sitemaps.org/schemas/sitemap/0.9/sitemap.xsd BrandArena: November 2014

Friday 28 November 2014

PHOTO: Society for corporate governance Nigeria Annual President's Dinner

Corporate Relations Director, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Mr. Sesan Sobowale; President of the Society for Corporate Governance Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Osunkeye and Chairman, Omolayole and Associates, Dr. Olawale Omolayole (Fellow Awardee) at the Annual President’s dinner/induction ceremony of the Society for Corporate Governance Nigeria held today  at the Oriental hotel, Victoria Island

How To Get A Dubai Visa This Christmas!

Christmas is already upon us and everyone is making plans on where to spend the vacation. The United Arab Emirates, more specifically Dubai, is a favored destination for business and leisure among Nigerians firstly because the city is ultra modern with an irresistible Arabian mystique about it, and then because it’s relatively easy to obtain a visa. 

Africa’s Number 1 Hotel Booking Portal, Jovago.com has researched and found the basic things you need to know when getting a Dubai Visa.

What Type of Visa Do You Need?
Did you know there’s more than one type of visa you can get to gain entry into the UAE?

A 96-hour Visa: This visa is valid for 4 days and non-extendible. It’s mostly acquired by transit passengers who are making a stopover at Dubai International Airport (DXB) for at least 8 hours. In order to be granted this type of visa, your passport must be valid for at least 3 months.

JUMIA Kenya Black Friday 2014: What to expect

The countdown to the first black Friday in Kenya has been on this whole week with a teasing selection of incredible deals and massive price cuts in the JUMIA Early bird sales of over 2000 items, but that has just been a tip of the iceberg. The ultimate “BLACK FRIDAY” sales day dawns tomorrow the 28th Nov 2014.

We give you a sneak peek into the deals to expect and the hours they will be live on Jumia:

Jumia Black Friday Deals and Hours

The most rumoured of the TV deals is the 32” Skyworth TV that will be selling at ksh. 9,999, the Toshiba tablet 7” at ksh. 5,000, Samsung Galaxy core 2 selling for ksh.9, 999 down from ksh. 25,000.There’s also the ASUS X551C at ksh. 19,999 down from ksh. 30,000.

Black Friday Deal With Easy Taxi Nigeria

As end of the year draws neigh and the holidays approaches, festivities and celebrations have begun. With so many things to be thankful for and so many people to see and places to visit, Easy Taxi, Nigeria’s foremost taxi requesting service recognizes that with these celebrations come the responsibility of safe travels and commute. 

The tech company which has been in existence in Nigeria for a year and a few months continues to emphasize on the importance of having  a safe transportation option which it provides through its free mobile application.

In the spirit of Thanksgiving and Black Friday, Easy Taxi Nigeria will from 8am today, the 28th of November 2014 till 7pm, be taking 50% off all rides for the App users within the cities of Lagos and Abuja. 

Users get 50% by using discount code “EasyTaxiBlack” as a reference when making a request using their smartphones. This deal is just one of many deals Easy Taxi Nigeria will be rewarding its users and commuters with in a bid to provide and encourage the use of a reliable, safe and trusted transportation option this festive season.

Thursday 27 November 2014

Airtel Nigeria, ATC sign $1bn definitive acquisition agreement on 4,800 towers

One of Nigeria’s major telecoms companies Airtel has signed a definitive agreement with American Tower Corporation (ATC) for the acquisition of the teleco’s towers in Nigeria.

According to a statement by American Tower in the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, the deal size is approximately $1.05 billion.

Airtel, however, will be the anchor tenant on the portfolio under a lease with a 10-year initial term, the joint statement said.

“The agreement will allow Airtel to focus on its core business and customers, enable it to deleverage through debt reduction and will significantly reduce its on-going capital expenditures on passive infrastructure in Nigeria,” it added.

American Tower and Airtel expect to close the acquisition during the first half of 2015, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approval. “We are pleased to announce the launch of our operations in Nigeria while expanding our relationship with Airtel, one of the leading multinational operators in the world,” said Jim Taiclet, chairman, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of American Tower.

Apple Announces World AIDS Day 2014 Campaign for (RED)

To mark World AIDS Day 2014, Apple and leading app developers are inviting customers to help (RED) achieve the goal of an AIDS-free generation. For the next two weeks, a special section of the App Store℠ called Apps for (RED) will offer 25 apps with exclusive new content where all proceeds will go directly to the Global Fund to fight AIDS.

In addition, Apple will donate a portion of sales at Apple’s retail and online stores around the world on two of the biggest shopping days of the year: Friday, November 28 and Monday, December 1.

“Apple is a proud supporter of (RED) because we believe the gift of life is the most important gift anyone can give,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “For eight years, our customers have been helping fight AIDS in Africa by funding life-saving treatments which are having a profoundly positive impact. This year we are launching our biggest fundraising push yet with the participation of Apple’s retail and online stores, and some of the brightest minds in the App Store are lending their talents to the effort as well.”

Apple and App Store developers will generate donations for (RED) in several ways over the next two weeks:

Nigeria to get 15 new cinemas

Nigerian film distribution and cinema company, The Filmhouse, has announced it plans to open 15 new cinemas from December 2014.

At the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF), co- founder and managing director Kene Mkparu announced a deal with African Capital Alliance which will allow Filmhouse to open ten more cinemas by 2015, and an additional four annually from 2016.

Said ACA Partner, Paul Kokoricha, "Despite Nigeria having one of the largest film industries in the world the cinema space is largely untapped. The world over, cinema exhibition and film distribution are key segments of the film industry and the main drivers of economic value in the sector. We are looking forward to partnering the team to deliver on the promise of the sector."

Tigo Pesa returns TZS 3 Billion to customers as first quarterly payment

Tigo announced today the first of its regular quarterly payments worth 3bn/- (US $ 1.8 million) to Tigo Pesa users.

This payment comes three months after the company paid a staggering profit of TZS 14.25 billion (US $ 8.64 million) accumulated in the Tigo Pesa Trust Account to become the first mobile money service in the world to pay profit to its users. Tigo Pesa has a subscriber base of 3.6 million customers.

Tigo General Manager Diego Gutierrez said “This second round of profit disbursement shows the company’s continued commitment to benefit and improve the lives of Tanzanians. The payment goes to all Tigo Pesa users including super agents, retail agents and individual users of the service.”

“The first payment was bigger due to the fact that the profit had been accumulated over a period of three and a half years. This second payment is the profit accumulated from funds held in trust in commercial banks for three months in the quarter July to September 2014,” the General Manager said.

Finally, AMCON Completes Sale of Enterprise Bank to Heritage Bank

The Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) yesterday, finally announced the successful completion of the sale of the entire issued and fully paid up ordinary shares of Enterprise Bank Limited to HBCL Investment Services Limited (HISL) for a consideration of N56.1 billion.

The transaction, according to a statement by Mr. Kayode Lambo, Head, Corporate Communications Strategy & Research, AMCON, was structured as a broad public auction process, which attracted interest from multiple domestic and international bidders with HISL emerging as the preferred bidder.

AMCON noted that the completion of the transaction followed the fulfillment of the terms and conditions stated in the Share Purchase Agreement (SPA) executed between AMCON and HISL.

“The transaction has been approved by the Board of Directors of AMCON and relevant regulatory approvals have been obtained from the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Securities and Exchange Commission.

2014 Hennessy Artistry Finale To Hold December 6

Landmark Event Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos will play host to the 8th edition of Hennessy Artistry Finale on Saturday, December 6.

After several months of tour concerts, the finale will be headlined by the legend 2face Idibia and Wizkid who were chosen this year as headliners of what has so far been a very thrilling campaign.

2Face and Wizkid will be supported by a lineup of other talented group of artistes who will be taking to the Hennessy Artistry stage to mark the closure of the campaign.

World Cup Sponsors Criticize FIFA Over Corruption Probe

Financial services company Visa has joined other key FIFA sponsors Coca-Cola, McDonalds and Adidas in voicing their concerns over the ongoing controversy surrounding the report into the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

Visa released a statement on its corporate Tumblr page: "We are troubled by the recent events surrounding FIFA. In our discusions we have clearly stated that greater transparency and more open, forthright communications is not only paramount, but the only way in which public trust in FIFA, and all that it represents, will be restored. It is our expectation that FIFA will act accordingly and take swift action to resolve these issues in a manner that is meaningful and visible to all".

According to reports, FIFA lodged a criminal complaint in Switzerland last week against unidentified people over the bidding for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, but stood by its conclusion that any wrongdoing was not enough to jeopardise the winning Russian and Qatari bids.

The action marks the first time the world football's governing body has sought to involve law enforcement in connection with its own 18-month investigation into the bids, which concluded earlier this month with an announcement it had found no reason to overturn the decisions to hold the cup in Russia in 2018 and in Qatar in 2022.

BOAD launches bond loan issue of FCFA 40 billion

As part of the implementation of its annual bond issue program, the West African Development Bank (BOAD) is launching a bond loan issue of FCFA 40 billion through a public offering from 1 to 19 December 2014. The bond value will be FCFA 10,000 at 5.95% interest, net of taxes. Bonds may be purchased at BOAD headquarters in Lomé, at its resident missions located in the buildings of the national agencies of the BCEAO, or through WAEMU-approved MICs.

The funds raised in this new operation will enable BOAD to increase its efforts in support of merchant public sector and private sector projects in the West African Economic and Monetary Union.

With 26 bond lines issued as of the end of October 2014 for over FCFA 750 billion in resources mobilised since its first operation in 1993, BOAD is currently the leading non-sovereign issuer in the regional capital market. Two operations successfully conducted in January and July of this year have made it possible to mobilise around FCFA 180 billion.

Returns, safety and liquidity of BOAD securities are guaranteed based on the institution's performance, and income from these securities is exempt from taxes and duties.

Jovago.com Emerges Winner Of Leading Online Hotel Booking Company Award

After a rigorous screening process at the annual Nigerian Hospitality Security Workshop (NIHOSSEW 2014) jovago.com was crowned with the Nigerian Hospitality Security Award for being the leading online hotel booking company in Nigeria.

The NIHOSSEW workshop is a yearly event held by the Nigerian Hospitality Security Network. It aims to educate hoteliers, hotel owners, the Nigerian hospitality industry as well as the general public on security challenges of hotels and catering organisations, while offering solutions to surmount them.

Some of these solutions include simple techniques for detecting and preventing explosives in the hotel environment, personell secutiry checks and detecting suspicious activities. The workshop featured speeches by CP Lagos State Command CP Cornelius Kayode Aderanti; MD/CEO Halogen Security Company Limited, Wale Olaoye and Chief Femi Falana(SAN).

According to the President of the Nigerian Hospitality Security Network, Prince Chris Okojie, “operators in the tourism industry will continually be educated on issues bordering on security and ways to cope with the challenges in accordance to global best practices. Jovago.com has demonstrated their commitment towards providing a transparent, secure and excellent hotel booking service, this is why they have been awarded the Leading Online Hotel Booking Company in Nigeria.”

Kaymu Product Review: Much Ado About The Iphone 6 Plus

The dilemma that comes with making a switch to a new phone can be quite daunting especially if it’s the hot new phone everyone’s talking about. The iPhone 6 was launched in Lagos on Friday Nov 7th 2014 with much fanfare, however the real talk of the town is the iPhone 6 plus; But is it worth the buzz? Kaymu explores its features to help you make your decision!

AESTHETICS

The iPhone 4 was a beautiful phone. It revolutionized the iPhone series and people’s expectations for subsequent apple phones heightened. What the iPhone 5 lacked in beauty, its sleekness made up for. Now the iPhone 6 had new features but was neither beautiful nor sleek, however if you’re longing for something totally different look no further than the iPhone 6plus.The iPhone 6 Plus is significantly larger, noticeably thinner, and perhaps more unattractive—but most importantly it offers far more endurance on a single charge than any previous iPhone.

DISPLAY QUALITY
The iphone 6plus has a stunning display of 5.5inch, 1920 x 1080 panel, which is about 401 pixel per inch. There is also a new polarizer that makes it easier to see the screen under sunlight, there is a wider viewing angle with the perfect colour reproduction and a higher contrast compared to the other iOS screens. Videos and picture viewing is awesome on the phone, but the speaker problem is the tricky part as there is just a single mono speaker at the bottom of the phone where your hand goes.

Real Madrid removes cross from club crest to appease Abu Dhabi bank

Spanish soccer club Real Madrid has removed a cross from its logo as part of a 'strategic alliance' with the National Bank of Abu Dhabi, a leading bank in the United Arab Emirates.

Real Madrid President Florentino Perez this week unveiled the altered logo, which appears on a credit card issued by the bank that doubles as a membership card for the team, Spanish sports website Marca reported.

It is believed the European champions' new crest, without the cross, was created so as not to offend Muslim sensibilities in the United Arab Emirates, where a marketing drive will take place.

Perez labeled the deal, signed in September, with National Bank of Abu Dhabi a "strategic alliance with one of the most prestigious institutions in the world."

"I know that the local people experience every match in a special way and that our links with the UAE are constantly growing stronger," Perez was quoted as saying some months ago.

Nigerian Breweries Fetes Consumers At Corporate Elite Season 8

As part of efforts to interact and appreciate its teeming consumers from all walks of life, Nigerian Breweries Plc, the biggest brewing company in West Africa co-sponsored Season Eight of Corporate Elite – the largest gathering of corporate people in Nigeria. The gathering, which was referred to as the night of fun, music and networking, was held at the prestigious Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos.

Part of the highlights of the day was the parade of entertainment stars which include DruHill, Mikasa, Freddie Jackson, Cameo, Mario, 112, Uhuru, Iyanya, Wizkid, Banky W, the Mavin Crew, Omo Akin, Chidinma and others that set the stage alight. The presence of top management team of some Nigerian’ companies like Nigerian Breweries added colour to the evening.

Speaking at the event, Marketing Manager Gulder, Life and Legend, Mr. Emmanuel Agu, expressed his satisfaction on the organization of the event and the level of presence achieved within the corporate circle. He noted that Nigerian Breweries Plc is a company known for adding value to things that add glamour to life, adding that it also ensures that whenever the opportunity presents itself, they ensure that consumers with style are treated with style.

He further revealed that the co-sponsorship of the event provides the “opportunity to further appreciate, share exciting moment and show gratitude to our consumers that have kept us in business for the year round.”

Vodacom deepen market penetration in Nigeria

Vodacom Business has announced it has expanded its services to two more Nigerian cities, Ibadan and Kano.

According to Vodacom, the new offices are in line with the company’s expansion plans which will strengthen services to customers in the regions and surrounding areas.

In a statement by the company, Guy Clarke, Managing Director of Vodacom Business Nigeria said the company expanded into Ibadan and Kano in response to the demand for converged communications.

“These are thriving markets where companies are investing in cutting-edge telecommunication solutions to increase customer engagement and loyalty,” he said.

The company said the new offices will provide services and support to large-scale enterprise, SMEs as well as public enterprises in Ibadan, Kano and surrounding areas in both cities.

CFAO Announces the Launch of its Club of Brands in Africa

CFAO has announced the creation of its club of brands, a network of international brands wishing to support the rise of the African middle class.

The following new-generation international brands are the first five members of this innovative club: La Grande Récré (Ludendo group), L’Occitane en Provence, Cache Cache and Bonobo (Beaumanoir group), and Kaporal.

CFAO will operate the sales outlets of these new partners under exclusive agreements (franchises, brand and distribution concessions, and distribution agreements).

The club of brands will include around twenty brands with sales outlets opening first and foremost in CFAO's shopping centers in eight African countries: Cameroon, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Nigeria and Senegal*.

"CFAO acts as a catalyst for the development of international brands in Africa and as a springboard for brands that view the continent as a real growth lever. With our experience and our approach to consumption in Africa, we give them access to a high-growth market", explains Xavier Desjobert, Chief Executive Officer of CFAO Retail.

Bata offers 50% discounts on Jumia Kenya Pre-black Friday Deals

The excitement for the first black Friday in Kenya courtesy of JUMIA has been heightened by the massive price cuts, discounts and deals being offered on the e-commerce website in a crazy count down to the ultimate sales day “BLACK FRIDAY” on the 28th November 2014.

BATA is taking part in the shopping bonanza and has offered a 50% discount on Fashion items on its online shop on Jumia Kenya http://www.jumia.co.ke/batashop/ website. The discounts have gone live but the prices of some key items will be revealed on the D-day.

Frankline  Mwenda , Digital Platform manager, BATA  said, “This Black Friday, we are working closely with Jumia to give our customers the best discounts for the start of the festive season shopping, Jumia delivers to their doorstep and they pay on delivery, if they don’t like the item, they can always return or exchange it with another within 7 business days.”

On its Early Bird deals, http://www.jumia.co.ke/black-friday-eb/ Jumia is offering over 2000 items and expects the black Friday to be the biggest shopping day in Kenya as it is in the USA, the only difference is that unlike the US where people queue hours on end on physical stores, Jumia has made it easy for you, you just sit and shop from your computer or mobile phone from wherever you are and wait for the delivery guys to knock your door then you pay cash on delivery!

Intel Reveals Details for Future High-Performance Computing System

Intel Corporation has announced several new and enhanced technologies, bolstering its leadership in high performance computing (HPC). The new technologies include the future generation Intel Xeon Phi Processor, called Knights Hill, and Intel Omni-Path architecture, a new high speed interconnect technology optimized for High Performance Computing deployments.

Intel also announced new software releases and collaborative efforts designed to make it easier to extract the full performance potential from current and future Intel Industry- standard hardware.

This new innovation will help to address the dual challenges of extreme scalability and mainstream use of high performance computing systems while providing the foundation for a cost-effective path to superb computing.

The new Intel Xeon Phi Product family, Knights Hill, will be built using Intel’s 10mm process technology and integrate Intel Omni- Path Fabric technology. Industry investment in Intel Xeon Phi processors continues to grow with more than 50 providers expected to offer systems built using the new processor version of Knights Landing with many more systems using the coprocessor PCle card version of the product.

VFS TasHeel International to manage biometric enrollment for Saudi visas in Nigeria

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, has mandated VFS TasHeel International with managing and administrating the Saudi Arabian visa application process from Nigeria, which will also combine mandatory enrolment process of fingerprint collection and photo capture for all applicants.


VFS TasHeel said it will begin processing Saudi visas of various categories except for Hajj and Umrah. However, pilgrims who have applied for Saudi visas are required to do biometric enrollment at the VFS TasHeel centre.

VFS TasHeel is a joint venture between the global visa processing leader, VFS Global (A division of Kuoni Travel Group, Switzerland) and TasHeel, Saudi Arabia. 

Chargee D'affairs of the Embassy of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Nigeria, Sa'ad Abdallah Alnofeai, stated, “The newly inaugurated Visa Services Centersin Nigeria will serve people who desire to visit the KSA in addition to providing them with vital information about the Kingdom.”

Services include the dissemination of visa information, application guidance, application processing, biometric enrollment and passport delivery. The Centre is open for extended hours during peak season for speeding up the visa procedures.

Fatima Beyina-Moussa named President of the African Airlines Association

At the close of the 46th general meeting of the African Airlines Association (AFRAA), organised by Air Algérie in early November, Mrs Fatima Beyina-Moussa, Managing Director of ECAir (Equatorial Congo Airlines), was named President of AFRAA. Mrs Beyina-Moussa has headed the national airline of the Republic of the Congo since its creation in 2011.

A graduate of HEC Montreal with an MBA from the University of Ottawa, Mrs Fatima Beyina-Moussa obtained a DEA (postgraduate degree) in International Economics at Sciences Po in Paris, and went on to become a consultant in Congo for Ernst & Young. She later joined the Bank of Central African States (BEAC), and then worked for the United Nations Development Programme before being named an adviser to the Ministry of Finance, Budget and Public Portfolio. One of the key matters she dealt with was the establishment of a national airline.

Next November, the national airline of the Republic of the Congo, ECAir, will host the 47th annual general meeting of AFRAA in Brazzaville.

"In three years, we have been on a journey with our company," says Fatima Beyina-Moussa. "We have trained many Congolese people in aviation trades and our network is growing, along with our fleet. AFRAA represents continuity and complementarity. It is an excellent opportunity to promote our air transport policy and to stimulate discussions with our partners."

Microsoft Mobile to reward customers with 12 cars in the ‘Lumia Christmas’ celebration

With the holiday right around the corner, Microsoft Mobile Devices and Services has announced the commencement of the ‘Lumia Christmas’ promotion. Aimed at making this holiday season special for its customers, this promotion which runs from November 24th to December 31st 2014 will see 12 lucky Lumia smartphone and tablet buyers drive away with a brand new Ford Figo car as well as lots of instant gifts.

Joseph Umunakwe, General Manager, Microsoft Mobile Devices and Services, West Africa commented that “We are very proud of our Lumia smartphones and tablets and how it continues to connect more people to our suite of productivity services, whilst providing them a rich smartphone experience at amazing price points. This is our little way of rewarding our consumers, ensuring they close this year and begin the New Year on a high note.”

He explained that “Everyone stands a chance of winning one of the 12 brand new Ford Figocars on offer. All they need to do is buy any Lumia smartphone or tablet and SMS keyword LUMIA your NAME and IMEI number to 38680”

Microsoft Mobile Devices and Services has launched Five new Lumia smartphones into the Nigerian market in the last year. They include the Lumia 930, Lumia 1520, Lumia 1320, Lumia 630 Dual SIM, and the bestselling Lumia 530 Dual SIM. Only last week, the company introduced the Lumia 830 and the Lumia 730 Dual SIM selfie smartphone into Nigeria.

ViiV Healthcare announces new grants in support of ending mother to child transmission of HIV

The Positive Action for Children Fund (PACF) is proud to announce 103 grants for 2015 totalling £5 million. 54 new grants and 49 extensions will be funded to support community responses to help end mother to child transmission of HIV thereby delivering crucial services to mothers, children and HIV affected families.

PACF partners with local organisations working to improve the health and wellbeing of women and children affected by HIV, and the communities they live in. All PACF projects work to strengthen ties between these communities, local health systems and governments, so that more families have access to information, prevention measures, testing and care for HIV. Together these interventions safeguard women’s and their families’ health in an effort to meet the targets set out in the Global Plan (http://goo.gl/jDZfVi) towards the elimination of new infections among children by 2015 and keeping their mothers alive.

PACF partners address a range of factors related to mother to child transmission of HIV in their community, ranging from promoting women’s and girls’ access to education and health services, to testing infants early for HIV, to improving retention of mothers in local HIV services. According to the Global Plan statistics, the total number of new HIV infections in children was halved between 2009 and 2011 in low- and middle-income countries. The Global Plan predicts that by 2015, the number of children acquiring HIV infection can be reduced by 90% from the baseline year of 2009.

In 2015, more than 50 organisations will be partnering with PACF for the first time. Thanks to these new partnerships, PACF will be reaching into previously unsupported countries, including Togo, Angola and Colombia. Their work will extend into 25 countries.

Monday 24 November 2014

AIM – Progress Responsible sourcing supplier forum


Coke Studio Concert at ESUT

ESUT students having a great time

Femi Ashipa, Dammy Krane & a winner

Mr Lin, May D & Femi Ashipa

Flour Mills Unveils New Product in Nigeria

Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc has introduced a new product – Kool2GO Instant Powdered Drink into the market.

According to the company, the product as an addition to the FMN snacks and impulse range of products like Marios Cheese Balls, Noodies Sweet Snacks and  Golden Bites chinchin.

The product reportedly comes in exciting flavours of strawberry, orange, pineapple, apple and mango.

Pictures from Corporate Elite Season 8 sponsored by Nigerian Breweries Plc

(L-R) Marketing Manager Gulder, Life and Legend, Emmanuel Agu, Brand Manager Heineken Kehinde Kadiri, Senior Brand Manager Gulder, Okoli Onyeka, Managing Director Nigerian Breweries Plc, Nicolaas Vervelde, Former Super Eagle Captain, Austin Jay Jay Okocha and Managing Director' Wife, Clementine Vervelde at the Corpoare Elite Season 8 Sponsored by Nigerian Breweries Plc in Lagos on Sunday.

(L-R) Marketing Manager Gulder, Life and Legend, Emmanuel Agu, Brand Manager Heineken Kehinde Kadiri, Senior Brand Manager Gulder, Okoli Onyeka and the Managing Director Nigerian Breweries Plc, Nicolaas Vervelde at the Corpoare Elite Season 8 Sponsored by Nigerian Breweries Plc in Lagos on Sunday.

Sony bring 'Microtising' to the round leather game with Olivier Giroud

Sony has partnered with Arsenal and France international footballer Olivier Giroud for its ‘Microtising’ campaign to highlight the detail of 4K TV technology.

In a world first for football, Sony has partnered with Arsenal and France international footballer Olivier Giroud for the ‘Microtising’ campaign to highlight the superior colour and detail of 4K TV technology.

With the picture quality of Sony 4K Ultra HD TVs displaying such high levels of detail, a new opportunity for advertisers presents itself. Adverts no longer need to be as big as before and this new medium can sit alongside more traditional hoarding and billboards to showcase 4K technology to fans watching the beautiful game.

The latest ‘Microtising’ campaign - the word being a hybrid of microscopic and advertising - will see the Sony and 4K logo branded onto the studs of Giroud’s boots in a bid to highlight the quality and clarity of the beautiful game that can only be seen on Sony 4K TV technology.

Investors to lose N39bn as NSE delists 4 companies

The management of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has said it would delist four companies that failed to comply with its listing rule and general undertaking.

The affected companies, which include Pinnacle Point Group Plc, Afroil Plc, Starcomms Plc and Big Treat Plc, have market capitalization of N33.341 billion, N2.599 billion, N3.544 billion and N1 billion respectively, amounting to N39.485 billion.

On Monday, June 23rd 2014, the NSE published a notice of its intension to delist 24 listed companies from its daily official list, arising from their non-compliance with provisions of the listing rules of the Exchange and pursuant to Clause 15 of the General Undertaking.

According to advertorial signed by the management of the Exchange, the notice provided a 3-month window for each of the affected listed companies to regularise its listing status with the Exchange.

Nigerian government bans mobile phones in prison

The Nigerian government through the interior ministry has banned the use of mobile phones in prisons across the country.

The announcement was made by the Minister of Interior affairs, Abba Moro while addressing some prison officials in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja.

Moro said: “I have visited some prisons in other countries as the Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; Nobody, no matter highly placed you are, you don’t come to prison with your phones, not even the minister of Interior as the supervising minister over the prisons. So, why are you an exception?”

“Henceforth, no matter who you are including myself, that nobody goes into prison with telephones. And so, as you are going from here, create a meeting platform where all the officers that work in the prisons as they walk into prisons, they submit their phones and collect them when they close.”

Etisalat, Creative Focus Africa Team up to Empower Entrepreneurs

The 5th edition of Nigeria’s premium business intelligence initiative CREATIVE FOCUS will be officially declared open on Monday, 24 November 2014, at the Havillah Events Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, but this time, in partnership with Nigeria most innovative telecommunications company, Etisalat.


This year’s edition titled Creative Focus – The Challenge will showcase and promote young start up entrepreneurs in the Interior Design, Architecture & Landscape, Publishing Industry, Photography & Arts, Food & Beverage, Agriculture, Fashion Design & Accessories, Lifestyle Products, Graphic design, Website & Blog Development and Beauty & Hair Care sectors of the economy.

On that same day, a new campaign #WetinBeYourNumber also aimed at youth and SME empowerment will be launched on social media.

Etisalat has been a major supporter of small and medium enterprise in Nigeria, empowering more than 100 businesses in Nigeria with its Easybusiness Millionaires Hunt where no fewer than 10 winners got 2,000,000 Naira each in grants and more than 50 others trained at the Enterprise Development Centre of the Lagos Business School on how to take their respective businesses to the next level.

Huawei Aims To Expand Enterprise Business With Nigeria Partners

Huawei, a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider, announced the expansion of her cooperation with her Nigerian partners, to integrate ICT products and solutions, to enable the rapid growth of enterprises business at the E-Nigeria Summit 2014 in Abuja.

The E-Nigeria Summit is the National Information Technology Development Agency’s (NITDA) annual flagship awareness campaign on the diffusion and deployment of Information Technology in Nigeria. With the theme of "Creating Market Opportunities for Indigenous ICT Products and Services", NITDA collaborated with relevant stakeholders from the private and public sector, as well as non-governmental organizations, to create ICT awareness, develop appropriate framework, and to set goals for best practices, in order to encourage the right positioning of Nigeria in the global information society.

 Huawei's Enterprise Business Group, one of Huawei’s major Business Groups, is growing steadily, allowing Huawei to solidify her position as the leading ICT solutions provider in the industry. The enterprise business also remains a key strategic direction for Huawei’s overall growth plans, with four major product lines namely:  UC&C Product Line (i.e. Telepresence, Video Conferencing, Contact Center), IT Product Line (Servers, Storage, Cloud Computing & Data Center), Networking Product Line (Switches, Routers, WLAN) and Energy Product Line (UPS, Solar ).

 To support these products and solutions, Huawei has set up sales and technical service platforms, to further establish her commitment in the Enterprise market, and also to support enterprise business operations in Nigeria. With a firm dedication to customer-centric innovation, Huawei Enterprise caters to customers from the government and public sector, financial institutions, transportation, energy industries, oil & gas sector, hospitality, education and SMEs.

Chairman Troyka Group, Biodun Shobanjo Recived the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 23rd DAME Awards

From Left, Trustee and Project Administrator, DAME, Lanre Idowu, Chairman DAME Board of Trustee, Moses Ihonde, presenting the Lifetime Achievement Award to Chairman Troyka Group, Biodun Shobanjo, at the 23rd DAME Awards held at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island on Sunday 23rd November 2014

From Left, Trustee and Project Administrator, DAME, Mr. Lanre Idowu; Lifetime Achievement Awardees, Prof. Idowu Sobowale; Chairman Troyka Group, Mr. Biodun Shobanjo and Chairman DAME Board of Trustee, Mr. Moses Ihonde, at the 23rd DAME Awards

Google, Rockstar to bury Nortel patent litigation lawsuit

A court filing this week suggests Google Inc has agreed to settle a patent dispute leveled by the Rockstar consortium, of which Apple is a major investor, suggesting the end is in sight for this particular lawsuit.

Rockstar, which counts Apple Inc as an investor, outbid Google and paid $4.5 billion in 2011 for thousands of former Nortel Network Corp patents as the networking products supplier went bankrupt.

In October of last year, when Rockstar sued Google, Samsung and other Android product makers for infringing on seven patents covering Internet searches and advertisements. Each case is separate, but that Google has agreed to settle is considered a major milestone in Apple's legal battle with the Internet giant.

Rockstar, a group of high power tech companies including Apple, Microsoft, Blackberry, Sony and Ericsson, purchased the IP in when Nortel sold off thousands of patents as a result of going bankrupt in 2009.

Access Bank appeals to youth through AccelerateTV platform

With Nigeria's youth in mind, Access Bank Plc has launched AccelerateTV, a social interaction platform which delivers creative content ranging from information and entertainment articles to videos, fashion trends and real- time reportage of the latest world trends.

According to the Head of Strategic Brand Management of the company, Mr. Amaechi Okobi, the initiative is in line with the bank's promise to cater for the needs of its customers.

"AccelerateTV is the ultra-cool blog for professionals and youths interested in world trends. In fulfilment of the bank's promise to cater for the needs of its heterogeneous customer base, we identified a gap and sought to fill it with the creation of this unique platform", Mr. Okobi said.

Nigerian Communications Commission Bans Teleco

Nigeria’s telecoms industry’s regulator the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has announced a clampdown on Owntel Communications.

According to the NCC, the company was providing telecommunications services without an operational license.

The ban was announced by the Salisu Abdul-led NCC enforcement team that visited the office of Owntel. The team confiscated some of its equipment as evidence for illegal operation. Prior to the ban, Owntel offered vehicle tracking telecommunications services in addition to sales and installation of fixed and mobile telecommunication terminals.

NCC described the company’s operations as illegal and is defrauding the Nigerian government. The company installs communication equipment such as CCTV Camera, GSM terminal, Routers and Internet Modems, including Walkie Talkie and other mobile devices.

Arsenal agree deal with Capital Bank Kazakhstan

English Premier League football team Arsenal has signed a three-year sponsorship deal with Capital Bank Kazakhstan JSC to produce co-branded debit and credit cards in the company’s home country.

As the club’s official credit and debit card partner, Capital Bank Kazakhstan will offer a range of benefits and incentives to its customers and Arsenal fans in Kazakhstan, including official merchandise and tickets to matches at Emirates Stadium.

Also, Arsenal coaches will also be visiting Kazakhstan each year as part of the agreement to run coaching clinics on behalf of Capital Bank Kazakhstan.

“The agreement will help to increase our profile in the country while helping Capital Bank to reward new and existing customers with exclusive Arsenal related benefits," Gani Uzbekov, Capital Bank Kazakhstan’s chief executive, said.

Zuriel Oduwole Receives Dr. Christopher Kolade's Award in Lagos

Three days off her flight into Lagos for the big screen debut at Film House Cinema of her third Documentary next weekend which focuses on A Positive Africa, Zuriel Oduwole has received her first award presented to her in Nigeria.
In recognition of her work supporting Children's Education in Africa, she was accorded the 2014 "Global Award for Excellence" at the annual Global Achievement Made Easy [GAME] event at the Civic Center in Lagos yesterday.

The award was presented to her by the foundations patron, Dr. Christpher Kolade. An Octogenarian and integrity driven, Dr. Kolade is a highly respected Nigerian elder statesman, business leader and former Nigerian Ambassador to the Court of St James in London. He was chairman of Cadbury Nigeria, and currently serves as the Pro-Chancellor of the Pan Atlantic University and an advisory to the Faculty of the prestigious Nigerian business school.

Congratulations Zuriel, on your first award !!

Why Content Mobility and Synergistic Experience Are Key To The Future Of Television

Since Marconi’s invention of wireless telegraphy in 1897, the imagination of many inventors have been sparked with the notion of sending images as well as sound, wirelessly.

The first documented notion of sending components of pictures over a series of multiple circuits is credited to George Carey. Another inventor, W. E. Sawyer, suggested the possibility of sending an image over a single wire by rapidly scanning parts of the picture in succession.

On December 2, 1922, in Sorbonne, France, Edwin Belin, an Englishman, who held the patent for the transmission of photographs by wire as well as fiber optics and radar, demonstrated a mechanical scanning device that was an early precursor to modern television. Belin’s machine took flashes of light and directed them at a selenium element connected to an electronic device that produced sound waves. These sound waves could be received in another location and remodulated into flashes of light on a mirror.

Up until this point, the concept behind television was established, but it wasn’t until electronic scanning of imagery (the breaking up of images into tiny points of light for transmission over radio waves), was invented, that modern television received its start.

Undoubtedly, television was one of the greatest technological advances of the 20th century.

New technologies are changing our world day by day. They enhance the way we live. The question many have continued to ask today as the television remains one of the most utilized tech device in the world is: what's the future of television? What should media audience expect?

Multinational Tech Company Appoints First Indigenous Female CEO

Siemens Nigeria, a unit of multinational technology firm Siemens, has appointed Mrs Tifase Onyeche as the new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer. The appointment makes her the company's first female and indigenous head.

Mrs Onyeche takes over from former CEO, Michael Lakota. She will be responsible for increasing the company's penetration in across continent's largest economy.

Her appointment is reportedly due to her enormous contribution to the company and her commitment to deliver.

First Ever Etisalat iParty Held in Lagos

It was an evening of glamour, glitz, fashion, and cutting edge technology as most innovative telecommunications company in Nigeria, Etisalat, launched the latest generation of smartphones to hit the global market, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 plus, in grand style during the first ever iParty held on Thursday, November 20th, 2014 at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island Lagos.
The Chief Executive officer of Etisalat Nigeria, Matthew Willsher, while speaking at the event, iterated that the partnership between Apple and Etisalat was meant to serve as a demonstration of the company’s commitment to providing its customers with world class telecommunication products and services.

Celebrities clad in breath-taking attires who attended the event comprised of A-List individuals such as Ali Baba, Tee A, Genevieve Nnaji, Mai Atafo, Pasuma, Ebuka Okija, Sasha P, Obi Somto, Sonny Irabor, and a host of others.
Guest at the event
From the black carpet to the enchanting hall, guests were greeted with awe-inspiring and technologically forward scenery that left many gasping with nods of approval. As the MC for the evening, Dare Art Alade, took to the stage with his personal assistant, Siri, the cheering continued. Special performances by bright and bubbly  Yemi Alade and hip hop sensation, Fuse ODG also put a delightful spark in the evening’s line of activities.

Konga Excites Customers With Yakata Sales

Following the success of its special sales promo tagged Yakata, last year, Konga.com, Nigeria’s largest online mall has announced that online retail shoppers across the country would enjoy greater savings on purchases as this year’s edition of the promo kicks off.

Yakata is Konga’s version of the global ‘Black Friday’ sales and it was introduced by the giant online company to excite its numerous customers in Nigeria as they would have the opportunity to make massive savings on the purchase of their favourite items on the Konga.com platform.

Konga’s Yakata sales in 2013 was an exceptional success as several consumers made away with unbelievable deals on their purchases. The huge buzz generated through the special sales promo has since been referred to by many, as Nigeria’s biggest shopping event of the year and this year’s edition would even be better and bigger.

In the words of Konga’s Head of Marketing, Gabriel Gab-Umoden: “We know that our customers are looking to us to provide the lowest prices and greatest deals this shopping season. This year Konga is going even bigger with our Yakata sales. We would have discounts on almost all items on the site. Konga’s consumers will have the opportunity to purchase items at rates slashed by up to 90 percent in some cases”.

Kids! Monopoly tour bus is coming to your school

With the economy of Nigeria today and the financial changes we are experiencing, the need to educate and inform on how investment and finance works is a very important issue. The adults are more exposed to this as we come across it in our daily activities but the kids are left behind. To bridge this gap, Bestman games is bringing Monopoly to schools.
Monopoly is a board game played by moving around the gameboard to buy or trade properties. It develops properties with houses and hotels and collects rent from their opponents. The goal being to drive them into bankruptcy teaches the lesson of finance and investments. 


With the common mission of educating and promoting personal finance literacy, Lamudi Nigeria is partnering with Bestman Games Limited- the African distributor for new 'local' editions of Monopoly. As part of its year-end event, Bestman games will be taking a school providing Monopoly boards which will feature Lamudi Nigeria. 

Bestman Games Limited, launched in December 2012, is the world famous game is owned by Hasbro. Its city of Lagos edition provides players with an exceptional tour of the city featuring historical monuments and landmarks, famous streets, popular neighborhoods, key buildings and leading brands spread across Lagos metropolis.

Jovago.com MD Mentors Entrepreneurs On Business Growth

Jovago, Africa’s largest online hotel booking platform advises entrepreneurs to seek out strategic partnerships to grow their business.

At the recently concluded MSME Business Networking Summit held in Lagos, the Managing Director of Jovago.com, Marek Zmyslowski made a presentation where he mentored up-and-coming entrepreneurs on the measures to take to help their businesses access the required funding. He also outlined the benefits of strategic partnerships to a growing business.

The MSME Business Networking Summit is centered on enlightening MSME's on platforms/agencies that can be leveraged on for business growth and expansion.

Empowering the MSMEs' by connecting them to fund sources (BOI & NEXIM Bank) to access single digit (government backed) loans.

Photos: Etisalat iPhone Launch

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Matthew Willsher; Commercial Director, Core Group Africa, Matthew Grose; and Director Business Market Segment, Etisalat Nigeria, Lucas Dada; at the Official Etisalat iParty showcasing the new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 plus held at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island on Thursday, 20th November 2014.

L-R: Commercial Director, Core Group Africa, Matthew Grose; Chief Executive Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Matthew Willsher; and Director, Marketing Segments and Strategy, Etisalat Nigeria, Oluwole Rawa at the Official Etisalat iParty showcasing the new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 plus held at Eko Hotel and Suites