₦airaland Forum

The zero charges for mobile money transfers by Ecobank commenced in March as part of the bank's corporate action to cushion the rising spread of Coronavirus

Ecobank Nigeria has extended its zero-charge fee for digital money transfers below N5,000 till the end of September this year. In addition to the free USSD session fee currently enjoyed by Ecobank customers, users of Ecobank Mobile, Ecobank Online, USSD - Ecobank *326# can continue to enjoy zero fee charge for digital money transfers below N5,000. New customers can also benefit from this by opening an Xpress account from the comfort of their homes by simply dialling *326#.

The zero charges for mobile money transfers by Ecobank commenced in March as part of the bank's corporate action to cushion the rising spread of Coronavirus. The decision to extend the zero-charge policy is hinged on the bank's drive to continuously encourage citizens to adopt digital banking particularly with the ongoing social distancing campaign targeted to check the spread of COVID-19.

According to Olukorede Demola-Adeniyi, Head, Consumer Banking, Ecobank Nigeria, "As a bank, our priority is people's wellbeing. We place great emphasis on rewarding and identifying with our customers and citizens of Nigeria especially at a time like this. We are determined to ensure that the impact of the pandemic is minimal on citizens. We encourage our customers to utilize our digital self-service solutions including Ecobank mobile app, Ecobank Online, EcobankPay, Ecobank Omniplus, Omnilite and the rapid transfer app; where they can easily access their bank accounts, make payments, transfer funds, process salaries and carry out ancillary banking transactions from the comfort of their home and offices without having to visit the branches”.

She further stated that "At Ecobank, we are always finding ways to improve our customer experience digitally, which is why I encourage our customers to upgrade to the new Ecobank mobile app 4.0. Customers can carry out banking transactions and enjoy some of the new features that the app provides, such as the ability to send money via email or SMS and of course, take advantage of the zero charges on money transfers below N5,000”.

She added that the bank was also supporting over 50,000 farmers across the country to grow maize, under the CBN Anchor Borrowers program with the Maize Growers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (MAGPAMAN).

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2020/06/26/ecobank-nigeria-extends-zero-charge-for-digital-money-transfers/

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For an effective water transportation and management system in Baiyeku, Ikorodu, the Lagos State Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development, on Thursday, handed over the newly commissioned Baiyeku Concrete Jetty to the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA).

Speaking during the handover ceremony, the Honourable Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Arc. Ahmed Kabiru Abdullahi urged LASWA to make maximum use of the Jetty, as well as observe necessary safety rules and regulations to safeguard the lives of commuters patronising the jetty.

He urged the residents to join hands with the State Government to ensure that the facility is well managed, secured and put to good use for the benefit of the people.

The Commissioner averred that the State water guards will be on standby at every Jetty terminal for compliance with water safety rules and regulations, while LASWA monitoring team and Marine Police will be on a regular patrol of the waterways to apprehend violators.

While thanking the State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his kind gesture in making the Jetty a reality for the benefit of the people, Abdullahi also used the occasion to congratulate him on his 55th birthday.

In his own remark, the General Manager of LASWA, Mr. Damilola Emmanuel affirmed that the Agency will enforce proper regulation to safeguard the lives and property of commuters travelling on waterways, urging commercial boat operators and all other users to adhere strictly to the new guidelines for the operation of water transportation in Lagos State.

He maintained that LASWA will continue to enlighten boat operators and staff on proactive safety measures put in place by the State Government to curb the spread of COVID-19, stressing that the pandemic is still very much around.

According to Emmanuel, no ferry would be allowed to operate except those that comply strictly with all precautionary safety measures such as disinfection of boats before embarking on any trip, loading of passengers with not more than 60% of boat capacity, as well as the provision of hand sanitisers and the wearing of face masks by all waterways users.

Responding on behalf of the Community, the Secretary, Baiyeku Community, Alhaji Akeem Sanni commended the State Governor for locating the project in Baiyeku and promised that the residents will make judicious use of the project.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2020/06/26/lagos-hands-over-baiyeku-jetty-to-laswa-photos/

Brazil’s Central Bank has ordered Visa and Mastercard to suspend support for payments over WhatsApp. The bank said in a statement that the new money transfer service launched on WhatsApp needed prior authorisation. 

The country's Central Bank said it needs to make sure an appropriate competitive environment is maintained and the payment system remains interoperable, fast, secure, transparent and inexpensive. Suspending the new service will allow the central bank to assess any risks to the proper functioning of the Brazilian payment system and verify compliance with the existing principles and rules.

Brazil’s Administrative Council for Economic Defense (Cade) also issued a precautionary measure to suspend the partnership between Facebook and Cielo to enable payments over WhatsApp. The service would offer accredited merchants in Brazil the option of receiving payments through the WhatsApp Business platform.

According to a Cade analysis, there are potential risks to competition, as Cielo has high participation in the national transaction market, while WhatsApp has a base of millions of users in Brazil, which can guarantee a significant market power.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2020/06/25/brazils-central-bank-suspends-use-of-whatsapp-for-payments/

Kenya’s first-ever floating solar power plant is set to be constructed in the rift valley region. The 69 kW power infrastructure will be commissioned for Rift Valleys Roses, a family-owned rose-growing company located near Lake Naivasha, on one of the flower farm’s water reservoirs using a floating substructure.

The floating solar power plant project will be undertaken by Technolectric, a provider of electrical power solutions for the Commercial and Industrial sectors in East Africa. It will comprise 216 solar panels and four solar inverters supplied by Solarwatt and Kaco New Energy, which are German-based PV panel suppliers and solar inverter manufacturers respectively.

Upon completion, the project is not only expected to lower the Rift Valleys Roses’ energy bills but also to save up to 68 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year.

Financing for the project

The project is financed at a tune of over US$ 140 000 by Ecoligo GmbH, a German crowd investing company focused on commercial and industrial solar projects in emerging markets. This will be the second solar power project for the Rift Valleys Roses Company, financed by Ecoligo following last year’s 75 kWp solar power plant.

On a statement, Ecoligo noted that it expects approximately 1628 kWh to be generated annually from every kilowatt installed.

Sustainable development

This project is in line with the Kenyan government’s aim to utilize sustainable sources of electricity, especially in rural areas.

The Kenyan Ministry of Energy with the financial support of the International Development Agency (IDA) has so far established an initiative, the Kenya Off-Grid Solar Access Project (KOSAP), whose objective is to provide electricity through solar off-grid to 1.3 million households in remote villages in 14 counties in the East African country.

It is also expected to enable the installation of about 380 solar water pumping systems and 150,000 eco-friendly cookers.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2020/06/25/kenyas-first-ever-floating-solar-power-plant-to-be-constructed/

In its effort to further improve the driving skills and provide safety consciousness amongst professional drivers and the motoring public, the Lagos State Drivers Institute (LASDRI) recently commenced its annexe operations office at Ojodu Berger.

While fielding questions from newsmen at her OsOjodu Bergerhodi Office, the General Manager of the Institute, Mrs. Afusat Tiamiyu, disclosed that the new office was established to ensure accessibility of the Institute’s operations to the motoring public.

“Opening an annexe office at this location is to respond to the yearnings of the applicants of the Institute and also ensure that the agency’s platform is accessible to the motoring public who require our services”, she said.

Asserting that the location of the new annexe at the Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS) headquarters, Ojodu Berger, will improve synergy and cooperation among State traffic management agencies, Mrs. Tiamiyu explained that the scope of LASDRI services is not only limited to its five training centres across Lagos, but the agency also makes provision for corporate organisations who require that training programmes be conducted on their premises.

The General Manager revealed that recent training and advocacy programme in motor parks and garages across the State has resulted in improved sanity and safety on Lagos roads, pointing out that the Agency has conducted recertification programmes for over 47,000 drivers in the last one year.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2020/06/25/lasdri-opens-annexe-at-ojodu-berger/

Healthcare funding increases with Stimulus package, VP adds

Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic globally, the Buhari administration will not relent in its efforts towards improving the country’s healthcare infrastructure and economy, while creating more jobs for millions of Nigerians in different sectors, supporting small businesses, local production and manufacturing, as well as extending the social safety net for the most vulnerable in society, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

Prof. Osinbajo stated this on Friday during his participation as a guest panellist in the Emmanuel Chapel's “Economic Sustainability Beyond COVID-19” webinar.

It would be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari last week Thursday at the Council Chambers received the Osinbajo-led Economic Sustainability Committee (ESC) Plan entitled “Bouncing Back: The Nigerian Economic Sustainability Plan.”

The President had earlier at the wake of the global pandemic late March directed the VP to chair the Committee to develop a clear and overall Economic Sustainability Plan in response to challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

INCREASED HEALTH CARE FUNDING

Speaking on the Buhari administration’s efforts to cushion the effects of the pandemic on Nigerians, the Vice President stated that improving healthcare infrastructure remains a major objective of the administration.

With the introduction of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund, which is one per cent of the Consolidated Revenue Fund, the Vice President noted that perhaps for the first time, the kind of provision made for healthcare has increased significantly, especially in the period of a global pandemic.

He said, “Out of the N500bn initial stimulus fund that is factored into the current budget, N126bn of it is going into healthcare.

“We’ve all noted how states have risen up to the challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic and how resuscitated healthcare facilities, new isolation centres, new ICUs are coming up. The number of testing centres has also increased. We are hopeful that we’ll be able to sustain that momentum.”

BACKGROUND

It would be recalled that the 2020 health budget recorded the highest budgetary allocation to the health sector over the last five years. In 2018, N356bn was allocated to healthcare out of the total budget of N9.1tn. In 2019, the figure was N372bn out of the total expenditure of N8.91tn. This is a 13.3% increase of N372bn that was budgeted in 2019.

Of the total N10.59tn budgeted for 2020 by the Federal Government, N427.3bn was allocated to health. The 2020 budget also made provision for N44.5bn for Basic Health Care Provision Fund, which is part of the Federal Government’s total expenditure on health.

INCOME TAX REDUCTION

The Vice President noted that one of the ways the administration is supporting small businesses is by reducing Company Income Tax.

“In our case, our Tax-to-GDP has been extremely low, VAT in particular. Nigeria’s 7.5% VAT rate is probably the lowest when compared with some other African countries. For example, Kenya has about 16%, South Africa is about 15%, Algeria has 19%. Besides, at the moment, domestic revenue mobilization is an issue.

“A major source of revenue for the government is tax. But you must also take account of the fact that we’ve also reduced Company Income Taxes generally, especially for small businesses, which are the engines of growth for the country. So, there is a conscious effort to ensure that we don’t tax businesses out of business.”

SOLAR SYSTEMS MINI GRIDS IN POWER SECTOR

On the issue of improving the power sector, the VP stated that one of the proposals of the Economic Sustainability Plan was the adoption of renewable energy, especially solar, and working with the private sector to install mini-grids and solar home systems across the country.

He said, “We’ve done quite a bit of that already. We have in places like Sabon Gari, Ariaria markets: a private sector deployed solar systems that is paid for by stall owners in those markets. We’ve done microgrid in Sokoto state. Interestingly, this is entirely private sector driven and the consumers are prepared to pay for service. You find that they pay even higher than the tariffs people pay for grid power.

“A private sector-driven solar power system, such as the one we are planning as part of the Economic Sustainability plan, is one that we think would work and stands a good chance of providing power to about 25 million (individual) Nigerian homes, places and homes where there has been no power previously.”

300,000 HOMES IN 12 MONTHS

On the Federal government’s plan to tackle unemployment, the VP stated that one of the proposals by the Economic Sustainability Committee is to build 300,000 homes across the country within 12-months’ time frame, which he noted would provide more jobs for Nigerians.

Prof. Osinbajo added that small and medium-scale local businesses and young professionals within the construction industry would benefit immensely from the policy.

Explaining, the VP said, “this is also an opportunity for us to develop the local industry, especially the construction industry. That is exactly the plan in developing the housing programme because we thought it would generate the jobs that are required now, aside from the fact that we have a housing deficit.”

MASSIVE LOCAL PRODUCTION

He added, “The second point is that we intend to use local materials, locally produced, as much as is possible in construction. It is also a fantastic opportunity for the private sector to bring in equipment and set up factories that could be used to manufacture some of these things. It would be a massive game-changer if we are able to deliver it in the way that we planned.”

Prof. Osinbajo noted that some of the reforms the administration is putting in place to improve the economy include massively improving local production while reducing the country’s dependency on imports.

According to him, “this would be more crucial in the coming years and it is entirely possible. We preserve the value of our Naira if we are able to do more locally, and we have the capacity to do this. For example, we are now doing more in terms of local production of rice, and there is more value to the farmer, with an increase in local production.”

EXPANSION OF SOCIAL INVESTMENTS, MICRO CREDITS

The Vice President further emphasized that the Buhari administration will expand its Social Investment Programmes (SIPs) to benefit more Nigerians. "We think this pandemic is also an opportunity for some kind of an enhanced welfare programme for Nigerians so that they can at least live very decent lives,” he said.

He added, “One of the critical things that we suggested in the Economic Sustainability Plan is increasing or widening the safety net, the SIPs; and in many cases, we are increasing by almost a 100 per cent.

To further tackle the issue of unemployment among young Nigerians, the VP stated that the administration intends to increase the number of those that are being directly engaged through the N-Power scheme, which has so far engaged over 500,000 young Nigerians.

Besides, the VP noted that the "President recently asked that another million households of the extremely poor should benefit from the SIPs Conditional Cash Transfer, of which we are already doing about a million beneficiaries, which means they would get about N5,000 every month, which we are doing at the moment.

“We’ve done several microcredit loans through the Tradermoni, Farmermoni and Marketmoni schemes. And we are thinking of increasing microcredits to petty traders, artisans, farmers etc.; we are looking at doing almost four million new microcredit loans.

"While we are waiting for all the initiatives around industries, creation of jobs to catch up, there is a need for us to answer the questions around, “how do poor people survive,’ while we are waiting for the trickle-down of industries, and all of that. That’s why expanding the Social Investment Programmes the way we are doing is important for us,” he said.

MILLION JOBS IN AGRICULTURE

Speaking further, VP Osinbajo stated that the Economic Sustainability Plan also proposes to engage more Nigerians through farming, which he said could generate direct and indirect jobs for millions of Nigerians.

“Our Economic Sustainability proposal is that we are trying to bring in 20,000 and 100,000 hectares of land per State for agricultural use, and we are looking at how to work with the states to deliver that, which means we are going to bring in far more farmers into the net and this would mean more jobs for people in the rural areas. The same for the mass housing scheme. There are major opportunities here.”

The webinar which was moderated by Prof. Konyin Ajayi, SAN, and Dr. Chinny Ogunro, featured other panellists including, Board Chairperson of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI), Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; former president of the African Development Bank, Mr Donald Kaberuka; and the immediate past Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2020/06/21/how-buhari-administrations-sustainability-plan-would-revive-economy-osinbajo/

- 71% are shopping less in malls

As Nigerian consumers emerge from a restricted living scenario unlike any they have experienced before, there are already big shifts in their consumption dynamics with some behaviours set to never return. This insight stems from Nielsen research which reveals that 48% of Nigerians feel the pandemic has had a sizeable impact on their lives amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nielsen Consumer Insights Lead for West Africa, Abiodun Olawale-Cole comments; “The reality is that the consumer emerging from lockdown is a changed consumer, facing the reality of juggling work and home against the backdrop of a fundamentally altered world, severely constrained finances and a hyper-vigilance on health and safety.

“The past few weeks have also seen a significant shift to a homebound mindset where health and safety is a number one priority with a resultant desire to shop from home (online) or close to home. These changes have been exacerbated by restricted shopping in some areas and constraints like supply shortages and delivery/fulfilment challenges.”

A Nielsen Consumer Insights survey shows that this has resulted in fundamentally altered shopping habits with 71% Nigerians shopping less in malls, 70% reducing shopping in hypermarkets and supermarkets and 58% shopping less at tabletops. In addition, 39% of Nigerians say they are shopping more online for food and beverage products.

With a strong shift to home-based lifestyle, unsurprisingly 74% of Nigerians also said they are eating out less and more than half claim to now eat more at home, They are also seeking safer banking options with 62% using ATMs less and 51% say they are banking online more.

Product performance

Against this backdrop, there have been significant movements in product selection during the lockdown. Essentials such as sanitation & safety products such as hand care, household cleaners and health products/supplements showed good growth as did staples such as pasta, noodles, and coffee.

Nielsen Nigeria MD, Ged Nooy explains; “Consumers are juggling their category basket to cope with the current times. They have learnt to appreciate essentials with the aim of maintaining pantry reserves to ensure uninterrupted supply and have also gravitated towards simplified product repertoire.”

However, perhaps unsurprisingly, during the same timeframe non-essentials such as soft drinks, candies and biscuits saw steep declines and consumer purchases also shifted away from laundry and self-care. This may be due to the fact that as consumers experienced more financial constraints they have forgone certain groceries and discretionary purchase.

Scenario planning

Looking to the future, as Nigeria transitions into ‘post lockdown’ living Nielsen has created various consumer scenarios that could play out over the next 12-18 months.

Nooy explains; “One of the scenarios we have identified is a ‘Mixed Scenario’, which applies to Nigeria where we are starting to relax certain restrictions in order to reactivate business while maintaining or implementing additional precautionary measures to guard against further spread of the virus.

“This will create conditions that we have never seen before with consumers who are increasingly concerned about the presence of the virus and catching it. They are also focused on the origin and transparency of products which will see a growth in locally produced and sourced goods.

“Demand for these offerings will also be driven by long term shortages of imported products and their resultant higher price points, which may well further strengthen preference for locally produced products and ensure long-term loyalty.”

Nooy adds that as FMCG manufacturers and retailers reflect, rebuild and reconsider the orientation of their businesses and brands for the future, they will need to predicate their ecosystems and strategies upon a deep understanding of what economies and consumers have endured and how they will emerge.

“The key to success will be anticipating how these lifestyle changes will drive new consumer needs and mindsets and as a result, businesses will need to carefully (re)consider and plan for how to solve and adapt to the future conditions through new and unfolding patterns.”

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2020/06/20/48-of-nigerians-feel-covid-19-pandemic-has-had-a-sizeable-impact-on-their-lives-report/

…Seals Erring Construction Site in Ikoyi

The Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission (LSWRC), has cautioned operators in the borehole drilling industry against operating without the requisite licence or permit from the State Government, just as it sealed a construction site on Cameron Road, in Ikoyi for violating the Environmental Protection and Management Law 2017.

The Executive Secretary, LSWRC, Mrs. Funke Adepoju, gave the warning on the heels of the commencement of a monitoring and enforcement exercise by the Commission to some construction sites in Ikoyi, where boreholes are being drilled without a licence, permit and total disregard for safety measures.

She said as a proactive government, the present administration has embarked on the full implementation of the licence and permit regime for borehole drillers to ensure safe water consumption by residents, protect groundwater and engender environmental sustainability.

While maintaining that erring practitioners will, henceforth, be sanctioned for violating the Environmental Protection and Management Law, she said the enforcement exercise was part of the control measures by the State Government to prevent unregulated drilling of boreholes.

According to Adepoju, “the Lagos State Harmonised Environmental Protection and Management Law (2017) empowers the LSWRC to regulate the production, distribution, abstraction, consumption, supply and use of water, as well as the quality of service, and it would amount to breaching the law for any borehole driller and those who drill for private use, to do so without a licence or permit from the Commission”.

She added that “the LSWRC has the mandate to ensure that operators in the industry comply with the stipulated standards. If you have to drill, we have the responsibility to ensure that the water available is safe for consumption. In view of the high correlation between hygienic water and health, the government will not allow quacks to take over the industry. As such, all drillers need a licence to operate in line with standard regulatory provision”.

The Executive Secretary emphasised that the geological formation of Lagos is sedimentary and caution is, therefore, necessary in drilling for water across the metropolis, noting that due to the importance of groundwater, the government is poised to protect it from pollution, contamination of water bodies, unregulated drilling, saline filtration and environmental degradation, among others.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2020/06/18/lagos-warns-against-drilling-boreholes-without-licence-permit/

Freshly released inflation report by the National Bureau of Statistics showed a 12.40% rise in annual inflation rate for the month of May; higher than 12.34% printed in April, in line with our expectations.

The printed higher inflation rate was partly due to a rise in imported food index by 16.26% (higher than 16.24% in April) – against the backdrop of further depreciation of the Naira against the USD.

Specifically, two months moving average foreign exchange rates at the Bureau de Change and the parallel markets rose (Naira depreciated) y-o-y by 18.74% and 21.51% to N425.17/USD and N437.91/USD respectively in May 2020.

Core inflation rate also jumped to hit double-digit, 10.12% (from 9.98% in April) partly on higher transportation cost (climbed by 10.09%; from a 9.78% rise). In the same vein, the price of clothing & footwear rose by 10.39% compared to a 10.33% increase in the preceding month).

Meanwhile, the food inflation rate rose to 15.04% (higher than 15.03% in April).

On a monthly basis, the annual inflation rate rocketed to 1.17% in May (from 1.02% in April), as imported food inflation and food inflation indices rose by 1.27% and 1.43% respectively.

Nevertheless, despite the rising transport inflation rate which jumped by 1.03%, core inflation indices rose at a slower pace, by 0.88% (down from 0.93% recorded in April).

Meanwhile, urban and rural inflation rates rose by 13.03% and 11.83% (higher than 13.01% and 11.73%) respectively in the preceding month.

Outlook:

“We expect the general price level in the coming months to further increase amid the current planting season and in view of the planned increase in electricity tariff kicks off later in the year.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2020/06/17/inflation-rate-continues-upward-trend-to-12-40-in-may-as-imported-food-transport-costs-rise/

Headline Inflation Increases By 12.40% year-on-year In May 2020; 0.06% Higher Than April 2020 Rate.

- Headline inflation grew by 12.40% YoY in May 2020; 0.06% higher than 12.34% recorded in the previous month.
- Food inflation grew by 15.04% YoY in May 2020; 0.01% higher than 15.03% recorded in the previous month.
- Core inflation grew by 10.12% YoY in May 2020; 0.14% higher than 9.98% recorded in the previous month.

In May 2020, the headline inflation increased by 1.17 % MoM, this is 0.15% higher than the rate of 1.02% recorded in the previous month. The yearly average rose to 11.79% this current month, this is 0.08% greater than 11.71% recorded in the previous month.

Food Inflation

In May 2020, the food index rose by 1.42% MoM, this is 0.24% higher than the rate of 1.18% recorded in the previous month. The yearly average rose to 14.33% this current month, this is 0.11% greater than 14.22% recorded in the previous month.

Core Inflation

Core inflation excludes prices of volatile farm products. In May 2020, this index still recorded a marginal increase by 10.12% up 0.14% from 9.98% recorded in April 2020. The yearly average rose to 9.27% this current month, this is 0.1% greater than 9.17% recorded in the previous month.

State Profiles (Worst hit)

In May 2020, all items inflation on year on year basis was highest in Rivers (14.69%), Bauchi (14.91%) and Ebonyi, Kogi and Plateau (13.87%), while Benue (11.13%), Adamawa (11.10%) and Kwara (10.58%) recorded the slowest rise in headline Year on Year inflation.

On month on month basis, however, May 2020 all items inflation was highest in Bayelsa (2.33%), Delta (2.03%) and Ebonyi (2.00%), while Oyo (0.48%), Akwa Ibom (0.47%) and Zamfara (0.35%) recorded the slowest rise in headline month on month inflation.

In May 2020, food inflation on a year on year basis was highest in Abuja (18.13%), Osun (17.40%) and Imo (17.13%), while Abia (13.46%), Bauchi (12.97%) and Kaduna (12.97%) recorded the slowest rise.

On month on month basis, however, May 2020 food inflation was highest in Ebonyi (3.43%), Bayelsa (3.21%) and Edo (2.74%), while Zamfara (0.22) and Abia (0.21%) recorded the slowest rise with Akwa Ibom recording price deflation or negative inflation (general decrease in the general price level of food or a negative food inflation rate).

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2020/06/17/inflation-rate-on-the-rise-now-12-40-highest-in-over-2-years/

The Lagos State Coconut Development Authority (LASCODA), in collaboration with the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), has set plans in motion to organise a 4-week long coconut-based arts and craft training for residents of the State.

The General Manager, LASCODA, Mr. Dapo Olakulehin, who disclosed this recently, explained that the training programme is one of the government initiatives aimed at making Lagos a 21st-Century Economy.

He said, “The aim of the training is to create sustainable job opportunities for young graduates and youths with a passion for arts and craft making. The training will run five different sessions and would be facilitated by experts in the field of Coconut Arts and Craft”.

“The training will serve as a waste to wealth opportunity and a worthwhile venture for selected young entrepreneurs. It will fully entail theoretical concepts and detailed practical sessions that, when concluded, will optimise the use of coconut shell that is a major waste product in coconut processing”, he stated.

Olakulehin disclosed that the training is focused on empowering women and youths but interested men, who are less than 35 years old can still apply, stressing that all applicants must also have passion for arts and design, possess LASRRA ID Numbers and must be literate or holders of a School Leaving Certificate.

While directing interested applicants to apply online through the link https:///2MN369y, he assured that the beneficiaries will be empowered with arts and craft business tools after completion in order to facilitate the practice of knowledge acquired during the programme.

The General Manager also informed that the training would not be a one-off thing as Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has approved that the programme is held biannually.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2020/06/16/lascoda-set-to-organise-coconut-based-arts-crafts-training/

To reaffirm its status as the biggest cement producer in Africa, Dangote Cement has set the pace with the exportation of 27,800 metric tonnes of clinker to a neighbouring African country.

With this historic maiden voyage from its Export Terminal located in Apapa Port, Lagos weekend, Dangote has gradually made Nigeria, which until recently was one of the world's largest bulk importers of cement, first self-sufficient in cement production, and now an exporter of cement clinker to other countries.

The exportation of clinker from the Dangote Cement Export Terminal will also place Nigeria as one of the leading clinker exporters in the world. The company is expected to increase the quantity of clinker export to other African countries within the next few weeks, it was further learnt.

It said this development would enable Dangote Cement to take advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area, and by so doing contribute to the improvement of intra-regional trade within the ECOWAS region.

The Manufacturing Association of Nigeria (MAN) has, therefore, commended Dangote Cement for leading the way for Nigeria to become one of the biggest cement and clinker exporters in the world.

Speaking during the departure of the ship conveying clinker from the Export Terminal at the weekend, Group Executive Director, Dangote Group, Alhaji Sada Ladan-Baki said the increased exportation of clinker and cement to other African countries would not only place Dangote Cement among top clinker exporters in the world but would also boost Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings and reduce unemployment in the country.

“The beauty of what we have done is that we are going to be generating foreign exchange for the country in terms of dollars and Euros. For every batch of clinker we export, the money comes back to Nigeria. The amount we are talking about is not small. Presently, Dangote Cement should either be number one or number two exporter of cement in Africa and the revenue we have generated in the form of foreign exchange is running into millions. Today, we have formally launched the Dangote Cement Export Terminal. We are still going to do another major launch when the second ship is going out of the country,” he added.

Alhaji Sada recalled that only a few years ago, Nigeria was one of the world's largest bulk importers of cement, saying that "Dangote has gradually made Nigeria self-sufficient in cement production as well as an exporter of clinker to other countries.

He disclosed that the company would also be launching its export terminal in Onne in the next few days, adding that the export terminal would enable the company export clinker, initially to its grinding facility in Cameroon and then to new grinding plants the company is building across West Africa.

He explained that not only would this generate useful foreign currency for Dangote Cement to support other expansion projects outside Nigeria, it would also help to increase the output of the Nigerian plants, saying these would help to improve job creation and increase prosperity in Nigeria.

He stated: “This terminal will assist Dangote to actualise the full potential of the company’s investment in cement. You know as usual when the rain comes, sales decline, but not clinker export. This feat by Dangote is going to generate a lot of jobs because the Export Terminal has already created jobs to many Nigerians. As at now, the numbers of employed Nigerians at the terminal have reached 100. We are targeting about 200 to 300 workers in Lagos Terminal alone.

"But, apart from job creation opportunities, the exportation of clinker by Dangote will position the country to participate fully in the Africa Free Trade Liberalisation Agreement when it comes into being so that Nigeria will be protected against foreign products. It will also help the country compete effectively with every country that is in the business of exportation of clinker. At Dangote Cement, we are going about it aggressively and we are seeing it as an opportunity.”

Alhaji Sada said the company has also concluded plans to increase its clinker and cement export to other countries. “This vessel, being the maiden ship is exporting 27,800 metric tonnes to Senegal and this is just a tip of the ice-berg as to what we have in plan. What we have in plan is to send clinker from Nigeria to Ivory Coast, Cameroon and Ghana. Cameroon as an example takes about 82,000 metric tonnes every month. Our target is to export at least 4 million metric tonnes of clinker annually to various parts of Africa.

"That is our target that we hope to achieve within the next one to two years. This particular voyage is going to our sister company in Senegal. We have an integrated plant of 1.5 million tonnes and this one is expected to give the plant additional clinker that is required for the plant to sustain production. In the next week or two, we are going to be shipping 82,000 metric tonnes to Cameroon in batches of about 25,000 to 29,000 metric tonnes per voyage,” he added.

Speaking on Dangote’s achievement, the Acting Director-General of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Chuma Oruche praised the wealthiest man in Africa for leading the way in the export of product from Nigeria to other countries.

According to him, this feat by Dangote Cement is capable of boosting Nigeria’s foreign earnings and reduce unemployment in the country.

He said: “The export of clinker by Dangote Cement at the weekend will definitely be beneficial to the Nigerian economy in terms of export earnings, job creation and wealth creation for families connected with these achievements.”

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2020/06/16/dangote-to-boost-economic-diversification-with-maiden-clinker-shipment/

Due to the Federal Government’s directive to ease the nationwide restrictions on movement and key businesses, Wema Bank Plc will reopen all its branches nationwide.

In a statement released by the bank, from Wednesday, June 3, 2020, all branch offices will resume normal services from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through to Friday.

The MD/CEO Wema Bank Plc, Mr. Ademola Adebise, explained that “though work resumes in earnest, what is of utmost importance is the health and safety of all”. He stressed that the bank will take necessary precautionary measures to ensure the safety of staff and customers.

Re-echoing the sentiments of the MD, Head of Brands and Marketing Communications, Mrs Funmilayo Falola disclosed that “while at work, staff are to ensure they keep to all our health protocols, like wearing of face masks, disinfecting work desks regularly, and frequently making use of hand sanitizers”.

Mr Adebise also encouraged bank customers to maintain strict adherence to the safety protocols both in the banking halls and in their respective environments.

In his words, “customers are advised to take absolute responsibility for their safety and that of their families. Be vigilant in your neighbourhoods, on the roads, and in the banking halls. It is important for us all to be as alert as ever and not take the eased lockdown as a room for laxity”.

He advised that everyone stays staunch in their resolve to curb the spread of the virus and asserted that both staff and customers will have to work independently to achieve this.

The bank also advised that although the banking halls are open, it is much safer and convenient to bank from home using the alternative channels the Bank has made available, which includes the *945# USSD code and the ALAT mobile and web banking platforms.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2020/06/15/wema-bank-reopens-branches-nationwide-advises-customers-and-staff-to-remain-cautious/

The Executive Governor of Taraba State, His Excellency, Arc Darius Dickson Ishaku has approved with immediate effect the addition of Monday to the number of days allowed for free human and vehicular movements within the state under the state governments current COVID-19 lockdown policy.

This was contained in a Press Release signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Governor, Hassan Mijinyawa, MCIPR.

The Release states that because of the period given by the State Independent Electoral Commission, SIEC, for political parties in the state to conduct their party primaries for the forthcoming Local Government Council elections, movements will be allowed throughout this week.

It also states that this is to enable people travelling long distances before and after the elections to get to their destinations without hindrance.

It states that it is also important to reiterate once again that the ban on inter-state travels is still in force and security agencies are under strict instruction to arrest and prosecute violators. The only exemptions are workers on essential duties.

The press release reveals that Governor Ishaku is, however, happy with the level of compliance by the people so far with measures taken by the government to contain the spread of the Coronavirus Pandemic and enjoins them to remain vigilant because it is not yet over even though Taraba State presently has no active case of the infection.

It states that the rest of the country, including states with which Taraba State shares borders, is still being ravaged by the pandemic.

According to the press release, His Excellency has also assured that Taraba State will never be caught off guard by the Coronavirus infection because the government is fully prepared with all necessary infrastructure activated and health workers mobilized as part of proactive steps against the further outbreak of the disease.

It states that Governor Ishaku urged the people to continue to play their own role by observing all the now-familiar protocols of prevention of the virus which include social distancing, wearing of face masks, washing of hands regularly, use of hand sanitizers and staying away from large crowds of people.

It states that the governor appealed to Christians and Muslims in the state who have now been permitted to resume their normal religious gatherings to do so with decorum and in strict observance of all the preventive measures and urged them to continue in their prayers for Taraba State and Nigeria as efforts are being made to contain the pandemic in the country.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2020/06/15/covid-19-taraba-state-government-approves-further-review-of-lockdown-in-the-state/

Lagos State Government on Wednesday disclosed that it rescued a mother and two children, male and female, who were allegedly sexually abused by an unidentified man in Idumota area of the State.

The rescue operation carried out by officials of the Ministry of Youth and Social Development, was in response to a media report published by the famous Gistlover blog on Saturday, 6th of June, 2020, regarding a woman with two children, a seven-year-old male and two-year-old female, on the streets of ldumota, Lagos.

Speaking on the incident, the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr. Segun Dawodu described the occurrence as very unfortunate considering recent trending media reports on reported rape cases involving children.

He maintained that despite the increasing rate of rape cases of minors in some quarters across the State, the government remains unrelenting in its efforts to put an end to the vile act and prevent future occurrences.

"The Government is also committed to protecting and providing care to victims of any form of abuse. This has been the primary obligation of the Child Protection Unit of the Ministry of Youth and Social Development. The Ministry has been dealing with such cases on a regular basis, even before the current unfortunate trends in the media", the Commissioner reiterated.

Dawodu appreciated the efforts of individuals and organisations involved in ensuring the care and protection of every child in Lagos State, noting that the doors of the present administration are always open for effective collaboration in fighting child abuse.

Explaining the measures taken by the Ministry which led to the rescue of the mother and two children, the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Yewande Falugba stated that as soon as the Ministry became aware of the incident, immediate action was embarked upon to rescue the children at Oniru beach, where they lived with their mother, on Sunday, 7th of June 2020, through a combined effort of the Child Protection Unit of Ministry, Police Officers and the reporter who initially challenged the woman at Idumota.

She reported that the two children believed to have been abused were taken for medical examination and treatment, adding that they are currently placed in one of the government-approved orphanages in the State for adequate care pending completion of investigations into the matter.

Falugba added that the mother of the two children, who was discovered to be mentally imbalanced, has since been taken to the State-owned rehabilitation centre for mentally challenged persons.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2020/06/12/sexual-abuse-lagos-rescues-mother-two-children/

Country by country, the COVID-19 lockdown is getting more relaxed. The pandemic led to a very high number of job loss leaving many to develop ways to make money for themselves, many have also taken it as a realization that paid jobs are not for them and they would rather start something of their own. This has led to the creation of many business ideas and hence, it is almost definite that entrepreneurship is going to reign more and many businesses are going to spring up after the lockdown.

The question then is how to build a business and ensure it achieves the goal it was created for. It is important for every newly intending business owner to have an understanding of s/he is getting into when starting a new business or expanding a current one.

These common mistakes made applies to many small and medium scale businesses and is something that should definitely be looked into to avoid falling into the same pit or to change some current things about your business.

The saying “experience is the best teacher” is still as valid as ever. However, it is much better to learn from the experience of others so you can have speed, avoid many business potholes and make your business strong. These five mistakes commonly made by businesses are factors that must be considered when building a long-lasting, blooming business or brand.

Failing to have a USP.

It is true that there is nothing new under the sun, but there are certainly many modifications to things that exist. Every business must have a unique selling point. It is okay for a million other people to do the same business you are doing, but it is very poor and ineffective when your business is run the same way. Every business owner must know what makes their business stand out and why people should patronize that business instead of the other 999,999,999 people doing the same thing.

What makes a business stand out is its USP. The methods, strategies, selling propositions must be different from any other.

Therefore, as a business owner, you must ask yourself, what is the entry point of my business? How will it stand out from others? What is its USP?

A Logo is Not the Most Important Thing.

There are very few small/medium business owners that do not fall into this trap.

The noise about brand identity and brand recognition is very important but it has put many businesses on the wrong track because when talking about brand identity, a logo is what is imagined. However, it is way more than that.

A logo does not have to be the first thing created or the thing that disturbs a business from starting or getting to all the necessary platforms. Putting your business name in a nice design suffices for the main time to focus on certain other necessary investments. Marketing and brand recognition goes way beyond a logo.

If a business does not deliver value, a logo is pretty much useless. Start your business, deliver your value, let your brand name be known, but lack of a logo is the last thing that should tie a business down.

Not Optimizing Social Media and Digital Marketing.

Any business with less than 60% online presence is making one of the hugest mistakes possible in this age and time. The world is almost, if not entirely digital now. While many businesses are on social media, many make the mistake of not using it effectively.

The social media pages and website of your business should be updated. Constantly put out content that delivers value not just content to make sales. More than anything, build consumer interaction, grow the loyalty of your customers. If these are not things you can do as a business owner, make the investment of employing someone. A great business must have a topnotch online presence.

Social media is the best connection you have to your customers, don’t waste it.

No Business Plan.

According to the research I conducted, only 1 out of 10 small/medium businesses have a business plan. This is a big flaw. “Fail to plan, plan to fail” also works in the business world. Any business that wants to last long will be making a big mistake if they fail to create a business plan.

Your business plan should contain your vision, mission, values, target market, SWOT analysis, future goals, budgets etc. it is pretty much the guiding map for your business. Without a map, your business could get lost and swallowed in the hustle and bustle in the world.

Chasing Money Over Value.

Lastly, most brand owners start a business to make money and this is not entirely bad. However, the businesses that have existed for long and are still surviving are not entirely focused on making money anymore, but rather on delivering value.

While trying to make money, make it part of your passion to deliver value, to solve a problem. This mentality helps you make the right decisions and grow your business fast.

…an extra addition for coming this far.

Many businesses choose their methods, or as it is professionally called “business models”, but stay too long using a model, trying to make it work. It is a very common mistake businesses make, but it is a terrible one. As a business owner, it Is crucial that you know when to change your business model or strategies. Whatever isn’t producing maximum results for you should get out.

Any business that is able to overcome these mistakes will do great. These mistakes are major stumbling blocks to the growth of small businesses. Adopting these in your business makes your business much better.

Good luck in your new business or in making your existing business better.

Share this article to enlighten others as well, haring can also make your business grow.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2020/06/04/5-common-mistakes-to-avoid-when-starting-a-brand/

Kasapreko Company Limited, Ghanaian manufacturer and producer of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages has tapped into Standard Chartered’s US$1 billion financings, acquiring US$7.4m loan facility to expand production of alcohol-based hand sanitisers for use in Ghana.

Kasapreko commenced mass production of hand sanitisers in March 2020 to curb the spread of COVID-19 as a response to an appeal by the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to local industries to produce affordable hand sanitisers.

Standard Chartered launched the programme in March 30, 2020, to provide financing at preferential rates to companies making products and services that helped frontline workers to fight the virus and its impact.

The Chief Executive Officer of Kasapreko Company, Mr Richard Adjei, said, “Hand sanitisers are critical in curbing the spread of the coronavirus and the financing provided by Standard Chartered will enable us to respond strongly through optimising our production capacity to over 200,000 bottles a day.”

He commended Standard Chartered for the rates it was charging saying, “The rates provided by Standard Chartered will help the company pass on lower costs to consumers and enable us to meet the high demand amid periodic shortage and price hikes of sanitisers.”

Kasapreko Company Limited is the first client to make a drawdown of the bank’s US$1 billion financings.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Corporate & Institutional Banking at Standard Chartered, Simon Cooper said, “Our fulfilment comes in seeing the much-needed products that help individuals, businesses and communities keep COVID-19 at bay being made accessible and affordable.”

“We are extremely proud to start rolling out the financing on this programme with Kasapreko Company Limited. Africa is a very important part of our group strategy and I’m particularly pleased that we’re able to use our network there to make an impact in Ghana’s fight against COVID-19.”

The CEO of Standard Chartered Limited, Ghana Mrs Mansa Nettey, said that “The deal signifies the collaborative approach the bank is taking with its clients in Ghana to fight COVID-19.”

“We remain committed to working with our clients, especially those who have and continue to refocus their business operations, to complement Ghana’s efforts at tackling the pandemic,” she stated.

Last month the beverage company commenced operation at its new factory in the Ashanti Regional town of Tanoso, developed under the government’s One District, One Factory flagship (1D1F) programme.

The factory which sits on a 10,000 square metre property has a production capacity of about 85,000 bottles of various products per day.

Waiting to be commissioned, the new factory will serve the northern market of the country, export market and will create about 3,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities.

Being part of the government’s flagship 1D1F initiative, the government-assisted the company to access US$20 million loans from Eximbank for the construction of the project.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2020/06/11/kasapreko-acquires-us7-4m-financing-to-expand-production-of-hand-sanitiser/

Vice President, Prof. Osinbajo inaugurates (virtual) the 200,000 Capacity Yam Storage Facility for Micro, Small And Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Benue State to boost agriculture.

The storage facility located in Zaki Biam, Ukum LGA, was built by the FG and donated to the State.

The shared facility project, an initiative of the National MSMEs Clinics, is aimed at providing for the needs of businesses under a production cluster arrangement.

Osinbajo who announced this on his Instagram page stated “The Zaki Biam international market is probably the biggest yam market in the world. It accounts for sales of possibly 70% of yams cultivated in the country. Over 200 trucks loading 2 million tubers of yams weekly.

However, the market has had very little storage capacity and its infrastructural facilities are way behind its capacity and the size of commerce that goes on there daily.

It was, therefore, my singular honour earlier today, to commission virtually a 200,000 capacity yam storage facility at Zaki Biam, Benue State, with additional features such as re-construction of 660 units of stalls/sheds, construction of a Police/ Market Administrative Building and the construction of 8 units of Public Toilets.

There is also the provision of a Solar-Powered Borehole with an overhead tank and the construction of internal roads with drainage and the installation of Solar Street lights”.

The facility will cater to the needs of smallholder farmers and MSMEs who hitherto lost huge revenues due to lack of access to adequate storage facilities. The initiative is seen as one of the ways the federal government is encouraging small business owners in the country.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2020/06/10/vice-president-virtually-commissions-a-200000-capacity-yam-storage-facility-in-benue-state-photos/

Airtel Africa, a leading provider of telecommunications and mobile money services in 14 countries across sub-Saharan Africa, celebrates its 10-year anniversary this month. Over the past decade, Airtel Africa has supported social transformation across the continent by enabling millions of people to access data services and be part of the financial system.

Bharti Airtel established its presence in Africa when it acquired Zain Telecom’s Africa operations in June 2010.  The company has achieved significant growth, reaching more than 110 million customers, bridging the digital divide and increasing financial inclusion. The anniversary follows another recent milestone for Airtel Africa when the company was listed on the London and Nigerian stock exchanges.

Airtel Africa employs more than 3,300 people across Africa, with another 1.6 m people earning through working with Airtel Africa as entrepreneurs and in its distribution network. Airtel Africa’s voice, data and mobile money services are driving growth and Transforming Customers’ lives. Airtel Africa provides voice services to 110.6m customers, data services to 35.4m customers and mobile money services to 18.3m customers. The company had a turnover of $3.4 bn in the last financial year. 

Over the past decade, Airtel Africa has expanded its network footprint enabling millions of people to access telecoms services and taken the lead in the rollout of robust 4G networks, helping to drive digitalization. The introduction of wireless home broadband has further helped service customers’ evolving needs. Airtel Africa’s mobile money services provide customers with exclusively assured float and a growing number of strategic partnerships enable cross-border money transfers. Airtel Africa has also launched a virtual card, further boosting financial inclusion.

Reflecting on the past 10 years, Raghunath Mandava, CEO, Airtel Africa, said: “Our vision is to enrich the lives of our customers. I want to take this opportunity to thank all our colleagues, partners, suppliers and distributors for their support as we have worked together to deliver on our purpose.  In these challenging times, the Airtel Africa team along with our partners are working hard to provide our customers with reliable voice, data and mobile money services.” 

History of Airtel Africa plc

2010:    

Bharti Airtel Limited acquired the African operations of the Zain Group (formerly Mobile Telecommunications Group) comprising 36 million subscribers operating in 15 countries, including 12 of the Group’s current 14-country footprint.

The Group further expanded its footprint with the acquisition of Telecom Seychelles Limited.

2012:

The Group launched its greenfield operations in Rwanda.

2013:    

The Group expanded its operations in Uganda and in Congo through the acquisition of Warid Telecom Uganda and Warid Congo SA from the Warid Group.

2015:  

The Group acquired yuMobile’s subscriber base in Kenya from Essar Telecommunications Kenya, a part of the Essar Group.

2016: 

The Group completed the sale of its operations in Burkina Faso and Sierra Leone to France-based Orange, to better streamline the Group’s footprint in East Africa.

2017:

The Group de-consolidated its operations in Ghana upon entering into a joint venture with Millicom International Cellular (which operates under the “Tigo” brand in Ghana) whereby Airtel and Millicom share equal ownership and governance rights in a combined “AirtelTigo” entity.

2018:

The Group acquired the operations of Tigo Rwanda, a subsidiary of Millicom.

Airtel Africa Limited, the Group’s UK holding company, was incorporated and registered as a private company in England and Wales.

The Company completed an initial round of pre-IPO funding, raising US$1.25 billion.

2019:

Telkom Kenya Limited (“Telkom Kenya”), the third-largest MNO in Kenya, announced its intention to transfer its mobile operations, enterprise, and carrier business to Airtel Kenya, the Group’s operating subsidiary in Kenya.

Airtel Africa is listed on the London and Nigerian stock exchanges.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2020/06/08/airtel-africa-plc-celebrates-10th-anniversary/

...Warns Private Health Facilities Against Managing Cases Without Accreditation

The Lagos State Government has announced that strategies are being put in place strategies for the commencement of home-based management of asymptomatic and mild COVID-19 cases.

The Honourable Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, who disclosed this on Friday at a media briefing on COVID-19 management in Lagos, explained that the State government is working on parameters to integrate home-based care into the isolation strategy for the management of cases, stressing that asymptomatic and mild stages of the infection will now be managed at home rather than at the Isolation Centres.

Abayomi noted that home-based care is necessitated by the surge in positive cases within communities due to increased testing capacity, adding that the rising numbers have reduced the available number of bed spaces in isolation facilities and made home care imperative for people with mild symptoms or asymptomatic patients.

He stressed that the State government will manage patients with moderate and severe cases at the Isolation Centres to prevent exposing others to the danger of infection.

“We are going to define who can be managed at home and who can be managed in an isolation facility. It is a bit of a simple decision. If you are asymptomatic you qualify to be managed at home simply because most people in that category will naturally get well without any medical intervention. After all, if you are not feeling any symptom you may not know you have COVID-19, nothing happens to you and you may clear the virus after seven to 10 days", Abayomi explained.

"On the other hand, the people we want to pay more attention to are the moderate to severe ones because they are not suitable for home-based care”, he added.

The Commissioner, however, noted that home-based care for asymptomatic and mild patients will be strictly monitored, stressing that an asymptomatic patient can turn mild and a mild patient may turn moderate or even severe which will require management of such cases at an Isolation Facility.

He stated that patients receiving home-based care will be provided with a COVID-19 pack with which they can monitor their body temperature, measure their oxygen level and be given certain vitamins and pain relieving drugs to manage themselves.

“When we manage you at home we are going to monitor you. We will call you by phone, people will come and visit you and your family members can call us. With our developed EkoTelemed, we can have a consultation with you in your house without us coming. We are going to give you COVID-19 pack where you can measure your temperature, oxygen level, give you certain vitamins and pain killers so that you can have a comfortable time while you are isolating at home”, the Commissioner disclosed.

Speaking on the COVID-19 testing capacity of the State, Abayomi said testing capacity is being ramped up, asserting that the State now has the capacity to perform 1,000 tests per day and is working at raising the capacity to 2,000 or 3,000 per day so that everybody that requires testing can get attention.

“If you look at our data, we have performed over 22,000 tests in Lagos so far. We are increasing our capacity to carry out more tests every day. Very soon the rate at which we are testing will keep rising and don’t be alarmed because the more we test, the more cases we’ll find", he said.

Abayomi said it is illegal to manage COVID-19 patients in private facilities without the knowledge and approval of the State government, insisting that every COVID-19 patient must be known to the government for adequate data capturing.

In his words: "If you are managing COVID-19 without government's permission and we are not capturing your cases in our database, you are performing an illegal act according to the laws of Lagos State. So if you want to manage COVID-19 in Lagos State, we are not saying you cannot. All you need to do is to submit an application and we will visit your facility to ensure that you have the required equipment and specialised personnel to manage Coronavirus cases. If you can demonstrate that you can do all these, then we will give you the approval to manage the disease".

While maintaining that COVID-19 remains a public crisis that must be managed and supervised by the Lagos State Government and by extension the Federal Government of Nigeria, Professor Abayomi disclosed that three private hospitals have already been accredited to manage COVID-19 cases, with one already admitting patients and the other two ready to start admission and management of patients.

He gave an assurance that the hospitals "have passed the biosecurity compliance test. They have made modifications to their hospitals so that their staff and other patients are not put in danger or exposed to a higher risk of contracting COVID-19."

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2020/06/06/lagos-plans-home-based-care-for-management-of-asymptomatic-covid-19-cases/

Created by Fadima Diawara, Kunfabo is a Guinean manufacturer of low-cost smartphones. It signed an agreement with a consignment store with the mobile operator MTN Guinea to ensure the distribution of its products locally.

The agreement relates to the Kunfabo F99 model which was subjected to serious tests before taking the decision of the telecom operator. Kunfabo smartphones should have an Android 8.1 operating system, 4G connectivity and a 5.72-inch screen. They should also be filled with African applications of all kinds (social networks, geolocation, cooking).

Fadima Diawara's ambition is to make a profit of 300,000 euros from the first year of marketing. Its low-cost positioning puts it directly in competition with international brands like Tecno, to which it wishes to outstrip the pawn.

The young entrepreneur also plans to have her own manufacturing plant, so as to no longer depend on China and better serve Africa.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2020/06/03/guineas-smartphone-manufacturer-kunfabo-signs-deal-with-mtn-for-the-distribution-of-its-products/

…says Awotan dumpsite being re-modelled to international standard

The clean and green initiative of Gov. Waste To Wealth of Oyo State has created 12,000 direct jobs for skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled income earners in Oyo State, through the on-going rehabilitation at Awotan dumpsite.

The Contractor handling the Clean & Green project, Mr. Idowu Salawu said this while speaking with Journalists at the site today.

Mr. Salawu, whose company, Macpresse West Africa Ltd. is handling the rehabilitation of Awotan and Ajakanga dumpsites revealed that the project has birthed 500 registered private companies that are engaged in the refuse collection at the 11 LGAs in the 1st phase of the programme.

“Each registered company invested in the purchase of a minimum of 2 refuse collection trucks valued at N24M and each truck employs a minimum of 6 persons in its day to day running”, he said.

Making further analysis, Idowu Salawu said, “the scheme, called clean and green initiative, has engaged 6,000 direct employment opportunity. Each, presently engaged 500 PSP operators having six personnel managing the 1,000 trucks with drivers, motor boys and 4 refuse parkers engaged on a permanent basis”.

“Other employment created from the scheme includes 100 daily workers at the host community of Awotan, Apete and Akufo in Ido LGA where the ongoing rehabilitation of dumpsite has provided jobs for about 100 refuse dump scavengers and construction workers that make their daily livelihood at the dumpsite”, he added.

Salawu further said the total value of investment injected into the Oyo State economy is estimated at N12billion from private sectors just to add value chain into waste management in line with international best practice.

The contractor who showed journalists at the site round the on-going work said when completed the projects would make better positive economic impacts on the people of the State.

Mr. Salawu further added that since the opening of the dumpsite, over ten million metric tonnes of waste has been dumped so far and with this, Oyo State can take advantage and produce thousands of megawatts of electricity for the good people of the State.

He added that Residents of Oyo State, especially Awotan environs have been assured of the Oyo State Government’s commitment to eradicating all health hazards and environmental pollution threat that the Awotan dumpsite may pose.

“The dumpsite which sits on a 25-hectare large expanse of land was not utilized to the optimum because of the lack of access roads to reach the other ends of the site, many waste disposal trucks offload their contents at the entrance because they cannot reach the ends; we have constructed about 1km road network to link all the dump hangars we have compartmentalize”, he added.

He said they are currently doing the landfill reclamation and landfill remediation to cover the refuse with soil as this has the potential of generating up to 1 megawatt of power on each compartment. This is in line with the State Government’s plan to make a renewable energy hub out of the dumpsite.

Speaking earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Dr. Bashir Olanrewaju assured that the dumpsite is being upgraded to meet international standard and practice of waste disposal and evacuation while exploring the option of converting waste to wealth through recycling.

He noted that the first thing the Contractor had to combat was air pollution that has contaminated the atmosphere around Apete dumpsite.

He said “that is what we achieved in the first few days. We have reduced the stench to a non-existent level.”

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2020/06/03/365-days-in-office-makinde-has-created-12000-jobs-from-waste-to-wealth-initiative-salawu/

...Directs Contractors To Move Back To Sites

Amidst the COVID-19 scourge ravaging the world and consequently affecting every sphere of human lives including the education sector, the Lagos State Government has renewed its commitment to addressing the decay in public schools infrastructure by directing all contractors to return to the sites.

The Chairman of the Special Committee on Rehabilitation of Public Schools, Mr. Hakeem Smith, disclosed this at a strategic meeting with the technical team, stressing that all the contractors on public school projects must quickly commence work in order to deliver within an appreciable time frame.

He implored all members of the technical team to be up and doing in their supervisory role at the various sites, emphasising that so much is expected to foster the delivery of the campaign promises of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in the education sector.

While appealing for non-compromise on the quality of work, the Chairman observed that since schools are not in session, it is expected that projects should be delivered promptly as the contractors need to take advantage of pupils’ absence from school to speed up work on-site and ensure that quality standards are delivered.

Smith recalled that the Lagos State Government early in the year awarded the construction of 20 school projects under Phase 1 but the COVID-19 pandemic slowed down the pace of work at the various sites, maintaining, however, that with the recent ease of the lockdown, few of the contractors have returned to the site.

He pointed out that others have also been directed to resume at the construction sites while observing the State Government and National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) guidelines for building projects such as the use of face masks and physical distancing among all workers.

The Committee Chairman further assured that the Phase One school projects just rolled out include the construction of new classroom blocks, hostel blocks, rehabilitation of old classroom blocks, fabrication of Pupils, Principals and Teachers’ furniture and the construction of watchtowers to enhance security in public schools.

According to him, the fabrication and supply of over 60,000 units of dual combined students’ benches and tables with an under-bench compartment for storage in public secondary schools and another 25,000 units for public primary schools have commenced, stressing that adopting such ergonomic furniture design is simply for the comfort of the pupils.

The Chairman also disclosed some of the sites where contractors have since commenced work to include Ijaiye-Ojokoro Housing Estate Senior Grammar School, Ojokoro; Lagos State Junior Model College, Igbokuta, Ikorodu; Oriokuta Junior Grammar School, Ikorodu; and Ojota Junior Grammar School, Kosofe.

Others are Elemoro Community School, Ibeju-Lekki; Girls Junior Academy, Lagos Island; Akintan Junior Grammar School, Surulere; Festac Junior Grammar School, Amuwo-Odofin; Badagry Junior Grammar School, Badagry Town and St. Joseph Secondary School, Mushin.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2020/06/03/lasg-renews-pledge-to-fix-defective-structures-in-public-schools-directs-contractors-to-move-back-to-sites/

The Honourable Commissioner for Education in Lagos State, Mrs. Folasade Adefisayo has disclosed that a total of 3,000 Primary and Secondary School teachers were recently absorbed into the teaching workforce of Lagos State in a bid to boost capacity and provide quality education for the pupils.

Speaking on Tuesday at a Ministerial Press Briefing organised to mark the first anniversary of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in office, the Commissioner noted that the Education Sector, which forms part of the Third Pillar of the T.H.E.M.E.S agenda of the present administration, has witnessed tremendous improvements due to high premium on the quality of teaching and learning in all schools in the State.

According to her, several workshops and training programmes were organised for teachers drawn from the various Education Districts, including the Special Needs Education Division, as improved capacity and welfare of schools’ personnel remain paramount to the present dispensation.

Adefisayo, while highlighting the activities and achievements of the State Government, pointed out that the Ministry is focused on the socio-economic development of an emerging economy that encourages responsible citizenship, development of human capacity and crucial support for transition into a knowledge-based economy.

She revealed that the Lagos State Government’s plans for Education are being executed along with key strategic areas under the Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu (BOS) Education Transformation Plan 2020 with many initiatives and intervention projects.

The Commissioner informed that the Ministry had embarked on the construction and upgrade of Public School infrastructure across the State with the completion of six blocks of 92 classrooms in primary schools and three blocks of 54 classrooms in secondary schools to ease classroom congestion while ensuring capacity development and welfare of students.

While noting that the State Government under the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and State Universal Basic Education (SUBEB) intervention projects also commenced the delivery of 10,164 furniture and 60,000 chairs and tables to public schools Statewide, Adefisayo stated that Governor Sanwo-Olu has approved the establishment of well-equipped standard science laboratories in 11 Senior Secondary Schools and five Government Technical Colleges, including the repair and rehabilitation of 60 selected schools in Lagos.

She further hinted that in its first year the present administration, through the Ministry of Education, has instituted better school governance, administration and improved quality of primary education with the launch of the EKO-EXCEL (Excellence in Child Education) programme which aims at transforming teaching and learning in all State Primary schools with the training of 4,400 teachers and social officers in January 2020.

In her words: “The Eko Excel initiative is already operational in 300 public primary schools in the State. The State government also provided two new buses, laptops, photocopying machines to Basic Education Quality Assurance Officers for monitoring of Primary Schools”.

“We have improved the capacity and welfare of students, our pupils have continued to emerge tops at several competitions nationally and internationally by clinching medals and trophies for the State at the JETS Competition, World Robot Olympiad held at EDUTUS University Gyor, Hungary, and the Chinese Bridge Proficiency Competition to mention a few”, she stressed.

She observed that with COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry has ensured that the students remain engaged by organising electronic learning and teaching platforms through Radio, Television and the Internet, adding that a total of 135,445 pupils are being fed one meal per day in 976 schools across Lagos, through the ongoing Home Grown School Feeding Programme.

Adefisayo also declared that the administration has invested so much in technology as a learning aid while setting up a team of Technology Professionals to support its teaching workforce, stressing that the Ministry has reviewed the Nigerian Curriculum and integrated it with the 21st Century skills while the year 2020 major Book Review is ongoing.

She, however, reiterated that the Ministry organised the Y2020 Public-Private Partnership (PPP) dialogue, a strategic initiative aimed at partnering with stakeholders, Public, Private and Non-Governmental Organisations that are passionate about improving the quality of education in the State.

The Commissioner expressed the readiness of the State Government to ensure the revitalisation of the education sector towards making it more effective and efficient for the attainment of self-reliance and socio-economic development towards a Greater Lagos.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2020/06/02/3000-primary-secondary-school-teachers-recruited-in-the-last-one-year-lagos-state-commissioner/

Serial digital entrepreneur and Chairman of Zinox Group, Leo Stan Ekeh, says Nigeria can turn the poor, nomadic children popularly called Almajiri into millionaires, employers of labour or even employable citizens if a digital solution is applied to address their peculiar plight.

Ekeh, who delivered impassioned and workable solutions to the age-long Almajiri issue which government appears yet to find a fitting solution to, spoke as one of the panellists at the Africa Independent Television (AIT) Virtual Town Hall Forum with the theme: The Economic Implications of the New Normal Post-COVID-19 – Anticipated Revolution in Digital Economy, Business Re-Engineering, Government, Trade and Effects on Global Economic Recovery.

Speaking on the impact of COVID-19, Ekeh said one of the major classes of Nigerians negatively affected by the pandemic was the Almajiri who have been tossed from state to state like articles of trade nobody wanted to buy.

A 2014 UNICEF report estimated that there are 9.5 million Almajiri children in Nigeria, which accounted for 72 per cent of the nation's out-of-school children. Nigeria is estimated to currently harbour between 13.2 million and 15 million out-of-school children, most of them in the North.

However, Ekeh held that with a digital approach, the potential in these Almajiri that nobody wanted to have anything to do with, can be converted to treasures of gold in the vastly growing digital economy because they are young, brilliant with huge doses of energy.

‘‘I had the privilege of engaging with some of them in Lagos and Abuja. They sound like glorious messengers and have enhanced psychology of begging which, if retrained, could make the best salespersons of the second quarter of this century. We must not abandon them.

“Among these Almajiris, there are smart people whom we can turn to coders (software Application developers) if they are fast-tracked under the conducive environment with a quality welfare program that influences them psychologically to anticipate a wealthy future.

‘‘They are Nigerians on the street and they feel the power of wealth around them but are handicapped because of their circumstances and place of birth. We cannot abandon them. The world needs about one million coders yearly and through coding, they can become millionaires and employers of labour. They don’t need to go to university or secondary school.

‘‘All they need is a special finishing school for about six years where they would be turned to nerds and that will mark the end of poverty in their lives and in their families,” Ekeh said. ‘‘The nation and their states must provide for them, else they shall provide for themselves to survive like others, and it could negatively impact on the society from generation to generation. If we can turn waste to productive use why not human beings created by God?’’

Ekeh, who likened the COVID-19 pandemic to a war, affirmed that the best way to win a war is to anticipate it, stressing that in life, “you must be prepared to win a war before the war begins.”

He emphasised that Nigeria was not prepared for the COVID-19 war, hence the seemingly difficult struggle to deal with it.

Further, he explained that the sudden rush for e-learning in the country was what he had anticipated 15 years ago but added that the Nigerian government did not buy the proposal to make e-learning a lifestyle among the people, noting that COVID-19 has validated his assertion that without digital technology as a way of life and doing business, a nation cannot be truly independent or sovereign in the 21st century.

He warned that companies and organisations including those in the public sector that failed to take advantage of COVID-19 realities to scale up their technologies as necessary tools in the workplace will either suffer huge loss or go into extinction.

“Post COVID-19, a lot will change; a lot of companies will die. We are witnessing huge disruption with digital solutions which have taken the form of technologies worth millions of naira invested to provide teleconferencing as we used to know it. Today, it’s Zoom. That’s disruption and such incidents will continue to define mankind.”

The Zinox boss, who is credited with pioneering a series of innovative firsts in the Nigerian technology sector, insisted that Nigeria must see opportunities inherent in the post-COVID-19 economy and take advantage of them.

"I see infinite possibilities and opportunities arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. One of such was that, instead of importing face masks from China or anywhere, the government ought to have deliberately engaged Nigerians tailors, put them in school halls, give them electricity. They already have their machines. By the time we create such clusters in different states, we would have locally produced face masks that would serve 200 million people and that would translate to millions of naira for the tailors and indirectly for the government. The same tailors can transit to making school uniforms, underwears, ties, bed sheets and pillowcases, designer dresses etc., after the pandemic rather than having some schools import their uniforms from Asia and Europe,” he said.

Ekeh, a global advisor to renowned technology giants, Microsoft and the first to pioneer e-commerce in Africa when he launched BuyRight Africa.com, regretted that the Federal Government lost an opportunity to help grow e-commerce when it failed to initially clearly delineate e-commerce workers as persons on essential duty and e-commerce as essential service during the lockdown. He cited the example of Amazon which, through the support of the United States government went a long way in helping Americans observe social distancing and keeping many employed even during the lockdown.

The serial digital entrepreneur added that e-commerce is a very cost-intensive venture, noting that e-commerce companies in Nigeria such as Konga are bearing huge losses in view of the complicated and exorbitant applications which drive the business and their status as heavy employers of labour.

Nevertheless, Ekeh insists that despite the lost opportunity, e-commerce remains the future of Nigeria and Africa in terms of jobs and wealth creation. The only difference between the success recorded here and in other climes, he disclosed, was the institutional support received by players in the sector.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2020/06/01/how-nigeria-can-turn-almajiris-to-millionaires-ekeh-zinox-boss/

While most people take having a fixed, physical address for granted, 2 billion people across the globe either don’t have an address or have an address that is hard to locate. This makes it difficult for people to find them, particularly in an emergency. This is why Google has developed Plus Codes and is rolling them out for Google Maps on Android.

Plus Codes are simple, easy to use digital addresses derived from latitude and longitude coordinates. They can be used to uniquely identify any location, from a rural home in a remote area to a hidden shop on a nameless street.

Google announces Plus Codes in Google Maps; Rolls out simple digital addressing to Android users. To share your location, simply tap the blue dot in Google Maps that represents your location, and get a Plus Code, which you can share the same way you would a phone number.

A Plus Code is a simple alphanumeric code which can be combined with a locality (for example FWM8+V9, Ibadan, Nigeria). They look like a regular address, but with a shortcode where a street name or number would be. Beyond using the blue dot, you can also find the Plus Code for a location by tapping and holding the map to drop a pin at a location you want a Plus Code for.

Plus Codes are searchable on Google Maps and even Google Search, meaning everywhere on the planet can now be uniquely identified.

These digital addresses are free to use, available offline and can be printed on paper, posters and signs. The technology to generate Plus Codes is also open source, which means anyone can see how it works and develop their own applications for any use case.

Plus Codes can be especially helpful for people and organisations in emergency and crisis response scenarios. If you’ve ever been in an emergency, you know that being able to share your location for help to easily find you is critical. Yet in many places in the world, organisations struggle with this challenge on a daily basis.

Digital addressing through Plus Codes means that everywhere now has an easily identifiable location, saving time and getting resources there when it really matters. Not having an address should no longer be a barrier to easily sharing your location with service providers – from online retailers to emergency services – guiding them to you when you most need them.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2020/06/01/google-launches-plus-codes-to-identify-locations-without-addresses/

Guaranty Trust Bank plc has been ranked Africa’s Most Admired Finance Brand in the 10th-anniversary rankings of Brand Africa 100: Africa’s Best Brands, the pre-eminent survey and ranking of the Top 100 admired brands in Africa. The rankings were announced in a novel global virtual event and will be published in the June issue of the African Business magazine.

In a special report examining the results of the 2020 survey, the founder of Brand Africa, Thebe Ikalafeng, said GTBank’s “clever marketing, global presence and some of its flagship food and fashion events have undoubtedly helped make it a fixture of daily life in some of its key markets, especially its home base Nigeria.” He added that the bank, which recently won plaudits for building a 110-bed Care Centre in response to the Covid-19 Pandemic, “has taken banking and finance to the people.”

GTBank has long been regarded as one of Africa’s outstanding brands and enjoys a massive youth following thanks to its innovative and forward-thinking approach to financial services and customer engagement. It currently commands the largest social media following amongst all financial institutions in Africa and in 2019, the Bank hosted over 700,000 people at its consumer-focused events, GTBank Food and Drink Festival and The GTBank Fashion Weekend, among them dozens of business leaders and industry experts from around the world.

In 2019, GTBank removed all banking charges for young undergraduates under the age of 25 on its GTCrea8 Account Package. The move was unprecedented in the financial services sector but not unusual for a bank that had pioneered Zero-Naira Account Opening in the country, and in which people over the age of 65 also bank for free. GTBank is also blazing the trail in digital technologies; after leading the USSD banking revolution in Nigeria with its 737 Service, the bank is driving the digitization of consumer lending with Quick Credit, a first-of-its-kind digital lending product that gives individuals and small businesses instant, real-time access to loans anytime, anywhere via their mobile phones.

Brand Africa’s ranking of GTBank as Africa’s Most Admired Finance Brand is only one of its many accolades. In 2019, the was recognized as the Best Bank in Africa and Best Bank in Nigeria, by the Euromoney Magazine and the Best Banking Group and Best Retail Bank Nigeria by World Finance Magazine. In the same year, the Bank also dominated the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Electronic Payment Incentive Scheme (EPIS) Efficiency Awards for the third year in a row, taking home 8 of the 12 honours for banks at the forefront of driving the digitalization of financial services.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2020/06/01/kings-of-finance-gtbank-named-africas-most-admired-finance-brand/

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), in its determination to further enhance service quality, particularly quick refunds when customers experience failed transactions, dispense errors or disputes has revised timelines for reversals and/or the resolution of refund complaints on electronic channels, with effect from June 8, 2020, as follows.

1. Failed “On-Us” ATM transactions (when customers use their cards on their bank’s ATMs) shall be instantly reversed from the current timeline of three (3) days. Where instant reversal fails due to any technical issue or system glitch, the timeline for manual reversal shall not exceed 24 hours.

2. Refunds for failed “Not-on-Us” ATM transactions (where customers use their cards on other banks’ ATMs) shall not exceed 48 hours from the current 3-5 days.

3. Resolution of disputed/failed PoS or Web transactions shall be concluded within 72 hours from the current five (5) days.

4. All banks are directed to resolve the backlog of all ATM, POS and Web customer refunds within two weeks starting June 8, 2020

Meanwhile, key service providers in the Nigerian payments system have also committed to establish an integrated dispute resolution platform for the industry and enhance their payment system infrastructure and processes to reduce incidences of transaction failure.

Members of the public are therefore requested to refer to the updated Guidelines for the Operation of Electronic Payment Channels on the Bank’s website (www.cbn.gov.ng) for further details.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2020/06/01/cbn-revises-timelines-for-dispense-errors-refund-complaints/