₦airaland Forum

hizroyalflynes:
They don't need to, let him support APC and see if he won't suffer greater loss
Tinubu will willingly let u take d lead in d SW? Impossible!!
Buahri will allow you to control him like d way u wanna control GEJ, GEJ sef dey level him, hw much more an extremist in person of buahri
I even smell obj wan make dem dey beg am
That's y d man dey use opportunity to take shots at gej
He can never wield the kind of power he's wielding in pdp else where

nobilis:
Lol @national champion of impunity and official recklessness.
But still, pointing fingers at Governor Amaechi doesn't negate Soyinka's metaphor concerning GEJ

No fewer than six students were injured during a clash among some students of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, on Sunday evening.

While some of the eyewitnesses described the fight as a power tussle between students who were loyal to the President of the Student Union, Ibikunle Isaac, and those of the Vice-President, Oladejo Olufunmi, others described it as a cult attack.
They all, however, agreed that the clash was an aftermath of President Goodluck Jonathan’s visit to the institution.

It was learnt that the Education Rights Campaign members had just concluded a meeting at the Students’ Union Building when the fight broke out.
Among those involved in the fight were some union executive members, suspended students of the university, members of the Security Committee of the SU and ERC members.

Some of the students, who suffered varying degrees of injuries, were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment.
One of them, Tedy, was allegedly stabbed with a pointed object suspected to be a screw driver, while another student, David, was dealt a matchete cut on his head.
It was gathered that the door to the SU President Office, where some students hid, was broken while the occupants were thoroughly beaten.

There are, however, two sides to the cause of the fight.
While some of the students said it was as a result of ideological differences, others inferred that it was related to the protest held during Jonathan’s visit.
Jonathan, traditional rulers and some politicians were at the OAU for a conference, where Jonathan was endorsed ahead of the 2015 polls.

The campus fracas took a dangerous dimension when students of the school engaged one another at the school gate with weapons.
Chief Security Officer of the university, Mr. Paul Ogidi, said there was no cult attack in the institution.
“It is true that our students fought. There was no cult attack on our campus. We did not witness any attack, but a fight among our students,” he said.

But the Vice-President of the Students Union, Funmi Oladejo, insisted that what happened on the campus could be likened to 1999 cult attack that claimed the lives of students.

She denied the fight as being factional, but hinted that the controversy that surrounded the presence of Jonathan on the university campus last Friday contributed to the cause of the fight.

She said, “I was to have a meeting at the SUB yesterday (Sunday) around 6pm. On getting there, I met a student, Sanyaolu Oluwajuwon, inside the gutter, where he had been seriously beaten and I wondered what happened. After a while, the injured students went to show the injury to others and that enraged many students.

“Meanwhile, what started the fight, I heard, was that ERC were having its meeting when the President and the PRO passed through the place and saw them. He then called his boys to come, saying some people were having an opposition meeting at the SUB.

“After beating them up, they ran away except Teddy that waited. We later realised that those that ran to town went to hire cult members, who came with machetes. We eventually caught four of them. Two were students and two were non-students.

When asked if the fight was connected to Jonathan’s visit, she responded, “As far as I am concern, that is to mess up the whole issue. They want to make it a partisan stuff and that is out of sense. Our unionism is known to be independent and non-partisan. So, the case of Jonathan’s visit was sardonic. They (Ibikunle’s faction) wanted to pay back the opposition that greeted Jonathan’s visit.”

It was learnt that the two of the arrested people involved in the fight were taken by students to the Awolowo Hall of the university, while the security officials took another two students involved in the fight.

The President of the SU, Isaac Ibikunle, told our correspondent that none of his loyalists were cult members.
He promised to call back to give his “full reaction” after a meeting expected to be held between members of the executive and the parliament today (Monday).

The Public Relations Officer of the union, Oludare Bamidele, said,
“It remains a sardonic issue that suspended students are beating legitimate students on OAU campus right now. Is this intellectual struggle? The act of dragging a security official to be beaten is an affront to law and arrival of the hobbesian state of nature.”

Osun State Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Sade Odoro, said those involved in the fight were not cultists.
She said, “OAU students truly fought and they were taken to the police station. The police counselled and released them after a while.”

Public Relations Officer of OAU, Mr. Biodun Olarewaju, confirmed that the students fought over Jonathan’s visit to the institution.
He said, “There was no cult invasion in OAU. Our campus is too fortified for that to occur. Our security go on regular patrol and we are in collaboration with external security forces.
“What happened was just a fight between two groups of students.

“Some believe that it was wrong for another to take picture and welcome the President, Jonathan, while others believe it is not, especially when it is done without their consent.
“It is just a friendly fight. All that happened was that a group felt they were not carried along.”

pendy179:
@fkaz thanks for your exposee jare. I kinda find it funny that people who are victims of comatose, inefficient and useless state governors who run to another state governed by focus and quality leadership will now go on.scornful and idiotic hatred for their hosts.

Their governors are the worst, 80% of them.still in court facing corruption charges for rubbing their states dry and blind yet they will stretch their stupid long ostrich neck to call another state governor corrupt.

Why can't they demand good leadership in their states so they can all go home to their villages and stop.paying their so called TAX in lagos which Tinubu is buying jet with.

There is an intense supremacy battle going on between the Minister of Defence, General Mohammed Aliyu Gusau and the National Security Adviser, NSA, Colonel Sambo Dasuki. There are strong concerns in the military that the cold war between the two top shots at the helm of the nation’s security apparatus is not only creating divisions but also hurting the country’s anti-terror war.

Saturday Sun gathered that the problem between the duo predates their appointment to serve in the President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration. The issues, findings reveal, run deep into the families of both personalities. The frosty relationship was further strained when in 2012 Dasuki initiated an investigation, after his appointment as NSA, to probe a N6 billion contract for the procurement of six K38 patrol boats for the Nigeria Army.
The probe was said to have led to the interrogation of two Israeli security consultants, Shay Tal and David Maman who allegedly fingered Gusau as the shadowy promoter of a company, Hypertech (UK) Ltd which got the contract for the supply of the Army patrol boats without supplying them. Sources close to Gusau said though the Minister has no direct relationship with the company, Dasuki had in an attempt to get at him, summoned him for interrogation over statements allegedly made by the two Israelis, an invitation he ignored till date.

Sources close to both parties revealed that for months, both engaged in various covert moves to undermine each other and this went on till Gusau was appointed Minister of Defence in March this year.

Saturday Sun gathered that the appointment of Gusau opened another frontier in the raging battle between the two retired military officers; that is the battle for the soul of President Jonathan who is the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces.

Apart from that, the two elephants are also battling on who takes over the Nigerian military and the ongoing operations against the Boko Haram insurgents in the North East part of the country.

Reliable sources within the military revealed how the duo have equally been trying to claim victory over the military operations at the expense of each other. The friction has also divided the service chiefs, forcing them to align with either of the two sides.
Saturday Sun further gathered that while the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Air Chief Marshall Alex Badeh is in the camp of the NSA, the Chief Of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Kenneth Minimah, Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin, and the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshall Amosu, have struggled to remain non-aligned.

Between the two camps, there has also been a raging battle over who controls procurement of arms and equipment for the military. This has led to talks that the weapons being used for the North East operations were sub-standard and attributing the ineffectiveness of the operations to non-availability of sophisticated weapons in the inventory of the military.

This, Saturday Sun learnt, was to ensure that the acquisition of weapons for the Armed Forces was removed from the control of the Ministry of Defence and the Services and put solely under the office of the NSA. Military sources say the request from the office of the NSA, to commence the purchase of arms for the military has since been approved by the presidency. One of the fallouts, was the recent seizure of about $15 million in two tranches by the South African authorities. The funds meant for the purchase of arms were later signed off by the NSA as the end user.

Sources in the Services complain that while the NSA and the CDS have successfully put everything in place to ensure the Defence Headquarters oversees the entire North East operations thus making the president to believe that the insurgency war would soon be over.

To ensure those on ground do not report the exact situation they are being confronted with, the duo were also accused of making it difficult for those on the field to report the actual development on the battle front like the JTF days, by appointing only the Director Defence Information to speak on the operations.

This decision, Saturday Sun gathered is not going down well with men of the Services who are of the opinion that the DHQ, does not contribute troops since it does not have anything to contribute and should not have any business talking about their operations.

The appointment of the DDI, as the only one to speak on military operations in the North East, it was further gathered has resulted in the DHQ making terrible blunders and having to retract them on several occasions.

On the political front, the two camps have equally been mobilising opinion leaders to speak in their favour at the expense of each other. Only last week, some groups named the PDP National Strategy group and the Public Affairs Youth Forum threatened to defect from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) unless President Jonathan calls the NSA, Col. Dasuki to order over his frosty relationship with the Defence Minister, Gusau.

While expressing dismay over the cold war, the groups insist that unless President Jonathan intervenes, the development might not augur well for national security. The groups, in an open letter to President Jonathan signed by their National Coordinator, Abdullahi Umar Ladan said they were disturbed by the development and might even consider leaving the PDP if the situation is not properly handled.

According to them, “we are political groups of the PDP who have branches in 19 Northern states of Nigeria.The PDP youth forum has been known to be at the vanguard of your leadership, enlightening Nigerians on the noble ideals of the administration.

“As youth leaders in these states, who believe in the administration’s transformation initiatives, we call on President Goodluck Jonathan to prevail on the National Security Adviser (NSA) on the way and manner he has been disgracing our elder, the Minister of Defence, General Aliyu Mohammed Gusau. The NSA needs to understand the critical importance of his office and, therefore, should try to steer clear of politics since he is not occupying a political office.”

Same way, Ijaw national leader, Chief Edwin Clark had spoken against the appointment of Gusau. As the supremacy battle rages, no doubt the NSA appears to be having an upper hand at the moment but beyond that, the immediate victims are men of the Armed Forces who are already grumbling and the national security.

While officials of the DHQ and Ministry of Defence declined to comment on the development on the grounds that the issue was too sensitive to speak on, media aide to the NSA, Kunle Karounwi promised to provide a response when contacted severally on Wednesday and Thursday but up till the time of going to press, he is yet to.

2muchopoTBdope:
Jesus!!! kine lie be dis Pls did u skool in France The man dat is more silent Dan the 'P' in Psychology!

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has postponed its House of Assembly primaries, scheduled for Monday, Dec. 1st across the nation, by one day as a mark of respect for those who were killed in Friday’s terrorist attack on a mosque in Kano, and in sympathy with those who were injured or affected one way or the other by the senseless attack.

In a statement in Lagos,Sunday, by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the House of Assembly primaries will now hold on Tuesday, Dec. 2nd 2014
”All the dates for other primaries remain unchanged,” it said.
APC described the attack as a monumental national tragedy,

saying the party cannot be oblivious to the plight of the victims of the absolutely condemnable and totally incomprehensible attack on defenseless citizens in such a hallowed place as a mosque.
In an earlier statement, the party had condemned, in the strongest terms possible, the attack on the innocent worshipers and vowed that terrorism will never prevail no matter how long it takes.

It also urged all citizens to demonstrate the Nigerian spirit of compassion and strength of character by providing succor and support to one another.

The South East Governors’ Forum has condoled with the family members of the victims of last Friday’s Kano Central Mosque bombing that claimed over 200 lives.
The forum also condemned in very strong terms, the “senseless attack on innocent worshippers.”

Chairman of SEGF and Governor of Abia State, Chief Theodore Orji who conveyed the condolences of the forum in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Charles Ajunwa, also commiserated with the people and government of Kano State over the unfortunate incident.
According to the statement, killing of innocent citizens is a condemnable genocide which cannot be tolerated in any sane society.

The Forum described as “barbaric and incomprehensible” the activities of those behind the bombing “whose mission and agenda have no trace of sanity.”

The South East governors also described as “the height of profanity and disdain for God”, the killing of worshipers at the place of worship.

“Anyone that has the temerity to kill a worshiper before his God for whatever reason or cause has no regard for God and can never claim to be fighting for Him as Boko Haram wants us to believe”.

The governors called on Nigerians to be united and close ranks with the federal government in the war against insurgency.

They also tasked security agencies to remain committed in the fight against the insurgents, expressing confidence that Boko Haram menace would soon be history.

The South East Governors further called for more prayers by various religious groups in the country for divine intervention in the wicked plots of Nigeria’s enemies to distablise her through insurgency..They also appealed to the international community not to sit idle and watch Nigeria tackle her security challenges alone before the situation gets out of control.

However, we condemn the attitude of some individuals who portrayed themselves as elements of frustration and cheap political tools

However, we condemn the attitude of some individuals who portrayed themselves as elements of frustration and cheap political tools. Through this medium, we warn them to stay away from OAU campus as they are not unknown to the leadership of the union. We maintain our ground as Intellectual Fighters for Emancipation and not as uncoordinated confusionists and anarchists.

onatisi:
akala is nothing and nobody without Pdp .

chukwudi44:
bros states do not win elections.That is the mistake you people keep making.It is the total no of valid votes cast that wins elections.while GEJ is sure of getting 40% in supposed APC stronghold like lagos,can Buhari manage a miserable 10% in any of the PDP strongholds of the SE/SS? Buhari might end up winning more states but having less no of votes than GEJ

dreydee:
You know why I like Americans ?! They are not Party Sympathisers, they go for the man not the Party! And these Nigerian mof.os are here sweating for one man that will run and leave them if Nigeria was to be destroyed.


LET WE THE YOUTHS TEAM UP AND FIGHT FOR OUR TOMORROW, SO WE CAN IMPLEMENT THE CHANGE WE ARE FIGHTING FOR! WE HAVE THE POWER OF TECHNOLOGY, AWAY WITH THE OLD CARGOES! WE CAN START BY FORMING THE PARTY ON NAIRALAND BEFORE GETTING AWARENESS TO HAVE IT REGISTERED! MUST WE WAIT TILL 2099 BEFORE OUR TOMORROW COMES?! WE ARE LEADERS OF TOMORROW WHICH IS TODAY!GREAT NIGERIAN YOUTHS! ITS OUR TIME!

but have we really had such elections lately compared to when that Chimp from Ota was in power??

Opec Secretary-General Abdallah Salem el-Badri: "We will watch how the market will behave"
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Why are oil prices so low?

The price of oil slumped after the Opec oil producers' cartel decided not to cut output at its meeting in Vienna.
Opec's secretary general Abdallah Salem el-Badri said they would not try to shore up prices by reducing production.

"There's a price decline. That does not mean that we should really rush and do something," he said.
Following the announcement Brent crude fell below $72 a barrel, hitting lows previously seen in August 2010.
The 12 Opec members decided to maintain production at 30 million barrels per day as first agreed in December 2011.

"We don't want to panic. I mean it," said Mr el-Badri. "We want to see the market, how the market behaves, because the decline of the price does not reflect a fundamental change."
Brent Crude Oil Futures $/barrel

Crude oil prices have fallen 30% since June on sluggish global demand and rising production from the US.

The fall in the oil price has been causing concern for several members of the oil cartel, as most require a price above $80 a barrel to balance their government budgets and many need prices to be above $100 a barrel.
"Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states can resist for a while," said Simon Wardell, energy expert at Global Insight.

"They have significant financial assets that mean they can sustain a lower oil price. They can secure their budgets without a higher oil price."
Saudi Arabia is the largest producer within the Opec oil producing cartel.

Analysis: Andrew Walker, Economics Correspondent in Vienna
The markets didn't expect OPEC to do much at this meeting.
Analysts here thought they might manage a resounding commitment to curb the excess production above the existing ceiling.

But the group didn't even do that.
Looking ahead the OPEC secretariat forecast non-OPEC supply next year to grow by more than the demand for oil.

That would squeeze the group even more, and aggravate the downward pressure on prices. Good news for OPEC's customers but very bad news for the more hard-pressed of its members - including Iran, Venezuela and Nigeria.

But even for those like Saudi Arabia that can manage at current prices, there comes a point below which even they will start to get uncomfortable.

So it will be no great surprise if we are back here in Vienna for an extra, unplanned meeting before long.
Shale threat

Analysts suggest the strategy of maintaining output may be aimed at retaining dominance of the market in the face of increasing shale oil production in the United States.
The shale boom has been one of the drivers behind the decline in the oil price.

But as the oil price dips, shale becomes less economical to produce.

If oil prices are allowed to remain low for some time that could cap shale production over the longer term. So keeping oil prices low may in fact make sense for Opec.

"The Saudis want Opec to remain relevant,'' said analyst Phil Flynn, speaking before the end of the meeting in Vienna. "The only way in their mind is to subdue the US shale producer."
Opec accounts for a third of the world's oil sales

Thebe Ikalafeng, South Africa
For this African, branding fuels his passion and runs through his veins. Thebe Ikalafeng, CEO of pan-African advisory firm, Brand Leadership Group, and founder of Brand Africa, is the foremost branding and reputation authority in Africa. Born in South Africa, Ikalafeng is a global African who has been involved in the transformation of over 100 commercial, nation and political brands, including the successful political branding campaigns for both the late President Atta Mills and President John Mahama of Ghana. Brand Africa, with a bold vision to drive Africa’s image, reputation and competitive standing, has just launched a seminal survey, valuing and listing Africa’s best brands. Ikalafeng is due to publish a number of books, including Made in Africa on building brands in Africa and the continent’s great leaders. He is a globally sought-after speaker, writer and commentator on related branding and reputation matters.

Andrew Alli, Nigeria
Andrew Alli’s career as an investment banker and management consultant has taken him around the world but all the experience and knowledge he has gathered has led him back to his country of birth, where he was brought up by his Nigerian father and English mother. As Chief Executive Officer of the Africa Finance Corporation, the investment bank and development finance institution is quickly establishing itself as the bank of choice for private sector-led infrastructure projects. The portfolio boasts major infrastructural developments that include an undersea fibre-optic cable, an energy development project in Cape Verde and many others. Known to be something of a workaholic, Alli has been a proponent of creating simple investment models which can be quickly scaled up and replicated continent-wide. Alli’s consistent drive has ensured that he has become one of the top players on issues of African infrastructure.

Acha Leke, Cameroon
McKinsey & Co.’s golden boy Acha Leke continues to set the standard in African business. He has been a key force in McKinsey’s growing influence in Africa. This young Cameroonian is determined to be part of the transformation that he dreams of for Africa. Alongside his good friend Fred Swaniker he is co-founder of the African Leadership Academy and also the African Leadership Network, a community of young, dynamic and influential leaders whose aim is to catalyse prosperity in Africa. He is married to one of Africa’s up and coming businesswomen in luxury brands, Swaady Martin-Leke.

Kola Aluko, Nigeria
Race car drivers are known to be fearless and to possess an unstoppable desire to succeed. Kola Aluko is both a racecar driver and someone who is good at succeeding. One of the Nigerian oil magnate’s most significant successes this year was participating in the launch of the Africa50 Infrastructure Fund, initiated by the African Development Bank. Like many other Africans, Aluko believes the key to solving Africa’s development challenges lies in addressing infrastructural gaps, and in doing so fuelling growth. Aluko is co-founder of the Made In Africa Foundation, which is working in partnership with the AfDB to raise $500 million for the Africa50 project’s large-scale infrastructural programmes. The fund was recently launched on the NASDAQ, and the ceremony was attended by co-founder of the project, Ghanaian-British Savile Row designer Ozwald Boateng, and also Academy Award-winning star Jamie Foxx.

Jason Njoku, Nigeria
Jason Njoku saw a huge gap in the Nollywood industry, so in 2010 he took the plunge and founded what has been dubbed as the “Netflix of Africa”: iROKO, a digital distribution platform for African films. The innovative concept saw US and Swedish-based startup funds investing a total of $10 million in the venture, the largest investment of 2012 in a West African startup. This year he won the All Africa Business Award for West Africa, showcasing the creative and digital sector as breaking new ground. He says: “In the next 3 to 5 years, Africa’s tech ‘scene’ will easily have turned into a ‘revolution’. Those who choose to take on these challenges now, not tomorrow, are the ones who will make a real difference and reap the many benefits of doing business in such an exciting frontier market.”

Gina Din-Kariuki, Kenya
Arguably, Din-Kariuki has the most valuable Rolodex in East Africa and is the must-go-to person for anyone who wants to do business in Kenya. For the last 13 years she has built her Kenyan PR management firm into one of the leading companies in the industry. Din-Kariuki is a close follower of the digital sector and how this affects brand management; as the media platforms increase so does the space in which to control a brand. Din-Kariuki plays an active philanthropic role, serving in various capacities including Goodwill Ambassador of the Kenya Red Cross.

Momar Nguer, Senegal
Arguably Momar Nguer holds one of the most important jobs out there, as Senior Vice President of Supply and Marketing for French oil and gas giant Total, holding huge amounts of influence in Africa given Total’s strategic operations across the continent. This affable and understated Senegalese has also been an important ambassador for Africa at the company’s headquarters, a company very close to the powers that be in France. Possibly more importantly, he has changed Total’s outlook for the continent and has instilled a culture within the organisation to recruit and train locals and strengthen the capacity of the youth in the 40+ countries it operates in across Africa. As the first African to hold such a senior position in the group, he is driving an African-driven agenda across the activities he supervises. One of his ambitions is to supply 3m rural Africans with low cost lighting using Total’s wide distribution network.

Isabel dos Santos, Angola
Isabel dos Santos, businesswoman and daughter to the president of Angola, José Eduardo dos Santos, is worth an estimated $3 billion. With businesses in key sectors such as mining, telecoms, retail and oil, Dos Santos is the youngest female billionaire in Africa. She insists her business dealings are independent of her father, attributing her success to hard work. Those close to her insist she’s as bright and as tough as they come. With an engineering degree from King’s College in London, she shuns the limelight. Married to Congolese art collector Sindika Dokolo, and with her growing business interests, this is a couple we will see much more of in the coming years.

Jean Louis Billon, Côte d’Ivoire
You would never accuse this Ivorian of not being part of his “community”. He is heavily involved in the economic, political and social life of Côte d’Ivoire. Jean Louis Billon was Managing Director of the family business SIFCA, the country’s leading private sector group with 17,000 employees. He was Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He joined the government last year and as minister of commerce, he launched a $400 million initiative (financing, capacity building) to double the number of SMEs in his country and as a result create half a million jobs.

Jean Claude Bastos de Morais, Angola
Jean Claude Bastos de Morais spends his time between Angola and Switzerland. Bastos de Morais is present in so many different areas that it is difficult to define him in one particular sector, although he is passionate about development and wealth creation. His Swiss-based fund Quantum recently launched Africa’s two biggest specialised funds, a $1.1bn fund to invest in African infrastructure and also a $1.2bn pan-African hotel fund. Bastos de Morais is trusted amongst Angolan business circles and his fund will be managing some of the assets of that country’s sovereign wealth fund, which he helped set up. He is highly respected in Angola and is also widely consulted on a wide range of investment and financial issues. Amongst his other passions is driving development through transformational change. That is one of the reasons he recently founded the African Innovation Foundation and the Africa Innovation Prize.

Patrick Ngowi, Tanzania
More often than not the story you hear of African youth is one of despair, struggle and unemployment. That is starting to change rapidly. There is a formidable collective of “young guns” who are re-writing their story. Probably first on the list would be Patrick Ngowi, the 28-year-old CEO of the Helvetic Solar Contractors – a Tanzanian solar company that supplies, installs and maintains solar panel systems throughout the northern circuit of Tanzania. The company sells everything solar from photovoltaic (a.k.a. “solar”) panels and water heaters to battery banks, generators and back-up units and generates revenues of about $8 million a year. Combining the abundant natural energy that the African sky provides and the high demand for power, this young man has positioned his business to ensure that demand and supply will have a continuous flow. The interesting story is that Ngowi started his business at the age of 15!

James Mwangi, Kenya
James Mwangi continues to be one of Africa’s most successful bankers. His ambition was seen as excessive when he first proposed a new path for Equity Bank; though the plan was unconventional, the failing bank was losing money so it was decided that Equity Bank would take the chance. They have never looked back. With Mwangi at the helm, Equity Bank has become one of the top banks in Kenya. It may not be the biggest bank by its capital, but it is one of the most far-reaching in East and Central Africa, with over eight million bank accounts. Mwangi credits all his success to his mother, whom he says brought his siblings and him up despite hardship, and always instilled in them the value of hard work. Even with his children, who have all had the privilege to attend Ivy League schools, Mwangi names his mother as the reason for their success. Mwangi has won many prizes, but he is more recognised for his humility and his principled approach to business.

Adebayo Ogunlesi, Nigeria
Adebayo Ogunlesi holds the high- profile office of Chairman and Managing Partner of Global Infrastructure Partners, a $15 billion joint venture whose initial investors included Credit Suisse and General Electric. The venture is an independent infrastructure fund manager with investments in the energy and transport sectors in Asia, Europe, the UK and the US. Prior to his current role, he was Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Client Officer of Credit Suisse, based in New York. Ogunlesi comes from a privileged background: he attended some of the best schools in Nigeria, as well as Harvard Business School and Oxford University. A critic of the “Africa rising” euphoria, he is one of the most respected bankers on Wall Street.

Algboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Nigeria
Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede recently won Banker of the Year at the African Banker Awards held by our sister publication,African Bankermagazine. This was a fitting end to his tenure at the helm of Access Bank, which he has taken to the top tier of Nigerian and African banking. With the Central Bank’s tenure limits, he has had to step down as the bank’s CEO, although he will not be away from the limelight for long. One of the names being touted to become Governor of the Central Bank, Aig-Imoukhuede already sits on the board of the Nigerian Stock Exchange and is a close adviser to the president as part of the Nigerian Economic Intelligent Management Team. He is known for his drive, and still in his mid-forties, he is someone with big ambitions. One of his generation’s most successful leaders, he is recognised both at home and internationally for his brilliance.

Mostafa Terrab, Morocco
The name Mostafa Terrab brings to mind a humble man whose commitment to adding value to Morocco has become more famous than his equally commendable work for OCP, which extracts, markets and sells phosphates and is a stalwart of the Moroccan economy. The environmentally aware and astute business leader has used his depth and skill to diversify the group’s activities. More than just a CEO, Terrab is a visionary. He is a strong proponent of South-South co-operation between Africa and India, which he executes through a number of forums. He is also an Americophile, and an Anglo-Saxon style of doing business prevails in his management. Despite some medical troubles earlier this year, he is firmly back in the driving seat and is currently pushing through his pet project to launch Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, which is intended as a world-class institution of higher learning to be built in the new Mohammed VI Green City in Benguerir, 50 miles north of Marrakech.

Tutu Agyare, Ghana
Tutu Agyare is the straight-talking Ghanaian who “baptised” the floor of the London Stock Exchange by being the first African to trade on it in his early 20s. He later pursued a successful career at UBS investment bank for two decades, where he became head of Europe, Middle East and African investment. In 2007 he set up Nubuke Investments, a company solely focused on African investment opportunities. Today, he is a much sought-after business leader and investor, and one of a handful of Africans who sit on the board of a FTSE 100 company. He is known for confronting critics of the African investment trajectory and challenges them to “wake up and smell the coffee” and realise that the rest of the world is making a beeline for Africa. Having experienced the best of the South and the West, Agyare uses his experience to navigate his way through what he describes as a rich environment for opportunity.

Wided Bouchamaoui, Tunisia
Bouchamaoui is one of Tunisia’s leading entrepreneurs and businesswomen. Having already received several awards for her business acumen, Bouchamaoui is the head of UTICA, the main confederation of Tunisian Industry and business leaders. During the recent period of political and economical turmoil in Tunisia, this is an achievement in its own right. However Bouchamaoui’s influence is much more than this. She is one of the power brokers in the ongoing discussions regarding the formation of a new government. Alongside the country’s biggest union the UGTT, Bouchamaoui is at the origin of the quartet that drafted a road map presented to the political parties for them to exit this crisis. It is not too much to say that this mother of two will play an instrumental role in deciding on the country’s future.

Johann Rupert, South Africa
After 25 years at the helm of the billion-dollar luxury conglomerate, Richemont, Johann Rupert announced in 2013 that he has taken a break from the business. For 12 months he will hand over the company to senior veterans and will be taking pleasure in having his time free of control from other people and events. Johann Rupert is the eldest son of South African tycoon Anton Rupert. The company controls brands that include watchmakers IWC, Vacheron Constantin SA, Piaget and Montblanc. Despite his so-called sabbatical, his wealth continues to grow becoming South Africa’s richest man. He is among the top ten most influential men in the world of luxury, an industry which continues to confound any global slowdown.

Tidjane Thiam, Côte d’Ivoire
The Ivorian Tidjane Thiam was the first black person to lead an FTSE 100 listed company. This diehard Arsenal fan was appointed CEO of insurance giant Prudential in 2009. Despite leading one of the world’s largest insurance firms, which has seen considerable growth under his helm, he remains vocal about the struggles he continues to go through to earn the respect of his peers. Thiam was also Minister of Planning & Development in Côte d’Ivoire at the tender age of 35. Last year, Thiam was appointed to the UK Prime Minister’s Business Advisory Group, and he is a member of the European Financial Round Table (EFR). He also sits on the board of a number of African initiatives such as Kofi Annan’s Africa Progress Panel.

Elon Musk,South Africa
Though as one of the co-founders of Paypal he is no newcomer to the scene, this is the year Elon Musk has been catapulted to stardom, as the creator of the must-have next generation car in Hollywood, the Tesla. As Chief Executive Officer and Chief Technology Officer of SpaceX and CEO and Chief Product Architect of Tesla Motors he has achieved billionaire status. Today he is worth around $7 billion. Although for Musk, it’s not really about the money. He may be one of the leading global businessmen, really he is one of his generation’s innovators. Musk is also the largest shareholder in SolarCity, a company that supplies solar energy to the US. Musk’s philanthropic work includes a multi-million-dollar programme, through his Musk Foundation, to donate solar-power systems for those in critical need in the aftermath of disaster. Though he is a naturalised American, Elon Musk’s roots are still in South Africa, where he was raised until the age of 17. Though he has been described as a real-life Tony Stark, the Marvel Comics fictional character who doubles up as Iron Man, there is nothing fictional about Musk’s success.

Iqbal Survé, South Africa
Campaigner for freedom, medical doctor and entrepreneur: this is the unique composition of Dr Iqbal Survé’s achievements. He is the founder of the Sekunjalo Group in South Africa, which earlier this year purchased Independent News & Media South Africa. Having grown up in an environment of poverty that did not support the progression of non-white South Africans, Survé has dedicated his work and life to fostering business ideas that will not only serve the bottom line of the investor, but will also create opportunities for the improvement of working-class lives. Survé is one of the most influential players in South African business circles, as well as someone who is both well-respected and liked within the business community. A family man, Survé was known in his early days for his activism, and today, he is also chair of the University of Cape Town.

Mark Shuttleworth, South Africa
Shuttleworth is the closest Africa has to a Silicon valley whizzkid. Having made his fortune when he sold his internet certification company to VeriSign in 1999, Shuttleworth has continued to innovate and try his hand at different projects. Shuttleworth gained fame in 2002 when he made his self-funded trip into space aboard the Russian Soyuz spacecraft, taking the first trip by an African into space. Earlier this year, he managed to raise the largest sum ever on a crowd funding platform (over $12m) although not the target he had set ($32m) for his Ubuntu Edge smartphone.Recently, Shuttleworth has bought an island off São Tomé& Príncipe, where he has plans to develop an eco resort. Shuttleworth remains one of Africa’s foremost innovators.

Jim Ovia, Nigeria
African entrepreneurs and business leaders are learning that staying power means diversifying your portfolio. After Jim Ovia was required to step down as head of the bank he founded, Zenith, he focused on building his other businesses, while still keeping a close eye on Zenith as its largest shareholder. He now concentrates on developing Visafone, a telecom company, and Quantum, a private equity fund focused on Africa. Zenith Bank is the second-largest retail banking institution in West Africa. Ovia is known as the godfather of African banking and his wealth stands at an estimated $825 million. Quieter than some of his peers, his business acumen and no-nonsense style are still feared and respected alike

What is influence and how do you measure it? It will always be hard to agree on a common understanding and meaning of influence. Understandably, this always generates wide debate
How do we determine these people’s influence? And why does it matter that we assemble this list, you may ask. One yardstick we used was to emphasise that influence is not about popularity and popularity is not always influential. The influencer’s impact on public, social and political discourse, however, is what largely helps us determine their influence. They contributed in redefining the African narrative in 2013 and we feel they will play a big role in 2014 – hopefully, for Africa’s good.

Strive Masiyiwa, Zimbabwe
Surprisingly this is the first time Masiyiwa has been included on our list. One of Africa’s elite business leaders and one of the continent’s most successful entrepreneurs – thanks to his multi-billion-dollar telecoms company, Econet Wireless – he is also known for his integrity, campaigning to stamp out corruption in Africa, which has given him a seat on a number of boards of international institutions. Masiyiwa is one of the business stars of the moment and he was invited last year by President Obama to speak on solutions to African hunger at the G8 summit. He is worth an estimated $285 million, much of which goes towards his philanthropic projects.

Aliko Dangote, Nigeria
Aliko Dangote, Africa’s top billionaire for three years running, according to Forbes, continues to push the boundaries and break records with his astronomical wealth. As impressive is his continuous drive to achieve more and to continue to grow his business. He is reportedly almost $5 billion richer than he was in 2012, with his worth standing at an estimated $16 billion, although his mission seems to have moved on from pure wealth acquisition to truly transforming the industrial scene of his country. With a career spanning three decades, Dangote is reaping the rewards of his hard work. And he is unashamedly close to the powers that be. The Nigerian businessman has investments and companies in 14 countries of Africa, which include Dangote Cement, Dangote Sugar and the National Salt Company of Nigeria. His business philosophy is based on a belief in entering markets that have critical need and maintaining a fiscal discipline that will allow for re-investment. Dangote inherited his entrepreneurial skills from his grandfather, who gave him his first loan at a very young age. He describes his grandfather as the man who mentored him to become the successful businessman he is today. This year Dangote has embarked on an ambitious oil refinery project worth $8 billion. You won’t see Africa’s foremost industrialist retiring any time soon.

Othman Benjelloun, Morocco
Othman Benjelloun is one of Morocco’s most respected and liked businessmen. He took over his father’s insurance business in 1988 and diversified it into banking, aviation, information technology and other sectors. At the ripe age of 81, Benjelloun is still very much a man on top of his game. In March 2013 Forbes named him the 7thrichest man in Africa, with a net worth of just over$3 billion. Benjelloun was one of the few who pioneered and believed in the African dream long before it became fashionable, and his bank BMCE is expanding rapidly across West and East Africa, with a large stake in Bank of Africa. Passionate about developing Africa, he has embarked on a number of philanthropic ventures that focus on education in his homeland of Morocco and sub-Saharan Africa. Benjelloun, who incidently was the first recipient of our sister magazine African Banker’s Lifetime Achievement Award, is a voice of wisdom well worth heeding.