₦airaland Forum

The Association of Private Educators of Nigeria (APEN) recently concluded its 13th annual conference on a high note, with a focus on the future of education and the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in learning and innovation. Under the theme “Future Fusion: Artificial Intelligence in Learning and Innovation,” the two-day conference brought together educational leaders, policymakers, and innovators to discuss the latest trends and developments in education, and to explore how AI can be used to improve teaching and learning outcomes for all students.




In her remarks, Mrs Lai Koiki, Chairman of APEN, highlighted the importance of collaboration and innovation in preparing for the future of education. She said, “This conference has illuminated the fact that whether we are esteemed school owners, educators, administrators, sponsors, or exhibitors, we must continue to offer each other mutual support in navigating the ever-evolving educational terrain. Only through collective effort can we adequately prepare for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead”.

The need for collaboration between stakeholders was further endorsed by Mrs Folasade Adefisayo, Former Commissioner for Education, Lagos State, who stated, “This is a time when collaboration amongst schools should take the forefront. A Collaborative structure is most ideal”.




The conference featured a variety of keynote speakers and panellists who shared their expertise on a range of topics related to AI and education. The highlights of the conference included discussions on the significant impact AI has on education and how its use will continue to grow in the coming years; how AI can be used to create new and innovative learning experiences; and how AI can ensure personalized learning aligned to the needs of individual students for better outcomes.

Mrs Bolanle Adewole, Chairperson, APEN Conference, stated, “Schools cannot afford to fail; they have the responsibility of shaping the future. Artificial Intelligence is a necessary compass that navigates the crossroads between efficient teaching and functional learning. APEN is at the forefront of helping schools embrace it whilst being mindful of its ethical considerations”.




In addition to the keynote speech and panel discussions, the conference featured several workshops and exhibits that allowed participants to learn more about AI and how to use it in their classrooms. Speakers cautioned that AI is a tool, and like any tool, it can be used for good or for bad, stressing the importance of using AI responsibly and ethically in education.



The conference concluded with a call to action urging participants to continue to learn and innovate in order to prepare for the future of education. Attendees were encouraged to be bold and visionary in their thinking and be willing to experiment with new technologies. They were also encouraged to collaborate with each other to ensure all students receive access to high-quality education, regardless of background or circumstances.



The recently concluded conference stands as a testament to APEN’s unwavering commitment to championing private education and nurturing a diverse network of private schools. Its mission is to elevate the quality provided by schools, thereby making a meaningful contribution to Nigeria’s educational landscape. APEN works to achieve its mission by advocating for policies relevant to its schools, implementing efficient systems to significantly reduce the number of out-of-school children in Nigeria, promoting open discussions, and collaborating with relevant stakeholders in the public and private sectors to bring about desired changes in the younger generations.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2023/11/13/apen-wraps-up-2023-impact-led-conference-with-call-for-collaboration-and-innovation-in-education/

As Africa’s biggest oil producer increases its oil output, Nigeria’s NNPC and Aiteo have formed a joint venture to introduce a new grade of crude called Nembe.


For many years, there have been output declines due to crude theft, attacks on pipelines in the Niger Delta, and a lack of investment. As a result, the Nigerian government has been facing significant fiscal deficits and declining revenue. However, production has increased recently.

The first crude marketing project of its kind to be entirely managed by Nigerian entities, the Nembe crude stream will be managed and marketed by a joint venture between state-owned NNPC and oil firm Aiteo Eastern E&P Co. Ltd., the companies announced on Tuesday.





Maryamu Idris, executive director of crude and condensate at NNPC Trading, stated at the Argus European Crude conference in London on Wednesday that “it is definitely the trajectory that we are going to follow.”


sabotage the result
An NNPC source told Reuters on the fringes of the conference in London that nembe production was added to the Bonny Light stream more than three years ago, but output was hampered by sabotage incidents on the Nembe Creek Trunk Line (NCTL).

He continued, “The nation has now succeeded in resurrecting Nembe as a distinct grade.” According to a statement from NNPC, the expansion enables Nigeria to export an additional two cargoes of 950,000 barrels of crude each month.

Two shipments totaling 950,000 barrels were sold to France and the Netherlands in October, marking the sale of Nembe’s first cargoes.

According to a person familiar with the situation, the first shipment of Nembe cargo was sold to Gulf Transport & Trading, based in the United Arab Emirates, which then loaded it onto the Suezmax tanker Maran Orpheus and headed for an unidentified destination in Fos, France.

Nembe comparable to preceding grades
According to Idris of NNPC, Nembe is comparable to other distillate-rich grades in Nigeria like Forcados, Bonga, and Egina.

She said that the low-sulfur grade is a strong contender to compete with Brazilian and Azeri crude grades for European refiners, commanding a premium over the global Brent benchmark.

According to the source, NNPC plans to increase nembe production from the current level of about 50,000 barrels per day to 80,000 barrels per day by the first quarter of 2025.

According to OPEC figures, Nigeria produced 1.39 million barrels per day (bpd) in September, but an October survey indicated that the country produces roughly 1.5 million bpd. However, the nation intends to increase output to



NNPC will provide Dangote with
According to sources last week, NNPC was scheduled to deliver up to six cargoes of crude oil to the much awaited Dangote oil refinery in December for use in test runs.



Nigeria imports nearly all of the refined fuel it needs due to low capacity and poor upkeep. The nation is now depending on the 650,000 bpd refinery that Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, is building to fulfill its goal of eliminating fuel imports.

According to the first NNPC source, the refinery will run on crudes with an API gravity of 29 to 34 degrees.



The density of a crude oil is measured by its API gravity, which is usually between 15 and 45 degrees. Greater API denotes a lighter, less.


SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2023/11/09/nigerias-oil-sector-makes-progress-launches-new-nembe-grade/

The 2023 edition of Sterling’s Agriculture Summit Africa (ASA) has reached the penultimate stage with revealing of the top ten innovators to pitch for grants at the highly anticipated 5th edition of its annual event.

This year’s summit will be an incubator-style investors’ deal room tagged ‘AgroPitch.’. The shortlist comes as an outcome of an extensive screening process which saw the ASA assess thousands of submissions in its call for applications, with the final winners to be announced at the grand event scheduled for 08 November 2023.

Speaking on the shortlist, Group Head for Agriculture and Solid Minerals Finance at Sterling Bank, Dr. Olushola Obikanye, said that “The selection committee received a multitude of amazing submissions. However, we are confident that this shortlist of the ten agro-innovators presented uniquely transformative solutions that underscore a profound understanding of the critical gaps within our agricultural sector.”

The ASA 2023 grand finale event promises to be a memorable occasion, with a live pitch session, where the top ten 10 innovators will compete for the chance to secure grants and the possibility of accessing up to N1 billion in additional financing to expand their ventures, scheduled as key highlights to look forward to, as well as a keynote address to be delivered by Hon. Samson Bugama, the Honorable Commissioner of Agriculture, Plateau State.

This year’s iteration represents a historic milestone in the summit’s history, which stands as a prominent platform for showcasing promising agro-innovators, aligning with the ASA’s unwavering commitment to shaping the forefront of agricultural excellence both within Africa and beyond.

In keeping with the conveners’ dedication to support and finance agribusinesses across the continent, this year’s ASA edition will benefit numerous agropreneurs beyond the shortlisted finalists with consolation prizes to include indicative offers for advisory services and entrepreneurial education in collaboration with reputable learning institutions.

Conceptualized by Sterling Bank, this year’s ASA is organized in partnership with Leadway Assurance, Thrive Agric and Noor Takaful.


SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2023/11/07/top-10-agro-innovators-emerge-for-agriculture-summit-africa-2023/

MultiChoice, one of Africa’s major economic multipliers in the television sector has announced that through Africa Magic, it has successfully commissioned, produced, and acquired more than $85 million worth of local content over the last few years to create opportunities for young creators to earn a living from their work and for Africa to tell its authentic stories.


However, this substantial investment is under threat from piracy. As content distribution has evolved to encompass various devices and platforms, content piracy has evolved in tandem. Producers, studios, and rights-holders now find themselves in a technology arms race against pirates, striving to develop content-security strategies to protect their brand reputation, revenue, and the livelihoods of thousands who depend on the industry.

Speaking about the detrimental impact of content theft, Dr. Busola Tejumola, Executive Head of Content and West Africa Channels at MultiChoice West Africa, described piracy as unchecked theft that endangers the existence of jobs and the well-being of communities across Africa.

“We recently launched a continent-wide television campaign to emphasise how piracy erases African stories and jeopardises jobs in the production and creative industries. If piracy remains unchecked, it will result in fewer African stories being told, fewer local productions commissioned, and fewer opportunities for content producers.


“I appeal to our nation and our continent to unite against piracy and empower Africa’s creatives to earn a living from their talent, “she said.

In addition to its impact on the entertainment industry, Africa Magic’s contributions have also injected significant financial support into adjacent industries, such as travel, hospitality, construction, and manufacturing sectors, all of which are jeopardised by the scourge of piracy.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2023/11/07/africa-magic-invests-over-85-million-to-bolster-local-content/

Nollywood has numerous actors and actresses who wear different characters to entertain us in movies. The steady rise of Nollywood talents in recent years is remarkable, and this is down to the investment of platforms like Africa Magic in talent discovery and commissioning/licensing of movies and series that cast budding talents.


In celebration of Africa Magic at 20, here is a list of renowned Nollywood talents who rose to stardom on the Africa Magic platform:

Tobi Bakare: He’s no doubt one of the hottest talents around at the moment. Tobi rose to stardom on one of Africa Magic’s reality TV shows, Big Brother Nigeria. He won the AMVCA’s Best Actor in 2023 for his role in the blockbuster movie, Brotherhood. His first-ever movie role was in the Africa Magic original drama, Hustle. Tobi is also the lead character in the ongoing Africa Magic series, Slum King.

Tope Olowoniyan: She’s an actress with a fast-rising stock in the movie industry since she made her acting debut in 2015. Africa Magic audiences will remember Olowoniyan’s role in popular series such as Hush, Battleground, Tinsel, Riona, and Enakhe. These roles have earned her scripts on other projects in Nollywood. “My growth in Nollywood fundamen­tally was because of Africa Mag­ic. I cannot talk about my career without mentioning Africa Mag­ic,” she said while speaking about her acting career.


Femi Odugbemi: This popular producer is a perfect example of how Africa Magic elevated the art of indigenous storytelling in Africa. Odugbemi’s career success is hugely down to his works with Africa Magic which has seen him produce series such as Battleground and Tinsel. As a rookie producer in 2004, Odugbemi pitched his project, ‘Mama Put’ to Africa Magic, and secured $100,000 investment. That, according to him, was the turning point in his career. He then pitched Tinsel with co-producers, and the result is what we see today. Tinsel is currently the longest-running series on Africa Magic, with over 3000 episodes.


Gideon Okeke: He is one of the first beneficiaries of the Africa Magic investment in movie production and talent development. The actor got his first acting role in Tinsel, in 2007. His Tinsel performances earned him a nomination by Africa Magic for a role in the popular South Africa series, Jacob’s Cross. “Tinsel was the first film school I attended. My work on Tinsel inspired me to become the artist I am today,” Okeke said about his acting career.

Ireti Doyle: This movie star also owes her popularity to the Africa Magic platform. In a recent interview, the actress narrated how she almost didn’t go for the Tinsel audition, the show that shot her to stardom. Ireti Doyle is one of the longest-running cast members on the series with her lead role as ‘Shella’.

Nomzo Bassey: Battleground remains one of the most popular Africa Magic series of the last 20 years. One of the stars who hugged the limelight from the series is Nomzo. His role as Doctor Emeka earned him popularity. According to him, he became a popular face in markets and malls across the country. “Africa Magic made me a star,” Bassey said.

Chisom Agoawuike: This fashion model and ex-beauty queen rose to prominence for her role as ‘Halita’ in the widely followed Africa Magic series, The Rishantes. Chisom landed the role after an audition in Abuja, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Be part of Africa Magic’s elaborate celebration by staying connected to your DStv or GOtv. Download the My DStv or MyGOtv app or dial *288# to subscribe, renew, or upgrade your subscription.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2023/11/06/seven-nollywood-talents-who-rose-to-stardom-on-africa-magic/

British International Investment (BII), the UK’s development finance institution (DFI) and impact investor, today announced a US$26.5 million commitment to AFEX, Africa’s leading commodities platform, which currently operates over 200 warehouses in Nigeria, Kenya, and Uganda and serves over 450,000 farmers.

The investment will support structural improvements in Africa’s agricultural industry, which will significantly benefit smallholder farmers and lead to improvements in food security.

The signing of BII and AFEX’s new partnership took place today. It was attended by British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos Jonny Baxter, BII Chief Executive Officer Nick O’Donohoe, and AFEX Group CEO Ayodeji Balogun.


BII’s investment will be used to build 20 modern warehouses in strategic locations in Nigeria, Kenya, and Uganda. Its capital will also scale warehouse technology and next-generation software that captures post-harvest pricing. Smart storage solutions have the potential to preserve the lifespan of harvested crops, and so increasing the volume of food available.

The additional warehouses will provide 230,000 MT of storage capacity, enabling up to 200,000 more farmers to access low-cost storage and maximise sales from crop harvests, potentially helping increase farmer incomes by more than 200 per cent. Supporting smallholder farmers to achieve a fair wage is vital to ensure they remain in operation, producing more and higher quality crops for local consumption.

Agriculture in Nigeria, Kenya and Uganda accounts for a quarter of GDP and employs 70 per cent of their populations – 80 per cent of whom are smallholder and subsistence farmers. Currently, farmers face a difficult financial outlook due to macroeconomic uncertainty, limited market access, and poor reliability of sales from crop harvests. Yields have fallen, and farmers’ incomes are increasingly affected by price hikes of agricultural inputs and extreme weather events.

BII’s capital will also be used to develop a soybean processing plant in Ibadan, the third-largest city by population in Nigeria, and a drying facility in Uganda. The construction of the storage facilities and soy processing facilities will generate over 700 temporary jobs and more than 80 permanent roles.


Commenting on the transaction, BII Chief Executive Officer, Nick O’Donohoe said, “The World Bank estimates that Africa’s food import bill has reached c.US$30 billion in recent decades[1]. This is why we need to back technology-driven companies like AFEX because they help reduce that import cost by supporting smallholder farmers to increase local food production, while also boosting their incomes.”

Speaking about the raise, AFEX Group CEO, Ayodeji Balogun said, “This investment from British International Investment is a landmark moment in our mission to revolutionise agriculture and elevate food security across Africa. By directing fresh capital towards the development of technologically advanced warehouses and critical facilities, we are significantly enhancing market access and income potential for smallholder farmers. In alignment with UN SDGs, our mission is to enable Africa to feed itself efficiently and sustainably. Today’s investment doesn’t just propel AFEX’s growth, it forges a more secure and prosperous future for an entire continent.”


British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, Jonny Baxter said: “I am proud of British International Investment’s support which will enhance agricultural productivity and bolster food security in Nigeria. The agricultural sector stands as a vital pillar to Nigeria’s economy, playing a significant role in job creation and investment potential. The UK provided early-stage funding to AFEX, and I am delighted to see the company grow with such success. We look forward to continuing to support Nigeria’s agriculture sector and the opportunities this provides for its economic growth.”



This investment will contribute to the United Nations sustainable development goal on Zero Hunger (SDG2), Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG8) and Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG12).

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2023/11/02/british-international-investment-commits-us26-5m-to-afex/

Lagos Free Zone (LFZ) the first deep seaport-based private free trade zone in Nigeria has won Industrial Champion category of the Global Free Zones of the Year 2023 awards by the fDi Intelligence, a service from the Financial Times. The fDi Intelligence monitors global greenfield foreign direct investments across sectors.

The award is in recognition of the leading industrial ecosystem provided by Lagos Free Zone as a Special Economic Zone for manufacturing in Africa. According to the special report released by fDi Intelligence recognizing the world’s best free zones for FDI, LFZ was recognized as the inaugural winner of Africa’s industrial champions category on account of its integration with a deep sea port that receives container vessels from around the world, creating new opportunities for manufacturers looking to export their goods.

“When it comes to staffing projects, manufacturers benefit from the company’s community jobs portal and a future training hub, which is dedicated to vocational skills that align with its priority sectors of food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, engineering, paper, chemicals and non-metallic minerals.” it stated.

Dr Olufemi Ogunyemi, Managing Director at the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority quoted “We are deeply excited about this development and congratulate the Lagos Free Zone team for their efforts. This recognition further strengthens NEPZA’s commitment to driving the Renewed Hope agenda with free zones as the cornerstone of our approach to drive investments into the country. We will continue to provide a conducive environment for businesses to thrive and contribute to our nation’s prosperity. We are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead”.


The newly appointed CEO of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, Aisha Rimi, congratulated Lagos Free Zone and said “We are glad to see investment hubs like the Lagos Free Zone get global recognition and congratulate the team at Lagos Free Zone for being announced the Industrial Champions for the African continent at the Global Free Zones awards this year. We are committed to work constructively with public and private sector players towards the common goal of driving inward investments and contributing to the economic growth of the country.”

In his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer, Lagos Free Zone, Dinesh Rathi described the award as a testament to the commitment of the promoters to attract global manufacturers by providing a world-class industrial ecosystem and thereby create employment opportunities for Nigerians.

Rathi noted that the company is extremely delighted at the recognition and would continue to take giant steps that would attract both local and foreign investments in the manufacturing sector.

“At Lagos Free Zone, we make it possible for businesses to make “Make in Nigeria for Africa” by providing a world-class industrial ecosystem integrated with Lekki Port, Nigeria’s most modern and deepest seaport. We invite global and local manufacturers to unlock hassle-free growth in West Africa and beyond through this ecosystem. We humbly dedicate this prominent recognition to all Nigerians,” he said.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2023/10/26/lagos-free-zone-wins-industrial-champion-category-at-the-global-free-zones-of-the-year-2023-awards/

Syndicate Bio, a biotech platform company committed to advancing genomics and precision medicine initiatives across the world’s most diverse regions, announces its strategic partnership with the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), the foremost institute that provides national leadership on cancer research, treatment and control in Nigeria.


Together, they have initiated the “Cancer Genome Nigeria” project, a study aimed at bridging cancer disparity gaps by studying the most prevalent cancers across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones and 300+ ethnolinguistic groups.


Launched in September 2023 by Founder Dr Abasi Ene-Obong, alongside Co-Founders Dr. Jumi Popoola and Estelle Dogbo, Syndicate Bio is leveraging collaborations with governments, pharmaceutical companies, academia and other key industry stakeholders to deepen local precision medicine impact while generating invaluable datasets that improve global health outcomes and accelerates drug discovery and development. The strategic partnership will be a coordinated project to address cancer diagnosis and treatment in a game-changing way for patients in Nigeria. Through this project, the availability and accessibility of next-generation sequencing (NGS) based cancer tests in the country, would pave the way for more targeted therapeutics for patients in Nigeria. For long-term and transformative standards of care, participating physicians will also be trained in precision medicine to ensure they are positioned to provide tailored treatment solutions and support genetic counselling services to the patients involved in the program.

Cancer care management challenges are significantly higher in Africa than those in western countries. According to the National Cancer Control Plan, breast cancer mortality in Nigeria is alarmingly high at 51%, compared to 19% in the United States. Although the data is not conclusive for prostate cancer, only 45% – 55% of Nigerian men survive up to 5 years after being diagnosed, whereas in the UK and US, 85% and 97%, respectively, will survive their cancer for 5 years and more.1, 2, 3. The lack of personalised care solutions in Nigeria are contributing factors of those low survival rates. Additionally, this alarming disparity is explained by evidence showing that drivers of cancer causing mutations in Africans and the African Diaspora might be different from those in other non-African populations. Early detection of cancers and their mutational drivers, alongside targeted therapies will improve care management and survival rates in Nigeria and Africa at large. This partnership is set to pioneer the use of NGS technology in Nigeria to decode the genomic profile of prevalent cancers. This will provide patient-centric care, access to life-saving diagnostics, personalised genetic reports and therapeutics. As part of this study, the partnership aims to develop a research resource tool that will be useful for global preclinical and clinical cancer research, as well as promote the widespread adoption of targeted therapeutics in treating cancer in Nigeria.

Debuting with a pilot study involving 100 participants and sequencing the top oncogenes associated with solid tumours (breast, prostate, NSCLC, liver and colorectal cancer) in the country, the initiative is set to expand to up to 10,000 patients in the next 5 years.

Dr. Abasi Ene-Obong said: “The disparities in cancer care in Nigeria and across Africa, represent an ecosystem challenge that demands tailored solutions. Syndicate Bio’s approach forges collaborative engagement with existing healthcare systems and stakeholders as a means to drive local impact across Africa and inclusive advancements in global genomics. This is why our partnership with NICRAT is important for the advancement of cancer research and treatment outcomes in Nigeria, the impact of which will be felt across the world through the inclusion of diverse genomes in global cancer research. NICRAT’s reach will ensure that the benefit of this study is felt across all of Nigeria’s geopolitical regions and enable the delivery of precision medicine to patients in Nigeria ”.


In 2022, the Lancet Oncology Commission issued a report highlighting the alarming surge in cancer cases across Sub-Saharan Africa. The report projected a potential doubling of cancer-related mortality in the region by 2030, driven by incomplete cancer data and limited access to screening and diagnostics. This underscores the need for synergistic collaboration among various stakeholders as the linchpin for resolving this crisis.

Commenting on the partnership, Prof. Usman Malami Aliyu, Director General of the National Institute of Cancer Research and Treatment said, “Collaborating with technical partners like Syndicate Bio, is a pivotal moment in our research and treatment. This study, designed by and for Nigerians will change diagnostics and the long term care of our country’s cancer patients.”


This bold initiative will set the tone for ethical research at scale, provide real time benefits to patients and their caregivers and will help generate data to understand mutational signatures in cancers and their frequencies in Nigeria.


SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2023/10/24/syndicate-bio-forges-partnership-with-nicrat/

Empowering tomorrow’s culinary stars Commemorating the 2023 International Chef’s Day, 50 children from Nestlé for Healthier Kids (N4HK) beneficiary schools in Sagamu, Ogun State, had an immersive cooking experience with Nestlé Professional.

The Company believes that encouraging children to be creative with food motivates them to try out healthier food options.

Every year on International Chefs Day, Nestlé Nigeria and the Association of Professional Chefs Nigeria bring children together to participate in the creation of new recipes including fruits and vegetables.

The immersive events allow the children bring their personal touch and innovative ideas to the discovery of new ways of enjoying food without compromising nutrition.


The Association of Professional Chefs Nigeria has partnered with Nestlé over the
years in the company’s efforts to raise awareness about the importance of
maintaining healthy diets to help people imbibe positive eating habits for
healthier lives.


According to worldchefs.org, this year’s International Chefs Day celebration
themed, ‘Growing Great Chefs,’ aims to ignite the imaginations of children, encouraging them to explore the wonderful world of flavors, textures, and cultures found in culinary arts through early exposure to the art of cooking.

Speaking at the event, Funmi Osineye, Business Manager, Nestlé Professional,
said, “International Chefs Day provides us a unique opportunity to collaborate with teachers and guardians to enrich the nutrition knowledge of children within the communities where we live and work. We know that good food enables good life, and that habits imbibed early in life stay a lifetime with us.

We are therefore delighted to work with the Association of Professional Chefs Nigeria to
introduce children to the exciting world of culinary arts. Today’s hands-on experience will help them recall the lessons learned in the N4HK in-class sessions and who knows, in line with this year’s theme, we might just have great future chefs among us here today!”

Chef Belinda Esoimeme, representing the Association of Professional Chefs
Nigeria said, “We are excited to spend this time with children teaching them the
benefits of a healthy diet in a fun way. Prior to now, the focus was on particular
careers like Medicine, Engineering and Law which are great careers.

However, it is personally fulfilling for me to see young kids indicate interest in joining our noble profession. This hands-on experience will remain with them for a long time.

Every year, Nestlé Professional continues to raise the bar through it’s investment in the food service industry especially by supporting the development of Chefs and inspiring the next generation of Chefs. Giving children an opportunity to be involved in food is a necessary first step in raising the next generation of great chefs!”

The International Chef’s Day event program included various activities like the Junior Master Chef practical session which thrilled the children!

Guided by the chefs, the children were challenged to complete cooking tasks by
adding their personal touch to recipes. The showcase and presentation of their
creations were the highlights for the enthusiastic aspiring chefs.

One of the participants, Favour Elum, a Primary 5 student of Wesley School 1,
Oko, Sagamu, expressed her excitement on being selected to be part of the event, her first time on a factory tour.

According to her, cooking with her team members and the chefs was so much fun and she now looks forward to cooking with her Mum at home and to sharing what she has learnt with her friends in school.

The children were encouraged to share their learning and to take part in preparing meals with their families. Each participant received fruit coloring books courtesy of Nestlé Professionals, to serve as reminders of the fruits and vegetables used during the session.

This event is one of the ways Nestlé Nigeria contributes to its goal of helping 50 million children globally live healthier lives, through the Nestlé for Healthier Kids program, a global flagship initiative.

Since 2014, Nestlé and the Association of Professional Chefs Nigeria have partnered to deliver this laudable initiative to encourage children to form healthier nutrition habits for a healthier future.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2023/10/23/nestle-professional-inspires-next-generation-of-chefs/

Africa’s leading digital entrepreneur and Chairman, Zinox Group, Leo Stan Ekeh, has once again urged young business owners and startups in Africa to demonstrate a high level of integrity and diligence when executing government contracts as the quality of their country defines their future.


Ekeh made this call during a recent mentorship programme with a select group of African foreign-based postgraduate students in the latest edition of an annual lecture series aimed at grooming the next generation of certified entrepreneurs.

Speaking during the virtual session which was monitored online, Ekeh counselled the participants to shun the overwhelming temptation to treat government contracts as an avenue for overnight enrichment or sub-standard implementation, adding that this often has disastrous consequences. Citing the importance of ethical standards and principles as uncompromising foundations of a successful business, the Zinox boss lamented the disturbing tendency of young, impressionable entrepreneurs to get easily excited and throw caution to the winds, especially when it comes to executing government contracts.

Consequently, Ekeh, a Forbes Best of Africa Leading Tech Icon, sounded a note of caution, warning that these acts can irreparably fracture the trust reposed by the government in entrusting major projects to startups or even to other established firms with proven capacities in their respective countries, further resulting in capital flight and erosion of the giant strides recorded in local content development.


‘‘Government is the biggest spender in any economy. Some of you, while doing business, may get a chance to execute some projects for governments, whether at sub-national or Federal level. It is a call to service and an opportunity to prove the growing faith in our indigenous capacities.


‘‘Having the opportunity to execute a government contract must, therefore, be seen as a privilege and not as a chance to outrageously inflate figures, deliver shoddy outputs or unduly enrich yourself overnight. You must seize the opportunity to grow your social capital and open the doors for others to enjoy the confidence that has been reposed in you.

‘‘There is a spiritual commitment that should naturally come with such high-profile deliverables. As a matter of fact, it must be the signature of your business that you can be counted on to deliver excellent results for any contract you win, whether big or small. I have always emphasized the importance of building yourself as a personal collateral as an entrepreneur. It is the only way you can gain the confidence of your suppliers, partners and the people or establishments that patronize your business.

Ekeh lectured that it is a fact that doing things properly in some African countries sometimes attracts pains from competition who write frivolous petitions to security agencies to inconvenience the preferred company, but he advised them to stay on the path of honour and provide time to answer those queries as they come up, instead of compromising on quality. Using Nigeria as an example, he disclosed that for every big tech contract won by his company, they had always expected petitions from faceless blackmailers to authorities such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), among others. However, he advised his audience not to be deterred by these antics.

‘‘The only way to win is doing things right. I am lucky all my investments are in the tech sector and technology does not lie, so we always won,” he stated.

Urging the budding entrepreneurs not to lose hope because of the ongoing difficulties in the macroeconomic environment, Ekeh expressed optimism that the African economy would survive the present challenges and rebound stronger.

‘‘The current challenges in the economy are not new. We have witnessed similar cycles in the past. But our economy has always shown resilience to rebound from them. Also, you must bear in mind that the difficulties are not only local. The global economy is passing through a period of intense stress, further worsened by the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and potentially set to be impacted further by the latest confrontation between Israel and Hamas.

‘‘In times like these, the failure rate of startups and other businesses increase. However, difficult times also represent periods of great opportunities. It is your responsibility to sniff out those opportunities which abound around you and take advantage of them.

‘‘You must always remember that to succeed, you cannot take pleasure before pains. In setting up your business, you must have a clear roadmap and vision. Hype is good and gets you noticed but you must work very hard behind the scenes to fill up the blank spaces with substance. Otherwise, the hype will fizzle out and you will have nothing concrete to stand on. You must also remain spiritually strong, retain a healthy risk appetite, and rely a lot on your intuition and common-sense logic to make a success of your venture. Finally, never forget that your passion must pay your bills,’’ he concluded.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2023/10/16/nigerian-youths-must-execute-govt-contracts-with-conscience-ekeh-zinox-boss/

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of a new Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the Postmaster General of the Nigeria Postal Service (NIPOST) and the CEO of Nigeria Communication Satellite Limited (NigComSat).

The new appointment, according to Ajuri Ngelale, the President’s Spokesman, is part of the new appointments made across multiple agencies under the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy.

Here are things to know about the new CEOs

Aminu Maida – The new Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC)

Aminu Maida has been appointed as the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).


Prior to this role, he served as the Executive Director of Technology and Operations at Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System Plc (NIBSS). Maida possesses a 15-year career spanning Fintech, Telecoms, and Enterprise Technology. He worked as the chief technological officer (CTO) at Arca Payments Network, a Senior Manager at Cisco Systems UK, and a Network Design Consultant at EE in the UK.

He holds academic qualifications, including an MEng in Information Systems Engineering from Imperial College London, a PhD in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the University of Bath, and a Post Graduate Diploma in Entrepreneurship (FinTech Pathway) from Cambridge Judge Business School.

Nkechi Egerton-Idehen – The new MD/CEO of NIGCOCOMSAT

Nkechi Egerton-Idehen, with over 17 years of tech sector experience, was appointed as MD/CEO of NIGCOCOMSAT, succeeding Tukur Mohammed Lawal Funtua.

She has a strong background in sales and sales team management at global firms like Ericsson, Nokia-Siemens, and Meta, with a focus on Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Her academic journey includes an Electronics Engineering degree from the University of Nigeria, an MBA from the University of Warwick (UK), and certifications from Harvard Business School, Yale School of Management, and Colombia Business School.

Nkechi has held numerous senior roles, excelling in strategy, sales, marketing, and fostering startup success. She is also an author, angel investor, and strategic advisor.

Tola Odeyemi – The new Postmaster General / CEO of the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST)

Tola Odeyemi was appointed by the President as the Postmaster General / CEO, to replace Sunday Adepoju.

Odeyemi is a Public Policy Professional with a background in Electrical and Systems Engineering.

She has demonstrated competence in the deployment of technology to accomplish policy/regulatory requirements and formulation of technology policy.

With over 15 years in the technology policy space, she has a proven track record of success in supervising technical teams and ensuring the execution of core objectives within the set organisation.

Odeyemi has extensive policy implementation advisory expertise in both government and private sector-led strategic implementation of frameworks for Public Sector, Technology projects, and Infrastructure financing.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2023/10/15/all-you-need-to-know-about-new-ceos-of-ncc-nigcomsat-and-nipost/

World Shoe today announced the opening of its inaugural factory to produce the first antimicrobial, eco-friendly footwear brand manufactured in Africa.

The production launch represents a collaborative effort among public, private, and civil service sectors to provide high-quality, low-cost products for retail consumers throughout African and international markets that prevent injury, promote hygiene and protect against debilitating disease.

World Shoe products will form part of an integrated bundle of healthcare services that address broader public health and environmental sustainability mandates. The versatile design of the footwear is intended to provide comfortable, breathable support in a variety of climates and conditions. Made from durable EVA foam and infused with antimicrobial and biodegradation agents, this footwear contributes to a holistic strategy for public health while reducing waste and the environmental impact of the footwear industry.


Through their social service partnerships and innovative WASH&WEAR humanitarian distribution model, World Shoe will directly support efforts by governments, charities, and health agencies to promote public hygiene and vaccine uptake, and better respond to natural disasters and other humanitarian crises.

“More than half a billion people around the world do not have reliable access to quality footwear, leaving them vulnerable to injury and diseases that perpetuate a cycle of poverty,” said Kojo Taylor, President and Co-owner of World Shoe Limited in Ghana. “We believe the new World Shoe factory will demonstrate how African innovation can propel African development and create change on a global scale. By creating a model to provide people with affordable, high-quality, eco-friendly shoes, we can support education, health and economic outcomes while protecting the environment.”


The factory launch supports the mandate of the President of Ghana and the commitment by the Ghanaian Government to promote economic investment and fulfill its global health partnership in the WHO Kigali Declaration of 2022.

The new factory offers an important blueprint for Ghana and other countries to support job creation and economic development in tandem with advancing important public health goals. The overall factory management and operation will be overseen by Ghanaians. “We must do everything to make this initiative succeed as it creates employment for the local community. I’m also excited that this provides a huge import substitution that will help strengthen the local economy,” said Honorable Thomas Nyarko Ampem, the Member of Parliament for Asuogyaman Constituency, Akosombo.

World Shoe is the vision of Manny Ohonme, a businessman and philanthropist raised in Nigeria who has two decades of charity experience delivering nearly 10 million pairs of shoes to people in need across 109 countries. “As a child growing up in poverty, I experienced the power of a pair of shoes to transform lives,” said Mr. Ohonme, who now serves as President of World Shoe. “Shoes give us dignity and allow us to realize our full human potential. From aid to trade, our goal is to leverage exceptional product design and manufacturing to deliver lasting positive change to people everywhere.”

An important element of World Shoe’s operational model includes plans to sell its products in North America, Europe and elsewhere at a price point that allows the organization to scale its social enterprise and humanitarian efforts. “We are creating an African brand for the world,” said Astor Chambers, VP of Marketing for World Shoe, Inc. and a veteran of Nike and Adidas. “We are fusing together a unique, sustainable product design with the ambition of a brand that stands for large scale social good. This will appeal to socially conscious consumers everywhere and has the potential to revolutionize how we achieve greater health and economic equity.”

World Shoe already has orders for 1.5 million pairs of shoes, vaulting the organization into the Top 20 social enterprises in the world.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2023/10/11/world-shoe-launches-new-factory-in-ghana/

Terra Seasoning Cube’s recently launched campaign, “Unwrap Joy, Unleash Taste,” has been honoured with the prestigious “Best Marketing Campaign of the Year 2023” Award at the recently concluded Marketing Edge Brands and Advertising Excellence Award 2023.

This prestigious recognition underscores the brand’s remarkable creative marketing prowess, innovation, impact, and its profound connection with consumers through this groundbreaking campaign.

Extending its reach across a wide spectrum of media channels, the “Unwrap Joy, Unleash Taste” campaign has captivated consumers and industry experts alike. With its commitment to elevating everyday cooking experiences, Terra Seasoning Cube’s new campaign has inspired a movement centered around the joy, taste, flavour, aroma, and versatility that it brings to the kitchen and the unique palates of Nigerians.

According to the organizers of the Marketing Edge Brands and Advertising Excellence Award 2023, the award is a recognition and celebration of the brand’s odyssey to becoming one of the most sought-after seasoning cubes in the Nigerian market.


“The Terra Seasoning Cube ‘Unwrap Joy, Unleash Taste’ campaign seamlessly combines innovation, compelling storytelling, a profound understanding of its audience and an effective multi-channel integration, guaranteeing engagement that transcends boundaries and resulted in an unprecedented success story” he said


Probal Bhattacharya, Chief Marketing Officer, TGI Group, upon receiving the awards, stated that he was immensely proud to receive the ‘Best Marketing Campaign of the Year’ award for Terra Seasoning Cubes Campaign.

“We set out to create a campaign that not only showcased our product value but also connected with our audience at a deeper level. Winning the Best Marketing Campaign of the Year award validates our effort and motivates us to continue pushing boundaries in the seasoning cube category” He said

He reiterates further that the campaign was creatively and carefully crafted to ensure that consumers realize that cooking doesn’t necessarily have to be a chore but a moment of joy and expression of creativity, while encouraging consumers to experience the sheer joy of cooking a tasteful meal with Terra Cube.

The “Best Marketing Campaign of the Year” award adds another accolade to Terra Seasoning Cubes’ growing list of achievements, cementing its position as the fastest-growing brand in the seasoning cube market.

Terra Seasoning Cube is made up of wholesome, carefully sourced essential ingredients specially designed to meet the discerning Nigerian consumers’ needs in every meal, offering great taste, flavour and aroma for that unique cuisine experience. Every meal cooked with Terra Cube guarantees an enjoyable meal and a rich signature homemade taste experience. Available in Beef, Chicken, Shrimp and Jollof flavours, in various consumer-friendly pack sizes nationwide.

Tropical General Investments (TGI) Group is an international investment and holding company with diversified interests and investments across Africa, The Middle East, Asia and other emerging markets. TGI’s investments focus on driving inclusivity and value addition using locally sourced raw materials, state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities and a highly skilled workforce to produce world-class products that are consumed both locally and exported to global markets. Across markets, TGI Group owns over a hundred leading brands in Fast Moving Consumer Goods, Agricultural Inputs, Industrial Chemicals, Homecare products and Pharmaceuticals.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2023/10/08/terra-seasoning-cube-wins-coveted-best-marketing-campaign-of-the-year-2023-award/

Amo Farm Sieberer Hatchery Limited, the producers of Noiler dual-purpose chicken breed (for both meat and eggs) for affordable nutritional protein consumption to Nigerians in line with the Federal Government food security initiative, joins the nation in marking her 63rd Independence Day Anniversary.
As a reputable organisation, it is poised to improve rural protein consumption and create a sustainable source of income for rural women in Africa, with Amo Farms being the major driver of small-scale poultry farming with critical roles in ensuring food security and nutrition, while providing the Noiler protein consumption to boost Federal Government’s stance on food security for the well-being of the citizenry for a progressive nation in agricultural development.
While reiterating his company’s commitment to the provision of affordable food protein to Nigerians through agricultural initiatives, Dr Ayoola Oduntan, the Group Managing Director of Amo Farm Sieberer Hatchery Limited declared his company’s total support for the Federal Government food security initiative and the state of emergency recently declared to address food sufficiency in Nigeria.
He added that the occasion of Nigeria’s independence celebration should resonate with our patriotism and rededication to our national developmental goals which our company is entirely committed to through agricultural initiatives that would erase the traits of malnutrition in Nigeria.

Dr. Oduntan stated that the well-being of Nigerians should be a collective effort by the government and the private sector, in order to achieve the desired impact, considering the enormous task involved. “This challenge has inspired Amo Farm’s strategic role in supporting 1.4 smallholder farmers in Nigeria and Africa to partake in small-scale poultry farming in Noiler, the dual purpose yield high-quality chicken,” he said.
Noiler is a genetically improved dual-purpose chicken breed that is similar in looks and taste to the native chicken, but is resistant to diseases, and produces four times more eggs and three times more meat.
It was developed by Amo Farm Sieberer Hatchery Ltd. (ASFH) after several years of research through a pedigree breeding and selection programme, along the lines of the indigenous chicken, which is the chicken of choice in Nigeria because of its distinctive taste and texture.
AFSH is the leading producer of eggs, point-of-lay pullets, cattle, and fish in Nigeria, with a strong commitment to produce a dual-purpose chicken to help solve the problems of poverty, infant mortality, child malnutrition and gender inequality. This would be achieved through a chicken which would provide meat and eggs as protein for the whole family, and primarily be reared and sold by women, thereby improving their status and decision-making power in the rural community.


SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2023/10/02/amo-farms-celebrates-63rd-independence-day-set-to-boost-government-food-security-initiative/

The Nigerian authorities are leading the charge in the control and regulation of flaring gas, looking towards eliminating the need for routine flaring over the next few years. A key component in that challenge is accurate measurement.


Fluenta, the global leader in ultrasonic sensing technology for measurement of flare gas, has completed work on the Dangote Refinery in Nigeria – Africa’s biggest oil refinery – to install 18 ultrasonic flare gas meters on large pipelines around the plant.

The Dangote Refinery stands at the vanguard of Africa’s and Nigeria’s moves towards energy self-sufficiency. The West African nation currently imports refined petroleum products for its own use, even though it is Africa’s biggest oil producer.



Dangote Refinery, the world’s largest single-train refinery, which began operating in May 2023, is capable of refining 650,000 barrels of oil per day — enough to meet Nigeria’s daily fuel supply requirements, with a daily surplus of 38m litres of refined products, already earmarked for export.

Nigeria is positioning itself as a world-leader when it comes to reducing its emissions, and flaring – the controlled burning or combustion of excess or waste gases that cannot be processed or captured for productive use – is a safety and environmental practice employed in the petroleum industry to prevent release of potentially harmful or combustible gases into the atmosphere.


Flare measurement in a refinery is essential, from a regulatory and environmental law compliance perspective, and for accurate emissions monitoring.

Fluenta spent more than four months working with its exclusive Nigerian representative, Daptem Engineering, and the Dangote project team to deliver a workable, accurate and reliable flare measurement solution.

Whilst it’s not unusual to have high levels of customisation associated with such installations, the wide variety and sizes of pipelines, which ranged from 18” to 90” diameters presented a unique engineering challenge. Larger pipelines make it difficult to measure accurately as the acoustic pulse has further travel which could weaken it and lead to less accurate readings. In addition, flared gas expelled through these pipelines is high in CO2, a particularly difficult gas to measure using ultrasonic technology.

The team implemented a multitude of innovative, bespoke solutions, each considered on a case-by-case basis, to ensure accuracy of the system.

Under current Nigerian law, companies refining oil and gas must pay a ‘tax’ for flared gas, to encourage an overall reduction in flaring, underlining the importance of Fluenta’s accurate, trustworthy flare measurement and management.

Radek Kurkowski, director at Fluenta, says: “Flare gas measurement and control is vital to ensure compliance with environmental regulations and to help identify potential safety hazards. This is especially true at a plant on this never-before-seen scale and with the world’s largest flare pipe.

“Delivering this solution meant some close work with our local partner and the client project team, and we are delighted with the end result – which will support bringing energy security to Nigeria and the wider Africa region. Our team used a range of state-of-the-art technology, adapted meter software and special pipe gaskets and ball valves to deliver the pipe flare gas measurement solution.”

“Fluenta’s work stands as testament to the power of innovation, creative team work and a desire to always meet the client’s needs. We are extremely proud to support the domestic security of energy supply in Nigeria.”

Fluenta has deep experience of working in Africa. In 2017, the company was approached by an International Oil Company (IOC) working in Nigeria, who were looking for a reliable flare measurement solution. Fluenta developed bespoke solutions in response to the IOC’s requirements, which were installed in 2019. Since then, the IOC has ordered an additional 32 Fluenta flare measurement meters. Fluenta has now been awarded preferred supplier status and all flare gas flowmeters on the IOC’s assets have been replaced (or are in the replacement process) with the Fluenta solution.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2023/10/03/fluentas-technology-aids-nigerias-flare-gas-reduction-efforts/

Lagos NIPR, in collaboration with Upticomm Marketing Company, calls for registration for the 8th Lagos Digital Public Relations Summit, which will take place at the Sheraton Lagos Hotel from October 18–19, 2023, with the topic Reinventing Public Relations Proficiencies with AI.



To learn more and sign up to attend the Summit, interested marketing communication professionals can visit the website at https://lagosdigitalprsummit.com/. For streamlined registration on mobile devices, a unique QR code has been developed.



The investment to enroll is one hundred and fifty thousand naira (N150,000) per person. However, a discount of ten thousand naira (N10,000) would be given for payments made before Friday, October 5, 2023, at the latest. Attendees will earn a Certificate of Participation and the coveted honorary Lagos Digital PR Ambassadorship.



This edition is essential training for young and mid-level communication practitioners, especially millennials, Gen Z, and young-minded Gen X, are aspiring to leverage AI applications to improve their efficiency and remain competitive. The Summit will outline several solutions and provide details on how they can move forward in using AI technology to create better content that engages a multi-channel audience while building trust and reputation.

This hybrid edition will feature daily keynote sessions, fireside chats, masterclasses, and much more. The two-day Summit brings together senior and intermediate marcomms professionals and is organized in collaboration with technology companies specializing in Internet-related services, social media, and social networking services, including Google, Microsoft, and Facebook, and leading digital marketing communications firms.



The annual Lagos Digital Public Relations Summit is the premier experiential gathering of communicators focused on achieving collective intelligence to equip and capacitate participants with high-level digital public relations strategies, tactics, and how-tos so they can do their jobs better and lift their social media campaign results.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2023/09/27/nipr-calls-for-registration-for-8th-lagos-digital-pr-summit/

The President Bola Tinubu-led Federal GovernmentFederal Government has rebranded Npower to Renewed Hope Skills Acquisition Programme.

The new Minister of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty alliviation Dr Betta Edu has been working to restore the lost glory of the Npower programme since she was sworn as Minister.

Lately, the Npower programme which was initiated by the Buhari Administration has received backlash on poor management. The Beneficiaries are being owed 8 months of unpaid stipends.

In view of this, the Honourable Minister stated that the Npower programme has totally been overhauled and will be upgraded so that the Beneficiaries can be truly empowered and Nigeria youths be engaged.

Dr. Betta Edu says that it will not be business as usual! there will be no sleeping on duty under the AC in the office. We will take the Programmes to the field for those in need to benefit.

To make this possible, the Honourable Minister Dr Betta Edu, announces the following appointments in line with President Tinubu’s directive to restructure the social safety net Programme to address the expanded mandate of the ministry.

The appointed persons will join her team in implementing President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at providing succour to those affected by humanitarian crises and eradicating multi-dimensional poverty In Nigeria:

1) National Coordinator NASSCO- Hon Abdulaziz Danladi

2) National Cash Transfer Office NCTO: Head of the office – Dr Micheal Ajuluchukwu/p>

3) NCTO Deputy Head of Office: Dr Janet Ekpenyong

4) National Programme Manager, Youth Empowerment Empowerment and Social Support Operations (YESSO) – Richard Romanus

5) National Communication manager NSIP – Hon Jamalu kaburu

6) National Programme Manager, Renewed Hope Shelter Programme for Refugees, Poor and Internally Displaced Persons- Hon Chidinma Makuachukwu

7) National Programme manager, Grant For Vulnerable groups – Hon Thalis Apalowo

Programme Manager, At Risk Children Programme- Hajia Salia Sanusi Yusuff

9) National Programme Manager, National Homegrown School Feeding Programme (Renewed Hope Home Grown School feeding and End Hunger programme)- Hon Mrs Obande

10) Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (Renewed Hope MSME Loan Programme)- Hon Dr Joseph Nkang.

11) Programme manager- N-Power Programme (Renewed Hope Skills Acquisition Programme – Dr Akindele Adekunle Egbuwalo

12) Renewed Hope IDP Refugees out of School Programme (National Alternate School Programme )- Dr Mrs Etcheri Ansa

13) National Project Manager, Community and Social Development Programme- Hon Olubunmi Bello

The Honourable Minster of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, remains the Chairman, of the National Social Safety Net Coordinating Office(NASSCO) Management Team, while the Secretary of NASSCO Management team is Hon Abel Enitan, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

The Minister charges the new appointees to bring their wealth of experience to bear in their new offices as there will be no room for excuses or failure, in the actualisation of the Renewed Hope mandate and in moving Nigeria Forward.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2023/09/29/fg-rebrands-npower-to-renewed-hope-skills-acquisition-programme/

The refreshed logo signifies a renewed and strong focus on consumer privacy and enhanced safety in communication; The overall design maintains the signature ‘True blue’ colour with an icon that establishes a distinct identity, thereby protecting our users from copycat and imposter apps.

Truecaller today announced a corporate rebranding and launch of a brand new app icon that will be instantly recognisable on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. The timing of the new brand identity aligns with a significant transformation taking place in the digital space. At the heart of this rebranding is Truecaller’s renewed sense of purpose, energy and enthusiasm.

Commenting on the announcement, Alan Mamedi, Co-founder and CEO, Truecaller said, “We are excited to unveil our new brand identity and logo. It signifies our continued commitment to our users and our focus to constantly evolve and improve, every day.”

“Our mission, to protect communication for all, is what guides us to develop new anti-fraud solutions like Search Context and engineer improvements to improve user privacy.” He added.

As part of this refreshed identity, Truecaller users also get a powerful new anti-fraud feature called Search Context, as a part of the Truecaller AI Identity engine. While looking at the search results for any number, Truecaller users will be instantly notified if the name for the number has been recently changed or is being changed frequently. The app also classifies this contextual message into three colour categories: blue, for a neutral change, yellow, which indicates a potentially suspicious name change and finally red, indicating multiple and frequent name changes which are highly indicative of fraudulent and scammer activity. This message will be shown to all Truecaller users on all search results across Android, iPhone and Truecaller web.

The new branding identity is orchestrated by leading global brand consultancy, Interbrand and it will be rolled out across the globe over the coming weeks.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2023/09/26/truecaller-unveils-a-new-brand-identity-and-upgraded-artificial-intelligence-ai/

The United Bank of Africa (UBA) has approved $6bn to boost Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Africa.

BrandSpur Nigeria understands that the UBA SMEs initiative is designed to provide funding access to SMEs in the Agro-processing, Pharmaceuticals, Automotive, Transport, and Logistics sectors, facilitating their expansion.

This digital news platform understands that UBA joined forces with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) secretariat to launch the financing initiative.

This initiative aims to deliver $6 billion in funding to eligible SMEs throughout Africa within the next three years. The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the 30th Afreximbank Annual Meeting (AAM) held in Accra, Ghana.

By the agreement, UBA and AfCFTA will, under the first phase of the partnership, promote the development of SMEs by providing technical and financing solutions for intra-African/domestic alternatives.

UBA’s Deputy Managing Director, Muyiwa Akinyemi, who represented the bank during the signing, emphasized UBA’s dedication to bolstering the progress of SMEs throughout Africa, underscoring its status as the continent’s global bank.

“This is in line with our strategic focus on the SME segment being a catalyst for the economic development of Africa,” he said.
Muyiwa further said,

“Under this partnership, UBA will go beyond just financing to provide non-financial services to these SMEs to develop the capacity for growth across the 20 African countries that we are present and build sustainable business practices.

We shall also be leveraging technology to deliver our financing activities to the beneficiaries and this platform provides us with a unique opportunity to stimulate the development of the continent as Africa’s Global Bank.

More Insights
In addition, Alero Ladipo, UBA’s Group Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications, underscored the bank’s commitment to offering $240,000 in financing.

This support will be extended through a mix of working capital loans and asset finance loans, with the ultimate goal of positioning these enterprises for success in Africa’s evolving business landscape.

She explained that the SMEs in the particular sectors of Agro-processing, Automotive, pharmaceuticals, Transport, and Logistics, will be able to access a working Capital Loan by way of Overdrafts and Short-Term Loans with a maximum value of $120,000 in each of their country’s local currency; and asset Finance Loan of up to $120,000 in the local currency of the obligor, to use for the acquisition of operational assets and equipment to meet their business expansion needs.

Apart from financial assistance, she stressed the bank’s dedication to empowering SMEs by offering a range of training initiatives and valuable resources.

UBA’s goal is to equip these businesses with the expertise and capabilities required to excel in a fiercely competitive market.

She said; “UBA recognizes the critical role that SMEs play in driving economic growth and job creation. To facilitate their growth and success.

To this end, We are proud to be at the forefront of driving entrepreneurship in Africa. Our partnership with AfCFTA and our commitment to SMEs in these critical sectors reflect our dedication to the economic transformation of our continent.

We believe that this initiative will not only benefit individual businesses but will also contribute significantly to the overall development and prosperity of Africa.”


SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2023/09/25/uba-approves-6bn-to-boost-smes-in-africa/

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Wednesday in Abuja unveiled a new online platform for the submission licence applications by microfinance banks.

Director of Corporate Communications of CBN, Mr Isa AbdulMumin, said the platform, known as the CBN Licensing, Approval and Other Requests Portal (CBN LARP), would be the place to process applications.

AbdulMumin said the portal replaced the current manual process where applicants for microfinance banks’ licences submitted applications to the CBN physically.

He said the new portal would improve accessibility, reduce paperwork, and expedite licence approvals.

“In due course, the CBN will extend the platform to other categories of licences.

“The online application system offers numerous benefits, including a simplified process, time-saving, enhanced communication, and robust security measures.

“By digitising the application process, the CBN aims to improve accessibility, reduce paperwork, and expedite licence approvals, benefiting both applicants and the economy.

“Consequently, with effect from Sept. 25, microfinance bank licence applicants are required to submit both hardcopy and online applications (via the CBN LARP) as part of a parallel run,’’ he said.

He added that the parallel run would end on Dec. 31, after which the manual submission of hardcopy bank licence applications would no longer be required and accepted.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2023/09/21/cbn-digitises-licensing-application-approval-for-microfinance-banks/

BrandSpur Nigeria reports that Sosa Fruit Drink, a vibrant entrant into the world of fruit drinks under Rite Foods Limited, has won its maiden award as “Outstanding New Product of the Year – Juice” at the prestigious Marketing Edge Brands & Advertising Excellence Awards.

Introduced in 2022 as part of Rite Foods Limited’s product portfolio expansion, Sosa Fruit Drink, with its five variants: Apple, Orange, Cranberry, Passion, and Mango (OPM), and Mixed Berries, has quickly risen to become consumers’ favourite in the fruit drink beverage industry, setting a new standard for quality and taste.

Sosa Fruit Drink’s laurel at the Marketing Edge Awards reflects the unwavering commitment to innovation and product excellence that defines Rite Foods Limited. This recognition underscores the brand’s impressive growth trajectory, sterling performance in its competitive segment, outstanding equity rating, and its consistently rising profile over the past year.

The 20th Anniversary Summit and Awards event hosted by Marketing Edge brought together industry leaders and innovators. The editorial board of the magazine, in collaboration with the board of Marketing Edge Brands & Advertising Excellence Awards, made the strategic decision to conduct this milestone event both in person and virtually.

Sosa Fruit Drink Wins Coveted “Outstanding New Product Of The Year – Juice” Award
The event took place on Saturday, 16 September 2023, at The Podium, a luxurious Event Centre, in Lekki, Lagos.

The culmination of this grand celebration will be the post-event special edition of Marketing Edge publication which will be out in October, featuring in-depth profiles of the distinguished awardees, including Sosa Fruit Drink.

Mrs. Adebola Adeyinka, Assistant Marketing Manager, Rite Foods Limited, expressed her heartfelt appreciation for this remarkable feat attained by Sosa Fruit Drink.

She spoke passionately about the joy of having Sosa Fruit Drink’s exceptional quality and uniqueness being recognised and celebrated. She also affirmed the brand’s unwavering commitment to quality delivery, hinting at the beginning of what promises to be a series of prestigious awards.

Indeed, the Sosa Fruit Drink brand is proud to receive this award and remains dedicated to providing consumers with top-quality, innovative fruit drink flavours that are second to none.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2023/09/19/sosa-fruit-drink-wins-coveted-outstanding-new-product-of-the-year-juice-award-at-marketing-edge-awards/

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indorama Eleme Petrochemicals Limited on gas supply.

According to NNPCL, the signing of the agreement was in a bid to promote the use of natural gas by large-scale gas utilization industries.

“NNPC Ltd. and Indorama Eleme Petrochemicals Ltd., have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to explore and develop suitable opportunities within the remits of both parties’ interests across the hydrocarbon value chain in Nigeria,” the oil firm said in a statement signed by Garba Deen Muhammad, the company’s chief corporate communications officer on Saturday.

Mr Muhammad said the signing of the agreement is a development that the NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, summarized thus: “NNPC Limited is on the threshold of making value out of gas beyond any imagination.”


Mr Muhammad said as the national energy company, one of the NNPC Ltd’s roles as enshrined in article 64(i) of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) is to promote the use of natural gas through the development and operation of large-scale gas utilisation industries.

“This role is in alignment with Nigeria’s Nigasification strategy which is a consolidation of critical programs embarked upon by the company to utilize natural gas and its associated liquids to be the energy source of choice, spur economic growth, free up crude oil for exports, and ultimately enable job creation,” he said.

“We are seeing an annual contribution of $3bn to the nation’s GDP and a lifetime contribution of $18bn to government revenue,” the statement quoted Mr Kyari as saying.

It said as part of the company’s vision of operating the largest Petrochemical Hub in Africa, Indorama which owns the world’s largest single-train Urea Plant located in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, is currently working on expansion plans within the next six years, in the gas-based heavy manufacturing industries including fertilizer, methanol, and petrochemicals.

In his remarks, the Managing Director/CEO of Africa Indorama Energy, Manish Mundra, noted that “This is a strategic collaboration to unlock Nigeria’s upstream sector, but more importantly, to partner downstream, in order to share the value chain.

“Nigeria’s gas reserves should position the country as one of the largest producers of urea in the western hemisphere,” he said.

The statement noted that the key benefits of the opportunities include the monetization of over 1.7 TCF of gas and 100 million barrels of oil reserves, generation of upstream lifecycle revenue of over $18 billion, downstream production of about 4.8 Million Tonnes Per Annum (MTPA) of products including methanol, urea, and fertilizer to boost national food security.

“Other benefits include the creation of about 55,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities, the development of a condensate refinery to boost petroleum product supply and reduce product importation, annual GDP contribution of over $3.8bn, and attraction of over $7bn of foreign direct investment into the country,” it said.

The NNPC Ltd said the MOU with Indorama follows Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu’s commitment in India a few weeks ago, to strengthen business relations between both countries.

Earlier in the month, Mr Tinubu secured commitments totalling $14 billion from various Indian investors, following his assurance to create a safe haven for foreign investments.

“We are ready to give you the best returns for investment possible, there’s nowhere else like our country. Nigeria offers the best returns for investment today, so invest now,” Mr Tinubu said during the Nigeria-India Presidential Roundtable and Conference in New Delhi, India.

Among these many new investments, Indorama Petrochemical Limited pledged a new investment of $8 billion in the expansion of its fertilizer production and petrochemical facility in Eleme, Rivers State.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2023/09/18/nnpcl-signs-mou-on-gas-supply-with-indorama/

The Commisioner of Police Ogun State, CP Abiodun Alamatu earlier today the 13th of September visited the Ilishan-Remo Ogun State palatial country home of the Real Estate businessman and Group Managing Director of Adron Homes and Properties, Aare Adetola EmmanuelKing, the Otun-Akile of Remoland.


The visit was to strengthen his bond with leadership of the Police Community Relations Committee PCRC Ogun and South West Chapter.

Aare Adetola, who is the Grand Patron of the South West PCRC, received the crime buster and his men in his home amid pomp. CP Abiodun thanked critical stakeholders, opinion leaders, and the good people of Ogun State for their cooperation since his assumption as Commisioner of Police months ago. Abiodun highlighted that; the success he has recorded was orchestrated by support from people like Aare Adetola, who have supported the state command with basic needs to ensure their combat against crime is won easily making Ogun state safer for all sundry.

“I am excited about this meeting today and also here to thank you for your continued support since I was posted here as CP. It has been a very good experience with the Ogun PCRC and the South West PCRC chapter, which made work easier for me. I am here with this goodwill message and to help me tell them that I will never take their support for granted. I run an open door policy. Without their support, we would not have succeeded in our fight against crime, making the state safe. I thank you especially and appreciate you also.” He disclosed.

The Adron Home boss also thanked CP Abiodun for the courtesy visit and reiterated his commitment for continued support of the police by maintaining a healthy Police and community relationship. He, however, highlighted the need for more reorientation about the police to people and charged the CP to ensure his boys are friendly and cordial while discharging their duties.

“I am most delighted to have you in my country home. It shows how committed you are and how you hold the PCRC in high esteem acknowledging their contribution to the ease of reducing crime. I want to tell you that, on behalf of myself as the National Patron and Grand Patron of South West PCRC and my company Adron Homes, we will continue to support you and remain committed when you need us.”

“I appreciate the great work you are doing and how you are changing the perspective of Police service among the people. I want you to intensify your effort and also ensure your men are more friendly and convivial while discharging their duties. This will further create positive perception about the police and it will boost the confidence people have in them. With you here, I am sure the fight against crime will be won convincingly. I appreciate you once again. Keep the good work.” Aare Adetola divulged.

Aare Adetola EmmanuelKing used the opportunity to thank the IGP, Kayode Egbetokun Psc, for his recent initiative to recruit 20 young Nigerians in each local government throughout the federation to strengthen the number of the Nigeria Police force in community policing nationwide.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2023/09/14/ogun-cp-visits-aare-adetola-emmanuelking-commends-pcrcs-role-in-combating-crimes/

In recent data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the Nigerian postal service (NIPOST) generated an estimated ₦3.01 billion from its postal activities across the country in 2022.

This figure marked a decline of approximately 17.05 per cent from the ₦3.63 billion generated in 2021. The report also highlighted other significant changes in the postal activities.

The total number of Post Offices and Postal Agencies decreased by 19.43 per cent, dropping from 2,794 in 2021 to 2,251 in 2022. Similarly, the number of installed postal boxes saw a slight decline of 0.08%, from 837,428 in 2021 to 836,731 in 2022.

One notable change was the decrease in Private Mail Bags (PMBs), which declined by 8.44% from 22,689 in 2021 to 20,775 in 2022.

However, there was a substantial increase in the total number of postal articles handled in 2022, which saw a significant rise of 102.05%.

The figures jumped from 17.7 million in 2021 to 35.7 million in 2022. The report further provided a breakdown of these articles, stating, “Domestic mail handled was 15,669,072, while mail dispatched abroad was 543,893, and mail received from abroad and delivered in Nigeria was 19,463,153.”

Among the 36 states of the federation, Lagos recorded the highest number of installed postal boxes in the year under review, with 143,416, while Jigawa had the lowest, with only 1,800.

Postal services have been considered by many as old-fashioned, but while this is the case for many, others still see the importance of engaging in traditional postal activities, for its perceived convenience especially as it concerns communication and commerce.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2023/09/12/nipost-revenue-fell-by-44-in-four-years-nbs/

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), has delisted 37 illegal loan apps in the country.

This was disclosed in a report published on the Commission’s website on Monday, September 11.

According to the report, while the number of delisted loan apps rose from nine to 37, the number of fully approved apps grew to 164 from 154.

Also, the number of loan apps with conditional approval declined to 38 from 40, while the number of apps on the commission’s watchlist grew to 56 from 20.

The commission noted that the delisted apps were permanently deleted by Google from the Play Store.

The FCCPC listed the delisted apps including Camelloan App, Swiftkash App, Joy Cash-Loan, Hen Credit Loan App, Cash Door App, Eaglecash App, Luckyloan Personal Loan App, Getloan App, Easeloan Apps, Naira Naija, Cashlawn App, Easynaira App, Crediting App, Yoyi App, Nut Loan App, Cashpal App, Nairaeasy Gist Loan App, Nairaloan App, and Moneytreefinance Made Easy App.

Others are Cashme App, Secucash App, Creditbox App, Cashmama App, Crimson Credit App, Galaxy Credit App, Ease Cash App, Xcredit, Imoney, Naira Naija, Imoneyplus-Instant, Nairanaija-Instant, Nownowmoney, Naija Cash, Eagle Cash, Firstnell App, Flypay, and Spark Credit.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2023/09/13/fg-delists-camelloan-swiftkash-joy-cash-loan-34-other-illegal-loan-apps/

As part of its corporate social responsibility and commitment to promoting the development of the education sector in Nigeria, Unity Bank Plc has donated N10 million to Fiditi National Open University in Oyo State.

BrandSpur Nigeria reports that while making the donation at the launch/groundbreaking ceremony on Saturday, the MD/CEO of Unity Bank Plc, Mrs. Tomi Somefun said, “As a core philosophy of our business, Unity Bank is committed to promoting education as a key driver of human capacity development”.

She said, “Education brings light, and empowers a society to advance social change while providing opportunity for individuals to grow and contribute to humanity.”

Somefun, who joined other key dignitaries from the Fiditi community to lay a foundation for the university, said the Bank is “pleased to be a part of this historic moment, which will provide education to thousands of our people and open up Fiditi community even more to the outside world.”

Apart from the gesture, the bank will deploy its financial products to enhance the operations of the study centre, especially through its financing packages, service channels, and platforms in order for the school to optimize the centre.

The groundbreaking event attended by dignitaries from all walks of life strongly reinforces Unity Bank’s commitment to supporting and promoting key pioneering efforts aimed at driving enduring impact in communities where it operates.


SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2023/09/09/unity-bank-donates-n10-million-to-fiditi-national-open-university/

Vertiv, a global provider of critical digital infrastructure and continuity solutions, is continuing to invest in the African continent, today announcing the opening of a new Nigerian office and Customer Showroom in Lagos.

The new local facility will provide Nigerian customers and partners with first-hand experience of a range of Vertiv™ thermal management, uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems, and integrated cabinet solutions under real field conditions and in real time, supported by expert engineering specialists. These include, amongst others, the Vertiv SmartCabinet, a pre-configured, self-contained infrastructure solution that offers efficiency, economy, interoperability, and control; and the Vertiv Liebert EXS UPS, an optimised three-phase, high efficiency power protection system with integrated internal battery, maintenance bypass and optional receptacle distribution in a single package.

The Customer Showroom also features a virtual reality (VR) experience for visitors. Here, visitors using a VR headset and hand controllers are transported to a virtual environment where they can interact with equipment, watch animations that demonstrate how to maximise space and efficiencies within Vertiv products, and examine the spatial placement of Vertiv’s rack and row solutions, as though the equipment is actually on site.


Additionally, the new centre will provide presales, sales and product training, as well as full-service certification courses for Vertiv’s authorised service partner network.

According to African Infrastructure Investment Managers, (AIIM), a leading African infrastructure private equity manager, the continent’s journey to digitalisation is being driven by fast-growing internet penetration rates and a booming cloud services market, with data centres, fibre-optic broadband expansion and telecom towers set to become the new backbone of the African economy.

Says Wojtek Piorko, managing director for Vertiv Africa: “Africa’s growing digital economy must be supported by a robust data centre infrastructure in order to thrive. Vertiv is well positioned to provide the foundational digital infrastructure needed for local telecommunication networks and commercial facilities to help drive digital transformation.

“Our new Nigerian office and Customer Showroom will allow Vertiv to place greater strategic focus on operations within the country as well as the broader Central African region, with a strong emphasis on the telecommunications and colocation sectors,” he adds. “We foresee exciting times ahead for Vertiv in Africa and will continue to work on developing our local team, expanding our network of authorised partners and service providers, and meeting the changing needs of our African clients.”

The Lagos office is a key part of Vertiv’s ongoing investment in Africa, following a similar facility established in Nairobi, Kenya, in 2022 and, more recently, the formal opening of the African headquarters in Johannesburg, South Africa earlier this year.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2023/09/12/vertiv-reinforces-nigerian-footprint-with-new-office/

Indian Industrialists, Indorama Petrochemical Limited; Jindal Steel and Power Limited; Skip­perSeil Limited, and Bharti En­terprises, have pledged to invest about $14 billion into Nigeria’s economy.

BrandSpur Nigeria reports that the industrialists made these investment pledges during the Nigeria-India Presidential Roundtable and Conference in New Delhi, India, where President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday commended the In­dian investors for the significant investment pledges.

He said, “We are ready to give you the best returns for invest­ment possible, there’s nowhere else like our country. Nigeria offers the best returns for invest­ment today, so invest now.”

Among these many new investments, Indorama Petrochemical Limited has pledged a new investment of eight billion U.S. dollars in the expansion of its fertilizer production and petrochemical facility in Eleme, Rivers State.

Jindal Steel and Power Limited, one of India’s largest private steel producers, has committed to investing three billion U.S. dollars following discussions with the President.

Founding President of SkipperSeil Limited, Jitender Sachdeva, announced an investment of 1.6 billion U.S. dollars for the establishment of 20 100MW power generation plants across the states of Northern Nigeria, amounting to 2,000MW of new power within the next four years.

The President approved finalisation of a new one billion U.S. dollar agreement to bring the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) to 40 per cent self-sufficiency.

This will in local manufacturing and production of defence equipment in-country by 2027 through a comprehensive new partnership with the Managing Arm of the Military-Industrial Complex of the Indian Government.

Bharti Enterprises, a major first-generation corporation in India with interests in telecom, space communications, and digital solutions has expressed its commitment to invest an additional 700 million U.S. dollars in Nigeria.

Indian Industrialists Pledge $14bn Investment In Nigeria
Tinubu said his administration would ensure that agreements manifest in industries and jobs on the ground in Nigeria.

He commended all Indian companies and individuals who have responded positively to his administration’s efforts to improve Nigeria’s macroeconomic and investment climate.

“Do not procrastinate. Don’t be frightened about investments in Nigeria. Bring it on. Ask your questions and make your requests.

‘’The trade and investment opportunities are enormous. I have a team, and I am the captain of that team, and I assure you that we will solve problems,” the President said.

He said that Nigeria has good economic policy for the investors as well as able men and women in leadership, who can drive the goal of broad prosperity through investment and infrastructure.

“I will captain and lead the course of investment, development, and prosperity for the largest democracy in Africa and for investors from the rest of the world,” the President said.

Tinubu reiterated that Nigeria was open for business with intelligent, innovative, capable, and highly committed individuals in government, who are ready to drive the largest economy in Africa to destiny.

The President also told the Summit that “he is proud” that the Nigerian stock market had broken records in its consistent bullishness since he assumed office.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2023/09/07/indian-industrialists-pledge-14bn-investment-in-nigeria/

The Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) on Monday received members of the House of Representatives who were in Lagos to inspect projects undertaken by the Authority and their impact on the economy.

Key areas of focus for the Lagos visits were Healthcare, Infrastructure, and Agriculture.

The Ad-hoc Committee was constituted by the House of Representatives to investigate the activities of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) since the inception of the Authority.

The committee during the visit hailed the management of the NSIA on their intervention in the healthcare sector.

The members of the House commenced their visit at the NSIA–LUTH Cancer Centre where the Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Ademorin Kuye, said the lawmakers were impressed with the quality of service being rendered to Nigerians at the Cancer Centre.

Since inception, Healthcare has been a keen area of focus for the Authority, deriving from this, the NSIA Healthcare Development Investment Company was established to catalyze private sector investments to address the infrastructure gaps in the healthcare sector, improve manpower, and forge strategic collaborations to advance healthcare indicators in the country.

Established in 2019, the NLCC – an outpatient cancer center equipped with modern medical infrastructure has attended to over 10,000 unique persons living with cancer and has also deepened the capacity of medical and non-medical professionals within the oncology space.

Over the years, NLCC has reduced capital flight from medical tourism occasioned by cancer, created direct and indirect jobs and improved access to quality cancer care, thereby expanding possibilities for people living with cancer.

In addition to NLCC, the NSIA has also invested in two modern medical diagnostic centers collocated within the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital and Federal Medical Center, Umuahia respectively.

NSIA is now in the process of scaling these interventions, with 3 additional Oncology centres, 23 additional diagnostic centres, and 7 catheterization laboratories across the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. NSIA’s wholly-owned medical services portfolio company, Medserve has been set up to implement these projects.

The Committee Chairman said the facilities align with the vision and commitment of government to ensure affordable and efficient cancer care for Nigerians.

He explained, “We are investigating how much has been put into the development of this place. We have seen a lot of modern medical equipment that has been brought to this place.

“We are also seeing the quality of service being rendered to Nigerians and we are impressed and we will go back to report to the entire parliament and tell them that we need more of this in other places.”

He revealed that while talking to patients that they met during the oversight, they, “admitted that the charges here are the lowest compared to what happens in other areas like Ghana and other African countries. They are still pleading that the government should subsidize it more.

“We noted suggestions, which will be taken to the house to deliberate on. Nigeria already has centres for treating infectious diseases with qualified experts on it.

“But we will continue to develop more, we do not have enough cancer centers and there is a need for more investment in our health sector.

“And the government has assured us that they will continue to do that. And we at the parliament, will continue to appropriate sufficient funds.”

Also speaking during the visit by the lawmakers, the Managing Director, NSIA Healthcare Development Investment Company, Dr Tolulope Adewole, revealed ongoing expansion by the Authority, as part of efforts to contribute towards addressing the country’s healthcare challenges.

“We have started the expansion plan already, We had MoUs signed by different states, signed with different tertiary hospitals, and some of the equipment needed are ready to be disbursed.

“We hope to go live in the next 24 months We have a project in which we are building four diagnostic hospitals, in each geo-political zone and that will be done in two phases.

“We are upscaling from one oncology center to four: one in the north, east, and finally Abuja. The cost is variable, so we can’t say what it will all cost us, ” he added.

The Committee also visited Golden Fertilizer Company Limited blending plant resuscitated under the Presidential Fertilizer Initiative managed by the NSIA.

The PFI was designed in 2016 to consistently deliver commercially significant quantities of affordable, high-quality fertilizer to Nigerian farmers.

PFI was also designed to revive the local blending industry, and adopt an import substitution approach by ensuring that over 60 percent of urea and limestone required for production of fertilizers are sourced locally at the revived blending plants.

The PFI has so far revived and established over 70 blending plants including Golden, and Apapa, – across the 6 geo-political zones in Nigeria.

The Initiative also facilitated local production and supply of NPK at affordable prices to farmers, which has correspondingly improved food security and slowed down food inflation in Nigeria.

Additionally, the PFI has reduced capital flight through import substitution, delivered over 60 million, 50kg bags of fertilizer and created more than 100,000 direct/indirect jobs within Nigeria.

By expanding production capacity for the blenders under the Presidential Fertilizer Initiative, the prices of NPK have dropped from about N11,000 per 50kg bag in 2016 to 5,000 per 50kg bag in 2020.

During the inspection of the fertilizer blending plant, the Committee expressed satisfaction with the impact that the initiative is creating in terms of job creation, food availability, forex conservation, and increase in yield for farmers.

They, however, pledged to assist in ensuring that middlemen don’t take advantage of good intentions of the government under the initiative to create scarcity of the product and exhort Nigerians.

The Committee rounded off their assignment with a visit of the Lagos Ibadan Expressway, a 127.6 km long, busy interstate road, that cuts through Lagos, Ogun and Oyo states.

The Chairman expressed satisfaction with the progress of the project.

The Lagos-Ibadan Expressway is one of the oldest and busiest routes in Africa with the potential to unlock significant economic activities and support the seamless movement of people, goods and services around Lagos, Oyo and Ogun States.

The Lagos Ibadan Expressway is one of the projects under the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund.

The PIDF was established by the Presidency in 2018 to accelerate the execution of certain critical infrastructure projects pivotal for the country’s development.

The NSIA was mandated by the Presidency to act as project and fund managers for the projects under PIDF.

Other infrastructure projects under the PIDF also managed by the NSIA include Abuja – Kano Road and Second Niger Bridge.

The financing of these projects has the potential to yield between 274,000 to 616,000 direct and indirect jobs.

During the visit, the NSIA Executive Director of Investments, Mr. Kola Owodunni, told the lawmakers that the Authority NSIA remains focused on enabling overall socio-economic growth through diversification for Nigerians across key sectors including innovation and technology, agriculture, power, gas industrialization and financial market infrastructure.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2023/09/04/nsia-outlines-aggressive-healthcare-expansion-plans/

BrandSpur Nigeria reports that Chairman of BUA Cement PLC, Abdul Samad Rabiu has vowed to support the Tinubu-led Federal Government (FG) in ensuring a reduction in price per bag of local cement in Nigeria.

As of the time of filing this report, a bag of cement currently sells between N5000 and N5,100.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja at the 7th Annual General Meeting (AGM), Rabiu elaborated on plans by his firm to reduce the cost of cement per bag effective from December this year when two plants lined up would come up. BUA Cement, he said will collaborate, and work with the government in achieving reduced cost of cement.

Rabiu said, ” I appreciate where the government is coming from. I can understand the frustration from all the issues we are having in the country. The price of cement is under N5000 per bag in Nigeria; is not really very high if you look at the rate of the dollar. To import into Nigeria today will be almost N5,000 per bag.

“The cost of cement, CIF to any of the ports in Nigeria will be in the region of around $100 today per tonne and that is something that can be ascertained. But then you have the protocols-; the transportation from the ports to wherever you are taking them to. It’s not that the government wants to import cement, it’s just that they are frustrated that the price of cement is high”.

“What I am going to do? what I told my shareholders is that we will support the government because even though we know the price of cement is high, it cannot be cheaper if we import it.

“But what we want to do is, because we have two lines that are coming on stream by the end of the year; Obu line3 and the Sokoto line7, which will give us a combined capacity of 6 million tons and then by the time we have those two lines, we will be having a combined volume of 17million tons. So, what we want to do, is to support the government. Sit down with the minister to see how we can bring down the price of cement once we have those two lines up and running by the end of the year”.

“Am happy to support the government once these two lines are up and running. I can assure you that we’ll do everything to support the government and to support Nigerians. It is true that the price of cement is high maybe because of the devaluation issue that we are having in the country now, hence the reason why we decided that we are going to support and bring down the price of cement.

“This is my promise from. I know my price expertise is about N4000 and N4, 300 per bag. The target is to reduce that substantially when we start regardless of what other costs are.

“I will engage the minister and we are not doing that because we are worried that the government will allow imports because we know that imports will not be any cheaper. We are going to do that because we want to support the government and we want to support Nigeria and Nigerians.

“The reason why we want to wait until when we have the two lines that are going to come on stream by the end of the year, is simply because we will have additional volumes so that if we reduce the price, even if others have not agreed to reduce the price, the market will compel them to come down because if you do not have enough volumes and you reduce the price the market may not take it. If you have the volume and you reduce your price, and with the huge volumes that we have the price must come down”.

Rabiu said that with a strategy mapped by BUA Cement, other cement firms would have no choice but to reduce the cost of cement.

” If others are not ready to support the government, to support the reduction of the price of cement they will be compelled because if they don’t reduce they will not be able to sell. That is why we are going to wait till the end of the year when these two lines are on stream. I will discuss with the minister and see how we can do that”, he assured.

SOURCE:https://brandspurng.com/2023/09/01/bua-to-support-fg-in-ensuring-a-favorable-cement-price/