How to Dock a Personal Watercraft in the Water

An entrepreneur based in Lagos, Nigeria, Akanimo Udofia has developed his leadership skills over a three-decade-long career. Away from work, Akanimo Udofia enjoys few things more than being on the water and can often be found jet skiing.

If docking your personal watercraft (PWC) in the water, consider the following.

As you approach the dock, reduce your speed so you are idling along the water. Examine the dock to check for an available cleat and cut the engine when you are confident you can coast into position. Remember that you will not be able to steer with the engine turned off. 

When you come to a stop, dismount from the PWC while still maintaining your grip on it and tie the rope around the handlebars before securing it on the cleat.

Use a second rope and tie it to the back of the vehicle. The location of this know will depend on your brand of PWC, but there should usually be either a cleat or handle that you can use. Once the rope is tied, secure it to the same cleat, and the vehicle should stay in place until you are ready to use it again.

Danzig's Our Space Community Centre

Akanimo Udofia is an executive with more than 25 years experience in Nigeria's oil and gas industry. As the CEO and managing director of Desicon Engineering, Akanimo Udofia supports numerous philanthropic causes. In 2012 he donated $150,000 to the Danzig community of Toronto, with the intent of establishing a safe community centre for youth in response to a tragic shooting incident.

The Our Space community centre was in the works prior to the 2012 shooting, but the $150,000 donation fast-tracked its development. Now, the former three-bedroom public housing complex is a haven for students seeking to engage in safe, fun, and educational activities after school. The centre opens every weekday afternoon once the final bell rings at nearby schools.

In addition to housing numerous computers for personal or educational use upstairs, Our Space also has a flat-screen TV and a fully-stocked kitchen capable of hosting community cooking nights. It also offers adult training courses in areas such as CPR and food handling. The $150,000 donation helped cover the cost of rent, programming, and Internet connection for three years.

Governor of Enugu Rewards Players after Championship Win

Desicon Engineering is headed by Akanimo Udofia, the CEO and managing director. Apart from providing quality services related to the oil field business, Akanimo Udofia also enjoys watching football in Nigeria.

The Enugu Rangers finally won the Nigeria Professional Football League title in 2016, after a 32-year championship dry spell. Because of this, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, the Enugu State Governor, rewarded the whole team, including the players, the technical crew, and the management. The rewards included money and other benefits, with each receiving a plot of land in a newly created Rangers Estate development. 

The Enugu Rangers bested the El-Kanemi Warriors in the match held at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, with 4-0 match score. The team garnered 60 points during the season. Ugwuanyi said the trophy was dedicated to the God Almighty, and he also thanked the team for bringing the glory back to the Enugu Rangers.

The reception was held at the Michael Okpara Square in Enugu with Saad Mohammed, the Sultan of Sokoto and an avid Rangers fan, in attendance.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.