Kowry Energy a sustainability-driven energy service provider focused on power provision across Sub-Saharan Africa, is proud to announce the successful commissioning of four decentralized solar energy systems in Senegal, Nigeria and Mali within 16months of the company’s incorporation.

Kowry Energy provides efficient and affordable hybrid energy systems that strengthen and empower communities and businesses. The analysis of the data provided by these digitized systems can provide solutions to drive demand management while accelerating the growth of local economies.

The successfully commissioned projects are the first of several forming portfolios in each country that will be realized within three years.

Senegal:

Kowry Energy designed a 10 kWp PV decentralized solar energy system with battery storage for Sud Solar Systems to provide access to green and affordable electricity to two public buildings and seven micro-enterprises within the community of Bani in Southern Senegal. The system was designed to support income-generating activities to unlock the community’s economic potential.

Nigeria:

On behalf of Proserve Energy Services, Kowry Energy designed two 286 kWp PV solar energy systems for a plastic recycling plant and a food processing plant in Abuja, replacing 50% and almost 100%, respectively, of demand mainly from diesel generators. The rooftop-mounted solar systems collectively reduce CO2 emissions by 208,521kg per annum.

Mali:

In Djine, an agriculture hub in the cotton belt of Mali, Kowry Energy designed a 69 kWp PV hybrid energy system with battery storage and a backup generator for Access Energie. The project will provide reliable electricity to 3,000 residents, 40 businesses and ten public buildings.

Ndiarka Mbodji, CEO & Founder of Kowry Energy, said, “Countries across Africa have resiliently emerged from the pandemic and now face the uncertainty and challenges brought about by climate change, food and water insecurity. We have worked closely with our customers to remove unnecessary barriers to business growth in the local communities they serve; reliable and affordable clean electricity is the backbone of any economy, from which ever-lasting societal foundations can be built, and development can be sustainable.

These inaugural projects prove our concept and demonstrate the demand for our unique offering. We look forward to deepening our relationship with our customers and partners in West Africa and to expanding our reach across Africa”.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/09/26/kowry-energy-successfully-commissions-decentralised-solar-energy-solutions-in-senegal-nigeria-and-mali/

With the release of FIFA 23, Afrobeats have officially become a global phenomenon.
FIFA 23, like the previous version of the game, will have two distinct soundtracks: one for the entire game and another designed exclusively for Volta mode.

The soundtrack for FIFA 23 will, as promised, includes more than 100 songs from “a range of global hitmakers” as well as numerous “rising stars”. The collection includes music from 34 countries in total.

Bad Boy Timz‘s “Skelele” with Olamide, Koffee‘s “Pull Up,” Pheelz and BNXN‘s “Finesse,” and Seun Kuti‘s “Ku ku Kee Me” with American rapper Black Thought are some of the songs on the playlist.

The cross-cultural “Hayya Hayya (Better Together)” track with Davido, Trinidad Cardona, Aisha, and FIFA Sound also got a spot on a five-hour-long Spotify playlist to celebrate the release of the video game.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/09/26/fifa-23-soundtrack-features-finesse-by-pheelz-and-bnxn-skelele-by-bad-boy-timz-and-olamide/

Shareholders of Sterling Bank Plc unanimously voted in favor of the creation of a new non-operating holding company (HoldCo) to hold the shares in its commercial banking operation as well as the shares of a newly incorporated subsidiary, The Alternative Bank Limited, which will operate as a Non-Interest Banking (NIB) business.
At the end of a court-ordered meeting in Lagos yesterday, the shareholders gave the approval for the carve out and transfer of the Bank’s non-interest banking business to The Alternative Bank Limited, under a proposed scheme of arrangement between Sterling Bank Plc and the holders of its fully paid-up ordinary shares of 50 kobo each.
All the shareholders who attended the meeting approved the initiative and commended the foresight of the directors. They also advised the board and management to work hard to nurture new businesses in a bid to enhance the growth of the holding company.
Addressing shareholders at the meeting, Chairman of Sterling Bank, Mr. Asue Ighodalo said under the new arrangement, the assets, liabilities, and undertakings of the non-interest banking business will be carved out of the Bank and transferred to The Alternative Bank Limited.

Ighodalo said, “Following the implementation of the scheme, shareholders will exchange their shares in the Bank for shares in HoldCo in the same proportion as their current holdings in the Bank, which will be a regulated entity for CBN purposes.”
Under the evolving scenario, the HoldCo will be registered as a public company and Sterling Bank Plc will be delisted from the Daily Official List of the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) and the Holdco will be listed in its stead and the Bank (Sterling Bank) will subsequently be re-registered as a private limited liability company.
The Chairman added that the scheme would provide several benefits to the shareholders of the Bank, some of which include facilitating diversification into other permissible business lines, thereby promoting growth and enhancing shareholder value and facilitation of a consolidated financial strength of the group, which will improve access and ability to raise capital.
He explained that the proposed restructuring will ensure that the Bank’s retail depositors are not exposed to the risks associated with the other activities of the rest of the group and the HoldCo structure will provide the subsidiaries with access to group-wide expertise of the parent company model.

He said the HoldCo structure will also allow the Bank to focus solely on its core operations as against the burden of providing oversight and managing other subsidiaries, adding that it will not result in any adverse changes to the rights and ownership of existing shareholders of the Bank.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/09/22/shareholders-unanimously-approve-holding-company-structure-for-sterling/

Technology’s capacity to foster growth and development is more apparent than ever. In that, the influence of technology cannot be overstated, from streamlining routine tasks to creating ground-breaking solutions. Technology has been extensively adopted throughout generations and that there is still an expectancy for it to meet future needs.
A growing demand for qualified technologists exists due to how prevalent technology has become. According to a report from the Bureau of Labor statistics, from 2021 to 2031, it is anticipated that overall employment in computer and information technology occupations would increase by 15%, substantially faster than the average for all occupations. This increase is anticipated to result in the creation of around 682,800 new jobs during the decade. Many are putting in a lot of effort in order to maintain their position in the future and avoid becoming obsolete. This involves continuing personal training through online learning resources, giving back to the community, participating in tech forums, and going to conferences that expose one to the various facets of the tech industry.

However, there is now competition across industries for these abilities as a result of the demand for tech skills. To keep the sector prospering, the technology skill gap caused by this competition needs to be closed. With the development of new technologies, workers’ contributions have been affected by the move toward machine learning, robotic engineering, artificial intelligence, cloud services, and decentralized operations.

The difference between what people can really do and what employers expect them to be able to do is known as the skills gap. If an employee just knows how to program, yet a technology job role requires knowledge of both internet networking and a programming language, there is a skills gap. Due to this gap, businesses find it challenging to fill open positions. The employee can get better at this by developing the talent they lack.

Therefore, in order to supply services effectively, these new concepts must be acquired and mastered. Many tech professionals have been compelled to learn new ideas, hone their already-existing talents, and take on more difficult tasks in order to advance their careers because not all of them are knowledgeable in these new tech disciplines.

Tech industry benefits to Individuals

Due to the numerous benefits offered to employees, such as competitive pay, flexible work schedules, health insurance, skill development, paid parental leave, and job security, the tech industry is still enticing, hence, a growing number of people have transitioned into IT from non-technical backgrounds. Nowadays, many people do online training and obtain certifications to equip them with the knowledge they need to thrive in their employment. This is being done now to protect the future even though it was rarely done in the past. Others have taken chances to pursue their interests while working for tech companies without necessarily being “in IT”. The ease of entrance into the tech industry offers an insight into how the industry is changing. Many IT experts are willing to work remotely from their homes.

Skills for the Future

Currently, hard skills and Soft skills are two basic skills essential to deliver maximum performance in the tech industry. Hard skills are frequently knowledge-based talents that are exclusive to particular professions, whereas soft skills are frequent and value-based skills that are not connected to a particular employment.

Hard skills include, among others:

Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Machine Learning (ML)
Data science
Data analytics
Data visualization
User Interface/Experience (UI/UX)
Software engineering
Cloud computing
Internet of things (IoT)
Cybersecurity
Human-Computer Interaction
Technical research and writing

Several Soft skills include;
Communication skills
Leadership skills
Team player skills
Mentorship skills
Work Ethic
Empathy
Networking skills etc.

Future skills are those abilities that empower people in solving tough problems when situations evolve yet in an organized manner. It comprises hard skills, soft skills, transferable skills and other innovative skills. These abilities are essential for the coordination of formal activities. Some are innate that need to be cultured while others can be formed through a learning process. They include; Creativity, Decision making and good judgment, Digital literacy and Computational thinking, Cognitive thinking, Collaboration, Management, Cultural intelligence, Financial intelligence, Emotional intelligence, Automation etc.

In addition to one’s primary training, these abilities are necessary for working in multi-functional teams. Not every skill must be mastered in order to succeed.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/09/22/prospects-for-tech-career-in-future/

vivo has unveiled the latest additions to its stylish V series range of devices: V25 5G and V25e, both phones follow-up on the V23 5G and V23e. With superior photography features, the two smartphones have been designed for users who express themselves through video and photography.

The new V25 5G and V25e will give users the power to embark on a self-expression journey and capture glowing portraits with the phones’ stunning camera capabilities, powered by high-performance, energy-efficient hardware cased in an exquisite body with a glossy aesthetic.

The new V25 5G and V25e follow the V series’ heritage to delight every moment with their superior camera capabilities and cutting-edge imaging technology. Both the flagship V25 5G and V25e have 3 rear cameras with a 64MP OIS ultra-sensing camera to minimize blurry shots and support a longer exposure time, creating clearer and brighter images and 4K videos even in dim lighting conditions. The main camera on the V25 5G is supported by an 8MP super wide-angle camera and a 2MP super macro camera whilst the V25e is supported by a 2MP bokeh camera and 2MP macro camera. The V25 5G is equipped with a 50MP eye autofocus selfie front camera whilst the V25e has a 32MP portrait front camera. The phones are fitted with AMOLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate. With an eye-catching design, both phones have a Color Changing Fluorite AG Glass covering the rear panel that changes its hue when exposed to UV light, reflecting the dynamic personalities of users. Below their beautiful appearance lies powerful processors with a high energy-efficiency ratio and great capacity. Coupled with the newest cooling technology and fast charging capabilities, they both offer long-lasting and smooth mobile experiences through Funtouch OS 12 based on Android 12.

vivo V25 5G – The High-Performing, Innovative and Technologically Advanced Device

“vivo V series has always been about being innovative and technologically advanced, while exuding style and encouraging users to create, have fun, and explore. The new V25 5G continues to embody this concept and provide users with fresh tools and features,” said Spark Ni, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at vivo, “vivo understands that users want a smartphone that is aesthetically pleasing and has excellent functional attributes. With the carefully designed new devices, users can capture the best moments in life with their family and friends anywhere, any time with intuitive camera technologies, while expressing their creativity and emotions through the smartphones’ chameleon-like design.”

Light up portraits in the night with intuitive imaging technology

Equipped with a 64MP OIS ultra-sensing rear camera that boasts upgraded OIS and EIS capabilities and an 8MP wide-angle camera, V25 5G delivers an excellent imaging experience and allows users to capture high-quality, super-wide shots and 4K videos with ease.

Clear selfies powered by auto-focus capability and leading AI algorithms

Clarity is a key consideration and an ever-growing demand for users when it comes to taking great selfies and videos. Therefore, V25 5G has a 50MP front camera with eye autofocus capabilities, enabling users to take clear images and videos any time of the day or night. In addition, the front camera is equipped with AI HD Algorithm that optimizes sharpness.

Easy and fun video filming experience with style

The front camera of V25 5G has the Hybrid Image Stabilization (OIS+EIS) feature which makes video shooting clearer and more stable. Furthermore, the Natural Portrait video mode enhances overall skin texture and clarity.

V25 5G also comes with a new Vlog Movie feature that improves the filming experience with video templates and tutorials to guide users on how to shoot in different scenarios, such as night, food, city and more, as well as an upgraded Multi-Style Portrait feature in both front and rear cameras that provides fun filters, enhancing the video experience. The Multi-Style Portrait feature also allows users to unleash their creativity with the Motion Blur effect, a new style which innovatively separates people from the background for a better portrait creation experience.

Spark creativity and fun through innovative, chameleon-like design

V25 5G has a thin 2.5D body that is 7.79mm. The lightweight and slim body make the device a comfortable fit in the hands of users. To ensure the phones stand out, vivo incorporated vivid colours into its newest models. V25 5G is decked out in Aquamarine Blue and Diamond Black.

In addition, vivo designed the smartphones to spark creativity and fun in users with the revolutionary Color Changing Fluorite AG Glass, which enables the rear panel of the devices to display different colours at different angles when exposed to UV light. The Aquamarine Blue edition of V25 5G switches from ocean blue to bluish green.

Powered by energy-efficient and high-performance chipsets

The new V25 5G delivers robust performance and high-power efficiency to support various daily uses of its users. V25 5G features a MediaTek Dimensity 900 processor with a high energy-efficiency ratio and 8GB RAM + 8GB extended RAM, enabling users to seamlessly play demanding games and multitask across various apps. V25 5G supports 44W FlashCharge that can recharge the 4500mAh battery cell from 0% to 61% in 30 minutes .


vivo V25e – The Intuitive Device Equipped with Cutting-Edge Camera Technologies

“The new V25e adheres to V series’ heritage of innovation and style with intuitive technologies,” said Spark Ni, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at vivo. “At vivo, we strive to spark creativity and joy around the world, while understanding the needs of smartphone users in different markets. V25e comes with cutting-edge camera technologies, a color-changing rear panel, and strong capabilities that deliver robust performance. The state-of-the-art smartphone offers must-have features at great value for money.”

Capture stunning night portraits with cutting-edge camera technologies



The 64MP HD main rear camera offers large 1.4μm pixels by combining four pixels into one, delivering excellent sensitivity and superb clarity. This cutting-edge technology offers brilliant light sensitivity to ensure that users can capture clearer images and 4K videos in impressive detail in different low-light conditions.



Coupled with the upgraded Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) capabilities, the camera intuitively minimizes blurry shots caused by shaking, making it easier for users to capture HD portraits, especially at night. The rear camera also features the Bokeh Flare Portrait algorithm which helps produce gorgeous portraits at night and provides different effects, turning background light sources into interesting shapes such as hearts, butterflies, and cherry blossoms, adding more fun elements to photos.

The 32MP portrait front camera with the upgraded Natural HD Portrait feature allows users to take high-quality selfies and has different face beautification options which intelligently enhance the overall texture, clarity, and naturalness of selfies.



Improved filming and vlogging experience



The rear cameras of V25e use a Hybrid Image Stabilization technique that combines Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) and Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) capabilities to help produce clear videos even when the camera is shaking, allowing users to record videos with vivid details.

V25e also has a new Vlog Movie feature that enhances the filming experience with video templates such as the V25 5G. To further improve the vlogging experience, V25e comes with a new Dual-View Video feature that enables users to use the front and rear cameras simultaneously to record on an adjustable split screen.



Premium look with a sleek design and color-changing rear panel

Similar to the V25 5G, the V25e comes in two colors, Sunrise Gold and Diamond Black. V25e has a slim 7.79mm 2.5D body with a textured flat frame, and it only weighs 183g. The sleek design gives it a premium look and feel, while the device is also easy for users to hold when texting, taking photos or gaming. V25e also features the revolutionary Color Changing Fluorite AG Glass on its rear panel, which enables the device to display different colors at different angles when exposed to UV light. The rear panel on the Sunrise Gold edition changes from gold to reddish-orange under UV light.

Highly energy-efficient chip and long-lasting battery



Equipped with MediaTek Helio G99 chipset built on the highly efficient TSMC N6 (6nm-class) chip production process, the V25e offers one of the best 4G processors in the market. V25e is exceptionally power-efficient and can support a 90Hz refresh rate display, smooth streaming, and various features. The MediaTek HyperEngine 2.0 Lite game engine that comes with the chipset also allows for a smooth gaming experience with stable performance, faster response and reliable connection.



V25e supports 44W FlashCharge powered by Super Charge Pump that enables an energy conversion efficiency rate as high as 97.5%, and it can recharge the high-density 4500mAh battery cell from 0% to 58% in 30 minutes . Coupled with the Smart Charging Engine which minimizes battery loss during charging and reduces the heat generated by fast charging, the battery life is extended by up to 25%.

In addition, V25e offers up to 128GB of storage capacity and supports up to 1TB of memory expansion, allowing users to store a large number of HD photos and videos and apps.



Pricing and availability



Starting today, both the V25 5G and V25e are available at major retailers and telecommunications partners and at the price of NGN269,900 for V25 5G and NGN199,900 for the V25e.


SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/09/22/vivo-launches-new-v25-5g-v25e-with-high-performance/

Jaiz Bank has made changes to its leadership, appointing Sirajo Salisu as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the firm, to replace the outgoing Mallam Hassan Usman, after the Central Bank of Nigeria’s approval.

Usman is expected to retire from the MD/Chief Executive position effective from October 16, 2022. He was appointed by the Board of Directors on June 1, 2016, occupying the position for six years.

Salisu will take over next month from his current position, Executive Director of Business Development North, after the Central Bank approved his appointment. He will be adding to his 28 years banking experience, which includes more than a decade at top management level.

In a statement released on Monday to the capital market authority, Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), Jaiz Bank said Salisu “started his banking career in 1992 with Inland Bank Plc as a Supervisor and rose to Assistant General Manager in 2009 with First Inland Bank Plc, where he held various Managerial Positions in both Operations, Credit Administration and Business Development including Regional Manager FCT Abuja.

“In 2009, he was appointed Managing Director/CEO Arab Gambian Islamic Bank (AGIB), a position he held till January 2015.

“Dr. Sirajo joined Jaiz Bank Plc in 2016 and served as the Regional Manager South while supervising the Treasury Department of the Bank. In 2018, he was appointed as the Chief Risk Officer of the Bank and later elevated to the position of Executive Director of the Bank.

“Dr. Sirajo has attended several Management and Islamic Banking Courses within and outside Nigeria as a participant and/or a speaker. He is an Alumnus of the prestigious Lagos Business School (SMP 33) and Madinah Institute for Leadership and Entrepreneurship (PALM I I), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

“The Management and Board of Jaiz Bank Plc wish Dr. Sirajo success and confident his appointment will further strengthen the Bank.” the statement, signed by the Company’s Secretary, Mohammed Shehu, reads.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/09/20/jaiz-bank-appoints-sirajo-salisu-as-new-md-ceo/

The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited would soon design capital market products to attract diaspora investments in collaboration with the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc.

The chief executive of the NGX, Mr Temi Popoola, said last week that the product option would be offered to Nigerians living abroad through technology deployment.

He expressed confidence that this goal would be achieved, noting that the first digital offer platform in December 2021 indicated this.

Last Wednesday, a closing gong ceremony was held to welcome the newly appointed executives of UBA led by the group managing director, Mr Oliver Alawuba.

Mr Popoola said at the event that, “The exchange is positioned to solve challenges in the capital market, a step we believe sets us ready for the future.

“Through technology, we are repositioning the Exchange in our interaction with issuers and other capital market stakeholders.

“In December 2021, we successfully introduced the first digital offer platform that attracted a large amount of retail participation from the younger Nigerian demography. We are, therefore, encouraging UBA to take advantage of this digital platform for future equity capital formations and broaden its shareholding structure.”

Mr Popoola also noted that the strategic direction for the bourse is to attract the underbelly of the Nigerian economy and Nigerians in Diaspora, giving other product options to those interested in digital assets and not stocks.

On his part, Mr Alawuba stressed the need to do a lot in ensuring millennials and Gen Z key into opportunities at the exchange.

“We need to collaborate on Digital Banking to ensure the younger generation can conveniently buy into the stocks traded on the Exchange for enormous opportunities. We are also open to collaborating with NGX to attract the Diaspora community to invest in the Nigerian capital market,” he said.

On her part, the Chairman of NGX Real Estate Limited, Mrs Angela Adebayo, while congratulating the new GMD, noted that NGX would continue to stimulate the growth of the Nigerian economy while pursuing a strategic partnership with both public and private sector stakeholders.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/09/19/ngx-uba-to-design-products-to-attract-diaspora-investments/

Whether you have your heart set on moving to the Windy City, the Big Apple is calling out to you, or you’ve been extended to your fantasy employment opportunity 1,000 miles from home, there are really significant things to ponder before you migrate to a shiny new city. Moving cost is still your first work to do, consider this moving cost calculator to get an estimate for your relocation.

You’ve pursued the choice to get together and move, however you’re not prepared to step on the plane until you’ve marked these 10 things off your rundown.

RESEARCH THE COST OF LIVING
It’s critical to know how far a dollar extends in your new city, so research lodging, transportation, medical services, and food costs to make a sensible spending plan. First of all, you can utilize a typical cost for many everyday items on a mini-computer like the Bankrate number cruncher, which records the typical costs of all that from lodging to sporting exercises and family supplies. But on the other hand it’s smart to do your own exploration by taking a gander at web based lodging postings, gas costs, and even eatery menus.

Also, SEE HOW YOU STACK UP
On the off chance that you as of now have some work arranged, compute what your new compensation will mean for your day to day financial plan and your capacity to set aside cash. (Assuming you’re moving from Portland, Oregon, to New York City and your compensation isn’t expanding, for example, you might have to fix your satchel strings.) If you don’t have some work yet, it’s pivotal that you sort out how long your reserve funds will keep going to you and how lengthy you can go before you get a new line of work (specialists suggest having at least three months investment funds).

RESEARCH YOUR JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Investigate open positions in your new city and begin applying before you move. Get a feeling of the city’s significant enterprises and what sorts of occupations are accessible. On the off chance that you haven’t yet set a moving date, see whether there are regularly more employment opportunities during a specific season (since certain ventures enlist occasionally), and ensure you have a substantial quest for a new employment plan:

What organizations do you intend to target? What associations do you have? On the off chance that you’re searching for retail or seasonal work that is challenging to apply for from a distance, make a rundown of nearby business and focus on the spot. Assuming every one of the organizations you think sound promising appear to be in one region, search for lodging around there, as well.

LEARN MORE ABOUT YOUR FUTURE COMPANY
In the event that you’re moving for a new position, do a little research on the organization. Do they offer movement benefits? A few organizations will assist with moving costs or assist you with tracking down lodging. It’s likewise smart to look into corporate culture, work assumptions, and work/life balance.

MAKE SOCIAL AND PROFESSIONAL CONNECTIONS
Check out companions, associates, and far off family in your new city. Utilize your graduated class organization and past or present work associations with track down friendly or expert associations. Contacting companions for an espresso or get-together is an incredible method for beginning — and keeping in mind that it might sound messy, a basic Facebook post requesting presentations frequently gets this show on the road.

Investigate THE CITY AND LEARN ABOUT ITS NEIGHBORHOODS

In the event that you can’t visit before you move, gain the lay of the land from a far distance. Before you pick a neighborhood to live in, figure out what regions are private and business, whether certain areas are viewed as perilous, and which regions have the sorts of elements you’re keen on. In the event that you’re outdoorsy, get a feeling of where the parks are; assuming that you’re into music and nightlife, ensure you know where those scenes are before you move.

Sites like Yelp, City Data, and Crime Reports can assist you with getting a feeling of your new city before you move. On the off chance that you can go on an outing, have a go at booking an Airbnb in your new area as opposed to staying in a lodging; you’ll get a superior feeling of what it seems like to live there.

Find out ABOUT TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS
Conclude whether you’ll be driving a vehicle or utilizing public transportation to get around. On the off chance that you’re anticipating keeping a vehicle in the city, figure out what your leaving and stockpiling choices are. Assuming you’ll depend on open transportation, get a feeling of the areas that have the best help. If conceivable, do a little research on which transport or train lines are viewed as the most dependable, and how much of the time everyone runs, so you don’t get stuck living someplace with a solitary transport that comes one time each day.

Dispose OF UNNECESSARY POSSESSIONS
At the point when we contemplate moving, we will quite often zero in on the spot we’re going to more than the one we’re leaving. Yet, there’s a lot of work to do before you leave. One method for taking the action somewhat simpler is to dispose of anything you needn’t bother with. Have a yard deal, give old garments to a good cause, or sell things on the web. Emblematically, you’ll dispose of the old to account for the new. Yet, more essentially, you’ll have less stuff to schlep with you when you move.

MAKE A LIST OF GOALS
Ensure you know precisely why you’re moving and what you’re expecting to accomplish. It’s not difficult to lose center in the disarray and fervor of setting up another life once you really move, so it’s smart to make a rundown of your own and proficient objectives before you get together and leave.

Bid farewell
Set up a farewell party, have a social gathering, or simply ensure you say a legitimate farewell to the notable individuals in your day to day existence. Not exclusively will it assist you with leaving your old city embracing a positive outlook, however it could suddenly uncover associations and open doors in your new one.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/09/15/10-important-things-to-do-before-moving-to-a-new-city/

Africa’s youth love local films and admire creatives, but they don’t read books by African authors for pleasure or spend on creative products, according to the newly launched Africa’s Soft Power: Can Africa’s creativity transform the continent? report by Africa No Filter.

The report interviewed 4500 people aged 18 and 35 to find out what they think about the role of arts and culture in their society. The research was done in Egypt, Morocco, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

The findings cover the creative sector, including whether respondents thought governments were doing enough to support the cultural and creative industries, their perceptions about success and creativity, and their behaviour as an audience for the industry.

Film is the most appreciated creative platform. However, despite young people liking film, they consume the same amount of local film (57%) as they do international films (53%) and those who had watched more than eight films had watched slightly more international films(13%) than African ones. Worryingly, many African youths are not reading for pleasure — 71% had not read any books by African authors, and only 1% had read two books.

The report showed that while 85% of respondents believed that arts and culture were essential to society, only a few supported the sector. 78% spent nothing or “very little” on arts and cultural pastimes.

Additionally, only 13% of the interviewees believed the creative sector was lucrative — despite the continent’s leading musicians, visual artists, comedians, authors, filmmakers, fashion designers, and performers making their mark in the world.

The creative and cultural industries (CCI) across Africa generate about US$4.2 billion in revenue and has a growth rate that outpaces other sectors on the continent.

In 2021, UNESCO published probably the most comprehensive mapping of the continent’s film and audio-visual industries. The report showed that the sector is underfunded and underdeveloped. It estimates the sector currently employs only five million people and accounts for only $5 billion in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the continent.

Moky Makura, Executive Director at Africa No Filter, said: “There have been a number of reports about the creative and cultural industries in Africa showing the untapped potential of this sector. But there has been little research on attitudes to it and creativity in general – especially amongst Africa’s youth. We commissioned the report because we wanted to understand how the creative sector resonates locally.

Africa is increasingly known for its creative talent — it has low barriers to entry and is one of the continent’s biggest exports to the world. The report shows that we can do more to support creatives locally and ensure African audiences are more aware of and consume more creative and cultural products and services. The creative outputs are there but this report is shining a light on the consumers of those outputs and the role they have to play in ensuring a sustainable creative sector in Africa.”

The report also highlighted the following:

Creatives are influential and admired: An average of 82% of all respondents respected and admired creatives in their country. Kenyan (97%) and Nigerian (97%) respondents were most likely to consider arts and culture important, closely followed by respondents from Ivory Coast and Uganda (96%).
Not possible to make a good living in the creative sector: Only 4% of respondents worked in the creative industry. Those employed in the creative sector were most likely to be visual artists (30%) or content creators (23%). South Africans (22%) and Kenyans (19%) thought social media influencers earn more than creatives.
Business and entrepreneurship are still seen as the top way to make money: 48% believed a traditional career in sport was more lucrative than a career in the creative industry. 23% of the respondents felt they would make more money from football or basketball compared to 13% who opted for music and film. 45% of respondents in Ivory Coast believed sport was more lucrative. The most positive youth were in Uganda, where 50% of respondents thought there were opportunities in the creative sector.
Low chances of success: Interestingly, 39% of respondents believed there were too many barriers to success, and 21% said there was no money to be made.
African writers are not writing for African audiences: Hardly any respondents had read a book the month before the interview. 32% of East Africans were most likely to have read one or more international authors, while 34% of West Africans were most likely to have read books by an African author. 94% of Egyptian respondents had read neither an African nor an international author.
Government and society’s support: 72% of the respondents in surveyed countries felt their respective governments and society encouraged creativity. Kenyan (87%) and South African (81%) respondents felt the most encouraged, while only 56% of Nigerian and 61% of Moroccan respondents felt creativity was encouraged.
Research Methodology:

The report interviewed 4500 people aged 18 and 35 in Egypt, Morocco, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, South Africa and Zimbabwe – to represent four geographical regions in Africa (East, West, Southern and North Africa). Random sampling was used to reach 500 respondents in each country. Questions were designed by GeoPoll and Africa No Filter and conducted in English, French and Arabic. The polls were conducted in April 2021. Our intention is to extend this study to other countries at a later stage.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/09/14/new-report-on-africas-creative-and-cultural-industries-finds-youth-admire-creatives-but-they-wont-spend-on-their-work/

The European Union (EU) has earmarked €39 million euros (N17.94 billion) for the conduct of transparent, credible and inclusive 2023 general elections in Nigeria.

EU Ambassador to Nigeria and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Samuela Isopi, stated this in Maiduguri, yesterday.

“This electoral project is funded under the EU’s Neighbourhood Development and International Cooperation Instrument,” she said, adding that it would focus on six priority areas identified by the Nigerian government.

She said the priority areas include improvement in the quality of electoral administration and strengthening of capacities for legislative and judicial reforms.

The reforms, according to her, are in compliance with democratic principles and standards.

She explained that the democratic principles will dwell on enhancing pluralism, internal democracy, and equality of opportunity in political parties and party systems.

She said the fund would be invested in civil society organisations to demand greater transparency and accountability in the electoral and decision-making process.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/09/12/eu-budgets-e39m-for-nigerias-2023-general-elections/

Forget scrolling through your phone’s endless photo gallery to find something. Here’s a pro trick to locate any photo you want in 30 seconds or less.
If your photos aren’t backed up, this is your friendly reminder to do it now. You’d be heartbroken should you lose all those memories. Tap or click for the foolproof steps to make the job a lot easier.

When it comes to the old photos you have lying around, you don’t need to pay for an expensive digitizing service or buy a scanner. You can use an app to get the job done. Here are three great options:

PhotoScan by Google Photos
Google’s PhotoScan is a free app for iOS and Android that scans your photos multiple times, then stitches all the images together to remove glare and improve the quality of the final image. The app works on matte, gloss prints, and photos inside or outside albums.

Here’s how it works: Snap one photo, then take four additional shots according to the app’s instructions. PhotoScan uses an algorithm to detect and crop the photo, automatically detect the edge, correct the rotation, and correct the perspective to show a frontal view.

• Open the PhotoScan app and hold your phone above a photo.

• Tap the capture button to take pictures, which will save to your device.

• Move your phone around to get the circle over each of the four dots.

• After the photo is processed, tap the photo thumbnail.

• Select a photo to rotate, adjust the corners or delete.

You can then use Google Photos to store and organize your scans. From there, you can edit your images and share them with others.

Microsoft Lens
Microsoft Lens (formerly Office Lens) is a free business-oriented scanning app that works with documents, whiteboards, business cards, receipts, menus, signs, handwritten memos, or anything else containing text you want to import to your phone. It certainly beats typing everything by hand.

The app also works with photos and automatically corrects things like shadows and odd angles.

Microsoft Lens makes it easy to digitize photos in a few steps:

• Open Microsoft Lens and swipe left or right near the bottom of the screen and select Photo.

• Point your camera at the photo you want to capture, ensuring it is in the frame. You can turn the flash on and off before tapping the camera button to snap the picture.

• Now you can Add a new image to your scan, apply a Filter to the image, Crop, Rotate, or Delete the image. You can also annotate it or add text.

• Tap Done when you’re finished.

You can save pictures in your phone’s gallery.

A solid option for negatives: FilmBox by Photomyne
FilmBox is a scanner app for iOS and Android that digitizes your camera film negatives using just your smartphone.

You can view, capture, and save film negatives, making browsing, organizing, and sharing easier. FilmBox inverts the image’s negative colors into positive, then enhances the overall appearance.

Note: The first few scans are free, but you’ll have to pay for a subscription if you want to capture more. A two-year plan costs $39.99 and gives unlimited access to the app and its features.

All you need is a light source and your smartphone to get started:

• Place your negatives in a dark or low-lit room. Open the FilmBox app.

• The only light source should be a backlight, which you can get by opening a white screen on a tablet or computer. You can also use the photomyne.com/backlight link provided in the app. Set your backlight device to the highest brightness setting.

• Hold your film strip vertically in front of the light and keep it steady. Make sure the perforated borders are included in the scanning screen.

• Hold your negatives about two inches away from the light source and tap the app’s capture button.

• Your image will be saved as a digital photo in the app.

Keep your tech-know going

My popular podcast is called “Kim Komando Today.” It’s a solid 30 minutes of tech news, tips, and callers with tech questions like you from all over the country. Search for it wherever you get your podcasts. For your convenience, hit the link below for a recent episode.

PODCAST PICK: Smart headlights, ads on Apple Maps, find hidden trackers

Do you use navigation apps when you drive? Buckle up. You might have to deal with ads cluttering the screen. Also, Ford wants to make night driving easier with its smart headlights. Plus, is someone watching you with a hidden tracker? Here are the signs you need to watch out for.

Check out my podcast “Kim Komando Today” on Apple, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player.

Listen to the podcast here or wherever you get your podcasts. Just search for my last name, “Komando.”

Learn about all the latest technology on the Kim Komando Show, the nation’s largest weekend radio talk show. Kim takes calls and dispenses advice on today’s digital lifestyle, from smartphones and tablets to online privacy and data hacks. For her daily tips, free newsletters and more, visit her website at Komando.com.

The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Three great apps you can use to digitize old photos and negatives

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/09/08/top-three-apps-you-can-use-to-convert-old-photo-negatives-to-digital-images/

The Federal Government has inaugurated the newly constituted Board of the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre (CLTC) to handle its affairs, following the approval of the reconstitution of the Board by President Muhammadu Buhari recently.
The Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, who inaugurated the Board members today in his office in Abuja, charged them to work towards ensuring patriotism, nationalism and ethical orientation among the Nigerian youth and citizens in general

He said that their appointment is aimed at ensuring the maintenance of national consciousness and understanding amongst Nigerians through the Centre

Dare called on them to get a history of the recent happenings at the Centre that led to the dissolution of the last Board as it will act as a guide to ensure a smooth running of its affairs with a view to checkmating the various societal challenges being experienced in the country.

According to him, the Centre which has been in existence since the past 70 years has contributed greatly in the provision of leadership training for Nigerians from all walks of life, for the benefit of the general public

“The centre is the only non- formal educational institution in Nigeria that executes experiential and outward bound education. It provides training, utilising natural, physical and man- made environment in an atmosphere in which self- discovery and self- actualisation are based on competence and ability,” he said.

The Minister stated further that the Centre is strategically positioned under the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development to enable it give the desired attention to the youth population in the training and promotion of quality leadership and citizenship traits with focus on patriotism, nationalism and ethical orientation.

He called on them to bring their wealth of experience and exposure to bear in the running of the Centre’s affairs.

In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar, commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his timely approval of the reconstitution of the new Board to oversee the affairs of the Centre.

Alhaji Abubakar, who expressed confidence in the constitution of the Board assured that the Ministry will continue to provide an enabling environment to enable it achieve its mandate of repositioning the Centre for the benefit of all Nigerians

Responding on behalf of the newly inaugurated board, Alhaji AbdulGaniyu Oniyangi thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for the opportunity given them to serve the nation in this capacity.

He assured that members of the Board will bring in their wealth of experience towards repositioning the Centre for maximum performance and efficient service delivery to Nigerians.

The newly inaugurated Board members are –

1. Bello Usman Muhammed – Chairman

2. AbdulGaniyu Oniyangi -Member

3. Audu Sabo Dantamas- Member

4. Suleiman Dawudu – Member

5. Anthony Otega Osiwe – Member

6. Hezekiah Oladipo Adedeji – Member

7. DCP Rashid Afegbua – Member

8. Brigadier- General E.L. Etuk – Member

9. Commodore Aliu Pindar- Member

10. Hajiya Lami Adamu – Member

11. Lami Bature – (Representative of FMYSD)- Member.

12. Soji Eniade – Director General.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/09/04/federal-government-inaugurates-board-of-citizenship-and-leadership-training-centre/

Fintech unicorn Flutterwave will approach the equity market in the U.S. to tap funding enabling it to break into new markets in Africa as well as widen its strides in countries it currently operates in, Bloomberg reported, citing an emailed statement from the start-up.

The move comes approximately a year and a half after the chief executive and co-founder, Olugbenga Agboola, first disclosed the ambition to seek a listing in New York or a possible dual listing in New York and Nigeria.

Flutterwave, based in San Francisco, California, is Africa-focused and is considering flotation to be followed by listing on Nasdaq, Premium Times reports.

The firm announced Thursday it has received a switching and processing license from the Central Bank of Nigeria. That gives it permission to directly facilitate card transactions, operate agency banking, handle fund transfers between fintechs and banks, and conduct other payment services.

Still growing rapidly, and attracting outside venture capitalists intent on harnessing the potential of the tech ecosystem of Nigeria’s dominantly youthful population, start-ups in Africa’s biggest economy and most populous country are entering a new phase of capital raising by way of public offering.

Tizeti, an internet service provider startup whose operation is enabled by solar-powered towers, said this week it is setting sights on an initial public offering combined with debt to source $50 million for expansion into 10 more Nigerian states, Ghana and Ivory Coast.

It mirrors the Nigerian Exchange’s push to attract startups to a new board to be named “technology board” and fashioned after tech-heavy Nasdaq.

“In that board, there are lots of what you might call structural challenges, that will preclude tech companies from listing, which we look to address – things around the rules, the barriers, the entry for traditional companies, the governance requirements and the like,” NGX CEO Temi Popoola said in February.

Flutterwave, which raised $250 million in Series D this year, upping its valuation to $3 billion, counts Mastercard, Y-Combinator, Visa Ventures and Tiger Global Management among backerss.

The company has been in the eye of the storm in recent time following allegations of malfeasance including staff bullying in Nigeria, claims of involvement in money laundering in Kenya and indictment by the Central Bank of Kenya that it does not have a license to operate in the country. The company denies wrongdoing.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/09/04/flutterwave-set-to-launch-public-shares-sale-after-getting-key-license/

Today, HP Inc. introduces the HP LaserJet Tank Printer series, created for Nigerian entrepreneurs and small business owners looking for reliable, cost-efficient resources in all facets of their business.

Given the significant growth of small and medium-sized businesses in recent years, HP’s latest innovations and intuitive features in the LaserJet Tank series better support the next generation of entrepreneurs and business owners by streamlining print management.

“Small business has grown tremendously over the past two years and at HP, we’re uniquely positioned to meet the evolving needs of these customers with the introduction of the HP LaserJet Tank Printer series, featuring the revolutionary, refillable LaserJet tank,” says MD, Emmanuel Asika, Country Head, HP Nigeria.

“The HP LaserJet Tank Printer is a premier offering combining incredible performance with hassle-free print management. This addition to our LaserJet series, with comprehensive features, underscores our commitment to helping small businesses thrive through efficient, easy-to-use solutions.”

For those with high-volume printing needs, the HP LaserJet Tank series feature automatic duplex printing, a 40-sheet auto document feed support and a 50,000-page long-life imaging drum to ensure consistent, exceptional printing, even with daily use. Users can also seamlessly connect using the best-in-class HP Smart app which enables employees to print remotely from their mobile device plus access advanced scanning features with Smart Advance. Advanced security features, supported by HP Wolf Essential secure, are also incorporated throughout to ensure sensitive data stays protected. HP LaserJet Tank Printer series has an extended warranty to 3 years upon registration.

One of its key features that makes it unique is that it the only cartridge-free laser printer, with a mess-free toner refill solution, requiring just 15 seconds of attention. It also comes with the ability to print up to 5,000 pages with the pre-filled Original HP Toner, plus save on refills with the ultra-high-yield HP Toner Reload Kit.

The new HP LaserJet Tank Printer series is very durable with sustainability in mind, a feature that has earned it an Energy Star certification and Epeat Silver designation. The HP Toner Reload Kit saves up to 90% of waste and comes with an optimized tank design of up to 17% smaller size even with auto two-sided printing plus a life-long imaging drum.

The printer series which comes with HP Wolf Essential security, provides a seamless experience for powerful productivity needs, including double-sided printing at fast speed with 40-sheet automatic document feeder support, reliable wireless connectivity, and best-in-class HP Smart App with Smart Advance scanning features.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/09/01/hp-unveils-new-high-quality-low-cost-laser-tank-printer-for-nigerian-smbs/

Secured Records Management Solutions (SRMS), a provider of end-to-end document management and secured software solutions, has officially commissioned its second document archiving warehouse in Nigeria. The warehouse, which is located in Abuja, is positioned to improve its operations and deliver efficient services to customers in the region.
The commissioning of the 700-square feet, state-of-the-art warehouse follows the organisation’s promise of delivering specialised and enhanced solutions that maximizes productivity for customers as well as expanding SRMS services to both the private and public sector across Nigeria. Through this expansion, SRMS aims to reinforce its commitment to offering its customers a smart, comprehensive range of services including document warehousing, document management, data management, workforce automation, Cybersecurity, IT consultancy, data warehousing and visualization, and software development across Nigeria.

Speaking during the unveiling, Chief Executive Officer, Secured Records Management Solutions, Dr. Sam Nwosu, said, “We are delighted to be launching our new document archiving warehouse in Abuja. From our success in Lagos where we have a similar facility, the feedback we received from our customers proves that our service is helping them reduce the time spent on locating legacy documents. With our new warehouse, which happens to be one of the best archiving document storage centers in the country, organisations can expect a seamless process of storing, and retrieving documents, with the guaranteed security of documents, and business continuity.

“Expanding our services to other parts of the country is part of our strategic initiative to establish our footprint across Nigeria. So far, SRMS has recorded success in safeguarding over 150 million documents for customers across different industries in Nigeria. With our achievements, we believe that this new warehouse would boost our capacity to serve our clients better, especially those within the Northern region of Nigeria”. Dr. Nwosu concludes.

SRMS has helped its customers achieve a 95% reduction in document retrieval time, improved employee productivity levels, and the quality of work-life for document owners and users alike.

The new warehouse is equipped with an automated inventory software, and it is also built to safeguard documents, ensure compliance, and the productivity of workers. The warehouse is designed to store 34,000 boxes of documents, with a fire suppression system, live CCTV surveillance, and experienced personnel.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/08/31/secured-records-commissions-warehouse-to-deepen-operations-in-nigeria/

Adron Homes and Properties a leading Pan African real estate company has been named the outstanding real estate company of the year at the Ibadan International Housing and Construction Fair, held at the University of Ibadan, Oyo State.

Also in the award-winning chain is the company’s Group Managing Director/CEO, Aare Adetola Emmanuelking who clinched the Award for the Housing CEO of the year.

The 4th edition of the event which took place at the International Conference Center, the University of Ibadan with the theme ‘Rethinking the National Housing Policy and bridge gap between sustainability and affordability’ used technology, finance, and climate change as factors for consideration.

The fair was established in 2018 to provide a platform for thought leaders, businesses, entrepreneurs, organizations, and industry experts who have a common mission to convene, connect and take steps toward housing economy development in South-West Nigeria.

The fair which is highly adjudged to be the biggest and most inclusive housing event in Southwest Nigeria, and widely regarded as having the highest level of participation the fair enjoys, make it impeccable.

The organizers while presenting the apex real estate company and its GMD the award, said “the giant strides, physical development, and the architectural masterpiece of the company coupled with its affordability and credibility strategies have attracted the organizers to bestow the honour in appreciation of the transformational impact it had brought to the real estate experience and economic growth in South – West, and Nigeria.

The Adron boss who was represented by the company’s Director General Business Strategy, Mr. Ayodeji Omoniyi thanked the event’s planners for recognizing Adron Homes and his modest self as deserving of the prize.

He added “The reward for hard work is more work, this me and my team at Adron Homes and Properties are fully aware of. This award has spurred us to continue in our humble service of making incredible houses at affordable rates to Nigerians and Africans at large”.

Aare Adetola EmmanuelKing, the CEO in his sent message wrote; I am highly elated that this award is being given to me in this great citadel of learning, Nigeria’s foremost premier university where I was schooled and bagged my master’s degree in housing development and management.

⁹My lecturers, the likes of Prof Tunde Agboola, Prof Olatubara, and Prof Egunjobi are surely proud of me today. He also went on to say “We have extended our premium service to the Republic of Benin, the plan is to ensure decent, accessible, and affordable houses for all”

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/08/24/adron-homes-bags-outstanding-real-estate-company-of-the-year/

In a clear demonstration of its industry leadership and consistency in providing superior financial returns, Zenith Bank Plc has announced its audited results for the half-year ended 30 June 2022, recording an astounding double-digit growth of 17% in gross earnings from N346 billion reported in H1 2021 to N405 billion in H1 2022. This is in spite of a very challenging macroeconomic environment.

According to the bank’s audited half-year financial results presented to the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) on Tuesday, 23rd August 2022, this growth was underpinned by a 19% YoY growth in interest income from NGN204 billion to NGN242 billion and an 18% YoY growth in non-interest income from NGN127 billion to NGN149 billion. The growth in interest income was driven by the modest increase in the loan book and improved interest margins. The increase in non-interest income attests to the Group’s success in its income diversification strategy.

Profit before tax (PBT) grew 11% year-on-year (YoY) from NGN117 billion to NGN130 billion. Earnings per share (EPS) also grew from NGN3.38 to NGN3.55 over the same 6-month period.

The Group also recorded an 11% year-to-date (YtD) increase in total customer deposits to close the period at NGN7.15 trillion. The retail strategy of the Group continues to deliver outstanding results as retail deposits grew by 17% YtD from NGN1.82 trillion to NGN2.13 trillion. Retail activities also supported the growth recorded in fees on electronic products which grew by 45% YoY from NGN17 billion to NGN25 billion.

Despite the elevated yield environment, the cost of funds increased only marginally from 1.3% in June 2021 to 1.4% in June 2022. The increase in the cost of funds was lower than the increase in yields on interest-generating assets, giving rise to an improved Net Interest Margin (NIM) of 7.1% from 6.4% in June 2021.

Total assets rose to NGN10.12 trillion at the end of June 2022 from NGN9.45 trillion at the end of December 2021. Despite the headwinds imposed by the operating environment, the Group grew its risk assets as gross loans grew by 5% YtD, from NGN3.5 trillion to NGN3.7 trillion. This was achieved at a moderate NPL ratio of 4.4% (FYE 2021: 4.2%) and cost of risk of 1.4% (June 2021: 1.3%). Prudential ratios such as liquidity and capital adequacy also remained stable and well-above regulatory thresholds at 60.5% and 21.0% respectively.

The Group is focused on advancing its digital banking strategy anchored on a strong technology base, and intends to consolidate on the gains achieved in prior years across all business segments. Combined with the Group’s industry leadership, we expect this to drive improved performance and deliver enhanced returns to stakeholders.

Zenith Bank’s track record of excellent performance has continued to earn the brand numerous awards, including being recognised as Number One Bank in Nigeria by Tier-1 Capital, for the 13th consecutive year, in the 2022 Top 1000 World Banks Ranking published by The Banker Magazine; Best Bank in Nigeria, for three consecutive years from 2020 to 2022, in the Global Finance World’s Best Banks Awards; Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria 2021 and 2022 in the World Finance Banking Awards; Best Corporate Governance Bank, Nigeria in the World Finance Corporate Governance Awards 2022; Best in Corporate Governance ‘Financial Services’ Africa, for three consecutive years from 2020 to 2022, by the Ethical Boardroom; 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 (Nigeria) in The Banker’s Bank of the Year Awards 2020 and Retail Bank of the year at the BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BOFI) Awards 2020 and 2021.

Similarly, Zenith Bank was honoured as Bank of the Decade (People’s Choice) at the ThisDay Awards 2020 and emerged winner in four categories at the Sustainability, Enterprise, and Responsibility (SERAS) Awards 2021, carting home the awards for “Best Company in Reporting and Transparency”, “Best Company in Infrastructure Development”, “Best Company in Gender Equality and Women Empowerment”, and the coveted “Most Responsible Organisation in Africa.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/08/24/zenith-bank-sustains-growth-trajectory-with-double-digit-growth-in-gross-earnings-in-h1-2022/

Nigeria is cracking down on unregistered online money lenders who offer short-term loans with no security at high interest rates, according to the consumer protection agency, adding that it had asked Google to remove some lenders’ apps from its play store.
The lenders, dubbed “loan sharks” due to their aggressive recovery methods, charge interest rates of up to 45% per year. Applicants download an app, fill out a form, and are asked to give the lender access to their contacts for “risk management purposes.”

Millions of Nigerians who lack bank accounts or security to borrow turn to these lenders for loans starting at 2,000 naira ($4.76). Many people have taken to social media to complain about being harassed and having their contact information shared with third parties without their permission.

In an August 18 report, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) stated that it had conducted search and seizure operations against at least five lenders.

According to FCCPC chief executive Babatunde Irukera, one of those targeted was Lagos-based Soko Lending Limited.

Irukera described Soko as “one of the most prolific actors in violating consumer privacy, fair lending terms, and ethical loan repayment/recovery practices.” He did not specify what was seized or recovered.

Soko did not respond to a written comment request.

Soko describes itself as a “simple, entirely online lending platform” that can process loan requests in five minutes.

Nigeria has the most fintech companies in Africa, with the majority of them offering loans. However, because of the lack of scrutiny, many businesses operated without regulatory approval, which the FCCPC hopes to change.

The FCCPC stated that it had asked Google Play to remove four lending apps that were circumventing investigations.

“For apps that are not on the Play Store, the commission is continuing to investigate what platforms they are hosted on in order to disable them,” said Irukera.

Payment systems Flutterwave, Opay, and Paystack, as well as mobile network operators, were ordered to stop providing platforms, hosting services, and connectivity to lenders, he added.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/08/19/nigeria-takes-action-against-unregistered-online-money-lenders/

The Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) in line with its mandate of regulating the advertising industry in Nigeria has banned the use of foreign models, Voice Over Artistes on Nigerian advertising media.

Brand Spur Nigeria reports that the ban was contained in statement signed by the Director General Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo dated Monday, August 22, 2022.

Lekan stated that the ban will take effect from October 1, 2022.

He further noted that the new law simply means that from the aforementioned date, all campaigns with foreign models, Voice Over Artiste will be prohibited.

Dr. Fadolapo, however, clarified that running or ongoing campaigns would be allowed to run out of its course.

Meanwhile, this digital news platform reports the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) remains the apex regulatory body and authority of advertising in the country. Although advertising products and services are acceptable and open to all, just like other countries, having the right to engage in advertising practice does not guarantee unlimited freedom to advertise products and services.

In recent times, Nigeria’s advertising landscape has been experiencing perhaps the most dynamic revolution and technological disruptions, as most businesses that are not necessarily advertising practitioners have found a goldmine in the sub-sector. In fact, advertising has become so important that businesses actively create adverts almost on a daily basis hence the need for a proper overhaul of the APCON Act to help accommodate those who also advertise online, given that online marketers are not currently regulated by the Act.

Not long ago, Dr. Lekan Fadolapo, formerly Registrar of APCON hinted that ARCON bill was before the National Assembly. He specifically mentioned that the name change was imperative to the realization of his vision to reposition the advertising industry in Nigeria for growth.

Not long ago, President Muhammadu Buhari signed the ARCON bill into law, which seeks to allow the advertising regulatory agency to operate as the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) in line with its mandate of regulating the advertising industry in Nigeria.

The assented bill, which repeals the Advertising Practitioners’ Act, recognises ARCON as the apex authority for the Nigerian advertising industry. By this signing, it is the statutory responsibility of ARCON to make provision for the regulation and control of advertising in all its ramifications and create the Advertising Offences Tribunal among other powers.

The approved ARCON bill, therefore, becomes a final imperative call for advertisers and agency practitioners to be aware of the potential legal ramifications of their advertising practice and initiatives, especially with respect to regulated products, in order to obviate legal exposure and liability. Such need becomes even more compelling where the audience of the advertising is, courtesy of technology and online platforms, which are running riot at the moment.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/08/22/arcon-bans-use-of-foreign-models-voice-over-artistes-on-nigerian-advertising-media/

Google Cloud has announced to shut down its core internet of things (IoT) services, and the customers have time till August next year to move to an alternative service.

Google Cloud rivals Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft also offer similar IoT services.

While AWS has ‘IoT Core,’ Microsoft offers ‘IoT Hub’ as part of its Azure cloud platform.

“Google Cloud’s IoT Core Service will be discontinued on August 16, 2023 at which point your access to the IoT Core Device Manager APIs will no longer be available,” Google Cloud’s IoT Core Product Team said in an update.

“We recommend that you take action early to migrate from IoT Core to an alternative service. As an initial step, connect with your Google Cloud account manager if you have questions about your migration plans,” the company advised.

Google Cloud launched IoT Core Services in 2017 to ease the task of sending data from connected devices to a company’s cloud-based environment.

Companies can use IoT Core to define the configuration settings of newly deployed connected devices.

“IoT Core is a fully managed service that allows you to easily and securely connect, manage, and ingest data from millions of globally dispersed devices,” according to the company.

IoT Core, in combination with other services on Google Cloud, provides a complete solution for collecting, processing, analysing, and visualising IoT data in real time to support improved operational efficiency.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/08/19/google-to-shut-down-its-iot-core-services-from-augusst-2023-users-seek-alternatives/

Recall that the Nigerian government recently made an official announcement confirming the complete transformation of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) into NNPC Limited.

NNPC LTD is a brainchild of the Nigerian Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) which was passed into law in August 2021 [1]. The NNPC was a state-owned and controlled corporation licensed to operate in the country’s petroleum industry which utilized the country’s fossil fuel and natural gas reserves by partnering with foreign oil companies.

The new NNPCL, while still wholly owned by the State, is intended to operate as a fully commercial venture without government funding (besides the initial capitalization) or control and is expected to be regulated by the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020 [2]. In addition, NNPCL will now declare dividends to shareholders while retaining 20 percent of profits to grow its business [3].

NNPCL is expected to sometime in the future [4], invite the public to purchase shares to raise equity capital for the business of the company especially as it would no longer have access to state funds in line with the objective to commercialise the corporation.

It is also expected that NNPCL would eventually achieve trading status on global stock exchange markets like its counterparts, including Saudi Arabia’s Arabian American Oil Company (ARAMCO) Brazil’s Petróleo Brasileiro (Petrobras) to name a few. NNPCL will also no longer be concerned with issues of petrol pricing and subsidy, neither will it continue to remit funds into the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) such that the company funds can be used to further its business rather than issuing national payouts.

Yet, while the introduction of the NNPCL promises to be advantageous to the country’s energy industry, realistically speaking, there are certain challenges that need to be promptly and properly addressed for the new NNPCL to function effectively and achieve its objectives. To mention a few, continued government influence, NNPC’s transfer of liabilities to NNPCL, corporate governance issues are at the top of concerns.

Government influence concerns

Unlike its state-owned counter parts Saudi’s Aramco and Petrobras of Brazil, the former NNPC had a structure that largely depended on government funding thus making it less competitive and less attractive to global investors especially International Oil Companies (IOCs) who were uncomfortable doing business with the Corporation due to fears of undue government influence, grotesque policies and unnecessary bureaucratic delays. While the new NNPCL is promised to be fully independent of government control, it remains wholly owned by the government and its initial capital will be completely provided by the government per the provisions of the PIA [5]. Section 53(5) of the PIA also provides that all shares of the company held by the government will not be transferable or mortgaged unless approved by the government and the National Economic Council. To own is to control in any business enterprise so it is unclear how government influence would be avoided in NNPCL when it is wholly owned and capitalized by the government. A better approach would be to provide for a mechanism that splits the shares between the government and the public in a particular ratio such that while the government may understandably retain controlling shares to protect national interest [6] there are checks and balance measures in place to avoid arbitrariness.

Furthermore, the PIA incorporates an automatic transfer of all existing employees under the former NNPC into the new NNPCL with no vetting procedure for these employees in place. Section 57(1) under discuss

states as follows:

Upon incorporation of NNPC Limited under section 53 of this Act, employees of NNPC and its subsidiaries shall be deemed to be employces of NNPC Limited on terms and conditions not less favourable than that enjoyed prior to the transfer of service and shall be deemed to be service for employment related entitlements as specified under any applicable law.

This means that NNPCL will have substantially the same employees as the former NNPC which is tantamount to pouring new wine into old wineskins. It is understandable that the law makers were wary of leaving the employees of the former NNPC redundant upon the transition. However, the automatic retention of former NNPC staff is counterproductive because NNPCL essentially inherits its all of its predecessor’s employees, some of whom are controversially unqualified and redundant thereby stunting its growth potential.

The PIA goes further to provide for the appointment of a Board of the NNPCL whose appointment shall be done by the President of the country [7]. Another interesting provision is Section 58(2)(r) which provides that the Board should among others consist of ‘six (6) non-executive members with at least 15 years post-qualification cognate experience in petroleum or any other relevant sector of the economy, one from each geopolitical zone’ effectively politicizing the appointment of these individuals to the board as opposed to appointments strictly based on merit. Perhaps realizing that the previous provisions on appointment to the new NNPCL Board may be inconsistent with the new NNPCLs ‘no government influence’ mandate, the law makers included a proviso in Section 58(5) stating that the provisions of the section would only apply where NNPCL remains wholly owned by the government after which the composition would then be determined by the new shareholders after sale of shares to the public. This may appear to resolve the evident problem, however the shares of the new NNPCL will not be made available to the public until an unknown time in the future which is not specifically stipulated under the Act.

Although NNPCL’s Chief Executive Officer intimated that the company would be ready for an Initial Public Offering (IPO) mid 2023, this is not set in stone as factors such as governmental and bureaucratic delays in organization may extend this timeline. Afterall, it did take almost a year to fully effect the provision to incorporate the new NNPCL as opposed to the 6 months timeline stipulated in the PIA. In any case, even if there are no delays in the estimated timeline for the sale of shares to the public, the IPO process, appointment of new Board members and other corporate procedure could take months at the earliest to effect. This means that the NNPCL would still be run by old NNPC officials pending formalization of all corporate procedures thus making the new NNPCL ‘government’ run for at least the foreseeable future. Effectively, this results in NNPCL failing its first mandate as a fully commercialized company i.e to be free of government influence and control.

Transfer of liabilities

Another concern is the provision of the PIA which transfers liabilities from the old NNPC to the new NNPCL. This is provided for under Section 54(1):

the Minister of Petroleum and the Minister of Finance shall within 18 months of the effective date determine the assets, interests and liabilities of NNPC to be transferred to NNPC Limited or its subsidiaries and upon the identification, the Minister shall cause such assets, interests and liabilities to be transferred to NNPC Limited.

Further provisions of the section discuss issues of assets that would remain with NNPC or the government, actions that may be brought against NNPCL, NNPC or the government etc. However, the mechanism for the determination of which assets and liabilities would pass on to NNPCL and which would be dealt with by the old NNPC/Government are not stipulated in the PIA, leaving much to the discretion of the Minister for Petroleum and Finance with some assistance from the Attorney General of the Federation in peculiar circumstances. Section 54(2) states as follows:

Assets, interests and liabilities of NNPC not transferred lo NNPC Limited or its subsidiary under subsection (1), shall remain the assets, interests and liabilities of NNPC until they become extinguished or transferred to the Government and six months following the determination under section 54 (1) of this Act, the Minister, the Minister of Finance and the Attorney-General of the Federation shall develop a framework for the payment of the labilities not transferred to NNPC Limited and if such determination for which assets, interests and liabilities to be transferred has not been concluded within the stipulated period of 18 months, all the assets, interests, liabilities of NNPC is deemed to be transferred to NNPC Limited after 18 months from the effective date.

A spruce way to deal with the inherited assets and liabilities from NNPC would have been to make provision for the creation of an SPV to specifically deal with these issues, especially with respect to the liabilities rather than burden the NNPCL with the old NNPC’s mammoth liabilities in its formative years when it should be focused on its growth. It is hoped that the Ministers would devise suitable mechanisms to deal with these in the most efficient and least invasive way possible.

Corporate Governance considerations

As a corporate entity, NNPCL will be governed by Nigeria’s corporate laws as enshrined in the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA). Of particular importance are some of the corporate governance principles contained in CAMA which are there to ensure international best practice in the day-to-day operations of Nigerian corporations including provisions on separations of the role of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, appointment of Independent Directors, limitation of multiple directorships, disqualification from appointment as a director, disclosure provisions among others. It is expected that upon the IPO of NNPCL, it would become a Public Limited Liability Company (Plc) and thereby subject to more stringent corporate governance and disclosure policies even beyond the statutory requirements under CAMA [8].

Some of the corporate governance sections under CAMA include provisions which state that every public company must have at least three (3) independent directors appointed in line with the required qualifications stipulated; [9] Directors may not serve on the board of more than five (5) public companies at a time; disqualified directors now include directors that were removed from the Board; [10] and attendance of Board meetings is now a factor for re-election [11]. On its disclosure obligations, NNPCL is expected to ensure that information on the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the company is accessible to the public and potential investors. The shareholding structure [12], shareholders [13], authorized share capital, exact date of incorporation e.t.c all need to be fully disclosed to the public to ensure compliance with the provisions of the PIA and CAMA. Records of the minutes of the meeting where the first directors are appointed, board resolutions for the nomination of the Chairman e.t.c all need to be public knowledge to ensure complete transparency and fulfil all international best practice disclosure obligations.

Worthy of note is Section 60-63 of the PIA which attempts to cater for some corporate governance concerns of the new NNPCL. However, the provisions seem to be merely advisory and no liabilities are imposed for any failure to carry out such responsibilities. Thus, recourse is to be had to CAMA and its regulatory body, the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) for the enforcement of these provisions.

Conclusion

On the whole and having considered some salient issues with respect to the new NNPCL, there are some who believe that the transformation of the NNPC into NNPCL is merely a name change and that there would be no material difference from the old structure especially as the NNPC has operated as a highly institutionalized corporation for the last 45 years. Whether they are right or wrong, only time will tell.

However, it is important to remain optimistic that with the right corporate administration, NNPCL can create an environment that would not only grow the country’s economy but also attract both local and foreign investment thereby making it a major player in the global energy market.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/08/17/what-the-birth-of-nnpc-limited-means-for-nigerias-oil-and-gas-industry/

Barclays has announced the closure of 18 more branches, bringing the total number of closures this year to 178.

According to Barclays, it is responding to shifting consumer trends as more of its customers conduct their banking through digital channels, with less than 10% of its transactions now conducted in person. According to the bank, it has 10 million digital customers and can handle 70% of its business digitally.

”A spokesman tells Which?: “We will always give 12 weeks’ notice of any branch closures, explaining the rationale for the decision, as well as highlighting alternative branches and ways to bank.”

“This includes working with the local community to find different, more flexible ways for our colleagues to continue to provide local banking support, such as through pop-up presences.”

Barclays is not the only bank that has reduced its branch network in response to the digital transformation. This year, 652 branches will close, representing half of the UK bank branch network since Which? began tracking closures in 2015.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/08/17/barclays-closes-more-offices/

FoodCo, a leading omni-channel retailer with interests in supermarkets, quick service restaurants, manufacturing, and entertainment, has opened a new location in Ikoyi, Lagos.

The new store, which is located in the newly completed Ikoyi Plaza, brings FoodCo’s total store count to 16, with locations in Oyo, Lagos, and Ogun States.

 

Ade Sun-Basorun, Managing Director, FoodCo Nigeria, stated at the launch that the opening of the Ikoyi store fulfilled the brand’s commitment to bringing the lifestyle benefits of modern retail closer to people.

He said: “We are excited to formally announce the launch of our 16th store in Ikoyi. This milestone is the continuation of a journey that began 40 years ago when the first FoodCo store opened its doors to customers from a cornershop in Bodija, Ibadan. Till date, we can proudly say that the brand has successfully maintained its promise of delivering top quality at an affordable price, which has been one of the strong pillars of our growth.”

“When the first FoodCo store was opened, our motivation was to offer middle-class families a clean and convenient environment where they could shop for fresh fruits and vegetables. This motivation has since crystallized into an enduring mission to bring the convenience and superior customer service that modern retail offers to our communities.

“Similarly, in keeping with the brand tradition, FoodCo Ikoyi will house our flagship supermarket, bakery, butchery, restaurant, grill and creamery under one roof. It will stock a rich assortment of products including groceries, fresh and packaged foods, fruits and vegetables, toiletries, cosmetics, apparel and other household products. Customers are also guaranteed the choicest cut meats handled under strict quality assurance conditions.

“Customers who prefer to shop from the comfort of their homes or offices can do so via any of our digital media channels or WhatsApp, while our dedicated FoodCo Delivery Service ensures that their items are dropped off right where they want it.”

FoodCo is one of only two omni-channel retailers in Nigeria and was recently named by the Financial Times as one of Africa’s fastest growing companies. Outside of Lagos, it currently runs the largest supermarket chain in South-West Nigeria.

The company’s SunFresh Premium Bread was named one of the best bread brands in Nigeria by Africa Brand Congress, and FoodCo was named Retail Company of the Year 2020 and 2021 by BusinessDay Media’s Nigeria Business Leadership Awards.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/08/17/foodco-launches-16th-outlet-in-ikoyi-lagos/

Angola has again produced more crude oil than Nigeria for the third consecutive month, as Africa’s biggest economy lost 74,000 barrels per day in July compared with the previous month of June.

In May and June, Angola produced more crude oil than Nigeria, despite an increase in the country’s output. OPEC’s monthly report for July showed that Nigeria’s oil production declined by 74,000 barrels per day (bpd) to 1.08 million bpd in July from 1.26 million in June, based on direct communication.

On its part, Angola’s oil production rose to 1.18 million bpd in July, up from 1.17 million bpd in June.

OPEC uses secondary sources to monitor its oil output, but also publishes a table of figures submitted by its member countries.

Nigeria recorded the second greatest decline in production among its OPEC peers in July, even though Angola’s also reduced, it still beat Nigeria in terms of barrels drilled.

“Crude oil output increased mainly in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait, while production in Venezuela and Angola declined,” the oil cartel said.
OPEC has cut its 2022 forecast for growth in world oil demand for a third time since April, citing the economic impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, high inflation and efforts to contain the coronavirus pandemic.

But the view from OPEC contrasts with that of the International Energy Agency (IEA), the adviser to industrialised countries, which earlier raised its 2022 demand growth outlook.

OPEC in a monthly report said it expects 2022 oil demand to rise by 3.1 million barrels per day (bpd), or 3.2 per cent, down 260,000 bpd from the previous forecast. The IEA raised its forecast by 380,000 bpd to 2.1 million bpd.

Oil use has rebounded from the worst of the pandemic and is set to exceed 2019 levels this year even after prices hit record highs. However, high prices and Chinese coronavirus outbreaks have eaten into OPEC’s 2022 growth projections.

“Global oil market fundamentals continued their strong recovery to pre-COVID-19 levels for most of the first half of 2022, albeit signs of slowing growth in the world economy and oil demand have emerged,” OPEC said in the report.

The international oil cartel cut its 2022 global economic growth forecast to 3.1 per cent from 3.5 per cent and trimmed next year to 3.1 per cent, saying that the prospect of further weakness remained.

“This is, however, still solid growth, when compared with pre-pandemic growth levels. Therefore, it is obvious that significant downside risk prevails,” OPEC said.
Oil prices held on to an earlier gain after the OPEC report was released, finding support from the IEA’s view on demand and trading above $98 a barrel at the weekend.

OPEC and allies, including Russia, known collectively as OPEC+, are ramping up oil output after record cuts were put in place as the pandemic took hold in 2020.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/08/15/again-angola-overtakes-nigeria-in-oil-production/

Ahead of an official launch, The Reddington Hospital Group has announced that it has established a Bodycare Plastic Surgery Clinic at the Hospital in Victoria Island, Lagos.

The new centre is the result of a collaboration between The Reddington Hospital Group and Abuja Plastics, a renowned plastic surgery centre in Nigeria. This collaboration, combining an internationally accredited hospital with a renowned, international Plastic Surgery team with an impeccable safety record and unrivaled expertise is the first of its kind in Nigeria.

Speaking at a media briefing at the Reddington Hospital Group headquarters in Lagos, the Chief Operating Officer of Reddington Hospital,  Mr. Emmanuel Matthews said the establishment of the Bodycare Centre was in response to the yearnings of  discerning members of the public for a professional, affordable, high quality and world class plastic surgery clinic  in Nigeria and reduce the foreign exchange spent by Nigerians on medical tourism to India , United Arab Emirates,  United Kingdom, among other countries.

Medical Director of  Bodycare Plastic Surgery Clinic and Founder of Abuja Plastics, Dr. Stanley Okoro said   the cutting edge medical technology and very qualified staff currently at Reddington Hospital provide a perfect synergy between Reddington and Abuja Plastics to make the Bodycare Plastic Surgery Clinic a plastic surgery destination for Nigeria, Africa and the world.

Dr. Okoro has flourishing plastic surgery clinics in Nigeria and  Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America and  has extensive experience in all areas of plastic surgery. He has won many global awards. Okoro said plastic surgery is very beautiful and safe if done by a team of professionals in the right environment.

Dr Okoro is supported by a team of plastic surgeons and specialist doctors and nurses. A key member of the Bodycare team is Dr Jennifer Cameron, an experienced Plastic Surgeon from Minnesota, USA. The Reddington Bodycare Centre is co-located with its Breast & Gynae Centre at 276a Kofo Abayomi Street, very close to the Continental Hotel in Victoria Island.

Explaining further , Dr. Cameron who is the Resident Plastic Surgeon said the Bodycare Clinic offers an extensive range of aesthetic plastic surgery procedures for all areas of the body including face lifts, eyelid surgery, breast augmentation and reductions, buttock lifts, contouring and reduction, Botox treatments and many others including procedures for men such as tummy tuck, waist reduction, etc.
The centre has already accepted its first patient who travelled from the UK for the procedure. The Bodycare team will also provide remedial plastic surgical services as well as reconstructive services, providing solutions for congenital defects such as cleft palate, dealing with the victims of burns injuries and providing other specialist Plastic surgeries.
According to Okoro, there is no need to travel overseas for excellence in cosmetic or reconstructive plastic surgery as the services are very well provided at the Reddington Bodycare Plastic Surgery Clinic.
The Reddington Group which is internationally accredited is well known for pioneering breakthroughs in healthcare in Nigeria which include the first digital Cardiac Catheterization facility in Nigeria, the first angioplasty and stent operation to be performed in Nigeria, the first closure of a hole in the heart in a child using non-surgical modern technology.
The Group has also established a reputation for being in the forefront of advances in the use of medical technology. On three occasions, it has been awarded Best Private Provider in the Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Awards and have also scooped the Nightingale Merit Award for Excellence in Nursing Care Delivery.
The Bodycare Centre is the latest innovation from the pioneering Reddington Hospital Group who have previously opened numerous specialist healthcare facilities, and most recently opened the Duchess International Hospital in GRA Ikeja, an affordable top-quality hospital which in last month successfully operated on the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo. They have also broken new ground with pioneering cardiac and laparoscopic (keyhole) surgical procedure


SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/08/15/reddington-hospital-launches-bodycare-plastic-surgery-clinic/

Even when not in use, your household appliances can consume electricity. Many common devices, from your laptop charger to your printer, still perform certain functions when plugged in, adding unnecessary costs to your electric bill.

Fortunately, there is a simple solution: simply unplug the appliances when not in use. Unplugging them will prevent energy from silently draining out and increasing your bills, ultimately saving you both electricity and money.

But how much money is actually saved by unplugging appliances? Is it even possible to save energy by unplugging appliances? Is it worth the hassle of constantly plugging and unplugging appliances?

We’ll look at why unplugging appliances can save you money, how much you could save, and how to make disabling plugged-in appliances easier. (We also have advice on how to save money on your water bill, the best temperature to set your thermostat to this summer, and whether it’s cheaper to buy groceries online or in-store.)

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/08/15/unplug-these-appliances-to-reduce-your-electric-bill/

Most offices operate their days from 9:00 AM to5:00 PM which only lasts during the daytime and because the cost of running a shift by servicing the office at night with an equal number of staff if need be might be cost-intensive, most organizations suffice to the normal routine of running an office by the daytime.

The concern is that our customers don’t sleep, when they want a solution it can be urgent and important and the earlier the speak to someone, the more relief they get that their solution is on the way and that they canbeat the deadline. Knowing that most offices are closed after 5:00 PM and on weekends, makes customers want to explore other options of reaching out to the service providers. With a business whose focus is centered on customer satisfaction and an amazing experience. There are options to keep your office running after working hours.




1. Take advantage of social media pages

To run a business effectively, our online presence helps the most and involves our presence on social media channels by creating pages.

Facebook pages, for example, can be automated to reply messages the moment a user sends an enquiry, it is made to generate a predetermined customized message. Facebook also lets the person know the possible time range within which to expect a feedback, and this is made possible based on the time it took the business to reply a message, that provides the summary of the possible time of reply to the customer. This keeps the expectation of the customer that they would be replied and when the reply eventually comes, it proves the assertion that they are dealing with an organization that is customer-centric regardless of whether they are at work or not, in fact, the message can be crafted in such a way to contain a number that can be used for an emergency contact.

Typically replies in a few minutes

Hi, Thanks for messaging us.

We’ll get back to you soon first name, last name (of the sender)




2.Auto-responder

An auto-responder is a system that organizations use to respond to a user that sends a message via email whether they are out of the office, on leave, on a special assignment or outside the country of operation, with a message informing the person of the possibility of when they are likely to read and reply their message or an option of reaching another individual in the organization that could help process their enquiry. The line below is an example of the use of an automated message using an auto-responder

Thank you for your message.

I will be out of the office until Monday, August 20, 2018.

If this is an emergency, please contact first name, last name on

xyz@xyz.com, otherwise, I will

reply you on my return.

Thank you.

Yours Sincerely,

First name, last name




3. A 24-hour office phone


I once read in an online forum where a customer needed a product for use, first thing on a Monday morning and tried to establish contact with supplier that they researched online, they found the office lines and called and it kept ringing without anyone picking at the other end, they kept on researching and found another supplier who they called an got an immediate response and delivery of the raw materials to start the production at the agreed time. What is the point of having an office phone that lies in the office without anyone to engage callers, I think today’s definition of an office, defies the limitation to place and gives us a meaning that refers to the person and processes which can be operated from any place and at whatever time of the day. I am of the opinion that every phone that an office uses, should be a mobile phone with a person that handles it and returns enquiries at any time of the day, even if it means the company would provide the handler the opportunity of benefiting from the usage of the phone from the provision of airtime and data services, it is worth all the effort to keep the business running all day. Although the telephone etiquette still applies.



4. Online Support Services

With the goal of maximizing the online platforms of an organization, all platforms must be considered. Websites should be integrated with an online support system that can be installed on a PC (Personal Computer) and on a mobile phone, which can be accessed with internet services at any time of the day. These chat boxes are also automated to reply messages and the user gets a notification when there is an enquiry to be answered.

5. Integration of Chatbots

Chatbots function with an integration of artificial intelligence to answer questions based on the similarity, pattern or keywords consistently used by customers. This integration works as a temporarily alternative to provide basic information before a human eventually connects with the customer when the chatbot has exhausted its ability with no respite to the demands of the customer. A full technologically integrated team is needed to execute this across platforms.

A sustainable business is built around the speed of attending to customer’s need within a reasonable timeframe, the communication that helps to flatten the gap, concise information needed to make an offer and meeting with the expected date or time of delivery of the customer. When all these are in cohesion, a business can definitely become a household name.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/08/12/how-to-keep-your-business-running-after-working-hours/

The start-up economy in Africa is booming, but all that noise makes it hard to get the correct message across to the right customers. In order to thrive, new businesses require the marketing skills relevant in our current digital age, and there has never been a better time to be a digital marketeer, capturing audiences and achieving business targets by curating campaigns and crafting narratives.

Africa has been ranked the best city for start-ups by StartupBlink, maintaining its standing as the continent’s sole entry, within the top 100 global destinations, to stake a digital business. Moreover, in Nigeria the digital sector is contributing about 10% to GDP, making Nigeria the best home for digital skills in the continent.

That said, the youth unemployment rate in Nigeria has accelerated to over 53% during the pandemic. Many of these so-called digital natives, born during the digital age, despite their confidence engaging in the digital world, lack the skills or the funds to unlock the potential of this emerging tech market through traditional academic streams. There are, however, still other paths that can be explored.

Get a Digital Ad Degree
Aleph, a global leader in digital advertising, is the driving force behind the geographic expansion of the world’s biggest tech companies, across emerging markets. Aleph is committed to educating more than 50,000 people across over 90 countries, thus forming the core of the next generation of digital professionals.

The training is provided through Digital Ad Expert, featuring the flagship programme of Digital Ad Degree, all you need is access to the internet and to Zoom. The course runs over 12 weeks with a mix of live and on-demand sessions, covering the basics of strategy and analytics, as well as platform specific advertising methodologies for all the major social media platforms.

The Aleph degree awards badges upon completion allowing you to showcase acquired skills across all social profiles. The programme also provides overviews of the current Nigerian and Ghanaian job markets so that you can put your skills immediately into practice.

The Latest Research
Digital Ad Expert also benefits from Aleph’s industry leadership through regular uploads, featuring the latest marketing trends and insights from the company. Tap into a unique well of knowledge and content to enhance your digital skills, enabling you to stay ahead of the competition, and discover real world examples from the experts.

Listen Carefully
While social media can seem overwhelming, it can also be a valuable learning tool, allowing you to interact directly with your role models, and locate mentors. The Twitter Spaces tab is your door to topical discussions that are relevant to your interests and is the perfect way to further expand your digital understanding, wherever you are, at your convenience.

Similarly, applying the same strategy to podcasts and you’ll quickly build an audio library that will enrich your personal skills and feed your future career ambitions.

Watch and Learn
True digital natives already know that almost anything can be learnt from watching a few YouTube videos, but what you might not know is that the development of digital skills is no exception. The real magic of the internet is in the flood of webinars you can attend for free.

Yes, the pandemic taught workplaces that workers can be productive outside of the office, and that anyone can host a webinar. Therefore, keep a close eye open for event listings on relevant industry association websites (such as IAB for digital marketers), and discover an endless list of informative sessions to attend.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/08/12/four-ways-young-nigerians-can-enhance-their-digital-skills-for-free/

Delivering on our promise to be a global leader in the Beauty and Wellness Industry, NW Tech Capital (www.NWTTCapital.com ) and TROPICSLAB is pleased to announce that award winning Nollywood celebrity Stella Damasus, has joined us, as lead Consultant for talent acquisition of the Company’s Beauty and Wellness division in its African expedition.

Stella Damasus is a highly celebrated Nigerian celebrity (actor/singer) with a refined skill and several years of experience and expertise, traveling and empowering celebrities across Africa.

She is tasked with the responsibility to expand the company’s tentacles by acquiring the best talents to fulfill our vision of establishing a flurry of high-end celebrity cosmetic brands across Africa.

NW Tech Capital is a publicly traded diversified holding company (OTC: NWTT) that was founded in1996, actively involved in the acquisition and investment of small, mid-size and development-stage private businesses in varied industries.

Based on Tropicslab’s clinically tested formula, over the next Five (5) years, NWTT projects to invest at least One Hundred Million Dollars ($100,000,000) in Africa, in Skincare research and development, manufacturing, distribution, marketing, to generate substantial revenue for our shareholders and to help combat skin cancer for people of color.

“Stella brings with her a wealth of experience and refined skill in talent acquisition that is almost unparalleled in today’s market,” said NWTT CEO Cedric Yengo. “With her extensive connections in the industry and her acumen for strategic alliances, we believe that Stella will help us to position ourselves as the premier Beauty and Wellness Company, in the nearest future”.

According to Edith Delight CEO of Tropicslab, “The Task Force led by Stella Damasus will begin accepting applications from celebrities immediately, for the creation of high end celebrity cosmetic brands”.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/08/11/stella-damasus-joins-nw-tech-capital-as-lead-talent-acquisition-consultant/