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How To Build A Professional Webinality | Tekedia Mini-MBA

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Join us today at Tekedia Mini-MBA as we examine how to build professional webinality (web+personality). Yes, in this social media age, to ascend professionally, you need to find a creative way for people to know what you think you know. If you know it and keep it to yourself, you stall. But if you make it possible for others to know, wings will emerge to carry you up, because the zenith of all careers happens when people could recommend you in your absence.

Good People, you must build your professional webinality!

Tekedia Mini-MBA is an innovation management 12-week program, optimized for business execution and growth, with digital operational overlay. It runs 100% online. The theme is Innovation, Growth & Digital Execution – Techniques for Building Category-King Companies. All contents are self-paced, recorded and archived which means participants do not have to be at any scheduled time to consume contents.

Besides, programs are designed for ALL sectors, from fintech to construction, healthcare to manufacturing, agriculture to real estate, etc. And we have 3 LIVE Zoom sessions weekly, anchored by business executives you admre. It is the #best school.

Go here and register for the next edition. We’re rated 5 stars, Excellent and Amazing. Cost is N90,000 or $170 for the 12-week program.

Unlocking Potential: Advocating for a Robust Talent Management Infrastructure in Nigerian Universities

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There is no gainsaying the fact that Nigerian universities hold a substantial number of the youths across the country. Statistics reveal that as at 2021, not less than 2.1 million students were spread across the 264 campuses of the Federal, State and Private universities in the country.  This number was for undergraduate students as not less than 234,000 were on post graduate studies in the universities.

What this implies is that Nigerian universities are holding close to 2.5 million young and vibrant talents in the country. It is also an indication that the ivory towers are also responsible for a substantial number of the 60% young, energetic talents of working age. Yet, unemployment rate among graduate keeps rising with many of these young people finishing first degrees with no jobs in sight.

For a student to have graduated with a first degree, they must have had not less than 16 years of continuous education from primary to tertiary level. So, the question to ask is whether the talent management framework for the universities is effective enough?

As one of the youngest populations in the world, effective talent management is urgently calling for recalibration in the country as there is an urgent need to manage and nurture the abundant talents spread within the four walls of the Nigerian ivory towers. This is vital for sustained development and innovation. For Nigerian universities, an impactful talent management represents a critical facet that warrants keen attention and strategic nurturing.

 

Recognizing Untapped Potential

Nigerian universities are treasure troves of diverse talents, ranging from academic brilliance to artistic prowess, technological innovation, and entrepreneurial acumen. However, while these institutions serve as hubs for knowledge dissemination, there exists an untapped reservoir of potential talent awaiting identification, honing, and harnessing

The landscape of talent management in Nigerian universities is marked by both challenges and opportunities. One significant hurdle is the need for structured frameworks that actively identify and cultivate talents beyond traditional academic pursuits. This entails acknowledging various forms of talent, from scientific innovation to artistic expression and entrepreneurial initiatives. The structure of the current Students’ Affairs Divisions in Nigerian universities need to be fine-tuned for talent management. As it is, a lot of universities can not account for numerous talents that are on their campuses.

Moreover, the demand for cross-disciplinary collaboration presents an opportunity for universities to pivot toward fostering environments that encourage inter-departmental and cross-faculty exchanges. This collaboration not only nurtures talent but also cultivates a diverse skill set that aligns with real-world needs.

Holistic Approach to Talent Management

Talent management within Nigerian universities necessitates a holistic approach that encompasses several key pillars which include the following:

Identification and Encouragement

This requires creating systems that actively identify and encourage diverse talents, nurturing a culture where students and faculty are empowered to explore and showcase their skills. A reward system should also be put in place to encourage the talents. Healthy competitions should as well be instituted to facilitate innovative thinking and problem solving skills.

Flexible Curricula and Program Offerings

Embracing curriculum flexibility that allows students to explore interdisciplinary studies, affording them the freedom to discover and develop their strengths across various fields. The recently introduced CCMAS by the National Universities Commission is a good platform to change the current model for a more empowering

Mentorship and Guidance

Instituting robust mentorship programs that pair students with professionals in their fields, fostering a learning environment that extends beyond the confines of classrooms. Introducing the Professor of Practice model can make this a reality. A number of universities could tap into their alumni network to make this work.

Entrepreneurial Support

Providing resources and guidance for budding entrepreneurs, encouraging the development of innovative ideas and the transformation of these concepts into viable ventures. Building an innovation hub for ideation, development and acceleration would go a long way to assist universities mold the diverse talents on their campuses for productivity and prosperity.

Industry Collaboration

Forging partnerships with industries to bridge the gap between academia and the professional world, offering students practical exposure and experience can as well serve as a means of grooming the abundant talents in the universities.

 

Cultivating a Culture of Innovation

The heart of effective talent management in Nigerian universities lies in cultivating a culture of innovation. Encouraging risk-taking, problem-solving, and creative thinking empowers individuals to explore their potential to the fullest.

The Future of Talent Management in Nigerian Universities

Talent management in Nigerian universities should not solely be about recognizing academic achievements; it should be about recognizing and harnessing potential in all its forms. As these institutions evolve, fostering an environment that identifies, nurtures, and celebrates talent will be integral to academic excellence and the development of a generation equipped to meet real-world challenges.

Nigerian universities have an incredible opportunity to lead the charge in talent management, becoming catalysts for innovation, creativity, and holistic skill development. As they traverse this path, the collective effort toward a more robust talent management infrastructure will pave the way for a brighter, more innovative future for both students and the nation at large.

Bitcoin Ordinals Sees Huge Daily Volume, Ben Armstrong Sues ex-Colleagues, Bitcoin Cementing Status as Store of Value

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Bitcoin Ordinals, the decentralized exchange protocol that allows users to trade any ERC-20 token pair, saw its largest daily volume since May on November 8, 2023. According to data from Dune Analytics, Bitcoin Ordinals facilitated over $1.2 billion worth of trades in 24 hours, surpassing its previous record of $1.1 billion on May 3, 2023.

The surge in volume was largely driven by the increased activity in the BRC-20 token sector, which is a subset of ERC-20 tokens that are backed by real-world assets such as gold, silver, or fiat currencies. BRC-20 tokens aim to provide more stability and liquidity to the crypto market, as well as enable cross-chain interoperability with other blockchains.

One of the most popular BRC-20 tokens is BRCUSD, which is pegged to the US dollar and can be used as a medium of exchange or a store of value. BRCUSD accounted for over 40% of the total volume on Bitcoin Ordinals on November 8, 2023, followed by BRCGBP (pegged to the British pound) and BRCEUR (pegged to the euro).

The demand for BRC-20 tokens has been growing steadily in the past few months, as more investors and traders seek to hedge against the volatility and inflation of fiat currencies. Moreover, BRC-20 tokens offer a lower gas fee and faster transaction speed than traditional ERC-20 tokens, making them more attractive for high-frequency trading.

Bitcoin Ordinals is one of the leading platforms for trading BRC-20 tokens, as it offers a high level of security, transparency, and efficiency. Bitcoin Ordinals does not require users to create an account or deposit their funds in a centralized entity. Instead, users can connect their wallets directly to the protocol and execute trades in a peer-to-peer manner, without intermediaries or custodians.

Bitcoin Ordinals also leverages a novel mechanism called Automated Market Makers (AMMs), which use smart contracts to create liquidity pools for each token pair. Users can provide liquidity to these pools and earn fees from each trade, or they can swap tokens at the best available price determined by the pool’s ratio. This eliminates the need for order books or price discovery and ensures that there is always enough liquidity for any trade.

Bitcoin Ordinals is constantly innovating and improving its protocol, adding new features and functionalities to enhance the user experience and cater to the evolving needs of the crypto market. Some of the recent developments include:

Launching Bitcoin Ordinals V3, which introduces concentrated liquidity and multiple fee tiers, allowing liquidity providers to customize their exposure and returns. Integrating with Optimism, a layer-2 scaling solution that reduces gas costs and latency for Bitcoin Ordinals transactions.

Supporting Arbitrum One, another layer-2 scaling solution that offers high throughput and compatibility with Ethereum. Expanding its ecosystem of partners and integrations, such as Coinbase Wallet, MetaMask, CoinGecko, CoinMarketCap, Etherscan, and more.

Bitcoin Ordinals is one of the most innovative and influential projects in the DeFi space, and its impressive performance on November 8, 2023, demonstrates its potential to revolutionize the crypto industry. With its cutting-edge technology, user-friendly interface, and vibrant community, Bitcoin Ordinals is poised to become the leading platform for trading any token on Ethereum and beyond.

Ben Armstrong sues former colleagues alleging they conspired to steal his Lamborghini.

In a shocking turn of events, crypto youtuber and influencer Ben Armstrong, better known as BitBoy Crypto, has filed a lawsuit against his former colleagues, accusing them of conspiring to steal his Lamborghini Huracan.

According to the complaint, Armstrong claims that he hired four individuals in 2019 to work for his company, BitBoy Crypto LLC, which produces content on various platforms about cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology. He alleges that these four employees, who are named as defendants in the lawsuit, breached their contracts and fiduciary duties by secretly forming a competing company, Crypto Face LLC, and using BitBoy Crypto’s resources, contacts, and trade secrets to promote their own interests.

Armstrong further alleges that the defendants plotted to steal his Lamborghini, which he had purchased in 2020 using the profits from his crypto investments. He says that he entrusted the defendants with the keys and access codes to his garage, where he stored the vehicle, and that they took advantage of his trust and stole the car in July 2021. He claims that he reported the theft to the police, but the defendants have refused to return the car or cooperate with the investigation.

The lawsuit seeks damages for breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, conversion, civil conspiracy, unjust enrichment, and fraud. Armstrong also requests an injunction to prevent the defendants from using or disposing of the Lamborghini, and from continuing to operate Crypto Face LLC.

Armstrong is one of the most popular and influential crypto youtubers, with over 1.3 million subscribers on his channel. He is known for his bullish views on Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, as well as for his collaborations with other prominent figures in the crypto space. He has not commented publicly on the lawsuit yet, but his fans have expressed their support and outrage on social media.

Bitcoin Cementing Status as Store of Value

In a recent blog post, Fidelity Digital Assets, a subsidiary of Fidelity Investments, one of the world’s largest asset managers, argued that Bitcoin is becoming a more accepted and reliable store of value in the eyes of investors and institutions. The post highlighted several factors that contribute to Bitcoin’s growing appeal as a store of value, such as its scarcity, durability, portability, fungibility, verifiability, and divisibility.

According to Fidelity Digital Assets, Bitcoin has a unique advantage over other forms of money and assets, as it is not subject to the same risks of inflation, devaluation, confiscation, or censorship that plague fiat currencies and traditional assets. Bitcoin is also independent of any central authority or intermediary, and its network is secured by a decentralized consensus mechanism that ensures its integrity and immutability.

The post also cited several examples of how Bitcoin is being adopted and recognized by various entities and individuals as a legitimate and valuable asset class. For instance, the post mentioned that MicroStrategy, a publicly traded software company, has invested over $1 billion in Bitcoin as its primary treasury reserve asset, and that Square, a leading payment platform, has allocated $50 million of its balance sheet to Bitcoin as well.

Moreover, the post noted that PayPal, one of the largest online payment providers, has enabled its users to buy, sell, and hold Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies on its platform.

Bitcoin is more than just a digital currency. It is a revolutionary technology that has the potential to transform the global financial system and create a new paradigm of trust and value. Bitcoin is not controlled by any central authority, but by a decentralized network of nodes that verify and record transactions on a public ledger called the blockchain. This ledger is immutable, transparent and censorship-resistant, making Bitcoin a secure and reliable way of storing and transferring wealth.

One of the key features of Bitcoin is its limited supply of 21 million coins, which ensures that it is not subject to inflation or devaluation by governments or central banks. Unlike fiat currencies, which can be printed at will, Bitcoin has a predictable and transparent issuance schedule that reduces over time until the last coin is mined around the year 2140. This makes Bitcoin a scarce and valuable asset that can serve as a hedge against economic uncertainty and currency debasement.

Bitcoin is in the process of cementing its status as a store of value, as more and more investors, institutions and corporations recognize its unique properties and advantages over traditional assets. Bitcoin has outperformed every other asset class in the past decade, delivering an annualized return of over 200%. Bitcoin has also shown remarkable resilience and strength during periods of market turmoil, such as the Covid-19 pandemic, when it recovered faster and higher than any other asset.

Bitcoin is not only a store of value, but also a medium of exchange and a unit of account. Bitcoin can be used to buy goods and services online and offline, across borders and without intermediaries. Bitcoin can also be used to measure the value of other assets, such as stocks, commodities or real estate.

Bitcoin is becoming more accessible and convenient to use, as the technology improves, and the infrastructure grows. There are now over 13,000 Bitcoin ATMs worldwide, over 100,000 merchants that accept Bitcoin, and over 300 million users that hold Bitcoin.

Bitcoin is not a bubble or a fad. It is a paradigm shift that is changing the world for the better. Bitcoin is empowering people with financial freedom, sovereignty and inclusion. Bitcoin is enabling innovation, entrepreneurship and social impact. Bitcoin is the future of money.

Fidelity Digital Assets concluded that Bitcoin is in the process of cementing its status as a store of value, as more investors and institutions recognize its potential and utility in the digital age.

The post stated that “Bitcoin is unique among assets in that it features an asymmetric upside with a known and fixed supply schedule and demand dynamics that are still early stage. As such, we believe Bitcoin represents an attractive alternative for investors looking for a scarce and uncorrelated asset with optionality for future growth.”

Ohio Voted to Legalize Recreational Marijuana

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In a historic move, Ohio has become the 19th state in the US to legalize recreational marijuana for adults 21 and older. The measure, which was approved by 56% of voters in the November 7th election, will allow residents to possess up to one ounce of cannabis and grow up to six plants at home. It will also create a regulated market for marijuana sales, with a 15% tax on retail products and a 5% tax on medical marijuana.

Legalizing recreational marijuana in Ohio is a complex and controversial issue that has both pros and cons for the state and its residents. As one of the largest and most populous states in the country, Ohio’s experience with this policy will have significant implications for other states that are considering or pursuing similar reforms. Ultimately, the success or failure of this policy will depend on how well the state regulates, monitors, and evaluates its effects on various aspects of society.

The legalization of recreational marijuana in Ohio is expected to generate millions of dollars in revenue for the state, which will be allocated to various programs and initiatives. According to the ballot language, 35% of the tax revenue will go to education, 25% to drug treatment and prevention, 15% to local governments, 10% to criminal justice reform, 10% to veterans’ services, and 5% to research on medical marijuana.

Supporters of the measure argued that legalizing recreational marijuana would reduce arrests and incarceration for minor drug offenses, create jobs and economic opportunities, and provide patients with more access to medical marijuana. They also pointed out that Ohioans are already using marijuana illegally, and that regulating it would ensure product safety and quality.

Opponents of the measure claimed that legalizing recreational marijuana would increase drug abuse and addiction, impair public health and safety, and harm children and youth. They also expressed concerns about the potential impact on the state’s medical marijuana program, which was established in 2016 and is still being implemented.

Ohio is one of the latest states to join the growing trend of legalizing recreational marijuana for adults. This decision, which was approved by voters in November 2023, has significant implications for the state’s economy, public health, and social justice. In this blog post, we will explore some of the benefits and challenges of this new policy, and how it will affect Ohioans in various ways.

One of the most obvious effects of legalizing recreational marijuana is the increase in tax revenue for the state. According to the Ohio Department of Taxation, the state will impose a 15% excise tax on marijuana sales, in addition to the existing sales tax of 5.75%. The estimated annual revenue from these taxes is $250 million, which will be allocated to various programs and initiatives, such as education, drug treatment, mental health services, and criminal justice reform.

Additionally, the state will save money on law enforcement and incarceration costs, as fewer people will be arrested and prosecuted for marijuana-related offenses.

Another benefit of legalizing recreational marijuana is the improvement of public health outcomes. Studies have shown that marijuana can have positive effects on chronic pain, nausea, epilepsy, PTSD, and other conditions. Moreover, legalizing marijuana can reduce the harms associated with the illicit market, such as exposure to contaminants, violence, and criminal records. By regulating the quality and safety of marijuana products, and providing consumers with accurate information and education, the state can ensure that people use marijuana responsibly and minimize the risks of abuse and addiction.

However, legalizing recreational marijuana also poses some challenges and uncertainties for the state. One of the main concerns is the impact on youth and adolescents, who may have easier access to marijuana and perceive it as less harmful. Research has indicated that marijuana use can impair brain development, memory, learning, and mental health in young people. Therefore, the state needs to implement strict age limits, prevention programs, and awareness campaigns to discourage underage use and protect minors from exposure to marijuana.

Another challenge is the potential conflict with federal law, which still classifies marijuana as a Schedule I substance with no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. Although the federal government has largely adopted a hands-off approach to states that have legalized marijuana, there is no guarantee that this policy will continue in the future. Therefore, Ohioans who use or possess marijuana may still face legal consequences at the federal level, especially if they travel across state lines or work in federally regulated industries.

The legalization of recreational marijuana in Ohio marks a significant shift in the state’s attitude toward cannabis, which was previously illegal for any purpose. Ohio joins other states such as California, Colorado, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, and Virginia that have legalized recreational marijuana in recent years. The measure also reflects the growing public support for marijuana reform across the country, as more Americans favor legalizing cannabis than ever before.

Safaricom’s Half-Year Profit Surges to Ksh 34.2 Billion, Propelled by Strong Performance of M-PESA

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Leading telecommunications company in Kenya, Safaricom, has reported a half-year profit of Ksh 34.2 billion ($225 million), which was majorly driven by the success of its fintech subsidiary M-PESA.

The company reported a 2.1% increase in net income, and the shares which experienced a 43% decline since the beginning of the year, experienced a remarkable 5.6% surge, signaling investor confidence in the company’s recent earnings report.

The fintech subsidiary M-PESA continued to be a key financial source of revenue for the company, after it contributed 42.1 percent of the telco’s revenue in the six months to 30th September 2023, up from 39.3 percent in the same period in 2022.

In the same period, one month of active M-PESA customers grew by 3.1 percent year-on-year to 32.13 million. Lipa Na M-PESA active merchants grew 22.3 percent year-on-year to 658.35k.

Also, Safaricom recorded a growth in profitability for the six months to 30th September 2023, with the Kenyan business profits growing 10.9 percent to KSh 41.6 billion. It attributed this growth in profitability to the reduced prices for its products and services.

Speaking on the first half result, CEO of Safaricom Peter Ndegwa said the strategic reduction of its prices, has led to an increase in service usage.

In his words,

“In the six months leading up to September, there was accelerated pressure on the consumer wallet due to global and domestic factors that drove inflation. Businesses have also been under pressure having to deal with rising energy and foreign-exchange costs whilst balancing between operating an efficient business and also cushioning customers at a tough time.

“We appreciate that everyone is going through a hard time and are committed as a business to support our customers cope. The reduced prices have seen our customers use more of our services hence the double-digit growth in profitability and revenue”.

Voice which accounted for 27.5 per cent of the company’s revenue in the previous half-year accounted for 24.6 percent. Other key drivers include mobile data accounting for 18.8 per cent, while fixed enterprise services accounted for 2.8 percent, of the profit.

It is however interesting to note that Safaricom’s success in Kenya has played a crucial role in offsetting the company’s losses incurred in Ethiopia, after it placed a bet in the East African country, following its launch last year.

Safaricom Ethiopia, which launched in 2022, encountered several challenges that impacted its ability to guarantee returns for investors.

In May this year, the company reported a drop in full-year profit as the costs of rolling out operations in neighboring Ethiopia weighed on earnings.

Net income for the 12 months through March was 62.3 billion shillings ($455.6 million), 10.6% lower than the previous year, according to financial statements released. That’s the biggest drop since 2011, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

Profit dropped as the company’s capital spending jumped 93% to 96.1 billion shillings, excluding the impact of hyperinflation in Ethiopia, driven by expenditure on rolling out operations in that country.

Despite the challenges, Safaricom remains hopeful that the macroeconomic situation in Ethiopia will improve by the time the subsidiary achieves profitability, expected towards the end of 2026.