Rashidat Okunlade Writes

Stakeholders have scored Cutix Plc for its successful operations in the country in the last 40 years in spite of the prevailing harsh economic conditions.

Cutix Plc is a Nigerian company that specialises in the production and distribution of electrical, automotive, and telecommunications wires, cables, and related products.

The stakeholders, including eminent sons and daughters of Anambra State as well as leading industrialists and politicians in the country, delivered their commendations at a reception organised in honour of retiring Chairman and Co-Founder of the Company, Ambassador Okwudili Nwosu, in Nnewi, Anambra State.

The Founder, Engineer Ajulu Uzodike remarked that, “ My brother and friend has been with me all through the 40 years and I must admit that it has been an eventful and successful relationship.” Engineer Uzodike, however, expressed the hope that Ambassador Nwosu will continue to be part of the Cutix family.

Responding, the Co-Founder, Ambassador Nwosu expressed his happiness over the success story of the Company, describing the Founder as a brother and friend whose interest in the Company is to create an avenue for all and sundry to create wealth through partnership.

Left-Right: Barr. (Mrs.) Ifeoma Nwahiri, Chairman, Cutix Plc; Sir Ikem Osanakpo (Chairman of the Occasion), Barr. (Mrs.) Angelina Uzodike (Founder’s Wife), Ambassador Odi Nwosu (Co-Founder/Celebrant), Engr. (Dr.)Ajulu Uzodike, Founder of Cutix Plc, and Mrs. Ijeoma Oduonye, Chief Executive Officer, Cutix Plc during a reception organised by the company in honour of the Co-Founder of the company, Ambassador Okwudili Nwosu in Nnewi, Anambra State over the weekend.

He said the story of Cutix Plc is embedded in trust, adding that he dedicated himself wholeheartedly to Engineer Uzodike and the Company in the last 40 years. “I want to assure you that although I am 70 years old now whether I am there or not, my spirit will ever remain with the Company.”

Commenting, Presidential candidate of Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Mr. Peter Obi, described Engineer Uzodike as an outstanding entrepreneur who has been able to create wealth for stakeholders of the Company as well as a great employer of labour.

Obi lamented that successive governments in the country have not found it necessary to empower and encourage local manufacturers, adding, “Unless the Federal Government decides to do the right thing by supporting these companies, they cannot go very far and they need support because they are those that create jobs. They are the ones that will turn around the economy and they need government’s support.”

He recalled that as the Governor of Anambra State, his administration and the management of Cutix Plc constructed the road leading to the company. He said Cutix provided half of the cost of the project while the state government provided the balance.

He also recalled being instrumental to the appointment of Ambassador Nwosu as Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Burundi and congratulated him and the Founder for holding the Company’s fort for 40 years.

Also speaking, Anambra State Commissioner for Commerce, Industry, and Wealth Creation, Mr. Christian Udechukwu, described Ambassador Nwosu as a good manager of human and material resources. He said the Anambra State Government, under the stewardship of Prof. Charles Soludo, is creating an enabling environment for small and medium-scale enterprises to thrive through improved power supply.

Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Burundi, Elijah Onyeagba, noted that the success story of Cutix Plc is traceable to the diligence and trust between the Founder, Eng. Uzodike and the Co-Founder, Ambassador Nwosu. According to him, Ambassador Nwosu is not retiring but will use his wealth of experience to improve on the industrial sector.

Senator Ben Obi, a former Senator representing the Anambra Central District, said the only way to jumpstart industrial revolution in the South East is to have the likes of Ambassador Nwosu at the helm of affairs. Small and Medium Scale Enterprises are the vehicles for growing the economy, he said.

Former Minister of Health, Prof. ABC Nwosu noted that Ambassador Nwosu should see his retirement as yet another call to serve by providing professional assistance to young entrepreneurs and captains of industries so they achieve optimally in their various fields of endeavours.

Senator Victor Umeh, representing the Anambra Central District, noted that Cutix is a gift to Nigerians in general and the South East in particular, adding that in all his dealings he has always patronised the products of the Company.

He urged the management and members of staff of the Company to ensure that the establishment grows from strength to strength despite the harsh economic challenges.

A gubernatorial candidate in the last election in Anambra State, Mr. Ben Etiaba, congratulated the board and management of the Company for being in business for 40 years. The determination demonstrated by both Uzodike and Nwosu is one that should be emulated by those who are desirous of venturing into the industrial sector, he said.

Rashidat Okunlade Writes

Wema Bank, Nigeria’s most innovative bank and pioneer of Africa’s first fully digital bank, ALAT, has partnered with Selar, Africa’s largest creator platform, to empower African creatives and bridge the prevalent gaps in the African creative space.

This revolutionary partnership has birthed a power-packed webinar titled “The Digital Economy and the Future of Work”, a learning and problem-solving webinar aimed at helping Africans—especially Nigerian—creators maximise their potential and leverage available resources to transform their creativity into sustainable income streams.

In a world where work is evolving, employment is undergoing a profound transformation. The creator economy is reshaping the digital landscape, granting young individuals unprecedented opportunities to create and monetize knowledge as never before. Generation Z and Millennials are harnessing the creative space to attain financial independence by selling digital content and forging careers as creators.

Scheduled for September 29, 2023, this webinar promises to illuminate the challenges and prospects that creators encounter as they navigate this exhilarating terrain. It offers invaluable insights into effectively tapping into its potential.

According to a survey conducted by Selar, one in every four creators is an employer, a testament to the potential for creators not only to earn but to create job opportunities, thus bolstering the African Creator Economy as a stable and lucrative source of income. This, in turn, promises to reduce unemployment rates in Africa, contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Solomon Ayodele, Head of Innovation & Corporate Transformation at Wema Bank and one of the speakers at the event, commended the bank’s commitment to innovation, recounting the bank’s storied history of resilience and technological advancement. He affirmed Wema Bank’s dedication to equipping its customers with practical knowledge to help them monetize the digital sphere effectively.

According to Douglas Kendyson, the C.E.O. of Selar and another speaker at the event, the dream is for the partnership to mark the beginning of a strong network of groundbreaking initiatives from both powerhouses—Wema Bank and Selar—to revolutionise the creative space in Africa and build more jobs for Africans all over the world. “I’ve been in the tech space for years now and Wema Bank has been at the forefront of innovation—from digital banking alternatives like ALAT to youth-empowering technology programmes like Hackaholics and much more—all of which have shaped the entire FinTech industry, which is why this partnership is so important to us at Selar.

This highly anticipated event would demystify the complexities of the creative space, with a distinct focus on the African context. Key speakers for the webinar include Douglas Kendyson, Solomon Ayodele, Benjamin Dada (Founder/Publisher, Benjamin Dada Blog), and Senior Manoa, one of Nigeria’s premier creators. Attendees can expect to gain valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities faced by creators across the African continent, the pivotal role of financial institutions in fostering the growth of the creator economy, and practical guidance for establishing and enhancing successful online businesses with digital products.

This event welcomes attendees from all walks of life, from budding creators to established entrepreneurs eager to harness the dynamic potential of the creator economy.

Wema Bank, once again, redefines the global standard for banking and reaffirms its position as a bank that works tirelessly to support every stakeholder.

Mark your calendar for “The Digital Economy and the Future of Work” on September 29, 2023. To secure your spot, register for free at https://bit.ly/WemaXSelar.

Rashidat Okunlade Writes

Fidelity Bank’s upcoming trade expo tagged, the Fidelity International Trade and Creative Connect (FITCC Houston), has received a major boost as the Mayor, City of Houston, Sylvester Turner, has termed it, “A catalyst to support bilateral trade between Nigeria and Houston; and an opportunity for the Houston community and the diaspora to explore emerging trends, forge new partnerships and unlock new possibilities”.

This was made known in a video message recently issued by the mayor. In the one-minute clip obtained by our journalist, Mayor Turner highlighted the several side attractions scheduled for FITCC Houston and encouraged businesses to take advantage of the expo to expand their businesses beyond borders.

The event is scheduled for Tuesday, 24, and Wednesday, 25th October 2023 at the George R. Brown Convention Center, 1001 Avenida de las Americas, Houston, Texas 77010. The bank will be hosting exporters, leading businesses, entrepreneurs, investors, and regulators operating in the commodity, service, creative, fashion, and FinTech sectors in Nigeria and the United States with the view of promoting Nigeria’s non-oil exports and facilitating integrations to global supply-chain networks.

Watch Mayor Turner’s video here:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CxKyXhsN9xn/

Register to attend the event at www.fitccusa.com