Dubai Shopping Festival Begins

Dubai is set to welcome a host of international celebrities and influence-rs as the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) from January 1 to February 1. The 21st edition of the DSF has revealed a line-up of 150 events and activities with famous singers, stylists and social media influence-rs among those set to create a buzz about the one-month event.

Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) is the largest shopping and entertainment extravaganza in the Middle East. The shopping obsession peaks each year in January during Dubai Shopping Festival, the longest running festival of its kind. Along with unbeatable deals, DSF is home to Guinness World Records, celebrity performances and plenty of amazing events to celebrate the emirate’s favorite pastime.

This year’s festival tagged “Unwrap the Exceptional” will witness a mix of international, regional and local celebrities and trendsetters promoting DSF to an international audience and expanding the reach of Dubai as an international shopping destination.

Over 40 such personalities will be visiting Dubai during the 32 days of DSF and their presence is expected to further elevate the overall experience of local residents and tourists at DSF’s citywide activations, exhibitions and attractions.

The international figures from various spheres including music, fashion and beauty will be either making a special contribution, appearance or performing live on stage during DSF as they travel to Dubai to see the largest shopping festival of its kind in the world, and experience the fantastic atmosphere that makes it the best time of the year to be in the emirate.

Emirates marks key milestones in 2015, its 30th year of operations

Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, will conclude another year of growth underscored by standout milestones across its fleet, network, and customer experience initiatives. Its growing business footprint also delivered increasing positive impact on the economies and communities it serves.

Since January 2015, the airline has carried over 51.3 million passengers, which represented 9% more passengers during the same period in the previous calendar year.

Emirates operated around 3,600 flights on average per week, or over 186,000 flights in 2015, travelling more than 824 million kilometres around the globe, which is the distance equivalent of more than 1,000 trips to the moon and back.  The airline served over 57 million meals on its flights departing Dubai*, and handled over 35 million pieces of baggage in Dubai alone.

Remarking on this year’s accomplishments, Sir Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline said:  “2015 has been one of considerable growth for Emirates as we continued to steer our course despite the headwinds of regional conflict, unfavourable currency impact, and shaky business and consumer confidence in many global markets. Emirates has come out strong, as our mindset, combined with our fleet and network strategy has enabled us to absorb shocks and maximise opportunities.

Through our 30 years of operation to date, Emirates has always stayed focussed on its core strategies: an efficient fleet and operations that capitalise on Dubai’s strategic location and infrastructure; an excellent product and service proposition for our customers; and recruiting and retaining the best talent from around the world. We will continue to build on these strengths, even as we drive ourselves to achieve new goals and set new standards for ourselves and the industry.”

Virgin Active Launches Fitness Emojis

Virgin Active, the gym brand, has launched a series of fitness emojis to help gym goers express themselves on social media.

The 33 emojis depict exercises such as squats, burpees, the tree pose for yoga lovers, post-gym relaxation in a hot tub, and the different classes the gym chain offers.

Clare Gambardella, the European Marketing Director for Virgin Active, said: “At Virgin Active we’re constantly looking for new ways to inspire people to get active, both in and out of our clubs.

“With only a handful of workout emojis in the market, we saw this as the perfect opportunity to bring a bit more fun and enjoyment to people wanting to celebrate their everyday fitness achievements.”

Emojis are fast becoming part of the British public’s day-to-day lexicon, even being dubbed the Oxford English Dictionary’s ‘Word of the Year’ in 2015. Yet when it comes to fitness, emojis are on the lean side – with only a handful available to help active people Tweet, Instagram or Facebook their fitness feelings. To help the nation’s fitfam express their emotions, Virgin Active has unveiled its first ever ‘emojivation’ pack – emojis that are designed to motivate people and allow them to show off their hard work without typing a word.

Firm Restates Commitment To Oral Health In Nigeria

The Oral-Care brand of Procter & Gamble, Oral-B, which has built a strong partnership with dental professionals in recent years, has restated its commitment to the continual improvement of the overall oral health of the Nation. Oral-B's mission, remains-to enable all Nigerians to have stronger and healthier teeth, going into 2016 and beyond.

Oral-B announced this at the National Oral Health Week 2015 held in Abuja recently and at a post Health Week Executive debrief session recently in Lagos.

At the National Oral Health Week organized by the Federal Ministry of Health, held in Abuja recently, The Honourable Minister of State for Health, Dr. Osagie Enahire had also made a similar appeal to Nigerians to see their “oral health as closely integrated with their general health system as the mouth is the gate way to the body and several oral diseases are related to non-communicable diseases such as diabetes mellitus and hypertension.”

The Nigerian Medical Journal (Olusile) had also noted that, “there are certain factors militating against good oral health care delivery in Nigeria which include: Culture, Myth & Fallacies, Poverty, and Fear of the Dental Clinics, Ignorance or low awareness and Lack of access, among others. However, low awareness of Oral health care and lack of access are probably the two most important factors. To the educated ones, dentistry is tooth extraction, and tooth extraction is associated with excruciating pain, so a visit to the Dentist is as a result. Persons with low socioeconomic status and the non-educated Nigerian do not even know who a Dentist is or what he does.”

Samsung Electronics Introduces Advanced Smart TV User Experience

Samsung Electronics have unveiled a new Samsung Smart TV user experience with the refreshed ‘Smart Hub’ user interface and new Samsung Smart Control remote. These Smart TV enhancements provide consumers with easy access to all their favorite content, all in one place and with a single remote control.

“The world of TV is constantly changing, with more choices and more connected devices than ever before, so we have made it easier for people to discover and watch the content they want, when they want” said Won Jin Lee, Executive Vice President of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “In 2016, Samsung’s Smart Hub and Smart Control remote are providing the most streamlined, convenient and intuitive TV user experience. Together, they offer the choices and performance consumers expect from today’s home entertainment technology.”

The new Smart Hub interface represents a shift away from multiple content sources and devices, to one integrated content and services platform. Consumers will now be able to switch seamlessly between linear content, OTT content as well as other connected devices, including videogame consoles or Blu-ray players.

Samsung’s new Smart TV with enhanced Smart Hub interface was developed in part by the Samsung Customer Experience lab in Silicon Valley. “We wanted to offer consumers a new type of experience, integrating live TV with streaming services and other content sources,” said Chris Turkstra, Vice President of the Lab. “No longer will you need to keep track of several remotes to control individual devices. All you need is one Samsung Smart TV.”

Ife alive as Goldberg thrills consumers

Ile-Ife, the traditional home of Yoruba civilization came alive when Goldberg lager beer from the stable of Nigerian Breweries Plc thrilled consumers with live music and presented them with various gift items after the coronation of “His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja 11, Ooni of Ife”

The celebration which was in consonance with the values of the brand was held in  major bars in the town,  where consumers went home with Television Sets, Rechargeable Fans, Microwave Ovens, DVD Players, Refrigerators and Goldberg fabrics.

Speaking on behalf of the winners, Oluwafemi Oladimeji noted that Goldberg is truly a brand that identifies with and celebrates culture of the people. He said he never expected that a brand will have such an elaborate plan to organize a party for consumers to participate in the ceremony of the coronation of their monarch. “It is even more fun when you win a prize that you never anticipated.”

He added that, the experience will remain with him for a long time as he pledged his loyalty to the Goldberg brand for “being a caring brand.”

In his comments, Kolade Bada applauded Goldberg for the huge investment in promoting the cultural values of its consumers, saying he will “forever remain indebted to the brand for giving him such memorable time and gifts, and also for being a part of history with the coronation of the new Ooni of Ife.”

Heritage Bank Introduces Savings Culture to Children

As part of its bid to ensure a properly equipped and secured future, Heritage Bank has continued its crusade of introducing the savings culture to children.

The bank used the end-of-year show for children organised at the weekend by Nnenna & Friends, a subsidiary of Wale Adenuga Productions Limited at the Muson Centre, Onikan Lagos, to inculcate the savings culture in them.

The children and their parents were treated to performances from different actors, comedians, dancers and musicians like Bukunmi Preacher, Korede Sax, Desmond Osarobe, Jim Boi, Oshadipe Twins, Dizzy Mbata, 9ice, and Chigul.

Addressing participants at the occasion, Mrs Olayinka Ademo, popularly called Nnenna; said the purpose of the event was to create an avenue for children to come together, celebrate, learn and have fun.  “It is no gainsaying the fact that God has been very faithful and merciful to us right from the first day in the year to this very moment”, she said.

She said the event was organised to wrap up the hustles and bustles of the year 2015 with a view to giving the children a memorable experience that would linger in their memory for a long time.

Olashore Raises swimming hopes for Nigeria Youngsters

Olashore International School has raised swimming hopes for Nigerian youngsters in the recently organized Swimming Gala, a competition amongst the students in the school.

The event which took place at the school’s swimming pool complex, as part of the activities marking its Speech and Prize giving day recently held, is an annual event to help students learn how to swim for personal and competition purposes. Sponsored annually by the Parents Teachers Association (PTA), this year’s competition was under the chairmanship of Mr Otunba Adeyeye.

Owing to the fact that swimming can fetch us multiples of medals and the believe that Nigeria can raise a swimmer to a higher level in a way that such swimmer can go out to compete and win medals at events such as the Commonwealth Games or the Olympic Games, many Nigerians, schools, and sports lovers, train youngsters to become future champions. Olashore International School didn’t just include swimming as part of its school activities, but also built a world class, neat and well maintained swimming pool at the swimming complex of the school, which contributes to raising youngsters in swimming for greater competitions.

According to the Assistant Director, Co-Curricular Activities of the School, Mr Felix Adeboboye, the competition is organized to train students on how to swim and get them ready for competition. His words: “Today is one of the landmark activities organized by the every first term in every session. It is not house by house based but rather individual students are compelled to join either of the four groups formed which are Stingrays, Piranhas, Sardines and Sharks. The whole essence of the swimming competition is to teach students how to swim, and also to get our competitors ready for external swimming competitions. We have an array of sports activities in the school, but I like the idea of the swimming competition because swimming is a lifestyle that helps keep fit."

Tigo Tanzania Facebook followers hit 1 million mark

Tigo Tanzania’s Facebook followers recently clocked a staggering 1million, making the company’s Facebook page www.facebook.com/TigoTanzania, the most popular and Tigo the first company with the highest Facebook followers in Tanzania.

The enviable feat, which was achieved on 27th December 2015, effectively cemented Tigo’s position as the foremost digital lifestyle telecom in the country.

Tigo’s Facebook page was created in June 2011 and has grown to become the most ideal platform for interaction for its customers where they get to learn about the company’s new products and services and latest innovations.

In a recent Tanzania Leadership Awards ceremony that honors Tanzania’s best organizations and individuals, Tigo won two trophies for: “The Hall of Fame in Brand Excellence”, and “The Best use of Social Media in Marketing”.

The upsurge in the use of social media in Tanzania has spurred the use Facebook in the country in recent years and a special interest to use Tigo Facebook due to its innovative products and services.

Stanbic IBTC strengthens executive management

Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC, a member of Standard Bank Group, has announced some key executive appointments and changes in its management structure.

Dr. Demola Sogunle has been named Deputy Chief Executive (Deputy Managing Director), Stanbic IBTC Bank PLC. He was until recently the Chief Executive of Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers, a position he had held since August 19, 2011. Yewande Sadiku and Babatunde Macaulay have been appointed as Executive Directors, Corporate and Transactional Banking and Personal and Business Banking for Stanbic IBTC Bank respectively, while Eric Fajemisin and Bunmi Dayo-Olagunju were appointed Chief Executives for Stanbic IBTC Pensions Managers and Stanbic IBTC Asset Management respectively.

Yewande Sadiku, Executive Director, Stanbic IBTC Bank

As Deputy Chief Executive of the Bank, Sogunle is expected to strengthen the executive team as the bank consolidates its growth strategy. He was formerly the Head of Treasury and Financial Services for the Bank, a position he held for over seven years. Prior to his appointment as Chief Executive of the Group’s Pension business, he was Stanbic IBTC Bank’s Head of Risk as well as its Chief Compliance Officer.

Eric Fajemisin, CE of Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers, will in his new role, have responsibility for the overall management and strategic direction of Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers, and will lead and drive the formulation and execution of specific business strategies and monitor performance. Fajemisin has 25 years’ banking experience spanning investment banking, commercial banking, business development and business support. His previous roles in banking include Head, Investment Banking Division in Chartered Bank; Head, Investment Management and Business Development for Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers.

IMF boss Christine Lagarde Arrives Nigeria, To Meet Buhari Today

The Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Ms. Christine Lagarde on Monday arrived on a private aircraft at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Nigeria's capital, Abuja for a scheduled four-day official visit.

The IMF boss was received by the minister of finance Mrs Kemi Adeosun and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Mr. Godwin Emefiele and will be meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday.

According to a statement, her visit to Nigeria will provide the IMF an opportunity to strengthen the Fund’s partnership with the largest economy in sub-Saharan Africa.

The IMF Managing Director will leave Nigeria on the 7th for Cameroon, where she will meet President Paul Biya and his economic team, as well as private sector executives, women leaders, and other members of Cameroonian society.

When SAA Hosted Ophans To Movie Treat At The Cinemas

South African Airways (SAA) recently hosted the children of the Arrow of God Orphanage to a treat at the Silverbird Cinemas in Lagos where they watched a movie, ate and drank to celebrate the yuletide season.

According to Thobi Duma, South African Airways Country Manager, have had about five year’s relationship with the orphanage and this is part of its annual package for the kids.

In her words: “At this time of the year, people are busy giving and sharing with their families and this is our way of contributing to the corporate social responsibility in Nigeria and also to show gratitude to Nigeria for accommodating South African Airways”.

a group picture of the children

 Furthermore, Duma said the aim of the event is to make the kids feel special, enjoy themselves and have fun like other privileged children. She also expressed her gratitude to Silverbird Cinemas for its complimentary offer of the cinema to show the movie to the kids

The excited kids expressed their gratitude to SAA after watching their movie “Hotel Transylvania”.

BOSCH, UNIDO Hold Stakeholders Consultative Forum

...Discuss Ways To Improve Cassava Market Profitability

In many developing countries, food loss is greatly contributed to poor transportation and little to no storage. This is a huge problem in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where a third of all food produced is lost before it reaches the marketplace. According to data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 30m tonnes of grains and oilseeds are lost every year in SSA and 85% of that is lost in the production, harvesting, handling and processing stages of the supply chain.

Reducing this food loss is important because it makes more food available for consumption. And as the biggest producers of cassava worldwide, BOSCH, a global supplier of technology and services partnered with United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) recently organized a Stakeholders Consultative Meeting in Lagos with farmers to discuss the prospect, challenges and marketing widows of cassava production in the country.

According to Mr. Ghislain Noumbessy, Managing Director of Robert Bosch West Africa, it is imperative for farmers to take advantage of the technological tools and services that could help them proffer solutions to their food loss and perk up their profit. Noumbessy stated that Bosch has been motivated by the search for ever-better technological solutions and fresh approaches that will help tackle the great challenges of today and deliver benefits to her customers.

“At Bosch, our work is guided and motivated to find solutions to even the most complex technological challenges while at the same time preserving natural resources and making a positive contribution to the society and that is why we decided to create a stakeholders consultative meeting to discuss about the market prospects, challenges and opportunities of agriculture especially in Cassava farming”, he said.

A representative of UNIDO from Austria, Dr. Yvonne Lokko stated that organization is working with Bosch in line with the United Nations agenda to reduce poverty, facilitate trade capacity building, agri-business and agro-industry development in Nigeria.