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Nifemi Temiloluwa Eitaio-Alao: A Journey Of Entrepreneurial Success

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In the heart of Nigeria’s bustling city of Ilorin, Kwara State, Nifemi Temiloluwa Eitaio-Alao, affectionately known as “Omo Afonja” and “Flawless” during his university days, embarked on a journey that would see him rise to the pinnacle of entrepreneurial success. His academic pursuit in Accounting at the University of Ilorin, followed by an MBA in Finance from Ladoke Akintola University, laid the foundation for his future endeavors.

As a Fellow Member of The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and an associate member of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), Nifemi’s expertise in finance is undeniable. But it is his entrepreneurial spirit that truly sets him apart. Married with beautiful kids, Nifemi is not just a family man but also a seasoned entrepreneur, currently serving as the CEO of Home & Art Designs.

Under his leadership, Home & Art Designs has become a household name in the furniture industry. Nifemi’s passion for producing quality furniture and his desire for financial independence drove him to start his own business. His mission was to make luxury furniture accessible to all, regardless of their income bracket.

Nifemi’s business acumen extends beyond furniture manufacturing. He is also the proud owner of Deutsche & Franklin Properties, a property development company, Henkel & Harris, a furniture hardware and accessories company, and Bulk & Cheese, a financial consulting and loan brokerage firm. With fifty-two employees, his companies specialize in a range of services from manufacturing furniture items for various spaces to property remodeling and space planning.

The choice of Lagos, Nigeria, as the company’s base was strategic, given its status as a rapidly growing mega-city with a population of over 20 million people. Nifemi’s goal is to position his company as the leading furniture manufacturing entity in Nigeria, contributing to the economy by providing jobs and generating revenue through the manufacturing and sale of furniture products.

The booming construction and real estate industries in Nigeria, coupled with a growing middle class, presented a lucrative opportunity for Nifemi to venture into the furniture business. His advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is to embrace sacrifice, determination, hard work, and tenacity, recognizing that failure is not the end but a valuable opportunity for growth and learning.

Nifemi’s approach to dealing with fear and doubt is to face them head-on, build a supportive community, and maintain a positive mindset. He envisions expanding his business by opening branches in three strategic locations in the country within the next five years.

Outside of his business endeavors, Nifemi is a sociable and friendly person who enjoys spending time with family and friends, working out five days a week, and traveling. He is also a fitness enthusiast and loves to network and build solid partnerships. With his birthday on the 14th of February, Nifemi looks forward to his annual celebration with family, friends, and business partners, marking another year of achievements and blessings.

Nifemi Temiloluwa Eitaio-Alao’s entrepreneurial journey is a testament to the power of passion, perseverance, and strategic planning. His success story serves as an inspiration to many, demonstrating that with the right mindset and dedication, one can achieve greatness in the world of business.

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Lawmaker’s Bid To Revoke Airstrip Licences Is Lack Of Aviation Knowledge — Aviation Minister Keyamo

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The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has referred to the attempt by a member of the House of Representatives to revoke the licences of certain airstrips in the country as “a lack of understanding of the aviation industry.”

Addressing the concerns raised by the lawmaker on his X handle on Saturday, Keyamo explained that the House of Representatives as a whole had not requested the revocation of any private airstrip licences.

This clarification followed calls by some lawmakers, particularly in the House of Representatives, for the revocation of airstrip licences belonging to certain individuals and private organisations, citing security reasons.

A member of the House of Representatives, Sulaiman Abubakar, argued that the frequent approval of airstrips for private individuals could exacerbate the country’s security challenges.

However, responding to the lawmakers’ move, Keyamo then educated the public on the operations of the aviation sector regarding licence approvals.

“I think this is not correct. The House of Reps. as a body did not call on the Minister to revoke the licence of any private airstrip. I think what happened is that someone moved a motion in that regard and it was unanimously referred to the Aviation Committee to look into it.

“Whilst the intention of the Hon. Member who moved it is very patriotic, it was based on a complete lack of knowledge of the aviation sector. By the time we explain to them how private air strips work and the processes they undergo by our agencies before the final approval, they will be satisfied.

“The responsibility of the owners of private air strips is just to build the runway and terminal building. But after they build the control tower in particular, it is completely handed over to the Federal Government through NAMA (Nigerian Airspace Management Agency) which is in complete control of the entire airspace in Nigeria.

“An MOU is usually signed with NAMA in this regard before the airstrip is approved for operations. It is NAMA that provides the Air Traffic Controllers and Engineers in ALL AIRPORTS and AIRSTRIPS IN NIGERIA. And the private airstrip owners pay the Federal Government handsomely for these services.

“No object flies into Nigeria without the prior clearance by NAMA and without filing a clear flight plan, eg, where it is taking off from and where it intends to land. And I have recently directed that all aircraft coming into the country MUST first land at our international airports where they would be properly processed and checked before they make their local flights into whatever airport or airstrip they intend to go.

“So, it is COMPLETELY AND TOTALLY impossible for any private airstrip owner to just jump on an aircraft and fly in and out of the country through that facility. The Federal Government does not permit that.

“You will not be cleared for take off or landing without prior request and authorisation. I thank the Member for his patriotism, but I wish he contacted us first to explain to him before rushing to move such a motion. I attach herewith for public consumption the NAMA Act that gives exclusive control of the Nigerian airspace to the Federal Government through NAMA,” he said.

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Nigeria SMEs Get A Boost As Afreximbank, Woodhall Sign $25 Million Facility To Support Export Businesses

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Woodhall Capital, a financial Services firm, has signed a $25 million loan facility with the African Export–Import Bank (Afreximbank) to provide a support vehicle for Nigerian SMEs entering export markets.

The signing ceremony took place during the inaugural Afreximbank SME Development Workshop and Stakeholder Engagement Programme, themed “Nurturing African SMEs: Bridging the Barriers to Export”, currently ongoing at the prestigious Zinnia Hall, Eko Hotels & Suites in Lagos.

While declaring the workshop—attended by over 400 stakeholders—open, the Executive Vice President of Intra-African Trade & Export Development (IAED) at Afreximbank, Kanayo Awani, noted that the event is a call for Nigerian SMEs to be champions of trade that accelerate development in Africa.

“This event, held in collaboration with Woodhall Capital, aims to develop the capacity of SMEs, the backbone of Africa’s economy. It’s not just about nurturing SMEs; we’re also looking to identify financial institutions that can better serve SMEs,” she said.

In Africa, SMEs account for 90% of business activity, and studies indicate that they also represent an average of 60% of total formal employment in developed and developing countries.

Stressing the importance of the collaboration with the financial advisory firm, Awani disclosed that around 60% of SMEs struggle with access to finance.

“SMEs in Africa still face significant obstacles to growth and prosperity, as only a small fraction venture into the export market, and even fewer have sustained long-term success. Bridging these barriers can empower SMEs to thrive on a continental and global scale. Access to affordable, appropriate finance is consistently cited as a major obstacle for SMEs.

“Over the past year, Afreximbank has provided capacity-building and market access support to around three thousand SMEs across 34 countries.”

According to Nigeria’s Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, represented by the Executive Director of MSMEs at the Bank of Industry, Alhaji Shekarau Umar, out of the 58 African countries, 39 do not have populations exceeding 39 million.

“So if, in Nigeria, we have SMEs alone totalling 39 million, it means that selecting Nigeria to launch the inaugural workshop is both deliberate and significant. We believe that Afreximbank’s interventions will enable African SMEs to overcome barriers to cross-border trade.

“I urge you all to go beyond the traditional issues SMEs face, like access to funds, and start discussing access to markets and capacity. We must understand that the funds provided to SMEs, if not accompanied by capacity-building, will be wasted,” Dr. Uzoka-Anite said.

Other notable speakers addressing stakeholders at the workshop included the Managing Director of Export Development at Afreximbank, Oluranti Doherty; the Governor of Nigeria’s apex bank, Dr. Olayemi Cardoso, represented by Director of Risk Management at the Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr. Blaise Ijebor; and the Head of SME Development at Afreximbank, Ody Akhanoba.

The US Consul General, Will Stevens, represented by the Managing Director of Trade at Prosper Africa, Daniele Jean-Pierre, and the founder of Oriki Group, Fola Olowu, also participated, discussing the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).

In addition to various presentations equipping over 400 Nigerian SMEs with tools for scaling up and succeeding in export, panel discussions addressed creating an enabling environment for sustainable growth and facilitating access to finance for African SMEs, with input from industry leaders across sectors.

Discussing the role of Woodhall Capital in enabling financial institutions, governments, and SMEs to access funding, the founder of the financial advisory firm, Mojisola Hunponu-Wusu, shared how the firm grew from a small-scale operation to a global institution with Afreximbank’s support.

“Afreximbank has been integral in taking this small company and giving us the audacity to believe an African indigenous company can go global. They have supported us with various products and the backing of our esteemed advisory board members. Woodhall Capital is living proof that a small firm, with proper training and guidance, can achieve global scale with the support of African institutions.

“This workshop demonstrates that any SME here, no matter how small, with the right mindset, can achieve success. We are here to discuss what African SMEs need to gain the right support,” she stated.

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JUST IN: Onigbongbo LCDA Chairman “Tant’olorun” Dies At 54

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Oladotun Olakanle, the Chairman of Onigbongbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA), popularly known as “Tant’olorun”, has passed away after a brief illness.

The news of his death has sent shockwaves through the community.

Olakanle, who recently celebrated his 54th birthday, was a prominent figure in the council.

His sudden demise has left residents and politicians deeply saddened.

 

More to come…

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