Access Bank Plc, with Herbert Wigwe at the helm as Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, has given a new meaning to the concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR). The seasoned banker has challenged convention by taking CSR a notch higher than the run-of-the-mill interventions in socio-economic projects in the immediate communities where an organization operates.
The bank, under him, has identified leadership or, rather, absence of the right leadership, as the bane of sustainable development not just in Nigeria, but also in Africa, the reason the continent has remained perpetually underdeveloped, despite the fact that it is, arguably, the most endowed continent in the world, in terms of natural resources.

Leadership conference
The biennial leadership conference organized by Access Bank provides the platform on which Wigwe has posed questions that should provide the direction to go in solving the myriad of problems faced by the continent.
The conference is the bank’s effort at articulating the view that Africa must move beyond the supportive role it has played in global debates on matters that affect its people all along to a more central one that will see it dictating the pace. This is in recognition of the fact that whether in the area of technology, entrepreneurship or the impact of financial regulations on growth, Africa is the place where the future direction of the world is being played out. It explains Access Bank’s choice of the conference as the appropriate platform to bring together leaders in the sectors that have direct impact on the lives of the people – politics, economy, technology – to assist in pointing the way forward.

Rallying Africa’s leaders
Access Bank has in the last two editions of its leadership conference rallied Africa’s leaders to shake off their inertia to address the inexplicable paradox of a continent that has the biggest agricultural potential in the world, but is almost permanently plagued by famine, only good, perhaps, as supplier of agricultural produce that leave the continent as raw materials and return as finished products.
Through the conference, Wigwe and the Bank has ensured that while not losing focus on its CSR commitment to improving the socio-economic lives of Nigerians in different areas, Access Bank plays a more prominent role in the affairs of the continent, since Nigeria cannot be an island of prosperity in an ocean of poverty, squalor, disease, illiteracy and underdevelopment. It is the reason he has, perhaps more than any corporate leader on the continent, demonstrated interest beyond the profit motive of business.

Charity begins at home
But since charity must begin at home, the Wigwe led team, as part of the bank’s involvement in the collective effort to build Nigeria, provided a common answer to questions that touch on all facets of life in the country. At the last edition of the conference, Wigwe raised some very interesting statements on possibilities. According to him, he beliefs, for instance, that it is possible to achieve 100 per cent literacy rate in the country. The Access Bank CEO believes that everyone in Nigeria can have access to education. He believes that the country can win the war against malaria and HIV. That it can develop infrastructure that guarantees economic success and opportunities for all Nigerians. But there is a caveat – there must be transformational leadership in the country for it to attain this lofty height. Achievement of these objectives is tied to leadership that inspires confidence in order to achieve a buy-in by citizens.
To him, therefore, there couldn’t be a better time to push forward the issue of transformational leadership in Nigeria than now, when the current leadership, a product of a peaceful political transition and one that promised the much needed change, has properly settled into office. He believes that the current leadership has demonstrated the political will to push through the kind of transformation that is required to guarantee sustainable development in the country.
The 2015 edition of Access Bank’s leadership conference held in Lagos in November, last year, provided the platform for Wigwe to state categorically that the global differences and economic challenges in the world have come with opportunities that must be seized with both hands, if local and foreign investors are to make the difference in the country’s socio-economic landscape.
He says though the changing economic environment will bring new challenges to the business world, such environment will create tenacious leaders, courageous politicians and innovative chief executives, pointing out that leadership in a transformational world not only benefits from innovation, but also demands it. It is, indeed, no longer an option, but an absolute necessity.
Expectedly, Wigwe advocates the crucial role of transformational leadership not just to the country, but also, very importantly, to human development, since a developed population is sine qua non to having the kind of leadership a country needs.


Role of banks
The crucial role of banks in the transformational leadership that Wigwe advocates lies in their willingness and preparedness to come up with innovative and quality products and services at the most affordable prices, to the greatest number of people. It is the reason Access Bank, under him, is involved in various initiatives that encourage financial inclusion for the segment of the population that is generally seen to lack access to banking products and services.

I was with a tenant while inspecting one of my dad’s properties in Lekki and I met some guys cleaning with the name Afterlife cleaning crested on their polo shirt. They did so well that the lady was jumping here and there saying she has her home transformed. I looked up the company name online and this is what I found. No website to make enquiries. Too bad! Please, does anyone know if Afterlife does office cleaning? My dad’s office is very dirty and I suggested that we need a thorough one-off cleaning before we get a janitorial cleaner to clean regularly. He’s asking that I should recommend a cleaning company. Does afterlife do office cleaning and janitorial cleaning beautifully too? Please, I need testimonies.

Click on this link http://www.brandinspector..com/2013/05/20132014-utme-result-released-today.html

Here is another good site where you can shop with full trust www.perfume.com.ng. They deliver within few hours.

Can anyone recommend a good private home tutor in Ibadan?

Beni American University is expected to change education in Africa; but I wonder how an academic institution like BAU could fail to carefully examine this error on its webpage. Click here to check the error: http://www.brandinspector..com/2013/02/this-brand-is-expected-to-change.html

Is love really wicked?

BENI AMERICAN UNIVERSITY, PLEASE, NIGERIANS NEED STANDARD!
Here is another little but big mistake from another brand: http://www.brandinspector..com/2013/02/this-brand-is-expected-to-change.html

dridowu: Yaba Left 4 ops

Have you been there?

pro01: There are different forms of madness. . .from the subtle to the full-blown; and from the momentary to the permanent. I'm not quite sure which category you belong. . .the only thing I'm sure of is that it takes some kind of madness to start this kind of thread.

It takes a senior mad man to identify another mad man. My maddest boss, TWAAALE! Your madness get level o...e be like say na ogbonge one be your own o.

The essence of the post is to preach standard. I know the serious minded folks who read this thread will see reasons why they should critically observe what they send to the public before doing so. Whatever that is worth doing at all is worth doing well *licks lips*

I got this from the facebook fan page of the popular Yoruba Nollywood artiste, Odunlade Adekola. Click here to view the captured image of his facebook fan page: http://www.brandinspector..com/2013/02/i-got-this-from-facebook-fan-page-of.html

For those who can't see the texts clearly, here is an excerpt:

I, Odunlade Adekola, Actor, Producer, Director and GLO Ambassador wishes all my fans...

Too bad, Odunlade as a big brand needs to work on his syntax. From the comments on the post, it is obvious that this GLO ambassador is a role model to many youths in Nigeria. So, what do we expect the youths to learn from such a big brand?

I suggest that Odunlade should work more on his public relations; he may have to pay someone to administer his social media relationship with his fans. I'm one of his fans, if not, I wouldn't have bothered to like or explore his fan page. No doubt, Odunlade is good but he can be better if he yields to advice.

Here is the correct statement: I, Odunlade Adekola, Actor, Producer, Director and GLO Ambassador wish all my fans...

Click here to view the captured image of his facebook fan page: http://www.brandinspector..com/2013/02/i-got-this-from-facebook-fan-page-of.html

WHAT IS LOVE?
‘Love is love only when it affects both sides’ (Kiswahili)

Have you ever been in love with someone who doesn't really care about you or love you as much as you do? Really, I must confess that it hurts, it’s killing, it’s crazy and disheartening to see someone you love, loving someone else.
Love is not love until it’s mutual. Don’t be deceived, there is no way you can entice, seduce or force someone to love you. You can’t buy love, you can only build it. If it is not love, it may only look like it, it can never be lovely. If you love someone so much and he/she does not reciprocate your love, it is better for you to step up, take heart and move on with your life. The longer you keep holding yourself down in a relationship without love, the greater your chances of getting hurt or misbehaving.

You can’t fake love, you can’t act it and you can’t even hide it, but you can create it. Love comes naturally. The first step to creating love, loving someone or being lovely is your ability to love yourself. If you don’t love yourself, how would other people see reasons to love you? As from today, take time to love yourself for whom you are (irrespective of your physical, social and psychological challenges or deformity), if there is anything you need to change about yourself in other for you to love yourself, please start working on it now.

After loving yourself, the next step is to love other people around you genuinely. Don’t condemn people because they think and look differently; appreciate them for whom they are. Instead of focusing on people’s weaknesses or shortcoming, try to concentrate on the good qualities that they possess. In whatever you do today, always remember that ‘love is love when it affects both sides’. Have a lovely day!

Don't start your day without a word from the ancestors...remember, a word is enough for the wise. Sign up with us for a daily feed. Follow @our_ancestors on twitter or email: wordsofourancestors@gmail.com. May your days be plenty!


you can get more of this directly from the source: www.wordsofourancestors..com

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Remember, a business without effective publicity is like a man who winks in the dark. He

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At THINKING MEDIA, we deliver your message clearly at an affordable price.

Contact details:
Phone: 08034791190, 08088170818
E-mail: info@thinkfirsttechnology.com

THINKING MEDIA (A subsidiary of THINK FIRST TECHNOLOGY LTD.)

A business with no sign is a sign of no business. Do you really have a business? Your company's name, logo, media publicity, stationary, social network publicity and other promotional strategies are what will give your brand a corporate signature in today's market place. We are here to make your business stand out.
We have the credibility to take your brand/company from start-up to a house-hold brand. Why not contact us today for any of these services:

CORPORATE BRANDING (designing logo, designing and printing corporate stationery and souvenir etc.)

MEDIA PUBLICITY (Print Media, Outdoor-Mobile Media, Radio & Television)

SOCIAL NETWORK PUBLICITY ADMINISTRATION (Facebook, Twitter, Web Content Management & Blog)

Remember, a business without effective publicity is like a man who winks in the dark. He knows what he is doing but nobody else does.

At THINKING MEDIA, we deliver your message clearly at an affordable price.

Contact details:
Phone: 08034791190, 08088170818
E-mail: info@thinkfirsttechnology.com

Who is fooling who?It is obvious that this dude from Bells University contracted Don Jazzy for publicity and not the money thing. I'm very sure Don Jazzy gave him no dime. He only mentioned his name to promote his new songs. On another note, if Don Jay saw potentials in the dude, he should have produced some beats for him instead of 'paying' him to work with other producers. Now what's my biz in this whole issue? How does it affect my lunch today? My opinion is that no one should take Nlanders as fools. I have spoken!

Not really

You must really be in the dark, he's upgraded...go and get his ne album, it should be everywhere, or are you a learner?

Mr.NAWTI is hot, so so hot!

@OP why is Olumaintain among the outgoing artistes? Any genuine reason pls?

amblors: @OP how do u define hiphop?

The last time I Checked, Hip Hop is the lame of any person, animal, place of tins.

oddy4real: 9ice's last double albums sold out, he had a SOLD OUT solo concert at Expo Centre on March 11 last year and things are going on well for him, yet you opine that he is 'finished' and 'overrated'
That he doesn't do fake hype and promo like all your noise making artistes doent make him 'finished'.

How on earth could the word 'outgoing' be synonymous with 'finish'. Guy, go check your dictionary well well. What you call SOLD OUT may be red alert to the artiste. The fact that you and your friends with other few fans bought an album doesn't guarantee SOLD OUT or success of an album. Then, know this today, there is nothing like fake publicity...every artiste needs to be nice to the media. If they don't talk about you, it is either you are dead or a living dead body. Any question?

Jimmygoldent: @S.depanace Ma friend I will like u to pls kindly go and google and search for this guys with there tracks. Tho it's not easy when u are not on a good label or have a better way of promoting.

Jimmy Gold - Oju ti ri

http://www.hulkshare.com/cfby70c4zy0w

Opzy - Yoruba rap ti gba ijo ba

T-money - ka Bo si area

These guys are fucking good, I can fucking bet u about Jimmy Gold he is a very creative artist, I bet u will recommend
him to others.

Now I can see from my google search that you are actually the Jimmy Gold

hypenation:
2. Kida Kudz
He won the peak talent show season 3 and has drop some nice singles(kosere ni moscow,sho ti gbo) but he needs to work on his delivery-sounding like lil wayne will get him nowhere

Who told you that sounding like Lil-Wayne will get him nowhere? Vector sounds very much like Jay Z, yet he is somewhere. It works for several other artistes too. At first, you may have to sound like someone else before you discover your true voice.

@Jimmy, apart from Dammy Krane, I don't think I know or have heard about the three other guys you mentioned. That means they really need to pray and work hard for a miracle in the industry this year. Remember, a lot of guys are 'para-ing' in the music industry this year; they really want to BLOW.

Nice concept, good one!

At last, we have witnessed The 2012 Headies Awards night which has been rated by many Nigerians as one of the most dignified awards in Nigeria. Well, as far as I am concerned, there are only few of such awards in Nigeria that would attract the attention of almost all the big boys and star artistes in the African Entertainment industry. Many star artistes who were not in Nigeria before the event had to hurry to Lagos for another night of fun, style and networking. This year’s edition of The Headies Awards (the 6th edition) was hosted by Omawumi and MI. The colorful event was graced with amazing performances by Davido, Eva, Brymo, Dammy Krane, Timi Dakolo and EME All Stars.

This piece is an attempt to briefly review the result of the award panelists and examine some sensitive aspects of the organization of the award since it is one of the highly rated in the Nigerian entertainment industry. Besides, I expect that most of my suggestions in this review would be useful for progressive development in the industry and for the sake of the posterity.

Below is a review of each of The Headies 2012 Award categories:

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

The entries for this category were; Ice Prince’sEverybody Loves Ice Prince, P-Square’s The Invasion, Wizkid’s Superstar and Naeto C’s Super C Season. It is quite amazing why Invasion had to invade every other entry on the nomination list. If we are to judge by the number of hit tracks on each of the albums nominated in this category, we would need only Headies to tell us why Wizkid’s Superstar couldn’t have been the head. In the 5th edition of The Headies Award, we understood that Superstarwas not ripe enough to be the best album of the year since the album was launched some few months before the award. And if we are to judge by the year that the albums nominated for this category were released, then we should remember that Wizkid’s Superstar and P-square’s Invasion were both released shortly before the 5th edition of The Headies Award last year. So, what on earth could have been the yardstick for The Headies [/b]selection?

[b]ARTISTE OF THE YEAR

Really, I had expected that the likes of P-Square and D’Banj would have been rewarded for their uncommon contribution to the development of the Nigerian entertainment industry in this year. In some years back, it could be very difficult for one to imagine a Nigerian singing in collaboration with a reigning international artiste in France or USA. P-Square broke the jinx this year by doing a remix of Chop My Money (in Pidgin English) with Akon and Onyinye with the Yankee big boss, Rick Ross. D’banj also did some recordings with The Good Music (though many Nigerians complained about his passive roles in the recording). When Wizkid was declared the winner of this category, I must confess, I thought it was a big joke. How could he? On what basis?

SONG OF THE YEAR

No other song in year 2012 apart from D’baj’s Oliver Twist(the song that hit top 9 on UK iTtunes) deserves the award for this category. I think The Headies got it right here.

RECORDING OF THE YEAR

Among the four songs nominated in this category, I would say Brymo’s Ara is the only one recorded somewhere in the cloud nine. If truly you appreciate good musical production, I am sure you would agree with me that Brymo’s Ara is highly spiritual.

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR

Here, I’m sure The Headies got it twisted. Actually, I was contemplating between Cobham’[/b]s Stupid Song and [b]Jesse Jags’ E.L.I. If you are a keen lover of quality music production, you should know that a lot of creativity and skills were exerted into the production of Stupid Song (Very unique) and E.L.I.(originality is involved). Even, logically we should expect that the producer of the song that wins the Recording of the Year should be given exclusive preference in this category. This is one of the reasons why an artiste may receive up to ten awards in Grammy or other internationally reputed awards.

BEST MUSIC VIDEO DIRECTOR

Of all the entries in this category, I think Jude Okoye’s Chop My Money stands out. He deserves to be commended for his detailed interpretation of the song in the video. His concept is very dramatic.

BEST R ‘N’ B SINGER

May D might have attempted to try out with Rhythms and Blues but I would say he is still coming up. The fact that you sing one or two R ‘n’ B songs should not make you the best R ‘n’ B singer. Hey! There are some peeps whose calling in the musical industry is to sing only R ‘n’ B, no deviation. Some of them have been persistent in it over the years. So, if Award is truly a reward of relentless contribution and remarkable efforts, I see no reason why the likes of Wande Coal or Tiwa Savage shouldn’t have blazed this category. Headies, are you for real?

BEST POP SINGLE

Hmmm, this is tough! Whoever advised The Headies to include Iyanyan’s Kurukere among the nomination list must have done a good job. Kudos! I had predicted he would win even before the night of the award.

BEST R ‘N’ B/ POP ALBUM

I agree that P-Square’s Invasion has the highest number of hit R ‘n’ B tracks among other entries for this category. So, no comments.

BEST RAP SINGLE

This category is a big disappointment to me, but I would like to reserve my comments. Why? I am aware that some angels are interested in reading this part of the write up, so let there be silence.

BEST RAP ALBUM

Yes boss! Ice Prince noni!

LYRICIST ON THE ROLL

Next category please,…skip!

BEST COLLABO

Chop My Money remix by P-Square ft. Akon & May-D shouldn’t have made the nomination list for this category if The Headies knew it would be ignored for Orobo [/i]by Sound Sultan Ft. Excel & Flavour. P-Square deserves an apology for this.


BEST VOCAL PERFORMANCE (MALE)

I must confess, this is another tough one. It was very difficult for me to select the best of these three wonderful vocalists: Wande Coal ‘s [i]Private trips, Banky W’s Low Key [/i]and Brymo’s [i]Ara. The Headies would have killed a lot of fans out there if the winner of this category wasn’t from my choice list.

BEST VOCAL PERFORMANCE (FEMALE)

If I were The Headies, I would declare everyone in this category the winner. But to be more realistic, I think Tiwa Savage’s Love Me, Love, Love Me wasn’t a disappointment at all.

AFRICAN ARTISTE OF THE YEAR

Nice one!

BEST STREET HOP

I think Reminisce’s Kako Bi Chicken and Chuddy K’s Gaga Crazy are specially made for the street, but no doubt, Gaga Crazy deserves the award.

NEXT RATED

Hmm! Why are the likes of Solid Star, Olamide, May D and some very good bad boys not listed in this category? The Headies must be wrong to choose Davido as the next rated artiste for year 2012. If I may ask, what does it take to be the next rated artiste? I think Davido is already rated.

HIP HOP WORLD REVELATION OF THE YEAR

I think Wizkid really revealed himself this year as a young artiste who can perform a lot of wonders with his crazy free styles in the Nigerian music industry. Truly, the boy is revealing.

I suggest that the organizers of The Headies awards should be more critical in arriving at certain decisions concerning the selection of winners for each award category. The panelists should not base the selection process of the artistes on the public text messages alone in order to avoid irrational and selfish nominations that would diminish the standard and reputation of the award. I also suggest that there should be a category which would serve as a lift and reward for the upcoming artistes in the Nigerian music industry. And lastly, I observed that the sound production of this year’s edition of The Headies was very poor and below expectations. I suggest that more active and competent technical crew should be arranged for the next edition. I hope the next Headies Awards Night would be for real.




Kolade Akinyele is a creative consultant at Thinking Media Ltd. You can reach him via kurlarday@gmail.com or follow @kurlarday on twitter.

source: http://blog.playmyjamz.com/?p=223