• As BoI MD Olusi, Doris Uboh, others get awards
The Foreign Investment Network (FIN), a leading London-based investment organisation, has honoured two Nigerian State Governors, Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos) and Monday Okpebholo (Edo), Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo Oba Ewuare II and other top personalities during its international award ceremony in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
The epoch-making award ceremony, which took place on Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at the Marriott Hotel Al Jaddaf during the two-day 2025 Net Zero MEA Summit, had top CEOs, MDs, innovators, founders, and other stakeholders from different countries in attendance.
At the event, Governors Sanwo- Olu and Okpebholo were honoured with the FIN Outstanding Leadership Award and Distinguished FIN Emerging Governor Of The Year Award respectively in recognition of their remarkable achievements in Lagos and Edo States while the MD/CEO of Bank of Industry (BoI), Dr Olasupo Olusi, received Distinguished FIN Transformational Leader in Development Finance Award.
The Executive Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) of Nigeria, Hon. Doris Uboh, who graced the prestigious event, also received the Distinguished FIN Rural Electrification Champion of the Year Award for her outstanding contribution to public service.
In his remarks at the event, Lagos State Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr Biodun Ogunleye, who received the FIN Outstanding Leadership Award on behalf of Governor Sanwo-Olu, said, “Our unique selling point is not just about upwardly mobile population but a growth trajectory that confirms Lagos as a choice destination for investment.”
“The FIN event was an opportunity for Lagos to showcase the competitiveness of our city as an investment destination. We were also able to debunk some assumptions about the progress we are making as the largest subnational towards improving our livability index. We are also delighted about the enquiries and follow-ups we have had so far.”
The Managing Director, Edo State Investment Promotion Office, Mr. Amen Odigie, who was accompanied by Mr. Borha Ahabue Ezekiel, Advisor to Edo State Government and foreign direct investment expert, received the Distinguished FIN Emerging Governor Of The Year Award on behalf of Governor Okpebholo. Osagie said, “Under the visionary leadership of Governor Monday Okpebholo, the present Edo State administration is prioritizing agriculture, renewable energy investments, and sustainable development.
“I will also use this opportunity to highlight the state’s abundant natural resources, progressive reforms, and investor-friendly environment, positioning Edo as a gateway to West Africa’s green economy and inviting global partners to collaborate on transformative projects.”
The Oba of Benin who was honoured with the Distinguished FIN Lifetime Achievement Award, said” We are actively seeking investment partners to drive the development of our agricultural and real estate sectors in Edo State. With thousands of hectares of land earmarked for these initiatives, we are positioned to support significant growth and innovation.
“We also recognize the critical role of renewable energy—particularly solar power—in enhancing the productivity and sustainability of these sectors. Therefore, we invite stakeholders and investors in the renewable energy space to engage in meaningful dialogue with us. Together, we can explore the most effective ways to facilitate your investment and ensure mutual value creation across all areas of collaboration.”
In her remarks at the glamorous event, the FIN Chairman, H.E Dr. Olayinka Fayomi, stated thus, “ We are delighted to honour our distinguished honourees in Dubai for their stellar achievements and remarkable contributions to public service and humanities.
“For the record, our honourees were chosen after rigorous nomination process by FIN Management and I can say with high sense of responsibility that our honourees will live up to expectations. “
It was an electrifying moment as many industry game-changers and leaders who have made significant impact stepped out in style to receive their awards amid applause from the audience.
Some of the prominent personalities who graced the event include Yaqoob Al Ali, Executive Director and Private Advisor from The Office Of His Highness, Sheikh Juma Bin Makhtoum Al Maktoum; Mr. Gong Jackey, CEO, BMSER Technology; Mr. Chen Xiaodong, MENA Region General Manager, GoodWe Technologies; Dr. Bu Abdulla, Chairman of the Abdulla Group, Dr. Chinnam Maclean-Dikwal, Vice President of African Energy Council, among other dignitaries.
Other notable people who received awards include, Hon. Bernice Swarts, Deputy Minister, Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, South Africa; HRH Princess Sikhanyiso of Eswatini Kingdom; Faisal Ali Al Rashid, Senior Director, Demand Side Management, Supreme Council of Energy; Mohammed Al Ta’ani, Secretary General, Arab Renewable Energy Commission; Padmashri Sadguru, Brahmeshanand Acharya Swami, Spiritual Leader and several others.
Some award recipients spoke on the uniqueness of the event, especially during exclusive interviews anchored by FIN’s Chief Editor, Chimezie Prince Ochionuoha, which was followed by photo sessions.
FIN, a company focused on attracting Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) to countries, states and multinationals, has a wide network of global investors from various nations around the world with over 25 years of successful business operation.
It has also hosted trade summits, deal sessions, and international conferences in over 80 countries, and numerous high-level industry award ceremonies in partnership with Forbes US (emerging markets).
See more photos from the event below:
The Evolution of Mobile Gaming Technology According to Casinozoid
The transformation of mobile gaming technology represents one of the most remarkable technological revolutions of the 21st century. From rudimentary pixelated games on monochrome screens to sophisticated, graphics-intensive experiences that rival console gaming, the journey has been extraordinary. Industry analysts at Casinozoid have extensively documented this evolution, providing valuable insights into how mobile platforms have fundamentally reshaped the gaming landscape. Understanding this progression offers crucial perspective on current trends and future developments in interactive entertainment.
The Foundation Years: Early Mobile Gaming Platforms
Mobile gaming’s origins trace back to 1994 when the Hagenuk MT-2000 introduced the first mobile phone with a built-in game called Tetris. However, the true catalyst arrived in 1997 with Nokia’s inclusion of Snake on the Nokia 6110. This simple yet addictive game reached an estimated 350 million users, establishing mobile devices as viable gaming platforms. According to Casinozoid’s historical analysis, these early implementations were constrained by monochrome displays, limited processing power, and minimal memory capacity, typically ranging from 8KB to 32KB.
The introduction of WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) technology in 1999 marked the first attempt at connected mobile gaming experiences. Despite slow data speeds averaging 9.6 kbps, developers began experimenting with downloadable content and basic multiplayer functionality. The early 2000s witnessed significant advancement with color screens becoming standard, exemplified by devices like the Nokia 7650 and the Siemens SL45, which featured 256-color displays and polyphonic ringtones that enhanced audio capabilities.
Java ME (Micro Edition) emerged as a pivotal development platform during this era, enabling cross-device compatibility and fostering a nascent mobile gaming industry. By 2003, mobile gaming revenue reached approximately $2.6 billion globally, demonstrating substantial commercial viability despite technological limitations.
The Smartphone Revolution and Touch Interface Innovation
The launch of Apple’s iPhone in 2007 fundamentally transformed mobile gaming paradigms. The introduction of capacitive touchscreen technology, accelerometer sensors, and the App Store ecosystem in 2008 created unprecedented opportunities for developers. Casinozoid researchers note that the iPhone 3G’s processing capabilities, featuring a 412 MHz ARM processor and 128MB RAM, represented a quantum leap from previous generation devices.
Touch-based interfaces eliminated the constraints of physical keypads, enabling intuitive gesture controls and multi-touch interactions. Games like Angry Birds, released in 2009, demonstrated how simple mechanics combined with touch controls could achieve massive commercial success, eventually surpassing two billion downloads. The freemium model emerged during this period, fundamentally altering monetization strategies and making premium gaming experiences accessible to broader audiences.
Android’s parallel development provided alternative hardware specifications and an open-source ecosystem that encouraged experimentation. By 2010, mobile gaming had evolved to include sophisticated 3D graphics engines, GPS integration for location-based gaming, and social connectivity features. Those interested in comprehensive analysis of this transformational period can find out more through detailed industry reports examining market dynamics and technological specifications.
The introduction of Unity and Unreal Engine support for mobile platforms democratized game development, enabling independent developers to create console-quality experiences. Graphics processing capabilities advanced rapidly, with devices like the iPhone 4S featuring dual-core processors and dedicated GPU hardware capable of rendering complex visual effects previously exclusive to dedicated gaming consoles.
Modern Era: Cloud Gaming and Advanced Technologies
Contemporary mobile gaming technology has achieved remarkable sophistication, according to Casinozoid’s recent technical assessments. Modern flagship smartphones feature processors with eight or more cores, operating frequencies exceeding 3 GHz, and RAM configurations reaching 16GB or higher. Graphics capabilities now support ray tracing, advanced particle effects, and high dynamic range rendering at refresh rates up to 120Hz.
5G network deployment has enabled cloud gaming services like Google Stadia, Xbox Cloud Gaming, and NVIDIA GeForce NOW to deliver console and PC gaming experiences directly to mobile devices. Latency reductions from 4G’s average 50ms to 5G’s sub-10ms response times have made real-time streaming viable for competitive gaming applications. This infrastructure advancement represents a paradigm shift from device-dependent processing to distributed computing models.
Augmented reality integration, exemplified by Pokémon GO’s unprecedented success with over one billion downloads, demonstrates mobile gaming’s capacity to blend digital content with physical environments. Advanced sensor arrays including LiDAR scanners, gyroscopes, and improved camera systems enable sophisticated spatial mapping and environmental interaction. Machine learning algorithms now optimize performance dynamically, adjusting graphical fidelity and processing loads based on thermal conditions and battery status.
The implementation of haptic feedback systems has evolved beyond simple vibration motors to include precise tactile engines capable of simulating texture, resistance, and directional forces. Apple’s Taptic Engine and similar technologies create immersive sensory experiences that enhance gameplay without visual or audio cues. Battery technology improvements, including fast-charging capabilities and more efficient power management, have addressed historical limitations that constrained extended gaming sessions.
Economic Impact and Market Transformation
The mobile gaming sector has achieved dominant market position within the broader gaming industry. Casinozoid’s economic analysis indicates that mobile gaming revenue reached approximately $92.2 billion in 2022, representing over 50% of the global gaming market. This figure reflects compound annual growth exceeding 10% since 2015, substantially outpacing console and PC gaming segments.
Monetization strategies have diversified significantly, incorporating in-app purchases, subscription services, battle passes, and advertising-supported models. Games like Genshin Impact have demonstrated that mobile platforms can support AAA production values, with development budgets exceeding $100 million and ongoing operational costs supporting continuous content updates. The game generated over $3 billion in its first year, validating premium mobile gaming as commercially viable.
Esports integration has legitimized mobile gaming as a competitive platform, with titles like PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty Mobile, and Mobile Legends organizing tournaments with prize pools exceeding $2 million. The accessibility of mobile devices has democratized competitive gaming, particularly in emerging markets where smartphone penetration exceeds dedicated gaming hardware ownership.
Cross-platform functionality has become increasingly prevalent, with games supporting progression synchronization and multiplayer interaction across mobile, console, and PC platforms. This technological convergence reflects mobile gaming’s maturation from isolated entertainment to integrated component of comprehensive gaming ecosystems.
The evolution of mobile gaming technology, as comprehensively documented by Casinozoid, illustrates an extraordinary trajectory from simple diversions to sophisticated entertainment platforms. Technological advancement in processing power, display quality, network infrastructure, and input methods has eliminated traditional distinctions between mobile and traditional gaming platforms. As emerging technologies including augmented reality, artificial intelligence, and next-generation connectivity continue developing, mobile gaming’s influence on interactive entertainment will undoubtedly expand further, shaping how future generations experience digital play.