₦airaland Forum

It was a fun night of glamour and electrifying excitement as Pan African financial services group, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, once again, gathered together a stunning audience from across Africa at the 2018 edition of the UBA CEO Awards.

The event, which was held at Eko Hotels and Suites in Lagos, was the talk of the town and trended all night as staff members, their clients and friends all let go and got totally immersed in the celebrations of the special evening.

The UBA CEO Awards remains one of the most sought-after annual events in the Lagos entertainment calendar. in its 10th year since inception in 2008, the event keeps getting bigger and better.

The theme of the night, Celebrating Africa, a celebration by the pan-African Bank, of the continents rich history and culture. UBA’s footprint in 20 African countries and in London, Paris and New York allowed a culturally diverse audience which was on display at the event.

The Bank was also promoting its core value of Enterprise, Excellence and Execution as staff members who had performed extraordinarily during the year, were rewarded and celebrated throughout the evening.

The Chairman, UBA Plc, Mr. Tony Elumelu, who was at the event with his lovely wife, Dr. Awele, said as he was interviewed on the golden carpet, that the bank chose this day to reward staff who had worked hard to ensure that the company remains a leading financial institution on the continent.

“It is a time to reward dignity, hard work, and excellence in execution, and to show our multitude of staff globally that they are very much appreciated for their contributions.’ said Elumelu.

The GMD/CEO, Mr. Kennedy Uzoka, who congratulated the recipients of the various awards in different categories, charged them to continue to work hard and exhale the core values of UBA. He reiterated that the Customer is the employer and all staff must focus on ensuring that they are given excellent services always.

He said, “Every year, it is our tradition to appreciate our people who have put in their very best and gone far and beyond the call of duty to deliver excellent services to the bank and the customers by extension. As you may well know, UBA has promoted about 47 percent of its staff within the last twelve months, and this is something that is very rare in our industry. It is a statement about our commitment to the employees’.

Continuing, Uzoka said, “We know that when you have been rewarded, you will be motivated to do more, so I encourage you all to put in your best and remain focused on satisfying the customers, which is the reason why we are here.”

In attendance were captains of industries, media moguls, Nollywood stars, Public servants and politicians including President of Dangote Industries, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Chairman of Forte Oil, Femi Otedola, President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chief (Mrs) Nike Akande, Former Governor of Ekiti State, Otunba Niyi Adebayo and wife, Angela, Publisher of Ovation Magazine, Mr. Dele Momodu, Majority Leader, House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, CEO, Ebony LifeTV CEO, Mrs Mo Abudu and some Nollywood stars, Richard Mofe Damijo, Omotola Jalade Ekehinde and Omoni Oboli.
Also present to honour UBA at the event were former Commissioner for Finance in Lagos State, Wale Edun, CEO, Financial Derivatives Company Limited, Mr, Bismarck Rewane, CEO, Airtel, Segun Ogunsanya, Directors of UBA Plc, Ambassador Joe Keshi, Chief Kola Jamodu, Ambassador Adekunle Olumide, Mrs. Rose Okwechime, among many others

Great performances by A-list artists such as ‘science students’ crooner, Olamide, Flavor, Kiss Daniels, Styl Plus and Falz the bad guy as well rib-cracking comedy from Basketmouth ensured that staff and guests alike were kept off their seats as they each performed to the massive enjoyment of those present.

Ace TV Presenter, IK Osakioduwa, and Ayo, were the compere of the event led the guests through a night of fun and laughter and, of course, lots to eat and drink.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/uba-celebrates-africa-honours-staff-at-2018-ceo-awards/

Shareholders of Nigerian Breweries Plc have lauded its 2017 financial performance and approved the N33 billion dividend pay-out proposed by the Board.

The shareholders who spoke at the 72ndAnnual General Meeting of the company held at the Muson Center, Onikan-Lagos on Friday noted that the company’s performance in spite of the very challenging operating environment stood out as a shining example for other corporate organizations to emulate.

They agreed that the 2017 results and the dividend pay-out are strong signals of the resilience of the company in the face of the apparent challenges of the economy.

One of the shareholders, Mr. Gbadebo Adetokunbo congratulated the company for good showing in 2017 and for “doing the needful” to the shareholders. The same sentiment was echoed by Mr. Patrick Ajuwah, who lauded the company for improving the gross earnings and the bottom line.

Mr. Shotunde Shopeju, another shareholder, expressed confidence that the company remains in good stead to deliver good returns to shareholders in the future and congratulated the company for remaining strong even in the midst of economic challenges.

Theophilus Adegboye an eighty-five-year-old shareholder from Oshogbo, Osun State congratulated the Company for improving the fortunes of shareholders. He urged his fellow shareholders to commend the company for proposing a 100% dividend payout at a time many quoted companies were unable to pay the dividend to their shareholders.

Responding, Chief Kola Jamodu (CFR), Chairman, of the Company explained that the 100% payout is a reflection of its strong balance sheet and overall health of the company. He added that the N33 billion dividend pay-out is a considerable increase over the N28 billion paid last year. In the course of the year, the Company had earlier paid an interim dividend of N7.97 billion in November 2017, which amounted to N1.00 per share.

Jamodu maintained that the operating environment in 2017 was very challenging especially from an input cost, FOREX and purchasing power perspectives.

The dividend pay-out which translates to a total dividend of N4.13 per ordinary share of 50 kobo each is a 100% payout and makes it the third year in a row that the company is delivering such to its shareholders.

An analysis of the Company’s audited results shows a gross revenue of N345 billion revenue which resulted in a N33 billion Profit After Tax (PAT) for the 2017 financial year. This represents a 16 percent increase in Profit After Tax from the N28.4 billion achieved in 2016 and a 10 percent growth in turnover in 2017 from N314 billion in the preceding period.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/shareholders-laud-nigerian-breweries-results-approve-dividend-payout/

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For its innovative offerings, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI) and its two affiliate countries – Nigeria and Ghana- have emerged winners in three strategic categories of The Asian Banker – West Africa Awards 2018.

The annual awards saw ETI winning the Best Financial Inclusion Initiative Application or Programme with its innovative Xpress Account, while Ecobank Nigeria carted home the Best Transaction Bank in Nigeria, West Africa award. Ecobank Ghana also won in the Best Transaction Bank in Ghana, West Africa category.

Speaking at the award ceremony in Lagos, the Chairman, The Asian Banker, Emmanuel Daniel said, “these awards are the most rigorous, prestigious and transparent awards programme for financial technology, retail banking and transaction banking in West Africa today. We recognize the deepening and increasing maturity and sophistication of the industry in this region.”

He commended Ecobank for bagging three awards, saying specifically that the Best Transaction Award in Nigeria, West Africa won by Ecobank, is a pointer that the bank has re-emerged as a strong player in the Nigerian market owing to its digital restructuring and improved performance.

“Ecobank’s aggressive digital push produced a first innovative mobile payments solution, the Masterpass QR with MasterCard to push financial inclusion in Nigeria through its new, smart, card-less, contactless and cashless payment solution. This bank also launched an integrated electronic banking platform that has on-boarded four million customers within a short space of time”.

In his comment, Charles Kie, Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria thanked the Asian Banker Award Team for painstakingly creating an opportunity to celebrate hard work by members of the banking community. He described the awards as a worthy recognition of Ecobank’s landmark initiatives targeted at financial inclusion on the African continent. He stated that the awards further affirm Ecobank’s leading contributions to the use of technology innovations and digital platforms for expanding banking frontiers.

Represented by Korede Demola-Adeniyi, Group Head, Personal Banking, the Ecobank Managing Director stated that Ecobank Mobile App is a game changer for African banking as “we are using digital technology to combat many of the financial inclusion barriers faced by those on the continent. Our app not only removes the barriers that have financially excluded so many Africans but offers next-generation functionality to help them send money, make withdrawals or pay for goods and services”

“I use this opportunity to dedicate this awards to all hard-working staff of the Ecobank Group, who have tirelessly worked to see the success of the bank. And also to all Africans who believe in us and have continued to encourage our efforts by adopting our products”.

Other winners at the event included ALAT by Wema Bank which won the Best Digital Bank in Africa; the Best Wealth Management Bank in Nigeria went to Standard Chartered Bank while the Best Mobile Payment Service and The Digital Wallet of the Year went to Guaranty Trust Bank, among others.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/ecobank-wins-3-awards-at-2018-asian-banker-awards/


L-R: Chairman, The Asian Banker, Emmanuel Daniel; Group Head, Personal Banking, Ecobank, Korede Demola-Adeniyi with the Best Financial Inclusion Initiative, Application or Programme Award and Chief Executive Officer, Banking Reports, London, David Gyori at The Asian Banker – West Africa Awards 2018

cool

Nestlé Waters UK is introducing new emoji bottles to its Nestlé Pure Life portfolio, to inspire children to drink more water. The launch follows the success of Nestlé Pure Life Super Hero bottles, which hit the market in 2016, and is the first set of limited edition bottles the brand will be launching throughout the year, to appeal to family shoppers.

In store now, the exciting new emoji range is available in four popular emojicon designs, across the brand’s 33cl sized bottles. With just 22% of a child’s daily fluid intake coming from water 1, and 65% of children aged five to 16 not drinking enough water 2, Nestlé Waters is keen to encourage children to stay hydrated, by providing them with a fun ‘Water Buddy’.

Silika Shellie, Head of Category and Shopper Development at Nestlé Waters, says: “The perfect ‘Water Buddy’, we hope that our fun and creative Nestlé Pure Life range will encourage children aged 6+ to drink more water. With four different emojicons to choose from, children can select their favorite hydrating ‘Water Buddy’.”

“Bottled water is the fastest growing segment within the £7.3bn soft drinks category 3 and we’re confident that our new fun range of bottled water will help retailers to drive sales in-store and appeal to new shoppers.”

An exciting range of disruptive POS has also been developed for retailers and wholesalers, to help drive sales in store.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/nestle-waters-uk-creates-emoji-inspired-water-bottles/

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BMW, Jeep, and Toyota are the top automotive finishers in this year’s study of brand intimacy by MBLM.

Companies with strong scores leverage and strengthen the emotional bonds between the brand and consumers. This year’s study again revealed that top intimate brands in the U.S. continued to surpass the top brands in the Fortune 500 and S&P indices in revenue and profit over the past 10 years.

The Jeep brand moved up from 15th overall in 2017 to fourth among all brands in 2018, says Mario Natarelli, managing partner, MBLM.

“We just released an analysis of Jeep and found that its recent marketing efforts have been focusing on powerful emotional themes at the core of its brand, leveraging nostalgia well and utilizing today’s marketing channels to build dialogue and strong bonds,” Natarelli says in a release.

Olivier Francois, chief marketing officer at Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, said the automaker continues to focus on the unique identity of its brands and what differentiates them from other brands.

“Storytelling is a critical part of marketing and being successful hinges on the ability to make it resonate emotionally outside the walls of your company,” Francois says in a release.

The Jeep brand ranked first among women while BMW ranked first among men. Two automotive brands were in the top 10 overall, BMW ranked third and Jeep brand ranked fourth.

The Top 10 in the automotive industry was rounded out by Honda, Harley-Davidson, Chevrolet, Ford, Mercedes, Chrysler, and GMC.

Harley-Davidson made the biggest drop, falling from the fourth overall brand in 2017 to 18th and from first in the automotive industry to fifth in 2018.

The automotive industry ranked second out of the 15 studied in MBLM’s Brand Intimacy 2018 Report, which is the largest study of brands based on emotions. The industry was dethroned for the first time by media and entertainment, highlighting the trend toward escapism, relaxation, and distraction.

“While slipping slightly, the automotive industry still performed strongly due to the bonds it creates with consumers,” Natarelli says.

The report analyzed the responses of 6,000 consumers and 54,000 brand evaluations across 15 industries in the U.S., Mexico and the United Arab Emirates.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/most-loved-auto-brands-bmw-tops-industry-followed-by-jeep-toyota/

Update: Forte Oil Plc (“FO”) recently released Q1-2018 results, reporting group revenue of NGN39.81 billion (+20.63% vs. Q1-2017) and PAT of NGN2.96 billion (+57.23% vs Q1-2017).

Improvement in revenue was majorly driven by the Power Generation segment which recorded revenue growth of 54.18% y/y, benefitting from improved pricing and increased capacity. However, power generation revenue was down 9.74% q/q predicated upon (1) non-remittance of payments by power distribution companies for electricity sold to them and (2) gas supply constraints. Revenue from the Fuels segment increased by 13.54% y/y and 43.59% q/q, attributable to an amelioration in the sourcing/importation challenges within the downstream sub-sector, with the NNPC increasing the availability of petroleum products to major marketers. Increased revenues from the Lubricants and Greases (6.66% y/y) segment and the newly added Solar System segment (NGN51.26 million) also boosted total revenue.

Cost of sales (+21.35% y/y) increased, weighed by a 44.33% y/y increase in the cost of sales from the Power Generation segment (a depreciation charge of
N996.155 million for the turbines used for power generation is included in the cost of sales).

However, gross margin came in higher, and across most segments (save for the Fuels business, wherein margin contracted by 433 bps). Notably, in the Power Generation segment, gross margin increased from 36.26% to 40.33%, with contribution from the segment to total revenue increasing from 19.79% to 25.30%. Lubricants and Greases margin increased from 18.31% to 19.96%, and accounted for 8.67% of revenue, from 9.81% in the previous year. OPEX moderated by 3.69% y/y and 27.20% q/q during the review period, spurred predominantly by an 8% decrease in administrative costs. Thus, a lower OPEX margin of 6.83% was recorded, in contrast to 8.56% in Q1-2017 and 11.48% in Q4-2017.

Net finance cost was down by 23% y/y due to a 23% decrease in interest expense on bank loans and overdrafts (charges paid on trade finance, loans and overdraft facilities utilised during the year). Outstanding debt stood at NGN37.06 billion during the period compared to NGN49.40 billion as at Q1-2017 and NGN35.76 billion at 2017FY.

FO’s latest result is impressive in our view, and we expect positive investor reaction to follow suit. NOT RATED. Ongoing initiation.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/forte-oil-plc-first-glance-power-revenues-spur-impressive-q1-18-results/

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In Nigeria, the operators of cocoa sector forecast a 15% increase in production during the 2017/2018 mid-crop, which begins by April / May.

According to Savina Riman, head of Cocoa Association of Nigeria (CAN), adequate sunshine and good rainfall will help harvest 290,000 tons of cocoa. This contrasts with the 40% decline a year earlier, due to drought.

Regarding the main season, the official said that the dry weather that strikes the growing areas could cause the country to miss its production target of between 300,000 tons and 320,000 tons.

Let’s recall that Nigeria, which is the world sixth-largest cocoa supplier, produced 225, 000 tons of the beans during the 2016/2017 season.

 

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/nigerias-cocoa-sector-anticipates-a-290-000-tons-rebound-for-the-2017-18-mid-crop/

complete am na

Nigerian banks have been allocating higher credits to different sectors of the economy in Q1 2018. The Credit Condition Survey Report (CCSR) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) showed that there was an increase in availability of secured credit to households and corporates in Q1 2018. The CCSR serves as an input into the CBN’s monetary policy document, which helps it to assess the latest trends in credit creation in the Nigerian economy. The results are based on lenders’ responses to the survey.

The CCSR indicated that the availability of secured credit to households was higher in Q1 2018, compared with Q4 2017. The benign economic outlook and higher risk tolerance were the major factors for the increase. The survey added that secured credit is expected to grow higher in Q2 2018, from favorable liquidity positions and higher appetite for risk. In addition, lenders reported that the overall spreads on secured lending rates to households relative to Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) narrowed in Q1 2018 and expected to further narrow in Q2 2018. Furthermore, the availability of unsecured credit provided to households rose in Q1 2018 and is expected to rise further in Q2 2018.

Similarly, the CCSR showed that the overall availability of credit to the corporate sector increased in Q1 2018 and anticipated to increase further in Q2 2018. This was also driven by brighter economic outlook, changing sector-specific risks, changing appetite for risk, tight wholesale funding conditions and market share objectives. The survey also indicated that the changes in spreads between bank rates and MPR on approved new loan applications for all business sizes widened in Q1 2018, and is expected to widen further for all business sizes except for small businesses in Q2 2018.

Meanwhile, the inflation rate dropped to 13.34% in March 2018, from 14.33% recorded in February. FSDH Research expects the inflation rate to drop to single digit in July 2018. The major risks to the attainment of a single digit inflation rate in 2018 are: increase in the electricity tariff, increase in the premium motor spirit (PMS) pump price and the rising social unrest in some parts of the country.

FSDH Research believes the CBN may soon deploy measures that will inject additional funds into the financial system that will enable banks to increase credit creation in the economy to stimulate growth.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/weekly-insights-bank-credit-increases-in-q1-2018/

Nigeria’s digital content distribution company, today, announced that it has been accepted in Stage 1 of the IdeaGist virtual incubation program. Since 2014, IdeaGist is a program looking for early-stage startups that have the power to change the world.  Founded in Minneapolis, Minnesota by Bir Ventures CEO Hassan Syed, Azeem Amir, Rahul Ranjan, Shahnawaz Khan and Vikas Gupta, IdeaGist is currently supporting over 2,000 startups from more than 300 communities from all over the world.

The venture capital firm and early-stage startup incubator are for individuals with startups that make a difference, solves a problem, and helps people improve their lives and the lives of others. It doesn’t matter if the startup provides social benefits or commercial gains, as long as the startup is making a difference in its society. Publiseer and other accepted startups will get help, guidance, resources, facilities, and connections when they get to the final stage of the program.

IdeaGist targets startup companies with innovative ideas, by providing the necessary tools, opportunities, and expertise to help make their mission become a reality. “Our idea is simple, we need new tools to work in the knowledge-based economy,” says Hassan Syed, IdeaGist CEO. “The team at IdeaGist believes that every idea deserves a chance to become a reality and everyone deserves an opportunity to pursue their dreams, which is why we created IdeaGist.” Hassan likens the IdeaGist Global Community Network to Silicon Valley without borders.

Based in Lagos, Nigeria, Publiseer is one of the largest independent digital content distributors in Africa, helping young and budding African writers and musicians become gainfully-employed and professional authors and recording artists. Publiseer is a member of SensXFellowship, Foundi.ng, E-57, and the International Publishing Distribution Association.


SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/publiseer-gets-accepted-into-ideagist-the-worlds-largest-virtual-startup-incubator/

The National Identification Number (NIN) may soon become a requirement for the issuance of the National Drivers Licence.

The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), which issues the licence, said it has received a proposal to this end from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).

FRSC spokesman, Mr Bisi Kazeem, who disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday, said the Director-General of NIMC, Mr Aliyu Aziz, tabled the proposal during a visit to the FRSC Corps Marshal, Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, in Abuja.

Aziz reportedly sought collaboration between NIMC and FRSC in the area of inclusion of NIN in the biometric data capturing part of the drivers’ licence registration process.

“The NIMC D-G specifically requested the Corps to make it mandatory for all applicants of the NDL to produce their national identification numbers at the point of registration,” Kazeem said.

The FRSC boss was reported to have said that the proposal would be looked into.

Oyeyemi emphasized the need for the harmonization of the biometric capturing processes of all relevant agencies in the country in line with global best practices.

He, therefore, urged NIMC to fast-track the integration of all agencies involved in biometric capturing, so as to achieve a uniform standard for the nation.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/nin-to-become-requirement-for-drivers-licence-issuance/

In an effort to target youths and students, Nigeria’s unity bank plc recently launched a  new banking product tailored to allow customers in the country carry out transactions at their convenience time.


The flagship digital and technology-driven banking solution called the UniFi and was unveiled on Thursday at the University of Lagos (UNILAG)

BRAND SPUR NIGERIA gathered the UniFi product offers youths an interface with Unity Bank, giving them the edge as they make school payments, transfer funds, shop online, book movie tickets, download airtime and receive payments.

The banking application also carries out opening account with minimal documentation, erasing the stress associated with the conventional account opening process.

At the launch, top executives of the lender were in attendance, including the Company Secretary, Mr. Mohammed Shehu; Executive Director, Finance & Operations, Mr. Ebenezer Kolawole; Executive Director, South, Mr. Temisan Tuedor; and Executive Director, Business Development and Compliance, Mr. Usman Abdulqadir.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Kolawole disclosed that UniFi was specifically designed to empower and build up Nigerian youths from the cradle by empowering them for life after education.

According to him, the new product will bring more youths into financial inclusion in the banking system.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/unity-banks-unifi-product-targets-youth-banking/

Global prices of palm oil are expected to drop by the end of the current season which ends next September owing to a glut of supply on the market.

Thomas Mielke, CEO of Oil World, a vegetable oil analysis firm, told Reuters that the price per ton could fall to between $40 and $50 in a few months, from the current $630.

“We see for April-September a global output surplus and a building of stocks in the world, particularly in Malaysia and Indonesia,” he said.

For the record, after a previous drop due to the El Niño dry spell in 2015, the oilseed’s global output is gradually recovering, reaching 70.5 million tons in 2018, up 3.8% compared with 2017 (67.9 million tons).

According to the CEO, global prices could increase in 2019-20, assuming a deficit in the global market.

Furthermore, Mr. Mielke indicated that the global output is expected to grow slower in coming years, reaching 86.3 million tons by 2025.

Let’s recall that palm oil is the most profitable oilseed with a yield over eight times higher than that of other crops such as soybean, coconut or rapeseed oil. The main importers are India, the European Union, China, and Pakistan.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/global-palm-oil-prices-to-plummet-due-to-over-supply/

The average price of imported rice increased by -0.51% in March, the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, has said.

The NBS, in its “Selected Food Price watch data for March 2018” released on Friday in Abuja, noted that one kilogram (1kg) was sold for N363.33 in March 2018 from N365.21 in February 2018.

According to the report, average price of 1 dozen of Agric eggs medium size increased year-on-year by 3.87% and month-on-month by 1.59% to N527.32 in March 2018 from N519.07 in February 2018 while the average price of piece of Agric eggs medium size(price of one) decreased year-on-year by -6.19% and month-on-month by -0.15% to N41.21 in March 2018 from N41.27 in February 2018.

It further stated that the average price of 1kg of tomato decreased year-on-year by -0.58 and decreased marginally month-on-month by -0.002% to N267.09 in March 2018 from N267.10 in February.

Similarly, the average price of 1kg of yam tuber decreased year-on-year by -0.53% and increased month-on-month by 10.25% to N254.51 in March 2018 to N230.85 in February 2018.

In March 2018, food inflation on a year on year basis was highest in Nasarawa (20.83%), Bayelsa (19.03%)and Yobe (18.93%), while Kogi (11.99%), Bauchi (12.60%) and Benue (13.07%) recorded the slowest rise in food inflation.

On a month on month basis, however, March 2018 food inflation was highest in Nasarawa (3.22%), Ebonyi (2.97%) and Jigawa (2.37%), while Kebbi, Imo. Niger, Kwara, Lagos, Rivers, and Yobe all recorded food price deflation or negative inflation (general decrease in the general price level of goods and services or a negative inflation rate) in March 2018.


SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/food-price-watch-average-price-of-1kg-of-yam-tuber-increased-by-10-3-in-march-nbs/

In pursuance of its commitment to uplifting Lagos State’s tourism value, the State government is planning a tourism summit to enrich its masterplan for the tourism industry in Lagos.

The summit with the theme “Destination Lagos: Towards A Sustainable Tourism-Driven Economy,” is scheduled to hold on Monday 16th April 2018 at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Briefing the media on Tuesday, April 10 at Alausa Secretariat, the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, declared that the forthcoming summit is designed to provide useful content for the tourism roadmap that is poised to transform the vision of the State to become one of the foremost tourist destinations in Africa.

The Commissioner disclosed that the summit aligns with Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s desire to invest in human capital and infrastructure in order to encourage creativity and promotion of great minds in arts, entertainment, culture and tourism in the State.

While briefing the media on the relevance of the summit, Ayorinde revealed that the summit is crucial to intimate key players in the tourism industry to the achievements of the past three years and engage them in highlighting the specific steps to take in developing Tourism further in the next two decades.

“The summit will list out in specific terms, the interventions that are needed in producing a master plan that will assist in shaping the tourism sector in Lagos State in the next 15 to 20 years,” the Commissioner stated.

He added that the commitment of the Lagos State Government to tourism and cultural promotion had been a deliberate plan derived from a visionary study of the population trend and analysis of what sector would better absorb the teeming youth population, reduce poverty and crime as well as create jobs with multiplier effects on other sectors.

Affirming the significance of the Summit, the Commissioner stated that encouraging existing practitioners and stakeholders with institutional support and sustaining hope of investors in the sector would require a more strategic and proactive approach, hence the need to invite all critical stakeholders under one roof to deliberate on the common goal of raising the bar of Tourism promotion in Lagos State.

“The idea of this Lagos Tourism Summit, therefore, is part of our inclusive agenda to allow all stakeholders contribute to the ongoing tourism master plan being put together by Messrs Ernst and Young on behalf of the Lagos State Government.”

He further disclosed that the summit will be enriched by paper presentations by renowned stakeholders in the tourism business; panel discussions and a Keynote Address to be delivered by His Excellency, Mr. John Mahama, the former President of the Republic of Ghana.

“The gathering will provide a rare opportunity to engage with stakeholders, professionals, leading academics and scholars, researchers in the tourism, culture, arts and entertainment industry, local and foreign media practitioners to debate, exchange ideas, deliberate and chart a way forward for Lagos tourism”, he added.

Aside the main theme for discourse at the summit, other topics listed includes: Exploring the Lagos Tourism Eco-system for Economic and Social Benefits; Financing tourism: the path and possibilities for Lagos State, and M.I.C.E, Creative Content as Tourism Industry panacea.

Prof. Ibukunoluwa Ayodele of the University of Ibadan will deliver the Lead Paper; The Minister for Information, Tourism, and Culture will speak about Tourism as the new oil while Governor Akinwunmi Ambode is the Chief Host.

Also speaking, a representative of Ernst Young, Mr. Adewale Adereti, stated that the strategic intention of developing and transforming tourism, culture, and entertainment in the state requires input from relevant stakeholders and as such a summit is critical to fully explore the possibilities that the sector offers so that the Masterplan that will be produced will reflect the need of the industry.

Adewale said as a visionary and committed leader, Governor Ambode is developing a robust tourism industry that will outlive the current administration and place the city on the map as a preferred destination.

From Left: Fola Adeyemi, the Permanent Secretary; Steve Ayorinde, Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture; and Adewale Adereti, the Manager Advisory, Ernst & Young at the Press Briefing. Brandspur Nigeria

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/lagos-engages-ernst-and-young-ghanaian-ex-president-more-for-tourism-summit-masterplan/

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Ok

Veteran Nollywood actor, filmmaker, and director, Adebayo Salami, popularly called “Oga Bello,” has signed a production deal with pay TV company, StarTimes.

According to report, the deal which is yet to be made public is believed to be a juicy one worth millions of naira and it will see the veteran actor produce a 26-episode series in the Yoruba language exclusively for StarTimes Nigeria.

According to sources, shooting of the series titled ‘Alagbara’ has already commenced in Ibadan with some big names in the movie industry listed in the cast.

Alagbara, according to Oga Bello focuses on some issues concerning families and how effective the women in these families are.

It is an art piece that reflects the realities in our daily lives, he added.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/nollywood-actor-oga-bello-signs-production-deal-with-startimes/

Africa’s e-payments firm Interswitch announced the appointment of Cherry Eromosele as its Group Chief Product & Marketing Officer.

Until her latest appointment, Eromosele was the firm’s Chief Marketing Officer, responsible for creating and implementing marketing strategies for the entire Interswitch brand portfolio, which spans both the corporate and consumer segments of the business, Verve and Quickteller brands.

In a statement, the firm said Eromosele played an instrumental role in the roll-out of Interswitch’s consistent brand identity and successful marketing programs as the company expanded from Nigeria into new markets in Africa including Kenya and Uganda over the last four years. Alongside her oversight of marketing/brand strategies and programmes, her new role includes driving digital product leadership and innovation through closer alignment of the group’s marketing and product teams across Interswitch’s West and East African markets.

As Interswitch transforms, enabling it to tap into growth opportunities within the market, the brand is optimistic that having Cherry Eromosele as Group Chief, Product and Marketing Officer, would mark significant growth as well as drive the next level of innovation along the payment and commerce value chain.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/interswitch-promotes-eromosele-to-chief-product-marketing-officer/

Guinness Nigeria Plc, the leading total beverage alcohol company in Nigeria has partnered with Wecyclers, a for-profit social enterprise that promotes environmental sustainability, socio-economic development, and community health to support Guinness’ waste management agenda.

The partnership is expected to, among other things, help support the implementation of Guinness Nigeria’s 4R waste management strategy, covering REDUCTION, REUSE, RECOVERY, and RECYCLING, while addressing increasing local and global concerns around the environmental issues of waste disposal.

Mr. Peter Ndegwa, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Guinness Nigeria Plc, stated that the partnership with Wecyclers is in line with Guinness Nigeria’s commitment to reducing its environmental impact across its operations and throughout its supply chain. He added that it is also in line with Nigeria’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policy approach under which producers are given a significant responsibility for the treatment or disposal of post-consumer products.

This partnership with Wecyclers is in line with our commitment to reduce our environmental footprint as well as join the global movement to advance sustainable development. Every year, at Guinness, we set ourselves stretched targets that will guide us as we work to reduce our impact on the environment. We also strive to increase our positive social impact by delivering transformational social investments in communities where we operate,” Ndegwa said.

Speaking at the MoU signing, Chief Executive Officer, Wecyclers, Mr. Olawale Adebiyi, stated that Wecyclers aims to build a low-cost waste collection infrastructure while raising general awareness on the importance of recycling for environmental sustainability and social welfare. According to him, ‘’households are given a chance to generate value from their waste and provide a reliable supply of raw material to the local recycling industry’’. Partnerships with well-meaning organizations such as Guinness Nigeria Plc are a critical part of driving that agenda forward’’.

On her part, Corporate Relations Director, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Viola Graham-Douglas, stated “In the medium to long-term, Guinness Nigeria has set targets as part of its 2020 Sustainability & Responsibility commitments, comprising three key pillars: Leadership in Alcohol in Society, Building Thriving Communities and Reducing our Environmental Impact. Delivering on these goals is an integral part of our long-term business strategy and our commitment to making a real difference in communities where Guinness Nigeria operates,”

She further stated that: “To this end, we have developed a sustainability strategy that will help us reduce our environmental impact while increasing our positive social impact in the society and this partnership will help us achieve our objectives. “

Wecyclers provides convenient recycling services in densely populated urban neighborhoods, with services that include the collection of waste products, such as, Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), cans, bottles and other small formats from different locations across Lagos, thereby reducing the chances of them ending up as waste in the open environment.

Guinness Nigeria Plc plans to run this pilot successfully in Lagos and then extend the initiative to other states in Nigeria within the next two years.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/waste-management-guinness-nigeria-signs-mou-with-wecyclers/

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