Good People, let me begin by noting that I am flummoxed (time has changed, I used that word many times those days as a prefect in secondary school. Add “flabbergasted”, the junior will know that the senior knows grammar!). Yes, I have received many questions on Dino Melaye’s claim that the electromagnetic radiation from 5G is the cause of coronavirus. While you can dismiss the video, it is important to note that Dino was a senator, and has a really big followership. So, if you do not deal with this matter, companies like MTN, 9Mobile, Airtel and Glo could see their assets attacked by youth who may want to defend their lands from 5G installations!

This is all I can write here: there are many smart people on this earth that did testing and checked all the dots before approving this product for the world. And if any person thinks he can sell harmful products, there are trial lawyers that would annihilate him via class actions. My call is to default that 5G is safe because as someone who has designed electronic products, there are rigorous processes products must pass through before they are sold in the markets. Yet, that does not mean that anyone concerned about a product should not be given attention.

We need to invite the former senator to Uniabuja or Unilag or FUTO and demonstrate with 5G systems that 5G could be just safe for humans. If you fail to do that, you are essentially risking 5G infrastructures in Nigeria as some youth will take up his unfortunate challenge, to remove these disease-causing systems.

This is a scientific challenge and our schools (sure, still on strike) should address Senator Melaye with data. Yes, no need for insult; he needs to be shown data and evidence!

Why? Some Britons went on rampage over 5G, destroying assets.

In Liverpool, a 5G tower was set on fire Friday night, Liverpool Echo reported. The paper said the attack came hours after the city mayor, Joe Anderson, slammed “bizarre” conspiracy theories that 5G was the carrier of COVID-19, a strain of coronavirus that has infected over one million people and killed over 60,000 as of April 4. “I am amazed that there are people out there who (are) saying things like this, that COVID-19 is somehow linked to 5G,” Mr Anderson said.

Meanwhile,  a statement signed by the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, on Saturday, is making it clear that Nigeria has not approved any 5G deployment in the country. This is important before our telcos suffer irreversible losses via attacks.

The statement below…

The attention of my office has been drawn to the public concern about the health implications of the deployment of Fifth Generation Mobile Networks (5G) in Nigeria.Based on available records at my office and the earlier report received from the regulator, I would like to clarify as follows:

The National Frequency Management Council (NFMC), of which I am the Chairman, has not deliberated on or released any bulk frequency spectrum for the deployment of 5G.

No license has been issued for the deployment of 5G in the country;

A 3-month study trial commenced on the 25th of November, 2019 in order to critically review and study the health and security implications of deploying 5G in Nigeria;

As part of the study trial process, I directed the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to ensure that a team of experts, security agencies and other stakeholders fully participate in the trial process and my office also invited these agencies to participate in the trial;

The trial process has been concluded and the study and reporting process is currently ongoing.

His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, places a premium on the welfare, health and security of Nigerians. As such, our desire for technological advancement will never be at the expense of the health and welfare of our citizens.

Government will not act on speculations only, but rather we will take an informed decision on 5G after due consultation with experts and the public.

I have also directed the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), to engage citizens on any questions or concerns they may have regarding 5G.

I wish to thank the general public for reaching out to us on this issue. We advise you all to remain rest assured that government will always take the welfare, health and security of the public into account while considering the deployment of any technology.

Africa has contributed extensively to France in many ways. From Ivory Coast to Cameroon, Africans have supported this European country. Yet, the legendary racism in France continues to scale exponentially. As I was returning with family after Christmas, we had a lay-over in Paris. We went to the lounge and my wife presented our Nigerian passports; quickly, the lady started struggling, bringing all kinds of new rules, etc. But knowing that we were in France, and to save my time and deal with the usual demons, I took the Nigerian passports and dropped the U.S. passports before her, and magically, she started smiling. You know what? She wished she did not have Nigerians right there for no apparent reason!

But this new one has taken the “trade” to a new level – a French researcher thinks that Africans should be the labs upon which vaccines for Covid-19 (i.e. coronavirus) should be tested on. When you hear such nonsensical statements from experts, you begin to doubt what drives this world. That statement has the potency to push many Africans to AVOID any Covid-19 vaccine if the world finally comes out with one.

Dr. Jean Paul Mira and Dr Camille Locht made provocative racist comments in the wake of Covid- 19.

On live television, Jean Paul Mira suggested Africa should be the testing ground for Covid-19 vaccines due to their vulnerabilities.

Jean Paul Mira stated, “If I could be provocative, should we not do this study in Africa where there are no masks, treatment or intensive care, a little bit like it’s done, by the way, for certain AIDS studies or with prostitutes?”

“We try things because we know that they are highly exposed and they don’t protect themselves,” he said.

Camille Locht, the research director from France’s Inserm, responded: “You are right. And by the way, we are in the process of thinking in parallel about a study in Africa ….”

Shame to Dr. Jean Paul Mira. 

Sure – the current leader of France is a good friend to Africa and there are of course great people there. Yet, France and Europe seem exceedingly  lost when you see how the demons of racism are still growing from stadiums to college classrooms.

Seni Sulyman, Andela’s Vice President of Global Operations, has announced that he will be stepping down effective May 15, after four years with the company. He made the announcement on Thursday to the surprise of many who have expected him to carry on after helping to pull Andela through its many challenges last year.

Sulyman has overtime, acquired enormous wealth of experience working in different areas in the tech industry, but he always knows when it’s time to say goodbye.

“There is never a right time to say goodbye to a community I love from the bottom of my heart, and people I’ve built lifelong relationships with.

“After four tremendous years at Andela, I am transitioning out of my role as vice president of Global Operations and into the Alumni Network on May 15.

“I am immeasurably grateful for the privilege to have spent the last few years doing the hardest yet most fulfilling work of my career, with some of the most passionate and driven people I’ve met. My experience at Andela have permanently reinforced my sense of purpose and enhanced my belief in what’s possible when incredibly talented people from diverse cultures and contexts come together to pursue a bold mission” said Sulyman on Medium.

Andela was barely two years old when Sulyman joined them in 2016 as director of operations, and in less than a year, he became the country director of Nigeria. Andela witnessed tremendous growth under his leadership, growing by over 400%, and unveiling its ultramodern tech office in Lagos.

In just two years after he joined Andela, the company emerged number 1 Jobberman’s Best 100 places to work in Nigeria (2018), and was awarded by the US Secretary of States for Corporate Excellence.

Sulyman bagged a Bachelor of Engineering in Northwestern University and had worked with other reputable companies prior to his involvement with Andela. Konga, HP, CardinalStone, Bristow and Bain & company were among the companies he worked for before now. He is also the founder of AYPAfrica, a youth organization that focuses on nurturing talents.

In 2019, Sulyman was appointed Interim Country Director for Andela Kenya. But the most challenging change he effected in Andela was the notorious layoff of about 400 workers in 2019; it was a monumental decision that was needed to keep the company in business.

Sulyman said the decision to leave Andela was a difficult one, but there is never a better time to make it.

“This is a bitter-Sweet moment for me. It is difficult to leave when we’re still in the early days of a wicked global challenge with COVID-19 pandemic. I am also disappointed that I won’t be able to visit our various offices one more time in person due to travel restrictions imposed by various countries (which I agree with).

“I’ve second-guessed my decision to leave a few times, but there just isn’t ever a perfect time. I take comfort in the leaders and subject matter experts we have across the organization,” he said.

Sulyman plans on going sabbatical to put some of his personal ideas into practice including Real Talk Show with Seni, building a platform where entrepreneurs can share their experiences and learn from each other.

In February, Sulyman had shared his first step in making that dream come through, using his Twitter handle. It appears more time on his side will mean more of the shows after May 15. He said his most gratifying achievements is building the remarkable team leading Andela’s Africa delivery centers, and would want to continue in that vein after his sabbatical.

“After some time off, I’ll plan my next great adventure in line with my life’s purpose of building an ecosystem of exemplary African businesses and leaders, and creating commercial bridges between Africa and the world,” he said.

Meanwhile, Gokada is planning to expand its water services soon, as it appears to have introduced bigger boats to Lagos waters. The company shared a picture of its branded yacht on twitter with the caption: “We told you guys.”

Since the Lagos State Government banned the activities of commercial motorcyclists including app-based motor companies, Gokada and other ride-hailing companies have been looking for alternative fields to stay in business.

In June last year, the company introduced the waterway transport system (Gboats) that focused on the island due to limited ferries and inadequate infrastructure. The operation was limited to few Terminals at Laswa yard Falomo, Ikoyi; the Kingfisher Waterfront Jetty at Wole Olateju, Lekki; and the Paradise Jetty at Walter Carrington Victoria Island.

Much was heard of the initiative as Lagos State owned jetties were taking its campaign to many parts of the state.

Gokada said more speed boats and yachts have been added to its fleet and appears set to expand its water operations to other parts of Lagos. The introduction of yatch means the company has a plan to offer luxury and VIP services to riders.

Use this for the the link of Tekedia mini-MBA faculty list.

This is hard news: Germany’s Rocket Internet has exited Jumia. Within  the window it sold, from Nov 8 2019 to say early February 2020, Jumia’s highest stock value was about $8.50. That is still a huge drop when you consider that the stock rose to $49.77 shortly after IPO before it lost steam. Jumia closed at $2.58 today after losing more than 8% of its value. This sector remains a challenge in Africa, and not an electronic business, as the marginal cost is all physical. The sector challenges are well documented in this seminal Harvard Business Review piece I wrote a few years ago.

German tech investor Rocket Internet RKET.DE said on Thursday it had sold its stake in African ecommerce company Jumia JMIA.N, which has seen its shares steadily fall since they listed last April on Wall Street.

Rocket Internet, which had held an 11% stake in Jumia as of Nov. 8, sold its holding between then and the onset of the coronavirus crisis, Bettina Curtze, the firm’s head of finance and investments, told journalists, declining to be more precise.

Curtze declined to reveal what proceeds Rocket Internet made from the sale, but said they were included in the 2.1 billion euros ($2.30 billion) of net cash the company had as of March 31.

Jumia shares soared when the company became the first African tech stock to list on Wall Street on April 12 but tumbled a month later after Citron Research, run by short-seller Andrew Left, questioned some of its sales figures.