Nigerian Breweries Signs MOU With Federal Ministry of Agriculture On Hybrid Sorghum Development

Nigerian Breweries Plc has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) to collaborate on the development and commercialization of sorghum as part of its sustainability programme.

Speaking at the ceremony, which took place at the Minister’s conference room in Abuja, the Chairman of Nigerian Breweries Plc, Chief Kola Jamodu said that the company has invested heavily over the years in the research and development of hybrid sorghum aimed at improving sorghum productivity through breeding and selection programme.

He expressed optimism that the partnership with the ministry signified by the signing of the MOU will further expand and strengthens the company’s efforts in developing the sorghum value chain in Nigeria.

(L-R) Managing Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Nicolaas Vervelde, Chairman of the company, Chief Kola Jamodu, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry,Mrs. Ibikun Odusote at the signing of MOU between Ministry of Agriculture and Nigerian Breweries Plc on Hybrid Soghum Development in Abuja on Friday.

Chief Jamodu pledged the commitment of Nigerian Breweries to deploy the high yield hybrid sorghum seeds for large scale commercial production to support the agriculture transformation agenda of the federal government. He commended the Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Akinwumi Adesina for his focus and commitment in driving the agriculture transformation agenda, pointing out that the initiative has recorded commendable success so far.

He pointed out that Nigeria has no business dependent on food importation hence the need for backward integration. He stated that the ban on barley importation in the 1980s and 1990s made the company to seek for local alternatives; this was what formed the basis for the research into local alternatives. Even after the ban was lifted, the chairman said the company maintained its stand on sourcing local substitute for barley.

Coke Studio Takes May D, Teckno, Solebobo, Others to CRUTECH

Lovers of good music and dance are in for a time of their lives as the Coke Studio Concert hits the campus community of Cross River University of Technology (CRUTECH) on Friday, October 31st with performances from May D, Tekno, Solebobo amongst others.

CRUTECH will mark the seventh campus visited by Coke Studio Concerts since it kicked off in September after touring the Lagos State Polytechnic, University of Benin, Abia State University, University of Lagos, Obafemi Awolowo University and the University of Port-Harcourt campuses with some of Nigeria’s biggest music artistes.

The Brand Manager, Colas, Coca-Cola Nigeria, Olufemi Ashipa, explains that the concerts were inspired by the need to take the experience of the Coke Studio TV broadcast directly to the target audience.  “Through these concerts, we are giving our consumers the opportunity to enjoy the music experience Coke Studio brings”, Ashipa said.

He also noted that selection of the artistes was based on the preferences of the consumers in each location. “These artistes are big among our target consumers and also the Nigerian music scene. The big idea with these concerts is that not only do they get to watch the artistes perform; their local acts get to perform alongside these established acts”, Ashipa said.

Germany confirms 2024 Olympics bid

The German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) has confirmed that it will bid to host the 2024 summer Olympic Games.

Berlin and Hamburg are the two cities considered to host the Games with a decision on who the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) will put forward set to be decided on March 21, 2015.

Both cities outlined concept proposals for a bid last month. Berlin has previously put a figure of €2.4 billion (£1.9 billion/ $3.1 billion) on hosting the Games.

The German capital would spend €250 million (£197 million/ $318 million) on upgrading 15 existing sports facilities and €1 billion (£790 million/$1.3 billion) building temporary ones for the Games.

Broll Nigeria appoints new CEO

Broll Property Services Nigeria, the country’s leading Property Services Company, has appointed Mr. Bolaji Edu as its new Chief Executive Officer. The appointment takes effect from October 2014.

Mr. Edu takes over from erstwhile CEO, Mrs. Erejuwa Gbadebo, and will have overall responsibility for Broll’s operations in Nigeria.

Mr. Bolaji Edu, CEO Broll

Bolaji Edu brings a wealth of international industry experience to the company. Prior to joining Broll, he worked at Aviva Investors as part of the European Real Estate team as an Assistant Fund Manager advising corporate and public sector pension funds on their real estate portfolio.

He has a degree in Economics and Business Economics from the University of Hull, UK and is a member of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors.

Commenting on the appointment, Leonard Michau – Director and Head of West Africa Operations for Broll said: “We welcome Bolaji to our team. His over 18 years experience in the real estate market is invaluable and we are confident he will make a significant contribution in continuing to build our presence in Nigeria. Our ability to attract a real estate executive with his record and knowledge reflects Broll’s potential for continued strong growth. We look forward to his leadership in driving and executing on the strategies that will allow Broll to further enhance its position in the industry.”

Mission To STOP Ebola! IBM, Airtel, Echo Mobile join forces in West Africa

Airtel, IBM Research Africa and Kenya's Echo Mobile have partnered to launch several initiatives in an aim to help curb the spread of Ebola in West Africa.

The initiatives include a citizen engagement and analytics system in Sierra Leone that enables communities affected by Ebola to communicate their issues and concerns directly to the government; a donation of IBM Connections technology in Nigeria to strengthen the Lagos State government's preparedness for future disease outbreaks; and a global platform for sharing Ebola-related open data.

The efforts combine expertise from IBM's global network of research labs with the company's years of experience in humanitarian disaster response by applying mobile technology, data analytics and cloud computing to help governments and relief agencies as they seek to contain the deadly disease.

The work benefits from contributions from a number of partners including Sierra Leone's Open Government Initiative, Cambridge University's Africa's Voices project, Airtel and Kenya's Echo Mobile.

No petition to us by court over half-empty cans – NBC, Coca-Cola

Nigerian Bottling Company, NBC and Coca Cola Nigeria Limited said, yesterday, they had not received any petition by the court against them by the Consumer Protection Council, CPC, over half-empty Sprite cans.

In a co-signed statement by the Head, Public Affairs & Communications of NBC, Uzo Odenigbo and Head, Public Affairs & Communications of CCNL, Clem Ugorji, the companies said they had only noted from media reports that criminal charges had been instituted against both companies as a result of the Consumer Protection Council’s CPC’s reaction to February 2014 complaint by a consumer involving two short–filled cans of Sprite.

The statement said NBC and CCNL had the utmost respect for the CPC as a regulator and an agency of government and would continue to co-operate with the council on the matter.

According to the statement, “we filed applications for a judicial review of these orders in February 2014, which review is pending in the courts. We do not believe that our submission to judicial review is in violation of the council’s orders. We have full trust in the Nigerian judicial system.

MasterCard cardholders to enjoy priceless offers from 28 of Lagos’ best restaurants in November

(L–R) Sarvenaz Etebarian, V & B Place; Omokehinde Ojomuyide, Vice President & Area Business Head, MasterCard West Africa; Tannaz Etebarian Bahnam, Founder of “Lost in Lagos”; during a dinner held at Spice Route Restaurant to launch the MasterCard Restaurant Week in Lagos yesterday

Food-lovers are in for a priceless treat as MasterCard Restaurant Week presented by Lost in Lagos debuts in Lagos. From 1 November - 21 November 2014, MasterCard cardholders will be able to enjoy the best dining experiences that Lagos has to offer at exceptional prices.

Famous the world over, Restaurant Week is a culinary event that celebrates all the qualities that define a great restaurant:  high standards in food and presentation, ambiance and service. Held in several cities including Amsterdam, New York, Singapore, Beijing and now Lagos, Restaurant Week gives food-lovers the opportunity to dine at top restaurants at discounted set-menu prices.

MasterCard Restaurant Week will include special menus from 28 of the city’s top restaurants including Spice Route, Fusion, Bistro 7, Oje, Viceroy and Bar Campione as well as a handful of exclusive, fine dining establishments like Izanagi, Rooftop and Medici Restaurant among others.

(L–R) Omokehinde Ojomuyide, Vice President & Area Business Head, MasterCard West Africa; Tannaz Etebarian Bahnam, Founder of “Lost in Lagos”; Bolanle Olatunji, Marketing Manager, Uber; Sarvenaz Etebarian, V & B Place; and Alastair Curtis, International Launcher, Uber, during a dinner held at Spice Route Restaurant to launch the MasterCard Restaurant Week in Lagos Recently

“MasterCard Restaurant Week will change the way people look at dining out in Lagos as it will give food-lovers the opportunity to experience new restaurants that they may have been unable  to try before,” says Tannaz Bahnam, Founder of Lost in Lagos. “Each of the participating restaurants is known for their excellent cuisine and service, ensuring that restaurant-goers will enjoy an unforgettable dining experience,” she says.

Micky Lawler becomes WTA president as body considers new team event

Tennis executive Micky Lawler has been appointed as the new president of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA).

With over two decades of experience at sports marketing agency Octagon, Lawler will be responsible for driving the organisation’s international growth strategy and business development. She will start her new role on January 1, 2015 and report to WTA chairman and chief executive Stacey Allaster.

According to Allaster, Lawler has been instrumental in shaping and contributing to WTA strategy for growth, importantly including opening new markets for the sport.

Also, WTA is reportedly considering a plan to establish its own team event.

The International Tennis Federation already hosts the Fed Cup national team tournament for women.

Datsun returns! Plans market expansion in Africa, Middle East

Datsun, a brand of Nissan Motor Corporation is finally back to global market. The brand has become a reality for many customers across India, Indonesia, Russia and South Africa.

BrandArena learnt that plans are in top gear by the legendary brand to return and launch some new products in a 'big and better way' to regain its weight as a global giant.

The company is taking a bold step into more high-growth markets where there are increasing numbers of upwardly-mobile people in nearest future - beginning with an extension in Africa and Middle East.

South Africa is the fourth global market for Datsun. The Datsun GO launched heralds the brand’s entry for accessible motoring in the country and designed to meet the needs and aspirations of today’s customers and is destined to carve a distinctive niche as a lifestyle vehicle for first time new car buyers.

WIMBIZ Set To Hold 13th Annual Conference

The Women in Management, Business and Public Service, WIMBIZ, is set to hold its 13th annual conference in Lagos. The two-day conference is themed ‘Nigeria Rising … Accelerating Transformation’, and it's expected to be attended by over 800 women.

WIMBIZ is aimed at examining the possibilities and opportunities in Nigeria while providing insights on the roles of citizens, particularly women, in achieving the identified prospects.

According to the organizers, the conference will touch on education and agriculture, would seek new ways of creating jobs and wealth for women and young people and fast-forward their thinking to grow the nation.

The keynote speaker at the conference is the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, while the chairperson is Mrs. Leila Fowler, founder, Top Grade Secondary School and Proprietress, Vivian Fowler Memorial College for Girls.

Speakers include Mr. Rasheed Olaoluwa, MD, Bank of Industry, Mrs. Alero Otobo, CEO, Incubator Africa Ltd; Ms Yewande Sadiku, Executive Producer, Half of a Yellow Sun, and Mr. Mezuo Nwuneli, MD, Sahel Capital among others.

NSE Becomes Full Member of WFE

The World Federation of Exchanges (WFE) yesterday unanimously voted to admit The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) as full member of the global trade association for the operators of regulated securities exchanges.

Elected as a Federation member during the 54th General Assembly and Annual Meeting of the WFE Seoul South Korea, the NSE becomes the first West African stock exchange to be granted full Federation membership status.

With 60 members from around the globe and its exchanges exchanges home to over 45,000 listed companies, the WFE develops and promotes standards in markets, international cooperation, and coordination among regulators.

The WFE’s vote for full membership came through a series of assessments. On September 15-16, the NSE was visited by a WFE inspection team in Lagos. The inspection team consisted of the Federation and member exchanges.

MTN bleeding subscribers in Nigeria

MTN Group, Africa’s largest mobile telecoms operator, slashed its full-year forecast for Nigerian subscriber growth by nearly a third on Thursday, raising concern about its ability to fight off competition in its top market and sending its shares sliding.

The company has been fighting to stay in the lead in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, ahead of competitors such as the UAE’s Etisalat, India’s Bharti Airtel and privately-owned local firm, Globacom. It now expects to add 3.5 million users in Africa’s biggest economy this year, from its previous forecast of five million. In total, it has 58.4 million customers in Nigeria, a slight decrease from three months ago.

“That comes as a bit of a surprise. Many participants in the market were looking for a correction in Nigeria,” said Nadim Mohammed, a telecoms industry analyst at First Avenue Investment Management, referring to MTN’s revision to its subscribers forecast.

“You’ve got a very capable regulator in the country now and they are doing the right things to promote competition, better costs to communicate and a better experience for the consumer. I am actually worried,” he added.

Proposed Ebola Parties In The UK Draws Criticism

The proposed Saturday Night Ebola Fever for Halloween weekend at Scotch of St James, a music venue in Mayfair in London, has continued to draw criticism from charities attempting to deal with the outbreak.

Recently, flyers and a Facebook invite, complete with a banner with Halloween-themed writing, was released.

Tom Dannatt, chief executive and founder of Street Child, a charity running an Ebola crisis appeal, told the Telegraph that anyone trying to make light of the crisis or a profit out of it is reprehensible.

A medical doctor, Dr. Susan Nelson said such awareness which not be view from a marketing perspective. "Some people always look forward to caught in on any public challenge and us it to get the attention of their targeted audience all in the name of Corporate Social Responsibility or Brand Affiliation. The issue of Ebola shouldn't be taken with levity."