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 Career / 4 Ways To Own Your Own Career Path In Digital Marketing by postbox: 6:08am On Feb 23, 2022 |
I certainly thought this way for the first half of my 25+ years in digital marketing. People would advise me to set goals and make things happen for myself. But I didn’t follow their advice. The result? I fell behind my peers. People I trained were promoted ahead of me. If you take nothing else away from this article, remember this: Your career is your own. Read on to learn four tips that should help you take charge of it. Tip 1: Grow your professional network As the old saying goes, “It’s not what you know, but who you know.” And it’s true: people tend to work with those they know and trust. That’s why networking is so important, both online and in-person. Referrals can be a tremendous asset, not just when you’re looking for a job. All three of my agency jobs resulted from referrals from people I met at conferences. LinkedIn is the go-to online resource for professional networking. Hiring managers and recruiters often go there first when looking for potential candidates or researching potential candidates. At least one or two recruiters view my profile every week. So keep your LinkedIn profile up-to-date. Use a professional-looking headshot. Make sure to fill out every field you possibly can, from your job history to your training and other experience. Optimize your profile like you would optimize any website you work on for a client. In-person networking can be a bit more challenging these days, but certainly not impossible. Take advantage of local professional groups and more general groups (e.g., Chamber of Commerce, business development). Public service groups like Elks or American Legion can be a great source of friendships and networking. Tip 2: Continue your education Change is constant. This is undoubtedly true in digital marketing, where search engine algorithms are updated almost daily, paid search techniques continue to evolve, website technology changes regularly. If you aren’t a perpetual student of your craft, you will fall behind. Reading is essential. It not only helps you learn more about your work, but it also helps you expand your mind to think in different ways. Many stats cite that most people stop reading non-fiction books after finishing their formal education. Some of those claims may be a bit exaggerated. Still, Pew Research found that roughly a quarter of American adults did not read a book during the previous year. Don’t be a member of that group! Read about more than just work stuff, too. Biographies, self-help, and other works can be beneficial. Part of my reading program is going through digital marketing websites. I have the Feedly app set up on my tablet to go through the RSS feeds of Search Engine Land, Search Engine Roundtable, and other digital marketing-related websites. The news and opinions I read from those sources are invaluable to my continuing education. Professional conferences are a great way to continue your education and build your networking skills. Many conferences have continued in virtual mode, while others are starting to return to in-person. When you’re just starting, it is beneficial to stick to conferences with sessions that will help you get better at your work. Later, though, when you have more experience, learn about other aspects of your trade as well. One of the things that have helped me in my career is knowing at least the basics of how different areas of digital marketing work. Being able to help knit an overall strategy is extremely valuable. Digital marketing expert Joe Hall recently asked on Twitter: “Have you ever been to an SEO conference? If so, tell me about your favorite presentation you saw. What was it about? And what did you like about it?” My answer: “There have been many. The ones I enjoy the most are the ones that make me think about things differently that I can apply to the work I do.” I meant that that sincerely. There have been far too many people to list out in tweets whose conference presentations have helped me do my work better. Lastly, set up your own website if you’re doing SEO or website development work. It’s amazing what you can learn just playing around with a website that doesn’t carry as much risk as playing around with a client’s website. All you need to do is invest a couple of hundred dollars a year. Another way to have a website is to volunteer to help out a charity you support. They will appreciate the assistance, and you get a platform on which you can hone your skills. Tip 3: Always be ready for your next job Looking for a job can feel like a full-time job itself, and you never know when you will need to look for a job. Having an up-to-date resume at the ready will help you if that time ever comes. Avoid using fancy templates for your resumes. Many automated recruiting systems use a parsing system to pull the resume into their applicant management system. Some fancy formatting will completely throw off the importing of the data. It’s OK to have a nicely-formatted version to email, but if asked to upload a copy, use a plain format. Read the full job description before you apply for a job. Never rely on the job title alone to guide you. Otherwise, you will waste the recruiting manager’s time and your own. At some agencies, SEO people are called “analysts.” I can’t tell you how many resumes I would get from people who specialized in data analytics because of the job title, regardless of how carefully I worded the job description in the posting to make it clear it was an SEO job. I finally told our recruiter to do a text search on any resumes. If neither “SEO” nor “search engine optimization” were found, then I didn’t want the person forwarded to me for consideration. Tip 4: Find a job that fulfills you It’s incredible how many people work jobs they hate just because they need a paycheck. I understand that sometimes it’s necessary to do so, but if you hate your job, you have the freedom to go and find something else. I know many people who have completely reinvented themselves and moved from one career to another. It’s OK to do that. You need to find a job that pays the bills and makes you want to get up in the morning and not dread Mondays. While we all can’t make money working on our hobbies, it’s always possible to apply something you enjoy doing to a job that can earn you a living. Part of this formula, I believe, is learning to work on your strengths. While it’s good to identify weak areas in your work and improve upon those, always working in a job where you struggle is bad for your long-term mental health. Being fulfilled at work is being part of a team with a great culture. You’ve probably read or heard about “The Great Resignation.” Sesil Pir opined in a recent Forbes article that what’s happening is something she termed “The Great Awakening.” People are awakening to the realization that they don’t have to work in a crappy, dead-end job for companies that don’t value them. While progressions of salary and titles are great, they shouldn’t be the focus of your career. Yes, you should be compensated for the value you bring to an organization, but money and titles aren’t everything. In the end, it’s wonderful to be able to look at yourself in the mirror and know that you’re doing great work that is helpful. Summary: Make yourself indispensable If you haven’t heard this saying yet, remember it: hope isn’t a strategy. Now is the perfect time to take your career destiny into your own hands. You want to make yourself, as Seth Godin expressed it in his book of a similar title, “indispensable.” SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/02/22/4-ways-to-own-your-career-path-digital-marketing/ 2 Likes 1 Share
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| Business / Tingo Valued At Over $6 Billion On U.S. OTC by postbox: 6:17am On Feb 22, 2022 |
Tingo, a Nigerian financial technology company, is looking for $500 million in funding to expand into other African countries. Dozy Mmobousi, the company’s Chief Executive Officer, revealed this during an interview. The $6.3 billion agriculture-focused firm will raise the fund through a private placement and plans to list on the New York Stock Exchange in the first half of the year. In addition, the company intends to invest $100 million in a fund that will increase credit to primarily female farmers. It also plans to buy at least 19 African countries in the next three years in order to expand into at least 19 African countries. Dozy Mmuobosi stated, “We plan to acquire companies and expand infrastructure that will help us become a pan-African business, delivering the same services we’re delivering in Nigeria in many other countries.” The company also intends to become a global player, as evidenced by its bid to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange. On this, the CEO stated, “We are working closely with the exchange and we believe the outcome will be positive SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/02/22/tingo-valued-at-over-6-billion-on-u-s-otc/
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| Phones / Reasons Why MTN Opted For A New Logo by postbox: 6:09am On Feb 22, 2022 |
MTN, the telecoms giant, has stated that its decision to embark on another rebranding journey, this time with a new logo, is intended to demonstrate the company’s evolution from a telecoms company to a technology company. In a statement, Nompilo Morafo, the company’s Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer, said the brand would unveil a refreshed brand identity and campaign on February 27 to demonstrate its commitment and focus on accelerating Africa’s progress. According to him, the group-wide rebrand will see MTN’s logo refreshed and simplified, as well as its “Everywhere You Go” tagline changed to “Yello.” The new logo, which has since been submitted for approval to the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC), would also have ‘MTN’ written in normal block letters and in blue with an oval of the same color around it, while the yellow background appears to be a lighter shade of yellow when compared to the older logo. SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/02/22/reasons-why-mtn-opted-for-a-new-logo/ 2 Likes
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| Family / How To Stop Worrying About What Other People Think Of You by postbox: 8:48pm On Feb 21, 2022 |
If you want to be your best and perform at a high level, fear of people’s opinions may be holding you back Think about a time when you were extremely anxious — say, before standing up to publicly speak, raising your hand in a big meeting, or even walking through a room of strangers. The reason you felt small and scared and tense is you were worried about social disapproval. Our fear of other people’s opinions, or FOPO as I call it, has become an irrational and unproductive obsession in the modern world, and its negative effects reach far beyond performance. If you start paying less and less attention to what makes you you — your talents, beliefs, and values — and start conforming to what others may or may not think, you’ll harm your potential. You’ll start playing it safe because you’re afraid of what will happen on the other side of the critique. You’ll fear being ridiculed or rejected. When challenged, you’ll surrender your viewpoint. You won’t raise your hand when you can’t control the outcome. You won’t go for that promotion because you won’t think you’re qualified. Unfortunately, FOPO is part of the human condition since we’re operating with an ancient brain. A craving for social approval made our ancestors cautious and savvy; thousands of years ago, if the responsibility for the failed hunt fell on your shoulders, your place in the tribe could be threatened. The desire to fit in and the paralyzing fear of being disliked undermine our ability to pursue the lives we want to create. This underscores why we need to train and condition our mind — so the tail is not wagging the dog. If you find yourself experiencing FOPO, there are ways to dampen the intensity of your stress responses. Once you’re aware of your thoughts, guide yourself toward confidence-building statements (I am a good public speaker, I’ve put in the work so that I can trust my abilities, I have a lot of great things to say, I’m completely prepared for this promotion). These statements will help you focus on your skills and abilities rather than others’ opinions. Take deep breaths, too. This will signal to your brain that you’re not in immediate danger. But, if you really want to conquer FOPO, you’ll need to cultivate more self-awareness. Most of us go through life with a general sense of who we are, and, in a lot of circumstances, that’s enough. We get by. But if you want to be your best while being less fearful of people’s opinions, you need to develop a stronger and much deeper sense of who you are. You can start by developing a personal philosophy — a word or phrase that expresses your basic beliefs and values. The personal philosophy of Pete Carroll, my business partner and head coach of the Seattle Seahawks, is “always compete.” For Coach Carroll, always competing means spending every day working hard to get better and reach his fullest potential. This philosophy isn’t a platitude or slogan; rather, it’s his compass, guiding his actions, thoughts, and decisions. As a coach. A father. A friend. In every area of life. When coming up with a personal philosophy, ask yourself a series of questions: When I’m at my best, what beliefs lie just beneath the surface of my thoughts and actions? Who are people that demonstrate characteristics and qualities that are in alignment with mine? What are those qualities? What are your favorite quotes? Your favorite words? Once you’ve answered these questions, circle the words that stand out to you and cross out the ones that don’t. After studying what’s left, try to come up with a phrase or sentence that lines up with exactly who you are and how you want to live your life. Share the draft with a loved one, ask for input, and fine-tune your philosophy from there. Then commit it to memory and return to it daily. Crafting a personal philosophy can be an eye-opening and powerful exercise. When I coach teams of executives, I often ask them to write down their personal philosophy and share it with the group. I’ll never forget the time a senior executive wowed everyone in the room. As tears welled up in his eyes, he straightened his back, held his head high, and said, “My philosophy is to walk worthy.” He told his colleagues that his parents were immigrants who had persevered through challenging circumstances to ensure he had better opportunities. Because of his parents’ hard work and sacrifice, he considered it his duty to live life as if his family crest were emblazoned across his chest. Every day, he tries to be worthy of their good deeds, and to be a great role model for the next generation. I can’t overstate how important a personal philosophy is. Working with NFL players and coaches, extreme-sport athletes, and senior leaders at Fortune 50 companies, I’ve noticed that, beyond a relentless pursuit of being their best, what makes these high performers great is their clear sense of the principles that guide them. Because of their clarity, they’re more willing to push themselves, learn more, and embrace discomfort. They can shut out the noise and opinions of fans and media and listen to their own well-calibrated, internal compass. Once you’ve developed your own personal philosophy, commit yourself to live in accordance with its tenets. Start at home. Tell that person you love them. Dance at a wedding. Take risks. Be respectfully weird. (That probably means, be you.) Then try it at work. Give a presentation. Go for that promotion. Do things that will engender the opinions of others. When you feel the power of FOPO holding you back, simply acknowledge it, and re-connect to your philosophy and the larger objective at hand. Moving forward, solicit feedback from a short list of people who matter to you. Honest reflection is a vital component of mastery. During an episode of my podcast, “Finding Mastery,” Brené Brown, a renowned researcher and author of Dare to Lead, suggested that the names of those people should fit on a 1×1 inch index card. I add a second condition. The people on your card should have a great sense of the person you are and the person you’re working to become. Hold their views in high regard, letting the noise from the crowd fade away. Calibrate their feedback with your experience. Most of all, remember that growth and learning take place when you’re operating at the edge of your capacity. Like blowing up a nearly inflated balloon, living in accordance with your personal philosophy will require more effort and power, but, the result, which is to authentically and artistically express who you are, will push you to live and work with more purpose and meaning. SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/02/21/how-to-stop-worrying-about-what-other-people-think-of-you/
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| Health / Lagos Introduces A New Brand Of Health Insurance Product “ilera Eko” by postbox: 5:06pm On Feb 21, 2022 |
Lagos State has introduced new health insurance products as part of its efforts to ensure that Lagos residents have access to affordable, high-quality healthcare. The creation of the new range of plans and expansion of the Lagos Health Insurance Scheme – ILERA EKO – was borne out of the need to cover more health challenges in addition to accommodating prevalent medical conditions while addressing economic realities of residents, particularly those in the informal sector, according to Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the governor of Lagos State, represented by Dr. Ibijoke Claudiana Sanwo-Olu, the First Lady of Lagos State. He also revealed that the development is the result of a collaboration with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to conduct an actuarial analysis of the current benefits package. The governor stated that the study’s findings influenced the design of an improved standard health benefit plan at no additional cost to enrollees, as well as the development of other health plans to address the health needs of Lagos residents. He also stated that the expansion of health insurance prioritizes the welfare of the vulnerable in the state, as the scheme is designed to ensure that every Lagosian, regardless of social-economic differences, receives the best and most affordable healthcare services in any of their preferred facilities. Prof. Akin Abayomi, the Commissioner for Health, stated that the new plan is being launched in order to achieve universal advancement of the state’s health sector, and he urged Lagos residents to seize the opportunity to secure their health while they are still healthy. He urged Lagos residents to take advantage of the opportunity to secure their health now, rather than waiting until they are sick. In her opinion, Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, the General Manager of the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), stated that affordability was a major component of the new health plans that would be provided to Lagos residents, while also emphasizing that the agency’s priority is the residents’ good health. Emmanuella also stated that the rebranding is required due to the need to include the informal sector, which accounts for approximately 75% of the State’s population, in the health scheme. SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/02/20/lagos-introduces-a-new-brand-of-health-insurance-product-ilera-eko/
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| Politics / FG Signs Agreement With Eight Indigenous Solar Developers Worth €9.3m by postbox: 4:52pm On Feb 21, 2022 |
The Federal Government has signed an award grant agreement with eight (  indigenous Solar Mini-grid developers for the development of 23 mini-grids across 11 states of the federation under the Interconnected Mini-grid Acceleration Scheme (IMAS).The €9.3 million project, which is expected to generate a 5.4-kilowatt peak to connect approximately 27,600 households and impact over 138,000 Nigerians in two years, is coordinated by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) with support from the European Union and the German government through the Nigerian Energy Support Programme (NESP). Speaking at the grant award signing ceremony on Thursday, Mr. Goddy Jedy-Agba, Minister of State for Power, expressed his satisfaction with the development, which is aimed at achieving the country’s vision of generating at least 30, 000 megawatts of electricity by 2030. “The vision 30:30:30, according to the developed and Energy Efficiency Policy, aims to achieve 30,000 Mega Watts of electricity by 2030, with renewable energy contributing 30% of the energy mix.” To accomplish this, Nigeria will need to build over a thousand 100-kilowatt mini-grids, he said. While admitting that the government cannot achieve the target on its own, he stated that it is critical to continue to find creative and innovative ways to achieve it, one of which is through collaboration with development partners and the private sector. “We recognize that one of the major bottlenecks for private sector involvement is financing, which is why the NESP and REA collaborated closely to develop and implement the Interconnected Mini-grid Acceleration Scheme.” “The eight ( local solar mini-grid developers, Acob Lighting Technology Limited, Gve Projects, Nayo Tropical Technology Limited, Rubitec Nigeria Limited, Darway Coast Nigeria Limited, Havenhill Synergy Limited, Sosa-Protergia Joint Development Company Limited, and A4&T Power Solutions Limited, will receive in-kind grants through REA through the NESP with support from the European Union and the German Government.”“We recognize that financing is a major bottleneck for private sector involvement, which is why the NESP and REA worked closely together to develop and implement the Interconnected Mini-grid Acceleration Scheme.” “Acob Lighting Technology Limited, Gve Projects, Nayo Tropical Technology Limited, Rubitec Nigeria Limited, Darway Coast Nigeria Limited, Havenhill Synergy Limited, Sosa-Protergia Joint Development Company Limited, and A4&T Power Solutions Limited will receive in-kind grants through REA through the NESP with support from the European Union and the German Government.” “And that’s why the Rural Electrification Agency, with the assistance of NESP, is collaborating to alleviate this bottleneck.” We accomplish this by making in-kind grants available to selected mini-grid developers on favorable and encouraging terms as outlined in the Grant Agreement. The intervention’s main goal is to design and test a tender model for interconnected solar mini-grids, which will invariably lead to the establishment of the Scheme. “What’s great about the iMAS project is that we’ve made sure that all of the developers are Nigerians.” This is to say that the Nigerian energy sector has come a long way since its inception, and we are proud of it.” On his part, NESP Head of Programme Benjamin Duke assured that his team will continue to work to build investor confidence in the sector by developing accurate electricity market intelligence that will provide investors with accurate data about the country’s electricity needs. SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/02/20/fg-signs-agreement-with-eight-indigenous-solar-developers-worth-e9-3m/ 1 Like 1 Share
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| Politics / Nigeria Records Real GDP Growth Of 3.98% YOY In Q4 2021 by postbox: 7:51pm On Feb 18, 2022 |
As the lingering economic impact of the pandemic waned last year on the back of deliberate efforts to restart a pandemic-shuttered economy, GDP growth turned to the upside, drawing significant support from the depressed pandemic base year.https://brandspurng.com/2022/02/18/nigeria-records-real-gdp-growth-of-3-98-yoy-in-q4-2021/ 4 Likes 2 Shares
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| Travel / Jet Fuel Price At Record High by postbox: 7:41pm On Feb 18, 2022 |
Jet fuel prices recently soared to record high after rates were increased by 5.2% in line with a rise in international oil prices. This is the fourth hike in jet fuel or aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices in less than two months following a spike in global oil prices but petrol and diesel prices remained unchanged for a record 103rd day in a row, coinciding with electioneering to elect new governments in states like Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. ATF price was hiked by Rs 4,481.63 per kilolitre or 5.2% to Rs 90,519.79 per kl in the national capital. This is the highest ever price touched by ATF. The rate is higher than Rs 71,028.26 per kl reached in August 2008 when international crude oil prices touched $147 per barrel. SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/02/18/jet-fuel-price-at-record-high/
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| Career / Wema Bank Concludes Bankers-in-training Program, Employs 69 Graduates by postbox: 8:23am On Feb 17, 2022 |
In yet another demonstration of its unalloyed support for the growth and advancement of the careers of Nigeria’s teeming youths, leading innovative financial institution, Wema Bank, has employed 69 new graduates who recently completed its Bankers-in-Training Scheme. The Bankers-in-Training scheme is an intensive 14-week programme to help develop well-rounded bankers who are taken through the rudiments of the profession before being employed by the bank. With an average age of 27, this latest cohort was trained at the financial institution’s Purple Academy in Lagos. They underwent a general assessment to test for knowledge, comprehension and numeracy skills. They also underwent technical assessment as the bank sought to refine their skills for modern and innovative banking requirements before integrating them into the system to put their knowledge into practice in Wema Bank and ALAT departments. Commenting on the exercise, Chief Human Resource Officer, Ololade Ogungbenro, expressed delight with the quality of trainees, describing them as bright with an aptitude for banking. She also added that Wema Bank would not relent in developing and enlarging Nigeria’s talent pool of bankers with adequately trained people who will further develop the sector. “We have taken it as a duty at Wema Bank to upskill talents and set them on a comfortable pathway as they join us. Apart from our core banking business, we are also about talent development and management; hence we are delighted to have trained this new set of recruits and integrated them into the system,” she said. Wema Bank, the creator of Nigeria’s first fully digital bank, ALAT By Wema, has an impressive track record of talent development and management. Apart from the Bankers-in-Training Scheme, it launched an SME Business School last year to equip SMEs with the essential management knowledge required to effectively run their businesses and respond to challenges in a demanding business environment. SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/02/16/wema-bank-concludes-bankers-in-training-program-employs-69-graduates/ 3 Likes
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| Phones / Vivo V23e, V23 5G To Unveil In Nigeria Today by postbox: 9:13am On Feb 16, 2022 |
The Vivo V23e and V23 5G smartphone officially launched on January 5, 2022, will be unveiled in Nigeria today, Tuesday, February 15 at 3 p.m. Providence Hotel GRA Ikeja. These Vivo smartphones are expected to be across categories, including mid-range, flagship, and affordable. V23 5G is expected to launch with a 6.44-inch touchscreen display with a resolution of 1080×2400 pixels. It comes with 8GB of RAM. The Vivo V23 5G runs Android 12 and is powered by a 4200mAh non-removable battery. The Vivo V23 5G supports proprietary fast charging. The Vivo V23e is expected to launch with a 6.44-inch FHD+ AMOLED display, MediaTek Dimensity 810 SoC, Android 11-based FunTouch OS 12, and a 4,050mAh battery that supports 44W fast charging. Brand Spur Nigeria reports, the Vivo V23 5G is expected to sell in Nigeria at ₦164,922 while the other at ₦117,250. Details later… SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/02/15/vivo-v23e-v23-5g-to-unveile-in-nigeria-today/ 1 Like 1 Share
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| Politics / Port Harcourt Disco Launches New Model To Increase Electricity Supply by postbox: 11:10am On Feb 14, 2022 |
The Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company announced a new business model to ensure consistent electricity supply to users in its service area. https://brandspurng.com/2022/02/14/port-harcourt-disco-launches-new-model-to-increase-electricity-supply/ 4 Likes
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| Phones / Infinix Zero 5G Launches Today by postbox: 8:53am On Feb 14, 2022 |
Infinix, a Transsion Holdings-owned smartphone manufacturer, will launch a new smartphone in India tomorrow. This new smartphone, known as the Infinix Zero 5G, will be available on Flipkart on February 14. Among the features, the Infinix Zero 5G will include a MediaTek Dimensity 900 chipset and a triple camera setup. The same chipset will be found in the upcoming OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G, which will be available in India on February 17th. The company intends to launch it in the mid-segment, which is dominated by Redmi and Realme. Infinix will go live today at 12 p.m. on its social media pages and on YouTube. The Infinix Zero 5G could have features like a 120Hz refresh rate and an AMOLED display. In terms of display, the Infinix Zero 5G is expected to have a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a refresh rate of 120Hz. The Chinese smartphone seller is likely to include 8GB RAM and 128GB internal storage as backup. There could also be a 6GB RAM variant. The phone could run Android 11. In terms of photography, the Infinix Zero 5G will have a 48MP triple lens setup, as well as a 13MP bokeh lens and a 2MP depth sensor. It will most likely have a 16MP selfie camera. SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/02/14/infinix-zero-5g-launches-today/
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| Agriculture / Julius Berger To Implement A Zero-waste Policy At Its Cashew Processing Plant by postbox: 7:59am On Feb 13, 2022 |
Julius Berger Nigeria Plc has made an audacious move to diversify its investment portfolio into the agricultural processing sector of the Nigerian economy. Technically renowned for its environmentally friendly policy in all of its business ventures, the engineering firm has also committed to implementing its highly efficient no-waste operational practice at its soon-to-be-commissioned internationally-benchmarked and top quality-driven Cashew processing plant in Epe, Lagos. Julius Berger made the pledge through its Cashew Project’s Commodity and Marketing Manager, Oyindamola Asaaju, at the recently concluded pioneer Agricultural Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Conference, which was held at the NAF Conference Centre in Abuja. Oyindamola, who represented Julius Berger on the Conference discussion panel as well as at the Cashew roundtable, stated that clear national occupational standards and demand-driven international product quality would define and drive the company’s operations and productivity in Nigeria’s cashew processing industry, where only 5% of Nigeria’s cashew production is currently processed locally. The conference, organized by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Delegation der Deutschen Wirtschaft in Nigeria (Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Nigeria), drew both local and international corporate and research organizations involved in the cashew production and processing value chain. It also drew a large government delegation, including the permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, as well as other directors and department heads. https://brandspurng.com/2022/02/12/julius-berger-to-implement-a-zero-waste-policy-at-its-cashew-processing-plant/ SOURCE:
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| Phones / Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra Offers Ultimate And Most Premium S Series Experience by postbox: 6:48am On Feb 12, 2022 |
Samsung Electronics has unveiled Galaxy S22 Ultra, merging the best of two smartphone legacies — the unrivaled power of the Note series and the pro-grade camera and performance of the S series — to set a new standard for premium smartphones. Featuring a built-in S Pen, advanced Nightography and video capabilities, and battery life that lasts over a day, Galaxy S22 Ultra is the most powerful Ultra device Samsung has ever created. “At Samsung, we constantly push ourselves to raise the bar on our most premium devices,” said TM Roh, President and Head of Samsung Electronics’ MX (Mobile eXperience) Business. “Galaxy S22 Ultra takes the beloved functionality of the Galaxy Note and the most celebrated aspects of the S series and merges them for a truly unique mobile experience. This is a leap forward for mobile technology, setting a new standard for what a smartphone can be.” From creative capabilities and productivity, to power and performance, the Galaxy S22 Ultra brings everything you love about the Note experience — including its signature S Pen — to the S series. Galaxy S22 Ultra joins the new Galaxy S series of devices — Galaxy S22 and S22+ — offering every feature of those devices plus new added features for the best of the S and Note series.1 For the first time ever, Note users’ favorite built-in S Pen is coming to an S series device — and it’s the fastest, most responsive S Pen we’ve ever made. With 70% lower latency2 you can write and draw more naturally on your S22 Ultra’s expansive screen, and explore apps in new ways. With S Pen, the S22 Ultra becomes more than a phone. It embraces the legacy of the Note while opening up new ways to be creative and get things done. The result is a mobile experience unlike any before. With seamlessly integrated camera lenses and a sleek metal frame that creates a mirrored effect, Galaxy S22 Ultra represents Samsung’s most premium look and feel. Luxurious glass and haze finishing adds an elegant touch to S22 Ultra’s reimagined linear, floating layout — complete with Galaxy Note’s iconic sharp angles — all encased in a streamlined design. As durable as it is striking, Galaxy S22 Ultra comes in four nature-inspired color options, including Phantom Black, Phantom White, Green, and, new on S22 Ultra, Burgundy.3 Capture Stunning Photos and Videos, Day or Night With Galaxy S22 Ultra, you can capture footage that’s instantly post-worthy — in any lighting conditions. Advanced Nightography features available on the entire S22 family of devices allow you to snap crisp, clear videos on both the front and back cameras, whether you’re recording during the day or night. S22 Ultra is built with a 2.4um pixel sensor — Samsung’s largest pixel sensor ever,4 enabling its camera lenses to capture more light and data, optimizing the lighting and detail of your video clips. Plus, S22 Ultra’s advanced Super Clear Glass lens helps you take smoother and clearer nighttime videos without flares. Meanwhile, video Auto Framing ensures your camera always captures exactly who you want, whether that’s one person or ten.5 With zooming capabilities that will get you 100x closer to the action,6 Galaxy S22 Ultra isn’t just Samsung’s most powerful camera, it’s also the smartest. Packed with new AI supported features like Portrait mode, Galaxy S22 Ultra is built to make every photo look professional. With S22 Ultra’s robust intelligent camera capabilities, your phone does the heavy lifting, so you always capture stunning photos and video in any lighting. Whether you’re an amateur or a professional photographer, Galaxy S22 Ultra gives you all the tools you need to snap a beautiful shot every time. Like Galaxy S22 and S22+, Galaxy S22 Ultra offers exclusive access to the Expert RAW app,7 which features a comprehensive suite of in-camera editing tools that deliver a DSLR-like experience and let you enjoy more creative control. With the ability to save photos in RAW format up to 16bit, you can take more control over your edits with more of your images’ data. And just like a DSLR camera, you can brighten or darken your photos with ISO settings and shutter speed, adjust white balance to make your photo more warm or cool, and manually focus on your desired subject to get your images looking exactly the way you want. Unbridled Power and Performance Galaxy S22 Ultra is built for the most productive workdays. S22 Ultra is part of the first Galaxy S series to be equipped with the latest 4nm processor, which powers Samsung’s most advanced AI and ML processing. It also features Wi-Fi 6E, up to twice as fast as Wi-Fi 6.8 That means you can enjoy unrivaled performance on all your most-used apps, whether you’re gaming, streaming, or working.9 All that power runs on Galaxy S22 Ultra’s powerful battery, which gives you more than a full day of use in a single full charge.10 S22 Ultra also supports 45W super-fast charging, so you can record more than 50 minutes of video — after a 10-minute charge.11 Work, play games, watch videos and more, with power that always keeps you connected. Whether you’re viewing content or creating your own, Galaxy S22 Ultra’s immersive 6.8-inch,12 Dynamic AMOLED 2X display brings everything to life in stunning detail and brighter than ever with a peak brightness of 1,750 nits. Plus, Vision Booster technology enables Galaxy S22 Ultra’s screen to intelligently adjust brightness throughout the day, making sure you get the best possible view of your content even in bright sunlight. As part of our commitment to giving users the best possible mobile performance and experience, the entire Galaxy S22 series will be supported by up to four generations of Android OS upgrades.13 Now millions of Galaxy users can take advantage of the latest security, productivity and other exciting new features, for longer. Samsung will scale this effort across our product line-up to ensure you’re fully supported across your Galaxy ecosystem. Security You Can Trust The Galaxy S22 series is secured by Samsung’s powerful Knox Vault security platform, which includes a secure processor and memory that completely isolates sensitive data like your passwords, biometrics or Blockchain keys from the phone’s main operating system. One UI’s privacy dashboard and Indicator make it easy to see which apps are accessing your data and camera, so you can decide whether to grant or deny permission to each app. The Galaxy S22 series also introduces several new security features, including the ARM micro architecture, which helps prevent cyberattacks that target your operating system and memory. Plus, the Galaxy S22 series brings you Samsung Wallet14 — a seamless, convenient and secure experience to make everyday life easier. Samsung Wallet combines digital payment, ID, keys and asset management into one tool to simplify your routines, from showing your student ID to compiling travel documents before a flight. Stay Connected With the Galaxy Ecosystem Alongside the new S22 series, Samsung is introducing an all new line of tablets and a pack of updated features for Galaxy Watch4 so that Galaxy users can stay connected in every aspect of their lives. Built for a new era of connectivity, Galaxy Tab S8 series — including Tab S8, Tab S8+ and Tab S8 Ultra — is Samsung’s most versatile line of tablets ever, built and designed to meet the ever-changing needs of those who work, study, play and create. Local Availability Starting on February 25, 2022, Galaxy S22 Ultra will be widely available in carrier and Unlocked by Samsung versions through Samsung.com, carriers and retailers online. The device will be available in the following colors and memory options: Galaxy S22 Ultra: Phantom Black, Phantom White, Green and Burgundy in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB and 1TB models with 8GB and 12GB RAM Samsung Care+,15 a dedicated product support service covering accidental damages, repairs and more, will be available for the Galaxy S22 series. SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/02/11/samsung-galaxy-s22-ultra-offers-ultimate-experience/
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| Foreign Affairs / Europe’s Consumers Are Sitting On 1 Trillion Euros In Pandemic Savings by postbox: 9:52am On Feb 11, 2022 |
facebook sharing button twitter sharing button whatsapp sharing button linkedin sharing button In ordinary times, Europeans save around 12 percent of their income. But as families stayed at home and furlough schemes supported income during the pandemic, this savings rate increased sharply to almost 19 percent in 2020 and 2021. As shown in this Chart of the Week, we estimate that households in the euro area saved nearly 1 trillion euros more in those two years than they would have done if the pandemic never happened. In other words, people saved a record sum—equivalent to around 8 percent of total euro-area gross domestic product. Euro-area economic growth and potentially inflation would get a big boost if consumers were to spend part of their excess savings by temporarily reducing the rate at which they save to below that seen prior to the pandemic. This would be consistent with the pattern after some previous pandemics and severe economic shocks, when households saved a much smaller proportion of their income than they had done historically. Even a moderate increase in spending—if households were to use about one-third of their excess savings for higher consumption over two years, say—would add 2.5 percentage points to GDP and up to 0.75 percentage point to inflation by the end of the second year. Some unwinding but no spending spree Half of the euro area’s excess savings are in bank accounts, meaning they could, in principle, be easily accessed and spent once pandemic restrictions are lifted. And most of the savings were forced, not precautionary as is more common during recessions when people worry about future income, suggesting that they may be spent soon. Yet there are four reasons these savings may not be released into the real economy in a hurry. First, the sort of expenditure that households were forced to forgo during the pandemic is not easily replaced. Almost 80 percent of the total spending drop in 2020 stemmed from declines in hospitality and transport. Consumers are unlikely to ever make up for all the cancelled airline flights, hotel stays or restaurant meals. Second, excess savings mostly accrued to those with high incomes. In France, for example, the richest 10 percent of households increased savings substantially even as some poorer families reduced savings, bank data show. High-earners typically save a larger share of their income and so are less likely to spend their savings. Third, supply chain problems mean many may struggle to spend their savings—even if they wish to. Long delivery times and higher prices are making it harder for consumers to substitute what they would ordinarily have spent on services with increased spending on goods (though this pent-up demand could boost consumption of goods in the future). And fourth, the spread of the Omicron variant means Europeans may be forced to save for a little longer. Uncertainty surrounding the outlook for consumption remains exceptionally high. Policymakers should keep a close watch on savings rates as they assess the strength of the recovery—and, if necessary, adjust monetary and fiscal policy to ensure sustained and equitable growth and to preserve price stability. SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/02/11/europes-consumers-are-sitting-on-1-trillion-euros-in-pandemic-savings/
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| Phones / NCC: MTN Pays For 5G Licenses Ahead February 24 Deadline by postbox: 8:27am On Feb 10, 2022 |
MTN Nigeria has paid the 5G license fee ahead of the Federal Government of Nigeria’s February 24 deadline. This was announced on the Nigerian Communications Commission’s website on February 4. According to the website, MTN and Mafab Communications were among those who had paid their licence fees in full and collected licence documents for their respective telecommunications undertakings prior to the era of Licence reclassification into Class and Individual licences. MTN and Mafab Communications were awarded slots for the 3.5 gigahertz (Ghz) Fifth Generation (5G) technology spectrum after winning the NCC auction. According to Isa Pantami, Nigeria’s Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, the 5G network will help promote economic development in Nigeria because digital technology will benefit the country’s finance and other sectors. At the assignment stage, two 100MHzTDD slots were made available in the 3.5GHz band for bidding in order to support the delivery of broadband services for the deployment of 5G in Nigeria. The bidders, Mobile Telephone Network (MTN), Airtel Nigeria, and Mafab Communications, were eliminated at the Main stage, leaving only two bidders, Mafab and MTN. SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/02/09/ncc-mtn-pays-for-5g-licenses-ahead-february-24-deadline/
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| Politics / Nigerians And Other Nationals To Have Their Employment Quotas Reduced by postbox: 2:18am On Feb 10, 2022 |
Due to the country’s high unemployment, South Africa will now limit employment quotas for other nationals, including Nigerians. According to Bloomberg, South African Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi is finalizing legislation that will limit the number of foreigners that businesses owned by South Africans can hire. Three other pieces of legislation dealing with immigration and refugees are also being reviewed, according to the Minister. Previously, there was no law dictating to South Africans the nationality of persons to hire, according to the minister. “If you are a South African businessperson opening a restaurant or a factory, there is no law that tells you what to do; you can bring 100% foreign nationals or 100% South Africans,” Mr Motsoaledi explained. “We’re saying there’s a problem with unemployment and the lack of quotas,” he added. The Minister, who stated that the new quota laws had been in the works for several years, stated that it was due to an increase in the number of employed people. “These are issues that have been raised and have been raised sharply now, obviously because unemployment is getting worse and worse, and also because Covid has exacerbated these challenges,” he explained. Herman Mashaba, a former Mayor of Johannesburg, has always demanded that undocumented migrants be deported. Last month, Julius Malema, the leader of the populist Economic Freedom Fighters party, attempted to coerce restaurant owners near Johannesburg to hire more South Africans than foreigners. SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/02/09/nigerians-and-other-nationals-to-have-their-employment-quotas-reduced-in-south-africa/
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| Business / TotalEnergies, NNPC, And UNITAR Open Plastic Recycling Plant by postbox: 11:20am On Feb 08, 2022 |
TotalEnergies, NNPC, And UNITAR Open Plastic Recycling Plant EP, Nigeria Limited has opened a pilot plastic recycling plant in Rivers State’s Port Harcourt. It is a joint venture (JV) project of TotalEnergies, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) (UNITAR). The Country Chair, Managing Director (MD) of TotalEnergies, Mike Sangster, launched the project yesterday at Elelenwo community in Port Harcourt Local Government Area of the state, saying the idea arose out of the need to find a sustainable solution to the problem of single-use plastic waste management. According to him, the multimillion-dollar state-of-the-art plant can recycle over 1000 tons of plastics per year, save over 750 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per year, and create more than 80 direct and indirect jobs. He stated that it would be managed by an entrepreneur on a loan basis in order for the project to be replicated in other parts of the country. “While TotalEnergies is the project’s sponsor, the plant itself will be handed over to an entrepreneur who will run it and eventually take full ownership after repaying a portion of the investment,” he explained. The recovered portion of the investment, according to Sabster, will be placed in a recycling fund and re-invested in similar facilities throughout the state.” “Our goal is to create a long-term model in which local entrepreneurs are empowered, trained, and supported to run the business, thereby supporting local enterprise while promoting sustainable waste management in accordance with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Goal 12, which calls for sustainable consumption and production patterns.” Our vision in establishing this plant is to facilitate waste management in Nigeria through economic empowerment, which is consistent with our company’s core values. The pilot plant is outfitted with sophisticated modern recycling machines and will recycle over 1000 tons of waste polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) per year. Mrs Sharon Ikeazor, Minister of State for Environment, also spoke at the event and challenged the private sector to join the project and replicate it to combat marine pollution and plastic waste in the ocean. According to Olubumi Olusanya, Director, Pollution Control, Federal Ministry of Environment, the government has “created the enabling environment to promote circular economy such as this, for waste reduction, recycling, and converting wastes to wealth, through incentives and policies.” Bala Wunti, Managing Director of NAPIMS, also spoke, and assured that the project would pave the way for other similar projects in support of the government’s social investment initiative through the oil and gas sector. “Our vision for social interventions is to operate in an ethical and sustainable manner and deal with the environment and social impact occasioned by our activities, thus the approval of various CSR projects by our operators across the country for maximum impact,” said Wunti’s Manager, Efficiency, Mrs Adetutu Olukanmi. In addition, the Assistant Secretary-General of UNITAR, Mr Nikhil Seth, who was represented by a Senior Consultant at UNITAR, Dr Lawrence Boms, praised TotalEnergies for having the confidence to partner with them on the project, stating that the project demonstrated collaboration between the public and private sectors. Eze Sunny Weli Chukwu, the hoat Monarch and Nye Nwe Eli Elelenwo community leader, praised the decision to locate the project in his domain and requested that the Federal Government’s local content policy be activated to allow his subjects to be directly involved in the factory’s workforce. SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/02/05/totalenergies-nnpc-and-unitar-open-plastic-recycling-plant/
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| Phones / Apple Set To Release A Low-cost 5G Iphone In March by postbox: 8:48am On Feb 08, 2022 |
Bloomberg News reported on Friday that Apple Inc is planning to unveil a low-cost 5G iPhone and an updated iPad on or around March 8, citing people familiar with the matter. The new iPhone will be the first update to the iPhone SE model in two years, with 5G network capabilities, an improved camera, and a faster processor, according to the report. Apple announced two new MacBook Pro models in October that run on more powerful in-house chips. With the expected launch still more than a month away, Apple’s plans may change due to production delays or other changes, according to the report. The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters. more info Based in Cupertino, California, Apple is overcoming a costly global shortage of computer chips, reporting record holiday quarter sales in January, beating profit estimates and forecasting that its shortfall is shrinking. SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/02/06/apple-set-to-release-a-low-cost-5g-iphone-in-march/ 1 Like
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| Health / Siemens South Africa And Aspen Join Forces To Enhance Vaccine Production by postbox: 8:37am On Feb 08, 2022 |
A strategic partnership that will enable Aspen Pharmacare to increase production capacity to meet the rising demands for COVID-19 vaccines in Africa. Co-financed by funds from the develop programme of the German Government, digital technologies will enable faster and more efficient production while ensuring consistent product quality. In a joint project, Siemens South Africa, Aspen SA Operations (Pty) Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Limited (collectively “Aspen”) and Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft (DEG) have entered into an agreement to enable the use of digital technologies to enhance the efficiency of COVID vaccine production on the African continent, through Aspen’s Gqeberha-based manufacturing facility. The project will strengthen the global competitiveness of the South African pharmaceutical industry and improve the continent’s resilience against other diseases and future pandemics. Against this background, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) has commissioned DEG to finance the establishment of home-grown vaccine manufacturing capacities. South Africa is the most advanced pharmaceutical market on the continent with Aspen being Africa’s leading pharmaceutical manufacturer. Aspen is in the process of licensing the rights for the first African COVID vaccines, which it will launch as Aspenovax during the early parts of quarter 2. Aspenovax will provide Africa its own COVID vaccine, produced on the African continent by Aspen for African patients. The production of Aspenovax, and consequently the continent, stands to benefit from the joint Siemens-Aspen project. This will include a suite of Siemens digital technologies to enhance the current manufacturing processes at Aspen and provide enhanced production execution, energy efficiency, product tracking, central management of the entire production network and introduce additional energy monitoring devices, flow instruments and temperature sensors. A key aspect of this project will also include training and development of skills for the effective maintenance of Aspen’s production facility in Gqeberha, in the Eastern Cape. Sabine Dall’Omo, Chief Executive Officer for Siemens Southern & Eastern Africa explains, ‘With our innovative Digital Twin simulation, the production environment will be kept up to date to be leveraged in determining the impact of strategic improvement initiatives. The full scope of supply is aimed at improving the efficiency, thereby reducing wastage of valuable vaccine doses while introducing energy management to minimize carbon emissions. We are proud to collaborate with Aspen and DEG in South Africa, thereby supporting the pharmaceutical industry to intensify the production of vaccines globally. This partnership between Aspen, DEG and Siemens clearly demonstrates how our digital technologies can benefit society. Ultimately, our collaboration will accelerate the development of vaccines thereby reducing time to market, while maintaining quality as we try to win the race against time to save lives Stephen Saad, Aspen Group Chief Executive said, “We are pleased to be able to partner with Siemens for additional digital technologies that will further complement our existing high-technology, state-of-the-art pharmaceutical equipment and systems used to manufacture advanced sterile medicines, including vaccines for the continent. Aspen has invested in excess of R3.0 billion at our Gqeberha-based flagship sterile manufacturing site in the Eastern Cape, the single largest investment in the pharmaceutical industry in South Africa.” “Africa has remained vaccine constrained, importing some 99% of its vaccine requirements and the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the continent’s inequitable access to vaccines globally. Aspen has manufactured over 100 million doses of the Janssen COVID-vaccine and, in November 2021, we secured a non-binding agreement to manufacture and sell Aspenovax, Aspen’s own brand of the vaccine in Africa thereby providing a COVID-19 vaccine made in Africa for Africa,” added Saad. SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/02/07/siemens-south-africa-and-aspen-join-forces-to-enhance-vaccine-production-for-africa/
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| Sports / FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ Official Hospitality Packages Set To Go On Sale by postbox: 8:24am On Feb 08, 2022 |
MATCH Hospitality has confirmed that leading sports management and marketing agency, Integral , has been appointed as its Sales Agent in Nigeria for the sale of the Official Hospitality Programme of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™. MATCH Hospitality is the global rights holder and the only company appointed by FIFA to exclusively promote and sell, either directly or via a network of sales agents, official commercial hospitality packages for the FIFA World Cup 2022™, including guaranteed match tickets. MATCH Hospitality has successfully operated the FIFA Commercial Hospitality Programmes for the previous three editions of the FIFA World Cup™ and FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa, Brazil and Russia, and of the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ in Germany, Canada and, most recently, France. JAIME BYROM, Executive Chairman of MATCH Hospitality, said: “Qatar promises to deliver an amazing tournament that will capitalise on its principal attributes; the close proximity of its eight venues which are all located in or within short driving distance of Doha, and a fascinating region with unique attractions, spectacular state-of-the-art stadiums, and traditional Arabic hospitality. MATCH Hospitality strongly believes in the unique potential of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Official Hospitality Programme and in our ability to deliver truly ground-breaking and unprecedented sales globally. Our Sales Agents will be key to our success, and I am delighted to announce our decision to continue our long-standing collaboration with Integral in an exciting new chapter in our long-standing relationship. I have no doubt that Integral will help deliver the best possible results for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and open the door to a Nigerian market ready for the extraordinary experiences promised by what will be an exceptional FIFA World Cup.” DEOLU LAMIKANRA, Associate Director at Integral and Chief Revenue Officer added: “Integral is honoured to act as the Exclusive Sales Agent for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Official Hospitality Programme in Nigeria. Thanks to this agreement, our company will bring this territory a lot closer to the most coveted football competition in the world, offering fans a unique opportunity to purchase ticket-inclusive hospitality packages for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.” Integral will also offer various services in conjunction with the hospitality packages, including flights, accommodation, end-to-end transportation and social experiences unique to this edition of the FIFA World Cup™. MICHAEL KELLY, Chief Revenue Officer of MATCH Hospitality, said: “As part of our global tender process launched in February 2020, we have received proposals from most of the key territories from where we anticipate high demand for the Official Hospitality Programme for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. We have been most encouraged by the remarkable global response, which has further cemented our belief that despite the unprecedented events of recent months, there remains unwavering enthusiasm and interest in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Official Hospitality Programme. Nigeria represents an important territory within our overall strategic sales operations for the FIFA Hospitality Programme and, working in partnership with Integral, we are extremely optimistic about its sales potential.” SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/02/08/fifa-world-cup-qatar-2022-official-hospitality-packages-set-to-go-on-sale-in-nigeria/
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| Agriculture / CBN Opens Rice Milling Factory In Kano State by postbox: 9:57am On Feb 04, 2022 |
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has unveiled a state-of-the-art rice milling factory with a capacity of 420 metric tons per day in Kano State. Mr. Godwin Emefiele, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), disclosed this while speaking at the inauguration of the Gerewa Rice Mill, saying the factory’s construction was consistent with the federal government’s commitment to ensuring the country’s food security. He requested that rice mill operators participate in paddy cultivation as part of a collaboration with the Nigerian Rice Farmers Association to ensure a long-term supply (RIFAN). What the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria has to say about rice production According to Emefiele, the CBN focuses on private sector agricultural development and provides millers with long-term financing options for commercial farms. “The private sector-led Accelerated Agriculture Development Scheme provides millers with long-term financing options to finance commercial farms, land development, irrigation facilities, and other agricultural infrastructure that will enhance the production plan,” he said. According to him, the quality of milled Nigerian rice is comparable to rice produced elsewhere in the world. “We need to become more patriotic as Nigerians and embrace Mr. President’s mantra of producing what we eat and eating what we grow,” he said. Emefiele observed that prior to the start of the Anchor Borrowers’ Program in Nigeria, the country had less than ten operational rice milling plants with a combined capacity of 350,000 metric tons. “As of today, there are over 60 integrated mills with a combined capacity of more than three million metric tons, with about ten more mills scheduled to be commissioned this year,” he said. SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/02/03/cbn-opens-rice-milling-factory-in-kano-state/
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| Phones / New And Affordable Nokia 105 Africa Edition Arrives In Nigeria by postbox: 11:39am On Feb 03, 2022 |
HMD Global, the home of Nokia phones, announces the latest Nokia 105 Africa Edition. The device is refreshed to bring more value, connectivity, and quality to Nigerians. Nokia continues to introduce the best phones that serve all the essentials of a quality device. The Nokia 105 is built with a long-lasting battery life and a wireless FM radio that enables users to listen to their favourite sports, news, and entertainment channels on the go even without a headset. Speaking about the device, Joseph Umunakwe, General Manager, West, East and Central Africa at HMD Global, said: “When it comes to feature phones, consumers are looking for longevity, reliability, and affordability. Our Nokia 105 feature phone line has brought essential connectivity to many people around the world, with hundreds of millions of devices sold worldwide. Today, we are proud to launch the Nokia 105 Africa Edition, at an even more affordable price – an investment you can keep for longer.” Share the love with a wireless FM radio The Nokia 105 device helps users keep up with the football score or listen to their favourite radio shows together with friends and family on loudspeakers or plug in to enjoy music privately. Whatever mood they are in, the wireless FM radio gives everyone a choice. Everyday essentials combined with awesome features When it’s time to relax and recharge for the next day, the Nokia 105 Africa Edition has a selection of 10 games for enjoyment. A trusty companion that’s not just for business but also for leisure. The Nokia 105 Africa Edition also comes with ample storage enough to save all family and friends contacts. The device has a 2,000 contacts capacity and can store up to 500 SMS. The design you recognise, wrapped in quality you can trust With its compact shape, the Nokia 105 is specially moulded to feel great in the hand and easily slip into the pocket when on the go. To take on everyday life, the scratch and bump resistant exterior is built to last, thanks to a classic Nordic design and a range of inherent colours to choose from. Also, thanks to its famous long-lasting battery life, Nokia 105 users enjoy uninterrupted connections plus with its in-built torch you can talk your way from sunset to sunrise and still have the light on. Pricing and availability The Nokia 105 Africa Edition is available across Nigeria in dual sim variant in blue and charcoal. The device is available from N8,100 from selected retailers.
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| Business / Sony Buys Bungie For $3.6 Billion by postbox: 3:33pm On Feb 02, 2022 |
Sony is paying $3.6 billion for video game developer Bungie as the owner of PlayStation Studio moves to counter its rivals as independent producers are caught in what appears to be an oncoming wave of industry consolidation. Sony’s offer comes nearly two weeks after competitor Microsoft paid $68.7 billion for Activision Blizzard to strengthen its Xbox gaming subsidiary. A week before that transaction, Take-Two Interactive paid $12.2 billion for the mobile gaming company Zynga. Bungie is the creator of the blockbuster Halo franchise, which debuted in 2001 as a launch title for the Xbox console, as well as the Destiny franchise, which debuted in 2015 and 2017. “We have found a partner in Sony Interactive Entertainment who fully supports us and wants to accelerate our vision of creating meaningful entertainment experiences that span generations, all while valuing the creative independence that is the heartbeat of Bungie,” said Pete Parsons, CEO and chairman of Bungie, in a statement. Such transactions, of course, do not take place in a matter of weeks. The acquisition reflects a larger trend in which gaming hosts such as Sony and Microsoft see value in acquiring gaming publishers with significant gaming franchises and IP in order to attract consumers. With the increased interest in the metaverse and the potential for new revenue streams, more transactions are almost certainly in the works. “We’ve had a strong partnership with Bungie since the inception of the Destiny franchise, and I couldn’t be more excited to officially welcome the studio to the PlayStation family,” Jim Ryan, president and CEO of SIE, said. “This is an important step in our strategy to broaden PlayStation’s reach to a much larger audience.” We recognize the importance of Bungie’s community to the studio and look forward to assisting them as they remain independent and grow.” As with Microsoft and Activision Blizzard’s agreements, there was speculation about whether Bungie’s content would become exclusive, but Sony stated in a statement that Bungie will continue to self-publish and reach players “wherever they choose to play.” Sony reported a 27 percent increase in sales in its game segment year on year in its Q2 earnings released in October. Sony’s sales totaled $5.7 billion, and its revenue totaled $10.8 billion. On Wednesday, the company is expected to release its third-quarter results. SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/02/02/sony-buys-bungie-for-3-6-billion/
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| Politics / Nigeria’s Bayelsa State And Zipline Announce Major Partnership by postbox: 10:01am On Feb 02, 2022 |
The Government of Bayelsa State, Nigeria and Zipline, the global leader in instant logistics , have announced a partnership aimed at leveraging Zipline’s drone technology to deliver essential medicines, blood and other medical commodities to health facilities within the state. By this agreement, Zipline will establish a distribution hub in Bayelsa State for the introduction, operation, and maintenance of a just-in-time instant logistics solutions to ensure that essential drugs, blood and a selection of other life-saving medical supplies are available to the State health facilities in Bayelsa State. When completed, the service will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, day or night, from the distribution center which will be equipped with Zipline’s proprietary fleet of drones. “We remain well committed to delivering an aggressive agenda of building a dependable health delivery system in Bayelsa, part of which has given birth to this partnership. We envisage that this partnership will remain one of the most significant ways of removing the access barriers that mitigates easy delivery of medical commodities to our health facilities;” said H.E. Douye Diri, Governor of Bayelsa State. “Even distribution of on-demand medical commodities to remote and hard-to-reach areas do not only safe lives but also become a significant way of managing waste that happens as a result of expiry of medicines” “Zipline is pleased to partner with the people and Government of Bayelsa to advance instant, autonomous healthcare delivery across the state,” said Zipline CEO, Keller Rinaudo. “This partnership is an important milestone for Zipline as we scale smart, safe and just-in-time delivery technology and transform how goods move around the globe.” The Snr. Vice President for Zipline Africa, Daniel Marfo assured that Zipline will begin the construction process immediately so as to stay within the agreed timelines. “We are committed to rapidly meeting our side of this agreement, part of which entails building of a distribution hub from where we will store and deliver the medical commodities and employ hundreds local team members from Bayelsa. Our system is well tested across Africa and the United States, and there is no doubt that it is a giant step in expanding universal healthcare access in Nigeria.” On her part, the State Commissioner of Health, Dr. Pabara Newton Igwele said “This partnership is significant to us as it will complement our efforts in hitching up primary health care delivery services in Bayelsa. There is no doubt that leveraging technology for medical delivery should be a game changer for even distribution of medical commodities.” To ensure sustainability and continuous availability of medical products within the value chain for distribution, the Bayelsa State Government, represented by the Ministry of Health, has separately entered an agreement with DrugStoc, Health Spaces, Sterling Bank and Zipline – forming a consortium. This consortium, being led by Zipline, will ensure the availability of safe, quality and affordable drugs and medicines to all residents of the state in all its health facilities. The Bayelsa signing follows Kaduna and Cross River states that have already signed onto the Zipline technology in Nigeria. SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/02/02/nigerias-bayelsa-state-and-zipline-announce-major-partnership/
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| Business / CBN: How To Report A Dissatisfied Bank by postbox: 9:54am On Feb 02, 2022 |
The Central Bank of Nigeria has published instructions for bank customers and others on how and where to file complaints against financial institutions regulated by it. Commercial banks, microfinance banks, primary mortgage institutions, and discount houses are among the financial institutions. The CBN emphasized that it had previously issued a circular instructing all banks to expand their existing ATM help desks to handle all types of consumer complaints. “As a result, if you have a complaint against your bank, you must first report the complaint to the bank/branch where the issue originated, and then allow two weeks (it may be less or more in some cases) for the issues to be resolved,” it stated. After lodging a complaint, the customer has the right, according to the apex bank, to escalate the complaint to the Director, Consumer Protection Department of the CBN if the bank fails to acknowledge within three days or issue a tracking number, or fails to resolve the complaint within the timelines stipulated by the Consumer Protection Regulation. “You can only direct your complaints to CPD if your bank/financial institution fails to resolve your complaint within the timeline stipulated by the Consumer Protection Regulation,” the CBN stated. “You can contact the Consumer Protection Department through the following channels: Consumer Protection Department, Garki, Abuja.” Your complaint should be directed to the Director of the Consumer Protection Department. You can submit your letter to the CBN Headquarters. SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/02/01/cbn-how-to-report-a-dissatisfied-bank/
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| Business / NNPC Has Secured $5 Billion Funding For Oil And Gas Upstream Projects by postbox: 2:04pm On Jan 31, 2022 |
The African Export Import Bank (AFREXIM Bank) has committed $5 billion in corporate finance to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd to fund major investments in the country’s upstream sector. SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/01/30/nnpc-has-secures-5-billion-funding-for-oil-and-gas-upstream-projects/
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| Agriculture / Kwara Now One Of The Top Rice-producing States In Nigeria by postbox: 1:57pm On Jan 31, 2022 |
With over 102,000 metric tons produced during the wet and dry seasons of this year, Kwara state has joined the top states in rice production in Nigeria. This was stated in an official document issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria to commemorate the return of the rice pyramid in Nigeria. The North Central state, which contributed over 40,000 metric tons of rice paddy to the recently unveiled rice pyramid in Abuja, was not considered a rice producing state prior to the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, but today, the state has emerged as one of the top producers in the country, thanks to the efforts of the state’s Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN). Dr. Ahmed Saba, the chairman of the RIFAN in Kwara state, commented on the development, saying, “we thought we didn’t do enough in our production, until we got to Abuja, where the Central Bank of Nigeria, who is in charge of the anchor borrowers programme, unveiled the data, showing that Kwara state actually did better than we thought, by being among the top rice producing states in the country.” Kwara state produced 62,332 metric tons of rice paddy during the dry season and 40,000 metric tons during the wet season, for a total of 102,332 metric tons, according to Dr. Saba. Dr. Saba thanked the president of RIFAN, Alhaji Aminu Goronyo, the Central Bank of Nigeria, and the Kwara state government for creating an enabling environment and providing support for the program. “We must commend the federal government of Nigeria, particularly the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), for instituting a policy that has enabled farmers to access resources like never before, across the entire value chain, from cultivation to harvest and sale, and especially the Ilorin team, which has provided invaluable assistance to RIFAN during some emergency moments.” Dr. Ahmed Saba also praised the Kwara state government for its openness and tolerance of ideas, stating that nothing tangible could have been accomplished without the enabling environment provided by the state government. Since the emergence of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq in Kwara State, the state has aggressively embraced the President’s rice revolution, resulting in significant increases in rice production during the dry and wet seasons, surpassing many states across the federation. SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/01/30/kwara-now-one-of-the-top-rice-producing-states-in-nigeria/
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| Business / CBN Commences Removal Of ATM Maintenance Fees And Reducing Bank Charges by postbox: 1:28pm On Jan 31, 2022 |
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced a reduction in fees for electronic banking operations in its published guidelines to banks and other financial institutions. https://brandspurng.com/2022/01/31/cbn-commences-removal-of-atm-maintenance-fees-and-reducing-bank-charges/ 22 Likes 3 Shares
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| Agriculture / Olam Secures US$4.0 Billion Of Financing Facilities On Re-organisation by postbox: 11:22am On Jan 28, 2022 |
Leading global food and agri-business, Olam International Limited has announced today that it has secured multiple bank facilities aggregating US$4.0 billion, as it continues to progress on its Re-organisation Plan. The facilities comprise a US$1.5 billion committed facility with a flexible tenor of up to 3 years (“Facility A”), a US$1.0 billion working capital facility (“Facility B”), and a US$1.5 billion total increase across the 2 bridge loan facilities announced in August 2021 (“Facility C”) and will be used to facilitate the allocation of existing debt to the new operating groups1. Olam’s Group CFO and CEO (Operations), N Muthukumar said: “The signing of these facilities is yet another milestone in our Re-organisation plan to unlock value for our stakeholders. These facilities offer us additional flexibility to allocate financing in-line with the capital structure for our three operating groups.” The Facility A and Facility C agreements include provisions that allow Olam to allocate the facilities to Olam Food Ingredients (“OFI”), Olam Global Agri (“OGA”) and Olam International (“OIL”) operating groups post the carve-out, separation, demerger and IPO of OFI as per the Re-organisation Plan. The Facility B agreement has OGA and its treasury entity as co-borrowers. Australia & New Zealand Banking Group, Standard Chartered Bank (“SCB”) and The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (“HSBC”) were the Senior Mandated Lead Arrangers for Facility A. HSBC and SCB were also the arrangers for Facility B, while BNP Paribas, Credit Suisse, DBS Bank, Mizuho Bank and Rabobank joined as additional lenders in Facility C. The new operating groups were created in early 2020 following the announcement of the Re-organisation of Olam to unlock and maximise its long-term value. OFI intends to seek a primary listing on the premium segment of the London Stock Exchange, and a concurrent secondary listing in Singapore in H1 2022. SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2022/01/28/olam-secures-us4-0-billion-of-financing-facilities-as-it-progresses-on-re-organisation/
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