₦airaland Forum

Tingo Foods, a subsidiary of Tingo International Holdings Inc, will in coming months decongest the labour market with the creation of no fewer than 12,000 direct employments with the setting up of its food processing facility in Delta state.

The project will also be providing a significant boost to the Nigerian economy and contribute to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which seeks to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure peace and prosperity for all. The facility's job creation and wealth creation will help support SDG 8, Decent Work and Economic Growth, and SDG 2, Zero Hunger.

In a statement on Thursday, the founder of Tingo International Holdings, Dozy Mmobuosi noted that the project which costs 1.6 billion USD will also save Africa from paying foreign exchange to import finished food products.

Additionally, it will aid the export of made-in-Africa foods to the world, enhance inter-Africa trade via the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement, and sell high-quality and nutritious food products in Nigeria.

The formal foundation laying of this project will take place on Feb. 9 in Ishiekpe village, Onicha Ugbo Aniocha North local government area of Delta State and is expected to begin operations in the next 18 to 24 months.

The facility when fully operational will initially produce a range of products including rice, tea, coffee, chocolate, biscuits, edible oil, cashew milk, millet-based cereal, beer, mineral water, fizzy drinks, pasta, and noodles. The facility will also serve as a hub for the development and distribution of new products in the future.

Mmobuosi, stated that the facility is the first phase of a multi-billion-dollar investment that Tingo International Holdings plans to make in the African food industry. The bulk of the cost is primarily machinery, which will be imported from some of the world's leading manufacturers. Mmobuosi said, "As the founder of Tingo International Holdings, I am thrilled to be a part of this project, which I believe will play a significant role in helping Africa feed itself. This facility represents a major step towards building a sustainable future for Africa and creating a food-secure world."

CEO of Tingo Foods, Neha Mehta, who will be introducing at the foundation laying ceremony for the facility, scheduled for the 9th of this month, said, "Tingo Foods new food processing facility is more than just a business venture. It is a symbol of hope and a catalyst for change. We are committed to using this facility to drive economic growth and create a better future for Africa." Mehta added, "At Tingo Foods, we understand the importance of human capital in the food processing industry, and we are committed to investing in the skills and development of our employees. We believe that by providing high-quality training and education, we can unlock the full potential of our workforce and create a thriving, sustainable industry."

In recent years, the African food industry has struggled with a lack of productivity and poor usage of human capital. However, Tingo Foods aims to change that by creating jobs, generating wealth, and contributing to sustainable development in Africa. Despite the challenges, there are also many strengths in this space. For example, the African food industry has a large and growing market, with a population of over 1.3 billion people and a rapidly expanding middle class. There is also a growing demand for African food products, both locally and internationally, as consumers become more health conscious and seek out high-quality, nutritious options.

Tingo Foods processing facility will not only revolutionise the African food industry but will also serve as a model for other companies to follow. The facility will use the latest technologies in food processing and will also be environmentally sustainable, reducing its carbon footprint and ensuring that waste is managed in an environmentally responsible manner. The company is committed to being a responsible corporate citizen and will be working with local communities to support education and healthcare initiatives.

We Stand By Our Decision To Protect Diri's Image Against Criminal Blackmail — MEND

Movement for Emancipation of Niger Delta, MEND has again said it stands by its decision to take all necessary steps to protect the image of Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri from what it called criminal blackmail.

The group says time has gone when people will hide under the veneer of press freedom to tarnish the hard earned image, insisting that it will not allow those who "malign Governor General of Ijaw nation will pay heavily for it to serve as a deterrent for those intending to toe the nefarious path".

MEND through its Spokesman Commander Inetimi Godspower was reacting to online news alleging that the embattled governor Diri had deployed its members to threaten Sahara Reporters and activist, Deji Adeyanju.

Sahara Reporters had in its publication last week accused the governor of an illicit affair with the Speaker of South African Parliament, Zanele Sifuba a news shared by Adeyanju on his social media platforms.

The group on Monday pressed further for the immediate retraction of the said publication with an apology, saying it has instructed its lawyers to initiate legal action against Omoyele Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters, the news platform itself and Adeyanju.

"It is infantile for a blackmailer-in-chief like Sahara Reporters to allege that Governor General of Ijaw nation, His Excellency governor Douye Diri has deployed us to speak against their criminal behaviour.

"We want to make it clear that ANY action we can take to protect the image of our own will not be spared. This is not just a criminal defamation against Gov. Diri but an attempt to bring the image of entire Ijaw nation under disrepute.

"When a self-acclaimed activist and reputable media organisation allow themselves to be used by mischievous political interests, you begin to wonder where lies their imaginary credibility.

"This will serve as a bitter lesson to other cash and carry activists and media organisations. Enough is enough" he stated.

*Dotmac Emerges As Regional Service Provider Of The Year At The 6th Annual Tech Innovation Award (TIA)*

The unwavering commitment of Dotmac Technologies Ltd, a leading Internet Service firm in Abuja and Lagos, to the provision of unlimited internet services via Fiber Technology, got rewarded on the 17th of September, 2022, as it bagged the Regional Service Provider of the Year prize at the 6th edition of the Annual Tech Innovation Award Ceremony.

It was an evening of pomp and pageantry at the Oriental Hotel, VI, Lagos, which was graced by industry stakeholders, leaders of various segments of the Nigerian Tech terrain as well as Tech enthusiasts at large.

The Tech Innovation Award (TIA) is an initiative of the Instinct Wave Group which celebrates organizations, individuals, and members of the private sector who have made indelible marks championing the course of digitization with innovative products and services that have kept the Nigerian ICT sector flying over the years.

Speaking glowingly on this landmark accomplishment, a visibly delighted Mr. Michael Ayoade, CEO of Dotmac Technologies Ltd. attributed the fast growth of the ICT industry to the immense support the industry has received from the government and private sector.

According to him, this support has served as a catalyst for the likes of Dotmac Technologies Ltd to continue to place Nigeria on the global map through technology.

The Tech Innovation Award (TIA) annual award, now in its sixth year, is an award platform that is offering the needed impetus for Nigerian Tech firms to continuously reach for excellence while contributing immensely to national development in the same breath.

Receiving the award on behalf of the CEO of Dotmac, Mr. Michael Ayoade, the Executive Sales Manager, Nathaniel Olatubosun remarked, “It is an honor to receive such an important award. We dedicate the award to all our customers for giving us the opportunity to serve them.”

Since it launched for operations in 2008, Dotmac has not relented in the area of providing innovative, world-class ICT solutions that meet the needs of individuals, small and medium-scale enterprises, and government agencies.

Instinct Wave, an ISO-certified company, teamed up with the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) for the awards ceremony.