Philips and SNV collaborate to increase access to clean in Africa

Royal Philips and the SNV Netherlands Development Organisation (http://www.snvworld.org), will be working together to improve access to clean cooking solutions in Africa by introducing clean and efficient household cook stoves to rural communities across the continent. 

The partnership aims to improve the health and well-being and income of rural populations while having a direct positive impact on the environment and will include research, community education and access to financing for adopting clean cooking technologies.

According to the World Energy Outlook 2012 (http://www.iea.org/publications/freepublications/publication/WEO2012_free.pdf), a staggering 2.6 billion people still depend on traditional cook stoves or open fires for cooking and heating their homes. The health and environmental risks of this are considerable. Every week, 75,000 people – mostly women and children - get sick or even die as a direct result of inhaling smoke. And each day, 3.9 million tons of fuel wood are burnt, contributing to the daily loss of 200 km2 of forest (1). There are cleaner and more efficient cooking solutions available. But communities in rural areas do not know the benefits of clean cooking alternates or cannot access or afford to invest in them. Philips and SNV are joining forces to address this issue.

Philips’ ambition is to create meaningful innovations that matter to people and address the key challenges that confront society; this is why for the last 3 years, Philips has invested in the design and manufacturing of an innovative fan driven cook stove that can improve the lives of those who rely on wood or biomass for their daily cooking. These specially designed cook stoves can reduce smoke and carbon monoxide emissions by more than 90% compared to an open fire (2) thus reducing the health risks of indoor cooking. The cook stove utilizes pellets, wood or other biomass for cooking in a healthy, environmental friendly and fuel efficient manner. Philips is testing different financing and go-to-market models to ensure that this solution become accessible to people that would not be able to afford them otherwise. 

UNIPORT, OAU, others join Onga campus cooking contest list

The number of universities that have produced regional winners in the ongoing 2014 Onga National Campus Cooking Competition has increased to 12 as the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), Abia State University (ABSU), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), and Cross Rivers State University (CRUTECH) have concluded the activations held within their campuses.

Contestants before announcement of results

While Uchunor Ifeanyi of the Faculty of Agriculture led the pack of nine other contestants for UNIPORT with the Oha Soup and Poundo Yam dish; Uzoenyi Ifeanyi of the Faculty of Environmental Studies, ABSU beat his peers hands down with the Edikaikong Soup and Poundo Yam he prepared.

Similarly, Modey Murphy of the Faculty of Engineering; and Yusuf Onaopemipo of the Faculty of Agriculture; emerged successful in the regional campus activations held at CRUTECH and OAU; respectively.

Before now, the University of Ibadan; Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta; University of Lagos; Federal University of Technology, Minna; University of Benin; and Ahmadu Bello University had produced their regional winners, who will represent the schools in the grand finale coming up in December, 2014.

Gambling revenues moderate in Africa amidst faltering economic climate: PwC report

Gross gambling and casino revenues showed subdued growth in 2013 in the wake of a faltering economy. Gross gambling increased only 4.3%. The slowdown in gross gambling revenue was centred on casinos, the largest category at 76% of the market or R16.5 billion.

Some casino operators in certain regions believe the slowdown in 2013 was due in part to growing competition from electronic bingo terminals, limited payout machines (LPMs) and sports betting shops, which are becoming more prevalent in the industry.

These are some of the highlights of PwC’s third annual edition on the gambling industry entitled ‘Raising the stakes in Africa: Gambling outlook 2014-2018 (South Africa – Nigeria – Kenya)’ (http://www.pwc.com). The publication focuses on segments within the gambling industry with detailed forecasts and analysis. The National Gambling Board of South Africa is the source for South African historical data.

Of the three countries included in the analysis, South Africa has the largest overall gambling market as well as the largest land-based casino gambling market. Gross land-based casino gambling revenues totalled R16.5 billion in South Africa in 2013 compared with only R428 million in Nigeria and R195 million in Kenya.

PHOTO: Nigerian-American Medical Foundation International

PIX 1 L-R: Secretary, Nigerian-American Medical Foundation International (NAMFI), Adeyinka Shoroye, Fund Raising Consultant, Nigerian-American Medical Foundation International (NAMFI), Adaku Nzeribe, Former Head of State, Dr. Yakubu Gowon and Community Affairs Manager, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited, Emeka Mba at the second annual meeting of the Nigerian physicians in diaspora under the umbrella of Nigerian-American Medical Foundation International (NAMFI) held recently in Lagos.

Basketmouth to feature in the biggest standup comedy show in Tanzania

Evans Bukuku’s Comedy Club to play host to the biggest standup comedy show ever in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

The end of the year special event which will hold Friday, 28 November, will feature one of Africa's most famous comedian, Basketmouth.

Host of local talents from Tanzania include: Enika Sidestory Dogo Pepe MC Pilipili and the man himself Evans Bukuku.

AIFW set to hold from 2th - 6th December

One of Africa's biggest luxury markets, Africa International Fashion Week (AIFW) is set to hold from 2th to 6th December, 2014.

Backed by some of the biggest players in the fashion industry, this fashion week is set to bring footprints of global fashion heavy weights into new interactions in the fashion and retailscape in Africa.

If you truly love fashion, this is definitely one event you wouldn't like to miss this December.

Ronaldo, Drogba, Mikel, others show their support for #WeCanBeatEbola

World's football stars have joined the campaign against Ebola underneath the slogan “Together, we can beat Ebola” and the hashtag #WeCanBeatEbola.

They join with world football’s governing body FIFA, the Confederation of African Football and health experts to raise global awareness and promote simple preventative measures in the fight against Ebola.

On Monday, 17 November, players shared each message with the help of animated films, radio content, banners, posters and pictures in a multimedia campaign launched.

The “11 against Ebola” campaign, feature Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo, Barcelona’s Neymar Jr, Chelsea’s Didier Drogba and Bayern Munich’s Philipp Lahm among others, promotes 11 simple health messages selected with the help of doctors and health experts from Africa, the World Bank Group and the World Health Organization who are tackling the outbreak in West Africa.

Each health message, such as “Report unusual illnesses” and “Cook meat properly”, has been chosen to improve public understanding about how the virus spreads, and to provide clear information that can be used to reduce the chances of the virus spreading in affected communities. FIFA Chief Medical Officer Prof.

Go Green Campaign: Davido to storm Malawi next month

Nigerian recording artist, Davido is to perform in Malawi next month at the launch of Go Green campaign.

The concert will hold at Silver Stadium in the capital Lilongwe. It will also feature a couple of Malawian artists like Black Missionaries and Lucius Banda.

According to the organizers, David Adedeji Adeleke aka Davido will be in the country on December 4 this year ahead of a gig a day after the launch of the campaign.

The Manager of the artist Kamal Aliboy, said that they are set for the performance as they are coming with the full band and squad of 12 people to o the massive show.

The Go Green Campaign is aimed at protecting the country's forest cover, health of human beings and the environment. Energy conservation initiatives such as the use of energy saving bulb and public awareness campaigns on effective use of electricity will be major element of the campaign.

Harpic Promotes Hygienic Living With Awareness Campaign

H1: (L-R) Sanitation Officer, representing Commissioner for Rural Development Lagos State, Engineer Akinwunmi Babatunde, Marketing Manager Home Care for West Africa Reckitt Benckiser, Bamigbaiye-Elatuyi Omotola, Iyaloja Oke-Arin Provision Market, Alhaja Kuburat Osho, Marketing Director for West Africa  Reckitt Benckiser, Oguzhan Silivrili and the Council Manager Lagos Island Local Government, representing Commissioner for Local Government, Olaide Atunrase at 2014 Harpic World Toilet Day Celebration in Lagos yesterday

Safe, clean and hygienic toilet has been identified as one of the fundamental ways of preventing diseases and reducing vulnerability and exposure of women to harm and dangers. The General Manager, Reckitt Benckiser, Mr. Rahul Murgai Silivrili stated this as Nigeria marked its first World Toilet Day (WTD) on Thursday, November 19.

The awareness campaign becomes necessary following the United Nations figure that 2.5 billion people globally do not have access to proper sanitation, including toilets or latrines, with dramatic consequences on human health, dignity and security, the environment, and social and economic development. In Nigeria, about 34 million people do not have access to clean toilets.

With the theme “Clean Toilets, Healthy Homes”, this year’s WTD put on the front burner the importance of having access to clean toilets and the potential health implications as well as the vulnerability it poses especially to women and children. Harpic - a stain removal liquid soap from the stable of Reckitt Benckiser and the market leader in health, hygiene and home care products – was at the forefront in the celebration of the day in the country.

This has long-term impacts on women’s health, education, livelihoods and safety but it also impacts the economy, as failing to provide for the sanitation needs of women ultimately risks excluding half of the potential workforce. According to research, only 30% of Nigerians have access to Flush toilets while 20% still have no latrines as such are more prone to open defecation.

MTN Dissociate Itself From Politically Branded-Recharge Cards

Telecommunication service provider, MTN Nigeria has distance itself from recharge cards that surfaced online branded by different political party logo and colours.

The company said: “As a corporate organisation MTN is non-political and non-partisan. MTN Nigeria does not have any arrangement with any political party to produce specially branded recharge cards or merchandise. We also do not have any affiliation with any political party or organisation, either in Nigeria or in any of the 22 countries where MTN operates across Africa and the Middle East.”

The company explained that they have partnerships with third-party retailers to sell the cards but even at that, no cards are to be branded.

Part of the statement released by the company also read: “Operators and their authorized partners are allowed to sell logical PINs to dealers and trade partners, who in turn retail them to third parties and members of the public who may also wish to/reprint them for their private/commercial use.”

Kaymu Spreads the Magic of Christmas with Launch of Christmas Store plus Free Shipping

This Christmas, why not let Kaymu.com.ng leave you spoilt for choice by bringing the magic of Christmas to the virtual world? The leading online shopping community in Nigeria launched its Christmas Store today with amazing discounts of up to 70% off on a range of selected products, to make sure you can pick out the perfect present for everyone - from your better half to your best friend.

 

What’s more, you can save on shipping charges too - with free shipping until December 15!

Spend hours in our online store, finding gifts for Christmas from the comfort of your living room. Take your pick from a wide range of categories:

For Her

Find a wide range of products, from leading brands, in our women’s section with huge discounts and deals. Shopaholics, why not use this opportunity to indulge in some retail therapy as well?

For Him

Gentlemen, if you’re looking for a good deal… or three, please be assured that you’re going to find them here. Why not look at Kaymu for the best discounts and deals for the special men in your life with presents which are the toast of the town this season.

Apple's WatchKit Software Tools Now Available to Developers

Apple has announced the availability of WatchKit, software that gives developers a set of tools to easily create experiences designed specifically for Apple Watch™—Apple’s most personal device ever.

Apple has the world’s most vibrant and innovative developer community, and now these developers can begin developing WatchKit apps before Apple Watch becomes available. Developers can create innovative WatchKit apps, actionable notifications and Glances, for timely information accessible by an easy, quick look at Apple Watch.

“Apple Watch is our most personal device ever, and WatchKit provides the incredible iOS developer community with the tools they need to create exciting new experiences right on your wrist,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing.

“With the iOS 8.2 beta SDK, developers can now start using WatchKit to create breakthrough new apps, Glances and actionable notifications designed for the innovative Apple Watch interface and work with new technologies such as Force Touch, Digital Crown and Taptic Engine.”

Sony drops Aaron Sorkin's Steve Jobs movie, Universal rumoured to take over

Sony Pictures who has been developing the movie for two years, has reportedly dropped the film as it is about to wrap up casting and enter production.

Although it is presently unclear why Sony drop the project but according to The Hollywood Reporter, one reason Sony might've dropped the film was due to the shooting schedule.

Aaron Sorkin‘s Steve Jobs biopic script has attracted a lot of attention from the likes of David Fincher, Leonardo DiCaprio, Christian Bale, Seth Rogen, Jessica Chastain, and most recently Michael Fassbender.

Deadline reports that Universal Studios is keen on picking up the movie by tomorrow. So fear not, the project will likely live to see another day and hopefully secure a cast in the near future. It is rare for a well-known project to be dropped by a studio and made available for rival studios to purchase.