CyberXchange Conference 2016 Begins Today

Leading Chief executives, renowned professionals, government officials and holistic cross-section stakeholders converge at the CyberXchange Conference 2016 today and tomorrow, Thursday, November 3rd, to examine current cyber security trends and produce tangible recommendations for solutions at the Landmark Event Centre, Lekki Peninsula, Lagos Nigeria.

The event is open to cybersecurity practitioners, leaders, academia and researchers in both private and public sectors including Finance, Payments, ecommerce, Banking, Telecommunications, Digital Media, Energy, and emerging start-up companies, Legal, law enforcement, regulators, and national security related agencies.

The free attendee exhibition on both days of CyberXchange 2016 will feature solution providers, product demos, product launches, a cybersecurity Hackathon and a chance for Business-to-Business introductions. Select schools that offer cybersecurity programs will be on hand at the exhibition to meet interested candidates.

"Designspiration" at Heineken Lagos Fashion Design Week 2016

Heineken Lagos Fashion & Design Week keeps getting better. Its 6th edition held at Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island from the 26th – 29th October 2016 was 'designspirational'.

Here are some pictures from the biggest fashion show in the continent:

Indomie, Coca-Cola, Delta State Win Big At 2016 ADVAN Awards

It was indeed a unique gathering of major stakeholders in Nigeria’s marketing industry when The Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN) rolled out the red carpet recently to celebrate outstanding industry achievers.  The 2016 ADVAN Awards for Marketing Excellence that took place last weekend at the MUSON centre, Onikan , Lagos threw up new champions who will relish their achievement for the next twelve months.

At the high-point of the awards night which is the announcement of “The Brand of the Year Award”, Nigeria’s leading noodles brand, Indomie carried the day as the brand emerged the overall winner in this premium category. This position also carries a dual award as the brand manager of Indomie was named  “The Brand Manager of the Year Award.  

Coca-Cola and Heineken took the second and third positions respectively. Before the final announcement, some analysts had tipped Coca-cola to emerge the overall winner after some activations / brands from its stable had earlier carted away the highest number of Awards- three highly coveted Trophies. Coca-Cola –COPA campaign, Coca - Cola 5 Alive Pulpy and Coca- Cola Share A Coke campaign picked The ADVAN Awards For Marketing Excellence   -Experiential Marketing, ADVAN Awards For Marketing Excellecne 2016 –Innovation and Awards For Marketing Excellence -Digital /Social Media Marketing respectively.

UNTOLD STORIES OF TWELVE COWBELLPEDIA FINALISTS

The battle for the 2016 Cowbellpedia Mathematics crown will be won and lost this weekend as twelve finalists roll up their sleeves in preparation for the final ‘battle’. The finalists are spread across three states in the south west, while three schools in Ota, Ogun State produced nine of the twelve finalists.

At the end of the third and final semi-final ‘battle’, Juliet Ekoko and Oreofe Daniels, both of The Ambassadors College, Ota, Ogun State completed the list of the 6 finalists in the Junior category.

The other Junior finalists are: Oluwafunmbi Fakorede of Bibo Oluwa Academy, Ilesa, Osun State; Dennis Balogun of Greater Tomorrow International College, Akure, Ondo State; Oluwatunmise Idowu of Scholars Universal Academy, Ota, Ogun State and Glory Okoli of The Ambassadors College, Ota, Ogun State.

In the senior category, Adegoke Aromolaran of Bibo Oluwa Academy, Ilesa, Osun State and Ademola Fatoke of Ota Total Academy, Ota, Ogun State picked the final tickets.

Volkswagen Nigeria refutes claims of economic sabotage by Senate Committee

The Volkswagen automobile group of Nigeria (VON) has refuted claims by the chairman, Senate Committee on Customs, Excise and Tariff, Hope Uzodinma, to the effect that the company was sabotaging the country’s economy.

A press statement by the Managing Director of the VON Automobiles, Mr. Tokunbo Aromolaran on Tuesday, 1 November, 2016 said that the company strongly refutes allegations of any economic sabotage or any other form of non-compliance or wrong doing in its business operations.

According to the statement, the Chairman of the Senate Committee, in company of about 30 people comprising senators, officers of Nigerian Customs Service, pressmen and police officers descended on the VON premises on Friday 28 October 2016 without prior notification.

“They were given free access to our plants and warehouses and found nothing other than what you would expect to see in an auto assembly plant - an inventory of vehicles assembled awaiting delivery. We also confirmed that applicable duties were paid at the ports when the components were imported into the country.”

Linda Ikeji Finally Reveals The Meaning of LIS!

Popular Nigerian gossip blogger, Linda Ikeji, has finally revealed the meaning of LIS. It's a social networking site aptly called, “Linda Ikeji Social".

Linda Ikeji Social is basically Facebook meets Linda Ikeji Blog meets ebay.com.

"You can connect with friends on LIS, chat, get the latest breaking news, sell you eye witness stories to us and get paid. You can also buy and sell your goods and services from authentic buyers and sellers", Linda Ikeji said.

Experts Highlight Strategies To Fast-track Economic Growth At 6th FBNQuest Investor Conference

Trade and marketing experts have maintained that robust partnership between government and the private sector, support to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), as well as intervening in high potential sectors including manufacturing and agriculture are the key turning point that could fast-track Nigeria's economic growth out of recession.

Mr. Okey Enelamah

At the 2016 Annual Investor Conference organised by FBN Capital Limited, the Investment Banking and Asset Management subsidiary of FBN Holdings Plc. held on October 27, 2016 in Lagos, the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Okey Enelamah, emphasized the importance of government partnership with the private sector in order to move the nation’s economy forward. He said despite the recession, Nigerians should see the economy from a positive perspective and deemphasize on the negative side of the recession. He noted that the oil price crash exposed the structural deficiency in Nigeria’s large and thriving economy.

In his presentation tiled ‘Matching Opportunities with Patient Capital,’ the Minister said “Countries in difficulty have used different strategies to strengthen and diversify their economies.  That is why Nigeria needs to move away from over dependence on oil. Diversification and growth is key to economic recovery and ensuring a more stable future. Nigeria should have a strong local base of investors because foreigners will always leave leading to dry up of capital.”

Mr. Enelamah recommended applying practical solutions such as creating the right environment and polices to harness the productivity of Nigerians in order to overcome the current inflation in Nigeria, as the economy remains large and full of potentials. He added that it is very easy to have a disconnect between the government and the people when there is no trust in government policies.

Pictures From ADVAN Awards for Marketing Excellence 2016

Portfolio Manager - Mainstream & Stout at NB Plc, Emmanuel Agu with other staff receiving NB Plc award of excellence at the ADVAN Awards for Marketing Excellence 2016 held at Muson Centre, Lagos

Princewill Ekwujuru of Vanguard receiving his 2016 ADVAN Brand Journalist of the Year Award for third position at the event held at Muson Centre, Lagos.

(L-R) General Manager of Consumer Marketing at MTN Nigeria, Kolawole Oyeyemi, President of ADVAN, David Okeme, Vice- President, Mrs. Joan Ihekwaba at ADVAN Awards for Marketing Excellence 2016 held at Muson Centre, Lagos

Uber Hires Red Media As Official PR Partner in Nigeria and Ghana

Online transportation network company, Uber has hired the service of Red Media Africa (RED) as its official PR and communication agency in Nigeria and Ghana.

The Lagos-based agency will be in charge of Uber’s communication, relationship building and brand activations in Nigeria and Ghana where Uber hopes to continuously grow as the number one ride-hailing app.

Red Media Africa was inducted by the Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria (PRCAN) in December 2015. The agency operates on three divisions: communication, content and development.

Red Media Africa’s PR accounts also include Facebook, Nigerian Breweries and Union Bank.

CSOs To Meet Over Anti Corruption Bills

Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria working in the area of anti-corruption are to meet in Abuja from the 3rd to 4th of November, 2016 to discuss issues relating to the strengthening of the legal framework against corruption in Nigeria.

The meeting, being put together by the Media Initiative against Injustice, Violence and Corruption- MIIVOC, with support from Justice for All of the British council, expects about fifty Civil Society organisations from across the country in attendance.

Top on the agenda is the consideration of strategies in advocating for the transmission and passage of: the Proceeds of Crime - POCA, Nigeria Financial Intelligence Center- NFIC, Whistle Blowers Protection and Mutual Legal Assistance Bills by the National Assembly.

Airtel’s CEO, Ogunsanya, Urges Ad Practitioners to Focus on Digital Advertising

To connect with target audience and ensure maximum returns from advertising spend, Airtel Nigeria’s Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Segun Ogunsanya, has called on advertising practitioners to pay close attention to digital advertising.

Ogunsanya, who was speaking at the 2016 ADVAN Awards for marketing excellence held at the weekend in Lagos, noted that with the ubiquitous nature of mobile devices, digital advertising is the future of advertising.

President, Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN), David Okeme; MD and CEO, Airtel Nigeria, Segun Ogunsanya and Chairman, ADVAN Awards 2016 and Marketing Director, Nigerian Brewries, Franco Maria Maggi at the ADVAN Awards for Marketing Excellence on Saturday, October 29, 2016 at the Muson Centre Lagos.

According to him, there are over 5 billion people with access to mobile phones; hence, a mobile device remains the easiest way to connect with people, especially the youths who are the leaders of tomorrow.

He noted that Millennials are looking at many different screens for advertising. They are now concentrating on digital media, and advertising has to move to the digital space.

Heritage Bank Reels Out Global Aspiration To Stakeholders

Heritage Bank Plc indeed lived up to its slogan of being the ‘Timeless Wealth Partner’ to its investors and customers when recently it took them through a journey of all the transformation activities that have made the bank what it is since inception till date, ‘a single bigger and better financial institution’.

And so, within the walls of the Orchid Hall of the Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos, resonated these words: “We have a story, how we started and where we are going”; “All that defines us!”;“Whatever our purpose, we all desire to succeed;” “We all desire to leave a legacy of success;” “Welcome to history in the making,” and “We are a service organization in the business of banking!”

L-R:  Executive Director, Lagos/South West & Corporate Banking, Heritage Bank, Mrs. Mary Akpobome; Executive Director, Enterprise Risk Management and Chief Risk Officer, Mr. Jude Monye; Director, Prof. Yinka Omorogbe and  Executive Director, Abuja and North Bank, Mr. Ola Olabinjo, at the bank's first Investors Forum in Lagos...on Friday.

It was the maiden edition of the Investors Forum of the Heritage Bank Plc, a bank formed under the operating licence of the defunct Societe Generale Bank of Nigeria (SGBN) and noted for pioneering a number of banking initiatives in Nigeria.

Heritage Bank, which began full operation on March 4, 2013 as a regional bank with only about 11 branches, became a national financial services provider at the acquisition of Enterprise Bank Limited with over 160 branches.

Winners Emerge In NB Plc 8th Golden Pen Award

Nigerian Breweries Plc rewarded media excellence and outstanding journalism practice at the Nigerian Breweries Golden Pen Award which took place in Lagos last weekend.

The award which is the 8th in the series is aimed at promoting professionalism and objective reportage of events in Nigeria. It is also meant to reward such journalists who abide by the fine ethics of the journalism profession.

From Left to Right – Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekeremadu; Nicolaas Velverde, Managing Director, Nigerian Breweries; Tobi Aworinde, the NB Golden Pen Reporter of the Year and Dr. Yemi Ogunbiyi, Chairman, Panel of Judges, NB Golden Pen Award at the Award night in Lagos on Friday

Left to Right: Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu; Gbenga Salau, first runner-up, NB Golden Pen Reporter of the Year and Nicolaas Velverde, Managing Director, Nigerian Breweries at the Golden Pen Award night in Lagos

The event attracted dignitaries from the nation’s media, political and social circles including the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu and the Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, among others, who came to celebrate journalists that submitted outstanding reports on Education, Youth Empowerment and Talent Development in 2015.

The night of glitz and glamour saw Tobi Aworinde of The Punch Newspaper emerge as the NB Golden Pen Reporter of the Year. The first runner-up was Gbenga Salau of The Guardian Newspaper, while Charles Abah, also of The Punch emerged as the second runner-up.