The much talked about Samsung Galaxy AI smartphone is now available at Gloworld shops across the country.


While Glo customers who pre-ordered the phones have been receiving their orders, others who desire to own the coveted handsets but did not pre-order have been flocking to Globacom’s retail outlets, Gloworld, to purchase them.

Before the arrival of the AI smartphones in Nigeria, the digital solutions company and world’s leading manufacturers of electronic devices, Samsung, had entered into a partnership which allows Glo subscribers to own the Galaxy S24 AI smartphones. Under the partnership, any subscriber who buys any of the Galaxy S24 series will receive from Glo free data up to 18GB.



The preordering exercise, which will end on February 13, gives phone lovers who wish to purchase the device exclusive opportunity to pick different models of the phone, including S24 Ultra, the highest and most expensive of the series, followed by the S24+ and then the S24 base model. The key differentiating factors amongst the models are the processor and storage space.

The S24 AI device is capable of giving customers a unique experience due to its artificial intelligence. It comes with different functionalities including Circle to Search, which brings instant result when the home icon is pressed and anything on the screen, (images, video or text) is circled, Live Translate through which the Galaxy AI-powered device makes bilingual calls seamless, very perfect for stress-free conversations and also Advanced Camera Experience with the Photo Assist, a new powerful AI editing tool with studio-quality features.


Globacom urged its subscribers and other Nigerians who are yet to take advantage of the offer to visit the nearest Gloworld shop in their location to pre-order their preferred model of the Samsung Galaxy S24 AI.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2024/02/13/samsung-galaxy-ai-available-at-gloworld/

With a wealth of experience spanning over three decades, Ziad Maalouf, Managing Director of Seven-Up Bottling Company (SBC), is undoubtedly someone whom a small enterprise owner would value spending a few minutes with Over the weekend, 40 small and medium-sized enterprise owners had the luxury of hours of lectures and interaction with this highly experienced entrepreneur. This opportunity was made possible through the SMEs Scale-Up Bootcamp, organised by SBC in partnership with Zenith Bank and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).

After running his business and working with multinational companies in Asia, Ziad has dedicated over 17 years to working in Nigeria with SBC. He admires the spirit and business acumen of Nigerian entrepreneurs, and he believes in the importance of fostering the growth of this vital sector in the Nigerian economy by empowering entrepreneurs to scale. Participants at the bootcamp were enthusiastic about his depth of knowledge and found his practical and engaging presentation inspiring.

Here is a summary of scaling tips for budding entrepreneurs provided by Ziad:
Identify your ‘sweet spot’: A sweet spot is a combination of three things that every entrepreneur must get right. According to Ziad, not every idea will scale up. Ideas with the potential for scaling are those that harmonise your experience, passion, and address a genuine need in the world (or have the potential to do so). Ziad advised entrepreneurs that if their current business fails to encompass all three aspects, a reconsideration is necessary. “You might just be in the wrong business,” he emphasised.

Avoid look-alike recruitment: When Ziad mentioned this, almost all the entrepreneurs in the room felt guilty. It’s one of the traps several entrepreneurs fall into. He recommended the SABI (Strive, Accountability, Bonding and Innovation) formula for entrepreneurs when recruiting and task allocation. He said, as innovators, entrepreneurs should scout for talents and skills they lack in others.


Network: Ziad emphasises that startups often overlook the importance of networking. He asserts, “Your business won’t scale up until you elevate your relationships.” Additionally, he underscores the significance of a robust network in times of crisis, stating, “If you are scaling up, you need to be prepared for crises, as they will inevitably confront you, especially as a big company.”

Increase willingness to pay: This is tied to creating value that will make the customer want to pay more for your product or service. Ziad said businesses willing to scale must provide functional, social, and emotional value. “What many entrepreneurs don’t know is that customers are willing to pay more if you offer the value. This is what gives an edge over a competitor. When you have the value that the world needs, customers will neglect other products for yours.”

Distinguish cash and profit: According to Ziad, this is a part that has killed millions of SMEs. “Profit is not cash. Cash tells you how well your business is doing financially. It shows you how much you earned in a period, not how much you have left. A profitable business can run into trouble if it does not have cash. Cash is the oxygen of the business. Lose it and you are gone,” he said.

Teamwork: Ziad acknowledged that entrepreneurs want to be involved in every aspect, but warned that it’s a pitfall to avoid. He advised that a passionate leader of a business should build a team and delegate work. “Spend more time on ideas to grow the business rather than stalling the growth by trying to micromanage,” he said.

Know when to take a loan: For growth and expansion, he said there is usually a need for a loan if your savings can’t cover the capital needed. “When I hear people say I run a debt-free company, I smile. It sounds stupid to me. For instance, I don’t see why you should not take a loan of N100m at 25% interest rate a year if it will yield you a profit of N200m in two years. Another thing to note is to be honest with the banks when taking loans. Of the five Cs of lending (Character, Capacity, Condition, Capacity and Collateral), character is very key to accessing loans. Yes, we want to paint good pictures to impress the banks, but they also look at your sincerity and honesty while presenting your plan,” he said.

Adopt artificial intelligence: Ziad also advised entrepreneurs to adopt technology that will boost their productivity, efficiency, and quality of products and services. This, he said, is key to scaling in today’s business world.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2024/02/10/strategic-tips-for-sme-growth-by-md-of-seven-up-bottling-company/

Nigerian folk singer and veteran actor, Jimi Solanke popularly known as Uncle Jimi is dead.


Solanke was said to have died on Monday morning at the age of 81 in Ogun State.

The lawmaker representing Remo North State Constituency at the Ogun State House of Assembly, Dickson Awolaja, confirmed the death of the veteran actor to Punch.



He said the legendary poet and playwright was said to have been in and out of hospital from December until he died today.


Awolaja said Solanke died while being rushed from his country home at Ipara Remo in Remo North Local Government Area of Ogun State to Babcock University Teaching Hospital, Ilisan when he succumbed to the cold hands of death.


He said “I got wind of the demise of Pa Jimi Solanke not long ago. His death is no doubt another big loss to us in Remo North and Ogun State as a whole given his worthy contributions to the development of our dear nation. May his soul rest in peace”.
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Solanke is known for Kongi’s Harvest, Sango, Shadow Parties, and many more.

All You Need To Know About Late Jimi Solanke
1. Jimi Solanke, a native of Ipara-Remo, Ogun State, was born on July 4, 1942, in Lagos.

2. He was fondly called ‘Uncle Jimi’ or ‘Baba Agba’

3. He was a Nigerian storyteller, film actor, dramatist, folk singer, poet, and playwright.

4. He attended Olowogbowo Methodist School for his elementary education before proceeding to Odogbolu Grammar School, Ogun State.

5. He graduated from the University of Ibadan, where he obtained a diploma certificate in drama.

6. Solanke joined the Department of Dramatic Arts at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU) in 1969.

7. After graduation, Solanke moved to the United States, where he created a drama group called The Africa Review, focusing on African culture. Members of this group usually put on African clothing, specifically Yoruba costumes.

8. Jimi Solanke established himself in Los Angeles, California, where his storytelling career began. He was described as a “master storyteller.”

9. In 1986, he returned to Nigeria with three members of the African Review Group to work with the Nigerian Television Authority. Then, he came up with Storyland, where he tells stories with the insertion of artistic works by artists. At the same time, he plays his guitar with kids surrounding him, singing and dancing.

10. Some of his songs include Onile Gogoro, Eje ka jo, Jenrokan, and Na today you come. He also produced albums such as Eke ka jo (Let us Dance), In the Beginning, Ase, Storyteller, America Has Got Magic, Orin Orisa, Multiplicity of Praise, Hidden Gold, and Once Upon a Time.

11. He starred in several shows on Nigerian Television (NTA) starting from the 1960s to date, including The Bar Beach Show, For Better for Worse, Village Headmaster, Family Scene on Lagos Television (LTV), Children’s Half Hour, Storyland, African Stories on (AIT), and Sango.

12. He began his professional acting career in 1961 as one of the pioneer members of the Orisun Theatre Group, founded by Wole Soyinka.

13. He was part of the team that made the film Kongi’s Harvest by Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka.

14. As an actor, he played different characters in movies such as Kurumi, Chattering and the Song, Ovoramwen Nogbaisi, The Divorce, Death and the King’s Horseman, and Siswe Bansi’s Death.

15. He was the voice of the narrator in Nollywood movie, Jagunjagun.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2024/02/05/nigerian-foremost-dramatist-and-folk-singer-jimi-solanke-is-dead/

The World Bank’s Managing Director of Operations, Anna Bjerde, is set to arrive Nigeria for a pivotal two-day engagement in an unprecedented visit scheduled for February 6, 2024.


According to a statement from the bank, this marks her inaugural trip to Nigeria in her current role, symbolizing a significant stride in the World Bank’s deepening involvement with Nigeria’s developmental trajectory.

Bjerde’s visit focuses on key pillars of Nigeria’s development strategy, encompassing macroeconomic and fiscal policies, energy access, digital infrastructure enhancement, and skill development.



The statement reads, “World Bank Managing Director of Operations, Anna Bjerde, will begin a two-day visit to Nigeria on February 06, 2024.


“Ms. Bjerde will use the visit —her first to Nigeria as Managing Director of Operations— to further the World Bank’s engagement with Nigeria on critical aspects of the country’s development agenda, including macroeconomic and fiscal policy, energy access, digital infrastructure, and skills.

“She will participate in a meeting of Western and Central Africa Ministers of Finance co-hosted by the Government of Nigeria and the World Bank.

“At the meeting, Ms. Bjerde will discuss the ambitious regional development priorities and how additional International Development Association (IDA) resources can further support countries to “leap forward” and attain sustainable growth, jobs, and development.

“While in Nigeria, Ms. Bjerde will hold bilateral meetings with the Hon. Minister of Finance, Mr. Olawale Edun, the Hon. Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Mr. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso. She will host a roundtable discussion with private sector leaders in the energy and digital sectors.”

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2024/02/06/world-bank-director-to-meet-with-cbn-governor-nigerian-ministers/

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says it has no plans to convert domiciliary account holdings valued at 30 billion dollars into Naira.


Mrs Hakama Sidi-Ali, CBN’s Acting Director, Corporate Communications Department, made the clarification in a statement in Abuja on Saturday.

Sidi-Ali’s statement was a reaction to a media report that the apex bank planned to convert domiciliary accounts into Naira, to address the unending depreciation of the local currency.



“The attention of the CBN has been drawn to a story published by a national newspaper, alleging that the Federal Government is considering converting 30 billion dollars domiciliary deposits to Naira.


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“This allegation is absolutely false and aims to trigger panic in the foreign exchange market, which the CBN is working assiduously to stabilise, as evidenced by its recent work and policy directions.

“Similar false narratives have been spread on the work of the CBN over the past few months and it is clear that vested interests are determined to sabotage our efforts,” she said.

She assured that the CBN was working to build confidence and would never do anything to undermine the currency and the economy.

She urged all stakeholders to disregard stories aimed at causing panic in the system and see them as acts of national sabotage.

“We wish to advise, in the strongest terms, against the peddling of false reports that have the potential to be disruptive to the economy.

“The CBN is the only designated authority for monetary policy changes and will always advise on any policy changes before they are brought into operation,” she said.

The Naira has been on a free fall in the last few days, exchanging at N1,500 to the dollar.

This has created panic among some stakeholders who have been calling on the apex bank to take urgent steps to strengthen the Naira.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2024/02/04/cbn-breaks-silence-on-plans-to-convert-domiciliary-accounts-into-naira/

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has released its Nigeria Electricity Report for the third quarter of 2023, revealing an increase in the number of electricity consumers.


According to the report, the figure rose by 240,000, moving from 11.47 million in the second quarter of 2023 to 11.71 million in the third quarter, indicating a growth rate of 2.08%.

The report focused on key metrics, including energy billed, revenue generated, and customer statistics provided by electricity distribution companies (DISCOS) during the reviewed period.



On a year-on-year basis, the number of electricity customers recorded a substantial increase of 7.09% in Q3 2023 compared to the 10.94 million reported in the same quarter of 2022.


Metered customers stood at 5.68 million in Q3 2023, reflecting a 3.77% increase from the 5.47 million recorded in the preceding quarter.


The year-on-year growth in metered customers was reported at 13.07%, up from 5.02 million in Q3 2022.

Estimated electricity customers, another category in the report, totaled 6.03 million in Q3 2023, showing a 0.53% increase from the six million recorded in Q2 2023.

The year-on-year comparison indicated a 2.02% rise in estimated customers, up from 5.91 million in Q3 2022.

In terms of revenue, electricity distribution companies collected N260.16 billion in Q3 2023, a slight decrease from the N263.08 billion recorded in Q2 2023.

However, on a year-on-year basis, there was a substantial increase of 28.40% over the N202.62 billion collected in the third quarter of 2022.

The report also highlighted a reduction in electricity supply to 5,731.60 (Gwh) in Q3 2023 from the 5,909.83 (Gwh) recorded in the second quarter of the year.

Despite this quarterly decline, the year-on-year comparison indicated a positive trend, with a 14.09% increase in electricity supply in Q3 2023 compared to the 5,023.96 (Gwh) reported in Q2 2022.


SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2024/02/01/nigeria-records-2-08-increase-in-electricity-consumers-nbs/

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has predicted a decline in Nigeria’s inflation rate to 23 percent in 2024 and 15.5 percent in 2025.


IMF’s Division Chief of Research Department, Daniel Leigh, disclosed this at the Fund’s World Economic Outlook (WEO) update press conference on Tuesday.

Nigeria’s inflation rate stood at 28.92 percent as of December 2023, and has been on the rise for 11 consecutive months.



Reacting to the foreign exchange reforms introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to curb inflation and the free fall of the naira, Leigh said the monetary tightening stance of the apex bank would help reduce inflation rate.


Leigh said one of the drivers of inflation is the weak naira following reforms by the financial regulator.


He stated: “Now there’s also structural factors behind that high inflation, including, you know, on the fiscal side, financing of the deficit. But this is clearly creating hardship. The perspective that we have is bringing down inflation is top priority.

“And the CBN has already raised interest rates significantly over the past year to 18.8 percent. So that is the monetary tightening that is helping in our forecast to bring inflation down from 24.6 percent in 2023 percent, to 23 percent this year, and then closer to single digits into 2025 at 15.5 percent.”

According to Leigh, while the monetary tightening to conquer inflation is ongoing, Nigeria should prioritise revenue mobilisation, and widen its tax base to provide social support.

“On top of conquering inflation through monetary tightening, there’s also a need to provide social support through the budget and creating the space for that is the challenge.

“Our perspective is that more revenue mobilisation, strengthening revenue administration, widening the tax base, this is what is going to bring in space for development spending while safeguarding fiscal sustainability,” Leigh added.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2024/02/01/imf-nigerias-inflation-rate-will-drop-to-23-in-2024-15-5-in-2025/

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) is collaborating with the management of Dangote Group to address operational concerns of the Dangote Refinery.


The committee has been set up to come up with a workable plan within 14 days. The media could not be loaded, either because the server or network failed or because the format is not supported.

This is even as the NIMASA Director General, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, pledged the Agency’s commitment to ensuring that the operations of Dangote Ports and refinery are not impeded by different regulatory instruments under the provisions of the Cabotage law.



Jamoh made the assertions during a courtesy visit by a delegation from Dangote Port Operations, led by the Managing Director Dangote Port Operations, Mr Akin Omole to NIMASA.


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He promised that the Agency will work with Dangote Ports to also ensure the Group does not breach any regulation of the Federal Government as regards Wet Cargo afreightment.

Both parties agreed to set up a working committee to address the operational concerns at the refinery within 14 days.

“Though the coming on stream of the Dangote Refinery would lead to a drop in NIMASA revenue, because ships importing petroleum products would reduce drastically thus reducing the 3% freight levy collected by the Agency. However, Nigerian economic growth and long term benefit to the Nigerian masses is far better than immediate revenue for NIMASA,” he said.

He said, “We talked about business being done in a way that there is no obstruction, no delay. “In shipping, a day’s delay is a huge cost, we have an average of over $50,000 demurrage on a ship per day, so we want to be sure that these kinds of delay are not experienced.”

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2024/01/26/nimasa-dangote-refinery-to-address-operational-concerns/

Mesh virtual meeting spaces were fully launched on Wednesday, marking the official arrival of Microsoft’s metaverse for the workplace.


Employees can now put on a virtual reality headset and engage with coworkers in a variety of three-dimensional environments in place of a Teams video call. Microsoft cites a number of use cases for this, including employee onboarding, town halls, social gatherings, and brainstorming sessions.

Not everyone needs a VR headset to access mesh spaces. Users can access them with a standard PC and control a customized avatar that can interact with the different settings. Support for Meta’s Quest headsets will be available on Thursday for those who desire an entirely immersive experience. (Microsoft declined to comment regarding the availability of Apple’s upcoming Feb. 2 launch of Vision Pro.)


Immersive meetings can help remote workers stay connected to colleagues and their wider organization, according to Microsoft — and that can aid in employee retention.


Meetings in Mesh give employees a “feeling of co-presence, even when they are physically separated,” a Microsoft spokesperson said, with features such as spatial audio adding to the sense of immersion.

There are two ways to access Mesh spaces. One is via an option in the View menu in Microsoft Teams; there’s also a standalone app available in the Microsoft App Store and coming to the Meta Quest App Store tomorrow.

Businesses can also customize 3D environments using a no-code editor, adding company logos for instance. For more control over Mesh spaces, there’s as a Unity-based “toolkit” for building 3D venues.

By addressing some of the limitations of video meetings, Mesh can “play a role in creating cohesion for hybrid working arrangements,” said J.P. Gownder, vice president and principal analyst at Forrester.

Whether Mesh will gain significant traction among business users remains unclear. Had the application launched in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic spurred an uptick in remote work and investment in collaboration tools, Mesh might have had a better shot at widespread adoption, as seen with the boom in video conferencing tool usage.

“The fact that people are more mobile now means that Mesh’s immersive spaces are unlikely to defray business travel, which has resumed in force,” said Gownder, who suggested a “much more gradual adoption rate than if the tool had debuted in 2020.”

There’s also the key question of whether workers will be happy to meet and collaborate in virtual spaces using an avatar.

The mood around metaverse-related technologies has shifted markedly in the three years since Mesh was introduced (initially as a mixed reality collaboration platform), despite the efforts of tech vendors such as Meta that have pushed the metaverse concept. Meta has its own workplace collaboration tool, Horizon Workrooms, which has been in beta for the past two years.

“Like all ‘metaverse’ related technologies, a great number of people seem to find the concepts unappealing,” said Gownder. “That said, making it a feature of Teams means that those who find it useful can experiment and potentially create gravity to bring others into immersive spaces if they are truly useful. Time will tell.”

Mesh is now generally available to customers on Teams Essentials, most Microsoft 365 plans, and Office365 enterprise tiers. Use of custom Mesh environments requires Teams Premium licenses.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2024/01/29/microsoft-introduces-teams-mesh-3d-meetings/

The federal government has revealed that it has initiated plans to improve the local production of syringes, needles and other medical equipment in the country as part of efforts to fill the gap created by the foreign manufacturing companies exiting the country due to unfavorable business environment.


This was disclosed by the Minister of Trade and Investment, Doris Aniete alongside the Minister of State for Health, Tunji Alausa during a meeting with members of the Medical Device Manufacturers Association of Nigeria in Abuja.

Uzoka-Anite said the government was ready to eliminate policy bottlenecks affecting the sector while improving the capacity of local producers.



The minister also stated that a backward integration programme with enticing incentives will be explored to stop the exit of foreign manufacturing companies.


She said, “The mandate that we’ve been given by the president is to fix every problem in Nigeria, especially problems that affect the manufacturers in all sectors of the economy.


“The government is ready to remove all impending bottlenecks in industrialisation, manufacturing or the real sector in Nigeria and we have just done that for the health instrument sector.

“We have designed a backward integration programme which incorporates policies that affect medical devices and the entire health care. We are going to launch that programme with the approval of the federal executive council soon. I am sure it will be a game-changer for the medical device industry for full capacity utilisation. There will be enticing incentives to support the industry and loaded incentives to incentivise.”

On his part, the Minister of State for Health said that, “Over the past several years, we have had a strong importation of needles and syringes to Nigeria while our local manufacturing companies suffer. The mission is to reduce the cost of pharmaceutical products in the country as well as medical supplies in the country.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2024/01/26/fg-moves-to-double-local-production-of-syringes-others/

Globacom on Saturday night splashed millions of naira on its long-serving employees at a lavish appreciation party held at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. The party which was themed, “Twenty and Unlimited”, was held as part of Globacom’s 20th Anniversary celebration.


The company rewarded a total of 89 staff members who had worked for it for twenty years with several millions of Naira each.

Speaking at the party, the Executive Vice Chairman of Globacom, Mrs. Bella Disu, noted that the Board and Management of the company were pleased with the awardees for their contributions to the growth of the business in the last 20 years. The party, she said, was organized to reward them and encourage them to keep striving for greater excellen

The high-octane party and night of razzmatazz, fine dining and exquisite wining had in attendance members of staff from across the country who thronged the venue in signature Glo colour-compliant dresses and costumes. The trio of Wande Coal, and Glo ambassadors Chike Ezekpeazu Osebuka and Oluwatobiloba Anidugbe popularly known as Kizz Daniel were in their element as they churned out beautiful vibes that kept the audience dancing all night.


Also in attendance were the Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke; Ovation Publisher, Dele Momodu; Nollywood stars, Ego Boyo, Ini Edo, Juliet Ibrahim, and Bolanle Ninalowo, as well as comedian Broda Shaggi, and fashion icon, Mai Atafo.


Other highlights of the evening were different categories of competitions for staff which also attracted handsome rewards from the company. These included Mr. and Miss Glo pageants where Ifoghale Ashaka emerged Mr. Glo with the duo of Hakeem Obayomi and Olalekan Agbaje coming behind him as first and second runners-up.

While Mr. Glo won N2million, Hakeem and Olalekan went home with N1million and N750, 000 respectively. In the Miss Glo category, Gift Okafor was crowned winner, taking home N2 milion. Favour Akinbayo won N1million as first runner-up with a cash prize of N1million, while Faith Chika Obi got N750,000 as second runner-up. The Best dressed male and female also won N500,000 each.

In the dancing competition, Tegha Mobaghan won N500,000 in the female category with Abiola Agunbiade winning the same amount in the male category. Chukwudi Okorie and Otesanya Adetayo were winners in the singing competition, taking home N500,000 as well. There was also food “quaffing” competition which attracted N500,000 to the winners in the male and female categories, while 20 early birds (first to arrive at the party) won N250,000 each, just as 50 Midnight Owls (last to leave) also got N500,000 each in the two gender categories.



There was also a surprise award of N250,000 to 50 random winners in a lucky dip drawn in the full glare of the attendees.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2024/01/23/glo-showers-millions-of-naira-on-staff-at-20th-anniversary-party/

Lagos State Government has announced a ban on single-use plastics and Styrofoam packs, popularly called ‘takeaways’, with “immediate effect.”

The state’s Commissioner, Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday. According to the statement, which was posted on X by the ministry’s spokesperson, Kunle Adeshina, the use of these plastics has caused a menace in the environment.

It read, “Most drainage channels in the state are daily clogged up by Styrofoam and other plastics through its indiscriminate distribution and usage despite the regular cleaning and evacuation of the drains with humongous amounts.

“The Commissioner added that the State Government cannot fold its hands and watch the continued desecration of its environment especially for a coastal city.” The statement added that the Commissioner has directed the Lagos Waste Management Authority and the Kick Against Indiscipline to immediately commence the implementation of the ban. It read, “He asked the two agencies to clamp down on all the production companies and distribution outlets for Styrofoam in the state to prevent further distribution.

“The Commissioner advised producers, distributors, and end-users of these styrofoam packs to take the ban seriously and find alternatives or risk heavy fines, and other penalties including sealing of their premises.” Wahab advised consumers and residents to boycott styrofoam packs and single-use plastics and imbibe the practice of using reusable food containers and water bottles for their food and drinks.

The Lagos State had continued to battle the menace of plastic pollution despite the estimated $2 billion recycling industry in Nigeria According to the report, Lagos State produces 870,000 tonnes of plastic garbage annually, and despite the government’s efforts to address the threat of plastic pollution and turn it into a profitable venture, the environmental concern just won’t go away.

In a September report, a non-governmental organisation, the Center for Earth Works, lamented the indiscriminate use and disposal of plastic materials by Nigerians and demanded an end to plastic pollution in the country.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2024/01/23/lagos-bans-single-use-plastics-styrofoam-packs/

Abraham Daramola of Hallmark Secondary School, Ondo State, has been crowned overall winner in the fifth edition of the InterswitchSPAK National Science Competition organized by Interswitch Group.


Following his outstanding performance, Abraham received a university education scholarship valued at N7.5 million, spread over a period of 5 years, inclusive of a monthly stipend plus a brand-new laptop, and the prestigious recognition as the best STEM student in Nigeria.

Securing the second and third place positions were Emmanuel Omoegbeleghan from The Crescent International School, Ogun State, and Emmanuel Angelo-Hyuwa from The Ambassadors College, Ogun State, who won N4 million and N1 million scholarships, respectively.

Out of almost 17,000 initial applications from secondary school students nationwide, these top three winners rose to the top owing to their speed, perseverance, accuracy and knowledge – attributes that the highly competitive competition has come to be known for.


InterswitchSPAK, a CSR initiative of Interswitch, one of Africa’s leading integrated payments and digital commerce companies, was designed to recognize and reward exceptional efforts of brilliant young minds striving for excellence in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) subjects.

Now in its fifth year in Nigeria, the initiative has directly reached over 80,000 students in both Nigeria and Kenya, boosting interest in STEM subjects and rewarding excellence in the field of study.

Speaking on the significance of the competition, Vincent Ogbunude, Managing Director, Interswitch Cards and Tokens (Verve) said “The InterswitchSPAK initiative reaffirms our unwavering dedication to promoting STEM education and fostering a culture of innovation and excellence among young Nigerians. We believe in the transformative power of education, and, through this competition, we illuminate the path for the next generation to innovate, create, and lead in the world of science and technology.”

To celebrate the fifth edition of the InterswitchSPAK competition, Interswitch also expanded the prize pool, with the 4th to 24th place winners receiving cash prizes of up to N250,000.

The success of this commemorative edition of the competition reinforces Interswitch’s position as a leading advocate for educational advancement and underscores the company’s relentless efforts in shaping the future of STEM in Africa.

As the InterswitchSPAK National Science Competition continues to make a profound impact on STEM education in Nigeria and across Africa, Interswitch looks forward to sustaining the momentum and further contributing to the development of STEM talent across the continent.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2024/01/22/abraham-daramola-of-hallmark-school-emerges-winner-of-interswitchspak-5-0/

MultiChoice Nigeria, organisers of the popular music reality show, Nigerian Idol, has announced the opening of entries for the ninth edition of the show.


BrandSpur Nigeria reports that the online entry submission begins today, January 19, and will close at midnight on January 29.

The theme for the ninth edition is “Dare to Dream”; to inspire young and talented Nigerians to take the bold step by auditioning for this year’s Nigerian Idol. Interested participants between the ages of 16 – 28 should record a 30-second clip of themselves singing any song of their choice and upload to http://www.africamagic.tv/nigerianidol.



Announcing the entry opening, Executive Head of Content and Channels West Africa, MultiChoice, Dr. Busola Tejumola, said “MultiChoice is committed to enabling young talent to actualize their dreams, and delivering premium entertainment to our audience. The success of previous editions of Nigerian Idol has encouraged more young Nigerians to dare to dream. Today they are some of the voices that carry our African stories and inspire others to live their dreams. Season nine promises to be bigger and more entertaining than other seasons. Interested contestants can send their entries to the Nigerian Idol portal on our Africa Magic website.”

Tejumola also disclosed that the show will be sponsored by soft drink brand, Bigi and gadget manufacturer, Tecno.


The eighth edition of the show saw Victory Gbakara, emerge winner, taking home a total grand prize worth N100 million, which included a N35 million cash prize, a car and a recording contract.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2024/01/19/just-in-multichoice-opens-entries-for-nigerian-idol-season-nine/

As part of its effort to ensure quality healthcare is accessible, affordable across the country, AXA Mansard Health Limited, one of Africa’s biggest Health Insurance Companies and a Member of the AXA Group has donated a digital ultra scan machine to General Hospital Ikorodu, Lagos.


The donation, which was made by the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Tope Adeniyi, is the first in the series of medical equipment donations that the company has planned for government hospitals across the country.

According to Adeniyi, the decision to embark on these donations stems from its continued commitment to acting for human progress by protecting what matters.

He said the company understands that healthcare is crucial for its message and innovative work on wellness to resonate. So, this gesture is to ensure that everyone, notwithstanding their gender, age, or socio-economic class, experiences true and total wellness.


Adeniyi commented, “So our presence here and this donation is another step in making good on our purpose and the promise of wellvolution we made last year, during our 10th anniversary. We don’t want wellness to be about just our customers alone; we want it to be accessible, affordable, and available to everyone. So, we are delighted to begin with the general hospital, Ikorodu.”


He said the choice of General Hospital Ikorodu reflects the excellent work the hospital has been doing over the past 40 years, explaining that such equipment as the digital ultra-scan machine will go a long way in improving the quality of diagnosis and treatment of patients.

Reacting to the donation, Deputy Medical Director of Ikorodu General Hospital, Dr. Nurudeen Onaolapo, thanked AXA for the donation, noting that it will contribute to the treatment and improve the well-being of the over 40,000 patients that the hospital cares for monthly.

He said the hospital will remain committed to quality care for its patients, and with support from stakeholders like AXA Mansard, the hospital’s goal to become a one-stop shop for healthcare requirements within Ikorodu and its environs will be achieved faster.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2024/01/17/axa-mansard-health-news-axa-mansard-news/

In a commitment to empower residents and improve nutrition, the Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, has partnered with Amo Farm Sieberer Hatchery Limited.

This collaboration empowers 50 residents with 1,000 Noiler birds, offering a sustainable poultry solution to combat food insecurity, poverty, and malnutrition through a simple and accessible program.

The Ministry’s initiative provides carefully selected residents from the Lagos State Social Registry with a toolkit for success. Each beneficiary received a start-up pack consisting of 20 five-week-old Noiler birds, 25kg of Amo Byng Grower Pellet, and a pack of Divertamin, a nutrient blend for optimal bird growth and production.

The Noiler Empowerment program was among several presented at the micro-enterprise support ceremony hosted by the Commissioner, Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Cecilia Bolaji Dada, on January 9th, 2024.

The event held in Lagos was graced by distinguished guests, including the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. Claudania Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu; Commissioners of various ministries; Members of the State Executive Council; Permanent Secretaries; and others.


With this empowerment project, beneficiaries received training on optimal bird care from Amo Farm’s National Sales Coordinator for Noiler, Olayinka Akorede. Noiler which is an innovation of Amo Farm not only offers a viable source of income but also provides an essential source of animal protein, particularly beneficial for children’s immune system, brain development, and overall health.

Its hardy nature, delicious taste, and ability to thrive on kitchen waste make it perfect for low-resource farmers. Adaptable to diverse environments, the Noiler empowers communities by boosting food security, income, and sustainability. She further explained that the Noiler birds are Dual-Purpose for both egg and meat production.

“The female Noiler will start laying eggs at 20-22 weeks, supporting their feeding and income generation,” explained Ms. Akorede. “The Male Noiler can be consumed at 14-16 weeks.”

Amo Farm’s Business Development Manager, Mrs. Itoro Awala-Ale, further committed to assisting the Lagos State beneficiaries through extension services and support throughout their Noiler poultry ventures and they were each connected to a Farmer Satisfaction Representative. This builds on the company’s existing support of over 1.3 million small-holder farmers through Noiler farming.

The Noiler bird’s rapid adoption for state empowerment programs is evident. Recently, Bauchi State partnered with an NGO to empower 300 women with 20 Noiler chicks each, while others have expressed interest in following suit.

Amo Farm, led by Dr. Ayoola Oduntan and producing over a million chicks per week, remains dedicated to agricultural innovation that enhances food security and fulfills the nutritional needs of the people.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2024/01/15/lagos-state-partners-with-amo-farm-to-empower-50-residents/

Leading fintech platform PalmPay has announced its partnership with StarTimes, a Pay-TV Operator, for AFCON Football Fiesta that will run all through the Africa Cup of Nations tournament. This campaign starts 13 January and ends 11 February 2024.


Every day, a lucky StarTimes customer who uses the PalmPay app to subscribe, stands a chance to win a one-month free subscription. In addition, there are loads of coupons to be won by other customers as they renew their subscriptions on the app.

Speaking on the campaign, Senior Marketing Manager, PalmPay, Kevin Olumese, noted that, “PalmPay and StarTimes are proud fans of the Super Eagles as their group stage

“To delight our customers all through the tournament, we have decided to reward a lucky customer with a one-month subscription every day of the campaign and reward many customers with loads of coupons by purchasing their StarTimes subscription in the PalmPay App.”


Lazarus Ibeabuchi, Marketing Strategy and Public Relations Manager, StarTimes, said, “For us, AFCON is not just a football tournament; it’s a celebration of unity, diversity, and the spirit of Naija. We look forward to the success of Team Nigeria and rewarding our subscribers with loads of goodies.”


As we celebrate the magic of AFCON 2023, let’s come together to embrace the spirit of competition, camaraderie, and the shared love for the beautiful game, players and teams.

How to Win

• Download the PalmPay app
• Upgrade your KYC on the PalmPay app
• Follow PalmPay and StarTimes on social media to participate.
• Pay your StarTimes subscription on the PalmPay app.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2024/01/15/palmpay-nigeria-startimes-announce-afcon-football-fiesta-free/

Nestlé, the Swiss multinational food giant, has introduced Maggi Soya Chunks, a tasty, affordable, plant-based meat alternative that enables consumers in Central and West Africa to add high-quality protein to their everyday food.


Derived from soy, each package reportedly offers ample protein to serve up to eight individuals, presenting a leaner alternative to animal protein with reduced saturated fats and cholesterol, all at a more economical price point.

In an effort to combat prevalent micronutrient deficiencies in the region, Nestlé has fortified these soya chunks with essential iron and zinc.



Céline Worth, the R& Program Manager for Affordable Nutrition at Nestlé, emphasized, “We are dedicated to incorporating more plant-based ingredients into our product offerings, aiming to provide accessible, nutritious options that address the protein gap faced by many consumers.”


Worth further highlighted, “Our soya chunks, beyond their delectable taste, present an excellent choice for families seeking to augment their daily diets with increased protein and essential micronutrients in a cost-effective manner.”


Designed to mimic the taste, texture, and functionality of meat, these soya chunks offer versatility as a protein source, seamlessly fitting into various family meals such as rice dishes, stews, and spaghetti, as per Nestlé.

Moreover, the product is available in a shelf-stable format, catering to a broad spectrum of consumers, including those residing in areas with limited access to a cold supply chain.

This release follows Nestlé’s recent introduction of Nido Milk & Soya, an affordable and nutritious instant powdered beverage.

This innovative blend of milk and soy encompasses vital nutrients like protein, fiber, iron, and calcium, further underlining Nestlé’s commitment to delivering accessible and wholesome food options.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2024/01/08/nestle-launches-maggi-soya-chunks-in-central-and-west-africa/

Following the success of its predecessor, the RENO 8T 5G, this new addition is set to redefine mid-range smartphones with a perfect blend of innovation, aesthetics, and practical functionality, OPPO is gearing up to launch its latest masterpiece, the OPPO RENO 11 5G, promising to elevate the smartphone experience to unprecedented heights.


The device is set to launch in some countries alongside Nigeria, such as, Indonesia, India, Malaysia and others.


A Glimpse of What’s to Come:


Telephoto Lens Redefined: Begin your professional journey and prepare to witness a revolutionary leap in telephoto lens technology. The RENO 11 5G introduces a cutting-edge telephoto camera lens, enabling users to capture life’s intricate details with unparalleled precision and clarity. Zoom into a new era of smartphone photography.


IR Remote Control: Imagine transforming your smartphone into a universal remote control. With the RENO 11 5G’s innovative Infrared (IR) feature, control your home devices seamlessly, adding a touch of convenience to your daily life.


Nature-Inspired Aesthetic: OPPO takes design inspiration from the beauty of nature. The RENO 11 5G boasts a sleek body design that not only looks stunning but also feels harmonious in your hands, reflecting OPPO’s commitment to aesthetics.

User-Friendly Interface with ColorOS 14: Navigate through a world of possibilities effortlessly with the latest ColorOS 14. The RENO 11 5G promises a user-friendly interface that adapts to your needs, ensuring a seamless and intuitive experience.

Market Disruption:

OPPO is not just launching a smartphone; it’s setting new standards in the telephoto lens market for mid-range phones. With a history of innovation, the RENO 11 5G is positioned to become the consumer’s preferred choice, disrupting the market with its groundbreaking features.

Save the Date: The grand unveiling of the OPPO Reno 11 5G is scheduled for the 11th of January 2024 in Nigeria. Stay tuned for an extraordinary launch event that will set the stage for a year of unparalleled technological advancements.
Follow OPPO Nigeria on social media for exclusive updates and join the conversation using #Reno115g. The future of smartphones is about to unfold, and OPPO invites you to be a part of this exciting journey.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2024/01/05/oppo-reno-11-coming-to-nigeria-king-of-telephoto/

But President Bola Tinubu’s government says oil majors have committed to invest $13.5 billion in the short term following his meetings with senior executives from TotalEnergies Shell (SHEL.L) and Exxon Mobil.


The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) said in its 2024-2026 action plan that it would direct development of oil assets to areas less prone to theft and vandalism and provided regulatory support for alternative crude oil evacuation routes.

Oil firms require the NUPRC approval for new pipeline routes.

Oil production was expected to rise from 1.8 million bpd this year and progress to 2.6 million bpd in 2026, the NUPRC said.


Two of three consultancies tasked by OPEC+ to verify Nigeria’s output said in November that the country was unlikely to reach its own production target this year.


NUPRC was also working to cut the cost of oil production to about $20 a barrel, down from between $25 and $40, by providing incentives to oil producers.
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“The Commission will set up a framework for crude oil and gas transportation and/or handling costs based on a standardised tariff (and) implement an open access regime for upstream oil and gas pipelines and ancillary facilities,” the regulator said.

High signature bonuses – one-off fees paid to secure exploration blocks – would be reduced to attract more investment and raise oil production, the NUPRC said.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2024/01/02/nigeria-aims-to-raise-oil-condensates-output-to-2-6-mln-bpd-by-2026/

Zenith Bank Plc has been awarded the “Best Bank for Digital Solutions in Nigeria” in the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2023.


The award, according to Euromoney, is in appreciation of the outstanding and trail-blazing achievements of the bank in their ability to deliver cutting-edge digital financial solutions in Nigeria.

Appreciating Euromoney for the award and recognition, the Group Managing Director/CEO of Zenith Bank Plc, Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu, expressed their delight in being recognised as the Best Bank for Digital Solutions in Nigeria, stating that he is glad the efforts and hard work of the financial institution did not go unnoticed.



He noted that the award was an attestation to the Bank’s trailblazing initiatives in integrating advanced technology within Nigeria’s financial services sector, adding that the Bank’s commitment to ensuring that the horizons of digital financial services are expanded remains unwavering.

Zenith Bank Wins Best Digital Bank In Nigeria
Onyeagwu maintained that the Bank will persist in its efforts to innovate and deliver enhanced value to customers and stakeholders alike.


Dedicating the award to the Founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, Jim Ovia, CFR, he commended him for his visionary approach, which led to integrating technology into banking and also establishing an exemplary model for service delivery at a time when the potential of technology in banking was yet to be fully realised in Nigeria.

Onyeagwu further noted that technology has turned out to be the cornerstone of the financial services sector, adding that it was high time everyone subscribed to it as it has come to stay.

According to him, this will make the work of financial institutions in the country easier and more efficient.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2023/12/28/zenith-bank-wins-best-digital-bank-in-nigeria/

In an atmosphere of relaxed fun, and entertainment, MultiChoice Talent Factory West Africa graduated the 2023 students in Lagos on December 14. The class of 20 had been through a 12-month intense sponsored training programme, which equipped them with the skill set and ethics needed to tell truly authentic African stories.


At the climax of the ceremony, a Nigerian participant, Samuel Oluwasegun Ogundeyi, emerged the best-graduating student of the set. He was awarded an eight-week scholarship to the New York Film Academy (NYFA).

Here’s all you need to know about this special talent:
Background: He is a 25-year-old photographer and a graduate of Information Technology. Samuel is the last born of his family, with two siblings. He graduated from Valley View University, Ghana, in 2021.

Passion: Samuel has a passion for photography and creative storytelling. His passion and enthusiasm to tell stories in the African way made him apply for the MultiChoice Talent Factory programme.


Inspiration: Samuel said God, life and music inspire his creativity. “There are lots of stories to tell. Living through life is a story. So, every day I wake up, I want to tell a story that’s different from what I told yesterday. I’m a photographer originally, and I still do photography so each time I go through my day before I go to bed, I try to like to close my eyes and picture the event that happened and that’s one of my inspirations. And ultimately, I get my inspiration from God. Music also inspires me” he said.

Leisure time: During his free time, Samuel watches videos and listens to music “I watch videos that improve my skills and I listen to jazz. I like to soak in that tune. It inspires me.”

Mentors: His mentors are; Nigeria’s maverick filmmaker, James Omokwe; renowned radio and TV presenter, Moses Akerele and American comedian, Kevin Hart.

Most challenging period: Working with other students was the most challenging part of the MTF programme for him: “The toughest and highest point was when I had to work with 19 others when things started getting real, when we had to start doing the work and all of that. It taught me how to be a better team player because I’m reserved as a person, so it brought me out of my shell.”

Motivation during the intense programme: “There were 20 creatives in a room. I didn’t come from a film or TV background. I just had on-field experience before I applied. Getting there I saw people with the experience; they had done theatre arts in school. I told myself one thing, I was not going to come here to be intimidated. I know what I came for and I was going to strive to achieve it and focus on the goal which is creating content in my own way that impacts and touches lives positively.” Graduating as the best student was a shocker to him: “From that moment up until now it’s been like a dream for me and I am living the dream,” he said.

Aspirations: “In the next five years I see myself being on the Forbes 30 under 30. I see myself owning one of the biggest production companies in West Africa and I see myself on billboards, TV screens telling stories that touch lives,” he said.

Launched in 2018, MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) is a dynamic corporate shared value (CSV) initiative at the forefront of imparting technical skills needed for high-quality film production in young African talent through a 12-month fully-funded training programme.


SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2023/12/20/meet-the-best-graduating-student-of-the-multichoice-talent-factory-west-africa-class-of-2023/

Adron Homes has rewarded journalists with huge gifts including a brand new Toyota Camry car, a sophisticated Macbook laptop and one of the latest Iphones.

BrandSpur Nigeria reports that these gifts were presented on Sunday, 17th Of December, 2023 during the end of the year media parley party which was held at Adron Homes’ head office in Omole, Lagos state.

According to the chairman of Adron Homes, Aare Adetola Emmanuel King who made the presentations, the selected journalists ranked highest among over 100 online media practitioners on the company’s list.

Aare Adetola Emmanuel King explained that some of the criteria used to select them include the strength of their websites, the frequency of publication, the engagements on their social media pages, their overall performance, the zeal in promoting the Adron brand, to mention but a few.

Stating the reason behind this largesse, Aare Adetola Emmanuel King made it known that Adron Homes is concerned about the media practitioners in Nigeria and wishes to change the status quo of the practitioners. He asserted that the country wishes to make every media practitioner on its list become a car owner and that appreciation is an avenue to make it happen.

According to one of the beneficiaries, Michael Costa, the publisher of www.pentalk360.com.ng, who was given an Iphone, the announcement came like a shock to him as he never expected to be called out.
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‘’I really don’t know what to say because I am short of words. I didn’t expect to get this gift but I am grateful to Adron homes for rewarding my efforts. Thank you so much Adron Homes, Aare Adetola Emmanuel King and the media handlers for rewarding me.’’

Another beneficiary who was simply identified as Damilare, the publisher of Lagos Post Online, who got a sophisticated Macbook laptop also expressed profound gratitude to Adron homes after he was found speechless for a few minutes due to the surprise.
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‘’ Like Michael Jackson, I am speechless. This is a surprise to me because I never expected it. I want to appreciate Adron homes and pray that God increase the company.’’

Furthermore, the grand prize winner, Wole Adepoju, a veteran journalist and publisher of www.justnews.ng, who was given the brand new Toyota Camry couldn’t control his feelings as he was announced unexpectedly as the winner. His joy knew no bounds as he was celebrated by colleagues who followed him to get his car key presentation.

In his reaction, he stated that he has believed in God for a vehicle for sometime but because of the price of his preferred vehicle, he totally forgot about it this year only to be surprised by Adron Homes.

‘’I have believed in God for a vehicle for some time now and I had forgotten about it this year because of the price of things. I have so many things on my plate so I dropped the plans to buy a car already but I didn’t know God was going to surprise me this way.’’
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Apart from the gifts, Aare Adetola Emmanuel King also announced a scheme that will allow journalists to become land owners and make them benefit financially whenever they introduce clients to Adron Homes.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2023/12/18/yelutide-adron-homes-rewards-journalists-with-car-laptop-phone-other-gifts/

The fifth edition of the Art of Technology Lagos (AOT) conference climaxed on Friday with relevant players from the public and private sectors engaging in 2-day insight-packed discussions to debate policies and initiatives that will pave the way for shaping Lagos’s creative and tech economy landscapes.

Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Executive Governor of Lagos State who played host to the event lauded the Eko Innovation Center, curators of the conference for bringing together pioneers, professionals, students and enthusiasts to steer the tech and creative industries in Lagos State and Nigeria to greater heights.

“This year, we convene under the theme Creative Economy and a Digital Lagos, as it reflects our dedication to a transformative journey where the fusion of technology and artistic expression will propel us into a global innovative hub in shaping Lagos’s creative and tech economy landscapes. AOT 5.0 is a gathering that serves as a melting point of visionaries, innovators and leaders who are committed to propelling Lagos into the digital future, and I commend the Eko Innovation Center, Ministry of Science and Technology and other organisers for making this conference a reality”, Governor Sanwo Olu stated.

Speaking at the conference, Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, said that Lagos State is blessed with ingredients for the application of science, creativity and technology to drive the growth that we need to see as humans as the state is home to one of the most vibrant creative sectors in the world. The minister further challenged participants and stakeholders to see the fifth edition of the conference as a call to action and an opportunity to collaborate towards leveraging innovation, creativity and technology for the development of Lagos State and Nigeria.

Tubosun Alake, Lagos State Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, and convener of the Art of Technology annual conference said that “data requires us to do more in the creative sector and with the right application of technology, we can harness the tech and creative ecosystem for growth in the State and Nigeria.

Digital art platforms allow artists and creatives to expand their creativity beyond traditional mediums with the use of technology. Creative industries like film, music, fashion, design, and advertising amongst others use technology to amplify their art forms and solve problems in their various niche, thereby significantly impacting the economy; this is poised for further growth in the coming years.

Highlights of the 2-day AOT 5.0 conference explored synergies between creativity and technology; a deal room where creative tech entrepreneurs pitched their solutions to judges and investors; collaborative networking and engagement with industry stakeholders and experts who unearthed strategies for steering the creative economy of the state to greater heights, as well as empowerment of creatives by equipping them with tools to navigate the evolving landscape.

Art of Technology Lagos (AOT) is an annual tech conference curated by the Eko Innovation Centre, and sponsored by the Lagos State Government – the economic and technology epicentre of Nigeria. With the fifth edition of the conference, Eko Innovation Center has yet again demonstrated its commitment to solving the most pressing development and institutional challenges with technology and innovation.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2023/12/12/governor-sanwo-olu-tijani-and-other-stakeholders-debate-policies-for-lagos-creative-economy/

Aleph, an ecosystem of global digital experts and technology-driven solutions that connects thousands of advertisers with billions of consumers worldwide, is proud to announce its exclusive partnership with New York-based audio streaming platform Audiomack. This collaboration positions Aleph as Audiomack’s Authorized Sales Partner in Nigeria and Ghana, underlining Aleph’s commitment to enhancing its presence and strategy in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

On December 5, Audiomack unveiled its groundbreaking partnership with Aleph at a vibrant pop-up event dubbed #AudiomackHouseLagos. This immersive music and education gathering brought together key players in the music industry to celebrate the thriving Nigerian and African music scenes, while also highlighting Audiomack’s remarkable contributions to the sector over the years.

Speaking at the Audiomack House Lagos event, David Ponte, Co-Founder and CMO, Audiomack, said, “we are thrilled about our partnership with Aleph. Our music service’s rapid expansion across Africa, with millions of engaged users, makes aligning with Aleph a strategic move to enhance our ability to offer tailored, impactful advertising solutions to our clients. Aleph’s expertise in digital advertising, combined with our platform’s reach, creates an ideal synergy for brands seeking to engage with the vibrant markets of Nigeria and Ghana.”


“Moreover, our partnership with Aleph offers an exceptional opportunity for our advertising clients in these markets to capitalize on our unparalleled reach and connect with their target audience. Additionally, this partnership will empower artists to enhance their earnings and elevate the overall music experience for our users,” Ponte emphasized.

To enrich both user experience and artistic expression, Audiomack also launched Rewarded Ads, an offering that grants users ad-free listening time, allowing them an uninterrupted music streaming.


Reflecting on the essence of this partnership, Stephen Newton, Aleph SSA Regional Director stated, “This collaboration with Audiomack is a strategic alignment that propels our mission forward in connecting advertisers with diverse, engaged audiences. Our focus on localizing advertising content ensures that brands can effectively reach and resonate with their target demographic in Nigeria and Ghana.”


The Audiomack House Lagos event began with a fireside chat facilitated by Motaloni Alake, the Label & Marketing Manager, Virgin Music Nigeria, featuring a team of Audiomack panel – David Ponte, Charlotte Bwana, Vice-President of Marketing, and Felix De Jong, Senior Marketing Manager, Europe & Electronic, highlighting Audiomack’s commitment to empowering artists and other stakeholders within the music space.

Following the session, there was also a fireside chat moderatorated by Wale Ozolua, Manager, Content Operations Audiomack Africa, featuring a panel of industry experts, including Joshua Iyamu, Manager, Content Strategy Audiomack Africa, Bizzle Osikoya, Co-Founder, The Plug, Osi Dirisu, Director of Programs, Beat FM and Osagie Osarenz, Director, African Operations, ONErpm Africa.



A vibrant energy pulsated through the room as throngs of music enthusiasts gathered for an evening of immersive sonic experiences. The dance floor pulsated with life, and the air buzzed with an infectious rhythm, courtesy of DJ Optimixx, DJ Yin, and DJ Shawn, who masterfully orchestrated a seamless blend of chart-topping Nigerian tracks.

As the night deepened, the stage transformed into a dazzling showcase of Nigeria’s burgeoning musical talent. Pawzz, Qing Madi, Crowd Kontroller, and Crayon captivated the audience with their electrifying performances, delivering a medley of hit songs that left the crowd spellbound.

This collaboration will leverage Aleph’s deep expertise in crafting targeted and impactful campaigns and Audiomack’s robust platform teeming with engaged users, creating an unparalleled landscape of opportunity for brands and agencies across the region.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2023/12/12/aleph-announces-exclusive-partnership-with-audiomack-in-nigeria-and-ghana/

British International Investment (BII), the UK’s development finance institution (DFI) and impact investor, today announced it has signed legally binding documents to invest US$15m in equity into a Singapore-headquartered agricultural commodities trading house, Valency International (Valency), to fund their expansion of processing and warehouse infrastructure in Nigeria. The transaction is subject to regulatory approval and is expected to close in early 2024.


In addition to its commitment of $15m, BII has an option to invest a further $35m in equity into Valency within two years of completion of its initial investment.

Agriculture is a key contributor to Nigeria’s economy, accounting for a quarter of total gross domestic product, and employs more than one in three Nigerians. Crop production[1] is the largest segment within agriculture and it accounts for about 87.6 per cent of the sector’s total output. However, food processing and manufacturing remains underdeveloped in the local agricultural sector.


The new Valency facilities, funded by BII will strengthen partnerships with local farmers and processing centres to maximise their output and provide a more stable supply of premium-quality products. The projects are expected to reach at least an extra 60,000 farmers and create up to 2,800 jobs among low-income communities in Nigeria.

BII, as the first institutional investor in Valency, will provide value-added support to the company in developing best practices in business integrity and Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS). Both parties will work closely to improve job quality and gender inclusion and enhance value creation.

Jonny Baxter, UK Deputy High Commissioner said: “The UK’s sustainable agriculture work in Nigeria helps to not only mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to a changing climate, but strengthens livelihoods and improves nutrition, supporting food security and poverty alleviation.


“I am excited to welcome this new UK investment to help enhance Nigeria’s food processing capabilities, which will create jobs across the nation. We look forward to continuing to support Nigeria’s agriculture sector and the opportunities this provides for its economic growth.”

Benson Adenuga, Head of Office and Coverage Director, Nigeria for BII said: “The strategic opportunity to catalyse growth in Nigeria’s food and agricultural sector should be seized and offers the chance to leverage its immense food export potential. We are proud to deepen our commitment to food security and smallholder farmers in Nigeria while creating jobs that enable industrialisation and facilitate regional and international trade.



“We are delighted to partner with Valency, and we look forward to the significant impact and economic development that our catalytic capital will support.”

Speaking on the signing, Mr. Sumit Jain, CEO of Valency International commented: “We have been careful and deliberate in our choice of partners for the next phase of our growth. While we have been approached by a variety of investor groups, we chose to partner with BII as we have been impressed by BII’s engagement to the regions where we have committed to invest substantially over the medium term. Equally we are privileged that BII has chosen Valency to drive its impact agenda in Nigeria in the growing food and agriculture sector.”

Roman Frenkel, Head of Food and Agriculture at BII will join the Board of Valency as part of the transaction.


BII’s commitment contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goal 8 on Decent work and economic growth.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2023/12/11/british-international-investment-supports-nigerias-agricultural-sector/

In demonstration of his administration’s commitment to reforms and economic incentives that will improve the ease of doing business and enhance investment opportunities, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwoolu, has commissioned the newly-built wet hair production factory owned by Godrej Nigeria Limited.


Godrej Nigeria Limited is an Indian consumer goods company and an emerging markets FMCG leader with a growing presence in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The newly-built and commissioned factory is part of its drive to deepen its presence and consolidate its consumer base in the country.

The Governor described the project as an ‘audacious step’ taken by the company to further deepen its investment and market share in the Lagos consumer market sector, noting that the new production line would raise the company’s capacity to meet local demand for its products.

“This is a strategic investment decision being made by Godrej Nigeria Limited to transform its business and deepen its investment in consumer goods. This is a testament to our willingness to collaborate with the private sector and bring about sustainable economic benefits to better the lives of our citizens”, Governor Sanwoolu stated.


The Governor further added that his administration would continue to pursue actions that would eliminate red tapes and regulatory impediments hindering the growth of businesses in the State, thereby demonstrating his willingness for continued collaboration with the private sector to improve the livelihood of the residents.


Kayode Oladapo, Chief Executive Officer of Godrej Group, West Africa, stated that in addition to the company’s market expansion drive, it is poised significantly to impact people and communities in ways that transform lives forever, thereby consolidating its footprint as a key human capital developer in regions where it operates. “This is a significant milestone in our company’s journey here in Nigeria, and we are not just keen on growing or expanding our footprint in businesses but impacting lives and people in ways that will make lasting impact”, Mr. Oladapo stated.

Sudhir Sitapati, Managing Director and global Chief Executive Officer, Godrej Group, also added that the launch of the new factory signifies growth for the company which marks a significant milestone for the company’s trajectory in the West African region. Mr. Sitapati commended Governor Sanwoolu and his administration for formulating business-friendly policies that enable ease of doing business and growth, which ultimately impacts the residents and citizenry.

Godrej Group is a big player in the Hair Fashion, Hair Care, Home Insecticide, and Personal Care categories, particularly for women of African descent, offering a range of products tailored to their needs. The Company continues to expand its presence on the continent and other emerging markets, with manufacturing facilities in several African countries, including South Africa, Mozambique, Kenya, and Nigeria. As a 120-year-old group with over 8,900 staff in Nigeria alone, its legacy is strongly built on values that reflect trust, integrity, and respect. Its fast-rising growth is fueled by its exciting ambitious aspirations. Presently, the company enjoys the patronage of over 1.1 billion consumers globally with three categories of hair care, personal care and home care products under its belt.

The Company has also made several acquisitions, reflecting its commitment to provide consumers with a wide range of quality products and improve its market leadership. In 2008, Godrej Consumer Products Limited acquired the Kinky Group, as part of its foray into the hair extension business in Africa. Later, in 2015, Frika Hair (Pty) Limited, a leading premium hair extensions company in South Africa was acquired.

In 2011, it delved deeper into the African market with a partnership with Darling Group, a number-one player in hair extensions in 14 African countries and counting. Currently, it is the leading brand in the hair extensions category across Africa.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2023/12/04/governor-sanwoolu-commissions-new-godrej-nigeria-factory-in-lagos/

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Mouka, Nigeria’s leading brand of bedding products and member of the Dolidol international group, has added another feather to its cap. The company was recently recognized as the esteemed ‘Innovative Mattress Brand of the Year’ at the Brandcom Awards held recently in Lagos.


The award, which underscores Mouka’s market leadership position in the industry, was earned at this year’s Brandcom Awards, organized by Brand Communicator, Africa’s most acclaimed and prestigious brands and marketing publication.

According to the conveners, the award is the highest recognition accorded a mattress brand that has demonstrated exceptional creativity, originality, and innovation within the industry in the period under review (2022 – 2023). This award typically considers various factors, including design, architecture, technological advancements, sustainability efforts, and contributions to the mattress market. The event was held at the Civic Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos, on the 4th of November 2023.

Commenting on the awards, Mouka’s Chief Commercial Officer, Dimeji Osingunwa, said the company has maintained the leading position in the bedding sector by providing its teeming consumers with high-quality brands produced using world-class technology.


For over six decades, Mouka has added comfort to the lives of Nigerians. The company’s remarkable craftsmanship earned it the exclusive endorsement of the Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy (NSP) and the National Association of Orthopaedic Manual Therapists (NAOMT).


On the stables of this great company are products such as the Wellbeing range of Orthopaedic mattresses, Royal Luxury Pillow Top mattress, Mondeo range of spring mattresses, and Mouka Biocrystal pillow made with breakthrough biocrystal technology.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2023/12/03/mouka-emerges-innovative-mattress-brand-of-the-year-at-prestigious-brandcom-awards/

Over 250 leaders from technology and creative industries across Africa gathered at the D.I.C.E (Digital Innovation & Creative Excellence) mixer on Wednesday, November 8, 2023.

Under the theme “Solve for Africa: Co-Creating a Tech-Enabled Future,” this event marked a pivotal moment for cross-sector collaboration, bringing together a diverse group of professionals including startups, big tech firms, policymakers, NGOs, and media to engage in transformative dialogues shaping the future of technology in Africa.

Organised by Beyond Limits Africa, the DICE mixer facilitated insightful discussions led by a lineup of distinguished speakers.

Industry veterans like Funke Opeke, Kola Aina, and Amal Hassan Wada, alongside creative influencers such as Tomike Adeoye, Miss Techy, and Broda Shaggi; and startup leaders including Iyin Aboyeji, Damilola Olokesusi, and Solape Akinpelu, converged to share their perspectives and insights. The event also featured interactive segments like Ask-Me-Anythings and panel discussions, fostering a space for open dialogue and forward-thinking ideas.


Amidst a backdrop of rapid digital transformation, Africa stands at the cusp of a technological renaissance. With over 400 million internet users and a burgeoning startup ecosystem that raised over $4 billion in 2021 alone, the continent is ripe for an era of unprecedented innovation. DICE 2023 embodies the spirit of this transformation, recognizing the immense opportunities that arise from harnessing collective expertise and collaboration. Dr. Juliet Ehimuan, founder of Beyond Limits Africa and a notable figure in the tech industry, underlines the importance of such a platform:, “In a continent brimming with talent and innovation, platforms like DICE are essential in knitting together diverse perspectives to unlock Africa’s full potential.”

Dr. Ehimuan further elaborates on the event’s impact: “DICE 2023 has set a new standard for tech and creative industry collaborations. The insights shared here are instrumental in shaping a unified vision for Africa’s technological advancement. Our goal was to spark meaningful connections and ideas that transcend beyond this event, laying the groundwork for increased collaborations that contribute to accelerating a tech-enabled future across the continent.”

The event’s success was marked by the enthusiastic engagement of attendees, reflecting the readiness of Africa’s tech community to embrace innovation and collaborative efforts. Participants engaged in lively discussions, networking sessions, and explored potential partnerships, underscoring the importance of collective effort in driving Africa’s digital transformation.


Looking forward, the DICE mixer stands as a beacon for similar future initiatives that aim to unify, inspire, and accelerate the growth of Africa’s tech and creative sectors. Interested stakeholders from diverse industries are encouraged to join the upcoming edition of DICE, scheduled for early 2023.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2023/11/30/over-250-industry-pioneers-ignite-tech-conversations-at-inaugural-dice-2023-tech-mixer-event/

GB Foods Africa, a leading culinary and global manufacturing company, celebrated its 50th anniversary grand event in Lagos, Nigeria.

The event, themed “Cooking Together: A Delicious Future for Nigeria and Africa,” brought together government officials, business leaders, and other stakeholders to celebrate the company’s past achievements and discuss its vision for the future.

GB Foods’ journey in Africa began in 1973 when the company established its first factory in Nigeria. Today, GB Foods has operations in 38 African countries and employs over 5,000 people. The company produces a wide range of food products, including mayonnaise, tomato paste, bouillon cubes, and pasta.

Mr. Vicenç Bosch, CEO of GB Foods Africa, highlighted the company’s commitment to Africa and its people. He said, “GB Foods is not just about business, it is about impact. Our roots are grounded within the communities we serve – creating jobs, fostering growth, and uplifting lives. Furthermore, despite all our successes, this is only the beginning of the next fifty years. When the next generation celebrates our 100th anniversary in Africa, they will talk about what we did, and more importantly how we made it.”

“GB Foods is in Africa for Africa. We believe that growth is not a goal, but a means to provide the right returns to our shareholders and the communities we operate in. This is only the beginning of our doubling down on our sustainability agenda and our commitment to producing delicious, affordable, and healthy foods attuned to local tastes. Most importantly, this is only the beginning of us leveraging backwards integration to expand local agriculture and industrial ecosystems to create more jobs in Africa. We believe that by doing the right thing, we can make a difference.” He continued.

The exclusive anniversary event was well attended by eminent personalities, government officials, and industry leaders including H.E. Juan Ignacio Sell, the Ambassador of Spain to Nigeria; Mr Kamar Bakrin, CEO of the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC); Ms Aisha Rimi, CEO of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC); Mr Bolu Owotomo, Commissioner for Agriculture, Ogun State; and Dr Mustapha Ayo Popoola, the Special Adviser to the Minister of Agriculture, amongst others.

“GB Foods has been investing in Africa for 50 years, and we are proud of the role we have played in helping to develop the continent’s food industry”, said Mr Vincent Egbe, Managing Director of GB Foods Nigeria in his opening remarks. “When GB Foods first came to Africa 50 years ago, we had a simple vision: to provide high-quality, affordable food to African consumers. We also knew that we could not achieve this vision alone. Over the past 50 years, we have worked with our partners to build a strong and vibrant food industry in Africa. We are committed to continuing to invest in Africa and to working with our partners to create a sustainable food system for the continent. We believe that Africa’s food industry has the potential to be a major driver of economic growth and development.”


During the event, GB Foods officially announced the launch of new 3.2L jars for the Bama and Jago mayonnaise brands. These new jars are designed to meet the needs of African consumers, who often buy food in bulk. They are also more affordable than smaller jars, making them a more accessible option for low-income families. In addition, Vicenç Bosch announced that in 2024, GB Foods will begin the transformation of their factories in Nigeria into solar power, the first for the company.

H.E. Juan Ignacio Sell, the Ambassador of Spain to Nigeria, delivered a heartfelt goodwill message to the company. He said, “GB Foods leads the way in long-term commitment to transparent dialogue with the authorities, in social responsibility with local communities, and in excellence in every aspect of what they do. Today we are celebrating a fifty-year record in Africa that proves it. GB Foods embodies what is best to show our brand as a nation. Congratulations to the GB Foods family for their success story born out of determination, foresight, competence, and commitment.”



GB Foods is committed to investing in Africa and to working with its partners to create a sustainable food ecosystem for the continent. The company has several initiatives in place to support food security, including sourcing raw materials locally to support African farmers and rural communities, investing in research and development to develop new products that meet the needs of African consumers, and providing nutrition education to consumers through its products and marketing campaigns. This mission was well encapsulated during the event which showcased GB Foods’ operations throughout five decades and in its priorities for the journey ahead.

The event concluded with a gala dinner, where guests enjoyed a variety of dishes made with GB Foods products and entertainment from Nigerian artists. As GB Foods celebrates its 50th anniversary, a milestone achievement, the company reiterated its commitment to continuing to invest in Africa and to working with its partners to create a delicious future for the continent.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2023/11/29/gb-foods-celebrates-50-years-of-investing-in-africa/