The front foot

Ok

In recent Nestle Nigeria Plc unaudited  Q3 2017 earnings’ report,

The revenue increase was influenced by the increase in the price of its products.

The firm’s bottom line was partly boosted by finance income which grew due to the firm increasing the money it placed in the bank from 4 billion to 24 billion.

Key Highlights:

The revenue increase was influenced by the increase in the price of its products.The firm’s bottom line was partly boosted by finance income which grew due to the firm increasing money it placed in the bank from 4 billion to 24 billion.Also, there was a decrease in finance cost which occurred due to drop in foreign exchange losses from 19 billion to 11 billion and also drop in loans and borrowings.Debt to equity ratio decreased as a result of the significant drop in its total debt profile.The firm’s net income for Q3 2017 has exceeded that of the full year 2016.The firm declared an interim dividend of ₦15 to be paid on 11th December 2017.

Kindly click on this link to see full details on the Corporate Brief of the firm.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/corporate-brief-nestle-nigeria-plc-released-its-unaudited-third-quarter-earnings/

can countries are having a risky affair with Eurobond debt and it could end very badly…

The financial downturn of 2008, was the single largest catalytic factor compelling Sub Saharan African countries to seek alternative sources of financing for social and infrastructure development. The countries, previously reliant on bilateral loans and grants from both the West and eastern blocs, realized with the downturn that the honey pod had dried up.



In the ten-year period between 2006—when the first Sub Saharan African (SSA) Eurobond was issued—and 2016 more than a dozen African countries had racked up Eurobond debt of more than $23 billion, that carries an average annual coupon payment of +/- $1.7 billion. A Eurobond, also referred to as sovereign bond, is a debt security issued by a national government and is denominated in a foreign currency, usually dollar, rather than the euro that its name implies.

 African countries in seeking alternative sources of funding ignored the bold writing on the wall which predetermined the debt crisis of the 1980s. The African countries in seeking these alternative sources of funding ignored the bold writing on the wall which predetermined the unsustainable debt crisis of the 1980s. In the period between 1970 and 1990 African countries borrowed heavily, with their debt becoming unsustainable. The cyclical events of unsustainable debt of the 1980s, when the continent’s debt position stood at more than $270 billion, was attributed to—depending on which side of the fence you’re on—poor governance, corrupt leadership and protracted civil wars in many African countries.

The financial downturn of 2008, was the single largest catalytic factor compelling Sub Saharan African countries to seek alternative sources of financing for social and infrastructure development. The countries, previously reliant on bilateral loans and grants from both the West and eastern blocs, realized with the downturn that the honey pod had dried up.



In the ten-year period between 2006—when the first Sub Saharan African (SSA) Eurobond was issued—and 2016 more than a dozen African countries had racked up Eurobond debt of more than $23 billion, that carries an average annual coupon payment of +/- $1.7 billion. A Eurobond, also referred to as sovereign bond, is a debt security issued by a national government and is denominated in a foreign currency, usually dollar, rather than the euro that its name implies.

 African countries in seeking alternative sources of funding ignored the bold writing on the wall which predetermined the debt crisis of the 1980s. The African countries in seeking these alternative sources of funding ignored the bold writing on the wall which predetermined the unsustainable debt crisis of the 1980s. In the period between 1970 and 1990 African countries borrowed heavily, with their debt becoming unsustainable. The cyclical events of unsustainable debt of the 1980s, when the continent’s debt position stood at more than $270 billion, was attributed to—depending on which side of the fence you’re on—poor governance, corrupt leadership and protracted civil wars in many African countries.

 
SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/pay-up-africas-euro-bond-debt-is-rising-to-risky-levels/

I wonder if they bother take stats of kids in villages.

A lot of people in the Nigerian labor market tend to ask questions about the meaning of the various salary structures in Nigeria. I hear people ask, what is the meaning of CONTISS, CONUASS, CONRAISS, CONTOPSAL, CONPSS, CONMESS, CONHESS, CONJUSS, CONPASS etc. 

Consequently, I have compiled a list of some of them here for you to learn from.

Consolidated Top Federal Public Office Holders’ Salary Structure (CONTOPSAL): Salary Structure for top government officials.

Consolidated Research and Allied Institutions Salary Structure (CONRAISS): A salary structure for Research, Training and Allied Institutions in the Federal Public Service.

Consolidated Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure II (CONTISS II): Salary structure for Non-Academic Staff of Federal Universities
Consolidated University Academic Salary Structure (CONUASS): Salary structure for the academic staff of federal universities.

Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS): Salary structure for Medical and Dental Officers in the Federal Public Service.

Consolidated Health Salary Structure(CONHESS): Salary Structure for pharmacists, medical laboratory, nurses and other health workers in the health sector of the Federal Public Service.

Consolidated Judicial Salary Structure (CONJUSS): Salary Structure for Judiciary workers in the Federal Public Service.

For more information on salary structures and the pay, visit The National Salaries, Incomes & Wages Commission (NSIWC)-

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/salary-structures-in-nigeria-and-their-meaningcontiss-conuass-conraiss-etc/

Ever felt jealousy or discontentment due to the seemingly higher standards or jet-set lifestyle of other people on social media? You are probably suffering from Social Media Anxiety Disorder (SMAD), a condition described by the Research and Development Unit of Yudala – Nigeria’s pioneer online and offline e-commerce outfit – as one afflicting a growing number of young adults. If you are on social media in any capacity, then you probably must have experienced SMAD, especially after being exposed to what other persons in your social network are up to.

According to Yudala, social media anxiety disorder is related to social anxiety, a mental illness which occurs when social media interferes with the mental and physical health of a person, causing one to feel inadequate, jealous, incompetent and unsatisfied. Admittedly, seeing a certain standard on social media can make anyone anxious. This feeling is referred to as social media anxiety.

Social media has grown in importance and today, plays a greater role in our daily lives. Indeed, the majority of people rely on their social media networks for a number of things including lifestyle habits, trends and social validation. Unfortunately, we are in a world where everybody tries to put their best image forward online and, as humans, we tend to compare ourselves to the sometimes make-believe representation of others.

While social media is a useful way of connecting with people and a remarkable way of bridging the gap between loneliness and companionship with just a click; it is important to exercise caution.

All that glitters is not gold. This age-long saying holds true especially on social media where a lot of people are guilty of excess show of materialism and flaunting fake lifestyles or standards, leaving the lead to feelings of loneliness, social anxiety and depression.

Yudala shares tips on how to cope with social media anxiety:

1.Admit the problem: Social Media Anxiety Disorder can be difficult to treat, considering the emphasis on social media networking as a model of success, especially in business. The first step in treating social media anxiety is to identify the problem, admit it, understand it and try to solve it. Be honest about your social media usage and manage what you put on social media; avoid putting self-sabotaging comments of yourself in the hope of getting positive response to build your self-esteem.

2.Stop comparing yourself: Constant visits to social media platforms can make you feel like you haven’t accomplished a lot especially when you see the make-believe lifestyle of your social network. Humans are insatiable and comparing yourself is inevitable but always try to do you as opposed to studying others. The most important thing is to look back on your journey and compare with your current state; this will make you feel good about how far you’ve come because there will always be someone out there who is better than you.

3.Socialize more in real life: Nowadays, people are so addicted to social media that they focus more on holding their phones than talking and sharing their thoughts in person. But when your social media friends aren’t as responsive as normal, you may become anxious and start to feel lonely and that’s when social media anxiety sets in. It is important to strengthen your real-life relationships because your social media friends won’t be there to make lemonades for you when life hands you lemons.

4.Take a break: It is okay to take a social media break especially when you realize you are battling social media anxiety. Often, it is advisable to disengage from your social media platforms. Setting a specific social media time limit for yourself daily or weekly can be very helpful. By doing this, you can then gradually shut off from it completely until you feel comfortable. While this may not be easy initially because of the attachment you may have, you will find an alternative way to keep yourself occupied over time.

5.Embrace Some Alone-Time: Having a quiet and relaxing time by yourself doesn’t mean you’re a loner or a sad person. Being lonely is different from wanting to be alone which can actually be quite healthy. Going for a walk and being by yourself sometimes, with no distraction from your mobile phone or social media, actually gives you the chance to clear your mind, focus and think more clearly.

6.Focus on your Passion: We all know social media can be distracting. What starts as a check in on Facebook or Instagram can all of a sudden turn to a 2- 3-hour waste of time. Instead of that, you can develop your hobbies. Find something you are really passionate about and focus on them, rather than spending time on social media and thinking someone else is doing better than you. This may even help give you a sense of direction and fulfillment.

SOURCE : https://brandspurng.com/6-ways-to-overcome-social-media-anxiety-disorder/

Good news.

are u talking about this TV?

Konga, Nigeria’s leading online shopping mall, has promised shoppers mouthwatering deals during the 2017 Black Friday Yakata sales. The shopping frenzy will run from November 6th to 10th, with Konga slashing prices at jaw-dropping rates on tens of thousands of consumer goods.

E-commerce brands Jumia, Yudala, and Konga are competing to be the platform that records the highest traffic of shoppers during the shopping season. Jumia has launched Black Friday Festival, which will run for 31 days from November 13 to December 13, 2017, while Yudala launched ‘Mid-Day Madness’ from October 30 to Wednesday, November 1, 2017, as pre-Black Friday shopping frenzy.

Konga CEO, Shola Adekoya, said preparation has been concluded to make this year’s shopping season memorable and exciting for shoppers.  “We are expecting a buoyant Black Friday Yakata. Black Friday Yakata kicks off the holiday shopping season for us retailers and as Nigerians are looking out for the very best value for their money, Konga will be giving them a platform to source the best deals. Our customer service team are already receiving hundreds of inquiries concerning what we will be offering this year across all our customer touch points; so we have strong indications as to what our shoppers are on the lookout for.

“Our merchants are mobilized and ready to sell their stocks at super-heavily discounted prices to our customers throughout Nigeria. As e-commerce continues to grow at an incremental rate in Nigeria, we are prepared for a massive influx of traffic, from both existing and new customers, who will benefit from the largest range of consumer goods online, as well as speedy and reliable order fulfillment”.

In a press statement, the e-commerce platform stated that “Black Friday Yakata will have prices falling in a big way more than ever before as Konga gives back to Nigerian online shoppers with the benefits of huge discounts on leading consumer goods. Last year, at its peak, the company was processing over hundreds of orders within the hour from its Lagos-based headquarters and sold hundreds of thousands of items during the sale event. This year, Konga expects its marketplace to generate over N5bn during Black Friday Yakata, making it the busiest shopping season in the company’s history.”

Konga.com is Nigeria’s leading online mall. The company launched in July 2012 with a mission, ‘To become the engine of commerce and trade in Africa’. The company has recorded very rapid growth and in just five years, konga.com has built an operation that leads the market in customer satisfaction, merchandise shipped and innovation.

 

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/konga-unveils-mouthwatering-deals-for-black-friday-sales/

t to Create One Million Jobs, Reduce Carbon Emission, Attract FDI

In its avowed commitment to ensure unimpeded supply of petroleum products and safeguard the environment through reduction of carbon emission, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ondo State Government to establish a 65,000 million litres per annum biofuel plant in Okeluse, Ondo State.

Speaking when the Governor of Ondo State, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, led a delegation from the state for the MoU signing ceremony at the NNPC Towers, the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru, explained that the project was not a one-hundred-per-cent NNPC subsidiary and that some investors were also bringing in Foreign Direct Investment into the country for the project.

On the benefits of the project, the GMD disclosed that the construction of the plant and the production of cassava feedstock could create at least one million direct and indirect jobs.

Other benefits, according to Dr. Baru, include reduction of fuel import, reduction of greenhouse gas emission to combat global warming, and boost in the production of animal feeds from by-products of the plant.

The GMD also allayed fears of any possible negative impact of the plant on the supply of cassava-based foods for human consumption, stressing that the cassava that would be used for the biofuel project was a special breed that would not be in competition for human consumption or interfere with the activities of farmers cultivating other breeds of cassava or indeed other crops.

“Your Excellency, we have already discussed with you and you have agreed to make 15,000 hectares of land available towards the cultivation of this cassava. It will, of course, in the process invite people who are used to farming cassava as well as new entrepreneurs who want to go into that business to participate in the cultivation of the cassava that we are going to use for the production of the fuel ethanol.

“We expect that this plant, when built, will be producing at least 65 million litres per annum of fuel ethanol that could be blended into our Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and will be used in Nigeria and neighbouring countries when exported,” Dr. Baru informed.

He disclosed that the biofuel project would be fitted with a 40 megawatts electricity plant that would also supply power to the host communities.

The GMD said NNPC intended to commercialize the greenhouse gas emission reduction capability of the project to win carbon credit for the nation from the international community, adding that it could also make money from such by-product as industrial starch and others which could be converted to animal feeds to boost food production in the country.

“The benefits of this project to Nigeria and specifically to Ondo State are immense and NNPC is very eager to see it implemented. We are working with the investors who will invest because there are several dimensions to the project,” Dr. Baru enthused.

Earlier, the Governor of Ondo State, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, expressed confidence that the biofuel project would take off for the benefit of the people of the state and the country in general.

He assured that the state had enough farmers as well as cassava to sustain the biofuel plant, stressing that his visit was to show his commitment to the project.

Present to witness the signing of the MoU were the Nigeria Export-Import Bank (NEXIM Bank), New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD) and National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA).

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/nnpc-to-establish-biofuel-plant-in-ondo/

Enlightening piece.

It’s no surprise that we spend the majority of our waking lives at work. The average person will spend around 90,000 hours at their workplace in their lifetime. When it comes to our health, it isn’t always our main priority especially at work, while we’re sitting at our computers or moving from meeting to meeting. Getting through our daily workload will always be at the forefront of our mind.


In Japan, where people work the longest hours – on average 60-70 hours a week – around 10,000 people drop dead at their desks a year, a phenomenon known as “karoshi”.1 This only highlights the need to look after our health, and one of the most common health issues at the workplace is dehydration.

It’s incredibly easy to avoid drinking enough water when we’re focused on getting work done or too busy to grab a glass of water. Many of us turn to tea or coffee to stay alert during the day. Yet this is counteractive due to their diuretic effects – in other words, they increase urination and therefore expel fluid more easily leading to dehydration. Sitting too far from the office water fountain or kitchen can also mean less likelihood of hydrating adequately.

Dehydration: The Silent Killer

When it comes to our health we all know we should drink an adequate amount each day. After all, 60 percent of the body is made up of water and the human brain is composed of 75 percent water.

But the main problem with dehydration is you don’t always feel the effects so obviously as you do with other health issues such as a bad back from sitting down too long or tired eyes from staring at a computer screen.

Hydrating regularly lubricates our joints and eyes, keeps our skin healthy, allows optimum digestion, eliminates toxins and optimises the energy produced by our cells. Besides reducing concentration, not hydrating properly can create an imbalance of salts and sugars in the body which can quickly lead to other health problems.

In other words, if you feel a headache coming on or feel slightly weak, don’t reach for a mid-morning snack. The best thing to do is grab that glass of water first.

How Dehydration Affects Productivity

We’re not always aware of the benefits of drinking enough water and how it impacts our health and work life. As a result, we often neglect to drink more water even if we know we haven’t always drunk enough during the day.

A report showed that up to 75 percent of Americans don’t drink the recommended 10 cups of water a day issued by the Institute of Medicine. This means most people are walking around mildly to severely dehydrated without even realizing.

When we get health issues such as severe tiredness, headaches, weight gain, high blood pressure or kidney complications, our first thought isn’t that we’re not drinking enough water. When it comes to our work, it can have wide-reaching implications – when we go home due to that incessant headache or we struggle with concentrating, our colleagues and departments indirectly suffer too.

A recent survey translated this to a $2.5 billion loss in productivity each year as a result of people taking time off work due to chronic illness – many of which could be put down to simple dehydration. A further study looking at forest workers found a significant reduction in productivity in those who were in a state of dehydration.2

What are the Signs of Dehydration?

We don’t always realize how much fluid we lose throughout the day and how important it is to rehydrate. Sweating, visiting the bathroom and even respiration uses up vital fluids in our body. Put that with any vomiting, diarrhea, alcohol consumption or excessive exercise and our water stores can become empty extremely quickly.

There are several signs of mild to moderate dehydration which include: dry mouth, tiredness, less need to urinate, headaches, fogginess in the head and lack of concentration.

Severe dehydration could include symptoms such as irritability, confusion, extreme thirst, quickened heartbeat, rapid breathing and either no urination or urine that’s dark in color.

How Employers Can Avoid Dehydration in the Work Place

The awareness of the possible devastating effects of dehydration is paramount in our daily lives and no more so than at work. There are some effective ways to encourage ourselves and our workforce to keep water intake topped up.

Setting Up a Workplace Hydration Programme

Encouraging our employees and colleagues to keep hydrated is a key way to keep hydration to the maximum. Offices and other places of work can implement a system to do this in a clear and effective way.

Provide employees with easily-accessible water. This could come in the form of providing bottled water, creating water stations throughout the workspace and providing regular fresh water to water coolers. These encourage people to think more about hydrating especially if there are viable and fresh options.Educate people. While most people are aware they need to drink water, it’s easy to dismiss the implications of not doing so. Placing educational materials such as posters around the workplace showing the importance of keeping hydrated as well as how dehydration has a negative effect on health will keep people more aware and motivated to get that glass of water.Appoint a Hydration Action Committee. Having accountability is really important when it comes to implementing a system and motivating people to drink more water. Create a committee to ensure water supplies are adequate and find fun and innovative ways to keep people hydrated.Liven up plain water. One of the main reasons people struggle to drink more water is that it’s just too boring in taste. As a result, many reach for sodas and energy drinks thinking they’re topping up their fluids effectively. There are several ways of livening up water such as making ice cubes out of 100% fruit juice and adding them to water (reducing the amount of sugar), keep wedges of fruit for people to add to their glass of water or supplying large pitchers of water containing fruits such as cucumber, orange, lemon or melon to have infused water at hand. Outside workers can be supplied with bottled water. This way employees are happy and hydrated while employers have more productive staff on their hands.Get rid of sports drinks and sodas. As mentioned before, many people opt for fizzy drinks such as sports/energy drinks or sodas. By getting rid of these in an office setting, it will encourage people to quench their thirst in a more positive and healthy way. Sugar-laden drinks will only serve to cause more problems with weight gain, sugar crashes, and headaches.

How Employees Can Make Sure They Hydrate Well

Drinking enough water is all about establishing a habit until it becomes second nature. There are several things you can do to help you in your daily water-drinking routine.

Use a hydration monitoring app. There are tonnes of free apps out there that remind you to drink such as Daily Water, Waterlogged or iDrated. They also let you add what you’ve drunk throughout the day letting you see when you’ve drunk your recommended amount.Always carry a water bottle. Having water always on our person will act as a constant reminder to drink. If you’re rushing from meeting to meeting then having a bottle with you will counteract the excuse of being to busy to hydrate.Eat more water-contained foods. Fruit such as melons, apples and oranges will boost your water intake so try to opt for these as a snack. When eating your lunch always make sure you have a glass of water with you instead of your usual tea, coffee or soda.Set yourself a challenge. Fill a large 2L jug with water, place it near or on your desk and challenge yourself to finish it by the time you leave to go home. Having a constant reminder in front of you will motivate you to get that water intake up.Reduce your coffee and tea intake. It’s very easy to create a habit of getting that morning coffee and continuing the habit throughout the day. It’s important to stay alert but in reality, water can more than do this for us. Make an intention to cut down the number of teas and coffees you consume throughout the course of your day and replace it with water.

Always remember the benefits drinking enough water brings to your working life. These include increasing energy, concentration and relieving tiredness, promoting weight loss with a healthy diet, flushing out unwanted toxins in the body, improving skin complexion, maintaining regular digestion, boosting your immune system, reducing headaches, preventing muscle cramps and sprains and, most importantly, puts you in a great mood. When your body is functioning at its optimum you will feel great and perform better!

 

SOURCE : https://brandspurng.com/why-its-important-to-drink-more-water-at-work/

At last

ok

Market Review for week ended October 27th, 2017

 

The Nigerian Equities market posted a weak performance in the week under review to extend the bearish run to the second consecutive week as at Friday, last week. The local bourse plunged by 0.38% week-on-week (wow) at the close of the bell on Friday to close at 36,462.26 in contrast to last week’s close of 36,587.31.  

 

NSEASI opened this week’s trading session trending southwards with a 0.48% decline, the trend which it reversed in the second and third trading sessions as the index gained 0.33% and 0.25%. The bourse however regressed back into the red zone on the fourth and fifth trading days recording -0.29% and -0.34% daily changes respectively. 

 

 Outlook for the new week ending November 3rd, 2017 

 

We expect existing volatility to continue amidst better than anticipated Q3 earnings, especially from Consumer and Industrial Goods space. This is expected considering that investors are exploiting this season to recoup profit after a pleasant rally in recent past. However, we are confident that the week will end on a bullish note. Our optimism is driven by positive macroeconomic numbers and expectation of further strong Q3 numbers as the earnings season start winding up

GTI TOP-5 STOCK PICKS – 30/10/2017 – 03/11/2017

UBA

UBA Plc has emerged one of most reputable banks in Nigeria business landscape.Its improved branch networks within the country and developed presence in prominent Africa Countries has positioned the Pan African bank with improved income sources.The bank has a good Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) in the sector and continues to leverage on its stringent risk assessment framework to mitigate capital erosion.In a recent Q3 2017 results, the Company grew gross and net income by 25.8% and 23.04% respectively.It has a current book value of 13.99x and P/BV of 0.66x. In terms of meeting short-term obligations, the Bank is firm with acid test ratio at 0.75%.



TRANSCORP:

Transcorp Group is a diversified conglomerate with interests in four major business sectors: Power, Oil & Gas, Hospitality, and Agriculture.The Q3 2017 result was impressive with a 35.4% topline improvement and a healthy 141% expansion in bottom-line.The FX stability also aided the strong bottom-line performance of the company due to its FX loan exposure.The effort of the federal government to stabilize the power sector will boost the company’s performance going forward and sustain the current earnings momentum.We place a BUY rating on Transcorp as a result of its long-term prospects which may crystallize in the short to medium term due to the market resurgence.

Dangote Flour Mills Plc

In the Company’s recent unaudited Q3 2017 results, both sales revenue and net income grew by 101.2% and 393.7% respectively.A streak of improved business operations lately supports positive outlook going forward.It continues to leverage the parent company’s potent distribution network which we think would boost more sales going forward.Q3 EPS now at 261 kobo and represents 357.9% growth against comparable period of 2016.Book value is currently at N7.08 and closest to its market price.Improved return on equity (ROE) at 37.0% compared to 2016 17.0% points gradual accretion on shareholders’ funds and an improved tendency for dividend payment soon.Our target price is 24.3% above the current market price and 52-week high respectively.

Zenith Bank Int’l Plc

Zenith Bank has emerged one of most reputable banks in Nigeria business landscape.Its improved branch networks within the country have positioned it for improved income sources.The bank has one of the strongest Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) at 21% and provides ample buffer above the regulatory minimum of 15%.Its balance sheet size is a major incentive for us at this time considering that it has a book value per share of N24.33 resulting into a price to book ratio 1.07x relative to its closest peer of 1.58x.The liquidity ratio of the group as at Q3 ‘17 was 55%, thus above the regulatory minimum of 30%.Upside potential to our target price and 52-Week high is 18.76% and 17.05% respectively.

Dangote Sugar & Refinery Plc

Dangote Sugar Plc is a subsidiary of Dangote group.It refines raw sugar into edible sugarIt controls over 60% of the sugar market in Nigeria.Its backward integration strategy has helped to bring down its input cost considerably in recent years.Her extensive, fast and reliable distribution network covers over 80% of the country.The company has outperformed its full-year 2016 net income as at half-year 2017 by 18.79%.It grew its revenue and net income in Q3 ‘17 by 41.5% and 156.2% against comparable period of 2016.We expect the firm to continue to post this streak of decent performances going forward.It has resumed payment of interim dividend, indicating management of about the future performance.The Company is an income and growth stock. Final dividend for FY 2017 is highly anticipated.


Watch List
Unilever, UCAP, Fidson, NASCON, DangCem.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/top-5-weekly-stock-pick-for-the-period-30102017-03112017-ooutlook-watch-list-gti-securites/

Sterling Bank Plc, Your One-Customer Bank, has donated 600 customized reflective uniforms to the Ondo State Waste Management Authority (OSWMA) for distribution among highway sweepers and workers working with the agency.

In addition to the reflective uniforms, Sterling Bank also donated kits, brooms, spades, boots and rakes to the waste management authority in fulfillment of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to the society.

Speaking after the presentation of the items to the state government yesterday in Akure, the Ondo State capital, Regional Business Executive, Commercial and Institutional Banking Southwest 11, Mr. Ademola Olanrewaju Adeyemi explained that the bank is always willing to partner with organizations that are committed to keeping the environment clean.

Adeyemi said Sterling Bank is keenly aware that the burden of keeping the environment clean cannot be left to the state government alone to shoulder hence the intervention by the bank. He added that such assistance is not limited to Ondo State as other states of the federation have also benefitted from the initiative.

His words: “this donation is one of the ways through which Sterling Bank is contributing to the welfare of the community everywhere it operates. As I said earlier if the environment is bad and there is sickness everywhere we cannot live well. It is our hope that this donation will make the environment healthier and better for everybody in Ondo State.”

He noted that by wearing the reflective uniforms, fatalities among highway sweepers and workers will be eliminated as motorists would be able to see them from long distances and avoid hitting them while working along the road in the early part of the day.

Adeyemi remarked that Sterling Bank has also instituted an environmental sustainability campaign known as Sterling Environmental Makeover (STEM) to encourage the cleaning of the environment across the country.

In his remarks, Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu commended the effort of the bank in partnering with the state government to keep the environment clean.

The governor who was represented by his Deputy, Agboola Ajayi, said preventive healthcare is an important dimension of health that needs significant attention and investment from all sectors of the society.

His words: “it is on this note that we are here today for the official presentation of 600 customized, reflective overall uniforms, donated by Sterling Bank PLC to the highway sweepers and workers of the Ondo State Waste Management Authority. The uniform is environment-friendly because of its reflective make, which serves as a protective device for the highway sweepers, considering the nature of their jobs and for ease of identification.”

The governor called on other private sector organizations operating in the state to emulate Sterling Bank.

The Ondo State Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Folorunso Esan, expressed gratitude to Sterling Bank for coming to the aid of the waste management agency, saying the equipment donated would help the state government in the implementation of its policy on the environment.

Esan appealed to other corporate bodies to help the government in its efforts to keep the environment clean as government alone cannot bear the cost of keeping the environment clean.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/sterling-bank-donates-customised-uniforms-to-waste-management-workers-in-ondo/

ok

Ok.

Cool

Talk is cheap.

dkronicle:
I heard ita goos for the mangina

Whats that exactly?

Further breakdown.

Oil prices to average $56 a barrel in 2018, up from 2017 average of $53/bbl

Oil prices are forecast to rise to $56 a barrel in 2018 from $53 this year as a result of steadily growing demand, agreed production cuts among oil exporters and stabilizing U.S. shale oil production, while the surge in metals prices is expected to level off next year, the World Bank said on Thursday.

Prices for energy commodities – which include oil, natural gas, and coal — are forecast to climb 4 percent in 2018 after a 28 percent leap this year, the World Bank said in its October Commodity Markets Outlook. The metals index is expected to stabilize in the coming year, after a 22 percent jump this year as a correction in iron ore prices is offset by increased prices in other base metals. Prices for agricultural commodities, including food commodities and raw materials, are anticipated to recede modestly in 2017 and edge up next year.

“Energy prices are recovering in response to steady demand and falling stocks, but much depends on whether oil producers seek to extend production cuts,” said John Baffes, Senior Economist and lead author of the Commodity Markets Outlook. “Developments in China will play an important role in the price trajectory for metals.”

The oil price forecast is a small downward revision from the April outlook and is subject to risks. Supplies from producers such as Libya, Nigeria, and Venezuela could be volatile. Members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and other producers could agree to cut production further, maintaining upward pressure on prices.

However, failure to renew the agreement could drive prices down, as could increased production from the U.S. shale oil industry. Natural gas prices are expected to rise 3 percent in 2018, while coal prices are seen retreating following a climb of nearly 30 percent in 2017. China’s environmental policies are anticipated to be a key factor determining future trends in coal markets.

Iron ore prices are forecast to tumble 10 percent in the coming year but tight supply should push up prices for base metals including lead, nickel and zinc.  Downside risks to the forecast include slower-than-anticipated demand from China, or an easing of production restrictions on China’s heavy industries.

Gold prices are anticipated to ease next year on expectations of higher U.S. interest rates.

Agriculture prices are expected to edge up in 2018 due to reduced supplies, with grain and oils and meals prices rising marginally. Agricultural commodities markets are well-supplied and the stocks-to-use ratios (a measure of how well supplied markets are) of some grains are forecast to be at multi-year highs.

However, favorable weather patterns, well-supplied global food markets, and relatively low world prices do not necessarily imply ample food availability everywhere. Drought conditions that are by some accounts the worst in 60 years, have caused crops failures in parts of Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya and led to severe food shortages. Conflicts in South Sudan, Yemen and Nigeria have driven millions of people from their homes and left millions more in need of emergency food.

The World Bank’s Commodity Markets Outlook provides detailed market analysis for major commodity groups, including energy, metals, agriculture, precious metals, and fertilizers. The report includes price forecasts to 2030 for more than 45 commodities. It also provides historical price data and supply, demand, and trade balances for most commodities.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/commodity-prices-likely-to-rise-further-in-2018-oil-supply-from-nigeria-could-be-volatile-world-bank/

pple still dey port?

Bee maa cin cin.

Dangote Sugar Plc recently released its unaudited third-quarter earnings. 

The revenue increase was impacted by a rise in refined sugar prices. Revenue from Lagos accounted for a huge chunk of the total.

Growth witnessed in the Administrative expenses occurred as a result of increase in management and royalty fees and cost of travelling overseas.

Key Highlights:

The revenue increase was impacted by a rise in refined sugar prices. Revenue from Lagos accounted for a huge chunk of the total.Growth witnessed in the Administrative expenses occurred as a result of the increase in management and royalty fees and cost of traveling overseas.Selling & distribution expenses significantly declined due to a huge reduction in both carriage and marketing costs. This contributed to the cost management strategy of the firm.Investment income surged due to interest earned on the short term deposits made by the firm which grew from 12 billion to 30 billion.Finance cost rose due to bank charges paid on a borrowing from zenith bank in 2016. This increased borrowing increased the leverage of the firm as witnessed in its leverage ratio.The firms Q3 2017 net income exceeded that of the full year 2016. We expect this strong performance to culminate to an increase in dividend.

Kindly click on this link  to see full details on the Corporate Brief of the firm.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/corporate-brief-dangote-sugar-plc-released-its-unaudited-third-quarter-earnings/

The way the heart is set up, it turns out that there are a lot of things we eat that are harmful to the heart. That’s why, here at Mamador, we always encourage you to improve your diet so that you can reduce your risk of heart diseases. Consciously working to improve your diet not only helps your heart, but your entire body is better for it.

To keep your healthy heart in top shape, these are examples of the kinds of food you will have to avoid or try to eat less and less of.



Refined and processed grains and carbohydrates. The prevalence of processed foods like white bread, white rice, sweets, and sugars, etc, is such that it is almost impossible to avoid them altogether. However, you should strive to consume whole grains and unprocessed carbohydrates more regularly. Highly processed foods are effectively denatured, and they lose a lot of their original, healthy nutrients. The processing adds some new components that are not necessarily healthy, like sugars, trans fats, etc.Sugary Drinks. Sodas or soft drinks contain high amounts of sugar and sugar substitutes that act as sweeteners that are ultimately unhealthy for you when consumed frequently or in high amounts. They have the same effects on the body – and the heart – as processed foods do. Again, the healthy way to go is to reduce the frequency at which you consume them.Processed Meats. These are meats preserved with additives like salt, sodium or potassium nitrites, etc. These types of meats are pretty common – hotdogs, bacon, suya, sausage, etc. These preservatives can quickly prove harmful for the body when taken in high doses.Alcohol. Drinking too much alcohol has been proven to lead to cases of high blood pressure, heart failure and high-calorie intake.

While we understand that it is almost impractical to avoid indulging every now and again, it is important to point out that the way to go is to make the conscious effort to reduce the intake of these foods and stick to healthier alternatives.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/foods-to-avoid-for-a-healthy-heart-infograph-mamador/

Fidelity Bank, one of Nigeria’s entrepreneurship/youth friendly financial institutions partner with Africa’s foremost Entrepreneurial empowerment organization, Africa’s Young Entrepreneurs on The A.Y.E Reality TV Show; The world’s biggest entrepreneurial TV program.

The reality show which is now aired for 13 weeks on key African TV stations is set to attract over 65millions viewers both on TV and Online. The program screened over 25,000 Nigerian entrepreneurs from every discipline, creed and race of which some pitch their business ideas to an international diverse panel of judges which includes Mr. Stephen Read, International Business Coach; Zunaid Amod, Development Partner (Barclays); Raliat Oyetunde, Lead Consultant (Prinsuit Global); Best Selling Author/Business Coach, Tiamara Williams; and A.Y.E President, Summy Smart Francis.

Commenting on the Partnership, Fidelity Bank’s MD Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo noted that “Nigeria; Africa’s most populous country recently exited the worst economic recession in 29 years. The rate of unemployment rose to 14.2 percent in the Q4 of 2016, from 13.9 percent in Q3, with the number of unemployed Nigerians increasing by 351,015 persons, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). This form of partnership is thus critical to putting the Nigerian economy on a sustainable growth path and stimulate entrepreneurial spirit amongst Nigerian youths. He further stated that Today, there exists a plethora of Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) in Nigeria with a specific interest in youth empowerment. Consequently, choosing the right partner is critical to accomplishing our strategic goals and objectives however, A.Y.E stands out in so many ways.” In the last four years, A.Y.E has built a reputation on identifying, showcasing and equipping budding and emerging entrepreneurs with relevant resources to either commence or scale up their businesses.

“As a dependable Bank highly committed to growing the economy, Fidelity is on a laudable mission to equip Nigerian youth with necessary knowledge, skills and capabilities to ensure that they can take advantage of the myriad of business opportunities inherent in the country. In pursuit of this, we are constantly searching for key partners that are closely aligned to our strategic objectives. Africa’s Young Entrepreneurs (A.Y.E) is one of those partners” said Mr. Kenneth Opara General Manager, Fidelity Bank.

During the formal announcement of the Partnership, Mr. Summy Smart Francis the A.Y.E President said that Fidelity Bank Collaboration with the organisation will enhance its major objective of entrepreneurial advocacy and empowerment. ” I must confess that we were approached by several banks but having studied the impacts, SME schemes and entrepreneurial friendly products of several financial institution, Fidelity Bank stood out considering the interest of our members and SME’s generally.

While giving details about the partnership, Joy Michael; A.Y.E West African Regional Manager said that “the partnership is more like a marriage and we are surely looking at a long time relationship. We are quite aware that because of the project being one of its kind in Africa for Africa by Africans and also considering its massive media reach, it will attract several other investors and sponsors so therefore there is need to identify a trusted financial partner at the early stage.”

“The show is a weekly menu of amazing ideas, startling facts, statistics and some interesting insights into the economics of Nigeria and Africa as a whole. A heady mix of entertainment, edutainment and infotainment! It is aired on DSTV Africa Magic Family, 6pm on Sundays; TVC, 8:30pm on Sundays; One Music, 9pm on Sundays and Wazobia Max by 8pm on Sunday. It will also run Mondays, 10.30am on STV; Fridays, 6pm and 8pm on NTA and Play TV respectively and Saturdays, 3pm on Wazobia TV, 9:30pm on Rave TV” stated Mr. Garth Deacon, the show Producer.

Over the years, A.Y.E has been endorsed by all levels of Government, Non-Government Organizations and has also received several humanitarian awards across The African region.
According to Prof. Yemi Osibanjo, Nigeria’s Vice-President who is very much interested in the initiative and has endorsed it said, “this is one of the most innovative ideas coming out of Africa because it addresses perhaps the most crucial issue in Africa’s economic development which is how to leverage on knowledge, creativity and innovation so as to be at par with many developed world economies within the shortest possible time”.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/fidelity-bank-partners-a-y-e-for-the-worlds-biggest-entrepreneurial-reality-tv-show/

The act of looking good is not only for women. You get up in the morning, take a bath with soap and water, and then find your way out of the door. Sometimes, you remember to rub lotion on your knuckles and face to avoid looking too “ashy”. If this is you, you definitely need to step up your skincare game. It doesn’t matter if the ladies tell you that your face is fresh or not.

No, this is not a guide to filling up your bathroom with unmentionable cleansers and creams or eight-step night and morning routines. This is more of an addition to the normal things you already do.

Apart from drinking lots of water and watching your diet, here are five skincare tips you should always keep in mind for a better, healthier look.

1. Cleanse your face

You probably just scoffed and rolled your eyes, expecting this step. But the reality is that men are often guilty of doing too much or too little. They may be taking really hot baths and using harsh soaps on their faces, which is wrong. It makes your skin dry and makes you look older. Use a gentle cleanser to remove all the dirt and oil that may have accumulated during the day, especially cleansers that moisturise as they cleanse.

2. Moisturise your face

Facial hair can look incredibly sexy on a guy, especially when their faces don’t feel like sandpaper to the touch. Moisturising daily will give you soft, kissable skin. Sounds great, doesn’t it? So never skip the facial moisturiser.



3. Use a proper razor

Stop buying cheap razors. Just stop it. A lot of men shave five times a week. How do you shave? A quality razor can go a long way into preventing bumps and even lasting a lifetime, so choose your weapon carefully. Look for a razor that fits your skin sensitivity and beard coarseness. Also be sure to slather on a moisturising shaving gel to protect your skin while you shave. Also, avoid razors with several blades as they put you more at risk of getting ingrown hairs because the extra blades pull the hairs too deep below the skin. Shave after a warm shower to open up your pores and for the hairs to be softer from all the steam. Your face will surely thank you for it.

4. Aftershave is your friend

It’s your best friend, really. A good aftershave soothes, hydrates and seals in the skin after a nice shave with a quality razor. Make sure it’s alcohol-free, though. Alcohol dries your skin and you wouldn’t want that to happen.

5. Use sunscreen every day

Yes, you heard right. Sunscreen. No matter how popping your melanin is, how many face caps you wear a day or how much you believe in the #BlackDontCrack movement, always be sure to protect your skin from sun damage. Finding a moisturiser that contains SPF 30 or higher will make things much easier for your lovely skin and you should never leave home without it. Skin irritation, redness, extra blood vessels and possible skin cancer are a no-no and your black will definitely crack if you don’t take good care of it. Plain and simple.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/five-essential-skincare-tips-for-men-chidirim-ndeche/

In recent times, customer behaviour and expectations are ever-evolving and with this challenge, comes the need to meet their needs as well as ensure, new offerings are at the forefront of technological evolution. On the back of this development, UBA a leading innovative player in Financial Services is finding new ways to communicate and engage with their customers.


With the growing mobile consciousness, customer demand for online services is on the rise and it is imperative to meet this demand with digital self-service platforms. However, to meet this demand, the role of human interaction in the process cannot be underestimated. It fits into our creed to continue to foster our unlimited dedication and access to the customers.

In this regard, the United Bank of Africa, in its unrelenting effort to raise the bar, likewise the levels of ease and convenience in customer experience through innovation, has introduced Video live chat with Co-browsing technology.

Firstly, it enables Customer Experience Experts to help customers in real-time, enabling a support experience centered on visual engagement. Why is this important? 65% of the world are visual learners. Not only can enquiries and issues be resolved more efficiently and swiftly, but co-browsing can complement other channels, improving the overall customer experience

UBA is differentiating with Customer Experience and use of Video Live Chat and Co-browsing to improve customer acquisition, service and to improve x-sell & retention by enabling more meaningful contact with customers.

Video Co-browsing enables customers to virtually have a one-on-one interface with the bank through co-browsing application via video live chat, text chat, and through real time document exchange. This makes it easier for bank staff to assist customers through a number of difficulties; from filling intricate bank forms and even helping them resolve much more complex transactions. Sometimes, the platform simply facilitates directing the customers to the exact information they need.

It provides a secure file-sharing, compliant, real-time communication solutions that enables the bank hold co-browsing sessions to expedite troubleshooting as well as ordinary enquiries.

This without a doubt moves light years ahead of the old customer service where interaction is purely through phone calls; this method which has proven to be frustrating especially when it involves fixing a problem urgently. It also comes resourcefully as a quick and easy fix for those who do not have enough time for a physical visit to the bank to take care of their transactions.

Other benefits include:

All session actions are accountable
Secure collaboration
Navigate the web together
Control access
Collaborate online, effectively
With this latest innovation, UBA can engage visually and digitally with customers while maintaining human interaction at any given time, in a bid to continue to virtualize customer experience. It offers faster solutions in response to customer enquiries on a more personalised basis anywhere, anytime and from any device. UBA as always, is committed to ensuring greater efficiency and better customer satisfaction. To experience the Video Love chat and Co-browsing technology, visit ubagroup.com.

SOURCE : https://brandspurng.com/uba-introduces-video-live-chat-with-co-browsing-technology/

The popularity of gambling in Africa has risen over the past few years with the advent of mobile applications to make betting easier and a proliferation of betting joints.

Ghanaian Efutu Member of Parliament Afenyo Markin is a vehement opponent of gambling centers in Ghana. Earlier this year, he spoke to DW, accusing the Chinese who mainly own and run most of the gambling centers, of taking advantage of young people. He said, “Those Chinese who have come with their raffle joints, I want to tell them we will encourage the police to close these joints down,” before adding, “There are lot of raffle joints in Winneba. Properties are getting stolen because somebody wants money to go raffle.”

The popularity of gambling in Africa has risen over the past few years with the advent of mobile applications to make betting easier and a proliferation of betting joints. In Kenya, SportPesa which was launched in 2013, now has over one million registered.

While it sounds like a “man problem,” reports from South Africa prove women have also been ensnared by the allure of quick money. Heidi Sinclair, treatment and counselling manager at the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation says, “…the reality is that as many as 51 percent of all South African women gamble; what’s more, female problem gamblers are likely to be more severely affected by the condition.” While the practice has its advantages like boosting State revenue, the cost is sometimes too great to ignore.

Africa’s gaming industry is booming, driven by cheap mobile phones, improvement in Internet penetration and increasingly ambitious developers.

Mobile Phones are the African Las Vegas

The 2014-2018 Gambling Outlook by PriceWaterhouseCoopers examined the extent of the gambling industry in South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya. Gambling in these three countries will be an industry worth $37 billion. Geopoll says, “Most youth (54%) in SSA (Sub Saharan Africa) have tried their hand at gambling. Kenya has the highest number of youth who have participated in gambling or betting in the past at 76% followed by Uganda at 57%. Ghana has the least number at 42%.”

It also says most young people are using mobile phones to gamble with 75% of those who bet using their phones. Kenya has the highest usage of mobile phones for gambling at 96% while South Africa has the lowest at 48%. In effect, as Geopoll rightly states, mobile phones have become Africa’s Las Vegas.

Fictitious gains, Real losses

The Digital Skills Observatory report says, gambling provides participants with a false and risky sense of “better days”. The contention was that people know it is risky but have an impression of winning which is often untrue. A participant in the research, Mark, said he furnished his house through winnings from gambling. However, according to DSO data, “55% of participants believe they win most of the time, but our data shows that more than 50% have spent more on gambling than they have gained.” While gambling has created employment, and taken youths off the streets in some cases, it has also trapped a lot of participants in compulsive “problem gambling”.

A good number of gamblers want to stop but they simply cannot. Families are being affected. Mental health is at risk. The desire to make more has become an adversary. Quartz reports that, “Kampala schools have reported an increase in dropouts with gambling students unable to pay fees, while several communities, including Uganda’s second largest city Gulu in November, have sought to ban betting amid claims of mounting crime and underage involvement.”

Many countries are struggling with regulating gambling in their countries and appealing to the humanity of business people making profits from gambling is foolhardy. They make gains from the losses of the people and they cannot be expected to cut down their source of revenue. They cash in on the chaotic realities of the largely unemployed young people.

It is sad that it has come to this: Youths who should be in full-time jobs and school are now resorting to chance to make a living. Leaders should feel challenged by the festering rot in our midst. Gambling can be tolerated when it is recreational but when whole populations pin their livelihoods on it, there is a fundamental error in the system.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/sports-gambling-booms-in-africa-mobile-phones-are-the-african-las-vegas/