Leading enterprise software provider, SAP, has advised mining companies to look to big data as a way out of the falling profitability currently witnessed in the sector. This is as a recent PWC report disclosed that market capitalization of the top 40 mining firm dropped by 23 percent – about $280 billion – last year.
In a statement to the press, Pedro Guerreiro, Head of Sales: Energy & Natural Resources at SAP Africa said that mining is an industry that generates capital so large it can determine the health of country GDPs. In 2014 alone, the top 10 mining companies globally had shared revenues of nearly half a trillion dollars; yet, it was a bad year.
He noted: “One of the greatest threats to the mining industry is that it is mainly controlled by factor outside of the sector. Foremost is the pricing of commodities which is a big challenge for an industry invested in the core financial drivers of modern society. If mining stops, so does the world. The result is that the world always has a say in mining’s fortunes.”
“Again, mining is a strange business where the longer you operate in a market, the harder it becomes to turn a profit. Mineral seams become tougher to reach, the quality of ore reduces as a result and more effort has to go into extracting true value. Mining is also expensive. It manages an unwieldy family of assets, a protean workforce, shifting regulations and the remote locations means that mines almost always bring their own infrastructure with them,” he added.
Amid such chaos, mining firms are forced to grapple with how to establish real-time, day-to-day insights to their operations; discover and eliminate operational efficiencies; respond proactively to challenges on the ground and manage the value chain. This is in addition to thinking up sustainable business methodologies for the operations of the future.
Guerreiro proposed that a clear recipe for success is to find efficiencies in the supply chain. He said:
“Mines move assets and commodities through a large web of suppliers and clients. Great benefits are being found when these interactions are automated and orchestrated through a single source-to-source supplier platforms such as Ariba which has been used with great success at Rio Tinto mines.”
“By using Internet of Things platforms, sensors and predictive analytics can reduce time spent on the maintenance of assets. Breakdowns can be predicted and staff directed in real-time through mobile platforms to address failures. According to SAP’s own research, such solutions can reduce an operation’s annual maintenance costs by over 30 percent,” he said.
He cautioned that a truly robust technology platform for mines should include advanced human resource and regulatory features. This includes worker performance and training, access to appropriate safety documentation and the automation of any auditing requirements. Above all, such a solution must be a single platform to enable mines unify their main moving parts, consolidate operations and gain a true high-level overview of what the business is doing.
“Instead of relying on the diaspora of machines, software suits and fragmented data pools of the past, modern business solutions resemble SAP HANA: single, yet modular and powerful implementations that pull on all the threads together; from tracking customer interactions, to training workers, to allocating the right number of trucks to an operation. These are no longer dislocated joints, but increasingly a single organism with many moving parts,” he said.
SAP is the market leader in enterprise application software in terms of software and software-related service revenue. With over 293, 500 customers including large global organisations, governments, educational institutions, SMEs and subsidiaries, the company’s industry-specific applications are driving a business and technology revolution that currently caters to over 50 percent of the world’s enterprises.
Nigeria Media Nite -Out Awards (NMNA) is an annual media event conceived nine years ago by Solkem Entertainment under the leadership of Shola Olugbemiro to recognize efforts of Nigerian Journalists Vis-a Vis their contributions to political, socio and economic development of Nigerian nation. The event is put together to celebrate media excellence in Nigeria. As of today, without mincing words Nigeria Media Nite-out Awards has become the biggest media event in Nigeria. The 2015 edition is the ninth in the series.
The event is growing big by the day due to painstaking efforts of the organizers and Award Committee that has on its board veteran journalists and media consultants as members. In the same vein contributions of chairman, Board of Trustees, Hon. Bello Moh’d Matawalle (MON) and Vice Chairman, Omooba Segun Adewale to the growth of the annual event can never go unnoticed.
Apart from honouring Journalists annually with awards, it has become a tradition of the event to honour Nigerians who have contributed in one way or the other to political, socio- economic development of the nation. This year edition cannot be an exception as this piece reveals prominent Nigerians who clinched 2015 edition of Nigeria Media Nite-out Awards. Read on….
AKINWUNMI AMBODE: He is the amiable governor of Lagos State that does not hesitate to identify with media events in the interest of Lagos state and the nation at large. Ambode is the chief host and special guest of the 2015 edition, at the same time he clinched Media friendly Governor of the year.
Media friendly Governor is an accountant, an administrator and a public finance management expert. He is the Chief Executive Officer of Brandsmiths Consulting Limited – a firm that specializes in public sector finance management. Ambode was formerly the Accountant-General of Lagos State, Nigeria, and held many sensitive financial positions in the Lagos State government in a 27-year career in the Lagos State Civil Service. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and a Member of the Nigerian Institute of Management. He is the founder of La Roche Leadership Foundation, a non-profit organization focused on developing the next generation of leaders.
His belief in mentoring and passion for passing on leadership skills gave birth to La Roche Leadership Foundation, which he founded in 2012. This is a non-profit organization that has a mandate to develop the educational and leadership skills of young Nigerians, to inculcate in them leadership values as a way of grooming future leaders in all spheres of life. La Roche is presently spearheading an initiative, ‘The Flags Project’, to install Nigerian and Lagos State flags in all government owned schools in Lagos State. The Foundation has also donated tools to technical colleges to support training of artisans.
GBOYEGA NASIR ISIAKA (GNI): The top politician is the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governorship candidate for Ogun State 2015 election. He clinched Outstanding Political Icon of the year due to his consistency and contributions to politics and socio-economic development of the nation.
Unknowing to many people, politics runs in the blood of Gboyega Nasir Isiaka but it was dormant for a long period before it came to find fulfillment; especially when one consider the fact that his father, Late Pa T. A Isiaka was a notable Yewa politician and leader in the Southwest of the first and second republics. He was a prominent member of the political movements of that era. The height of his involvement was when he was appointed Executive Director of the defunct WNDC Ibadan.
GNI did not set out to be a partisan party man considering his deep private sector upbringing and reserved mindset; but his trajectory in life was indeed preparing him for a major role in life. He began his political journey right from the university days when in 1988, he was appointed the Director of Organisation of the Egbado (Yewa) Students Association of the University of Ife. His administrative acumen must have impressed members and he was consequently elected the President of the Association in 1989.
Thereafter, his politics was basically in the boardrooms of the many corporate organisations he worked with and some of the experiences were invaluable and revealing. But coming on board the Otunba Gbenga Daniel government was a paradigm shift as he was baptised into the mainstream politics. Ever since, he has played active roles in the political events of Ogun State that culminated in his gubernatorial contest of 2011 and 2015 general elections in Ogun State.
PASTOR ANIETIE UKPE: The top Journalist, media and Public Relations Consultant is the former Senior Special Assistant (Media) and Chief Press Secretary to the former Governor of Akwa Ibom State. The amiable man of God is currently Director General, Akwa Ibom Broadcasting Corporation, Uyo.
Between 2005 till 2008 Pastor Anietie Ukpe was Chief Executive Officer/ Chief Consultant at Sapphire & Pearls Ltd. Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
At the inception of democracy in 1999, he was appointed Chief Press Secretary/ Director of Press Affairs to the then Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State. He was in that office till 2005.
Anietie being a professional Journalist, Pastor Anietie Ukpe worked with Concord Press Ltd between 1992 till 1999.
He has received several awards, among which are: Distinguished Achievement in poetry by the international Library of poetry, Owing Mills, USA (2005); Editor’s Choice Award 2003 and Award of Excellent Performance in the Nigerian Public Service by the chartered Institute of Public Administration of Nigeria.
He is a Fellow, Chartered Institute of Leadership; member, Nigeria Union of Journalists; member, Nigeria Institute of Public Relations and Member, Chartered Institute of Administrators of Nigeria.
BISHOP TOM SAMSON: The man of God bagged Pastor of the year (humanitarian and youth empowerment) award. He is the general overseer of Christ Royal Family International Churches (an100 acres city) with international headquarters, Royal City, Ota and branches in Lagos (Egbeda, Ikeja, Festac, Ojokoro, Ikorodu) Abuja, Port Harcourt, London (U.K) Manchester, Dublin Ireland and Atlanta (USA)
He is the visitor /founder Royal City College of Education, Ota he is the proprietor of Royal City Colleges, Ota/Ikeja /Egbeda. Royal Dynasty International School Ota/Ikeja /Egbeda. He is the CEO of Royal City Medical Center Ota Royal City water factory, Royal City printing press Ota. Presently his brain child project Monarch University is undergoing approval process.
CHIEF SOLOMON OLUWADAISI OLAWUMI: The astute Estate Surveyor and Valuer clinched Lifetime Achievement Award for Outstanding Real Estate Personality of the Year. He has vast experience both in Government and private institutions particularly in the construction industry where he found his feet upon graduation. Among the organization where he had fruitful impact by contributing his wealth of ideas includes FSB International Bank Plc (now Fidelity Bank Plc) as a property manager between 1990 – 1993, Segun Ogunseye & Co., a firm of Estate Surveyors & Valuers; Toki Atta & Co., Estate Surveyors & Valuers, Federal Savings Bank, Ade-Abraso Construction Co. Ltd., a civil and engineering construction firm and Diamond Transcontinental Limited as a Director.
Chief Solomon Olawumi has considerable experience in conception, actualization, and development of multi-unit Housing and real Estate development. sHe is presently the Managing Director/CEO of Gold Fount Limited. His wealth of experience in the industry, span over 30 years.
DR. LUCY SURHYEL NEWMAN, CPT: she received Media legend award for outstanding development institution of the year. In her personal life, Dr Newman plays various intellectual and financial contributory roles to many religious charities and community development initiatives in Nigeria and across West Africa. She has several publications to her credit and has facilitated at many premium conferences in Nigeria and internationally. She has so far maintained a mentoring relationship with over 30 young men and women in career and personal development. Dr Newman enjoys her role as a mother to three interesting male personalities aged between 26 and 12 years. She enjoys spending time with her family, traveling across cultures, listening to music, reading, watching bestseller movies, taking long walks and nature watch. She is happily married with children.
ENGR. (DR.) TAIWO KADRI (KATAWA): Property Company of the Year
He founded Katawa Properties Limited which has become a household name in Real Estate industries in Nigeria. Katawa Properties business cut across property management and development, property valuation, Construction engineering/management, Real estate consulting and Agency- purchase and sales of properties. The business (Katawa Properties Ltd) has its Head quarter in Lagos and branches in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Ibadan and presently in London.
Engr. (Dr.) Taiwo Kadri has been contributing to the economic growth of Nigeria as an employer of labour since 2011, as well as the sales, management and development of more than million dollars worth of properties in Nigeria, particularly in Lagos, Ibadan and Abeokuta, Ogun State.
PR REDLINE, LEKAN ISHOLA, MD: PR Company of the Year
Few years ago, the agency which was then called FCB Redline, was never in the consideration set when assessing Nigeria’s frontline Public Relations agencies. Whether in the area of visibility, media clout or clientele base, FCB Redline’s rating was low, despite having been around since the early 2000s.
All that, however, changed from late 2012 when the Agency underwent a phase of structural and operational changes. Between then and now, a lot has changed at PR Redline such that today it has almost become the perfect byword for result-oriented Marketing Public Relations in the country. First was the radical re-definition of the agency’s positioning as a full-service Public Relations and Stakeholder management company that offers creative solutions borne out of thorough strategic insights. This was followed by restructuring of its organizational structure and injection of new professionally tested hands. And the results have been notable.
JIM OBAZEE: Award of Excellence for Competency/Distinctiveness in Public Service
Jim Obazee is Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer at the Financial Reporting Council, Nigeria. He joined the Federal Civil Service in 1993 as Senior Manager and Head of the Technical Department at the defunct Nigerian Accounting Standards Board (NASB) and rose to become the Chief Executive Officer of the Board in November 2010.
Mr. Obazee has played very active roles in the development and issuance of accounting standards in Nigeria. He served on various Standards Setting and Technical Committees set up to develop accounting standards aimed at improving financial reporting in the various sectors of the Nigerian economy.
In his role as accounting standards setter, he has been on attachment to the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB), United States, Accounting Standards Board, Canada and at other times, on working visits to the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and Accounting Standards Board, United Kingdom.
TUNJI OLUGBODI: Most Innovative Agency of the Year
Mr. Tunji Olugbodi is the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer
ofVerdant Zeal, Africa’s emerging multinational marketing communications group, with offices in Nigeria, Ghana and The Gambia.
Verdant Zeal has been on the same progressive trajectory, morphing from a multi-disciplinary organization into a multi-contextual group of 5 other companies with specialized brand marketing competence in Media Strategy, Planning and Buying; Digital & Interactive Media, Public Relations & Custom Publishing, Activation & Experiential Marketing, Specialist Communication, Exhibition and Intellectual Interventions.
In addition to business, the Verdant Zeal Group has also built a culture of excellence in service, both to its external and internal publics. Arguably one of the best places to work, Verdant Zeal prides itself in championing several capacity building activities that instill a sense of pride in its staff.
Tunji and the Verdant Zeal Group have proved once again to be that much needed elixir in the Nigerian communications industry, going against the grain by being the first indigenous Advertising agency to acquire marketing communications agencies in sub Saharan Africa.
DANIEL KOLAWOLE OLUKOYA, GENERAL OVERSEER (MFM WORLDWIDE)
He attended Methodist Boys High School, Lagos, where he finished with Grade One distinction and was the best student of his set. In his quest for higher education, he proceeded to the prestigious University of Lagos (UNILAG) where he studied Micro-Biology and bagged a first class degree honours, the first from the science Department since the University was established in 1962.After about two years of teaching and subsequent employment as a Research Assistant in the Nigeria Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Yaba, Lagos, Dr. Olukoya travelled to the United Kingdom under the Commonwealth scholarship to the University of Reading, where he obtained PhD in Molecular Genetics. It is worth pointing out that Dr Olukoya finished his Ph.D. degree in record time, in spite of the difficulty of the subject and was the first Nigerian to obtain a Ph.D. in the subject area.
Dr. Olukoya is the first scientist to establish an indigenous laboratory of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology in Nigeria and the first to clone genes. He has also supervised over 30 Ph.D. students, most of whom are presently doing well in their chosen fields.
One important contribution to Biotechnology and Health delivery made by Dr. Olukoya was the invention of a new type of ogi (pap) named DOGIK, a weaning food that can control diarrhoea and also contains improved nutritional qualities. As a researcher, he has over 80 scientific publications to his credit.
On return to Nigeria after the completion of his Ph.D. programme, Dr. Olukoya continued to worship the Almighty God and was engaged in the delivering of seminars, preaching, singing among others, until God gave him the blue print and vision of the Mountain Of Fire and Miracles Ministries, which took off with 24 people in his sitting room in Yaba, Lagos in October 1989. Since the establishment of this church by God through Dr. D.K.Olukoya, MFM has experienced significant demographic spread. The Church has thousands of branches spread across Africa, Asia, Europe, a huge percentage are also located in the United states, the United Kingdom and Ireland. In its two decades of existence, MFM, which is noted for its unique and powerful prayer style, has enveloped the nation like a colossus and the church’s headquarters is the largest single congregation in Africa with attendance of over 120,000 in single meetings.
The MFM is a Ministry devoted to the revival of apostolic signs, Holy Ghost- Fire- works, miracles and the unprecedented demonstration of the Power of God to deliver to the uttermost. Absolute holiness within and without, as a spiritual insecticide and prerequisite for heaven is taught openly.
HON. LEONARD OKUWEH OGOR:Lawmaker of the Year
Before his venture into politics and subsequent election as Representative of Isoko Federal Constituency in 2003 at the Federal House of Representatives, Hon Leo Ogor has been a successful business man. He own and manage chains of Companies. He is the Chairman of Trinap Manufacturing Company; Peanard Manufacturing Company, a firm which specializes in oil milling based in Isoko, Delta State; Peanard Pharmaceuticals Limited and host of other companies.
He is a recipient of several awards locally and internationally. In August 2013, Rt Hon. Leo Ogor was honored as House of Reps Member of the Year by the Delta Role Model Awards. Also in October of same year he was recognized by the Niger Delta Achievers Merit Awards as Legislator of the year. In May 2014, Hon Leo Ogor was again recognized for Excellence in Grassroots Empowerment at the African Child Prize for Legislation awards at an impressive ceremony held at the Ladi Kwali Hall, Sheraton Hotels & Towers, Abuja. He was also chosen among Our Heroes of Democracy by Newswatch Communications Plc in 2013. On 12 July, 2014, Rt Hon Leo Okuweh Ogor was conferred with Honorary Fellowship by Delta state Polytechnic, Ozoro, Delta state in recognition of his outstanding contribution and dedication to the growth of the polytechnic.
Hon. Leo Ogor has been Chairman of several Adhoc Committees of the House including the Pentascope Investigative Panel, Malabu Oil Block Sale, Single Windows System, BOFIA Amendment Act Committee, Adhoc Committee on the poor services of GSM service operators in the Country and many others.
Hon. Leo Ogor has sponsored over 10 Bills, moved over 30 motions and has made quality contributions to other motions at plenary and Committee sittings. He was the Deputy Majority Leader, House of Representatives and currently the Minority Leader, House of Representatives, Abuja.
ERICSON OLAKUNLE AKINNAGBE:Outstanding ED Of The Year
Ericson Olakunle Akinnagbe, hailed from Ondo Town, in Ondo State. He bagged his first degree in Banking and Finance from Ondo State University Ado-Ekiti. Thereafter he switches into marketing communication with an undisguised bias for out-of-home advertising. He is the Executive Director of 24-7 Communication Limited Ikeja, Lagos. He has been in advertising practice for over 15 years. He is an Associate Member of Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON), A member of Nigeria Institute of Management. An Alumni of Ondo State University, He is the President Eclat Club of Ondo Kingdom and General Sectary of Acme Club of Ondo State.
NDIDI OBIOHA: Event Consultant of the Year
Ndidi Obioha is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Enthyst Limited, an event management outfit which has won The event company of the year 3 times, Enthyst bridals and Enthyst Fashion Clinic.
Because of her flair for fashion, Style and Elegance, Hair Kraft a renowned beauty salon was birthed, services of which catered to the Miss Nigeria pageant for 3 years as the official hair company for the pageant.
Her love for creativity and putting things in order got the best of her when the Enthyst event management arm started business in 2007. Enthyst Events conceptualizes, organizes, defines, packages, plans, manages and co-ordinates events the likes of which is second to none in the industry, this has accorded them the Event Management company of the year five times.
PROPHET (DR) CHRIS OKAFOR: Accurate Seer of the Year
Prophet (Dr) Chris Okafor is a dynamic prophet of God, sent from heaven as another Elijah with an uncommon chrism to function and hold sway in the kingdom miracle arena. He is the founder and General Overseer of Mountain of Liberation and Miracle Ministry (aka Liberation City), with headquarters in Lagos, Nigeria. He is also the president of the Chris Okafor World outreach Ministries (COWON). He is a prophet with highly amiable and pleasing personality.
Prophet (Dr) Chris Okafor is a man raised by God and endowed with the power to demonstrate His (God) manifest- presence for the benefit of mankind. He is an uncompromising kingdom “prophetic General”, commissioned to pray, preach and prophesy and revival comes, and with divine sentence in his mouth for signs and wonders.
Ever before his birth, providence was already showing forth about his coming, as it was revealed to great men and women in the kingdom through prophecies that he was another Elijah coming. And in no time after his birth, there were apparent manifestations of all the revelations God gave concerning him, which culminated in him prophesying right from his tender age.
Also known as the “Prophetic field Marshal” of God, Chris Okafor was a born-Prophet – mouthpiece of God. He started prophesying evidently and effectually at the age of eight and since then, he has tremendously been fulfilling God’s purpose for him to liberate mankind from
BOLA AKINDELE: Lifetime Achievement Award (For Outstanding CEO of the Year)
He is the Founder and Group Managing Director of Courteville Business Solutions, a business process outsourcing and information technology solutions company. He has over three decades of professional experience spanning audit, banking, business development, and information technology. His leadership assets have strengthened Courteville’s culture of innovation, expanded the company into new markets, and extended its product portfolio. In 2008-9, he led the company’s initial public offering and listing on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, setting a record as the first business process outsourcing and e-business solutions development company to go public in Nigeria.
Bola has the distinction of being the only African on the Advisory Board of the Enterprise and Parliamentary Dialogue International (EPDI), a UK-registered independent, not-for-profit body set up to establish a bridge of understanding between parliamentarians and enterprises. In addition, he sits on the Board of the Advisors of the East Africa Business Network (EABN), the first time a person of non-East African origin would occupy that position. In 2015, the Nigerian Red Cross inducted him as an Associate Member in its Platinum category for his contribution in aid of medically vulnerable individuals, especially women and children.
INI AKPABIO: Hotelier of the Year
Mr. Ini Akpabio, a hospitality and tourism specialist. After his post-graduate studies in the United Kingdom, he worked for a few internationally acclaimed organizations and rose to the position of Manager at the well-known McDonald’s Hamburger chain in London in the UK. .
On his return to Nigeria, he again proceeded to the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria to study a course leading to the award of Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) in 1998. Ini was thereafter appointed Managing Director of Nanet Hotels Limited and Group MD of the Nanet Group
Ini Akpabio is an entrepreneur of repute and a personification of leadership by example. His organization – the Nanet Group – specializes in Hotel Management, Catering Services, and Hospitality Consultancy Services. Prominent among the subsidiaries of Nanet Group is the Nanet Hotels Limited which manages various reputable hospitality firms across the nation.
Ini Akpabio is a philanthropist and belongs to various social organizations. .He has received several awards and Chieftaincy title from his community in recognition of his personal and professional endeavours. He is also a Knight of John Wesley of the Methodist Church of Nigeria.