Loeries helps to relaunch Kenya’s APA Awards

Kenya’s Association of Practitioners in Advertising (APA) has partnered with the Loeries to relaunch the APA Awards after 12 years. The Loeries, a non-profit company launched in 1978, is the largest creative showcase across Africa and the Middle East, and promotes the value that creativity adds.

“The Loeries is the de facto standard for the brand communications industry in our region,” says Loeries CEO Andrew Human. “Not only are our systems and judging procedures independently audited, but we have developed a bespoke administration platform that is used by the Bookmark Awards, Creative Circle, Pendoring Awards – and now the APA Awards.”

APA chairperson, Lenny Ng'ang'a, explains, “The APA Awards have been on hiatus for the last 12 years and this year is the grand comeback. The advertising industry in Kenya is gearing to celebrate creative ingenuity and excellence. Our partnership with the Loeries is integral as it’s aligned to our mission to maintain best practices and achieve global standards for the industry.”

Etihad Airways Joins SPAR Nigeria To Reward Loyal Shoppers

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has joined with SPAR Nigeria to reward shoppers under its SPAR Reward Card loyalty programme. This campaign runs on a monthly basis and will conclude with a grand finale in December 2016 when the SPAR Shopper of the Year will be announced.

SPAR Reward Card customers who spend N20,000 or more in a month will automatically beentered into a grand finale draw, with the SPAR Shopper of the Year being rewarded with an all-inclusive visit to Abu Dhabi, the UAE’s capital city, including complimentary Business Class tickets and a four-night’s stay at one of the leading partner hotels.

George Mawadri, Etihad Airways’ General Manager in Nigeria, said:“We are excited to join with leading retail chain SPAR Nigeria on this promotion, which gives Nigerian shoppers the opportunity to enjoy great discounts on tickets and ticket upgrades on Etihad Airways’ flights, when they shop with SPAR.”

#CyberXchangeConference: Experts Emphasize Need To Protect Communication Infrastructures

In a bid to further the global drive for improved cyber security, CyberXchange Conference, West Africa’s premier information security conference held at the Landmark Event Centre, Lekki Lagos Nigeria, from November 2nd through 3rd, 2016. The conference was strategically aimed at updating Information Security professionals on the essential security trends that will enhance protection for company and client’s most valuable assets.

The 2-day CyberXchange Conference, featured keynotes sessions, exhibitions and workshops. These features examined current cyber security trends and practical solutions as discussed by global industry leaders in Technology, IT Audit, I.T Risk, Cyber security professionals in Finance/Banking, E-commerce, Digital Media, Telecommunications, Oil & Gas and Government.

L-R: Abdulkarim Chukkol, Head Cyber Crime Section, EFCC; Abdul-Hakeem Ajijola, Executive Chairman of Consultancy Support Services Ltd, Alex Stamos, Chief Information Security Officer, Facebook, Pierre Hamet, CEO of Modernis Intelligence Group; Adewale Peter Obadare, Co-Founder & COO, Digital Encode Limited, and Simon Melchior, Chief Executive Officer, Asseco Software Nigeria Limited after their session at CyberXchange Conference 2016

Speaking at the event, Facebook CISO,Alex Stamos stated that "It was inspiring to see the energy at CyberXchange focused on developing security talent and finding solutions to security problems that companies and governments face. I particularly enjoyed the hackathon that brought talented students together to design prototypes and build community with others who share a passion for cyber security”.

Instapaper Premium is Now Free to All Users

Popular read-it-later app, Instapaper, has decided to end its $29.99/year Premium subscription service, making all those paid features available to all users.

The app itself always been free, but it comes with a Premium subscription with added features which includes: An ad-free Instapaper website; Full-text search for all articles; unlimited notes; text-to-speech playlists; unlimited speed reading; “send to kindle” via bookmarklet and mobile apps and kindle digests of up to 50 articles.

"Opening Instapaper Premium is something we’ve always wanted to do, and we’re thrilled to give everyone the very best Instapaper experience", the company said in a blog post.

Gemalto pioneers SIM Reactivation solution as GSMA reports 78% prepaid SIM market in Africa

Gemalto, the world leader in digital security, announces LinqUs SIM Reactivation, the world’s first solution for real-time reactivation of dormant SIMs that allows operators to seamlessly reconnect lost prepaid subscribers at a fraction of normal acquisition costs.

Gemalto’s innovative platform is designed to support customer experience management strategies by easing the reacquisition process. Lapsed subscribers can simply reuse their old SIM to instantly rejoin a network, anytime and anywhere.

LinqUs SIM Reactivation automatically detects and reactivates customers trying to use an expired SIM. It also retains churned subscribers’ profile data, giving operators the opportunity to propose tailor-made offers, such as voice/data plans and phone number selection, based on detailed understanding of individual requirements. The whole process is performed in real-time via intuitive screen menus to ensure a smooth subscriber journey.

Why Shoprite Founder, Whitey Basson Quit

Whitey Basson, the founder of South African based food giant, Shoprite, will be handing over the reigns of the company after 37 years as the CEO.

This December, he will hand over to Pieter Engelbrecht, the company’s 47-year-old chief operations officer.

At the company’s annual shareholder meeting in Cape Town, 71 year old Basson said he was weary and had had enough of all the "nitty gritty stuff" in the way of Shoprite’s growth. "I’m constantly fighting on several fronts ... I’m gatvol of it all now. You need to be young," he declared.

Bi-Courtney Introduces Mobile App at MMA2

In a bid to improve customer experience, Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), operators of the Murtala Muhammed Airport TERMINAL 2, (MMA2) has launched a Mobile App to track aircrafts and generate live flight information to passengers at the airport.

With the launch of the Mobile App, MMA2 has recorded another feat as the only airport terminal in Nigeria to launch a mobile app with exciting features. The app will also enable airport users to book flights, get live flight information, track flights and enable access to available shops and quick service outlets at the terminal, among others.

Speaking during the launch of the app, Chief Executive Officer of BASL, Capt. Jari Williams, said that the mobile app is free and available for download on Google play store and App store. “This is just our way of saying MMA2 is more than a terminal. This app is guaranteed to make the experience of travellers and visitors to the terminal much easier and pleasant,” Capt. Williams said.

Heritage Bank Tasks Students to Break Onyali's Record

The Chief Executive Officer/Managing Director, Heritage Bank, Ifie Sekibo, has set aside a N10m trust fund for any athlete that can break the 200 metre record set by ex-international, and Skoolimpics Ambassador, Mary Onyali.

The MD while declaring the pilot edition of the Heritage Bank-Lagos State Skoolimpics 2016 open said he would be setting aside the sum of N10m that would be yielding interests and handed over to any athlete discovered at the competition who was able to break Onyali's record.

Onyali's 200-metre record of 22.07secs was set 20 years ago at the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games and no athlete has been able to break the record.

L-R: Heritage Bank-Lagos State Skoolimpics Ambassador, Mary Onyali; Managing Director/CEO, Ifie Sekibo; Director-General, Lagos State Sports Commission, Dewunmi Ogunsanya and Honourable Desmond Elliot, during the opening ceremony of Skoolimpics at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, in Lagos …yesterday. PHOTO: Suleiman Husaini

The MD also applauded other sponsors like Lagos State Government, CWAY, Mr. Biggs, Etransact, Verve, Willson’s Lemonade, Lucozade Sport who partnered with the bank in their quest to develop the youths.  "Skoolimpics has come to stay and this is just the pilot edition," he said.

Rosemary Extends Showroom Service To Abuja

Determined to make its world-standard soft furnishing services available to individuals and corporate organizations in the Federal Capital Territory, Rosemary’s, the soft furniture company has concluded arrangements to extend its frontiers beyond Lagos; as it opens its showroom in Abuja this weekend.

Established in 2003, Rosemary's is a niche-focused, passion driven home comfort company that specializes in soft furnishing with a deep belief in personal service. The company boasts of a team that is affectionately involved in thinking, making and delivering world- standard furniture from an African perspective.

Mrs. Rosemary Ekanem, Proprietor, Rosemary's Showroom; said the opening of the Abuja office will enable the company bring the world-class soft furnishing and creative approach to interior decorations to the capital city of Nigeria.

WorldRemit to kickstart uptake of Digital Money Transfers to Cameroon

Leading remittance service WorldRemit is set to accelerate adoption of digital money transfers to Cameroon, after completing a series of strategic deals with local partners.

WorldRemit’s new partnerships with MTN Mobile Money, Express Union and Banque Atlantique ensure that people in Cameroon can choose to receive remittances in a way that suits them – turbocharging Mobile Money transfers and adding nearly 700 cash pick-up  locations throughout the country.

With the WorldRemit app or website, people all over the globe can now send money instantly and securely to their friends and relatives in Cameroon, to be collected in one of three ways: Mobile Money, Cash pickup, and Bank transfer.

Visionary Women of Nigeria Set to Honour Public School Teachers

• 100 Select teachers to be treated to a free massage session

Towards motivating and appreciating the Nigerian teacher’s effort of grooming and instilling knowledge in students, LWTZE community initiative a Non Governmental Organization is set to organize a one day event to honor public school teachers; this event will hold on the 13th of November 2016 by 3pm at The Best Western Island Hotel Lagos.

This project which is aimed at reiterating the relevance of teachers in the society will feature several carefully selected pamper and empowerment sessions spearheaded by professionals and motivational speakers to encourage them to continue in their good work of impacting knowledge with all diligence.

Director of LWTZE came up with the program Visionary Women of Nigeria to bring women together and encourage empowerment. Mrs. Olayinka Adamu who over the years has successfully carried out a lot of public based programs to promote economic empowerment of women and address germane national issues that conflict with development said that; "As a non-governmental organization, we are constantly seeking ways to impact in the society through various initiatives focused on women and children. We have had some events over the years like the ‘Walk against Climate Change and Violence’ that educated people on the climate and issues on violence’. This year we have decided to shift the focus to female teachers in Nigeria to celebrate and recognize them in their contribution to Nation Building through impacting knowledge’’

The Challenges Facing the Growth of Tourism in Africa

I was privileged to attend the 12th edition of the African Travel & Tourism Conference (Akwaaba): a gathering of travel and tourism experts in Africa – both from private establishments and various government parastatals. The event held at the Eko Hotel & Suites, Lagos on Sunday October 31st through Tuesday November 1st 2016.

My attendance was indeed a worthwhile investment as it exposed me to a cocktail of different issues stalling the growth of the industry as well as practical recommendations that are believed to be the fertilizer African tourism needs to germinate.

For me, the icing on the cake was the convergence of key stakeholders from across the continent, and lots of representatives from almost all the African countries talking to people on the many opportunities for tourists in their countries. I saw sheer enthusiasm on the faces of these representatives as they went about selling their countries as the best tourist destination. This wasn’t an all-comers event. Even I only had the opportunity to attend because the managing director of Jumia Travel, Kushal Dutta was invited as a panelist to discuss “The Internet and the Future of Travel in Africa.” So I had to tag along!

While all the speakers and panelists touched on many pertinent issues on how to advance the course of tourism in Africa, I found very intriguing a presentation by the deputy minister of tourism for Zimbabwe, Anastacia Ndlovu. She provided some insights on the growth and opportunities that tourism can facilitate in the continent. These opportunities are undoubtedly very promising, if properly harnessed; and are the impetuses urgently required to compliment trade and commerce for a better economic development of each country. It was effortlessly transparent from the data she presented that the advancement of travel and tourism for a country like Nigeria might seem improbable if the government doesn’t embrace its potentials and invests enormously to reap untold economic rewards.

Stanbic IBTC named Best Private Bank on Wealth and Investment in Nigeria

Standard Bank Group, to which Stanbic IBTC belongs, has clinched two awards at the Global Private Banking Awards for 2016 by Professional Wealth Management (PWM) and The Banker Magazine. The bank was named the ‘Best Private Bank (Wealth and Investment) in Nigeria’ and the ‘Best Private Bank in Kenya,’ an award it is winning for the second consecutive year. Stanbic IBTC was the only organization so honoured in the West African sub-region.

The awards, a joint venture between The Banker and PWM Magazine, both part of the Financial Times Group, reward excellence in wealth management among banks from the Americas, Europe, Asia, Middle East and Africa, based on qualitative and quantitative criteria. The winners were announced at a gala dinner and awards ceremony at the Four Seasons Hotel in Park Lane, London, on Wednesday, October 26, 2016, with Busola Jejelowo, Head, Wealth and Investment, Stanbic IBTC Asset Management Limited, representing Stanbic IBTC.

Our Wealth Management Philosophy centres on managing, growing and protecting the generational wealth of our clients and their families. Our goals-driven investment approach allows our clients to take a long-term view of their investments, whilst simultaneously meeting their short-term lifestyle needs. Our aim is to accompany our clients through each stage of their life, giving purpose to their wealth and ensuring they leave a lasting legacy.