Okeme

by Sanya Ademiluyi
In a surprise move, David Ikeme erstwhile marketing director of Unilever Nigeria has been tapped to lead the marketing team of Nigerian software maker, Systemspecs Ltd. He has been named Chief marketing officer of RetimaNet. The indigenous IT software-maker appears determined to rev its marketing drive as it intends to capture a bigger share of the multi-billion naira per annum Nigerian software market.
Systemspec is better known for its payment solution software, REMITA.
REMITA shot to national popularity last year when the Nigerian Senate alleged that the Federal Government was paying about N40 billion to REMITA for the collection of over N2.5 trillion  under the Single Treasury Account ,TSA policy of the Buhari administration.Since then, the software owned by Systemspec Ltd has become quite popular. The company has been leveraging on that popularity to grow its business.
Marketing has been a key challenge in this effort. Perhaps, not any more. In comes David Okeme, top notch marketing professional who was until recently marketing director of consumer goods powerhouse, Unilever Nigeria.He has two decades of experience in marketing of fast moving consumer goods on a global level. How the Nigerian software company was able to lure Okeme away from Unilever is yet unclear, but should make for an intriguing story.
Systemspec would be looking to foray into the retail segment of the payment solution software market,where Interswitch/Verve is king. It would also seek to gain more market share in the corporate/B2B market but has local rival, eTranzact to contend with. Obviously by tapping Okeme,Systemspec realizing that marketing would play a key role in its business growth calculations.