Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Retaining Key Employees


Under the guidance of Harvard Business School graduate Akanimo Udofia, DESICON Engineering Limited has completed more than $10 billion worth of projects in the last decade. Serving as the company’s CEO, Akanimo Udofia has overseen its growth from 100 employees to more than 4,000. Considering the time and effort that goes into hiring the best people, it’s critical for employers to retain their best employees.

The reasons a person accepts a new job, which include salary, health benefits, and retirement plans, are not usually enough in themselves to keep a worker from leaving a company. Listed below are tips for improving an employee’s overall job satisfaction, thus increasing the company’s retention rate.

1. Maintain an “open door” policy. Communicate often and openly with employees. Encourage new ideas and accept employee input regarding problem-solving. 

2. Clearly express expectations. Communicate directly with employees about what their jobs entail and what they are required and expected to do.

3. Treat employees like an asset. Express your appreciation for a job well done and reinforce employees' value to the company.

4. Reward good work. Go beyond bonus money with sincere, in-person recognition.

5. Provide advancement opportunities. Beyond the opportunity for a higher-ranking position, advancement opportunities also include intellectual and educational advancement and training.

Thursday, December 1, 2016

Nigerian Musician Wizkid Wins Three MTV Awards




Akanimo Udofia serves as the managing director and CEO of Desicon Engineering in Lagos, Nigeria. Outside of his professional life, Akanimo Udofia considers himself a fan of all music, though he especially enjoys Nigerian music.

Entering the 2016 MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMA) in October with nominations in six categories, Nigerian-born artist Wizkid ended the night with three awards, more than any other artist.

Now 26 years old, Wizkid began his music career when he was just 11. His first recording was a collaboration with Nigerian music legend OJB Jezreel. The young artist started gaining fame in 2010 with the release of his debut album, which included the hit song “Holla at Your Boy.”

Wizkid’s first award of the 2016 ceremony was for his contribution to the song “Soweto Baby.” The track, produced by DJ Maphorisa and also featuring DJ Bucks, won Best Collaboration. Wizkid also won the awards for Best Male and Artist of the Year. 

Other Nigerians honored at the ceremony were Tekno, who won Best Breakthrough, and Yemi Alade, who took home the Best Female award.

Wednesday, November 9, 2016

The London Eastside Young Leaders Academy


Managing director and CEO of Desicon Engineering Limited since 1996, Akanimo Udofia has successfully led the enterprise to profitable opportunities in the oil and gas industry. Harvard Business School graduate Akanimo Udofia has also been a charitable supporter of the London Eastside Young Leaders Academy (EYLA).

The EYLA’s purpose is to foster an environment where young African and Caribbean males can develop the leadership skills necessary to eventually become the community leaders of tomorrow. Educational curricula, Alternative Provision, and the Eastside Scholars program for scholarships at other schools are some of the many services the EYLA provides.

Inspired by the Young Leaders Academy in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, ordained minister Ray Lewis established the EYLA in 2002. His vision was to improve the prospects for boys to prevent them from turning to crime. Most of the participants in the program are between the ages of 8-18. The organization is dedicated to nurturing the leadership potential of young men through fostering self-esteem, stressing the importance of work, study, and civic pride.

Monday, October 31, 2016

Desicon Engineering - A Project to Eliminate Gas Flaring in Ebocha

 

As CEO and managing director of Desicon Engineering, Ltd., Akanimo Udofia guides a Nigerian firm that provides dedicated solutions focused on the natural resources industry. Akanimo Udofia’s firm has successfully completed numerous projects, including an onshore flaring-down facility for the Nigerian Agip Oil Company at Ebocha Oil Centre.

The project encompassed all aspects of constructing a gas compression island designed to eliminate gas flaring, which involves natural gas burning and is part of the oil extraction process. Flaring as a widespread practice reflects the fact that drilling for oil inevitably produces gas. While this gas can be captured, stored and sold, the required infrastructure, encompassing power plants and pipelines, is expensive. Gas is thus often flared (burned) in the atmosphere, which has significant CO2 emissions consequences.

While flaring is most prevalent in Russia, Nigeria, and the United States, companies such as Desicon Engineering have been responsible for halving the amount of flaring occurring in Nigeria over the past two decades. Some forward-thinking entities in Nigeria envision a time when currently flared gas can be fully captured and provide its citizens with affordable natural gas energy.

Friday, October 21, 2016

Popular Nigerian Dishes




Akanimo Udofia is a long-time leader within the Nigerian oil and gas industry. With extensive experience in forming partnerships and building businesses, he leverages his knowledge to handle overall strategy and growth at Desicon Engineering as the managing director and CEO. In his free time, Akanimo Udofia enjoys local Nigerian food.

As with most cuisines, Nigerian food has its own unique flavor and character. However, when many people think about the food in different countries, Nigerian food does not come to mind. The following are just a few of Nigeria’s more popular dishes:

-Tuwo shinkafa. Hailing from northern Nigeria, tuwo shinkafa is especially loved by the Hausa tribes. The dish is made up of soft rice paired with a spicy sauce and may also be served with a side of meat.

-Akara. Popular as a high-protein breakfast, snack, or side dish, akara are light, deep-fried fritters. They are made from beans, usually peeled brown beans, along with a mixture of blended onions and spices.

-Ewa agoyin. Another bean-based dish, ewa agoyin combines flavorful pepper sauce with cooked brown or white beans. It is often seen as a hot street food and originated from the Beninoise peoples.

-Moin moin. A protein-rich staple in Nigeria, moin moin is a cooked brown bean pudding. The vegan dish is made from a mixture of ground beans, palm oil, onions, and spices. It is steamed in banana leaves and can be customized to include small bits of meat or eggs.

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Harvard Alumni Association Holds 5th Annual Ski Trip


Before he became managing director of Desicon Engineering Limited, Akanimo Udofia studied at Harvard Business School’s Senior Executive Programme. Thanks to his strong academic background, he was able to land highly regarded executive positions in private companies. Today, Akanimo Udofia serves as a member of the Harvard Alumni Association (HAA).

The Harvard Alumni Association represents all graduates of the University, including Radcliffe College. To foster a lasting and beneficial relationship to all members, HAA holds regular events open to all alumni. Early next year, HAA will be having its 5th Annual Ivy Ski/Snowboard Trip.

Initiated by the Harvard-Radcliffe Club of Philadelphia – a chapter of HAA serving alumni in the greater Philadelphia area – the 5th Annual Ivy Ski/Snowboard Trip will be held on Killington, Vermont. Its all-inclusive package consists of transportation, food, and accommodation throughout the whole duration of the trip. Members of the alumni can also bring their friends, family, or significant others.

The 5th Annual Ski/Snowboard Trip will take place January 13-16, 2017.

Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Uncertainties Surrounding Chinese Oil Purchases and Global Demand



Akanimo Udofia leads Desicon Engineering, Ltd., and provides a host of technical and infrastructure building solutions to oil sector clients. With a strong industry focus, Akanimo Udofia closely follows trends in the international resources management and extraction spheres.

As reported in Bloomberg, one recent story in the news described China’s buildup of strategic stockpiles of oil and how this affects resource demand worldwide. Stored in commercial tanks on islands within the Yangtze River delta and in underground caverns in the vicinity of the Yellow Sea, these strategic oil purchases represent a significant outlay. Some analysts claim they have been stockpiling 1.1 million barrels per day. The increased demand associated with record purchases from the world’s leading energy consumer is seen as one of the major factors driving oil prices higher.

With the officially released stockpile figure of 191 million crude barrels in mid-2015, estimates point to this having expanded by some 400 million barrels in the year since. The key question for exporters and purchasers of oil futures is whether, once capacity is reached, the global demand for oil will subside again.

Wednesday, August 31, 2016

A Brief History of the Petroleum Industry in Nigeria


A proven leader with nearly three decades of experience in the oil and gas industry in Nigeria, Akanimo Udofia is the managing director and CEO of Desicon Engineering. In this capacity, he oversees overall business strategy and growth and defines the company’s organizational operating model. Over the past decade, Akanimo Udofia has earned numerous awards for his work and completed more than $10 billion worth of industry projects.

The petroleum industry in Nigeria began in 1956 after oil was first discovered in the Niger Delta at Oloibiri. Made by Shell-BP, the discovery came after more than half a century of exploration and paved the way to the country’s eventual involvement in the industry as a whole. Within two years, the first oil field was set up in the area and was producing over 5,000 barrels per day. During this time, Shell-BP was still the sole concessionaire of oil in Nigeria, but exploration rights were extended to other companies starting in 1960. This led to the 1965 discovery of the EA field just southeast of Warri.

Nigeria’s petroleum industry saw a huge boost in profits following the end of the Biafran War. The world saw major spikes in oil prices, which benefited Nigeria’s burgeoning oil business. In 1971, the country joined the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and within six years had established the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), a state owned and controlled company. By this time, Nigeria was producing more than 2 million barrels of crude oil every day. Despite a drop in production during the 1980s, the country has maintained and increased the production level over the years.

Today, Nigeria produces around 4 million barrels per day. The industry’s major success in the country has pushed agriculture to the background in terms of economic impact. Petroleum production now accounts for roughly 90 percent of the country’s gross economic earnings.