The Chairman of the NAGCC, Mahmood Ahmadu, signed on behalf of his organisation while Robert Jreissati signed for the National Polish Arab Chamber of Commerce.

According to a statement by Executive Assistant to the Chairman NAGCC, Souzan Owji, the agreement was signed in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on the margins of EXPO 2020, where President Muhammadu Buhari and other world leaders attended.

The statement said the partnership will unleash many business investments that will be finalised in the coming months.

“From EXPO 2020 Dubai, which will end in March 2022, we at NAGCC are excited that many businesses in the Middle East are interested in the Nigeria market and the signing of this MOU signals a new beginning for new investments in Africa’s largest economy.

Read Also – Mahmood Ahmadu adds another coveted award for ‘visionary leadership’ in business to his numerous collection

“Already, the International Investors Council, which sits on an investment capital of trillion of dollars, is talking with us and once we have a good understanding they are willing to bring their investments to Nigeria,’” Ahmadu said.

The Chairman also commended President Buhari for the immense strides of his administration at repositioning the Nigerian economy and painstaking efforts to promote ease of doing business in the country, including issuing an Executive Order on Promotion of Transparency and Efficiency in the Business Environment.

On the recently launched National Development Plan (NDP), 2021 to 2025, Ahmadu welcomed the decision by the Buhari led administration to amend laws that impede the private sector from being the main driver of the economy.

He expressed confidence that the implementation of the NDP 2021 to 2025, which seeks to improve investments in the country with the private sector as the main driver, would improve foreign direct investments.

The Nigerian Arabian Gulf Chamber of Commerce (NAGCC), is a private sector bilateral and multilateral trade and investment vehicle committed to the development and promotion of business relationships, the facilitation of trade and investment engagements, the platform for financial linkages and technical support between Nigeria and the Arabian Gulf countries

Source – https://thebossnewspapers.com/

The post Mahmood Ahmadu and Robert Jreissati Signs MOU to Boost Trade Opportunities Between Nigeria and Poland appeared first on Daily Concord.

The event was themed – Road To A Prosperous Africa! The keynote addresses were delivered by Indian born Swiss businessman and billionaire Prakash Hinduja CEO of the Hindujah Group, one of Europe’s most successful businesses and H.E Ahmed Elmetwally, CEO, Sheikh Mohamed Bin Ahmed Bin Hamadan Al Nahyan.

Mrs Yinka Fayomi publisher of FIN magazine, who is a specialist in cross border investment, Entrepreneurship, Youthpreneur, financing of projects and promotion of local contents in FDI projects, said she was truly elated at the calibre of people that graced the event. She also said she was deeply encouraged by the success of the event and the financial commitment from powerful investors to Africa.

The event itself began with a Trade & Investment round table and panel discussion, followed by a Ministerial roundtable with several African government ministers participating. The highly acclaimed FIN Awards rounded up the day featuring several high profile recipients spanning from industry, business, arts, philanthropy and government.
Here is the list of awardees:

• PRAKASH HINDUJAH, Billionaire Chairman of the Hindujah Group – Lifetime Achievement Award
• MR DATO YURO TY, CEO, Tri-T Platinum Builders Gold Trading LLC – Outstanding Entrepreneur Award
• MAHMOOD AHMADU OON, Founder & Executive Chairman Online Integrated Solutions Ltd (OIS) – Visionary Leader Award
• AMB DAVID BALONDEMU, Chairman of Kampala district land board – Award of Distinction
• DR. ROZIOUS SIATWAMBO, CEO of the Great North Road Group of Companies
• DR. AHMED SALAWUDEEN – FIIN, FCIB, FCALM, PhD, ACII (London) Chairman of Signature Global Real Estate, and CEO of Standard Insurance Consultants Limited – Business Icon Award
• VIKAS BHARGAVA, Advertising supremo – Outstanding Leader in Art & Media Award

Read Also – President Buhari, Governors, Senior Ministers and Business Leaders grace The Nigerian Trade & Investment Forum at the Dubai Expo 2020

Some of the previous distinguished recipients of the FIN Awards include the following:

• Chief Olusegun Obasanjo – former President of Nigeria
• Alhaji Aliko Dangote – Chairman Dangote Group
• Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala – former Finance Minister of Nigeria and now Head of WTO
• Vincente Fox – former President of Mexico
• Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina – President African Development Bank
• Dr Mohammed Bakindo – OPEC Secretary-General

About Mahmood Ahmadu:

Mahmood Ahmadu is a leading African entrepreneur and renowned philanthropist. He is the founder and executive chairman of online Integrated Solutions Ltd (OIS). OIS is a specialist visa application agency that provides online passport, visa processing and technical support services for Governments.
Mahmood is also the life President of the Nigerian Arabian Gulf Chamber of Commerce (NAGCC). The chamber’s aspiration is to become the largest business organization in Nigeria and the Arabian Gulf; representing businesses across all sectors, working at local, national and international levels to support businesses from sole traders to multinational corporations.

Mahmood’s other significant business interests span the following sectors; Mining, Real Estate, Construction, Agriculture, Bottling Water, E-education, E-healthcare, and Fintech spread across 53 countries in 5 continents. His philanthropic activities have made it possible for hundreds of students to afford good quality education both locally in Africa and abroad. He is the recipient of the Nigerian National Honour of the ‘Officer of the Order of the Niger’ (OON), he is also a two time Forbes award recipient among other significant awards and recognition globally.

The post Mahmood Ahmadu adds another coveted award for ‘visionary leadership’ in business to his numerous collection appeared first on Daily Concord.

The Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Prof Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), who will be addressed by the Minister of Trade and Investment Otunba Niyi Adebayo, will convey the altruism message during the occasion.

“The awards are coming following quite a while of exceptional examination and intensive check practice by FIN and FORBES and will be introduced by in all honesty Mr Mark Furlong, President of Customs Solutions at Forbes.”

The FIN – Forbes Best of Africa Award is normally given every year regarding the Best of Africa occasion held in New York City around the United Nations General Award (UNGA) gatherings to feature business characters with a record of making and building extraordinary worldwide businesses that have made sweeping and positive commitments to the improvement of Africa.

WINNERS LIST AND PROFILES

PAUL ADEFARASIN

Paul Adefarasin is a Christian Minister, Author, Coach, Philanthropist, Motivator, Speaker and Television Broadcaster of ‘Something Is About To Happen’, which airs in millions of homes across Africa and Europe for over 20 years.

He is also the convener of “The Experience” -the largest musical event in Africa, and Founder and Metropolitan Senior Pastor of the burgeoning House On The Rock, a multiracial, multi-tribal, and multifaceted Church with several daughter Churches and ministries across Africa and Europe.

Paul is a trained architect, and Founder and President of The Rock Foundation, a charity which undertakes significant social responsibility initiatives across the education, healthcare, prison welfare and reform space alongside empowerment, to mention a few.

With over three decades of pastoral and visionary leadership, he mentors CEOs
and entrepreneurs, and seeks to influence public policy for good. He works as
the bridge builder facilitating the exchange of ideas with critical stakeholders,
foreign and domestic

MAHMOOD AHMADU OON, MIOD

Mahmood Ahmadu is a leading African entrepreneur and renown philanthropist. He is the founder and executive chairman of online Integrated Solutions Ltd (OIS). OIS is a specialist visa application agency that provides online passport, visa processing and technical support services for Governments.

Mahmood’s other significant business interests spans the following sectors; Mining, Real Estate, Construction, Agriculture, Bottling Water, E-education, E-healthcare, and Fintech spread across 53 countries in 5 continents.

Mahmood’s philanthropic activities have made it possible for hundreds of students to afford good quality education both locally in Africa and abroad.

Mahmood Ahmadu is the a recipient of the Nigerian National Honour of the ‘Officer of the Order of the Niger’ (OON) 

He is also past recipient of Forbes Best of Africa (Outstanding Leader award) 2020 

Read Also – Mahmood Ahmadu: The Man Forbes Best of Africa Cap Fits

NANA KWAME BEDIAKO 

VISIONARY, PHILANTHROPIST AND INDUSTRALIST, Nana Kwame Bediako is the C.E.O. of the Kwarleyz Group, which comprises 5 companies: Wonda World Estates,Petronia City Development, New Africa Construction, Belfast City& Property Management and New Africa Foundation.

He has been a successful developer in the Ghanaian real-estate space for over 15 years, and has developed over 500 residential and retail units. He hopes to change the face of Real Estate in Ghana by investing in Landmark buildings including No.1Oxford Street and Kwarleyz Residence.

Nana’s growing appetite for seeing his continent and country develop birthed Petronia City. Petronia City, one of the group most prominent subsidiaries is a multi-billion-dollar project which is a self-sustaining, master-planned, integrated city over 2000-acres including Residential, Offices, Commercial, Leisure and Hospitality.

In addition to his role as President and CEO of  Kwarleyz Group, Wonda World Estates and Petronia City Development, Nana Kwame Bediako is also the founder of The New Africa Foundation, a non- profit organization aimed at empoweringa new generation of African leaders.

LEONARD NNAMDI STANLEY EKEH

Leo Stan Ekeh, Africa’s leading serial tech entrepreneur and Founder/Chairman of the

Zinox Group, is a most distinguished African ICT personality with numerous awards and recognitions to his credit.

He pioneered Desktop Publishing and Computer Graphics, Biometric Revolution for elections, WIMAX, Critical IT Solutions and e-Commerce, among others in Africa. For his incisive entrepreneurship and as a pride to modern Nigeria, he has been honoured by two Nigerian Presidents, namely with the ICON OF HOPE award in 2001 and the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) in 2003 by President Olusegun Obasanjo, as well as the National Productivity Merit Award by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019 for his sustained leadership in the ICT sector. 

A first-rate Indian trained economist and Risk Management expert with more than 57 awards and over four Doctorate degrees (Honorary), Mr. Ekeh has remained in the forefront of enthroning digital democracy, promoting gender empowerment in Nigeria and beyond, while also touching many lives through the Leo Stan Ekeh Foundation.

WENDY ACKERMAN 

Wendy Ackerman was born in Cape Town, South Africa, and schooled at the University of Witwatersrand. She joined her husband, Raymond, at Pick n Pay when he acquired the company in 1967, and was the first woman director of a retail chain in South Africa. Her focus at the company was on the Group’s overall development, employee benefits and welfare. She retired from the Board in 2010 and is now Honorary Life President.

She and Raymond played an important role in rejecting apartheid-era legislation, both by promoting staff, and through arranging adequate housing for black employees.

Wendy is a Trustee of the Ackerman Family Educational Trust Fund, assisting students from all over the country with bursaries for tertiary education.

Wendy is Founding Trustee of the Duet Endowment Trust, a joint endowment trust for the advancement and preservation of Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra and Cape Town Opera.

Wendy is also very involved in environmental issues and has been recognised by the SA Nature Foundation for outstanding achievement. 

Wendy received the All Africa Philanthropist of the Year for 2015 at the All Africa Business Leaders Awards.

SAM MATEKANE

Sam Matekane is an entrepreneur and leading business magnet in Lesotho. He established Matekane Group of Companies in 1986 as Matekane Transport and Plant Hire. It evolved into a multi-sector corporation embodying aviation, property development, mining, logistics supply chain, hospitality, farming and aviation.  Matekane popularly known as ‘brave Mosotho man” is Lesotho’s strongest competitor in the business world. 

Like most successful businessmen, Sam Matekane invested sweat and tears to create a legacy that will improve and flourish the Lesotho nation through employment, Infrastructure, CSI/CSR programs and economic growth. His resilience, tenacity and pride for his nation has made him the successful leader he is today across various industries.

He is the founder of Maluti Sky airline which offers scheduled and charter flights. The airline was founded in 2009 as MGC Airlines, becoming the first privately owned airline in Lesotho. 

The Group is internationally recognized as experts in architecture, engineering, project management, and investment and utilizes state of the art technologies that have allowed temto emerge as visionaries of the new Africa. The group has given to the people of Lesotho more than his government during this pandemic

Continue Reading

The post Mahmood Ahmadu Wins Big in Forbes 2021 Awards appeared first on Daily Concord.

It is on record that Mahmood was one of the early pioneers of the Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) for digital mobile phone use in Northern Nigeria. His business activities and operations span 53 countries and five continents.

Born on the 9th of September 1966 in Nigeria, Mahmood Ahmadu graduated from the Nasarawa State University earning a UK accredited MBA.

His further education came in the form of management, IT and communication industry courses, where he utilized these skills to start small businesses that traded products and services

In the early 1990s, Mahmood was able to raise some capital which he used to invest in his very first company known as A2A International Limited. The company made him known amongst the earlier pioneer in the field of trading in GSM in Northern.

He further leveraged his business over the next several years and expanded his venture both locally and internationally. He has also raised awareness of the importance of education and has also enhanced the quality of education through scholarship programs.

In recognition of his philanthropic contributions and impact, Mahmood Ahmadu, alongside Idahosa Wells Okinbo and Adesola Kazeem Adedutan was honoured with the Forbe’s Best of Africa award. The awards were presented on September 11, 2020, during a virtual event in conjunction with the Foreign Investment Network (FIN).

Read Also – Vaccine – Ghana experts assure the public of safety

As a multiple award winner, Mahmood Ahmadu was also honoured and recognized as a Leading Personality on Humanitarian Response to Covid-19 Crisis by an International Strategic Communication Consultancy, Euroknowledge.

Read Also – Mena – learning from the African experience in fintech

For those who should know, Mahmood Ahmadu is a name synonym for a sincere, hardworking and striving businessman in the northern states of Nigeria. Mahmood further expanded his business import/export to neighbouring regions which subsequently made him a motivated businessman.

In recognition of his work and developing innovative technological solutions, as one of the most popular and successful Nigerian Entrepreneurs in UAE, was presented with the Nigerian Economic Development Award on the 5th of April 2016 in London.

Continue Reading

The post Mahmood Ahmadu, Like Okonjo Iweala, is making Nigerians proud globally appeared first on Daily Concord.

Mena – Mahmood Ahmadu is the chairman of Innovate 1 Pay, a Nigerian financial technology (fintech) company established in 2012, providing online payment solutions for retail and wholesale mobile remittances, mobile money and currency card payments. The largest domestic service provider of this nature in its home country, the company has since spread its operations to 24 different nations.

A great advantage that emerging economies have, when they adopt breakthrough technologies, is the ability to pivot rapidly, and expand capabilities without having to worry about high volumes of existing systems and infrastructure becoming redundant. With game changing digital innovations entering the fray in recent years, it has become possible for such nations to leapfrog several generations in technology. And perhaps the best example of such exponential transformation can be seen in the African fintech industry.

In the past few years, Africa has witnessed the rise of a dynamic startup ecosystem, which is attracting huge amounts of venture capital. Tech hubs, with multiple new companies making a name for themselves with innovative solutions, have emerged in Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa, with nations like Tanzania, Ghana and Senegal close behind. In the case of fintech, the boom is also related to the sector filling a gap in services that traditional banking had not been able to address. In addition to delivering effective alternatives that have transformed the state of financial inclusion in the continent, a surge in internet and mobile penetration in Africa, has lent further momentum to the industry.

An appropriate solution meets an unusual ecosystem

The Global Findex Database 2017, the most recent version of the report which is the world’s most comprehensive record of payments, savings, borrowing and risk management, found that Africa was home to the largest unbanked and underbanked population in the world. Naturally, these circumstances present the ideal opportunity for fintech solution providers, to turn a challenge into an opportunity.

At the same time, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has estimated that Africa has the largest informal economy of all continents. With so much commercial activity unreached by formal investment, lending and insurance services, the sheer scale of the opportunity should be obvious. The amount of venture capital available to African startups exceeded the $1 billion mark for the first time in 2018, and the bulk of these funds were captured by fintech companies. Nigeria, which is the both the most populated nation in Africa with 206 million inhabitants, as well as its largest economy, has been attracting – and generating – the largest amount of venture capital on the continent. In fact, many African fintech companies, both Nigerian and from other nations, have taken to making their mark in the Nigerian market, before they proceed to scale up operations elsewhere. 

What do these developments mean for Mena?

Markets like Africa, India and Brazil have had digital wallets and payment platforms operating successfully for well over a decade. So what does this tell us about the possibilities that fintech can unlock within the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region? Well, the answer to that is a bit complex, given the cross section of economies that fall within the category.

For one thing, 2020 proved the contribution that fintech made to providing much needed resilience, as an alternative to traditional banking during a global crisis. African migrant workers, and those cut off from loved ones during lockdowns, used digital wallets and payment platforms extensively, to ensure that money got to their dependents. The large number of similar expatriate workers in the Mena region present a similar opportunity, given the huge volume of remittances that such individuals send to their home countries. For those in higher income brackets, services such as e-commerce and online insurance facilities – and many more emerging financial services – present an equally vibrant market, for entrepreneurs to address. 

But, perhaps the most significant lesson to be learnt from the success of fintech in Africa, is that end users have overcome any reluctance they might have had to transfer money online – especially with regards to security concerns. According to a 2019 IMF policy paper on fintech in Sub-Saharan Africa, fintech is emerging as a major technological enabler in the region. It has transformed financial inclusion indices, and is serving as a catalyst for innovation in sectors as varied as agriculture and infrastructure.

Read Also – Mahmood Ahmadu Shares Lessons Learnt In 2020

Despite a huge subset of the mobile phones in this region being ‘feature phones’ – as opposed to smartphones – Sub-Saharan Africa now has in excess of 400 million registered mobile money accounts. One of the lessons to be learned here is that even those sections of humanity who live in the lesser developed regions of the world have overcome any security related reticence. But the truly impressive feat that operators within the Mena region can emulate is, the creativity involved in delivering services within technological limitations imposed by handsets that much of the world would now consider archaic. Fintech companies within the Mena region, with significantly more tech-endowed customers to target, can learn a lot from the resourcefulness with which fintech in Africa has developed solutions that can deliver services, even if the user does not have access to a device that can host apps.

Taking inspiration from a solution driven mindset

We often limit the scope of the term ‘financial inclusion’. It should not be seen solely in terms of bringing financial services to the unbanked. On the contrary, the perspective we need to adopt should be about reaching the ‘unreached’, in more sophisticated categories of financial services. Can developers in Mena expand the reach of wealth management, online trading, travel insurance, and dozens of other specialised services, using app based platforms? Nearly all of these services have debuted as app interfaces, but often with limited options. Can fintech in Mena take inspiration from its African counterparts, and develop true functionality and convenience, in high end financial services – especially given their market has, on average, more advanced devices to leverage? The answer to that rhetorical question is an obvious and resounding yes!

Source – https://www.wamda.com/

The post Mena – learning from the African experience in fintech appeared first on Daily Concord.

By Charles Khiran

Leadership expert and professional speaker, Charles Khiran, engages his business mentor and super entrepreneur, Mahmood Ahmadu, who is also the chairman of OIS, and one of Africa’s greatest entrepreneurs, on a one to one in Dubai, on behalf of the global community.

May I begin by congratulating you on your Forbes award and your Euro-knowledge humanitarian award in 2020, very well deserved sir!

Mahmood Ahmadu – Yes, it was a bright spark in what was a turbulent and challenging year for all of us. The Forbes Africa award was a big surprise, and a high privilege to be selected from a line-up of super achievers and some of Africa’s biggest names was a thing of great joy.

I was also particularly pleased to have received the Euro-knowledge awards as well the second year in a row. However, of greater value to me was the important Euro-knowledge category of ‘leading personality on humanitarian response to COVID-19 crisis’, because as you clearly know, so many lives were adversely affected by this dreaded disease. We had to mount a massive response to the COVID-19 crisis all through the year to alleviate the suffering of so many. I was glad it was recognized by Euro-knowledge. It also encourages us to do much more.

Everything that could be shaken was shaken last year, especially in the business world; many household names from around the world disappeared or were badly affected. You have your business footprints in over 52 countries; how have you and your various companies managed to weather the storm and keep afloat?

Mahmood Ahmadu – Truthfully, I couldn’t really sit here and tell you our genius got us through! Just like every other business owner out there, this thing caught us all by surprise. I will have to give thanks to God above all else for seeing us through what was an extremely challenging year. I have been in business for over 30 years, and I can honestly say I have never seen or experienced anything like what we experienced last year in business!

Speaking to my various friends from around the world, many were in very bad shape and some unfortunately are still not sure whether they will pull through.

Clearly, we as a business, sustained losses, and we equally embarked on strict streamlining of our operations, and pragmatism in terms of leadership was required with regards to our strategic response to the pandemic.

However, uppermost on my mind was how to sustain and retain our staff, especially our top staff. It has taken a lot for us to attract, train, develop and retain some of the sharpest minds out there in terms of our employee pool, and I did not want to lose these talents. There is a grave gravity of responsibility in running multiple profitable businesses and championing the careers of thousands of employees, and it is something I take very seriously.

Furthermore, just like every other global business, we had to look at our overall operations and see which ones we can transition online with the enablement of dynamic technology, and which ones we would have to shut down in the short term. We had always ensured we maintained a lean and agile operation over the years and that has been one of the biggest blessings.

Tell me a bit about the importance of leadership in times of crisis, especially in the past year of the pandemic in steering the ships with thousands of employees?

Mahmood Ahmadu – Well, as the great leadership guru, John Maxwell said – “Everything rises and falls on leadership” my first priority is providing direction with respect to vision of how we are going to navigate in an unprecedented time. So I and the other leaders have had to dig deep and raise our games a notch, for example I have had to increase the rate and regularity of my communication with the team. I have had to be more visible and present than usual; many of our employees in other markets around the world are working from home because of the lockdowns so communication has been more critical than normal.

Therefore, it became absolutely critical to provide virtual platforms that allow for groups as well as two way dialogues. These have been important in settling the angst, and quashing unfounded rumors company wide.

I began hosting weekly and monthly webinars where I spoke face to face with the team, answering questions of what we know, providing hope and inspiration helping to alleviate fears. The other thing is the value of authenticity, transparency and empathy by speaking candidly to the team and letting them know what is going on, sharing brutal truths. These are solid leadership qualities, but I can tell you it has been amplified even more in these times of unprecedented turbulence.

Finally, it has also been all hands on deck with everyone rolling up their sleeves including me. So I have paid more forensic attention to some details than usual after months of immense financial pressure on businesses everywhere including ours, we have learnt the importance of collaborative support from our partners and tighter cost controls in other to maintain strong balance sheets.

What would you say are some of the biggest lessons you learnt in 2020?

Mahmood Ahmadu – In truth, 2020 has been a year of immense education like no other, even for one as pragmatic and visionary like I believe myself to be. There have been so many learning opportunities in the midst of the chaos.

1. You have to know that time is finite, do not waste time

2. I learnt to make important decisions at speed while leading multiple business organizations remotely, even with some feelings of anxiety as we were not sure what was happening.

3. I learnt the importance of constantly being prepared for any eventuality, and the need for more stress testing

4. I learnt not to sacrifice the future based on the current year’s problems. We were still innovating and planning for bigger visions while people were focusing only on the current problems.

I personally believe my own equity as a leader has gone up exponentially because of what I went through and survived in 2020

You are the brain behind probably the largest, innovative and exciting technology companies out of Africa. How has technology helped you in this past year?

Mahmood Ahmadu – There are certain things that technology cannot change, like the human to human experience which we miss terribly in many of our locations experiencing lockdowns. However, for everything else technology is what we know and what we do, so as compared to many, technology has been a life saver as this is our normal terrain.

We have been developing breakthrough technology for governments and large scale institutions in Africa and around the world for the delivery of financial solutions, streamlining the ease of payments and transaction processing through our unique and intuitive platforms for many years now.

So we have built and deployed technology in some areas to quickly plug holes and bridge gaps to stop the hemorrhaging of money where expedient. Our central focus is to never stop innovating, and we are responding to this crisis with even more innovation!

I know you do not have a crystal ball, but what do you see ahead in this new year, 2021, especially in the business environment?

Mahmood Ahmadu – In truth, for anybody to say they know what is ahead of us this year will probably be purely guessing. I don’t believe anyone has a clear picture for what lies ahead. Governments around the world are responding as best as they can to an unprecedented situation, so all we have is faith and hope.

My faith in God helps me to believe that we will be out of this situation soon, but I am not convinced that it will be business as usual anymore. One thing I am completely persuaded about is the ingenuity and the indefatigability of the human spirit. Humans will always find a way!

When I reflect all through history and some of the battles and challenges that have confronted humans, from the great depression, the Second World War, civil wars, Stock market crashes, Black Monday and so many others, I realise that humans found a way, rebuilt and have always came through. I am persuaded we will bounce back and bounce higher after this dreaded pandemic, but there are still many tough months ahead for all of us.

My hope is by the third quarter of this year, we should begin to see the shoots of recovery and the enabling environment from the regulations standpoint to enable high flight again.

What final words of wisdom do you have for other leaders in difficult situations?

I believe leaders, who have had to navigate through a devastating year like 2020 and survived it will definitely be worth their weight in gold. So many have witnessed enviable businesses that built fold up or crumple before their eyes through no fault of their own.

Read Also – Mahmood Ahmadu, New Works Nigeria Limited and NIS on Efficient Service Delivery

I would like to encourage them that the lessons learnt from this period whether good or bad, will definitely add to their overall value going forward. The best business schools could not have taught many of the valuable lessons learnt last year. I would like to encourage them to lift their sights above the temporary failures, and instead focus on what educational good they can glean from the situation.

Remember that adversity and crisis reveal your foundation and your build quality. When crisis comes unannounced like we all experienced last year, all we can do is control some of the details even though we could not stop it.

Finally, guard your mind and your thoughts and discipline it! Do not let fear take you captive, and make a decision not to speak words of fear out of your mouth. Besides the fact that you are listening to yourself, your people are also seeing the world through your eyes and words! May God help us all!

Charles Khiran is an Afro-European professional speaker and corporate trainer based in the United Kingdom. He provides bespoke and customized training to governments and business organisations. For more information please visit www.charleskhiran.com

Source – http://thebossnewspapers.com/

The post Mahmood Ahmadu Shares Lessons Learnt In 2020 appeared first on Daily Concord.

“If you have a sudden onset of symptoms such as not being able to catch your breath, pressure and pain in the chest, nausea to where you can’t keep water down, ongoing diarrhea and light headedness, for example, seek immediate medical care,” said Dr. Imran Naqvi, associate program director of internal medicine at the Jewish Hospital at Mercy Health in Cincinnati.

Dr. James Horn, an emergency specialist at St. Elizabeth Healthcare advises consulting with your healthcare professional first, but added that if the symptoms you are experiencing become unbearable, go to the hospital. Shortness of breath simply walking across the room would be an emergency signal, he said, according to the Enquirer.

Read Also – Mahmood Ahmadu Bags EuroKnowledge Award

If your child is feeling poorly with COVID-19, it is best to call your pediatrician for advice or schedule a telehealth visit, said Dr. Mary Carol Burkhardt, of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. “It’s important that your child can breathe comfortably and tolerate fluids,” she said.  “If you child is having significant trouble breathing or can’t catch his or her breath, you child needs to be seen by a healthcare provider right away.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers a list of emergency warning signs for COVID-19 that include:

• Trouble breathing
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• New confusion
• Inability to wake or stay awake
• Bluish lips of face

© 2020 NewsmaxHealth. All rights reserved.

Read Newsmax: When You Should Go to the Hospital With COVID-19 | Newsmax.com
Urgent: Your Heart Attack Risk Determined Online – More Info

The post COVID-19 – When You Should Go to the Hospital appeared first on Daily Concord.

The award initiative was put together by Euro-Knowledge Limited and supported by Foreign Investment Network, FIN.

According to the organisers, the award seeks to acknowledge and celebrate exemplary leaders who have made significant contributions and marks in their individual fields as role models, philanthropists, innovators, community and inspirational leaders.

Other Nigerians on the award list included: Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq; Founder, DJ Cuppy Foundation, Ms. Florence Otedola, better known as DJ Cuppy; Chairman of Channels Television, Mr. John Momoh, former Minister of Trade and Investment, Mrs. Onikepo Akande and Chairman of Africa Prudential Plc., Mrs. Eniola Fadayomi.

While delivering his keynote address, a former Chief Technology Officer and Strategy Executive at IBM, Mark Minevach, urged investors to tap into the limitless potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) which is now able to solve global challenges.

In his speech titled, “How Artificial Intelligence is reshaping Healthcare”, Minevach stated that AI is projected to create up to $15 to $18 trillion value, adding that the technology tool must be strongly harnessed as it sets to influence global economy in the next five to 10 years.

While receiving his award, Chairman of Integrated Online Services, Dr. Mahmood Ahmadu, encouraged everyone to cultivate the habit of giving back to the society to improve the world.

He said, “There is no difference between past, present and future in terms of philanthropy, people should endeavour to do more in this trying period.”

Ahmadu’s recognition by EuroKnowledge followed the impact of his philanthropic gestures globally. He graduated from Nasarawa University earning a UK accredited MBA. His additional qualifications came in the form of numerous managements, including IT and communications industry courses.

He started his career trading in products and services before he founded A2A International Limited in the early ‘80s, thus making him one of the early pioneer traders of GSM in northern Nigeria.

His constant effort to be the best in whatever he does helped him in managing a strong international network between IT and Telecom companies, which further boosted his capability and credibility.

Ahmadu further leveraged his business over the next several years and expanded his venture both locally and internationally. Subsequently, he made a good reputation with both local and international businesses, which expanded his companies with a presence in over 30 international locations across 10 different time zones.

He is passionate about giving back to the society and preaches same to others. He has, on numerous occasions, raised awareness on the importance of education and enhanced the quality of education through scholarship programmes, in addition to donations made to various charities and individuals.

Read Also – Mahmood Ahmadu, New Works Nigeria Limited and NIS on Efficient Service Delivery

This drive led him to build an African multi- business conglomerate, centred on Information Technology which continues to advance the technology infrastructure for governments in many African countries to achieve cost-effective services for both people and governments.

Mahmoud is presently spearheading a global initiative with Brick Eagle Hong Kong for Low income countries with large population in the low income group such as India.

International figures who were also recognised for the prestigious award were: Executive Director, Philanthropy Connections Thailand, Sallo Polak; former President of Sierra Leone, Ernest Koroma; former Minister of Trade and Industry, Canada, Mr. Christian Paradis; President-Elect Rotary Club, Hong Kong, Ms. Benedict Lee; former CTO, Morgan Stanley, USA, Mr. Tsvi Gal and Chairman, Comcraft Group Kenya, Dr. Manu Chandaria, OBE.

Source – https://www.thisdaylive.com/

The post Mahmood Ahmadu Bags EuroKnowledge Award appeared first on Daily Concord.

Mahmood Ahmadu – The senior management of New Works Nigeria Limited, comprising of the Chairman, Alh. Mahmood Ahmadu mon, Turakin Mubi, alongside his Chief Operating Officer Mr Anthony Nwachukwu, Managing Director Abubakar Kuso mni, and Company Secretary Bar. Rowena Ogbetuo paid a courtesy call on the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) Muhammad Babandede on October 4th in Abuja.

The purpose of the courtesy visit was to commence talks on how the two organizations can efficiently deliver effective and enhanced service to Nigerians within the context of their existing relationship in facilitating passport and visa payments.

The Chairman of New Works Nigeria Limited Alh. Mahmood Ahmadu who commended the CGI Babandede for the giant strides and efforts he has implemented to ensure Nigeria issues Biometric Visas in line with international best practices. Alh. Mahmood Ahmadu also cited the improved technology as the bases for the global rating of Nigerian Visa as Number 3 in the world in terms of security and other features.

The CGI Babandede in response thanked the management of New Works Nigeria Limited for being supportive and technologically enabling the services rendered by NIS in Visa issuance and payment platform for Visa and Passport, which if improved upon will further bring ease of doing business to Nigerians applying for Passport and Foreigners applying for Visa to Nigeria.

Read Also – Mahmood Ahmadu Dedicates Forbes Best Of Africa Awards To Aregbesola

Both New Works Nigeria Limited and NIS Management agreed to work together to deliver the best service to Nigerians and Non-Nigerians. A signed statement issued by Deputy Comptroller General (DCI) James Sunday said that the Chairman of New Works Nigeria Limited was full of praise for the great work being done by the CGI and his team.

Source – https://newsdiaryonline.com/

The post Mahmood Ahmadu, New Works Nigeria Limited and NIS on Efficient Service Delivery appeared first on Daily Concord.

An accomplished entrepreneur, Mahmood Ahmadu, who is the Founder and Executive Chairman of OIS, also known as Online Integrated Solutions Ltd, was born on September 9, 1966. He is a product of a very humble beginning. It is not by accident that his crowning coincides with his 54^th birthday.

He attended ATBU and Nasarawa State University, where he obtained his qualifications. Records have it that Mahmood Ahmadu obtained further educational qualifications in the form of management, IT and communication industry courses. He has since utilized these skills to start and operate small businesses involved in the exchange of various profitable products and Services.

At quite an early age during the early 1980s, Mahmood received a family inheritance with which he established his first company called A2A Communications Limited. The company, it is said, shot him into limelight as one of the pioneers in the field of GSM business, especially in Northern Nigeria with branches in almost all the state capitals. He has since shown class in the field of buy and sale, service delivery among others, establishing various facets of companies to accommodate the teeming and growing Nigerian workforce. His business activities and operations span 53 countries and five continents.

Mahmood has further leveraged on his growing goodwill over the years and dexterity in creating opportunities to expand his venture both locally and internationally. He has also raised awareness on the importance of education and has also enhanced the quality of education through scholarship programmes.

Read Also – Mahmood Ahmadu Dedicates Forbes Best Of Africa Awards To Aregbesola

He has always aimed to be the best in whatever he does, and thus has stayed on top in managing a strong international network between IT and Telecom companies thereby boosting his capability, capacity and credibility. This has given him an edge in relating seamlessly with both the international and local business world, giving his companies a multinational presence in over 56 international locations across 10 different time zones.

Mahmood strongly believes in CSR, and has inculcated it as a form of belief, faith and culture. In addition to raising awareness on the importance of education through scholarship programmes, he has made donations to various charities and individuals as well. This way, he has been able to build an African multi-business

Continue Reading – http://thebossnewspapers.com/

The post Mahmood Ahmadu: The Man Forbes Best of Africa Cap Fits appeared first on Daily Concord.