₦airaland Forum

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/

We’d all love our homes to have an inviting, well-put-together look, but there are a few common design mistakes that make a room feel messy and cluttered. Clearing clutter away seems an obvious first step towards a more polished look, but there are other simple decorating tricks that will bring order to your space, making it more open, organised and tidy. 

Not having a dedicated drop zone
We all have that spot in our homes where we put our keys, our bags, take off our shoes or just drop random things. It’s usually close to the front door or wherever you enter your house from. It’s where you unburden yourself of everything that’s in your hands when you get home. This space can, however, end up being a mess and it makes your house look untidy.

To combat this, allocate the most convenient space to be a drop zone, and put out storage baskets for items such as shoes. Add a table if there’s space and place pretty little containers on top of the table to hold keys, wallets and even letters.

No cable management
Everyone is guilty of having little to no cable management in certain parts of their home, especially in the living room where there are lots of electronics. Cable management isn’t the most fun thing to do in the world, but if they’re left open and exposed, they can be a massive eyesore.

Cables can be hidden in a number of ways, such as running them along the wall at floor level or through the ceiling or cupboards to keep them out of sight, but it requires expert knowledge to do so and can require extending cables and drilling holes.

Using oversized furniture
Nothing cramps up a space more than furniture that’s too big. You might want that great coffee table, but the truth is that it’s too big. And if you insist on it, it’s just going to make your home look overcrowded and uncomfortable.

If you already have the furniture, consider selling it online and using the money from that to purchase items that fit the room you need it for. Take measurements before you shop so that you don’t end up buying the incorrect size. Crowding a room with too many bits of furniture can also make it feel disorganised. Cut down on the amount needed by using multi-functional furniture, such as sturdy pouffes that can be used both for seating and as side tables, coffee tables with storage for cables and TV remotes, and mirrors with shelving attached to them.

Keep it fresh
“Unmade beds, dull floors, and a generally dirty space all contribute to making a house look disorganised. Get into a habit of tidying up your space. If you have family living with you, teaching them to clean up after themselves helps. Even better, save yourself time and stress by hiring a vetted, reliable, excellent and affordable cleaner to thoroughly clean your home on a weekly basis,” advises Awazi Angbalaga, Country Manager for home-cleaning tech company, SweepSouth.

“A home that feels fresh and smells wonderful can instantly improve your mood and mental health, whereas a house with dirty carpets and unattended old furniture usually holds stale, musty odours that feel stifling. You might not even notice it because you’ve lived in the same space for so long but be aware of the way your home feels and smells the moment you step into it after having been outside in the fresh air,” she says. “your rooms can do with a good routine freshening up that includes dusting them from top to bottom, thoroughly cleaning the floors, opening up the windows and washing up dirty bedding. The good thing is that SweepSouth always has the right SweepStar to do the job on your behalf”

If you can’t throw out old furniture or carpets, try these clever tips from the SweepStars who clean Nigerian homes every week through SweepSouth’s service, to banish smells:

Sprinkle bicarbonate of soda on carpets and couches, let it rest for an hour, then vacuum up every trace of powder

Put a ball of cotton wool that’s been dipped into a fresh-smelling essential oil, like lemon or eucalyptus, into the vacuum bag for a fresh smell every time you vacuum

Clean hardwood furniture with a polish made from two parts olive oil with one part lemon juice and use a soft cloth to rub it into the wood. You could also use almond oil with a few drops of lemon essential oil sprinkled in, dabbing a bit of the mixture onto a cloth, then rubbing gently into wooden surfaces

Overfilling open shelving
Open shelving is all the rage, and it looks lovely – when done right. It’s a common mistake to fill open shelves with books, picture frames and all the other objects you can’t find a home for, but this type of storage actually works best when it’s not overcrowded.

Resist the temptation to fill every inch of shelving, and rather space things out. Edit down what you’d like to display and leave open space between some of the items. Put your favourite decor items out, but bear in mind that too many decorative pieces will make it look cluttered.

The same rule applies when you’re styling a coffee or dining room tabletop. Give careful thought to what is visible in the room, especially if it’s a small space. Display only what you love, and make sure not to overfill the table. Group small items together in a shallow bowl or on a tray so that the arrangement stays tidy and keep small objects from looking lost by elevating them on a stack of two or three books.

Not using vertical space
If you’ve ever mounted your TV on the wall, you will know how much of a difference it makes to a space to not have your TV sitting on the cabinet or table. Making use of wall space – vertical space – isn’t good just for small areas, it frees up every room in the house. Put up shelves or hang things from your ceiling to get it off your countertops and floors.

For example, use wall-mounted shelves to arrange books and get rid of the bookshelf taking up some much-needed floor space. Using vertical space makes a huge difference in almost any room.

Keep these tips in mind when you’re decorating your space and your home will feel like a clutter-free oasis.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/08/10/design-mistakes-that-make-your-house-look-cluttered/

Investing in Africa is a sustainable business strategy as companies earn bountiful profits. Despite the rising inflation and insecurity, businesses are fast growing in Africa.

Beyond rich resources, the continent is one of the most accessible places to do business.

5 fastest-growing businesses in Africa in 2022

Companies with excellent financial structures benefit from Africa’s fast-growing population and rich resources. This article focuses on the fastest-growing businesses in Africa. These businesses are selected based on their growth rate and revenue generation potentials.

Note that we consulted several reliable sources while compiling this list. These sources include the World Bank, Market Watch, Nairametrics, Tech Crunch, Africa Business Communities, etc.

1. Financial Technology Business

Financial technology businesses continue to outshine many startups in the African continent with problem-solving innovations. According to Tech Crunch, Africa is the world’s second-fastest-growing and profitable payments and banking market after Latin America. The continent is home to over 500 financial technology firms, most in Nigeria, South Africa and Kenya.

According to The World Bank, about 66% of Sub-Saharan Africa’s population is unbanked. The unbanked population is another reason financial technology businesses thrive in the continent. They leverage technology to modify, automate and enhance financial services for consumers and businesses.

According to Business Elites Africa, 75% of Nigerian financial technology startups earn an average of $5 million annually. Given the continuous funding for financial technology companies in Africa, the sector will continue to grow with internet penetration and smartphone usage.

2. Food Business

With many investors benefiting from Africa’s resources, the food business is one of the businesses in the continent with a fast growth percentage. According to Business Standard, Africa’s food industry recorded a growth of 3.6% in 2020-21 and 3.9% in 2021-22. Food is a basic need for everyone, making it profitable for businesses for entrepreneurs in the sector.

The growth is driven by soaring demands for packaged and processed foods and the high consumption of frozen and dairy products. The food and beverage industry expansion and innovation are other growth contributing factors. According to Nairametrics, a more significant food Crisis is looming in Africa.

The Russia-Ukraine war, low purchasing power, political instability and conflicts are soaring food prices to unprecedented levels in the continent. Meanwhile, Agro entrepreneurs are benefiting from feeding over one billion people. Entrepreneurs earn huge rewards locally by storing and packaging food products with an excellent transportation network.

3. Real Estate Business

With Africa’s large population, there is a high demand for commercial and residential properties, making the real estate business thrive. According to Nairametrics, The Nigeria real estate market grew by 1.77% in 2021 and 10.84% in the first quarter of 2022. The Egyptian real estate market generated $10 billion, representing a growth of 8% in 2021.

According to Nairametrics, Egypt’s real estate market has a growth projection of 6.5% in 2022. Kenya’s real estate market rose by 5.2% in Q3 2021 and is projected to grow by 5.9% in 2022. The real estate business is one of the most valued in Africa, with entrepreneurs earning from leasing, buying and renting commercial and residential properties.

The real estate business is highly profitable but requires knowledge and experience. To get started in Africa’s real estate business, consider seeking advice from experienced realtors and learn from previous mistakes. Learn the industry’s strengths, weaknesses and how it works.

4. E-Commerce Business

Electronic commerce is a fast-growing African business due to technological advancement and innovation. Firms in this sector allow individuals and companies to trade goods and services through the internet. According to Vanguard Newspaper, Africa’s real estate market value has a projection to reach $180 billion by 2025. The report further disclosed that Africa’s eCommerce ventures secured funding of more than $256 million in 2021, representing a 40% growth from 2020.

According to Africa Business Communities, the e-commerce industry is expected to generate annual revenue of $46.1 billion by 2025. The lucrative industry business involves facilitating the sales of goods and services between companies and their customers. E-commerce ventures also facilitate the sales of goods and services through third parties. Jumia, eBay, Konga, and Kilimall are a few examples of African e-commerce platforms.

5. Logistics Business

Logistic business is a lucrative and fast-growing business in many African countries. Whether in Mauritius, South Africa, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, or Nigeria, entrepreneurs earn considerable rewards in the industry. According to Market Watch, Africa’s logistics market rose from millions to Multi-million dollars from 2017 to 2022. Reports from Sawya show that Egypt’s Suez Canal recorded a revenue of $704 million in July 2022, representing an increase from the $531.8 million reported in July 2021.

According to Research and Markets, Nigeria’s Logistics and Freight Market is expected to grow with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 3% from 2022 to 2027. The business is profitable in various African countries with the rise of delivery agencies working hand-in-hand with traditional and online retailers. Delivery agencies streamline the transfer of goods to customers’ destinations. Consider researching the business’s strengths and weaknesses before investing and focusing on building an online presence for promotions.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/08/07/5-fastest-growing-businesses-in-africa-in-2022/

The assumption of business owners is to provide solutions that meet the needs of their customers, and as a result, raise the quality of lives of these customers as they use these products.

 

Customers have had bad experience when a product that was promoted to meet certain need does not and leads to customers who become very logical before making a purchase, as they want to be very sure what they are buying has the ability to deliver on its promise and won’t require a second or third purchase of another product to provide the needed benefit.

Here are steps to persuade a logical customer.

Mention customers like them that have been served
Customers belong to a certain class and are related whether by age, social status, work environment, exposure, place of residence and many more. The reason for mentioning persons who have purchased these products is to convince them of their security of letting go of their money, mentioning names of persons could also be perceived as one way, it then becomes necessary to collect testimonials of people who have used such products and can talk of the particular benefit that has helped them derive satisfaction. Logical customers belong to the bracket of those who have the money to spend but want to be assured of what they are going into, their network is also robust, that when they make referrals, their circle of friend could even become a customer segment that would have a continuous demand for the products you sell. It is advisable to collect testimonials for display on your website or social media channels, the content could be in the form of text that has the picture of the customer, the thing about video is that it is visual and builds trust almost immediately when we watch the body language of those been presented to use, these clips can go from 30 seconds to 1 minute.

Strings of Conversation
Customers usually ask for procedures of using a product when they are unsure, take advantage of this conversation and provide them the necessary information needed, ensure you always keep records of conversations, whether calls or text messages, not just for monitoring and improvement but to be used for the purpose of reaching our customer who is unsure of whether to spend their money on our product or not. Great customers, when they get the benefit they had envisaged would always give a feedback in the form of “thank you”, you can display these strings of conversations from when they needed help to when the issue was resolved, and this proves that you are trustworthy.

3. Offer a discount that they are willing to pay

Customers have been ripped off their hard earned monies and would only part with something that they are willing to lose and not care about. Our goal here is long-term and overall change of perspective of the customer, so we drop the short term profitability thinking and move into the arena of securing these customers by altering their belief system. The truth of the matter is we are a stranger to them, and they have no reason to trust us, just like those they purchased from in the past. Now is our chance to change that narrative and offer them something worth more than they are willing to pay, it could be from a 30%-50% discount or even free if it is not a high priced item.

Offer them complimentary services for free
Customers have additional needs apart from what they intend to purchase and they usually let go of the second alternative, which the business might be offering, aside the discount given, they can be offered these complimentary services for free, but this is not to make the overall process sink into desperation, it can be in the form of a promise, that attaches a comeback after the product has been used, that they get the complimentary service, when they make a second purchase as they must have experienced satisfaction from the use of the product.

We should bear in mind that the goal is to win the customer, however, customers have the ability to make a choice of whether to come back or not, and our goal is to continue to be in business for a customer whether they are logical or not and serve them as individuals and not as a group.


SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/08/04/how-to-sell-to-a-logical-customer/

Bharti Airtel on Wednesday said it has awarded its first 5G contract in the country to Ericsson, with deployment to get underway in August 2022.

Ericsson is Airtel’s long-standing connectivity partner and pan-India managed services provider, with a partnership spanning more than 25 years and covering every generation of mobile communications. The latest 5G partnership follows the close of 5G spectrum auctions in India on July 26.

Gopal Vittal, managing director and chief executive officer of Airtel, said, “As our trusted, long-term technology partner, we are delighted to award our first 5G contract to Ericsson for 5G deployment in India.”

“5G presents a game-changing opportunity to drive the digital transformation of industries, enterprises and the socio-economic development of India. With our 5G network, we aim to deliver the full benefits of 5G connectivity, fuel India’s journey towards a digital economy and strengthen the country’s position on the world stage.”

Airtel will deploy power-efficient 5G Radio Access Network (RAN) products and solutions from the Ericsson Radio System and Ericsson microwave mobile transport solutions. Ericsson will be providing 5G connectivity in 12 circles for Bharti Airtel.

In addition to an enhanced user experience for Airtel customers – spanning ultra-high-speeds, low latency and large data handling capabilities – Ericsson 5G network products and solutions will also enable Bharti Airtel to pursue new, innovative use cases with its enterprise and industry customers.

Börje Ekholm, president and CEO of Ericsson, said, “We look forward to supporting Bharti Airtel with its deployment of 5G in India. With Ericsson’s unrivaled, global 5G deployment experience, we will help Bharti Airtel deliver the full benefits of 5G to Indian consumers and enterprises, while seamlessly evolving the Bharti network from 4G to 5G. 5G will enable

India to realize its Digital India vision and foster inclusive development of the country.”
Also Read: Earth is spinning faster, what does it mean for us?

With 125 live networks in 55 countries to date, and around 50 percent of the world’s 5G traffic outside China now carried over Ericsson’s radio networks, the company is at the forefront of 5G around the world.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/08/04/bharti-airtel-awards-its-first-5g-contract-in-india-to-ericsson/

The South African government has announced that the price of fuel at the pump will be reduced beginning Wednesday.

South Africa’s minister of mineral resources and energy, Gwede Mantashe, stated this in a statement on Saturday.

He stated that the price adjustment is intended to alleviate the burden of rising energy prices on consumers.

Fuel prices in South Africa are adjusted monthly based on international and local factors.

“International factors include the fact that South Africa imports both crude oil and finished products at international prices, which include importation costs,” Mantashe explained.

According to the minister, the price of 95-octane and 93-octane petrol will be reduced by ZAR 1.32 ($0.08) per litre, to ZAR 25.42 and ZAR 24.99, respectively.

He also stated that the price of diesel, which is primarily used by farmers, haulage vehicles, and emergency power generators, will be reduced by 88 cents for high-sulphur diesel and 91 cents for lower-sulphur diesel.



Mantashe stated that the prices were adjusted due to lower crude oil demand due to recession concerns and the resurgence of COVID-19 in China.

He went on to say that “the decision by OPEC and non-OPEC members to increase oil production” was another factor.

“During the period under review, the average international product prices of petrol, diesel, illuminating paraffin, and LPG have decreased.” “During the period under review, LPG prices increased due to higher freight rates,” he explained.

“Petrol ULP 95 contributed 303.16 c/l to the Basic Fuel Price, ULP 93 contributed 297.42 c/l, diesel 500ppm and 50ppm contributed 267.30 c/l and 271.15 c/l, respectively, while illuminating paraffin contributed 249.77 c/l.”

According to the minister, the price decrease was also prompted by the rand’s depreciation.

The country’s inflation rate reached a 13-year high of 7.4 percent in June.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/08/01/south-africa-set-to-lower-fuel-pump-prices/

Ethiopian Airlines Group, the flag carrier of Ethiopia, Africa’s largest airline group, has upsized four of its A350-900 on order to the largest variant of the A350 Family, the A350-1000, becoming Africa’s first customer for the aircraft.

Ethiopian Airlines has already ordered 22 A350-900s, of which 16 aircraft have been delivered. With the A350-1000 upsizing, Ethiopian Airlines’ backlog consists of four A350-1000s and two A350-900s.

Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mr. Mesfin Tasew said, “We are delighted over the upsizing of the A350-900 on order to the largest variant, A350-1000, that helps us stay ahead of the curve in technology. We are the technology leaders in the continent introducing the latest technology and fuel-efficient fleet into Africa. The A350-1000 is the best fit for our dense routes, and we believe that the upsizing will be instrumental in satisfying the increasing demand of customers in our vast global network across five continents. We will continue on keeping ourselves abreast of aviation technology advancements to enhance our service and fulfil customers’ demand.”

”We are proud of our strong partnership with Ethiopian Airlines – the first airline in Africa to order and operate the A350-900. In another first, Ethiopian Airlines is once again leading the way in Africa’s aviation sector by introducing the A350-1000, the largest version of the world’s most efficient and technologically advanced passenger aircraft.” said Mikail Houari, President, Airbus Africa and Middle East. “The A350-900 has delivered extraordinary capability, fuel efficiency, and operational reliability of 99.5 percent together with unbeatable operational flexibility and efficiency, from short to ultra-long-range operations.”

The A350-1000 will increase the East African carrier’s capacity and it will be an addition to its modern wide-body fleet. The airline will benefit from a flexible, high-value Family leveraging Airbus’ unprecedented level of commonality and same type rating.

The Airbus A350’s clean-sheet design features state-of-the-art aerodynamics, a carbon-fibre fuselage and wings, plus the most fuel-efficient Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines. Together, these latest technologies translate into unrivalled levels of operational efficiency and sustainability for Ethiopian Airlines, with a 25% reduction in fuel-burn and CO2 emissions compared to previous generation twin-aisle aircraft.

By the end of June 2022, the A350 Family had received 940 orders from 52 customers, making it the reference large widebody family for the next decades.

SOIRCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/07/29/ethiopian-airlines-orders-africas-first-a350-1000/

An international telecom investor-operator, Orange Group, has vowed to play a big part in the Nigerian telecom sector including mobile, data, fixed and financial technology support services.

Mrs. Victoria Adefala, stated this when she led a six-member team of Orange Middle East and Africa, on a visit to the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta in Abuja at the weekend.

She said the group is fully determined to do all it takes to get a slice of the Nigerian market.

“We are here to ensure steady investment for a long term. We also want to support the vision of the Commission in driving broadband penetration for a robust digital economy and leverage on local content development initiatives,” she said.

Adefala said Nigeria is missing in Orange Group’s portfolio of combined networks of over 140 million subscribers across 18 countries of its operations.

“The large market potentials buoyed by the huge population, impressive Gross Domestic product (GDP) figure, proximity to our operations in the neighbouring African countries, as well as the appreciable friendly operating environment are great motivators for our expansion plan into the Nigerian telecom market”.

In his remarks, Danbatta, who welcomed the group’s decision to invest in Nigeria, reassured the delegation of a robust policy and regulatory environment that provides a quality enabling environment.

He said the Commission has also taken several other regulatory steps aimed at improving the operational environment such as the ongoing collaboration with Nigerian Governor’s Forum (NGF) to reduce RoW charges on telecom infrastructure deployments; signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) with various government and institutional stakeholders across the country; developed guidelines and regulations to promote colocation of infrastructure, upheld a fair competitive operating environment, among others.

“We welcome more investments into the Nigerian telecom sector. We have enabling laws and regulations that help us to engender a highly competitive telecom market that benefits both the service providers and the consumers. NCC is here to ensure we support our licensees to thrive while also ensuring that they comply with Quality of Service (QoS) Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) set by the Commission because Nigerians will patronise an operator that provides them with affordable services at highest quality,” he said.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/07/28/orange-telecom-set-to-invest-in-nigeria/

Average lending rate of commercial banks shot up by 2.66% between April and June 2022 to 24.27%.

This is equivalent to 2% interest rate on loans per month.

According to the Summary of Economic and Financial Data by the Bank of Ghana, average cost of borrowing has been going up from 20.1% in January this year to 24.2%.

This is as a result of the rising inflation rate and other factors.

However, the average lending rate varies among the banks and the respective sectors that they lend to.

For instance, some banks will offer loans equivalent to the Ghana Reference Rate of 20%, whilst others will charge rates as high as 33%.

Overall, it will also depend on the risk profile of the customers.

Again, some perceive lending to the agriculture and construction sectors as riskier, and therefore credit to these sectors are expensive.

According to data from the Bank of Ghana, cost of loans rose marginally from the beginning of this year due to increasing inflation rate and other factors.

It went up from 20.16% in January 2022 to 20.52% in February 2022 and then to 20.57% in March 2022. It again went up to 21.61% in April 2022 and later to 22.53% in May 2022.

However, average lending rate fluctuated in the first quarter of 2021, and then fell consecutively till December 2021.

For now, it’s unclear whether cost of loans will stabilise or go up despite the monetary policy rate kept unchanged at 19% yesterday July 25th, 2022.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/07/26/average-lending-rate-of-banks-surges-to-24-2-in-half-year-2022/