The Usiju Event Center in Jos buzzed with excitement as Zang Global Innovations officially unveiled its range of locally manufactured technology products, marking a major stride in Nigeria’s innovation journey.
The event, themed “Proudly Made in Nigeria – Powering Innovation, Empowering Lives,” brought together government officials, entrepreneurs, investors, and development partners who gathered to celebrate the rise of homegrown technology and industrial creativity.
In his keynote address, Mr. Zang Luka, Chief Executive Officer of Zang Global, shared the inspiration behind the company’s mission, rooted in a desire to see more Nigerian-made products in the global market.
“Our vision was born from one simple question — where are the made-in-Nigeria products? That question ignited our drive to produce indigenous, eco-friendly innovations right here in Nigeria,” he said.
Luka reaffirmed the company’s goal of creating 15,000 jobs across Africa by 2029 through youth training, innovation, and employment. He emphasized that Zang Global’s approach is focused on solving African problems with African solutions, promoting sustainability through e-waste recycling and green technology.
“The launch of our locally made USB cables and chargers is more than a product unveiling — it’s a movement of purpose, people, and progress,” he added.
Delivering a goodwill message, Mr. Samuel Gwott, General Manager of Plateau Express Service Limited, described Zang Global as a beacon of hope for Plateau State and Nigeria at large.
“This initiative is a refreshing contrast to the negative narratives often associated with our region. It’s a story of creativity, resilience, and entrepreneurship,” he said, pledging to purchase Zang Global products for his company and staff.
In his keynote remarks, Mr. Ezekiel Gomos, a business expert, commended Zang Global’s discipline and structure, which he said were critical ingredients for attracting investment.
“Great ideas require teamwork, integrity, and accountability. Even small investments can make a big difference when managed wisely,” he noted, urging young innovators to remain focused and committed.
Also speaking, Dr. Cletus Bako Shurkuk, Plateau State Commissioner for Science and Technology, hailed Zang Global as a model for youth-driven innovation. He pledged government support to enhance the state’s innovation ecosystem and announced forthcoming events — including the World Science Day for Development and Peace (November 10, 2025) and the Festival of Science, Technology, and Innovation — to further promote local inventors and creators.
A representative of the Amahoro Coalition, one of Zang Global’s development partners, highlighted Luka’s journey of resilience, noting his transformation from displacement to entrepreneurship through the Amahoro Fellowship Program, which provided mentorship, leadership training, and funding.
“Zang embodies the spirit of turning pain into purpose and adversity into opportunity,” the representative said.
The event culminated in the unveiling of Zang Global’s first line of products — including power banks (10,000mAh and 20,000mAh), USB cables, power adapters, and rechargeable lanterns — all proudly designed and manufactured in Jos, Nigeria.
With this groundbreaking launch, Zang Global Innovations has cemented its place as a leading voice in African-made technology — championing youth empowerment, environmental sustainability, and a self-reliant, innovation-driven future for the continent.
BY NKECHI NAECHE-ESEZOBOR—Nigerian retirees aged 60 and above who receive a monthly pension of ₦150,000 or less are to get free health insurance, according to the National Pension Commission (PenCom).
The commission disclosed this in a notice posted on its X account, titled “Something big is coming for Nigeria’s retirees.” The notice says the development “concerns you directly” for pensioners in that category and names November 10, 2026 as the date to mark.
The free healthcare initiative is expected to enhance the well-being of retirees and strengthen their retirement security.
According to PenCom, the initiative is meant to reward retirees for the years they spent in active service.
“You gave Nigeria your best. Now, it’s your turn to be cared for,” the notice says.
The commission also directed retirees and other interested persons to visit its official website, pencom.gov.ng, or the websites of any Pension Fund Administrator (PFA) for more information.
Tony Elumelu played a supreme role in getting investment bank Afrinvest back on track in 2011 after the global financial meltdown pushed the investment bank to the brink, its chief executive recalled in a letter to the tycoon seen by PREMIUM TIMES.
The multisectoral magnate, who is the top shareholder of United Bank for Africa, the Transcorp Group, and Seplat Energy, granted a soft loan of $1 million to Ike Chioke, the CEO of the financial institution, as a mark of urgent support when the firm direly needed the cash to recapitalise, the latter said.
“Fifteen years ago, Afrinvest was navigating one of the most challenging periods in its history, as we struggled to rebuild and recapitalise the business in the aftermath of the global financial crisis,” Mr Chioke said.
“At that critical juncture, when the future was far from certain, you made the remarkable decision to lend me US$1 million of your personal funds. You placed your confidence not simply in the prospects of a business but in me as an individual, my integrity, my determination and my conviction that Afrinvest could emerge stronger from adversity.”
This June, Mr Chioke eventually completed the repayment of the credit, according to the letter, describing the gesture as an extraordinary act of friendship, generosity and trust.
Mr Elumelu, whose economic vision is anchored on what he calls “Africapitalism” – an investment philosophy that prioritises the private sector’s role in democratising the wealth Africa needs to power large-scale growth, has been involved in active philanthropic initiatives on the continent.
In March, his foremost charity project, the Tony Elumelu Foundation, turned sixteen, and he said the initiative had disbursed over $100 million in seed capital to 24,000 entrepreneurs in Africa and created more than 1.5 million jobs over the period.
The foundation expects to fund an additional 3,200 entrepreneurs this year, it said in September.
Mr Chioke applauded the profound impact Mr Elumelu’s financial assistance has had on Afrinvest, notably transforming it into a diversified regional financial services group with an expanding universe of clients and operations in asset management, investment banking, research & consulting, and securities trading.
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