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The Ogun State Government has assured residents of Ojodu Abiodun, Akute in Ifo Local Government Area of the State that the State Government would immediately commence work on the 4.65-kilometre road at the end of the current raining season, with a promise to deliver a brand new road.

The Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Ade Akinsanya who gave the assurance while speaking to newsmen shortly after inspecting palliative work on the road, said that the palliative work currently going on in the area was just a temporary measure to reduce the hardship of road users, adding that the road is part of the economic linkage the Prince Dapo Abiodun-led Administration in the State was looking to revitalise.

Aside from the 4.65-kilometre Ojodu Abiodun/Akute road, Akinsanya also disclosed that the road coming from Sango to Akute, where the bridge can be seen would also be done, calling on the people of the State to be patient with the State Government in its resolve to make roads across the State motorable.

He emphasised that palliative works would be done on Ojodu Abiodun-Denro Ishashi-Ajuwon-Akute Alagbole-Yakoyo, and Alagbado-Oke Aro-Lambe-Matogun Roads and their environs.

"This road is a vital road. It is a road linking us with Lagos State. It is part of the economic linkage this Administration is trying to revitalise in this area. The new road is coming very soon. The design is ready. To make it motorable when it rains is the reason for the palliative work we are doing here today.

There has been a lot of complaints on the road, but the Governor has directed us to make it motorable, even in the interim.

"There will be a brand new road linking this place to Lagos. It is a 4.65-kilometre road. At the same time, the road coming from Sango to Akute here where you see the bridge - that also will be done," he said.

A resident and pastor in charge of First Baptist Church, Akute, Reverend Ayo Ojeleye, while commending the State Government for the palliative work on the road, called on the Government to as a matter of urgency come to the aid of the people in the area.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2020/07/20/ogun-begins-work-on-ojodu-abiodun-akute-road/

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Nengi Akinola, Marketing Manager, OPPO Nigeria explained that the decision to partner with the Reality Star and Serial Entrepreneur was based on the interesting persona she possesses and her charming aura which makes her a perfect fit for the youthful brand essence of OPPO.

Tacha’s story is one many young Nigerians can connect with, she has shown ambition and a fighting spirit even in the face of adversity. For OPPO, this connects perfectly with the genuine desire to rise to the top of the Nigerian Smartphone industry in a very short time. We are sure that the partnership with Tacha is a positive step in the right direction.

OPPO Mobile only launched in Nigeria in April 2019 and has quickly become a force to reckon in the Smartphone industry. It has been impressive to see how OPPO Mobile has shown dynamism by having a different approach to the Nigerian market without losing the essence of the true Nigerian culture.

The brand has also shown a willingness to support Nigerian talent, from photography to videography to content creation to modelling; OPPO has indeed made a strong statement that it is not just a brand that promises but also a brand that changes lives.

Will the Tacha partnership be a good move for OPPO in its continuous rise to the top in Nigeria? Only time will tell.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2020/07/19/oppo-mobile-nigeria-signs-multi-million-naira-partnership-deal-with-tacha/

- Headline inflation grew by 12.56% YoY in June 2020; 0.16% higher than 12.40% recorded in the previous month.
- Food inflation grew by 15.18% YoY in June 2020; 0.14% higher than 15.04% recorded in the previous month. 
- Core inflation grew by 10.13% YoY in June 2020; 0.01% higher than 10.12% recorded in the previous month. 

Nigerian headline inflation accelerated for the 10th straight month in June 2020 as restrictions on access to foreign exchange and continued border closures drove up prices.

Headline Inflation

In June 2020, the headline inflation increased by 1.21 % MoM, this is 0.04% higher than the rate of 1.17% recorded in the previous month. The yearly average rose to 11.90% this current month, this is 0.11% greater than 11.79% recorded in the previous month.

This is the 10th consecutive monthly increase and the highest rate in over two years as supply disruptions caused by the planting season and the partial lockdown of the economy as well as exchange rate adjustments continue to pressure prices.

Food Inflation

In June 2020, the food index rose by 1.48% MoM, this is 0.06% higher than the rate of 1.42% recorded in the previous month. The yearly average rose to 14.46% this current month, this is 0.13% greater than 14.33% recorded in the previous month. The food index, which accounts for more than half the inflation basket, rose 15.20%, the highest since March 2018.

Core Inflation

In June 2020, the core index recorded a marginal decrease to 0.86% MoM, this is 0.02% down from 0.88% recorded in May 2020. The yearly average rose to 9.37% this current month, this is 0.1% greater than 9.27% recorded in the previous month.

Conclusion

We expect to see increased pressure on inflation in the near to medium term as food prices continue to rise with continued border closure as the Naira remains under pressure. The central bank’s move to end official foreign-exchange supply for corn imports to boost local production could increase costs further.

With the MPC meeting holding next week, it remains to be seen how the apex bank would react to the continued rise in headline inflation. Again, we maintain that the CBN’s posturing reflects deeper concerns on the exchange rate front.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2020/07/17/food-inflation-grew-by-15-18-yoy-in-june-2020-0-14-higher-than-15-04/

The consumer price index, (CPI) which measures inflation increased by 12.56 percent (year-on-year) in June 2020. This is 0.16 percent points higher than the rate recorded in May 2020 (12.40) percent.

On a month-on-month basis, the Headline index increased by 1.21 percent in June 2020. This is 0.04 percent rate higher than the rate recorded in May 2020 (1.17 percent).

The percentage change in the average composite CPI for the twelve months period ending June 2020, over the average of the CPI for the previous twelve months period, was 11.90 percent, representing a 0.11 percent point increase from 11.79 percent recorded in May 2020.

The urban inflation rate increased by 13.18 percent (year-on-year) in June 2020 from 13.03 percent recorded in May 2020, while the rural inflation rate increased by 11.99 percent in June 2020 from 11.83 percent in May 2020.

On a month-on-month basis, the urban index rose by 1.23 percent in June 2020, up by 0.05 from 1.18 percent recorded in May 2020, while the rural index also rose by 1.19 percent in June 2020, up by 0.03 from the rate recorded in May 2020 (1.16) percent.

The corresponding twelve-month year-on-year average percentage change for the urban index was 12.50 percent in June 2020. This is higher than 12.36 percent reported in May 2020, while the corresponding rural inflation rate in June 2020 was 11.36 percent compared to 11.26 percent recorded in May 2020.

Food Index

The composite food index rose by 15.18 percent in June 2020 compared to 15.04 percent in May 2020.

This rise in the food index was caused by increases in prices of Bread and Cereals, Potatoes, yam and other tubers, Fruits, Oils and Fats, Meat, Fish and Vegetables.

On a month-on-month basis, the food sub-index increased by 1.48 percent in June 2020, up by 0.06 percent points from 1.42 percent recorded in May 2020.

The average annual rate of change of the Food sub-index for the twelve-month period ending June 2020 over the previous twelve-month average was 14.46 percent, representing a 0.13 percent points increase from the average annual rate of change recorded in May 2020 (14.33 percent).

All Items Less Farm Produce

The "All items less farm produce" or Core inflation, which excludes the prices of volatile agricultural produce stood at 10.13 percent in June 2020, up by 0.01percent when compared with 10.12 percent recorded in May 2020.

On a month-on-month basis, the core sub-index increased by 0.86 percent in June 2020. This was down by 0.02 percent when compared with 0.88 percent recorded in May 2020.

The highest increases were recorded in prices of Medical services, Hospital services, Passenger transport by road, Pharmaceutical products, Motor cars, Paramedical Services, Maintenance and repair of personal transport equipment, Bicycles, Motorcycles, Vehicle spare parts and Other services in respect of personal transport equipment.

The average 12-month annual rate of change of the index was 9.37 percent for the twelve-month period ending June 2020; this is 0.1 percent points higher than 9.27 percent recorded in May 2020.

State Profiles

In analysing price movements under this section, note that the CPI is weighted by consumption expenditure patterns which differ across states. Accordingly, the weight assigned to a particular food or non-food item may differ from state to state making interstate comparisons of consumption basket inadvisable and potentially misleading.

All Items Inflation

In June 2020, all items inflation on year on year basis was highest in Bauchi (15.02%), Sokoto (14.88%) and Ebonyi (14.60%), while Cross River (10.95%), Lagos (10.78%) and Kwara (10.03%) recorded the slowest rise in headline Year on Year inflation.

On a month on month basis, however, all items inflation was highest in Bauchi (1.95%), Sokoto (1.89%) and Kogi (1.83%), while Delta (0.56%), Borno and Kwara (0.45%) and Ekiti (0.40%) recorded the slowest rise in headline month on month inflation.

Food Inflation

In June 2020, food inflation on a year on year basis was highest in Sokoto (17.88%), Plateau (17.04%) and Abuja (16.82%), while Lagos (13.46%), Ogun (13.18%) and Bauchi (12.86%) recorded the slowest rise.

On month on month basis, however, June 2020 food inflation was highest in Kogi (3.07%), Benue (2.41%) and Zamfara (2.24%), while Ondo (0.47%), Anambra (0.42%) and Lagos (0.18%) recorded the slowest rise.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2020/07/17/inflation-increases-by-12-56-yoy-in-june-2020-0-16-higher-than-may-2020-rate/

Lagos State Health Service Commission has announced the commencement of recruitment exercise for medical professionals into General Hospitals across the State with the opening of a recruitment portal: Jobs.lagosstate.gov.ng for interested applicants on Wednesday, 15th July 2020.

According to a release issued by the Commission today, the decision to fill the vacant positions in the 27 General Hospitals across the State followed the approval granted by the State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu to increase the staff strength of medical personnel in the hospitals.

According to the Commission, “Some of the vacant positions for employment opportunities include that of Medical Consultants, Medical and Dental Officers, Pharmacists, Nursing Officers, Pharmacy Technicians, Dental Therapists and Dental Technicians”.

While noting that the recruitment portal: Jobs.lagosstate.gov.ng will only be accessible for three weeks from 12 noon on Wednesday, July 15, 2020, to 12 noon on Wednesday, August 5, 2020, the Commission emphasised that it would not entertain or welcome submission of forms in its office in view of the COVID-19 protocols.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2020/07/16/lagos-commences-recruitment-of-medical-professionals-into-general-hospitals/

…Urges consumers to follow established channels of complaints reporting.
…Reiterates commitment to improving QoS, QoE.

98% of the total service-related complaints received from telecoms consumers within a 15-month period, spanning January 2019 to April 2020, have been successfully resolved, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said in a report.

Professor Umar Garba Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

Besides this declaration, the Commission has reiterated its commitment to ensuring improvement in the Quality of Service (QoS) and Quality of Experience (QoE) for the nation’s over 190 million telecom subscribers, even as the global community grapples with the challenges of containing the spread and management of COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the Commission, in the period under review, 26,169 complaints were received and managed by the Commission to the satisfaction of the overwhelming majority of telecom consumers. Of that number, 25,575, representing 98 percent of the total complaints received were expeditiously resolved.

Many of the satisfied consumers reverted to either acknowledge the prompt resolution of their complaints or to thank the Commission for its intervention in service-related issues between them and their respective service providers.

The complaints were received through all the Commission’s official channels of communication. These include 24,481 complaints received through Commission’s Contact Centres; 1,007 complaints received through the NCC Consumer Portal; and 296 others received as written complaints submitted at NCC Head Office in Abuja and at the Commission’s five zonal offices in Lagos, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Kano and Ibadan.

Complaints also reached the Commission through its official email while 366 of the complaints were transmitted to the Commission through its social media handles on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and the specially-dedicated Twitter handle for consumer issues (@ConsumersNCC).

Also, 19 complaints were also referred to the Commission during the period through the Twitter account of Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami.

According to the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of NCC, Prof, Umar Danbatta, “the Commission is pleased to find that consumers are increasingly accessing the numerous complaint channels instituted by the Commission to resolve second level complaints brought to its attention.”

The EVC said the NCC has emplaced all the channels to enable consumers to escalate to the Commission complaints earlier reported to their service providers that may not have been addressed promptly and/or satisfactorily.

“It is important to note that Commission’s actions in this regard is in congruence with NCC’s mandate to protect and defend the rights of the consumer, and to give concrete expression to its faith in the consumer as the lifeblood of the telecom sector, and therefore deserving of priority attention as enshrined in the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003,” Danbatta said.

He emphasised the Commission’s commitment to taking several steps, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, to continuously improve QoS both for voice and data services.

According to him, such responsibility has become more imperative, in view of the outbreak of COVID-19 and the attendant necessities for containing the contagion, giving that telecom consumers, in their majority, have come to rely more on telecom services in order to cope with the restrictions to physical movement and close contacts.

Danbatta assured consumers of NCC’s readiness to sustain existing measures put in place to sustain improvement in QoS, in order to reduce incidents of complaints and to ensure the overall protection of the rights of the telecom consumer.

“Such measures include monthly engagement sessions with operators on QoS; quarterly QoS Industry Working Group (IWG) meetings on QoS; continuous engagement with the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) on Right of Way (RoW) issue; regular publication of QoS performance data on the Commission’s website; instituting benchmarking drive test across the country to measure the performance of each operator; establishing new QoS measurement mechanisms for assessing operators’ performance across all states of the Federation, among others,” Danbatta emphasised.

The EVC assured telecom consumers of its readiness to address every challenge stifling robust delivery of telecom services, and he urged that: “telecom consumers should continue to report challenges about quality of service, first with their service providers, and if not satisfied with the handling of the complaints by service providers, the consumer may then escalate the matter to the Commission through various channels provided as mentioned above.”

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2020/07/15/ncc-resolves-98-consumer-complaints-in-15-months/

In its continued drive to lead digital transformation, foster inclusion, improve customer experience and maintain the highest quality of service for its customers MTN Nigeria Plc today announced the trial of e-SIM services on their network based on approvals received from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

The next step in the evolution of Subscriber Identity Modules (SIM cards), e-SIMs are designed to deliver unprecedented freedom and flexibility. Unlike the physical SIMs, e-SIMs are built into smartphones, devices and wearables. They support multiple profiles and allow customers to connect multiple numbers to their e-SIM devices.

Notwithstanding the sophistication of e-SIMs, the onboarding requirements are the same as are required for a physical SIM. Hence, SIM registration in line with existing regulatory prescriptions remains a requirement for activating a device embedded with an e-SIM.

e-SIMs are particularly useful for people who want to manage personal and business lines easily and effectively or want a separate profile for data. The new technology will also be extremely convenient for frequent travellers and tourists, making it easier for them to opt for and keep a local subscription when visiting Nigeria.

The trial which kicked-off today will run for one year and is open on a first come first served basis to a limited number of subscribers who own compatible devices. Expressing satisfaction at the development, Mazen Mroue, Chief Operating Officer, MTN Nigeria said the company was eager to get through the trial process so that the technology can be deployed for the benefit of every Nigerian.

“We are in a fast-paced digital age with new technological advancements driving the constantly changing landscape. Against this backdrop, customers depend on us to provide high quality, reliable and easy-to-use connectivity solutions.

“With the introduction of the e-SIM, we will offer customers a seamless and distinctive digital experience with new levels of flexibility, simplicity and convenience. This is a further demonstration of our firm commitment to delivering the benefits of a bold new digital world to our customers; and we will continue seeking new ways to provide solutions that address old and new challenges, making life a little easier and brighter,” Mroue stated.

MTN is spearheading e-SIM adoption in Nigeria as part of efforts to enable the digital economy. For all MTN mobile subscribers who own e-SIM compatible devices, setting up an e-SIM profile with a new or existing mobile plan is quick and easy.

All it takes is a visit to an MTN service centre where frontline staff will help in registration and onboarding at no cost. Soon, e-SIM users will also be able to link multiple compatible devices and smart wearables such as tablets, smartwatches etc to their profile.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2020/07/15/mtn-nigeria-to-run-limited-trial-of-e-sim-technologyfirst-of-its-kind-in-west-africa/

The national youth leadership caucus of the All Progressives Party, APC in Nigeria, take this auspicious moment, to declare our support for the re-election of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu Aketi SAN, as Executive Governor of Ondo State.

The National Youth Caucus comprise of all the zonal youth leaders, the national youth leader and deputy national youth leader of the APC. We are here today with a good number of our state youth leaders. As the youth structure of the party nationally, we are committed to the progressive ideals of our party, as it matters on the improved livelihood of all Nigerians.

We are committed to the progress of our party, and this progress can only be proportional to the performances of our public office holders. We have chosen to come to Ondo State, to have a firsthand inspection of the claims of performances of Governor Akeredolu who has served a four year term on the aegis of our party. After a two day tour, we can say; we have come, we have seen and we are impressed.

The entire removal of a hill to pave way for a level plain dualized road, which used to claim lives albeit without remedy have come to reality in Ondo State. That is the Oke Alabojuto road construction in the Northern Senatorial District. A visit to the Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa will convince every lover of progress that Governor Akeredolu should be supported to complete all he has started.

That school is a victim of sudden change of vision and commitment. The school be 12 years old this year, but had been abandoned since the originator left government. It is the kind heart and commitment of Governor Akeredolu that has brought life back to the school, in terms of needed infrastructures. The school now wears a new look, new roads, newly constructed senate building, newly constructed Library, new auditorium etc.

According to the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Robert Ogunduyile, the University just added two new faculties. The faculty of Agriculture and faculty of Engineering. The school has also just been able to accredit many of its courses. Governor Akeredolu has been able to secure TETFUND registration for the University, and it has now qualified for the 2020 project. The Governor secured international partners to collaborate with the University, providing latest technologies in teaching and capacity building for our youth. Such efforts by the governor, secured 45,000 new books for the University library. The University is now confident to think of commencing postgraduate studies.

We visited the Ondo-Linyi Industrial hub at Omotosho, a strategically situated concourse of manufacturing companies. There the governor created a partnership between the state and Chinese expertise, to bring the unprecedented to bear. The first phase of the Ondo-Linyi industrial hub we witnessed in this tour has about ten different companies that are involved in different stages of production of locally useful products, also export quality products. The factories in this complex include Truck Assemblage factory, Paper pulp production factory, Cassava to ethanol factory, High Density Fibre, Medium Density Fibre, Plywood and Marine Board production factory, and others.

We are delighted to know that the first phase of Ondo-Linyi Industrial hub alone engages about 2000 workers, and 95% of these workers are Nigerians. We earnestly await the phase two and three of these Industrial hub as scheduled by Governor Akeredolu, which obviously will create multiples of the existing job opportunities for our youth, especially outside the civil service. These will further put Ondo State at national spotlight and create enviable example for other states to create jobs, become more productive and save the value of the naira.

We saw, and used the Redemption bridge at Ore, and we are very grateful for the initiative. There is no Nigerian who will not appreciate Governor Akeredolu for that bridge, as it is life saving and economically impactful. We appreciate the effort of the governor in the rehabilitation of primary schools, road constructions, and many more.

If the essence of governance is the overall development of the society, and lifting the burden of the people, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has indeed done well. He has done the All Progressives Congress proud. We have seen his vision, we align with it and we as members of the national executives of the party put all our weight and influence in the party behind him as we go into the primary elections.

We stand for a better Nigeria, a better Ondo State and to such; we declare total support for the reelection of Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, to continue as governor of Ondo state for another four years.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2020/07/15/we-are-impressed-with-akeredolus-performance-says-apc-national-youth-leaders/

Startimes has won the right to broadcast the matches of the Spanish La Liga to its teeming subscribers. This comes after the Federal Government had prohibited exclusivity rights of PayTv operators to broadcast sports matches in January 2020.

The Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, directed the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to implement the new regulation mandating broadcasters and exclusive licensees to share their broadcast rights with other operators.

The entry of Startimes into the Laliga will no doubt redefine the followership of the Spanish game in the country as Nigerians adore the likes of Lionel Messi, Karim Benzema, Luiz Suarez and Sergio Ramos. This move is also expected to serve as an attraction for Nigerian players to ply their trade in Spain.

The Pay Tv station has offered subscribers quality entertainment at an affordable price and this has made its subscriber base to increase in leaps and bounds.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2020/07/15/startimes-acquires-laliga-broadcast-rights/

The Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) has approved the delisting of a major consumer goods company, PZ Cussons Ghana from the stock market, following the review of offer documents to initiate the process.

In October 2019, PZ Cussons announced its intention to delist from the stock market following the unanimous approval of a resolution seeking to undertake the Offer and to De-List the Company from the GSE.

According to PZ Cussons Ghana, the proposed de-Listing is in line with the company’s plans to achieve operational efficiency, by providing management of the company more time and resources to focus on running and expanding the business, its distribution network and reach, thereby ensuring consumer satisfaction.

In view of the approval, Ghana Web has reported that PZ Cussons has announced its tender offer to existing Qualifying Shareholders of the company to purchase fully the entire shareholding of each Qualifying Shareholder.

The Offer is priced at GHc 0.45 per PZ Cussons Share representing a 15.4 per cent premium above the market price of GHS 0.39, which is the higher of the average 12-week market price and the market price on the annual general meeting date.

The process began with the opening of the offer on July 6, 2020, and will close on August 17, 2020. The settlement would be made on September 4, 2020.

Currently, PZ Cussons has a total of 168 million shares issued on the bourse, with a total market capitalization of GHc 63.84 million (US$11m).

IC Securities Ghana Limited is acting as sole financial adviser and sole sponsoring broker to PZ Cussons in respect of this Offer.

At the end of the process, this will raise the total number of companies delisted from the bourse to six over the past three years – some voluntary, some enforced. This will reduce the number of companies listed on the bourse to 31.

In neighbouring Nigeria, the subsidiary of Manchester-based PZ Cussons Holdings has donated soaps to the Lagos State Ministry of Health in bid to curb the spread of the COVID-19 by promoting hygiene through regular washing of hands with soap and clean water.

The PZ Cussons Foundation had previously donated soaps to over 40,000 people in six major cities across Nigeria in collaboration with the Foundation for Refugee Economic Empowerment (FREE), a UK and Nigerian charity organization.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2020/07/13/pz-cussons-delists-from-gse-to-improve-business-operations/

Nigerian States and Federal Debt Stock data as at 31st March 2020 reflected that the country's total public debt portfolio stood at N28.63trn.

According to the Nigerian Domestic and Foreign Debt Q1 2020 report released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the total public debt rose by 4.48 per cent compared to the N27.40 trillion recorded in Q4 2019.

Further disaggregation of Nigeria's total public debt showed that N9.99trn or 34.89% of the debt was external while N18.64trn or 65.11% of the debt was domestic.

Of the domestic debt of N18.64 trillion, the federal government’s share alone is N14.53 trillion compared to Q4 2019 when the total domestic debt was N18.37 trillion with the federal government accounting for N14.27 trillion.

Similarly, States and FCT domestic debt was put at N4.11trillion with Lagos state accounting for 10.8% of the total domestic debt stock while Yobe State has the least debt stock in this category with a contribution of 0.7%.

Federal government’s domestic debt service for Q1 also increased to N609.13 billion compared to N254.04 billion in Q4 of 2019.

Abia State accounted for N69.63 billion of the domestic debt stock of states, Adawawa N101.58 billion, Akwa Ibom N240.03 billion, Anambra N33.91 billion, Bauchi N100.40 billion, Bayelsa N154.95 billion, Benue N116.19 billion, Borno N83.38 billion and Cross River N165.91 billion within the review period.

Others include Delta N230.75 billion, Ebonyi N42.41 billion, Edo N84.76 billion, Ekiti N77.89 billion, Enugu N62.98 billion, Gombe N82.50 billion, Imo N163.99 billion, Jigawa N36.02 billion, Kaduna N78.69 billion, Kano N107.75 billion, Katsina N66.16 billion, Kebbi N69.26 billion and Kogi N128.91 billion.

Others are Kwara N62.89 billion, Nasarawa N60.99 billion, Niger N59.83 billion, Ogun N143.53, Ondo N65.29 billion, Osun N137.30 billion, Oyo N100.59 billion, Plateau N130.72 billion, Rivers N266.93 billion, Sokoto N47.74 billion, Taraba N81.26 billion, and Zamfara N70.84 billion as well as the FCT with N106.80 billion.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2020/07/12/nigerias-total-public-debt-hits-%e2%82%a628-63-trillion-in-q1-2020-nbs/

Forty-four years after its establishment, the Federal Government, on Sunday, handed over the National Arts Theatre in Lagos State to the private sector for a complete revamp and modernisation.

The national heritage, sitting on an expansive land in Iganmu area of Lagos, became an eyesore, following years of facility deterioration occasioned by mismanagement and non-maintenance.

Moved by the need to restore the glory of the cultural edifice and turn around its capacity to develop the creative industry, President Muhammadu Buhari recently approved the regeneration of the theatre through a Public-Private Initiative.

Following the presidential approval, the handover event held on Sunday in the banquet hall of the theatre.

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, officially transferred the monument to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Bankers’ Committee - a team of private investors chaired by the Governor of CBN - for regeneration. The project is expected to be delivered in the next 18 months.

With the transferring of the theatre for revamping, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said the effort had given the country an opportunity to harness its creative industry, which he described as a gold mine for revenue generation. He said Lagos, as centre for innovation, would benefit hugely from the monument’s revitalisation.

Sanwo-Olu said harnessing the potential of creative industry remained vital to diversifying the national economy and transforming the Lagos economy to be 21st century compliant, adding that a modernised National Arts Theatre would empower innovative youth across the country to develop creative skills in fashion, performing arts, music and Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

He said: “As the Governor of the State where this national monument is sited, it gives me a great sense of joy to see the National Arts Theatre being revitalised. When the conversation around setting up the biggest black heritage started in the 1970s, Lagos was the centre of the discussion.

“It feels good to see that the conversation around revitalising the monument turning it around for the generations to come is taking place in Lagos. Everyone of us growing up about 30 to 35 years ago knew what the national theatre stood for. Given that we have had good times in this monument, it would be shame on all of us if we didn’t do what we are doing today and leave this national heritage to die.”

Sanwo-Olu observed that before the move by the Federal Government to revamp the theatre, Lagos Government had deployed resources to modernise the areas around the monument, pointing out that the State built a Light Rail station in the theatre.

The Governor said synergy between the State and Federal Government in equipping the monument with Light Rail station is an asset that would help in mass transportation in and out of the edifice when the revamping is completed.

He said: “There’s no way we can transform Lagos economy and make it 21st Century compliant if this national centrepiece is not re-engineered to develop our creative industry. Therefore, this revitalisation exercise speaks to our vision in the pillars of our development agenda.”

The Governor assured the investors and Federal Government that Lagos would be part of every process required to turn around the heritage.

Mohammed described the handover ceremony as “historic” in the annals of creative sector, noting that President Buhari has achieved what his predecessors feared to do.

The Minister said the national theater was established with the goal to enhance culture and generate revenue through creativity in performing arts. He regretted that the national monument was left to go moribund due to lack of maintenance and investment.

Mohammed said the revamping project was is a win-win endeavour for the Government and the private partners that took up the project.

He added that the Federal Government would continue to own the monument as public asset, assuring that the regeneration exercise would not lead to employees’ retrenchment.

He said: “Contrary to what naysayers are peddling, no one is hijacking the National Arts Theatre. It remains our national heritage. This public private partnership is a win-win for us. It will turn this iconic edifice into a modern masterpiece through which we will retain existing employment and create massive jobs for our youths. I urge all citizens to support the regeneration project so that we can bequeath a functioning national arts theatre to the coming generations.”

Mohammed said the revamping exercise would be carried out in two phases to restore the lost glory of the monument and implement the theatre’s detailed master plan.

The CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, said the partnership would transform the monument to a world-class arts and entertainment centre.

Emefiele said the handing over of the theatre to private investors was timely, given the challenges facing the economy that earns revenue from single source.

The CBN boss said the nation had the potential to generate annual revenue of $20 billion from creative industry, stressing that such could help cushion the effect of instability on the national economy.

Emefiele thanked the Lagos Government for creating an infrastructure around the monument, pointing out that the rail station would open the theatre up for seamless traffic.
He said: “Upon completion in another 18 months, this entire area would have transformed into a creative centre which will only be comparable to world-class entertainment and convention centres in this part of the world.

“Our goal to revamp this National Arts Theatre is to create an environment where startups and existing businesses can be rewarded for their creativity. When the renovation is completed, this monument will support skill acquisition and creation of jobs for over one million Nigerians over the next five years.”

Minister for Sports and Youth Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, said the partnership was another giant step by the Buhari administration to strengthen the youth and invest in their creativity.

“I commend the Bankers’ Committee for this new vision to engender a rebirth of millennial economy. A modernised National Arts Theatre will help our young people to hone their skills and divest their energy to create values for themselves and the country,” Dare said.

The revamping of the monument is being handled by SANEF Creatives Limited. When completely revamped, cinemas of the modernised National Arts Theatre will now have digital screens and modern lighting system.

Its three exhibition centres and banquet halls would be completely regenerated. It will have a multi-storey car park, ICT incubation centre, cultural and entertainment hubs, including apparel factory, film village, and music hub for young musicians to have an opportunity to record.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2020/07/12/fg-hands-over-national-theatre-to-private-investors-for-renovation/

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Saturday charged all Nigerians to take responsibility as the nation joins the global community in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking as a Guest Speaker at the Virtual edition of the Lagos Leadership Conference, themed: “Leading in Extraordinary Times”, which was broadcast via Plus TV Africa, Governor Sanwo-Olu said the firm realisation that Lagos is the Nigerian epicentre of the pandemic and that the whole of the country is looking up to the State for leadership and for accomplishment, has been a driving force for his administration's response to the pandemic.

He said: “COVID-19 pandemic is global and all of us have a role to play. Everybody has a role to play. It is only when everybody plays that role that we can put this pandemic behind us very quickly. As a government, we will continue to lead that conversation.

“We should continue to have various levels of engagement and various levels of communication. Everybody must be seen taking responsibility at this stage. We are fully out there and what is just remaining for us is just to keep this momentum and we believe that we will come out of it stronger and better.

“I will ask each and every one of us to take full responsibility, especially for our loved ones and ourselves. When we are going out, let us ensure we continue to obey the protocols. Let us wear our facemasks. Let us ensure we keep social distance8 or physical distancing and continue to listen to our health practitioners and the advice they give us.

“If you have any symptoms, do not wait until when it becomes very severe; get yourself a test, get yourself into one of our isolation centres and we can assure you that, you will be treated well and you will get well at the end of the day,”.

Governor Sanwo-Olu also assured Lagos residents that the State Government will ensure that all secondary and primary health facilities in the state become topnotch and available for citizens of the state, adding that his administration will ensure that the lessons of COVID-19 are not lost.

He said: “As a government, we will stop at nothing to ensure that; one, we scale up our infrastructural capability. We are doing that and we will continue to do that, even post-COVID to ensure that all our secondary and primary health facilities become topnotch and available for our citizens to have access.

“We will ensure that the lesson and the learning beyond COVID-19 are not lost on us as a leader and as a government. We will use the experiences and the issues that have come out of it to better prepare and plan for our citizens and be able to carry out people better going forward.”

Highlighting some of the steps taken by his administration to address the pandemic, Governor Sanwo-Olu disclosed that the state government took proactive, agile and informed decision-making, as well as prioritising the consistent and transparent communication in managing COVID-19 in Lagos State.

His words: “Without our hardworking, talented and committed people, the situation would be a lot worse. And by our People I mean our frontline health workers, support staff, law enforcement agencies, and the civil and public service.

At the top of the chain is a ‘War Room’ cabinet – a small team which I lead which liaises with several parts of Government. It is able to speedily process information, and make high-quality decisions. Very importantly also, this War Room cabinet is able to review its decision-making and amend it where necessary.

Let me add that a big part of managing people is motivating them, and I have made this a priority. For example, we increased Hazard Allowance by 400 per cent, and introduced a special COVID-19 Allowance, Accommodation and Welfare for frontline workers.

“As a leader, your organisation is only as successful as the quality of the decisions you are making or approving for it. we realised early the need to ensure that our decision-making was strongly informed by data modelling.

And that is what we have continued doing, as we seek to strike a difficult but necessary balance between protecting lives and sustaining livelihoods; balancing health and economics.

“ I have taken it as a personal responsibility to champion the Mask Up Lagos campaign. I have been a very visible adopter of online meetings. We switched to Virtual Cabinet Meetings here in Lagos even before the UK did.

Even when you watch our regular press briefing, one thing that stands out is the amount of effort that has gone into physical distancing, because optics are very important too. I want people to do not just as I’m saying but also as I’m doing.

“It is very important to empower team members along their lines of expertise and allow them to take ownership of the activities required of them. Humility on the part of a leader is very critical.”

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2020/07/11/covid-19-every-nigerian-must-take-responsibility-says-sanwo-olu/

The global provider of solutions for bakery, patisserie and chocolate, Puratos has opened four new African subsidiaries. The company aims to further establish a local presence in its key countries, offering ingredients, local support to create the best-finished goods and training for its customers.

With four new African subsidiaries, the aim is to further establish a local presence in key countries to strengthen the customer relationship, localise production as well as develop new products and concepts using local raw materials.

The accomplishment of years of business partnerships

Puratos aims to reduce food imports and its ecological footprint while contributing to food security in Africa by capitalizing on the processing of local quality ingredients.

The subsidiaries are joint ventures with local partners in Kenya, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia and Nigeria and will help Puratos to further develop the booming African market.

OLIVIER TILKENS, REGIONAL DIRECTOR AFRICA AT PURATOS, COMMENTS: “WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT OPENING NEW SUBSIDIARIES IN AFRICA. THESE JOINT VENTURES WILL ENABLE US TO MEET CUSTOMERS’ GROWING DEMANDS FOR HIGH-QUALITY PRODUCTS. WE ARE PROUD TO DEEPEN OUR PRESENCE ACROSS THE CONTINENT AND TO CONTINUE TO INVEST IN EXISTING COLLABORATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN SO WELCOMING TO US FOR MORE THAN TWO DECADES.”

Puratos Kenya activities started on January 1st, 2020 and will cover the Kenyan, Tanzanian, and Ugandan markets, taking over activities from Puratos’ previous distributor Papyrus. In order to capture growth opportunities in East Africa, other investments will follow, including a production facility for local manufacturing of patisserie and bakery ingredients in Kenya.

[b]Puratos Nigeria [/b]will officially start its activities in July 2020. It is the result of a joint venture between Puratos and the Adegunwa family who is already very active in Nigeria in various food manufacturing and distribution activities. The upcoming production facility will ease the penetration of Puratos’ bakery, patisserie and chocolate range in the largest African market. Puratos Nigeria will also invest in an innovation centre which will train customers and develop innovative and tailor-made products.

Puratos Ivory Coast is a joint venture in partnership with the shareholders of Sabimex who has been Puratos’ distributor for over 6 years in the country. It will locally produce Patisserie and Bakery powders. Because the country is the world’s largest producer of cocoa beans, it will also invest in a chocolate production facility. Puratos Ivory Coast will be in operation on April 1st, 2020.

Puratos officially incorporated a new company in Ethiopia on December 9, 2019. The company called Puratos Ethiopia and will cover the Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somalia and Eritrea markets. Puratos Ethiopia is a joint venture with Dachi Manufacturing PLC, an Ethiopian based company, already active in the manufacturing and distribution of bakery and patisserie ingredients in Ethiopia for 2 years.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2020/07/11/puratos-opens-four-new-subsidiaries-in-kenya-ivory-coast-ethiopia-and-nigeria/

The Lagos State Government has urged property owners and developers in Lekki, Ajah and Eti-Osa environs to comply with the Masterplan of the area or face statutory enforcement.

The Honourable Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Idris Salako disclosed this on Thursday at Lekki, during a stakeholders' meeting with property owners and developers in the axis to discuss seamless processing of Planning Permits, adding that owners and developers of property in the area must ensure voluntary compliance with the Master Plan for the area.

He explained that it is through compliance that the sanctity of the Revised Ikoyi/Victoria Island Model City Plan and Lekki Comprehensive Master Plan could be guaranteed, being the Operative Development Plan covering the area.

"You are to please note that the Approval Order of the Plans, as applicable, remain the only valid references for any developmental activity that can be carried out in this area until another review is conducted", he said.

He warned that the deliberate contravention of the Approval Order, Extant Law and Regulations must stop as the Ministry would not allow the ugly trend of haphazard and illegal development to continue unabated.

While calling for the cessation of illegal dealings concerning the authorisation and documentation of buildings, the related sanction of which include demolition and prosecution, the Commissioner reiterated that the observed underhand deals in respect of building construction include non-adherence to Planning Permit; deliberate falsehood in the design drawings and construction of buildings after submission, prior to the grant of Planning Permit and the mandatory Stage Certification.

"Others are falsification of documents such as Mandatory Statutory Clearances, payment receipts and LIRS Tax Clearance as well as Fake Approvals in connivance with third parties, some of whom are the staff of the Ministry who are illegally engaged to provide 'Administrative Protection' instead of dealing with us directly through our formal channels", he said.

He emphasised that the mentioned sharp practices among others were criminal offences liable for prosecution, saying that "This meeting is another golden opportunity for you to right the wrongs that had been done in order to avoid any public embarrassment which the statutory enforcements may cause to you and your distinguished personalities”.

"In this regard, you are enjoined to always endeavour to comply with all statutory requirements for the construction of your building, including obtaining Planning Permit from the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA) and Stage Certification from the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA)", he said.

He advised property owners and developers to apply for Planning Permit from the LASPPPA District Office within the jurisdiction of their proposed development and explore the website https:// epp.lagosstate.gov .ng for all necessary information and guidance in this regard.
He said that the Ministry would endeavour to continue its stride to accelerate and intensify continuous public enlightenment and advocacy for the achievement of the T.H.E.M.E.S. Agenda.

Speaking in the same vein, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Urban Development, Mr. Ganiyu Adele Ayuba added that the role of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development was to ensure adherence to planning and bring about orderliness and sustainability in the built environment and urged the stakeholders to always do the needful by embracing the due process.

The Chairman, Lagos Inland Revenue Service (LIRS), Mr. Hamzat Subair reiterated that it was part of LIRS' mandate to make income tax assessment on applications for Planning Permit, adding that the essence of taxation was to finance development.

The General Manager, LASPPPA, Tpl. Funmi Oshifuye; General Manager LASBCA, Engr. Biola Kosegbe and General Manager, Lagos State Urban Renewal Authority (LASURA), Tpl. Ajibike Shomade took turns to make presentations on the processes involved at their respective agencies.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2020/07/10/lasg-urges-lekki-property-owners-to-comply-with-master-plan-or-face-statutory-enforcement/

The Lagos Digital Party, an initiative of the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture earlier scheduled to hold this Friday, 10th July 2020, has been postponed to a date that will be announced later.

The Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Pharmacist (Mrs.) Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf, who announced the postponement on Thursday, said that the decision was reached following her meeting with some Nigeria Musicians who had indicated their willingness to also participate in the event for wider mileage.

“Some musicians paid a courtesy visit to the Ministry today to express their intention to collaborate with the State Government on the “Lagos Digital Party’ in order to make it a bigger event than earlier planned”, she stated.

Akinbile-Yusuf said that, although the Ministry initially planned to feature only Disc Jockeys at the event, the musicians which comprise of hip-hop artistes and Fuji singers insisted on contributing their quota to the digital event, thus necessitating the postponement.

The Commissioner stated that the postponement would also allow more Lagosians to be aware of the event aimed at repositioning the entertainment industry towards achieving a Greater Lagos.

Explaining the rationale behind the event, Akinbile-Yusuf noted that the event is a way of experimenting with the new normal in the entertainment industry, explaining that the Ministry wants to bring people out of depression, entertain Lagosians and also create awareness about the new normal in the entertainment industry.

She expressed regret for any inconvenience which the postponement may have caused Lagosians, especially those who were already looking up to the event, declaring that the virtual party promises to meet the entertainment needs of the populace.

She urged Lagosians not to be overwhelmed by the present situation across the world in respect of the COVID-19 pandemic, assuring that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

"Yes, I know that the situation out there is tough and very demanding but it is very instructive for us all to know that when there is life, there is hope and as such we should not allow our present circumstance to debar us from the better days that lie ahead", the Commissioner said.

She expressed the hope that when the programme eventually holds at a later date, it will cheer up Lagosians, rekindle their hope and lift their spirit and soul from boredom and lukewarmness occasioned by the pandemic.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2020/07/10/lagos-digital-party-event-rescheduled-new-date-to-be-announced/

Image caption: Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Pharmacist (Mrs.) Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf

71% of households do not have evidence to prove the ownership of their homes, according to the Nigeria Living Standards Survey (NLSS) report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

The survey shows that only 13% of households have title deeds; 9% have a survey plan, and 3% have payment receipts. A lack of proper documentation indicates houses that are either illegally owned or built.

The household data for the Nigeria Living Standards Survey (NLSS). NLSS 2018-19 is the first large scale household survey in a decade, focusing on measuring the living conditions of the population, conducted by the Bureau.

The main objectives of the NLSS 2018-19 are

- to provide critical information for the production of a wide range of socio-economic and demographic indicators, including for benchmarking and monitoring of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs);

- to monitor progress in the population's welfare;

- to provide statistical evidence and measure the impact on households of a current and anticipated government policies.

According to the report, more than 42 percent of households in Nigeria resides in compound houses, 21.4 percent live in separate houses and 16.3 percent in apartments.

The survey indicates that both in rural and urban areas the major share of households resides in compound housing, 35.3 and 47.5 percent in urban and rural areas respectively.

Also, more than 54 percent of households own the dwelling in which they reside, while 25.8 percent rent the housing. The share of renters is 49.2 percent in urban areas, whereas in rural areas only 10.4 percent rent the dwelling.

The largest share of households who rent is in Lagos – 68.3 percent and lowest is in Zamfara and Jigawa- 1.4 percent.

About 60.7 percent of households reside in housing with cement or concrete walls, that share is higher in urban areas, 86.4 percent and 43.8 percent in rural areas.

However, 31.5 of households live in houses made of mud walls. In Zamfara state more than 81 percent dwell in houses with mud walls.

Roofing in 57.8 percent of households is made of corrugated iron sheets, followed by zinc sheet for 18.3 percent of households. Roofing made of thatch is observed in 13 percent of households among rural residents.

In 70.3 percent of household, the flooring material is made of cement or concrete. However, mud and straw/sand flooring reported among 14.1 and 5.6 percent of households respectively.

Two-room dwellings are occupied by 31.9 percent of households; in one-roomed housing reside close to 24.5 percent of households.

Nigeria Living Standard Survey (NLSS) is a nationwide intervention and a collaborative effort of multiple agencies. The intervention has been led by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) with technical assistance from the World Bank.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2020/07/09/71-of-house-owners-lack-proof-of-ownership-nbs/

...To Offer Free Data Subscription for Participants

Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture have concluded plans to hold its first entertainment show since the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic in the State as part of creative innovations being considered by the Ministry in the face of the pandemic.

The Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Uzamat AkinbiIe-Yusuf, who made the disclosure, said the virtual event will hold on Friday, 10th July 2020, between 7 pm and 11 pm.

She stated that the ‘Digital Lagos Party’ has been designed to thrill Lagosians with quality musical vibes from popular Nigeria Deejay, Jimmy Jatt alongside Deejay CONEL, stressing that free data would also be provided for participants to live-stream the event on Lagos State Government Facebook Page.

While urging Lagosians and none Lagosians alike to join the live stream of the evening party, the Commissioner informed that the free data subscription would only be made available during the event for those that join the party.

She also implored interested participants to follow the social media handles of the Ministry on Facebook and Instagram @lagostourism, Twitter @lagostourismO and subscribe to the Ministry's YouTube Channel on Lagos Tourism, adding that these are some of the conditions for winning the free data package for the event.

The digital party, AkinbiIe-Yusuf assured, promises to be very interactive and fun-filled, stressing that participants would also be engaged in brief questions and answers session about Lagos under an atmosphere of fun and relaxation.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2020/07/06/tourism-ministry-set-to-hold-first-digital-party-with-dj-jimmy-jatt/

Lagos State Government has produced solar-powered kiosks that would ensure easy and effective market access for farmers, agripreneurs and stakeholders in an eco-friendly manner.

The State Acting Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, who made this known over the weekend while on an inspection tour of the Ministry’s facilities at Oko-Oba, Agege, noted that the kiosks would be distributed at next Value Chain Empowerment Programme of the State Government later this month.

She explained that the solar-powered kiosk is a self-functioning system which not only produces its own energy but also, additional energy to charge other products, making it essentially environmental friendly.

According to her, the solar-powered kiosk was the brainchild of the World Bank Assisted Agro-Processing, Productivity Enhancement and Livelihood Improvement Support (APPEALS) Project whose core interventions are food security, agro-export potentials and livelihood improvement.

In her words: “The APPEALS Project, which is being spearheaded by our Programmes Coordinator under the World Bank Assisted Programme, has continued to put Lagos State on the map. They have made some kiosks, solar-powered which we have come to see and inspect. The kiosks are supposed to aid our value chain empowered programme, which is taking place this July, to see how that can also help our stakeholders in the value chains”.

Olusanya asserted that the kiosks are potential revenue earners and savers for small businesses, especially farmers with perishable food, as the kiosks would help them keep their businesses open for a longer period than they would have if there was no means of electricity.

She disclosed further that the kiosks, in addition to producing renewable energy, would also dispense clean energy while excess power is distributed through the main grids, thus allowing for charging of other devices such as refrigerators and other gadgets.

The Acting Commissioner also visited the LASCODA coconut seedlings production project site at Oko-Oba, Agege to assess the progress made so far in the production of urban-friendly coconut seedlings for distribution to the 57 Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas for the Year 2020 Tree Planting Day.

She said, “At the Farm Service Centre, we went to see the activities of the Coconut Development Authority, with the initiative of the tree planting exercise which is to commence on July 14th. The idea at the beginning of the year was to plant over 114,000 coconut trees”.

“For that to happen, seed nuts were procured, planted and in a space of six to nine months, we should have seedlings that we would be able to distribute to our 57 Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas across the State. The essence of this exercise is first and foremost to see how far we have gone in that direction and then to see what else needs to be done to ensure that the initiative is brought to fruition,” Olusanya averred.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2020/07/06/lasg-produces-eco-friendly-solar-powered-kiosks-for-farmers-photos/

The Lagos State Government has sealed 10 private schools that flouted the closure directives of the Federal and State governments, in an effort to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as ensure the safety of students.

The Director-General, Office of Education Quality Assurance, Mrs. Abiola Seriki-Ayeni, disclosed this during a monitoring exercise to determine the level of compliance among private schools across the Lagos metropolis.

She said a large number of private schools visited were found to have complied, while schools who failed to comply with the directives have been sealed, adding that the exercise will be continuous and encompassing, cutting across all the Education Districts in order to discourage the nonchalant attitude of some school owners and administrators to the directive.

Seriki-Ayeni, who led the enforcement team during the exercise, maintained that the aim of the exercise was to ensure full compliance with the directive, guarantee the safety of all learners and guide against the spread of the scourge.

She said, “No doubt, COVID-19 has had negative effects on our schools but we want students to come out stronger and better. We want to make sure schools are closed in compliance with the government directives since the number of COVID-19 cases have increased dramatically in recent times. This is a dangerous disease and it is vital that we abide by all safety directives as issued by the government for our protection”.

The Director-General warned of the danger inherent in the exposure and clustering of students in a class in the name of education, reiterating that any school in Lagos that failed to fully comply with the closure directives, without concern for the health and safety of learners, will be sealed.

While admonishing parents and school owners, Seriki-Ayeni encouraged them to abide by the directive of the Lagos State Government to stay safe and healthy by embracing frequent hand-washing with soap, wearing of facemask in public places and using alcohol-based hand sanitiser.

She implored parents and guardians to embrace virtual schooling for their wards, advising them not to be found guilty of exposing the lives of their children to danger, just as school owners were encouraged to begin the process of thinking through the opportunities that exist at this time to up-skill their staff through online training and webinars.

“This is the time to think and plan strategically to form good partnerships with government in order to get resources for your schools”, she asserted.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2020/07/06/covid-19-lasg-seals-10-private-schools-for-flouting-closure-directive/

Part of UNOPS Sustainable Infrastructure Impact Investments (S3I) initiative, the agreement will help address housing shortages in Ekiti State, with a focus on sustainability and local economic development.

Nigeria’s Ekiti State will join one of the largest affordable housing initiatives in the world, following a new agreement that will see at least 50,000 affordable homes built over the next decade.

“We are very excited to partner with UNOPS and SHS to deliver affordable housing to the people of Ekiti State,” said Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.

“This is how our promise of developing Ekiti and improving the lives of the people can be achieved. This partnership has come at an important time, during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has reminded us of the need to deliver quality social infrastructure to the people,” added Dr. Fayemi.

The affordable homes will feature renewable energy and disease preventative technology – including solar panel roofs, waste-to-energy technology and mosquito-repelling coatings. The initiative is expected to create thousands of local jobs and spur economic growth among a host of local industries.

“We are very pleased to support this contribution to Nigeria’s national development priorities and in particular, to help meet the critical need for affordable housing, through innovative approaches to construction and mortgage financing.” Vitaly Vanshelboim – Assistant Secretary-General and Chief Executive of UNOPS Sustainable Infrastructure Impact Investments (S3I) initiative

“UNOPS is strongly committed to helping find new ways to finance inclusive, resilient and sustainable development activities that generate positive social, economic and environmental impacts,” added Mr. Vanshelboim.

UNOPS and SHS will seek to mobilize resources from third-party investors to fund the initiative – which has an estimated gross development value (based on the sales value of completed homes) of up to $2 billion.

To date, UNOPS S3I initiative has committed to delivering at least a million homes in multiple countries spanning three continents, to be built over the next decade.

Further details:

- UNOPS and SHS will seek to mobilize resources from funding partners to support this initiative, which may eventually be worth up to $2 billion.
- SHS will supply proprietary state-of-the-art technology to the project, as well as oversee the development of housing by qualified contractors.
- UNOPS will provide its comparative advantages in its mandated areas, such as infrastructure, procurement and project management.
- The government of Ekiti State will identify and allocate suitable land for potential developments and help to create an enabling environment for foreign direct investment and mortgage finance

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2020/07/01/ekiti-state-partners-with-unops-and-shs-holdings-to-build-50000-affordable-homes/

MTN's journey towards delivering SA's best network experience is celebrated today with the launch of its next-generation 5G network, which is delivering higher peak data speeds, ultra-low latency, increased reliability and greater network capacity.

Launching today with 100 sites, MTN's 5G network covers areas of Johannesburg and Cape Town, as well as Bloemfontein and Port Elizabeth.

"Today, from MTN's birthplace of South Africa, we are stepping up our digital revolution with the next generation of telecommunication technology, demonstrating to all South Africans that 5G is no longer just an idea – it is here, it works and it has the capacity to bring about exponential improvements to our economy, and to the lives of the people we serve," says MTN SA's CEO, Godfrey Motsa.

Today's launch comes on the back of government's allocation of temporary spectrum, but is also the culmination of extensive 5G trials and testing.

"For the past two years, we have been actively innovating around the potential of 5G, using different bands and various vendors and across different platforms and devices, to ensure MTN South Africa can maintain leadership in 5G, as we have been able to maintain our leadership in 4G," says MTN SA Chief Technology and Information Officer, Giovanni Chiarelli.

"Our 5G strategy has been years in the making and we are confident that we have built a strong foundation to grow and support our 5G ecosystem to deliver an exceptional experience for our customers," says Chiarelli.

One of the key innovations driving the broad roll-out by MTN has been a strategic approach to Dynamic Spectrum Sharing (DSS), as these deployments overcome the challenges of lack of dedicated 5G spectrum.

MTN will deliver 5G connectivity on four different spectral bands:

* 3.5GHz at 58 sites: This is the ideal spectrum band for 5G, known as the "Golden Band", which offers a truly world-class 5G experience with both faster speeds and low latencies. MTN has deployed sites in the 3.5GHz band in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Bloemfontein.

* 2 100MHz and 1 800MHz at 35 sites: MTN SA is introducing the re-farming of some 4G spectrum to allow us to run 4G and 5G spectrum, at the same time, in the same band. This allows for easier migration of network technology from LTE to 5G. It also allows us to deploy 5G using existing spectrum assets in the absence of additional high-demand spectrum. MTN has deployed 5G sites on 2 100MHz in Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth.

* 700MHz at five sites: This is an excellent band for extensive coverage, making it ideal for use for urban indoor settings and for small towns and rural coverage due to the low band frequency propagation. Small towns now covered by MTN 5G using the 700MHz include Port Alfred, Hopetown, Virginia Queenstown and Tsantsabane.

* 28GHz at three sites: This high frequency bandwidth offers great speeds, making this ideal for fixed wireless access 5G connectivity. This solution has been deployed in Hatfield (Pretoria), Edenvale and Durban.

This new generation technology will unlock the full capabilities of next-generation services such as virtual and augmented reality, ultra-high definition video streaming, artificial intelligence, robotics, automated cars and the Internet of things (IOT).

In another first, MTN was today the first in the southern hemisphere to demonstrate AAA game streaming over its 5G network. In a partnership with Emerge Gaming, MTN demonstrated GameGloud on 5G streamed to a Huawei P40 Pro phone.

"Cloud gaming means top line games are available, all the time, in the cloud. No console required, your device becomes the controller and, with 5G, the speed and reliability of the signal means you never need to download a game, because your personal data is always there waiting for you," says MTN SA Chief Digital Officer, Ernst Fonternel.

"Cloud gaming will do to gaming what video-on-demand has done to TV; it's a complete game-changer – only this is a game-changer that will be delivered by 5G," Fonternel says.

Motsa says MTN's roll-out of its 5G network will be ramped up to even more sites once government allocates permanent spectrum through the planned auction later this year.

"We are extremely encouraged by the release of the temporary spectrum. Our call to the regulator and government is to release permanent 4G and 5G spectrum as a matter of urgency so that we can fuel the digital revolution our nation needs to bridge the digital divide that currently deepens the gap between the ‘haves' and the ‘have-nots'," says Motsa.

"The biggest telecommunication opportunities for the masses of South Africans are for operators to deliver ultra-fast broadband to townships that continue to be significantly underserved by fixed-line fibre services. If the spectrum is made available, the coverage is a given and the affordability can be achieved. Although we are starting relatively small, our growth plans for our 5G ecosystem are huge," Motsa says.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2020/07/01/mtn-launches-first-5g-network-at-100-sites-in-south-africa/

Consequent upon our mandate to assist Local governments in collecting their revenues and disbursing accordingly, Ondo State Internal Revenue Service remitted the sum of Twelve Million Naira to all the eighteen (18) local governments in Ondo State, is for Radio and Television Licensing fee.

The cheque was presented by the Executive Chairman ODIRS Mr Tolu Adegbie to Mr Segun Odunsanya, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs today the 23rd day of June 2020.

Presenting the cheque to the Permanent Secretary, the Chairman Mr Tolu Adegbie said the amount is relatively lower as a result of paucity of funds being the Covid-19 pandemic effect on the general economy.

In response, Mr Segun Odunsanya who received on behalf of all the 18 local governments appreciated the Chairman and stated that he prays this global pandemic vanishes in no time so as to enable ODIRS to delve deeper into other aspects of revenue generation for the local governments and the state in general.

He appreciated the Chairman for continually striving to improve internally generated revenue despite all the challenges.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2020/06/30/odirs-remits-n12m-radio-tv-licensing-fees-to-all-18-lgs-in-ondo-state/

The State would like to reassure the general public that testing is still free at all the COVID-19 public testing laboratories for all Lagos residents and all Lagosians are enjoined to take advantage of this service if they feel unwell or feel they have had close contact with an infected person.

The Government has established sampling centres across the State and has continued to enhance the capacity of the public testing laboratories to test all those who require testing free of charge. If any resident feels unwell, please lodge a complaint through the appropriate channel by calling 08000CORONA.

The Lagos State Government launched a Consortium of 7 private laboratories in the first phase as part of the testing strategy of the State to increase the accessibility of testing facilities to the organized private and corporate sector who wish to test for various reasons.

For the avoidance of doubt, it is necessary to reiterate to members of the public that testing remains free of charge at all public testing laboratories.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2020/07/01/covid-19-testing-remains-free-for-those-that-meet-the-case-definition-in-lagos-state/

The Federal Government has approved a downward review of the fees chargeable for services related to the Conduct of Statutory Marriage under the Marriage Act CAP M6 LFN 2004 to commence from Wednesday, 1st July 2020.

Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola who made the disclosure in a Public Notice signed by the Permanent Secretary and Principal Registrar of Marriages in Nigeria, Georgina Ehuriah, stated that the adjustment was an off-shoot of the recommendations made by stakeholders at the Sensitization Conferences held across the country in the third quarter of 2019.

According to him, the fees chargeable for the Issuance of Fresh Marriage Licence to a place of Public Worship has been reduced from N30,000 for two (2) years to N6,000 yearly, payable for five years in the first instance.

He stated further that, for the Renewal of Marriage Licence by a Place of Public Worship, the sum of N5,000 has been approved per year, payable for three (3) years at each instance, as against the N30,000 earlier charged annually.

The Minister added that the fees chargeable for Statutory Ordinary Marriage has also been cut down from N21,000 to N15,000 while that of Statutory Special Licence has been slashed from N35,000 to N25,000.

Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola who said that a link has been created on the Ministry’s website; (http://ecitibiz.interior.gov.ng) to enable States and Local Governments access the Ministry’s automation platform for services relating to the conduct of Statutory Marriage in the country called on stakeholders to take advantage of the reduction in fees to licence their Places of Public Worship and continue to celebrate Statutory Marriage as specified by the Law.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2020/06/30/fg-slashes-marriage-licence-fees-by-83/

Business owners who register their businesses with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) will no longer need to approach the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) for a tax identification number (TIN) as the federal government has merged the process with business registration.

CAC stated this in a statement yesterday, saying that certificates of incorporation issued by the Commission would now carry TINs.

"This is to inform our esteemed customers that as part of the Ease of Doing Business Initiative, Certificates of Incorporation of Companies registered under Part A of CAMA will henceforth carry Tax Identification Numbers issued by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

This has dispensed with the need for companies to apply for the issuance of Tax Identification Numbers from the FIRS after incorporation."

Between October 2018 and March 2019, MSMEs were offered a N5,000 flat rate to register business names with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2020/06/30/cac-certificate-to-contain-tax-identification-number/

- Numerous domestic and international products such as Packsets, Plusbriefe and ExpressEasy will become cheaper for private customers.

- Numerous domestic and international products such as Packsets, Plusbriefe and ExpressEasy to become cheaper for private customers

- VAT reduction also applies to business-customer products subject to VAT

- No change for universal postal services such as standard letter mail and private-customer parcels, which are VAT-exempt by law

- Posters in postal retail outlets inform customers of price adjustments

Deutsche Post and DHL are to pass on the temporary VAT reduction that forms part of the German government's stimulus package to its customers, whereby value-added tax in Germany will be reduced from 19% to 16% for the regular rate and from 7% to 5% for the reduced rate for the period July 1, 2020, to December 31, 2020.

The VAT reduction will also apply to business-customer products which are subject to VAT.

The price of numerous domestic and international products and services will fall accordingly, impacting, for example, postal and parcel products such as Plusbriefe and Packsets as well as the ExpressEasy product for private customers, which is available in selected retail outlets and via DHL's online franking service.

The reduction will also apply to business-customer products which are subject to VAT, including letter mail communication, as well as parcel, dialogue marketing and Express products.

The reduction will, however, have no impact on universal postal services such as individual letter mail items and parcels up to 10kg (without additional services). These products are categorized as universal postal services covering basic postal needs and as such are exempt from VAT by law.

Customers will be informed about the temporary price adjustments to postal services via posters in postal retail outlets. However, the most commonly requested products in postal retail outlets are traditional universal postal services - and as such exempt from VAT.

These products will not be subject to any change in price. In light of this, customers will not require to purchase top-up stamps following the introduction of the VAT reduction measure as it will not impact postage rates for these products.

Customers who frank their shipments will also remain unaffected by the reduction as transport franking charges via IT franking and franking machine are always processed as a net charge, with VAT invoiced separately.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2020/06/30/german-fg-stimulus-package-roll-out-deutsche-post-and-dhl-pass-on-vat-reduction-to-customers/

The boss of Mavin Records, Don Jazzy has once again extended his generosity to a woman who lied to him about his bank.

Don Jazzy posted on his twitter handle trying to promote his Vbank and the woman while reacting to that insinuated that Don Jazzy has been lying about their services and charges.

According to the woman, she was charged when she made a transaction with Vbank contrary to what Don Jazzy said claiming they don’t charge when one transfers money.

In order to prove himself, Don Jazzy asked the lady in question to show him evidence that she was charged and he will dash her 100k, but she wasn’t able to give him any evidence.

Don Jazzy still gave the woman the 100k saying he gave it to her to show that he trusts his Vbank very much.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2020/06/29/don-jazzy-dashes-woman-100k-after-she-lied-about-vbank/

Consequent upon the banning of international pilgrims from performing the year 2020 pilgrimage by the Saudi Arabian authority, the Lagos State Government has urged intending pilgrims to postpone their plans till the year 2021.

This was part of the major resolutions reached between the State government, the intending Pilgrims, Ulamahs (Islamic scholars) and other stakeholders, during a one-day sensitisation programme on the future of the year 2020 Hajj operation, held at the Lagos State Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja, recently.

While justifying the necessity for the cancellation, the Honourable. Commissioner for Home Affairs, Prince Anofiu Olanrewaju Elegushi, praised the Saudi authority for taking such a bold and difficult decision in order to curb the spread of COVID-19 pandemic currently ravaging the entire world, considering the large number of people that would have performed the pilgrimage in Makkah and Medina.

Elegushi affirmed that holding the exercise despite the pandemic might have come with a lot of stringent conditions and restrictions difficult to bear, while many would be denied of the opportunity in the process. He stressed that waiting till next hajj when the pandemic should have subsided is a better option.

The Commissioner said as a government that is responsible for its people, no pilgrims would be denied their legitimate right to seek a refund of the hajj fare already paid.

He, however, advised pilgrims to leave the money with the government as payment for the exercise in 2021 in order to be considered on a first-come, first-served basis, otherwise, they would have to start all over again.

Urging those who are yet to complete their payments to do so quickly to secure their place in the records of the Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Elegushi implored pilgrims not to change their intention because of the present situation.

He also emphasised that it might not be easy for anybody seeking a refund to recoup the money between now and November 2020, when the year 2021 hajj operations will begin, assuring that the money is very safe with the State government.

Narrating the efforts already put in place by the State government before the pandemic struck, Elegushi said that he led some officials to Saudi Arabia to secure a befitting and conducive accommodation for the pilgrims nearer to the Haram to ensure a comfortable exercise, in addition to the provision of free healthcare services.

While answering questions on the possibility of increment for the year 2021 hajj fare, Elegushi remarked that the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) fixes hajj fares and not the State government, noting that one of the goals of the current Chairman of NAHCON, Barr. Kunle Hassan is to secure a reduction in the hajj fare so as to make it affordable for intending pilgrims.

On medical screening, Elegushi averred that all the intending pilgrims will be made to undergo a fresh screening at the appropriate time, stating that intending pilgrims can retrieve their international passport for any other use.

In her goodwill message, the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Adebunmi Adekanye appealed to the intending pilgrims and Lagosians, in general, to believe that COVID-19 pandemic is real and support the efforts of the government in fighting the scourge.

Adekanye emphasised the need to observe all stipulated protocols such as regular handwashing with water and soap, wearing of face masks, avoiding large gatherings, maintaining physical distancing and avoiding handshakes, among others.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2020/06/29/hajj-2020-lagos-urges-intending-pilgrims-to-defer-till-2021/

Access Bank on Sunday said it will refund its stamp duty deductions made from the account of its aggrieved customers after a social media outcry on Saturday.

Stamp duty deductions apply to all credit received into current and savings accounts in respect to electronic transfer and teller deposits of N10, 000 and above. The money is remitted to the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Brand Spur Nigeria learnt that Access Bank Nigeria has also promised to revert deductions made between Saturday and Sunday back to customers.

According to a statement made on Sunday, the bank said it recognized that it is a tough period for customers.

Reacting to customers’ reactions over the usual deductions, Acess Bank said,

“We have considered your feedback and have decided to pay the stamp duty on our customers’ behalf for the affected period only,”.
“This means that individuals and SMEs who were debited for the accumulated stamp duty charge for February to April 2020 will be refunded.”

In an earlier statement, the bank had notified customers that it did not deduct stamp duty charges on transactions that occurred between February 1, 2020, and April 30, 2020.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2020/06/28/access-bank-to-refund-stamp-duty-deductions/