Business
Let’s Join Hands To Build Nigeria, Abike Dabiri, Pelican Valley CEO Urge Diasporas
Let’s Join Hands To Build Nigeria, Abike Dabiri, Pelican Valley CEO Urge Diasporas
….Advocate Making Exit Plan, Investment Ties With Home Ahead Of Retirement
The Chairman/ CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa and realtor (Amb) Babatunde Adeyemo have called on Nigerians in the United Kingdom, United States and other parts of Europe to join hands with their fellow compatriots at home to build Nigeria together to greater heights.
Hon. Abike Dabiri and Ambassador Adeyemo gave the advice separately on Sunday night while addressing the Nigerians in the UK during the Avenue Impact Business Networking and Winter Ball at the Crown Plaza Hotel, London.
While the former federal lawmaker and veteran Broadcast journalist who expressed joy because of the many diasporas making Nigeria proud at home and globally, who she urged to continue believing in themselves and supporting one another to keep Nigeria aloft for honours, Adeyemo advised them not to wait until they’ve attained the retirement age before making plans to relocate back home – japada, or establish investment ties with their fatherland.
The CEO of NIDCOM said the Commission exists among other things to serve as an ambassador and a bridge between the Nigeria diaspora and homeland to foster continuous collaboration, preserving expertise, and mobilising resources for Nigeria’s socio-economic, cultural, and political development by way of encouraging those abroad to invest at home.
According to her, there is a mortgage scheme of the Federal Government to support the diasporas on mortgage issues.
In his address, Adeyemo told the diasporas that the time to make strategic exit plans and establish investment ties with home is now that many of them are still active or have few years ahead of their retirement age so that the process of relocation would be seamless, thorough and achievable when the period beckons on them.
The CEO of Pelican Valley Nigeria Limited, a foremost Nigerian real estate firm behind the Pelican Valley Estate Laderin, Abeokuta, Pelican Valley’s Brief Estate, Pelican’s Ecostay Apartments and Pelican Valley Green Acres Farm Estate – all at Kobape – Masa corridor of Ogun State spoke on the Investment opportunities in the real estate business back home at the well attended event by Nigerian professionals and government officials, including the Chairperson of the Diaspora Commission, Hon. Abike Dabiri – Erewa, the Mayor of Southwark London, Michael Shitu and Mr Smart Kemiki, the Director of Dominion Forever Limited.
Adeyemo who is a multi – award winning real estate practitioner, urged diasporas to make hay while the sun still shone or better still, take a bow when the ovation is heard loud, even as he said they could venture into the real estate industry with little or no funds by starting as realtors, earn commissions and grow to be like the Pelican Valley within the next 10 years.
He, however, identified capital, due diligence, development and value adding as well as goodwill as four basic necessities to be in place for one to succeed or excel in any venture, especially the real estate industry.
The ECOWAS Youth Ambassador and an Anti – Corruption Ambassador, explained that carrying out due diligence, for example, is very critical when buying any piece of land lest one falls into the hands of scammers and have one’s fingers burnt while the goodwill is essential to a successful marketing of real estate products.
According to him, if any of the diasporas follows those four key factors with a strategic exit plan long before retirement and possible relocation to Nigeria, the better the chances of success.
“As we have, japa so we have japada syndrome…infact, to japada syndrome is even more complex than to japa…if you don’t want to eventually become a mama londona or baba londona in future…they say, Ile ni abo sinmi oko …the time to start having an investment ties with your homeland is now…don’t ever procrastinate…the ovation will soon be loud and it will be in your best interest to take a bow when the ovation is loud,” he advised.
Adeyemo recalled with pride and satisfaction that he has been practicing real estate business for over 14 years without a single dispute or court case and without running to the police for any land dispute, warning investors to be mindful when they ‘see a real estate company doing aggressive marketing,’ they should know that something is chasing such a firm.
He noted that in Pelican Valley, they don’t call their prospects, having been convinced that real estate is value driven.
He said, “If you Google “the only estate with full government approval in.Ogun state now, you will definitely see what the Ogun State government said about our Estates…not only the Ogun State government but also private individuals and investors.
“Pelican Valley Estate has 100 percent positive reviews on Google….The values we add to our projects made our client’s ROI to move up by almost 300 percent in just one year.
“We launched Pelican Brief with a paltry sum of 685 just 3 years ago, today, Pelican-Brief is #5m per plot and it will be N7.5m per plot starting from next tomorrow which is the 5th of December.
“In that Estate, we have a 500 kva electric transformer, fully energized, 5 armed security guards, Camels and peacocks for tourist attractions…..less than 50 mins drive to.the.Lagos State governors office and 15 mins from the Ogun State governors office.
“We also have Pelican Valley estate, Laderin…we introduced that estate for just 800K per plot 9 years ago but today, the plot is N 25Million and it will be N30m next tomorrow…I live in that Estate with my family presently. These are lands we bought as low as 300K per plot about ten years ago.”
Earlier in his welcome address, the CEO of Avenue Impact Limited and Convener of the event, Mr. Funso Akinwunmi appreciated Honourable Abike Dabiri-Erewa for her presence, and lauded her for the dedication to fostering stronger ties between Nigerians in the diaspora and their homeland, adding that the establishment of the NIDCOM is a testament to the Nigerian government’s dedication to leveraging the diaspora’s vast human capital and material resources.
“We extend our encouragement to the government to proactively cultivate an environment that makes Nigeria a home and an attractive destination for those contemplating travel abroad. Our beloved Nigeria holds immense potential, and fostering an environment conducive to growth and prosperity will undoubtedly serve as a magnet for Nigerians at home and abroad.
“It is our collective responsibility to engage in nation-building actively, and a critical aspect of this endeavour involves addressing key areas that influence citizens’ decisions, including the desire to travel abroad. By investing in robust infrastructure and fortifying the economy, the government can instil confidence and pride in Nigerians, making them enthusiastic about contributing to the nation’s growth and development.
“We also urge the government to seize this opportunity to prioritise initiatives that enhance the appeal of Nigeria, both for its residents and those living abroad. A thriving and welcoming Nigeria will retain its talented citizens and attract the global Nigerian diaspora, fostering a collective effort towards building a stronger and more prosperous nation,” he said.
Akinwunmi also appreciated the CEO of Pelican Valley Nigeria Limited whom he described as a distinguished expert in property investment for gracing the business networking event and sharing his useful wisdom in the real estate business within the Nigerian context.
“Your wealth of knowledge and strategic vision have undoubtedly played a crucial role in the real estate sector, and we are privileged to have you share your wisdom with us,” he said.
Precision and Heritage: How Fifi Stitches Is Rewriting African Fashion Narratives
A Nigerian-born designer is gradually carving out a cross-continental footprint in contemporary fashion, blending African textile heritage with British technical discipline.
Esther Fiyinfoluwa Adeosun, Founder and Creative Director of Fifi Stitches, is gaining recognition for structured womenswear and bridal couture that reinterprets traditional fabrics through architectural tailoring and precision construction.
Born in Ibadan, Oyo State, Adeosun’s fashion journey began at home, seated beside her mother’s sewing machine. What started as childhood curiosity, sometimes jamming the machine just to understand its mechanics—evolved into a disciplined design practice now operating between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
During an interview with journalists the fifi Stitches once mentioned “I was fascinated by how flat fabric could transform into something structured and meaningful”.
In her Story , early designs made for her family, though imperfectly finished, were worn with pride—an encouragement that laid the foundation for her professional confidence.
Today, Fifi Stitches is recognised for sculpted bodices, controlled tailoring, corsetry construction, and the contemporary reinterpretation of Ankara, Aso Oke, and Adire textiles.
The brand challenges the long-held perception that African fabrics belong solely in ceremonial contexts, instead positioning them within global luxury and modern design spaces.
Adeosun’s training reflects this dual perspective. She studied Fashion Design and Entrepreneurship at the Institute for Entrepreneurship and Development Studies, Obafemi Awolowo University, and earned a Diploma in Fashion Design through Alison Online.
In the UK, she undertook industry-focused technical training with Fashion-Enter Ltd and gained fashion business exposure through Fashion Capital UK.
Her technical expertise spans pattern drafting, draping, garment technology, structured tailoring, corsetry, and bespoke fittings—skills she describes as central to credibility in fashion. “Precision builds trust,” she says. “A designer must understand construction as deeply as creativity.”
Fifi Stitches has showcased collections at the Suffolk Fashion Show, Liverpool Fashion Show – FB Fashion Ball, Red Carpet Fashion Event in London, and through editorial features in London Runway Magazine.
The brand has also received coverage in The Guardian Nigeria and Vanguard Allure, expanding its visibility across markets.
Beyond couture, Adeosun integrates community impact into her practice.
She has facilitated garment construction workshops, draping sessions, and introductory training programmes for women and emerging creatives, promoting fashion as both artistic expression and vocational empowerment.
Fifi Stcithes Boss operates between Nigeria and the UK, in order to continue to shape her brand identity.
According to her “Nigeria provides cultural richness and expressive textile traditions, while the UK offers structured production systems, sustainability conversations, and institutional frameworks”.
Looking ahead, Adeosun said she plan to establish a fully structured fashion house spanning Africa and the UK, develop scalable production partnerships, launch capsule collections, and expand independent editorial visibility.
Her broader ambition is clear: to position African textile craftsmanship within global contemporary design conversations—through structure, discipline, and technical excellence.
GTCO Launches “Take on Squad” Hackathon 3.0, Opens Call for Applications
Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (“GTCO” or the “Group”) has announced the launch of “Take on Squad” Hackathon 3.0, reaffirming its commitment to fostering innovation, empowering talent, and supporting the development of technology-driven solutions that address real-world challenges across Africa.
Now in its third edition, the Hackathon brings together developers, designers and entrepreneurs across Nigeria in a collaborative environment to build practical solutions across key sectors including financial services, healthcare, commerce and digital inclusion. Under the theme “Smart Systems: The Intelligent Economy,” participants are challenged to design and build intelligent, data-driven solutions that transform how communities engage with money.
Applications are now open, and interested teams can find full guidelines and registration details on the official portal at https://squadco.com/hackathon.
Speaking on the initiative, Eduophon Japhet, Managing Director of HabariPay, stated: “Today’s dynamic, digitally driven world demands continuous innovation, which is shaping how economies grow, how businesses scale, and how societies evolve. Through “Take on Squad” Hackathon, we are deliberately investing in the ideas and talent that will define the future. Our objective is not simply to encourage innovation, but to enable its translation into scalable solutions that deliver real and measurable impact. This reflects GTCO’s role as a financial services platform that connects capital, capability, and creativity to drive sustainable progress.”
The social coding event remains a cornerstone of HabariPay’s mission to foster creativity and problem-solving among emerging tech talents. Competing teams will leverage Squad’s advanced APIs to create scalable digital tools that address everyday challenges faced by businesses and individuals.
Through initiatives such as this, GTCO continues to position itself at the intersection of finance, technology and enterprise, actively shaping the future of digital transformation in Africa.
About HabariPay
HabariPay Ltd is the fintech subsidiary of Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO), one of the largest financial services institutions in Africa with direct and indirect investments in a network of operating entities located in 10 countries across Africa and the United Kingdom.
Licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), our goal is to support SMEs, micro merchants, large corporations and other fintechs (Tech Stars) with the tools they need to thrive in an evolving digital economy and expand beyond their current market reach. HabariPay’s solutions include Squad, a full-scale digital payments toolkit to make in-person and online payments simpler, HabariPay Storefront, an e-commerce website to facilitate online purchases, Value-Added Services to help merchants access cost-effective and flexible airtime and data bundles to run their businesses, as well as a switching infrastructure that enables tech-focused businesses to optimise cost and make transactions more efficient.
HabariPay’s contributions to Accelerating Digital Acceptance in Africa have not gone unnoticed–it received Mastercard’s Innovative Mobile Payment Solution Award at TIA 2022 for its innovative payment solution, SquadPOS.
About Squad
Squad is a complete digital payments solution that is reliable, secure, and affordable, making receiving in-person and online payments simpler and convenient.
Thousands of merchants currently leverage Squad’s payment solutions for their daily business operations. Squad’s current products and service offerings include SquadPOS, Squad Payment Links, Squad Virtual Accounts, USSD, and E-Commerce Storefront.
Find out more at www.squadco.com.
Electric 8-Seater Tula Moto Keke Enters Nigerian Market, Targets Higher Operator Earnings
LAGOS — A new electric-powered tricycle with an expanded passenger capacity has been introduced into Nigeria’s urban transport sector, offering operators a potentially more profitable and eco-friendly alternative to conventional petrol-driven “keke.”
The newly launched 8-seater electric tricycle, now available in Lagos with plans for nationwide distribution, features a dual-row seating arrangement capable of accommodating up to eight passengers per trip—significantly higher than the standard three-passenger configuration common across the country.
Promoters of the innovation say the increased capacity is designed to boost daily earnings for operators, particularly amid persistent fluctuations in fuel prices. By running entirely on electric power, the vehicle eliminates dependence on petrol, reducing operating costs and shielding drivers from fuel price volatility.
According to the distributors, the tricycle is equipped with a durable battery system capable of covering extended distances on a single charge, making it suitable for commercial operations across high-traffic routes, residential estates, campuses, and marketplaces.
“The concept is straightforward—enable drivers to earn more while spending less,” a company representative stated. “With higher passenger capacity and zero fuel requirements, operators can maximise each trip without the burden of daily fuel expenses.”
Beyond its cost-saving potential, the electric keke is also said to require less maintenance than traditional models, offering additional long-term savings. Its quieter and smoother operation is expected to enhance passenger comfort and overall commuting experience.
Industry analysts note that the introduction of electric mobility solutions reflects a growing shift toward cleaner and more sustainable transportation alternatives in Nigeria, particularly in densely populated urban centres such as Lagos.
The distributors added that the product is currently available under a limited promotional offer, with delivery options across the country.
For inquiries and purchase: 📞 08153432071
📞 08035889103
Office Address:
📍 Plot 9, Block 113, Beulah Plaza,
Lekki–Epe Expressway,
Lekki Phase 1, Lagos
As transportation costs continue to rise and environmental concerns gain prominence, innovations like the electric 8-seater keke may signal an emerging transition toward more efficient and sustainable mobility solutions nationwide.
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