Interswitch, Africa’s leading integrated payments and digital commerce company has been named the Best Employer Brand – Sub-Saharan Africa at the LinkedIn Talent Awards.

The prestigious award was announced at the LinkedIn Talent Awards ceremony which was held at the Microsoft offices in Johannesburg, South Africa on Thursday, March 2, 2023.

The LinkedIn Talent Awards recognizes companies around the world that are leading the future of work through innovation, creating inclusive workplaces, building strong employer brands and actively engaging talent communities on platforms like LinkedIn.

Interswitch was adjudged to have met all the criteria and emerged as the winner of award for its outstanding efforts to attract and retain top talent, as well as its commitment to creating a positive work culture and supporting employees’ professional development.

Commenting on the award, Franklin Ali, Chief Human Resources Officer, Interswitch Nigeria, said the company is delighted to be recognized for its talent management efforts and remains committed to sustaining a positive work environment that promotes innovation, creativity, and collaboration.

His words, “We are thrilled to be named the Best Employer Brand in Sub-Saharan Africa by LinkedIn. It is fulfilling to be able to do what we do every day here at Interswitch; for and with our employees, customers, partners and indeed our thriving community of almost 300,000 individuals on LinkedIn. We have been empowered to showcase our brand, culture, and ethos to the wider world outside Interswitch, as part of our quest to keep inspiring Africa to greatness”.

Interswitch has established itself as a leading employer in the African digital payments and commerce industry, with a reputation for attracting and retaining top talent. The company offers a range of employee benefits and initiatives, including hybrid working arrangements, spousal allowances, child education support, and opportunities for career advancement.

BrandSpur Nigeria reports that the recent LinkedIn Talent Award adds to the growing list of accolades received by Interswitch over the years.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2023/03/06/interswitch-emerges-best-employer-brand-at-linkedin-talent-awards/

The Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) in collaboration with “Friends of LASUTH”, in giving back to the society has reached out to the Ojokoro area of the state by providing free cataract surgery to residents of the community.


The free Cataract Surgery was an offshoot of a free medical outreach the hospital held earlier in the year. During the outreach, over 500 beneficiaries were screened and 48 people were diagnosed with cataract. Subsequently, they were scheduled for free cataract surgery at LASUTH. This effort is aimed at improving the quality of life of Ojokoro residents, under the leadership of the Lagos State governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwoolu and his Deputy, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, in line with the THEMES agenda of the Governor.

The Chief Medical Director, Professor Adetokunbo O. Fabamwo, during his welcome address noted that LASUTH was setup to offer advanced medical care and over the years, the government of Lagos State had invested a lot of funds in LASUTH, to achieve this vision. He said the financial investment became more exponential in the last four years of Governor Babajide Sanwoolu. Mr Governor has shown exceptional interest in the growth and development of the hospital, he also approved the recruitment of the requisite specialised personnel.

The CMD further stated that the objective behind organizing the free cataract surgery programme is the need to give back to the society. He explained that the hospital management deliberately chose eye disorders among other conditions because cataract is one of the main causes of blindness.

The Head of Ophthalmology Department, LASUTH, Dr. Rosemary Ngwu said the essence of the surgery is to complete the medical process the hospital started in February. She said cataract is one of the causes of blindness if left untreated. She emphasized that regular eye screening is one of the ways to curb the disease.

She also noted that the beneficiaries expressed their excitement at being chosen for the surgery which is at no cost and they are particularly grateful to Mr. Governor, Babajide Sanwoolu, for empowering LASUTH to carry out the surgeries.

One of the beneficiaries, Alhaji Akanji Adetunji appreciated the efforts of the Lagos State Government and the Management of LASUTH. He said, “the focus on healthcare in the state has improved and I am fortunate to be a beneficiary.” He implored the government and LASUTH Management not to rest on its oars as more people all over the metropolis still need access to better healthcare.

The Director of Hospital Administration and Human Resources, Mr. Kehinde Gbajumo, delivered a vote of thanks

Many thanks for your support always.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2023/03/07/lasuth-holds-free-cataract-surgery-for-residents-of-ojokoro-community/

Three years after the world began to shut down as COVID-19 took hold, the UN and other partners will gather in Doha, Qatar, to deliver a historic new compact to support the countries whose vulnerabilities the pandemic most exposed.

The conference of Least Developed Countries or LDCs takes place every 10 years and this year’s meeting from 5 to 9 March 2023, known as LDC5, will focus on returning the needs of the 46 designated countries to the top of the global agenda and supporting them as they strive to get back on track to sustainable development.

1. What is a Least Developed Country?

The Least Developed Countries (LDCs) are countries listed by the United Nations that exhibit the lowest indicators of socioeconomic development across a range of indexes. All LDCs have a gross national per capita income (GNI) of below USD$1,018; compare that to almost $71,000 in the United States, $44,000 in France, $9,900 in Turkey and $6,530 in South Africa according to data from World Bank.

These countries also have low scores on the indicators for nutrition, health, school enrolment and literacy and high scores for economic and environmental vulnerability, which measures factors such as remoteness, dependence on agriculture and exposure to natural disasters.

There are currently 46 LDCs, the vast majority of which are in Africa [see box below]. The list is reviewed every three years by the UN Economic and Social Council. Six countries have graduated from LDC status between 1994 and 2020.

2. What are the challenges facing the least developed countries?

Today, the 46 LDCs are home to some 1.1 billion people, that’s 14 per cent of the world’s population, and more than 75 per cent of those people still live in poverty.

More than other countries, LDCs are at risk of deepening poverty and remaining in a situation of underdevelopment. They are also vulnerable to external economic shocks, natural and man-made disasters, communicable diseases and crucially climate change.

Currently, the planet is on course to warm by about 2.7°C this century, which would devastate LDCs. These countries have contributed the least to carbon emissions, and yet face some of the highest risks from climate change.

Meanwhile, LDCs are among those most affected by COVID-19; all but eight experienced negative growth rates in 2020 and the pandemic fall-out is predicted to last longer than in richer countries.

Debt is a major problem for all LDCs: four are classified as in debt distress (Mozambique, Sao Tome and Principe, Somalia and Sudan) and 16 LDCs are at high risk of debt distress.

As such, LDCs require the highest level of attention from the international community.

3. How can the United Nations and the international community help LDCs?

The UN system’s efforts to reverse the increasing marginalisation of LDCs in the global economy and to put them on a path to sustainable growth and development date back to the 1960s.

Since then, the UN has paid special attention to LDCs, recognising them as the most vulnerable in the international community and granting them certain benefits including:

Development financing: notably grants and loans from donors and financial institutions.
Multilateral trading system: such as preferential market access and special treatments.
Technical assistance: notably, towards supporting trade.

The first LDC conference was held in Paris, France in 1981 and LDC5, marking the 50th anniversary was due to be held in March 2022, but was postponed to this year due to COVID.

4. What is the Doha Programme of Action?

The Doha Programme of Action (or DPoA, for acronym lovers!) is the development road map for LDCs agreed in March 2022.

It includes six key focus areas:

Eradicating poverty and building capacity.
Leveraging the power of science, technology, and innovation to fight vulnerabilities and to achieve the SDGs.
Supporting structural transformation as a driver of prosperity.
Enhancing international trade of LDCs and regional integration.
Addressing climate change, environmental degradation, recovering from COVID-19 pandemic and building resilience against future shocks.
Mobilizing international solidarity and reinvigorating global partnerships.
The full implementation of the DPoA will help LDCs to address the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting negative socio-economic impacts and enable them to get back on track to achieve the SDGs including addressing climate change.

The full text of the Doha Programme of Action is available here in the 6 UN official languages.

5. What can we expect from LDC5?

The UN, LDCs, Heads of State and Government, development partners, the private sector, civil society, parliamentarians, and youth will come together to agree partnerships, commitments, innovations and plans in an effort to reach the SDGs.

The UN Secretary-General is due to address the conference and has already highlighted the importance of supporting LDCs.

“The Doha Programme of Action reminds us that global recovery depends on LDCs getting the support they need. They need bold investments in health, education and social protection systems — all the resources required to fully implement Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals.”

As LDCs take the first step towards those goals, they will meet certain targets which will enable them to graduate from the least developed country status.

Six countries have gone through this process: Botswana (in 1994), Cape Verde (2007), Maldives (2011), Samoa (2014), Equatorial Guinea (2017), and Vanuatu (2020).

List of Least Developed Countries:

The following 46 countries were listed as LDCs by the UN as of March 2023:

Africa (33): Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Niger, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, and Zambia
Asia (9): Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Myanmar, Nepal, Timor-Leste and Yemen
Caribbean (1): Haiti
Pacific (3): Kiribati, Solomon Islands and Tuval


SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2023/03/05/5-things-you-need-to-know-about-worlds-least-developed-countries/

Middle East Energy, the leading energy industry event in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, will be making a highly-anticipated return to the Dubai World Trade Centre from 7 – 9 March 2023.

Featuring the largest and most innovative power companies who will showcase the latest energy trends from smart solutions to renewable & clean energy, Middle East Energy will provide a unique platform for energy leaders to debate and shape the future of the energy landscape.

Organised by leading global exhibitions organiser Informa Markets, the 48th edition of the event will bring together buyers and sellers from across different countries to explore the latest advancements in energy products and solutions. It will provide unmatched opportunities to network with international energy suppliers, discover products and solutions that are changing the energy landscape, and build long-lasting business relationships.

At the forefront of the event is the mission to guide the MEA region through the energy transition in order to build resilient energy systems and infrastructures. The global energy transition holds new promise for Nigeria’s economic and social development, with renewable energy and other emerging areas offering robust growth potential. Middle East Energy will explore the unique opportunity to merge economic development and climate action priorities in Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy and one of the world’s first true just transitions.

Ade Yesufu, Exhibition Manager, Middle East Energy, in his comments about the mission to transform energy infrastructures across the MEA region said: “The value of Middle East Energy to Nigeria and the MEA region is its ability to gather all the key players in the global energy sector under one roof to showcase and discover thousands of energy innovations and solutions. Over the years, the event has been instrumental in driving transformation across energy industries as it offers a platform for unmatched opportunities in terms of engagement, networking, and investments. From uncovering solutions to critical business challenges to connecting buyers to energy product suppliers, Middle East Energy is a full-service channel to transform the energy sector and drive energy transition globally.

With over 900 exhibiting companies representing 57 countries and a 25,000+ global audience, participants at Middle East Energy will explore insights on the future of alternative energy solutions that will help in delivering more efficient and effective power systems. Among the featured exhibitors are leading international industry players such as Alfanar, Baudouin, Riyadh Cables Group, Ducab, LTC Group, Bahra Electric, Perkins, Riello, Stamford | AvK, Lucy Electric, and Eaton.

Afrah Packirsaibo, Conference Director, Middle East Energy, also underscored the importance of the event in driving growth in the industry. She said, “The theme guiding this year’s event focuses on implementing solutions to modern energy challenges. All the solution providers and innovations to be explored at Middle East Energy are powered to drive the energy transition forward whether that is through energy efficiency, decarbonisation, digitalisation, or enabling critical infrastructure to be future-ready. The conferences serve as a platform to uncover success stories, case studies, learnings, and actionable best practices that can be implemented into business practices and corporate environments to drive sustainable growth. It is a unique opportunity for stakeholders in Africa’s energy ecosystem to network with key players in the industry, driving collaborations, partnerships, and knowledge-sharing that will transcend the show.”

The three-day event will also feature conferences that will provide a platform for knowledge sharing, support relationship building, and uncover solutions to some of the most pressing challenges faced by the energy sector. These include a CEO roundtable, a Technical Seminar, and the Intersolar Conference. In addition, there will be the launch of the Strategic Conference, a high-level forum exclusively focused on unpacking the complex opportunities and challenges for senior decision-makers in the energy and utilities sector in the Middle East and Africa.

A panel session during the Strategic Conference is dedicated to spotlighting the perspectives from Nigeria on energy transition, as well as to explore the challenges and opportunities for natural gas in the global energy transition. Speakers on the panel include Engr. Abubakar Ali-Dapshima, Director, Renewable & Rural Power Access Department, Federal Ministry of Power; Olakunle Williams, Chief Executive Officer, Tetracore Group; Sule Abdulaziz, Chairman of the Executive Board, West African Power Pool and the Managing Director, Transmission Company of Nigeria; and Sowunmi Olabode, Senior Legislative Aid to the Senate President, National Assembly of Nigeria. In addition to this, the Strategic Conference will also address energy transition goals across other African countries including Egypt, Kenya, Zambia, etc.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2023/03/02/middle-east-energy-returns-to-guide-energy-conversations-across-nigeria/

Since its entry into the market, Terra Jollof Cubes has been extolled by consumers for its game-changing move to complement the preparation of Jollof rice in Nigeria.

Before now, chefs, caterers and homemakers have had to make do with a host of spices, complicated recipes and cooking methods in an attempt to achieve the desired tastes they craved for in Jollof rice.

Along with its promise of an extraordinary jollof experience, Terra Jollof Cubes is packed with unique mix of traditional ingredients like pepper, thyme, turmeric and garlic among others in a single cube to deliver that bottom pot Jollof taste that stands out in a competitive marketplace.

A cross-section of chefs, caterers and homemakers who offered their perspectives confirmed that Terra Jollof Cubes has not only further simplified the process of preparing Jollof rice with its exciting combination of traditional spices in a cube, but has greatly improved their jollof rice aroma and taste.

There are no stereotypical ways of making jollof rice but you cannot miss the unique and irresistible bottom-pot taste and aroma that comes out when you add cubes of Terra Jollof Cubes.

Mrs. Eunice Udoma, a housewife and mother of 3 who lives in Agege stated that while there are several ways of preparing Jollof rice, however, everyone agrees on its end point – a great extraordinary taste and flavour.

“I have always sought to achieve that extraordinary bottom pot taste of jollof rice I eat at some parties at home. I always get close to achieving it but never spot on. My friend at work introduced Terra Jollof Cubes to me and since my first try, I have never missed having a pack of Terra Jollof Cubes in my kitchen cabinet.”

“Addition of Terra Jollof Cube to my pot of Jollof rice has added a remarkable taste to my jollof, leaving my family with smiling faces of satisfaction and with no single grain left on the plate” she stated

Deepanjan Roy, Group Executive Director – TGI says that the company is delighted with the positive feedback and is confident that Terra Jollof Cubes is achieving its objective of elevating the taste and aroma of Jollof rice across homes, restaurants and in celebratory occasions.


“We saw a vacuum in the area of giving our consumers a seasoning cube that is tailor-made for their jollof rice cooking, and we went ahead to fill it” he says.

Probal Bhattacharya, Chief Marketing Officer, TGI Group stressed that Terra Jollof Cubes symbolizes the understanding of what consumers value in their tasty, bottom-pot, flavourful jollof rice.

“We developed Terra Jollof Cubes after years of in-depth research, studying and understanding the consumers’ palate and taste preferences in various regions as well as their ways and patterns of cooking Jollof rice. We unearthed rich insights from these studies that guided us in developing the very special recipe for Terra Jollof Cube that is now being so widely appreciated by consumers”

“As the word of its unique impact in making Jollof so special spreads, we know more and more consumers would include Terra Jollof Cubes in their pot of Jollof rice to achieve that extraordinary Jollof experience” he noted

Terra Seasoning Cubes are made up of wholesome, carefully sourced essential ingredients specially designed to meet the discerning Nigerian consumers’ needs in every meal, offering great taste, flavour and aroma for that unique cuisine experience. Every meal cooked with Terra guarantees an enjoyable meal and a rich signature homemade taste experience. Available in Beef, Chicken, Shrimp and Jollof flavours, in various consumer-friendly pack sizes, nationwide.



Tropical General Investments (TGI) Group is an international investment and holding company with diversified interests and investments across Africa, The Middle East, Asia and other emerging markets. TGI’s investments focus on driving inclusivity and value addition using locally sourced raw materials, state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities and a highly skilled workforce to produce world class products that are consumed both locally and exported to global markets. Across markets, TGI Group owns over a hundred leading brands in Fast Moving Consumer Goods, Agricultural Inputs, Industrial Chemicals, Homecare Products and Pharmaceuticals.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2023/03/02/why-terra-jollof-cube-is-becoming-consumers-pick/

Recent data have shown that the global digital payments market is now estimated to be worth more than the car manufacturing sector, and it is expected to reach $20 trillion by 2026. According to virtual payment card provider Lanistar, the recent hike of about 24% per year is influenced by a combination of technological innovation along with fluctuating spending habits among consumers.
Jeremy Baber, CEO at Lanistar, said, “Today, we are seeing a surge in demand for prepaid or eBanking debit payment cards across the globe. This change is being driven by the unbanked and underserved, as well as by younger generations, who are making an active lifestyle choice to switch to this payment card type. We are also seeing a number of key trends in the market that providers need to be aware of. In our way, while the payment card market is established and substantial, there are still opportunities for expansion”.

1. The Rise of New Generations of Consumers.

The Millennials and Gen Z present various demographic groups and they are known to have higher spending power and can impact the economy. These two generations are fronting on innovations in the digital landscape which includes digital and smart device payments and virtual cards. This combination includes increased adoption of a variety of card payment solutions, which helps financial services become more accessible than before ‘democratising’ the process through technological innovations.

Baber continued, “In today’s increasingly digital society, in which more people than ever before own a smartphone, consumers want and expect tailored financial products and services that can be accessed through a smart device. These services must be seamless and intuitive while providing the services young people need. This is a generational expectation and failure to address it will have an adverse effect on any payment provider’s business.”

2. Reaching the Unbanked and Undeserved

Bbaber explains that “Across the Global South, and even in many developed countries as well, there are high levels of unbanked and underserved consumers, mainly from younger and lower-income households. Generally, these households opt for prepaid or eBanking debit payment cards because they are inexpensive and secure, which makes them best placed to meet their financial needs. But at the moment, this is an underdeveloped market,” he continued. “These payment cards have become integral to daily life for millions, and the people who use them are often open to exploring new features on their cards – at the right price point. The increase in adoption of cards among the unbanked and underserved populations will create multiple opportunities for players operating in the global payment market – but only if they offer the right services at an affordable price point.”

3. The Gig Economy is Changing Payment Habits.

Baber said “The advent of the gig economy shows no signs of slowing down. And while the flexibility of contract work clearly offers benefits for both workers and companies alike, one of the biggest trends we have seen is the role of payment cards in guaranteeing contract workers receive timely payment for their work. Whether it’s via a physical or virtual payment card or via a payment app, the gig economy is powering a payment revolution in its own right,”

. Apps and The Mobile-First Experience.

Conservatives have estimated that the number of smartphones on the planet is now at 7 billion which equates to ownership of mobile phones to 86% globally. This provides an easy-to-use and intuitive mobile-first experience as a priority, including the payment space.
Baber went further to describe saying “Consider Amazon, for example. This is a company that is currently shipping 1.6 Million packages every day, and in part, that’s due to just how easy their mobile platform is to navigate and use. They stock just about any item a person could need, make all the crucial information clear as day, and rarely have any hidden charges. If this model could be imposed onto a banking platform, imagine the success it could have”.

5. Balancing Transactions In The Physical and Virtual.

Although the end of physical transactions is very close due to the growth of technology and as it continues to evolve the capability of virtual transactions. The benefits of digital solutions are many, the most notable of which is the reduction of plastic waste.

According to ABI Research, the amount of plastic used annually in the production of banking cards equals that of 80 Boeing 747 planes, and the carbon footprint in this production is also equivalent to 300,000 passengers flying from New York to Sydney. Because Gen Z and Millennials are more concerned with environmental issues more than others, they find themselves providing solutions that can cushion the effect of environmental change and one of such is digital solutions.

Also, effective payment solutions must also meet up with speed, cost, and security with user experience. Customers these days require ‘anywhere service’ and payment providers must work towards their meeting this demand and make sure that these services are provided wherever customers are spending their time and money. The increase in the growth of technological development implies that the scope of ‘where’ is expanding from physical to virtual.

Baber concludes that “The real success of payments will not come from them being the focal point of our daily lives, but instead from them slipping into the background and providing invisible, embedded payment experiences. The ultimate goal has to be that the user experience of payment cards and the apps they sit on becomes so deeply integrated with a person’s day-to-day transactions that eventually they are not even conscious of it. In other words, payment providers should focus on developing and bringing to market payment solutions that aren’t just frictionless, but invisible.”

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2023/03/02/five-vital-trends-in-payment-cards-for-2023/

More companies listed on the Nigerian Exchange Limited have released their final audited report for the 2022 financial year.

Nestle in its financial report announced a final dividend of N36.50 per 50kobo ordinary share. It also earned revenue of N446.8bn, an increase of 27 per cent over the N351.8bn recorded in the previous accounting year.

The multinational also declared N48.96bn profit for the year, marking an increase of 22 per cent over the N40bn recorded in 2021.


For construction company Lafarge, a final dividend of 200 kobo per unit of 50kobo ordinary share was announced in a notice signed by the General Counsel and Company Secretary, Mrs Adewunmi Alode.

The company also declared a revenue of N373.3bn (2021 figure: N293bn) and a profit-after- tax of N53.6bn, which was a 5.2 per cent increase over the figure recorded in 2021, which was N51bn.

In his comments in the report, the Chief Executive Officer, Lafarge Africa, Khaled Dokani, lamented the effect of the exchange rate on its growth.

He said, “In 2022, we recorded 27.3 per cent and 29.3 per cent improvement in net sales and recurring earnings before interest, tax respectively, compared to FY 2021 results. The worsening exchange rate situation led to revaluation losses, thereby constraining our Net Income growth to 5.2 per cent.

Energy company Seplat, in its audited financial report, recorded a final dividend of $0.025 (2.5 cents) per ordinary share of N0.50k each, and a special dividend of $0.05/share (five cents) per ordinary share of N0.50k each.

Seplat recorded a 29.8 per cent increase in its revenue from $733.2m in 2021 to $951.8mn recorded in 2022.

Meanwhile, Lafarge had revealed that a director, Mrs Virginie Darbo, had resigned with effect from 24th February 2023. Darbo was appointed to the board on 11th December 2020 and served as a non-executive director of the company until her resignation.

Darbo has been replaced with Ms Sonal Shrivastava as a non-executive director of the company with effect from 25th February 2023.

Shrivastava is currently the regional chief financial officer at Holcim Group, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa region, based in Mumbai. At Holcim, she is responsible for the group’s overall finance, accounting and tax functions in the region.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2023/03/01/nestle-seplat-lafarge-to-pay-dividends-for-2022/

Mr Mobolaji Ogunlende, the Special Adviser to Gov Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Special Duties and Intergovernmental, has commenced door to door mobilisation of voters ahead of his principal’s governorship election coming up on March 11th, 2023.

The special adviser said, this is the time to reciprocate the gesture of Mr Project.

“We are aware that the governor has performed excellently during his first tenure. This is the time to compensate him back.

“With the upcoming elections, myself and my team have deemed it fit to organize door to door sensitisation, visiting the people and educating them on the achievements of the Sanwoolu led administration and appealing to them to come out en masse and vote Governor Sanwoolu on March 11.”
“While we are jubilation the victory of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we should not forget that the job is not completed until we work together for the success of Gov. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Kadri Hamzat,” he said.
Ogunlende said that most of the people who benefited from the empowerment are mostly food sellers, old women, and widows.

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Agbaje Folashade said she was using charcoal to cook, but she can now use gas, which is faster with less stress.

According to her, this will aid my cooking and reduce the pollution that is already affecting my eyes. Mrs Bintu Mustapha, who was overjoyed, said she never thought Ogunlende could pay her a visit talkless of giving her a cylinder of cooking gas.

Mustapha, who was moved to tears, said that “although she did not vote on Feb. 25, she promised to come out with her children come March 11 and vote for Sanwo-Olu and other APC candidates in Lagos.

She expressed her appreciation and said the gesture melted her heart.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2023/03/01/governorship-election-massive-mobilisation-begins-for-sanwoolu/

Millions of Nigerians will begin winning incredible life-changing prizes with the commencement of operations by the National Lottery of Nigeria (NLN).

Established by the Federal Government and operated by Systems and Gaming Ltd, the National Lottery has something for everyone with exciting games, including Naija Mega Jackpot, 6/49, Pick 3, Instant win scratch cards and more.

Apart from lifting Nigerians from the morass of poverty with its range of exciting games playable with as little as N100, the lottery will also help combat unemployment.

The flagship game, Naija Mega Jackpot, has a minimum amount of N45 million, is progressive and can grow to hundreds of millions.

Easy to play through the USSD code *9966# and on www.nationallotterynigeria.com, the lottery’s launch is a milestone in the country’s economic development.

Live draws for the lottery will begin airing on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) on March 4, 2023, with the Naija Mega Jackpot live draw showing on Saturday and Wednesday nights. The 6/49 live draw will be on NTA and all NLN social media platforms every Tuesday and Friday night.

Explaining how the National Lottery Nigeria will impact the lives of Nigerians and transform the gaming industry, the Managing Director of the lottery Layi Onafowokan, said its economic benefits are numerous. “Aside from revenue for the government, the National Lottery Nigeria will also create jobs and encourage entrepreneurship through its various initiatives. A percentage of the proceeds from ticket sales will also be allocated to various charitable causes, helping to make a positive difference in the lives of Nigerians,” he said.

To ensure fairness and transparency in its operations while securing a safe gaming environment for its players, Onafowokan disclosed that the National Lottery Nigeria has an Integrity Committee which monitors all games.

The Integrity Committee comprising representatives from the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC), and other partners will ensure that the lottery is conducted fairly and responsibly.

The managing Director lauded the NLRC for its support, noting that it has played a pivotal role in ensuring that the lottery is conducted fairly and transparently.

We would like to take this opportunity to commend the Director General of the NLRC,

Lanre Gbajabiamila, for his dedication and commitment to the success of this project.

Under his leadership, the NLRC has achieved significant milestones in promoting the growth of the lottery industry in Nigeria.”

The National Lottery Nigeria launched the National Game in Abuja on July 18, 2022.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2023/02/25/national-lottery-nigeria-launches-operations/

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has formally opened the 2023 presidential election and National Assembly elections collation centre at the International Conference Centre in Abuja.

Declaring the Centre opened on Sunday afternoon at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Abuja hours after the election commenced and concluded in some polling units, the INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu said only the Commission is empowered to release election results.

He also acknowledged some of the challenges witnessed in some states seeing the Commission will look into all the cases.

Yakubu explained that a collation process is a four-step approach and every proceeding will be held in the open.

The presidential and NASS elections were held simultaneously across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory on Saturday.

The collation of results was still at various stages, some at the registration areas, federal constituency, senatorial district and local government collation centres.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2023/02/26/nigeriadecides2023-inec-declares-open-national-collation-centre-open/

Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, a subsidiary of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, has announced its upcoming trade export webinar, themed “Getting Your Business Export Ready.”

The virtual event is designed to empower exportation business owners and entrepreneurs with the skills, knowledge, and strategies they need to succeed in the export trade sector.

Recent data from the National Bureau of Statistics highlights the importance of this event. In the third quarter of 2022, the total value of exports in Nigeria stood at N5,933.63 billion, with re-exports at N25.04 billion and total imports at N5,664.30 billion. Despite this decline, Stanbic IBTC Bank recognises the tremendous potential of the export sector and provides solutions to help businesses overcome the challenges they face.

This ground-breaking webinar, scheduled for Friday, 24 February 2023, will bring together industry experts and successful exportation business owners to share their knowledge and insights on international trade. Discussions will range from market research and product development to logistics, regulatory compliance, and financing options.

According to Chigozie Onyeocha, Head, Africa China Banking, Stanbic IBTC Bank, “This webinar is all about enabling businesses to take advantage of the opportunities in the export trade sector and to overcome the challenges they face. While Nigeria’s exports heavily depend on crude oil, many other resources have export value and the potential to bring in more revenue. Unfortunately, funding and lack of knowledge often hinder the growth of the exportation industry. That’s why we’re here – to help businesses succeed by providing solutions, resources, and relationships to simplify the process.”

Chigozie urged Nigerian business owners not to miss this opportunity to take their enterprises to the next level and get the tools they need to succeed in the global marketplace.

In addition to the webinar, Stanbic IBTC Bank offers a range of intercontinental trade solutions to help businesses succeed in the global marketplace.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2023/02/22/stanbic-ibtc-bank-to-host-webinar-on-trade-export-for-global-scale-growth/

For years, I’ve suppressed my reservations over the structure, wording, and choice of words used in writing rebuttals in the public domain. However, I couldn’t resist writing about the recent one involving the Supreme Court and Faroq Kperogi.

As a public relations practitioner, I am appalled by the Supreme Court’s rebuttal to Faroq Kperogi’s editorial berating the Court on its judgment over the duo of Senate President Ahmad Lawan and former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio Akpabio, favouring them to reap where he believes they did not sow.


Faroq Kperogi had written a critical editorial rebuking the apex Court for ordering the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise Lawan and Akpabio, who did not contest the senatorial primary elections in their constituencies, as candidates for the February 25 elections.

The duo withdrew voluntarily to participate in the Presidential Primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC), which they lost. His argument was that it is morally wrong to rule in their favour since they did not take part in the senatorial primaries as required by law. Constitutional lawyers and media analysts also objected because it could set a bad precedent. Several others also dissented, but the Apex Court, in its wisdom, chose to respond to Faroq Kperogi – and in no friendly terms.

I am not a lawyer and will not attempt to bore you with all the details leading to the judgment. My interest lies in the rebuttal issued by the Apex Court’s Director of Press and Information, Dr. Festus Akande, which left much to be desired. It is one of the worst examples of public affairs communication, especially from a revered institution like the Supreme Court. It negated the purpose of a rebuttal.

I have found that many media advisers and directors of communication in government offices with journalism backgrounds are prone to writing rebuttals that go off on tangents. Many have shown concerns over the way media advisers to the president, past and present, write rebuttals. Seasoned communication practitioners can tell the difference between a rebuttal written by a public relations practitioner and one written by a journalist.


A rebuttal, mostly used by lawyers, is an argument that is presented to refute or contradict the position of the opposing party’s argument. Its goal is to weaken or undermine the opponent’s claim.



The overarching role of public affairs communication is to build relationships. This field of public relations seeks to shape perception, establish, and uphold a solid reputation, and establish rapport with stakeholders. Going by this, the goal should be to write a rebuttal without provoking or insulting anyone. Rebuttals, in my opinion, should be illuminating, providing an opportunity to educate the opponent, who may be ignorant.

Message framing is very important in public affairs. It is the process a writer uses to control the way an audience receives his message. One can infer that someone is stupid without saying that he is. There are numerous ways to communicate to reach the intended audience.

To write rebuttals that win everyone’s admiration, remember these five guidelines:

Acknowledge the writer and address their concern in your rebuttal.
Avoid using offensive language or personal attacks. Instead, just focus on the facts and make your case, like a lawyer. Period!
Don’t allow ego or emotion to get in the way. Instead, be illuminating and let logic drive the argument.
Avoid using blanket statements and generalizations. Instead, provide specific evidence to support your arguments.

Remember the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Directors of public communications should resist the temptation to rain insults and derision on their perceived adversaries. it brings out the worst in people. They need to be retrained in the art of public affairs communication.

Given their extraordinary access to information, people are becoming more discerning, which is a good thing to keep in mind. Communication and public affairs professionals must engage with them more professionally.

Segun McMedal is a public relations practitioner and the immediate past Chairman of the Lagos State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2023/02/21/how-not-to-write-rebuttals/

MTN Group has disclosed its $1bn commitment investment which will span for the next five years following the Ghanaian government exempting its Ghanaian unit from tax claims worth close to $773m.

Ghana has earlier accused the mobile operator of bailing on the company’s bill taxes, which sparked a lot of media attention, even a diplomatic reaction by the South African foreign minister.
The tax claim was first issued after the revenue authority in Ghana audited the mobile operator for the years 2014 to 2018 and claimed that the company under-declared its revenue by about 30% for the said period.

MTN chief executive officer Ralph Mupita also disclosed that the company was still committed to investing in Ghana despite the little misunderstanding which lasted a short while.

He said, “To be sure, macro-economic conditions are very challenging in the near term. That said, we are focused on the medium and long term and we are seeing growth,”.

He also added that the telecom operator intends to invest the amount mentioned in 5G technology development which it believes would enhance faster growth across all sectors in Ghana.

However, Ghana, which is one of the largest economies in Africa, has been enduring its worst economic crisis in a generation, with a huge debt-service load and increased currency depreciation, assailing government, and household finances.

Ghana has also seen its consumer inflation slow down to 53.6% year-on-year in January from 54.1% recorded in the previous month, according to data shown earlier on Wednesday, 15 February.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2023/02/17/mtn-to-invest-1bn-in-ghana/

Nigeria Interbank Settlement System has released new numbers asserting that Nigeria’s mobile banking usage has risen by 230% despite the reports of multiple failed transactions.

This recent surge in the use of online banking and mobile banking solutions is due to the recent CBN new naira redesign policy and the new withdrawal limit policy introduced, which has forced most customers of the traditional cash-payment method to adopt mobile banking for their transactions.

The new numbers released by NIBSS disclosed that as of January 2023, mobile gateways were used by customers 108.14 million times, which is a 230.72% increase from 32.69 million times which was recorded last year in the same period. Also during this period being considered, the value of mobile transactions rose by 124.85% to N2.37trn from N1.05trn recorded in January 2022.

Although the use of mobile payment gateway has been experiencing an increase in numbers since 2020, the new CBN policies are the driving force behind this recent surge.

Earlier CBN had released a directive that stated that “The maximum weekly limit for cash withdrawals across all channels by individuals and corporate organizations shall be N500,000 and N5m respectively.

“Customers should be encouraged to use alternative channels (Internet banking, mobile banking apps, USSD, cards/POS, eNaira, etc.) to conduct their banking transactions.” which is one of the main pushes behind the growth.

However, this push has had its effect on the banking system and the idea to go cashless.

Reports from correspondents at Punch have documented how banking apps have failed many times when used to make transactions, thereby leaving people stranded.

A bank customer who was recounting his experience to the Punch said “My two bank apps are currently experiencing problems. They are bringing error messages. And sometimes, the request takes too long to process.”

Speaking about the recent failure experienced by Nigerians and why they have been failing recently, the Chairman, Voriancorelli, and Cofounder Cellulant, Bolaji Akinboro, disclosed that Nigeria has one of the most advanced payment infrastructure designs in the world.

Bolaji also added that although the technology and payment system of the country is very active, but the mobile network backbone is not yet capable of holding this structure.

He said, “The way I will look at it is this. What are the failure points? Because there are the payment apps and the digital payment services; the ones we all use to access all this stuff. I think these ones can carry the pressure.

“The question is the route. If you want to use your app, you need to ride on the mobile backbone. The real issue to me is not even the banking layer, it is the communications backbone. Regarding the communications backbone, Nigeria is not investing right in terms of infrastructure.

“For example, mobile network operators have been complaining about the multiple taxes that are placed on them by state governments when laying fibre. They want to lay fibre but they pay so much for the right of way, and not only that, the charges are not the same across the states.

“If we want smooth services on the payment layer, we need this backbone. So, for me, the greater problem is the backbone, not the apps,” He said.

Akinboro went further to explain that banking apps can withstand the pressure of Nigerians going cashless but it desperately depends on communications networks to run seamlessly. However, according to NCC, to reach this level, there is need for broadband availability and as of December 2022, Nigeria’s broadband access was at 47.36%.

The Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of NCC, Professor Umar Danbatta had earlier disclosed that one of the gains that can be derived from financial service riding on telecom infrastructure is when Unstructured Supplementary Service Data is provided.

However, another source in the payment industry disclosed that the recent failure in services by mobile apps was due to pressure and a lack of robust infrastructure, and there is a need for CBN to mandate banks and financial institutions to invest more in payment gateways.

“I don’t think we are ready for this. I think the infrastructure is not robust enough to carry out the volume of transactions we intend to do.

“With that said, what I believe is over time, the infrastructure will catch up. This will probably happen because the CBN will put pressure on the banks and financial institutions to invest more. With the entrant of new players into the fintech space and telecoms, I think the infrastructure will start getting expanded because we would start seeing a lot of investments in these things. The mobile network operators are investing in their payment service banks. They will step up investment over the next couple of years. But the infrastructure currently isn’t enough, and the success rate is probably around 80 per cent for transactions that go through”, He said.

According to the Apex bank, a mobile-first generation will greatly influence a cashless economy.

In a document titled ‘Payments Vision 2025’, CBN says “The use of cash will naturally slow with the ‘mobile first generation’, which will be economically active by 2025, hence one of the focuses of the PSV 2025 is enhancing the cashless policy of the CBN.”

Although the growth of the financial industry heavily depends on mobile devices and smartphones, access to this technology has continued to experience slowness even in a country like Nigeria.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2023/02/16/nigerias-mobile-banking-rose-by-230-in-january-nibss/

Sterling Bank Plc has signed a partnership agreement with Credit Café Africa for the distribution of a credit facility template, insurance and other value-added services for existing and potential customers of the bank in the health and education sectors of the economy.

Speaking at the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Sterling Bank and the digital lending platform, Divisional Head, Health and Education Finance with Sterling Bank, Mr. Obinna Ukachukwu said the service will cover operators of nursery, primary and tertiary institutions as well hospitals, clinics, pharmaceutical and diagnostic centres, among others.

The divisional head said the bank will put N10 billion behind the partnership in the first tranche and scale it in the future. Under the arrangement, customers can get up to a maximum of N20 million loan and a minimum of N100,000 loan depending on the applicant’s financial needs, he added.

Also speaking, Mr. Louis Gyiman, Founder /CEO of Credit Café Africa, said his company will make it possible for customers of Sterling Bank to have access to finance through the credit facility template in a faster and efficient manner.

He said the facility will enable potential customers to personally monitor everything related to the credit as well as build up credibility in the system, which he described as seamless and effective.

The digital platform streamlines the lending process by offering quick, flexible loans for transforming businesses and providing quick access to quality credit. Its algorithms determine eligibility and available loan limits, allowing for a faster and more efficient experience.

Since 2018, Sterling Bank has been concentrating its investments in five sectors of the economy under its HEART’s strategy. The sectors are Health, Education, Agriculture, Renewable Energy and Transportation



SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2023/02/15/sterling-bank-credit-cafe-sign-mou-loans-to-customers-in-health-education-sectors/

The FIFA Council has approved the Annual Report 2022 (https://apo-opa.info/3HWl5Xf), which highlights FIFA’s record‑breaking revenue of USD 7.6 billion during the 2019‑2022 cycle and the USD 11 billion that is expected to be earned during the 2023‑2026 period.


“FIFA’s unprecedented investment in football is the result of our solid financial transparency and stands as a concrete example of how we are aiming to make football truly global,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino. “The resounding success of the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar has been key to the organisation’s ability to fulfil its mission in relation to our member associations and the world of football, despite the multiple challenges we faced during the past cycle, not least the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Update on future competitions



Following the decision taken by the FIFA Council in December 2022 to expand the FIFA Club World Cup™ from 24 to 32 teams, with the first such edition set to take place in June-July 2025, the Council unanimously approved the respective slot allocation. The decision was taken based on a set of objective metrics and criteria, and the resulting allocation is as follows: AFC: 4, CAF: 4, Concacaf: 4, CONMEBOL: 6, OFC: 1, UEFA: 12 and tournament host: 1.

In relation to the FIFA Club World Cup 2023™, which is due to be played under the current format with seven clubs, the FIFA Council unanimously appointed the Saudi Arabian Football Federation as tournament hosts from 12 to 22 December 2023.


In addition, the FIFA Council confirmed that, in line with the long‑standing tradition of having all hosts competing at the FIFA World Cup™, as well as sporting and operational considerations, the hosts of the FIFA World Cup 2026™, namely Canada, Mexico and the USA, will qualify automatically for the final round of the competition, with their slots therefore being deducted from the overall allocation of six assigned to Concacaf. Details will follow in due course regarding the preliminary competitions in all confederations for the FIFA World Cup 2026.

The FIFA Council were also updated on the appointment of the following tournaments by the FIFA Congress as per the following dates: FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027™ in Q2 2024 (with bid regulations for approval in March 2023), FIFA World Cup 2030™ in Q3 2024 (with bid regulations for approval in June 2023) and FIFA Women’s World Cup 2031™ in Q2 2025 (with bid regulations for approval in Q2 2024).

73rd FIFA Congress

The FIFA Council was updated on preparations for the 73rd FIFA Congress, which will take place on Thursday, 16 March 2023 in Kigali, Rwanda, the agenda for which will be published in due course.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2023/02/15/fifa-council-highlights-record-breaking-revenue-in-football/

As the population ages, many of us become more prone to age-related difficulties. Some of them are unavoidable, but others it seems we could do something about. Recently there has been a lot of research surrounding brain plasticity and if it is possible to keep your brain healthy through learning. This research suggests that some types of learning may help to lessen the effects of dementia, enabling us to live healthier lives.

The best news is that there are plenty of companies who are gamifying this learning to enable you to keep your brain young whilst taking part in an activity that you enjoy. Whilst the results can’t be guaranteed for everyone, these games are so much fun that they’re probably worth adding to your repertoire anyway.

Poker
Playing poker is already a favorite pastime for many of us, but rather than the playing itself, it’s the act of learning a new game that’s going to give your brain the boost it needs. So, if you already know how to play Texas Hold’em then why not challenge yourself to learn the rules for Five Card Stud?

Poker is a great starting place because you already know the basics, like what your hand rankings are, so there’s a level of familiarity there that will help you to keep learning.

How to Learn a New Variation
One of the easiest places to learn a new variety of poker is to try it out online first. If you choose to dive into real online casino, then there’s none of the embarrassment of not knowing the rules as there would be at a real-life casino or a card club.


Instead, you can simply learn in your own time making notes on how to improve as you go along. Many websites offer multiple different varieties of poker, so once you’ve mastered one, you can simply move onto the next and keep that brain ticking over.

Chess
Next on our list is perhaps the oldest thinking man’s game around, chess. There’s been evidence of humans playing one form of chess or anther since the 3rd century BC. This means that not only will you be partaking in a pastime that you’re oldest ancestors would have enjoyed, but you’ll also have lots of research to dive into. Like poker, learning the basics online is probably the best place to start, but once you’ve got these mastered you can choose to dive into the strategy books, or explore YouTube for tips on how to improve your game.

Which Stars Are Playing?
Interestingly, there are a lot of celebrities who enjoy playing chess in their spare time. Recently a photo of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo popped up who seemed to be deep in concentration in a chess match. Whilst some people might not immediately think of professional footballers as great chess players, there are some transferable skills.

For example, it’s important to be able to anticipate your opponent’s next move on the football field and the same is true in chess. Being able to think strategically and perform under pressure are both common skills that are necessary to excel in both fields too.

Duolingo
Learning a new language isn’t just good for keeping your brain young, it’s also good for job opportunities too. Bilingual employees tend to earn significantly more than their single-language counterparts, so investing in this skill could be good for both your brain and your budget. Duolingo is a great app to start off with, as it has created simply but fun mini-games that teach you language in the same way that a native-speaking child would pick their own language up. In as little as five minutes per day, you can begin teaching yourself a whole new way of communicating.

What the Science Says
In terms of maximum bang for your buck, learning a language is perhaps the very best way to give your brain that boost. There’s been a great deal of research into this and it’s been discovered that learning a second (or third, or fourth) language promotes neuroplasticity. This means that the brain is capable of growing and changing, just like a well-exercised muscle would. Some researchers believe that this could be the key to staving off brain-related aging diseases.

Wordle
Finally, there’s a game that everyone’s been talking about lately, that could be set to become as popular as the daily crossword and that’s Wordle. This game asks you to guess a five-letter word in six tries or fewer. You begin by typing in your word and pressing enter. If a letter is correct it turns green, correct but in the wrong place it turns amber, and incorrect it turns grey.

The History of the Game
This game has a sweet history, as it was invented by a boyfriend for his girlfriend. She loved playing word puzzles but wanted a different kind of challenge, so, he invented Wordle for her. It was such a hit that the New York Times bought it for a reported $1 million last year.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2023/02/14/the-games-that-could-help-your-brain-stay-young/

Lagos State Government (LASG) led by Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has officially launched the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy.

BrandSpur Nigeria understands that the academy is a one-year fellowship programme initiated by his excellence.

The official Launch took place on the 2nd year anniversary remembrance of the Late Lateef Jakande. The Leadership Programme will offer life-changing, nonpartisan and meritocratic opportunities to young Nigerians who desire to impact their generation through Public Service.

The ceremony was held at the Lagos Continental Hotel, in attendance the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, the Chief of Staff, Hakeem Muri-Okunola, Honourable Commissioner of Ministry of Establishment, Training and Pensions, Ajibola Ponnle, Executive Secretary Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy, Folasade Coker, Members of the Lagos State Cabinet, the widow and family of the late Lateef Jakande, the first civilian Governor of Lagos State, and other key stakeholders.

The academy received over 3,000 applications, however, after a thorough selection process in line with global best practices, only 30 were selected for the first cohort. The selected fellows will engage in this leadership program that aims to build skills, awareness, and a nuanced perspective among young people to tackle challenges in the public sector.

The program will offer fellows first-hand experience into the process of governance not only at State and Federal Government Level but also at Local Government. Fellows will participate in discussions with renowned leaders from both the public and private sectors and partake in domestic and international Public Service Orientation.

It will offer bright young Nigerians the chance to support Nigeria’s recovery through inclusive, sustainable and development solutions.

Governor Sanwo-Olu said, “We established the Lateef Jakande Academy to fulfil two visions: the first is a vision to institutionalize the public sector leadership pipeline in Lagos State, and the second is our vision to immortalise the name of the first Civilian Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, who passed away in February 2021.

Leadership is crucial at all levels within society. Our goal is to provide a platform that will give invaluable exposure, and purposeful leadership preparation that will positively impact our youth to cultivate a shared vision that will lead to active citizenship and nation-building. At Lagos State, we are building leaders today for a greater tomorrow.”

“Finally, to our pioneering fellows, you should never lose sight of just how privileged you are to have made it into this inaugural class. Out of the many who applied, you are the privileged chosen few. And you now have in your hands a great opportunity to shape not just your personal lives and careers, but also the future of our dear Lagos State.”

Also speaking at the unveiling ceremony, the Commissioner for Establishments, Training and Pensions, Lagos State, Ajibola Ponnle, said, “Lagos State would like to thank the family of the late Jakande for their support and their commitment towards the project.

The principle of the Academy is to offer opportunities to Young Nigerians (35 years and below) who aspire for future leadership positions in order to serve their Nation and impact their generation. The Academy is positioned to develop these young leaders for public service and governance, by equipping them with the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for purposeful leadership, through service, direct mentorship, and on hands-on involvement in policy-making at the highest of the state government.

Folasade Coker, the Executive Secretary of the Academy said, “This has been a long process out-sourced to a leading consultant to assure quality and objectivity. We received 3,313 applications and they passed through a rigorous, merit-driven selection process which included Computer Based Tests, full day Assessment Center (set to observe specific leadership competencies), competency-based Oral Interviews with external consultants from the private and public sectors, senior mgt team of the Ministry and successful candidates from that process met with Mr Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo- Olu. At the end of this, we selected 30 young, vibrant Nigerians who are pioneer cohort of the Academy’s Inaugural session beginning later this week, February 2023.”

The curriculum of the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy has been developed and customed by a consortium comprising of professors from Lagos Business School, the University of Cambridge, the International Coaching Federation and other experts in the field of leadership in the country. It developed to give them insight into the leadership philosophy of Late Lateef Jakande and also a robust knowledge of Public policy, Political economy, Civic Society, Leadership, and Public service.

During the official launch event, the Academy announced its first governing council member, Dr Lanre Adeboye (daughter of Late Lateef Kayode Jakande).

The pioneer set of fellows are expected to commence the one-year intensive leadership programme which starts on Wednesday 15th February and ends on 15th January 2024.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2023/02/13/lasg-unveils-lateef-jakande-leadership-academy-pioneering-fellows/

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has raised salaries of sanitation workers’ in the state by 20%.

BrandSpur Nigeria reports that the announcement was made by the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Mr. Ibrahim Odumboni.

Sanwo-Olu had at the recent rally organised by the Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAMN) in support of the presidential bid of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, promised to increase sanitation workers’ salaries.

Odumboni made this announcement during a meeting with the sweepers at LAWMA’s headquarters, Ijora-Olopa, where he also revealed that they would be provided with new work tools such as overalls, boots, personal protective equipment (PPE) etc, which would enable them to discharge their duties effectively, adding that the government is committed to providing the necessary support for the sweepers to carry out their roles efficiently.

He also admonished the sanitation workers to ensure they perform their civic responsibility by voting at the forthcoming elections.

He urged them to spread the word to their neighbourhoods and to exercise their voting rights, adding that the government was counting on them to make their voices heard through their votes.

The LAWMA boss eulogised the APC presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who he said introduced the PSP and street sweeping schemes during his tenure as Lagos State governor, adding that he laid the foundation for effective waste management, which the state is currently benefiting from.

In appreciation of the gesture by the state government, the sweepers, chanting “On your mandate we shall stand” and waving their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) in support of Tinubu’s presidential ambition and second term bid of Governor Sanwo-Olu, promised to cast their votes at the elections, expressing their gratitude to the Lagos State Government for remembering them during this period.

This increase in salary and provision of work tools for the sweepers is a positive step towards improving their working conditions and ensuring they have the necessary resources to perform their duties effectively. It is also a clear indication of the government’s commitment to providing support to the hardworking sanitation workers who perform their duties to sanitise the environment.

The news of the increased salaries and provision of work tools has been well received by the sweepers and has generated a lot of positive reactions. Many have praised the Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu led administration for its efforts in improving the lives of the sweepers and for recognising their contribution to the society.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2023/02/09/gov-sanwo-olu-increases-sanitation-workers-salary-by-20/

How to apply for MTN Recruitment 2023, careers & job vacancies can be accessed below.

MTN Nigeria is the leader in telecommunications in Nigeria, and a part of a diverse community in Africa and the Middle East, our brand is instantly recognizable. It is through our compelling brand that we are able to attract the right talents who we carefully nurture by continuously improving our employment offerings, even beyond reward and recognition.

List of MTN Recruitment 2023 Job Positions:
1.) Manager, Financial Planning Management Reporting – Finance
Location: Lagos
Deadline: 13th February, 2023.
Click Here To View Details

2.) Coordinator, Facilities – Finance
Location: Abuja
Deadline: 13th February, 2023.
Click Here To View Details

3.) General Manager, Regional Operations West – Sales and Distribution
Location: Lagos
Deadline: 13th February, 2023.
Click Here To View Details

4.) General Manager, Regional Operations East – Sales and Distribution
Location: Lagos
Deadline: 13th February, 2023.
Click Here To View Details

5.) Supervisor, Treasury Operations – Finance
Location: Lagos
Deadline: 13th February, 2023.
Click Here To View Details

6.) Analyst, Technical SLA – Enterprise Business
Location: Lagos
Slot: 2 Openings
Deadline: 13th February, 2023.
Click Here To View Details

7.) Manager, Customer Acquisition and Compliance HQ – Sales and Distribution
Location: Lagos
Deadline: 13th February, 2023.
Click Here To View Details

8.) Engineer, IP and MPLS Support – Network NG
Location: Lago
Deadline: 13th February, 2023.
Click Here To View Details

9.) Manager – Network Audit, Internal Audit and Fraud Management
Location: Lagos
Deadline: 13th February, 2023.
Click Here To View Details

Older MTN Jobs:
1.) Senior Manager – Mobile Advertising, Enterprise Business
Location: Lagos
Click Here To View Details

2.) Manager – Channel Development, Enterprise Business
Location: Lagos
Click Here To View Details

3.) Manager – Mobile Advertising Operations, Enterprise Business
Location: Lagos
Click Here To View Details

4.) Specialist – Customer Value Management Operations, Commercial
Location: Lagos
Click Here To View Details

5.) Senior Manager – Fiber Sales Development, Fixed Broadband
Location: Lagos
Click Here To View Details

6.) Manager – Device Logistics and Support, Fixed Broadband
Location: Lagos
Click Here To View Details

7.) Senior Specialist – ICT Product Category, Enterprise Business Unit
Location: Lagos
Click Here To View Details

8.) Senior Specialist – ICT Segment Management (Enterprise Business)
Location: Lagos
Click Here To View Details

How to Apply for MTN Recruitment 2023
Follow the steps below to apply for ongoing employment:

Follow the ‘Click Here to View Details’ link under each job position
Read the requirements of the selected Vacancies
Follow the application link to go to vacancy page
Read and follow the instructions carefully
Provide all the necessary information
Provide your curriculum vitae (CV)
Submit your application form
To know more about the ongoing MTN Recruitment 2023, kindly proceed to the comments section and drop your enquiries for review.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2023/02/07/how-to-apply-for-mtn-recruitment-2023-careers-job-vacancies-apply-now/

Lagos
Rite Foods Limited, the market leader in Nigeria’s food and beverage industry is poised towards promoting environmental conservation through its sponsored riteonthebeach initiative aimed at cleaning the country’s beaches where it cleared 100,000 plastic bottles from Lagos shorelines.

Launched in August 2021 by Rite Foods’ Managing Director, Mr. Seleem Adegunwa, the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project went live in the Lagos beach communities in January 2022, with a success story.

To date, the communities have removed over 100,000 bottles from their beaches with school children taking the responsibility of dropping off twenty-two bottles or 1kg of plastics before school each day.

Through the beach cleaning initiative, 74 scholarships and over 20 jobs have been created from the collection and recycling process, spearheaded by the Founder of Popbeachclub, Mr. Akin Disu, the convener of Riteonthebeach, with its festival held in November, 2022.

The academic festival sensitises the public on the effects of climate change and plastic pollution on the environment centred in the remote Lagos fishing communities of Ilashe, Ibeshe, and Ikaare.

In partnership with Disu, Riteonthebeach created the Plastic Neutral Token, a community-driven social enterprise system that encourages members of the public to take responsibility for the plastic waste they produce, as the average human being uses 84 kilograms of plastic yearly.


By members of the public buying a plastic-neutral token, the scheme will remove 84kgs of plastic from the ocean, thereby making it plastic-neutral and eco-friendly.

The plastic waste is processed and sent to the city for recycling with the entire process verified by a third party and tracked on its transparent online platform. They achieve this by engaging the communities of these remote coastal fishing villages, rewarding the children with scholarships, while the women and youth were provided with jobs. This is to save the fishing ecosystem under threat from extensive ocean waste from the city.

The fishing communities serve a crucial role in Lagos state’s economy, providing fish and tourism services for the city of Lagos. These coastal communities on the Lagos western peninsular are separated from the city by the Owo river basin watershed, with the residents under a constant deluge of plastic waste transported by the ocean to their doorsteps.

Interestingly, the Riteonthebeach is committed to creating 300 scholarships in two years, in partnership with the coastal communities removing one metric ton of plastic per week, thereby attaining sustainability. To learn more, please visit Rite Foods’


SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2023/02/08/rite-foods-ltd-celebrates-100000-plastic-bottles-cleared-from-lagos/

The Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), the international organization to promote digital prosperity for all, has successfully concluded its second General Assembly in Riyadh with a Ministerial Declaration calling for open collaboration among nations to bridge the digital divide.



The DCO Ministerial Call for Action, which was issued on behalf of all 13 Member States, recognized the crucial role that the digital economy plays in shaping a more equitable and thriving future, and called for increased international dialogue to identify and promote successful approaches, and impactful initiatives that will empower nations to create sustainable, inclusive and equitable growth of the digital economy.



The General Assembly, the first full in-person gathering of the DCO, brought together delegation(s) from the DCO member states, DCO observer partners, and other international stakeholders in the digital economy. The Assembly was also attended by H.E. Zunaid Ahmed Palak, Minister of State for Information and Communication Technology, People’s Republic of Bangladesh; and H.E Mohammd Almanni, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, State of Qatar, as guests of the DCO.

The DCO calls for international cooperation to coordinate efforts and develop sustainable solutions that are specifically tailored to address four major concerns; such as policies and regulations, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Digitalization, Digital Skills and Education, and Digital Transformation.

H.E. Ms. Deemah Al Yahya, Secretary-General of the DCO, said: “There is an urgent need to modernize and harmonize digital policies and regulations, support MSMEs, take advantage of the cross-border nature of the digital economy and reduce barriers to access new markets, grow and create new opportunities”.



“Presently, around 36% of the world’s population, or approximately 2.7 billion people, do not have access to the internet. This substantial divide separates those with the means and abilities to participate in the digital economy from those without. We must take collective action to unleash the full potential of the digital age by equipping everyone with the digital skills they need. This can be through a combination of formal education systems, informal training programs, and civil society initiatives that promote continuous learning and upskilling. We must invest in building and enhancing digital skills and reap the rewards for generations to come,” Al Yahya added.

The one-day General Assembly included several strategic announcements around the expansion of the DCO and aligning the organization to accelerate its mission in the future.

Two new Member States, the Republic of The Gambia and the Republic of Ghana, were welcomed to the DCO during the Assembly, as the DCO continues its expansion into Africa to empower nations to develop their digital economies.

The DCO adopted the new Organization Bylaws that will streamline the operations of the Organization and effectively supersede the previously approved Governance Guidebook of 2021.

The DCO approved the formation of a new initiative to empower MSMEs: the STRIDE Association. This initiative will play a pivotal role in catalyzing the growth of MSMEs and start-ups within and between Member States. In addition, the Association will act as a facilitator between the public and the private sectors to make available the needed insights and interventions.

Recognizing the importance of ensuring continuity and efficiency of the DCO’s operations, the Assembly approved the establishment of an Executive Committee, consisting of representatives from the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the Sultanate of Oman, with a representative from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as the Chairperson until 2030. The committee will help streamline decision-making at DCO.

The DCO also announced the formation of an Observer Committee. Observer Partners, including the private sector, intergovernmental organizations, academic institutions, and other stakeholders in the digital economy, are an essential part of the DCO, and the Observer Committee is intended to increase the impact that Observers can bring to the DCO and ensure that they have a voice in DCO dialogues.

The Ministers and Government Representatives of the Digital Cooperation Organization agreed to launch the DCO 2030 Roadmap to promote common interests and advocate for advanced cooperation on all aspects of the digital economy at local, regional, and global levels between countries and all other stakeholders of the digital economy, including the private sector.

DCO Member States have expressed their gratitude to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its dedication and visionary approach to establishing the Organization and for the accomplishments achieved during the Saudi Arabia presidency.

In line with the Charter of the DCO, it was announced that the Kingdom of Bahrain is appointed to the Presidency of the DCO for 2023 and will chair the organization for the coming year and host the next edition of the General Assembly. In 2024, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan was endorsed for the DCO presidency for 2024.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2023/02/07/digital-ministers-of-13-nations-call-for-closer-collaboration/

One of Africa’s biggest financial institutions, UBA has approved the appointment of Abiola Bawuah as the Chief Executive Officer of UBA Africa. Abiola Bawuah’s appointment which was announced by the board of directors, joined the Group Board as an Executive Director, overseeing operations across the continent, outside Nigeria.

UBA, which also operates in 19 other African countries and France, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates is also experiencing changes in leadership in other roles Chris Ofikulu becomes the Regional CEO, of UBA West Africa, Uzoechna Molokwu as the Deputy Managing Director of UBA Ghana and Ayokunle Olajubu as Managing Director/CEO UBA Liberia although subject to approval as well as others.

Abiola Bawuah was formerly the Regional CEO, of West Africa where she supervised the operations in Benin, Burkina Faso Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Senegal, and Sierra Leone.

Group Board Chairman Mr. Tony Elumelu spoke about the new CEO, Mrs. Abiola Bawuah describing her immense contribution to the growth of UBA Africa for close to a decade.

He said “She brings a wealth of experience in commercial banking and stakeholder engagement. It also gives me great pleasure that with her appointment, the UBA Group Board has now become a majority female board,”

As for the other role mentioned above, Chris Ofikulu who is now the Regional CEO, of UBA West Africa, has been with UBA for over two decades with experience in corporate, commercial, and retail banking.

Uzoechina Molokwu, who is now being announced as Deputy Managing Director of UBA Ghana, although subject to local regulatory approvals, was the Executive Director, Business Development, at UBA in Cote d’Ivoire, with over 23 years of banking experience.


Ayokunle Olajubu, was also announced as the Managing Director/CEO of UBA Liberia, also subject to approvals, will be driving compliances across African subsidiaries, and has 30 years of banking experience in Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Cote d’Ivoire and in Gambia.

Also, Theresa Henshaw, was made CEO of UBA UK, subject to approvals as well, was formerly DMD, Business Development, UBA America and had joined as ED, Business Development at UBA UK. Usman Isiaka, formerly CEO, of UBA Sierra Leone is now Deputy CEO of UBA America.

While, High Chief Samuel Oni, an independent non-executive Director left the Board due to the expiration of his tenure. Chief Samuel Oni joined the UBA Group in January 2015 and served for eight years.

Mr. Elumelu expressed his appreciation to the High Chief for his commitment, leadership, and extensive contributions and wished him the best in his future endeavors.

UBA, which is one of the largest employers in the financial sector on the continent, with over 25,000 employees group-wide and offering their services to 37 million customers globally, operates in 20 African countries including New York, London, Paris, and the UAE, provides customers with retail, commercial and institutional banking services through leading financial inclusion and cutting edge technology.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2023/02/06/abiola-bawuah-uba-africas-first-female-operations-ceo/

BrandSpur Nigeria reports that Airtel Africa’s revenue in the nine months to December 2022 accelerated 12.1 per cent to $3.9 billion compared to the same period of 2021.

The company in a report during the week cited improvement in mobile services income in Nigeria, East Africa and Francophone Africa as pivot of growth.

Altogether, the mobile services revenue of the wireless operator jumped by 15.9 per cent, the most growth recorded in its Nigerian operation at 20.9 per cent.

While voice revenue advanced at the pace of 12.7 per cent, data revenue did at 22.3 per cent, according to its unaudited earnings report issued on Thursday.

Airtel Africa’s Revenue Hits $3.9 Billion
Revenue from the mobile money business of the London-headquartered telco expanded by 29.8 per cent, aided by about one-third growth in East Africa and 21.7 per cent increase in Francophone Africa. Expenses leapt by 11.7 per cent to $2 billion.

“I am particularly excited by the performance of our mobile money business, with annualized transaction value reaching nearly $100bn, as we continue to drive financial inclusion in the continent,” CEO Segun Ogunsanya said.

“Despite the inflationary pressures across our markets, the strong revenue performance in the first nine months of the year, combined with continued focus on cost optimisation, contributed to EBITDA growth of over 17% in constant currency, with stable EBITDA margins.”

Airtel Africa committed nearly half a billion dollars to 4G and 5G spectrum across major markets in the review period, the chief executive added.

Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortisation stood at $1.9 billion compared to $1.7 billion.

Airtel Nigeria is the group’s biggest and most profitable market of the fourteen it operates in, and Airtel Africa’s listing in Lagos, valuing it at N6.2 trillion as of Thursday morning, makes the telecom operator Nigeria’s biggest company by market value.

Net finance costs surged 78 per cent to $519 million on the back of higher foreign exchange and derivative losses of $184 million.

Profit before tax fell to $801 million from $864 million, a 7.3 per cent dip. Net profit saw a feeble growth from $514 million to $523 million, leaving margin at 13.4 per cent.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2023/02/04/airtel-africas-revenue-hits-3-9-billion/

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Southwest (Zone D) has watched over the months on the electioneering proceedings of the country, after several manifestos from all presidential candidates.

After due consultation with the PCC Directorate for Grassroots Mobilisation, Orientation and Engagement Southwest led by Otunba Titi Tomori-Ponle, We hereby find Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu worthy to be the next President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The true mark of a leader is the willingness to stick with a bold course of action, an unconventional business strategy, a unique product development roadmap, a controversial marketing campaign. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has practically contributed immensely to the growth of Education in Nigeria. His contributions to the development of Lagos State cannot be swept under the carpet.

The leadership of National Association of Nigerian Students Southwest has found Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the best candidate to pilot the affairs of the country and we here pass a vote of confidence on his mandate.

Nigerian Students haven been the highest collector of PVC on the percentage of 26.8% with a total number of about 26.02Million Voters. This constituency shall deliver all students structure for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

On this note we say, On his mandate we shall stand.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2023/02/01/2023-presidential-election-nans-southwest-endorses-bola-tinubu/

The Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA) of the African Development Bank Group will provide a $1 million technical assistance grant to the Green Mobility Facility for Africa (GMFA).

GMFA provides technical assistance and investment capital to accelerate and expand private sector investments in sustainable transport solutions in seven countries: Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and South Africa.

The SEFA grant will support the creation of an enabling environment for Electric vehicles (EVs), the design of EV business models and guidelines for the public and private sector, the development of a bankable pipeline of e-mobility projects, regional coordination, and knowledge sharing amongst other upstream activities to help catalyse follow-on private sector financing during the subsequent investment phase of the GMFA.

“Mobility is a fundamental lifeline that connects people to critical services, jobs, education, and opportunities,” said Nnenna Nwabufo the Director-General of the Bank’s East Africa Regional Development and Business Delivery Office. “The African Development Bank is committed to building a sustainable and more climate-resilient future by catalysing private investment in low-carbon solutions. We believe GMFA will have a tremendous impact on the African market by accelerating the shift to green mobility, reducing over 2,175,000 carbon dioxide equivalent tons of greenhouse gas emissions and facilitating the creation of 19,000 full-time jobs.”

“Future demand for mobility solutions and vehicle ownership is expected to increase with rapid urbanisation, population growth, and economic development. We are delighted to receive this support from AfDB. We see this as a vote of confidence in our efforts to shift to e-mobility solutions and advance Rwanda’s transition to a low-carbon economy,” said Clare Akamanzi, Chief Executive Officer of the Rwanda Development Board. Rwanda is one of seven pilot countries for GMFA.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2023/01/31/sustainable-energy-fund-for-africa-to-provide-1-million-grant-to-green-mobility-facility-for-africa/

President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday approved the Central Bank of Nigeria’s request to extend the deadline for swapping of old naira notes with the redesigned notes from January 31, 2023, to February 10 2023.

Buhari also approved a seven-day grace period which runs from February 10 to February 17 2023, to allow Nigerians to deposit their old notes at the CBN after which the old notes cease to be Legal Tender.

The CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele, disclosed these to State House correspondents shortly after he met the President in his country home in Daura, Katsina State, on Sunday.

He disclosed that 75 per cent of the N2.7tn held outside the banking system had been recovered.

The governor said, “We are happy that so far, the exercise has achieved a success rate of over 75 per cent of the N2.7tn held outside the banking system. Nigerians in the rural areas, villages, the aged and vulnerable have had the opportunity to swap their old notes; leveraging the Agent Naira Swap initiative as well as the CBN senior staff nationwide sensitisation team exercise.

“Aside from those holding illicit/stolen naira in their homes for speculative purposes, we do aim to give all Nigerians that have naira legitimately earned and trapped, the opportunity to deposit their legitimately trapped monies at the CBN for exchange.

“Based on the foregoing, we have sought and obtained Mr President’s approval for the following: 10-day extension of the deadline from January 31, 2023, to February 10, 2023; to legitimately held by Nigerians and achieve more success in cash swap in our rural communities after which all old notes outside the CBN losses their Legal tender Status.

“Our CBN staff currently on mass mobilisation and monitoring together with officials of the EFCC and ICPC will work together to achieve these objectives. A seven-day grace period, beginning on February 10 to February 17,2023, in compliance with Sections 20(3) and 22 of the CBN Act allowing Nigerians to deposit their old notes at the CBN after the February deadline when the old currency would have lost its Legal Tender status.

“We therefore appeal to all Nigerians to work with the Central Bank of Nigeria to ensure a hitch-free implementation of this very important process for program.”

Emefiele also vowed that Nigerians found selling, abusing or spraying the new naira notes at public functions will be “sanctioned” by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

He said with each note having a unique number, abused currencies can now be tracked to their users.

“For those involved in this, even if they are CBN staff members, they will be sanctioned. We will track them. Luckily, those new naira notes have trackers, we have their numbers because they have been issued.

“Once we see these numbers, we will track them and we will make public those that are involved in this business of selling new naira. Whereas there are people who are suffering in the villages that need those new notes, we will deal with them.

“We have passed on a few videos to the EFCC and they are going to track these people. It’s not about the CBN tracking them. It’s about the EFCC or the ICPC and independent enforcement institutions to go after them,” he said.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2023/01/29/emefiele-reveals-why-buhari-approved-old-naira-swap-extension/

Nigeria’s Apex bank CBN has gone full throttle on its plans for a national debt card scheme as it launches AfriGo. The scheme was earlier announced at a Banker’s Committee press briefing in October 2022, with the CBN going toe to toe with the various debit and credit card payment schemes available in the Nigerian market.
CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, believes the move will push for more financial inclusion and concentrate card financial data in Nigeria, while also serving as a symbol of national pride for those who adopt it.

He said, “The national domestic card avails us the sovereignty of our data. Secondly, it comes at lower costs,”. Nigeria is one of the biggest markets for card payments, with the latest annual figures for card transactions in Nigeria hitting $18.2 bn in 2021. Companies like Mastercard, Visa, and Verve benefit a lot from the large Nigerian market.

These global companies’ main job is to provide central payment networks, which are linked to debit and credit cards to enable card transactions with these cards. The card can now be issued to customers by banks and financial institutions as well as shopping malls.

The CBN in conjunction with the Nigeria Inter-bank Settlement System (NIBSS) is hoping to break this system by establishing a card payment scheme that could quickly dominate the fast-growing Nigerian market. CBN also added that the cards scheme will function on reduced operating costs and optimized foreign exchange usage, unlike the other cards in the market.

CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele added that “At this time when foreign exchange challenges persist globally, it is important for me to say that we have come up with this card to ensure that all online card transactions will now, effective immediately, begin to go on the Nigerian national domestic system,”.

While speaking further on payment of forex. He said “NIBSS and CBN will work together to make sure foreign exchange is charged for only international transactions made on Visa and Mastercards as we have it now. This is so because many of the cards we use currently charge in foreign currency. However, with the launch of the national domestic card, all domestic transactions are to be carried out on the national domestic card scheme,”

The CBN domestic card scheme which is one of the first of its kind in Africa is not new to some top countries like China, India, Brazil, and Turkey. Countries like India, make use of Ruepay, which is a government-backed card payment scheme that has taken over India’s market due to its efficiency, low cost, and policy backing, to which 600 million Ruepay cards have been issued in India.

The managing director/CEO of NIBSS, Mr. Premier Oiwoh mentioned that the scheme was designed to attend to the pain points of Nigerians who make use of card payments and encourage Nigerians with its exciting offers.

Like India’s Ruepay, if AfriGo records huge success in transactions, this would be of huge benefit to Nigerians and reduce the cost of payments for debit cards and for its maintenance, however, there is the question of reliability and interoperability, this can only be tested when the card enters the Nigerian market.

Emefiele also spoke on the role the domestic card scheme will play in competing in the Nigerian market with globally accepted cards like Visa and Mastercard, he said “The Nigerian market is vast and the current participants have done so much in the last 12 years to transform the ecosystem. Yet there is much ground to cover as millions of Nigerians are still without cards to consummate transactions.”

While adding that “I am convinced that the national domestic card scheme will make this a reality in the coming months. We can no longer neglect the vast majority of Nigerians,”.

The deployment and monitoring of the adoption of the national domestic card scheme will be handled by AfriGopay Financial Services Limted (AFSL), a NIBSS-affiliated organisation.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2023/01/27/cbn-launches-afrigo-nigerias-domestic-card-scheme/

The leadership of Sokoto Market Associations has agreed to adopt e-Naira transactions for their business due to the scarcity of new naira notes in circulation.

Speaking on behalf of the association, the chairman, Alhaji Yaro Gobirawa, said he would mobilise his members to key into the cashless policy so as to reduce money in circulation.

Gobirawa, while speaking with newsmen shortly after meeting with Central Bank of Nigeria officials in the state on Wednesday, said his members were ready to embrace the E-Naira transaction as the way forward.

Gobirawa, however, appealed to the CBN to advise commercial banks operating in the state to dedicate more staffs and desks to attend to its members.

He further call on CBN management to ensure more new naira notes are in circulation to ease the pressure currently encountered by residents of the state.

Speaking earlier, the Sokoto CBN Branch Controller, Dahiru Usman, commended the leadership of the market for its continuous cooperation with the bank.

The controller further assured that the apex bank will dispatch some of its Information Technology staff to various points in the market in other to assist the traders in the development of the e-naira applications.

He further disclosed that the CBN is introducing a swap of naira notes for residents from N10,000 and below.

This, he said, would enable residents to ease the current pressure and stress being encountered by residents of the state as a result of the new naira notes.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2023/01/25/cbn-naira-deadline-sokoto-marketers-opt-for-e-naira-transaction/

Ahead of the 2023 elections in Nigeria, the United States Government, on Wednesday declared that people involved in undermining the electoral process in Nigeria will be slapped with visa restrictions.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in a tweet, said his country supports Nigeria’s democratic process and desire to uphold the rule of law.

“To support Nigeria’s upcoming elections, today I am announcing visa restrictions for those involved in undermining democracy in Nigeria.

“The United States supports Nigerian aspirations to combat corruption and strengthen democracy and the rule of law,” Blinken said.

The US Embassy and Consulate in Nigeria, in a statement shared on its website, said the visa restrictions are specific to “certain individuals” and are not directed at the Nigerian people or the Government of Nigeria.

See the full statement below:

Imposing Visa Restrictions on Individuals Involved in Undermining the Democratic Process in Nigeria
We are committed to supporting and advancing democracy in Nigeria and around the world. Today, I am announcing visa restrictions on specific individuals in Nigeria for undermining the democratic process in a recent Nigerian election.

Under Section 212(a)(3)C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, these individuals will be found ineligible for visas to the United States under a policy to restrict visas of those believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining democracy in Nigeria. Certain family members of such persons may also be subject to these restrictions. Additional persons who undermine the democratic process in Nigeria—including in the lead-up to, during, and following Nigeria’s 2023 elections—may be found ineligible for U.S. visas under this policy.

The visa restrictions announced today are specific to certain individuals and are not directed at the Nigerian people or the Government of Nigeria. The decision to impose visa restrictions reflects the commitment of the United States to support Nigerian aspirations to combat corruption and strengthen democracy and the rule of law.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2023/01/26/us-declares-visa-restrictions-for-anyone-who-undermines-nigerias-elections/