, and investment funding.

The launch of the Africa Fintech Accelerator programme follows Visa’s recent pledge to invest US$1 billion in Africa’s digital transformation and its long-term commitment to advancing Africa’s economies and driving inclusive growth.

The accelerator will enable up to 40 startups each year to accelerate and grow through a three-month intensive learning programme focused on business growth and mentoring.

Following the programme completion, Visa intends to further support fintech growth with capital investment in select participating businesses, while accelerating their commercial launch through access to Visa technology and capabilities.

Fintech startups throughout Africa can apply to be part of the program through two application phases each year, starting from this month. With more than 1,000 African fintech startups taking part in the Visa Everywhere Initiative competition in 2022, finalists from Africa country editions this year will be invited to join the accelerator programme.

“Africa has one of the most exciting and admired fintech ecosystems in the world, bringing outstanding entrepreneurial talent to a young digital-first population that is growing fast,” said Alfred F. Kelly Jr., executive chairman of Visa. “Visa has been increasing our investments in Africa for decades and strengthening partnerships throughout the continent to support the next wave of innovation and growth. Our new Fintech Accelerator will bring expertise, connections, and investment to Africa’s best fintech start-ups so they can grow at scale.