₦airaland Forum

The year 2019 has delivered a significant profit for the gaming industry all over the world. The statistics show that the global video games market generated $83 billion income this year, with a forecast to reach $95.3 billion value by 2024.

According to GoldenCasinoNews.com research, mobile games represented the most substantial segment of the entire video games market in 2019 that generated $49 billion in revenue.

Mobile Gaming Revenue Expected to Grow at 2.9% CARG by 2024
In 2019, the mobile gaming industry generated around 60 per cent of the worldwide video games revenue. With $16.9 billion profit, online games were the second-largest market segment. The third most lucrative revenue source was download games, which generated a $15.1bn income.

The statistics indicate that the mobile gaming industry will continue to generate the most significant part of the video games market revenue in the years to come. With an annual growth rate of 2.9%, the global mobile games market is forecast to reach a $56.6bn value by 2024.
China generates the most significant part of mobile gaming revenue
In global comparison, most of the mobile gaming revenue in 2019 was generated in China, which reported an $18bn profit. The United States was the second-largest mobile gaming market in the world that ended the year with $9.9bn in revenue. Japan ranked third with $6.5bn income, followed by South Korea and the United Kingdom as other leading markets.
Number of mobile games users to reach 1.7 billion by 2024
The number of users in the mobile games segment reached 1.36 billion in 2019, with 36% of them aged between 25 and 36 years old. The latest data report 18.6% of user penetration, expected to rise to 22.5% by 2024.

According to the latest surveys, by 2024, more than 1.7 billion people worldwide will be playing mobile games.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2020/01/11/mobile-games-generates-49bn-in-revenue-in-2019/

We refer to our market bulletin of 27 December 2019, wherein the Market was notified of the full suspension placed on the shares of A.G. Leventis (Nigeria) Plc (A.G. Leventis or the Company) for the purpose of determining the shareholders that will qualify to receive the scheme consideration from the Scheme of Arrangement between A.G. Leventis and the holders of its fully paid ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each.

Further to the approval of the Company’s application to delist its entire issued share capital from The Nigerian Stock Exchange (The Exchange), please be informed that the entire issued share capital of A.G. Leventis was on Tuesday, 7 January 2020, delisted from the Daily Official List of The Exchange.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2020/01/11/nse-delists-a-g-leventis-nigeria-from-its-daily-official-list/

West Africa’s second-largest Cement company, BUA Cement, today listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange with a market capitalization of 1.2trillion Naira (USD3.3billion) bringing to a conclusion, the merger between the BUA-owned cement entities, Cement Company of Northern Nigeria and Obu Cement company.

This listing brings BUA Cement’s total capacity across all its cement assets to 8million MTPA with an additional 3million metric tonnes plant coming on stream in H2, 2020.

“Further to our Market Bulletin of 24 December 2019, with reference number: NSE/RD/LRD/MB74/19/12/24, wherein the market was notified of the suspension placed on the trading in the shares of CCNN following the Court’s Sanction of the Scheme of Merger (Scheme) between CCNN and OBUCement (now BUA Cement Plc), please be informed that the Scheme has been concluded.

Consequently, the entire 13,143,500,966 ordinary shares of CCNN was delisted from the Daily Official List of The Nigerian Stock Exchange (The Exchange) today, Thursday, 9 January 2020, while the entire 33,864,354,060ordinary shares of 50 kobo each of BUA Cement Plc (Formerly OBU Cement) were listed today, Thursday, 9 January 2020.

Please note that following The Exchange’s receipt of regulatory evidence of the change of name of OBUCement to BUA Cement Plc, the Company was listed as “BUA Cement Plc”. The trading Symbol is BUACEMENT.”

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2020/01/09/bua-cement-lists-33-86bn-shares-on-nse-becomes-third-largest-listed-company/

The new tourist visa will be valid for 5 years and can be used for multiple entries and is open for all nationalities. Travellers from Africa, some South American countries, Arab states outside the Gulf, and European states from outside the European Union and the former Soviet Union previously needed visas.
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The United Arab Emirates on Monday introduced a multiple-entry visa scheme valid for five years for all nationalities, with the aim of turning the Gulf state into a tourism hub.

“#UAE Cabinet chaired by @HHShkMohd approves new amendment for tourist visas in #UAE,” the government of Dubai Media Office tweeted, referring to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the UAE prime minister and ruler of Dubai.

At present, tourists can visit the UAE with a free multiple entry visa for up to 90 days, from the date of entry.

Sheikh Mohammed said the move aimed to establish the UAE as a “major global tourism destination”.

The move comes as the total number of international tourists arriving to Dubai and Abu Dhabi rose to 15.88 million in the first nine months of last year, up from 15.26 million during the same period in 2018, according to UAE Central Bank statistics.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2020/01/08/uae-introduces-multi-entry-tourist-visas-for-5-years-for-all-nationalities/

Introducing a new idea or making an existing idea to work better at the workplace can be such a huge task. As employees, we desire to have our ideas received with enthusiasm! It’s possible that you have run your idea by your colleagues and Boss.

The problem, however, is that you may be stalling on execution because of the high rejection rate after your meetings and the feed-backs you received from those conversations.

The following tips, you will find insightful;

1. Start Small, but don’t stay small.

If for example, the new idea you are suggesting at your workplace is to begin Mentorship in the business for interns, start first with the interns in your department. Measure improvement, record and share your achievements. With these, you can convince through your current outcomes, that your innovation is the way to go for the business. This will also avail you the opportunity to test run this idea in a smaller measure with lesser impact.

2. Clearly state what the business will benefit from it.

Clearly itemize and always state this in every of your conversation on the subject. Be clear on the short and long term gains your organization will derive from this innovation if implemented.

3. Expect Rejection of this idea, only don’t get buried by People’s rejection.

Do not expect that everyone will agree with this wonderful idea you have come up with. It’s possible for you to experience a 100% rejection at first. Your team may be the first to reject the idea. Doing No. 1 above may give you increased chances of reducing the rate of rejection over time, and eventually convince the business that this will work.

4. Ditch the “What will people Say” Syndrome.

People will always have an opinion. You can’t stop that from happening, you can only determine through your actions, the outcomes of your idea. So focus on what you are driving to achieve.

5. Keep your attitude positive

People regardless of how they feel about your innovation will be drawn to know more about your innovations, give advice on how they think your ideas can work better if you have a positive and open attitude.

Have a lovely week ahead!

About Omolara Omosehin Adeogo:

Lara holds a 9 year-plus work experience that spans across the Transit, Consulting, Telecoms and Market-Research sectors. She is a graduate of Chemistry Science from Lagos State University Nigeria and an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management. Lara is a 2 time graduate of Immerse Academy and a WIMBIZ Mentee. She currently works as a project manager in a leading market research organization – Kantar TNS Nigeria. A lover of self-development and life-long learning. Lara loves to make meaningful contributions everywhere she goes. She is married with 2 boys.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2020/01/07/introducing-a-new-idea-at-the-workplace-can-be-a-huge-task/

The Bank of Ghana has debunked claims that the introduction of new denominations of its local cedi was an ‘ambush’, saying it was borne out of a well-thought-out currency reform programme.

The bank, in a statement dated January 3 (see below), noted that 12 years after the redenomination of the cedi, high inflation and depreciation of the currency have eroded, in real terms, the face value of the existing series of banknotes.

The Bank would like to inform the general public that the introduction of the new denominations is the result of a well-thought-out currency reform programme. Twelve (12) years after the redenomination of the cedi, high inflation and depreciation of the currency have eroded, in real terms, the face value of the existing series of banknotes. The deadweight burden of carrying large sums of money for economic transactions was returning, with the phenomenon of carrying currency in plastic bags. As is the normal practice in all jurisdictions, Central Banks undertake periodic reviews of the structure of existing currencies. In fact, international best practices require monetary authorities to review their currency regimes at intervals between five (5) and ten (10) years to (i) ensure that demand for banknotes are well aligned with economic activity, (ii) address weaknesses and challenges noted in the management of notes and coins in circulation, (iii) assess the non-usage of a particular series to ensure efficiency in printing, and (iv) address technological innovations that improve security features of the currencies. Furthermore, the denomination structure of the banknote should align well with the needs of the people who use it for their daily transactions.

The Bank of Ghana begun the process of a thorough review of the structure of the currency since 2017 including a note/coin boundary, acceptability and use of the individual currency series. The review exercise involved a nationwide survey with market operatives, businesses and international stakeholders as well as some empirical exercises. The outcome of the review process indicated a significant increase in the demand for higher denomination banknote. It also came out clearly that the existing high denominations of GH cedi 50 and GH cedi 20 accounted for about 70% of the value of currency stock compared to 27% at the time of redenomination. At the same time, the volume of banknotes had increased significantly putting pressure on currency processing facilities, storage and logistics. A resetting of the denominational mix of the currencies improves currency management and reduces costs.

In line with the objective of efficiency and cost-effectiveness, the Bank of Ghana introduced a new GH cedi 2 coin, GH cedi 100 and GH cedi 200 banknotes denominations into circulation to complement the existing series. This will ensure customer convenience, improve efficiency in high-value transactions in cash, reduce the cost of printing as well as enhance currency management processing, transporting, and storing banknotes to generate savings for the country, and address the significant shift in the coin/note boundary after the redenomination in 2007. These are technical decisions taken by the Central Bank as part of its mandate. Indeed, Ghana maintains a very strict clean note policy, making our currency the cleanest across the West African sub-region. This is because, since the redenomination, we have put into place a modern and world-class currency management and processing systems to meet the country’s currency needs. The Bank of Ghana has received several commendations and has become a model for peer economies that have visited the country to learn from Ghana’s currency management system. Names of the countries in the last year include Kenya, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Uganda, Nigeria, South Africa, Seychelles, India, Mozambique and many more countries in Africa and the Middle East. The Cedi denominational mix is key to maintaining this standard.

The Bank of Ghana went through its standard processes to introduce the new denominations with integrity as it is to be expected. The features of the new notes were unveiled at the launch. This is to avoid counterfeiters and other challenges associated with the issuance. Immediately after the launch, the Bank embarked on intensive public education which is still ongoing to ensure the effective dissemination and use of the new coin and banknotes. Unlike a major currency reform exercise such as the redenomination exercise (a complete replacement of notes), which required several months of public education, this new denominations were a simple exercise, maintaining the principal features of existing notes, complementing rather than replacing existing notes and involved a gradual easing of the new denominations into circulation. Indeed only a limited quantity was put in circulation in the first month of the launch.

Furthermore, it has been alleged that the expenditure is a waste in the context of a new Eco currency in 2020. The Bank of Ghana would want to clarify that although the Government of Ghana is committed to doing all it can to join the West African common currency arrangement, there are many unresolved issues regarding the common currency, which would take time to resolve. The Bank of Ghana will be working with ECOWAS Central banks to ensure that any currency arrangement will be viable and sustainable.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2020/01/06/why-we-introduced-higher-cedi-denominations-bank-of-ghana/

Nigeria’s Mines and Steel Development Industry has received a boost with a six hundred million dollars investment located in Kagarko area of Kaduna state.

The Managing Director of African Industries Group Company(AIGC), Mr. Alok Gupta, yesterday said the company’s $600million integrated steel plant would be Nigeria’s biggest non-oil Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

He said the new plant would boost the nation’s economy and lead to the mining of 5.4 million tons of iron ore in the country.

He also said about 36 MW Power Plant will be constructed from the waste heat recovered from the plant, which will be partly used for captive consumption.

Gupta made the disclosures when the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Mr Olamilekan Adegbite, visited the project site in Kagarko, Kaduna State.

He said the firm would inaugurate Phase 1 of the plant by December 2020.

He said: “We expect to commission the Phase I of the project by end December 2020. We will be mining 5.4 million tons of iron ore, beneficiate the ore to produce high-grade concentrate followed by making into pellets and then finally into Directly Reduced Iron (DRI).

“The DRI will be used to make steel billets and will avoid our need to import the same. We are also building a 36 MW Power Plant from the waste heat recovered in the process, which will be partly used for captive consumption.

“Let me also highlight the key benefits of the project at this stage: About $600 million investment will be Nigeria’s biggest non-oil FDI, will serve as a catalyst for the development of solid minerals sector by attracting other serious investors following our example in downstream processing.

“The project will eliminate the need to import steel billets thereby saving scarce foreign exchange.

“Currently 100 per cent of steel production in Nigeria is from scrap route, which is a diminishing resource. Producing steel from locally available iron ore will lead to sustainable economic development, considering the abundance of iron ore reserves in the country.

“The project will also contribute significantly to the Nigerian GDP by way of royalties and direct & indirect taxes.” Gupta also highlighted other benefits of the project, including a power plant.

He added: “With the completion of the first phase of the project, there will be significant economic and industrial development in the area by means of creation of several allied industries and social infrastructure.

“The surplus power generated will further assist in developing other industries and residences and will help in the urbanization of the local area. “Our project is not only important for Nigeria or for Nigeria in the African context but for Nigeria in the World context. It complements Nigeria’s desire to be self-sustaining and become an independent steel producer not dependent on imports.

“This Integrated Steel Plant will surely put Nigeria on the world map of crude steel producers of the world”. “This is just the start of our long journey and I would like to thank all the people who trusted in us and supported us so far and we hope that you will keep supporting us in setting up of this Integrated Steel Plant.”

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2020/01/05/foreign-investor-establishes-600m-steel-plant-in-kaduna/

Running a business while still managing your professional social media accounts is doing the job of 2 people. The reason is, you have enough work to do as a business owner already and shouldn’t be afraid to outsource where you need to, especially when it comes to social media management. Whether you are looking at hiring a full-time team member or you want someone outside to handle this aspect of your business for you, it is always best to let someone else do this while you concentrate on other areas to pull in income.

Social media managers can be of immense benefit to a business, a few of those have been listed:

They can directly interact with customers in a real, human way:
There are tons of social media applications out there that promise to do this, but most of them make your account appear untrustworthy, as they leave comments which are most times out of place and unrelated to a particular post. If you hire a manager, you won’t have to worry about any of your comments sounding inauthentic. A social media manager will personally respond to every comment and every post with your brand’s desires at heart, which will increase your customer and brand reputation.

They can create a content calendar:

If your business isn’t already using a social media calendar, you should. For a brand, randomly posting can actually hurt your online presence, which is why a content calendar is key for social media marketing. Social media managers are skilled in planning and creating content. They can create a custom social media post calendar for your business so you know exactly what you’re posting and when.

Take some stress off your shoulders:
When you hire a social media manager, you won’t have to worry about updating your social pages or marketing your brand yourself. They’ll take care of that for you, giving you enough time to focus on running your business and enjoying your personal life.

Brainstorm ideas for new content:

It is okay to be out of ideas for content to post on your social media pages, but this is hardly true for a professional social media manager. A social media manager can help you brainstorm ideas for fresh content that will boost your brand and attract new customers. After all, content creation is a big part of this job.

The truth is, social media marketing is a powerful way for businesses of all sizes to create leads and reach customers. A social media manager saves you time, which is a valuable asset. Most times, social media managers work under digital agencies. Worth mentioning are Pullen Creatives who have social media managers working with them and have successfully managed high profile accounts like the Law Union and Rock Insurance and Velvot Nigeria. Popular freelance social media managers like TheAdetoun (who is currently behind Olounje of Lagos) and Ogbodo Isaac (who handles the social media account of Wella Health) have been skillfully curating content and managing the online identity of the brands they work for.

Aside from issues of trust, there is hardly a good reason for not hiring one as they provide the business with a road map and content strategy that makes it easy for the business owner to distinguish what is considered good and bad content. With a social media manager, you have more time to concentrate on your livelihood – your business.

AUTHOR PROFILE:

Kator Tarkaa is a digital marketer and a budding investment writer. He enjoys writing about real estate, businesses and finances. He loves marketing products and services via social media.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2020/01/03/top-4-reasons-you-should-hire-a-social-media-manager/

AfriFone Limited has unveiled locally made smartphone called ‘Cygnus X’ into the Nigerian market.

The new device offers upgrades to essential features and made even more powerful with more value for the new smartphone generation.

According to the Managing Director of AfriFone, Sahir Berry, Cygnus X is made to perfection with a waterdrop notch and a design that offers users enlightening experience and wider design.

He said that the phone made its debut into the Nigerian market in December 2019 and has been accepted as a durable and exciting mobile phone that will serve and satisfy its users in many ways.

Berry said: “This top of the edge phone comes with 20mp front camera, 20mp+2mp rear camera, 4GB/64GB and up to256GB expandable storage, 4000mah battery, 6.3” HD+ screen as well as many other exciting features.”

He said AfriFone was committed to providing meaningful innovations to its consumers, adding that the phone was developed for young Nigerians and Africans, who are looking for a great display, superior camera, long-lasting battery and fingerprint scanner.

According to him, “AfriOne as a pioneer entity has the vision and opportunity to localise and promote the use of cutting-edge technology for manufacturing in Nigeria. Our initiative is to provide employment opportunities, develop skills, empower Nigerian youths and develop the Nigerian economy. Presently, we assemble smartphones, feature phones and tablets. The brand has a partnership with the Federal Government of Nigeria under the N-power umbrella. Our two in one transformer tablets are the preferred tablets in N-Power project today.

“Customer satisfaction remains our key focus while maintaining upgraded technology, quality and after-sale service across the nation through our Service Centres. We have expanded our product portfolio with a new brand known as “AfriOne Beats” which is a young, contemporary range of music gadget – wireless ear pods, Bluetooth speakers, Headsets, Earphones and accessories like Power Bank targeted at the youths.”

In addition to the production of contemporary ICT devices and accessories, AfriOne said it was also dedicated to corporate social responsibility with particular regard to the Berry family’s passion for youth empowerment as the firm facilitates education and training programmes and encourages entrepreneurship in Nigeria, recognizing it as a means of contributing to national economic growth.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2020/01/03/afrifone-unveils-cygnus-x-made-in-nigeria-smartphone/

If there’s ever a place, to be honest about your habits and your health, it’s your doctor’s office. Forget the embarrassment – your doctor’s there to help you, and the more information she has, the more she’s able to do.

‘I Never Binge Drink’
Don’t want to tell your doc just how hard you party? Binge drinking can throw test results off and send your doctor down the wrong path if you have health problems.

‘I Quit Smoking’
It may seem like a harmless way to avoid a lecture, but your doctor needs to know if you smoke. It can interfere with certain drugs and might help explain symptoms you may have. And he may be able to help you kick the habit for good, through therapy or medication.

‘I Eat Mostly Kale … ’
“… unless there are doughnuts nearby.” If you leave out this last part while your weight and “bad” cholesterol skyrocket, your tall tale could lead to less effective treatment. You’re not the first person with a doughnut weakness, so just tell the truth — your doctor might be able to help you manage your eating habits.

‘I Run Every Day’
Tell your doctor the truth about your exercise habits. It will help her figure out how to keep you healthy. If you’re not the type to go to the gym every day, that’s OK. There are lots of ways to have an active lifestyle: Garden, play with your dog, or take a brisk stroll around the block.

‘I Had Sex With 1 Person This Year’
A doctor’s visit is not a morality test. If you have sex with several partners, you could be at risk for certain diseases, and it might help explain some medical problems. Your doctor’s not there to judge but to help.

‘I Don’t Have Any STDs’
If you think you have one, know you have one, or have had one in the past, tell your doctor. It may be awkward, but some STDs can be dangerous if they’re not treated. They’re also contagious. One awkward moment with your doctor now could save you awkward moments with sexual partners later.

‘I’m Not Sleeping With Anyone’
Lying about having sex — or who you’re having it with — appears to be pretty common. It may seem like no one’s business, but it’s important, to be honest about whether you’re with the same sex, the opposite sex, or both. It can make a difference, especially if your doctor is trying to figure out what certain symptoms might mean (pregnancy, for example).

‘My Sex Life Is Great’
If you have trouble in the bedroom — low sex drive or erectile dysfunction (ED) — it can be a sign of an illness and your doctor should know about it, especially if you’re young and otherwise healthy. Plus, your doctor may be able to improve your symptoms with medication or a referral for psychological therapy.’

‘I Feel Great!’
Don’t ignore little things that may be bothering you — they could be valuable clues to your doctor. Do you get headaches when you exercise? That may not seem like be a big deal, but it could be a sign of something serious.

‘I Don’t Do Drugs’
This can be a dangerous lie. If your doctor prescribes you medication, it may react with street drugs and make you sick or cause other problems. Drug abuse can also cause other issues your doctor may not know to look for. If you have a drug habit or addiction, your doctor may be able to help you stop.

‘I Don’t Take Supplements’
Afraid to get into a discussion with your doctor about those vitamin supplements you buy at the grocery store? Your doctor needs to know. Some may be dangerous if you take them along with other medications or you have certain medical conditions.

‘I Take My Pills’
About half of people who are chronically sick don’t take their medication the way they’re supposed to. If you skip it because you’re worried about side effects, or you don’t like the way they make you feel, tell your doctor. He may be able to adjust it. If money is the problem he might help you find ways to lower the cost.

‘I Don’t Take Over-the-Counter Medication’
It’s important to tell your doctor about all the medication you take. It can interfere with the way prescription medications work, sometimes in a dangerous way.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2020/01/03/13-lies-you-tell-your-doctor-and-why-you-shouldnt/

MTN has concluded an agreement to dispose of its 49% equity holdings in the Ghana and Uganda Tower Company investments to a subsidiary of American Tower Company for $523 million, approximately R7.3 billion. This transaction is expected to close in Q1 2020.

Clashes with regulators in Nigeria, Uganda and elsewhere have crimped growth, prompting the company to announce a $1 billion three-year asset-disposal plan earlier this year.

The sale is expected to close in Q1 2020, leaving MTN with a profit of six billion rands ($425.74 million).

The company also said it had finalised the redemption of MTN Nigeria preference shares, raising $315 million.

MTN said it will use the proceeds to pay down its U.S. dollar-denominated debt and for general corporate purposes.

“We remain focused on continuing to execute on the important strategic priorities of reducing debt, simplifying the portfolio and reducing risk,’’ the firm said in a statement.

The company is aiming to shed loss-making e-commerce assets and exit countries where it has no prospect of reaching the top-two spots in terms of market share. ($1 = 14.0931 rand)

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2020/01/02/mtn-exits-towers-businesses-in-ghana-and-uganda/

The 62-year-old Nigerian businessman and Africa’s most prominent industrialist ended the decade with a net worth of almost $15 billion.

LAGOS, Nigeria, January 2, 2020,/ — Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man, became $4.3 billion richer in 2019 as his fortune continued to grow on the back of investments in cement, flour and sugar.

The 62-year-old Nigerian businessman and Africa’s most prominent industrialist ended the decade with a net worth of almost $15 billion, making him the 96th wealthiest man in the world, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

Born into a wealthy Muslim family of traders in the north, Dangote incorporated his own business selling cement at 21. He shifted to manufacturing the building material in the 1990s, helped by government policies that encouraged ways to reduce the need for imports. His critics still accuse him of taking advantage of his closeness to the government to gain an unfair market advantage, a claim he has repeatedly dismissed.

His conglomerate, Dangote Industries, includes the biggest cement company on the continent, the Lagos-listed Dangote Cement Plc. That’s one of four publicly traded companies under the Dangote umbrella that account for more than a fifth of the value of the Nigerian stock exchange.

The year 2020 could be a significant one for the billionaire, who is close to completing one of the world’s largest oil refineries in Nigeria. The plant has the capacity to meet more than Nigeria’s entire fuel consumption and could transform an economy that currently imports all its refined product needs. Dangote is also constructing a fertilizer factory on the same site.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2020/01/02/africas-wealthiest-man-ends-the-year-4-3-billion-better-off/

Samsung drove a bevvy of Galaxy A series smartphones in 2019 and it appears the company has no intentions to slow down in 2020 since over half a dozen Galaxy A series smartphone names have been trademarked in Samsung’s home country South Korea.

According to a set of images posted on Twitter, the Korean conglomerate got a total of nine new smartphones trademarked – Galaxy A12, Galaxy A22, Galaxy A32, Galaxy A42, Galaxy A52, Galaxy A62, Galaxy A72, Galaxy A82, and Galaxy A92.

Details are scarce about these smartphones right now, but as evident from their names, they will succeed last year’s A series of smartphones and will likely bring in some upgrades. More information should surface in the coming weeks.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2020/01/02/samsung-trademarks-nine-new-galaxy-a-series-smartphone/

The Group Chief Executive Officer of Zedcrest Capital Limited Adedayo Amzat has stated that the company is poised to ride the crest of financial services by expanding its operations in all the four financial market offerings in the Nigerian market space.
Amzat, who disclosed the plans recently at the company’s End of Year Party & Awards Night, stated that the company has concluded plans to set up two business lines that would become operational this year apart from the desires to increase its double-digit growth of existing businesses.
Explaining his vision for the firm, Amzat said Zedcrest Capital has been positioned to be a foremost financial services holding group in Nigeria, adding that the firm is currently executing the first stages of its journey.
“We are executing stage one right now and we are around 50 per cent on that journey. I hope that by this time next year we will be around 80 per cent. Stage two will be to rebirth ourselves as a proprietary investment firm where we will be making a strategic investment in every sector of the economy, especially financial services.
“We recently received FMGQ Gold Award as the best brokerage services provider in Nigeria. Zedvance, our consumer lending firm is one of the top three providers of non-bank lending services in Nigeria.
“As of today, we have more than 100,000 customers. In 2020, we will launch our asset management firm. We have the licensee and the team is ready to start. We are also starting a business that will enable crossover payments, and everything is in place already.
“We are playing along with all the important vertical of financial services and that is why I said we are in stage one. In the new year, you will see us playing in four different verticals as compared to the two that we already do.
On his firm’s partnership with other financial institutions, Amzat said the partnership is a big lever for growth. “As a fact, for our existing business lines, we have signed a lot of exclusive partnerships. In our brokerage line, we are in bed with a global firm called GFI Partners expected to give us more exposure to the offshore banking space. In our lending business, again we are in bed with a lot of institutions and employers to provide customised lending products for their employees. We also have technological partners to make our processes faster to deliver exceptional services to our clients. So, in everything that we do we ride on extensive technological partnerships, counterpart partnerships among others”.
The firm rewarded outstanding performance by staff and departments. In the Zedvance Finance Category of Awards, Bukola Omolara received the top sales performer awards for Public Payroll in Lagos State; Justina Omoehe received the top sales performer awards for Private Payroll, Lagos State.
Other business development executives recognized include Oluwatimilehin Fagbiye, Top Sales Performer (Oyo State); Iyke Okonkwo, Top Sales Performer (FCT Abuja); Rasheed Omobayo, Top Sales Performer (Rivers State).

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2020/01/02/zedcrest-capital-rolls-out-future-expansion-plans-rewards-outstanding-staff/

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has said that a total of 4,485,170 passengers passed through Nigerian airports in Q2 2019.

The NBS said this in its Air Transportation Data for Q2 2019 made available to Brand Spur Nigeria.

The first two quarters of 2019 saw the diverse performance in the various items that make up airport transportation in Nigeria.

The report said the total number of passengers who passed through Nigerian airports reached 4,002,528 in the first quarter of 2019, a 3.87% year-on-year growth from the same quarter of 2018; and 4,485,170 in the second quarter of 2019, a year-on-year growth of 6.82% from the same quarter in 2018.

Consequently, there was 12.06% growth in passengers for Q2 2019 when compared to Q1 2019 numbers.

It further said that the total aircraft traffic declined year-on-year for Q1 (-1.04%) & and increased for Q2 (2.60%) when compared to the corresponding quarter in 2018. In the first half of 2019, aircraft traffic totalled 138,464, a 100.61% growth from total aircraft recorded in the same period last year.

A year-on-year decline of -0.65% was recorded in Cargo movement in H1 2019 while there was a 26.39% increase in total mail traffic recorded in the first half of 2019 when compared to the same period last year.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2020/01/01/4485170-passengers-passed-through-nigerian-airports-in-q2-2019-nbs/

We refer to our Market Bulletin dated 5 July 2017, with Reference Number: NSE/LARD/LRD/MB02/05/07/17 wherein we notified Dealing Members of the suspension of seventeen (17) listed companies for non-compliance with Rule 3.1, Rules for Filing of Accounts and Treatment of Default Filing, Rulebook of The Exchange (Issuers’ Rules) (“Default Filing Rules”), which provides that: “If an Issuer fails to file the relevant accounts by the expiration of the Cure Period, The Exchange will:

a)send to the Issuer a “Second Filing Deficiency Notification” within two (2) business days after the end of the Cure Period;
b)suspend trading in the Issuer’s securities; and
c)notify the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Market within twenty- four (24) hours of the suspension.”

Omatek Ventures Plc, one (1) of the seventeen (17) companies that were suspended on 5 July 2017, has now filed its outstanding financial statements with The Exchange.

In view of the Company’s submission of its outstanding financial statements, and pursuant to Rule 3.3 of the Default Filing Rules, which provides that: “The suspension of trading in the Issuer’s securities shall be lifted upon submission of the relevant accounts provided The Exchange is satisfied that the accounts comply with all applicable rules of The Exchange. The Exchange shall thereafter also announce through the medium by which the public and the SEC was initially notified of the suspension”, Dealing Members are hereby notified that the suspension placed on trading on the shares of Omatek Ventures Plc was lifted today, Tuesday, 31 December 2019.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2019/12/31/nse-lifts-suspension-placed-on-trading-in-the-shares-of-omatek-ventures/

The Manufacturing PMI in the month of December stood at 60.8 index points, indicating expansion in the manufacturing sector for the thirty-third consecutive month. The index grew at a faster rate when compared to the index in November. All the 14 surveyed subsectors reported growth in the review month in the following order: petroleum & coal products; transportation equipment; plastics & rubber products; food, beverage & tobacco products; fabricated metal products; furniture & related products; primary metal; chemical & pharmaceutical products; printing & related support activities; textile, apparel, leather & footwear; cement; paper products; electrical equipment; and nonmetallic mineral products.

Production Level

At 61.8 points, the production level index for the manufacturing sector grew for the thirty-fourth consecutive month in December 2019. The index indicated a faster growth in the current month when compared to its level in November 2019. Eleven of the 14 manufacturing subsectors recorded an increased production level, 2 remained unchanged while 1 recorded decline.

New Orders

At 61.5 points, the new orders index grew for the thirty-third consecutive month, indicating an increase in new orders in December 2019. The index grew at a faster rate when compared to its level in November 2019. Twelve subsectors reported growth, 1 remained unchanged while 1 recorded decline in the review month.
Supplier Delivery Time

The manufacturing supplier delivery time index stood at 60.5 points in December 2019, indicating faster supplier delivery time. The index has recorded growth for thirty-one consecutive months. Twelve of the 14 subsectors recorded improved suppliers’ delivery time, while 2 declined in the review period.

Employment Level

The employment level index for December 2019 stood at 58.0 points, indicating growth in employment level for the thirty-second consecutive month. Of the 14 subsectors, 10 reported increased employment level, 3 reported unchanged employment level while 1 reported decreased employment in the review month.

Raw material Inventories

The Manufacturing sector inventories index grew for the thirty-third consecutive month in December 2019. At 62.4 points, the index grew at a faster rate when compared to its level in November 2019. Twelve of the 14 subsectors record ed growth, while 2 reported declined raw material inventories in the review month.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2019/12/30/nigerias-manufacturing-pmi-grows-to-60-8-in-december-2019-from-59-3-in-november-2019/

As part of its commitment to facilitate the development of the Nigerian payments system and deepen the adoption of various electronic payment options available to users, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has identified the predominant use of Single messaging format for POS transactions as an obstacle to the use of pre-authorisation as a mode of payment in Nigeria.

In order to enable pre-authorisation and Sales-completion of card transactions, the CBN hereby directs as follow:

a)All merchant acquirers are required to obtain Acquirer Device Validation certification or the applicable testing completion notification from CBN licensed card schemes.
b) By this directive, all POS Terminals must have the capability for transaction pre-authorisation and sales completion.
c)PTSA (NIBSS) to ensure that only banks that have conducted and obtained PoS Terminal Validation Certificate for pre-authorisation and sales- completion from the relevant card schemes, have their PoS Terminals registered on the Central Terminal Management System.
d)All card issuers are required to build the capability and enable the processes for pre-authorisation and sales-completion of transactions.
e)Card Schemes are also required to provide online simulators for acquirers and issuers to test their systems, when necessary.

This circular takes immediate effect, but with a deadline of July 31, 2020 for full compliance, after which appropriate sanctions would be imposed for contraventions and non-compliance.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2019/12/30/cbn-issues-circular-on-pre-authorisation-of-cards-in-nigeria/

As Stallion, CFAO Motors, Cars45.com, others win big at 2019 NAJA Awards

It was a celebration galore by leading auto brands, lubricants brands in the country as the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) recently presented different categories of awards to deserving winners at the Eko Hotels, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The award night which had the representatives of the Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Aliyu Jelani and the representative of the Corp Marshal of the Federal Roads Safety Corps (FRSC) as special guests was well attended by many Chief Executive Officers and other stakeholders in the nation’s automotive sector.

In the award categories for 2019, Toyota Corolla won the Car of The Year (COTY) Award beating Hyundai Tucson and GAC GS4, a Chinese brand. In the Luxury Car of The Year, Mercedes Benz S-class emerged winner ahead of BMW 7-series and Porsche Panamera, while the Luxury SUV of the Year award went to Range Rover Autobiography.

Mitsubishi L200 edged out the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger to clinch the Pick-Up 0f The Year Award while Mini Bus of the Year award went to the Toyota Hiace that competed with the Nissan Urvan and Mercedes Benz Sprinter buses.

New Auto Lubricant of the year went to Motul, just as Ondo Motor Rally smiled home with the Motor Sports of The Year Award.

Cars.45 was named as Online Auto Marketing Company of The Year; JAC, emerged the Most Improved Brand of The Year; even as Hyundai was named the Highest Selling Brand of The Year.

While Mandilas was announced as the Auto Workshop of The Year and Changan as Fastest Growing Auto Brand of The Year, the Honda Accord took home Executive Car of The Year award.

In his welcome speech, Mike Ochonma, Chairman of NAJA, said that NAJA award is the most prestigious and only recognised auto award in the country.

He advised industry stakeholders to desist from ‘negotiating’ for awards from private merchants who give auto industry awards just to prove to their principals abroad that they are doing well in the market

Emphasising that NAJA awards is the only recognised award nationally and internationally, Ochonma pointed out that the winners were arrived at, after an exhaustive, but an objective evaluation of competitors in each of the categories

He said that the award winners which was arrived at through members’ votes, will among other things, provide consumers with sound, comparative information on vehicles that are new to the market.

In his response, managing director of Toyota Nigeria Limited (TNL) Kunle Ade-Ojo who received the COTY award in a presentation made by the duo of Kayode Opeifa, Executive Vice-Chairman, Presidential Task Team on Apapa Gridlock alongside Ifeanyi Agwu thanked the organisers for putting up the award and for finding the Toyota Corolla worthy for the COTY award.

Ade-Ojo promised that the company will continue to uphold the integrity which the company has been known for while contributing positively for the Nigeria Auto industry.

Also, Special recognitions were given to Bukky Ogunnusi, Advert and Public Relations Manager of Toyota Nigeria Limited (TNL) and Abiona Babarinde, General Manager, Marketing & Corporate Communications, Coscharis Group. Thomas Pelletier, Managing Director/CEO of CFAO Motors was equally given the award of Most Innovative CEO of The Year.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2019/12/29/toyota-corolla-emerges-nigerias-car-of-the-year/

This is to announce the retirement of Engr Joseph Makoju from the Board of Directors, and as the Group Managing Director/ CEO of the Dangote Cement Plc (“the Company”) effective from 31 January 2020.

The Board has approved the appointment of Mr. Michel Puchercos as his replacement on the Board of Directors, as the Group CEO, effective from 1st February 2020.

Mr. Puchercos has more than twenty (20) years’ experience in the cement industry, having served in various capacities at Lafarge including as the President & Chief Executive Officer of Lafarge Halla Cement, Director of Strategy and Systems at Lafarge Gypsum through Chief Executive Officer of Bamburi Cement, Kenya, Hima Cement, Uganda and Chairman, Mbeya Cement, Tanzania. His last appointment was as the Group Managing Director and Country CEO of Lafarge AFRICA Plc, a company listed on Premium Stock Exchange (Lagos).

His appointment will be included in the Agenda at the next Annual General Meeting for ratification by the shareholders in accordance with the Companies and Allied Matters Act.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2019/12/25/dangote-cement-appoints-michel-puchercos-as-group-ceo-joseph-makoju-retires/

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The Lagos State Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS) will now discharge its statutory duties with the use of technology, with the commissioning of a new operational headquarters in Ojodu for the agency by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Tuesday.

Lagos State Governor commissions new VIS headquarters (Photos)
The construction and delivery of the ultramodern edifice by the current administration commenced the automation of VIS activities, which is a component of the transportation blueprint initiated by Governor Sanwo-Olu to ensure efficient traffic management across the State.

The construction and delivery of the ultramodern edifice by the current administration commenced the automation of VIS activities, which is a component of the transportation blueprint initiated by Governor Sanwo-Olu to ensure efficient traffic management across the State.

While opening the building, the Governor noted that there had been a substantial improvement in the implementation of the State’s traffic laws with the introduction of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) and Lagos Computerised Vehicle Inspection Services (LACVIS).

He added that the digital initiatives had complemented other electronic services introduced in the transportation sector to boost the State’s capacity in realising the ‘Smart City’ aspiration and transforming the economy.

Lagos State Governor commissions new VIS headquarters (Photos) Lagos State Governor commissions new VIS headquarters (Photos) Lagos State Governor commissions new VIS headquarters (Photos)
He said: “With the commissioning of this new operational headquarters for VIS officers, we are consolidating on the progress we have recorded so far in transforming the transportation sector. VIS plays a critical role in ensuring that vehicles that ply our routes do not constitute dangers to the commuters.

Lagos State Governor commissions new VIS headquarters (Photos)
“Vehicles that break down are major contributors to traffic gridlocks in Lagos, which result in avoidable losses of productive life and time. We must minimise this destructive breakdown of unworthy vehicles through strict enforcement of relevant laws aided by the application of modern technology.”

Lagos State Governor commissions new VIS headquarters (Photos) Lagos State Governor commissions new VIS headquarters (Photos) Lagos State Governor commissions new VIS headquarters (Photos)
Sanwo-Olu said the objective of the automated system introduced was to ensure the enforcement of transportation laws did not impact negatively on the flow of traffic.

Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Fredric Oladehinde, described the feat as “another giant stride” recorded by the Sanwo-Olu administration, adding that the new office would provide a conducive working environment for VIS officers and enhance their operational efficiency.

He said: “This edifice accommodates all arms of the Directorate of Vehicle Inspection Service; Head of Division, Planning and Research, Pre-Registration Inspection Unit, back-end office for the ANPR enforcement system, conference room, training section.

“The building accommodates Motor Vehicle Administration Agency (MVAA) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to provide synergy with some sister agencies by ensuring quick, prompt and quality one-stop service delivery to the public at large.”

Oladehinde disclosed that the State Government had completed four additional LACVIS Centres in Ojota, Yaba, Olowu and Ibeju Lekki, bringing the centres to 16 across the State.

He added that the use of ANPR in the enforcement of vehicles’ documentation had brought down the frequency of heavy gridlocks associated with the operation of VIS officers.

With the new automated system of the VIS, the State Government can now enforce traffic laws with digital devices and monitor vehicles’ compliance with speed limits. The digitised process has also made it easy for the Government to issue fines for offenders in their absence.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2019/12/24/lagos-state-governor-commissions-new-vis-headquarters-photos/

Adesina is a renowned development economist and the first Nigerian to serve as President of the Bank Group

ABUJA, Nigeria, December 23, 2019,/ – The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has endorsed the candidacy of African Development Bank President Akinwumi Adesina for a second term at the helm of the institution.

The decision was announced at the end of the fifty-sixth ordinary session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS, held on Saturday in Abuja, Nigeria.

“In recognition of the sterling performance of Dr. Akinwumi Adesina during his first term of office as President of the African Development Bank, the Authority endorses his candidacy for a second term as the President of the bank,” ECOWAS said in a communique issued after the meeting.

Adesina is the eighth elected President of the African Development Bank Group. He was elected to the five-year term on 28 May 2015 by the Bank’s Board of Governors at its Annual Meetings in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, where the same electoral process will play out next year.

Adesina is a renowned development economist and the first Nigerian to serve as President of the Bank Group. He has served in a number of high-profile positions internationally, including with the Rockefeller Foundation, and was Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development from 2011 to 2015, a career stint that was widely praised for his reforms in the agricultural sector. The former minister brought the same drive to the Bank, making agriculture one of the organization’s priority areas.

Speaking earlier at the opening ceremony, Adesina reminded the group of the African Development Bank’s investments in the region.

“You can always count on the African Development Bank – your Bank,” Adesina told delegates.

ECOWAS President Jean-Claude Kassi Brou commended the Bank’s involvement in West Africa and said it had provided “invaluable technical and financial interventions…in the implementation of numerous projects and programmes”.

The ECOWAS summit included a progress report on the region’s economic performance. It noted the role of the African Development Bank is the continent’s transformation and called for greater cooperation in order to fund projects in West Africa.

“The Authority takes note of the region’s improved economic performance, with ECOWAS real GDP growing by 3.3% in 2019 against 3.0% in 2018, in a context characterised by a decline in inflationary pressures and sound public finances,” the statement said.

“It urges the Member States to continue economic reforms and ensure a sound macroeconomic environment in the Member States, with a view to accelerating the structural transformation of ECOWAS economies and facilitating the achievement of the monetary union by 2020.”

The Authority commended efforts made on currency and monetary policy convergence in ECOWAS and laid out plans to advance the movement. These efforts are a key part of the regional integration agenda championed by the African Development Bank, as exemplified by the African Continental Free Trade Area, which aims to become the world’s largest free-trade zone.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2019/12/23/ecowas-endorses-adesina-for-second-term-as-president-of-the-african-development-bank/

Nigerian startup Rensource Energy has raised a $20 million Series A round co-led by CRE Venture Capital and the Omidyar network.

The renewable energy company builds and operates solar-powered micro-utilities that provide electricity to commercial community structures, such as open-air trading bazaars.

Launched in 2016, the startup has shifted its operating strategy. “We’ve pivoted away from a residential focus…and we’re building much larger systems to become essentially the utility for these large urban markets we have a lot of in Nigeria,” Rensource co-founder Ademola Adesina told TechCrunch.

The company has a partnership with German manufacturer BOS AG, with whom it designs specialized panels for its use case. Rensource also has developer teams in Nigeria and Europe for its software-related programs.

In addition to becoming a micro-energy provider to Nigeria’s robust SME classes, the startup aims to offer them B2B services. With the $20 million round, Rensource is launching its Spaces Offline to Online platform for supply-chain services, including business-analytics and working capital options.

“It’s a mini-ERP tool. We’re trying to bring a universe of people who are banked, but…still offline — their products are offline, they don’t track anything, and there’s no data behind their business — online,” said Adesina.

The benefit Rensource seeks to deliver to Nigeria’s SMEs — at a profit for itself — is to lower overhead costs through better business practices and free them from the bane of generators.

Across marketplaces in West Africa, noisy, fuel-guzzling and pollution-producing generators are like an unwelcome, yet necessary business partner.

Lack of affordable and reliable electricity in Nigeria creates a massive real and opportunity cost to Africa’s largest economy.

For perspective, the West African country is roughly the size of Texas, with a 200 million population larger than Russia, and generates less gigawatt-hours of electricity annually than the U.S. state of Connecticut.

Nigerian businesses (and citizens) adjust for these power deficiencies by spending on diesel fuel and generators.

The IMF’s 2019 Nigeria report quoted economic losses of $29 billion in Nigeria due to unreliable electricity supply. On global Doing Business rankings, Nigeria ranked 169 out of 190 countries in the category of “Getting Electricity.”

This difficulty and cost weigh particularly heavy on Nigeria (and the continent’s) SMEs, which often operate in Africa’s informal economy — projected to be one of the largest off-the-grid commercial spaces in the world.

Rensource’s micro-utility model deploys power clusters — made up of solar panels, batteries and a power management system — adjacent to markets and commercial hubs. The energy application isn’t totally clean, as the startup still uses its own diesel backup system.

Rensourse has used this model to become an off-grid energy provider in six states in Nigeria, and powers the Sabon Gari market — one of the country’s largest, located in northern Kano State.

The company plans to expand to 100 markets within Nigeria and to additional African countries within 24 months, according to Adesina.

Rensource generates revenue from charging merchants daily, weekly or monthly fees. “In 2017, we did a few hundred thousand dollars in revenue. Last year we did about $7 million in revenue, and this year we’ll do better than that,” Adesina said.

The company doesn’t release official financials, but generated a small profit last year, according to Adesina. He named deploying more of its micro-utilities to new markets and diversifying services as the path to long-term profitability.

Rensource differentiates itself from many home-kit solar energy startups in Africa, such as M-Kopa, by becoming a renewable energy utility at scale.

The startup’s CEO sees the model as a classic leapfrog tech business, effectively bypassing Nigeria’s deficient electricity grid and providing a less capital intensive alternative to large (and often complicated) energy infrastructure projects.

Rensource is also following a trend by some Nigeria-based startups, such as trucking-logistics company Kobo360 and motorcycle ride-hail company Gokada, to shape a suite of additional services around the needs of core clients.

In Rensource’s case, those clients are SMEs and traders in the informal economy. “This informality of theirs is what we see as an opportunity in building this new business line and bringing these [merchants] into the online world,” said Adesina.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2019/12/22/nigerias-rensource-raises-20m-to-power-african-markets-by-solar/

The 2019 Nigeria banking industry customer experience survey report recently published by KPMG Nigeria showed that Ecobank Nigeria recorded significant improvement in the SME segment of the survey.

According to the report, analysis of performance in the SME segment reveals dynamism in the 2019 ranking. Despite lower levels of overall satisfaction for SMEs, Fidelity Bank and Ecobank made the greatest improvements with both banks moving up more than four places into the top five banks. FCMB emerged 1st while Access Bank came 3rd.

In the retail segment, the top two performers have remained the same for the fourth consecutive year. GTBank replaced Zenith Bank as the top-rated bank in the 2019 ranking. Sterling Bank, First Bank and UBA are the biggest movers in 2019, coming in 3rd, 5th and 7th places respectively.

In the wholesale segment, Citi Bank and GTBank maintained top spots from previous year ranking while new entrants Standard Chartered and Access Bank make the top five positions at 3rd and 5th places, respectively.

KPMG Nigeria has conducted the research survey since 2007. The researchers have asked customers across financial market segments about their experience with their banks. Over the period, more than 200,000 customers were surveyed across the country.

The 2019 survey research was conducted through face-to-face and online survey methodology completed Q2 and Q3 2019. The survey covered 25,466 retail customers, 3,045 SMEs and 369 commercial/corporate organizations.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2019/12/20/ecobank-moves-into-top-five-ranking-in-the-2019-nigeria-banking-customer-experience-survey/

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State in furtherance of his administration’s efforts to assist indigenes and residents of the state to return home safely for the Christmas and New Year celebrations, will between December 21 and January 4, 2020, offer free Enugu-Owerri airport shuttle for air passengers travelling out or returning to the state, through the Sam Mbakwe Cargo International Airport, Owerri, Imo State, during the festive season.

In a schedule released by the Enugu State government, six (6) coaster buses, three (3) mini-luxury buses and six (6) security vehicles loaded with armed personnel have been deployed for the exercise, to operate in three batches daily, from Hotel Presidential, Enugu, between December 21 and 28.

According to the schedule, the first batch of three (3) buses and two (2) security vehicles will leave Enugu, at 5 am, to arrive at Owerri Airport at about 8.30 am, for passengers travelling out through the airport. The same set of buses and security vehicles will leave Owerri airport at 10 am back to Enugu with passengers who flew in from Abuja, Lagos and other locations.

The second batch of another three (3) buses and two (2) security vehicles for the day will leave Enugu for Owerri airport at 8 am, to arrive the airport at about 11:30 am and leave Owerri airport back to Enugu at 2 pm.

The third batch of three (3) buses and two (2) security vehicles will leave Enugu for Owerri airport at 12 noon to arrive around 3 pm, and at 5 pm the last batch will leave Owerri airport back to Enugu.

It further stated that each of the coaster buses will accommodate twenty (20) passengers, while the mini-luxury bus will carry 33 persons.

The statement stressed that adequate security and other logistics arrangements have been made for a safe and smooth exercise in keeping with the state government’s commitment to the wellbeing of the people of the state.

It would be recalled that the state government also offered free transportation to indigenes of the state who reside in other parts of the country and intend returning home by road to celebrate the festive season with their loved ones.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2019/12/20/yuletide-enugu-government-offers-free-enugu-owerri-airport-shuttle-for-residents/

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said the average price of some selected food items in the country increased in November.

NBS said this in its “Selected Food Price Watch (November 2019)’’ report released on its website.

The bureau said the selected food price watch data for November 2019 reflected that the average price of 1 dozen of Agric eggs medium size decreased year-on-year by -2.90% and increased month-on-month by 0.31% to N463.91 in November 2019 from N462.46 in October 2019 while the average price of piece of Agric eggs medium size (price of one) decreased year-on-year by -2.88% and increased month-on-month by 1.65% to N41.18 in November 2019 from N40.51 in October 2019.

According to the report, the average price of 1kg of tomato decreased year-on-year by -14.66% and increased month-on-month by 7.64% to N251.21 in November 2019 from N227.50 in October 2019.

It said the average price of 1kg of rice (imported high quality sold loose) increased year-on-year by 18.27% and month-on-month by 16.44% to N445.45 in November 2019 from N382.57 in October 2019.

“Similarly, the average price of 1kg of yam tuber decreased year-on-year by -15.03% and increased month-on-month by 13.05% to N203.20 in November 2019 from N179.75 in October 2019.”

The NBS said in arriving at the report, fieldwork was done by more than 700 NBS staff in all states of the federation supported by supervisors who were monitored by internal and external observers.

It said the NBS audit team subsequently conducted randomly selected verification of the prices recorded.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2019/12/20/prices-of-tomatoes-rice-yam-increased-in-november-nbs/

Coca-Cola, arguably the world’s most popular beverage company has celebrated the 100th anniversary of its initial public offering. An investment of $40 at that time, would be worth more than $18 million today!

James Quincey, who led Senior executives and Board members of TCCC to the New York Stock Exchange, on Monday 9th December, rang the opening bell, in commemoration of the centenary celebration.

Speaking on the landmark achievement, the global CEO, James Quincey, said, “Not many brands make it this far and not many have been able to grow at the speed that we have. It is a testament to the work that goes on behind the scenes and also thanks to our loyal consumers and investors across the world. It’s a big day for us and it’s a good time to look optimistically into the future.”

With a strong presence in over 200 countries, The Coca-Cola Company and its beverage brands continue to drive economic growth across markets, making it one of the most recognized brands globally.

However, the incredible story of Coca-Cola goes beyond profits and revenue. Over the years, The Coca-Cola Company has taken the lead in good business, committing huge resources in laudable sustainability initiatives across its markets. In 2009, Coca-Cola launched the Replenish Africa Initiative (RAIN) to improve access to safe drinking water for African communities. A total of over 4 million people have been impacted by this initiative. With profits comes responsibility, and The Coca-Cola Company has continued to invest; in Women through its 5by20 global program that has committed to the empowerment of 5 million women by 2020, right up to its World Without Waste campaign which has committed to retrieve and recycle the equivalent of every product package by 2030.

Nigeria is not left out of the beverage giants’ good efforts. With the launch of the Safe Birth Initiative, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited, in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health, the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals and an NGO, Medshare International Inc., has provided equipment and supplies, capability development of biomedical engineers as well as resuscitation and repairs of abandoned medical equipment in 15 government hospitals across the country worth a total conservative value of about $10.8 million, i.e. over N3.8 billion. The Safe Birth Initiative is a critical intervention that aims to tackle the high rate of maternal and newborn deaths in Nigeria.


Another critical intervention in the healthcare space is the Project Last Mile — a public-private partnership working to make life-saving medicines available to people who need them most, to improve access to vaccinations by strengthening public sector refrigeration, or “cold chain” capacity using our vast experience in distribution and cold chain equipment management. This partnership is working together to create a positive cycle that builds human capital, reduces future healthcare costs, and contributes to national development.

And so, celebrations are in order even in Nigeria. As the company continues to grow despite shifting economic scenarios, its prosperity has become a beacon of hope as it stretches its wings of sustainable and humanitarian action in Nigeria and beyond.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2019/12/19/the-coca-cola-company-tccc-celebrates-100-years-of-going-public/

It’s the busiest time of the year in Africa: the holiday season. With holiday season consumer spending up, retail sales are expected to pick up. It is the most challenging time for brands as they deploy marketing ideas to maximize return.

To help you boost sales this holiday season and beyond, we’ve unpacked the latest consumer trends and three key opportunities across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Be ready for the last-minute rush
Across markets, consumers are planning to shop for the holiday in December or later, it means that you should expect a last-minute rush to get the gifts and purchases.

Our research found that this year, 6 in 10 (59%) Africans will do their holiday shopping in December or later, up from 47% in 2018. This trend is sharpest in countries with slower economic growth, showing that consumers are becoming savvy shoppers, for example, 90% of South Africans said they will complete their holiday shopping in December or Later.

The last-minute rush can be a headache and a missed opportunity for marketers who are not prepared. To capitalize on this opportunity, marketers should provide a quick and efficient in-store shopping experience.

Here are a couple of ideas to help you be ready:

• Hit the right price point

• Intensify your sales and promotion close to December 20th

• Train your staff on products so you can provide recommendation and advice

• Add more cash registers to speed the payment process

Focus on offline marketing
Don’t get distracted with digital marketing, Africans are still shopping offline. Our research found that 6 in 10 (61%) consumers say they will spend over 60 percent of their holiday budget offline (in supermarkets, malls, and local markets), while 3 in 10 (34%) say they will spend over 60 percent of their budget online (mostly on mobile). Despite the benefits of online shopping, the reality is consumers are still going to stores during this holiday season.

Here are a couple of ideas to help you be ready:

• Set up your in-store advertising and promotion

• Enhance your product placement within the store

• Provide a great in-store experience to encourage word of mouth marketing

Focus on relevance and quality
Consumers are spending on the people they care about the most this holiday season. Our research shows that this holiday season is a close family (especially Kids) affair in Africa. In fact, 4 in 10 consumers (39 percent) said they will buy gifts for kids or family only in 2019 compared to 3 in 10 (29 percent) in 2018.

Here are a couple of ideas to help you be ready:

• Stock up on Toys & Games but also Food/Beverage and Clothing

• Focus on Food/Beverage products for entertainment and gatherings

• Focus on Clothing, Toys for children

It is not too late to adjust and boost your sales this holiday season, the majority of shoppers in Africa are still hunting for bargains, most likely until Christmas Eve.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2019/12/19/3-ways-to-boost-your-holiday-sales-in-africa/

Hyundai Engineering Company Limited said on Tuesday that it was on the verge of setting up a car plant in Nigeria. The South Korean firm also said it would invest in the rehabilitation of the country’s petroleum refineries.

President/Chief Executive Officer of Hyundai Engineering, Mr Chang Hag Kim, stated these during a visit to the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), at the State House, Abuja.

Buhari, while welcoming the proposal, promised that the Federal Government would give the appropriate support to the firm to bring its plan to fruition.

He also informed the CEO that Nigeria was focused on achieving energy security for the country, adding that “the goal is to achieve self-sufficiency in the supply of petroleum products within the next three years.”

A statement by his media aide, Mr Femi Adesina, after the meeting, quoted Buhari as saying, “We will collaborate and support to make the investment a reality.”

Founded in 1967, the 51-year-old Hyundai has over 15,000 engineers and technical staff around the world. Hag Kim told Buhari that his firm was ready to invest in the Nigerian economy. “We have been building refineries worldwide.

“We have the biggest in South Korea, with 650, 000 barrels per day capacity. We are also in Venezuela, Iraq, and many other places. We will be glad to contribute our quota in Nigeria,” the CEO stated.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2019/12/18/hyundai-to-set-up-car-plant-in-nigeria/

Disney is chasing Netflix. So is Apple. AT&T and Comcast are about to start.

Have fun, says Netflix: We’re busy chasing the entire world — and we’re doing pretty well.

That’s a two-sentence takeaway of an investor document Netflix filed yesterday, which details the company’s pursuit of streaming video customers around the globe, and its very rapid growth.

The fact that Netflix has been expanding around the world isn’t a secret. The company takes great pains to underscore its global ambitions every time it talks to investors and media outlets. But this is the first time Netflix has spelt out how it’s doing at this level of detail.

It also happens to come as the company faces a slew of new competitors — and as its US growth rate has petered out. Earlier this year, Netflix actually saw its US subscriber number drop for the first time in more than a decade.

The fact that people outside the US are interested in streaming movies and TV shows hasn’t escaped Netflix’s competitors. Amazon, for instance, has been targeting international markets as well.

But Netflix’s newest foes are starting with US markets and then hoping to expand after that. Netflix has been streaming in almost every market in the world — with the notable exception of China — since January 2016.

One practical effect of that strategy is that Netflix is focused on grabbing global rights whenever it buys or creates programming, meaning that a Netflix customer in Minneapolis can watch Stranger Things at the same time as a Netflix customer in Tokyo. And Netflix executives frequently talk about shows that started off in one market, like Spain’s Money Heist, that go on to perform around the world.

You can see what the results look via the numbers Netflix filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission this week. In Europe, the Middle East and Africa, for instance, Netflix had 19.7 million subscribers at the end of March 2017; by the end of September of this year, that number was up to 47.4 million. And while Asia is currently Netflix’s smallest market, it is growing rapidly, from 4.7 million subscribers to 14.5 million in the same time frame.

Netflix also told investors how much money it brings in from subscribers in different parts of the world. In the US, the company generates an average of $12.36 in revenue per month for each customer; but in Latin America, where it offers different pricing and promotions, that number is down to $8.21 a month.

Wall Street will keep a close eye on that number in the future, especially as Netflix offers much lower pricing in markets like India, where it has started selling mobile-only subscriptions for $3 a month.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2019/12/18/netflix-releases-worldwide-subscriber-stats-by-region-for-the-first-time/