Union Bank, one of Nigeria’s foremost and most trusted financial institutions, has announced another significant achievement with its attainment of the MSECB management system certifications in ISO/IEC 27001:2022, ISO 22301:2019, and ISO/IEC 20000-1:2018.


The Bank was awarded these three noteworthy certifications by MSECB, a leading international provider of audit and certification services, after being rigorously assessed and found to be in accordance with the management system requirements covering Information Security, IT Service Delivery, and Business Continuity standards under the combined Information Management Systems (IMS) standards.

The information security management systems ISO/IEC 27001:2022, ISO 22301:2019, and ISO/IEC 20000-1:2018 are internationally recognised standards that outline the requirements for establishing an effective information management system that guides against data breaches, IT system compromises, and disruption to business processes.



These latest certifications will enable the bank to continue to offer its customers improved data security, innovative banking solutions, and seamless service delivery through its state-of-the-art banking network.

Commenting on the Bank’s recent attainment, Chief Information Security Officer at Union Bank, Francis Mojoyinlola, said: “The Bank’s continued adherence to best international practices, as acknowledged by an independent third-party audit from a reputable international certification firm, reaffirms our capacity to erect, implement, and maintain best information and security management practices.


We remain committed to offering our esteemed customers simpler, more innovative services rooted in the highest standards of information security and cutting-edge innovative banking service.”

MSECB Management System Incorporated, or simply MSECB, is a reputable international organisation specialising in the certification of management systems based on a wide range of global standards.

They offer audit and certification services and expertise in multiple fields, including, but not limited to, Information Security, Quality Management, Business Continuity, and Service Management. They help guide, evaluate, and issue various organisations’ certifications against internationally recognised standards.

Their mission is to provide their clients with comprehensive services that inspire trust and demonstrate recognition.

This recent achievement by Union Bank follows the bank’s recertification of Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) version 3.2 and the International Organisation for Standardisation ISO/IEC 27001:2013 certification attained in 2018.

This further highlights Union Bank’s commitment to the strictest information management security standards while securing its pride of place as one of Nigeria’s most trusted financial institutions.

Established in 1917 and listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange in 1971, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc. is a household name and one of Nigeria’s long-standing and most respected financial institutions.

The Bank is a trusted and recognisable brand, with an extensive network of over 300 branches across Nigeria.

The Bank currently offers a variety of banking services to both individual and corporate clients including current, savings and deposit account services, funds transfer, foreign currency domiciliation, loans, overdrafts, equipment leasing and trade finance.

The Bank also offers its customers convenient electronic banking channels and products, including Online Banking, Mobile Banking, Debit Cards, ATMs and POS Systems.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2024/05/06/union-bank-achieves-another-milestone-attains-msecb-iso-270012022-20000-12018-and-22301-certifications/

Maltina, a leading Malt beverage in Nigeria known for championing athletic excellence through its platform, ‘Maltina School Games’, has partnered with the Athletic School Games and schools across Lagos to support inter-school sports competition programme.


Since the launch of the Maltina School Games platform in 2020, Maltina has continued to leverage it, to build future athletic champions which has spread felicity among young minds. The brand has inspired and impacted the lives of over 10,000 young athletes across Nigeria with every edition held till date.

In a bid to be more dynamic in its approach this year, the brand toured a number of schools in Lagos, including – Children’s International School, Rainbow College, Grange School, Caleb International School and a host of others to bring the Maltina School Games spirit to their inter-house sports competitions.



This has culminated in its partnership of the inaugural edition of the Athletic School Games held in Lagos on the 27th of April, 2024. The highly anticipated event saw Maltina collaborate with ASG to support young athletes from over 20 schools in Lagos state as they represent their schools, competing in various track and field events.


Speaking at the event, Daniella Ogunsanya, Senior Brand Manager, Maltina, said, “We are passionate about identifying and nurturing young talents, especially through the Maltina School Games platform where young athletes can discover their potential and embrace the spirit of competition. We’re excited to witness the stories that unfold throughout these competitions and celebrate the birth of future sporting champions.” Through such collaboration, Maltina remains committed to championing school sports development in Nigeria and supporting young athletes to reach their full potential while being ecstatic.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2024/05/02/maltina-partners-athletic-school-games-tours-secondary-schools/

The Oyo State Government has set aside N691.3 million to invest in any future rights issuances by Wema Bank Plc.


The announcement was made in a press statement released after the Oyo State Executive Council meeting on April 23rd, 2024. The statement read,

“The sum of N691,307,039.86 to be invested in Wema Bank rights issuance programme as part of plans to secure the future of Oyo State.”

Concerning Wema Bank’s shareholding structure, strategic shareholders own 51.69% of the bank with Neemtree Limited, SW8 Invest Company, and Petrotab Limited holding 28.25%, 14.90%, and 8.54% respectively.

Governments shareholding in the bank is at 8.06%, with the bulk of the government shareholding held by Odu’a Investment Company Limited, which holds a 7.93% shareholding in the bank.


Odu’a Investment Company Limited is a holding company owned by the six state governments of Southwest Nigeria, namely Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Ekiti, Osun, and Lagos States.

The group has footprints in different sectors including real estate, oil and gas, and manufacturing. Its subsidiaries include Lagos Airport Hotel, Wemabod Estate, E&O Power and Equipment Leasing, and Western Hotels. Apart from Wema Bank, it also owns stake in Lafarge Africa, and Nigerite Limited.


SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2024/04/28/oyo-government-to-invest-n691-3m-in-wema-bank/

Amo Farm Sieberer Hatchery Limited, a foremost agribusiness in the country, has supported the Nigerian First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu’s launch of the South-west Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Women Agricultural Support Programme and Flag-off of the 2024 Ogun State Planting Season with One Thousand (1000) 5 weeks old Noiler Birds for 100 women as part of its efforts at empowering rural women and boosting food security in the region.


Also provided were 12.5kg of Amo Byng Grower Pellet, as start-up packs for small poultry farming, and a pack of Divertamin, a combination of essential nutrients for the Noiler Birds to attain optimum growth and production, for each of the beneficiaries.

The Noiler Birds were presented to the Ogun State Government at the unveiling of the RHI South-west scheme in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Tuesday, 17th April 2024, by Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, where Governor Dapo Biodun of Ogun State asserted that Amo Farm’s partnership with the state in promoting agriculture through empowerment initiative is very much commendable.


On his part, Amo Farm’s Group Managing Director, Dr. Ayoola Oduntan, who was present at the event, affirmed that the support for the RHI in the South-west was part of the company’s commitment to ensuring women’s involvement in agribusiness through Noiler farming, for food security, poverty eradication and provision of animal protein to curb malnutrition.


According to Amo Farm’s Group Managing Director, Dr. Ayoola Oduntan, who was present at the event, the support for the RHI in the South-west was part of the company’s commitment to ensuring women’s involvement in agribusiness for food sustainability, wealth creation, and animal protein for improved well-being.


Impressively, the Noiler Bird innovation and Amo Farm’s poverty reduction scheme has been extensively documented and reviewed in the prestigious Harvard Business Review publication.

Launched in 2014 after several years of research and development through a selective breeding process, Noiler is a source of protein and a dual-purpose chicken breed that is similar in looks and taste to the native chicken, but is resistant to diseases, and produces four times more eggs and three times more meat.

It was developed to create a revolution in rural poultry (production) that will increase productivity and income for rural women and empower them through job creation, to transform access of poor households to source animal protein in Africa, while boosting the availability of food in the country and on the African continent, thereby solving the problem of malnutrition.

Like its eggs which are very nutritious for all age demographics, the Noiler’s meat contains all essential amino acids and is low in saturated fats and cholesterol.

Present at the event were First Ladies of the Southwest States, among others from across the country, as well as royal fathers and other important dignitaries.

In her remark, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who is the National Chairperson of the RHI, said the scheme with the theme “Making Life Better for Families,” launched in February 2024, is aimed at motivating women in all spheres of endeavors, and in agriculture for productive impact, in line with the Federal Government’s food security programme.

She affirmed that grants of N500,000 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira) would be given to 20 women each in the agrarian sector, fishing, and animal husbandry from each state of the Southwest, as 100 persons with disabilities smiled home with N100,000 each from the event.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2024/04/24/amo-farm-supports-first-lady-oluremi-tinubus-with-1000-noiler-birds-grower-pellet-and-divertamin/

Dangote Petroleum Refinery has again announced a further reduction in the prices of both diesel and aviation fuel to N940, N980 per litre respectively.
This is coming at the wake of its widely celebrated price reduction to N1,000 barely two weeks ago.


The price change of N940 is applicable to customers buying five million litres and above from the refinery, while the price of N970 is for customers buying one million litres and above.

Speaking on the new development, the Head of Communication, Mr Anthony Chiejina, explained that the new price is in consonance with the company’s commitment to cushion the effect of economic hardship in Nigeria.



“I can confirm to you that Dangote Petroleum Refinery has entered a strategic partnership with MRS Oil and Gas stations, to ensure that consumers get to buy fuel at affordable price, in all their stations be it Lagos or Maiduguri. You can buy as low as 1 litre of diesel at N1,050 and aviation fuel at N980 at all major airports where MRS operates.”

He further stated that the partnership will be extended to other major oil marketers. “The essence of this is to ensure that retail buyers do not buy at exorbitant prices.


“The Dangote Group is committed to ensuring that Nigerians have a better welfare and as such, we are happy to announce this new prices and hope that it would go a long way to cushion the effect of economic challenges in the country.

It would be recalled that the management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery announced a further reduction of the price of diesel from 1200 to 1,000 Naira per litre barely two weeks ago.

This marks the third major reduction in diesel price in less than three weeks when the product sold at N1,700 to N1,200 and also a further reduction to N1,000 and now N940 for diesel and N980 for aviation fuel per litre.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu had also commended Mr Dangote for the initial price reduction, describing it as an “enterprising feat.”

Reacting to the latest development, The Director General of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Mr Ajayi Kadiri, said that “The decision of Dangote Refinery to first crash the price from about N1,750/litre to N1,200/litre, N1,000/litre and now N940 is an eloquent demonstration of the capacity of local industries to positively impact the fortunes of the national economy.”

He added that “The trickledown effect of this singular intervention promises to change the dynamics in the energy cost equation of the country, in the midst of inadequate and rising cost of electricity.

“The reduction will have far-reaching effects in critical sectors like industrial operations, transportation, logistics, and agriculture, contributing to easing the high inflation rate in the country; a lot of companies will be back in operation.”

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2024/04/23/dangote-crashes-diesel-and-aviation-fuel-prices-again-sells-both-at-n940-and-n980-respectively/

“People don’t want to be sold to; they want to feel engaged, entertained, and valued,” states Marta Olszewska, Senior Content Strategist at Content With Marta. It’s high time we ditch the outdated, old-school sales pitch approach. Companies need new, innovative, and more interactive strategies to generate leads. An unexpected but impressive contender is the concept of hosting online mystery games.

Why Online Mystery Games?

Despite living in an age where information is at our fingertips, mysteries remain a popular genre in entertainment, thriving in games, novels, and other media. People love mysteries because they tap into our innate curiosity and desire to solve puzzles.

The mystery genre continues to captivate audiences, offering interactive experiences in board and video games where players can actively solve crimes and uncover secrets. Critics may claim the genre is outdated, but its enduring popularity and adaptability suggest it still has much to offer, especially on those dark, rainy nights when the lure of a good mystery is strongest.

Online mystery games, also known as escape rooms or hunt games, require participants to ‘win’ or ‘escape’ through a series of clues and riddles. Businesses can seamlessly incorporate their products, services, or brand philosophy into the game as part of the clues or the game’s overall narrative.

Examples of such games include MURDLE, You Can Only Die Once, and National Cook Offed.

The methodology is simple:

Create a compelling story or puzzle through which your business values or products can naturally interweave.
Promote the game on your business website or social media channels to invite participation.
Include a registration step, thus capturing contact information.
Make the game interactive and challenging but sufficiently rewarding.
“These games are designed to be immersive and fun,” emphasizes Marta Olszewska. “But beneath the surface, they’re a powerful tool for enhancing brand recognition, capturing leads, and subtly introducing products or services without seeming pushy.”

Effective Examples and Tips

According to Olszewska, businesses can employ various techniques to heighten the effectiveness of online mystery games:

Embed your brands subtly within the game’s narrative.
It is crucial to make the game engaging, lest the participants lose interest. This could entail a compelling storyline, challenging yet achievable tasks, or attractive rewards for completion.
Make the sign-up process simple and ensure the game is accessible on multiple platforms — smartphones, tablets, and laptops.
Promote the game through various marketing channels, including email marketing, social media posts, blog articles, paid advertisements, etc.
Make it more appealing by featuring leaderboard progress bars or offering rewards or discounts upon completion.
Key Takeaway

Online mystery games thus present an innovative and engaging strategy to supplant traditional sales pitches. Companies can creatively use these games to interact with potential customers, making their brand values, products, or services an integral part of the game. The result is increased brand recognition, customer engagement, and a dynamic and fun means to generate more leads.

Is the glass half full or half empty? Well, the perspective may differ. But, the fuller the glass with engaging content, the more leads it can generate. As businesses strive to hold their own in the digital environment, novel strategies like online mystery games can pave the way for growth and success.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2024/04/23/mystery-games-are-the-next-big-thing-in-lead-generation/

PalmPay has announced the first set of winners in its ongoing Eid campaign tagged PalmPay Eid Bonanza, which kicked off on April 10th and will run until April 30th, 2024.


Since the start of the bonanza on April 10th, 5 lucky winners have been emerging daily simply by performing tasks on the PalmPay App such as transferring funds, airtime and data purchases, bill payments, and savings.

Comfort Udoh from Lagos, one of the proud recipients of an iPhone 15 Pro, expressed her sheer delight. “I simply won by recharging my phone with airtime on the PalmPay app. I received the exciting news via a call from PalmPay Nigeria. I thank them for the generous reward of a brand new iPhone 15 pro”



Also, Mr. Abegurin Patrick Segun’s winning entry came about when he placed a N100 bet using his PalmPay app. It was a delightful surprise for him to receive a call from PalmPay Nigeria, informing him of his victory in the daily raffle draw, and he’s now the proud owner of an Infinix Hot 40i.


To participate in the remaining weeks of the campaign, download the PalmPay App from Google Play or App Store. Sign up for an account and include your BVN or NIN to complete the process and click on the Eid Bonanza Feature.

There are still numerous phones to be won daily, along with the added bonus of daily free transfers to any bank via the PalmPay App.

Enakeno Umuteme, the Head of Marketing and Communications at PalmPay Nigeria, notes that “Our primary objective is to reward and acknowledge our loyal customers. This campaign stays true to its promise of appreciating Nigerians who are PalmPay users”

PalmPay offers an array of services including money transfers, bill payments, credit services, and savings on its app and via its mobile money agents. Since its inception in Nigeria in 2019 under a Mobile Money Operator license, the platform has amassed over 30 million app users as part of its cashless payment ecosystem.

For more information and updates, ensure you follow PalmPay on social media platforms.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2024/04/18/palmpay-unveils-first-set-of-winners-in-eid-mobile-bonanza/

Wema Bank, Nigeria’s foremost innovative bank and pioneer of Africa’s first fully digital Bank, ALAT, has launched an anti-fraud campaign to protect its customers and other Nigerians against fraudulent activities perpetrated by some wallet accounts and fintech partners.

As the bank at the forefront of digital innovation and a top enabler in the FinTech landscape, Wema Bank powers a plethora of FinTechs across Nigeria, allowing them to operate seamlessly through Wema Bank’s 3rd Party Wallet Accounts. Due to the recent hike in fraudulent inflows into these wallet accounts, the bank has taken a firm action against fintech partners whose account activities have been found guilty of fraud.



Through the anti-fraud campaign launched recently, Wema Bank has successfully investigated, identified, and disengaged 3 FINTECHs partners for Fraud and suspended 4 FINTECHs partners from its platform in its ongoing efforts to ensure responsible partnership, adherence to regulatory procedures and conformance to CBN KYC guidelines. There are ongoing audit and review of FINTECH partners processes as part of the grand plan to ensure that we get the anticipated/desired results.


The Anti-Fraud Campaign targeted at creating awareness, educating, and equipping customers with necessary information needed to mitigate, detect and handle fraudulent activities on their bank accounts further underscore the bank’s commitment to safeguarding customers’ finances and personal data.


Wema Bank’s Chief Audit Executive, Oluwole Esomojumi, disclosed that the anti-fraud campaign is designed to protect customers from fraudulent activities and providing them with necessary information for detecting the evolving tactics of fraudster and to also solidify our position as the bank that stands fully against fraud.

According to him, “The antics of fraudsters are constantly evolving. To stay steps ahead, it is imperative that consumers have good understanding of what interaction or engagement are telltale signs of fraud and how they can handle suspicious fraudulent engagements, hence the launch of the Wema Bank Anti-Fraud Campaign. We are steps ahead on our end which is why we have taken time to investigate our fintech partners and those found culpable have been disengaged from our payment gateway platform.”

“As a bank that is resolute in our stance against fraud, we cannot compromise the safety of our beloved Nigerians, especially when these threats of fraud are emanating from Fintech who use our platforms. Rest assured, there is no room for fraudsters here. We have multiplied the frequency of our security checks and are committed to rooting them out one by one. No fraudster is safe with Wema Bank because at Wema Bank, customer safety is our priority and empowering the lives and businesses of every customer is our mission”, he concluded.

The fight against fraud is one that is clearly personal to Wema Bank and with the sturdy layers of security measures initiated and executed by the bank to sustain consumer protection beyond the direct responsibilities of the bank, Wema Bank is making its entire ecosystem inconducive to fraudsters.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2024/04/15/wema-bank-launches-anti-fraud-campaign-to-protect-customers/

Did you know that as many as 91% of listeners at business presentations have admitted to daydreaming? That, coupled with the ever-shortening average human attention span, has led the Design For Decks team to create this interesting piece. Are you curious about how you can keep your audience hooked?


7 Indicators Your Presentation Isn’t Working

Delivering a captivating presentation is an art form. It requires weaving information, visuals, and engagement into a seamless tapestry that resonates with your audience. But let’s face it, not every presentation hits the mark. Sam Eisenberg, CEO of Design For Decks, aptly states, “A well-designed presentation should feel like a conversation, not a lecture.” So, how do you know if your carefully crafted slides are landing the way you intended?



1. The Eyes Have It (or Don’t):


Are your audience members glued to their screens, doodling, or surreptitiously checking their phones? A study by InterCall found that 60% of attendees admitted to zoning out during presentations. If you see glazed-over eyes, it’s a clear sign your content isn’t engaging.


Fix it: Break up text-heavy slides with captivating visuals, incorporate storytelling elements, and pose questions to spark interaction.

2. The Clicker Symphony:

The rhythmic click of a presenter’s remote can be hypnotic, but not in a good way. Overreliance on a clicker creates a disconnect with your audience and limits your natural flow. Duarte Design Group revealed that most participants found presentations more engaging when the presenter moved freely around the stage.

Fix it: Practice your presentation without the clicker, using visual cues to guide you. This fosters a more dynamic and impactful delivery.

3. Death by Data Dump:

Slides crammed with data points and statistics might impress your inner data scientist, but they can overwhelm your audience. According to a study by the National Center for Educational Statistics, only 5% of people learn best through reading.

Fix it: Focus on key takeaways and use visuals like infographics or charts to present complex data in a digestible way. Remember, less is often more.

4. Monotone Marathon:

Imagine listening to a lullaby for an hour. Not exactly riveting, right? A monotonous delivery devoid of vocal variety can lull your audience to sleep. A study by the University of California, Berkeley, found that vocal variety, including changes in pitch and pace, can significantly impact listener engagement.

Fix it: Practice varying your tone, volume, and pace to emphasize key points and inject energy into your delivery.

5. The Slide Deck from 1999:

Remember those pixelated clip art images and Comic Sans font? Outdated visuals scream a lack of effort and fail to capture attention. Piktochart says that people process visuals 60,000 times faster than text.

Fix it: Use high-quality images, videos, and graphics that align with your message and brand. Explore modern design trends for inspiration.

6. The Q&A Ice Age:

An awkward silence following your “Any questions?” is never a good sign. According to Harvard Business Review, effective Q&A sessions can boost knowledge retention by up to 75%.

Fix it: Encourage questions throughout your presentation, anticipate potential inquiries, and prepare engaging responses. End with a specific call to action to spark further dialogue.

7. The Feedback Black Hole:

Delivering a presentation into the void offers little room for improvement. Seeking feedback is crucial for growth. As Sam Eisenberg emphasizes, “Feedback is a gift, not a criticism.”

Fix it: Ask colleagues, friends, or even trusted audience members for constructive feedback. Take it seriously and use it to refine your next presentation.

Remember, a successful presentation is an ongoing journey, not a one-time event. By identifying these red flags and implementing the suggested fixes, you can transform your presentations from duds to dynamic experiences that resonate with your audience and achieve your desired outcomes.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2024/04/13/this-is-how-you-know-your-presentation-isnt-working/

AXA Mansard Insurance Plc recently sponsored the SME 100 Africa Business Pitch in Lagos.


BrandSpur Nigeria reports that the competition, held on March 29, 2024, at the Oriental Hotel, Lagos, was won by Calcium Hub, owned by a snail farming expert, Ms Lawon Ajoke.

The company was awarded N1 million as grant.

The first and second runners-up of the competition went home with N200,000 each and the winners were also given access to various tools and resources provided by the conference sponsors and partners.


The event was witnessed by different business experts, including the Head of SME and Wealth at AXA Mansard, Ms Funmilayo Kunle-Komolafe; and the Head of Marketing at AXA Mansard, Mr Olusesan Ogunyooye, among others.


SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2024/04/11/photo-axa-mansard-empowers-sme-100-africa-business-pitch-in-lagos/

Naira gained further at the official market, trading at N1,262.85 to a dollar on Wednesday. Data from the official trading platform of the FMDQ revealed that the Naira gained N15.73.


This represents a 1.23 percent appreciation when compared to the previous day’s trading on Tuesday, exchanging at N1,278.58 to a dollar.

However, the total turnover increased to $166.18 million on Wednesday, up from $111.18 million recorded on Tuesday.



Meanwhile, at the Investor’s and Exporters’ (I&E) window, the Naira traded between N1,296 and N1,210 against the dollar.



SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2024/04/04/naira-appreciates-at-official-market-by-1-23/

The Hon. Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has affirmed Federal Government’s commitment to gradually offset the debt owed Nigeria’s largest power generation company, Egbin Power, starting next month April, while noting that constraints of gas supply and foreign exchange are also being tackled.


This was made known during the Minister’s visit to the power Plant as part of his strategic measures to strengthen understanding among stakeholders, offer robust support to players, and address the challenges in the sector, with the overall aim of boosting power supply in Nigeria.

While affirming the commitment, the Hon. Minister said: “The Federal Government is prioritising paying down on the outstanding debt and I have assured the Board and Management of Egbin Power that, effective April we will start paying as a form of encouragement to continue to have them in operations.”


Regarding the constraints encountered by power generation companies in accessing Foreign Exchange, the Minister explained that crucial steps are being taken to prioritize allocation of Forex to the power generation companies.

“Forex sourcing has been a major constraint to effective maintenance of the facility. I have seen what we have on ground here, and the critical need for spares and tools for continuous maintenance. We will liaise with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to prioritize Foreign Exchange allocation to the power sector.


“This will ensure the companies are able to ramp up capacity in terms of output. It is not just peculiar to Egbin Power Plant, it is across all the power generating Plants. They need Forex for them to be able to maintain the turbines, replace tools and spares. This has been a major issue. I am going to takes steps to ensure I liaise with the CBN to see how they can prioritize Forex allocation to the power generating companies,” the Minister said.

While speaking on challenges of gas supply, he explained that engagements were held with the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and gas suppliers as part of measures to guarantee payment of debts and resolution of the gas constraints.


“Gas shortage has been an impediment to almost all our gas power plants. And we already had conversation with the Honourable Minister of Petroleum Resources. We are also meeting with the gas suppliers to plead with them and have an understanding that the FG is prepared to start paying down on the debt that we owe the gas supply companies.

“We need to make some cash injection in terms of payments, we want to give them some guaranteed debt instruments in terms of promissory note. And we are looking at allowing them access to Nigerian gas wells. So that this will be used to defray the outstanding debt of the gas suppliers over time,” he explained.

The Minister commended the Board and Management team of Egbin Power for its robust investment to improve, sustain and maintain the Plant’s infrastructure and facility, while contributing largely to the sector despite the challenges.

While stressing on the impact of the debt and gas constraints on the Plant, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Egbin Power, Mokhtar Bounour said: “One of the major challenges we are facing is gas constraint, which is not allowing us to run the full capacity of the Plant. It requires a lot of investment efforts to keep the units running and safe.

“The other issue is the accumulated debt which the Minister discussed with us. On our part we are adequately ensuring the maintenance, availability of the Plant and its efficiency. We are investing a lot to get these units to run optimally. This requires millions of dollars in investment,” Bounour explained.

He commended the Minister for his commitment to address the challenges. “We highlighted the challenges we are facing, and the Federal Government, through the Minister of Power, has promised to start solving them gradually so we can start seeing improvements in the near future. We hope that the liquidity challenge will be solved soon as the Minister has promised,” Bounour added.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2024/04/01/egbin-power-receives-fg-assurance-on-debt-settlement-improved-gas-supply/

AXA Mansard, a member of AXA, a global leader in Insurance and Asset Management has launched a new life insurance product, Endowment Plan, which will pay policyholders 100 per cent of their sum insured at the end of the tenure if the policyholder is still alive.


Also, the underwriter assured of payment of any unfortunate demise of the policyholder before the end of the tenure, the company will pay the beneficiary of the policy the sum insured.

The company says this innovative product is our response to the need of the insuring public rather than just pushing our existing products. The product seeks to demonstrate that life insurance is not just about death benefits, which the policyholder wouldn’t witness, but about living a quality life when alive.

According to Kunle Ahmed, the CEO of AXA Mansard Insurance, this new endowment policy is another demonstration of the company’s mission of moving from being a payer to a partner. He said that the company believes that as a progressive partner, it should address the different needs of the segments it serves and that this product addresses the needs of customers who want to enjoy the benefits of their life insurance coverage while still alive.


“This product is three in one. It offers the benefits of saving, investing, and life insurance coverage in one product for the same price. With this product, our customers can save towards their cherished dreams.
While they save, they also get investment benefits because, at the end of the tenure, the sum insured is paid back 100 per cent with some interest. And if death or disabilities arise in the cause of this savings, the named beneficiary of the policyholder also gets the sum insured paid out. So there is no need to worry about having an investment but no life insurance or having life insurance they cannot benefit from until death or permanent disabilities arise. Our Endowment plans are here to bridge that gap”.
“With this product, you can save towards a future goal such as personal or children’s education, real estate acquisitions, or any other dream goal. And if life happens before the end of your preferred tenure, the beneficiary of your policy gets paid the full sum insured. And if you’re alive at the end of your tenure, you’re paid your sum insured with some interest, and you can go ahead to realize your dream. That is what a partner does, and that’s why we have developed this product,” Ahmed explained.

Also speaking about the product, Abisola Nwoboshi, Head of Life Business, AXA Mansard, said the products are designed with customers in mind, noting that customers can choose a plan that is most convenient and suitable for their needs and financial comfort.

She said, “There are two variants of this product that give our customers a lot of flexibility. Depending on the investment plan, a customer can choose the regular endowment plan, where she can get paid the full sum assured at the end of the tenure, or opt for the anticipated endowment option, where the customer can cash out 20%, 30%, and 50% respectively over the tenure of the policy. So, it all depends on what your investment goals are. And in case of death or permanent disabilities, the named beneficiary of the policy holder gets the full sum assured”.

She added that the product also offers contribution flexibility, explaining that customers can choose different options, ranging from a one-off contribution to a monthly or yearly contribution.

AXA Mansard is registered as a composite company with the National Insurance Commission of Nigeria (NAICOM). The company offers life and non-life insurance products and services to individuals and institutions across Nigeria. It also provides asset/investment management services and health insurance solutions through its two subsidiaries – AXA Mansard Investments Limited and AXA Mansard Health Limited. The parent company was listed on the Nigeria Stock Exchange in November 2009.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2024/04/02/axa-mansard-new-life-insurance-policy-endowment-plan-to-pay-surviving-policyholders-100-money-back/

Zenith Bank Plc has emerged as the Best Bank in Nigeria in the Global Finance Best Banks Awards 2024, winning the award for the fourth time since 2019. The Bank was among other banks from 36 countries in Africa recognised as the prestigious Global Finance announced its 31st Annual Best Bank Awards Winners.


The editors of Global Finance made the selections after extensive consultations with corporate financial executives, bankers and banking consultants, and analysts worldwide. Factors considered in selecting the top banks ranged from the quantitative objective to the informed subjective. Objective criteria considered included: growth in assets, profitability, geographic reach, strategic relationships, new business development and innovation in products. Subjective criteria included the opinions of equity analysts, credit rating analysts, banking consultants and others involved in the industry.


Commenting on the award, the outgoing Group Managing Director/Chief Executive of Zenith Bank, Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu said: “This award serves as a powerful affirmation of our resilience and tenacity despite headwinds and a very challenging macroeconomic environment. Indeed, it is a testament to our status as the leading financial institution in Nigeria, dedicated unwaveringly to delivering exceptional value to our stakeholders”. He expressed profound gratitude to the founder and chairman, Jim Ovia, CFR, for his exceptional vision and foundational role in establishing a resilient and enduring financial institution. He also lauded the board for their astute insights and exemplary leadership, the staff for their steadfast commitment and unwavering dedication, and the customers for their staunch loyalty to the Zenith brand.



Joseph D. Giarraputo, publisher and editorial director of Global Finance, said: “Banking has reached another watershed moment with the debut of generative artificial intelligence, which promises to rewrite the industry playbook,” He added that: “In this ever-changing environment, the Best Bank Awards recognize the financial institutions that offer the broadest range of services, long-term reliability, and technological innovation.”


Global Finance’s “Best Banks Awards” are recognised amongst the world’s most influential banking/finance and corporate professionals as the most coveted and credible awards in the banking industry, with winners chosen in 150 countries and territories across Africa, AsiaPacific, the Caribbean, Central America, Central & Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, North America and Western Europe.


Founded in 1987, Global Finance regularly selects the top performers among banks and other financial services providers, and the awards have become a trusted standard of excellence for the global financial community.

Zenith Bank’s track record of excellent performance has earned the brand numerous awards, including being recognised as the Best Bank for Digital Solutions in Nigeria in the Euromoney Awards 2023, being listed in the World Finance Top 100 Global Companies in 2023; being recognised as the Number One Bank in Nigeria by Tier-1 Capital, for the 14th consecutive year, in the 2023 Top 1000 World Banks Ranking published by The Banker Magazine; Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria, for three consecutive years from 2021 to 2023, in the World Finance Banking Awards; Best Corporate Governance Bank, Nigeria in the World Finance Corporate Governance Awards 2022 and 2023; Bank of the Year (Nigeria) in The Banker’s Bank of the Year Awards 2020 and 2022; Best Bank in Nigeria, for three consecutive years from 2020 to 2022, in the Global Finance World’s Best Banks Awards; Best in Corporate Governance’ Financial Services’ Africa, for four successive years from 2020 to 2023, by the Ethical Boardroom; Most Sustainable Bank, Nigeria in the International Banker 2023 Banking Awards; Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria and Best Innovation in Retail Banking, Nigeria in the International Banker 2022 Banking Awards.



Also, the bank emerged as the Most Valuable Banking Brand in Nigeria in the Banker Magazine Top 500 Banking Brands 2020 and 2021; Bank of the Year 2023 and Retail Bank of the Year for three consecutive years from 2020 to 2022, at the BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards. Similarly, Zenith Bank was named Bank of the Decade (People’s Choice) at the ThisDay Awards 2020, Bank of the Year 2021 by Champion Newspaper, Bank of the Year 2022 by New Telegraph Newspaper, and Most Responsible Organisation in Africa 2021 by SERAS Awards.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2024/04/03/zenith-bank-named-nigerias-best-bank-for-the-fourth-year-in-the-last-five-at-global-finance-awards-2024/

Building upon the success of its launch, Terra Gold Cube has unveiled its new “One Cube, Endless Possibilities” campaign to redefine the way consumers approach seasoning and flavouring their dishes. With a focus on quality, versatility, value for money, and natural flavours, the campaign invites consumers to unlock the limitless potential of Terra Gold Cube, one delicious meal at a time.


Through this campaign, the brand invites all consumers to embark on a voyage of taste, emotion, and discovery— providing a superior taste to their meals without going through the pain of choosing varieties of cubes, thereby unlocking a world of endless possibilities.

Terra Gold has a rich consistent taste that everyone craves for. Be it hearty vegetable stew, delicious soup, or the aromatic richness of Jollof rice, Terra Gold amplifies the natural flavours of your ingredients, accentuating their essence with finesse and precision.



As an experienced homemaker and fervent advocate for the art of flavorful cooking, Jane Benson shares her thoughts on the Terra Gold Cube’s campaign, “One Cube, Endless Possibilities.”


“As someone who spends a considerable amount of time in the kitchen, I have encountered my fair share of challenges when it comes to using seasoning cubes. The pain points have been the lack of versatility, quality, and of course, the value for money”.


“However, everything changed when I discovered Terra Gold Cube. I was finally able to use one cube for all types of meals. I was blown away by the complement in taste it added to my various dishes. Hence, I would recommend that you go for Gold for all your delicious meals. So, choose wisely, choose Gold.” she stated.

Probal Bhattacharya, Chief Marketing Officer, TGI Group, expressed confidence about Terra Gold having the potential to be the gold standard in seasoning cubes, that redefines the art of seasoning, one delicious dish at a time.

“With Terra Gold Cube, we are not just offering a seasoning option; we want to assure consumers that there is now no need to worry about making the right choice of seasoning cubes. Terra Gold is the definitive gold standard in seasoning cubes for providing that special taste across various Nigerian dishes and cuisines. As we look ahead, I am eager to see how Terra Gold becomes an integral part of kitchens around the country, inspiring individuals to experiment, innovate, and savour the endless possibilities that each Gold cube brings.” He said.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2024/04/03/terra-gold-cube-unveils-one-cube-endless-possibilities-campaign/

When it comes to hotel development across Africa in 2024, just five words tell the story, “Egypt and the Big 5”. In this context, “the Big 5” does not refer to Africa’s major wildlife attractions, (lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant and buffalo) but to the global hotel chains – Accor, Hilton, IHG, Marriott International and Radisson Hotel Group.


This year’s African Hotel Chain Development Pipeline report, widely acknowledged as the industry’s most authoritative source, documenting and analysing the number of hotels being planned and built across the continent, reports a market share of 28% for Egypt and 71% for the Big 5 global chains.

The survey, conducted by Lagos-based W Hospitality Group, in association with the Africa Hospitality Investment Forum (AHIF), is based on responses from 47 global and regional (African) hotel chains, reporting on a pipeline of hotel development activity totalling around 92,000 rooms in 524 hotels, in 41 of Africa’s 54 countries.



Significant trends to emerge in the past year include strong growth, over 9%, in both North and sub-Saharan Africa, an increase in very large hotels (the average size of the largest 10 hotels is 770 rooms, up from 723 rooms in 2023) and a rapid growth in resorts, up by 32% on 2023. In this respect, Zanzibar has performed particularly strongly. There, the pipeline has grown from seven resorts with 983 rooms in 2023 to 14 resorts and 2,048 rooms in 2024, a sure sign of confidence in these beautiful Indian Ocean islands.

The extent to which Egypt dominates the African hotel development pipeline each year, with almost 26,250 rooms in 109 hotels, is quite remarkable. The country’s pipeline, up by 19 hotels and about 5,200 rooms in 2023, is larger than the next four countries put together. It has well over three times the number of rooms as second-placed Nigeria, which has 7,622 rooms in 50 hotels. Third-placed Morocco has 7,169 rooms in 52 hotels and Ethiopia, in fourth place, has 5,128 rooms spread across 31 properties.


There has been an extremely strong increase in the number of resort projects in the pipeline, growing from 24% of the total in 2023 to 30% in 2024. In addition, around half of the rooms in hotels and resorts that opened last year were in resorts. Both Boa Vista (Cape Verde) and Sharm El Sheikh (Egypt) score highly because of the very large average size of the resorts there. The largest hotel in the entire pipeline is a Rixos resort being planned in Sharm El Sheikh, with over 1,800 rooms.

The Big 5 global chains – Marriott International, Hilton, Accor, Radisson Hotel Group and IHG Hotels & Resorts – account for 66% of hotels and 71% of rooms in the entire African pipeline.

Marriott International, the world’s largest hotel chain, remains in the lead for the third consecutive year, in a seemingly unassailable position as number one, with almost twice the number of pipeline hotels and rooms as second placed Hilton, and it has the largest number of rooms added in the year.

Looking back at previous years, there used to be a neck and neck race between Accor and Marriott International but, for the second year running, Accor’s pipeline has actually decreased, from a high of about 20,250 rooms in 2022 to 13,375 rooms today. Executives say that they are focused on having a “clean and achievable pipeline, rather than numbers for numbers sake”.

Accor’s quote highlights a key issue in tracking hotel development in Africa, which is differentiating between hotel projects that are proposed from those that are under construction and from those that have been completed. Typically, the length of time between signing and opening is between four and five years. However, the report identifies 35 projects in the pipeline that are 10 or more years old, including one hotel that was signed 16 years ago.

When it comes to hotels under construction, Marriott International leads the way, with 138 hotels (15,011 rooms) currently being built. It is followed by Hilton (72 hotels, 5,955 rooms), Radisson Hotel Group (35 hotels, 5,748 rooms) and Accor (70 hotels, 3,346 rooms). TUI Hotels & Resorts has charged into the rankings in fifth place with 12 hotels (2,208 rooms) under construction.

As well as looking at deals, which may or may not materialise, W Hospitality Group also looked at who was opening hotels in Africa in 2023, and where. Of the total 29 chain hotels and resorts that opened in Africa in 2023, the split was 10 in North Africa and 19 in sub-Saharan Africa. Of those 19 openings, 11 were in East Africa, including six new hotels and resorts in Tanzania, which had the most openings of any African country. It is clear evidence of the attractiveness of both the mainland and Zanzibar to investors and operators.

Accor came out top of the list for openings last year, and it also tops the number of hotels and rooms opened over the past five years (2019-2023), with 34 hotels opening, comprising around 5,500 rooms.

In terms of “actualisation”, 2023 was an exceptionally slow year. However, that is likely to be offset by a strong 2024, during which the top 10 chains expect to open 139 hotels with 19,122 rooms.


Trevor Ward, Managing Director, W Hospitality Group, said: “Our report contains very positive data, with the pipeline expanding by more than 9 per cent in 2023. This is the largest increase since 2018 and, according to data produced by CoStar/STR, is one of the highest increases globally, surpassed only by the Americas. We look not just at signed deals and their status, but also at the historical actualisation of these deals. This year, we’ve placed greater emphasis than we have in the past on the actualisation, because if the deals don’t become operating businesses, generating profits for the owners and paying fees to the hotel chains, no one’s objectives are being met, are they?”

“We’re looking forward to some 139 hotels and resorts opening in Africa in 2024, with expectations of a far greater actualisation rate than in recent years, as Africa strives to achieve its fair share of the global hotel industry”.

When one considers existing hotels, as well as hotels in the development pipeline, the continent’s current king of the jungle is Accor, with 165 hotels, containing 29,041 rooms, open and trading. Marriott International is in second place, 25,451 rooms in 143 hotels, Hilton is third, 12,525 rooms in 47 hotels and Radisson Hotel Group is close behind with 12,179 rooms in 61 properties. However, if Marriott International delivers all the rooms in its pipeline, it is on course to overtake Accor and become pack leader, with 51,816 rooms in operation.

Matthew Weihs, Managing Director of The Bench, which organises the Africa Hospitality Investment Forum (AHIF), concluded: “The report reveals some very positive trends, including strong growth in new hotel projects, the emergence of high-quality white label hotel operators and governments successfully attracting investment into their tourism industries. All this bodes well for deal-making discussions at AHIF.”

An update to the pipeline development survey, along with in-depth insights, will be presented by Trevor Ward at AHIF, which takes place at the Mövenpick Hotel, Windhoek, Namibia, from 25th – 27th June 2024.

The event is the most influential gathering of hospitality executives in Africa, connecting business leaders and fuelling investment in tourism projects, infrastructure, and hotel development across the continent.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2024/03/27/egypt-and-the-big-5-dominate-hotel-development-in-africa/

tappi, the end-to-end digital commerce SaaS solution tailored for Africa’s micro, small and medium-sized businesses (MSMEs), has today announced its expansion into Côte d’Ivoire. Building on its rapidly growing operations in Kenya and Nigeria, tappi’s latest country launch will feature an extension of its existing partnership with telecom giant, MTN, marking a significant step forward for the startup’s mission to drive the digitalisation of MSMEs across Africa.




For as low as $8/month, Côte d’Ivoire’s MSMEs will receive access to tappi’s SaaS and enterprise-grade tools, empowering them to generate SEO-optimised websites in less than 2 minutes, distribute online ads and secure access to a host of additional digital services. Through tappi’s partnership with MTN Côte D’Ivoire, the telecom’s 17 million customers in the country will also be able to access these services via integrated data bundles, bolstering their capacity to get online, build trust and reach new customers.


Discussing the expansion, Kenfield Griffith, tappi CEO and co-founder said, “With a strong GDP growth rate of 6.9%, Côte d’Ivoire not only represents the ideal market to empower MSMEs primed to digitise and significantly expand their customer base, but will act as a critical gateway to access Francophone Africa’s 150 Million consumers as we identify future growth opportunities across the region.”




“Alongside MTN, we are proud to kick start this mission with one of our top partners who has been integral to tappi since day one and is equally committed to the goal of digitising MSMEs across Africa. With over 17 million customers in Côte d’Ivoire alone, and a robust mobile money network, we firmly believe MTN holds the perfect reach, scale and infrastructure to seamlessly get technology into the hands of MSMEs ready to grow their businesses, and we look forward to driving ahead with the next phase of our partnership.”




Since its inception in 2022, tappi has been on a rapid growth journey capturing verified reviews on over $3M consumer transactions and engaging with over 150K consumers.

According to UNECA, SMEs form over 98% of total businesses in Côte d’Ivoire but despite their importance to the economy, many businesses still face major difficulties building a trusted online presence. This is primarily due to current tools being too complex, the requirements for an international credit card or the listing of websites in places where trust is difficult to gauge, establishing significant hurdles to access and convert new customers.



Djibril Ouattara, CEO, MTN Côte d’Ivoire, adds, ‘MTN strives to lead the way in delivering a bold new digital world, guided by our Ambition 2025 strategy. We believe in providing the benefits of a modern connected life to all, with a focus on supporting MSMEs as the future drivers of digital business and economic growth. Through connectivity, communication, collaboration, and cloud solutions, we aim to empower businesses for sustainable growth.’



Through its powerful end-to-end digital commerce stack, tappi facilitates a seamless online business profile creation process through an intuitive chat experience. Leveraging payments, messaging and AI, the platform is rapidly emerging as the SEO backbone to boost revenue for MSMEs across the continent, helping businesses gain visibility, consolidate payments with verified reviews to build online trust and pay for online Ads with mobile airtime.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2024/03/23/tappis-collaboration-with-mtn-spurs-expansion-in-cote-divoire/

The National Shippers Association of Nigeria (NASAN) has expressed concerns over the federal government’s inconsistent exchange rate policies, noting that it is making the cost of doing business unbearable especially in the export market.


The president General, NASAN, Innocent Akuvue, stated this on the sidelines of a press briefing to formally announce the association’s activities in the country.

According to him, the inconsistent nature of the exchange rate is having a negative impact on businesses even as the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) is yet to implement the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN’s) directive on Form M.



He also lamented over the unavailability of forex for shippers to fund their operations.


In his words, “Most of the issues that shippers currently face are in the ports, inconsistency of exchange rate. the CBN issued a directive that the exchange rate as at the time you opened your Form M and as you know a Form M is a contract and once the Form M is opened you have an agreement, but at the point of arrival, a new exchange rate surfaces, although the CBN has given that directive, but unfortunately, the customs are not implementing it yet.”


He added, “We are worried that after customs releases a container, the same customs would still impound the container after it leaves the port, so our worry is that why should customs release a container and still hold it down on the road, no matter what wrong a shipment would have had, we want to assume that before the shipment is released, all wrongs would have been corrected and once that container has been checked, it should be as free as it exited till it gets to its point of destination.

He also called for stricter sanctions to be meted by any customs officials who impound a container after it has been cleared.

Also speaking, the national secretary, NASAN, Mrs. Ijeoma Ezeasor, said the inconsistent exchange rate for duties makes it impossible for shippers to forecast while also lamenting the several losses that have been incurred as a result of the inconsistent exchange rates.

“It does not allow for stability and planning, because businesses require for some time to plan and forecast, so it has been difficult for us to forecast and we have made several losses due to inconsistencies in government policies, so it has been hurting shippers both importers and exporters,” she stated.

On the 41 prohibited items, she said it should not have stood as it has triggered a lot of imbalance on manufacturers’ production costs.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2024/03/25/nasan-express-concerns-over-inconsistent-exchange-rate/

The organiser of the Industry Summit, an annual gathering for professionals and experts in brand marketing, finance, sustainability, and entertainment, has announced the speakers for the fifth edition of the summit in Lagos.


The event themed: Sustainable Marketing for Growth would feature the marketing director of Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Emmanuel Oriakhi as keynote speaker while the head of unit, sustainability at Access Bank, Mrs. Omobolanle Victor-Laniyan and manager brand, strategy & communications at Stanbic IBTC, Ms. Rita Akao would feature as guest speakers.

The summit, which is scheduled to hold on Friday, May 3rd, 2024 at the Marcelina’s Place Ikeja GRA, Lagos would feature some exhilarating panel sessions with some of the contemporary professionals in the Nigerian brand and marketing industry.


The panelists include; Ms. Chioma Mbanugo, Head of Marketing PZWILMAR, Mr. Abiodun Coker, Team Member Media, UBA, Mrs. Mabel Adeteye, Head, Brand & Marketing Communications, Wema Bank PLC, Mr. Kevin Olumese, Marketing Communications Specialist, and Mr. Adeola Kayode, Head, Brands & Creative Services, 9mobile Nigeria.

Others who have confirmed participation are Ms. Aisha Anaekwe, Head, Brands & Comms, Coronation Group, Mrs. Victoria N’dee Uwadoka, Public Relations, Public Affairs & Sustainability Lead, Nestle Nigeria Plc, Mr. Samson Adeoye, Public Relations Manager, Airtel Nigeria, Mrs. Oluwatosin Odiagbe, Marketing Manager, Simba Solar and Ms. Arinola Shobande, Head of Marketing, Showmax.


While Oriakhi would be speaking to the topic, ““New Age Marketing – Catalyzing Transformation Through Value Chain Innovation, Technology, Analytics & Sustainability”, Victor-Laniyan and Akao would present papers on the topics; “Aligning organizational objectives with sustainable marketing for the good of the people, society and business, and “Reimagining Sustainable Growth Through Green Marketing” respectively.

In the press statement signed by the Publisher of The Industry Newspaper/Convener of The Industry Summit/Awards (TIES), Mr. Goddie Ofose, he said that “The 5th edition of the Industry Summit is focusing on sustainable marketing, which is a purpose-driven practice that works to orientate businesses, brands and society towards a sustainable future, influencing appropriate awareness, aspiration, adoption and action across economic and sociocultural systems by taking necessary accountability for its impacts and opportunities.”


“In today’s ever-evolving world, debating whether to incorporate sustainability into business strategy is no longer an option. Considering a values-driven approach when developing business strategies can be vital to long-term success” he said.

Therefore, we have carefully selected these professionals and experts to deliberate on the subject matter, highlight challenges and proffer solutions where private and public sectors could take lessons from and improve upon whatever they have been doing,’ Ofose added.


The Industry Summit/Awards is a brainchild of The Industry Newspaper Limited, publishers of The Industry Newspaper (theindustry.ng) and 789marketing.ng.

The summit is designed to bring together industry leaders across the continent in all sectors in the quest to rev up conversations that will move the Nigeria business, economy and communication industry forward.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2024/03/25/organiser-unveils-speakers-panelists-for-2024-industry-summit/

Infinix is excited to announce the official launch of the NOTE 40 Series in Nigeria.


This lineup promises to revolutionize the mobile experience with its state-of-the-art technology and unbeatable offers.

The series, which includes the NOTE 40, NOTE 40 Pro, NOTE 40 Pro 5G, and the NOTE 40 Pro+ 5G, marks a new era of smartphone excellence in Nigeria.





The NOTE 40 Series introduces cutting-edge All-Round FastCharge 2.0 technology, with the NOTE 40 Pro featuring a 70W Multi-Speed FastCharge that can reach 50% charge in just 20 minutes.


The series also includes magnetic and wireless charging capabilities, ensuring users stay powered at every point.






The batteries, boasting high-energy density, ensure up to 1600 charging cycles, offering durability and an extended lifespan.

Infinix’s NOTE 40 Series features new innovations like the self-developed chip that supports multi-function charging modes and Wireless MagCharge.

The vibrant 3D curved 120Hz AMOLED display, combined with a formidable 108MP super-zoom camera system with OIS support, redefines visual and photographic fidelity.

Further enriched by AI enhancements, including Active Halo AI lighting and premium sound by JBL, the NOTE 40 Series stands out as the epitome of performance and efficiency.

Both models sport a robust 5000mAh battery with PD agreement support, allowing for versatile charging solutions.

The Pro models boast a 3D Corning Gorilla Glass for an immersive viewing experience, while the NOTE 40 features an ultra-narrow bezel flat screen design, providing superior visual comfort.



First Sales – A Gift of Tech Elegance

Infinix is rewarding customers of the NOTE 40 series in Nigeria with an exclusive “First Sales” offer from March 19th to March 31st, 2024.

Customers who purchase the NOTE 40 or NOTE 40 Pro from accredited retail outlets nationwide will receive a complimentary First Sales gift box, which includes a JBL speaker and TWS earbuds.

Infinix NOTE 40 and Showmax

That’s not all, in an exclusive partnership with Showmax, every purchase of a NOTE 40 series smartphone comes with a 3-month subscription plan free of charge.

Whether you’re a sports fanatic ready to catch all the EPL action or a movie lover eager to dive into a sea of entertainment, the NOTE 40 series has got you covered.

Pricing that Defies Expectations

The Infinix NOTE 40 is priced at NGN 327,900 and comes in Obsidian Black and Titan Gold colour variants, while the NOTE 40 Pro is available for NGN 396,900 in Titan Gold and Vintage Green.

Embrace a New Era of Technology

“We are not just launching a new product, we are introducing a new standard for living in the digital age,” said Oluwayemisi Ode, Integrated Marketing Communications & PR Manager at Infinix.

“With its 3D Curved Design, the All-Round FastCharge 2.0 technology powered by the self-developed Cheetah X1 chip, and innovative MagCharge accessory kit, the Note 40 series is designed to meet the needs of today’s mobile users.

“All of these features combined with our exclusive partnership with Showmax, equips our customers with not just a great device, but also an enriched lifestyle.”

With the NOTE 40 Series, Infinix is inviting Nigerians to step into a new era of technology that offers a perfect blend of speed, efficiency, and design.

To keep up with more details on the Infinix NOTE 40 series and other exciting innovations and offers from Infinix Nigeria, follow on Instagram, Facebook, X, and TikTok at @infinixnigeria.


SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2024/03/22/infinix-nigeria-unveils-note-40-series-redefines-charging-technology/

In today’s connected world, it is a matter of when rather than if you will experience someone trying to hack you. With cybercriminals becoming more sophisticated in their attempts, it is possible that at some point or another you may interact with a scammer or click on a phishing link.


As prevention is always better than cure, Kaspersky (www.Kaspersky.co.za) experts share several tips on what steps you should take to avoid being hacked when you notice potentially suspicious activity.

1. Do not give any more information



This is the most important rule. If something feels ‘off’ about a website you are led to after clicking a link, asking for your name, email, phone number, or bank card information, close it immediately. If you are talking to someone on the phone, and the conversation seems even just a little strange, hang up immediately and do not answer if they call back. And if you are communicating through video conferencing tools, end the meeting and close the application.


2. Disconnect your device from the Internet


This is essential if you have installed any applications at someone’s request, or someone’s done something on your computer using remote control tools. If this has happened, chances are that malware has been installed on your computer or smartphone. To prevent cybercriminals from controlling your device remotely, disconnect the device from the Internet by turning off Wi-Fi and your mobile data or unplug the ethernet cable of your computer. See Step 6 below for further actions.

3. Put yourself in the hacker’s shoes

If you already have visited a suspicious website or talked on the phone, try to remember any information you entered on the site or shared with the caller. Address and name? Phone number? Bank card number? Password or security code received in SMS? If you only shared your name, address, and phone number, no further action is required. Unfortunately, the situation is worse if you have shared more sensitive information, such as passwords, photos of personal documents, or banking information. If this has happened, follow Steps 4 and 5 as outlined below.

4. Change your passwords

You must regularly change the passwords to all your accounts. However, when you have interacted with a hacker, it is vital to quickly log in to the service in question and change the password immediately. If you disconnected your device from the Internet, use another device rather than plugging in the potentially infected one. Do not hesitate to ask your friends or co-workers for help if you do not have another device. When accessing any services, enter the site address manually or open it through your browser bookmarks rather than clicking on links in emails.

5. Contact your bank or service provider

If you provided bank card numbers or other financial information, contact the bank immediately. You can usually block cards through a dedicated hotline, as well as through a mobile app and your personal account on the website. For other types of data, such as bank account details, consult with specialists from the bank or online service about protective measures to take.

6. Check your device

If you followed our advice and disconnected your device (computer or smartphone) from the Internet due to potential infection, thoroughly check it for malware or potentially unsafe software before reconnecting to the network. If you already have a comprehensive protection system installed, such as Kaspersky Premium (https://apo-opa.co/41mfoei), ensure that the protection databases have been updated recently and all protection and scanning technologies are enabled, and then run the deepest scan possible, applying settings that can detect not only malware but also potentially dangerous software such as remote control tools.

If your device does not have protection or if the protection databases are outdated, then use another device to download protection from the manufacturer’s official website. You can then transfer the installation files across using a USB flash drive or SD card.

7. Check for any suspicious activity

After taking all the steps above, make sure that the hackers have not managed to do anything harmful with the potentially compromised accounts. If these are online stores or bank accounts, check your recent purchases. If you see any purchases that you did not make, try to cancel them by contacting the online store or your bank.

On social networks, check recent posts, new friends, photo album content, and so on. In messaging apps, check your recent chats to make sure no fraudulent messages were sent from your account.

Beyond these tips, below are a few precautionary measures you can take in advance:

Protect your smartphone from potential theft or loss (https://apo-opa.co/4a0nH32).
Use unique passwords and two-factor authentication for every account. A password manager (https://apo-opa.co/3VpyH5I) with a built-in authenticator will help you create new unique passwords and store both the passwords and the authentication tokens.
Install a comprehensive security system (https://apo-opa.co/41mfoei) on all your computers and smartphones. This will prevent most phishing and fraud attempts as well as unauthorised access and hijacking of your computer, neutralise viruses and malware, and repair your PC if it has already been infected.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2024/03/19/7-tips-from-kaspersky-on-what-to-do-if-someone-tries-to-hack-you/

Binance, the cryptocurrency behemoth, is grappling with a high-stakes decision in Nigeria that could either safeguard its reputation for privacy or jeopardize its foothold in one of the world’s fastest-growing crypto markets.


The crux of the matter lies in the Nigerian government’s arrest of two Binance officials during business negotiations and the subsequent demand for user data on the platform’s top 100 customers in the country.

Nigeria’s crypto market value grew over 60% in 2022 to hit $185 million (Source: Chainalysis 2023 Crypto Adoption Index). With a young, tech-savvy population driving adoption, Nigeria is projected to become one of the top 10 crypto markets globally by 2025 (Source: KuCoin Crypto Prospects Decoded Report 2022).

Since its entry in 2019, Binance has amassed over 2.4 million users in Nigeria as of January 2023 (Source: Binance blog). With Nigeria’s monthly crypto trade volume averaging $400 million in 2022 (Source: NDIC Crypto Asset Tracker, Q4 2022), Binance’s potential revenue loss from being shut out could exceed $48 million annually, based on average trading fees.


However, complying with the Nigerian government’s demand risks severe reputation damage according to Ikechukwu Keremah, a blockchain regulatory expert:


“If Binance sets the precedent of compromising user data, there could be a massive loss of trust and an exodus of users globally. Decentralized finance hinges on privacy,” Keremah stated in an interview with Bitcoin.com.

According to CoinGecko, Binance’s global monthly trading volume averaged $859 billion in Q1 2023, translating to potential revenue of $859 million per quarter (based on 0.1% trading fees). A significant user exodus could cost Binance billions annually.

“Binance is in a challenging position trying to balance regulatory compliance with its core privacy principles. Its response could shape how privacy is viewed in the crypto space,” says Anndy Lian, Chairman of BigONE Exchange in commentary for CoinDesk.

As the standoff intensifies, Binance’s next move is eagerly anticipated, as it could shape future crypto regulation and the company’s dominance in the rapidly evolving digital asset landscape.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2024/03/19/binance-faces-multibillion-dollar-dilemma-in-nigerias-crypto-hotbed/

Oduwacoin is leading the way in Africa’s digital currency scene by introducing its very own blockchain. It’s the first cryptocurrency across the continent to have its secure system for transactions.


With Oduwacoin, people can send money to each other quickly and with zero fees, making it easier to handle finances. This is a big deal because it gives everyone, no matter where they are, more control over their money and opens up new opportunities for financial growth.

Oduwacoin’s native blockchain is paving the way for a digital revolution in Africa, making financial transactions simpler, safer, and more accessible for everyone.

The Pan-African Dream: A Unified Currency
Africa is a land of vibrant diversity, yet it also faces challenges in economic integration. Traditional currencies can be restrictive, limiting cross-border trade and hindering regional financial inclusion. This is where Oduwacoin steps in -as a pan-African solution.


Unlike many cryptocurrencies tied to specific countries, Oduwacoin is a universally accepted digital currency across the continent.


The Power of a Native Blockchain

Unlike some cryptocurrencies reliant on existing blockchains like Ethereum, Oduwacoin boasts its own native blockchain infrastructure. This ‘Oduwa Blockchain Solutions’ empowers Oduwacoin to be more than just a digital currency; it’s a platform for building decentralized applications (dApps) tailored to Africa’s specific needs. Imagine a future where secure and transparent supply chain management, micro-lending platforms, and innovative cross-border payment systems are built on the Oduwa Blockchain, fostering financial inclusion and economic growth across African nations.

A Gateway to Financial Inclusion
Financial inclusion remains a major hurdle for many Africans. Traditional banking systems often have high barriers to entry and limited reach in rural areas. Oduwacoin, with its decentralized nature and mobile-first approach, presents a compelling alternative. Owning a smartphone and an internet connection allows anyone to participate in the Oduwacoin ecosystem, facilitating secure and affordable transactions beyond the reach of traditional banking infrastructure.

Empowering Businesses and Consumers
Oduwacoin offers numerous benefits for both businesses and consumers. Businesses can leverage its low transaction fees and fast settlement times for cross-border trade, boosting regional commerce. Consumers can enjoy faster, cheaper international money transfers and the ability to hold a secure, borderless asset.

Building a Sustainable Future
Oduwacoin’s creator, Bright Enabulele prioritizes sustainability. The blockchain utilizes a Proof-of-Stake consensus mechanism, which is significantly less energy-intensive compared to the Proof-of-Work model employed by Bitcoin. This aligns with Africa’s growing focus on clean energy solutions and responsible development.

The Power of an Independent Blockchain
Oduwacoin’s independent blockchain offers unique advantages for its users, putting them in control of their financial experience, see how:

Self-Reliance: Unlike tokens that rely on established blockchains like Ethereum, Oduwacoin has its own infrastructure. This means transactions are processed on the Oduwa blockchain itself, free from dependence on external factors or potential slowdowns on other networks.

Tailored Features: An independent blockchain allows Oduwacoin to implement features specifically designed for its goals. This could include faster transaction times, lower fees, or functionalities suited for the African financial landscape.

Community Governance: With its blockchain, Oduwacoin users have a greater say in the future of the currency. The community can potentially vote on upgrades or changes to the network, fostering a sense of ownership and shared purpose.

Security and Transparency: An independent blockchain allows for a more transparent view of transactions. Users can potentially verify transactions directly on the Oduwa blockchain, enhancing trust and security within the network.

Potential for Growth: An independent blockchain opens doors for future development. Oduwacoin can integrate new features and functionalities specific to its vision, without limitations imposed by external platforms.

Upshot
Oduwacoin is more than just a cryptocurrency; it’s a symbol of Africa’s embrace of technological innovation and a potential catalyst for economic empowerment. By giving room for financial inclusion, facilitating cross-border trade, and promoting sustainable development, Oduwacoin is redefining the way Africans interact with the global financial landscape.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2024/03/16/did-you-know-oduwacoin-is-the-first-pan-african-crypto-to-have-its-native-blockchain/

On a beautiful Saturday morning, I find myself strolling down the aisle of the grocery store in my neighborhood and as I approach the section dedicated to cooking oils, I am greeted by an array of options before me. The shelves are lined with bottles of various shapes and sizes, each boasting its own enticing combination of benefits.


With each bottle vying for my attention, I begin to scrutinize the labels, seeking out the perfect mix of taste and health. I weigh the benefits of different oils in my mind, considering their composition of fats and nutritional value.

As a journalist with over 10 years of reporting health-related topics, curiosity took the better part of me, as the quest for heart-healthy cooking has never been more prevalent. I will approach the story to provide valuable information to consumers about making healthier choices in cooking oil, with insights from a cardiologist guiding the narrative.

I reached out again to Dr Monisola Adanijo, a renowned cardiologist, who emphasized the significance of checking labels when purchasing cooking oil. “Consumers should pay close attention to the composition of fats in cooking oils. This can have a significant impact on heart health.” Advises Dr. Adanijo


According to her, one crucial aspect consumers should consider is the ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) to saturated fatty acids. PUFAs, such as omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, are beneficial for heart health. Therefore, consumers should look for oils with higher levels of PUFAs.


She notes that consumers should be wary of the saturated fat content listed on cooking oil labels, as excessive consumption of saturated fats can increase cholesterol levels and the risk of heart disease. “Choosing oils with lower levels of saturated fats is advisable,” warns Dr. Adanijo

As I approached the end of the aisle, my gaze fell upon the label of Golden Terra Soya Oil—a standout option for health-conscious consumers. With an impressive content of 5 times more polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) compared to many other cooking oils, Golden Terra Soya Oil presents itself as a favourable choice for those prioritizing heart health in their culinary pursuit

With the assurance of both expert opinion and market trends, I felt confident in my decision to prioritize health without compromising on taste. Golden Terra Soya Oil not only met my culinary needs but also aligned with my commitment to a healthier lifestyle.

Golden Terra Soya Oil also boasts of 3 times less saturated fatty acids compared to traditional cooking oils. This makes it an ideal option for individuals seeking to reduce their saturated fat intake and ensure their cardiovascular well-being.

Armed with this knowledge, I felt reassured in my decision to opt for Golden Terra Soya Oil. But it wasn’t just the cardiologist’s opinions that solidified my choice, it was also the acknowledgment from leaders and subject matter experts in the cooking oil industry. They repeatedly emphasized the growing trend of Nigerian consumers becoming increasingly careful and health-conscious in their choice of cooking oils. Consumers now prioritize their heart health by carefully considering the composition of cooking oil before making a purchase.

Probal Bhattacharya, Chief Marketing Officer, TGI Group, in his remark, gave a resounding affirmation of Golden Terra Oil’s alignment with evolving consumer preferences.

“As the landscape of consumer behaviour continues to shift towards prioritizing health and wellness, our commitment to providing cooking oils, that not only excel in taste but also prioritize heart health, reflects our dedication to meeting the needs of our consumers. We strive to exceed the expectations of our consumers by offering products that resonate with their values and aspirations. As we continue to innovate and adapt to emerging trends, we remain committed to quality, health, and consumer satisfaction with products like Golden Terra Soya Oil” he said.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2024/03/12/cardiologist-sheds-light-on-making-healthier-choices-in-cooking-oil/

Ecobank Transnational Incorporated has signed a USD 250 million senior unsecured bridge-to-bond Loan Facility with The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) acting as Global Coordinators and Initial Mandated Lead Arranger.

This loan facility aims to support trade finance and the general corporate purposes of the group. Mashreqbank psc. joined the transaction as a mandated lead arranger. The facility has a tenor of twelve months, with a six-month extension option at the lenders’ discretion.

The bridge-to-bond loan also comprises an accordion feature that enables an increase in the total commitments under this facility within a given timeframe.

Ayo Adepoju, Ecobank’s Group CFO, commented, “We are very excited about this new facility, which provides additional liquidity buffers for the bank. The firm’s continued ability to demonstrate market support and, in particular, diversify its funding sources under challenging economic conditions reflects credibility that has been purposefully built in the market and across the African continent over many years.”

While commending the commitment of the teams that worked on the facility, he recognised the continued efforts to build strong partnerships, as well as the leadership provided by the Lead Arrangers.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2024/03/12/ecobank-signs-250m-bridge-to-bond-loan-with-afreximbank-and-afc/

In commemoration of the 2024 International Women’s Day, leading on-demand mobility company in Africa, Bolt has partnered with Whispa, a telemedicine company that allows individuals to chat with real life doctors, to provide free doctor consultations to women in Nigeria for a period of four weeks starting from March 8, 2024.


Under this partnership, both female riders and drivers will be able to get free medical assistance, discounts for follow up tests as recommended by the doctor and ride credit for individuals who need to visit the testing and healthcare centers.

This year’s theme for International Women’s Day is ‘Inspire Inclusion’. Understanding this, Bolt is helping women and girls make informed decisions about their health by providing free or discounted healthcare access to not less than 4000 women in Nigeria.

Commenting on the initiative, Yayaha Mohammed, Country Manager, Bolt said “March is women’s month and while we have typically run our Women in Tech Internship, this year we want to focus on access to women’s health services. We would like to use International Women’s Month to raise awareness of several health conditions that affect women and help women in our community get access to essential services that can prove to be life-saving. At Bolt, we care about providing meaningful access beyond transporting people from pick up to destination but access to healthcare and a great life for our community.”

Morenike Fajemisin, CEO & Founder at Whispa Health said: “At Whispa, we are committed to leveraging technology to provide convenient, affordable and confidential access to Health information, products and services, particularly those tailored for women. In Nigeria and all over the world, women are disproportionately affected by certain health conditions like cervical cancer, endometriosis & STIs and that women’s health concerns are often dismissed or treated with levity, leading to a higher rate of under-diagnosed conditions in women compared to men”.

“Through this partnership with Bolt and in celebration of Women’s Health Month, we aim to not only fulfill our core vision of improving access to quality and shame-free healthcare ‘on the go’, but to also shine a well-needed spotlight on common Women’s Health conditions with a view to providing real solutions”, she said.


‘Ride for Women’s Health’ campaign is for women riders and drivers but also for everyone else. Interested participants can visit Bolt’s social media platforms and blog for more information on how to register.


SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2024/03/08/bolt-partners-with-whispa-to-provide-free-medical-access-for-female-riders-and-drivers-in-nigeria/

The World Bank is partnering with Smart Africa, to scale up the Smart Africa Digital Academy (SADA) initiative from a national to a regional focus as part of the Western Africa Regional Digital Integration Program (WARDIP), in a bid to advance regional integration of digital markets through a USD 20 million grant for 5 years.


This scale up will leverage on the existing SADA implementation and AReg4DT program to establish a new generation of policymakers and regulators across Africa, who are individually knowledgeable on how to harness the potential of green and inclusive digital transformation through new approaches to policy and regulation, and who collectively contribute to the establishment of a Single Digital Market in Africa.

With this aim, the scale-up will reach 30,000 unique policymakers and decision makers from all countries in Africa, with a targeted participation level of females at 40%.

Given the World Bank’s commitment to digital transformation in Africa, the grant will significantly contribute to regional integration and rapid adoption of the Single Digital Market for Africa.


Launched by the Smart Africa Alliance from a seed money of about thirty thousand US dollars which saw the first implementation of an online training for policy and decision makers in August 2020, the Smart Africa Digital Academy (SADA) has made significant strides in advancing digital skills and fostering a dynamic learning ecosystem across Africa with initial grant support from Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD), the German Federal Ministry for Corporation and Development and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH (BMZ /GIZ).


SADA aims to bridge the digital skills gap in African countries, improving employability and meeting the emerging talent needs of African citizens. Since its inception, SADA has trained over 7000 beneficiaries across 35 countries in Africa on various digital transformation topics.

Commenting on the partnership with the World Bank, the CEO of Smart Africa, Mr. Lacina Koné highlighted “At the heart of the digital transformation lies the need to bridge the digital skills gap of our continent’s future and present workforce. Today, I am pleased to announce that SADA, our capacity building vehicle, is geared to reach a new milestone thanks to our key development partner, The World Bank”.

“DTfA/ WARDIP is a crucial step toward an interconnected, innovative, and inclusive future for West Africa. Beyond shaping a digital landscape, it aims to foster regional integration through collaboration and strategic investments”, said Boutheina Guermazi, World Bank Director for Regional Integration for Africa and the Middle East. “It will break down barriers, cultivate a dynamic digital ecosystem, and empower local communities and businesses to thrive in the digital age”.

As the implementation progresses, SADA will focus on competency-based skills training that allows a pipeline of talents to be created for the job market in Africa and beyond. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic, advocated the need to mainstream ICT and digital into Africa’s educational system, and this will be achieved through the training portfolio for teachers and children, which focuses on Science Technology Engineering Arts and Mathematics.

SADA acknowledges the need for a tiered approach to digital skilling in Africa and has five main target groups with a multifaceted approach of interventions to these target groups, namely: Policy and Decision Makers, Youth and Entrepreneurs, Teachers and Students, Digital Experts and the General public. It federates existing initiatives and leverages on the convening power of the Smart Africa Alliance to implement solutions that are co-created with the countries and in collaboration with prominent international and private sector organizations, including the World Bank, ITU, BMZ, GIZ, IEEE, GSMA, USTTI and major tech companies.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2024/02/28/world-bank-gifts-20m-grant-to-smart-africa/

The Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has announced an increase in the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) by four hundred basis points, raising it to 22.75% from the previous 18.75%.


This decision was reached during the first MPC meeting for the year, as revealed by CBN Governor Yemi Cardoso in Abuja on Tuesday.

Cardoso stated, “All 12 members of the committee decided to further tighten monetary policy by raising the MPR by 400 basis points to 22.75 percent from 18.75 percent. Adjust the asymmetric corridor around the MPR to +100 to -700 from plus 100 to -300 basis points.”



The MPR had remained at 18.75% since the last MPC meeting held between July 24th and 25th, 2023.


With the country grappling with a 29.90% inflation rate, the increased MPR is part of the CBN’s strategy to address inflationary concerns.

Governor Cardoso also disclosed that the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) has been raised to 45% while the liquidity ratio remains unchanged at 30%.

Responding to questions about the economic challenges facing the country, Cardoso said that he and his team are not responsible for Nigeria’s current economic difficulties.

He stated, “I laugh at that question, but it’s not a laughing matter, and I think it is very important for Nigerians to understand that the Central Bank Governor — I and my team — are not responsible for the woes that we have today; we are part of the solution.”

Cardoso acknowledged the crisis of confidence in the country’s economy and expressed determination to implement measures that would improve the situation.

He said that efforts to restore confidence are ongoing and emphasised the importance of confidence in business for sustainable economic progress.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2024/02/28/cbn-raises-monetary-policy-rate-to-22-75/

In its 10th year of dedicating and promoting girl-child education and empowering women and young girls in critical thinking and leadership skills in secondary schools across Africa, African Women Foundation for Nation Building, WINBAFRICA, is set for this year’s edition with the theme, Bridging the Gab: Celebrating a decade of Nation Building” on Monday, February 26, 2024 at the Alliance Francaise, Mike Adenuga center, Ikoyi, Lagos – Nigeria.


A non-governmental organization, WINBAFRICA projects, and interventions include Education First Series, Project Sapphire, Orphanage Challenge, Project Back–to–School, WINBAFRICA Monthly Round Table, WINBAFRICA Food Bank, and the Production of a Monthly Newsletter.

This year’s edition marks the milestone celebration of unbroken 10 years of service to women and girl-child which started operations in 2014. As part of lineups for this year’s celebration, WINBAFRICA has announced the annual school debate competition and scholarship programme for 20 young girls across the continent. The Schools Debate will be between Steady Steps School, Lekki, and Bomak International Schools Surulere, Lagos, who have emerged at the final stage of the competition. Both schools will be competing for WINBAFRICA YOUNG NATION BUILDERS’ TROPHY (WYNBT) in a debate.

Speaking on the initiative, which is the first event in the series of events in 2024 to commemorate its 10th anniversary, the President, WINBAFRICA, and Chief Strategist, Irachy PR, Dr. Bukola Bello-Jaiyesimi said the organization is looking forward to expanding its reach and impact, and continuing to make a difference in the lives of girls across Africa.


She noted; “Through initiatives like the scholarship program, WINBAFRICA is paving the way for a brighter future for girls and empowering them to reach their full potential. WINBAFRICA’s 10th anniversary is a testament to the organization’s dedication and commitment to promoting education and empowering women and girls in Africa.


“This year’s programme is a significant step towards creating a more inclusive and equitable society, where girls have the opportunity to thrive and succeed, paving the way for a brighter future for girls and empowering them to reach their full potential. As we celebrate WINBAFRICA’s achievements over the past decade, let us continue to support and champion the rights of girls to education and empowerment. Together, we can build a brighter future for all.

“The school debate competition will provide a platform for girls to showcase their talents and engage in meaningful discussions on important social and economic issues facing them and the continent.”


Speaking further, Dr. Jaiyesimi revealed that aside from the Schools Debate competition, the senior secondary students of Bomak International College, Surulere, Lagos would be at the front burner discussing Environmental Responsibility during the WINBAFRICA Business Roundtable.

Founded in 2014 by a group of dedicated women led by Dr. Bukola Bello Jaiyesimi, an Entrepreneur, Pan-Africanist, and multiple award recipient with a passion for projecting women’s issues, WINBAFRICA is present in Ghana, Gambia, South Africa, and Ethiopia. The organization has been at the forefront of championing the rights of girls to education and providing them with the necessary tools and resources to succeed. Over the past decade, the organization has impacted the lives of thousands of women and young girls in Africa through its various programs and initiatives.

WINBAFRICA has the mandate to transform African society by supporting women and girls to play significant roles in nation-building as well as creating avenues for identifying, raising, and supporting women leaders, we come together to brainstorm on issues affecting their well-being and generating practical and achievable solutions, our fundamental tenet is education.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2024/02/25/winbafrica-sets-to-empower-women-scholarship-for-girl-child-in-africa/

VFD Group Plc, a leading proprietary investment company committed to fostering growth across diverse industries in Africa, has embarked on an impactful Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative.


In a collaborative effort with Narrative Landscape Press and GLG Communications, VFD Group donated Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s inaugural children’s book, “Mama’s Sleeping Scarf,” to the students of Comenius Nursery and Primary School as part of the Street 2 School Initiative.

This collaboration underscores VFD Group’s resolute dedication to social impact and education, particularly in underserved communities. The donation of 1,000 copies of “Mama’s Sleeping Scarf” aims to inculcate a love for reading and inspire young minds to explore limitless possibilities.

VFD Group Plc, a leading proprietary investment company committed to fostering growth across diverse industries in Africa, has embarked on an impactful Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative.


In a collaborative effort with Narrative Landscape Press and GLG Communications, VFD Group donated Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s inaugural children’s book, “Mama’s Sleeping Scarf,” to the students of Comenius Nursery and Primary School as part of the Street 2 School Initiative.

This collaboration underscores VFD Group’s resolute dedication to social impact and education, particularly in underserved communities. The donation of 1,000 copies of “Mama’s Sleeping Scarf” aims to inculcate a love for reading and inspire young minds to explore limitless possibilities.

During the school visit, Ms. Elmer Aluge, VFD Group’s Soft Power Specialist, and Mr. Odudu Abasi-Okon, Strategy Officer of VFD Group Plc, joined forces with Dr. Eghosa Imasuen, Director of Business Development at Narrative Landscape, to engage with the school’s administrators and students. Together, they shared stories, laughter, and the joy of discovering reading.


In a heartfelt address, Ms. Elmer Aluge urged the students to remain steadfast in their educational pursuits, emphasizing the power of reading. She remarked, “Education is the key that unlocks endless opportunities. Let the pages of ‘Mama’s Sleeping Scarf’ kindle your imagination and propel you towards greatness.”


Moved by the students’ enthusiasm, Dr. Eghosa Imasuen expressed his admiration for their curiosity and promised to relay their gratitude to Chimamanda Adichie, whose work continues to inspire young minds across the globe.

The event concluded with a touching exchange of gratitude as students and teachers presented the VFD Team, Narrative Landscape Press, and Chimamanda’s Publicist with handmade thank-you cards and gift bags.

VFD Group remains steadfast in its commitment to nurturing future leaders and fostering positive change through initiatives that empower and uplift communities.

About VFD Group:

VFD Group is a proprietary investment company that focuses on building positive and socially conscious ecosystems by aggregating potentially viable businesses with the objective of creating innovative products and solutions that are accessible to the everyday Nigerian citizen and entrepreneur.

VFD Group was founded by skilled professionals with diverse experiences, qualifications, and backgrounds.

As a future-focused group, we have successfully transformed our investment approach from being a financial service-focused proprietary investment company to taking a sector-agnostic approach to investment with a focus on creating a global ecosystem through investments and collaborations in various businesses and sectors of the economy that will enhance our global footprint.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2024/02/21/vfd-group-promotes-reading-culture-with-mamas-sleeping-scarf-to-students-of-comenius-nursery-and-primary-school/

As Nigeria finds itself at a critical crossroads, grappling with simultaneous challenges of a food crisis and a foreign exchange (forex) shortage.


This is even as the nation seeks solutions to mitigate these pressing issues, the debate over whether to open its borders for importation has intensified.

The food crisis gripping Nigeria has raised concerns about food security and access to essential nutrition for millions of citizens.



Adverse weather conditions, supply chain disruptions, and other factors have contributed to dwindling food supplies and soaring prices, placing a significant strain on households and exacerbating the vulnerability of already marginalized communities.


Meanwhile, the forex shortage has hampered Nigeria’s ability to import essential goods and raw materials, further exacerbating supply chain disruptions and exacerbating inflationary pressures.


Industries reliant on imported inputs, including agriculture, manufacturing, and healthcare, have been particularly hard hit, impeding economic growth and development.

In response to these challenges, some stakeholders advocate for opening Nigeria’s borders to facilitate the importation of food and other essential commodities.

Proponents argue that increased importation could help alleviate immediate food shortages, stabilize prices, and provide relief to vulnerable populations facing hunger and malnutrition.

However, others caution against the potential risks of opening borders amid a forex shortage. Critics raise concerns about the impact on domestic production and self-sufficiency, as well as the long-term consequences of relying heavily on imported goods. They emphasize the need to prioritize investments in domestic agriculture and infrastructure to build resilience against future crises.

As Nigeria navigates these complex issues, the government faces the daunting task of balancing short-term relief efforts with long-term strategies for sustainable development and economic resilience.

Proffering suggestion on how the government can address the unending inflationary pressures, Forex shortages, food prices hike and revitalise the nation’s economy, the Nigerian Association of Social and Resourceful Editors (NASRE), has advised the Nigerian government to adopt collaborative efforts involving policymakers, industry stakeholders, civil society organizations, and international partners to identify holistic solutions that address both immediate needs and underlying structural challenges.

On the debate over whether Nigeria should open its borders for importation amid the food crisis and forex shortage, the President of the advocacy group, Mr Femi Oyewale, underscores the urgency of coordinated action and innovative thinking.

According to him, now more than ever, solidarity, cooperation, and forward-thinking policies are needed to ensure the well-being and prosperity of all Nigerians.

“The question of whether Nigerian borders should be opened for food importation in the face of a food crisis is complex and multifaceted. However, there are factors to consider, which basically, Domestic Agricultural Capacity. Because opening borders for food importation could undermine domestic agricultural production by flooding the market with cheaper imported goods.

“However, if domestic production is insufficient to meet demand, importing food may be necessary to avoid shortages,” he said.

On the economic implications of borders opening, the President of NASRE, Oyewale, said: “Importing food can have economic ramifications, both positive and negative. On one hand, it can provide access to a wider variety of foods and potentially lower prices for consumers. On the other hand, it may negatively impact local farmers and exacerbate trade imbalances.”

The resourceful editors, while commenting on Food Security, pointed out that relying heavily on imported food leaves a country vulnerable to supply chain disruptions and price fluctuations in the global market. Therefore, it urged the federal government to develop a robust domestic agricultural sector, which is crucial for long-term food security.

According to Oyewale, the Nigerian government must consider its broader economic and agricultural policies when making decisions about food importation. This includes evaluating subsidies, tariffs, and investment in agricultural infrastructure.

“Importing food often involves long-distance transportation, which contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and environmental degradation. Promoting local production can help reduce the carbon footprint associated with food consumption.

“Food is not just a commodity; it is essential for human well-being. Government policies should prioritize ensuring access to nutritious and culturally appropriate food for all citizens, particularly those most vulnerable to food insecurity,” he added.

The Nigerian Association of Social and Resourceful Editors, NASRE, therefore, noted that the decision to open Nigerian borders for food importation during a food crisis should be approached cautiously, taking into account the country’s domestic agricultural capacity, economic implications, food security goals, environmental concerns, and social welfare considerations.

“A balanced approach that supports both domestic production and responsible trade practices may be necessary to address immediate food shortages while also promoting long-term food security and sustainability,” the Association stated.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2024/02/22/nasre-advises-fg-on-food-crisis-forex-shortage-amid-calls-to-suspend-import-ban/