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IFFA Pledges to Revive Moribund Terminal

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  • IFFA Pledges to Revive Moribund Terminal

The International Freight Forwarders Association has pledged to deploy its members in ensuring that activities boom again at the Lillypond Container Terminal Limited at Ijora.

The association stated this on Friday during the inauguration of the Ijora chapter of IFFA.

Speaking during the inauguration, the IFFA President, Dr. Sam Onyemelukwe, also urged sister associations including the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents and the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders to eschew violence and avoidable confrontations with the Federal Government but embrace peace and constructive argument.

He noted that his group comprising professionals committed to the advancement of their business interests would continue to stimulate growth and development in the freight forwarding sector and support government’s efforts in growing the economy through the seaports.

In the face of prevailing economic instability, Onyemelukwe promised that the group would collaborate with other port stakeholders to make maritime and freight the number one revenue earner for the Federal Government.

He enjoined members of the association nationwide to disregard any directive on industrial action and withdrawal of service.

He said, “We must move away from the old, primordial tendencies of militancy evident in issuing unnecessary ultimatum, withdrawal of services, closing down of the ports, strikes, violent protests and their likes. Problems are better solved through continuous engagements and interfacing among stakeholders by effective dialogue to articulate plans and measures that will engender progress.”

In his acceptance speech, the Chairman of the Ijora-Lillypond chapter of IFFA, Chief Lawrence Ubah, said that the moribund condition of Lillypond Container Terminal was worrisome to major stakeholders, hence the establishment of IFFA at Ijora.

According to him, all the known existing associations that have all it takes to bring back the glory of Lillypond terminal and its Customs Tin Can Island 2 Command have failed to do so.

He assured the Tin Can 2 Customs Controller, Mr. Mahmud Dalhat, that the coming of the association would bring a turnaround in his command and increase its revenue generation.

Ubah also assured the terminal operator and other government agencies at Lillypond that the association was set to bring about the needed connections and contacts to revive the terminal.

“IFFA is the only association for now that has all it takes to bring back the glory of Lillypond command. This is evident and can be attested to by the cream of personalities and groups of people who are members of IFFA”

Is the CEO/Founder of Investors King Limited. A proven foreign exchange research analyst and a published author on Yahoo Finance, Businessinsider, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur.com, Investorplace, and many more. He has over two decades of experience in global financial markets.

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NNPC and ARPHL Collaborate to Expand Port Harcourt Refinery to 310,000bpd

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The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has joined forces with the African Refinery Port Harcourt Limited (ARPHL) to expand the Port Harcourt Refinery.

The collaboration entails ARPHL’s subscription of a 15% equity stake in the Port Harcourt Refining Company, a move aimed at augmenting the refinery’s daily production capacity from 210,000 barrels per day (bpd) to 310,000bpd.

The agreement, finalized at a signing ceremony held at the NNPC Towers in Abuja, underscores the commitment of both parties to bolstering Nigeria’s downstream oil and gas sector.

Managing Director of African Refinery Port Harcourt Limited, Omotayo Adebajo, and NNPC’s Executive Vice-President, Downstream, Adedapo Segun, sealed the deal, marking a pivotal moment in the nation’s quest for energy self-sufficiency.

According to statements released by NNPC and ARPHL, the subscription agreement represents a crucial step towards expanding Nigeria’s refining capacity and addressing the nation’s persistent reliance on imported petroleum products.

The proposed increment of 100,000bpd in the Port Harcourt Refinery’s capacity is poised to significantly reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported fuel, fostering economic resilience and energy security.

Speaking on the collaboration, NNPC’s Executive Vice-President highlighted the strategic significance of co-locating the proposed additional refining capacity with the existing facilities at the Port Harcourt Refinery complex.

The move not only optimizes existing infrastructure but also underscores NNPC’s commitment to modernizing and revitalizing Nigeria’s refining sector.

In a similar vein, Tola Ayo-Adeyemi, Group Executive Director, Legal and Regulatory Compliance at African Refinery Group, emphasized the transformative impact of the collaboration on Nigeria’s energy landscape.

He highlighted the ARPHL refinery project’s position as the largest private refinery in Nigeria’s South-South and South-East geopolitical regions, underscoring its pivotal role in driving regional development and economic growth.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the ARPHL refinery project, scheduled for later this year, symbolizes a significant milestone in Nigeria’s journey towards energy independence.

With construction slated to commence in 2025 and commercial operations targeted for 2027, the project represents a beacon of hope for Nigeria’s refining sector, promising to deliver over 30 million liters of various petroleum products daily upon completion.

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Tech Giants Microsoft and Alphabet Beat Expectations, Driven by AI and Cloud Revenue

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Industry titans Microsoft Corp. and Google parent company Alphabet Inc. have surpassed Wall Street’s expectations, buoyed by robust growth in artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing revenue streams.

The stellar quarterly results underscore the pivotal role of advanced technologies in shaping the future of these tech behemoths.

Both Microsoft and Alphabet showcased impressive performances in their latest earnings reports, sending their shares soaring in after-hours trading.

Microsoft’s stock surged by 6.3%, while Alphabet witnessed an astonishing 17% increase, reflecting investor confidence in the companies’ strategic investments and innovative initiatives.

The driving force behind this remarkable success story is the accelerating demand for AI-powered solutions and cloud services. As businesses increasingly embrace digital transformation, the adoption of AI technologies and cloud infrastructure has become paramount, fueling substantial revenue growth for both Microsoft and Alphabet.

At the forefront of this AI revolution, Microsoft and Alphabet have been fervently expanding their AI capabilities and integrating them into a wide array of products and services.

From advanced AI models to cloud-based AI solutions, both companies have been relentless in their pursuit of technological innovation, positioning themselves as leaders in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.

Silicon Valley has heralded 2024 as the year of generative AI, a groundbreaking technology capable of creating text, images, and videos from simple prompts.

Microsoft and Alphabet have capitalized on this trend, leveraging generative AI to drive business growth and enhance their cloud computing offerings.

The surge in cloud computing demand has been a particularly welcome development for Google, which has long trailed behind rivals such as Amazon and Microsoft in this competitive market.

After achieving profitability in its cloud operation last year, Google’s first-quarter profit of $900 million far exceeded analysts’ projections, signaling a significant turnaround for the tech giant.

Microsoft’s Azure cloud computing platform also experienced robust growth, with sales climbing by 31% in the quarter, surpassing analysts’ expectations.

The integration of AI technology into Azure subscriptions has proven to be a key driver of growth, as businesses increasingly recognize the value of AI-driven insights and automation.

Furthermore, both Microsoft and Alphabet have seen promising uptake of AI-powered tools across various industries. From AI assistants for office productivity to AI-driven coding platforms, these companies are empowering businesses with cutting-edge AI solutions that enhance productivity, efficiency, and innovation.

Despite the stellar performance of Microsoft and Alphabet, the broader tech landscape remains dynamic and competitive.

While both companies have demonstrated resilience and adaptability in navigating market challenges, they must continue to innovate and evolve to maintain their competitive edge in an increasingly digital world.

As the AI and cloud computing revolution continues to unfold, Microsoft and Alphabet are well-positioned to lead the charge, driving innovation, shaping industries, and delivering value to customers around the globe. With their unwavering commitment to technological excellence, these tech giants are poised for continued success in the dynamic landscape of the digital age.

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Axxela Limited Raises N16.4bn in Oversubscribed Bond Issuance

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Axxela Limited, a leading sub-Saharan African gas and power company, has successfully completed its N15 billion Series 1 Bond Issuance.

The company raised N16.4 billion due to oversubscription and investor confidence in the company’s financial strength and strategic direction.

Bolaji Osunsanya, Axxela’s Chief Executive Officer, expressed his satisfaction with the outcome, highlighting the bond’s oversubscription of 109%.

Despite challenging economic conditions marked by rising interest rates and limited market liquidity, Axxela’s bond offering attracted strong interest from a diverse group of investors, including pension fund administrators, asset managers, and high-net-worth individuals.

Osunsanya explained that the proceeds from the bond issuance would play a crucial role in funding the company’s long-term capital expenditures, managing its weighted average cost of capital, and diversifying its funding sources.

The funds will support the completion of ongoing gas pipeline projects across Nigeria, aligning with the company’s commitment to enhancing energy infrastructure and contributing to the country’s energy transition agenda.

Stanbic IBTC Capital, serving as the lead issuing house alongside seven joint issuing houses, played a pivotal role in facilitating the transaction, with Stanbic IBTC Bank acting as the transaction bank.

The successful bond issuance reflects Axxela’s strategic positioning as a key player in the region’s energy sector and its ability to leverage strong investor confidence to drive growth and innovation in the industry.

As Axxela continues to expand its presence and strengthen its operations, the oversubscribed bond issuance serves as a testament to the company’s resilience and its commitment to delivering value to shareholders and stakeholders alike.

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