The Problem with Made in China?

Photo illustration by Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima. ©All rights reserved. 2024.

The Problem with Made in China

Briefing Manufacturing in Asia

The Economist, January 13th, 2007.

Page 68-70

It is worth reading if you missed the issue.

Can Nigeria become the China of Africa?

Why did the American firms ignore Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa with the largest market on the continent for the location of their factories?

Nigeria does not have the required utilities for the mass production of their products?

Can Nigeria become in Africa what China has become in Asia?

Labour is cheaper in Nigeria than China.

Transportation by railway is also cheaper.

The major hindrance is lack of regular power supply?

CIG Motors of China has an assembly plant in Lagos in spite of the challenges of doing business in Nigeria.

The Capitalism of Made in China should be a good title for a book on how American capitalism dines and wines with communism in China.

This should be a case study on the international politics of the economics of Made in China factories of blue chip American firms.

Big American Companies with factories in China include the following:

General Motors
Nike Store
Boeing
Coca Cola
KFC

Microsoft
Procter & Gamble
Starbucks
Intel
Walmart

Like the phenomenal Asian Tigers, can we see the emergence of the African Lions in global trade led by Nigeria?

- Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima
 The CEO,
International Digital Post Network Limited

Video: Dangote Refinery: Seeing is Believing!

 

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery
Dangote Oil Refinery is a 650,000 barrels per day (BPD) integrated refinery project under construction in the Lekki Free Zone near Lagos, Nigeria. It is expected to be Africa’s biggest oil refinery and the world’s biggest single-train facility.

Art photography by Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima. September 22024.

The Pipeline Infrastructure at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery is the largest anywhere in the world, with 1,100 kilometers to handle 3 Billion Standard Cubic Foot of gas per day. The Refinery alone has a 435MW Power Plant that is able to meet the total power requirement of Ibadan DisCo.

The Refinery will meet 100% of the Nigerian requirement of all refined products and also have a surplus of each of these products for export. Dangote Petroleum Refinery is a multi-billion dollar project that will create a market for $21 Billion per annum of Nigerian Crude. It is designed to process Nigerian crude with the ability to also process other crudes."

Facts about Dangote Refinery

1. It is located in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, covering a land area of approximately 2,635 hectares.

2. The refinery is the world’s largest single train with a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day with a 900 KTPA Polypropylene plant.

3. The refinery is powered by a 435-megawatt (MW) power plant.

4  At full capacity, it can meet 100% of the Nigerian requirement of all refined products and also have surplus for exports.

5. Designed for 100% Nigerian crude with flexibility to process other crudes.

6. Self-sufficient marine facility with ability for freight optimization. Largest single order of 5 single-point mooring (SPMs) anywhere in the world.

7. Diesel and gasoline from the refinery will conform to Euro V specifications.

8. The refinery design complies with World Bank, US EPA, European emission norms and Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) emission/effluent norms.
Incorporates state-of-the-art technology.

9. Designed to process large variety of crudes, including many of the African crudes, some of the middle eastern crudes and the US Light Tight Oil.

10. 65 million cubic meters of sand dredged, costing approximately €300 million, using the world’s largest dredgers.

11  Bought over 1,200 units of various equipment to enhance the local capacity for site works.

12. Bought 332 cranes to build up equipment installation capacity.

13. Built the world’s largest granite quarry to supply coarse aggregate, stone column material, stone base, stone dust and material for breakwater (10 million tons per year production capacity).

14.  Developed a port and constructed two quays with a load bearing capacity of 25 tons/square meter to bring over dimensional cargoes close to the site directly.

15. Constructed two more quays in the port with a capacity to handle up to Panamax vessels to export, two quays to handle liquid cargoes. The port will have six quays, including a roll on/roll off quay.

16. In the course of the civil works, 700 piles were drilled on some days, with total number of piles up to 250,000.

17.  It has 177 tanks of up 4.742 billion liters capacity.

18. Dangote is one of the few companies in the world executing a Petroleum refinery and a Petrochemical complex directly as an Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contractor.

19. Trained 900 young engineers in refinery operations abroad. Mechanical Engineers trained in the GE University in Italy. Process Engineers trained by Honeywell/Universal Oil Products (UOP) for six months.

https://dangote.com/our-business/oil-and-gas/

An Empire of Their Own: How the Jews Invented Hollywood

Winner of the Los Angeles Times Book Award for history, this "wonderful history of the golden age of the movie moguls" (Chicago Tribune ) is a provocative, original, and richly entertaining group biography of the Jewish immigrants who were the moving forces behind the creation of America's motion picture industry.

Read it on Amazon Books

An Empire of Their Own: How the Jews Invented Hollywood

Ebrohimie Road: A New Documentary Film on Wole Soyinka Before He Won the Nobel Prize for Literature

 

Ebrohimie Road: A New Documentary Film on Wole Soyinka Before He Won the Nobel Prize for Literature

Ebrohimie Road: A Museum of Memory is a documentary film written, produced, and directed by Kola Tubosun, and shot by Tunde Kelani, about the eponymous location at the University of Ibadan where Nigerian writer/playwright and Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka lived and worked between 1967 and 1972.

Prof. Wole Soyinka with the famous Nigerian filmmaker and historian, Tunde Kelani.

It was from there that Soyinka was arrested in 1967 after visiting the breakaway Biafra that was engaged in a civil war with Nigeria, and it was there to which he returned in 1969 after his release, before leaving for a voluntary exile a few years later.

The film premiered in Nigeria in July 2024 as part of activities to mark Soyinka's 90th birthday, and has continued to screen in venues in the United States, United Kingdom, and elsewhere.

Read the well written review by Toni Kan on https://thelagosreview.ng/ebrohimie-road-from-soyinkas-shrine-to-fashinas-altar-toni-kan/

The title of the documentary should have been Ebrohimie Road: The Metamorphosis of Wole Soyinka.

Statement by Binance Chief Executive Officer (CEO): Tigran’s Deteriorating Condition after 6 Months of Unjust Detention

 

PRESS RELEASE

Statement by Binance Chief Executive Officer (CEO): Tigran’s Deteriorating Condition after 6 Months of Unjust Detention

Despite his conditions, the Nigerian government has refused adequate medical care, including basic needs such as providing access to a wheelchair

Access Multimedia Content

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, August 29, 2024/ -- We are now at the six month mark of Tigran’s unjust detention. Tigran’s physical and mental conditions have deteriorated rapidly with his situation being more dire than ever. He is in severe pain and unable to walk due to a herniated disc. Despite his conditions, the Nigerian government has refused adequate medical care, including basic needs such as providing access to a wheelchair. Furthermore, they are refusing to provide access to his legal counsel, despite a trial commencing on 2 September, which we have been informed is unconstitutional in Nigeria. A court has demanded the government release Tigran’s medical records but after several months, they have still not complied. This week Tigran was denied access to his US consulate representative. These actions are inexplicable. I am deeply concerned about the long-term, potentially irreversible physical and mental impact this horrific episode is having on Tigran and I appeal once again for the Nigerian government to allow him to go home to his family on humanitarian grounds so that he can seek the appropriate medical treatment in the US, recover and get back to the healthy, active life he previously had. Baseless Allegations Should Not be Used to Continue to Hold Tigran A reason that the Nigerian government has used for continuing to hold Tigran is because “(Binance) is operating virtually. The only thing we have to hold on to is this defendant (https://apo-opa.co/3yW0d1Q).”  This statement is far from the truth. There is no need to imprison an innocent employee to answer for any allegations against Binance. We have settled issues in countries around the world, including the US, Thailand, and most recently in Brazil (https://apo-opa.co/3MnjsEm) and India (https://apo-opa.co/3Xm3z7v), in a reasonable, collaborative and amicable manner with governments. All these were done without threat or harm inflicted to any of our employees. This is no good reason to hold an innocent employee to advance the discussion of outstanding issues. Another claim made by the Nigerian government was that Binance was responsible for its currency decline. To everyone paying attention, this is not backed up by facts. Between 2021 and the end of 2022, the Naira traded between a relatively narrow range of USD1: 380 to USD1: 440.  We have been offering P2P services as a value-added service for our users wishing to get exposure to crypto during that period of time. The end of the Naira’s currency peg by the Government in June 2023 caused the biggest fall in Naira’s history according to experts (https://apo-opa.co/4dY7P2y). It went from USD1: 460 in June 2023 to USD1: 900 by the end of 2023. The downward trend continued since. The Naira traded at a recent low of USD1: 1,660 on 31 July 2024, representing a 50% decline from the start of 2024. This downward trend continued despite Binance ceasing to offer P2P services in the country in February 2024. As economists have more elegantly explained, the movement of a country’s currency is attributable to various macroeconomic factors (https://apo-opa.co/3Mnk11h).  It is useful to point out that Nigeria has never been a big market for Binance. The Government has said that we made USD$26bn in revenue from Nigeria in 2023. That is not the case. The $21.6bn figure is the total transaction volume from 2023. To provide an understanding of transaction volume: if a person were to take $1000 and trade it 1000 times, that would represent $1m in transaction volume. Our actual revenue is based on charging a small percentage of transaction fee and we are proud to offer our users some of the lowest transaction fees of any exchange globally. Call to Action Tigran is a proud American who should not be subject to such unjust treatment. It is my sincere hope that the American government and political apparatus can exert its political will and muscle to bring Tigran home soon, so that he can get the adequate treatment and be reunited with his family and loved ones. The US administration and legislators have the power to designate Tigran as one of its “unlawfully detained” citizens overseas and there are substantial reasons to do so. Global citizens should add their voices and concerns, convincing the Nigerian government such unilateral action without strong basis will be detrimental to the long term economic development and well-being of a country. Key stakeholders in the government of Nigeria made the decision to unfairly and unlawfully detain Tigran and they can just as easily make the fair decision to allow Tigran, a former US federal agent, to go home. We appeal on humanitarian grounds to all decision makers in Nigeria to allow Tigran safe passage home to his wife and two young children. Once these issues are resolved, we hope to work with the Nigerian government to support development of the Web3 industry, create more opportunities for its young, talented workforce, and support the effort to attract more foreign direct investment. Further Reading From Richard Teng, Binance CEO: Tigran Gambaryan is Innocent and Must Be Released (https://apo-opa.co/4dZhiGU) Statement Regarding Tigran Gambaryan (https://apo-opa.co/3ABPp9p) Noah Perlman: Building a Culture of Compliance at Binance (https://apo-opa.co/4cNCSND) Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Binance. SOURCE Binance

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New Original Artworks and NFTs for Sale By Ekenyerengozi Michael China

‘Poor Things’ by Yorgos Lanthimos To Receive the FIPRESCI Grand Prix 2024 for Best Film of the Year

‘Poor Things’ by Yorgos Lanthimos To Receive the FIPRESCI Grand Prix 2024 for Best Film of the Year

The Greek director receives this recognition from the international critics for the first time.

Poor Things, directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, has obtained the FIPRESCI Grand Prix after having been chosen film of the year 2024 by the members of FIPRESCI, the International Federation of Film Critics. The vote had the participation of 791 film critics all over the world, who have chosen this British production from among all of the films premiered after 1 July 2023.  

 

The other four finalists were Nu astepta prea mult de la sfârsitul lumii / Do not Expect Too Much from The End of the World, by Radu Jade, Aku Wa Sonzai Shinai / Evil Does Not Exist by Ryusuke Hamaguchi, Perlak, 2023), All of Us Strangers, by Andrew Haigh and Daney anjir maabed / The Seed of the Sacred Fig, by Mohamad Rasoulof (Perlak, 2024).

                                  

Poor Things had its premiere in 2023 at the Venice Festival, where it carried off the Golden Lion for Best Film. The award marked the start of a brilliant international career that has seen it harvest laurels including two Golden Globes and five BAFTAs, in addition to eleven nominations and four awards at the Oscars, amongst which was Actress in a Leading Role going to Emma Stone.

 

The FIPRESCI Grand Prix will be presented on 20 September at the opening gala of the 72nd San Sebastian Festival. The winning film will screen on the same day at a time to be announced on 9 September.  

 

Since its creation in 1999, the FIPRESCI Grand Prix has gone to outstanding moviemakers including Maren Ade, Pedro Almodóvar, Paul Thomas Anderson, Alfonso Cuarón, Jean-Luc Godard, Ryusuke Hamaguchi, Michael Haneke, Aki Kaurismäki, Richard Linklater, Terrence Malick, George Miller, Cristian Mungiu and Chloé Zhao.

 

Published by
San Sebastian International Film Festival
and FIPRESCI – The International Federation of Film Critics
Contact: Gemma Beltrán, press@sansebastianfestival.com

 

 

Colour, Class, Glamour In Lagos As Tony Ezenna Stages Epoch Wedding For Son

Colour, Class, Glamour In Lagos As Tony Ezenna Stages Epoch Wedding For Son

By Ingram Osigwe

The guests were high and mighty in the society. And from all walks of life they massed in Lagos. They came to honour, rejoice and felicitate Sir Anthony Ezenna( Ijele Akokwa), Chairman/CEO of Orange Drugs as he staged a lavish wedding for his son, Ernest Ugochukwu Ezenna. The event will arguably go down in history as one of the most well-attended flamboyant social events held in Lagos in recent times.

Indeed, Saturday, the 10th of August 2024 is a day people living or transacting businesses within the Falomo, Ikoyi and Victoria Island axis in Lagos will not forget in a hurry as captains of industry, business Executives, manufacturers, professionals, the diplomatic community, religious clerics, traditional rulers, celebrities, politicians among others swarmed the areas for the Ezennas.

The society wedding kicked off at the Church of Assumption, Falomo where Ernest and his beautiful bride, Adaobi Amanda Nweke were joined in a holy matrimony in a mass co-celebrated by over 20 priests and five Bishops including the Archbishop Emeritus of Owerri Catholic Archdiocese, Archbishop Anthony Obinna, the Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha Archdiocese, Archbishop Valerian Okeke, the Catholic Bishop of the Sokoto Dioceses, the charismatic Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah, Catholic Archbishop of Lagos Archdiocese, Archbishop Alfred Adewale Martins( represented), Catholic Bishop of Orlu Dioceses( the home Dioceses of the Ezennas), Bishop Augustine Ukwuoma, Very Rev. Fr George Ehusani of the Lux Terra Leadership Foundation, Abuja among others.

Delivering the homily at the solemn service shortly after Ernest and Adaobi were joined man and wife, Bishop Kukah urged the newlywed not to allow a third party into their affairs but to always strive to settle their differences themselves amicably.

He emphasized the place of prayer in marriage and implored them to make God and prayer the foundation of their union.

On his part, Bishop Ukwuoma who gave the vote of thanks on behalf of the clerics, described the Ezennas as a focused and Goldly family who has steadfastly served God and humanity. While praying for a happy and successful married life for Ernest and Adaobi, he admonished them never to depart from the ways of God but to make Him the centre of their marriage.

The wedding ceremonies later shifted to the Convention Centre, Eko Hotel & Suites for a classy, colourful reception which was chaired by the former Minister For Information, Chief Nnia Nwodo and skillfully compered by the ace comedian, Okey Bakassi and MC Orange. Sponsors of the marriage, Chief & Mrs Charles Anudu, CEO Swift Networks and Candel Company were on hand to identify with the couple.

Guests were lavishly treated to choice foods, wines and soul-stirring musical renditions at the reception amid glitz and glamour. The ambience of the hall became electrified with thunderous applause when the award-winning, talented musicians, Chinedu Okoli better known by his stage name Flavour N'nabania and Chibuzo Nelson Azubuike Ezege, who is known professionally as Phyno mounted the stage to serenade guests with some of their famous songs, songs that drew the new couple and their parents to the dancing floor.

Among the guests and array of VIPs and guests who graced the church wedding and reception respectively were the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 presidential election, Peter Obi, His Excellency, Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State represented by the Secretary to the State Government(SSG), Cosmas Iwu, Member representing Imo West Senatorial District in the Senate, Senator Osita Izunnaso, Member representing Imo North in the Senate, Senator Patrick Ndubueze, member representing Anambra Central Senatorial District in the Senate, Senator Victor Umeh, member representing Ideato North and South in the House of Reps, Hon. Imo Ikenga Ugochinyere, Hon Uchenna Harris Okonkwo representing IdeMili North/ South in the House of Reps.

Others include former Aviation Minister, Osita Chidoka, Deputy Speaker of Imo state House of Assembly, Hon. Amara Iwuanyanwu, Chairman of the Coscharis group, Dr Cosmas Maduka, Chairman/CEO Erisco Foods, Dr Eric Umeofia, Vice President, Ekulo Group of companies, Lady Ngozi Okonkwo, 

Chairman/ CEO, Embassy Pharmaceuticals, Pharm Nnamdi Obi, Chairman/ CEO, Tomez Group, Chief Tony Ezeani, MD, Fidelity Bank, Lady Nneka Onyeali-Ezeikpe, Chairman/ CEO, United Airlines, Dr Obiora Okonkwo, former governorship candidate in Anambra and chieftain of the Labour party, Valentine Ozigbo, governorship candidate of the Labour party for Lagos in last year's election, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, His Royal Majesty, the Obi of Akokwa, His Royal Majesty

Eze (Sir) Ikenna C. Okoli

(KSC) (MSI) (Okoli V.)

Agbakwuruibe III (who was the Royal father of the day) , Asian and European business partners and associates of Sir Ezenna.

Also among the dignitaries who witnessed the epoch wedding were also the Co- founder of Seplat, petroleum, Chief ABC Orjiakor, Chairman, Chicason Group, Chief Tony Chukwu, CEO, JI Ejison Group, Chief Joseph Ukeji, Chief Alexander Okafor,(Chicason),Former House of Reps member, Rt Hon Jones Onyereri PH.D, Attorney Okey Dike,CEO,Integrated Fisheries Co. Ltd, Chief Chineme Iheaku,King of Luxury in Nigeria and CEO, Julian’s luxury, Chief Julian Osula, Mayor of Abacity, Ide John Udeagbala, Director Embassy Pharmaceuticals, Vice Chairman Amuwo Odofin LGA,Lady Maureen Ashara, Hon Ngozi Udokoro,Chief Chidi Obi,  CEO of Don Pee Wine and Beverages Ltd, Dr Onyeka Ogbatu,  Chief Obinna Ashara, Chief Charles Ahize, Emperor Chris Baywood Ibe, Former member of PDP Board of Trustees, Chief Chris Eselu Uba, Chief Obinna Uzor( Gocuz)Chairman Cubana Group,Chief Obinna Iyiegbu, Celebrity Bar man, Cubana Chief Priest,CEO of Dozzy Oil, Chief Daniel Chukwudozie, CEO of Mainland Oil, Chief Kevin Onyebara, Chief Emma Udokoro,Mr Emenike Agu, Chief Chris Igwe, Former Nigerian Ambassador to Congo, Chief Greg Mbadiwe, Chief Fezel Felix Ezeamama, Chief Pele Ezeanyim, Hon ThankGod Okeke, Dr Clement Anozie, Commissioner of Transport Imo State, Hon Chika Abazu, Ikenga Umuchu, Chief Abraham Otti, Ikenga Ogberuru, Chief Henry Orabuchi.

Also in attendance were Chief Jeff Ukachukwu, Chairman KenBarth Pharmacy, Chief Mike Orji, Barr. Ike Onwuchuluba, Lady Georgelyne Chinwe (UGOSIMBA), Chief Isreal Orjiekwe,Pharm Steve Okoronkwo, Barr Okey Muomalu,Lady Rosemary Uneanya, Chief Okwudili Otti, Barr Chijoke  Nzekwe(Strongman), Mrs Chika Mgbemena, Akuenwebe na Akpo, Chief Jude Onyebuchi, Engr Chikata Egboluche , Chief Chuks Ibemere, Chief Chike Izuagba, Chief Tony Obinugwu, Chief Chijioke Awalite, Chief Francis Chukwudebelu, Chief Sam Ihionu, ZEOF Couture Boss, Hon Vitus Ebiliekwe,Barr Jideofor Ezeofor, Princess Kelechi Oghene,Nnukwu Agu, Hon Odera Onwudiwe, Chief Pamela Anyikwa, Chief Charles Ezenduka,Lady Maria Ihionu, Chief Ifeanyi Okpara, Mrs Ngozi Nwana, Chief Emma Eziokwu, Sir Isreal Egwuonwu, Chief Sam Anyanwutaku,Hon Love Udensi , flutist and former president of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria, PMAN, Tee Mac.

There were also Barr Adaku Akwiwu, 

Chief Chris Emenike(Christojas) 

Engr Chijioke Achigbu( Akashia), Hon Chidi Nwaogu, Chief Emma Konac Aniakor, Hon(Prince) Obinna Okwara,Okaka Urualla, Chief Ambrose Nwosu, Chief Sam Nwosu, Owelle Chukwudi Ofoedu, Chief Willie Obi, Barr Zutty Ekwueme, Pharm.Ernest Ezenna,Chief Joseph Okonkwo,Chief Azubuike Umunna, Chief Uche Offor, Chief Kennis Udokoro and Chief Joe Otiora,Lady Clara Okoro, Mr Bona Egboh, Barr Manda Eze -Echesi, Engr Ukoh Umah,CEO Onekobo Technologies Ltd, Hon Justice Emeka Uzoma of the Imo State Judiciary,Chief Chika Ukaigwe, Chief John Great Nwankwo, Prince Kingsley Opurozo, Chief Austin Okafor, Chief Tony Obiniugwu,Chief Jones Mbadugha, Mr Musa Mbithason,Dr Chizubelu Ejiogu, Chief Emmanuel Ginikanwa (Agbarusia Gburu Gburu na Akokwa),Chief Emeka Okoye, Mr Adrian Egonu,Mrs Nkonye Egonu,Mr Babtunde Akanni, Mr Rufus Ohiowere, 

Mr Hilary Ajuebon, Arch Paul Okwaraoha, Chief Model Ezeamama, Chief & Dr( Mrs) Jude Ringo Okeke, Mr Collins Steve Ugwu, Dear Body Cosmetics CEO, Ifeanyi Ogbunibala, Chief Ogoo Umeh, Chief Ifeanyi Chukwuka, Chief Stevenson Mbajiekwe, Mr Tony Okoye, Sir Orji Okoy, Chief Ifeanyi Okpara, Dr Amarachi Alilionwu, Chief John Ihebighi,Chief Ifeanyi Okafor and Chief Mike Umeh,Dr Mike Izuogu,Chief Curtis Ekwebelem among other prominent individuals.

In far away Hanover, Maryland, United States of America Ugochukwu and Adaobi had late June tied the knots traditionally, known in the Igbo culture as ngba nkwu nwayi ( wine carrying of a bride).

While Ernest, handsome and unassuming, is the son of Sir Ezenna, Adaobi, a quintessentially beautiful lady, is the daughter of another accomplished personality in the society, Chief Paul Nweke, a professional health worker in the US.

The array of dignitaries that graced both the traditional and Church wedding, observers say, underpinned the influence of the couple’s parents in society.

Many of the dignitaries – business associates and partners of the father of the groom- flew in from different parts of the world for the weddings in Nigeria and the US.

Ingram Osigwe is the media Adviser to Sir Tony Ezenna.