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 Politics / NAICOM Plans To Increase Insurance Penetration Through Digital Channels by postbox: 6:22pm On Mar 15, 2022 |
The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has reaffirmed its willingness to further expand the insurance market by providing digital channels for underwriters to sell products and settle claims. Sunday Thomas, the Commissioner for Insurance, stated this at a workshop for journalists titled ‘Improving Insurance Access through Market Development and Innovation in 2022 and Beyond’ in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. He stated that the workshop was intended to interact with the media and inform them about developments in the insurance industry. The event, according to the Commissioner, who was represented by the Deputy Commissioner, Technical, Sabiu Abubakar, aimed to correct negative perceptions of the insurance industry. Pius Agboola, Directorate, Inspectorate, NAICOM, stated in his paper presentation that the rationale behind risk-based supervision (RBS) was identifying early risks that firms may have and acting on them promptly, properly applying effective intervention mechanisms. Agboola, who described NAICOM as Africa’s leading RBS regulator, stated that the regulator’s method of assessing firms included research. Others, he said, included identifying the risk that could harm the company, assessing management’s ability to control the risk, determining whether the firm has enough earnings, capital, and capacity to minimize the overall net risk, and rating the company while offering solutions. Abiodun Aribike, Head of Information Technology, also stated that insurance penetration had reached 2% of Nigerian adults and had maintained a 0.88 percent growth rate. According to Aribike, insurance companies must do more to broaden their reach. Data, he believes, will continue to be crucial in improving revenue generation. He emphasized the importance of insurance companies improving their automation and optimizing their business processes without sacrificing efficiency, quality, or response time. “Data is the new and lifeblood of the digital age; it can be used massively for decision-making across the insurance value chain and ecosystem, as well as product development,” he said. In terms of providing customer experiences, he stated that the digital age has raised customer expectations, so it was time to look at business from the customers’ perspective. Speaking at the same event, Director of Supervision Barineke Thompson stated that the ability of a stable and efficient financial system to fulfill its key economic functions at all times is the hallmark of a stable and efficient financial system. SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/03/15/naicom-plans-to-increase-insurance-penetration-through-digital-channels/
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| Politics / FG Increases The Freight Rate For Petroleum Products By 25% by postbox: 1:11pm On Mar 13, 2022 |
The Federal Government has enacted a 25% increase in the freight rate for petroleum products, raising it from N9.5 per litre to N11.87/litre, according to Alhaji Yusuf Othman, National President of the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO). https://brandspurng.com/2022/03/13/fg-increases-the-freight-rate-for-petroleum-products-by-25/
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| Business / Africagogreen Fund Receives Over $30 Million Investments From AFDB by postbox: 3:33am On Mar 13, 2022 |
The African Development Bank and the Bank’s Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA) have approved a combined-equity investment of $20 million in the AfricaGoGreen Fund , a debt fund established to promote private investments in energy-efficient technologies and business models, with the objective of decarbonising African economies and accelerating the energy transition. These new investments come on top of $11.5 million equity contribution approved by the Nordic Development Fund (NDF) in December 2021. NDF provides financing to climate change mitigation and adaptation activities within the nexus of climate change and development. NDF is also a donor to SEFA, thus reinforcing the close partnership to advance the transition to cleaner and greener solutions for the continent while encouraging the participation of the private sector. “This combined Bank investment will lead to increased financing of emerging projects and businesses in the areas of industrial appliances, electric mobility and green buildings, which are key to the decarbonization of African economies and to a just energy transition”, said Dr. Kevin Kariuki, African Development Bank Vice President for Power, Energy, Climate and Green Growth. “Achieving the climate goals and universal access to clean and affordable energy will require vast investment in energy efficiency and, more broadly, in electrification and other sector coupling trends. By targeting these emerging sectors in Africa, AGGF complements our climate and energy access portfolio, and is aligned with our strategic role as an early-stage catalytic investor”, said Mr. Henrik Franklin, Director for Portfolio Origination and Management at the Nordic Development Fund. Launched in early 2021 with EUR 45 million in catalytic capital, the AfricaGoGreen Fund is a flagship project under the G20 Compact with Africa. “We are really happy to see the Bank, SEFA and NDF as new investors in AGGF. These new investments are also expected to trigger additional investments by commercial investors and financiers either directly or through co-funding of projects”, said Jan Martin Witte, Director Global Equity and Funds for KfW Development Bank. The Fund approved its first deal in August 2021, a loan to AktivCo – a company that finances clean energy solutions for powering telecommunication towers located in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, and Niger. Also, in December 2021, it made an additional approval of a $5.5 million loan to BBOXX, a technology company exploring energy solutions that would provide electricity and other utilities to the millions without them, for the expansion of access to clean cooking solutions. The AfricaGoGreenFund provides flexible and tailored debt instruments to private businesses in green appliances for domestic and industrial processes, green buildings, e-mobility solutions, and battery energy storage projects. It is managed by LHGP Asset Management, part of the Lion’s Head Global Partners group. Clemens Calice, Co-CEO and founding partner of Lion’s Head Global Partners said: “We are excited to welcome the African Development Bank, SEFA and NDF as investors to the AfricaGoGreen Fund. The Fund will take efforts to transition to a lower-carbon economy a step further by offering financing to innovative African companies that embrace energy efficiency as a challenge and an opportunity.” SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/03/12/africagogreen-fund-receives-over-30-million-investments-from-afdb/
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| Computers / Mediatek Captures 46 Percent Share In Android Tablet Apps Processors by postbox: 3:49am On Mar 12, 2022 |
According to Strategy Analytics, the global tablet applications processor (AP) market declined 14 percent in unit terms but grew 8 percent in revenue terms in Q3 2021. Tablet Applications Processor Market Share Q3 2021: $887M; Source: Strategy Analytics HCT Service (March 2022) (Graphic: Business Wire) According to this Strategy Analytics’ Handset Component Technologies (HCT) research report, “Tablet Apps Processor Market Share Tracker Q3 2021: Shipments Decelerate“, Apple, Intel, MediaTek, Qualcomm and Samsung LSI captured the top-five tablet AP revenue share rankings in Q3 2021. Apple maintained its tablet AP market share leadership with a 60 percent revenue share, followed by Intel with 13 percent and MediaTek with 10 percent. X86-based tablets accounted for 12 percent of total tablet APs shipped in Q3 2021. Cellular-integrated APs (3G/4G/5G) accounted for one-third of tablet AP shipments. Tablet AP ASPs grew 25 percent year-on-year, driven by an increased mix of premium APs and supply constraints. Sravan Kundojjala , author of the report and Director of Handset Component Technologies service at Strategy Analytics, commented, ” After the revival in 2020 and early part of 2021, the tablet applications processor (AP) shipments declined year-on-year for the second straight quarter in Q3 2021. However, shipments fared better and grew 11 percent compared to the pre-pandemic period (Q3 2019). Foundry capacity constraints cost opportunity in Q3 2021 as some vendors such as Apple prioritized smartphones over tablets. Despite weak shipments, the AP market saw robust growth in average selling prices (ASP), driven by an increased mix of premium tablet APs.” Mr. Kundojjala continued, “Except for MediaTek, all other tablet applications processor (AP) vendors saw their AP shipments decline year-on-year in Q3 2021. MediaTek, driven by increased traction with leading Android tablet OEMs, captured 46 percent of the Android tablet AP market during the quarter. Strategy Analytics believes that MediaTek is well-situated to continue its tablet AP momentum into 2022.” SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/03/11/mediatek-captures-46-percent-share-in-android-tablet/
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| Business / Multichoice Expects End Of $4.4bn Nigeria Tax Row Soon by postbox: 7:34pm On Mar 11, 2022 |
Nigeria’s Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) froze the company’s accounts in June and served MultiChoice Group with a 1.8tn naira tax claim for its Nigeria operation and a $342m claim for value-added taxes. South Africa’s MultiChoice, spun off in 2019 from Naspers, makes a third of its revenues elsewhere on the continent, with Nigeria its biggest market outside its home market. MultiChoice, which had appealed to a tax tribunal and declined to grant the FIRS access to its servers in the past, said in a statement it has agreed to a settlement which paved the way for a forensic audit to determine its tax liability. “With the agreement and the resumption of the forensic systems audit, it is expected that the dispute will be resolved very soon,” MultiChoice said. Nigeria, with one of the lowest tax collection rates in the world, has been seeking to boost non-oil tax receipts to support its fragile economy and cut its budget deficit. SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/03/11/multichoice-expects-end-of-4-4bn-nigeria-tax-row-soon/
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| Phones / Watch The FIFA World Cup On Your Smartphone by postbox: 6:24pm On Mar 10, 2022 |
The summer of 2022 is fast approaching, but football fans will be forced to wait a little longer than expected for the hotly-anticipated FIFA World Cup. The highlight of the year’s sporting activity will be staged in Qatar, and the summer heat there forced organisers to postpone the festival of football for another few months. World Cup 2022 will now be played in November and December when the temperatures in the host nation drop to a playable level. Despite the delay, sports fans can’t wait to get started. This will be the most-watched World Cup in history, with armchair fans having a list of viewing options available to them. In this article, we look at these options in a bit more detail. Our team of sportswriters have picked out three ways to watch Qatar 2022, including one that allows you to follow on your smartphone, ensuring you keep up to speed with the scores and don’t miss a single game. With the playoff stages underway in many of the planet football’s contents, followers are busy putting the finishing touches to their predictions. The leading sportsbooks are offering new members a sports betting sign up bonus today, allowing you to get in early, pick the team you expect to succeed in Qatar and back them at the best possible odds. Competition details FIFA World Cup 2022 will be the 22nd instalment of the competition This will be the first time the World Cup has been staged in the Arab world 2022 will be the second World Cup held in Asia Following this event the tournament will move from 32 to 48 teams Eight venues will be used from five host cities Attend the match The best way to soak up the atmosphere of World Cup 2022 is to attend the match and watch your favourite team in action. Tickets will be on sale through the FIFA website when the final line-up has been confirmed and the schedule set in stone. Many fans are already booking flights to Qatar which will take them to the country during the World Cup. They will then purchase tickets at a later date. Ticket prices for matches will remain the same when sold at face value through a reputable vendor but flights to Qatar are expected to rocket in price during November and December due to the surge in demand. If you hold hopes of visiting the World Cup and watching at least one match in person, our advice is to plan well ahead. Time is already running out to get sorted. Watch on TV The most popular method of viewing matches from the 2022 World Cup will be to watch on live television and highlights programmes. A number of the world’s major TV stations, including the BBC, Fox, MediaPro and Bell Media have secured the rights to cover all games from the competition, from the group stages through to the final. If you can’t make it along to the match, this is the next best thing. You can watch from the comfort of your own home or stage a World Cup viewing party, inviting friends, family and neighbours to enjoy the game. This gives you an opportunity to get a feel for the atmosphere and build excitement while enjoying the match with loved ones. You can invite only those who support the same team as you, sharing in the joy of a win or misery of defeat or you can invite a mix of friends who are backing different sides to create that sense of friendly rivalry that the World Cup is famous for. Enjoy a live stream What if you can’t make it to a television due to work commitments? This is where live streaming comes into play. The best smartphone apps provided by sportsbooks allow registered members to watch an HD quality live stream of the games free of charge if you have made predictions on the outcome. The standard of live streaming has improved massively over the last few years. When watching on your smartphone when on the move or at work, you’ll enjoy clear sound, expert commentary and exciting camera angles. There’s no loading or buffering interruptions either. SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/03/10/watch-the-fifa-world-cup-on-your-smartphone/
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| Health / Is The Brain Active During Sleep? by postbox: 11:07pm On Mar 09, 2022 |
Sleep is vital for living a healthy life. Along with a nutritious diet and exercise, sleep plays a key role in promoting a healthy lifestyle. Everybody knows that sleep is essential for energizing our bodies by providing a restful period. However, it offers many other benefits, as well. Sleep enhances your brain performance by clearing waste and supporting learning and memory. It is crucial for regulating appetite and mood, too. Sleep has been a topic of research for a long time, as scientists are fascinated by the relationship between the human brain and sleep. Scientists have conducted several experiments to understand the complexity of sleep. The results canceled the common belief that the brain is inactive during sleep, leading to a new study about brain activity during sleep. Two Types of Sleep An average human spends one-third of his life sleeping. Still, most people are unaware of their body’s activities during sleep. There are two types of sleep: REM and non-REM. Throughout your sleep, you cycle through the different stages of REM and non-REM sleep. Rapid Eye Movement (REM) As the name suggests, your eyes move rapidly during REM sleep but without generating any visual signals. Generally, REM sleep begins 90 minutes after you fall asleep. It has multiple stages that gradually increase from 10 minutes to a maximum of an hour in the last stage. Since your brain is highly active during REM sleep, it is considered an important sleep stage. Your brain indulges in learning activities that improve memory, as well as increase protein production. It also optimizes memory consolidation, making your brain more likely to develop new skills. While you have intense dreams during REM sleep, your brain still functions as actively as it does during periods of wide-awakeness. Non-Rapid Eye Movement (Non-REM) You spend 75 to 80 percent of your sleep in non-REM sleep. It begins as light sleep and progresses into the longest cycle of sleep. Non-REM sleep has a close connection with deep sleep, as the brain transitions into the deepest stage of sleep during its third stage. It is difficult to wake up from the deep phase of non-REM sleep. Your brain produces very slow waves without any eye movement or muscle activity. Since non-REM sleep is responsible for deep sleep, it helps in energizing your body and maintenance. White blood cells are restored for protection and healing, muscle recovery, and growth takes place during this phase. The Stages of Sleep Stage 1 begins with non-REM sleep, with a light sleep lasting for a few minutes. Your brain waves slow down, making you transition into sleep from wakefulness. The brain waves slow down, along with your heartbeat, breathing, and eye movement. In stage 2, the brain waves continue to reduce, making way for deep sleep. Your body temperature drops, and muscles relax even further. You spend most of your sleep in this stage, instead of the others. During stage 3, your brain waves become even slower, and you finally enter the deepest level of sleep. It is longer in the first half of the night, but it may be more difficult to wake up in the morning. Stage 4 consists of REM sleep, which starts after an hour or more of falling asleep. It involves more movement of the eyes, muscles, and increased heartbeat. The symptoms are similar to wakefulness, so your arms and legs muscles become temporarily paralyzed to avoid any actions. As compared to non-REM, dreams are more common during this stage. Why Do You Need Sleep? We have all felt exhausted and foggy due to a lack of sleep. Sleeplessness can deprive the brain of learning and storing memory during sleep. It may lead to problems in storing short-term and long-term memory. Memory consolidation is high between most sleep stages, and sleep also helps suppress memory and unlearning. Sleep can have pain-relieving effects while also decreasing anxiety. Studies have shown that sleep deprived individuals experience a spike in anxiety. However, anxiety can lead to sleeping disorders such as insomnia. Thus, it is important to manage your anxiety through therapy, medication or supplementation. Brain plasticity, known as the changes in the structure of the brain, is linked with sleep. It is a known fact that infants need sleep for brain development. Several studies have found that sleep has a similar impact on adults, as well. Poor performance due to sleep deprivation proves these findings. Scientists are learning about the connection of sleep with genes, increased risk of diseases, and much more. How Much Sleep Do You Need? Specialists from Healthcanal.com have set average hours of sleep based on age groups, but they don’t fit every person. It is just a general idea that is close to most people’s needs. Infants sleep around 16 to 18 hours for successful brain development. Young children need 9 to 10 hours of sleep and adults need 7 to 8 hours of sleep to maintain their health. It is important to get the recommended amount of sleep for a properly functioning brain and body. SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/03/09/is-the-brain-active-during-sleep/
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| Politics / Economy Nigeria Pledges N2.5 Billion Infrastructure As Kimberly Clark Opens by postbox: 3:30pm On Mar 08, 2022 |
American corporation Kimberly Clark, makers of Huggies diapers, has opened a new $100 million plant in Ikorodu, Lagos, in a new move by the firm to wrestle some market share from other leading brands. In support, the Nigerian government and the Lagos State government pledged a combined N2.5 billion to develop adjoining infrastructure leading up to the factory site at Ikorodu. The pledge was made by the Minister of State, Budget & National Planning, Clem Agba, and Governor Babjide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos. Kimberly-Clark, which has its headquarters in Texas and has a presence around the world manufacturing hygiene and medical products, began operations in Nigeria in 2012, with the introduction of Huggies diapers into the Nigerian market in 2015 and Kotex sanitary pads in 2019. It faced stiff competition from pampers made by the U.S.-based Proter & Gamble, and Molfix, owned by the Turkish firm, Hayat Kimya. Kimberly-Clark’s new facility has the capacity to create over 1,000 direct and 5,000 indirect jobs with potential to scale over the next three to five years of operation, the U.S. embassy said in a statement Monday. It will produce diapers under the Huggies brand name, with the primary goal of producing quality Nigerian-made products for mothers and babies across the country. The U.S. consul-general in Nigeria, Claire Pierangelo, said the country was proud to be one of the largest foreign investors in Nigeria as leading American brands expand their investment portfolio, providing job opportunities and supporting economic diversification objectives. Delivering remarks at the commissioning of the facility, Mr Pierangelo noted that Nigeria is a critical market for American companies and improving the investment climate would result in more milestones for both countries. “U.S. Mission to Nigeria continues to work with our counterparts in the Nigerian government to promote an environment that is inviting to U.S. businesses. Through this model of cooperation, we will realize mutually beneficial outcomes – increasing investment, capacities for job creation, and partnerships while improving the lives of workers and consumers,” he said. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo cuts the ribbon to unveil the plaque at the official commissioning of Kimberly-Clark’s $100m investment in Nigeria with the U.S. Consul General Claire Pierangelo, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, staff members of Kimberly-Clark and other dignitaries. Mr Pierangelo explained that the commissioning of the new facility showcases the commitment of the United States to deepen its trade and investment ties with Nigeria. She commended Kimberly-Clark for its investment in Nigeria and the company’s contribution to improving hygiene and the health of the people of Nigeria. Mr Osinbajo said every new manufacturing plant is an important step towards the government’s belief that private investments – both local and foreign is the pathway to rapid economic growth. “Kimberly-Clark West Africa has grown from just being an investor in Nigeria to a formidable partner in the actualisation of Nigeria’s economic objectives, by adding value through diversification,” he said. “The company has led, commendably, important social investments, including, sponsoring the education of the Dream catchers who danced here, just a few moments ago. This factory, I trust, will only signal the beginning of greater investment in this and other sectors.” The Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) said it was proud to welcome Kimberly Clark and be associated with their success story. It said when Kimberly Clark set out to build the plant, they did not envisage that a global pandemic will catch up with the project however, in a show of resilience, they carried on with the 18-month long task of setting up even through the peak of the COVID pandemic. Speaking on the sidelines of the launch, NIPC’s acting Executive Secretary/CEO, Emeka Offor, committed to providing Kimberly Clark aftercare services to support their operations. Other government officials at the event included Richard Adebayo, Minister, Industry, Trade & Investment; Pauline Tallen, Minister of Women Affairs; Mr Agba, Minister of State, Finance, Budget and National Planning; and Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos. SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/03/08/nigeria-pledges-n2-5-billion-infrastructure-as-kimberly-clark-opens-100-million-plant/
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| Business / Oil Reaches $130 Per Barrel, The Highest Level In 14 Years by postbox: 3:22pm On Mar 08, 2022 |
The price of crude oil hit $130 per barrel on Monday, the highest since July 2008, after the United States and its European allies considered prohibiting the importation of Russian oil in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Brent crude futures were up $12.61, or 10.6%, to $130.72 a barrel by 0449 GMT, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude was up $10.41, or 9%, to $126.09, according to Reuters. Monday’s intraday highs are close to the records set for both contracts in July 2008, when Brent reached $147.50 per barrel and WTI reached $147.27. Crude oil prices have risen in the last week as a result of sanctions imposed by the United States and its allies on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. It primarily sells crude to European refineries. It is also the largest supplier of natural gas to Europe, accounting for approximately 35% of total supply. On Sunday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that the US and its European allies are considering a ban on Russian oil imports. “We are now in very active discussions with our European partners about prohibiting the import of Russian oil into our countries while, of course, maintaining a steady global supply of oil,” Mr Blinken said on NBC’s “Meet the Press” show on Sunday, according to Reuters. According to CMC markets analysts, “a boycott would put enormous pressure on oil and gas supply, which has already felt the impact of rising demand.” “Prices are likely to rise in the near term, with a move toward $150 per barrel not ruled out.” The increase is good news for Nigeria, which derives the majority of its revenue from crude sales. However, it is certain to cause more problems for the country because higher prices will make fuel subsidies more expensive, potentially forcing Nigerians to pay more for fuel, transportation, and goods. SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/03/08/oil-reaches-130-per-barrel-the-highest-level-in-14-years/
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| Politics / Qatari Investments In Nigeria Expected To Exceed ₦500 Billion by postbox: 10:42pm On Mar 07, 2022 |
Dr. Ali Al-Hajri, the Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Nigeria, says his country has increased its efforts to increase investment in Nigeria, with a target of N500 billion by the end of the year.https://brandspurng.com/2022/03/06/qatari-investments-in-nigeria-expected-to-exceed-n500-billion/ 5 Likes
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| Autos / Nissan Is Transforming Nigeria Into An Auto Manufacturing Hub by postbox: 10:33pm On Mar 07, 2022 |
Mr. Amit Sharma, General Manager of Stallion NMN Limited, described the launch of the new Navara in Lagos, with corporate, government, and individual customers from across the country in attendance, as a continuation of his company’s journey towards transforming Nigeria into a notable hub for Nissan vehicle manufacturing and distribution. According to him, Stallion-Nissan is always aware of what he describes as Nigeria’s incredibly huge potential, which is why it is determined to continue investing in the country’s automobile industry. He recalled that in 2013, Stallion NMN Limited, a subsidiary of Stallion Group, partnered with Nissan Motor Corporation to transform Nigeria into a significant hub for Nissan vehicle manufacturing and distribution. “Barely a year after the Stallion-Nissan agreement, Nigeria’s then-revitalized auto policy received a boost from a Nissan Assembly plant located at our VON Automobiles complex in Lagos,” he explained. The first locally assembled Nissan Patrol rolled out of the plant in 2014. Since then, we have made significant investments in the local production of other vehicles such as the Nissan Almera, NP300 Pickups, and Urvan NV350. “The foregoing has resulted in enormous economic benefits to Nigeria and Nigerians, particularly in the form of hundreds of direct and indirect jobs and improved technical skill for a large number of Nigerian workers through the provision of world-class training.” “As a result, Nissan’s market share increased significantly.” In addition, in 2015, Stallion NMN received the prestigious Nissan Global Sales Award for exceedingly increasing market share by 18%. “But wait, there’s more. The Stallion-Nissan Alliance has also resulted in significant Corporate Social Responsibility benefits for Nigerians. These include contributions to the government’s efforts to reduce the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on citizens, as well as large donations to the government’s efforts to combat insecurity in the country, particularly government security agencies in Lagos and its environs.” Sharma also stated that Stallion-Nissan has begun introducing new models, including passenger, commercial, and other specialized vehicles, for the benefit of individuals, government departments, and businesses in Nigeria. “One of them is the all-new Nissan Navara, which we are launching this evening,” he said. SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/03/05/nissan-is-transforming-nigeria-into-an-auto-manufacturing-hub/ 1 Share
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| Business / Lafarge Africa Crosses A Turnover Of N293B With A Highest Profit Margin In 2021 by postbox: 8:06pm On Mar 04, 2022 |
Lafarge Africa reported its highest profit since at least 2011, with top-line growth of up to 27.1%, and Africa’s largest economy’s real estate industry returned to bloom after a second recession in five years hampered consumer spending. According to Lafarge Africa’s audited financials released on Tuesday and seen by PREMIUM TIMES, revenue increased to N293.1 billion last year from N230.6 billion the previous year. However, this still falls short of the figure reported four years ago in 2017, when the company generated N299.2 billion in sales as a result of a cement market boom following a recession. Profit before minimum tax increased by 65.7 percent to N62.3 billion. The increase was owed to some cost-cutting measures, most notably reducing finance costs (the cash spent by the company in servicing long-term credit facilities) from N9.7 billion to N5.3 billion while maintaining a measured growth in other components of operational expenditure. After-tax profit increased to N51 billion, a 65.4 percent increase over the previous year. “Our 2021 performance showed significant improvement, with net sales up 27.1%, recurring EBIT up 42.6%, and net income up 65.4% compared to FY 2020 results,” said Khaled El Dokani, CEO of Lafarge Africa. “We are equally pleased with our progress on sustainability; our use of affordable clean energy and agro-ecology footprint are in line with our net zero pledge journey.” KPMG Professional Services, which audited the company’s books, identified an impairment loss of N4.7 billion resulting from the situation created by Lafarge Africa’s Sagamu plant running below installed capacity as a key audit matter. It cited the facility’s sub-optimal plant efficiency as the reason, noting that “a write down of the associated specific spares carried as inventories of 724 million has been recognised in the consolidated and separate financial statements.” Holcim Limited, the world’s largest cement manufacturer based in Zug, Switzerland, owns 83.8 percent of Lafarge Africa through its subsidiaries AIC UK and CariCement BV. SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/03/04/lafarge-africa-crosses-a-turnover-of-n293b-with-a-highest-profit-margin-in-2021/
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| Business / Kimberly Clark Opens A Manufacturing Facility In Lagos by postbox: 6:18pm On Mar 02, 2022 |
Kimberly Clark, the makers of Huggies, Kotex (sanitary pads), and other hygiene and personal products, has joined the ranks of foreign investors who believe in Nigeria as an investment destination with the opening of a world-class manufacturing plant in Lagos, Nigeria. Kimberly Clark, founded in 1872, entered Nigeria about ten years ago, importing products manufactured elsewhere to trade in Nigeria. They have so far invested more than $100 million in Nigeria. The opening of their own manufacturing plant in Lagos, the 64th in the world and the fifth in Africa, demonstrates not only Nigeria’s attractiveness as an investment destination, but also the interlink between trade and investment – the possibilities when a foreign investor first trades in a new market. Meanwhile, when Kimberly Clark set out to build this manufacturing plant, they had no idea that a global pandemic would catch up with them. However, in a show of resilience, they persevered with the 18-month task of setting up even during the peak of the COVID pandemic. The Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) is honored to welcome Kimberly Clark and be a part of their success story. Mr Emeka Offor, acting Executive Secretary/CEO of NIPC, committed to providing Kimberly Clark aftercare services to support their operations on the sidelines of the launch. Nigeria’s Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, who attended the launch as a special guest of honor, expressed his government’s support for the project. He stated that each new manufacturing plant is an important step toward the government’s belief that private investments, both domestic and foreign, are the key to rapid economic growth. “By adding value through diversification, Kimberly-Clark West Africa has grown from just being an investor in Nigeria to a formidable partner in the actualisation of Nigeria’s economic objectives,” he said. The company has led commendable social investments, such as sponsoring the education of the Dream catchers who danced here just moments ago. This factory, I am confident, will only be the beginning of increased investment in this and other sectors.” Other dignitaries present at the event included Otunba Richard Adebayo, the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Dame Pauline Tallen, the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Prince Clem Agba, Minister of State, Finance, Budget, and National Planning, and Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos, among others, all of whom expressed their support for the project. In an additional show of support, both Prince Agba, Minister of State for Finance, Budget, and National Planning, and Governor Sanwo-Olu pledged a total of N2.5 billion to develop adjoining infrastructure leading up to the factory site. SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/03/02/kimberly-clark-opens-a-manufacturing-facility-in-lagos/
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| Computers / Lenovo Made Its First Thinkpad Powered By A Snapdragon Chip by postbox: 6:08pm On Mar 02, 2022 |
Unlike Apple’s M1 MacBooks, ARM-based Windows on Snapdragon laptops haven’t enjoyed quite the same level of success or popularity. But Lenovo is hoping to change that – at least for enterprise customers – with the new ThinkPad X13s. The ThinkPad X13s’ secret weapon is its Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 chip, which Lenovo says is the first time Qualcomm’s newest laptop processor has been featured in a commercial device. By leveraging improved energy efficiency and a low-power 400-nit 13.3-inch display, Lenovo says the ThinkPad X13s can last up to 28 hours on a single charge. That said, I’m going to want to confirm this myself, because I’ve definitely been burned by shorter-than-expected longevity on previous Windows on Snapdragon machines. In keeping with the ThinkPad X13s’ focus on mobile productivity, the laptop also features a fanless design while weighing just 2.5 pounds, with top and bottom panels made from 90 percent recycled magnesium. And to make sure you have a speedy internet connection wherever you go, the laptop also supports 5G (both sub-6GHz and mmWave) and WiFi 6E. Other specs include up to 32GB of RAM, up to 1TB of PCIe storage, and two USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 ports (but no Thunderbolt 4, cause that’s an Intel thing). Inside, the laptop comes pre-installed with Windows 11 Pro, with Lenovo relying on a number of Qualcomm’s collaboration features like AI-based auto-framing for its 5MP webcam and intelligent noise suppression that works with the laptop’s triple microphone setup. There’s even a human presence detection feature that can automatically dim or turn off the laptop’s display when it detects that you have looked away to protect sensitive data from prying eyes. Now I know I’m not exactly Lenovo’s target audience for the ThinkPad X13s, and I probably wouldn’t buy a Windows on Snapdragon laptop for myself since they often struggle to run games (even casual titles). But even so, during my brief hands-on time with the device, I found that there’s a lot to like. Its design is quite sleek even by ThinkPad standards, while its magnesium chassis adds durability without a significant increase in weight. And of course, there’s that claimed 28 hours of battery which should last for days of real-world use (assuming the laptop can live up to Lenovo’s figures). The only issue I noticed during my brief time with the notebook was a touchpad that felt softer and spongier than I’d like. Though since it’s a ThinkPad, you can always use Lenovo’s iconic TrackPoint nub instead. Thankfully, the X13s’ keyboard felt crisp with plenty of key travel, so there shouldn’t be much of a learning curve for ThinkPad diehards. For a low power display, the laptop’s screen is admirably bright, and the auto-framing camera worked like a charm, even if it was a touch too aggressive zooming in and out when I moved my head back and forth. You even get built-in IR cameras for facial recognition and Windows Hello face login. And thanks to the App Assure program, enterprise customers can get help directly from Microsoft to ensure all of a company’s corporate software runs smoothly on the X13s’ Arm-based processor. So despite a bumpy reception for previous Windows on Snapdragon machines, between the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 and Lenovo’s willingness to put that chip in a ThinkPad for the first time, we could be looking at a new era for ARM-based Windows notebooks. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-95Fu_nMQc The ThinkPad X13s is slated to go on sale sometime in May starting at $1,100. SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/03/01/lenovo-made-its-first-thinkpad-powered-by-a-snapdragon-chip/ 1 Like
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| Politics / CBN Set To Pay N65 Bonus On Repatriated Non-oil Export Proceeds by postbox: 7:16pm On Feb 28, 2022 |
According to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), exporters will now receive an N65 rebate for every dollar of non-oil export proceeds sold to third parties through the importers and exporters (I&E) window. The central bank stated this in a circular issued on Friday and signed by O.S. Nnaji, director of trade and exchange. The rebate is part of the non-oil export proceeds repatriation rebate scheme, which is a key component of the CBN’s RT200 FX program, which aims to attract $200 billion in foreign exchange earnings from non-oil export proceeds over the next three to five years. The I&E FX window is a market trading segment for investors, exporters, and end-users that allows FX trades to be made at exchange rates determined by the I&E FX window. The naira is currently trading at N416.52 at the I&E window (NAFEX), which the CBN has designated as the country’s official rate. According to the CBN, the rebate scheme was specifically designed to incentivize non-oil exporters to encourage repatriation and sale of export proceeds into the FX market. The circular states that “the scheme shall pay N65 for every US$1 repatriated and sold at the I & E Window to Authorised Dealers and Banks (ADBs) for other thirty party use.” “And N35 for every US dollar repatriated and sold into I&E for personal use only on eligible transactions.” The spread, however, should not exceed 10 kobo. “And N35 for every US dollar repatriated and sold into I&E for personal use only on eligible transactions.” The spread, however, should not exceed 10 kobo. Read Also: CBN likely to leave MPR at 11.50% “The incentive will be paid on a quarterly basis.” Exporters who qualify for rebates must have their accounts credited no later than one week after the end of the quarter.” According to the apex bank, the incentive is only available to exporters of finished and semi-finished goods. “Exporters will only be eligible for rebates if repatriated export proceeds are sold at the Investors & Exporters Window (I&E),” the circular adds. “Eligible transactions that qualify for incentives under the scheme shall be exports of finished and semi-finished goods wholly or partly processed or manufactured in Nigeria, unless otherwise specified by the CBN; and exports of goods and services (IT and creative businesses) that are permissible and excluded under the existing export prohibition list.” To ensure the scheme’s success, the CBN stated, “Banks are therefore expected to demonstrate full understanding about both the real and perceived objectives of this Circular as any attempts to circumvent the Scheme’s intent shall result in the suspension of the ADB’s FOREX dealership licence for 24 months.” The central bank warned that any exporter who presented fraudulent documents would be barred from receiving the incentive for a period of 24 months. SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/02/28/cbn-set-to-pay-n65-bonus-on-repatriated-non-oil-export-proceeds/
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| Phones / Nigeria Has The 16th Fastest Internet Speed In Africa by postbox: 7:07pm On Feb 28, 2022 |
Nigeria’s internet speed ranked 16th out of 46 countries studied by SpeedChecker. In addition, Airtel Nigeria, a leading telecommunications service provider, has been named the fastest network provider in Nigeria by crowdsourcing firm SpeedChecker SpeedChecker reported an average mobile download speed of 11.55Mbit/s for Airtel Nigeria in its 2021 report for Africa’s Mobile Network Champions. According to the report, countries and mobile network operators were ranked in two categories: fastest mobile network champion and best mobile coverage champion. According to the report, Nigeria’s internet speed ranked 16th out of the 46 countries examined by SpeedChecker. SpeedChecker assists mobile operators in better understanding their network from the end-user perspective by collecting billions of KPIs directly from mobile devices, analyzing RAN data from OSS counters, and providing comprehensive reports that show why the network quality is good or bad, as well as tangible steps to improve it. The report highlights data point samples collected between January 2021 and January 2022 from end user devices running Android and iOS systems in various countries across Africa, providing a true picture of how mobile networks perform on the continent in terms of download speeds. SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/02/28/nigeria-has-the-16th-fastest-internet-speed-in-africa/
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| Phones / NCC: MTN And Mafab Each Pay $273.6 Million For 5G License by postbox: 11:40am On Feb 27, 2022 |
MTN Communications Nigeria Plc and Mafab Communications Limited, the provisional winners of the 3.5 Gigahertz (GHz) spectrum license, have paid the Nigerian Communications Commission a total of $273.6 million for the 5G Spectrum license. Umar Danbatta, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), confirmed the payment on Thursday, just as the deadline for the two winners of the spectrum auction passed. MTN Nigeria, Mafab Communications Ltd, and Airtel Networks Ltd submitted bids with an initial bid deposit of $19.74 million, representing 10% of the reserve price by the bid submission deadline of November 29, 2021. Following the successful auction on December 13, 2021, and the selection of MTN and Mafab as winners, they were required to pay the remaining bid amount of $253.86 million on or before February 24, 2022. Aside from the $273.6 million payment, MTN paid an additional $15.9 million, which was the bidding sum it offered at the assignment stage of the spectrum auction, allowing it to secure its preferred Lot 1 (3500-3600 Megahertz-MHz) in the 3.5Ghz spectrum; whereas, Mafab Communications, which bid lower at the assignment stage, settled with Lot 2 (3700-3800Mhz) at no extra cost. “I wish to officially announce that NCC has received and confirmed payments from MTN and Mafab for their acquisition of 1 slot of 100Mhz each in the 3.5Ghz spectrum auction, which was successfully conducted by the Commission on December 13, 2021,” Mr Danbatta said, confirming the payments by the two licensees. They both met the Commission’s deadline of February 24, 2022.” “As a result of this, and on behalf of the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, the Board of Directors, and the Management of the NCC, I would like to congratulate MTN and Mafab on this accomplishment, as we look forward to meeting other deployment timelines in the 5G deployment roadmap, as articulated in the National Policy on 5G Networks for Nigeria’s Digital Economy.” Mr Danbatta commended the two companies for meeting the payment deadline and for their commitment to the 5G deployment drive through private investments, which he said demonstrated the licensees’ belief in the Nigerian telecommunications sector’s sound regulatory environment. He also thanked the Federal Government for its support and commitment to the deployment of 5G technology in Nigeria, which he said will bring significant network improvements such as higher connection speed, mobility, and capacity, as well as low-latency capabilities to Nigerian communications services. SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/02/27/ncc-mtn-and-mafab-each-pay-273-6-million-for-5g-license/
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| Career / Adron Gift 10 Employees Mansions For Loyalty by postbox: 11:06pm On Feb 26, 2022 |
Nigeria’s foremost pan African real estate company has compensated 10 of its staff who has spent ten years with the organization with mansions gift. The real estate company did this as part of activities marking its 10th anniversary and a give back to staff that had spent well over ten years with the organization and compensation of their contribution towards the growth of the real estate company over the years. In his speech while addressing the occasion that took place in one of the real estate’s locations in Manhattan Park and gardens where the houses were built, the Group Managing Director, Aare Adetola Emmanuelking has this to say, “First of all, let me on behalf of the Management and Board send you the sincerest thanks. To the dignitaries in our midst and all guest; I give a warm welcome to this Landmark event. On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of our beloved company, I want to spend time recalling the past, my biggest feeling is: enthusiasm and dream are the greatest asset and Standing on the stage of the 10th Anniversary celebration, I am deeply touched & emotional, remembering the time when I decided to take up this monumental challenge to start my own business, with the 3 key ingredients at my disposal; my seed investment of 200,000, the unflinching support of my amiable wife; Olori Aderonke EmmanuelKing and the most critical element the blessing of God the Father. I appreciate all the dignitaries present on this occasion, my special greeting goes to His Royal Highness, the Emir of Uke kingdom Alhaji Abdullah Hassan, Hon. Engr. Muhammad Idris, Honourable Commissioner of Works and Housing, Hon. Auwal Modibbo, Aspirant House of Representative, Honourable Haruna Nalado, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on ICT, Hajia Halimat Bawa Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement, Alh. DIKKO Bala former International Maritime Organization Representative London. Represented and Alh. Ahmed Habu Gumel. And so, I headed off with sheer faith and the wind of grace backing us up; We started with ONE staff in the person of my humble self, this 1 staff went out and got 4 more on the very first day of opening on Monday, February 7th, 2012. Adron Gift 10 Employees Mansions For Loyalty These 5 went out and multiplied themselves by inviting more people to join this wonderful family and by the end of our very first year in business, we had about 70 to 80 staff; and in barely 10 years, look what we have achieved, with a staff strength of over 3,000 staff we have been able to successfully multiply ourselves; so now, imagine what can be done in another 10 years, with more products, better technology, & greater investment in our people. People remain at the center of what we do both our clients and most especially our staff; you all know what is said about charity, it begins from home that is why we take great pleasure as a company is not just celebrating our people but also growing with them; Going down memory lane; one of my longest-serving staff had a housing challenge and approached me for a loan and whilst she was narrating her ordeal, the Holy Spirit was also speaking to me; and at that time, I had 2 houses and I was moved to gift her the first personal house I had ever built for myself and we all know the emotions tied up with such property is. And so I obeyed and gifted the 4 bedroom detached duplex which was worth 55Milion Naira as at then now valued at over 80 Million Naira; & SO today, to celebrate our decade Marines the incredible 10 still standing from the beginning, we will be gifting 8 houses each worth 24 Million Naira to all 8 of us today, DGSM Fisayo Oloruntoba has been gifted a detached 4 bedroom house in Treasure Park and Gardens, Resort and Estates Simawa while mine has also been gifted. Also attached to these gifts are cash rewards in millions to help in the furnishing of their various houses. This is a token to appreciate your loyalty & tenacity; We can attest that these qualities are not easy to come by in the times we find ourselves. A Hundred people started with us at the end of the first year and now, 10 years later; 10 are still standing so on behalf of the management; I celebrate you and is to further state that up till date; the care of our people remains at the core of what we do and Today is no exception as we take out time to celebrate our Incredible Decade Marines. Finally, I want to use this opportunity to charge the decade marines, Will you grow to become the SCORE MARINES? that is, will I still celebrate you when this organization celebrates two decades? Challenge yourselves to be here for the next decade, bigger, better, and higher in position and impact. Challenge yourselves to pass these qualities and gestures forward. Where you can, celebrate people; when the opportunity presents itself do not hesitate to be sacrificial, let us collectively determine to make the world around us a better place and so, It Is my great pleasure to state with so much pride and joy in my heart that I have had the opportunity to work with these incredible colleagues here for ten years; what a privilege it is to serve with you. Without any further ado, Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you our incredible decade Marines.” The real estate company uses the opportunity of the anniversary to appreciate all its customers and reiterates its effort to make incredible housing affordable to every Nigerian. SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/02/26/adron-gift-10-employees-mansions-for-loyalty/
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| Business / Flour Milling Association Plans To Open Procurement Centers In 15 States by postbox: 9:25pm On Feb 25, 2022 |
Under the CBN Anchor Borrowers’ Program, the Flour Milling Association of Nigeria (FMAN) has stated that it will establish procurement centers across 15 northern states to take wheat grains from up to 150,000 farmers (ABP). Dr. Aliyu Samaila, National Programme Manager, Wheat Development Project, said the program was being implemented through the APB initiated by the Central Bank of Nigeria during the annual green field day event at Gawon-Bature in Dambatta Local Government Area of Kano State (CBN). According to him, the country requires a strong vision supported by clear roles and responsibilities for all stakeholders. He also stated that FMAN would organize state-wide field days in all of their major areas of operations to bring key stakeholders together to address challenges and learn from one another. “The CBN ABP has resulted in the cultivation of 504 demonstration farms, each on 0.5 ha, across the 15 states to provide training on Good Agronomic Practices (GAP) to 250,000 farmers,” he explained. Alhaji Salim Muhammad, National President of the Wheat Farmers Association of Nigeria, praised FMAN and the CBN for the wheat farmers’ support program in his remarks. SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/02/24/flour-milling-association-plans-to-open-procurement-centers-in-15-states/
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| Romance / 3 Ways To Win Your Partner’s Heart by postbox: 9:16pm On Feb 25, 2022 |
Relationships, whether love or partnership, can be complicated as it involves two people with different ideologies aligning to achieve the same goal. Thus, we have compiled our top 3 ways to achieve stronger relationships: 1. Don’t Assume; Communicate Your partner wants you to talk to them more. They cannot tell what is on your mind if you do not share your thoughts. Effective communication helps you to express your feelings better so that you get the desired outcome. 2. Set Realistic Expectations Expecting your significant other to be perfect is a setup; no one is 100% perfect. Accept them for whom they are, appreciate their unique personality, and work together to change habits that could end the relationship. 3. Be More Supportive Become your partner’s biggest fan; when they win, you win. A relationship is not a fight; it is a partnership. Showing support for their dreams and success shows how much you love them. Encourage and inspire them to be better and chances are they will reciprocate the same energy towards you. Did you enjoy reading this? Share with your family and friends. SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/02/24/3-ways-to-win-your-partners-heart/
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| Investment / UK Invest N5.6bn On Pension And Insurance In Nigeria by postbox: 8:58pm On Feb 25, 2022 |
The United Kingdom (UK) is providing up to £10 million (N5.66 billion) in concessional aid to reduce the risk of pension and insurance funds investing in energy access projects and to support Nigeria’s commitments at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26). According to a statement issued by the UK High Commission in Abuja on Monday, the £10 million will be blended to de-risk transactions and thus mobilize domestic institutional investment from local pension funds, insurance firms, and other local institutional investors. The funding will assist Nigerian investors in focusing on low-carbon energy projects, such as off-grid and low-carbon energy. This will aid in the expansion of domestic financing for eligible off-grid clean energy infrastructures in Nigeria, such as solar mini-grid and home systems, clean cooking infrastructure, and SME cold storage infrastructure. “The UK is committed to increasing both renewable energy and energy access in Nigeria, driving clean, sustainable, and resilient growth,” said Vicky Ford, UK Minister for Africa. As the world prepares to transition to clean growth, the private sector is being presented with a once-in-a-generation opportunity. This transaction is particularly exciting because it combines UK government support with the institutional capital required to scale up the sector.” According to the statement, this innovative blended finance initiative will provide affordable long-term financing for the low carbon energy sector from local investors to support the scaling up of off-grid low carbon energy projects in unserved and underserved communities. This action plan will aid in the implementation of Nigeria’s nationally determined contributions plan, which the country submitted to the UNFCCC prior to COP26, its energy transition plan, which the Nigerian government presented at COP26, and Nigeria’s plans to increase energy access, including the Solar Naija program. “InfraCredit is pleased to be working with FCDO to mobilize private investment from domestic pension funds and other institutional investors into such an important developmental area as low carbon energy access,” said Uche Orji, MD/CEO of the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) and Chairman of InfraCredit. This program complements NSIA’s other clean energy initiatives, which aim to deliver up to 250-500MW of renewable energy capacity in Nigeria, reducing annual CO2 emissions, alleviating poverty, creating jobs, and supporting local economic growth.” SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/02/25/uk-invest-n5-6bn-on-pension-and-insurance-in-nigeria/
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| Foreign Affairs / Royal Family ‘Rally Around’ The Queen by postbox: 7:40pm On Feb 23, 2022 |
The Royal Family will “rally around” the Queen as she is monitored by her medical team after contracting Covid-19. Senior royals, led by the Prince of Wales – who has only recently recovered from a second bout of the virus – and Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge, are expected to assume her responsibilities until the 95-year-old monarch is fully recovered. Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex and his wife Sophie, Princess Anne, and the Duchess of Cornwall, once she has recovered fully from Covid, are all expected to step forward. According to Buckingham Palace, Her Majesty is suffering from “mild cold-like symptoms” and will continue “light duties” at Windsor Castle for the next week. “She will continue to receive medical attention and will follow all applicable guidelines,” according to the statement. Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex and his wife Sophie, Princess Anne, and the Duchess of Cornwall, once she has recovered fully from Covid, are all expected to step forward. According to Buckingham Palace, Her Majesty is suffering from “mild cold-like symptoms” and will continue “light duties” at Windsor Castle for the next week. “She will continue to receive medical attention and will follow all applicable guidelines,” according to the statement. “Her Majesty’s family is ably supporting her,” a senior source said. She will continue to perform light duties while listening to her medical team.” Charles is said to be in good health after testing positive on February 10. He met his mother on February 8th. The Queen was said to be back at her desk, signing off on a message of congratulations to the Winter Olympic curling teams, emphasizing the business-as-usual signals. Her Majesty will continue to be closely monitored by her personal medical team, according to sources. Her physician, Sir Huw Thomas, has previously stated that keeping the Royal Household safe during the pandemic is his “top priority.” Last year, the Queen was vaccinated for the first time, and she is said to have received all three Covid-19 vaccinations. Typically, the monarch’s health is kept strictly private, with only a few details revealed. Despite contact between mother and son when Prince Charles and Camilla were infected with Covid last week, the palace refused to even confirm whether the Queen had been tested. The announcement that the Queen has Covid-19 was viewed as a significant and positive step by the palace. The Palace, on the other hand, has stated that there will be no “running commentary” on the Queen’s health. SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/02/23/royal-family-rally-around-the-queen/
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| Career / 4 Ways To Own Your Own Career Path In Digital Marketing by postbox: 6:08am On Feb 23, 2022 |
I certainly thought this way for the first half of my 25+ years in digital marketing. People would advise me to set goals and make things happen for myself. But I didn’t follow their advice. The result? I fell behind my peers. People I trained were promoted ahead of me. If you take nothing else away from this article, remember this: Your career is your own. Read on to learn four tips that should help you take charge of it. Tip 1: Grow your professional network As the old saying goes, “It’s not what you know, but who you know.” And it’s true: people tend to work with those they know and trust. That’s why networking is so important, both online and in-person. Referrals can be a tremendous asset, not just when you’re looking for a job. All three of my agency jobs resulted from referrals from people I met at conferences. LinkedIn is the go-to online resource for professional networking. Hiring managers and recruiters often go there first when looking for potential candidates or researching potential candidates. At least one or two recruiters view my profile every week. So keep your LinkedIn profile up-to-date. Use a professional-looking headshot. Make sure to fill out every field you possibly can, from your job history to your training and other experience. Optimize your profile like you would optimize any website you work on for a client. In-person networking can be a bit more challenging these days, but certainly not impossible. Take advantage of local professional groups and more general groups (e.g., Chamber of Commerce, business development). Public service groups like Elks or American Legion can be a great source of friendships and networking. Tip 2: Continue your education Change is constant. This is undoubtedly true in digital marketing, where search engine algorithms are updated almost daily, paid search techniques continue to evolve, website technology changes regularly. If you aren’t a perpetual student of your craft, you will fall behind. Reading is essential. It not only helps you learn more about your work, but it also helps you expand your mind to think in different ways. Many stats cite that most people stop reading non-fiction books after finishing their formal education. Some of those claims may be a bit exaggerated. Still, Pew Research found that roughly a quarter of American adults did not read a book during the previous year. Don’t be a member of that group! Read about more than just work stuff, too. Biographies, self-help, and other works can be beneficial. Part of my reading program is going through digital marketing websites. I have the Feedly app set up on my tablet to go through the RSS feeds of Search Engine Land, Search Engine Roundtable, and other digital marketing-related websites. The news and opinions I read from those sources are invaluable to my continuing education. Professional conferences are a great way to continue your education and build your networking skills. Many conferences have continued in virtual mode, while others are starting to return to in-person. When you’re just starting, it is beneficial to stick to conferences with sessions that will help you get better at your work. Later, though, when you have more experience, learn about other aspects of your trade as well. One of the things that have helped me in my career is knowing at least the basics of how different areas of digital marketing work. Being able to help knit an overall strategy is extremely valuable. Digital marketing expert Joe Hall recently asked on Twitter: “Have you ever been to an SEO conference? If so, tell me about your favorite presentation you saw. What was it about? And what did you like about it?” My answer: “There have been many. The ones I enjoy the most are the ones that make me think about things differently that I can apply to the work I do.” I meant that that sincerely. There have been far too many people to list out in tweets whose conference presentations have helped me do my work better. Lastly, set up your own website if you’re doing SEO or website development work. It’s amazing what you can learn just playing around with a website that doesn’t carry as much risk as playing around with a client’s website. All you need to do is invest a couple of hundred dollars a year. Another way to have a website is to volunteer to help out a charity you support. They will appreciate the assistance, and you get a platform on which you can hone your skills. Tip 3: Always be ready for your next job Looking for a job can feel like a full-time job itself, and you never know when you will need to look for a job. Having an up-to-date resume at the ready will help you if that time ever comes. Avoid using fancy templates for your resumes. Many automated recruiting systems use a parsing system to pull the resume into their applicant management system. Some fancy formatting will completely throw off the importing of the data. It’s OK to have a nicely-formatted version to email, but if asked to upload a copy, use a plain format. Read the full job description before you apply for a job. Never rely on the job title alone to guide you. Otherwise, you will waste the recruiting manager’s time and your own. At some agencies, SEO people are called “analysts.” I can’t tell you how many resumes I would get from people who specialized in data analytics because of the job title, regardless of how carefully I worded the job description in the posting to make it clear it was an SEO job. I finally told our recruiter to do a text search on any resumes. If neither “SEO” nor “search engine optimization” were found, then I didn’t want the person forwarded to me for consideration. Tip 4: Find a job that fulfills you It’s incredible how many people work jobs they hate just because they need a paycheck. I understand that sometimes it’s necessary to do so, but if you hate your job, you have the freedom to go and find something else. I know many people who have completely reinvented themselves and moved from one career to another. It’s OK to do that. You need to find a job that pays the bills and makes you want to get up in the morning and not dread Mondays. While we all can’t make money working on our hobbies, it’s always possible to apply something you enjoy doing to a job that can earn you a living. Part of this formula, I believe, is learning to work on your strengths. While it’s good to identify weak areas in your work and improve upon those, always working in a job where you struggle is bad for your long-term mental health. Being fulfilled at work is being part of a team with a great culture. You’ve probably read or heard about “The Great Resignation.” Sesil Pir opined in a recent Forbes article that what’s happening is something she termed “The Great Awakening.” People are awakening to the realization that they don’t have to work in a crappy, dead-end job for companies that don’t value them. While progressions of salary and titles are great, they shouldn’t be the focus of your career. Yes, you should be compensated for the value you bring to an organization, but money and titles aren’t everything. In the end, it’s wonderful to be able to look at yourself in the mirror and know that you’re doing great work that is helpful. Summary: Make yourself indispensable If you haven’t heard this saying yet, remember it: hope isn’t a strategy. Now is the perfect time to take your career destiny into your own hands. You want to make yourself, as Seth Godin expressed it in his book of a similar title, “indispensable.” SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/02/22/4-ways-to-own-your-career-path-digital-marketing/ 2 Likes 1 Share
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| Business / Tingo Valued At Over $6 Billion On U.S. OTC by postbox: 6:17am On Feb 22, 2022 |
Tingo, a Nigerian financial technology company, is looking for $500 million in funding to expand into other African countries. Dozy Mmobousi, the company’s Chief Executive Officer, revealed this during an interview. The $6.3 billion agriculture-focused firm will raise the fund through a private placement and plans to list on the New York Stock Exchange in the first half of the year. In addition, the company intends to invest $100 million in a fund that will increase credit to primarily female farmers. It also plans to buy at least 19 African countries in the next three years in order to expand into at least 19 African countries. Dozy Mmuobosi stated, “We plan to acquire companies and expand infrastructure that will help us become a pan-African business, delivering the same services we’re delivering in Nigeria in many other countries.” The company also intends to become a global player, as evidenced by its bid to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange. On this, the CEO stated, “We are working closely with the exchange and we believe the outcome will be positive SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/02/22/tingo-valued-at-over-6-billion-on-u-s-otc/
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| Phones / Reasons Why MTN Opted For A New Logo by postbox: 6:09am On Feb 22, 2022 |
MTN, the telecoms giant, has stated that its decision to embark on another rebranding journey, this time with a new logo, is intended to demonstrate the company’s evolution from a telecoms company to a technology company. In a statement, Nompilo Morafo, the company’s Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer, said the brand would unveil a refreshed brand identity and campaign on February 27 to demonstrate its commitment and focus on accelerating Africa’s progress. According to him, the group-wide rebrand will see MTN’s logo refreshed and simplified, as well as its “Everywhere You Go” tagline changed to “Yello.” The new logo, which has since been submitted for approval to the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC), would also have ‘MTN’ written in normal block letters and in blue with an oval of the same color around it, while the yellow background appears to be a lighter shade of yellow when compared to the older logo. SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/02/22/reasons-why-mtn-opted-for-a-new-logo/ 2 Likes
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| Family / How To Stop Worrying About What Other People Think Of You by postbox: 8:48pm On Feb 21, 2022 |
If you want to be your best and perform at a high level, fear of people’s opinions may be holding you back Think about a time when you were extremely anxious — say, before standing up to publicly speak, raising your hand in a big meeting, or even walking through a room of strangers. The reason you felt small and scared and tense is you were worried about social disapproval. Our fear of other people’s opinions, or FOPO as I call it, has become an irrational and unproductive obsession in the modern world, and its negative effects reach far beyond performance. If you start paying less and less attention to what makes you you — your talents, beliefs, and values — and start conforming to what others may or may not think, you’ll harm your potential. You’ll start playing it safe because you’re afraid of what will happen on the other side of the critique. You’ll fear being ridiculed or rejected. When challenged, you’ll surrender your viewpoint. You won’t raise your hand when you can’t control the outcome. You won’t go for that promotion because you won’t think you’re qualified. Unfortunately, FOPO is part of the human condition since we’re operating with an ancient brain. A craving for social approval made our ancestors cautious and savvy; thousands of years ago, if the responsibility for the failed hunt fell on your shoulders, your place in the tribe could be threatened. The desire to fit in and the paralyzing fear of being disliked undermine our ability to pursue the lives we want to create. This underscores why we need to train and condition our mind — so the tail is not wagging the dog. If you find yourself experiencing FOPO, there are ways to dampen the intensity of your stress responses. Once you’re aware of your thoughts, guide yourself toward confidence-building statements (I am a good public speaker, I’ve put in the work so that I can trust my abilities, I have a lot of great things to say, I’m completely prepared for this promotion). These statements will help you focus on your skills and abilities rather than others’ opinions. Take deep breaths, too. This will signal to your brain that you’re not in immediate danger. But, if you really want to conquer FOPO, you’ll need to cultivate more self-awareness. Most of us go through life with a general sense of who we are, and, in a lot of circumstances, that’s enough. We get by. But if you want to be your best while being less fearful of people’s opinions, you need to develop a stronger and much deeper sense of who you are. You can start by developing a personal philosophy — a word or phrase that expresses your basic beliefs and values. The personal philosophy of Pete Carroll, my business partner and head coach of the Seattle Seahawks, is “always compete.” For Coach Carroll, always competing means spending every day working hard to get better and reach his fullest potential. This philosophy isn’t a platitude or slogan; rather, it’s his compass, guiding his actions, thoughts, and decisions. As a coach. A father. A friend. In every area of life. When coming up with a personal philosophy, ask yourself a series of questions: When I’m at my best, what beliefs lie just beneath the surface of my thoughts and actions? Who are people that demonstrate characteristics and qualities that are in alignment with mine? What are those qualities? What are your favorite quotes? Your favorite words? Once you’ve answered these questions, circle the words that stand out to you and cross out the ones that don’t. After studying what’s left, try to come up with a phrase or sentence that lines up with exactly who you are and how you want to live your life. Share the draft with a loved one, ask for input, and fine-tune your philosophy from there. Then commit it to memory and return to it daily. Crafting a personal philosophy can be an eye-opening and powerful exercise. When I coach teams of executives, I often ask them to write down their personal philosophy and share it with the group. I’ll never forget the time a senior executive wowed everyone in the room. As tears welled up in his eyes, he straightened his back, held his head high, and said, “My philosophy is to walk worthy.” He told his colleagues that his parents were immigrants who had persevered through challenging circumstances to ensure he had better opportunities. Because of his parents’ hard work and sacrifice, he considered it his duty to live life as if his family crest were emblazoned across his chest. Every day, he tries to be worthy of their good deeds, and to be a great role model for the next generation. I can’t overstate how important a personal philosophy is. Working with NFL players and coaches, extreme-sport athletes, and senior leaders at Fortune 50 companies, I’ve noticed that, beyond a relentless pursuit of being their best, what makes these high performers great is their clear sense of the principles that guide them. Because of their clarity, they’re more willing to push themselves, learn more, and embrace discomfort. They can shut out the noise and opinions of fans and media and listen to their own well-calibrated, internal compass. Once you’ve developed your own personal philosophy, commit yourself to live in accordance with its tenets. Start at home. Tell that person you love them. Dance at a wedding. Take risks. Be respectfully weird. (That probably means, be you.) Then try it at work. Give a presentation. Go for that promotion. Do things that will engender the opinions of others. When you feel the power of FOPO holding you back, simply acknowledge it, and re-connect to your philosophy and the larger objective at hand. Moving forward, solicit feedback from a short list of people who matter to you. Honest reflection is a vital component of mastery. During an episode of my podcast, “Finding Mastery,” Brené Brown, a renowned researcher and author of Dare to Lead, suggested that the names of those people should fit on a 1×1 inch index card. I add a second condition. The people on your card should have a great sense of the person you are and the person you’re working to become. Hold their views in high regard, letting the noise from the crowd fade away. Calibrate their feedback with your experience. Most of all, remember that growth and learning take place when you’re operating at the edge of your capacity. Like blowing up a nearly inflated balloon, living in accordance with your personal philosophy will require more effort and power, but, the result, which is to authentically and artistically express who you are, will push you to live and work with more purpose and meaning. SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/02/21/how-to-stop-worrying-about-what-other-people-think-of-you/
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| Health / Lagos Introduces A New Brand Of Health Insurance Product “ilera Eko” by postbox: 5:06pm On Feb 21, 2022 |
Lagos State has introduced new health insurance products as part of its efforts to ensure that Lagos residents have access to affordable, high-quality healthcare. The creation of the new range of plans and expansion of the Lagos Health Insurance Scheme – ILERA EKO – was borne out of the need to cover more health challenges in addition to accommodating prevalent medical conditions while addressing economic realities of residents, particularly those in the informal sector, according to Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the governor of Lagos State, represented by Dr. Ibijoke Claudiana Sanwo-Olu, the First Lady of Lagos State. He also revealed that the development is the result of a collaboration with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to conduct an actuarial analysis of the current benefits package. The governor stated that the study’s findings influenced the design of an improved standard health benefit plan at no additional cost to enrollees, as well as the development of other health plans to address the health needs of Lagos residents. He also stated that the expansion of health insurance prioritizes the welfare of the vulnerable in the state, as the scheme is designed to ensure that every Lagosian, regardless of social-economic differences, receives the best and most affordable healthcare services in any of their preferred facilities. Prof. Akin Abayomi, the Commissioner for Health, stated that the new plan is being launched in order to achieve universal advancement of the state’s health sector, and he urged Lagos residents to seize the opportunity to secure their health while they are still healthy. He urged Lagos residents to take advantage of the opportunity to secure their health now, rather than waiting until they are sick. In her opinion, Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, the General Manager of the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), stated that affordability was a major component of the new health plans that would be provided to Lagos residents, while also emphasizing that the agency’s priority is the residents’ good health. Emmanuella also stated that the rebranding is required due to the need to include the informal sector, which accounts for approximately 75% of the State’s population, in the health scheme. SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/02/20/lagos-introduces-a-new-brand-of-health-insurance-product-ilera-eko/
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| Politics / FG Signs Agreement With Eight Indigenous Solar Developers Worth €9.3m by postbox: 4:52pm On Feb 21, 2022 |
The Federal Government has signed an award grant agreement with eight (  indigenous Solar Mini-grid developers for the development of 23 mini-grids across 11 states of the federation under the Interconnected Mini-grid Acceleration Scheme (IMAS).The €9.3 million project, which is expected to generate a 5.4-kilowatt peak to connect approximately 27,600 households and impact over 138,000 Nigerians in two years, is coordinated by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) with support from the European Union and the German government through the Nigerian Energy Support Programme (NESP). Speaking at the grant award signing ceremony on Thursday, Mr. Goddy Jedy-Agba, Minister of State for Power, expressed his satisfaction with the development, which is aimed at achieving the country’s vision of generating at least 30, 000 megawatts of electricity by 2030. “The vision 30:30:30, according to the developed and Energy Efficiency Policy, aims to achieve 30,000 Mega Watts of electricity by 2030, with renewable energy contributing 30% of the energy mix.” To accomplish this, Nigeria will need to build over a thousand 100-kilowatt mini-grids, he said. While admitting that the government cannot achieve the target on its own, he stated that it is critical to continue to find creative and innovative ways to achieve it, one of which is through collaboration with development partners and the private sector. “We recognize that one of the major bottlenecks for private sector involvement is financing, which is why the NESP and REA collaborated closely to develop and implement the Interconnected Mini-grid Acceleration Scheme.” “The eight ( local solar mini-grid developers, Acob Lighting Technology Limited, Gve Projects, Nayo Tropical Technology Limited, Rubitec Nigeria Limited, Darway Coast Nigeria Limited, Havenhill Synergy Limited, Sosa-Protergia Joint Development Company Limited, and A4&T Power Solutions Limited, will receive in-kind grants through REA through the NESP with support from the European Union and the German Government.”“We recognize that financing is a major bottleneck for private sector involvement, which is why the NESP and REA worked closely together to develop and implement the Interconnected Mini-grid Acceleration Scheme.” “Acob Lighting Technology Limited, Gve Projects, Nayo Tropical Technology Limited, Rubitec Nigeria Limited, Darway Coast Nigeria Limited, Havenhill Synergy Limited, Sosa-Protergia Joint Development Company Limited, and A4&T Power Solutions Limited will receive in-kind grants through REA through the NESP with support from the European Union and the German Government.” “And that’s why the Rural Electrification Agency, with the assistance of NESP, is collaborating to alleviate this bottleneck.” We accomplish this by making in-kind grants available to selected mini-grid developers on favorable and encouraging terms as outlined in the Grant Agreement. The intervention’s main goal is to design and test a tender model for interconnected solar mini-grids, which will invariably lead to the establishment of the Scheme. “What’s great about the iMAS project is that we’ve made sure that all of the developers are Nigerians.” This is to say that the Nigerian energy sector has come a long way since its inception, and we are proud of it.” On his part, NESP Head of Programme Benjamin Duke assured that his team will continue to work to build investor confidence in the sector by developing accurate electricity market intelligence that will provide investors with accurate data about the country’s electricity needs. SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/02/20/fg-signs-agreement-with-eight-indigenous-solar-developers-worth-e9-3m/ 1 Like 1 Share
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| Politics / Nigeria Records Real GDP Growth Of 3.98% YOY In Q4 2021 by postbox: 7:51pm On Feb 18, 2022 |
As the lingering economic impact of the pandemic waned last year on the back of deliberate efforts to restart a pandemic-shuttered economy, GDP growth turned to the upside, drawing significant support from the depressed pandemic base year.https://brandspurng.com/2022/02/18/nigeria-records-real-gdp-growth-of-3-98-yoy-in-q4-2021/ 4 Likes 2 Shares
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| Travel / Jet Fuel Price At Record High by postbox: 7:41pm On Feb 18, 2022 |
Jet fuel prices recently soared to record high after rates were increased by 5.2% in line with a rise in international oil prices. This is the fourth hike in jet fuel or aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices in less than two months following a spike in global oil prices but petrol and diesel prices remained unchanged for a record 103rd day in a row, coinciding with electioneering to elect new governments in states like Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. ATF price was hiked by Rs 4,481.63 per kilolitre or 5.2% to Rs 90,519.79 per kl in the national capital. This is the highest ever price touched by ATF. The rate is higher than Rs 71,028.26 per kl reached in August 2008 when international crude oil prices touched $147 per barrel. SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/02/18/jet-fuel-price-at-record-high/
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