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Chidumaga Unachukwu: Pioneering Clean Energy Solutions in Africa

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By: Victor Ojelabi

Africa’s energy insufficiency problem, among other things, is responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths annually due to several factors like poor operations of hospitals and emergency services. This economic and development scourge is Africa’s number one barrier to development and meaningful growth.

Access to energy is a critical driver of inclusive growth and an opportunity creator for all. The history of the development and emergence of First-world nations has proven a direct relationship with the total energy capacity of a nation and the living standard of its people. Therefore, efforts at creating access to energy in Africa, particularly renewable, are always hope-giving, and worthy of support and recognition. It as such was not out of place when EXERGIE’s CEO, Chidumaga Unachukwu, was honoured last weekend at the Study UK Alumni Awards 2024, for his contributions to efforts to address this continental problem through innovative solutions in the renewable energy area.

Mr Unachukwu who has in the past received various such laurels and recognition, is leading ENERGIE to reinvent the usual offerings of renewable energy companies by focusing on solutions that are impactful. He is a recipient of Orange Corners Innovation Fund (OCIF) prize from The Kingdom of Netherlands and the prestigious “Brunel Alumni Award for Excellence” for his relentless commitment to advancing climate consciousness and spearheading modular, scalable solutions for key sectors of the economy.

Chidumaga earned a master’s degree in Renewable Energy Engineering from Brunel University London, which qualified for shortlisting into the prestigious Study UK Alumni Awards, where he won the Business and Innovation category. His journey towards sustainable energy solutions was shaped by his experiences at the university. He fondly recalls the invaluable support provided by Brunel’s 24-hour library access, which proved instrumental in his research endeavours, particularly during his project on “An In-depth Comparative Analysis Between the Clean Energy Sector in Nigeria and the United Kingdom” was an enabler for his current efforts and impact.

In the last two years, Chidumaga’s ENERGIE have installed over 2000+ kilowatts of capacity, resulting in an annual production of about 2.4 million kilowatts of energy. However, for Chidumaga, this is merely the beginning of his mission to drive sustainable energy solutions across Africa.

Chidumaga attributes his success largely to his smart decision and the opportunity of getting a world-class education, which created the global view he has of local problems and unlocked a world of opportunities behind the shores of Nigeria. He speaks of the immersive Brunel campus life, and how encountering students from every corner of the globe helped to appreciate a brilliant spectrum of perspectives.

Chidumaga Unachukwu’s story is not an isolated case. It’s, in fact, part of a larger narrative – a phenomenon known as “reverse brain gain.” The recognition by Study UK Alumni Awards, to him, is a testament to the transformative impact of his UK higher education. Other like-wise impactful business and social enterprise leaders who are alumni of UK institutions where honoured for their impacts and contributions to Nigeria’s development.

The awards ceremony, now in its tenth year, showcases not just individual accomplishments but the collective influence of UK education on professionals worldwide. It becomes a symbol of the enduring connection between quality education and national development.

Exploring the success stories of Nigerian professionals with a UK education sheds light on the undeniable value of quality higher learning. In today’s rapidly changing world, education isn’t just a guide; it’s a game-changer for personal growth, societal advancements, and economic prosperity.
The UK’s higher education system stands out globally, not just for securing great jobs but for unlocking higher earning potentials. It’s a powerhouse in innovation and research, attracting students globally with its groundbreaking advancements in science, technology, and the arts.

Internationally, the UK is a hotspot for tertiary education, drawing students not just for academics but also for the rich cultural diversity and global exposure it offers.

The UK’s tertiary education system is designed to break down barriers and foster inclusivity. Graduates don’t just climb the career ladder; they contribute to global social and economic progress, haven been trained to imbibe the mindset of shared value and greater societal good. The cultural advantage of a British education is significant, serving as a melting pot for diverse perspectives, and preparing graduates for a connected world where diversity is not just accepted but celebrated.

The surge in Nigerian students enrolling in the UK in 2021/2022, reaching 44,195, speaks volumes about the perceived return on investment. Nigerians believe a British education equips them with skills, knowledge, and global perspectives crucial for navigating today’s world. It’s not just about personal and professional growth; it’s an investment in Nigeria’s socio-economic development.

The ‘home coming’ of these UK alumni is the “reverse brain drain” phenomenon that is fast bringing in capacity for the various challenged sectors of the nation: bringing back expertise and experiences, contributing to nation’s growth. The Study UK Alumni Awards spotlights and celebrates these success stories, acknowledging the transformative impact of their UK higher education. Chidumaga and his work with ENERGIE is one of such newsworthy recognitions.

In the bigger picture of making the country, or continent better, the value of human resources cannot be overstated. Human potential is boundless, and investing in education and empowerment is crucial. Honouring UK alumni who return to Nigeria, establishing businesses, leading industries, and contributing to national development is an important highlighting of the need to focus on quality capacity building towards sustainable nation-building.

Just like Chidumaga and the class of 2024 award winners like Cassandra Akinde, a graduate of London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (Social Action category), Faith Agboola, founder of The African Writers and the convener of African Writers Meet and graduate of De Montfort University (Culture & Creativity), Jennifer Uchendu, founder of The Eco-Anxiety Africa project (TEAP) and graduate of University of Sussex (Science & Sustainability), emerged from hundreds of Nigerians who are alumni of UK institutions and applied for this year’s edition.

The recognition of these exceptional individuals in the Study UK Alumni Awards is more than just applause; it’s a celebration of the invaluable contributions they make to Africa’s development and economic emancipation.
In a world where quality knows no borders, investing in a top-notch education becomes an act of wisdom for a growing nation like Nigeria. The Study UK Alumni Awards stand as a noble tribute to those who have embraced this wisdom, showcasing how their educational journey has become a beacon of hope for the continent’s progress.

Chidumaga’s led company incorporated Artificial Intelligence for regenerative solutions cued on a mission to improve living standards and drive business growth. The disruptive approach is chartering a new course of action for future-proof renewable solutions and what the energy landscape in Nigeria and Africa holds with the likes of ENERGIE in the space can not only be admired but followed.

Africa’s energy insufficiency problem, among other things, is responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths annually due to several factors like poor operations of hospitals and emergency services. This economic and development scourge is Africa’s number one barrier to development and meaningful growth.

Access to energy is a critical driver of inclusive growth and an opportunity creator for all. The history of the development and emergence of First-world nations has proven a direct relationship with the total energy capacity of a nation and the living standard of its people. Therefore, efforts at creating access to energy in Africa, particularly renewable, are always hope-giving, and worthy of support and recognition. It as such was not out of place when EXERGIE’s CEO, Chidumaga Unachukwu, was honoured last weekend at the Study UK Alumni Awards 2024, for his contributions to efforts to address this continental problem through innovative solutions in the renewable energy area.

Mr Unachukwu who has in the past received various such laurels and recognition, is leading ENERGIE to reinvent the usual offerings of renewable energy companies by focusing on solutions that are impactful. He is a recipient of Orange Corners Innovation Fund (OCIF) prize from The Kingdom of Netherlands and the prestigious “Brunel Alumni Award for Excellence” for his relentless commitment to advancing climate consciousness and spearheading modular, scalable solutions for key sectors of the economy.

Chidumaga earned a master’s degree in Renewable Energy Engineering from Brunel University London, which qualified for shortlisting into the prestigious Study UK Alumni Awards, where he won the Business and Innovation category. His journey towards sustainable energy solutions was shaped by his experiences at the university. He fondly recalls the invaluable support provided by Brunel’s 24-hour library access, which proved instrumental in his research endeavours, particularly during his project on “An In-depth Comparative Analysis Between the Clean Energy Sector in Nigeria and the United Kingdom” was an enabler for his current efforts and impact.

In the last two years, Chidumaga’s ENERGIE have installed over 2000+ kilowatts of capacity, resulting in an annual production of about 2.4 million kilowatts of energy. However, for Chidumaga, this is merely the beginning of his mission to drive sustainable energy solutions across Africa.

Chidumaga attributes his success largely to his smart decision and the opportunity of getting a world-class education, which created the global view he has of local problems and unlocked a world of opportunities behind the shores of Nigeria. He speaks of the immersive Brunel campus life, and how encountering students from every corner of the globe helped to appreciate a brilliant spectrum of perspectives.

Chidumaga Unachukwu’s story is not an isolated case. It’s, in fact, part of a larger narrative – a phenomenon known as “reverse brain gain.” The recognition by Study UK Alumni Awards, to him, is a testament to the transformative impact of his UK higher education. Other likewise impactful business and social enterprise leaders who are alumni of UK institutions were honoured for their impacts and contributions to Nigeria’s development.

The awards ceremony, now in its tenth year, showcases not just individual accomplishments but the collective influence of UK education on professionals worldwide. It becomes a symbol of the enduring connection between quality education and national development.

Exploring the success stories of Nigerian professionals with a UK education sheds light on the undeniable value of quality higher learning. In today’s rapidly changing world, education isn’t just a guide; it’s a game-changer for personal growth, societal advancements, and economic prosperity.
The UK’s higher education system stands out globally, not just for securing great jobs but for unlocking higher earning potentials. It’s a powerhouse in innovation and research, attracting students globally with its groundbreaking advancements in science, technology, and the arts.

Internationally, the UK is a hotspot for tertiary education, drawing students not just for academics but also for the rich cultural diversity and global exposure it offers.

The UK’s tertiary education system is designed to break down barriers and foster inclusivity. Graduates don’t just climb the career ladder; they contribute to global social and economic progress, having been trained to imbibe the mindset of shared value and greater societal good. The cultural advantage of a British education is significant, serving as a melting pot for diverse perspectives, and preparing graduates for a connected world where diversity is not just accepted but celebrated.

The surge in Nigerian students enrolling in the UK in 2021/2022, reaching 44,195, speaks volumes about the perceived return on investment. Nigerians believe a British education equips them with skills, knowledge, and global perspectives crucial for navigating today’s world. It’s not just about personal and professional growth; it’s an investment in Nigeria’s socio-economic development.

The ‘homecoming’ of these UK alumni is the “reverse brain drain” phenomenon that is fast bringing in capacity for the various challenged sectors of the nation: bringing back expertise and experiences, contributing to the nation’s growth. The Study UK Alumni Awards spotlight and celebrate these success stories, acknowledging the transformative impact of their UK higher education. Chidumaga and his work with ENERGIE is one of such noteworthy recognitions.

In the bigger picture of making the country, or continent better, the value of human resources cannot be overstated. Human potential is boundless, and investing in education and empowerment is crucial. Honouring UK alumni who return to Nigeria, establishing businesses, leading industries, and contributing to national development is an important highlighting of the need to focus on quality capacity building towards sustainable nation-building.

Just like Chidumaga and the class of 2024 award winners like Cassandra Akinde, a graduate of London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (Social Action category), Faith Agboola, founder of The African Writers and the convener of African Writers Meet and a graduate of De Montfort University (Culture & Creativity), Jennifer Uchendu, founder of The Eco-Anxiety Africa project (TEAP) and a graduate of the University of Sussex (Science & Sustainability), emerged from hundreds of Nigerians who are alumni of UK institutions and applied for this year’s edition.

The recognition of these exceptional individuals in the Study UK Alumni Awards is more than just applause; it’s a celebration of the invaluable contributions they make to Africa’s development and economic emancipation.
In a world where quality knows no borders, investing in a top-notch education becomes an act of wisdom for a growing nation like Nigeria. The Study UK Alumni Awards stand as a noble tribute to those who have embraced this wisdom, showcasing how their educational journey has become a beacon of hope for the continent’s progress.

Chidumaga’s led company incorporated Artificial Intelligence for regenerative solutions cued on a mission to improve living standards and drive business growth. The disruptive approach is chartering a new course of action for future-proof renewable solutions and what the energy landscape in Nigeria and Africa holds with the likes of ENERGIE in the space can not only be admired but followed.

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One Year Anniversary: How Herbert Wigwe’s sibling disrespects memories of late philanthropist.

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One year after the painful death of Dr Herbert Wigwe, the Former Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Access Holding Plc, the Late banker’s family has been enmeshed in an acrimonious battle over his will and assets.

 

Newsmen report that some members of the late banker’s family have masked their self-seeking agenda by working through proxies.

 

Emeka Wigwe, one of the banker’s brothers, seems unbothered by the propriety or otherwise of his action.

 

According to reports, Emeka could not disguise his greed and hatred for the late banker’s children.

 

He has been acting incredulously since the demise of his later brother, who had written out his will and listed the beneficiaries of his assets.

 

Reports say Emeka had been detained by his father, Pastor Shyngle Wigwe, for his noxious behaviour. He also attacked men of the Department State Services (DSS), when the late banker’s children, cousin, in-laws and friends were exiting his grave side after a quiet moment and prayer earlier on Saturday ahead of the remembrance of his death on Sunday Feb. 9.

Fortunately, the visitors, which included children and teenagers, had finished their prayers and were exiting the burial ground when Emeka Wigwe barricaded the exit point, with the intention of preventing their vehicles from leaving.

 

It took the DSS personnel, who went with the visitors for security purposes, to persuade him to allow the vehicles to depart, but Emeka Wigwe decided to assault them as recorded in the viral video.

 

The professionalism of the men of the DSS came into play and restrained them throughout the period of Emeka Wigwe’s molestation of the security personnel.

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/19opNX9G8U/?mibextid=wwXIfr

According to a report, he had put up a similar behaviour about three months ago at the matriculation ceremony of the Wigwe University, where he did not only assault his nice – late Herbert Wigwe’s daughter, but also disrespected the leadership of the Port Harcourt City One Love Club.

 

The Club, which he belonged to until his expulsion because of his unruly behaviour, thuggery and disruptive conduct.

 

The matter was duly reported to the law enforcement agencies, but the individuals concerned decided not to press charges because of entreaties by several well-meaning individuals.

 

Accordingly, late Dr. Herbert Wigwe’s memorial service and related activities will be held on Sunday, February 9, and water-tight arrangements have been made to ensure security of lives and property.

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Plenty motion and serious movement at the CBN – Toni Kan

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The Igbo people have a proverb; the way the morning dawns tell us how the rest of the day will go and if we look at how Yemi Cardoso’s 2025 dawned, we can safely surmise that 2025 is going to be a busy, productive, impactful year at the apex bank.

It is also an important one, leading up as it does to the conclusion of the banking capitalization exercise announced on March 28, 2024 and due to conclude on March 31, 2026. In the last week of January, Zenith Bank announced that it had raised a total of N350.4 billion through its recently concluded hybrid Rights Issue and Public Offer.

With other banks concluding their capitalization plans, 2025 is already shaping up as an exciting year for the financial health of Nigerian banks with interesting outcomes expected.

As 2025 dawned, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) signaled that it will no longer be business as usual. For years, Nigerian business entities and their regulators across sectors have enjoyed, what can almost be described, as a cosy and incestuous relationship. For the banking and finance industry that hand-in-glove dalliance seem to have assumed frightening dimensions in the recent past.

With Cardoso, there has been a clear line drawn in the sand. The apex bank will carry out its function as banker to the banks without caring who is impacted.

That message resonated early this year when nine deposit money banks were fined by the CBN for failing to meet cash availability thresholds during the Christmas period.

The CBN had via a circular dated November 29, 2024: “Cash Availability Over the Counter in Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) and Automated Teller Machines (ATMs)”  directed DMBs to ensure efficient cash disbursement to customers Over the Counter (OTC) with the CBN insisting that it will enforce the directive and ensure compliance.

A statement from the apex bank read: “In a clear message of zero tolerance for cash flow disruptions, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has sanctioned Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) for failing to make Naira notes available through automated teller machines (ATMs), during the yuletide season. Each bank was fined N150 million for non-compliance, in line with the CBN’s cash distribution guidelines, following spot checks on their branches.”

The sanctioned banks are Fidelity Bank Plc, First Bank Plc, Providus Bank Plc, Zenith Bank Plc, United Bank for Africa Plc, Keystone Bank Plc, Union Bank Plc, Globus Bank Plc, and Sterling Bank Plc. Totaling N1.35 billion, the fines will be debited from the DMBs’ accounts with the apex bank.

To underline its commitment to transparency and accountability, the CBN reiterated its vision of remaining “a trusted and respected Central Bank promoting confidence in the Nigerian economy, contributing to a stable, inclusive, and competitive nation.”

According to the CBN governor, “As we shift from unorthodox to orthodox monetary policy, the CBN remains committed to restoring confidence, strengthening policy credibility, and staying focused on its core mandate of price stability.”

To achieve these aims especially with regard to the FX market, the CBN has taken some bold and innovative decisions.

Mid-January, the apex bank “launched the Nigeria Foreign Exchange Code #FXCode – marking a decisive step forward for integrity, fairness, transparency and efficiency in our FX market. The FX Code is built on six core principles: ethics, governance, execution, information sharing, and risk.

The CBN has also cleared the verified FX commitments, which amounted to $7 billion, “discontinuing the Central Bank’s quasi-fiscal interventions and unifying the multiple exchange rate windows.”

The immediate effect has been a Nigerian currency that has maintained stability since the festive period with an over N40 appreciation over the green back. This has led the Chairman, Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions, Senator Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru, to commend the CBN for its “efforts in ensuring stability in the foreign exchange market, enhancing liquidity and reducing market distortions.”

The CBN’s focus on diaspora remittances received further boost with the launch of the diaspora account. The launch is significant as it signposts Cardoso’s penchant for following through with promises made. He had hinted at the coming of the diaspora account in a series of disclosures and announcements on the sidelines of the IMF/World Bank meetings in October.

The launch was conveyed via a January 10, 2025 circular. Introduction of Non-resident Nigerian Ordinary Account and Non-resident Nigerian Investment Account. The accounts aim to not just encourage and increase diaspora remittances they are also designed to help Nigerians in the diaspora take advantage of investment opportunities in-country. Analysts believe that this will be a game changer which will impact not just remittances but the foreign reserves as well as the overall economy.

The Non-resident Nigerian Ordinary Account (NRNOA) will allow Non-Resident Nigerians (NRNs) to remit their foreign earnings to Nigeria and manage their finances in both foreign and local currencies while the Non-resident Nigerian Investment Account will facilitate investments in Nigerian assets using either foreign currency or naira.

The announcement is getting positive feedback and to ensure adequate awareness and facilitate uptake in the target audience, the CBN hierarchy has held consultations with Abike Dabiri Chairman/CEO of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) who has applauded the move as a “a strategic initiative to enhance diaspora engagement and bolster Nigeria’s economic growth.”

Before the announcement of the new diaspora targeted accounts the CBN had laid the groundwork for seamless implementation by working with the Nigerian Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) to launch a non-resident Bank Verification Number (BVN) platform to enable Nigerians in diaspora operate their local bank accounts.

 

In mid-2024, the CBN reported an all-time high diaspora remittance inflow of $553m and the CBN had on the back of that set a $1bn monthly diaspora remittance target. How is that target being met? Speaking at the Monetary Policy Forum with the theme, “Managing the Disinflation Process” in Abuja, Cardoso noted that “remittances through IMTOs rose 79.4% to US$4.18 billion in the first three quarters of 2024, demonstrating the positive impact of FX reforms. Additionally, the CBN lifted the 2015 restriction barring 41 items from accessing FX at the official market to enhance trade and investment.”

As February dawns and economic activities resume fully what is the outlook? With inflation at 34.80% and the MPR at 27.55, the IMF, according to thecable.ng, has projected that Nigeria will record GDP growth of 3.2 percent in its economic growth forecast for 2025. But the CBN is more optimistic with a projection of 4.17 percent according to a presentation by the bank at the ‘National Economic Outlook: Implications for Businesses in 2025.”

The apex bank’s optimistic forecast is anchored on a cocktail: ongoing fiscal and monetary reforms, sustained implementation of government reforms, steady crude oil prices, and improvements in domestic oil production as well as hopes of a stable exchange rate.

Cardoso and his team are singing clearly from the same hymn book. In his speech on Thursday, January 30, 2025 when he hosted the Monetary Policy Forum 2025, the CBN governor was upbeat as he spoke to the theme: “Managing the Disinflation Process”

The CBN governor emphasised that the goal of the CBN is to ensure that monetary policy remains forward-looking, adaptive, and resilient. “Our focus must remain on price stability, the planned transition to an inflation-targeting framework, and strategies to restore purchasing power and ease economic hardship. The CBN is continuing its disciplined approach to monetary policy, aimed at curbing inflation and stabilizing the economy. These actions have yielded measurable progress: relative stability in the FX market, narrowing exchange rate disparities, and a rise in external reserves to over $40 billion as of December 2024.”

Collaboration, Cardoso noted, remains key to success. “In addressing our economic challenges, collaboration is key: “Managing disinflation amidst persistent shocks requires not only robust policies but also coordination between fiscal and monetary authorities to anchor expectations and maintain investor confidence.”

The subtext from that interaction as well as the ongoing innovations and initiatives is simple; achieving success is a marathon and not a sprint and reaching the finish line requires resilience.

 

***Toni Kan is a PR expert and financial analyst.

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NAFDAC boss seeks death penalty for fake drug dealers

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The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has proposed the death penalty for drug peddlers.

The Director-General of the agency, Mojisola Adeyeye, made this call on Friday while speaking during Channels Television’s The Morning Brief.

She argued that only strict penalties would deter drug peddlers, especially when their actions result in the deaths of children.

“Somebody bought children’s medicine for about N13,000, while another person was selling it for around N3,000 in the same mall.

“That raised an alarm. Guess what? When we tested the medicine in our Kaduna lab, there was nothing inside. So, I want the death penalty.

“You don’t need to put a gun to a child’s head to kill them. Just give them bad medicine,” Adeyeye said.

The NAFDAC boss also called for the cooperation of the judiciary and the National Assembly to make the proposal a reality.

According to her, the agency is open to working with lawmakers and other stakeholders on the matter.

She said, “You cannot fight substandard and falsified medicines in isolation. The agency can only do so much, but if there is no deterrent, there will be a problem.

“Someone brought in 225mg of Tramadol, which can kill a person or fry their brain, and the punishment is just five years in prison or a fine of N250,000. Who doesn’t know that a person can simply withdraw N250,000 from an ATM?

“That is part of our problem — there are no strict measures to stop offenders from repeating the same crime. We can only do so much, but if our laws are not strong enough or the judiciary is not firm in its stance, we will continue to face this challenge.

“So, our judicial system must be strong enough. We are working with the National Assembly to make our penalties much stiffer. But if you kill a child with bad medicine, you deserve to die.”

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